Our Backyard Swans

photo by Sandy Bacon

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When I was growing up, my family visited the Swan Boats in the Boston Public Garden somewhat regularly – usually on Mother’s Day. For years, I thought of the swan as a rare species – something one could only see at a special place -- never in the wild. But then in the 1980s a pair of swans took up residence in “the pond” behind our house. They -- and their successors -- have pretty much been there ever since. Elegant, with long curving necks and a seemingly serene demeanor, they always manage to capture our attention.

“The pond” behind our house is actually a wide upstream portion of the Green Harbor River. It is relatively secluded -- bordered in large part by the Hoyt-Hall Preserve, a parcel of conservation land managed by the Wildlands Trust of Southeastern Massachusetts. There are a few private homes along the riverbanks as well, and also the Garretson cranberry bogs. It often feels like the swans out back are “ours,” as there are only a few people who can see them!

It turns out that swans are not especially rare in our part of Massachusetts, and while technically they are an exotic species – meaning they are not native to our region – they’re somewhat commonplace. That doesn’t make them any less captivating, though.

Our region’s swans are members of the species Cygnus olor -- the mute swan. They were brought over from Europe and Asia to the United States in the late 1800s for use as living, breathing pond ornaments in parks and on private estates. The prevailing assumption is that some of them found their way into the wild, and gave rise to a slowly-increasing population. Today mute swans can be found up and down the coastline from Maryland to Massachusetts. Here in our state, they are concentrated primarily on Cape Cod and the Islands, with a decent number from Plymouth to Cohasset as well.

Up until the 1970s, mute swans were indeed rare to these parts. But the Massachusetts Audubon’s 1974 Christmas Bird Count identified 200 individuals in the state, and by the mid-eighties, there were 135 mating pairs, with closer to 600 in the winter, due to migration. (They seek refuge in unfrozen ponds and bays.)

The mute swan is striking. Its size alone is impressive. One of the heaviest of the flying birds, a typical adult male weighs from 20-32 pounds and extends to 55-63 inches in length. That’s more than five feet! The mute swan is completely white in color, save for its orange and black bill. Despite what its name suggests, it isn’t actually mute, but it is known to be quieter than other swan species. Still, it grunts and snorts and sometimes makes a hoarse whispering sound, and will hiss at predators such a snapping turtles and coyotes. Its wing flaps are loud, though. We frequently hear “our” swans taking off in flight.

Young swans are called cygnets. They are usually not stark white, but rather gray or off-white. The beak doesn’t turn orange until after the first year. Cygnets make more noise than their parents -- they will chirp and whistle and even squawk if in danger.

You may have heard that swans mate for life. It’s a romantic notion, and true too (mute swans are indeed monogamous), but their lifespan averages just 6-10 years. Mute swans typically inhabit coastal ponds and tidal creeks, and often return to the same nest year after year. They build large nests in shallow water or on islands within ponds and lakes, foraging for materials nearby. One advantage of their long shapely necks is their ability to harvest and feed on submerged aquatic plants.

A female mute swan lays eggs in April or May – 4 to 6 at a time – and then sits on them for 5-6 weeks. The male stays close-by, and when the cygnets hatch, the family stays together for 15 weeks before the young are able to fly. The mortality rate is high. Due to extensive predation, most cygnets do not survive.

As beautiful as they are to behold, mute swans are not friendly. They’re protective and territorial, and will attack even a human if it gets too close. If a mute swan senses another creature encroaching upon its territory, it may rush at it, attempt to bite it, or perhaps assault it with the spurs on its wings. That probably explains why, after all these years, we’ve never seen more than one family of swans on our pond at a time.

While state regulations deem it illegal to hunt them, mute swans aren’t exactly a favored species here in Massachusetts. Non-native, they are considered to be invasive as they drive other, more welcome, species out of their natural habitats. Swans can also be a nuisance to farmers, as they not only consume cereal crops such as wheat, they also trample them. Swans are best left undisturbed, but if you have a serious problem with them on your property, contact Mass Wildlife for assistance (508-759-3406).

by Kezia Bacon

December 2015 

Kezia Bacon's articles appear courtesy of the North and South Rivers Watershed Association, a local non-profit organization devoted to the preservation, restoration, maintenance and conservation of the North and South Rivers and their watershed. For membership information and a copy of their latest newsletter, contact NSRWA at (781) 659-8168 or visit www.nsrwa.org. To browse 19 years of Nature (Human and Otherwise) columns, visit http://keziabaconbernstein.blogspot.com

Sources:

http://www.massaudubon.org/our-conservation-work/wildlife-research-conservation/statewide-bird-monitoring/breeding-bird-atlases/bba1/find-a-bird/%28id%29/44

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mute_swan

The Skyline Trail at Blue Hills

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Heading down a steep decline on the way up the Skyline Trail.

Here on the South Shore, we have plenty of walking places – the beaches, the woods, numerous trails around ponds and through meadows. But what we lack is places to hike. Living at sea level, there just isn’t much for those of us who wish to go vertical.

Well, . . . except for the Blue Hills! It’s so easy to forget that over 7,000 acres of open space lie just to the north of us. The Blue Hills Reservation, based in Milton, is home to 125 miles of walking and hiking trails. Many of them pass through forests and around ponds, but quite a few also lead up and down steep, rocky hills. The views from the top are spectacular.

