2026 Daytime Pelagic and Marsh Cruise Program
Join us on summer daytime pelagic trips and marsh cruises this summer. Note that these popular trips regularly sell out. Once sold out we will keep a waitlist in the event that anyone cancels.
8/5 Update
As of 8/5 seats are still available on the following trips:
- Parker River NWR Marsh Cruise
- Monday, August 24
- 8:00 AM – 10:30 AM
- Meet by 7:30 AM for boarding
- More Info about the Trip and Register Here
- Captain John’s Whale Watch Cruise, Plymouth
- Thursday, August 27
- Cosponsored with the South Shore Bird Club
- 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
- Meet at dock by 1:30 PM
- Meeting Location: 10 Town Wharf, Plymouth
- Group ticket: $57
- More Info about the Trip and Register Here
Daytime Pelagic Trips
The BBC has reserved a limited block of discounted group tickets on these public tours. These trips are open to all.
- 7 Seas Whale Watch Cruise, Gloucester – Friday, July 17
- 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM
- Meet at dock by 7:45 AM
- Meeting Location: 63 Rodgers Street, Gloucester
- Group ticket: $45
- More Info about the Trip and Register Here
- Captain John’s Whale Watch Cruise, Plymouth – Thursday, August 27
- Cosponsored with the South Shore Bird Club
- 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
- Meet at dock by 1:30 PM
- Meeting Location: 10 Town Wharf, Plymouth
- Group ticket: $57
- More Info about the Trip and Register Here
Please watch for a repeat of our popular late fall trips from Gloucester and Hyannis in our newsletter announcements.
Marsh Cruises
Based on the immense popularity of these trips last summer, we are planning 3 trips through the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge and one NEW trip through the Essex River Marsh! All of these popular trips sell out quickly, and we keep waitlists in the event of cancellations.
Parker River Marsh Cruises
Explore Parker River National Wildlife Refuge from a new perspective on a cruise through the Parker River marshes! Join us on the Yankee Clipper docked in Newburyport Harbor for a leisurely cruise through the Refuge. Enjoy close views of shorebirds, gulls, terns, and Saltmarsh Sparrows on this tour. Group discount tickets are available by registering on the BBC website no later than July 15; seating is limited. Confirmation and additional information will be provided to registrants.
Meeting location for all trips: Yankee Clipper, Waterfront Promenade Park, Merrimac Street, Newburyport.
- Saturday, August 8
- 7:15 AM – 9:45 AM
- Meet by 6:45 AM for boarding
- More Info about the Trip and Register Here
- Wednesday, August 19
- 5:00 PM – 7:30 PM
- Meet by 4:30 PM for boarding
- More Info about the Trip and Register Here
- Monday, August 24
- 8:00 AM – 10:30 AM
- Meet by 7:30 AM for boarding
- More Info about the Trip and Register Here
Essex River Marsh Cruise
This narrated cruise is scenic, relaxing, and educational. Join us for a cruise along the Essex River as we glide past islands, historic mansions, wildlife, and stunning scenery. The marsh itself is part of the Essex River estuary, which serves as the feeding ground for many species of beautiful birds and abundant wildlife. Group discount tickets are available by registering on the BBC website no later than July 15; seating is limited. Confirmation and additional information will be provided to registrants.
- Tuesday, August 11
- 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
- Meet by 4:30 PM for boarding
- Meeting Location: Essex River Cruises, 35 Dodge St, Essex, MA
- Group Ticket: $38
- Free parking available onsite.
- More Info about the Trip and Register Here
Overnight Pelagic Trips from Hyannis
Our overnight pelagic trips from Hyannis, MA to Hydrographer Canyon on August 22 – 23 and August 24 – 25 are still accepting names for the waitlist. Learn more here.
Seabird Webinar
On August 6 join us for a seabird webinar A Forgotten Kinship presented by Dr. Sea McKeon, Marine Program Director at the American Bird Conservancy. Registration details will be added here when available.
11/19 Pelagic Webinar: Pinch me! …. Did We Just Discover a New Species?!
On November 19 at 7PM please join us to hear from Alvaro Jaramillo, about the discovery of new species of seabirds.
11/14 Webinar: Birding in Italy
As a natural north-south bridge between Europe and Africa, Italy is a vitally important region for more than 550 bird species, both migrants and breeders. More than 20% of the “Boot” is under environmental protection
October 2026 BBC Big Day Report
October 2026 BBC Big Day Report On Saturday, October 10 over 50 BBC members submitted 133 checklists for Massachusetts as part of our BBC Big Day event (with a few more from NH, VT and [...]
Roberts on Raptors – Golden Eagles Coming
Think Migrating Golden Eagles: The weather forecast for this Saturday (October 17) suggests birders should brush up on their eagle identification.
Bring Back Bobolinks!
Bring Back Bobolinks! 2026 has been the inaugural year for our Endangered Species Program. Each year we plan to focus on a single bird species facing serious threats in Massachusetts and elsewhere. With this effort [...]
