BBC Old Content

Monday, January 11, 2010

2010 Pelagic Schedule

BROOKLINE BIRD CLUB PELAGIC SCHEDULE FOR 2010

SATURDAY, JUNE 26, 2010: 4AM - 9PM: Hyannis to off-shore areas.
                 Hydrographer and/or Veatch’s Canyons
Birds expected: AUDUBON’S, Greater, Sooty, Cory’s and Manx
                 Shearwaters, Leach’s, Wilson’s & Band-rumped
                 Storm Petrels, Parasitic and Pomarine, Jaegers,
                 Gannets, Gulls, Terns and several marine mammals.
This is the time of year to look for the Pterodroma Petrels in our Massachusetts waters. Anything is possible.
           Maximum participants = 75
           Cost: BBC Members: $130, Non-members: $150
See the results!

July will not run due to lack of signups.

SATURDAY, SUNDAY, AUGUST 28, 29, 2010: 5:30AM Saturday TO 6:00PM SUNDAY,
               Hyannis to off-shore areas:
          Hydrographer, Leach’s and Veatch’s Canyons
Birds expected: AUDUBON’S, Greater, Sooty, Cory’s and Manx
                 Shearwaters, Leach’s & Wilson’s Storm Petrels,
                 Parasitic and Pomarine Jaegers, Gannets, Gulls,
                 Terns and several marine mammals.
                 We hope to see WHITE-FACED STORM-PETRELS (50%+ chance of
                 them being seen in August. Also: Skuas, Bridled Tern and
                 other rarities. It was in August, 2007 when we found a
                 Macaronesian Shearwater in the Canyons so anything is
                 possible.
                 Maximum participants: 50
                 Cost: BBC Members: $295, Non-members: $315
See the spectacular results!

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 13. 2010: 7AM - 3PM
           HYANNIS TO Nantucket Shoals

Birds expected: Alcids, Gannets, Phalaropes, Shearwaters, Jaegers, Several Gulls, Fulmar, any rarities.
           Maximum participants- 65 people
           COSTS BBC Members: $95
                Non-members: $115

See the results!

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, contact Ida at 781-944-5135.

Saturday, August 29, 2009

Code of Ethics

Adapted from the American Birding Association

Today's birdwatchers are a powerful force for nature conservation. The number of those of us interested in birds rises continually, and it is vital that we take seriously our responsibility to avoid any harm to birds or the environment on which they depend. We believe that all birders have an obligation at all times to protect wildlife, the natural environment and the rights of others. We therefore pledge ourselves to provide leadership in meeting this obligation by adhering to the following general guidelines of good birding behavior.

Birders should always act in ways that do not endanger the welfare of birds and other wildlife. Since birds' tolerance of disturbance varies between species and seasons, it is safer to keep all disturbances to a minimum. In keeping with this principle we will:

Observe and photograph birds without knowingly disturbing them in any significant way.

Avoid chasing or repeatedly flushing birds.

Only sparingly use recordings and similar methods of attracting birds and not use these methods in heavily birded areas, especially during breeding season.

Keep an appropriate distance from nests and nesting colonies so as not to disturb them or expose them to danger.

Refrain from handling birds or eggs unless engaged in recognized research activities.

Birders should always act in ways that do not harm the natural environment. In keeping with this principle we will:

Stay on existing roads, trails and pathways whenever possible.

Avoid trampling vegetation or otherwise disturbing fragile habitat.

Be especially careful near breeding habitat.

Birders should always respect the rights of others. In keeping with this principle we will:

Respect the privacy and property of others by observing "No Trespassing" signs and by asking permission to enter private or posted lands.

Observe all laws and the rules and regulations which govern the use of public lands.

Practice common courtesy in our contacts with others and always behave in a manner that will enhance the image of the birding community in the eyes of the public.

Birders in groups should assume special responsibilities. As group members, we will:

Take care to alleviate the problems and disturbances that are multiplied when more people are present.

Act in consideration of the group's interests as well as our own, and be especially accommodating to new birders.

Realize a camera offers no privileges to push in front of others before everyone in the group has finished watching the bird.

When using hand-held Radios in the field, be cognizant of others and adjust the volume to a level low enough that allows you to hear a radio transmission without disturbing others. If possible, put some distance between you and others while using hand-held radios and consider the use of an "Earbud" to keep any transmissions between you and other hand-held radio users private.

