1. pets
2. birds

ta bl e
Marketing Department
Mass Audubon
208 South Great Road, Lincoln, MA 01773
781-259-2135 marketing@massaudubon.org
Cover photos:
Stone Bridge at Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary
—Jeanne Li ©
Flying Squirrel—Leslie Ouellette©
Snow Bunting—Rachel Bellenoit©
Dunlins and Sanderlings in flight along the Plum
Island beach—Dave Larson©
Back cover photo:
Tree Sparrow—Carol J. Decker©
Artwork on pgs. 10 & 16 courtesy of Abbie Ormord
Printing: DS Graphics
Funding provided in part by:
o f
c o n t e n t s
North Shore Wildlife Sanctuaries Map
and Contact Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Inside Front Cover
Notes & Announcements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary Programs
Adult . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-9
All Ages—Sugaring Off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Children & Families . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-17
Joppa Flats Education Center Programs
Adult . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18-26
Children, Families, & All Ages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26-29
Educators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
29
Trips and Tours
Northeast Getaways . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30-33
North America: Outside the Northeast . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33-34
General Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
35
Registration Procedures & Policy Guidelines . . . . . . . . . . .
36
Registration Form . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Inside Back Cover
Register Online! You can register for many of Mass Audubon’s programs online. That means you can sign up
any time of day (regardless of whether that sanctuary is open or not). See page 36 for details.
Look! Up in the sky !
Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary
Day Camp
Programs
for children ages 4-14
•Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary, Topsfield
•Hamond Nature Center, Marblehead
•Essex County Greenbelt Association’s
Cox Reservation, Essex
For a free camp brochure, call 978-887-9264 or
download a copy: www.massaudubon.org/ipswichriver
The 10th Annual
Merrimack River Eagle Festival
Joppa Flats Education Center
Saturday, February 7
8:30 am-4:00 pm
Eagle hot spots, raptor demos, family fun
FREE
See page 21 for details.
Mass Audubon has teamed up with the
nonprofit Massachusetts Energy Consumers
Alliance (Mass Energy). Together, we’re
asking people across the Commonwealth
to Make the Switch to green electricity.
How it works
It’s easy: You can switch to green electricity online
or over the phone in minutes. All you need is your
electric bill!
By Making the Switch, you are helping to ensure
that more energy comes from local green sources
such as wind, solar, cow power, and low-impact
hydro (and less from fossil fuels).
It’s effective: By Making the Switch, you are purchasing
green power that is locally sourced.Your support helps
add more green power to the grid, displacing energy
from fossil fuels and thereby reducing emissions of
harmful heat-trapping gases. As demand for green
power increases, so does the construction of new, local,
renewable energy projects. Along with implementing
home energy-efficiency measures and installing solar
panels, buying green electricity is one of the most
effective things we, as individuals, can do to address
climate change.
It’s tax deductible:
The amount spent
on green power
through Mass Energy
each year can be
deducted from your
federal tax return, if
you itemize charitable
contributions.
It’s local: Your power
comes from nearby
energy sources.
Household electricity
use can account for more
than 30% of an average
American’s carbon
dioxide emissions.
One of the easiest and
most effective ways
to reduce your carbon
footprint is to switch
to green power.
When you use electricity at home, you tap into
the power grid that serves your community. For
$14 to $23 a month, you can empower Mass
Energy to purchase renewable power on your
behalf and add it to your grid.
Your Energy When You Make the Switch
By Making the Switch, your energy could come from
solar power
local wind
turbines
cow power
(The use of digester
gases from cows to
produce electricity.)
Enrolling is easy!
Visit massaudubon.org/maketheswitch to
sign up. You will be asked to enter your zip code,
or indicate your electric utility. It is a good idea to
have an electric bill on hand when you sign up.
You can also call Mass Energy at 800-287-3950
ext. 5 to Make the Switch. Be sure to tell them
that Mass Audubon sent you.
Be Part of the Climate Change Solution: Make the Switch today!
To find out more, visit massaudubon.org/maketheswitch
2
w w w. m a s s a u d u b o n . o r g
&
Notes &
Announcements
N o t e s
A n n o u n c e m e n t s
From Ipswich River
From Joppa Flats Employment Opportunities
Highlighting a Joppa Flats Endowment
For detailed job descriptions, please visit our website at
massaudubon.org/jobs.
Field Teachers for Environmental Education Programs
Part-time seasonal teachers are needed beginning mid-February.
Teach hands-on natural history programs for grades pre-K
through 8. Experience working with children and knowledge
of or interest in natural history a must. Environmental
education or classroom experiences a plus. Please submit
a cover letter along with your résumé after January 1 to
Kim LoGrasso, klograsso@massaudubon.org, Ipswich River
Wildlife Sanctuary, 87 Perkins Row, Topsfield, MA 01983.
The Robert H. Shaw Memorial Endowment Fund was
established in 2013 by his daughters, Gillian Kellogg
and Susie Winthrop, and by Bob’s extended family and
many friends. The fund honors Bob’s passion for wildlife
conservation, his support of environmental education,
and his leadership role in the development of Joppa
Flats. Gillian and Susie felt that a named endowment
fund was the best way for their families to preserve
Bob’s passion for birds, the environment, and the thrill
of being outdoors. Proceeds from Bob’s fund support
a broad range of education programs at Joppa Flats.
Day Camp Staff
Camp counselors are needed for our 2015 summer day
camp. We offer competitive salaries and training at Mass
Audubon’s Camp Field School. Call the office for job
descriptions or visit the website.
Volunteer Opportunities
For details on these volunteer opportunities, please visit our
website at massaudubon.org/volunteer or contact Sue Baeslack
at 978-887-9264, ext. 7707 or sbaeslack@massaudubon.org.
Minimum age for volunteers is 14.
• Sugaring Weekends (February 21-March 15)
• Eastern Point Shore Cleanup: Saturday, April 18
9:00 am-noon
• Work for Wildlife Volunteer Day: Saturday, April 25
9:00 am-noon
• High School Senior Internships
• Visitor Services Assistant
Seasonal Reminders
Cross-Country Skiing
Limited cross-country skiing is permitted on the sanctuary.
In order to promote a safe and enjoyable experience, we
ask that you comply with the posted rules and regulations. For
your safety, please register in the office upon arrival and sign
out when you leave. Skiers must be off the trails by 3:30 pm.
Limited Parking on Sugaring Weekends
Please note that on sugaring weekends (February 21
through March 15) parking at the sanctuary may be
limited to those who are registered for sugaring tours.
If you would like to learn more about establishing an
endowment fund that will support Joppa Flats for generations
to come, please call Bill Gette at 978-462-9998. Bob’s
daughter Gillian would also be pleased to talk to you
about her family’s leadership role and the satisfaction they
receive through supporting Joppa Flats.
Joppa Flats Brings Nature
to Your Group
Is your group looking for an exciting natural history lecture
for your monthly meeting or special event? Staff naturalists
and trip leaders at Joppa Flats have developed a series of
one-hour programs that explore our fascination with the
natural world. Lectures include In the Wake of Sir Ernest
Shackleton (Antarctica), Ecology of Bald Eagles, Feeding
Backyard Birds, Bird Banding on the Parker River National
Wildlife Refuge, and Backyard Bird Sanctuaries. We also
present travelogues on Kenya, Zambia, Botswana, Belize,
Panama, Bhutan, and Brazil, as well as on many intriguing
locations in North America. For more information, please
call Bill Gette at 978-462-9998.
Natural History Art Exhibitions
Come to Joppa Flats to see a wide variety of art exhibitions
that highlight the beauty and diversity in nature. Opening
receptions are held on the first Sunday of each show from
2:30 to 4:00 pm unless otherwise noted. For details on the
current exhibit, please go to www.massaudubon.org/joppaflats
and click “On Exhibit.”
January 4-February 22: Pencil illustrations by Revelle Taillon
April 19-May 31: Photographs by John Van de Graaff
Not e s & A nn o u n c e m e n t s
3
J A N U A R Y - A P R I L
J o p pa
2 0 1 5
F l at s
Education Center,Newbur yport
Y
es, We Can All Make a Difference
At Joppa Flats, we produce almost 36 percent of the
electricity we consume through the 60 photovoltaic
panels on the south-facing roof of our building. For
the rest of our electricity needs, we purchase green
electricity—energy from renewable resources—
through New England GreenStart.
We’re not alone. All of Mass Audubon’s staffed
sanctuaries now have photovoltaic systems, and
they all purchase electricity from renewable
sources to supplement their electricity needs.
Through our on-site production, reliance on
renewable energy, and conservation practices,
Mass Audubon has made major strides in reducing
our dependence on polluting fossil fuels.
J O P PA F L AT S
While Mass Audubon has made a good start, we
need to do more. We need to convince you to
switch to green electricity. Over the coming year,
we will work with the non-profit Mass Energy
Consumers Alliance to encourage you, homeowners
and small businesses, to convert to New England
GreenStart or New England Wind. Let’s be frank,
electricity from these suppliers will cost a little
bit more; however, this premium pays for the
construction of more nonpolluting energy sources
such as the wind turbines in Ipswich.
Sometimes we feel that we can’t make a difference.
But I say we can. If you would like to know more
about this important conservation initiative, please
call me at 978-462-9998. The more families
we can get to use electricity from renewable,
nonpolluting sources, the better.
Bill Gette, Sanctuary Director
P.S. Throughout the catalog, IBA indicates a
program that takes place within a Massachusetts
Important Bird Area, and BCP signifies a graduate
of the Joppa Flats Birder’s Certificate Program.
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w w w. m a s s a u d u b o n . o r g / j o p p a f l a t s
A DULT
New Year’s Madness
IBA
Thursday, January 1 / 9:30 am-4:30 pm
Leaders: Bill Gette, Joppa Flats Sanctuary Director,
and David Davis, Naturalist
$45 member, $55 nonmember
Early January is a wonderful time for birding and for celebrating
the beauty of winter. Join us for an all-day field trip to the
Newburyport/Plum Island area and Cape Ann to search for
wintering land birds and seabirds.
In the Newburypor t area, we will bird the Parker River
National Wildlife Refuge, Salisbury Beach State Reservation,
and the Merrimack River. On Cape Ann, we will visit Halibut,
Andrews, and Eastern points; several areas along Atlantic
Avenue; and the Brace Cove/Niles Pond area. Target bird
species include snowy owl, northern shrike, Lapland longspur,
snow bunting, harlequin duck, and other sea ducks, loons, and
grebes. This is a great way to start the new year!
Meet at Joppa Flats Education Center. Please bring warm clothing
and waterproof shoes/boots, binoculars, snacks, and a lunch.
Gulls, Gulls, Gulls: A Workshop
IBA
Friday, January 2 / 7:00-9:00 pm
Saturday, January 3 / 7:30 am-5:30 pm
Leaders: Dave Larson, Joppa Flats Science and Education
Coordinator, and Dave Weaver, BCP
$95 member, $125 nonmember
Gull identification can seem daunting due to the changes in
plumage with age and season and the large variety of species
that can be present, especially in winter. Nevertheless, gulls
are common birds found in a wide variety of habitats in
Massachusetts and deserve attention. Dave and Dave will
take a systematic approach, using the evening lecture and
examination of specimens, as well as the Saturday field trip,
to help participants build an understanding of how to sort
out the gulls we find. Our field trip will take us to Newburyport
Harbor and to Gloucester, two of the greatest gull locations
in Massachusetts. In addition to the more common species
target gulls include Iceland, glaucous, Bonapar te’s, and
black-headed. We will also take time to study the other
wintering land and seabirds we encounter.
