Winter Meeting Directions

Directions to Bedford Middle School, McMahon Road, Bedford, MA:

From Route I-95/128: take exit 31B and follow Route 4/225 west towards Bedford for 2.5 miles and through six traffic lights to where Route 62 forks left. Follow Route 62 another 0.4 miles to St. Michaels Church on the left. Take the next left onto McMahon Road. The Middle School is just ahead 0.2 miles with a small parking area in front of the building and a much larger lot in the rear. Both lots have direct access to the lobby and auditorium.  Here are directions, with a MapQuest link, from the Middle School website.

Winter Meeting Presentations

From Eddie Giles:

I am really looking forward to this Members Night and working with club members to make it a success!  With all the great photos, trips, and stories BBC members have to tell I hope that we can continue to make it a Club tradition for years to come.

Contact me at egiles@brooklinebirdclub.org if you would like to present at Members' Night.

Please provide the following information:
(1) Title
(2) Format or program your presentation uses (e.g. PowerPoint, Excel, etc.).
(3) Length of time ***please note that since we will have up to six presentations we need to keep each presentation limited to 15 minutes.  If the number of presentations changes, and therefore time, I will let you know .***

Shawn Carey and Eric Smith will be heading up the technical part of Members Night and, as always, providing the BBC with fantastic audio/visuals. To help keep things running smoothly, Shawn and Eric have a set of requests/requirements for you to follow when setting up your presentations:

(1) You MUST name your pictures based on their name, numbering them in the order you want them shown (two digits, please). For example, ericsmith01.jpg, ericsmith02.jpg... and so on.

(2) You should resize your images to 1024 pixels wide by 768 pixels high.

(3) You *do not* have to fill the screen. If you want to use a portrait/vertical shot, just make it no taller than 768 pixels and no wider than 1024 pixels.

(4) It would be helpful if you put a "cover image" that says at least your name as the first slide. This isn't required, but it will help the audience know whose pictures are who's.

(5) Please bring no more than 40 images if you plan on talking while showing images, but the actual number varies depending on how much you'll say. If you are not going to talk, you can bring a few more. But please be mindful of your 15 minutes.

(6) Plan to give your presentations to Eddie 1/2 hour before the meeting starts on a memory stick/thumb drive/cruzer. Eddie will bring your presentations to Shawn and will coordinate the presentation order. Eddie will let you know the line up once she gets your presentation titles.

(7) Each presenter will have 15 minutes to show their images. You do not *have* to fill the 15 minutes!

(8) You can talk while showing your images or not, that is your choice. You do not *have* to talk (especially if that would keep you from showing!)

(9) If you plan on talking during your images, please practice your presentation ahead of time. Just flip through the images and say (out loud) what you will say. You're presentation will go much smoother, it will help confirm the slide order is correct, and you can make sure you're not over 15 minutes. You'll almost certainly find that it takes longer than you expect!

If you have any questions at all about the above requests/requirements please contact me.  

Here is some additional information from Shawn and Eric that may be helpful:

Most digital cameras come with software that let you edit your images to some degree. If you don't like that software there are several free programs that can do it.

For Windows:
- Picasa from Google is quite good. It is both an editor and an image organizer. http://picasa.google.com/
- Irfanview is a full editor that can crop and resize images. Not the easiest to use, but not "hard" either. http://www.irfanview.com/

For Mac:
- All modern Macs have iPhoto which will let you crop and resize images.

For Linux:
- You can use Gimp, but it isn't the easiest to use
- There is a version of Picasa that is available. http://picasa.google.com/

Conservation and Education Resources for Birders

Please see our revised sets of links for Conservation and Education.

Christmas Bird Counts 2010

BBC members are encouraged to join a Christmas Bird Count. The following is the list of counts in Massachusetts with contact information for compilers.

Date to be Determined

Mid-Cape Cod: Peter Trimble and Jeremiah Trimble
Plymouth: Trevor Lloyd-Evans (508)224-6521
Stellwagen Bank: Simon Perkins
Tuckernuck: Simon Perkins

Tuesday, December 14

Sturbridge: Mark Lynch

Saturday, December 18

Andover: Lou Wagner (978)927-1122x2705
Athol: Dave Small (978)4113-1772
Buzzard’s Bay: Jeremiah Trimble (508)498-9646 and Peter Trimble
Central Berkshire: Tom Collins (413)499-2799
Millis: Elissa Landre (508)655-2296x7031
New Bedford: Michael Boucher (508)990-3910
Newport County, RI- Westport, MA: Robert Emerson
Northern Berkshire: Pamela Weatherbee (413)458-3538
Quincy: Glenn d'Entremont (781)344-5857
Springfield: George Kingston (413)525-6742
Worcester: John Liller (508)839-5211

Sunday, December 19

Cape Ann: Jim Barber
Cape Cod: Blair Nikula (508)432-6348
Greater Boston: Robert H. Stymeist (781)648-8766
Groton-Oxbow NWF: Julie Lisk (978)272-1151 and Peter Alden (978)369-5768
Northampton: Mary Alice Wilson (413)548-9078

Tuesday, December 21

Truro: Tom Lipsky (978)897-5429

Sunday, December 26

Cobble Mountain: George Kingston (413)525-6742
Greenfield: Mark Fairbrother (413)367-2695
Marshfield: Sue MacCallum
Newburyport: Tom Young (603)424-4512
Westminster: Charles Caron (978)874-5469

Saturday, January 1

Nantucket: Ken Blackshaw
Quabbin: Scott Surner (413)256-5438
Southern Berkshire: Rene Laubach (413)637- 0320x8351
Taunton: James Sweeney
Uxbridge: Strickland Wheelock

Sunday, January 2

Concord: Hank Norwood (508)378-7524

flickr test

2011 Pelagic Schedule

SATURDAY, JUNE 25, 2011:  7AM – 3PM

Hyannis to Nantucket Shoals area
Birds expected: Shearwaters, Wilson’s Storm-petrels, Gannets,  Phalaropes, Fulmar, Jaegers, Terns, several Gulls and Marine animals. Hope to see Skuas and any rarity.
See the results

SATURDAY, JULY 16, 2011: 4AM – 9PM

Hyannis to Hydrographer Canyon area.
Birds expected:  4 or 5 species of Shearwaters, Leaches and Wilson’s Storm-petrels, Jaegers, Gannets, Terns, and several Marine Animals. We hope to see Band-rumped storm-petrel, Bridled Tern, Skuas and other rarities.  Anything is possible.
See the results

SATURDAY, SUNDAY AUGUST 27, 28, 2011

Rescheduled

SATURDAY, SUNDAY. September 10,11, 2011

5:30AM Saturday to 6:00PM Sunday
Hyannis to Hydrographer, Veaches and Atlantis Canyon area.
Birds expected: WHITE-FACED STORM PETRElS,(22 WHITE-FACED STORM-PETRELS seen in August, 2010), 5 species of shearwaters, 3 species of Storm-petrels,  Jaegers, Gannets, Gulls (including the Sabine’s, Terns and Several species of Marine Mammals. We hope to see Skuas, Bridled Tern and other rarities.  In 2007, we found a Little Shearwater, so anything is possible.
Canceled due to Hurricane Irene

SUNDAY, NOV 20, 2011 7AM- 3PM

HYANNIS to the Nantucket Shoals Area
Birds expected: Alcids, Gannets, Shearwaters, Phalaropes, Jaegers, Gulls, Fulmar, marine mammals and any rarities such as Skua, etc.
Limit: 65 Participants
Cost:  BBC members:  $95.00
non-members: $115.00
Rescheduled and there may still be space available, contact Ida asap if interested.

Please be advised that because of the possible increase in the cost of fuel, there may be a surcharge to cover any extra expense.
Rick Heil, Steve Mirick, Jeremiah Trimble and Marshall Iliff usually lead these trips.  Our boat, the Helen H, is a very comfortable, fast, 100 foot fishing boat with a knowledgeable and enthusiastic Captain and crew. There are 38 bunks aboard which will be available to the first 38 who sign up.  There is a full galley with excellent food at reasonable prices.  Parking is free.
To reserve a space, send a check for the full amount made out to the 'BROOKLINE BIRD CLUB AGENT' along with a signed waiver to:  Ida Giriunas, 83 Summer Ave., Reading, MA, 01867 and include either your email or your postal address for confirmation, boarding instructions and further information.
For additional information and the waiver to be signed, contact Ida at 781-929-8772 or  via email

Pink-footed Goose Chase

From Bill Drummond:

With the Pink-footed Goose at or near Sudbury as the number 6th ranked bird in the country (the Bean Goose at the Salton Sea is number one), we will make an effort for everyone to see this bird. I know there are people who do not have cars. We will meet at Riverside, the end of the Green Line Riverside branch, near Rte. 128 at noon. The trip is timed for the people who want to be on Barbara Volkle's Cape Ann BBC morning trip to try to team up with us. We can use all the help we can get. We will probably go from Riverside to "Davis Farm"in Sudbury.

