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Women on bridge Join today and get outside at one of our 60+ wildlife sanctuaries.
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Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary, Wellfleet

Cape Cod Weekly Bird Sightings

Below are the most recent sightings from the last four weeks in the Cape Cod area.

If you want to report a sighting, or have questions about these sightings, call Wellfleet Bay at 508-349-2615 or send an email.

The Cape Cod Natural History Hotline is sponsored by the Bird Watcher's General Store in Orleans and Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary. 

Recent Sightings

Tuesday, June 17, 2025

Swallow-tailed Kites continue to be seen near Santuit Pond in Mashpee, but only singletons were seen this week unlike the 3-5 seen in previous weeks. There are now at least three Mississippi Kites hanging around a neighborhood in Centerville eating cicadas. A Hooded Warbler was found at Long Pond in Falmouth on Tuesday. Birds at Crane Wildlife Management Area in Falmouth included 3 Blue Grosbeaks, [...]

Tuesday, June 10, 2025

At least 3 Swallow-tailed Kites continue to be seen near Santuit Pond in Mashpee. A Mississippi Kite continues in a neighborhood in Centerville. The Hooded Warbler continues in Whelan Conservation Area in West Barnstable, where a Mississippi Kite was also seen. Early June is when we see interesting flycatchers on the Cape [...]

Tuesday, June 3, 2025

A Curlew Sandpiper was seen during a shorebird survey at Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge this week. Other sightings at Monomoy included 2 Northern Pintail, 2 Gadwall, 3 Arctic Terns, 8 Glossy Ibis, and a Little Blue Heron. An incredible five Swallow-tailed Kites continue to be seen near Santuit Pond in Mashpee [...]

Tuesday, May 27, 2025

An incredible five Swallow-tailed Kites were seen flying and roosting together near Santuit Pond in Mashpee on Memorial Day, with multiple sightings of birds carrying nesting material over the last several days. A spring Nor’easter brought some nice seabirds within view [...]

Tuesday, May 20, 2025

The first Anhinga for the Cape and Islands was photographed at Pogorelc Sanctuary in Barnstable on Saturday but not subsequently refound. Other birds there included a Tricolored Heron and a Yellow-crowned Night-Heron. Three Swallow-tailed Kites, including the continuing pair, were seen this week [...]

Tuesday, May 13, 2025

Two Swallow-tailed Kites and a Mississippi Kite were seen near Santuit Pond in Mashpee this week, where other sightings included a continuing Ring-necked Duck and Tricolored Heron, and two White-eyed Vireos. A Mississippi Kite was also reported in Brewster [...]

Tuesday, May 6, 2025

A Swallow-tailed Kite continues to be seen near Santuit Pond in Mashpee, with another sighting in Marstons Mills last week. Other sightings at Santuit Pond included a Tricolored Heron and a Ring-necked Duck. Three Mississippi Kites were reported in Chatham [...]

Tuesday, April 29, 2025

A Swallow-tailed Kite was seen near Santuit Pond in Mashpee on the 25th and 28th, and maybe the same one was also seen from West Barnstable on the 28th. This area of the Cape has had annual spring and summer resident Swallow-tailed Kites for several years, so expect more sightings. Continuing rarities included the Black-necked Stilt [...]

Tuesday, April 22, 2025

The Cape and Islands’ first record of White-faced Ibis was identified after the fact from a photo of 15 Glossy Ibis flying over Sandy Neck in Barnstable. Other sightings at Sandy Neck included 150 Long-tailed Ducks, 137 Horned Grebes, 2 Northern Harriers, and a Brown Thrasher. The first Ruby-throated Hummingbirds were reported from several places [...]

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