Fall 2013ACORNtheBoxford Trails Association/Boxford Open Land Trust, Inc.

preserving the nature of Boxford for more than 35 years

Or better yet, heard it? - It is the distinctive croak of the Common Raven, long vanished from Eastern Massachusetts. Until recently that is, for this alluring bird is now making a comeback in our area after a 100 year absence due to human persecution. Their eradication began with the earliest European settlers who eyed them warily. The Pilgrims were very familiar with this bird and its mythology, as its range includes all of the Northern Hemisphere. Their black coloring and habit of dining on the dead and poaching sickly livestock earned them a bad reputation. This bias followed them to the New World where they were hunted until no breeding birds remained, leaving only brief “fly by” sightings in New England. Their smaller cousin, the crow fared much better around people and from a distance these two species are difficult to tell apart. Once you get up close, you can see that the raven is much larger and more massively built. The bill is much thicker and the raven has a “beard” under its throat made up of long spikey and glossy feathers. So what is facilitating this change in status from rare visitor to breeder? I think one reason is the ravens now feel safe from human predation and are protected under the US Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Another reason is nothing less than a modern amenity which has become a ubiquitous feature of our landscape: the cell tower. In the wild, ravens prefer an elevated nest site. Historically these were tall pines along the coast or cliff faces. The cell tower is proving the perfect stand-in. Two confirmed nests are just a few miles from Boxford. One pair resides

Have You Seen This Bird? Nancy Walker

Nancy W

alker

Ravens, cont'd

Fall 2013Page 2 the Acorn

at the cell tower across from the water treatment plant on Kenoza Lake in Haverhill, right off of Route 110. I’ve spotted the pair at the Northern Essex Community College parking lot in search of old French fries or other garbage tossed from students’ cars. I love the way they move on the ground, either a strut or a pronounced hop. It really is a treat to see them up close. The other pair makes its home on the cell tower on the Georgetown/Rowley side of the 133/Route 95 exit. These birds I could only see from a great distance. I ask if you’ve seen them as I do believe I have spotted them several times in West Boxford: once over the Ingalsby West 40 and twice over Johnson Pond off of Lakeshore Rd. Over in East Boxford near Topsfield Rd., I have heard of “black hawks” in trees. As there is a cell tower in this area, I wouldn’t be surprised if this hawk is in fact, a raven.As Common Ravens do not typically migrate, keep your eyes and ears open, -winter is coming but so are the ravens!

Interesting facts:• The common raven is the largest of the world’s

“passerines”, an order of biological classification which includes all songbirds and perching birds.

• They are monogamous (mate for life) and can live up to 15 years in the wild and many more in captivity.

• Ravens are one of the most intelligent birds, able to solve complex problems like opening latches.

• They are opportunists when it comes to diet, dining on anything from bugs, plants, small animals and road kill. A rather gross habit is soaking dead animals in watering troughs before feeding them to their young. This offers the nest bound babies a good source of water but may leave your bird bath with bits of unidentifiable body parts.

• Ravens have lived alongside man for thousands of years. Many early cultures such as the Vikings, early Celts and Welsh revered them as a creator god. This holds true for Native American cultures as well for the ravens’ mischievous behavior and amazing flight acrobatics have earned them the name of a trickster god.

BTA/BOLT Photo ContestAttention All Shutterbugs! You are all encouraged to take your cameras out on the trails this winter to capture your best nature shots. In our Winter newsletter we will

announce the details of the BTA/BOLT photo contest. We can tell you now that all entries must be nature photos taken in 2013-2014 in Boxford. Also, watch for email updates, Facebook postings and Meetups for organized photo walks.

Full Moon Cross-Country SkiWould you like to see one of Boxford's

beautiful properties under the light of the moon? Join us on a chilly February night to hike under the full moon on the trails through Haynes Field. This annual, hour-long trek, for all ages on cross-country skis, snowshoes or hiking boots (depending on conditions), will finish with hot apple cider. We'll meet across from Cole School (park in the school parking lot) at 7:30. It's a good idea to bring a flashlight covered in red cellophane. (We'll provide the cellophane if you don't have any.)

Conditions at this time of year can be unpredictable, so please check our website or our Meetup group for updates or call Bonnie Lucas at 978-887-1978 if in doubt. THINK SNOW!

Meetup is an online social networking site that allows members to find and join groups unified by a common interest, such as books, movies, health, pets, or hobbies. Users enter their postal code or their city and the topic they want to meet about, and the website helps them arrange a place and time to meet. Our Meetup group is FREE to join and will keep you updated on all of our activities. Check us out at meetup.com.

