Group Amphibian Crossing Night with Salamander Brigades, Keene

Single night between March 31 - April 6, 2025, 8 PM

Nate Marchessault, nmarchessault@antioch.edu 

Meet: North Lincoln Street Crossing, Keene (Important parking information)

Amphibian “Big Nights” are rainy evenings in the spring when the ground has melted and temperatures are in the 40s Fahrenheit. During these nights, hundreds of amphibians can move across roads at a single site as they migrate to their breeding pools– and they need our help! Come join the Harris Center’s Salamander Crossing Brigades to help these critters, while getting to observe the spectacle and see species of amphibians that are otherwise not often seen. We will meet at 8 and stay as late as 10 PM, but participants can leave as early as they’d like. Bring warm rain gear and a flashlight! Sign up with Nate to be notified of which night is selected, and either Zoom into Salamander Brigades training on March 13 or browse the Salamander Brigades volunteer materials.

*This event is co-sponsored with Keene State College's Eco-Reps.

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​Second Saturdays at the Swanzey Airport

Saturday, April 12, 2025, 8 AM, morning only

Nate Marchessault, nmarchessault@antioch.edu

Meet: Dillant-Hopkins Airport, Swanzey, side of parking lot furthest from main road (GPS directions)

Join us for our recurring walk at one of the most productive birding locations in the area, the Dillant-Hopkins Airport. This area is abuzz with bird activity no matter the time of year, and we'll spend a few hours poking around the uplands, wetlands, fields, and floodplains to see who is around. This walk will be three miles or less on mostly flat, paved ground.

 

Easter Wildflower Walks at Distant Hill Nature Trail

Sunday, April 20, 2025, 9 - 11 AM and 1 - 3 PM

Nate Marchessault, nmarchessault@antioch.edu and Michael Nerrie, michael@distanthill.org 

Distant Hill Nature Trail, Alstead (GPS directions)

Join spring ephemeral enthusiasts Nate Marchessault and Michael Nerrie for a leisurely walk looking for early-season wildflowers. We will hike a maximum of two miles round-trip on wide and relatively flat trails searching for blooms and other signs of spring. Two walks will be offered; one in the morning and another in the afternoon. Registration is required, registration for the morning session can be found here and for the afternoon session here.

*This event is co-sponsored with Distant Hill Gardens & Nature Trail.

 

Heald Street Orchard - Pepperell, MA

Saturday, May 3, 2025, 8 AM, morning only

Jane Wing, jeswing29@yahoo.com

Meet: Heald Street Orchard, Pepperell, MA (limited parking; carpooling recommended. GPS directions)

Heald Street Orchard is an 80-acre town-owned and maintained property that was once a working apple orchard. The property is actively being maintained with orchard, grassland, and early forest habitats. The diversity of habitats invites many species of birds, some of which are of conservation concern. While paths are mown for easy walking, be prepared for long grass and ticks. This site has a large parking lot but is heavily used so parking may be limited and carpooling is encouraged. If interested in carpooling, please enter your information into the carpool sheet or email one of the participants near you!

 

​Second Saturdays at the Swanzey Airport

Saturday, May 10, 2025, 8 AM, morning only

Nate Marchessault, nmarchessault@antioch.edu

Meet: Dillant-Hopkins Airport, Swanzey, side of parking lot furthest from main road (GPS directions)

Join us for our recurring walk at one of the most productive birding locations in the area, the Dillant-Hopkins Airport. This area is abuzz with bird activity no matter the time of year, and we'll spend a few hours poking around the uplands, wetlands, fields, and floodplains to see who is around. This walk will be three miles or less on mostly flat, paved ground.

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Birds and Blooms in Surry

Sunday, May 18th, 2025, 7 AM, - 12 PM

Wendy Ward, weward0@yahoo.com, and Dave Hoitt

Meet: Surry Town Hall (GPS directions)

Join local birder Dave Hoitt and wildflower enthusiast Wendy Ward on this easy walk looking for birds and wildflowers of the open field and wetland habitat. After exploring the habitats behind the town hall, the group will drive to Surry Lake to look at open water and the dam for woodland habitat. We will count total species of birds and native wildflowers in bloom observed. Dave and Wendy have led this trip for over 30 years at this location in mid-May. Bring binoculars, drinks, and snacks-- the trip should be over by noon.

