Winter Birds, Ecology and Adaptations. Join Bill Randolph and come witness how winter birds use different strategies and adaptations to survive the cold, harsh winter conditions throughout the sanctuary's diverse habitats, including mixed deciduous forest, floodplains, ponds, oxbow and grasslands. We will start with Arcadia’s bird feeders at the Nature Center and the trails around Hulbert’s Pond, then drive ¼ mile down to the oxbow and walk through the grasslands. We’ll hope to observe a variety of songbirds, woodpeckers, and resident bald eagles. Plan on walking 1–2 miles on mostly level, uneven ground. Trail conditions constantly change; keep an eye on the winter weather. Sturdy warm boots and spikes for ice are recommended. We'll meet in the Arcadia Nature Center parking lot at 127 Combs Road in Easthampton at 8:30 am. Restrooms are available in the Nature Center (opens at 9:00 am). There are a few benches along the trails near the nature center if rest stops are needed, but not in the meadows. Questions? Email Bill at warandolph@comcast.net. Limited to 12 participants. (M)

Field Trip designations:
(E) – Easy conditions, fairly accessible for most, usually flat terrain on improved trails or roads. 
(M) – Moderately difficult, more challenging trail conditions, short steep sections, longer hikes. 
(S) – Strenuous conditions, muddy or rocky trails, steep sections, difficult footing in part.