WHAT IS MEETUP?

Fall 2013 Page 3the Acorn

Winter Hike Schedule Have you wanted to explore the trails in Boxford but didn't want to go it alone? There isn't a better way than to join a group of fellow hikers on Tuesday mornings lead by Steve Davis. Steve is always prepared with a commentary on the history of the property and regularly points out evidence of wildlife in the area. Whether you walk, hike, cross country ski or snow shoe, there is something for you - only heavy rain or snow cancels. Steve's Winter Hike Schedule for 2014 includes a trek through BTA/BOLT owned Potter's Farm on February 11. Be sure to read about this interesting property on page 9 in this newsletter and for more information, see pages 148 - 150 of the Boxford Trail Guide. Hikers meet at the designated trailhead at 9:15 AM and last 1 1/2 - 2 hours. Wear comfortable hiking shoes or if snow is on the ground, bring cross-country skis or snowshoes. Bring water or snacks if desired. It's a good idea to carpool if you can, as some of the trailheads have limited parking. Call Steve Davis at 978-352-2250 if uncertain about directions or if you have any concerns about the difficulty of a trail. Steve can also be reached at sadmd1@verizon.net. You can call the BTA/BOLT office at 978-887-7031 with any other questions.

Jan. 7 Sharpners Pond: parking lot Route 114, N. Andover to Sharpners Pond Rd., go to dead end or Lawrence Rd., Boxford onto Brookview which becomes Lacey St., then left on Forest St. to end.*Jan. 14 Weir Hill: Stevens St., N. Andover to large TTOR sign.*Jan. 21 Wildcat: park in parking area on Herrick Rd., Boxford near intersec-tion of Ipswich Rd.*Jan. 28 Lockwood trail: park in lot on Middleton Rd., Boxford by steel gate.* Note: Steve will be away these dates.

Feb. 4 Boxford State Forest: from center of east Boxford go south on Middleton Rd. to second forest access, by white house.Feb. 11 Hovey’s Pond and Potter’s farm trail: park at intersection of Main St. and Silvermine Rd. in West Boxford.Feb. 18 Village Estates: turn off Main St. in east Boxford onto Hickory Rd. and park by trail marker.Feb. 25 W. Boxford power lines to the Grigg's back fields. Parking same as Feb. 11.

Mar. 4 Den Rock: parking lot on Route 114, N. Andover, just south of route 495.Mar. 11 Boxford Forest: park on Middleton Rd. by steel gate.Mar. 18 Phillips Andover Bird Sanctuary: turn off Route 28 by Andover Inn and go to end of road.Mar. 25 High Ridge Rd trail: park at 41 High Ridge Rd., Boxford.

NOTE: Change for Thursday Morning Walks: there are NO scheduled walks on Thursdays.

Bonnie Lucas

Fall 2013Page 4 the Acorn

Notes from Natasha Natasha GriggThe year is coming to a close. It has been a long, dry Fall and we worry about the very low water

levels. Many birds in the garden eating up all the little crab apples and other berries, as well as being very busy at the feeders. Seeing many more and different woodpeckers than usual, as well as at least two, large resident foxes. However, the butterfly sightings, especially of the Monarch have been very slim.

Random thoughts in this busy season. 1. Time to take down the remaining NO SPRAY signs to put away until next year. Be sure to read the fine print on the Boxford census form when it arrives at your doorstep in January, where it asks if you wish to opt out of spraying. There will be a very limited window, perhaps just until early March to be removed from the spraying “list”. Perhaps Boxford should reconsider being part of the Essex County Mosquito Control District. They are poisoning the environment, and, so far it has cost almost $500,000 for the past 7 years, whether you use them or not, and it’s not very effective, in any case. We did without them for a number of years. 2. Congratulations again to you for helping buy Nason’s land on Hovey’s Pond. It was purchased in October by Essex County Greenbelt, to hold it

for the Town until we officially get the grant we applied for. When/if this happens, perhaps not until the new year, Boxford will buy the land from Greenbelt and it will be ours! In the mean time, feel free to walk it and enjoy this beautiful area. 3. Have you noticed the new signs around town identifying town conservation land and BTA/BOLT land? These should help us all find the places where we can walk and enjoy the fruits of our conservation efforts. We have a few more to go. 4. Are you following the progress of the Rails to Trails as they wend their way through Topsfield, Newburyport, Amesbury, Georgetown and other neighboring towns? They are coming to Boxford, we hope, and we will need everyone’s help and support to become part of this wonderful endeavor which connects people to their communities and beyond and gets us all out walking, so good for us!

