Mass Audubon - Wellfleet Bay

Nov, 3, 4 & 5

During this active weekend, we will explore a variety of landscapes in search of tracks and signs left behind by animals that otherwise remain hidden. Hikes, observation, and activities will heighten our awareness and introduce us to the stories unfolding in the landscape.

Animals are all around us, but many are stealthy, shy, and seldom seen. Tracks are a window into an otherwise hidden world of wild animals. Tracking also allows us to 'read' the landscape in our local environments and discover how changes within these systems can affect the local ecology throughout the seasons. Over the course of this weekend, you will have fun learning to attend landscapes, tracks, scat, browse burrows, search the beaches for stranded marine animals and more to develop a narrative for the creatures who have traveled by when you weren't looking. Keen attention can be honed; and paired with some basic knowledge of the life history of plants and animals, the passages of animals can enliven a landscape, even if you never see hide nor hair. We'll walk woods, shores, and dunes to discover what we can find and set up a motion camera to see what happens after darkness falls.

Dress to be comfortable outside, on and off the trail, in a range of weather. Walks will cover up to 4 miles per day. Please dress in layers and dress for the weather (we will walk in all weather conditions). Wear comfortable, sturdy shoes for walking and bring waterproof sandals/shoes or knee-high rubber boots for when we need them.

Also bring binoculars, and a notepad or journal-you never know when inspiration strikes! A backpack in which to carry your gear is also needed. You may also wish to bring: small ruler (6" plastic rulers work well); measuring tape (cloth tapes, often found in sewing supply shops, are best); and camera

Please pack a brown bag lunch, snacks, and plenty of drinking water.

*Please note: the hours listed on the schedule may vary from the sample schedule in the field school brochure and are subject to change based on tides, staff, optimal wildlife sightings, and other variables.

This course is one of several Cape Cod Field Schools offered. To learn more, visit www.massaudubon.org/wellfleetbay/fieldschools.