Conservation Research News

Raptors Over Pack: A 2025 Season Review

The 2025 season at the Hawk Watch saw more than 8,500 migrating raptors, spectacular Broad-wing flights, and thousands of visitors taking in the show.

Celebrating 55 Years of the Harris Center

At the Harris Center’s 2025 Annual Meeting, community members gathered to celebrate a year of conservation milestones, honor outstanding educators and volunteers, and hear inspiring reflections from artist Rosemary Conroy.

A Land Well Loved, A Legacy Preserved

Last month, the Harris Center finalized the Lessey conservation easement, permanently protecting 110 acres of field and forest along Brimstone Corner Road, Antrim Road, and Shady Lane in Hancock.

Taking Flight: An Update on the Harris Center’s Kestrel Conservation Project

A closer look at the Harris Center’s effort to boost the American Kestrel population across the Monadnock Region.

The Future of Conservation Is in Good Hands

In the summer of 2025, interns provided essential support for a wide variety of projects, from conservation easement monitoring to bird surveys.

Field Report from the 2024 Saw-whet Owl Banding Project

2024 was our third season of saw-whet owl banding on SuperSanctuary lands. Here are the highlights!

Field Report from the 2024 Vernal Pool Project

In 2024, Harris Center interns and community scientists documented 10 new vernal pools on conserved land in Amherst, Fitzwilliam, and Hancock.

A Raptor Conservation Update: Summer 2024

This summer, we monitored Broad-winged Hawk nests, expanded our kestrel nest box program, prepared for the 20th season of hawk migration monitoring at the Pack Monadnock Raptor Observatory, and more.

Summer Interns Contribute to Research & Stewardship Efforts

In the summer of 2024, student interns provided essential support for a wide variety of projects, from conservation easement monitoring to forest inventory.

Monitoring American Goshawks in the SuperSanctuary & Beyond

A new Harris Center research project is using acoustic monitoring to search for the secretive American Goshawk, a species in decline.

Uncovering the Mysteries of Wood Thrush Migration

An ambitious new study aims to track the Wood Thrush migration throughout North and Central America — including several birds tagged on Harris Center lands.

A Bird Conservation Update: Spring 2024

This spring, Harris Center staff, interns, and volunteers have installed nest boxes, monitored goshawk breeding territories, and more.