Category Archives: Conservation

Efforts being made to welcome the Common Loon in Massachusetts

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The Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (DFW) is interested in receiving loon sighting reports this spring and summer.  Reports of birds with chicks are of particular interest.  For years, DFW has been monitoring loons nesting in the state.  Common Loons, listed as a Species of Special Concern in the Massachusetts Endangered Species Act, returned to nest in Massachusetts in 1975 after being absent as a breeding bird in the state for almost a century.

According to the DFW, from 1975 to 1983 loon pair activity was only observed on the Quabbin Reservoir.  In 1984, loon activity was also observed on the Wachusett Reservoir.   By 1986, loon nesting activity began to spread to other water bodies in the state.  In 2012, thirty five territorial loon pairs were documented on 13 lakes and ponds in the state.  Submit loon pair sighting reports via MassWildlife’s electronic Vernal Pool and Rare Species VPRS Information System, an online data submittal and mapping application, or email: mass.wildlife@state.ma.us, or send by postal mail to “Loon Survey”, DFW, Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program, 100 Hartwell Street, Suite 230, West Boylston, MA 01583.

In addition to monitoring loon activity, DFW has been partnering with other agencies and organizations to improve nesting sites for loons.   Recently, the Biodiversity Research Institute (BRI), based in Gorham, Maine provided funding for 18 loon rafts to be placed on reservoirs where loons have been attempting to nest.  Common Loons cannot walk well and are very awkward on land. They only come on to land in spring to breed and build their nest within a few feet of the shoreline. This is not a problem in water bodies with constant water levels, but for loons nesting on reservoir shorelines, fluctuating water levels can be a problem. If water levels rise, the nest and eggs flood and will not hatch. If water levels drop more than 6 to 12 inches the nest will be abandoned because the loon cannot reach the nest.

To reduce losses on reservoirs, loon rafts are constructed of cedar logs, foam floatation, and wire with vegetation placed on the raft to appear as if the raft is a small island.  Predator canopies are added to protect the nests from predation by other birds.  The raft is floated and anchored in the loon territory. Because the raft floats, it protects the nest and eggs from being flooded or stranded.  Some loons utilize the rafts immediately; others may take a few years to use the raft.  This month, loon rafts will be deployed at the DCR Wachusett and Quabbin Reservoirs and on reservoirs operated by the Fitchburg and Pittsfield water departments where loon pairs have been reported.

There is no mistaking the sound of a loon at twilight.  Late last summer, I had the thrill of having one diving close to my boat as I was bass fishing.   Seeing and hearing that bird was the highlight of my fishing last year.  *****

In his monthly report to the Berkshire County League of Sportsmen, Andrew Madden, DFW Western District Manager noted that the Division recently acquired 75 acres of land in the Town of Windsor.   The parcel consists of wooded wetlands with some hardwoods on the uplands.  It should be very good habitat for moose, deer, bear and snowshoe hare among other species, he said.  The property, which is located on Rte 8A between Rte 9 and Rte 116, abuts the Savoy Wildlife Management Area (WMA) on three sides and will improve access to existing protected lands.

When added to the existing Savoy WMA, the total protected acreage amounts to about 970 acres, all of it open to the public for passive recreation – hunting, fishing, trapping, hiking, bird watching, etc.   No motorized vehicles allowed on WMA’s. *****

Free fishing days, no licenses required, are coming up:  In ME they are May 31 and June 1, in MA they are June 7 and 8, in NH it is June 7, in VT it is June 14 and in NY the days are June 28 and 29.   Good chance to try some of those fabled waters that you have always wanted to fish – the Beaverkill, AuSable, Battenkill, Penobscott and others .  Sorry, CT and RI free days have already come and gone. *****

Chris Porter, spokesman for the Onota Fishing Club reported that they had over 200 people participating in the Wild Acres fishing derby which took place on April 26.   Approximately 15 members from the Fishing Club were on hand for the event and they assisted some 150 kids with baiting, catching, netting, cleaning, etc., as well as providing poles for kids that needed them.

Over 50 trout were caught with some large rainbows included in that number.  Twelve tagged fish were caught with each young angler receiving a trophy for it.  All of the fish were again donated this year by Lyon Aviation.  Over 400 hamburgers, hot dogs and breakfast sandwiches were served.  All involved had a great time in spite of the rainy weather.  Incidentally, the entire event was free to the public, much to the amazement of many parents.   *****

The following local waters were scheduled to be stocked with trout last week:  Hoosic River in Cheshire and Adams, Walker Brook in Becket and Chester, Deerfield River in Buckland, Charlemont and  Florida; Westfield River in Chester, Chesterfield, Cummington, Huntington, Middlefield and Worthington; Hubbard River in Granville, Littleville Lake and Norwich Pond in Huntington, Pontoosuc Lake, Goose Pond, Laurel Lake, Lake Buel, York Lake, Windsor Lake in North Adams, Otis Reservoir, Onota Lake, Stockbridge Bowl, Windsor Pond in Windsor, Housatonic River in Pittsfield(SW), Lee and Stockbridge (C&R), Hop Brook in Lee and Tyringham, Konkapot River in Monterey, New Marlborough and Sheffield;  and the Buck and Clam Rivers in Sandisfield. *****

Questions/comments:  Berkwoodsandwaters@roadrunner.com.  Phone/fax:  (413) 637-1818..

 

PCB’s remain in Hoosic River, but it is in good health overall

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The Hoosic River Watershed Association’s (HOORWA) annual State of the River Conference which was held recently was quite interesting. There was a presentation addressing the current status of the river with regard to the PCB contamination levels. Williams College chemistry professors David Richardson and Jay Thoman and students from Williams College, MCLA and Bennington College reported on the results of their studies of PCB levels in crayfish taken from various sites in the river and feeder streams.
“Ground Zero”, the site near where the Sprague plant was located had levels from 8 to 15 ppm (parts per million). The EPA sets the maximum safe level as 2 ppm. This sounds bad until one considers that before remediation, the levels there were as high as 1,000 ppm. The research shows the PCB levels are not decreasing, but remain stable. The crayfish collected farther downstream appeared to fall within the safe level.

