MASS AUDUBON MOOSE HILL WILDLIFE SANCTUARY Celebrating Summer

Spring/Summer PROGRAMS and EVENTS May - August 2017 MOOSE HILL NEWS Welcome Shawn Eat Fresh, Moose Hill is pleased to intro- Eat Local, duce you to Shawn Moriarty, our new Education Coordinator & EAT ORGANIC Camp Director. There are still shares Shawn has a Masters in Environ- available for the Moose mental Education and brings with Hill Community Farm him an extensive background 2017 summer CSA in camp management, and con- season. Enjoy 18 weeks of local, fresh, organic veg- necting children and groups with etables from early June through early October. nature. Learn more about our farming philosophy, the vari- As we head toward this summer, ety of vegetables we grow, how our CSA works, and we look forward to the strong continued leadership download a form or register online at that Shawn will provide for our camp family, and we www.massaudubon.org/moosehillcsa. are excited about what new directions he envisions for the future of camp, school, and education programs at Worried about what to do with the abundance of Moose Hill. farm produce? Look for a canning workshop, or two, to be offered in early August. Details to follow for Want a chance meet Shawn and to say goodby to Kay shareholders and at massaudubon.org/moosehillpro- (a.k.a. Mrs. A)? Check out details on the back cover. grams. Program open to all, not just CSA members. Preschool Enrichment Give your child the gift of nature! Check out our Knee- Free Concerts on the Hill High Naturalists, a science/nature enrichment program Join us for a free outdoor concert! Bring a blanket or for children ages 3 and 4. starting in late September a lawn chair, snacks, and maybe some bug spray, as you and running through late May. spread out on the lawn and enjoy a summer evening concert at Moose Hill. Visit massaudubon.org/moosehillprograms for program dates, fees, time, additional details, and registration 2nd Precinct Jug Band information. Wednesday, June 21, 6-7:30pm We welcome summer with the return of the 2nd Bird-a-thon - May 12-13, 2017 Precinct Jug Band. This group of local musicians bring Last year was an amazing year for Moose Hill’s Bird-a- a variety of instrumentation to an evolving list of folk, thon Team! With a full team of 50 birders, we headed rock, and blues songs. The band has been known to out across the state for 24 hours evoke involuntary foot tapping and spontaneous hol- to see if we could take home the lers for joy from their audiences. trophy for the most species of birds identified in Massachusetts. We once Mark Mandeville and Raianne Richards again came in second. Now we want Thursday, July 13, 6-7:30pm to do even better, but we need your We are delighted to welcome back Mark and Raianne help! whom we first met as they hiked the Bay Circuit Trail (which passes through Moose Hill) as the Mass Walk- Support the Moose Hill Bird-a-thon team – every ing Tour. Mark and Raianne create music that is both donation makes our spirits soar and pushes us toward original and evocative of a rich tradition. They blend another fantastic year. Learn more and donate at distinctive voices and a wide range of accompaniment, massaudubon.org/birdathon and go team Moose Hill! transcending the genre of folk Americana.

Moose Hill Camp offers a wide range of programs, each with a unique weekly theme. Our program for pre- schoolers has a half or full day option while all other programs run from 9am to 4pm with Before Camp start- ing at 7:15am and After Camp ending at 6pm. Visit massaudubon.org/moosehillcamp to learn about our Peeper (preschool), Nature, Farm, Art, Science, Adventure, and Leadership Camps! 2 ART GALLERY EVENTS Spring Awakenings April 7 - June 19

