eBird Report - Hartwell Family Memorial Preserve, Littleton, 5/1/10

After having enjoyed myself with my colleagues and friends over at Drumlin Farm, and after getting something to drink at home, I decided to continue this fine day by checking out the Hartwell Family Memorial Preserve which is almost in my backyard! Went traversing around the trails there for about an hour and fifteen minutes, from 5 to 6:15 pm. Nothing unusual for this time of year, though seeing 10 TURKEY VULTURES soaring in wide-arcing circles over the entire preserve was pretty sweet. Its been a while since I have seen so many vultures all at once. The 9 MYRTLE WARBLERS was the highest count I have seen so far this year. I got a feeling though tomorrow might be a banner day (hopefully anyhow)! Heading to Parker River NWR with my good buddy Kirk early in the morn till when we feel like we've been worn out! Happy birding to all tomorrow, it looks like the spring migration is in full effect after seeing all of today's reports!


Location:     Hartwell Family Memorial Preserve, Littleton
Observation date:     5/1/10
Number of species:     17

Mallard - Anas platyrhynchos     8
Turkey Vulture - Cathartes aura     10
Red-tailed Hawk - Buteo jamaicensis     1
Mourning Dove - Zenaida macroura     3
Downy Woodpecker - Picoides pubescens     2
Blue Jay - Cyanocitta cristata     7
American Crow - Corvus brachyrhynchos     2
Tree Swallow - Tachycineta bicolor     3
Black-capped Chickadee - Poecile atricapillus     22
Tufted Titmouse - Baeolophus bicolor     9
American Robin - Turdus migratorius     14
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) - Dendroica coronata coronata     9
Eastern Towhee - Pipilo erythrophthalmus     1
White-throated Sparrow - Zonotrichia albicollis     13
Red-winged Blackbird - Agelaius phoeniceus     25
Common Grackle - Quiscalus quiscula     7
American Goldfinch - Carduelis tristis     8

This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org/massaudubon/)


And here is the webpage from the Littleton Conservation Trust's website about the Hartwell Family Memorial Preserve

eBird Report - Memorial Forest, Sudbury, MA, 4/30/10

Sudbury Valley Trustees' largest reservation, the General Federation of Women's Clubs of Massachusetts Memorial Forest (in short, Memorial Forest) is by far, so far, my favorite property to visit that is owned and maintained by SVT. I had spent about 4.5 hours hiking around the majority of the trails on the property, from 10:45 AM to 3:15 PM.

I certainly wasn't entirely sure what I would see today, but seeing 7 EASTERN TOWHEES was definitely a pleasant surprise! Most of them (4 of the 7) were found along Pipeline Trail, while the rest were found along Desert Trail. They were singing and calling ("drink-your-tea" and "chewink"), music to my ears! Other highlights were the RED-SHOULDERED HAWK found by its vocalizations at first ("kee-yer")....simply gorgeous, especially with the sunlight showing its translucent crescents in its wings! PINE WARBLERS were heard everywhere, but I could only get on a few of them, and fantastic looks too! The PILEATED WOODPECKER I struck upon was heard first, off of Pipeline Trail near Cranberry Brook, caught a brief glimpse whilst it made its irregular, Flicker-like call numerous times. RED-BREASTED NUTHATCHES throughout, but particular along Desert Trail and Loop as well as Ocean Bypass. I have never seen a BROWN CREEPER sing before, and its song has always been a fave of mine!

A fine day indeed (and the weather couldn't have been better!) Happy birding to all!

