Arlington Reservoir
Massachusetts · Northeast
Moderate
April-May, September-October
Free
Open daily, dawn to dusk
About This Location
Arlington Reservoir is a productive birding destination in Massachusetts, with 224 species recorded on eBird. This lake habitat attracts Mallard, Downy Woodpecker, and Common Raven 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
Acadian Flycatcher
Empidonax virescens
Wood Thrush
Hylocichla mustelina
Northern Parula
Setophaga americana
Northern Waterthrush
Parkesia noveboracensis
Alder Flycatcher
Empidonax alnorum
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Sphyrapicus varius
Wilson's Warbler
Cardellina pusilla
Black-bellied Plover
Pluvialis squatarola
Prothonotary Warbler
Protonotaria citrea
White-throated Sparrow
Zonotrichia albicollis
Recent Observations
Species reported at this location in the last 14 days
Canada Goose
Mute Swan
Mallard
Chimney Swift
Killdeer
Downy Woodpecker
Eastern Kingbird
Eastern Warbling Vireo
Tufted Titmouse
European Starling
Gray Catbird
American Robin
House Sparrow
American Goldfinch
Song Sparrow
Baltimore Oriole
Red-winged Blackbird
Brown-headed Cowbird
Common Grackle
Northern Cardinal
Birding Tips
- 1
Scan the water surface methodically for diving ducks, loons, and grebes.
- 2
Check the shoreline and mudflats for shorebirds and wading birds.
- 3
Visit during mid-May for peak warbler migration.
- 4
A spotting scope is essential here — many waterbirds stay far from shore and are difficult to identify with binoculars alone.
- 5
Winter months bring peak waterfowl diversity — visit November through February for the best duck and goose viewing.
Amenities
Nearby Attractions
- Great Meadows NWR
- Mystic Lakes
- Arlington Great Meadows
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 →