December - January
 In This Issue
 ♦ Top 5 Ways to Attract Birds
 ♦ Where in Mass Audubon?
 ♦ The Winter Moth
 ♦ Solstice Celebrations
 ♦ Focus on Feeders

Calling All Foodies
Whether it's indulging in s'mores by a fire or tasting homemade stew paired with locally made brew, Mass Audubon wants to keep you full and satisfied this winter.

Find a delicious program near you >>

School Break Blues
Not sure what to do when school goes on break? Our sanctuaries have great programs to keep kids entertained (and they may even learn a thing or two).

Sign up for a school vacation program near you >>

Green Your Commute
Want to save money and protect our planet? Each policy purchased from the Environmental Insurance Agency (EIA) helps support environmental advocacy in New England. Plus, Mass Audubon members save 10%.

Stay Connected!

Check out all our publications and e-newsletters.

We're Growing!  
Great Neck Wildlife Sanctuary in Wareham, our 50th sanctuary prepared for the public to enjoy, opened in November.

Ways to Help
We rely on your support to protect wildlife and wildland in Massachusetts.

Turn Some Pages
What happens when 3 birders compete for the North American birding record? Join us as we find out in The Big Year by Mark Obmascik. Pick up a copy before December 31 at The Audubon Shop in Lincoln and save 20%.

Join the discussion every Friday on Facebook >>

Start the Year Right
What better way to kick off 2011 (or say goodbye to 2010) than with an outdoor adventure!

Find a New Year's program near you >>

Save the Date!
Bald eagle fans take note: the free annual Merrimack River Eagle Festival, held by Mass Audubon's Joppa Flats Education Center and the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, will be held on February 12, 2011.

ECOKIDS
Winter Playground

Just because the temperature is dropping doesn't mean kids need to stay indoors. Winter is a lovely time to get outside and explore all the wonders nature has to offer.

From examining animal tracks in the snow to playing nature Bingo to searching for nests in the trees, this season is full of surprises.

Need a little inspiration? Find self-guided winter activities kids and adults can enjoy >>

PROGRAM NOTES
Top 5 Best Bets for Attracting Birds

Want to see birds without ever having to leave home? Look no further than outside your own window. All you need to attract birds is the right type of bird feeder and food.

And don’t be concerned about creating hardships for birds should you decide to take a hiatus from bird feeding. Bird feeders account for a relatively small percent of a bird’s overall food supply, which is why when traditional food is available (i.e. worms, insects, seeds, berries, etc), they will often opt for that instead.

Five of the most popular types of bird food (and the programs that will teach you more) >>

SNAPSHOT
Where in Mass Audubon Are We Now?

Congratulations to everyone who guessed that the last photo in Explorations was taken at Stony Brook Wildlife Sanctuary in Norfolk. Of all those with correct guesses, Naomi of Belmont was chosen at random to be the lucky winner of a pocket field guide.

Ready to guess another Mass Audubon Sanctuary?
The photo above was taken at one of the few Mass Audubon sanctuaries where members can actually spend the night. You can also explore the giant boulders seen above.

Email us your guess by January 17 and you could win a pocket field guide >>

If you've noticed an increase of small moths fluttering around your house or streetlights, you're not alone.

The invasive winter moth (Operophtera brumata), which shows up late November or December, has taken New England by storm—again.

Learn more about winter moths and what you can (and can't) do about them >>

Photo © Olaf Leillinger, Wikimedia Commons

EVENT
Let the Sun Celebrations Begin

December 21st marks the first day of winter (and the darkest, shortest day of the year). For centuries, cultures have been celebrating this day (also known as the Winter Solstice) by taking part in a wide range of traditions—everything from ringing bells to burning the Yule log.

Here at Mass Audubon, we like to honor this time of year—and welcome longer days to come—with lantern-lit walks, bonfires, hot cider, festive songs, and games.

Bundle up and join us to welcome the Winter Solstice >>

Photo © Sebastien Cote

CITIZEN SCIENCE
On Your Mark, Get Set, Go!

As part of our annual Focus on Feeders event, bird lovers throughout the state keep a close eye on their backyard feeders over the course of 2 days, jotting down the names and numbers of birds that come to visit.

Observations from backyard birdwatchers contribute to a growing database that can provide early warning signs on changes in the abundance of bird species that visit feeders. In fact, feeder watching in Massachusetts has helped document the decline of house finches as a result of conjunctivitis. This year's event takes place February 5–6.

Join our team of enthusiastic birdwatchers. Sign up to get  more details >>