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Monarch   June - July 2011

In This Issue
Attracting Butterflies
Where Are We Now?
Summer's Sweetest Bird
Free Discovery Days
Help Our Gardens Grow

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NEWS & NOTES

The Baby Bird Question
'Tis the time of year when baby birds emerge from their nests — sometimes intentionally, other times by accident.

Baby bird

Learn what to do if you come across a baby bird out of its nest >>

Nature Revealed
Every day brings new wonders. What does Mother Nature have in store for us in the coming weeks?

Find out in our outdoor almanac >>


Stay Connected!

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facebook
Twitter
twitter
Blogs
blogs
YouTube
youtube
Flickr
flickr
Foursquare
foursquare

See all of our publications and e-newsletters.


Like Taking Photos?
Our second annual statewide photo contest has begun. We want to see your shots that highlight the beauty of Massachusetts as well as people out  enjoying nature.

Enter your photos today! >>  

Tick Patrol
Spending time in nature has many benefits, but a tick bite (which, in some cases, can lead to Lyme disease) is definitely not one of them. Unfortunately, this season is already shaping up to be a tick-filled one.

Read on to learn more about precautions you can take to reduce your risk >>

Water World
Beat the summer heat and enjoy the outdoors with one of our canoe or kayak programs.

Canoe or Kayak with Mass Audubon

Find out where (and how) to canoe and kayak near you >> 

Volunteer Day Results
On April 30th, we held our annual Work for Wildlife Statewide Volunteer Day. Thanks to an amazing group of more than 700 volunteers across the state, we accomplished in one day what would have taken us months to complete.

Look at just how much we got done and check out the photo slideshow of the day >>


Win a Trip Anywhere!
Enter Allens Pond's 8th Duck Derby, taking place August 20th, and you could win dinner for two anywhere in the world.

Duck Derby

Adopt a duck and enter the race today >>


Last Chance to Save
There are only a couple more weeks to take advantage of our spring new member special. For just $29 (a 50 percent savings!), you can get in to all of our wildlife sanctuaries for free, plus save on programs, special events, and purchases at our shops. Already a member? A Mass Audubon membership makes a great gift!

Take advantage of the special before it expires on June 30 >>

FROM THE PRESIDENT
Happy Campers

Wow, a snapping turtleSummer means many things to many people, but for generations of campers it means exploring nature at one of our many camps. For me, there's nothing more fulfilling than hearing joyful shouts of discovery, which takes me back to a time when I was a camper.

Mass Audubon has 17 wonderful day camps across the state (including the newest one at Joppa Flats Education Center in Newburyport) and Wildwood, our overnight camp in Rindge, New Hampshire. And even though our camps are about to start, it's not too late to register for a session.

— Laura Johnson, Mass Audubon President

Learn more about our camps and sign up for one today >> 
  


PROGRAM NOTES
Top 5 Ways to Attract Butterflies

Butterfly copyright Richard Johnson  
©Richard Johnson  

Sure, butterflies can be found in meadows on summer days, but these exuberant insects can also be seen in your own backyard — if you play your cards right!

What does it take to bring the flutter closer to home? Broad Meadow Brook Wildlife Sanctuary’s Conservation Coordinator Martha Gach shares the top 5 ways to attract butterflies. 

Five ways to attract butterflies to your backyard (and programs and tools to learn more) >>


SNAPSHOT
Where in Mass Audubon Are We Now?

Where Are We?

Congratulations to everyone who guessed that the last photo featured in Explorations was taken at Ashumet Holly Wildlife Sanctuary in East Falmouth. Of all of those with correct guesses, Tom of Coventry, CT, was chosen at random to be the lucky winner of a pocket field guide.

Ready to guess another Mass Audubon wildlife sanctuary?
The sanctuary shown above is near one of the Commonwealth’s mountains and owes its diverse landscape to glacial effects, its history as a working farm, and, most recently, beavers. Longtime visitors may notice that the view from this platform has changed as beavers have occupied and abandoned this wetland.

Email your guess by July 15 and you could win a pocket field guide >>


BIRD BRIEF
Summer's Sweetest Bird

Hummingbird copyright Will Sweet  
A female ruby-throated hummingbird
©Will Sweet
 

Few things are more exciting than watching a hummingbird sipping nectar.

Worldwide, there are many types of hummingbirds, but the ruby-throated is the only one that calls the eastern part of North America home (how's that for an easy-to-ID bird?). And while some bird species are seeing declines in numbers, this tiny gem's numbers are increasing. Pop quiz: How many times per second does a hummingbird beat its wings?

Get the answer, along with other interesting facts (including a simple nectar recipe), and report hummingbird sightings >>


EVENT
Free Discovery Days Are Back!

Looking for a great way to get outside and explore different parts of the state? Come to one of our six free Discovery Days taking place this summer and fall.

On tap: nature walks, animals, crafts, scavenger hunts, and more. The best part? Everyone gets in free, so bring your friends and family!

The first Discovery Day takes place this weekend at North River Wildlife Sanctuary in Marshfield >>


GET INVOLVED
Help Our Gardens Grow

Garden VolunteersSeveral of our wildlife sanctuaries — from Attleboro to the Vineyard — have wonderful gardens that could use a little extra TLC.

While some sites are looking for volunteers with gardening experience, others welcome beginners who are eager to learn more about gardening.

Find out where to volunteer >>


Mass Audubon Mass Audubon
208 South Great Road
Lincoln, MA 01773
781-259-9500
mass_audubon@massaudubon.org


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