Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Black-capped Chickadee Parus atricapillus ©Robert Royse Website

Birding Massachusetts

Massachusetts has a long and rich birding history. The Nuttall Ornithological Club – the oldest bird club in North America, and parent organisation to the American Ornithologists Union – was founded in Cambridge in 1873. In 1896, the protest of two Boston Brahmin women against the use of bird feathers in the millinery trade eventually lead to the establishment of the Massachusetts Audubon Society – the oldest such organisation in the country. Ludlow Griscom – Dean of Field Ornithology – held a research position at Harvard University from 1927 until his retirement in 1955. Griscom was the first to effectively demonstrate that birds need not be collected to be correctly identified. And in 1975, the discovery of a Ross’s Gull in Newburyport attracted hundreds of birders from around North America and once and for all showed the world that birding was not just a sport for little old ladies in tennis shoes.

Massachusetts is varied in both topography and biological diversity. The mountains of Berkshire County in western Massachusetts have the highest elevation in the state (3,491); and are home to a number of northern breeding species, such as Olive-sided Flycatcher, Blackpoll and Mourning warblers, and as recently as the 1970s, Bicknell’s Thrush. There are many fine locations in the Berkshires to watch migrating hawks in autumn, and irruptive northern finches are more likely to be found in Berkshire County than in any other part of the state.

The agricultural plains and neighbouring wooded hills of the Connecticut River Valley represent a highway for migratory songbirds in spring and fall. Snow Geese pass through the valley in spectacular numbers during migration, and in 1997, two Ross’s Geese were discovered among an enormous flock of Snow Geese – the first for Massachusetts. In late August, hundreds of migrating Common Nighthawks can often be seen hunting flying ants at dusk.

Quabbin Reservoir in central Massachusetts is the only consistent breeding location for Cerulean Warblers in the Commonwealth, and with nearby Wachusett Reservoir represents the southernmost breeding locale for Common Loons in the country. The greatest draw at Quabbin, however, is the Bald Eagle population, with several pairs breeding since 1989, and impressive concentrations of over-wintering birds every year. At Enfield lookout in Belchertown, one can almost be assured of finding a group of eagle watchers any day in the winter, all with scopes set up and engaged in lively conversation about eagle behaviour. In eastern Worcester County, Mount Wachusett and Mount Watatic are popular spring and fall hawk-watching locales.

The North Shore of Essex County features two of the best-known birding locations in the country. Parker River National Wildlife Refuge (i.e. Plum Island) and adjacent Newburyport are justifiably famous for vagrants, as well as shorebirds in migration, and both waterfowl and raptors during the winter. At Cape Ann, especially in winter, one can almost always encounter birders searching the offshore waters for loons, seabirds, ducks, and gulls. Following south-west winds in spring, both Plum Island and Cape Ann periodically collect impressive numbers of migrating songbirds.

The Greater Boston area offers birders a number of options. The Blue Hills Reservation south of the city is one of the more reliable areas in the state for finding breeding Worm-eating Warblers, and the region was the location of the first breeding Black Vulture in Massachusetts (1998). A short subway ride from Logan Airport is Belle Isle Marsh in East Boston, a locality productive for both herons and shorebirds. Winthrop Beach is a fairly reliable spot to look for Barrow’s Goldeneye, King Eider, and Black-headed Gull in winter, and Mew Gulls have been reported here almost annually in recent years. Marblehead Neck and the Nahant peninsula north of Boston are famous migrant traps for songbirds, but perhaps best known is Mount Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge. Every day during spring migration one can join dozens, if not hundreds, of other birders enjoying spring migration.

The south-eastern mainland of Massachusetts includes both Plymouth and Bristol counties. In the pine-oak barrens of Plymouth’s Miles Standish State Forest, Whip-poor-wills are a common evening sound, and the barrier spit at Plymouth regularly supports breeding Piping Plovers, Common and Least terns, a few Roseate and Arctic terns, and occasionally a pair of Black Skimmers. In Halifax, agricultural fields belonging to Cumberland Farms often support Rough-legged Hawks by day and Short-eared Owls in the evening during the winter. The Dartmouth/Westport area has the largest breeding concentration of Ospreys in the Commonwealth, and is one of the few breeding areas in Massachusetts for White-eyed Vireo. Almost anywhere along the extensive shoreline of south-eastern Massachusetts it is possible to find a pleasant variety of ducks and shorebirds in season.