Meet at Joppa Flats Education Center on both days. For the
field portion of the program, please dress for the weather.
Bring lunch, snacks, a field guide, binoculars, and scopes.
adult
b i r d s Wednesday
birds
Saturday Morning Birding IBA
Wish you could join us for birding on Wednesdays
but work gets in the way? Or is Wednesday
the day for your piano/tai chi/crochet lesson?
Good news! You can come outside and enjoy
Saturday Morning Birding! Our experienced
leaders will take you to birding hot spots in the
Newburyport/Plum Island area in search of avian
activity. Beginners and birders of all skill levels
are welcome. Don’t forget to bring your sense
of excitement about this great area—one of the
best year-round birding locations in the country.
There is no Saturday Morning Birding on
January 24, February 7, or May 16.
Preregistration is not required. Runs most
Saturdays. Please call ahead to confirm. Four-trip
special: $30 member, $36 nonmember.
Meet at Joppa Flats Education Center. Please
wear weather-appropriate clothes and bring
binoculars (we do have some loaners available).
n
a
t
u
r
e
Lectures
Wednesday Evening Lecture Series
Wednesdays / 7:30-8:30 pm
Free for members, $4 nonmembers
Wednesday Morning Birding
IBA
Wednesdays / 9:30 am-12:30 pm
Leaders: Bill Gette, Joppa Flats Sanctuary
Director, and Dave Weaver, BCP
per session $14 member, $17 nonmember
We are in our nineteenth year of Wednesday Morning
Birding! These very popular programs provide an
excellent opportunity to explore one of the most
productive birding areas in the country. To date,
we have seen over 320 species of birds on these
Wednesday field trips.
Throughout the year, we will conduct our field trips
to birding hot spots in the Newburyport/Plum Island
area. The focus for our programs will be the Parker
River National Wildlife Refuge, Plum Island, the
Merrimack River estuary, and other productive areas
in Essex County. When appropriate, we will adjust our
itinerary to search for rarities reported in the area.
We will depart from our normal routine and bird on
Cape Ann on the following Wednesdays: January 14,
February 18, and March 11. We will meet in Gloucester
at the Friendly’s restaurant at the first traffic circle on
Route 128 for our Cape Ann programs.
J O P PA F L AT S
Saturdays / 9:00 am-11:30 am
Leaders: Susan Hardy, Debra Listernick,
Deb Mauer, Alison O’Hare, Dave Weaver,
and David Williams, BCP; Jonathan Brooks
and Lynette Leka, Naturalists
per session $10 member, $12 nonmember
This program is ideal for birders of all skill levels.
Preregistration is not necessary. Four-trip special:
$42 member, $51 nonmember. Trips need not be
consecutive for special price. Please call or email to
sign up for the Wednesday Morning Birding email list.
Meet at the Joppa Flats Education Center unless
otherwise noted. Please wear appropriate clothes
and bring binoculars, spotting scopes, and snacks
or lunch.
Joppa Flats Education Center offers a monthly lecture
series on natural history topics. Free to Mass Audubon
members. Children age 8 and up are welcome.
Preregistration is not required.
January 14: Birding in Minnesota
and North Dakota
Speaker: Dave Larson, Joppa Flats Science
and Education Coordinator
February 11: Undersea Adventures
in the Philippines
Speaker: Andy Martinez, Author of Marine Life of the
North Atlantic: Canada to New England
March 18: Nature Poetry Reading
Speakers: Dave Davis, Joppa Flats Poet-in-Residence,
and Invited Poets
April 15: Wildlife of New England
Speaker: Bill Gette, Joppa Flats Sanctuary Director
Meet at the Joppa Flats Education Center.
p r e r e g i s t r at i on r e q u ir e d f or a l l p r o g r a m s 9 7 8 - 4 6 2 - 9 9 9 8 J op pa F l at s
19
adult
The Wonder and the Wow:
A New Look at Nature
Superbowl of Birding XII
Saturdays / times vary
Leaders: Lisa Hutchings, Joppa Flats School and Youth
Education Coordinator, and Jonathan Brooks, Naturalist
per session $16 member, $19 nonmember (unless otherwise noted)
Why should kids have all the fun? Naturalists Lisa Hutchings and
Jonathan Brooks will take you and other adults on a guided walk
for a fresh new look at coastal habitats and wildlife during our
winter and early spring months. Did you know that snowy owls
are not migratory but they are nomadic? Or that harbor seals
are year-round residents of the Merrimack River Basin? Enjoy
the view of ducks from a hidden bird blind, experience the rush
of seeing a bald eagle in flight, and learn how animals are cared
for and fed at the New England Aquarium. You’ll come away
with a brand-new enthusiasm for the natural world around you!
Meet at Joppa Flats Education Center unless otherwise
noted. Please dress for the weather and bring binoculars.
Raptors of the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge
January 17 / 9:30 am-noon
Harbor Seals and Seabirds
March 14 / 10:30 am-1:00 pm
J O P PA F L AT S
Behind-the-Scenes at the New England Aquarium
March 21 / 8:30 am-3:30 pm
$35 member, $45 nonmember
Meet at Joppa Flats at 8:30 am or at the New England
Aquarium at 9:30 am. Registration deadline: February 21.
Spring at Rough Meadows
April 11 / 9:30 am-noon
Meet at Rough Meadows Wildlife Sanctuary in Rowley.
IBA
Sunday, January 18 / 9:00 am-12:30 pm
Leaders: Jock Purcell, BCP, and Nancy Purcell, Naturalist
$22 member, $26 nonmember
The Merrimack River is an extraordinary place for winter
birding. Due to its strong flow and the currents caused by the
changing tides, large areas of the Merrimack River remain ice
free even during the coldest winters. As a result, loons, grebes,
gulls, and many species of diving ducks flock to this area.
During our program, we will start at the Joppa Flats Education
Center and work our way upriver, stopping at many excellent
viewing areas. The Newburyport Wastewater Treatment Facility
is a great place to look for Iceland and black-headed gulls, redbreasted mergansers, and long-tailed ducks. Cashman Park
provides a broad vista where we will look for common and
Barrow’s goldeneyes, common mergansers, and buffleheads.
Cashman Park is also a good place for bald eagles. The Deer Island
area and the Merrimack River along Spring Lane are also great venues
for bald eagles, common mergansers, and great cormorants.
Please wear warm clothing and sturdy footwear; bring binoculars
and snacks. Meet at Joppa Flats Education Center.
20
Saturday, January 24 / 5:00 am-7:00 pm
$35 member or nonmember
children ages 6 to 12 $20 member or nonmember
Come to northeastern Massachusetts and southeastern
New Hampshire for great winter birding and a chance to
compete with other birders for prizes in ten categories. The
Superbowl of Birding, now in its twelfth year, is a unique,
twelve-hour team competition. During Superbowl, teams of
birders seek out the greatest number of species and earn the
greatest number of points based on the rarity of the birds
recorded. Strategy and planning are essential to win prizes.
The competition is designed to encourage birders of all ages
and abilities to participate. The Fledgling Award competition
is for birders ages 12 and under. The NewBies Award is for
birders ages 18 and under. Adults can compete for prizes
in eight other categories, including our top prize, the Joppa
Cup. The Superbowl of Birding XII is your chance to enjoy
spectacular winter birding in one of the best locations in the
eastern United States, meet other birders, and show just
how good you and your team really are.
The registration fee includes the tally party with pizza and
prizes. Register before January 1 and receive a $5 discount
per person. For registration materials, rules, and information,
please go to www.massaudubon.org/superbowl or call
978-462-9998.
Bald Eagles on the Merrimack
February 14 / 9:30 am-noon
Focus on Merrimack River Birds
IBA
w w w. m a s s a u d u b o n . o r g / j o p p a f l a t s
Registration materials and rules will be mailed separately.
Bald Eagles of the Merrimack River
IBA
Sunday, February 1 / 9:00 am-noon
Leader: Debra Listernick, BCP
or Sunday, February 15 / 9:00 am-noon
Leaders: Jock Purcell, BCP, and Nancy Purcell, Naturalist
$19 member, $22 nonmember
Deep winter is the best time to find bald eagles locally, and
the lower Merrimack River is the best place to find them.
The swift currents and tidal flow in the Merrimack River
keep portions of the river ice free during the winter, providing
critical feeding habitat for ducks and other wintering birds.
Local bald eagles may nest elsewhere in New England during
the summer when food is plentiful, but in the winter when
most lakes and rivers are frozen, they know they can come
to the Merrimack River to find the ducks, fish, and carrion
they need to survive.
During this three-hour program, we will search the lower
Merrimack for bald eagles and other wintering birds at a
number of sites, including Deer, Eagle, Carr, and Ram islands
and several other places along the river.
Meet at Joppa Flats Education Center. Please wear warm
clothing and sturdy footwear; bring binoculars and snacks.
adult
Birding the Maine Coast
Focus on Seabirds
Monday, February 2 / 8:00 am-5:00 pm
or Sunday, March 15 / 8:00 am-5:00 pm
Leader: Bill Gette, Joppa Flats Sanctuary Director
$55 member, $65 nonmember
Sunday, February 22 / 9:00 am-12:30 pm
Leader: Dave Weaver, BCP
$25 member, $30 nonmember
Meet at Joppa Flats Education Center. Please wear warm
clothing and waterproof shoes/boots; bring binoculars
and snacks.
Merrimack River
Eagle Festival IBA
Saturday, February 7
8:30 am-4:00 pm
Cosponsor: Parker River National Wildlife Refuge
This is a free event!
Celebrate the seasonal return of bald eagles to the
Merrimack Valley with the tenth annual Merrimack River
Eagle Festival! In the deep winter of February, when
everything else is frozen and asleep, the Newburyport
area along the river is alive with the spectacular sight
of wintering bald eagles flying, fishing, and sitting in the
sun. Staff and volunteers from Joppa Flats and the Parker
River National Wildlife Refuge help visitors find eagles
and other winter specialties and answer questions about
behaviors and habitats. Visit eagle hot spots at your own
speed or go on an eagle tour to see birds in the wild;
come indoors for nature activities or to see an up-close
view of rehabilitated raptors. This is a great opportunity
for people of all ages to learn about the magnificence
of nature by observing bald eagles and the habitats
they need to survive.
Come to the Joppa Flats Education Center or the
Parker River National Wildlife Refuge headquarters for
family events held throughout the day. Please call ahead
to register for guided eagle tours star ting at the
Newburyport Chamber of Commerce or to sign up for
an opportunity to be photographed with a raptor at City
Hall. Eagle demonstrations at Newburyport City Hall are
first come, first served. For a complete schedule of
Merrimack River Eagle Festival events, call 978-462-9998
or go to www.massaudubon.org/eaglefestival.
