Nature Walks
Several Nature Walks are being offered in May and June, at no charge to the public. The walks are all led by Princeton area naturalists. Group sizes will be kept small and the walks will be slower-paced than other Princeton Hikes.
Below is the information on the May/June Walks. Each walk will explore a different topic, and you may choose several walks. These are described in more detail below.
Registration for the walks is required. Click here to fill out a registration survey
These walks are sponsored by the Princeton Open Space committee, Princeton Land Trust, and the Princeton Environmental Action Committee.
Details on the Planned Walks
Dress appropriately. Bring your own snacks and water. No dogs please. Kids are welcome if they are interested in the subject and can keep up with the group.
Esker And Forest Walk
Monday, May 13th. 5-7pm. Join Tom Sullivan and Laura Reynolds for a walk through the Princeton Land Trust (PLT) Bullock/McElroy property. Tom and Laura will add commentary on the trees, birds, plants, and geology of the area. Enjoy an easy 1.1 mile loop hike passing over a high esker and through some wet terrain. The group size for the walk is 20.
Birding and Introduction to the Merlin Birding App
Tuesday, May 14th, 9AM. Meet at Calamint Hill Conservation Area with Andrew Vitz, the Mass State Ornithologist. Listen and look for birds and learn to use the Merlin Phone App. Boots are highly recommended. Group size 15.
Birding 4 Corners and Boy Scout Land
Saturday May 25, 7:30AM - 11:30AM. Meet Bobbye Samdahl and park in the designated area in the field by the kiosk on Gates Road. The many habitats in the Four Corners Area proves how diversity is great for wildlife! Fields, both dry and wet, mature woods, great views. This time of year is the most birdaceous, with migrants coming through and breeders here to nest. Dress adequately for the weather, bring water, snacks, binoculars. We bird by ear, as well as sight. Easy to moderate hike. Good footwear is advised. Max group size. should be 12.
Vernal Pools and Spring Wildlife at Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary
Saturday, May 25, 2024, 10am - 12pm. Spring is an active time for wildlife! Sanctuary staff Cindy Dunn will lead a walk-through varied habitats to explore the seasonal ecology of birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians, with a special focus on vernal pools and amphibian migration. This hike will be at an easy pace but will include uneven ground and some off-trail sections. Bring water, sunscreen, insect repellent, and sturdy footwear. This program welcomes adults or families with children prepared to be walking for 2 hours. Group size 15.
The Geology of Princeton's Landscape and Buildings
Tuesday, May 28, 6-8PM Meet the Trail head to Goodnow Park and join Laura Reynolds for a tour through the geological history of Princeton and the urban geology of the historical buildings in the town center. We'll walk a short loop through Goodnow Park, and explore some of the historical structures near the town green. Group size for this walk is 20.
Young Forests for the Birds: Forestry for Wildlife and Water Supply at Wachusett
Friday, May 31, 2024, at 9:00 a.m. (Rain date Thursday May 30, 2024, at 9:00 a.m.). Meet with Brian Keevan. You might not realize it, but bugs, bats, and birds depend heavily on young forest and open habitats. Take a hike with DCR foresters and wildlife biologists into some larger-than-typical patch cuts on forested water supply lands and hear about the Commonwealth’s strategy to provide suitable young forest habitat for many declining wildlife species across the state. We’ll be definitely getting off-trail and walking around in some logging debris, so wear boots and long pants and expect the usual mosquitoes, blackflies, and ticks. Bring binoculars if you want since we should be seeing plenty of bird life. Group size 20.
Evening Bird Walk, Rhodes and Greene Roads, Bickford Pond
Wednesday June 12th 7-9:30PM, Meet at Harrington Farm with Bobbye Samdahl, and then walk around Harrington Farm and the Rhodes/Greene Road intersection. We bird by ear, as well as sight. Dress adequately for the weather, bring water, snacks, binoculars. Good footwear is a must! Group size 10.
Moth Night in Princeton
June 14 8:30PM – Meet with Matt Charpentier and Adam Kohl at Krashes Field to see what's out after dark. Adam has equipment for attracting moths and other nocturnal insects and he will identify and discuss what we find,
Nature Walk at Thomas Prince School
Saturday, June 22 1-3 pm Meet with Dot Odgren and Karen Pellegrini to check out the relocated butterfly garden, now a pollinator garden, then walk some of the TPS nature trails and observe the flora and fauna. Both the garden and nature trail support pollinators and native plants, essential to each other, the environment and us. Come enjoy some of the outdoor learning spaces used by our K-8 students, and available to the Princeton community. The new Pollinator Garden is easily accessible on the west side of the school building and the Nature Trail is a relatively easy, flat walk through laurel bushes, open forest, and a field that is growing back into forest. Group is limited to 15.
Note: The birding walks are beginner-intermediate level birding trips relying on a lot of birding by ear skills for which Bobbye would love to help walkers to increase their knowledge.
If you missed the link above, please register your choices - click here. We will get back to you with the confirmed schedule and meeting place.
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Please also note: Mass Audubon's Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary also provides nature walks throughout the year for a fee. If you want more options, visit their website.