| David Brown's Wildlife Services 12 Hotel Road Warwick, MA 01378 Tel: 978 544 8175 E-mail: info@dbwildlife.com |
| Quabbin Trails programs * Sponsored programs |
| Quabbin Trails Programs |
The Quabbin region is blessed with abundant forest, field and beaver pond habitats that support a
wide variety of wilderness wildlife. The Quabbin area is ideally situated within moderate travelling distance
from population centers in central and southern New England to provide many nature lovers with a
memorable wildlife experience.
Please note: Quabbin Trails programs are not conducted in Quabbin Reservation itself. Instead other
natural areas in the North Quabbin Region are used.
wide variety of wilderness wildlife. The Quabbin area is ideally situated within moderate travelling distance
from population centers in central and southern New England to provide many nature lovers with a
memorable wildlife experience.
Please note: Quabbin Trails programs are not conducted in Quabbin Reservation itself. Instead other
natural areas in the North Quabbin Region are used.
Suitablility: Outdoor programs are suitable for reasonably fit adults and accompanied teenagers 13 years and
up. (Younger teens must be accompanied by an adult.) Both beginner and experienced trackers are welcome.
However, participants should be free of any medical condition that might be aggravated by long periods of walking
in snow, heat or rough terrain . Since much travel is off-trail, programs are not suitable for anyone with balance or
coordination problems. . Due to the difficulty in obtaining emergency medical care in remote locations,
Quabbin Trails programs are not recommended for anyone with a history of incapacitating sudden-
onset illness.
Clothing and Equipment: In winter dress for the weather and snow conditions. Bring more warm clothing than
you think you will need since tracking is often a slow process involving much stopping and discussion. Warm
snowproof boots are necessary, and snowshoes may be helpful depending on snow depth. Bring lunch and a
thermos with a hot drink and a pad to sit on in the snow. Sunglasses on bright days are very helpful with snow glare.
In icy conditions, traction devices are recommended for your feet..
In other seasons, bring plenty of water. Wear long sleeves and pants. Lighter colors help in spotting ticks.
Permethrin trreatment is recommended for clothing, both shirts, pants and boots. This may be applied from a spray
bottle, purchasable from Wal-Mart or other stores. Clothing can also be sent to a company in the Carolinas for
treatment. See their website: Insectshield.com. Bug dope containing deet will deter mosquitoes and blackflies.
Directions: Quabbin programs meet at 9:45 a.m. at the gazebo on the Petersham common across from the
country store. The store opens at 9am and carries trail snacks and limited take-out service. From the common we
will caravan to a North Quabbin natural area. From Boston take Exit 17 (Rte. 32) and go south 6 miles to the
common. From other directions see a roadmap or internet map service.
Registration: Use the linked registration blank only to register for "Quabbin Trails" programs described on this
page..(For events on the Sponsored Programs page, refer directly to the sponsoring organization for details and
registration.)
Please note: in order to get an accurate count of participants, those who have unused registration fees
on account should let me know by e-mail for any program they wish to attend.
Cancellation/withdrawal:
up. (Younger teens must be accompanied by an adult.) Both beginner and experienced trackers are welcome.
However, participants should be free of any medical condition that might be aggravated by long periods of walking
in snow, heat or rough terrain . Since much travel is off-trail, programs are not suitable for anyone with balance or
coordination problems. . Due to the difficulty in obtaining emergency medical care in remote locations,
Quabbin Trails programs are not recommended for anyone with a history of incapacitating sudden-
onset illness.
Clothing and Equipment: In winter dress for the weather and snow conditions. Bring more warm clothing than
you think you will need since tracking is often a slow process involving much stopping and discussion. Warm
snowproof boots are necessary, and snowshoes may be helpful depending on snow depth. Bring lunch and a
thermos with a hot drink and a pad to sit on in the snow. Sunglasses on bright days are very helpful with snow glare.
In icy conditions, traction devices are recommended for your feet..
In other seasons, bring plenty of water. Wear long sleeves and pants. Lighter colors help in spotting ticks.
Permethrin trreatment is recommended for clothing, both shirts, pants and boots. This may be applied from a spray
bottle, purchasable from Wal-Mart or other stores. Clothing can also be sent to a company in the Carolinas for
treatment. See their website: Insectshield.com. Bug dope containing deet will deter mosquitoes and blackflies.
Directions: Quabbin programs meet at 9:45 a.m. at the gazebo on the Petersham common across from the
country store. The store opens at 9am and carries trail snacks and limited take-out service. From the common we
will caravan to a North Quabbin natural area. From Boston take Exit 17 (Rte. 32) and go south 6 miles to the
common. From other directions see a roadmap or internet map service.
Registration: Use the linked registration blank only to register for "Quabbin Trails" programs described on this
page..(For events on the Sponsored Programs page, refer directly to the sponsoring organization for details and
registration.)
Please note: in order to get an accurate count of participants, those who have unused registration fees
on account should let me know by e-mail for any program they wish to attend.
