The BBC is engaged in ongoing conservation advocacy on its own initiative and in alliance with the other eighteen member clubs of the Association of Massachusetts Bird Clubs. In June 2019 the BBC supported a Citizens Climate Lobby campaign to pass a state bill intended to reduce carbon emissions. In July we joined the Association in sending a letter to Historic New England urging HNE to help protect Eastern Meadowlarks by re-evaluating its haying practices and management of grasslands at Cogswell’s Grant in Essex and its other properties.
At a July meeting of the Association, club representatives agreed to urge their members across the state to report sightings of birds on the state Endangered Species list. State ornithologist Drew Vitz reported that the Eastern Meadowlark will likely soon be a state-listed species. Through the efforts of Zack Weber, the BBC has taken a lead on this issue by offering annual field trips focused on finding and reporting state-listed species.
The July Association meeting included a discussion of “plirding”—picking up trash while birding—an idea being promoted by a group led by Ray Brown of the Talkin’ Birds radio show. Stay tuned for further “plirding” developments. The Association will meet next at 10:00 on Sunday, November 17 at the Mass Fish and Wildlife offices at Westborough WMA. Any individual member of any member club is welcome to attend Association meetings and join the Association’s Google Group. If you’re interested, contact John Nelson, chair of the BBC Conservation and Education Committee and acting Association chair: jnelson@northshore.edu.
News Categories
Upcoming Field Trips
Field Trips / Events
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Fresh Pond, Cambridge
Cambridge - Fresh Pond - TD Bank 235 Alewife Brook Pkwy, Cambridge, MA, United StatesAn easy 2-mile walk through pondside meadows and forest paths at Fresh Pond. The over-wintering waterbirds have started to arrive, and we may see Ring-necked Ducks, Ruddy Ducks and both Hooded and Common Mergansers. Meadow and forest species may include year-round residents as well as seasonal visitors from the north (e.g. White-throated Sparrows, Juncos).
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Franklin Park – Scarboro Pond (Early Birders Series)
Boston - Franklin Park Tennis Courts (Meeting Spot) MA, United StatesJoin fellow birders in their 20s-30s as we visit Franklin Park! Located in Roxbury, Boston’s largest open space is home to a plethora of natural features, including miles of trails, playing fields, a pond, and plenty of birds! Here we will look for all sorts of songbirds, including late fall migrants and early winterers. Whether [...]
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An Oasis for Birds at Belle Isle Marsh
East Boston - Belle Isle Parking Lot 1399 Bennington Street, Boston, MA, United StatesLed 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. Cosponsored by [...]
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RESCHEDULED to 11/15 Arlington Reservoir with Arlington Open Space Committee and Arlington Reservoir Committee RESCHEDULED to 11/15
Lexington - Arlington Reservoir 210 Lowell Street, Arlington, MA, United StatesDue to expected rain, we are rescheduling this walk to November 15, same time and place.
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Millennium Park
Boston - Millennium Park Canoe Launch 300 Gardner Street, Boston, MA, United StatesJoin us to observe resident birds and winter 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. A water bottle, water proof clothing including a hat, gloves, and trail shoes are recommended. [...]