A large body of water surrounded by rocks

Halibut Point State Park

Massachusetts · Northeast

EasyOfficial Site View on eBird Directions

Habitat

ForestWetland

Best Seasons

Spring Fall

Difficulty

Easy

Best Months

April-May, September-October

Entrance Fee

Free (parking $5 MA residents, $20 non-residents)

Hours

Open daily, sunrise to sunset

About This Location

Halibut Point State Park is a productive birding destination in Massachusetts, with 287 species recorded on eBird. This forest and wetland habitat attracts Brant, Wood Duck, and King Eider among many others. Spring and fall migration bring waves of warblers and shorebirds through the area.

Location

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Notable Species

Brant Wood Duck King Eider Common Eider White-winged Scoter Ring-billed Gull American Herring Gull Downy Woodpecker Tufted Titmouse White-breasted Nuthatch European Starling Eastern Bluebird

Live Bird Data

Notable Sightings

Rare or unusual species spotted nearby in the last 14 days

Tricolored Heron

Egretta tricolor

6/1/2026Plum Island--Parker River NWR & Sandy Pt. State Reservation1 observed

Solitary Sandpiper

Tringa solitaria

5/31/2026Steer Swamp Conservation Area1 observed

Arctic Tern

Sterna paradisaea

5/31/2026Parker River NWR--Emerson Rocks1 observed

Yellow-crowned Night Heron

Nyctanassa violacea

5/31/2026Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, Newbury US-MA 42.73872, -70.792241 observed

Northern Fulmar

Fulmarus glacialis

5/31/2026Jeffrey's Ledge (NH)1 observed

Merlin

Falco columbarius

5/31/2026Plum Island--Parker River NWR & Sandy Pt. State Reservation1 observed

King Rail

Rallus elegans

5/31/2026Parker River NWR--Maintenance Area1 observed

Clapper Rail

Rallus crepitans

5/31/2026Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, Newbury US-MA 42.75689, -70.804631 observed

Recent Observations

Species reported at this location in the last 14 days

Common Eider

25/30/2026

White-winged Scoter

65/30/2026

Red-breasted Merganser

15/30/2026

Parasitic Jaeger

35/30/2026

American Herring Gull

135/30/2026

Great Black-backed Gull

85/30/2026

Common Tern

555/30/2026

Red-throated Loon

35/30/2026

Common Loon

65/30/2026

Wilson's Storm-Petrel

35/30/2026

Leach's Storm-Petrel

15/30/2026

Manx Shearwater

15/30/2026

Northern Gannet

225/30/2026

Double-crested Cormorant

65/30/2026

Mallard

15/30/2026

Black Scoter

15/30/2026

Semipalmated Sandpiper

15/30/2026

Sooty Shearwater

15/30/2026

Blue Jay

15/30/2026

Black-capped Chickadee

15/30/2026

Birding Tips

1
Listen for vocalizations to locate canopy-dwelling warblers and vireos.
2
Check forest edges and clearings for flycatchers and thrushes.
3
Visit during mid-May for peak warbler migration.
4
Consider purchasing an annual parks pass if you plan to visit multiple times.
5
Check tide tables before visiting — low tide exposes mudflats that attract the most shorebirds.

Amenities

Parking

Restrooms

Trails

Visitor Center

Nearby Attractions

Andrews Point
Rockport Harbor
Cape Ann Museum

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 →

Birding Guides

Fall Bird Migration Guide

10 min read

Bird Identification: The Four Keys

11 min read

Beginner's Guide to Birdwatching

8 min read

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to visit Halibut Point State Park for birding?▼

The best months to visit Halibut Point State Park for birding are April-May, September-October. The best seasons are Spring and Fall.

What birds can I see at Halibut Point State Park?▼

Notable species at Halibut Point State Park include Brant, Wood Duck, King Eider, Common Eider, White-winged Scoter, Ring-billed Gull, American Herring Gull, Downy Woodpecker, Tufted Titmouse, White-breasted Nuthatch, European Starling, Eastern Bluebird. The area supports forest, wetland habitats.

How difficult is birding at Halibut Point State Park?▼

Birding at Halibut Point State Park is rated as Easy. The trails and viewing areas are accessible for birders of all experience levels.

Is there an entrance fee at Halibut Point State Park?▼

The entrance fee at Halibut Point State Park is Free (parking $5 MA residents, $20 non-residents). Hours: Open daily, sunrise to sunset.

What amenities are available at Halibut Point State Park?▼

Halibut Point State Park offers the following amenities: Parking, Restrooms, Trails, Visitor Center.