Date: 12/30/24 9:27 am From: <sohzendeh...> Subject: [Arlington Birds] NO WALK on Jan 1. Next Bear Creek, Saugus, walk and New Year Bash on Sunday, January 5, 2025, at 9 am; report for December 22 walk
Folks,
Happy New Year!
The next walk at Bear Creek Sanctuary in Saugus is on Sunday, January 5 at 9
am.
Note that we have cancelled the New Years Day walk on Wednesday January 1
due to predicted unfavorable weather. The New Year Bash will instead take
place on Sunday, January 5. Details for attending this walk are at the end
of this email.
Seven hardy folks walked Bear Creek on Sunday, December 22. The wind and the
cold kept things quiet; highlights were a young Iceland Gull (my first of
the season) and a flock of 8 Lapland Longspurs, the most I've seen together
anywhere.
Here are details for attending the walk at this property on January 5:
Bear Creek is an upland sanctuary built on the WINWaste (formerly
Wheelabrator) landfill at the northeast corner of Rumney Marsh in Saugus and
Revere. Access information is below. Wear waterproof walking shoes and be
prepared to hike 3 – 4 miles. The property is mostly very open, so be
prepared for sun, wind and weather.
This walk is free and open to the public, but also note that this property
is accessible by invitation only and visitors need to be chaperoned at all
times. Please allow roughly 4 hours for this field trip. The actual length
of the trip depends on conditions and the birds present. It's usually
difficult to break up the party if you need to be somewhere in the early
afternoon. Come prepared to stay with the group.
WINWaste company has graciously stocked up on some extra pairs of
binoculars, so if you or someone you know wants to learn about birds and
birding, come on down. Please let Geoff Wilson <s2ary...> know you're
coming so we can have a head count.
Bear Creek Sanctuary access is via the WINWaste plant, 100 Salem Turnpike
(Rte 107), Saugus. The rotary at the intersection of Rtes 60 and 107 is
about 1½ miles southwest of the plant and about 1 mile east of Rte 1 exit on
Rte 60. When traveling northeast on 107, if you go over the Ballard Street
bridge (just after a set of lights) you’ve gone too far — turn back. Here is
a link to google maps:
http://tinyurl.com/326v87d.
When you arrive, drive through the plant gates, park in the parking lot
immediately and wait for the group. Please do not drive farther into the
property without an escort.
