What birds are found at Nahant Marsh?

Bird life at Nahant Marsh changes from season to season.

Of the 150 species of birds recorded here, some are only occasionally visitors as they migrate while others stay to nest and raise their young.

Red-winged blackbirds, Great Blue Herons, wood ducks, and Canada geese are all common at the marsh in the right season.

Impressive raptors such as peregrine falcons, re-tailed hawks, red-shouldered hawks, coopers’ hawks, osprey, kestrels, and bald eagles can also be observed from time-to-time.

During the winter months, cardinals, blue jays, juncos and house sparrows are abundant. Downy, hairy and red-bellied woodpeckers are common visitors to Nahant’s feeders and occasionally you can get lucky and see a rare red-headed or an occasional pileated woodpecker.

With the warm winds of spring, the migrating warblers, bluebirds, buntings, and ducks return to either stay for the summer or just stop by to feed.

With the usual rising waters in spring, large numbers of great white pelicans often can be seen fishing in formation on the marsh. Double-crested cormorants generally accompany the pelicans in their search for food.

When the cold winds of fall return, so do the flocks of birds as they make their annual journey to warmer places. At dusk, the sky is alive as swirling clouds of red-winged blackbirds search for a safe place to roost in the cattails before darkness descends. Coots, with their black bodies and light-colored bills, come by the thousands and spend their days fattening up before they push on southward.

Life abounds at Nahant Marsh, and with some patience, you too can observe some of the diversity that surrounds you.