Bellamy River Wildlife Sanctuary
Description: Visitors can experience a wide variety of habitats at this site near Great Bay. It is on the western bank of the
The high salt marsh occurs above the mean high water line. Beyond the reach of most daily tides but within the reach of spring and storm tides, this natural community is typically dominated by salt-meadow cordgrass (Spartina patens). Low salt marsh occurs seaward of the high salt marsh and is flooded and exposed twice a day by the tide. It is dominated by a much taller species, smooth cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora) ("low" refers to the height of the land, not the vegetation). Salt pannes and pools occur as microhabitats within the larger salt marsh system, and sparsely-vegetated intertidal flats (mudflats) are exposed at low tides.
Brackish marshes occasionally occur along the upper margins of the high salt marsh where sufficient fresh water runoff or groundwater discharge flows onto the marsh surface. They are tidally flooded by salt water only during spring tides and storm surges. This hydrologic regime supports species most often found in fresh or salt marshes but which are also tolerant of brackish conditions and are able to successfully compete in this environment. These species include salt-loving spike-rush (Eleocharis uniglumis), stout bulrush (Bolboschoenus robustus), chaffy salt sedge (Carex paleacea), seaside goldenrod (Solidago sempervirens), and narrow-leaved cattail (Typha angustifolia), among others.
The trails at this site also passes through a nice example of mesic Appalachian oak - hickory forest. This natural community covers most of the upland forest habitat in the Sanctuary and is composed of a broad diversity of trees including oaks, American beech, red maple, black birch, and shagbark hickory. It is a somewhat uncommon community in New Hampshire, generally restricted to coastal and southern parts of the state.
Directions: From the junction of Rte. 4 and Rte. 108 in Durham, go 2.5 miles east on Rte. 4. Turn north (left) at the stop light (just west of the bridge) onto Back River Rd. Go 0.8 miles and turn right onto Bayview Rd. Half a mile down Bayview Rd, bear left at a junction onto a dirt road and continue a quarter of a mile across the field to the small dirt parking area on the right. There is enough space for several vehicles.
Landowner: NH Audubon
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