What’s New at Wildlands
Local Lens: Q&A with Wildlife Photographer Peter Yekhtikian
Red fox at The Nook Preserve in Kingston. Photo by Peter Yekhtikian.
By Thomas Patti, Communications Coordinator
Peter Yekhtikian.
Many pursue wildlife photography as a retirement hobby. For Peter Yekhtikian of Kingston, it’s anything but. For starters, Peter is 16 years old, a junior at Rising Tide Charter Public School. Wildlife photography is also more than a hobby for Peter. Already, he has leveraged his keen observation skills and prodigious naturalist knowledge to spotlight and protect his local natural areas—including The Nook Preserve in Kingston, where he volunteers as a Wildlands Trust Adopt-a-Preserve trail monitor. I spoke with Peter about what spurred this passion and why everyone should spend more time on their neighborhood trails.
This conversation has been edited for length and clarity.
Eastern garter snake at The Nook Preserve in Kingston.
Thomas Patti: How did you get into wildlife observation and photography?
Peter Yekhtikian: I got into wildlife when I was about six. I loved watching Nat Geo documentaries and reading books about different animals.
When I was in fifth grade, we were watching the Bruins and heard screaming outside. We ended up figuring out where it was coming from and finding a fisher cat. It was crazy to see that in our neighborhood. That struck my interest in local wildlife.
Then, I got a camera for my birthday. One day, we had a Ring-necked Pheasant in our yard, and our little dog was chasing it. I was like, ‘Oh, this is really funny and cool. What if I try photography?’ And I just started taking photos of anything flying overhead.
From there, I got into using eBird so I could document some of the stuff I was seeing. I'd go out into our woods and take photos of anything I could find, and then I'd try to identify it and put it on [community science platforms] iNaturalist and eBird. It’s kind of like a game: how many species can I see today?
Ring-necked Pheasant in Rocky Nook, Kingston. Photo by Peter Yekhtikian.
You seem content documenting wildlife in your own backyard—often literally. Why is that?
Kingston is just as important as anywhere else. Because of all the habitats here—freshwater and saltwater marsh, the open bay, forest, wetlands, fields—we get species that other places don’t. I think my record was 73 species observed in one day. That was awesome.
I feel like Kingston is underrepresented in terms of wildlife data. If I can show people how much stuff we have here, it may inspire them to explore local preserves that aren’t appreciated enough. I’ve met people at The Nook who said they had never known about the preserve until they saw an eBird checklist I submitted. It feels really nice to know that what I’m doing is inspiring people to go to these places.
This summer, I interned with the Kingston Conservation Commission as a wildlife monitor. One day, I was checking the marsh in Rocky Nook, and I saw something fly out of the marsh. It was a sparrow, but it didn't fly like a Song Sparrow. It looked totally off. I was like, ‘Huh, what could this be?’ I ended up getting a photo, and I noticed a yellow streak on the eye. I was like, ‘Oh, wow. This is a Saltmarsh Sparrow.’ Mass Audubon’s most recent survey noted that Saltmarsh Sparrows had increased in population everywhere in Massachusetts except the South Shore, where there was no breeding activity at all. So, it was cool to see that they were breeding in our marshes. I don’t think anyone had ever checked, because no one really goes out there.
The Town of Kingston wanted to get a grant for adding more salt marsh hay into the marsh to attract Saltmarsh Sparrows. Now that we have evidence that they’re already breeding here, it’s going to be a lot easier to get that grant.
Saltmarsh Sparrow in Rocky Nook, Kingston. Photo by Peter Yekhtikian.
That is a great example of why communities should know and care about their local environment. What story do you hope to tell with your photos and videos?
The message is just to get outside and explore. Everyone should at least try to go into the woods. Just observe what’s around you. Everything is so fast-paced nowadays. Sometimes it’s nice to just slow down and get somewhere peaceful, where you’re not always on your phone, scrolling on TikTok or something.
White-tailed deer in Rocky Nook, Kingston. Photo by Peter Yekhtikian.
You also serve as an Adopt-a-Preserve trail monitor. Why do you volunteer with Wildlands?
My dad is a member of Wildlands Trust. Last year, he got an email from Wildlands asking for volunteers at certain preserves, and one of them was The Nook. And it just kind of struck me that I already go there so much. Why not help out more officially with the organization?
I also went to Wildlands’ birdhouse building workshop at the Stewardship Training Center last spring. I really enjoyed it. Afterwards, my Uncle Ken and I wanted to build more birdhouses for Kingston. So, we met with the Town of Kingston’s Conservation Agent, Matt Penella, to decide where we should put them. That meeting led to my summer internship with the Town. So, Wildlands Trust is very connected to my conservation story.
Bald Eagle in Rocky Nook, Kingston. Photo by Peter Yekhtikian.
