Belle Isle Marsh Reservation
Massachusetts · Northeast
Easy
September-December
Free
Dawn to dusk daily
About This Location
Belle Isle Marsh Reservation in East Boston is the last remaining salt marsh in Boston proper, a 28-acre remnant that punches far above its weight in birding productivity. Over 250 species have been recorded at this small but significant wetland, which serves as a vital stopover and wintering site for shorebirds, waterfowl, and marsh-dwelling species amid the surrounding urban development.
The marsh's boardwalk and perimeter trails provide easy access to views of Nelson's Sparrows, Saltmarsh Sparrows, and Snowy Egrets in the spartina grass, while the tidal channels attract Great Blue Herons, Green Herons, and occasional American Bitterns. During fall migration, the marsh edges host impressive sparrow diversity, and winter brings Short-eared Owls, Northern Harriers, and flocks of American Black Ducks to the open marsh.
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
Sandhill Crane
Antigone canadensis
Acadian Flycatcher
Empidonax virescens
Wood Thrush
Hylocichla mustelina
Northern Parula
Setophaga americana
Northern Waterthrush
Parkesia noveboracensis
Grasshopper Sparrow
Ammodramus savannarum
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
Chimney Swift
American Oystercatcher
Willet
Greater Yellowlegs
American Herring Gull
Common Tern
Double-crested Cormorant
Black-crowned Night Heron
Osprey
Eastern Wood-Pewee
House Finch
Baltimore Oriole
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
Canada Goose
Mourning Dove
European Starling
Gray Catbird
American Robin
House Sparrow
Birding Tips
- 1
Visit at high tide when rails and sparrows are pushed to the marsh edges
- 2
The boardwalk provides the best access for viewing Saltmarsh and Nelson's Sparrows
- 3
Winter evenings may reveal Short-eared Owls hunting over the open marsh
Amenities
Nearby Attractions
- Constitution Beach
- Piers Park
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Massachusetts Birding Guide
Complete guide to birding in Massachusetts →