Parker River NWR, Essex, Massachusetts, US
Oct 19, 2017 7:25 AM – 11:45 AM
Protocol: Traveling
7.0 mile(s)
Comments:     Sunny and 42-68 degrees. With Brookline Bird Club trip led by Dave Williams. Stops at Lot 1, main salt pans, Wardens, North Pool Overlook, Hellcat dike, Bill Forward Blind, and Lot 7 platform.
47 species

Canada Goose  29
American Wigeon  6
Mallard  19
American Black Duck  309     Various locations throughout the refuge
Northern Pintail  24
Green-winged Teal  62     58 at Bill Forward Blind and 4 in main pans
Common Eider  4     Lot 7
White-winged Scoter  36     29 from Lot 7
Red-breasted Merganser  6     Lot 7
Common Loon  3
Northern Gannet  75     Estimated- Lot 1 and more seen from Lot 7 platform. Probably many more as they flew south .
Double-crested Cormorant  11
Great Blue Heron  7
Great Egret  4
Snowy Egret  3     Hellcat dike
Turkey Vulture  3
Sharp-shinned Hawk  1
Cooper’s Hawk  1
Black-bellied Plover  2
Dunlin  5     Lot 1
Pectoral Sandpiper  4     North Pool Overlook. Smaller than nearby Greater Yellowlegs. Distinct streaked upper breast and plain lower belly showing the typical pectoral band. Our only concern was the legs appeared dark rather than yellowish.
Greater Yellowlegs  22     Various locations
Lesser Yellowlegs  1     At North Pool Overlook- heard  2 part “tu-tu” call
Ring-billed Gull  13
Herring Gull  17
Great Black-backed Gull  4
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  29
Mourning Dove  1
Blue Jay  4
American Crow  6
Horned Lark  12     2 small flocks flew over us at Lot 1. We heard them calling which alerted us.
Black-capped Chickadee  1
Marsh Wren  1     Heard several times as we got out of the car at Lot 7
American Robin  1
Northern Mockingbird  8     7 at the Wardens
European Starling  20
Cedar Waxwing  8
Palm Warbler (Western)  1
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)  5
Chipping Sparrow  2
Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored)  1     Wardens
Savannah Sparrow  3
Song Sparrow  6
Northern Cardinal  2
House Finch  2
American Goldfinch  1
House Sparrow  15     Flock near entrance to the refuge and 1 at the Wardens.

View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S40048295

News Categories

Upcoming Field Trips

  • Belle Isle Marsh Reservation

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

    Let's explore the East Boston side of Belle Isle Marsh in winter! We'll look for ducks, hawks, Bald Eagles, winter finches and many more birds! Belle Isle is a fantastic birding destination in any season. All of the trails are flat and easy, with a slight elevation on the small hill going through the meadow. [...]

  • Midweek Hunt for Alcids and Seabirds

    Rockport - Halibut Point State Park Halibut Point State Park, Rockport, MA, United States

    Join us for a mid-week hunt for alcids and other wintering seabirds. Be prepared for cold and windy weather. If bad weather is predicted, contact the leader by 6:00 pm the previous evening.

  • Millennium Park

    Boston - Millennium Park Canoe Launch 300 Gardner Street, Boston, MA, United States

    Join us to look for birds in a unique urban habitat that often draws numerous uncommon and rare birds. Birders of all levels will enjoy this trip. The trails are flat and easy to walk. We may offer optional 30-60 minute trip extensions to adjacent locations such as West Roxbury High School Marsh and/or Brook [...]

  • Sconticut Neck and West Island, Fairhaven

    Fairhaven - Sconticut Neck and West Island 209 Huttleston Ave,, Fairhaven, MA, United States

    We will make several stops on the neck and then onto West Island to search for winter ducks, loons, grebes and shorebirds.

  • Belle Isle Marsh and Vicinity

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

    Led by DCR staff. We will search on foot up to one mile, on flat, easy terrain for snowy owls and other raptors, native sparrows, finches, waterfowl, and other birds. This is a traveling program by car or bike. Prepare for ticks. Ages: Adults and kids 8 years+ with adult chaperone. Binoculars recommended. ADA/Reasonable Accommodations [...]

Go to Top