Cape Ann, which projects far out into the Atlantic Ocean,
is one of the best locations along the New England coast to
see seabirds during the winter. Many species of sea ducks,
loons, grebes, and gulls feed and seek shelter in the cape’s
many coves and inlets and in the protected harbors. We
expect to see a good variety of ducks as well as Iceland gull,
red-necked grebe, and red-throated loon in Gloucester
Harbor and at Eastern Point. Alcids, such as razorbill and
black guillemot, can often be seen along Atlantic Road or flying
past Andrews Point. Andrews Point is also one of the best
places to see the spectacular harlequin duck, and for the past
several years a king eider has been present. Northern gannets are relatively common, especially after storms, and can
be observed plunge diving for fish. Purple sandpipers, our
hardiest shorebird, feed on the surf-splashed rocks. Cape
Ann is magnificent in winter! We hope that you
can join us.
Meet at the Fishermen’s Memorial on Western Avenue,
Gloucester. Please bring binoculars and snacks; wear warm
clothing and sturdy footwear.
Birding the New Hampshire Coast
Sunday, March 1 / 9:00 am-4:00 pm
Leaders: Steve Mirick, Author of Birding the New Hampshire
Seacoast and Great Bay, and Jane Mirick, Naturalist
$42 member, $50 nonmember
J O P PA F L AT S
The beautiful coast of southern Maine contains a variety of
habitat types including barrier beaches, salt marshes, rocky
headlands, and sheltered coves. Join us as we explore these
habitats looking for wintering land birds and seabirds. We will
visit very productive birding sites including Portland Harbor,
Cape Elizabeth, Prouts Neck, Biddeford Pool, Marginal Way
(Ogunquit), and Cape Neddick. Target species include black
guillemot, long-tailed duck, king eider, Barrow’s goldeneye,
Iceland and glaucous gulls, snowy owl, and many more.
IBA
New Hampshire’s 18-mile seacoast is often overlooked as
a winter birding destination, which is unfor tunate. There
are many excellent sites along the coast (e.g., sheltered bays
and estuaries, rocky coastlines, freshwater ponds, and salt
marshes) that suppor t large numbers of seabirds and
waterfowl. During our program, we will explore the Great
Bay, the largest saltwater bay on the east coast – an excellent
place to see waterfowl and a reliable place for wintering
bald eagles. From the Great Bay, we will work our way south
along the coast, stopping at New Castle near the mouth of
the Piscataqua River, Odiorne Point State Park, Rye Harbor
State Park, and many other very productive sites. Throughout
our New Hampshire adventure, we expect to see large
numbers of loons, grebes, diving and dabbling ducks, and
wintering gulls.
Meet at Joppa Flats Education Center. Please wear warm
clothing and sturdy walking shoes. Bring binoculars, snacks,
and a lunch.
p r e r e g i s t r at i on r e q u ir e d f or a l l p r o g r a m s 9 7 8 - 4 6 2 - 9 9 9 8 J op pa F l at s
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adult
Owls of the Salt Marshes and Forests
IBA
Focus on Early Spring Migrants
IBA
Saturday, March 7 / 3:30-10:00 pm
Leaders: Bill Gette, Joppa Flats Sanctuary Director,
and Alison O’Hare, BCP
$44 member, $52 nonmember
Sunday, March 22 / 9:00 am-12:30 pm
Leader: Dave Larson, Joppa Flats Science and Education
Coordinator
$22 member, $26 nonmember
We will star t our program with a field trip to the Parker
River National Wildlife Refuge. We will search the salt
marshes and dunes for the diurnal-hunting snowy owl and
the crepuscular short-eared owl. By about 6:30 pm we will
return to Joppa Flats for a lecture about the place owls hold
in folklore and literature and an in-depth discussion of the
biology and natural history of North American owls. We
will conclude our program with a field trip to Newbury and
Rowley to search for eastern screech-owls, barred owls, and
great horned owls. Come along! This program promises to
be a real hoot!
The days around the spring equinox are an exciting time for
birding in the Newburyport/Plum Island area. Many of the
winter specialties (e.g., red-necked grebe, many species of
waterfowl) are still present while early-spring migrants are
moving back into the area. During our field trip, we will bird
the salt marshes and maritime forests on the Parker River
National Wildlife Refuge and then head inland to Artichoke
and Cherry Hill reservoirs. These lakes are a good place to
see a number of diving ducks, including ring-necked and ruddy
ducks, and the surrounding woodlands attract many species
of songbirds. En route to the reservoirs, we will stop along
Scotland Road to look for Wilson’s snipe and puddle ducks.
Meet at Joppa Flats Education Center. Dress warmly and
bring a bag supper and binoculars.
Aerial Acrobats: Woodcocks and More!
Meet at Joppa Flats Education Center. Please bring binoculars
and snacks; wear warm clothing and sturdy footwear.
IBA
Thursday, March 12 / 5:30 -8:00 pm
Leaders: Bill Gette, Joppa Flats Sanctuary Director,
and David Davis, BCP
or Thursday, March 26 / 6:30 -9:00 pm
Leader: Dave Larson, Joppa Flats Science and Education
Coordinator
$16 member, $21 nonmember
J O P PA F L AT S
The American woodcock, with its remarkable physical
adaptations and its spectacular courtship behavior, is always
a treat to observe. With the first hints of spring, these small
birds appear on their breeding fields. The resulting courtship
display is not to be missed! After a series of nasal peent calls,
the male springs into the air and begins to spiral upward,
often to nearly 300 feet aboveground. Then, pouring out
a liquid song of whistles and chips, he zigzags his way to the
ground like a falling leaf, often landing at almost the exact
point of takeoff.
During this program, we expect to observe this impressive
display and discuss the many unique adaptations of this
unlikely shorebird. We will also search for other early-spring
migrants that are active in the evening.
Meet at the Joppa Flats Education Center. Bring binoculars
and dress warmly.
Birding the Maine Coast
Sunday, March 15 / 8:00 am-5:00 pm
Leader: Bill Gette, Joppa Flats Sanctuary Director
$55 member, $65 nonmember
See page 21.
Ducks-R-Us
IBA
Sunday, March 29 / 9:00 am-4:00 pm
Leaders: Dave Larson, Joppa Flats Science and Education
Coordinator, and Linda Hunnewell, Naturalist
$42 member, $50 nonmember
At the end of March, the coastal waters, rivers, and lakes of
Massachusetts’ North Shore are wonderful places to observe
ducks. Most of the species that have wintered here are still
present, and many early migrants have returned to our area.
Under favorable conditions, over 20 species of ducks can be
observed. During a previous trip, we saw 21 species of ducks
and two species of geese.
On this all-day adventure, we will bird the Plum Island
estuary, the Merrimack River, Cherry Hill Reservoir, and
many sites on Cape Ann in hopes of finding these beautiful
birds. Target species will include harlequin duck, Barrow’s
goldeneye, three species of scoter, and many more.
Meet at Joppa Flats Education Center. Please wear warm
clothing and waterproof footwear; bring binoculars, lunch,
and snacks.
Introduction to Birdwatching
IBA
Saturday, April 4 / 9:00 am-3:00 pm
Leaders: Alison O’Hare, BCP, and Ann Gurka, BCP
$36 member, $42 nonmember
Do you enjoy watching birds but want to improve your
ability to identify them? This program will teach the basics of
field identification, including physical characteristics, behavior,
habitat, voice, and more. Following the classroom presentation,
we will help you practice and integrate your identification skills
during our field trip. Our low participant-to-naturalist ratio
allows for lots of individualized attention as we work though
the identification of a variety of exciting species.
Meet at Joppa Flats Education Center. Please bring
binoculars and a field guide, dress for the weather, and
bring lunch and snacks.
22
w w w. m a s s a u d u b o n . o r g / j o p p a f l a t s
adult
Sunday, April 12 / 9:00-11:30 am (workshop)
$10 member or nonmember
Sunday, April 12 / 11:30 am-2:00 pm (field trip)
Free
Leader: Craig Jackson of Eastern Massachusetts Hawk Watch
Did you know that Plum Island is one of the most significant
spring hawk watching sites on the east coast? In contrast
to the fall migration when millions of hawks migrate along
ridges, flying from thermal to thermal, the spring flight is
much more direct and low. Hundreds of falcons and accipiters
can be seen winging their way up the coast in powered
flight—often flying less than twenty feet above the ground!
Join Eastern Mass Hawk Watch member Craig Jackson at this
workshop where we will first examine the dynamics of fall
hawk migration, concentrating on movement through central
Massachusetts. We will then contrast the spring movement,
especially that part that follows the eastern coast up through
Plum Island. We will discuss both the similarities and differences
in both species composition and flight strategies, and also
emphasize ways to identify the different types of hawks that
move through Plum Island.
Following the workshop, we will head over to Plum Island for
a free field trip, where we will have a chance to observe and
put into practice our hawk identification skills. For additional
information on Eastern Massachusetts Hawk Watch, please
visit www.massbird.org/EMHW.
Meet at Joppa Flats Education Center. If you are staying for the
field trip that follows, please wear clothes appropriate for the
weather and bring snacks, a lunch, and binoculars. Please preregister
for the program, but you do not have to register for the field trip.
birds
Friday
Friday Morning Bird Walks:
Focus on Warblers IBA
Fridays in May / 8:00-11:00 am
Leader: Dave Williams, BCP
per session $12 member, $15 nonmember
Get an early start on the birding day with local trips in the
area. Many birds are most active early in the morning and
therefore easier to see. Explore various locations in the
greater Newburyport/Plum Island area including such birding
hot spots as the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge on
Plum Island, Oak Hill Cemetery in Newburyport, Pikes Bridge
Road in West Newbury, and Salisbury Beach State
Reservation. The focus for these excursions will be the beautiful
wood-warblers migrating through our area. Of course, we
will also be on the lookout for other neotropical migrants.
Meet at Joppa Flats Education Center. Please bring
binoculars and a field guide. Preregistration is not required.
Bird Banding Workshop
IBA
Thursday, April 16 / 7:00-9:00 pm (lecture)
Saturday, April 18 / 7:30 am-noon (field trip)
Leader: Alison O’Hare, BCP
$55 member, $65 nonmember
The Joppa Flats Education Center, in cooperation with the
US Fish and Wildlife Service, operates a bird banding station
on the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge. Data from the
station is utilized by the US Fish and Wildlife Service and
Mass Audubon to monitor species diversity, the movement of
birds on the refuge, bird populations, and other factors.
Joppa Flats is offering a limited number of openings in its Bird
Banding Workshop. This program is designed for participants
who want to learn the basics of bird banding. During the
two-hour classroom portion of this workshop on Thursday
evening, we will discuss the principles and objectives of bird
banding, provide strategies for identifying birds in the hand,
and review the many aids for aging and sexing these incredible
animals. During the field trip on Saturday morning, we will visit
the bird banding station; participate in the identification, aging,
and sexing process; band birds; and help with data collection.
Meet at Joppa Flats Education Center for both sessions. For the
lecture (4/16), please bring your field guide. For the field trip (4/18),
bring your binoculars and field guide, and wear a top without buttons
(e.g., a sweatshirt, sweater, etc.) to avoid getting tangled in the nets.
