Appendix 4: Birds of Charlestown
This bird list consists of bird sightings on the Charlestown campus since the beginning of the Nature Trail Committee (1995) until the updating of this document in 2025.
172 species
October Nature Trail Tour
All are welcome to join a tour of the nature trail and learn about its history, geography and ecology.
Residents’ Council Conservation Committee Releases Sustainable Grounds Report
The “Sustainable Grounds Report” released by the Residents’ Council Conservation Committee, which provides an overview of sustainable landscaping practices and their benefits for both Charlestown and the environment, is now available online.
Would You Like to Know More about Charlestown’s Natural Environment?
History of Nature Trail
The Nature Trail was the brainchild of architect Paul Gaudreau (1914-1995), who with his wife Margaret, moved into Brookside in 1993. Soon thereafter he posed his idea for a Nature Trail, which would follow our stream (Herbert Run) through the woods on campus. John Erickson liked the idea, and wheels were set in motion. The Trail was built and informally used in 1994-5, but officially dedicated in 1996. Mr. Gaudreau was the first Chairperson of the new Nature Trail Committee.
Butterfly Garden
Nature Trail Updates
Winter is still departing us, but some early crocuses are blooming in gardens, so there is hope for spring. Walking the Nature Trail at this time of year is an adventure, and not yet recommended for several weeks. Testing it out in late February, I found that I could slip on snow, ice, or mud, depending on where I was. In fact, my shoes got sucked off twice in mud, so wear something tight and sturdy if you venture out now. Read more