Managed by the state’s Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), the Blue Hills Reservation is open to the public every day from dawn to dusk. In season, it offers camping, fishing, skiing (cross country and downhill), swimming, non-motorized boating, and even golf. There are trails for mountain bikers and horseback riders, spots for picnicking and rock climbing, and an annual controlled and permitted deer hunt. Great Blue, the tallest of the 22 hills in the area, extends to an elevation of 635 feet.

The reservation extends from Milton and Quincy to Randolph and Dedham. The park itself has been open to the public since 1893, but long before that, the lands were home to the Massachusett, a Native tribe who referred to themselves as “people of the great hills.” When Europeans began arriving on our shores, they observed the hills from a distance and named them for their bluish color. You can view archaeological evidence of both Native and Colonial settlements within the reservation, and also visit the Blue Hills Weather Observatory, a National Historic Landmark.

People tell me all the time that the Blue Hills is on their list of Places To Visit . . . but they never seem to make it there. Perhaps it has something to do with proximity: it’s almost too close to plan a day trip around it, but too far away to stop by on a lark. Plus, there are so many trails to consider – where would you start? However I think that once you’ve been there, and you see how accessible the place actually is, those barriers aren’t so daunting.

I’d actually been hiking in the Blue Hills a few times before – maybe three times over the course of 25 years -- but I still felt like I had a mental block against it. So I decided to plan a group outing there. With friends invited along, there would be no backing out because it suddenly became inconvenient to drive up to Milton on a Saturday afternoon.

We began our hike at 1pm. It was mid-November, and even though the trail guide indicated that it should take us about 2 hours to complete the course, we had lots of little legs with us (7 children ages 5 to 9, plus one yellow lab) and were concerned about getting back before the 4:30 sunset.

Departing from the Houghton’s Pond parking area, we followed a footpath along the side of Hillside Street to the Reservation Headquarters. We found a trailhead just behind the headquarters building, and following the directions I obtained from the excellent Friends of Blue Hills website, within a minute we made a right turn onto the Skyline Trail.

Our plan was to follow the Skyline Trail up to Eliot Tower and then down again. I find, when hiking with children, it’s helpful to have “something” to see at the top. Following the blue blazes, we immediately began to climb uphill, over rocks and through some steep passages. Before long, we were at the crest of Hancock Hill, enjoying the first of many great views of the Greater Boston area.

The Skyline Trail led us up and down wooded hills, over terrain that was more rugged than what you’d typically find on the South Shore, but not especially difficult. Because of the fallen leaves on the trail, there were a few times when I opted to scoot down steep declines on my behind, rather than risk slipping on the smooth rock surfaces. The boys and girls in our group seemed energized by the challenges of scrambling up and over each obstacle we encountered. Every so often, we’d crest a hill and find another, different view of the city. Eventually we reached the turn-off for Eliot Tower.

Most of the trails in the Blue Hills Reservation are clearly marked, not only with blazes of various colors, but also with wooden signs, the names clearly spelled out. You can download a map via the DCR website, or purchase one at the headquarters or at the Blue Hills Trailside Museum. I downloaded a PDF of the map, but finding the print to be small, I brought the file to a local copy shop and had it enlarged and printed in color. Another option is to download the (free) 16-page color “Discover the Blue Hills” booklet from the Friends of the Blue Hills.

Eliot Tower was constructed in the 1940s by the Civilian Conservation Corps. Originally envisioned as a rest area of sorts for hikers, the rough stone tower and its adjoining shelter once featured a large stone fireplace, terraces with inviting views, picnic tables and benches, and restrooms. Much of this still remains, but only in a generally “rustic” sense. The restrooms are boarded up, and the doors have been removed from the shelter, so the wind blows through. However the views – especially from the top of the tower – are inspiring, and the tables and benches offer a welcome place to sit and rest.

The author an her son on the Skyline Trail.

After pausing for a snack at one of the picnic tables, our group began its descent. Again, using the directions from Friends of the Blue Hills, we turned at Marker 1066 and followed the blue blazes all the way back down to Hillside Street. It was a different trail going downhill, with plenty more rocks to scramble over. We were back to our cars by 3:30pm. Overall, it was a very pleasant way to spend an autumn afternoon. We will definitely be going back.

For general info about the Blue Hills Reservation,, including driving directions, visit the DCR’s page on Blue Hills: http://www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/dcr/massparks/region-south/blue-hills-reservation.html

For more detailed trail and event info, visit Friends of the Blue Hills: http://friendsofthebluehills.org/

by Kezia Bacon

November 2015

Kezia Bacon's articles appear courtesy of the North and South Rivers Watershed Association, a local non-profit organization devoted to the preservation, restoration, maintenance and conservation of the North and South Rivers and their watershed. For membership information and a copy of their latest newsletter, contact NSRWA at (781) 659-8168 or visit www.nsrwa.org. To browse 19 years of Nature (Human and Otherwise) columns, visit http://keziabaconbernstein.blogspot.com

Daniel Webster Sanctuary at Night

Hay carts at Mass Audubon's Daniel Webster Wildlife Sanctuary in Marshfield.

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When I was a teenager, I got into trouble more than once for attempting to visit some of our local nature preserves at night. Most of them are only open from dawn until dusk, and if you park in their designated lots after sunset, you run the risk of getting ticketed or towed. Not to mention that you’re disobeying the rules!