Banding Station Visit for Birders
IBA
Saturday, May 2 / 8:00-11:00 am
Leader: Ben Flemer, Banding Station Manager,
and Lynette Leka, Naturalist
$15 member, $20 nonmember
J O P PA F L AT S
Eastern Massachusetts Hawk Watch:
Workshop and Field Trip IBA
How would you like a really good look at some of our migrant
and resident birds without using your binoculars? Have you
always wondered what a wing chord is or how much a bird
weighs? Come for a birder’s visit to the Joppa Flats Bird
Banding Station at the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge
on Plum Island. You will be surprised at the actual sizes,
colors, and details of the birds you think you know.
Meet at Joppa Flats Education Center.
The Hills of Topsfield
Sunday, May 3 / 9:00 am-noon
Leader: Alison O’Hare, BCP
$25 member, $30 nonmember
Even though it’s only five minutes from Route 1 and Interstate
95, this pastoral venue will seem as if it’s a world away. We’ll
leave the vans behind and follow a three-mile loop through
the gently rolling hills of Topsfield. Our pace will be leisurely,
giving us time to enjoy the beauty of the rural landscape as
we look and listen for birds. We will walk along sections of
the beautiful Ipswich River and past open farm fields. Plan to
see and hear warblers, eastern bluebirds, raptors, and much
more. In our fast-paced world, this will be a real treat. Come
along and find out what a bird walk is all about!
Meet at the Essex County Co-op parking lot, Route 1 in Topsfield, directly
across from the main entrance to the Topsfield Fairgrounds. Please bring
binoculars, snacks, and water; wear comfortable walking shoes.
p r e r e g i s t r at i on r e q u ir e d f or a l l p r o g r a m s 9 7 8 - 4 6 2 - 9 9 9 8 J op pa F l at s
23
adult
birds
Wednesday
Wednesday Evening Birding
IBA
Wednesday, May 6, 13, 20, & 27
and June 3 / 5:30-7:30 pm
Leaders: Bill Gette, Joppa Flats Sanctuary Director;
David Davis and Linda Hunnewell, Naturalists
per session $10 member, $12 nonmember
Back by popular demand! In what has become a rite
of spring, we will again conduct a series of evening
field trips. Join us as we enjoy a tremendous variety
of both migrant and resident bird species during the
quiet time on Plum Island when fewer people are
present on the refuge and the animals become more
active. Each evening, we will focus on a particular
theme, covering such topics as bird migration,
adaptations, taxonomy, habitat niches, birding
strategies, and more.
During these programs, we will explore the Parker
River National Wildlife Refuge, the Merrimack River,
and other extremely productive birdwatching sites
in the area. Expect beautiful birds, good conversation,
a few laughs, and (we hope) spectacular sunsets!
J O P PA F L AT S
Preregistration is not necessary. Four-trip special:
$30 member, $36 nonmember.
Meet at the Joppa Flats Education Center. Please
bring binoculars and a field guide.
Birding Western Essex County
IBA
Thursday, May 7 / 8:00 am-4:00 pm
Leader: Dave Larson, Joppa Flats Science and Education
Coordinator
$48 member, $60 nonmember
Come with Dave to explore some of the best birding
locations in the other side of the county. Our programs
tend to be coastal, and who can blame us? But on this
excursion we will visit some of the lesser known hot spots
inland. These may include wildlife management areas in
Groveland and Boxford, the huge heronry in Boxford,
conservation areas in Andover, Crystal Gorge Conservation
Area in Haverhill, and other “secret” locations. We promise
new vistas and some interesting birds.
Meet at Joppa Flats Education Center. Bring binoculars,
snacks, drinks, and lunch. Please dress for the weather.
24
w w w. m a s s a u d u b o n . o r g / j o p p a f l a t s
Evening Birding Ramble
at Appleton Farms IBA
Thursday, May 7 / 5:00-7:00 pm
Leader: Dave Weaver, BCP
Cosponsor: The Trustees of Reservations
$13 member, $15 nonmember
Join us for a two-hour afternoon/evening walk on the
grounds of Appleton Farms and Grass Rides. These beautiful
conservation areas in Ipswich and Hamilton, owned by The
Trustees of Reservations, provide mixed habitats that support
many bird species. During our program, we will explore
several sites looking for nesting birds. By early May, red-winged
blackbirds, Baltimore orioles, eastern meadowlarks, bobolinks,
scarlet tanagers, rose-breasted grosbeaks, and many other
species have arrived. As we walk along, we will see the
courtship and territorial displays of many of these species
and enjoy their magnificent songs.
Meet at the Grass Rides parking lot on Highland Street,
Hamilton. Please wear comfortable walking shoes; bring
binoculars, snacks, and drinks.
Wood-Warbler Workshop
IBA
Friday, May 8 / 7:00-9:00 pm (lecture)
Saturday, May 9 / 6:30 am-1:00 pm (field trip)
Leaders: Dave Larson, Joppa Flats Science and Education
Coordinator, and Dave Weaver, BCP
$95 member, $125 nonmember
This two-day workshop is designed to introduce participants
to the wonderful world of wood-warblers, the jewels of North
American birdlife. Dave and Dave will use an evening lecture
on Friday and a field trip on Saturday to help participants learn
about the more than 30 warbler species that regularly occur in
Massachusetts, including their vocalizations, migration patterns,
nesting and foraging behavior, and some of the conservation
issues that impact these birds. For the field trips we will visit
several of the state’s most productive migrant traps, including
the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, Bald Hill Reservation,
and other local hotspots. This workshop is a wonderful
oppor tunity for New England birders, as well as visitors
from afar, to obtain firsthand experience with some of
North America’s most colorful and popular bird species. For
a detailed brochure describing the workshop, please call
978-462-9998 or email joppaflats @ massaudubon.org. A
continental breakfast is included on Saturday morning. Please
ask for information on dining and lodging choices in the historic
Newburyport area.
Meet at Joppa Flats Education Center on both days. For
the field portion of the program, please dress for the
weather. Bring lunch, snacks, a field guide, binoculars,
and scopes.
adult
Pocket Birding for Spring Migrants
IBA
Introduction to Birds at Cogswell’s Grant
IBA
Tuesday, May 12 / 6:00-11:00 am
Leader: Dave Larson, Joppa Flats Science and Education
Coordinator
$33 member, $41 nonmember
Monday, May 18 / 8:30-10:30 am
Leader: Bill Gette, Joppa Flats Sanctuary Director
Cosponsor: Historic New England
$12 member, $16 nonmember
Mass Audubon’s Marblehead Neck Wildlife Sanctuary and
Nahant Thicket Wildlife Sanctuary are two gems along
the Essex County coast. As undeveloped oases in largely
suburban neighborhoods, they are a magnet for migrating
songbirds. They are also a magnet for songbird watchers.
Join Dave to explore these two pocket paradises and see
what the nocturnal migration has done for us. Because of the
weekday traffic, we will leave Joppa Flats sharply at 6:00 am
for Marblehead Neck. You can meet us there if you just have
to get a little more sleep and can find the sanctuary. We will
finish up at the even more elusive Nahant Thicket.
The beautiful 165-acre Cogswell’s Grant in Essex, owned by
Historic New England, offers a variety of habitats that attract
many species of birds. During mid-May, many breeding birds such
as bobolinks and Baltimore orioles have already returned to our
fields and forests to nest, while many others are still migrating
through our area en route to their more northerly breeding grounds.
Meet at Joppa Flats Education Center. Please dress for the
weather and bring binoculars, a field guide, snacks, and a
scope if you have one.
Join Bill Gette for a leisurely morning walk through the grant.
During the walk, we will discuss the many aids to field
identification, identify birds by their vocalizations, and discuss
breeding behavior. The grasslands, salt marshes, and woodlands
of Cogswell’s Grant are a treasure trove for birders. Coffee and
refreshments will be served, and the historic house will be open
to participants for a brief tour. The member price applies to
members of Mass Audubon and Historic New England.
Bird-a-thon Madness
Meet at Cogswell’s Grant on Spring Street in Essex.
Please dress for the weather and bring binoculars.
Saturday, May 16 / 8:00 am-6:00 pm
Leaders: Bill Gette, Joppa Flats Sanctuary Director,
and Susan Hardy, BCP
$100 member or nonmember
Be a part of the Joppa Flats annual Bird-a-thon! During this
ten-hour birding expedition and fundraiser, we will visit a wide
variety of habitats in Essex County, looking for the largest
number of bird species possible. Although we will move
quickly among many sites, we will take time to ensure that
participants see the birds. Our primary birding locations will
include the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge (Plum Island),
Bald Hill Reservation in Boxford, the Upper Artichoke Reservoir
area, and the Martin Burns Wildlife Management Area.
As a member of one of the Joppa Flats birding teams, you will
make observations that will contribute to our center’s overall
list of sightings during this event. On each of our previous
Bird-a-thon Madness programs, we have observed between
90 and 100 bird species. Join us for a great event. You’ll have
an exciting time while supporting our fundraising efforts.
This program is ideal for all ability levels.
Meet at Joppa Flats Education Center. Bring binoculars,
lunch, and snacks.
Spring Birding at Rough Meadows
IBA
Thursday, May 21 / 8:30-11:30 am
Leader: Bill Gette, Joppa Flats Sanctuary Director
$19 member, $22 nonmember
Mass Audubon’s newest sanctuary is right in our backyard.
In fact, Joppa Flats is in charge of the Rough Meadows Wildlife
Sanctuary on Patmos Road in Rowley. Come with us as we
explore the salt marshes, fields, and oak and hickory uplands
of this fabulous property, looking for spring migrant warblers,
orchard orioles, red-bellied woodpeckers, and other songbirds.
J O P PA F L AT S
IBA
Meet at Rough Meadows Wildlife Sanctuary in Rowley.
Please dress for the weather and bring waterproof footwear.
Bring binoculars and snacks.
Birding Pawtuckaway State Park,
New Hampshire
Thursday, May 28 / 8:00 am-2:00 pm
Leader: Bill Gette, Joppa Flats Sanctuary Director
$42 member, $50 nonmember
Pawtuckaway State Park, a beautiful 5,500-acre recreation area
located in southern New Hampshire, protects a wide variety of
habitats including upland forests, meadows, beaver ponds, and
freshwater wetlands. During our program, we will explore these
habitats looking for the many species of songbirds that breed within
the park. We expect to see and hear a good variety of wood-warblers
(e.g., American redstart; pine, prairie, and black-throated blue warblers;
Louisiana waterthrush) and thrushes (e.g., hermit, Swainson’s, veery).
Other specialties of the park include the pileated woodpecker,
yellow-bellied sapsucker, blue-gray gnatcatcher, and winter wren.
A highlight of our program will be a short hike (fairly strenuous)
to the fire lookout tower on South Mountain. From the tower,
there’s a beautiful view across southern New Hampshire.
Meet at Joppa Flats Education Center. Please wear sturdy
footwear and bring snacks, lunch, and beverages.
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children, families & all ages
CHILDREN, FAMILIES
& ALL AGES
Summer’s Coming!
Registration for our summer day camp
opens January 15.
More information at www.massaudubon.org/joppaflats.
Imagine, Sing, & Learn at Joppa
Open to families with children ages 3 to 6
One Thursday morning per month, 10:00-11:30 am
or one Friday afternoon per month, 1:00-2:30 pm
Leader: Lisa Hutchings, Joppa Flats School and Youth
Education Coordinator
per session $6 member, $8 nonmember
children $5 member, $7 nonmember
J O P PA F L AT S
This parent/child program is designed for the creative,
curious, and active preschooler. Each 90-minute session
offers a structured series of activities including original
songs, movement, dramatic play, hands-on science, and a
thematic snack. You’ll receive coloring pages, song lyrics,
vocabulary, a fun fact sheet, and a suggested reading list in
an electronic goody bag!
