Vernal Pool Monitoring at Cascades

On Saturday afternoon I hiked up to the Boynton Park/Cascades area in Worcester to check on the vernal pools. I've been observing these pools for three or four years now. They are primarily used by Wood Frogs but I've also seen a few salamander eggs there as well.

Unfortunately this year the water level in the pools is low. I'd estimate that the major breeding pool is only 60 - 75% of its normal level. The secondary pool (just downstream of the first major one) seems to be pretty full but some of the smaller surronding pools are completely dried up. This seem unbelievable considering the heavy Fall rains that the area experienced. But March has been pretty dry.

I have to admit that this is probably my favorite vernal pool. I don't know if the overall diversity is there but the Wood Frogs love it. Last year there must have been 10,000 tadpoles in the pool... if not more. Hopefully we get some big rains before the frogs move in.

Flint Pond (3/26/06)

After our work on Sunday we headed over to Flint Pond. John Shea tipped us off to the huge number of waterfowl that were migrating thru. In addition to the stalwart Mute Swans, Canada Geese, Mallards and Black Ducks there were also some rarities. These included Northern Shoveler, Common Goldeneye, and Northern Pintail. There were also a pair of Killdeer searching for food in the mudflats.

Hanging Some Bluebird Boxes at BMB

On Sunday my parents and I met up with John Shea at Broad Meadow Brook to do some work on the trails. John and Rick hung some new boxes for the Eastern Bluebirds that live at the sanctuary. Some of the boxes were placed on free standing poles but they also used the powerline poles. [Here's a quick map that I made which shows the approximate box locations.]

While the guys did their work, Barbara and I made a couple of brush piles out of the sticks that remained from last fall's cut. Hopefully small birds and mammals will use these piles for shelter throughout the year.

After that work was done, we headed down to the brook to clean out the wood duck boxes that we hung in the winter of 2004. There are three boxes located along the brook opposite of Troiano Brookside Trail. The first ("A") is mounted on a pole in the area of the old beaver lodge. "B" and "C" are mounted on trees closer to the Dunkirk Ave end of the trail.

When we opened the boxes, we got some good news. Box "A" had both egg shells and an unhatched egg. This box was also used last year so obviously the ducks like it. Box "B" was a little harder to get to. Its mounted about 7 feet in the air so I had to "climb" the tree to reach it. If you've ever wanted to see a large guy reach blindly into a box while clinging to a tree, you missed your chance. But, it was worth it because box "B" was filled with down (but no shells). Unfortunately box "C" was filled with leaves which tells me that it was probably used as a squirrel shelter.

This is really interesting to me. Box "B" is the highest off the ground and I think that it was used. Box "A" is the lowest but its the closest to the water and its been used twice. Box "C" is the only one with a predator guard and I think that its only been used by squirrels.

As the final treat of the day, while bushwacking thru the woods from box "A" we spooked an American Woodcock. That was a first for me on the sanctuary.

The only down note for the day was that we stumbled upon a new pile of waste along the powerlines. I don't know how people get their trucks thru the gates but its a big problem. Oh well... that's something to take care of for Earth Day.

[A complete set of photos from the day can be found here.]

Nesting Ravens

As of Saturday, spring still hadn't taken hold in the Worcester area so I decided to take a short hike at Asnebumskit Hill in Paxton. The major draw of this area is the nesting Common Ravens. A pair of birds has made one of the towers their home every year for the past two or three summers. When I got to the top of the hill, the nest was clearly visible but the birds were harder to find. I could hear them calling in the woods and even got a quick glance of them flying by.
[So, I didn't get close enough to take the picture above. It was taken at the Grand Canyon last year where the Ravens are have learned to ask for handouts.]

Other than that, the woods were pretty quiet. A pair of Red Tailed Hawks circled above and some Chickdees were calling, but that's about it.

