ta bl e Marketing Department Mass Audubon 208 South Great Road, Lincoln, MA 01773 781-259-2135 [email protected] Cover photos: Stone Bridge at Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary —Jeanne Li © Flying Squirrel—Leslie Ouellette© Snow Bunting—Rachel Bellenoit© Dunlins and Sanderlings in flight along the Plum Island beach—Dave Larson© Back cover photo: Tree Sparrow—Carol J. Decker© Artwork on pgs. 10 & 16 courtesy of Abbie Ormord Printing: DS Graphics Funding provided in part by: o f c o n t e n t s North Shore Wildlife Sanctuaries Map and Contact Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Inside Front Cover Notes & Announcements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary Programs Adult . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-9 All Ages—Sugaring Off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Children & Families . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-17 Joppa Flats Education Center Programs Adult . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18-26 Children, Families, & All Ages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26-29 Educators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Trips and Tours Northeast Getaways . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30-33 North America: Outside the Northeast . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33-34 General Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Registration Procedures & Policy Guidelines . . . . . . . . . . . 36 Registration Form . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Inside Back Cover Register Online! You can register for many of Mass Audubon’s programs online. That means you can sign up any time of day (regardless of whether that sanctuary is open or not). See page 36 for details. Look! Up in the sky ! Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary Day Camp Programs for children ages 4-14 •Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary, Topsfield •Hamond Nature Center, Marblehead •Essex County Greenbelt Association’s Cox Reservation, Essex For a free camp brochure, call 978-887-9264 or download a copy: www.massaudubon.org/ipswichriver The 10th Annual Merrimack River Eagle Festival Joppa Flats Education Center Saturday, February 7 8:30 am-4:00 pm Eagle hot spots, raptor demos, family fun FREE See page 21 for details. Mass Audubon has teamed up with the nonprofit Massachusetts Energy Consumers Alliance (Mass Energy). Together, we’re asking people across the Commonwealth to Make the Switch to green electricity. How it works It’s easy: You can switch to green electricity online or over the phone in minutes. All you need is your electric bill! By Making the Switch, you are helping to ensure that more energy comes from local green sources such as wind, solar, cow power, and low-impact hydro (and less from fossil fuels). It’s effective: By Making the Switch, you are purchasing green power that is locally sourced.Your support helps add more green power to the grid, displacing energy from fossil fuels and thereby reducing emissions of harmful heat-trapping gases. As demand for green power increases, so does the construction of new, local, renewable energy projects. Along with implementing home energy-efficiency measures and installing solar panels, buying green electricity is one of the most effective things we, as individuals, can do to address climate change. It’s tax deductible: The amount spent on green power through Mass Energy each year can be deducted from your federal tax return, if you itemize charitable contributions. It’s local: Your power comes from nearby energy sources. Household electricity use can account for more than 30% of an average American’s carbon dioxide emissions. One of the easiest and most effective ways to reduce your carbon footprint is to switch to green power. When you use electricity at home, you tap into the power grid that serves your community. For $14 to $23 a month, you can empower Mass Energy to purchase renewable power on your behalf and add it to your grid. Your Energy When You Make the Switch By Making the Switch, your energy could come from solar power local wind turbines cow power (The use of digester gases from cows to produce electricity.) Enrolling is easy! Visit massaudubon.org/maketheswitch to sign up. You will be asked to enter your zip code, or indicate your electric utility. It is a good idea to have an electric bill on hand when you sign up. You can also call Mass Energy at 800-287-3950 ext. 5 to Make the Switch. Be sure to tell them that Mass Audubon sent you. Be Part of the Climate Change Solution: Make the Switch today! To find out more, visit massaudubon.org/maketheswitch 2 w w w. m a s s a u d u b o n . o r g & Notes & Announcements N o t e s A n n o u n c e m e n t s From Ipswich River From Joppa Flats Employment Opportunities Highlighting a Joppa Flats Endowment For detailed job descriptions, please visit our website at massaudubon.org/jobs. Field Teachers for Environmental Education Programs Part-time seasonal teachers are needed beginning mid-February. Teach hands-on natural history programs for grades pre-K through 8. Experience working with children and knowledge of or interest in natural history a must. Environmental education or classroom experiences a plus. Please submit a cover letter along with your résumé after January 1 to Kim LoGrasso, [email protected], Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary, 87 Perkins Row, Topsfield, MA 01983. The Robert H. Shaw Memorial Endowment Fund was established in 2013 by his daughters, Gillian Kellogg and Susie Winthrop, and by Bob’s extended family and many friends. The fund honors Bob’s passion for wildlife conservation, his support of environmental education, and his leadership role in the development of Joppa Flats. Gillian and Susie felt that a named endowment fund was the best way for their families to preserve Bob’s passion for birds, the environment, and the thrill of being outdoors. Proceeds from Bob’s fund support a broad range of education programs at Joppa Flats. Day Camp Staff Camp counselors are needed for our 2015 summer day camp. We offer competitive salaries and training at Mass Audubon’s Camp Field School. Call the office for job descriptions or visit the website. Volunteer Opportunities For details on these volunteer opportunities, please visit our website at massaudubon.org/volunteer or contact Sue Baeslack at 978-887-9264, ext. 7707 or [email protected]. Minimum age for volunteers is 14. • Sugaring Weekends (February 21-March 15) • Eastern Point Shore Cleanup: Saturday, April 18 9:00 am-noon • Work for Wildlife Volunteer Day: Saturday, April 25 9:00 am-noon • High School Senior Internships • Visitor Services Assistant Seasonal Reminders Cross-Country Skiing Limited cross-country skiing is permitted on the sanctuary. In order to promote a safe and enjoyable experience, we ask that you comply with the posted rules and regulations. For your safety, please register in the office upon arrival and sign out when you leave. Skiers must be off the trails by 3:30 pm. Limited Parking on Sugaring Weekends Please note that on sugaring weekends (February 21 through March 15) parking at the sanctuary may be limited to those who are registered for sugaring tours. If you would like to learn more about establishing an endowment fund that will support Joppa Flats for generations to come, please call Bill Gette at 978-462-9998. Bob’s daughter Gillian would also be pleased to talk to you about her family’s leadership role and the satisfaction they receive through supporting Joppa Flats. Joppa Flats Brings Nature to Your Group Is your group looking for an exciting natural history lecture for your monthly meeting or special event? Staff naturalists and trip leaders at Joppa Flats have developed a series of one-hour programs that explore our fascination with the natural world. Lectures include In the Wake of Sir Ernest Shackleton (Antarctica), Ecology of Bald Eagles, Feeding Backyard Birds, Bird Banding on the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, and Backyard Bird Sanctuaries. We also present travelogues on Kenya, Zambia, Botswana, Belize, Panama, Bhutan, and Brazil, as well as on many intriguing locations in North America. For more information, please call Bill Gette at 978-462-9998. Natural History Art Exhibitions Come to Joppa Flats to see a wide variety of art exhibitions that highlight the beauty and diversity in nature. Opening receptions are held on the first Sunday of each show from 2:30 to 4:00 pm unless otherwise noted. For details on the current exhibit, please go to www.massaudubon.org/joppaflats and click “On Exhibit.” January 4-February 22: Pencil illustrations by Revelle Taillon April 19-May 31: Photographs by John Van de Graaff Not e s & A nn o u n c e m e n t s 3 J A N U A R Y - A P R I L J o p pa 2 0 1 5 F l at s Education Center,Newbur yport Y es, We Can All Make a Difference At Joppa Flats, we produce almost 36 percent of the electricity we consume through the 60 photovoltaic panels on the south-facing roof of our building. For the rest of our electricity needs, we purchase green electricity—energy from renewable resources— through New England GreenStart. We’re not alone. All of Mass Audubon’s staffed sanctuaries now have photovoltaic systems, and they all purchase electricity from renewable sources to supplement their electricity needs. Through our on-site production, reliance on renewable energy, and conservation practices, Mass Audubon has made major strides in reducing our dependence on polluting fossil fuels. J O P PA F L AT S While Mass Audubon has made a good start, we need to do more. We need to convince you to switch to green electricity. Over the coming year, we will work with the non-profit Mass Energy Consumers Alliance to encourage you, homeowners and small businesses, to convert to New England GreenStart or New England Wind. Let’s be frank, electricity from these suppliers will cost a little bit more; however, this premium pays for the construction of more nonpolluting energy sources such as the wind turbines in Ipswich. Sometimes we feel that we can’t make a difference. But I say we can. If you would like to know more about this important conservation initiative, please call me at 978-462-9998. The more families we can get to use electricity from renewable, nonpolluting sources, the better. Bill Gette, Sanctuary Director P.S. Throughout the catalog, IBA indicates a program that takes place within a Massachusetts Important Bird Area, and BCP signifies a graduate of the Joppa Flats Birder’s Certificate Program. 