January 15 or 16: Do Animals Take Naps?
February 12 or 13: Do Animals Eat Snacks?
March 12 or 13: Do Animals Sing?
April 16 or 17: Do Animals Play Games?
Meet at Joppa Flats Education Center.
Nature Art Classes at Joppa Flats
Open to children ages 6 to 13
Thursdays / 3:45-5:15 pm
Leaders: Jan Morris, Art Educator, and Lee Grover,
Naturalist
Three-week series: $42 member, $54 nonmember
Nature’s beauty is all around us. Let’s open our eyes and
explore nature as ar tistic inspiration! We’ll use pen, ink,
watercolors, and acrylics to replicate works of famous
landscape ar tists, examine the exotic light and colors of
wildlands around the world, and discover the local beauty
of our estuary with the coming of spring. Learn how creativity
intersects with science, technique, and construction in a fun
and rewarding way.
Materials will be provided. Parents are welcome but not
required to stay. Each series requires a minimum of
four participants.
Winter Series: Famous Artists and Landscapes
Registration deadline: January 8
January 15: Ansel Adams / Mountains
January 22: Georgia O’Keeffe / Deserts
January 29: Winslow Homer / The Sea
Spring Series I: Around the Globe Art
Registration deadline: March 12
March 19: The Arctic
Merrimack River
Eagle Festival IBA
Saturday, February 7
8:30 am-4:00 pm
Cosponsor:
Parker River National Wildlife Refuge
This is a free event!
See page 21.
March 26: The Antarctic
April 2: Rain Forests
Spring Series II: Estuary Art and Wetland Wonders
Registration deadline: April 23
April 30: Salt Marsh Masterpieces
May 7: Rivers and Watershed Watercolors
May 14: Painting Ponds
Meet at Joppa Flats Education Center. Bring a smock or wear
clothes that you can get messy. If parents will be dropping
off children, please complete and submit the health form
that accompanies your registration confirmation.
26
w w w. m a s s a u d u b o n . o r g / j o p p a f l a t s
children, families & all ages
Winter: The Lithosphere –
Terrestrial Biomes and Earth Science
Spring: The Atmosphere –
Migration, Climate Change,
Weather, and Astronomy
Open to children ages 7 to 13
Thursdays / 1:00-3:30 pm unless otherwise noted
Leader: Adrienne Lennon, Joppa Flats Teacher-Naturalist
Eight-week series: $215 member, $280 nonmember
Joppa Flats now offers a complete natural science curriculum
for homeschooled students ages 7 to 13. In each eight-week
series throughout the year, we will explore a different
ecological system of the biosphere, beginning this fall with
the world of water. The first six weeks of each series
cover biology from single cells to environmental systems,
and the last two weeks cover current events and human
impacts upon the environment. Field trips are structured
to reinforce the previous study session; two are in the
field, and two are at a complementary cultural institution.
Meet at Joppa Flats Education Center unless otherwise
noted. Please dress for the outdoors and bring a nut-free
snack. A health form for your child will accompany
your registration confirmation and will need to be
completed and submitted prior to the first session.
Winter Series
Registration deadline: December 15
January 8: Study Session –
Plant Biology and Winter Survival
January 15: Field Trip –
Maudslay State Park, Newburyport
January 22: Study Session –
Geology and Earth Time
January 29: Field Trip – Harvard Museum of
Natural History, Cambridge (9:30 am-3:30 pm)
February 5: Study Session –
Paleontology and Fossil Study
February 12: Field Trip –
Spencer-Pierce-Little Farm, Newbury
Spring Series
Registration deadline: March 15
April 2: Study Session –
Weather Systems and Atmospheric Properties
April 9: Field Trip – Powow Hill, Amesbury
April 16: Study Session –
Astronomy and the Night Sky
April 23: Field Trip –
Museum of Science, Boston (9:30 am-3:30 pm)
April 30: Study Session –
Migration and Zoological Boundaries
May 7: Field Trip –
Mass Audubon’s Bird Banding Station, Newbury
(9:30 am-noon)
May 14: Study Session –
Climate Change and Innovative Solutions
May 21: Field Trip –
MIT Museum, Cambridge (9:30 am-3:30 pm)
Take a Walk on the Wild Side
J O P PA F L AT S
NEW! HOMESCHOOL SERIES
AT JOPPA
Open to families with children ages 7 to 13
Weekends / times vary
Leader: Lisa Hutchings, Joppa Flats School and Youth
Education Coordinator
per session $9 member, $11 nonmember
children $6 member, $8 nonmember
Adults and children can spend quality family time in the great
outdoors finding, observing, and admiring local fauna and
flora. Wildlife-based themes will engage you and your child
as we discover together the eye-opening mysteries in our
own natural neighborhood. We’ll observe, investigate, and
compare wild inhabitants, their adaptations, and the changes
these organisms undergo seasonally. Each “wild” walk will
leave your family excited to come back for more!
Raptors on the Refuge
Sunday, January 18 / 1:00-3:30 pm
Bald Eagles along the Estuary
Sunday, February 15 / 1:00-3:30 pm
Harbor Seals on the Shore
February 19: Study Session –
Anthropology and Humans of the Past
Saturday, February 28 / noon-2:30 pm
or Sunday, March 15 / noon-2:30 pm
February 26: Field Trip –
Peabody Museum of Archeology and Ethnology,
Cambridge (9:30 am-3:30 pm)
Signs of Spring in the Salt Marsh
Sunday, April 12 / 10:00 am-12:30 pm
Meet at Joppa Flats Education Center. Please dress for the
weather with waterproof footwear.
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children, families & all ages
February Vacation Week Flyby
at Joppa Flats
Open to families with children ages 2 to 10
Tuesday through Thursday / 10:00 am-3:00 pm
Leaders: Lisa Hutchings, Joppa Flats School and Youth
Education Coordinator, and Adrienne Lennon, Joppa
Flats Teacher-Naturalist
children per session $5 member or nonmember
Maximum fee per family $20
Beat the winter blahs! Our vacation programs offer a wide
variety of indoor and outdoor activities while we keep minds
active and hands busy during school break with free-flow
learning for the whole family. Each session offers a different
theme, with scheduled family presentations and something to
engage hearts and minds for all ages and interests. For ages 7
and up, there are STEM (science, technology, engineering, and
math) activity stations featuring experiments, challenges, data
sheets, maps, and charts. For ages 2 to 6, there are stories,
crafts, table top games, coloring pages, and science activities.
Family presentations will be offered at 11:00 am and 1:00 pm.
Come once or make it a triple; fly by for an hour or stay all day
for a vacation activity that suits your family schedule.
Adults must accompany children. Themes are subject to
change. Preregistration is not required.
Tuesday, February 17: Go on Safari!
Wednesday, February 18: Polar Pal Parade!
J O P PA F L AT S
Thursday, February 19: Caribbean Carnival!
Meet at Joppa Flats Education Center. Please dress for the
weather since some activities will take place outdoors.
Eighth Annual Eco Games Free-for-All:
Sustaining the Sea
Open to families with children ages 2 and up
Sunday, March 22 / 10:00 am-3:00 pm
Leader: Adrienne Lennon, Joppa Flats Teacher-Naturalist
This is a free event!
We know how important it is to be “green,” but how do
we apply that to the way we live on the New England coast?
Come to Joppa Flats and find out! A full day of activities and
exhibits will demonstrate where our seafood comes from,
how it is caught, and what community-supported fisheries
are. Adults will enjoy a wide variety of vendors, and children
can participate in “eco” sporting events, fishing competitions,
art projects, and more. You can even be a contestant on
a game show! Learn how we can all take responsibility for
sustaining the natural beauty and resources of our coastline.
This is a rain-or-shine event. Children must be accompanied
by an adult.
Meet at the Joppa Flats Education Center.
See, Think, and Wonder Walks
Open to families with children ages 3 to 6
Fridays / times vary
Leader: Lisa Hutchings, Joppa Flats School and Youth
Education Coordinator
per session $6 member, $8 nonmember
children $5 member, $7 nonmember
In every kind of weather, our favorite thing to do is to head
outdoors to our spectacular local habitats to see what’s new!
We love to find things; think about colors, shapes, and patterns;
and wonder why this place is a special home to wildlife. Each
nature exploration will focus on the importance of a sense
of place. Local and migrating birds, other wildlife, collecting
techniques, and environmental awareness will be presented in
a fun, energetic format that adults and children alike will enjoy.
Not recommended for siblings under 3.
Rough Meadows Rompers
Friday, April 10 / 10:00-11:30 am
Salt Marsh Scavenger Hunters
Friday, May 8 / 2:00-3:30 pm
Meet at Joppa Flats Education Center. Please dress for the
weather with waterproof footwear.
April Vacation Week Flyby
at Joppa Flats
Open to families with children ages 2 to 10
Tuesday through Thursday / 10:00 am-3:00 pm
Leaders: Lisa Hutchings, Joppa Flats School and Youth
Education Coordinator, and Adrienne Lennon, Joppa
Flats Teacher-Naturalist
children per session $5 member or nonmember
Maximum fee per family $20
Our April vacation programs offer a wide variety of indoor
and outdoor activities while we keep minds active and hands
busy during school break with free-flow learning for the whole
family. Each session offers a different theme, with scheduled
family presentations and something to engage hearts and
minds for all ages and interests. For ages 7 and up, there are
STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) activity
stations featuring experiments, challenges, data sheets, maps,
and charts. For ages 2 to 6, there are stories, crafts, table top
games, coloring pages, and science activities. Family presentations
will be offered at 11:00 am and 1:00 pm. Come once or make
it a triple; fly by for an hour or stay all day for a vacation
activity that suits your family schedule.
Adults must accompany children. Themes are subject to
change. Preregistration is not required.
Tuesday, April 21: Appreciate the Ocean!
Wednesday, April 22: Celebrate the Earth!
Thursday, April 23: Thank Your Lucky Stars!
Meet at Joppa Flats Education Center. Please dress for the
weather since some activities will take place outdoors.
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w w w. m a s s a u d u b o n . o r g / j o p p a f l a t s
children, families & all ages / educators
IBA
Open to families with children ages 6 and up
Sunday, May 10 / 9:30-11:30 am
Leaders: Ben Flemer, Banding Station Manager,
and Lynette Leka, Naturalist
$8 member, $10 nonmember
children $5 member, $6 nonmember
Come for an exciting visit to the Joppa Flats Bird Banding
Station on the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge. See
Mass Audubon scientists capture, measure, weigh, examine,
and release migrant songbirds. Learn about migration, habitat
use, and scientific research at a real field station. The station
operates only during the height of migration in spring (April
and May) and fall (September and October). Children must
be accompanied by an adult.
Meet at Joppa Flats Education Center.
Birthday Parties
for Mass Audubon Members
Celebrate your child’s special day at Joppa Flats—
it’s a great way to have fun and support the
nature of Massachusetts!
