Mass Audubon's Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary — Attraction in Topsfield

Went for a walk around the audobon this Halloween morning. This is one of my favorite local spots to get out in the woods with nature. It is also is one of the best maintained Audobon wildlife Sanctuaries that I have been to and I have been to over 25 so far. Right after a fresh snowfall is one of my favorite times to get up there and see everything covered. The trails look so different when all the trees and bushes are covered in fresh white powder. Alot of trees still had leaves on them and with the added snow, it made them all hang over or droop onto the trail making it feel like you are walking through tree tunnels. Once the first snow falls the birds there seem to flock to you more hoping you have birdseed for them. I took some pictures of the trails and also got some pretty cool shots of some up close birds feeding out of my hand. I was able to get the black-capped chickadee, tufted titmouse, and white-breasted nuthatch, the most common birds to feed out of my hand. There was a cardinal and a red-breasted woodpecker that kept coming over to me as if the wanted to land in my hand but the other birds kept scaring them away. I even got a few mallard ducks to feed out of my hand while...

day26(24SEP24) sanctuary54: extensive trail system thru fields, forest, swamp and marsh with marking at intersections. boardwalks where it's wet. some invasive plants, especially european buckthorn, but also plenty of native plants (e.g. sweet pepperbush shrub layer in some areas; buttonbush in marsh, etc.) as well as exotic plants around the rockery pond (e.g. rhododendron, climbing hydrangea, false cypress (i did not recognize this tree, had to ask at visitor center), etc.). the rockery is very cool. what seems just a cobble of boulders had in fact been carefully planned by a landscape architect and installed by skilled masons. the grotto has more than 8' of headroom. ask at the visitor center, they have a pre-printed handout explaining the rockery history. nice displays in the nature center. engaging and pleasant staff at the visitor center patiently answered my questions after i'd walked...

If you enjoy casual hikes through woodlands, the Massachusetts Audubon Society's Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary is a delightful spot. 12 miles of well-maintained paths wind through nearly 2000 acres featuring a variety of natural habitat including forest, meadow, wetland, drumlin, and esker.

We have many nature preserves in Massachusetts, but the Ipswich River sanctuary is one of the crown jewels. In addition to self-guided visits, you can take advantage of the many educational programs for pre-school through senior citizen. If you're based in the area, the summer camp for kids is a great experience combining education, exercise, and plain old-fashion outdoor fun.

Single visit non-member admission is $4 for adults: $3 for seniors & children 2 - 12. Annual memberships are inexpensive & provide free admission and access to canoe rentals, camping on Perkins Island, & Innermost House...