If you are familiar with birding this location, please help other birders with a description, tips for birding, or photos - suggest content - upload photos.

Located approximately 6.5 miles southeast of Providence, this IBA spans the municipalities of Barrington and East Providence. Contiguous wetland habitat lies upstream along the Runnins River over the border into Massachusetts. The IBA is surrounded by lands representing a variety of land use including commercial, institutional, residential, agricultural, and recreational uses.

The salt marsh system included within this IBA is the third largest salt marsh estuary in Rhode Island. This system provides important breeding populations of Clapper Rail (Rallus longirostris), Seaside Sparrow (Ammodramus maritima), and Marsh Wren (Cistothorus palustris). A colony of Common Tern (Sterna hirundo) historically nested on "The Tongue" a spit of marsh that bisects the cove.

Some comprehensive work on salt marsh sparrows was conducted in this marsh back in the early 80?s by Steve Reinert, where he reported (for example) in 1981 a total of 16 pairs (12 nests found) in the northeast section alone. Adding the additional salt marsh habitat in the northeast section, and in the cove and lower Runnins River, Walter Berry of the USEPA Office in Rhode Island was able to record 58 individuals during a survey conducted in 2007.

Survey efforts in 2007 also revealed the presence of Willets in suitable nesting habitat during the breeding season (7 birds counted), and 9 Seaside Sparrows. The marsh also likely provides suitable habitat for nesting rails, and foraging habitat for various long-legged waders. During late fall, winter, and early spring months, large concentrations of bay ducks can be found in the cove and the adjacent Runnins River.

The area of Hundred Acre Cove known as "The Tongue" is also the only known breeding locality of the Diamonded Back Terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin) in Rhode Island (R. Enser - personal communication).

With support and numerous partners, Save The Bay is leading the development of a comprehensive water quality restoration plan for Hundred Acre Cove.