For $245,
our birthday party package includes:
Private program space
Two hours of hands-on educational fun
with time out for cake
All tableware (cloths, napkins, plates, utensils)
Party decorations and banners
Take-home art projects for each child
Customized goodie bag and birthday banner
for the birthday child
For children turning 3 or 4:
Limited to 12 children with one parent chaperone per child.
For children turning 5 to 10:
The base cost covers up to 12 children.
Additional children are $15 each, with a maximum
of 16 children. Please plan on one parent chaperone
per every three children.
Choose Your Theme!
(for all ages): Tide Pools, Backyard Birds, Eagles & Owls,
Ocean Animals, Polar Pals, Butterflies, Creepy Crawlies
(special for ages 7-10): Endangered Animals,
Ocean Zones, Ocean Science
EDUCATORS
Education Volunteer Training:
Indoor/Outdoor Nature Programs
Leader: Lisa Hutchings, Joppa Flats School and Youth
Education Coordinator
per session $20 member, $25 nonmember
Do you love the outdoors and want to learn more about
sharing nature with others? Come to Joppa Flats and get
a taste of our coastal ecology programs from the teaching
side. Throughout the school year, Joppa Flats presents nature
education to schools, groups, and families. To prepare our
volunteers to assist with these quality programs, we provide
complete in-the-field and in-the-classroom training. You’ll
learn a wide variety of hands-on activities and experiments
per taining to levels of questioning, learning modalities,
and using objects in nature to practice science. Join our
crew of trained naturalists and help Mass Audubon with
our mission to increase awareness and inspire stewardship
of the natural world.
Please note that themes are weather dependent and subject
to change.
Winter Series
Tuesdays / 9:30 am-1:30 pm
January 6: Raptors
J O P PA F L AT S
Mother’s Day
at the Bird Banding Station
January 13: Weather and Wildlife
January 20: Winter Birds
January 27: Make-up Day
Spring Series
Tuesdays / times vary
March 31 / 1:00-5:00 pm: The Salt Marsh
April 7 / 8:30 am-12:30 pm: Bird Banding
and Maritime Forest
April 14 / 1:00-5:00 pm: Tide Pools
and Dune Ecology
All sessions meet at Joppa Flats unless otherwise noted. No
experience necessary. Taking these programs is the first step
in becoming an education volunteer for Joppa Flats. You will
have three months to complete 20 hours as an education
volunteer, after which you will receive a full refund of your
registration fees. Contact Lisa Hutchings at 978-462-9998 or
email lhutchings@massaudubon.org if you are interested in
participating in this training.
Meet at Joppa Flats Education Center. Please dress for
the weather with appropriate footwear and bring a snack
or lunch.
Please reserve two months in advance.
Email Lisa Hutchings at lhutchings@massaudubon.org
to book your party today!
p r e r e g i s t r at i on r e q u ir e d f or a l l p r o g r a m s 9 7 8 - 4 6 2 - 9 9 9 8 J op pa F l at s
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trips & tours / northeast getaways
T r i p s
a n d
T o u r s
NORTHEAST
GETAWAYS
Nantucket Island
Winter Birding Weekend
Thursday, January 8-Saturday, January 10 / 3 days
Leaders: Carol Decker, Ipswich River Sanctuary Director,
and Scott Santino, Ipswich River Teacher-Naturalist
Contact: Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary 978-887-9264
$525 member, $600 nonmember
Nonrefundable deposit: $75
Join us for a birding adventure to historic Nantucket Island.
The heathlands, moors, vast beaches, and rolling ocean
surf are captivating in the winter light, and, with the island
pleasantly deserted, it’s the perfect time for our visit. Longtailed ducks, numbering in the hundreds of thousands, winter
off Nantucket Shoals. Rafts of other seabirds including ducks,
loons, alcids, and grebes can be observed from many vantage
points. On previous trips, we have seen large numbers of
northern gannets diving offshore, and have found unusual
species such as lesser black-backed and black-headed gulls,
and Eurasion wigeons. We’ll also focus on the island’s owls
and look and listen for barn, short-eared, and saw-whet owls,
and eastern screech-owls. This is an ideal trip for both
beginning and experienced birders.
The fee includes all ground transportation, lodging, entrance
fees, and ferry. Meals are not included. Single-room supplement:
$150. For an itinerary or more information, call 978-887-9264
or email ipswichriver@massaudubon.org. Cancellations made
within 30 days of departure cannot be refunded or credited
unless we can fill your space. Final payment is due by
December 8.
Leaders’ Choice Getaway
Thursday, January 29-Friday, January 30 / 2 days
Leaders: Dave Larson, Joppa Flats Science and Education
Coordinator, and Dave Weaver, BCP
Contact: Joppa Flats Education Center 978-462-9998
$295 member, $345 nonmember
Nonrefundable deposit: $100
Join Dave and Dave for an adventure into the winter wonderland
of New England. The goal of this two-day, one-night trip is
to seek out winter specialties. We will chase after rarities
such as nor thern owls and rare gulls, of course, but our
main focus is to find winter finches (pine grosbeaks, red and
white-winged crossbills), redpolls, and Bohemian waxwings.
Our destination will depend on the most recent repor ts.
On previous trips, we have seen a nor thern hawk-owl,
evening grosbeaks, Bohemian waxwings, snow buntings,
a gray jay, white-winged crossbills, and much more ! We
promise fun, a place to sleep, and some great birds.
Fees are for double occupancy. Final payment is due December 29.
Trip details are determined a couple of days before departure
and will be sent to all participants by email. If cancellations
are made within 30 days of departure, payment cannot be
refunded or credited unless we can fill your space.
Ocean State Birding Weekend
Saturday, February 7-Sunday, February 8 / 2 Days
Leader: Scott Santino, Ipswich River Teacher-Naturalist
Contact: Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary 978-887-9264
$275 member, $330 nonmember
Nonrefundable deposit: $75
trips & tours
Less than two hours away from the North Shore, and with
40 miles of coastline, Rhode Island can be a wonderful winter
birding location. Great numbers of ducks and other seabirds
can be found in bays and coastal ponds each winter since the
mild coastal climate typically prevents freezing. We’ll spend
a majority of our time in the Middletown, Newport, and
Jamestown areas enjoying the beauty of scoters, mergansers,
eiders, and harlequins, and spotting possible rarities including
Barrow’s goldeneyes and king eiders. Highlighted locations
include Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge, a 242-acre
peninsula between the Sakonnet River and Rhode Island
Sound; and the 300-acre Norman Bird Sanctuary’s upland
fields and thickets. As the sun sets Saturday evening, we’ll
scan the skies for short-eared owls as they drift over the
marshes looking for prey. You’ll enjoy the experience of a
birdwatching weekend minus a long drive home.
The fee includes round-trip van transportation, lodging, and
entrance fees. Meals are not included. Single-room supplement:
$40. For an itinerary or more information, call 978-887-9264
or email ipswichriver@massaudubon.org. Cancellations made
within 30 days of departure cannot be refunded or credited
unless we can fill your space. Final payment is due by January 9.
30
w w w. m a s s a u d u b o n . o r g
Trips & Tours / Northeast Getaways
New Jersey and New York Birding
Weekend: Birding on the Border
Sketching and Naturalizing
on Block Island
Friday, May 29-Sunday, May 31 / 3 days
Leader: Dave Larson, Joppa Flats Science and Education
Coordinator
Contact: Joppa Flats Education Center 978-462-9998
$575 member, $675 nonmember
Nonrefundable deposit: $150
Wednesday, June 10-Friday, June 12 / 3 Days
Leaders: Carol Decker, Sanctuary Director, and
Sandy McDermott, Natural Science Illustrator
and Owner of Birchtree Studio in Exeter, NH
Contact: Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary 978-887-9264
$630 member, $694 nonmember
Nonrefundable deposit: $75
During our three-day trip, we have planned our itinerary to
include some of the most productive birding areas in northern
New Jersey and adjacent New York: the Assunpink WMA,
Allentown, NJ; Doodletown, NY; and Sterling Forest State
Park, Tuxedo, NY.
The listed fees are for double occupancy. The additional fee
for a single room is $200. Please call for a detailed brochure.
Final payment is due April 29. Trip leaders will send out trip
materials after final payment is received. Cancellations
made within 30 days of departure cannot be refunded or
credited unless we can fill your space.
Birding the Connecticut Lakes,
New Hampshire
Friday, June 5-Sunday, June 7 / 3 days
Leader: Bill Gette, Joppa Flats Sanctuary Director, and
Nancy Soulette, BCP
Contact: Joppa Flats Education Center 978-462-9998
$635 member, $735 nonmember
Nonrefundable deposit: $150
During this exciting weekend program, we will explore the
magnificent Connecticut Lakes region of nor thern New
Hampshire. Over our fifteen previous trips, we have seen a
total of 129 species of birds, including many boreal species. Target
birds will include black-backed and pileated woodpeckers, gray
jay, common raven, yellow-bellied and alder flycatchers, spruce
grouse, boreal chickadee, rusty blackbird, Philadelphia vireo,
and many species of warblers (e.g., mourning, blackpoll, Wilson’s,
and bay-breasted). We also expect to see a wide variety of
butterflies and several species of mammals including moose.
Drawing from nature is one of the easiest and most enjoyable
ways to discover the plants and animals around you. For
naturalists, it is an ideal way to hone observation skills. These
exciting three days are designed for both artists and naturalists.
Located just 12 miles off the Rhode Island coast, this small
quaint island offers spectacular scenery; expansive farm
fields; and maritime shrubland, beaches, and grasslands. The
waterfront village has a number of idyllic 200-year-old hotels,
and the island hosts two historic lighthouses.
We will explore a variety of island habitats, and look and
listen for the array of songbirds and seabirds as well as
explore flowering plants and shrubs. We will learn the art
of watercolor sketching, develop observation skills, and
cover topics on mixing, values, quick washes, and the
slower process of glazing. The main objective is not to
produce finished works necessarily, but rather to create
quick and colorful thumbnails and small studies that can
then be used as reference for later paintings (for the artist),
further natural history learning (for the naturalist), or simply
personal journaling.
Our base of residence will be the Gables Inn, built around
1860 and located at the edge of the village and close to
the beach. Some drawing experience will be helpful, since
there won’t be much time available to devote to basic
drawing lessons.
The fee includes all ground and boat transportation,
lodging, interpretive materials, and field instruction. Fees
are based on double occupancy; optional single rooms may be
available for an additional fee. Personal items and meals are
not included. For an itinerary call 978-887-9264 or email
ipswichriver@massaudubon.org.
Please register at least six weeks in advance. Cancellations
made within 30 days of departure cannot be refunded or
credited unless we can fill your space.
trips & tours
Northern New Jersey and adjacent areas in New York are
very exciting birding destinations for breeding birds. This trip is
about quality rather than quantity. We will concentrate on some
of the more southerly warblers, including cerulean, Kentucky,
worm-eating, and yellow-breasted chat. In addition to these
species that are rarely seen in Eastern Massachusetts, we will
visit a place that has breeding golden-winged warblers, a species
recently lost as a breeder in Massachusetts. Of course, this trip
is not just about warblers. We will be looking for other “southern
specialties” including blue grosbeak and summer tanager, as
well as cuckoos, flycatchers, and many more exciting species.
