Mt Feake Cemetery

42.36418 , -71.24985

United States of America (USA)

Established in 1857, this 85 acre cemetery is a peaceful, sprawling walk along the Charles River. Although not as important as a stopover for migrating birds as the fairly nearby Mt. Auburn Cemetery, this urban cemetery is wooded enough that many warblers pass through here in April and May. Elusive northern waterthrush can sometimes be spotted in the marshier areas along the Charles. Watch ospreys and bald eagles dive for fish or sit perched on the tallest trees they can find overlooking the river. A nesting pair of bald eagles drew many birdwatchers to the cemetery in 2022, and the nest is still up high in one of the tallest pines. In the fall, many ducks arrive on the Charles River and swim along at many spots visible from the cemetery. As the Charles freezes, it can allow for many species to be sharing the same patch of open water. Common mergansers, hooded mergansers, ring-necked ducks, buffleheads, and common goldeneyes are likely visitors along with hundreds of mallards (with a few American black ducks), Canada geese, and ring-billed, herring, and great black-backed gulls. 

Delete exact location

The introductory text should contain general information about the site, which may include for instance:
• geographic/ biogeographic location
• habitat and vegetation
• typical bird species/bird communities
• protection status
• land use and history
• importance for birdwatching

Coordinates were set by Katherine Zhang : 42.3642/-71.2498 (2022-06-07 22:56:45 )

Site name was set by Katherine Zhang as "Mt Feake Cemetery" (2022-06-07 22:56:45 )

Edited by Katherine Zhang on 2022-06-07 23:43:01
Established in 1857, this 85 acre cemetery is a peaceful, sprawling walk along the Charles River. Although not as important as a stopover for migrating birds as the fairly nearby Mt. Auburn Cemetery, this urban cemetery is wooded enough that many warblers pass through here in April and May. Elusive northern waterthrush can sometimes be spotted in the marshier areas along the Charles. Watch ospreys and bald eagles dive for fish or sit perched on the tallest trees they can find overlooking the river. A nesting pair of bald eagles drew many birdwatchers to the cemetery in 2022, and the nest is still up high in one of the tallest pines. In the fall, many ducks arrive on the Charles River and swim along at many spots visible from the cemetery. As the Charles freezes, it can allow for many species to be sharing the same patch of open water. Common mergansers, hooded mergansers, ring-necked ducks, buffleheads, and common goldeneyes are possible likely visitors along with hundreds of mallards with (with a few American black ducks, ducks), Canada geese, and ring-billed, herring, and great black-backed gulls. 
Edited by Katherine Zhang on 2022-06-07 23:39:08
Established in 1857, this 85 acre cemetery is a peaceful, sprawling walk along the Charles River. Although not as important as a stopover for migrating birds as the fairly nearby Mt. Auburn Cemetery, this urban cemetery is wooded enough that many warblers pass through here in April and May. Elusive northern waterthrush can sometimes be spotted in the marshier areas along the Charles. Watch ospreys and bald eagles dive for fish or sit perched on the tallest trees they can find overlooking the river. A nesting pair of bald eagles drew many birdwatchers to the cemetery in 2022, and the nest is still up high in one of the tallest pines. In the fall, many ducks arrive on the Charles River and swim along at many spots visible from the cemetery. As the Charles freezes, it can allow for many species to be sharing the same patch of open water. Common mergansers, hooded mergansers, buffleheads, and common goldeneyes are possible along with hundreds of mallards with a few American black ducks, Canada geese, and ring-billed, herring, and great black-backed gulls. 

