News  Winged wanderers: migratory birds and the challenges they face

To many, the “Spring’s here!” two-note song of the black-capped chickadee is a hopeful sign that spring has nearly arrived. With that sound of spring, billions of migratory birds begin the trek to their breeding grounds, including species like the vibrant scarlet tanager that travel more than 4,000 miles! As the weather becomes milder, those with an attentive ear can hear changes in the bird community. Some of the first to arrive in Massachusetts include the American woodcock, eastern phoebe, and yellow-bellied sapsucker. As spring advances, the sounds of field sparrows, eastern towhees, Tennessee warblers, and Swainson’s thrushes fill the air. Some of these bird species are just passing through on their journey to northern New England or Canada, while others may be staking their claim on a piece of the Bay State where they will nest and raise their young.

Massachusetts is home to hundreds of bird species, most of which are migratory. These birds can be broken down into major groups based on a general description of their habitat (e.g., forest, grassland, and shrubland). Regardless of their habitat grouping, many of these species are experiencing population declines. Thirty different birds are listed under the Massachusetts Endangered Species Act. An additional 95 are listed as Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) on the Massachusetts State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP). 

Eastern forest birds are declining at an alarming rate, with a loss of nearly 170 million birds over the past 50 years. Massachusetts has close to 3 million acres of forests under both public and private ownership, so it may be puzzling to hear that many forest birds in the Commonwealth are in trouble. A close look at Massachusetts forests reveals that most of them are made up of similarly aged trees, and just a handful of tree species make up the bulk of our forests. This uniformity impacts bird species that need a variety of forest conditions to thrive.

The wood thrush is one familiar example of a bird that needs a variety of forest conditions. Wood thrush adults nest in mature forests, but feed and raise their fledglings in young forests. To help declining birds like the wood thrush, conservation efforts are needed to create and maintain a diversity of forest conditions that meet their entire breeding season habitat requirements.

Luckily, state and federal agencies are working to create habitat for declining birds and other types of wildlife on private and public lands. On public land, great examples can be found on numerous Wildlife Management Areas (WMA), as well as several State Forests and Parks. Restored forest communities found at Montague Plains WMA, Muddy Brook WMA, Birch Hill WMA, and Myles Standish State Forest are diverse and support many declining forest birds, including the iconic eastern whip-poor-will and prairie warbler.

Since 64% of Massachusetts forests are privately owned, actions taken by private landowners make a big difference to declining wildlife. Programs, like those offered by Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) Working Lands for Wildlife (WLFW) and the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP), provide financial and technical assistance to landowners wishing to create wildlife habitat on their property.

Want to learn more about migratory birds and their habitats?
Join MassWildlife habitat experts for a guided bird walk at Leyden Wildlife Management Area during peak migratory bird nesting season. The walk is June 2 from 7:30–10:30 a.m. Birders of all experience levels are welcome. Registration is required, click here for more details and to reserve your spot.

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Habitat walks

MassWildlife's management activities are focused on declining habitat types that provide homes—food, cover, and space—for the state’s common and rare animals and plants. The goal is to create and maintain native grasslands, shrublands, vibrant young forests, woodlands, and dedicated forest reserves. Habitat site walks will demonstrate a range of habitat types. 

• May 14: Frances Crane WMA Habitat Walk, East Falmouth – MassWildlife has been restoring native sandplain grasslands, barrens, and woodlands at Frances Crane WMA for many years. Biologists and ecologists involved in the project will discuss how these restoration projects have provided habitat for many rare species. The walk will take place from 1–3 p.m.; meet at the Nathan Ellis Highway (get directions). Please dress for the weather and wear sturdy shoes for walking. Site walks will be held rain or shine, but will be cancelled or cut short if there is thunder and lightning.
• May 15: Montague Plains WMA Habitat Walk, Montague – Montague Plains is the largest intact inland glacial sandplain ecosystem in Massachusetts. Learn about over two decades of restoration work and upcoming projects. After the walk, participants can stay and listen to whip-poor-wills and woodcock at dusk, weather permitting. The walk will take place from 5:30–7:30 p.m.; meet at Old Northfield Road (get directions). Please dress for the weather and wear sturdy shoes for walking. Site walks will be held rain or shine, but will be cancelled or cut short if there is thunder and lightning.

• May 17: Muddy Brook WMA Habitat Walk, Hardwick – Muddy Brook supports one of the largest actively managed fire-influenced landscapes in the interior of Massachusetts. The regionally significant barrens and oak woodland natural communities support over 20 state-listed species and a wealth of other highly specialized and often rare plants and animals. Ecologists will provide an overview of the ecology and management of the site. If the weather cooperates, whip-poor-wills and many other species should be heard. The walk will take place from 7–9 p.m.; meet at Patrill Hollow Road (get directions). Please dress for the weather and wear sturdy shoes for walking. Site walks will be held rain or shine, but will be cancelled or cut short if there is thunder and lightning.

• May 18: Stafford Hill WMA Habitat Walk, Cheshire – Stafford Hill boasts a wide variety of wildlife habitats, from open shrublands and grasslands to forests and wetlands. Learn about the management and ecology of these diverse habitats from Masswildlife biologists and see great views of Mt. Greylock. The walk will take place from 10 a.m.–noon; meet at Stafford Hill Road (get directions). Please dress for the weather and wear sturdy shoes for walking. Site walks will be held rain or shine, but will be cancelled or cut short if there is thunder and lightning.

• June 2: Migratory Bird Walk at Leyden WMA, Leyden – Join MassWildlife habitat experts for a guided bird walk at Leyden Wildlife Management Area during peak migratory bird nesting season. The walk is from 7:30–10:30 a.m. Bring binoculars and water, dress for the weather, and wear closed-toed shoes good for walking on uneven ground. Birders of all experience levels are welcome. Registration is required, click here for more details and to reserve your spot.

Go birding

Join a bird club to meet new and advanced birders near you. Try the Merlin Bird Identification App to identify bird songs or use iNaturalist or eBird to locate birding hotspots, identify birds, or record your bird lists. No phone? No problem! Use a field guide.

Private landowner resources

Are you interested in creating habitat on your property? Reach out to MassWildlife’s Private Lands Habitat Biologist Jeff Larkin at jeffery.t.larkin@mass.gov to discuss opportunities on your land.

Visit a Wildlife Management Area

Explore Wildlife Management Areas in person or virtually. Check out one of the featured properties listed below or go to MassWildlife’s Lands Viewer to find a WMA near you.

• Montague Plains WMA get info | go to map
• Muddy Brook WMA get info | go to map
• Birch Hill WMA get info | go to map
• Leyden WMA get info | go to map