Westover Grasslands Complex, Hampden, Massachusetts, US
Jun 4, 2016 7:45 AM – 10:30 AM
Protocol: Traveling
0.5 mile(s)
Comments: BBC – Westover Air Force Base for Grassland Birds – Leader: Linda Ferraresso – multiple locations – BBC walk combined with Allen and Hampshire bird clubs – cloudy much of the visit, though sun came out mid morning; temperature in the 60’s. Combined group of birders split into a few groups; counts are a composite of all groups in various locations out on the grassland.
35 species
Mallard 1
Wild Turkey 2
Double-crested Cormorant 1
Great Blue Heron 5
Turkey Vulture 3
Red-tailed Hawk 2
Killdeer 2
Upland Sandpiper 19 According to the Chief of Environmental Engineering at the base, there are approximately 40 nesting pairs currently at this location. Birds were calling, giving wolf whistle, flying around us, seen walking in the grass – generally a very impressive display of this species.
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) X
Mourning Dove 6
Chimney Swift 2
American Kestrel 2
Eastern Kingbird 5
Red-eyed Vireo 1
Blue Jay 1
Tree Swallow 4
Bank Swallow 2
Barn Swallow 1
Cliff Swallow 2 Seen by Jan Smith and others in a combined group of 36 birders from 3 bird clubs.
House Wren 1
Eastern Bluebird 2
American Robin 6
Gray Catbird 1
Brown Thrasher 1
Northern Mockingbird 3
Common Yellowthroat 1
Grasshopper Sparrow 15 Nesting habitat for this species; this is a MA Audubon IBA for grassland species.
Field Sparrow 5
Savannah Sparrow 2
Bobolink 20
Red-winged Blackbird 5
Eastern Meadowlark 10 Nesting habitat for this species; this is a MA Audubon IBA for grassland species.
Common Grackle 1
American Goldfinch 1
House Sparrow X
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 [...]
Parker River Marsh Cruise out of Newburyport
Newburyport - Yankee Clipper Tours Waterfront Promenade Park, 36 Merrimac Street, Newburyport, MA, United StatesExplore Parker River National Wildlife Refuge from a new perspective on a cruise through the Parker River marshes! Join us on the Yankee Clipper docked in Newburyport Harbor for a leisurely cruise through the Refuge. Enjoy close views of shorebirds, gulls, terns, raptors, and sparrows on this tour. Co-led by Marilyn Tillinghast and Dave Williams! [...]
Belle Isle Marsh Marine Ecology Park, Winthrop
Winthrop - Belle Isle March and Marine Ecology Park Banks Street, Winthrop, 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 species include bobolinks, dunlin, egrets, falcons, hawks, herons, ibis, oystercatchers, plovers, ravens, sandpipers, sparrows, swallows & swifts, terns, warblers, vultures, and yellowlegs. Birders of all levels [...]
Franklin Park Bird Walk with Zoo New England
Boston - Franklin Park Tennis Courts (Meeting Spot) Roxbury, MA, United StatesWhether you're a seasoned birder or just curious about the birds in your neighborhood, this walk is a great way to connect with nature and fellow bird enthusiasts. Co-led by Matthew Kamm, Zoo New England's Associate Director of Field Conservation, and Michealle Larkins, Trip Leader and Board Member of the Brookline Bird Club. Registration is [...]
Members Only Webinar: The Art and Craft of Shorebird Identification
Shorebirds are among the most fascinating and diverse groups of birds, but identifying them can sometimes feel overwhelming. This session will provide practical tips and techniques to sharpen your shorebirding skills. We will also be scheduling a limited participation field trip focused on Shorebirds where you will practice the skills you learned during the webinar. [...]