Upcoming Trips
Members: consult the hard-copy bulletin (the blue book) for additional trips not listed here.
Introducing Birding 101
The Brookline Bird Club is proud to present Birding 101, a selection of trips geared especially to beginning birders. In this bulletin you will see several trips with the "Birding 101" logo that will focus on the basics of birding while visiting a well-known site. These trips are open to all, but are ideal if you are a beginner or have a nonbirding friend (or "pre-birder") who might like to come along and see what it's all about. That's how most of us got started! Look for these trips in future bulletins as well. If you have a suggestion for a good spot for a beginners' walk, please contact the field trip coordinator.
Introducing Limited Mobility Walks
The BBC is pleased to announce a selection of trips for those with limited mobility. These trips are offered for, but not limited to, those who are only able to walk short distances at a slow pace on easy trails. Look for the logo next to trips of this kind.
Saturday, July 10
Fruitlands Museum, Harvard, MA. Morning.
Many birds will be singing, building nests, or carrying food to nestlings. Expect to see or hear Indigo Bunting, Scarlet Tanager, Wood Thrush, Veery, Blue-winged Warbler, Black-and-white Warbler, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Baltimore Oriole, Great Crested Flycatcher, Kestrel, and Wild Turkey. Expect to walk about 2 miles on trails through meadow and woods with some steep sections. Meet at top parking lot at Fruitlands Museum, 102 Prospect Hill Road, Harvard, 6:30 AM.
Pat White, (978)456-8127
Sunday, July 11
Quabbin Reservoir, Gate 10. Morning.
Join Glenn on a 4-to-5-mile walk through a very birdy area with species ranging from Broad-winged Hawk to Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Blue-headed Vireo, Chestnut-sided Warbler, Scarlet Tanager, Baltimore Oriole, and lots of stuff in between. (Maybe a moose or a bobcat!) Contact leader for date and meeting place.
Glenn d'Entremont, Stoughton (781)344-5857
Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge, Concord. Morning.
Beginners and those with limited mobility welcome. Meeting Place: Refuge parking lot off Monsen Road, Concord. 7:00 AM
Ida Giriunas, Reading (781)929-8772
Monday, July 12
Plum Island. Evening.
We will be looking for early-migrating shorebirds, Saltmarsh and Seaside Sparrows, and the flocks of herons flying in to roost. Meeting Place: Parking lot #1 on Parker River National Wildlife Refuge. 5:30 PM
Tom Young, Merrimack (603)424-4512
FRIDAY-SATURDAY, JULY 16-17, 2010: 5:30 AM FRIDAY TO 6:00 PM SATURDAY
Dedicated Pelagic Birding on the Helen H. out of Hyannis, to Hydrographer's Canyon. All day.
Not enough signups to run, but see the pelagic page for details of other trips.
Saturday, July 17
Plymouth Beach, Morning.
Walk Plymouth Beach in search of returning shorebirds and the nesting terns which should be feeding young at this time. Last year there was a nesting Black Skimmer pair and hundreds of shorebirds and terns. Meet at the Plymouth Beach parking area off of Rt 3A at 7:00 a. m.
Glenn d'Entremont, Stoughton (781)344-5857
Sunday, July 18
Dawn Heron Census, East Boston. Morning.
High tide 3:00 AM Meeting Place: Sireen Reinstein Memorial Boardwalk at the southeast corner of Belle Isle Park, parking on Bennington Street, across the street from Suffolk Downs T station. 4:50 AM
Soheil Zendeh, Lexington (781)863-2392
Halibut Point State Park, Rockport. Morning
Beginners encouraged. A two-hour walk over easy to moderate trails in search of seasonal specialties. Boots advisable. From Route 128 (Exit 9), take Route 127 north (Eastern Avenue) toward Rockport, 3 mi. At 5-way intersection, turn left onto Railroad Avenue (remains Route 127) and follow for 2.4 mi. Turn right onto Gott Avenue. Entrance is opposite the state park's parking lot. The walks are co-sponsored by Halibut Point State Park and The Trustees of Reservations. Meeting Place: Parking lot. 8:00 AM
Peter Van Demark, (978)546-2402
Horn Pond Conservation Area. Evening.
