Bird watching spots needed – Milton Neighbors respond with recommendations

This question was recently asked in the Milton Neighbors Facebook group:

“My 9 year old son has become a Birder (is that a word?)

Any recommendations for good spots to go Birding? His dream is to have a wild bird eat out of his hand! I am frequently made to walk the streets with a cup of bird seed looking for our feathered friends, however, I’d prefer to just go somewhere where birds abound. Thanks in advance!”

“There are a couple spots at Borderland that are right on the water. So you can actually sit in this little wooden shed type situation and bird watch near the water.”

“Millennium Park in West Roxbury”

“Wild Toms can be bribed with bread, but be cautious of a strong first dip into the hand.”

“Fowl Meadow off of Brush Hill.”

“The Moose Bog Trail in Ferdinand Vermont (bit of a drive). We’ve gone to try to see moose but learned birding is a big attraction and they will eat out of your hand.”

“Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary”

“Amazing place in Newburyport – it’s a federal reserve and used to see people bird watching all the time if you want to drive” 

(Editor’s note: possibly the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center.)

“Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary in Topsfield – it’s a Mass Audubon property. I fed birds there from my hand (I didn’t know this was a thing when I went but some other hikers shared birdseed with my son and I).”

“Highly recommend Mass Audubon membership and going to the Ipswich River Sanctuary. We’ve been multiple times and seen chickadees eat from other hikers hands. Bring some seed and a bit of patience.”

“I don’t know about places to go but Merlin app is pretty cool to learn what types of birds you hear around you. You record the chirping and it tells you what kind.”

“Highly recommend Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary. Birds are accustomed to being fed by hand. Do you have feeders in your yard? We have identified quite an array of birds that visit them seasonally and year round. Also recommend The Sibley Field Guide to Birds of Eastern North America: Second Edition”

“If you find yourself eager for colder snowier weather, check out Mendon Ponds near Rochester, NY.” 

“I just passed this place in Weymouth, never noticed it before. BRADFORD TORREY BIRD SANCTUARY”

“You can train Chickadees to land on your hands if you’re patient and go out at the same time each morning and play chicadee sounds on your phone:)”

“Mt. Auburn cemetery (Cambridge) and Plum island in Newburyport.”

“Actually Ipswich wildlife sanctuary is the only place I know where birds do come eat put your hand. Every time too.”

“And for water birds and bald eagles there are always some to see at Blacks Creek in Quincy. Park at Pageant Field.”

“Fowl Meadow is a great spot in the spring. Lots of birders go then.”

“Mt Auburn cemetery in Cambridge is also a hot spot for birding.”

“Like many have said, MA Audubon location in Ipswich.”

“One of the clear bird feeders that suctions to your window would be cool, too!”

“Bit of a ride, but I’ve seen a lot of bird watchers at Burrage in Hanson. Parking is off Hawkes ave.”

“Download the Merlin app on your phone. It’s from Cornel university and it IDs birds by song. You just open it and it listens, shows and lists Great way to learn to ID by bird song and to look for what it hears. Great family hobby With years of shared interest ahead. Enjoy.”

“Locally Turners Pond and the [Milton] cemetery are great!”

“eBird is another good resource. You can look up nearby locations and see what birds others have seen there. Mass Audubon has Owl Prowls this time of year too! Brookline Bird Club has lots of walks – especially in the spring and you can learn so much from going with a group like that. Other places I bird are the Arnold Arboretum, Franklin Park and Forest Hills Cemetery. Jamaica Pond is great for all kinds of ducks and waterfowl this time of year – park on the side opposite the boathouse, bring you bincos. It’ll take time to figure out who is there, but can be really fun!”

“The trolly path at Granite Ave. amazing variety of birds around the marsh. And you’ll often see other birders there. (Look for anyone with a camera with a long lens).”

“Animal Adventures Owl Class – have never been here but it’s popped up in my feed a few times.”

Click here to view the full post or add your recommendation!

*This post may contain affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and order something, we may receive a small commission. There is no additional cost to you.