Sunday, September 20, 2026 – Sholan Farms, Leominster (morning, 7:00 – 11:00 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 fall migrating warblers, sparrows and waterfowl. Meet at 7:00 a.m. at Sholan Farms, 1125 Pleasant Street, Leominster. Please park in the lot across the street from the farmstand. Port-a-potties are available at the parking lot behind the farmstand.
Leader: Jon Skinner [jon@jonrisk.com] (TEXT OR LEAVE MESSAGE: 978-894-3698) PLEASE PRE-REGISTER.
Saturday, September 26, 2026 – Rauscher Farm, Clinton (morning, 7:30-11:30 a.m.)
The diverse habitat of Rauscher Farm and adjacent DCR property includes Clamshell Pond, meadows, a small marsh, power-line cut, and mature oak and hemlock forests. It is a very productive birding area throughout the year. Meet at 7:30 a.m. at the parking area, 29 Clamshell Road in Clinton. [GPS: 42.402529, -71.677860].
Leader: David Ammerman [ammsus@comcast.net] (TEXT or LEAVE MESSAGE: 508-930-0356). PLEASE PRE-REGISTER.
Sunday, September 27, 2026 – Muddy Brook WMA, Hardwick (8:30 a.m. - mid-day)
This WMA is being actively managed as part of a large oak-pine restoration effort by Mass Wildlife. A good diversity of species can be expected in late September including various raptors and several sparrow species. The 2-mile walk involves short uphill/downhill stretches and some uneven, although cleared, dirt roadway.
Leader: Wendy Howes. [warerivernatureclub.com] to register and for meeting location details. PLEASE PRE-REGISTER.
Wednesday, September 30, 2026 – DCR Kristoff Farm, Sterling (morning, 6:30 – 8:30 a.m.)
Explore this popular location in early fall when permanent resident birds mix with migrating species. We will walk along the old farm roads, check the field, and look overhead for southbound raptors. Meet at the end of Merrill Road, off Route 140, in Sterling (¼ mile north of the Route 190 intersection).
Leader: Bryan DiFabio (Bryan@DFabio.com) (TEXT or LEAVE MESSAGE: 714-604-6993). PLEASE PRE-REGISTER.
Saturday, October 3, 2026 -- Winimusset Wildlife Management Area, New Braintree (9:00 – noon)
Mass Wildlife has ended the agricultural lease on this property, so cornfields no longer dominate and small trees and shrubs have been removed as the property gradually begins a new life as a grassland. This time of year should be good for raptors, including Northern Harrier, and sparrows. Meet at the WMA parking area on Hardwick Road.
Leader: Wendy Howes. [warerivernatureclub.com] to register and for meeting details. PLEASE PRE-REGISTER.
Sunday, October 4, 2026 – Hodges Village Dam, Oxford (morning, 7:30 a.m.)
Hodges Village Dam, a 1,200-acre USACE property with forests, wetlands, and ponds, provides habitat for an abundance of permanent-resident species. We will walk 2 to 3 miles on the cart road and wooded trails with relatively flat terrain. Enter the property via Howarth Road. Continue past the first parking area (near the water) and take the next right up a short, steep hill to the upper parking area.
Leader: Mary Bayer Caulway [onesadiedog@gmail.com] (TEXT or LEAVE MESSAGE: 508-612-5130). PLEASE PRE-REGISTER.
Saturday, October 10, 2026 – Delaney WMA (morning, 8:00 a.m.-12 noon)
Delaney WMA in Bolton/Stow boasts a variety of habitats. A shallow lake, a slow-running stream, and a marsh are bordered by mixed conifer/deciduous forest. The grassland area boasts a Bluebird Trail. We will walk 2.5 to 3 miles. Meet at the Delaney Project Boat Launch, off Harvard Rd. in Stow at 8 a.m.
Leader: David Ammerman [ammsus@comcast.net] (TEXT or LEAVE MESSAGE: 508-930-0356). PLEASE PRE-REGISTER.
Saturday, October 17, 2026 – Mass Audubon’s Lake Wampanoag Wildlife Sanctuary, Gardner (8:00 a.m. to mid-day)
The sanctuary’s fields and forest provide year-round habitat for many species and a stopover for seasonal migrants. We will explore trails around the meadow, through the spruce/pine forest, and near the pond. If conditions are favorable, we’ll spend some time hawk-watching from the high point in the meadow.
