March 1, 2014 - Boston Flora

Saturday, March 8, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm – Extinction is Forever: What Have We Learned?

March 1, 2014 by Boston Flora

Using the passenger pigeon as an iconic example of what can happen to a super-abundant species in a relatively short span of time, the 22nd annual Mass Audubon Birders Meeting on Saturday, March 8, from 9 – 3, will focus on the extinction phenomenon from a variety of perspectives. Since 1992, birders from around New England have come together every March to attend Mass Audubonâ€™s Annual Birders Meeting. With the help of supportive sponsors, they have successfully brought together engaging speakers from around the country, been joined by top-notch vendors, and drawn enthusiastic participants to these day-long events.

The meeting will take place at Bentley University in Waltham, and is co-hosted by Mass Audubon, the Museum of Comparative Zoology, and the Harvard Museum of Natural History. Featured speakers are:

Patrick Comins, Audubon Connecticut – Weather: Its Significance to Birds and Birders

Keynote Joel Greenberg, Research Associate of both the Chicago Academy of Sciences, Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum and the Field Museum – A Feathered River Across the Sky: The Passenger Pigeon’s Flight to Extinction

Matthew Kamm, Ph.D. candidate at Tufts University – Legacy of the Heath Hen

John Kricher, Professor of Biology at Wheaton College, Norton, Massachusetts – Bird Conservation: Ultimately itâ€™s Personal

Michael Reed, Professor of Biology at Tufts University – Causes and Consequences of Avian Extinctions

There will also be a silent auction, proceeds of which will provide financial support to the Bird Conservation programs at Mass Audubon. Register ($60 sponsor members, $65 public) at https://secure2.convio.net/mas/site/Ecommerce;jsessionid=2941D35BFE22BC33B67791314E6F05F1.app271b?store_id=1761.

Saturday, March 8, 6:00 pm – Bird Lover’s Event

March 1, 2014 by Boston Flora

On Saturday at 6:00 p.m.at Russell’s Garden Center, 397 Boston Post Road in Wayland, there will be a free Powerpoint presentation by renowned avian photographer Geoff Dennis, whose work appears in many bird publications. He’ll show his fabulous photos taken from his own yard and share his techniques for photographing birds. Geoff will talk about why his yard is bird-friendly and suggest ways for you to achieve the same effect at your home.

Russell’s is also pleased that Harlan Hyde from Aspen Song Wild Bird Food, who is an expert on wild bird feeding, will be there. After the presentation, both Harlan and Geoff will be available to answer your backyard birding questions.

There is a Photo Contest associated with this event, with a submission deadline of March 3. Guidelines:

Must be an original photo of wild bird(s) taken by the entrant and entrant must own all rights and title to the photograph.
Please include details of when and where the photo was taken.
Photo submissions may be dropped off at Russellâ€™s, mailed to Russellâ€™s or emailed to Marie Winter at mariew@russellsgardencenter.com by March 3, 2014. Be sure to include your name, address and contact info.

By submitting your photo to this contest, you agree that Russellâ€™s Garden Center may display a copy of your photo in the store through March 22, 2014.Â Geoff Dennis from Geoff Dennis Photos in Little Compton, RI will judge all photos to determine the winner.Â Winner will be notified by March 15, 2014.