Parker River NWR, Essex, Massachusetts, US

Aug 31, 2025 9:15 AM – 2:30 PM

Protocol: Traveling

6.0 mile(s)

Checklist Comments:    Brookline Bird Club Walk – Plum Island – Leader Nick Paulson. 9 participants. Warm, sunny, slight breeze. A little bit of a slow day for the refuge, tons of Tree Swallows.

54 species (+2 other taxa)

Gadwall  4

Green-winged Teal (American)  4

Common Eider (Dresser’s)  10

White-winged Scoter  2

Mourning Dove  1

Semipalmated Plover  25

Short-billed Dowitcher  8

Short-billed/Long-billed Dowitcher  1    Possibly Long-billed

Lesser Yellowlegs  12

Greater Yellowlegs  10

Stilt Sandpiper  1

Sanderling  5

White-rumped Sandpiper  10

Least Sandpiper  40

Semipalmated Sandpiper  30

Laughing Gull  1

Ring-billed Gull  5

American Herring Gull  30

Great Black-backed Gull  5

Common Tern  25

Sterna sp.  10    One possible Forster’s

Double-crested Cormorant  80

Snowy Egret  4

Great Egret  20

Great Blue Heron (Great Blue)  5

Turkey Vulture  2

Osprey (American)  8

Northern Harrier  1

Bald Eagle  1

Downy Woodpecker (Eastern)  1

Merlin (Taiga)  1

Great Crested Flycatcher  1

Eastern Kingbird  2

Blue Jay  3

American Crow  2

Common Raven  2

Black-capped Chickadee  5

Tree Swallow  3000

Barn Swallow (American)  2

Red-breasted Nuthatch  1

European Starling  200

Gray Catbird  4

Cedar Waxwing  12

American Pipit  1    Flyover at the salt pannes heading S. Slender bodied, tawny below, white outer tail feathers.

Purple Finch  1

American Goldfinch  8

Song Sparrow (melodia/atlantica)  4

Eastern Towhee  3

Red-winged Blackbird (Red-winged)  3

Common Grackle (Bronzed)  1

Common Yellowthroat  1

American Redstart  1

Blackburnian Warbler  1

Yellow Warbler (Northern)  1

Black-throated Green Warbler  2

Northern Cardinal  2

View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S270937836

News Categories

Upcoming Field Trips

  • Vernal Equinox Walk. Leader’s Choice

    Leader's Choice

    The trip leader will monitor recent sightings prior to meeting and select the birdiest spots. Contact leader for details. Call or e-mail no later than 7 PM on March 20.

  • CANCELLED “Timberdoodles” Kids Walk in Belmont

    Cancelled due to schedule conflict. Please check our other woodcock walks and one led by Menotomy Bird club listed on our calendar too. Two that are in the same area are listed below. https://www.brooklinebirdclub.org/tripevent/woodcocks-at-mary-cummings-park-2/ https://www.brooklinebirdclub.org/tripevent/woodcocks-of-rock-meadow/  

  • Woodcock Watch, Oxbow NWR, Harvard

    Harvard - Still River Depot Road

    We will stay until it gets dark to watch for American Woodcock. Come early to enjoy other birds. Rain date Sunday, March 22, same time.

  • Arlington Reservoir

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

    Visit Arlington Reservoir and the adjacent Lexington Community Farm to search for late winter lingerers and early migrants. Cosponsored with Menotomy Bird club.

  • Mass. Audubon Boston Nature Center

    Mattapan - MAS Boston Nature Center 500 Walk Hill St, Mattapan, MA, United States

    Join us to observe resident birds and early spring 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 flat and easy to walk. Be sure to wear a hat, waterproof footwear, and bring water.

Go to Top