U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is now proposing a permanent rule change to the Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp Contest (known as the Duck Stamp) that would make the theme “Celebrating Our Waterfowl Hunting Heritage” and the mandatory inclusion of an appropriate hunting element permanent, beginning with the 2020 Contest.
The Brookline Bird Club has long asked birders to support the National Wildlife Refuge System through their purchase of the Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp Contest (known as the Duck Stamp).
We urge each of you to comment. The Brookline Bird Club opposes this proposal.
The comment period ends March 16.
We believe that increasing sales of the Stamp and strengthening the Duck Stamp program should be the top objectives when considering any change. This proposed change discourages sales to new purchasers outside the hunting community. Fewer sales lead to less land preservation and protection of habitat. The Duck Stamp program needs to be strengthened and to focus on creating common ground for support for the future of American wildlife.
From Parker River to Monomoy to Silvio O. Conte, birders value the National Wildlife Refuges in Massachusetts. In Massachusetts alone, 15,290 acres have been acquired through MBCF funds, including 97.8 percent of Monomoy NWR and 97.7 percent of Parker River NWR (https://www.fws.gov/refuges/realty/pdf/MBCFAcres2015.pdf). Through club trips and individual visits, we explore these lands year after year. We volunteer and serve on the boards of local Friends groups. These lands are central to our birding experiences and are treasured by our community.
Sales of the Stamp have generated more than a billion dollars for conservation since 1934. For every dollar you spend on Stamps, ninety-eight cents goes directly to protecting vital wetland habitat as part of the National Wildlife Refuge System. Your Stamp will also provide admission to refuges charging entrance fees, such as Parker River. With our large membership, purchasing a $25 Stamp can make a significant contribution to the continued protection of these important habitats.
For more information, go to www.friendsofthestamp.org
For a more detailed Action Alert, click here.
In order to comment, go to https://tinyurl.com/duck-stamp-rules-change.
We urge you to comment on this proposed change.
And the Winner Is…
And the Winner Is... Congratulations to Kate McHugh, who has won the Migration Madness Membership Drive! Kate will receive their choice of a pair of binoculars or two tickets for one of our summer water [...]
Member Webinar August 13: The Art and Craft of Shorebird Identification with Lisa Schibley
Member Webinar August 13: The Art and Craft of Shorebird Identification with Lisa Schibley Shorebirds are among the most fascinating and diverse groups of birds, but identifying them can sometimes feel overwhelming. What key field [...]
Member Webinar September 16: Birds at Rest: The Behavior and Ecology of Avian Sleep with Roger Pasquier
Member Webinar September 16: Birds at Rest: The Behavior and Ecology of Avian Sleep with Roger Pasquier Everybody enjoys watching birds during the daytime, but what do they do at night, when they seem to [...]
Federal Bird Banding Lab Needs Support Now
Federal Bird Banding Lab Needs Support Now Find contact information for your senators and representative. The following is from a letter from author Scott Weidensaul received on May 22: As some of you may be [...]
Threats to Migratory Bird Treaty Act and Endangered Species Act
Responding to Threats to Migratory Bird Treaty Act and Endangered Species Act John Nelson, chair of the BBC's Conservation Committee, recently sent an eloquent letter to Representative Seth Moulton and Massachusetts Senators Edward Markey and [...]
BBC Programming Committee Seeks Volunteers
BBC Programming Committee Seeks Volunteers Do you have ideas for BBC webinar speakers? Would you like to be involved in planning club events such as our annual meeting, fall speaker, and winter member's meeting? Interested [...]
And the Winner Is…
And the Winner Is... Congratulations to Kate McHugh, who has won the Migration Madness Membership Drive! Kate will receive their choice of a pair of binoculars or two tickets for one of our summer water [...]
Member Webinar August 13: The Art and Craft of Shorebird Identification with Lisa Schibley
Member Webinar August 13: The Art and Craft of Shorebird Identification with Lisa Schibley Shorebirds are among the most fascinating and diverse groups of birds, but identifying them can sometimes feel overwhelming. What key field [...]
Member Webinar September 16: Birds at Rest: The Behavior and Ecology of Avian Sleep with Roger Pasquier
Member Webinar September 16: Birds at Rest: The Behavior and Ecology of Avian Sleep with Roger Pasquier Everybody enjoys watching birds during the daytime, but what do they do at night, when they seem to [...]