Cancellation/withdrawal:
- In the event a program is not adequately subscribed, you will be notified of cancellation at the telephone
number or e-mail address you supplied on the registration blank. - You may withdraw from a program with refund any time before four days before the program date. After that
refund depends on filling the vacancy from a waiting list. In a personal emergency you may, of course,
withdraw with refund at any time. - If inappropriate weather conditions are forecast, requiring postponement or cancellation, you will be
Preparations for Quabbin Trails programs:
Quabbin Trails Programs: Spring/summer 2021
Quabbin Trails tracking programs vary from session to session depending on what the conditions and
wildlife availability dictate. If there is no snow, we spend much time discovering animal sign camouflaged
against a concealing background. Once found the sign is identified and then interpreted for the animal's
relationship with the habitat it which it was found
Quabbin Trails tracking programs vary from session to session depending on what the conditions and
wildlife availability dictate. If there is no snow, we spend much time discovering animal sign camouflaged
against a concealing background. Once found the sign is identified and then interpreted for the animal's
relationship with the habitat it which it was found
Quabbin Area Tracking:
All tracking programs are scheduled on Sundays from 10am-3pm. Until the Corona Virus crisis passes, we will
meet at 9:45 by the gazebo on Petersham common across from the country store, which is open for take-out
only. The restroom in the store is not available for use by customers. There is a porta-potty acriss the street
outside the town hall.
No previous tracking experience is necessary. Experienced trackers in the group will be challenged to find,
identify and interpret animal sign, and then explain their thought processes in arriving at their conclusions for
the benefit of the less experienced.
Discussion are conducted at an adult level. For this reason programs are not recommended for youngsters
below the age of 13. A judgement as to the maturity and interest level of youths is left to the parent, who must
accompany the child.
Sessions are invariably friendly and welcoming, with everyone enjoying the beautiful landscape while we
discover something of the secret lives of wild animals that hide from us in the foliage and the night.
All tracking programs are scheduled on Sundays from 10am-3pm. Until the Corona Virus crisis passes, we will
meet at 9:45 by the gazebo on Petersham common across from the country store, which is open for take-out
only. The restroom in the store is not available for use by customers. There is a porta-potty acriss the street
outside the town hall.
No previous tracking experience is necessary. Experienced trackers in the group will be challenged to find,
identify and interpret animal sign, and then explain their thought processes in arriving at their conclusions for
the benefit of the less experienced.
Discussion are conducted at an adult level. For this reason programs are not recommended for youngsters
below the age of 13. A judgement as to the maturity and interest level of youths is left to the parent, who must
accompany the child.
Sessions are invariably friendly and welcoming, with everyone enjoying the beautiful landscape while we
discover something of the secret lives of wild animals that hide from us in the foliage and the night.
For the duration of the pandemic, Quabbin Trails tracking programs will be limited to the first
six participants to register for each date. We will take our own cars from the meeting point to
the site for the day's program. Masks will be mandatory.
six participants to register for each date. We will take our own cars from the meeting point to
the site for the day's program. Masks will be mandatory.
Program dates and registration deadlines:
Please, no dogs or other pets.
New dates:
Saturday, April 3: 10am-3pm
Sunday, April 4: 10am-3pm
Sunday, April 11, 10am-3pm
Sunday, April 25, 10am-3pm
Sunday, May 2, 10am-3pm
Sunday, May 16, 10am-3pm
Sunday, June 6, 10am-3pm
Sunday, July 11, 10am-3pm
Sunday, August 8, 10am-3pm
Saturday, April 3: 10am-3pm
Sunday, April 4: 10am-3pm
Sunday, April 11, 10am-3pm
Sunday, April 25, 10am-3pm
Sunday, May 2, 10am-3pm
Sunday, May 16, 10am-3pm
Sunday, June 6, 10am-3pm
Sunday, July 11, 10am-3pm
Sunday, August 8, 10am-3pm
Please read this:
Masks: For the duration of the pandemic, all participants will be required to wear masks. This applies even to
those who have been vaccinated, since it is possible that although they are immune themselves, they may still
be asymptomatic carriers of the virus who may pass it to others who have not been vaccinated.
Social distancing: While mask-wearing is easy to observe, it has proven next to impossible to maintain social
distancing while examining the features of concentrated animal sign. Even though group size is limited to 6
participants, there is still some small risk involved. You should consider this before registering for a program.
Changes to the registration process: In view of the limited number of slots available for each program, the
normal registration process needs to be altered a little.
Masks: For the duration of the pandemic, all participants will be required to wear masks. This applies even to
those who have been vaccinated, since it is possible that although they are immune themselves, they may still
be asymptomatic carriers of the virus who may pass it to others who have not been vaccinated.
Social distancing: While mask-wearing is easy to observe, it has proven next to impossible to maintain social
distancing while examining the features of concentrated animal sign. Even though group size is limited to 6
participants, there is still some small risk involved. You should consider this before registering for a program.
Changes to the registration process: In view of the limited number of slots available for each program, the
normal registration process needs to be altered a little.
- If you decide you wish to attend one or more of the programs, please e-mail me with the date(s) you
desire. If there is still space in the program(s), I will pencil you in for the date(s) and so inform you. - Once an opening is confirmed, please fill out and mail a registration blank and fee (See the Registration
page.) Penciled-in slots will be reserved for two weeks, pending the arrival of a mailed registration. - Once a registration blank and fee are received, a printed confirmation will be mailed to you.
- If upon receiving your initial inquiry, the program or programs are already filled, I will e-mail you
immediately to so inform you. This will avoid delay and disappointment for you as well as the
complication of returning fees for full programs.
*Additonal dates may be scheduled depending
on demand. Check back occasionally.
on demand. Check back occasionally.
Please note: Yahoo, the underlying host of this website, has decided to discontinue the program used to
create and update the site. Until a new website has been designed, the site will not be updated. Please see
below for changes to the registration procedure for programs in the interim.
create and update the site. Until a new website has been designed, the site will not be updated. Please see
below for changes to the registration procedure for programs in the interim.