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Birds of Mount Greylock Mount Greylock State Reservation INFORMATION GUIDE & SIGHTING LIST
Birds of Mount Greylock Mount Greylock State Reservation INFORMATION GUIDE & SIGHTING LIST Birds of Mount Greylock is a two-part document. Part 1 is a basic overview of the variety of bird species found in and around Mount Greylock, where you might encounter them in the Reservation. Part 2 is a birding checklist for your records. Part 1 Managed by the Department of Conservation & Recreation (DCR), Mount Greylock State Reservation covers over 12,500 acres of upland habitat. The summit at 3,491 feet above sea level is the highest point in Massachusetts and supports the only sub-alpine ecosystem in the state; one of the southernmost extensions of the boreal or spruce-fir forest, normally associated with Canada. Why go birding? If you want a challenge, camaraderie, fun, passion, beauty, insight, travel, and discovery, go birding. All this aside, humans have certainly altered face of the landscape, sometimes negatively impacting bird habitats. Bird populations, over time, have responded by shifting to more suitable habitats or disappearing altogether from certain areas. Still other species have been either hunted to extinction, their distinctive habitats completely destroyed, affected by pesticides or pollution, or even displaced by competing bird species. There is a widely held belief within the bird watching community is that an interest in birds is often the first step toward building a sound conservation ethic. Birds are sensitive indicators of the health of the environment. It is likely that a popular widespread commitment to their well- being will lead to a greater concern for the quality of the environment on which humans and birds are mutually dependent. -
Berkshire Bioblitz 2010 Report
Groupings of Organisms & Key Experts 2010 Berkshire BioBlitz, Pittsfield State Forest, June 4 & 5, 2010 Compiled & Reported by Scott LaGreca Lisa Provencher, Dan Shustack, Jeremy Smith, Mike Gramacki, Lauren Moffat, and Scott LaGreca ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Before listing the nearly 1,000 species discovered at Pittsfield State Forest, acknowledgements must be given. The 2010 Berkshire BioBlitz—the very first, large all- species biological inventory in Berkshire County, Massachusetts—would not have been possible without the help of many organizations and individuals. First and foremost, Lisa Provencher of the MCLA STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math) team deserves full credit as co-organizer of the BioBlitz. Not only did she advise and assist with every aspect of the scientific survey, she also single-handedly developed the education component of the Blitz for area schoolchildren. The Berkshire Museum confidently led our group of partner organizations and made the BioBlitz a success; Executive Director Stuart Chase and Director of Interpretation Maria Mingalone are especially thanked for always believing in the power of hands-on, experiential natural science education. Jane Winn of BEAT (Berkshire Environmental Action Team) was our “go-to girl”, ably assisting with all aspects of the Blitz—and sounding the horn which officially kicked off the Blitz at noon on Friday. We are also grateful to BioBlitz partner organization Massachusetts DCR (Department of Conservation and Recreation), on whose property the BioBlitz took place. Mark Todd (Supervisor of Pittsfield State Forest), Scott Dean, Chris Hookie, and Bob Mellace provided critical advice and logistical support. In addition, Keith Babuszczak generously cooked an early breakfast for over a dozen hungry staff and scientists on Saturday morning! Peter Alden (Walden Biodiversity Day/ The Walden Woods Project) is warmly thanked for giving me advice regarding running a BioBlitz, and for providing the template for this report. -
Watershed Survey Final Report and Action Plan
