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.
Friday, January 1
New Year's Day Birding: Newburyport and vicinity. All Day.
This trip may continue on to Cape Ann. Meeting Place: Municipal parking area on Merrimac Street, Newburyport 9:00 AM
Laura de la Flor, Salem (978)741-0897 and Mark Burns (978)741-0897
Saturday, January 2
Dunback Meadows, Lexington. Morning.
Meeting place: Allen Street entrance to Dunback Meadows. 8:00 AM
Bobbie Hodson (781)861-9421
Bristol County to Westport. All Day.
It is still early in the winter, so it is hoped that several hardy birds will still be about. Please contact leader for details.
Robert Stymeist, Arlington
Sunday, January 3
Birding Boston. All Day.
The trip will focus on shore and inland parts of Boston. Please contact leader for meeting place and time.
Robert Stymeist, Arlington
Cape Ann. Morning.
Meeting Place: Fisherman's Monument, Gloucester Harbor. 8:00 AM
Susan Hedman, Gloucester (978)281-1121 and John Nelson (978)283-6128
Wednesday, January 6
Midweek Hunt for Alcids and Seabirds. Morning.
Be prepared for cold and windy weather. In case of bad weather, contact leader. Meeting Place: Halibut Point parking lot. 9:00 AM (Note: rescheduled from 1/7)
Barbara Volkle, Northboro (508)393-9251
Saturday, January 9
Newburyport and vicinity. Late morning and early afternoon.
Meeting Place: Courthouse parking lot, Route 1 traffic circle, Newburyport. 10:45 AM
William Drummond, North Andover (978)975-1167
Cape Ann. All Day.
We will search for alcids and other wintering seabirds. Meeting Place: Fisherman's Monument on Western Avenue, Gloucester 8:00 AM
Linda Ferraresso, Watertown (617)926-3615
Sunday, January 10
Newburyport and vicinity. All Day.
Meeting Place: Meet at the municipal parking lot on Merrimac Street. 9:00 AM
Bob Petersen, Cambridge (617)492-0454
Monday, January 11
Nahant and Vicinity. 8 AM - Noon.
We will explore Nahant and possibly Revere and Winthrop searching for Sea Ducks, Loons, Gulls, Purple Sandpipers, Black Guillemots, Brant and other wintering birds. We will meet at the MDC parking lot (first right after entering Nahant) at 8 AM
Donald Wilkinson, Nahant (781)593-4936
Saturday, January 16
Newburyport and vicinity. All Day.
We will drive to promising sites, including those along the Merrimack River, Plum Island, Salisbury Beach, possibly others. Meeting Place: District Courthouse at the Route 1 traffic circle, Newburyport . 9:00 AM
Jonathan Center, Chelmsford (978)256-4489
Sunday, January 17
Wintering Eagles. Morning.
Let's explore the open waters along the Merrimack River in search of Bald Eagles and wintering ducks. We will carpool to areas along the river, including Cashman Park and Deer Island. This trip is co-sponsored by Menotomy Bird Club. Meeting Place: District Courthouse parking lot, Route 1 traffic circle, Newburyport. 9:00 AM
Joe Sutherland (617)839-6524
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. This walk is co-sponsored by the Trustees of Reservations. Meeting Place: Parking lot. 8:00 AM
Peter Van Demark, (978)546-2402
Boston Harbor TASL Census. Morning.
Contact leaders for start time. High tide at 12:24 AM today. Take a Second Look is a half-day census of the birds in Boston Harbor. Please call or email a week in advance to volunteer for census duty.
Soheil Zendeh, Lexington (781)863-2392 and Maury Hall (617)268-7571
Monday, January 18
Newburyport and vicinity. All Day.
Meeting Place: District Courthouse parking lot, Route 1 traffic circle, Newburyport. 9:00 AM
Ida Giriunas, Reading (781)944-5135
Saturday, January 23
Cape Ann. Morning.
Meeting Place: Fisherman's Monument on Western Avenue, Gloucester. 8:00 AM
John Nelson, Gloucester (978)283-6128
Sunday January 24
Arnold Arboretum, Boston. Morning.
This will be an easy two-hour walk from the Main Gate to Bussey Hill and back, with a focus on winter birds as well as the woody plant collection. See the arboretum website for directions and a checklist of birds. Meeting Place: Inside the Main Gate off the Arborway (parking along the Arborway). 8:30 AM
Bob Mayer (617)983-3330
Saturday, January 30
Cape Ann. All Day.
