Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge

10/08/2026

Fall migration is in full swing at Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge! 🐦🌊

Located along the Atlantic Flyway, Monomoy provides an important place for migrating birds to stop, rest, and refuel as they continue south. Around this time of year, Monomoy can be busy with migrating Black-bellied Plovers, Sanderlings, Semipalmated Plovers and Sandpipers, along with migrating waterfowl like Northern Pintail and Green-winged Teal stopping to rest and refuel.

Next time you’re along the coast, take a closer look, you never know who might just be passing through.

Photo: Large group of migrating waterbirds by Emma Kerr/USFWS

10/08/2026

Join us this Saturday! A great chance to get creative and learn something new!

A special event for the artistic people of 🖌️🎨 This Saturday from 1-4 PM at the new Monomoy NWR visitor center at 791 Main St in Chatham. Free registration, bring the kids!

10/07/2026

🔥Prescribed Burn This Fall at Monomoy NWR🔥

A prescribed burn is planned for South Monomoy Island in October or November 2026, depending on weather, wind, and fuel conditions. The burn may cover up to 90 acres and is expected to be completed in one day.

🌿Planned burns will help reduce hazardous fuels and improve habitat for common and roseate terns by decreasing thick beach grass, thatch, and woody vegetation.

💨 Don’t be surprised if you see or smell smoke! Smoke may be visible from several miles away, and some may linger in the area after the burn is complete.

For everyone’s safety, access to all of South Monomoy Island (including the lighthouse) will be restricted while burning is in progress

Thanks for supporting efforts to protect Monomoy’s unique habitat! ❤️

10/05/2026

Spooky season is upon us, and one of the biggest frights is the spotted lanternfly!

Spotted lanternflies have been observed throughout Massachusetts, including on Refuges. While striking to look at, these invasive insects can threaten local plants and trees. They feed on plant sap and can stress maples, cherries, birches, blueberries, grapes, and other plants that are important to our native ecosystems. One of their preferred host plants is tree-of-heaven, another invasive species that can spread quickly and overtake landscapes.

We are asking the public to please help us monitor for this invasive species. If you see a spotted lanternfly at any life stage, including egg masses, please report it using the Massachusetts reporting form: https://massnrc.org/pests/slfreport.aspx

After reporting, please safely destroy the specimen or egg mass when possible. These insects do not bite, sting, harm people or pets. Every report helps resource managers track the spread of this invasive species and take appropriate action.

See it. Squash it. Report it.

Thank you for helping protect the Refuge and our native ecosystems.

Photo 1: The life stages of Spotted Lanternfly by Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources
Photo 2: Spotted Lanternfly, adult life stage, on a tree at Assabet River NWR by USFWS

10/01/2026

🌿 Invasives in Your Neighborhood: Burning Bush

Burning bush is a popular landscaping shrub that can spread into forests, where it forms dense thickets and crowds out native wildflowers and young trees. As it spreads, it reduces the diversity of plants that provide food and shelter for wildlife.

👀 How to Spot It
Brilliant red foliage in fall
Opposite, oval-shaped leaves
Distinctive corky "wings" along young stems
Small red fruits in late summer and fall

🧤 What You Can Do / Best Time to Remove
Small shrubs can be hand-pulled or dug out, making sure to remove the roots. Fall through early spring is an excellent time to remove burning bush before seeds are spread by birds.

Photo Credit: Town of Sudbury, MA

09/30/2026

It’s International Podcast Day! 🎙️

Need something new to listen to on your commute, out on the boat, or while heading out on your next adventure? Check out the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service’s Fish of the Week! podcast. It’s packed with fish stories, conservation, science, and plenty of fun facts along the way.

Give it a listen here:

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09/29/2026

09/28/2026

🎨 Get creative, learn about wildlife, and celebrate National Wildlife Refuge Week with us! 🌿🦭

Join us on October 10th for a Paint & Learn event! Decorate wildlife cutouts inspired by the incredible species that call the Refuge home while learning about the animals and their habitats. Your artwork will then be displayed in our Visitor Center for everyone to enjoy!

Whether you’re a seasoned artist, a budding creative, or simply looking for a fun activity to enjoy with family and friends, everyone is welcome!

Space is limited, so register today to reserve your spot! https://www.eventbrite.com/e/paint-and-learn-with-monomoy-national-wildlife-refuge-tickets-2001217169425?aff=oddtdtcreator

We can’t wait to see what you create! 🎨🌿

09/25/2026

09/25/2026

As students have returned to the classroom, we’re throwing it back to this past May, when Bristol Aggie High School students joined U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service staff and partners at Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge to release the Blanding’s turtles they had spent the school year raising.

For more than 20 years, Bristol Aggie students have taken part in this head-start program, caring for young Blanding’s turtles through their vulnerable first year before helping return them to the wild. The program has truly come full circle: some of the turtles entering the head-start program today are offspring of turtles that were head-started and released through this same partnership years ago.

Now, a new school year means a new group of students are beginning the process all over again, continuing a conservation tradition that spans generations of both students and turtles. 🐢🌿

Photos: A collection of photos of students, Service Staff, and partners assisting with release day for these "headstarted" Blanding's turtles by Jackie Sadowski/USFWS