Perkins Park, Newburyport, Essex County, Massachusetts, U, Essex, Massachusetts, US
Aug 22, 2016 4:50 PM – 5:15 PM
Protocol: Stationary
Comments:     BBC walk.  After meeting at the train station we went to Perkins Park as the tide was too high in the Harbor.  Good choice!  Quite the Night-heron show.
14 species

Mallard  3
Double-crested Cormorant  1
Great Blue Heron  1
Great Egret  3
Snowy Egret  5
Green Heron  1
Black-crowned Night-Heron  9     Minimum count.  Probably more out of sight.
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron  7     Continuing birds at this location.  Amazing number of these birds.  We had 5 together in a snag over the water, all immature.  Probably undercounted
Osprey  1
Spotted Sandpiper  1
Ring-billed Gull  1
Mourning Dove  1
Belted Kingfisher  1
Tree Swallow  3

View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S31209874

Parker River NWR–Stage Island Pool, Essex, Massachusetts, US
Aug 22, 2016 5:45 PM – 6:05 PM
Protocol: Stationary
Comments:     BBC trip.  Under the gun a little time-wise as the Rufge was closing at 7:30 from Hellcat north for a Bat trapping project.  Very windy, steady 20+ mph winds out of the NNW.  Not a lot of shorebirds around.  The Forster’s terns were the highlight as they were actively feeding right in front of us.  They would fly slowly into the wind feeding and then zoom south with the wind, and repeat.
16 species (+2 other taxa)

Canada Goose  11
Mallard  7
Double-crested Cormorant  6
Great Blue Heron  1
Great Egret  6
Snowy Egret  18
Semipalmated Plover  17
Killdeer  2
White-rumped Sandpiper  2
Semipalmated Sandpiper  45
peep sp.  4
Short-billed Dowitcher  7
Greater Yellowlegs  27
Greater/Lesser Yellowlegs  3
Least Tern  1
Forster’s Tern  3
Tree Swallow  200     No big swarms about while we were there.
Northern Mockingbird  2

View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S31209873

Parker River NWR–Hellcat Dike, Essex, Massachusetts, US
Aug 22, 2016 6:20 AM – 7:15 AM
Protocol: Stationary
Comments:     BBC trip. Under the gun a little time-wise as the Rufge was closing at 7:30 from Hellcat north for a Bat trapping project. Very windy, steady 20+ mph winds out of the NNW. The number of shorebirds was down.  We watched the Hudsonian godwit take flight with a group of 15 birds, all headed SSW.
17 species (+2 other taxa)

Mallard  6
Double-crested Cormorant  4
Great Blue Heron  1
Black-crowned Night-Heron  1     Immature in NP.
Osprey  1
Northern Harrier  2     Actively hunting just east of BFP.  Sometimes very close.
Black-bellied Plover  11
Semipalmated Plover  135
Killdeer  2
Hudsonian Godwit  1
Least Sandpiper  1
Semipalmated Sandpiper  65
peep sp.  40
Short-billed Dowitcher  12
Greater Yellowlegs  17
Lesser Yellowlegs  2
shorebird sp.  5
Herring Gull  2
Tree Swallow  X     There were some about, but we saw no big swarms.

View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S31209875

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

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

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

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Upcoming Field Trips

  • Shorebirds at Winthrop Beach with Soheil Zendeh

    Winthrop - DCR Winthrop Beach Reservation - Sturgis St 59 Winthrop Shore Drive, Winthrop, MA, United States

    We are happy to offer this shorebirding field trip at Winthrop Beach led by Soheil Zendeh. Shorebirding beginners welcome. We meet at the corner of Winthrop Shore Drive and Sturgis St in Winthrop. A scope will probably be useful if you have one. Definitely bring binoculars. Meeting at 9 am, timed with the tide. Soheil

  • Essex River Marsh Cruise

    Essex - Essex River Marsh Cruise 35 Dodge St, Essex, MA, United States

    This narrated cruise is scenic, relaxing, and educational. Join us for a cruise along the Essex River as we glide past islands, historic mansions, wildlife, and stunning scenery. The marsh itself is part of the Essex River estuary, which serves as the feeding ground for many species of beautiful birds and abundant wildlife. Group discount

  • 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 large groups of herons and egrets, and shorebird rarities. Participants are responsible for their own transportation between locations (by car or

  • Halibut Point State Park, Rockport

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

    Beginners encouraged. A two-hour walk over easy to moderate trails in search of seasonal specialties. Boots advisable. Co-sponsored by DCR.

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