If you have any reports please call me Friday morning on my cell phone 978 809-2971.  I would appreciate any reports, positive or negative. I do not usually have my cell phone on when I am driving. If you call and get my voice mail, please also leave your name and phone number and the time. Please limit use of the cell phone number to FRIDAY ONLY. All help will be greatly appreciated. 

If you have an FRS radio (very important; "national birders" channel is 11  with sub channel 22) please bring it. With FRS radios, we can get hold of several people at once instead of just one at a time by phone.  

If you are coming on PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION, please e-mail me in advance or call my cell that morning after 9 AM. I probably can use a few other people with cars to meet at Riverside too. Please let me know that too. I know parking and traveling will be a problem on that day but we will do the best we can.

BBC members and all birders are invited. There is no charge. I know lots of people are working that day but if you can be a help getting more people to see that Pink-footed Goose, your help will be greatly appreciated. It is not necessary to contact me in advance if you are traveling by car and meeting at Riverside. 

We  will play the trip like the BCS standings. If we can just get the Pink-footed we will go for the Barnacle.But we would need to get the rarer (higher ranked) bird first.

Happy Thanksgiving. Bill Drummond

North Andover, MA

WCDrummond@aol.com
WCDrummond@verizon.net

Recognized Members

The BBC occasionally recognizes members for service to the club and birding in Massachusetts.
Among the honorees:

• Barbara Volkle (2006, Moderator of Massbird listserv)
• Ida Giriunas (2007, Outstanding service to the Club, Birding Community)
• Lawrence Jodrey and Gerald Soucy (2008, Memorial Viewing Platform Common Pastures, Newbury)
• Marlene Schroeder (2008, Conservation, Newbury Common Pastures)
• Shawn Carey and Mark Burns (2009, Audio/visual support at Club Meetings)
• Dennis Oliver (2010, Outstanding service to the Club, Birding Community)
• Herman D'Entremont (2010, Outstanding service to the Club, Birding Community)
• Sherman Denison (2013, Outstanding guidance and service to the Club)
• Jonathan Center (2014, Outstanding guidance and service to the Club)
• Bill Drummond(2014, Outstanding guidance and service to the Club and Birding Community)

Herman D'Entremont Recognized

Long-time member Herman D'Entremont was recognized at the spring 2010 meeting.

BBC President Barbara Volkle presents Herman with his certificate. Photo: Eva Casey.

Glenn d'Entremont gave the following speech:

It was around 1960 when a young man out hunting saw something beautiful at the other end of his sights.  Wanting to learn more about the birds he was hunting, Herman almost stumbled upon a group of bird watchers called the Brookline Bird Club.  I think he found them in the Boston Globe which announced a bird walk at GMNWR led by a teenager named Peter Alden.  He soon discovered there were more birds than ducks.  They made sounds, too.  He traded his gun for binoculars and a telescope.

During the 60's he was a quick learn and hobnobbed with the best of the times at what became his favorite birding spot-Plum Island and adjacent Newburyport.  In short time he was leading trips helping out those beginners like the leaders before did with him.  Herman became one of the elite, one of those that beginners, intermediates and even experts would ask an opinion from and get an accurate answer.  My friend Dave Brown recalls returning to Massachusetts in 1967 and ìasked Herman for info on Black Rail!  Without any pomp and circumstance, as if trying to theorize and predict where to find one, he simply said "I don't know.  If you find out anything, let me know."

Herman's hearing was excellent, his hearing is still good, and he has good command of bird song and chip notes.  He could identify most of the birds he heard.  He was inspiration for one to learn bird sound.  This coming at a time when one had to learn song the old fashioned way; by chasing down the sound and seeing it's source.

During the late 60's, 70's and early 80's there were none better.  He was in company of such notables as Dick & Dora Hale, Larry Jodrey, Gerry Soucy, Herman Weissberg, Stella Garrett, Evelyn Pyburn, Dennis & David Oliver, Nancy & Alden Clayton, Ruth Emery,  Rod Sommers, Warren Harrington, & Ida Giriunas just to name a few.

He volunteered his time not only as a leader but also as a board member of the Brookline Bird Club for over 20 years, Bird Observer of Eastern Massachusetts (now Bird Observer) for about 20 years, program chairman for almost 30 years of the now defunct Needham Bird Club (finding 9 programs a year without a budget!), and assisting at the banding station at Manomet.

Herman gives of himself as well.  He would take young birders in his International Travellall to all corners of the state, driving out of his way to pick them up and drop them off; as much as 45 minutes each way!  Imagine going to Plum Island from Newton via Braintree.  Once he moved to Somerville he has befriended visiting birders opening his home for them to stay and then go birding on their free time.

Herman has done extensive travel to all parts of the continent and the world.  He has been to 49 states missing just Hawaii and has been in most of the Canadian provinces.  He might not know, but I guess he is well past 700 species in North America north of Mexico and he has been to Mexico a couple of times as well as Costa Rica and Belize.  As for Massachusetts he is probably over 430 species.  Over the years any bird of note always got a glimpse of Herman during it's stay.

His work with novice birders, young or old, is second to none.  His quiet demeanor draws people toward him and he always helps locate birds for those having difficulty or not recognizing bird song.  If he knows you have not seen a bird and he locates it, then he tries hard to get you on it.  Always the patient birder, staying just five more minutes, to locate what others have passed by.

Herman would lead interesting trips.  He would see a need and fill it.  No hawk watches; lead a trip to Mt. Tom in September.  Want to see Arctic Tern; lead a trip to Plymouth Beach in early June.  Want to see pelagics; organize boat trips.  Want to see those warblers racing through Mt Auburn in May on their breeding grounds; lead a trip to Mt. Greylock.  Shorebirds in August; lead a trip to Monomoy.  He never tires of showing new birds to anyone; novices always welcome.

Herman has several legacies.  He may be single handedly responsible for the pelagic trips we do.  At a time when no one was running any, he took it on himself to locate boat captains which would take a group of birders.  Imagine, if you will, for $20 one could go on four pelagic trips.  There was one on the first Sunday in June, and last Sundays in July, September, and October.  They would fill fast.  As I mentioned earlier of his generosity he would not charge me.  Of course I was in charge of the chum.  We would have clunky walky-talkies to talk between the cabin and back.  Keeping the antenna out of people's eyes was a challenge on the bouncing sea.

Another legacy of another kind is the Where to Goes in Bird Observer.  Herman authored the very first, A Good Day at Cape Ann, in 1972.

And there is a nephew who has a passing interest in birds.  I think his name is Duane.  My cousin Duane would come on some of the pelagic trips and occasionally to Plum Island.  On a more personal note, I was an 11 year-old brat Herman took on a field trip to the banding station in Manomet on October 5, 1968 which led to a life long love of all things outdoors, but mostly birds.  Over the years we would have our in car debates as we traveled the state.  He is amazingly well versed in current affairs.  I enjoyed taking up an opposing view even though I did not agree with it just to debate.  He seemed to like this as much as birds.  Over the years he has become more of a friend and confidant than just my mother's brother.

Many of the trips I lead are trips Herman led for years.  Plymouth Beach, I will be walking my 42nd BBC trip this spring, Mt Greylock, South Beach (until Monomoy becomes the shorebird mecca again), and the Jamaica Plain section of the Boston CBC.

Herman is an iconic figure in the birding world and the BBC.  Every knows him, every one likes him, every one wishes him well.  There is never a harsh word against his character.

Over the years, the Brookline Bird Club has not had a better ambassador.  It was always the two Hermans passing out bluebooks; D'Entremont and Weissberg.  I don't know who was responsible for more new members; it doesn't really matter.  A lot of us in the audience are probably here because of Herman or someone like him.

So, it was not a great surprise to receive an email out of the blue, if you will, in late August.
(The content has been lost, but the message is clear)

I don't think I have had the privilege on meeting Mr. Dailey.  But this could have been written 40 years ago.  So it gives me great honor to be the one to thank Herman on behalf of the Brookline Bird Club and its' membership.  If you were a drinking person we could have a toast!  We thank you, Herman , for the almost 50 years of dedication, leadership, guidance, comraderie, knowledge, friendship, and all around nice guy.  We salute you.

Herman and Glenn

Herman and Peter Alden

Dennis Oliver Recognized

As part of our fall meeting on October 15, 2010, members of the Brookline Bird Club recognized the service of Dennis Oliver.

Dennis with BBC Board Member Fay Vale, photo by Peter Vale

Dennis Oliver is a respected and admired long-time Brookline Bird Club member. He has been influential as an officer, director and longtime trip leader. Dennis has inspired many birders to join the Brookline Bird Club and some to become trip leaders. Dennis Oliver was a member of the Brookline Bird Club board of directors from 1984 to 2006.He was Recording Secretary from 1987 to 2004, and Corresponding Secretary from 2004 to 2006. In addition, he was a founding member of both the Conservation/Education and Ethics Committees and was a member of the 75th Anniversary Committee.When he retired in 2006, the board recognized his service by giving him a framed certificate of appreciation.

Dennis also coordinated and compiled the Ipswich River Breeding Bird Survey for over 15 years. For many years, he also was a participant in the TASL count, the Cape Cod Waterfowl Survey, and 3 Christmas Bird Counts including being the Waltham section leader for the Greater Boston Count.

