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SLOW BIRDING WALK
MASS CENTRAL RAIL TRAIL Glenwood Road to Moulton Pond Rutland Wednesday May 13, 2026 8 a.m. - late morning Leader: Ted Purcell |
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Seven people joined leader Ted Purcell for a slow and easy walk along this attractive stretch of the Mass Central Rail Trail. The trail passes through mixed forest and wetland habitats, and many spring wildflowers were in bloom, including red and painted trillium, fringed polygala, Jack-in-the pulpit, and marsh marigold. There is a nice stand of smooth yellow violet close to the northeast end of Moulton Pond.
Light rain was predicted but held off until the halfway point of the walk; temperature was cool, in the high 40s F. But bird song and activity was fairly lively during the first half of the field trip. Highlights were singing Scarlet Tanagers, several Common Yellowthroats that provided good looks, and newly-arriving Veerys. Some warblers passing through remained unidentified, but Black-throated Green and Black-throated Blue warblers were singing and easily identified. |
Photo by Alan Rawle
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Photo by Ted Purcell.
Photo by Alan Rawle
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Photo by Lindsay Gwyther.
Photo by Alan Rawle
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ICE AND SNOW: THE COLD STORY
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Here in New England we are fortunate to have four distinct seasons. However, due to the warming climate, the average annual temperature has been higher in recent years. We still experience migrating birds and blossoming flowers in the spring, thunderstorms and rainbows in the summer, and colorful foliage in autumn. Most recent winters in New England have been less dynamic – landscapes are seldom completely transformed by snow cover, and lakes and ponds are rarely frozen for extended periods. But John shared photos from his collection of stunning ice and snow pictures from winters past. He took us on a visual journey through
the beauty of all four seasons while featuring artistic compositions of ice and snow.
the beauty of all four seasons while featuring artistic compositions of ice and snow.
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John Green has been photographing nature for over 50 years. Inspired by the simple and abundant beauty of the natural world, he purchased his first camera in 1970 and began teaching himself the technical aspects of natural light photography. Instead of using a flash attachment, John waits for the optimum light conditions to illuminate his subject perfectly. John has lived in western Massachusetts since 1972, where he frequently is found photographing the wilds of Quabbin Reservation, sharing his slideshows with community groups, and teaching workshops in nature photography. He resides in Belchertown.
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EARLY SPRING BIRD WALK
HIGH RIDGE
WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA, GARDNER
Saturday March 21, 2026
8 a.m. – mid-day
Leader: Jon Skinner
HIGH RIDGE
WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA, GARDNER
Saturday March 21, 2026
8 a.m. – mid-day
Leader: Jon Skinner
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High Ridge Wildlife Management Area
is 1,040 acres of meadows, grasslands, forests and wetlands that make great habitats for migrating warblers, ducks, herons, rails and other locally breeding birds. Eight participants joined this field trip which was co-sponsored by Athol Bird & Nature Club, to one section of the WMA. There was a walk of about 2 miles on dirt paths and once-paved roads with a few hills of about 50 feet of elevation difference. Weather was overcast with rain predicted later in the day, but the temperature was seasonably comfortable. A checklist for the trip may be viewed here: ebird.org/checklist/S311683783 |
ANNUAL DINNER MEETING
& SILENT AUCTION
Harvard Forest, Petersham
Sunday February 22, 2026
12-5 p.m.
Guest Speakers
THE BEST OF MASSACHUSETTS WILDLIFE
with Jim Morelly, Hiking Camera Nature Photography
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ADVENTURES OF A LOCAL WILDLIFE REHABILITATOR
Melissa Morris, Frog Hollow Wildlife Rehabilitation
THE BEST OF MASSACHUSETTS WILDLIFE
Jim Morelly, Hiking Camera Wildlife Photography
By exploring miles of Massachusetts forests with a camera and carefully positioning trail cameras to observe wildlife behavior, Jim has observed some of nature’s most remarkable and challenging moments. He’ll take us through four seasons of his best digital captures throughout the state. Be prepared for a stunning selection of still shots and video footage of encounters with the creatures that make the Quabbin region so special. Jim will also share his photography goals and the challenges he faces when attempting to capture unique and infrequently-observed wildlife activities and habits.
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Avid hiking and the desire to improve his wildlife photography skills began for Jim Morelly back in 2010. This led to writing his first article for MassWildlife magazine in 2012. Since then, Jim has authored several articles for local magazines. Now, fourteen years later, he's hiked seven thousand miles throughout the Quabbin region, taking photographs of wildlife and other natural subjects along the way. After adding trail cameras to his wildlife photography toolbox, he started to record and capture videos of the secretive behaviors of numerous wild animal species.
Jim maintains a website and an online blog and recently earned increased recognition after winning two trail camera competitions. Jim loves exploring new wild places and camping. |
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ADVENTURES OF A LOCAL WILDLIFE REHABILITATOR
Melissa Morris, Frog Hollow Wildlife Rehabilitation
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It's not easy being a wild critter! Wildlife rehabilitators are there to help when things don't go quite right for the wild animals that co-exist with us. Melissa will share her experiences of getting started in caring for wild animals and developing a non-profit clinic. She'll elaborate on some of the orphaned, injured and ill small mammals and turtles she cares for until they are healthy enough for release back into the wild. She'll also describe the struggles rehabbers face as our suburban neighborhoods continue to encroach and shrink natural habitats, putting many species at risk. Melissa believes we can all be stewards of our properties and enhance wildlife survival rates.
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Melissa Morris has been a wildlife rehabilitator in Hubbardston for nine years and runs Frog Hollow Farm, where she rehabs porcupines, cottontails, opossums, grey, red and Southern flying squirrels, and occasionally, snapping and painted turtles. She is the state mentor for porcupine rehab and one of two state mentors for Eastern cottontails. In recognition of her skills and her help with training new rehabbers in technical challenges, she was awarded the WRAM President’s Award for Rehabber of the Year in 2024. Melissa recently received a major donation enabling her to build a second wildlife clinic in South Carolina where she will be rehabbing armadillos, opossums, squirrels and rabbits during the winter months. She and her husband live on a small farm in Hubbardston with their two mini donkeys, chickens, two rescue dogs and cat.
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