Yellow-throated Vireo

Just one of dozens of migratory songbirds that we can see in Parker River National Wildlife Refuge

May is the most exciting month for birders in New England with newly arrived migrants pouring into the region in full song and stunning breeding plumage. Few places are more acclaimed for their migratory spectacle than the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge on Plum Island in northeastern Massachusetts. It is not hard to spend a full day birding the refuge during peak spring migration. The beaches will host newly-returned Piping Plovers as well as flocks of migrating shorebirds. The trees and thickets that fill the refuge can host 20 or more warbler species including Prairie, Bay-breasted, and Cape May. The refuge’s extensive wetland complexes host herons & egrets, as well as secretive birds like Least Bitterns and Marsh Wren.

Dates: May 15 – 17, 2026 (2 nights/3 days)

Cost: $1,200 single. $200 per-person discount for doubles.

What’s included:

▪ Two nights lodging during the trip.

▪ Transportation in a comfortable 12 passenger van.

▪ 2 breakfasts, 3 lunches (mostly in the field), and 2 dinners.

▪ Expert and knowledgeable naturalist guide, Sam Darmstadt.

▪ Entrance fees to famed migration hotspot, Parker River National Wildlife Refuge.

What’s not included:

▪ Any alcoholic beverages.

▪ Tips/gratuities.

▪ Extras in hotels (e.g., room service, laundry, etc.).

Accommodations and physical requirements:

▪ All of the lodging is in a comfortable hotel.

▪ While no strenuous hiking is expected, we will spend plenty of time walking on park trails and some on sandy beaches. Total walking for a day may total three or more miles.