Narragansett Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve

04/28/2026

In this week's installment of Camera Trap Tuesday, we bring you the 'what lurks beneath the surface' edition! Cue spooky music. These images were captured recently at a kettle pond here at the Reserve on Prudence Island. We first noticed the critters on the surface...a muskrat and mallard duck. However, upon closer inspection, there is a GIANT snapping turtle lurking in the foreground of each photo. Just patiently waiting to be noticed. We'd never have known had our muskrat and duck not triggered the camera to snap a pic! If you have trouble spotting the snapper, swipe to the next couple of photos to see it circled in blue.

04/22/2026

On this Earth Day, we're highlighting one of our favorite winter visitors with a most impressive change in plumage. Meet the Horned Grebe! This small waterbird arrives by the hundreds to spend the winter off the shores of Prudence Island, feeding on an abundance of food in Narragansett Bay. When they arrive in the fall, they are gray and white with a brilliant red eye. Fast forward to spring and wow! What a dapper-looking bird, all decked out in rusty brown, black, and those yellow 'horns' which are fancy feather tufts. If you're hoping to catch a glimpse of them in breeding plumage, now is the time. Horned Grebes will be leaving our waters soon, heading for Canada and Alaska to begin the breeding season.

03/25/2026

Check out the latest update on forest health projects!

03/17/2026

03/12/2026

There's a lot to be said for a good branch, or so say the birds. Our trail camera has been catching lots of great images this winter, and this branch is clearly a fan favorite (even if the blizzard did bend it over for a while). It's adjacent to a shallow stream that has been frequented by birds and mammals alike all winter as they seek out a water source.
📷 In order of appearance: Blue Jay, Eastern Bluebird (2 pics), Hermit Thrush (fluffed up to ward off cold temps), Northern Cardinal, White-throated Sparrow, and Hermit Thrush.

03/11/2026

South Reserve Drive has been reopened.

03/11/2026

FYI, for folks on Prudence Island today. Small pile burns to take place in the center part of the island. Please see the image below for full details.

02/24/2026

Please be advised that the Reserve is currently inaccessible due to snow. We will provide an update when roads have been cleared and are safe.

02/18/2026

Please be advised South Reserve Dr. is closed from the NBNERR headquarters to the lower gate. It will reopen as soon as it is safe to drive. Thank you!!

02/06/2026

In 2025, our Stewardship team was hard at work with habitat and wildlife monitoring in addition to beginning some forest health projects to restore the oak forests and enhance the pine barrens on Prudence Island.
Check out our 2025 Stewardship Report to see highlights from this past year’s work!
http://nbnerr.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/StewardshipAnnualReport_2025.pdf