Fisher – Allens Neck Portion of Allens Pond Audubon Sanctuary

Today was another one of Paul's famous bird walk for Allens Pond Massachusetts Audubon Sanctuary.  However, for me, and I hope most of the other members of the group most interesting finding was a Fisher, sometimes called a Fisher Cat.  The Fisher is native to North America and is a member of the weasel family.  It is relatively common in Massachusetts, but is really seen because it is very secretive.  It normally lives and hunts in the forest.  Where it will eat small rodents, squirrels, rabbits, birds, eggs, fruit and carrion.  One problem would Fisher is when they get into a suburban area.  They will attack  cats and poultry.
The Fisher once was once eliminated in Massachusetts due to trapping, but it is made a remarkable comeback, and now extends into southeastern Massachusetts and onto Cape Cod.
We found the Fisher along the Woodland loop of the Allens Portion of Allens Pond Sanctuary.  It was high in a tree in then old probable squirrels nest, since the nest was covered with leaves.  When the Fisher saw us, it climbed down the tree and disappeared into the forest.
Here are pictures of the Fisher climbing down the tree.  Because it was very dark in the forest.  I had a use a wide open lens setting, but the head is in focus.

Allens Neck Portion of Allens Pond Audubon Sanctuary

This blog is a continuation of October 7th, after leaving Gooseberry, we met at the field station of Allens Pond Audubon Sanctuary for a bird walk at Allens Neck.  This is a regular scheduled walk that the sanctuary provides and is led by Paul Champlin.
The Allens Neck Trail system, located off Allens Neck Rd. in Dartmouth, MA offers 1.5 miles of trails along the Woodland and Boulder Loops.  There is a great variety of habitat in this section of the sanctuary, ranging from woods and swamp to pastures and old grasslands.  Portion of the area is shared with a working farm.  You even can get to the backside of Allens Pond and the marshes that surround it .
On the trip today, we walked down the road, pass the farm where there were a number of Eastern bluebirds present.  There were the usual species of sparrows present, and only a few warblers.  I was happy that I was able to finally obtain a photograph of a White-rumped Sandpiper. Still and all, it was a pleasant day with the sun shining and a good time was had by all.

Red-eyed Vireo

Downey Woodpecker

Female Eastern Towhee

Red-tailed Hawk

Great Egret

Canada Geese

Double-crested Comerant

Gray catbird



Swamp Sparrow



Chipping Sparrow

Directions to the Allens Neck Trail are: from the sanctuary field station continue north on Horseneck Road for approximately 1.7 miles. Take the first right (also Horseneck Road but now entering Dartmouth). Proceed for 1 mile and take a right onto Allens Neck Road (can be difficult to see). At the sharp bend, continue straight, through the single white gate, and park immediately on your right. Massachusetts Audubon Society logo signs are posted.

Trail Map

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