Birding at the Brooks Estate

Barred Owl (Stix varia)
Brooks Estate, January 2004.
Photo by Joseph Sutherland.

Nesting, Migratory and Visiting Birds

The Brooks Estate is known locally and regionally as an interesting and fruitful place to look for birds. The property attracts both the novice and expert birder throughout the year.

Brooks Pond, mixed forest and open areas provide some variety of habitats for nesting, migratory and visiting birds. Among the most common sights: red-tailed hawks circling above the higher parts of the property or over the Pond, seeking a quick lunch; spring warblers (25+ species have been seen here) in the many thickets across the Estate; woodpeckers in the dead trees (snags); waterfowl on Brooks Pond, including herons, geese, and ducks.

Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)
Brooks Estate, Fall 2003.
Photo by Eric MacDonald.

Nesting and Migratory Surveys

M-BELT has (and will) conducted several Nesting and Migratory Surveys with the cooperation of the Brookline Bird Club and local birders.

If you would like to help with a Bird Survey, please use our Volunteer Form.

Song sparrow (Melospiza melodia)
Brooks Estate, Fall 2003.
Photo by Eric MacDonald.

To Learn More / Do More

Contact us for a list of birds (and mammals) found at the Brooks Estate, and/or for a "Birding at the Brooks Estate" (pamphlet).

The Menotomy Bird Club in neighboring Arlington, MA often has updates on Brooks Estate bird sightings and other useful information. www.mrines.com/menotomy/.

The Brookline Bird Club has an e-mail alert network for its members. www.massbird.org.

For a Map of the Winchester Town Forest, go to: www.winchestermass.org/oldwoodguid.html.