WATERSHED SURVEY FINAL REPORT & ACTION PLAN ONOTA LAKE WATERSHED PITTSFIELD, LANESBOROUGH, AND HANCOCK, MASSACHUSETTS SPRING 2003 IN COOPERATION WITH THE MASSACHUSETTS RIVERWAYS PROGRAMS DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES, WILDLIFE & ENVIRONMENTAL LAW ENFORCEMENT LAKE/WATERSHED STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM 2 Onota Lake Watershed Survey Final Report I. Introduction 4 II. Map of watershed survey sections 6 III. Narrative descriptions of survey sections 7 IV. Priority findings by section 15 V. Action Plan 24 VI. Outreach Materials 29 VII. Data collection examples 34 Acknowledgements Many people contributed greatly to the success of this very beneficial survey: Tom O’Brien whose leadership got the project up and running while Housatonic River Basin EOEA Team Leader; Chris Carney of the Riverways Program whose knowledge, enthusiasm and leadership were critical to making it all happen; Jim McGrath, Pittsfield’s Director of Community Services, who took over Chairmanship of the Steering Committee and will provide the carry-over so necessary to follow-on implementation; Melissa Jette of BRPC, Jane Winn of LOPA and AmeriCorps volunteer Meagan Kane at BCC who enabled the assembly of the volunteer force that participated; and finally the volunteers themselves – Tom Armstrong, Steve Asen, Maria Loina Buesa, Gene Chague, Norman Cruz, Efrain Diego, Tim Flanagan, Veronica Garcia, Jon Garson, Yadira Guifada, Don Harris, Melissa Jette, Dick Johnson, Meagan Kane, Regina Mahony, Marianela Marin, Raquel McBean, James McGrath, Tracey Miller, Carla Miranda, Anne Monnelly, Karla Navarro, Fransua Nieto, Richard Quinn, Bob Race, Bob Ramsey, Carol Ramsey, Anthony Robie, Jeff Rose, Amulfo Sanchez, Carolyn Sibner, Racheal Stevens, Sandi Stowe, Tom Stowe, Jim Straub, Fernando Vasconcelos and Jane Winn. -
Singletracks #123 September 2012
ST201208 123.qxd 7/27/2012 1:02 PM Page 1 NEW ENGLAND MOUNTAIN BIKE ASSOCIATION Sept 2012 #123 www.nemba.org ST201208 123.qxd 7/27/2012 1:02 PM Page 2 ST201208 123.qxd 7/27/2012 1:02 PM Page 3 SSingleingleTTrackS NEMBA, the New England Mountain Bike September 2012, Number 123 Association, is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) organi- zation dedicated to promoting trail access, maintaining trails open for mountain bicyclists, and educating mountain bicyclists to use these NEMBAfest crowns 7 trails sensitively and responsibly. the Kingdom SingleTracks is published six times a year by the Hard to imagine a better weekend and a better event New England Mountain Bike Association for the trail community. - but we’re already looking to improve the NEMBAfest for 2013.wski ©SingleTracks Editor & Publisher: Philip Keyes Contributing Writers: Bill Boles, Jeff Cutler Cartoonist: Philippe Guillerm Copy Editor: Nanyee Keyes Executive Director: Philip Keyes [email protected] Pittsfield State NEMBA PO Box 2221 Forest Acton MA 01720 PSF is Western Massachusetts outdoor playground. Come ride some great singletracks and enjoy some 9 Board of Directors beautiful Berkshire scenery. By Brad Herder Harold Green, President Adam Glick, Vice-President Matt Schulde, Vice-President Anne Shepard, Treasurer 13 MTBing & Yoga Camp Harry Meyer, Secretary Riding your mountain bike and becoming one with the trail begins with waking your body. See how yoga and Rob Adair, White Mountains NEMBA Brian Alexander, CeMeNEMBA mountain biking come together in this weekend John Anders, Midcoast Maine NEMBA retreat. By Renee Gregoirewski John Barley, White Mountains NEMBA Matt Bowser, Central NH NEMBA Eammon Carleton, BV NEMBA Matt Caron, Southern NH NEMBA Steve Cobble, SE MA NEMBA Paper Trail Hey, get creative! We wel- Leo Corrigan, RI NEMBA SingleTracks Peter DeSantis, Southern NH NEMBA come submissions, photos and artwork. -
Pittsfield and October Mountain Trail System Plan
TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN DCR’s Pittsfield and October Mountain State Forests Contents Page Section 1. Introduction 4 1.1. Introduction 4 1.2. Mission of the Department of Conservation and Recreation 5 1.3. Trail System Planning 5 1.4. The Planning Process 5 Section 2. Existing Conditions 7 2.1. Natural Resources 7 2.2. Cultural History 8 2.3. Recreational Resources 9 2.4. Ownership and Management 9 2.5. Current Trail System 10 2.6. Trail Conditions 11 2.7. Recreational Conflict 12 Section 3. Goals, Features and Experiences 15 3.1. Trail System Management Goals 15 3.2. Features, Access Points and Connections 16 3.3. Recreational Experiences and Expectations 18 Section 4. Sensitive Natural and Cultural Resources 21 4.1. Sensitive Sites and Resources 21 4.2. Ecological Impacts of Trail Activities 22 Section 5. Management, Staffing and Partners 24 5.1 DCR Staffing 24 5.2 Partner Resources 24 5.3 Permitting Procedures 25 Section 6. Management Recommendations 27 COMBINED RECOMMENDATIONS 6.1. Engage an Experienced OHV Planning Consultant to Develop an OHV Funding, 27 Maintenance and Management Plan 6.2. Expand Regional and Complex Staffing to Successfully Manage and Maintain these 27 Multi-Use Trail Systems 6.3. Implement Approved Trail Recommendations in Cooperation with Stewardship Partners 27 6.4. Produce a New Maps for PSF and OMSF 28 6.5. Create Disincentives to Help Halt Illegal Trail Building 28 PITTSFIELD STATE FOREST 6.6. Enhance Trail Marking, Wayfinding and User Information 28 6.7. Repair and Maintain Priority Trails and Trail Segments 28 6.8. -
Annual Report of the Commissioner of Conservation and State Forester
Xj2p f Public Document No. 73 Zfyt €ommontoealtf) of *ttaggacl)u£ett£ ANNUAL REPORT OF THE Commissioner of Conservation AND The State Forester and Director of Parks FOR THE YEAR ENDING NOVEMBER 30, 1937 DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION [Offices: 20 Somerset Street, Boston, Mass.1 Publication of this Document approved bt the Commission on Administration and Finance 1600 3-'38. Order 3263. kiAY 11 1938 Cf)e €ommontoealtf) of ffia$$atfyu$ttt$ Outline of the • REPORT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION For convenience and economy this report is divided as follows: Part I. —The organization and general work of the Department of Conservation. Part II. —The Division of Forestry. Part III.—The Division of Parks. Part IV.—The Division of Fisheries and Game. (Part IV is printed separately as Public Document No. 25.) PART I ANNUAL REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF CONSERVATION The thirty-fourth annual report of the Commissioner of Conservation is hereby submitted in compliance with Section 32 of Chapter 30 of the General Laws, Ter- centenary Edition. Organization of the Department of Conservation Ernest J. Dean, Commissioner Herbert W. Urquhart, Conservation Department Secretary Division of Forestry Ernest J. Dean, State Forester Raymond J. Kenney, Assistant to the State Forester Harold 0. Cook, Chief Forester Frank L. Haynes, Forester, Land Purchase and Surveys D. C. A. Galarneau, Forester in Western Massachusetts Frank J. Sargent, Forester, State Nurseries James A. Haitian; ifcpiepter ; Maxwell C. HutcHins, State Fire Warden • John P. Crowe, Supervising Fire' Warden ' Harry B. Ramsey, Chief Mot!* Suppressor John P. Giblin, Construction Foreman Arthur L. Stuart, Repair Shop Foreman Elizabeth Hub3ard, Heed C'<evk Barbara E. -
Geology of the West-Central Part of the Southern Anthracite Field and Adjoining Areas, Pennsylvania
Geology of the West-Central Part of the Southern Anthracite Field and Adjoining Areas, Pennsylvania GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PROFESSIONAL PAPER 602 Geology of the West-Central Part of the Southern Anthracite Field and Adjoining Areas, Pennsylvania By GORDON H. WOOD, JR., J. PETER TREXLER, and THOMAS M. KEHN GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PROFESSIONAL PAPER 602 A study of part of one of the classic areas of geology and of the surrounding region UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE, WASHINGTON : 1969 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR STEWART L. UDALL, Secretary GEOLOGICAL SURVEY William T. Pecora, Director Library of Congress catalog card No. GS 68-298 For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office Washington, D.C. 20402 CONTENTS Page Page Abstract_ _ _______________________________________ 1 Stratigraphy Continued Introduction. ______________________________________ 3 Mississippian System Continued Physical features._______________________________ 4 Pocono Formation Continued Present investigation.___________________________ 5 Deposition of the Pocono Formation._____ 63 Previous work_________________________________ 6 Age and correlation of the Pocono Forma Acknowledgments_____________________________ 7 tion. ________________________________ 65 Principal geologic featurea___________________________ 7 Mississippian and Pennsylvanian rocks____-____--_ 65 Stratigraphy _______________________________________ Mauch Chunk Formation____-____-____--_--_ 65 Ordovician System____________________________ Lower member.________________________ -