Cape Cod and the Islands are considerably farther south than the rest of Massachusetts, and consequently are good locations to search for southern species, such as Blue Grosbeak and Summer Tanager, during migration. At the elbow of Cape Cod is Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge and South Beach, a constantly shifting series of sandbars and mud flats, that are virtually shorebird magnets. Practically every shorebird rarity ever recorded in Massachusetts has found its way to this remarkable area at one time or another. The Cape and Islands are also the breeding grounds of several species found nowhere else in the state, but access to these breeding specialities is extremely limited. Tiny Penikese Island in Buzzards Bay is home to a small colony of Leach’s Storm-Petrels, and Northern Harriers and Short-eared Owls – now rare or absent as breeders on the mainland – still regularly nest on Tuckernuck Island off Nantucket. And despite the fact that Chuck-will’s-widow has never been confirmed as a breeder in Massachusetts, indications are that the species has likely been breeding on Martha’s Vineyard for over a quarter of a century.

The popularity of whale-watching makes pelagic birding in Massachusetts more accessible than in many other coastal localities. Whale-watching boats leave daily in the summer from various ports, including Newburyport, Gloucester, Boston, Plymouth, & Provincetown, and occasionally there are dedicated birding trips sponsored by local birding clubs to offshore waters.

Contributors
Number of Species
  • Number of bird species: 501

    (As at October 2018)

    State Bird - Black-capped Chickadee Parus atricapillus

Checklist
  • iGoTerra Checklist

    iGoTerra Checklist
    Fatbirder Associate iGoTerra offers the most comprehensive and up to date birds lists on the web
Useful Reading

  • A Birder's Guide to Eastern Massachusetts

    By Bird Observer, Barry W Van Dusen & Janet L Heywood | American Birding Association | 1994 | Spiralbound | 292 pages, B/w illustrations, maps | ISBN: 1878788086 Buy this book from NHBS.com
  • ABA Field Guide to Birds of Massachusetts

    By Wayne R Petersen & Brian E Small | Scott & Nix, Inc | 2017 | Paperback | 336 pages, colour photos | ISBN: 9781935622666 Buy this book from NHBS.com
  • Birds of Massachusetts

    By Richard R Veit, Wayne R Petersen, Barry W Van Dusen & RT Peterson | Massachusetts Audubon Society | 1993 | Hardback | 514 pages, B/w illustrations, maps | ISBN: 0932691110 Buy this book from NHBS.com
  • Massachusetts Birds: An Introduction to Familiar Species

    by James Kavanagh & Raymond Leung | Waterford Press | 2000 | Unbound | 12 pages, colour illustrations | ISBN: 9781583551523 Buy this book from NHBS.com
  • Massachusetts Breeding Bird Atlas

    Edited by Wayne R Petersen & W Roger Meservey | University of Massachusetts Press | 2003 | Hardback | 441 pages, 198 colour illustrations, 198 maps | ISBN: 1558494200 Buy this book from NHBS.com
Festivals & Bird Fairs
  • Cape Cod Bird Festival

    Facebook Page
    ...As always the Festival would never be anything if it wasn’t for the Volunteers. We rely on you for so many things and cannot thank you enough. Please contact Diane Silverstein or Stefanie Paventy if you wish to Volunteer. Diane – birder526@comcast.net Stefanie-stefpav09@gmail.com We need your help...
Observatories
  • Wing Island Bird Banding Station

    Observatory WebsiteSatellite View
    The Wing Island Bird Banding Station has been in operation since September 2000. The station is sponsored by the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History in Brewster, MA and is situated on 80 acres abutting a sprawling salt marsh and 300 acres of conservation land…
Museums & Universities
  • Cape Cod Museum of Natural History

