By locating and documenting critical habitat (areas used for feeding, beds, corridors etc.), local areas of importance to wildlife can be identified.
Accurate, confirmed data is provided on request to conservation organizations, schools and local planning agencies.
Volunteers are needed to help with field data collection. Training is provided in survey methods and identification of specific wildlife tracks and sign.
The data collection period runs from January 1 to April 15. During that time, participants are asked to spend 2 hours per week recording wildlife sightings and track and sign data.
Current survey sites are in Amesbury and Newburyport, Massachusetts.
All experience levels are welcome. For more information, attend one of our planning meetings or email us at: info@newenglanddiscovery.com
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| Notes to Volunteers |
| 2009 Season |
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The focus of our field work for this year will be to try to better understand how animals are using the protected lands in the Common Pasture area of Newburyport, MA.
We will be using established trails and roads as transects to identify species and high use crossing points. We will then follow out trails from those points to determine corridors, both between protected areas as well as places where corridors enter and leave areas under current protection. The first field trip will be on Saturday, January 17, 2009, and we will be going out on a regular basis from that date until April 15, 2009. New and returning volunteers are welcome to join us at any time during the season. Send me an email at info@newenglanddiscovery.com for meeting times and locations, or with any other questions. Hope to see you there ! Bob Metcalfe |
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Camp Kent Moose
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That's no long legged dog headed for the restrooms at Camp Kent.
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Sighted by Rebecca Schwer and Chris Gette on August 27, 2007.
After the restroom stop, the Moose headed toward Battis Farm. |
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Tracks along the Powow
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After Rebecca and Chris told us about their Moose sighting (see above) we checked along the Powow River, and sure enough there were fresh Moose tracks along the river bank.
This should provide some added excitement to this year's upcoming field work ! |
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Gray Fox!
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Gray fox tracks were documented on Woodsom Farm in both 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2007. The most common places were along wetland edge, next to forested areas. Are these animals living or hunting in the area, or just traveling through? How do they interact with the Red Fox and Coyote that are also there? Maybe this season will answer these questions.
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| (Photo: Measuring Gray Fox tracks in the snow) | ||||
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Coffin's Inland Progress
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This was the second season of our inventory on Coffin's Island in Newbury and Newburyport, Massachusetts. Even though snow conditions were difficult thru most of the winter, we did find tracks of many different mammals that are using the area. The weasel family was well represented, with Ermine, Mink and Fisher tracks present. Thanks to Beverly and Ross for their work there. Next season we will continue on Coffin's Island and other areas of the common pasture.
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| (Photo: Fisher Trail by Ross Wescott) | ||||
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