The boardwalk to Cape Cod Bay.
Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary
With over 260 species of birds and 1,000 acres of forest, salt marsh, tidal flats and beach, the Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary, run by the Massachusetts Audubon Society, is a Cape jewel.
Try the Goose Pond trail first. This 1.4 mile (round trip) hike passes woodlands, coastal heathland and salt marshes, so the mix of flora, fauna and wildlife sightings are great. If time and energy permit, the trail connects with the Try Island Trail (1.2 miles) and a meandering boardwalk, leading to lovely views of Cape Cod Bay. (1.4 miles). Beware, though, this walkway could be covered during high tide.
Lush marshland attracts a variety of birds.
Start with a stop at the Nature Center to view the exhibits and get a trail map. The Goose Pond Trail Guide (an extra $2.50) is handy for plant and wildlife identification.
This month, you will see a variety of resident and migrating birds, including yellowlegs, godwits, plovers, warblers, sparrows, orioles, gulls, jaegers, nuthatches, wrens, mergansers, hawks and egrets.
The Butterfly Garden graces the entrance.
Beach plum, cattail, sweet pepper-bush, winterberry, bayberry, bearberry, sea lavender, rosa rugosa, broom, crowberry, huckleberry and beach heather are among the many plants which dot the landscape.
While the resident deer and fox may elude you, sanctuary wildlife also includes turtles, frogs and fiddler crabs.
Throughout the year, the Audubon Society hosts lectures, guided walks, canoe trips and cruises, so check to see what's planned during your stay.
The Sanctuary is located at 291 Route 6, South Wellfleet (just north of the Eastham/Wellfleet line), 508-349-2615.
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