Happy New Year MassBirders!
Mark Burns and I led our 24th Annual New Year’s Day Birding Trip for the Brookline Bird Club (BBC) today! At 9:00AM, 39 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 Blue Jay and Mark’s was American Goldfinch.)
We birded Salisbury Beach State Reservation, Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, and Cape Ann [Andrews Point, Cathedral Ledge, Old Granite Pier, Bass Rocks/Elks Club, Niles Pond, and Jodrey Fish Pier] and called it a day at 4:30PM. The temperature ranged from 34df to 40df with wind gusts up to 25mph. We tallied 52 species for the Club list. Following is a complete list of the birds we saw:
Canada Goose  560
Mute Swan  2
Gadwall  10
American Black Duck  375
Mallard  205
Greater Scaup  16 (Niles Pond)
Lessor Scaup  2 (Niles Pond)
King Eider  1 (Bass Rocks/Elks Club. Thank you to Linda Ferraresso for finding this gem!)
Common Eider  493
Harlequin Duck  30 (Andrews Point/Old Granite Pier)
Surf Scoter  18
White-winged Scoter  38
Black Scoter  55
Long-tailed Duck  216
Bufflehead  73
Common Goldeneye  21
Red-breasted Merganser  68
Red-throated Loon  2
Common Loon  15
Horned Grebe  5
Red-necked Grebe  9
Northern Gannet  12
Great Cormorant  8
Turkey Vulture  1
Bald Eagle  3
Northern Harrier  3
Accipiter sp. – 1
Red-tailed Hawk  3
Wild Turkey  4
Purple Sandpiper  9
Ring-billed Gull  109
Herring Gull  398
Great Black-backed Gull  46
Black-legged Kittiwake – 5
Razorbill  19
Black Guillemot  3
Rock Pigeon  1240
Mourning Dove  35
Snowy Owl  2 (PRNWR)
Downy Woodpecker  3
Blue Jay  3
American Crow  13
Common Raven  2 (Fly-over at Jodrey Fish Pier)
Black-capped Chickadee  6
Northern Mockingbird  5
European Starling  95
American Tree Sparrow  2
Song Sparrow  4
Dark-eyed Junco  8
Northern Cardinal  16
American Goldfinch  7
House Sparrow  51
Many thanks to those who spent all or part of your day birding with us and for your help in finding birds. What makes this trip so much fun to lead each New Year’s Day is spending time with you and kicking off a new year of birding!
Wishing you a very Happy, Healthy, and Birdy 2020!
Laura H. de la Flor

2024 Year in Review!

Photo credit: Manomet Photo credit Jennifer Thornton Thanks to our inspired volunteer Board, committee members, and field trip leaders, the Brookline Bird Club enjoyed impressive successes during 2024.  Our volunteer trip leaders and enthusiastic participants

ANNUAL REPORT 2023

The Brookline Bird Club (BBC) recorded 275 species for 2023, based upon 200 trips reported from Massachusetts, and those from out of state.  We recorded 267 species in Massachusetts, three more than 2022, with 8

ANNUAL REPORT 2022

The Brookline Bird Club (BBC) recorded 276 species for 2022, based upon 204 reported trips. Of those, 264 species were recorded in Massachusetts, with 12 additional species reported from the out-of-state trips to New Hampshire

ANNUAL REPORT 2021

Brookline Bird Club 2021 Statistical and Year-End Report By David Scott, Club Statistician The Brookline Bird Club recorded 270 species for 2021, based upon 206 reported trips. Two-hundred and sixty-five species were recorded in Massachusetts,

Renew membership now!

Calling all BBC members - annual memberships expire December 31st 2024. Renew today for the 2025 calendar year to continue uninterrupted access to member benefits including our blue book mailings, member webinars, and more! Membership

2024 Year in Review!

Photo credit: Manomet Photo credit Jennifer Thornton Thanks to our inspired volunteer Board, committee members, and field trip leaders, the Brookline Bird Club enjoyed impressive successes during 2024.  Our volunteer trip leaders and enthusiastic participants

ANNUAL REPORT 2023

The Brookline Bird Club (BBC) recorded 275 species for 2023, based upon 200 trips reported from Massachusetts, and those from out of state.  We recorded 267 species in Massachusetts, three more than 2022, with 8

ANNUAL REPORT 2022

The Brookline Bird Club (BBC) recorded 276 species for 2022, based upon 204 reported trips. Of those, 264 species were recorded in Massachusetts, with 12 additional species reported from the out-of-state trips to New Hampshire

ANNUAL REPORT 2021

Brookline Bird Club 2021 Statistical and Year-End Report By David Scott, Club Statistician The Brookline Bird Club recorded 270 species for 2021, based upon 206 reported trips. Two-hundred and sixty-five species were recorded in Massachusetts,

Renew membership now!

Calling all BBC members - annual memberships expire December 31st 2024. Renew today for the 2025 calendar year to continue uninterrupted access to member benefits including our blue book mailings, member webinars, and more! Membership

2024 Year in Review!

Photo credit: Manomet Photo credit Jennifer Thornton Thanks to our inspired volunteer Board, committee members, and field trip leaders, the Brookline Bird Club enjoyed impressive successes during 2024.  Our volunteer trip leaders and enthusiastic participants

ANNUAL REPORT 2023

The Brookline Bird Club (BBC) recorded 275 species for 2023, based upon 200 trips reported from Massachusetts, and those from out of state.  We recorded 267 species in Massachusetts, three more than 2022, with 8

ANNUAL REPORT 2022

The Brookline Bird Club (BBC) recorded 276 species for 2022, based upon 204 reported trips. Of those, 264 species were recorded in Massachusetts, with 12 additional species reported from the out-of-state trips to New Hampshire

ANNUAL REPORT 2021

Brookline Bird Club 2021 Statistical and Year-End Report By David Scott, Club Statistician The Brookline Bird Club recorded 270 species for 2021, based upon 206 reported trips. Two-hundred and sixty-five species were recorded in Massachusetts,

Renew membership now!

Calling all BBC members - annual memberships expire December 31st 2024. Renew today for the 2025 calendar year to continue uninterrupted access to member benefits including our blue book mailings, member webinars, and more! Membership

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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

    Boston - Milton Landing & Neponset River Greenway 88 Wharf Street, Milton, MA, United States

    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

    Rockport - Halibut Point State Park Halibut Point State Park, Rockport, MA, United States

    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

    South Boston - Castle Island Parking Lot, 2080 Day Blvd. 2080 Day Blvd., Boston, MA, United States

    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

    Winthrop - Deer Island Parking Lot 180 Tafts Ave., Winthrop, MA, United States

    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 leaders if you are

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