Saturday, September 21, 2024 – Hodges Village Dam, Oxford (morning, 7 a.m.)
Hodges Village Dam, a 1,200-acre USACE property with forests, wetlands, and ponds, provides habitat for an abundance of permanent-resident species. In mid-September, it is an excellent location for sparrows and migrating warblers. We will walk 2 to 3 miles on the cart road and wooded trails with relatively flat terrain.
Directions: On I-395 South, take Exit 7B (Oxford). Merge onto Sutton Ave., and continue through the traffic light onto Charlton St. In 0.5 mile, turn right on Howarth Rd., and turn right to the entrance of the Dam. Meet at the main parking area, 30 Howarth Rd., Oxford.
Leader: Mary Bayer Caulway [onesadiedog@gmail.com] (508-612-5130)
Sunday, September 22, 2024 – Sholan Farms, Leominster (morning, 7-11 a.m.)
Sholan Farms is a 169-acre farm owned by the City of Leominster that includes apple orchards, expansive fields, community gardens, and two reservoirs that are great habitats for fall migrating warblers, sparrows and waterfowl.
>> The walk will be split in two parts, allowing anyone to leave early before we tackle the lengthier and more strenuous part of the walk. We'll first slowly walk through the community gardens on a mostly grassy surface before continuing for about 3 miles on grassy and wooded paths with a short steep hill included. Waterproof footwear is recommended.
Meet at 7:00 a.m. at Sholan Farms, 1125 Pleasant Street, Leominster. Please park in the lot across the street from the farmstand. Porta potties are available at the parking lot behind the farmstand.
Leader: Jon Skinner [jon@jonrisk.com] (978-894-3698)
Saturday, September 28, 2024 – Muddy Brook WMA, Patrill Rd. parcel, Hardwick (10 a.m. – 1 p.m.) New Fall Trip!
This Mass Wildlife property has been undergoing restoration of a barrens ecological community for many years and has now seen many seasons of changes brought about by natural and MassWildlife-managed disturbances. The result has been an ecologically-significant mix of barrens-dependent flora and fauna. The site is a good birding destination at any time of year. On this walk we can expect various raptors, a mix of sparrow species, and late-migrant warblers.
Leader: Wendy Howes [warerivernatureclub@yahoo.com]
>> Email the leader at warerivernatureclub@yahoo.com to sign-up and for meet-up details.
Saturday, October 5, 2024– Rauscher Farm, Clinton (morning, 7:30-11:30 a.m.)
The diverse habitat of Rauscher Farm and adjacent DCR property includes Clamshell Pond, meadows, a small marsh, power-line cut, and mature oak and hemlock forests. It is an eBird hotspot, with 157 species recorded to date! Please wear footwear appropriate for hiking over rocks and a couple of wet areas. Meet at 7:30 a.m. at the parking area, 29 Clamshell Road in Clinton. [GPS: 42.402529, -71.677860].
Leader: David Ammerman [ammsus@comcast.net] (508-930-0356)
Sunday, October 6, 2024 – New Braintree and vicinity (morning)
We will explore this beautiful rural area for early-fall migrants. Meet at 7:00 a.m. at the Winimusset WMA parking lot, Hardwick Rd./Ravine Rd. between Route 67 (New Braintree) and Route 32 (Hardwick).
Waterproof footwear is advised for walking in wet grass.
Leader: Rodney Jenkins (508-757-5010)
Monday, October 7, 2024 – Wayne F. MacCallum (Westborough) WMA (morning, 7:30-9:30 a.m.)
Catch the best of fall migration at Westborough WMA. This is the first of three Monday morning walks in this very productive area.
Meet at 7:30 a.m. at the Lake Chauncy gate at the end of the ball fields, off Lyman St. in Westborough.
Leader: Nick Paulson [grendelpgill@yahoo.com] (508-330-4401)
Saturday, October 12, 2024 – Quabbin Gate 44 (43B), Greenwich Road, Hardwick (10 a.m. – 1 p.m.) New Trip!
We will walk about 3.25 miles round-trip on paved roads through mixed woods of different ages. We'll check a small wetland and limited segments of the Reservoir shore for waterfowl and eagles. There is an optional add-on side trail through the forest. The open area should enable us to get good looks at resident "winter" species and a few late migrants that invariably turn up.
Leader: Wendy Howes [warerivernatureclub@yahoo.com]
>> Email the leader at warerivernatureclub@yahoo.com to sign-up and for meet-up details.
Sunday, October 13, 2024 – Lake Wampanoag Wildlife Sanctuary, Gardner (8 a.m. to mid-day) New Trip!
This beautiful Mass Audubon property is a hidden gem! Fields and forest provide year-round habitat for many species and a stopover for seasonal migrants. We will explore trails around the meadow, through the spruce/pine forest, and near the pond. If conditions are good, we’ll spend some time hawk-watching from the high point in the meadow.
>> This is a half-day trip. Please bring water and lunch or snacks. Waterproof footwear is recommended for possible wet areas on the trails.
