Monday, May 12, 2025 – Crane Swamp/Cedar Hill, Northborough (morning, 7 a.m.)
We will walk about 2.5 miles on the loop trail. Please note: There is occasional rough footing, and Cedar Hill is moderately steep. Participants may want to bring a walking stick.
Directions: From Route 9 East, take Lyman St. north; drive 2.8 miles and turn right onto Bartlett St. In 0.8 miles, bear right onto Cedar Hill Road, and turn right onto Forest St. to the trailhead parking area. Meet at the Crane Swamp Trailhead, 360 Cedar Hill Street in Marlborough.
Leader: Laura Lane (508-480-8259) [pete.lane@comcast.net]
Thursday, May 15, 2025 – Wayne MacCallum Wildlife Management Area (early morning, 6-8 a.m.)
Spring migration is at its peak! Don’t miss this season’s last early-morning hike on the north side of Lake Chauncy. Meet at 6:00 a.m.
Directions: Take Dr. Solomon Carter Fuller Way (formerly Hospital Road) off Lyman Street in Westborough at the Ball Field Entrance. Park and meet just before the yellow gate at the end of the road near the water.
Leader: Nick Paulson [grendelpgill@yahoo.com] (or leave message at 508-330-4401
Sunday, May 18, 2025 – Muddy Brook WMA, Hardwick (morning, 8 a.m.)
This WMA is being actively managed as part of a large oak-pine restoration effort by Mass Wildlife. Besides passage migrants that may still be moving through the region and common nesting species such as Yellow-bellied Sapsucker and Eastern Bluebird, we can expect to find Prairie and Blue-winged warbler, Field Sparrow, and Eastern Towhee. The marsh along the northern section of the brook holds Swamp Sparrows and possibly American Bittern. Ticks are common here.
Directions: Meet at the bridge over Muddy Brook on Patrill Hollow Road in Hardwick. Contact the leader for details.
Leader: Wendy Howes (413-967-4737) [warerivernatureclub@yahoo.com]
Saturday, May 24, 2025 – Upton State Forest (7 a.m. to noon)
We will hike to Dean Pond while searching for late migrants and woodland breeders.
Meet at the old CCC Camp parking lot through the paved gate at the intersection of Westboro Road and Southboro Road.
Please be prepared to hike uneven ground on the forest trails.
Leader: Nick Paulson [grendelpgill@yahoo.com] (or leave message at 508-330-4401)
Sunday, May 25, 2025 – DCR Kristoff Farm, Sterling (morning, 7:30 a.m.)
We’ll walk at least 2 miles on the old farm roads looking for birds of the fields and woodlands. We can expect a diverse mix of resident breeders, returning short-distance and neotropical migrants. Blue-winged Warbler and Indigo Bunting are common here. 50 species for the morning would not be uncommon. Last year, a small group birded until 11:30 AM but attendees are welcome to stay as long or as short as they like.
Meet at the end of Merrill Road, off Route 140, in Sterling (¼ mile north of the Route 190 intersection).
Leaders: Marion Larson and Scott Handler [srhdvm@verizon.net]
Saturday, May 31, 2025 – Goat Hill, Uxbridge (morning, 7:00 a.m.)
* RESCHEDULED TO JUNE 1
We will listen for the sewing-machine trill of Worm-eating Warbler that regularly breeds at Goat Hill, and hope that the Acadian Flycatcher found here last June will return. Even if it doesn't, we will certainly see and hear many other birds typically present in woodland/riparian/sandpit settings.
Be prepared to hike for up to 3 to 4 miles on rocky, rooty trails. Some uphill climbing may be involved. Long pants and sturdy hiking boots are recommended, along with water, a snack, and bug repellent.
Please note: This walk is limited to 10 participants, and pre-registration will be required.
Directions: Park in the large field at 292 Hartford Ave. East, across from Tri-River Family Health Center. If the field is too wet to park, park instead at River Bend Farm on Oak Street and walk over.
Restrooms are available at River Bend Farm.
Leader: Mary Sughrue-Yacino (508-864-8343) [maryesswhy@gmail.com}
Saturday, June 7, 2025 – Barre Falls Dam/Ware River Watershed IBA (morning, 7 a.m. - noon)
We will bird the fields from the parking area to Route 62, hike Brigham Road over the Ware River West Branch crossing, and return along the river via Tracy Lane to the parking area (~2.5-mile loop). Meet at the parking lot above the Dam, 1/2 mile south of Route 62 in Hubbardston.
Restrooms are available at Barre Falls Picnic Area on Coldbrook Road across the Dam.
Leader: David Ammerman (508-930-0356) [ammsus@comcast.net]
Sunday, July 13, 2025 – Birds & Butterflies with Massachusetts Butterfly Club (morning, 9 a.m.)
Meet at the Route 56 overlook to Worcester Airport in Leicester, at 9:00 a.m. We will also walk the wooded trail from Mulberry St. to Kettle Brook/Manville Street. Close-focus binoculars recommended.
Leader: Dolores Price (508-839-2299)
Saturday, August 30, 2025– Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary (morning, 7:30 a.m.)
Our annual Labor Day Weekend Walk celebrates the end of summer and the beginning of fall.
Meet at Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary parking area, Goodnow Road, Princeton, at 7:30 a.m. to look for lingering breeders and the earliest fall migrants.
Leaders: Jay Cormier and Gail Cormier energynurse@hotmail.com
To subscribe to Forbush Bird Club’s email list for trip notifications,
contact Donna Schilling at dschilling15@verizon.net.