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

BBC’s new Code of Ethics and Conduct

If you are involved with the Brookline Bird Club, we know that you have a great love for and appreciation of birds and nature. The BBC is committed to providing programs in which all participants have a safe and welcoming space to explore their own personal connection to birds and nature. 

In keeping with this commitment, the BBC board thought it was time to take a fresh look at our Code of Ethics and Conduct and Trip Leader Guidelines. The resulting updates emphasize the importance of respect for birds, the environment, and for each other. 

The board has also formed a Committee on Community and Culture that will assist the club in working toward its mission of building a more diverse, more welcoming community and a culture of inclusion and respect. To learn more about our work or to get involved, please contact the committee at community@brooklinebirdclub.org.

Across Massachusetts and the country, the birding community is moving forward with a new focus on programming that is more accessible to all who want to enjoy nature and policy that promotes safety and inclusion. The BBC is excited to be part of that movement! 

We recommend following resources to learn more and get involved. If you have meaningful resources you would like us to add to this list, please let us know!

Resources on safer bird watching:

Safety Tips For Better Birding 

The Murmuration, a crowd-sourced document of eBird hotspots in Massachusetts, including information on safety concerns.

Further reading on inclusivity in birding and nature: 

It’s Time to Build a Truly Inclusive Outdoors, Corina Newsome (Audubon Magazine, Summer 2020)

Birds are Here for Everyone: How Black Birders are Finding Community, Aliya Uteuova, (The Guardian, June 2021) 

Murmuration is the Movement: Panelists discuss diversity in birding, Jon Stinchcomb (Port Clinton News Herald, May 2021)

Birding While Black, J. Drew Lanham (Literary Hub, September 2016) 

How to be a Welcoming and Inclusive Birder, (Ray Brown’s Talkin’ Birds)

Creating Safe Spaces: Promoting more-inclusive experiences for all (National Wildlife Federation, August 2021) 

Organizations to check out and consider supporting:

Birdability

Outdoor Afro

Black Kids Adventures 

The Feminist Bird Club

Black & Latinx Birders’ Fund

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Today

  • Ashby & Townsend

    Townsend - Willard Brook State Forest MA, United States

    We will explore for nesting warblers, juncos, sapsuckers, and probably butterflies and dragonflies, possibly continuing into the afternoon. We will start in Willard Brook State Forest and probably continue to Townsend State Forest, Mt. Watatic, or the Squannacook River WMA. Some trails are steep and moderately uneven.

  • Belle Isle Marsh and Vicinity

    East Boston - Belle Isle Parking Lot 1399 Bennington Street, Boston, MA, United States

    Led by DCR staff. We will search on foot up to one mile on flat, easy terrain, for migrating or resident songbirds, raptors, shorebirds, and marsh birds at this birding hotspot and state park. This is a traveling program by car or bike. Prepare for ticks and mosquitoes. Ages: Adults and kids 8 years+ with

  • Pine Hill Road Grassland

    Lancaster - Pine Hill Road Grasslands Pine Hill Road, Lancaster, MA, United States

    In June, this wonderfully preserved grassland is alive with the songs of breeding Grasshopper and Vesper Sparrow, which are state listed as endangered species. Prairie Warbler, Indigo Bunting, and American Kestrels nest regularly here as well. A mile walk on level grade; can be dry so bring water.

  • Halibut Point State Park, Rockport

    Rockport - Halibut Point State Park Halibut Point State Park, Rockport, MA, United States

    A two-hour walk, about 1.5 miles, over easy to moderate gravel roads and trails in search of seasonal specialties. Boots advisable. Restrooms are available. In case of inclement weather check with leader night before trip (text ok). Cosponsored by DCR. For more Information see: https://www.mass.gov/locations/halibut-point-state-park

  • Bring Back Boblinks: Bobolinks at Farm Meadow, Lincoln

    Lincoln - Farm Meadow Lincoln Road, Lincoln, MA, United States

    An opportunity to see Bobolinks, a declining and unique species, displaying and singing in their breeding habitat, possibly with fledglings! In addition to Bobolinks, possible species include Indigo Bunting, Wood Thrush, Pileated Woodpecker, and maybe an Alder Flycatcher if we're lucky! This is about a 1.5 mile walk circling the hayfield where the Bobolinks breed, and up

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