 

Herrick’s Cove - Rockingham, VT

Saturday, May 24, 2025, 8 AM,  morning only

Jane Wing,  jeswing29@yahoo.com

Meet: Herrick’s Cove, Rockingham, VT (GPS directions)

Herrick’s Cove is listed as an IBA (Important Birding Area). It consists of two parcels along the Connecticut River and offers diverse habitats, such as agricultural fields, wetlands, and floodplain forest, making this site an ideal stopover for migratory birds. More than 221 species of birds have been documented here. While the birding will be mainly on dirt roads and mown grass, there are two small side trails through shrubby areas. Be prepared for possible muddy areas and ticks.

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Birding for All: An Accessible, Inclusive Birding Outing at the Distant Hill Nature Trail

Saturday, May 31, 2025, 8 - 10 AM

Nate Marchessault, nmarchessault@antioch.edu, Wendy Ward weward0@yahoo.com, and Michael Nerrie, michael@distanthill.org 

Meet: Distant Hill Gardens (GPS directions)

Breeding birds will have just arrived and will be singing enthusiastically to defend territories and attract mates, so we'll let our ears and eyes guide us through the forest! Birding for All outings are designed for people of all abilities, including those who experience accessibility challenges due to a disability or other health concern. Registration is required, please register for the event here. For more information, contact Nate.

*This event is co-sponsored with Distant Hill Gardens & Nature Trail and the Harris Center.

 

​Second Saturdays at the Swanzey Airport

Saturday, June 14, 2025, 8 AM, morning only

Nate Marchessault, nmarchessault@antioch.edu

Meet: Dillant-Hopkins Airport, Swanzey, side of parking lot furthest from main road (GPS directions)

Join us for our recurring walk at one of the most productive birding locations in the area, the Dillant-Hopkins Airport. This area is abuzz with bird activity no matter the time of year, and we'll spend a few hours poking around the uplands, wetlands, fields, and floodplains to see who is around. This walk will be three miles or less on mostly flat, paved ground.

 

Insects at Distant Hill with Charley Eiseman and The Caterpillar Lab

Saturday, June 14, 2025, 12 - 4 PM

Michael Nerrie, michael@distanthill.org 

Meet: Pavilion at Distant Hill Nature Trail, 66 March Hill Rd, Alstead (GPS directions)

Join us for a buggy afternoon of insect study! An expert in identifying insect sign (galls, leaf mines, etc.,), Charley Eiseman will lead us through Distant Hill looking for evidence of insects along the way, and The Caterpillar Lab will bring caterpillars and other insects for us to study up close using microscopes under the new outdoor pavilion. Registration is required, register for the insect tracking walk here and Caterpillar Lab demonstration here (feel free to register for both!).

*This event is co-sponsored with Distant Hill Gardens & Nature Trail and The Caterpillar Lab.

 

Birds, Botany, and Beans: Southern New Hampshire, co-sponsored with South Shore Bird Club of Southeastern Massachusetts

Saturday, June 21, 2025

Nate Marchessault, nmarchessault@antioch.edu 

Meet: Swanzey, New Hampshire (location provided on signup)

Let’s be good hosts for our coastal counterparts by showing them some of the premier birding spots of the Monadnock Region. Arrive at 8 AM for coffee, tea, and birds in Nate's yard or by 9 for caravaning to birding and nature study locations around the area. The trip will last for the majority of the day, but cars can be arranged if people need to leave earlier. If there is interest, the trip can continue the following day as well. Please sign up with or contact Nate for more information.

*This event is co-sponsored with South Shore Bird Club.

 

Gilsum Rock Swap

June 28 - 29, 2025

Gilsum Steam Academy (GPS directions)

No trips scheduled this weekend, go check out the Rock Swap in Gilsum! More info about the Rock Swap can be found here. 

