Whale Rock Trail - Narragansett

The Nature Conservancy of Rhode Island opened this trail in 2013. The trail starts in a grassy field, meanders its way through a swampy woodland and ends along the shore of Narragansett Bay.


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Location

Narragansett, RI.

Trail Head
Whale Rock Trail Head

Owner/manager

The Nature Conservancy Rhode Island.

Directions

The parking area is near 33 Harvey Ln in Narragansett. From Old Post Road, turn east onto the small dirt road (Harvey Lane) just before the ominous "Warning" signs on the road to Camp Varnum. The parking area is on the right at the beginning of Harvey Lane.

Habitat

Trail Head
Jack in the Pulpit

Fields, swampy woodland and the coast of Narragansett Bay.

Description

Although the trail is less than a mile long, it traverses a variety of habitat that can attract many bird species.

Best Seasons to Visit

Spring and fall migration.

Birds Most Likely to Be Seen

On a spring morning, the soundscape is dominated by American Robins, Eastern Towhees, Catbirds, Yellow Warblers, Common Yellowthroats, Tree Swallows, Barn Swallows and Northern Rough-winged Swallows. Additionally, White-eyed Vireos, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks and both Baltimore and Orchid Orioles can sometimes be heard.

In the fall, mixed flocks of migrating passerines can sometimes be found passing through on their way south. The brushy areas along the Camp Varnum fence is a good place to look for sparrows.

Birds that May be Seen in Other Seasons

In the winter, Horned Larks and Snow Buntings sometimes feed on the lawn in front of Camp Varnum. The shoreline can also be a good spot to look for sea ducks.

Potential obstacles

The swampy areas can get buggy during the warm months.

Nearby

The area around the Sprague Bridge can be a good vantage point to look for birds along the Narrow River. The nearby fields on the west side of Boston Neck Rd (1A) can be a good place to watch displaying American Woodcocks in later February and early March.