Although PCBs normally sink to the bottom of water and stick to tiny grains of dirt, some did move downstream, presumably with the sediment which got washed downstream. Crawfish eat organisms that live in the sediments which eat and break down the detritus. They are ideal for analysis because they live on the river bottom and don’t travel far. They contain high amounts of fat in their tails which store nutrients as well as contaminants, said Williams sophomore Austin Paul.
They would like to expand their studies to include critters higher up in the food chain, such as trout. They eat lots of crayfish and the concentration levels of PCB’s in their body fat should be higher. They need help in obtaining these sample fish and are calling out to local fishermen. (Now there’s an excuse for getting out of yard work ………must go fishing to help the scientific community….we have an obligation to help out.)

Incidentally, HOORWA is doing a lot of good things on the Hoosic River these days. Executive Director Stephen McMahon reported that thanks to a remediation settlement, they are one of the beneficiaries of funds which will allow them to fund river monitoring programs for the next two or three years. These funds are dedicated to maintaining the quality of the Hoosic River from Cheshire Reservoir through North Adams.

They have been working with the Green Mountain National Forest staff to take temperature readings of streams (some in Pownal, VT) that are tributaries to the north branch of the Hoosic River. They have had successful river clean-ups. They have been working with the Bennington Conservation district and the village of North Bennington VT to remove a dam/bridge which created a dangerous scouring pool. They have been working with the town of Bennington, VT trying to conserve a piece of land, where the South Stream and Jewett Fork come together to form the headwaters of the Walloomsac River. They have also had successful Riverfest events.
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In 2014 they plan to work on removing dams, especially those that are classified as significant threats, to increase fish passages. They plan to sustain the river monitoring program, and this data will determine whether there are certain streams in MA and VT that must be protected for fish habitat and to evaluate the aspects of rising temperatures due to climate change. *****

Conservation-minded citizens are invited to attend an event being offered to share information about resources for managing and protecting private land for wildlife. Staff from the Division of Fisheries & Wildlife (DFW), Department of Conservation and Recreation Service Forestry, and Natural Resources Conservation Service will be available to discuss some options. Topics will include the New England Cottontail Initiative, the benefits of woodland management, options for protecting private land, programs that offer financial assistance and opportunities for private landowners or land managers to become engaged in conservation efforts. The habitat tour will take place rain or shine. The dates are as follows:
Wednesday, November 20, Sandisfield Arts Center, 5 Hammertown Road, Sandisfield, from 3:30 to 4:30 PM habitat management tour, from 5:00 to 6:00 presentation, and from 6:00 to 7:00 open house. Staff will be available for questions
Friday, November 22, Monterey United Church of Christ, Tyringham Rd. and Rt. 23, Monterey, from 5:00 to 6:00 PM presentation and from 6:00 to 7:00 open house – Staff available.
For more information, contact Marianne Piché, DFW Habitat Lands Biologist, at 508-389-6313 or email, marianne.piche@state.ma.us. *****
This year there were 5 participants in the Northern Berkshires paraplegic deer hunt, of which David Alderman of Petersburgh, NY got a button buck. There were 8 hunters in the Southern Berkshire hunt, of which Brigette Buzalsky of Lawrence, MA got a button buck on Thursday. ( I believe this was Brigette’s fifth buck bagged in paraplegic hunts). Sidney Eichstedt of Lee got a 130 lb buck also on Thursday. Elsewhere, 2 deer (one buck, one doe) were taken at the Quabbin site, and 1 doe was taken at the Devens site. *****

Paddy Sullivan, son of JoAnn and Shawn Sullivan of Lee and a 14 year old Freshman at Lee Middle School, is a member of the Lee Sportsmens’ Association and Holyoke Revolver Steel team. The team has won two recent Steel Challenge matches. The first match, held on October 5, was the Maine Scholastic Pistol Program Challenge held at Camp Hinds in Raymond, ME resulted in a gold medal in the Rimfire Senior division. The second match, held on November 2, was a Scholastic Steel Collegiate match, held at the Pioneer Sportsmen’s Club in Dunbarton, NH resulted in a first place win in the Center Fire Junior/Senior Division, and a first place win in the Rim Fire Junior/Senior division. Congratulations to Paddy who, according to his parents, was the top shooter in both matches. *****

Questions/comments: Berkwoodsandwaters@roadrunner.com. Phone/fax: (413)637-1818.

Part 2Celebrating the protection of state’s open space

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Last week, I mentioned that there were five speakers at the Maple Hill Celebration which took place on October 29. In addition to Energy and Environmental Secretary Sullivan and Division of Fish & Game Commissioner Griffin the following people spoke:

Narain Schroeder, Director of Land Conservation for Berkshire Natural Resources Council (BNRC) spoke of its conservation partnership with DFW/DFG. To stress his point, he pointed to Mt Greylock and nearby FlatBrook WMA to the north, the Taconic Range to the west, the 900 acre Alford Springs Reserve and the Alford Valley with the state’s APR protection program further south and the Maple Hill WMA to the east. “ In our county there is a tradition of conservation that runs deep. We are lucky to have a governor and citizenry that values conservation. It is a privilege to work with and for these folks.”

To help explain how DFW/DFG reached the 200,000 acres of conserved land, DFW Director Wayne MacCallum spoke about the Division’s history of its land conservation program. In the 1950’s funds for land acquisition came out of license fees which were paid by the hunters, fishermen and trappers or through the excise fees collected and administered by the US Fish & Wildlife. They were to be used solely for conservation of state fisheries and wildlife. Back then approximately 13,000 acres had been acquired.

In 1968 sportsmen lobbied for a 25% increase in license fees with a dollar to be charged specifically for land acquisition. In doing that, the state was supposed to match those funds dollar for dollar. It never happened, but it did provided the ability for the state to take out a 20 year $5 million bond to purchase property.

In 1984 Governor Dukakis passed the first bond issue targeted for acquisition of wildlife conservation land. In 1988 there was another one.

