Join the Anti-racist Collective of Avid Birders for a Spring Bird Walk at the Norwottuck Rail Trail in Amherst, MA on May 7th at 9:30 AM.
Parking: We’ll park and meet @ Lawrence Station in Amherst - located at the intersection of the Norwottuck Rail Trail and Station Rd. There is a van-accessible parking lot with ample space for cars and bikes. GPS coordinates: 42.342468, -72.487574.
Trip leader: Jeremy Spool (co-coordinator of Massachusetts Young Birders Club)
What to expect: A sampling of marsh, woods and meadow habitat with open views that are perfect for beginner birders to get acquainted with our local birds, but also leave plenty of warblers, swallows, and sparrows for the more advanced birder.
What to bring: One or more masks (regularly changing out of damp masks is recommended), binoculars if you have them, water, sunscreen, and bug spray are recommended.
Precautionary measures: This event is only open to vaccinated participants. Please bring a mask even if you have been vaccinated.
Accessibility: We will bird along the section of the rail trail north of Station Rd. This walk is fully wheelchair accessible on a flat asphalt path which has plenty of space for social distancing. We'll plan to turn around after half a mile and walk back out. There are a couple of irregularly placed rest spots, and we will take breaks to rest. It's likely but not certain there will be a portable toilet.
Land acknowledgement: We recognize and appreciate that these trails lie on land that has been stewarded by generations of the Nipmuc & Pocumtuc People.
If you have any other accessibility needs or questions PLEASE reach out to Jeremy!
You can meet us for all or some of the time, as always. See you then!
[Image description: Flyer with a background image of Great Blue Heron standing on a log submerged in water. The flyer reads ”Join the Anti-racist Collective of Avid Birders on a wheelchair-accessible Spring Bird Walk at the Norwottuck Rail Trail in Amherst, MA on May 7th at 9:30 AM. Meet at the Lawrence Station parking lot located at the intersection of the Norwottuck Rail Trail and Station Rd.”]