MASS AUDUBON’S IPSWICH RIVER WILDLIFE SANCTUARY IN TOPSFIELD FAMILY & CHILDREN’S PROGRAMS FOR APRIL
IT’S BIG NIGHT! Friday, April 8; groups go out every 10 minutes from 6:00-6:50 p.m.
Radio Interview with Scott Santino (Sanctuary Naturalist – Camp Director) with Bill Newell
For families with children 4 years and older. Learn about the creatures of vernal pools in this program that recreates the magic of “Big Night”, the first warm rainy night of spring, when wood frogs and mole salamanders begin a mass migration to vernal pools where they breed. Take a one-hour guided walk along our Vernal Pool Trail, where you will meet some interesting characters who will share facts and stories about themselves and vernal pools. Refreshments will be served. FEE: $9 per person ($7/Mass Audubon members). Advance registration is required; call 978-887-9264 or register online at massaudubon.org/ipswichriver.
Please Note: Below is a complete listing of programs and contact information
SENSE OF WONDER WALK—THE SQUISHINESS OF THINGS: Sunday, April 10, 1:30-3:00 p.m.
For families with children 3 years and older. Discover how much life there is in a dead log. Meet fabulous fungi, slime molds, squishy earthworms, slimy slugs, salamanders, and much more. Find out why slime is important and even make some slime of your own! FEE: $9/adults, $7/children (discount for Mass Audubon members). Advance registration is required; call 978-887-9264 or register online at massaudubon.org/ipswichriver.
PARENT/CHILD BUILD A BLUEBIRD HOUSE: Saturday, April 16, 1:30-3:00 p.m.
For families with children 6 years and older. Celebrate spring by building a bluebird house with your child. We’ll supply all the materials and instruction to build a nest box that bluebirds, tree swallows, chickadees, tufted titmice, and other small birds might use. A short slide presentation will introduce families to the common birds found in Massachusetts. After we complete our boxes, we’ll take a short walk to look and listen for bluebirds. Please bring a hammer. FEE: $23 per family (includes one nest box kit; extra kits may be purchased for $12 each and must be ordered when you register). Advance registration is required; call 978-887-9264.
APRIL VACATION ADVENTURE DAYS: Tuesday through Friday, April 19-22, 8:30 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
For children in grades K-5. Kids will discover spring birds and bugs, look for beavers in the pond, search for frogs, salamanders, and turtles, get down and dirty as they learn about soil and the critters that live there, and enjoy fun, creative activities as they develop observation and discovery skills. FEE: $182 for all four days or $64 per day (discount for Mass Audubon members). Advance registration is required; call 978-887-9264 or register online at massaudubon.org/ipswichriver. See program topics below:
- Tuesday, April 19: Marvelous Mammals
- Wednesday, April 20: Wonderful Wings
- Thursday, April 21: Splish, Splash
- Friday, April 22: Digging in the Dirt
AMAZING AMPHIBIANS: Saturday, April 23, 1:30-3:00 p.m.
For families with children 6 years and older. Spring is the season when frogs, toads, and salamanders return to the wetlands to lay their eggs. We’ll search the sanctuary’s wetlands and woodlands for amphibian, and visit a vernal pool to look for masses of wood frog and spotted salamander eggs. FEE: $9/adults, $7/children (discount for Mass Audubon members). Advance registration is required; call 978-887-9264 or register online atmassaudubon.org/ipswichriver.
_______________________________________________________________________________________
ADULT PROGRAMS FOR APRIL AT MASS AUDUBON’S IPSWICH RIVER WILDLIFE SANCTUARY IN TOPSFIELD
Mass Audubon’s Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary in Topsfield is offering a variety of workshops and walks this spring for adults, For more information on the programs listed below, call 978-887-9264 or visit our website massaudubon.org/ipswichriver .
BIRDING FOR BEGINNERS: Saturday, April 2, 2:00-4:00 p.m.
