Commonwealth Conversations: The Great Outdoors

Help us count bald eagles

Marion Larson

Outreach Coordinator, MassWildlife

View Marion's Bio

Every year, MassWildlife participates in a midwinter eagle survey that occurs nationwide. This year, the Midwinter Bald Eagle survey period begins on December 30, 2009 and ends on January 13, 2010. I encourage everyone who is outdoors and sees an eagle during this time period to report his or her sighting! You can send your report to us at mass.wildlife@state.ma.us or to Eagle Survey, MassWildlife, Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program, 1 Rabbit Hill Road, Westborough, MA, 01581. Please provide the date, time, location, and town of eagle sightings, plus the number of birds, whether juvenile or adult, and your contact information.

On January 8, 2010, agency biologists and many other cooperators will take part in a statewide effort to survey of the coast and major rivers, lakes, and reservoirs for eagles. We even expect a helicopter, generously provided by National Grid, to help count eagles in the Quabbin Reservoir and along the length of the Connecticut River. I’ll probably be posted at the Enfield Lookout at Quabbin Reservoir in Belchertown to answer questions and watch for eagles. The photo is of me and local naturalist/photographer John Greene at that location in 2005.

Last year, volunteers and state wildlife staff spotted a record number of 80 eagles (with 26 eagles spotted at the Quabbin Reservoir) during a one day survey in January.

Click here for more details on the Eagle Count like the best places to see eagles.

12 Days of Xmas don't come cheap

Commissioner Scott Soares

Commissioner, Department of Agriculture Resources (DAR)

View Commissioner Soares' Bio

Ever wonder how much it would cost your true love to procure seven swans a-swimming, six geese a-laying or five golden rings? With prompting last week from Sean Cole (reporting for NPR's business program Marketplace), some of my staff and folks from the Department of Fish and Game had some fun looking into what it would cost in Massachusetts to purchase some of the products or services in the song.

Eight maids a-milking? At $18 an hour, eight maids (or lads) a’ milking would cost around $144. It takes less than half an hour to milk a cow.

Seven swans a-swimming could cost you in fines up to $375 – for $20 to $50 per bird plus an additional $25 – for illegal possession of mute swans. Illegal possession of the birds also carries the possible penalty of 30 days in jail. If you hold a grandfathered permit for mute swans, it will cost you $30 for the lot, no new permits are issued. The photo of the adult mute swan and its six cygnets is by MassWildlife’s Bill Byrne.

Six geese a-laying? Goslings cost about $8 a piece, but, if you sought the instant gratification of laying geese, you'd need a mating pair at $40 to $100 each or $240 to $600 for the lot.

As to five golden rings, this does not actually refer to jewelry but rather golden-ringed pheasants at a cost of $60 for five. Or, you could hunt the birds at a cost of $325 plus $10 for a hunting license.

The calling birds are really Colly birds a.k.a. blackbirds. Gift wrapping these would cost between $50 and $300 in fines – at $10 to $50 per bird plus an additional fine up to $100, possible jail time of 30 days and a revoked hunting license for three years. It is illegal to hunt blackbirds in Massachusetts.

Door-to-door delivery of three hens from France could cost as much as $2,800 in airfare and paperwork. The cost rises to $4,000 for the additional cost of quarantining the birds for 30 days (a state requirement for livestock imported to Massachusetts) and incidental veterinary fees.

Two turtle doves cost $25 a-piece from a pet store licensed by DAR.

A partridge (a.k.a. a ruffed grouse) and a pear tree? A partridge goes for $9 plus $30 for a MassWildlife permit. A 9 foot, fruit-bearing pear tree costs about $100.

Click here to hear me on the show and find out more about this story – a holiday tradition tracking the Christmas Price Index – broadcast on NPR.

Happy Holidays!

No gym membership needed

Wendy Fox

Press Secretary, Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR)

View Wendy's Bio

Face it. We’re all going to have to work off the extra holiday food we’ve been eating these days. Before you head to the gym, though, or just sit there feeling guilty, what about heading out to a state park for a First Day Hike? Or going ice skating?