There was unanimous enthusiastic support of such recognition from those board members and long term members who were inspired by Dennis. Dennis and his brother David began birding as children. See below for David's comments. Thank you, Dennis, for your years of service to the Brookline Bird Club and the birding community!

DAVID OLIVER WROTE:

Dennis and I have always been interested in nature and animals since childhood. This interest was shared by our father, who encouraged it, but NOT by our mother. Our favorite trips were always to the zoo. Our menagerie of animals while growing up was extensive, much to the chagrin of our mother. In fact, we eventually built a room in the cellar to house our animals, which was off limits to our mother, by her choice.

Since Dennis and I spent almost all our time together, except at school where we were separated, we shared our birding right from the start. I can remember seeing a flock of waxwings feeding in a low tree on our walk to school. We had previously known blue jays and crows and robins and other common birds but these were something new and quite beautiful.

Years later, a Ross's Gull was found in Newburyport in the winter of 1975. It made headlines in the newspaper and on television stations. People were coming from across the country to see this bird. We were amazed that there were people so obsessed that they would make such a journey to see a bird. Well, that sounded like fun to us. We never did go up to see that Ross's Gull, but that summer, we bought binoculars and started to write down the birds we saw and identified. This was great fun! We knew nothing about bird clubs or other organizations except Mass Audubon and their birding hotline. We would call and hear about some wonderful birds being seen in many places around the state. Our first "birding trip" was to Broadmoor Sanctuary in South Natick. July isn't the best time to visit there, but almost everything was new to us! That July also brought us to Plum Island and we saw where that Ross's Gull had been seen in Newburyport.

We realized that Plum Island was special and we made a few excursions there, as often as we could. In November of 1977 Dennis and I were birding at Plum and found a flock of Fulvous Whistling-Ducks at Hellcat. By then, we knew that these birds shouldn't be in Massachusetts, and we searched for someone to tell. We did find a birder, who's name now escapes me, but we told him and off we went to bird more of the island. We returned to Hellcat to see if the ducks were still there, and they were, along with many birders. This was our first encounter with a group of birders and it was the Brookline Bird Club trip, being led by the Judge and Gerry. Nancy Clayton was along on the trip and was delightful, warm, and embracing. She gave us our first blue book and from there we went on as many BBC trips as we could. We wished we could attend every one.

We met Bill Drummond at the Steller's Eider sighting in Scituate. Soon Bill was a friend and mentor. Bill took us along with him on many a fantastic trip, not only in Massachusetts, but across the continent. Soon he asked us to lead trips for the BBC. Over the years, we most often did them together, but Dennis was more of a fanatic, and still is I fear. But I will always remember and cherish the many birders who came on our trips, just because we were leading them. I must give Dennis most of that credit as he always loved showing birds to people and to lead trips to out of the way places that he liked to bird. Dennis enjoyed doing "counts", whether it be a Christmas count or birdathon or census.

 

Hotline: Tropical-type Kingbird Falmouth

Thanks to Bennet Porter, Jeremiah Trimble, Greg Hirth, and Mary Keleher for the following.

Also, Cave Swallows are being reported all along the coast including Salisbury, Plum Island, and the Westport area (thanks Suzanne Sullivan and John Keeley, Phil Brown, Erik Nielsen, and Paul Champlin) and the Barnacle Goose continues at the Concord Prison Fields (as of yesterday at least).

 

From: Bennet Porter <bennet.porter@gmail.com>

Date: October 31, 2010 10:09:49 AM EDT

To: Massbird <massbird@theworld.com>, capecodbirds@yahoogroups.com

Subject: [capecodbirds] Peterson Farm, Falmouth - Western Kingbird NO, Tropical/Couch's Kingbird YES

Reply-To: capecodbirds@yahoogroups.com

 

After reviewing my photos of the kingbird I saw yesterday afternoon (http://www.flickr.com/photos/capepish/sets/72157625275234472/), I grew suspicious of the identification as a Western. None of my field guides seemed to match Western Kingbird with the bird I saw, it seemed closer to either Tropical/Couch's Kingbird. I emailed the pictures to Jeremiah Trimble last night, and he confirmed this morning that it appeared to be either of those two birds, and not a Western. The best diagnosis between the two species is by voice, so I went early this morning to find the bird. It was still there along the same side of the big field that I had seen it, although it was in the trees and brush and not on the electrified fence. It didn't call yesterday or this morning, but when I left Mary Keleher, Peter Trimble, and Blair Nikula were all on the bird, so hopefully they will get some good photos and maybe hear it call.

 

If anyone is planning on trying for the bird, be aware that there is a marathon being run in Falmouth today, so watch out for runners. Also, anyone from off Cape should be mindful of the repairs going on Bourne Bridge. There is parking for maybe 5 cars at the farm, and maybe a few can park at the turnoff at the top of the hill before the parking lot. Peterson Farm is off of Woods Hole Rd in Falmouth, at the end of a one-car-width path, so be careful when going to and from the farm. It is also a popular spot for walkers and runners, with or without dogs, who are with or without leashes. It is also a working sheep farm (don't forget about the Cattle Egret!), despite being on town land, so there are many interests in this one piece of land, please be courteous of others. I've never said this before, but boy do I mean it now: Good birding!

 

Bennet Porter

Falmouth

bennet.porter(at)gmail.com

 

 

 

From: Greg Hirth <geohawk_1@yahoo.com>

Date: October 31, 2010 11:02:27 AM EDT

To: massbird@theworld.com

Subject: [MASSBIRD] Tropical/Couch's

Reply-To: Greg Hirth <geohawk_1@yahoo.com>

 

Just got back from Peterson's Farm, where I was going to post the exciting news regarding the kingbird. Good thing I looked at the website first.

 

Anyway, I did hear the bird call twice.  It gave a what I would describe as as a "brrrrrt" with sort of a rolling "rrr" call (which actually alerted me to its presence).  It was not a "dry" ch-eek (re Sibley for Couch's), so I suppose it was more like the "twirrr or tzitzitzitzi" of Sibley's Tropical.

 

I arrived around 9:30 I didn't see any other birders. Later, I saw a couple from Quincy (whitebreads) who got some good photos.

 

Cheers, Greg

 

Greg Hirth

East Falmouth

 

From: Mary Keleher <maryeak@yahoo.com>

Date: October 31, 2010 12:28:31 PM EDT

To: Massbird <Massbird@world.std.com>, CapeCodBirds <capecodbirds@yahoogroups.com>

Subject: [capecodbirds] Kingbird Video

Reply-To: capecodbirds@yahoogroups.com

 

I'm sure there will be many great photos of this bird but for those interested, I got a short video of the Kingbird at Peterson Farm this morning.

 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/26056276@N07/

 

Mary Keleher,

Mashpee, MA

Fall 2010 Meeting

Fall Meeting - October 15, 2010

Please join us on for our fall meeting on Friday, October 15 at 7:30 PM at the Geological Lecture Hall at Harvard University, 24 Oxford St, Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Wildlife Photographer Shawn Carey will present “Scenes from the BP Gulf Oil Disaster”, firsthand accounts, images and video of the Louisiana Coast where he documented the effects of the nation's largest oil disaster.  Joining in the discussion will be our special guest, Drew Wheelan, American Birding Association Gulf Coast Conservation Coordinator.

Members and guests are cordially invited. Admission is free.

Parking at the 52 Oxford Street Parking Garage will NOT be available.  For alternate parking, transportation options, directions and additional program details, see below.

Donations to the Birder's Exchange Program will be collected.   Please bring your used binoculars and other birding equipment.  For more information on the Birder's Exchange Program, go to www.aba.org/bex/ *

OUR SPEAKERS

Shawn Carey moved for his home in Erie, Pennsylvania to Cambridge, Massachusetts in 1986. He started watching birds in 1988 and over time he combined his interest in birds with photography skills. By 1994 he and good friend Jim Grady started Migration Productions as a way to present their multi-image slide presentations to a live audience. Programs have been presented to natural history and photographic organizations including Mass Audubon, ABA, Manomet, HMANA, Eastern Mass Hawk Watch, Waterbird Society and many local bird and photo clubs.  Migration Productions offers the finest quality bird/wildlife programs with stunning photographs, video, sound tracks, and interviews with many people involved with bird watching and natural history topics. For additional information about Migration Productions, visit their web site: http://www.migrationproductions.com Shawn's photos have been published in the Boston Globe, New York Times, Science magazine, Mass Audubon Sanctuary magazine, Hawk Mountain Sanctuary magazine and many others over the last 10+ years.

In 1997 he started teaching bird photography workshops (Fundamentals of Bird Photography) for Massachusetts Audubon and four years ago began teaching a summer three day field school workshop at Wellfleet Bay Sanctuary.

Drew Wheelan grew up chasing butterflies and catching frogs in the swamps of Southern Rhode Island. He graduated from the Evergreen State College in 1996 with a Bachelor of Science.  Evergreen does not have majors, but his course equivalent would have earned him a degree in wildlife biology and a minor in Spanish.  Since 1996, Drew has worked with birds throughout the United States, as well as in Amazonian Peru and Ecuador, as well as Panama, Costa Rica and Mexico.

