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James Ramsay Hunt and Mary Welsh Parker Memorial SanctuaryHiking the James Ramsay Hunt Sanctuary
The trail system is color coded and offers a variety of different walks. At trail intersections, color-coded rings around trees indicate the directions the trails go off in. Orange blazes represent trail connectors The Yellow Trail (Swamp Maple Trail) is fairly short and level. This trail takes the visitor through the Sanctuary’s wetlands where the dense Swamp Maple canopy creates a cool, shaded setting for lush growing Royal, Interrupted, and Cinnamon Ferns. In Spring listen for the loud, musical and seemingly tumbling song of the Louisiana Waterthrush, a small bird of the warbler family, that frequents streams and swamps. Stop and listen at the edge of the swamps for the Worm-eating Warbler that nests on the dry hillsides of the Sanctuary. This ground nester has a monotone, dry staccato trill. Many say it is a very insect-like call. In May, the beautiful pink Wild Azalea may be found along the trails here, too. An Autumn walk will reveal the fiery shades of red that the Swamp Maple is so well known for. Wild Turkey tracks may be found on the banks of the brook by the natural stone bridge near the trailhead. A well-constructed series of boardwalks and small bridges guides the visitor through the swamps, but waterproof footwear is recommended on these trails. The Blue Trail (Katonah Ridge Trail) is recommended for those looking for a more physically challenging hike. At 1.5 miles in length, this trail takes visitors to the outer perimeter of Hunt, and to the highest areas of elevation in the Sanctuary. In the Winter months, distant views to the north and west may be had at various points along the Blue Trail. In Spring, the mature oak-forested ridges host flocks of migrating Neotropical migrant birds that are en route to their breeding grounds farther north. Feeding flocks of birds are attracted to insect activity that is centered on the fragrant flowers of the oaks found along the Blue Trail, especially on Katonah Ridge. It is not uncommon to find 15 or 20 species of birds foraging for a meal and resting up before they continue along on their long journey north after sunset. Along the way the visitor may see Turkey Vultures just above the treetops as they course the ridges in search of energy saving updrafts and thermals. Making no effort to blend into the background, one may encounter the king of these woods; the Pileated Woodpecker. Crow-sized, black and white with a fetching red crest, the Pileated Woodpecker is no shrinking violet. Its penetrating call may be heard halfway across the Sanctuary! The Orange Trail (Jack and Louisa Baur Meadow Hill Trail) is accessible from the farthest reaches of the Blue Trail, or from Todd Road, where the Orange Trailhead is. The main feature for the visitor on this trail is the ecologically rich fields along Todd Road. Left in varying stages of growth, these fields are home to many different plants and animals that are not found on the rest of the Sanctuary. Most prominent are the nest boxes in the fields which are home to the Eastern Bluebird, a cavity nesting thrush. Its contrasting blue and rich russet tones, combined with its cheerful song, make it one of America’s favorite songbirds. Other birds of note in the fields are Baltimore Oriole, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Tree Swallow, and House Wren. Most of the Sanctuary’s 50 species of butterflies maybe found by the visitor in these fields at various times of the Spring through Autumn. Introduction | Geologic History | Natural History | Birds and Other Wildlife | Cultural History | Hiking Hunt-Parker Sanctuary | Bylane Farm | Birds of the Hunt-Parker Sanctuary | Trail Map | Map of Bylane and the Hunt Parker Sanctuary click for main BAS Sanctuaries page Copyright © 2002–2005 Bedford Audubon Society |
