Coast Trip: Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, Newburyport, MA

Saturday, April 4, 2026, 8:00 AM
Jane Wing, jeswing29@yahoo.com
Meet: Parker River National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center, Newburyport, MA (GPS directions)
Please join us as we explore Parker River National Wildlife Refuge on a quarterly basis.  While the focus for bird species will change quarterly, we will always have some overlap. During the winter months we will be looking for waterfowl such as loons, scoters, pintails, shovelers and more (maybe a Snowy Owl or two also).  Spring, summer and fall, we will be looking for shorebirds, warblers, and potentially seabirds.  Raptors may be observed every season.  We may even encounter some rarities throughout the year! We will meet at the PRNWR Visitor Center and then carpool along the refuge.  Most of the travel will be by vehicle, but we will also do some walking on the beach. We will have scopes available for others to look through, however, feel free to bring your own, if you have one.  There is a $5 fee per vehicle to enter the refuge.  Restrooms are available at several stops. If interested in carpooling, please enter your information into the carpool sheet. Be sure to check the meetup time for each trip, as the start time varies slightly by season. 

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​Second Saturdays in Surry

Saturday, April 11, 2026, 8 AM, morning only

Nate Marchessault, nmarchessault@antioch.edu

Meet: Beth-El Bible Church parking lot, Surry Village (GPS directions)

Surry is an extremely birdy town with a diversity of habitats like fields, marshes, woodlands, a gravel pit, and Surry Mountain Lake. We'll meet up at the church, and based on the time of year will spend the morning in one of the nearby birding locations. Most locations contain wide paths with only slight elevation change, and a maximum of three miles will be walked.

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Monadnock Region City Nature Challenge 2026

Friday, April 24 - Monday, April 27, 2026

Join us for the Monadnock Region’s first year participating in the City Nature Challenge! Make iNaturalist observations of wild plants, animals, and fungi from April 24–27 and take part in the world’s largest community science biodiversity census. All observations within the Monadnock Region during this time will be automatically added. By documenting what lives here, we help better understand — and care for — the nature that surrounds us. Join the iNaturalist project here, and see the list below for walks and events that provide opportunity for documenting biodiversity in community:

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• Mini-bioblitz at The Caterpillar Lab's new Headquarters

Friday, April 24, walk from 11 AM to noon, self-guided from noon to 5 PM​​

The Caterpillar Lab's new HQ, 13 Main Street (Route 101), Dublin (GPS directions)

Caterpillar Lab staff, info@thecaterpillarlab.org

Celebrate the soft opening of The Caterpillar Lab's new headquarters in Dublin with a mini-bioblitz to document the biodiversity on their new property. At 11 AM, join TCL staff for a walk (with some off-trail exploration), and from noon to 5 PM head indoors to visit their new museum space and learn more about iNat, or explore marked zones on your own to continue your exploration. 

*This event is co-sponsored with The Caterpillar Lab.

• Spring Wildflowers at Distant Hill Gardens

Friday, April 24, 3 to 5 PM​​

Distant Hill Gardens and Nature Trail, Walpole (GPS directions)

Nate Marchessault, nate@harriscenter.org, and Michael Nerrie, michael@distanthill.org

Join spring wildflower enthusiasts Michael Nerrie and Nate Marchessault for a leisurely walk in search of early-season blooms. We’ll begin by viewing some native spring ephemerals that have been cultivated in the Distant Hill gardens, then hike a maximum of two miles on wide, relatively flat trails to look for wild blooms and other signs of spring. Registration required, registration and more information can be found here, additional registration may be found here. If no spots are available, contact Nate to be put on a wait list.

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

• Mini-bioblitz at The Caterpillar Lab's new Headquarters

Saturday, April 25, walk from 11 AM to noon, self-guided from noon to 5 PM​​

The Caterpillar Lab's new HQ, 13 Main Street (Route 101), Dublin (GPS directions)

Caterpillar Lab staff, info@thecaterpillarlab.org

Celebrate the soft opening of The Caterpillar Lab's new headquarters in Dublin with a mini-bioblitz to document the biodiversity on their new property. At 11 AM, join TCL staff for a walk (with some off-trail exploration), and from noon to 5 PM head indoors to visit their new museum space and learn more about iNat, or explore marked zones on your own to continue your exploration. 

*This event is co-sponsored with The Caterpillar Lab.

