Recent Central Mass Bird Sightings

Sightings are listed in reverse chronological order. The email address of birders submitting reports, as well as other Central Massachusetts birding info can be found via the Central Mass Bird Update homepage.

Bird News:

ONGOING -- Asian Longhorned Beetle Information
10/21/09 -- WICN radio show on the LABRADOR DUCK
11/5/09 -- WICN radio show: Henslow's Sparrows and Proton Accelerators: the ecology of Fermilab
11/5/09 -- WICN radio show: artist RACHEL BERWICK's radio interview about Passenger Pigeons and Zugenruhe

Bird Sightings:

11/17/09 -- Coachlace Pond, Clinton

At Coachlace Pond in Clinton this morning, there were 2 American Black Ducks, 4 Mallards, 74 Greater Scaup, 5 Lesser Scaup, 4 Hooded Mergansers and 2 Common Mergansers. (report from Alan Marble).

11/15/09 -- Marlborough, Westboro, Southboro

We spent all morning checking ponds and reservoirs around eastern Central MA.

FORT MEADOW RES.: MARLBOROUGH: Pied-billed Grebe (1); Great Blue Heron (2); Canada Goose (28); Mallard (83); A Black Duck (2); Lesser Scaup (2); Ring-necked Duck (2); Bufflehead (4); Common Goldeneye (3); Hooded Merganser (19); Red-breasted Merganser (1); Common Merganser (17); Ruddy Duck (329); Fish Crow (1); Yellow-rumped Warbler (1);

SUDBURY RES: SOUTHBORO/MARLBOROUGH: nb: we did a lot of hiking here to check out all the small bays and inlets. Pied-billed Grebe (2); Double-crested Cormorant (1); Great Blue Heron (2); Mute Swan (2); Canada Goose (2); Wood Duck (34); Mallard (152); A Black Duck (28); Green-winged Teal (1); Lesser Scaup (1); RING-NECKED DUCK (1325: my largest count for this location. The shorelines deep in the reservoir were just lined with them); Bufflehead (2); Common Goldeneye (47: no sign this AM of the drake and duck Barrow's that Alan Marble found and photo'd here. But they could still be about. There are many places for waterfowl to "duck" into); Hooded Merganser (17); Common Merganser (1); Ruddy Duck (64);

CHAUNCY POND, WESTBORO: Red-throated Loon (1); Red-necked Grebe (1: this pair of uncommon Worcester County migrants hung out in close proximity to each other. Great views); Mallard (12);

SuAsCo, WESTBORO SECTION: Pied-billed Grebe (2); Double-crested Cormorant (1); Great Blue Heron (1); Mute Swan (30); Canada Goose (10); Mallard (6); Bonaparte's Gull (1 adW out with the Ringies);

DOWNTOWN WORCESTER: Peregrine Falcon (1 ad on Commerce Bank Building, preening away);
(report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

11/14/09 -- Brookfields/Charlton

We took a brief but wet jaunt out to the STURBRIDGE CBC circle to check just a few of the ponds north of the pike. Not much going on yet.

LAKE QUABOG: Red-necked Grebe (1) Mallard (24)

L. QUACUMQUASIT: Mallard (24)

RICE POND: Canada Goose (8) Wood Duck (1) Mallard (2) A Black Duck (4) Ring-necked Duck (28) Hooded Merganser (2)

LAKE WICKABOAG: Double-crested Cormorant (1) Great Blue Heron (1) Mute Swan (2) Canada Goose (88) Mallard (16) Green-winged Teal (7) Common Merganser (104: actively feeding en masse, herding fish along as a group, and being kelptoparisitized by gulls) Ring-Billed Gull (110) Herring Gull (8) Great Black-backed Gull (1adW) ORLANDO'S PONDS, CHARLTON: Canada Goose (161) Mallard (222) A Black Duck (5) Green-winged Teal (3) Bufflehead (5) Ruddy Duck (8) Ring-billed Gull (95: 3 had pink wing tags: 265; 322 and what looked like 0)
(report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

11/13/09 -- Sudbury Reservoir, Southborough

Today I went back to look at the drake Barrow's Goldeneye at the Sudbudbury Reservoir. After finding the drake, I quickly spotted a female Barrow's. It's short, stubby yellow bill stood right out as it was swimming the female Common Goldeneyes. Here is a poor quality picture of the female Barrow's digiscoped with my little point and shoot. Other birds of note were ~250 Ring-necked Ducks, 6 Common Goldeneyes, 10 Ruddy Ducks, A Great Blue Heron, a Red-tailed Hawk and an adult Bald Eagle. The gate to see the Barrow's is opposite East Main St on Framingham Rd in Southborough. (report from Alan Marble).

11/12/09 -- Quabbin Reservation: Gates 33, 35, & 37

Here is the extended trip narrative of an all-day trip to the Quabbin area. (report from Chris Ellison).

11/12/09 -- Mt Wachusett Summit, Princeton

Late this morning, I saw a lone Snow Bunting on the summit of Mt Wachusett. By the way, the road to the summit is closed for the season, so you have to hike up there. (report from Alan Marble).

11/11/09 -- Sudbury Reservoir, Southborough

This morning at the Sudbury Reservoir Kim Allen and I saw 75 Ring-necked Ducks, 1 Bufflehead, 8 Common Goldeneyes and 1 drake BARROW'S GOLDENEYE. The access point was on Framingham Road, just north of Rte 30 where the powerline crosses the reservoir. There is a pull off and a gate that you can use to walk in and view from under a powerline tower. Check out Kim's blog The Curious Birder for some long-range pictures of the Barrow's and some narrative. (report from Alan Marble).

