Bird Monitoring at Select Cranberry Bog Restoration Sites in Southeastern Massachusetts

In late April, a King Rail was discovered by visiting birders at Foothills Preserve in Plymouth. From April 25 through at least the 28th, the bird attracted more than 30 visitors and provided unusually good views of a species that is rarely seen in Massachusetts. At the same time, two adult Little Blue Herons, also uncommon in the state, have been using the site for more than a week, adding to the steady interest from birders.

King Rails depend on shallow freshwater marshes with dense vegetation, habitats that have declined significantly across their range due to wetland loss and changes to natural water patterns. At Foothills, those conditions are beginning to return. Since 2017, restoration of the former cranberry bog by the Living Observatory has reshaped channels, slowed and spread water across the floodplain, and created a dynamic mix of shallow pools and vegetation.

The result is a wetland that is not only attracting a high diversity of birds, but also supporting species with more specialized needs. Recent surveys conducted by staff at Manomet Conservation Sciences have recorded 68 breeding species at the site, with 30 showing probable or confirmed breeding. In that context, the presence of a King Rail is more than a rare sighting. It is a clear sign that the restoration is working.