Tag Archives: habitat

Family exploring the rock grotto at Ipswich River ©Jared Leeds

Instagramable Massachusetts Hikes

Posted on October 27, 2021 by Kelly R.

These vistas, views, and encounters will take your breath away—and maybe get you a few “likes” in the process.

Chasing Waterfalls

All smiles here! ©Robert Nelson

Travel across Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary‘s boardwalks and trails to reach this relaxing spot. Here, the marshes, rivers, and ponds make up a collage of scenic waterways. Take a short walk on the Marsh Trail around Mill Pond to stop by for a portrait next to the waterfall or get creative with your picture’s angles. Note: Broadmoor currently requires reservations to visit.

Waterfall at Cooks Canyon

If you’re in Central Massachusetts, stop by Cooks Canyon in Barre. The 69-acre wildlife sanctuary features an impressive waterfall created by Galloway Brook’s flow over an old dam, and even rapids during times of high water.

#AnimalsofInstagram

Otter-ly amazing!

While all of our sanctuaries boast diverse arrays of wildlife living in their natural habitats, it does take a special skill set to be able to photograph in the wild. Here’s your opportunity to take Insta-worthy animal pics without the expensive equipment and committed patience.

At Blue Hills Trailside Museum in Milton, you’ll find birds, otter, red fox, and more, along with a network of 125 miles of hiking trails through Blue Hills Reservation. While you’re there, check out the newly renovated North American River Otter Exhibit, which was designed with elements of the natural otter habitat in mind.

Soaking up the sun.

The goats at Habitat Education Center in Belmont are a small pack of mighty snackers that traverse the wildlife sanctuary as our roaming lawn-care team. By opting to care for grassed areas with the help of our goats, we fertilize and aerate the soil, reduce the need for polluting machinery, and create wonderful photo ops!

Smile for the camera! © Gretchen Ertl

At Drumlin Farm, explore the farmyard loop to visit livestock (sheep, goats, cows, pigs, and chickens) and native wildlife (red fox, owls, hawks, and more).

This historic Lincoln site is a working farm and wildlife sanctuary all in one, so take advantage of learning about sustainable agriculture that works with the local ecosystem while you’re there. Spend the day exploring and taking pictures of the crops fields, barns, trail system, and animal exhibits. Note: Drumlin Farm currently requires reservations to visit.

Geologic Features

A perfect spot for a picnic.

The geologic scattering on the Boulder Loop Trail at Allens Pond in Dartmouth and Westport was initially created from the retreat of the last ice age some 10,000 years ago. At the center of this trail are two enormous granite boulders that had been hidden under years of invasive plant spread until our intrepid volunteer crew set them free earlier this spring.

The newly exposed boulders make for a unique area to relax and take in the scenery from. Climb to the top for a new perspective or take advantage of the amphitheater-like hollows that create an excellent space to sing or play music in.

That’s one for the highlights reel.

Question for you: when was the last time you walked through a tunnel of rocks? Been a while? Maybe never? Then you’ve got to check out this unique feature at Ipswich River in Topsfield. Take the Rockery Loop trail out to the stone grotto, where you’ll find a man-made tunnel encompassing your trail.

Explore the rest of Ipswich River’s 12 miles of trails for a few more insta-worthy scenes, including beaver structures, a stone bridge, and amazing wildlife. Note: Ipswich River currently requires reservations to visit.

Soak in the Setting Sun

Added bonus: Felix Neck offers kayak tours and programs for pictures on the water!

Watch the sunset and moonrise as you listen to the sounds of the marsh at Felix Neck in Edgartown. Take Old Farm Road out to the Marsh Trail for a view across Sengekontacket Pond and Sarson Island, a migratory bird resting location with spectacular views. Play around with your camera settings to capture the full range of blues and pinks during the twilight hours.

A great spot to take in the sights and sounds

The 1.4 mile Fox Hill Trail at Daniel Webster Wildlife Sanctuary in Marshfield is the most direct route out to the Fox Hill overlook, with several side trails along the way if you’d like to explore further.

Passing by one wildlife observation blind and several side trails, walk the length of the property to a panoramic view from the Fox Hill Observation Platform. The wide-open spaces make for a great place to watch the sunset from.

Go Ahead, Tag Us!

We want to see your pics! Be sure to tag @massaudubon next time you snap a keeper at one of our wildlife sanctuaries.

Why Mow When You Can Use Goats!

Posted on June 25, 2013 by Stu

Meadows are wonderful. They are idyllic places that conjure images of rolling hills and children running barefoot. These beautiful open spaces are also home to many important species. From the grasses and wildflowers, to the insects and grassland birds, what’s not to love about meadows?

As with most things in nature, meadows are not permanent fixtures on the landscape. In fact, it takes a lot of work to maintain meadows as open space. The natural processes of succession are constantly working to turn meadows back into forests. Early-successional tree seedlings can’t resist trying to plant themselves in the abundant sunshine of meadows. Therefore, meadows must be actively managed to prevent trees from establishing and reverting the ecosystem back to forest.

Maintaining Meadows

Controlled wildfires are a natural way of maintaining open space in a predominantly forested landscape. However, due to the density of human settlement in Massachusetts, controlled burns are not popular management options.

If you have a lot of time, or a lot of volunteers, you can manually manage your meadow by pulling or cutting all of the woody growth as it pops up. Clearly this approach is best for small meadows, but it’s relatively inexpensive and a nice way to get to know your land really well.

Most land managers have turned to modern technology to help them keep their meadows open. Tractors pulling mowers are the most efficient means of keeping the woody growth at bay. Generally, you only need to mow once per year to knock back the seedlings that have begun to establish. Of course, it’s best to wait until August before mowing to allow the grassland nesting bird’s time to fledge. But mowing is a hot, loud, smelly job that requires a lot of expensive equipment and fuel.

Alas! There is Another Alternative

With their friendly demeanor and voracious appetites, goats are the perfect herbivore to help keep a meadow open. They gladly munch on woody growth, as well as non-native invasive species and poison ivy. For the past four summers, Habitat Wildlife Sanctuary in Belmont has been using goats to help manage its meadows with great success.

Not only are the goats adorable and a huge attraction for visitors, but they work hard. While they do require management and care, it’s a lot easier and cheaper to keep healthy goats then it is to keep a tractor in good working order.

Visit Habitat to meet the goats and see firsthand how well they are doing maintaining the meadows. It’s striking to see the contrast between where the goats have and have not browsed. And it’s great fun to watch them work…munching, munching, munching away.