Birding by Kayak: Lake Cochituate in Natick, MA

The view from a kayak on Lake Cochituate in Natick, MA.

Today I decided to take advantage of the brilliant blue skies and comfortable temperatures to explore Lake Cochituate in Natick, Massachusetts. The lake is actually a series of interconnected ponds which are popular with swimmers as well as recreational boaters and fisherman. This has been a good place to observe wildlife in the past as well, so I  rented a kayak from Charles River Canoe and Kayak, and brought along my camera and a small pair of binoculars to see what I could find.

Lake Cochituate is a popular destination for recreational boaters in the spring and summer.

I have been kayaking for about a dozen years now, and it’s one of my absolute favorite outdoor activities. Whether I’m fishing, bird watching, taking photos or just floating somewhere quietly, kayaking gives me a profound sense of peace and relaxation.  Being out on the water also brings back great memories of adventures I’ve had sailing in Boston Harbor, kayaking on the Pemigawasset River in New Hampshire or navigating my way through serpentine labyrinths of grass and mud on a thin black ribbon of water in a Cape Cod salt marsh. I first got into kayaking more than a decade ago when I became friendly with the owners of Onset Kayak which used to be located on the beach in the village of Onset, in Wareham, Massachusetts, just north and west of the Cape Cod canal. I had many paddling adventures with friends I made there, and having grown up spending a lot of time in small motor boats and row boats I loved the way that kayaking offered me a chance to be out on the water under my own power, in a vessel that was light enough to transport on top of my car. I also took quickly to kayaking because kayaks have a shallow enough draft  to allow for easy access to out of the way places and wetlands to explore and look for wildlife and are fairly stable platforms for fly fishing and photography.

A painted turtle relaxing on semi-submerged tree branch at Lake Cochituate, Natick MA.

During my time on the water I was lucky enough to see some great birds and other wildlife that relies on the lake for survival. In addition to several turtles, multiple species of dragonflies and damsel flies, bluegill and catfish, I also spotted Baltimore Orioles, an Eastern Kingbird, Common Grackles and this beautiful Green Heron shown in the photo below.

A Green Heron looks for prey at Lake Cochituate in Natick, MA. Image copyright Daniel E. Levenson 2012.

 

Seeing this Green Heron and getting a photo of it is definitely one of the highlights of my spring so far. This is a bird I added to my life list earlier this year when I spotted one at the Mass Audubon Broadmoor wildlife sanctuary, also located in Natick, MA. That time, I only saw the bird as it took flight, but this time I was able to get a very clear look at it and see what a beautiful bird it really is. I was also impressed with the way in which its plumage, both in terms of color and pattern, functions so well as camouflage – in fact, if I hadn’t paddled closer to this semi-submerged tree to get a closer look at the Painted turtles, I probably would not have noticed the heron at all.

The Green Heron may not be a rare bird, but it can be quite secretive and difficult to find, so I feel lucky for having had the chance to see two of them so far this year. The Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife has put together a great fact sheet on this fascinating bird, which you can check out by clicking here.

I'm excited to see more wading birds by kayak as the warmer months progress, and will of course be writing about whatever I discover, here on the New England Notes website. 

Thanks for reading.

Copyright Daniel E. Levenson 2012.

Friday Focus on Amphibians of New England

At this time of year the vegetation in New England is beginning to thicken into its full summer glory, which can make spotting wildlife in the field more difficult than at other times of the year, but this is in fact a great time to get out and look for birds, mammals and amphibians which are increasingly active in the warm weather. Amphibians, especially, are taking advantage of vernal pools, so this is a good time to look and listen for frogs and to keep an eye out for several species of salamanders which call New England home. Mass Audubon has some terrific resources when it comes to learning more about wetland and vernal pool ecology and the critical role these environments play in the life cycles of our native amphibians.