18 w w w. m a s s a u d u b o n . o r g / j o p p a f l a t s A DULT New Year’s Madness IBA Thursday, January 1 / 9:30 am-4:30 pm Leaders: Bill Gette, Joppa Flats Sanctuary Director, and David Davis, Naturalist $45 member, $55 nonmember Early January is a wonderful time for birding and for celebrating the beauty of winter. Join us for an all-day field trip to the Newburyport/Plum Island area and Cape Ann to search for wintering land birds and seabirds. In the Newburypor t area, we will bird the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, Salisbury Beach State Reservation, and the Merrimack River. On Cape Ann, we will visit Halibut, Andrews, and Eastern points; several areas along Atlantic Avenue; and the Brace Cove/Niles Pond area. Target bird species include snowy owl, northern shrike, Lapland longspur, snow bunting, harlequin duck, and other sea ducks, loons, and grebes. This is a great way to start the new year! Meet at Joppa Flats Education Center. Please bring warm clothing and waterproof shoes/boots, binoculars, snacks, and a lunch. Gulls, Gulls, Gulls: A Workshop IBA Friday, January 2 / 7:00-9:00 pm Saturday, January 3 / 7:30 am-5:30 pm Leaders: Dave Larson, Joppa Flats Science and Education Coordinator, and Dave Weaver, BCP $95 member, $125 nonmember Gull identification can seem daunting due to the changes in plumage with age and season and the large variety of species that can be present, especially in winter. Nevertheless, gulls are common birds found in a wide variety of habitats in Massachusetts and deserve attention. Dave and Dave will take a systematic approach, using the evening lecture and examination of specimens, as well as the Saturday field trip, to help participants build an understanding of how to sort out the gulls we find. Our field trip will take us to Newburyport Harbor and to Gloucester, two of the greatest gull locations in Massachusetts. In addition to the more common species target gulls include Iceland, glaucous, Bonapar te’s, and black-headed. We will also take time to study the other wintering land and seabirds we encounter. Meet at Joppa Flats Education Center on both days. For the field portion of the program, please dress for the weather. Bring lunch, snacks, a field guide, binoculars, and scopes. adult b i r d s Wednesday birds Saturday Morning Birding IBA Wish you could join us for birding on Wednesdays but work gets in the way? Or is Wednesday the day for your piano/tai chi/crochet lesson? Good news! You can come outside and enjoy Saturday Morning Birding! Our experienced leaders will take you to birding hot spots in the Newburyport/Plum Island area in search of avian activity. Beginners and birders of all skill levels are welcome. Don’t forget to bring your sense of excitement about this great area—one of the best year-round birding locations in the country. There is no Saturday Morning Birding on January 24, February 7, or May 16. Preregistration is not required. Runs most Saturdays. Please call ahead to confirm. Four-trip special: $30 member, $36 nonmember. Meet at Joppa Flats Education Center. Please wear weather-appropriate clothes and bring binoculars (we do have some loaners available). n a t u r e Lectures Wednesday Evening Lecture Series Wednesdays / 7:30-8:30 pm Free for members, $4 nonmembers Wednesday Morning Birding IBA Wednesdays / 9:30 am-12:30 pm Leaders: Bill Gette, Joppa Flats Sanctuary Director, and Dave Weaver, BCP per session $14 member, $17 nonmember We are in our nineteenth year of Wednesday Morning Birding! These very popular programs provide an excellent opportunity to explore one of the most productive birding areas in the country. To date, we have seen over 320 species of birds on these Wednesday field trips. Throughout the year, we will conduct our field trips to birding hot spots in the Newburyport/Plum Island area. The focus for our programs will be the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, Plum Island, the Merrimack River estuary, and other productive areas in Essex County. When appropriate, we will adjust our itinerary to search for rarities reported in the area. We will depart from our normal routine and bird on Cape Ann on the following Wednesdays: January 14, February 18, and March 11. We will meet in Gloucester at the Friendly’s restaurant at the first traffic circle on Route 128 for our Cape Ann programs. J O P PA F L AT S Saturdays / 9:00 am-11:30 am Leaders: Susan Hardy, Debra Listernick, Deb Mauer, Alison O’Hare, Dave Weaver, and David Williams, BCP; Jonathan Brooks and Lynette Leka, Naturalists per session $10 member, $12 nonmember This program is ideal for birders of all skill levels. Preregistration is not necessary. Four-trip special: $42 member, $51 nonmember. Trips need not be consecutive for special price. Please call or email to sign up for the Wednesday Morning Birding email list. Meet at the Joppa Flats Education Center unless otherwise noted. Please wear appropriate clothes and bring binoculars, spotting scopes, and snacks or lunch. Joppa Flats Education Center offers a monthly lecture series on natural history topics. Free to Mass Audubon members. Children age 8 and up are welcome. Preregistration is not required. January 14: Birding in Minnesota and North Dakota Speaker: Dave Larson, Joppa Flats Science and Education Coordinator February 11: Undersea Adventures in the Philippines Speaker: Andy Martinez, Author of Marine Life of the North Atlantic: Canada to New England March 18: Nature Poetry Reading Speakers: Dave Davis, Joppa Flats Poet-in-Residence, and Invited Poets April 15: Wildlife of New England Speaker: Bill Gette, Joppa Flats Sanctuary Director Meet at the Joppa Flats Education Center. p r e r e g i s t r at i on r e q u ir e d f or a l l p r o g r a m s 9 7 8 - 4 6 2 - 9 9 9 8 J op pa F l at s 19 adult The Wonder and the Wow: A New Look at Nature Superbowl of Birding XII Saturdays / times vary Leaders: Lisa Hutchings, Joppa Flats School and Youth Education Coordinator, and Jonathan Brooks, Naturalist per session $16 member, $19 nonmember (unless otherwise noted) Why should kids have all the fun? Naturalists Lisa Hutchings and Jonathan Brooks will take you and other adults on a guided walk for a fresh new look at coastal habitats and wildlife during our winter and early spring months. Did you know that snowy owls are not migratory but they are nomadic? Or that harbor seals are year-round residents of the Merrimack River Basin? Enjoy the view of ducks from a hidden bird blind, experience the rush of seeing a bald eagle in flight, and learn how animals are cared for and fed at the New England Aquarium. You’ll come away with a brand-new enthusiasm for the natural world around you! Meet at Joppa Flats Education Center unless otherwise noted. Please dress for the weather and bring binoculars. Raptors of the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge January 17 / 9:30 am-noon Harbor Seals and Seabirds March 14 / 10:30 am-1:00 pm J O P PA F L AT S Behind-the-Scenes at the New England Aquarium March 21 / 8:30 am-3:30 pm $35 member, $45 nonmember Meet at Joppa Flats at 8:30 am or at the New England Aquarium at 9:30 am. Registration deadline: February 21. Spring at Rough Meadows April 11 / 9:30 am-noon Meet at Rough Meadows Wildlife Sanctuary in Rowley. IBA Sunday, January 18 / 9:00 am-12:30 pm Leaders: Jock Purcell, BCP, and Nancy Purcell, Naturalist $22 member, $26 nonmember The Merrimack River is an extraordinary place for winter birding. Due to its strong flow and the currents caused by the changing tides, large areas of the Merrimack River remain ice free even during the coldest winters. As a result, loons, grebes, gulls, and many species of diving ducks flock to this area. During our program, we will start at the Joppa Flats Education Center and work our way upriver, stopping at many excellent viewing areas. The Newburyport Wastewater Treatment Facility is a great place to look for Iceland and black-headed gulls, redbreasted mergansers, and long-tailed ducks. Cashman Park provides a broad vista where we will look for common and Barrow’s goldeneyes, common mergansers, and buffleheads. Cashman Park is also a good place for bald eagles. The Deer Island area and the Merrimack River along Spring Lane are also great venues for bald eagles, common mergansers, and great cormorants. Please wear warm clothing and sturdy footwear; bring binoculars and snacks. Meet at Joppa Flats Education Center. 20 Saturday, January 24 / 5:00 am-7:00 pm $35 member or nonmember children ages 6 to 12 $20 member or nonmember Come to northeastern Massachusetts and southeastern New Hampshire for great winter birding and a chance to compete with other birders for prizes in ten categories. The Superbowl of Birding, now in its twelfth year, is a unique, twelve-hour team competition. During Superbowl, teams of birders seek out the greatest number of species and earn the greatest number of points based on the rarity of the birds recorded. Strategy and planning are essential to win prizes. The competition is designed to encourage birders of all ages and abilities to participate. The Fledgling Award competition is for birders ages 12 and under. The NewBies Award is for birders ages 18 and under. Adults can compete for prizes in eight other categories, including our top prize, the Joppa Cup. The Superbowl of Birding XII is your chance to enjoy spectacular winter birding in one of the best locations in the eastern United States, meet other birders, and show just how good you and your team really are. The registration fee includes the tally party with pizza and prizes. Register before January 1 and receive a $5 discount per person. For registration materials, rules, and information, please go to www.massaudubon.org/superbowl or call 978-462-9998. Bald Eagles on the Merrimack February 14 / 9:30 am-noon Focus on Merrimack River Birds IBA w w w. m a s s a u d u b o n . o r g / j o p p a f l a t s Registration materials and rules will be mailed separately. Bald Eagles of the Merrimack River IBA Sunday, February 1 / 9:00 am-noon Leader: Debra Listernick, BCP or Sunday, February 15 / 9:00 am-noon Leaders: Jock Purcell, BCP, and Nancy Purcell, Naturalist $19 member, $22 nonmember Deep winter is the best time to find bald eagles locally, and the lower Merrimack River is the best place to find them. The swift currents and tidal flow in the Merrimack River keep portions of the river ice free during the winter, providing critical feeding habitat for ducks and other wintering birds. Local bald eagles may nest elsewhere in New England during the summer when food is plentiful, but in the winter when most lakes and rivers are frozen, they know they can come to the Merrimack River to find the ducks, fish, and carrion they need to survive. During this three-hour program, we will search the lower Merrimack for bald eagles and other wintering birds at a number of sites, including Deer, Eagle, Carr, and Ram islands and several other places along the river. Meet at Joppa Flats Education Center. Please wear warm clothing and sturdy footwear; bring binoculars and snacks. adult Birding the Maine Coast Focus on Seabirds Monday, February 2 / 8:00 am-5:00 pm or Sunday, March 15 / 8:00 am-5:00 pm Leader: Bill Gette, Joppa Flats Sanctuary Director $55 member, $65 nonmember Sunday, February 22 / 9:00 am-12:30 pm Leader: Dave Weaver, BCP $25 member, $30 nonmember Meet at Joppa Flats Education Center. Please wear warm clothing and waterproof shoes/boots; bring binoculars and snacks. Merrimack River Eagle Festival IBA Saturday, February 7 8:30 am-4:00 pm Cosponsor: Parker River National Wildlife Refuge This is a free event! Celebrate the seasonal return of bald eagles to the Merrimack Valley with the tenth annual Merrimack River Eagle Festival! In the deep winter of February, when everything else is frozen and asleep, the Newburyport area along the river is alive with the spectacular sight of wintering bald eagles flying, fishing, and sitting in the sun. Staff and volunteers from Joppa Flats and the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge help visitors find eagles and other winter specialties and answer questions about behaviors and habitats. Visit eagle hot spots at your own speed or go on an eagle tour to see birds in the wild; come indoors for nature activities or to see an up-close view of rehabilitated raptors. This is a great opportunity for people of all ages to learn about the magnificence of nature by observing bald eagles and the habitats they need to survive. Come to the Joppa Flats Education Center or the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge headquarters for family events held throughout the day. Please call ahead to register for guided eagle tours star ting at the Newburyport Chamber of Commerce or to sign up for an opportunity to be photographed with a raptor at City Hall. Eagle demonstrations at Newburyport City Hall are first come, first served. For a complete schedule of Merrimack River Eagle Festival events, call 978-462-9998 or go to www.massaudubon.org/eaglefestival. Cape Ann, which projects far out into the Atlantic Ocean, is one of the best locations along the New England coast to see seabirds during the winter. Many species of sea ducks, loons, grebes, and gulls feed and seek shelter in the cape’s many coves and inlets and in the protected harbors. We expect to see a good variety of ducks