  • Top species

List up to ca. 25 species that:
• have a limited distribution range and/or are rare on a global level
• are most sought-after by birdwatchers at this site
• and are relatively easy to see at this site (year-round or seasonally)

Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)
Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus)

Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus) was added by Katherine Zhang (2022-06-07 23:25:41)

Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) was added by Katherine Zhang (2022-06-07 23:25:22)

  • Timing and strategy

As with most birding places, early morning and later evening are ideal for most sightings. There are trails into the woods that are not marked following the edge of the river at the Brandeis end. Watch for ticks and poison ivy on those trails. Plan to spend at least 1-2 hours walking around, although in peak migration and if you walk end to end and include some of the wooded trails, you could spend over 3 hours here. The highest point, named Mount Feake, is fairly close to the Prospect Street entrance but due to many trees you will discover many pockets of the cemetery that are shielded from other people. If you follow the water toward the Brandeis end, at the newer part of the cemetery you will find a small wooded trail that is unmarked that will lead you to a quiet cove to look across towards Fox Island. 

Give recommendations for making your visit as productive as possible.
This may include for instance:
• best season
• best time of the day
• how much time to spend at the site
• best means of locomotion within the site
• recommended routes / areas within the site
• guiding

Edited by Katherine Zhang on 2022-06-07 23:36
Although not as important as a stopover for migrating birds as the fairly nearby Mt. Auburn Cemetery, this urban cemetery is wooded enough that many warblers pass through here in April and May. Watch ospreys and bald eagles dive for fish or sit perched on the tallest trees they can find overlooking the river. In the fall, many ducks arrive on the Charles River and swim along at many spots visible from the cemetery. As the Charles freezes, it can allow for many species to be sharing the same patch of open water. Common mergansers, hooded mergansers, buffleheads, and common goldeneyes are possible along with hundreds of mallards with a few american black ducks, Canada geese, and ring-billed, herring, and great black-backed gulls.  As with most birding places, early morning and later evening are ideal for most sightings. There are trails into the woods that are not marked following the edge of the river at the Brandeis end. Watch for ticks and poison ivy on those trails. Plan to spend at least 1-2 hours walking around, although in peak migration and if you walk end to end and include some of the wooded trails, you could spend over 3 hours here. The highest point, named Mount Feake, is fairly close to the Prospect Street entrance but due to many trees you will discover many pockets of the cemetery that are shielded from other people. If you follow the water toward the Brandeis end, at the newer part of the cemetery you will find a small wooded trail that is unmarked that will lead you to a quiet cove to look across towards Fox Island. 
Edited by Katherine Zhang on 2022-06-07 23:25
Although not as important as a stopover for migrating birds as the fairly nearby Mt. Auburn Cemetery, this urban cemetery is wooded enough that many warblers pass through here in April and May. Watch ospreys and bald eagles dive for fish or sit perched on the tallest trees they can find overlooking the river. In the fall, many ducks arrive on the Charles River and swim along at many spots visible from the cemetery. As the Charles freezes, it can allow for many species to be sharing the same patch of open water. Common mergansers, hooded mergansers, buffleheads, and common goldeneyes are possible along with hundreds of mallards with a few american black ducks, Canada geese, and ring-billed, herring, and great black-backed gulls.  As with most birding places, early morning and later evening are ideal for most sightings. There are trails into the woods that are not marked following the edge of the river at the Brandeis end. Watch for ticks and poison ivy on those trails.
  • How to get there

With a car, the best way to access is from River Ave directly off of Prospect Street. The entrance is directly across from the Nova Biomedical parking lot with clear signage. 

With public transport, it can be accesses with the Brandeis/Roberts commuter rail stop off of the Fitchburg/Worcester line as well as about a 5 minute walk on paved sidewalks with good crosswalks from the 558 bus stop on Crescent/Robbins St

Explain from where and how to get to this site with private and public transport.

Edited by Katherine Zhang on 2022-06-07 23:16
With a car, the best way to access is from River Ave directly off of Prospect Street. The entrance is directly across from the Nova Biomedical parking lot with clear signage.  With public transport, it can be accesses with the Brandeis/Roberts commuter rail stop off of the Fitchburg/Worcester line as well as about a 5 minute walk on paved sidewalks with good crosswalks from the 558 bus stop on Crescent/Robbins St

The cemetery is open daily from dawn to dusk. Pedestrian access is available from Howe Ave next to the Brandeis T Stop, but if driving enter from 203 Prospect St because the gate at Howe Ave is usually restricted to car entry. There is no entry fee. No dogs are permitted in the cemetery. 

