Spring celebrations begin early at the Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary with the age-old tradition of maple sugaring. The warm days of late winter awaken the flow of sap in the maples, causing buds to swell and resulting in sweet-smelling billowing clouds of steam rising from the sugarhouse.
The sparkle of the full moon on a freshly fallen blanket of snow illuminates the forest like nothing else. With only the moon as our guide, we will hike through the sanctuary woods and enjoy this magical time. Since early January is often one of the quietest times of the year, we should be able to hear the hoots of owls and the howls of coyotes. The light of the moon will also allow us to catch glimpses of nocturnal animals that usually move about in complete darkness. We will then return to the Barn to warm up with some hot chocolate!
The Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary kicks off the beginning of the maple sugaring season this year with our February Flapjack Fling. Bring your family and friends for this special breakfast at the sanctuary and enjoy the fruit (OK, sap!) of our labor and our maple trees on some delicious pancakes.
Have you ever walked through the woods looking for owls during the day? Owls are most active at night, of course, but if you know what to look for you can find their daytime roosts. Together we'll discover what our local owls look like, what they eat, and what they sound like. As a special activity, everyone will help to dissect an owl pellet.
Winter is a great time to look for predators and the evidence they leave behind. Today, we'll look at animal bones, fur, scat, tracks, and chews. Then we'll hike the sanctuary in search of hawks, foxes, fishers, river otters, and more. We'll investigate how these animals are able to hunt prey in the cold winter weather.
Winter is an exciting time for outdoor discovery. The Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary has put together four days of hands-on, interactive, age-appropriate activities to explore the natural world in Winter. Kids will hone their observation skills as they locate and learn about winter animals and tap a sugar maple tree to make syrup.
Join us at Bradley Palmer State Park for a FREE program for all ages. Bob Metcalfe, of New England Discovery will take you on an adventure in tracking wild animals. Winter is an especially beautiful time to visit the diverse State Parks of Massachusetts. Ability to identify the tracks and sign of wildlife along the trail will add to your enjoyment of your favorite state lands.
Winter is the perfect time of year to go out in search of owls. We'll learn about these fascinating birds through a story and hands-on activities before we head out for our adventure. We'll warm up by the woodstove with a cup of hot chocolate and cookies after our hike.
Is spring on the way, or are we faced with another six weeks of winter? According to legend, Punxsutawney Phil foretells the impending weather each year. If he sees his shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter. If not, spring is near. Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary celebrates this ritual with a fun afternoon of activities for kids and families!
Come explore the woodlands, wetlands, and fields along the sanctuary trails. Learn how to identify tracks in the snow and use your detective skills to observe nibbled twigs and nuts, and scat. On our return, we will warm up with a delicious cup of hot chocolate!