as well as Iceland gull, red-necked grebe, and red-throated loon in Gloucester Harbor and at Eastern Point. Alcids, such as razorbill and black guillemot, can often be seen along Atlantic Road or flying past Andrews Point. Andrews Point is also one of the best places to see the spectacular harlequin duck, and for the past several years a king eider has been present. Northern gannets are relatively common, especially after storms, and can be observed plunge diving for fish. Purple sandpipers, our hardiest shorebird, feed on the surf-splashed rocks. Cape Ann is magnificent in winter! We hope that you can join us. Meet at the Fishermen’s Memorial on Western Avenue, Gloucester. Please bring binoculars and snacks; wear warm clothing and sturdy footwear. Birding the New Hampshire Coast Sunday, March 1 / 9:00 am-4:00 pm Leaders: Steve Mirick, Author of Birding the New Hampshire Seacoast and Great Bay, and Jane Mirick, Naturalist $42 member, $50 nonmember J O P PA F L AT S The beautiful coast of southern Maine contains a variety of habitat types including barrier beaches, salt marshes, rocky headlands, and sheltered coves. Join us as we explore these habitats looking for wintering land birds and seabirds. We will visit very productive birding sites including Portland Harbor, Cape Elizabeth, Prouts Neck, Biddeford Pool, Marginal Way (Ogunquit), and Cape Neddick. Target species include black guillemot, long-tailed duck, king eider, Barrow’s goldeneye, Iceland and glaucous gulls, snowy owl, and many more. IBA New Hampshire’s 18-mile seacoast is often overlooked as a winter birding destination, which is unfor tunate. There are many excellent sites along the coast (e.g., sheltered bays and estuaries, rocky coastlines, freshwater ponds, and salt marshes) that suppor t large numbers of seabirds and waterfowl. During our program, we will explore the Great Bay, the largest saltwater bay on the east coast – an excellent place to see waterfowl and a reliable place for wintering bald eagles. From the Great Bay, we will work our way south along the coast, stopping at New Castle near the mouth of the Piscataqua River, Odiorne Point State Park, Rye Harbor State Park, and many other very productive sites. Throughout our New Hampshire adventure, we expect to see large numbers of loons, grebes, diving and dabbling ducks, and wintering gulls. Meet at Joppa Flats Education Center. Please wear warm clothing and sturdy walking shoes. Bring binoculars, snacks, and a lunch. p r e r e g i s t r at i on r e q u ir e d f or a l l p r o g r a m s 9 7 8 - 4 6 2 - 9 9 9 8 J op pa F l at s 21 adult Owls of the Salt Marshes and Forests IBA Focus on Early Spring Migrants IBA Saturday, March 7 / 3:30-10:00 pm Leaders: Bill Gette, Joppa Flats Sanctuary Director, and Alison O’Hare, BCP $44 member, $52 nonmember Sunday, March 22 / 9:00 am-12:30 pm Leader: Dave Larson, Joppa Flats Science and Education Coordinator $22 member, $26 nonmember We will star t our program with a field trip to the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge. We will search the salt marshes and dunes for the diurnal-hunting snowy owl and the crepuscular short-eared owl. By about 6:30 pm we will return to Joppa Flats for a lecture about the place owls hold in folklore and literature and an in-depth discussion of the biology and natural history of North American owls. We will conclude our program with a field trip to Newbury and Rowley to search for eastern screech-owls, barred owls, and great horned owls. Come along! This program promises to be a real hoot! The days around the spring equinox are an exciting time for birding in the Newburyport/Plum Island area. Many of the winter specialties (e.g., red-necked grebe, many species of waterfowl) are still present while early-spring migrants are moving back into the area. During our field trip, we will bird the salt marshes and maritime forests on the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge and then head inland to Artichoke and Cherry Hill reservoirs. These lakes are a good place to see a number of diving ducks, including ring-necked and ruddy ducks, and the surrounding woodlands attract many species of songbirds. En route to the reservoirs, we will stop along Scotland Road to look for Wilson’s snipe and puddle ducks. Meet at Joppa Flats Education Center. Dress warmly and bring a bag supper and binoculars. Aerial Acrobats: Woodcocks and More! Meet at Joppa Flats Education Center. Please bring binoculars and snacks; wear warm clothing and sturdy footwear. IBA Thursday, March 12 / 5:30 -8:00 pm Leaders: Bill Gette, Joppa Flats Sanctuary Director, and David Davis, BCP or Thursday, March 26 / 6:30 -9:00 pm Leader: Dave Larson, Joppa Flats Science and Education Coordinator $16 member, $21 nonmember J O P PA F L AT S The American woodcock, with its remarkable physical adaptations and its spectacular courtship behavior, is always a treat to observe. With the first hints of spring, these small birds appear on their breeding fields. The resulting courtship display is not to be missed! After a series of nasal peent calls, the male springs into the air and begins to spiral upward, often to nearly 300 feet aboveground. Then, pouring out a liquid song of whistles and chips, he zigzags his way to the ground like a falling leaf, often landing at almost the exact point of takeoff. During this program, we expect to observe this impressive display and discuss the many unique adaptations of this unlikely shorebird. We will also search for other early-spring migrants that are active in the evening. Meet at the Joppa Flats Education Center. Bring binoculars and dress warmly. Birding the Maine Coast Sunday, March 15 / 8:00 am-5:00 pm Leader: Bill Gette, Joppa Flats Sanctuary Director $55 member, $65 nonmember See page 21. Ducks-R-Us IBA Sunday, March 29 / 9:00 am-4:00 pm Leaders: Dave Larson, Joppa Flats Science and Education Coordinator, and Linda Hunnewell, Naturalist $42 member, $50 nonmember At the end of March, the coastal waters, rivers, and lakes of Massachusetts’ North Shore are wonderful places to observe ducks. Most of the species that have wintered here are still present, and many early migrants have returned to our area. Under favorable conditions, over 20 species of ducks can be observed. During a previous trip, we saw 21 species of ducks and two species of geese. On this all-day adventure, we will bird the Plum Island estuary, the Merrimack River, Cherry Hill Reservoir, and many sites on Cape Ann in hopes of finding these beautiful birds. Target species will include harlequin duck, Barrow’s goldeneye, three species of scoter, and many more. Meet at Joppa Flats Education Center. Please wear warm clothing and waterproof footwear; bring binoculars, lunch, and snacks. Introduction to Birdwatching IBA Saturday, April 4 / 9:00 am-3:00 pm Leaders: Alison O’Hare, BCP, and Ann Gurka, BCP $36 member, $42 nonmember Do you enjoy watching birds but want to improve your ability to identify them? This program will teach the basics of field identification, including physical characteristics, behavior, habitat, voice, and more. Following the classroom presentation, we will help you practice and integrate your identification skills during our field trip. Our low participant-to-naturalist ratio allows for lots of individualized attention as we work though the identification of a variety of exciting species. Meet at Joppa Flats Education Center. Please bring binoculars and a field guide, dress for the weather, and bring lunch and snacks. 22 w w w. m a s s a u d u b o n . o r g / j o p p a f l a t s adult Sunday, April 12 / 9:00-11:30 am (workshop) $10 member or nonmember Sunday, April 12 / 11:30 am-2:00 pm (field trip) Free Leader: Craig Jackson of Eastern Massachusetts Hawk Watch Did you know that Plum Island is one of the most significant spring hawk watching sites on the east coast? In contrast to the fall migration when millions of hawks migrate along ridges, flying from thermal to thermal, the spring flight is much more direct and low. Hundreds of falcons and accipiters can be seen winging their way up the coast in powered flight—often flying less than twenty feet above the ground! Join Eastern Mass Hawk Watch member Craig Jackson at this workshop where we will first examine the dynamics of fall hawk migration, concentrating on movement through central Massachusetts. We will then contrast the spring movement, especially that part that follows the eastern coast up through Plum Island. We will discuss both the similarities and differences in both species composition and flight strategies, and also emphasize ways to identify the different types of hawks that move through Plum Island. Following the workshop, we will head over to Plum Island for a free field trip, where we will have a chance to observe and put into practice our hawk identification skills. For additional information on Eastern Massachusetts Hawk Watch, please visit www.massbird.org/EMHW. Meet at Joppa Flats Education Center. If you are staying for the field trip that follows, please wear clothes appropriate for the weather and bring snacks, a lunch, and binoculars. Please preregister for the program, but you do not have to register for the field trip. birds Friday Friday Morning Bird Walks: Focus on Warblers IBA Fridays in May / 8:00-11:00 am Leader: Dave Williams, BCP per session $12 member, $15 nonmember Get an early start on the birding day with local trips in the area. Many birds are most active early in the morning and therefore easier to see. Explore various locations in the greater Newburyport/Plum Island area including such birding hot spots as the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge on Plum Island, Oak Hill Cemetery in Newburyport, Pikes Bridge Road in West Newbury, and Salisbury Beach State Reservation. The focus for these excursions will be the beautiful wood-warblers migrating through our area. Of course, we will also be on the lookout for other neotropical migrants. Meet at Joppa Flats Education Center. Please bring binoculars and a field guide. Preregistration is not required. Bird Banding Workshop IBA Thursday, April 16 / 7:00-9:00 pm (lecture) Saturday, April 18 / 7:30 am-noon (field trip) Leader: Alison O’Hare, BCP $55 member, $65 nonmember The Joppa Flats Education Center, in cooperation with the US Fish and Wildlife Service, operates a bird banding station on the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge. Data from the station is utilized by the US Fish and Wildlife Service and Mass Audubon to monitor species diversity, the movement of birds on the refuge, bird populations, and other factors. Joppa Flats is offering a limited number of openings in its Bird Banding Workshop. This program is designed for participants who want to learn the basics of bird banding. During the two-hour classroom portion of this workshop on Thursday evening, we will discuss the principles and objectives of bird banding, provide strategies for identifying birds in the hand, and review the many aids for aging and sexing these incredible animals. During the field trip on Saturday morning, we will visit the bird banding station; participate in the identification, aging, and sexing process; band birds; and help with data collection. Meet at Joppa Flats Education Center for both sessions. For the lecture (4/16), please bring your field guide. For the field trip (4/18), bring your binoculars and field guide, and wear a top without buttons (e.g., a sweatshirt, sweater, etc.) to avoid getting tangled in the nets. Banding Station Visit for Birders IBA Saturday, May 2 / 8:00-11:00 am Leader: Ben Flemer, Banding Station Manager, and Lynette Leka, Naturalist $15 member, $20 nonmember J O P PA F L AT S Eastern Massachusetts Hawk Watch: Workshop and Field Trip IBA How would you like a really good look at some of our migrant and resident birds without using your binoculars? Have you always wondered what a wing chord is or how much a bird weighs? Come for a birder’s visit to the Joppa Flats