History of Recent Walks and Results
History of Recent Walks and Results
Fall 2024 Bird Migrations
The Fall migration season in Massachusetts begins in late July or early August and continues through November.
More from Cornell Ornithological Lab
See also:
Cornell's Daily Birdcast Migration Forecast
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Fall 2024 Hawk Migration
Tips for Watching Fall Hawk Migrations (David Brown)
See also Audubon's "How to Hawk Watch"
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Spring, 2024
Results of informal walks at Mill Brook in April, 2024 by the club Core Planning Group.
The Birds of Mill Brook, Spring, 2024: Cumulative Results
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Wednesday, May 1, 9-11 a.m. Mill Brook bird walk. Meet in the parking lot behind the Northfield Dickinson library, 115 Main St., Northfield. Results
Saturday, May 4, 9-11 a.m. Bird walk at First Light (Northfield Mountain Recreation Area). Meet in the parking lot at the picnic area on the Connecticut River. From downtown Northfield, drive 6.4 miles south on Millers Falls Road/ Rt. 63, then turn right at the "Riverview Picnic Area" sign across the road from the entrance to Northfield Mountain. Results
Wednesday, May 8, 9-11 a.m. Mill Brook bird walk. CANCELLED (Rain)
Saturday, May 11, 9-11 a.m. Bird walk at Hinsdale Setbacks. In Hinsdale, NH. Corner of Rt 119 & Prospect Street Parking Lot. Just north of the High School on your left if approaching from the south, down the hill, left hand turn. Results
Wednesday, May 15, 9-11 a.m. Mill Brook bird walk. Results
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Thursday, May 16, 6 p.m., "Birds of Our Meadows," presented by ornithologist Mara Silver. This was an indoor program at the Northfield library and was followed by a walk on May 25 -- see below.
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Saturday, May 18, 9-11 a.m. Bird walk at Camp Warwick (the old prison camp no longer in use) and Richards Reservoir, a short walk from the camp. Directions from Northfield: Go to Warwick center via the Warwick Road from the center of Northfield. From Warwick center drive southeast on Athol road for about one and a half miles. Turn left onto Richmond Road. The remnants of the camp are about a mile and a half from that intersection and on the right. There are two white brick gate posts marking the parking area. Results
Wednesday, May 22, 9-11 a.m. Mill Brook bird walk. Results
Saturday, May 25, 9-Noon, Meadow and Nearby Woodland Trail Bird Walk - off Old Wendell Road, Northfield near the Erving town line. Results
Wednesday, May 29, 9-11 a.m. Mill Brook bird walk. Results
Saturday, June 1, 9:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. Birding by canoe at Long Pond, Royalston. Bring your canoe or kayak and meet at the canoe launch on Doane Hill Road in Royalston at 9:00 a.m. The Tully River/Long Pond area is rich in wildlife. Many wetland and bankside birds can be seen from your canoe or kayak, with the added advantage that you don't have to watch your feet all the time. Plan on a full morning of easy paddling as we cruise the shoreline watching for birds, aquatic mammals and their evidence. Bring plenty of water and a snack. Life vests are required.
Directions from Northfield to the Tully River canoe launch: From the center of Northfield drive east up Warwick Road and at the junction with Wendell Road bear left into the village. At the stop sign continue straight onto Athol road and follow for about 8 miles through Tully, past Packard Pond. A little beyond the Orange fire station turn left onto Fryville Road. At the junction with Rte 32 turn left, pass Tully Lake, and then turn right onto Doane Hill Road. Go down the road, past the Tully Lake campground, to the canoe launch at the bottom of the hill just over the river (Fryville Road and Doane Hill road are both signed). Plan to arrive by 9 a.m. Results
Saturday, June 1, 9-noon. Patten Hill, Shelburne Falls and nearby Hall Tavern (hosted by ornithologist Mara Silver). Results
Wednesday, June 5, 9-11 a.m. Mill Brook bird walk. Results
Saturday, June 8, 9-11 a.m. Accessible birding at Alderbrook. This walk is wheelchair accessible. The trail is located at 839 Millers Falls Rd (Route 63), Northfield. The entrance is 1/8th of a mile north of South Mountain Road and just south of Homer Road on the east side of Route 63. Park in the area before the gate. Results
Spring, 2023
Weekday Walks
Weekday walks begin Friday morning April 28, 9-10 a.m. and continue each Friday morning through May 26 on the Mill Brook trails behind the Dickinson Library, 115 Main Street, Northfield. Meet in the parking lot behind the library at 9:00 a.m. each day. Walks will be led by naturalist and Bird Club Member David Brown. Results of 2023 Friday Morning Walks
Full Day Events
Thursday, May 11 - The Birds of Mt. Holyoke. Meet in the Northfield Town Hall parking lot at 8:00 am from which we will carpool or caravan to Mt. Holyoke. For those who wish to go alone, proceed south on Rte. 63 through Millers Falls, which requires a right and a left. Continue on 63 to the cross-over to Rte. 47, which is a short distance past Central St. Montague. Go south on 47 through Sunderland and through the lights at Rte. 9 in Hadley. A short distance past the lights, Rte. 47 turns left and then bears right toward Mt. Holyoke which looms on the left. Watch for a small sign for Skinner State Park. (If you see Barstow's farm restaurant on the left, you have gone too far.) Turn left up the access road and park at the gate. The trip from Northfield should take no more than an hour and a half.