On New Year’s Day, DCR will sponsor 16 hikes in state parks across the Commonwealth. Lasting about two hours, the hikes are for families and folks of all ages and hiking abilities (think “walking” abilities), and will be led by DCR Rangers or park staff members. Try one in the Blue Hills in Milton, or maybe on Mt. Greylock in the Berkshires, or one of 14 others at points in between.

If you join us, remember to dress warmly and wear comfortable shoes. Click here for a full list of First Day Hikes.

Also on New Year’s Day, DCR’s Murphy Rink in South Boston and the newly renovated and refurbished Kelly Outdoor Rink in Jamaica Plain will both offer free public ice skating from 10 a.m. to 4:50 p.m. Skate rentals are available. In addition, many rinks will have extended public skating hours during the holiday week. Click here for details about ice skating facilities across the state. 

So, lace up your boots (or sneakers) and join us. And leave the cookies - and guilt- at home!

Winter rec vehicle safety

Colonel Aaron Gross

Director, Massachusetts Environmental Police

View Aaron's Bio

Winter is a wonderful time to be outdoors with an abundance of activities to choose from. Whether it be hunting, fishing, all-terrain vehicle (ATV) riding, snowmobiling or just taking in the scenery, it can be a fun time of the year.

For your safety, our officers are outdoors each season throughout Massachusetts using four-by-four vehicles, ATVs and snowmobiles to patrol off-road areas, and operating a fleet of more than 50 vessels to patrol coastal and inland waters.

Year after year, we see tragic snowmobile accidents. As Colonel of the Massachusetts Environmental Police – the primary enforcement agency for state recreational vehicles and boating laws – I am urging snowmobilers and ATV users to be cautious, obey the law and use common sense while enjoying the winter weather.

As recreational vehicles begin to flock to snow-covered landscapes, keep in mind the Environmental Police safety guidelines designed to safeguard snowmobile and ATV users, private property owners, and the state’s natural resources.

Here are some safety tips I’d recommend:

***Wear a U.S. Dept. of Transportation-approved helmet.

***Ride at reasonable speeds for existing conditions and be especially cautious when operating at night.

***Check frozen ponds and rivers before going onto the ice – be aware of soft spots in places where there are currents or natural springs below the ice, and exercise extra caution when temperatures creep above 32 degrees F.

***Dress in layers, including waterproof outerwear.

I also recommend joining an organized club to discover local areas where snowmobiles and ATVs are permitted. Remember, it is illegal to drive ATVs and snowmobiles after consuming alcoholic beverages.

According to Massachusetts Law, snowmobile operators must be over 14 years of age. Children between the ages of 12 and 14 can operate while being directly supervised by an adult over the age of 18. Be aware that state law also requires operators to obtain landowners’ permission before riding on private property, and prohibits operation of ATVs and snowmobiles on public roads or within 150 feet of a home.

Like all outdoor enthusiasts, I urge recreational vehicle operators to respect the state’s natural resources by taking care to avoid damaging trees, underbrush and other landscape features.

Again, I encourage you to enjoy the wonders of nature at its best, be safe.

Giving greens (fees)

Wendy Fox

Press Secretary, Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR)

View Wendy's Bio

Holiday hassle got you down? Still looking for the perfect gift for the outdoor enthusiast on your list?

How about a $35 DCR ParksPass? The pass provides unlimited day-use parking at the more than 50 DCR state parks that charge parking fees, and is valid January through December of 2010. The happy recipient will have the ParksPass in plenty of time for the warm-weather recreation season. They’ll be able to use it at ocean beaches, swimming ponds, mountain summits, and historic sites as diverse as Salisbury Beach State Reservation, Walden Pond State Reservation in Concord, Wachusett Mountain in Princeton, and Pittsfield State Forest in the Berkshires. Click here for more information about DCR’s ParksPass.

Golfers might enjoy a Happy New Year gift certificate to play at either of DCR’s two golf courses: Leo J. Martin Memorial Golf Course in Weston and Ponkapoag Golf Course in Canton. Martin Memorial has one 18-hole course, and Ponky, as we like to call it, has one 18-hole course and one 9-hole course. Both facilities open in early April, and both charge $19 to play 9 holes and $27-$30 to play 18 holes, depending on the day of the week. You can purchase a gift certificate in any amount. For Martin Memorial, call 781-894-4903, ext. 23. For Ponkapoag, call 781-828-4242. Click here for more information about both DCR golf courses.

