Please join us for socializing & complimentary appetizers, followed by concise summaries of the Conservancy’s accomplishments in 2011. Our board members are eager to meet you and hear your ideas.

Two speakers will give short talks on local happenings. City Forester Doug Still will discuss challenges to our trees. Tom Brueckner, Chief Engineer at the Narragansett Bay Commission, will update us on neighborhood sewer projects.

The details: Wednesday, March 28 at India Restaurant, 1060 Hope St (across from Lippitt Park). Refreshments start at 5:30, presentations at 6:00.

Like many of us, newcomer Elisa Vele-Tabaddor is intrigued by birds and eager to learn more about them. She will be writing about the birds she sees in our parks as the seasons progress.

Birding Delight

By Elisa Vele-Tabaddor

Did you know Rhode Island’s state bird is a chicken called the Rhode Island Red? Well, I can’t say I’ve seen one of those walking around the neighborhood, but as a new East Side resident I do see a thriving and diverse bird population. The Blackstone Park Conservation District, and the greenway of which it is part, hosts approximately 150 avian species, from the common Blue Jays and Chipping Sparrows to the more unique Great Horned Owls, Kentucky Warbler, and Veery.

The wooded greenway that stretches north from the Blackstone Conservation District through the grounds of Butler Hospital and Swan Point Cemetery and beyond, provides spots for birds migrating from North to South America and back (and points in between) to rest and replenish. The Seekonk River–the upper estuary linking Blackstone River and the Narragansett Bay—hosts unique breeding and migratory birds.

In the winter months and year-round, one can see Northern Cardinals, Lincoln Sparrows, Blue Jays, Black-capped Chickadees, Wild Turkeys and a variety of Woodpeckers and Finches. Hooded Mergansers, Red-tailed Hawks, and a Bald Eagle were recently seen on (or along) the Seekonk.

Just to highlight a few woodpecker sightings in Blackstone Park Conservation District:

Downy Woodpecker

Hairy Woodpecker (pictured at right)

Northern Flicker

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

Red-bellied Sapsucker

Especially intriguing is the Peregrine Falcon. The RI Audubon Society noticed this fierce creature in downtown Providence in 2010 as well as several nesting areas atop buildings (Audubon Society of RI Report, 2010). They have also been sighted in Blackstone Park, flying overhead, perched, and hunting.

We invite you to share your own winter bird sightings by commenting on this post.

What is the Blackstone Parks Conservancy doing to support our local bird population?

Natural parklands in the Blackstone Conservation District contain 45 acres of woods with hiking trails and two ponds. There is excellent bird watching along the 2,400 feet of shore by the Seekonk River.

With loss of habitat a major cause of decline of many bird species in Rhode Island and elsewhere, the Blackstone Parks Conservancy (BPC) works with the Providence Parks Department and other partners to restore and maintain local natural areas so that birds and other wildlife can breed and continue to thrive in the Providence community. Thus the shrubs in the new planting at the corner of River Road and Irving were chosen for their appeal to birds and butterflies.

We encourage natural re-growth and remove invasive species in order to maintain a suitable habitat. And last year we co-hosted a photo exhibit to educate the public about Blackstone woods. With spring and fall cleanups and the help of many unsung volunteers all year long, we help keep River Road clean. We also work to reduce pollution of the water flowing into the Seekonk River estuary through York Pond in order to protect wildlife.

For more information about birding in our neighborhood and beyond, please visit the sites below.

The Rhode Island Audubon Society: www.asri.org

The Nature Conservancy: http://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/regions/northamerica/unitedstates/rhodeisland/index.htm

John’s Birding Blog: http://johnsbirdingblog.blogspot.com/2011/05/swan-point-cemetery-providence-ri-may-5.html

Rhode Island Birds: http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/RIBD.html

Birding.com: http://www.birding.com/wheretobird/rhodeisland.asp

Although bad weather discouraged some volunteers on Trail Day, October 1st, there were still enough to accomplish a lot of the plan devised by the Parks Department and the Conservancy.

Three Appalachian Mountain Club volunteers extended the split-rail fence around the northeastern bluff all the way to the steps. Another half dozen carried heavy logs and staked them in place to narrow and line trails that have widened over the years. Volunteers from the Conservancy and Friends of Blackstone Woods worked hard.

Alas, the photos are blurry, but in at least one–with project organizer Chris Shafer in the foreground pounding in a stake–it’s because the AMC’ers were working so hard and fast as well. And the Parks Department sent half a dozen men to cut or grind trees felled by Hurricane Irene. Supplies were purchased with a grant to the AMC from the Department of Environmental Management.

What was accomplished? More of the trail definition park visitors have been requesting and more reclamation of areas vulnerable to erosion so that plants can again anchor the soil there. The Parks Department plans to bring in loam for pilot projects in a few key areas.

Our hearty thanks to everyone who participated. We look forward to the follow-up workday now scheduled for October 22nd. Rain date is October 23rd.

A family celebration, presented by the Friends of India Point Park.  For further details see here.

Earlier this summer 40 City Year Rhode Island volunteers, aged 18-22, spent the better part of a day working in the Conservation District. They tackled an enormous patch of Japanese knotweed on Irving Avenue and River Road, leaving an easier job for Conservancy invasive species experts to follow up on through the rest of the summer and fall. In the central woodland they went after bittersweet with some success and wheel barrowed mulch to the new habitat planting.

Second-year volunteer Eric Calogianes pauses from his job of disentangling a bittersweet vine from a sapling to talk about his experience in a Providence school.

Zoo Camp on the Move came to the aid of the Blackstone Parks Conservancy on August 3rd this summer, once again tackling invasive species such as bittersweet. Aged 14 to 17, the volunteers are longtime Zoo Camp participants and seasoned weeders. They love the woods and understand the problem of invasive plants.

At the end of a long, dusty morning Ryan Mobley, Roger Laflanne, and Patrick Pollard wrestled an impressive euonymous (“burning bush”) root out of the ground and held up their prize as ospreys shrieked overhead.

Afterward, BPC president ex officio Anna Browder explained the habitat planting at York Pond and the kids spotted a hummingbird and monarch butterflies dancing among the native plants. The next word on everyone’s lips was “lunch.”

Over 300 people of all ages relaxed to the music of two swing ensembles– the Rhode Island Philharmonic Music School and the Faculty Jazz Band June 29th. Some brought picnics while others streamed across the street to Pascal’s gourmet truck.

The next concert, performed by a swing/jazz/Latin group called the Automatics, is Wednesday, July 13, from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. Chairs are available, but feel free to bring your own chair or blanket to the Trolley Shelter on Blackstone Boulevard at the corner of Elmgrove Avenue.

Last December, while searching for ways the Blackstone Parks Conservancy and dog-owners might work together in Blackstone Woods, Susan Olson, Elena Riverstone and Jane Peterson decided to ask the Narragansett Boat Club to co-sponsor a photo exhibit depicting the Seekonk River and the woodland and ponds. It was Elena’s photographs of mushrooms and lichen that sparked the idea that enthusiasm for the woods and the waterfront might be shared by many: through their eyes.The resulting show, “Through Our Eyes: Woodland and Water,” drew a festive crowd to the boat club on a perfect Sunday afternoon in June. Guests floated from the workout room transformed into a sparkling exhibit space, into the interior where food and drink awaited, then out to the north deck, where guitarist David Soltz played softly.

Heron at York Pond, by Frank Kahr

As expected, a wide range of visions depicting the woods, ponds, and river suggest that people see different moments of beauty in these precious resources. The Blackstone Parks Conservancy plans to continue collaborating with as many partners as possible to find ways to enhance their protection.

A silent auction of Frank Kahr’s dazzling “Heron at York Pond” was won by artist and rower Sharon Cutts. Frank is a longtime amateur photographer and a rower as well.

We wish to thank all the photographers who shared their visions of the Blackstone Park Conservation District and the Seekonk River: Melissa Bagga, Anna Browder, Alden Bumstead, Bill Braden, James Dealy, Shirley Dimatteo, Elliot Esterman, Jonathan Ford, Frank Kahr, Alyssa Morin, Jane Peterson, Elena Riverstone, Karston Schultz, Mel Shelly, Jamie Worrell, Kimberly Worrell.

In addition, we thank the following people who pitched in to make this celebration a success:

The Blackstone Parks Conservancy, especially Gale Aronson, Carrie Drake,

Anthony Hollingshead, and Shirley Kesirian

Lucy Lepreau and the Quaker Meeting

The Narragansett Boat Club, especially Dan Gorriaran, Barbara Green, Kim Worrell, Bill Twaddell, John Ryan, Ruth Berenson, and Sharon Cutts

Spring Maple, by Alden Bumstead

Michael Glossup

Jason Dexter

Rachel Blackman

Byron Olson

India House

Whole Foods

East Side Marketplace

After the Rain, by Elena Riverstone

Snowy Woods, by Mel Shelly

On June 30, 9 to 11, from 9:00 to 11:00, five volunteers continued the work on Paterson Street, adding to the mountains of brush and bags of black swallow wort already awaiting pick-up.

Two volunteers also learned enough to remove invasive species in their own yards:

- Shirley brought along a vine from her garden and asked whether it was black swallow wort, because it was climbing the fence and the shrubs and trees and seemed invasive. We identified it as Asian Bittersweet, an invasive plant that grows all over the East Side, and now she can remove it with confidence.

- Sally went home after our last work session and identified black swallow wort in her neighborhood, which she removed.

Our free summer concert series is back!  Please join us for some great music at the trolley shelter, located on Blackstone Boulevard at the intersection with Elmgrove Avenue.

Concerts will be held on alternate Wednesdays, starting June 29,  from 6:00 – 7:30. If it rains the concert will be moved to the following Wednesday, but check this site to confirm.

Limited seating will be available for early birds, and there is plenty of room for your own folding chairs and  picnic blankets.  Enjoy dining while you listen?  Food trucks will be available or you can bring your own treats.

This year’s series:

June 29

RI Phil Youth Jazz Ensemble (big band repertoire)

RI Phil Jazz Faculty, featuring vocalist Debra Mann (a variety of jazz styles)

July 13

The Automatics (blues, swing, rhythm and blues and jazz).   Manny Vincente, lead singer, blues harp; Jeff Stanhope, guitar, John DeBossu, bass; Dave May, drums.

July 27

Latin Jazz (featuring music from Cuba and Puerto Rico)

August 10

Mike Miller’s Band (swing music with flair)

August 24

Mike Miller’s Band (swing music with flair)

This year’s concerts are funded by Butler Hospital, The Miriam Hospital, and Home and Hospice Care of Rhode Island.