explore the outdoors at joppa flats summer camp!...bring binoculars and a field guide....

Explore the outdoors at

Joppa Flats Summer Camp!

Creative and fun nature day campsfor children ages 6 to 13

NEW in 2016: Full weeks and aftercamp care!

• 5-day camp sessions for ages 6 to 11 with excursions to varied habitats by motor, foot, and boat

• 5-day adventure-based ecology camp for ages 11 to 13

For more information, see page 29. For a camp brochure, visit www.massaudubon.org/joppaflats

or call Kirsten Lindquist at 978-462-9998 x6805.

t a b l e o f c o n t e n t s

North Shore Wildlife Sanctuaries Map and Contact Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Inside Front Cover

Notes & Announcements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-3

Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary Programs

Adult and Special Event . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-9

Children & Families . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-17

Joppa Flats Education Center Programs

Adult . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18-26

Children, Families, & All Ages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27-29

Trips and Tours . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30-34

General Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

Registration Procedures & Policy Guidelines . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

Registration Form . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Inside Back Cover

Marketing Department Mass Audubon 208 South Great Road, Lincoln, MA 01773 781-259-2135 [email protected]

Cover photos: Yellow Warbler at Ipswich River—Carol Decker©

Kayakers Exploring in Plum Island Sound— Walt Thompson©

Fragrant Water Lily at Ipswich River—Jeanne Li©

Great Spangled Fritillary—Scott Santino©

Back cover photo: Birders—Melissa Vokey©

Ipswich River Preschool Logo: Victor Atkins©

Printing: DS Graphics

Funding provided in part by:

Register Online! You can register for many of Mass Audubon’s programs online. See page 36 for details.

Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary

• Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary, Topsfield

• Hamond Nature Center, Marblehead

• Essex County Greenbelt Association’sCox Reservation, Essex

For a camp brochure, call 978-887-9264 ordownload a copy: www.massaudubon.org/ipswichriver

Day Camp Programsfor children ages 4-14

N

ot

es

&

An

no

un

ce

me

nt

s

N o t e s & A n n o u n c e m e n t s

F r o m J o p p a F l a t s

Notes & Announcements 3

Bird-a-thon at Joppa FlatsThe annual Bird-a-thon is great fun and a very important fundraising event for Joppa Flats. This year, Bird-a-thon runs from 6:00 pm on Friday, May 13, through 6:00 pm on Saturday, May 14. To participate, you could form a team to support Joppa Flats; or you could join David Moon, Bill Gette, and Susan Hardy on their Bird-a-thon Madness team; or you could observe our Rough Meadows Bird-a-thon team (which specializes in poetry) in action; or you could simply make a donation. Please call 978-462-9998 for more details.

Joppa Flats Brings the World to Your GroupIs 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, New England Wildlife, and Backyard Bird Sanctuaries. We also present travelogues on Costa Rica, Kenya, Zambia, Botswana, Belize, Panama, Bhutan, and Brazil, as well as on many intriguing locations in North America. For more information, please call us at 978-462-9998.

Facility RentalJoppa Flats Education Center overlooks the magnificent Merrimack River and the Plum Island Estuary. It provides an ideal venue for your next business meeting or special event (e.g., memorial service, wedding, family reception). If you would like, the staff and volunteers at Joppa Flats can be available to conduct a delightful natural history field trip or program for your guests. Please call Melissa Vokey at 978-462-9998 for details and availability.

Natural History Art ExhibitionsCome 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.”May 1-June 12: Photographs by Eduardo del SolarJuly 17-August 28: Macrophotographs by Linde Eyster

Stay in Touch with Joppa Flats Visit our Website at massaudubon.org/joppaflats facebook.com/MassAudubonJoppaFlats

Be Part of the Solution: Make the Switch to Green Electricity Today.

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.

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.

solar power local wind turbines

cow power (The use of digester gases from cows to produce electricity.)

By Making the Switch, your energy could come from

E d u c a t i o n C e n t e r , N e w b u r y p o r t

J o p p a F l a t s

Twenty years ago, Bill Gette and Mass Audubon came to Newburyport to establish Joppa Flats Education Center. They chose this spot because they saw a golden opportunity at the north end of the Great Marsh and the mouth of the storied Merrimack River. They knew that this place, anchored by the permanent protection of the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, is loved by so many for a great variety of reasons. The beaches, dunes, and thickets of Plum Island; the picturesque expanse of the Great Marsh; the riches of Newburyport Harbor; and the sea beyond have all beckoned people to this place through centuries, even millennia. For those who love nature and birds in particular, Joppa Flats sits in the middle of one of the most amazingly productive areas for avian diversity in the Northeast. The rich habitats we explore, from the forests of Pikes Bridge Road to the tide pools of Sandy Point, support an incredible array of creatures, winged and otherwise.

This catalog offers many opportunities for deep learning and connection to nature. Our programs are the product of the vision, talent, and tireless efforts of the staff and volunteers whom Bill Gette assembled to make Joppa Flats run so well. This family of bird and nature lovers shares their wonder and expertise with generous hearts. They welcomed me with the same joy and open arms that I know you will find here. Given the great partnership we have with Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, and the dedicated people who are here to help you find its riches, you can’t ask for a better place to watch birds and encounter nature.

At Joppa Flats we offer a wonderful array of programs, many of which are unique. Consider making the investment to go deep into birding with the Birder’s Certificate Program, beginning its 13th year in August. Learn to see all the marvelous avian details, and perhaps prepare to join the volunteers who help lead our birding programs!

David Moon, Joppa Flats Sanctuary Director

P.S. Throughout the catalog, 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.

M A Y - A u g u s t 2 0 1 6

ADULT

IBA

18 w w w. m a s s a u d u b o n . o r g / j o p pa f l at s

JO

PP

A F

LA

TS

b i r d sWednesdayIBA Wednesday Morning Birding

Wednesdays / 9:30 am-12:30 pmLeaders: David Moon, Joppa Flats SanctuaryDirector; and Dave Weaver, BCPper session $14 member, $17 nonmember

We are in our twentieth 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.

