Wellington Park - Nature Notes

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Nature Notes Spring Robin - Dorothy Doherty, March 2000

Wellington Park can be a place to witness nature happenings. In this department, we hope to document any interesting nature observations you may make at Wellington Park. There are a good number of bird species that frequent Wellington Park, particularly the tall conifers along the eastern edge of the park. Wellington Park has a nice open sky, making it a great place on a clear night for such things as meteor observation (for example during the Perseid meteor showers in August). Please send us any of your nature notes for publication in this space.

You may not realize it but within a short walking distance from Wellington Park is one of the most diverse nature habitats in Newton. Where is this haven of nature, you say? Dolan Pond Conservation Area. Just head west down River Street and take a left onto Auburndale Ave at the dry cleaners. One entrance is on the left down Auburndale Ave, a block and a half. Another entrance is on the street Webster Park which is off Webster Ave. Over 130 species of birds have been seen there as well as some rare plants found nowhere else in Newton. It's also home to coyote, muskrat, rabbits, turtles, frogs, snakes, salamanders, and recently even a rare fisher (in the weasel family) has been seen there. Please visit the new Friends of Dolan Pond website at http://dolanpond.8m.com.

Another wild place not too distant is the newly declared Flowed Meadow Conservation Area (behind the Rumford Avenue landfill and connecting to Auburndale Park (the Cove area). A public meeting will be held on Thursday, March 16, 2000, 7:30 PM at the Burr School to gather citizen comments.

Jane Quinn has an interesting story to tell about all the mysterious conifer clippings near the northeast gate (stay tuned for an upcoming story). And you thought crop circles were mysterious!

The Newton Conservators is an organization devoted to open space issues in Newton. Try visiting their website at www.newtonconservators.org. If you are interested in Newton's Parks and Recreation open spaces consider joining this organization.

Special thanks to Dorothy Doherty for her beautiful drawing of the spring Robin seen above. Believe it or not, robins visited our park even in January this year.