Birding in Massachusetts
Massachusetts is where American birding began, and its rich tradition continues today with world-class pelagic birding, coastal migration hotspots, and a passionate birding community.
Overview
Massachusetts holds a special place in American birding history and remains one of the most intensively birded states in the country. Cape Cod juts far into the Atlantic, creating a natural funnel for migrants and a jumping-off point for pelagic trips to the productive waters of Stellwagen Bank. The Berkshire Hills in the west support breeding forest birds, while the Connecticut River valley channels migrants through the interior. The state's coastline is remarkably productive year-round. Plum Island at the mouth of the Merrimack River is one of New England's premier birding destinations, with extensive salt marshes, barrier beaches, and freshwater impoundments attracting an extraordinary diversity of shorebirds, waterfowl, and passerines. Mount Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge is legendary for spring warbler migration. From summer tern colonies on the offshore islands to winter sea duck concentrations along the coast, Massachusetts offers outstanding birding within easy reach of its major population centers, making it one of the most accessible birding states in the country.
Seasonal Birding Guide
Mount Auburn Cemetery and other urban parks produce excellent warbler migration in May. Plum Island fills with shorebirds and marsh birds. Pelagic trips begin producing shearwaters and storm-petrels. Piping Plovers return to nest on Cape Cod beaches.
Tern colonies thrive on Cape Cod and the islands. Roseate Terns nest at a few protected sites. Pelagic birding peaks with Great, Cory's, and Sooty Shearwaters on Stellwagen Bank. Breeding warblers fill the Berkshire forests, including Mourning and Canada Warblers at higher elevations.
Cape Cod becomes a vagrant trap, producing rare western and European birds annually. Hawk migration is strong at coastal watch sites. Shorebird migration peaks in August and September at Plum Island and South Beach. Sparrow diversity peaks in October, with flocks of field and edge species at coastal sites.
Sea duck concentrations are spectacular, with all three scoter species, Long-tailed Ducks, and Common Eiders massing offshore. Harlequin Ducks winter at Rockport's Andrew's Point. Snowy Owls visit in irruption years. Stellwagen Bank pelagic trips can produce alcids including Razorbills and Dovekies. Winter finches visit feeders in good irruption years.
Quick Facts
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