But these places are so inviting! I know I’m not the only one who is curious about what our conservation properties are like after dark. Part of the reason the rules are in place is to prevent people from getting into mischief on public land. What’s a well-intentioned explorer to do?

Fortunately, some of the region’s earth-friendly organizations and other stewards of the land occasionally offer guided tours of conservation lands at night. The North and South Rivers Watershed Association hosts a moonlight hike (or paddling trip) every now and then. The South Shore Natural Science Center has its Owl Prowl and other evening programs. And Mass Audubon offers the occasional hike or hayride.

This September, my son and I and several of our family friends signed up together for Audubon’s “Summer’s Last Hurrah! Hayride,” which took place at Marshfield’s Daniel Webster Wildlife Sanctuary. We met at dusk on a cool Saturday evening, and enjoyed snacks around a small bonfire while Audubon’s Education Coordinator Amy Quist shared myths and stories about the changing seasons. Then we all piled into a tractor-towed cart lined with loose hay and took a tour through the sanctuary.

Night had fallen by then, so we were there just as much to listen as to see. Occasionally Quist and her assistant would stop the cart and encourage us to pay attention to our surroundings. How many different sounds could we hear? What did we think they were? How was the sanctuary different at night?

Daniel Webster Sanctuary was once a farm. In fact, from 1832 until his death 20 years later, it was renowned statesman Daniel Webster’s farm! The property retained its agricultural purpose well into the 20^th century. Since the 1980s Mass Audubon has managed it. It’s now a popular wildlife sanctuary, and exploration is permitted only on foot, so it was a treat to be literally carted around to see the various features at night. Webster’s orchard, the Green Harbor River, and Fox Hill each take on a different character after dark.

Quist also asked us to look up. When you get away from the lights of civilization – even just a little bit – the stars seem so much brighter. It was a clear night, so there was plenty to observe in the Autumn Equinox sky. Quist pointed our various constellations and fielded questions from adults and children alike.

Some of our crew liked the bonfire and stories (and homemade cookies) best. Others enjoyed the novelty of riding in the hay cart, and making “nests.” For me, the most memorable moment was when we stopped near the top of Fox Hill, and had a chance to look up at the night sky. It’s been a while since I’ve seen so many stars!

Mass Audubon offers guided hayrides a few times a year. You can also arrange a private one, for birthday parties or other events. Visit the website www.massaudubon.org for details on the organization, its properties, and the programs it offers throughout the year. Or call the South Shore Sanctuaries headquarters at 781-837-9400 to find out what’s happening next.

by Kezia Bacon

October 2015

Paddle the Green Harbor River

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The Green Harbor River, as viewed from the dock at Peter Igo Park.

 

Until recently, those who wished to paddle a kayak, canoe or other non-motorized craft on the Green Harbor River had few appealing options for launch sites. They could pull to the side of Route 139 in Green Harbor and creep down the steep rocky embankment of the bridge at the Brant Rock Dike, or they could tramp hundreds of feet through overgrown brush and poison ivy . . . Other than that, there was nothing. But then things started happening at Peter Igo Park in Brant Rock, and now, not only is there reasonable access to the river, it’s slated for further improvement!

The changes are in large part the result of the work of the Peter Igo Park Initiative (PIP), a non-profit organization dedicated to rehabilitating a mostly-neglected Marshfield park. Since 2008, the PIP has been taking steps to transform the 17-acre park into a much more user-friendly space. They oversaw a major upgrade to the tennis and basketball courts on site, removed tons of refuse, thinned trees, cleared brush, and created a path through the woods and the marsh, right up to the river’s edge. There’s even a dock, with plans to install a much larger one, once permitting from the state is complete. This past summer, they even hired a team of goats to eradicate some of the poison ivy!

I’ve had a kayak for more than twenty years now, but somehow – for the past decade and more – I’ve let the cobwebs collect around it. When I dragged it out from its storage place last month, I found evidence of a critter nesting deep in its bow!

It was the end of September, the kids were back in school, and all the pieces had fallen into place for me to go out on the water. I had a friend with whom to paddle, and enough time in my schedule to make a day of it. Plus the weather was just-right. And so we transported our boats to Peter Igo Park, hauled them down the new path to the river, and headed upstream.

The Green Harbor River flows through my backyard. It took me years to figure this out. What I always thought was a pond was in fact a wide upstream section. The Green Harbor River rises from ponds and wetlands from near the Garrretson cranberry bogs, between Moraine Street (Route 3A) and Black Mount in Marshfield. From there it flows under Webster Street and through the aptly-named Green Harbor Golf Course before crossing into Mass Audubon’s Daniel Webster Wildlife Sanctuary. Then it’s a slow, snaky passage to the sea, via the Brant Rock Dike and Green Harbor’s actual harbor.

In contrast to the more heavily trafficked North and South Rivers, the Green Harbor River is relatively quiet. Most of it is bordered, on one side if not two, by conservation land. Since the Brant Rock Dike impedes access from the harbor and the ocean, typically  there aren’t any motor boats on it either. It’s a lovely place to paddle, as it winds through salt marsh and red cedar swamp.