GWLT Annual Meeting

I attended the annual meeting of the Greater Worcester Land Trust on Sunday night. It was a relatively small gathering but everyone was really nice. The keynote speaker was Olyssa Starry of the Urban Ecology Institute. Olyssa detailed her work in Worcester last summer. She performed rapid ecological assessments of 10 properties in the city and then scored each sight in a number of categories. The sights that scored high are prime targets for preservation either by outright purchase or by entering into conservation agreements with the owners. Olyssa did a great job explaining how she did the surveys and had some great slides showing some of the things she found (who knew that orchids grew wild in Worcester?).

Plum Island 3/18

Broad Meadow Brook had a birding field trip to Plum Island on Saturday. The weather was cold and blustery and there were really only a few birds. The winter residents (Snowy Owl, Northern Harrier, Bald Eagle, etc.) were all there. But, the highlights were a large flock of Northern Pintail and a similar size flock of Sanderling along the beach. These guys looked ready for spring.

Vernal Equinox

Ah... the first day of Spring. It can't be long before the Wood Frogs are quacking. I can't wait.

Wolves and Cougars

A couple of weekends ago I attended a presentation on "New England's Missing Links: Why New England Needs Top-Level Predators" by Cynthia Menard. The talk focused on wolves and cougars. Cynthia described the habits, prey, and history of these apex predators. She also outlined the current status of each species and the plan to reintroduce them to New England.

Cynthia did a great job mixing just the right amount of data to her real life experience with wolf research. Unfortunately there were only three attendees (including me). If Cynthia has another event at Broad Meadow Brood MAS, I would strongly recommend making the time to attend.

Delaney WMA (3/12/06)

I took a long walk at Delaney WMA in Stowe/Bolton on Sunday. The pond was filled with Mallards, Common Merganzers, and some other ducks that were too far away to identify. Red-winged Blackbirds are back in force and have already staked out the best real estate in the reeds. Red breasted Nuthatches were the highlights of the land birds.

Recycling Works

According to Heifer Intl it takes 70% less energy to make paper from recyled material than it does from trees.

World Wide Suicide

I've tried to keep this blog totally dedicated to animals but there's only one thing that I'll make an exception for... Pearl Jam. Ed and the boys have a new album coming out on May 2nd. You can download their latest single, World Wide Suicide for free here. It rocks hard.

(WARNING: Offer not recommended for residents of red states)

Star-Nosed Mole?

My sister and I returned to Wachusett Reservoir of Sunday. On the walk back she noticed something small moving in the leaf litter. It reminded me of the gopher from Caddyshack. The leaves would rise and fall as the animal moved. Of course we just had to find out what it was so we peeled back enough to see a small rodent. My sister got a better look than I did and she thought that it was a star-nosed mole. I didn't take a picture because I didn't want to stress the guy out any more than we already did. The habitat seems correct but I've never seen one of these moles before so I can't be totally sure.

Wachusett Reservoir (3/4)

Saturday afternoon I spent a little time hiking at Wachusett Reservoir. The woods were really quiet. Most of the water was covered with a thin sheet of ice so there were no water birds to be found. I did have a couple of Juncos, a Blue Jay, and a soaring Red Tail Hawk. They best sighting of the afternoon was a group of seven White Tail Deer. When they sensed me they all bolted up the road deeper into the woods. When I got to their original location (about 15 seconds later) I couldn't find any of them. Its simply amazing that all of those large animals can disappear so easily into the woods.

Broad Meadow Brook MAS (3/4)

Before doing a little volunteer work on Saturday morning I took a short walk at Broad Meadow Brook. I only got to the brook along Sprague Trail before I had to head back to the visitor's center. But I did have a couple of nice "sightings". Two Red Bellied Woodpeckers called back and forth across the trail. And, on the way back, I saw my first Red Wing Blackbird of the year. Spring is definitely right around the corner.

Wildlife Reports

I'm a huge fan of Rick Quimby's Worcester County Sightings web site. Its simple but very effective. I'd like to make this blog into a similar resource for CT wildlife sightings but I need to be able to have people to submit reports. If nyone is interested, please leave a comment. Thanks.

