Enfield WMA--Lower Shaker Village

Enfield WMA--Lower Shaker Village

Enfield, New Hampshire 03748

Tips for Birding

Lower Shaker Village Wildlife Management Area is located in Enfield along NH-4A just south of the Shaker Museum across from Landing Road.  A long driveway leads to a parking area and numerous trails. A good place to look for birds is between the parking area and the West Meadow Barn, constructed in 1856, and located to the right of the entrance road.
From Jim Block

About this Location

Situated on the easterly side of NH-4A, Lower Shaker Village Wildlife Management Area includes over 70 acres of meadowland that begins on the NH-4A plain and rises in a series of benches to a 1,100-foot elevation. The upper fields provide spectacular views of Mascoma Lake and the valley, as well as providing important edge habitat for a variety of upland game. Over 1,000 acres of woodland surround the Route 4A fields. An expansive network of trails extends through the forested portion of the property. Examples of Shaker stonework are found throughout the woodland in many stonewalls and a set of canals that collected water for powering the stone mill located on NH-4A. Apple trees occupy some of the fields. There is an active sugarbush (stand of maple sugar trees for sapping).

Habitat projects take place on this property to enhance early successional habitat and rehabilitate soft mast-bearing trees on field edges. These projects are funded in part by the Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program (WHIP) through the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service.

Upland species include all big game and small game, as well as various songbirds. The Mascoma chapter of the Audubon Society of New Hampshire maintains a bluebird box program. The fields are all managed for grassland wildlife such as bobolinks and meadowlarks.

From the US-4 and NH-4A intersection in Lebanon, head 3.3 miles on NH-4A, passing Lake Mascoma and the Enfield Shaker Museum on your left to reach the Lower Shaker Wildlife Management Area driveway on your right. The trailhead parking is located ahead at the corner of a field. Note: The trailhead parking area is not plowed in the winter.

Notable Trails

The TrailFinder website and the AllTrails website have descriptions and maps of hikes at Lower Shaker Village Wildlife Management Area.

Features

  • Restrooms on site

  • Wheelchair accessible trail

  • Entrance fee

Content from TrailFinder website

Last updated January 11, 2024

From TrailFinder website