Wildlife at The Rocks
Educational programs for families, children, private groups and coach tours available contact info@therocks.org or 603-444-6228.
The Forest Society is proud of its mission of multiple use of the land it owns and manages. The Rocks Estate is featured in the book New Hampshire Wildlife Viewing Guide. The book can be purchased from our Online Gift Shoppe.
Black Bear
At the Rocks Estate an extensive wildlife habitat improvement program was initiated in 1996, which has sustained the abundant number of species that can be seen throughout the year.
Pruning Apple Trees
Bull and Cow Moose
Coyote den
Spotted Salamander
Garter Snake Swallowing Frog
The Black Bear is common in Northern New Hampshire but rarely seen. The property exhibits beech, oak stands, and areas of berries which bears frequent. You can often see traces of bears but the chance of actually spotting one is a rare treat. Look for tracks (Tracking Cards can be purchased from our Online Gift Shoppe), scat, bear-marked trees and where bears have been eating on our nature trails.
Apple trees; some planted, some self-seeded, are scattered throughout the property. These old and new trees are being cared for by staff and volunteers as they provide much-needed food for a variety of species during the fall. Trees are released (large trees cut from around them) and then fertilized and pruned so that they can be enhanced for wildlife use.
Moose are often seen on the property, both in the woods and fields. This bull (male moose) and cow (female moose) were regular visitors last fall. Yearlings are often seen in the fields during the spring when they leave their mothers for the first time. Uneven age cutting encourages new growth in the forest which moose graze on.
Coyotes are sighted in the fields hunting for rodents. We encourage predators of rodents, as the rodents gnaw and damage the Christmas tree seedlings by eating the bark from the base of the tree. This den of eight coyote pups was photographed at the property.
There are many vernal pools at the Rocks which attract frogs and salamanders to breed during the spring rains. If you look in the formal garden pond in April you may glimpse Spotted Salamanders and Leopard Frogs if you are lucky.
Garter Snakes are common in the gardens and around the buildings. They frequent granite stones or blocks where they can keep warm. They also hunt around the pool catching frogs as the one in the picture has done.
Birdlife at the Rocks Estate
Killdeer
Cedar Waxwing
American Kestrel
With the great diversity of habitats from fields to mature hardwoods and wetlands to thick, soft wood cover, the number of bird species is extremely varied. Bring your binoculars and favorite id book and enjoy time looking for birds at the Rocks Estate.
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| Northern Goshawk | Eastern Wild Turkey |
Northern Goshawks are being studied at the Rocks, two birds were banded in 2005. Wild turkeys have ideal habitat between the fields of Christmas trees and the wooded areas. Cedar waxwings nest in the Christmas trees and Kestrels can be seen hovering over the fields. Killdeer, Woodcock and Bobolinks take advantage of delayed mowing that allows for ground nesting opportunities. Cliff swallows nest under the eaves of the Tool Building and Pilated Woodpeckers can be heard throughout the woods. Ruffed Grouse drum on the grounds during the spring and can be seen taking off during the rest of the year.
 Cliff Swallow nest |
 Pileated Woodpecker |
 Ruffed Grouse |
 Woodcock nest |
Photos by Nigel Manley