Support, by our actions, the responsibility of the group leader or leaders for the conduct of the group.

GENERAL RULES FOR BIRDING IN CEMETERIES
Birders visiting cemeteries should be respectful of other visitors...

FRIENDS OF MOUNT AUBURN CEMETERY
Founded in 1831, Mount Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge, MA..

FRS RADIOS - CHANNEL 11 / 22 - GUIDELINES
On January 1, 2002, the Brookline Bird Club adopted the American Birding...

General Rules for Birding in Cemeteries

Birders visiting cemeteries should be respectful of other visitors and mindful of cemetery rules and regulations, particularly those concerning hours and parking. Picnicking is not appropriate and is against the rules in some cemeteries, such as Mount Auburn Cemetery in Watertown/Cambridge.

Leaders of groups planning to visit cemeteries should call in advance to register. Birders should avoid touching monuments and certainly should not use them for tables or backrests. If birders observe any vandalism or disturbances, they should notify cemetery management. Many cemeteries would appreciate a report of your bird sightings for their records.

Mount Auburn Cemetery, in particular, enjoys a long history of well-mannered BBC groups and depends on the efforts made by club leaders and members to set examples for the many visitors and groups that gather there each spring. Club members can do their part to maintain this relationship by observing the birding ethics published above. Further, birders in Mount Auburn should move away from areas where memorial and funeral services are being held and give grieving visitors their privacy. Birders should use paths to avoid trampling natural plantings and should gather in only small quiet groups, not large loud crowds. Cars should be parked on roads without green lines with all wheels on the pavement. Observe "no parking" signs and requests from the cemetery staff. Move far away from the entrance area to park. Do not park on sections of roads needed for funeral processions -- Central, Lawn, Spruce, and Fountain Avenues. Food and drinks are not permitted in the cemetery. Groups planning to visit the cemetery should register in advance by calling (617)607-1986 or completing the online group registration form (Note: Spring BBC trips are already registered). Birders mindful of the above will help preserve the special peace and tranquility of Mount Auburn.

FRIENDS OF MOUNT AUBURN CEMETERY

By-Laws of the Brookline Bird Club, Inc.

As amended April 13, 2007

Article I

The name of this organization shall be the Brookline Bird Club, Inc.
(which is hereinafter referred to as the “club”).

Article II

The objectives of this club shall be the stimulating of interest in bird life and the increase and protection of our local wild birds.

Article III

Section 1: Any person may become a member upon payment of dues to the club.
Section 2: The Board of Directors may determine different classifications of membership and may establish dues for each such classification, including, without limitation, life membership dues, by a three-fourths vote of the Board members present at any Board meeting.
Section 3: Any person may be elected an Honorary Life Member by a unanimous vote of the Board members, present and voting at any Board meeting, and three-fourths vote of the club membership, present and voting at any club business meeting

Article IV

Section 1: The governing body of this club shall be a Board of Directors, consisting of four Officers and sixteen Directors. The Directors shall be divided into two groups of eight each. The tenure of office of only eight can expire by limitation in any one year. At each Annual Meeting, members of the club will elect eight Directors by plurality vote of the members present at such Annual Meeting.
Section 2: At each Annual Meeting the club will elect by plurality vote of the members so present a President, Vice-President, Treasurer, and Clerk (who will also be Recording Secretary).
Section 3: Vacancies in the Board of Directors shall be filled by a majority vote of remaining Board members to complete the term in which these vacancies occur.
Section 4: Should the office of President become vacant, the Vice-President will become President and the office of Vice-President will be filled in accordance with Article IV, Section 3.
Section 5: Prior to the Annual Meeting, the President shall appoint a Nominating Committee of three club members, whose duties shall be to present at the Annual Meeting a list of candidates for elective office.
Section 6: A two-thirds vote of the entire board may, with or without cause, remove an officer or director from the Board of Directors.

Article V

Section 1: The duties of the President shall be to preside at all meetings, appoint committees, and exercise the general affairs of the club.
Section 2: In the absence of the President, the Vice-President shall preside at all meetings and perform all duties of the President.
Section 3: The Recording Secretary (Clerk) shall keep the records of all the proceedings of the club and the Board of Directors.
Section 4: The Treasurer shall pay from the funds of the club all bills authorized or approved by the Board of Directors, maintain records of club income and expenses, present an annual financial report to the Board, and file all financial reports required by State and Federal law.