Bird Banding Station at the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge on Plum Island. You will be surprised at the actual sizes, colors, and details of the birds you think you know. Meet at Joppa Flats Education Center. The Hills of Topsfield Sunday, May 3 / 9:00 am-noon Leader: Alison O’Hare, BCP $25 member, $30 nonmember Even though it’s only five minutes from Route 1 and Interstate 95, this pastoral venue will seem as if it’s a world away. We’ll leave the vans behind and follow a three-mile loop through the gently rolling hills of Topsfield. Our pace will be leisurely, giving us time to enjoy the beauty of the rural landscape as we look and listen for birds. We will walk along sections of the beautiful Ipswich River and past open farm fields. Plan to see and hear warblers, eastern bluebirds, raptors, and much more. In our fast-paced world, this will be a real treat. Come along and find out what a bird walk is all about! Meet at the Essex County Co-op parking lot, Route 1 in Topsfield, directly across from the main entrance to the Topsfield Fairgrounds. Please bring binoculars, snacks, and water; wear comfortable walking shoes. p r e r e g i s t r at i on r e q u ir e d f or a l l p r o g r a m s 9 7 8 - 4 6 2 - 9 9 9 8 J op pa F l at s 23 adult birds Wednesday Wednesday Evening Birding IBA Wednesday, May 6, 13, 20, & 27 and June 3 / 5:30-7:30 pm Leaders: Bill Gette, Joppa Flats Sanctuary Director; David Davis and Linda Hunnewell, Naturalists per session $10 member, $12 nonmember Back by popular demand! In what has become a rite of spring, we will again conduct a series of evening field trips. Join us as we enjoy a tremendous variety of both migrant and resident bird species during the quiet time on Plum Island when fewer people are present on the refuge and the animals become more active. Each evening, we will focus on a particular theme, covering such topics as bird migration, adaptations, taxonomy, habitat niches, birding strategies, and more. During these programs, we will explore the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, the Merrimack River, and other extremely productive birdwatching sites in the area. Expect beautiful birds, good conversation, a few laughs, and (we hope) spectacular sunsets! J O P PA F L AT S Preregistration is not necessary. Four-trip special: $30 member, $36 nonmember. Meet at the Joppa Flats Education Center. Please bring binoculars and a field guide. Birding Western Essex County IBA Thursday, May 7 / 8:00 am-4:00 pm Leader: Dave Larson, Joppa Flats Science and Education Coordinator $48 member, $60 nonmember Come with Dave to explore some of the best birding locations in the other side of the county. Our programs tend to be coastal, and who can blame us? But on this excursion we will visit some of the lesser known hot spots inland. These may include wildlife management areas in Groveland and Boxford, the huge heronry in Boxford, conservation areas in Andover, Crystal Gorge Conservation Area in Haverhill, and other “secret” locations. We promise new vistas and some interesting birds. Meet at Joppa Flats Education Center. Bring binoculars, snacks, drinks, and lunch. Please dress for the weather. 24 w w w. m a s s a u d u b o n . o r g / j o p p a f l a t s Evening Birding Ramble at Appleton Farms IBA Thursday, May 7 / 5:00-7:00 pm Leader: Dave Weaver, BCP Cosponsor: The Trustees of Reservations $13 member, $15 nonmember Join us for a two-hour afternoon/evening walk on the grounds of Appleton Farms and Grass Rides. These beautiful conservation areas in Ipswich and Hamilton, owned by The Trustees of Reservations, provide mixed habitats that support many bird species. During our program, we will explore several sites looking for nesting birds. By early May, red-winged blackbirds, Baltimore orioles, eastern meadowlarks, bobolinks, scarlet tanagers, rose-breasted grosbeaks, and many other species have arrived. As we walk along, we will see the courtship and territorial displays of many of these species and enjoy their magnificent songs. Meet at the Grass Rides parking lot on Highland Street, Hamilton. Please wear comfortable walking shoes; bring binoculars, snacks, and drinks. Wood-Warbler Workshop IBA Friday, May 8 / 7:00-9:00 pm (lecture) Saturday, May 9 / 6:30 am-1:00 pm (field trip) Leaders: Dave Larson, Joppa Flats Science and Education Coordinator, and Dave Weaver, BCP $95 member, $125 nonmember This two-day workshop is designed to introduce participants to the wonderful world of wood-warblers, the jewels of North American birdlife. Dave and Dave will use an evening lecture on Friday and a field trip on Saturday to help participants learn about the more than 30 warbler species that regularly occur in Massachusetts, including their vocalizations, migration patterns, nesting and foraging behavior, and some of the conservation issues that impact these birds. For the field trips we will visit several of the state’s most productive migrant traps, including the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, Bald Hill Reservation, and other local hotspots. This workshop is a wonderful oppor tunity for New England birders, as well as visitors from afar, to obtain firsthand experience with some of North America’s most colorful and popular bird species. For a detailed brochure describing the workshop, please call 978-462-9998 or email joppaflats @ massaudubon.org. A continental breakfast is included on Saturday morning. Please ask for information on dining and lodging choices in the historic Newburyport area. Meet at Joppa Flats Education Center on both days. For the field portion of the program, please dress for the weather. Bring lunch, snacks, a field guide, binoculars, and scopes. adult Pocket Birding for Spring Migrants IBA Introduction to Birds at Cogswell’s Grant IBA Tuesday, May 12 / 6:00-11:00 am Leader: Dave Larson, Joppa Flats Science and Education Coordinator $33 member, $41 nonmember Monday, May 18 / 8:30-10:30 am Leader: Bill Gette, Joppa Flats Sanctuary Director Cosponsor: Historic New England $12 member, $16 nonmember Mass Audubon’s Marblehead Neck Wildlife Sanctuary and Nahant Thicket Wildlife Sanctuary are two gems along the Essex County coast. As undeveloped oases in largely suburban neighborhoods, they are a magnet for migrating songbirds. They are also a magnet for songbird watchers. Join Dave to explore these two pocket paradises and see what the nocturnal migration has done for us. Because of the weekday traffic, we will leave Joppa Flats sharply at 6:00 am for Marblehead Neck. You can meet us there if you just have to get a little more sleep and can find the sanctuary. We will finish up at the even more elusive Nahant Thicket. The beautiful 165-acre Cogswell’s Grant in Essex, owned by Historic New England, offers a variety of habitats that attract many species of birds. During mid-May, many breeding birds such as bobolinks and Baltimore orioles have already returned to our fields and forests to nest, while many others are still migrating through our area en route to their more northerly breeding grounds. Meet at Joppa Flats Education Center. Please dress for the weather and bring binoculars, a field guide, snacks, and a scope if you have one. Join Bill Gette for a leisurely morning walk through the grant. During the walk, we will discuss the many aids to field identification, identify birds by their vocalizations, and discuss breeding behavior. The grasslands, salt marshes, and woodlands of Cogswell’s Grant are a treasure trove for birders. Coffee and refreshments will be served, and the historic house will be open to participants for a brief tour. The member price applies to members of Mass Audubon and Historic New England. Bird-a-thon Madness Meet at Cogswell’s Grant on Spring Street in Essex. Please dress for the weather and bring binoculars. Saturday, May 16 / 8:00 am-6:00 pm Leaders: Bill Gette, Joppa Flats Sanctuary Director, and Susan Hardy, BCP $100 member or nonmember Be a part of the Joppa Flats annual Bird-a-thon! During this ten-hour birding expedition and fundraiser, we will visit a wide variety of habitats in Essex County, looking for the largest number of bird species possible. Although we will move quickly among many sites, we will take time to ensure that participants see the birds. Our primary birding locations will include the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge (Plum Island), Bald Hill Reservation in Boxford, the Upper Artichoke Reservoir area, and the Martin Burns Wildlife Management Area. As a member of one of the Joppa Flats birding teams, you will make observations that will contribute to our center’s overall list of sightings during this event. On each of our previous Bird-a-thon Madness programs, we have observed between 90 and 100 bird species. Join us for a great event. You’ll have an exciting time while supporting our fundraising efforts. This program is ideal for all ability levels. Meet at Joppa Flats Education Center. Bring binoculars, lunch, and snacks. Spring Birding at Rough Meadows IBA Thursday, May 21 / 8:30-11:30 am Leader: Bill Gette, Joppa Flats Sanctuary Director $19 member, $22 nonmember Mass Audubon’s newest sanctuary is right in our backyard. In fact, Joppa Flats is in charge of the Rough Meadows Wildlife Sanctuary on Patmos Road in Rowley. Come with us as we explore the salt marshes, fields, and oak and hickory uplands of this fabulous property, looking for spring migrant warblers, orchard orioles, red-bellied woodpeckers, and other songbirds. J O P PA F L AT S IBA Meet at Rough Meadows Wildlife Sanctuary in Rowley. Please dress for the weather and bring waterproof footwear. Bring binoculars and snacks. Birding Pawtuckaway State Park, New Hampshire Thursday, May 28 / 8:00 am-2:00 pm Leader: Bill Gette, Joppa Flats Sanctuary Director $42 member, $50 nonmember Pawtuckaway State Park, a beautiful 5,500-acre recreation area located in southern New Hampshire, protects a wide variety of habitats including upland forests, meadows, beaver ponds, and freshwater wetlands. During our program, we will explore these habitats looking for the many species of songbirds that breed within the park. We expect to see and hear a good variety of wood-warblers (e.g., American redstart; pine, prairie, and black-throated blue warblers; Louisiana waterthrush) and thrushes (e.g., hermit, Swainson’s, veery). Other specialties of the park include the pileated woodpecker, yellow-bellied sapsucker, blue-gray gnatcatcher, and winter wren. A highlight of our program will be a short hike (fairly strenuous) to the fire lookout tower on South Mountain. From the tower, there’s a beautiful view across southern New Hampshire. Meet at Joppa Flats Education Center. Please wear sturdy footwear and bring snacks, lunch, and beverages. p r e r e g i s t r at i on r e q u ir e d f or a l l p r o g r a m s 9 7 8 - 4 6 2 - 9 9 9 8 J op pa F l at s 25 children, families & all ages CHILDREN, FAMILIES & ALL AGES Summer’s Coming! Registration for our summer day camp opens January 15. More information at www.massaudubon.org/joppaflats. Imagine, Sing, & Learn at Joppa Open to families with children ages 3 to 6 One Thursday morning per month, 10:00-11:30 am or one Friday afternoon per month, 1:00-2:30 pm Leader: Lisa Hutchings, Joppa Flats School and Youth Education Coordinator per session $6 member, $8 nonmember children $5 member, $7 nonmember J O P PA F L AT S This parent/child program is designed for the creative, curious, and active preschooler. Each 90-minute session offers a structured series of activities including original songs, movement, dramatic play, hands-on science, and a thematic snack. You’ll receive coloring pages, song lyrics, vocabulary, a fun fact sheet, and a suggested reading list in an electronic goody bag! January 15 or 16: Do Animals Take Naps? February 12 or 13: Do Animals Eat Snacks? March 12 or 13: Do Animals Sing? April 16 or 17: Do Animals Play Games? Meet at Joppa Flats Education Center. Nature Art Classes at Joppa Flats Open to children ages 6 to 13 Thursdays / 3:45-5:15 pm Leaders: Jan Morris, Art Educator, and Lee Grover, Naturalist Three-week series: $42 member, $54 nonmember Nature’s beauty is all around us. Let’s open our eyes and explore nature as ar tistic inspiration! We’ll use pen, ink, watercolors, and acrylics to replicate works of famous landscape ar tists, examine the exotic light and colors of wildlands around the world, and discover the local beauty of our estuary with the coming of spring. Learn how creativity intersects with science, technique, and construction in a fun and rewarding way. Materials will be provided. Parents are welcome but not required to stay. Each series requires a minimum of four participants. Winter Series: Famous Artists and Landscapes Registration deadline: January 8 January 15: Ansel Adams / Mountains January 22: Georgia O’Keeffe / Deserts January 29: Winslow Homer / The Sea Spring Series I: Around the Globe Art Registration deadline: March 12 March 19: The Arctic Merrimack River Eagle Festival IBA Saturday, February 7 8:30 am-4:00 pm Cosponsor: Parker River National Wildlife Refuge This is a free event! See page 21. March 26: The Antarctic April 2: Rain Forests Spring Series II: Estuary Art and Wetland Wonders Registration deadline: April 23 April 30: Salt Marsh Masterpieces May 7: Rivers and Watershed Watercolors May 14: Painting Ponds Meet at Joppa Flats Education Center. Bring a smock or wear clothes that you can get messy. If parents will be dropping off children, please complete and submit the health form that accompanies your registration confirmation. 