T a b l e o f C o n t e n t s

North Shore Wildlife Sanctuaries Map and Contact Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Inside Front Cover

Notes & Announcements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-3

Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary Programs

Adult and Special Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-9

Children, Families, & All Ages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-17

Joppa Flats Education Center Programs

Adult . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18-26

Children, Families, & All Ages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27-30

Trips and Tours . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31-34

General Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

Registration Procedures & Policy Guidelines . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

Registration Form . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Inside Back Cover

Mass Audubon 208 South Great Road, Lincoln, MA 01773 massaudubon .org

Cover photos: Red-winged Blackbird—Carol J . Decker©

Red Squirrel and Reflection—Susan J . Grimwood©

Dunlin Flock—Sheila Carroll©

Butterfly Weed and Echinacea—Susan J . Grimwood©

Back cover photo: American Redstart on Nest—Dave Larson©

Ipswich River Preschool Logo: Victor Atkins©

Printing: DS Graphics

Funding provided in part by:

Register Online! You can register for most of Mass Audubon’s programs online . See page 36 for details.

Explore the outdoors at

Joppa Flats Summer Camp!

Creative and fun nature day campfor children ages 6 to 13

Mondays through Fridays, 8:30 am-3:00 pmAftercamp Care until 5:00 pm

• Nature-themed, hands-on sessionsfor ages 6 to 11 include multiple field trips!

• Adventure-based ecology campfor ages 11 to 13 includes two overnights!

For more information, see page 30 . For a camp brochure, visit massaudubon .org/joppaflatscamp

or call Kirsten Lindquist at 978-462-9998 .

Three convenient locations:

•Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary, Topsfield

•Hamond Nature Center, Marblehead

•Essex County Greenbelt Association’sCox Reservation, Essex

For a camp brochure, visit massaudubon .org/ipswichrivercampor call 978-887-9264 .

Have Fun in Nature

this Summer!

Ipswich River Day Camps

for children ages 4-14

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Nature Shop at Joppa FlatsJoppa Flats staff and volunteers are celebrating thethree-year anniversary of our Joppa Flats gift shop! Here’s what you can purchase that you’ll find nowhere else: cards featuring wonderful photography by Bill Gette and Dave Larson of the birds they see all over the world; beeswax-based skin cream and lip balm made by Joppa Flats Bird Banding Station volunteer Lois Higgins; and the best-selling Recipes from Joppa Flats, a compilation of recipes submitted and taste-tested by Joppa Flats volunteers . We also have books for adults and children, nature-themed toys and games, bird-feeding paraphernalia, Mass Audubon hats, and many other delightful and unique items . Come see us on your next trip out to Plum Island!

Summer Family Activities at Joppa FlatsYear-round and summer residents of the Newburyport area know the key to family harmony during long summer days: a drop-in at Joppa Flats to meet beach creatures! From June 29 through August 20, Joppa Flats runs free programming for families with little ones, Thursday through Sunday, 10:00 am through 3:00 pm . We examine crabs and periwinkles, play games, and make take-home projects . Before the beach, after the beach, or instead of the beach, please join us!

Stay in Touch with Joppa FlatsSubscribe to our Wednesday Morning Birding Report . Our “WMB” email updates have the latest information about the birds we’re seeing, with occasional special announcements about our programs and trips . To subscribe, call us at 978-462-9998 or email joppaflats@massaudubon .org .

Visit our WebsiteVisit us on our website (massaudubon .org/joppaflats) to find our program listings, read about our news and special events, and see videos and slide shows about our various activities .

Also check us out on Facebook and share your own nature adventures on our page .

Joppa Flats Brings the World to Your Group Is your group looking for an exciting natural history lecture for your monthly meeting or special event? Staff naturalists and trip leaders at Joppa Flats have developed a series of one-hour programs that explore our fascination with the natural world . Locally based lectures include The Great Marsh, Ecology of Bald Eagles, Feeding Backyard Birds, New England Wildlife, and Backyard Bird Sanctuaries. We also present travelogues on Costa Rica, Kenya,Tanzania, Botswana, Belize, Panama, Bhutan, Ecuador, Brazil, and Antarctica, as well as on many intriguing locations in North America . For more information, please call us at 978-462-9998 .

Bird-a-thon at Joppa FlatsThe annual Mass Audubon Bird-a-thon is great fun and a very important fundraising event for Joppa Flats . This year, Bird-a-thon runs from 6:00 pm on Friday, May 12, through 6:00 pm on Saturday, May 13 . To participate, you can get some friends together and join the Joppa Flats team (we’ll direct you to some great birding hotspots in Essex County); or you can join David Moon, Bill Gette, and Susan Hardy on Bird-a-thon Madness (see page 20); or you can help raise money as a Joppa Flats booster; or you can simply make a donation . We’d really appreciate your participation! Please call 978-462-9998 for more details .

Facility RentalJoppa Flats Education Center overlooks the magnificent Merrimack River and the Plum Island Estuary . It provides an ideal venue for your next business meeting or special event (e .g ., memorial service, wedding, family reception) . If you would like, the staff and volunteers at Joppa Flats can be available to conduct a delightful natural history field trip or program for your guests . Please call Melissa Vokey at 978-462-9998 for details and availability .

facebook.com/MassAudubonJoppaFlats

E d u c a t i o n C e n t e r , N e w b u r y p o r t

J o p p a F l a t s

Images of the hardships and exciting meteorological events of our coastal winter fade with the first warm evening rains that bring us migrating amphibians and gusts of warblers. The wonderful rough-legged hawks, sporadic snowy owls, and sea ducks that buoyed us through winter were unforgettable. Now peepers and woodcocks whistling in the wet places, or a stolen moment to stare at the sky from a carpet of new grass, might help us contend with the concerns of modern life. Studying nature with Mass Audubon has many benefits, not the least of which is to restore a sense of rightness in the world. We also address a variety of challenges, such as our changing climate, and unexpected political reversals. Steeping ourselves in nature is spiritual nourishment that helps us rise to the occasion.

The past winter brought a metaphorical storm of political actions that threaten the progress we have made over the past 50 years to protect nature: calls to drill for oil near National Parks; a plan to build a wall that would severely harm desert wildlife over thousands of miles; and efforts to gut or repeal landmark laws that protect water, air, and endangered species. Our new federal administration will muzzle science and try to interrupt and hide the only large-scale science data that track and explain changes in earth’s climate. These strategies are well-known ways for miscreants in the government to justify actions with lies. Mass Audubon is a non-partisan advocacy organization, the first ever to call attention to endangered birds and a leader in creating the first national law to protect them. Worldwide, laws like ours are circumvented or not enforced, and nature continues to erode at a high pace. We will not accept that fate.

It is not an exaggeration to say that participation in environmental education programs, organized bird watching, and membership in Mass Audubon are all actions that will help to hold firm on our progress and prevent the worst damage in the face of our country’s political mess. Our advocacy department is busy explaining what we all can do to continue progress toward a sustainable civilization. Strangely enough, enjoyment of our wonderful programs and trips has a newly dramatic purpose as some of the actions you can take to keep us going in the right direction. Together we will stop our beloved land from being despoiled, and our government from becoming unrecognizable. Conservation is a non-partisan issue. Let’s organize for nature!

David Moon, Joppa Flats Sanctuary Director

P.S. Throughout the catalog, indicates a program that takes place within a Massachusetts Important Bird Area, and “BCP” signifies a graduate of the Joppa Flats Birder’s Certificate Program.

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b i r d sWednesdayWednesday Morning BirdingWednesdays / 9:30 am-12:30 pmLeaders: David Moon, Joppa Flats SanctuaryDirector, and Dave Weaver, BCP$14 members, $17 nonmembers per session

We are in our 21st year of Wednesday Morning Birding! These very popular programs provide an excellent opportunity to explore one of the most productive birding areas in the country . To date, we have seen more than 320 species of birds on these Wednesday field trips .

Throughout the year, we will conduct our field trips to birding hot spots in the Newburyport/Plum Island area . The focus for our programs will be the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, Plum Island, the Merrimack River estuary, and other productive areas in Essex County . When appropriate, we will adjust our itinerary to search for rarities reported in the area .

This program is ideal for birders of all skill levels . We do not meet in July .

Preregistration is not necessary . Four-trip special : $42 members, $51 nonmembers . Please call or email to sign up for the Wednesday Morning Birding email list .

Meets at Joppa Flats Education Center unless otherwise noted. Please wear appropriate clothes and bring binoculars, spotting scopes, and snacks or lunch.

