Earth Talk: Electronic waste - disposing of obsolete office equipment

Dear EarthTalk: I work for an office equipment company selling copiers, fax machines, computers and printers. Each year new models come out making old ones obsolete. As a result, we have loads of trade-ins with nowhere to go. What can we do with this old equipment?

- Jeff P., Worcester

Bird Sightings: Early spring arrivals

The Audubon Society has reported a variety of recent bird sightings in western Massachusetts.

Blackbirds, bluebirds, robins and grackles are being widely reported in the region and a few migrating ducks are showing up with wintering mergansers at a number of locations. Vultures and resident hawks and eagles are also very active now and pileated woodpeckers are being seen and heard.

Valley Views: Snowy Day, Peach Sky

Snowy Day, Peach Sky

Middle Street, Plum Brook, Amherst, Feb. 27

Photograph and text by Karen Lemoine of Amherst

Heading Outdoors: Valley outdoors happenings

Ducks in the Valley - Today, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary, Easthampton. Preregistration is required. Fee: $20. Call 584-3009.

The Lookout: On the prowl for signs of spring

Spring signs are all around us now. Earlier in the month the lack of snow made me pine for spring and I decided to take an early trip down the bike trail. As I drove through Northampton, Hadley and Amherst on my commute to Amherst College, I watched the dirty snow vanish and the trail open up earlier than usual.

Earth Matters: Watching the snow melt

Many people seem to consider the observation of changing states of matter synonymous with boredom. "Waiting for water to boil" or "watching snow melt" are comparisons made to the least interesting events in life, but naturalists view these events differently. At this time of year, snow melt provides me with many fascinating episodes of nature-watching.

Bird Sightings: Blackbirds, vultures making slow return

The Audubon Society has reported a variety of recent bird sightings in western Massachusetts.