Nesting Nut

Earlier this week, my husband and I took a drive to the Amherst Point Migratory Bird Sanctuary.  Known locally as “The Bird Sanctuary”, this is a popular spot for for walkers, snoeshoers, cross country skiers, and dog walkers.  It is a short drive from our home, so we frequent this trail a number of times each year.

Access to the trail is from the Southampton Road, or Route 6 in West Amherst.  There is parking for at least a dozen vehicles at the start of the trail.  When we arrived this week, there were several other vehicles parked.  It was a beautiful spring evening, so it’s no surprise others were also anxious to get outside for some exercise!

Entering the trail I am often reminded of bringing our young daughters here with bird seed to attract the chickadees.  They will feed right out of your hands, which delights small children.  This day, it was squirrels hovering on the trail, and we watched a teenage boy “petting” one while his father recorded the memory.

The trail is a combination of open fields, and wooded trails.  It is a moderately easy trail, with many roots to step over on the forest floor.  On a wet day, there is likely to be some muddy sections, but today was a dry walk.  The short loop around Layton’s Lake is 2.5km.  There is a longer trail, about 8km, which I have yet to do, although my husband has completed this larger loop.

If you are an avid birder, this is a great spot to find many species.  This protected ecosystem is also home to other habitat, including the red squirrel and muskrat.

This summer we are planning to re-explore some old favourites, and seek out some new trails nearby.  Do you have any favourites in southeast New Brunswick, northern Nova Scotia, or Prince Edward Island?   I would love to hear from you….