Parker River National Wildlife Refuge

Massachusetts · Northeast

EasyOfficial Site

Habitat

CoastalMarshWetland

Best Seasons

SpringWinter

Difficulty

Easy

Best Months

August-September

Entrance Fee

$5 per vehicle

Hours

Dawn to dusk daily

About This Location

Parker River NWR on Plum Island protects over 4,700 acres of barrier beach, dune, and salt marsh along the Massachusetts coast. It is a critical stopover for migrating shorebirds and hosts nesting Piping Plovers and Saltmarsh Sparrows.

Location

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Notable Species

Piping Plover Saltmarsh Sparrow Snowy Owl Short-eared Owl Purple Sandpiper

Live Bird Data

Notable Sightings

Pied-billed Grebe

Podilymbus podiceps

3/4/2026Castle Island and Pleasure Bay1 observed

Dickcissel

Spiza americana

3/4/2026Muddy Creek Headwaters Preserve1 observed

Tufted Duck

Aythya fuligula

3/4/2026Nantucket Long Pond--Massasoit Bridge1 observed

Northern Shoveler

Spatula clypeata

3/4/2026Settler's Landing1 observed

Thick-billed Murre

Uria lomvia

3/4/2026Andrews Point1 observed

Barrow's Goldeneye

Bucephala islandica

3/4/2026Loop Beach1 observed

Willet

Tringa semipalmata

3/4/2026Forest Beach and Conservation Lands, Chatham1 observed

Double-crested Cormorant

Nannopterum auritum

3/4/2026Halibut Point SP4 observed

Chestnut-collared Longspur

Calcarius ornatus

3/4/2026Fitchburg Municipal Airport, Fitchburg US-MA 42.55463, -71.754461 observed

Pine Warbler

Setophaga pinus

3/4/2026Castle Island and Pleasure Bay1 observed

Barrow's Goldeneye

Bucephala islandica

3/4/2026Castle Island and Pleasure Bay1 observed

Brown Thrasher

Toxostoma rufum

3/4/2026Horn Pond Recreation Area1 observed

Eastern Towhee

Pipilo erythrophthalmus

3/4/2026Horn Pond Recreation Area1 observed

Chestnut-collared Longspur

Calcarius ornatus

3/4/2026Fitchburg Airport1 observed

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

Sphyrapicus varius

3/4/2026Boston Nature Center Wildlife Sanctuary (Mass Audubon)1 observed

Chipping Sparrow

Spizella passerina

3/4/2026Cold Brook Preserve1 observed

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

Sphyrapicus varius

3/4/202629 Constitution Rd, Boston US-MA 42.37141, -71.059561 observed

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Setophaga coronata

3/4/202629 Constitution Rd, Boston US-MA 42.37141, -71.059561 observed

Thick-billed Murre

Uria lomvia

3/4/2026Cape Cod National Seashore--Salt Pond Visitors Center1 observed

Evening Grosbeak

Hesperiphona vespertina

3/4/2026Groton Yard15 observed

Recent Observations

White-breasted Nuthatch

Atlantic Ave

3/4/2026

1 birds

House Sparrow

Atlantic Ave

3/4/2026

3 birds

Black-capped Chickadee

Atlantic Ave

3/4/2026

1 birds

Tufted Titmouse

Atlantic Ave

3/4/2026

1 birds

Carolina Wren

Atlantic Ave

3/4/2026

1 birds

Blue Jay

Atlantic Ave

3/4/2026

1 birds

American Crow

Duxbury Transfer & Recycling Station

3/4/2026

1 birds

Black-headed Gull

Mill Pond, Gloucester

3/4/2026

1 birds

Mallard

Mill Pond, Gloucester

3/4/2026

300 birds

American Herring Gull

Mill Pond, Gloucester

3/4/2026

6 birds

Bufflehead

Great Neck--Eagle Hill

3/4/2026

2 birds

Canada Goose

Great Neck--Eagle Hill

3/4/2026

3 birds

Bald Eagle

Great Neck--Eagle Hill

3/4/2026

1 birds

American Black Duck

Great Neck--Eagle Hill

3/4/2026

3 birds

Common Eider

Great Neck--Eagle Hill

3/4/2026

2 birds

Black Scoter

Great Neck--Eagle Hill

3/4/2026

2 birds

Common Goldeneye

Great Neck--Eagle Hill

3/4/2026

7 birds

Common Loon

Great Neck--Eagle Hill

3/4/2026

1 birds

Greater Scaup

Great Neck--Eagle Hill

3/4/2026

2 birds

Fish Crow

MarketStreet, Lynnfield

3/4/2026

1 birds

Birding Tips

1
Check the salt pannes for shorebirds during fall migration
2
Winter visits can yield Snowy Owls on the dunes

Amenities

Parking

Restrooms

Trails

Observation Platforms

Nearby Attractions

Newburyport Waterfront

More in Massachusetts

Mount Auburn Cemetery

Historic Cambridge cemetery renowned as a spring warbler migrant trap.

Birding Guides

Bird Identification Tips: How to ID Birds Like a Pro

11 min read

The Beginner's Guide to Birding

8 min read

How to Start a Birding Life List

9 min read

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to visit Parker River National Wildlife Refuge for birding?▼

The best months to visit Parker River National Wildlife Refuge for birding are August-September. The best seasons are Spring and Winter.

What birds can I see at Parker River National Wildlife Refuge?▼

Notable species at Parker River National Wildlife Refuge include Piping Plover, Saltmarsh Sparrow, Snowy Owl, Short-eared Owl, Purple Sandpiper. The area supports coastal, marsh, wetland habitats.

How difficult is birding at Parker River National Wildlife Refuge?▼

Birding at Parker River National Wildlife Refuge is rated as Easy. The trails and viewing areas are accessible for birders of all experience levels.

Is there an entrance fee at Parker River National Wildlife Refuge?▼

The entrance fee at Parker River National Wildlife Refuge is $5 per vehicle. Hours: Dawn to dusk daily.

What amenities are available at Parker River National Wildlife Refuge?▼

Parker River National Wildlife Refuge offers the following amenities: Parking, Restrooms, Trails, Observation Platforms.