Article VI

Section 1

The Annual Meeting shall be held before May 15 of each year. A notice of the meeting shall be sent by surface or electronic mail to each member at least ten days in advance.

Section 2

The order of business of the Annual Meeting shall be:


	1.   Reading of the record of the previous meeting.
	2.   Treasurer’s Report.
	3.   Reading of Communications and Committee Reports.
	4.   Election of Officers.
	5.   Unfinished Business.
	6.   New Business.

Section 3

Club meetings may be held at any time on ten days’ notice at the call of the President, or upon written application signed by three members of the Board of Directors.

Section 4

Fifty members present at any club meeting shall constitute a quorum.

Section 5

Meetings of the Board of Directors may be held at such times as may be appointed by the President, or in the absence of the President by the Vice-President or by a petition of three members of the Board of Directors.

Section 6

Eleven members present at any Board of Directors Meeting shall constitute a quorum, and each Board member present will have one vote.

Section 7

The Board members may adopt a vote other than at a duly held Meeting of said Board of Directors if such vote is adopted in a writing signed or agreed to via electronic mail by all Board members and placed in the corporation’s minute book by the Clerk. Any such vote so adopted shall be as fully effectual as if adopted at a duly held meeting of said Board of Directors.

Article VII

Section 1: Each director and officer of the club in each instance, whether elected by the members of the club or by the Board of Directors and whether or not then in office, shall be indemnified by the club against all charges which may be reasonably incurred or paid by him or her in connection with any claim, actual or threatened action, suit or proceeding (civil, criminal or other, including appeals) in which he or she may be involved by reason of his or her being or having been such director or officer, made or brought against him or her by reason of any act or omission, or alleged act or omission by him or her in any or each such capacity, and also against all charges which may be reasonably incurred or paid by him or her (other than to the club for its account) in reasonable settlement of any such claim, action, suit or proceeding.

The determination whether a settlement is or was reasonable shall be made by a majority of a quorum of the Board of Directors comprised of those Board members who are not involved in the claim, action, suit or proceeding, and if there be no such quorum, then by one or more disinterested persons to whom the question may be referred by the Board of Directors.
Section 2: The Board of Directors may, by general vote or by vote pertaining to a specific field trip leader or agent, authorize indemnification of the club’s field trip leaders and agents to whatever extent they may determine, which may be in the same manner and to the same extent provided in Section 1 above.
Section 3: As used in this Article VII, the term “charges” shall include, without limitation, judgment awards, settlement awards, awards by other tribunals or bodies, attorneys' fees, costs, fines, penalties and other liabilities.
Section 4: Indemnification under this Article VII, whether under Section 1 or Section 2, shall not be made, and no person shall be entitled to indemnification, in any case where such claim, action, suit or proceeding shall proceed to final adjudication and it shall be finally adjudged, nor shall any settlement be determined reasonable if it is found, that such director, officer, field trip leader or agent has not acted in good faith and in the reasonable belief that his or her action was in the best interests of the club. Neither a judgment of conviction nor the entry of any plea in a criminal case shall of itself be deemed an adjudication that such director, officer, field trip leader or agent acted without good faith, or for a purpose which he or she did not reasonably believe to be in the best interests of the club.
Section 5: The rights of indemnification herein provided for shall be severable, shall not be exclusive of other rights to which any director, officer, field trip leader or agent may now or hereafter be entitled, shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be such director, officer, field trip leader or agent, and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a person.
Section 6: The club shall have power to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, field trip leader or other agent of the club, or is or was serving at the request of the club as a director, officer, field trip leader or other agent of another organization, in which it has an interest, against any liability incurred by him or her in any such capacity , or arising out of his or her status as such, whether or not the club would have the power to indemnify him or her against such liability.

Article VIII

Amendments to these By-laws may be made by a three-fourths vote of the club members present at any club meeting, provided written notice of the proposed change shall have been sent to every club member, via surface or electronic mail, not less than ten days prior to the meeting at which such action is taken.

Monday, July 27, 2009

Member Benefits

The "Blue Book" - Trips, Events, Lecture Meetings, Workshops... All for as little as $15.00 per year...
Individual, family or life memberships available.

