We're Just getting Started
Most events are free but spaces are limited. We add events usually at least 3 weeks in advance. Subscribe to our Google calendar for extra convenience.
If you’re signed up for our email, we also send info about events in advance. Spaces for most events are limited and registration is almost always required.
Thank you!
UNOFFICIAL GLOBAL BIG DAY BIRDER THROWDOWN
We challenge you to a Global Big Day Throwdown. Do you dare to take us on, or nah? ALL DAY SATURDAY MAY 10th
Fenway Gardens SPRING SURVEY Walk
Join us for a morning of beautiful birds at the Fenway Victory Gardens! SAT May 24!
Spring Survey Walk At Stony Brook Reservation
A Walking City Trail survey walk at Stony Brook Reservation in Boston with the Brookline Bird Club. SUN April 27.
Mattapan & Neponset Reservation Survey Walk
An MBTA-accessible Walking City Trail survey walk Join us as we count the spring birds along the Neponset River in Mattapan. SATURDAY, MAY 3 8:30 AM
Sherrin Woods BioBlitz
The Boston Birding Festival is excited to be participating in the Sherrin Woods BioBlitz. We’ll be using the iNaturalist app (free) to explore and survey this unique urban wild and collect data on its plants and animals. SAT, May 3, 11:00 AM
In Search Of Fall Out:Exploring Northshore Migrant Traps
If you have ever been lucky enough to experience a fallout, it is not something you will soon forget. WEDS May 7 at 6:30 AM
Beginner Listening (with and without Merlin) at Halls Pond
Merlin can only get you so far. Join us for a short pre-work slow walk around a small pond in Brookline for some close listening. Designed for people who are just getting started with songs and often feel confused (we totally get that). WEDS, MAY 14 6:30 AM
Crane Swamp & Environs—Maybe a Big Day?
We’re birding some beautiful locations in the metro west area—and aiming for 100 species! SAT MAY 17 6:30am -?
Birding 101 at Mount Auburn Cemetery
A walk designed for never-before birders, birders who just getting started, and birders looking to hone their listening skills and ability to pick a Tennessee Warbler out of the canopy. We’ll keep it small so you can ask questions! WEDS May 21
BIG SIT At WOLBACH FARM WITH SUdBURY VALLEY TRUSTEES
Come join us on for a fun and relaxed day at Wolbach Farm! Whether you’re a seasoned birding pro or a curious beginner, the Big Sit is for everyone. SUN, June 1, 2025
Survey Walk at Sherrin Woods Urban Wild in Hyde Park
Come bird this little known gem in Hyde Park for nesting birds (and maybe a butterfly or two). We’ll make a count for the Walking City Trail survey project. SAT JUNE 14
EVENTS CALENDAR
Subscribe to our calendar
Click “Add to Calendar” in the lower left to have all BBF Events show up in your calendar. Each event will have a link for registration and any changes will update your calendar automatically.
Click on any event for details and registration info. Registration is required for most of our events.
Once you register we can send you additional info. We usually send you additional details a day or two before—weather updates, leader info, background info, etc.
Thanks!
Want to Partner with Us?
The Festival offers unique programming often created in partnership with other organizations, Our topics are broad, but we emphasize birds, conservation, environmental justice, birding skills for beginning birders, science, and more—and we try to connect the dots.
Have a suggestion? Want to create something together? Let us know.
We aim to be a platform and an ally for organizations making a difference for birds and environmental justice. Click for details.
SPonsor a Program
If you are interested in supporting our programs, we’d love to talk. Your support makes it possible for the Festival to enhance its programming, keep much of it free, and meet our goals. Email us.
LOOKING AHEAD
Plan to join us for a special 2025 hybrid (in-person and virtual) Festival with lots of surprises and special guests.
We're busy incubating new programming and events--see below. So while you're waiting....
How About a LITTLE seabird quiz?
WALKS
Bird and nature walks in beautiful places. Learn about unique species and habitats.
Talks
Speakers and panels from a variety of disciplines sharing new discoveries and persepctives on on birds, habitat and more.
WORKSHOPS
Up your skills—from the basics to radar, recording, sketching and more.
Beginners
Beginners welcome enthusiastically!
Fun & Games
Fun, games and social gatherings for birdy, bird-curious and birder-adjacent friends.
ADVENTURES
Pelagic trips. Overnights. And adventurous destinations. Watch this space.
Community
Join us a work day at a neighborhood park or beach clean-up, remove invasive species, or build nesting boxes. We share ways where birders can help others.
CERTIFICATIONS
The Festival is working with a number of organizations to offer professional development programming and certifications. Stay tuned!
Photo Treks & Talks
Birders who want to photograph and photographers who want to bird and photograph birds. Add new skills, get feedback and discover how to use the power of images for impact.
Participatory Research & Science
Brders can make a difference simply by birding. Your list for the day can inform conservation, research and even bring attention to community needs
RABBLE ROUSING
Take action on behalf of birds, climate, and community greenspace. We're partnering wth community advocates and organizers to bring awareness to urgent issues.
BIRDING AND THE ARTS
From musuem exhibitions to poetry to painting, music and architecture, the arts encourage us to appreciate birds in new ways.
Seabird ID QuiZ
Sea birds are tricky to ID. They look different at different ages. Size can be hard to judge. You often have to look for them in winter, with the sun in your eyes, or while out at sea. Some hybridize to confound you. But sea birds are a lot of fun to watch—even if you don’t know what they are. They’re smart, fearless, athletic, brilliant problem solvers able to perform amazing feats of strength and agility—from flying sideways in formation to hovering in mid-air, diving deep under water, walking on water and napping through a nor’easter. We’re lucky to have lots of them in New England.
ANSWERS
FIRST ROW
Herring Gull
Great Black Back Gull
Black-Legged Kittiwake
Lesser Black Back Gull
SECOND ROW
Iceland Gull
Glaucous Gulll
Laughing Gull
Bonaparte's Gull
THIRD ROW
Manx Shearwater
Greater Shearwater
Common Tern
Roseate Tern
