Heron Point Sanctuary, Newmarket, NH
This wooded area overlooks the upper tidal portion of the Lamprey River, just before the dam in downtown Newmarket. The lookout platform and boardwalk along the riverbank are comfortable places to view the river and old mill buildings in town.
From spring to fall a variety of birds congregate there. Dozens of mallards loaf and feed on handouts at the town landing on the opposite shore. An occasional sandpiper runs about the shoreline in search of food. Cormorants, gulls, mergansers, white fronted geese and, of course, great blue heron, have be seen feeding in this part of the river—a particularly convenient spot for some of them in spring when the herring congregate below the damn before heading upstream to spawn.
Up in the woods behind the platform, a .07-mile trail loops through the woods and alongside the riverbank downstream.
From Route 108 in Newmarket, take Bay Road less than a quarter mile to a right on Meadow Drive. Near the end of this short drive on the right is the dirt road to the parking area for the Heron Point Sanctuary. A map of the trail is there on a display board.
Joyce's Kitchen across the river serves a tasty breakfast or lunch. You can also stroll along the back of the mill buildings there and find a walkway over the river right in front of the dam's waterfall.