- by Nora Fairman
A VISIT TO THE PARKER RIVER WILDLIFE REGUGE HEADQUARTERS
If you are heading to Plum Island to spend a day at the beach, go on a fishing trip, or just enjoy a great ice cream, here’s a hidden gem only minutes from the beach and worth a stop. The Parker River Wildlife Refuge Headquarters is located at 6 Plum Island Turnpike in Newburyport, MA, and is one of those tucked-away places that you will be surprised at just how much there is to explore.
When you pull into the headquarters, you are greeted by a pollinator garden located in the middle of the parking area. Here you will find native plants thriving, along with bees and butterflies.
Explore the Area’s History and Habitat
Inside, you will find interactive exhibits, hands-on learning stations, and beautifully designed displays featuring the birds, plants, and animals that call Plum Island their home.
Kids of all ages will enjoy the ‘Kids Corner’ where they can play and learn with puzzles, sand tables, coloring stations, and more.
Adults will appreciate the detailed exhibits on animal migration, saltwater marsh ecology, and conservation efforts – all part of the landscape of Plum Island, Massachusetts.
Do You Measure Up?
Stand next to one of the largest striped bass ever caught off the coast of Plum Island, measuring 79 inches and weighing in at 125 pounds. See how you measure up to today’s catch of approximately 30 inches and weighing 10 pounds.
Look to the sky, and you may see an osprey, also known as the fish hawk. This species feeds almost exclusively on live fish and can be seen on Plum Island from the Spring through the Fall. See if your ‘wingspan’ measures up to theirs.
The larger-than-life Greenhead Fly model is certain to stop you in your tracks. These flies are notorious for biting beachgoers for a few weeks every summer, but they play an important role in pollinating the marsh plants and acting as food for birds and other animals.
The Parker River Wildlife Refuge is known as one of the best places in Massachusetts for bird watching and is a key stop on the Atlantic Flyway.
The Parker River Wildlife Refuge Headquarters is free to visit, handicap-accessible, and welcoming to all. It is a wonderful way to connect with the natural beauty that makes Plum Island and the Greater Newburyport area so special.
About Lamacchia Realty
Whether you are visiting for the day or planning on making the Plum Island and Greater Newburyport area your home, Lamacchia Realty’s local agents in Newburyport and Amesbury are here to help you find the perfect place to call home. Not only do they work here, but they also live here and can’t wait to share this corner of the North Shore with you.