The art of spring is celebrated at Mass Audubon’s Moose Hill Gallery with its newest by Lindsay NygaardPink Portulaca exhibit Spring Awakenings. The emergence, drama and magic of spring is displayed and perceived in a myriad of ways. This thematic presentation unfolds revealing bursts of colorful artistic inspiration shared by seventeen artists with various mediums. Enjoy these stunning insights and creative expressions of our natural world reawakening. Join us for a very special evening at the Artist’s Reception, Wed., May 3, 6-8pm. Solo Nature Exhibit June 23 - September 8 Artists were invited to submit their “nature based” thematic proposal for the oppor- tunity to exhibit their art work in an individual or partnered show. The artist/s for this exhibit will be announced in May. We are looking forward to this exciting show. Call to Artists Breaking Boundaries: Nature’s Textures September 15 - December 4 Texture is all around us, interacting with our senses of taste, sight, touch, smell, and hearing. How do you per- ceive the infinite possibilities, variations, and the fascinating world of texture? Let your artistic creativity be the gateway to your interpretation of Breaking Boundaries: Nature’s Textures. Using any medium, we’re asking artists to express their own unique artistic approach to this theme. Deadline for submission is August 1. Criteria for Submissions Any medium is acceptable for the show; artists are invited to submit up to five (8”x10”) photo prints, not matted or framed, for judging purposes only. All prints must be labeled on the back with contact information, dimensions, title, and medium. Entry fee is $15; please provide a stamped return envelope if you would like your photos returned. Submissions can be dropped off or mailed to: Jan Nareski Goba, 293 Moose Hill Parkway, Sharon, MA 02067. If entry is selected for the show, all works need to be framed appropriately and ready to hang, meeting quality standards. All other mediums must come prepared for display. For additional information, please contact Jan Nareski Goba at [email protected].

About the Gallery Sky…Looking Up Reception The Moose Hill Gallery is open daily 10am to 4pm. The Sky Artist’s Reception was held In January to All of the exhibits emphasize innovative connections celebrate this powerful and impressive exhibit. Adding and perspectives to nature using diverse mediums. If to the delightful evening, guests enjoyed the music of you are an artist and would like to be notified about Deborah Silverstein and Pete Miracle. our upcoming juried shows (open to all artists) please contact Jan Goba at [email protected].

VOLUNTEER NEWS Maple Praises Farm Volunteer Opportunities Thank you to all our amazing volunteers who helped The Moose Hill Community Farm CSA is an organic this past March during our Maple Sugaring Weekends. farm serving 300 families weekly throughout the We had three great event days, in spite of the weather growing season. Volunteers are and some snow on the trails. Volunteers portrayed needed for harvesting produce historical characters, ran the sugar house, led tours, and weeding. We have volunteer helped with our food items, answered the phone, opportunities every day of the week worked the shop/reception desk, helped set up/ during the farm season. clean up, and so much more. This event would not be Please contact Jan Goba at jngoba@ possible without our dedicated volunteers…thanks! massaudubon.org for details. This is a If you are interested in joining our volunteer family, great option for school or religious please contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Jan Goba at community service projects. 781-784-5691 or [email protected]. We’d love your help for Halloween Prowl this coming October!

3 BIRDS AND BIRDING FOR ADULTS Early Morning Birding Raptor Identification Primer Join us as we explore the sanctuary in search of spring This program is co-sponsored with Stony Brook and Oak migrants. We will meet at the Moose Hill Visitor Knoll Wildlife Sanctuaries. Center and focus our walk on the Billings Loop, which It’s a bird? It’s a plane? NO, it’s a hawk! But what kind? takes us through a variety of wetland and upland habi- There are over a dozen birds of prey that migrate tats, including our red maple swamp. south for the winter right over our heads. With some The walk will last for about an hour, although if we good instruction and a little practice we can learn to have a great morning of migrants, the walk may last a reliably identify these amazing birds. Join master natu- bit longer. Birders of all abilities are welcomed. Bring ralist and exemplary teacher, Jack Lash as he covers all binoculars and your favorite bird book or app; if the the important points for raptor identification BEFORE weather is inclement, the walk will be canceled. the onset of hawk migration. You will come away with S# DAY TIME DATE MBR NONMBR the knowledge and confidence that will set the stage for a fun and fulfilling experience. 1 Th 6-7am May 4 free free This program is the perfect way to prepare for a visit 2 Th 6-7am May 11 free free to Wachusett Mountain or Mount Watatic (or both) 3 Th 6-7am May 18 free free later in the month. This program will be held at Stony 4 Th 6-7am May 25 free free Brook in Norfolk. S# DAY TIME DATE MBR NONMBR 5 Th 6-7am June 1 free free 1 Wed 7-9pm Aug 9 $11 $14

