NH Audubon

METALSUM – Art Inspired by Nature and Imagined Through Found Objects
2024-05-28 11:00 - 17:00, 2024-05-24 11:00 - 17:00, 2024-05-23 11:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York) | McLane Center, 84 Silk Farm Road, Concord, NH, 03301, United States
“METALSUM”, art for the home and garden. Found and repurposed objects welded into abstract, representational and whimsical art with an emphasis on portraying the natural world.
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Jane Kolias creates decorative rustic metal art from found, abandoned and discarded objects. She finds things in nooks and crannies of antique and thrift stores, salvage yards, friend’s back yards, roadway ditches, abandoned fields, forays into the woods and sometimes her own kitchen drawers.
Inspiration for these designs comes from observing nature, the creativity of fellow artists, and the found objects themselves. Each finished piece has its own unique configuration and blend of components which become garden and landscape pieces, wall hangings, and tabletop items.
Jane starts each project with a design in mind. As she considers which bits of scrap metal to use, the process becomes fluid and dynamic, creating a synergistic partnership between herself and the various components. This often results in the finished piece only somewhat resembling her original design.
If she knows the name or purpose of a component, she will label it, but for many pieces the component’s utility is unknown to her. She occasionally adds paint to a finished piece but her preference is to leave each work unpainted for a more organic look. For outside art, she applies several layers of clear protective coating to help abate rust formation.
Artist’s bio: Jane Kolias, a native New Hampshirite now residing in Vermont, has an extensive and lifelong association with the arts. As a young adult, she was active in the performing arts including community theatre and competitive ballroom dance. As a textile artist she has designed quilts and costumes, has worked with metals in jewelry design and fabrication, and has created landscape art such as stonewall and rock garden arrangements. Her most recent endeavor, “METALSUM”, involves welding found objects into abstract, representational and whimsical art with an emphasis on portraying the natural world.

Earth Day Exhibition 2024 - A Nature Inspired Show
2024-05-28 11:00 - 17:00, 2024-05-25 11:00 - 17:00, 2024-05-24 11:00 - 17:00, 2024-05-23 11:00 - 17:00, 2024-05-22 11:00 - 17:00, 2024-05-21 11:00 - 17:00, 2024-05-18 11:00 - 17:00, 2024-05-17 11:00 - 17:00 and 1 more date | Massabesic Center, 26 Audubon Way, Auburn, NH, United States
Each year, NH Audubon holds a day-long, family-friendly Earth Day celebration at the Massabesic Center. As a part of the 2024 celebration, the Center is partnering with the League of NH Craftsmen to feature original work from League artists in a special two month exhibition which includes photography, prints, and fiber art.
An example from the exhibit – Birches by Ron Bowman.
This is a wonderful opportunity to enjoy nature-themed artwork produced by some of New Hampshire’s finest craftsmen, displayed in the peaceful setting of this beautiful wildlife sanctuary. The exhibition will be open during regular Center hours from April 5-May 31. A reception hosted by the League, and open to the public, will be held on April 21 from 2-4pm.
About the League of NH Craftsmen: For over 90 years, the League has enriched New Hampshire communities through its mission to advance, cultivate and champion fine craft. The League offers a wide-range of educational programs for adults and children, and outstanding hand-made craft is available for purchase at seven affiliated Fine Craft Galleries throughout the state.

Guided Paddle at Paradise Point
2024-05-28 10:00 - 12:00 | Paradise Point Nature Center, 290 Northshore Road, Hebron, 03241, United States
Choose from a canoe, kayak, or paddleboard as we travel along the route of the Newfound Lake Water Trail. With a Naturalist, we will visit as many stops as time allows while learning more about the geology and ecology of Newfound Lake. Children encouraged with adult supervision.
RSVP below – payment for boat rentals will be collected at the center before the paddle.

Nature Art Program at Paradise Point
2024-05-27 10:00 - 13:00 | Paradise Point Nature Center, 290 Northshore Road, Hebron, 03241, United States
Come create a fun piece of nature art in or around the Paradise Point Nature Center. Creativity is encouraged as we use arts and crafts to explore themes and concepts in nature. Suitable for all ages but geared towards 3–7-year-olds. Pre-registration is not required for this program.

