What's Taking Flight at Allens Pond

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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