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, meeting time TBD.
Charlemont, MA (other details including directions forthcoming).
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. Participants will meet in Charlemont, MA for a guided walk to view colonies of both Barn and Cliff Swallows using ceramic nests. Other details including directions are forthcoming.
Birds of Spring
David Brown
Saturday, May 24, 2025, 9 - 11 am.
Meet at 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 Recreation and Environment Center at 9:00 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.
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.