Discover New England Wildlife On The Ultimate Boston Birding Cruise

26.12.2023 - 21:27 / forbes.com

The city of Boston is equipped with a wealth of historic neighborhoods, with districts ranging from the dazzling Back Bay to the ultra-Italian North End—but the Bay State charm doesn’t end once you hit the edge of the waterfront. East of the city’s coastline, the waters of Boston Harbor are peppered with idyllic islands, many of which sport fascinating forts and scenic landscapes. During the warmer months, visitors are welcome to hop on a ferry and explore the region, but in the dead of winter, there’s one fascinating event that’s particularly suited for both local and visiting birders.

Taking place on January 20th, 2024, the Boston Harbor Islands Winter Wildlife Cruise offers a glimpse into the incredible avian biodiversity found across the Bay State, with no shortage of fascinating species to discover during a three-hour excursion along Boston Harbor. While seasoned birders are certain to recognize many classic Massachusetts species, beginners can gain some much-needed insight into the craft thanks to the many park rangers and naturalists aboard the ship, with each one equipped with intimate knowledge of the many birds that thrive across the region.

“The trip will offer a shot at crowd pleasers like snowy owls, seals, alcids (which look like miniature penguins), and specifically razorbills and black guillemots,” says Sebastian Jones, a volunteer with the National Park Service. In addition to these animals, Jones also notes that purple sandpipers are a typical sighting during a cruise, while sea ducks can be found in droves throughout the voyage. While he notes that scoters, common eiders and long-tailed ducks are most often encountered, previous excursions have also led to sightings of less-common species including king eiders and the harlequin duck—and birds aren’t the only animals that call the region home.

From roughly March to November, the waters around Cape Cod spring to life with migrating whales, with multiple species congregating across Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary to feast on the local plankton. While humpback whales have earned global acclaim for their easily-recognizable physical characteristics, the region also plays host to minke and fin whales, while the truly fortunate may be able to catch a glimpse of a North Atlantic right whale, a critically endangered species that was driven to the brink of extinction in the early 20th century, with numbers still perilously low today.

And of course, the Bay State’s wildlife isn’t confined to just Boston Harbor. For those wishing to embark on a birding excursion on dry land after the cruise, Mattapan offers a spectacular destination in the form of Mass Audubon's Boston Nature Center and Wildlife Sanctuary. Measuring in at 67 acres,