Mass Audubon Virtual Series
Mass Audubon Virtual Series
Join us virtually for a variety of Mass Audubon programs!
Sponsored by the Tewksbury Friends of the Library and a collaboration of libraries.
NOTE: These programs will be recorded. All registrants will receive the recording via email within 48 hours of each program.
Whippoorwills & Nighthawks
Wednesday, July 10 – 10:30-11:30 AM
The unmistakable call of the Eastern Whippoorwill is a classic sound on moonlit summer nights. A favorite late summer ritual for many nature-lovers is watching for Common Nighthawks in the late afternoon and evening skies. Both birds are aerial insectivores – birds that catch insects on the fly. They are in a family called ‘goatsuckers,’ due to the erroneous belief that these large-mouthed birds would suck milk from goats. Learn about these birds’ life histories, behavior, ecological niche, and population status, in addition to the best places and times to see them in the coming weeks. Led by Patti Steinman, the Education Coordinator for Mass Audubon’s Connecticut River Valley Sanctuaries, based out of Arcadia in Easthampton and Northampton. She has worked at Mass Audubon for 30 years, developing and overseeing programs for adults, families, and children.
Finding Atlantic Puffins
Wednesday, July 24 – 10:30-11:30 AM
Few birds are as recognizable as the Atlantic Puffin. A black and white seabird with a colorful bill, puffins are exciting animals to learn about and, if you’re lucky enough, see along the north Atlantic coastline. Most New Englanders can enjoy seeing puffins in person by taking a day trip if you know where to go and when. Learn about their interesting lives from ‘puffling’ to adult, where they breed, what they eat, climate impacts, look-alike birds, and where to go to see them. Led by Scott Santino, the Education Manager and Teacher Naturalist at the Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary in Topsfield where he has been leading nature education programs for Mass Audubon since 1999.
Bald Eagles On The Rise
Wednesday, August 14 – 10:30-11:30 AM
The Bald Eagle, formerly endangered, now has a thriving population over much of the country including the northeast. Learn the natural history and life cycle of bald eagle as well as the historic restoration project in Massachusetts resulting in a healthy population and removal of endangered species status. Eagles are seen in the northeast throughout the year, and during fall migration you might be fortunate to see a non-nesting golden eagle. Led by Patti Steinman, the Education Coordinator for Mass Audubon’s Connecticut River Valley Sanctuaries, based out of Arcadia in Easthampton and Northampton. She has worked at Mass Audubon for 30 years, developing and overseeing programs for adults, families, and children.
Wildflowers & Insects
Wednesday, August 28 – 10:30-11:30 AM
The end of summer is very active with lots of wildflowers and insects. From fields and field edges filled with milkweed, asters, and goldenrods to wetlands with carnivorous pitcher plants and cardinal flowers, each habitat has its own community of perennials and insects. Learn how these organisms interact and their importance in the ecosystems we live in. Led by Tia Pinney, a Biologist, Lead Naturalist, and educator at Mass Audubon’s Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary in Lincoln. Since 1994, when she first started working at the farm, Tia has overseen efforts to maintain New England’s wildlife on our 206-acre property, managing staff and volunteers in planting projects and citizen science.