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Birding Western Essex County Thursday, May 4 / 8:00 am-4:00 pmLeader: Dave Larson, Joppa Flats Science and Education Coordinator$48 members, $60 nonmembers

Come with Dave to explore some of the best birding locations in the other side of the county . Our birding programs tend to be coastal, and who can blame us? But on this excursion we will visit some of the lesser known hot spots inland . These may include wildlife management areas in Groveland and Boxford; the huge heronry in Boxford; conservation areas in Andover; Crystal Gorge Conservation Area in Haverhill ; and other “secret” locations . We promise new vistas and some interesting birds .

Meets at Joppa Flats Education Center. Bring binoculars, snacks, drinks, and lunch. Please dress for the weather.

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b i r d sSaturday Morning Birding Saturdays / 9:00-11:30 amLeaders: Debra Listernick, Alison O’Hare, Dave Weaver, and Dave Williams, BCPs; Jonathan Brooks and Lynette Leka, Naturalists$8 members, $10 nonmembers per session

Wish you could join us for birding on Wednesdays but work gets in the way? Or is Wednesday the day for your piano/tai chi/crochet lesson? Good news! You can come outside and enjoy Saturday Morning Birding! Our experienced leaders will take you around to all the birding hot spots in the Newburyport/Plum Island area in search of avian activity . Beginners and birders of all skill levels are welcome . Don’t forget to bring your sense of excitement about this great area–one of the best year-round birding locations in the country .

There is no Saturday Morning Birding on May 13 or in July .

Preregistration is not required .

Meets at Joppa Flats Education Center. Please wear weather-appropriate clothes and bring binoculars (we do have some loaners available).

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b i r d sWednesdayWednesday Evening Birding Wednesdays in May / 5:30-7:30 pm Leaders: David Moon, Joppa Flats Sanctuary Director, and David Davis and Linda Hunnewell, Naturalists$10 members, $12 nonmembers per session

Back by popular demand! In what has become a rite of spring, we will again conduct a series of evening field trips . Join us as we enjoy a tremendous variety of both migrant and resident bird species during the quiet time on Plum Island when fewer people are present on the refuge and the animals become more active . Each evening, we will focus on a particular theme, covering such topics as bird migration, adaptations, taxonomy, habitat niches, birding strategies, and more .

During these programs, we will explore the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, the Merrimack River, and other extremely productive birdwatching sites in the area . Expect beautiful birds, good conversation, a few laughs, and (we hope) spectacular sunsets!

Registration is not necessary . Four-trip special : $30 members, $36 nonmembers .

Meets at Joppa Flats Education Center. Please bring binoculars and a field guide.

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b i r d sFriday Morning Bird Walks: Focus on WarblersFridays in May / 8:00-11:00 amLeader: Dave Williams, BCP$12 members, $15 nonmembers per session

Get an early start on the birding day with local trips in the area . Many birds are most active early in the morning and therefore easier to see . Explore various locations in the greater Newburyport/Plum Island area, including such birding hot spots as the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge on Plum Island, Oak Hill Cemetery in Newburyport, Pikes Bridge Road in West Newbury, and Salisbury Beach State Reservation . The focus for these excursions will be the beautiful wood-warblers migrating through our area . Of course, we will also be on the lookout for other neotropical migrants .

Meets at Joppa Flats Education Center. Please bring binoculars and a field guide. Registration is not required.

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The Hills of TopsfieldSunday, May 7 / 9:00 am-noonLeader: Alison O’Hare, BCP$25 members, $30 nonmembers

Even though it’s only f ive minutes from Route 1 and Interstate 95, this pastoral venue will seem as if it’s a world away . We’ll leave the vans behind and follow a three-mile loop through the gently rolling hills of Topsfield . Our pace will be leisurely, giving us time to enjoy the beauty of the rural landscape as we look and listen for birds . We will walk along sections of the beautiful Ipswich River and past open farm fields . Plan to see and hear warblers, eastern bluebirds, raptors, and much more . In our fast-paced world, this will be a real treat . Come along and find out what a bird walk is all about!

Meets at the Essex County Co-op parking lot, Route 1 in Topsfield, directly across from the main entrance to the Topsfield Fairgrounds. Please bring binoculars, snacks, and water; wear comfortable walking shoes.

Pocket Birding for Spring Migrants Tuesday, May 9 / 6:00-11:00 amLeader: Dave Larson, Joppa Flats Science and Education Coordinator$33 members, $41 nonmembers

Mass Audubon’s Marblehead Neck Wildlife Sanctuary and Nahant Thicket Wildlife Sanctuary are two gems along the Essex County coast . As undeveloped oases in largely suburban neighborhoods, they are a magnet for migrating songbirds . They are also a magnet for songbird watchers . Join Dave to explore these two pocket paradises and see what the nocturnal migration has delivered . Because of the weekday traff ic, we will leave Joppa Flats at 6 :00 am sharp for Marblehead Neck . If you just have to get a little more sleep and can find the sanctuary, you can meet us there . We will finish up at the even more elusive Nahant Thicket .

Meets at Joppa Flats Education Center. Please dress for the weather and bring binoculars, a field guide, snacks, and a scope if you have one.

Evening Birding Ramble at Appleton Farms Thursday, May 11 / 5:00-7:00 pmLeader: Dave Larson, Joppa Flats Science and Education CoordinatorCosponsor: The Trustees $13 members, $15 nonmembers

Join us for a two-hour afternoon/evening walk on the grounds of Appleton Farms and Grass Rides . These beautiful conservation areas in Ipswich and Hamilton, owned by The Trustees, provide mixed habitats that support many bird species . During our program, we will explore several sites, looking for nesting birds . By mid-May, red-winged blackbirds, Baltimore orioles, eastern meadowlarks, bobolinks, scarlet tanagers, rose-breasted grosbeaks, and many other species have begun to breed . As we walk along, we will see the courtship and territorial displays of many of these species and enjoy their magnificent songs .

Meets at the Grass Rides parking lot on Highland Street, Hamilton. Please wear comfortable walking shoes; bring binoculars, snacks, and drinks.

Bird-a-thon Madness Saturday, May 13 / 8:00 am-6:00 pmLeaders: David Moon, Joppa Flats Sanctuary Director; Bill Gette, former Joppa Flats Sanctuary Director; and Susan Hardy, BCP$100 members and nonmembers

Be a part of the Joppa Flats annual Bird-a-thon fundraising effort! During this 10-hour birding expedition, we will visit a wide variety of habitats in Essex County, looking for the largest number of bird species possible . Although we will move quickly among many sites, we will take time to ensure that participants see the birds . Our primary birding locations will include the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge (Plum Island), Bald Hill Reservation in Boxford, the Upper Artichoke Reservoir area, and the Martin Burns Wildlife Management Area .

As a member of the Joppa Flats birding team, you will make observations during this event that will contribute to our center’s overall list of sightings . On each of our previous Bird-a-thon Madness programs, we have observed between 90 and 100 bird species . Join us for a great event . You’ll have an exciting time while supporting our fundraising efforts .

This program welcomes all ability levels .

Meets at Joppa Flats Education Center. Bring binoculars, lunch, and snacks. We provide a pizza supper for all participants following the program.

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n a t u r eLecturesWednesday Evening Lecture SeriesWednesdays / 7:30-8:30 pmFree for members, $4 nonmembers

Joppa Flats Education Center offers a monthly lecture series on natural history topics . Free to Mass Audubon members . Children ages 8 and up are welcome with an adult . Preregistration is not required .

May 17: “The Natural Splendor of Antarctica”Speaker: Dave Weaver, BCP

June 21: “The Arts and the Experience of Nature”Speaker: David Davis, Joppa Flats Poet-in-Residence, and Invited Poets and Artists

August 30: “Shorebirds in Migration”Speaker: Dave Larson, Joppa Flats Science and Education Coordinator

September 13: “Salt Marshes in the Age of Climate Change – Ecology and Conservation”Speaker: Robert Buchsbaum, Mass Audubon Regional Scientist

Meets at Joppa Flats Education Center.

Introduction to the Birds at Cogswell’s Grant Monday, May 15 / 8:30-10:30 amLeader: Dave Weaver, BCPCosponsor: Historic New England $12 members, $16 nonmembers

The beautiful 165-acre Cogswell’s Grant in Essex offers a variety of habitats that attract many species of birds . During mid-May, many breeding birds such as bobolink and Baltimore oriole have already returned to our fields and forests to nest, while many others are still migrating through our area en route to their more northerly breeding grounds .

Join Dave Weaver for a leisurely morning walk, while we discuss the many aids to field identification and breedingbehavior as well as learn to identify birds by their vocalizations . The grasslands, salt marshes, and woodlands of Cogswell’s Grant are a treasure trove for birders .

Coffee and refreshments will be served, and the historic house will be open to participants for a brief tour . The member price applies to members of Mass Audubon and Historic New England .