Catering to beginner birders. Join us as we explore the varied habitats of the Horn Pond Conservation Area. In search of local breeding birds: Prairie Warbler, Field Sparrow, Indigo Bunting, Brown Thrasher and Eastern Towhee. This walk has terrain that may be uneven with muddy areas possible. This trip is co-sponsored with the Menotomy Bird Club and WREN. Meeting Place: Lake Ave. parking lot entrance. 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Diana Fruguglietti, Woburn (781)933-9063 and Paul Ippolito
Monday, July 19
Plum Island. Evening.
Meeting Place: Parking lot #1 on Parker River National Wildlife Refuge. 5:30 PM
Ida Giriunas, Reading (781)929-8772
Saturday, July 24
Fruitlands Museum, Harvard, MA. Morning.
Many young birds will be out of the nest now. Turkey poults will gather in large flocks tended by two or three hens. Young birds may be following parents and begging for food. Late nesters like Goldfinches and Cedar Waxwings may be carrying food to their nests. Expect to walk about 2 miles on trails through meadow and woods with some steep sections. Meet at top parking lot at Fruitlands Museum, 102 Prospect Hill Road, Harvard. 7:00 AM.
Pat White (978)456-8127
Saturday, August 7
Dunback Meadow, Lexington. Morning.
There is a possibiity of many hummingbirds at Dunback at this time of year. Meeting Place: Allen St. entrance to Dunback Meadows in Lexington. There is parking along Allen St. 7:00 AM.
Bobbie Hodson, (781)861-9421
Hawaiian Shirt Shorebird Safari, South Beach. All Day.
Break out your loudest tropical attire and join us for a fun-filled day checking out the shorebirds on South Beach! Limited participation. Please contact the leaders for times and details. Hawaiian shirt required!
Mark Burns, Salem (978)741-0897 and Laura de la Flor
Sunday, August 8.
Newburyport and vicinity. All Day.
Beginners and those with limited mobility welcome. Commuter Rail Station off Parker Street in Newburyport. Park at the southern parking lot on the west side of the tracks. The station is near the Route 1 traffic circle and parking is free on the weekends. Public Transportation: You may take the train to Newburyport and meet the group in the park- ing lot. Please contact the leader 2 or 3 days before if taking the train. 7:30 AM
Ida Giriunas, Reading (781)929-8772
Monday, August 9
Point of Pines, Revere. Evening.
You may bring a lawn chair for this one-site trip. Meeting Place: Carey Circle. 5:30 PM Latecomers may join us at the beach opposite Wadsworth Avenue.
Peter & Fay Vale 781-245-5371
Wednesday, August 11.
Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge, Concord. Morning.
This is an easy walk in search of early migrants and shorebirds. Meeting Place: Refuge parking lot off Monsen Road (off Route 62). 8:00 AM
Clayton Swanson, 781-274-6858
Saturday, August 14
Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge, Concord. Morning.
The refuge impoundments can attract sandpipers if the water is low enough to expose mud. Some of our time will be spent looking for shorebirds as well as other kinds of birds. Meeting place: Refuge parking lot off Monsen Road, Concord. 7:00AM
Jonathan Center, Chelmsford (978)256-4489
Sunday, August 15.
Halibut Point State Park, Rockport. Morning.
Beginners encouraged. A two-hour walk over easy to moderate trails in search of seasonal specialties. Boots advisable. From Route 128 (Exit 9), take Route 127 north (Eastern Avenue) toward Rockport, 3 mi. At 5-way intersection, turn left onto Railroad Avenue (remains Route 127) and follow for 2.4 mi. Turn right onto Gott Avenue. Entrance is opposite the state park's parking lot. The walks are co-sponsored by Halibut Point State Park and The Trustees of Reservations. Meeting Place: Parking lot. 8:00 AM
Peter Van Demark, (978)546-2402
Monday, August 16
Newburyport and vicinity. All Day.
