Lake birding habitat

Quabbin Reservoir - Gate 35

Massachusetts · Northeast

Habitat
Lake
Best Seasons
Difficulty

Moderate

Best Months

April-May, September-October

About This Location

Quabbin Reservoir - Gate 35 is a productive birding destination in Massachusetts, with 200 species recorded on eBird. This lake habitat attracts Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, and Black-capped Chickadee 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

Red-headed Woodpecker

Melanerpes erythrocephalus

7/18/202651 Old Northfield Road, Montague, Massachusetts, US (42.557, -72.523)2 observed

Red Crossbill

Loxia curvirostra

7/17/2026Leverett Crafts and Arts1 observed

Northern Parula

Setophaga americana

7/14/2026Home1 observed

Merlin

Falco columbarius

7/14/2026Crystal Lake, Gardner3 observed

Semipalmated Plover

Charadrius semipalmatus

7/12/2026Quabbin Reservoir--Gate 351 observed

Acadian Flycatcher

Empidonax virescens

7/12/2026Mount Holyoke Range SP2 observed

Bonaparte's Gull

Chroicocephalus philadelphia

7/12/2026Atkins Reservoir1 observed

Solitary Sandpiper

Tringa solitaria

7/12/2026coys brook2 observed

Recent Observations

Species reported at this location in the last 14 days

Canada Goose

87/16/2026

Common Merganser

67/16/2026

Mourning Dove

27/16/2026

Yellow-billed Cuckoo

17/16/2026

Black-billed Cuckoo

17/16/2026

Killdeer

17/16/2026

Spotted Sandpiper

37/16/2026

Ring-billed Gull

87/16/2026

Double-crested Cormorant

47/16/2026

Osprey

17/16/2026

Northern Flicker

17/16/2026

Eastern Wood-Pewee

37/16/2026

Eastern Phoebe

27/16/2026

Yellow-throated Vireo

27/16/2026

Red-eyed Vireo

97/16/2026

Blue Jay

37/16/2026

Common Raven

27/16/2026

Black-capped Chickadee

47/16/2026

Tufted Titmouse

17/16/2026

White-breasted Nuthatch

17/16/2026

Birding Tips

  1. 1

    Scan the water surface methodically for diving ducks, loons, and grebes.

  2. 2

    Check the shoreline and mudflats for shorebirds and wading birds.

  3. 3

    Visit during mid-May for peak warbler migration.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to visit Quabbin Reservoir - Gate 35 for birding?
The best months to visit Quabbin Reservoir - Gate 35 for birding are April-May, September-October. The best seasons are Spring and Fall.
What birds can I see at Quabbin Reservoir - Gate 35?
Notable species at Quabbin Reservoir - Gate 35 include Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Black-capped Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, Golden-crowned Kinglet. The area supports lake habitats.
How difficult is birding at Quabbin Reservoir - Gate 35?
Birding at Quabbin Reservoir - Gate 35 is rated as Moderate. Some trails may require moderate fitness and basic hiking ability.
What amenities are available at Quabbin Reservoir - Gate 35?
Quabbin Reservoir - Gate 35 offers the following amenities: Parking, Trails.