Any other memorable wildlife experiences?
Last year, I was walking in the marshes, and I saw something that caught my eye. It was a fox running around the marshes. He was pretty far away, but then he kept getting closer and closer. I think he got within three feet of me, which was really, really, really cool to see. And he was almost playful with me. He was rolling around near me. It was just this wild animal, right next to me.
What’s next for you? Do you see a future in the conservation field?
I definitely want to do something revolving around conservation—either preserving nature or helping people work with it. I’m interested in going to college for environmental engineering.
In addition to photography, Peter captures video footage of Kingston wildlife using motion-activated trail cameras. Watch the video below for a compilation of Peter’s breathtaking work. View more on Peter’s YouTube channel, “Rocky Nook Trail Cameras.”
Welcome Pollinators to Your Garden This Spring
A bee rests on a dahlia in the Community Garden at Davis-Douglas Farm.
By Marilynn Atterbury, Key Volunteer
With the first day of spring right around the corner, green thumbs across Southeastern Massachusetts are twiddling with excitement. Gardeners are already dreaming of the flowers and produce that will revitalize their eyes, noses, and tongues after a long, dark winter.
But in early spring, protect the pollinators that sustain your garden and local ecosystem by leaving busyness to the bees. Believe it or not, the best thing you can do for your pollinator garden right now is nothing at all!
Many pollinators, especially bees and butterflies, spend the winter nestled in garden debris. If you rake up those pesky leaves too soon, you will literally be throwing away this year’s pollinators. Wait until the weather warms to a consistent 50 degrees—usually in late March or early April—for your garden clean-up.
Another early-spring tip: bees wake up hungry! So, make sure to plant early-blooming flowers, such as bleeding heart, lungwort, or ajuga. Even a little sugar water will help.
And don’t forget a water source: a shallow dish with flat rocks (for butterfly perching habitat) will do nicely.
Follow these simple tips this spring, and soon your gardens will be alive with pollinators!
Marilynn (center) helps two high school students restore the Community Garden during Summer of Service.
Marilynn is a primary gardener at Davis-Douglas Farm, and the founder of our pollinator garden. She is also a Wildlands board member, Adopt-a-Preserve lead volunteer, event decorator, and more! Say hello the next time you visit our Plymouth headquarters.
Local College Student Conducts Natural Resource Inventory in Marshfield
By Tess Goldmann, Conservation Restriction Coordinator
Hoyt-Hall Preserve in Marshfield
Last fall, Wildlands Trust had the pleasure of partnering with Unity College student and Carver resident Nicole Huff. As part of her coursework, she completed a natural resource inventory of our Hoyt-Hall Preserve in Marshfield. A natural resource inventory (NRI) is a multifaceted survey of all the animals, plants, soils, waters, and geological features in an area. Hoyt-Hall, one of our showcase preserves, has a wide variety of environments, including pine forest, red maple swamp, and Long Tom Pond. We were excited for Nicole to conduct an NRI of Hoyt-Hall, as her findings would help us identify specific property conservation needs and future projects to address them.
Nicole used multiple methods to survey the property. When I met with Nicole at Hoyt-Hall in September, we walked the property and completed three quadrat sampling sessions. Nicole made five bird observation trips and hung two trail cameras to catch mammal activity. Finally, Nicole collected and analyzed 20 soil samples from around the preserve.
Nicole made several interesting discoveries about the preserve. She found that the upland soil is very acidic, with a pH of 3.62. This soil acidification could be responsible for the deaths of several Eastern red cedar trees around the preserve. In addition, Nicole identified two invasive plants—Oriental bittersweet and European buckthorn, both common in Southeastern Massachusetts—and recommended removal strategies for both.
Nicole also identified 31 birds, which is remarkable, especially during the late end of fall migration. In spring and summer, this number is sure to be higher, making Hoyt-Hall a premier birding location! (See eBird Hotspot data for the preserve here.) Be on the lookout for Downy Woodpeckers, Red-breasted Nuthatches, and many more!
Thank you, Nicole, for all of your hard work! Your project will be an invaluable resource as we continue to advance positive conservation outcomes at Hoyt-Hall Preserve and beyond.
Native Plant Garden in Plymouth Dedicated to Deborah Wood Davis
Read Time: 3 min
By Amy Markarian, Senior Copywriter
On Saturday, July 9, at 10:30am, before the morning sun invited summer’s characteristic heat and humidity, approximately 70 community members gathered at Wildlands Trust’s headquarters on Long Pond Road to dedicate the property’s native plant garden to a longtime supporter of the Trust’s mission, Deborah Wood Davis.
