Saturday, April 4, 2026 – Wayne F. MacCallum WMA, Westborough (7:00 a.m. to early afternoon) This trip is sponsored by the Brookline Bird Club. Forbush members are welcome.
MEETING LOCATIONS –
Part 1: 7:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. – Meet at Bartlett Pond/Watson Park (off Lyman St.), Westborough https://ebird.org/hotspot/L3120200 (map)
Part 2: 10:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. – Meet at MassWildlife Field Headquarters, 1 Rabbit Hill Rd., Westborough
We will hike at a slow pace through easy to moderate trails in search of early spring arrivals in a variety of habitats, and check the ponds and marsh for migrant ducks and swallows. For the first part we will cover the eastern trails between Lake Chauncy and Little Chauncy (about 3 miles). Then we will return to Bartlett Pond/Watson Park. From there we will drive to the Wildlife HQs and hike the western trails (about 2 miles). Join for either or both parts.
Leader: Nick Paulson [grendelpgill@yahoo.com] (or leave message at 508-330-4401)
Friday, April 10, 2026 – Woodcock Walk (evening, 6:30-8 p.m.)
Walk gentle trails to listen for the Woodcock’s unique call and watch its amazing sky dance. Meet at the MassWildlife Field Headquarters, 1 Rabbit Hill Road (off North Drive) in Westborough at 6:30 p.m. The walk will be canceled in case of heavy rain. Please pre-register.
Leader: Laura Lane (508-480-8259) [pete.lane@comcast.net]
Saturday, April 11, 2026 – April at Hodges Village Dam, Oxford (morning, 7 a.m.)
We will walk 2 to 3 miles on a cart road with relatively flat terrain looking for early arrivals and resident birds. Meet at 7 a.m. the main parking area, 30 Howarth Rd., Oxford. Please pre-register.
Leader: Mary Bayer Caulway (508-612-5130) [onesadiedog@gmail.com]
Saturday, April 18, 2026 – Delaney Wildlife Management Area (morning, 7:30-10:30 a.m.)
Delaney WMA in Bolton/Stow is an Important Bird Area with a variety of habitats. There are a couple of areas that require walking up and down slightly steep terrain. We will walk 2.5 to 3 miles. There are no restrooms. Meet at 7:30 a.m. at the Delaney Project Boat Launch (map), off Harvard Rd. in Stow. Please pre-register.
Leader: David Ammerman (508-930-0356) [ammsus@comcast.net]
Saturday, April 25, 2026 – Mass Audubon Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary (morning, 7 a.m.) New!
Wachusett Meadow supports birds of the woodlands, wetlands, and meadows. We will walk on easy trails lookingfor newly-arrived warblers and sparrows, along with year-round species. Directions: From Rt. 62 in Princeton, turnonto Goodnow Road (please obey the 20-mph speed limit). The sanctuary’s parking lot is 1 mile ahead on the left. Restrooms are available. Please pre-register.
Leaders: Gail Cormier and Jay Cormier [energynurse@hotmail.com]
Sunday, April 26, 2026 – High Ridge Wildlife Management Area – East Gardner Rd. Entrance (morning, 7 a.m.)
This large, historic property includes old fields, mature woods, wetlands, and a heron rookery. We will walk about 3.5 miles over paved and unpaved roads. Meet at 7:00 a.m. at the gated end of East Gardner Road, Westminster. Please pre-register.
Leader: Tom Pirro (978-790-0861) [tpirro2010 @gmail.com]
Wednesday, April 29, 2026– Mass Audubon Broad Meadow Brook Wildlife Sanctuary (morning, 7 a.m.)
Welcome Spring at the Sanctuary! Meet at the Broad Meadow Brook Visitors Center, 414 Massasoit Rd., Worcesterat 7:00 a.m. Please be prepared to walk on trails over varied terrain. Please pre-register.
Leader: John Shea (508-667-1982) [john@beachwells.com]
Thursday, April 30, 2026 – Wayne F. MacCallum Wildlife Management Area (early morning, 6-8 a.m.)
We’ll hike the north side of Lake Chauncy and check the water. This is the first of three Thursday morning walks in this very productive area. Meet at 6:00 a.m. Directions: Take Dr. Solomon Carter Fuller Way off Lyman Street in Westborough at the ball field entrance. Park and meet just before the yellow gate at the end of the road near the water.
Leader: Nick Paulson [grendelpgill@yahoo.com] (or leave message at 508-330-4401)
Saturday, May 2, 2026 – Rauscher Farm, Clinton (morning, 7-11 a.m.)
The pond, meadows, marsh, and forest at Rauscher Farm attract migrating birds and an abundance of our native breeding birds. Please wear footwear appropriate for hiking over rocks and a couple of wet areas. There is arestroom on the property. Meet at 7:00 a.m. at the parking area, 29 Clamshell Road in Clinton. Please pre-register.
Leader: David Ammerman (508-930-0356) [ammsus@comcast.net]
Sunday, May 3, 2026 – Sholan Farms, Leominster (morning, 7 a.m.)
Sholan Farms is a 169-acre farm owned by the City of Leominster that includes apple orchards, expansive fields, community gardens, and two reservoirs that are great habitats for migrating warblers, sparrows, and other locally breeding birds. We will walk about 3 miles on grassy and wooded paths with a few up-and-down hills. Address: 1125 Pleasant St., Leominster. Park in the lot across the street from the farmstand. Porta-potties are available in the parking lot. Please pre-register.
Leader: Jon Skinner (978-894-3698) [jon@jonrisk.com]
Wednesday, May 6, 2026 – Mass Audubon Broad Meadow Brook Wildlife Sanctuary (morning, 7 a.m.)
