Will Close will lead an in the field nature journaling session at South Athol Conservation Area. Our focus will be drawing the forest floor. Please bring your nature journal or sketch pad and pencils or markers. A portable chair or seating pad would be helpful. There is no charge, but please RSVP by emailing Cathy Szal at catherineszal400@gmail.com so that we can inform you if plans change due to the weather.
Will Close is an artist, educator and naturalist with a focus in documenting the flora and fauna of the Northeastern United States. He holds a degree in Fine Art Painting from Massachusetts College of Art and Design and studied wildlife track and sign under Dan Gardoqui and Daniel Hansche. Sharing his passion for nature illustration and wildlife, has taken him from the spruce forests of Maine to the Ecuadorian Amazon. You can view his artwork on his website, willclosestudios.com
Join a co-sponsored bird trip between the South Shore Bird Club and the Athol Bird and Nature Club to the Birch Hill Wildlife Management Area on the border of Royalston and Winchendon.
This area contains two clear-cut areas being managed as blueberry barrens, providing good habitat for early successional bird species such as Prairie and Chestnut-sided Warblers, and Field and White-throated Sparrows. Oh, and Blueberries! Intermixed woodland and swamp habitats provide great opportunities for viewing the many breeding birds of the area. Be prepared for a modest amount of walking. Access to the area is via hard packed dirt roads that may be rutted.
Meet at the Royalston Library at 6:45 AM where we will ride to the walk location. Bring your bug repellent, some good walking footwear, and maybe a basket for blueberries. 🙂
Contact Ernie LeBlanc at ealeblanc13@gmail.com to confirm your participation, or if you have questions.
The infamous “MothBall” Kicks off National Moth Week in 2026! Dave and Shelley invite our friends and neighbors to our Annual MothBall at our home at 1542 Pleasant Street, Athol.
Bring flashlight, camera, lawn chair, a beverage and/or snack to share (keep it simple – “grab and go”) and your sense of adventure. No rain dates. This will be an all-outdoor event with portable toilets in place. Please send an email to register with Dave just to let us know who is coming. We are looking forward to a fun evening. Welcome to the dark side 😊
