What To Do & See

Wildlife Observation and Photography

Birding the refuge in May can result in an especially long list of migrants.

A checklist of refuge birds is available from refuge headquarters and the entrance gatehouse when staffed. In addition, a comprehensive listing of recent bird sightings is available online from the Newburyport Birders.

Waterfowl hunting opportunities are available in designated salt marsh areas of the refuge during state seasons. Also, a controlled deer hunt may be conducted on the Plum Island portion of the refuge with hunters chosen by lottery. All refuge, federal, and state hunting regulations apply.

In cooperation with the League of Essex County Sportsmen's Clubs, the refuge conducts a Youth Waterfowler Training Program each fall. This program includes an all-day seminar and a supervised hunt on a reserved section of the refuge.

The refuge tidal flats are open for commercial and recreational shellfishing but are subject to periodic closures. Town and refuge permits are required and all refuge, state, and town shellfishing regulations apply.

A gray catbird is about to be released by a volunteer from the audience at a refuge songbird banding demonstration.

The Hellcat Interpretive Trail, located at Hellcat Wildlife Observation Area, offers refuge natural history and resource management learning experiences. An illustrated guide, with numbered narratives corresponding to numbered posts along the trail, is available at the trailhead, refuge headquarters and the entrance gatehouse when staffed.

Wildlife-oriented interpretive programs and special events are periodically offered at the refuge. Many of these programs are wheelchair accessible.

Contact refuge headquarters for further information on these above mentioned programs and activities.

Entrance fees apply to anyone bringing in their boat or kayak via the Refuge entrance. More information and regulations for this activitiy are available online.

American woodcock begins courtship flights in March and piping plover and red-winged blackbird also return. On warm days mourning cloak butterflies may appear. In April, osprey and purple martin first arrive and peak numbers of migrating American kestrels occur. In May, pearl crescent, spring azure, and many other butterflies are present. Also in May, flowering shadbush and beach plum dominate the landscape. Migratory bird diversity is at its height mid-late month and bobolink, American redstart, and other songbirds are in full chorus.

Songbird migration continues into early June and beach heather is in blossom. By early July southbound shorebird migrants begin to appear with numbers peaking in August. Beginning mid-August large concentrations of migrating tree swallows gather and songbird migrants become apparent. Also during the summer, fledged young of resident birds appear and butterfly diversity is at its height with common wood nymph, eastern tiger swallowtail, and various other species present.

Loons, grebes, scoters, and other waterfowl winter offshore. Snowy owl, rough-legged hawk, and northern shrike are sometimes present. Tracks of white-tailed deer, coyote, and other mammals may be found in the snow. Hooded and other arctic seals sometimes haul out on the refuge beach while the more common harbor seal is typically observed in ocean waters near the shore.

Please remain an unobtrusive observer by viewing wildlife from an appropriate distance and staying within designated public use areas.