26 w w w. m a s s a u d u b o n . o r g / j o p p a f l a t s children, families & all ages Winter: The Lithosphere – Terrestrial Biomes and Earth Science Spring: The Atmosphere – Migration, Climate Change, Weather, and Astronomy Open to children ages 7 to 13 Thursdays / 1:00-3:30 pm unless otherwise noted Leader: Adrienne Lennon, Joppa Flats Teacher-Naturalist Eight-week series: $215 member, $280 nonmember Joppa Flats now offers a complete natural science curriculum for homeschooled students ages 7 to 13. In each eight-week series throughout the year, we will explore a different ecological system of the biosphere, beginning this fall with the world of water. The first six weeks of each series cover biology from single cells to environmental systems, and the last two weeks cover current events and human impacts upon the environment. Field trips are structured to reinforce the previous study session; two are in the field, and two are at a complementary cultural institution. Meet at Joppa Flats Education Center unless otherwise noted. Please dress for the outdoors and bring a nut-free snack. A health form for your child will accompany your registration confirmation and will need to be completed and submitted prior to the first session. Winter Series Registration deadline: December 15 January 8: Study Session – Plant Biology and Winter Survival January 15: Field Trip – Maudslay State Park, Newburyport January 22: Study Session – Geology and Earth Time January 29: Field Trip – Harvard Museum of Natural History, Cambridge (9:30 am-3:30 pm) February 5: Study Session – Paleontology and Fossil Study February 12: Field Trip – Spencer-Pierce-Little Farm, Newbury Spring Series Registration deadline: March 15 April 2: Study Session – Weather Systems and Atmospheric Properties April 9: Field Trip – Powow Hill, Amesbury April 16: Study Session – Astronomy and the Night Sky April 23: Field Trip – Museum of Science, Boston (9:30 am-3:30 pm) April 30: Study Session – Migration and Zoological Boundaries May 7: Field Trip – Mass Audubon’s Bird Banding Station, Newbury (9:30 am-noon) May 14: Study Session – Climate Change and Innovative Solutions May 21: Field Trip – MIT Museum, Cambridge (9:30 am-3:30 pm) Take a Walk on the Wild Side J O P PA F L AT S NEW! HOMESCHOOL SERIES AT JOPPA Open to families with children ages 7 to 13 Weekends / times vary Leader: Lisa Hutchings, Joppa Flats School and Youth Education Coordinator per session $9 member, $11 nonmember children $6 member, $8 nonmember Adults and children can spend quality family time in the great outdoors finding, observing, and admiring local fauna and flora. Wildlife-based themes will engage you and your child as we discover together the eye-opening mysteries in our own natural neighborhood. We’ll observe, investigate, and compare wild inhabitants, their adaptations, and the changes these organisms undergo seasonally. Each “wild” walk will leave your family excited to come back for more! Raptors on the Refuge Sunday, January 18 / 1:00-3:30 pm Bald Eagles along the Estuary Sunday, February 15 / 1:00-3:30 pm Harbor Seals on the Shore February 19: Study Session – Anthropology and Humans of the Past Saturday, February 28 / noon-2:30 pm or Sunday, March 15 / noon-2:30 pm February 26: Field Trip – Peabody Museum of Archeology and Ethnology, Cambridge (9:30 am-3:30 pm) Signs of Spring in the Salt Marsh Sunday, April 12 / 10:00 am-12:30 pm Meet at Joppa Flats Education Center. Please dress for the weather with waterproof footwear. p r e r e g i s t r at i on r e q u ir e d f or a l l p r o g r a m s 9 7 8 - 4 6 2 - 9 9 9 8 J op pa F l at s 27 children, families & all ages February Vacation Week Flyby at Joppa Flats Open to families with children ages 2 to 10 Tuesday through Thursday / 10:00 am-3:00 pm Leaders: Lisa Hutchings, Joppa Flats School and Youth Education Coordinator, and Adrienne Lennon, Joppa Flats Teacher-Naturalist children per session $5 member or nonmember Maximum fee per family $20 Beat the winter blahs! Our vacation programs offer a wide variety of indoor and outdoor activities while we keep minds active and hands busy during school break with free-flow learning for the whole family. Each session offers a different theme, with scheduled family presentations and something to engage hearts and minds for all ages and interests. For ages 7 and up, there are STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) activity stations featuring experiments, challenges, data sheets, maps, and charts. For ages 2 to 6, there are stories, crafts, table top games, coloring pages, and science activities. Family presentations will be offered at 11:00 am and 1:00 pm. Come once or make it a triple; fly by for an hour or stay all day for a vacation activity that suits your family schedule. Adults must accompany children. Themes are subject to change. Preregistration is not required. Tuesday, February 17: Go on Safari! Wednesday, February 18: Polar Pal Parade! J O P PA F L AT S Thursday, February 19: Caribbean Carnival! Meet at Joppa Flats Education Center. Please dress for the weather since some activities will take place outdoors. Eighth Annual Eco Games Free-for-All: Sustaining the Sea Open to families with children ages 2 and up Sunday, March 22 / 10:00 am-3:00 pm Leader: Adrienne Lennon, Joppa Flats Teacher-Naturalist This is a free event! We know how important it is to be “green,” but how do we apply that to the way we live on the New England coast? Come to Joppa Flats and find out! A full day of activities and exhibits will demonstrate where our seafood comes from, how it is caught, and what community-supported fisheries are. Adults will enjoy a wide variety of vendors, and children can participate in “eco” sporting events, fishing competitions, art projects, and more. You can even be a contestant on a game show! Learn how we can all take responsibility for sustaining the natural beauty and resources of our coastline. This is a rain-or-shine event. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Meet at the Joppa Flats Education Center. See, Think, and Wonder Walks Open to families with children ages 3 to 6 Fridays / times vary Leader: Lisa Hutchings, Joppa Flats School and Youth Education Coordinator per session $6 member, $8 nonmember children $5 member, $7 nonmember In every kind of weather, our favorite thing to do is to head outdoors to our spectacular local habitats to see what’s new! We love to find things; think about colors, shapes, and patterns; and wonder why this place is a special home to wildlife. Each nature exploration will focus on the importance of a sense of place. Local and migrating birds, other wildlife, collecting techniques, and environmental awareness will be presented in a fun, energetic format that adults and children alike will enjoy. Not recommended for siblings under 3. Rough Meadows Rompers Friday, April 10 / 10:00-11:30 am Salt Marsh Scavenger Hunters Friday, May 8 / 2:00-3:30 pm Meet at Joppa Flats Education Center. Please dress for the weather with waterproof footwear. April Vacation Week Flyby at Joppa Flats Open to families with children ages 2 to 10 Tuesday through Thursday / 10:00 am-3:00 pm Leaders: Lisa Hutchings, Joppa Flats School and Youth Education Coordinator, and Adrienne Lennon, Joppa Flats Teacher-Naturalist children per session $5 member or nonmember Maximum fee per family $20 Our April vacation programs offer a wide variety of indoor and outdoor activities while we keep minds active and hands busy during school break with free-flow learning for the whole family. Each session offers a different theme, with scheduled family presentations and something to engage hearts and minds for all ages and interests. For ages 7 and up, there are STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) activity stations featuring experiments, challenges, data sheets, maps, and charts. For ages 2 to 6, there are stories, crafts, table top games, coloring pages, and science activities. Family presentations will be offered at 11:00 am and 1:00 pm. Come once or make it a triple; fly by for an hour or stay all day for a vacation activity that suits your family schedule. Adults must accompany children. Themes are subject to change. Preregistration is not required. Tuesday, April 21: Appreciate the Ocean! Wednesday, April 22: Celebrate the Earth! Thursday, April 23: Thank Your Lucky Stars! Meet at Joppa Flats Education Center. Please dress for the weather since some activities will take place outdoors. 28 w w w. m a s s a u d u b o n . o r g / j o p p a f l a t s children, families & all ages / educators IBA Open to families with children ages 6 and up Sunday, May 10 / 9:30-11:30 am Leaders: Ben Flemer, Banding Station Manager, and Lynette Leka, Naturalist $8 member, $10 nonmember children $5 member, $6 nonmember Come for an exciting visit to the Joppa Flats Bird Banding Station on the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge. See Mass Audubon scientists capture, measure, weigh, examine, and release migrant songbirds. Learn about migration, habitat use, and scientific research at a real field station. The station operates only during the height of migration in spring (April and May) and fall (September and October). Children must be accompanied by an adult. Meet at Joppa Flats Education Center. Birthday Parties for Mass Audubon Members Celebrate your child’s special day at Joppa Flats— it’s a great way to have fun and support the nature of Massachusetts! For $245, our birthday party package includes: Private program space Two hours of hands-on educational fun with time out for cake All tableware (cloths, napkins, plates, utensils) Party decorations and banners Take-home art projects for each child Customized goodie bag and birthday banner for the birthday child For children turning 3 or 4: Limited to 12 children with one parent chaperone per child. For children turning 5 to 10: The base cost covers up to 12 children. Additional children are $15 each, with a maximum of 16 children. Please plan on one parent chaperone per every three children. Choose Your Theme! (for all ages): Tide Pools, Backyard Birds, Eagles & Owls, Ocean Animals, Polar Pals, Butterflies, Creepy Crawlies (special for ages 7-10): Endangered Animals, Ocean Zones, Ocean Science EDUCATORS Education Volunteer Training: Indoor/Outdoor Nature Programs Leader: Lisa Hutchings, Joppa Flats School and Youth Education