Udall's Cove natural areas

Northern Blvd., 244 St. to 247 St., Douglas Rd., Little Neck Bay

In the midst of a developed residential area, this 30-acre natural area, which includes an inlet off of Little Neck Bay, is an important habitat area for northeastern Queens. The natural area was protected in 1972 to save precious wetlands and forest from the increasing development. In the salt marsh of Udalls Cove Park, clapper rails (Rallus crepitans) stalk silently through the salt grasses. Snowy egrets (Egretta thula) carefully wade through the calm waters and osprey (Pandion haliaetus) dive for fish.

Aurora Pond is located in the middle of the park, its placid waters alive with dragonflies and wood ducks (Aix sponsa). Raccoons (Procyon lotor) also hunt along the edges. Common reed (Phragmites australis) lines the brackish inlet known as Gabler's Creek, which flows into Little Neck Bay. Wooded uplands of silver maple (Acer saccharinum), black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia), and box elder (Acer negundo) are scattered about the cove.