TRIP LEADER INFORMATION
Notes to Leaders
If you cannot lead a scheduled trip,
you are responsible for finding a substitute leader. For assistance, contact
BBC
Board of Directors, listed in the Blue Book. If you must cancel due to
bad weather or other emergency, use the BBC Email Hotline and
MASSBIRD to get the word out.
Reports are very important to the BBC. Leaders are sent in
advance a copy of the Massachusetts checklist, which should be filled out as
soon as possible and forwarded to the Club Statistician at:
Robert Stymeist
36 Lewis Avenue
Arlington, MA 02474
If a leader records either a “write-in” or rarity on the Mass. Checklist (e.g.
Sedge Wren, Barn Owl, Western Kingbird) he or she should call Bill Drummond at
978-975-1167, Steve Grinley at Bird Watcher's Supply and Gift in Newburyport
978-462-0775, and Massachusetts Audubon Society (MAS) at 781-259-2148. MAS can
be phoned at any time.
BROOKLINE BIRD
CLUB GUIDELINES FOR TRIP LEADERS
Thank you for leading this trip. Have Fun!
Before the trip
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Plan the itinerary including
lunch and rest stops. |
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Contact the management of
private and public sites for permission to visit and regulations. |
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Scout for key areas, road
conditions, tides, etc. |
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If you cannot lead the
trip, you are responsible for finding a substitute leader. For assistance,
contact BBC Board of Directors,
listed in the Blue Book. |
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If you must cancel due to
extreme weather conditions or emergency, post on
MASSBIRD. |
At the
meeting place
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Introduce yourself and ask
others to do the same. |
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Welcome non-members.
Invite them to Join the Club and offer a brochure or Blue Book. |
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Brief participants on the
trip itinerary and birds that you expect or hope to see. |
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Ask participants about their
birding experience: encourage new birders and acknowledge experienced
birders. |
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Encourage participants to
help each other and alert leader when birds are found. |
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Encourage car-pooling. |
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Intersperse cars with
hand-held FRS radios (channel setting: 11/22). |
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Arrange drivers familiar
with the area at the end of the car caravan. |
On the trip
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Assume responsibility for the conduct of the
group. |
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Be familiar with
the BBC Code of Ethics (on the BBC Website).
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The use of cell phones and radios should be
discrete and used for birding info only. Their use should not interfere with
others using the same area. Try setting to vibrate, not ring.
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In the field, if
your group is large, ask another experienced birder to assist at the back of the
group. |
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Carry a notebook to
record trip sightings. |
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Familiarize
participants with methods to describe the location of a bird.
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Try to ensure that
all participants see the birds. |
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Give ID points
readily observed by all. |
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When appropriate,
invite discussions of natural history, local history and conservation.
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Try to make the
trip fun by being an enthusiastic and considerate field leader.
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After the trip
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Thank everyone for attending the
trip. |
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If possible, review the list of birds seen.
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Please report rare or interesting sightings as soon as possible on
MASSBIRD and
to Mass Audubon for the Voice of Audubon (781-259-2148).
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Consider posting the trip report on MASSBIRD.
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Fill out the BBC field trip card and return as soon as possible to the BBC
Statistician. Note the location of any unusual birds or numbers.
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Thanks again, and, if you have any suggestions for this list, please contact the
BBC Board of Directors listed at
the link above and in the
Blue Book. |
BBC Home |
