Annual Birders Meeting Sunday, March 11 at UMass Boston

LINCOLN, MA.—Mass Audubon’s Birders Meeting, the largest conference of its kind in New England, returns to the UMass Boston campus on Dorchester Bay Sunday, March 11, when hundreds of birding enthusiasts will gather to hear the latest avian news from experts, learn more about specific species, and reconnect with like-minded nature lovers they’ve met at previous Meetings.

Entitled Highlands and Islands of New England: A Bird’s-Eye-View, the 2018 Birders Meeting will featured introductory remarks by Mass Audubon President Gary Clayton, followed by a keynote address by renowned birding expert and international guide Victor Emanuel. As the conference title suggests, participants will learn about both high-elevation habitats and low-lying coastal islands that attract a suite of breeding, migrating, and wintering species—and thus also provide exciting birding opportunities.

This year’s Meeting (the 26th) will again feature a roster of expert speakers and engaging presentations. Attendees will learn much about the behaviors of birds and great places to observe them, from coastal destinations such as Cuttyhunk Island and Massachusetts and Maine’s Machias Seal Island to the mountains of the Northeast and the great boreal forests that stretch from northern New England into Canada.

“Early Bird” registration ($65 Mass Audubon member; $70 nonmember) runs through Wednesday, February 28, then regular pricing ($75 member; $80 nonmember) will be in effect through Sunday, March 11, the day of the event. A light continental breakfast kicks off the day, and lunch will also be available (both included with registration). A vendors area will again welcome attendees to shop for birding and other nature-related equipment, accessories, and gifts.

As conference organizer and Mass Audubon Director of Important Bird Areas Wayne Petersen put it, “Whether you’re just learning about birds and how they can help you connect with nature, or an experienced birder seeking to refine one’s understanding of these remarkable creatures, Birders Meeting offers plenty of resources and attractions. Participants always leave at the end of the day engaged and inspired by the natural world.”