In the year 2000, as Drew was preparing to enter graduate school he discovered that he had cancer while in one of the most remote regions of the Amazon.  The subsequent fight with this illness lent to him a fresh perspective on life and also led him away from a life in academia.  Since 2000 Drew has continued to work with birds, but has broadened his scope a bit to include fisheries work, in research as well as harvesting.   This work has included studies in Salmon ecology and habitat on the east slope of the Washington Cascades as well as lobster recovery in New England following the North Cape oil spill.

Drew has always thought that he has a unique view of life and an important voice to share with the world, and has endeavored to begin a writing career for the last 9 years.  His unique blend of experience and a desire to write have combined to offer a perfect niche for his reporting on the Gulf Oil Disaster.  Drew arrived in the Gulf on May 16th to report on the spill’s effects on birds and bird habitat for the American Birding Association. Since that time he has strived to produce an objective and truthful representation of what he observed.

.

TRANSPORTATION AND PARKING

Harvard University has reserved its parking facilities for parents weekend, so our usual parking at the 52 Oxford Street Parking Garage is NOT available.

Parking is available by permit through Harvard University for the night of our event for a 5 dollar fee.   The closest parking is directly across the street from the lecture hall location at the SEAS parking lot and alternative parking locations are available if you choose.  You must make your own arrangements.  Instructions to obtain a parking permit are below.  Please note that this is the same arrangement we had for the October 2007 lecture meeting at the MCZ.

As always, parking is also available on the street.

The best way to get into Harvard Square is by public transportation.  MBTA System Map is available here - http://www.mbta.com/schedules_and_maps/subway/ If you are taking the MBTA Subway – take the Red Line to the Harvard Square Station and then a short walk across historic Harvard Yard to the MCZ Lecture Hall on 24 Oxford Street - http://www.mbta.com/schedules_and_maps/subway/lines/stations/?stopId=12084 You can also take the MBTA Commuter Rail from areas in and around your neighborhood.  For those of you coming into to South Station you can access the Red Line directly from the station and proceed to the Harvard Square Station.  For those of you coming into North Station - take the Green Line to Park Street or Orange Line to Downtown Crossing to access the Red Line and the Harvard Square Station. MBTA Commuter Rail Info - http://www.mbta.com/schedules_and_maps/rail/

PARKING PERMITS

Parking permits can be obtained for the BBC Meeting Friday 10/15/10 at Harvard.  A one evening parking permit can be obtained through the Harvard website.  Cost is $5.

Parking permits go on sale, starting 2 weeks before the date of the meeting – October 2.

In order to obtain a permit, follow these steps:

1.    Go to https://www2.uos.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/permit/purchase.pl

2.      Click on “Visitor” (unless you are a Harvard employee)

3.     Register - If this is your first time using the system, click "Click here to register".  Complete registration information including user name, password, name, phone # and email address -   If you have used the system before, login with your user name and password

4.     Enter data about the event: -  Department: OE/MCV/Herbaria, Code: 2017

5. Select a parking lot from dropdown menu:   - SEAS 5:00 p.m-11:30 p.m. weeknight (closest lot, across the street  from the MCZ - see link to map on this screen) - if the SEAS (Sch. of Engineering and Applied Sciences) permits are sold out, parking is also available in the Littauer lot (code is LITT).  The LITT lot is also across the street from the MCZ.  Permits begin at 7 PM for this lot.

6      Affiliation:   Event Participant  - Brookline Bird Club

7.     Permit date:  October 15, 2010

8.     Enter  Plate Number

9.    Complete payment  information

Enter “parking map” in the search field for a map of all parking lots, if you wish.

IMPORTANT:   Print the permit and display on dashboard the night of the meeting.

 

2010 Nighthawk Survey

Hi All-

The 2010 fall SuAsCo and Nashua River Valleys & Beyond Nighthawk Survey begins this year on Monday, August 9, and runs through the first ten days of September. The purpose of the survey is to collect key statistics on the continuing dramatic decline in Common Nighthawk migrants that began in the Boston and SuAsCo valley areas more than 100 years ago and has now spread across all of central and northern MA north to northern Canada.

Our survey area is bounded on the north by Concord NH, on the south by the headwaters of the Blackstone River, on the west by the Connecticut River valley, and on the east by the Merrimack/SuAsCo River valleys.
 
No specific time commitments are required to participate in the survey and each participant gets to decide where, when, and how often to do the survey. Observers report their sightings via our website and receive reports back on a real-time basis of what others have seen.  

For those who have never seen a nighthawk or would like to brush up on their nighthawk identification skills, Friends of the Assabet River and Oxbow NWRs, Brookline Bird Club, Organization of the Assabet River, Stow Conservation Trust, Sudbury Valley Trustees, and USF&WS are co-sponsoring a nighthawk briefing from 7:30 to 9 pm on Tuesday, August 17. This briefing will address how to identify nighthawks, where and when to look for them, and how to report your observations. Then on a second evening shortly thereafter, participants will have the opportunity to get some hands-on field experience by joining a small field team led by an experienced nighthawk observer to look for nighthawks at one or more observation sites in the SuAsCo valleys.

The August 17 briefing will be held at the Sudbury Valley Trustees Wolbach Farm headquarters on Wolbach Road in Sudbury, MA. From Old Sudbury Center and the Sudbury town hall go east on Route 27 approximately one mile to Wolbach Road on the right and turn right to the first house on the right. If you get to the Sudbury River bridge, you have gone too far.

For further information about the survey and to register to participate, please go to our new Nighthawk Survey website. If you are interested in attending   the survey briefing or have any questions, please contact Hank Norwood at hankn583@aol.com or nighthawks@borobirding.net.

                           Hank Norwood and Jeff Slovin

2009 Statistical and Year End Report

By Robert H. Stymeist, Statistician

During 2009, the Brookline Bird Club listed 305 species of birds on 194 reported trips, just one species less than last year. A total of 233 trips were scheduled, 16 trips less than last year, and 57 trips less than the all time high number of 290 in 2000. There were 62 all-day, 144 mornings, 24 afternoons or evening, and 3 weekend trips. THIRTY-NINE trips were not reported, 18 were cancelled by weather and 21 went unreported. In Massachusetts, the Club listed a total of 293 species, three less than last year on 190 reported trips. To put this in perspective, birders throughout the state recorded a total of 369 species during the year, thus the BBC total of 293 is 79% of all the species seen in 2009!

Two new species was added to the overall Brookline Bird Club list of birds. On the first day of Spring Laura and Mark’s Vernal Equinox trip recorded a total of seven ROSS’S GOOSE in Ipswich. Prior to this sighting there were only three accepted records of this species in the state. The Club encountered its first Pterodroma petrel, a BLACK-CAPPED PETREL that was around the boat for almost five minutes making two close passes as the Captain pursued and kept the bird visible for all on board to see. Another almost new bird was not one but two IVORY GULLS, the last time the Club recorded this species was in 1976.

The weather in 2009 was typical New England-if you don’t like it- just wait a minute! January was cold, New Years Day saw readings below zero in western Massachusetts and a low of 6 in Boston, February was on the warm side with not much snow. March sprung up like a lion on the first with a major nor’easter complete with heavy snow to all of New England. April was warm and wet-three temperature records were broken with 80’s to readings into the 90’s from April 28-30 which also brought unprecedented fallout of migrants as well as the foliage. May was also warm and dry but June and July were WET and cold with very little sunshine- June was the 7th coldest in 138 years and had the second least amount of sun in 138 years. July was very wet- the 6th wettest July on record and the month continued to be on the cool side. Finally summer arrived in August with very warm temperatures and not much rain. The fall migration was a mixed bag weather-wise-September was sunny but cold; October was quite cold with frequent rains. November was exceptional- unseasonably warm and dry- Thanksgiving Day saw the temperature reach over 50 and there was no frost in Boston until December 7th, a new late record.

The sixth Annual Winter Meeting was held at Bedford Middle School on February 6, 2009. This was the Club’s Second Members Night, many members of our Club travel all over the world as well as in our own backyards taking excellent photo- graphs and sharing their images with us. The Spring Meeting at the Harvard Museum of Natural History featured past BBC President Peter Alden whose talk entitled “The Ups and Downs of Inland Massachusetts Birds and Why” highlighted the changes in bird life in just a short period of time and included a lively discussion on invasive plants and whether to feed birds or not. The fall lecture meeting at Harvard featured Dr. Ian Newton, a population ecologist who discussed factors that have influenced migratory birds showing declines in numbers for several species and how conservation efforts can help.

Laura de la Flor and Mark Burns opened up the start of 2009 by leading their 13th annual New Year’s Day birding trip. Nineteen members came out on a frigid but dry day to begin a New Year of birding. The mercury was only 8 degrees as the bundled participants toasted the new year with apple cider and the temperature never got higher than 18 all day! The trip tallied 58 species from Salisbury to Andrew’s Point. Highlights included a King Eider and a Dovekie at Bass Rocks as well as a Peregrine Falcon on the Gloucester City Hall and a Lapland Longspur in Salisbury.

