East Beach - Charlestown
East Beach is a narrow, three mile long undeveloped beach that separates Ninigret Pond from the Atlantic Ocean. In the summer, it is a busy state beach, but off-season, it's usually quiet. This area is often a good place to look for irruptive winter species such as crossbills, redpolls and siskins.
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Location
East Beach, Charlestown, RI.
Owner/manager
Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management.
Directions
Park at the state beach parking area at the end of East Beach Road. The road continues beyond the parking area, but turns into a sand road that is only accessible by high-clearance four wheel drive vehicles with a CMRC permit. In the summer, the state charges a fee to park here. See the RI DEM Site for more information.
Habitat
East Beach
Pine Barrens, Ocean, pond, salt marsh, and fields.
Description
White-winged Crossbil
This narrow barrier beach stretches for about three miles from the parking area at the west end, to the Charlestown Breachway at the east end. In the summer, it's a busy state beach, but in the winter, it is much quieter. There are two parallel sand roads that run most of the length of the beach. Four wheel drive vehicles travel along these roads, and during the non-summer months, they travel on the beach too. During all seasons, both the roads and the beach are open to walkers. In the summer, some areas of the beach are closed off for nesting Piping Plovers and Least Terns.
Best Seasons to Visit
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Birds Most Likely to Be Seen
Red-breasted Nuthatch
During irruptive years, Red Crossbills, White-winged Crossbills, Redpolls and Pine Siskins can sometimes be found feeding in the pines. During most winters, Yellow-rumped Warblers are plentiful and Red-breasted Nuthatches can often be found as they feed along the tree trunks. Northern Harriers frequently fly through the area and during some years, Short-eared Owls can be here. In the ocean, Common and Red-throated Loons can usually be seen along with Horned Grebes.
Short-eared Owl
Birds that May be Seen in Other Seasons
In the fall, large numbers of Northern Gannets feed offshore and large numbers of swallows flock together in the area. In November, Cave Swallows can sometimes be found migrating along the beach. In the summer, Piping Plovers and Least Terns nest on the beach, and a variety of terns feed offshore and on Ninigret Pond.
Piping Plover Chick
Potential obstacles
- Although it's not a very popular hunting destination, hunters do hunt here.
- See the RI DEM Site for information about parking fees.