PLANTS
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ANIMALS
The website www.FoundintheFells.com developed by Bryan Hamlin focuses on Fells plants and has three components:
1. Month by month illustrations of Fells plant life.
2. Details about Fells floral surveys.
3. A gallery of images of wildflowers found in the Fells.
The Found in the Fells website pages inform any casual Fells visitor that you will be rewarded if you know what to look for during any given month of the year.
Biodiversity, or the number of different species living interdependently in a natural system, is a measure of the health of that system. Zoologists have been surprised to find not only foxes and deer in the Fells, but coyote and fisher-cat as well. A botanical survey, to be published in early 2012, has so far discovered an amazing eight hundred and sixty three different species of vascular plants in the Fells, plus one hundred and ten lichen species. An inventory of moss species is under way.
Elizur Wright and others pioneered the creation of the Fells as a Reservation for access by citizens of greater Boston to the wildness of nature and the many benefits it brings. Celebrating the high level of biodiversity which still exists in the Fells brings with it a sense of duty to protect the delicate ecological balance for future generations to also enjoy.
The wild rocky geography of the 2500 acre Fells Reservation provides a variety of plant species and environmental areas which afford habitats for a variety of animal species. Mass Audubon has listed the Fells as an Important Bird Area due to its importance for nesting or migrating birds. Who can forget the first time a fox was spotted in the Fells, or the melodies of the peeper frogs in springtime. We encourage you to share your photographs of animals you have seen in the Fells.
Not often seen or photographed in the Fells is the Fisher, this one seen on Sunday, May 25th, 2008, near Rams Head Road and South Border Road. Photograph by Leona Marx
Bob Kittredge wrote that he took this photo in May 2010 on the Rock Circuit Trail not far from Flynn Rink, and that the snake then slithered away into the hole seen in the upper corner of the image.
Bull frog and Wood frog.
Photos by Mike Ryan and Walter Kittredge
Paul Devaney wrote, '"I found these guys in the pines next to the 90 MM site Tuesday December 25, 2007 at noon. There were a total of 5. They have been there at least two days. I found their tracks Monday."
Whip Hill Vernal Pool, Spring 2011 Photo by Mike Ryan
Harvard University Herbaria Grant to Benefit Fells Plant Documentation
The Harvard University Herbaria was recently awarded an Institute of Museum and Library Services National Leadership Grant to document the original 1896 Deane plant survey of the four Metropolitan Reservations: Beaver Brook, Blue Hills, Middlesex Fells, and Stony Brook.
The impetus for applying for this grant was provided by the research done at the Herbaria by Dr. Bryan Hamlin and Walter Kittredge for the recently completed survey of the Fells flora. Walter, who is the Senior Curatorial Assistant at the Herbaria, will be the primary contributor for this project, locating, databasing, and imaging the original voucher specimens that were deposited in the New England Botanical Club Herbarium.
These images will then be linked by the librarians to images of relevant archival materials from the library, and made available to the public on the Harvard Herbaria website.
These materials will highlight the unique history and floristic study of these first iconic reservations, providing new research tools for historians and scientists.
For further information on Pinnacle Rock Hawk Watch activities contact Craig at crleja@yahoo.com
Jack Miano and Craig Jackson on Pinnacle Rock, October 23rd. Photo by Bob Ghika