Eddie Giles and Mark Burns led the Tenth Owl Prowl on the last day of February. The trip is an attempt to find by sight or sound all eight species of owls wintering in the state. It was a rough day with northwest winds and rain and the getting tied up in traffic didn’t help. The group found six species of owls starting with a predawn Barred Owl in Salisbury and ending with a Barn Owl on Martha’s Vineyard; the group missed both Long and Short-eared Owls.

Eddie teamed up with Mary Kelleher on Sunday March 15 to lead the Club’s second Cape Cod Waterfowl Prowl. Like the owl prowl, the intent is to locate as many of the 29 species of ducks in one day on Cape Cod ponds .The leaders tallied 69 species and came up with 23 of the 29 duck species! The Club scheduled Woodcock walks in Stoughton, Reading, and the Blue Hills.

The Club continued co-sponsoring the TASL (Take a Second Look) surveys of the waterfowl of Boston Harbor and a Dawn Heron Census at Belle Isle Marsh in East Boston. Ongoing was a series of mid-week trips on Cape Ann in search for alcids led by Barbara Volke; Breeding Bird Surveys were conducted in Woburn, Ipswich River Sanctuary in Topsfield and in Moose Brook Valley, Hardwick. A weekend Campout at Wompatuck State Park had to be cancelled because of heavy rain, but three other trips there in the spring added some nice birds: Acadian Flycatcher, Cerulean and Worm-eating warblers and Louisiana Waterthrush. Glenn d’Entremont led the weekend jaunt out in the Berkshires birding Mount Greylock on Saturday and October Mountain on Sunday where the Club recorded its only Olive-sided Flycatcher in Massachusetts for the year.

This year, the Club scheduled five pelagic trips; the trip scheduled for waters off Chatham in November was cancelled because of weather and high seas. These Extreme Pelagics as they are called are 18 hour marathons to the Continental Shelf waters about 100 miles south of Muskeget Island. The first trip to Atlantis Canyon on July 18 started off with heavy rain and a pretty rough sea that did calm down by afternoon. The highlight of this trip was the Club’s first Black-capped Petrel as mentioned earlier, other highlights included a new state high count of 19 Audubon’s Shearwaters and 58 Leach’s Storm Petrels. The major lowlight was seeing a Right Whale entangled in fishing gear south of Nantucket Shoals. The twice postponed August Extreme Pelagic finally set off midweek with 40 participants on September 3. This trip was a smashing success-smashing the state records for White-faced Storm-Petrel, Band-rumped Storm-Petrel, Bridled Tern and Long-tailed Jaeger.

Summer trips are highlighted by evening trips to Plum Island searching for early migrating shorebirds and flocks of herons flying to roost as well as the annual Hawaiian Shirt Shorebird trip to South beach. Each summer Jane Lothian and Pam Perry have a Birds and Nature Journaling program at Mount Auburn Cemetery to practice field sketching. The fall migration starts off with a three day Cape Cod Blitz hitting the hot spots on the outer Cape from Chatham to Provincetown, a total of 101 species were seen including 8 Yellow-crowned Night Herons, the only ones reported all year on our trips. Tom Gagnon leads our members on the annual Hawk-watching trip to Mt Tom in Holyoke and Eddie Giles leads a moderate walk through the cornfields and mud of Cumberland Farms and other areas in the Middleboro area in search of all the sparrows.

At the end of the year the Club suspends scheduled trips so that our members can participate in the Christmas Bird Counts (CBC); there are 34 count circles in Massachusetts and this year stormy weather forced some counts to reschedule.

A special thank-you to the 66 leaders who guided our members throughout the year. There are several leaders deserving special mention. Ida Giriunas, led the most with 21 trips followed by Bill Drummond with 17 Jane Zanichkowsky with 15 trips, Bob Stymeist with 13, Glenn D’Entremont with 12, Jonathan Center led 11and Linda Ferreresso and Eddie Giles each led 10. Another ten dedicated leaders accounted for five or more trips each.

The Club visited Essex County most often, with a total of 81 scheduled trips seeing 231species-which is 79% of all the birds reported this year! Mount Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge was a distant second with 28 trips, eight trips fewer than last year and recorded 107 species. There were also 47 scheduled trips in the Metropolitan Boston area, 22 trips were scheduled in the extended Sudbury River Valley, which included Great Meadows NWR, Oxbow NWR, the Assabet NWR, and one to Bolton Flats. Twenty-seven trips to the South Shore and to areas on Cape Cod including four trips to the hot birding spot at Wompatuck State Park in Hingham. and nine trips to areas in Western Mass.

Out-of-state trips included a weekend trip to the Machias area and to the Highland Plantation and Rangeley Lakes region in Maine. The combined total number of species on the Maine trips was 149 and included some boreal birds such as Spruce Grouse, Black-backed Woodpecker, Gray Jay and Boreal Chickadee. These Maine trips also added Northern Fulmar, Northern Goshawk, Sandhill Crane, Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, Philadelphia Vireo, Red Crossbill and Evening Grosbeak to the total list of birds seen on Club trips for 2009. Ida Giriunas led her 28th annu- al Club trip to the Machias area which includes the famous Machias Seal Island and recorded over 4000 Atlantic Puffins! Ida and Eddie Giles have been leading these great trips for many years affording Club members the opportunity to see some northern forest and ocean birds that don’t nest in Massachusetts. There were two trips scheduled in New Hampshire; on May 30 Bill Drummond led 13 members in search of Bicknell’s Thrushwhich was successful with four individuals seen and on November 1 Steve and Jane Mirick led their annual early winter trip along the coast, 15 members got to see a Eurasian Wigeon and a Common Murre along with 67 other species.

The Massachusetts Audubon Society (MAS) Checklist (10/2000) now includes all the species that have been identified in the state as determined by the Massachusetts Avian Records Committee (MARC). The Club recorded the following species that are listed on the new list as rare or as accidental species.

Ross's Goose	Ipswich	March 21
Cackling Goose	Ipswich	November 8
Pacific Loon	Rockport	November 20
Black-capped Petrel	Atlantis Canyon Trip	July 18
Audubon's Shearwater	Atlantis Canyon Trip	July 18
White-faced Storm-Petrel	Hydrographer Canyon	September 4
Leach's Storm-Petrel	Atlantis Canyon Trip	July 18
Band-rumped Storm-Petrel	Hydrographer Canyon	September 4
Long-tailed Jaeger	Hydrographer Canyon	September 4
Ivory Gull	Eastern Point, Gloucester	January 19
Ivory Gull	Plymouth Harbor	January 25
Bridled Tern	Hydrographer Canyon	September 4
Bohemian Waxwing	Newburyport	January 17
Kentucky Warbler	Quabbin Reservoir	June 6
MacGillivray's Warbler	Boston Fenway	November 21
Yellow-headed Blackbird	Salisbury	January 19

The following species occur with some regularity in Massachusetts but were missed by the Club during 2009: Redhead, Tricolored Heron, Northern Goshawk (seen in Maine), American Golden Plover, Buff-breasted Sandpiper, Western Sandpiper, Long-billed Dowitcher, Black-legged Kittiwake, Yellow-bellied Flycatcher (seen in Maine), Philadelphia Vireo (seen in Maine), Gray-cheeked Thrush and Seaside Sparrow. In addition some other species that also occur each year but in limited time frames was missed: Connecticut Warbler, Clay-colored and Lark sparrows. One very special bird that was not recorded was the Eared Grebe, the first time in SIXTEEN years!

The biggest trip list this year was Bill Drummond’s trip on May 17 from Rowley to Newburyport and including Plum Island which recorded 131 species.

Date	Location	# Species	Leader
January 1	Salisbury-Cape Ann	58	Laura de la Flor and Mark Burns
January 4 (tie)	Boston	58	Bob Stymeist
January 10 (tie)	Cape Ann	58	Linda Ferraresso
February 15	Scituate-Plymouth	70	Glenn d'Entremont
March 15	Cape Cod Waterfowl	69	Eddie Giles and Mary Keleher
April 26	Boston	90	Bob Stymeist
May 17	Rowley-Plum Island	131	Bill Drummond
June 21	October Mountain	75	Glenn d'Entremont
July 13	Plum Island	64	Tom Young
August 15	South Beach	51	Laura de la Flor and Mark Burns
September 12	Wellfleet	80	Bob Stymeist
October 4	Ipswich-Essex	57	Tom Young
November 8	Fairhaven	78	Bob Stymeist
December 13	Plum Island-Salisbury	40	Ida Giriunas

The Club recorded 79% of all the birds that were noted during 2009-pretty impressive! A total of at least 369 species, five more than last year were observed and reported by birders across the state during 2009. Other noteworthy species seen during the year but not on the BBC list were: Pink-footed Goose, Greater White-fronted Goose, Tundra Swan, Common Shelduck, Tufted Duck, White Pelican, White-tailed Tropicbird, White-faced Ibis, Wood Stork, Swallow-tailed Kite, Golden Eagle, Eurasian Kestrel, Purple Gallinule, Black- necked Stilt, American Avocet, Curlew Sandpiper, Sabine’s Gull, Mew Gull, Slaty-backed Gull, Gull-billed Tern, Great and South Polar skuas, White-winged Dove, Chuck-will’s-widow, Allen’s Hummingbird, Black-backed Woodpecker, Say’s Phoebe, Scissor and Fork-tailed flycatchers, Brown-chested Martin, Varied Thrush, Northern Wheatear, Townsend’s and Prothonotary warblers, Summer and Western tanagers, Henslow’s, LeConte’s and Golden-crowned sparrows, and Common Chaffinch to name a few.