This program is ideal for birders of all skill levels. We do not meet in July.

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.

Birding Western Essex County Thursday, May 5 / 8:00 am-4:00 pmLeader: 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.

JO

PP

A F

LA

TS

preregistration required for all programs 978-462-9998 Joppa Flats 19

adult

b i r d sFriday Morning Bird Walks: Focus on WarblersFridays in May / 8:00-11:00 amLeader: Dave Williams, BCPper 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 the Joppa Flats Education Center. Please bring binoculars and a field guide. Preregistration is not required.

IBA b i r d sWednesdayWednesday Evening Birding Wednesdays, May 4, 11, 18, & 25 and June 1 / 5:30-7:30 pmLeaders: David Moon, Joppa Flats Sanctuary Director, and David Davis and Linda Hunnewell, Naturalistsper 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!

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.

IBA

b i r d sSaturday Morning Birding Saturdays / 9:00-11:30 amLeaders: Susan Hardy, Debra Listernick, Alison O’Hare, Dave Weaver, and Dave Williams, BCP; Jonathan Brooks and Lynette Leka, Naturalistsper session $10 member, $12 nonmember

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 around to all the 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 May 14 or in July.

Preregistration is not required. In the case of inclement weather, 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).

IBA

IBA

The Hills of TopsfieldSunday, May 8 / 9:00 am-noonLeader: 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.

Pocket Birding for Spring Migrants Tuesday, May 10 / 6:00-11:00 amLeader: Dave Larson, Joppa Flats Science and Education Coordinator$33 member, $41 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 at 6:00 am sharp 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.

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.

JO

PP

A F

LA

TS

IBA

adult


n a t u r eThe Wonder and the Wow: A New Look at NatureSaturdays / times varyLeaders: Lisa Hutchings, Joppa Flats School and Youth Education Coordinator, and Jonathan Brooks, Naturalist

Why should kids have all the fun? Leaders Lisa Hutchings and Jonathan Brooks will take you and other adults for a fresh new look at coastal habitats and wildlife during our spring series of this program. Did you know that a golden-crowned kinglet weighs only as much as a nickel? And that only the male humpback whale sings? Enjoy the sights and sounds of our coastline and estuary on land and by sea, and extend the experience with an optional group meal! You’ll come away with a brand-new enthusiasm for the natural world around you.

Great Bay Discovery Center

May 21 / 8:30 am-1:30 pm$30 member, $35 nonmember

Meet at Joppa Flats Education Center.

Cat Cove Marine Lab: Aquaculture Tour

June 11 / 9:30 am-2:30 pm$30 member, $35 nonmember


Whale Watch on the Captain’s Lady III

July 16 / 8:30 am-1:00 pm$58 member, $65 nonmember

Registration deadline: July 14. Meet at the Newburyport waterfront boardwalk.

IBA

Subscribe to our Wednesday Morning Birding Report

Our “WMB” email updates have the latest information about the birds we’re seeing, with occasional special

announcements about our programs and trips. To subscribe, call us at 978-462-9998

or email [email protected]. Your email address will be kept confidential.

adult

IBA

Evening Birding Ramble at Appleton Farms Thursday, May 12 / 5:00-7:00 pmLeader: Dave Weaver, BCPCosponsor: 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 mid-May, red-winged blackbirds, Baltimore orioles, eastern meadow-larks, bobolinks, scarlet tanagers, rose-breasted grosbeaks, and many other species have begun to breed. 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.

Bird-a-thon Madness Saturday, May 14 / 8:00 am-6:00 pmLeaders: David Moon, Joppa Flats Sanctuary Director; Bill Gette, former 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. Your fee is tax deductible as a charitable donation.

This program is ideal for all ability levels.

Meet at Joppa Flats Education Center. Bring binoculars, lunch, and snacks.

JO

PP

A F

LA

TS

IBA


Poetry and Bird-a-thon at Rough Meadows Saturday, May 14 / 1:00-5:00 pmLeader: David Davis, Joppa Flats Poet-in-ResidenceSuggested donation: $5

With migration in full swing, this is an excellent time to see the many exciting warblers and other songbirds that pass through our area on their way north to their summer breeding grounds. May 14 is the day Mass Audubon holds its annual Bird-a-thon fundraiser, when teams spend 24 hours seeking and counting bounteous bird species. This program is for the folks who want to be a part of Bird-a-thon but would prefer to see their birds from one spot, with guidance.

One Bird-a-thon team, which also specializes in poetry, will be located at the entrance to the Rough Meadows sanctuary on Patmos Road in Rowley. The team members will show visitors the birds visible from that site, explain Bird-a-thon, and hold poetry readings on the hour. Come to see the Bird-a-thon birds for yourselves, and experience the Joppa Flats Poet-in-Residence program at Rough Meadows.

Visit this Bird-a-thon team at Rough Meadows Wildlife Sanctuary in Rowley. Bring binoculars, snacks, and any poetry you’d like to share. Preregistration is not required.

Introduction to the Birds at Cogswell’s Grant Monday, May 16 / 8:30 -10:30 amLeader: Dave Weaver, BCPCosponsor: Historic New England $12 member, $16 nonmember

The beautiful 165-acre Cogswell’s Grant in Essex offers a variety of habitats that attract many species of birds. During mid-May, many breeding birds such as bobolink and Baltimore oriole 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.

Join Dave Weaver 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.

Meet at Cogswell’s Grant on Spring Street in Essex. Please dress for the weather and bring binoculars.

IBA

IBA

Spring Birding at Rough Meadows Thursday, May 19 / 8:30-11:30 amLeader: Dave Williams, BCP$19 member, $22 nonmember

One of 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, vireos, and other songbirds.

Meet at Joppa Flats Education Center. Please dress for the weather and bring waterproof footwear. Bring binoculars and snacks.

