New England Bird Clubs

Join A Local Bird Club

By joining a local birding club, you will quickly improve your birding skills, meet new people in your community, visit beautiful places and learn more about birds, conservation, habitat, ecology, natural history, general history, environmental justice, citizen science, biodiversity, and climate change. Bonus? Club trips are lots of fun!

Most bird clubs are either free to join or less than $40 annually and most offer many free events and bird walks—including lots of walks for beginners. Many also offer talks, photography workshops, community service, social events, and lots more. Most also include several bird trips each year that are accessible to people with disabilities. Every club is different.

We encourage you to visit their websites and explore their calendars. Many birders end up joining several clubs.

If you are new to New England, spend part of your summer here, or you attend a college in New England, your local bird club can be a great way to meet new people in your area and explore natural places.

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(Mostly) Bird Clubs

Connecticut

Audubon Connecticut

Audubon Connecticut is the state office of the National Audubon Society and has centers in Southbury, Greenwich, and Sharon and a network of chapters and sanctuaries across the state.Audubon Connecticut is a leader in bird conservation throughout the state. Along with our members, supporters, and partners, we work together for birds, nature, and people.

Connecticut Audubon Society

Connecticut Audubon is an independent Audubon organization headquartered in Fairfield and custodian of Milford Point and other beautiful sanctuaries. CT Audubon protects birds, wildlife, and habitat through conservation, education, and advocacy. We manage 21 sanctuaries and more than 3,300 acres of open space and educate over 100,000 children and adults annually.

Connecticut Ornithological Association

We promote interest in CT birds, and collecting, preparing, and disseminating the best available scientific information on the status of CT birds and their habitats.

Connecticut Waterfowl Association

To work in Connecticut to conserve wetlands for the benefit of waterfowl and other wildlife species and to preserve the traditions associated with waterfowl hunting.

Connecticut Young Birders Asociation

CTCYB provides a safe environment for young birders from around Connecticut and nearby states to experience the wonder of birds with other kids their age.

Hartford Audubon Association

We foster and increase knowledge and understanding of birds and their place in nature and awaken a wider public interest in the preservation and protection of all wildlife.

New Haven Bird Club

The NHBC is one of the oldest birding groups in the US and works cooperatively with local organizations that share our goals and interests.

Maine

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Massachusetts

Allen Bird Club

Bringing birders together since 19121. The Allen Bird Club serves area birders and others who appreciate nature by providing a program in which to develop common interests and share knowledge about birds. These interests are encouraged, first of all, by offering more than fifty birding field trips each year that are open to the public.

Springfield, MA

Anti-Racist Collective of Avid Birders

The Anti-racist Collective of Avid Birders is an inclusive, progressive birding group based in Western Massachusetts, that was established informally in June 2020. As of December 2021, we are also a regional affiliate of the Feminist Bird Club. We center and celebrate the experiences of Black, Indigenous, Latinx and birders of color; birders of all genders and sexual orientations; and birders with disabilities. Our work is dedicated to making the outdoors—and birding in particular— accessible and safe for people who find themselves under-represented or unacknowledged in traditional birding communities.

Western MA

Athol Bird & Nature Club

The Athol Bird & Nature Club was formed in 1963 to “enhance the appreciation of natural history in the North Quabbin Region.” Founded by Robert Coyle, an eighth-grade science teacher, the Club is now a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization with a diverse membership from around the region and beyond and takes pride in its leadership role in natural resources education and conservation in the North Quabbin Region. The ABNC is also the managing partner of the Millers River Environmental Center, which provides education and training for area citizens to enhance their appreciation for, connection with, and stewardship of the rich natural resources of the region.

Athol, MA

The Boston Birding Festival

While not a membership organization, the Boston Birding Festival currently offers occasional walks, talks, and other programs in partnership with other nonprofits working on environmental justice, conservation, and nature equity and access. Our events also include birding and nature experiences that bring diverse communities and discourses together to learn and engage in conversations about environmental challenges. Look for a full calendar of programming in 2023.

Statewide

Boxborough Birders

Boxborough Birders is an enthusiastic group of bird watchers from Boxborough, Massachusetts, and nearby towns, including Acton, Harvard, Stow, and Littleton. The group focuses primarily on local “patches” (habitats) in studying and learning about resident and migratory bird species. The group organizes walks throughout the year, especially during spring and fall migration. In the winter, Boxborough Birders participate in the annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count as part of the Concord circle.

