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
Bridled Tern
Onychoprion anaethetus
Ruddy Duck
Oxyura jamaicensis
Purple Martin
Progne subis
Wilson's Storm-Petrel
Oceanites oceanicus
American Kestrel
Falco sparverius
Little Blue Heron
Egretta caerulea
Great Cormorant (North Atlantic)
Phalacrocorax carbo
Recent Observations
Species reported at this location in the last 14 days
Mourning Dove
Wood Duck
Chimney Swift
Black-crowned Night Heron
American Robin
Northern Cardinal
Rock Pigeon
European Starling
House Sparrow
Canada Goose
Ring-billed Gull
American Herring Gull
Great Egret
Northern Flicker
Northern Mockingbird
Common Grackle
Gray Catbird
Common Eider
American Oystercatcher
Killdeer
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 →