Berkshire Birds
Restricted Material Restricted Material AN ANNOTATED LIST OF THE BIRDS OF BERKSHIRE COUNTY MASSACHUSETTS David P. St. James Pittsfield Mass 2012 Restricted Material Contents Introduction 3 Acknowledgments3 Annotated List of Birds5 RestrictedReferences Material 102 Miscellany 104 List of Abbreviations...................................Restricted Material104 List of People mentioned in text............................. 105 Index of English Names 106 Index of Latin Names 110 c David P. St. James Revision: 9/27/2013 Restricted Material Annotated List of the Birds of Berkshire County, Massachusetts INTRODUCTION Berkshire county is comprised of the westernmost 33 towns and cities of Massachusetts. Its elevations range from the summit on Mt. Greylock in Adams, the highest point in the state at 3491 feet to 590 feet where the Hoosic River flows from the county in Williamstown. In between, a host of habitat allows for a great diversity of bird life. The county is enveloped between the rolling peaks of the Taconic Mountains to the west and the Berkshire Plateau on the eastern margin enfolding the valleys of the Housatonic, Hoosic and Farmington Rivers. These three valleys serve as a minor migration route for returning birds in Restrictedthe spring and those departing before wintersMaterial onset. Here in the Berkshires, for nearly 200 years, the migration and breeding of birds have been documented. The first acknowledgment of avian presence was from Chester Dewey in his A History of the County of Berkshire, Massachusetts in 1829 and extended through the 19th Century as regional accounts and reminiscences. It was not until 1900 that a formalizedRestricted listing by RalphMaterial Hoffmann and Walter Faxon was printed (updated in 1922). -
BIRD OBSERVER 240 Vol. 20, No. 5,1992 WATERFOWL in the BERKSHIRES by Bartlett Hendricks
BIRD OBSERVER 240 Vol. 20, No. 5,1992 WATERFOWL IN THE BERKSHIRES by Bartlett Hendricks Being the furthest from the sea among Massachusetts counties and with an average altitude of fifteen hundred feet, Berkshire County would not seem to be a productive area for migrating waterbirds. In fact, birders visiting the Berkshires during the spring and fall are often pleased with the number and variety of waterbirds. While both the Connecticut and Hudson river valleys attract far larger waterfowl migrations, the birds are usually easier to observe in the Berkshires. This is because the Berkshires have more moderate-sized lakes and ponds, none of which are so large that birds cannot be identified from the opposite shore except on very dark or windy days, and on those occasions the far side can be reached without long detours. Since 1946 the Hoffmann Bird Club of Pittsfield has conducted an annual waterfowl census, held on either the first or second Sunday of November. From loons to coots we have thus far recorded thirty-five species. We have not seen a Blue-winged Teal because they move south too early, and have only once recorded a Common Moorhen, which also breeds in the county. The largest number of one species we have seen in one day is over 870 Canada Geese. However, on November 12,1979 (the day after our trip), a group of experienced members saw sixty-four Common Loons, over 3500 Snow Geese, over 3000 Canada Geese, three Red-necked Grebes, and four Surf Scoters, all at Onota Lake. Other waterbirds identified over the years, many of them accidental, include Pacific Loon, Northern Gannet, Mute Swan, Greater White-fronted Goose, Barnacle Goose, King Eider (one dozen of which were photographed in one flock), Barrow's Goldeneye, Thick-billed Murre, and Atlantic Puffin.