Guide

Go seeBirds

Snow buntings: Arctic songbirds on winter beaches and fields

November to February

Snow buntings are small brown-and-white songbirds that nest in the Arctic and spend winter on Massachusetts dunes, beaches and open fields. Flocks rise together and flash white on their wings, then blend back into the ground when they land.

Why this time of year

They only visit Massachusetts in the cold months, so this is the season to find them on the coast.

How to notice it

  1. Walk the upper beach, the dune edge or an open stubble field and scan the ground and the line of debris along the waterline for small, well-camouflaged birds.
  2. Go slowly and stay back; the flock lifts if you walk too close.
  3. When the flock flies, watch for white flashing on the wings, then see how fast they blend back into the ground.
  4. Look at the flock's edge for a different bird, such as a horned lark or a Lapland longspur.

Try this with kids: Can you find a bird that blends into the ground until it flies?

Safety

  • Keep well back so the flock is not scared into flight; they are busy feeding.
  • Stay off dune vegetation and follow beach signs.

Sources

  • massaudubon.orgRegular migrant and winter visitor in MA; does not breed in MA; most often on wide open fields or among sand dunes along the coast; wintering habitat Coastal, Grassland. No months given.
  • blogs.massaudubon.orgTake 5: Snow Buntings (2020-01-27): breed in Arctic, visit MA in winter; look in open stubble fields, along shores with debris; Race Point Provincetown popular; well camouflaged.
  • blogs.massaudubon.orgThe Other Snow Bird (2014-01-14): flocks foraging in open grassy areas like roadsides, farmers' fields, and beaches; searching for seeds. Also: 'they have luminous white patches on their wings'; 'you might confuse a flock of snow buntings for a swirl of snowflakes'.
  • blogs.massaudubon.orgBirding After Migration (2012-11-15): look closely at beach flocks, a Lapland longspur may be in the mix. First of November line is purple sandpipers. Also names 'Snow buntings and horned larks' together on beaches.
  • bostonglobe.comMass Audubon sightings roundup 2021-11-13 mentions arrival of some of the first snow buntings of the winter (mid-November).
  • stateofthebirds.nhaudubon.orgNeighboring state: typically arrive in NH in November, heading north in March; along the coast.
  • irma.nps.govCape Cod National Seashore: Snow Bunting migratory, common fall migrant; uncommon winter resident.
  • capecodchronicle.comLocal newspaper column (not roster): look in dunes, fields; flock spooks easily; white on wings flashing; every Cape town. Weak source.

Checked against these sources on October 13, 2026.

In the guide for November, December, January, February

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