Boston Flora

Tag: Athol Bird & Nature Club

  • Wednesday, January 11, 7:00 pm – Wasps: The Astonishing Diversity of a Misunderstood Insect, Online

    The Athol Bird & Nature Club presents a webinar of special interest to gardeners with author Eric Eaton on January 11 at 7 pm discussing his book Wasps: The Astonishing Diversity of a Misunderstood Insect. The book, published by Princeton University Press in 2021, is described as the ultimate visual journey into the beautiful and complex world of wasps. Wasps are far more diverse than the familiar yellowjackets and hornets that harass picnickers and build nests under the eaves of our homes. These amazing, mostly solitary creatures thrive in nearly every habitat on Earth, and their influence on our lives is overwhelmingly beneficial. Wasps are agents of pest control in agriculture and gardens. They are subjects of study in medicine, engineering, and other important fields. Wasps pollinate flowers, engage in symbiotic relationships with other organisms, and create architectural masterpieces in the form of their nests. This richly illustrated book introduces you to some of the most spectacular members of the wasp realm, colorful in both appearance and lifestyle. From minute fairyflies to gargantuan tarantula hawks, wasps exploit almost every niche on the planet. So successful are they at survival that other organisms emulate their appearance and behavior. The sting is the least reason to respect wasps and, as you will see, no reason to loathe them, either. To register, visit https://atholbirdclub.org/

  • Wednesday, October 12, 7:00 pm – Genius of the Swamp, Live and Online

    The Athol Bird & Nature Club is excited to announce the speaker series for our ABNC monthly meetings. The meetings occur on the second Wednesday of the month @ 7:00 PM. We hope to be providing a hybrid opportunity for most of these webinars where you can participate in person at the Environmental Center or watch online via zoom. January and February are exceptions as our speakers will be joining us from across the Country and those of us locally can avoid driving at night in potential snowstorms. A special thanks to all the scientists and naturalists for including ABNC in their lives. On Wednesday, October 12, photographer Dale Monette will present Genius of the Swamp.

    Secrets of the Quabbin Watershed is a book released by Dale Monette and Haley Publishing in September of 2017. Dale has spent over 4 years and many thousands of hours on the 82,000 acre Quabbin Reservoir watershed in central MA photographing wildlife and 130 of his best photographs were released in a beautiful book. . Monette is an expert in the nature and history of the Quabbin; he worked 25 years as an educator and a naturalist at the Quabbin Reservoir. Dale’s website: http://www.northquabbinphotography.com.

    For more information and directions, visit  www.atholbirdclub.org

  • Tuesday, July 19, 8:30 pm – 10:00 pm – Moths! Under the Portico

    Join the Athol Bird and Nature Club at the Athol Public Library, 568 Main Street in Athol, on July 19 at 8:30 pm, after dark, for an evening of looking at moths outdoors. July is National Moth Month. Why moths?

    • Moths are among the most diverse and successful organisms on earth.
    • Scientists estimate there may be 500,000 moth species.
    • Their colors and patterns are either dazzling or so cryptic that they define camouflage. Shapes and sizes span the gamut from as small as a pinhead to as large as an adult’s hand.
    • Most moths are nocturnal, and need to be sought at night to be seen – others fly like butterflies during the day.
    • Finding moths can be as simple as leaving a porch light on and checking it after dark. 

    Presented by Dave Small, President and Acting Director of the Athol Bird and Nature Club.

    For over twenty-eight years, Dave has been the charismatic leader of the Club. His skills as a naturalist, trip leader, and presenter are in demand throughout New England. Through Dave’s efforts, the Center is recognized as the place to hold meetings that relate to natural history and the environment.

    This project was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services – Dig-In Grant.

    Registration is required for this event.  Please register here or by calling 978-249-9515. Free and open to the public. Rain date:  July 26.

  • Tuesday, June 21, 6:30 pm – Introduction to Dragonflies

    Dragonflies help humans by controlling populations of pest insects, especially those that bug us most, such as mosquitoes and biting flies. A single dragonfly can eat anywhere from 30 to hundreds of mosquitoes per day! What kinds of dragonflies live here?

    Presented by Dave Small, President and Acting Director of the Athol Bird and Nature Club, at the Athol Public Library 584 Main Street in Athol.

    For over twenty-eight years, Dave has been the charismatic leader of the Club. His skills as a naturalist, trip leader, and presenter are in demand throughout New England. Through Dave’s efforts, the Center is recognized as the place to hold meetings that relate to natural history and the environment. This project was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services – Dig-In Grant.

    Registration is required for this event.  Please register at https://athol.librarycalendar.com/events/dragonflies or by calling 978-249-9515. Free and open to the public.

