Bird Walk: 9:00 – 11:00 a.m.  / Check-in: 8:30 – 9:00 a.m.

Location: Boston Nature Center, 500 Walk Hill St., Mattapan, MA 02126

Join us for a birding event for people who are blind or have low vision at Mass Audubon’s Boston Nature Center. We will try to see or hear as many bird species as possible. Blind and partially sighted people of any age or experience level will listen for bird songs and sounds. This birding event is specifically designed for blind and low vision birders and others with disabilities to enjoy birds during a guided outing. No previous birding experience needed.

We will walk one mile on the All Persons Trail (Universally Accessible trail). The trails and boardwalk traverse meadows and wetlands, home to birds, butterflies, and plants on crushed stone path and boardwalk. Fruit (such as bananas, apples, oranges, etc.) will be available after the walk.

Registration:

• To participate in the outing please register by contacting Michealle Larkins at mlarkins@brooklinebirdclub.org or 617-448-0796

Possible birds:

• Wild Turkey, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Red-tailed hawk, and Gray Catbird

What to bring/wear:  

• Binoculars if you have one, weather appropriate attire (jacket etc. if cold out; sun hat if sunny) sunscreen, bug spray, water bottle (can be filled on site), and snacks as needed. If applying bug repellent on site, please use non-Deet bug repellent to protect birds and humans who may have respiratory issues. If you use Deet, please apply before arriving. Please no fragrances due to potential triggers for medical conditions.

What we provide:

• Loaner binoculars – 15 available
• Loaner monocular – 1 available
• Handheld magnifiers – 2 available
• Harness for binoculars – 1 available

Accessibility features

• Well-maintained All Persons Trail, at least 36” wide with packed crushed stone path and boardwalk with 3” lips
• Trails are mostly flat; one area with slight incline approximately 50 feet of distance
• Sensory trail manual in braille
• Trail maps in printed or tactile formats
• Audio tour for accessible trail in English, Spanish, and a version for children in English only. Call 617.618.1182 on cell phone to hear audio tour.
• Narrated audio tour stops clearly marked by three-food tall signposts with stop name and number in print and in Braille
• Human guides – if needed, please contact Michealle Larkins in advance
• Indoor and outdoor water fountains (34” from ground)
• Two four-wheel rollators
• One all-terrain wheelchair
• Large format edition of Eastern Birds Field Guide
• For other access accommodations please contact Michealle Larkins

Benches and shade:

• There are benches at 6 locations along the All Persons Trail, at least every 1/8 of a mile.
• Six picnic tables at a gazebo midway on the trail provide shade and rest
• Tree cover is available on approximately 0.4 miles of the trail/boardwalk

Auditory (sound) environment:

• Some traffic noise

Bathrooms:

• Three accessible bathrooms in nature center
• One All Gender bathroom with baby changing station in nature center
• Two accessible outdoor concrete stalls, halfway down the trail at the gazebo

Parking

• Four signed accessible parking spaces in a large lot of fine gravel surface. There are no lines marking spaces. Spaces can be used for van access.
• Additional accessible parking spaces can be created – please notify Michealle when you register, if accessible parking is needed
• Two ChargePoint charging stations

 Directions from the street/nature center entrance:

• Travel on driveway 0.1 mile to a fork in the road, turn right and continue for 0.1 mile to the parking lot. Accessible spaces and charging station on the left.

 Public transit:

• From Forest Hills station take bus 31 towards Mattapan and get off at Blue Hill Ave. and Wellington Hill St. then walk 1.1 miles to 500 Walk Hill St. or
• From Forest Hills station take bus 21 towards Ashmont and get off at Morton & Courtland Rd. stop, then walk 1.1 miles to 500 Walk Hill St.
• From Ashmont station take bus 21 towards Forest Hills t and get off at the Morton St. at Havelock St. stop, then walk 1.1 miles to 500 Walk Hill St.
• From Mattapan station take bus 28 going towards Ruggles, get off at Blue Hill Ave. @ Fessenden St., then walk 1 mile to 500 Walk Hill St.

Check-in location:

• In front of Boston Nature Center entrance across from parking lot.

For access needs contact: 

• If you have any questions or would like to discuss the outing and/or access needs prior to the trip please contact Michealle Larkins at 617-448-0796 or micheru.chan@gmail.com. On the day of the outing please call rather than email.

Additional information:

• For details about the Boston Nature Center visit their website Boston Nature Center & Wildlife Sanctuary.

To join the outing: 

• Please contact Michealle Larkins at mlarkins@brooklinebirdclub.org or 617-448-0796