US-MA-Montague+Sandplains


 * =Birding in Massachusetts=

Franklin County
=Montague Sandplains= Turners Falls, Massachusetts 01376 Montague Sandplains (Massachusetts Audubon Society IBA) webpage Montague Sandplains map

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Montague Sandplains
Coordinates: 42.567, -72.528 eBird links: Hotspot map View details Recent visits My eBird links: Location life list Submit data

About Montague Sandplains
The Montague Sandplains IBA consists of a 1,500-acre state wildlife refuge and unique ecological area, operated by the Massachusetts Department of Fisheries and Wildlife. The "Plains" are a rare pine barren, which supports habitat for many rare plants and animals. The Montague Plains area is located on a large sand delta, formed more than 10,000 years ago when melt water streams from the retreating glaciers emptied into Glacial Lake Hitchcock-a huge lake that covered much of what is now Montague and the Connecticut River Valley during the glacial period. The Turners Falls Airport is a developed part of the Montague Plains but still has remnants of a pitch pine/scrub oak plant community. Grassland habitat is maintained by mowing and burning as part of the airport maintenance requirements. Four species of grassland birds breed here including Grasshopper sparrows and Vesper Sparrows. From Montague Sandplains (Massachusetts Audubon Society IBA) webpage

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|| L207389 US US-MA US-MA-011 42.567 -72.528 Montague Sandplains