Location:     Memorial Forest, Sudbury, MA
Observation date:     4/30/10
Number of species:     27

Canada Goose - Branta canadensis     2
Mallard - Anas platyrhynchos     2
Great Blue Heron - Ardea herodias     1 (near boardwalk spanning Cranberry Brook on Heron Spur Trail)
Turkey Vulture - Cathartes aura     1 (seen soaring over area near jct of Desert Trail and Pipeline Trail)
Red-shouldered Hawk - Buteo lineatus     1 (flying over Cranberry Brook near Heron Spur Trail)
Red-tailed Hawk - Buteo jamaicensis     2
Mourning Dove - Zenaida macroura     6
Downy Woodpecker - Picoides pubescens     2
Pileated Woodpecker - Dryocopus pileatus     1 (off of Pipeline Trail near Cranberry Brook)
Blue Jay - Cyanocitta cristata     4
American Crow - Corvus brachyrhynchos     5
Tree Swallow - Tachycineta bicolor     7
Black-capped Chickadee - Poecile atricapillus     X
Tufted Titmouse - Baeolophus bicolor     X
Red-breasted Nuthatch - Sitta canadensis     6 (observed birds seen off of Desert Trail and Desert Loop)
White-breasted Nuthatch - Sitta carolinensis     5
Brown Creeper - Certhia americana     1 (off of Heron Spur Trail)
American Robin - Turdus migratorius     8
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) - Dendroica coronata coronata     1
Pine Warbler - Dendroica pinus     3
Eastern Towhee - Pipilo erythrophthalmus     7 (along Pipeline Trail & Desert Trail)
White-throated Sparrow - Zonotrichia albicollis     2
Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored) - Junco hyemalis hyemalis/carolinensis     4
Northern Cardinal - Cardinalis cardinalis     2
Red-winged Blackbird - Agelaius phoeniceus     15
Common Grackle - Quiscalus quiscula     26
American Goldfinch - Carduelis tristis     7

This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org/massaudubon/)

And here are the directions to SVT's Memorial Forest: From Sudbury Center (the intersection of Concord Road and Route 27), take Hudson Road west (staying left on Hudson rather than following Route 27 north) for 2.0 mi to Dutton Road on the left. Take Dutton Road 1.8 mi, staying on Dutton Road by bearing right at intersection with Garrison, to an unpaved access on the right into a parking area under pine trees. There is an SVT sign at the entrance to the parking area.

Birdcountr : iPhone and Android bird list app

birdcountr : iphone and android bird list app

Now this looks extremely promising! All I need now is a Google Android-based smartphone (sorry Apple.....NOT) and the hope that eventually iBird will make its way to Android as well!

“The Road to Nowhere” Proposed Road through Izembek National Wildlife Refuge

Izembek NWR - Road to Nowhere

I thought this would be of pertinence to all fellow birders, even if this is for a wildlife habitat so far from our own region. It just irks me to no end now that the Obama administration seems to be less and less environmentally sound as I first supposed back in the beginning, and especially during Obama's campaign for the presidency. I still support Obama, but he truly needs to live up to the his billing, of maintaining and keeping his promises, especially that of being a more environmentally responsible administration aimed at making our country greener and a shining example to the rest of the world.

It is such a proposal like that mentioned in the aboved-linked article where having a road bisect critical habitat like that found in Izembek National Wildlife Refuge of the Aleutian Island chain in Alaska that makes me question the validity and viability of our current administration. Surely, Obama so far has been more responsible than the Bush administration ever was, but he has a long ways to go before becoming what he needs to be for keeping America in a more progressive path. What sort of impact could this have on such amazing and rare birds as the Steller's Eider and Pacific Black Brant and their populations? Obviously, probably not anything positive. Live and let be, mankind has already mucked up far too much, beyond recourse. Here are a couple images of the aforementioned birds found through Google Images:

Certainly, such a proposal cannot be in the public interest, and more definitely, not in the interest of the wildlife that call Izembek home.

A fine day it was yesterday (04/24/2010) with Wildlife Care at Drumlin Farm!

Hopefully volunteering over at Wildlife Care on MAS Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary will open some new pathways, some new doors down the road, but even if it doesn't, the memories I have garnered will last a lifetime!

After having complete morning chores (cleaning indoor and outdoor enclosures, laying food out, etc), A'ndrea Cutler, the interim Wildlife Care Supervisor (sadly she'll be leaving this upcoming Sat, the 1st of May) gave Andrea Coughlan (Wildlife Care Assistant) and myself a brief intro into handling a couple of the birds that at times go on program. Both Andrea and I got to have a red-morph Eastern Screech Owl and an American Kestrel perch itself on our outstretched hands (gloved of course). It was truly amazing to be so very close to these beautiful creatures, to see them in all their glory (even if they are captive and imprinted).

