The Massachusetts Army National Guard’s Natural Resource Program is hosting grassland bird tours in May and June on Camp Edwards. This is an unusual opportunity for avid birders, naturalists and photographers to walk through the Camp Edwards grasslands on a guide-led tour.

There are several hundred acres of grassland managed on Camp Edwards at Joint Base Cape Cod. This thriving habitat, a rarity in the rest of Massachusetts, is home to a variety of grassland bird species including four state-listed species: Upland Sandpiper, Northern Harrier, Grasshopper Sparrow and the Eastern Meadowlark.

Other bird species you may encounter are the Clay Colored Sparrow, Prairie Warbler, and Brown Thrasher along with other shrubland/grassland species. Additional information on the grassland habitat is available at www.massnationalguard.org/ERC/natural_habitat.htm. For a look at fascinating research on Joint Base Cape Cod grassland bird migration please visit: https://vtecostudies.org/projects/grasslands/grasslandbird-migration-project/

Each tour will cover approximately 150 acres of this rare and endangered habitat and will last around two hours. Attendees should bring sunscreen, tick protection, and water. Don’t forget your binoculars and camera. Photography is encouraged.

Tour Dates and Registration Information

Each tour is limited to 20 people and spots will be filled on a first come, first served basis. All tours are from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. Tour dates are:

  • Saturday, May 20; registration deadline is Friday, May 12
  • Wednesday, May 24; registration deadline is Wednesday, May 17
  • Friday, May 26; registration deadline is Friday, May 19
  • Saturday, May 27; registration deadline is Friday, May 19
  • Wednesday, May 31; registration deadline is Wednesday, May 24
  • Monday, June 5; registration deadline is Friday, May 26

Children over 10 years of age are welcome on the tour.

To register for a tour, please send an email to: emily.d.kelly2.nfg@army.mil, with your name, telephone number, and which tour date you would like. A confirmation email will be sent with further information including directions, base access, meeting place and parking.

Accessing Camp Edwards on Joint Base Cape Cod

Please remember, Camp Edwards is a restricted access facility and attendees must be registered to access the base. All attendees will be asked to provide their full names, driver’s license number and date of birth to complete the registration process.

Renew membership now!

Calling all BBC members - annual memberships expire December 31st 2024. Renew today for the 2025 calendar year to continue uninterrupted access to member benefits including our blue book mailings, member webinars, and more! Membership

Fri Oct 25 Fall meeting!

The Brookline Bird Club invites you to our Hybrid (Live+Zoom) Fall Meeting on Friday October 25, 2024 from 7pm-9pm, with a social hour beginning at 6:30pm. It will feature a presentation on the dazzling Resplendent Quetzal you

Blue Book Survey

Are you a BBC Member? Do you have 5 minutes? Tell us what you think about the Blue Book! We want to hear your input on our Brookline Bird Club Bulletins, mailed to members each

Renew membership now!

Calling all BBC members - annual memberships expire December 31st 2024. Renew today for the 2025 calendar year to continue uninterrupted access to member benefits including our blue book mailings, member webinars, and more! Membership

Fri Oct 25 Fall meeting!

The Brookline Bird Club invites you to our Hybrid (Live+Zoom) Fall Meeting on Friday October 25, 2024 from 7pm-9pm, with a social hour beginning at 6:30pm. It will feature a presentation on the dazzling Resplendent Quetzal you

Blue Book Survey

Are you a BBC Member? Do you have 5 minutes? Tell us what you think about the Blue Book! We want to hear your input on our Brookline Bird Club Bulletins, mailed to members each

Renew membership now!

Calling all BBC members - annual memberships expire December 31st 2024. Renew today for the 2025 calendar year to continue uninterrupted access to member benefits including our blue book mailings, member webinars, and more! Membership

Fri Oct 25 Fall meeting!

The Brookline Bird Club invites you to our Hybrid (Live+Zoom) Fall Meeting on Friday October 25, 2024 from 7pm-9pm, with a social hour beginning at 6:30pm. It will feature a presentation on the dazzling Resplendent Quetzal you

Blue Book Survey

Are you a BBC Member? Do you have 5 minutes? Tell us what you think about the Blue Book! We want to hear your input on our Brookline Bird Club Bulletins, mailed to members each

News Categories

Upcoming Field Trips

  • Bring Back Bobolinks: Norfolk Airport (New!)

    Adding to our Bobolink conservation series. Observe and appreciate Bobolinks in breeding habitat! Bobolinks are nesting throughout the airport. We will walk the runways less than 2 miles walking total.  This area is all grasslands, around 400 acres.

  • Belle Isle Marsh Reservation – Winthrop Side

    Joint with Mass Audubon BNC. 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. A water bottle,

  • Quabbin Reservoir

    Join Glenn on a 5-to-6-mile walk through a very birdy area with species ranging from Broad-winged Hawk to Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Blue-headed Vireo, Chestnut-sided Warbler, Scarlet Tanager, Baltimore Oriole, and lots of stuff in between. (Maybe a moose or a bobcat!) Co-sponsored with the South Shore Bird Club.

  • Bring Back Boblinks: Bobolinks at Heard Farm, Wayland (New!)

    New addition to our Bring Back Bobolinks conservation series. This gem works its way into the rotations of many birders once discovered. It is managed for dog walking (no dogs on this walk please) and bobolinks, which in a good year can number 100 or more. We will be using dirt trails and boardwalks. Trails

Go to Top