Greater Boston

Massachusetts

Greater Boston and the Massachusetts North Shore offer world-class birding with exceptional diversity from urban hotspots to coastal refuges. The region hosts over 250 species annually, featuring spectacular spring warbler migration at Mount Auburn Cemetery, abundant shorebirds and seabirds at Parker River National Wildlife Refuge on Plum Island, and excellent year-round urban birding opportunities.

Best Months to Visit

Late April to May, Year-round

Birding Season

Year-round

Notable Species

Snowy Owl Piping Plover Saltmarsh Sparrow Peregrine Falcon Black-capped Chickadee

Top Birding Guides in Greater Boston

Browse our selection of expert birding guides serving the Greater Boston area.

Steve Hale - Open World Explorers

4.9

PhD naturalist and birding guide with over 20 years of experience in New England. Holds university degrees in marine biology, evolutionary biology, and ecology, including a PhD in Natural Resources from the University of New Hampshire where he studied Bicknell's Thrush using satellite remote sensing and geographic information systems. Formed Open World Explorers in 2016 to share his extensive knowledge in ecology and ornithology. Offers flexible guided birding tours throughout Greater Boston and Northern New England, serving the area from Boston along the coast to Portland ME, north to Rangeley and the White Mountains. Regular tour locations include Plum Island NWR, Mount Auburn Cemetery, Middlesex Fells, and other premier birding sites.

Warbler migration Coastal birding Plum Island specialties

20 years of experience

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Dr. David Hof - New England Bird Tours

5.0

PhD ornithologist and expert birder native to New England, specializing in birds of Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, and coastal Massachusetts. Studies warbler songs in the Green Mountains of Vermont where he makes his home. Grew up in New Hampshire and developed his passion for birding and ornithology while attending the University of Arizona in Tucson. Offers comprehensive private customized birding tours, multi-day expeditions, weekend tours, and private birding lessons for all skill levels. Specializes in finding New England specialty species including Bicknell's Thrush, boreal birds, Atlantic Puffins and other Alcids, and dozens of warbler species. Known for his expertise, enthusiasm, and dedication to helping guests see their target birds.

New England specialties Warbler identification Boreal birds

15 years of experience

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Mass Audubon Boston Nature Center

4.8

Mass Audubon's Boston Nature Center offers guided birding walks and educational programs for birders of all levels. Located at 500 Walk Hill Street in Mattapan on 67 acres of urban wildlife sanctuary, the center features meadows, dense forest, boardwalk trails, and wetlands hosting over 150 bird species and 40 butterfly species. During spring and fall, a huge variety of migratory birds visit including warblers, vireos, and sparrows. Guided walks are led by experienced Mass Audubon naturalists and cover premier Greater Boston birding locations including Mount Auburn Cemetery, Belle Isle Marsh, Magazine Beach Park, and local sanctuaries. Programs welcome beginners and experienced birders alike.

Urban birding Migration hotspots Educational programs

25 years of experience

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Mass Audubon Joppa Flats Education Center

4.9

Mass Audubon's Joppa Flats Education Center is the premier birding destination for the North Shore and Plum Island area. Located at the entrance to Parker River National Wildlife Refuge in Newburyport, Joppa Flats provides expert-led guided birding trips to the region's best birding hotspots. The sanctuary encompasses an expanse of marsh, mudflats, and water that is one of Massachusetts' premier birding sites, famous for shorebirds with around 35 species regularly recorded. Experienced naturalist leaders take participants to birding hotspots throughout the Newburyport and Plum Island area in search of the incredible avian diversity. The center has been offering Wednesday Morning Birding walks for 25 years. Programs welcome beginners and experienced birders of all skill levels.

Shorebird identification Plum Island birding Coastal specialties

30 years of experience

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Wildside Nature Tours

4.8

Wildside Nature Tours has been leading expertly guided birding tours, photography workshops, and wildlife safaris worldwide since 1993. Offers specialized birding tours in Massachusetts focusing on winter specialties and target species trips. Massachusetts tours visit premier locations including the Gloucester and Cape Ann area, Scusset Beach State Reservation, Cape Cod Canal, and Hyannis in search of sought-after species like Thick-billed Murre, Dovekie, Black-headed Gull, Barrow's Goldeneye, and other winter rarities. Tours feature professional leaders with extensive knowledge of Massachusetts birding locations and target species. Available as private customized trips for groups of any size throughout New England. Based in Pennsylvania but regularly conducts tours throughout Massachusetts and the Greater Boston region.

Winter specialties Rare bird finding Target species trips

30 years of experience

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