In late summer, the marsh grass grows very tall. You may not be able to tell from a distance, but it easily extends to ten feet in height. When you’re down on the water, seated in a kayak, it towers over you. It’s not terrain I’d choose to walk through, but as a backdrop to the river, I really enjoy the sense of enclosure that it creates. There’s something very peaceful about one’s view being limited to water, trees, sky, and tall golden grass.

That said, I’d also like to paddle the Green Harbor River in the spring, when the marsh grass is just beginning to come in. That way, I’d be better able to see what borders it.

Access to the Green Harbor River is free and open to the public. Parking is available at Peter Igo Park, as well as across the street at the DAV, where a few spots are reserved for paddlers. Take Route 139 through Green Harbor toward Brant Rock, go past the Marina and the Yacht Club, and then after you’ve crossed the bridge, turn left onto Marshall Street. Large signs make it difficult to miss. The recently-mulched path to the water is to the left of the tennis courts. It’s not exactly a short haul to the river – but it’s direct, and it’s worth it. On the relatively calm day that I visited this fall, it took a little over an hour to paddle up to the first wooden bridge in Daniel Webster Sanctuary, but only half that (with the wind at our backs) to return.

Also of note is a privately-owned island, in the middle of the river, right across from the launch. Wooden signs posted there indicate that visitors are welcome, as long as they treat the property with respect. It’s well worth the exploration!

For more information about about the Peter Igo Park Initiative, visit http://www.peterigo.com.

by Kezia Bacon

September 2015

Kezia Bacon's articles appear courtesy of the North and South Rivers Watershed Association, a local non-profit organization devoted to the preservation, restoration, maintenance and conservation of the North and South Rivers and their watershed. For membership information and a copy of their latest newsletter, contact NSRWA at (781) 659-8168 or visit www.nsrwa.org. To browse 19 years of Nature (Human and Otherwise) columns, visit http://keziabaconbernstein.blogspot.com

A Day Trip to Purgatory Chasm

Scrambling up the rocks in Purgatory Chasm.

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I really didn’t know what to expect. When a friend suggested a day trip with our children to Purgatory Chasm, nearly 90 minutes away in remote Sutton, Massachusetts (southeast of Worcester), I was skeptical. I knew that the park’s primary feature was a quarter-mile rocky chasm where we could hike and climb – appealing for the adults as well as the kids in our group -- but would it be worth the trip? Indeed it was.

Local nature enthusiasts, I recommend that you add Purgatory Chasm State Reservation to your list. There’s a reason why this spot has been in the state park system since 1919.

The park itself is unassuming. Exiting Route 146, you drive along Purgatory Road and then suddenly you’re there. The sizable parking areas offer a clue to Purgatory Chasm’s popularity. The cost for admission is simply a $5 fee ($6 for out-of-state) per car, payable at self-serve kiosks (our was credit-cards-only). Trail maps are available at various points.

Other than the trails, there isn’t much to see. There is a visitor center with restrooms and a small exhibit about local wildlife. There’s also an adventure-themed playground, a grassy playing field, and a covered picnic pavilion, plus lots and lots of scattered picnic tables. Naturally, the trails are the main feature.

Purgatory Chasm probably formed as a result of melting glaciers, about 14,000 years ago, at the end of the last Ice Age. In essence, it’s a 70-foot deep gorge filled with varying-sized granite boulders, extending about a quarter of a mile through the woods. Within it are caves, precipices, and ledges. You have to pay attention as you make your way through, but for anyone who’s reasonably fit (including our group of four adults in their 40s, and 7 children ranging in age from 5 to 9) it might be ranked on the mild side of “moderately challenging.” It was also quite captivating -- and fun!

The park is open seasonally, from sunrise to sunset every day. (It’s closed in the winter, when the rocks get too slippery.) We arrived around 8:30am, and pretty much had the chasm to ourselves. A large sign marks the trailhead and offers some general cautions about traversing the gorge. The most accessible hiking trail is marked with blue blazes, but there are no restrictions in terms of route, so visitors can explore as they see fit. (Except rock climbers – the rope-and -carabiner set must obtain special permits to scale the high ledges.)

We took our time scrambling through the chasm, following the blazes and figuring out the best way down the steeper drops. Even so, it probably took us less than a half hour to reach the other end. At the far end of the chasm, you’ll find easy access to a few different hiking trails. The kids chose the one to Little Purgatory, which turned out to be another, much smaller, rocky chasm, well worth the time and effort. We followed a trail through the woods and then scratched our heads for a moment when it dissolved into a field of scattered rocks. Continuing along the rocks, we found a collection of large boulders and the ideal location for a snack. (When you pull kids out of bed at 6am, and then set them free to climb on boulders, they are “starving” by 10.)

By the time we’d returned to Purgatory Chasm, the park was getting busy. We passed through the chasm in reverse, meeting a number of other hikers. It was mostly families, with children ranging from toddler to teen. (My recommendation is to wait until your kids are at least 5 years old before visiting.) After spending some time at Sliding Rock -- a massive, smooth granite slope that some scoot down without the aid of a sled -- we set ourselves up at a shady picnic spot for lunch.

The park is dotted with other rock formations – outcroppings and glacial erratics poking up from the forest floor. Even when we weren’t on the trails, the kids found places to climb, jump, and occupy “King of the Mountain” style.