The photo is of some golfers enjoying a par-fect day at DCR's Ponkapoag Golf Course.

Happy holidays from DCR!

Tracking in a winter wonderland

Marion Larson

Outreach Coordinator, MassWildlife

View Marion's Bio

The snow that fell over much of the state last week was a reminder that winter is here. Snowfall creates a terrific opportunity to see wildlife tracks in your backyard, neighborhood, local parks or conservation areas. Tracks can tell some very interesting wildlife stories. One morning last week, I spotted tracks coming from the woods and into my yard. Hopping out of the car, I noted they were fox tracks that showed the animal had meandered around a few shrubs on a slope facing the house and doubled back—only this time in a few bounds. Perhaps a dog walker or a car had come by and frightened it back into the woods.

If you are new to wildlife tracking, there are individuals and groups in the state who offer workshops and recently the 2nd Annual Massachusetts Wildlife Trackers Conference was held in Leominster. Click here for information about how to contact the Massachusetts Wildlife Trackers.

You can also pick up a handy pocket-sized guide to Massachusetts animal tracks from the MassWildlife offices in Westborough or Boston or download the guide from the MassWildlife website. 

Take your family or friends tracking this winter!

Snowshoeing, owl calling on the wild & scenic side

Tim Purinton

Acting Director, Department of Fish and Game’s Division of Ecological Restoration

View Tim's Bio

What’s more wild and scenic than a clear, cascading river slipping over ice-glazed rocks as the early snows of winter fall? Not much in my estimation. The Westfield River is one of the state’s healthiest rivers and stunningly beautiful in winter. The east, west and middle branches carve their way from the Berkshire Hills of Savoy, Worthington, and Becket to the small mill town of Russell – through the Chesterfield Gorge and below the Keystone Arches. This photo is of the Westfield River Watershed after this season's first snow.

In 1993, the Westfield River became Massachusetts’ first National Wild & Scenic River, a designation made by Congress or the U.S. Secretary of the Interior. The nationally recognized Wild & Scenic Rivers of Massachusetts should be on your bucket list of rivers to see, paddle and fish.

A great place to see the Westfield River is along the Jacob’s Ladder Scenic Byway – but to truly enjoy the river you will need to get out of your car. On Saturday, January 9, 2009, the Westfield River Watershed Association is hosting a snowshoeing event at the AMC Noble View Property in Russell which offers exceptional views of the Westfield River Valley. The Association is also hosting a nighttime walk with views of the Westfield River on Friday, December 18, 2009. Participants will learn how to call for owls and enjoy the views over a mug of hot chocolate. Click here for more information about these events.

Today, over 78 miles of the Westfield River are designated as Wild & Scenic. A recent MassWildlife report gave the Westfield high marks on supporting a diverse native fish community. The Assabet, Sudbury, Concord, and Taunton Rivers all share the Wild & Scenic status. Click here for more information on the Assabet, Sudbury and Concord Rivers. Click here for more information about the Taunton River.

Christmas Bird Count - Make it Your Holiday Outdoor Tradition

Marion Larson

Outreach Coordinator, MassWildlife

View Marion's Bio

From December 14, 2009 through January 5, 2010, bird lovers in Massachusetts can participate in the nation’s longest running wildlife survey, the Christmas Bird Count. Each year families, friends, birders, and scientists – armed with binoculars and bird guides – go outdoors to count the number of species and the number of individual birds they see in a day. The data collected by bird observers over the past century allow researchers, conservation biologists, and other interested individuals to study the long-term health and status of bird populations across North America.

While there are specific procedures to follow, the Christmas Bird Count is open to everyone. In Massachusetts, there are 33 geographic count circles where the bird counts occur. Each count circle is coordinated by an experienced count compiler. Beginning birders can join a group that includes at least one or two experienced birdwatchers in charge of covering a portion of the circle. If your home is within the boundaries of a count circle, you can report the birds visiting your feeder. If you have never been on a Christmas Bird Count before, locate and contact the local count compiler to find out how you can participate.