Afterwards, I assisted A'ndrea with the installation of new perches and ladders for our 2 non-flighted Broad-winged Hawks that have an outdoor enclosure on "Bird Hill". Then I assisted A'ndrea with the Broad-wingeds' health check-ups and then not too long afterwards, proceeded to release these beautiful raptors into their newly renovated "home"!

I then assisted in afternoon chores, including feeding the mammals and birds some afternoon snacks, and then when it was time to close up, help usher in the Pekin Ducks, Canada Goose, Mallards and female Turkey Vulture back into their indoor enclosures. I know not every day will be like yesterday, but I most certainly and thoroughly enjoyed myself!

Here are the pics of me with the red-morph Eastern Screech Owl and the American Kestrel:

eBird Report - Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary, 4/21/10 - A Kestrel, 4 Sapsuckers, a dozen Hermit Thrushes & a Porcupine!!

I guess there is one good thing about being unemployed (and thankfully still collecting UI) and that is I am able to get out more often.....yeah, I know, I shouldn't be out birding at all, I should be hitting the pavement day in, day out looking for employment. I wish I were that motivated (I should be nonetheless). Anyhow, I digress, for today was an amazing day to be outside enjoying all that Mother Nature has to offer (including annoying insects and a bit of a sunburn).

I chose to visit Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary in Princeton, MA, only my 2nd time visiting this Mass Audubon property. I had fallen in love with it the first time I visited (back in autumn of last year), but this visit was even more inspiring! I didn't quite hike as much as I did on my 1st visit, but still, I would say 7.5 miles worth of trails is plenty enough! I was at Wachusett from 9 am until about 2:20 pm.

I started off visiting the trails that go along near Beaver Wetland (South Meadow Trail and Beaver Bend Trail). It is here I saw the majority of the Common Grackles, Red-winged Blackbirds, Tree Swallows and all of the Brown-headed Cowbirds (though they stayed mainly near the meadows next to the barns). The lone White-crowned Sparrow I lucked upon was found while walking along South Meadow Trail. It is also here that I saw 2 of the 3 Red-tailed Hawks and the highlight of this area, the AMERICAN KESTREL! Great looks for several minutes before being chased off by Common Grackles. 2 of the 4 Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers were found along this stretch as well.

I then went onto Pasture Trail and Heron Rookery Trail. Goldfinches were everywhere throughout the sanctuary, but most were found along Pasture Trail. Sadly, no Great Blue Herons yet at the rookery, but of course more Tree Swallows and a few Eastern Bluebirds. It was when I got onto Fern Forest Trail that I started seeing the Hermit Thrushes (and numerous Dark-eyed Juncos). More Hermit Thrushes were seen along Hemlock Seep Trail as well as the 3rd Sapsucker of the day.

Most of Chapman Trail, West Border Trail, Brown Hill Loop and Summit Trail was quiet. I did find the rest of the Hermit Thrushes I observed on the trails criss-crossing the Brown Hill area, a few of them singing, which was a very welcome sound to my ears! The biggest highlight of this area was coming across a lumbering, slow-moving PORCUPINE, near the northern junction of West Border Trail and Chapman Trail. He either didn't know I was there or just didn't care that I was, for this porcupine was only about 30 feet in front of me....what a sight it was, the first porcupine I have seen in the wild alive! Anyhow, I also trekked along Otter Pond Trail (more Tree Swallows and Bluebirds) and Birch Trail (where I saw my 4th Sapsucker). I made a stop at the Farm Pond found on along the lower half of the North Meadow Trail area and was greeted with Eastern Phoebes, numerous American Goldfinches and Red-winged Blackbirds, a few Eastern Bluebirds and alas, a number of House Sparrows. The other House Sparrows were found, of course, near the barns and other man-made structures.