Banding Station Visit for Birders Saturday, May 21 / 8:00-11:00 amLeaders: Ben Flemer, Banding Station Manager, and Lynette Leka, Naturalist$15 member, $20 nonmember

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.


Hands-on Bird Photography SeriesSaturdays, June 4, 11, 18, & 25 / 7:00 am-noonLeader: Eduardo del Solar, Photographer$245 member, $345 nonmember

Join avian photographer Eduardo del Solar in this hands-on photography workshop series designed to improve your technical and artistic bird photography skills. The workshop will have the following components each week:

1. Two-and-a-half-hour classroom session focusing on the skills required for photographing birds in several modes (flight, portrait, environmental, and artistic).

2. Two-and-a-half-hour shoot, with the instructor selecting the site and type of images we will shoot.

3. Homework assignments. Participants will provide the instructor with their best images for the week.

4. Critique of student’s three best images, with a focus on improving each participant’s skill set.

No specific camera equipment is required—we will work with what you have. All levels of skill are accepted. Eduardo will individualize instruction based on the skill set of each participant.


IBA


adult

IBA

JO

PP

A F

LA

TS

n a t u r eLecturesWednesday Evening Lecture SeriesWednesdays / 7:30-8:30 pmFree for members, $4 nonmembers

Joppa Flats Education Center offers a monthly lecture series on natural history topics that is free to Mass Audubon members. Children ages 8 and up are welcome. Preregistration is not required.

May 18: Plum Island Tide Pools

Speaker: Lisa Hutchings, Joppa Flats School and Youth Education Coordinator

June 15: Nature Poetry Reading

Speakers: David Davis, Joppa Flats Poet-in-Residence, and Invited Poets

August 31: Helping Nature with Citizen Science

Speaker: David Moon, Joppa Flats Sanctuary Director

September 21: Cruising Spitsbergen for Mammals and Birds

Speaker: Dave Larson, Joppa Flats Science and Education Coordinator

Meet at the Joppa Flats Education Center.

JO

PP

A F

LA

TS


adult

IBA

IBA Dinner with the Herons Thursday, June 23 / 6:00-8:00 pmLeaders: Dave Larson, Joppa Flats Science and Education Coordinator, and Dave Weaver, BCPCosponsor: The Trustees of Reservations$15 member, $25 nonmember

Come to Manchester-by-the-Sea for a two-hour visit to view the evening flight of herons, egrets, and ibises into the largest heronry in Massachusetts. Kettle Island, owned by Mass Audubon, has the greatest number of nesting glossy ibises and great egrets, the only known nesting sites of tricolored herons, and the only current site for little blue heron nests in the state. From the mainland, we will view the amazing spectacle of the evening flight while discussing the life-and-death struggle of the Kettle Island colony.

Meet at The Trustees of Reservations Coolidge Reservation on Summer Street (Route 127), Manchester-by-the-Sea. Please wear appropriate clothes and bring binoculars, a spotting scope if you have one, your dinner, and your sense of wonder.

Focus on Shorebirds Sunday, July 31 / 8:00 am-2:00 pmLeader: Dave Larson, Joppa Flats Science and Education Coordinator$36 member, $42 nonmember

The Newburyport/Plum Island area is one of the finest places along the East Coast for viewing shorebirds during fall migration. By early August, many of the shorebirds that have bred in northern Canada are already moving southward along the coast. The extensive mudflats near the mouth of the Merrimack River, the salt marshes in the Plum Island estuary, and the salt pannes and impoundments on the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge provide excellent feeding areas and roosting sites for these long-range migrants.

Join us as we explore the Newburyport area looking for these fascinating birds. We expect to see black-bellied and semipalmated plovers, greater and lesser yellowlegs, semipalmated and least sandpipers, short-billed dowitchers, willets, Hudsonian godwits, and more. During our program, we will focus on the many aids to field identification including physical characteristics, habitat preference, and feeding techniques.

Meet at Joppa Flats Education Center. Please bring binoculars plus a lunch, drink, and snacks.

b i r d s

b i r d sWednesdayWednesday Evening Shorebirding Wednesdays in August / 5:30-7:30 pmLeaders: David Moon, Joppa Flats Sanctuary Director, and David Davis and Linda Hunnewell, Naturalistsper session $10 member, $12 nonmember

Each Wednesday evening in August, we will introduce participants to the wonderful diversity of shorebirds that migrate through the Newburyport/Plum Island area during the late summer. The field trips are designed to provide participants with the tools to identify Massachusetts shorebirds and to deliver an in-depth understanding of the biology and ecology of these fascinating animals. Participants will observe various migration schedules and the relative abundance of these birds. Each week we will focus on several species, discussing their identifying characteristics, behavior, habitat preferences, and range.

Preregistration is not necessary.

Please bring binoculars and a spotting scope if available. Meet at Joppa Flats Education Center.

IBA

Seabird CruisesMondays / 9:00 am-3:00 pm July 25, August 15, or September 19Open to adults and families with children ages 4 and upLeader: Dave Larson, Joppa Flats Science and Education CoordinatorCosponsor: Newburyport Whale Watchper session $65 member or nonmemberchildren per session $30 member or nonmember

This program focuses on seabirds, including storm-petrels, shearwaters, gannets, jaegers, terns, gulls, and phalaropes. Onboard the Captain’s Lady III, we will visit Jeffreys Ledge or Stellwagen Bank to find the best seabirds around. Dave Larson from Joppa Flats will spot and narrate sightings.

Seniors receive a $7 discount. Children ages 4 to 12 are eligible for the childrens’ rate. To register for these marine birding trips, please call the Newburyport Whale Watch at 1-800-848-1111.

Meet on the Newburyport waterfront boardwalk. Wear rubber-soled shoes, a hat, and sunglasses. Bring warm clothing, sunscreen, and your camera. The Captain’s Lady III has a well-stocked galley. No alcohol may be brought onboard.

