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Born June 15, 1923, Kathleen “Betty” Anderson was an influential self-taught ornithologist and conservationist. While she was born in Montana, Anderson spent most of her life in southeastern Massachusetts, most notably at Wolf Trap Hill Farm in Middleborough, where Anderson kept extensive notes on wildlife sightings in a series of diaries that span decades. Anderson’s professional career as an ornithologist began in the 1950s when she worked for the U.S. Public Health Service after an outbreak of equine encephalitis. In the 1960s, Anderson established an Operation Recovery banding station on Duxbury Beach, as well as what is now Manomet, Inc., where she served as the founding director from 1969-1983. She served as a charter member and Chair of MassWildlife’s Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Advisory Committee, as well as being President of the Trustees of the Wildlands Trust.
Among Anderson’s numerous awards and accolades, she received the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology Arthur A. Allen Award; the Francis Sargent Award from the Massachusetts Fisheries and Wildlife Board; the Allen Morgan Award for Lifetime Achievement from Mass Audubon; and she was one of the first women to be elected to membership in the Nuttall Ornithological Club, serving as president in 1987.
Anderson passed away on August 24, 2018 at the age of 95.
The Kathleen “Betty” Anderson Papers consist almost entirely of her Daily Reminder diaries from 1968-2015, with a couple of missing years. Using these diaries, Anderson kept detailed notes observing wildlife and environmental conditions at Wolf Trap Hill Farm. These diaries provide not only her research notes and findings, but also Anderson’s daily activities. Included, often loose at the front and back of the books, or between pages, are newspaper clippings, postcards, the occasional leaf or bird feather, and other ephemera. Alongside the diaries, there is a notebook with notes about various plant species and a notebook with butterfly sightings and notes.
Ephemera has been left where Anderson put them in the diaries to preserve the way that she had organized the material. Newspaper clippings and pressed leaves have been interleaved with paper to avoid further staining and damage to the pages around them. Other organic material, such as feathers, have been placed in archival envelopes and kept between the entries where they were found.
The collection is arranged chronologically.
The collection is open for research.
Gift of Joseph F. Larson and the Anderson family, 2022.
Processed by Hailey Dote and Kailey Holtslander, 2025.
Textblock coming away from spine and splitting in two, most prominent Jul. 19-20. Day-to-day activities, bird and wildlife sightings, notes. At front of book: loose, ripped emails from Richard B. Primack dated 2003; loose folded bird sighting chart; loose newspaper clipping dated 1967 Apr 16. At back of book: loose Columbus Audubon Society field trip record.
Notes about various plant species.
Day-to-day activities, bird and wildlife sightings, basic research notes and data, notes about recent scientific findings. Handwritten note, postcard, photo in front.
Day-to-day activities, bird and wildlife sightings, basic research notes and data, notes about recent scientific findings. May 10-11: memo; Jul. 9-10: handwritten note; Nov. 16-17: pressed leaf; Dec. 28-29: daily field card.
Day-to-day activities, bird and wildlife sightings, basic research notes and data, notes about recent scientific findings.
Day-to-day activities, bird and wildlife sightings, basic research notes and data, notes about recent scientific findings. May 26-27: handwritten bird notes.
Day-to-day activities, bird and wildlife sightings, basic research notes and data, notes about recent scientific findings.
Day-to-day activities, bird and wildlife sightings, basic research notes and data, notes about recent scientific findings. Checklist of Massachusetts birds in front. Jul. 3-4: Manomet Bird Observatory count; Aug. 5-9: MBO fall banding totals; Nov. 18-19: newspaper clipping.
Day-to-day activities, bird and wildlife sightings, basic research notes and data, notes about recent scientific findings. Typed research notes in front. Jun. 7-8: postcard from Chris; Aug. 28-29: postcard. MBO observation lists in back.
Day-to-day activities, bird and wildlife sightings, notes from travel to Central and South America, some basic research notes and data, thoughts on early climate change research. Mar. 13-14: male Mallard flank feather between pages.