After our meal, we were eager to explore some more, so we headed up the Charley’s Loop trail, which runs along the top of the chasm. Instead of scrambling over and among rocks, we were looking down upon them. The view was impressive, but be forewarned: there are no barriers or guard rails. This isn’t the place for little feet to trot off on their own.

Reaching the midpoint of Charley’s Loop, our options were to continue on up the other side of the gorge, or return to the chasm for one more pass through. We chose the latter, this time exploring some side trails and other, more challenging routes.

We ended our visit at the playground, so the kids could blow off any remaining steam before the long drive home. Would we return? Absolutely! A visit to Purgatory Chasm is a great way to spend the day. Next time I’d like to check out the other trails (there are a few more – Forest Road, Old Purgatory, and Spring Path – plus we have yet to see the other side of Charley’s Loop).

Purgatory Chasm State Reservation is located at 198 Purgatory Road, Sutton, MA, and managed by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation. If you go, be sure to wear sturdy rubber-soled shoes or hiking boots. For information, call 508 234-3733 or visit http://www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/dcr/massparks/region-central/purgatory-chasm-state-reservation.html

by Kezia Bacon

August 2015

Kezia Bacon's articles appear courtesy of the North and South Rivers Watershed Association, a local non-profit organization devoted to the preservation, restoration, maintenance and conservation of the North and South Rivers and their watershed. For membership information and a copy of their latest newsletter, contact NSRWA at (781) 659-8168 or visit www.nsrwa.org. To browse 19 years of Nature (Human and Otherwise) columns, visit http://keziabaconbernstein.blogspot.com

Cohasset’s Great Brewster Woods

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Thanks to this year’s South Shore Quests booklet, I’ve discovered a new place for nature walks – Great Brewster Woods & Dean’s Meadow, in Cohasset. My son and I checked it out in mid-July, along with two other moms and their boys.

The 26-acre property is located at the end of Great Brewster Trail, off Highland Avenue, a few steps from the Cohasset Town Common. Eighteen acres of the land were donated to the town in 1985 by the Great Brewster Corporation, followed by another seven, in 1992, by Helen Dean. The trailhead is nestled right up against private residential property, so visitors are encouraged to be conscientious of the neighbors and remain on the trail. Additional parking is available at the Cohasset Town Hall and in the town parking area behind the Village Shops.

Rock ledges are one of the most interesting features of Great Brewster Woods. You encounter one as soon as you arrive. The small (2-3 cars) parking area directly abuts a tall rock face, suitable for careful climbing. After passing by a few houses, the trail meanders through the woods and eventually tilts downhill. Soon after crossing a small stream, it arrives at a junction. If you take the side path, up to the left, it will lead you onto a ledge that overlooks the Mohawk salt marsh and Little Harbor. Leafy trees obscure the view in the summertime, but it’s more clear during the winter and spring.

Altogether the trail runs for a single mile – but it’s an interesting mile, and well worth your time! The Cohasset Conservation Trust has created a handy Trail Guide for Great Brewster Woods, offering abundant detail regarding its trees and shrubs, and highlighting various other features, such as historic stone walls, mini tree-like Lycodpodium mosses, and Rock Tripe lichen growing on a shady ledge. Need help discerning a White Oak from a Red Oak? The Trail Guide points out the difference. It also identifies less-known trees such as Black Tupelo, American Hophornbeam and Mockernut Hickory, and shrubs of Sweet Pepperbush, Common Witch Hazel, and Highbush Blueberry.

Continuing downhill along the main trail, you’ll pass through a gap in a stone wall and enter Dean’s Meadow. In this flatter section of the property, there are groves of holly, American Beech, and juniper (all identified by the trail guide). After the trail begins to climb again, you may see Sassafras, and pudding stone, as it loops back around. Eventually, it leads you back to where you began.

Although they each have their own charm, some of our local nature preserves can be less-than-inspiring. Around here, we’re quite familiar with White Pine! So a diverse parcel like Great Brewster Woods – especially with Trail Guide in hand --  can be a refreshing change of pace.

For information about Great Brewster Woods and the Cohasset Conservation Trust, visit its website, www.cohassetconservationtrust.org, or “like” it on Facebook.

A Quest is a series of clues, designed for children, to help them better experience our local parks and conservation areas, through self-guided exploration. For more information about local Quests, visit http://www.southshorequests.org/ 

by Kezia Bacon

July 2015

Kezia Bacon's articles appear courtesy of the North and South Rivers Watershed Association, a local non-profit organization devoted to the preservation, restoration, maintenance and conservation of the North and South Rivers and their watershed. For membership information and a copy of their latest newsletter, contact NSRWA at (781) 659-8168 or visit www.nsrwa.org. To browse 19 years of Nature (Human and Otherwise) columns, visit http://keziabaconbernstein.blogspot.com

South River Greenway Takes Shape

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 Thank you to the Town of Marshfield, which continues to support the acquisition and improvement of conservation land! Three years ago, the town acquired the 37.5-acre Pratt Property on South River Street, and this past April, funds were allocated both to create trails and bridges on the Pratt, and to construct a new canoe and kayak launch around the corner, on the South River.

This is great news! In addition to gaining a much-needed upstream access point for the South River, we are seeing the step-by-step development of a greenway around a section of the river that was once weed-choked, polluted and neglected. I wanted to understand how the various properties fit together, so one afternoon in mid-June I visited the Pratt as well as some of the South River Greenway’s other open spaces.