This Mass Audbon site is a great resources for people of all ages to learn about Massachusetts amphibians and discover ways to get involved with monitoring these important bell-weather creatures when it comes to tracking changes in the larger environment.

Another very interesting online resource is this website which focuses on Connecticut amphibians and is run by natural history author and educator John Himmelman. In fact, Mr. Himmelman will be the subject of an interview on the New England Nature Notes website in an upcoming post focusing on moths and butterflies, so if you'd like to get a sneak preview of his work in another area such as amphibians, you might want to check it out.

I will definitely be writing more about amphibians in New England as the summer progresses, and if you have suggestions for species or places to visit that I might want  to focus on in an upcoming post please don't hesitate to drop me a line at newenglandnaturenotes@gmail.com



Copyright Daniel E. Levenson 2012.

The Natural Beauty of Newport, Rhode Island

Even on a cloudy day the Rhode Island coastline offers great views and plenty of birds to see. Image copyright Daniel E. Levenson 2012.

Although this week and past weekend have been somewhat rainy in southern New England I've still managed to get outside a little between the showers. In fact, this past weekend I found myself at a wedding in Newport, Rhode Island, at a hotel right beside the water. On the drive down I kept scanning the skies and coastline for gulls and other sea birds. I managed to spot quite a few Great Black-backed Gulls along the way, and when the rain let up in the afternoon I took a walk behind the hotel with my camera to see what kind of bird or plant life might be around.

I spent about half an hour exploring a large lawn bordered by a thick line of shrubs and other vegetation, behind which the land dropped off steeply to the shoreline below. In addition to gulls I also saw a Northern Mockingbird, several energetic Barn Swallows who were completely undeterred by the gray skies and a few Double-crested Cormorants, one of which was fishing in the surf below. European Starlings (which have been declining world-wide, I believe), American Robin and American Crow were also seen. In the distance I could see waves breaking on the rocky shore as occasional sailboats and tankers passed by. I have to admit that most of my outdoor exploration in New England has been in Massachusetts and Vermont, but looking out at the water below and the birds in the sky I began to feel a certain sense of curiosity about the ecology of the Ocean state, so I decided to go online and see what natural history resources I might be able to find.

The first site which came up was that of the Audubon Society of Rhode Island. This site has some great information about the network of wildlife refuges, totaling some 9,500 acres, which the group maintains, as well as information about their efforts to help preserve and protect the natural environment in Rhode Island.

Another website which offers some interesting information about Rhode Island nature is a site run by Save The Bay, an organization focused on  protecting marine resources in the state by drawing attention to potential environmental threats to Narraganset Bay through media outreach, education and public awareness campaigns.The site also offers educational resources for teachers as well as  information about volunteer opportunities and seal cruises in the bay.

Undoubtedly there are other great resources out there about Rhode Island nature - if you have suggestions or ideas please feel free to email me directly at newenglandnaturenotes@gmail.com.


Copyright Daniel E. Levenson 2012.

An Interview with Rene Laubach, Director of Plesant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary in Lenox, MA

Rene Laubach is the author of several books on natural history and has been director of Mass Audubon's Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary, located in Lenox, Massachusetts, since 1985. Recently he took some time to answer a few questions via email about the ecology of the Berkshires and what makes Pleasant Valley, and other Mass Audubon properties in the area, so special.

Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary offers stunning views of a wide range of inter-connected ecosystems in the Berkshires. Image copyright Rene Laubach 2012.

NENN: Pleasant Valley WLS has a range of different kinds of habitat, from forest to meadows to wetlands – what kinds of plant and animal life can visitors to the sanctuary expect to encounter ?

RL: There is so much to see at Pleasant Valley, it is difficult to know where to start. And it depends on when you come. Your chances of seeing wildlife are in general better in the early morning and late afternoon. Right now, many species of nesting birds are singing. Of course our beaver colony is very watchable.  The right time for seeing them is near dusk when they become active. 