The program fee is for double occupancy and includes all
transportation between Newburyport and the Connecticut
Lakes, lodging at The Glen (a wonderful northern inn), and
six meals. Single rooms are not available on this trip. Please
call for a detailed brochure.
Final payment is due May 5. Trip leaders will send out trip
materials after final payment is received. Cancellations
made within 30 days of departure cannot be refunded or
credited unless we can fill your space.
t r ip s & to u r s
31
Trips & Tours / Northeast Getaways
Machias Seal Island and Eastern Maine
Saturday, June 13-Monday, June 15 / 3 days
Leader: Dave Larson, Joppa Flats Science and Education
Coordinator
Contact: Joppa Flats Education Center 978-462-9998
$595 member, $695 nonmember
Nonrefundable deposit: $150
A trip to Machias Seal Island and eastern Maine during nesting
season is a fantastic experience! During our program, we
plan to visit Machias Seal Island, the Deblois Blueberry Barrens,
Quoddy Head State Park, and many other sites in the Machias/
Cutler area. On our 28 previous expeditions, we have seen a
total of 202 species of birds and a variety of mammals.
Machias Seal Island is noted as a nesting colony for seabirds
including Atlantic puffins, common murres, and razorbills. The
Deblois Blueberry Barrens, Quoddy Head, and the Cutler area
are noted for a wide variety of land birds including the upland
sandpiper, vesper sparrow, black-backed woodpecker, spruce
grouse, boreal chickadee, and gray jay. Throughout our trip, we
will have the opportunity to see and hear nesting warblers.
The listed fees are for double occupancy and include the boat
trip to Machias Seal Island. A single-room supplement is available
for an additional $150. Please call for a detailed brochure.
Final payment is due May 13. Trip leaders will send out trip
materials after final payment is received, approximately two
weeks prior to the trip’s start date. Cancellations made within
30 days of departure cannot be refunded or credited unless
we can fill your space.
Puffins and Peatlands
Thursday, July 9-Sunday, July 12 / 4 Days
Leaders: Carol Decker, Ipswich River Sanctuary Director,
and Susan MacCallum, South Shore Sanctuaries Director
Contact: Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary 978-887-9264
Cosponsor: South Shore Sanctuaries
$680 member, $740 nonmember
Nonrefundable deposit: $125
trips & tours
Travel east of Frenchman Bay in Maine, and you will see a change
in the woodlands and coastline. Spruce, fir, and tamarack
become the dominant species; the ocean shore is rough and
rocky; and extensive mudflats are exposed as a result of the
15- to 20-foot tides. This is Down East Maine! Join us as we
explore the unique ecology of this region, including boreal
forests, raised bogs, and an offshore seabird nesting colony.
We’ll visit Machias Seal Island, 10 miles from the mainland, to view
Atlantic puffins in their colorful breeding plumage, along with
razorbills, nesting Arctic terns, and common murres. This is the
spot to see and photograph Atlantic puffins up close and personal.
In addition to searching for boreal nesting birds, we will explore
Cobscook Bay, Campobello Island, and Quoddy Head Light,
scanning for seabirds, whales, and dolphins from the cliffs and ledges.
The fee includes lodging (double occupancy), round-trip van
transportation, boat trip, entrance fees, and field instruction.
Single rooms are available for an additional fee. Participants
must have a passport to enter Canada. For an itinerary, call
978-887-9264 or email ipswichriver@massaudubon.org.
Cancellations made within 30 days of departure cannot be
refunded or credited unless we can fill your space.
32
w w w. m a s s a u d u b o n . o r g
Women’s White Mountain Adventure
Thursday, July 30-Saturday, August 1 / 3 Days
Leaders: Carol Decker, Ipswich River Sanctuary Director,
and Andrea Lukens, Regional Director for Greater Boston
and the North Shore
Contact: Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary 978-887-9264
$450 member, $525 nonmember
Nonrefundable deposit: $75
Travel north with us for a women’s weekend alpine adventure
in New Hampshire. Join us for three days of hiking and exploring
above treeline in the White Mountain National Forest. We will
spend two nights at the Madison Spring Hut, an Appalachian
Mountain Club (AMC) High Hut. This is the oldest hut, and has
just been rebuilt with comfortable bunks and new green features.
We will explore the conifer forest, climb a mountain peak, and
then kick back after each day of hiking to enjoy their hospitality,
hearty meals, and clean, comfortable accommodations. While
we hike, we will learn about the alpine ecosystem and discover
the plants, animals, and birds that inhabit these areas.
This is our seventh trip to the White Mountains, and we are
planning a fun-filled adventure during which we will experience
awe-inspiring views, sunsets, rivers, and wildlife, with our
goal to make this an enriching outdoor experience. Madison
Spring Hut is located at 4,800 feet, and the hike will include
some steep and rocky terrain. We encourage participants to
have some hiking experience, even if you are a beginner, but
welcome all levels of hikers. We will have a pre-trip meeting
(mandatory for new participants) to discuss trip expectations
and proper equipment.
The fee includes round-trip van transportation, AMC hut
accommodations, meals, and f ield instruction. For an
itinerary or more information, call 978- 887-9264 or
email ipswichriver@massaudubon.org. New hikers must
attend our June pre-trip meeting. Please register at least
one month in advance. Cancellations made within 30 days
of departure cannot be refunded or credited unless we can
fill your space.
Trips & Tours / Northeast Getaways / Outside the Northeast
Monhegan Island Weekend
Friday, September 18-Sunday, September 20
3 Days
Leaders: Carol Decker, Ipswich River Sanctuary Director,
and Scott Santino, Ipswich River Teacher-Naturalist
Contact: Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary 978-887-9264
$515 member, $585 nonmember
Nonrefundable deposit: $75
Join us for a weekend of birding and naturalizing on this
beautiful rockbound island. Located 10 miles off the coast of
Maine, Monhegan is not only remote and enchanting, but it
also serves as a trap for migrant songbirds. This is the place
to be for exciting views of the fall migration. Hawks will be
on their flight south, and in past years we have had incredible
aerial displays from migrating falcons. We will explore a variety
of habitats including freshwater pond, coniferous forest, and
rocky shoreline. Seals can be seen from the island, and sighting
a whale is always a possibility. We will stay at the Trailing
Yew, a rustic inn situated above Monhegan Harbor.
The fee includes round-trip van transportation from the
sanctuary to Port Clyde, a one-hour ferry trip to and from
the island, lodging (double occupancy), most meals, and
field instruction. For an itinerary, call 978-887-9264 or
email ipswichriver@massaudubon.org. Please register at
least one month in advance. Cancellations made within 30
days of departure cannot be refunded or credited unless
we can fill your space.
Block Island Birding Weekend
Friday, September 25-Sunday, September 27 / 3 Days
Leaders: Carol Decker, Ipswich River Sanctuary Director,
and Susan MacCallum, South Shore Sanctuaries Director
Contact: Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary 978-887-9264
Cosponsor: South Shore Sanctuaries
$545 member, $615 nonmember
Nonrefundable deposit: $75
NORTH AMERICA:
OUTSIDE THE NORTHEAST
Northern Minnesota: Boreal Birding
Sunday, February 15-Thursday, February 19 / 5 days
Leaders: David Larson, Joppa Flats Science and Education
Coordinator, and Dave Weaver, BCP
Contact: Joppa Flats Education Center 978-462-9998
$995 member, $1,095 nonmember
Nonrefundable deposit: $300
Join us as we venture forth into the snowy boreal forests
and bogs of northern Minnesota in search of great gray,
northern hawk, snowy, boreal, saw-whet, great horned, and
other northern owls. We will concentrate on the famous
Sax-Zim Bog area, as well as on locations on the north shore
of Lake Superior. In addition to owls, possible sightings include
redpolls, crossbills, boreal chickadees, grosbeaks, and hawks,
spruce, ruffed, and sharp-tailed grouse, as well as possible
moose, gray foxes, and timber wolf. Okay, we admit it can
get cold, so bring lots of layers, handwarmer thingies, oh,
and a hat–don’t forget the hat.
The listed fees are for double occupancy. The additional fee
for a single room is $300. Please call for a detailed brochure.
Final payment is due January 15. Trip leaders will send out
trip materials after final payment is received, approximately
two weeks prior to the trip’s start date. Cancellations made
within 30 days of departure cannot be refunded or credited
unless we can fill your space.
trips & tours
A gift from the glaciers, Block Island is located approximately
12 miles off the Rhode Island coast. Although small, this
beautiful island offers a number of different habitats and
spectacular scenery. In the fall, the island belongs primarily
to the birds and birders. It is a resting and feeding place for
migrating shorebirds and ocean birds. The island also forms
a natural trap for land birds that have wandered out over the
ocean during their southward migration. We expect to see
a variety of warblers, raptors, herons, shorebirds, and, of
course, the unexpected.
The fee includes all ground and boat transportation,
interpretive materials, entrance fees, and lodging, unless
otherwise noted. Fees are based on double occupancy;
optional single rooms may be available for an additional fee.
Personal items and meals are not included. For an itinerary,
call 978-887-9264 or email ipswichriver@massaudubon.org.
Please register at least one month in advance. Cancellations
made within 30 days of departure cannot be refunded or
credited unless we can fill your space.
t r ip s & to u r s
33
Trips & Tours / Outside the Northeast
South Carolina:
Birding the Coastal Lowlands
Southeast Arizona: Where
Hummingbirds Abound
Wednesday, April 29-Monday, May 4 / 6 Days
Leaders: Bill Gette, Joppa Flats Sanctuary Director,
and Dave Weaver, BCP
Contact: Joppa Flats Education Center 978-462-9998
$1,150 member, $1,250 nonmember
Nonrefundable deposit: $400
Saturday, May 2-Saturday, May 9 / 8 Days
Leaders: Carol Decker, Ipswich River Sanctuary Director,
and Scott Santino, Ipswich River Teacher-Naturalist
Contact: Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary 978-887-9264
$1,600 member, $1,675 nonmember
Nonrefundable deposit: $100
The South Carolina coastal lowlands are a premier birding
destination. During our six-day program, we will explore
the area’s most productive birding venues. Our itinerary
includes visits to the Savannah National Wildlife Refuge on
the Georgia/South Carolina border, several wildlife management
areas (e.g., Webb, Donnelley, and Bear Island), the Cape
Romain National Wildlife Refuge at Bull Island, Francis Marion
National Forest, Congaree National Park, and the floodplain
forests along the Savannah River.
One of North America’s most exciting birdwatching locations
is southeast Arizona. From the Sonoran Desert where the
saguaro cactus dominates the landscape to the conifer-clad
peaks of the Chiricahua Mountains, birds abound. More than
400 species can be found annually, and visiting in early spring
will maximize our ability to find a great diversity of birds as
their songs fill the air. Approximately 75 “specialty” birds that
are not regularly found anywhere else in North America will
be our focus, including the elegant trogon, red-faced warbler,
whiskered screech-owl, Strickland’s woodpecker, and more.
We could encounter a whopping 11 species of hummingbirds
including magnificent, blue-throated, broad-billed, black-chinned,
Anna’s, and Costa’s. During our week of naturalizing, we’ll
visit the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, Scheelite Canyon
in the Huachuca Mountains, the Chiricahua Mountains, the
Willcox Playa Wildlife Area, and many places in between.
This is peak flowering and nesting time in the Sonoran
Desert and a perfect time to naturalize in this scenic and
historic area.
