My wife and I will be spending several days in the Rockport-Gloucester Massachsuetts area in early June. Is there any place closer on Cape Ann vs. a drive to Cranes Beach and Plum Island to look for these 4 species: piping plover, seaside sparrow, saltmarsh sparrow, and least tern?
Hi Jeff. A good source may be Bryan Pfieffer from Plainfield, VT. I think he knows who you are. If you just google his name I'm sure you may find him. He also has a FACEBOOK account that may lead you to him. I know he's away birding in the southwest and FL for quite some time, but I'm sure he's checking his emails. Good luck on the trip.
Posted by Peter Cross on April 4, 2010 at 11:15 PM
Plum Island/Newburyport is the premier area for birds. The southern part of Plum Island is owned by the US Fish and Wildlife Service (National Wildlife Refuge) and Mass. Fish and Game. It's a great birding spot. Both the plover and tern nest there (pretty sure about that) but both are listed species and their nesting areas are off limits during the breeding season. The USFWS has a brand new visitor center on the right before you go onto the island and can give you lots of info about urrent conditions. Nancy Pau is the wildlife bioloigist there and if she is in can help you as she tracks all that kind of info. Also, on the road to Plum Island is the Joppa Flats nature center (on the left) maintained by Mass Audubon and they can give you lots of info as well. Between the two sources I think you probably can find out more than what you what to know. You probably should to keep in mind, that no matter where you go, the nesting areas for the plovers and terns will be off limits. Often monitors are on site to enforce but also to provide information. A good size telephoto lens might compensate for the distance.
Peter
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Peter