Published on March 31, 2023

Spring Naturalist Walk and Community Open House at Brewster's Woods

A small group of adults birding at Brewster's Woods

Join renowned Concord naturalist Peter Alden and Mass Audubon staff for a tour of the diverse plant and animal wildlife of Brewster’s Woods!  

We will look and listen for newly arrived spring migrants, such as flickers, phoebes, wood thrushes, house wrens, colorful warblers, rose-breasted grosbeaks and Baltimore orioles, and also explore the field, forest, and wetland habitats of the sanctuary in the footsteps of William Brewster. Our relaxed pace will give you an opportunity to practice identifications and learn some of the fascinating history of the property. When we return, Mass Audubon staff will share plans for the site, focusing on the opportunities for peaceful enjoyment of nature, environmental education, and a place for purposeful work on critical conservation issues. We are grateful to all who have provided feedback on our plans thus far and welcome your continued input.    

The walk will start prompted at 8am, returning to the parking area by 10am for a half hour of informal sharing of our plans for the improved trail system and future facilities. Our staff will be available for discussion of our ecological management practices and reviews of the landscape design. We will also include a view inside the future nature center and exhibit hall, and descriptions of the indoor facilities for those who have not yet seen them. We are grateful that this special place is protected from development so the public can enjoy it, and so that it’s unique habitats can thrive for generations to come.

The same program will be offered on a choice of two dates:

  • Saturday, May 6, 2023 — 8:00-10:30 am (registration deadline: May 3)
  • Friday, May 19, 2023 — 8:00-10:30 am (registration deadline: May 17)

This session is open to the community, and no birding experience is required. Children are welcome to participate. Please RSVP by email with your choice of date to [email protected] by the Wednesday prior to receive parking information. Space is limited to 20 participants per session. 

About our walk leader: Peter Alden initiated the first of 60+ years of the Concord Christmas Bird Count in 1960. He went on to lead over 300 bird and nature tours in over 100 countries for Mass Audubon and other travel companies. His 16 published books include The National Audubon Field Guide to New England and have sold over 4 million copies. In 1998 (and again in 2009 and 2019), he organized the world's first bioblitzes with Dr E. O. Wilson, finding 3,600 species of fungi, plants, invertebrates and vertebrates within 5 miles of Walden Pond. He is a past president of the Nuttall Ornithological Club founded by William Brewster.