Natural Areas of the South Shore of Long Island

Terrell River County Park
(East Moriches)

A visit to Terrell River County Park Preserve treats you with a bay vista that looks little different from what it was like centuries ago. This is because it is one of the only rivers on Long Island that has not been dredged but still has access to the bay. You won’t see any large boats on its wide channel. Because it was not navigable for large boats, earlier developers could not reach its river frontage upstream.

This South Shore treasure is little known and one of the newer county preserves. The 263-acre preserve was formerly known as the “Havens Estate.” In 1986, the county purchased this land under threat of development, viewing it as an important step in protecting the quality of the bay’s water and the quality of life for humans. Terrell River is important to Long Island’s ecosystem because it is a nursery ground for game fish and crustaceans. It is also a birding paradise, with outstanding habitat for a wide variety of birds. These include egrets, herons, great horned owl, long-eared owl, and screech owl, as well as songbirds, waterfowl, and shorebirds.

It is fascinating to observe the transition of habitat as you walk closer to the bay. The first part of the trail goes through younger forest of white oak, Atlantic white cedar, and prickly ash. You soon enter a mature forest of scarlet, white and black oaks, along with sassafras and catbrier. As you get closer to the bay, it changes to pitch pine, American holly, Atlantic white cedar and gray birch. Then it becomes pitch pine barrens.

Just before you reach the beach, you encounter a “wall” of cedars. Then it suddenly opens up to views of a freshwater marsh, salt marsh and the bay. The beach is pristine with a tranquil vista of Moriches Bay. Shells of blue mussels, once a commercially important shellfish, are abundant on the beach. Two osprey nest platforms are easily observed here.

Early in 2001, Suffolk County designated the Moriches Bay Audubon Society to act as stewards for the county park. They work together to offer outdoor education programs for classes and community groups. Contact them at 631-878-5576, Moriches Bay Audubon Society Nature Center at Taylor Pond, Montauk Highway, Center Moriches, NY 11934.

How to Get There: Take Sunrise Highway (Route 27) to exit 59. Stay on the South Service Road to Railroad Avenue. Turn right (south) onto Railroad Avenue and take it to Montauk Highway (Main Street, Rt. 80). Turn left onto Montauk Highway. In 0.8 miles, turn left into the parking lot for Kalers Pond Town Park. After seeing its waterfowl-filled pond, walk across Montauk Highway. Watch very carefully for traffic! The trailhead is visible on the other side, marked by a sign “Suffolk County Parkland.”

Walk on the main trail, ignoring four side trails. It is 1.3 miles to the bay. Observe the transition of the vegetation as you near the shore. Just after you enter the Pine Barrens, look on your left for an artesian well. Because its water is under great pressure from deep layers below, it ejects water from its faucet with great force.

Turn left at the beach and walk to the end of the spit, which creates a bay for the Terrell River just before it enters Moriches Bay. Look for osprey platforms and wildlife. Note how relatively undeveloped the scene is. On your return walk, take the first right-hand trail if you wish to explore the preserve further.

Access Guide Introduction :: Map and Guide :: More Estuary Site Information
	Terrell River County Park (East Moriches) A visit to Terrell River County Park Preserve treats you with a bay vista that looks little different from what it was like centuries ago. This is because it is one of the only rivers on Long Island that has not been dredged but still has access to the bay. You won’t see any large boats on its wide channel. Because it was not navigable for large boats, earlier developers could not reach its river frontage upstream. This South Shore treasure is little known and one of the newer county preserves. The 263-acre preserve was formerly known as the “Havens Estate.” In 1986, the county purchased this land under threat of development, viewing it as an important step in protecting the quality of the bay’s water and the quality of life for humans. Terrell River is important to Long Island’s ecosystem because it is a nursery ground for game fish and crustaceans. It is also a birding paradise, with outstanding habitat for a wide variety of birds. These include egrets, herons, great horned owl, long-eared owl, and screech owl, as well as songbirds, waterfowl, and shorebirds. It is fascinating to observe the transition of habitat as you walk closer to the bay. The first part of the trail goes through younger forest of white oak, Atlantic white cedar, and prickly ash. You soon enter a mature forest of scarlet, white and black oaks, along with sassafras and catbrier. As you get closer to the bay, it changes to pitch pine, American holly, Atlantic white cedar and gray birch. Then it becomes pitch pine barrens. Just before you reach the beach, you encounter a “wall” of cedars. Then it suddenly opens up to views of a freshwater marsh, salt marsh and the bay. The beach is pristine with a tranquil vista of Moriches Bay. Shells of blue mussels, once a commercially important shellfish, are abundant on the beach. Two osprey nest platforms are easily observed here. Early in 2001, Suffolk County designated the Moriches Bay Audubon Society to act as stewards for the county park. They work together to offer outdoor education programs for classes and community groups. Contact them at 631-878-5576, Moriches Bay Audubon Society Nature Center at Taylor Pond, Montauk Highway, Center Moriches, NY 11934. How to Get There: Take Sunrise Highway (Route 27) to exit 59. Stay on the South Service Road to Railroad Avenue. Turn right (south) onto Railroad Avenue and take it to Montauk Highway (Main Street, Rt. 80). Turn left onto Montauk Highway. In 0.8 miles, turn left into the parking lot for Kalers Pond Town Park. After seeing its waterfowl-filled pond, walk across Montauk Highway. Watch very carefully for traffic! The trailhead is visible on the other side, marked by a sign “Suffolk County Parkland.” Walk on the main trail, ignoring four side trails. It is 1.3 miles to the bay. Observe the transition of the vegetation as you near the shore. Just after you enter the Pine Barrens, look on your left for an artesian well. Because its water is under great pressure from deep layers below, it ejects water from its faucet with great force. Turn left at the beach and walk to the end of the spit, which creates a bay for the Terrell River just before it enters Moriches Bay. Look for osprey platforms and wildlife. Note how relatively undeveloped the scene is. On your return walk, take the first right-hand trail if you wish to explore the preserve further.