11/11/09 -- Swedish Cemetery/Leesville Pond , Worcester

Waterfowl highlights from Swedish Cemetery in Leesville Pond: Hooded Mergs 1 pair; Wood Ducks 8 pair; N. Pintail 1 pair; and Green W. Teal 4 pair. (report from Alexander Dunn).

11/11/09 -- Institute Park, Worcester

At noon there were 4 Mute Swans (1 ad, 3 imm), 1 Bufflehead (f), 95 Hooded Mergansers, and 10 Am. Robins. There have been approx 100 Hooded Mergs on the pond for the past 3 days. (report from Rick Quimby).

11/8/09 -- Northborough and vicinity

Here are details of the 35 species recorded on the Forbush bird club trip. (report from Laura Lane, fide Joan Gallagher).

11/7/09 -- Fort Meadow Reservoir, Marlborough/Sudbury Reservoir, Southborough

Kim Allen and I stopped at Fort Meadow Reservoir in Marlborough this morning and saw these highlights: 11 Hooded Mergansers, 21 Common Mergansers, 220 Ruddy Ducks, 1 Pied-billed Grebe, 95 Ring-billed Gulls, 4 Herring Gulls and 1 Great Black-backed Gull.

Continuing on to the Sudbury Reservoir accessed from Acre Bridge Road, we had 1 American Black Duck, 253 Ring-necked Ducks, 1 Common Goldeneye, 2 Hooded Mergansers, 2 Common Mergansers and 7 Ruddy Ducks. (report from Alan Marble).

11/7/09 -- Quabbin Park/Brookfields

This morning we birded a few locations in central western Central MA:

WARE RIVER IBA (before dawn);: Ruffed Grouse (3 drumming); American Woodcock (4 calling and flying in overhead calling just before dawn from the hawkwatch lot); Barred Owl (1); N Saw-whet Owl (4);

SOUTH QUABBIN/QUABBIN PARK: Common Loon (7); Horned Grebe (3); Mallard (1); American Black Duck (23); Long-tailed Duck (1m); Common Merganser (4); Bald Eagle (1ad+1imm); Sharp-shinned Hawk (1); Red-tailed Hawk (1); Bonaparte's Gull (2 1stW: there were 2 feeding together just after dawn, but later in the AM, only 1 bird remained, but put on a nice show feeding back and forth, catching small fish, right in front of the Administration Building); Ring-billed Gull (16); Belted Kingfisher (1); Downy Woodpecker (3); Hairy Woodpecker (1); Pileated Woodpecker (1); Blue Jay (24); A Crow (15); Common Raven (4); Black-capped Chickadee (17); White-breasted Nuthatch (10); Brown Creeper (1); Golden-crowned Kinglet (12); Eastern Bluebird (14); Hermit Thrush (1); American Robin (40); American Pipit (8); Yellow-rumped Warbler (2); Song Sparrow (1); White-throated Sparrow (41); Dark-eyed Junco (151); Snow Bunting (4); Red-winged Blackbird (100+ migrating overhead); House Finch (2); A Goldfinch (16);

LAKE WICKABOG, WEST BROOKFIELD: Great Blue Heron (2); Mute Swan (2imm); Canada Goose (42); Mallard (61); A Black Duck (2); Green-winged Teal (10); Bufflehead (1m); Hooded Merganser (14); Common Merganser (71); Ring-billed Gull (224); Herring Gull (1); Great Black-backed Gull (1ad);

LAKE QUABOG, BROOKFIELD: Common Loon (1); Double-crested Cormorant (3); Canada Goose (17); Greater Scaup (1); Common Goldeneye (2: pair);
(report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

11/7/09 -- Rutland

I have had a Carolina wren around my house for at least a couple of weeks . Now that I have been feeding the birds regularly, it is also stopping by from time to time at the feeder. I first had heard it singing and finally got a good look at him. My home is on emerald rd. in Rutland. (report from Anne Greene).

11/6/09 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre

Raptors migrating today: Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 ; Cooper's Hawk 1 ; Red-shouldered Hawk 1 ; Red-tailed Hawk 17 . (report from Bart Kamp).

11/4/09 -- Wachusett Reservoir, Boylston

A very interesting morning at Wachusett Reservoir.

At Mile Hill Road in Boylston, Bev Renaud, Richard Beaudreau and I were treated to the sight of huge numbers of Black Scoters. They were in 3 large flocks and they totaled a conservative 500+. Mixed in with one of the flocks, there were a few Long-tailed Ducks and a Surf Scoter. In separate flocks were 5 Black Scoters and 8 Long-tailed Ducks. Also, there was a Bald eagle.

Earlier at Scar Hill Bluffs, I had 5 Long-tailed Ducks, 4 Buffleheads, 4 Common Goldeneyes, a RED-THROATED LOON and 2 Horned Grebes.
(report from Alan Marble).

11/4/09 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre

Raptors migrating today: Sharp-shinned Hawk 3 ; Cooper's Hawk 2 ; Red-shouldered Hawk 2 ; Red-tailed Hawk 22 . Non-raptor Observations: 120 Canada Geese (report from Bart Kamp).

