Date: 4/25/25 2:14 pm From: Paul Ippolito <paulippolito295...> Subject: [Arlington Birds] MBC Trips this week
Fellow MBC members,
The Saturday weather doesn't look ideal, but we have another in a series of
Bear Creek Sanctuary trips on Sunday as well as trips throughout next
week. Do however continue to look at the weekly e-mails as we continually
add trips based upon what is being seen, weather and availability of our
leaders.
As a reminder, our next meeting will be on Tuesday, April 29th @ 7:00 PM at
the Jenks Center, 109 Skillings Road in Winchester as we will have Robert
J. Gegear an Associate Professor in the Department of Biology at UMass
Dartmouth presenting - More than just the buzz: A practical guide to
restoring pollinator-generated biodiversity (and why it matters)
Plant-pollinator diversity is declining at an alarming rate across New
England, pushing many species to the brink of local extinction unless
urgent conservation measures are implemented. In this talk, Robert will
discuss using species-level ecological data to vastly improve recommended
plant lists aimed at restoring bumblebee and butterfly diversity on
degraded landscapes including how ‘Beecologist’ citizen scientists have
used data-driven conservation approach to successfully restore pollination
diversity ranging from home gardens to multi-acre conservation lands. Doors
open at 6:30 for set up and social time and the meeting starts promptly at
7:00 PM.
Early spring is providing some interesting observations being posted
throughout Massachusetts so keep exploring your local patches, *report what
you’re seeing* and enjoy all that our area has to offer.
*Sunday, April 27*
*Bear Creek Sanctuary, Saugus *
*Soheil Zendeh 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM*
Here are details for attending walks at this property:
Bear Creek is an upland wildlife sanctuary built on the Wheelabrator
(formerly RESCO) landfill at the northern end of Rumney Marsh in Saugus and
Revere. Access information is below. Wear good walking shoes and be
prepared to hike 3 – 4 miles. The property is mostly very open, so be
prepared for sun, wind and weather.
This walk is free and open to the public, but also note that this property
is accessible by invitation only and visitors need to be chaperoned at all
times. Please allow roughly 4 hours for this field trip. The actual length
of the trip depends on conditions and the birds present. It's usually
difficult to break up the party if you need to be somewhere in the early
afternoon. Come prepared to stay with the group.
Wheelabrator company has graciously stocked up on some extra pairs of
binoculars, so if you or someone you know wants to learn about birds and
birding, come on down. Please let Geoff Wilson <s2ary39...> know
you're coming so we can have a head count.
Bear Creek Sanctuary access is via the Wheelabrator plant, 100 Salem
Turnpike (Rte 107), Saugus. The rotary at the intersection of Rtes 60 and
107 is about 1½ miles southwest of the plant and about 1 mile east of Rte 1
exit on Rte 60. When traveling northeast on 107, if you go over the Ballard
Street bridge (just after a set of lights) you’ve gone too far — turn back.
Here is a link to google maps: http://tinyurl.com/326v87d
When you arrive, drive through the plant gates, park in the parking lot
immediately and wait for the group. Please do not drive farther into the
property without an escort. Note that, due to recent security concerns, the
gate to the plant parking lot may be shut if you arrive early. Please pull
off to a safe place and wait -- someone will be along to let us in.
*Tuesday, April 29*
*6:30 PM Social Time, 7:00 Meeting Start *
*A practical guide to restoring pollinator-generated biodiversity (and why
it matters)*
*Robert J. Gegear** – Jenks Center, Winchester*
Please join the Menotomy Bird Club on Tuesday, April 29th @ 7:00 PM at the
Jenks Center, 109 Skillings Road in Winchester as we will have Robert J.
Gegear an Associate Professor in the Department of Biology at UMass
Dartmouth presenting - More than just the buzz: A practical guide to
restoring pollinator-generated biodiversity (and why it matters)
Plant-pollinator diversity is declining at an alarming rate across New
England, pushing many species to the brink of local extinction unless
urgent conservation measures are implemented. In this talk, Robert will
discuss using species-level ecological data to vastly improve recommended
plant lists aimed at restoring bumblebee and butterfly diversity on
degraded landscapes including how ‘Beecologist’ citizen scientists have
used data-driven conservation approach to successfully restore pollination
diversity ranging from home gardens to multi-acre conservation lands.
Doors open at 6:30 for set up and social time and the meeting starts
promptly at 7:00 PM.
*Thursday, May 1*
*Wright-Locke Farm, Winchester*
*Lisa Craig 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM*
Join us as we explore parts of this 20 acre community farm that includes
historic farm buildings, growing fields; pasture lands to the north of the
farmstead and wooded areas to the west abutting the Whipple Hill and Locke
Conservation Areas. Let’s see what gems are hidden away in this new area.
Meeting Place: Park and meet at Mullen Field located across the street from
43 Lockeland Road and the auxiliary fire station. 8:00 - 10:00 AM Lisa
Craig <lisa.t.craig...>
*Sunday, May 4*
*Foss Farm, Carlisle*
*Alan Ankers 7:00 AM – 10:00 AM*
We’ll look for early migrants such as sparrows, swallows, raptors and the
first of the warblers in the community gardens and farm fields, including
the old piggery that is now part of Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge.
Co-sponsored by the Carlisle Conservation Foundation. Meet at Foss Farm
parking lot, just west of the bridge over the Concord River on route 225.
7:00-10:00 AM Alan Ankers <alankers...>
*Tuesday May 6*
*Greenwood Park, Stoneham*
*Linda Ireland 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM*
Join us as we explore the trails of Greenwood Park in search of spring
migrants and local breeding birds that have begun to arrive. Along the
way, we will take time to admire the diverse botany in the area. The
trails in some locations have uneven terrain or a bit steep so a walking
stick may be of benefit. Meet at Greenwood Park across from Stone Zoo,
Stoneham. 8:30 – 10:00 AM Linda Ireland <lsireland...>
*Wednesday May 7*
*Brooks Estate, Medford*
*Maureen Dolan & Barbara Strella 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM*
Join us as we explore the Brooks Estate for spring migrants and local
breeding birds as the peak of the spring migration will be underway and new
birds will be arriving every day. Meet at the entrance at 266 Grove St.
8:00 – 10:00 AM Barbara Strella <strell...> & Maureen Dolan
<maureendolan22...>
If you are interested in leading a trip, please reach out to Alan Ankers,
Renee LaFontaine or myself, the club would be so lucky to have you lead.
Please continue to post your observations.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out.