Meets at Cogswell’s Grant on Spring Street in Essex. Please dress for the weather and bring binoculars.

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Spring Birding at Rough Meadows Thursday, May 18 / 8:30-11:30 amLeader: Dave Williams, BCP$18 members, $21 nonmembers

Joppa Flats staff and volunteers manage the delightful Rough Meadows Wildlife Sanctuary on Patmos Road in Rowley . Come with us as we explore the salt marshes, fields, and oak and hickory uplands of Rough Meadows and look for spring migrant warblers, vireos, and other songbirds .

Meets at Joppa Flats Education Center. Please dress for the weather and bring waterproof footwear. Bring binoculars and snacks. Protect yourself against ticks and mosquitoes.

Banding Station Visit for Birders Saturday, May 20 / 8:00-11:00 amLeaders: Ben Flemer, Banding Station Manager, and Lynette Leka, NaturalistFree for members and nonmembers

A significant part of what we know about bird migration comes from the operations of bird banding stations . Banders collect date, time, age, weight, size, molt, gender, and health status data on birds captured in the wild . These data are forwarded to the Bird Banding Laboratory at the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center and used by researchers throughout the world . This program is an opportunity for birders to visit the Joppa Flats Bird Banding Station on the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, see the banders at work, and learn about banding . You will find it a fascinating visit .

Meets at Joppa Flats Education Center. Bring binoculars. Please be prepared for the weather, and protect yourself against mosquitoes and ticks.

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The Wonder and the Wow: A New Look at NatureSaturdays / 8:30 am-1:30 pmLeaders: Lisa Hutchings, Joppa Flats School and Youth Education Coordinator, and Jonathan Brooks, Naturalist$30 members, $40 nonmembers unless otherwise noted

Why should kids have all the fun? These adult trips take us far afield with plenty of time to allow a full immersion nature experience with friends and colleagues . Leaders Lisa Hutchings and Jonathan Brooks have picked out exciting new destinations along with a few “wow” favorites for the warm months . We’ve set time aside during each program for a group meal so we can extend the social side of learning . You’ll come away with a brand-new enthusiasm for the natural world around you .

Meets at Joppa Flats Education Center unless otherwise noted.

May 27: Great Bay Discovery Center,Greenland, NH

June 24: Ward Reservation, Andover

July 22: Whale Watch on the Captain’s Lady II$58 members, $65 nonmembers

Registration deadline: July 20. Meets at the Newburyport waterfront boardwalk. Wear rubber-soled shoes, a hat, and sunglasses. Bring warm clothing, sunscreen, and your camera. The Captain’s Lady II has a well-stocked galley. No alcohol may be brought on board.

August 19: Coolidge Reservation and Agassiz Rock, Manchester-by-the-Sea

Dinner with the Herons Thursday, June 22 / 6:00-8:00 pmLeaders: Dave Larson, Joppa Flats Science and Education Coordinator, and Dave Weaver, BCPCosponsor: The Trustees $15 members, $25 nonmembers

Come to Manchester-by-the-Sea for a two-hour visit to view the evening flight of herons, egrets, and ibises into the largest heronry in Massachusetts . Kettle Island, owned by Mass Audubon, has the greatest number of nesting glossy ibises and great egrets, the only known nesting sites of tricolored herons, and the only current site for little blue heron nests in the state . From the mainland, we will view the amazing spectacle of the evening flight while discussing the life-and-death struggle of the Kettle Island colony .

Meets at The Trustees’ Coolidge Reservation on Summer Street (Route 127), Manchester-by-the-Sea. Please wear appropriate clothes and bring binoculars, a spotting scope if you have one, your dinner, and your sense of wonder.

Seabird CruisesMondays / 9:00 am-3:00 pm August 14 & September 11Open to adults and families with children ages 4 and upLeader: Dave Larson, Joppa Flats Science and Education CoordinatorCosponsor: Newburyport Whale Watchadults $65 members or nonmembers per sessionchildren $30 members or nonmembers per session

This program focuses on seabirds, including storm-petrels, shearwaters, gannets, jaegers, terns, gulls, and phalaropes . On board the Captain’s Lady II, we will visit Jeffreys Ledge or Stellwagen Bank to f ind the best seabirds around . Dave Larson from Joppa Flats will spot and narrate sightings .

Seniors receive a $7 discount . Children ages 4 to 12 are eligible for the children’s rate . To register for these marine birding trips, please call the Newburyport Whale Watch at 1-800-848-1111.

Meets on the Newburyport waterfront boardwalk. Wear rubber-soled shoes, a hat, and sunglasses. Bring warm clothing, sunscreen, and your camera. The Captain’s Lady II has a well-stocked galley. No alcohol may be brought on board.

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Bird Photography WorkshopSunday, August 13 / 2:00-4:30 pmLeader: Eduardo del Solar, Photographer$60 members, $70 nonmembers

This workshop aims to develop skills and strategies to improve your bird photographs . Technical, artistic, and practical topics covered in this workshop include: equipment and associated accessories needed for static photography and shooting birds in flight; light, exposure, and composition techniques; the digital darkroom; where to go and how to approach birds; and ethical issues associated with nature photography .

Types of bird photography covered include: bird on a branch; bird only; environmental photography; behavioral topics such as breeding, feeding, migration, and displaying; birds in flight; outdoor studio photography versus nature or “natural” photography; realism or documentary versus expressionistic/artistic photography; and captives .

Strategies for improving your skills will be covered in some detail . A minimum of seven participants is required for this program .

Eduardo del Solar is a master nature photographer as well as a retired schoolteacher who has exhibited widely . He has designed this workshop to be accessible to all levels of bird photographers . A graduate of the Birder’s Certificate Program, Eduardo is now in the eighth year of his ongoing project to photograph the birds of the Americas .

Meets at Joppa Flats Education Center.

Focus on Shorebirds Sunday, July 30 / 8:00 am-2:00 pmLeader: Dave Weaver, BCP$36 members, $42 nonmembers

The Newburyport/Plum Island area is one of the finest places along the East Coast for viewing shorebirds during fall migration . By late July, many of the shorebirds that have bred in northern Canada are already moving southward along the coast . The extensive mudflats near the mouth of the Merrimack River, the salt marshes in the Plum Island estuary, and the salt pannes and impoundments on the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge provide excellent feeding areas and roosting sites for these long-range migrants .

Join us as we explore the Newburyport area looking for these fascinating birds . We expect to see black-bellied and semipalmated plovers, greater and lesser yellowlegs, semipalmated and least sandpipers, short-billed dowitchers, willets, Hudsonian godwits, and more . During our program, we will focus on the many aids to f ield identif ication, including physical characteristics, habitat preference, and feeding techniques .

Meets at Joppa Flats Education Center. Please bring binoculars plus a lunch, drink, and snacks.

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b i r d sWednesdayWednesday Evening Shorebirding Wednesdays in August / 5:30-7:30 pmLeaders: David Moon, Joppa Flats Sanctuary Director, and David Davis and Linda Hunnewell, Naturalists$10 members, $12 nonmembers per sessionEach Wednesday evening in August, we will introduce participants to the wonderful diversity of shorebirds that migrate through the Newburyport/Plum Island area during the late summer . The field trips are designed to provide participants with the tools to identify Massachusetts shorebirds and to deliver an in-depth understanding of the biology and ecology of these fascinating animals . Participants will observe various migration schedules and the relative abundance of these birds . Each week we will focus on several species, discussing their identifying characteristics, behavior, habitat preferences, and range .

Preregistration is not necessary .

Meets at Joppa Flats Education Center. Please bring binoculars and a spotting scope if available.

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Did you know you can go birding with usfour times a week in May,

three times a week in August and September,

and two times a week every other month except July?

In July, the birds take a break, and so do we!

An Evening with the Egrets of Plum Island Thursday, August 24 / 4:00-8:00 pmLeader: David Moon, Joppa Flats Sanctuary Director$24 members, $28 nonmembers

During their post-breeding dispersal, thousands of egrets and herons move into the Plum Island estuary . By day, these waders feed in the salt marshes and on the mudflats . In the early evening, the herons and egrets join together in a communal roost . The roost can contain several thousand birds, including great and snowy egrets; great blue, little blue, and tricolored herons; black-crowned night-herons; and glossy ibises .

Join us for an evening birding trip to the Newburyport/Plum Island area . We will begin our program by visiting a number of very productive areas to observe migrating shorebirds, including Hudsonian godwits, white-rumped and stilt sandpipers, semipalmated and black-bellied plovers, dowitchers, and many others .

We will then drive onto the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, eat our picnic dinners, and observe the evening flight of egrets and herons . The birds flying through a setting sun is a spectacular sight!

