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Parker River National Wildlife Refuge


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National Park Contact Information
Parker River National Wildlife Refuge
261 Northern Boulevard, Plum Island
Newburyport, 01950






National Park Overview
Parker River National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1942 primarily to provide feeding, resting and nesting habitat for migratory birds. Located along the Atlantic Flyway, the refuge is of vital stopover significance to waterfowl, shorebirds and songbirds during pre- and postbreeding migratory periods.

The refuge occupies in part, the southern three-fourths of Plum Island - 8 mile long barrier island - Newburyport, Massachusetts. Excellent wildlife-oriented recreational and educational opportunities are available with visitor facilities and programs provided to enhance your experience.

The refuge consists of 4,662 acres of diverse upland and wetland habitats including sandy beach and dune, shrub/thicket, bog, swamp, freshwater marsh, saltwater marsh and associated creek, river, mud flat and salt panne. These and other refuge habitats support varied and abundant populations of resident and migratory wildlife including more than 300 species of birds and additional species of mammals, reptiles -mphibians, insects and plants.