Spring Beach Clean-up, Sunday April 17, from 9 a.m.- noon

Join the Massachusetts Beach Buggy Association for this yearly event.  Activities include trash pick up and dune fence installation.  Meet at the lower parking lot at 9 a.m. and spend the morning giving back to your favorite beach.  For more information call the Gatehouse: 508-362-8300.

 

Celebrate Spring on Sandy Neck, Wednesday, April 20th, 10 am -12 noon, West Barnstable

Sandy Neck awakens in April as Ospreys return to rebuild their bulky stick nests atop poles.  Endangered Piping Plovers scour the vast beach for the ideal spot to scratch their simple nests.  Rare Spadefoot Toads rush to breed in ephemeral pools in the dunes which will soon dry and disappear.  Join Ian Ives, Director of Mass Audubon’s Long Pasture Wildlife Sanctuary, & Nina Coleman, Manager at Sandy Neck, as your guides through the spectacular landscape of Sandy Neck. Meet at the Gatehouse. Difficulty: Easy.  BLT/MAS members $6, non-members $8. Children $4 members, $6 nonmembers.

 

Whale Walk at Sandy Neck, Saturday, April 23rd, 3 pm – 4 pm, West Barnstable

Cape Cod is arguably one of the finest spots on earth to view cetaceans from land.  Critically endangered North Atlantic right whales come to Cape Cod Bay each winter to feed, while in late spring and early summer, humpback, fin and minke whales arrive.  Join Provincetown Center for Coastal Studies Marine Education Director Jesse Mechling for a guided walk at Sandy Neck Beach looking for these gentle giants as they feed in the surrounding waters. $5 per person.  Meet at the gatehouse at Sandy Neck Beach Park.

 

Sandy Neck Plover Walk, Wednesday, June 15th, 10 am – 12 noon, West Barnstable

Discover hidden Piping Plover nests along the front beach with Sandy Neck Manager Nina Coleman and BLT on a one-mile hike through the dunes of Sandy Neck.  Explore barrier beach ecology, learn about the Piping Plover’s life-cycle and the conservation measures being taken to protect these endangered shorebirds. Please wear sturdy hiking boots since we will be walking through sand and over uneven terrain.  Difficulty: Strenuous.

Searching Sandy Neck For Wildlife: From Ospreys and Piping Plovers to Diamondback Terrapin Turtles, Mondays 9 am – 11:15 am from June 13^th to September 19^th
Walk along the salt marsh, dunes and beach seeking signs of wildlife from wading shorebirds to mammal tracks to swooping swallows.
Meet At Sandy Neck Beach off 6A in W. Barnstable
Adult Members $6, nonmembers $8, $4 and $6 for children
Call 508-362-7475 for information

 

Sandy Neck Kayak Trip, Saturday, June 25th, 9 am – 12 noon, West Barnstable
June is a good time to view wildlife at Sandy Neck. Join BLT and Mass Audubon’s Ian Ives for a paddle from Long Pasture to the tip of Sandy Neck (Beach Point). Then hike to a remarkable shorebird flocking area on the tidal flats with Sandy Neck Park Manager Nina Coleman. Dry bags, safety equipment, paddles, and both single and tandem kayaks will be provided. Must be able to swim and have basic kayaking experience. Under 18 must be accompanied by an adult; no one under 12 allowed. Wear sturdy hiking boots to walk over sand and uneven terrain. Pre-registration is absolutely necessary.  Call 508-362-7475, ext. 9355. BLT/MAS members: $40; non-members: $45. No price reduction for bringing your own equipment. Difficulty: Moderate. Limited to 12 people.

 

Sandy Neck Junior Ranger Program

Five Tuesdays, 9:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. from July 12 – August 9, Ages 9-13

Come explore the Sandy Neck barrier beach ecosystem as a Jr. Ranger.  Jr. Rangers will earn their badge by participating in outdoor hikes, identifying local plants and animals including endangered species, learning how to rescue marine mammals such as dolphins and seals, and most of all having fun.  Junior Rangers must be able to attend four out of five sessions to be eligible for the program.  Space is limited to ten however more sessions may be added if needed.  Meet at the Sandy Neck Gatehouse.  $40 for each Jr. Ranger.  For more information on enrollment call the Barnstable Recreation Department 508-790-6345.

 

In Search of Diamondback Terrapins on Sandy Neck, Wednesday, July 13th 10 am – 12 noon

In summer, rare Diamondback Terrapin emerge from the Great Marsh to lay their eggs in the dunes of Sandy Neck.  Join Sandy Neck Manager Nina Coleman and Mass Audubon Long Pasture Sanctuary Director Ian Ives as we search for signs of nests and tracks of these amazing and mysterious turtles and learn about the headstart program helping the tiny terrapins. Meet at Sandy Neck Gatehouse.   Call 508-362-7475 for more information. BLT/MAS members: $6; non-members: $8. Children 12 and under:  $4 members/ $6 nonmembers.

 

 

 

In Search of Diamondback Terrapins on Sandy Neck, Wednesday, July 20th 10 am – 12 noon

In summer, rare Diamondback Terrapin emerge from the Great Marsh to lay their eggs in the dunes of Sandy Neck.  Mass Audubon Long Pasture Sanctuary Director Ian Ives as we search for signs of nests and tracks of these amazing and mysterious turtles and learn about the headstart program helping the tiny terrapins. Meet at Sandy Neck Gatehouse.   Call 508-362-7475 for more information MAS members: $6; non-members: $8. Children 12 and under:  $4 members/ $6 nonmembers.

 

Sandy Neck Flora & Fauna Hike, Wednesday, August 17^th, 10 am - 12 noon, West Barnstable
Hike 1.5-miles through Sandy Neck’s Great Marsh and sand dunes and explore barrier beach flora and fauna with Sandy Neck Park Manager and Naturalist Nina Coleman and BLT. You’ll learn about ongoing efforts to protect and restore these and other sensitive natural communities. Park at the gatehouse. Parking is free for participants. Wear sturdy hiking boots.  Sand and uneven terrain.  Difficulty: Strenuous.

 

 

Hiking for Terrapin Hatchlings on Sandy Neck, Wednesday, September 14^th, 10 am – 12 pm
Last summer, we caught a glimpse of a rare Diamondback Terrapin female who had just laid her eggs. This fall we will be searching Sandy Neck for tiny tracks of hatchling terrapins with Long Pasture’s Ian Ives and Sandy Neck Manager Nina Coleman, as the quarter-sized newborns make the treacherous journey from their sandy dune nests to the safety of the marsh.
$6 Members, $8 Non-members/ $4 and $6 for Children Meet at Sandy Neck Gatehouse Call 508-362-7475 to register