ANNUAL LISTS

There were so many great birds in 2009 it was difficult for any- one not to name multiple species but the clear choice gather- ing the most votes in the top three was the Ivory Gull or should we say Ivory Gulls. The last Ivory Gull that was seen in Massachusetts for a period of time was back in 1976.For many of us old-timers it was the first time we saw an ADULT Ivory Gull, the bird in Salisbury 33 years ago was an immature as was another immature that stayed awhile in Portland Maine.

The Brown-chested Martin, discovered in the Cumberland Farm fields on October 12 was another top vote getter. This was only the second state record and only the SIXTH record for all of North America. The fusca race of the Brown chested Martin is an austral migrant that breeds in South America and then migrates north during the austral winter. This bird went a little off course, similar to another austral migrant- the Fork-tailed Flycatcher and landed in Massachusetts and not northern Venezuela!

A two way tie in the sparrow department between the Henslow’s Sparrow of Montague and the LeConte’s Sparrow of Cumberland Farms with the LeConte’s having the edge because it was paired with another favorite at the same time and place- the Lark Bunting. The Chaffinch, only the third ever in Massachusetts was listed by many as their favorite and especially if it’s in your own yard! Another multiple vote getter was the very cooperative Chuck-wills-widow that sat motionless on branches just feet away in Nahant, for some this was the first visual for a bird that previously was only a voice in the dark. The MacGillivray’s Warbler was particularly sweet affording some of the best looks of this elusive and rare western warbler.

Some of the other species that made birders smile included: Tufted Duck, White-faced Storm-Petrel, Purple Gallinule, Atlantic Puffin, Black Vulture, American Avocet, Red-headed Woodpecker and Yellow-breasted Chat to name a few. Memorable days in the field can be quite special as mentioned by our members:

“Having seen all eight owls on the Massachusetts Checklist plus seeing a Northern Hawk Owl and a Great Gray Owl in New Hampshire”

“Watching Chimney Swifts gathering sticks for nest building while in a kayak” “An Avocet in full fig at Pikuls Pans”

“That perfect May fallout of passerines- in APRIL”

“First time seeing two Red-headed Woodpeckers in the same location”

“Salisbury’s egret roost as my outdoor, long-legged wader classroom”

“The chase for the Lark Bunting and LeConte’s Sparrow on a Saturday-we looking for birds to see, hunters looking for birds to shoot”

“Sharing an autumnal sunset counting waterfowl from the Tower at Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary”

“A Fox Sparrow at our ground feed, a Carolina Wren in the snow, memories just stretch on and on”

It always is interesting to see what the top listers miss, most often it is a regular migrant that has a limited time in passage like a Common Nighthawk or an Olive-sided Flycatcher or he or she fails to visit a well-known nesting site like a Roseate or Arctic Tern or an American Oystercatcher. The Brown-chested Martin was one that received a lot of votes. This bird was present for several days but was absent for long periods of time during the day. Some made several trips on all the days but still did not see it while others arrived and it was there.

For some it’s the same birds each year: Northern Goshawk, Ruffed Grouse, Ring-necked Pheasant, American Bittern, Lincoln’s Sparrow.

Shorebirds were mentioned frequently: Buff-breasted and Baird’s Sandpiper, Oystercatcher, Upland Sandpiper, Wilson’s Phalarope and Long-billed Dowitcher.

Warblers: Louisiana Waterthrush, Cape May, Hooded Warbler but not Golden-winged-most of the birding community now regards this as super rare and wonders if another will be seen regularly in the state again.

“Missing the Club’s very first Black-capped Petrel- I’d just broken my ankle after being thrown around on deck during the storm, I was in a lot of pain just trying to stand up let alone seeing the bird too”

“The Black-backed Woodpecker on Nantucket, having been there awhile I was confident I might see it, I spent four hours in vain searching in all its known locations. It was an expensive miss with ferries and taxis as well as time and distance”

Other disappointing or embarrassing misses included: Blue- winged Teal, Black Scoter, Barrow’s Goldeneye, Ruddy Turnstone, American Woodcock, Forster’s Tern, both Yellow and Black-billed cuckoos, Common Raven, Cliff Swallow, Red- breasted Nuthatch, Philadelphia Vireo and Fox Sparrow to mention a few.

Finally to quote Neil Hayward “This was my first full year prop- erly birding in the US. Most of the birds were new, and all the locations were exciting new places- and a great way to see a lot of Massachusetts. It was a very memorable year, especially for all the wonderful people I met and who helped me improve my birding skills.” Yes Neil it was another great year and you are right-we have a great birding community who share their knowledge and sightings of birds throughout the year.

THE ANNUAL LISTS

John Hoye, Wayland	323
Audrey McCarthy, Wayland	317
Oakes Spalding, Cambridge	312
Herman D’Entremont, Somerville	308
Glenn d’Entremont, Stoughton	303
Ida Giriunas, Reading	301
Linda Ferraresso, Watertown	300
Bob Stymeist, Arlington	292
Margo Goetschkes, Cambridge	287
Steve Grinley, Newburyport	286
Neil Hayward, Cambridge	284
Bev Chiasson, Newton	282
Fred Bouchard, Belmont	279
Chris Floyd, Lexington	275
Doug Chickering, Groveland	273
Jonathan Center, Chelmsford	264
Tom Wetmore, Newburyport	258*
Dug Chickering, Groveland	228*
Laura de la Flor, Salem	223
Jason Forbes, Waltham	201**

* Plum Island Only, Tom saw 91% of all birds seen on Plum Island in 2009 (283)

** Middlesex County only, Jason saw 82% of all birds reported in Middlesex County in 2009 (246)

 

Last Call for Western Maine

*Deadline for reservations is June 13.  I currently have one last space available (for a male) on the Claybrook Mountain Lodge trip.  Due to a series of late cancellations, I have TEN spaces available on my Rangeley Lakes trip.  These trips are open to anyone with an interest in birds - club members (ANY club), Massbirders, experts and beginners alike.  Due to their biodiversity nature, these trips can be (and have been) enjoyed by non-birding spouses and significant others.

CLAYBROOK MOUNTAIN LODGE
Saturday, June 26 to Wednesday, June 30
Claybrook Mountain Lodge is set in the Highland Plantation in Somerset County, Maine. Claybrook is unique because it's located at the northern edge of the eastern deciduous forest and the southern edge of the boreal forest. Add to this habitat mix the extensive grasslands and marshlands a few miles to the south, and its easy to understand why birders consider this one of Maine's best inland birding hot spots. This trip will concentrate on Maine's boreal specialties including Spruce Grouse, Black-backed Woodpecker, Olive-sided and Yellow-bellied Flycatchers, Philadelphia Vireo, Gray Jay, Boreal Chickadee, Lincoln's Sparrow and Bicknell's Thrush. Participants can expect to do some canoeing and moderate hiking. Time will also be taken to enjoy the flora and fauna along the way. The Lodge is rustic, comfortable and inviting. sleeping 14. With the Modified American Plan, all of our meals will be provided. Between them, our hosts Greg and Pat Drummond bring over 25 years experience as a Registered Master Maine Guide, a chef, an intimate knowledge of the local wildlife and outstanding old-fashioned, hearty New England home cooking.  Please contact me for additional information and reservations (required by June 13).

RANGELEY LAKES REGION
Wednesday, June 30 to Sunday, July 4.
Rangeley, Maine and the Rangeley Lakes Region lie some 250 miles north of Boston, exactly half way between the Equator and the North Pole. For over 12 years, the Brookline Bird Club Weekend Trip to the Rangeley Lakes Region has been introducing birders to the rich diversity of the lakes and mountains of Western Maine. Of the 156 species of birds recorded so far, the main focus of the trip is the area’s boreal specialties - Spruce Grouse, Black-backed Woodpecker, Olive-sided and Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, Philadelphia Vireo, Gray Jay, Boreal Chickadee, Lincoln's Sparrow and Bicknell’s Thrush. Twenty three species of warbler breed in the region, as well as Evening Grosbeak, Pine Siskin, Purple Finch and both Red and White-winged Crossbill. Being a biodiversity trip at heart, we also take time to stop and observe the flora and fauna along the way - mammals, reptiles, amphibians, butterflies, trees, ferns, wildflowers and more. Long standing traditions include Boy Scout Road, the Kennebago River Run and the Boreal Barbecue, complete with tall birding tales and s’mores around the campfire. Participants can expect to do some canoeing and moderate hiking, including an optional trek up Saddleback Mountain for Bicknell's Thrush.  Please contact me for additional information and reservations (required by June 13).