Well, enough blabbering from me! It was a most fantastic venture and I encourage all others to make a trip out to Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary! Here are the directions from Mass Audubon's website:

From Rt 2: Take exit 28 (Rt 31, Fitchburg/Princeton). Follow Rt 31 south for 3.9 miles to a blinking red light. Turn left at the light and follow Rt 31 and Rt 140 south for 1.8 miles to a blinking yellow light. Turn right and follow Rt 31 south for 2.8 miles to a steep hill and a blinking yellow light (center of Princeton). At the light, follow signs for Rt 62 west by crossing the intersection and bearing right (follow the road as it curves right on the far side of the common after the light). Follow Rt 62 west for 0.6 miles, and you will see the sanctuary sign on the right at Goodnow Road. Turn right on Goodnow Road, and the parking lot is 1 mile ahead on the left.

From Rt I-190: Take exit 5 (Rt 140, Sterling/W. Boylston). Follow Rt 140 north for 2.4 miles to the intersection of Rt 62 (blinking yellow light). Take a left onto Rt 62 west and follow it for 4.2 miles to a stop sign. Turn left on Rt 31 and go up the hill to a flashing yellow light (center of Princeton). Follow directions above from the "center of Princeton."

Here is the link to the information page on Mass Audubon's website for Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary

I hope other folks were able to get out today to enjoy this fine weather and do a little bit of birding/hiking! Happy birding to all!

Location:     Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary
Observation date:     4/21/10
Notes:     Also came across a porcupine, my first seen in the wild, alive!
Number of species:     32

Canada Goose - Branta canadensis     4
Wood Duck - Aix sponsa     2 (Beaver Wetlands near jct of South Meadow Trail and Beaver Bend Trail)
Mallard - Anas platyrhynchos     5
Turkey Vulture - Cathartes aura     1 (soaring over Brown Hill)
BROAD-WINGED HAWK - Buteo platypterus     1 (slowly circling over Beaver Wetland and neighboring woods)
Red-tailed Hawk - Buteo jamaicensis     3
AMERICAN KESTREL - Falco sparverius     1 (overlooking Beaver Wetland from trees along South Meadow Trail, near jct with Beaver Bend Trail)
Killdeer - Charadrius vociferus     1
Mourning Dove - Zenaida macroura     1
YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER - Sphyrapicus varius     4 (Wildlife Pond area of South Meadow Trail, Beaver Bend Trail, Hemlock Seep Trail, Birch Trail)
Downy Woodpecker - Picoides pubescens     1
Hairy Woodpecker - Picoides villosus     1
Eastern Phoebe - Sayornis phoebe     4 (near barns and also near Farm Pond)
Blue Jay - Cyanocitta cristata     6
Tree Swallow - Tachycineta bicolor     X (throughout, especially over Beaver Wetland and adjacent meadows)
Black-capped Chickadee - Poecile atricapillus     X
Tufted Titmouse - Baeolophus bicolor     X
Red-breasted Nuthatch - Sitta canadensis     1 (along Fern Forest Trail)
White-breasted Nuthatch - Sitta carolinensis     4
Eastern Bluebird - Sialia sialis     6 (check all bluebird boxes, especially both North and South Meadow Trails)
HERMIT THRUSH - Catharus guttatus     12 (Fern Forest Trail, Hemlock Seep Trail, Chapman Trail, Brown Hill Loop)
American Robin - Turdus migratorius     8
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) - Dendroica coronata coronata     1 (Beaver Bend Trail)
Chipping Sparrow - Spizella passerina     1 (near feeders adjacent to parking lot)
Song Sparrow - Melospiza melodia     3
WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW (EASTERN) - Zonotrichia leucophrys leucophrys     1 (South Meadow Trail)
Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored) - Junco hyemalis hyemalis/carolinensis     X (throughout, but mainly along Fern Forest Trail)
Red-winged Blackbird - Agelaius phoeniceus     X
Common Grackle - Quiscalus quiscula     X
Brown-headed Cowbird - Molothrus ater     8
American Goldfinch - Carduelis tristis     X
House Sparrow - Passer domesticus     10

This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org/massaudubon/)

More photos of the Nine-Acre Corner Glossy Ibises

Hello everybody! I would like to share some more absolutely gorgeous photos of the 10 Glossy Ibises that have been seen at the southwest fields of Nine-Acre Corner near the country club (the name of the golf course slips my mind) in Concord, MA. This set of 9 photos were taken by Dale J. Martin of Massapoag Pond Photography on Monday, April 19th.