11/4/09 -- Westminster/Lunenburg

I made a few quick stops, to check for waterfowl, on the way into work this AM:

Westminster: Round Meadow Pond: Mallard 20; Ring-necked Duck 1 female; Bufflehead 1 female

Meeting House Res. Common Loon 1

Monty Tech School: Canada Goose ~50; Ring-billed Gull 5; Herring Gull 25; Great Black-backed Gull 2;
***across the street at Snow's Mill Pond were 3 River Otters

Lunenburg: Whalom Lake: Mallard 2; Pied-billed Grebe 1; Ring-billed Gull 5; Herring Gull 1

Hickory Hills Res. Mallard 4; Long-tailed Duck 1 (a handsome drake!)
(report from Tom Pirro).

11/3/09 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre

Raptors migrating today: Bald Eagle 1 ; Northern Harrier 1 ; Cooper's Hawk 1 ; Red-shouldered Hawk 1 ; Red-tailed Hawk 5 . Raptor Observations: The one Cooper's Hawk increased the season's total to a record high 151 Cooper's Hawks. Non-raptor Observations: A large flock of noisy blackbirds. (report from Bart Kamp).

11/3/09 -- Westminster/Lunenburg

During two quick stops this morning on the way to work, there were:

Round Meadow Pond in Westminster: Mallard 12; Black Scoter 1; Bufflehead 1; Red-winged Blackbird 1 singing

Whalom Lake, Luneneburg: Red-necked Grebe 1 (the 2nd time this fall I found a R-N Grebe on this very small lake).
(report from Tom Pirro).

11/2/09 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre

Raptors migrating today: Turkey Vulture 5 ; Bald Eagle 1 ; Northern Harrier 1 ; Sharp-shinned Hawk 8 ; Cooper's Hawk 1 ; Red-shouldered Hawk 14 ; Red-tailed Hawk 15 ; Golden Eagle 2 ; American Kestrel 1 . Raptor Observations: The first golden eagle was an adult; the second an immature. Non-raptor Observations: 1 eastern meadowlark (report from Bart Kamp).

11/2/09 -- Wachusett Reservoir, Boylston/ Coachlace Pond, Clinton

At Scar Hill Bluffs this morning, I had 9 Long-tailed Ducks, 4 Buffleheads, 8 Common Goldeneyes and 5 Common Mergansers.

At Mile Hill Rd this morning, I had 23 Long-tailed Ducks, 13 Buffleheads and 14 White-winged Scoters.

At Coachlace Pond, there were 39 Greater Scaup, 2 Lesser Scaup and 2 Buffleheads.
(report from Alan Marble).

11/1/09 -- Gate 35, Quabbin Reservoir

During a 6.5 mile walk along the north east shore line of Quabbin Reservoir, participants in the Forbush Bird Club trip enjoyed fine views of Bald Eagles, Common Loons, Horned Grebes, 2 Black-bellied Plovers, 1 Greater Yellowlegs and 2 Dunlin. Other notable species were White-winged Scoter and Bonaparte's Gull (2). Good numbers of Dark-eyed Junco, White-throated Sparrows and flocks of migrant American Crows passed. Here is a complete list of the 37 species seen and/or heard on the trip. (report from Tom Pirro fide Joan Gallagher)

11/1/09 -- Northboro

I scouted a few Northboro ponds in preparation for the Forbush trip next Sunday. At Solomon Pond I found 1 Pied-billed Grebe and 13 Mallards. At Bartlett Pond I found 2 Pied-billed Grebes, 1 Ruddy Duck, 8 Ring-necked Ducks, about 50 Mallards and a Great Blue Heron. (report from Laura Lane).

11/1/09 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre

Raptors migrating today: Northern Harrier 3 ; Sharp-shinned Hawk 16 Northern Goshawk 1 Red-shouldered Hawk 5 Red-tailed Hawk 18 . (report from Bart Kamp).

10/31/09 -- Blackstone Corridor

We birded a few ponds in the BLACKSTONE NATIONAL CORRIDOR, mainly to see how waterfowl migration was doing: SNEETCH POND, CUMBERLAND RI: Pied-billed Grebe (3); Wood Duck (25); Mallard (3); American Black Duck (4); Ring-necked Duck (11); E Screech Owl (1);

DIAMONDHILL/ARNOLD MILL RESERVOIRS, CUMBERLAND RI: Double-crested Cormorant (4); Great Blue Heron (6); Mute Swan (2); Canada Goose (85); Mallard (30); Green-winged Teal (6); Ring-necked Duck (8); Hooded Merganser (3); Common Merganser (21); Ruddy Duck (102); Osprey (1); Cooper?s Hawk (1); Killdeer (3); Greater Yellowlegs (1); American Pipit (6);

PAWTUCKET COUNTRY CLUB, PAWTUCKET RI: Double-crested Cormorant (1); Mute Swan (1); Mallard (45); American Black Duck (3); Hooded Merganser (2);

TURNER RESERVOIR, EAST PROVIDENCE RI: Pied-billed Grebe (1); Double-crested Cormorant (7); Mute Swan (28); Canada Goose (62); Mallard (91); A Black Duck (3); American Wigeon (4); Gadwall (2); Lesser Scaup (14); Ruddy Duck (10);

SEEKONK RIVER, PROVIDENCE RI: Double-crested Cormorant (23); Mute Swan (30); Mallard (26); American Black Duck (6); Sharp-shinned Hawk (1); Red-tailed Hawk (3);

WOONSOCKET RESERVOIR, LINCOLN RI: Bald Eagle (1ad); Red-tailed Hawk (2); Peregrine Falcon (2ad bathing);

MEADOW POND, NORTHBRIDGE MA: Mute Swan (10); Mallard (16); Ring-necked Duck (179); Lesser Scaup (1f); Ruddy Duck (4); Common Raven (2); Common Grackle (flock of 600+ working leaf litter in forest);
(report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

10/30/09 -- Wachusett Reservoir, Sterling/Clinton

This morning there was a Female Long-tailed Duck at Gate 36 in Sterling and 2 Horned Grebes at Gate 39 in Clinton. (report from Peter Morlock).

