Conservation Series

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.

This former airfield now provides habitat for endangered grassland breeding birds. We hope to find both Grasshopper Sparrow and Eastern Meadowlark on territory in these fields. Bobolinks’ bold and unusual songs and plumage should be a nice bonus on this trip. We will be walking primarily on flat, grassy terrain for a mile or two [...]

DUE TO PREDICTED HEAVY RAIN THIS TRIP HAS BEEN CANCELLED. This trip will focus on finding some of the unusual birds that nest at Pine Hill - Grasshopper Sparrow, Vesper Sparrow, and Eastern Whip-poor-will. Easy walk over flat sandy roads. Rain cancels walk.

Multiple habitats make this trip more diversified than the prior day’s Mount Greylock trip, as we begin along the Housatonic River WMA and make our way over October Mountain. Co-sponsored by the South Shore Bird Club. Target endangered breeding species: American Bittern, Mourning Warbler.

This walk is cancelled due to expected weather conditions.

Explore the bird diversity of the Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge, in Concord, MA. We will listen/watch for both resident and migrant songbirds in the trees and wetland surrounding the lot. We will walk along the Dike Trail, making stops at strategic points to look for waterfowl and other species of interest. Some notable species [...]

We will hike the Beach Loop and Quansett Trail. Mostly flat trails, but a mix of sandy, rocky, and muddy areas. We will look for migrants and breeders in a variety of habitats. If there is further interest we will continue to other nearby areas for any specialty species of interest.

With permission from the airport manager, we will be allowed to go inside the second fence line onto the airport, closed to the general public, in search of the grassland birds which nest at the airport. Note: This trip can be cancelled at any time, without notice, for homeland security reasons! Target endangered breeding species: [...]

We will explore a new trip location for the state-list Grasshopper Sparrow. We will cover a few miles on foot while also enjoying other species that we may encounter along the way. If there is interest, we will also extend the search to a second site in Sterling. Target endangered breeding species: Grasshopper Sparrow.

Rails and Least Bittern are our main targets. Note that entrance fee or pass is required. Duck stamps and entrance passes are accepted.