The Brookline Bird Club has almost 80 years of field trip reports that we’d like to add to eBird. As one of the oldest bird clubs in the United States, our archive of field trip data is a potentially rich source of information for researchers studying long term population trends, as well as helping inform current conservation efforts within the state.
Currently, the oldest report in eBird for Mt Auburn is from 19th May, 1957. This was a solid twelve warbler day. Missing from that list – Northern Cardinal (first eBird report for Mt Auburn 1967), Northern Mockingbird (1964), Tufted Titmouse (1970), Red-bellied Woodpecker (1991). The BBC trip reports contain a huge amount of data on the rise and fall of these and other species from many of the key birding locations in the state, including Mt Auburn reports from as far back as 1939.
Reports from the last 25 years of birds from the State Species of Concern List will be evaluated for possible submission to the MA department of wildlife. A list of those species can be found here: www.mass.gov/service-details/l
The club has scanned decades worth of field trip cards, but needs help converting those images to a format than can be uploaded to eBird. We’re looking for volunteers to help transcribe data from the field card images onto spreadsheets. The only requirements are a willingness to commit a useful amount of time to the project, and a keen attention to detail. We estimate that it could take up to about 20 hours to transcribe the data for recent years (“America’s most active bird club!”); less for the earlier years. If you can only commit to working on a single year’s worth of data over the course of many months, that’s fine. This will be a marathon, not a sprint.
If you’re interested in helping, please contact David Scott for further details: davidscott6@yahoo.co.uk
Completed club field trip card from May 20, 1939.
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Bear Creek Sanctuary (on behalf of Soheil Zendeh and WINWaste)
Saugus - Bear Creek Sanctuary (WINWaste) 100 Salem Turnpike, Saugus, MA, United StatesBear Creek is an upland sanctuary built on the WINWaste (formerly Wheelabrator) landfill at the northeast corner of Rumney Marsh in Saugus and Revere. Access information is below. Wear waterproof walking shoes and be prepared to hike 3 – 4 miles. The property is mostly very open, so be prepared for sun, wind and weather. [...]
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Parker River NWR
Parker River NWR - Lot #1 Refuge Rd., Newbury, MA, MA, United StatesWe will explore various hot-spots on the refuge for fall migrants. Anything is possible during fall migration! Note that an entrance fee or pass is required to enter Parker River NWR. There are decent bathrooms at lot 1 where we start. Beginners welcome! Late arrivers can phone John at 781 859 9450 to find out [...]
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Franklin Park – Scarboro Pond (Early Birders Series) Rescheduled from 11/7
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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Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary, Topsfield
Topsfield - Ipswich River MAS Sanctuary 87 Perkins Row, Topsfield, MA, United StatesWe will likely walk 3 or 4 miles on mostly flat trails through sanctuary woodlands and wetlands. Be prepared for some trails being wet, muddy, or rutted. Also take precautions against ticks. There is a small fee required if you are not a member of Mass Audubon. Restrooms open from 8:00 AM. Cosponsored with the [...]
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Webinar: Birding in Italy with Marco Valtriani from S-Cape Birding Tours
As a natural north-south bridge between Europe and Africa, Italy is a vitally important region for more than 550 bird species, both migrants and breeders. More than 20% of the “Boot” is under environmental protection, and those areas include many of the most famous reserves and sanctuaries in all of Europe, featuring the greatest diversity [...]