Parker River NWR, Essex, Massachusetts, US
May 17, 2021 6:50 AM – 10:40 AM
Protocol: Traveling
6.5 mile(s)
Checklist Comments:    Beautiful, sunny day, 58 degrees to start.  Low tide at 10:24.  Stops at the Pannes, a couple of roadside stops, the Wardens, and Hellcat.
71 species (+1 other taxa)
Canada Goose  4
Gadwall  2
Mallard  5
American Black Duck  4
Wild Turkey  1
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  1
Mourning Dove  4
Killdeer  7
Least Sandpiper  14
Semipalmated Sandpiper  3
Short-billed Dowitcher  4
Greater Yellowlegs  8
Willet  12
Lesser Yellowlegs  1
Ring-billed Gull  8
Herring Gull  13
Great Black-backed Gull  2
Least Tern  8
Common Tern  4
Double-crested Cormorant  16
Great Egret  8
Snowy Egret  1
Osprey  2
Willow Flycatcher  1    Heard
Least Flycatcher  2
Great Crested Flycatcher  4
Eastern Kingbird  8
Blue-headed Vireo  1
Warbling Vireo  1
Blue Jay  27    Two groups, migrating.
American Crow  2
Black-capped Chickadee  5
Tufted Titmouse  3    This is a very uncommon bird for me here and to see three is amazing.
Purple Martin  14
Tree Swallow  9
Barn Swallow  4
Red-breasted Nuthatch  2
Gray Catbird  14
Brown Thrasher  2
Northern Mockingbird  2
Swainson’s Thrush  1    Roadside just north of the Wardens.
American Robin  4
Cedar Waxwing  4
House Sparrow  3
House Finch  2
Purple Finch  2
American Goldfinch  4
Chipping Sparrow  2
White-throated Sparrow  1    Heard.
Song Sparrow  6
Eastern Towhee  12
Bobolink  8
Orchard Oriole  2
Baltimore Oriole  7
Red-winged Blackbird  16
Brown-headed Cowbird  2
Common Grackle  6
Common Grackle (Bronzed)  4
Northern Waterthrush  1
Black-and-white Warbler  2
Tennessee Warbler  1    Heard distinctive, three part “tip tip tip tip teepit teepit teepit teepit ti ti ti ti ti ti ti” song twice, high up in the big Oaks along Hellcat boardwalk right near the parking lot where the trail goes left to the dike.
Nashville Warbler  3
Common Yellowthroat  7
American Redstart  5
Northern Parula  7
Blackburnian Warbler  3
Yellow Warbler  11
Black-throated Blue Warbler  1
Black-throated Green Warbler  3
Wilson’s Warbler  1    In the thicket behind the Hellcat bathrooms.
Northern Cardinal  2
Rose-breasted Grosbeak  2
View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S88404722

News Categories

Upcoming Field Trips

  • Plum Island

    Parker River NWR - Lot #1 Refuge Rd., Newbury, MA, MA, United States

    We will be walking the North Pool dike as well as visiting other spots. Note that an entrance fee or pass is required. Restrooms available.

  • Barretts Mill Farmland

    Concord - Barretts Mill Farmland Barrett's Mill Road, Concord, MA, United States

    This 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.

  • Hellcat at Parker River NWR

    Parker River NWR - Lot #4 Newbury, MA, United States

    During 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.

  • Arlington Reservoir

    Lexington - Arlington Reservoir 210 Lowell Street, Arlington, MA, United States

    In the fall water levels are lowered creating good conditions for ducks and shorebirds. We will also visit the adjacent Lexington community farm. Birds are found feasting on the remains of the crops planted there. We will walk about a mile on wide paths and some uneven ground (possibly muddy). Note that the reservoir area [...]

  • Fruitlands Museum, Harvard

    Harvard - Fruitlands Museum 102 Prospect Hill Rd., Harvard, MA, United States

    Cosponsored with Boxborough Birders. We will look for fall migrants and resident birds. Expect to walk about 2 miles on trails through meadow and woods, with some steep sections. Heavy rain cancels the trip.

Go to Top