Parker River NWR, Essex, Massachusetts, US
Aug 28, 2017 4:50 PM – 7:35 PM
Protocol: Traveling
4.0 mile(s)
Comments:     Sunny and 67 degrees. We stayed until dusk. My sister Margaret and I joined the Brookline Bird Club walk at 5:30 PM led by Dave Williams. Stops at main salt pans, North Pool Overlook and Hellcat dike.
40 species (+1 other taxa)

Canada Goose  7
Gadwall  7
Mallard  4
American Black Duck  16
Green-winged Teal  1
Double-crested Cormorant  101
Great Blue Heron  1
Great Egret  180     Mostly at Hellcat staging for the evening. Probably many more than this.
Snowy Egret  200     Staging at Hellcat- still coming in for the evening. Conservative count.  Probably many more than this.
Glossy Ibis  16     North Pool Overlook and small groups flying into Bill Forward Pool at dusk. Distinctive long curved bill.
Osprey  3     Seen from Hellcat looking toward Pines platform.
Black-bellied Plover  19
Semipalmated Plover  36
Least Sandpiper  38
White-rumped Sandpiper  2
Semipalmated Sandpiper  120
peep sp.  200     Seen from lot one flying over the dunes but too far to ID
Short-billed Dowitcher  11
Spotted Sandpiper  1     Hellcat-  on edge of Bill Forward Pool
Greater Yellowlegs  52
Lesser Yellowlegs  16
Ring-billed Gull  1
Herring Gull  2
Great Black-backed Gull  2
Mourning Dove  4
Belted Kingfisher  1     Sitting in tree at North Pool Overlook
Merlin  1
Peregrine Falcon  2     One flew over Bill Forward Pool and chased many of the shorebirds away.
Eastern Kingbird  2
American Crow  1
Tree Swallow  1000000     Amazing spectacle at dusk at Hellcat dike. Tree Swallows as thick as I have ever seen over North Pool. As far wide, deep and high as the eye could see. Photos cannot capture the full effect of the staging swarm.
Marsh Wren  1     Hellcat
American Robin  3
Gray Catbird  5
European Starling  40
Northern Waterthrush  1     Seen by a few of the group from Hellcat dike on the mudflats of North Pool.
Common Yellowthroat  1
Saltmarsh Sparrow  1
Song Sparrow  1
Eastern Towhee  3
American Goldfinch  3

View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S38927696

2024 Year in Review!

Photo credit: Manomet Photo credit Jennifer Thornton Thanks to our inspired volunteer Board, committee members, and field trip leaders, the Brookline Bird Club enjoyed impressive successes during 2024.  Our volunteer trip leaders and enthusiastic participants

ANNUAL REPORT 2023

The Brookline Bird Club (BBC) recorded 275 species for 2023, based upon 200 trips reported from Massachusetts, and those from out of state.  We recorded 267 species in Massachusetts, three more than 2022, with 8

ANNUAL REPORT 2022

The Brookline Bird Club (BBC) recorded 276 species for 2022, based upon 204 reported trips. Of those, 264 species were recorded in Massachusetts, with 12 additional species reported from the out-of-state trips to New Hampshire

ANNUAL REPORT 2021

Brookline Bird Club 2021 Statistical and Year-End Report By David Scott, Club Statistician The Brookline Bird Club recorded 270 species for 2021, based upon 206 reported trips. Two-hundred and sixty-five species were recorded in Massachusetts,

Renew membership now!

Calling all BBC members - annual memberships expire December 31st 2024. Renew today for the 2025 calendar year to continue uninterrupted access to member benefits including our blue book mailings, member webinars, and more! Membership

2024 Year in Review!

Photo credit: Manomet Photo credit Jennifer Thornton Thanks to our inspired volunteer Board, committee members, and field trip leaders, the Brookline Bird Club enjoyed impressive successes during 2024.  Our volunteer trip leaders and enthusiastic participants

ANNUAL REPORT 2023

The Brookline Bird Club (BBC) recorded 275 species for 2023, based upon 200 trips reported from Massachusetts, and those from out of state.  We recorded 267 species in Massachusetts, three more than 2022, with 8

ANNUAL REPORT 2022

The Brookline Bird Club (BBC) recorded 276 species for 2022, based upon 204 reported trips. Of those, 264 species were recorded in Massachusetts, with 12 additional species reported from the out-of-state trips to New Hampshire

ANNUAL REPORT 2021

Brookline Bird Club 2021 Statistical and Year-End Report By David Scott, Club Statistician The Brookline Bird Club recorded 270 species for 2021, based upon 206 reported trips. Two-hundred and sixty-five species were recorded in Massachusetts,

Renew membership now!

Calling all BBC members - annual memberships expire December 31st 2024. Renew today for the 2025 calendar year to continue uninterrupted access to member benefits including our blue book mailings, member webinars, and more! Membership

2024 Year in Review!

Photo credit: Manomet Photo credit Jennifer Thornton Thanks to our inspired volunteer Board, committee members, and field trip leaders, the Brookline Bird Club enjoyed impressive successes during 2024.  Our volunteer trip leaders and enthusiastic participants

ANNUAL REPORT 2023

The Brookline Bird Club (BBC) recorded 275 species for 2023, based upon 200 trips reported from Massachusetts, and those from out of state.  We recorded 267 species in Massachusetts, three more than 2022, with 8

ANNUAL REPORT 2022

The Brookline Bird Club (BBC) recorded 276 species for 2022, based upon 204 reported trips. Of those, 264 species were recorded in Massachusetts, with 12 additional species reported from the out-of-state trips to New Hampshire

ANNUAL REPORT 2021

Brookline Bird Club 2021 Statistical and Year-End Report By David Scott, Club Statistician The Brookline Bird Club recorded 270 species for 2021, based upon 206 reported trips. Two-hundred and sixty-five species were recorded in Massachusetts,

Renew membership now!

Calling all BBC members - annual memberships expire December 31st 2024. Renew today for the 2025 calendar year to continue uninterrupted access to member benefits including our blue book mailings, member webinars, and more! Membership

News Categories

Upcoming Field Trips

  • Belle Isle Marsh Reservation (Winthrop side)

    Winthrop - Belle Isle March and Marine Ecology Park Banks Street, Winthrop, MA, United States

    Join us to observe resident birds and fall migrants in a unique urban habitat that is a favorite for many bird species, including uncommon and rare birds. Birders of all levels will enjoy this walk. The trails are (generally) flat and easy to walk. A water bottle, water proof clothing including a hat, sunblock &

  • Plum Island

    Newburyport - Courthouse 188 State Street, Newburyport, MA, United States

    Beginners and those with limited mobility welcome. There is an entrance fee for Parker River NWR.

  • An Oasis for Birds at Belle Isle Marsh

    East Boston - Belle Isle Parking Lot 1399 Bennington Street, Boston, MA, United States

    Join DCR park staff for a relaxed, one-mile bird walk through flat, easy terrain at this Massachusetts State Reservation and birding hot spot. At Belle Isle and at additional nearby locations— We’ll search for shorebirds during their peak in migration and passerines that are beginning their southerly migration. Participants are responsible for their own transportation

  • Mt Auburn Cemetery

    Mount Auburn Cemetery 536 Mt Auburn St, Cambridge, MA, United States

    Join us to observe resident birds and fall migrants in a unique urban habitat that is a favorite for many bird species, including uncommon and rare birds. Birders of all levels will enjoy this walk. The trails are (generally) flat though there are some hills. A water bottle, water proof clothing including a hat, sunblock

Go to Top