An Evening with the Egrets of Plum Island Thursday, August 25 / 4:00-8:00 pmLeader: David Moon, Joppa Flats Sanctuary Director$24 member, $28 nonmember

During their postbreeding dispersal, thousands of egrets and herons move into the Plum Island estuary. By day, these waders feed in the salt marshes and on the mudflats. In the early evening, the herons and egrets join together in a communal roost. The roost can contain several thousand birds including great and snowy egrets; great blue, little blue, and tricolored herons; black-crowned night-herons; and glossy ibises.

Join us for an evening birding trip to the Newburyport/Plum Island area. We will begin our program by visiting a number of very productive areas to observe migrating shorebirds including Hudsonian godwits, white-rumped and stilt sandpipers, semipalmated and black-bellied plovers, dowitchers, and many others.

We will then drive onto the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, eat our picnic dinners, and observe the evening flight of egrets and herons. The birds flying through a setting sun is a spectacular sight!

Meet at Joppa Flats Education Center. Please wear sturdy shoes and bring binoculars and a picnic dinner.


adult

JO

PP

A F

LA

TS

IBA

b i r d sBirder’s Certificate Program First of 11 Monthly Sessions:Saturday, August 13 / 9:00 am-5:00 pmLeaders: Bill Gette, former Joppa Flats Sanctuary Director; Dave Larson, Joppa Flats Science and Education Coordinator; Chris Leahy, Mass Audubon Bertrand Chair of Natural History and Field Ornithology; Wayne Petersen, Mass Audubon Director of Important Bird Areas Program; Scott Santino, Ipswich River Teacher-Naturalist, BCP; and Joan Walsh, Mass Audubon Director of Bird Monitoring$1,200 member, $1,300 nonmember

The Birder’s Certificate Program (BCP), offered annually by Mass Audubon since 2004, is a key component in our ongoing efforts to provide the finest educational programs that inform and excite the public about the nature of Massachusetts.

Mass Audubon staff developed the cer tif icate program in collaboration with college faculty, experienced birders, and professional ornithologists. The program is equivalent to an undergraduate- level ornithology course, with the addition of extensive field time and the opportunity for self-directed study.

The program covers a wide range of subject matter, including avian systematics, biology, physiology, behavior, ecology, biogeography, and conservation. Eleven modules will combine classroom and field experience, and student comprehension will be evaluated through homework assignments. A twelfth module involves independent study. The program can be completed within one calendar year. Students who successfully complete the program will receive a certificate of achievement and a BCP binocular harness.

For more information, please go to http://www.massaudubon.org/birderscertificate.

Meet at Joppa Flats Education Center

IBA

Shorebirds of Joppa Flats Workshop Friday, August 26 / 7:00-9:00 pm and Saturday, August 27 / 6:00 am-4:00 pmLeaders: 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 many of the migrating shorebirds that visit our tidal flats, beaches, salt marshes, and other wetlands at this time of year. During the workshop, Dave and Dave will use a lecture and a field trip to inform participants about the various species of shorebirds, including plovers and sandpipers as well as some of their predators. Discussion topics will include physical adaptations (including the use of study skins), aids to field identification, migration patterns and timing, age distribution, nesting and foraging behaviors, and conservation issues that impact these marvelous and diverse birds.

The workshop begins with an evening lecture on Friday. An all-day field trip on Saturday covers many of the premier shorebirding locations in Essex County. We will explore the salt marshes, beaches, and mudflats of Plum Island and the Merrimack River estuary. Target species include local breeders such as the willet, killdeer, and piping plover as well as migrants such as least, semipalmated, white-rumped, stilt, and other sandpipers, and semipalmated and black-bellied plovers. We will tease out dowitchers and look for grassland specialists such as whimbrels and buff-breasted sandpipers. As we bird Plum Island and the other venues, we’ll have an excellent chance of seeing a wide variety of species, plumages, and ages.

Your registration fee includes instructional materials, transportation during field exercises, and a picnic breakfast. 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.

Introduction to Birdwatching Sunday, September 4 / 9:00 am-3:00 pmLeaders: Ann Gurka and Alison O’Hare, 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 to 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 through the identification of a variety of species.

Meet at Joppa Flats Education Center. Please bring binoculars and a field guide, dress for the weather, and bring lunch and snacks.

JO

PP

A F

LA

TS


IBA

adult

IBA b i r d sFriday Morning Bird Walks: Fall Migrants Fridays in September / 8:00-11:00 amLeader: Dave Williams, BCPper 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 birds migrating through our area, including warblers, shorebirds, raptors, and other exciting migrants.

Meet at the Joppa Flats Education Center. Please bring binoculars and a field guide. Preregistration is not required

IBA

Bird Banding Workshop Thursday, September 22 / 7:00-9:00 pm and Saturday, September 24 / 7:30 am-noonLeader: 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. Information collected at 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.

This course is required of all bird banding station volunteers.

Meet at Joppa Flats Education Center for both sessions. For the lecture (9/22), please bring your field guide. For the field trip (9/24), 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.

Plum Island COASTSWEEPSaturday, September 24 / 9:00 am-5:00 pmLeaders: Dave Larson, Joppa Flats Science and Education Coordinator, and David Moon, Joppa Flats Sanctuary DirectorCosponsor: Parker River National Wildlife RefugeThis is a free event!

COASTSWEEP is the annual statewide cleanup of Massachusetts coastal and riverine environments. Over more than 20 years, COASTSWEEP has engaged thousands of volunteers in cleaning hundreds of miles of shoreline and riverbanks. Our COASTSWEEP project will involve removing trash and debris from the beaches on Plum Island, including the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, Sandy Point State Reservation, and the north end of the island. In the past nine years, we have collected over 15 tons of debris!

This event is free, and everyone is welcome. Rain or shine. Give us a hand and help protect the nature of Massachusetts!

Meet at Parking Lot #1 on the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge on Plum Island, Newbury.

