Happy New Year MassBirders!
Mark Burns and Laura de la Flor led our 23rd Annual New Year’s Day Birding Trip for the Brookline Bird Club (BBC) today! At 9:00AM, 37 BBCers joined us at the Newburyport  T  Station parking lot where we toasted in the New Year with sparkling apple cider. During the toast, introductions were made and folks told us where they traveled from and what their first bird of the New Year was. (Mine was Black-capped Chickadee and Mark s was American Crow.)
We birded Salisbury Beach State Reservation, Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, and Cape Ann [Jodrey Fish Pier, Eastern Point, Niles Pond, and Bass Rocks] and called it a day at 4:00PM. The temperature ranged from 41df to 53df with wind gusts up to 35mph. We tallied 57 species for the Club list. Following is a complete list of the birds we saw:
Canada Goose – 55
Gadwall   9
American Wigeon – 4
American Black Duck   66
Mallard   40
Ring-necked Duck – 4
Greater Scaup   7
King Eider   1
Common Eider   63
Surf Scoter   70
White-winged Scoter   45
Black Scoter   16
Long-tailed Duck   12
Bufflehead   34
Common Goldeneye   16
Red-breasted Merganser   20
Red-throated Loon   2
Common Loon   12
Horned Grebe – 14
Great Cormorant   3
Bald Eagle   1
Northern Harrier   3
Sharp-shinned Hawk – 1
Cooper s Hawk   1
Red-tailed Hawk   2
Rough-legged Hawk   1
Sanderling   6
Ring-billed Gull   24
Herring Gull   340
Great Black-backed Gull   68
Black Guillemot – 1
Rock Pigeon   130
Mourning Dove   18
Eastern Screech Owl   1
Snowy Owl – 1
Downy Woodpecker   6
Hairy Woodpecker   1
Merlin   1
Peregrine Falcon   2
Blue Jay   25
American Crow   35
Black-capped Chickadee   20
Tufted Titmouse   5
White-breasted Nuthatch   3
Eastern Bluebird – 1
American Robin   14
Northern Mockingbird   8
European Starling   4
Yellow-rumped Warbler   2
Fox Sparrow – 1
American Tree Sparrow  7
Song Sparrow   10
White-throated Sparrow   2
Dark-eyed Junco   4
Northern Cardinal   16
House Sparrow   30
What make this trip so much fun to lead each New Year s Day are those who participate   Thank you for spending part or all of your day birding with us!
Wishing you a very Happy, Healthy, and Birdy 2019!

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Upcoming Field Trips

  • Cape Ann

    Gloucester - Fisherman's Monument Gloucester Fisherman's Memorial, 60 Western Ave, Gloucester, MA, United States

    We 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.

  • Early Birders @ Milton Landing & Neponset River Greenway

    Join fellow birders in their 20s-30s for a leisurely bird walk along the Neponset River Greenway bike path! Starting at the Milton boat launch to check for nearby birds, we will walk approximately a mile or so towards Dorchester and back along the bike path in search for songbirds, waterfowl, raptors, and gulls. Whether you’re

  • Halibut Point State Park, Rockport

    A 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 the leader night before trip.

  • Castle Island & Pleasure Bay

    Join us to observe resident birds and winter migrants in a unique urban habitat that is a favorite for many bird species, including uncommon and rare birds. Dress warmly and be prepared for snow/ice, cold, and wind. Expect to walk approximately 2 miles on paved/level paths. Boots & Yak Traks or similar antiskid footwear recommended

  • Deer Island & Boston Harbor, Winthrop

    We will search for wintering seabirds, alcids, and Iceland Gulls. Be prepared for cold and wind and dress very warmly. Depending on conditions, we will walk up to 2.6 miles on paved paths. Port-a-potties available midway. Beginners welcome and encouraged. Bad weather or poor walking conditions may cancel - email trip leader if you are

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