February 2022 E-news
TODAY!
2022 Annual Meeting:
Vernal Pool Conservation in an Era of Climate Change
Speaker: Aram Calhoun, PhD
Thursday, February 17th, 7pm
Virtual

Aram Calhoun is a wetland ecologist whose research focuses on wetland ecology and policy, and vernal pool conservation. Her work stresses the importance of conserving natural resources (wetlands and vernal pools) and/or target species (wood frogs, spotted salamanders, and blue-spotted salamanders) on private

Dr. Calhoun will share her research followed by time for questions and conversation.


Save-the-Date
2022 Annual 
Spring Auction 
Virtual 

Sunday March 6th-
Saturday March 12th
The Big Night Series
A series of talks and walks around vernal pools and salamander migration, hosted by the South Berwick Conservation Commission.

Balancing Rock, dusted with snow.
What is a Glacial Erratic?
Balancing Rock is a glacial erratic. One of GWRLT's & South Berwick's most distinct landmarks, Balancing Rock is just as described, perfectly balanced a-top another boulder. It is located near the Emery's Bridge Rd entrance to Orris Falls Conservation Area, as you climb up the ledges trail towards the beaver wetland. 

Glaciers can pick up chunks of rocks and transport them over long distances. When they drop these rocks, they are often far from their origin—the outcrop or bedrock from which they were plucked. These rocks are known as glacial erratics. Erratics record the story of a glacier's travels. Looking for the bedrock units that correspond with erratics can reveal complex flow patterns. (National Park Service)
The Great Backyard Bird Count starts this Friday, February 18-21. Participating is easy, fun to do alone or with others, and can be done anywhere you find birds.
  • Step 1: Decide where you will watch birds.
  • Step 2: Watch birds for 15 minutes or more, at least once over the four days, February 18-21, 2022.
  • Step 3: Count all the birds you see or hear within your planned time/location and use the best tool for sharing your bird sightings:

If you are a beginning bird admirer and new to the count, try using the Merlin Bird ID app. Some additional resources on how to participate:

Upcoming Outings
& Events
Winter programming.
Saturday February 19th,
10am-noon
Diamond Hill Rd, Berwick

Join board member of Berwick, Mike Wright for a tour of this frozen wetland that is only accessible during the winter months. Tour across the heath to a glacial esker and hike through an Atlantic White Cedar stand.
2022 Winter Outings
10am-1pm | Punkintown Rd, South Berwick/Eliot

10am-noon | Fox Farm Hill Rd, North Berwick
Outings are limited to 25 participants. Sign up for hikes by email or call 207-646-3604.

**All trailheads are plowed, except Tatnic Woods. Thank you to our plow operators!**

Please follow CDC guidance regarding masks and social distancing.

Stay healthy and enjoy!
Volunteer News
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Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities:

Lead Spring Birding Walks: GWRLT morning birding walks will return this Spring! The walks are Thursday mornings, at 7am. If you're interested in leading a spring Migration Mornings birding walk, please contact us. To volunteer email bcrothers@gwlrt.org

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THANK YOU!

Thank you mailing volunteers: Rebecca Niebling, Linda Posson, Vickie Witham, Joanne Lamothe, Linda Black, Martha & Roy Fava, Nancy & Joe Geneseo, Marie Pimley, Sue Berman, Jackie Quinton, Sally Hunter, Jane Buckjune and Mary Fusconi!
Tidbits
Staff picks on local and environmental news.
Kids Corner
Signs of Animals in winter: Adaption, Hibernation, Migration
Signs of Animals Scavenger Hunt










Some great children's books about animals during winter:


Essential questions to frame your exploration: How do animals survive in winter? What is Adaption? What is Hibernation? What is Migration? How do humans adapt in winter?

What you will need:
  • Paper
  • Pencil
  • Clipboard
  • Camera
  • Animal tracks guide

Be animal detectives for a day and go outside hunting for wildlife tracks, look for disturbances in the snow, animal droppings, burrowing holes and more. Solving the mystery of “Who made those tracks?” can be incredibly fun and allow students to practice their observation skills. An animal field guide will be a great tool to bring along.
Clues you can look for include:
  • Prints – look for claw marks and the number of toes
  • Feather marks – wing imprints and dropped feathers can be great clues
  • Gait patterns – was the animal running or walking? Is the gait parallel or diagonal?
  • Scat – your students will giggle at this one, but scat is a great tool for seeing what the animal was eating!
  • Browsing marks – claw marks in the bark, or nibbles here and there of the surrounding vegetation can show you who was walking by.

Record findings and try observational drawings of the footprints.

References: Project Learning Tree.
Photos by: Brenna Crothers & Bill Hills
Photos of Great Works
Images from the trails.
Hikers at Orris Falls Conservation Area and the new Checkerberry Trail, which connects Orris Falls to the Mount Agamenticus Conservation Area and can be accessed from the Emery's Bridge Rd. entrance of Orris Falls.
Quick and easy ways to give:
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Great Works Regional Land Trust
207-646-3604