Forest Society Blog - News & Features

Northern saw-whet owls are among New Hampshire’s tiniest — and most elusive — forest residents, but a recent visit to the Black Mountain Banding Station offered a rare chance to see these pint-sized nocturnal raptors up close. Through Project Owlnet, banders are helping uncover the mysteries of saw-whet migration, biology, and behavior, one adorable owl at a time.

Extreme birder Gino Ellison joined Something Wild to share how his 2023 Big Year led him across 78,000 miles and to an incredible 802 bird species. He reflects on what drives dedicated “listers” and why anyone can try their own Big Year—right in their backyard.

The Forest Society is proud to receive the 2025 Employer Leadership Award from the Society of American Foresters, recognizing our longstanding support for professional development and leadership in sustainable forestry. 

The Something Wild team visited Black Mountain Forest to see northern saw-whet owls up close. On a record night at the banding station, 15 owls were banded and released, helping researchers track these tiny, elusive nocturnal hunters.

To close out this year’s Five Hikes Challenge, participants enjoyed a beautiful fall day exploring the Dottie Bean Forest in Farmington — a landscape of family legacy, open blueberry ledges, and mountain views.

With insights from Haunted Hikes of New Hampshire author Marianne O’Connor, this piece explores eerie legends at places like Madame Sherri Forest and Monson Center — and reminds us that even the spookiest trails have deep roots in history and conservation.

The Forest Society recently welcomed neighbors from Building Community in NH for a BYO lunch and a walk on the Merrimack River Floodplain trail. Guests from Ukraine, Afghanistan, Congo, Haiti, and Myanmar enjoyed fall colors, crafts, and a chance to connect with nature and the community.

A record night for the Black Mountain Banding Station! Fifteen Northern Saw-whet Owls were banded and released during a recent field trip, offering participants a rare look at this small, fierce nocturnal predator and the research that helps uncover its migration mysteries.