Plum Island, Essex, Massachusetts, US
May 7, 2016 7:00 AM – 11:15 AM
Protocol: Traveling
2.5 mile(s)
Comments: BBC – Plum Island – Leader: Jonathan Center – Areas covered were parking lot 1, main salt pan, s-curves section, Hellcat area, and Pines Trail. Weather overcast, misting, temp. 45-48 F degrees, wind 5-15 mph NE.
41 species
Canada Goose 16
Gadwall 8
American Black Duck 4
Mallard 4
Wild Turkey 5
Double-crested Cormorant 4
Great Egret 1
Osprey 1
Northern Harrier 2
American Golden-Plover 1 Rare spring migrant on the east coast. Molting adult transitioning to summer plumage. ID based on dark brown crown/cap, white supercillium, dark spot behind eye, blackish band on throat, dark brown back with golden-yellow spots, whitish belly w/ several small black splotches, long primary projection appeared to extend pass tail. Observed on the edge of a salt pan c. 100 ft. from road for c. 20 minutes. In flight under wings were solid brown-gray. Wings appeared to be long and slender.
Killdeer 4
Greater Yellowlegs 6
Willet 6
Lesser Yellowlegs 1
Herring Gull 2
Mourning Dove 3
Downy Woodpecker 2
Blue-headed Vireo 1
Blue Jay 2
American Crow 2
Purple Martin 4
Tree Swallow 25
Barn Swallow 3
Black-capped Chickadee 6
Marsh Wren 1
American Robin 6
Northern Mockingbird 1
Cedar Waxwing 6
Yellow Warbler 1
Pine Warbler 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler 1
Prairie Warbler 1
Song Sparrow 2
Swamp Sparrow 1
Eastern Towhee 8
Red-winged Blackbird X
Common Grackle 10
Brown-headed Cowbird 4
Purple Finch 3
American Goldfinch 1
House Sparrow 2
View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/
Threats to Migratory Bird Treaty Act and Endangered Species Act
Responding to Threats to Migratory Bird Treaty Act and Endangered Species Act John Nelson, chair of the BBC's Conservation Committee, recently sent an eloquent letter to Representative Seth Moulton and Massachusetts Senators Edward Markey and [...]
BBC Programming Committee Seeks Volunteers
BBC Programming Committee Seeks Volunteers Do you have ideas for BBC webinar speakers? Would you like to be involved in planning club events such as our annual meeting, fall speaker, and winter member's meeting? Interested [...]
BBC Global Big Day Count – Follow Up
BBC Global Big Day Count Follow Up On May 10 the BBC sponsored a club-wide Global Big Day Count. While the weather was tough that day with off and on rain, raw wind, and cool [...]
Migration Madness Membership Drive
Win a Free Pair of Binoculars - Migration Madness Membership Drive To celebrate the excitement of spring migration, the Brookline Bird Club has a special offer for any new member joining the club from April [...]
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 [...]
Threats to Migratory Bird Treaty Act and Endangered Species Act
Responding to Threats to Migratory Bird Treaty Act and Endangered Species Act John Nelson, chair of the BBC's Conservation Committee, recently sent an eloquent letter to Representative Seth Moulton and Massachusetts Senators Edward Markey and [...]
BBC Programming Committee Seeks Volunteers
BBC Programming Committee Seeks Volunteers Do you have ideas for BBC webinar speakers? Would you like to be involved in planning club events such as our annual meeting, fall speaker, and winter member's meeting? Interested [...]
BBC Global Big Day Count – Follow Up
BBC Global Big Day Count Follow Up On May 10 the BBC sponsored a club-wide Global Big Day Count. While the weather was tough that day with off and on rain, raw wind, and cool [...]
Migration Madness Membership Drive
Win a Free Pair of Binoculars - Migration Madness Membership Drive To celebrate the excitement of spring migration, the Brookline Bird Club has a special offer for any new member joining the club from April [...]
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 [...]
Threats to Migratory Bird Treaty Act and Endangered Species Act
Responding to Threats to Migratory Bird Treaty Act and Endangered Species Act John Nelson, chair of the BBC's Conservation Committee, recently sent an eloquent letter to Representative Seth Moulton and Massachusetts Senators Edward Markey and [...]
BBC Programming Committee Seeks Volunteers
BBC Programming Committee Seeks Volunteers Do you have ideas for BBC webinar speakers? Would you like to be involved in planning club events such as our annual meeting, fall speaker, and winter member's meeting? Interested [...]
BBC Global Big Day Count – Follow Up
BBC Global Big Day Count Follow Up On May 10 the BBC sponsored a club-wide Global Big Day Count. While the weather was tough that day with off and on rain, raw wind, and cool [...]
Migration Madness Membership Drive
Win a Free Pair of Binoculars - Migration Madness Membership Drive To celebrate the excitement of spring migration, the Brookline Bird Club has a special offer for any new member joining the club from April [...]
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 [...]
News Categories
Upcoming Field Trips
The Quiet Beauty of Birding at Winthrop Beach
Winthrop - DCR Winthrop Beach Reservation - Sturgis St 59 Winthrop Shore Drive, Winthrop, MA, United StatesJoin DCR park staff for a leisurely walk across sandy stretches and areas of loose rocks at this Massachusetts State Reservation, a well-known hot spot for birdwatching. We'll be on the lookout for shorebirds, waterbirds, and gulls. Binoculars are recommended. Suitable for adults and children ages 8 and up (with an accompanying adult). Sponsored by [...]
Fruitlands Museum, Harvard
Harvard - Fruitlands Museum 102 Prospect Hill Rd., Harvard, MA, United StatesAll the nesting birds will still be around, with good views of young out of the nest being fed by parents: Veery, Indigo Bunting, Catbird, Red-winged Blackbird, Tree Swallow, Bobolink, Wood Thrush, Baltimore Oriole, and Warblers. Expect to walk about 2 miles on trails through meadow and woods with some steep sections. Heavy rain cancels [...]
Birch Hill WMA
Royalston - Birch Hill WMA Royalston, MA, United StatesIncludes three to five miles of walking relatively flat terrain. Might include some bushwacking. Driving on hard packed dirt roads. Co-sponsored with the Athol Bird & Nature Club.
Southwick WMA
Southwick WMA - Suffield WMA entrance Point Grove Road, Suffield, CT, United StatesWe will hike the fields focusing on grassland breeders, particularly Eastern Meadowlark and Grasshopper Sparrow.
Millennium Park
Boston - Millennium Park Canoe Launch 300 Gardner Street, Boston, MA, United StatesJoin the Brookline Bird Club in collaboration with Boston Nature Center to look for birds in a unique urban habitat that often draws numerous uncommon and rare birds.Target birds include bobolinks, egrets, flycatchers, grosbeaks, herons, owls, rails, ravens, sandpipers, swallows & swifts, vultures, warblers, and woodpeckers. Birders of all levels will enjoy this trip. The [...]