• Harris Center's City Nature Challenge Mini-bioblitz

Saturday, April 25, 3 to 5 PM​

Harris Center for Conservation Education, Hancock (GPS directions)

Nate Marchessault, nate@harriscenter.org, and Steven Lamonde, slamonde@antioch.edu 

Join iNaturalist enthusiasts Steven Lamonde and Nate Marchessault for the Monadnock Region’s first annual participation in the City Nature Challenge with a biodiversity walk around the Harris Center grounds in search of amphibian eggs, spring wildflowers, birds, mosses, and any other signs of life. Registration required, registration and more information can be found here.

*This event is co-sponsored with the Harris Center.

• Spring Moth Lighting and Nighttime Caterpillar Search at The Caterpillar Lab's new Headquarters

Saturday, April 25, 7 to 11 PM (weather permitting, rain date on Sunday 4/26)​​

The Caterpillar Lab's new HQ, 13 Main Street (Route 101), Dublin (GPS directions)

Caterpillar Lab staff, info@thecaterpillarlab.org

Meet at TCL at 7 PM to head out for an evening caterpillar exploration using flashlights and UV to catch more diversity, then check in for moth lighting after dark (around 8:30 or so) to see who is flying as spring kicks off! Folks are welcome to join for any portion of the evening.

*This event is co-sponsored with The Caterpillar Lab.

• ​​Spring Ephemerals at Surry Mountain, co-sponsored with New England Botanical Society

Sunday, April 26, 2026, 9 AM - 1 PM
Nate Marchessault, natemarchessault@gmail.com, Wendy Ward, and Karro Frost
Meet: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Surry Mountain Lake (register for location information)
Join Massachusetts Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program Conservation Planning Biologist Karro Frost, retired USDA-NRCS District Conservationist Wendy Ward, and ecologist Nate Marchessault for a leisurely walk along the base of Surry Mountain in search of the showy blooms of spring ephemeral wildflowers. Our exploration will take us through a diverse array of habitats—from fields and floodplain edges to upland forests, ranging from dark hemlock stands to bright, enriched forests teeming with ephemerals. The trip will be an out-and-back with a slight amount of elevation gain and up to four miles of walking, with optional off-trail excursions. Registration required, please register here.

*This event is co-sponsored with New England Botanical Society.

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Pitcher Mountain Bug Hike
Sunday, May 3, 2026, 9 AM, morning only
Nate Marchessault, nmarchessault@antioch.edu and Sara Burrell, burrell@thecaterpillarlab.org
Meet: Pitcher Mountain trailhead (GPS directions)
Let's join folks from the Caterpillar Lab and cover some ground at Pitcher Mountain while we hunt for caterpillars and other insects. We'll traverse several habitats productive for early-season bugs, including woodlands, rocky summits, and shrubby early successional growth. Bring your phone loaded with the iNaturalist app so we can document all the critters we see along the way! Please be prepared for hiking up to three miles, including some slopes, as well as sun and biting insects.

*This trip is co-sponsored with The Caterpillar Lab.

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​Second Saturdays in Surry

Saturday, May 9, 2026, 8 AM, morning only

Nate Marchessault, nmarchessault@antioch.edu

Meet: Beth-El Bible Church parking lot, Surry Village (GPS directions)

Surry is an extremely birdy town with a diversity of habitats like fields, marshes, woodlands, a gravel pit, and Surry Mountain Lake. We'll meet up at the church, and based on the time of year will spend the morning in one of the nearby birding locations. Most locations contain wide paths with only slight elevation change, and a maximum of three miles will be walked. 

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Mother's Day Wildflower Walk at Distant Hill

Sunday, May 10, 2026, 10 AM - noon

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

The perfect event to come to with Mom, or with a friend, or solo! It’s been a long, snowy winter, and I think we’re all ready for spring. And what better way to welcome it than with wildflowers? We'll be searching for signs of spring both in the gardens and along Distant Hill Nature Trail. Native plants like red trillium, dwarf ginseng, and round-leaf violet should be up and ready to explore. Registration required, registration and more information can be found here.

*This event is co-sponsored with Distant Hill Gardens and Nature Trail and The Monadnock Conservancy

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Birds and Blooms in Surry
Sunday, May 17th, 2026, 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, but participants should feel free to peel off as early as they'd like.