The Pratt Property is located at 172 South River Street. When you turn into the driveway, you’ll see an old farmhouse and barn. The trails are out back. I parked behind the barn, and surveyed the landscape, looking for a trailhead or some other indication of where to go next. Eventually I spotted a red metal arrow, affixed to a tree. From there, the trail was well-marked and easy to follow.

The path from the driveway leads through the woods toward the South River. Approaching the marsh, there is a fork. If you go to the right (west), you’ll skirt along the edge of the marsh, and across two concrete floodgates. They are no longer in use, and appear to be vestiges of the property’s agricultural history.

The Pratt Property was originally owned by one of Marshfield’s early settlers, Timothy Williamson, who operated the town “ordinary.” He purchased the land in 1663, and it stayed in his family until the mid-1800s. The house itself was constructed in 1700. Williamson’s descendants eventually sold the land to the Pratts, who kept it for another 120 years.

After the flood gates, the westbound trail passes over a small bridge, traversing one of the property’s two brooks, and then continues into the woods. It ends relatively soon thereafter, at Willow Street.

Heading back to the fork, the trail that goes to the left (east) is somewhat longer. It too crosses over a brook. It’s worth noting that both of the bridges on the property are quite eye-catching. They are constructed of tree limbs, with their bark intact, which lends the bridges not only a picturesque quality, but also some traction. I don’t mean to suggest that the bridges are unsafe in any way! They appear to be quite strong.

The eastbound trail continues through the woods as well, and eventually intersects with the Bridle Path, a former railroad bed converted to an unpaved multi-use trail, that bisects the town.

Here’s where the greenway concept comes in. If you go left (north) on the Bridle Path, you can walk (or run or bike) all the way to Summer Street in Marshfield Hills, passing along the Marshfield Fairgrounds and through the Carolina Hill conservation lands. If you go right (south), you will soon arrive at the Keville Footbridge, which passes directly over the South River and offers some lovely views.

Continuing south on the Bridle Path, you will arrive at the parking area for the Ocean Street (Route 139) CVS store. And then if you head west on 139, the very next thing you’ll see is Dandelion Park, a charming little green space that in the late 2000s replaced a dilapidated gas station.

Continuing west on Route 139, look for the Cedar Grove Cemetery. You could stay on the sidewalk along the busy highway, but if you’re not averse to graveyards, walk through this historic property and enjoy some additional river views. Eventually you will arrive at the First Congregational Church. It’s a short walk back to the Pratt Property from there – just continue west on 139 and turn right on Willow Street. After you cross the river, you can enter the property from the terminus of the first trail detailed above.

Or, if you’d like to extend your experience of the burgeoning South River Greenway, continue along Route 139 to South River Park. This 1.7-acre property, established in 2012 serves as a companion to the town’s Veterans Memorial Park, just a few hundred yards upstream. The new park features a granite tribute to Marshfield-based soldiers who served recent wars, as well as a short boardwalk to the river.

Volunteers for the North and South Rivers Watershed Association have been working within South River Park for three years now, to remove an invasive plant, Japanese Knotweed, from the banks of the river. There are also efforts underway to enhance the meadow area, and to install interpretive signage, plus more general weeding and maintenance tasks. If this is the kind of work you enjoy, please consider pitching in. Additional volunteers are welcomed with open arms. (Contact NSRWA – see below.)

It’s gratifying to see the South River Greenway coming together . . . and also exciting to look ahead! The canoe and kayak launch – scheduled for a grand opening next spring -- will be a very-welcome addition to the community. Initial funding was provided via Marshfield’s Community Preservation Committee. A local non-profit – Good Will Hunters – will be hosting an additional fundraiser this fall. The South River Duck Derby (October 11) will provide funds to help enhance and maintain the canoe and kayak launch in the future.

by Kezia Bacon, June 2015 

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Kezia Bacon's articles appear courtesy of the North and South Rivers Watershed Association, a local non-profit organization devoted to the preservation, restoration, maintenance and conservation of the North and South Rivers and their watershed. For membership information and a copy of their latest newsletter, contact NSRWA at (781) 659-8168 or visit www.nsrwa.org. To browse 19 years of Nature (Human and Otherwise) columns, visit http://keziabaconbernstein.blogspot.com

 

Visiting the Striar Conservancy in Halifax

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For more than 40 years, the Plymouth-based Wildlands Trust of Southeastern Massachusetts has been steadily acquiring land, keeping it free from development. The organization oversees a wide range of properties, large and small, nearly 250 in total. These are distributed across a significant area of the South Shore and South Coast – from Marshfield to Plymouth, south to Wareham and Rochester, and west to Taunton and Brockton. Slowly but surely, I am checking them out.

This spring my son and I headed over to Halifax to tour the Striar Conservancy. At 164 acres, it’s a relatively large property, with few traces of human influence. A single trail leads through the woods and across small streams, offering views of the Winnetuxet River and its freshwater wetlands, as well as the occasional small pond. It’s a quiet, understated place – not much to look at for the casual observer, but pleasant and peaceful. I understand it’s a haven for birders -- home to as many as 90 different species, including woodcock, coopers hawk and ruffed grouse.

