Life in the Shifting Dunes A popular field guide to the natural history of Castle Neck, Ipswich, Massachusetts

A compact field guide leads listeners across the shifting dunes of Castle Neck, a coastal stretch near Ipswich, Massachusetts. The author, a lifelong New England naturalist, recorded his observations while living in a modest cottage beside the marsh. Clear sketches accompany concise notes that bring grasses, beetles and seabirds into focus. The tone is warm and curious, urging anyone with sharp eyes and a bit of patience to look closer.

Inside, you’ll meet the tenacious poison ivy that clings to the sand, the upside‑down barnacle that kicks food into its mouth, and noisy crows that disturb a sleeping owl. Brief mentions of rarer sightings—like the elusive Ipswich Sparrow—offer a hint of unexpected reward. A short geological note explains that Hog Island is a drumlin left by the last ice age, adding context to the landscape. By the end, listeners feel equipped to notice the hidden web of life beneath their footprints.