At the gate, we may decide to split up. Some may wish to walk up the road the whole way to the summit. Others may wish to drive up to the half way house or all the way to the dance hall at the top.
Bring water and bug repellant. Carpoolers should have face-masks. We may wish to have lunch at Barstow's after the descent.
Thursday, June 1 - Paddling on Long Pond. Bring your canoe or kayak and meet at the canoe launch on Doane Hill Road in Royalston at 9:00 a.m. The Tully River/Long Pond area is rich in wildlife. Many wetland and bankside birds can be seen from your canoe or kayak, with the added advantage that you don't have to watch your feet all the time. Plan on a full morning of easy paddling as we cruise the shoreline watching for birds, aquatic mammals and their evidence. Bring plenty of water and a snack. Life vests are required.
Directions from Northfield to the Tully River canoe launch: From the center of Northfield drive east up Warwick Road (this road recently reopened following lengthy reconstruction) and at the junction with Wendell Road bear left into the village. At the stop sign continue straight onto Athol road and follow for about 8 miles through Tully, past Packard Pond and a little beyond the Orange fire station turn left onto Fryville Road. At the junction with Rte 32 turn left, pass Tully Lake and then turn right onto Doane Hill Road. Go down the road, past the Tully Lake campground, to the canoe launch at the bottom of the hill just over the river. (Fryville Road and Doane Hill road are both signed.) Plan to arrive by 9 a.m.
Results
Saturday Morning Walks -- All begin at 8:00 a.m.
May 6 - First Light - Meet at the picnic area on the Connecticut River. From downtown Northfield, drive 6.4 miles south on Millers Falls Road/ Rt. 63, then turn right at the "Riverview Picnic Area" sign across the road from the entrance to Northfield Mountain.
Results
May 13 - No club walk today - instead, we suggest you participate in the King Philip's Hill Walk, part of the Northfield 350th Commemoration schedule of events occurring throughout 2023.
May 20 - Hinsdale Setbacks - In Hinsdale, NH. Corner of Rt 119 & Prospect Street Parking Lot. Just north of the High School on your left if approaching from the south, down the hill, left hand turn. Results
May 27 - Camp Warwick (the old Prison camp). Directions from Northfield. Go to Warwick center (the Warwick Road from the center of Northfield recently reopened following lengthy reconstruction). From Warwick center drive southeast on Athol road for about one and a half miles. Turn left onto Richmond Rd. The remnants of the camp are about a mile and a half from that intersection and on the right. There is a white brick post marking the parking area.
Results
Fall, 2022
SATURDAY, 9/3; 8:00 a.m. - Bennett Meadow Wildlife Preserve - Heading west on Rt. 10 across the Connecticut River from Northfield, the entrance to Bennett Meadow is on the left after you cross the bridge. Results
TUESDAY, 9/6: 4:30 p.m.- Mill Brook RAINED OUT - Park behind the Dickinson Library, 115 Main Street, Northfield. Late comers may park at the elbow of Dickinson St. east of the library.
SATURDAY, 9/10; 8:30 a.m. - First Light - Meet at the picnic area. First Light's picnic area is on the Connecticut River. From downtown Northfield, drive 6.4 miles south on Millers Falls Road/ Rt. 63, then turn right at the "Riverview Picnic Area" sign across the road from the entrance to "Northfield Mountain." Results
TUESDAY, 9/13: 4:30 p.m. - Mill Brook RAINED OUT -- Park behind the Dickinson Library, 115 Main Street, Northfield. Late comers may park at the elbow of Dickinson St. east of the library.
SATURDAY, 9/17: 8:30 a.m. - Northfield Center Cemetery. From the main intersection in the middle of Northfield, turn west at the Unitarian Church onto Parker Avenue, head down the hill and park before crossing the RR tracks. Results
THE FOLLOWING SELF-GUIDED WALKS ARE RECOMMENDED THIS FALL
Hinsdale Setbacks - Hinsdale, NH. Corner of Rt 119 & Prospect Street Parking Lot. Just north of the High School on your left if approaching from the south, down the hill, left hand turn.
