Another afternoon spent wandering trails to admire some birds. This time, visiting one of Mass Audubon’s largest sanctuaries along the endangered Ipswich River in Topsfield, MA.
The nearly 2,000-acre landscape features drumlins, eskers, forest, meadows, swamps, and wetlands, offering many habitats attracting shore and song birds.
While observing a patch of yellow daffodils, I noticed something moving around rather quickly, a small nervous hammer-jawed jumping spider in hunting mode! This jumper relies heavily on its sharp eyesight for both hunting and social behavior, using visual cues to accurately stalk and capture prey, with a habit to camouflage itself in foliage before ambushing prey – a technique called “cryptic stalking.” They also do little “courtship dances” when looking to mate.
Many squirrels and chipmunks could be spotted along the trail, darting from trees and rustling around in last season’s fallen leaves. Along the wetlands, painted turtles sunbathed atop of logs, caught one with two of their offspring by their side.
The Ipswich River is endangered not due to pollution, but because its clean water is heavily used by over twenty nearby cities and towns, leaving it nearly dry by the time it reaches the ocean. There are several outdated dams that are in the process of being removed, which will help restore native fish populations like the herring that migrate from the ocean to rivers in order to spawn.
Those visiting can expect to pay a small fee, if not a member ($7/adult, $4/child at the time of this visit) via the visitor center, as a parking pass is required. Facilities include a gift shop, a nature center and museum, a barn, and restrooms. The parking lots can fit maybe sixty vehicles, and can be busy at times with events and programs. Along the 12 miles of interconnecting trails, there are several benches, a two-ish story observation tower, and a canoe launch to paddle the Ipswich River.
Birds photographed: 11
American Robin
Black-capped Chickadee
Canada Goose
Chipping Sparrow
Hairy Woodpecker
Mallard
Mourning Dove
Northern Cardinal
Red-winged Blackbird
Tufted Titmouse
Yellow-rumped Warbler