Eddie

HOTLINE: Black Rails, Plum Island

Thanks to Marshall Iliff, Jeremiah Trimble, Steve Grinley, Sue McGrath, and Graham Taylor for the following.

 

Please follow all rules when listening for these birds.

 

Subject: [MASSBIRD] Black Rails (!) continue at Plum Island -- directions

 

Massbird,

 

After some deliberation and after another evening of information, Jeremiah

and I have decided to post directions to the Black Rails (!) on Plum Island.

As with our initial decision to not reveal the location, we do this with

caution and hope that the Massbird community understands our reasoning. We

are reversing our position for several reasons:

 

1) It seems that these birds will consistently call in the evening (and

maybe the morning too) and therefore we hope they will be easily gettable by

visiting birders. Last evening they were heard from 6:45 to about 8:15 and

were singing fairly consistently, reducing the temptation to use tape. It

sounds like that with patience and good conditions, this will be an

unprecedented opportunity to hear Black Rail in Massachusetts.

 

2) The Plum Island refuge staff are aware of the circumstances and the

temptation for birders to break the rules. They will be regularly patrolling

the area, especially during morning and evening areas, and anyone breaking

the rules is very likely to be cited.

 

3) The birds appear to call from a very dense, very wet area. Anyone tempted

to try to see the birds would not be able to do so anyway, since it is

impossible (and illegal) to walk out to where they call from.

 

4) I trust that all birders will understand the concerns about this

sensitive bird, be content to hear their unique call, and not try to see

them. In this case in particular, birders should be on their best behavior.

 

As seen in Steve Grinley's post, the big news from last night was that there

were in fact two birds present, both singing the kikidrrr call and

presumably both males. The fact that there are two birds near each other

will probably keep the calling rates high as they defend territories against

one another. The possibility remains that females, which give different

shorter and more subtle calls, may be present as well. If so, these birds

could very well nest successfully, which would be the northernmost nesting

in the country if confirmed. When Jeremiah and I were there on 31 May, we

thought at one point that we heard a second bird sing, but the notion seemed

so surprising that we did not have the confidence to count two. Now, it

seems certain that we did hear a second bird.

 

So, without further ado, here are the directions: The two Black Rails are

calling from the middle of North Pool near the granite marker about 0.5 mi

north of North Pool Overlook. They are calling from the dense area of

cattails around a small tree island in the pool and thus a 100-200m from the

road.

Based on what we know so far, it seems like listening from 6:00-8:00 pm

would be ideal, but birders might try the early morning as well (as early as

the refuge is open).

 

I would recommend that birders park in the North Pool Overlook parking lot

and walk south to the granite marker. Although I believe it is legal to park

on the shoulder, I recommend walking from North Pool Overlook primarily out

of respect for those listening to the bird: engines starting, doors slamming

etc. do have an impact on the quality of a listening experience.

 

A final note. Experienced Plum Islanders have noted that the marsh at North

Pool looks better than ever before. It is loaded with Soras, Virginias, and

Green-winged Teal, and has a few Blue-winged Teal and Least Bitterns. The

refuge removed a large amount of Phragmites, and it is very likely that the

presence of the Black Rails is directly related to this. By maintaining

positive relations with between the birding community and the refuge, we may

be able to help encourage continued management

That may benefit Black Rails, if this turns out to be a regular phenomenon.

In this respect, having well-behaved birders sharing in this exciting rarity

may be a benefit, especially if they express their appreciation to the

refuge for their excellent management of North Pool for freshwater marsh

birds.

 

Good birding and good luck to those who tried. Thanks to all those that

responded privately to applaud our decision to keep the birds under wraps. I

hope you also will agree that this does appear to be a safe situation, given

the refuge patrols and circumstances of evening calling, and that New

England birders now have a very rare opportunity to hear a very rare and

special bird.

 

Good luck to those who try,

 

Best,

 

Marshall Iliff

 

***

 

Subject: [MASSBIRD] Black Rail Directions Addendum

 

Just to clarify Marshall's directions, the location is aproximately .5 mi. SOUTH of the North Pool Overlook.  Last evening we (Rick Heil, Jeff Offerman and I) were standing on the road about 50 yards north of the marker.  The birds were calling from the marsh directly in front of us.  We heard two birds call simultaneously and they were about 15 degrees apart from each other, from where we were standing.  The birds called when the sky was overcast, and they were mostly silent when the sun peaked out between the clouds.  They are quite far out and total silence is needed to hear them over the bobolinks and the willets!

 

Steve Grinley

 

***

Subject: Black Rails, PRNWR ~ Electronic Devices

 

I would appreciate if you could help get the word out that playing of  electronic devices on the refuge is prohibited. Causing wildlife to  react to the playback tapes is considered disturbing wildlife, a

violation of regulations, as is using audio devices.

 

Regards,

Graham Taylor

Parker River NWR, Manager

graham_taylor@fws.gov

Additional Out of State Trips

The following tours are led by long-term members of the BBC. Many of these tours are popular with club members and are listed here for your convenience. The BBC does not sponsor nor is it responsible for any matter relating to these tours.

Donald Wilkinson runs tours, for information on his trips see his page.

Member's Pages

Webmaster note: These haven't been updated in several years, if you have a new link, send it to the webmaster and it may get updated eventually

Jim Barber's "For The Birds Board"

Phil Brown's Birding Pages

Chris Buelow's "Hardwick Area"

Shawn Carey's Migration Productions

Tom Carrolan's "Hawks Aloft"

Christopher Ciccone's "Christopher Ciccone Nature Photography"

Herman D'Entremont's Home Page

Eduardo del Solar's Nature Photography

Bill Drummond's Birding Tours Page

Greg Dysart's Photography

Steve Ell's Home Page

Diana Fruguglietti & Paul Ippolito's Birding Pages

Erik Johnson's Personal Page

Andrew Joslin's Birding Pages

Paul Kinnaly's Birding Pages

Rob Kipp's Bird Photo Pages

Bill and Barbara Lawless's pages

Ellie Miller's Home Page 

Rick Quimby's Central Massachusetts pages

Marj Rines's Birding Page

Dave Small's Home Page
Emmalee Tarry's New England Seabirds

Tom Whelan's Bird Pages

Tom Young's NH Odes Page

Links

Massbird.org - For a look at what's being seen and much more.
Birdingonthe.net or Virtual Birder for Massachusetts Listserve Archives
BirdEast or Virtual Birder for The Voice of the Audubon - Massachusetts RBA
Massachusetts Audubon Society

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Massachusetts Audubon Breeding Bird Atlas Project
Mass Audubon recently announced the initiation of the second Massachusetts Breeding Bird Atlas project and the launch of the Massachusetts Breeding Bird Atlas web site 

The first atlas was completed 25 years ago and Atlas 2 is underway, with fieldwork starting April 2007. Mass Audubon is looking for help in this ambitious undertaking. The Board encourages club members to consider participating in this worthwhile project. There are various ways to participate. See the website for more information on how you can help.

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What is eBird? A real-time, online checklist program, eBird has revolutionized the way that the birding community reports and accesses information about birds. Launched in 2002 by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and National Audubon Society, eBird provides rich data sources for basic information on bird abundance and distribution at a variety of spatial and temporal scales. Sign Up Here

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About 425 species of birds visit or live in Essex County for all or part of the year. Nearly 130 of these species have nested in the county. The lure for birds of Essex County's varied habitats and unique geography also make the county a premier year-round birding destination for avid birders locally and from across the country. Bird enthusiasts marvel at the majestic flight of eagles, enjoy the flute-like call of a wood thrush, or thrill to the sight of a gannet diving headfirst into the ocean. Essex County Birding Trail.

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Tools For Birders:
Weather: the basics: NOAA
Weather: the basics: Intellicast
Weather: the basics: Weather Underground
Weather - maps and beyond
Marine Weather Forecast
Offshore Weather Conditions
Wind Conditions
Tide Chart
Maps: Mapquest or Yahoo
Books For Birders:

Birds and Birding at Mount Auburn Cemetery

This 32-page, full-color Guide offers a portrait in words and colors of the spectacular birdlife of American's first garden cemetery. Author Christopher Leahy and artist Clare Walker Leslie explore the inherent mysteries of this special place that has attracted both birds and birdwatchers through nearly two centuries of dramatic change.

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Guide to Western Mass

If you thought you knew Massachusetts but haven't ventured west of Mount Wachusett, this book is what you need. It covers the diverse habitats from western Worcester county to the New York border. Eighty-three articles with 219 locations are described by the people who know them best, the people who live there.
For the Informative Review on MassBird.Org - Click Here
To Go Directly to the UMASS Extension Book Store - Click Here
 

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Massachusetts Breeding Bird Atlas
W. R. Petersen and W. R. Meservey
Illustrated by John Sill & Barry Van Dusen 

Includes distribution maps showing possible, probable, and confirmed breeding areas for 198 Massachusetts nesting species on a grid of 989 blocks. Opposite each species map is a summary account giving historical perspective, relative abundance, habitat, seasonal schedule, nest, egg, and song descriptions, clutch size, egg dates, number of broods, and other pertinent details.

