A combined BBC/SSBC trip to Plymouth Beach occurred yesterday. The weather, although hot, was not as humid as the past days or past trips. The lack of birds is deafening. Only 2 Common Terns and a total of only 117 (!!!) individual shorebirds of which 29 are nesting there (true-the young birders group saw a flock of 300 Semipalmated Sandpipers which we did not see). This trip should have 2-3 THOUSAND terns and several hundred to few thousand shorebirds. The terns were scared off early, in May, due to a raccoon and fox in the colony.
That said we enjoyed the day and seeing recently fledged Piping Plover and Least Tern is encouraging. We saw a few Least Terns courting at this late date; must have been failed breeders/lost young. I doubt such a late nesting would be successful as the safety in numbers issue would make them rather easy targets. If they do manage to get young to fledging the late date would make the young so inexperienced at a time when they need to migrate while learning to feed on their own would be problematic.
A southbound Whimbrel flying by on the long trip back was enjoyable.
Glenn
Plymouth Beach, Plymouth, Massachusetts, US
Jul 23, 2016 7:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Protocol: Traveling
5.0 mile(s)
Comments: BBC/SSBC trip
41 species
Canada Goose 8
Mallard (Northern) 1
Double-crested Cormorant 7
Great Blue Heron (Blue form) 11
Great Egret 3
Osprey (carolinensis) 5
Red-tailed Hawk 1 1S
Semipalmated Plover 25
Piping Plover 23
Greater Yellowlegs 3
Willet (Eastern) 6
Whimbrel 1
Ruddy Turnstone 1
Sanderling 2
Least Sandpiper 1
Semipalmated Sandpiper 50
Short-billed Dowitcher (griseus) 5
Laughing Gull 150
Ring-billed Gull X
Herring Gull (American) X
Great Black-backed Gull X
Least Tern 75
Common Tern 2
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) X
Mourning Dove 8
Downy Woodpecker 1
American Crow 2
Horned Lark 1
Tree Swallow 3
Bank Swallow 10
Barn Swallow (American) 1
Black-capped Chickadee 1
Carolina Wren 1
Northern Mockingbird 7
Common Yellowthroat 1
Yellow Warbler (Northern) 2
Song Sparrow 16
Common Grackle 4
House Finch 3
American Goldfinch 3
House Sparrow X
View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S30826208
Habitat Gardening for Birds with Master Gardener Catherine Carney-Feldman
Sunday, August 25, 10 a.m.–12 p.m. Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary, Topsfield All species on our planet need habitat—a place to call home. Habitats provide shelter from the weather and predators, a place to raise young,
Upcoming: Extreme Pelagic Trip Aboard the Helen H.
Saturday–Sunday, September 21–22 6:00 a.m. Saturday–6:00 p.m. Sunday From Hyannis to Hydrographer Canyon area with expert guides. Birds expected: White-Faced Storm Petrels, several species of shearwaters, jaegers, gannets, gulls, terns, and several species of marine
2019-20 FEDERAL DUCK STAMPS ON SALE NOW!
The BBC is again selling the Federal Migratory Bird Conservation and Hunting Stamp. We are doing this in support of the National Wildlife Refuge System and to support conservation of federal lands. Ninety-eight cents of every
Upcoming Workshop: Shorebirds with Wayne Petersen
Wednesday, July 31, 6:30–8:45 p.m. in Woburn, MA Limited to 100 participants With their diverse adaptations, varied habitats, marvelous migrations, and often confusing plumages, shorebirds are a perennial favorite among birders in New England. More
Mount Auburn brings out the Birders
Huge numbers of birders on the BBC trip at Mount Auburn Cemetery recently. There are trips every day until the latter part of May.
Noah Strycker: Birding Without Borders and his World Big Year
200 enthusiastic birders attended Noah Strycker's talk at our April 11th annual general meeting at Harvard University's Geological Lecture Hall in Cambridge. Following refreshments, membership sign-ups and renewals, and palpable energy building as our northeast
Habitat Gardening for Birds with Master Gardener Catherine Carney-Feldman
Sunday, August 25, 10 a.m.–12 p.m. Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary, Topsfield All species on our planet need habitat—a place to call home. Habitats provide shelter from the weather and predators, a place to raise young,
Upcoming: Extreme Pelagic Trip Aboard the Helen H.
Saturday–Sunday, September 21–22 6:00 a.m. Saturday–6:00 p.m. Sunday From Hyannis to Hydrographer Canyon area with expert guides. Birds expected: White-Faced Storm Petrels, several species of shearwaters, jaegers, gannets, gulls, terns, and several species of marine
2019-20 FEDERAL DUCK STAMPS ON SALE NOW!