Day-to-day activities, bird and wildlife sightings, basic research notes and data, notes about recent scientific findings. Checklist of Massachusetts birds in front; newspaper clipping about controlling marsh mosquitos; Mar. 4-5: leaf pressing; May 19-20: typed entry and list for South Shore Big May Day; Jul. 10-11: four cards, North American nest-record card program; Oct. 4-5: newspaper clipping; Oct. 6-7: newspaper clipping; Oct. 8-9: magazine clipping; Nov. 3-4: clipping about bald eagles; Nov. 17-18 photocopy from British Birds; Dec. 15-16: Cape Cod Christmas bird count.
Damage in the binding around late September. Day-to-day activities, bird and wildlife sightings, basic research notes and data, notes about recent scientific findings. May 10-11: checklist of Massachusetts birds; Jun. 21-22: sketch of field site; Jul. 13-14: Kathleen's business card with notes.
Day-to-day activities, bird and wildlife sightings, basic research notes and data, notes about recent scientific findings. DOR Vertebrates, South Shore Bird Club field trips, Massachusetts Daily field card, newspaper clipping in front. Feb. 21-22: newspaper clipping; Apr. 4-5: Goshawk feather; May 16-17: checklist of Massachusetts birds; Aug. 26-27: August highlight; Nov. 8-9: handwritten notes. Roadkills list in back.
Notes of butterfly sightings from 1986 to 2001, details about specific species of butterfly.
Day-to-day activities, bird and wildlife sightings, basic research notes and data, notes about recent scientific findings. Postcards from Noreen and Bruce. Handwritten note in front. Apr. 21-22: postcard from Bruce, check receipt; Aug. 19-20: handwritten note; Nov. 29-30: newspaper clipping ; Dec. 13-14: leaf; in back: South Shore fall roundup with note from Bob, South Shore May Day trip.
Day-to-day activities, bird and wildlife sightings, basic research notes and data, notes about recent scientific findings, travel to Belize. Card from Bruce in front; Dec. 16-17: typed remembrance of Joseph "Archie" Hagar and information about Massachusetts Wildlife magazine; in back: South Shore Fall roundup list and newspaper clippings about Joseph A. Hagar and Harold J. Donner.
Day-to-day activities, bird and wildlife sightings, basic research notes and data. In front: traveler's list and checklist booklet for birds of North America; Block Island Weekend of Rhode Island Audubon Leaders' list of birds and number seen on island. Jan. 1: feather, possibly an owl's; Apr. 16-17: newspaper clipping; Oct. 15-16: newspaper print out; Nov. 26: newspaper clipping glued to page; Memoranda: magazine clipping and newspaper clipping about average temperatures for Earth. In back: photos of Peregrine Falcon; memorandum from Bill Davis; South Shore fall roundup; Block Island Weekend of Rhode Island Audubon Leaders' list of birds and number seen on island.
Day-to-day activities, bird and wildlife sightings, basic research notes and data. Feb. 25-26: Polaroid photo of barnacle goose family; Apr. 26-27: magazine clipping about sockeye salmon; Apr. 28-29: clump of rabbit fur with skin; Jun. 29-30: newspaper clipping; Aug. 28-29: newspaper clipping; Sep. 5-6: S.S.B.C. trip to outer cape from Bob Fox; Sep. 7-8: newspaper clipping; Sep. 29-30: feather; Oct. 5-6: Cape Cod Christmas bird count ; Oct 11-12: newspaper clipping about Carroll M. Williams.
Day-to-day activities, bird and wildlife sightings, basic research notes and data, museum work. Sep. 20-21: clipping; Sep. 26-27: ground-water levels clipping; Oct. 22-23: photo of ducks dated Oct. 16; Dec. 17-18: magazine and newspaper clippings about earthquakes. Cape Cod Christmas bird count in back.
