The Merrimack River Eagle Festival

Come celebrate the return of the Eagles to the Merrimack Estuary! Photo: Eagle on Ice by Bill O'Connor

When winter returns to the lower Merrimack Valley, so do Bald Eagles and Snowy Owls and other exciting winter wildlife. Every year Mass Audubon hosts a grand event marking their return.

This year,Join the celebration in Newburyport, Amesbury and Salisbury on Saturday, February 17, 2024, for a full day of fun indoor and outdoor activities celebrating the return of the Bald Eagles! Learn more about these magnificent birds, as well as other amazing raptors, and why our local habitat is so important to them. 

Activities

Discover the best eagle viewing locations! Our naturalist guides will be available to inspire and educate you about these magnificent birds of prey. Eagle Festival brochures, location maps, and lots of raptor information and activities are available at Joppa Flats Education Center, Parker River National Wildlife Refuge Headquarters, and Newburyport City Hall.  

Open to all ages. Registration not required for viewing locations and on-site activities, however we have registration-only outdoor programming for families and adults. These additional programs may have a fee per program, and are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Please consider carpooling, parking is limited. Appropriate footwear and clothing are advised, some sites may be snowy or icy.

At Joppa Flats Education Center you'll find family activities, arts, and crafts, information on Bald Eagles and other raptors.. At Parker River National Wildlife Refuge find free family activities and more all day.

Events geared for kids and teens:

*Please note that some events are geared for adult audiences and not intended for children.

Photo By: 

©Bill O'Connor

When: 
Saturday, February 17, 2024 9am-4pm
Prices: 
Prices Vary
Phone: 
978.462.9998
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Monday, February 16

Babson Farm Quarry Self-guided Walking Tour at Halibut Point

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StoryWalk at Halibut Point

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Tuesday, February 17

Babson Farm Quarry Self-guided Walking Tour at Halibut Point

Kids will enjoy this tour of the Halibut Point State Park and Quarry with a focus on its stone-cutting history!
Take a self guided tour at one of Massachusetts most beautiful locations!
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10:00 am to 2:00 pm

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StoryWalk®! Nest Robin Built, by Denise Fleming - a self guided reading tour at Halibut Point in Rockport Massachusetts
Enjoy this pre-school StoryWalk® at your leisure with the younger set and combine reading and time in nature! StoryWalk®! Nest Robin Built, by Denise Fleming. Self-guided reading pages posted along a lovely Park trail near the visitor center. Connect with nature and each other while enjoying the...
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Wednesday, February 18

Babson Farm Quarry Self-guided Walking Tour at Halibut Point

Kids will enjoy this tour of the Halibut Point State Park and Quarry with a focus on its stone-cutting history!
Take a self guided tour at one of Massachusetts most beautiful locations!
7:00 am to 6:00 pm