Highlights
JUNE 2023 - More Turtle Walk, Discovery Center
ACTIVITY ALERT - JUNE IS TURTLE MONTH
Annual June TURTLE WALK to see if we can find a local turtle, out and about, searching for the ideal sun and shade location to dig a nest hole and lay her eggs.
June 10, Saturday at 8:00 a.m. We will meet, hopefully, where some turtles are laying their eggs. Not sure exactly where we will meet in the Southeastern Massachusett Bioreserve. It is up to the turtles. Watch for location and direction info that we will send out on either June 5th or 6th.
Approximate length of walk 1 1/2 miles. Insect repellent a good idea since it is just about summer and mosquitoes sometimes like to accompany us on our walks at this time of year. Water and snack also good to have on a walk.
For information on our Massachusetts turtles and the survival difficulties they face, go here - https://www.mass.gov/guides/guide-to-helping-massachusetts-turtles#-non-listed-turtles-
Three months later here comes baby snappers leaving their eggshells behind.
An eastern painted turtle, the most common aquatic turtle in our neck of the woods, laying her eggs.
-------------------------------
If you've been out and about the past few weeks you may have spotted a turtle crossing the road or a turtle quietly sitting in a sunny, sandy location by the side of a bike trail or walking path. Maybe, if you live close to a lake, pond or river, a turtle has suddenly appeared in your yard. From late May through June local turtles are searching for the ideal location to dig a hole and lay their eggs. On this June walk, if we are lucky, we may find a turtle already in the act of laying her eggs in the nest hole she's dug.
----------------
JUNE 10, SATURDAY, at 8:00 A.M. ANNUAL TURTLE WALK - DIRECTIONS
We will meet at Mill Brook Bogs Wildlife Management Area, within the Southeastern Massachusetts Bioreserve, Freetown, MA.
Walk as little or as much as you like. Insect repellent a good idea from April to November. Water and snack good to have on a walk.
For information on our Massachusetts turtles and the survival difficulties they face, go here - https://www.mass.gov/guides/guide-to-helping-massachusetts-turtles#-non-listed-turtles-
Directions to Mill Brook Bogs Wildlife Management Area (WMA) parking:
From Exit 11 on Route 24 take Route 79 north, approximately 2 mile, to Forge Road. Right on Forge Road, approximately 1/4 mile to Howland Road. Right, east, on Howland Road approximately one mile and a quarter to the wildlife management parking area on your right. If you get to the Freetown /Lakeville town line you've gone a little too far. Turn around and return west on Howland Road to the entrance to the parking area which will now be on your left.
---------------------
ACTIVITY ALERT - Annual Turtle Walk
This past Saturday the northwest wind blew in some cold rain and fog. For the first time in the last few years we failed to find a female turtle digging a hole in which to deposit her eggs. No sun, so there weren't any males or females out in the water basking on logs and rocks either. With the inclement weather, for all we know, the turtles could have all been sitting at home, underwater, eating snacks and patiently waiting for a sunny day?
Usually, in past years in our neck of the woods, on mild and sunny early June days, we encounter large and feisty northern snapping turtles, colorful eastern painted turtles, demure spotted turtles, stinky musk turtles or our only land turtle, in southern New England, the beautiful and vanishing box turtle.
Photos courtesy Liz Garant
Two female eastern painted turtles we did not find in the bog. However, on the way to the bog they were observed walking along the road possibly looking for a sandy shoulder where they could lay their eggs. After observation they were placed back exactly in the location where they were found and told, politely, to stay off the road. Most Massachusetts turtle species are threatened. Mostly caused by continuing destruction of wild turtle nesting sites for residential and industrial development, the reptile pet trade, roadkill, free-roaming cats, climate change, etc. We should respect our elders. Turtles originated during the Triassic Period 230 million years ago. Humans appeared during the Quaternary Period which is the period we are still in right now.
-----------------------------------
INFO ALERT - Announcement of the acquisition of property for the creation of the Southeastern Massachusetts Bioreserve Education and Discovery Center, June 27, 2023
At the creation 20 years ago. From the August 2003 Southeastern Massachusetts Bioreserve Management Plan: The Mission
The mission of the Southeastern Massachusetts Bioreserve is to protect, restore, and enhance the biological diversity and ecological integrity of a large-scale ecosystem with diverse natural communities representative of the region; to promote sustainable natural resource management; to permanently protect public water supplies and cultural resources; to offer interpretive and educational programs communicating the value and significance of the Bioreserve; and to provide opportunities for appropriate passive public recreational use and enjoyment of this natural environment.
This property acquisition is the first step in the creation of the Education and Discovery Center. Watch for future email on how you can be involved in the creation of this critical to our quality of life educational facility.
"In the end we will conserve only what we love; we will love only what we understand; and we will understand only what we are taught." - Baba Dioum
The announcement of the property acquisition for the future Bioreserve Education and Discovery Center off Blossom Road.
Fall River Mayor Paul Coogan gives opening remarks on the future site of the Bioreserve Educational and Discovery Center. Note the beautiful New England meadow and forest setting behind Mayor Coogan.
Representatives Carole Fiola, Paul Schmid and Senator Michael Rodrigues (not in this photo), along with City Councilor Andrew Raposo, have been great Bioreserve boosters bringing both state and city support for this project.
Fall River's Administrator of Community Utilities Paul Ferland welcomes everyone to this biodiverse property adjacent to the city's Watuppa Reservation, a part of the greater Southeastern Massachusetts Bioreserve.
Indefatigable City Watershed Forester Mike Labossiere gave a history of the property and its future potential as a biodiversity educational center for area adults and children.
<Back
Social