Joining your local bird club is an excellent way to get started birding, improve your birding skills, meet new people, visit beautiful places, and learn more about birds, conservation, habitat, ecology, environmental justice, citizen science, biodiversity, and climate change.
Every club is different, but most are either free to join or less than $30 annually. Most clubs listed below offer free events, talks, and bird walks, and many have excellent online resources available.
New England’s bird clubs are some of the nation’s oldest and come in many forms—from the loosely affiliated groups of enthusiasts who bird on weekends to more formal clubs that make grants, advocate for conservation, and sponsor popular events.
New England’s clubs also have fascinating histories featuring legendary “twitches,” scientific discovery, and plenty of rabble-rousing. Birders here have never been shy about challenging the status quo to protect bird habitats and green spaces, promote birding and advocate for greater environmental justice.
Smaller, more rural areas may have fewer clubs, or their clubs may largely meet online, but they are often no less active. In addition to these “IRL” clubs, there are dozens of online communities focussed on New England birding that can be lively places to share birding experiences and ask questions.
Need more reasons to join? Check out this blog post.
Join your local club or clubs and be part of writing the next chapter.
Did we get something wrong? Are we missing a club? Want to share a suggested addition?
Please send us corrections (be sure to include a link).
Thank you!
Despite sharing a name, not all Audubon organizations are the same. The Audubon societies of Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island are unique, independent organizations founded before the National Audubon Society. Audubon Vermont is a chapter of National Audubon, and Connecticut has both an independent organization known as Connecticut Audubon and a chapter of National Audubon (Audubon Connecitcut).
All the independent New England Audubon organizations preserve important habit through sanctuary programs, offer education and recreation, and advocate for environmental stewardship—and increasingly environmental and climate justice. They also conduct and support important conservation research.
National Audubon, founded in 1905, supports almost 500 chapters in many states offering trips, talks, special events, workshops. In partnership with local chapetres, National Audubon. protects more than a billion acres of wild spaces—from Alaskan wilderness to working farmland, including 2,700+ Important Bird Areas and are leaders in science-backed conservation practice. In New England, the National Audubon’s Atlantic Flyway Project operates across the East Coast to study migrating birds and the impact of climate change, urban life and other factors, on their populations.
Learn more about Audubon societies and why many are calling for a name change here.
"Why do I live in Connecticut? As an artist and a writer I need New York for the American Museum of Natural History and Boston for Houghton Mifflin, my publisher. But as a naturalist I prefer to live as far from either as I can manage.’’
Connecticut is a compact destination—if necessary, you could drive across hills in just two hours. But with almost 450 recorded species you’ll want to pause and get out your binoculars.
The state’s diverse habita includes rich grassland and farmland, wetlands and riverine habitat, forests and woodlands, rocky and sandy islands, and an extraordinary ocean front. The shoreline along Long Island Sound in particular is not to be missed—it’s prime feeding and breeding ground for seabirds, shorebirds, and waterfowl—often in large numbers.
Whether you choose shorebirding along coast, woodland birding in northern Connecticut, or eagle watching on the Connecticut River, this state offers many birding delights.
"In our modern world, nothing may be taken for granted—not even the spring songs that herald the return of the birds."
The largest New England state, Maine also has 3,478 miles of coastline, the 4th most in the US, as well as more than 4,600 islands helping to make it one of the most exciting sea-birding destinations in the lower 48.
Combine all that with a prime location on the Atlantic flyway, deep boreal forests, one of the largest and wildest river systems in the country, plenty of elevation change, pristine lakes, and wetlands, and you have the ideal destination for a combination of birding and outdoor adventure. Maine birding sometimes seems designed for visitors more so than residents.
At least 29 inland breeding species reach the northern limits of their breeding range in Maine, while 28 species the southern limits. Two species reach their eastern limits.
Many of the state’s seabirds reach their southern breeding limits on Maine’s islands, including Atlantic puffins and razorbills.
Maine also plays hosts legendary birding festivals in different parts of the state—including festivals with pelagic birding opportunities. Book early!
Maine’s state bird is officially the “chickadee” (which one, however, is your choice).
"I hope you love birds too. It is economical. It saves going to heaven."
Massachusetts may have more birders as a percentage of the population than any other state. Home to the oldest American bird clubs and the birthplace of the conservation movement, the Migratory Bird Act, dozens of birding luminaries, and Mass Audubon, the state’s birding legacy is vast, deep, and multi-dimensional.
A compact state with many kinds of habitats, Massachusetts attracts a wide range of species — from pelagic birds off Stellwagen Bank to rocky island seabird nesting colonies to boreal birds in the Berkshires, Not surprisingly, it’s one of only two states in the northeast with more 500 species in eBird.
