Isabel Bronson, a Land Stewardship Coordinator serving with the Trustees of Reservations, is seeking volunteers to participate in a grassland bird monitoring community science program at Chestnut Hill Farm, The Fruitlands, Old Town Hill, Appleton Farms, Ward Reservation, Moose Hill Farm, Worlds End, or Powisset Farm. Since 2010, the Trustees have been conducting volunteer grassland bird monitoring at their reservations with significant grassland habitat. This monitoring enables the Trustees to assess grassland bird populations on their properties and aids in informing management decisions within their pastures, fields, etc. This year, the Trustees are excited to be expanding the program and, as so, are looking to add monitors to their volunteer roster. The Trustees have found that in addition to this being a fantastic opportunity to enhance birding skills, volunteers participating in the program have developed a strong connection to both the property and birds they monitor and feel empowered about their role protecting local biodiversity.

The monitoring season runs from May 1st through July and each volunteer is assigned a monitoring property. The Trustees ask that monitors visit this property at least once a month during the season and conduct point count surveys for grassland birds, with special attention being given to identifying bobolinks. Before the season starts, monitors are provided with onboarding materials such as monitoring maps and detailed instructions on how to conduct bird surveys and submit results.

If anyone in the BBC is interested in this opportunity, please let Isabel Bronson know via email to ibronson@thetrustees.org. Isabel would love to schedule a Teams meeting to say hello and talk more about the program. Additionally, please feel free to check out the Trustees’ volunteer website which lists all their monitoring opportunities across the state: https://volunteer.thetrustees.org/ecology.

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Member Webinar September 16: Birds at Rest: The Behavior and Ecology of Avian Sleep with Roger Pasquier Everybody enjoys watching birds during the daytime, but what do they do at night, when they seem to [...]

Member Webinar August 13: The Art and Craft of Shorebird Identification with Lisa Schibley

Member Webinar August 13: 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 field [...]

Member Webinar September 16: Birds at Rest: The Behavior and Ecology of Avian Sleep with Roger Pasquier

Member Webinar September 16: Birds at Rest: The Behavior and Ecology of Avian Sleep with Roger Pasquier Everybody enjoys watching birds during the daytime, but what do they do at night, when they seem to [...]

Member Webinar August 13: The Art and Craft of Shorebird Identification with Lisa Schibley

Member Webinar August 13: 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 field [...]

Member Webinar September 16: Birds at Rest: The Behavior and Ecology of Avian Sleep with Roger Pasquier

Member Webinar September 16: Birds at Rest: The Behavior and Ecology of Avian Sleep with Roger Pasquier Everybody enjoys watching birds during the daytime, but what do they do at night, when they seem to [...]

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Upcoming Field Trips

Great Meadows NWR, Concord

Concord - Great Meadows Concord Unit, Entrance Rd, Concord, MA, United States

We will walk easy trails looking for shorebirds, ducks, wading birds, rails, and nesting songbirds. This is also a great time to look for butterflies and other interesting insects.  Note that entrance fee or pass is required. Loaner binoculars available; please email trip leader to reserve a pair!

Whale and Seabird watching trip out of Gloucester

Gloucester - 7 Seas Whale Watch 63 Rogers Street, 7 Seas Wharf, Gloucester, MA, United States

The BBC is partnering with the 7 Seas Whale Watching Tour Company to travel to Stellwagen Bank - primary feeding grounds for the Humpback Whale, the endangered Right Whale, and other marine wildlife, including seabirds. With the help of onboard naturalists, we will search for seabirds - storm petrals, shearwaters, gulls and terns, gannets, and [...]

An Oasis for Birds at Belle Isle Marsh

East Boston - Belle Isle Parking Lot 1399 Bennington Street, Boston, MA, United States

Join DCR park staff for a relaxed, one-mile bird walk through flat, easy terrain at this Massachusetts State Reservation and birding hot spot. In July, At Belle Isle and at additional nearby locations—we’ll search for osprey, flocks of egrets, piping plover, migrating shorebirds, meadow and grassland nesting birds. Participants are responsible for their own transportation [...]

Charles River Path in Waltham

Waltham - Charles River Shaws Supermarket 130 River Street, Waltham, MA, United States

Stroll along an easy to walk paved path. Possible sightings include Wood Ducks, Yellow Warbler, Warbling Vireo, and Great Blue Heron. Cosponsored with Waltham :Land Trust and Menotomy Bird Club.

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