Ellen Kenny, a Forest Society volunteer, has had the chance to capture some incredible wildlife photographs during her daily walks along the trails at the Merrimack River Outdoor Education and Conservation Center in Concord (home of the Forest Society's headquarters). In a recent e-mail, she noted one of these encounters between herons and bald eagles. She states that the herons stopped fishing and preening to watch as “the bald eagle cruised down the river” and “landed briefly up in a snag at the oxbow, squawked a couple of times and then took off, joined by a second eagle.” 

The floodplain provides a sanctuary to wildlife including beavers, herons, kingbirds, wood ducks, bald eagles, 

bobcats, deer and many other species. Visitors can look for signs of them while walking along the 1.5 mile Les Clark Nature Trail. This walk provides a great opportunity for young children to attempt to identify different species they might encounter in their own backyard. As the hot summer months approach, the silver maple forest provides shade along the riverbanks of the Merrimack River. Visitors can take breaks to sit on the benches provided and observe the wildlife in Eastman Cove. This is an ideal location for young families as the trail is relatively flat and, as Ellen has noticed, is abundant in wildlife.

Visitors are encouraged to take photographs at any Forest Society reservation, as Ellen has done, and submit them to the photo contest that is being held until July 1. Visitors are also encouraged to take part in the new Forest Reservation challenge, in which visitors to various sets of Forest Society reservations can earn a special embroidered patch and decal.  

 

For more information regarding the Merrimack River Outdoor Education and Conservation Center and other Forest Society reservations to visit, please visit our Reservation Guide.