Federal Bird Banding Lab Needs Support Now
Federal Bird Banding Lab Needs Support Now Find contact information for your senators and representative. The following is from a letter from author Scott Weidensaul received on May 22: As some of you may be [...]
Threats to Migratory Bird Treaty Act and Endangered Species Act
Responding to Threats to Migratory Bird Treaty Act and Endangered Species Act John Nelson, chair of the BBC's Conservation Committee, recently sent an eloquent letter to Representative Seth Moulton and Massachusetts Senators Edward Markey and [...]
BBC Programming Committee Seeks Volunteers
BBC Programming Committee Seeks Volunteers Do you have ideas for BBC webinar speakers? Would you like to be involved in planning club events such as our annual meeting, fall speaker, and winter member's meeting? Interested [...]
And the Winner Is…
And the Winner Is... Congratulations to Kate McHugh, who has won the Migration Madness Membership Drive! Kate will receive their choice of a pair of binoculars or two tickets for one of our summer water [...]
Member Webinar August 13: The Art and Craft of Shorebird Identification with Lisa Schibley
Member Webinar August 13: The Art and Craft of Shorebird Identification with Lisa Schibley Shorebirds are among the most fascinating and diverse groups of birds, but identifying them can sometimes feel overwhelming. What key field [...]
Member Webinar September 16: Birds at Rest: The Behavior and Ecology of Avian Sleep with Roger Pasquier
Member Webinar September 16: Birds at Rest: The Behavior and Ecology of Avian Sleep with Roger Pasquier Everybody enjoys watching birds during the daytime, but what do they do at night, when they seem to [...]
Federal Bird Banding Lab Needs Support Now
Federal Bird Banding Lab Needs Support Now Find contact information for your senators and representative. The following is from a letter from author Scott Weidensaul received on May 22: As some of you may be [...]
Threats to Migratory Bird Treaty Act and Endangered Species Act
Responding to Threats to Migratory Bird Treaty Act and Endangered Species Act John Nelson, chair of the BBC's Conservation Committee, recently sent an eloquent letter to Representative Seth Moulton and Massachusetts Senators Edward Markey and [...]
BBC Programming Committee Seeks Volunteers
BBC Programming Committee Seeks Volunteers Do you have ideas for BBC webinar speakers? Would you like to be involved in planning club events such as our annual meeting, fall speaker, and winter member's meeting? Interested [...]
News Categories
Upcoming Field Trips
Ashby & Townsend
We will explore for nesting warblers, juncos, sapsuckers, and probably butterflies and dragonflies, possibly continuing into the afternoon. We will start in Willard Brook State Forest and probably continue to Townsend State Forest, Mt. Watatic, or the Squannacook River WMA. Some trails are steep and moderately uneven.
Belle Isle Marsh and Vicinity
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 migrating or resident songbirds, raptors, shorebirds, and marsh birds at this birding hotspot and state park. This is a traveling program by car or bike. Prepare for ticks and mosquitoes. Ages: Adults and kids 8 years+ with [...]
Summer Solstice Saunter
Leader's ChoiceCelebrate the beginning of summer by birding favorite patches, locally and beyond. Contact leader for details. Call or email no later than June 19.
Maine – Rangeley Lakes
Maine - Rangeley Lakes 2459 Main St, Rangeley, ME, United StatesJoin us for a seven-day exploration of mountains and lakes of western Maine! As always, this trip will concentrate on Maine’s boreal specialties including Spruce Grouse, Black-backed Woodpecker, Olive-sided and Yellow-bellied flycatchers, Philadelphia Vireo, Gray Jay, Boreal Chickadee, Bicknell’s Thrush and 20+ species of warbler. We also observe and enjoy flora and fauna along way. [...]
Bobolinks at Farm Meadow, Lincoln
Lincoln - Farm Meadow Lincoln Road, Lincoln, MA, United StatesAn opportunity to see Bobolinks, a declining and unique species, displaying and singing in their breeding habitat, possibly with fledglings! In addition to Bobolinks, possible species include Indigo Bunting, Wood Thrush, Pileated Woodpecker, and maybe an Alder Flycatcher if we're lucky! This is about a 1.5 mile walk circling the hayfield where the Bobolinks breed, and up [...]