• Haile Farm Preserve
• New Industrial Way, Warren, RI
• Trailhead: 41°45’3.16″N, 71°16’28.56″W
• First Time Hiked: November 26, 2015
• Last Time Hiked: June 11, 2019
• Approximate distance hiked: 1.5 miles
• Fairly easy, can be muddy in areas.

A hidden gem tucked away behind an industrial plaza, Haile Farm Preserve has transformed over the last year or so into one of Rhode Islands must see properties, especially if you are a birder. The property, once owned by the Town of Warren, has been transferred over to the Warren Land Conservation Trust. A visit to the property back in 2015 revealed several unmarked trails with many spurs, some dead-ending. Now the property, with the help of the local Boy Scouts, is well blazed and mapped. A fairly easy one and a half mile hike can be done here by following the red blazed New Industrial Trail through a right of way to the green blazed Dick Hallberg Trail. This is the main loop of the property. Turning right here you will pass a pond on the right. Swans and great blue herons are commonly seen here. After leaving the pond area the trail winds though a field with milkweed before entering the woods. Look for vernal pools and stone walls in this area. A short yellow blazed trail will lead you along the power lines for a bit before returning to the green trail. Look for nests on the poles or in particular a nesting pole beyond the power poles. An eagle has been spotted nesting here, giving this short trail its name. Turning right onto the green trail once again, in a few feet you will come to the orange blazed Tom’s Island View Trail. This is the first of the two trails that lead you to the salt marshes of the Palmer River. (Tom’s Island is off to the right in the river). At the end of this trail and to the north you can catch another glimpse of the eagle nest. Binoculars or a spotting scope is recommended for birders. Retrace your steps back to the green trail, turn right and follow the trail over boardwalks through some of salt marsh. Soon you will come to the blue blazed Salt Marsh on the right. Follow out to the end for another glimpse of the river. From the point and to the south you can see the Route 114 Bridge by the American Tourister Building. Also an osprey nest can be seen from here. From here retrace your steps to the green trail, stay to the right and follow it back to the red trail where you will turn right to exit the property. Do note the osprey nest up on the cell phone tower as well. The property is abundant with birds. Besides swans, osprey, and an eagle.  Cardinals, finches, woodpeckers, geese, and a red tailed hawk were observed here.

Trail map can be found at: Haile Farm Preserve

Palmer River at Haile Farm Preserve