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BIRDING THE MASS CENTRAL RAIL TRAIL, WARE Monday September 7, 2026 8 a.m. - late-morning Leader: Wendy Howes |
Just across the river from Gilbertville (Worcester County) is a lovely stretch of the Mass Central Rail Trail in Ware (Hampshire County). There are two segments along the river- one running north from Church Street (1.6 mile one way), the other heading south (1.2 mile one way). Each offers a variety of habitats accessed along even ground with easy walking. We looked for lingering residents and early fall migrants, many of them taking advantage of the many fruiting trees and shrubs. Three Forbush Bird Club members joined the two WRNC leaders on the walk along the north segment of the trail.
EBird checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S390921433
EBird checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S390921433
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BIRDS & BUTTERFLIES
MASS AUDUBON LAKE WAMPANOAG SANCTUARY GARDNER Sunday August 16, 2026 9 a.m. – early afternoon Leader: Wendy Howes |
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Common Ringlet Photo by Dan Bisaccio
Common Wood-Nymph Photo by Dan Bisaccio
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This property features a large expanse of open wildflower fields with mowed pathways. The fields are mowed once in the fall. The property also includes a small pond and a forest holding red spruce and balsam fir. We took a 3+ hour walk through some promising habitat. Obvious nectar sources were goldenrod, black-eyed Susan, and boneset, but there were other wildflowers in bloom. Except for one Clouded Sulphur and - at the very end of the walk - two Monarchs, there were no butterflies flying over the expanse of open fields. Two species were present in good numbers, but diversity was lacking.
1 Clouded Sulphur 1 Great Spangled Fritillary 1 Eastern Tailed-Blue 10 Pearl Crescent 1 Red-spotted Purple 50+ Common Ringlet, abundant; surely the numbers would have been into the hundreds if the areas without trails were counted 13 Common Wood-Nymph, likely more staying low in the fields 2 Monarch 1 Dun Skipper, worn EBird checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S384224404 |
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NATURE WALK FEDERATED WOMEN’S CLUB STATE FOREST PETERSHAM Friday August 14, 2026 9 a.m. - noon Leader: Bryan DiFabio |
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Naturalist and wildlife tracker Bryan DiFabio answered our invitation to share a favorite place with Club members and friends.
During this casual walk our group explored the forest and wetlands trail to the beaver pond and dam, watching for birds and animal tracks and sign, and whatever else presented itself. Cardinal flower was in bloom. There was evidence of a great deal of beaver activity in the form of cut trees and saplings as well as tracks in the mud. Recent rain resulted in plentiful fungi - many of which had been nibbled - to be investigated. EBird checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S383404581 |
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Gray Catbird Photo by Alan Rawle
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BIRDS & BUTTERFLIES
MT. JEFFERSON CONSERVATION AREA HUBBARDSTON Saturday, July 25, 2026 9:30 a.m. to mid-day |
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This conservation area features several roadside fields - on Mt. Jefferson Road - and wooded paths and trails - at the end of Malone Road. Our group of five spotted a good variety of bird species, but the field that holds Bobolinks in the breeding season had been mowed, so no Bobolinks were found. The only unexpected birds that showed up were a pair of Red Crossbills. Complete checklist:
https://ebird.org/checklist/S376437393 Butterflies foraging in the fields were fewer than expected (list below), in spite of good nectar sources, especially clover. 2 Eastern Tiger Swallowtail, 1 Cabbage White, 3 Clouded Sulphur,1 Eastern Tailed-Blue, 1 Great Spangled Fritillary, 12 Pearl Crescent, 1 Monarch, 3 Little Glassywing, 1 Dun Skipper |
Cabbage White Photo by Alan Rawle
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BIRDING THE MASS CENTRAL RAIL TRAIL
NEW BRAINTREE
Friday June 19, 2026
8 a.m. – noon
Leader: Wendy Howes
NEW BRAINTREE
Friday June 19, 2026
8 a.m. – noon
Leader: Wendy Howes
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Photos by Alan Rawle
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(Postponed from June 18th due to weather.) Four WRNC/Forbush Bird Club members walked the southwest (from Hardwick Road)section of the rail trail, which passes through the riparian edges of the Ware River. The habitat includes floodplain hayfields, small wetlands, and mixed woods.
A nice mix of common breeding species were encountered, including Veery, Wood Thrush, Great-crested Flycatcher, and one distant Willow/Alder Flycatcher. Eastern Phoebe fledglings were spotted.
Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S359902875
A nice mix of common breeding species were encountered, including Veery, Wood Thrush, Great-crested Flycatcher, and one distant Willow/Alder Flycatcher. Eastern Phoebe fledglings were spotted.
Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S359902875
https://ebird.org/checklist/S348025750
https://ebird.org/checklist/S347167065
https://ebird.org/checklist/S347167065
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BIRDING
MUDDY BROOK WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA, HARDWICK Sunday May 17, 2026 8 a.m. - mid-day Leader: Wendy Howes |
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This WMA is being actively managed as part of a large oak-pine restoration effort by Mass Wildlife. The man-made dam that existed here for decades has recently been removed, and restoration/
reconstruction of the landscape is in process. Shallow sections of the former waterway channels have drained and now provide mudflat habitat, attracting the occasional shorebird. Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S341453281 |
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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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DIGGING IN:
EXPLORING SOIL HEALTH
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with Bethany Nichols,
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Club members and friends explored the world of soil with educator Bethany Nichols. Following an informative PowerPoint presentation about soil types, invertebrate and microscopic denizens of soil, and soil health in general, participants had a chance for hands-on, close-up looks at soil samples and testing methods. We learned what to look for and how to provide your soil with a great start for spring!
Soil health is defined as the continued capacity of soil to function as a vital living ecosystem that sustains plants, animals, and humans. Soils are best seen as ecosystems, defined as “a dynamic complex of plant, animal and microorganism communities and their non-living environment interacting as a functional unit.”
Bethany runs the Healthy Soil program at Worcester County Conservation District where she teaches people about the wonders of soil. An environmental educator who loves working outdoors and connecting people with nature, she earned her MS in Outdoor and Environmental Education from Alaska Pacific University. After working in various conservation and education positions both abroad and in Alaska, Bethany returned to Massachusetts to be closer to family. She loves going on adventures with her dog, reading about them with her cat, and exploring with her loved ones.
Soil health is defined as the continued capacity of soil to function as a vital living ecosystem that sustains plants, animals, and humans. Soils are best seen as ecosystems, defined as “a dynamic complex of plant, animal and microorganism communities and their non-living environment interacting as a functional unit.”
Bethany runs the Healthy Soil program at Worcester County Conservation District where she teaches people about the wonders of soil. An environmental educator who loves working outdoors and connecting people with nature, she earned her MS in Outdoor and Environmental Education from Alaska Pacific University. After working in various conservation and education positions both abroad and in Alaska, Bethany returned to Massachusetts to be closer to family. She loves going on adventures with her dog, reading about them with her cat, and exploring with her loved ones.
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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