The Pleasant Meadows Farm, formerly known as the VerDerber Farm, is located at 72 Pleasant Street. This is owned by the town of Millis and is managed by the Conservation Commission. It is comprised of a diverse mixture of wooded uplands, open grassy meadows and wetlands. The total area is 37 acres. Improved trails make this an easy walking area to enjoy.
In the wooded uplands, there is a large stand of mature white pine trees and hardwoods. These trees are used by many species of Hawks and Owls. The owls are hard to spot, but can be heard hooting in the evening or early morning hours. The Hawks usually can be seen in the trees overlooking the fields where they hunt for small animals or birds.
This is a prime area for viewing woodpeckers, Chickadees and flickers. Other animals seen on this property are chipmunks, squirrels, rabbits, woodchucks and deer. The open meadows and grasslands are prime areas for spotting many different species of birds. Some of which are American Robins, American Goldfinches, Tree Swallows, sparrows and many others. The marshy wetland areas are used by Red Wing Blackbirds, Tufted Titmice, Blue Jays, Cardinals, Gross Beaks and Cedar Waxwings.
The woods and fields offer many different plants and flowers to be enjoyed throughout the year. The many butterflies, dragonflies and other insects of interest can make for great photographic opportunities. In the old dead tree located near the field edge as you drive in on your right, is a flicker nest hole. This nest has been in use for 6 years now and every year we have a family of flickers raised in it.
The Bluebird Trail you will follow consists of 8 nesting boxes placed around the fields. These locations where chosen to maximize the use of these boxes by bluebirds.