2020.025.016

A guide describing the fascinating history of Den Rock Park, providing historical and natural history information on 30 species of birds found there. It includes permanent and seasonal residents, along with occasional visitors. General and historical information about the park is included - such as archaeology and Native American history that goes back thousands of years. Native Americans arrived in the Shawsheen River drainage about 12,600 years ago. These Native groups maintained connections throughout eastern North America. Edward J. Bell, Senior Archaeologist, Massachusetts Historical Commission, Boston describes the artifacts found in the Den Rock area. Some of the Native tools showed that some European materials were incorporated into their traditional toolmaking. The Den Rock area was part of Cochichawick (renamed Andover in 1646) and later became part of Lawrence.

Den rock Park is primarly oak forest with wetlands along the periphery. The southern area contains the most productive bird habitat and is referred to as Beaver Pond. The pond is flooded throughout the year, but water level decreases in summer. The book talks about the changing environment over the centuries from the first arrival of Europeans - the deforestation of Massachusetts to the use of pesticides - to the attempt to re-establish bird and wildlife populations.

The common birds found in the park, and described in the book, include: Canada Goose, Wood Duck, Mourning Dove, Belted Kingfisher, Red-Bellied Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Eastern Phoebe, Eastern Kingbird, Blue Jay, American Crow, Tree Swallow, Black-Capped Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, White-Breasted Nuthatch, Eastern Bluebird, American Robin, European Starling, Song Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Red-Winged Blackbird, Common Grackle, Brown-Headed Cowbird, House Sparrow

Birds that were extirpated - rooted out & destroyed - from Den Rock (and Massachusetts) - some have been reintroduced in recent years include: Sandhill Crane, Trumpeter Swan, Great Auk, Whooping Crane, Wild Turkey, Labrador Duck, Dickcissel, Passenger Pigeon, Common Loon, Bald Eagle, Eskimo Curlew, Heath Hen, Peregrine Falcon, Loggerhead Shrike, Bicknell's Thrush, Olive-sided Flycatcher,
Mammals that were extirpated - rooted out & destroyed from Den Rock (and Massachusetts) - some have been reintroduced in recent years include: Wapiti (Elk), Beaver, Fisher, Wolverine, Wolf, Mountain Lion, American Marten, Canadian Lynx, Sea Mink, Indiana Bat

Some folds on lower corner