Upcoming Outdoor and Wildlife Related Events
SEPTEMBER
September Sunday "Early Bird" Birdwatching-- Join Jeff Johnstone of the Athol Bird and Nature Club every Sunday at 7AM at the Miller's River Environmental Center,100 Main Street in Athol. Come for as long as your schedule allows. Meet at the Center. Severe weather cancels the walk. Info: Jeff Johnstone, 978-249-9052.
September 6 -- Birding at Pittsfield State Forest. Join the Hoffman Bird Club where you will look for migrating, warblers, thrushes and vireos in the state forest and visit the hawk watch site to look for migrating raptors. Meet at Lanesborough Post Office on Rt. 7. at 7:30 AM. Be sure to be dressed for the weather. Leader: Gael Hurley (413-281-1017, gael19@nycap.rr.co)
September 10-13--MassWildlife at the Franklin County Fair, Greenfield. Visit the Fish and Game building and see what MassWildlife is doing for wildlife and for people in the region. Find out about fall trout stocking, places to fish, hunt, birdwatch, hike and paddle. Learn a little bit about your wild neighbors! Franklin County Fair website.
September 11 - Fri - 9AM - 12PM. Scusset Beach Area Birding. Join the Cape Cod Bird Club walk leader as you explore the thickets, canal, and beach for fall migrants and maybe sea duck or two. Meet in the Sagamore Park and Ride parking lot directly behind Dunkin Donuts. Leader: Mary Keleher, 508-477-1473 or maryeak@yahoo.com.
September 11 -- Deadline for Registering for Shooting Sports Day for Outdoorswomen in Hanson on September 19. This is a day designed for adult women (age 18 and older) to learn how to use different kinds of guns, from shotguns and rifles to handguns. Try your hand at target shooting with expert instructors at the Hanson Rod & Gun Club. Attend the day long workshop plus an optional session from 4-5 pm on Mass. Gun laws and you will receive a certificate which will assist you in applying for a gun license (FID or LTC) with your local police department. Registration is limited to 40 participants. You must include your registration form and medical form  along with your check in order to enroll. This is a popular workshop that fills up fast! Sorry, but we are unable to take credit cards or register participants by phone or fax.
September 15 -- Kayaking or Canoeing this Fall? YOU MUST WEAR A LIFE JACKET Between September 15 through May 15,the following year. ALL persons in canoes and kayaks must be WEARING lifejackets. Most boating fatalities in Massachusetts are due to accidents in small craft in cold water/cold weather situations and failure to wear personal flotation devices (PFD). Life jackets float, you don't!
Mid-September is the beginning of hawk migration! Take up a watching post on a high hill or some of the popular hawk watching peaks such as Mt. Tom, Mt Wachusett, the Blue Hills or Monument Montain or high dunes on Cape Cod. Check with local bird clubs for hawk watching and counting locations at www.massbird.org .
September 20--MassWildlife at Tower Hill Botanic Garden Celebration, Boylston. This is a celebration honoring the 25 years John Trexler has served as Director of Tower Hill Botanic Garden. MassWildlife, the Department of Conservation and Recreation Watershed Supply Protection Division will be hosting display tables. See Live Birds of Prey with Larry Keating and look at fantastic wildlife and nature photographs by Worcester County photographers Bill Byrne, Roger Leo and Sheila Carrol. Information about the American Chesnut orchard, talks and presentations on the history of the Garden and the immediate environs, hawk watching and historic photos are also in the mix.
September 25 Raptor Population Trends: The Fall and Rise of Hawks in North America, Salem Paul Roberts is presenting "Raptor Population Trends: The Fall and Rise of Hawks in North America". Many bird species are declining significantly in numbers. Most hawks, however, are more abundant now than 50 years ago. Why? What Happened? And why are some hawk species not doing so well. Learn about the exciting resurgence and the challenging future of hawks with Paul Roberts. Plus ECOC meeting, 7:30 - 7:45 pm. This talk is hosted by the Essex County Ornithological Club
The meeting will be held at the Phillips Library Auditorium, Peabody Essex Museum, Salem. It is free and open to the public.Directions
September 26- NRA Day Safety & Firearms Education Camp, Leominster --The Leominster Sportsmens Association will be hosting this event for families on National Hunting & Fishing Day beginning at 9 AM. The event is to everyone - adults, kids, members & guests. The price is just $5 each & the first 30 will get an NRA Sports T-shirt. Rain or Shine, we'll have a good time. There will be lessons on .22 rifles, pistols, shotguns, black powder guns, archery, & fishing in the pond. Newcomers and experienced shooters alike will learn how to hit the bullseye. Our aim is to provide a safe, structured, hands-on learning environment under the direction and supervision of experienced shooters, instructors and coaches. We have the equipment, we just need You! Bring your kids, grandkids, nieces, nephews, or neighbors! Pass on Our Great American Tradition. For more information or to volunteer, contact Art O'Leary 978-537-2642 or email oleary5150@comcast.net
September 27-- 13th Annual Massachusetts Outdoor Exposition, Sturbridge--We hope to see you, your friends, family or youth group at the Hamilton Rod and Gun Club in Sturbridge!
OCTOBER
October 2-12 -- Visit the Sportsmens Building at the Topsfield Fair! See live animals, talk to members of various clubs from the Essex County area, see the exhibits from the US Fish & Wildlife Service and the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife. Take a chance on a raffle ticket that benefits kids! Topsfield Fair Website.
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