Unless otherwise stated, BBC field trips and webinars are open to all participants and are free to attend. Most field trips do not need preregistration though all webinars do. While you do not need to be a club member to attend, we hope you will join us. See the Field Trip FAQ for answers to general questions. Contact leaders for more details about specific trips.
From April 17 through May 31 the BBC is running a membership contest for new members. Learn More.
Week of Field Trips / Events
Wompatuck State Park, Hingham
Wompatuck State Park, Hingham
Be prepared for a three-mile walk. Our target birds will be Pileated Woodpecker, Winter Wren and a variety of warblers including Louisiana Waterthrush. This trip will be canceled in the event of rain. Please contact the leader the night before if the forecast is for inclement weather. We will walk into the Holly Pond loop [...]
Mount Auburn Cemetery
Burrage Pond Wildlife Management Area (rescheduled from Saturday)
Burrage Pond Wildlife Management Area (rescheduled from Saturday)
A 3 to 4 mile walk along level gravel paths along the woods edge, old cranberry bogs and reservoir. We will search for the locally breeding Sandhill Cranes and early migrants. The American Bittern is more often heard than seen and waterfowl should be plentiful.
Franklin Park – Scarboro Pond
Franklin Park – Scarboro Pond
We will look for warblers, orioles, and other migratory birds in the Scarboro Pond section of Franklin Park. Beginners and BIPOC welcome and encouraged. Expect to walk up to two miles on paved paths. Co-sponsored with the Franklin Park Coalition, Franklin Park Tennis Association, and the Emerald Necklace Bird Club. Loaner binoculars available.
Millennium Park
Millennium Park
Join us to observe resident birds and spring 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 flat and easy to walk. Be sure to wear a hat and waterproof footwear and pack water. [...]
Olmsted Park and Leverett Pond, Brookline
Olmsted Park and Leverett Pond, Brookline
This 90-minute walk is suitable for beginning birders as well as those more experienced. Co-sponsored by the Brookline GreenSpace Alliance and the Emerald Necklace Bird Club.
Stony Brook with Boston Birding Festival and Walking City Trail
Stony Brook with Boston Birding Festival and Walking City Trail
We’ll explore and look for early migrants and residents along the Walking City Trail in the Stony Brook Reservation in the heart of Boston, in collaboration with Boston Birding Festival and Walking City Trail. Expect about 2 miles miles on trails that will be difficult in places. The trails can be rocky, have exposed roots, [...]
Lost Pond, Brookline (Rescheduled from 4/20)
Lost Pond, Brookline (Rescheduled from 4/20)
A short, two mile loop over slightly hilly trails looking for resident woodland birds and early migrants, namely Hairy Woodpecker, Brown Creeper, kinglets, Yellow-rumped and Pine Warblers, and possibly Great Horned Owl. We will also check the grassy slopes next to the pond and recycling center for sparrows and other grassland birds.
Early Birders @ Alewife Brook Reservation (Young Adult Birding Series)
Early Birders @ Alewife Brook Reservation (Young Adult Birding Series)
Join fellow birders in their 20s-30s as we visit Alewife Brook Reservation! Located in North Cambridge, Alewife Brook is host to a variety of resident & migratory bird species in an urban forest/wetland setting. As we explore what the park has to offer, expect to look for songbirds, waterbirds, early warblers, and other spring migrants. [...]
Mount Auburn Cemetery
Westboro Wildlife Management Area
Westboro Wildlife Management Area
We will hike the north side of Big Chauncy Pond in search of migrant warblers.
Chandler Pond, Brighton
Chandler Pond, Brighton
Easy birding around the pond. Possible extension to another location if the pond is not too birdy.
Birding by Ear: Spring Migration
Birding by Ear: Spring Migration
A leisurely three-quarter mile loop around Baker's Pond at Daniel Boone Park in Ipswich to look for newly arrived migrants. Recommended for those looking to learn more about birding by ear and migration. Open to beginners. Be prepared for areas of mud on the trail. Boots recommended.
Weston Station Pond Rookery
Weston Station Pond Rookery
Discover a Weston hot-spot featuring a Great Blue Heron rookery accessible by public transportation. The walk offers excellent chances for spring migrants, raptors, nesting Eastern Bluebirds and various waterfowl. Beginners welcome. Leader will pre-walk the route to scout for arriving species each session.
Moose Hill Wildlife Sanctuary, Sharon
Moose Hill Wildlife Sanctuary, Sharon
We’ll be looking and listening for migrants along the Billings Loop. Let’s find what Glenn can hear! Co-sponsored with the South Shore Bird Club.
Mount Auburn Cemetery
Marblehead Neck Sanctuary
Marblehead Neck Sanctuary
We will explore this small gem of a sanctuary for migrants and residents alike.
Hammond Pond/Webster Woods, Newton
Hammond Pond/Webster Woods, Newton
Hammond Pond and Houghton Gardens for early migrants. Trails can be muddy.
Mount Auburn Cemetery
Slow Birding at Revere Beach
Slow Birding at Revere Beach
Led by DCR Park Staff. Come observe the beautiful details of birds and their behaviors and share observations with others in the group. Pose questions and memories that observations elicit. Birds we may see include Piping Plover, Manx Shearwater, resident gulls, with Common Tern arriving by May. Suitable for adults and children 8 years+. Children [...]