Meeting Place: Parking lot on the south side of the Donald Wilkinson Bridge (aka: Plum Island Bridge) off of the Plum Island Turnpike. 7:30 AM
Donald Wilkinson, Nahant (781)593-4936
Wednesday, August 18
Plum Island. Evening.
Meet at the Newburyport train station on 4:30 PM or at parking lot #1 on the refuge at 5 PM. Bring a picnic supper. Please call the leader 2 or 3 days before if taking the train.
William Drummond, North Andover (978)975-1167
Saturday, August 21
Plum Island. Morning.
Meet at parking lot #1 on the refuge at 7:00 AM.
William Drummond, North Andover (978)975-1167
Sunday, August 22
Dawn Heron Census, East Boston. Morning. High Tide 7:46 AM.
Meeting Place: Sireen Reinstein Memorial Boardwalk at the southeast corner of Belle Isle Park, parking on Bennington Street, across the street from Suffolk Downs T station. 5:30 AM
Soheil Zendeh, Lexington (781)863-2392
Monday, August 23
Point of Pines, Revere. Evening.
You may bring a lawn chair for this one-site trip. Meeting Place: Carey Circle. 5:30 PM Latecomers may join us at the beach opposite Wadsworth Avenue.
Peter & Fay Vale (781)245-5371
Thursday, August 26
Great Meadows NWR, Evening.
We will slowly walk down and look for shorebirds and other things. Meeting place: Main entrance to the refuge (off Monsen Rd, Concord), 5 PM. Latecomers, start down, we won't be going far.
Jason Forbes, Waltham (781)894-6119 and Alan Bragg
Saturday, August 28
Daniel Webster Wildlife Sanctuary, Marshfield. Morning.
Meeting Place: Sanctuary parking area at the end of Winslow Cemetery Road. 8:00 AM
Glenn d'Entremont (781)344-5857
Parker River National Wildlife Refuge on Bike. Evening.
Turn off your engines and leave your car behind as we cycle the main refuge road looking and listening for early fall migrants and tree swallows! Meeting Place: Parking Lot # 1 on the Refuge. Be ready to peddle by 4:00 PM
Laura de la Flor and Mark Burns Salem, MA (978)741-0897
SATURDAY-SUNDAY, AUGUST 28-29, 2010: 5:30 AM SATURDAY TO 6:00 PM SUNDAY
Pelagic Birding on the Helen H Hyannis to off-shore areas: Hydrographer, Leach's and Veatch's Canyons
See the pelagics page for details on how to sign up.
Thursday, September 9
Great Meadows NWR, Evening.
We will slowly walk down and look for shorebirds and other things. Meeting place: Main entrance to the refuge (off Monsen Rd, Concord), 5PM. Latecomers, start down, we won't be going far.
Jason Forbes, Waltham 781-894-6119 and Alan Bragg
Saturday, September 11
Dunback Meadow, Lexington. Morning.
This trip will mark the beginning of migrants traveling back through Dunback Meadow. Meeting Place: Allen St. entrance to Dunback Meadows in Lexington. There is parking along Allen St. 8:00 AM.
Bobbie Hodson, (781)861-9421
Newburyport and vicinity. All Day.
Meet at parking lot #1 on refuge at 8 AM.
William Drummond, North Andover (978)975-1167
Sunday, September 12
Newburyport and vicinity. All Day.
Meeting Place: Parking lot #1 on Parker River National Wildlife Refuge at 8:00 AM
Barbara Volkle, Northboro (508)393-9251
Saturday, September 18
Oxbow National Wildlife Refuge, Harvard. Morning.
We will walk at a moderate pace for about three miles on woodland paths as we search for migrant songbirds such as warblers, vireos, and thrushes. Meeting Place: Parking lot near refuge gate at the end of Still River Depot Road (off Rte. 110) in Harvard. 7:30 AM
Jonathan Center, Chelmsford (978)256-4489
Sunday, September 19
Halibut Point State Park, Rockport. Morning.