Meets at Joppa Flats Education Center. Please wear sturdy shoes and bring binoculars and a picnic dinner.

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b i r d sBirder’s Certificate Program First of 11 Monthly Sessions:Saturday, August 19 / 9:00 am-5:00 pmLeaders: Jon Atwood, Mass Audubon Director of Bird Conservation; Bill Gette, former Joppa Flats Sanctuary Director; Dave Larson, Joppa Flats Science and Education Coordinator; David Moon, Joppa Flats Sanctuary Director; Wayne Petersen, Mass Audubon Director of Important Bird Areas Program; Scott Santino, Ipswich River Teacher-Naturalist, BCP$1,200 members, $1,300 nonmembers

The Birder’s Certificate Program (BCP), offered annually by Mass Audubon since 2004, is a key component in our ongoing efforts to provide the finest educational programs that inform and excite the public about the nature of Massachusetts .

Mass Audubon staff developed the cer tif icate program in collaboration with college faculty, experienced birders, and professional ornithologists . The program is equivalent to an undergraduate- level ornithology course, with the addition of extensive f ield time and the opportunity for self-directed study .

The program covers a wide range of subject matter, including avian systematics, biology, physiology, behavior, ecology, biogeography, and conservation . Eleven modules will combine classroom and field experience, and student comprehension will be evaluated through homework assignments . A 12th module involves independent study . The program can be completed within one calendar year . Students who successfully complete the program will receive a certificate of achievement and a BCP binocular harness .

Please go to massaudubon .org/birderscertificate for more information .

Meets at Joppa Flats Education Center.

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Planning ahead for the Birder’s Certificate ProgramDo you think you might want to take the

Birder’s Certificate Program in 2018?

Call 978-462-9998 now to get on the interest list!

IBA

Hands-on Bird Photography SeriesSaturdays, September 9, 16, 23, & 30 7:00 am-noonLeader: Eduardo del Solar, Photographer$245 members, $345 nonmembers

Join avian photographer Eduardo del Solar in this hands-on photography workshop series designed to improve your technical and artistic bird photography skills . The workshop will have the following components each week:

• Two-and-a-half-hourclassroomsessionfocusingontheskills required for photographing birds in several modes (flight, portrait, environmental, and artistic) .

• Two-and-a-half-hour shoot, with the site and type ofimages selected by the instructor .

• Homework assignments, for which participants provide the instructor with their best images for the week .

• Critique of student’s three best images, with a focus on improving each participant’s skill set .

No specific camera equipment is required—we will work with what you have . All skill levels are accepted . Eduardo will individualize instruction based on the skill set of each participant .

Meets at Joppa Flats Education Center.

Shorebirds of Joppa Flats Workshop Friday, August 25 / 7:00-9:00 pm and Saturday, August 26 / 6:00 am-4:00 pmLeaders: Dave Larson, Joppa Flats Science and Education Coordinator, and Dave Weaver, BCP$95 members, $125 nonmembers

This two-day workshop is designed to introduce participants to many of the migrating shorebirds that visit our tidal flats, beaches, salt marshes, and other wetlands at this time of year . During the workshop, Dave and Dave will use a lecture and a field trip to inform participants about the various species of shorebirds, including plovers and sandpipers, as well as some of their predators . Discussion topics will include physical adaptations (demonstrated with the use of study skins), aids to field identification, migration patterns and timing, age distribution, nesting and foraging behaviors, and conservation issues that impact these marvelous and diverse birds .

The workshop begins with an evening lecture on Friday . An all-day field trip on Saturday covers many of the premier shorebirding locations in Essex County . We will explore the salt marshes, beaches, and mudflats of Plum Island and the Merrimack River estuary . Target species include local breeders such as the willet, killdeer, and piping plover, as well as migrants such as least, semipalmated, white-rumped, stilt, and other sandpipers, and semipalmated and black-bellied plovers . We will tease out dowitchers and look for grassland specialties such as whimbrels and buff-breasted sandpipers . As we bird Plum Island and the other venues, we’ll have an excellent chance of seeing a wide variety of species, plumages, and ages .

Your registration fee includes instructional materials, transportation during field exercises, and a picnic breakfast . Please ask for information on dining and lodging choices in the historic Newburyport area .

Meets at Joppa Flats Education Center on both days. For the field portion of the program, please dress for the weather. Bring lunch, snacks, a field guide, binoculars, and scopes.

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b i r d sFriday Morning Bird Walks: Fall Migrants Fridays in September / 8:00-11:00 amLeader: Dave Williams, BCP$12 members, $15 nonmembers per session

Get an early start on the birding day with local trips in the area . Many birds are most active early in the morning and therefore easier to see . Explore various locations in the greater Newburyport/Plum Island area including such birding hot spots as the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge on Plum Island, Oak Hill Cemetery in Newburyport, Pikes Bridge Road in West Newbury, and Salisbury Beach State Reservation . The focus for these excursions will be the birds migrating through our area, including warblers, shorebirds, raptors, and other exciting migrants .

Meets at Joppa Flats Education Center. Please bring binoculars and a field guide. Preregistration is not required.

IBA

Bird Banding Workshop Thursday, September 21 / 7:00-9:00 pm and Saturday, September 23 / 7:30 am-noonLeader: Alison O’Hare, BCP$55 members, $65 nonmembers

Joppa Flats Education Center, in cooperation with the U .S . Fish and Wildlife Service, operates a bird banding station on the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge . The U .S . Fish and Wildlife Service and Mass Audubon utilize information collected at the station to monitor species diversity, the movement of birds on the refuge, bird populations, and other factors .

Joppa Flats is offering a limited number of openings in its Bird Banding Workshop . This program is designed for participants who want to learn the basics of bird banding . During the two-hour classroom portion of this workshop on Thursday evening, we will discuss the principles and objectives of bird banding, provide strategies for identifying birds in the hand, and review the many aids for aging and sexing these incredible animals . During the field trip on Saturday morning, we will visit the bird banding station; par ticipate in the identification, aging, and sexing process; observe banding; and help with data collection .

This course is required of all bird banding station volunteers .

Meets at Joppa Flats Education Center for both sessions. For the lecture (September 21), please bring your field guide. For the field trip (September 23), bring your binoculars and field guide, and wear a top without buttons (e.g., a sweatshirt, pullover sweater, etc.) to avoid getting tangled in the nets. Protect yourself against mosquitoes and ticks.

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Plum Island COASTSWEEPSaturday, September 16 / 9:00 am-5:00 pmLeaders: Dave Larson, Joppa Flats Science and Education Coordinator, and David Moon, Joppa Flats Sanctuary DirectorCosponsor: Parker River National Wildlife RefugeFree for members and nonmembers

COASTSWEEP is the annual statewide cleanup of Massachusetts coastal and riverine environments . For more than 20 years, COASTSWEEP has engaged thousands of volunteers in cleaning hundreds of miles of shoreline and riverbanks . Our COASTSWEEP project will involve removing trash and debris from the beaches on Plum Island, including the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, Sandy Point State Reservation, and the north end of the island . In the past 10 years, we have collected more than 15 tons of debris!

This event is free, and everyone is welcome . Rain or shine . Give us a hand and help protect the nature of Massachusetts!

Meets at Parking Lot #1 on the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge on Plum Island, Newbury.

Introduction to Birdwatching Sunday, September 17 / 9:00 am-3:00 pmLeader: Alison O’Hare, BCP$36 members, $42 nonmembers

Do you enjoy watching birds but want to improve your ability to identify them? This program will teach the basics of field identif ication, including physical characteristics, behavior, habitat, voice, and more . Following the classroom presentation, we will help you to practice and integrate your identification skills during our field trip . Our low participant-to-naturalist ratio allows for lots of individualized attention as we work through the identification of a variety of species .

Meets at Joppa Flats Education Center. Please bring binoculars and a f ield guide, dress for the weather, and bring lunch and snacks.

IBA Natural History Tours with Joppa Flats Staff

Birding the Connecticut Lakes, NH: June 2-4

Minnesota and North Dakota: June 7-15

Machias Seal Island & Eastern Maine: June 10-12

Louisiana—Cajun Country: November 7-13

For trip details, please see pages 31-34.

On-the-River Science Cruises Aboard the Yankee ClipperOpen to families with children ages 3 and upLeader: Lisa Hutchings, Joppa Flats School and Youth Education Coordinatoradults $24 members, $32 nonmembers per sessionchildren $18 members, $22 nonmembers per session

Join Lisa Hutchings and the crew of the Yankee Clipper for an exciting exploration of the lower Merrimack River ecosystem . Each month will feature a specific theme with hands-on science, interactive props, and seasonal wildlife . We’ll also look for seabirds, seals, and waterfowl on every trip . Your family will have a wonderful time cruising and learning about this vital part of the area’s natural history .

