Plum Island is an excellent place to see a large variety of shorebirds during fall migration. The Parker River National Wildlife Refuge on Plum Island is a top 100 US birding site. The refuge contains a wide variety of habitats including beaches, salt marshes, freshwater impoundments, and maritime forests. The freshwater areas attract large numbers of waterfowl, herons, egrets, and shorebirds. The woodlands are good places to look for migrating songbirds. At the south end of the island, Sandy Point is a breeding area for the endangered Piping Plover during the summer and a very productive site in fall for shorebirds.

Arrive: 8:30 am to Massachusetts Audubon’s Joppa Flats Education Center (see map). All levels of birdwatching experience are welcome!

Entrance Fee: The refuge is a federal recreation fee area. The daily entrance fee is $5.00 for motor vehicles and $2.00 for bicycles and pedestrians. An annual pass to the refuge can be purchased for $20. If any of you have a $80 Senior (62+) Lifetime Pass, please bring it. No charge if even one person has such in our carpooling.

What to bring: Binoculars, Telescope (if you have one), sunhat, sunscreen, water bottle, insect repellant, bird checklist (if desired). Bird Checklist: Download the Mass Audubon Bird Checklist for Plum Island. Be prepared to walk on sand.

NOTE about registration: Please register as soon as possible as the event is limited to 12 participants.