. Alewife Reservation & Alewife Brook master plan. Wetlands; Wetland conservation. FIGURE 16. Beavers have recently begun feeding on quaking aspen saplings along the Little River. ies from wooded swamp to open wet meadow. Weeping willow, black willow, gray birch, silver maple and quaking aspen are important trees offering canopy cover and habitat for birds and mammals. Coyote scat were found on the north bank during a 2002 wildlife inventory (refer to Appendix A for a list of existing flora and fauna). The MDC land surrounding the Little River and abutting properties (Belmont Up- lands, AD
. Alewife Reservation & Alewife Brook master plan. Wetlands; Wetland conservation. FIGURE 16. Beavers have recently begun feeding on quaking aspen saplings along the Little River. ies from wooded swamp to open wet meadow. Weeping willow, black willow, gray birch, silver maple and quaking aspen are important trees offering canopy cover and habitat for birds and mammals. Coyote scat were found on the north bank during a 2002 wildlife inventory (refer to Appendix A for a list of existing flora and fauna). The MDC land surrounding the Little River and abutting properties (Belmont Up- lands, ADL wetland, Martignetti property, and Acorn Office Park) is the largest contiguous area of natural habitat in the area. No doubt this explains the presence of larger mammals such as coyote and deer and its attraction to the large birds of prey that frequent the area. The Reservation has plentiful food for preda- tors that feed on rabbits, feral cats, moles, and other small mammals. Extensive stands of Vhragmites (common reed) and areas of thick understory shrubs and vines provide extensive cover to small mammals. Common species in the understory include sumac, dogwood, speckled alder, and various Viburnum. Bald eagles have been sighted at the Reservation, while other birds of prey appear to be resident. For example, a Peregrine falcon has lived in the area for a number of years and at times is sighted almost daily perched on the top of the Rindge Apartment Towers during morning rush hour. Migratory waterfowl and songbirds also regularly visit the FIGURE 17. Woodcocks, which can be observed in the Alewife Reservation, prefer wet, scrubby habitat interspersed with open grassy areas, a habitat type that is being lost state-wide to forest succession and bottomland development. Most of the open wetlands are dominated by Phragmites due to soil disturbance and altered hydrology. However, several stands of cattail can be found in the Reservation, on the north- east corner of Litt
Size: 1927px × 1297px
Photo credit: © Library Book Collection / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: ., bookcollectionumassamhers, bookcontributorumassamherstlibraries