10/30/09 -- Wachusett Reservoir, Sterling

This afternoon there were 3 snow buntings on the Sterling Dike lower level (gate 36) at Wachusett Reservoir. (report from Bart Kamp).

10/30/09 -- All Faiths Cemetery, Auburn/Notre Dame Cemetery, Worcester

Highlights from this morning:

At All Faiths Cemetery in Auburn I had 5 Wood Ducks, a female Northern Pintail, 6 Green-winged Teal and an American Woodcock.

At Notre Dame Cemetery in Worcester I 8 Wood Ducks, 2 A. Black Ducks, 6 Green-winged Teal, an immature BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERON and a Merlin.
(report from Alan Marble).

10/29/09 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre

Raptors migrating today:

-------------------------------------------------------------------
Species            Day's Count    Month Total   Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture                0              0              0
Turkey Vulture              17            351            364
Osprey                       0             51            146
Bald Eagle                   0             37             72
Northern Harrier             3             22             33
Sharp-shinned Hawk          12            813           1231
Cooper's Hawk                4            113            149
Northern Goshawk             0              6              6
Red-shouldered Hawk          8             27             30
Broad-winged Hawk            0             21           2680
Red-tailed Hawk             32            205            212
Rough-legged Hawk            0              0              0
Golden Eagle                 0              1              1
American Kestrel             1            166            225
Merlin                       0              7             21
Peregrine Falcon             0              3              3
Unknown Accipiter            0              0              0
Unknown Buteo                0              0              0
Unknown Falcon               0              0              0
Unknown Eagle                0              0              0
Unknown Raptor               0             22             42

Total:                      77           1845           5215
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Raptor Observations: The 17 turkey vultures increased the season's total to a record high 364 turkey vultures. Non-raptor Observations: 100's of migrating crows. (report from Bart Kamp).

10/29/09 -- Institute Park, Worcester

Highlights today were 18 Hooded Mergansers, 1 B. Kingfisher, and 1 Hairy Woodpecker. Also, there were *no* Mute Swans for a change. (report from Rick Quimby).

10/29/09 -- Flint Pond, Shrewsbury/Indian Lake, Worcester

Highlights today:

From the Flint Pond boat ramp in Shrewsbury there was a pair of Surf Scoters and a Wood Duck.

At Indian Lake there were 153 Common Mergansers, 2 Ruddy Ducks and 2 Hooded Mergansers.
(report from Alan Marble).

10/26/09 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre

Raptors migrating today: Turkey Vulture 4 ; Sharp-shinned Hawk 11 ; Red-shouldered Hawk 6 ; Red-tailed Hawk 18 ; American Kestrel 2 . (report from Bart Kamp).

10/25/09 -- Wachusett Reservoir & vicinity

Here is a list of the 44 species observed on the Forbush bird club trip. (report from Kevin Bourinot fide Joan Gallagher).

10/25/09 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre

Raptors migrating today: Turkey Vulture 1 ; Osprey 1 ; Northern Harrier 1 ; Sharp-shinned Hawk 11 ; Cooper's Hawk 3 ; Northern Goshawk 1 ; Red-shouldered Hawk 1 ; Red-tailed Hawk 4 ; American Kestrel 4 . (report from Bart Kamp).

10/23/09 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre

Raptors migrating today: Turkey Vulture 2 ; Bald Eagle 3 ; Sharp-shinned Hawk 3 ; Cooper's Hawk 2 ; Red-shouldered Hawk 4 ; Red-tailed Hawk 4 ; American Kestrel 1 . Raptor Observations: The 3 adult bald eagles increased the season's total to a record high 72 birds. (report from Bart Kamp).

10/23/09 -- Wachusett Reservoir, Boylston/The Quag, Sterling

This morning from the Mile Hill Rd overlook of the Wachusett Reservoir there was a Surf Scoter, 23 White-winged Scoters, 3 Common Loons and a Horned Grebe.

At The Quag in Sterling there was a Pied-billed Grebe (report from Alan Marble).

10/22/09 -- North Brookfield Sewer Plant

I had an imm. Wilson's warbler at the North Brookfield Sewer Plant this morning along with a yellowthroat and an imm. White crowned sparrow. This is my personal late date ever for Wilson's Warbler in Worcester County and maybe the latest ever recorded. (report from Rodney Jenkins).

10/21/09 -- Mt. Jefferson Conservation Area, Hubbardston

During the late afternoon, about 15 or so Eastern Bluebirds, nearly all of them adult males, were taking advantage of the convenient utility wire perches and quiet locale in order to do some foraging along the roadside and field edge. A couple of Palm Warblers were present. Good numbers of Yellow-rumped Warblers were actively feeding in the shrubby wooded edges, and a small flock of American Robins was taking advantage of the Oriental Bittersweet and other wild fruit in the area. One Red-tailed Hawk was also hanging around. (report from Wendy Howes).

