![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2013\/05\/HenryBAT.jpg\" "\\"Enjoying")
During the second week in May, arguably the peak of the spring season for eastern migratory birds, I had the enormous pleasure of going birding in different locations with different groups of staff, volunteers, and supporters. It was a tough assignment, but somebody had to do it!<\/p>\n
It started Wednesday when I joined an enthusiastic group of more than 30 participants at Parker River National Wildlife Refuge for Wednesday Morning Birding<\/a><\/strong>, led by our knowledgeable, patient, and indefatigable Joppa Flats<\/a><\/strong> sanctuary director, Bill Gette. The day was perfect, bursting with sunlight streaming over the magnificent coastal landscape.<\/p>\n On our right we scanned the tidal marshes and salt pannes for egrets, shorebirds, gadwalls, ospreys, and eagles\u2014seeing them all. On our left, the low trees and shrubs were exploding with hungry warblers. At one point we gathered under an oak tree that looked like it was literally blossoming with migrants: blackpoll, black-and white, blackburnian (in full flaming orange, truly one of the most beautiful birds in North America), black-throated blue, black-throated green, northern parula, and yellow-rumped warblers, along with a blue-headed vireo. In just three hours, we ended up seeing more than 60 species.<\/p>\n Early the next morning, I was invited to join a reunion of loyal participants in Mass Audubon\u2019s Natural History Travel Program<\/a><\/strong> organized and led by Chris Leahy, Mass Audubon\u2019s Bertrand Chair of Ornithology, and Karen O\u2019Neill, the director of our travel program. The group was informal and worldly, and they had formed strong bonds of friendship and affection during their international adventures. We walked through the iconic landscapes of Mount Auburn Cemetery and saw species like scarlet tanager, greatcrested flycatcher, and of course more warblers.<\/p>\n Finally, on Saturday, it was time for my first Bird-a-thon<\/a><\/strong>, Mass Audubon\u2019s premiere fundraising birding event, which is celebrating its 30th<\/sup> Anniversary this year. Teams of birders, ranging from nationally recognized experts to eager beginners, form teams and try to see (and hear) as many species as they can during a 24-hour period, taking pledges for the number of species recorded,\u00a0and donating the proceeds to Mass Audubon. This is a fun, mission-driven event, and it raises substantial support for our organization.<\/p>\n I determined my own pledge and joined Jeff Collins, our Director of Ecological Management<\/a><\/strong>, and Gary Clayton, Vice President of Conservation on Saturday morning. We took a long walk at the Assabet National Wildlife Refuge in Sudbury, carefully making our way through expanses of woodland, wetlands, and grasslands. We saw or heard swamp and field sparrows, scarlet tanagers, and a group of common nighthawks, flying high and incongruously in the sun-filled sky. Beyond the birding, I learned from Gary and Jeff about the fascinating land-use history of the former military base and current refuge.<\/p>\n And if that wasn\u2019t enough, I also visited Mass Audubon\u2019s Stony Brook Wildlife Sanctuary<\/a><\/strong> in Norfolk and Allens Pond Wildlife Sanctuary<\/a><\/strong> in South Dartmouth, meeting with staff and advisory committees. All in all, it was a packed and delightful week of birding, a continuation of my orientation, and time exceptionally well-spent with Mass Audubon\u2019s committed supporters and staff.\u00a0 I hope I\u2019ll have many more weeks just like this one!<\/p>\n – Henry Tepper, president Mass Audubon<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" During the second week in May, arguably the peak of the spring season for eastern migratory birds, I had the enormous pleasure of going birding in different locations with different groups of staff, volunteers, and supporters. It was a tough assignment, but somebody had to do it! It started Wednesday when I joined an enthusiastic […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":37,"featured_media":0,"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":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2278","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p3t87A-AK","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":16799,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/come-one-come-all-bird-a-thon-2022\/","url_meta":{"origin":2278,"position":0},"title":"Come One, Come All: Bird-a-thon 2022","author":"Kaylin D.","date":"April 7, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"Every May, around a thousand of people participate in Bird-a-thon. Last year, 13 teams recorded a combined total of 274 bird species in 24 hours, while raising over $310,000 to support Mass Audubon's wildlife sanctuaries, conservation efforts, and education programs across the state.\u00a0 Finding 274 different species of birds is\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Birds & Birding"","block_context":{"text":"Birds & Birding","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/birds-birding\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/04\/IMG_9357-750x500-027ddf84-6ccc-43c0-9ded-50ad75ee1d83.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/04\/IMG_9357-750x500-027ddf84-6ccc-43c0-9ded-50ad75ee1d83.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/04\/IMG_9357-750x500-027ddf84-6ccc-43c0-9ded-50ad75ee1d83.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/04\/IMG_9357-750x500-027ddf84-6ccc-43c0-9ded-50ad75ee1d83.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":17546,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/bird-a-thon-for-all\/","url_meta":{"origin":2278,"position":1},"title":"Bird-a-thon for All","author":"Kaylin D.","date":"May 11, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"This year marks the 40th anniversary of Mass Audubon\u2019s annual fundraiser and birding competition, Bird-a-thon. During Bird-a-thon, teams of birders work to identify the most species of birds over a 24-hour period, beginning Friday, May 12 at 6pm and ending Saturday, May 13 at 6pm. This year, as part of\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Birds & Birding"","block_context":{"text":"Birds & Birding","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/birds-birding\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"A man in a white button-down shirt with a sight stick and sunglasses, holding one hand onto the elbow of a woman with a blue shirt. They are walking in the woods.