Since we will be visiting so many different habitats during
early spring migration, we expect to see a wide variety
of birds. Our target species will include several restrictedrange rarities such as Swainson’s warbler, red-cockaded
woodpecker, wood stork, painted bunting, brown-headed
nuthatch, and Bachman’s sparrow. Along the coastal
wetlands and barrier beaches, we will see many species
of waders and shorebirds; with luck, we will find a Wilson’s
plover. In the extensive lowland pine/oak forests, we will
see many species of southern wood-warblers including
prothonotary, hooded, Kentucky, and yellow-throated. In
the Allendale area, we will look for both Mississippi and
swallow-tailed kites.
The additional fee for a single room is $400. Please call for a
detailed brochure.
Final payment is due March 29. Trip leaders will send out
trip materials after final payment is received, approximately
two weeks prior to the trip’s start date. Cancellations made
within 30 days of departure cannot be refunded or credited
unless we can fill your space.
The trip begins and ends in Tucson. The fee includes all
ground transportation while in Arizona, interpretive materials,
entrance fees, and lodging, unless otherwise noted. Fees are
based on double occupancy; optional single rooms may be
available for an additional fee. Airfare, personal items, and
meals are not included. For an itinerary, call 978-887-9264
or email ipswichriver@massaudubon.org. Please register at
least one month in advance. Cancellations made within 30
days of departure cannot be refunded or credited unless we
can fill your space.
trips & tours
Natural History Travel
800-289-9504
For more information
and a complete list of our International
Tours,visit www.massaudubon.org/travel
or call 800-289-9504.
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w w w. m a s s a u d u b o n . o r g
N o rt h S h o r e
E d u c at i o n C e n t e r s
General Information
Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary
One of Mass Audubon’s largest sanctuaries, Ipswich River
offers nearly 2,000 acres of land and more than twelve miles
of interconnecting trails that invite you to explore forests,
meadows, and wetlands. Mowed fields provide habitat for
American woodcocks and eastern bluebirds while the floodplain
forests are resting and nesting sites for warblers and vireos.
Canoe along eight miles of the Ipswich River, which meanders
through the sanctuary, and camp on Perkins Island, a half-mile
up the river. Members can rent canoes from May 1 through
October 31. Members can also rent a small cabin that is
conveniently located close to the sanctuary’s program facilities
and sleeps four. In spring, listen for the chorus of American toads
and pickerel frogs. In various seasons, watch for river otters,
painted turtles, and great blue herons. View an active beaver
lodge in Rockery Pond. Climb the drumlin and esker, landscape
features created by a glacier 15,000 years ago. In winter, sap
buckets fill the sugar grove, marking the season of our maple
sugaring programs. Huge rocks and exotic trees and shrubs that
were par t of a former arboretum provide an adventurous
walk along the Rockery Trail.
Address
87 Perkins Row, Topsfield, MA 01983
978-887-9264 Office / 978-887-0875 Fax
ipswichriver@massaudubon.org
Office/Gift Shop/Trail Hours
Office and Gift Shop: Weekdays, Tuesday through Friday,
9:00 am to 4:00 pm; Weekends and Monday holidays,
May 1-October 31, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm; and
November 1-April 30, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm.
Trails: Open dawn to dusk, Tuesday through Sunday and
Monday holidays.
Admission
$4 for nonmember adults;
$3 for nonmember children (2-12) and over 64
For information about other North Shore
wildlife sanctuaries, including Cedar Pond,
Eastern Point, Marblehead Neck, and
Nahant Thicket, contact Ipswich River
Wildlife Sanctuary at 978-887-9264
or ipswichriver@massaudubon.org.
For information about Rough Meadows
Wildlife Sanctuary, please contact Joppa
Flats Education Center at 978-462-9998
or joppaflats@massaudubon.org.
Joppa Flats Education Center
and Wildlife Sanctuary
The Joppa Flats Education Center is located at the gateway to
one of the country’s most productive year-round wildlife viewing
areas—the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge and the Plum
Island estuary. Highlights for visitors are the many species of
birds that utilize the area’s extensive salt marshes, mudflats, rivers,
bays, and coastal waters. During local area field trips, Joppa Flats
program participants have recorded over 300 species of birds,
including bald eagle, snowy owl, and many warblers, shorebirds,
and waterfowl. The visitor center overlooking the Merrimack
River includes a children’s education room with a marine
aquarium, a conference center, ar t exhibits, a nature shop,
butterfly gardens, and interpretive displays.
Address
P.O. Box 1558 / One Plum Island Turnpike
Newburyport, MA 01950
978-462-9998 Office / 978-462-4143 Fax
joppaflats@massaudubon.org
Education Center/Grounds Hours
Education Center: Tuesday through Sunday and
Monday holidays, 8:30 am to 4:00 pm.
Grounds: Open daily, dawn to dusk.
Admission
Suggested donation: $2 for nonmembers
Endicott Wildlife Sanctuary
This sanctuary comprises over 43 acres of mixed woodland,
fields, and wetlands; however, there are currently no walking
trails. In addition to protecting valuable wildlife habitat,
the site houses the offices of two Regional Scientists, the
Bertrand Chair of Natural History, and a Regional Educator.
Endicott offers a variety of volunteer oppor tunities and
internships in education and ecological management. Contact
us to learn how to become involved in our statewide
inventory and monitoring projects.
Endicott also offers programs for teachers and students
including the Salt Marsh Science Project. Our programs for
middle and high school students focus on real science, with
real scientists and real issues. Coastal topics, invasive species,
and inquiry-based lessons are our specialty. Our Education
Coordinator will meet you at a site of your choice, or
recommend study sites nearest to you on the North Shore.
For more information about our school programs go to
www.massaudubon.org/endicott-school.
Address
346 Grapevine Road, Wenham, MA 01984
978-927-1122 Office
endicott@massaudubon.org
g e ne r a l inf or m at i on
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R e g i s t r at i o n P r o c e d u r e s
& P o l i c y G u i d e l i n e s
Registration
Filled Programs/Wait Lists
Advance registration with full payment is required for all
programs unless otherwise noted. You may call in advance to
inquire about space availability; however, we cannot hold a
space for you until we have received your payment in full.
Please register early because many programs fill quickly.
If you are registering for a class and less than one week remains
before the program begins, please call the sanctuary hosting
the program to confirm that space is available. If you are not a
Mass Audubon member, you may join when you register and
pay the member program fee.
Most programs have minimum and maximum enrollments
depending on the type of class and instructional techniques.
If the program of your choice is full, we will notify you
immediately and automatically place you on a wait list.
Four Easy Ways to Register!
We accept MasterCard, VISA, and Discover
•Register Online!
You can now register for many of Mass Audubon’s programs online. That means you can sign up any time of day (regardless
of whether that sanctuary is open or not), and you will
instantly know if a program is full or has a wait list. Give it a
try and let us know what you think. Visit our program catalog
online: www.massaudubon.org/catalog. Please note that some
programs and trips do not take online registration. For these,
please call the appropriate sanctuary during business hours.
•By Telephone: Call the sanctuary that is hosting the
program. Please have your membership, credit card, and course information ready.
•By Mail: Complete the registration form and return it
with your check, money order, or credit card authorization
to the sanctuary that is hosting the program for which
you are registering. All checks and money orders should
be made payable to Mass Audubon. Additional copies
of the registration form can be downloaded at
www.massaudubon.org/registrationform.
•In Person: During business hours, stop by the sanctuary
that is hosting the program you are interested in attending
and register in person. Note: Registering in person should
be done prior to the program start date because registering the day of the program, in many cases, will be too late.
Confirmation Information
Written confirmation may not be sent for every program.
You will be notified if you do not get into a program because
it is full, or if your name has been placed on a wait list.
Please read all future correspondence carefully because it
may contain information pertinent to your program such as
what to bring or wear, directions to a location, etc.
Meeting Locations
Meeting locations are listed with the program descriptions
in this brochure.
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w w w. m a s s a u d u b o n . o r g
If you do not wish to remain on the wait list, please notify the
sanctuary hosting the program and a refund will be issued. We
will notify you at least 24 hours in advance of the program only
if space becomes available. If space does not open up, you will
receive a full refund within three weeks of the program date.
Cancellation/Refund Policy
To receive a program refund if you no longer plan to attend,
you must notify the sanctuary hosting the program at least
one week prior to the first class. This policy does not
apply to day camp programs or overnight trips. Each
sanctuary reserves the right to change programs, schedules,
and instructors or to cancel programs due to low enrollment.
Please note that certain programs require a nonrefundable,
nontransferable deposit. A full refund will be processed if the
sanctuary cancels the program. Refunds require approximately
three weeks for processing.
Inclement Weather
Most programs are held rain or shine; please dress accordingly.
We will do our best to notify you if the class is canceled or
postponed due to the weather. If the weather is questionable
and you have not heard from us, please call the sanctuary.
For programs that list a rain/storm date, we recommend that
you hold the alternate date open. Refunds will not be issued if
the class is switched to its alternate date and you are not able
to attend. If no rain date is listed, we may try to reschedule
the class. In this case, refunds will be issued if you cannot
attend on the rescheduled date. If the class cannot be
rescheduled you will receive a refund.
Additional Questions?
If you have additional questions about registration policies, or
have a question about a particular program, please call the
sanctuary hosting the program directly.
Where to Send Registration Forms
For Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary
87 Perkins Row
Topsfield, MA 01983
978-887-9264 Office
For Joppa Flats Education Center
P.O. Box 1558
Newburyport, MA 01950
978-462-9998 Office
Important Note: Since many
Registration
of our programs fill up quickly,
the best way to guarantee a spot
is to register online or call the
sanctuary. For all registrations by
mail, please submit a separate
form for each wildlife sanctuary.
Form
Individual’s Information
Circle One: Dr. / Mr. / Ms. / Mrs. / Miss
Adult Name/Contact Name
Address
City
Phone (Day)
State
Phone (Evening) E-mail
Zip
Cell
Please send me the e-newsletter for
Ipswich River
Joppa Flats
Membership Information
Mass Audubon Member?
Yes
No
Member No.
Membership Exp. Date
/
/
Not currently a Mass Audubon Member? Join NOW and enjoy Membership Discounts and other great benefits.
For details, visit www.massaudubon.org/join.
Individual ($48)
Sponsor ($250)
Family ($65)
Patron ($500)
Explorer ($80)
Contributor ($100)
Protector ($150)
Session Information
Program/
Session Name
Check or
Money Order
Please make
all checks and
money orders
payable to
Mass Audubon.
Participant’s
Full Name
(Adult or Child)
Date(s)
& Time
Child’s
Date of Birth
(if applicable)
/
/
/
/
/
/
/
/
/
/
/
/
Child’s
Age
MasterCard, Visa, or Discover
Total Program Fee(s)
Name on Credit Card
Membership Fee
Credit Card No.
CVV#
Additional Donation
Exp. Date
Signature
Where to Send Registration
and Payment:
Session
Fee
Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary
87 Perkins Row, Topsfield, MA 01983
Office: 978-887-9264
Total Amount Enclosed
Joppa Flats Education Center
P.O. Box 1558, Newburyport, MA 01950
Office: 978-462-9998
For your personal security, please do not send credit card information by fax or email.