Fall 2011 Program Thursday, October 27, 7:00 p.m.
Birds of Prey: A Detailed Look at Live Raptors
Tom will introduce us to several birds of prey, an eagle, a falcon, an owl, a hawk and many more. His conservation education program will illustrate and inform us about the world of raptors. Successful species such as the bald eagle, kestrel, barn owl, red-tailed hawks and some species of falcons have produced offspring for the reintroduction to bolster the wild population. This is Tom’s real success story: In April 1989 an eagle was hatched at the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Facility. By June of that year the eaglet was placed in a wild eagle’s nest at Quabbin Reservoir in hopes that the adult eagles would accept the chick as their own. By August the young eagles fledged. The eagle found a mate and was successful in continually rearing families of her own ever since. This inspirational effort is the first official report of a captive bred eagle nesting in the wild. Birds of prey include some 292 species of daytime feeders which include falcons, hawks, eagles and vultures and the owls as nighttime feeders. With sharp talons, hooked beaks and keen eyesight, these birds of prey are immediately distinguishable from all other birds. Birds of prey are birds that hunt for food primarily during their flight; they use their keen senses, especially the sense of vision. Because of the raptors great need for large undeveloped habitats there arises a concern for their survival. From the earliest times, birds of prey have occupied a special place in man’s feelings towards the natural world, symbolizing freedom, power and nobility. PLEASE JOIN US WITH YOUR CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN ON THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27, at 7 p.m. FOR AN EXCITING EVENING OBSERVING A WIDE VARIETY OF LIVE BIRDS OF PREY. To see previous WCC programs, please click here.
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Cronk's Rock Woodland is a true New England woodland of oaks and pines on a rocky ledge. There is interest here in every season but this sanctuary is a feast for all the senses during the spring. On a Sunday May 22, 2011, the Council hosted an open house at Cronk’s Rocky Woodland, a wildflower garden across the Street from 21 Crown Ridge Road. The sanctuary garden is kept in a natural state to preserve its wildflowers, plants and trees. Many clumps of lady's-slippers were in full bloom with blood root, Virginia bluebells, Jeffersonia, wild ginger, ferns and many native New England wildflowers.
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Lady's-slippers |
When she retired in 1974, parents, friends and former students contributed to a fund in her honor. They decided that the Wellesley Conservation Council should hold this money and the interest earned be used to pay for a prize for the Wellesley student demonstrating both knowlege and interest in the area of environmental conservation. Along with encouraging her students to enjoy nature, Lareau also emphasized the need to conserve natural areas for the future. The kettle hole at Schofield School was saved from destruction due to the efforts of Ms. Lareau and her students. |
The children and many parents had a great time creating and imagining their fairy houses. The wish of the Council is for children to be exposed to nature and its wonders while having fun. During this sunny spring event we served cookies and juice to approximately 40 children.
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The Lareau Prize is named in honor of Edwina Lareau, a Wellesley public school teacher who taught for 28 years from 1946 to 1974 at the Warren, Phillips and Schofield schools. Lareau is an avid naturalist and bird watcher, and was well known for sharing her knowlege and enthusiasm with her students many of whom whent on to become serious naturalists.
During Wellesley 's Wonderful Weekend, on Saturday May 21 , 1- 3 pm the Wellesley Conservation Council hosted a walk for Elementary School Children along Morse's Pond to Pickle Point Sanctuary. On our arrival at Pickle Point Sanctuary the children built their own Fairy Houses next to an adopted tree using natural materials gathered along their walk.
Last revised Oct. 10, 2011
P.O. Box 81129
Wellesley Hills, MA 02481
781-237-6125
Photograph: Snowy Owl and Young
Photo credit: Mark Wilson