Miantonomi Park - Newport

This 30 acre park in urbanized Newport can be an unexpectedly good place to find spring migrants. Tennessee Warblers, Blackburnian Warblers, Cape May Warblers, Bay-breasted Warblers, Worm-eating Warblers, Canada warblers, Wilson's Warblers and Summer Tanagers have all been reported from here.

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Location

Newport, RI

Owner/manager

The park is owned by the city of Newport and managed by the Miantonomi Park Commission.

Directions

From the light at the end of the Newport Bridge offramp, turn left (east), staying on Rt. 138. At the next light, take a left onto Hillside Ave. and park on the west side of the road.

Habitat

An Urban Forest and Picnic Area.

Description

This park is the location of the large stone World War I memorial that can be seen from the Newport Bridge. There is a small network of trails through the forested area of the park. The hilltop near the tower offers a good vantage point from which to look into the canopy of the trees, but the hot spot can be anywhere; and sometimes, it's nowhere.

Best Seasons to Visit

This area is most productive during spring migration, which usually peaks in the middle of May.

Birds Most Likely to Be Seen

Any of the common wood warblers can pass through here during spring migration. Occasionally, less common warblers such as Tennessee, Blackburnian, Cape May, Bay-breasted, Worm-eating, Canada, and Wilson's Warblers show up. Other birds that might be seen include, Blue-headed and Red-eyed Vireos, Indigo Buntings, Scarlet Tanagers and rarely, a Summer Tanager.

Birds that May be Seen in Other Seasons

Some migrants pass through the area during fall migration, but they tend to be much less numerous and varied than during the spring migration. Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers can sometimes be found here during other seasons.

Potential obstacles

This area has historically had the reputation of being in a bad section of Newport.