October 2010
Friday, October 22 & Saturday, October 23 6:00, 6:15, 6:30, 6:45, 7:00, 7:15, & 7:30 pm
It's not too late to register your family or youth group for our annual Halloween event. We still have time slots open on both nights, but this very popular program fills every year, so don't delay - call today: 978-887-9264. Runs rain or shine.
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Fall Birds of Ipswich River Sunday, October 3 / 7:30-10:30 am Join us to look for migrants, early winter arrivals, and lingering summer birds. Confusing fall warblers are still moving through, and the recent storms may turn up some interesting birds.
Edible Wild Mushrooms Workshop with Erika Sonder Sunday, October 3 / 9:30 am-12:30 pm Learn to identify some local edible mushrooms. Erika will even cook up some mushrooms for everyone to taste, so bring your appetite. Don't miss it!
A Morning Paddle on the Ipswich River Saturday, October 9 / 8:00-11:00 am Take a morning canoe trip through the unspoiled habitats of the Ipswich River with Scott Santino and Angela Walsh. There truly is not a better time of year to be out on the river!
Forest Forensics: Reading the Forested Landscape Sunday, October 10 / 9:30 am-1:30 pm Learn to see the landscape with new eyes with ecologist and author, Tom Wessels. A few spaces are still available in the full workshop, or you can sign up for the slide lecture only from 9:30-11:00 am.
Autumn Celestial Highlights Saturday, October 16 / 7:30-9:00 pm For adults, and families with children 8 years and older. Gary Meehan of the North Shore Amateur Astronomy Club will give an indoor presentation highlighting upcoming autumn celestial events, and then we'll go outside to view the night sky through the amazing telescopes of club members (weather permitting).
The Ducks of Bunker Meadows Wednesday, October 20 / 5:30-6:30 pm Sanctuary Director Carol Decker will lead a walk down to the observation tower overlooking Bunker Meadows to witness the amazing nightly migration of thousands of ducks flying into the marsh to spend the night. It's quite a sight to see!
Sunday Driver's Glacial Geology Saturday, October 30 / 9:00 am-noon Join Scott Santino for this easy-paced program as we learn about glacial land forms and take a walk on the sanctuary to view examples of a drumlin, esker, and moraine firsthand.
More adult programs >
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Nature Tales - Family Nature Adventures with Literature: Wonderful Wetlands Saturday, October 16 / 10:00-11:30 am For families with children ages 3 to 6. Join us for a story, and then, with buckets and strainers in hand, we will explore wetland habitats above and below the water.
Sense of Wonder Walk: Food Webs of the Pond Sunday, October 17 / 1:00-2:30 pm For families with children 3 years and older. Come explore Waterfowl Pond and get a close-up look at the creatures who call this beaver pond their home.
The Art of Nature: Leaves, Berries, and Nuts Saturday, October 30 / 1:00-3:00 pm For families with children ages 6 to 12. Join watercolorist Brenda Sloane for this class that combines nature and art.
More family programs >
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Hamilton-Wenham Green Fall Film Series - SUSTAINABLE WATERS
FREE Fun and Informative Films for Families on Saturday Afternoons
October 2, November 6, December 4 / 1:30-3:00 pm Hamilton-Wenham Library Saturday, October 2: Marion Stoddart: The Work of 1000
Come to the Hamilton-Wenham Library this Saturday to enjoy the first film of this fall series, The Work of 1000.
After the film, Andrew Prazar, our new education coordinator, will lead a discussion about the Ipswich River and show us how big (human) and little (macro-invertebrate) creatures play critical roles in the river's ecosystem. Join us! For more information, visit the Hamilton-Wenham Green Web site.
Ipswich River Events for November & December
It's not too early to sign up for our special events coming up in November and December. Some time slots fill quickly, and you do not want to miss out on the fun!
Big Woods Hike Sunday, November 21
Winter Solstice Lantern Walk Saturday, December 18 or Sunday, December 19
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Travel with Ipswich River |
We have many exciting trips coming up. Complete descriptions are on our web site. Contact our office to request itineraries or more information.
- Finger Lakes, Waterfalls, & Wineries: November 4-7
- Nantucket Island Weekend: January 14-16, 2011
- Galapagos Islands Exploration: April 1-10, 2011
- NEW! Colorado - Wild Birds of the Peaks & Prairies of the Rocky Mountain State: April 15-23, 2011
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Deer Exclosures Erected by Boston University Students
photo by Lou Wagner
Our thanks to the freshman group from Boston University, who worked for three days at the end of August to erect our two deer exclosures on the sanctuary. Their purpose is to aid our study of the effects the high population of white-tailed deer at the sanctuary are having on forest ecology.
Mass Wildlife Bands Record Number of Ducks
One night every September, H. Heusmann of Mass Wildlife comes up to Bunker Meadows with his airboat to band ducks. He arrived on Monday, an unseasonably warm, muggy, and drizzly night, and it turned out to be the biggest "catch" he's had in the state so far this season! We thought you might be interested in the numbers of ducks he and his crew captured, banded, and released:
- 36 mallards
- 3 black ducks
- 54 green-winged teals
- 7 blue-winged teals
- 57 wood ducks
- 1 American wigeon
- 2 sora rails
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Discovery Day Success
Hundreds of people turned out on a beautiful fall day for our Discovery Day on September 11. Members from other parts of the state came (as evidenced by the Stony Brook day camp shirt in this photo) while many visitors were nonmembers who had never been here before. Thank you to all our volunteers who contributed to the success of the day, and thanks also to the staff from our headquarters who came out to help. photo by Henrietta Yelle
More Mass Audubon Discovery Days in October >
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Fall Volunteer Opportunities |
For more information on the volunteer opportunities listed below and an application, please email or call Sue Baeslack, our Volunteer Coordinator, at 978-887-9264, ext. 7707.
Halloween Happenings: Friday, October 22 & Saturday, October 23
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Make decorations: Wednesday, October 13, 9:30 am-noon
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Decorate the Barn: Tuesday, October 19, 9:30 am-noon & Friday, October 22, 9:00 am til done! We also need help with outside setup on October 22.
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Pumpkin carving: Friday, October 22, 9:00 am til done (by 4:00 pm at latest).
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Bake cupcakes: We need 24 dozen cupcakes/night.
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Guide groups: Lead family groups on 1-hour hikes to meet our special "animals of the night".
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Characters needed: Contact Sue for a list of this year's characters and more information.
Big Woods Hike: Sunday, November 21
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Make soup or baked goods for us to sell
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Help with food sales in the Barn
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Greet & direct participants in parking lot
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Lead 2-hour hikes for adults & families highlighting the sanctuary's cultural and natural history (requires attendance at training on November 13)
Office Assistant Help out in our friendly, informal, but busy office one or more days per week. Greet and assist visitors, answer and direct calls, and handle gift shop sales, program registrations, and clerical tasks. Training provided. Read full description>
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