I wish you all happy and healthy holidays. Please mark your calendars for all sorts of activities, old and new next year. We hope to have an interesting nature talk early this Spring, our Dog Show, the Horse Show, Trail Ride, Pumpkin Hunt as well as Boxford Explored gatherings and a few surprises, we hope!

Stevens Pond

Boxford Town Forest

Bonn

ie L

ucas

Bonn

ie L

ucas

Fall 2013 Page 5the Acorn

New Signs in Town

Have you seen the

new signs around town? The BTA/BOLT Trails Committee has been busy this fall overseeing the installation of signs on both BTA/BOLT owned properties as well as those owned by the Town of Boxford. These new signs will help to identify the location and entrance to land that has been protected and available for hiking, nature study and passive recreation.

Matt Chadwick, Scout Troup 57, installed a replacement sign for Lex's Trail as part of his Eagle Scout project in Wunnegen. Matt's Eagle project involved directing scouts in stabilizing several directional posts, trail maintenance, opening up several vistas to interesting rock formations off the trail, and adding directional arrows where needed.

Eagle Scout Project

Fall 2013Page 6 the Acorn

Apple Festival Alison ChaseFriends, new and old, including Congressman John Tierney, stopped by to look at maps, buy a Boxford Trail Guide, ask questions about a particular trail, or sometimes to give us kudos for all we do. The nice kudos we'll put in our back pocket for a day when our to do list is really, really long.

BTA/BOLT Fall Scrapbook

Boxford Explored Alison ChaseThe second guided hike for Boxford Explored, the program by which you are awarded for hiking Boxford’s many trails, was held at Chadwick Mill/Anvil Farm on a beautiful Fall day, September 29. The hikers included families with children, several people from out of town who joined the trek as part of the Trails and Sails event and of course several dogs. Bev and Dave Ingalls who led the hike through Anvil Farm, provided everyone with a history of the area and Bev was a wealth of knowledge when it came to recognizing plants and signs of wildlife. We were all rewarded after the hike with a cookout at the Chadwick Mill site.

Trail Ride and Pumpkin Hunt Angela SteadmanFall is a very busy time for BTA/BOLT. It sometimes seems that the BTA/BOLT volunteers spend all of September and October continuously planning, attending and organizing one event after another. There is just something about the cooler weather, the foliage, and the lack of insects buzzing around your head, that makes everyone want to attend outdoor events, and enjoy the trails and open space in Boxford. So we try to plan events for everyone to enjoy. With the fall, however, frequently comes unpredictable weather. In the past, we have had to cancel more than our fair share of events in September and October as a result of torrential rain, high winds, and yes, even snow. And so, we schedule our fall events, cross our fingers, and hope for the best. It’s fall in New England, what else can you do?

Fall 2013 Page 7the Acorn

Thankfully, we lucked out with the weather this year! Indeed, two of our fall events, the Annual West Boxford Fall Trail Ride and the Pumpkin Hunt, were held on what can only be described as simply glorious fall days. Over twenty riders and numerous hikers participated in the West Boxford Fall Trail Ride, which just happened to coincide with peak foliage in Boxford. It was spectacular! The Pumpkin Hunt was equally successful, with so many children searching out the two hundred baby pumpkins that were hidden in the Cargill field, it was impossible to get a head count. Fall is a busy time for BTA/BOLT, but always a fun time.

Fall 2013Page 8 the Acorn

I like hiking on Boxford trails because it is simple. You can swing on a rope swing, climb a tree, or mom's favorite thing...just enjoy the scenery! I suggest hiking in the early fall when the leaves are on the ground and it is not too cold! I also enjoy picking our Christmas Tree at the Mary A. Herrick forest and then taking a long hike!

Youth Corner Quinn Gardner, age 8

"Been using the BTA/BOLT trail book and picking a new trail each time out. Inspired by the "Boxford Explored" slogan and the new puppy we've been getting out 4-5 days a week."

Recently, the BTA/BOLT board decided to rent a mini-bus to tour conservation properties in Boxford--those owned by BTA/BOLT and those owned by the town. Natasha Grigg, president of BTA/BOLT, and Nancy Merrill, vice-president, conducted the tour. This was done to afford relatively new members of the board the ability to be able to identify those properties that we periodically monitor for conservation restriction violations. We also made stops so that trail heads could be pointed out. We took off at Wayne's Community Store on a beautiful fall day and travelled from the Fish Brook River on the Boxford/Topsfield line to the Boxford Town Forest on the Haverhill line. We made a pit stop at the West Village Provisions general store at the half-way point. By the time we returned to Wayne's, we had clocked three hours. Currently, we have finished 95 percent of our monitoring for 2013. We encourage you to purchase the BTA/BOLT Trail Guide to familiarize yourself with the myriad of beautiful trails that we maintain across the town. Simply call our office at 887- 7031 and one of our board members will connect with you.