    Museum
    The Cape Cod Museum of Natural History in Brewster, Massachusetts, on Cape Cod, was founded in 1954. Our mission is to encourage and advance understanding of our natural environment through discovery and learning. The museum is housed in a 17,000 square foot building on its own 80-acre site and abutted by 320 acres of town- and Conservation-owned land
Organisations
  • Allen Bird Club

    Website
    We offer a wide variety of field trips throughout the year, where you can be in the company of experts and beginners alike as you explore the habitats and behavior of wild birds. Our evening programs, presented by biologists, photographers and well-traveled birding enthusiasts, offer fascinating insights into the lives of birds -- how, when, where and even why they fly, feed, breed, raise their young and migrate.
  • Athol Bird & Nature Club

    Website
    The Athol Bird and Nature Club was formed in 1963 to enhance the appreciation of natural history in the North Quabbin Region. Founded by Robert Coyle, an eighth grade science teacher at the Athol Junior High School, the Club was a spin-off of the science curriculum which included studies in astronomy, geology, geography, and field ornithology…
  • Audubon Society in Massachusetts

    Website
    There are no Audubon's local chapters in the state.
  • Boxborough Birders

    Website
    Boxborough Birders is an enthusiastic group of bird watchers from Boxborough, Massachusetts and nearby towns, including Acton, Harvard, Stow, and Littleton. The group focuses primarily on local “patches” (habitats) in studying and learning about resident and migratory bird species. The group organizes walks throughout the year, especially during spring and fall migration, and members post their observations (and often photos) from each scheduled walk to eBird as well as shares lists with group members via the Boxborough Birders Google group. In the winter, Boxborough Birders participate in the annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count as part of the Concord circle.
  • Brookline Bird Club

    Website
    The Brookline Bird Club, commonly known as the BBC, is the largest and one of the oldest of the many bird clubs in Massachusetts. Membership is opened to all who are interested in birds and nature. (A membership form can be found here or on the last page of the BBC bulletin or “bluebook”.) The Club sponsors an active program of year-round field trips, covering the entire state of Massachusetts from the Berkshires to Stellwagen Bank. During the peak of spring migration, walks are scheduled for every day of the week. Three evening meetings are held each year, one in the fall and winter with the annual meeting being held each year in the spring. Guests are always welcome on Club walks and at Club meetings.
  • Cape Cod Bird Club

    Website
    Welcome to the website of the Cape Cod Bird Club, Inc., an organization whose members are dedicated to the protection and conservation of the bird life and natural resources of Cape Cod, Massachusetts, and beyond. Also see their Facebook page.
  • Eastern Massachusetts Hawk Watch

    Information
    Founded in 1976, EMHW is an all-volunteer, member-based organization whose mission is to promote the study, conservation and preservation of hawks locally and on a continental scale by monitoring migration in Massachusetts; to share data for research and conservation purposes; to promote education and awareness of the identification of hawks and the issues related to migrating hawks and to instill an appreciation for hawks in general…
  • Essex County Greenbelt Association

    Website
    Greenbelt, Essex County's Land Trust, is the most effective champion of land conservation, working to conserve the farmland, wildlife habitat and scenic landscapes throughout the region.
  • Essex County Ornithological Club

    Webpage
    The purposes of the Club, which was established in 1916, are to promote interest in ornithological study in Essex County, Massachusetts, and to engage members in projects and pursuits in the furtherance of such study. More specifically, the Club seeks:1. To maintain a long tradition of holding an annual May bird census by canoe and on foot on and along the Ipswich River.2. To periodically revise the official checklist of the birds of Essex County.3. To organize or participate in other such projects and field trips consistent with the above purposes
  • Forbush Bird Club

    Website
    The aim of the Forbush Bird Club is to promote the study of birds with relation to their distribution, ecology, and food, and to promote a desire for the conservation of all our natural resources.
  • Hampshire Bird Club