Here is the link of the Glossy Ibis photos and here is the business address of Massapoag Pond Photography:

Massapoag Pond Photography

1070 Lancaster Ave.

Lunenburg, MA 01462

dale@massapoag.org

Dale had shared the link to his photos of the ibises via email, for we had gotten in contact thanks to the posts on Massbird. I gave him directions so he could get on these lovely waders and he shared the amazing results of his prowess as a photographer!

Enjoy everybody and happy birding!!

eBird Report - Grassy Pond Conservation Land, Acton, MA, 4/20/10

After having done a little bit more yard work at home, I accompanied my brother and his good friend Ciaran O'Dwyer for a little nature walk to Grassy Pond Conservation Land in Acton, the main parking area located right off Nagog Hill Road. The parking lot will be on your left if you are coming from Acton via Route 27. It was my 3rd time being there and my first time in the spring. Fairly quiet until coming upon Grassy Pond itself. The highlight of this little excursion of course was seeing 2 NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOWS chasing each other just above the surface of the pond for several minutes. At first I thought perhaps Bank Swallows, but no breast band or contrasting. They were dark brown above and pale brown below, especially around the chest to throat. I had also thought juvenile Tree Swallow, but again, no stark contrasting. So, I had myself a pair of Northern Rough-wings, a lifer for me! I had honestly did not expect to see much on this little trek, for it was nice just being out and about and seeing what lovely avian friends were around the vicinity! I hope others had a chance to get out and enjoy this fine day! Happy birding to all!!!


Location:     Grassy Pond Conservation Land, Acton, MA
Observation date:     4/20/10
Number of species:     15

Canada Goose - Branta canadensis     4
Red-shouldered Hawk - Buteo lineatus     1 (Soaring fairly high up over pond)
Mourning Dove - Zenaida macroura     1
Belted Kingfisher - Megaceryle alcyon     1 (Off to the left amongst dead trees in marshy area of pond)
Red-bellied Woodpecker - Melanerpes carolinus     2 (Excellent views of male checking out dead trees on left from platform over pond)
Downy Woodpecker - Picoides pubescens     2
Blue Jay - Cyanocitta cristata     2
American Crow - Corvus brachyrhynchos     1
Northern Rough-winged Swallow - Stelgidopteryx serripennis     2 (Skimming surface of Grassy Pond chasing each other)
Black-capped Chickadee - Poecile atricapillus     4
Tufted Titmouse - Baeolophus bicolor     2
American Robin - Turdus migratorius     5
Red-winged Blackbird - Agelaius phoeniceus     7
Common Grackle - Quiscalus quiscula     5
American Goldfinch - Carduelis tristis     5

This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org/massaudubon/)


Here is some general info from the Acton Conservation Commission for Grassy Pond Conservation Land

Cornell Lab of Ornithology Project FeederWatch Posters (.pdfs)

Hello again everybody! I received a newsletter email from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology today and via one of its links, I came across 3 awesome .pdfs of posters of birds featured in their Project FeederWatch program. One is of a poster of the Hummingbirds of North America, the others are posters of Eastern and Western Feeder Birds. Here are images of all 3:

And here is the link to download the FeederWatch posters for free: http://www.birds.cornell.edu/pfw/FreeDownloads.htm

Just wanted to pass along the awesomeness!

Invasive Plants - Early Detection

The text and information below is from an email I received from Laura Mattei to all volunteers of SVT. I thought it would be beneficial to share this information as any and all help is needed. Sadly, I cannot attend any of the training dates due to other volunteering obligations (Wildlife Care every Saturday for Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary in Lincoln, MA). FYI, Laura Mattei is the Director of Stewardship for Sudbury Valley Trustees.

Framingham -  New England Wild Flower Society is seeking volunteers to help with the Sudbury-Assabet-Concord River Watershed Cooperative Invasive Species Management Association (CISMA)’s EARLY DETECTION INVASIVE PLANT SURVEYS.

