HCT News
March 16th Cold Brook Birding Walk
17 bird species were spotted at the Robert F. Smith Cold Brook Preserve during today’s birding field class with Peter Trull. Check out the species list below, plus photos of the adventure courtesy of HCT volunteer photographer Gerry Beetham! Species list: Herring gull 1 Cooper’s hawk 1 Downy woodpecker 1 Northern flicker 3 Blue jay…
Preschool Explorers Discover the Worm Moon, Insects, and Walking Sticks
Reflections by Naturalist & Walk Leader Andrea Higgins Photos courtesy of HCT Volunteer Photographer Gerry Beetham The joyful singing and giggling of Harwich Conservation Trust’s Preschooler Explorers filled the beautiful 17-acre Muddy Creek Headwaters Preserve as we shared this brilliant blue-sky morning together. We first chatted about today’s “Worm Moon” – the last full moon…
March 11th Winter Talk: Six Ponds District of Critical Planning Concern with Carole Ridley
Please join Harwich Conservation Trust to learn what lies ahead for the Six Ponds District of Critical Planning Concern. The 1,200-acre Six Ponds region in East Harwich is recognized for its extensive and regionally significant natural, cultural and recreational resources. More than two decades ago, in an effort to guard against over-development, Barnstable County designated the…
Preschool Explorers Search for Signs of Spring
Reflections by Naturalist & Walk Leader Andrea Higgins Photos courtesy of HCT Volunteer Photographer Gerry Beetham Bright blue skies and abundant sunshine greeted the Preschool Explorers for their first gathering of 2023! Temperatures in the 40s, breezes, and bird song invited us to search for signs of spring at the spectacular 66-acre Robert F. Smith…
Galapagos Adventures with Andrea Petitto
Please join Harwich Conservation Trust for a presentation on the unique features, origins, and animal life of the western and eastern Galápagos Islands. Enjoy photos of birds, mammals, and reptiles endemic to the islands captured on two expeditions in 2021 and 2022 by artist and wildlife enthusiast (& HCT volunteer!), Andrea Petitto. Visitors to the famed…
Golden Hour Otter Sign Walk
A curious and enthusiastic group joined Naturalist Andrea Higgins at Bell’s Neck Conservation Lands on Saturday for an Otter Sign Walk. While exploring the glowing forest during the golden hour and sunset, they discovered abundant otter scat and slides. Additional wildlife signs and sightings included coyote scat, deer and rabbit scat and browse, two Baltimore…
Sharks of the North Atlantic Ocean with Dr. Tom Burns
Sponsored by Harwich Conservation Trust, please join us on February 11th for a shark photo odyssey to learn about fascinating research and close encounter experiences with Dr. Tom Burns. Enjoy images captured beneath the surface while diving with mysterious shark species near and far. With a focus on the western North Atlantic Ocean, learn how…
Ocean Plastics with Sea Education Association Virtual Winter Talk
Due to the freezing weather conditions and dangerously low wind chills forecasted for this Saturday, the February 4th Winter Talk on Ocean Plastics with Sea Education Association (SEA) will now be held virtually as a zoom webinar (link to join below). Please join us for this free presentation from the comfort and warmth of your…
A Chilly Morning Birding Walk at Bell’s Neck
21 species were spotted on this cold winter morning birding walk, with a few surprises. Participants spotted and heard a Virginia rail as it ran across a muddy tidal creek, a northern harrier flew close overhead, and there were great observations of a belted kingfisher. High numbers of waterfowl speckled the reservoir including Canada geese,…
Jan. 17th Bell’s Neck Birding Field Class
On this beautiful blue-sky Tuesday, Peter Trull’s birding field class spotted 22 species, with nice observations of a belted kingfisher basking in the sun while another fished. Green-winged teal and greater yellowlegs mixed together in a beautiful flock and buffleheads were abundant. Please enjoy photos of the adventure below, courtesy of HCT volunteer photographer Gerry…
Bell’s Neck Birding Field Class
19 species were spotted on Tuesday morning’s Bell’s Neck Birding Field Class with Peter Trull, including a variety of duck species, songbirds, and birds of prey. The highlight was a graceful bald eagle soaring high in the distance on broad wings, climbing into the clouds. Please enjoy photos below courtesy of HCT Volunteer Photographer Gerry…
Protecting A Hidden Gem: Six Ponds Resource Management Initiative
Harwich holds many beautiful and well-known spots, and also what has long been a hidden gem. The Six Ponds Special District is the largest and most ecologically significant assemblage of undeveloped land and pond shore remaining on Cape Cod. To protect this area, Harwich Conservation Trust (HCT) is launching a community-based planning effort to deepen…