Jeffrey's Ledge Pelagic Birding Trip
2024-05-27 08:00 - 17:00 | Rye Harbor, 1870 Ocean Blvd (Rte 1A), Rye, NH, 03870, United States
Join NH Audubon aboard MV Granite State as we explore Jeffreys Ledge, 20 miles off the New Hampshire coast. This is an all-day expedition (between 8-10 hours at sea), departing from Rye Harbor, to look for pelagic (ocean-going) seabirds on Jeffreys Ledge, although we’ll also keep an eye out for whales and other marine life. Jeffreys Ledge is an undersea ridge running northeast from near Rockport, Massachusetts to near Cape Elizabeth, Maine. Its steep sides produce upwellings of nutrient-rich waters that produce a lot of food for seabirds and marine life.
What we will see:
From the upper deck, a person with good binoculars can scan a circle of ocean a couple of miles across, with a good chance of seeing groups of birds quite some distance away. On past fall trips, we have seen four different species of Shearwater (Great, Sooty, Cory’s, and Manx), Northern Gannets, Red-necked Phalaropes in fall plumage, Wilson’s Storm-petrel, jaegers, an array of near-shore species, and random migrants. We’ve also seen several different species of whales and dolphins, including Fin, Minke, Right, and Humpback Whales, Harbor Porpoises, Atlantic White-Sided Dolphins, and once a rare Sperm Whale on the outer edge of Jeffreys Ledge.
Presenter:
Renowned birders and NH Audubon volunteers Steve and Jane Mirick will be our group leaders, with Captain Pete Reynolds driving the boat. NH Audubon volunteer and avid birder Jon Woolf will coordinate logistics.
For mobility, sensory, behavioral, or other accessibility accommodations, please contact Slater Roosa.
Cost:
$80 for NH Audubon members
$100 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.)
Registration Required.
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.
Please note we have set a maximum of 50 people, to allow for comfortable spacing and an enjoyable bird-watching experience. These trips sell out quickly, and we do not run a waiting list.
This trip is weather-dependent. Final decisions on whether we can comfortably set sail will be made the day before. There are no rain dates. First priority for registration will be granted to participants from the previous tour’s weather cancellation, if applicable.
Confirmation letters, including the webinar Zoom link and information about what to bring and what to wear, will be sent to all participants after we sell out (typically in early September).
Photo: Corys Shearwater, Steve Mirick

Family Program at Paradise Point
2024-05-26 13:00 - 15:00 | Paradise Point Nature Center, 290 Northshore Road, Hebron, 03241, United States
Explore and learn about local ecosystems and wildlife through weekly family-focused programs with the Lead Naturalist. Explore and play nature-themed games on topics such as: animal signs, reptiles and amphibians, decomposers, wetland critters, and more. Suitable for families with children ages 8 and up.

ID Hike with the Newfound Center
2024-05-25 10:00 - 12:00 | Paradise Point Nature Center, 290 Northshore Road, Hebron, 03241, United States
Open new realms each week as our Lead Naturalist helps participants of all ages focus their senses on different fascinating elements of their surroundings. Limited pairs of binoculars are available for use. Participants are encouraged to bring their own binoculars and/or field guides for further exploration.
This week our Lead Naturalist will be sharing some personal tips and tricks on identifying all flora and fauna at Paradise Point. ID bird calls, animal tracks, wildflowers, trees, and more. Feel free to asks as many questions as you’d like!

Beginner Bird Walk: Piscassic River WMA, Cuba Rd Section
2024-05-25 07:00 - 09:00 | NH
With fields, forests, and, of course, a river, the Cuba Road section of the Piscassic River Wildlife Management Area is a great spot to look for birds. Join trip leader Greg Tillman as we take a walk down and back on this old Class 6 road. Meet at the end of the drive-able portion of Cuba road (opposite 322 Piscassic Rd) in Newfields at 7:00 am. Contact: Greg Tillman with questions.
The trip is limited to 20 participants. As the event nears, visit the Seacoast Chapter website to sign-up. Although these walks are geared with the beginner birder in mind, birders of all levels of expertise are encouraged to participate and share their experiences. Children are gladly welcome with an adult. Participants are encouraged to bring binoculars, water, insect repellent, and sunscreen.

Paradise Point Nature Center Opening Day
2024-05-24 09:00 - 17:00 | Paradise Point Nature Center, 290 Northshore Road, Hebron, 03241, United States
Paradise Point Nature Center will open for the season on Friday, May 24. We have some exciting things in store for the 2024 season, including new educational programs, the return of standup paddleboard rentals, and a Red Barn Speaker Series that is sure to captivate the mind. On opening day, rent a boat, check out our exhibits, or hike the trails. We hope to see you on the north shore of Newfound Lake this summer!
Join us also for a birding outing on the point’s trails that morning at 8am!

