Kesick Swamp

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Kesick Swamp Wildlife Management Area General Description Common Fish and Wildlife Kesick Swamp Wildlife Management Area (WMA) is Mammals Beavers are an active and integral part of Kesick an 80-acre parcel of land owned by the State of Vermont Swamp WMA. They are responsible for maintaining the and managed by the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department. habitat for many other species including mink, otters, The WMA is located in the town of Sunderland just off raccoons and muskrats. White-tailed deer can be found in Route 7 between Exits 3 and 4. Access to the WMA is the forested areas of the WMA. There have been numerous through a 25-foot long right-of-way at the end of Beaver moose and black bear sightings on this WMA since it lays Meadow Road, which is located off Sunderland Hill Road. along a travel corridor. A small parking lot will be installed there in the near future. Birds Kesick Swamp WMA provides suitable habitat for History many nesting and migratory birds. Great blue herons have a During colonial times, Kesick Swamp was designated small rookery here. These birds are quite sensitive to human the King’s Parade Ground by the town of Sunderland. The disturbance near the colony site and are known to abandon townspeople felt that the King would never come to nests when disturbed. Please keep a respectful distance. The Sunderland, Vermont, and they didn’t want to waste good most commonly seen species are wood ducks, mallards, land for his parading ground. black ducks, hooded mergansers, red-winged black birds, The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department purchased kingfishers, teal and Canada geese. Great egrets have also the land from the Hongs and the Schmalers in 1994, using been spotted on the property. These large white birds stand State Waterfowl Stamp funds. Please be respectful and do about 35-40 inches tall and have a 55-inch wingspan. not disturb the cabin located on the WMA. It has a life Woodcock and ruffed grouse can be found throughout the interest held by the previous landowner. wooded areas of the WMA.

Habitat Features Reptiles and Amphibians Several species of salamanders Kesick Swamp WMA is an historic beaver pond can be found on the WMA including spotted, northern two- meadow. The beaver dam gets washed out and is rebuilt lined, northern dusky, spring and eastern red-backed periodically - a natural cycle. This cycle was demonstrated salamanders. There are also eastern newts. In the spring in 2002 when the dam was destroyed by a storm. The pond and summer, the calls of American toads, gray treefrogs, drained and became a meadow; and the beavers rebuilt the spring peepers, green, pickerel and wood frogs can be heard dam, which formed a pond again. Other wildlife benefits in the swamp. Snapping, painted and wood turtles can be from either condition. Cole Brook and Beaver Meadow found in or around the marshland. Garter and milk snakes Brook are the water sources for the WMA. The wetland is a are more likely to be found in the forests around the swamp. mix of cattails and scrub shrub emergent marsh with a fringe of alder, red maple and white pine. The wetland Fish Brook trout and several other species of fish can be habitat edged by forest provides great habitat for a number found in the two brooks and the beaver pond. of species. It is an excellent watchable-wildlife site, especially from a canoe or kayak.

A view of the beaver pond at Kesick Swamp WMA. Lawrence Pyne photo.

Kesick Swamp WMA is open to regulated hunting, trapping, fishing, hiking and wildlife viewing.

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Vermont Fish & Wildlife De! partment

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Kesick! Swamp WMA: 80 acres Wildlife Management Area !

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! This map is for illustrative purposes only. The accuracy of the data !| Car-top Access During Big Game ! layers shown on this map are limited by the accuracy of the source materials. No warranty as to the accuracy or the usefullness of the Seasons Only ! data is expressed or implied. !i Parking

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