Earth Month Volunteer Days

Posted on April 1, 2022 by Kaylin D.

You may know that Earth Day is April 22, but did you know that the whole month of April is Earth Month and Celebrate Diversity Month? This year, Mass Audubon is combining both themes into a month-long celebration of diversity, community, and resilience in nature and our human communities. 

In nature, the resilience of ecological communities depends on the richness of their diversity and the strength of their interconnectedness. In human communities, resilience is also built through connection, celebrating and honoring differences, and taking local action to positively affect the whole community. Not only does volunteering help support and protect our natural communities, but it also makes our human communities stronger and more resilient. 

Here are just a few of the volunteer opportunities we have planned. 

Habitat Improvements at Daniel Webster Wildlife Sanctuary
Marshfield, MA • Saturday, April 2 • 10:00 am–12:00 pm 

Restore the habitats at the Daniel Webster Wildlife Sanctuary by removing litter, debris, and invasive species from the fields and trails of the sanctuary. Cleaning these habitats will help foster a more resilient ecosystem that supports the growth and survival of native wildlife species. 

Work for Wildlife at the Boston Nature Center
Mattapan, MA • Saturday, April 9 • 9:00 am–12:00 pm

Grab your gardening gloves as we spruce up the gardens and trails for spring at the Boston Nature Center. Keep the sanctuary in tip-top shape by removing trash and weeds, reapplying compost and mulch, and pruning the plants.  

Volunteer Day at Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary
Lenox, MA • Lenox, MA • Friday, April 22 •  9:30 am–12:30 pm  

Lend a hand at the Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary as we trim trails, straighten fences, and get the Nature Play Area ready for spring. As you volunteer, enjoy the beautiful views along the slopes of Lenox Mountain. 

Beach Clean Up at Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary
Edgartown, MA • Saturday, April 23 • 10:00 am–12:00 pm 

Take a walk on the beautiful shorelines of Martha’s Vineyard and clean the beach along the way with the Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary team. Keep the shorelines clean and safe for people and wildlife enjoying the waves.

Stream Cleanup at Broad Meadow Brook Wildlife Sanctuary 
Worcester, MA • Saturday, April 30 • 8:30–11:30 am

Put on your rubber boots as we work to clean the stream at Broad Meadow Brook Wildlife Sanctuary. Remove trash and litter to help make a better environment for the communities of people and wildlife it supports. 

Raised Vegetable Gardens at Endicott Wildlife Sanctuary 
Wenham, MA • Saturday, April 30 • 9:00 am–12:00 pm 

Closeout April by volunteering in the gardens at Endicott Wildlife Sanctuary. Work with other community members as we prepare our raised gardens for the growing and planting season and create new planters for visitors to enjoy at the entrance of the sanctuary.

More Events and Opportunities

Throughout April, there will be more volunteer opportunities, plus online and in-person programs and nature-based activities. Learn more at massaudubon.org/earthmonth. 

The Woodcock Sky Dance

Posted on March 24, 2022 by Kaylin D.

While they have many names – Bogsucker, Labrador Twister, Timberdoodle – the American Woodcock is known for its marvelous sky dance. Every spring, wet meadows and fields transform into a “runway” for their beautiful aerial courtship display. Before you observe the love flight for yourself, catch up on some woodcock basics.

© Jonathan Eckerson

About American Woodcocks

It’s easy to miss these forest-dwelling birds: their brown or russet belly and intricate markings lining the back allow them to easily blend into the wooded and shrubby landscape. But one look at these plump, short-legged birds and you will easily see how they earned the affectionate nickname of timberdoodle. Timber for the habitat and doodle for their silly look.

Adding to their unique appearance are eyes positioned far back on their heads and long bill; a member of the sandpiper family, Scolopacidae, woodcocks probe through soft mud in search of worms and insects to eat all the while keeping an eye out for predators.

© Anna Jarosinski

Dancing from Dusk to Dawn

When the snow melts in the New England woods, American Woodcocks return from southern regions to breed. To attract a partner, male woodcocks will first start grounded and call out to females with a distinct, nasal peent, or piping sound.

Males then fly to 200 or 300 feet before spiraling through the air to perform their flight songs. While singing a series of high-pitched chirps, air rushes through the outer wing feathers, producing a twittering sound as he twists and dances in the sky.

© Nathan Dubrow

Luckily for us, it is easy to observe these impressive flights. Although woodcocks nest in forested areas, they prefer to perform their courtship displays in more open habitats. For this reason, old pastures and the margins of wooded wetlands are some of the best places to look for singing woodcocks. Courtship activity is most intense around sunset, so plan your woodcock excursions to arrive at the dancing grounds before twilight.

Need some guidance? Check out some of our upcoming woodcock programs.