Directions: From Route 2 in Westminster, drive north on Rt. 140 for 4.5 miles and turn right onto Stone Street. Travel 0.4 miles, and turn right onto Wheeler Street. Follow Wheeler Street for 0.5 miles to the second left onto Raymond Street. Follow Raymond Street for 1.1 miles to the dead-end parking area at the sanctuary’s entrance.
Saturday, October 19, 2024 – Delaney WMA (morning, 8 a.m.-12 noon)
Delaney WMA in Bolton/Stow boasts a variety of habitats. A shallow lake, a slow-running stream, and a marsh are bordered by mixed conifer/deciduous forest. The grassland area boasts a Bluebird Trail.
Note: There are a couple of areas for which some will want to bring a walking stick. We will walk 2.5 to 3 miles. There are no restrooms on-site.
Meet at the Delaney Project Boat Launch, off Harvard Rd. in Stow at 8 a.m.
Leader: David Ammerman [ammsus@comcast.net] (508-930-0356)
Monday, October 21, 2024 - Crane Swamp/Cedar Hill, Northborough (morning, 7:30 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]
Sunday, October 27, 2024: Wachusett Reservoir Dike - Gate 37, Clinton (9 a.m. to noon) New Trip!
In late October, migrating land birds such as Dickcissel, Lapland Longspur, and other uncommon species have been regularly found in the large fields between the wooded edge and the waters of the Reservoir. We will walk slowly and look carefully for these birds and more.
Meet at the dirt parking lot on Route 110/West Boylston St., near the Sterling/Clinton town line.
Leader: Jon Skinner [jon@jonrisk.com] (978-894-3698)
Monday, October 28, 2024 – Wayne F. MacCallum (Westborough) WMA (morning, 7:30-9:30 a.m.)
Mid-October is a great time to discover uncommon sparrows in the fields around Big Chauncy.
Meet at 7:30 a.m. at the Lake Chauncy gate at the end of the ball fields, off Lyman St. in Westborough.
Leader: Nick Paulson [grendelpgill@yahoo.com] (508-330-4401)
Thursday, October 31, 2024 – Halloween at Worcester’s Cemeteries (morning, 8:00 a.m.)
The mature hardwood trees and evergreens in these historic cemeteries are attractive to year-round birds and winter visitors. Meet inside the entrance to Hope Cemetery at 8:00 a.m. to see what’s haunting the cemeteries on Halloween.
Leader: John Shea [john@beachwells.com] (508-667-1982)
Saturday, November 2, 2024 – Quaboag Pond and vicinity (morning, 7:30 a.m.)
Quaboag Pond can be an excellent spot for waterfowl not usually seen inland. We will also visit other spots around the Brookfields looking for mid-fall migrants and new arrivals.
Meet at the Quaboag Pond parking lot on Shore Road in Brookfield at 7:30 a.m.
Waterproof footwear is advised for walking in wet grass.
Leader: Rodney Jenkins (508-757-5010)
Sunday, November 3, 2024 – Northborough/Westborough (morning, 7:30 a.m. EST)
We will explore fields and ponds around Northborough and Westborough and the Wildlife Management Area.
Meet at the Casta Diva Restaurant parking lot, 35 Solomon Pond Rd. (Exit 30A off I-290 east) in Northborough at 7:30 a.m.
Leader: Nick Paulson [grendelpgill@yahoo.com] (508-330-4401)
Monday, November 11, 2024 – Wayne F. MacCallum (Westborough) WMA (morning, 7:00 - 9:00 a.m.)
Join us for the last of this season’s walk at Lake Chauncy to look for waterfowl, late-migrating land birds, and early winter arrivals.
Meet at 7:00 a.m. at the Lake Chauncy gate at the end of the ball fields, off Lyman St. in Westborough.
Leader: Nick Paulson [grendelpgill@yahoo.com] (508-330-4401)
Saturday, November 16, 2024 – Birding Worcester’s Ponds (morning, 8:00 a.m.)
Discover some of the beautiful natural ponds within the city where migrating ducks and other waterfowl congregate.
Meet inside the entrance to All Faith’s Cemetery at 8:00 a.m. We will drive to other nearby locations.
Leader: John Shea [john@beachwells.com] (508-667-1982)
Sunday, November 24, 2024 – Quabbin Park (morning, 8:00 a.m.)
Quabbin is a great place for spotting uncommon late-fall species, and possibly a wintering Golden Eagle.
Meet at the parking lot at the Old Ware-Enfield Road Gate off Route 9 in Ware at 8:00 a.m.
Directions: From Route 9 in Ware, drive west approx. 5 miles and turn right onto Old Ware-Enfield Road, just before the entrance to Quabbin Park Cemetery on the left. Meet at the parking lot on the right, before the gate.
Leader: Nick Paulson [grendelpgill@yahoo.com] (508-330-4401)
Saturday, January 4, 2025 – New Year’s Birds in Worcester (afternoon) (rescheduled for weather, from Jan. 1)
Start the New Year with Forbush Bird Club! Meet at the entrance to All Faiths Cemetery, 7 Island Road, Worcester, at 12 noon.
Leader: John Shea (508-667-1982) [john@beachwells.com]
To subscribe to Forbush Bird Club’s email list for trip notifications,
contact Donna Schilling at dschilling15@verizon.net.