The June Photo of the Month was taken by Lou Chavin! Thank you, Lou, for this very scenic sighting of a black bear. It was noted that the bear in the photo has a tag #263, and to the viewer, the bear appeared to be new to the area. 

For any more mammal sightings, submit any photos to the form here!

Reminder to anyone with a Ring camera or similar security system installed; these systems help us collect important data on the presence and absence of mammals in your area. We welcome you to join our team of registered volunteers who submit photos once a month. Having regular reports from a fixed location allows us to learn even more about mammals in your area than individual sightings.  New volunteers can register here 

Summertime in Massachusetts means the perfect time to visit local farms! There are approximately 100 dairy farms in Massachusetts and plenty more that are the homes of pigs, goats, horses, and even honeybees. A way to interact with some mammals this summer is to take a trip to a local farm, and the best part is that not only will you get to meet some lovely animals, but you may also find yourself with fresh homemade ice cream or other delectable treats!

Most of these farms feature an educational element, such as informational placards or tour guides, to help inform visitors about the farm's history. We recommend visiting with family or friends.

If you feel up to some Citizen Science, asking about interactions the farmers may have with wildlife around the farm is one way to get an understanding of relationships between farming and wildlife!

Here are some links to farms we recommend visiting: 

 Appleton Farms Ipswich

High Lawn Farm Lee

Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary  Lincoln

This month, we received so many amazing photographs, and we would like to share this wonderful photo, submitted by Michael Wilusz. This photo highlights two curious black bears engaging with a bird feeder.

Notice that if you do have bird feeders, it is best to keep them even higher off the ground, because bears are mischievous and will get their paws on them!

Call For Photos!  Please send us your photos of bears in your backyard--and ask your neighbors and friends as well.  If you have NextDoor, this can be a great way to reach folks near where you live and invite them to join us in this project.

You, our treasured volunteers, have immense curiosity about the mammals in Massachusetts. For the past two years, we have been working with your data to create a model of black bear distribution in the state. We look forward to updating you on that project soon. In the meantime, we are interested in thinking about what bears are doing when you see them in your yard.  Please send us photos/observations of what your backyard bears are up to!

Meet Cami!

What is your class year?  

2027

What is your major? 

I am currently a computer science major, but I'm considering double majoring with environmental studies!

What is a fun fact about you? 

I grew up next to the ocean, so I love water sports and have played/competed in 5 of them. 

Why did you join MassMammals? 

I joined MassMammals after chatting with Professor Kristensen about her research. I thought the project was really interesting, and overall it sounded like the perfect opportunity to engage with local Amherst communities and educate kids about wildlife.