Take a Stroll With Terrapins

Take a walk with diamondback terrapins tomorrow morning, June 9.

The Barrington Land Conservation Trust is hosting the walk at 11 am at the Doug Rayner Wildlife Refuge at Nockum Hill. 

The refuge, which overlooks Hundred Acre Cove, is the spot where nesting terrapins – an endangered species – come to lay their eggs each year, said Beth Rondeau of the Land Trust.

The Land Trust has been conducting research on Barrington's population of diamondback terrapin since 1990.

“Terrapins are aquatic turtles that live in estuaries,” Rondeau said.

“Adult females emerge each spring to lay eggs in the sandy soils adjacent to the tidal rivers,” she said. “Barrington has the only numerically significant population of terrapins in Rhode Island.”

Research activities have included capturing and marking nesting females, monitoring nest success, and relocating selected nests to a predator-guarded hatching area, she said.

Meet at 11 am at the entrance to the wildlife refuge. A large sign and entry fence marks the spot off of George Street. See the photo.

Drive north toward Swansea on New Meadow Road. George Street will be on your left. It starts before Four Town Farm, so turn around if you get to the farm.

You are advised to wear tick spray.