Parker River NWR Marsh Cruise

This August the BBC sponsored three cruises around the marshes of Parker River NWR aboard the Yankee Clipper departing from downtown Newburyport.

On the evening of Sunday the 17th we had a beautiful cruise and even made it back just before the rain! We started the trip by heading upstream on the Merrimack to the Rt 1 bridge. Once there Captain Fred directed us to great views of a pair of Peregrine Falcons known to hang out under the harbor bridge!

After cruising downstream through the harbor we turned south to the channel passing under the Plum Island Turnpike bridge. Just before the bridge we began to see groups (!) of Seaside Sparrows flying around the spartina grasses lining the edges of the channel. For this writer the sparrow show was one of the most impressive parts of the trip. We easily saw over a combined 50 Seaside and Saltmarsh Sparrows during the cruise.

Our overall list included 36 species. In addition to the falcons and sparrows, worthy mentions go to Bobolinks scattered around the marsh, a Harrier just north of the Wardens, a Black-Crowned Night Heron that put in a brief appearance, and an immature Lesser Black-Backed Gull on the north jetty at Salisbury.

Many thanks to Captain Fred and First Mate Charity for a pleasant and relaxing trip!

Check out the eBird list for the trip and see our photos.

ANNUAL REPORT 2003

2003 STATISTICAL AND YEAR END REPORT By Robert H. Stymeist, Statistician   During 2003, the Brookline Bird Club listed 294 species of birds on 242 reported trips, 13 species fewer than last year. A total

ANNUAL REPORT 2002

2002 STATISTICAL AND YEAR END REPORT by Robert H. Styrneist, Statistician   During 2002, the Brookline Bird Club listed 307 species of birds on 249 reported trips, five more than last year. A total of

ANNUAL REPORT 2001

2001 STATISTICAL AND YEAR-END REPORT by Robert H. Stymeist, Statistician   During 2001, the Brookline Bird Club listed 303 species of birds on 210 reported trips, two fewer than the previous year. A total of

ANNUAL REPORT 2000

2000 STATISTICAL AND YEAR END REPORT by Robert H. Stymeist, Statistician   During 2000, the Brookline Bird Club listed 305 species of birds on 228 reported trips, four more than last year. A total of

ANNUAL REPORT 1999

1999 STATISTICAL AND YEAR END REPORT by Robert H. Stymeist, Statistician   During 1999, the Brookline Bird Club listed 301 species of birds on 241 reported trips. A total of 271 trips were scheduled, 69

ANNUAL REPORT 1998

1998 STATISTICAL REPORT by Robert H. Stymeist, Statistician   During 1998, the Brookline Bird Club listed 300 species of birds on 233 reported trips. A total of 277 trips were scheduled, 69 all-day, 170 morning, 34

ANNUAL REPORT 2003

2003 STATISTICAL AND YEAR END REPORT By Robert H. Stymeist, Statistician   During 2003, the Brookline Bird Club listed 294 species of birds on 242 reported trips, 13 species fewer than last year. A total

ANNUAL REPORT 2002

2002 STATISTICAL AND YEAR END REPORT by Robert H. Styrneist, Statistician   During 2002, the Brookline Bird Club listed 307 species of birds on 249 reported trips, five more than last year. A total of

ANNUAL REPORT 2001

2001 STATISTICAL AND YEAR-END REPORT by Robert H. Stymeist, Statistician   During 2001, the Brookline Bird Club listed 303 species of birds on 210 reported trips, two fewer than the previous year. A total of

ANNUAL REPORT 2000

2000 STATISTICAL AND YEAR END REPORT by Robert H. Stymeist, Statistician   During 2000, the Brookline Bird Club listed 305 species of birds on 228 reported trips, four more than last year. A total of

ANNUAL REPORT 1999

1999 STATISTICAL AND YEAR END REPORT by Robert H. Stymeist, Statistician   During 1999, the Brookline Bird Club listed 301 species of birds on 241 reported trips. A total of 271 trips were scheduled, 69

ANNUAL REPORT 1998

1998 STATISTICAL REPORT by Robert H. Stymeist, Statistician   During 1998, the Brookline Bird Club listed 300 species of birds on 233 reported trips. A total of 277 trips were scheduled, 69 all-day, 170 morning, 34

ANNUAL REPORT 2003

2003 STATISTICAL AND YEAR END REPORT By Robert H. Stymeist, Statistician   During 2003, the Brookline Bird Club listed 294 species of birds on 242 reported trips, 13 species fewer than last year. A total

ANNUAL REPORT 2002

2002 STATISTICAL AND YEAR END REPORT by Robert H. Styrneist, Statistician   During 2002, the Brookline Bird Club listed 307 species of birds on 249 reported trips, five more than last year. A total of

ANNUAL REPORT 2001

2001 STATISTICAL AND YEAR-END REPORT by Robert H. Stymeist, Statistician   During 2001, the Brookline Bird Club listed 303 species of birds on 210 reported trips, two fewer than the previous year. A total of

ANNUAL REPORT 2000

2000 STATISTICAL AND YEAR END REPORT by Robert H. Stymeist, Statistician   During 2000, the Brookline Bird Club listed 305 species of birds on 228 reported trips, four more than last year. A total of

ANNUAL REPORT 1999

1999 STATISTICAL AND YEAR END REPORT by Robert H. Stymeist, Statistician   During 1999, the Brookline Bird Club listed 301 species of birds on 241 reported trips. A total of 271 trips were scheduled, 69

ANNUAL REPORT 1998

1998 STATISTICAL REPORT by Robert H. Stymeist, Statistician   During 1998, the Brookline Bird Club listed 300 species of birds on 233 reported trips. A total of 277 trips were scheduled, 69 all-day, 170 morning, 34

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Upcoming Field Trips

  • Fruitlands Museum, Harvard

    Cosponsored with Boxborough Birders. We will look for local avian non-migratory species and early migrant arrivals. Expect to walk about two miles on trails through meadows and woods, with some steep sections. Prepare for ticks. We will bird at the meeting location for about 30 minutes so any latecomers can catch up.

  • Westborough WMA in Two Parts

    Part 1: 7 AM -10 AM / Part 2: 10:30 AM -1:00 PM. We will hike at a slow pace through mild moderate trails in search of sparrows and other migrants. For the first part we will hike the Eastern trails between Lake Chauncy and Little Chauncy(about 3 miles). Then we will again meet at

  • Belle Isle Marsh and Vicinity

    Led by DCR staff. We will search on foot up to one mile on flat, easy terrain, for migrating or resident songbirds, raptors, shorebirds, and marsh birds at this birding hotspot and state park. This is a traveling program by car or bike. Prepare for ticks and mosquitoes. Ages: Adults and kids 8 years+ with

  • Millennium Park

    Join us to observe resident birds and spring migrants in a unique urban habitat that is a favorite for many bird species, including uncommon and rare flycatchers, swallows & warblers. Birders of all levels welcome. The trails are generally flat and easy to walk, with some rough patches. A water bottle, sunblock, insect repellent, waterproof

  • Woodcock Watch, Oxbow NWR, Harvard

    We will stay until it gets dark to watch for American Woodcock. Come early to enjoy other birds. Rain date Sunday, April 5, same time.

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