About this Event
Plum Island is an excellent place to see a large variety of shorebirds during fall migration. The Parker River National Wildlife Refuge on Plum Island is a top 100 US birding site. The refuge contains a wide variety of habitats including beaches, salt marshes, freshwater impoundments, and maritime forests. The freshwater areas attract large numbers of waterfowl, herons, egrets, and shorebirds. The woodlands are good places to look for migrating songbirds.
What we hope to see: Beginning in mid-August, large numbers of herons during some years congregate at Bill Forward Pool and other refuge roost sites. In even greater concentrations, migrating tree swallows can be observed in marsh, beach, and other open habitats. Also at this time, warblers, vireos, and other fall songbird migrants become apparent. Passerine migration continues into early September and shorebird diversity is at its height. Peregrine falcons occur most regularly from mid-September through November. During October, sizeable numbers of yellow-rumped warblers can be found in refuge thickets. Bird Checklist: Download the NWR Parker River Bird List.
Arrive: 8:30 am to Massachusetts Audubon’s Joppa Flats Education Center (see map). All levels of birdwatching experience are welcome! An optional lunch at Bob Lobster will take place after our bird walk.
Entrance Fee: The refuge is a federal recreation fee area. The daily entrance fee is $5.00 per vehicle. An annual pass to the refuge can be purchased for $20. If any of you have a $80 Senior (62+) Lifetime Pass, please bring it. No charge if even one person has such in our carpooling.
What to bring: Binoculars, Telescope (if you have one), sunhat, sunscreen, water bottle, insect repellant, bird checklist (if desired). Be prepared to walk on sand.
NOTE about registration: Please register as soon as possible as the event is limited to 15 participants. Added to the price will be an Eventbrite processing fee.
Event venue & nearby stays
Meet at Joppa Flats Education Center, 1 Plum Island Turnpike, Newburyport, United States
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