The Yankee Clipper is U .S . Coast Guard inspected and licensed and has life jackets and a marine toilet for your convenience .

All children must be accompanied by adults . The deadline for preregistering is 4:00 pm on the day before the program . We will run this program in all weather except thunderstorms or during small craft advisories . If we cancel the program, we will issue full refunds or program credits .

Sunday, June 18 / 8:45-10:45 am: Hands-on Science with Dad Cruise

Saturday, July 15 / 8:45-10:45 am: Beach Creatures Cruise

Sunday, August 13 / 8:45-10:45 am: Ocean Food Web Cruise

Meets at the Newburyport boardwalk 15 minutes before departure time. Bring extra clothing and binoculars.

children,families, & ALL AGES

Mother’s Day at the Bird Banding StationSunday, May 14 / 9:30-11:30 amOpen to families with children ages 6 and upLeaders: Ben Flemer, Banding Station Manager, and Lynette Leka, NaturalistFree for members and nonmembers

Come for an exciting visit to the Joppa Flats Bird Banding Station on the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge . Our banders collect data on birds captured in the wild, then share it with researchers throughout the world . Learn about migration, habitat use, and scientific research at a real field station . The station operates only during the height of migration in spring (April and May) and fall (September and October) . Children must be accompanied by an adult .

Meets at Joppa Flats Education Center.

Bio-Blitz Free-for-All!Sunday, May 28 / 10:00 am-3:00 pmFree for members and nonmembers

Connecting with nature starts with developing a good sense of place, and a great place to start is right here at Joppa Flats . This full-day, drop-in family event will feature an exciting mixture of indoor and outdoor activities that encourage children and adults to learn more about the biodiversity of all the animals, plants, and insects that frequent our butterfly garden, salt marsh, and backyard!

This program is open to all ages . Children must be accompanied by adults . This is a rain-or-shine event . There will be half-hour family presentations at 11:00 am and 1:00 pm .

Meets at Joppa Flats Education Center.

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See, Think, and Wonder WalkaboutsThursdays / 2:00-3:30 pmOpen to families with children ages 3 to 6Leaders: Lisa Hutchings, Joppa Flats School and Youth Education Coordinator, and Kathy Dunfee, Teacher-Naturalistadults $7 members, $9 nonmembers per sessionchildren $6 members, $8 nonmembers per session

In every kind of weather, we love to head outdoors to our spectacular local habitats, so join us for one, two, or all five of these nature explorations! Each one will focus on the importance of a sense of place as we explore the ecology, sights, and sounds of our natural landscape . Wildlife, local and migrating birds, collecting techniques, and environmental awareness will be presented in a fun, energetic format that adults and children alike will enjoy .

Not recommended for children under 3 .

Meets at Joppa Flats Education Center unless otherwise noted. Please dress for the weather and bring a nut-free snack for your child. In the event of cold, heavy rain or the threat of thunderstorms, this event will be postponed.

June 22: Trapping Fish in the Salt Marsh at Joppa

July 6: Capturing Bugs in the Riverside Yard at Joppa

July 20: Meeting Backyard Birds at Joppa

August 3: Making Flower Art at Spencer Peirce Little FarmMeets at Spencer Peirce Little Farm, Little’s Lane, Newbury

August 17: Finding Frogs at Mill PondMeets at the Mill Pond Recreation Area in West Newbury.

Imagine, Sing, & Learn at JoppaOpen to families with children ages 3 to 6Fridays / 9:30-11:00 amLeaders: Lisa Hutchings, Joppa Flats School and Youth Education Coordinator, and Kathy Dunfee, Teacher-Naturalistadults $7 members, $9 nonmembers per sessionchildren $6 members, $8 nonmembers per session

This parent-child program is designed for the creative, curious, and active preschooler . Each 90-minute session offers a structured series of activities, including original songs, movement, dramatic play, hands-on science, and a thematic snack . You’ll receive coloring pages, song lyrics, vocabulary, a fun-fact sheet, and a suggested reading list in an electronic goody bag!

A portion of the program will take place outdoors . Please wear close-toed shoes and protect yourselves with sunblock and insect repellent .

June 30: Hermits, Sea Stars, & Snails

July 14: Sand, Shorebirds, & the Tides

July 28: Caterpillars, Butterflies, & Moths

August 11: Ducks, Scud, & Mud

August 25: Frogs, Turtles, & Water Bugs

Meets at Joppa Flats Education Center.

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MEET BEACH CREATURESis back at Joppa!Trouble-free tide pooling

with our 110-gallon tide pool touch tank

Drop in BEFORE the beach, AFTER the beach, or INSTEAD of the beach!

LIVE ANIMALS – CRAFTS – GAMES – DAILY THEMES

HALF-HOUR FAMILY PRESENTATIONS at 11:00 am and 1:00 pm

THURSDAYS-SUNDAYS10:00 am-3:00 pm

June 29 through August 20

$2 suggested donation per child . No individual preregistration required .

Groups of 10 or more, please call ahead: 978-462-9998 .

Butterflies and Bugs Free-for-AllSunday, July 23 / 10:00 am-3:00 pmFree for members and nonmembers

Drop in at Joppa Flats and meet live caterpillars, moths, and butterflies! You’ll learn smart practices to attract birds and wildlife to your own yard and find out how to identify insects safely . Enjoy a Backyard Bug Hunt with our naturalists, join in the Monarch Migration Relay Race, and take home a fun craft or two .

This program is open to all ages . Children must be accompanied by adults . This is a rain-or-shine event . There will be half-hour family presentations at 11:00 am and 1:00 pm .

Meets at Joppa Flats Education Center.

Seabird CruisesOpen to adults and families with children ages 4 and upMondays / 9:00 am-3:00 pm August 14 & September 11

Marine birding trip onboard theCaptain’s Lady IILeader: Dave Larson, Joppa Flats Science and Education Coordinator

See page 22.

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Celebrate your child’s special day at Joppa Flats—it’s a great way to have fun

and support the nature of Massachusetts!

For $265, our birthday party package includes:

•Privateprogramspace •Twohoursofhands-oneducationalfun

with time out for cake •Alltableware(cloths,napkins,plates,utensils)

•Partydecorationandbanners •Take-homeartprojectsforeachchild

•Customizedgoodiebagandbirthdaybanner for the birthday child

For children turning 4 to 5:Limited to 14 children

with one participating parent per child .

For children turning 6 to 10:The base cost covers up to 14 children .

Additional children are $15 each with a maximum of 18 children .

Please plan on at least one parent chaperone per every five children .

Choose your theme!For ages 4 to 5: Indoor Beach Party, Backyard Birds,

Eagles & Owls, Ocean Animals, Polar Pals, Paws & Claws, Riverside Bug Hunt, Ponding Fun

For ages 6 to 10: Themes listed above plusEndangered Animals, Ocean Zones, Ocean Science,

Backyard-ology, Birding Blitz

Parties at an offsite location can be arranged . Times and fees vary .

In all cases, please reserve two months in advance . Email Lisa Hutchings at lhutchings@massaudubon .org

to book your party today!

Birthday Parties for Mass Audubon Members

s u m m e r c a m pchildren, families, & all ages

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Joppa Flats Summer CampMondays-Fridays Open to children ages 6 to 13 Camp Director: Kirsten Lindquist, Joppa Flats Teacher-Naturalist

Joppa Flats Summer Camp is the perfect program for children with an interest in and curiosity about nature . Campers have fun and make friends as they discover North Shore habitats through hands-on activities, such as tide pooling, wildlife tracking, orienteering, nature art, and eco-engineering challenges . Weekly field trips provide full ecosystem immersion, and small group sizes ensure a welcoming, supportive environment .

Nature Questers, our session for ages 11 to 13, brings campers farther outdoors with daily field trips, field ecology projects, paddling trips, and two overnights at Mass Audubon’s Camp Wildwood in Rindge, NH .

We offer an after-camp option until 5:00 pm every week . Registration deadline for all sessions: May 15 . For details, go to massaudubon .org/joppaflatscamp .

