Changes Coming to Mt Auburn Cemetery This Spring

Mt. Auburn Cemetery has announced changes to birder access starting this spring. In short, the gates will open every day starting at 6:00 AM but the key program has been discontinued. Here is a portion of the announcement:

As the spring season approaches, we are excited to announce that for the first time, Mount Auburn will be open to all at 6 AM during the months of April and May for the Spring Bird Migration.

As a member of our birding community you know that Mount Auburn Cemetery is recognized as one of the premier birding destinations in Massachusetts. The Cemetery’s diverse horticultural collections and natural features attract many species of birds, both migratory and year-round residents.  As an Important Bird Area designated by Mass Audubon, Mount Auburn’s 175 acres play a vital role as a bird habitat for dozens of species of migratory birds is renowned as a regular site of pilgrimage for thousands of bird watchers each year, from both near and far, especially during spring migration.  We are excited to offer this expanded access to our landscape this spring, so that birders can enjoy early morning song and activity during peak migration.

If you are a member of our longstanding “Bird Key” program, in which participants were granted a key to the Egyptian Gateway pedestrian entrance to enter on foot to go birding before opening hours in the spring, please note that your key will no longer be valid.  The main Cemetery gates at 580 Mount Auburn St. will open at 6 AM for all visitors, no special access or fee is required.  

Read the full announcement here: https://www.mountauburn.org/2025/03/03/introducing-early-bird-hours-this-spring/

Mt. Auburn Cemetery has long welcomed birders to walk the grounds throughout the year. The Cemetery has a long and illustrious history in the birding community, dating back to the times of William Brewster, a founder of the American Ornithologists Union (now AOS) and the first president of Massachusetts Audubon Society.

Learn more about Mt. Auburn Cemetery and become a supporter by joining the Friends of Mt. Auburn.

Nuttall Club special event with Peter Kaestner

Peter Kaestner in his Search for 10,000 Species of Birds in the World - A Special Event Sponsored by the Nuttall Ornithological Club Peter Kaestner after seeing his 10,000th world bird species in the Philippines. [...]

BBC daily field trips to Mount Auburn are back!

It’s that time of year again! The Brookline Bird Club will be leading daily birding trips through Mount Auburn Cemetery, an oasis for migrating birds, this spring from Wednesday April 17th through Sunday May 26th [...]

Nuttall Club special event with Peter Kaestner

Peter Kaestner in his Search for 10,000 Species of Birds in the World - A Special Event Sponsored by the Nuttall Ornithological Club Peter Kaestner after seeing his 10,000th world bird species in the Philippines. [...]

BBC daily field trips to Mount Auburn are back!

It’s that time of year again! The Brookline Bird Club will be leading daily birding trips through Mount Auburn Cemetery, an oasis for migrating birds, this spring from Wednesday April 17th through Sunday May 26th [...]

Nuttall Club special event with Peter Kaestner

Peter Kaestner in his Search for 10,000 Species of Birds in the World - A Special Event Sponsored by the Nuttall Ornithological Club Peter Kaestner after seeing his 10,000th world bird species in the Philippines. [...]

BBC daily field trips to Mount Auburn are back!

It’s that time of year again! The Brookline Bird Club will be leading daily birding trips through Mount Auburn Cemetery, an oasis for migrating birds, this spring from Wednesday April 17th through Sunday May 26th [...]

News Categories

Upcoming Field Trips

  • Midweek Hunt for Alcids and Seabirds

    Rockport - Halibut Point State Park Halibut Point State Park, Rockport, MA, United States

    Join us for a mid-week hunt for alcids and other wintering seabirds. Be prepared for cold and windy weather. If bad weather is predicted, contact the leader by 6:00 pm the previous evening.

  • Millennium Park

    Boston - Millennium Park Canoe Launch 300 Gardner Street, Boston, MA, United States

    Join us to look for birds in a unique urban habitat that often draws numerous uncommon and rare birds. Birders of all levels will enjoy this trip. The trails are flat and easy to walk. We may offer optional 30-60 minute trip extensions to adjacent locations such as West Roxbury High School Marsh and/or Brook [...]

  • Sconticut Neck and West Island, Fairhaven

    Fairhaven - Sconticut Neck and West Island 209 Huttleston Ave,, Fairhaven, MA, United States

    We will make several stops on the neck and then onto West Island to search for winter ducks, loons, grebes and shorebirds.

  • Belle Isle Marsh and Vicinity

    East Boston - Belle Isle Parking Lot 1399 Bennington Street, Boston, MA, United States

    Led 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 [...]

  • Race Point Beach

    Provincetown - Race Point Beach

    Let’s start the year with some awesome birds! We will bird from the beach close to the parking lot. We may walk the beach depending on participants interest. Several species of alcids are possible as well as gannets, Iceland and Glaucous Gulls and three loon species. Dress for cold windy weather. We may try other [...]

Go to Top