Membership Form

BBC Pins & Decals

Ordering Information

Trips: The BBC runs trips every weekend, daily trips during spring migration, dedicated pelagic trips, and combined whale watch and pelagic birding trips. Guests are always welcome. All trips are listed in our famous "Blue Book," which is sent to members three times a year. Check out a list of upcoming trips.
Discount on BBC Pelagic Trips: Members who participate on BBC sponsored pelagic trips will receive a 15-20% discount off the fee for the boat. With 3 trips generally scheduled each year, members participating in multiple trips could see savings up to $100.
Events: We also hold two or more lecture meetings a year, and workshops to hone your birding skills. Club members also take part in Christmas Counts, Biodiversity Days, beach cleanups, and breeding bird censuses.
Rare Bird Hotline: The BBC Hotline is the way to find out about current rarities in the area. To sign up for our Hotline, write to Barbara Volkle and tell her you wish to subscribe to the email Hotline.
New Friends: Club members enjoy sharing their birding knowledge and helping each other sharpen skills. Meet some of us online on the Officers' page or on some of our Members' Personal Web Pages.
Steve Grinley, of the Bird Watcher's Supply and Gift, is offering current BBC members a 10% discount on all books and ABA guides as well as substantial discounts on binoculars, spotting scopes and tripods. Bring in your current BBC Blue Book to the store located on the Route 1 traffic circle in Newburyport. For more information phone Steve at 978-462-0775 or toll-free at 877-289-2974.

Join the BBC

Statistical Reports

The BBC has a yearly report summarizing the trips taken and the birds seen, along with individual birders's highlights and lists.
See the reports for:

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

2008 Statistical and Year End Report

By Robert H. Stymeist, Statistician

During 2008, the Brookline Bird Club listed 306 species of birds on 190 reported trips, three species less than last year. A total of 249 trips were scheduled, 4 trips more than last year, but 41 trips less than the all time high number of 290 in 2000. There were 70 all-day, 152 mornings, 25 afternoons or evening, and two weekend trips. FIFTY-NINE trips were not reported, 20 were cancelled by weather and THIRTY-NINE went unreported. In Massachusetts the Club listed a total of 296 species, two less than last year on 186 reported trips. To put this in perspective, birders throughout the state recorded a

total of 364 species during the year, thus the BBC total of 296 is 81% of all the species seen in 2008!

Three new species were added to the overall Brookline Bird Club list of birds. The Club recorded SLATY-BACKED GULL from Gloucester. This bird, along with another sighting from Cape Cod, showed up in December of 2007 and remained in the area through at least February 24 and was seen on several Cape Ann trips beginning January 12. The Club added the BROAD-BILLED HUMMINGBIRD in September in East Dennis. This adult male arrived on August 24 and remained until December 13 and was a first state record. A pre Machias Maine weekend trip to Newmarket, New Hampshire added MISSISSIPPI KITE to the overall BBC Club list. Three birds, two of which SUCCESSFULLY bred, constituted the northern most breeding record for the species. Mississippi Kites also bred for the first time in Connecticut; hopefully they will start breeding in Massachusetts soon.

For the birder, the weather in 2008 was for the most part unremarkable, with no ocean storms or massive fallouts noted during migration. January and February were unseasonably warm, the temperature rose to a balmy 67 on January 7 and for the third winter in a row the temperature never reached zero or below in the Boston area. Rainfall was just a bit above average and snowfall for the winter season reached 24.3 inches in Boston, just four inches above normal. March began rather lamb-like but soon heavy rains caused floods in eastern Mass. and heavy snows in the north and western parts of the state. April brought samples of summer with the mercury hitting into the eighties causing the trees to leaf out, making it harder to see the first migrants. May, on the other hand, was on the cool side with a lot of east and northeast winds during the first half of the month, hampering migration for many of us in eastern Massachusetts. The last half of the month saw many more days with winds from a southwesterly direction, providing us with happier birding. The summer months were busy for many birders searching for breeding birds with the start of the Mass Audubon Breeding Bird Atlas. The temperature averaged out at nearly 72 in Boston for the summer months of June, July and August. The start of the fall migration began in earnest in August with the first shorebirds returning and helped by a good number of days in August with northwest winds. The fall season was a bit cool with a of lot rain especially with Hurricane Hanna in September which did not produce any major flight of storm related birds. The first freeze hit the Boston suburbs well into October, but the first hard freeze did not occur in Boston until November 18th. December was a bit on the mild side but was very wet and snowy. Many of the Christmas Bird Counts had to be rescheduled due to a major snowstorm. Boston recorded 7.10 inches of rain, 3.37 inches over normal and a near record 25.3 inches of snow, 18.4 inches more than normal for December.