Bird Photography WorkshopSunday, September 25 / 2:00-4:30 pmLeader: Eduardo del Solar, Photographer$60 member, $70 nonmember

This workshop aims to develop skills and strategies to improve your bird photographs. Technical, artistic, and practical topics covered in this workshop include: equipment and associated accessories needed for static photography and shooting birds in flight; light, exposure, and composition techniques; the digital darkroom; where to go and how to approach birds; and ethical issues associated with nature photography.

Types of bird photography covered include: bird on a stick; bird only; environmental photography; behavioral topics including breeding, feeding, migration, and displaying; birds in flight; outdoor studio photography vs nature or “natural” photography; realism or documentary vs expressionistic/artistic photography; and captives.

Strategies for improving your skills will be covered in some detail. A minimum of 7 participants is required for this program.

Eduardo del Solar is a master nature photographer as well as a retired schoolteacher who has exhibited widely. He has designed this workshop to be accessible to all levels of bird photographers. A graduate of the Birder’s Certificate Program, Eduardo is now in the eighth year of his ongoing project to photograph the birds of the Americas.



adult

JO

PP

A F

LA

TS

IBA

Bio-Blitz Free-for-All!Sunday, May 29 / 10:00 am-3:00 pmThis is a free program!

Connecting with nature starts with developing a good sense of place, and a great place to start is right here at Joppa Flats. This full-day family event will feature an exciting mixture of indoor and outdoor activities that encourage children and adults to learn more about the biodiversity of all the animals, plants, and insects that frequent our butterfly garden, salt marsh, and backyard!

Meet at Joppa Flats Education Center. This program is open to all ages. Children must be accompanied by adults. This is a rain-or-shine event. There will be half-hour family presentations at 11:00 am and 1:00 pm.

Imagine, Sing, & Learn at JoppaOpen to families with children ages 3 to 6Leader: Lisa Hutchings, Joppa Flats School and Youth Education Coordinatorper session $6 member, $8 nonmemberchildren $5 member, $7 nonmember

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!

A portion of the program will take place outdoors. Please wear close-toed shoes and protect yourselves with sunblock and insect repellent.

Hermits, Sea Stars, & Snails

Thursday, June 16 / 1:00-2:30 pm, or Friday, June 17 / 10:00-11:30 am

Frogs, Turtles, & Water Bugs

Thursday, July 21 / 1:00-2:30 pm, or Friday, July 22 / 10:00-11:30 am

Moths, Caterpillars, & Butterflies

Thursday, August 4 / 1:00-2:30 pm, or Friday, August 5 / 10:00-11:30 am


children,families & ALL AGES

Mother’s Day at the Bird Banding StationOpen to families with children ages 6 and upSaturday, May 8 / 9:30-11:30 amLeaders: Ben Flemer, Banding Station Manager, and Lynette Leka, Naturalist$8 member, $10 nonmemberchildren $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.


Family Wildlife WalksOpen to families with children ages 6 and upSundays / times varyLeader: Lisa Hutchings, Joppa Flats School and Youth Education CoordinatorFee per session unless otherwise noted$9 member, $11 nonmemberchildren $6 member, $8 nonmember

Did you know that our seafood does not begin its life in the sea? Have you ever wondered what makes the round hole in seashells on the beach? When was the last time you looked for horseshoe crabs? Now is your chance for your family to learn together about the wonders of nature. Our programs will focus on conservation updates, animal and plant interrelationships, changing environmental conditions, and an appreciation for the beauty and diversity of our surroundings. Each experience will leave you excited for the next one!

Please dress for the weather with clothes and shoes that can get wet and muddy. Children must be accompanied by adults. Not recommended for siblings under 6. In the event of inclement weather, this program will be rescheduled.

Hardshell and Softshell Biology

May 22 / 4:00-6:30 pm

Meet at Joppa Flats Education Center. Optional group dinner at The American Barbecue in Rowley.

Best Time of Day Tide Pooling

June 5 / 4:30-7:00 pm

Meet at Sandy Point State Reservation upper lot. If you’re staying for the optional group picnic on the beach at Sandy Point State Reservation, bring all picnic paraphernalia.

JO

PP

A F

LA

TS

children, families & all ages


Family Ecology Cruises aboard the Yankee ClipperOpen to families with children ages 3 and upLeader: Lisa Hutchings, Joppa Flats School and Youth Education Coordinatorper session $24 member, $32 nonmemberchildren $18 member, $22 nonmember

Join Lisa Hutchings and the crew of the Yankee Clipper for anexciting exploration of the lower Merrimack River ecosystem. Each month will feature a specific theme with hands-on science, interactive props, and seasonal wildlife. We’ll also look for seabirds, seals, and waterfowl on every trip. Your family will have a wonderful time cruising and learning about this vital part of the area’s natural history.

The Yankee Clipper is US Coast Guard inspected and licensed and has life jackets and a marine toilet for your convenience.

All children must be accompanied by adults. The deadline for preregistering for this program is 4:00 pm on the day before the program. We will run this program in all weather except thunderstorms or small craft advisories. If we cancel the program, we will issue full refunds or program credits.

Sunday, June 19 / 8:45-10:45 am: Father’s Day Cruise

Saturday, July 9 / 8:45-10:45 am: Birds of the Shore Cruise

Friday, July 29 / 11:00 am-1:00 pm: River Meets the Sea Cruise

Sunday, August 7 / 8:45-10:45 am: Harbor Seal Cruise

Meet at the Newburyport boardwalk 15 minutes before departure time. Bring extra clothing and binoculars.

See, Think, and Wonder WalkaboutsOpen to families with children ages 3 to 6Thursdays / 2:00-3:30 pmLeader: Lisa Hutchings, Joppa Flats School and Youth Education Coordinatorper session $6 member, $8 nonmemberchildren $5 member, $7 nonmember

In every kind of weather, our favorite thing is to head outdoors to our spectacular local habitats! Each nature exploration will focus on the importance of a sense of place as we explore the ecology, sights, and sounds of our natural landscape. Wildlife, local and migrating birds, collecting techniques, and environmental awareness will be presented in a fun, energetic format that adults and children alike will enjoy.