 

​Second Saturdays at the Swanzey Airport

Saturday, July 12, 2025, 8 AM, morning only

Nate Marchessault, nmarchessault@antioch.edu

Meet: Dillant-Hopkins Airport, Swanzey, side of parking lot furthest from main road (GPS directions)

Join us for our recurring walk at one of the most productive birding locations in the area, the Dillant-Hopkins Airport. This area is abuzz with bird activity no matter the time of year, and we'll spend a few hours poking around the uplands, wetlands, fields, and floodplains to see who is around. This walk will be three miles or less on mostly flat, paved ground.

 

Harris Center’s SuperSanctuary Butterfly Count

Saturday, July 19, 2025, 9 AM - 2 PM

Harris Center Headquarters, Hancock (GPS directions)

Join the Harris Center for their annual SuperSanctuary Butterfly Count on July 19! We’ll break up into groups, surveying locations all around the SuperSanctuary. New lepidopteran enthusiasts will be paired with those who are more seasoned. Registration required, registration link will be provided when available. Contact Nate at nmarchessault@antioch.edu if you’d like to be notified when a registration link becomes available.

 

Farandnear Reservation - Shirley, MA

Saturday, July 26, 2025, 8 AM, morning with optional picnic afterward

Jane Wing, jeswing29@yahoo.com

Meet: Farandnear Reservation, Shirley, MA (GPS directions)

Farandnear is an 85-acre parcel on Center Road in Shirley, MA, which is managed by The Trustees of Reservations. This is a beautiful property that you could spend all day at and still not explore every part, as there is so much to explore. There are many wooded trails which offer easy walking, fields of wildflowers, an arboretum of more than 80 conifer trees, and the remnants of an old cranberry bog. This property offers many different habitats for a large variety of bird species, dragon- and damselflies, as well as wildflowers and trees. Wooded trails are wide and easily navigable, and, while a few roots may be encountered, the trails are easy walking. Pack a lunch if you’d like to stay for a picnic lunch and socialize with some fellow nature enthusiasts afterward!

 

Young Forests at Hubbard Hill

Saturday, August 2, 2025, 8 AM, morning only

Chris Liazos, 508-471-7959 cliazos@antioch.edu

Meet: Andorra Forest, Stoddard, parking TBD

Explore Hubbard Hill with us on a guided hike to the historic blueberry fields at Hubbard Hill, carefully tended by Andorra Forest staff. Along the way, we’ll take in the rich late-summer landscape, passing through spruce-fir and young forests teeming with fledgling birds, buzzing insects, and fruiting plants. Once we reach the fields, you’re invited to wander through these diverse habitats—and if you’d like, take part in blueberry picking with a donation. This excursion lasts approximately three hours, following a forest road. Please wear proper footwear and bring water. If you plan to pick blueberries, bring your own container and a cash or phone payment for donations. The price is $2 per quart.

 

​Second Saturdays at the Swanzey Airport

Saturday, August 9, 2025, 8 AM, morning only

Nate Marchessault, nmarchessault@antioch.edu

Meet: Dillant-Hopkins Airport, Swanzey, side of parking lot furthest from main road (GPS directions)

Join us for our recurring walk at one of the most productive birding locations in the area, the Dillant-Hopkins Airport. This area is abuzz with bird activity no matter the time of year, and we'll spend a few hours poking around the uplands, wetlands, fields, and floodplains to see who is around. This walk will be three miles or less on mostly flat, paved ground.

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Drummer Hill Mushroom Foray with Monadnock Mushroom Club

Sunday, August 31, 2025, 10 AM, morning only

Nate Marchessault, nmarchessault@antioch.edu, and Pat Joyce

Meet: Drummer Hill Conservation Area, Keene, entrance off of Timberland Drive (GPS directions)

We'll split up and spend a few hours collecting and learning about the mushrooms of Drummer Hill Conservation Area. At the end of our exploration we'll all meet up and share our finds, and the experts at Monadnock Mushroom Club will help identify what we've found. Bring a (non-plastic) bag for collecting mushrooms, and expect lightly strenuous walking conditions.

*This trip is cosponsored with Monadnock Mushroom Club.

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