Boxborough, MA

Brookline BIrd Club

The Brookline Bird Club (BBC) is the largest, and one of the oldest and most active of the bird clubs in the US. Membership is open to all who are interested in birds and nature. We sponsor an active program of year-round field trips, covering the entire state of Massachusetts from the Berkshires to Stellwagen Bank, New England and beyond. During the peak of spring migration, walks are scheduled for every day of the week. Guests are welcome on Club walks and at Club meetings. Due to the current pandemic, club walks, webinars and workshops are open to members only, and only through online registration. This ensures precautionary measures of social distancing. Our offerings support conservation and education topics as well, including native plants, insects, bird identification, migration, and other topics connected to birds and habitat.

Boston/Brookline, MA

Cape Cod Bird Club

The Cape Cod Bird Club Inc. is an organization whose members are interested in the protection and conservation of the birdlife and natural resources of Cape Cod and beyond. Visit us online for membership info and a list of walks.

Brewster, MA and Cape Cod

Eastern Massachusetts Hawk Watch

Founded in 1976, EMHW is an all-volunteer, member-based organization whose mission is to promote the study, conservation, and preservation of hawks locally and on a continental scale by monitoring migration in Massachusetts; to share data for research and conservation purposes; to promote education and awareness of the identification of hawks and the issues related to migrating hawks and to instill an appreciation for hawks in general.

Eastern MA

Emerald Necklace Bird Club

The Emerald Necklace Bird Club was established in 2005. The club works closely with the Friends of Jamaica Pond and Jamaica Pond Project, Boston Parks and Recreation Department, Boston Park Rangers, and many private and public agencies. The Emerald Necklace is the urban oasis for much of the natural world in Boston. Both migrating and long-term resident birds find the Emerald Necklace’s continuous open spaces, marshes, and wooded areas a haven. Join the Emerald Necklace Bird Club and explore this landscape and natural wonder each season — spring, summer, fall and winter.

Boston, MA

Essex County Ornithological Club

Established in 1916, the Essex County Ornithological Club promotes interest in ornithological study in Essex County, Massachusetts, and promotes the conservation of birds and their habitats in Essex County. The Club maintains a long tradition of holding an annual May bird census by canoe and on foot on and along the Ipswich River, periodically revises the official checklist of the birds of Essex County, presents speakers, and organizes field trips consistent with the above purposes.

Essex County MA

Feminist Bird Club (Boston)

Feminist Bird Club is a bird watching club dedicated to promoting diversity in birding and providing a safe opportunity to connect with the natural world in urban environments while fundraising to protect the rights of women, members of the LGBTQ+ community and other people of color. We offer free walks in locations accessible by public transportation, and encourage beginner birders to join. Any and all persons are welcome! You can subscribe to the Feminist Bird Club mailing list to receive updates on upcoming walks, events and more.

Boston, MA

Forbush Bird Club

The aim of the Forbush Bird Club is to promote the study of birds with relation to their distribution, ecology, food requirements and population; and to promote a desire for the conservation of all our natural resources.

Worcester, MA

Hampshire Bird Club

Hampshire Bird Club Inc. is an organization dedicated to helping people enjoy birding and to help them learn about birds and bird habitats. They offer monthly meetings including programs by renowned speakers, field trips for birders at any skill level, educational outreach, strong ties to the Christmas Bird Count, a lending library, a monthly newsletter and a Rare Bird Alert.

Pittsfield, MA

Hoffman Bird Club

The Hoffmann Bird Club was established in 1940 with a mission of promoting the study of birds in Berkshire County. The club was founded under the auspices of the Berkshire Museum. and named in honor of Ralph Hoffmann a naturalist who was born in Berkshire County. Meetings are open to anyone interested in birds. Field trips are led by experienced birders and beginners are welcome.

Pittsfield, MA

Menotomy Bird Club

The Menotomy Bird Club is dedicated to making birding accessible to everyone in the Mystic Valley Watershed. We have no dues, and all activities are free and open to members and non-members alike. All activities are posted on the web page, but we encourage people to join the Arlington Birds Listserve to get reminders of events as well as discussions of birds and birding in the area.