Broad Meadow Brook's March Programs

Mass Audubon's Broad Meadow Brook
March 2006 Programs

Outdoor Adventure at Green Hill Park
Saturday, March 4, 1:00 PM-2:30 PM
Audience: Family
Spring has not quite arrived yet, but we can still get outdoors and enjoy ourselves! On this adventure, we'll walk along a stream where we can overturn rocks to look for salamanders, traverse the East Park Trail that meanders by an abandoned quarry, and look for anything that hops, flies, and crawls. This park is home to red-tailed hawks and great blue herons, in addition to many four-legged animals. So join us on this adventure and help create a list of animals we find along the way. Meet at the Vietnam Memorial. Bring binoculars, field guides, and bottled water. For ages 6 and older. Fee: Adults: $4.50 M, $6.00 NM, Kids: $3.00 M, $4.00 NM.

New England's Missing Link: Wolves and Mountain Lions
Saturday, March 4, 7:30 PM-9:00 PM
Audience: Adult/Child
An important link is missing from New England's forests: top-level predators that provide stability and biodiversity for our forest ecosystems and the region as a whole. In a slide show and discussion, we will learn about these magnificent animals, what the result has been with their absence, and how we can help restore balance to the nature of New England. Snow Date March 11, 2006 . For ages 10 and older. Fee: Adults: $4.50 M, $6.00 NM, Kids: $3.00 M, $4.00 NM.

Hiking at Perkins Farm
Sunday, March 5, 1:00 PM-3:00 PM
Audience: Family
Come explore one of Worcester's wilds! Perkins Farm is the site of Worcester's last working farm; today it is 80 acres of preserved conservation land. Join us as we discover stonewalls and cellar holes, red fox territories, vernal pools, and black oak savannah, and do a little birding as we explore Perkins Farm. Meet behind the Stop & Shop on Grafton Street (Rt. 122); there is a designated parking area for Perkins Farm. Look for the Mass Audubon staff member! Wear appropriate footwear and bring a water bottle; there are no rest rooms at Perkins Farm. For ages 7 and older. Fee: Adults: $6.00 M, $8.00 NM, Kids: $4.00 M, $5.25 NM.

Introduction to Birdwatching: Waterfowl and Raptors
Monday, March 6, 7:00 PM-9:00 PM
Audience: Adult
This program is week 5 of a five-week lecture series designed to teach the fundamentals of birdwatching. You can sign up for one, two, or all five lectures. The lectures will cover the tools of the trade, identification, habitat, migration, and much more. Join the hundreds of people who have discovered the hobby of birdwatching. Bring binoculars and favorite field guides (if you have them). Fee: $6.00 for Adult Members, $8.00 for Adult Non-members

Peregrines Nest in Worcester!
Wednesday, March 8, 7:00 PM-9:00 PM
Audience: Adult/Child
Worcester can now boast about its own pair of nesting peregrine falcons. This past spring, the top floor balcony of the Flagship Bank became home for several young peregrines. Under the expert direction of Massachusetts Wildlife Biologist Tom French, the young birds were successfully banded and will now be monitored. In 1966, primarily resulting from DDT poisoning, these birds had completely disappeared as a breeding bird in the East. Join Tom French for a slide show and discussion about the comeback of these fabulous flyers. For ages 10 and older. Fee: Adults: $8.00 M, $10.00 NM, Kids: $5.00 M, $6.00 NM.