10/21/09 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre

Raptors migrating today: Turkey Vulture 10 ; Northern Harrier 2 ; Sharp-shinned Hawk 16 ; Cooper's Hawk 4 ; Red-shouldered Hawk 2 ; Red-tailed Hawk 1 ; American Kestrel 2 . Non-raptor Observations: 2 monarch butterflies (report from Bart Kamp).

10/20/09 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre

Raptors migrating today: Turkey Vulture 4 ; Sharp-shinned Hawk 8 ; Cooper's Hawk 2 ; Northern Goshawk 1 ; American Kestrel 3 . Non-raptor Observations: 100's of ladybug beetles landing on everything, 2 clouded sulphur butterflies. (report from Bart Kamp).

10/20/09 -- Crystal Lake, Gardner

The numbers of gulls coming into roost on Crystal Lake has increased dramatically in the past 10 days. Totals from this evening were: Herring Gull 650; Great Black-backed Gull 95; Ring-billed Gull 125. Impressive numbers of puddle ducks arrive once darkness settles in -- about 300-400 and nearly all Mallards, with a few Black Ducks. Also present was 1 Common Loon.
(report from Tom Pirro).

10/19/09 -- Whitins Reservoir, Northbridge

Today there were about three dozen ring-necked ducks at the west side of Whitins Reservoir, seen from Main St. And swans. And more swans. (report from Beth Milke)

10/19/09 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre

Raptors migrating today: Turkey Vulture 1 ; Northern Harrier 3 ; Sharp-shinned Hawk 22 ; Cooper's Hawk 2 ; Red-shouldered Hawk 1 ; Red-tailed Hawk 3 ; American Kestrel 1 . Raptor Observations: By 11 AM EDT the birds were so high they were nearly invisible against the blue sky. (report from Bart Kamp).

10/17/09 -- Broad Meadow Brook Sanctuary, Worcester

Nancy Demers and I visited Broad Meadow Brook Audubon Sanctuary in Worcester. Our route (Holdredge to Lady Slipper to Troiano to Cardinal and back via Lady Slipper and Holdredge trails, with a couple of side jogs along the way) covered woods, marsh, ponds and field. We saw two hermit thrushes from Lady Slipper Trail. There was a wonderful pocket of birds along the path from Barbara's Meadow to Heron Pond. Here, flitting among all the birch trees were many ruby-crowned and golden-crowned kinglets, many yellow-rumps and a number of yellow palm warblers, a blue-headed vireo, and a few eastern phoebes along with chickadees and tufted titmouses. At Heron Pond, a few more phoebes sat calmly pumping their tails, while wood ducks cried in alarm and skittered off. (report from Beth Milke)

10/17/09 -- Notre Dame Cemetery

I went over to Notre Dame Cemetery looking for ducks this morning and ran into Rick Walker doing the same thing. We saw: 1 Great Blue Heron, 4 Wood Ducks, 6 A. Black Ducks, 1 N. Pintail, 6 Hooded Merganser, 1 Osprey, 2 Phoebes, 1 Carolina Wren and 12 Yellow- rumped Warblers. (report from John Shea).

10/17/09 -- Wachusett Reservoir

This morning we birded a few spots in the WACHUSETT RESERVOIR IBA. This includes the reservoir and a number of the nearby ponds. Waterfowl numbers were modest at best. Included in the below totals are birds seen along the power lines near the Boylston Police headquarters. Common Loon (4); Double-crested Cormorant (25); Great Blue Heron (3); Canada Goose (24); Wood Duck (51); Gadwall (1); American Black Duck (2); Mallard (116); Green-winged Teal (7); Ring-necked Duck (10); Greater Scaup (17); WHITE-WINGED SCOTER (2m); Ruddy Duck (1); Bald Eagle (1ad); Sharp-shinned Hawk (1); Red-tailed Hawk (3); Bonaparte?s Gull (1adW); Ring-billed Gull (52); Red-bellied Woodpecker (2); Hairy Woodpecker (2); Eastern Phoebe (5); Blue-headed Vireo (1); Blue Jay (42); A Crow (24); C Raven (1); Black-capped Chickadee (56); Tufted Titmouse (2); White-breasted Nuthatch (15); Brown Creeper (8); Winter Wren (2); Golden-crowned Kinglet (11); Ruby-crowned Kinglet (22); Eastern Bluebird (7); Hermit Thrush (2); Yellow-rumped Warbler (73); Palm Warbler (16); Chipping Sparrow (60+); Field Sparrow (3); Song Sparrow (24); White-throated Sparrow (175); White-crowned Sparrow (1ad); Dark-eyed Junco (26); N Cardinal (2); Red-winged Blackbird (40+); C Grackle (30+);

After a brief break for lunch, we birded a few ponds in Northboro/Westboro. At the SuAsCo (Sudbury/Assabet/Concord); impoundment in Westboro we had: Pied-billed Grebe (6); Double-crested Cormorant (8); Mute Swan (24, which included 4 imm);. At Chauncy Lake there were (2); Mute Swans and (2); more Pied-billed Grebes. An American Coot was among the Mallards, Blacks and Canadas at Bartlett Pond (Northboro);.
(report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

10/17/09 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre

Raptors migrating today: Turkey Vulture 46 ; Osprey 3 ; Bald Eagle 3 ; Northern Harrier 4 ; Sharp-shinned Hawk 47 ; Cooper's Hawk 2 ; Northern Goshawk 1 ; Red-shouldered Hawk 2 ; Red-tailed Hawk 42 ; Golden Eagle 1 ; American Kestrel 8 ; Peregrine Falcon 1 . Raptor Observations: Our first golden eagle was an adult, 2 of the northern harriers were adult males. Non-raptor Observations: 1000's of migrating crows, 2 clouded sulphur butterflies. (report from Bart Kamp).