Provide information on how to enter this site, which may include:
• entry points
• entry permits / entry tickets and fees
• opening hours / opening season
• other restrictions

Note that this section should only contain information on how to ACCESS (= enter) a site. Info on how to REACH a site should be added to "How to get there" section.

Edited by Katherine Zhang on 2022-06-07 23:30
The cemetery is open daily from dawn to dusk. Pedestrian access is available from Howe Ave next to the Brandeis T Stop, but if driving enter from River Ave because 203 Prospect St because the gate at Howe Ave is usually restricted to car entry. There is no entry fee. No dogs are permitted in the cemetery. 
Edited by Katherine Zhang on 2022-06-07 23:13
The cemetery is open daily from dawn to dusk. Pedestrian access is available from Howe Ave next to the Brandeis T Stop, but if driving enter from River Ave because the gate at Howe Ave is usually restricted to car entry. There is no entry fee. No dogs are permitted in the cemetery. 
  • Other attractions

Deer, racoons, and foxes are possible to see at dawn or dusk. The proximity of the Charles River means that crew teams from Boston will often be on the river practicing spring through fall. This cemetery is also particularly lovely to walk at sunset when the golden light illuminates all the windows of the historic Watch Factory directly across the river.

For the gravestone enthusiast, Effie Carlton, author of the nursery song "Rock a Bye Baby" and other musical compositions is buried in Section G, Lot 1678 on Brewer Path. Civil War Medal of Honor recipient Brevet Major George Henry Maynard is buried in Section F, Lot 2042 on Woodburn Path.

Add information about other attractions at this site, including
• wildlife (apart from birds)
• sights (natural, cultural, archaeological, etc.)
• activities (e.g. for non-birding companions)

Edited by Katherine Zhang on 2022-06-07 23:10
Deer, racoons, and foxes are possible to see at dawn or dusk. The proximity of the Charles River means that crew teams from Boston will often be on the river practicing spring through fall. This cemetery is also particularly lovely to walk at sunset when the golden light illuminates all the windows of the historic Watch Factory directly across the river. For the gravestone enthusiast, Effie Carlton, author of the nursery song "Rock a Bye Baby" and other musical compositions is buried in Section G, Lot 1678 on Brewer Path. Civil War Medal of Honor recipient Brevet Major George Henry Maynard is buried in Section F, Lot 2042 on Woodburn Path.

There are no public restrooms inside the cemetery 

Provide information about what type of facilities are available at
or near this site, including:
• information centers / information points
• catering
• accommodation
• hides and watchtowers
• restrooms / toilets

Edited by Katherine Zhang on 2022-06-07 23:00
There are no public restrooms inside the cemetery 

I've never seen anyone sleeping in the cemetery, but there are sleeping rolls and spots with abandoned clothing in wooded areas. The cemetery is often patrolled after dusk (once closed) by police

Canada geese with goslings are quite aggressive in the spring and do chase people who get too close. Sometimes it can be difficult to see them if they are behind large gravestones or if the female is nesting in a low tree

Are there any security issues or other annoyances at this site? For
instance, these may include:
• offenses like robbery or theft
• natural hazards
• dangerous or annoying animals or plants (mosquitoes, leaches, thorn bushes, etc.)
• noise pollution

Edited by Katherine Zhang on 2022-06-07 23:03
I've never seen anyone sleeping in the cemetery, but there are sleeping rolls and spots with abandoned clothing in wooded areas. The cemetery is often patrolled after dusk (once closed) by police Canada geese with goslings are quite aggressive in the spring and do chase people who get too close. Sometimes it can be difficult to see them if they are behind large gravestones or if the female is nesting in a low tree
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Mt Feake Cemetery - Orniverse