Herons at the Nest! Mount Watatic Hawk Watch This program is co-sponsored with Stony Brook and Oak This program is co-sponsored with Stony Brook and Oak Knoll Wildlife Sanctuaries. Knoll Wildlife Sanctuaries. Join us for an easy walk to a magnificent rookery Join us for our annual pilgrimage to North Central which serves as home to more than 30 pairs of great Massachusetts for a chance to observe some of the blue herons near Stony Brook. Herons (and occasion- thousands of hawks that migrate south through the ally other birds at this rookery) raise their young in area each fall. This year we are headed to Mt. Watatic giant stick nests built high up in standing dead trees located on the MA/NH border. Our trip starts and in the middle of wetlands. Heron rookeries are places ends with a moderate hike through a beautiful north- of great activity. We will have ample opportunities to ern hardwood and hemlock forest. Mt. Watatic is one watch these magnificent creatures gently gliding to of the prime locations where hawk watchers monitor and from their nests in the process of caring for their the passage of migrating hawks annually. Migrants may young. Wetlands are generally very busy places in the include broad-winged, cooper’s, bald eagle, American summer so we will spend time searching for the many kestrel and peregrine falcon. other species such as wood ducks and hooded mer- We will meet at the Mt. Watatic parking lot located gansers that call these habitats home. on Rt. 109 west of Ashby, MA approximately ½ mile This program will begin at Stony Brook in Norfolk. We west of the intersection of Rt. 101 at 9am (call for will carpool the short distance to the rookery from directions). Be sure to pack your binoculars, lunch, and Stony Brook. Bring cameras and binoculars. layers of warm clothing.

S# DAY TIME DATE MBR NONMBR S# DAY TIME DATE MBR NONMBR 1 Sun 9-11:30am June 11 $11 $14 1 Sat 9am-12noon Sept 9 $12 $15

Native Plant Sale It’s time to get your hands in the dirt and go native! Our annual Native Plant Sale is Saturday and Sunday, June 3 and 4, from 9am-4pm each day. We offer a wide variety of native perennials to help beau- tify your gardens and attract hummingbirds and/or butterflies to your yard. Whether you have sun or shade, moist or dry soil, we have plants that will enhance your gardens. We often receive an assortment of plants from Moose Hill friends that will also be for sale. All plants are set out on Saturday and the sale continues through Sunday while supplies last. We will have 30-50 individual plants for most species and most plants are only $7 each. We look forward to seeing you there.

