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.

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

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

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

  • Members Webinar with Tiffany Kirsten – Birdie Big Year: Elevating Women Birders

    DUE TO UNFORESEEN CIRCUMSTANCES THIS WEBINAR HAS BEEN RESCHEDULED FROM MARCH 10 TO MARCH 24. IF YOU PREVIOUSLY SIGNED UP, YOUR REGISTRATION AND ZOOM LINK WILL STILL WORK FOR THE MARCH 24 DATE. Please join the BBC on the evening of March 24 from 7PM to 8:30PM for a member only webinar with Tiffany Kirsten,

  • Woodcock Walk, North Easton

    North Easton - Edwin A. Keach Park Chestnut Street, Easton, MA, United States

    From the playground, we will walk a short distance to an open area where we can observe 2 fields for Woodcock. Sunset is around 6:30 pm so bring a camp chair and relax for the Woodcock flight.

  • CANCELLED Pine Hill Road Grasslands (was rescheduled from March 14)

    Lancaster - Pine Hill Road Grasslands Pine Hill Road, Lancaster, MA, United States

    We scheduled this trip too early. It was a mistake in retrospect. We are cancelling this trip. The birding will get better in mid to late April. We have trips in May and June that will be in prime season for this location.

  • Mount Auburn Cemetery, Cambridge

    Mount Auburn Cemetery 536 Mt Auburn St, Cambridge, MA, United States

    Mount Auburn Cemetery is lovely in all seasons.  In late March, we may see the very earliest migrants from the south (Red-winged Blackbird, others) as well as the remaining seasonal visitors from the north (e.g. White-throated Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco).  And our usual year-round resident species will have just started to sing!

  • Franklin Park – Scarboro Pond

    Boston - Franklin Park Tennis Courts (Meeting Spot) Roxbury, MA, United States

    We will look for early spring migrants in Franklin Park. Beginners welcome and encouraged. Expect to walk up to 2 miles on paved paths. Loaner binoculars available. Co-sponsored with the Franklin Park Coalition and Franklin Park Tennis Association.

Go to Top