Spring Migration Along the Coast
Thursdays, March 9 ~ May 11, 7:00 PM-8:30 PM
Audience: Adult
The long and ever-changing Massachusetts coast witnesses some of the most dramatic and spectacular migrations in the spring. Sea ducks off the Cape, loons and grebes off the South Shore, and shorebirds on the North Shore. Some of the best land bird migrant "traps" are also found right along the shore. This class will focus on traveling to some of the best-known birding coastal destinations in the state including Plum Island, Marblehead Neck, and Cape Ann, but will also feature trips to less famous (but just as exciting) destinations like Fairhaven, West Island, Manomet, and Acoaxet. Weekday evening lectures will focus on seabird migration and identification topics. Join us as we watch wave after wave of migrants pass by along the beautiful coast of our state as the snow melts, the temperatures rise, and the world turns green once more. This is an advance-level program; participants are required to have binoculars and a scope. Weekend field trips will be announced in class. Fee: $100.00 M, $120.00 NM.

Trailwalking with Christy
Saturday, March 11, 10:00 AM-12:00 PM
Audience: Adult
Enjoy the changing seasons and parade of species found at Broad Meadow Brook. Each month, Christy will explore the sanctuary trails searching for new and different learning experiences, and will point out the natural history highlights of each trail she walks. Each month has a different focus, and we'll take advantage of whatever is flying, hopping, walking, or blooming. Gain that "sense of place," and know what is happening in your world! Come prepared to walk the trails with appropriate footwear and outerwear; bring a water bottle. This walk is held rain or shine. Fee: $6.00 M, $8.00 NM.

Sachuest Point NWR in Winter
Saturday, March 11, 9:00 AM-5:00 PM
Audience: Adult
While spending a winter day at the shore may not be for everyone, may we remind you that Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge is the second best place in southern New England to see harlequin ducks? In addition, common eiders, black and white-winged scoters, northern harriers, buffleheads, and oldsquaw (now known as long-tailed ducks) are commonly observed just offshore. This will not be a high-powered birding trip, but a winter day at the shore, with birding being just one of the natural history activities we'll indulge in! Limited to nine participants; van transportation from Broad Meadow Brook provided. Dress warmly, bring a bag lunch, and be ready to leave at 9:00 am sharp from Broad Meadow Brook Wildlife Sanctuary. Snow date is Sunday, March 12. Fee: $30.00 for Adult Members, $37.00 for Adult Non-members

Introduction to Birdwatching: Warblers
Monday, March 13, 7:00 PM-9:00 PM
Audience: Adult
This program is week 5 of a five-week lecture series designed to teach the fundamentals of birdwatching. You can sign up for one, two, or all five lectures. The lectures will cover the tools of the trade, identification, habitat, migration, and much more. Join the hundreds of people who have discovered the hobby of birdwatching. Bring binoculars and favorite field guides (if you have them). Fee: $6.00 for Adult Members, $8.00 for Adult Non-members

Homeschool Program: Bird's Nest Safari
Wednesday, March 15, 1:00 PM-3:00 PM
Winter is a marvelous time to look for abandoned bird nests in trees. Bare branches often reveal the once secret spot where a bird built a nest and raised its young. We'll examine Broad Meadow Brook's extensive nest collection to learn what shapes and materials New England birds use to build their nests. Then we'll see how many different bird's nests we can find on the trails and try our hand at making some nests of our own. Snow date is Wednesday, March 22. For ages 8 and above. Fee: $6.00 for Child Members, $8.00 for Child Non-members.

Nature Photography for Beginners
Saturdays, March 18 - May 20, 10:00 AM-12:00 PM
Audience: Adult
This course is designed for photographers who want to learn how to use their film or digital camera to capture the beauty of the natural world. Students will learn basic photographic techniques that will enhance their nature photographs by taking the camera off "automatic" and using the manual settings for creative results, how to make great exposures, and using basic compositional elements to create strong nature photographs. We will also discuss which filters to use for nature photography, lenses, and flash photography in the field. During the first two classes we will discuss basic photographic techniques that will improve your nature photographs. The third and the fifth class will be field trips at Broad Meadow Brook. At the fourth and the last classes, we will show and critique the photographs taken on the field trips. There will also be assignments for each class that will give students the opportunity to practice the techniques learned in class. Students should bring up to five photographs (nature or otherwise) to the first class. Students should bring an SLR or digital camera to class. Bring up to five photographs to the first class (nature or other). Fee: $65.00 M, $80.00 NM

