The BBC is pleased to announce its donation of $250 to support the Purple Martin Legacy Project at the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge. The Friends of the Parker River NWR initiated this worthy project to expand the Purple Martin colonies on the refuge. Decades ago, there were up to a dozen martin colonies down the length of the island. Over the years the colonies dwindled as the wooden bird houses succumbed to time and weather. Through the efforts of BBC member Sue McGrath, who replaced the old, decaying structures with a new system of gourd houses, there are now two martin colonies thriving on the refuge, and another colony located at the north end of the island at the site of the former refuge headquarters. This new project, spearheaded by BBC member Doug Chickering, will start by adding one colony, at a site to be determined, with a goal of restoring the legacy of past years when Purple Martins were a presence the length of the refuge. The Friends plan to recruit volunteers, via their website, to aid in maintaining and documenting the progress of any new colony.
If you wish to support this project individually, you can send a check to Friends of the Parker River NWR, with Purple Martin in the memo line. Mail the check to:
Friends of the Parker River NWR
6 Plum Island Turnpike
Newburyport, Massachusetts 01950.
The Friends, and the Purple Martins, will appreciate any donation, large or small.
Member Only Webinar October 9: Sparrow Identification!
Member Only Webinar October 9: Sparrow Identification! It will soon be time for the southbound migration of sparrows! Join longtime BBC board member Glenn d'Entremont on October 9 to learn field marks, shapes, and sounds
BBC Global Big Day Count – Follow Up
BBC Global Big Day Count Follow Up On May 10 the BBC sponsored a club-wide Global Big Day Count. While the weather was tough that day with off and on rain, raw wind, and cool
Sign Up for the September Overnight Pelagic!
Overnight Pelagic Trip from Hyannis, MA to Hydrographer Canyon area Our new September 2025 pelagic trip is now open for registration! Our August trips were canceled by Hurricane Erin and so we are giving it
Kids Walk at Great Meadows in Concord
Kids Walk at Great Meadows in Concord Trip leader Kathy Dia and special guest Dr. Bryan Windmiller, from Zoo New England, led a bird and turtle walk at the Great Meadows NWR impoundments in Concord.
And the Winner Is…
And the Winner Is... Congratulations to Kate McHugh, who has won the Migration Madness Membership Drive! Kate will receive their choice of a pair of binoculars or two tickets for one of our summer water
Member Webinar September 16: Birds at Rest: The Behavior and Ecology of Avian Sleep with Roger Pasquier
Member Webinar September 16: Birds at Rest: The Behavior and Ecology of Avian Sleep with Roger Pasquier Everybody enjoys watching birds during the daytime, but what do they do at night, when they seem to
Member Only Webinar October 9: Sparrow Identification!
Member Only Webinar October 9: Sparrow Identification! It will soon be time for the southbound migration of sparrows! Join longtime BBC board member Glenn d'Entremont on October 9 to learn field marks, shapes, and sounds
BBC Global Big Day Count – Follow Up
BBC Global Big Day Count Follow Up On May 10 the BBC sponsored a club-wide Global Big Day Count. While the weather was tough that day with off and on rain, raw wind, and cool
Sign Up for the September Overnight Pelagic!
Overnight Pelagic Trip from Hyannis, MA to Hydrographer Canyon area Our new September 2025 pelagic trip is now open for registration! Our August trips were canceled by Hurricane Erin and so we are giving it
Kids Walk at Great Meadows in Concord
Kids Walk at Great Meadows in Concord Trip leader Kathy Dia and special guest Dr. Bryan Windmiller, from Zoo New England, led a bird and turtle walk at the Great Meadows NWR impoundments in Concord.
And the Winner Is…
And the Winner Is... Congratulations to Kate McHugh, who has won the Migration Madness Membership Drive! Kate will receive their choice of a pair of binoculars or two tickets for one of our summer water
Member Webinar September 16: Birds at Rest: The Behavior and Ecology of Avian Sleep with Roger Pasquier
Member Webinar September 16: Birds at Rest: The Behavior and Ecology of Avian Sleep with Roger Pasquier Everybody enjoys watching birds during the daytime, but what do they do at night, when they seem to
Member Only Webinar October 9: Sparrow Identification!
Member Only Webinar October 9: Sparrow Identification! It will soon be time for the southbound migration of sparrows! Join longtime BBC board member Glenn d'Entremont on October 9 to learn field marks, shapes, and sounds
BBC Global Big Day Count – Follow Up
BBC Global Big Day Count Follow Up On May 10 the BBC sponsored a club-wide Global Big Day Count. While the weather was tough that day with off and on rain, raw wind, and cool
Sign Up for the September Overnight Pelagic!
Overnight Pelagic Trip from Hyannis, MA to Hydrographer Canyon area Our new September 2025 pelagic trip is now open for registration! Our August trips were canceled by Hurricane Erin and so we are giving it
Kids Walk at Great Meadows in Concord
Kids Walk at Great Meadows in Concord Trip leader Kathy Dia and special guest Dr. Bryan Windmiller, from Zoo New England, led a bird and turtle walk at the Great Meadows NWR impoundments in Concord.
And the Winner Is…
And the Winner Is... Congratulations to Kate McHugh, who has won the Migration Madness Membership Drive! Kate will receive their choice of a pair of binoculars or two tickets for one of our summer water
Member Webinar September 16: Birds at Rest: The Behavior and Ecology of Avian Sleep with Roger Pasquier
Member Webinar September 16: Birds at Rest: The Behavior and Ecology of Avian Sleep with Roger Pasquier Everybody enjoys watching birds during the daytime, but what do they do at night, when they seem to
News Categories
Upcoming Field Trips
Field Trips / Events
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CANCELED Midweek Hunt for Alcids and Seabirds CANCELED
Canceling due to the difficulties presented by the snow everywhere.
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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
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The Quiet Beauty of birding – Lynn Shore & Nahant Beach Reservation
Lynn - Red Rock Park 188 Lynn Shore Drive, Lynn, MA, United StatesOffered 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
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Belle Isle Marsh and Vicinity
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. ADA/Reasonable Accommodations
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Deer Island & Boston Harbor, Winthrop
Winthrop - Deer Island Parking Lot 180 Tafts Ave., Winthrop, MA, United StatesWe 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