RI Bird Watching, Wild Life Refuges & Hiking

Bird Watching & Wildlife Refuges

With so many varied habitats and plenty of coastal barrier beaches and salt water wetlands, South County is where the birds are. From Napatree in Watch Hill to Rome Point in North Kingstown, the Rhode Island coast is located with venues for bird and wildlife viewing.

Arcadia Wildlife Management Area
Thousands of acres of managed wildlife property are crisscrossed by more than a dozen hiking trails. This property is one of the only places in Rhode Island where it is quite possible to see a Pileated Woodpecker. In late spring and early summer there is an exceptional variety of warblers and songbirds.
Address:	Stretches through Hopkinton, Exeter, Richmond and West Greenwich, RI
Map:	View Map

Charlestown Breachway
This DEM managed area is well known for its fishing and boat launch. However, there are few places where shorebirds are visable at low tide. Rarities the past few years include: Mongolian Plover & Curlew Sandpiper.
Address:	Charlestown Breachway Charlestown, RI
Website:	http://www.riparks.com/charlesbreach.htm
Map:	View Map

Davis Memorial Wildlife Refuge
Managed by the Audubon Society of Rhode Island, this 96 acres of woods and wetlands is located on the Hunt River with access for canoeing.
Address:	Davisville Road North Kingstown, RI
Phone:	401-949-5454
Website:	http://www.asri.org/refuges/davis-memorial-wildlife-refuge.html
Map:	View Map

Fisherville Brook Wildlife Refuge
RI Audubon Society property. Open to the public during daylight hours. The waters of Fisherville Brook, a tributary of the Queens River, decorate a mixed deciduous and pine forest. Five miles of trails, roam through 900 acres of former farm land. An amazing variety of birds and other wildlife.
Address:	Pardon Joslin Road Exeter, RI
Phone:	401-295-8283
Website:	http://www.asri.org/refuges/fisherville-brook-wildlife-refuge.html
Map:	View Map

Francis C. Carter Memorial Preserve
As a member of the Nature Conservancy, this preserve boasts the largest natural preserve in Rhode Island. Its 841 acres of oak forest, pine barrens, wetlands, and grasslands make it a great place to see local wildlife and learn about the cultural and natural history of New England forests. The preserve is open from sunrise until sunset for passive recreational use(hiking, bird watching and nature observation). Horseback riding is also allowed on certain trails.
Address:	Off Route 112 Charlestown, RI
Phone:	401-331-7110
Website:	http://www.nature.org/wherewework/northamerica/states/rhodeisland/preserves/art9935.html
Map:	View Map

Galilee Bird Sanctuary
Located in the salt marsh on either side of the Escape Road leading to the Block Island Ferry in Narragansett. This is fantastic Shorebird, Gull and tern territory.
Address:	Narragansett, RI
Map:	View Map

George B. Parker Woodland
Managed by the Audubon Society. 860 acres.
Address:	1670 Maple Valley Road Coventry, RI
Phone:	401-949-5454
Website:	http://www.asri.org/refuges/george-b.-parker-woodland.html
Map:	View Map

Great Swamp Wildlife Management Area
Large management area consisting of acres and acres of diverse habitat. By far, the best Spring birding in terms of number of species. It is home to numerous and easy to find bluebird boxes and Osprey Nests.
Address:	Also stretches into Richmond! South Kingstown, RI
Map:	View Map

Jerusalem Salt Marsh
Behind Captain Jack's restaurant on the flats at low tide is a great shore bird territory in mid to late summer. Rails have been seen and heard in this area in mid Spring.
Address:	South Kingstown, RI
Map:	View Map

John H. Chafee National Wildlife Refuge
Located within the picturesque Narrow River in Narragansett, this Refuge is comparatively small in size, but big in protecting the unique features of this area.
Address:	Narragansett, RI
Website:	http://www.fws.gov/northeast/chafee/
Map:	View Map

Kimball Wildlife Sanctuary
Managed by the Audubon Society. 29 acres on the southern shore of Watchaug Pond. Abuts Burlingame State Park.
Address:	Watchaug Pond Charlestown, RI
Phone:	401-874-6664
Website:	http://www.asri.org/refuges/kimball-wildlife-sanctuary.html
Map:	View Map

