Henry
Morgenthau Preserve
36 Acres
Pound Ridge Road (Route 172), Pound Ridge, New York
 We are pleased to announce that in February 2009, the Henry
Morgenthau Preserve became part of the Bedford Audubon Society. The preserve,
located in Pound Ridge, New York, is set along the shoreline of Blue Heron Lake
and includes within its boundaries a portion of the lake, a small offshore
island, a number of wetland areas, a small pond, vernal pools, and several small
streams.
The character of the Preserve lies in the diversity of
habitats and natural features within a small area. The field, the dense shrub
thickets, the woodlands, the swampy areas, the stream, and the lake and its
shores are some of the most interesting communities. These areas offer excellent
food and habitat for a variety of wildlife.
Outcrops of bedrock and a large erratic perched on a ridge
provide geological interest and prominent proof of prior glacial activity. The
network of stone walls attest to the prior agricultural use of the land, as well
as the difficulties the early settlers faced in clearing the stony land. A
variety of vegetation and wildlife are present on the Preserve, which can be
studied for their scientific interest or enjoyed for their aesthetic qualities.
 Several trails traverse the property, enabling one to have a
good view of the land and the wildlife without disturbing it. The Great Blue
Heron can be seen at the water’s edge. Hawks patrol the field. The rattling cry
of the Belted Kingfisher, the whistling wings of the Wood Duck and the
distinctive drumming of the Pileated Woodpecker can be heard. The domed nest of
the Ovenbird lies hidden under a tangle of vines on the forest
floor.
A few chestnut sprouts are scattered throughout the forest, a reminder of a
changing ecosystem. The Preserve boasts several “wolf” trees, the oldest and
finest of which is a 400+ year old white oak with massive limbs and a huge
diameter. Pink lady’s-slippers are found under a grove of stately pines, fenced
to protect them from deer predation. Rattlesnake Plantain, a rare ground cover,
is also protected in the deer exclosure.
This preserve consists of twenty acres that were donated in
1972 by Mrs. Ruth M. Knight in memory of her father, Ambassador Henry
Morgenthau. An additional 12 acres were purchased from Dr. Polly Raizen in 1973
and an adjacent 4-acre parcel was donated by Mr. Sid Thompson in 1994. The
entrance to the preserve is located on the south side of Pound Ridge Road (Route
172) near Tatomuck Road. Several well marked trails can be accessed from the
small parking area.
After the transfer of this preserve from the Nature
Conservancy to Bedford Audubon, local guidance continues to be provided by the
Morgenthau Preserve Committee.
click for the
Henry Morgenthau Preserve's website
click for main BAS
Sanctuaries page
Photos Copyright © and Courtesy of
Richard L. Becker
www.songstar.org
Copyright © 2009 Bedford Audubon Society
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