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.
ANNUAL REPORT 2020
Brookline Bird Club 2020 Statistical and Year-End Report By David Scott, Club Statistician The Brookline Bird Club recorded 216 species for 2020, based upon 62 reported trips. A total of 215 species were recorded [...]
ANNUAL REPORT 2019
Brookline Bird Club 2019 Statistical and Year-End Report By David Scott, Club Statistician The Brookline Bird Club recorded 285 species for 2019, based upon 182 reported trips (out of 249 that were scheduled). [...]
Brookline Bird Club “Extreme Pelagic” Trip Report
This year marked the 20th anniversary of when Nick Samson and Eddie Giles organized the first Brookline Bird Club trip to the offshore shelf edge on a 24 hour Captain John "slowboat" marathon trip [...]
Ida Giriunas Memorial Garden
It's hard to believe that Ida Giriunas, well known Massachusetts birder and long-time director of the Brookline Bird Club (BBC), passed away two years ago on August 20. We wanted to update friends and [...]
2021-2022 FEDERAL DUCK STAMPS ON SALE NOW!
The BBC is again selling the Federal Migratory Bird Conservation and Hunting Stamp. We are doing this in support of the National Wildlife Refuge System and to support conservation of federal lands. Ninety-eight cents of [...]
BBC Donation to Wildlands Trust
The BBC, through our Conservation and Education Committee, is pleased to donate $250 to Wildlands Trust, a regional land trust working to conserve native habitats and lands of high ecological value in Southeastern Massachusetts. As [...]
ANNUAL REPORT 2020
Brookline Bird Club 2020 Statistical and Year-End Report By David Scott, Club Statistician The Brookline Bird Club recorded 216 species for 2020, based upon 62 reported trips. A total of 215 species were recorded [...]
ANNUAL REPORT 2019
Brookline Bird Club 2019 Statistical and Year-End Report By David Scott, Club Statistician The Brookline Bird Club recorded 285 species for 2019, based upon 182 reported trips (out of 249 that were scheduled). [...]
Brookline Bird Club “Extreme Pelagic” Trip Report
This year marked the 20th anniversary of when Nick Samson and Eddie Giles organized the first Brookline Bird Club trip to the offshore shelf edge on a 24 hour Captain John "slowboat" marathon trip [...]
Ida Giriunas Memorial Garden
It's hard to believe that Ida Giriunas, well known Massachusetts birder and long-time director of the Brookline Bird Club (BBC), passed away two years ago on August 20. We wanted to update friends and [...]
2021-2022 FEDERAL DUCK STAMPS ON SALE NOW!
The BBC is again selling the Federal Migratory Bird Conservation and Hunting Stamp. We are doing this in support of the National Wildlife Refuge System and to support conservation of federal lands. Ninety-eight cents of [...]
BBC Donation to Wildlands Trust
The BBC, through our Conservation and Education Committee, is pleased to donate $250 to Wildlands Trust, a regional land trust working to conserve native habitats and lands of high ecological value in Southeastern Massachusetts. As [...]
ANNUAL REPORT 2020
Brookline Bird Club 2020 Statistical and Year-End Report By David Scott, Club Statistician The Brookline Bird Club recorded 216 species for 2020, based upon 62 reported trips. A total of 215 species were recorded [...]
ANNUAL REPORT 2019
Brookline Bird Club 2019 Statistical and Year-End Report By David Scott, Club Statistician The Brookline Bird Club recorded 285 species for 2019, based upon 182 reported trips (out of 249 that were scheduled). [...]
Brookline Bird Club “Extreme Pelagic” Trip Report
This year marked the 20th anniversary of when Nick Samson and Eddie Giles organized the first Brookline Bird Club trip to the offshore shelf edge on a 24 hour Captain John "slowboat" marathon trip [...]
Ida Giriunas Memorial Garden
It's hard to believe that Ida Giriunas, well known Massachusetts birder and long-time director of the Brookline Bird Club (BBC), passed away two years ago on August 20. We wanted to update friends and [...]
2021-2022 FEDERAL DUCK STAMPS ON SALE NOW!
The BBC is again selling the Federal Migratory Bird Conservation and Hunting Stamp. We are doing this in support of the National Wildlife Refuge System and to support conservation of federal lands. Ninety-eight cents of [...]
BBC Donation to Wildlands Trust
The BBC, through our Conservation and Education Committee, is pleased to donate $250 to Wildlands Trust, a regional land trust working to conserve native habitats and lands of high ecological value in Southeastern Massachusetts. As [...]
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Upcoming Field Trips
Quabbin Reservoir
Quabbin Reservoir - Gate 10 235 Daniel Shays Hwy, Pelham, MA, United StatesJoin Glenn on a 5-to-6-mile walk through a very birdy area with species ranging from Broad-winged Hawk to Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Blue-headed Vireo, Chestnut-sided Warbler, Scarlet Tanager, Baltimore Oriole, and lots of stuff in between. (Maybe a moose or a bobcat!) Co-sponsored with the South Shore Bird Club.
The Quiet Beauty of Birding at Winthrop Beach
Winthrop - DCR Winthrop Beach Reservation - Sturgis St 59 Winthrop Shore Drive, Winthrop, MA, United StatesJoin DCR park staff for a leisurely walk across sandy stretches and areas of loose rocks at this Massachusetts State Reservation, a well-known hot spot for birdwatching. We'll be on the lookout for shorebirds, waterbirds, and gulls. Binoculars are recommended. Suitable for adults and children ages 8 and up (with an accompanying adult). Sponsored by [...]
Fruitlands Museum, Harvard
Harvard - Fruitlands Museum 102 Prospect Hill Rd., Harvard, MA, United StatesAll the nesting birds will still be around, with good views of young out of the nest being fed by parents: Veery, Indigo Bunting, Catbird, Red-winged Blackbird, Tree Swallow, Bobolink, Wood Thrush, Baltimore Oriole, and Warblers. Expect to walk about 2 miles on trails through meadow and woods with some steep sections. Heavy rain cancels [...]
Birch Hill WMA
Royalston - Birch Hill WMA Royalston, MA, United StatesIncludes three to five miles of walking relatively flat terrain. Might include some bushwacking. Driving on hard packed dirt roads. Co-sponsored with the Athol Bird & Nature Club.
Southwick WMA
Southwick WMA - Suffield WMA entrance Point Grove Road, Suffield, CT, United StatesWe will hike the fields focusing on grassland breeders, particularly Eastern Meadowlark and Grasshopper Sparrow.