Providing Nesting Opportunities for Swallows:
A Two Part Program
Mara Silver
Part I: Tuesday, April 29 at 5:30 p.m.
Dickinson Library
Part II: Saturday, June 14 in
Charlemont, MA - - See Details below.
Many people live on, or have access to, property with open areas and would like
to provide habitat for swallows but are looking for guidance as to how to do so. This program will start with a presentation on April 29, 2025 at 5:30 PM at the Dickinson Memorial Library, Northfield on the natural history of Cliff and Barn Swallows, the challenges these birds currently face, and how to provide/enhance nesting habitat for them. Free ceramic nests and information will be available for participants, who will have the opportunity to meet with Mara Silver, to describe their properties and get specific recommendations.
The second component of the series will take place on June 14.
Join us for the second part of our two-part series on swallows--a field trip to view two Barn Swallow and Cliff Swallow nesting colonies, one in Shelburne, MA and one in Charlemont, MA. These colonies will be very active in June, and we should have wonderful views of birds foraging for insects and feeding nestlings. Our field trip leader, Mara Silver, will take us on a tour of these nesting sites and discuss the swallows' general natural history and specific nesting requirements. Other birds we may get to see/hear are Bobolinks, Savannah Sparrows, and other birds of open fields. We will meet at 360 Patten Road, Shelburne, MA at 9:00 AM. Please park along the road at the bottom of the driveway and carpool if possible. Sturdy shoes are recommended and don't forget binoculars! After our Shelburne visit we will caravan to Charlemont.
This walk is open to all; you need not have attended Part One of Mara’s Swallow program in April.
Directions to 360 Patten Hill:
Take Rt 2 (Mohawk Trail) west to Shelburne. Just before the white Congregational Church on the right, turn right onto Little Mohawk Road, toward the Shelburne Falls Fire Station. Continue on Mohawk Trail Road for 1.3 miles; turn left onto Patten Road. Continue on Patten Road for 2 miles; 360 is up the hill on the left. Please park along the road and walk up.
Birds of Spring: Program and Walk
David Brown
Saturday, May 24, 2025, 8:00 - 11:00 a.m.
Meet at the Northfield Mountain Recreation and Environmental Center,
99 Millers Falls Road, Northfield, MA
Every spring a massive seasonal movement of birds occurs as winter flocks of seed-eating birds depart for the northern nesting ranges and are replaced by millions of other birds arriving from their winter ranges in Central and South America. This movement peaks during May, providing us with a chance to observe them in their often colorful plumage.
Meet at the Northfield Mountain Recreation and Environment Center at 8:00 a.m. from where we will travel to the First Light picnic area at the end of the road directly across from the entrance road to the center. Bring binoculars and dress for the weather.
The trip is co-sponsored by NMREC and the Northfield Bird Club. It is free and open to the public, and will be led by naturalist David Brown, a lifelong birder. No reservation is required.
Directions to NMREC: From downtown Northfield, drive 6.4 miles south on Millers Falls Road/ Rt. 63, then turn left into the Center.
Hawks!
David Brown
Thursday, September 4, 6-7:30
Northfield Mountain Recreation and Environment Center
99 Millers Falls Road, Northfield, MA
Every fall these secretive birds of prey that inhabit our woodlands but go largely unobserved, are obliged to rise above the treetops and migrate southward, some only a short distance, others to as far away as the Amazon basin. This video-based program will acquaint you with field marks and behavior of a dozen or so species of these fascination birds.
This program is free and open to the public. No reservation is required. The presenter, David Brown, is a lifelong birder with a special interest in raptors.
Directions to NMREC: From downtown Northfield, drive 6.4 miles south on Millers Falls Road/ Rt. 63, then turn left into the Center.