NENN: What kinds of birds can visitors expect to see over the summer at the sanctuary ? Are there any particularly unusual or noteworthy species that have nested there before ?

RL: About 80 species nest at Pleasant Valley. Among them are a variety of colorful wood warblers, flycatchers, thrushes, as well as rose-breasted grosbeak, indigo bunting, and Baltimore oriole. We have a free bird checklist available to visitors. 

NENN: During a recent visit to Pleasant Valley I noticed that the wetlands there seem to support an abundance of life, including a Red Eft that I encountered on one of the trails, why are wetlands important to preserve and what role do they play in the overall ecosystem within the sanctuary ?

RL: Yes, wetlands are very wildlife rich. Beavers were reintroduced here in 1932 and over the years they have created a series of some 14 ponds along Yokun Brook. The ponds support not only beavers, but also wood ducks, hooded mergansers, muskrats, mink, river otter, turtles, frogs, red-spotted newts, fish, and a variety of aquatic insects and plants. These beaver wetlands also act as a water filtration system and as flood prevention structures.  

NENN: What are some of the particular environmental challenges facing wildlife in the Berkshires today ?

RL: Habitat loss due to sprawl and the increasing prevalence of invasive exotic species (plants and insects) are probably the major two challenges. Habitat change is also a factor in that grassland and shrubland species are loosing habitat as these habitat types grow up to forest. 

Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary offers miles of hiking trails and a great view of the mountains. Image copyright Rene Laubach 2012.

NENN:  Can you tell us a little about your own background and how you came to be the director of Pleasant Valleys Wildlife Sanctuary ?

RL: My college training was in wildlife biology and museum science. I spent 14 years working in museum education prior to accepting the sanctuary director position of Berkshire Wildlife Sanctuaries in 1985.

NENN: What kinds of activities and programs does the sanctuary offer for visitors ? Is there a particular time of year or day that you would recommend people visit the sanctuary ?

RL: We have a wide variety of public programs for all ages…especially during the summer. That includes a nature camp for kids 5-14, and even a preschool program. A program catalog is available on our website (www.massaudubon.org) and from our office (413-637-0320). Any time of the year is a great time to visit Pleasant Valley, but spring, summer, and fall each offer their own highlights. We are open year-round.

NENN: Is there anything else you would like to add ?

RL: After visiting Pleasant Valley, visitors to the area might also wish to visit our Canoe Meadows Wildlife Sanctuary in Pittsfield, and our Lime Kiln Farm Wildlife Sanctuary in Sheffield. Both are unstaffed but offer well-marked trail systems. More information on these properties can be found on our website.

Copyright Daniel E. Levenson 2012.

World's End: Grassland, Sea and Swallows

World's End offers sweeping views of salt marsh, grassland and forest. Image copyright Daniel E. Levenson 2012.

The weather forecast this weekend called for rain, but fortunately the inclement weather held off today and I managed to get down to Hingham, MA with my girlfriend Joanna to explore World's End, a public park managed by the Trustees of Reservation, and since 1996 a part of the Boston Harbor  Islands National Recreation Area. I had heard of this place for a number of years, and done some birding in other spots in Plymouth County, but I had yet to make it to this particular place. While the skies were grey and there was occasional mist and very light rain, the birds were undeterred by the less-than-perfect weather, and we found the large expanses of grassland humming with avian life, including many Tree and Barn Swallows, as well as a Red-winged Blackbirds, including the one in the photo below.

A male Red-winged Blackbird perched in a tree at World's End. Image copyright Daniel E. Levenson 2012.

During our walk I noticed a number of female Red-winged Blackbirds landing in the tall grass, presumably gathering food and feeding young. I also spotted a very brightly colored male Baltimore Oriole perched on a tree limb at the edge of a field, with the salt marsh in the background, as well as a fairly faded Eastern Bluebird. There were also a number of gulls and cormorants passing overhead.

