Wellfleet, Capecod, MA

Wellfleet is home of the Cape Cod National Seashore Headquarters as well as the 1,000 acre Massachusetts Audubon Society Wildlife Sanctuary. Some of Cape Cod's finest ocean surfcasting, fresh water pond and Cape Cod Bay boat fishing possibilities are found in Wellfleet, and the town is well known for its plentiful supply of shellfish, including the famous "Wellfleet Oysters".

The fresh water ponds are a particular delight in Wellfleet. Their tranquil surfaces shimmer in early sunlight, and their small sandy beaches echo with happiness in late afternoon as the shadows from the surrounding pines darken the water. The combination of a day on a stimulating and expansive backshore beach, and a leisurely swim in the warm water of one of the kettle ponds is a special luxury that Wellfleet offers.The Wellfleet salt marsh, is home to an incredible array of wildlife. American Woodcocks, Ospreys and Great Horned Owls can be spotted among the pitch pines which thrive in the sandy soils of Cape Cod's outwash plains. Diamondback Terrapins swim up tidal creeks to reach upland nesting areas.
 
Plants living in the salt marsh cope with salt spray, salt water, and extreme tidal fluctuations. salt marsh hay, cordgrass, sea lavender, and glassworts.
 
Northern Harriers and Whimbrels: You may see Northern Harriers (Circus cyaneus), graceful hawks, flying low over the tops of the grasses, tilting back and forth, searching for small mammals. The adult males are grey above with black wing tips, while adult females and immatures are brown above and pale below. Look for the white rump, a helpful field mark. Whimbrels (Numenius phaeopus) are large, brown sandpipers, with long, down-curved bills. In July and August watch for them feeding among the salt marsh grasses. Cape Cod is just one stop between their breeding grounds in Canada and wintering areas in South America.
 
Tidal Flats: If you arrive at the end of Boardwalk at low tide, you'll see tidal flats stretching to the water's edge. Marine invertebrates such as crabs, clams, snails, shrimp, and worms live on and below the surface of the sand. If you walk out on to the flats, you may see signs of their activities, such as holes in the sand and winding trails. These animals are an important food source for sandpipers and plovers throughout the spring, summer, and fall.

Fresh Brook Village: The creek meandering through the marsh below you is called Fresh Brook. It winds its way out of view to your right, crosses under Route 6, and enters the Cape Cod National Seashore. In the 1700s there was a small village (approximately 50 people) located at the eastern end of the brook. The villagers were mackerel fishermen and traveled in small boats to fishing grounds in Cape Cod Bay.
 
Sandplain Grasslands: The field in front of you is a sandplain grassland, a very uncommon habitat both locally and globally! This grassland supports several rare plants and animals including Bushy Rockrose, Gerhard's Underwing Moth, and the Northern Brocade Moth. This habitat is dependent upon disturbances such as fire. Without fire it would become overgrown with shrubs and then eventually with trees. Prescribed burns are used on the Sanctuary to maintain this open space, which is also favored by many birds including Eastern Bluebirds and American Kestrels. The boxes in the field are put up in hopes of encouraging the nesting of these two species.

The Wellfleet Wildlife Sanctuary

http://www.wellfleetma.org/Public_Documents/about.shtml
(photos)