Rodman's Hollow
 Birds stop here while migrating in the spring and fall along the Atlantic Flyway. (Indigo Bunting) © Scott Comings
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This 230-acre glacial outwash basin, located in the southwest part of the island, is considered the birthplace of conservation on Block Island. It was preserved through a 30-year partnership between the Block Island Conservancy, The Nature Conservancy, the Town of New Shoreham, and the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management.
Plants
This preserve has the largest population of the state endangered bushy rockrose in Rhode Island. The hollow's maritime shrubland ecosystem supports bayberry, shadbush and arrowwood. Visit in early to mid-May to see spectacular shad bloom.
Animals
The state-threatened northern harrier feeds and nests here, and the only natural population of federally-endangered American burying beetle east of the Mississippi lives here.
Directions
Walk down Black Rock Road off of Cooneymus Road. About .25 miles down on your left, you will see a wooden gate and turnstile marking the trail entrance. The trail soon splits. Bear left to traverse the bottom of the Hollow (where you can also access a trail leading to Fresh Pond); bear right to ascend a knoll with a wonderful panoramic vista. The trails intersect again to return to Black Rock Road. If you turn left and continue down the road, you can access the beach via a trail down the bluff.