Belle Isle Marsh Reservation
Massachusetts · Northeast
Moderate
April-May, September-October
Free
Open daily, dawn to dusk
About This Location
Belle Isle Marsh Reservation is a productive birding destination in Massachusetts, with 273 species recorded on eBird. This wetland habitat attracts Canada Goose, American Black Duck, and Bufflehead 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
Wood Thrush
Hylocichla mustelina
Northern Parula
Setophaga americana
Northern Waterthrush
Parkesia noveboracensis
Grasshopper Sparrow
Ammodramus savannarum
Acadian Flycatcher
Empidonax virescens
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
Mallard
American Black Duck
Mourning Dove
Chimney Swift
Virginia Rail
Willet
Common Tern
Snowy Egret
Great Egret
Osprey
Willow Flycatcher
Eastern Warbling Vireo
Tree Swallow
Northern Rough-winged Swallow
Barn Swallow
American Robin
House Sparrow
Saltmarsh Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Common Grackle
Birding Tips
- 1
Bring waterproof boots for marsh trails and muddy edges.
- 2
Scan the edges of open water for herons, egrets, and rails at dawn.
- 3
Visit during mid-May for peak warbler migration.
- 4
Bring insect repellent — wetland areas can have significant mosquito activity, especially in warmer months.
- 5
Bring quality optics — a good pair of binoculars (8x42 or 10x42) makes all the difference in species identification.
Amenities
Nearby Attractions
- Winthrop Beach
- Revere Beach
- Suffolk Downs
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 →