The yellow-blazed Clements Point Trail (1.1 miles) begins from the parking area and heads south along the field edge; the kiosk is about 360 feet from the parking area. Note that there is also a small bypass trail to the left that can be used during mud season. The parking area and first section of the trail cross private property, so please stay on the trails. The open fields here provide a good view of a number of grassland birds. Once past the kiosk, the trail enters a relatively shady, closed-canopy forest, which at this point is dominated by white pine, and continues to a footbridge over a small tidal creek.
Approximately 120 feet past the bridge, the red-blazed Cove Trail turns off to the left. The Cove Trail is a small loop (1,250 feet) that follows the shore of a two-pronged tidal creek and provides a view of salt marsh habitat, dominated by cattail and grasses.
The Cove Trail rejoins the Clements Point Trail about 560 feet south of where it turned off. Continuing south on the Clements Point Trail, you will cross another foot bridge. This footbridge and a short section of trail cross private property, so please stay on the trail. About 240 feet past this footbridge, the trail divides to from a loop. Taking a right at this junction follows the Sanctuary's western boundary and leads to the shore of Clements Point. The trail follows the shore and provides many viewing areas of the intertidal Bellamy River and Royalls Cove.
To return to the parking area from the junction of the Clements Point Trail loop, follow the yellow blazes that head generally north.
Please note that the western trails can be very muddy in spring and can be by-passed by sticking to the shoreline loops of the Cove and Clements Point trails.
The Bellamy River is part of the Piscataqua River watershed, which also includes Great Bay and the Oyster River. The River is estuarine, which means its freshwater flow combines with the salt water of incoming tides. With a tidal range of approximately five to six feet, the shoreline contains expanses of mudflat during low tides. Quality estuarine systems such as this are vital to the health and abundance of coastal and marine life, as well as for migrating, wintering, and breeding birds. Some habitat is actively managed for New England Cottontail and other threatened and uncommon species.
The Sanctuary consists of 26 acres of forest, several small tidal creeks, and small coves of brackish salt marsh. Less than 20 feet above sea level in elevation, the Sanctuary has a relatively flat terrain, with silty, moist soils that support mixed and deciduous forest dominated by oak (red, black, and white), red maple, white pine, shagbark hickory, and black birch.
Mr. and Mrs. G. Allen Huggins of Dover donated the original 19 acres of the Sanctuary to New Hampshire Audubon in 1970. In 2003, as part of the Great Bay Resource Protection Partnership, The Nature Conservancy purchased a seven-acre private inholding within the original 19 acres donated to Audubon.
New Hampshire Audubon, a nonprofit statewide membership organization, is dedicated to the conservation of wildlife and habitat throughout the state. Independent of the National Audubon Society, NHA has offered programs in wildlife conservation, land protection and stewardship, environmental policy, and environmental education since 1914. For more information visit: www.nhaudubon.org
From Route 4 in Dover, drive 2.5 miles east of the junction with Rt. 108 and turn onto Back River Road. After 0.8 miles, take Bayview Road to the right. At the end of Bayview Rd., just past a stand of mature pines, bear left onto the gravel road and continue through the field to the parking area on the right.
Please note the parking lot is small. If the lot is full do NOT park along the roadsides. The road is privately owned and narrow.
Bellamy River Wildlife Sanctuary is open throughout the year during daylight hours. Although there are trails for your enjoyment, this sanctuary's primary purpose is to provide habitat for wildlife. In order to minimize disturbance to the plants and animals here.
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