The sixth Annual Winter Meeting was held at Bedford Middle School on February 29, 2008. This was the Club's FIRST Members Night. So many members of our Club travel all over the world as well as our own backyards and take excellent photographs. Peter and Fay Vale shared some of their best photos from a trip to South Africa in October 2007 and Paul Ippolito and Diana Fruguglietti took us on their adventure to Uganda, the pearl of Africa. Eddie Giles entertained the Club with his multi-media show on the annual BBC Rangeley Lake trip, which prompted a quick sign-up for the summer of 2009. Helen Bailey with a little help from her friends as well as strangers, gave an interesting presentation followed by Joe Paluzzi with a fun show on bird lists and Shawn Carey closed the evening with fabulous photos of the birds and other wildlife he has taken in Massachusetts. The Spring Meeting at the Harvard Museum of Natural History featured Alison O'Hare, who shared with us the results of a two-year study of the Purple Martins of Plum Island. The fall meeting at Harvard featured members Paul Ippolito and his wife Diana Fruguglietti on their trip to the Galapagos Islands. This famous group of islands that Charles Darwin explored is a photographer's utmost dream.

Laura de la Flor and Mark Burns opened up the start of 2008 by leading their twelfth annual New Year's Day birding trip. A small army of THIRTY-THREE members came out on a warm but wet day to begin a New Year of birding. The trip tallied 49 species from Newburyport to Gloucester and finished up at the Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary in Topsfield. There were many highlights including the only Hoary Redpolls of the year. Laura and Mark also led us through the seasons with a Vernal Equinox walk on March 22, a Summer Solstice hike on June 21and an Autumnal Equinox walk on September 20th. Jane Zanichkowsky led a Leap Day Lark trip on February 29 where mergansers and goldeneyes were in heavy courtship mode.

The annual Grand Slam Owl Prowl had to be cancelled this year due to weather, but Eddie Giles carried out a Cape Cod Waterfowl Prowl with Mary Kelleher. The intent of this trip was to cover as many ponds on Cape Cod as possible in hopes of seeing the 29 species of ducks (geese and swans don't count). The leaders tallied 61 species and came up with 27 of the 29 duck species! The Club scheduled Woodcock walks in Stoughton, Reading, and the Blue Hills. The Club continued cosponsoring 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 Volkle; Breeding Bird Surveys were conducted in Woburn and in Moose Brook Valley, Hardwick.

Again this year there was a three day Cape Cod Blitz, starting on Friday, September 12 at the feeder in East Dennis to add the Club's first record of Broad-billed Hummingbird. The weather went downhill from there with gusty winds on South Beach and off and on rain, sometimes heavy. Despite the weather, the trip recorded 113 species, which included 4 Yellow-crowned Night Herons, and absolute killer looks at a Baird's Sandpiper just a few feet away.

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 super rarities found on these trips included Audubon's Shearwater, Band-rumped Storm-Petrel, Long-tailed Jaeger and Bridled Tern. The mammal show wasn't too shabby, on the June 30th trip a staggering count of over 1100 Common or Saddleback Dolphins charged the boat to come and investigate us and to ride the bow waves and wake.

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 72 leaders who guided our members throughout the year, this was the second highest number of leaders ever - in 1988 there were 78 leaders. There are several leaders deserving special mention. Bill Drummond and Ida Giriunas, two of our long term members led the most with 19 trips each, followed by Soheil Zendeh with 15 trips, Bob Stymeist with 14, Jane Zanichkowsky and Glenn D'Entremont each with 13, Jonathan Center led 12 and Linda Ferraresso and Bob Petersen each led 10. Another twelve dedicated leaders accounted for five or more trips each.

The Club visited Essex County most often; with a total of 86 scheduled trips seeing 232 species on 74 reported trips. Mount Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge was a distant second with 36 trips, which recorded 108 species. There were also 34 scheduled trips in the Metropolitan Boston area, 19 trips were scheduled in the extended Sudbury River Valley, which included Great Meadows NWR, Oxbow NWR, and the Assabet NWR, and one visit to Bolton Flats. Thirty-three 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 seven trips to areas in Western Mass.

