{"id":16693,"date":"2022-03-01T10:56:09","date_gmt":"2022-03-01T15:56:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/?p=16693"},"modified":"2022-03-01T11:28:30","modified_gmt":"2022-03-01T16:28:30","slug":"celebrating-wildlife-in-massachusetts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/celebrating-wildlife-in-massachusetts\/","title":{"rendered":"Celebrating Wildlife in Massachusetts"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

World Wildlife Day is a time to appreciate and advocate for nature. As residents or visitors of Massachusetts, we are lucky to be able to enjoy a wide array of wildlife across our landscape \u2013 from animals as small as a Bog Copper Butterfly to giant Humpback Whales. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

To help you celebrate on March 3, we\u2019ve highlighted some plants and animals you should keep an eye out for as you explore the outdoors this spring! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Blooming Skunk Cabbages <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Skunk
Skunk Cabbage<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While they may not look like a flower, Skunk Cabbages are one of the first flowers to bloom in the springtime. You can find them sprouting in wetlands with a curved hood-like structure (the spathe) surrounding a round flower-bearing spadix. Eventually, big bright green leaves will emerge. As their name suggests, Skunk Cabbages release a potent, skunk-like smell as it blooms.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cQuacking\u201d Wood Frogs <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Wood
Wood Frog \u00a9 Amanda DeRosa<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

True to their name, Wood Frogs live in forested areas and breed in the vernal pools<\/a>. They are a brown or tan color, with a dark \u201cmask\u201d covering their eyes. Wood Frogs have ridges running down their sides and no pattern on their back. As you approach a vernal pool, listen for the distinct quacking sounds of the Wood Frogs that have congregated there.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nesting Carpenter Bees <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Carpenter
Carpenter Bee \u00a9 Meyer Franklin<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Solitary bees, such as carpenter bees, sweat bees, and mining bees, are a type of bee that overwinter in Massachusetts. Many of these bees are hole-nesters, making their home out of hollowed-out twigs or tunnels in the soil. In the winter, solitary bee eggs develop into larvae and emerge in April as young bees. You can tell the difference between carpenter bees and fuzzy bumblebees by their completely black, shiny, hairless abdomen.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning Killdeer <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Killdeer\"
Killdeer \u00a9 Ken DiBiccari<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Named after their shrill kill-deer, kill-deer<\/em> call, Killdeer are one species of shorebird that you don\u2019t need to go to the beach to enjoy. They can be found in\u202ffields and pastures, on playgrounds, lawns, unpaved driveways, beach dunes, and other open areas. When a predator ventures too close to their young, the Killdeer parent begins a classic distraction display, which includes flopping along the ground with its wings dragging as though injured and constantly flashing its brightly marked tail to deter the potential threat.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Denning Coyotes <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Coyotes \u00a9 George Brehm<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

After their mating season wraps up in February, coyotes begin to search for a suitable den site to raise their young. Coyote dens are typically hidden in downed trees, stumps, or culverts. Coyotes resemble a German shepherd in appearance but have pointed ears that stand erect, a more pointed muzzle, and a very bushy tail that hangs down in a vertical position. While you may see coyotes any time of day, they are most active at dawn and dusk. Usually, coyotes will avoid human interaction, but it\u2019s always best to observe them from a distance.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are you seeing on our adventures? Share in the comments or tag us on social using @massaudubon.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

