Vernal Pools
Please note: Our next winter lecture, Vernal Pools, will be on February 25th at 1:30pm. The Sanctuary will be closed on Saturday, February 18th for Presidents’ Day. Spring seems far off today, a...
View ArticleGypsy Moth, Winter Moth
Do you remember last summer? From a previous post: For those of you who know me, you are aware that there is very little found in nature that grosses me out. Scat, roadkill, snakes, spiders…I love it...
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Vernal Pools “LIVE”
Are you interested in seeing a vernal pool come to life this spring? Once Mother Nature proceeds with the spring awakening, we will be offering a series of walks to the pools along the trail here at...
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Pray for a Wet Spring
For those of you who missed our lecture about Gypsy Moths & Winter Moths with Dr. Joe Elkinton from UMass, I thought I would boil down a take home message for you with regards to the Gypsy Moth....
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The Intruder
Spermatophores look like breadcrumbs at the bottom of the poolCuriosity: It drives us to do curious things like look under rocks and logs, peek into tree cavities or to don waders and grab a net and...
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What is it?
Mouse over the images for the answers. Did someone decorate the cedar trees? The bright orange, gelatinous telial horns look like tentacles. These were observed in a vernal pool. What critter laid...
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Bluebirds
When I was in grammar school I remember singing a song at recess, “Bluebird, bluebird through my window” and now that I think of it I never recall seeing a bluebird (let alone one flying into my...
View ArticleBirds!
Migration may be over, but I had a whopper of a list after birding this morning. 60 species! Most of these birds can be found along our walking trails (a few hints are below if you want to come and...
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Pareidolia
The Old Man, before he fell. Have you ever gazed up at the clouds and saw a whale, a ship, or maybe even a unicorn? What about faces staring at you from the old knotty pine in the cabin? Or a rock that...
View ArticleCome Visit!
Last Saturday, I set up a table at the Show Up Brimfield, Holland, Wales event. The goal of the event was to bring folks in these three small towns together and strengthen community organizations that...
View ArticleMotor Tours
We are currently putting together a few fall programs, including autumn motor tours of Tupper Hill. Guests board our 15 passenger van and are treated to a naturalist-guided tour through the heart of...
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From Harvard Forest
Here is an announcement from our friends at Harvard Forest: New Harvard Forest Report: Wildlands and Woodlands, Farmlands and Communities The Harvard Forest, Highstead Foundation and co-authors from...
View ArticleAmazing H20
Have you ever thought about how amazing water is? Ice is a solid but it floats on its own liquid form, what we know as water. Can you imagine what life would be like if it didn’t? Water would freeze...
View ArticleWelcome to the Dark Side
Have you ever been camping at a beautiful state park and gone to the restroom after dark? If so, chances are you were either amazed by the diversity and abundance of moths hanging out by the light...
View ArticleBirding for Everyone
Birding is for everyone. Whether you feed the birds and enjoy the visitors to your feeder with a cup of coffee in the morning or are a hard-core birder, traveling the world to observe exotic species,...
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After the Tornado Presentation
A number of you were interested the presentation by Danelle LaFlower & Jennifer Santoro on February 10th that detailed their research on how the forest is recovering after the 2011 tornado....
View ArticleThe Bay Path
This Saturday (March 10th) Don Duffy will be joining us to present “Exploring the Bay Path” for our winter lecture series. The Bay Path is a fascinating tidbit of local history. Some people have...
View ArticleDead Trees
If you live near or have traveled to the Sanctuary recently, you may have noticed that there are a lot of trees that never leafed out this year. Some are along the road and they stand out compared to...
View ArticleTreehuggers & Sportsman, Unite!
A re-post of a previous blog, but still very pertinent. Reminder, folks, it’s hunting season. Wear your safety colors while walking in the woods! Tree Huggers and Sportsmen, Unite! I am a strong...
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What’s Bugging You?
An oldie but a goodie! Mayfly It’s May and the blackflies are out. These are the tiny creatures that fly into your eyes and ears, and are generally considered a nuisance. Most people call them...
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