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, they 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—a great spot for watching oystercatchers, great blue heron and, of course, osprey.
Acres along this small cove on the Point Road peninsula support salt marsh and buffering areas suitable to adapt into salt marsh as seas level rises. Sippican Lands Trust (SLT) currently owns much of the land, which includes some forested uplands. The Buzzards Bay Coalition recently worked with SLT to provide funds toward purchasing an adjacent developable lot, adding to the conservation area. At the same time, the Coalition recorded a conservation restriction on the entire 30-acre area.
The CR helps the SLT by providing “double protection” for the land. It prohibits any subdivision and development, but allows for passive recreation and the maintenance of the boardwalk, pavilion, and existing parking area, as well as trails, kiosks, signage, monitoring equipment, and bird boxes.
The public will continue to be able to enjoy Tucker Trail, where there are wetlands lush with ferns and dotted with seasonal creeks and pools of water.