Bus Tour and Monitoring of Conserved Properties in Boxford Barbara Shade

A Facebook Post......

Fall 2013 Page 9the Acorn

Potter's Farm as described in the Boxford Trail GuidePotter's Farm is a 70 acre parcel in West Boxford owned by BTA/BOLT with a conservation restriction

held by ECGA. Hiking Potter's Farm can be challenging in places so be sure to bring a walking stick. Trails here will soon connect to trails on Nason's.

This area was once known as “Governor Andrew’s Swamp,” after Massachusetts’ Governor John Andrews, famous for being the first governor to answer Abraham Lincoln’s call to arms for the Civil War. Andrews commissioned several all-black companies, one of which was made famous in the movie “Glory”. His family’s home was the large yellow house on the corner of Essex St. and Rte. 133, which overlooks the property.

The area contains hardwood forest, a sizable hemlock stand, wetlands, and many rocky outcroppings. A number of vernal pools are near the Plummer Rd. entrance. There is evidence of coyote, fisher, beaver, otter, and deer, as well as bluebirds, turkeys, pileated woodpeckers, and red-breasted nuthatches. Ledges overlook vernal pools. The highest point in the area is the hill with a view under the power lines. Salamanders and turtles are still abundant here. A stream, which flows into Sperry’s pond, goes on to become the Parker River.

SUGGESTED WALKS, The Main Trail MAP 18

This is the easier route to the power lines with a well worn earthen trail bed.

To take the easier main trail, bear left at the first fork where Anne’s Path goes right. Bypass the first trail to the left, which is a private trail that leads to Belvedere Rd. At the next intersection you have two choices: 1.) To the left is a loop trail that passes through a stone wall, goes along a ridge, and by the stream that flows from the swamp. The loop trail meanders by pools, wetlands and back through the stone wall to meet again with the main trail. 2.) Stay straight to stay on the main trail. Facing the sign to the Judy and Forest Trail, turn right to stay on the main trail which passes along a low area and goes through an area where 5 stone walls meet and there is a beautiful hemlock stand. Follow either trail where it splits to arrive at a hill with a view of the power lines where wildflowers abound. A small section of the property is on the other side of the power lines where an old road passes through it and circles back to the power lines. Retrace your steps, following the green arrows back to Plummer Rd.

See page 149 of the Boxford Trail Guide for additional trail descriptions.

Steve Davis will lead a hike on Potter's Farm on Tuesday, February 11.

Potter's Farm

Fall 2013Page 10 the Acorn

BTA/BOLT, Inc. OfficersNatasha Grigg - PresidentAngela Steadman-VP, Administration/AcquisitionsNancy Merrill - VP, TrailsNancy Walker - SecretaryDavid Ingalls - Treasurer

BTA/BOLT, Inc. Board Members At LargeBelinda Barbas Bev Ingalls Alison Chase Bonnie Lucas Steve Davis Andrew PlucinskiChris Delaney Barbara ShadeJudy Gore Richard Tomczyk Jessica Grigg Priscilla Welch

BTA/BOLT, Inc. (Boxford Trails Association/Boxford Open Land Trust) is a member of the Massachusetts Land Trust Coalition, the Land Trust Alliance, and the Bay Circuit Alliance. We are a volunteer, private, nonprofit, tax-exempt organization dedicated to preserving and protecting natural and aesthetically important land and wildlife habitat, including fields, forests, wetlands, and trails to preserve the nature of Boxford. Founded in 1978, BTA/BOLT has helped protect over 100 miles of trails and over 1,200 acres of land and is supported by your membership and contributions. For more information, contact info@btabolt.org.

Stay connected with BTA/BOLT on Facebook and Meetup

Is Your Membership Current?Please check the address label on this newsletter. If the number above your name and to the right reads 6/2014 or H, then your membership is good through June, 2014. Otherwise your dues are outstanding. Please bring your membership up to date by sending in a check. Mark 2014 membership on the check. Our membership year goes from July 1st to June 30th. Thank you for maintaining your membership!