Not recommended for children under 3.

June 23: Salt Marsh Scavenger Hunt at Joppa Flats

July 14: Riverside Yard Bug Hunt at Joppa Flats

August 11: Pond Detectives at Mill PondMeet at the Mill Pond Recreation Area in West Newbury.

Meet at Joppa Flats Education Center unless otherwise noted. Please dress for the weather. In the event of cold, heavy rain or the threat of thunderstorms, this event will be postponed.

Butterflies and Bugs Free-for-AllSunday, July 24 / 10:00 am-3:00 pmThis is a free program!

Every year, Joppa Flats raises caterpillars, and midsummer is the best time to watch the butterfly and moth life cycle in action! Come see such winged wonders as American ladies, swallowtails, monarchs, skippers, and more. At Joppa Flats, you’ll learn about environmentally friendly lawn maintenance, how to attract birds and wildlife to your yard, and smart practices for the home and garden. Enjoy a guided nature walk on the grounds, play a few rounds of the Monarch Migration Game, and take home a fun craft or two.

Meet at Joppa Flats Education Center. This program is open to all ages. Children must be accompanied by adults. This is a rain-or-shine event. There will be half-hour family presentations at 11:00 am and 1:00 pm.

children, families & all ages

JO

PP

A F

LA

TS


MEET BEACH CREATURESis back at Joppa!

Trouble-free Tide Pooling with our 110-gallon tide pool touch tank

Drop in BEFORE the beach, AFTER the beach, or INSTEAD of the beach!

LIVE ANIMALS – CRAFTS – GAMES – DAILY THEMES

HALF-HOUR FAMILY PRESENTATIONS at 11:00 am and 1:00 pm

THURSDAYS-SUNDAYS9:00 am-3:00 pm

June 30 through August 14

$2 suggested donation per child. No individual preregistration required.

Groups of 10 or more, please call ahead: 978-462-9998.

Seabird CruisesOpen to adults and families with children ages 4 and upMondays / 9:00 am-3:00 pm July 25, August 15, & September 19

Marine birding trip onboard the Captain’s Lady IIILeader: Dave Larson, Joppa Flats Science and Education Coordinator

See page 23.

Joppa Flats Summer CampOpen to children ages 6 to 13Mondays-Fridays Camp Director: Kirsten Lindquist, Joppa Flats Teacher-Naturalist

Joppa Flats Summer Camp is the perfect program for children with an interest in and curiosity about nature. Campers have fun and make friends as they discover North Shore habitats through hands-on activities, such as tide pooling, wildlife tracking, orienteering, nature ar t, and eco-engineering challenges. Weekly f ield trips provide full ecosystem immersion, and small group sizes ensure a welcoming, supportive environment.

Nature Questers, our NEW day camp for ages 11 to 13, brings preteen campers farther outdoors with daily field trips, field ecology projects, paddling trips, and an overnight at Joppa Flats.

We offer an after-camp option until 5:00 pm every week. Registration deadline for all sessions: May 15. For details, go to www.massaudubon.org/joppaflatscamp.

Session 1: It’s a Bugs Bonanza!For ages 6 to 11 / June 27-July 1 / 8:30 am-3:00 pm$335 member, $400 nonmemberRoll over logs to find what’s alive under the leaf litter, and sweep a net through meadow grass in search of dragonflies, butterflies, and spiders.

Session 2: Flukes and Fins, Scales and ShellsFor ages 6 to 11 / July 5-8 (no camp on July 4)$310 member, $375 nonmemberLearn about the diverse wildlife of the ocean and shore, including whales, sharks, tide pool creatures, fish, and more. We’ll search for marine mammals on an all-day whale watch cruise!

Session 3: Ponding for Pollywogs and MoreFor ages 6 to 11 / July 11-15 / 8:30 am-3:00 pm$325 member, $390 nonmemberGet your feet wet in search of aquatic wildlife! With nets and microscopes in tow, we’ll visit local ponds and vernal pools teeming with frogs, pollywogs, dragonfly nymphs, and more.

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 cakeAll tableware (cloths, napkins, plates, utensils)

Party decorations and bannersTake-home art projects for each child

Customized goodie bag and birthday bannerfor the birthday child

Birthday Parties at Joppa Flats

for Mass Audubon Members

For children turning 3 to 5:Limited to 12 children with one parent chaperone per child.

For children turning 6 to 12:The base cost covers up to 12 children.

Additional children are $15 each, with a maximumof 18 children. Please plan on one parent chaperone

per every five children.

Choose Your Theme!For ages 3 to 6: Beach Creatures, Backyard Birds

Eagles & Owls, Ocean Animals, Butterflies, Polar Pals, Paws & Claws, Mini-Ponding

For ages 7 to 10: Themes listed above plusEndangered Animals, Ocean Zones, Ocean Science

Backyard-ology, Birding Blitz Please reserve two months in advance. Email Lisa Hutchings at [email protected] to book your party today!

children, families & all ages /educators

Session 4: Forest DetectivesFor ages 6 to 11 / July 18-22 / 8:30 am-3:00 pm$325 member, $390 nonmemberCome explore the forest from treetop to leaf litter and from roly-polies to raptors. We’ll use binoculars, microscopes, and more to investigate what’s happening in our local woods.

Session 5: Up the River, Down the RiverFor ages 6 to 11 / July 25-29 / 8:30 am-3:00 pm$365 member, $430 nonmemberExplore the Merrimack and Ipswich Rivers by foot and by boat! We’ll discover aquatic wildlife of all kinds, learn how rivers work, and uncover how our history is tied to our waterways.

