MMRG moonlit walk was a thrill for all

Sally Cornwell, a local naturalist, leads a discussion during a moonlight walk on Tuesday. (Bruce Rich photo)

MIDDLETON – Around dusk on a fine August summer evening, a crowd of 45 men, women and children gathered at the trail head of the Moose Mountains Reservation in Middleton for an unusual hike.

Sally Cornwell, a local naturalist, led the group about a mile through the darkening verdant woods to the former site of the old Burrows Farm, now a large open field. 

Along the way, Cornwell pointed out several plants species, including jewelweed, notable for treating poison ivy. Curiously, it often grows near the poison ivy vines. 

At the old farm site, participants sat and shared a refreshing cup of sumac tea. Then Cornwell taught the group how to imitate the call of a barred owl. For a short while the air was filled with human versions of owl hoots. She then called for absolute quiet. In a few moments, a nearby barred owl responded with a little serenade for the assembled throng. At the same time, a bat circled overhead, hunting for insects. The recent drastic decline in bat populations due to white nose syndrome made its appearance noteworthy and appreciated.

With the full moon hanging dramatically over the hills, Cornwell held the group spellbound as she related two Native American legends. The first was a creation story of the moon; the second explained why the wind sometimes blows hard and at other times the air is still. 

At the conclusion of the program, a line of flashlights and headlamps could be seen as the group left the moonlit field and entered the now very dark trail back to the trailhead parking area.

The hike was presented by Moose Mountains Regional Greenways and sponsored by Trager Massage, LLC. MMRG sponsors several educational outings and workshops each year. A schedule of future events and membership information may be found at www.mmrg.info.

(MMRG Executive Director Virginia Long contributed to this report.)