Category Archives: Programs & Events

Amphibians after Dark – coming April 8th!

Posted on April 1, 2017 by Don C

Ever wondered about the mysterious annual migration some of our native amphibians make on the first few warm and wet nights in the spring? Have you heard about vernal pools and know that they are important to our ecosystem, but are not sure why? Do you just want a fun night out with your family, filled with cookies, crafts, exploration, skits, discoveries and a guided lantern-lit tour of Stony Brook? Join the many other families who are also curious to learn and experience more about our natural world next Saturday, April 8^th at Stony Brook’s Amphibians After Dark program. Tours begin every 15 minutes from 5:30pm until 8pm, so you can pick a time that works best for your busy family. See details on our web page.

Like most community events at Stony Brook, this program’s success is driven by our volunteers’ involvement and commitment. We have help from young people like the King Philip’s LEOS who will staff the vernal pool game show. Local families who have had children attending Stony Brook’s summer camp for years step into costume and act in short skits bringing humor and entertainment to those who live (or might not live) in our native vernal pools. We even have camp parents who generously donate cookies and refreshments, as well as supplies to light the trails. There’s no way to cite all the volunteers who make this event possible, but suffice it to say that we’re extremely grateful for everyone’s support. Hope to see you and your family next Saturday!

Vacation Week Fun At Stony Brook

Posted on February 2, 2017 by Jessica W

Staying home for vacation weeks Tuesday, February 21^st-Friday, February 24^th or Tuesday, April 18^th-Friday, April 21^st with your 5 to 12-year-old? Looking for an enrichment program for your homeschooler?

Sign up for a day or all four days of Stony Brook’s vacation week programs (9am-3:30pm) as each day has a different theme. Your child could explore chemistry and create an edible science project. Or solve a “track mystery” with their new-found knowledge of track patterns. The fun and adventure are limitless.

If your child enjoys exploring the natural world, using their imagination, creating crafts and participating in ooey-gooey fun these vacation week classes are for them. Stony Brook knows how to make learning fun! Call the sanctuary at (508) 528-3140 to register or sign up online.

Purple Martins and Stony Brook

Posted on January 19, 2017 by Jessica W

Purple martins and Stony Brook? Not an automatic connection for most of our visitors, but sanctuary director, Doug Williams, and volunteer, Madeleine Linck, hope it will become one. About nine years ago, the purple martin house was erected in the front field in hopes that America’s largest swallow, the purple martin, would rear a new generation. Finally, after 5 years or more, the Purple Martins began to use the specially designed house as home base for their young. For years, this is where the story ended…until last spring.

Current purple martin house at rest for the winter

Madeleine Linck, former wildlife technician at Three Rivers Park District in Minnesota, came to Stony Brook, attracted to the sanctuary because of the nesting purple martins. Madeleine was moving to Massachusetts and hoped to help monitor the purple martin house. Based on her former experience monitoring the MN district’s purple martin nesting sites, Madeleine became the lead in instructing volunteers in the fine art of checking the housing. By late summer of last year, Madeleine and her trained volunteers had identified active nests raising young and/or witnessed fledglings.

Male purple martin By Ingrid Taylar

Currently, on Madeleine’s recommendation, the sanctuary is hoping to provide an ideal gourd housing option for the growing population of purple martins. The gourds are more attractive to the purple martins and are much less accessible to predators. The sanctuary is hosting a free program for those who would like to learn more about purple martins, Wednesday, April 19^th at 7:00pm. Of course, Stony Brook is home to many other discoveries and opportunities for you to explore. Hope to see you at the sanctuary soon!

Stony Brook Stewardship Sunday, January 8th at 1pm

Posted on January 4, 2017 by Jessica W

Curious about how you can make a difference with only a couple of hours to spare this weekend? Join the Stewardship Volunteer Crew at Stony Brook Wildlife Sanctuary this Sunday, January 8th at 1pm and enjoy the peace and tranquility of the open fields and wetlands in Norfolk. Come and work beside other volunteers who share a common desire to protect and care for our wild spaces.

Removal of Oriental Bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus) vine by volunteers, Connor Kenney (left) and George Darrell (right)

There will be a something sweet to eat and a warm welcome for you inside the sanctuary upon arrival this Sunday, January 8th at 1pm. Matt O’Neil, sanctuary property manager, will lead the team and provide a brief training and explanation of the task for the day that may include removal of invasives.

Berries of Multiflora Rose (Rosa multiflora) Photo By Vilseskogen

Stony Brook Stewardship Day is an opportunity to learn more about our natural world. Perspective of our landscape becomes better informed as we come to learn about invasives such as the multiflora rose that will take over the natural habitat of our fields if not managed. Learn more about Mass Audubon’s management of invasive species and if your own backyard is host to these alien invaders.

Stony Brook Bird Club’s Christmas Stroll, Saturday, December 31st

Posted on December 15, 2016 by Jessica W

Ever wonder what birds brave the Northeastern winters? Would you like to enjoy a leisure walk and learn more about these hardy winter birds with others who share similar interests? Join the Stony Brook Bird Club who have met at the sanctuary every Saturday following Christmas for over 44 years!

Cedar Waxwing by: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Northeast Region

Walk the sanctuary grounds with members who can point out some of those hardy winter birds by both sound and sight! Bundle up, pack up a thermos of hot coffee and meet at 8:30 am, Saturday, December 31st. Look out for Bill Marland, the Christmas count leader. His stories alone are well worth coming out that morning. You do not need to be a member of the Stony Brook Birding Club to participate in the Christmas Stroll.

Dark-eyed Junco By Ken Thomas via Wikimedia Commons

Please post any photos and comments of the birds that you were fortunate to see on your visit to this blog, or on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.

Carolina Wren By William H. Majoros (Own work)
via Wikimedia Commons

Want to learn more about some of our more common winter birds? We hope to see you at the Stony Brook Wildlife Sanctuary, Saturday, December 31st at 8:30am.

Stony Brook Stewardship Sunday, December 11, 2016

Posted on December 8, 2016 by Jessica W

Have the holiday errands got you stressed out and all you want to do is get outside and feel like you are contributing to a greater good? Thinking about volunteering but cannot commit to a set schedule yet?

Can you find the wheel barrel in the photo under all the invasive plant cuttings?

Come to Stony Brook THIS Sunday, December 11th at 1pm for a drop-in Volunteer Stewardship Day. Work with a staff member and fellow volunteers who will head out onto the trails and make sure that sanctuary guests have a fun and rewarding experience on the trails by removing impediments, clearing invasives, and spreading ground cover.

Volunteer Jessy Billman making repairs to Stony Brook’s Sensory Trail.

If you cannot make this weekend, set your calendars for our next Volunteer Stewardship Day, Sunday, January 8^th, 1pm till 3pm. We hope to see you outside at Stony Brook this Sunday! Feel free to contact us if you would like to apply for a more regular volunteer experience.