For decades this has been an important birding site, for its waterfowl, marsh birds, and migrating passerines. Wood Ducks breed here in good numbers, and Virginia Rails can be heard calling. There is an active colony of Night Heron. Among the 81 species cataloged in 2003 were Osprey, American Kestrels, Eastern Kingbirds, Warbling Vireos, Gray Catbirds, Yellow Warblers, Baltimore Orioles, and Orchard Orioles. Also watch for Northern Harriers, Sharp-shinned Hawks, Red-shouldered Hawks, and Merlins, as well as herons, egrets, and ibises.

Once a large cranberry-growing operation, this nearly 2,000-acre Burrage Pond Wildlife Management Area (WMA) contains extensive wetlands, ponds, and forested swamps. This area was once known as the Great Cedar Swamp and portions were logged for cedar and mined for bog iron in the 17th and 18th centuries. Since acquiring the land in 2002, MassWildlife has been restoring the cranberry bogs to natural emergent wetlands for improved wildlife habitat. Visitors of all ages and abilities can walk the miles of old cranberry bog dikes. Paddlers can float one of the many reservoirs in a canoe or kayak and look for ducks, herons, and marsh birds. More adventurous visitors can explore the expansive red maple and Atlantic white cedar swamps.

Visitors can observe common mammals and numerous turtles and snakes, along with many species of moths, butterflies, and native pollinators. Over 200 species of birds have been documented on the property, including ducks, geese, raptors, egrets, herons, bitterns, rails, shorebirds, and a variety of songbirds

There are more than 10 miles of public trails on the property. They are primarily the broad and flat dirt roads commonly found around cranberry bogs. This is easy walking and a popular spot for horses and leashed dogs. There is a second entrance on Elm Street in Hanson and another on Elm Street in Halifax. Additional access via the Indian Crossway Conservation Area on Crooker Place in Hanson.

The AllTrails website has descriptions and maps of hikes at Burrage Pond Wildlife Management Area.