Meeting Place: Fisherman's Monument on Western Avenue, Gloucester 8:00 AM Public Transportation: You may take the 8:30 train out of North Station and meet the group at the Rockport Train Station at 10:00 AM. Please call the leader 2-3 days in advance if you will be taking the train.
William Drummond, North Andover (978)975-1167
Sunday, January 31
Newburyport and vicinity. All Day.
Meeting Place: District Courthouse parking lot, Route 1 traffic circle, Newburyport. 9:00 AM
Ida Giriunas, Reading (781)944-5135
Boston Harbor TASL Census--weather date. Morning.
Contact leaders for start time. High tide 11:40 AM today. Take a Second Look is a half-day census of the birds in Boston Harbor. Please call or email a week in advance to volunteer for census duty. This is a BACK-UP WEATHER DATE. This trip will run ONLY if Jan. 17 trip is cancelled.
Soheil Zendeh, Lexington (781)863-2392 and Maury Hall (617)268-7571
Thursday, February 4
Midweek Hunt for Alcids and Seabirds. Morning.
Be prepared for cold and windy weather. In case of bad weather, contact leader. Meeting Place: Halibut Point parking lot. 9:00 AM
Barbara Volkle, Northboro (508)393-9251
Saturday, February 6
Cape Ann. All Day.
We will search for alcids and other wintering seabirds. Meeting Place: Fisherman's Monument on Western Avenue, Gloucester 9:00 AM
Ida Giriunas, Reading (781)944-5135
Saturday, February 13
Newburyport and Vicinity. All day.
Meeting Place: District Courthouse at the Route 1 traffic circle, Newburyport. 9:00 AM
Jonathan Center, Chelmsford (978)256-4489
Sunday, February 14
Scituate to Plymouth. All Day.
A total of 70 species is routine on this trip. A combination of land birds, freshwater ducks, and ocean birds with relatively little driving. This trip is being co-sponsored with the South Shore Bird Club. Meeting Place: Stop & Shop parking lot at the intersection of Rtes. 3 & 139 in Pembroke. 7:30 AM
Glenn d'Entremont, Stoughton (781)344-5857
Cape Ann. All Day.
We will search for alcids and other wintering seabirds. Meeting Place: Jodrey State Fish Pier off Parker Street in Gloucester. 9:00 AM. If bad weather is predicted, contact leader before 8:00 PM. February 13.
Linda Pivacek, Nahant (781)581-1114 and John Nelson (978)283-6128
Boston Harbor TASL Census. Morning.
Contact leaders for start time. High tide is at 11:25 AM today. Take a Second Look is a half-day census of the birds in Boston Harbor. Please call or email a week in advance to volunteer for census duty.
Soheil Zendeh, Lexington (781)863-2392 and Maury Hall (617)268-7571
Monday, February 15
Ipswich and Vicinity. Morning.
Target birds are waterfowl, raptors, and wintering boreal songbirds. Very limited walking. Carpooling is essential from the meeting place. Co-sponsored by the Essex County Ornithological Club. NOTE NEW MEETING PLACE: Former Town Hall parking lot next to the war memorial in downtown Ipswich on Rts. 1A/133, 100 yards south of the famous Choate Bridge. 8:00 AM
Jim Berry, Ipswich (978)356-5505
Saturday, February 20
Quincy and Hingham. Morning.
We will explore spots along the near South Shore in search of winter peeps, waterfowl, and seabirds, with stops at Victory Road, Wollaston Beach, Black Creek, and if time permits Land's End (fee). Meeting Place: parking lot of Squantum Point Park, off Victory Road, off East Squantum St., Squantum. 8:30 AM
Jane Zanichkowsky, Newton (617) 244-6079
Sunday, February 21
Wintering Eagles. Morning.
Let's explore the open waters along the Merrimack River in search of Bald Eagles and wintering ducks. We will carpool to areas along the river, including Cashman Park and Deer Island. This trip is co-sponsored by Menotomy Bird Club. Meeting Place: District Courthouse parking lot, Route 1 traffic circle, Newburyport. 9:00 AM
Joe Sutherland (617)839-6524
Cape Ann. All Day.
We will search for alcids and other wintering seabirds. Meeting Place: Fisherman's Monument on Western Avenue, Gloucester 8:00 AM
Linda Ferraresso, Watertown (617)926-3615
Saturday, February 27
Cape Ann. All Day.