 Our plan was to meet up with my uncle, along with his two golden retrievers. We’d amble and chat, and let the dogs explore. (Dogs are welcome at most Wildlands Trust properties, as long as they are kept under control.) We were hoping we might catch a rare glimpse of the river otters, known to make appearances at the Striar Conservancy, but – for this visit anyway -- they remained elusive.

 

The Striar Conservancy is located on Thompson Street (Route 105) in Halifax, not far from Route 44. It’s in a beautiful part of town, tucked among meadows and farmhouses that harken back to an earlier time. Getting there is part of the adventure – leaving our strip mall-lined busy roadways, and entering a landscape that’s more rural and spacious.

Because there’s no published street address for the Striar Conservancy, you have to rely on your eyes to find it, and not your GPS. It’s not that difficult. If you’re approaching from Route 106 you take Thompson Street south for two miles and then look for a small parking area on the left. Or if you’re coming from Route 44, you take Route 105 north.

There is a wooden kiosk in the parking area, with a map of the property and additional information. The trailhead is right there. We spent a little more than an hour walking up the trail to the property’s boundary, and then back again. We probably could have done it in half the time, but instead we took frequent breaks so the dogs could wander off the trails and splash in the water.

The Wildlands Trusts opens its properties to visitors free of charge. By and large, they are open daily from dawn to dusk. In addition, there are a few simple rules – no hunting or trapping (except where posted); no fires, camping or litter; no cutting or removing of vegetation or other natural features; and no motorized vehicles or loud noises.

You can learn more about the Wildlands Trust via its website, www.wildlandstrust.org.

by Kezia Bacon

 May 2015 

Kezia Bacon's articles appear courtesy of the North and South Rivers Watershed Association, a local non-profit organization devoted to the preservation, restoration, maintenance and conservation of the North and South Rivers and their watershed. For membership information and a copy of their latest newsletter, contact NSRWA at (781) 659-8168 or visit www.nsrwa.org. To browse 19 years of Nature (Human and Otherwise) columns, visit http://keziabaconbernstein.blogspot.com

Biking Local Parks with Kids

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 It’s a common dilemma among parents. You teach your child how to ride his bike, and soon the confines of the driveway or the neighborhood are too limiting. You’d like to go farther afield but the main roads are too busy or too narrow to attempt with a child. Where else can you go, to help your youngster develop cycling skills and confidence? One easy answer is Wompatuck State Park in Hingham (204 Union Street).

I have to admit, until recently I was only familiar with Wompatuck as a campground. I stayed there once, many years ago, but it was sunset when I arrived and I didn’t have a chance to explore. It turns out that the park has a lot more to offer than rustic overnight accommodations (262 campsites, more than half with electricity).

Managed by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), Wompatuck State Park is comprised of 3526 acres. In addition to the campsites, there are numerous woodland trails for hiking, dog-walking, horseback riding, and cross-country skiing. For mountain bikers, the park is home to one of the longest section of switchbacked singletrack in the state. There’s also a reservoir for fishing and non-motorized boating, a small area for hunting (in season), and plenty of terrain for birders and other wildlife enthusiasts.

And most notably, for parents seeking a relatively safe place to bring the kids and their bikes, there are 12 miles of paved bicycling trails! My son and I joined friends at Wompatuck one afternoon during school vacation, and we managed to fill two hours, exploring. The trails are nice and wide -- some flat and some quite hilly. They mostly run through the woods, occasionally crossing old railroad tracks or passing by relics from the park’s earlier days as a military ammunition depot. There was plenty to see, and plenty to keep us occupied. There was even a well-placed porta-potty (always appreciated when children are involved).

Access to the bike trails is just inside the park entrance, on the left, across from the visitor center. There is a large parking area with a kiosk at the far end. I strongly recommend taking a map (you can also download one from the websites of both the DCR and The Friends of Wompatuck). There are quite a number of trails!

Another excellent option to consider is Pond Meadow Park on the Weymouth-Braintree line (470 Liberty Street, Braintree). Visible from Route 3, this 320-acre park features a large pond surrounded by a child-friendly paved biking trail two miles in length, as well as various opportunities for hiking and nature study.

Pond Meadow Park has an interesting history. Before it officially opened in 1976, it was privately-owned land containing a small pond and a large number of derelict cars . . . plus way too much garbage. A group of concerned citizens, along with state senators and representatives, worked together to gain title to the land, cleaned it up, and built a dam to control flooding in Weymouth Landing (downstream). Four years of work resulted in the creation of what is now a very popular nature preserve. The park contains a few miles of paved and wooded trails, a picnic area, and ample parking. It is staffed by two rangers and – hooray! – there are public restrooms.

Links:

DCR: http://www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/dcr/massparks/region-south/wompatuck-state-park.html

Friends of Wompatuck: http://www.friendsofwompatuck.org/index.html

Pond Meadow Park: http://pondmeadowpark.org/index.htm

by Kezia Bacon
April 2015

Turkeys Everywhere!

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Turkey footprints in the snow. You can't tell by the photo, but they're quite large!

One morning before sunrise, I heard the strangest sound. It was a gurgling noise, medium-pitched, definitely from an animal . . . and it sounded like it was coming from up in the trees. Wondering for a moment if the neighbors had gotten chickens, it came to me. It wasn’t a gurgle, it was a gobble! Turkeys.

