Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary – Good Morning Gloucester

Nichole’s Picks 9/10 + 9/11

Posted on September 8, 2016September 7, 2016 by Nichole S.

Pick #1: Ipswich River Wildlife Santuary

Two great events, but act quickly because there are only a few spots left for each!

Map and Compass Treasure Hunt

Join us for a guided map and compass treasure hunt around the sanctuary. Bring your own compass or use one of ours and learn to find north, orient yourself, count paces, and use the map and compass to find your way. After some basics, we’ll hit the trails and use the new skills learned to search for some hidden natural treasures. No experience necessary. This program is a good introduction to orienteering for the whole family.

Instructions and Directions:

Meets in the Nature Center. Please dress for the weather and bring a compass if you have one (we will have some to lend as well.)

Registration is required.

Family Campout: River Camping

Explore the Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary after hours and join us for a night of camping under the stars. Have an early dinner at home, and then come with your family and your tent, and prepare to have fun.

This campout will focus on the Ipswich River. We will start the evening by setting up our tents at the top of the hill, and then head down to the river for an evening canoe trip. We’ll look and listen for otters, beavers, muskrats, and owls. After we return, we’ll cook up s’mores around the fire pit and play games. Then it’s off to bed so we can wake up for an early-morning breakfast (provided). Afterwards, we will paddle downstream to look for turtles, frogs, herons, and creatures that live above and below the water’s surface. Basic canoeing instruction will be provided, along with all equipment.

Instructions and Directions:

The campout begins at 4:30 pm on Saturday, September 10 and ends at 9:00 am on Sunday, September 11. Rain date: Saturday, September 17 to Sunday, September 18. The campout will only be rescheduled in the event of extreme weather. Please note that refunds will not be issued if the campout is rescheduled to the rain date and you are unable to attend. A confirmation with a list of what to bring will be sent.

Pick #2: NEW ENGLAND DRAGWAY

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READ ALL ABOUT THE DRAGWAY AND THIS WEEKEND’S EVENTS HERE

SATURDAY: NED’s 50th Anniversary Celebration featuring Funny Cars Under the Stars

8am – 8pm

Nitro Funny Cars, Nostalgia Funny Cars, Pro Mods, Jet Funny Cars, Pro 7.0, VP Race Fuels ET Series Championship Finale, Iannotti Bros. Select Cars Top Sportsman.

Spectator $30
Reserved Seating additional $10
SUNDAY: Outlaw 10.5, NEDX-275, Top Bike, Street Fighter, Iannotti Bros. Select Cars Top Sportsman, & T&T

8am-5pm

Spectator $15

Pick #3: Second Saturdays at the Cape Ann Museum

Traveling to Cape Ann

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Bring the kids! Make a postcard inspired by the Museum’s collection of historic cards written by vacationers telling of their adventures on Cape Ann. The second Saturday of every month is free for families with school-aged children. Families are invited to the Activity Center to participate in hands-on activities that delve into the art, history and culture of the region. Each Second Saturday focuses on a specific theme based on the Museum’s collection and/or special exhibitions.

When:

Second Saturday Monthly 11am-2pm

Location:

Cape Ann Museum

Phone:

978.283.0455

Email:

info@capeannmuseum.org

Link(s):

Second Saturday at Cape Ann Museum

Pick #4: Cape Ann Reads

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See the Cape Ann Reads Schedule HERE and learn more!

This Saturday’s Event: Please register at the link above.

CAPE ANN READS Pirate’s Tea Party in Manchester

When: Sat, September 10, 11am – 1pm

Where: Manchester Public Library, 15 Union Street, Manchester, MA (map)

Description: Ahoy all mateys wishing to attend this fun filled festivity! There will be adventurous activities and refreshments fit for rapscallions.

Co-sponsored, the tea party will be offered on the Manchester Public Library (15 Union St) lawn, activities following at the Manchester Historical Museum (10 Union St).

Please register at kstadt@mvlc.org with Miss Kate, or 978-526-2016.

Cape Ann Reads is a collaboration among the Gloucester Lyceum & Sawyer Free Public Library, Manchester Public Library, Rockport Public Library and TOHP Burnham Library in Essex and regional partners promoting children’s picture books throughout 2016.

Each month there are special free programs. For a complete list of events visit the website or check with your local library. http://www.capeannreads.wix.com

As always, for a comprehensive list of family activities, please visit our friends at North Shore Kid

Nichole’s Picks 3/5 + 3/6

Posted on March 3, 2016March 2, 2016 by Nichole S.

Pick #1: The Merrimack River Eagle Festival

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Come to Newburyport and Amesbury on March 5 for a full day of free activities celebrating the return of our Bald Eagles!

Visit Eagle Hotspots 9:00 am–4:00 pm

Drive yourself! Naturalist guides will be onsite all day along the Merrimack River. Parking available. See map. All ages welcome.

Go on an Eagle Tour 9:00 am–2:00 pm

Let us drive you! Tours start every half hour and take 90 minutes to complete. Departure point: The Newburyport Chamber of Commerce. Advance registration required (978-462-9998). Adults and children age 6 and over. Suggested donation: $5.00 per person.

See a Raptor Show 10:00–11:00 am or 1:30–2:30 pm

Tom Ricardi of the Massachusetts Bird of Prey Rehabilitation Facility presents two educational programs at Newburyport City Hall featuring raptors great and small. First come, first served. Recommended for adults and children age 6 and over.

Pose for a Photo with a Raptor 11:15–11:45 am or 12:30–1:00 pm

Hunt’s Photo & Video will take your photo with a raptor for a $10 donation. to the Eagle Festival. Newburyport City Hall. Limited availability. Advance registration recommended (978-462-9998). Otherwise, first come, first served.