  • Wednesday, May 11, 7:00 pm – Bat Falcon, Social Flycatcher oh my!, Live or Online

    Athol Bird and Nature Club members Ernie Leblanc, Jeff Johnstone, Bob Mallet and Dave Small ventured to the Rio Grande Valley of Texas in search of these and other rare and unusual birds in early March. Ernie will guide us on a recap of this whirlwind and successful adventure. In person at the Millers River Environmental Center 100 Main Street Athol 01331 or via Zoom.

    When: May 11, 7:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Register in advance for this meeting:https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAlce2prj8jGN2nAoZTwJDynr2J2nteJemh  After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

    courtesy: Smithsonianmag.org

  • Wednesday, April 13, 6:00 pm – How to Prepare for Climate Change, Live and Online

    The Athol Bird & Nature Club presents a live presentation (limited seating) and a webinar on April 13 at 6 pm from the Athol Public Library with David Pogue, entitled How to Prepare For Climate Change. Bestselling self-help author David Pogue offers sensible, deeply researched advice for how we can ready ourselves for the years ahead. Pogue walks readers through what to grow, what to eat, how to build, how to ensure, where to invest, how to prepare your children and pets, and even where to consider relocating when the time comes. He also provides wise tips for managing your anxiety, as well as action plans for riding out every climate catastrophe, from superstorms and wildfires to ticks and epidemics. Register in advance for this webinar:
    https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_xA4Vv7BdSvGXAuGX0xtd9w 
    After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

  • Wednesday, February 9, 7:00 pm – Freshwater Mussels, Online

    Ayla Skorupa will speak on the topic of Freshwater Mussels on Zoom on February 9 at 7 pm. The talk is sponsored by the Athol Bird & Nature Club. Why is brook floater rare? Synthesizing potential threats to a freshwater mussel’s persistance. Register in advance for this webinar: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_vVEzmvJIS2qR1KUOBeVQ2A  After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

    Ayla’s undergraduate education was in Marine Biology at Roger Williams University. After graduating with a B.Sc. she focused on research with plankton which led to an appointment as a Masters assistant at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks with Dr. Russell Hopcroft. She started studying under Dr. Allison Roy at the Department of Environmental Conservation at UMass, Amherst in Spring 2017.

    Her research interests focus on fresh water mussel, Unionidae, conservation. This includes the artificial propagation of rare or endangered species and determining what makes their ideal habitat.

  • Saturday, February 5, 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm – Accessible Car-Birding

    Join Athol Bird & Nature Club president and Birdability captain Dave Small for the exploration of the Turners Falls MA Area on February 5 at 1 pm. Meet at Unity Park at 56 First Street, Turners Falls.

    This trip is designed for folks with any level of mobility or birding skill. We will be mostly car birding with stops at several locations along the Connecticut river, The Power Canal, and Airport. The goal of this trip is to familiarize participants with locations to safely bird the area and the birds that can be expected through the year. Winter birding will focus on waterfowl, various gull species, grassland birds, and Eagles. A limited number of Binoculars will be available for loan during this event. Clean accessible restrooms are available at “The Mill” grab and go convenience Store on Route 2 in Gill at the intersection with the Turner Falls Bridge. Many lunch options are available in the village of Turners Falls. 

    Precautionary measures: Please note that you will be expected to be masked and socially distant even if you have been vaccinated and boosted. If you are unvaccinated, please do not attend this event. This event may be modified or cancelled depending on how the pandemic progresses.

    This trip will take place on the traditional homeland of the Pocumtuc people. Learn more about Accessible birding sites in the area @ https://atholbirdclub.org/accessible-birding-sites/ This event is Co-sponsored by the Athol Bird and Nature Club and the Anti-racist Collective of Avid Birders. Please take a look at the chart below to see the issues involved.

  • Wednesday, May 12, 7:00 pm – What the Camera Sees, Online

    Have you ever taken a picture, and when viewed on the computer screen, found some unexpected results? Several years ago, Athol Bird & Nature Club member Ernie LeBlanc purchased a camera to carry along during bird trips and other outdoor excursions. Join him on May 12 at 7 online for this free presentation and see what images the camera captures – some surprising, some artistic, and some even in focus!! 
    Register in advance for this webinar: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN__3YAJO_cQz2Oh9GoYJ15pg

    After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

  • Wednesday, April 14, 7:00 pm – Birding and Beyond in Cuba, Online

     Birding and Beyond in Cuba will allow us to “visit” a number of key bird-locations on the island – Viñales, Zapata, Guanahacabibes, Cayo Coco, Baracoa, Topes de Collantes, and Havana – as well as examine opportunities for “connecting” with our counterparts in Cuba. We will look at these fascinating birds, places, and people in terms of advancing bird-education, conservation, and responsible eco-tourism. Our two presenters wish to convey to you some of the birds, nature, and potential on the island, opportunities that can be found at one of our country’s closest neighbors. Presenters: Paul J. Baicich and Soledad Pagliuca. This Athol Bird & Nature Club virtual event is free.


    Register in advance for this webinar: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_PAz9lD3LTFq1LHXuRVal7g 
    After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.