Osamequin Nature Reserve and Bird Sanctuary

7/10 😊😊😊😊😊😊😊Mommy Approved Smiling Faces

https://exploreri.org/gSiteReport2.php?siteID=28&src=siteList

1580 RI-114 Barrington, RI 02806

Osamequin Nature Reserve hiking area is very pretty. It runs along Barrington River’s Hundred Acre Cove so there are water views in areas. It is a great place for kids to explore and walk. There are a couple of wooden bridges that are adorable and add character throughout the hike. It is rated an Easy hike as far as trails go.  I couldn’t find the exact length of the trails anywhere but, from what I found, it is less than a mile.  If you intend to make a day of this area you may want to consider packing a lunch and taking a book otherwise an hour or so and you may be done exploring the territory.

We saw some animals which my kids always find intriguing. We saw numerous holes in the mud as we approached the water. We initially didn’t know what they were, but upon further investigation, we learned they were hideouts for abundant amounts of Fiddler Crabs big and small! But the crabs are expert stowaways and tuck themselves in tight whenever they sense a presence so you can’t quite reach them. One of the bridges had schools of small shrimp swimming by, so we observed the shrimp while passing over it. We saw and heard some playful birds that had bright blue backs and were very small. I didn’t know what kind of birds these were.  Upon further investigation of the internet, I found that the markings of this bird in this location during spring time appears to be Tree Swallow. They were very charismatic and it almost seemed as though they were performing for us! Their songs were so pleasant to hear. The sanctuary has many wooden box bird’s nests placed throughout it permitting the birds to fly from one box to the next perching on top merrily. They sure do look happy!  There were also large nests on high poles with Ospreys in them, which was something you don’t want to miss! I’ve never seen such a big nest in person. My daughter found a horseshoe crab exoskeleton that was pretty sizable as well.

There are color-coded paths throughout the grounds making them easy to follow. We came upon a wooden stick ti-pi that was large from the outside but I wouldn’t be able to stand or turn around comfortably if I were inside. It was very creative and playful for the kids though as they could fit perfectly inside.  This property has several benches for relaxation, some placed with beautiful views of the water and the Osprey nests.

Upon following one of the trails, we saw a compost area. It was the size of an arena with neatly stacked piles gathered in rows as far as the eye can see. I found it strange that the trail goes near there, but it’s good for the environment and also good to explain to kids the circle of life so it’s okay for me. It just isn’t a beautiful sight like the rest of the area is. Oh well-teachable moment for the kids! Explain recycling and reducing waste so we preserve the planet for future generations. ; )

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Skinny:

• Hours : Sunrise to sunset
• Parking : FREE off street parking but the lot only holds 10 cars
• Trails : All the trails at Osamequin are rated easy and kid friendly.They are well marked and color-coded.
• Cost : FREE
• Weather : It has to be a decent day weather-wise because you will be completely outdoors.
• Tips and Recommendations :

1. Plan for muddy trails due to rain in the spring or just wear rain boots if you have kids that like to walk through puddles and wade in the water’s edge like mine.
2. Take a nice camera if you want to capture some birds as there are plenty to see also binoculars would assist in better viewing.
3. Wear bug spray as there is tall grass all along the marshland.
4. Pack snacks and a drink so you don’t have to leave due to hunger pains!
5. Wear sunscreen-there is a lot of shade but not all shade in some of the openings of the hike.
6. This is a leashed dog-friendly area.
7. Pack a bag to take home your trash and other trash if you can!  (I didn’t see much just some broken glass bottles.)

Jewel Approved 👍🏼 Jamison Approved 👍🏼