Description:
This 18 acre conservation area has a mixture of forest, fields, vernal pools and other small wetlands. The forest was logged heavily within the last 15 years or so, with many large stumps and coarse woody debris on the ground. The re-grown forest is a mix of hardwoods with black and gray birches, red oak and red maple most heavily represented. The northern field is mostly goldenrod and milkweed and the southern field is more diverse, with grass, steeplebush, sensitive fern, goldenrod, English plantain and Queen Anne’s lace most heavily represented. Access is from the old trolley line, owned by the MA Audubon, on the western boundary of the conservation area. There is a north entrance and a south entrance between the trolley line and the fields.
There are three old oxbows on the property, two of which are vernal pools.
Assets:
The variety of habitats includes open fields, vernal pools and forest makes for a nice diversity of wildlife. Twenty-eight bird species have been counted here so far along with 8 species of butterflies and 7 species of dragonflies. A spotted turtle, snapping turtle, and a garter snake were the only reptiles confirmed, but others are likely present.
This conservation area is part of a large complex of wetlands, field, and forest that ultimately connects to the Connecticut River oxbow. This connectivity strongly boosts its conservation value.
Accessible to the Public: Yes
Trails: Marked and mapped trails now available.
Access to the area is via the trolley line entrance located off of Clapp Street (refer to Google map).