Recent bird sightings on Cape Cod reported by Mass Audubon

By the Editorial Team · Wednesday, September 30, 2026

Birdwatchers across Cape Cod have documented a wide array of bird species through September 22, including rare sightings like a crested caracara in Wellfleet and large gatherings of seabirds at Provincetown’s Race Point. These observations help Mass Audubon monitor avian populations and migration patterns, with the organization inviting the public to report further sightings for ongoing conservation efforts.

Birdwatchers on Cape Cod have reported a variety of notable avian sightings across several locations through September 22, according to data compiled by Mass Audubon.

In Wellfleet’s Duck Harbor, a crested caracara was observed continuing its presence in the area. Provincetown’s Race Point attracted a diverse collection of seabirds, including three American golden-plovers, a Sabine’s gull, a long-tailed jaeger, and a substantial number of parasitic jaegers totaling 12. Other species recorded at Race Point were six lesser black-backed gulls, approximately 1,800 common terns, 19 Cory’s shearwaters, 42 Manx shearwaters, 125 Northern gannets, and eight common ravens.

At Nauset Marsh in Eastham, observers noted 600 semipalmated plovers alongside 16 lesser yellowlegs and 30 white-rumped sandpipers. Additionally, two pectoral sandpipers, a long-billed dowitcher, 10 western sandpipers, two Northern harriers, a merlin, a peregrine falcon, four saltmarsh sparrows, and two early Lapland longspurs were recorded.

The southern region of Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge hosted several waterfowl species, with seven blue-winged teal, 12 green-winged teal, nine ruddy ducks, two American coots, and nine pied-billed grebes observed. This area also saw 125 lesser black-backed gulls and about 1,500 tree swallows.

Sandy Neck in Barnstable reported various shorebirds including four American oystercatchers, 682 black-bellied plovers, 435 semipalmated plovers, two piping plovers, and 11 red knots. In addition, three western sandpipers, 368 semipalmated sandpipers, four parasitic jaegers, two lesser black-backed gulls, and 35 Forster’s terns were noted.

Further sightings around the Cape included four Caspian terns in Chatham, a black vulture perched atop the roof of the Birdwatcher’s General Store in Orleans, and three yellow-bellied flycatchers that were banded at Wellfleet Bay Sanctuary.

Mass Audubon encourages individuals to report bird sightings or seek more information by contacting the Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary by phone at 508-349-2615 or via email at cape.sightings@massaudubon.org.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.