Just a few minutes’ drive from Flandrum Hill, the Salt Marsh Trail off Bissett Road offers a splendid opportunity to walk through a salt marsh and observe its inhabitants up close. In the past month, I’ve seen three porcupines sleeping in an apple tree right next to the trail, hundreds of migrating Canada Geese, a dozen Great Blue Herons standing together in the water at low tide, the largest starfish I’ve seen yet in the wild, and four (yes four) Bald Eagles at once, hunting in close proximity of each other.
The trail begins in a woodland setting and after a ten minute walk, opens up to the marsh. The panoramic views alone, especially at sunrise, are well worth the trip.
At this time of year, the marsh grass turns a brilliant gold which contrasts sharply with the steel grey water on overcast days. The ebb and flow of the tides can be observed with both your eyes and ears as you walk over the wooden bridges. The sound of your feet on the wood planks adds much to the experience.
The trail is built along an abandoned railway track and crosses the marsh with a series of bridges that allow hikers and bikers to stand right in the middle of this delicate ecosystem without disturbing it.
The Salt Marsh Trail connects to Lawrencetown Beach via the Atlantic View Trail, and to Shearwater via the Shearwater Flyer Trail.
For all posts about the Salt Marsh Trail see:
https://flandrumhill.wordpress.com/category/the-salt-marsh-trail/
Text and images copyright Amy-Lynn Bell
Thanks for the info on The Salt Marsh Trail. I will add it to my map of salt marshes to visit here: http://www.saltmarshlife.com/salt-marsh/salt-marsh-map.html
and also list in on my visit a marsh page:
http://www.saltmarshlife.com/salt-marsh/visit_a_marsh.html
I hope to visit some day.
Doug
[…] further information about the Salt Marsh Trail, see https://flandrumhill.wordpress.com/2008/11/12/the-salt-marsh-trail/ […]
[…] more information about the Salt Marsh Trail, see https://flandrumhill.wordpress.com/2008/11/12/the-salt-marsh-trail/ […]
I do so like this picture of the Great Blue Heron, Amy. Truly, it’s quite good. I remember seeing them up close in Florida, and that’s quite a good likeness. (I keep forgetting about visiting your drawing blog…it really is a special place to stop by and admire your drawing talents.)
Thanks Kathy. They are remarkable-looking birds.
[…] The combination of heat and humidity conspire to slow down even the most energetic among us. During these late summer days, it’s difficult to find the motivation to take on new challenges. This land snail, however, seemed pretty determined in its early morning attempt to cross the Salt Marsh Trail. […]