    Website
    We are a membership-supported organization. Although programs and many field trips are open to the public, some trips are open for Hampshire Bird Club, Inc. members only. Join today to take advantage of all offerings of the HBC!
  • Hoffmann Bird Club

    Website
    The Hoffmann Bird Club was established in 1940 with a mission of promoting the study of birds in Berkshire County. The club was founded under the auspices of the Berkshire Museum and named in honor of Ralph Hoffmann a naturalist who was born in Berkshire County. Meetings are held from September thru May and are open at no charge to anyone interested in birds and birding. Field trips are led by experienced birders and beginners are always welcome.
  • Manomet Centre for Conservation Sciences

    Website
    A nonprofit grounded in science, Manomet is named for the coastal village in New England where our headquarters have been for more than 45 years. A Native American word, the name Manomet means portage path. We embrace the legacy of this name in our mission by charting pathways to a thriving future. As Manomet approaches its sixth decade, we have achieved a great deal; yet there is still much work ahead. We are forging a pathway for our generation and those to come. If you want to be part of a positive force for change, we hope you will join us.
  • MassBird.org

    Website
    MassBird.org continues to be the location on the web for several Massachusetts Bird clubs with links to each on the left.
  • Massachusetts Audubon Society

    Website
    Mass Audubon protects 38,000 acres of land throughout Massachusetts, saving birds and other wildlife, and making nature accessible to all. As Massachusetts’ largest nature conservation nonprofit, we welcome more than a half million visitors a year to our wildlife sanctuaries and 20 nature centers. From inspiring hilltop views to breathtaking coastal landscapes, serene woods, and working farms, we believe in protecting our state’s natural treasures for wildlife and for all people—a vision shared in 1896 by our founders, two extraordinary Boston women.
  • Massachusetts Avian Records Committee

    Website
    The Massachusetts Avian Records Committee (MARC) was formed in 1989 for the purposes of evaluating, analyzing, archiving and sharing evidence supporting current and historical records of birds rare to the Commonwealth. We hope this website will be a valuable resource to fellow enthusiasts of bird distribution, as well as a fun place to rehash great finds and twitches or to catch up on what you've missed…
  • Massachusetts Land Trust Coalition

    Website
    MassLand works to advance land protection in Massachusetts by providing education, tools, networking, and advocacy support for land trusts and their partners.
  • Menotomy Bird Club

    Facebook Page
    The Menotomy Bird Club is dedicated to making birding accessible to everyone in the Mystic Valley Watershed. We have no dues, and all activities are free and open to members and non members alike. All activities are posted on the web page, but we encourage people to join the Arlington Birds Listserve to get reminders of events as well as discussion of birds and birding in the area.
  • Merrimack Valley Bird Club

    Webpage
    The Merrimack Valley Bird Club has been exploring the Merrimack Valley and North Shore of Massachusetts since 1948. Newcomers are welcome. Bring binoculars and/or spotting scope if you have them! Most walks include coffee and snacks at the end unless otherwise noted. Bring something to share if you can!
  • Millers River Environmental Center

    Information
    The Millers River Environmental Center (MREC) is a community resource providing a working environment for collaboration between governmental and non-governmental agencies and citizens. Integral to this mission is a strong emphasis on the education and training of area citizens to enhance their appreciation for, connection with, and stewardship of the rich natural resources of the region.
  • Nasketucket Bird Club

    Webpage
    The Nasketucket Bird Club was founded in 2006 under the auspices of the Mattapoisett Land Trust and is now a separate organization. Meets every 4th Thursday of the month at 7 pm. Mattapoisett Public Library unless otherwise noted. Annual membership is $10. New members are always welcome.
  • Nature Conservancy in Massachusetts

    Website
    Over the past 50 years, The Nature Conservancy has taken a leadership role in the protection of some of Massachusetts’ most critical landscapes. These areas include the Berkshire Taconic Landscape, Cape Cod, the Massachusetts Islands, Southeast Massachusetts and the Westfield and Connecticut River Watersheds.
  • Paskamansett Bird Club

