Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary

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The skies were blue and the temperature was in the 50s with a pleasant breeze that kept the annoying blackflies and mosquitoes at bay during the Statewide Volunteer Day. More than 90 volunteers cleared 75 percent of the brush and firewood cut during the entire winter on more than three acres of land. This project was part of Bringing the Moors Back to Broadmoor field restoration for wildlife. A full two cords of firewood were stacked as well, and will be used to back up the solar heat in the nature center during the coming winter.

In the main field, families, children, and a group of ten students from Wellesley College carried piles of twigs and branches up the hill to the old gravel pit in the forest. Not far from the pit is a cordoned-off area where a mallard nest is located. It's not easy to find because the nest sits on the ground hidden among the leaves and emerging plants. But, when the concealed nest is finally discovered, it’s a soft, downy pile filled with 10 eggs. Two young observers pointed out a turkey in the woods. Lo and behold a nest with a clutch of 14 large turkey eggs was discovered close to the gravel pit. 

On the way back to the nature center, a group stopped at the main bridge to look through a scope that had been set up on the boardwalk to observe the great horned owl nest across the wetland. Two owlets raised their fuzzy heads from last year’s great blue heron nest and peered at the group. Meanwhile painted turtles from small to large came out to warm up in the sun. Just before leaving the boardwalk, a mating ball of three northern water snakes—two smaller males surrounding one larger female—were found at the water’s edge in some emergent growth.

List of the birds seen or heard throughout the day: American goldfinch, black-capped chickadee, white-breasted nuthatch, common grackle, tree swallow, American robin, blue jay, tufted titmouse, wild turkey, mallard, red-winged blackbird, Canada goose, pine warbler, American crow, great-horned owl, house sparrow, and song sparrow.