Lathrop Pond Wildlife Refuge
Managed by the Audubon Society. 86 acres on the north side of Winnapaug Pond. Audubon Society.
Address:	Shore Road Westerly, RI
Phone:	401-949-5454
Website:	http://www.asri.org/refuges/lathrop-wildlife-refuge.html
Map:	View Map

Long Pond Woods
Managed by the Audubon Society. 218 acres, bordering Long and Ell Ponds.
Address:	North Road Hopkinton, RI
Phone:	401-949-5454
Website:	http://www.asri.org/refuges/long-pond-woods.html
Map:	View Map

Marion Eppley Wildlife Refuge
Managed by the Audubon Society of Rhode Island. Not open to the public & one of the largest refuges owned by Audubon, the Eppley Refuge is maintained as an unspoiled and unbroken tract for wildlife habitat and study. Programs are held here occasionally, including summer day camp programs.
Address:	Dugway Bridge Road, West Kingston South Kingstown, RI
Website:	http://www.asri.org/refuges/marion-eppley-wildlife-refuge.html
Map:	View Map

Napatree Point Beach & Conservation Area
Napatree Point juts out from the Watch Hill area in Westerly, and is a wonderful place for a stunningly beautiful beach stroll or for great bird watching. This is a hot spot for shorebirds in summer/fall and Hawks in late summer/early fall. American Oystercatchers and Skimmers are seen here along with many other shorebird species. With Northwest winds in September the Hawk migration is pushed to the coastline and the dunes that lead to napatree point are a perfect spot for raptor viewing. Owned, maintained and managed by the Audubon Society and the Watch Hill Fire District. An added bonus is the lovely views of Watch Hill's grand Victorian houses on your way back!
Address:	Watch Hill Westerly, RI
Map:	View Map

Narrow River
A five-mile long river that empties into the ocean at the end of the Narragansett Town Beach. This is a tremendous kayaking venue. Birds abound in a great variety of species dependent on the habitat that changes along the river.
Address:	Narragansett, RI
Website:	http://www.narrowriver.org/templates/System/default.asp?id=40529
Map:	View Map

Ninigret National Wildlife Refuge
Named after one of the original chiefs of the Narragansett Indians, perched on the shoreline of the largest saltpond in the State, the Ninigret National Wildlife Refuge sits upon the glacial outwash plain of the Charlestown moraine, providing the refuge with its unique character.
Address:	50 Bend Road Charlestown, RI
Phone:	401-364-1222
Website:	http://www.fws.gov/Refuges/profiles/index.cfm?id=53542
Map:	View Map

Rome Point
This is a large protected parcel historically known for its easy walking/bicycling access from Rte 1A in North Kingstown to Narragansett Bay. In the winter, seals can be seen sunning themselves on the rocks at the edge of the Bay. This site has also been recognized for the number of migrating neo-tropical songbirds in mid-Spring.
Address:	North Kingstown, RI
Map:	View Map

Trustom Pond National Wildlife Refuge
A great year-round National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge includes 787 acres of various wildlife habitats including fields, shrublands, woodlands, fresh and saltwater ponds and sandy beaches and dunes. Approx. 300 bird species, more than 40 mammal species, and 20 species of reptiles and amphibians call Trustom Pond Refuge home.There is always something interesting to see here. There is a visitor center with trail and bird sightings information.
Address:	1040 Matunuck Schoolhouse Road South Kingstown, RI
Phone:	401-364-9124
Website:	http://www.fws.gov/northeast/trustompond/
Map:	View Map

U.S. Fish & Wildlife/Kettle Pond Visitor Center
Visitor Center/ Rhode Island National Wildlife Refuge Complex open daily. Refuge trails open sunrise to sunset. The Watchaug Pond Trail is a favorite among birders. Here you will find many migrating, resting and nesting songbirds.
Address:	50 Bend Road Charlestown, RI
Website:	http://www.fws.gov/Refuges/profiles/index.cfm?id=53542
Map:	View Map

Waterman Pond
RI Audubon Society. Boasts 28 acres of forest with a single straight trail to tranquil Sisson Pond. Parking is limited and because of the mud and fallen trees, hiking is recommended for able-bodied older children and adults.
Address:	Plainfield Pike Coventry, RI
Phone:	401-949-5454
Map:	View Map

Worden's Pond
Beautiful 1,043 acre fresh water lake for great views, boating, swimming and many birds. Boat launch. Parking available. State-owned.
Address:	Off Rte. 110. South Kingstown, RI
Map:	View Map