Photo: Jay Willet/WBZ NewsRadio
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation hosted several "Gratitude After Gravy" hikes around the state, including Taunton, Andover, and East Boston's Belle Isle Marsh Reservation.
"We're really kicked off to get people outside the day after Thanksgiving. Work off some of those calories, but actually just realize the parts that nature has for us. That nature actually gets us outside, connects with different people," DCR's Heather Famico said.
The walks give participants an opportunity to learn about the various habitats in the state. Famico guided visitors through a mile-long hike through the salt marsh, giving the history of Belle Isle.
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"You're in the middle of the city, you step off this main road, and you're in this oasis that you wouldn't even know was there unless you actually stop, pause, and look."
Matthew Nash of DCR shared his wide-ranging knowledge of the native seals, occasional deer, and birds of prey in the area. Visitors also got a chance to observe raptor season.
"The winter's a good time to see raptors like red-tailed hawks, perhaps the occasional snowy owl," Nash said.
The DCR took over the land in the 80s. The area used to be a drive-in movie theater and before that it was used as a dump. Now it's a salt marsh home to hundreds of birds including falcons, cooper's hawks, snowy owls, and bald eagles.
WBZ NewsRadio’s Jay Willett (@JayWillettWBZ) reports.