    Webpage
    Based in Dartmouth, Massachusetts, the club was established in 1963 for the purpose of bringing people together who have the utmost fascination and appreciation for nature's crown jewels, birds. Members are always willing to share their knowledge to help beginning birders enjoy their newly found hobby. We have many bird walks that take us to some of the most beautiful areas in Southern New England. We conduct monthly meetings with distinguished guest speakers who give a wealth of information on birding and other nature related subjects, often accompanied by wonderful slide presentations. The enthusiasm and participation of our club members result in many lifelong friendships
  • South Shore Bird Club

    Website
    The South Shore Bird Club (SSBC) was founded in 1946 and the first members set out to explore and share the birds and birding habitats of the South Shore of Massachusetts. We still concentrate on a variety of mainly local field trips. Many trips involve car-pooling. In case of inclement weather please check back on this website or contact leader.
  • Sudbury Valley Trustees

    Website
    Sudbury Valley Trustees works to protect natural areas and farmland for wildlife and people in the 36 communities that surround the Sudbury, Assabet, and Concord Rivers.
  • Trustees of Reservations

    Website
    This web site is your window into the diverse work of The Trustees of Reservations, the nation's oldest private, state-wide conservation and preservation organisation. Since 1891, we have protected over 33,000 acres of land in Massachusetts, including 82 public reservations representing many of the state's most scenic, ecologically rich, and historically important landscapes…
Reserves

Abbreviations Key

  • IBA Sampsons Island

    InformationSatellite View
    As a barrier island, Sampsons Island and Dead Neck Island protect Cotuit Harbor and nearby coastal areas. The island is a nesting site for piping plovers, least terns, and common terns and a habitat for many other shore birds. It is designated an Important Bird Area. Access to the island is limited during nesting season.
  • Massachusetts State Forests and Parks

    WebsiteSatellite View
    One of the smallest states in the nation, Massachusetts has one of the largest state park systems. Wherever you go, you are always near a state park.
  • NR Fresh Pond Reservation

    Facebook PageSatellite View
    Friends of Fresh Pond Reservation is a citizens group whose purpose is to enhance and protect the natural environment of Fresh Pond Reservation through education and community participation. Started during the winter of 2001-2002, the group has offered activities at the Reservation including three Winter Tree Identification Walks, and an evening called Reflections on the Pond, where participants shared their artwork and personal experiences. Plans for future events include a Birds Nest Survey, guided bird, wildflower, tree and insect walks, and other activities suggested by members…
  • NWR Mashpee

    WebpageSatellite View
    Mashpee National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) was established in 1995 to preserve and protect natural resources associated with the Waquoit Bay area for the protection of waterfowl and protection of wildlife. Located in the towns of Mashpee and Falmouth, this refuge will total 5,871 acres when complete, only a small percentage of which will be owned by the Fish and Wildlife Service. Currently, 341 acres are in FWS ownership. Managed through a unique partnership among nine Federal, State and private conservation groups, this Cape Cod refuge preserves thousands of acres of magnificent salt marshes, cranberry bogs, Atlantic white cedar swamps, freshwater marshes, rivers and vernal pools.
  • NWR Monomoy

    WebpageSatellite View
    Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge consists of North and South Monomoy Islands and a portion of Morris Island. Its 2,750 acres are predominantly barrier beach island of sand dunes, freshwater ponds, and salt and freshwater marshes. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service protects and manages Monomoy as habitat for wildlife, with a special emphasis on migratory birds. Many of these migratory species nest here, and a variety of species native to the area also inhabit the refuge….
  • NWR Parker River

    WebpageSatellite View
    Parker River National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1942 to provide feeding, resting, and nesting habitat for migratory birds. The refuge occupies 4,662 acres on the southern two-thirds of Plum Island, a barrier island on the Northeast coast of Massachusetts…
  • NWR Silvio O Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge

    WebpageSatellite View
    The Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge is no ordinary Refuge! The Connecticut River watershed, 7.2 million acres in four states, is larger and more heavily populated than areas usually considered when creating a refuge…
  • National Wildlfe Refuges in Massachusetts