Birding Outing at Paradise Point
2024-05-24 08:00 - 09:00 | Paradise Point Nature Center, 290 Northshore Road, Hebron, 03241, United States
Celebrate the opening of Paradise Point Nature Center by joining NH Audubon for a birding outing along the trails at Paradise Point Wildlife Sanctuary!
This is an informal birding outing that begins at the parking lot of Paradise Point at 290 N Shore Road in Hebron and explores the trails with Devin Guilfoyle, Newfound Center Coordinator. 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. Following the walk, explore the nature center as it opens for the season!
Binocular rental included with ticket. Please dress for the weather, with sturdy shoes. Expect to walk between 1-2 miles over uneven trails and terrain. Trails may be soggy or muddy in the rainy season.

Introduction to Pelagic Wildlife Webinar
2024-05-23 18:30 - 19:30 | NH
Join NH Audubon for a deep dive into pelagic wildlife watching! The word pelagic references the ocean. In this webinar, we will focus on birds often seen at sea. We’ll discuss frequent and hoped-for sightings associated with NH Audubon’s biannual Pelagic Trip, which sets sail every spring and fall. Whether you’re joining us on the boat this fall, or planning a seafaring adventure of your own, this webinar will teach you the basics of identifying common pelagic birds (and mammals) found off New Hampshire’s coast.
This workshop is free to all Pelagic Trip attendees, check your email for a Zoom link.
Presenter:
NH Audubon volunteer and avid birder Jon Woolf will give an introductory webinar on Thursday May 23rd, 6:30pm-7:30pm
For mobility, sensory, behavioral, or other accessibility accommodations, please contact Slater Roosa.

Exhibit Opening: METALSUM – Art Inspired by Nature and Imagined Through Found Objects
2024-05-22 11:00 - 17:00 | McLane Center, 84 Silk Farm Road, Concord, NH, 03301, United States

Annual Surry Birds and Blooms Walk
2024-05-19 07:00 - 12:00 | NH
Join local birder Dave Hoitt and wildflower enthusiast Wendy Ward on this moderate walk looking for birds and wildflowers in open field, wetland, and woodland habitats. Meet at the Surry Town Hall parking lot at 7:00 am. The trip should end by noon. Bring field guides, binoculars, drink, snack and bug/tick repellant. Cost: free.
For more info contact Dave at weward0@yahoo.com or 603-352-0987.

Photo: Clay-colored Sparrow, by Steve Mirick.

Beginner Bird Walk: Strafford County Farm
2024-05-19 07:00 - 12:00 | NH
With habitat for water birds, raptors and song birds, this walk will include the Don Black Trail and the hedgerows around the fields of the conserved property. The walk will last as long as participants choose, but not beyond noon. Meet at 8:00 across from the Strafford County Work Program at 266 County Farm Road; follow County Farm Road and take a left at the stop sign and then an immediate left to continue along behind the jail to the parking lot across from the entrance to the Strafford County Work Program. Contact: Dan Hubbard or 603-978-0218.
The trip is limited to 20 participants. As the event nears, visit the Seacoast Chapter website to sign-up. Although these walks are geared with the beginner birder in mind, birders of all levels of expertise are encouraged to participate and share their experiences. Children are gladly welcome with an adult. Participants are encouraged to bring binoculars, water, insect repellent, and sunscreen.

Beginner Bird Walk: Marsh Birds of World End Pond
2024-05-19 06:30 - 09:30 | NH
World End Pond is one of the top birding hotspots in southeast New Hampshire and it is home to many specialties not easily found elsewhere in the state. At almost 100 acres, one of the best ways to discover its birdlife is by kayak. Bring your own kayak or canoe and join Kyle Wilmarth as he leads a trip paddling through the pond and marsh. Meet at the boat launch at the end of Theresa Avenue in Salem. Contact: Kyle Wilmarth.
The trip is limited to 7 participants. As the event nears, visit the Seacoast Chapter website to sign-up. Although these walks are geared with the beginner birder in mind, birders of all levels of expertise are encouraged to participate and share their experiences. Children are gladly welcome with an adult. Participants are encouraged to bring binoculars, water, insect repellent, and sunscreen.

