The 3.7 km Creek Trail runs through privately owned upland and marshland from Springfield to Hatfield Point. The owners kindly grant access to the public, but ask that the property and the wildlife be shown respect, and with the understanding that the trail is only roughly groomed and the ground is uneven. It is accessed most conveniently by parking below the Gillis winery on Route 124 in Springfield. While mountain bikes have been used on the trail, most people walk (or snowshoe). The walk from one end to the other usually takes about 45 minutes including a few stops to enjoy the scenery and wildlife, and the impressive Silver maple forest.
During 2015, the Belleisle Watershed Coalition (BWC) together with its partners Ducks Unlimited, Gillis of Belleisle Winery, RSD 8, NB’s Environmental Trust Fund, and the Government of Canada; with the support of Potash Corp, McMillan Lumber and Kent, rebuilt the spillway, improved the trail and added five wildlife observation platforms. The spillway’s function is to improve water flow through the marsh while providing access to the trail for pedestrian traffic. At high water times the spillway may be under water, but throughout the summer access is clear.
School groups, youth groups, families, and naturalists are all encouraged to visit and enjoy the Belleisle Creek Trail. Kayaks and canoes can gain access from the Hatfield Point end. The marshland is home to a wide variety of birds, raptors, waterfowl, herons, turtles, small mammals and fish.
In 2016 the BWC began a Nature Meadow Garden in the 4-acre hayfield at the entrance to the trail to encourage pollinators and biodiversity to the benefit of the marshlands, uplands and region. Volunteers are welcome in this effort as well as in contributing to the bird population studies.
Birds:
Mallard, American Black Duck, Great Blue Herron, Bald Eagle, Cedar waxwing,Tree sparrow, Common merganser, Red winged Blackbird, Blue Jay, Blue Winged Teal, Green Winged Teal, Wood Duck, American Robin, American Goldfinch, Yellow Warbler, Common Yellow Throat, Hairy Woodpecker, Red Eyed Verio, Song Sparrow, Tree Swallow, Veery, Northern Water Thrush, Common Raven, American Crow, Northern Parula, Red Breasted Nuthatch, Black Capped Chickadee, Common Goldeneye, White Breasted Nuthatch, Canada Goose, Belted Kingfisher, Downy Woodpecker, American Redstart, Cormorants, Spotted Sandpiper, Snipe, Common Grackle, Eastern Peewee, Osprey, American Wegion, Red Breasted Merganser, Northern Flicker, Common Loon, Morning Dove Pigeon.
Wildlife:
Snapping turtle
Eastern Painted turtle
Wood turtle
Beaver
Muskrat
White Tailed deer
Canada Geese
Copyright © 2020 Belleisle Watershed Coalition - All Rights Reserved.
Powered by GoDaddy Website Builder