Salisbury Beach State Reservation
Massachusetts · Northeast
Moderate
April-May, September-October
Free (parking $20 in season)
Open daily, dawn to dusk
About This Location
Salisbury Beach State Reservation is a productive birding destination in Massachusetts, with 296 species recorded on eBird. This coastal habitat attracts American Herring Gull, Northern Harrier, and American Crow 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
Brant
Canada Goose
Mallard
Common Eider
Mourning Dove
Black-billed Cuckoo
Killdeer
Willet
Ring-billed Gull
American Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Double-crested Cormorant
Turkey Vulture
Osprey
Bald Eagle
Red-bellied Woodpecker
American Crow
Tufted Titmouse
Tree Swallow
Purple Martin
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
Bring quality optics — a good pair of binoculars (8x42 or 10x42) makes all the difference in species identification.
Amenities
Nearby Attractions
- Parker River NWR
- Plum Island
- Newburyport Harbor
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 →