In 1990 the sporting community advocated for a tax on themselves with a $5 fee (called the Wildlife Conservation Stamp), to be added to their hunting and fishing license fee. It was to provide a stable stream of monies for land acquisition. The State started bond issues which matched the monies coming in from the land stamp.

Also, a significant amount of money comes out of the Federal aid program. Also, the North American Conservation Act (excise tax monies) provides a significant amount of monies to MA for land protection. All of this comes out of the pockets of hunters, fishermen and trappers. In addition, funds come in through the Massachusetts Outdoor Heritage Foundation which is managed by a separate board and is not part of DFW/DFG funds.

According to MacCallum, fishing and hunting generates $1.5 billion directly to the economy of MA, indirectly almost double that amount.

Fish & Wildlife Board Chairman George (Gige) Darey of Lenox. thanked the Patrick Administration for its conservation efforts. “I’ve been around a long time but never has there been an administration that put so much land into conservation”, he said. In addition to the various agencies, a lot of people were involved in the conservation movement: John Drummond Kennedy (Kennedy Park acquisition), George Wislocki former executive director of the BNRC (Post Farm acquisition). Green Berkshires and Eleanor Tillinghast (who led the way in getting the ACEC near Woods Pond on the Housatonic River, MassAudubon and others. He specifically mentioned Charles Liston of Lenoxdale., who was a surveyor for the state. It was him who tipped off Darey and Wislocki about land along the Housatonic River. He provided them with a map listing all of the pieces of property and who owned them. The State ultimately purchased it and it became the Housatonic Wildlife Management Area.

Darey also mentioned Attorney Sarah (Sally) Bell who did a lot of pro bono work for the DFW, HVA and the Town of Lenox. “People have no idea of the impact that she had – nobody ever knew about it”. He mentioned several others who also made significant contributions to land conservation. He mentioned the “Guns and Roses” coalition where sportsmen and conservationists united to help push for bond bills, river bills, etc. “Our natural beauty in Berkshire County is one of our greatest selling points” “We have just about everything we want here and this natural beauty is one of the things we have to preserve”. *****
A NRA Basic Pistol Course will be held on November 18 and 21 from 5:30 to 9:30 PM at the Lee Sportsmen’s Association. . It is an introduction to the knowledge, skills and attitude necessary for owning and using a pistol safely. It gives information regarding pistol parts and operation, ammunition, gun safety, pistol shooting fundamentals, and pistol shooting activities. These are 2 mandatory sessions. Successful completion of the class qualifies one to apply for a MA LTC Class A or FID. Contact Larry Karlquist at 442-7807 or gramps@berkshire.rr.com. *****-
The MA Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) has scheduled 5 public hearings statewide regarding the adoption of a new CMR which will regulate what the public can do while visiting DCR park and recreational facilities. The closest hearing location to us is The Notch Visitors Center, Mount Holyoke Range State Park, 1500 West Street (Rte. 116), Amherst. It will be held on Thursday, November 21 at 7:30 P.M.
The Berkshire County League of Sportsmen and GOAL urge sportsmen to attend this meeting or, at a minimum, submit a letter to DCR expressing their concerns.
Verbal and written testimony may be presented at the public hearing. Written comments will be accepted beginning November 4 until 5:00 PM on Friday, December 6. Submit written comments to Laura Dietz via mail to DCR, 251 Causeway Street, Suite 600, Boston, MA. 02114 or via e-mail: regs.comments@state.ma.us

200,000 acres and counting

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200,000 acres and counting

Some 85 sportsmen, hikers, bird watchers and conservationists gathered last Tuesday in West Stockbridge on top of Maple Hill, in a field across the road from the Maple Hill Wildlife Management Area. We were there to celebrate the State’s landmark achievement of acquisition and protection of 200,000 acres of open space for the benefit of the public and, fisheries and wildlife and natural communities of our state. All of it is open to the public for passive recreation.

There were 5 major speakers and I will cover their comments in this and next week’s column.

Department of Fish & Game (DFG) Commissioner Mary Griffin thanked Governor Patrick and Energy and Environment Secretary Rick Sullivan for their conservation leadership and commitment to land protection. Over the last 7 years more than $64million has been invested and 40,000 acres of open space was conserved. During that period the DFG and Division of Fisheries & Wildlife (DFW) worked with 75 partners to preserve that land. Partners such as the Berkshire Natural Resources Council (BNRC), various land trusts, private landowners, etc. Support from the legislature in the form of passage of environmental bond bills was crucial.

EEO Secretary Sullivan said that we are celebrating the hard work of land owners and land trusts in putting the lands into conservation. “We are preserving a quality of life”. Referring to Governor Patrick’s conserved 40,000 acres, he said the administration will have left the Commonwealth in a much stronger position in terms of quality of life preservation than they found it.

These acquisitions were part of the State’s economic development, for every $1 invested in land conservation, $4 in natural goods and services were returned to our economy. It is part of an economic development strategy, especially in Berkshire County. He said that recreation generates some $10 billion in consumer spending and return some $739,000 in state and local revenues and produce 90,000 jobs in the Commonwealth. But it is time to do more, he said, time to double down on those investments. In the recently initiated Landscape Partnership Program, they are looking to create partnerships with land trusts, state and citizens to put together large tracts of land of 500 acres or more.

Comments from Narain Schroeder, Director of Land Conservation with the BNRC, DFW Director Wayne MacCallum and F&W Board Chairman George (Gige) Darey of Lenox will be covered in next week’s column. *****.

Congratulations to the Stockbridge Sportsmen’s Club skeet shooters. For the eighth time out of
the last nine years they won the annual Tri-Club Skeet Championship, defeating Sheffield and Lee clubs. According to the Club newsletter, top shooters were: Tom Gansowski who hit 146 out of 150 clay targets, followed by Joe Ary and Gary Johnston with 143, Gregg Charbonneau and Darren Coffey with 139, Gary Harrington with 138 and Bob Cameron with 131. *****

If Vicki and Cliff White of Pittsfield have their way, the Berkshires will continue to produce expert skeet shooters. With help from other members of the Lee Sportsmen’s Association, they are heading up a youth skeet shooting group called the LSA Buckshots.

