Sandy Point State Reservation

Massachusetts · Northeast

ModerateView on eBird Directions

Habitat

ForestWetland

Best Seasons

Spring Fall

Difficulty

Moderate

Best Months

April-May, September-October

About This Location

Sandy Point State Reservation is a productive birding destination in Massachusetts, with 269 species recorded on eBird. This forest and 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

Red-eyed Vireo Scarlet Tanager Pileated Woodpecker Wood Thrush Ovenbird

Live Bird Data

Notable Sightings

Rare or unusual species spotted nearby in the last 14 days

Yellow-crowned Night Heron

Nyctanassa violacea

7/19/2026Parker River NWR--Stage Island Trail1 observed

Great Cormorant

Phalacrocorax carbo

7/18/2026Parker River NWR--Emerson Rocks1 observed

Nelson's Sparrow

Ammospiza nelsoni

7/18/2026Plum Island--Parker River NWR & Sandy Pt. State Reservation1 observed

Black Vulture

Coragyps atratus

7/17/2026I-95 S, Byfield US-MA 42.77488, -70.930121 observed

Clapper Rail

Rallus crepitans

7/17/2026Plum Island--Parker River NWR & Sandy Pt. State Reservation1 observed

Brown Pelican

Pelecanus occidentalis

7/17/20267 Atlantic Ave, Hampton Beach1 observed

Caspian Tern

Hydroprogne caspia

7/16/2026Crane Beach (TTOR)1 observed

Recent Observations

Species reported at this location in the last 14 days

Piping Plover

27/19/2026

Semipalmated Sandpiper

7/19/2026

Laughing Gull

27/19/2026

Ring-billed Gull

17/19/2026

American Herring Gull

7/19/2026

Great Black-backed Gull

57/19/2026

Least Tern

7/19/2026

Common Tern

7/19/2026

Double-crested Cormorant

407/19/2026

Turkey Vulture

17/19/2026

Osprey

17/19/2026

Tree Swallow

7/19/2026

European Starling

17/19/2026

Cedar Waxwing

17/19/2026

Purple Finch

17/19/2026

American Goldfinch

7/19/2026

Song Sparrow

17/19/2026

Eastern Towhee

17/19/2026

Common Eider

47/18/2026

Red-throated Loon

17/18/2026

Birding Tips

1
Listen for vocalizations to locate canopy-dwelling warblers and vireos.
2
Check forest edges and clearings for flycatchers and thrushes.
3
Visit during mid-May for peak warbler migration.

Amenities

Parking

Trails

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 →

Birding Guides

Fall Bird Migration Guide

10 min read

Understanding Bird Migration

12 min read

Spring Birding in New York City

12 min read

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to visit Sandy Point State Reservation for birding?▼

The best months to visit Sandy Point State Reservation for birding are April-May, September-October. The best seasons are Spring and Fall.

What birds can I see at Sandy Point State Reservation?▼

Notable species at Sandy Point State Reservation include Red-eyed Vireo, Scarlet Tanager, Pileated Woodpecker, Wood Thrush, Ovenbird. The area supports forest, wetland habitats.

How difficult is birding at Sandy Point State Reservation?▼

Birding at Sandy Point State Reservation is rated as Moderate. Some trails may require moderate fitness and basic hiking ability.

What amenities are available at Sandy Point State Reservation?▼

Sandy Point State Reservation offers the following amenities: Parking, Trails.