Kayak Trip Visits Guilford Salt Meadow Sanctuary

On Saturday, July 12, 2003, Menunkatuck Audubon sponsored a kayak trip up the East River in Guilford to the Guilford Salt Meadow Sanctuary. The East River is a tidal river that drains into Long Island Sound and these wetlands support specialized salt marsh vegetation and animal life.

It was a gorgeous morning, the kind we waited and hoped for all of June. Crystal blue skies and an occasional wispy cloud far, far above, greeted the 20 paddlers that congregated on the boat launch of the East River. As we launched the tide pulled us upriver away from the Sound and towards Route 1. Along the way ospreys called overhead and we discussed the hardy and fascinating spartina plants (Saltwater and Saltmeadow Cordgrass). Willets made themselves heard along the shore and fiddler crabs scurried home as we passed by, the tide pulling us gently along.

The seeming solitude of the river ended somewhat abruptly as we came to Route 1 and passed under I-95. But the passage under 95 opened into a sweeping vista of the Guilford Saltmeadow Sanctuary, and the traffic faded into the background. We paused at a turn in the river and under a tree offering a bit of shade. We stopped here for a chat about erosion and for introductions.

Throughout the morning we discussed the plants and animals inhabiting the estuary, the river, and of course the Sound. The sun, osprey, herons, egrets, willets, and spartina kept us company along the way. We turned around after the Clapboard Hill Bridge, where the salt levels drop off and the Phragmities makes its first strong appearance. We paddled back towards the boat launch and the Sound returning promptly at noon.

From the water we had a unique perspective of life in the salt marsh. And we explored the transition of life throughout an estuary (where fresh & saltwater meet). It was a beautiful day and a wonderful trip.

For more info about the Guilford Salt Meadow Sanctuary visit: www.audubon.org/local/sanctuary/guilford/index.html.

This article is dedicated to the memory of my abuelita (grandmother), Mirta Botta. April 8, 1919 - August 14, 2003. PhD Biochemistry, Pharmacist. She was a Cuban refugee who came to the US in 1968. As an immigrant she was enamored with the American Bald Eagle. Thanks to a cold winter, the Connecticut River and a spotting scope I was able to share wild Bald Eagles with her this past winter. Mother, patriot, scientist; she lived a full life and will be sorely missed.

SuZanne Botta

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Last updated 18 September, 2004 .