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 hope to provide a way for all of us to address the decline of birds in our state. Our initial focus is on a charismatic grassland bird – Bring Back Bobolinks!
According to the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology, bird populations have declined by nearly 3 billion, or over 25% since 1970. The 2025 State of the Birds report by National Audubon highlighted declines in grassland areas, where populations have dropped by 43%.
With these facts in mind, your board has picked the Bobolink as the first subject of our program. Your club will provide a number of fun ways you can actively participate in learning about these birds, their habitat, and conservation efforts to stem their decline.
Raffle Fundraiser for the Bobolink
As part of Bring Back Bobolinks, the BBC is holding a raffle fundraiser to support conservation activities such as the Bobolink Project cosponsored by Mass Audubon and the Trustees Grassland Bird Survey Program. The winner receives an original artwork of Bobolinks kindly donated by Barry Van Dusen. This is an original, signed watercolor painting valued at $350-$400.
We encourage everyone to participate in the raffle online. All funds from ticket sales will go to support the Bobolink. If you would prefer to donate without entering the raffle you can do so on the Donation Page.
Bobolink Walks
Plan to join us on one of several walks dedicated to seeking out Bobolinks in their breeding habitat:
- May 23: Daniel Webster Wildlife Sanctuary, Marshfield
- June 1: Essex County Walk and Nature Jounaling
- June 14: Chestnut Hill Farm, Southboro
- June 14: Ocean View Farm, Dartmouth
- June 21: Farm Meadow, Lincoln
- June 27: Daniel Webster Wildlife Sanctuary, Marshfield
- June 28: Norfolk Airport (New!)
- July 1: Appleton Farms with the Grassland Survey Team (New!) – Rain date July 2
- July 6: Heard Farm, Wayland (New!)
- July 7: Drumlin Farm, Lincoln (New!)
Bobolink Stickers
You might already have seen our new Bobolink Sticker at the tables at the entrance. To get one just attend one of our Bobolink walks or join the BBC.
Bobolinks on the Brink: What do Bobolinks Tell Us about Our Relationship with the Land, and How Can We Protect Them?
Hyla Howe - Boblinks on the Brink
Mass Audubon’s Grassland Bird Biologist Hyla Howe spoke about our first endangered species spotlight: the Bobolink!
Bobolink populations closely intertwine with shifting land use patterns and agricultural practices. Conservation solutions to protect them are complex.
Hyla shared observations from the field, insights from conversations with farmers and landowners, takeaways from efforts to improve and scale the Bobolink Project, and results from a regional land use change analysis. She describes where Bobolink conservation stands today, and what you can do to help.
More to Come!
We have more fun activities lined up, so stay tuned to our newsletters, website and social media!
Pelagic Webinar – How do you protect the invisible?
How do you protect the invisible? Conservation challenges and opportunities for Marine Birds For most people, seabirds are out of sight and out of mind, while seabird populations have dropped a staggering 70 percent globally
Introduction to the New England Shorebird Guide
Introduction to the New England Shorebird Guide For over 50 years, Soheil Zendeh has been monitoring shorebirds populations in Massachusetts and elsewhere. Over the past 35 years there have been drastic drops in most shorebird
2026 Daytime Pelagic and Marsh Cruise Program
2026 Daytime Pelagic and Marsh Cruise Program Join us on summer daytime pelagic trips and marsh cruises this summer. Note that these popular trips regularly sell out. Once sold out we will keep a waitlist
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
Trip to New Hampshire Lake Umbagog Region
Trip to New Hampshire Lake Umbagog Region During early June two groups of BBC birders traveled around the Errol, NH area in search of nesting neotropical migrants, boreal species and whatever else we could find
Hydrographer Canyon Overnight Pelagic Registration
Hydrographer Canyon Overnight Pelagic Registration The Brookline Bird Club's 2026 overnight pelagic trips to the edge of the continental shelf at Hydrographer Canyon are now open for registration! About the Trip Join the BBC on
Pelagic Webinar – How do you protect the invisible?