Session 1: River to Sea June 26-30 / 8:30 am-3:00 pmFor ages 6 to 11$375 members, $440 nonmembers

Session 2: Bugs Bonanza July 3-7 / 8:30 am-3:00 pm For ages 6 to 11$355 members, $420 nonmembers

Session 3: Splash! Aquatic Adventures July 10-14 / 8:30 am-3:00 pmFor ages 6 to 11$365 members, $435 nonmembers

Session 4: Nature Detectives July 17-21 / 8:30 am-3:00 pmFor ages 6 to 11$350 members, $415 nonmembers

Session 5: Wild Survivors July 24-28 / 8:30 am-3:00 pmFor ages 6 to 11$350 members, $416 nonmembers

Session 6: Take Flight! July 31-August 4 / 8:30 am-3:00 pmFor ages 6 to 11$360 members, $425 nonmembers

Session 7: Nature Nomads August 7-11 / 8:30 am-3:00 pmFor ages 6 to 11$350 members, $415 nonmembers

Session 8: Hoist the Sails and Comb the Shore August 14-18 / 8:30 am-3:00 pmFor ages 6 to 11$365 members, $425 nonmembers

Session 9: Nature Questers August 21-25 / 8:30 am-3:30 pmFor ages 11 to 13 $395 members, $460 nonmembers

Spring Passage at Cape MayFriday, May 5-Monday, May 8 / 4 daysLeaders: Scott Santino, Ipswich River Teacher-Naturalist, and Susan MacCallum, South Shore Sanctuaries Director Contact: Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary, 978-887-9264Cosponsor: South Shore Sanctuaries$850 members, $950 nonmembersNonrefundable deposit: $100

Cape May, New Jersey, located at the southern end of a long peninsula where the Delaware Bay joins the Atlantic Ocean, is an exciting area to visit during spring migration . Large numbers of migrating birds crossing the ocean find this a perfect location to rest and refuel before continuing their journey north . For eons, shorebirds such as red knots, dunlins, ruddy turnstones, and sandpipers have come here in spring to feed on the horseshoe crab eggs laid on the narrow beaches . Springtime here can be a symphony of sight and sound, with many birds moving through the area, while newly arrived breeding species set up their territories . Many of the birds breeding here are at the northern edge of their range, and we have a good chance of seeing prothonotary, worm-eating, hooded, Kentucky, and yellow-throated warblers; blue grosbeaks; Carolina chickadees; and summer tanagers .

Heading south, we will be some of the f irst visitors to Edwin B . Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge (Brigantine) since it closed following Hurricane Sandy in 2012 . The remainder of the weekend we’ll explore the diverse habitats in and around Cape May County . We will bird at key migration stops such as Cape May Point State Park, Higbee Beach, and Belleplain State Forest . Whether you are a birder, photographer, or an all-around naturalist, this trip will prove to be a winner .

The fee includes: round-trip van transportation from the Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary, Topsfield, or North River Wildlife Sanctuary, Marshf ield; motel accommodations (double occupancy) in Cape May; two picnic lunches; and field instruction. Other meals are not included. Single rooms are available for an additional fee. Please register at least one month in advance. Cancellations made within 30 days of departure cannot be refunded or credited unless we can fill your space. For an itinerary or more information, call 978-887-9264 or email ipswichriver@massaudubon.org.

Birding the Connecticut Lakes, New HampshireFriday, June 2-Sunday, June 4 / 3 daysLeaders: David Moon, Joppa Flats Sanctuary Director, and Bill Gette, former Joppa Flats Sanctuary DirectorContact: Joppa Flats Education Center, 978-462-9998$665 members, $765 nonmembersNonrefundable deposit: $200

During this exciting weekend program, we will explore the Connecticut Lakes region of northern New Hampshire, an area rich in wildlife and magnificent scenery . Over our 14 previous trips, we have seen a total of 129 species of birds, including many boreal species . Target birds will include black-backed and pileated woodpeckers, gray jay, common raven, yellow-bellied and alder flycatchers, spruce grouse, boreal chickadee, rusty blackbird, Philadelphia vireo, and many species of warblers (e .g ., mourning, blackpoll, Wilson’s, and bay-breasted) . We also expect to see a wide variety of butterflies and several species of mammals including moose .

The program fee is for double occupancy and includes all transportation between Newburyport and the Connecticut Lakes, lodging at The Glen (a wonderful northern inn), and six meals . Single rooms are not available on this trip . Please call for a detailed brochure .

Final payment is due May 2. Leaders will send out trip materials after final payment is received, approximately two weeks prior to the trip’s start date. Cancellations made within 30 days of departure cannot be refunded or credited unless we can fill your space.

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Minnesota and North Dakota: Boreal Bog and Prairie BirdingWednesday, June 7-Thursday, June 15 / 9 daysLeaders: Dave Larson, Joppa Flats Science and Education Coordinator, and Dave Weaver, BCPContact: Joppa Flats Education Center, 978-462-9998$1,695 members, $1,795 nonmembersNonrefundable deposit: $500

This trip is a doozy! We star t off based in Duluth, MN, which gives us easy access to the fabulous boreal Superior National Forest, where we will search for breeding warblers (e .g ., Cape May, bay-breasted, mourning, and Tennessee), flycatchers (yellow-bellied, olive-sided), broad-winged hawks, gray jays, and vireos . We will also be making several visits to the Sax-Zim Bog, with its breeding but elusive great gray owls, Connecticut warblers, and other boreal specialties . We will head west with a visit to the Felton Prairie area to look for greater prairie chickens and a variety of prairie sparrows . From Jamestown, ND, we will comb the prairies and farmlands for breeding upland sandpipers, western willets, American avocets, sharp-tailed grouse, and an impressive list of sparrows (including clay-colored, vesper, grasshopper, Le Conte’s, and Baird’s) . We will also have a chance at Sprague’s pipit . This region is part of the great “duck factory” of North America, with abundant ducks, grebes, Wilson’s phalaropes, and black terns . We finish in Bismarck, ND, to begin our trip home .

This is a demanding trip, covering lots of miles by van, and including early morning departures and some evening birding . But the landscape and birds are fantastic . On our trips in 2013 and 2014, we found 200 species of birds (23 species of warblers) and 21 of mammals . We always have a great time and you will too .

The listed fees are for double occupancy . A nonrefundable deposit of $500 is due at the time of registration . A single-room supplement is available for an additional $550 .

Final payment is due May 7. Leaders will send out trip materials after final payment is received, approximately two weeks prior to the trip’s start date. Cancellations made within 30 days of departure cannot be refunded or credited unless we can fill your space. Please do not make your flight arrangements until you have checked with the trip leaders.

Machias Seal Island and Eastern Maine Saturday, June 10-Monday June 12 / 3 daysLeaders: Bill Gette, former Joppa Flats Sanctuary Director, and Steve Walch, Naturalist Contact: Joppa Flats Education Center, 978-462-9998$625 members, $725 nonmembersNonrefundable deposit: $150

A trip to Machias Seal Island and eastern Maine during nesting season is a fantastic experience! During our program, we plan to visit Machias Seal Island, the Deblois Blueberry Barrens, Quoddy Head State Park, and many other sites in the Machias/Cutler area . On our 30 previous expeditions, we have seen a total of 202 species of birds and a variety of mammals .

Machias Seal Island is noted as a nesting colony for seabirds including Atlantic puffins, common murres, and razorbills . The Deblois Blueberry Barrens, Quoddy Head, and the Cutler area are noted for a wide variety of land birds including the upland sandpiper, vesper sparrow, black-backed woodpecker, spruce grouse, boreal chickadee, and gray jay . Throughout our trip, we will have the opportunity to see and hear nesting warblers .

The listed fees are for double occupancy and include the boat trip to Machias Seal Island . A single-room supplement is available for an additional $150 . Please call for a detailed brochure .

Final payment is due May 10. Leaders will send out trip materials after final payment is received, approximately two weeks prior to the trip’s start date. Cancellations made within 30 days of departure cannot be refunded or credited unless we can fill your space.

Puffins and PeatlandsThursday, July 13-Sunday, July 16 / 4 daysLeaders: Carol Decker, Ipswich River Sanctuary Director, and Susan MacCallum, South Shore Sanctuaries DirectorContact: Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary, 978-887-9264Cosponsor: South Shore Sanctuaries$680 members, $740 nonmembersNonrefundable deposit: $125

Travel east of Frenchman Bay in Maine, and you will see a change in the woodlands and coastline . Spruce, f ir, and tamarack become the dominant species; the ocean shore is rough and rocky; and extensive mudflats are exposed as a result of the 15- to 20-foot tides . This is Down East Maine! Join us as we explore the unique ecology of this region, including boreal forests, raised bogs, and an offshore seabird nesting colony .

We’ll visit Machias Seal Island, 10 miles from the mainland, to view Atlantic puffins in their colorful breeding plumage, along with razorbills, nesting Arctic terns, and common murres . This is the spot to see and photograph Atlantic puffins up close and personal . In addition to searching for boreal nesting birds, we will explore Cobscook Bay, Campobello Island, and Quoddy Head Light, scanning for seabirds, whales, and dolphins from the cliffs and ledges .

Please note: This trip is currently filled. Please contact our office if you would like to be wait-listed: 978-887-9264 or ipswichriver@massaudubon.org.

