Stellwagen Bank Pelagic Trip Report
On October 24 the BBC sponsored a pelagic birding trip from Gloucester to Stellwagen Bank aboard a chartered boat provided by Seven Seas Whale Watch. The trip was a smashing success! I’ll let one of our spotters, Max Chalfin-Jacobs, fill us in:
On a brisk but sunny October morning, the Privateer IV left the 7 Seas Whale Watch dock within the calm Gloucester Harbor. With guidance from Captain Jay Fronteiro, we decided to head south for Stellwagen Bank rather than north for Jeffrey’s Ledge, in hopes of encountering larger congregations of seabirds after reported scarcity on Jeffrey’s Ledge.
This turned out to be an excellent decision, as birders on board were treated to exceptional looks at exciting feeding flocks containing 100s of gannets and dolphins, dozens of shearwaters, interrupted only by a few daring Pomarine Jaegers. On the return trip to Gloucester we encountered a lone Northern Fulmar, a species we were worried would be challenging farther south, and definitely a highlight of the trip. There was also the occasional buzz when a migrating passerine would zip past the boat, including a Dark-eyed Junco that followed us for 30 minutes, and a brief appearance from a Yellow-rumped Warbler. Other marine wildlife included 100+ Atlantic White-sided Dolphin, 10 Common Dolphin, and 30 Harbor Porpoise.
View the eBird trip report here.
Many thanks to our spotters Max Chalfin-Jacobs and Steve Mirick and to Captain Jay and the crew at Seven Seas, both at sea and at the dock.
BBC Fall Meeting 11/7 with Amar Ayyash
BBC Fall Meeting 11/7 with Amar Ayyash Join us on Friday, November 7 at 7:00 PM for our hybrid in-person/webinar fall meeting with speaker Amar Ayyash, author of The Gull Guide. This free event [...]
December 6 All Day Pelagic from Hyannis
December 6 All Day Pelagic from Hyannis On Saturday, December 6, 2025 pelagic trip the BBC wuill sponsor a full day pelagic from Hyannis to Nantucket Shoals aboard the Helen H. We will leave the [...]
2026 Young Birders Scholarship Application
2026 Young Birders Scholarship Application Available The Brookline Bird Club will again offer two Bill Drummond Young Birder’s Scholarships to nurture interest in bird study and conservation among young birders. The scholarship covers the full [...]
Stellwagen Bank Pelagic Trip Report
Stellwagen Bank Pelagic Trip Report On October 24 the BBC sponsored a pelagic birding trip from Gloucester to Stellwagen Bank aboard a chartered boat provided by Seven Seas Whale Watch. The trip was a smashing [...]
October Big Day Report
October Big Day Report Here’s where we went birding on October 11th: 39 Birders sent in 98 checklists for Massachusetts (and a few more from NH and Maine). We recorded 145 species, and a Budgerigar. [...]
Thank You Bob Mayer!
Thank You Bob Mayer! For more than 20 years Bob Mayer, a lifetime member of the BBC, has led field trips at Arnold Arboretum and nearby locations. Bob let us know that he is going [...]
BBC Fall Meeting 11/7 with Amar Ayyash
BBC Fall Meeting 11/7 with Amar Ayyash Join us on Friday, November 7 at 7:00 PM for our hybrid in-person/webinar fall meeting with speaker Amar Ayyash, author of The Gull Guide. This free event [...]
December 6 All Day Pelagic from Hyannis
December 6 All Day Pelagic from Hyannis On Saturday, December 6, 2025 pelagic trip the BBC wuill sponsor a full day pelagic from Hyannis to Nantucket Shoals aboard the Helen H. We will leave the [...]
2026 Young Birders Scholarship Application
2026 Young Birders Scholarship Application Available The Brookline Bird Club will again offer two Bill Drummond Young Birder’s Scholarships to nurture interest in bird study and conservation among young birders. The scholarship covers the full [...]
Stellwagen Bank Pelagic Trip Report
Stellwagen Bank Pelagic Trip Report On October 24 the BBC sponsored a pelagic birding trip from Gloucester to Stellwagen Bank aboard a chartered boat provided by Seven Seas Whale Watch. The trip was a smashing [...]
October Big Day Report
October Big Day Report Here’s where we went birding on October 11th: 39 Birders sent in 98 checklists for Massachusetts (and a few more from NH and Maine). We recorded 145 species, and a Budgerigar. [...]
Thank You Bob Mayer!
Thank You Bob Mayer! For more than 20 years Bob Mayer, a lifetime member of the BBC, has led field trips at Arnold Arboretum and nearby locations. Bob let us know that he is going [...]
BBC Fall Meeting 11/7 with Amar Ayyash
BBC Fall Meeting 11/7 with Amar Ayyash Join us on Friday, November 7 at 7:00 PM for our hybrid in-person/webinar fall meeting with speaker Amar Ayyash, author of The Gull Guide. This free event [...]
December 6 All Day Pelagic from Hyannis
December 6 All Day Pelagic from Hyannis On Saturday, December 6, 2025 pelagic trip the BBC wuill sponsor a full day pelagic from Hyannis to Nantucket Shoals aboard the Helen H. We will leave the [...]
2026 Young Birders Scholarship Application
2026 Young Birders Scholarship Application Available The Brookline Bird Club will again offer two Bill Drummond Young Birder’s Scholarships to nurture interest in bird study and conservation among young birders. The scholarship covers the full [...]
Stellwagen Bank Pelagic Trip Report
Stellwagen Bank Pelagic Trip Report On October 24 the BBC sponsored a pelagic birding trip from Gloucester to Stellwagen Bank aboard a chartered boat provided by Seven Seas Whale Watch. The trip was a smashing [...]
October Big Day Report
October Big Day Report Here’s where we went birding on October 11th: 39 Birders sent in 98 checklists for Massachusetts (and a few more from NH and Maine). We recorded 145 species, and a Budgerigar. [...]
Thank You Bob Mayer!
Thank You Bob Mayer! For more than 20 years Bob Mayer, a lifetime member of the BBC, has led field trips at Arnold Arboretum and nearby locations. Bob let us know that he is going [...]
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Upcoming Field Trips
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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 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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Gulls at Revere Beach
Revere Beach - Nearest to Wonderland Stop MA, United StatesFollowing the recent talk by Amar Ayyash, author of The Gull Guide, we will have a gull focused field trip at Revere Beach. Our trip will be about appreciating gulls, basic to advanced gull ID, and rare and unusual gulls. We may move to other locations based on recent reports but will start at the [...]
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Halibut Point State Park, Rockport
Rockport - Halibut Point State Park Halibut Point State Park, Rockport, MA, United StatesA two-hour walk, about 1.5 miles, over easy to moderate gravel roads and trails in search of seasonal specialties. Boots advisable. Restrooms are available. In case of inclement weather check with leader the night before trip.
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Franklin Park – Scarboro Pond
We will look for late fall migrants and new winter arrivals in Franklin Park. Beginners welcome and encouraged. Expect to walk up to 2 miles on paved paths. Loaner binoculars available. Co-sponsored with the Franklin Park Coalition and Franklin Park Tennis Association.
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North Shore Waterfowl Expedition
Topsfield Fair Grounds 207 Boston St, Topsfield, MA, United StatesWe will visit several different water bodies in Essex County in attempting to see as many as 25 different species of Ducks and Geese. There will be some walking. We will end up at the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge. Note that an entrance fee or pass is required to visit Parker River NWR.