Bird sightings from Mass Audubon
Updated April 17, 2021, 6:42 p.m.
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Recent bird sightings as reported to the Mass Audubon :
Unequivocally, the most exciting bird sighting last week was a European golden-plover first discovered on Duxbury Beach on April 4. By the following week, a number of birders converged on the beach in hopes of seeing the rare visitor. With only about five previous records for the mainland United States, plus a couple sightings in Alaska, this was an unusual occurrence. Despite the fact that varying numbers occur with some regularity in Newfoundland and Nova Scotia, its appearance in the United States is most notable. The species is a common breeder in Iceland, and in eastern Greenland, across Northern Europe to the tundra areas of central Russia; they winter from Western Europe south to Northern Africa and east to Southwest Asia. Its appearances in Atlantic Canada typically occur from mid-April to mid-May following strong northeasterly w
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[Coggshall Park] is awesome!” a reader wrote. “There are some great trails around a small and beautiful lake. We love the wildlife we saw snakes, turtles, ducks, geese, and frogs on our last visit.” Advertisement
“Located amongst beautiful farms, this lesser-known trail offers all types of activities (cross country skiing, snow shoeing). It also has a disc golf course. Plan ahead because it is increasing in popularity and can become busy on the weekends,” a reader wrote of
Hawkins Woods Loop in Plainville.
“Great family-friendly hike. We did this hike the weekend before Thanksgiving to get into the Thanksgiving spirit. It was fun to look for the markers on the self-guided interpretive map, which provided interesting information about the biodiversity and history of the area. The trail is along the reservoir most of the way. The view of the reservoir is beautiful and we saw a heron on the water,” a reader wrote of Carver’s
Kezia Bacon
Kezia Bacon
As challenging a year as it was, one of the upsides of 2020 was that it gave us increased opportunities to spend time outdoors. We are so fortunate, here on the South Shore, to have a seemingly endless supply of parks, preserves, and conservation areas.
Last year each of these Nature columns was devoted to a specific town, highlighting some of the best walking places to be found there. This year we’ll be returning to more varied themes, with the continued intention of introducing you to, or reacquainting you with, a wide variety of places to hike, to fish, to paddle . . . or just to enjoy the view.