Please be cautious of your bird feeders, outdoor garbage containers, compost, etc. as black bears are coming out of hibernation. View the notice published from MassWildlife below or click the link to be taken to their site.

"Black bears are now active and seeking food. If you live in northern Middlesex County, Worcester County, western MA, or other areas where bears have been spotted, it's time to take down your bird feeders. Bears will often ignore natural foods including skunk cabbage in favor of an easy meal at a backyard bird feeder. Other species such as wild turkeys and coyotes may also frequent bird feeders leading to a variety of nuisance issues. To avoid these problems, MassWildlife asks property owners to be proactive by removing bird feeders and other potential food sources including garbage or open compost. Individuals should also properly secure bee hives, chickens, and livestock. For those people who enjoy birds in their yard, MassWildlife suggests growing native plants, shrubs, and trees to attract birds. Adding a water feature is a big draw for birds. Taking these actions may increase the diversity of wildlife you see and will prevent the unnatural feeding of bears, turkeys, and other kinds of neighborhood wildlife.

There are at least 4,500 black bears in Massachusetts and their range is expanding eastward. Take action by educating yourself and your neighbors about proactive measures to avoid conflicts with bears. Visit Mass.gov/Bears for detailed information and do your part to keep bears wild!"

https://www.mass.gov/news/black-bears-are-active-and-searching-for-food-take-precautions