Joseph (Joe) A Paluzzi, a long-time Brookline Bird Club member, trip leader, Board member and Past President, and good friend to many in the birding community, passed away on April 25, 2023. Joe was known to many as Bank Swallow, the handle he chose when the BBC was using CB radios to communicate in the field, as well as his email address. The origination/connection of this is unknown.

Joe enjoyed birding in comfort, always sporting a big, long, and usually fast car both at home and on   out- of-state birding trips. His pride and joy was his most recent Mercedes SUV. Joe loved a good chase and often volunteered to be the ‘uber’ for said chases!!

Besides birding, Joe had many other interests and accomplishments. He was a champion scrabble player, crackerjack poker player with his pals at the Swampscott senior center, reveled in a daily wordle group he participated in, and always had a police radio going at home (there were no local secrets from Joe!). As well Joe was an avid Boston sports fan along with his love for NCAA basketball. He organized and orchestrated a March Madness pool for many years, providing an entertaining commentary after every round of play. He was warmly known as ‘The Commish’ in this role.

His wife Helen was the love of his life, though his granddaughter Hannah was the apple of his eye!

His easy-going personality, generous spirit and wonderful smile will be missed.

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Upcoming Field Trips

  • Early Birders @ Chestnut Hill Reservoir, Boston

    Chestnut Hill Reservoir 2420 Beacon Street, Boston, MA, United States

    Join fellow birders in their 20s-30s as we visit Chestnut Hill Reservoir for a low-key bird outing before the new year! Located on the outskirts of Boston next to Boston University, Chestnut Hill Reservoir is a former water supply distribution reservoir that is a hot spot for waterfowl activity & other residents. Expect to walk [...]

  • 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 [...]

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