Nature & Wildlife

Raccoons © Kim Nagy

In Massachusetts, each season presents new and exciting opportunities to explore and understand our ever-changing landscape and its inhabitants. Here you can find information about commonly encountered wildlife and invasive plants.

Want to learn more? Sign up for an upcoming program >

What's Happening Now? - Spring

What's Happening in Spring?

See more FAQs >

Spring & Summer Nature Promos

Got Nature & Wildlife Questions?

See our Nature & Wildlife FAQs >
Use our Search Tool >
Contact us if you have a question that is not covered in our FAQs.

Common Spring & Summer Birds

Spring and summer are great seasons to go birding! Migrants return from their wintering grounds, singing and displaying in fine fashion, then stay to raise their young. Learn more about warm weather birds found in Massachusetts.

iNaturalist

Use this free, online platform to ID and share photos of plants, fungi, and animals! You can also help Mass Audubon compile a catalog of the biodiversity at our sanctuaries. Get started >

Birds

Black-capped Chickadee

Discover the birds—and bird behaviors—you're likely to encounter in Massachusetts. Get birdy >

Insects & Arachnids

Native green bee on a purple flower © Marianne Woods

Love them or fear them, insects and arachnids play a fundamental role in nature. Learn more >

Mammals

Red Fox kit in Cambridge, MA © John Flagg

Red Fox kit © John Flagg

From chipmunks to moose, the Commonwealth is home to mammals of all sizes. Meet a few >

Reptiles & Amphibians

Closeup of a Gray Treefrog on a leaf © Don Bullens

They may seem similar, but these two ancient groups have very different (very cool) adaptations. Dive in >

Invasive Plants

Marsh full of Common reed (Phragmites australis) © Paul Mozell

Invasive plants are one of the greatest threats to Massachusetts' native species. Find out why >

Outdoor Almanac (big)

Outdoor Almanac

Find out what's happening in nature this month, from moon phases to animal migrations. Check it out >