Parker River NWR–Hellcat, Essex, Massachusetts, US
Aug 21, 2026 5:16 PM – 8:16 PM
Protocol: Stationary
Checklist Comments: Weather: 70°F, Overcast, Calm.
It was an amazing experience to see the thousands of Tree Swallows go to roost at Hellcat – and – hear Whip-Poor-Will serenade us as we drove off island.♡
40 species
Canada Goose 1
Mallard 5
Mourning Dove 2
Eastern Whip-poor-will 17 Heard singing from Hellcat parking lot and as we drove off island.
Killdeer 5
Semipalmated Plover 125
Short-billed Dowitcher 4
Spotted Sandpiper 3
Solitary Sandpiper 1 Seen feeding and preening on the north side of the dike at Hellcat.
Lesser Yellowlegs 12
Greater Yellowlegs 34
White-rumped Sandpiper 1
Least Sandpiper 5
Semipalmated Sandpiper 40
Ring-billed Gull 1
American Herring Gull 7
Common Tern 8
Double-crested Cormorant 21
Glossy Ibis 3
Yellow-crowned Night Heron 2 Seen sitting on the marsh on the north side of the dike at Hellcat.
Black-crowned Night Heron 1
Snowy Egret 7
Great Egret 11
Great Blue Heron 2
Osprey 1
Northern Harrier 1
Downy Woodpecker 1
Eastern Phoebe 2
Eastern Kingbird 1
Tree Swallow 230000 Thousands upon thousands of swallows coming in to roost at Hellcat.
Purple Martin 24
Barn Swallow 15000 Thousands upon thousands of swallows coming in to roost at Hellcat.
Marsh Wren 1
European Starling 5
Cedar Waxwing 4
Eastern Towhee 1
Brown-headed Cowbird 1 Female cowbird hopping along the dike hunting for insects.
Common Grackle 2
Common Yellowthroat 1
Northern Cardinal 2
View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S386814572
BBC August 24-25 Overnight Pelagic Report
BBC August 24-25 Overnight Pelagic Report This news story is from the eBird trip report filed for the the BBC's overnight pelagic aboard the Helen H out of Hyannis to the edge of the continental
BBC Record of Bachman’s Warbler Sighting
BBC Record of Bachman's Warbler Sighting Club Statistician David Scott recently added a new record to the club's life list stemming from a 1961 week long club trip to Bulls Island, SC. We learned about
Bring Back Bobolinks!
Bring Back Bobolinks! This year the BBC is introducing new Endangered Species Program. Each year we plan to focus on a single bird species facing serious threats in Massachusetts and elsewhere. With this effort we
10/23 Fall Meeting with Speaker Scott Weidensaul
10/23 Fall Meeting and Lecture - All Welcome Please join us on October 23 for our in person Fall Meeting. The evening begins with a social hour at 6:30. The program starts at 7:30 with
September 22 Webinar: Introduction to Nocturnal Flight Call (NFC) Recording
9/22 Webinar: Introduction to Nocturnal Flight Call (NFC) Recording On September 22 at 7PM please join us to learn about Nocturnal Flight Call (NFC) Recording. Most birders experience migration through the birds that arrive, depart,
BBC on WHDH Channel 7 News
BBC on WHDH Channel 7 News On July 30 and 31st the BBC was on WHDH Channel 7 News! WHDH Channel 7 News aired a story promoting birding and starring BBC board members John Edmondson,
BBC August 24-25 Overnight Pelagic Report
BBC August 24-25 Overnight Pelagic Report This news story is from the eBird trip report filed for the the BBC's overnight pelagic aboard the Helen H out of Hyannis to the edge of the continental
BBC Record of Bachman’s Warbler Sighting
BBC Record of Bachman's Warbler Sighting Club Statistician David Scott recently added a new record to the club's life list stemming from a 1961 week long club trip to Bulls Island, SC. We learned about
Bring Back Bobolinks!
Bring Back Bobolinks! This year the BBC is introducing new Endangered Species Program. Each year we plan to focus on a single bird species facing serious threats in Massachusetts and elsewhere. With this effort we
10/23 Fall Meeting with Speaker Scott Weidensaul
10/23 Fall Meeting and Lecture - All Welcome Please join us on October 23 for our in person Fall Meeting. The evening begins with a social hour at 6:30. The program starts at 7:30 with
September 22 Webinar: Introduction to Nocturnal Flight Call (NFC) Recording
9/22 Webinar: Introduction to Nocturnal Flight Call (NFC) Recording On September 22 at 7PM please join us to learn about Nocturnal Flight Call (NFC) Recording. Most birders experience migration through the birds that arrive, depart,
BBC on WHDH Channel 7 News
BBC on WHDH Channel 7 News On July 30 and 31st the BBC was on WHDH Channel 7 News! WHDH Channel 7 News aired a story promoting birding and starring BBC board members John Edmondson,
BBC August 24-25 Overnight Pelagic Report
BBC August 24-25 Overnight Pelagic Report This news story is from the eBird trip report filed for the the BBC's overnight pelagic aboard the Helen H out of Hyannis to the edge of the continental
BBC Record of Bachman’s Warbler Sighting
BBC Record of Bachman's Warbler Sighting Club Statistician David Scott recently added a new record to the club's life list stemming from a 1961 week long club trip to Bulls Island, SC. We learned about
Bring Back Bobolinks!
Bring Back Bobolinks! This year the BBC is introducing new Endangered Species Program. Each year we plan to focus on a single bird species facing serious threats in Massachusetts and elsewhere. With this effort we
10/23 Fall Meeting with Speaker Scott Weidensaul
10/23 Fall Meeting and Lecture - All Welcome Please join us on October 23 for our in person Fall Meeting. The evening begins with a social hour at 6:30. The program starts at 7:30 with
September 22 Webinar: Introduction to Nocturnal Flight Call (NFC) Recording
9/22 Webinar: Introduction to Nocturnal Flight Call (NFC) Recording On September 22 at 7PM please join us to learn about Nocturnal Flight Call (NFC) Recording. Most birders experience migration through the birds that arrive, depart,
BBC on WHDH Channel 7 News
BBC on WHDH Channel 7 News On July 30 and 31st the BBC was on WHDH Channel 7 News! WHDH Channel 7 News aired a story promoting birding and starring BBC board members John Edmondson,
News Categories
Upcoming Field Trips
Field Trips / Events
-
-
Mt Auburn Cemetery
Mount Auburn Cemetery 536 Mt Auburn St, Cambridge, MA, United StatesJoin 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
-
Fruitlands Museum, Harvard
Harvard - Fruitlands Museum 102 Prospect Hill Rd., Harvard, MA, United StatesCosponsored with Boxborough Birders. We will look for warblers, thrushes, sparrows, and raptors, among many other birds. Expect to walk about 2 miles on trails through meadow and woods, with some steep sections. Heavy rain cancels the trip.
-
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.
-
Mass. Audubon Boston Nature Center
Mattapan - MAS Boston Nature Center 500 Walk Hill St, Mattapan, MA, United StatesJoin us to observe resident birds and fall migrants in a unique urban habitat that attracts many uncommon and rare species. Birders of all levels will enjoy this walk. The trails are (generally) flat and easy to walk, though there are some rough patches. A water bottle, sunblock, insect repellent, and waterproof clothing including a
-
CANCELLED Plum Island
Parker River NWR - Lot #1 Refuge Rd., Newbury, MA, MA, United StatesCancelled due to availability of the leader.