On Sunday, June 14 around 4:30pm, a Shadowbrook resident encountered a medium size bear, which growled as she approached the path between Shadowbrook and Buttery Brook Park (southeast corner of our property). Our last bear sighting – behind Unit 85 about 3 months ago – was in the same area, and that bear had come out onto our lawn. It therefore seems that the wooded area between the park and Shadowbrook is now part of one or more bears’ territory.
All Shadowbrook residents are therefore advised to avoid the path and instead take Baker Street and Rte. 33 to one of the regular park entrances.
The incident was reported to the MA Environmental Police who registered the sighting and their biologist was informed. There have been several other reports from South Hadley. We were advised that bears are particularly active at this time, mamas and cubs plus also looking for mates.