Day-to-day activities, bird and wildlife sightings, basic research notes and data, notes about recent scientific findings. Jul. 19-20: newspaper; Jul. 23-24: newspaper; Dec. 8-9: newspaper clipping about California condors.
Day-to-day activities, bird and wildlife sightings, basic research notes and data, notes about recent scientific findings. In front: ABA trip list for North American birds; a checklist for Massachusetts birds. Mar. 16-17: hawk feathers; Apr. 15-16: picture of "strange woodpecker holes"; Aug. 7-8: cutout from publication; Dec. 29-30: newspaper clipping.
Day-to-day activities, bird and wildlife sightings, basic research notes and data, notes about recent scientific findings. Apr. 24-25: newspaper; Aug. 6-7: newspaper; Sep. 29-30: wild turkey feather; Oct. 3-4: printed email from Geoffrey Wood; Oct. 5-6: printed email from Fahy Bygate; Nov. 2-3: printed excerpt of email. In back: ABA trip list for North American birds, receipts, postcard, newspaper clipping.
Day-to-day activities, bird and wildlife sightings, basic research notes and data, notes about recent scientific findings. In front: Cape Cod lake and pond waterfowl survey, Cape Cod Christmas bird count, checklist of Rhode Island birds, Massachusetts Daily field card. Sep. 3-4: newspaper clipping; Sep. 7-8: newspaper clipping; Oct. 9-10: clipping with information about the Kathleen S. Anderson Award; Oct. 27-28: printed email from Russ Titus; Nov 6-7: printed email from Barbara Volkle; Dec 22-23: printed excerpt of email; Memoranda: newspaper clipping.
Day-to-day activities, bird and wildlife sightings, basic research notes and data, notes about recent scientific findings. In front: publication cutout, Plymouth Christmas count, ABA trip list for North American birds. Mar. 4-5: printed email; Apr. 11-12: newspaper clipping; May 15-16: printed email; Jun. 16-17: newspaper clipping; Aug. 19-20: printed email from Jan St. Jean; Dec. 20-22: newspaper clippings pasted to pages; Dec. 27-28: Area 6 Plymouth Christmas bird count.
Day-to-day activities, bird and wildlife sightings, notes about recent scientific findings. In front: receipts, species seen records, Plymouth Christmas count, Manomet Avian Conservation, a checklist for Massachsetts birds, newspaper clippings. Feb. 23-24: newspaper clipping; Jun. 13-14: handwritten note from Bob; Jun. 27-28: printed email and newspaper clipping; Jul. 3-4: printed email from Blair Nikula0; Jul. 9: newspaper clipping pasted on page; Aug. 4-5: magazine cutout ; Nov. 8-9: printed email from Mark Lynch; Mar./Apr. cash account page: clippings; Sep. cash account page: sticky note with handwritten note.
Day-to-day activities, bird and wildlife sightings,, notes about recent scientific findings. In front: printed email; handwritten note from Bob; a checklist for Massachusetts birds; state/province sighting summary; field list of Massachusetts birds; expenses of trip to Michigan; newspaper clipping. May 13: printed email from Erik Nielsen pasted on page; Jun. 1: sticky note with handwritten note; Jun. 17-18: newspaper clipping; Jul. 25-26: printed emails about the Cape Cod Christmas bird count; Aug. 18-19: printed email from Mark Lynch; Nov. 21: newspaper clipping pasted to page.
Day-to-day activities, bird and wildlife sightings, notes about recent events. Mar. 3-4: newspaper clipping; Apr. 10-11: newspaper clipping; May 1: newspaper clipping pasted to page; Jul. 25-26: newspaper clipping; Nov. cash account page: printed email from Cathy Weller.
Day-to-day activities, bird and wildlife sightings, notes about recent events. Jan. 16-17: magazine clipping; Mar. 16-17: checklist of Massachusetts birds; Aug. 11-12: magazine clippings; Oct. 6-7: newspaper clippings; Dec. 27-28: newspaper clippings.