10/16/09 -- Whalom Lake, Lunenburg

This morning on the lake were: Greater Scaup 1 hen; Ring-necked Duck 1 drake; Surf Scoter 13 (12 drake adults, one hen or imm. drake). The scoters were circling the lake, in flight, the Ring-necked with them, but the "ringer" dropped out of that flock and joined a small group of Mallards and the single G. Scaup on the water, right in front of me.

On 10/14 there were ~25 Black Scoters on Lake Wompanoag in Gardner, and 7 on Crystal Lake (also in Gardner). Photos (but not very good ones) of these are posted on my blog. (report from Tom Pirro).

10/15/09 -- Coachlace Pond, Clinton/Wachusett Reservoir, Boylston

This morning at Coachlace Pond in Clinton there were 15 Greater Scaup.

At Wachusett Reservoir, from the Mile Hill Road overlook there were 25 Black Scoters

At Wachusett Reservoir, from the Scar Hill Bluffs, there were 27 Greater Scaup, 3 Common Mergansers, 5 Common Loons and 2 Double-crested Cormorants.
(report from Alan Marble)

10/15/09 -- Wachusett Reservoir

Today, on a trip to Wachusett Reservoir and the ponds of Clinton and Sterling I recorded the following: 2 Canada geese, 11 wood ducks, 5 American black ducks, 78 mallard ducks, 37 ring-necked ducks, 14 greater scaup, 8 lesser scaup, 39 black scoters, 4 red-breasted mergansers, 2 ruddy ducks, 36 common loons, 1 red-throated loon, 2 horned grebes, 1 red-necked grebe, 38 double-crested cormorants, 2 Wilson's snipe, 1 spotted sandpiper and 1 least sandpiper. (report from Bart Kamp).

10/14/09 -- Queen Lake, Phillipston

There were 200 +/- Black Scoter hanging out all day on Queen Lake in Phillipston. (report from Matt Pearson).

10/14/09 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre

Raptors migrating today: Turkey Vulture 27 ; Osprey 2 ; Bald Eagle 2 ; Sharp-shinned Hawk 83 ; Cooper's Hawk 17 ; Northern Goshawk 2 ; Red-shouldered Hawk 1 ; Red-tailed Hawk 19 ; American Kestrel 5 ; Merlin 2 ; Peregrine Falcon 1 . Non-raptor Observations: 488 Canada geese (report from Bart Kamp).

10/14/09 -- Wachusett Reservoir, Boylston

Scoping Wachusett Reservoir from the Scar Hill Bluffs in Boylston, I had 6 Common Loons, 2 Surf Scoters, 6 Black Scoters and 3 American Black Ducks. There was also a Spotted Sandpiper on the shoreline. (report from Alan Marble).

10/13/09 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre

Raptors migrating today: Turkey Vulture 12 ; Osprey 4 ; Northern Harrier 1 ; Sharp-shinned Hawk 44 ; Cooper's Hawk 4 ; Red-tailed Hawk 4 ; American Kestrel 4 . Raptor Observations: A few hawks were migrating during the showers. Non-raptor Observations: One large flock of 250+ Canada geese. (report from Bart Kamp).

10/12/09 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre

Raptors migrating today: Turkey Vulture 99 ; Osprey 5 ; Bald Eagle 1 ; Northern Harrier 1 ; Sharp-shinned Hawk 51 ; Cooper's Hawk 14 ; Red-shouldered Hawk 2 ; Broad-winged Hawk 1 ; Red-tailed Hawk 28 ; American Kestrel 5 ; Merlin 1 . Raptor Observations: The cirrus clouds helped us find the high flying raptors; there were kettles of turkey vultures at the end of the day Non-raptor Observations: 95 Canada geese (report from Bart Kamp).

10/11/09 -- Winimussett WMA, Oakham

Although we were unable to take part in the morning Forbush Bird Club field trip to this area, we birded the WMA for several hours mid-day through the afternoon. In the hayfield and wetland edges along the Hardwick Road section, we flushed 3 Eastern Meadowlark and encountered a flock of ~20 Eastern Bluebirds. We heard one Belted Kingfisher, but the stream was otherwise very quiet. We found the McKay Road section to be more productive, with lots of sparrow activity. We got good looks at several Swamp Sparrows, many Song Sparrows in different plumages, and one Vesper Sparrow, and got good cooperation for photos. About 20 American Pipits were foraging in the stubble close to the wetland edges. Besides the expected few Ruby-crowned Kinglets and Yellow-Rumped Warblers, we located one Blue-headed Vireo singing softly. Cedar Waxwings were enjoying the fruit-and-berry bounty of the sheltered thickets. Very interesting were two juvenile Turkey Vultures seen as we were leaving the area, perched atop the McKay Road barn soaking up the afternoon sun. We had seen single vultures flying high over the WMA earlier in the afternoon, but of course couldn't tell if they were these two first-year birds or other adults.

