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.

News Categories

Upcoming Field Trips

Belle Isle Marsh Marine Ecology Park, Winthrop

Winthrop - Belle Isle March and Marine Ecology Park Banks Street, Winthrop, MA, United States

Join the Brookline Bird Club in collaboration with Boston Nature Center to look for birds in a unique urban habitat that often draws numerous uncommon and rare birds. Target species include bobolinks, dunlin, egrets, falcons, hawks, herons, ibis, oystercatchers, plovers, ravens, sandpipers, sparrows, swallows & swifts, terns, warblers, vultures, and yellowlegs. Birders of all levels [...]

Shorebirds & More at Parker River NWR

Parker River NWR - Lot #1 Refuge Rd., Newbury, MA, MA, United States

We will be looking for Shorebirds and other Refuge specialties. We will drive and walk to various places on the Refuge. Note that an entrance fee or pass is required. Restroom available.

Squantum – Quincy

Quincy - Squantum - Moswetuset Hummock Quincy, MA, United States

We'll check the marshes and the mudflats in Squantum for shorebirds, starting at Moswetuset Hummock and visiting other spots nearby. At high tide (~6:15 am), we'll try checking the high tide roosts for shorebirds as well. Be prepared for the possibility of biting insects. Cosponsored with South Shore Bird Club.

An Oasis for Birds at Belle Isle Marsh

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

Join DCR park staff for a relaxed, one-mile bird walk through flat, easy terrain at this Massachusetts State Reservation and birding hot spot. At Belle Isle and at additional nearby locations— We’ll search for large groups of herons and egrets, and shorebird rarities. Participants are responsible for their own transportation between locations (by car or [...]

Go to Top