Parker River NWR–Hellcat Dike, Essex, Massachusetts, US
Aug 20, 2025 5:35 PM – 8:03 PM
Protocol: Traveling
0.2 mile(s)
29 species (+1 other taxa)
Gadwall 6
Mallard 8
Green-winged Teal 2
Semipalmated Plover 40
Long-billed Dowitcher 12 Humped back, big belly. kek, kek calls from group. NP.
Lesser Yellowlegs 2
Greater Yellowlegs 45
Least Sandpiper 1
Semipalmated Sandpiper 35
American Herring Gull 6
gull sp. 2500 Huge flock on the Ipswich side of PI Sound moving east.
Least Tern 1
Double-crested Cormorant 165 One huge skein moving towards PI Sound
Yellow-crowned Night Heron 3 Two NP, one in flight
Black-crowned Night Heron 6
Tricolored Heron 1 Bill Forward Pool. Continuing bird that has been seen off and on.
Snowy Egret 75
Great Egret 18
Great Blue Heron 1
Osprey 2
Northern Harrier 1
Tree Swallow 20000 Not as spectacular as last night.
Barn Swallow 15
Gray Catbird 1 Heard
American Robin 2
American Goldfinch 1
Song Sparrow 3
Eastern Towhee 1 Heard
Red-winged Blackbird 2
Common Grackle 2
View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S286781159
News Categories
Upcoming Field Trips
Field Trips / Events
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Cold Spring Park, Newton
Newton - Cold Spring Park 1200 Beacon St, Newton, MA, United StatesThis large multi-use city park offers an easy 1.4-mile loop through mixed forest, open green areas, and red maple swamplands, attracting a surprising array of resident and migratory birds. Porta Potties available.
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Birding Sketch Crawl – Fall Series
Leader's ChoiceCome and bird/sketch favorite patches around Essex and Middlesex Counties.
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Plum Island
Parker River NWR - Lot #1 Refuge Rd., Newbury, MA, MA, United StatesWe will be walking the North Pool dike as well as visiting other spots. Note that an entrance fee or pass is required. Restrooms available.
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Barretts Mill Farmland
Concord - Barretts Mill Farmland Barrett's Mill Road, Concord, MA, United StatesThis is often a great place for fall sparrows including Savannah, Field, and White-crowned, as well as Pipit and occasional Dickcissel. Loaner binoculars available; please email trip leader to reserve a pair! If the weather doens't look good, contact the leader to check status.
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Hellcat at Parker River NWR
Parker River NWR - Lot #4 Newbury, MA, United StatesDuring the past few years the refuge has opened the dike to hiking during National Wildlife Refuge Week. We will plan to do that hike if the dike is again open this year. Otherwise we hike the boardwalk and normal dike area.