The BBC is again selling the Federal Migratory Bird Conservation and Hunting Stamp. We are doing this in support of the National Wildlife Refuge System and to support conservation of federal lands. Ninety-eight cents of every
Upcoming Workshop: Shorebirds with Wayne Petersen
Wednesday, July 31, 6:30–8:45 p.m. in Woburn, MA Limited to 100 participants With their diverse adaptations, varied habitats, marvelous migrations, and often confusing plumages, shorebirds are a perennial favorite among birders in New England. More
Mount Auburn brings out the Birders
Huge numbers of birders on the BBC trip at Mount Auburn Cemetery recently. There are trips every day until the latter part of May.
Noah Strycker: Birding Without Borders and his World Big Year
200 enthusiastic birders attended Noah Strycker's talk at our April 11th annual general meeting at Harvard University's Geological Lecture Hall in Cambridge. Following refreshments, membership sign-ups and renewals, and palpable energy building as our northeast
Habitat Gardening for Birds with Master Gardener Catherine Carney-Feldman
Sunday, August 25, 10 a.m.–12 p.m. Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary, Topsfield All species on our planet need habitat—a place to call home. Habitats provide shelter from the weather and predators, a place to raise young,
Upcoming: Extreme Pelagic Trip Aboard the Helen H.
Saturday–Sunday, September 21–22 6:00 a.m. Saturday–6:00 p.m. Sunday From Hyannis to Hydrographer Canyon area with expert guides. Birds expected: White-Faced Storm Petrels, several species of shearwaters, jaegers, gannets, gulls, terns, and several species of marine
2019-20 FEDERAL DUCK STAMPS ON SALE NOW!
The BBC is again selling the Federal Migratory Bird Conservation and Hunting Stamp. We are doing this in support of the National Wildlife Refuge System and to support conservation of federal lands. Ninety-eight cents of every
Upcoming Workshop: Shorebirds with Wayne Petersen
Wednesday, July 31, 6:30–8:45 p.m. in Woburn, MA Limited to 100 participants With their diverse adaptations, varied habitats, marvelous migrations, and often confusing plumages, shorebirds are a perennial favorite among birders in New England. More
Mount Auburn brings out the Birders
Huge numbers of birders on the BBC trip at Mount Auburn Cemetery recently. There are trips every day until the latter part of May.
Noah Strycker: Birding Without Borders and his World Big Year
200 enthusiastic birders attended Noah Strycker's talk at our April 11th annual general meeting at Harvard University's Geological Lecture Hall in Cambridge. Following refreshments, membership sign-ups and renewals, and palpable energy building as our northeast
News Categories
Upcoming Field Trips
Field Trips / Events
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Cape Ann
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.
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The Quiet Beauty of birding – Winthrop Shore Reservation
Offered by DCR. Come join us for an up-close look at sea ducks and gulls in action! Observe, share your insights, ask questions, and connect with fellow bird enthusiasts. For adults & children 8+. Children must be with an adult. ADA/Reasonable Accommodation 617-645-0358 | Moneesha.dasgupta2@mass.gov
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The Quiet Beauty of birding – Lynn Shore & Nahant Beach Reservation
Offered by DCR. Come join us for an up-close look at sea ducks and gulls in action! Observe, share your insights, ask questions, and connect with fellow bird enthusiasts. For adults & children 8+. Children must be with an adult. ADA/Reasonable Accommodation 617-645-0358 | Moneesha.dasgupta2@mass.gov
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Member Webinar with Matthew Young: The Evening Grosbeak Road to Recovery Project and the Stokes Guide to Finches of the United States and Canada
Please join the BBC on the evening of February 19 from 7PM to 8:30PM for a member only webinar with Matthew Young from the Finch Research Network (FiRN). Matthew will talk about both The Evening Grosbeak Road to Recovery Project and The Stokes Guide to Finches of the United States and Canada. (NOTE CORRECTED DATE.)
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CC Canal and Sandwich hotspots (rescheduled from 2/8)
Offered by the Cape Cod Bird Club! and co-sponsored by Brookline Bird Club. We’ll begin at the canal (Scusset Beach State Reservation is on the canal) and follow up with visits to the ponds, marshes, bays and backwaters of the Upper Cape. These will include Scusset Beach, Town Neck Road Beach, Shawme Lake and Greenbriar