Many prominent birders, bird scientists, and naturalists have deep connections to Massachusets. The state’s birding community includes conservation, climate, and environmental justice leaders—researcher, activists, and citizen scientists who contribute to our understanding of climate change, land use, environment and accessiblity in the outdoors and enrich our appreciation of birds and birding.
Massachusetts is also home to dozens of artists, poets, photographers, and musicians whose work has been inspired by birds from Emily Dickenson to painter Barry van Dusen to the great woodcarver Elmer Crowell.
With more than 25 clubs and many oher orgaziain soffering rips, pretty much any week of the year. ,you can find a free bird walk or adventure to join.
"There is a singer everyone has heard
Loud, a mid-summer and a mid-wood bird,"
New Hampshire’s White Mountains, seacoast and forested landscape offer excellent birding in all four seasons.
The mountains in particular are reliable for boreal species like Bicknell’s Thrush, Gray Jay, and Spruce Grouse as well as nesting wood warblers and raptors, while the seacoast and islands offer important searbird breeding habitat, especially for terns.
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"The four-leggeds, the trees, springs, and streams, even the water, where the laughing whitefish goes, and the big sky of many eagles is saying goodbye. Come back, Grandfather, come back!
Small but mighty, Rhode Island’s location on the Atlantic flyway makes it an ideal place for birding. The state’s geology includes multiple “migrant traps” all along the south coast and islands and a variety of unusual ecosystems
The best known of these migrant traps is Block Island, situated about 10 miles to the south of the mainland. Block Island is known for some of the best birding in the world—the tiny island’ list is over 310 species. During fall migration Block Island can be an extremely exciting place as birds migrating through often include spectacular rareties.
Rhode Island birding offers other wonders. Sea ducks, including a large colony of Harelquin Ducks, gather in large rafts off Sachusett Point in winter. In summer, the coastal sandplains, marshes, and beaches draw waders and shorebirds. Listen for salt marsh sparrows in the wetlands.
Napatree Point is a dynamic and ever-changing barrier spit of sand and glacial moraine—a spit of land formed by a process called longshore drift that literally moves. The once-forested barrier beach juts out into Little Narragansett Bay and has been formally designated a “Globally Important Bird Area.”
Given that it is the smallest state, it makes sense that Rhode Island has one dedicated bird club—Ocean State Bird Club. Many sanctuaries and parks also offer occasional walks.
With a ratio of one eBird hotspot per square mile of state, there’s always good birding to be had in Rhode Island.
“The movers and shakers on our planet, aren’t the billionaires and generals, they are the incredible numbers of people around the world filled with love for neighbor and for the earth who are resisting, remaking, restoring, renewing and revitalising.”
Small but mighty, Rhode Island’s location on the Atlanic flyway makes it an ideal place for birding with multiple natural “migrant traps” all along the south coast and islands.
The best known of these migrant traps is Block Island which is situated about 10 miles to the southe of the mainland. During fall migration Block Island can be an extremely exicting place as birds migrating through often include spectacular rareties.
Rhode Island birding is filled with wonders. Sea ducks gather in large rafts off Sachusett Point in winter. In summer,the coast mashes and beaches draw waders and shorebirds. Listen for saltmarsh sparrow in the wetands.
Given that it is the smallest state, it makes sense that Rhode Island has one bird club—Ocean State Bird Club. Many Massachusetts clubs host trips to Rhode Island
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http://www.northeastwildlifetrackers.org/
Massachusetts Horticultural Society
Wild See Project (Maine)
Rhode Island Wild Plant Society
Pollinator Pathways
Connecticut Entomological Society (also on Facebook)
Coleopterists Society
Urban Nature Walk (Boston)
Massachusetts Butterfly Club (a chapter of the North American Butterfly Association)
MassLep (Google Group)
New England Entomological Association
The Acadian Entomological Society
The Entomological Society of America (ESA)
New England Herpetological Society
Massachusetts Horticultural Society
Wild See Project (Maine)
Rhode Island Wild Plant Society
Connecticut Entymological Society (also on Facebook)
New England Nature Photographers
A large and active Facebook group for sharing and advice
Nature and Wildlife Photographers of New England and Beyond
A meet-u group
Despite sharing a name. not all Audubon organizations are the same. The Audubon societies of Massachusetts. New Hampshire. and Rhode Island are each independent organizations founded before the founding of National Audubon with their own histories. Mass Audubon is the oldest—founded in 1896. In addition to their vital conservation, climate, research, and education work, each of these organizations offers extensive nature programming to their members and to the public as well as thousands of acres of protected wildlife sanctuaries.
