* Sites marked with an asterisk are further described
in the ABA Bird Finding Guides to Eastern Massachusetts or the UMASS Cooperative Extension Service’s Bird
Finding Guide to Western Massachusetts.
Connecticut River Valley (north to south)
19. *Bennets Meadow: Northfield – Off Route 10 next to the Connecticut River. Pull in off the road and view
meadows, wetlands, and riverside vegetation. Great birding in the parking area in spring for red-winged
blackbirds, yellow warbler, warbling vireos, tree swallows, eastern bluebirds, and a host of migrating birds. A
nice place to walk, fairly level, essentially a farm field road with open views, could be muddy at times. No
benches.
20. *Barton’s Cove: Gill and Turners Falls
This Pioneer Valley birding hot spot offers easy viewing from multiple locations. Just off Rte 2 between the DCR
public boat ramp and the Turners Falls Bridge, neighborhood streets provide easy access to resting waterfowl
during the spring and fall migration. Large numbers of mallards and canada geese are joined by ring-necked,
lesser scaup, common goldeneye, bufflehead, mute swans, and common and hooded merganser can be seen
during the migrations. Large flocks of gulls often gather on the ice floes and the savvy observer may find
specialty species of gulls among the more common herring, great black-backed, and ring-billed varieties. Other
good viewing locations in the area include the public boat ramp, Unity Park, and the Barton’s Cove day use area.
A special treat each spring is the return of the nesting bald eagles. A spotting cope is helpful in observing the
birds across the cove. A stop at the Great Falls Discovery Center (just over the Turners Falls Bridge from Rte
2) will allow you to view the eagles’ nest on closed circuit TV. 413-863-3221.
21. *L street: Turners Falls - In March this short street between 1st and 3rd streets leading to Unity Park is
lined with crab apple fruit and a favorite feasting place for robins, cedar waxwings, and occasionally bohemian
waxwings. No benches.
22. *Turners Falls Rod and Gun Club: Turners Falls - Off Millers Falls Road in Turners Falls. Watch for the
sign on your left next to a bright lavender house as you head toward the airport from the Discovery Center.
Sweeping view of a quieter section of the river from the parking area. Good spot for waterfowl, eagles, and one
of the best places to view canvasback ducks in migration. No benches.
23. *Migratory Way Canal: Turners Falls – From Avenue A, take 11th street into “the patch” (an island of
houses). Take first left after the bridge and proceed to a parking area next to a gate for the Silvio O. Conte
Wildlife Refuge. The gate is open during the week and the mile long drive along canal is a hot spot all kinds of
wintering and migrating waterfowl. Don’t forget to check out the woods on the other side, which can be alight
with songbirds and occasionally an eastern screech owl. On weekends the gate is likely to be locked but
strolling is permitted and allows for wheelchair access. No benches.
24. *Mt. Sugarloaf: S. Deerfield – Drive to summit from Route 116 for aerial views of hawks and other birds in
spring and fall. Peregrine falcons nest on the cliffs. Indigo buntings, great-crested flycatchers, rose-breasted
grosbeaks, scarlet tanagers are all possible here. Accessible picnic area and restrooms.
25. *UMass Campus Pond: Amherst – Ducks, swans, geese abound all year. Next to the Fine Arts Center.
26. *Hitchcock Center for the Environment/Larch Hill: Amherst – Features an 850’ accessible boardwalk
through wet, brushy woodland with benches halfway and deck at small shady pond not far from farm fields.
Plans under way for an extension of the boardwalk to the forest edge with a platform deck view of surrounding
pastures. Hawks, owls, and migratory songbirds can be found here. Wheelchair accessible nature center and
disability friendly staff. Located just south of town at 525 Pleasant Street. 413-256-6006.
27. *Norwottuck Rail Trail: Amherst to Hadley – 8 miles of agricultural/forest/wetland views. Good for
songbirds and hawks with greater variety including herons, ducks, and woodpeckers at the eastern end of the
trail where beaver are active. Access the rail trail at Damon Road in Northampton or Station Road in South
Amherst. 413-586-8706.
28. *Lake Bray Accessible Trail, Mt. Tom State Reservation: Holyoke – ½ mile forested trail offers views of
Lake Bray, signs of beaver, sounds of the forest, benches, and the chance to view all kinds of birds. Access
Lake Bray from Route 5 in Easthampton. Drive the summit roads for hawk watching in the fall. Family and
disability friendly birding programs. 413-534-1186.
29. Fitzgerald Lake Conservation Area: Northampton – From Route 9, located off Bridge Road in
Northampton. Turn onto Maple Street at the blinking light. This becomes North Farms Road. There is a parking
area about ½ mile down on the right. A quarter mile walk takes you into a forested wetland on a paved trail and
down a board walk to a viewing dock with bench – all wheelchair accessible, though the end of the dock is
sometimes flooded by beaver activity. Common mergansers, Canada geese, tree swallows, red-winged
blackbirds, great blue herons, and osprey are regular sightings in April.
30. *Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary: Easthampton - Wheelchair accessible trail ventures into the edges of the
wildlife sanctuary forest and wetlands. Birds of the field can be spotted near parking lot and on an accessible
loop trail nearby. Great spot for songbirds in migration. Building is reasonably accessible and staff are disability
friendly. Some birding programs are accessible. Located off Easthampton Road from Route 5. 413-584-3009.
31. *Forest Park: Springfield – Located off Summer Ave., and easily accessed off Route 91 at exit 1, this city
park has a local duck population which is visited by wood ducks, gadwalls, and sometimes rarities in winter and
during migration. With multiple ponds, pathways, and benches, this is a good viewing area for migrating
songbirds, herons, and nesting hawks. $3 entrance fee. 413-750-2652.
32. *Fannie Stebbins Wildlife Refuge: Longmeadow – The refuge is a floodplain of the Connecticut River
and offers roadways along extensive marshy ponds that host wading birds, waterfowl, and songbirds. Great
birding during migration. Be cautious of muddy roads and flooded trails. Some trails allow for further exploration
of fields and forest but great birding can be achieved along the roads. No facilities or benches. Located off
Route 5 via Emerson Road.
33. Robinson State Park: Agawam – Forested roadway through park with small pond next to the Westfield
River. Belted kingfisher, great blue heron, and many forest birds can be found here. Located on North Street.
Drive all the way through the day use area to the gate and stroll in from there. 413-786-2877.
For further information on any of these sites, or if you have a site to add, contact DCR’s Universal
Access Program at 413-545-5758.