Searching for Natural Moments: Scenes from African Safaris and Costa Rican Rainforests
2024-11-16 11:00 - 17:00, 2024-11-20 11:00 - 17:00, 2024-11-21 11:00 - 17:00, 2024-11-22 11:00 - 17:00, 2024-11-23 11:00 - 17:00, 2024-11-27 11:00 - 17:00, 2024-12-04 11:00 - 17:00, 2024-12-05 11:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York) and 8 more dates | McLane Center, 84 Silk Farm Road, Concord, NH, 03301, United States
The New Hampshire Audubon McLane Center is pleased to announce that Nature and Wildlife Photographer Howard Muscott will be sharing his intimate images from two of Kenya’s most prolific wildlife locations and various habitats in Costa Rica. Searching for Natural Moments will take the viewer on Safari with Howard in the Masai Mara National Reserve and Amboseli National Park looking for iconic mammals like lions and cubs, leopards, cheetahs, elephants and zebras and other wildlife and on trails in the rain forests of Costa Rica in search of monkeys and birds. The exhibition will be on display from Wednesday, November 6 through Saturday, December 28, 2024.
Examples from Howard Muscott’s exhibit. (Click to enlarge.)
The Artist: An Amherst, New Hampshire resident, Howard Muscott has photographed landscapes and wildlife for more than 45 years. Grounded in his early years of hiking, Howard’s love for landscape photography is fueled by the exquisite beauty of the natural world and the wildlife residing there. Self-taught, Howard has had more than 30 individual and 60 group shows. His work has been published on the cover of national journals in education, in newspapers, and used for educational and other websites. He has won awards for both wildlife and portraits. He was the Manchester Artists Association Artist of the Year for 2020 and was juried into the prestigious New Hampshire Art Association. His work can be viewed on his website at www.chasingthegoldenlight.com and in various galleries and stores across New Hampshire.
For more information contact: Howard Muscott at hmuscott@gmail.com; 603-440-8141.

Brockway Wee Explorers: Turkey Talk
2024-11-20 10:00 - 11:00 | Brockway Nature Preserve, Farrington Corner Road, Hopkinton, NH, United States
Join New Hampshire Audubon at the John Brockway Nature Preserve in Hopkinton to explore nature with your 3-5 year old! For this program (and with Thanksgiving around the corner!), we will be learning about wild turkeys. The program will begin at 10am and last about 45 minutes.
This is an outdoor location with no bathroom facilities. Please dress children for the weather and be ready to walk on the trail, sit on logs and the ground, and dig in the dirt!
Programs will be cancelled if poor weather is predicted during the program time; participants will be notified by email of cancellations.
For detailed directions to the preserve, search for Brockway Pond on Google Maps or visit this webpage.
This program is free, with a suggested donation of $5 which can be made with cash in person or by visiting our donation page. Thanks to an endowment from Dorothy Brockway Osborne, this program is free for Hopkinton Residents.

Holiday Wreath Workshop
2024-11-21 17:00 - 19:00, 2024-11-23 10:00 - 12:00 | Massabesic Center, 26 Audubon Way, Auburn, NH, United States
Get festive with our team of wreath-building extraordinaires! Learn how to decorate a natural balsam wreath using materials found in your garden. Our volunteer team will guide you through the steps of decorating a balsam frame and will teach you the ins and outs of gathering materials, including what holds up and what doesn’t, as well as how to collect material responsibly and sustainably. We’ll teach you how to trim your materials to size and how to affix your materials into a tasteful arrangement. The knowledge you gain in this workshop can be applied to wreaths for any season!
Beautiful wreaths created in past years. (Click to enlarge.)
You are welcome to bring your own found materials (no oriental bittersweet or other invasive plant material, please), but it is not required. Everything you need to construct a full, beautiful wreath made of natural materials will be provided, and you’ll leave the evening with a masterpiece ready to hang on your door for the holidays.
If you would like to decorate your wreath with a bow, please bring your own ribbon. Bow-tying will be discussed on request at the end of the workshop if time allows.
Pre-constructed wreath frames measure 24 inches in diameter – the perfect size for your front door!
This in-person workshop will take place entirely indoors. Dress for the weather for the short, easy walk from the dirt parking lot to the building. Workstations will be assigned in a group setting. Chairs are provided, but much of the work will require standing, and you will want to move around the room to select materials. Festive music may accompany the activities. Accommodations for persons with limited mobility, sensory concerns, or other accessibility needs can be provided with advanced notice. Contact Massabesic Center Director, Kimmie Whiteman.
This workshop will be canceled in the event of severe winter weather. Participants will be notified the day before with additional information.
Cost:
$56 for NH Audubon members
$62 for non-members (Join or renew your membership today! Not sure of your membership status? Email our member services department or call (603) 224-9909 x310.)
PayPal Disclaimer:
NH Audubon’s ticket system utilizes PayPal to process payments. Users are not required to use PayPal to check out; a guest option is provided. PayPal is a trusted way to pay online.
Refund Policy:
All ticket sales are final. In the event of cancellation or no-show, your wreath will be decorated according to our wreath sales standards, and pickup will be made available to you under the same conditions as our wreath sales. For full details, visit here. All ticket fees support NH Audubon’s mission.
(Cover image: Workshop instructors Dorise and Lisa with some of their 2022 creations. Photo by Kimmie Whiteman.)