National Audubon, founded in 1905, supports chapters in many states and also offers trips, talks, special events, workshops, and camps. They also protect wild spaces and offer nature experiences. In addition to state chapters, the National Audubon Atlantic Flyway Project operates across the East Coast, including the coasal New England states.
Local National Audubon chapters are listed in each state’s listing.
Young birders clubs offer a variety of birding trips, special events and social activiies designed specifically for elementary aged students and teens.
Massachusetts Horticultural Society
Wild See Project (Maine)
Rhode Island Wild Plant Society
Pollinator Pathways
Connecticut Entomological Society (also on Facebook)
Coleopterists Society
Urban Nature Walk (Boston)
Massachusetts Butterfly Club (a chapter of the North American Butterfly Association)
MassLep (Google Group)
New England Entomological Association
The Acadian Entomological Society
The Entomological Society of America (ESA)
New England Herpetological Society
Massachusetts Horticultural Society
Wild See Project (Maine)
Rhode Island Wild Plant Society
Connecticut Entymological Society (also on Facebook)
New England Nature Photographers
A large and active Facebook group for sharing and advice
Nature and Wildlife Photographers of New England and Beyond
A meet-u group
Despite sharing a name. not all Audubon organizations are the same. The Audubon societies of Massachusetts. New Hampshire. and Rhode Island are each independent organizations founded before the founding of National Audubon with their own histories. Mass Audubon is the oldest—founded in 1896. In addition to their vital conservation, climate, research, and education work, each of these organizations offers extensive nature programming to their members and to the public as well as thousands of acres of protected wildlife sanctuaries.
National Audubon, founded in 1905, supports chapters in many states and also offers trips, talks, special events, workshops, and camps. They also protect wild spaces and offer nature experiences. In addition to state chapters, the National Audubon Atlantic Flyway Project operates across the East Coast, including the coasal New England states.
Local National Audubon chapters are listed in each state’s listing.
Did we get something wrong? Are we missing a club? Please send us corrections. Thank you!
Young birders clubs offer a variety of birding trips, special events and social activiies designed specifically for elementary aged students and teens.
Massachusetts Horticultural Society
Wild See Project (Maine)
Rhode Island Wild Plant Society
Pollinator Pathways
Connecticut Entomological Society (also on Facebook)
Coleopterists Society
Urban Nature Walk (Boston)
Massachusetts Butterfly Club (a chapter of the North American Butterfly Association)
MassLep (Google Group)
New England Entomological Association
The Acadian Entomological Society
The Entomological Society of America (ESA)
New England Herpetological Society
Massachusetts Horticultural Society
Wild See Project (Maine)
Rhode Island Wild Plant Society
Connecticut Entymological Society (also on Facebook)
New England Nature Photographers
A large and active Facebook group for sharing and advice
Nature and Wildlife Photographers of New England and Beyond
A meet-u group
Despite sharing a name. not all Audubon organizations are the same. The Audubon societies of Massachusetts. New Hampshire. and Rhode Island are each independent organizations founded before the founding of National Audubon with their own histories. Mass Audubon is the oldest—founded in 1896. In addition to their vital conservation, climate, research, and education work, each of these organizations offers extensive nature programming to their members and to the public as well as thousands of acres of protected wildlife sanctuaries.
National Audubon, founded in 1905, supports chapters in many states and also offers trips, talks, special events, workshops, and camps. They also protect wild spaces and offer nature experiences. In addition to state chapters, the National Audubon Atlantic Flyway Project operates across the East Coast, including the coasal New England states.
Local National Audubon chapters are listed in each state’s listing.
Did we get something wrong? Are we missing a club? Please send us corrections. Thank you!
Young birders clubs offer a variety of birding trips, special events and social activiies designed specifically for elementary aged students and teens.
Massachusetts Horticultural Society
Wild See Project (Maine)
Rhode Island Wild Plant Society
Pollinator Pathways
Connecticut Entomological Society (also on Facebook)
Coleopterists Society
Urban Nature Walk (Boston)
Massachusetts Butterfly Club (a chapter of the North American Butterfly Association)
MassLep (Google Group)
New England Entomological Association
The Acadian Entomological Society
The Entomological Society of America (ESA)
New England Herpetological Society
Massachusetts Horticultural Society
Wild See Project (Maine)
Rhode Island Wild Plant Society
Connecticut Entymological Society (also on Facebook)
New England Nature Photographers
A large and active Facebook group for sharing and advice
Nature and Wildlife Photographers of New England and Beyond
A meet-u group
The Chirp Sporadic is our occcasional newsletter in which we share updates on Festival events and happenings as well as assorted birding-related news.
