Walk

Each year on the first warm rainy night of spring, wood frogs and mole salamanders begin a mass migration to vernal pools where they breed. If you happen to be out on one of these evenings, the experience can be spectacular. Tonight, a part of the sanctuary will be transformed into a Big Night scene. Participants will take a one-hour guided walk along the Vernal Pool Trail, where they will meet some interesting characters who will share some facts and stories about themselves, vernal pools, and this special time of year.

This introduction to vernal ponds is presented by Cape Ann Vernal Pond Team and sponsored by The Trustees of Reservations's Ravenswood Park.  Vernal pools are crucial to the survival of salamanders and wood frogs. Join Ravenswood Park as we explore the pools at Agassiz Rock reservation, and learn how you can certify and protect vernal pools. Vernal Pool Certification is a state certification of vernal pools, which have not been covered in the wetlands act, but serve an important roll in wetlands and are crucial to survival for a number of species.

Celebrate the arrival of spring with a hike to Waterfowl Pond. Along the way, we'll look for ducks and red-winged blackbirds in the wetlands, listen for the call of the phoebe, and search for signs that the animals that slept away the winter are emerging and those that went south are returning.

Join watercolorist Brenda Sloane in a monthly program that combines nature and art. We will start with a walk on the sanctuary to observe the topic of the month. We will then return to the Nature Center to create a follow-up work of art.

People of all ages enjoy learning about owls, and many species of owls can be found in Massachusetts year-round. Come experience the excitement of an owl prowl as we take a night hike to look and listen for barred, great horned, and eastern screech-owls. Before we head out on our nocturnal adventure, we'll learn fun owl facts in our cozy Barn through hands-on activities and a slide show. We'll end our evening with an owl-hooting lesson!

Forces of nature formed Ravenswood’s landscape. Thousands of years ago ice chunks from melting glaciers created kettle ponds, bogs, and swamps. As a matter of fact, most of New England was buried under an enormous ice sheet that was more than a mile thick!

Spring celebrations begin early at the Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary with the age-old tradition of maple sugaring. The warm days of late winter awaken the flow of sap in the maples, causing buds to swell and resulting in sweet-smelling billowing clouds of steam rising from the sugarhouse.

Come to Joppa Flats Education Center and begin with a 45 minute indoor introductory program in the Lookout (2^nd floor) about Pinnipeds (seals, sea lions, and walrus). Then, we’ll carpool to an on-the-beach viewing area where we can see the harbor seals hauled out on the rocks at low tide at the mouth of the Merrimack River.

The sparkle of the full moon on a freshly fallen blanket of snow illuminates the forest like nothing else. With only the moon as our guide, we will hike through the sanctuary woods and enjoy this magical time. Since early January is often one of the quietest times of the year, we should be able to hear the hoots of owls and the howls of coyotes. The light of the moon will also allow us to catch glimpses of nocturnal animals that usually move about in complete darkness. We will then return to the Barn to warm up with some hot chocolate!

Walks on the Wild side are an opportunity for adults and children to spend quality family time in the great outdoors finding, observing, and admiring local wildlife. Each program begins at Joppa Flats Education Center with a brief introduction to our theme via slide shows, group activities, or an in-class demonstration.  This session's theme will be all about Bald Eagles!