Going Coastal

Boston and its nearby areas have lots of places where people who love birds can go to watch them. Here are ten popular spots for bird watching in and around Boston:

1. Boston Common: The parks in the middle of the city are historic and have lots of different birds like ducks, songbirds, and sometimes hawks.

2. Mount Auburn Cemetery: This beautiful cemetery in Cambridge is a favorite for bird watchers because of its big trees, ponds, and gardens. You can see lots of birds that are flying through during migration, like warblers, thrushes, and woodpeckers.

3. Belle Isle Marsh Reservation: This salt marsh area in East Boston is home to many types of birds. You can see birds that live near water, like shorebirds, ducks, and even some birds of prey while walking on the trails or from special places to look.

4. Deer Island: In Boston Harbor, Deer Island is good for watching birds by the coast. You can see gulls, terns, birds that wade in water, and ducks. There’s a walkway called the Deer Island Harborwalk that’s great for watching birds.

5. Parker River National Wildlife Refuge: A bit north of Boston in Newburyport, this big area is perfect for people who love watching birds. There are different kinds of habitats, like marshes and beaches, which means there are lots of different birds, like shorebirds, herons, and ducks.

6. Nahant Thicket Reservation: This place is near Lynn and has thick trees and bushes along the coast. It’s a good spot to see songbirds, like warblers and thrushes.

7. Crane Beach and Crane Wildlife Refuge: In Ipswich, just above Boston, Crane Beach is pretty and a good place to watch birds, especially birds that live by the sea. Nearby, the Crane Wildlife Refuge has even more places to look for birds.

8. Plum Island: Near Newburyport, Plum Island is famous for watching birds. There are lots of different habitats, like marshes and sandy areas, so you can see many kinds of birds, including shorebirds, terns, and birds of prey.

9. Blue Hills Reservation: Not far south of Boston, this big park has forests, ponds, and rocky places. It’s home to birds that like living in the woods, like warblers and woodpeckers.

10. Walden Pond State Reservation: This place in Concord is famous because of Henry David Thoreau, but it’s also good for bird watching. You can see birds that live near water, like ducks and songbirds.

Remember to be respectful of the birds and their homes when you visit these spots. Follow any rules and guidelines to keep the birds safe. Bringing binoculars, a bird guide, and wearing quiet clothes can make your birdwatching even better.