Beginner Bird Walk: Deer Hill Wildlife Management Area
2024-05-18 07:00 - 09:00 | NH
Bird the varied habitats of the Deer Hill Wildlife Management Area with trip leader Scott Heron. With 190 species seen on the property, in the spring Deer Hill can be full of migrating passerines and breeding water birds. Meet at the entrance gate on Pine Road in Brentwood. Contact: Scott Heron.
The trip is limited to 20 participants. As the event nears, visit the Seacoast Chapter website to sign-up. Although these walks are geared with the beginner birder in mind, birders of all levels of expertise are encouraged to participate and share their experiences. Children are gladly welcome with an adult. Participants are encouraged to bring binoculars, water, insect repellent, and sunscreen.

Human / Nature
2024-05-17 11:00 - 17:00, 2024-05-16 11:00 - 17:00 | McLane Center, 84 Silk Farm Road, Concord, NH, 03301, United States
Elderglass by Jackie Hanson.
In this ongoing series, artist Jackie Hanson uses pastels to paint immersive landscapes that feature both well-known and overlooked vantages, often (but not exclusively) from New Hampshire and Maine. While pleasant to the eye, these works help her to think about the tangled relationship between humans and nature. This relationship is both one of forces opposed to each other and inexplicably tied together. Humans can have a devastating impact on our environment, but in many everyday cases, you can observe the Earth reclaiming where humans have moved on. Meanwhile, the human race is beholden to time and ultimately to our planet as well. Jackie’s paintings explore the beauty of the balance between human activity and the Earth’s reciprocity, and the sublime power nature holds. (Recommended reading: Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer.)
Bio: Jackie Hanson spent her childhood in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire, raised in a family where art and creativity were always encouraged. While growing up, she became familiar with the beauty of the outdoors in New England: lakes, mountains, small farms, and plenty of day trips to the ocean. After first using pastels in high school, she rediscovered her love for them while in college, and the way they made her feel the same excitement in the studio as when exploring the natural world. Jackie graduated from New England College’s Institute of Art and Design in 2022 with her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and plans to continue her art practice as a career.

Growing Backyard Berries
2024-05-16 18:00 - 20:00 | Massabesic Center, 26 Audubon Way, Auburn, NH, United States
Small-scale production of berries can be a rewarding investment, but not without its own management challenges! In this workshop, we’ll focus on blueberries, brambles (blackberries and raspberries,) and strawberry production for the backyard gardener, covering topics that include varieties, establishment, maintenance, pruning, and major pest and disease management. Weather permitting, we’ll walk out to the UNH Extension Demonstration Gardens where we’ll see some techniques in practice. Appropriate footwear is helpful.
Presenter: Steph Sosinski, UNH Extension Home Horticulture Program Manager
Cost:
$10 for NH Audubon members/Extension Master Gardeners
$15 for non-members
Registration required by May 14.
For mobility, sensory, behavioral, or other accessibility accommodations, please contact Massabesic Center Director, Kimmie Whiteman.
This program is brought to you through an ongoing partnership between the University of New Hampshire Extension’s Master Gardener Program and New Hampshire Audubon. “The Demonstration Gardens at NH Audubon’s Massabesic Center” provide a place for sharing best practices in eco-friendly home and community gardening, to benefit human health and well-being, and wildlife habitat.

Weeks State Park Migratory Bird Day Walk
2024-05-16 07:00 - 11:00 | Weeks State Park, Summit Road, Route 3, Lancaster, NH, 03584, United States
The Weeks State Park Migratory Bird Day Walk is Thursday, May 16, 2024. The walk starts at 7 am at the Parking Lot at the start of the Weeks State Park Summit Road, just off of US Route 3 in Lancaster. We will then take a leisurely 3-mile round trip walk along the Auto Road to the summit of Mt Prospect, gaining 800 feet of elevation. Along the way, we should see various warblers, vireos, and flycatchers, as well as a variety of spring wildflowers.
We typically finish at 11 am and then offer an optional side trip to Martin Meadow Pond, where we will look for loons, osprey, and bald eagles. The birding walk is sponsored by the Weeks State Park Association and is free and open to the public.
The theme of World Migratory Bird Day 2024 is “Protect Insects, Protect Birds.” Free educational posters featuring this theme will be available.
The Weeks State Park Association website.
If you have any questions, contact the organizer David Govatski at David.Govatski@gmail.com.
