I took a quick lunch time trip to Atwood Reservoir in Carver, MA based on a tip of a Henry’s Elfin that I saw on iNaturalist. It was a nice day in the mid 60’s and quite sunny with very little breeze. I had also never been and wanted to see if the swamp area was (hopefully) white cedar. Long story short on that one, it isn’t white cedar. I also didn’t find any elfins. Two strikes. However, the location is a nice quick walk around cranberry bogs and a large reservoir which has plenty of things to observe.
Parking is off of Meadow Street in Carver. It turns out that I parked across the street from the entrance, but I am not sure that it matters.
The path is initially quite narrow going alongside a river.
After a while it opens up into the cranberry bogs and from there on it is a bog road for a path.
Along the way, I saw a few Spring Azures flying around but the sun was in front of me (bad for photography) so I walked quickly down the path and then walked back slowly since the sun was at my back (much better photos).
The reservoir is nice with the typical species being seen along it like swans, turtles, frogs, and probably a snake or two (although I only found a snake skin).
There were several tiger beetles along the path which turned out to be bronzed tiger beetles.
In all, the location is neat and not a complete strikeout, but I don’t see it as a huge butterfly location. I may check back later in the year though as there are alders and maples there which may mean harvesters… or not. In total, the walk was 1.5 miles or so and very flat.
Our Natural Adventures 
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