Thompson Pond thrives as ecological gem

By Gabrielle Antoniadis
For the Poughkeepsie Journal

Ancient and beautiful, the Thompson Pond basin, in Pine Plains in northern Dutchess County, was formed nearly 15,000 years ago during the Pleistocene Epoch when a massive ice chunk melted and formed a depression, called a kettle.

Over time, as sediments accumulated and marshlands formed, the kettle was divided into three interconnected water bodies, of which Thompson Pond is one. Lying in the shadow of Stissing Mountain and surrounded by cattail marshes, this glacial pond and surrounding area abounds with a variety of wildlife.

With more than 245 identified species of land plants, 142 wetland plant species, 162 species of birds and 27 mammal species, the preserve is a wonder to explore.

The combination of pond, marsh, swamp and upland forest accounts for this diverse array of wildlife. Thompson Pond itself constitutes the headwaters of Wappinger Creek, which is a major tributary of the Hudson River.

Thompson Pond is especially known for its birds. Migratory birds, including ducks and warblers, pass through in great numbers, and is one of the best spots in the region for observing water birds such as rails. Red-tailed hawks nest in the area and golden eagles soar over open fields and near the peak of Stissing Mountain.

For those more interested in what’s underfoot, the preserve boasts a variety of vegetation, including several rare plant species, numerous wildflowers and ferns. Wetland plants around the pond include pipewort, round-leaved sundew and marsh St. Johnswort. Woodlands are made up of oaks, sugar maples, ash, hemlock and hickory.

Thompson Pond is protected now, largely thanks to the efforts of local citizens who banded together in 1958 and enlisted the help of The Nature Conservancy. The preserve is managed by The Nature Conservancy and has grown to 507 acres.

In 1973, Thompson Pond was designated a National Natural Landmark by the U.S. Department of the Interior. It is considered an excellent example of a calcareous wetland (calcareous means it’s limy).

Twenty years ago, the American Museum of Natural History in New York City recognized the uniqueness of the Thompson Pond-Stissing Mountain ecosystem and used it as the setting for a three-dimensional exhibit that exists today.

There are several trails around the pond. For stunning views of the area, take the steep trail leading to a historic fire tower on the top of Stissing Mountain. The preserve is open dawn to dusk for passive recreational and educational uses, such as cross-country skiing, hiking and bird study.

Gabrielle Antoniadis is development coordinator of the Lower Hudson chapter of The Nature Conservancy, an international environmental organization.