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.
Conservation Alert – Andrews Point Public Access in Jeopardy
Conservation Alert - Andrews Point Public Access in Jeopardy The ongoing lawsuit by an abutter to eliminate public access to the rocky, coastal portion of a property at 18 Longbranch Ave at Andrew’s Point in
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
BBC Submits Comment on Sunday Hunting Proposal
BBC Submits Comment on Sunday Hunting Proposal The Brookline Bird Club submitted a comment to MassWildlife opposing a proposal to change state law to allow Sunday hunting. The Club does not take a position on
March 1 Webinar with Adam Nicolson – Bird School: A Beginner in the Wood
March 1 Webinar - Bird School: A Beginner in the Wood - A Conversation with Author Adam Nicolson Live from Sussex with Science Journalist Cara Giaimo On Sunday March 1 at 3PM the Brookline Bird
February 19 Webinar with Matthew Young, Finch Research Network
February 19 Webinar with Matthew Young: The Evening Grosbeak Road to Recovery Project and the Stokes Guide to Finches of the United States and Canada Please join the BBC on the evening of Thursday, February
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
Conservation Alert – Andrews Point Public Access in Jeopardy
Conservation Alert - Andrews Point Public Access in Jeopardy The ongoing lawsuit by an abutter to eliminate public access to the rocky, coastal portion of a property at 18 Longbranch Ave at Andrew’s Point in
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
BBC Submits Comment on Sunday Hunting Proposal
BBC Submits Comment on Sunday Hunting Proposal The Brookline Bird Club submitted a comment to MassWildlife opposing a proposal to change state law to allow Sunday hunting. The Club does not take a position on
March 1 Webinar with Adam Nicolson – Bird School: A Beginner in the Wood
March 1 Webinar - Bird School: A Beginner in the Wood - A Conversation with Author Adam Nicolson Live from Sussex with Science Journalist Cara Giaimo On Sunday March 1 at 3PM the Brookline Bird
February 19 Webinar with Matthew Young, Finch Research Network
February 19 Webinar with Matthew Young: The Evening Grosbeak Road to Recovery Project and the Stokes Guide to Finches of the United States and Canada Please join the BBC on the evening of Thursday, February
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
Conservation Alert – Andrews Point Public Access in Jeopardy
Conservation Alert - Andrews Point Public Access in Jeopardy The ongoing lawsuit by an abutter to eliminate public access to the rocky, coastal portion of a property at 18 Longbranch Ave at Andrew’s Point in
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
BBC Submits Comment on Sunday Hunting Proposal
BBC Submits Comment on Sunday Hunting Proposal The Brookline Bird Club submitted a comment to MassWildlife opposing a proposal to change state law to allow Sunday hunting. The Club does not take a position on
March 1 Webinar with Adam Nicolson – Bird School: A Beginner in the Wood
March 1 Webinar - Bird School: A Beginner in the Wood - A Conversation with Author Adam Nicolson Live from Sussex with Science Journalist Cara Giaimo On Sunday March 1 at 3PM the Brookline Bird
February 19 Webinar with Matthew Young, Finch Research Network
February 19 Webinar with Matthew Young: The Evening Grosbeak Road to Recovery Project and the Stokes Guide to Finches of the United States and Canada Please join the BBC on the evening of Thursday, February
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
News Categories
Upcoming Field Trips
Field Trips / Events
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Rocky Narrows in Sherborn
Sherborn - Rocky Narrows (TTOR) - Forest Street Parking 100 forest Street, Sherborn, MA, United StatesMixed habitat - fields, woods river and swamp. A good variety of birds here. We’ll be mostly concentrating on the swamp and the Charles River. If we have a wet spring folks should check in with the leader as to whether rubber boots would be advised. There are spots that do flood. Of course we
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Bring Back Boblinks: Bobolinks at Chestnut Hill Farm, Southborough
Southborough - Chestnut Hill Farm (TTOR) Chestnut Hill Rd, Southborough, MA, United StatesWe’ll walk about 2 miles around the protected grasslands of this wonderful Trustees property in search of Bobolinks, Indigo Bunting, Rose-breasted Grosbeak and more. Parking in the lot after the main entrance here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/87yAzpeBs6WPnx6K6
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Bring Back Boblinks: Bobolinks at Ocean View Farm Reserve
Dartmouth - Ocean View Farm Reserve (DNRT) 28 Allen Neck Road, Dartmouth, MA, United StatesPart of our Bring Back Boblinks conservation series. Co-led by Linda Vanderveer, Land Manager, DNRT. A combined walk with Brookline Bird Club and Dartmouth Natural Resources Trust. Registration is required. Please go to https://dnrt.org/event/bobolink-walk-2/ to register. Registration opens on May 14. Bobolinks are migratory grassland birds found across Massachusetts. The Bobolink is listed as a
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Millennium Park
Boston - Millennium Park Canoe Launch 300 Gardner Street, Boston, MA, United StatesJoint with Mass Audubon BNC. Join us to observe resident birds and spring migrants in a unique urban habitat that is a favorite for many bird species, including uncommon and rare flycatchers, swallows & warblers. Birders of all levels welcome. The trails are generally flat and easy to walk, with some rough patches. A water
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Plum Island
Parker River NWR - Lot #1 Refuge Rd., Newbury, MA, MA, United StatesWe will explore various locations on the Refuge in search of breeding birds. Note that entrance fee or pass is required. Restrooms available.