World Wildlife Day is a time to appreciate and advocate for nature. As residents or visitors of Massachusetts, we are lucky to be able to enjoy a wide array of wildlife across our landscape \u2013 from animals as small as a Bog Copper Butterfly to giant Humpback Whales. To help you celebrate on March 3, we\u2019ve […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":132,"featured_media":16695,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[8,11],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-16693","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-get-outdoors","category-nature-notes"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/02\/Skunk-Cabbage.jpg","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p3t87A-4lf","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":15071,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/take-6-2020-photo-contest-winners-18-and-over\/","url_meta":{"origin":16693,"position":0},"title":"Take 6: 2020 Photo Contest Winners, 18 and Over","author":"Ryan D.","date":"December 21, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Among other (many less illustrious) titles, 2020 broke the record for most submissions ever to our annual Picture This: Your Great Outdoors photo contest. We sifted through no fewer than 5,000 entries across six categories: Birds, Mammals, Other Wildlife, Plants & Fungi, Landscapes, and People in Nature. It's never easy\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Photo Contest"","block_context":{"text":"Photo Contest","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/photo-contest-2\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Skunk Cabbage, Winner: Plants & Fungi, 18 and over \u00a9 James Doucett","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/12\/PlantsOver6641James_Doucett34237.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/12\/PlantsOver6641James_Doucett34237.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/12\/PlantsOver6641James_Doucett34237.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/12\/PlantsOver6641James_Doucett34237.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":6644,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/5-great-reasons-to-support-mass-audubon-on-givingtuesday\/","url_meta":{"origin":16693,"position":1},"title":"5 Great Reasons to Support Mass Audubon on #GivingTuesday","author":"Hillary T.","date":"December 1, 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"Need a great\u00a0reason to make a donation to Mass Audubon in honor of #GivingTuesday? Here are five! Land. 35,000 acres protected across the state\u2014beautiful landscapes to explore and enjoy. Wildlife. More than 150 endangered and threatened native species call these lands home. Kids. Outdoors, unplugged, getting dirty, having fun, learning\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Get Involved"","block_context":{"text":"Get Involved","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/get-involved\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Black-capped chickadees","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2015\/12\/shutterstock_110416922-931x1024.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":11543,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/take-5-long-pasture-wildlife-sanctuary\/","url_meta":{"origin":16693,"position":2},"title":"Take 5: Long Pasture Wildlife Sanctuary","author":"Ryan D.","date":"August 20, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"For a lot of Massachusetts folks, summer is synonymous with the Cape. Families and friends have been flocking to the shores of Cape Cod every summer for generations. If this sounds like you, you don't want to miss out on visiting Mass Audubon's Long Pasture Wildlife Sanctuary in Barnstable. Sandy\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Take 5"","block_context":{"text":"Take 5","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/take-5\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Long Pasture \u00a9 Robert Allen","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2018\/08\/1853RobertAllen6504_1.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2018\/08\/1853RobertAllen6504_1.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2018\/08\/1853RobertAllen6504_1.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":13388,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/nature-heroes-in-action\/","url_meta":{"origin":16693,"position":3},"title":"Nature Heroes in Action","author":"Hillary T.","date":"December 18, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"This past year has been remarkable in so many ways\u2014and it\u2019s all thanks to Nature Heroes like you. You have visited sanctuaries, attended programs, volunteered your time, shared your experiences on social media, made donations, and so much more. Check out a snapshot of what you helped accomplish this year\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Get Involved"","block_context":{"text":"Get Involved","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/get-involved\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2019\/12\/NatureHeroVIdeoThumbButterfly_withplayicon.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2019\/12\/NatureHeroVIdeoThumbButterfly_withplayicon.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2019\/12\/NatureHeroVIdeoThumbButterfly_withplayicon.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2019\/12\/NatureHeroVIdeoThumbButterfly_withplayicon.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":9627,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/take-5-people-in-nature\/","url_meta":{"origin":16693,"position":4},"title":"Take 5: People in Nature","author":"Ryan D.","date":"August 14, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"We love all of the categories in the\u00a0Picture This: Your Great Outdoors photo contest\u2014landscapes, wildlife, plants & fungi\u2014but it's the People in Nature category that gets us every time. Here at Mass Audubon, our mission is to protect\u00a0the nature of Massachusetts both for wildlife\u00a0and\u00a0for people. So it's beautiful scenes of\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Photo Contest"","block_context":{"text":"Photo Contest","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/photo-contest-2\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"\u00a9 Colleen Bruso","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2017\/08\/1923Colleen_Bruso11902_fi.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2017\/08\/1923Colleen_Bruso11902_fi.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2017\/08\/1923Colleen_Bruso11902_fi.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":15502,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/three-nature-restoration-projects-you-can-watch\/","url_meta":{"origin":16693,"position":5},"title":"Three Nature Restoration Projects You Can Watch","author":"Rishya N.","date":"April 14, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"We\u2019re celebrating Earth Day\u2019s theme of restoring our earth, and we want you to celebrate with us. Here are\u00a0three\u00a0restoration projects you can check out by visiting one of\u00a0Mass Audubon\u2019s\u00a0wildlife\u00a0sanctuaries. Get outdoors, connect with nature, and learn more\u00a0about what nature restoration in Massachusetts looks like!\u00a0 Tree Planting in Western Massachusetts\u00a0 In\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Climate"","block_context":{"text":"Climate","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/climate\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2021\/04\/20210106_143553.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2021\/04\/20210106_143553.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2021\/04\/20210106_143553.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2021\/04\/20210106_143553.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16693","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/132"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=16693"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16693\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":16711,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16693\/revisions\/16711"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/16695"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=16693"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=16693"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=16693"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}