Hornbills: A Unique Old-World Family of Birds
2024-11-21 19:00 - 20:00 | The Loon Center, 183 Lees Mill Road, Moultonborough, NH, 03254, United States
Join the Lakes Region Audubon chapter for a presentation about Hornbills.
“Dana and Bob are excited to present this talk about the family of birds called Hornbills. Hornbills are an Old-World family of birds which first evolved in Africa over 60 million years ago and then one species radiated to Asia. Today half of the 64 species in the world live in Africa including two land loving species and half in Asia where new species have evolved as far east as the Solomon Islands.
As their name suggests, they have massive bills which are integrally attached to their skulls, and some have an additional special horny crown like protrusion called a casque above their bills. In 1758 Linnaeus bestowed the name Buceros on the family, Latin for “having ox’s horns.”
Another unique feature about most members of this family involves their nesting behavior. Females of almost all species make unique nests in tree cavities using their bills to wall themselves in with a plaster made of mud, droppings, chewed wood and bark and other detritus. They leave only a slit narrow enough to deter predators but sufficiently wide for the male to present food from the outside.
The tree hornbills have become very important distributors of tropical fruit seeds.
Come hear Dana and Bob’s tales of seeing these marvelous birds and see stunning pictures taken by Tim Layman, the intrepid, talented photographer.”

Birding Outing at the Massabesic Center
2024-11-23 08:30 - 10:00 | Massabesic Center, 26 Audubon Way, Auburn, NH, United States
Join NH Audubon for a birding outing along the trails at the Massabesic Center in Auburn, NH. We will meet at the front doors of the main building.
This is an informal birding outing that begins at Massabesic Center trailhead and explores the trails with local birder and Massabesic Center Advisory Committee member, Joe Mahoney. All ages and skill levels of birders are welcome. If you are new to birding, come and learn the basics! If you are an avid birder, come to learn new techniques, network with other birders, or share your expertise with the group.
The Massabesic Wildlife Refuge is home to many species who prefer open space and lakeshore habitats. You may see species such as Eastern Bluebirds, Red-shouldered Hawks, Common Loons, and Bald Eagles in the fields and on the lake.
This is a free event. Binocular rental is provided. Please dress for the weather, with sturdy shoes. Expect to walk between 1-2 miles over mostly flat, but uneven trails through grassy and wooded terrain. Trails may be soggy or muddy in the rainy season. Dogs are not allowed on this walk.

Guided Hike at Paradise Point
2024-11-23 12:00 - 13:30 | Paradise Point Nature Center, 290 Northshore Road, Hebron, 03241, United States
Devin Guilfoyle, Paradise Point Nature Center Coordinator, is leading a guided hike of Paradise Point Nature Center in Hebron, NH. We will meet at the head of the center’s driveway off of the parking lot.
This will be about a 90 minute hike navigating the trails of the center, exploring topics such as birds, trees, and land history. Paradise Point Wildlife Sanctuary is home to many natural wonders including a red maple swamp, glacial erratics, and picturesque views of Newfound Lake.
This is a free event. Binoculars are available for rental in limited quantity. Please dress for the weather with sturdy shoes. Expect to walk 2-3 miles over moderately hilly terrain in a wooded setting. Trails may be muddy in places if rain has fallen recently. Dogs are not allowed on this walk.

Closed: McLane and Massabesic Centers
2024-11-28 11:00 - 17:00, 2024-11-29 11:00 - 17:00, 2024-11-30 11:00 - 17:00 | NH
The McLane and Massabesic Centers are closed for Thanksgiving. The trails and gardens remain open from dawn to dusk if you would like to spend time in nature.

Giving Tuesday 2024
2024-12-03 00:00 - 23:59 | NH
It’s Giving Tuesday – a day that encourages people to do good as part of a global movement unleashing the power of radical generosity. Join New Hampshire Audubon in celebrating this global day of generosity and philanthropy by making a gift today! Your gift helps us continue to protect New Hampshire’s natural environment for wildlife and people. Plus, those who donate today will be entered into a special raffle to win a holiday wreath, lovingly constructed and decorated with natural materials by NH Audubon volunteers.