They are affiliated with SCTP (Scholastic Clay Target Program) which includes 23,000 athletes in 43 states. SCTP provides youth development through the shooting sports. Girls and boys 5th-12th grade can participate in skeet, trap, & sporting clays with supportive, trained coaches while learning lifelong skills, such as goal setting, leadership, teamwork, self confidence, and safe firearm handling.

They currently have 5 students who this year competed at the Mass ATA Shoot in Billerica, MA, the Northeast SCTP Championships in Walpole, MA, the GOAL Crushing Clays in North Leominster, MA and at the Fall Addieville Sporting Clays in Mapleville, RI. The Buckshots had 4 medal winners at the MA ATA event, and in Addieville they beat many college groups.

Vicki White is the Head Coach and she is assisted by three assistant coaches Doug Frank, Ken Pixley and Cliff White. They had to be certified as a coach in order to work with the athletes on the field. In order to become certified, they had to attend a two day course. They also accept adult volunteers to do other jobs and any adult volunteer or coach must pass a CORI check. If you are interested in joining, please contact Vicki at 442-8107 or lady45white@gmail.comThere are turkey shoots, ham shoots, etc, but have you ever heard of a turkey trial? That’s what they are having at the Berkshire Beagle Club next Sunday. It is a fundraiser being used to help a well known field trial judge who has run into some bad luck, health wise. Tom Chaney, a field trial judge, who has judged everywhere from Kentucky, Michigan, New England and Canada for over 17 years developed lung and brain cancer. He does not have health insurance because he recently changed jobs.

National Championships will run a raffle to help out, but such raffles do not typically make a lot of money. So they decided to hold a turkey trial. Instead of ribbons, the winning dog owners will win turkeys. Each beagle club in the Northeast will contribute something to the effort. Because their running grounds are so highly regarded, the Berkshire Beagle Club in Richmond was asked to provide the grounds for the trial. Other clubs will contribute in various ways, marshals, turkeys, food, etc.

What a wonderful way to acknowledge and help Chaney. As one local beagle owner said, with tongue in cheek, “I would rather win a turkey any day over a ribbon. They are better tasting.”
*****

The late black bear hunting season opens tomorrow and runs until November 23. Be sure to check the regulations to see DFW’s request for assistance in aging your bear

Fish & Game to celebrate 200,000 acres of protected land

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This Tuesday, the Department of Fish and Game (DFG) and Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (DFW) invite us to celebrate the protection of 200,000 acres of conservation land for Massachusetts citizens and wildlife. We are encouraged to join Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rick Sullivan, DFW Commissioner Mary Griffin, DFW Director Wayne MacCallum, and the Fisheries and Wildlife Board at the Maple Hill Wildlife Management Area in West Stockbridge. The recent 192 acre acquisition and addition to the Maple Hill WMA made by the DFW with the assistance of the Berkshire Natural Resources Council (BNRC) helped them to achieve this significant milestone. The celebration begins at 10 A.M.
Readers may recall that a couple of weeks ago I did a column about a habitat site walk on this new acquisition. Tuesday may be a good opportunity to see for yourself how valuable and beautiful this land is. It would be nice if a good contingency of local sportsmen and conservationists show up to demonstrate their support of the land conservation program. If you plan to attend, please let them know by emailing mass.wildlife@state.ma.us or by contacting the folks at the DFW Western Regional Headquarters in Dalton.
I only wish the late Attorney Sarah (Sally) Bell could be with us to share this celebration for she played such an important role in the acquisition of several parcels of land by the DFW here in the Berkshires. She passed away earlier this month. Tad Ames, President of the BNRC, in his October 14, 2013 Berkshire Eagle commentary Remembrance of Sally Bell put it this way: “She habitually underbilled the Mass DFW for legal services and she did even better for the BNRC.” Most of the time, she refused to take a penny for her time. The Lenox Land Trust also benefited greatly from her assistance.
A couple of years ago, I wanted to nominate Sally for the Berkshire County League of Sportsmen’s Appreciation Award and asked if she would accept it. Although greatly honored, she declined saying “maybe a little later”.
I’m sure Sally will be with us in spirit this Tuesday morning on Maple Hill. *****
Readers may recall my columns regarding the discontinuance of the Connecticut River Atlantic Salmon Restoration program due to poor returns and federal budget cuts. Well, as anticipated, the Merrimack River Atlantic Salmon Restoration program drew to a close on September 5 for the same reasons.

According to Glenn Normandeau, Executive Director of the NH Fish & Game Dept (NHF&G) things had looked promising as recently as 2011, when more than 400 Atlantic salmon made their way to the Essex Dam Fish Lift in Lawrence, Mass. But in 2012, just 137 sea-run salmon returned, and this year only 22 returned.

The NHF&G would prefer to continue the program, but, like MA DFW they cannot take on the costs associated with a salmon hatchery operation. Normandeau noted that the US Fish & Wildlife Service will continue to focus on restoration of Atlantic salmon in the Saco and other Gulf of Maine rivers, the last remaining wild Atlantic salmon in the country.

“This was a hard decision, but the science tells us that there is little chance that we will successfully restore Atlantic salmon to the Merrimack,” said Wendi Weber, the USFWS Northeast Regional Director. “While the science is driving our decision, our declining budgets hastened it. We need to prioritize. With the lack of success, we need to shift our scarce resources to priority restoration efforts where we can make a difference.”

