13Jul 2024 by wp_admin

Mechanical Water Chestnut Harvesting at the Res in June

Blog, Water Chestnuts
Beginning on June 17th and ending on June 28 New England Aquatic Services LLC performed 70 hours of mechanical harvesting to remove Water Chestnut from the Arlington Reservoir. During that period a total of 145 harvester loads of material were extracted from the lake. This is the equivalent of approximately 36,250 cubic feet of material weighing approximately 271,875 pounds (136 tons). This is the second year that this company has performed the service. The efforts were focused on the northern section of the reservoir. In total 5.75 acres of area were harvested. The southern portion of the reservoir was not addressed this year but was the main focus during the 2023 effort. This area appears to be much less dense following the first project, and so the priority was placed…
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23Jun 2024 by wp_admin

Garden Workday and Pollination Walk – Saturday June 24

Blog, Garden
After some very hot weather, we had a cool and overcast day for our work. We removed many weeds and invasive plants, up-righted a pussy willow that had fallen in a storm, spread chips on the paths and put in a few new plants. Thanks to Stephan, Cherie, George, Sue, Johanna and David. At 12 we had a very informative walk on pollination led by Jenifer Lopez a postdoc fellow at Harvard.  There are at least eight different ways that plants are pollinated and the shape, size and color of the flowers provide a guide to the approach that they use. Jenifer discusses pollination at a Mulberry tree by the boat ramp. Wind is the primary means of pollination for mulberry trees, as the tree’s small, light flowers are easily…
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03Jun 2024 by wp_admin

Garden Workday June 1 (and 2/4 swans)

Blog, Garden
We had a successful gardening day on a warm Saturday morning.  Dead grasses and weeds were removed, wood chips were spread on the garden paths, Anise Hyssop was replanted, Japanese knotweed was cut back from the path opposite the garden.  New native plants (steeple bush and cardinal flower) were added to replace the invasive plants that were removed previously. We had eight people working this morning:  Alex, Peg, Stephan, Ann, George, Jenifer, Johanna, David There was also a bit of swan drama as the work was getting started.  A pair of swans flew over and landed in the Reservoir.  The resident male was not very happy about the newcomers.  After a bit of back and forth and a few harsh words the new pair flew away.
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19May 2024 by wp_admin

Scouts visit the Gardens – May 10

Blog
Met with Scout Troop 64757 to talk about growing gardens. We looked at the Hurd Rain Garden, a traditional English style garden, the Hurd field Bioswale Garden and finished at the Arlington Reservoir Habitat Gardens. They planted seeds of their choice from Black eyed Susans, Wild Bergamot (both from Pollinator Pathways & Sustainable Arlington) , Anise Hyssop, and Common Milkweed for a home pollinator garden. All essential plants for supporting the bees and butterflies. To further support our ecosystem, we also pulled Garlic Mustard weed and stomped on the Japanese Knotweed to exhaust its growth. Thank you Girls!
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19May 2024 by wp_admin

Garden Workday – Saturday May 18

Blog, Garden
Garden workday Saturday May 18 had a small turnout but got a lot done.  Lots of weeding was accomplished in the shady side garden removing bittercress and other invasive weeds.   Planted some Blue Lobdela too.  Participants were Sage, Jenifer, Johanna and David. Will have to schedule another garden day soon. [caption id="attachment_1836" align="alignnone" width="640"] Spring flowers in the shady garden[/caption] [caption id="attachment_1837" align="alignnone" width="640"] Swamp Milkweed Leaf Beetle found in the Res shady garden.[/caption] See: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milkweed_leaf_beetle  
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05May 2024 by wp_admin

Res Bird Walk led by Chris Floyd (and 4 Swans)

Blog
This morning (5/4/24) Chris Floyd led a bird walk with about twenty people around the Res & LexFarm.  We saw a wide variety of birds of all types from hawks to to swallows to warblers to swans and ducks. Chris pointing out some birds up in the trees. We saw ducklings and goslings on the water. We also saw four swans - one pair and two singletons.  For a full list or what we saw here is a link to the eBird checklist with Susan Packard’s photos added https://ebird.org/checklist/S171921468 This event was jointly sponsored by the Arlington Open Space Committee and the Arlington Reservoir Committee. (All photos by Brian McBride.)
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20Apr 2024 by wp_admin

Garlic Mustard Harvesting (and 3 Swans)

Blog
On a somewhat drizzly morning six people showed up to pull garlic mustard and celandine from along the north side of the Res next to Lex Farm. Garlic Mustard harvesters Megan, Fred, Johanna, MaryRose & Emily stand behind their work. (Photo by David White who also pulled up some.) A pair of swans has come to the Res to supplement the single male who was here before.
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10Apr 2024 by wp_admin

Scouts at Work (and 1 Swan)

Blog
On a rather cool Sunday of April 7 Scouts from Troop 313 and others gathered to get the Res ready for spring. One big accomplishment was removing invasive Water Chestnut seeds from along the shore near the boat ramp to get ready for another season. Another activity was removing weeds from the Habitat garden. We also saw one swan at the Res on that day.  But many ducks of different types.
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14Mar 2024 by wp_admin

Five Swans a-Swimming

Blog
February 20th, 2024, the Arlington Reservoir committee shared observations like the five swans seen on February 19th, while Ann observed geese, ruddy ducks, and various smaller animals. The reservoir appears to be half-frozen and half-open, with a noticeable decrease in water levels compared to usual. Additionally, recent weather patterns have led to a rapid melting of snow and thin ice, making on-the-ice activities unfeasible. We are updating the sketch for a sign near Trader Joe's to increase visibility for the reservoir-related activities. Upcoming activities such as invasive species removal March 16th with Elaine Crowder & ArMI. The next meeting is scheduled for March 19th, with a focus on Apr 2oth EcoFest:the Annual Garlic Mustard Pull.
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