One of the reasons the habitat is precious is because of the Hessel’s Hairstreak Butterfly which only lives in these environments. There are many mature trees (Atlantic White Cedars can live over 300 years) as well as a single Black Gum Tree (that live even longer), and that, alas, I have never found. There are only an estimated 550 acres of Atlantic White Cedar in all of New Hampshire and this preserve has 42 of them. Both branches of the trail are loops, but there is another trail leading off from the Cedar trail that leads to more of the preserve and the section that allows hunting, so be aware of the seasons and wear your blaze orange – that includes dogs, which of course you should keep leashed! If you take the right path it will lead you to the Cedars and then onto the Great Laurel.
Then the trail splits into a loop that navigates more woodland and also comes close to a stream and vernal pools. On trips to the property in late summer I found a lot of newts too, so be careful not to squish these little guys! The first part of the trail leads in through woods with some large boulders and tons of mushrooms and Indian Pipe wildflowers. There is a parking area that can hold 10 cars or so and a kiosk that gives you some information about the types of flora and fauna you’re likely to see if you keep your eyes open. I’m sure the citizens of Bow and Manchester are pretty glad UNH decided to expand campus operations in the Amoskeag Mills instead. While the Manchester Cedar Swamp isn’t the only Atlantic White Cedar swamp in the state, it does have a bonus – Great Laurel, or as it’s sometimes called, Giant Rhododendron. This is a surprisingly large preserve (600+ acres) jammed between huge condo developments, some commercial operations and an abandoned-before-it-was-built college campus.
All over the state efforts have been made to set aside and protect vulnerable wetlands marshes, bogs and swamps included. Sounds romantic, right? Who wouldn’t want to spend time in a swamp? Well, I would – I love swamps (my favorite Talking Heads song is Swamp, too, if you want more proof).
0 kommentar(er)