Meeting Place: Fisherman's Monument on Western Avenue in Gloucester. 8:00 AM Public Transportation: Take the 8:30 train out of North Station and meet the group at the Rockport Train Station at approximately 10 A.M. Please call the leader 2-3 days in advance if you will be taking the train.
William Drummond, North Andover (978)975-1167
Sunday, February 28
Plum Island. Morning.
Meeting Place: Parking lot #1, Parker River National Wildlife Refuge. 8:00 AM
Ida Giriunas, Reading (781)944-5135
Boston Harbor TASL Census--weather date. Morning.
Contact leaders for start time. High tide at 10:32 AM today. Take a Second Look is a half-day census of the birds in Boston Harbor. Please call or email a week in advance to volunteer for census duty. This is a BACK-UP WEATHER DATE. This trip will run ONLY if Feb. 14 trip is cancelled.
Soheil Zendeh, Lexington (781)863-2392 and Maury Hall (617)268-7571
Saturday, March 6
Newburyport and vicinity. All Day.
We will focus on winter waterfowl and also look for Black-headed Gulls and Bald Eagles along the Merrimack River. Meeting Place: District Courthouse at the Route 1 traffic circle, Newburyport. 8:00 AM
Tom Young, Merrimack (603)424-4512
Sunday, March 7
Cohasset to Marshfield. Morning.
We will focus on waterfowl and seabirds as we work our way down the coast. Meeting Place: Parking lot of Wheelwright Park, N. Main St. (up the driveway from the street), Cohasset. 8:30 AM
Jane Zanichkowsky, Newton (617)244-6079
Cape Ann. All Day.
We will search for alcids and other wintering seabirds. Meeting Place: Fisherman's Monument on Western Avenue, Gloucester 9:00 AM
Ida Giriunas, Reading (781)944-5135
Saturday, March 13
Newburyport and vicinity. Afternoon.
Meeting Place: Courthouse parking lot, Route 1 traffic circle, Newburyport. 1:00 PM
William Drummond, North Andover (978)975-1167
MASS Waterfowl Prowl. All Day.
We will cover the ponds, marshes, bays and backwaters of the Upper and Lower Cape and other areas in our search for 25 or more species of ducks, as well as loons, grebes, swans & geese. We found 27 of the 29 possible species during the inaugural trip. This trip will be canceled in the event of rain. Meeting Place: Dunkin Donuts parking lot off Meetinghouse Lane near the Sagamore rotary. 7:00 AM
Eddie Giles (508)378-3370 and Mary Keleher (508)477-1473
Dunback Meadows, Lexington. Morning.
Meeting place: Allen Street entrance to Dunback Meadows. 8:00 AM
Bobbie Hodson (781)861-9421
Sunday, March 14
Newburyport and Vicinity. All Day.
This can be an interesting time of year with a mixture of winter birds lingering and early spring migrants just arriving. We will travel mainly by car with some brief strolls, weather permitting. Meeting Place: District Courthouse at the Route 1 traffic circle, Newburyport. 8:30 AM
Jonathan Center, Chelmsford (978)256-4489
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. This walk is co-sponsored by the Trustees of Reservations. Meeting Place: Parking lot. 8:00 AM
Peter Van Demark (978)546-2402
Friday, March 19
Timberdoodles in Stoughton. Evening.
Come watch American Woodcock display behavior at Bird Street. Meet at the Bird Street entrance to Bird Street Conservation Area in Stoughton. Water-resistant shoes helpful, but not needed. 6:00 PM
Glenn d'Entremont, Stoughton (781)344-5857
Saturday, March 20
Vernal Equinox Walk. Leader's Choice. All Day.
Contact leader for details. Call or e-mail no later than 7:00 PM on Friday, March 19.
Laura de la Flor, Salem (978)741-0897
Sunday, March 21
Plum Island. Morning.
Meeting Place: Parking lot #1, Parker River National Wildlife Refuge. 8:00 AM
Ida Giriunas, Reading (781)944-5135
Wednesday, March 24
Woodcock Walk in Reading. Evening.
Please call leader for directions and meeting time.
David Williams, Reading (781)944-8118
Saturday, March 27
Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge, Concord. Morning.
We will look for early migrants, waterfowl, and waders. Conditions likely to be muddy; bring wellies. Meeting place: Refuge parking lot off Monson Road, Concord. 7:00 AM
Jane Zanichkowsky, Newton (617) 244-6079