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
Loading map...
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
Bridled Tern
Onychoprion anaethetus
Little Blue Heron
Egretta caerulea
Glossy Ibis
Plegadis falcinellus
Ruddy Duck
Oxyura jamaicensis
Purple Martin
Progne subis
Recent Observations
Species reported at this location in the last 14 days
Great Blue Heron
Eastern Warbling Vireo
House Sparrow
Red-winged Blackbird
American Robin
Baltimore Oriole
Manx Shearwater
Common Eider
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
American Oystercatcher
Killdeer
Semipalmated Plover
Piping Plover
Spotted Sandpiper
Least Sandpiper
Semipalmated Sandpiper
Ring-billed Gull
American Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
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
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 →