Arlington, MA

Merrimack Valley Bird Club

The Merrimack Valley Bird Club (MVBC) has been exploring the Merrimack Valley and North Shore of Massachusetts since 1948. Newcomers are welcome. Bring binoculars and/or spotting scope if you have them! Most walks include coffee and snacks at the end unless otherwise noted. Bring something to share if you can!

Andover, MA

Nutall Ornithological Club

Founded in 1873, the Nuttall Ornithological Club was the first organization in North America devoted to ornithology. During the Club’s nearly 150 years, its members have included the premier names in the field of ornithology, such as William Brewster, Ludlow Griscom, and Roger Tory Peterson. A primary goal of the club is to publish ornithological literature. Meetings are held monthly at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and feature speakers from all areas of ornithological expertise. The Nuttall Ornithological Club has, from its beginning in 1873, followed a policy of electing its members. For information about elections, see our website.

Cambridge, MA

Nasketucket Bird Club

We’re a bird club on a mission to connect people with birds. Birds have a remarkable way of changing our world. Regardless of your knowledge of birds, your background, or who you are, we are here to connect you to the world of birds. All field trips and programs are free and open to everyone. Members range from brand-new birders to the very serious – all are welcome.

Mattaposiett, MA

Paskamansett Bird Club

Paskamansett Bird Club was established in 1963 for the purpose of bringing people together who have the utmost fascination and appreciation for nature’s crown jewels, birds. Members are always willing to share their knowledge to help beginning birders enjoy their newly found hobby. We have many bird walks that take us to some of the most beautiful areas in Southern New England.

Dartmouth, MA

South Shore BIrd Club

The South Shore Bird Club (SSBC) was founded in 1946 and the first members set out to explore the birds and birding habitats of the South Shore of Massachusetts. We concentrate on field trips for both members and non members. Most trips involve car-pooling with occasional canoe trips or beach hikes. Non-members are always welcome.

Plymouth, MA

Urban Nature Walk

Since November of 2003, a group of nature lovers has met semi-regularly to explore and appreciate an urban area together. We enjoy seeing the birds and other animals, weeds and cultivated plants, mushrooms and lichens, insects and spiders as well as the non-living aspects of nature, as they appear to us amid the man-made chaos of the city.

Ware River Nature Club

Enthusiasm for the rich natural history of the north central Worcester County region led to the founding of the Hubbardston-Ware River Nature Club by a group of Hubbardston residents in 2014. Since then our membership has expanded, and members hail from all parts of northern Worcester County and beyond. To reflect this growth, our name was changed to Ware River Nature Club in 2015. We are a growing group of professional and amateur naturalists, hikers, birders, outdoor enthusiasts, artists, writers, plant-lovers, and more who believe that appreciation of nature and the outdoors begins in our own backyards.

New Hampshire

Rhode Island

Vermont

Other New England Nature Clubs

General Nature/Misc

Butterflies and Insects

Native Plants

Mushrooms and Mycology

Reptiles and Amphibians

New England Herpetological Society

Grow Native New England

Native Plant Trust

Massachusetts Horticultural Society

Wild See Project (Maine)

Rhode Island Wild Plant Society

RI Natural History Society

Connecticut Entymological Society (also on Facebook)

Urban Nature Walk

Massachusetts Butterfly Club

Boston Mycological Club

Pioneer Valley Mycological Association

Maine Mycological Association

Southern New England Mushroom Hunting

Audubon Chapters

The Audubon societies of Massachusetts. New Hampshire and Rhode Island are independent organizations founded before National Audubon. In addition to their vital conservation, climate, research, and education work, each of these organizations offers extensive recreational programming to members and the public.

Massachusetts Audubon

New Hampshire Audubon

Rhode Island Audubon

National Audubon protects birds and habitat throughout the Americas using science, advocacy, education, and on-the-ground conservation and has many New England chapters. Each chapter offers many trips, talks, special events classes, and camps,.

Litchfield Hills Audubon (CT)
(CT)SocietySharon Audubon (CT)

Potapaug Audubon Society (CT)

Wood Duck Swamp Audubon Sanctuary (CT)

Maine Audubon (ME)

South Eastern Vermont Audubon Society

Vermont Audubon

Atlantic Flyway Project

Bird and Nature Photography Clubs

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