How do you protect the invisible? Conservation challenges and opportunities for Marine Birds For most people, seabirds are out of sight and out of mind, while seabird populations have dropped a staggering 70 percent globally
Introduction to the New England Shorebird Guide
Introduction to the New England Shorebird Guide For over 50 years, Soheil Zendeh has been monitoring shorebirds populations in Massachusetts and elsewhere. Over the past 35 years there have been drastic drops in most shorebird
2026 Daytime Pelagic and Marsh Cruise Program
2026 Daytime Pelagic and Marsh Cruise Program Join us on summer daytime pelagic trips and marsh cruises this summer. Note that these popular trips regularly sell out. Once sold out we will keep a waitlist
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
Trip to New Hampshire Lake Umbagog Region
Trip to New Hampshire Lake Umbagog Region During early June two groups of BBC birders traveled around the Errol, NH area in search of nesting neotropical migrants, boreal species and whatever else we could find
Hydrographer Canyon Overnight Pelagic Registration
Hydrographer Canyon Overnight Pelagic Registration The Brookline Bird Club's 2026 overnight pelagic trips to the edge of the continental shelf at Hydrographer Canyon are now open for registration! About the Trip Join the BBC on
Pelagic Webinar – How do you protect the invisible?
How do you protect the invisible? Conservation challenges and opportunities for Marine Birds For most people, seabirds are out of sight and out of mind, while seabird populations have dropped a staggering 70 percent globally
Introduction to the New England Shorebird Guide
Introduction to the New England Shorebird Guide For over 50 years, Soheil Zendeh has been monitoring shorebirds populations in Massachusetts and elsewhere. Over the past 35 years there have been drastic drops in most shorebird
2026 Daytime Pelagic and Marsh Cruise Program
2026 Daytime Pelagic and Marsh Cruise Program Join us on summer daytime pelagic trips and marsh cruises this summer. Note that these popular trips regularly sell out. Once sold out we will keep a waitlist
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
Trip to New Hampshire Lake Umbagog Region
Trip to New Hampshire Lake Umbagog Region During early June two groups of BBC birders traveled around the Errol, NH area in search of nesting neotropical migrants, boreal species and whatever else we could find
Hydrographer Canyon Overnight Pelagic Registration
Hydrographer Canyon Overnight Pelagic Registration The Brookline Bird Club's 2026 overnight pelagic trips to the edge of the continental shelf at Hydrographer Canyon are now open for registration! About the Trip Join the BBC on
News Categories
Upcoming Field Trips
Field Trips / Events
-
-
Shorebirds & More at Parker River NWR
Parker River NWR - Lot #1 Refuge Rd., Newbury, MA, MA, United StatesWe will be looking for Shorebirds and other Refuge specialties. We will drive and walk to various places on the Refuge. Note that an entrance fee or pass is required. Restroom available.
-
Members Webinar: Introduction to the New England Shorebird Guide
For over 50 years, Soheil Zendeh has been monitoring shorebirds populations in Massachusetts and elsewhere. Over the past 35 years there have been drastic drops in most shorebird populations, particularly long distance migratory birds from the Arctic. He is the author of New England Shorebird Guide, a web-based field guide for New England shorebirders focused
-
-
An Oasis for Birds at Belle Isle Marsh
East Boston - Belle Isle Parking Lot 1399 Bennington Street, Boston, MA, United StatesJoin DCR park staff for a relaxed, one-mile bird walk through flat, easy terrain at this Massachusetts State Reservation and birding hot spot. At Belle Isle and at additional nearby locations— We’ll search for large groups of herons and egrets, and shorebird rarities. Participants are responsible for their own transportation between locations (by car or
-
Mount Auburn in Summer
Mount Auburn Cemetery 536 Mt Auburn St, Cambridge, MA, United StatesMt. Auburn Cemetery is most heavily visited during migration season, but birding there in the summer allows you to see the large number of vibrant breeding birds without the crowds. Expect to see herons, vireos, flycatchers, and raptors, which may include some Great Horned Owls if we are lucky. Birders and nature-lovers of all skill
-
Belle Isle Marsh Reservation (Winthrop)
Winthrop - Belle Isle March and Marine Ecology Park Banks Street, Winthrop, MA, United StatesJoin us to observe resident birds and summer migrants in a unique urban habitat that is a favorite for many bird species, including uncommon and rare birds. Birders of all levels will enjoy this walk. The trails are (generally) flat and easy to walk. A water bottle and water proof clothing including a hat are