Mass Audubon's Joppa Flats Education Center, One Plum Island Turnpike, Newburyport, is a natural history education and visitor center that is open to the public Tuesday through Sunday and Monday holidays, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call 978-462-9998 for information about additional programs and events, or visit the Web site at www.massaudubon.org/joppaflats.
SATURDAY BIRDING IN THE NEWBURYPORT/PLUM ISLAND AREA: Visit the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, Merrimack River, Salisbury Beach State Reservation and other very productive sites in Newbury and Rowley to observe migrating seabirds, ducks and land birds. Saturday, Oct. 11; 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Meet at the Joppa Flats Education Center. Fee: $30 for Mass Audubon members; $39 for non-members. Registration is required.
A MILLION BLACKBIRDS? Join Joppa Flats Education Coordinator Dave Larson for one of the most overwhelming avian spectacles in Essex County: roosting birds in their early morning eruption from a Methuen marsh. Sunday, Oct. 12; 5 to 9 a.m. Meet at the commuter parking lot at Exit 47 off Route 93 in Methuen. Fee: $23 for Mass Audubon members; $30 for non-members. Registration is required.
OPEN HOUSE AT THE BIRD BANDING STATION: Come on your own or bring the family to the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge for an exciting, up-close look at migrating birds as they are netted and evaluated before releasing. The Bird Banding Station is open at the height of migration in April and May. For adults and families with children age 6 and up. Sunday, Oct. 12. Choose the early morning session at 8:30 to 10:30 or the later session at 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Meet at the Joppa Flats Education Center. Fee: $6 for Mass Audubon members; $8 for non-members. Member child: $4; nonmember child: $5. Registration is required.
SCIENCE SAFARI: REFUGE SHOREBIRDS: Learn about the ecology, natural history and environmental status of this Parker River National Wildlife Refuge ecosystem. For ages 7 to 12. Parents welcome but not required to stay. Sunday, Oct. 12; 1 to 3:30 p.m. Meet at Parking Lot #1 at the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge. Fee: $12 for Mass Audubon members; $16 for non-members. Registration is required.
WHAT'S THAT BIRD? This is a special Columbus Day offering specifically for those who are beginning to look at birds. Each trip is limited to six participants. Children age 8 and up are welcome. Leaders: Harvey Paclat, David Weaver and Amesbury's Jock Purcell. Monday, Oct. 13, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. or 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Meet at the Joppa Flats Education Center. Fee: $5 for Mass Audubon members; $7 for non-members. Registration is required.
WEDNESDAY MORNING BIRDING: Join Sanctuary Director Bill Gette for this weekly birding field trip in the Newburyport/Plum Island area. Wednesday, Oct. 15, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Meet at the Joppa Flats Education Center. Fee: $12 for Mass Audubon members; $15 for non-members. Registration is not required.
WEDNESDAY EVENING LECTURE — JOPPA FLATS VOLUNTEERS GO BIRDING IN BRAZIL: Based on a trip taken by Joppa Flats staff and volunteers in July 2008, Joppa Flats volunteer and program leader Dave Weaver offers a photo safari through the coastal rainforest of Brazil. Wednesday, Oct. 15, 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Meet at the Joppa Flats Education Center. Fee: free for Mass Audubon members; $4 for non-members. Registration is not required.
OPEN HOUSE AT THE BIRD BANDING STATION: Come on your own or bring the family to the refuge for an up-close look at migrating birds as they are netted and evaluated before releasing. For adults and families with children age 6 and up. Sunday, Oct. 19. Two sessions: 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Meet at the Joppa Flats Education Center. Fee: $6 members, $8 nonmembers, $4 member child, $5 nonmember child. Registration required.
SEAL PADDLE: Kayak from the Newburyport waterfront to the mouth of the Merrimack to see harbor seals feeding and basking. Monday, Oct. 20, 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Meet at the Joppa Flats Education Center. Fee: $55 Mass Audubon members, $65 nonmembers. Registration required.
WEDNESDAY MORNING BIRDING: Join Sanctuary Director Bill Gette for this weekly birding field trip in the Newburyport/Plum Island area. Wednesday, Oct. 15, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Meet at the Joppa Flats Education Center. Fee: $12 for Mass Audubon members; $15 for non-members. Registration is not required.
LECTURE: ANALYSIS OF BEACH EROSION ON PLUM ISLAND: Michael Morris of Plum Island presents an up-to-date study on Plum Island's beach erosion over the past 300 years, illustrating the many natural forces at play. Wednesday, Oct. 22, 7:30 to 9 p.m. Joppa Flats Education Center. Fee: $4, free for members. Registration is not required.
On Exhibit at Joppa Flats through Nov. 9: "The Nature of New England," wildlife photographs by Auburn, N.H., photographer and lecturer John Rockwood.
