ATHOL — The Athol Bird and Nature Club (ABNC) calendar, full of nature notes, trivia questions and photos of local birds, animals and plants is now available.

While many people may enjoy a calendar with pictures of exotic nature and scenery, the “Birds and Nature of the North Quabbin” 2024 calendar focuses on the local beauty of this region, making this calendar a local treasure. The cover photo is a beautiful image of a fringed gentian.

The calendar, coordinated by Ernie LeBlanc, showcases photos taken in the North Quabbin region, mostly by Athol Bird and Nature Club members. In addition, each month features extensive nature notes that provide information such as when certain birds are migrating into or out of the area, when native wildflowers are blooming, when the peak of several meteor showers occur, and even when to listen for coyotes howling.

To further enhance the learning value of the calendar, each month features a nature trivia question. Interesting facts about each month’s photo are also provided along with the photo credit to the member who took the photo.

In keeping with the local theme, the calendar was printed by Highland Press of Athol, and as in previous years, area businesses have continued their enthusiastic support and paid for advertising in the calendar to help cover the printing costs.

Purchase the calendar at the following local retailers:

Athol—Flowerland @ Tintagels Gate, Else Where, Cornerstone Insurance, MacMannis Florist, the North Quabbin Chamber of Commerce and Déjà Vu.

Orange—Trail Head, Quabbin Harvest, and Mount Tully Kennels

New Salem—The New Salem General Store

Phillipston—The Red Apple Farm

Petersham—The Petersham Craft Center, Petersham Country Store

Gilbertville—The Hardwick Farmers Co-op

Templeton—The Kitchen Garden

Wendell—The Wendell Country Store

Turners Falls—Connecticut River Liquors

Greenfield—Ruggeri’s Beverage & Redemption Center

The calendar is also available for purchase online at https://atholbirdclub.org/buy-the-abnc-calendar/.

The ABNC, founded in 1963 by Athol science teacher, the late Robert B. Coyle, is considered one of the state’s leading natural history clubs, with more than 250 members from around New England and beyond. New members are always welcome.