4 HIKE AND EXPLORE FOR ADULTS

High Ledges - Rare Wildflowers, The Bog at Poutwater Pond This program is co-sponsored with Stony Brook and Oak Birds, Views Knoll Wildlife Sanctuaries. This program is co-sponsored with Stony Brook and Oak Knoll Wildlife Sanctuaries. Bogs are unusual places that are much more common in Maine than in Massachusetts. Bogs are characterized One of the most spectacular habitats that Mass Audu- by highly acidic soils and waters which set the stage bon protects in central MA is a property called High for plants and animals that can adapt to these unusual Ledges. This beautiful 616 acre site conditions. Poutwater Pond is a National Natural Land- provides spectacular views of the mark and Massachusetts’ first Nature Preserve and town of Shelburne Falls, the Deer- home to stunted trees and shrubs as well as unusual field River valley, and Mount Gray- orchids and insect eating plants. lock. In addition to the scenery, there are ample opportunities to We will meet at the bog; directions will be emailed view a great variety of unusual and prior to the program. beautiful ferns, orchids and other S# DAY TIME DATE MBR NONMBR wild flowers including foamflower, 1 Sat 10am-12noon July 8 $15 $18 miterwort, painted trillium, and jack in the pulpit. This area is also home to a great variety of interior forest birds such as black-throated green warblers and scarlet tanagers as well as species such as chestnut sided What’s the Buzz? warbler and indigo buntings that tend to be associated Native Bees of Massachusetts with more open habitats. This program is co-sponsored with Stony Brook and Oak This trip includes round-trip transportation from Stony Knoll Wildlife Sanctuaries. Brook (or let us know if you want to carpool in our Bees are fascinating and very important contributors van from Moose Hill at 6:30am), and a picnic lunch. to healthy ecosystems. Although bee keepers have We will be hiking several miles so pack accordingly. You been stewarding honey bees for thousands of years, will need to carry water, sun and insect protection, any those bees are not native to our country and are not personal items you may need for the day, good hiking the best pollinators for many of our native plants. We shoes/boots and other items such as binoculars and do have native bees and they are adapted to pollinat- cameras. We will contact all registrants before our field ing the native plants of our wetlands, roadsides, parks trip to talk about food and our picnic. and other open spaces. As a group, they are diverse S# DAY TIME DATE MBR NONMBR and beautiful and they are in need of our support. Join 1 Sun 7am-4pm May28 $85 $98 Sean Kent, Education Coordinator for the Museum of American Bird Art at Mass Audubon to see his beauti- ful images of these incredible pollinators, and to learn Summer Hike at Quabbin Reservoir about their natural history and conservation efforts for This program is co-sponsored with Stony Brook and Oak these amazing creatures. This program will be held at Knoll Wildlife Sanctuaries. Stony Brook in Norfolk. Quabbin Reservoir is a pristine 18-mile long reservoir, S# DAY TIME DATE MBR NONMBR secluded in almost 55,000 acres of uninhabited wood- land. We will explore the area around Soap Stone Hill 1 Sat 10:30am-12noon July 29 $8 $10 in North Quabbin in search of bald eagles, porcupines, coyotes, river otters, common ravens, and pileated Bats! woodpeckers along with views and/or evidence of all Bats are fascinating – did you know they are the only three Massachusetts mega-mammals (moose, black mammal that is capable of true flight? bear, deer). Come and learn more about bats from We will meet at Quabbin; directions will be emailed Maria Armour from Bridgewater State prior to the program. Dress for the weather including University’s Biological Science Division good walking/hiking shoes plus something to keep the and discover the research she has begun bugs at bay. Bring lunch, water, and snacks. at Moose Hill. After the talk, we will S# DAY TIME DATE MBR NONMBR head out on the Moose Hill trails in search of bats with more about what Maria and her students have been 1 Sun 9:30am-2:30pm June 4 $32 $39 learning. S# DAY TIME DATE MBR NONMBR Wish List 1 Sun 7-9:30pm Aug 6 $20 $30 Zipper closure food bags (any size), pens, scissors – adult and child, watercolor paint sets, Crayola finger paint, 20-27 quart plastic storage bins with lids, long-handled spade shovels, and 6-foot folding tables. Thank you!

