An impressive array of habitats and glacial handiwork grace the David Weld Sanctuary on Long Island’s North Shore.

Trails cross an old field dotted with red cedars, loop around a red maple swamp, pass colossal tulip trees, climb a 50-foot bluff overlooking the Long Island Sound and lead eventually to a kettle hole, a 60-foot-deep depression formed when a massive block of glacial ice melted in place. There are also 1,800 feet of beachfront and a number of enormous boulders scattered throughout the woods and along the shore.

What to See

Thanks to sculpting by glaciers during the last Ice Age, the sanctuary’s landscape supports a remarkable diversity of trees, shrubs, vines, ferns and wildflowers, as well as a variety of birds and small mammals.

In spring, the giant tulip trees display magnificent blooms. Look for their long, straight trunks, which were once used for masts on ships. Their large, greenish-yellow blooms are full of nectar sipped by orioles and hummingbirds. You may also see eastern tiger swallowtail butterflies fluttering about, since tulip tree leaves are one of their caterpillars’ favorite foods.

In summer as you walk along the bluff, observe the burrow holes in the top two or so feet of sediment. These were created by bank swallows that patrol the coastline. Take the side trail to the beach for a closer look at the large boulders exposed along the shore, especially during low tide.

Autumn brings two simultaneous spectacles: The woodlands become a kaleidoscope of red, burgundy, orange and yellow foliage as the deciduous trees prepare to shed their leaves, while waves of shorebirds, songbirds and other migrants stop to feed and rest on their long journeys south.

In winter, if you’re lucky, you can see a common loon swimming offshore, as well as huge rafts of brant, American black duck, and other waterfowl.

What to Do

The David Weld Sanctuary is a wonderful place for birders, geology buffs and wildflower-lovers to hike and explore nature. There’s just enough elevation change to make the trails interesting but not too daunting for little legs and family nature excursions.

Planning Your Visit

The trails at David Weld Sanctuary are open for hiking and observation from dawn to dusk. Please prepare for your visit by reading our guidelines and downloading a trail map (.pdf).

Directions

• From the Long Island Expressway, take Exit 56 and travel north on Route 111 (Wheeler Road) for 1.8 miles.
• Turn left at the lights, continuing on Route 111 (now Hauppauge Road) for 2.3 miles to the junction of Routes 25 and 25A.
• Go straight across Route 25 and bear left onto River Road.
• In 0.8 mile, go straight across Edgewood Avenue at the lights and continue for another 2.8 miles to the end.
• Turn left onto Moriches Road, which turns to the right in 0.1 mile onto Horse Race Lane.
• Go 0.4 mile and bear left onto Boney Lane.
• The Sanctuary entrance is 0.1 mile ahead on the right.

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Nature picture credits (top to bottom, left to right): Photo © Derek Rogers/TNC (David Weld Sanctuary); Photo © Derek Rogers/TNC (Common Yellowthroat), Photo © The Nature Conservancy (box turtle).