I didn’t expect to see a bald eagle nest and a swooping bald eagle parent within three weeks of moving to Northampton. But that’s what happened on my first visit to the Meadows.
Since moving, I’ve learned that “The Meadows of Northampton” can mean pretty much anywhere along the Connecticut River that’s just above “The Oxbow” — another term I’ve since come to know well. But my first meadow experience was in the conservation area that’s north or (or maybe even part of?) the Mass Audubon Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary.
The entrance to the conservation area—or at least one of them—is behind a residential street, Pynchon Meadow Road. I’m not sure where one would park if they drove there, but it’s fairly easy to find on-foot. Then again, I say this as someone who followed a guide there. I’m actually not sure I would’ve ever found the place myself. Which is maybe why no one seems to ever be here, despite it being a peaceful, lovely place with lots of birds.
While there’s some swampy shady bits, it seems less like a meadow to me and more like an open grassy field with views of the mountains that blew my mind when I first saw them (and they still kind of do, to be honest).
Alongside a mowed path there are some trees. On this day, there was an active bald eagle nest! It was hard to get too close, but even still, when the eagle swooped low, I might’ve screamed a little.
The walking path makes a big loop, turning into some dirt roads at some parts. It extends all the way down to The Oxbow, which looks like a fairly basic river and boat launch from the ground. I didn’t full appreciate what a cool and unusual formation The Oxbow really is until later, when I saw it from above, atop Mount Holyoke.