1 Plum Island Tpke Newburyport, Massachusetts01950Get Directions
Join us to view one of the most overwhelming avian spectacles in Essex County. In the fall as many as a million blackbirds (largely common grackles and red-winged blackbirds, but with numbers of rusty blackbirds) roost overnight in the marsh called Peat Meadows in Methuen. In fact, this area has been designated as a Massachusetts Important Bird Area because of this roost. While the birds trickle in during the evening, they all erupt out of the marsh in a very short time in the morning. This spectacle is what we are seeking. You will be astonished by the sheer numbers of birds it might even wake you up! After the departure of the birds, we will take a break for breakfast (not included in fee) and then seek other birds in the immediate area.