BBC field trips are open to all participants. Unless otherwise stated, all trips are free to attend and do not need preregistration. You do not need to be a club member to attend, though we hope you will join. See the Field Trip FAQ for answers to general questions. Contact leaders for more details about specific trips. (Note that some webinars are limited to members.)
Calendar of Field Trips / Events
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F Fri
S Sat
3 field trips / events,
Mount Auburn Cemetery, Cambridge
Mount Auburn Cemetery, Cambridge
Mount Auburn Cemetery is lovely in all seasons. In late March, we may see the very earliest migrants from the south (Red-winged Blackbird, others) as well as the remaining seasonal visitors from the north (e.g. White-throated Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco). And our usual year-round resident species will have just started to sing!
Blue Hills
Blue Hills
This trip consists of several short (1-mile) hikes (the first is rather steep) to look for Turkey Vultures, Pileated Woodpeckers, Eastern Bluebirds, and early-arriving Eastern Phoebes and Pine Warblers.
Blue Hills Woodcock Walk in Fowl Meadow
Blue Hills Woodcock Walk in Fowl Meadow
We are usually successful in seeing the Woodcock's mating flight, and sometimes its mating display. We will hike 1 mile on a flat trail that may be wet.
0 field trips / events,
1 field trip / event,
Horn Pond, Woburn
Horn Pond, Woburn
Let's look for early Spring migrants such as Eastern Phoebe, Ruby-crowned Kinglet and early warblers such as Palm, Pine, and Yellow-rumped. Co-sponsored with the Menotomy Bird Club.
1 field trip / event,
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 [...]
0 field trips / events,
1 field trip / event,
Horn Pond, Woburn
Horn Pond, Woburn
Let's look for early Spring migrants such as Eastern Phoebe, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Field Sparrow, and early warblers such as Palm, Pine, and Yellow-rumped. We will be hiking up the mountain so please wear appropriate footwear. Co-sponsored with the Menotomy Bird Club.
4 field trips / events,
Fruitlands Museum, Harvard
Fruitlands Museum, Harvard
Co-sponsored with Boxborough Birders. We will look for resident species including Indigo Bunting, Savannah Sparrow, Hermit Thrush, Scarlet Tanager, Veery, Blue-headed Vireo, Wild Turkey, American Kestrel, and a variety of warblers. Expect to walk about two miles on trails through meadows and woods, with some steep sections. Prepare for ticks. We will bird at the [...]
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 [...]
3 field trips / events,
Westborough WMA in Two Parts
Westborough WMA in Two Parts
Part 1: 7 AM -10 AM / Part 2: 10:30 AM -1:00 PM. We will hike at a slow pace through mild moderate trails in search of sparrows and other migrants. For the first part we will hike the Eastern trails between Lake Chauncy and Little Chauncy(about 3 miles). Then we will again meet at [...]
Crooked Pond (New Date)
Crooked Pond (New Date)
Join us for the traditional BBC early spring walk at Crooked Pond--Bald Hill Reservation, for Winter Wren, Brown Creeper, and early spring migrants like Louisiana Waterthrush.. The trail is generally flat, muddy, and possibly icy. Dress warmly; walking sticks helpful.
Squantum Point Park
Squantum Point 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. [...]
1 field trip / event,
Lynnfield Marsh – Partridge Island Trail
Lynnfield Marsh – Partridge Island Trail
We will walk out Partridge Island Trail. The trail is about a quarter mile long. Possible early spring migrants seen and heard during this evening walk include Marsh Wren, Sora, Virginia Rail, and American Woodcocks. We may witness Rusty Blackbirds staging to roost at one of the largest east coast flyways for this species. All [...]
1 field trip / event,
Fresh Pond Reservation, Cambridge
Fresh Pond Reservation, Cambridge
An easy, approximately two-mile walk on paved paths around the pond.
3 field trips / events,
Brooks Estate, Medford
Brooks Estate, Medford
Let's see what early spring migrants we can find. Co-sponsored with the Menotomy Bird Club.
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 [...]
Open to All Webinar: The Corvid’s World, with John Marzluff
Open to All Webinar: The Corvid’s World, with John Marzluff
How have corvids mastered city life, learned human faces and learned to use tools? What settings and experiments help humans understand some parallels between human and crow cognition? Corvids—the ubiquitous crows, ravens, magpies, jays, nutcrackers, and relatives—are familiar backyard birds with extraordinary behaviors that enable them to thrive where most species cannot. John Marzluff will [...]
0 field trips / events,
0 field trips / events,
3 field trips / events,
Birding Sketch Crawl–Spring Series
Birding Sketch Crawl–Spring Series
Come and bird/sketch favorite patches around Essex and Middlesex counties. All artistic levels welcomed. Contact leader for details. Call or email no later than April 10.
