During the cool, crisp, early-evening hours of autumn, many interesting creatures set out into the dark woodlands. Deer, owls, and flying squirrels are just a few of the animals we hope to encounter on our hike. Enjoy a walk that will spark your senses as we venture into the night in search of these and other nighttime forest dwellers.
Winter is the perfect time of year to go out in search of owls. We'll learn about these fascinating birds through a story and hands-on activities before we head out for our adventure. We'll warm up by the woodstove with a cup of hot chocolate and cookies after our hike.
Need an excuse to get out of the house this winter? Drop by our Nature Center on select Thursday mornings in January and observe the wildlife activity in our bird garden. You will be treated to close looks at squirrels, rabbits, and the wide variety of winter birds that visit our feeders. We will provide hot drinks, a few tasty treats, and a staff member to help you identify everything you see. No matter how cold the temperatures may be outside, it's always warm inside! Children welcome.
This evening's program will focus on the northern lights, what causes them, and when and how to observe and photograph them. You will learn how to use the Internet to track their activity so that you can determine on your own when observing opportunities will arise. Do not expect to view them on the evening of the program.
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.
The elusive fairies and gnomes who live in our forest are sometimes too busy to build their own homes. Let's help them out. But first, we'll learn about these mysterious and magical creatures. We'll play games, create fairy and gnome art, and then hike to the Hemlock Forest where we will design the homes. When we return as twilight is descending, we'll have hot cocoa and cookies to reward ourselves for doing a good deed. We'll sit by the woodstove to enjoy our treats and listen to a story about fairies and gnomes.
Join us as we share a children's nature story before we explore the woods, fields, and wetlands of the Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary. This month we'll focus on the Insects and Spiders of Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary.
Join us for an easy midmorning stroll through the cool back woods of the Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary. Our short walk will start among towering groves of white pine, where we will search for toads and salamanders. The trail will lead us to a wildflower-filled field rich with dragonflies and butterflies. A few steps later, we will encounter an old wooden bridge that spans the Ipswich River, where we will stop for a snack and look for ducks, geese, and maybe a snapping turtle!
We will construct a simple sailboat from bark and leaves, and then we will hike to the river to sail our tiny schooners. Using strainers and buckets, we will dip for organisms from the river's edge, look for evidence of beavers, and scan for birds from the observation tower.
The return of summer means warmth, sun, and the return of jewel-like damselflies and dragonflies. Can you tell the difference between the two? These insects have an amazing life history and eat our least favorite flying insects, mosquitoes! We will spend the afternoon in the sanctuary's fields and wetlands catching dragonflies and observing them in their aquatic naiad stage. And by the end of the afternoon, you will know the difference between a dragon and a damsel and may even have the opportunity to hold one in your hand!
