* 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.
Eastern Massachusetts (north to south)
1. *Salisbury Beach State Reservation: Salisbury - This popular campground facility on the mouth of the
Merrimac River offers stunning birding with extensive marshes and views of the river, jetties, and ocean. Great
birding year round with many specialties including short-earred owl, rough legged hawk, shorebirds, buntings,
waterfowl, owls, wading birds, and songbirds. Check out the main entrance roadway, the boat ramp, and views of
seals on rocks from the campground loop. Beach wheelchairs available for the ocean beach. 978-462-4481.
2. Joppa Flats Education Center: Newburyport - A Massachusetts Audubon facility with complete building
accessibility in one of the best birding locations in the state. Elevator to second floor bird observatory with views
of the wide mouth of the Merrimac River where waterfowl, gulls, and wading birds abound. Optical equipment
available for use in building. Exhibits, gift shop, welcoming staff, classes and weekly birding excursions
throughout the local area. Located on the Plum Island Turnpike between Newburyport and Plum Island. 978-462-
9998.
3. *Plum Island: Newburyport - Much of this island is the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge with great
birding along a 6.4 mile paved road which turns to gravel halfway down. Noteworthy accessible birding stops:
Parking Lot 1 has an accessible boardwalk (with long grade) to the top of the dunes for ocean viewing. The Salt
Pannes is a pullover for shorebirding and views of the marsh. The Bill Foward Pool features a short wheelchair
accessible trail to a pine grove viewing platform with views of marsh and pools that often hold a variety of ducks.
The southern tip of the island offers access to the ocean beach and Emerson Rocks - call in advance to request
a beach wheelchair - or use the nearby accessible boardwalk and pavilion to access views towards Ipswich. The
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service operates the refuge and has an beautiful new fully accessible facility just off island
across the Plum Island turnpike from the Joppa Flats Education Center. Call them at 978-465-5753 for
information on the refuge and programs.
4. Theresa and Roberta Lee Fitness and Nature Path: Lexington - 680 foot boardwalk trail through a maple
swamp with adjacent fields. Wheelchair accessible with braille signage. Located in Lincoln Park off Worthen
Road, not too far from a public bus stop. For further info, call the Town of Lexington Rec Dept at 781-730-2069.
5. Broadmoor Sanctuary: Natick - Operated by Massachusetts Audubon and features a quarter mile trail
along the bank of a brook and through fields. 508-655-2296.
6. Boston Nature Center: Mattapan - Operated by Massachusetts Audubon and features at least 2 miles of
accessible trails and boardwalks through meadows and wetlands. 617-983-8500.
7. Nickerson State Park: Brewster - Inland park with campground (including accessible yurt sites) and miles
of paved trails through forest, by cedar swamp and to freshwater ponds. Well known in the off season for owls.
Also check out Crosby Landing on the bay side of the cape - free parking and a hard packed path travels
parallel to the beach through flat sand lands with views of opsrey platform, dune habitat, and bay. Can be good
for birds in flight. 508-896-3491.
8. Cape Cod Rail Trail: Dennis to Eastham - 20 mile rail trail that traverses the “elbow” of the cape through
pitch pine forest, salt marshes, Nickerson State Park, and more great birding habitat. Prairie warblers can be
found on the spur over to Coast Guard Beach in Eastham which passes a typically productive pool and marsh
before reaching the ocean front. Beach wheelchair available at the National Park Service Coast Guard Beach.
9. Cape Cod Canal: Sandwich to Bourne - This 7 mile bike path offers good viewing of the canal and access
into Scusset Beach State Reservation where bayside views and beach are accessible via beach wheelchairs
provided by the park. Call the reservation at 508-888-0859 to reserve a beach wheelchair. There is also an
accessible fishing/viewing platform along the bike path in Sandwich. For further information on the bike path
which parallels both sides of the canal, contact the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Cape Cod Canal Visitors
Center at 508-833-9678.
10. Stony Brook: Norfolk - A trail for persons with visual impairments opens in 2008 at this Massachusetts
Audubon sanctuary near Rhode Island. A partially accessible boardwalk through ponds allows for some
interesting birding in adjacent shrubs and across the water. Good birding in fields next to reasonably accessible
visitor center. Nature programs and disability friendly staff. 508-528-3140.
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.