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Monhegan Island WeekendFriday, September 15-Sunday, September 17 3 daysLeaders: Carol Decker, Ipswich River Sanctuary Director, and Scott Santino, Ipswich River Teacher-NaturalistContact: Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary, 978-887-9264$520 members, $590 nonmembersNonrefundable deposit: $75

Join us for a weekend of birding and naturalizing on this beautiful rockbound island . Located 10 miles off the coast of Maine, Monhegan is not only remote and enchanting, but it also serves as a trap for migrant songbirds . This is the place to be for exciting views of the fall migration . Hawks will be on their flight south, and in past years we have had incredible aerial displays from migrating falcons . We will explore a variety of habitats, including freshwater pond, coniferous forest, and rocky shoreline . Seals can be seen from the island, and sighting a whale is always a possibility . We will stay at the charming Monhegan House, operating as a guest house since 1870, and situated in the heart of the village .

Please note: This trip is currently filled. Please contact our office if you would like to be wait-listed: 978-887-9264 or ipswichriver@massaudubon.org.

Block Island Birding WeekendFriday, September 22-Sunday, September 24 3 daysLeaders: Carol Decker, Ipswich River Sanctuary Director, and Susan MacCallum, South Shore Sanctuaries DirectorContact: Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary, 978-887-9264Cosponsor: South Shore Sanctuaries$545 members, $615 nonmembersNonrefundable deposit: $75

A gift from the glaciers, Block Island is located approximately 12 miles off the Rhode Island coast . Although small, this beautiful island offers a number of different habitats and spectacular scenery . In the fall, the island belongs primarily to the birds and birders . It is a resting and feeding place for migrating shorebirds and ocean birds . The island also forms a natural trap for land birds that have wandered out over the ocean during their southward migration . We expect to see a variety of warblers, raptors, herons, shorebirds, and, of course, the unexpected .

The fee includes all ground and boat transportation, interpretive materials, entrance fees, and lodging, unless otherwise noted. Fees are based on double occupancy; single rooms may be available for an additional fee. Personal items and meals are not included. For an itinerary, call 978-887-9264 or email ipswichriver@massaudubon.org. Please register at least six weeks in advance. Cancellations made within 30 days of departure cannot be refunded or credited unless we can fill your space.

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Fall Birding in Alaska: Barrow and AnchorageWednesday, October 4-Thursday, October 12 9 daysLeaders: Dave Larson, Joppa Flats Science and Education Coordinator, and MaryMargaret Halsey, BCPContact: Joppa Flats Education Center, 978-462-9998Price: TBD

Ah, Alaska . Huge wide-open spaces, temperate to high-Arctic habitats, fantastic birds and mammals . But in October, in Barrow? This trip is not your average Alaska birding tour in June with a zillion bugs . We are traveling to see birds, mammals, and habitats in their pre-winter splendor .

We will fly to Barrow via Anchorage and stay for several days at a modern and pleasant hotel . Barrow, officially known as Utqiagvik, is the northernmost city in the United States and is located above the Arctic Circle . It is a largely Iñupiat village at the base of a spit that extends north between the Chukchi and Beaufort seas . The principal reasons to go to Barrow at this time of year are Ross’s gulls, polar bears, and seabirds . During the end of September to the beginning of October, most of the Ross’s gulls on the planet pass by Barrow on their way east from the Chukchi Sea to the Beaufort Sea . Other seabirds common to the area at this time of year are yellow-billed loons, Pacific loons, common and king eiders, long-tailed ducks, short-tailed shearwaters, black-legged kittiwakes, herring gulls, and glaucous gulls . Land birds are thin at this time of the year: common ravens and (mostly hoary) redpolls . Other possibilities include snowy owls (depending on the year), red and red-necked phalaropes, Thayer’s gulls, and the chance for lingerers and rarities—pomarine jaeger, Sabine’s gull, spectacled eider, ivory gull . Mammals are pretty good too . Last year, we had as many as eight polar bears in a day, many Arctic foxes (white) and short-tailed weasels (also white), a few seals, and a Nearctic collared lemming .

For the second leg of the trip, we’ll fly back to Anchorage for three days, where we will bird Arctic Valley, Kincaid Park, and other various locations in the bowl, looking for willow ptarmigan, spruce grouse, northern shrike, and boreal chickadee . The Park can be good for other boreal species, including northern goshawk, northern saw-whet owl, American three-toed woodpecker, white-winged crossbill, and common redpoll, as well as moose . This is an amazing tour with great target birds and mammals . Don’t miss out .

Final payment is due September 4. Leaders will send out trip materials after final payment is received, approximately two weeks prior to the trip’s start date. Cancellations made within 30 days of departure cannot be refunded or credited unless we can fill your space. Please do not make your flight arrangements until you have checked with the trip leaders.

Louisiana: Cajun Country and Yellow RailsTuesday, November 7-Monday, November 13 7 daysLeaders: Dave Larson, Joppa Flats Science and Education Coordinator, and Susan Hardy, BCPContact: Joppa Flats Education Center, 978-462-9998$1,695 members, $1,795 nonmembersNonrefundable deposit: $400

Southwestern Louisiana is a fabulous birding location in the fall . It has extensive wetlands, agricultural areas, and the Gulf coast, giving us plenty of habitats to explore . In addition, southwestern Louisiana is Cajun country, so expect some epic food .

A major focus of this trip is waterbirds, especially the near-mythical yellow rail . These birds winter in Louisiana and love rice fields . In late October, when the local rice farmers harvest their fall crop, the combines flush out a variety of birds, including sora and Virginia and yellow rails . We will have access to rice fields for these and other birds during the harvest, on foot and on the combine . This is a real hoot!

Besides birding the rice fields, we will visit agricultural areas, three national wildlife refuges (Lacassine, Cameron Prairie, and Sabine), Kisatchie National Forest, and a variety of private locations . Weather permitting, we will also take a boat ride in the Lacassine Bayou .

In the past three trips, we had a total of 180 species of birds, including five species of rails, roseate spoonbills, white and white-faced ibises, 16 species of waterfowl (but no Canada geese!), and lots of passerines . In addition, both loggerhead shrike and American kestrel were “common” on many days of this trip . We have seen 10 species of nonhuman mammals .

The listed fees are for double occupancy . A nonrefundable deposit of $400 is due at the time of registration . A single-room supplement is available for an additional $450 .

Final payment is due October 7. Leaders will send out trip materials after final payment is received, approximately two weeks prior to the trip’s start date. Cancellations made within 30 days of departure cannot be refunded or credited unless we can fill your space. Please do not make your flight arrangements until you have checked with the trip leaders.

Trips & Tours

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Arizona Winter Raptor Rapture…and Other Special Winter BirdsFriday, January 19-Friday, January 26, 2018 8 daysLeaders: Carol Decker, Ipswich River Sanctuary Director, and Scott Santino, Ipswich River Teacher-Naturalist Contact: Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary, 978-887-9264$1,795 members, $2,154 nonmembersRegister by Labor Day and take $100 off!

We are still building the itinerary for this exciting new trip, but put the dates on your calendar because southern Arizona is a terrific place to bird in winter . We will be looking for such specialties as the ferruginous hawk, Harris’s hawk, and prairie falcon; along with crested caracara, mountain plover, chestnut-collared and McCown’s longspurs; a variety of flycatchers and sparrows; and Bendire’s, Crissal, and LeConte’s thrashers . This area has so many great birding sites, and we will be scouring sagebrush habitat, sod farms, beautiful state parks, and watering holes to find them . Temperatures in winter can be chilly in the morning, but delightfully warming by afternoon .

To request an itinerary, please contact the Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary at 978-887-9264 or ipswichriver@massaudubon.org.

Natural History Travel800-289-9504

A world of wonderful birds and nature is waiting . Join Mass Audubon staff naturalists on tour . Have fun, learn, and support conservation here in Massachusetts and abroad with International Birding and Natural History Tours .

Newfoundland: July 11-20 with Amber Carr

Secrets of Melanesia Birding Cruise:October 20-31 with Chris Leahy

Namibia:November 1-16 with Sue MacCallum

And so much more in 2018! • Colombiabirding:January 2018

• Galapagoscruise:February 2018

• Japan:February 2018

• CostaRica:February 2018

For a complete list of all our USA and international tours, go to massaudubon.org/travel, email travel@massaudubon.org or call 800-289-9504.