I have a bad feeling that we have not heard the last from her. Now we will have to watch out for hatchery closings. Hope I am wrong. *****

The Hoosic River Watershed Association is holding a State of the River Conference in Williamstown at the First Congregational Church on Saturday, November 2, from 9:30 to 11:30 am. The main discussion will be on PCB’s in the Hoosic River. Williams College chemistry professors David Richardson and Jay Thoman, along with students Amanda Schott and Austin Paul have analyzed crawfish taken from the Hoosic River and most recently from the Green River and North Branch. Professors Richardson and Thoman and Mr. Paul will report on their research findings and on other PCB studies going back to 1991. The conference is free and open to the public. *****

On another watery subject, the fall trout fishing has been excellent this year. The folks at the DFW have been saying all along that they stocked very nice rainbow trout this fall, some exceeding 14 inches. Its true! I had a spectacular afternoon flyfishing the Westfield River last week. How good was it? To quote a phrase sometimes used by expert local fly fisherman, Dr. Charles Wohl of Lenox, in describing a good fishing day, “It was obscene”. *****

According to the most recent Lenox Sportsmens Club newsletter, Board member Cliff White of Pittsfield competed at Camp Perry and came in as the highest Non-Distinguished revolver shooter, thus earning the distinguished badge #156 (that’s the total number of such badges in the country). *****

The Whitetail Unlimited (WTU) banquet which was held recently at the Stockbridge Sportsmen’s Club was a success. Some 120 folks attended and had a great time. Chris Sweet of Great Barrington won the preseason raffle called the “Pick of the Herd”. It is the top prize and if your ticket is drawn, you win your choice of any items in the auction. He chose the Mathews Z7 bow. Have you priced one of those bows lately? Incidentally WTU wants to form chapters in Berkshire County and if anyone is interested in starting one contact Bill Bailey, New England Field Director at 413-244-2304.

Habitat restoration is slated for Maple Hill Wildlife Management Area

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Recently, DFW personnel conducted a habitat site walk on the new 190 acre section of the Maple Hill WMA in West Stockbridge. The Department of Fish and Game acquired it with the assistance of the Berkshire Natural Resources Council last year using $1,000,000 of Open Space Bond funds. It was added to the existing 202 acre Maple Hill WMA.
The DFW habitat management goal is to create a mosaic of grassland, shrubland and young forest habitats on approximately 150 acres of abandoned farmland to support declining native wildlife species. Some declining shrubland birds such as the Eastern towhee, Brown thrasher and American woodcock will benefit from the work.
The plan is as follows: Reclaim abandoned pastureland into high quality grassland and shrubland habitat by controlling invasive plants, tree clearing and mowing that favors wild apple trees and a diversity of native herbs and shrubs. Connect reclaimed abandoned fields by clearing tree hedgerows between them to expand site lines and increase habitat patch size for grassland and shrubland birds. Establish young aspen and mixed hardwood forest adjacent to shrubland areas to increase structural habitat diversity while retaining clusters of large crowned, mast producing trees such as black cherry, hickory and oak. The project should be completed in 2015.
It was undertaken through the DFW’s Biodiversity Initiative which was established in 1996. That was a landmark event because it was the first time that the state open space bond funds were made available for important habitat work.

According to John Scanlon, DFW Project Leader, the unique thing about this program is that it gets DFW foresters, biologists, restoration ecologists and district staff involved to identify high priority sites with the focus toward management of those species in the most trouble.

We stopped in three sections. The first was in an area where there was once agricultural land and orchards but are now covered with invasive shrubs and vines. The species associated with the former grasslands and orchards are struggling and are in long term decline. DFW plans to target invasive plants and reestablish native shrubland, remove some trees to bring in light, retain other trees good for habitat (bigger oaks, hickory, black cherry, abandoned orchards) and start production of fruit again such as raspberries. They will also encourage grasses to grow again.

The second was in an area of beautiful forests with magnificent maples, basswood, pignut hickory and birch trees. It was quite obvious that this section of forest was older than the abandoned farmlands where the invasives became an issue on our landscape. It had rich mature trees with full canopy and no invasives. Biologists have determined that this was a very special place, perhaps one of the best in the state both in size and actual integrity.

It was located in rich mesic (moist) soil; rich both in terms of mineral content of soil and species diversity. This area is influenced by its marble lime bedrock, making it PH neutral with a high mineral content conducive to thick, lush forest trees, and green carpets with super rich diversity of plants. The National Heritage and Endangered Species Program folks consider it to be a high priority area; a “gem” that doesn’t occur very often. This stretch of forest will be left alone with no tree clearing.

Our third stop was an oak knoll which was not as moist with less maple trees. Many of these trees will be removed to allow the sun to penetrate and help create a young aspen forest and native shrubland. Some of the largest trees, such as oak, cherry and hickory will be left to provide food for the animals. Any cut tree tops will be left for nutrients and they will be constructing brush piles from the trees which will make great habitat for the smaller mammals. In order to help pay for the restoration effort, some of the oaks there will be removed and the timber sold.

It was a very informative and enjoyable site walk and the goals and methods of the restoration effort were clearly explained. It was obvious that a great deal of consultation and research went into this plan. It was put together with the interests of the critters which dwell on this land taking top priority, as it should be. “Come back and revisit this place in 3 or 4 years”, said Scanlon, “and you will be amazed and impressed with what you see.” *****

Well, upland game hunting season is upon us once again. Next Saturday, the pheasant and grouse hunting seasons open and run until November 30. The daily bag limit for pheasants is 2, possession limit is 4 and season limit is 6. The grouse daily bag limit is 3, possession limit is 6 and season limit is 15. If you hunt a wildlife management area, you cannot hunt before sunrise or after sunset, and you must wear a “hunter orange” hat.

Also opening next Saturday are the cottontail rabbit and snowshoe hare seasons and they run through February 28, 2014. The daily bag limit for cottontails is 5 and possession limit is 10. The daily bag limit for snowshoes is 2 and possession limit is 4. Cottontail hunters can help DFW study the distribution of them across the state by participating in the cottontail collection survey. You can bring the rabbit heads to a DFW district office. Include your contact information, date of harvestl, precise location of the animal and method of hunting, if applicable.

Also opening that day is the coyote hunting season and it runs through March 28, 2014, including during shotgun deer hunting season. There are complex regulations governing this sport and you are advised to check them.

No hunting is allowed on Sundays.

Fish & Wildlife Board to Administration: Pay our managers

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When F&W Board Chairman George (Gige) Darey,of Lenox, began the July Board Public Meeting, he was “loaded for bear (pardon the pun). “I am beyond ticked off.” said Darey.

His anger was caused by the recent news that Assistant Director of Wildlife Dr. Thomas O’Shea resigned to take a higher paying job with the Trustees of Reservation. This news was not taken well by the other Board members nor the public that was in attendance, especially Massachusetts Sportsmen’ Council President Mike Moss, who made some audible remarks.