Session 6: Take Flight!For ages 6 to 11 / August 1-5 / 8:30 am-3:00 pm$340 member, $405 nonmemberTrack down all kinds of wild things with wings! We’ll grab our binoculars to seek out birds of all shapes and sizes, and take our nets to the field in search of flying insects.

Session 7: Through the Mud and to the RiverFor ages 6 to 11 / August 8-12 / 8:30 am-3:00 pm$345 member, $410 nonmemberCome spy the egrets, hawks, and herons of the Great Marsh, and dig around in the marsh mud for coffee-bean snails and scud. We’ll also explore the Essex River by pontoon boat.

Session 8: Hoist the Sails and Comb the ShoreFor ages 6 to 11 / August 15-19 / 8:30 am-3:00 pm$345 member, $410 nonmemberCome learn how the sea sustains us and how we can protect it! Explore tide pools, climb aboard a lobstering cruise, and discover how ships were built right here on the North Shore.

Session 9: Nature QuestersFor ages 11 to 13 / August 22-26 / 8:30 am-3:30 pm$390 member, $455 nonmemberGet into nature and outdoor adventure this summer with our traveling crew! We’ll explore eco-destinations near and beyond Joppa Flats, paddle kayaks, and tent for an overnight at Joppa Flats.


JO

PP

A F

LA

TS

Tr

ip

s &

To

ur

s

3 0 w w w. m a s s a u d u b o n . o r g

Birding the Connecticut Lakes, New HampshireFriday, June 3-Sunday, June 5 / 3 daysLeader: Dave Larson, Joppa Flats Science and Education Coordinator, and Nancy Soulette, BCPContact: Joppa Flats Education Center 978-462-9998$650 member, $750 nonmemberNonrefundable deposit: $200

During this exciting weekend program, we will explore the Connecticut Lakes region of northern New Hampshire, an area rich in wildlife and magnificent scenery. Over our fourteen 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.

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 3. 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.

T r i p s a n d T o u r s

2 0 1 6 - 2 0 1 7

Machias Seal Island and Eastern Maine Saturday, June 18-Monday, June 20 / 3 daysLeaders: Dave Larson, Joppa Flats Science and Education Coordinator, and David Moon, Joppa Flats Sanctuary DirectorContact: Joppa Flats Education Center 978-462-9998$595 member, $695 nonmemberNonrefundable 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 18. 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

trips & tours 31

tr

ip

s &

to

ur

s

Puffins and PeatlandsThursday, July 7-Sunday, July 10 / 4 daysLeaders: Scott Santino, Ipswich River Teacher-Naturalist, and Susan MacCallum, South Shore Sanctuaries DirectorCosponsor: South Shore Sanctuaries$680 member, $740 nonmemberNonrefundable deposit: $125

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 Down East Maine, 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.

Please Note: This trip is currently filled. Please call our office if you would like to be wait-listed in the event of a cancellation.

Monhegan Island WeekendFriday, September 16-Sunday, September 18 3 daysLeaders: Carol Decker, Ipswich River Sanctuary Director, and Scott Santino, Ipswich River Teacher-NaturalistContact: Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary 978-887-9264$515 member, $585 nonmemberNonrefundable 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 [email protected]. 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

Tr

ip

s &

To

ur

s


Block Island Birding WeekendFriday, September 23-Sunday, September 25 3 daysLeaders: Carol Decker, Ipswich River Sanctuary Director, and Susan MacCallum, South Shore Sanctuaries DirectorCosponsor: South Shore Sanctuaries$545 member, $615 nonmemberNonrefundable deposit: $75

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; 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 [email protected]. 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.

Texas to New Mexico: Bosque del Apache and the Rio Grande CorridorTuesday, January 10-Monday, January 16, 2017 7 daysLeaders: David Moon, Joppa Flats Sanctuary Director; Bill Gette, former Joppa Flats Sanctuary Director; and Alison O’Hare, BCP $1,295 member, $1,395 nonmemberNonrefundable deposit: $400

The Rio Grande Valley in New Mexico is a fabulous destination for viewing birds in the winter. At Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge and other wetlands, we should see tens of thousands of cranes, ducks, and geese. In the thickets and grasslands, we will find a wonderful diversity of passerines, especially sparrows.

We will follow the river valley from El Paso, Texas, to Albuquerque, New Mexico, birding mountain, riparian, desert, grassland, and aquatic habitats. The generally mild winter weather and the fantastic birds will make this trip one to remember. We could see over 130 species of birds including the Ross’s goose, Clark’s grebe, sandhill crane, juniper titmouse, crissal thrasher, black-tailed gnatcatcher, black-throated sparrow, burrowing owl, pyrrhuloxia, red-naped sapsucker, mountain chickadee, and golden and bald eagles. We also have a good chance of seeing black, brown-capped, and gray-crowned rosy-finches.

The additional fee for a single-room supplement is $400. Please call for a detailed brochure describing this exciting winter expedition.

Final payment is due December 10. 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. Note: Please do not make your flight arrangements until you have checked with the trip leaders.

Trips & Tours

tr

ip

s &

to

ur

s

trips & tours 33

Northern Minnesota: Boreal Birding Wednesday, March 1-Sunday, March 5, 2017 5 daysLeaders: Dave Larson, Joppa Flats Science and Education Coordinator, and Dave Weaver, BCP$995 member, $1,095 nonmemberNonrefundable deposit: $300

Join us as we venture for th 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 chickadee, grosbeaks, and hawks; spruce, ruffed, and sharp-tailed grouse; as well as possible moose, gray fox, 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 February 1. 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. Note: Please do not make your flight arrangements until you have checked with the trip leaders.

Mark Your Calendars!

Birding Northern CaliforniaMay 3-10, 2017 Leaders: Susan MacCallum, South Shore Sanctuaries Director, and Scott Santino, Ipswich River Teacher-NaturalistA detailed itinerary and pricing will be available soon for this exciting trip from Point Reyes to Monterey Bay, including a pelagic outing to search for shearwaters and more. Please contact the Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary if you are interested in more information: 978-887-9264 or [email protected].