The goal of the project is to develop a prioritized list of invasive plant populations for management by means of documentation, mapping, and control of early detection invasives plants that are just starting to enter the Sudbury-Assabet-Concord (SUASCO) River watershed area.

WE NEED YOUR HELP IN STOPPING THESE INVASIVE SPECIES BEFORE THEY BECOME WIDESPREAD AND UNCONTROLLABLE!

Volunteers receive one day of training in early detection invasive surveys, then are assigned to survey for the target species. The training sessions run from 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m., and include a powerpoint presentation on the early detection species with a discussion of their identification, habitats, impacts, and control.  The rest of the morning includes a discussion of survey and documentation methods, locations, use of GPS, and how/where to report findings.  The afternoon training is primarily in the field, doing practice surveys and documentation. CISMA plans to start controlling some of the populations within this field season.

After the training session, volunteers are assigned to specific sites in their hometowns (and further afield, if they prefer) to look for the invasive plant species listed below.  CISMA plans to survey in each of the watershed’s 36 towns.

To volunteer for the training and survey work, please contact Ted Elliman, Vegetation Management Coordinator for New England Wild Flower Society at telliman@newenglandwild.org, or by phone at 508-877-7630 x 3203. 

Four CISMA training dates have been set. Volunteers can choose any one of the sessions. They are: 

• Saturday, May 15 - Southborough Fire Station, 21 Main Street Southborough, 01772  Saturday, May 22 - Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge, 73 Weir Hill Road, Sudbury 01776
• Sunday, May 23 - Bedford Town Hall, 10 Mudge Way, Bedford, 01730
• Saturday June 5 - Bolton Town Library, 738 Main Street, Bolton 01740

The eleven early detection species that are the targets of the CISMA survey, taken from the Massachusetts Invasive Plant Advisory Group list, are:

• Flowering Rush (Butomus umbellatus)
• Giant Hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum)
• Japanese stiltgrass (Microstegium vimineum)
• Kudzu (Pureraria montana)
• Mile-a-minute vine (Polygonum perfoliatum)
• Reed mannagrass (Glyceria maxima)
• Tansy ragwort/ stinking willie (Senecio jacobaea)
• Brazilian waterweed (Egeria densa)
• Great yellowcress (Rorippa amphibia)
• Hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata)
• Parrot-feather (Myriophyllum aquaticum)

This is an extremely important project for the 36 towns which comprise the Sudbury-Assabet-Concord River watershed area. It is most important that these invasive plants populations be documented, then removed to protect our native plant populations and their habitats.

All volunteers under 18 must have a permission form signed by a parent or guardian. Send us an email for a copy.

Some thoughts about birding....

I have only been seriously bird watching for a few years now, many many thanks to my good friend Kirk Marshall for turning me into a monster (or bird nerd). I have absolutely loved every moment of it, but I guess what irks me a little bit, at least from my own perceptions, is that some people just do it to get a target bird and thats it.

Believe me, I want to see every bird in the world if I had the means and time to do so (sadly I do not), but for me, when I am out birding, I'm not only out there to see the target bird that Kirk and/or I have identified pursuing via Massbird or through some other avenue of communication. I am out there to become enveloped by Nature's grandeur, taking in all the sights and sounds, the whole atmosphere, soaking up the entire experience. (Hence my love for such places as Pondicherry Wildlife Refuge in Jefferson, NH and Oxbow National Wildlife Refuge in Harvard, MA)

Yeah, I do get disappointed if I miss a target bird (and I admittedly sometimes do not let myself be calmed by my environs)....failed on getting to see the Tufted Duck in Wayland on the Sudbury River and also the Eurasian Green-winged Teal at Nine-Acre Corner that were both seen in late winter of this year, but most of the time, I am just happy to be outside. Even if I see one or many common birds, I soak it up, try to watch their antics, their behaviours (the soaring flight of a Red-tailed Hawk, the acrobatics of a Black-capped Chickadee) and I am always amazed by some of my favorite common birds (the bright gold and cute chatterings of an American Goldfinch, the laughing call and mannerisms of a White-breasted Nuthatch).