Have Fun with Your Family 10:00 am–3:00 pm

Have Fun with Your Family 10:00 am–3:00 pm

At the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge Headquarters:

Family activities, arts and crafts, and more! Special features: Live owls from Mass Audubon’s Drumlin Farm (11:00 – 3:00).

At the Joppa Flats Education Center:

Family activities, arts and crafts, and more! Special feature: Live hawks from Mass Audubon’s Drumlin Farm (11:00 – 3:00).

Visit Plum Island 10:00 am–3:00 pm

Drive out to Plum Island for more wildlife viewing with the help of naturalist guides. At the north end of Northern Boulevard, see seals and sea ducks at the mouth of the Merrimack River. Or drive south on Sunset Drive into the Refuge (free entry if you’re there for Eagle Fest), then 2.5 miles farther to the North Pool Overlook to see wintering ducks and possibly a snowy owl.

SEE THE FULL WEBSITE AND MORE INFORMATION HERE!

http://www.massaudubon.org/get-outdoors/wildlife-sanctuaries/joppa-flats/news-events/the-merrimack-river-eagle-festival

Pick #2: Maple Sugaring at the Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary

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Saturdays & Sundays: March 5, 6, 12, & 13

Tours at 10:30 am, 12:30 pm, and 2:30 pm

Advanced Registration Required

http://www.massaudubon.org/get-outdoors/wildlife-sanctuaries/ipswich-river/news-events/weekend-maple-sugaring-tours

Spring celebrations begin early at the 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.

On our naturalist-guided tours, learn how to identify a sugar maple, observe tapping and sap collection methods, watch the sap being boiled down in the sugarhouse, and get a sweet taste of the final product. Afterwards, warm up by the woodstove in the Barn, where hot beverages, hot dogs cooked in maple sap, and delicious soups and desserts made by our volunteers are available for purchase.

Visit our gift shop to browse a selection of maple products, and be sure to bring home a bottle of our own freshly-made maple syrup.

Tours last about an hour and run in all weather. Dress warmly and wear warm waterproof boots because the walk is entirely outdoors.

Pick #3: Cape Ann Summer Program Fair

“Come join us at the 1st Annual Cape Ann Summer Program Fair hosted by Kestrel Educational Adventures. It will be held at the Get Outside Center on Sunday, March 6th 1:30-4:30.”

Read all about the Summer Program Fair HERE!

As always, please see our friends at North Shore Kid for a more comprehensive list of family activities.

Nichole’s Picks 10/24 + 10/25

Posted on October 22, 2015October 20, 2015 by Nichole S.

Pick #1 33rd Annual Essex ClamFest

Because it is New England, you can go from candy apple eating and cider drinking at the Rockport HarvestFest…right to ClamFest the very next weekend. Life is good.

Check out the link below for all of the important information

http://web.capeannchamber.com/events/33rd-Annual-Essex-ClamFest-2145/details

The highlight of the day is the Chowder Competition among area restaurants- the prize? Bragging rights for the year!

Entrants’ chowder is judged by a panel of locals and professional Judges, as well as a Popular vote by the people sampling the chowders.

Supplementing the Chowder event, is a variety of vendors – food, local arts and crafts people , all day entertainment, children’s activities , non-profits fundraising and information and Police and Fire Department Safety activities. The local Board of Health also runs a flu shop clinic on the grounds.

Pick #2

Halloween Happenings at Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary

Click HERE for full event details and to register!

At sundown this Halloween season, Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary will be transformed into a magical forest. Join us for a guided walk along our Halloween trail, home to some interesting creatures that come out just for Halloween. Glowing luminaries and carved jack o’lanterns will light our way. Learn firsthand about the creatures of the night on this fun family-friendly walk.

Pick #3

Tide of Planktonstein at Maritime Gloucester

Pick #4

Explore a Local Corn Maze

Both Connors Farm in Danvers and Marini Farm in Ipswich are home to some pretty cool corn mazes that are fun for groups of friends or families during the fall months. Both locations, likewise, have many other fun activities too!

CONNORS FARM

MARINI FARM

As always for a much more comprehensive list of family activities, please visit our friends at North Shore Kid.

Nichole’s Picks of the Weekend 4/11 + 4/12

Posted on April 9, 2015April 8, 2015 by Nichole S.

Despite the fact that it snowed AGAIN yesterday, we are well into spring and I am hoping to highlight mostly outdoor activities for quite a stretch now. You may have to dress warmly, but we’re heading outdoors!

Pick #1

We’re off to the Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary, again, but this time on a Friday evening. With our eyes on the prize, we’ll be hoping to catch some of the action as the wood frogs and salamanders make their mass migration to the vernal pools. I’m sorry, but how cool is that? Walks depart the barn, rain or shine, beginning at 6:00 and ending at 6:50.

Click here to register and learn more.

Each year on the first warm rainy night of spring, wood frogs and mole salamanders begin a mass migration to vernal pools where they breed. If you happen to be out on one of these evenings, the experience can be spectacular.

On Friday, April 10, a part of the sanctuary will be transformed into a Big Night scene. Participants will take a one-hour guided walk along the Vernal Pool Trail, where they will meet some interesting characters who will share facts and stories about themselves, vernal pools, and this special time of year. Some stops will feature live animals to see firsthand and learn about. The trail will lead to a real vernal pool where more animals and their eggs may be seen.

Refreshments and other surprises will await you in the Barn upon your return. Don’t miss this exciting educational night of family fun!