Blake Town Forest, Gill. From Northfield, drive West on Rt. 10 and turn left onto Turners Falls Road. Just before the now defunct Oak Ridge Golf Course, turn right onto Hoe Shop Road and drive 1/4 mile to the parking lot and kiosk on your right. From the West (Bernardston and Rt. I91) head East on Rt. 10 and turn right onto Merrifield Rd . Proceed until Merrifield Rd. comes to a T. Turn right and pretty quickly just before the Fall River bridge turn left onto Hoe Shop Rd. Follow Hoe Shop Rd. for 1/4 mile to the parking lot and kiosk on your left.
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Spring 2022
Every Tuesday at 4:30 p.m. through May
Beginning April 19 and running through May, local Naturalist and Bird Club member David Brown will lead walks in the Mill Brook area of Northfield. Meet in the parking lot behind the Dickinson Memorial Library, 115 Main Street, Northfield. These are short walks and appropriate for all ages and skills.
4/19 Results; 4/26 Walk was rained out; 5/3 Results; 5/10 Results; 5/17 Results; 5/24 Results; 5/31 Results
Saturdays at 8:30 a.m.
April 23, 8:30 a.m. - The swamp between Pine Street and Glenwood Avenue, Northfield. Meet at 12 Glenwood Avenue . We will walk east from there 100 yards or so to reach the swamp. At some point we may walk a half mile north along Highland Avenue, turn right on Pine Street, and walk a very short distance to reach another section of the swamp where there is good birding. This walk is appropriate for all skill levels and ages. Parking is available at 12 Glenwood Avenue. Alternatively, park along Highland Avenue or at 60 Highland Avenue and walk south the short distance to Glenwood Avenue. Results
April 30, 8:30 a.m. - Satan's Kingdom: From Northfield, drive west on Route 10 over the Connecticut River about 1.3 miles. Turn right (North) on Route 142 (Mt. Hermon Station Road). Drive 1.1 miles and turn left on Old Vernon Road. Trail is 1.2 miles on Old Vernon Road. Look for the Mass Wildlife sign at a small dirt parking lot on the left. From the center of Bernardston, drive 3 miles on Rt. 10 East to the intersection with Rt. 142 north. Turn left and follow remaining directions to the site. Results
May 7, 8:30 a.m. - First Light: Meet at the picnic area. First Light's picnic area is on the Connecticut River. From downtown Northfield, drive 6.4 miles south on Millers Falls Road/ Rt. 63, then turn right at the "Riverview Picnic Area" sign across the road from the entrance to "Northfield Mountain." Results
May 14, 8:30 a.m. - Hinsdale Setbacks, Hinsdale NH. Corner of Rt 119 & Prospect Street Parking Lot. Just north of the High School on your left if approaching from the south, down the hill, left hand turn. Results
May 21, 8:30 a.m. - Alderbrook: this walk is wheelchair accessible. The trail is located at 839 Millers Falls Rd (Route 63), Northfield. The entrance is 1/8th of a mile north of South Mountain Road and just south of Homer Road on the east side of Route 63. Park in the area before the gate. Results
June 4, 8:30 a.m. - (Rescheduled from May 28) Former prison camp, Warwick. Directions from Northfield. Go to Warwick center. From the center drive southeast on Athol road for about one and a half miles. Turn left onto Richmond Rd. The remnants of the camp are about a mile and a half from that intersection and on the right. There is a white brick post marking the parking area. Results
June 18, 8:30 a.m. - Blake Town Forest, Gill. From Northfield, drive West on Rt. 10 and turn left onto Turners Falls Road. Just before the now defunct Oak Ridge Golf Course, turn right onto Hoe Shop Road and drive 1/4 mile to the parking lot and kiosk on your right. From the West (Bernardston and Rt. I91) head East on Rt. 10 and turn right onto Merrifield Rd . Proceed until Merrifield Rd. comes to a T. Turn right and pretty quickly just before the Fall River bridge turn left onto Hoe Shop Rd. Follow Hoe Shop Rd. for 1/4 mile to the parking lot and kiosk on your left. Results
Fall 2021
September 11 (Saturday) - Jeffrey S. Ames Accessible Nature Trail (at Alderbrook Meadows Wildlife Sanctuary -- we will meet at the parking lot off Route 63). Results
Spring 2021 Results
Mill Brook, April 10
Pauchaug Meadow, April 24
Pine Meadow Road, May 1
Hinsdale Setbacks, May 8
Blake Town Forest, May 15
Former Warwick Prison Camp and Richards Reservoir, May 22
Campus of Thomas Aquinas College, June 5
Bennett Meadow, June 12
Northfield Mountain-First Light Picnic Area and River Road, June 19
Alderbrook Meadows Trail, September 11, 2021