Plum Island
Massachusetts · Northeast
Challenging
April-May, September-October
$5 per vehicle
Open daily, sunrise to sunset
About This Location
Plum Island is a productive birding destination in Massachusetts, with 364 species recorded on eBird. This coastal habitat attracts American Black Duck, Wild Turkey, and Mourning Dove among many others. Spring and fall migration bring waves of warblers and shorebirds through the area.
Location
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Notable Species
Live Bird Data
Powered by eBird / Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Notable Sightings
Rare or unusual species spotted nearby in the last 14 days
Rusty Blackbird
Euphagus carolinus
Pine Warbler
Setophaga pinus
White-crowned Sparrow
Zonotrichia leucophrys
Thick-billed Murre
Uria lomvia
Killdeer
Charadrius vociferus
Red Crossbill
Loxia curvirostra
Double-crested Cormorant
Nannopterum auritum
King Eider
Somateria spectabilis
Baltimore Oriole
Icterus galbula
Bohemian Waxwing
Bombycilla garrulus
Common Eider (Northern)
Somateria mollissima
Recent Observations
Species reported at this location in the last 14 days
Canada Goose
Mallard
American Black Duck
White-winged Scoter
Black Scoter
Common Goldeneye
Red-breasted Merganser
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
American Herring Gull
Horned Grebe
Red-necked Grebe
Northern Harrier
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Blue Jay
Black-capped Chickadee
Northern Mockingbird
American Robin
Cedar Waxwing
Birding Tips
- 1
Check rocky shorelines and jetties at low tide for shorebirds.
- 2
Scan offshore waters with a spotting scope for seabirds and waterfowl.
- 3
Visit during mid-May for peak warbler migration.
- 4
Onshore winds can push pelagic species closer to shore, making post-storm days excellent for rarities.
- 5
Check access conditions and any ferry schedules before planning your trip to ensure the site is reachable.
Amenities
Nearby Attractions
- Parker River NWR
- Newburyport Harbor
- Joppa Flats Education Center
More in Massachusetts
Mount Auburn Cemetery
Historic Cambridge cemetery renowned as a spring warbler migrant trap.
Parker River National Wildlife Refuge
Massachusetts barrier beach refuge vital for shorebirds and Piping Plovers.
Arnold Arboretum
Harvard's 281-acre living tree museum in Boston with 200+ bird species and outstanding warbler migration.
Massachusetts Birding Guide
Complete guide to birding in Massachusetts →