Where to find the bird report for Mass (divided by region.)
http://www.virtualbirder.com/vbirder/realbirds/rbas/MA.html
The Brookline Birding Club. It is supposed to be very active.
http://www.massbird.org/BBC/
Just a good place in general:
http://www.massbird.org/
Mount Auburn Cemetery is quite nice. I go there regularly (although not recently.) It has ample parking and is accessible by bus. I always enjoy going there, all year round. I’ve been on a Great Horned Owl hunt there in the past, as they regularly have one. Never found it, but I’m going to keep trying! They are amazing birds.
Out in Concord Mass is Great Meadows. It’s a NWR:
http://recreation.gov/detail.cfm?ID=(1407)
The web page is a bit slow, but it will come up. This place is great during the migrations for lots of water/wader birds. In the past month I have regularly seen a 1/2 dozen Great Blue Herons, 2-3 Egrets, 1-3 green herons, flocks of Teals, and with a scope you can see Wood Ducks (they are shy.) I’ve seen a Harrier there most times I’ve visited in the last month. Lots of fun to watch. Note that your movement is very limited because the trail is surrounded by water. But with good binocs or a scope it can be fun.
If you can get up to Acadia National Park it’s just a beautiful place. I’ve never done any birding there, but I’ve hiked their and its lots of fun. In the past years they’ve had peregrine falcons nesting on one of the mountains. There is also a set of cart trails that look to be great to hike/walk/bike on. Never done it, but I want to. The time of year I’m up there it’s packed with people, so I just stay away…. I’m usually further up the coast than that, so I go hiking/birding up in that area.
For a closer trip there is Parker River NWR (Plum Island):
http://parkerriver.fws.gov/
At the right times of year, this place is amazing. I haven’t been in several months because it’s at least 1 1/2 hour drive from me (and great meadows is only 15 minutes.) But loads of things flock there. I’ve photographed ibis, herons, egrets, terns, bobolinks… and much more. During the winter Snowy Owls make a regular appearance. It’s also nice because many of the places you go are quite near your car. If you have trouble walking long distances this place is still quite accessible. Note that it does cost money to enter, and it does fill up. But there is a Mass Audubon location right near by, so you can go there instead.
Many of the Mass. Audubon locations are very good (not surprising.) Their main link is:
http://www.massaudubon.org/
I’ve been to the Wellfleet Bay Sanctuary and like it a lot (out on Cape Cod.)
That should get you started. How long are you going to be out here?
Eric