Beginners encouraged. A two-hour walk over easy to moderate trails in search of seasonal specialties. Boots advisable. From Route 128 (Exit 9), take Route 127 north (Eastern Avenue) toward Rockport, 3 mi. At 5-way intersection, turn left onto Railroad Avenue (remains Route 127) and follow for 2.4 mi. Turn right onto Gott Avenue. Entrance is opposite the state park's parking lot. The walks are co-sponsored by Halibut Point State Park and The Trustees of Reservations. Meeting Place: Parking lot. 8:00 AM
Dawn Heron Census, East Boston. Morning. High tide 9:28 AM.
Meet at Sireen Reinstein Memorial Boardwalk at the southeast corner of Belle Isle Park, parking on Bennington Street, across the street from Suffolk Downs T station. 7 AM
Soheil Zendeh, Lexington (781)863-2392
Boston. All Day.
Boston has a wealth of great birding spots, and this is prime time to attempt seeing almost 100 different species, all within the city limits. Contact leader for meeting time and place.
Robert Stymeist, Arlington
Saturday, September 25
Plum Island. Morning.
Beginners and those with limited mobility welcome. Meeting Place: District Courthouse Parking Lot, Route 1 Traffic Circle. 7:00 AM
Ida Giriunas, Reading (781)944-5135
Autumnal Equinox Walk. All Day.
Contact leader for details. Please call or email no later than 7:00 PM. on Thursday, September 23.
Laura de la Flor, Salem (978)741-0897
Horn Pond Conservation Area, Woburn. Morning.
We will take a 1/2 day walk, exploring the varied habitats of the Horn Pond Conservation Area. The first half of the walk will focus on the main pond, accompanying lagoons and marsh areas in search of migrating fall warblers and sparrows. The second half will focus on Horn Pond Mountain (~254 ft.) in search of Field Sparrow, Indigo Bunting and Eastern Towhee. The second half has terrain that may be uneven with muddy areas possible. This trip is co-sponsored with the Menotomy Bird Club and WREN. Meeting Place: Sturgis Street Entrance. 7:30 AM
Diana Fruguglietti, Woburn (781)933-9063 and Paul Ippolito
Sunday, September 26
Newton Round-Up. Morning.
We will look for breeding birds and possible early migrants at various spots in Newton including Edmands Park, Bullough's Pond, and Newton Cemetery. Meeting Place: First Blake St. entrance to Edmands Park, off Sargeant Street across from Cabot School, Newton. 8:30 AM
Jane Zanichkowsky, Newton (617)244-6079
Thursday, September 30
Great Meadows NWR, Evening.
We will slowly walk down and look for shorebirds and other things. Meeting place: Main entrance to the refuge (off Monsen Rd, Concord), 5 PM. Latecomers, start down, we won't be going far.
Jason Forbes, Waltham (781)894-6119 and Alan Bragg
Saturday, October 2
Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge, Concord. Morning.
Co-sponsored with the Friends of Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge. Meeting Place: Refuge parking lot off Monsen Road, Concord. 8:00 AM
Barbara Volkle, Northboro (508)393-9251
Sunday, October 3
Bolton Flats. Morning.
This walk will focus on the good variety of sparrows often seen here as well as other fall migrant landbirds. Be prepared for possibly muddy and wet conditions. Meeting Place: Parking area for the main entrance to Bolton Flats off Rte. 117 (west of intersection with Rte. 110 and on the right immediately after Bolton/Lancaster town line). 8:00 AM
Jonathan Center, Chelmsford (978)256-4489
Ipswich and vicinity. Morning.
We will be focusing on the abundance of migrating sparrows usually present at the Ipswich town dump on Town Farm Road. Meeting Place: Meet at the Ipswich Shopping center, Routes 133/1A. 7:30 AM
Tom Young, Merrimack (603)424-4512
Saturday, October 9
Salem Woods-Highland Park, Salem. Morning.