BBC Record of Bachman’s Warbler Sighting
BBC Record of Bachman's Warbler Sighting Club Statistician David Scott recently added a new record to the club's life list stemming from a 1961 week long club trip to Bulls Island, SC. We learned about [...]
11/19 Pelagic Webinar: Pinch me! …. Did We Just Discover a New Species?!
On November 19 at 7PM please join us to hear from Alvaro Jaramillo, about the discovery of new species of seabirds.
11/14 Webinar: Birding in Italy
As a natural north-south bridge between Europe and Africa, Italy is a vitally important region for more than 550 bird species, both migrants and breeders. More than 20% of the “Boot” is under environmental protection
October 2026 BBC Big Day Report
October 2026 BBC Big Day Report On Saturday, October 10 over 50 BBC members submitted 133 checklists for Massachusetts as part of our BBC Big Day event (with a few more from NH, VT and [...]
Roberts on Raptors – Golden Eagles Coming
Think Migrating Golden Eagles: The weather forecast for this Saturday (October 17) suggests birders should brush up on their eagle identification.
Bring Back Bobolinks!
Bring Back Bobolinks! 2026 has been the inaugural year for our Endangered Species Program. Each year we plan to focus on a single bird species facing serious threats in Massachusetts and elsewhere. With this effort [...]
BBC Record of Bachman’s Warbler Sighting
BBC Record of Bachman's Warbler Sighting Club Statistician David Scott recently added a new record to the club's life list stemming from a 1961 week long club trip to Bulls Island, SC. We learned about [...]
11/19 Pelagic Webinar: Pinch me! …. Did We Just Discover a New Species?!
On November 19 at 7PM please join us to hear from Alvaro Jaramillo, about the discovery of new species of seabirds.
11/14 Webinar: Birding in Italy
As a natural north-south bridge between Europe and Africa, Italy is a vitally important region for more than 550 bird species, both migrants and breeders. More than 20% of the “Boot” is under environmental protection
October 2026 BBC Big Day Report
October 2026 BBC Big Day Report On Saturday, October 10 over 50 BBC members submitted 133 checklists for Massachusetts as part of our BBC Big Day event (with a few more from NH, VT and [...]
Roberts on Raptors – Golden Eagles Coming
Think Migrating Golden Eagles: The weather forecast for this Saturday (October 17) suggests birders should brush up on their eagle identification.
Bring Back Bobolinks!
Bring Back Bobolinks! 2026 has been the inaugural year for our Endangered Species Program. Each year we plan to focus on a single bird species facing serious threats in Massachusetts and elsewhere. With this effort [...]
BBC Record of Bachman’s Warbler Sighting
BBC Record of Bachman's Warbler Sighting Club Statistician David Scott recently added a new record to the club's life list stemming from a 1961 week long club trip to Bulls Island, SC. We learned about [...]
News Categories
Upcoming Field Trips
Field Trips / Events
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Fresh Pond, Cambridge
Cambridge - Fresh Pond - TD Bank 235 Alewife Brook Pkwy, Cambridge, MA, United StatesAn easy 2-mile walk through pondside meadows and forest paths at Fresh Pond. The over-wintering waterbirds have started to arrive, and we may see Ring-necked Ducks, Ruddy Ducks and both Hooded and Common Mergansers. Meadow and forest species may include year-round residents as well as seasonal visitors from the north (e.g. White-throated Sparrows, Juncos).
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Franklin Park – Scarboro Pond (Early Birders Series)
Boston - Franklin Park Tennis Courts (Meeting Spot) MA, United StatesJoin fellow birders in their 20s-30s as we visit Franklin Park! Located in Roxbury, Boston’s largest open space is home to a plethora of natural features, including miles of trails, playing fields, a pond, and plenty of birds! Here we will look for all sorts of songbirds, including late fall migrants and early winterers. Whether [...]
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An Oasis for Birds at Belle Isle Marsh
East Boston - Belle Isle Parking Lot 1399 Bennington Street, Boston, MA, United StatesLed by DCR staff. We will search on foot up to one mile, on flat, easy terrain for snowy owls and other raptors, native sparrows, finches, waterfowl, and other birds. This is a traveling program by car or bike. Prepare for ticks. Ages: Adults and kids 8 years+ with adult chaperone. Binoculars recommended. Cosponsored by [...]
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RESCHEDULED to 11/15 Arlington Reservoir with Arlington Open Space Committee and Arlington Reservoir Committee RESCHEDULED to 11/15
Lexington - Arlington Reservoir 210 Lowell Street, Arlington, MA, United StatesDue to expected rain, we are rescheduling this walk to November 15, same time and place.
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Millennium Park
Boston - Millennium Park Canoe Launch 300 Gardner Street, Boston, MA, United StatesJoin us to observe resident birds and winter migrants in a unique urban habitat that is a favorite for many bird species, including uncommon and rare birds. Birders of all levels will enjoy this walk. The trails are (generally) flat. A water bottle, water proof clothing including a hat, gloves, and trail shoes are recommended. [...]