Mount Auburn Cemetery
Boston Public Garden
Boston Public Garden
This is a two-hour walk exploring the four corners of the Public Garden, where a surprising number of interesting migrants have found their way in the springtime.
Roslindale Wetlands Urban Park
Roslindale Wetlands Urban Park
A small but mighty urban wild that offers a variety of habitat. Expect to see a variety of woodpeckers, resident birds, warblers, and other migratory species, as well as a surprise or two. The path is flat with a mix of gravel and dirt surfaces with newly added boardwalks on the wetter sections. Boots are [...]
Spring Migration at Fresh Pond
Spring Migration at Fresh Pond
Join us in search of spring migrants of Fresh Pond Reservation! We'll observe and appreciate birds amidst their spring activities on an easy, approximately two-mile walk on paved paths around the pond, exploring a variety of habitats along the way. - Public Restrooms: Available at the Ranger Station located under the clock tower at 250 [...]
Wright-Locke Farm, Winchester
Wright-Locke Farm, Winchester
Co-sponsored with Menotomy Bird Club. Join us as we explore parts of this 20 acre community farm that includes historic farm buildings, growing fields; pasture lands to the north of the farmstead and wooded areas to the west abutting the Whipple Hill and Locke Conservation Areas. Let’s see what gems are hidden away in this [...]
Members Only Webinar: Wood Warblers with Bill Gette
Members Only Webinar: Wood Warblers with Bill Gette
Wood-warblers, the Gems of the Forest, are one of the most exciting groups of birds. Living in New England, we are blessed by the many warbler species that move into our area in the spring to nest. We also get to see the warblers that pass through our area in the spring and fall in [...]
Mount Auburn Cemetery
Chestnut Hill Reservoir
Friday Morning Emerald Necklace Birding at Olmsted Pk
Friday Morning Emerald Necklace Birding at Olmsted Pk
We will explore the Olmsted Park section of the Emerald Necklace looking for warblers, vireos, orioles, and other spring migrants at Jamaica, Ward, Willow, and Leverett Ponds. Beginners welcome and encouraged. Limited loaner binoculars available. Terrain will be a mix of paved and unpaved paths and grassy fields. We’ll walk up to 1.5 miles. No [...]
Mount Auburn Cemetery
South Shore Century Run
South Shore Century Run
Meet at 6:00 a.m. at the main parking area of Wompatuck State Park, Hingham. A medium-paced trip to key places on the South Shore to try to observe 100 species of migrants and residents while having fun. Note: This trip will likely go to The Trustees of Reservation Property at World’s End. Contact leader for [...]
Parker River NWR on Bike
Parker River NWR on Bike
Leave your car behind as we cycle the main refuge road looking and listening for spring migrants. Be ready to peddle by 6:30 a.m. Note that an entrance fee or pass is required. Restrooms available.
Upton State Forest
Concord River Greenway & Lowell Cemetary
Concord River Greenway & Lowell Cemetary
We will focus on spring migrants that use the water of the Concord River and the trees of the Lowell Cemetery as they make their way to their northern breeding grounds. We will also look for birds that breed in this semi-restored riparian habitat. This two-hour walk is suitable for beginners and those with limited [...]
Belle Isle Marsh and Vicinity
Belle Isle Marsh and Vicinity
Led by DCR staff. We will search on foot up to one mile on flat, easy terrain, for migrating or resident songbirds, raptors, shorebirds, and marsh birds at this birding hotspot and state park. This is a traveling program by car or bike. Prepare for ticks and mosquitoes. Ages: Adults and kids 8 years+ with [...]
Bussey Brook Meadow, Arnold Arboretum, Boston
Bussey Brook Meadow, Arnold Arboretum, Boston
The Arboretum Park Conservancy, Arnold Arboretum, and the BBC are sponsoring this two-hour walk in the Bussey Brook area of the Arboretum. The walk is suitable for beginning birders as well as those more experienced.
Gore Place, Waltham
Gore Place, Waltham
We will walk around the farm fields and gardens at the Gore Place then venture across Waltham Street to adjacent conservation land. Free for BBC and Gore Place members. Preregistration required at https://app.arts-people.com/index.php?show=228497
Spring Migrants at Magazine Beach
Spring Migrants at Magazine Beach
We will search for spring migrants and residents including warblers, vireos, sparrows, orioles, flycatchers, swallows, thrushes, raptors, waterfowl, and more. Plan for walking approximately 1.5 miles on gravel paths and grassy fields. Boots recommended as some areas can be muddy. Cosponsored by Massachusetts Audubon Society. Limited parking available in parking circle here https://tinyurl.com/sc5tf3h8 with additional [...]
Neponset River Greenway – An Urban Oasis
Neponset River Greenway – An Urban Oasis
Enjoy an approximately 2-mile walk along the Neponset River Greenway on an accessible boardwalk and bike path. Let's see what we can find: Yellow-rumped Warblers, Gray Catbirds and other species. Beginners and BIPOC encouraged as well as more experienced birders. Loaner binoculars available.
We follow all policies of field trip location property owners and co-sponsoring organizations. Some participants may choose to wear a face mask for health purposes. We support their right to do so.
We hope to see you out birding soon!
field trip / event categories
Birding 101 | Birding Boston | Conservation Series | Family Friendly | Limited Mobility | Pelagic | Meeting | Public Transportation