Not nearly as many species as last year and generally rather slow for birding, but we still managed to get some nice birds, and had a great trip today along the NH coast. Light to moderate westerly winds and lots of sun with seasonable temperatures. A nice fall day! Still no major frost yet on the coast and still lots of flowers and a lot of insect activity. LOTS of butterflies and a few dragonflies noted.
Birds – 53 Species
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Brant – 2 migrating birds offshore.
Canada Goose
Green-winged Teal – Flock of 7 over the ocean (landing briefly with White-winged Scoters!) off Ragged Neck.
Common Eider
Surf Scoter
White-winged Scoter
Black Scoter
Long-tailed Duck
Bufflehead
Red-breasted Merganser
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Black-bellied Plover
Semipalmated Plover
Greater Yellowlegs
Ring-billed Gull
Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Red-throated Loon
Common Loon
Northern Gannet
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
GREAT EGRET – 2 lingering birds at Philbrick Marsh.
Northern Harrier – One at Hampton Beach SP.
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Cooper’s Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk – Lots along the coast.
Downy Woodpecker
Merlin – 1 at Eel Pond.
Blue Jay
American Crow
Horned Lark – Small flock at Hampton Beach SP.
Black-capped Chickadee
White-breasted Nuthatch
Carolina Wren
Eastern Bluebird
European Starling
House Sparrow
House Finch
American Goldfinch
LAPLAND LONGSPUR – 1 seen well by all at Hampton Beach State Park with flock of Horned Larks.
Chipping Sparrow – 1 at Goss Farm in Rye.
Savannah Sparrow – Including 2 “Ipswich Sparrows” at Hampton Beach SP and one at Ragged Neck.
Song Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Red-winged Blackbird – Odd female in American Beach Grass at Hampton Beach SP.
PALM WARLBER – 1 “western” type Palm in the short grasses at Ragged Neck in Rye.
PINE WARBLER – 1 relatively bright male in gardens at Goss Farm.
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Northern Cardinal
Butterflies (6+ species)
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Cabbage White – 1 at Ragged Neck
Clouded/Orange Sulphur – 1 at Goss Farm and 1 at Odiorne.
Monarch – 10 (!!) estimated for the day with some migrating along the shoreline.
Question Mark – 2+ plus another anglewing sp. possibly an Eastern Comma.
Red Admiral – 1 in apples at Goss Farm.
American Lady – At least 2 clearly Americans. A 3rd possible Painted Lady.
Dragonflies (2+ species)
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Common Green Darner – 1 at Goss Farm
Possibly Mosaic Darner – 1 at Goss Farm
Autumn Meadowhawk – Several including pairs in tandem.
Steve & Jane Mirick
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2025 BBC Teen Birder Scholarship Awards The BBC Conservation and Education Committee is pleased to announce our two annual Bill Drummond Young Birder Scholarship recipients, Sydney Beard of Cambridge and Jonas Johnson of Canaan, CT.
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According to the National Wildlife Refuge Association, “The intentional dismantling of science and conservation is happening now. Hundreds of dedicated U. S. Fish and Wildlife Services employees—many of them biologists—have been fired, gutting an
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Changes Coming to Mt Auburn Cemetery This Spring Mt. Auburn Cemetery has announced changes to birder access starting this spring. In short, the gates will open every day starting at 6:00 AM but the key
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BBC Global Big Day Count On May 18, 1974 Bob Stymiest led the BBC trip with the all time largest species count for the club - 162 birds seen during 20 hours across Essex County.
Camp Edwards Grassland Bird Tours
The Massachusetts Army National Guard’s Natural Resource Program is hosting grassland bird tours in May on Camp Edwards. This is an unusual opportunity for avid birders, naturalists and photographers to walk through the Camp Edwards
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2025 BBC Teen Birder Scholarship Awards The BBC Conservation and Education Committee is pleased to announce our two annual Bill Drummond Young Birder Scholarship recipients, Sydney Beard of Cambridge and Jonas Johnson of Canaan, CT.
