Features

Located near the head of Planting Island Cove, Osprey Marsh features two trails that take visitors through a succession of habitats—woodlands, wetlands and salt marsh. The highlight of this 19.8-acre property is the 1,800-foot Osprey Marsh Accessible Boardwalk, which leads from a stone dust pathway to a viewing platform that offers a spectacular vantage point for admiring Planting Island Cove.

To accommodate social distancing, Sippican Lands Trust offers specific reservation slots for visitors who are at high risk or otherwise unable to distance safely. Visitors needing a one-hour time slot can set up an appointment at sippicanlandstrust.setmore.com for a visit to the Osprey Marsh Accessible Boardwalk on Sundays from 3 to 4 p.m., Mondays from 10 to 11 a.m., Tuesdays from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. or Wednesdays from 1 to 2 p.m. Click here to reserve your appointment slot at Osprey Marsh.

Trails

Osprey Marsh features two trails at the site. From the parking area, a level, stone dust pathway leads to the start of the accessible boardwalk, which offers a promenade through upland forest to the viewing platform set at the edge of marshland. The second trail, Tucker’s Trail, twists and turns through the uplands and wetlands, connecting to the boardwalk at either end, which offers a pleasant loop walk through the site. (Download trail map.)

Habitats & Wildlife

Visitors to Osprey Marsh can enjoy a diversity of habitats in a relatively short stroll. The boardwalk travels through a graceful upland forest of pine, oak, maple and beech trees. In less than a half-mile, you will arrive at the edge of a thin slice of salt marsh that borders Planting Island Cove and connects to Howland Marsh, just a short distance north. This can be a great spot for watching oystercatchers, great blue heron and, of course, osprey. Smaller birds can be seen flitting amongst the trees that border the marsh. Along the Tucker Trail, you will travel through wetlands lush with ferns and dotted with seasonal creeks and pools of water.

Property Owned By

Sippican Lands Trust

The Sippican Lands Trust is a nonprofit organization founded in 1974 with the mission to acquire, manage, and protect natural areas in Marion for the benefit of the public. The land trust protects 1,350 acres that are open to all.