It’s hard to believe that Ida Giriunas, well known Massachusetts birder and long-time director of the Brookline Bird Club (BBC), passed away two years ago on August 20.  We wanted to update friends and the birding community on the status  of the expansion of the Mass Audubon Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary’s bird habitat garden area in her name, funded by your generous contributions.  In spite of the uncertainty created by the pandemic for the last year and a half,  IRWS has been busy adding to the gardens and they are filling out beautifully.  A sanctuary volunteer is in the process of  creating a guide to the plants including their names and benefits to the birds. Additional plants will be added this fall, and a location for a plaque will be evaluated.  While we hoped to have a formal dedication, that is on hold till the current public health situation is resolved to satisfactory levels of safety for MAS staff and visitors.  Please stop by to see the gardens! The photos don’t do it justice.  But remember to go online beforehand and reserve a parking spot.

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Upcoming Field Trips

  • Cold Spring Park, Newton

    Newton - Cold Spring Park 1200 Beacon St, Newton, MA, United States

    This large multi-use city park offers an easy 1.4-mile loop through mixed forest, open green areas, and red maple swamplands, attracting a surprising array of resident and migratory birds. Porta Potties available.

  • Plum Island

    Parker River NWR - Lot #1 Refuge Rd., Newbury, MA, MA, United States

    We will be walking the North Pool dike as well as visiting other spots. Note that an entrance fee or pass is required. Restrooms available.

  • Barretts Mill Farmland

    Concord - Barretts Mill Farmland Barrett's Mill Road, Concord, MA, United States

    This is often a great place for fall sparrows including Savannah, Field, and White-crowned, as well as Pipit and occasional Dickcissel. Loaner binoculars available; please email trip leader to reserve a pair! If the weather doens't look good, contact the leader to check status.

  • Hellcat at Parker River NWR

    Parker River NWR - Lot #4 Newbury, MA, United States

    During the past few years the refuge has opened the dike to hiking during National Wildlife Refuge Week. We will plan to do that hike if the dike is again open this year. Otherwise we hike the boardwalk and normal dike area.

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