About the Allen Bird Club

Founded in 1912 in Springfield, Massachusetts, the Allen Bird Club is one of the oldest clubs in the country dedicated to the study of birds and related natural history.  The club's name honors Dr. Joel A. Allen, a Springfield native and prominent scientist, and the first president of The American Ornithologists' Union.  Read more about the History of the Club.

The Allen Bird Club serves area birders and others who appreciate nature by providing a program in which to develop common interests and share knowledge about birds.  These interests are encouraged, first of all, by offering more than fifty birding field trips each year that are open to the public.

Short local walks are led by experienced members during the prime migration months of May and September.  Throughout the year, longer trips by car explore more distant locations in western Massachusetts, allowing participants to experience a variety of different habitats and species.  We also organize day-long and overnight trips to the coast and the higher mountains — habitats where even more species can be found and enjoyed — as far afield as the Adirondacks, Vermont's Northeast Kingdom, Monhegan Island in Maine and Cape May, New Jersey.

Our website provides up-to-date information about the results of recent field trips, as well as reports of recent bird sightings in the area.  These results and independent reports of the birding activities of members and many other regional birders help to increase our knowledge of habitat, species occurrence and migration timing.  Our goal is to enhance the birding experiences of both beginners and veterans.

Club activities that document the health of local bird populations include four intensive one-day survey counts of birds in Hampden County.  Members also participate in season-long daily hawk watches in the fall.

In addition to these varied field endeavors, we offer evening presentations by distinguished nature photographers and researchers.  These monthly events enhance the firsthand experience of birds in the Northeast with an introduction to far-flung birding locations as well as information about bird behavior, important bird areas and threatened or unique species throughout the world.

The Club is fortunate to be able to draw on the enthusiasm and dedication of our Executive Committee and other volunteers.  There are many opportunities to pitch in and lend a helping hand, and we encourage all members to consider volunteering.   Please contact one of the Club officers, if you are interested in getting more involved.  We hope you will join us in the rewarding task of creating and sustaining our Club, a vibrant community bound together by the love of birds.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE 2024-2025

ALLEN BIRD CLUB OFFICERS

PRESIDENT

Andrea Bugbee

VICE-PRESIDENT

Vince Yurkunas

TREASURER

Joseph Sefter

SECRETARY

Carol Platenik

STANDING COMMITTEE CHAIRS

FIELD TRIPS, RECORDS AND PUBLICATIONS

Janice Zepko

MEMBERSHIP

Beth Spirito

CONSERVATION

Bill Platenik

HOSPITALITY

Al LaFleche

DELEGATE TO ASSOCIATION OF MASSACHUSETTS BIRD CLUBS

Katherine Conway

MEMBERS AT LARGE

Gail Howe

George Kingston

Michele Keane-Moore