Deborah Wood Davis married into the family of Howland Davis, the previous owner of the land that is now Wildlands’ Davis-Douglas Conservation Area. Her family recalls Deborah’s great affection for the area and, according to her daughter Caroline Chapin, she was excited by Wildlands’ mission and the way it drew the community together. So, when Deborah’s five daughters were looking for a way to honor their mother and the strong roots and connections she had established here, they came to Wildlands Trust.
Sarah Geer, one of those daughters, approached Wildlands’ President and Executive Director Karen Grey to discuss the idea at just the right time. Wildlands had been struggling with the desire to maintain some component of the property’s historic barn, but its crumbling foundation walls and the steep drop from ground level to its interior depth posed hazards that had to be addressed. Simultaneously, local landscape architect Love Howard had also reached out to Karen with the idea of designing a pollinator-friendly garden using native plant species that would support the local ecosystem, and she was looking for a location where she could bring the idea to life. The Davis family’s gift to honor their mother provided the needed support to begin the process of converting the unsafe barn foundation into a showcase garden and educational tool at Wildlands’ headquarters.
The project, according to Karen, “brought together need with opportunity and allowed us to make meaningful connections for people, which are always the best type of projects.” In the fall of 2020, after structural work was completed, the first plants were added by a group of volunteers—including some of Deborah’s daughters, Wildlands volunteer and Board Member Marilynn Atterbury, and others—under Love’s guidance. Today, Marilynn continues the work, along with Wildlands’ gardener Kim Goggin, carefully maintaining and enhancing what is often called “the foundation garden.”
On the morning of the dedication ceremony, the gardening team’s hard work and meticulous care were on full display for the large crowd that had assembled for the occasion. In what would have been Deborah Davis’ 100th year, according to Caroline, the family organized a mini reunion around the dedication ceremony, bringing all five daughters, spouses, children, and almost all of the grandchildren and great-grandchildren together in Plymouth—a gathering of community that would likely have brought the family’s matriarch great pleasure. Also in attendance were several of Wildlands’ staff members, Board members, and supporters. Karen Grey addressed the group with gratitude for all who contributed to the project, Sarah Geer shared reflections of her mother, and Love Howard described her inspiration and plan for the garden’s creation. As the ceremony concluded, with a comfortable breeze under bright blue sky, the flitting of bees and butterflies entertained visitors as they reminisced and explored the newly dedicated Deborah Wood Davis Native Plant Garden.
Spring Has Sprung...Earlier Than Usual?
Read Time: 3 min
By Mitchell Hennings, Land Steward for Wildlife & Habitat
You may have noticed on your outdoor walks and adventures that this year’s trees, shrubs, and flowers began to greet you much earlier in the season, blooming and filling in the gray and brown spaces of the woods with their intricate flowers and leafing patterns. If you noticed this, you might have also wondered why this occurs. Are the plants confused? Are their calendars mixed up? Or is something much larger at play that is influencing plant behavior across the country?
Plants can sense subtle changes within their environment, whether it be early rain or lack thereof, increased photoperiods (longer exposure to the sun), frequent disturbances, or intense weather events. These variables impact how plants progress through their stages of growth to sprouting leaves, fruiting, or developing flowers. Yet, if the timing involved in these processes is off by days or even weeks, like we are now experiencing, there can be untold impacts on the plants whose growth is regulated by it.
This year, plants began to leaf out and fill our forests and roadsides with green earlier than usual, but these growing plants are not naturally occurring in our environment. Plants like Honeysuckle, Bittersweet, Autumn Olive, Multi-Flora Rose, Barberry, and Norway Maple all leaf out much faster than our native plants. These invasive plants had either full leaves or were beginning to bloom before native plants and trees had even begun to produce leaves. The faster phenology of the invasive plants is a clear competitive advantage over the native plants, as they have longer flowering periods and a higher chance of attracting pollinators and going to seed sooner (Kherberger & Holzschuh 2019). This behavior puts increased pressure on native plants to adjust their flowering period earlier in the season, but this may prove to be even more of an issue. If these native plants adjust their flowering period, they could then be impacted by sub-optimal temperatures, low pollinator activity, and a higher chance of dying off (Kherberger & Holzschuh 2019).
Another well measured variable that has been found to contribute to the forward progression of early leaf onset is the decrease in precipitation events. An article published in the journal Nature details a study conducted to understand the impacts of precipitation on native and nonnative plants and how those complex interactions impact leaf onset date, which is when plants produce leaves (Wang et al. 2022). When there are decreased precipitation days, there are also decreased cloudy days to allow for radiation absorption by the plants, which is what signals plants to begin producing leaves (Wang et al. 2022). You don’t need to be a scientist to notice the decrease in rain over the years during the spring season. The adage “April showers bring May flowers” used to ring true ten or twenty years ago, but in today's climate, it looks like flowers bloom in early April, leaving May irrelevant.
Sources:
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-019-51916-0
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/02/220217155232.htm