Note added by Wendy Howes 11/17/09:

(report and photos from Wendy Howes & Alan Rawle).

10/11/09 -- Quabbin Park, South Quabbin Reservoir

We spent the morning birding South Quabbin/Quabbin Park. We got out of there by 11AM: just in time as the throngs of "leaf peepers" were starting to make their presence felt. It was a stunning morning to be at Quabbin with clear skies, a nip in the air and the amazing scenery. Good numbers of late season passerine migrants were seen moving along the edge of the reservoir, and this included decent counts of Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Yellow-rumped Warblers, and White-throated Sparrows. On the Winsor Dam we bumped into Chris Ellison and company attempting a "Big Sit". South Quabbin is certainly one of the best places in central MA to attempt one of these at this time of the year, and there are several promising locations you could choose from. We recorded: Common Loon (7); Double-crested Cormorant (1); Canada Goose (16); Wood Duck (1); American Black Duck (1); Mallard (4); Common Merganser (7); Osprey (2); Bald Eagle (1imm); Northern Harrier (1); Sharp-shinned Hawk (1); Wild Turkey (17); Ring-billed Gull (7); Belted Kingfisher (1); RED-HEADED WOODPECKER (1imm/sub-ad: this bird was moving/landing though oaks w/a big group of migrants that appeared to be just moving through. But who knows?); Red-bellied Woodpecker (3); Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (1); Downy Woodpecker (6); Hairy Woodpecker (2); N Flicker (18); Pileated Woodpecker (2); Eastern Phoebe (4); Blue-headed Vireo (4: 1 still singing a half hearted version of its song); Blue Jay (121); A Crow (28); Common Raven (2); Black-capped Chickadee (22); Tufted Titmouse (14); White-breasted Nuthatch (7); Brown Creeper (11); House Wren (1); Winter Wren (1); Golden-crowned Kinglet (6); Ruby-crowned Kinglet (42); Eastern Bluebird (1); Hermit Thrush (26); A Robin (21); Gray Catbird (6); E Starling (13); American Pipit (1); Orange-crowned Warbler (1); Yellow-rumped Warbler (165); Pine Warbler (1); Palm Warbler (3); Blackpoll Warbler (3); C Yellowthroat (3); Eastern Towhee (9); Chipping Sparrow (16); Field Sparrow (2); Savannah Sparrow (1); Song Sparrow (11); White-throated Sparrow (203); White-crowned Sparrow (2ad); Dark-eyed Junco (10); N Cardinal (6); Red-winged Blackbird (147); Purple Finch (3); House Finch (2); A Goldfinch (2); (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

10/11/09 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre

Raptors migrating today: Turkey Vulture 42 ; Osprey 2 ; Bald Eagle 9 ; Sharp-shinned Hawk 28 ; Cooper's Hawk 9 ; Red-tailed Hawk 5 ; American Kestrel 14 ; Merlin 1 . Raptor Observations: Not migrating: 8 turkey vultures, 6 redtails, pair of northern goshawks. Non-raptor Observations: 84 Canada geese (report from Bart Kamp).

10/10/09 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre

Raptors migrating today: Turkey Vulture 28 ; Osprey 21 ; Bald Eagle 3 ; Northern Harrier 3 ; Sharp-shinned Hawk 180 ; Cooper's Hawk 12 ; Red-tailed Hawk 15 ; American Kestrel 61 . Raptor Observations: An endless movement of raptors passing quickly in the gusty wind. 90%-95% of the raptors counted were SE of the hawk watch site. They were apparently following the Ware River valley whose elevation is lower than the surrounding hills. Perhaps the raptors flew through the valley in order to stay out of the strongest winds. Non-raptor Observations: 125 Canada geese migratng (report from Bart Kamp).

10/8/09 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre

Raptors migrating today: Turkey Vulture 12 ; Osprey 4 ; Bald Eagle 4 ; Northern Harrier 1 ; Sharp-shinned Hawk 103 ; Cooper's Hawk 10 ; Broad-winged Hawk 1 ; Red-tailed Hawk 10 ; American Kestrel 23 . Raptor Observations: Not migrating: a pair of northern goshawks, 3 redtails and 2 bald eagles. Non-raptor Observations: Migrating: 163 Canada geese and 2 monarch butterflies. (report from Bart Kamp).

10/8/09 -- North Brookfield

I had an Orange Crowned Warbler this morning in the North Brookfield brush dump behind the sewer plant. (report from Rodney Jenkins).

10/6/09 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre

Raptors migrating today: Turkey Vulture 26 ; Osprey 5 ; Bald Eagle 3 ; Northern Harrier 3 ; Sharp-shinned Hawk 88 ; Cooper's Hawk 9 ; Broad-winged Hawk 2 ; Red-tailed Hawk 16 ; American Kestrel 12 ; Merlin 1 ; Raptor Observations: Like yesterday the birds were low most of the day. Not migrating: a pair of northern goshawks. Non-raptor Observations: 121 Canada geese and 7 monarch butterflies migrating. (report from Bart Kamp).

10/5/09 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre

Raptors migrating today: Turkey Vulture 9 ; Osprey 1 ; Bald Eagle 5 ; Sharp-shinned Hawk 60 ; Cooper's Hawk 11 ; Broad-winged Hawk 4 ; Red-tailed Hawk 1 ; American Kestrel 7 ; Peregrine Falcon 1 . Raptor Observations: Most of the hawks were no more than a "glass" above the horizon all day long. Non-raptor Observations: 11 Canada geese, 6 monarch butterflies. (report from Bart Kamp).

