Successful Pelagic Trip to Nantucket Shoals
On December 6 over 70 BBC birders and guides departed from Hyannis and headed out to Nantucket Shoals about the Helen H. The plan was to go as far offshore as possible before looping back to the northwest on their return, which would take them past the large sea duck concentrations near Monomoy.
This was an effective strategy, yielding good numbers (and views!) of Black-legged Kittiwake, Atlantic Puffin, Dovekie, Northern Fulmar and several late shearwaters the further out we got.
Eventually they came upon a recently deceased Minke Whale surrounded by dozens of Fulmar (both light and dark morphs), a Sooty Shearwater and a handful of gulls, including a juvenile Great Black-backed that was standing atop the carcass and pecking away. Suddenly, as many of the seabirds took flight and scattered, one of the leaders shouted “Skua!” and I began to tell participants to begin photographing the bird as there was a good chance it could be a Great given the date. While the bird flew directly above us, the lighting was not ideal, and it only made one pass. While initially ID’ed as late South Polar Skua, further examination of photos led to the conclusion that this was the sixth Massachusetts record of Great Skua!
Read the eBird report for more details.
Support the Tawny-Throated Dotterel
Support the Tawny-Throated Dotterel This winter the BBC is teaming up with Manomet Conservation Sciences to support research on the Tawny-Throated Dotterel in Peru. A team of scientists there is in need of optical equipment
2026 Young Birders Hog Island Camp Scholarship Application
2026 Bill Drummond 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
BBC Winter Meeting February 7 – Social Hour, Book Sale & Norman Smith!
BBC Winter Meeting February 7 - Social Hour, Used Book Sale & Norman Smith! Mark your calendar for Saturday, February 7 at 2PM for the BBC's annual in-person Winter Meeting featuring a social hour with
Webinar with Sophie Osborn – Feather Trails: A Journey of Discovery Among Endangered Birds
Webinar with Sophie Osborn - Feather Trails: A Journey of Discovery Among Endangered Birds Please join the BBC on the evening of January 27 from 7PM to 8:30PM for a member only webinar with author
Renew membership now for 2026!
Calling all BBC members - annual memberships expire December 31st 2025. Renew today for the 2026 calendar year to continue uninterrupted access to member benefits including our blue book mailings, member webinars, and more! Membership
Starting the Year Off with the BBC
Starting the Year Off with the BBC On January 1 Laura de la Flor and Mark Burns led their our 29th (maybe 30th) Brookline Bird Club New Year's Day birding trip! I'll let Laura take
Support the Tawny-Throated Dotterel
Support the Tawny-Throated Dotterel This winter the BBC is teaming up with Manomet Conservation Sciences to support research on the Tawny-Throated Dotterel in Peru. A team of scientists there is in need of optical equipment
2026 Young Birders Hog Island Camp Scholarship Application
2026 Bill Drummond 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
BBC Winter Meeting February 7 – Social Hour, Book Sale & Norman Smith!
BBC Winter Meeting February 7 - Social Hour, Used Book Sale & Norman Smith! Mark your calendar for Saturday, February 7 at 2PM for the BBC's annual in-person Winter Meeting featuring a social hour with
Webinar with Sophie Osborn – Feather Trails: A Journey of Discovery Among Endangered Birds
Webinar with Sophie Osborn - Feather Trails: A Journey of Discovery Among Endangered Birds Please join the BBC on the evening of January 27 from 7PM to 8:30PM for a member only webinar with author
Renew membership now for 2026!
Calling all BBC members - annual memberships expire December 31st 2025. Renew today for the 2026 calendar year to continue uninterrupted access to member benefits including our blue book mailings, member webinars, and more! Membership
Starting the Year Off with the BBC
Starting the Year Off with the BBC On January 1 Laura de la Flor and Mark Burns led their our 29th (maybe 30th) Brookline Bird Club New Year's Day birding trip! I'll let Laura take
Support the Tawny-Throated Dotterel
Support the Tawny-Throated Dotterel This winter the BBC is teaming up with Manomet Conservation Sciences to support research on the Tawny-Throated Dotterel in Peru. A team of scientists there is in need of optical equipment
2026 Young Birders Hog Island Camp Scholarship Application
2026 Bill Drummond 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
BBC Winter Meeting February 7 – Social Hour, Book Sale & Norman Smith!
BBC Winter Meeting February 7 - Social Hour, Used Book Sale & Norman Smith! Mark your calendar for Saturday, February 7 at 2PM for the BBC's annual in-person Winter Meeting featuring a social hour with
Webinar with Sophie Osborn – Feather Trails: A Journey of Discovery Among Endangered Birds
Webinar with Sophie Osborn - Feather Trails: A Journey of Discovery Among Endangered Birds Please join the BBC on the evening of January 27 from 7PM to 8:30PM for a member only webinar with author
Renew membership now for 2026!
Calling all BBC members - annual memberships expire December 31st 2025. Renew today for the 2026 calendar year to continue uninterrupted access to member benefits including our blue book mailings, member webinars, and more! Membership
Starting the Year Off with the BBC
Starting the Year Off with the BBC On January 1 Laura de la Flor and Mark Burns led their our 29th (maybe 30th) Brookline Bird Club New Year's Day birding trip! I'll let Laura take
News Categories
Upcoming Field Trips
Field Trips / Events
-
-
Member Webinar with Sophie Osborn – Feather Trails: A Journey of Discovery Among Endangered Birds
Join us on Tuesday, January 27 for a webinar with Sophie Osborn – Feather Trails: A Journey of Discovery Among Endangered Birds. She will share her personal experiences reintroducing endangered Peregrine Falcons, Hawaiian Crows, and California Condors to the wild. To register you must be a BBC member. Please log in to your member account
-
Birding Sketch Crawl–Winter Series
Leader's ChoiceCome and bird/sketch in locations around Essex County. All artistic levels welcome. Bring your own sketching materials and other creature comforts. Contact leader for details no later than 7 PM January 30.
-
Early Birders @ Millennium Park (rescheduled from 1/24)
West Roxbury - Millennium Park 300 Gardner Street, Boston, MA, United StatesJoin fellow birders in their 20s-30s on a trip to Millennium Park for wintertime birding! Located in the West Roxbury neighborhood of Boston, Millennium Park is host to a wide variety of resident & migratory bird species that enjoy its unique habitat. As we traverse the park, expect to look for wintering songbirds, waterfowl, and
-
Castle Island & Pleasure Bay, South Boston (new date and time)
South Boston - Castle Island Parking Lot, 2080 Day Blvd. 2080 Day Blvd., Boston, MA, United StatesWe will search for wintering ducks, shorebirds, and Snowy Owls. Dress warmly and be prepared for cold and wind. Expect to walk up to 2 miles on paved paths. Beginners welcome and encouraged. Loaner binoculars available upon request – please contact the leader at least 48 hours in advance. Port-a-potties should be available. Note date
-
Cape Ann
Gloucester - Fisherman's Monument Gloucester Fisherman's Memorial, 60 Western Ave, Gloucester, MA, United StatesWe will search for alcids and other wintering seabirds. Be prepared for cold and windy weather. If inclement weather is predicted, contact the leader by 6:00 pm the previous evening.