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Shorebirding and Fall Migration at Plum Island with Chip Darmstadt

September 13, 2022 @ 8:00 AM - September 15, 2022 @ 4:00 PM

$725

September 13 to September 15
$725 ($225 single supplement)
7 participants maximum
Guide: Chip Darmstadt
Contact us to register

Plum Island and the 4,662 acre Parker River National Wildlife Refuge near Newburyport, MA offers amazing birding almost any time of year. With a list of 365 species documented on the refuge, Parker River NWR is one of the 10 “birdiest” hotspots in the United States! In mid-September migrating warblers, thousands of Tree Swallows and a wealth of shorebirds and waterfowl fuel up at the refuge.

Our trip is timed to observe an exciting range of the diversity Parker River NWR has to offer: migrating songbirds like Magnolia, Wilson’s, Bay-breasted and maybe even Connecticut Warbler; shorebirds including both Hudsonian and Marbled Godwit, Red Knot, Buff-breasted Sandpiper, Piping Plover and thousands of peeps; as well as migrating raptors and ducks.

Plum Island and the surrounding area is also well known as a “vagrant trap” with a mind-boggling list of rarities reported from the refuge – Black Rail, Forked-tailed Flycatcher, Black-throated Gray Warbler, and many more. You never know what you’ll see on Plum Island, but it’s sure to be memorable!

Our trip will start early on Tuesday for our van ride to Massachusetts. Staying two nights in nearby Amesbury will give us the opportunity to maximize our time birding within Parker River NWR and the surrounding area. We return mid-afternoon on Thursday, after another day of birding in coastal Massachusetts.

Led by NBNC emeritus Executive Director and birding ambassador, Chip Darmstadt.

Includes: 2 nights lodging, all transportation, refuge entrance fees, shared spotting scopes, and an expert bird guide.
Cancellation Policy: NBNC will not be able to guarantee refunds within two weeks of this program, unless severe weather requires us to cancel this program.
COVID-19 expectations: Participants must be fully vaccinated to attend. Masks will be required indoors and inside the van. Participants should expect indoor meals in restaurants in the Gloucester area.
Bird List: Click Here for a bar chart of bird species encountered in at Parker River NWR.