NEWBURYPORT — The Parker River National Wildlife Refuge is offering the following free programs. Space may be limited, and advance registration is required for all programs, unless otherwise indicated. Call 978-465-5753 to register.
Registration is not complete until you receive confirmation from a staff member. Note that outdoor programs may be canceled if there is inclement weather. Visit us on the Web for more information at http://parkerriver.fws.gov or call refuge headquarters. The refuge visitor center is at 6 Plum Island Turnpike.
"Behind the Scenes" Refuge Tour
Held on the following days: Sunday, April 1, at 1 p.m.; Thursday; April 5, at 9:30 a.m.; Saturday; April 7, at 9:30 a.m.; Thursday, April 12, at 9:30 a.m.; Sunday, April 15, at 1 p.m.; Wednesday, April 18, at 9:30 a.m.; Sunday, April 22, at 1 p.m.; Wednesday, April 25, at 9:30 a.m.; Saturday, April 28, at 9:30 a.m. and Sunday, April 29, at 1 p.m.
Join a refuge ranger for a behind the scenes tour of Parker River National Wildlife Refuge.
Tour will be conducted via refuge van, with several brief "drive by" stops along the way. The tour will present an "up close and personal" look at the refuge through the multiple lenses of the cultural history of Plum Island and the Great Marsh, native wildlife and their habitats, and the role of refuge management in the conservation of these precious natural resources.
Participants will visit areas on the refuge otherwise closed to the public. This guided two-hour program is most appropriate for adults.
Binoculars and/or a camera are recommended but not required. Meet the ranger in the lobby of the refuge visitor center.
Each session is limited to 10 participants.
Advance registration is required for this program, as enrollment is limited to 10 people per tour.
Be advised that individual tours may be subject to cancellation.
Bringing Nature Home, free lecture by Doug Tallamy
Newbury Elementary School, 63 Hanover St,, Newbury; Saturday, April 7 at 10 a.m.
Doug Tallamy, author of "Bring Nature Home: How Native Plants Sustain Wildlife in Our Gardens" and University of Delaware professor and chair of the Entomology and Wildlife Ecology Department, will speak about the importance of native plant landscaping to native birds and wildlife.
Woodcock Walk
Thursday, April 5, at 6:30 p.m. and Friday, April 6, at 6:30 p.m.
Every spring, the American woodcock attracts a mate by singing its heart out at Parker River National Wildlife Refuge. Join us for an evening display of the woodcock's song and sky dance!
Participants will meet at the VCS center in Parking Lot 1 of the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge at 6:30 p.m. Dress appropriately for weather conditions. A flashlight or headlight is also suggested.
Advance registration is required, as enrollment is limited to 15 people. Call 978-465-5753 to register.
Point & Shoot 101
Saturday, April 14, 9 to 11 a.m.
If you are one of the millions of people who own a "point and shoot" digital camera, love nature and are a little timid about taking your camera off the automatic setting, then this presentation is for you. Matt Poole, refuge visitor services manager and avid nature photographer, will present a variety of practical tips and suggestions. The presentation will be conducted in the refuge visitor center auditorium. Attendees are welcome to bring their cameras, with manuals, if they have specific questions about their equipment. Registration is not required.
Photographic Society of Parker River National Wildlife Refuge
Saturday, April 14, 1:30 to 3 p.m.
A new nature and wildlife photography club has formed at Parker River National Wildlife Refuge. This new club is intended for anyone — from beginners to professionals — who have an interest in nature and photography. The club will meet once each month, primarily on Saturday afternoons. Club activities include those common to most photography groups, including slide shows (of members' work), intra-club mentoring and training, photo safaris, online photo sharing and involvement in the refuge's photography-related programming and outreach work. Registration is not required.
Bird Photography 101
Saturday, April 21, and April 28, 8 to 9:30 a.m.
Have you ever tried to photograph birds and been frustrated with your results? Join Nancy Landry, avid bird photographer, for a walk along one of the refuge's trails, during which she will share tips for finding and photographing our fleeting, feathered friends. This program is suitable for adults and teenagers ages 14 and older with an interest in this subject matter. Program participants should have either a digital single lens reflex camera or a "point and shoot" type camera (with an electric view finder and minimum 10X zoom lens). Binoculars and a birding guide are suggested, but optional. Meet in the Refuge's Hellcat Trail parking area.
Advance registration is required, as enrollment is limited to 10 people per session. Call 978-465-5753 to register.
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