Woodcocks of Rock Meadow (New Date, Rescheduled from 4/5)
Woodcocks of Rock Meadow (New Date, Rescheduled from 4/5)
Come enjoy the warming evenings at scenic Rock Meadow, which each year plays host to courting American Woodcocks, with the males engaging in their spiraling sky-dance flights above the fields.
1 field trip / event,
Mass. Audubon Boston Nature Center (CANCELED)
Mass. Audubon Boston Nature Center (CANCELED)
This trips has been canceled due to anticipated poor trail conditions. Please keep an eye out for future trips sponsored by Audubon's BNC.
1 field trip / event,
Horn Pond Woburn
Horn Pond Woburn
Co-sponsored with Menotomy Bird Club. Join us as we search a different patch of Horn Pond for early spring migrants - particularly Pine, Palm, and Yellow-rumped Warblers, but there may also be phoebes, several sparrows, kinglets and thrushes. Or, let's find a surprise.
0 field trips / events,
3 field trips / events,
Willard Brook State Forest
Willard Brook State Forest
A brisk midweek walk along scenic Willard Brook and connecting trails in search of early migrants, including Louisiana Waterthrush, Pine Warbler, and other early arrivers, as well as resident Brown Creepers, thrushes, Purple Finches, and others. Terrain is rocky hillside, and the streambed can be muddy, snowy, wet, and icy. Boots, walking sticks, and warm [...]
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 [...]
1 field trip / event,
2 field trips / events,
Early Bird Birding with the Athol Bird & Nature Club
Early Bird Birding with the Athol Bird & Nature Club
Explore the North Quabbin area for spring migrant birds. A great event for the novice birder to learn from one of the best field naturalists in the region. Come for as long as your schedule allows. Severe weather cancels.
5 field trips / events,
Horn Pond, Woburn (Rescheduled from 4/12)
Horn Pond, Woburn (Rescheduled from 4/12)
Co-sponsored with Menotomy Bird Club. Join us as we explore the varied habitat of the Horn Pond Conservation area. We will be searching for early spring migrants such as Tree Swallow, Eastern Phoebes, Pine, as well as Palm and Yellow-rumped warblers, and lingering ducks such as Northern Shoveler and Green-winged teal, and early warblers. Meet [...]
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 [...]
4 field trips / events,
Arlington Reservoir
Arlington Reservoir
We will search for early spring migrants including waterfowl and shorebirds. Cosponsored with Menotomy Bird club.
Halibut Point State Park, Rockport
Halibut Point State Park, Rockport
A two-hour walk, about 1.5 miles, over easy to moderate gravel roads and trails in search of seasonal specialties. Boots advisable. Restrooms are available. In case of inclement weather check with leader night before trip (text ok). Cosponsored by DCR. For more Information see: https://www.mass.gov/locations/halibut-point-state-park
1 field trip / event,
2 field trips / events,
Marblehead Neck Sanctuary
Marblehead Neck Sanctuary
We will explore this small gem of a sanctuary for migrants and residents alike.
2 field trips / events,
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 [...]
2 field trips / events,
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.
3 field trips / events,
Chestnut Hill Reservoir
Chestnut Hill Reservoir
We will walk one mile on good, mostly level trails, looking for early migrants, and checking for late ducks.
Annual Meeting & Lecture: South Asian Vultures: Crisis & Conservation – ALL ARE WELCOME
Annual Meeting & Lecture: South Asian Vultures: Crisis & Conservation – ALL ARE WELCOME
Not too long ago, the millions of vultures in South Asia were so common that no one had bothered to count them. Until the 1990s, when populations of three Gyps vultures collapsed by more than 97 per cent in a decade. It was the fastest avian decline ever recorded. Conservationists scrambled to find the cause [...]
4 field trips / events,
Burrage Pond Wildlife Management Area
Burrage Pond Wildlife Management Area
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.
Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary
Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary
We will likely walk 3 or 4 miles on mostly flat trails through sanctuary woodlands and wetlands. Be prepared for some trails being wet, muddy, or rutted. Also take precautions against ticks. There is a small fee required if you are not a member of Mass Audubon. We will be looking for early migrants such [...]
7 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 [...]
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.
5 field trips / events,
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.
4 field trips / events,
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.
Marblehead Neck Sanctuary
Marblehead Neck Sanctuary
We will explore this small gem of a sanctuary for migrants and residents alike.
2 field trips / events,
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 [...]
We follow all policies of field trip location property owners and co-sponsoring organizations. These may include ongoing public health measures. 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