Guide

Go seeBirds

Snowy owls and sea ducks at Plum Island's Lot 1 boardwalk

December to March

Snowy owls come down from the Arctic for the cold months and settle on big salt marshes, beaches and even airports, and Plum Island is one place they turn up. The refuge lists its Lot 1 beach overlook boardwalk as wheelchair accessible, the end of it is a good place to scan the ocean for wintering sea ducks, and Mass Audubon says snowy owls are occasionally seen in the dunes and marsh just beyond Lot 1.

Why this time of year

Mass Audubon says snowy owls typically arrive in Massachusetts around November and head back to the Arctic around April. They are only occasionally seen near Lot 1, so treat an owl as a bonus; the sea ducks offshore are the steadier find, and they rarely come close to shore, so bring binoculars.

How to notice it

  1. Park at Lot 1 at Parker River National Wildlife Refuge. Mass Audubon says snowy owls are occasionally seen just beyond Lot 1, in the dunes on one side of the road and the marsh on the other, and suggests scanning from the large pullout at the Main Panne. Look for a white owl speckled with grey, resting on the ground.
  2. Walk to the end of the boardwalk and look past the waves with binoculars for sea ducks such as scoters and eiders floating offshore.
  3. If you find an owl, stay at least 100 yards away if you are on the road and 200 yards anywhere else, keep your group in one spot, and move on after a minute or two. If the owl stretches its neck up and opens its eyes wide, back away right away.
  4. Do not post or text an owl's location while you are there; the refuge asks this so crowds do not build up around the bird.

Try this with kids: Can you find something white out on the dunes that is not snow? Look through the binoculars and whisper what you see.

Safety

  • Mass Audubon advises dressing warm for the cold wind off the ocean.

Sources

  • fws.govUSFWS refuge FAQ (landowner, primary): 'Other wheelchair accessible locations include:' ... 'Lot 1 beach overlook (boardwalk)'; also 'Winter is an excellent time to catch a glimpse of owls, including barred owls, snowy owls, and short-eared owls.' read 2026-11-10
  • massaudubon.orgMass Audubon (2022-01-01): past Lot 1, 'Snowy Owls are occasionally seen in the dunes to the left and marsh to the right'; 'The end of the boardwalk here is a great place to look for sea ducks like scoters, eiders, and grebes'; 'It's rare to see these birds close to shore'; 'dress warm for the cold wind off the ocean'. read 2026-11-10
  • massaudubon.orgMass Audubon (2025-11-25): snowy owls typically arrive in fall, around November, and leave for Arctic breeding grounds 'around April'; winter habitat 'large salt marshes, agricultural fields, and even airports'; stay at least 50 yards; keep groups in one spot, do not surround or approach; if the owl becomes alert, neck stretched up, eyes wide, back off immediately. read 2026-11-10
  • fws.govUSFWS Parker River story (2024-11-22): snowy owls arrive from Arctic tundra to the beaches of Plum Island in winter; keep at least 100 yards away; limit viewing to about 10 minutes (5 for groups); do not share real-time wildlife locations online or in group chats. read 2026-11-10

Checked against these sources on November 10, 2026.

In the guide for December, January, February, March

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