Tag Archives: ducks

Wood Ducks ©Matt Filosa

This Winter, Learn Indoors and Practice Outside

Posted on January 10, 2022 by Kelly R.

New Online Nature Programs

This winter, enjoy nature lessons from the comfort of your home, then take what you’ve learned outdoors to practice!

Pour yourself a cup of something warm, grab your fuzzy socks, and tune in with us online to learn about winter birds, stars, animal tracks, plants, weather, and everything in between.

Mass Audubon Stony Brook Wildlife Sanctuary, Norfolk

The Wonder of Winter Series
Thursdays • 7:00-8:00 pm

Explore the natural phenomena of winter and learn how wildlife in Massachusetts adapts to the colder season.

Join us for one, some, or all of this series.

Wood Ducks ©Matt Filosa
Female Mallard and Male Wood Duck © Matt Filosa

Ducks & Waterbirds
Friday, January 14 • 7:00-8:30 pm

It may be cold, but winter is the best time of year to view large numbers of ducks with exquisite plumages.

Tracking Mammals
Wednesdays, January 19 & 26 • 7:00-8:00 pm

Learn to interpret the subtle and sometimes glaring clues creatures can leave behind in the wild.

Do you know who left these tracks?

Winter Neighborhood Naturalist Series
Wednesdays • 7:00-9:00 pm

Become a neighborhood naturalist by learning about the winter phenomena happening all around you.

Join us for one, some, or all of this series.

Gray & Grayer: Winter Gulls
Friday, January 21 • 7:00-8:30 pm

Gull identification can be challenging, but there’s a helpful systematic approach you can take to parse out the gray and grayer. 

Barred Owl © John Harrison

Owls of Massachusetts
Tuesdays, January 25, February 1 & 8 • 7:00-8:30 pm

Learn about local owl banding, research, and conservation efforts, and meet some of Mass Audubon’s live owl wildlife ambassadors.

Winter Raptor Identification
February 9 • 7:00-8:30 pm

Find out the best places to view winter raptors and learn how to confidently identify them.

Marsh Owls
February 11 • 7:00-8:30 pm

Winter owls that specialize in open landscape hunting come alive during the twilight hours on Massachusetts salt marshes.

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Rare "Golden Racing Ducks" found only at Allens Pond

Take 5: Ducky Derby

Posted on August 16, 2021 by Ryan D.

Ducks to the starting line! Ready…set…float!

If you aren’t familiar yet, Duck Derby is a fun annual event where thousands of rubber ducks—sponsored by individuals just like you—are released on an incoming tide for an epic race from Buzzards Bay into Allens Pond.

This Thursday, August 19 from 12:30–2:30 pm, they’ll fight their way to the finish line with fierce determination. The first five to cross win Grand Prizes, and many other lucky ducks will claim fantastic runner-up prizes, including a special honor for the “Slacker Quacker” (the last duck to finish the race). Twenty fabulous prizes are up for grabs, including $5,000 cash!

Entries start at just $10 and all proceeds support Mass Audubon, so every entry is a win for the nature of Massachusetts. But don’t delay! Online duck sales end Wednesday, August 18 at 5:00 pm. If you want to see the Duck Derby in action, you must sign up in advance, as the 1.5-mile hike to the race site must be guided by Mass Audubon staff.

And while we wait with eager anticipation for the launch of the race, here are some more fabulous ducks to feed your fowl fancy!

Common Eider © Robert Rice
Common Eider © Robert Rice
Northern Pintail © Brian Vigorito
Northern Pintail © Brian Vigorito
Common Goldeneye © Michael Phillips
Common Goldeneye © Michael Phillips
Wood Duck © Sandra Taylor
Wood Duck © Sandra Taylor
Rare "Golden Racing Ducks" found only at Allens Pond
Rare “Golden Racing Ducks” found only at Allens Pond