 

Birds, Botany, and Beans: Southern New Hampshire, co-sponsored with South Shore Bird Club of Southeastern Massachusetts
Saturday, May 30, 2025, 8 AM
Nate Marchessault: 508-304-3346 natemarchessault@gmail.com
Meet: Hancock, 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. Please sign up with or contact Nate for more information.

*This trip is co-sponsored with South Shore Bird Club
 

Second Saturdays in Surry

Saturday, June 13, 2026, 8 AM, morning only

Nate Marchessault, nmarchessault@antioch.edu

Meet: Beth-El Bible Church parking lot, Surry Village (GPS directions)

Surry is an extremely birdy town with a diversity of habitats like fields, marshes, woodlands, a gravel pit, and Surry Mountain Lake. We'll meet up at the church, and based on the time of year will spend the morning in one of the nearby birding locations. Most locations contain wide paths with only slight elevation change, and a maximum of three miles will be walked. 

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Gilsum Rock Swap

June 27 - 28, 2026

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. 

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Micromoth Caterpillar Walk at the Swanzey Airport with The Caterpillar Lab
Sunday, July 5, 2026, 9:30 AM, morning only
Nate Marchessault, nmarchessault@antioch.edu and Lucy McKay, mckay@thecaterpillarlab.org
Meet: Dillant Hopkins Airport, side of parking lot furthest from main road (GPS directions)
Join us as we search for caterpillars along the road and trails at the Swanzey Airport with a focus on finding micromoth caterpillars. Micromoths are a fascinating and diverse group of moths that are often overlooked due to their small size. We’ll learn to spot their sign, from leaf rolls to leaf mines, and discuss their ecology and life history. Distances covered will be short and we’ll be going at a slow pace to carefully examine plants.
*This trip is co-sponsored with The Caterpillar Lab.

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Second Saturdays in Surry

Saturday, July 11, 2026, 8 AM, morning only

Nate Marchessault, nmarchessault@antioch.edu

Meet: Beth-El Bible Church parking lot, Surry Village (GPS directions)

Surry is an extremely birdy town with a diversity of habitats like fields, marshes, woodlands, a gravel pit, and Surry Mountain Lake. We'll meet up at the church, and based on the time of year will spend the morning in one of the nearby birding locations. Most locations contain wide paths with only slight elevation change, and a maximum of three miles will be walked. 

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Coast Trip: Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, Newburyport, MA

Saturday, August 22, 2026, 8:00 AM
Jane Wing, jeswing29@yahoo.com 
Meet: Parker River National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center, Newburyport, MA (GPS directions)
Please join us as we explore Parker River National Wildlife Refuge on a quarterly basis.  While the focus for bird species will change quarterly, we will always have some overlap. During the winter months we will be looking for waterfowl such as loons, scoters, pintails, shovelers and more (maybe a Snowy Owl or two also).  Spring, summer and fall, we will be looking for shorebirds, warblers, and potentially seabirds.  Raptors may be observed every season.  We may even encounter some rarities throughout the year! We will meet at the PRNWR Visitor Center and then carpool along the refuge.  Most of the travel will be by vehicle, but we will also do some walking on the beach. We will have scopes available for others to look through, however, feel free to bring your own, if you have one.  There is a $5 fee per vehicle to enter the refuge.  Restrooms are available at several stops. If interested in carpooling, please enter your information into the carpool sheet. Be sure to check the meetup time for each trip, as the start time varies slightly by season. 

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Coast Trip: Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, Newburyport, MA

Saturday, November 21, 2026, 8:30 AM
Jane Wing, jeswing29@yahoo.com
Meet: Parker River National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center, Newburyport, MA (GPS directions)
Please join us as we explore Parker River National Wildlife Refuge on a quarterly basis.  While the focus for bird species will change quarterly, we will always have some overlap. During the winter months we will be looking for waterfowl such as loons, scoters, pintails, shovelers and more (maybe a Snowy Owl or two also).  Spring, summer and fall, we will be looking for shorebirds, warblers, and potentially seabirds.  Raptors may be observed every season.  We may even encounter some rarities throughout the year! We will meet at the PRNWR Visitor Center and then carpool along the refuge.  Most of the travel will be by vehicle, but we will also do some walking on the beach. We will have scopes available for others to look through, however, feel free to bring your own, if you have one.  There is a $5 fee per vehicle to enter the refuge.  Restrooms are available at several stops. If interested in carpooling, please enter your information into the carpool sheet. Be sure to check the meetup time for each trip, as the start time varies slightly by season. 

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