Coordinator per session $20 member, $25 nonmember Do you love the outdoors and want to learn more about sharing nature with others? Come to Joppa Flats and get a taste of our coastal ecology programs from the teaching side. Throughout the school year, Joppa Flats presents nature education to schools, groups, and families. To prepare our volunteers to assist with these quality programs, we provide complete in-the-field and in-the-classroom training. You’ll learn a wide variety of hands-on activities and experiments per taining to levels of questioning, learning modalities, and using objects in nature to practice science. Join our crew of trained naturalists and help Mass Audubon with our mission to increase awareness and inspire stewardship of the natural world. Please note that themes are weather dependent and subject to change. Winter Series Tuesdays / 9:30 am-1:30 pm January 6: Raptors J O P PA F L AT S Mother’s Day at the Bird Banding Station January 13: Weather and Wildlife January 20: Winter Birds January 27: Make-up Day Spring Series Tuesdays / times vary March 31 / 1:00-5:00 pm: The Salt Marsh April 7 / 8:30 am-12:30 pm: Bird Banding and Maritime Forest April 14 / 1:00-5:00 pm: Tide Pools and Dune Ecology All sessions meet at Joppa Flats unless otherwise noted. No experience necessary. Taking these programs is the first step in becoming an education volunteer for Joppa Flats. You will have three months to complete 20 hours as an education volunteer, after which you will receive a full refund of your registration fees. Contact Lisa Hutchings at 978-462-9998 or email [email protected] if you are interested in participating in this training. Meet at Joppa Flats Education Center. Please dress for the weather with appropriate footwear and bring a snack or lunch. Please reserve two months in advance. Email Lisa Hutchings at [email protected] to book your party today! p r e r e g i s t r at i on r e q u ir e d f or a l l p r o g r a m s 9 7 8 - 4 6 2 - 9 9 9 8 J op pa F l at s 29 trips & tours / northeast getaways T r i p s a n d T o u r s NORTHEAST GETAWAYS Nantucket Island Winter Birding Weekend Thursday, January 8-Saturday, January 10 / 3 days Leaders: Carol Decker, Ipswich River Sanctuary Director, and Scott Santino, Ipswich River Teacher-Naturalist Contact: Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary 978-887-9264 $525 member, $600 nonmember Nonrefundable deposit: $75 Join us for a birding adventure to historic Nantucket Island. The heathlands, moors, vast beaches, and rolling ocean surf are captivating in the winter light, and, with the island pleasantly deserted, it’s the perfect time for our visit. Longtailed ducks, numbering in the hundreds of thousands, winter off Nantucket Shoals. Rafts of other seabirds including ducks, loons, alcids, and grebes can be observed from many vantage points. On previous trips, we have seen large numbers of northern gannets diving offshore, and have found unusual species such as lesser black-backed and black-headed gulls, and Eurasion wigeons. We’ll also focus on the island’s owls and look and listen for barn, short-eared, and saw-whet owls, and eastern screech-owls. This is an ideal trip for both beginning and experienced birders. The fee includes all ground transportation, lodging, entrance fees, and ferry. Meals are not included. Single-room supplement: $150. For an itinerary or more information, call 978-887-9264 or email [email protected]. Cancellations made within 30 days of departure cannot be refunded or credited unless we can fill your space. Final payment is due by December 8. Leaders’ Choice Getaway Thursday, January 29-Friday, January 30 / 2 days Leaders: Dave Larson, Joppa Flats Science and Education Coordinator, and Dave Weaver, BCP Contact: Joppa Flats Education Center 978-462-9998 $295 member, $345 nonmember Nonrefundable deposit: $100 Join Dave and Dave for an adventure into the winter wonderland of New England. The goal of this two-day, one-night trip is to seek out winter specialties. We will chase after rarities such as nor thern owls and rare gulls, of course, but our main focus is to find winter finches (pine grosbeaks, red and white-winged crossbills), redpolls, and Bohemian waxwings. Our destination will depend on the most recent repor ts. On previous trips, we have seen a nor thern hawk-owl, evening grosbeaks, Bohemian waxwings, snow buntings, a gray jay, white-winged crossbills, and much more ! We promise fun, a place to sleep, and some great birds. Fees are for double occupancy. Final payment is due December 29. Trip details are determined a couple of days before departure and will be sent to all participants by email. If cancellations are made within 30 days of departure, payment cannot be refunded or credited unless we can fill your space. Ocean State Birding Weekend Saturday, February 7-Sunday, February 8 / 2 Days Leader: Scott Santino, Ipswich River Teacher-Naturalist Contact: Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary 978-887-9264 $275 member, $330 nonmember Nonrefundable deposit: $75 trips & tours Less than two hours away from the North Shore, and with 40 miles of coastline, Rhode Island can be a wonderful winter birding location. Great numbers of ducks and other seabirds can be found in bays and coastal ponds each winter since the mild coastal climate typically prevents freezing. We’ll spend a majority of our time in the Middletown, Newport, and Jamestown areas enjoying the beauty of scoters, mergansers, eiders, and harlequins, and spotting possible rarities including Barrow’s goldeneyes and king eiders. Highlighted locations include Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge, a 242-acre peninsula between the Sakonnet River and Rhode Island Sound; and the 300-acre Norman Bird Sanctuary’s upland fields and thickets. As the sun sets Saturday evening, we’ll scan the skies for short-eared owls as they drift over the marshes looking for prey. You’ll enjoy the experience of a birdwatching weekend minus a long drive home. The fee includes round-trip van transportation, lodging, and entrance fees. Meals are not included. Single-room supplement: $40. For an itinerary or more information, call 978-887-9264 or email [email protected]. Cancellations made within 30 days of departure cannot be refunded or credited unless we can fill your space. Final payment is due by January 9. 30 w w w. m a s s a u d u b o n . o r g Trips & Tours / Northeast Getaways New Jersey and New York Birding Weekend: Birding on the Border Sketching and Naturalizing on Block Island Friday, May 29-Sunday, May 31 / 3 days Leader: Dave Larson, Joppa Flats Science and Education Coordinator Contact: Joppa Flats Education Center 978-462-9998 $575 member, $675 nonmember Nonrefundable deposit: $150 Wednesday, June 10-Friday, June 12 / 3 Days Leaders: Carol Decker, Sanctuary Director, and Sandy McDermott, Natural Science Illustrator and Owner of Birchtree Studio in Exeter, NH Contact: Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary 978-887-9264 $630 member, $694 nonmember Nonrefundable deposit: $75 During our three-day trip, we have planned our itinerary to include some of the most productive birding areas in northern New Jersey and adjacent New York: the Assunpink WMA, Allentown, NJ; Doodletown, NY; and Sterling Forest State Park, Tuxedo, NY. The listed fees are for double occupancy. The additional fee for a single room is $200. Please call for a detailed brochure. Final payment is due April 29. Trip leaders will send out trip materials after final payment is received. Cancellations made within 30 days of departure cannot be refunded or credited unless we can fill your space. Birding the Connecticut Lakes, New Hampshire Friday, June 5-Sunday, June 7 / 3 days Leader: Bill Gette, Joppa Flats Sanctuary Director, and Nancy Soulette, BCP Contact: Joppa Flats Education Center 978-462-9998 $635 member, $735 nonmember Nonrefundable deposit: $150 During this exciting weekend program, we will explore the magnificent Connecticut Lakes region of nor thern New Hampshire. Over our fifteen previous trips, we have seen a total of 129 species of birds, including many boreal species. Target birds will include black-backed and pileated woodpeckers, gray jay, common raven, yellow-bellied and alder flycatchers, spruce grouse, boreal chickadee, rusty blackbird, Philadelphia vireo, and many species of warblers (e.g., mourning, blackpoll, Wilson’s, and bay-breasted). We also expect to see a wide variety of butterflies and several species of mammals including moose. Drawing from nature is one of the easiest and most enjoyable ways to discover the plants and animals around you. For naturalists, it is an ideal way to hone observation skills. These exciting three days are designed for both artists and naturalists. Located just 12 miles off the Rhode Island coast, this small quaint island offers spectacular scenery; expansive farm fields; and maritime shrubland, beaches, and grasslands. The waterfront village has a number of idyllic 200-year-old hotels, and the island hosts two historic lighthouses. We will explore a variety of island habitats, and look and listen for the array of songbirds and seabirds as well as explore flowering plants and shrubs. We will learn the art of watercolor sketching, develop observation skills, and cover topics on mixing, values, quick washes, and the slower process of glazing. The main objective is not to produce finished works necessarily, but rather to create quick and colorful thumbnails and small studies that can then be used as reference for later paintings (for the artist), further natural history learning (for the naturalist), or simply personal journaling. Our base of residence will be the Gables Inn, built around 1860 and located at the edge of the village and close to the beach. Some drawing experience will be helpful, since there won’t be much time available to devote to basic drawing lessons. The fee includes all ground and boat transportation, lodging, interpretive materials, and field instruction. Fees are based on double occupancy; optional single rooms may be available for an additional fee. Personal items and meals are not included. For an itinerary call 978-887-9264 or email [email protected]. Please register at least six weeks in advance. Cancellations made within 30 days of departure cannot be refunded or credited unless we can fill your space. trips & tours Northern New Jersey and adjacent areas in New York are very exciting birding destinations for breeding birds. This trip is about quality rather than quantity. We will concentrate on some of the more southerly warblers, including cerulean, Kentucky, worm-eating, and yellow-breasted chat. In addition to these species that are rarely seen in Eastern Massachusetts, we will visit a place that has breeding golden-winged warblers, a species recently lost as a breeder in Massachusetts. Of course, this trip is not just about warblers. We will be looking for other “southern specialties” including blue grosbeak and summer tanager, as well as cuckoos, flycatchers, and many more exciting species. The program fee is for double occupancy and includes all transportation between Newburyport and the Connecticut Lakes, lodging at The Glen (a wonderful northern inn), and six meals. Single rooms are not available on this trip. Please call for a detailed brochure. Final payment is due May 5. Trip leaders will send out trip materials after final payment is received. Cancellations made within 30 days of departure cannot be refunded or credited unless we can fill your space. t r ip s & to u r s 31 Trips & Tours / Northeast Getaways Machias Seal Island and Eastern Maine Saturday, June 13-Monday, June 15 / 3 days Leader: Dave Larson, Joppa Flats Science and Education Coordinator Contact: Joppa Flats Education Center 978-462-9998 $595 member, $695 nonmember Nonrefundable deposit: $150 A trip to Machias Seal Island and eastern Maine during nesting season is a fantastic experience! During our program, we plan to visit Machias Seal