Winter’s cold winds bring a number of new guests and festivals to Newburyport and the North Shore.
On January 24 the “Superbowl of Birding” takes place all day on Plum Island. (Raindate January 25)
Superbowls I-XI were great successes with teams from as far away as Delaware and Pennsylvania participating. The challenge is renewed this year, with prizes awarded in ten categories. This is a unique competition to find the greatest number of species and to earn the greatest number of points based on the rarity of the birds recorded. The Zeiss Joppa Cup is awarded to the team that collects the most points by the end of the specified 12-hour birding day. Strategy and planning are essential in order to win this competition.
Our very popular Merrimack River Eagle Festival will run on February 7. Go on an eagle tour, see a raptor show at the Town Hall or visit the Joppa Flats education center to visit guest hawks from Drumlin Farm. Events run 9am to 4pm. Visit their website for exact times and events.
The Trustees of the Reservation will hold numerous events to get you tempted to bundle up and get outside.
Full Moon Hikes allow the brave to see constellations and moonlit waves along Crane Beach. Snowy Owl Prowl tours will be led by guides who know the Crane Reservation area and the best spots to see these white raptors in the sands.
Snowshoeing at Ravenswood Park in Gloucester is a beautiful area that is offering snowshoe rentals on the weekends through this winter. This fun workout may have you wishing for a frequent fresh carpet of snow well into the weeks of March.Enjoy wide open carriage paths and warm up afterwards near our woodstove while enjoying hot chocolate. Adult and children’s sizes available. Snowshoes available on first come, first served basis. Contact capeann@ttor.org or 978.281.8400 for information and snow conditions.
Getting to March will be a breeze, or artic vortex. On March 8, sign up for the Ice Age Trail Hike at Ravenswood.
Did you know that until about 12,000 years ago North America was the greatest land of predatory creatures since the Jurassic era? Or, that the entire New England region was under a half-mile or more of ice then? Cape Ann is one of the most significant geological areas in America and one of the best places to see up-close and get to know the last Ice Age. It’s right under our feet.