I know many people share and feel and love the same way that I do about birds, wildlife and nature in general, but I wish everybody could. Take stock in what a wonderful planet we live on, with all the landscapes and gorgeous wildlife that call it home. That is why it is so important that we take the time to enjoy every moment of it and do what we can to help preserve, maintain and help thrive what hasn't been developed by the destructive tendencies of mankind. For I know we have been falling down a deep trench for a while now and its going to be a while before most everyone truly appreciates what we have and what needs to be done to ensure the health of our planet.

So, when next you find yourself in the mesmerizing gaze of Nature's sweet beauty, please, take a moment, inhale deeply, sense acutely and just take it all in, because it is these moments in time when life is at its sweetest, its very best!!!

Glossy Ibis in Concord | Sudbury Valley Trustees

I wanted to share some photos of the very same Glossy Ibis Kirk and myself observed today at Nine-Acre Corner in Concord, MA. This link sends you to the Sudbury Valley Trustees Nature Sightings section of their website that features any and all sightings of Glossy Ibis, and many many other wonderful wildlife! This particular set of photos were taken by Ron McAdow on the 12th of April, 2010! Enjoy!

Glossy Ibis in Concord | Sudbury Valley Trustees

Forest Society : Press Releases - 50 acres added to Pondicherry Wildlife Refuge

This information was originally posted on NH Birds by David Govatski, but I thought I would share this all with you because Pondicherry Wildlife Refuge in Jefferson, NH is a very dear place to me....and oh yeah, it kicks some serious ass!!

Forest Society : Press Releases

Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge Grows

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, assisted by the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests, recently culminated an acquisition that began in 2003 to add an important new 50-acre parcel to the Pondicherry Division of the Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge.

The owner, Robert Tucker, was delighted to offer this land in Jefferson to the Refuge, where it would fill in a gap in the southeastern portion of the refuge in Jefferson, NH, between other Refuge land and property held by the Audubon Society of New Hampshire that extends to pristine Cherry Pond.
With 2,000 feet of frontage on both sides of Slide Brook, where it forms a broad wetland, the new Tucker addition protects valuable wetland habitat that adds depth and variety to the adjacent Refuge and Audubon lands. The area supports a wide variety of wildlife, including moose, bear, frogs, turtles, and 131 breeding species of birds that include warblers, flycatchers, and woodpeckers. The area is open to recreational activities including hunting and fishing in Slide and Mill Brooks, where eastern brook trout can be found.
“The Forest Society was pleased to facilitate this project in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,” said Forest Society President/Forester Jane Difley. “This is the most recent example of the success that can be realized through the collaborative efforts of public and private land conservation organizations.”
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Refuge Supervisor Janet Kennedy said this event illustrates the importance of partnerships and collaborations. “These acquisitions allow us to protect the connectivity of habitat for wildlife, and with so many of our conservation partnerships we do them together to achieve mutually beneficial conservation goals.”
Silvio Conte Refuge Manager Andrew French praised the assistance of the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests. “This tract of land is another piece of the puzzle we’re trying to assemble,” he said. “Without the critical assistance of the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests, it might not have happened.”
This success was made possible by generous donors to the Forest Society, who pushed the funding effort over the goal line, and by the willingness of the Forest Society to step in at a critical moment to keep the land available while the Refuge completed its funding and due diligence processes. This type of cooperation between government agencies and private, non-profit, land trusts are a hallmark of New Hampshire’s conservation successes.
The Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge was established to conserve the abundance and diversity of native plants and animals and their habitats in the 7.2 million acre Connecticut River watershed in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont. Long been known for its rich, diverse assemblage of wildlife, particularly birds, the Pondicherry Division includes Cherry and Little Cherry Ponds and the surrounding complex of wetlands and swamps located in Jefferson and Whitefield New Hampshire.
The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit http://www.fws.gov/.
Founded in 1901, the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests is the state’s oldest and largest non-profit land conservation organization. Supported by 10,000 families and businesses, the Forest Society’s mission is to perpetuate the state’s forests by promoting land conservation and sustainable forestry. For more information, visit www.forestsociety.org.