Gift IdeasWe have some great gift ideas for your

favorite nature lover/hiker/horseback rider/land conservationist.�Boxford Trail Guide $20 (members) $25 (non-members)�Boxford Town-Wide Map $5�Exploring Boxford's Beautiful Trails $5�Short Walks in Boxford $3�BTA/BOLT Membership $25 individual $40 family

To order any of these items send a check for the full amount to BTA/BOLT, PO Box 95, Boxford, MA 01921. Shipping will be FREE through December. For more information on these books, booklets and map see our web site: btabolt.org

FYI......Deer Hunting Season

State land in Boxford is open to hunters in season, but there is NO hunting on any BTA/BOLT, Inc. land. Hunting on private land is by written permission of the landowner only. Please exercise caution and wear blaze orange during deer hunting season. And don't forget to put an orange bandana or vest on your dog. Hunting is not allowed on Sunday. Deer: Archery 10/21 - 11/30 Shotgun 12/2 - 12/ 14 Primitive 12/16 - 12/31

Bay Circuit Trail FriendsDay 6 of e-Awakenings hike of the Bay Circuit

Trail is up on our website at www.e-awakening.com. Ed Becker tells us what's happening nationally to help conserve land and Marlies Henderson shows us a little trail blazing in Billerica. See a great example of a beaver deceiver and the Solstice Stones atop of Holt Hill.

Hope you enjoy the Adventure.

Parker River National Wildlife RefugeThe Parker River National Wildlife Refuge on

Plum Island will be closed Dec. 11 for deer culling/hunting.

ATV’s were recently noticed on Chapman Lane and in the Village Cemetery. Please be mindful that the Boxford Trail System is for PASSIVE RECREATION only. These trails are open for all to enjoy the sounds and sights and views of nature via walking, snowshoeing, cross country skiing, running, hiking, biking, horseback riding, and trail maintenance. Because ATVs damage the trail bed and loud motors disturb wildlife, we request NO Motorized Vehicles.

Maintenance: While some walkers/hikers prefer narrow trails, trail maintainers will need to rethink the best width for some trails in the Boxford trail system. Bald Hill experienced a fire between intersections #19 and # 18 during the week of Nov 17. This trail was barely wide enough to accommodate the Boxford fire vehicles. While viewing the fire area, I noticed that this trail acted as a fire break as most of the fire stayed on the northeast side of the trail. While approximately 26 acres of forest land was burned, this fire was not hot enough to burn the trees. The little pine trees retained their green needles. The access entrance to this fire was off Middleton Road heading southeast, at the first northern entrance to the Phillips Wildlife Sanctuary.

A proposal to re-energizing the Friends of Bald Hill Reservation has met with enthusiasm from Boxford, Middleton, and North Andover representatives to the Bay Circuit Region 2 maintenance meeting. Plans are underway and will be reported in the next newsletter.

This summer, the rains that came, enhanced the growing season of bushes, vines and undergrowth along the trail system. Thus, many trails maintained in the first half of this year, needed attention during the second half of the year. The contract workers of college age continued to maintain the Heron Rookery Trail, Hovey’s Pond Meadow (a beautiful spot for watching birds), the complex at the Xmas Tree Lot/ The Lane/ Palmer Woods, Ipswich-Kelsey Nursery trail along Ipswich Road from the Georgetown Road corner to Carolina Way, Haynes Hay Field perimeter trail, Perkins Woods, and the Route 97 entrance to the Pye Brook Trail.

The heavy work of cutting the shrubbery along the Cargill hay fields’ stone walls for a pedestrian perimeter trail and a second year of maintenance on the Peabody stone walls was accomplished by Eric Peterson and his crew from Peterson Landscaping.

Maintenance by volunteers was done on the trail system from the Hovey’s Pond Parking Area, along Main Street in front of the Belted Galloway cattle fields, into the power line trails that lead to Hovey’s Pond vistas, Potter’s Farm, Nason’s parcel and the main trail up the center of the power line, another good area for bird watching. The overgrowth at Chadwick Mill was also cleared away and the trail to Anvil Farm mowed.

Nason’s trails will be opened in 2014 after all legalities are settled.The Cargill Field pedestrian trail to Fish Brook through very interesting woods was opened up by the

Thursday Light Maintenance Group of volunteers. This group continues to check trail signage (green arrows and Bay Circuit directional signs) and performs light maintenance where needed.

A new culvert was installed at the Lockwood Lane gate entrance to prevent run off from the trail in heavy rains and to allow fish to travel upstream.

Fall 2013 Page 11the Acorn

Trail Buzz Nancy Merrill

Jean Dewberry, Dave & Bev Engalls walk the recently mowed trail along Main St. in front of the Belted Galloway cattle fields.

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