Spring 2026 Conservation Alerts
Important conservation issues directly affecting birds and birders are pending in front of the Massachusetts legislature. Please demonstrate your commitment to Massachusetts bird life by taking action now.
Mass Ready Act – Rodenticide Ban
The Mass Ready Act offers an opportunity to ban the use of anticoagulant rodenticides statewide.
Heather Packard from Mass Audubon is asking that supporters call their state representative by May 19. Please ask your rep to request that Chair Aaron Michlewitz and the House Ways & Means Committee strengthen Sections 74 and 75 of the Mass Ready Act by including the language from H5217, which would phase out the use of anticoagulant rodenticides. Mass Audubon hopes to have every state representative receive at least 10 constituent calls on this topic.
This Google Sheet lists includes every state representative, their phone number, and a brief script for the call. Be sure to add an “X” next to you rep’s name after you make the call.
An Act to End the Use of Horseshoe Crabs for Bait
Now is also the time to show our support for Massachusetts House Bill H5266, An Act to End the Use of Horseshoe Crabs for Bait. The original bill has been strengthened and referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means for further consideration.
We received a detailed request from the Horseshoe Crab Advocates at the Southeastern Massachusetts Pine Barrens Alliance. They ask that we contact the leadership of the MA House Ways and Means Committee. If your rep is a committee member please reach out to them as well. Rather than try to repeat all the information we received please review this PDF. You will find background on the topic, contact info for state reps, important talking points, and a template for a letter.
The Brookline Bird Club has sent a letter supporting H5266 to the House Ways and Means Committee leadership.
Learn more from the Southeastern Massachusetts Pine Barrens Alliance.
Sunday Hunting Proposal
We are happy to report that budget amendments repealing the state’s Sunday hunting ban have been tabled for now. If there is a change in status we will let you know.
Member Webinar and Field Trip: The Art and Craft of Shorebird Identification with Lisa Schibley
Member Webinar and Field Trip: 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
2025 Daytime Pelagic and Marsh Cruise Trip Schedule
2025 Daytime Pelagic and Marsh Cruise Trip Schedule Announced The BBC is happy to announce two daytime whale watching events and a Parker River marsh cruise. For the Thursday August 14th whale watching trip out
Changes Coming to Mt Auburn Cemetery This Spring
Changes Coming to Mt Auburn Cemetery This Spring Mt. Auburn Cemetery has announced changes to birder access starting this spring. In short, the gates will open every day starting at 6:00 AM but the key
Threats to Federal Bird Science Funding
Threats to Federal Bird Science Funding According to the journal Science, the administration has targeted the Ecosystems Mission Area at the U.S. Geological Survey for elimination in its upcoming Fiscal Year 2026 budget request. The
BBC Global Big Day Count – May 10
BBC Global Big Day Count On May 18, 1974 Bob Stymiest led the BBC trip with the all time largest species count for the club - 162 birds seen during 20 hours across Essex County.
Camp Edwards Grassland Bird Tours
The Massachusetts Army National Guard’s Natural Resource Program is hosting grassland bird tours in May on Camp Edwards. This is an unusual opportunity for avid birders, naturalists and photographers to walk through the Camp Edwards
Member Webinar and Field Trip: The Art and Craft of Shorebird Identification with Lisa Schibley
Member Webinar and Field Trip: 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
2025 Daytime Pelagic and Marsh Cruise Trip Schedule
2025 Daytime Pelagic and Marsh Cruise Trip Schedule Announced The BBC is happy to announce two daytime whale watching events and a Parker River marsh cruise. For the Thursday August 14th whale watching trip out
Changes Coming to Mt Auburn Cemetery This Spring
Changes Coming to Mt Auburn Cemetery This Spring Mt. Auburn Cemetery has announced changes to birder access starting this spring. In short, the gates will open every day starting at 6:00 AM but the key
Threats to Federal Bird Science Funding
Threats to Federal Bird Science Funding According to the journal Science, the administration has targeted the Ecosystems Mission Area at the U.S. Geological Survey for elimination in its upcoming Fiscal Year 2026 budget request. The
BBC Global Big Day Count – May 10
BBC Global Big Day Count On May 18, 1974 Bob Stymiest led the BBC trip with the all time largest species count for the club - 162 birds seen during 20 hours across Essex County.