Dr. O’Shea was a highly regarded wildlife biologist who was well known across the state including here in the Berkshires. He oversaw habitat projects, game populations, the new licensing and game check systems, and pheasant stocking programs, among other things. He came out to the Berkshires to make several presentations over the years. He was a bright young biologist, one that the F&W Board invested heavily in training. Quite possibly, he could have become a future director of the Division some day.

According to Darey, “The medium raise in the last 10 years for management positions has been the cost of living raises. This for the best science based fish and wildlife expertise in the country.” The Board hires the staff but does not have the power to adjust their salaries. “This Board is extremely frustrated and ashamed that it has to spend so much time on salaries just to maintain the quality of staff instead of dealing with other important issues.

Board member Dr. Joseph Larson also weighed in by saying that such matters have to be handled at a higher level. “The F&W Board does not have the power to change or to adjust salaries. That comes down from above. The (Fish and Game) Commissioner and Secretary (Environmental and Energy) need to be putting full time on issues like this. This agency has a serious problem, this has got to be handled by higher levels of the Administration.”

According to DFW Director Wayne MacCallum, “Massachusetts is the 3rd most expensive state to live in and the DFW headquarters is located in the eastern part. On top of that the DFW is not competitive with its sister agencies. The DFW managers have been stuck in the same positions since 2003 and all step increases were eliminated. The union employees; however, did get raises every year as well as cost of living (COL) raises. The average raise to a manager in the DFW has been equal to the COL. Managers not only have not kept up with the COL, but in those years with no raises at all, they have fallen below.

He went on and said, “The Assistant Director position deals with a lot of people: sportsmen, non-profits and citizens throughout the state. Nobody is looking to get rich (in DFW) because they won’t, but wildlife conservation is a huge motivation. The F&W Board has always supported the scientists and biologists. We have the best science based program in the country for deer.”

Until the position is filled, O’Shea’s workload will be handled by Division Director MacCallum and Rob Deblinger, Deputy Director of field operations.

Fish & Game Commissioner Mary Griffin (who was present at the Board Meeting) agreed with the characterization of the “huge loss” of Tom. “At first I became very angry and then very sad, not toward Tom but because we have basically been trying for the last 4 years to have his salary adjusted or a salary reclassification of his job”. She said that she was “incredibly frustrated” losing Tom who attended Harvard and Yale and who was very well liked. “We are facing compression issues, she said, and I am glad the Board is looking at it, for it needs to be addressed.”

There is a new campaign to inform the public about the importance of hunting, fishing, wildlife watching and boating to our economy. Sportsmen and women, environmentalists and conservationists are spending over $2 billion annually in Massachusetts. That’s a significant contribution to its economy.

Also over the last 7 years some 40,000 acres of land has been acquired and more placed under conservation easements, all managed by the same number of people. One would think that those biologists, scientists and managers who oversee our natural resources would be better treated. It’s about time the administration woke up, don’t you think? *****

Tom Tyning, naturalist, author, and professor at Berkshire Community College, has developed a great news website, Western Mass Naturalist. Tom is an expert on snakes and the new site has lots of information about all the snakes found in western Massachusetts, including: how to identify species of snakes, what they eat and how they eat it, common myths about snakes, etc. You are encouraged to check the website often and watch it grow to include other groups besides snakes.*****

The Berkshire Beagle Club in Richmond held field trials last weekend. A couple of our local dogs did very well. Applewynd Mash-Po-Tater finished 3rd at the bench show for 15″ male dogs beating out 17 other entries. He finished 2nd on Sunday’s small pack option (SPO) trial (15″ all age combined) and was awarded the 15″ high scoring all age hound. Bob and Kim Jones of Lee are his owners. Chika finished 2nd in the bench show (15″ female class) beating out 11 other entries and 3rd in the 15″ all age SPO trial which drew 23 entries. She is owned by James Larimore of Pittsfield.

Congratulations to these owners whose dogs were up against some of the best dogs in the Northeast. The field trial drew 133 entrants from most New England states, Pennsylvania and New York.

Potential land acquisitions in Housatonic watershed to be discussed

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The Massachusetts Sub-Council of the Housatonic River Natural Resource Trustees, comprising the Executive Office of Environmental and Energy Affairs (EEA), MassDEP, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), will host an information session on Monday, August 5, from 5:30-7:30 p.m., at Lenox Library, 18 Main Street. The session will discuss potential land acquisition projects before the Housatonic River NRD Land Protection for Habitat Conservation.
“The Housatonic River watershed is one of the most diverse and natural areas in the Commonwealth,” said EEA Secretary Rick Sullivan. “This next round of funding for land protection and habitat conservation will add to the more than 100,000 acres already conserved by the Patrick-Murray Administration.”
“As we work to preserve, protect and rehabilitate the damaged Housatonic River and its watershed, a key component will be the projects that focus directly on repairing and restoring the natural resources throughout the waterway,” said Mass DEP Commissioner Kenneth Kimmell.
“This funding allows us to focus on protecting water, land and habitat in Massachusetts, all of which will benefit the future of a healthy Housatonic River,” said USFWS New England Field Office Supervisor Tom Chapman. “From its headwaters in the Berkshires south to Connecticut, the Housatonic supports an abundant amount of wildlife and many special species and this settlement funds the work of residents and officials to ensure that for our future.”
The final Round 3 Restoration Plan outlines the Massachusetts SubCouncil’s approach for the third round of the restoration program to restore, rehabilitate, replace, or acquire the equivalent of injured natural resources or the services provided by those resources. The projects could include compensatory restoration through land acquisition or land protection measures.
At the public meeting, the SubCouncil will present the final plan and the approach for soliciting, evaluating and selecting Round 3 projects. Round 3 of the Housatonic River Watershed Restoration Program will distribute about $2 million for land acquisition and habitat conservation projects from $7.75 million received as part of the settlement. As the Commonwealth’s procurement rules prohibit MassDEP or any other RFR issuer from consulting with potential applicants to develop project ideas, potential applicants are strongly encouraged to attend the meeting to refine project ideas and obtain feedback.
In Round 1, the SubCouncil awarded $4 million for restoration projects ranging from invasive species control and restoring river flow to implementing an environmental literacy program. In Round 2, the SubCouncil awarded $1.3 million to five projects addressing habitat continuity restoration, wildlife resources protection, riparian buffer and floodplain forest restoration, invasive species control, and educational programming.
Information about the Housatonic River Watershed Restoration Program in Massachusetts is available online at: www.ma-housatonicrestoration.org. Additional information can be obtained by contacting Robin MacEwan of Stantec Consulting Inc., at robin.macewan@stantec.com or by calling 413-584-4776. ******
Last week I wrote about a friendly wild visitor (deer) to a local home. Thanks to the several people who sent me pictures of tame deer and related articles following that piece. Today, I am mentioning another wild visitor, this one not friendly at all. I am referring to the fisher. (Some prefer to call it a fisher cat, but it is not a feline at all). The fisher is a medium-sized mammal which is a member of the weasel family. The fisher is closely related to but larger than the American Marten. It is one mean critter and if you have a cat or small dog in your household, better keep an eye on it.

