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
