Parker River NWR, Newburyport, Massachusetts: Located as it is on a barrier island off the far northeast coast of Massachusetts, Parker River Refuge is a prime spot for birders. Its variety of coastal habitats offer habitat for such rarities as Ross’ gulls, rarely seen south of the Arctic Circle; black swans, native to Australia; and garganeys, a European teal. More common birds are also here, such as eiders, dovekies, snowy owls, goldeneyes, rough-legged hawks, tree swallows by the thousands, and snowy egrets by the hundreds. Threatened piping plovers find a safe place to nest here on a section of beach closed to visitors from April through August. Parker River also has its share of mammals and amphibians, as well, including white-tailed deer, red foxes, beavers, and river otters. The spadefoot toad burrows 10 feet into the ground in this, the northernmost limit of its range. Off the coast, ocean sunfish weighing several hundred pounds startle swimmers with their shark-like dorsal fins. For more information about Parker River National Wildlife Refuge visit: http://parkerriver.fws.gov/
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