Eastern Milk Snake

Marsh Marigold noted at Emmet Conservation Land May 11, 2024 during the trust annual Bird Walk. Marsh Marigold (Caltha palustris) is notable for its bright yellow spring bloom and its high tolerance for shade. The glossy, deep green leaves look good all season long, and the early bloom can give wet spots and pondsides a…

Marsh Marigold (Caltha palustris) seen next to Vine Brook April 21, 2020, South Westford – photo courtesy of Ron Gemma NATURE NOTES* By ANNIE REID Westborough Community Land Trust Marsh-marigolds in our streams and swamps The branches are still bare and the day is chilly, but you know it’s spring when you see a bouquet…

These two characters managed to bypass the defenses I have successfully setup to discourage the most creative squirrels.  Here are a couple of the smallest squirrels, the nocturnal flying squirrels.  Per Mass Audubon, northern and southern flying squirrels inhabit Massachusetts, but they only emerge at night. They average about 10 to 15 inches long and…

Virgin’s-bower (Clematis virginiana) growing at Grey Fox Conservation land, photo taken on 9/24/22, near the banks of Stony Brook in Westford. According to Native Plant Trust’s Go Botany, this beautiful native is the most common clematis in New England. The Cherokee made an infusion of virgin’s-bower with milkweed (Asclepias) to treat backache, as well as…

This eagle is believed to be half of a pair living at Nagog Pond on the Littleton / Acton border. It ranges from there to Littleton’s Cloverdale Conservation area and in the area of Nashoba Valley Ski Area at the Littleton / Westford border. Photo by Scott Lewis.