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:
October 24 Half Day Pelagic from Gloucester
On a brisk but sunny October 24th morning, the Privateer IV left the 7 Seas Whale Watch dock within the calm Gloucester Harbor
Parker River NWR Marsh Cruise
Parker River NWR Marsh Cruise This August the BBC sponsored three cruises around the marshes of Parker River NWR aboard the Yankee Clipper departing from downtown Newburyport. On the evening of Sunday the 17th we [...]
Ellisville Harbor SP Shorebird Field Trip with Lisa Schibley
Ellisville Harbor SP Shorebird Field Trip with Lisa Schibley The weather could not have been more beautiful for our shorebird trip led by Lisa Schibley at Ellisville Harbor State Park in Plymouth. Everyone was excited [...]
Upcoming October 11 Big Day!
Upcoming October 11 Big Day! This May the BBC conducted its first "Big Day". Despite some terrible weather, club members recorded a total of 186 species across Massachusetts. We're sure we can beat that next [...]
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 [...]
October 24 Half Day Pelagic from Gloucester
On a brisk but sunny October 24th morning, the Privateer IV left the 7 Seas Whale Watch dock within the calm Gloucester Harbor
Parker River NWR Marsh Cruise
Parker River NWR Marsh Cruise This August the BBC sponsored three cruises around the marshes of Parker River NWR aboard the Yankee Clipper departing from downtown Newburyport. On the evening of Sunday the 17th we [...]
Ellisville Harbor SP Shorebird Field Trip with Lisa Schibley
Ellisville Harbor SP Shorebird Field Trip with Lisa Schibley The weather could not have been more beautiful for our shorebird trip led by Lisa Schibley at Ellisville Harbor State Park in Plymouth. Everyone was excited [...]
Upcoming October 11 Big Day!
Upcoming October 11 Big Day! This May the BBC conducted its first "Big Day". Despite some terrible weather, club members recorded a total of 186 species across Massachusetts. We're sure we can beat that next [...]
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 [...]
October 24 Half Day Pelagic from Gloucester
On a brisk but sunny October 24th morning, the Privateer IV left the 7 Seas Whale Watch dock within the calm Gloucester Harbor
Parker River NWR Marsh Cruise
Parker River NWR Marsh Cruise This August the BBC sponsored three cruises around the marshes of Parker River NWR aboard the Yankee Clipper departing from downtown Newburyport. On the evening of Sunday the 17th we [...]
Ellisville Harbor SP Shorebird Field Trip with Lisa Schibley
Ellisville Harbor SP Shorebird Field Trip with Lisa Schibley The weather could not have been more beautiful for our shorebird trip led by Lisa Schibley at Ellisville Harbor State Park in Plymouth. Everyone was excited [...]
Upcoming October 11 Big Day!
Upcoming October 11 Big Day! This May the BBC conducted its first "Big Day". Despite some terrible weather, club members recorded a total of 186 species across Massachusetts. We're sure we can beat that next [...]
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 [...]
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Upcoming Field Trips
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Winthrop Beach, Gull Focus
Winthrop - DCR Winthrop Beach Reservation - Sturgis St 59 Winthrop Shore Drive, Winthrop, MA, United StatesLet's explore Winthrop Beach for gulls and other birds. We'll focus on gull ID, including identification of subadult gulls and possible unusual winter visitors.
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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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Dunback Meadow, Lexington
We will look for semi-hardy migrants and wintering birds including raptors. Fox Sparrow are often here at this time of year. Expect to walk about 3 miles on possibly muddy trails. Cosponsored with Menotomy Bird Club.
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Neponset River Greenway, Mattapan to Milton (T accessible)
Boston - Neponset River Greenway, Mattapan to Milton (T accessible) 1674 Blue Hill Avenue, Mattapan, MA, United StatesEnjoy an approximately 2-mile walk along the Neponset River Greenway on an accessible boardwalk and bike path. Let's see what we can find together! Beginners encouraged as well as more experienced birders. Limited mobility welcome but snow or ice may be present.
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Belle Isle Marsh Reservation
East Boston - Belle Isle Parking Lot 1399 Bennington Street, Boston, MA, United StatesLet's explore the East Boston side of Belle Isle Marsh in winter! We'll look for ducks, hawks, Bald Eagles, winter finches and many more birds! Belle Isle is a fantastic birding destination in any season. All of the trails are flat and easy, with a slight elevation on the small hill going through the meadow. [...]