Weiser River Trail, Idaho
In southwestern Idaho, the Weiser River Trail
meanders through an 84-mile cross section of
the state’s variable landscape. Shifting from
mountain meadows and evergreen forests
along its northern end to open desert canyons
in the south, the trail intersects more than
1,400 acres of wildlife habitats and gives its
users something new to see around every bend.
Birds spotted include burrowing owls, sandhill
cranes, northern harriers, peregrine falcons,
wild turkeys and violet-green swallows—a
range of species that illustrates the diversity
of environments found on the path. Larger
animals include bear, coyotes, mountain lions,
elk and wolves. The Weiser River adjacent to
the trail is a popular destination for fishermen
looking to catch wild rainbow trout.
Friends of the Weiser River Trail established
and maintains the pathway with limited munic-
ipal support. Part of the group’s mission state-
ment is “to protect and enhance the riparian
and other natural habitats within the corridor.”
Methuen Rail Trail, Massachusetts
This unassuming trail on the Massachusetts/New Hampshire
border packs a lot of wildlife into a mere 2.4 miles. Trail
walkers and riders can expect to see deer, turtles, rabbits,
snakes, otters and more, but the trail is best known for its
wide variety of birds. The 18-acre Nevins Bird Sanctuary
sits along the pathway and provides a protected habitat for
hundreds of birds, giving visitors plenty to see. Two counts in
the summer of 2010 yielded observations of 39 avian species,
ranging from song sparrows and red-winged blackbirds to
great blue herons, red-tailed hawks and even one immature
bald eagle.
The endangered Blanding’s turtle, recognizable by its
yellow-speckled shell, makes its home here and finds the
sandy soil alongside the railbed to be ideal for nesting. The
Methuen Rail Trail Alliance brings attention to the reptile’s
conservation status and encourages the public to look but
not disturb the animals, and to learn about the factors threat-
ening this turtle’s survival.
Danielle Taylor is a freelance writer currently traveling across
the United States in search of adventure and intriguing stories.
A former executive editor for the National Recreation and Park
Association’s
Parks & Recreation
magazine, she focuses her
work on outdoor recreation, public lands and travel. Follow her
journey at danielle-taylor.com.
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