Crane Wildlife Refuge

IUCN Category V - Protected Landscape / Seascape

The islands of Long Iceland and Iceland Choate in reserve

Crane Wildlife Refuge (fully Crane Wildlife Refuge on the Crane Estate ) is a 697 acres (2.8 km ²) large nature reserve on the former estate of Richard T. Crane, Jr., which also includes the neighboring Castle Hill belonged. It is located in the northeast of the state of Massachusetts in the United States and is managed by the organization The Trustees of Reservations.

History

There, where is now located the sanctuary, entertained the Agawam Indians facilities for agriculture, beginning in the summer months and shellfish around the neighboring islands. Even today, a house and a barn from the 18th century are preserved and remember the past of the area.

In 1974, the reserve will be established on the basis of a gift of Miné S. Crane to the Trustees of Reservations; she is buried with her husband Cornelius Crane at the highest elevation of Choate Iceland. More land was given to the Trustees in 1981, 1993, 1995 and 2001. Furthermore, the organization was able to purchase the island Pine Iceland commercially in 2000.

Sanctuary

The reserve is located in direct proximity to Crane Beach and formed with it and the Castle Hill together in the early 20th century the estate of Chicago industrialist Richard T. Crane, Jr. The current reserve is composed of several coastal areas - including a portion of the Castle Neck - and a total of seven islands ( Choate, Long, Dean, Dilly, Pine, Patterson and Round Iceland ) the mouth of the Essex River together. It is surrounded by the Great Marsh, of a total area of ​​more than 25,000 acres ( 101.2 km ² ), the largest contiguous salt marsh in New England, extending from the port of Hampton New Hampshire to Gloucester in Massachusetts.

Choate Iceland, with an area of 135 acres ( 54.6 ha ) is the largest island in the reserve and offers a variety of birds and mammals habitat. Frequently encountered are red deer, fisher marten, coyotes, and otters. The planted in the 20th century spruce forest attracts Indians Firecrest and Eckschwanzsperber, while the grassy areas of the island Reisstärlingen and an American sub-species of sparrows ( Passerculus sandwichensis ) provides a habitat. Live gulls, Sanderlings and Waders on the coast.

Visitors have a total of 3.5 mi ( 5.6 km ) of hiking trails. The reserve is open daily and free access for members of the Trustees.