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Bliss Publishing Company Inc. - A New England publishing company with field guides to major rivers such as the Sudbury, Assabet, Concord, Charles Rivers and more.

Pins and Decals

Brookline Bird Club pins are now available. Buy them for $5.00 at the Bird Watcher’s Supply & Gift on the Route 1 traffic circle in Newburyport, or send $6.00 ($5.00 + $1.00 postage) to:


Laura McCoy
1021 Shawsheen St.
Tewksbury, MA  01876


BROOKLINE BIRD CLUB WINDOW DECALS
You receive one car window decal free with membership, but if you need another, just
send $1.00 and a self-addressed, stamped envelope to Laura at the address above.

Larry and Jerry Platform Dedication

E-Mail

A new viewing platform at the Common Pasture on Scotland Road in Newbury provided by the Essex County Greenbelt Association was dedicated in memory of the Honorable H. Lawrence Jodrey and Gerald Soucy on Sunday, November 2, 2008. Larry and Jerry were life-long supporters of land conservation and eminent birders.

Larry led the Brookline Bird Club as president and both he and Jerry served as Directors for the Club for many years. They exemplified the best of the Club, folks who brought novice birders along by sharing their experience and knowledge.  Many of us benefited from their generosity. They modeled the best of what the club was yesterday and is today.

It was a crisp, sunny morning as many birders and conservationists assembled at the new platform overlooking the lovely wet meadow, a birding location cherished by Larry and Jerry. Fittingly, an adult Bald Eagle circled the meadow then disappeared from view beyond the distant trees. Ed Becker of Greenbelt and Marlene Schroeder of Parker River Clean Water Association spoke about the conservation efforts supported by Larry and Jerry. Speakers Steve Grinley, Tom Martin, Bill Drummond, Barbara Volkle, Steve Moore and Jim Berry shared fond memories of birding with "Curlew and Avocet". It was a day to remember our late birding friends with great respect and affection.

The Common Pasture Wet Meadows on Scotland Road in Newbury can now be enjoyed from the new viewing platform. The preservation of the Common Pasture was made possible by Essex County Greenbelt Association, Parker River Clean Water Association, The Trust for Public Land, the Town of Newbury, City of Newburyport, Massachusetts Audubon Society, Brookline Bird Club, Essex County Ornithological Club and many individuals working together. The location of the platform is in the Wet Meadows on Scotland Road in Newbury about 1/2 mile east of the I95/Scotland Road intersection. Nearby is an Essex County Greenbelt sign designating the Wet Meadows.

Linda Pivacek,
Corresponding Secretary,
Brookline Bird Club



Left to right: Marlene Schroeder, Ed Becker, Linda Pivacek, Barbara Volkle, Tom Martin, Bill Drummond, Steve Grinley



Steve Grinley speaking to the group



Bill Drummond speaking to the group

Photos by Dave Rimmer, Essex County Greenbelt Association

Birding Resources

Massachusetts Voice of Audubon:

Call 781-259-8805 for a report on Eastern MA, Western MA, Nantucket, and Cape Cod bird sightings. Use the same number to report sightings for all but Eastern MA.

To report Eastern MA sightings, phone Wayne Petersen at 781-259-2178.

BBC Rare Bird Email Hotline:

Contact Barbara Volkle for details.

MASSBIRD email list:

See http://massbird.org/ for details on how to subscribe and how to view message archives.


Family Radio Service (FRS) radios:

The BBC has adopted The American Birding Association (ABA) standard channel 11/22. See the ABA website for more information.

For general birding tips and information, call Bill Drummond at 978-975-1167.

Contact

If you need to contact the webmaster, use this to email.

For general questions about birding in Massachusetts, we have a birding info address.

For questions about a specific trip, please email the trip leader directly (almost all the leaders have an address on the trips page).

For pelagics, contact Ida.

Officer addresses are here.

Membership questions can be directed to the membership secretary.

Past Presidents

1913 Edward Baker
1923 Lawrence B. Fletcher
1925 L.R. Talbot
1941 T.E.C.Robinson
1942 Dr. Morton E. Cummings
1945 Dr. Stuart K. Harris
1947 Arthur W. Argue
1949 Leslie T. Little
1951 James T. Kelly
1953 Lee L. Jameson
1955 Heny S. Lewis
1957 John T. Beattie
1959 H. Lawrence Jodrey
1961 Leslie B. Vaughen
1963 H. Warren Harrington, Jr.
1965 Herbert A. Murphy
1967 Richard B. Holman
1969 Lawrence A. Cyr
1971 Thomas H. Tomfohrde
1973 Eliot W. Taylor
1975 Dr. Joseph Kenneally, Jr.
1977 Peter Alden
1979 Stephen Grinley
1981 Alden Clayton
1983 Paul Roberts
1985 Robert Stymeist
1987 William Drummond
1989 Stephen Moore
1991 Barbara Howell
1993 Thomas Prince
1995 John D. Kennedy
1997 Glenn d'Entremont
1999 Ida Giriunas
2001 Robert Petersen
2003 Linda Ferraresso
2005 Joe Paluzzi
2007 Laura de la Flor
2009 Barbara Volkle
2011 Edward Giles
2014 Glenn d'Entremont

Ida Recognized

Ida Giriunas was honored at the October 12, 2007 Brookline Bird Club meeting at Harvard University in Cambridge for her years of dedicated service to the club. Her Certificate of Appreciation read:

"In recognition of your continued dedication and outstanding service to the Brookline Bird Club and the birding community for more than thirty- five years. We are grateful for your contributions to the Club as Past President, Director, Committee Chairperson and Trip Leader, and for providing guidance to countless new members over the years".

Ida has been a member of the Brookline Bird Club since 1967, started leading trips for the BBC in the 1970's, has been on the Board since 1980, and served as the 2nd woman President of the organization from 1999- 2001. She has managed the BBC Phone Hotline almost since its inception, and established the BBC weekend trips to Maine’s Machias Seal Island. Many of you know Ida as a tireless trip leader. She has gone out of her way to introduce new birders, young and old, to birds and birding places in our wonderful region. Most recently, she has planned and run the club pelagic trips, including the "extreme pelagic" trips to Hydrographer Canyon and Veatch's Canyon.

In recognition, she was presented with a fleece jacket, with the BBC logo, to keep her warm as she continues to venture out in the field.

Congratulations to Ida for this well deserved recognition of her long-time service to the club!! The Board and club members applaud her and her efforts!

Leader Guidelines

Before the trip:

Plan the itinerary.
Scout, if possible, for key areas, road conditions, etc.
Where appropriate, contact the management of private and public sites asking for permission to visit and checking for any special regulations concerning group visits.
Plan lunch and rest stops.
Consider limiting the group size if necessary to provide for the maximum birding enjoyment.
Encourage car pooling.

At the meeting place:

Introduce yourself and ask others to do the same.
Brief participants on the trip itinerary. Update during trip stops.
Encourage car pooling.
Intersperse cars with CBs with non-CB cars.
If you and others on your trip use hand held radios (Family Radio Service [FRS]), keep the volume at a level low enough that allows you to hear a radio transmission without disturbing other nearby birders; if possible, try to put some distance between you and other birders if your radio transmission should become lengthy (i.e., receiving specific directions); and consider using an Earbud which will keep any transmissions between you and other FRS users private.
Speak with the drivers about the proposed route.
Arrange drivers familiar with the area at the end of the car caravan.

On the trip:

Assume responsibility for the conduct of the group.
Be familiar with the BBC Code of Ethics. Be sure participants are.
Keep talking on the trails to a minimum.
When using CBs, restrict conversation to bird information and route instructions.
Encourage participants to alert leaders when birds are noted.
Carry a notebook and jot down numbers during the trip.
Try to ensure that all participants see any special bird, if at all possible. If appropriate, familiarize participants in advance with convenient "how to describe where a bird is" methods.
Encourage participants to help each other.
Give ID points, readily observed by all.
Interject information of interest, such as botany, local history, conservation.
Try to make the trip fun by being an enthusiastic and considerate field leader.

After the trip:

Thank everyone for attending the trip.
If time permits, review the list of birds seen. Activate the BBC Hotline if an unusual bird is found. To start the hotline, call (978) 975-1167.
Fill out the BBC field trip card and return as soon as possible to the Statistician. Note any unusual birds or numbers and give the location of such birds.
Call Massachusetts Audubon in Lincoln to report unusual birds or significant numbers for the Voice of Audubon. Call (781) 259-9506 ext. 7403 or 7412 (anytime).
If you have any suggestions for this list, please contact the BBC Ethics Committee.

FRS Radio Usage

On January 1, 2002, the Brookline Bird Club adopted the American Birding Association's (ABA) recommendation to use channel 11/22 (as a national standard) on Family Radio Service (FRS) radios - also known as hand-held or two-way radios - used for birding communications. Part of the club's Code of Ethics states "Be considerate of others when using hand-held FRS radios in the field by keeping the volume low enough to hear a transmission without disturbing others; by putting distance between those of us using radios; and by considering the use of earbuds to keep transmissions private."

Thank you for your cooperation.