Seven were on our trip to view the reservation in its major reduced state.. Several observations were made in the course of the pre-walk by me and the walk with FAR participants. The density of deer and coyote tracks on the North Trail testifies to the compression of the wildlife population into a habitat half the size of the pre-destruction. Indeed, during the pre-walk I spotted two coyotes near the construction site that, hemmed in by the fence, were obliged to reveal themselves as they trotted toward the phragmites stand. Normally they would have slipped off unobserved into the silver maple forest. As I discussed with the group, the sudden destruction of the forest is unaccountable in the experience of wild animals and they are probably in some confusion about what has happened and how to rearrange their circumstances. The coyotes that have been squeezed into the North Trail corridor are scratch-scenting heavily as they seek to redefine their relationships and ranges.

There are two approaches to the construction of the housing development with respect to wildlife habitat. The first is to try to discourage invasion of the remaining habitat by spill-over from the development in the forms of kids, dogs, cats, joggers, mountain bikers, dog-walkers, commuters, paint-ball warriors and the like. The other is to try to manage and direct these uses to a relatively small area of the remaining habitat. I suggest a combination. First, actively obstruct the North Trail west of the last field (the one with the kestrel box). Since I believe FAR constructed the trail without DCR knowledge or permission, I see no reason why FAR shouldn't deconstruct it. No cutting of materials need be done; simply pull debris over the trail. Within a year or two the trail will over-grow and disappear by the time the housing development is occupied, Secondly, since water is bound to be an attraction to residents of the development, you may wish to "emphasize" the short section of trail from the development to Little Pond. This may help to reduce the number of spontaneous trails that are otherwise likely to appear as residents find their own ways to the water and invade habitat in the process. A little judicious clipping and marking should be enough to channel use to the short section of trail between the building and pond.

It is unlikely, of course, that these measures will totally preserve what is left of the greater alewife ecosystem. There are and will be obvious losses, but, as is the case in so many assaults by developers on wildlife habitat, the best that can be done is to limit the losses as best you can.

Have as merry a Christmas as is possible under the circumstances. --David