World's End offers a diverse array of plant life for the amateur botanist to admire. Image copyright Daniel E. Levenson 2012.

The land itself has a pretty interesting history, having once been considered as a possible site for both the United Nations and a nuclear power plant. Now the land has been preserved for future generations to explore and enjoy. The easy, rolling pathways also offer a view of the Boston skyline, seen below in the distant fog.

The Boston skyline seen in the distance from World's End in Hingham, MA. Image copyright Daniel E. Lervenson 2012.

I will definitely have to get back to World's End sometime soon - there is great diversity of habitat and the fields and marsh seem very promising. The population of swallows and Red-winged blackbirds seemed particularly healthy, and I suspect that the fields there also support numbers of other species which need large expanses of open grassland, including Bobolinks and Meadowlarks. I was thrilled to see my first Great Egret of the year and the salt marsh and mud flats certainly warrant closer inspection on my next visit. I look forward to returning sometime soon to World's End.

Copyright Daniel E. Levenson 2012.

An Afternoon Ramble Into Evening at Mass Audubon's Broadmoor Sanctuary

Late spring sunlight filters down through thickening vegetation at Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary. Image copyright Daniel E. Levenson 2012.

The weather was so nice yesterday that I decided to take a walk at Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary after work. What started out as a short walk to get come air and maybe see a few birds stretched into a longer ramble, taking me along the boardwalk and into the fields as afternoon slipped into evening and I lingered in the meadows, watching Eastern Blue Birds, both adult and immature flying from branch to branch above a sea of grass and milkweed.

An easy, rolling path cuts through a large section of meadow studded with trees and rocky outcroppings where Eastern Blue Birds, Baltimore Orioles and other migratory songbirds make their homes for the season. Image Copyright Daniel E. Levenson 2012.

One thing I noticed today was that the vegetation, on both land and water, is definitely thickening. I would guess we still have a few weeks to go before everything fills in, but the landscape was definitely looking very lush. Along the way I counted some 19 species of birds and caught a glimpse of a beaver in the pond by the wildlife observation deck. One of the birding highlights of my walk was getting a very good look at two Eastern Towhees - one on the ground, scratching in the dirt and debris at the edge of a field, the other calling loudly from the top of a tree.

A male Eastern Towhee singing loudly from the top of a tree at Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary. Image Copyright Daniel E. Levenson 2012.

Aside from a small group of Canada Geese and the continuing Mute Swan family, waterfowl were few and far between - I did see several ducks in flight in silhouette, but the lighting was not good enough to make an ID. I did however get some decent photos of a Great Blue Heron that was hunting in the wetland at the start of the boardwalk.

A Great Blue Heron hunting at the water's edge at Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary. Image copyright Daniel E. Levenson 2012.

 Here are a few great online resources if you'd like to find out more about some of the birds mentioned in this post.:

1. To learn more about the Eastern Towhee, click here.

2. If you would like to know more about the Eastern Blue Bird and conservation efforts to support this species, click here.

3. For some more information about Mute Swans and the negative impact they are having on native plants and animals,  click here.


Copyright Daniel E. Levenson 2012.

Urban Oases # 2

As part of my continuing occasional 'Urban Oases" series I thought I would take a moment to ponder a very interesting art installation that has been floating in Boston's Fort Point Channel. The platform (literally and figuratively) that artist Heidi Kayser has been using for her on-going, continually-changing work called "The Remodeling Project" is a small square floating dock, anchored in the Fort Point Channel in Boston.

Artist Heidi Kayser has been kayaking out to this floating platform on an irregular basis to change the elements in her work "The Remodeling Project." Image copyright Daniel E. Levenson 2012.

The work itself has gone through a number of revisions and attracted media attention, including this piece in the Boston Globe. Personally, I have enjoyed seeing it each morning on my way to work so I thought I would feature it today, and besides, any piece of art that involves a kayak in the process deserves to be recognized.

Copyright Daniel E. Levenson 2012.