Out-of-state trips included a weekend trip to the Machias area and to Rangeley Lakes in Maine. The combined total number of species on the Maine trips was 137 and included some boreal birds such as Spruce Grouse, Black-backed Woodpecker, Gray Jay and Boreal Chickadee. Both Ida Giriunas 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 three trips scheduled in New Hampshire plus one diversion to Newmarket for the Mississippi Kites. Highlights among the 94 species included Rufous Hummingbird, Gray Jay, and Boreal Chickadee, plus the only report of Ipswich Sparrow.

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:

Eared Grebe	Gloucester	January 5
Scopoli's (Cory's) Shearwater	Atlantis Canyon trip	June 28
Audubon's Shearwater	Atlantis Canyon trip	June 28
Leach's Storm-Petrel	Atlantis Canyon trip	June 28
Band-rumped Storm-Petrel	Atlantis Canyon trip	July 19
MISSISSIPPI KITE	Newmarket, NH	June 13
King Rail	Plum Island	July 7
Long-tailed Jaeger	Atlantis Canyon trip	July 19
Thayer's Gull	Gloucester	February 17
SLATY-BACKED GULL	Gloucester	January 12
Bridled Tern	Atlantis Canyon trip	July 19
BROAD-BILLED HUMMINGBIRD	East Dennis	September 13
Rufous Hummingbird	Plaistow, NH	November 2
Townsend's Solitaire	Rockport	January 5
Bohemian Waxwing	Rockport	January 12
Summer Tanager	Mt. Auburn	May 16

The following species occur with some regularity in Massachusetts but were missed by the Club during 2008: Northern Bobwhite, Cattle Egret, Upland Sandpiper, Ruff, Long-billed Dowitcher, Little Gull, Black-headed Gull, Long-eared Owl, Olive-sided Flycatcher (seen in Maine), Yellow-bellied Flycatcher (seen in New Hampshire and Maine), Gray-cheeked Thrush, Golden-winged Warbler, Connecticut Warbler, and Pine Siskin (seen in Maine).

The biggest trip list this year was Bill Drummond's trip on May 10 from Rowley to Newburyport and including Plum Island which recorded just 89 species, this is the first year in decades that did not reach the century mark in a single day!

Date	Location	# Species	Leader
January 26	Somerset-Westport	59	Bob Stymeist
February 10	Scituate-Plymouth	67	Glenn d'Entremont
March 15	Cape Cod Waterfowl	61	Eddie Giles
April 27	Boston	85	Bob Stymeist
May 10	Rowley-Plum Island	89	Bill Drummond
June 22	October Mountain	85	Glenn d'Entremont
July 7	Plum Island	82	Tom Young
August 31	Newburyport-PI	65	Bill Drummond
September 13	Wellfleet	79	Bob Stymeist
October 5	Ipswich	70	Tom Young
November 1	Plum Island-Salisbury	75	Bill Drummond
December 6	Cape Ann	44	Bob Petersen

The Club recorded 81% of all the birds that were noted during 2008 - pretty impressive! A total of at least 364 species, thirteen less than last year were observed and reported by birders across the state during 2008. Other noteworthy species seen during the year but not on the BBC list were: Black-bellied Whistling Duck, Greater White-fronted Goose, Cackling Goose, Barnacle Goose, Tundra Swan, White Pelican, Black Vulture, Swallow-tailed Kite, Golden Eagle, Gyrfalcon, Yellow Rail, Purple Gallinule, Black-necked Stilt, Curlew Sandpiper, Franklin's Black-tailed, and Sabine's gulls, Calliope Hummingbird, Say's Phoebe, Fork-tailed Flycatcher, Loggerhead Shrike, Sedge Wren, Mountain Bluebird, Varied Thrush, Audubon's and Prothonotary warblers, and Yellow-headed Blackbird to name a few.

There were a few spirited competitions during the year; the most ambitious one was on Plum Island. Tom Wetmore kept a daily tally of all the birds seen on the Island and generated a friendly contest (though those heavily involved were hesitant to bird any where else) and the total number of species seen on the Island was an amazing 292 which was taken from a total of 52,853 reports. Not to be outdone, a group from Boston formed the BIMBO's (Birding in metro Boston only) to challenge the Plums. It was a see-saw year with the Plums winning by just five species, the BIMBO's finished the year with 287 birds. Another competition initiated by the Brits and embraced by a cadre of Boston birders was a BIGBY; this is an acronym for birders doing a Big Green Big Year in which birders attempt to build a long list of species without once contributing to greenhouse gas emissions though public transportation was allowed.