    WebsiteSatellite View
    …exactly what it says on the tin…
  • WMA Burrage Pond

    InformationSatellite View
    BPWMA is made up mainly of swampy lands, old cranberry bogs (formally Bog 18, the biggest in the world), and cedar forest. It is managed by the Massachusetts Department of Fisheries and Wildlife.
  • WMA Leadmine

    InformationSatellite View
    Leadmine Wildlife Management Area is a 640-acre (260 ha) wildlife conservation area located in Holland and Sturbridge, Massachusetts.
  • WRf Cape Poge

    InformationSatellite View
    Cape Poge Wildlife Refuge is a wildlife refuge on Chappaquiddick Island (Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts) owned and managed by The Trustees of Reservations. The refuge consists of 516 acres (2.09 km2) and includes the 1893 Cape Poge Lighthouse.
  • WRf Long Point

    InformationSatellite View
    Long Point Wildlife Refuge is a wildlife refuge and nature reserve located in West Tisbury, Massachusetts.
  • WS Broad Meadow Brook Sanctuary

    WebpageSatellite View
    There are many different types of birds that have been seen on the Broad Meadow Brook sanctuary grounds. Over 160 have been sighted at Broad Meadow Brook…
  • WS Daniel Webster Wildlife Sanctuary

    InformationSatellite View
    The sanctuary, formerly the farm of Edward Dwyer, statesman Daniel Webster and the William Thomas family of Marshfield, the first English landowner to live on the sanctuary land, was purchased by Mass Audubon in 1984 thanks to the volunteer efforts of the Committee for the Preservation of Dwyer Farm for the People of Marshfield. The majority of the Daniel Webster Wildlife Sanctuary is a polder, land reclaimed from water by the installation of a dike near the mouth of the Green Harbor River in 1872. The Daniel Webster Wildlife Sanctuary has historically been home to a large colony of purple martins. And, because the sanctuary is one of the last remaining managed cultural grasslands in Massachusetts, species that rely on such habitats breed there in the spring and summer, most notably bobolinks. Mute swans and several species of ducks and geese feed on the pond. Ducks, geese, herons, egrets and a wide variety of shorebirds visit the wet panne, while several species of birds of prey, most notably red-tailed hawks and northern harriers, feed on the small rodents that breed in the grasslands. Several species of owls have historically roosted in the red maple swamps during the winter, including great horned, barred, long-eared, short-eared, eastern screech and saw-whet owls. The sanctuary’s plants provide ample food for warblers, sparrows and many other species during migration.
  • WS Ipswich River

    InformationSatellite View
    The Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary, which is the Massachusetts Audubon Society’s largest wildlife sanctuary, is located in Topsfield and Wenham, Massachusetts. Much of its 2,800-acre (11 km2) landscape was created by a glacier 15,000 years ago.
  • WS Moose Hill

    InformationSatellite View
    Moose Hill Wildlife Sanctuary is a 1,971 acres (798 ha) wildlife sanctuary located in Sharon, Massachusetts. The property is the oldest property of the Massachusetts Audubon Society, established in 1916. It is adjacent to Moose Hill Farm, which is owned by the Trustees of Reservations.
  • WS Mount Auburn Cemetery

    WebsiteSatellite View
    With its lushly-planted 175 acres, Mount Auburn provides the perfect habitat for many species of urban wildlife. Spotted Salamanders, frogs, turtles, and coyotes are among the species that make the Cemetery their year-round home. For several species of migratory birds, Mount Auburn provides temporary shelter for a few weeks each April and May. Mount Auburn is committed to protecting important wildlife habitat in this densely developed urban area.
  • WS North River