In this introduction to birdwatching with Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary teacher-naturalist Scott Santino, learn how to choose the right binoculars for you and what to look for in a field guide, and then we’ll take a walk on the sanctuary to learn what to look and listen for to help us identify these beautiful creatures. Dress for the weather and bring binoculars if you have them (we will have some loaners on hand as well). FEE: $14 ($12/Mass Audubon members). Advance registration is required; call 978-887-9264 or register online at massaudubon.org/ipswichriver.
BENEFICIAL BUGS IN YOUR GARDEN: Saturday, April 9, 9:00-11:00 a.m.
If you would like to have a beautiful garden without using harmful chemical insecticides and herbicides, come learn how to use free, nontoxic methods of insect control by putting beneficial bugs to work on your insect pests and how to make an insect-friendly garden with Catherine Carney-Feldman, Accredited Organic Land Care Professional and Master Gardener. FEE: $24 ($20/Mass Audubon members). Advance registration is required; call 978-887-9264 or register online at massaudubon.org/ipswichriver.
VERNAL POOL EXPLORATION: Saturday, April 9, 1:30-3:30 p.m.
Visit a vernal pool with Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary teacher-naturalist Scott Santino as we look for wood frogs and salamanders that use these pools to breed and lay eggs. Learn how critical these pools are to the survival of these fascinating animals and why it is so important to protect them. FEE: $16 ($14/Mass Audubon members). Advance registration is required; call 978-887-9264 or register online at massaudubon.org/ipswichriver.
THE NATURE OF THE SUN: Saturday, April 9, 7:30-9:00 p.m.
For adults, and families with children 12 years and older. In a stunning PowerPoint presentation with physicist Gary Meehan, learn about the nature of this celestial source that gives light and warmth to our world. Afterward, weather permitting, step outside and gaze at the spring constellations through the telescopes of local astronomers. FEE: $9/adults, $7/children (discount for Mass Audubon members). Advance registration is required; call 978-887-9264 or register online at massaudubon.org/ipswichriver.
SPRING BIRDS OF PLUM ISLAND: Sunday, April 17, 7:00-11:00 a.m.
Join us before the big spring migration gets underway at the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge. It’s a great time of year to begin sharpening your bird identification skills because there are fewer species around to confuse us! All levels of birding experience are welcome, but this walk will be especially geared toward beginning birders. Dress for the weather, bring binoculars and a field guide (please let us know when you register if you would like to borrow a pair of binoculars). FEE: $20 ($17/Mass Audubon members). Advance registration is required; call 978-887-9264 or register online at massaudubon.org/ipswichriver.
BECOMING WOLF – THE EASTERN COYOTE IN NEW ENGLAND: Saturday, April 23, 10:00-11:00 a.m.
Join Christine Schadler, New England Representative for Project Coyote, for this informative program. Come learn about the natural history of this unique mammal from an expert in the field. Thousands of coyotes now occupy New England, but unlike the western coyote, the eastern coyote is part wolf, can hunt in packs to take deer, and are filling the niche of the wolf. There will be ample time for questions and answers. FEE: 10 ($8 Mass Audubon members). Advance registration is required; call 978-887-9264 or register online at massaudubon.org/ipswichriver. This program is supported in part by a grant from the Topsfield Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.
CEDAR POND SPRING BIRD WALK: Friday, April 29, 8:00-10:30 a.m.
Join Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary Director Carol Decker for a walk through Mass Audubon’s Cedar Pond Wildlife Sanctuary in Wenham. Its variety of wetland and woodland habitats attracts a variety of migrating wood-warblers as well as songbirds that are returning to nest here. We will listen for birdsong, discuss behavior, and if you’re a new birder, give you tips on locating the birds with your binoculars. FEE: $14 ($12/Mass Audubon members). Advance registration is required; call 978-887-9264 or register online at massaudubon.org/ipswichriver.
