Boston Flora

Tag: Ware River Nature Club

  • Sunday, April 24, 12:00 noon – 5:00 pm – Hope for (some) Herps, Live and Online

    The Ware River Nature Club’s Annual meeting will be held on Sunday, April 24th, noon – 5 p.m at Hartman’s Herb Farm in Barre. Featured speaker Tom Tyning will present Hope For (some) Herps: The Twisting Saga of Conservation for Un-loved Species. The presentations will also be available for viewing on Zoom.

    In general, the study of amphibians and reptiles has lagged far behind that of other vertebrates, and even of many invertebrates. We still lack basic knowledge of the distribution of many of our species, not to mention their population levels, trends, or natural fluctuations.  Yet despite regular setbacks, insights continue to unfold that provide some hope for conservation.

    ​This presentation will highlight relevant trends in herpetological research, areas of field work where any of us can contribute, and a conservation outlook for selected species in our region. The complex intersection of science, speculation, politics, and history have made the study of local amphibians and reptiles both imperative and filled with roadblocks. But, for those who revel in the April chorus of spring peepers or relax at the sight of a sun-basking turtle, field observations will continue to encourage an energetic and positive hope for all components of healthy landscapes, including the herps. Tom Tyning is professor of environmental science at Berkshire Community College, former field biologist and master naturalist for the Mass Audubon Society, author of A Guide to Amphibians and Reptiles, and founder of the Berkshire Natural History Conference. Tyning brings his authority and enthusiasm to everything he does, from teaching, to work on Salamander Tunnels in Amherst, to research on the local rattlesnake and butterfly populations.

    Special guests Natasha Nowick and Alexxia Bell of Turtle Rescue League will present TURTLE 911 and be accompanied by some native turtles in their care.  The Turtle Rescue League is a nonprofit rescue and rehabilitation center dedicated to the protection of our native turtles.

    In addition to a delicious meal and a chance to visit with fellow nature-lovers, attendees will have a chance to bid on an eclectic array of auction items. 

    We ask that you be “vaxxed to the max” if you plan to attend in person. We’re also planning to offer remote viewing of the guest speakers. Check for updates and register by contacting @ Ware River Nature Club. $40 for Ware River Nature Club members, $45 for nonmembers. Zoom presentation only: $20 for members, $25 for nonmembers.

  • Saturday, April 28, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm – Ware River Nature Club Spring Conference: Our Aerial Insectivorous Birds – Current Conservation Issues

    The Ware River Nature Club’s Spring Conference will take place Saturday, April 28 from 8:30 – 4:30 at the Harvard Forest in Petersham. The guild of northeastern avian insectivores—birds that specialize in feeding on flying insects—includes Whip-poor-wills (picture below, courtesy of www.allaboutbirds.org), Common Nighthawks, Chimney Swifts, several species of swallows and flycatchers, and Purple Martins. Most of these species are experiencing dramatic population declines and range contraction. The plight of aerial insectivores is gaining increasing attention since the magnitude of the declines over the past 25 years has been alarming. This conference will address ecology, current status, and theories regarding population decline in several species. Some citizen science opportunities will be explored.

    GUEST SPEAKERS:

    Kim Spiller, UMass ECO Graduate School—Overview: Aerial Insectivore Conservation Concerns

    Pam Hunt, New Hampshire Audubon—The Whip-poor-will: Biology and Conservation of a Crepuscular Enigma

    Marja Bakermans ,Worcester Polytechnic Institute and Andrew Vitz, Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife—Migratory Connectivity of the Eastern Whip-poor-will

    KEYNOTE: Margaret Rubega, University of Connecticut—The Disappearance of an Almost-Invisible Bird: The Mysterious Biology and Decline of the Chimney Swift

    Mara Silver, Northeast Swallow Conservation—Conservation of Cliff and Barn Swallows, Two Species in Decline in the Northeast

    Mary Keleher, Cape Cod Bird Club—Mary’s Mashpee Martins

    Jessie Knowlton, Wheaton College—Threats and Coping Strategies of Neotropical Migrants on the Wintering Grounds: Examples from Southern Mexico

    Hollie Sutherland, UMass ECO Graduate School—Using Trail and Web Cameras for Bird Study

    $35 for WRNC members, $45 for nonmembers, lunch included. Contact warerivernatureclub@yahoo.com to register or for more information.

