Flaming reds, bright blues, hot yellows, bold black-and-whites, rusty oranges, gleaming purples…the many colors of migrating birds are now on display at Plum Island!
In case you haven’t heard, the spring migration is in full swing, and Parker River Wildlife Refuge on Plum Island is once again host to a multitude of avian species flying north or settling in for the summer.
Of course you have to look for them (or listen for them), but they’re out there.
The return of a variety of birds—including egrets, raptors, swallows, ducks, plovers, and the small wonders known as warblers—is a sure sign of Spring’s arrival.
Returning too are people of all ages, visiting from far and wide to enjoy an area renowned for wildlife observation and photography opportunities. The strategic paths and boardwalks, relatively short trees, and open landscape make it ideal for bird watching. If you’d like to see what all the fuss is about, grab a pair of binoculars and a bird book, and come on down…but don’t wait too long.
“For heaven’s sake, get outside!” declares Bill Gette, Director at the Joppa Flats Audubon Society in Newburyport. “It’s late-May and the songbirds are still here, especially in the morning, on a warm day that’s not too windy. Some birds have flown all the way from Central or even South America, and often possess beautiful colors and patterns, not to mention extraordinary song.”
Bill’s enthusiasm is contagious, and reflects his experience in (and love for) the world of birding and the natural world in general.
A skilled teacher and field naturalist who has led domestic and international natural history expeditions for Mass Audubon since 1986, Bill has taken a leadership role in bird research and public education concerning birds and bird conservation. He directs the Joppa Flats Bird Banding Station, a research and education facility operated in cooperation with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. Before coming to Newburyport Bill had led very successful programs in Canada, Kenya, Tanzania, Trinidad and Tobago, Panama and the Galapogos Islands. In addition to studying birds he had the chance to do research on loggerhead turtles on Little Cumberland Island, Georgia.
Both the Audubon Society and the Parker River Wildlife Refuge offer many nature outings suited to both kids and adults.
The popular Saturday Morning Birding program, hosted by the Audubon Society, is a great one to try if you’ve never been bird watching. I’ve joined this group on a number of occasions over the years, and truly appreciate the leaders’ expertise. If you’re an experienced bird watcher and prefer to go on your own, check out the Refuge website to learn about the “towers and platforms that afford commanding views of the surrounding lands and waters, as well as several miles of self-guiding foot trails that meander through dune, maritime forest, and marsh habitats”.
Having visited the Refuge many times myself, I can attest to the beauty and richness of the landscape. As Bill Gette noted, this diversity of habitat is one of the main draws for the birds. Come to think of it, it’s one of the reasons I was drawn to moving to the area as well!
While I love Newburyport’s proximity to Boston, I also enjoy living in a town so close to nature.
We are uniquely fortunate to have immediate access to plenty of recreational opportunities such as kayaking, hiking, swimming, and biking, as well as photography and wildlife observation.
In addition to the Wildlife Refuge we also have a number of beautiful parks, including Maudsley State Park and Atkinson Common. Drive over the Merrimack and in ten minutes you’re at Salisbury State Park. On the southern end of Plum Island is the lovely Sandy Point State Reservation, which looks out across to Crane’s Beach in Ipswich (near the fascinating Crane Estate). Martin H. Burns Wildlife Management Area is just a few miles south of Newburyport, and in another seven miles you’ll arrive at Willowdale State Park (a hiker and mountain biker’s heaven).
So whether you want to enjoy bird watching on Plum Island or a hike through Maudslay, I’d like to echo Bill’s declaration, “for heaven’s sake, get outside!”