Author Archives: Ryan D.

About Ryan D.

Where: Mass Audubon Headquarters, Lincoln | Who: A Vermont ex-pat, lifelong skier, musician, photographer, motorcycle enthusiast, budding native plant gardener, and pun master | Favorite part of the job: Working with wonderful colleagues to make nature accessible to everyone

Take 5: Showy Shorebirds

If you’ve ever enjoyed a day at the beach, no doubt you have been entertained by the antics of a few fleet-footed shorebirds as they scurry about in the waves, looking for morsels of food buried in the sand. As summer begins to wane, migratory shorebirds begin their long, annual journey south for the winter, and mid-August is the perfect time to catch the height of the annual shorebird migration at beaches and tidal wetlands along the Massachusetts coast.

Look for sandpipers, plovers, and sanderlings, among others, at many of our wildlife sanctuaries, including Joppa Flats in Newburyport, Long Pasture in Barnstable, and Felix Neck in Edgartown. Check our program catalog to find an upcoming shorebird migration program at these any many other locations.

Here are five terrific photos of common shorebirds you can look out for on their long trek south. And don’t forget to submit your own photos to our annual photo contest by September 30!

Piping Plovers © David Peller, Photo Contest 2014

Piping Plovers © David Peller, Photo Contest 2014

Semipalmated Sandpiper © Scott Martin, Photo Contest 2015

Semipalmated Sandpiper © Scott Martin, Photo Contest 2015

Sanderlings © Denise Hackert Stoner, Photo Contest 2015

Sanderlings © Denise Hackert Stoner, Photo Contest 2015

Greater Yellowlegs © Susumu Kishihara, Photo Contest 2015

Greater Yellowlegs © Susumu Kishihara, Photo Contest 2015

Dunlins © Paul McCarthy, Photo Contest 2015

Dunlins © Paul McCarthy, Photo Contest 2015

August Feeder Sale: Get 20% Off Feeders, Poles, and Baffles

The Annual Bird Feeder Sale is here!

Through the end of August, Mass Audubon members get a double discount on bird feeders, poles, and baffles, so shop our great selection of bird feeders and supplies online and spruce up your bird feeding setup. Call or stop by the brick and mortar Audubon Shop in Lincoln for expert advice and to see our full selection of products.

Here are a few of our favorite feeders to get you inspired:

Classic Pole FeederDeluxe Cedar Hopper and Suet FeederSquirrel Buster Bird Seed Feeder

 

Classic Pole Feeder

Member price: $47.96*
Nonmember price: $59.95

Perfect for the beginning birdwatcher, this feeder comes with everything you need to get started:

  • Holds up to 5 pounds (or 1.2 gallons) of seed
  • Includes a three-section pole for mounting the feeder
  • A built-in baffle to prevent squirrels from climbing the pole

Deluxe Cedar Hopper and Suet Feeder

Member price: $34.36*
Nonmember price: $42.95

Attract a variety of songbirds and woodpeckers to your backyard with the naturally attractive Deluxe Cedar Feeder. The large hopper holds up to 5 pounds (1.2 gallons) of seed, and the cage on each side holds one suet cake. The roof hinge opens easily for filling and protects the seed from the weather.

Squirrel Buster Classic Feeder

Member price: $47.96*
Nonmember price: $59.95

Brome’s patented Squirrel Buster technology is truly squirrel proof. The outer cage is weight-sensitive, so when a squirrel gets onto the feeder, the cage will shift down, blocking access to the seed ports. The unique cage design also provides a great surface for birds that prefer to cling instead of perching (nuthatches, woodpeckers). Holds up to 1.4 quarts of seed.

large-buffet-window-feeder

Cedar Woodpecker Feeder

Perky Pet Pinch-Wait Hummingbird Feeder

Buffet Window Feeder

Member price: $22.36*
Nonmember price: $27.95

Up-close observation of birds is easy with this clear, plastic window feeder. The frame attaches to the window with two suction cups. Two removable trays allow you to offer a variety of seed and make for easy up-keep.

Cedar Woodpecker Feeder

Member price: $33.60*
Nonmember price: $42.00

This handsome feeder is made of beautiful cedar and is specially designed for woodpeckers to cling to the side and extract shelled peanuts through a grommet. Fill with shelled peanuts or nutty blend. Holds up to 1.25 quarts of seed.

Pinch-Waist Hummingbird Feeder

Member price: $12.76*
Nonmember price: $15.95

A colorful favorite, this 8 oz hummingbird feeder has a glass bottle and 4 bright, red and yellow feeding “flowers.” The removable 4-way perch allows the tiny birds to stick around for a while, granting you maximum viewing potential. Also, it includes a hangar to attach to a branch or hook.

*Mass Audubon members always receive a 10% discount (applied at checkout). For the month of August, members also receive an additional 10% discount on bird feeders, baffles, and poles.