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
Black Vulture
Coragyps atratus
Horned Lark
Eremophila alpestris
Clapper Rail
Rallus crepitans
Brown Pelican
Pelecanus occidentalis
Yellow-crowned Night Heron
Nyctanassa violacea
Caspian Tern
Hydroprogne caspia
Snowy Egret
Egretta thula
Clapper Rail (Atlantic Coast)
Rallus crepitans
Pine Grosbeak
Pinicola enucleator
Recent Observations
Species reported at this location in the last 14 days
American Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Common Tern
Double-crested Cormorant
Blue Jay
House Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Mourning Dove
Chimney Swift
Killdeer
Greater Yellowlegs
Osprey
American Crow
Fish Crow
Black-capped Chickadee
Tree Swallow
Barn Swallow
European Starling
Northern Mockingbird
American Robin
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 →