ATHOL, Mass. — The Quabbin Reservoir is a favorite location for birders. According to Mass Audubon, three species of birds included in MassWildlife’s Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program (NHESP) breed at the reservoir watershed including the Common Loon, the Bald Eagle and the Pied-billed Grebe.

Now, thanks to the hard work of a 13-year-old Girl Scout, residents of North Quabbin will be able to see even more birds.

Ken Ward (left) helps Cadette Girl Scout Ally Belliveau cut wood for her birdhouses. Courtesy photo.

In the hopes of winning a Silver Award with the Girl Scouts, Allison Belliveau is in the process of building a bird watching trail at Cutthroat Brook Tree Farm. She is lining 30 birdhouses down a one-and-a-half-mile path on the property for passersby to enjoy.

Belliveau is a Cadette Girl Scout and also a Juliette, which means she works on individual projects independent of a troop. Cadettes partake in projects that aim to better the community. The Silver Award is the highest-level award a Cadette Girl Scout can win, while Gold Awards are given to older Girl Scouts.

“I started Girl Scouting because I love the outdoors,” Belliveau said. “I came up with the idea for a birdhouse project because I thought it would benefit people around me.”

Belliveau constructed the birdhouses with help of a couple friends with the goal of attracting certain birds native to the area. They include:

  • Ash-throated Flycatcher
  • Bats
  • Barn swallow
  • Black-capped Chickadee
  • Blue Bird
  • Blue Jay
  • Cardinal
  • Cooper Hawk
  • Flickers
  • Grosbeak
  • Hawk
  • House Finch
  • Junco
  • Owls (both short and long eared, and barn) 
  • Red-bellied Woodpecker
  • Red-tailed Hawk
  • Robin
  • Sparrow
  • Tufted Titmouse
  • White and Red-Breasted Nuthatches
  • Wren

Placards with descriptions of the birds will be placed near the birdhouses, detailing their life span and diets. Belliveau will be giving guided tours of the path for all who are interested in her birding nature walk. Tours will take place from August 15th through the 18th. Sign up for a time slot here.