<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=41EBCa_0wEmT7R400" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=41EBCa_0wEmT7R400" width="2000" height="1727" ></figure><p>If you’re a nature lover, come visit the Greater Merrimack Valley for the local wildlife. With parks and nature trails where you can hike, bike, and birdwatch, you’ll find an abundance of New England creatures throughout the year. Massachusetts has many state parks and nature sanctuaries to protect the native flora and fauna, so the next time you come to the Greater Merrimack Valley, bring your hiking boots, binoculars, and camera so you can hit the trails and discover the wildlife that calls the Valley home.</p><h2>Walden Pond State Reservation</h2><p>Walden Pond State Reservation in Concord, MA is famous for being where famous naturalist Henry David Thoreau spent two years living in its woods. When you visit the reservation, be sure to keep your eyes out for wildlife of Thoreau’s time. The most common sights during the day are gray squirrels, chipmunks and rabbits, but skunks, raccoons and red foxes can occasionally be seen shortly before sunset or after sunrise. </p><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=34oFZw_0wEmT7R400" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=34oFZw_0wEmT7R400" width="1404" height="928" ></figure><p>For birdwatchers, be sure to bring those binoculars. Kingfishers, blackbirds, chickadees and red-tailed hawks can be found nesting in trees, soaring through the sky, or catching fish in the pond. Migratory ducks and geese can also be found in nearby marshes during spring and fall, too.</p><p>Walden Pond itself is a deep pond that was formed when the last glacier in New England melted 12,000 years ago. This means that no streams or rivers flow into it, so the number of fish species that call it home is limited. Thoreau noted that the pond “is not very fertile in fish. Its pickerel, though not very abundant, are its chief boast.” In addition to the pickerel, which are stocked annually, sunfish, perch and smallmouth bass also live in the pond.</p><h2>Great Brook Farm State Park</h2><p>Head to Carlisle, MA to visit the wildlife of Great Brook Farm State Park. This 1000-acre park offers more than 20 miles of trails for you to explore. With wetlands, ponds, woods, and open fields, there’s a variety of habitats for local wildlife to call home and thrive. As you explore the trails you could find beavers, woodchucks, deer, and more. Birders will be excited to spy herons, hawks, geese, and even wild turkeys nesting and flying by.</p><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2tNPTz_0wEmT7R400" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2tNPTz_0wEmT7R400" width="2048" height="954" ></figure><p>The trails are great to explore year round as you search for wildlife. Look for squirrels, groundhogs, and rabbits foraging for food in fall or popping out of their dens in spring. During the winter, many trails are groomed for cross-country skiing, so keep an eye out for animal tracks in the snow. </p><p>However, when planning your hike, be mindful of hunting season. This season is essential for keeping the local wildlife populations in check, as well as keeping invasive species from overwhelming the native species. Wearing bright orange clothing is suggested for your safety, and be aware that there’s no hunting on Sundays, so those are always safe days to explore the park and look for wildlife.</p><p>Don’t miss out on the chance to view the wildlife that calls the Greater Merrimack Valley home. Make plans to visit the state parks and reservations of the area, and remember to be respectful of the trails and habitats you explore.</p></div></body>

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Hit the Trails and Discover the Wildlife of the Greater Merrimack Valley

If you’re a nature lover, come visit the Greater Merrimack Valley for the local wildlife. With parks and nature trails where you can hike, bike, and birdwatch, you’ll find an abundance of New England creatures throughout the year. Massachusetts has many state parks and nature sanctuaries to protect the native flora and fauna, so the next time you come to the Greater Merrimack Valley, bring your hiking boots, binoculars, and camera so you can hit the trails and discover the wildlife that calls the Valley home.