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.
Applications Available for Bill Drummond Young Birder Scholarship
The BBC is pleased to announce that we will again offer two Bill Drummond Young Birder’s Scholarships to nurture interest in bird study and conservation among young birders. The 2025 scholarships will cover the full [...]
2024 Year in Review!
Photo credit: Manomet Photo credit Jennifer Thornton Thanks to our inspired volunteer Board, committee members, and field trip leaders, the Brookline Bird Club enjoyed impressive successes during 2024. Our volunteer trip leaders and enthusiastic participants [...]
ANNUAL REPORT 2023
The Brookline Bird Club (BBC) recorded 275 species for 2023, based upon 200 trips reported from Massachusetts, and those from out of state. We recorded 267 species in Massachusetts, three more than 2022, with 8 [...]
ANNUAL REPORT 2022
The Brookline Bird Club (BBC) recorded 276 species for 2022, based upon 204 reported trips. Of those, 264 species were recorded in Massachusetts, with 12 additional species reported from the out-of-state trips to New Hampshire [...]
ANNUAL REPORT 2021
Brookline Bird Club 2021 Statistical and Year-End Report By David Scott, Club Statistician The Brookline Bird Club recorded 270 species for 2021, based upon 206 reported trips. Two-hundred and sixty-five species were recorded in Massachusetts, [...]
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 [...]
Applications Available for Bill Drummond Young Birder Scholarship
The BBC is pleased to announce that we will again offer two Bill Drummond Young Birder’s Scholarships to nurture interest in bird study and conservation among young birders. The 2025 scholarships will cover the full [...]
2024 Year in Review!
Photo credit: Manomet Photo credit Jennifer Thornton Thanks to our inspired volunteer Board, committee members, and field trip leaders, the Brookline Bird Club enjoyed impressive successes during 2024. Our volunteer trip leaders and enthusiastic participants [...]
ANNUAL REPORT 2023
The Brookline Bird Club (BBC) recorded 275 species for 2023, based upon 200 trips reported from Massachusetts, and those from out of state. We recorded 267 species in Massachusetts, three more than 2022, with 8 [...]
ANNUAL REPORT 2022
The Brookline Bird Club (BBC) recorded 276 species for 2022, based upon 204 reported trips. Of those, 264 species were recorded in Massachusetts, with 12 additional species reported from the out-of-state trips to New Hampshire [...]
ANNUAL REPORT 2021
Brookline Bird Club 2021 Statistical and Year-End Report By David Scott, Club Statistician The Brookline Bird Club recorded 270 species for 2021, based upon 206 reported trips. Two-hundred and sixty-five species were recorded in Massachusetts, [...]
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 [...]
Applications Available for Bill Drummond Young Birder Scholarship
The BBC is pleased to announce that we will again offer two Bill Drummond Young Birder’s Scholarships to nurture interest in bird study and conservation among young birders. The 2025 scholarships will cover the full [...]
2024 Year in Review!
Photo credit: Manomet Photo credit Jennifer Thornton Thanks to our inspired volunteer Board, committee members, and field trip leaders, the Brookline Bird Club enjoyed impressive successes during 2024. Our volunteer trip leaders and enthusiastic participants [...]
ANNUAL REPORT 2023
The Brookline Bird Club (BBC) recorded 275 species for 2023, based upon 200 trips reported from Massachusetts, and those from out of state. We recorded 267 species in Massachusetts, three more than 2022, with 8 [...]
ANNUAL REPORT 2022
The Brookline Bird Club (BBC) recorded 276 species for 2022, based upon 204 reported trips. Of those, 264 species were recorded in Massachusetts, with 12 additional species reported from the out-of-state trips to New Hampshire [...]
ANNUAL REPORT 2021
Brookline Bird Club 2021 Statistical and Year-End Report By David Scott, Club Statistician The Brookline Bird Club recorded 270 species for 2021, based upon 206 reported trips. Two-hundred and sixty-five species were recorded in Massachusetts, [...]
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 [...]
News Categories
Upcoming Field Trips
Field Trips / Events
-
-
Fresh Pond, Cambridge (rescheduled to Sept. 27)
Cambridge - Fresh Pond - TD Bank 235 Alewife Brook Pkwy, Cambridge, MA, United StatesThis walk has been rescheduled to September 27 which will be the 113th anniversary of the first-ever Brookline Bird Club bird walk on September 27th 1913 which was also at Fresh Pond.
-
Rock Meadow, Belmont
Belmont - Rock Meadow 300 Mill St, Belmont, MA, United StatesCome join us for a walk at scenic Rock Meadow and Beaver Brook North, home of open fields, wetlands, ample woods and edge habitat, and public gardens which attract a wide variety of migrating song birds. Hiking is relatively easy, and should be a bit under two miles total at most, if we venture further [...]
-
Fresh Pond, Cambridge – 113th anniversary of the first-ever Brookline Bird Club bird walk
Cambridge - Fresh Pond - TD Bank 235 Alewife Brook Pkwy, Cambridge, MA, United StatesA two mile walk on (mostly) paved paths around the pond. In addition to the “usual suspects”, we are likely to see some of the fall warblers, plus possibly a few of the Weird Ducks that have started to arrive. New Members especially invited to this pleasant walk! This walk is taking place on the [...]
-
Arlington Reservoir
Lexington - Arlington Reservoir 210 Lowell Street, Arlington, MA, United StatesIn the fall water levels are lowered creating good conditions for ducks and shorebirds. We will also visit the adjacent Lexington community farm. Birds are found feasting on the remains of the crops planted there. We will walk about a mile on wide paths and some uneven ground (possibly muddy). Note that the reservoir area [...]
-
Belle Isle Marsh Reservation (Winthrop side)
Winthrop - Belle Isle March and Marine Ecology Park Banks Street, Winthrop, MA, United StatesJoin us to observe resident birds and fall 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, water proof clothing including a hat, sunblock & [...]