Massachusetts Butterfly Club Chapter of the North American Butterfly Association 2016 Schedule of Field Trips, Events, and Meeti
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MASSACHUSETTS BUTTERFLY CLUB CHAPTER OF THE NORTH AMERICAN BUTTERFLY ASSOCIATION 2016 SCHEDULE OF FIELD TRIPS, EVENTS, AND MEETINGS Please call ahead to confirm date, get directions to meeting place and rain date plans, and to let the coordinator know to expect you. In case of inclement weather, check “MassLep” Google Group the night before for postponement or rain date. All levels welcome. Version 5/5/2016 Page 1 of 11 Mar 30, Wed Mt. Tom State Reservation Field Trip. Mt. Tom boasts an unparalleled view of the Connecticut Valley 10:30AM north and south, the Berkshire mountains to the west and the Pelham hills to the east. We will search for Mourning Cloaks and Eastern Commas. Meet at the Bray Lake parking lot. Use the Route 5 entrance north of Holyoke, opposite the SKI Rain Date OUTLET. Mar 31, Thur Contact Tom Gagnon at [email protected] or 413-584-6353 Apr 2, Sat Spring Mass Butterfly Club Meeting and potluck supper. 5:30 to 5:30 - 6:30 pm Member’s potluck supper. Bring a favorite dish to share. 9:30PM 6:30 - 7:00 pm Business meeting 7:00 - 8:00 pm Dr. Elizabeth Crone, of the Tufts University Biology Department, will discuss her work on Baltimore Checkerspots in Harvard, MA. Dr. Crone studies plant and animal interactions at the intersection of theoretical ecology and natural history, and her work includes exploring the effects of climate and land use change on butterfly populations. Her graduate students Norah Warchola and Livia Baer-Bositis will also provide updates on their work at Weir Hill (North Andover) and at Appleton Farms (Ipswich). 8:00 - 9:00 pm Dave Small will moderate the ever-popular Butterfly Photos Festival. Members may present up to 20 images of butterflies taken during the last season. Share the best, most unusual, or most exciting photos you took during 2015. For best results, bring a powerpoint file for Dave to set up for your presentation. Broad Meadow Brook Massachusetts Audubon Sanctuary, 414 Massasoit Road, Worcester, MA Contact Howard Hoople at [email protected] or 978-604-0454. Apr 24, Sun Arlington’s Great Meadows Field Trip. This 183-acre wet meadow is the largest piece of undeveloped 11:00AM land in the Arlington/Lexington area. Target species: Henry’s and Brown Elfins. Meet in parking lot at Golden Living Center, 840 Emerson Gardens Road, East Lexington (off Maple St) . Please park at far end of lot. Contact Tom Whelan at [email protected] or 781-863-1880 Version 5/5/2016 Page 2 of 11 **REVISED Weir Hill and Boston Hill at the Charles W. Ward Reservation Field Trip. Join Russ Hopping of The DATE** Trustees of Reservations searching for Frosted Elfins and other early species. Weir Hill has both a 305- May 14, Sat ft double drumlin and more than a mile of lake shoreline. The reservation is named for fish weirs (woven 10:00AM fences with stakes) that were once submerged by Native Americans in Cochichewick Brook to catch alewives before the reached the lake to spawn. Optional lunch break at local restaurant. Walk at Ward Reservation follows lunch. Ward Reservation offers a combination of fields, forests and uplands. Meet at the parking area between American Legion beach and the electrical substation on Pleasant Rain Date: Street in North Andover. Detailed directions provided upon request. May 15, Sun Contact Howard Hoople at [email protected] or 978-604-0454. Co-leader Russ Hopping May 15 Sun Myles Standish State Forest. We will walk the gas pipeline cut through pine and scrub oak woods. 9:30 AM The walking is fairly easy, but expect some minor inclines. Target species: Eastern Pine, Hoary, Frosted and Brown Elfins and Dreamy, Sleepy and Juvenal’s Duskywings. Trip includes possible extension to Ponkapoag Bog for Hessel’s Hairstreak. Meet at Forest Headquarters, 194 Cranberry Road, Carver, MA. Contact Steve Moore at [email protected] or 508-393-9251 May 22, Sun Barney’s Joy Grassland Field Trip. Join us on this joint walk between the Paskamansett BIrd Club 9:00AM and the Mass Butterfly Club as we search for grassland birds and butterflies. Please register in advance with the leader. Meet at the Demarest Lloyd State Park entrance, Barney’s Joy Road, Dartmouth, MA. Contact Lauren Miller-Donnelly at [email protected] or 508-636-2437 May 28, Sat Mt Greylock State Reservation Field Trip. Target species: Early Hairstreak. Be prepared to walk 3 to 9:45AM 4 miles ROUND TRIP, mostly level. Bring lunch and water. Meet at Mt. Greylock Visitor Center, 30 Rockwell Road, Lanesborough, MA parking lot. Directions Rain Date provided upon request. May 29, Sun Contact Tom Gagnon at [email protected] or 413-584-6353 Version 5/5/2016 Page 3 of 11 Jun 4, Sat Mt Greylock State Reservation Field Trip. Please refer to May 28 trip for additional details. 