    InformationSatellite View
    Due to its wide variety of habitats, the North River Wildlife Sanctuary attracts a great variety of species of mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians. hanks to its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean, the North River Wildlife Sanctuary offers a wide variety of bird sightings. Along the river’s edge, several species of gulls can be seen in season, including great black-backed, herring, ring-billed and Bonaparte’s gulls. Egrets and herons feed in the marshy edges of the river. Red-tailed hawks hunt in the open field, while sharp-shinned and Cooper's hawks prey on the smaller birds that inhabit the area. A wide variety of birds breed on the property, including American woodcocks, red-bellied woodpeckers, tree swallows, eastern phoebes, Baltimore orioles, scarlet tanagers, eastern towhees, and more. Historically, a purple martin colony has nested in the open field.
  • WS Stony Brook

    InformationSatellite View
    The 104-acre sanctuary is adjacent to the 140-acre Bristol Blake State Reservation. Both areas are managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR). An easy 1 mile (1.6 km) trail starts around by encircling Stony Pond and ends by a waterfall at the site of a former mill. It is wheelchair accessible. The trail includes a 525-foot long boardwalk, installed in 2017, that allows visitors to view birds, wildlife, and the wetland habitat over Teal Marsh and Kingfisher Pond. Wildlife found at there include turtles, ducks, geese, great blue herons, and muskrats
  • WS Wachusett Meadow

    InformationSatellite View
    Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary is a 1,124 acres (455 ha) wildlife sanctuary located in Princeton, Massachusetts. The former farmstead includes a nature center, 12 miles of trails through woodlands, wetlands, and meadows, and a large pond with canoe rentals in season.
  • WS Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary

    WebpageSatellite View
    Wellfleet Bay’s woodlands, salt marsh, barrier beach and heath lands attract a wide variety of wildlife, especially songbirds and shorebirds. Five miles of scenic trails wind through these habitats and provide a lovely view of Cape Cod. In addition, the beginning of the Goose Pond trail is universally accessible. The sanctuary’s nature center is a modern example of “green” architecture, including passive solar heating and composting toilets. Inside, the nature center features two 700-gallon aquariums that introduce you to the sanctuary’s salt marsh tidal organisms and our freshwater life as well…
Sightings, News & Forums
  • Arlington Birds

    Mailing List
    Arlington Birds is an email discussion group for people interested in birds in and around Arlington, Massachusetts. We welcome and encourage participation by all
Guides & Tour Operators
  • Essex River Cruises

    Tour Operator
    Discover the saltmarshes, wildlife
Trip Reports
  • 2009 [05 May] - Andrew Birch

    Report
    …We were staying at a beach rental house near Tom Nevers pond on the far southeast corner of the island. Often migrants could be found first thing in the hedgerow around our clifftop house. Each morning, I would walk the beach road between Tom Nevers and Siasconset checking gardens along the way. Siasconset was often very birdy with the tall trees. Thanks to the book Birding Nantucket (see below) I found some of the best areas including the famous cherry tree that was often quite productive. On the whole, the weather was windy but sunny. The first day (5/18) was a bit rainy but 5/19 was warm and sunny. Although the birding wasn’t fantastic, I did enjoy a nice array of migrants for my efforts…
  • 2010 [01 January] - Stephanie & Jonathan Hill

    Report
    More a trip list
  • 2016 [10 October] - James P Smith - New England

    PDF Report
Places to Stay
  • Captain Farris House

    Accommodation
    Captain Farris House 308 Old Main Street, South Yarmouth, MA 02664, In Bass River Village 15 minutes away from Hyannis, 508-760-2818, A unique bed & breakfast inn voted 'One of New England's Best' by Fodor's and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. All accommodations have large, private bathrooms, private phone, private entrances, fine bath amenities, and some have fireplaces and sundecks.
  • Clark Tavern Inn B&B

    Accommodation
    The inn's tranquil surroundings include a graceful water garden, a large built-in swimming pool, a beckoning hammock, and lots of outdoor sitting areas perfect for quiet moments. A screened-in patio is a splendid place to enjoy a candle lit breakfast al fresco while watching the birds attend their morning rounds…
  • Inn at Cape Cod

