Brookline Bird Club’s 7 Seas Whale Watch Trip Report, 2024
Photo: Black Guillemot, Johnny Owens
On a beautiful Saturday morning July 27, 46 club members and friends boarded the 7 Seas sailing vessel Privateer IV out of Gloucester Harbor on a whale watching and sea birding adventure! We traveled along the coastline up into Ipswich Bay to Halfway Hump. To our delight there were great looks at many birds, including 4 species of Shearwaters, and even a few species of mammals. Photos were shared to the Brookline Bird Club Facebook page. Here is a listing of what we saw:
What we saw – birds, whales and more!:
- American Black Duck – 32
- Common Eider – 13
- Black Scoter – 1
- Black Guillemont – 1
- Laughing Gull – 1
- Herring Gull – 300 (underestimate)
- Great Black Backed Gull – 42
- Common Tern – 18
- Wilson’s Storm Petral – 6
- Cory’s Shearwater – 14
- Great Shearwater – 26
- Sooty Shearwater – 1
- Manx Shearwater – 3
- Northern Gannet – 1
- DC Cormorant – 500 (underestimate)
- Little Blue Heron – 1
- Great Egret – 21
- Tree Swallow – 3
- Great Blue Heron – 1
- Humpback Whales – 2
- Minke Whale – 1
- Harbor Seal – 1
- Atlantic White Dolphin – 30 (estimate)
- Mola Mola – 2 (awesome looks right next to boat)
- Harbor Porpoises – several small pods
BBC Submits Comment on Sunday Hunting Proposal
BBC Submits Comment on Sunday Hunting Proposal The Brookline Bird Club submitted a comment to MassWildlife opposing a proposal to change state law to allow Sunday hunting. The Club does not take a position on
February 7 BBC Winter Meeting – Social Hour, Book Sale & Norman Smith!
February 7 BBC Winter Meeting - Social Hour, Used Book Sale & Norman Smith! Mark your calendar for Saturday, February 7 at 2PM for the BBC's annual in-person Winter Meeting featuring a social hour with
Support the Tawny-Throated Dotterel
Support the Tawny-Throated Dotterel This winter the BBC is teaming up with Manomet Conservation Sciences to support research on the Tawny-Throated Dotterel in Peru. A team of scientists there is in need of optical equipment
2026 Young Birders Hog Island Camp Scholarship Application
2026 Bill Drummond Young Birders Scholarship Application Available The Brookline Bird Club will again offer two Bill Drummond Young Birder’s Scholarships to nurture interest in bird study and conservation among young birders. The scholarship covers
February 19 Webinar with Matthew Young, Finch Research Network
February 19 Webinar with Matthew Young: The Evening Grosbeak Road to Recovery Project and the Stokes Guide to Finches of the United States and Canada Please join the BBC on the evening of Thursday, February
Renew membership now for 2026!
Calling all BBC members - annual memberships expire December 31st 2025. Renew today for the 2026 calendar year to continue uninterrupted access to member benefits including our blue book mailings, member webinars, and more! Membership
BBC Submits Comment on Sunday Hunting Proposal
BBC Submits Comment on Sunday Hunting Proposal The Brookline Bird Club submitted a comment to MassWildlife opposing a proposal to change state law to allow Sunday hunting. The Club does not take a position on
February 7 BBC Winter Meeting – Social Hour, Book Sale & Norman Smith!
February 7 BBC Winter Meeting - Social Hour, Used Book Sale & Norman Smith! Mark your calendar for Saturday, February 7 at 2PM for the BBC's annual in-person Winter Meeting featuring a social hour with
Support the Tawny-Throated Dotterel
Support the Tawny-Throated Dotterel This winter the BBC is teaming up with Manomet Conservation Sciences to support research on the Tawny-Throated Dotterel in Peru. A team of scientists there is in need of optical equipment
2026 Young Birders Hog Island Camp Scholarship Application
2026 Bill Drummond Young Birders Scholarship Application Available The Brookline Bird Club will again offer two Bill Drummond Young Birder’s Scholarships to nurture interest in bird study and conservation among young birders. The scholarship covers
February 19 Webinar with Matthew Young, Finch Research Network
February 19 Webinar with Matthew Young: The Evening Grosbeak Road to Recovery Project and the Stokes Guide to Finches of the United States and Canada Please join the BBC on the evening of Thursday, February
Renew membership now for 2026!
Calling all BBC members - annual memberships expire December 31st 2025. Renew today for the 2026 calendar year to continue uninterrupted access to member benefits including our blue book mailings, member webinars, and more! Membership
BBC Submits Comment on Sunday Hunting Proposal
BBC Submits Comment on Sunday Hunting Proposal The Brookline Bird Club submitted a comment to MassWildlife opposing a proposal to change state law to allow Sunday hunting. The Club does not take a position on
February 7 BBC Winter Meeting – Social Hour, Book Sale & Norman Smith!
February 7 BBC Winter Meeting - Social Hour, Used Book Sale & Norman Smith! Mark your calendar for Saturday, February 7 at 2PM for the BBC's annual in-person Winter Meeting featuring a social hour with
Support the Tawny-Throated Dotterel
Support the Tawny-Throated Dotterel This winter the BBC is teaming up with Manomet Conservation Sciences to support research on the Tawny-Throated Dotterel in Peru. A team of scientists there is in need of optical equipment
2026 Young Birders Hog Island Camp Scholarship Application
2026 Bill Drummond Young Birders Scholarship Application Available The Brookline Bird Club will again offer two Bill Drummond Young Birder’s Scholarships to nurture interest in bird study and conservation among young birders. The scholarship covers
February 19 Webinar with Matthew Young, Finch Research Network
February 19 Webinar with Matthew Young: The Evening Grosbeak Road to Recovery Project and the Stokes Guide to Finches of the United States and Canada Please join the BBC on the evening of Thursday, February
Renew membership now for 2026!
Calling all BBC members - annual memberships expire December 31st 2025. Renew today for the 2026 calendar year to continue uninterrupted access to member benefits including our blue book mailings, member webinars, and more! Membership
News Categories
Upcoming Field Trips
Field Trips / Events
-
-
CANCELED Midweek Hunt for Alcids and Seabirds CANCELED
Canceling due to the difficulties presented by the snow everywhere.
-
The Quiet Beauty of birding – Winthrop Shore Reservation
Offered by DCR. Come join us for an up-close look at sea ducks and gulls in action! Observe, share your insights, ask questions, and connect with fellow bird enthusiasts. For adults & children 8+. Children must be with an adult. ADA/Reasonable Accommodation 617-645-0358 | Moneesha.dasgupta2@mass.gov
-
The Quiet Beauty of birding – Lynn Shore & Nahant Beach Reservation
Offered by DCR. Come join us for an up-close look at sea ducks and gulls in action! Observe, share your insights, ask questions, and connect with fellow bird enthusiasts. For adults & children 8+. Children must be with an adult. ADA/Reasonable Accommodation 617-645-0358 | Moneesha.dasgupta2@mass.gov
-
Belle Isle Marsh and Vicinity
Led 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. ADA/Reasonable Accommodations
-
Deer Island & Boston Harbor, Winthrop
We will search for wintering seabirds, alcids, and Iceland Gulls. Be prepared for cold and wind and dress very warmly. Depending on conditions, we will walk up to 2.6 miles on paved paths. Port-a-potties available midway. Beginners welcome and encouraged. Bad weather or poor walking conditions may cancel - email trip leaders if you are