5 FAMILY/ALL AGES Mother’s Day Breakfast and Family Camp-Out Join us for a night of camping under Nature Walk the stars. Bring your own tent, picnic Celebrate Mother’s Day at Moose Hill. Start with a dinner, breakfast food, and enjoy a guided, hour-long nature walk featuring signs of spring: night under the stars. Moose Hill will singing birds, peeping frogs, buzzing bugs, and more. lead a fun evening campfire before Then return for a hearty pancake breakfast. A take- you drift off to sleep to the sounds home craft bag for children to make for their mom is of crickets and owls. Moose Hill will included. Preregistration is required; register soon to provide the S’more makings and din- guarantee your spot! ner/breakfast beverages. A great adventure for novice S# DAY TIME DATE MBR NONMBR campers! 1 Sun 8-9:30am May 14 $10 $15 2 Sun 9-10:30am May 14 $10 $15 Additional information will be emailed prior to the overnight date. Call or mail in your registration by 3 Sun 10-11:30am May 14 $10 $15 Wednesday, July 20 to guarantee your space. Fee is per 4 Sun 11am-12:30pm May 14 $10 $15 family/tent. In the event of rain, we will cancel; you will be notified and refunded. Star Gazing Nights S# DAY TIME DATE MBR NONMBR Join local astronomers for a look at the stars and 1 Sat/Sun 6pm-9am July 22-23 $40 $50 other night objects through big telescopes. The event is on-going, so drop in for all or just some of the evening. This free program is cancelled if sky conditions are cloudy/milky or in the event of overly wet field condi- CHILDREN AGES 4-6 tions; call Patti Austin at 781-784-5691 x8103 after 7pm for a recorded message concerning the status of Nature Exploration the program prior to attending. Where are your favorite places to explore at Moose Park in the Visitor Center parking lot and follow the Hill? The group will decide the destination and then go, trail marked by glow bands to the viewing field. This go, go! Not sure of a favorite place? Then perhaps you is a self-directed 5-minute walk along a wooded trail. will discover one during this class. Bring a flash light to help light your way to the astron- S# DAY TIME DATE MBR NONMBR omers. Please contact us at least 24-hours in advance 1 Wed 10-11:30am May 17 $9 $12 if you have mobility considerations; we may be able to offer accessible parking. 2 Wed 1-2:30pm May 17 $9 $12 S# DAY TIME DATE MBR NONMBR Bug Catching 1 Sat 8:30-10:30pm May 20 free free With nets and bug cups in hand, we will head out to 2 Fri 9-11pm June 30 free free seek our six-legged critters. Crickets, beetles, and any 3 Fri 9-11pm July 28 free free other bug will be our quest. The insect song and a story will complete the adventure. 4 Sat 8:30-10:30pm Aug 26 free free S# DAY TIME DATE MBR NONMBR 5 Fri 7:30-9:30pm Sept 29 free free 1 Th 10-11:30am May 25 $9 $12 Dad and Me 2 Th 1-2:30pm May 25 $9 $12 Celebrate Father’s Day weekend by spending time to- gether as a family and exploring Moose Hill. Begin your Vernal Pools walk at the Visitor Center where you will pick up your Hike to one of Moose Hill’s larger vernal pools and clue booklet for this self-guided scavenger hunt. Once get ready for hands-on exploring. Search for evidence you decipher your first clue, head out on the trail to of the pool’s inhabitants: amphibian egg masses, frogs, get to your new destination and find the next clue. insects, and more. Wear shoes that are appropriate for Enjoy the many sights and sounds of the sanctuary as exploring along a muddy edge. you follow each clue to the final prize package for your S# DAY TIME DATE MBR NONMBR family. The scavenger hunt should take about an hour 1 Wed 10-11:30am June 7 $9 $12 and there are extra hints, if needed, in the clue booklet. 2 Wed 1-2:30pm June 7 $9 $12 S# DAY TIME DATE MBR NONMBR 1 Sat/Sun 11am-3pm June 17/18 $6 $9

6 REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Program Registration Notes Refund Policy 1. Preregistration is highly recommended and required We will issue a refund (or transfer your fees to where noted. Walk-ins are welcomed as space allows. another program) if you notify us of your cancellation 2. Programs will be cancelled if minimum participant at least one week before the program begins. If the numbers are not met, so be sure to register early. program meets multiple times, the notification date 3. Call/register online at www.massaudubon.org/ is from the first day of the program and there are moosehillprograms. Online registrations will receive an no make-up dates or refunds for weather-related automatic confirmation email from Mass Audubon. cancellations. Summer Camp and Vacation Week 4. Membership number is required for member price. programs have special refund policies; see separate 5. Children must be within the stated age requirements policies elsewhere. Special Event fees are non- as of the program start date to register. refundable and non-transferable. There are no refunds 6. Dress for the weather. Most programs go outside. for late openings, early releases, or for non-attendance. 7. All children must be accompanied by an adult for Family/ Moose Hill Wildlife Sanctuary reserves the right to All Ages Programs. Children age three and younger are free change programs, schedules, instructors, and to cancel and welcomed to attend (unless stated otherwise); programs due to low enrollment. If we cancel a single- however, Family/All Ages Programs are not designed for day program, you will be notified and will receive a full children age 3 and younger. refund.