N o r t h S h o r e E d u c a t i o n C e n t e r s

General Information

Ipswich River Wildlife SanctuaryOne of Mass Audubon’s largest sanctuaries, Ipswich Riveroffers nearly 2,000 acres of land and more than 12 miles of interconnecting trails that invite you to explore forests, meadows, and wetlands . Mowed fields provide habitat for American woodcocks and eastern bluebirds, while the floodplain forests are resting and nesting sites for warblers and vireos . Canoe along eight miles of the Ipswich River, which meanders through the sanctuary, and camp on Perkins Island, a half-mile up the river . Members can rent canoes from May 1 through October 31 . Members can also rent a small cabin that is conveniently located close to the sanctuary’s program facilities and sleeps four . In spring, listen for the chorus of American toads and pickerel frogs . In various seasons, watch for river otters, painted turtles, and great blue herons . View an active beaver lodge in Rockery Pond . Climb the drumlin and esker, landscape features created by a glacier 15,000 years ago . In winter, sap buckets fill the sugar grove, marking the season of our maple sugaring programs . Huge rocks and exotic trees and shrubs that were par t of a former arboretum provide an adventurous walk along the Rockery Trail .

Address87 Perkins Row, Topsfield, MA 01983 978-887-9264 Office / 978-887-0875 Fax ipswichriver@massaudubon .org

Office/Gift Shop/Trail HoursOffice and Gift Shop: Weekdays, Tuesday through Friday,9:00 am to 4:00 pm; Weekends and Monday holidays, May 1-October 31, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm; andNovember 1-April 30, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm . Trails: Open dawn to dusk, Tuesday through Sunday and Monday holidays .

Admission$4 for nonmember adults; $3 for nonmember children (2-12) and seniors

For information about other North Shore wildlife sanctuaries, including Cedar Pond, Eastern Point, Marblehead Neck, and Nahant Thicket, contact Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary at 978-887-9264 or ipswichriver@massaudubon.org.

For information about Rough Meadows Wildlife Sanctuary, please contact Joppa Flats Education Center at 978-462-9998 or joppaflats@massaudubon.org.

Joppa Flats Education Center and Wildlife SanctuaryJoppa Flats Education Center is located at the gateway to oneof the country’s most productive year-round wildlife viewing areas—the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge and the Plum Island estuary . Highlights for visitors are the many species of birds that utilize the area’s extensive salt marshes, mudflats, rivers, bays, and coastal waters . During local area field trips, Joppa Flats program participants have recorded more than 300 species of birds, including bald eagle, snowy owl, and many warblers, shorebirds, and waterfowl . The visitor center overlooking the Merrimack River includes a children’s education room with a marine aquarium, a conference center, art exhibits, a nature shop, butterfly gardens, and interpretive displays .

AddressOne Plum Island Turnpike Newburyport, MA 01950978-462-9998 Office / 978-462-4143 Fax joppaflats@massaudubon .org

Education Center/Grounds HoursEducation Center: Tuesday through Sunday and Monday holidays, 8:30 am to 4:00 pm . Grounds: Open daily, dawn to dusk .

AdmissionSuggested donation: $2 for nonmembers

Endicott Wildlife SanctuaryThis sanctuary comprises over 43 acres of mixed woodland, fields, wetlands, and has a walking trail . Endicott offers a variety of volunteer opportunities and internships in education and ecological management .

There are programs for teachers and students including the Salt Marsh Science Project . Our programs for middle and high school students focus on real science, with real scientists and real issues . Coastal topics, invasive species, and inquiry-based lessons are our specialty . For more information about our school programs go to massaudubon .org/endicott-school .

The Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary Nature Preschool is located here . It offers programs for 3- to 5-year-olds in nature-based emergent curriculum, creative classrooms, outdoor play areas, and gardens .

Address346 Grapevine Road, Wenham, MA 01984 978-927-1122 Office endicott@massaudubon .org

Ipswich River Nature Preschool Office: 978-237-0108 kfirst@massaudubon .org

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R e g i s t r a t i o n P r o c e d u r e s& P o l i c y G u i d e l i n e s

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Registration Advance registration with full payment is required for all programs unless otherwise noted . You may call in advance to inquire about space availability; however, we cannot hold a space for you until we have received your payment in full . Please register early because many programs fill quickly . If you are registering for a class and less than one week remains before the program begins, please call the sanctuary hosting the program to confirm that space is available . If you are not a Mass Audubon member, you may join when you register and pay the member program fee .

Four Easy Ways to Register! We accept MasterCard, VISA, and Discover

•Register Online!You can register for most of Mass Audubon’s programs online . That means you can sign up any time of day (regardless of whether that sanctuary is open or not), and you will instantly know if a program is full or has a wait-list . Visit our program catalog online: massaudubon .org/catalog . Please note that some programs and trips do not take online registration . For these, please call the appropriate sanctuary during business hours .

•By Telephone: Call the sanctuary that is hosting the program . Please have your membership, credit card, and course information ready .

•By Mail: Complete the registration form and return it with your check, money order, or credit card authorization to the sanctuary that is hosting the program for which you are registering . All checks and money orders should be made payable to Mass Audubon .

•In Person: During business hours, stop by the sanctuary that is hosting the program you are interested in attending and register in person . Note: Registering in person should be done prior to the program start date because registering the day of the program, in many cases, will be too late .

Confirmation Information Written confirmation may not be sent for every program . You will be notified if you do not get into a program because it is full, or if your name has been placed on a wait-list . Please read all future correspondence carefully because it may contain information pertinent to your program such as what to bring or wear, directions to a location, etc .

Meeting LocationsMeeting locations are listed with the program descriptions in this brochure .

Filled Programs/Wait-Lists Most programs have minimum and maximum enrollments depending on the type of class and instructional techniques . If the program of your choice is full, we will notify you immediately and automatically place you on a wait-list .

If you do not wish to remain on the wait-list, please notify the sanctuary hosting the program and a refund will be issued . We will notify you at least 24 hours in advance of the program only if space becomes available . If space does not open up, you will receive a full refund within three weeks of the program date .

Cancellation/Refund PolicyTo receive a program refund if you no longer plan to attend, you must notify the sanctuary hosting the program at least one week prior to the first class . This policy does not apply to day camp programs or overnight trips. Each sanctuary reserves the right to change programs, schedules, and instructors or to cancel programs due to low enrollment . Please note that certain programs require a nonrefundable, nontransferable deposit . A full refund will be processed if the sanctuary cancels the program . Refunds require approximately three weeks for processing .

Inclement WeatherMost programs are held rain or shine; please dress accordingly . We will do our best to notify you if the class is canceled or postponed due to the weather . If the weather is questionable and you have not heard from us, please call the sanctuary .

For programs that list a rain/storm date, we recommend that you hold the alternate date open . Refunds will not be issued if the class is switched to its alternate date and you are not able to attend . If no rain date is listed, we may try to reschedule the class . In this case, refunds will be issued if you cannot attend on the rescheduled date . If the class cannot be rescheduled you will receive a refund .

Additional Questions?If you have additional questions about registration policies, or have a question about a particular program, please call the sanctuary hosting the program directly .

Where to Send Registration FormsFor Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary 87 Perkins Row Topsfield, MA 01983 978-887-9264 Office

For Joppa Flats Education CenterOne Plum Island TurnpikeNewburyport, MA 01950978-462-9998 Office

R e g i s t r a t i o n F o r m

Important Note: Since manyof our programs fill up quickly, the best way to guarantee a spot is to register online or call the sanctuary. For all registrations by mail, please submit a separate form for each wildlife sanctuary.

Individual’s Information

Circle One: Dr. / Mr. / Ms. / Mrs. / Miss

Adult Name/Contact Name

Address

City State Zip

Phone (Day) Phone (Evening) Cell

E-mail Please send me the e-newsletter for Ipswich River Joppa Flats

Membership Information

Mass Audubon Member? Yes No

Member No. Membership Exp. Date / /

Not currently a Mass Audubon Member? Join NOW and enjoy Membership Discounts and other great benefits.For details, visit www.massaudubon.org/join.

Individual ($48) Family ($65) Explorer ($80) Contributor ($100) Protector ($150) Sponsor ($250) Patron ($500)

Session Information

/ /

/ /

/ /

/ /

/ /

/ /Total Program Fee(s)

Membership Fee

Additional Donation

Total Amount Enclosed

Check or Money Order

Please make all checks and money orders payable to Mass Audubon.

MasterCard, Visa, or Discover

Name on Credit Card

Credit Card No.

CVV# Exp. Date

Signature

Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary87 Perkins Row, Topsfield, MA 01983 Office: 978-887-9264

Joppa Flats Education CenterP.O. Box 1558, Newburyport, MA 01950Office: 978-462-9998

For your personal security, please do not send credit card information by fax or email.

Program/ Session Name

Date(s) & Time

Participant’s Full Name

(Adult or Child)

Child’s Date of Birth (if applicable)

Child’s Age

Session Fee

Where to Send Registration and Payment: