Friends of Fannie Stebbins

06/06/2026

Many friends have expressed concerns about the speed of traffic on Pondside Rd (especially on days the recycling center is open). Sharing a post from Longmeadow Police related to road safety: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1KFnQfbdFe/
You can click into the link and drop a pin on Pondside Rd then share your concern in the comments. Just takes a couple of minutes.

We're helping out our friends at Valley Planning Commission to gather responses for a Safe Streets and Roads for All planning process. Have you noticed a dangerous intersection, speeding concerns, or a place that feels unsafe to walk or bike? The Pioneer Valley Planning Commission is collecting community input to improve road safety. Drop a pin on the interactive map to share your experience: https://www.fhistudio-apps.com/arniev2/ #/tool/pioneer-valley-safe-streets

06/03/2026

It's June, which means we are headed deep into butterfly season! Shown below are some of the pictures we have already received of butterflies at the refuge (see captions for ID and credit). We are hoping to get lots more this year! please see the attached checklist and note what we have already received for pictures. New species should be sent to Friends Board member Roy at [email protected]. He will check the id and add to our collection which will be hitting our website this summer. Thank you to David and Michele for your contributions!

06/02/2026

We were thrilled that one of our most active Stebbins birders had the highest number of species reported for our 75 Bird Challenge last weekend. Big congratulations to Yin Qin who was able to get 52 species despite challenging weather and limited migratory activity. Shown below is his capture of a Black-bellied Plover from Saturday.

05/29/2026

Although there is a storm coming in tonight just a reminder that we are officially launching our brand new bird checklist today with our 75 Bird Challenge weekend kicking off tomorrow! Sunday looks like the better day for bird watching. See below for details, pick up your copy of the Stebbins bird checklist at the trailhead kiosks starting at noon today, and start birding tomorrow! Huge thanks to Board members Vince and Mike for putting this checklist together. We can't wait to see how many bird species you identify this weekend! https://www.facebook.com/share/1BGfCqubaw/

05/27/2026

Water rushing over the edge of a beaver pond along Meadow Trail this morning. Did you know beavers are the reason the first European settlers were drawn to the Greater Springfield area? Unregulated trapping and hunting led to their total disappearance from the region by the late 1700’s. Thanks to reintroduction starting in the early 1900’s the beaver population has rebounded and these incredible creatures again play an integral role in wetland habitats, including at Fannie Stebbins.

05/22/2026

Plenty to check out this weekend at the Refuge. There are two sets of swan families visible from Pondside Rd, along with dozens of goslings. Although the major warbler migration seems to have passed through, still plenty of them around including Blackpolls, Black & Whites, Yellow, and Yellowthroat. If you put on your rubber boots you might hear/see rarer avian species such as Bitterns and/or a Common Gallinule.

If you are looking for a treasure hunt see if you can find patches of the parasitic Orobanche uniflora (One-flowered Cancer Root) which does not have chorophyll, but survives off of nutrients from host plant roots (shown below). Also blooming right now are Irises, Mayflowers, Solomon's Plume, Common Starwort, and Wild Geranium.

Bugs are starting to pick up in numbers but very tolerable with repellent. Pondside Trail remains under calf-deep water - boots highly recommended.

05/20/2026

We have an urgent plea for all our friends and visitors, please no more feeding the birds and wildlife.

Not just for the reasons on the sign (which is posted on Pondside Rd) but also because the ongoing feeding of birds on the roadside is causing large flocks of geese and other birds to congregate on the road. These flocks now have small babies which are not car-savvy and run out into the road.

Additionally, the proximity of large numbers of birds to human activities means increased risk that the birds get caught up in human trash (including fishing line).

We do believe the behavior is well-intentioned, but feeding wildlife on the side of the road puts all the birds and animals at greater risk of injury and/or death.

We appreciate everyone's assistance with protecting our beloved birds and animals!

05/18/2026

There was some serious birding happening this past weekend at the refuge. Since the early 1950's dedicated bird watchers have counted each bird seen at the refuge over a 24 hour period the third weekend of May. This marathon event organized by the Allen Bird Club has provided important information on bird migration and populations over the decades. https://www.allenbirdclub.org/spring-bird-counts