Island, the Deblois Blueberry Barrens, Quoddy Head State Park, and many other sites in the Machias/ Cutler area. On our 28 previous expeditions, we have seen a total of 202 species of birds and a variety of mammals. Machias Seal Island is noted as a nesting colony for seabirds including Atlantic puffins, common murres, and razorbills. The Deblois Blueberry Barrens, Quoddy Head, and the Cutler area are noted for a wide variety of land birds including the upland sandpiper, vesper sparrow, black-backed woodpecker, spruce grouse, boreal chickadee, and gray jay. Throughout our trip, we will have the opportunity to see and hear nesting warblers. The listed fees are for double occupancy and include the boat trip to Machias Seal Island. A single-room supplement is available for an additional $150. Please call for a detailed brochure. Final payment is due May 13. Trip leaders will send out trip materials after final payment is received, approximately two weeks prior to the trip’s start date. Cancellations made within 30 days of departure cannot be refunded or credited unless we can fill your space. Puffins and Peatlands Thursday, July 9-Sunday, July 12 / 4 Days Leaders: Carol Decker, Ipswich River Sanctuary Director, and Susan MacCallum, South Shore Sanctuaries Director Contact: Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary 978-887-9264 Cosponsor: South Shore Sanctuaries $680 member, $740 nonmember Nonrefundable deposit: $125 trips & tours Travel east of Frenchman Bay in Maine, and you will see a change in the woodlands and coastline. Spruce, fir, and tamarack become the dominant species; the ocean shore is rough and rocky; and extensive mudflats are exposed as a result of the 15- to 20-foot tides. This is Down East Maine! Join us as we explore the unique ecology of this region, including boreal forests, raised bogs, and an offshore seabird nesting colony. We’ll visit Machias Seal Island, 10 miles from the mainland, to view Atlantic puffins in their colorful breeding plumage, along with razorbills, nesting Arctic terns, and common murres. This is the spot to see and photograph Atlantic puffins up close and personal. In addition to searching for boreal nesting birds, we will explore Cobscook Bay, Campobello Island, and Quoddy Head Light, scanning for seabirds, whales, and dolphins from the cliffs and ledges. The fee includes lodging (double occupancy), round-trip van transportation, boat trip, entrance fees, and field instruction. Single rooms are available for an additional fee. Participants must have a passport to enter Canada. For an itinerary, call 978-887-9264 or email [email protected]. Cancellations made within 30 days of departure cannot be refunded or credited unless we can fill your space. 32 w w w. m a s s a u d u b o n . o r g Women’s White Mountain Adventure Thursday, July 30-Saturday, August 1 / 3 Days Leaders: Carol Decker, Ipswich River Sanctuary Director, and Andrea Lukens, Regional Director for Greater Boston and the North Shore Contact: Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary 978-887-9264 $450 member, $525 nonmember Nonrefundable deposit: $75 Travel north with us for a women’s weekend alpine adventure in New Hampshire. Join us for three days of hiking and exploring above treeline in the White Mountain National Forest. We will spend two nights at the Madison Spring Hut, an Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) High Hut. This is the oldest hut, and has just been rebuilt with comfortable bunks and new green features. We will explore the conifer forest, climb a mountain peak, and then kick back after each day of hiking to enjoy their hospitality, hearty meals, and clean, comfortable accommodations. While we hike, we will learn about the alpine ecosystem and discover the plants, animals, and birds that inhabit these areas. This is our seventh trip to the White Mountains, and we are planning a fun-filled adventure during which we will experience awe-inspiring views, sunsets, rivers, and wildlife, with our goal to make this an enriching outdoor experience. Madison Spring Hut is located at 4,800 feet, and the hike will include some steep and rocky terrain. We encourage participants to have some hiking experience, even if you are a beginner, but welcome all levels of hikers. We will have a pre-trip meeting (mandatory for new participants) to discuss trip expectations and proper equipment. The fee includes round-trip van transportation, AMC hut accommodations, meals, and f ield instruction. For an itinerary or more information, call 978- 887-9264 or email [email protected]. New hikers must attend our June pre-trip meeting. Please register at least one month in advance. Cancellations made within 30 days of departure cannot be refunded or credited unless we can fill your space. Trips & Tours / Northeast Getaways / Outside the Northeast Monhegan Island Weekend Friday, September 18-Sunday, September 20 3 Days Leaders: Carol Decker, Ipswich River Sanctuary Director, and Scott Santino, Ipswich River Teacher-Naturalist Contact: Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary 978-887-9264 $515 member, $585 nonmember Nonrefundable deposit: $75 Join us for a weekend of birding and naturalizing on this beautiful rockbound island. Located 10 miles off the coast of Maine, Monhegan is not only remote and enchanting, but it also serves as a trap for migrant songbirds. This is the place to be for exciting views of the fall migration. Hawks will be on their flight south, and in past years we have had incredible aerial displays from migrating falcons. We will explore a variety of habitats including freshwater pond, coniferous forest, and rocky shoreline. Seals can be seen from the island, and sighting a whale is always a possibility. We will stay at the Trailing Yew, a rustic inn situated above Monhegan Harbor. The fee includes round-trip van transportation from the sanctuary to Port Clyde, a one-hour ferry trip to and from the island, lodging (double occupancy), most meals, and field instruction. For an itinerary, call 978-887-9264 or email [email protected]. Please register at least one month in advance. Cancellations made within 30 days of departure cannot be refunded or credited unless we can fill your space. Block Island Birding Weekend Friday, September 25-Sunday, September 27 / 3 Days Leaders: Carol Decker, Ipswich River Sanctuary Director, and Susan MacCallum, South Shore Sanctuaries Director Contact: Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary 978-887-9264 Cosponsor: South Shore Sanctuaries $545 member, $615 nonmember Nonrefundable deposit: $75 NORTH AMERICA: OUTSIDE THE NORTHEAST Northern Minnesota: Boreal Birding Sunday, February 15-Thursday, February 19 / 5 days Leaders: David Larson, Joppa Flats Science and Education Coordinator, and Dave Weaver, BCP Contact: Joppa Flats Education Center 978-462-9998 $995 member, $1,095 nonmember Nonrefundable deposit: $300 Join us as we venture forth into the snowy boreal forests and bogs of northern Minnesota in search of great gray, northern hawk, snowy, boreal, saw-whet, great horned, and other northern owls. We will concentrate on the famous Sax-Zim Bog area, as well as on locations on the north shore of Lake Superior. In addition to owls, possible sightings include redpolls, crossbills, boreal chickadees, grosbeaks, and hawks, spruce, ruffed, and sharp-tailed grouse, as well as possible moose, gray foxes, and timber wolf. Okay, we admit it can get cold, so bring lots of layers, handwarmer thingies, oh, and a hat–don’t forget the hat. The listed fees are for double occupancy. The additional fee for a single room is $300. Please call for a detailed brochure. Final payment is due January 15. Trip leaders will send out trip materials after final payment is received, approximately two weeks prior to the trip’s start date. Cancellations made within 30 days of departure cannot be refunded or credited unless we can fill your space. trips & tours A gift from the glaciers, Block Island is located approximately 12 miles off the Rhode Island coast. Although small, this beautiful island offers a number of different habitats and spectacular scenery. In the fall, the island belongs primarily to the birds and birders. It is a resting and feeding place for migrating shorebirds and ocean birds. The island also forms a natural trap for land birds that have wandered out over the ocean during their southward migration. We expect to see a variety of warblers, raptors, herons, shorebirds, and, of course, the unexpected. The fee includes all ground and boat transportation, interpretive materials, entrance fees, and lodging, unless otherwise noted. Fees are based on double occupancy; optional single rooms may be available for an additional fee. Personal items and meals are not included. For an itinerary, call 978-887-9264 or email [email protected]. Please register at least one month in advance. Cancellations made within 30 days of departure cannot be refunded or credited unless we can fill your space. t r ip s & to u r s 33 Trips & Tours / Outside the Northeast South Carolina: Birding the Coastal Lowlands Southeast Arizona: Where Hummingbirds Abound Wednesday, April 29-Monday, May 4 / 6 Days Leaders: Bill Gette, Joppa Flats Sanctuary Director, and Dave Weaver, BCP Contact: Joppa Flats Education Center 978-462-9998 $1,150 member, $1,250 nonmember Nonrefundable deposit: $400 Saturday, May 2-Saturday, May 9 / 8 Days Leaders: Carol Decker, Ipswich River Sanctuary Director, and Scott Santino, Ipswich River Teacher-Naturalist Contact: Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary 978-887-9264 $1,600 member, $1,675 nonmember Nonrefundable deposit: $100 The South Carolina coastal lowlands are a premier birding destination. During our six-day program, we will explore the area’s most productive birding venues. Our itinerary includes visits to the Savannah National Wildlife Refuge on the Georgia/South Carolina border, several wildlife management areas (e.g., Webb, Donnelley, and Bear Island), the Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge at Bull Island, Francis Marion National Forest, Congaree National Park, and the floodplain forests along the Savannah River. One of North America’s most exciting birdwatching locations is southeast Arizona. From the Sonoran Desert where the saguaro cactus dominates the landscape to the conifer-clad peaks of the Chiricahua Mountains, birds abound. More than 400 species can be found annually, and visiting in early spring will maximize our ability to find a great diversity of birds as their songs fill the air. Approximately 75 “specialty” birds that are not regularly found anywhere else in North America will be our focus, including the elegant trogon, red-faced warbler, whiskered screech-owl, Strickland’s woodpecker, and more. We could encounter a whopping 11 species of hummingbirds including magnificent, blue-throated, broad-billed, black-chinned, Anna’s, and Costa’s. During our week of naturalizing, we’ll visit the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, Scheelite Canyon in the Huachuca Mountains, the Chiricahua Mountains, the Willcox Playa Wildlife Area, and many places in between. This is peak flowering and nesting time in the Sonoran Desert and a perfect time to naturalize in this scenic and historic area. Since we will be visiting so many different habitats during early spring migration, we expect to see a wide variety of birds. Our target species will include several restrictedrange rarities such as Swainson’s warbler, red-cockaded woodpecker, wood stork, painted bunting, brown-headed nuthatch, and Bachman’s sparrow. Along the coastal wetlands and barrier beaches, we will see many species of waders and shorebirds; with luck, we will find a Wilson’s plover. In the extensive lowland pine/oak forests, we will see many species of southern wood-warblers including prothonotary, hooded, Kentucky, and yellow-throated. In the Allendale area, we will look for both Mississippi and swallow-tailed kites. The additional fee for a single room is $400. Please call for a detailed brochure. Final payment is due March 29. Trip leaders will send out trip materials after final payment is received, approximately two weeks prior to the trip’s start date. Cancellations made within 30 days of departure cannot be refunded or credited unless we can fill your space. The trip begins and ends in Tucson. The fee includes all ground transportation while in Arizona, interpretive materials, entrance fees, and lodging, unless otherwise noted. Fees are based on double occupancy; optional single rooms may be available for an additional fee. Airfare, personal items, and meals are not included. For an itinerary, call 978-887-9264 or email [email protected]. Please register at least one month in advance. Cancellations made within 30 days of departure cannot be refunded or credited unless we can fill your space. trips & tours Natural History Travel 800-289-9504 For more information and a complete list of our International Tours,visit www.massaudubon.org/travel or call 800-289-9504. 