kids encyclopedia robot

Buzzards Bay facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Buzzards Bay is a large bay located in the southeastern part of Massachusetts, a state in the United States. It stretches about 28 miles (45 kilometers) long and is around 8 miles (13 kilometers) wide.

This beautiful bay is a popular spot for many activities. People love to visit for tourism, fishing, and boating.

The bay got its name from early colonists. They saw a large bird near the shores and thought it was a type of buzzard. However, it was actually an osprey, a large fish-eating bird of prey.

In August 1991, towns along Buzzards Bay were strongly affected by Hurricane Bob.

About Buzzards Bay

Buzzards Bay is a significant natural feature in Massachusetts. It is known for its clear waters and many islands. The bay connects to the Atlantic Ocean. Its waters are a mix of fresh water from rivers and salty ocean water. This creates a special environment for many plants and animals.

Fun Things to Do

Buzzards Bay offers lots of fun activities for visitors and locals.

  • Boating: Many people enjoy sailing, kayaking, and motorboating in the bay's calm waters.
  • Fishing: The bay is full of different types of fish. It's a great place for both recreational and commercial fishing.
  • Beaches: There are many lovely beaches along the bay's coastline. They are perfect for swimming, sunbathing, and building sandcastles.
  • Wildlife Watching: You can often spot various birds, including ospreys, and other marine life around the bay.

How Buzzards Bay Got Its Name

When European colonists first arrived in this area, they saw many large birds flying near the bay. They called these birds "buzzards." This led to the name "Buzzards Bay." However, later on, people realized that the birds they saw were not actually buzzards. They were ospreys, which are large birds of prey that hunt fish. Even though the bird was misidentified, the name "Buzzards Bay" stuck!

Images for kids

  • Long Island from space

    Buzzards Bay and surrounding area from orbit (looking southwest)

  • Buzzards Bay, Mass. (2673776441)

    Birds eye view map, 1909

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Bahía de Buzzards para niños

kids search engine
All content from Kiddle encyclopedia articles (including the article images and facts) can be freely used under Attribution-ShareAlike license, unless stated otherwise. Cite this article:
Buzzards Bay Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.