The Bird Street Conservation Area is land set aside by the Town of Stoughton in cooperation with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the US government. Historically, this parcel was a farm and remnants of the farmhouse foundation, the pond, and other features attest to this fact.. Note that this is a mixed use area, so it is possible to encounter dog walkers, horse and bicycle riders, and joggers. On many of our visits, however, we see no other people.

The mixture of avian species seen here is typical of southeastern, non-coastal Massachusetts with the most abundant year-round birds being Black-capped Chickadees, Tufted Titmice, and Blue Jays. Eastern Towhees, thrushes and warblers are common during migration and as breeding birds. Of course, the best time to visit is during spring migration, when the numbers and variety is highest but a visit anytime can be rewarding. During the spring and summer of 1999, a pair of Red-shouldered Hawks were conspicuous. We suspect but have been unable to confirm nesting.

Park at the end of Bird Street (#1, do not block the gate, or driveways). Once you pass the gate, look and listen for Carolina Wren, Eastern Towhee, Gray Catbirds, and warblers in season. If you continue straight ahead at the fork, you will come the fields (#2). These fields are filling in but remain a good location for Blue-winged Warblers. They are also good for butterflies in the summer and superb for ticks just about any time. Be aware that shortly after the trail enters the field, there is a low spot which may require some wading in the spring. Just before you enter the field, you will see a grassy area to your right. This was the site of the farmhouse. A short connector path leads over to the other main path, described in the following paragraph.

If you took the right-hand fork from the main path, you continue through the woods to a culvert (#3) that runs under the path, and seasonally carries run-off from the small swamp on the left. Aside from watching for woodland birds in this area, you should look for Blandings turtle, seen here in the spring of 1999. We generally take the right-hand path just after the culvert, and up the hill. The pine woods on your left represent ground zero for local paint ball hooligans - so if you see what you think is green or red whitewash from an owl with bizarre dietary habits - don't report your finding. The pine woods at the top of the small hill (#4) are the territory of Pine Warblers, and they can be heard from early spring into the summer. There is a trail the leads off to the right into their territory if you don't believe your ears; this trail continues to a low spot, and a housing development.

We head down the trail to the left toward the north end of the pond. This trail actually skirts the pond, along the top of the dam which created it (#5). This pond has proved to be something of a disappointment for birds, although Belted Kingfisher, Red-shouldered Hawk, Wood Duck and other less-notable species have been seen. Highlights from this pond were the sighting of a snapping turtle trying to kill a painted turtle, and one of the largest assemblies of snow fleas we have ever seen. To your right as you walk along the dam is a low wet area that sometimes contains catbirds. Just ahead on the right is a new housing development which has done little for the ambiance of the spot. Proceed forward, bearing slightly left, not straight along the backyards of the suburbanites. This area, and the next hundred yards of path often contain high concentrations of Eastern Towhees and Black-capped Chickadees. You will soon come to a fork, we usually take the path straight ahead (#6) rather than the one to the left but, of course, explore at will!

In the spring, particularly on wet, quiet days, listen for Hermit and Wood thrushes singing in the forest off to the right. There is a spot on this trail where it is like a tunnel due to close overhead vegetation. This can be an awesome spot for close encounters with kinglets. At the end of this stretch of trail you will come to a trail intersection (#7). The left trail leads back to the paint ball woods; straight ahead leads to the fields; and the right trail leads to the quarry. Usually we would take the right and straight ahead trails in turn and then exit via the left trail.

Taking the right trail, we are walking along the old road that led to the "quarry" (#8). Stone from this quarry was used in the construction of Stoughton Town Hall. You pass through fairly dry woodlands, though there is water to your left and the song of Black-and-white Warblers is common in the spring. When you come to a fork, bear right up the hill to the top of the quarry area. The small water filled holes entice some birds and Hermit Thrush are common in this area. In 1999, Eastern Phoebes attempted to nest on a ledge on the side of one of the large boulders in the right side pond. A rain storm collapsed their nest but they may have rebuilt elsewhere.

Caveat: recently the quarry area has apparently been the hangout of firearm enthusiasts. Several substantial trees have been severed by gunfire. If you hear gunshots from that area, or see anyone suspicious, we suggest going somewhere else. Note too that well southeast of the conservation area there is a rod and gun club with a shooting range, so you could hear (presumably legal) shots from that direction as well.

Just past the right side pond is a trail that leads north through upland mixed hardwoods and ends up in the backyard of a house. This trail has not proved to be very productive. If you continue straight on the main path you will soon come to a fork. The left trail leads back past the quarry area (completing a loop) to the trail intersection at #7. The area within this loop is low and wet and productive for thrushes and warblers. If you proceed straight at the fork, you will travel (#9) through (mostly) mixed hardwoods with scattered evergreens, past pastures and homes, and eventually reach the other entrance to the Bird Street Conservation Area (on West Street in Stoughton). We have not explored this area well but there seems to be a network of trails leading down into North Easton, perhaps connecting with the trails that lead south from the water tower (#11).

If you haven't gotten lost in the wilds of Easton, find your way back to the trail intersection at #7. This time take the trail that leads south (#10) towards the fields. This trail has an interesting mix of habitats. There are upland pine stands (listen for Pine Warblers), swampy areas traversed by log bridges, and finally upland mixed hardwoods (Scarlet Tanager, Great Crested Flycatcher). In the spring, the latter is an excellent area for Ovenbirds. We have seen Ruffed Grouse occasionally on this trail as well. When you reach the fields, you have the option of continuing on straight towards the water tower (#11, be sure to check the fields and the edges well!), turning left through the fields toward the Bird Street entrance, or going back the way you came.

We have little information on the paths leading south from the water tower, as we have not explored that area. After checking the fields, we generally retrace our steps to the trail junction (#7) and take a right. This short stretch has dense woods and a small open field. The combination and edges are good for warblers and butterflies. We have also flushed grouse along this trail. After a short walk, you will find yourself back at the paintball woods. The trail back to the Bird Street entrance is to your right. The Stoughton Bird Club started a survey of birds in this conservation area in 1999. This is a non-intrusive survey (birds are counted based on sight or sound, with no psishing or taping.) Results are available at 1999 (N.b. this is a large table!).