Archived Events & Articles
2020 Annual Meeting Slideshow
2019 Purple Martin Refuge Nesting Results
2019 Purple Martins of Plum Island Breeding Season Tally:
Lot #1: North Rack - 3rd season at this site:
Gourds: 24
Eggs: 26
Fledged Young 22 [2018 - 6 young fledged]
Nonviable eggs: 4
Lot #1: South Rack:
Gourds: 18
Young Fledged: 34 [2018 - 49 young fledged]
Nonviable Eggs: 2
North End Site at the Old PRNWR HQ [Plum Island Lighthouse]:
Gourds: 24
Young Fledged: 28 [2018 - 35 young fledged]
Nonviable Eggs: 11
Expired Young: 8
Information courtesy of Sue McGrath.
Annual Meeting of the Friends of Parker River National Wildlife Refuge (Saturday, February 8, 2020).
Hellcat Marsh Loop Reopening (Aug 27, 2019)
Aug 27, 2019
Breaking News:
The Hellcat Boardwalk is now fully reopened with the completion of the new marsh "loop" section. This former loop walk is now an "out and back" trail.
Please enjoy a brief video courtesy of Ranger Matt Poole.
“Ducks of New England Presented by Bill Gette" (November 13, 2019)
November 13, 2019 @ 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Presented by Bill Gette By early November, large numbers of ducks migrate from their breeding areas in northern New England and Canada and move to area lakes, rivers, salt marshes, and coastal waters. During his PowerPoint lecture, Bill Gette will discuss the field marks and behavioral characteristics that are key to duck identification. Bill will discuss plumages and habitat preferences, and tell you where to go to find the many species that overwinter on the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge and other sites within an hour’s drive of Newburyport.
Bill Gette, current President of the Friends of Parker River NWR, began leading area, domestic U.S., and international travel programs for Mass Audubon in 1986. Since then, he has traveled to all seven continents. He joined Mass Audubon full time in 1996 as the Founding Director of the Joppa Flats Education Center in Newburyport, developing and leading several rigorous bird-related certification programs both here and in Belize. Bill retired from Mass Audubon in February 2016 but remains very active, leading natural history travel programs and lecturing.
Bill enjoys sharing his photographs and travel experiences through his PowerPoint presentation
Friends Boardwalk Plank Fundraiser Complete
Friends Boardwalk Plank Fundraiser ~UPDATE~
We have reached the end of our plank fundraiser and as such we are no longer accepting donations for this fundraiser.
Thank you everyone for your support! What a wonderful success.
Tale of Two Beaches - Plum Island & Salisbury presented by John Macone (recording) (Jan 31, 2018)
'A Tale of Two Beaches - Plum Island & Salisbury' presented by John Macone on Jan 31, 2018 at the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center.
Please enjoy this recording which can be found on the Town of Newbury Youtube channel.
Winter Raptors - Eagles/Hawks/Owls/Falcons presented by Bill Gette (recording) (March 5, 2018)
Please enjoy this recording of 'Winter Raptors - Eagles/Hawks/Owls/Falcons' presented by Bill Gette on March 5, 2018
This recording can also be found on the Town of Newbury Youtube channel.
Algonquians on the Parker River & P.I. Presented by M.E. Lepionka (recording) (March 20, 2018)
Please enjoy this recording of 'Algonquians on the Parker River & Plum Island' Presented by M.E. Lepionka on March 20, 2018 at the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center.
This video can also be found of the Town of Newbury Youtube channel.
'Providence Raptors' Presented by Peter Green (recording) (April 2, 2018)
Please enjoy this recording of 'Providence Raptors' Presented by Peter Green on April 2, 2018 at the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center.
This recording can also be found on the Town of Newbury Youtube channel.
'Ancient Artisans of The Parker River' Presented by Mary Ellen Lepionka (recording) (April 17, 2018)
Please enjoy this presentation of 'Ancient Artisans of The Parker River' Presented by Mary Ellen Lepionka on April 17, 2018 at the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center.
This recording can also be found on the Town of Newbury Youtube channel.
Nature & Maritime Archeology Presented by Victor T. Mastone (recording) (Jun 5, 2018)
Please enjoy this recording of 'Nature & Maritime Archeology' Presented by Victor T. Mastone on Jun 5, 2018 at the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center.
This recording can also be found on the Town of Newbury Youtube Channel.
'Dam Removal & The Return of Herring' Presented by Dr. Jon Honea (recording) (Jun 26, 2018)
Please enjoy this recording of 'Dam Removal & The Return of Herring' Presented by Dr. Jon Honea on Jun 26, 2018 at the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center.
This recording can also be found on the Town of Newbury Youtube Channel.
Plum Island in a Changing Climate presented by Nancy Pau (recording) (Jun 25, 2018)
Please enjoy this recording of 'Plum Island in a Changing Climate' Presented by Nancy Pau and Partners on Jun 25, 2018 at the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center.
This recording can also be found on the Town of Newbury Youtube Channel.
Celebrating New England's First Flying Field presented by Ted Russell (recording) (Oct 2, 2018)
Please enjoy this recording of 'Celebrating New England's First Flying Field' Presented by Ted Russell on Oct 2, 2018 at the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center.
This recording can also be found on the Town of Newbury Youtube Channel.
Saving Straitsmouth presented by Bill Peterson (recording) (March 22, 2019)
Please enjoy this recording of 'Saving Straitsmouth' Presented by Bill Peterson on March 22, 2019 at the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center.
This recording can also be found on the Town of Newbury Youtube Channel.
Ducks of New England: presented by Bill Gette 11/10/2020
Ducks of New England Presented by Bill Gette.
By early November, large numbers of ducks migrate from their breeding areas in northern New England and Canada and move to area lakes, rivers, saltmarshes, and coastal waters. During this PowerPoint presentation, Bill Gette will discuss the field marks and behavioral characteristics that are key to duck identification. Bill will discuss plumages and habitat preferences, and tell you where to go to find them any species that over winter on the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge and other sites within an hour's drive of Newburyport.
Birding Maps from the Ducks of New England Presentation
Bill Gette has provided several slides from his Ducks for New England presentation highlighting some ideal location spotting ducks. Please follow the link here to a .pdf of these slides.