Townsend’s Warbler, young male, early winter, Massachusetts Audubon Society, Marblehead Neck Wildlife Sanctuary, MA on December 26,2014. ©Townsend P. Dickinson. All Rights Reserved.

Finally I get to see my lifer of a Townsend’s Warbler (Setophaga townsendi) with  Townsend! How sweet is that?

It is very easy to get to by car, about three and a half hours from southern Connecticut. Directions to Marblehead Neck Wildlife Sanctuary: 98 Risley Road, Marblehead MA. For those that are unfamiliar with the area, you will need to go over the causeway from Marblehead proper onto Marblehead Neck to the sanctuary.

Marblehead causway to Mass Audubon Society Marblehead Neck Wildlife Sanctuary. December 26,2014. iPhone 6 ©Mardi Welch Dickinson /Kymry Group. All Rights Reserved.

Once over the causeway entering onto Marblehead Neck. As you turn on to Risley Road (a dead end), there will be a small parking lot to the left, with the entrance to the sanctuary ahead of you. See Map below.

https://www.google.com/maps/@42.492409,70.839072,3a,75y,325.7h,47.36t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1sUKf5BUJjKQLc6bWtiYu4qA!2e0

Massachusetts Audubon Society, Marblehead Neck Wildlife Sanctuary sign. December 26,2014. iPhone 6 ©Mardi Welch Dickinson All Rights Reserved.

Once parked. Enter the sanctuary and take the path to the left. You’ll pass a small pond on your right after a few minutes of walking, and keep bearing to the left. You’ll then be near the “south entrance” to the sanctuary, and the feeders will be on the right side of the path.  There are a few small evergreens near the feeders that the warbler frequents.  Looking at the feeders, there’ll also be a path up a small hill to your right that has a few more evergreens that the warbler has been seen in.

Massachusetts Audubon Society, Marblehead Neck Wildlife Sanctuary. December 26,2014. iPhone 6 ©Mardi Welch Dickinson /Kymry Group. All Rights Reserved.

Current location is also at the very top of hill by fence over looking private residence that has hung a suet feeder for the Townsend’s Warbler. 

A huge shout out goes to several new friends Mathew Clark, Davis Noble, Kyle Wilmarth, Gabby and several ladies I met (forgive me on your names) for their intel and details about the area including places to eat. A hat tip goes to Andrew Sanford for finding this wonderful Townsend’s Warbler to share with all of us and for your techie information too. 

• Bring food & drinks along to snack on. 
• Take a bathroom break before going over causeway onto Marblehead Neck to the Sanctuary. No bathrooms available.

Lots of places to eat afterwards. Here are a few suggestions on Bird Food For People™ https://kymry.wordpress.com/bird-food-for-people/