Drop-Off & Late Pick-Up Policy Children must be accompanied by an adult into the Visitor Center. The Moose Hill staff is only responsible for children during scheduled program times. To ensure a timely pick-up of participants and decrease staff overtime, Moose Hill will charge $10 for each 15 minutes beyond established program end times. Please For identity safety assurances, fax and email plan accordingly and try to be on time. submissions are not accepted.

Program Registration Form

Save a stamp...register online at www.massaudubon.org/moosehillprograms.

Adult’s Name______Street Address______Cell Number______Town______State______Zip______Home Phone______

MAS Member #______Expiration Date______E-mail ______

If registering a child: Child’s Name______Child’s Birth Date______Child’s Age______

Program Date Time Program Title # Attending Fee ______$______

______$______

______$______

I would like to join/renew a MAS membership: $65 Family, or $48 Individual $______

Donation (Thank You!) $______

Total Enclosed $______Make checks payable to Mass Audubon or MC/VISA provide VISA/MC information and send to: Moose Hill Wildlife Sanctuary ______293 Moose Hill Parkway Expires ______Signature ______Sharon, MA 02067 7 Admission Fees Happy Retirement Mrs. A Mass Audubon members: Free. Join us as we celebrate Mrs. A (Kay Andberg), our Nonmembers: $4 adults, $3 children (age 4-12), $3 seniors former Education Coordinator/Camp Director, who Children three and younger are free. after 23 years at Moose Hill, retired at Sharon residents hike for free. the end of 2016. Sanctuary Hours Come share your stories and memories Trails: dawn to dusk of times with Mrs. A, sign the memory Parking Lot Hours: book, and enjoy some light refreshments. Fall and Winter: 8am to 5pm Spring and Summer: 7am to 7pm Sunday, May 21, at the Moose Hill Visitor Center Visitor Center and Gift Shop Hours: Stop in anytime between 1:00 and 3:00 pm. Weekdays from 9am to 5pm Weekends from 10am to 4pm Other Information Directions to Moose Hill in Sharon, MA Phone: 781-784-5691 Moose Hill Wildlife Sanctuary Visitor Center is located at Fax: 781-784-9153 the junction of Moose Hill Street and Moose Hill Parkway. [email protected]; massaudubon.org/moosehill Follow Mass Audubon signs along the way. Parking lot is Register online: massaudubon.org/moosehillprograms located off of Moose Hill Parkway. Please remember, for the safety of wildlife and visitors, From the NORTH: leave pets at home. We appreciate your help in From Rt. 128 or I-93, take I-95 South (toward Providence) protecting the nature of Massachusetts. to Exit 10 (Coney Street, Sharon, Walpole). Turn left off the ramp. Go about 1/4 mile, turn right on Rt. 27 toward Walpole. Go about 1/2 mile and turn left on Moose Hill Connect with us Street. Continue past The Trustees Moose Hill Farm to the Facebook Instagram Blogs intersection of Moose Hill Parkway. Turn left on Moose Hill Parkway. The parking lot will be on your left. From the SOUTH: Take I-95 North to Exit 8 (Main Street, Sharon). Turn right Native off the ramp past Shaw’s Plaza. Turn left on Moose Hill Street. Cross over Walpole Street continuing on Moose Hill Street. Turn right on Moose Hill Parkway. The parking lot Plant Sale will be on your left. From Stoughton/Canton/Sharon Center: Take Rt. 27 into Sharon Center. At light, turn right following Rt. 27. Take second left after overpass (train tracks) on June 3 and 4 Moose Hill Parkway. The parking lot will be on your right Details on page 4. prior to the intersection of Moose Hill Street.

Mass Audubon NONPROFIT Moose Hill Wildlife Sanctuary U.S.POSTAGE 293 Moose Hill Parkway PAID Sharon, MA 02067 SHARON PERMIT NO. 8