Kids Walk at Great Meadows in Concord
Trip leader Kathy Dia and special guest Dr. Bryan Windmiller, from Zoo New England, led a bird and turtle walk at the Great Meadows NWR impoundments in Concord. Bryan set several live traps in the marsh before the walk, and though no turtles were caught, participants saw lots of wildlife! Pictured participants are observing leopard froglet (no longer a tadpole and not yet a frog), dragonfly nymph and other marsh creatures.
Twenty-three bird species were seen or heard, including Marsh Wren, Swamp Sparrow, Wood Duck ducklings, Cedar Waxwings, and Osprey. Participants observed various insects, including firefly and damselfly, and stopped to smell the common milkweed!
Dr. Bryan told participants about the endangered Blanding’s turtles, which make their home at Great Meadows. Since 2008, a sampling of hatchlings have been “headstarted” (cared for so they can grow to a less vulnerable size) and released in a program that involves local fourth graders. Females are radio tagged and tracked. The population at Great Meadows has increased from an estimated 80 to about 500, Blanding’s turtles reach sexual maturity at about age fifteen. On June 25, the first nesting by one of these headstarted females was confirmed! This conservation success story builds on the efforts of both school children and local residents and farmers whose land provides turtle nesting sites.





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Upcoming Field Trips
Pine Hill Road Grassland
We will hike a sandy/gravelly field area for grassland breeding sparrows and warblers including Grasshopper Sparrow, and wait until sunset for whip-poor-wills.
Great Meadows NWR, Concord
Concord - Great Meadows Concord Unit, Entrance Rd, Concord, MA, United StatesWe will walk easy trails looking for shorebirds, ducks, wading birds, rails, and nesting songbirds. This is also a great time to look for butterflies and other interesting insects. Note that entrance fee or pass is required. Loaner binoculars available; please email trip leader to reserve a pair!
Whale and Seabird watching trip out of Gloucester
The BBC is partnering with the 7 Seas Whale Watching Tour Company to travel to Stellwagen Bank - primary feeding grounds for the Humpback Whale, the endangered Right Whale, and other marine wildlife, including seabirds. With the help of onboard naturalists, we will search for seabirds - storm petrals, shearwaters, gulls and terns, gannets, and [...]
An Oasis for Birds at Belle Isle Marsh
East Boston - Belle Isle Parking Lot 1399 Bennington Street, Boston, MA, United StatesJoin DCR park staff for a relaxed, one-mile bird walk through flat, easy terrain at this Massachusetts State Reservation and birding hot spot. In July, At Belle Isle and at additional nearby locations—we’ll search for osprey, flocks of egrets, piping plover, migrating shorebirds, meadow and grassland nesting birds. Participants are responsible for their own transportation [...]
Charles River Path in Waltham
Stroll along an easy to walk paved path. Possible sightings include Wood Ducks, Yellow Warbler, Warbling Vireo, and Great Blue Heron. Cosponsored with Waltham :Land Trust and Menotomy Bird Club.