I've taken part in some Christmas Bird Counts in past years and as a member of the Forbush Bird Club, I'm hoping to be assigned to the Wachusett Reservoir with other birders for a portion of the Worcester circle in mid-December. There's an excellent chance we'll see an eagle and some of the diving ducks that are making their winter appearance in the area.

Visit the MassBird website for information about local count compilers and birding clubs in your area. Click here for a very useful list of Frequently Asked Questions with more details and national count results on National Audubon’s web page.

A black-capped chickadee is pictured above.

Get outside, track river flow

Tim Purinton

Acting Director, Department of Fish and Game’s Division of Ecological Restoration

View Tim's Bio

Every Tuesday at 6:00 am Shep Evans of Stockbridge dons his winter cap and woolen mittens and heads out to Larrywaug Brook in the Berkshires to read a stream gauge. In Sharon, Paul Lauenstein pulls on his rubber boots each week to do the same and estimates that he has walked more than 2,500 miles gathering over 3,000 stream gauge readings during the past two years.

Paul and Shep are part of a statewide volunteer group that routinely gets outside to record stream flow, which is part of an effort to gauge the health of streams not monitored by the U.S. Geological Survey. Stream flow data helps us at the Division of Ecological Restoration develop restoration plans for flow stressed rivers – rivers that are susceptible to going dry or flooding when they shouldn’t, disrupting the natural ecology of the stream.

Gauging river flow over seasons and years gives volunteers a unique perspective of a river, a sense of the natural rhythms and a deeper understanding of the importance of moving water (and having enough!). According to Paul, it's like having your finger on the pulse of Mother Nature.

Early in Shep’s volunteer career, he discovered that a nearby development was discharging a large amount of sediment into Beartown Brook, a brook trout stream dependent on enough cold, clean water to support an entire food chain. Click here to find out more about how Shep worked with the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection to get this problem fixed. 

Paul’s work with town committees led to water conservation programs that are saving over 100 million gallons of water annually, reducing stress on Beaver Brook and Billings Brook. The town’s water supply wells are adjacent to the brooks.

If you’re interested in being a part of this outdoor volunteer effort, contact the Division of Ecological Restoration at (617) 626-1540.

Click here to view the data collected by Shep, Paul and other river stewards as well as photos and other information about the Division of Ecological Restoration’s streamflow restoration projects.

PHOTOS: Volunteer Jo Carey (above) wearing a red mitten at Larrywaug Brook in Stockbridge. Volunteers (left to right) Paul Lauenstein, Warren Kimball, Roy Socolow, and Freddie Gillespie at the Wading River in Norton. Shep Evans (far left) is pictured in a red hat at Larrywaug Brook in Stockbridge.

Scrumptiously local outdoor holiday shopping

Anna Waclawiczek

Chief of Staff, Department of Agricultural Resources (DAR)

View Anna's Bio

An e-postcard from David Webber, our farmers’ market program coordinator, brings me to one of my favorite topics: food! David’s tip for the month? A holiday market at Downtown Crossing in Boston that is focused on local specialty foods, fresh local produce, and artisan crafts – all produced in Massachusetts and New England.

Located in front of the old Filene’s building on Washington Street, weary shoppers can stop by for sparkling cider, fresh cranberry scones and tasty holiday sweets. Folks can find all the makings for delicious holiday meals: grass-fed and pastured meat products, greenhouse-grown tomatoes, winter squashes, and apples, not to mention pickled goods, maple syrup products, fresh breads, cheeses, pies, and cakes.

The holiday market is open on Monday through Saturdays, 11 am to 7 pm and Sundays, noon to 6 pm through December 24, 2009.

Did you know there are more than 200 farmer’s markets across the state? Click here for more information about Massachusetts farmer’s markets.

This year’s holiday market was organized by the Boston Public Market Association and the Boston Redevelopment Authority. The long-term goal is the establishment of a year-round market that will include local farm and specialty food products as well as seafood.

See you there!