Towns: Newbury, West Newbury
Acreage: 2,135
Wildlife Management Zone: 10
Waterfowl Zone : Central and North Coastal
Description
This WMA is named for Martin H. Burns, a sportsman, farmer, and public servant who advocated for the protection of open space in the early 1950s. The property is part of a collection of conserved lands in the region. The shrublands, young forests, and mature woodlands support a diverse array of wildlife and plant species. The rocky terrain is interspersed by vernal pools, beaver ponds, streams, freshwater marshes, and forested swamps. Several maintenance roads wind through the WMA and can be used for walking, hiking, birding, cross-country skiing, and hunting access. For a wild experience, visitors can also explore unmarked trails, but please remember that marking or expanding trails is not permitted. MassWildlife manages shrublands and young forests with mowing and invasive plant treatment to maintain vigorous, healthy wildlife habitat. The headwaters of Cart Creek and Little River originate within the protected boundaries of the WMA. Cart Creek supports American eels and, occasionally, herring. Visit Haystack Boulder near the Scotland Road parking area and watch for other glacial erratic boulders in the area.
Location, access, & parking
The main entrance to the WMA is on Orchard Street. There is an additional pull-off available on Scotland Road. See WMA Map.
Note: WMA's are intentionally wild, visitors will find natural landscapes rather than maintained trails.
Habitat management
Shrubland and young forest habitat is maintained every 5-7 years by mowing and treating for invasive plants. Current projects include invasive plant species control and additional shrubland clearing. Open lands are managed for American woodcock and a variety of shrubland bird species.
Learn more about MassWildlife’s habitat management activities.
Hunting opportunities
White-tailed deer, wild turkeys, foxes, eastern cottontail rabbits, squirrels, and coyotes can be found here. Woodcock are abundant in the managed shrubland and along maintenance roads. Beaver flowages and marshes are excellent for hunting waterfowl and trapping aquatic furbearers. Ring-necked pheasants are stocked throughout the fall season.
Wildlife viewing & other features
Vernal pools, marshes, shrublands, and forests provide habitat for a diversity of wildlife. Sightings of scarlet tanagers, rose-breasted grosbeaks, indigo buntings, and other songbirds are common, and you may even hear an eastern whip-poor-will after dark. At dusk, listen for the wing whirr of woodcock. Birdwatching is particularly rewarding in May during spring migration. Take time to explore the vernal pools and the unique wildlife found within them. Look for fairy shrimp, red-spotted newts, iridescent wood frog and green frog tadpoles, spotted salamanders, and snapping turtles. When walking along the beaver flowages, watch as ducklings learn to feed from their mothers and listen for the warning slap of a beaver’s tail.
Regulations
During pheasant season, a blaze orange hat must be worn by all hunters except while night-hunting raccoon or opossum or while hunting waterfowl from within a blind or boat. No person shall hunt before sunrise or after sunset during the open season on pheasant, except for the hunting of raccoon or opossum between 9 p.m. and 3 a.m. A small target range, approximately in the center of the WMA, requires a special permit for use.
About Wildlife Management Areas
MassWildlife owns and manages over 220,000 acres of land to conserve fish and wildlife habitats and provide access for outdoor recreation. All WMAs are open to hunting, fishing, trapping, and other outdoor recreation activities. Visit the MassWildlife Lands Viewer for an interactive map of MassWildlife properties.
You can support land protection in Massachusetts. Contributions to the Wildlands Fund help pay for the cost of acquiring wildlife habitat. Learn more about the Wildlands Fund.