Eight places to start the day on the Cape

Where the birds are

Early June is great for seeing avian mothers feeding their young. That means there are plenty of baby bluebirds, hummingbirds, terns, pine and prairie warblers, flycatchers, hermit thrushes, piping plovers, and owls, among others. For good morning viewing, bird-watchers favor, among others, Eastham’s Fort Hill, Monomoy Island off Chatham, the Goose Pond Trail at Mass Audubon’s Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary, and Wakeby and Mashpee ponds in Sandwich. One of the best sites is Provincetown’s Beech Forest, a prime spot for perching and songbirds. If you’re clumsy with binoculars and can’t tell a titmouse from a nuthatch, you can just head down the trail from the parking lot with some sunflower seeds, and hold out your hand. The chickadees will land in your palm and eat right out of it.

Beech Forest, Race Point Road. From Route 6 east in Provincetown, turn right at the traffic light onto Race Point Road. Beech Forest parking lot is a half-mile on the left.

(Mark Wilson/Globe Staff)
Where the birds are Early June is great for seeing avian mothers feeding their young. That means there are plenty of baby bluebirds, hummingbirds, terns, pine and prairie warblers, flycatchers, hermit thrushes, piping plovers, and owls, among others. For good morning viewing, bird-watchers favor, among others, Eastham’s Fort Hill, Monomoy Island off Chatham, the Goose Pond Trail at Mass Audubon’s Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary, and Wakeby and Mashpee ponds in Sandwich. One of the best sites is Provincetown’s Beech Forest, a prime spot for perching and songbirds. If you’re clumsy with binoculars and can’t tell a titmouse from a nuthatch, you can just head down the trail from the parking lot with some sunflower seeds, and hold out your hand. The chickadees will land in your palm and eat right out of it. Beech Forest, Race Point Road. From Route 6 east in Provincetown, turn right at the traffic light onto Race Point Road. Beech Forest parking lot is a half-mile on the left.
New England summer guide

New England summer guide

Find sunny beaches, wild rides, and local hot spots.