9:45 AM Rain Date Jun 5, Sun Jun 4, Sat Appleton Farm. Target species: Silver-bordered Fritillaries and Bronze Coppers. This Trustees of 10:00AM Reservations property includes more than 500 acres of grassland habitat. Bring water and lunch. Waterproof footwear is encouraged but not necessary since you can avoid wet areas if you wish. Please register in advance with the leader. Go in the main entrance, and continue straight (don’t turn right!) and meet at the parking area for Rain Date: Jimmy’s Barn (Appleton’s retail store). Jun 5, Sun Contact Howard Hoople at [email protected] or 978-604-0454. Co-leader Russ Hopping Jun 11, Sat Breakneck Hill Conservation Land. Target species: Silvery Blue and Hobomok Skipper. This Town 10:00 AM of Southborough property was a former apple orchard and is now home to walking trails, vernal pools, a wildflower meadow, reconstructed wetlands, and acres of grasslands. Meet at the parking lot across from 75 Breakneck Hill Road, Southborough. Overflow parking available nearby at Community Garden parking lot. Contact Dawn Puliafico at [email protected] or 508-259-2962 (cell). Jun 18, Sat Broad Meadow Brook Massachusetts Audubon Sanctuary. Broad Meadow Brook is the largest 10:00 AM urban wildlife sanctuary in New England, with more than 400 acres cooperatively managed or owned by Mass Audubon. The sanctuary boasts some 80 species of butterflies. Late June is a good time to search for Harris Checkerspots. Rain Date: Meet at the Visitor Center, 414 Massasoit Road, Worcester, MA. Jun 19, Sun Contact Martha Gach at [email protected] Jun 25, Sat Horn Pond Mountain Field Trip. Target species: Hairstreaks (6 different varieties are possible) 10:00AM Meet in the parking lot behind New England Rehabilitation Hospital (near employee parking lot “B”) at 2 Rain Date: Rehabilitation Way, Woburn, MA. Jun 26, Sun Contact Howard Hoople at [email protected] or 978-604-0454 Version 5/5/2016 Page 4 of 11 Jun 25, Sat 6th Annual Moth Ball. Join Athol Bird and Nature Club president Dave Small and naturalist Lula Field 9:00 PM to to search for Lunas, underwings, silkmoths and other night-flying insects. Participants are invited to late night bring their tents, snacks to share and favorite moth baits. (Don’t know what those are? You’ll find out!) Meet at Dave and Shelley’s house, 1542 Pleasant St., Athol. Contact Dave Small at 978-413-1772 or [email protected] Jun 26, Sun Frances A. Crane Wildlife Management Area Field Trip. Target species: Baltimore Checkerspot, 10:00 AM Northern and Southern Cloudywing Stay on Rte 495 south to Rte. 25 and straight over the Bourne Bridge onto Rte. 28 toward Falmouth. Take the exit for Rte. 151 east. Approx. 1 1/2 miles on the left at the ball field is the main entrance to Crane. Parking is approximately 1/4 mile from the main entrance. Contact Joe Dwelly at [email protected] Jun 29, Wed DCR Kristoff Farm Property. This huge property has extensive open areas with different habitat 10:00 AM - characteristics, so we can expect a good variety of butterflies here. There are also many shrubby areas 2:30 PM and woodland edges to explore. The parking area is where Merrill Road comes to a dead-end before the road becomes overgrown and closed to unauthorized vehicles. Bring a lunch and beverages. There are shady spots, but no restrooms. Merrill Road, off Redemption Rock Trail (Route 140), Sterling, MA. The parking area is where Merrill Road comes to a dead-end before the road becomes overgrown and closed to unauthorized vehicles. Contact Wendy Howes at [email protected] or 413-967-4737 (landline). Jul 2, Sat Blue Hills Reservation Field Trip. Blue Hills Reservation boasts over 7,000 acres and provides a green 10:00 AM oasis in an urban environment. Great Blue Hill rises 365 feet, the highest hill in the chain. From the summit, you will have great views of the entire metropolitan area. Target species: Oak Hairstreak and other hairstreaks. Expect to walk 1 to 1 1/2 miles, and it will be quite steep at the beginning. Meet at parking lot for Blue Hills Trailside Museum, 1904 Canton Avenue (Rte 138), Milton, MA. Contact Steve Moore at [email protected] or 508-393-9251 Version 5/5/2016 Page 5 of 11 Jul 3, Sun Wendemuth Meadow Preserve. Owned and managed by the East Quabbin Land Trust, Wendemuth 10:30 AM - Meadow Preserve is a 30-acre property in the town of North Brookfield. It is a pastoral property, 2:30 PM featuring a diversity of habitats including hayfield, wet meadow, and stream surrounded by patchy woods and shrubland.