Download Section 4 part E - East Bridgewater

Section 4 - Environmental Inventory and Analysis
E - Fisheries and Wildlife
Fisheries
The streams and ponds in East Bridgewater support native populations of warm
water species. Pollution at levels found in the Matfield River and believed to exist in
Robins Pond pose limitations on this resource. The Poor Meadow Brook and the
Satucket River provide the best habitat for warm water fisheries and could sustain trout
early in the season.
Robins Pond has pickerel, large mouth bass, yellow perch and sunfish. There is a
limited number of cold water species of native trout located in Stoney Brook. The
Massachusetts Department of Fisheries stocks Meadow Brook below the dam at Forge
Pond with trout every spring.
Wildlife
The wetlands and shallow marshes which abut streams and ponds in East
Bridgewater provide an excellent habitat for wildlife such as muskrat, mink, raccoon,
opossum, woodcock, song birds, hawks, turkey vultures, great blue herons, and
waterfowl. Some of the waterfowl found in East Bridgewater include black duck, wood
duck, mallard, greenwing teal, bluewing teal and Canada geese. Although no reports of
beavers are known there were known habitats of beavers on the Poor Meadow Brook up
to 1965.
The upland forests in Town provide habitat to rabbit, squirrel, raccoon, fox, ruffed
grouse, bobwhite quail, pheasant and deer. Recent reports of coyotes in the area points to
that species adapting to the suburban development of East Bridgewater.
Bushy areas that border woodlands and open areas serve to provide cover and
food for ruffed grouse. The prime source of food for pheasant and quail is corn, millet
and seeds of native annuals found in fields.
There is a considerable amount of undeveloped land in East Bridgewater which
provides good hunting for pheasant, duck and small game such as rabbit and squirrel.
Pheasant is stocked at various points throughout the Town by the Division of Fish and
Game.
The necessity to improve wildlife habitat and increase wildlife populations is
important to accommodate recreational hunting and fishing, to accommodate bird
watching, hiking and nature study. In order to improve wildlife habitat, management of
conservation land needs to become part of the open space plan.
Section 4 - Environmental Inventory and Analysis
E - Fisheries and Wildlife
Wildlife (continued)
Important wildlife corridors include Poor Meadow Brook which flows through
Hanson and south through East Bridgewater to Robins Pond. Some of this corridor is
already protected by well sites and some Town owned land. However, recent
developments are underway along this river. The Matfield River is a major wildlife
corridor, particularly since the Salisbury Plain River, Satucket River and Beaver Brook
flow into it. the Satucket River is currently under great developmental pressure and
although the Town has extensive ownership along the river’s banks, additional protection
is needed to preserve this important corridor between Robins Pond and the Matfield
River.
Thanks to the River’s Protection Act, the chances to protect these corridors is
better. However, these corridors under private ownership along the rivers, can be altered
unwittingly by land owners who are not aware of the restrictions of the River’s Act.
The Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program has identified one area
of East Bridgewater as having an endangered species living in it. This area is located
between Washington, Walnut, Union, Harvard and Pine Streets. The area is said to be
the habitat of the Blandings Turtle. This species is listed as “threatened” pursuant to the
Massachusetts Endangered Species Act. The Blanding Turtle inhabits marshy areas,
especially those with dense vegetation.
Protection of this species will be handled by reviewing the location of projects
filed with the East Bridgewater Conservation Commission and the National Heritage and
Endangered Species Program.