Perhaps the most significant feature of this
area is the extraordinary concentration of nesting Northern
diamondback terrapin (Malaclemys t. terrapin) that occurs at
Nockum Hill in Hundred Acre Cove. This is the only known Rhode
Island nesting occurrence of this species whose northern range
extends only to Wellfleet, Massachusetts. It is estimated that
50 or more nesting terrapins use the Nockum Hill site to lay
their eggs in early summer, a remarkable congregation of this
species in this region. The marshes of Hundred Acre Cove also
support important breeding populations of clapper rail (Rallus
longirostris), seaside sparrow (Ammodramus maritima), and
long-billed marsh wren (Cistothorus palustris). A colony of
common tern (Sterna hirundo) historically nested on "The
Tongue" in this same area. The salt marsh here is the third
largest salt marsh estuary in Rhode Island.
The sanctuary is named in honor of longtime Barrington resident
E. Douglas
Rayner. Mr. Rayner was very active as a conservationist serving
on the Barrington Conservation Commission and the Barrington Land
Trust and in the forefront of various environmental activities in
the area. He has been involved over some time in the studies of a
local population of Diamondback Terrapins (the only known nesting
population in Rhode Island) found here at Nockum Hill and so this
town wildlife preserve was named for him. Mr. Rayner was named the
Distinguished Naturalist for 2001 by the Rhode Island Natural
History Survey.
To begin park your car near the large stone located on George
Street. Near the stone you should see a white gate which is
designed to let people on foot in but keep vehicles out. Behind the
gate is a paved road which eventually turns into a dirt path.
Nesting begins in early June and ends in mid-July. Hatchlings
begin to emerge in late August. Please be careful of the turtles
and nests, and do not disturb the nesting boxes in the area.
There are a couple of different routes to the cache, but the
nicest walk is to go straight back towards the water, and then take
the trail that goes left. The cache is just off the trail.
For bonus points, finders may send me an email
with the proper response to the query "Are you a turtle?" Note that
there is a single, universally accepted answer to the question. If
you choose to answer and answer it incorrectly, you must buy a
round at the next Auidneck Island Beer & Wing Night.
The cache container is compliments of [D] and his CITO
event...thanks! However, I was able at the last minute to find
in-theme items for the cache, so I saved the original contents for
another cache!