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:
Starting the Year Off with the BBC
Starting the Year Off with the BBC On January 1 Laura de la Flor and Mark Burns led their our 29th (maybe 30th) Brookline Bird Club New Year's Day birding trip! I'll let Laura take
Webinar with Sophie Osborn – Feather Trails: A Journey of Discovery Among Endangered Birds
Webinar with Sophie Osborn - Feather Trails: A Journey of Discovery Among Endangered Birds Please join the BBC on the evening of January 27 from 7PM to 8:30PM for a member only webinar with author
Successful Pelagic Trip to Nantucket Shoals
Successful Pelagic Trip to Nantucket Shoals On December 6 over 70 BBC birders and guides departed from Hyannis and headed out to Nantucket Shoals about the Helen H. The plan was to go as far
Kestrel Adventures Book Fund Donation
School Book Fund Donation to Kestrel Educational Adventures The BBC School Book Fund Committee is pleased to announce that we have donated just under $750 for optical equipment to support bird and nature education at
2025 Annual Christmas Bird Counts
2025 Annual Christmas Bird Counts The 126th (2025-26) Christmas bird count season begins December 14. We encourage you to participate in this citizen science effort. Please note that the count week for each Xmas count
Thank You Bob Mayer!
Thank You Bob Mayer! For more than 20 years Bob Mayer, a lifetime member of the BBC, has led field trips at Arnold Arboretum and nearby locations. Bob let us know that he is going
Starting the Year Off with the BBC
Starting the Year Off with the BBC On January 1 Laura de la Flor and Mark Burns led their our 29th (maybe 30th) Brookline Bird Club New Year's Day birding trip! I'll let Laura take
Webinar with Sophie Osborn – Feather Trails: A Journey of Discovery Among Endangered Birds
Webinar with Sophie Osborn - Feather Trails: A Journey of Discovery Among Endangered Birds Please join the BBC on the evening of January 27 from 7PM to 8:30PM for a member only webinar with author
Successful Pelagic Trip to Nantucket Shoals
Successful Pelagic Trip to Nantucket Shoals On December 6 over 70 BBC birders and guides departed from Hyannis and headed out to Nantucket Shoals about the Helen H. The plan was to go as far
Kestrel Adventures Book Fund Donation
School Book Fund Donation to Kestrel Educational Adventures The BBC School Book Fund Committee is pleased to announce that we have donated just under $750 for optical equipment to support bird and nature education at
2025 Annual Christmas Bird Counts
2025 Annual Christmas Bird Counts The 126th (2025-26) Christmas bird count season begins December 14. We encourage you to participate in this citizen science effort. Please note that the count week for each Xmas count
Thank You Bob Mayer!
Thank You Bob Mayer! For more than 20 years Bob Mayer, a lifetime member of the BBC, has led field trips at Arnold Arboretum and nearby locations. Bob let us know that he is going
Starting the Year Off with the BBC
Starting the Year Off with the BBC On January 1 Laura de la Flor and Mark Burns led their our 29th (maybe 30th) Brookline Bird Club New Year's Day birding trip! I'll let Laura take
Webinar with Sophie Osborn – Feather Trails: A Journey of Discovery Among Endangered Birds
Webinar with Sophie Osborn - Feather Trails: A Journey of Discovery Among Endangered Birds Please join the BBC on the evening of January 27 from 7PM to 8:30PM for a member only webinar with author
Successful Pelagic Trip to Nantucket Shoals
Successful Pelagic Trip to Nantucket Shoals On December 6 over 70 BBC birders and guides departed from Hyannis and headed out to Nantucket Shoals about the Helen H. The plan was to go as far
Kestrel Adventures Book Fund Donation
School Book Fund Donation to Kestrel Educational Adventures The BBC School Book Fund Committee is pleased to announce that we have donated just under $750 for optical equipment to support bird and nature education at
2025 Annual Christmas Bird Counts
2025 Annual Christmas Bird Counts The 126th (2025-26) Christmas bird count season begins December 14. We encourage you to participate in this citizen science effort. Please note that the count week for each Xmas count
Thank You Bob Mayer!
Thank You Bob Mayer! For more than 20 years Bob Mayer, a lifetime member of the BBC, has led field trips at Arnold Arboretum and nearby locations. Bob let us know that he is going
News Categories
Upcoming Field Trips
Field Trips / Events
-
-
Mount Auburn Cemetery
Mount Auburn Cemetery 536 Mt Auburn St, Cambridge, MA, United States -
Old Town Hill and Bill forward/Kents Island
Newbury - Old Town Hill (TTOR) Newman Rd, Newbury, MA, United StatesWe will visit both of these areas. The walking is fairly easy along fire roads, gravel trails, and woodland trails. No restroom facilities.
-
Evening Walk at Minute Man NHP
Minute Man NHP - Brooks Village Brooks Village, Concord, MA, United StatesThis area is great for late migrants and nesting species. Baltimore Oriole, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, and Cedar Waxwing are regulars. Alder Flycatcher and Common Nighthawks are possible. This is a one-mile walk on paved paths and boardwalk. Insect repellent suggested.
-
Pop-up Prothonotary Warbler Trip (register please) at Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge, Concord
Concord - Great Meadows Concord Unit, Entrance Rd, Concord, MA, United StatesThis is a pop-up field trip to try for the Prothonotary Warbler that has been at Great Meadows for more than a week now. Please register by emailing the trip leader to avoid too large a group. No guarantee the bird will still be there but that will be our focus. It's a great birding
-
Dunback Meadow, Lexington
Lexington - Dunback Meadow Clark Middle School 17 Stedman Rd., Lexington, MA, United StatesOur target birds will be late migrants including Mourning Warbler and flycatchers. Be prepared to walk three to five miles. Cosponsored with Menotomy Bird Club.