Brookline Bird Club – America’s most active bird club!

BBC Massachusetts Big Day – May 9, 2026

On May 18, 1974 Bob Stymiest led the BBC trip with the all time largest species count for the club – 162 birds seen during 20 hours across Essex County. We share this bit of club lore with you to introduce our second annual BBC Massachusetts Big Day.

Last May during our first club Big Day members recorded 186 species across the state. There were many highlights, but also surprising misses. Will Essex County be top again? Can we find 100 species in Suffolk County? Can we reach 200 in Massachusetts in 2026?

Our plan is simple. Rather than a personal competition, we ask that you go birding on Global Big Day on May 9 then send us your list. Whether you spend a full day seeking birds in multiple locations, or simply birding your local patch or back yard, have fun! Take a friend with you, and tell us what you see.

By May 15 please share your list with the eBird account BBCBigDay (note that there are no spaces). Using the eBird website:

  • Create and open a checklist.
  • Select the Checklist Tools button.
  • Select “Share with others in your party”.
  • Enter “BBCBigDay” in the window on the left, scroll down and select Share Checklist.

Club Statistician David Scott will do the rest and produce a single list of all the species spotted by every participating member. (If you don’t have an eBird account, it’s very easy to set one up.)

Further details to follow, including how to share your day with the club’s social media accounts.

Thanks to our leaders, the BBC has scheduled several trips to help build our shared list. We hope to add more, so check the Blue Book and website for those:

Global Big Day is a worldwide event sponsored by the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology. We want to give our members a friendly, low pressure opportunity to participate in Global Big Day. Please join the fun!

BBC Big Day 2025 Checklist Locations

County Totals for 2025:

CountySpecies
Essex134
Barnstable111
Plymouth107
Worcester98
Middlesex98
Suffolk87
Bristol83
Norfolk51
Massachusetts186

Bring Back Bobolinks!

Bring Back Bobolinks! This year the BBC is introducing new Endangered Species Program. Each year we plan to focus on a single bird species facing serious threats in Massachusetts and elsewhere. With this effort we

Bring Back Bobolinks!

Bring Back Bobolinks! This year the BBC is introducing new Endangered Species Program. Each year we plan to focus on a single bird species facing serious threats in Massachusetts and elsewhere. With this effort we

Bring Back Bobolinks!

Bring Back Bobolinks! This year the BBC is introducing new Endangered Species Program. Each year we plan to focus on a single bird species facing serious threats in Massachusetts and elsewhere. With this effort we

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Today

  • Mount Auburn Cemetery

    Mount Auburn Cemetery 536 Mt Auburn St, Cambridge, MA, United States

  • Eastern Point, Gloucester

    Gloucester - Eastern Point (MAS lot) 199 Eastern Point Blvd, Gloucester, MA, United States

    Cosponsored by the ECOC. An easy but long (four-hour) walk on the roads and grassy footpaths of this traditional warbler hot-spot. Mainly level terrain, but will likely have some muddy areas and uneven terrain. Heavy rain cancels.

  • Millennium Park

    Boston - Millennium Park Canoe Launch 300 Gardner Street, Boston, MA, United States

    Joint with Mass Audubon BNC. Join us to observe resident birds and spring migrants in a unique urban habitat that is a favorite for many bird species, including uncommon and rare flycatchers, swallows & warblers. Birders of all levels welcome. The trails are generally flat and easy to walk, with some rough patches. A water

  • Westboro Wildlife Management Area

    Westborough - Ball Field Hospital Rd, Westborough, MA, United States

    We will hike the north side of Big Chauncy Pond in search of migrant warblers.

  • Mount Auburn Cemetery

    Mount Auburn Cemetery 536 Mt Auburn St, Cambridge, MA, United States

Established in 1913, America’s most active bird club!

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