The entire area is now an EPA Superfund Study site. Intensive biota sampling during the field study phase of the Superfund investigation in 1984 produced the world-record snapping turtle from Constitution Marsh, and Bob Boyle has several times collected the rare giant stonefly Allonarcys biloba at sea level in Indian Brook, a trout stream which enters the tidal flat at the south end of Constitution Marsh. An 1837 attempt by Henry Warner to farm wild rice in the marsh failed, but left several miles of interconnecting channels, making Constitution Marsh the most accessible of any on the Hudson River. A nature trail terminating in a 300-foot boardwalk into Constitution Marsh is open to the public year around. Blue crabs, bluefish and needlefish have retreated down the Hudson.
Small herring are still present in the early month but gone by the middle.
Lingering marsh wrens and swamp sparrows work silently through the marsh vegetation, gleaning the last of the spiders and small insects and occasionally whispering snatches of their vibrant summer songs. Chickadees, downy woodpeckers and late-migrating warblers often join them. September Red dragonflies are still around and warm days can bring incredible midge hatches. Southbound Monarch butterflies drift over the marsh on lazy wings. Shortening daylengths mean less chlorophyll production, and cattails and hardwoods which entered October green and vigorous have faded into their fall colors by mid-month.