One of my favorite places on Cape Cod is a local treasure that unveils itself when the tide goes out. The Brewster Flats are an expanse of sand bars and tide pools that extend as far as 2 miles from shore – A wonderful spot for an eco-adventure.
On the lowest tides of the summer months, Cape Cod Sea Campers awake at dawn to explore this expanse. Collecting nets and buckets in hand, campers head out to discover the critters that reside in and about the flats. Green Crabs, Calico Crabs, Blue Crabs, Hermit Crabs, Spider Crabs and Horseshoe Crabs are among the first in the nets. Subsequent drags through the eel grass reveal Pipefish (related to Seahorses), Flounder, Sticklebacks, Shrimp, Eels and a number of marine arthropods.
As the tide reaches low, campers turn their attention to life under the sand. A lesson in clam digging is always fun and quite rewarding. Finds of Quahogs, Sea Clams, Razor Clams, Steamer Clams and Oysters are fun discoveries. Upon occasion, a sharp eye is rewarded with a Blue Eyed Scallop which are very scarce these days. One year we even came upon a newly molted Lobster among the inner rock piles.
On warm afternoons, the flats provide a unique play area for flats games, sand castle building and lounging in the sun. The Brewster Flats are also world-renown by fly fisherman who can sight fish for cruising Striped Bass and Blue Fish in very shallow waters as the tide turns and schools of fish flood over the flats. This is truly a remarkable location and continues to inspire many campers to pursue further interests in marine exploration.