Brockway Wee Explorers: Busy Beavers
2024-12-04 10:00 - 11:00 | Brockway Nature Preserve, Farrington Corner Road, Hopkinton, NH, United States
Not too long ago, the Brockway Preserve played host to an animal that chewed wood, slapped its tail on water, and changed the way the preserve looks. That’s right — the beaver! Join New Hampshire Audubon at the John Brockway Nature Preserve in Hopkinton with your 3-5 year old, as we explore the what makes beavers special.
The program will begin at 10am and last about 45 minutes. This is an outdoor location with no bathroom facilities. Please dress children for the weather and be ready to walk on the trail, sit on logs and the ground, and dig in the dirt!
Programs will be cancelled if poor weather is predicted during the program time; participants will be notified by email of cancellations.
For detailed directions to the preserve, search for Brockway Pond on Google Maps or visit this webpage.
This program is free, with a suggested donation of $5 which can be made with cash in person or by visiting our donation page. Thanks to an endowment from Dorothy Brockway Osborne, this program is free for Hopkinton Residents.

Range-wide Migratory Connectivity of the American Redstart
2024-12-11 19:30 - 21:00 | Seacoast Science Center, Odiorne State Park, Route 1A, Rye, NH, United States
Global change threatens life on our planet. Migratory birds are particularly at risk, suffering multiple threats of global change during different stages of their full annual cycle. Moreover, stages of the full annual cycle are inextricably linked, where events during the nonbreeding period can influence events during the breeding period and vice versa. If we hope to elucidate how global change affects migratory birds, we must understand where populations go throughout the year, i.e., their migratory connectivity, or the degree to which populations remain together throughout their annual cycle. Understanding patterns of migratory connectivity are critical for tackling ecological questions about migratory birds, as the degree to which populations remain together throughout their seasonal movements determines their exposure to threats like habitat loss and disease, among others. To bridge this knowledge gap, Henry Stevens, PhD student at Georgetown University, used a full annual cycle perspective in his study of American Redstarts (Setophaga ruticilla), a migratory songbird in decline. This well-studied warbler occupies a range of habitats and has been a focal study system for understanding the ecology of migratory birds over the past 30+ years. This makes redstarts an ideal study species for uncovering how global change drives changes in migratory bird distributions. Here Henry, (a) discovers undescribed patterns of migratory connectivity for redstarts by collecting tracking data from across their range, and (b) combines them with other forms of data on migratory connectivity to develop the first integrated, range-wide migratory connectivity map.
Bio: Henry graduated from Tufts University in 2019 with a joint BS in Biology and Environmental Science. He grew up in Exeter, NH, where he discovered his passion for ornithology. He LOVES birds and his desire to understand their ecology is what gets him out of bed in the morning. Henry’s research interests lie at the intersection of conservation ornithology and tropical ecology, and his past research has focused on the breeding biology and dispersal of Gray Vireos in New Mexico, the use of remote audio recorders for surveying cryptic species in the Amazon, improving the conservation site network for migratory shorebirds in the Americas, and uncovering the life histories of Andean Cock-of-the-rocks and other understudied species in the cloud forest of Ecuador. At Georgetown, Henry has studied the full annual cycle of Neotropical migratory wood-warblers, and used integrated population models to pinpoint factors driving their declines. With over 3.2 billion individual birds lost in North America since 1970, understanding and addressing the threats faced by these species is paramount for mitigating further declines.
All of the in-person programs start at 7:30pm, with 7pm refreshments. For more information see the chapter website.

Annual Holiday Craft Fair
2024-12-14 10:00 - 15:00 | McLane Center, 84 Silk Farm Road, Concord, NH, 03301, United States
Join us on Saturday, December 14, from 10 AM to 3 PM at the McLane Center in Concord for NH Audubon’s annual Holiday Craft Fair! We will feature 30 talented local crafters offering a wide variety of unique handmade items, perfect for holiday gifts. There’s something for everyone, from jewelry and ceramics to home decor and seasonal crafts. B’s Tacos will be on-site with their food truck, serving up delicious Mexican cuisine. We’ll also have a raffle, with proceeds supporting NH Audubon’s mission to protect New Hampshire’s natural environment for wildlife and people. Our Nature Store will be open for additional holiday shopping, and a membership table will be available for anyone interested in joining our conservation efforts. This is a wonderful way to celebrate the season, support local artisans, and contribute to NH Audubon’s important work. We hope to see you there!

Brockway Wee Explorers: Needles, Cones, and Evergreens
2024-12-18 10:00 - 11:00 | Brockway Nature Preserve, Farrington Corner Road, Hopkinton, NH, United States
Earlier this year, we talked about trees that drop their leaves in the autumn. However, some trees keep their leaves throughout the year, and will stay green — even in wintertime! Join New Hampshire Audubon at the John Brockway Nature Preserve in Hopkinton to explore nature with your 3-5 year old as we look at the evergreen wonder of coniferous trees.
The program will begin at 10am and last about 45 minutes. This is an outdoor location with no bathroom facilities. Please dress children for the weather and be ready to walk on the trail, sit on logs and the ground, and dig in the dirt!
Programs will be cancelled if poor weather is predicted during the program time; participants will be notified by email of cancellations.
For detailed directions to the preserve, search for Brockway Pond on Google Maps or visit this webpage.
This program is free, with a suggested donation of $5 which can be made with cash in person or by visiting our donation page. Thanks to an endowment from Dorothy Brockway Osborne, this program is free for Hopkinton Residents.