George Chasse, of Lenox, related an event that happened to one of his neighbors on July 4. A fisher almost snatched a little fufu dog right in front of the owners. Fishers have been known to walk right up to people who are walking their dogs and grab them. If you walk a small dog, you might want to bring something with you to fend them off. You are allowed to take measures to protect your property. George keeps a garden hoe on his front porch just in case one comes after his dog.

If you let your dog out before retiring for the evening, you might want to stay outside with it until it is ready to come back in. Perhaps you should keep your cats indoors at night, too.

Although fairly common in the Berkshires, it is illegal to hunt these animals as they are protected in the Commonwealth. There is a trapping season though which runs from November 1 through November 22. ****
The DFW’s Becoming an Outdoorswoman Program will be partnering with the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) to offer families new to camping some opportunities to try this family-friendly outdoor activity. New this year, instead of one weekend, several Outdoors Family Camping Weekends will be offered in several parts of the state. Registration materials are posted online on the Outdoorswoman Events calendar at http://www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/dfg/dfw/education-events/outdoorswoman-events.html. Registration preference will be given for those families new to this program.
These weekend experiences are designed for families who are beginning campers. Depending on the location, activities may include: Camping Fundamentals, Nature Walks & Plant Identification, Fishing, Archery, Nature Center Exploration, Live Animal Program, Outdoor Cooking and an Evening Campfire Program. The DCR will be handling the registration for these events. The Outdoors Family Camping Weekend in our area will be at the Tolland State Forest on August 10 and 11.

Hope springs eternal for the American Chestnut tree

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While leaving downtown Stockbridge, heading south on Rte 7, on the left there you will see a wooden sign the shape and color of an American Chestnut tree leaf. It was designed by Craig Moffatt of Stockbridge. If you pull into the nearby driveway, you will see a commemorative rock honoring the late Peter Berle of Great Barrington who had a lot to do with the acquisition of the land. Then you will come upon a kiosk made of chestnut wood and which contains samples of chestnut branches and bark. Eventually, there will be a bench there which will also be made out of chestnut.

While at the kiosk, pick up a flyer developed by The American Chestnut Foundation (TACF) and read about how the chestnut was one of the most important trees in the forests of Eastern US. The trees grew up to 100 feet tall and were a major source of lumber and food for wildlife and families. In the 19th century, loaded wagons of chestnuts were sent to major cities to sell at Christmastime.

Then the blight struck in the early 1900s. The blight is a fungus to which our native chestnuts have very little resistance. By 1950, approximately 4 billion trees had been destroyed, encompassing 188 million acres of forestland (twice the size of Montana). It was known as the largest ecological disaster of the 20th century.

Moffatt feels that one reason we lost the turkey population in the early 20th century was because we lost the American chestnut trees which provided food for them. Once the chestnuts died out, there was a lot of dead space and a void remained until the oaks and cherries eventually moved in.

Amazingly, after all these years, American Chestnut saplings are still sprouting in our woods . They grow to about 50 feet; inevitably get the blight and die, only to have suckers shoot up from the stumps and seeds again. Its leaf looks like a beech leaf but different in the sense that it has a scalloped edge.

In 1983, TACF was founded with the mission to restore the American Chestnut to its historic range. State chapters developed a sophisticated set of more than 300 chestnut breeding orchards which incorporate blight resistance with a broad range of local genetic diversity from surviving chestnuts to develop trees adapted for reintroduction into local woodlands. You are parked in such an orchard and Craig Moffatt is in charge of it.

Back in the early 1970’s the 9 acre parcel went on the market and the Laurel Hill Society and Stockbridge Land Trust bought it. The title is owned by Laurel Hill Society, and the Land Trust owns the conservation easement. It is public property. The land slopes down to Kampoosa Swamp where Moffatt has made a picnic table and plans to make another. Agawam Brook, which flows out of Agawam Pond, crosses the property near the table and it is a good canoe/ kayak launch area. Paddlers can go downstream, portage over a beaver dam and go upstream on Konkapot Brook to almost behind Monument Mountain Regional High School or go downstream to the Housatonic River.

Moffatt, with the help of local contractors and volunteers, has been clearing off some of the land with the intent of making it a park. They have planted two hybrid Valley Forge Elms (American Elm) at each entrance. He has done a lot of work already but needs much more help and funding to complete the project.

Perhaps the most exciting part is the chestnut tree orchard which he has established. Some 480 nuts were planted, each with a computer number. There were 4 different types planted; a control group which was a pure American nut, a pure Chinese nut which is what they crossed with, and the first cross (American Chestnuts can cross with Chinese Chestnuts which don’t get the blight). All the rest of the nuts were the hybrid of 15/16 American and 1/16 Chinese. (When the initial American-Chinese cross had grown, it was back crossed to the mother American Chestnut. That produced a nut which grew and was again back crossed to the mother American Chestnut. This process happened repeatedly until they had the 15/16 American-Chinese tree.)