Camp Edwards Grassland Bird Tours
The Massachusetts Army National Guard’s Natural Resource Program is hosting grassland bird tours in May on Camp Edwards. This is an unusual opportunity for avid birders, naturalists and photographers to walk through the Camp Edwards
Member Webinar and Field Trip: The Art and Craft of Shorebird Identification with Lisa Schibley
Member Webinar and Field Trip: 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
2025 Daytime Pelagic and Marsh Cruise Trip Schedule
2025 Daytime Pelagic and Marsh Cruise Trip Schedule Announced The BBC is happy to announce two daytime whale watching events and a Parker River marsh cruise. For the Thursday August 14th whale watching trip out
Changes Coming to Mt Auburn Cemetery This Spring
Changes Coming to Mt Auburn Cemetery This Spring Mt. Auburn Cemetery has announced changes to birder access starting this spring. In short, the gates will open every day starting at 6:00 AM but the key
Threats to Federal Bird Science Funding
Threats to Federal Bird Science Funding According to the journal Science, the administration has targeted the Ecosystems Mission Area at the U.S. Geological Survey for elimination in its upcoming Fiscal Year 2026 budget request. The
BBC Global Big Day Count – May 10
BBC Global Big Day Count On May 18, 1974 Bob Stymiest led the BBC trip with the all time largest species count for the club - 162 birds seen during 20 hours across Essex County.
Camp Edwards Grassland Bird Tours
The Massachusetts Army National Guard’s Natural Resource Program is hosting grassland bird tours in May on Camp Edwards. This is an unusual opportunity for avid birders, naturalists and photographers to walk through the Camp Edwards
News Categories
Upcoming Field Trips
Field Trips / Events
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Fruitlands Museum, Harvard
Harvard - Fruitlands Museum 102 Prospect Hill Rd., Harvard, MA, United StatesCosponsored with Boxborough Birders. We will look for resident species including Indigo Bunting, Savannah Sparrow, Hermit Thrush, Scarlet Tanager, Veery, Blue-headed Vireo, Wild Turkey, American Kestrel, and a variety of warblers. Expect to walk about two miles on trails through meadows and woods, with some steep sections. Prepare for ticks. We will bird at the
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Arnold Arboretum Peter’s Hill, Boston
Arnold Arboretum - Peter's Hill Gate 99 Bussey St, Boston, MA, United StatesSpring birding in a beautiful location with lots of flowering trees that attract Baltimore Orioles, Orchard Orioles, Tree Swallows and other spring migrants.
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Forest River Conservation Area
Marblehead - Forest River Conservation Area MA, United StatesEasy to moderate 1.5 mile hike on 26 acre property which includes marsh, tidal pools, upland fields and woods. Expect to see various warblers, sparrows and Vireos. Wear hiking boots for modest uphill and downhill paths with some mud.
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Mount Auburn Cemetery
Mount Auburn Cemetery 536 Mt Auburn St, Cambridge, MA, United States -
Spring Migrants at Magazine Beach
Cambridge - Magazine Beach 668 Memorial Drive, Cambridge, MA, United StatesWe will search for spring migrants and residents including warblers, vireos, sparrows, orioles, flycatchers, swallows, thrushes, raptors, waterfowl, and more. Plan for walking approximately 1.5 miles on gravel paths and grassy fields. Boots recommended as some areas can be muddy. Cosponsored by Massachusetts Audubon Society. Limited parking available in parking circle here https://tinyurl.com/sc5tf3h8 with additional