Last Saturday (1/9) he took a trip along the river from Lowell to Lawrence and spotted an assortment of gulls, hawks and ducks.

READ BIRDING NORTH CENTRAL MASSACHUSETTS…AND BEYOND

Bald Eagle by Ron Peterson (cc2)

From the Newburyport Daily News
Annual count spots seven raptors along Merrimack River
By Liz King

NEWBURYPORT — After decades spent on the federal endangered species list, the bald eagle population continues to take root in the Merrimack Valley.

Yesterday, Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife’s annual winter eagle survey of the lower Merrimack River area found six adult bald eagles and one juvenile bald eagle along the river between Newburyport and the New Hampshire line at the Tyngsboro bridge. Erik Amati, a game biologist for MassWildlife, said that number is typical for recent years. Last year, four adult and one juvenile eagle were counted, and in 2008, four adult and three juvenile eagles were counted.

Though yesterday’s temperature hovered in the high 20s, it wasn’t quite cold enough for a perfect eagle count, as the river hadn’t frozen over yet. “When the river is frozen, eagles are easier to count because, to hunt, they will congregate where there is open water,” Amati said. “Oftentimes, when the river is frozen, the open water will be at the bends in the river.”

While many more eagles will arrive in the next few weeks as bodies of water in the Canadian maritime provinces and northern Maine freeze over, eagles seen yesterday are likely native to the area. At the annual Eagle Festival on Feb. 13, the expected 2,000 visitors to the area are virtually guaranteed to spot an eagle if they look hard enough.

Yesterday, Amati and MassWildlife technician Steve Wright spotted two eagles at the start of their survey near the New Hampshire line at the Tyngsboro bridge, then as they moved down the river, they spotted one in Dracut, two in Methuen, and two at the end of their survey at Deer Island at Cashman Park in Newburyport.
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METHUEN — Ronald Reagan was president when the rusted 1977 Pontiac Grand Prix was dumped in the Merrimack River. The car, which was reported stolen in Lowell in 1982, was probably ditched in the river that same year. A crew from Clean River Project, state police and Coady’s Towing pulled it out of the water in Methuen yesterday, near the Dracut line off Route 110. The group also pulled half of a 1980s model Dodge — probably a pickup truck — from the same area, and a late 1990s model Toyota 4Runner reported stolen in Lawrence in 2003 that was in the water behind Lin Garden Restaurant & Lounge in Dracut, said Rocky Morrison, founder and president of the volunteer Clean River Project. The 4Runner was probably in the water since 2003, Morrison said.

The group has pulled about 30 cars out of the river during the last couple of years. Seven cars were pulled from the water on Aug. 21. There are possibly four more in the water in the area, Morrison said. “So we’re down to our last four vehicles, unless somebody throws another in,” he said.

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A group that cruises the Merrimack River to help keep it clean is now offering people boat tours to see the eagles, hawks and herons that have returned. The volunteer group, Clean River Project, is offering these guided boat tours of the river during afternoons and weekends so people can enjoy it and see the wildlife, said Rocky Morrison, president and founder of the non-profit volunteer group.

“The river is at the lowest point it has been in years,” Morrison said. “This offers the opportunity to see more of the wildlife.” Morrison said the islands in the river are also scenic and that the tours could include a picnic stopover at one of them.

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All proceeds to benefit cleaning the river.

One and a half  hour boat rides includes a scenic tour and an island picnic,
Seating for 8 @ $25 per person / family rate $100

Leaves from The Old Bea’s Sandwich Location (planned Methuen Boat Ramp site)

Weekdays, Evenings & Weekends
Call for more info 978-590-9374

Rocky Morrison
978-590-9374
cleanriverproject@comcast.net

Clean River Project, Inc.
498 Lowell Street
Methuen, MA 01844

Related:
“Drowning in Stupidity” from the Boston Globe May 20, 2009

There has been considerable discussion recently regarding the establishment of a boat ramp and park at the former Bea’s Restaurant site in Methuen. I believe an official update at this time would be helpful.

Initial design, the first and most important prerequisite for the project, has been approved by the commonwealth. This phase followed a lengthy, democratic and productive process which incorporated changes recommended by residents living in the vicinity of the project. These changes take into account concerns regarding loitering, parking, and traffic patterns that are also being addressed in conjunction with the rotary project.

Generally, the commonwealth provides funding and support for a standard-design boat ramp. To their credit, many city leaders persevered in ensuring, given the unique geography of this location, that access to one of the most beautiful rivers in Massachusetts shall be enjoyed while respecting the valid concerns of local residents. The site is especially and uniquely suited for the launching of smaller watercraft and the city’s design highlights this asset.

By incorporating plans for a park as well as a boat ramp, the current design will provide access to the river for boaters and non-boaters alike. Supportive city leaders, both past and present, should be commended for their hard work and perseverance. State officials are supportive of this project and responsive to the requests from neighbors and city leaders. The project is now in the final design and environmental permitting phase.

Methuen is fortunate to have rivers on its boundaries and one running through its downtown. We have a tremendous asset in the Spicket River which can serve as a pathway to connect the upper and lower portions of the downtown area. The eastern boundary of Methuen also has a long expanse of river frontage which could be accessed via future walking and bicycle paths.

Competition for state and federal money is fierce and comes with tight strings attached — as it should. City leaders should be commended for aggressively pursuing these funding opportunities — it is the only way that our community can promote such projects that benefit all, reduce tax burdens through open space acquisition, and promote economic development. The City of Newburyport provides an excellent example of the economic potential of such policies.

I look forward to working with Methuen’s elected officials to take advantage of every future funding opportunity offered by the commonwealth and the federal government to expand our parks and open space which provides recreational and economic opportunities for all.

State Rep. Linda Campbell
Methuen

Involvement in Essex Rowing’s programs is unrestricted by geography. If you can make it to our site, you can participate. Our middle and high school programs are for athletes at the corresponding point in their secondary education. For athletes between years (i.e. in the summer) use the upcoming school level as your determining factor. The only exception for this would be college athletes participating in our summer programs. These athletes should consult the Director of Rowing regarding the most appropriate program for their participation, though ultimately the youth high school, high performance groups, and adult programs are all available options. The adult programs are open to any athlete who has graduated high school, with no upper age limit.

Essex Rowing Club, Inc.
Pirates Cove Marina
656 Lowell Street
Methuen, MA 01844.
Office: (978) 208.4617.
URL:http://www.essexrowing.org/programs.html