Restoring the Blackstone River Spawning Grounds
Sunday, March 19, 1:00 PM-5:00 PM
Audience: Adult
For centuries, dams have excluded certain fish (American shad, alewife, and blueback herring) from migrating up the Blackstone River from Narragansett Bay to breed in freshwater, but that may change soon. Come explore the four lower-most dams on the Blackstone, starting in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, and learn about the plans for reintroducing these anadromous fish to the Blackstone River system. We'll also take a look at Valley Falls marsh, the short-term destination for these fish. This program is part of the Campaign for a Fishable/Swimmable Blackstone River by 2015 series. Meet at Broad Meadow Brook for van tour. Fee: $10.00 M, $12.00 NM.

"Big Night" in North Grafton
Monday, March 20, 7:00 PM-8:30 PM
Audience: All
Through a narrated slide presentation, learn all about the phenomenon called "Big Night," when salamanders and wood frogs rise up from forest leaf litter and head for their vernal pools to breed. Who are these creatures? Why do they use vernal pools to mate? And how do they know when to migrate? Participants will have an opportunity to visit a local vernal pool at no additional charge at a later date. The date for this field trip will be announced the evening of the program (we have to see how spring is progressing before we can announce the actual date). Brigham Hill Community Farm is located at 37 Wheeler Road in North Grafton. For ages 6 and older. Fee: Adults: $4.50 M, $6.00 NM, Kids: $3.00 M, $4.00 NM.

"Big Night" in Leominster
Wednesday, March 22, 7:00 PM-8:30 PM
Audience: All
Through a narrated slide presentation, learn all about the phenomenon called "Big Night," when salamanders and wood frogs rise up from forest leaf litter and head for their vernal pools to breed. Who are these creatures? Why do they use vernal pools to mate? And how do they know when to migrate? Participants will have an opportunity to visit a local vernal pool at no additional charge at a later date. The date for this field trip will be announced the evening of the program (we have to see how spring is progressing before we can announce the actual date). At the time of this writing, the library is temporarily located at Crossroads Office Park, 690 Mechanic Street, Leominster; please check with the library to see where it is actually located before going to the program. For ages 6 and older. Fee: Adults: $4.50 M, $6.00 NM, Kids: $3.00 M, $4.00 NM.

Birds of Massachusetts: Spring Session
Tuesdays, March 28~ May 30, 7:00 PM-9:00 PM
Audience: Adult
This ten-week class is the third of three sessions covering birds in Massachusetts. We'll discuss identification of the species in detail through the use of slides, field guides, and visits to various locations around the state. The birds covered in the spring session will include warblers, flycatchers, thrushes, rails, and terns. The class meets Tuesday evenings, and weekend field trips will occur at locations such as Oxbow National Wildlife Refuge, Plum Island, River Bend Farm, and Quabbin Park. Participants are expected to have some birding experience and should bring binoculars and field guides. (Participants need not have taken the fall or winter sessions.) Fee: $100.00 for Adult Members, $120.00 for Adult Non-members

"Big Night"
Wednesday, March 29, 7:00 PM-8:30 PM
Audience: All
Through a narrated slide presentation, learn all about the phenomenon called "Big Night," when salamanders and wood frogs rise up from forest leaf litter and head for their vernal pools to breed. Who are these creatures? Why do they use vernal pools to mate? And how do they know when to migrate? Participants will have an opportunity to visit a local vernal pool at no additional charge at a later date. The date for this field trip will be announced the evening of the program (we have to see how spring is progressing before we can announce the actual date). For ages 6 and older. Fee: Adults: $4.50 M, $6.00 NM, Kids: $3.00 M, $4.00 NM.

Call (508) 753-6087 for information and registration.
Most programs require advance registration, unless otherwise noted.
Key M = Mass Audubon Member, NM = Non-member
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