This is a half-day trip. Please bring water and lunch or snacks. Waterproof footwear is recommended for possible wet areas on the trails. Directions: From Route 2 in Westminster, drive north on Rt. 140 for 4.5 miles and turn right onto Stone Street. Travel 0.4 miles, and turn right onto Wheeler Street. Follow Wheeler Street for 0.5 miles to the second left onto Raymond Street. Follow Raymond Street for 1.1 miles to the dead-end parking area at the sanctuary’s entrance.
Leader: Tom Pirro [tpirro2012@gmail.com] (TEXT or LEAVE MESSAGE: 978-790-0861)
Participation may be limited. PLEASE PRE-REGISTER.
Monday, October 26, 2026 – Wayne F. MacCallum (Westborough) WMA (morning, 7:30-9:30 a.m.)
Uncommon sparrows and other late migrants are often discovered in the fields around Big Chauncy during late October. Meet at 7:30 a.m. at the Lake Chauncy gate at the end of the ball fields, off Lyman Street in Westborough.
Leader: Nick Paulson [grendelpgill@yahoo.com] (TEXT or Leave Message: 508-330-4401). PLEASE PRE-REGISTER.
Saturday, October 31, 2026 – Birding Worcester’s Cemeteries on Halloween (morning, 8:00 a.m.)
The mature hardwood trees and evergreens in these historic cemeteries are attractive to year-round birds and winter visitors. We will visit Hope Cemetery, Notre Dame near the Curtis Ponds, and All Faiths at Leesville Pond. Meet inside the entrance to Hope Cemetery, Webster Street. at 8:00 a.m.
Leader: John Shea [john@beachwells.com] (TEXT or LEAVE MESSAGE: 508-667-1982). PLEASE PRE-REGISTER.
Sunday, November 1, 2026 – Northborough/Westborough (morning, 7:30 a.m. EST)
We will explore ponds around Northborough and Westborough and the Wildlife Management Area. Meet at TKU Kuppanna Restaurant parking lot (formerly Casta Diva restaurant), 35 Solomon Pond Rd. (Exit 30A off I-290 east) in Northborough at 7:30 a.m. Eastern Standard Time.
Leader: Nick Paulson [grendelpgill@yahoo.com] (TEXT or LEAVE MESSAGE: : 508-330-4401). PLEASE PRE-REGISTER.
Saturday, November 7, 2026 – Quabbin Reservoir, Gate 35, North New Salem/Petersham (7:30 a.m.)
We will walk along the wooded shore on the east side of the Reservoir looking for waterfowl, lingering shorebirds, raptors, early-November migrants, and resident woodland species.
The round-trip is 4 to 5 miles over shaded, flat terrain. Please bring water and snacks. Directions: At 5 miles west of the intersection of Routes 32 and 122 in Petersham, turn sharp left on Old North Dana Rd., proceed ~1 mile to the parking area.
Leader: Tom Pirro [tpirro2012@gmail.com] (TEXT or LEAVE MESSAGE: 978-790-0861) Participation may be limited. PLEASE PRE-REGISTER.
Saturday, November 14, 2026 – Birding Worcester’s Ponds (morning, 8:00 a.m.)
Discover some of the beautiful natural ponds within the city where migrating ducks and other waterfowl congregate. Meet inside the entrance to All Faith’s Cemetery, Island Road, at 8:00 a.m. We will drive to other nearby locations.
Leader: John Shea [john@beachwells.com] (TEXT or LEAVE MESSAGE: 508-667-1982). PLEASE PRE-REGISTER.
Sunday, November 29, 2026 – Quabbin Park, Ware (morning, 8:00 a.m.)
Quabbin is a great place for spotting late-fall species, including waterfowl and eagles. Meet at the parking lot at the Old Ware-Enfield Road Gate off Route 9 in Ware at 8:00 a.m. Directions: From Route 9 in Ware, drive west approx. 5 miles and turn right onto Old Ware-Enfield Road, just before the entrance to Quabbin Park Cemetery on the left. Meet at the parking lot on the right, before the gate.
Leader: Nick Paulson [grendelpgill@yahoo.com] (TEXT or LEAVE MESSAGE: 508-330-4401). Participation may be limited.PLEASE PRE-REGISTER.
Friday, January 1, 2027 – New Year’s Birds in Worcester (afternoon)
Start the New Year with Forbush Bird Club! Meet at the entrance to All Faiths Cemetery, 7 Island Road, Worcester, at 12 noon. We will drive to additional locations within the city.
Leader: John Shea [john@beachwells.com] (TEXT or LEAVE MESSAGE: 508-667-1982). PLEASE PRE-REGISTER.
To subscribe to Forbush Bird Club’s email list for trip notifications,
contact Donna Schilling at dschilling15@verizon.net.