Events
sponsored by the Allens Pond Wildlife Sanctuary - Updated as of 3-29-2008
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Click here to view winter scenes at
Allens Pond Sanctuary.
New
Trail Opened in 2006!
The Quansett Trail system offers
visitors the opportunity to observe, interact with, and learn about the great
diversity of habitats in the sanctuary. Visitors have many options to choose from including two western
loops: One around a fresh pond, the other with a giant boulder to climb for
treetop views. Two smaller loops provide east and west overlooks of the pond.
Please note that we do not have a nature center; however, correspondence may be
directed to 1280 Horseneck Road, Westport, MA 02790, or call 508-636-2437.
Trails open every day, dawn to dusk.
Read
the Allens Pond Fall 2007 Newsletter! PDF
Please be
patient while the newsletter downloads. DSL/Cable speed suggested!
October 10, 2007 - Monarch butterflies, some migrating from as
far north as Canada, are passing through Allens Pond and fattening up for their
journey to Mexico. Here, I was able to capture a bunch feeding before their
long trek south. Thanks to Gina Purtell, Sanctuary Director, for this wonderful
information.
“Annual
Duck Derby” * * * Click here to see 2007’s Photo Essay * * *
The day was hot,
humid, and increasingly foggy but that didn’t deter the running of the ducks as
3752 quackers hit the water just after 4 p.m.
A large
“pace” duck was previously launched by “duckmaster” Norman Buck to determine
wind/current speed and direction, and after final alterations were made to the
finish v-line booms, race time was finally at hand.
The crowd
of over 100 spectators, most walking over two miles to get here, was restless,
and expectations were running high. Would it be Seaquacker, Flying Ryan,
Bandit, Pigeon, Hawkeye, Cherry Bomb, Rocky or just plain Charlie that would
take an early lead, that in the past proved to be unbeatable; or would the
“stealth duck” make a break and take the .
. . read the full story
Allens Pond Wildlife Sanctuary’s 4th annual Duck
Derby race was held
on Saturday,
August 25, 2007 from 3 to 5 p.m. Strawberry shortcake, music, games,
educational activities for all ages, information on Massachusetts Audubon
Society’s programs at the Field Station, 1280 Horseneck Road, Dartmouth. Grand
prize was Dinner for Two anywhere in the world, and includes transportation and
a two night stay. Duck adoptions were $10, $40 for a flock of 5 ducks, $100 for
13 ducks. Call 508-636-2437 for more information, write gpurtell@massaudubon.org www.allenspond.org
2007 Allens Pond Wildlife Sanctuary Rambles were a big hit!
This series of Sanctuary walks were
held on Friday mornings in September and October, from 9 am to 11 am. Sanctuary
staff led leisurely strolls through the Mass Audubon property to view its
special autumnal plants, animals and birds.
September 21 - visit the heath plants of the barrier beach,
especially the blooming New England Blazing Star, and this year's uncommon
bounty of beach plums
September 28 take a butterfly walk to view annual
migration activity
October 5 - walk through shrub lands to search out autumnal breeding
salamanders
October 12 - check out the grassland fields as they start
to fill up with wintering and late-migrating songbirds
October 19 - head up the Quansett Trail to enjoy the
emerging fall foliage
October 26 - explore the barrier beach to watch our winter
water fowl arriving from distant shores to spend the winter with us
The charge is $4 for
Mass Audubon members and $6 for non-members. Call (508) 636-2437 to register.
2008 Spring Rambles announced for April and May
Join them 9-10 a.m. Friday mornings in April and May for a
hike with Allens Pond staff along the Sanctuary’s trails. Explore along the
marsh, through the forest or along the beach with them, depending on the
day and weather conditions. Call the Sanctuary ahead for more information and
to register (508) 636-2437. This event is free and open to the public. Ramble dates:
April 4, April 11, April 18, April 25, May 2, May 9, May 16, May 23, May 30. More detail coming
soon.
Photo Essays of Previous 2007 Events
Celebrating
Our Osprey
On August 1st, we were fortunate to
hear David Gessner speak about his experiences as he followed osprey on their
southerly migration from Massachusetts into Cuba. Partner's Village Store
provided copies of his newest book, "Soaring with Fidel", to be autographed
and sold. The seventy-five attendees of
this presentation also heard from Alan Poole, our local osprey guru and Editor
of the Birds of North America, who explained the results of this year's
monitoring effort. The project's lead
volunteer, David Cole, weathered technical difficulties to show some wonderful
images of these birds that hover and dive around our waters all spring and
summer. As always, we are grateful to our several dozen Osprey Platform
Sponsors who provide financial support and the Westport River Watershed
Alliance that contributes the boat and captain for this important management
and monitoring project. If you would
like to participate in this project, we will happily describe a few ways that
you can help.
View photos of this presentation
Birds and
Beaches Poster Contest * * * Special Report * * *
More than 30 people gathered on Saturday, July 14 at Allens
Pond Wildlife Sanctuary to congratulate the winners of the "Birds and Beaches" art contest
which was dreamed up & organized by our summer interns Becky Cushing and
Leif Baierl. Beautiful weather allowed
participants, families and friends to view the artwork outdoors while enjoying
refreshments donated by Lees Supermarket. 1st and 2nd place winners received a
variety of prizes including bird feeders, binoculars and field guides, a $25
gift certificate to Partners Village Store and a free Mass Audubon membership.
Other art contest participants received "Certificates of Achievement"
for their contributions to the contest. The awards ceremony concluded the
month-long contest, which invited elementary children to "draw their
favorite bird in its coastal habitat," in an effort to raise awareness
about local birds and habitat.
Look what’s happening next month, April, 2008 .
. . . . .
2008 Spring Rambles announced for April and May
Join them 9-10 a.m. Friday mornings in April and May for a
hike with Allens Pond staff along the Sanctuary’s trails. Explore along the
marsh, through the forest or along the beach with them, depending on the
day and weather conditions. Call the Sanctuary ahead for more information and
to register (508) 636-2437. This event is free and open to the public. Ramble dates:
April 4, April 11, April 18, April 25, May 2, May 9, May 16, May 23, May 30. More detail coming
soon.
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