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| Hay carts at Mass Audubon's Daniel Webster Wildlife Sanctuary in Marshfield. |
When I was a
teenager, I got into trouble more than once for attempting to visit some of our
local nature preserves at night. Most of them are only open from dawn until
dusk, and if you park in their designated lots after sunset, you run the risk
of getting ticketed or towed. Not to mention that you’re disobeying the rules!
But these places are
so inviting! I know I’m not the only one who is curious about what our
conservation properties are like after dark. Part of the reason the rules are
in place is to prevent people from getting into mischief on public land. What’s
a well-intentioned explorer to do?
Fortunately, some of
the region’s earth-friendly organizations and other stewards of the land
occasionally offer guided tours of conservation lands at night. The North and
South Rivers Watershed Association hosts a moonlight hike (or paddling trip)
every now and then. The South Shore Natural Science Center has its Owl Prowl
and other evening programs. And Mass Audubon offers the occasional hike or
hayride.
This September, my
son and I and several of our family friends signed up together for Audubon’s “Summer’s
Last Hurrah! Hayride,” which took place at Marshfield’s Daniel Webster Wildlife
Sanctuary. We met at dusk on a cool Saturday evening, and enjoyed snacks around
a small bonfire while Audubon’s Education Coordinator Amy Quist shared myths
and stories about the changing seasons. Then we all piled into a tractor-towed
cart lined with loose hay and took a tour through the sanctuary.
Night had fallen by
then, so we were there just as much to listen as to see. Occasionally Quist and
her assistant would stop the cart and encourage us to pay attention to our
surroundings. How many different sounds could we hear? What did we think they
were? How was the sanctuary different at night?
Daniel Webster
Sanctuary was once a farm. In fact, from 1832 until his death 20 years later,
it was renowned statesman Daniel Webster’s farm! The property retained its
agricultural purpose well into the 20th century. Since the 1980s
Mass Audubon has managed it. It’s now a popular wildlife sanctuary, and
exploration is permitted only on foot, so it was a treat to be literally carted
around to see the various features at night. Webster’s orchard, the Green
Harbor River, and Fox Hill each take on a different character after dark.
Quist also asked us
to look up. When you get away from the lights of civilization – even just a
little bit – the stars seem so much brighter. It was a clear night, so there
was plenty to observe in the Autumn Equinox sky. Quist pointed our various
constellations and fielded questions from adults and children alike.
Some of our crew
liked the bonfire and stories (and homemade cookies) best. Others enjoyed the
novelty of riding in the hay cart, and making “nests.” For me, the most
memorable moment was when we stopped near the top of Fox Hill, and had a chance
to look up at the night sky. It’s been a while since I’ve seen so many stars!
Mass Audubon offers
guided hayrides a few times a year. You can also arrange a private one, for
birthday parties or other events. Visit the website www.massaudubon.org for details on the organization, its
properties, and the programs it offers throughout the year. Or call the South
Shore Sanctuaries headquarters at 781-837-9400 to find out what’s happening
next.
by Kezia Bacon
October 2015