US Fish & Wildlife Service Major Staff Cuts
According to the National Wildlife Refuge Association, “The intentional dismantling of science and conservation is happening now. Hundreds of dedicated U. S. Fish and Wildlife Services employees—many of them biologists—have been fired, gutting an
Changes Coming to Mt Auburn Cemetery This Spring
Changes Coming to Mt Auburn Cemetery This Spring Mt. Auburn Cemetery has announced changes to birder access starting this spring. In short, the gates will open every day starting at 6:00 AM but the key
Threats to Federal Bird Science Funding
Threats to Federal Bird Science Funding According to the journal Science, the administration has targeted the Ecosystems Mission Area at the U.S. Geological Survey for elimination in its upcoming Fiscal Year 2026 budget request. The
BBC Global Big Day Count – May 10
BBC Global Big Day Count On May 18, 1974 Bob Stymiest led the BBC trip with the all time largest species count for the club - 162 birds seen during 20 hours across Essex County.
Camp Edwards Grassland Bird Tours
The Massachusetts Army National Guard’s Natural Resource Program is hosting grassland bird tours in May on Camp Edwards. This is an unusual opportunity for avid birders, naturalists and photographers to walk through the Camp Edwards
2025 BBC Teen Birder Scholarship Awards
2025 BBC Teen Birder Scholarship Awards The BBC Conservation and Education Committee is pleased to announce our two annual Bill Drummond Young Birder Scholarship recipients, Sydney Beard of Cambridge and Jonas Johnson of Canaan, CT.
US Fish & Wildlife Service Major Staff Cuts
According to the National Wildlife Refuge Association, “The intentional dismantling of science and conservation is happening now. Hundreds of dedicated U. S. Fish and Wildlife Services employees—many of them biologists—have been fired, gutting an
News Categories
Upcoming Field Trips
Field Trips / Events
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Hydrographer Canyon Overnight Pelagic (Trip #2)
Hyannis - Pelagic - Helen H 137 Pleasant St, Hyannis, MA, United StatesJoin the BBC on the Helen H out of Hyannis, MA to search for pelagic birds on an overnight trip to the Hydrographer Canyon area. For more information, fee, and registration info see: https://www.brooklinebirdclub.org/bbc-news/hydrographer-canyon-overnight-pelagics-registration/
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Pop-up Trip: Crane WMA, Falmouth, and Swallow-tailed Kites!
Falmouth - Crane WMA 754 Nathan Ellis Highway, Falmouth, MA, United StatesPop-up trip to look for the Swallow-tailed Kites that have bred this year near Mashpee. We'll start with a walk at Crane WMA to look for grassland birds, then head over to the location nearby where the kites are being seen. Contact trip leader (leaving from Newton around 6.30am) for possible carpooling, or else meet
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Half-Day Seabirding and Whale Watching
Plymouth - Captain John's Whale Watching Tour Company 10 Town Wharf, Plymouth, MA, United StatesThe BBC has reserved a limited block of discounted group tickets on these public tours. These tours are open to all. Register online at https://www.brooklinebirdclub.org/civicrm/event/info/?reset=1&id=330 Registration opens June 19. Co-sponsored with the South Shore Bird club. The parking for multiple hours that you need is not near the town wharf. Allow extra time to find
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Nighthawk Watch at Oxbow National Wildlife Refuge
Harvard - Oxbow NWR Tank Rd, Harvard, MA, United StatesJoin us for a pleasant evening of watching nighthawk migration along the Nashua River valley. Bring a lawn chair or a camp stool. Rain date: Sunday August 30.
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Belle Isle Marsh Reservation (Winthrop side)
Winthrop - Belle Isle March and Marine Ecology Park Banks Street, Winthrop, MA, United StatesJoin us to observe resident birds and fall migrants in a unique urban habitat that is a favorite for many bird species, including uncommon and rare birds. Birders of all levels will enjoy this walk. The trails are (generally) flat and easy to walk. A water bottle, water proof clothing including a hat, sunblock &