Tag Archives: stars

Wood Ducks ©Matt Filosa

This Winter, Learn Indoors and Practice Outside

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.

Mass Audubon members get discounts on programs; learn about all the benefits of becoming a member today.

Milky Way © Andrew March

Take 5: Starry Night

What are you up to this Wednesday night? Hopefully, you’re planning for a bit of stargazing!

The peak of the Perseid meteor shower—the most viewed shower of the year—falls on the night of August 11–12 this year. After midnight, shooting stars, as many as 60 per hour, will flare through the darkened sky.

While we can only cross our fingers and hope for clear enough skies to take in the majesty of the Perseids, you don’t need to stay up late or watch the weather to enjoy these five photos of starry night skies from our annual Picture This: Your Great Outdoors photo contest. But if you do happen to catch a “falling star” don’t forget to make a wish!

Milky Way © Rick Branscomb
Milky Way © Rick Branscomb
Milky Way © Mark Uchneat
Backyard Stargazing © Mark Uchneat
Milky Way © Andrew March
Milky Way © Andrew March
Milky Way © Robert Killam
Milky Way © Robert Killam
Milky Way © Alyssa O'Mara
Milky Way © Alyssa O’Mara