34 w w w. m a s s a u d u b o n . o r g N o rt h S h o r e E d u c at i o n C e n t e r s General Information Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary One of Mass Audubon’s largest sanctuaries, Ipswich River offers nearly 2,000 acres of land and more than twelve miles of interconnecting trails that invite you to explore forests, meadows, and wetlands. Mowed fields provide habitat for American woodcocks and eastern bluebirds while the floodplain forests are resting and nesting sites for warblers and vireos. Canoe along eight miles of the Ipswich River, which meanders through the sanctuary, and camp on Perkins Island, a half-mile up the river. Members can rent canoes from May 1 through October 31. Members can also rent a small cabin that is conveniently located close to the sanctuary’s program facilities and sleeps four. In spring, listen for the chorus of American toads and pickerel frogs. In various seasons, watch for river otters, painted turtles, and great blue herons. View an active beaver lodge in Rockery Pond. Climb the drumlin and esker, landscape features created by a glacier 15,000 years ago. In winter, sap buckets fill the sugar grove, marking the season of our maple sugaring programs. Huge rocks and exotic trees and shrubs that were par t of a former arboretum provide an adventurous walk along the Rockery Trail. Address 87 Perkins Row, Topsfield, MA 01983 978-887-9264 Office / 978-887-0875 Fax [email protected] Office/Gift Shop/Trail Hours Office and Gift Shop: Weekdays, Tuesday through Friday, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm; Weekends and Monday holidays, May 1-October 31, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm; and November 1-April 30, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. Trails: Open dawn to dusk, Tuesday through Sunday and Monday holidays. Admission $4 for nonmember adults; $3 for nonmember children (2-12) and over 64 For information about other North Shore wildlife sanctuaries, including Cedar Pond, Eastern Point, Marblehead Neck, and Nahant Thicket, contact Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary at 978-887-9264 or [email protected]. For information about Rough Meadows Wildlife Sanctuary, please contact Joppa Flats Education Center at 978-462-9998 or [email protected]. Joppa Flats Education Center and Wildlife Sanctuary The Joppa Flats Education Center is located at the gateway to one of the country’s most productive year-round wildlife viewing areas—the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge and the Plum Island estuary. Highlights for visitors are the many species of birds that utilize the area’s extensive salt marshes, mudflats, rivers, bays, and coastal waters. During local area field trips, Joppa Flats program participants have recorded over 300 species of birds, including bald eagle, snowy owl, and many warblers, shorebirds, and waterfowl. The visitor center overlooking the Merrimack River includes a children’s education room with a marine aquarium, a conference center, ar t exhibits, a nature shop, butterfly gardens, and interpretive displays. Address P.O. Box 1558 / One Plum Island Turnpike Newburyport, MA 01950 978-462-9998 Office / 978-462-4143 Fax [email protected] Education Center/Grounds Hours Education Center: Tuesday through Sunday and Monday holidays, 8:30 am to 4:00 pm. Grounds: Open daily, dawn to dusk. Admission Suggested donation: $2 for nonmembers Endicott Wildlife Sanctuary This sanctuary comprises over 43 acres of mixed woodland, fields, and wetlands; however, there are currently no walking trails. In addition to protecting valuable wildlife habitat, the site houses the offices of two Regional Scientists, the Bertrand Chair of Natural History, and a Regional Educator. Endicott offers a variety of volunteer oppor tunities and internships in education and ecological management. Contact us to learn how to become involved in our statewide inventory and monitoring projects. Endicott also offers programs for teachers and students including the Salt Marsh Science Project. Our programs for middle and high school students focus on real science, with real scientists and real issues. Coastal topics, invasive species, and inquiry-based lessons are our specialty. Our Education Coordinator will meet you at a site of your choice, or recommend study sites nearest to you on the North Shore. For more information about our school programs go to www.massaudubon.org/endicott-school. Address 346 Grapevine Road, Wenham, MA 01984 978-927-1122 Office [email protected] g e ne r a l inf or m at i on 35 R e g i s t r at i o n P r o c e d u r e s & P o l i c y G u i d e l i n e s Registration Filled Programs/Wait Lists Advance registration with full payment is required for all programs unless otherwise noted. You may call in advance to inquire about space availability; however, we cannot hold a space for you until we have received your payment in full. Please register early because many programs fill quickly. If you are registering for a class and less than one week remains before the program begins, please call the sanctuary hosting the program to confirm that space is available. If you are not a Mass Audubon member, you may join when you register and pay the member program fee. Most programs have minimum and maximum enrollments depending on the type of class and instructional techniques. If the program of your choice is full, we will notify you immediately and automatically place you on a wait list. Four Easy Ways to Register! We accept MasterCard, VISA, and Discover •Register Online! You can now register for many of Mass Audubon’s programs online. That means you can sign up any time of day (regardless of whether that sanctuary is open or not), and you will instantly know if a program is full or has a wait list. Give it a try and let us know what you think. Visit our program catalog online: www.massaudubon.org/catalog. Please note that some programs and trips do not take online registration. For these, please call the appropriate sanctuary during business hours. •By Telephone: Call the sanctuary that is hosting the program. Please have your membership, credit card, and course information ready. •By Mail: Complete the registration form and return it with your check, money order, or credit card authorization to the sanctuary that is hosting the program for which you are registering. All checks and money orders should be made payable to Mass Audubon. Additional copies of the registration form can be downloaded at www.massaudubon.org/registrationform. •In Person: During business hours, stop by the sanctuary that is hosting the program you are interested in attending and register in person. Note: Registering in person should be done prior to the program start date because registering the day of the program, in many cases, will be too late. Confirmation Information Written confirmation may not be sent for every program. You will be notified if you do not get into a program because it is full, or if your name has been placed on a wait list. Please read all future correspondence carefully because it may contain information pertinent to your program such as what to bring or wear, directions to a location, etc. Meeting Locations Meeting locations are listed with the program descriptions in this brochure. 36 w w w. m a s s a u d u b o n . o r g If you do not wish to remain on the wait list, please notify the sanctuary hosting the program and a refund will be issued. We will notify you at least 24 hours in advance of the program only if space becomes available. If space does not open up, you will receive a full refund within three weeks of the program date. Cancellation/Refund Policy To receive a program refund if you no longer plan to attend, you must notify the sanctuary hosting the program at least one week prior to the first class. This policy does not apply to day camp programs or overnight trips. Each sanctuary reserves the right to change programs, schedules, and instructors or to cancel programs due to low enrollment. Please note that certain programs require a nonrefundable, nontransferable deposit. A full refund will be processed if the sanctuary cancels the program. Refunds require approximately three weeks for processing. Inclement Weather Most programs are held rain or shine; please dress accordingly. We will do our best to notify you if the class is canceled or postponed due to the weather. If the weather is questionable and you have not heard from us, please call the sanctuary. For programs that list a rain/storm date, we recommend that you hold the alternate date open. Refunds will not be issued if the class is switched to its alternate date and you are not able to attend. If no rain date is listed, we may try to reschedule the class. In this case, refunds will be issued if you cannot attend on the rescheduled date. If the class cannot be rescheduled you will receive a refund. Additional Questions? If you have additional questions about registration policies, or have a question about a particular program, please call the sanctuary hosting the program directly. Where to Send Registration Forms For Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary 87 Perkins Row Topsfield, MA 01983 978-887-9264 Office For Joppa Flats Education Center P.O. Box 1558 Newburyport, MA 01950 978-462-9998 Office Important Note: Since many Registration of our programs fill up quickly, the best way to guarantee a spot is to register online or call the sanctuary. For all registrations by mail, please submit a separate form for each wildlife sanctuary. Form Individual’s Information Circle One: Dr. / Mr. / Ms. / Mrs. / Miss Adult Name/Contact Name Address City Phone (Day) State Phone (Evening) E-mail Zip Cell Please send me the e-newsletter for Ipswich River Joppa Flats Membership Information Mass Audubon Member? Yes No Member No. Membership Exp. Date / / Not currently a Mass Audubon Member? Join NOW and enjoy Membership Discounts and other great benefits. For details, visit www.massaudubon.org/join. Individual ($48) Sponsor ($250) Family ($65) Patron ($500) Explorer ($80) Contributor ($100) Protector ($150) Session Information Program/ Session Name Check or Money Order Please make all checks and money orders payable to Mass Audubon. Participant’s Full Name (Adult or Child) Date(s) & Time Child’s Date of Birth (if applicable) / / / / / / / / / / / / Child’s Age MasterCard, Visa, or Discover Total Program Fee(s) Name on Credit Card Membership Fee Credit Card No. CVV# Additional Donation Exp. Date Signature Where to Send Registration and Payment: Session Fee Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary 87 Perkins Row, Topsfield, MA 01983 Office: 978-887-9264 Total Amount Enclosed Joppa Flats Education Center P.O. Box 1558, Newburyport, MA 01950 Office: 978-462-9998 For your personal security, please do not send credit card information by fax or email.
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