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A U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Refuge
Middletown, R.I. 02842 (401) 847-5511
[Trail Map] [History]
[Identifying Birds] [Related Books]
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Sachuest Point A U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Refuge Middletown, R.I. 02842 (401) 847-5511 [Trail Map] [History] [Identifying Birds] [Related Books] |
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The Refuge, Habitat, and Access | |
THE REFUGEEstablished by donation in 1970, Sachuest Point serves as an important stopover and wintering area for migratory birds. Consisting of approximately 250 acres of diverse upland and wetland habitats, the Refuge also supports a great variety of permanent and summer wildlife species.The trails are open from sunrise to sunset. Sachuest Point Refuge offers Rhode Island's only refuge visitor center and is volunteer run. The building is open year round but hours of operation vary. For current information, phone the center at the phone number listed above. The center is accessible to people with disabilities. As a unit of the National Wildlife Refuge System, Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge is administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, an agency dedicated to the conservation of our nation's fish and wildlife resources. While on the refuge, you must remain on designated trails. This is to prevent erosion of surrounding areas, as well as to protect you from abundant poison ivy, biting flies, and ticks. In practice, however, many find their way down to the rocky shore, inspecting tidal pools for hermit crabs and gaining better vantage points for viewing the pounding surf. |
  As a Volunteer, Jerry Morris Answers Questions, Provides Tours, and Patrols The Refuge From The Visitor Center |
  Visitors From The Connecticut Chapter of The Audubon Society Mount the Observation Towers with Their Spotting Scopes |
HABITATA vast diversity of habitats from salt and freshwater marshes, to grasslands to sandy beaches and dunes make up the Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge. Three miles of trails wind their way through upland areas and along the rocky shore. The observation platforms offer visitors panoramic views of refuge lands and abundant wildlife. The refuge is a great place to watch wildlife with over 200 bird species present seasonally including harlequin ducks, scoters, and eiders. The tidal pools among the rocks offer the chance to view marine life including hermit crabs and seaweeds. |
ACCESSFrom U.S. Route 1 take Route 138 east over the Newport Bridge. Follow 138 onto Miantonomi Avenue 0.6 miles. Continue East on Green End Avenue for 1.2 miles then turn right onto Paradise Avenue. Travel 1.3 miles and turn left onto Hanging Rock Road. Continue 0.3 miles then bear right onto Sachuest Point Road and follow it to the refuge entrance. |
  Inviting Tidal Pools |
  Interesting Stones On The Sachuest Shore |
ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONAs you walk around the Sachuest Point Refuge, you'll see a variety of management efforts from mowing, to nest boxes, to exotic plant control. All wildlife have different life requirements. Some animals require woodlands, some wetlands, some require open fields, while other animals need a mix of all of the above to survive.There are not as many natural areas available to wildlife as there used to be. Refuge lands are managed to meet the needs of as many native species of plants and animals as possible. Wildlife Management you can see at Sachuest Point include: Closures - Many plants and animals are very sensitive to human disturbance. Plants are unable to grow when stepped on and human disturbance prevents wildlife from feeding. Certain areas are closed to increase these species chances of survival. Mowing - Portions of refuge lands are periodically mowed to maintain open habitat, providing food and cover for such migratory bird species as woodcock and bobolink. This practice also benefits other wildlife such as hawks and white-tailed deer. Native Grassland Restoration - Most of the native grasslands in Rhode Island have disappeared. Aggressive mowing and planting of native grasses such as little bluestem and switch grass will help restore habitat and wildlife diversity to the area. Nest Structures - Boxes of various sizes and shapes can be seen throughout the refuge. The nesting boxes help blue birds, tree swallows, American kestrels, and many other cavity-nesting birds meet their nesting needs. |
On Location! - Take a Virtual Tour of Sachuest Point and Identify its Inhabitants!
Bird Song Central - The Bird Song Matching Game!
Related Books(The Tomorrow Fund, A Rhode Island based Nonprofit Charity For Kids with Cancer, Gets a Portion of Each Book Sold) | |
Click to Order! |
Walks and Rambles in Rhode Island: A Guide to the Natural and Historic Wonders of the Ocean StateWalks and Rambles in Rhode IslandBy Ken Weber A Rhode Island hikers resource for over ten years, Walks and Rambles provides descriptions of forty natural areas including maps, driving directions, and descriptions of sights on the trail. Other important information such as degree of difficulty, time, and best time of year to visit are described as well, making Walks and Rambles a knapsack necessity. |
Click to Order! |
More Walks and Rambles in Rhode Island:More Walks and Rambles in Rhode IslandBy Ken Weber If you enjoyed his original Walks and Rambles in Rhode Island, you'll enjoy this companion book with forty additional walks described. These walks include more of the hidden gems of Rhode Island you wouldn't want to miss. Sachuest Point is featured on page 61. |