ANNUAL LISTS

There was no question among those who sent in their lists, the Broad-billed Hummingbird that spent almost five months coming to a feeder in Dennis was the clear favorite. You have to also believe that the whole scene there in the backyard of Ron and Marge Murphy had a lot to do with it. The Murphy's opened up their yard to the birding community and totally changed their daily routine to accommodate their visitor. The Fork-tailed Flycatcher, which showed up in early April in a small pond in Brighton provided excellent photo opportunities and was listed as a favorite on many lists. Here in their own words are some other favorite memories of 2008.

"A Cape May Warbler feeding in the spruce tree illuminated by a warm October sun"

"Watching Cave Swallows heading to their roost in the north-east corner of the pavilion in Salisbury"

"Seeing a Sandhill Crane flying low over the Bill Forward Pool on Plum Island"

"King Rails at Plum Island, hearing the bellowing male, then seen preening, stretching its wings and making "kik" calls at 20 feet away"

"The Say's Phoebe popping up on a sprig of goldenrod in the dunes at dawn"

"Watching Chimney Swifts retiring to a chimney in West Newbury one evening"

"Visiting the active tern colony at the end of Plymouth Beach, seeing four species of terns on a gorgeous, cloudless summer day"

Other favorites included personal finds: a Gyrfalcon, a Bicknell's Thrush, baby Barred Owls, seeing 36 species of Wood warblers. Rounding out the list of favorites was: White-faced Ibis, Slaty-backed and Black-tailed gulls, Golden Eagle, Clapper Rail, Townsend's Solitaire, Bohemian Waxwings and Western Tanager.

The Gloucester Eared Grebe it seems, failed to return in the fall and was among the top vote getters for most missed bird, Doug Chickering wrote, " Since 1996 it has been my first "write-in" on my Massachusetts list; it seems the era of the Eared Grebe of Gloucester Harbor is over, for over a decade this unlikely visitor could be seen, usually next to a white mooring ball, I'll miss him"

Most aggravating multi-year miss: "Ruffed Grouse in spite of a serious effort"

Most disturbing new this year miss: ‘Stilt Sandpiper"

Actually Stilt Sandpiper was listed by many along with Western, Baird's, Buff-breasted and Upland sandpipers.

Repeated trips in search of a rare bird only to keep coming up empty frustrated some birders, the Black-tailed Gull at Race Point in Provincetown always seemed to be missing on the days they looked and the Tundra Swans in Longmeadow had always just flown away moments after arriving. Cave Swallow and Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow garnered votes especially after an extensive search.

Then there are the "should have got that" bird, one respondent listed FORTY species! Owls always seem to make the list and Barred Owls were mentioned most often and still, the Golden-winged Warbler makes the list from veteran birders who remember the days when they outnumbered the Blue-winged Warbler.

All in all it was a very good year, really hard to complain, and a great big thank-you to Massbird, the Internet and the great group of birders who share their knowledge and their love of birding throughout the year.

THE ANNUAL LISTS

John Hoye, Wayland	326
Audrey McCarthy, Wayland	323
Oakes Spalding, Cambridge	312
Herman D'Entremont, Somerville	311
Glenn d'Entremont, Stoughton	307
Chris Floyd, Lexington 303
Linda Ferraresso, Watertown	300
Ida Giriunas, Reading	293
Margo Goetschkes, Cambridge	293
Mollie Taylor, Danvers	291
Steve Grinley, Newburyport	289
Bev Chiasson, Newton	288
Doug Chickering, Groveland	273
Bob Stymeist, Arlington	272
George Gove, Southboro	272
Karsten Hartel, Arlington	269
Fred Bouchard, Belmont	266
Paul Gurn, Fall River	261
Eileen Synnott, Fall River	260
Tom Wetmore, Newburyport	260*
Steve Grinley, Newburyport	257*
Lois Cooper, Groveland	254
Jonathan Center, Chelmsford	252
Margo Goetschkes, Cambridge	241*
Doug Chickering, Groveland	231*
Sue McGrath, Newburyport	231*
Laura de laFlor, Salem	229
Davis Noble, Marblehead	189**

*Plum Island Only

** Marblehead only

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