Last fall wild turkeys were everywhere – or at least that’s how it seemed here in my neighborhood in Marshfield. Our property borders woods and wetlands, so we see all sorts of creatures pass through. At first the turkeys roamed in flocks of up to 50 – yes, fifty! – but the numbers decreased dramatically as the season wore on. Given the bold way they crossed even the busiest roads, I imagine the thinning was due as much to jaywalking as predation.

We didn’t see much of them as winter began, but after the first major snowfall in January, they were back. Perhaps they were here all along, lying low. Perhaps the snow drove them out of their natural habitat and onto the roads – the only bare ground available. I was often amused to see them racing up the street ahead of my car -- their own version of our annual Turkey Trot?

By early March, the turkeys had taken up residence in our backyard. We fed the (other) birds religiously this winter, so the snow under the feeders became littered with black sunflower shells. The turkeys discovered this and henceforth our yard became a regular stop on their morning rounds. They’d hang out on the snow drifts (and later, ice mounds) below the feeders, and then eventually move to the small spot of bare ground in the front yard, rooting around and leaving us “gifts” on the lawn.

The wild turkey is a large bird. Mature males weigh in the range of 16-24 pounds, with females typically half that size. Both have long scaly legs. The male has a coarse hairy “beard” protruding from its chest.

You might not recognize a wild turkey right away because it doesn’t quite resemble our iconic Thanksgiving mascot. It’s more streamlined, less colorful. Wild turkeys are black or bronze, with white bars on their wings. Their heads are bluish gray, except in certain moods when they turn red. However when a male displays its plumage, it’s quite familiar – puffed out and iridescently colorful, with red, green, copper and gold. (The females are duller in color.) 

A wild turkey surveys the snowy landscape, in search of sustenance.

 Wild turkeys gather in flocks, where there is a determined pecking order. Certain males (toms or gobblers) and females (hens) assume dominant roles, while others have fewer privileges. For example, the more mature males typically are first in line for mating, crowding the juveniles (jakes) out of the way.

Speaking of mating . . . ‘tis the season right now! In our area, wild turkeys begin to feel that primal urge in mid-March. It continues through the spring, peaking in late April or early May. Turkeys court in groups, the toms mating with as many hens as they can. First a tom will gobble to announce its presence. Then a hen will yelp in response, to reveal its location. Then a tom will display -- puffing out its feathers, spreading its tail, and dragging its wings – strutting all the while. They find each other and the dance begins. (You can find videos on YouTube if you really want to know . . . )

A hen lays eggs after her first congress of the season (she may mate more than once). First she creates a nest on the ground in a wooded area. The nest is not very deep – just a shallow depression that she lines with leaves. In it, she will lay an average of 12-15 eggs, one per day, and then sit with them, occasionally turning them, until they have incubated fully (27 or 28 days). Fewer than half of the hatchlings survive. Cold wet weather and predators such as foxes, coyotes, raccoons, skunks and other rodents, snakes, and hawks keep the numbers low.

By early June, the hens and their broods are out and about. The young stay with their mothers throughout the summer and into the fall – generally for four to five months, although the females may stick around longer. Due to predation, only about half of the chicks will survive their first six months.

Wild turkeys enjoy a wide variety of foods. The young feed primarily on insects, while the older birds consume acorns, nuts, seeds, berries, tubers and other plant materials. You may even see them snacking on skunk cabbage.

Wild turkeys are active during the day, when their vision is good. At night, they fly up into the relative safety of tall trees, to roost. Have you seen wild turkey in flight? They are not graceful birds. “Ungainly” might be the best descriptor. Typically they fly close to the ground, and for short distances (up to a quarter mile). However they are capable of flying 55mph. They can run about half that speed.

Mass Wildlife publishes an excellent website with information about many of the creatures who make their home in our state (see links below.) A full page is dedicated to “Preventing Conflicts with Wild Turkeys,” which gives you some indication of the trouble they can cause. In short, it’s best not to feed them. They have access to plenty of natural food sources, but if you let them become accustomed to your own supply, they may become reliant on it. Moreover, they will make a nuisance of themselves – damaging your property (peck, peck, peck!) and leaving behind waste.

If you encounter a wild turkey, Mass Wildlife recommends that you maintain the upper hand. Once a turkey knows it can intimidate you, it will not back down. Turkeys classify other animals based on their behavior, so your actions will determine where you fit into their pecking order. Act male – be bold and don’t let them bully you. If you behave more submissively, they may display at you, peck at or follow you, or harass you with the intent to mate. The idea is amusing, but it might not be fun in real life.

Sources:

http://www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/dfg/dfw/fish-wildlife-plants/wild-turkeys.html

http://www.nwtf.org/all_about_turkeys/wild_turkey_facts.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wild_turkey

by Kezia Bacon

March, 2015 
 

Kezia Bacon's articles appear courtesy of the North and South Rivers Watershed Association, a local non-profit organization devoted to the preservation, restoration, maintenance and conservation of the North and South Rivers and their watershed. For membership information and a copy of their latest newsletter, contact NSRWA at (781) 659-8168 or visit www.nsrwa.org. To browse 15 years of Nature (Human and Otherwise) columns, visit http://keziabaconbernstein.blogspot.com