Plum Island & Parker River NWR Field Trip with Peter Alden

The Parker River National Wildlife Refuge on Plum Island is a top 100 US birding site. The refuge contains a wide variety of habitats including beaches, salt marshes, freshwater impoundments, and maritime forests. Plum Island is an excellent place to see a large variety of shorebirds. The freshwater areas attract large numbers of waterfowl, herons, egrets, and shorebirds. The woodlands are good places to look for migrating songbirds. Sandy Point at the sound end of the island is a breeding area for the endangered Piping Plover during the summer.

Arrive: 9:00 am to Massachusetts Audubon’s Joppa Flats Education Center (see map). All levels of birdwatching experience are welcome!

Entrance Fee: The refuge is a federal recreation fee area. The daily entrance fee is $5.00 for motor vehicles and $2.00 for bicycles and pedestrians. Please note, the refuge does not currently accept credit cards, either at the entrance station or headquarters.

What to bring: binoculars, camera, light jacket (if necessary), water bottle, insect repellant, bird checklist (if desired). Be prepared to walk on sand.

NOTE about registration: Please register as soon as possible as the event is limited to 14 participants.

BIrd Checklist: Download the Mass Audubon Bird Checklist for Plum Island.

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