    Image result for whippoorwill bird

  • Sunday,February 25, 12:30 pm – 4:30 pm – Preserving the Biological Diversity of Eastern Forests

    Ware River Nature Club will hold its Fourth Annual Meeting & Silent Auction on Sunday February 25th 2018 12:30 – 4:30 p.m. at Hartman’s Herb Farm, Barre. At this year’s meeting we’ll learn about the ecology of the beautiful forests in our own backyard of central Massachusetts. Please plan to join us! Rsvp to warerivernatureclub@yahoo.com

    Robert Askins, Professor of Biology at Connecticut College, will present PRESERVING THE BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY OF EASTERN FORESTS, a talk about the major threats to deciduous forests in eastern North America. The biological diversity of our forests is threatened by habitat fragmentation, increasing homogeneity of the vegetation, and the loss of top predators. Understanding the history and ecology of deciduous forests is critical for sustaining productive forests and preventing the loss of biological diversity. This presentation is based on a book that Professor Askins recently published on the ecology and conservation of deciduous forests on three continents.

    In a complementary presentation, Owen Sholes, Professor of Biology at Assumption College, will talk about the effects of the severe ice storm of December, 2008 on tree growth, based on tree rings and other factors. The focus of much of Professor Sholes’ research has been on tree growth and survival.

  • Wednesday, January 24, 7:00 pm – What in the World is a Margaritifera margaritifera, and Why Should I Care?

    The freshwater pearl mussel, Margaritifera margaritifera, inhabits swift, shallow riffles and runs of clear, cool streams… exactly the kinds of streams that humans love to walk along and wade in. With even minimal coaching, anyone can find them…you just have to know where and how to look. Worldwide, this was one of the most widespread and abundant freshwater mussel species, but one that is now in considerable peril. In this Ware River Nature Club talk on Wednesday, January 24, we’ll get to know this species—its distribution, habitat requirements, life-cycle, conservation, and restoration; “and I hope I can convince you that you should care,” adds presenter Professor John Baker of Clark University. The presentation begins at 7 pm at the Rutland Public Library. For more information email warerivernatureclub@yahoo.com

  • Saturday, January 23, 11:00 am – 4:45 pm – Tracking the Hidden Wildlife of Our Winter Woodlands

    Most wild animals hide from us, living their lives in secret behind foliage and in the night. However, they leave evidence of their presence behind in the forms of tracks, trails, and other sign. A covering of snow reveals this abundance of life around us in the winter woods. Join The Ware River Nature Club and East Quabbin Land Trust on Saturday, January 23 from 11 – 4:45 to learn more about the signs of wildlife and what those signs tell us. This snow-tracking outdoor program will acquaint participants with the process of finding, identifying, and interpreting wildlife sign in a local natural area.

    The walk will be led by well-known tracker-naturalist David Brown, whose experience finding and interpreting New England wildlife spans nearly three decades. He is the author of Trackards for North American Mammals and The Companion Guide to Trackards, and his newest book The Next Step: Interpreting Animal Tracks, Trails and Sign has just been released. It complements his first two books in that it deals mostly with two neglected aspects of wildlife tracking: finding animal sign in the first place and then interpreting what you have identified for behavior.

    Meet at the East Quabbin Land Trust office at 120 Ridge Road in Hardwick for David’s introduction to the art of tracking. Slides and casts of animal evidence will be discussed, with emphasis on distinguishing what made those tracks we see in the snow. Hot drinks and cookies will be provided.

    Bring a bag lunch to charge up for the afternoon walk which will begin at 12:30pm. Later in the afternoon we will return to the office to warm up, review what we saw outdoors, and share another hot drink by the warm fire. David will have his publications for sale.

    Voluntary donations are accepted and will cover the speaker’s travel fee.

  • Tuesday, October 27, 7:00 pm – Common Loons in Massachusetts

    The wail of a common loon is often associated with the pristine lakes and deep woods of the north. However, Common Loons (Gavia immer) are also residents of Massachusetts and can be seen on a variety of lakes and ponds around the state. This Ware River Nature Club presentation, which includes many beautiful images and a few video segments, will follow common loons through the four seasons to get a glimpse into their lives as they move from the ocean in winter to their breeding lakes during spring and summer. We will also learn about the natural history of loons and some threats facing their small population. The event takes place Tuesday, October 27 beginning at 7 pm at the Rutland Public Library, 280 Main Street (Route 122A) in Rutland. The speaker is Dan Clark, Director, Natural Resources Section of the DCR – Division of Water Supply Protection. Garden Club of the Back Bay members will remember our interesting tour of the Waterworks Museum last spring, and the lively discussion concerning water safety issues – Dan Clark is the man in charge.  Photo from www.nature.org.