    Accommodation
    Our Inn is located in the historic district of Yarmouth Port, MA and abuts 250 acres of Cape Cod conservation land and 50 acres of walking trails. We are also down the street from Grey`s beach boardwalk (marsh land) which is home to birds of all kinds. Including sightings of a Merlin spotted on the Osprey pole near Gray`s Beach…
  • Isaiah Hall B&B Inn

    Accommodation
    The location is ideal for exploring all the Cape has to offer in under an hour. But for those looking to relax and escape the every day hassles the Inn`s beautiful gardens are a great place to decompress. Our quiet location means you are more likely to hear the sound of birds than the sound of traffic…
  • Isaiah Jones Homestead B&B - Sandwich

    Accommodation
    We are a small Bed and Breakfast located in Sandwich about a mile from the Sandwich Boardwalk over the salt marsh…
  • Nobnocket Boutique Inn - Martha's Vineyard

    Website
    Birder owned B&B in a secluded location surrounded by gardens, trees and the sound of songbirds...
Other Links
  • Birds of New England

    Website
    Some excellent photographs
  • Central Massachusetts Bird Update

    Website
    This compilation is now actively in operation. It contains daily updated bird sightings from central Massachusetts, mostly Worcester County. To contribute a sighting, you can email to rsquimby@wpi.edu or call Rick Quimby at (508) 835-6567 and leave a message. Please leave your name and the time and date of your call, along with particulars of the sighting. This is not intended as a chat line, so please confine your submissions to recent bird sightings that will be of interest to Worcester County birders. Material posted on this web site may not be republished in any format without the permission of the author(s).
  • Lisa Shea's Birding in Massachusetts

    Website
    I've always loved the outdoors and birds, camping, hiking, mountain biking. When I moved in with my boyfriend, Bob, in Sutton Massachusetts in 1995 it seemed that I'd entered a birder's paradise.
  • Marj Rine's Birding Pages

    Website
    Birding around Arlington - with many photographs.
Blogs
  • Alexander Dunn - The Daily Bird New England

    BLOG
    Last updated August 2017 - A seasonal site for watchers of New England birds - The Daily Bird is like a "word-of-the-day" calendar for beginner bird watchers. Each day a single entry will describe a species of bird that can be observed or topic relevant to the time of year…
  • Gregory Billingham - Forays into the World of Birding

    BLOG
    Last updated 2011 - Posts and sightings of the occasional forays into the wild world of bird watching, enjoying nature, getting a little exercise and reporting what amazing birds there are out there to see here in the Bay State and abroad…
  • James Smith - Pioneer Birding

    BLOG
    An avid birder for almost forty years, I now lead professional birding trips for a living. My early birding developed in the UK and later in Israel where observing large scale bird migration changed my approach to birding. North America is a relatively new experience but I enjoy it immensely and lead a number of trips in the states every year. I'm also proud to have served on both the Massachusetts Avian Records Committee and the Israel Rarities and Distribution Committee. After a very pleasant spell New Hampshire, my wife and I moved to Massachusetts in 2005 and now have a young son. In fall 2010 we moved to Franklin County, a bird rich corner of Western Massachusetts. JPS
  • Tom Pirro - Birding North Central Massachusetts

    BLOG
    Last updated April 2016 - General birding mostly from new England (USA)…
Photographers & Artists
  • Artist - Catherine McClung

    Gallery
    decorative bird paintings etc
  • Gallery - Migration Productions

    Gallery
    Greetings friends of birds. My name is Shawn Carey and with several of my friends I have put together Migration Productions. Working in the audio-visual field I have access to the equipment as well as the people to put together high quality shows using 35mm slide photography and accompanying sound tracks. Migration Productions is a team of people with different talents in the audio-visual field that I've brought together to create multi-image slide presentations on birds.
  • Photographer - Jim Fenton

    Gallery
    Wildlife and landscapes are my passion and I spend much of my non-working (real job) time shooting photos nearby to where I live and in selected areas across the country. Many of these images are captured in the Merrimack Valley of Massachusetts and particularly in the Parker River Watershed, and Plum Island and the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge

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