When they get big enough, TACF will infect all of the trees in the nursery with the blight and wait a couple of years. The 2 or 3 trees that have the least amount of blight damage will be the ones they save and cross with two of the 15/16 hybrid trees to get a higher percentage of American Chestnut. The rest will be cut down and burned. After crossing them and they start producing nuts, the site will be turned into a seed orchard.

The Stockbridge Land Trust signed a germ plasm agreement with TACF who owns the trees. The land trust is just the care taker of the trees and cannot gain any monetary benefits from proceeds from them. Eventually there will be a whole other program to gradually get the trees into climax forests in our area.

Incidentally, according to Moffatt, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s poem about the spreading chestnut tree under which the Village Smithy stood was probably a Horse Chestnut which was planted as a town tree and does not look like the American. The American Chestnut was a woodland tree.

Someday, perhaps there will be another memorial rock there honoring Moffatt for all of the work that he has done on this project over the years. *****

This Saturday from 9:30 to 11:00 AM, the Berkshire Hatchery Foundation will have a kid’s fishing derby at the Lower Pond. Call 413-528-9761 to reserve a spot.

Exciting engineering concepts for the Hoosic River revival are aired

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Last Saturday, I had the opportunity to join 75 others in attending a community conversation in St. Elizabeth’s Parish in North Adams regarding the Hoosic River as it flows through the city. The purpose of the conversation was to gather community input on the vision of transforming the river’s current flood-control chutes into a modernized system that maintains current flood protection while increasing accessibility and connection with the river, along with spurring economic development.
Even though I don’t reside in that city, I am interested in hearing about any concepts for restoring the Hoosic River. Being a fisherman, I was especially interested in any conversation regarding aquatic habitat restoration in the flood chutes.
Some of the engineering concepts included flood-control chutes with stepped sides and a narrower channel which would allow the public to go down to the water’s edge to sit and enjoy the river; providing abundant green space constructed around the chutes, possibly with hiking and or bike paths which could also be interchanged with development opportunities; and channels that would periodically leave the chute system so residents could interact with the river before it returned to the chute, where floodwaters would continue to be restrained.

If you missed the meeting, I suggest going to http://hoosicriverrevival.org to view the Options Assessment Report. These are exciting options which, if implemented, would indeed reconnect the people with the river and give them an increased sense of pride in it. The engineering concepts of the chutes and a good trail system should be a good economic driver for the city of North Adams.

Personally, I was hoping to engage in a conversation about the North Branch of the river; how it enters the city cool, but due to the concrete chutes absorbing heat, it merges with the South Branch much warmer. These were concerns expressed by the State too, for they consider it ‘impaired’, too warm in the summer and totally lacking in habitat for fish and wildlife.

I was hoping something could be done about that, but was informed by an engineer that there are no plans for aquatic habitat restoration in that stretch of the North Branch of the river. He said it would be difficult there with the exception of upstream above the dam or downstream below the confluence with the South Branch. *****

Staying in the Northern Berkshires area, dog owners take note. In a recent press release, officials from the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources’ Division of Animal Health are alerting dog owners of two significant Canine Parvovirus outbreaks – one in northern Berkshire County and the other in Worcester County.

According to the release, dozens of dogs have been affected in these two areas, and several have died or had to be euthanized due to severe illness caused by the virus. There are effective vaccines available and animal health officials are urging dog owners to check with their veterinarian to confirm that their pets are protected.

Puppies generally require a series of vaccinations and adult dogs may need a yearly booster. All of the dogs that have been infected during these outbreaks had either never been vaccinated, or had only received one vaccine.
Parvovirus primarily infects puppies, but any unvaccinated dog can be susceptible. Dogs usually exhibit symptoms of gastrointestinal illness, including vomiting and diarrhea. Although dogs can recover from the disease if it is detected early and treated aggressively, it can be fatal. The virus is typically spread directly from dog to dog, but it can persist in the environment for several months. Dogs that have been infected and recover can remain infectious for several months.
Canine parvovirus does not affect humans or other domestic animals. *****
According to Steve Bateman, the weather for the 20TH Annual Harry A. Bateman Jimmy Fund Fishing Derby, which was held on June 1 at Onota Lake, could not have been better. Some 216 people were in attendance, 89 of them were children. Some nice fish were caught, including carp which had not been caught in the last two derbies.
The Sportsman Award, a tackle box with over $100 of fishing tackle donated by David & Karen Konde, was awarded to Alexander “Zander” Tardibuono.
The derby winners were as follows: CHILDREN HEAVIEST GAME FISH CATEGORY: 1ST. Place went to Joseph Hoiser, Jr. with a smallmouth bass – 3 lbs 8 oz, 2ND Place – Dylan Lambert – tiger trout – 2 lbs 11 oz, 3RD Place – Cody Phillips – largemouth bass – 2 lb 7oz.
CHILDREN’S HEAVIEST NON-GAME FISH CATEGORY: 1st Place went to Spenser Davis with a 1 lb crappie, 2nd place – Sebastian Noel – bullhead 13 oz and 3rd Place – Jordie Hamilton – bullhead 12 oz.
ADULT HEAVIEST GAME FISH CATEGORY- 1ST Place went to Dave Goodrich with a pike weighing 4 lbs 8 oz, 2ND Place – Eric Moser – largemouth bass – 3 lbs 7 oz, 3RD Place – Tim Golley – largemouth bass – 3 lbs.
SPECIAL HEAVIEST FISH 1ST PLACE AWARDS: Bass – Olivia LaFond – largemouth bass 6 lbs 2 oz., Perch/Crappie – Jacob Gladu – crappie – 1 lbs 4 oz, Carp – Matt Clark – common carp – 12 lbs 12oz, Trout Adult – John Deane – Rainbow 1 lbs 10 oz. and Trout Child – Tim Lambert – tiger trout 3 lbs 1 oz. *****
Deer hunters wishing to apply for an antlerless deer permit must apply by July 16. Remember, due to the MassFishHunt electronic system there is no public permit drawing based on the last digit of the hunting/sporting license number and the DFW does not mail any information to deer hunters. Procedures for applying for a permit and subsequent follow-up to see if you won one are listed on the MassWildlife web site.