Where barrier beaches meet rocky headlands and broad expanses of tidal marsh, Northeastern Massachusetts forms one of New England’s most dynamic coastal birding regions. The Merrimack River corridor channels migration through salt marshes, dunes, and thickets, while Plum Island provides a nationally renowned mosaic of beaches, pannes, and maritime forests. Harbors and offshore waters support sea ducks, loons, and alcids in winter, and summer highlights breeding shorebirds and marsh specialists across protected refuges. Inland, mixed forests, reservoirs, and river valleys add breadth to the region’s seasonal rhythms with warblers, thrushes, and raptors. This intersection of coastal and forest habitats creates an area where migration is concentrated, winter birding thrives, and diverse landscapes remain easily accessible throughout the year.