Day-to-day activities, bird and wildlife sightings, notes about recent events. In front: newspaper clippings; Mar. 29-30: printed email from Bob; Apr. 21: clipping of ivory-billed woodpecker pasted to page; Apr. 28-29: newspaper clippings; Jun. 7-8: newspaper clippings; Jun. 23-24: magazine clipping; Aug. 5: newspaper clipping pasted to page; Aug. 20: newspaper clipping pasted to page; Sep. 25-26: flyer clipping; Sep. 30: obituary for Raymond J. O'Connor; Oct. 9-10: newspaper clipping; Dec 20-21: receipts; Nov./Dec. cash account page: receipts; Memoranda page: newspaper clipping. In back: receipts.
Day-to-day activities, bird and wildlife sightings, notes about recent events. In front: ABA trip list for North American birds; Apr. 16-17: handwritten note from Bert; May 4-5: newspaper clipping; May 24-25: clipping; Jun. 21-22: clipping; Jun. 29-30: newspaper clipping; Aug. 26-27: clipping; Sep. 9-10: newspaper clipping; Oct. 9-10: clipping; Dec. 4-5: newspaper clippings; Memoranda page: newspaper clipping.
Day-to-day activities, bird and wildlife sightings, notes about recent events. In front: National Park Foundation map, newspaper clipping; Mar. 23-24: newsletter clipping; Apr. 4-5: newspaper clipping; Apr. 18-19: printed email from Ian Nisbet; May 2-3: newspaper clipping; May 10-11: photo of tree; May 26-27: newspaper clipping; Jun. 7-8: flyer clipping; Jun. 15-16: printed emails from Drew; Jun. 19-20: obituary for Glen E. Woolfenden; Jul. 23-24: clipping; Aug. 6-7: newspaper clipping ; Sep 9-10: printed email regarding sighting report from SAWT; Oct. 31-Nov. 1: printed email from John Hoye; Nov. 28-29: obituary for Franklin McCamey; Dec. 14-15: handwritten note; Memoranda pages, cash pages, back of book: newspaper clippings, handwritten note, receipts.
Day-to-day activities, bird and wildlife sightings, notes about recent events. Jan. 25: clipping pasted to page; Mar. 28-29: web printout; May 13-14: clipping; Jun. 12-13: newspaper clipping; Jun 14-15: printed picture and email; Jul. 26-27: newspaper clipping; Aug. 11-12: newspaper clipping; Sep. 20-21: clipping or bookmark; Oct. 6-7: newspaper clipping: Oc.t 10-11: Cranberry Trail guide of Massachusetts; Oct. 14: newspaper clipping; Nov 7-8: printed email; Dec. 5-6: printed email; Dec. 13-14: newspaper clipping; Memoranda pages: handwritten note, printed address by Lanny McDowell.
Day-to-day activities, bird and wildlife sightings, notes about recent events. In front: sketch of a Nuthatch by Drew on sticky note; Jan. 4-5: printed email; Jan. 16-17: newspaper clipping; Jan. 24-25: feather; Mar. 9-10: newspaper clipping; Apr. 30-May 1: printed photo; Jun. 9-10: printed emails; Jun. 17-18: handwritten note; Jun. 24: newspaper clipping pasted to page; Jul. 13-14: printed email; Jul. 15-16: fortune cookie fortune; Nov. 14-15: printed photo; Dec. 14-15: receipts; Dec. 16-17: newspaper clipping; Dec. 22-23: newspaper clippings; Dec. 26-27: fortune cookie fortune.
Day-to-day activities, bird and wildlife sightings, notes about recent events. Jan. 24-25: printed photo; Feb. 21-22: newspaper clipping; Feb. 23: newspaper clipping pasted to page; Jun. 15-16: printed email; Jul. 2: newspaper clipping pasted to page; Jul. 21-22: newspaper clipping; Sep. 7-8: magazine clipping; Sep. 13-14: Yellowstone Valley Audubon Society field trip schedule and email; Oct. 21-22: newspaper clippings; Nov. 19-19: newspaper clipping; Dec. 22: newspaper clippings.