Trinidad Birding with Scott SantinoSaturday, March 25-Saturday, April 1, 2017 8 daysOptional Tobago Extension: Saturday, April 1-Tuesday, April 4, 2017Leader: Scott Santino, Ipswich River Teacher-NaturalistContact: Natural History Travel Office, 800-289-9504Fee: TBA

In all the lush Caribbean, there is no place more popular for birders than the exquisite, mountainous two-island nation of Trinidad and Tobago. Here there is easy access to an extraordinary diversity of the world’s most stunningly beautiful birds, including scarlet ibises, rufous-tailed jacamars, white-tailed tropicbirds, and over 40 different kinds of hummingbirds. There are over 430 bird species here, many of them South American since the islands are as close as 7 miles from Venezuela. We will stay at the world-famous Asa Wright Nature Centre, a charming lodge located in a 2,000-acre tract of rainforest high in the Arima Valley of the island’s Northern Range. Visitors usually see more than 40 species of birds before breakfast. In contrast, Tobago’s avifauna is more Caribbean in its makeup, and here we will stay at the charming Blue Waters Inn. A comfortable and relaxing birding trip, this tour is a long-standing favorite for those who are new to tropical birding.

Registration is through Mass Audubon’s Natural History Travel Office. For more information go to massaudubon.org/travel or call 800-289-9504.

Trips & Tours


Tr

ip

s &

To

ur

s

Natural History Travel800-289-9504

For more information and a complete list of our International Tours

visit www.massaudubon.org/travel or call 800-289-9504.

Spitsbergen Arctic Wildlife Cruise with Dave Larson / July 8-18

(limited space available)

Birding in Chile with Wayne Petersen / October 27-November 7

(new lower price)

New Zealand: Birding in Middle Earth with Chris Leahy / November 2-19

(limited space available)

Uganda: Birding and Primate Safari with Chris Leahy

January 27-February 11, 2017

Kenya & Tanzania: Birding and Big Game SafariFebruary 28-March 14, 2017

Trinidad Birding with Scott Santino / March 25-April 1, 2017

And many more:

Cuba / Colombia / Belize

Amazon Riverboat Cruise in Peru

General Information

Ipswich River Wildlife SanctuaryOne of Mass Audubon’s largest sanctuaries, Ipswich Riveroffers nearly 2,000 acres of land and more than twelve milesof 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 isconveniently 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.

Address87 Perkins Row, Topsfield, MA 01983 978-887-9264 Office / 978-887-0875 Fax [email protected]

Office/Gift Shop/Trail HoursOffice 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; andNovember 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 [email protected].

For information about Rough Meadows Wildlife Sanctuary, please contact Joppa Flats Education Center at 978-462-9998 or [email protected].

Joppa Flats Education Center and Wildlife SanctuaryThe 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.

AddressP.O. Box 1558 / One Plum Island TurnpikeNewburyport, MA 01950978-462-9998 Office / 978-462-4143 Fax [email protected]

Education Center/Grounds HoursEducation Center: Tuesday through Sunday and Monday holidays, 8:30 am to 4:00 pm. Grounds: Open daily, dawn to dusk.

AdmissionSuggested donation: $2 for nonmembers

Endicott Wildlife SanctuaryThis sanctuary comprises over 43 acres of mixed woodland, fields, and wetlands, and a new walking trail is now open. Endicott offers a variety of volunteer opportunities and internships in education and ecological management.

There are 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. For more information about our school programs go to massaudubon.org/endicott-school.

The Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary Nature Preschool is located here. It offers programs for 3- to 5-year olds in nature-based emergent curriculum, creative classrooms, outdoor play areas, and gardens.

Address346 Grapevine Road, Wenham, MA 01984 978-927-1122 Office [email protected]

Ipswich River Nature Preschool Office: 978-237-0108 [email protected]

N o r t h S h o r e E d u c a t i o n C e n t e r s

general information 35

Registration 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.

Four Easy Ways to Register! We accept MasterCard, VISA, and Discover

•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), and you will instantly know if a program is full or has a wait-list. Visit our program catalog online: 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 LocationsMeeting locations are listed with the program descriptions in this brochure.

Filled Programs/Wait-Lists 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.

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 PolicyTo 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 approximate-ly three weeks for processing.

Inclement WeatherMost 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 FormsFor Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary 87 Perkins Row Topsfield, MA 01983 978-887-9264 Office

For Joppa Flats Education CenterP.O. Box 1558Newburyport, MA 01950 978-462-9998 Office

R e g i s t r a t 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


R e g i s t r a t i o n F o r m

Important Note: Registration isprocessed through the sanctuary offering the program. Therefore, please submit a separate registration form for each individual sanctuary. We recommend that you photocopy this form prior to completing it. Download additional copies: www.massaudubon.org/registrationform

Individual’s Information

Circle One: Dr. / Mr. / Ms. / Mrs. / Miss

Adult Name/Contact Name

Address

City State Zip

Phone (Day) Phone (Evening)

E-mail 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

Individual ($48) Family ($65) Supporter ($70) Family Plus ($80) Sponsor ($250)

Session Information Participant’s Child’s Program/ Date(s) Full Name Date of Session Session Name & Time (Adult or Child) Birth & Age Fee

/ /

/ /

/ /

/ /

/ /

/ /Total Program Fee(s)

Membership Fee

Additional Donation

Total Amount Enclosed

Check or Money OrderPlease make all checks and money orders payable to Mass Audubon

MasterCard, Visa, or Discover

Name on Credit Card

Credit Card No.

Exp. Date

Signature

Where to Send Registration Form Please send registration/payment to:

For Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary87 Perkins Row, Topsfield, MA 01983 Office: 978-887-9264

For Joppa Flats Education CenterP.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.

explore the outdoors at joppa flats summer camp!...bring binoculars and a field guide....

Documents