SPD: Black bear alarm – My Southborough

Above: According to the state, Southborough is in the growing black bear range in Massachusetts (Image edited from mass.gov map)

The Southborough Police Department is issuing an alert after a black bear was spotted in Southborough at various locations south of the city (Hopkinton/Ashland border).

It’s not the first time something like this has happened in the city. The SPD shares its usual recommendations:

• Be careful when leaving small pets outside your home (monitor them).
• We strongly recommend removing bird feeders (at least for the next few weeks).
• Secure all trash containers around your property.

As always, please report bear sightings to Animal Control Officer Jennifer Condon at (508) 485-7817; or Environmental Police at (508) 366-6537.

They also shared a link on Facebook to learn more about black bears in our state.

The linked page on the state’s website advises against putting up birdhouses any time of year. Instead, it encourages residents who want to “support local songbirds” to grow native plants, shrubs and trees and add a water feature to create a bird-friendly area.* You can find out more here.

*I’m sure advice is music to the ears of the volunteers involved in the Open Space Commission’s Native Plants – Native Pollinators initiative.