Guide

Go seeBirds

Sanderlings and sea ducks on state beaches once DCR's dog ban ends

October to March

In the cold months the shore can hold sanderlings chasing the waves and sea ducks bobbing beyond the breakers. DCR keeps dogs off its coastal beaches through September 15 and off its plover-nesting beaches from April 1; after that the ban lifts unless a sign says otherwise.

Why this time of year

DCR's dog rules bar dogs from its coastal beaches from May 1 through September 15, and from beaches designated as priority shorebird nesting habitat from April 1 through September 15, 'unless otherwise posted'. A 2025 DCR advisory asks beachgoers to keep dogs off its beaches from April 1 through September 15.

How to notice it

  1. Pick a DCR state beach and read the sign at the entrance before you step onto the sand. Posted rules win over the general calendar.
  2. Keep your dog on a leash no longer than ten feet and walk the wet sand near the waterline. Watch for flocks of small shorebirds chasing the edge of the waves.
  3. Look out past the breakers for rafts of sea ducks bobbing on the swells. With binoculars you may pick out eiders, scoters, or long-tailed ducks.
  4. If you see a seal resting on the sand, keep at least 150 feet away and keep your dog back.

Try this with kids: Watch one little shorebird at the edge of the waves. Does it ever let a wave catch it?

Safety

  • NOAA Fisheries: 'Stay at least 150 feet (about four school bus lengths) away from seals, and keep pets away, too.'

Sources

  • web.archive.orgPRIMARY, DCR 'Dogs in DCR Parks' (Wayback snapshot 2026-07-12, read 2026-11-10). Dogs not allowed on 'DCR coastal beaches and designated swimming areas of inland beaches from May 1 through September 15, unless otherwise posted.' 'Starting on April 1 of each year and extending through September 15, unless otherwise posted' for 'DCR coastal beaches designated as priority nesting habitats for shore birds.' 'In on-leash areas, dogs must be tethered on a leash of no more than ten feet in length'.
  • web.archive.orgPRIMARY, DCR Recreational Advisory: Coastal Beaches, July 7, 2025 (Wayback snapshot 2025-09-01, read 2026-11-10). Beachgoers should 'keep dogs off beaches from April 1 through September 15'. Plovers identified at Salisbury, Nahant, Revere, Winthrop, Pleasure Bay, Carson, Malibu, Wollaston, Nantasket, Ellisville, Scusset, West Island, Demarest Lloyd, Horseneck, Washburn Island, South Cape Beach, Crosby Landing, Joseph Sylvia and others.
  • thetrustees.orgPRIMARY, Trustees 'Winter Bird Watching', Nov 9, 2020 (read 2026-11-10). On the winter coast: 'Many shorebirds are hardy enough to remain in New England throughout the cold months: Sizable flocks of sanderlings chase the waves.' 'Eiders, mergansers, goldeneye, bufflehead, scaup, long-tailed ducks, and scoters bob among the waves.'
  • content.govdelivery.comPRIMARY, NOAA Fisheries bulletin, Jan 30, 2019 (read 2026-11-10). 'Stay at least 150 feet (about four school bus lengths) away from seals, and keep pets away, too.'

Checked against these sources on November 10, 2026.

In the guide for October, November, December, January, February, March

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