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

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Today

  • Eagles at Mystic Lake

    West Medford - Mystic Lake Dam 1001 Mystic Valley Pkwy, Medford, MA, United States

    Learn about the ecology and wildlife at the Mystic lakes, with special focus on the Bald Eagles who frequent this location. Herring that swim up the Mystic River to spawn draw many other birds and wildlife as well. A scope is very helpful here if you have one. Meet at the Mystic Lakes Dam in

  • Allens Pond Mass Audubon Sanctuary, Dartmouth

    Dartmouth - Allens Pond - Field Station Lot Horseneck Road, Westport, MA, United States

    This trip is for the marsh sparrows and White-eyed Vireo. This is the best spot in Massachusetts to observe both nesting marsh sparrows (Saltmarsh and Seaside) up close and personal.

  • Brook Farm Historic Site

    Boston - Brook Farm Historic Site 670 Baker St, Boston, MA, United States

    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 will enjoy this walk. The trails are (generally) flat and easy to walk, though there are some rough patches. A water

  • Fenway Victory Gardens (Early Birders Series)

    Boston - Fenway Victory Gardens 11 Park Drive, Boston, MA, United States

    Join fellow birders in their 20s-30s as we visit the Fenway Victory Gardens! Located in the Fenway neighborhood, the historic victory gardens offer an up-close and personal opportunity to search for resident birds and migratory warblers among the community gardening plots. Despite the urban setting, you’d be surprised at what you can find here! Expect

  • Bring Back Boblinks: Bobolink Walk and Nature Journaling at Appleton Farms

    Ipswich - Appleton Farms paid parking, free for TTOR members 219 County Road, Ipswich, MA, United States

    Part of our Bring Back Boblinks conservation series. Bird walk from 8 - 10 am. Followed by optional sketching and nature journaling. Learn about our special species of concern, the Bobolink, during a guided walk through their breeding habitat observing field marks, mating calls and nest building. Then study and appreciate these beautiful birds during

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