Join us for a moderate 2-mile hike through Salem's historic woodland. We will search for late fall migrants and wildflowers in Salem Woods and Thompson's Meadow. For information on Salem Woods go to the website. Meeting Place: Shaw's Plaza parking lot near the McDonald's, Route 107, Salem. 7:30 AM
Laura de la Flor, Salem and Mark Burns (978)741-0897
Sunday, October 10
Sudbury River Valley. Morning.
We will check the fields for fall migrants. Meeting place: Whole Foods, 317 Boston Post Road, Wayland (located 1/4 of a mile west of the Route 20/Route 27 intersection). 9:00 AM
Glenn Long, Natick (508)653-1412
Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge, Sudbury, Stow. Morning.
Walk the trails at the Assabet River NWR. Co-sponsored with the Friends of Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge. Be prepared to walk. Meeting Place: Hudson Road entrance in Sudbury, about 2.7 miles west of route 27 and just east of the Stow line. 7:30 AM
Barbara Volkle, Northboro (508)393-9251
Sparrow Walk at Cumberland Farms, Middleboro. Morning.
A moderate walk through the cornfields and thickets as we attempt a ten-sparrow morning. Rubber boots are highly recom- mended. This trip will continue into the afternoon to Burrage Pond WMA in Halifax. Meeting Place: Gated entrance to the fields on River Street in Halifax, off of Route 105 (Thompson Street) near the Middleboro/Halifax line. Driving Northeast from Thompson Street, the entrance to the fields will be the first gate on your right. 7:30 AM. This trip will be canceled in the event of rain. Please contact the leader the night before if the forecast is for inclement weather.
Eddie Giles, East Bridgewater (508)378-3370
Monday, October 11
Nahanton Park, Newton. Morning.
We will search for sparrows and other fall migrants. Meeting Place: Nahanton Park parking area off Winchester St., Newton, 1/4 mile north of the junction with Nahanton St. 8:30 AM
Jane Zanichkowsky (617) 244-6079
Saturday, October 16
Nahanton Park, Newton and other nearby locations.
We will search for sparrows and other fall migrants at Nahanton Park and another location to be determined nearer the date of the trip. Meeting Place: Nahanton Park parking area off Winchester St., Newton, 1/4 mile north of the junction with Nahanton St. 8:00 AM
Linda Ferraresso, Watertown (617)926-3615
Sunday, October 17
Halibut Point State Park, Rockport. Morning.
Beginners encouraged. A two-hour walk over easy to moderate trails in search of seasonal specialties. Boots advisable. From Route 128 (Exit 9), take Route 127 north (Eastern Avenue) toward Rockport, 3 mi. At 5-way intersection, turn left onto Railroad Avenue (remains Route 127) and follow for 2.4 mi. Turn right onto Gott Avenue. Entrance is opposite the state park's parking lot. The walks are co-sponsored by Halibut Point State Park and The Trustees of Reservations. Meeting Place: Parking lot. 8:00 AM
Peter Van Demark, 978-546-2402
Newburyport and Vicinity. All Day.
We will search for fall migrants around the areas of Newburyport, Plum Island, and Salisbury State Reservation. Meeting Place: Parking lot #1 on Parker River National Wildlife Refuge. 8:00 AM
Jonathan Center, Chelmsford (978)256-4489
Saturday, October 23
Boston Nature Center, Mattapan. Morning.
Explore this urban oasis for sparrows, and other possible fall migrants like Dicksissel and Blue Grosbeak. We will take an easy walk through varied habitats. Co-sponsored with the Boston Nature Center. Meeting Place: Visitor's Center, 500 Walk Hill Street. 8:00 AM
Linda Ferraresso, Watertown (617)926-3615
Tuesday, October 26
Greenwood Park, Stoneham. Morning.
There will be mostly easy walking on flat terrain. Meeting Place: Park entrance on Pond Street, across from the Stone Zoo. 8:00 AM
Dana Jewell, Melrose (781)665-2756