Day-to-day activities, bird and wildlife sightings, notes about recent events. Jan. 14-15: printed photo; Jan. 24-25: newspaper clipping; Jan. 28-29: newspaper clipping, printed email; Feb. 22: clipping taped to page; Feb. 23-24: newspaper clipping; Feb. 26-24: newspaper clipping; Mar. 7-8: newspaper clipping; Mar. 9-10: handwritten note; Mar. 27-28: postcard fragment; Apr. 7: printed photo pasted on page; Apr. 27: printed photo pasted on page; Apr. 28-29: newspaper clippings, business card; May 2-3: newspaper clipping; May 24-25: printed photo; May 26-27: magazine clipping; Jun. 15-16: newspaper clipping; Jul. 21-22: printed photo; Aug. 14: newspaper clipping pasted to page; Aug. 26-27: printed receipt; Sep. 23-24: printed photo; Sep. 29: sticky note with TJ's signature; Oct. 25-26: newspaper clipping; Nov. 18-19: newspaper clipping; Nov. 24-25: printed photo; Nov. 30-Dec. 1: newspaper clipping; Dec. 10-11: newspaper clipping; Dec. 28-29: newspaper clipping; in back: photos of Sandhill Cranes; ABA trip list for North American birds; obituary for Verity Clem.
Day-to-day activities, bird and wildlife sightings, notes about recent events. In front: newspaper clipping; Jan. 9: newspaper clipping pasted to page; Mar. 2-3: newspaper clipping; Mar. 20-21: newspaper clipping; Apr. 9-10: printed photo; Apr. 13-14: printed photo, newspaper clipping; Apr. 23-24: newspaper clipping; May 1-2: handwritten note, printed photo; May 3-4: newspaper clipping; May 13-14: newspaper clippings; May 25-26: newspaper clipping; May 27-28: newspaper clipping; May 29-30: newspaper clipping; Jun. 4-5: newspaper clipping; Jul. 14-15: newspaper clipping; Aug. 13-14: handwritten note; Aug. 15-16: newspaper clipping; Aug. 23-24: printed photo; Sep. 10-11: newspaper clipping; Oct. 6-7: newspaper clipping; Oct. 22-23: newspaper clipping; Oct. 26-27: newspaper clipping; Nov. 15-16: newspaper clipping, magazine clipping with handwritten note; Dec. 23-24: newspaper clipping; Memoranda and cash account pages: newspaper clippings.
Day-to-day activities, bird and wildlife sightings, notes about recent events. In front: photograph with caption from 1948; Mar. 17-18: printed email from Brian Cassie; Apr. 26-27: printed email; May 18-19: printed email from Blair Nikula; Jun. 5-6: newspaper clipping; Jun. 23-24: printed email; Jul. 17-18: printed email; Aug. 2-3: newspaper clipping; Sep. 27-28: newspaper clipping; Oct. 5-6: newspaper clipping; Oct. 7-8: newspaper clipping; Nov. 16-17: dried grain stalk; Nov. 22-23: newspaper clipping; Dec. 12-13: newspaper clipping; Dec. 14-15: newspaper clipping; in back: newspaper clipping, printed email.
Day-to-day activities, bird and wildlife sightings, notes about recent events, health. In front: printed email from Sharon Stichter; Jan. 6-7: handwritten note; Apr. 10-11: newspaper clipping; Memoranda pages: handwritten note and receipt.
Day-to-day activities, bird and wildlife sightings, notes about recent events, health. Jan. 1: web printout; Apr. 2-3: newspaper clipping; Jul. 25-26: newspaper clipping ; Aug 28-29: newspaper clipping; Sep. 27-28: newspaper clipping; Oct. 17-18: magazine clipping; Oct 19-20: photo ; Nov 8-9: newspaper clipping; in back: handwritten note.