Explore trails through the Sanctuary at the peak of spring migration. Meet at the Visitors Center, 414 Massasoit Road, Worcester at 7:00 a.m. Please be prepared to walk on trails over varied terrain. Please pre-register.
Leader: John Shea (508-667-1982) [john@beachwells.com]
Thursday, May 7, 2026 – Wayne F. MacCallum Wildlife Management Area (early morning, 6-8 a.m.)
oin us early on Thursday morning to search for migrant warblers and other songbirds along the north shore of Lake Chauncy. Meet at 6:00 a.m. Directions: Take Dr. Solomon Carter Fuller Way off Lyman Street in Westborough at the ball field entrance. Park and meet just before the yellow gate at the end of the road near the water.
Leader: Nick Paulson [grendelpgill@yahoo.com] (or leave message at 508-330-4401)
Saturday, May 9, 2026 – Hodges Village Dam, Oxford (morning, 7 a.m.)
Expect an abundance of species, especially newly-arrived warblers, throughout the varied habitats of Hodges Dam and vicinity. We will walk 2 to 3 miles on a cart road with relatively flat terrain. Meet at 7 a.m. at the main parking area, 30 Howarth Rd., Oxford. Please pre-register.
Leader: Mary Bayer Caulway (508-612-5130) [onesadiedog@gmail.com]
Sunday, May 10, 2026 – Mother’s Day Walk at Mt. Auburn Cemetery (morning, 7 – 11 a.m.)
One of New England’s top birding locations is Mt. Auburn Cemetery on the Watertown/Cambridge town line 580 Mt. Auburn St. (map). Spring migrants of all species, and especially warblers, are attracted to the mature oaks, beeches, and pines within this historic urban park. Meet inside the entrance gate in front of the Mt. Auburn Visitors Center at 7:00 a.m. We will walk paths throughout the property, stopping often to look and listen. Public restrooms are available. All are welcome!
Leader: Dan Berard [djberard84@gmail.com]
Please RSVP to Dan by 5 p.m. on Saturday, May 9.
Sunday, May 17, 2026 – Muddy Brook WMA, Hardwick (morning, 8 a.m.)
This WMA is being actively managed as part of a large oak-pine restoration effort by Mass Wildlife. We will look for passage migrants that may still be moving through and common nesting species. Meet at the bridge over Muddy Brook on Patrill Hollow Road in Hardwick.
Contact the leader for details and to register.
Leader: Wendy Howes [warerivernatureclub@yahoo.com]
Monday, May 18, 2026 – Crane Swamp/Cedar Hill, Northborough (morning, 7 a.m.)
We will walk about 2.5 miles on the loop trail. There is occasional rough footing, and Cedar Hillis moderately steep. Participants may want to bring a walking stick. Meet at the Crane Swamp Trailhead, 360 Cedar Hill Street in Marlborough. Please pre-register.
Leader: Laura Lane (508-480-8259) [pete.lane@comcast.net]
Thursday, May 21, 2026 – Wayne MacCallum Wildlife Management Area (early morning, 6-8 a.m.)
Don’t miss this season’s last early-morning hike on the north side of Lake Chauncy. Meet at 6:00 a.m. Directions:Take Dr. Solomon Carter Fuller Way off Lyman Street in Westborough at the ball field entrance. Park and meet just before the yellow gate at the end of the road near the water.
Leader: Nick Paulson [grendelpgill@yahoo.com] (or leave message at 508-330-4401).
Saturday, May 23, 2026 – Upton State Forest (7 a.m. to noon)
We will hike to Dean Pond while searching for late migrants and woodland breeders. Meet at the old CCC Camp parking lot through the paved gate at the intersection of Westboro Road and Southboro Road. Please be prepared to hike uneven ground on the forest trails. Please pre-register.
Leader: Nick Paulson [grendelpgill@yahoo.com] (or leave message at 508-330-4401)
Saturday, May 30, 2026 – Barre Falls Dam/Ware River Watershed IBA (morning, 7:30 a.m. - noon)
We will bird the fields from the parking area to Route 62, hike Brigham Road over the Ware River West Branch crossing, and return along the river via Tracy Lane to the parking area (~2.5-mile loop). Meet at the parking lot above the Dam, 1/2 mile south of Route 62 in Hubbardston. Restrooms are available at Barre Falls Picnic Area on Coldbrook Road across the dam. Please pre-register.
Leader: David Ammerman (508-930-0356) [ammsus@comcast.net]
Sunday, May 31, 2026 – DCR Kristoff Farm, Sterling (morning, 7:30 a.m.)
We’ll walk at least 2 miles on the old farm roads looking for birds of the fields and woodlands. Blue-wingedWarbler and Indigo Bunting are common here. Meet at the end of Merrill Road, off Route 140, in Sterling (¼ milenorth of the Route 190 intersection). Please pre-register.
Leaders: Scott Handler and Marion Larson [srhdvm@verizon.net]
Sunday, July 19, 2026 – Birds & Butterflies with Massachusetts Butterfly Club (morning, 9 a.m.)
Meet at the Route 56 overlook to Worcester Airport in Leicester, at 9:00 a.m. We will also walk the wooded trail from Mulberry St. to Kettle Brook/Manville Street. Close-focus binoculars recommended for viewing butterflies. Please pre-register.
Leader: Dolores Price [pricedolores884@gmail.com]
Saturday, September 5, 2026– Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary (morning, 7:30 a.m.)
Our annual Labor Day Weekend Walk celebrates the end of summer and the beginning of fall. Meet at Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary parking area, Goodnow Road, Princeton, at 7:30 a.m. Please pre-register.
Leaders: Gail Cormier and Jay Cormier [energynurse@hotmail.com]
To subscribe to Forbush Bird Club’s email list for trip notifications,
contact Donna Schilling at dschilling15@verizon.net.