Wetland birding habitat

Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge

Massachusetts · Northeast

Habitat
Wetland
Best Seasons
Difficulty

Moderate

Best Months

April-May, September-October

About This Location

Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge is a productive birding destination in Massachusetts, with 267 species recorded on eBird. This wetland habitat attracts a wide variety of species 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

Northern Parula

Setophaga americana

6/2/2026Old Quidnet Milk Route location2 observed

Acadian Flycatcher

Empidonax virescens

6/2/2026Brewster Wing Island1 observed

Gadwall

Mareca strepera

6/1/2026Red River Beach2 observed

White-throated Sparrow

Zonotrichia albicollis

6/1/2026Coskata-Coatue Wildlife Refuge1 observed

Common Raven

Corvus corax

6/1/2026Coskata-Coatue Wildlife Refuge1 observed

Tricolored Heron

Egretta tricolor

6/1/2026Pochet Island1 observed

Yellow-crowned Night Heron

Nyctanassa violacea

6/1/2026Bell's Neck Conservation Area (HCT)1 observed

Leach's Storm-Petrel

Hydrobates leucorhous

5/31/2026First Encounter Beach1 observed

Great Shearwater

Ardenna gravis

5/31/2026First Encounter Beach1 observed

Red Phalarope

Phalaropus fulicarius

5/31/2026First Encounter Beach1 observed

Sabine's Gull

Xema sabini

5/31/2026First Encounter Beach2 observed

Recent Observations

Species reported at this location in the last 14 days

Common Eider

136/1/2026

Mourning Dove

16/1/2026

American Oystercatcher

26/1/2026

Black-bellied Plover

186/1/2026

Piping Plover

16/1/2026

Greater Yellowlegs

16/1/2026

Ruddy Turnstone

26/1/2026

Red Knot

236/1/2026

Sanderling

26/1/2026

Laughing Gull

706/1/2026

Ring-billed Gull

36/1/2026

American Herring Gull

3456/1/2026

Great Black-backed Gull

906/1/2026

Lesser Black-backed Gull

16/1/2026

Least Tern

56/1/2026

Common Tern

156/1/2026

Common Loon

16/1/2026

Northern Gannet

46/1/2026

Double-crested Cormorant

86/1/2026

Black-crowned Night Heron

16/1/2026

Birding Tips

  1. 1

    Bring waterproof boots for marsh trails and muddy edges.

  2. 2

    Scan the edges of open water for herons, egrets, and rails at dawn.

  3. 3

    Visit during mid-May for peak warbler migration.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to visit Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge for birding?
The best months to visit Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge for birding are April-May, September-October. The best seasons are Spring and Fall.
What birds can I see at Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge?
Notable species at Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge include Great Blue Heron, Red-winged Blackbird, Mallard, Green Heron, Virginia Rail. The area supports wetland habitats.
How difficult is birding at Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge?
Birding at Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge is rated as Moderate. Some trails may require moderate fitness and basic hiking ability.
What amenities are available at Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge?
Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge offers the following amenities: Parking, Restrooms, Trails, Auto Tour Route.