Rhode Island and SouthCoast Birdwatching Spots

The temps are cold, the trees are bare and bird lovers couldn't be happier. Less leaves means prime views of local birds that haven't flown south for winter.

Birdwatching in Rhode Island is a storied past time with many grabbing the extra layers and binoculars in hopes of spotting some feathered friends.

Nick Pacelli, President of Ocean State Bird Club, said "at this time of year, the best birding is along the coast," as many ducks are fun to find in the winter.

Top Spots for Birding in Rhode Island

"There are a lot of sea ducks along the coast and when the ponds aren't frozen there are a lot of wintering ducks on lakes," Pacelli said. "Trustom Pond National Wildlife Refuge in South Kingstown is probably the premier winter spot. There are plenty of loons and ducks along Moonstone Beach."

Osprey Point and Otter Point, also located in the NWR, can have 10 species of ducks.

In addition to having a beautiful lighthouse, Beavertail State Park in Jamestown, RI is a prime location for "birding," the preferred term as opposed to "bird watching," according to Pacelli.

At Beavertail, you can find wintering populations of Harlequin ducks. They can also be spotted at Sachuset NWR.

"At both of these places one can see loons, red-necked grebe, various gulls and one of my favorite ducks, long-tailed duck," Pacelli said. "Binoculars are a must and a spotting scope would be better."

Get our free mobile app

SouthCoast Birding Locations

Westport River and Horseneck Beach are great for viewing a variety of duck species including common eider, black scoter, black duck, white common eider, white winged scoter, common loon and red-throated loon.

Fort Phoenix in Fairhaven has been home to some wintering birds. Buttonwood Zoo's pond in New Bedford is also a great local spot for waterfowl like northern shoveler, snow goose and cackling goose.

Rare Birds Spotted on SouthCoast

Fort Rodman in New Bedford's South End had a very rare bird on site recently. The northern lapwing, from Eurasia, rarely ends up in this area, according to Pacelli.

"This bird has been around for about five weeks," he said. "It was first discovered at Scarborough Beach in Narragansett. Then it moved to Jamestown for a few days. It was then discovered at Fort Rodman."

If you do spot this rarity, do not get too close so as not to spook it.

Another unique find, the tundra bean goose, was found in Portsmouth, RI.

"This bird, found by Joe Koger, is the first of the species ever to be reported in New England," Pacelli said. "It roosts at night in Lawton Reservoir and feeds in fields during the day."

The search is all worth it for Pacelli and fellow birders.

"I can tell you from experience that these hardcore bird nerds will drive an hour each way to spend five minutes or five seconds to see a 'lifer,'" he said. "The lapwing and bean goose were lifers for me. I had actually drove to southern Connecticut to see one five years ago for a northern lapwing, but by the time I got there, it had flown off. That was a depressing drive home."