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 Naturally
Kingston
Pathways and Trails
by Dorothy
MacFarlane
(November 19, 2004)
Wild animals have long had the run of the old farm where we
live, so there are many established animal trails through the fields and
woods. Some go to the road, some run along the Jones River. Others circle
around and through the fields and woods. As the seasons wax and wane, we
watch for animals, or their prints on the trails. Most of the animals use
the same trails over and over again, but the wild turkeys follow their own
trails as they forage the field, making great loops. Deer and turkeys
regularly use the trails that cross the road. There have been some
spectacular near misses with deer as they leap across Wapping Road, but a
few of the turkeys have not been so lucky.
Skunks run along paths beside side the old stone walls,
probably digging under it for grubs or other insects. Chipmunks use the top
of the stone walls as paths, and make their tunnels under them. The wall
provides a perfect high way, and quick cover from predators as well.
My favorite path runs down into the river. The trail ends in
a slide that otters use. I know its otters, because the scat along this
trail has fish scales in it, and not many other animals eat fish and slide
in the mud. This path to the river was made by the cows that last lived in
the barn forty years ago or so, when the farm was still working. The milk
went to Boston, and the cows had free range of the fields. Barbed wire
fences kept them from wandering, but they could access the river at two
spots along the bank. Both areas have been kept open, mostly by the animals
which now use the same access. Nature has tried to fill them in with trees
and shrubs, but they are still open. Too many feet and paws tread the same
path, and stamp out seedlings and runners that would otherwise fill them in.
Imagine how many generations of people and animals have come to these two
spots to drink, or to take in the beauty of the Jones River. I hope it
continues to be so. |
