The Friends of Willard Brook have organized a series of group outings, with the first coming on up this weekend:

Saturday, July 11.  10:30-1:00.  Blueberry Picking on Watatic.  .  Climb Mount Watatic, enjoy a picnic lunch, and pick a bucketful of ripe blueberries at the summit.  Meet in Ashburnham at the Route 119 parking lot for Watatic located 1.6 miles west of Route 101.  Bring a bag lunch, water and empty containers for the berries.  Wear sturdy hiking boots.  Call Emily Norton with questions at 978-597-3553.

Saturday, July 18.  8:00-10:00.   Morning Bird and Nature Walk along the Nashua River Rail Trail with Peter Alden.  Join Peter Alden, well-known birder, author and naturalist, for a morning bird walk along the rail trail in Groton.  We will seek out summer migrants and local favorites by sight and sound during the height of the breeding season.  Beginners encouraged!  Meet at the Rail Trail parking area in downtown Groton (Court Street).  Bring binoculars and a field guide if you have them. Please contact Emily Norton with any questions at 978-597-3553.

Saturday, August 1.  10:00-12:00. Nature Watching with Jennifer Pettit and Emily Norton.  Go to some special, hidden places to see the quiet, magnificent scenes that play out on a daily basis while most folks are busy with other stuff.  We will walk little and notice lots.  Bring binoculars, field guides, bug repellant and eager eyes and ears.  Meet at Townsend Memorial Hall parking lot.  We will carpool to the sites.  Call Emily Norton at 978-597-3553 for more information.

Saturday, August 15. 10:00. Hike Mt. Watatic Trails with Bill Stanwood. Hike about five miles and two hours in Bill’s “backyard” as you explore some of the northern trails of Watatic including parts of the Wapack Trail.  Reach the state line and find the nearby monument.  Learn about area history.  Enjoy the views and pick out landmarks from the summit. If you’d like, please bring an area short story to share at the top. Hike starts on Bennett Road in Ashby.  Directions:  Take 119W through Ashby center.  Just beyond the Ashburnham town line, take a right onto Pillsbury Road, and then a left onto Bennett Road.  Hike starts approximately ¾ mile up Bennett Road.  Call Bill for more information at 978-386-5692 evenings.

Saturday, August 22.  9:30-11:00. Hike in Willard Brook State Forest with Sussie Holzberlein.  Walk 2.3 miles along the new Damon Pond Loop trail. Meet at the Damon Pond parking lot.  Call Sussie at 978-502-6137 with questions.

Saturday, September 5, 2009.  11:00 – 12:00.  Fly-fishing Seminar with Eino Kauppi, Townsend resident and treasurer for Friends of Willard Brook, who has successfully taught fly fishing on the Squannacook River for more than 20 years.  An overview of the sport of fly fishing, including the aspects of casting, equipment, the fish’s environment, and the practice of good conservation.  Meet at Pearl Hill State Park parking lot on New Fitchburg Road in West Townsend.  For more information, call Eino at 978-597-0248.

Saturday, September 5, 2009.  1:00 – 2:00.  Beaver Talk and Walk exploring beaver habitat with Eino Kauppi.  Learn about the beaver’s life history, its habitat, and its role in nature.  Meet at Pearl Hill State Park parking lot.  For more information, call Eino at 978-597-0248.

Saturday, September 26, 2009.  9:00-1:00. Picking the Wild Cranberries! Join us for a trip to a wild cranberry bog.  Pick enough cranberries for homemade cranberry sauce at Thanksgiving, with plenty left over to freeze.  We will meet at Pearl Hill State Park parking lot in West Townsend, and then we’ll carpool to the bog about 45 minutes away.  Wear waterproof boots, long pants, and bring baskets to gather your berries.  This trip is limited to 10 participants, and you must pre-register with Emily Norton at 978-597-3553.