Club Birding at Norton Point/Katama with Lanny McDowell and Pete Gilmore

Join the Martha’s Vineyard Bird Club for a mid-September bird walk at Norton Point and Katama, a dynamic barrier beach and coastal grassland that comes alive during fall migration. This is a prime time to experience the movement of birds as southbound migrants funnel along the shoreline and through the open dunes and fields.

We’ll scan the beaches, pond edges, and ocean for migrating shorebirds such as Semipalmated Plover, Black-bellied Plover, Sanderling, Dunlin, and Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs, along with Least, Semipalmated, and possibly Western Sandpipers. Katama’s fields and scrub may hold Savannah Sparrow, Bobolink (migrating birds), Palm Warbler, and other passing songbirds, while raptors like Osprey, Northern Harrier, Merlin, and Peregrine Falcon may be seen hunting over the dunes or shoreline.

Offshore and over the barrier beach, keep an eye out for Common Tern, Forster’s Tern, Black Skimmer, and early Northern Gannet moving past with the winds. This walk is ideal for birders of all experience levels and offers excellent opportunities to learn about fall migration, coastal habitats, and the birds that depend on them. Bring binoculars, dress for sun and wind, and enjoy one of the Vineyard’s most exciting fall birding locations.

Note: Oversand Vehicle Permit required. If you intend to be a driver for this trip you can purchase your permit HERE

Reminder: Due to Limited OSV passes and seats in vehicles, advance registration is required for this trip. In order to secure your seat, please email MV Bird Club President Richard Goldenberg: mvbirdclub_president@biodiversityworksmv.org. Please do not show up to this event without first receiving confirmation from Richard that a seat has been saved for you. Thank you for your understanding. If you want to be a driver, please talk with Richard in advance!