The website is updated to reflect weather changes, etc., but the best way to keep informed is to become a free member.
Please RSVP
We use an RSVP system to enable the leader to know who to expect at walks. All walks require attendees to notify the leader of their intention to attend. Email or call the leader as stated in the walk description. If no RSVPs are received it will be the leader’s option to cancel the walk. Anyone may come even if they don’t RSVP, but if the walk is cancelled or rescheduled, only those who have RSVPed will be updated. If your plans change, it please try to inform the leader by the night before.
Social
We occasionally share snacks at the end of a walk while we compile the trip list. You are invited, but not required, to bring items to share at the end of the walk if you would like to, including baked goods, fruit, nuts, or anything you would enjoy. This is completely optional. Don’t skip a walk because you don’t have snacks handy!
We will start at the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge Parking Lot 1. Expect to see large numbers of Tree Swallows, and shore birds as we drive down the island to Hellcat Parking Lot #4. This walk consists mainly of driving down the Refuge with stops for sighting birds. At Hellcat Dike there is a short walk on a clear path for about 1/3 of a mile to the Dike. Restrooms are available at three locations in the Refuge.
Some people may plan to have an early dinner in Newburyport before this walk. The walk will end at sunset when the Refuge closes.
Arrive no earlier than 9:00 AM and stay as long as you would like.
A date between September 8 and 17 will be announced by September 6 when it becomes possible to predict migratory weather conditions.
The viewing site is at the top of Mt. Wachusett State Reservation. The road to the summit opens at 9:00. There is a fee for entering or parking during this time of year ($5 for MA residents). If the wind is right, you can see hundreds (sometimes 1000s) of migrating raptors. Check here for information about hawk migration and recognizing the best weather for migration. Bring your lunch, a drink, and snacks as well as a lawn chair and sunscreen/hat. This event consists of driving to the summit of Mt. Wachusett on a paved road with very little walking. Restrooms are available at the entrance and at the summit.
The walk will start at the small parking lot for Pike’s Bridge Road on Turkey Hill Street in West Newbury, MA. It is about a 1 ½ mile packed dirt (not paved) trail leading to some of the best birding in Essex County. Our leader is well versed in the site, being the top species reporter of the eBird listings! There are no restrooms available.
Meet at the end of Brundrett Ave., Andover MA Web site map
We will walk through a meadow and then turn along the Merrimack River following the Loop Trail. This walk consists of about a 2 mile walk on a relatively open, flat trail. Participants wishing to make a shorter walk can turn back at any time. If the Hawk watch conflicts with this walk, you will have a choice of which you prefer to attend. There are no restrooms available.
Web site information
Essex County is a federally designated National Heritage Area. This year, MVBC will be hosting a bird walk as part of the popular, multi-week event known as “Trails & Sails”. It will be broadly promoted by the Essex Heritage organization. Starting in August, you can learn about all the “Trails & Sails” activities (including this walk) at https://trailsandsails.org/events/. You will be guided by local experts from the Merrimack Valley Bird Club as we explore the verdant forests, cool ponds, and vibrant marshes of Harold Parker State Forest. We will help you get eyes and ears on interesting birds that call this forest “home” and several species passing through on their migrations to distant lands in Central and South America. Youth and adults are welcome regardless of skill level. Closed toe shoes and binoculars are recommended but not required. No pets please.
Meeting place and parking information will be communicated directly to the RSVP’d registrants a few days prior to the event. A portable restroom will be available at the parking area.
Park at the lot at the end of Beacon Street where it crosses Sturgis Street (known as the Icehouse parking lot). If the lot is full, there is street parking. Expect to see lots of ducks and fall migrants. This walk is over unimproved trails with some roots and hills. There are no restroom facilities.
This is a beautiful walk with a mix of sea birds and woodland birds (Harrier, Eider, Song Sparrow, etc.) The walk is about 1.5 miles on level trails that are dirt and stone (not paved). The tollbooth collects fees from 8 AM - 6 PM. The Seacoast Science Center is open in the fall from 10 AM - 4 PM for an additional fee.
There are restrooms in the parking area and in the Science Center.
Andover Village Improvement Society's Vale Reservation (website)
Dale street in Ballardvale (map)
We'll meet at the canoe launch at the Ballardvale end of the Vale Reservation. Access is from Dale Street in Ballardvale. Continue to the end of Dale St where it becomes dirt and goes to a small parking lot where there is a canoe launch. This walk will be along the banks of the Shawsheen River, starting in Ballardvale and going downstream toward the Horn Bridge. This riverside habitat can attract migrants and the river itself can have ducks and herons. There are also some sections of open field.
The walk will start from the Fisherman Statue in Gloucester, and go by caravan to Jodrey State Fish Pier, Eastern Point, Rockport Harbor, and Emerson Point. This trip includes driving between locations with little walking at the sites. There are public restrooms at the parking area in Rockport Center.
The bird club (and others!) will once again support the Andover Circle of National Audubon’s Christmas Bird Count. Read about this long running bird survey on Wikipedia. This is a one day event and the entire Andover Circle must be completed on the same day within a specified date range. Assignments and instructions will be shared starting in November. Contact Donna Cooper if you have not been part of this survey and would like to participate.