Natick Report

Since 2020: More than you really want to know about Natick, Mass.

I had to abort my Pickerel Pond bridge walk in Natick, but at least spied an owl

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Curious to see the new metal bridge across Pickerel Pond in Natick, I headed over mid-day on Thursday and found the structure cordoned off with caution tape and plastic fencing (I’m not one to document my transgressions in photos or videos… so checked it out from the edge).

pickerel pond loop boardwalk

Plans were for construction to take place starting in August, and an opening in the fall.

Oh well.

But on the way back, I spotted a barred owl in a tree. Well actually, another walker spotted it and pointed it out to me. Good eye, and another win for getting outdoors.

Owl on pickerel pond loop

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Trout stocking this fall at Lake Cochituate in Natick

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MassWildlife is stocking more than 70,000 trout across the state this month, including at Lake Cochituate in Natick.

MassWildlife doesn’t publicize the exact day or location of stocking, though does update its website after the fact, so you need to keep tabs on that if interested.

We’ve been on hand in the past for spring trout stocking at Dug Pond.

trout stocking dug pond

Please send news tips, photos, ideas to natickreport@gmail.com

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Spotted lanternflies have Natick’s attention

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lanternfly
Adult spotted lanternfly

Sightings of spotted lanternflies have been on the rise in Natick this summer based on the number of messages we’ve received and the fact that the town issued a notice about the invasive insect. Local businesses have been taking actions on their properties. The Natick Garden Club has sounded the alarm as well: “A key time to control these is now—before the female lanternflies start laying their egg masses in a few weeks.”

This quarter-sized insect has gray wings with black spots and red underwings that are visible during flight. They’re pretty pests.

According to the Commonwealth’s Department of Agricultural Resources, spotted lanternflies damage trees (like the tree of heaven) and other woody plants by sucking their sap.

You can report sightings to the state online.

Here’s a spotted lanternfly nymph we spied in Natick earlier this month.

lanternfly

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State stocks Natick bodies of water with rainbow trout

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MassWildlife has begun stocking bodies of water across the state, including in Natick, with trout to encourage local anglers to go get ’em.

Both Lake Cochituate and Dug Pond were stocked about a week ago, and the Charles River is still on the schedule but a date hasn’t been announced (the state generally doesn’t let people know right away to give the fish a chance to spread out).

We have in past years been on hand for the stocking at Dug Pond.

Be sure to get a license if you plan to fish. The basic license is $40, though price varies based on age and other factors.

trout stocking dug pond
Trout stocking at Dug Pond in 2025

Please send news tips, photos, ideas to natickreport@gmail.com

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