Wildlife Watch by Marian Harman – July 2020

Do you have dandelions in your yard? Dandelions are despised by some and celebrated by others. I’m in the celebration camp. I consider dandelions to be beautiful, sunny and cheerful flowers, which are of great value to wildlife. I have a little book by Hilary Hopkins of Mass Audubon, titled Never Say It’s Just A … Read more

Wildlife Watch by Marian Harman – June 2020

Common Grackles Are your feeders dominated by grackles? Ours are too. Common Grackles are large birds, 11-13 inches long, with long beaks. Their coloring is black with a beautiful iridescent sheen of blue, purple and bronze. Their eyes are bright golden yellow. Surprisingly, though they are common and widespread, grackles are among those birds that … Read more

Wildlife Watch by Marian Harman – May 2020

One of my favorite hobbies is collecting old bird and wildflower guides. Perhaps you have a passion for this type of old book too. Recently, I was fortunate to be given a wonderful old pocket bird guide by a Westford friend. The book is titled Land Birds   Bird Guide: Song and Insectivorous Birds East of … Read more

Marsh Marigold

Marsh Marigold (Caltha palustris) seen next to Vine Brook April 21, 2020, South Westford – photo courtesy of Ron Gemma NATURE NOTES* By ANNIE REID Westborough Community Land Trust Marsh-marigolds in our streams and swamps The branches are still bare and the day is chilly, but you know it’s spring when you see a bouquet … Read more

Wildlife Watch by Marian Harman – April 2020

Brighter Outlook by Stepping Out Westford has lost a talented photographer, poet and nature lover, and I have lost a friend. Doug Pederson sent me many of his lovely bird photos over the years I knew him, and gave me permission to use them for the Westford Wildlife Watch column. His family put together some … Read more