Plum Island
Massachusetts · Northeast
Challenging
April-May, September-October
$5 per vehicle
Open daily, sunrise to sunset
About This Location
Plum Island is a productive birding destination in Massachusetts, with 364 species recorded on eBird. This coastal habitat attracts American Black Duck, Wild Turkey, and Mourning Dove 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
Bay-breasted Warbler
Setophaga castanea
Yellow-crowned Night Heron
Nyctanassa violacea
Northern Fulmar
Fulmarus glacialis
Red-throated Loon
Gavia stellata
Red-necked Phalarope
Phalaropus lobatus
Great Shearwater
Ardenna gravis
White-crowned Sparrow
Zonotrichia leucophrys
Rusty Blackbird
Euphagus carolinus
Wilson's Warbler
Cardellina pusilla
King Rail
Rallus elegans
Clapper Rail
Rallus crepitans
Recent Observations
Species reported at this location in the last 14 days
Mourning Dove
American Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Double-crested Cormorant
Purple Martin
European Starling
Northern Mockingbird
American Robin
House Sparrow
House Finch
Chipping Sparrow
Common Grackle
Prairie Warbler
Northern Cardinal
Gadwall
Mallard
Killdeer
Semipalmated Plover
Willet
Greater Yellowlegs
Birding Tips
- 1
Check rocky shorelines and jetties at low tide for shorebirds.
- 2
Scan offshore waters with a spotting scope for seabirds and waterfowl.
- 3
Visit during mid-May for peak warbler migration.
- 4
Onshore winds can push pelagic species closer to shore, making post-storm days excellent for rarities.
- 5
Check access conditions and any ferry schedules before planning your trip to ensure the site is reachable.
Amenities
Nearby Attractions
- Parker River NWR
- Newburyport Harbor
- Joppa Flats Education Center
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 →