If you enjoy bird watching, make sure to visit Long Island’s Shelter Island. Shelter Island is just a short Ferry ride from the village of Greenport, NY is a perfect location to bike and watch birds. If you don’t plan to bring your own bike, do not worry as rentals are available at the Mobile Station not far from the North Ferry dock. Although bird watching can be done from about any location on Shelter Island, one of the favorite locations is Mashomack Preserve, known as a nature lovers’ delight.
Mashomack Preserve is considered one of the richest habitats in the Northeast. The preserve contains 2,039 acres, which is about 1/3 of the island. Among the riches to be found are tidal creeks, oak woodlands, fields, and freshwater marshes. The preserve is often referred to as the “Jewel of the Peconic” and is edged in white by 10 miles of coastline. Mashomack Preserve is open 9 A.M. to 5 P.M., March through September, and 9 A.M. to 4 P.M. October through February.
Spring is just a perfect time to enjoy scenic walks and trails on the North Fork of Long Island. Within the Southold and Greenport areas of Long Island, the choices for nature trails for hiking and bird watching are in great abundance.
Long Island North Fork Hiking Trails List:
Cedar Beach Country Park in Southold is a 68 acre park with over 2,800 feet on Shelter Island Sound. From the park, visitors can enjoy great vistas of Shelter Island Sound and the saltwater marshes of Cedar Beach Harbor.
Arshamomaque Point in Southold encompasses a 54-acres wooded preserve with several trails that wind through mature woodlands, ponds, and saltwater wetlands.
Arshamomaque Preserve in Greenport is a 120 acre preserved owned by the Town of Southold. They have 1.3 miles of nature trails that wander through mature woodlands, freshwater wetlands, and open fields.
Inlet Pond Park in Greenport enjoys a 55 acre preserve with 1.6 miles of trails leading to Inlet Pond and Long Island Sound. The North Fork Audubon has a visitor’s center and also offers nature programs.
Dam Pond Maritime Reserve in East Marion is a 36 acre reserve also owned by the Town of Southold. Here you can enjoy a small protected bay, grasslands, saltwater marshes and woodlands. There is also a trail that wanders through the reserve which is 1.2 miles long. This trail is a favorite of bird watchers and I love jogging in this park. The Audubon Society keeps track of the birds that are found here. This reserve is about a quarter mile from the B&B. I regularly hike there myself.
It will take some time to try them all, but we will enjoy having you as our guest at the Arbor View House Bed and Breakfast as you explore the North Fork Wine Country of Long Island