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/05\/kforesto_HabitatAPT-8706-750x500-c1478708-4932-41ba-8462-68dcbc490f55.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/05\/kforesto_HabitatAPT-8706-750x500-c1478708-4932-41ba-8462-68dcbc490f55.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/05\/kforesto_HabitatAPT-8706-750x500-c1478708-4932-41ba-8462-68dcbc490f55.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/05\/kforesto_HabitatAPT-8706-750x500-c1478708-4932-41ba-8462-68dcbc490f55.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":13966,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/bird-a-thon-reimagined\/","url_meta":{"origin":2278,"position":2},"title":"Bird-a-thon Reimagined","author":"Mass Audubon","date":"May 4, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Since 1983, Bird-a-thon , Mass Audubon\u2019s largest annual fundraiser and birding competition, has been enjoyed by thousands of dedicated supporters and birders all the while raising over $3 million dollars for our wildlife sanctuaries and programs statewide. It is very much part of Mass Audubon\u2019s DNA, and we aren\u2019t going\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "General"","block_context":{"text":"General","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/general\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Downy Woodpecker","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/05\/KForesto-0187.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\/05\/KForesto-0187.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/05\/KForesto-0187.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/05\/KForesto-0187.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/05\/KForesto-0187.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1154,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/birding-after-migration\/","url_meta":{"origin":2278,"position":3},"title":"Birding After Migration","author":"Mass Audubon","date":"November 15, 2012","format":false,"excerpt":"We have turned the seasonal corner. The swallows are gone, the egrets have fled, and \u00a0shorebirds and warblers have pushed their way south. You may well ask, \u201cWhat do we do we look for now?\u201d In many ways, Massachusetts is perfectly suited for winter birding, thanks in part to our\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Nature Notes"","block_context":{"text":"Nature Notes","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/nature-notes\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2012\/11\/purple-sandpiper_Richard-Johnson-and-Mass-Audubon.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":13943,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/why-i-bird-a-thon-michael-pappone\/","url_meta":{"origin":2278,"position":4},"title":"Why I Bird-a-thon: Michael Pappone","author":"Mass Audubon","date":"April 28, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Bird-a-thon is nothing new to Michael Pappone. As an active participant since 1995, Michael has a long-standing love of Mass Audubon\u2019s largest annual fundraiser. Here, he shares why he participates, how he started birding, his plan for birding at home, and what bird he would be, if he could be\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "General"","block_context":{"text":"General","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/general\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Michael Pappone with Wayne Petersen","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/04\/Wayne-Petersen-and-Michael-Pappone_CraigGibson2.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\/04\/Wayne-Petersen-and-Michael-Pappone_CraigGibson2.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/04\/Wayne-Petersen-and-Michael-Pappone_CraigGibson2.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/04\/Wayne-Petersen-and-Michael-Pappone_CraigGibson2.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":15290,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/birders-meeting-goes-virtual\/","url_meta":{"origin":2278,"position":5},"title":"Birders Meeting Goes Virtual","author":"Hillary T.","date":"March 4, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"Every March since 1992, birders from around New England have come together to attend Mass Audubon's annual Birders Meeting.\u00a0This year\u2019s event, which will take place virtually over four days, is focusing on \u201cThe Bird Next Door: Birding Your Patch.\u201d Ruby-throated Hummingbird \u00a9 Christine St. Andre What is Patch Birding? Simply\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Birds & Birding"","block_context":{"text":"Birds & Birding","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/birds-birding\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2021\/03\/3727Christine_StAndre15771.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\/03\/3727Christine_StAndre15771.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2021\/03\/3727Christine_StAndre15771.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2021\/03\/3727Christine_StAndre15771.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\/2278","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\/37"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2278"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2278\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2297,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2278\/revisions\/2297"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2278"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2278"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2278"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}