10/4/09 -- Millbury/Grafton

There was a Great Egret in the pond near the 146 & Mass pike intersection on Friday (10/2) and Saturday (10/3), and today a Great Egret was seen on Millbury St in a tree over a tiny pond in front of the Grafton Elementary School. That's the most egrets we have seen in the area. (report from Dan & Deb Berard).

10/4/09 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre

Raptors migrating today: Turkey Vulture 1 ; Sharp-shinned Hawk 9 ; Cooper's Hawk 3 ; Northern Goshawk 1 ; Broad-winged Hawk 4 ; American Kestrel 3 ; Merlin 1 . Non-raptor Observations: 200+ migrating blue jays. (report from Donna Schilling).

10/4/09 -- The Brookfields

We spent the morning birding just a few places in the QUABOG IBA in the Brookfields. This included Elm Hill Mass Audubon property and some stops in the Quabog Wildlife Management Area. There were some very nice concentrations of sparrows this morning, including my first of the fall MIGRANT juncos. Missing this AM were raptors: we had NONE, which is quite unusual. There was little waterbird activity on Lake Quabog or Quacumquasit, likely because both ponds were occupied by a number of fishermen out in boats. Pied-billed Grebe (1); Double-crested Cormorant (1); Great Blue Heron (3); Green Heron (1); Canada Goose (253); Wood Duck (15); Mallard (77); Wild Turkey (10); Ring-billed Gull (4); Mourning Dove (17); Red-bellied Woodpecker (4); Downy Woodpecker (11); Hairy Woodpecker (4); N Flicker (14); Pileated Woodpecker (2); Eastern Phoebe (47); Blue-headed Vireo (8: 3 still singing); Red-eyed Vireo (1); Blue Jay (49); A Crow (42); Black-capped Chickadee (106); Tufted Titmouse (10); White-breasted Nuthatch (13); Carolina Wren (1); House Wren (6); Eastern Bluebird (18); Hermit Thrush (3); American Robin (166); Gray Catbird (38); Cedar Waxwing (48); Yellow-rumped Warbler (193); Pine Warbler (1); Prairie (1); Palm Warbler (13); Blackpoll Warbler (23); Black and White Warbler (1); Common Yellowthroat (11);

SPARROWS: Chipping (129); CLAY-COLORED (1); Field (2: in a beaver marsh of all places); Savannah (13); Song (76); Lincoln's (3); Swamp (37); White-throated (145); Dark-eyed Junco (3); N Cardinal (52); BLUE GROSBEAK (1); Indigo Bunting (6); Red-winged Blackbird (36); House Finch (2); A Goldfinch (2); PLUS: (16); Cabbage Whites as soon as the sun finally peaked through the fog and several Praying Mantids. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

10/3/09 -- Westminister

Birds seen and/or heard during a 5.5 mile walk (from 9 to 1:30) around the neighborhood and into a nearby gravel pit with lots of secondary growth, migrants were wide spread, BH Vireos in particular. Highlights were: Merlin.... 1;Spotted Sandpiper... 1;Red-bellied Woodpecker... 2;Hairy Woodpecker... 1;Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)... 2;Eastern Phoebe... 5;Blue-headed Vireo... 29;Common Raven... 1;Brown Creeper... 1; House Wren... 5;Ruby-crowned Kinglet... 9;American Robin... 10;Gray Catbird.... 9;Orange-crowned Warbler... 1;Nashville Warbler... 9;Northern Parula... 12;Magnolia Warbler... 4;Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)... 25;Black-throated Green Warbler... 12;Blackburnian Warbler... 2;Praire Warbler.... 1;Pine Warbler... 4;Palm Warbler (Yellow)... 18;Blackpoll Warbler... 22;Black-and-white Warbler... 1;American Redstart... 1;Common Yellowthroat... 12;Eastern Towhee... 3;Chipping Sparrow... 30;Field Sparrow... 1;Savannah Sparrow... 13;Song Sparrow... 14;Lincoln's Sparrow... 1;Swamp Sparrow... 4;White-throated Sparrow... 35;Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored)... 1;Indigo Bunting... 3. (report from TomPirro).

10/2/09 -- Mount Wachusett, Princeton

Raptors migrating today: Osprey 3 ; Bald Eagle 2 ; Sharp-shinned Hawk 2 ; Broad-winged Hawk 3 . Raptor Observations: The two bald eagles were immature.Too distant to determine age. Non-raptor Observations: Kettle of Turkey Vultures - 15- 20 in mid-afternoon. (report from Steve Olson).

10/2/09 -- Green Hill Park, Worcester

This morning there was a Great Egret at Green Hill Pond. (report from Peter Morlock).

10/2/09 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre

Raptors migrating today: Turkey Vulture 6 ; Osprey 2 ; Bald Eagle 3 ; Sharp-shinned Hawk 14 ; Cooper's Hawk 3 ; Broad-winged Hawk 8 ; Red-tailed Hawk 3 ; American Kestrel 4 . Raptor Observations: Not migrating: 6 turkey vultures, 2 redtails and 2 northern goshawks. Non-raptor Observations: 3 monarch butterflies. (report from Bart Kamp).

10/1/09 -- Mount Wachusett, Princeton

Raptors migrating today: Northern Harrier 1 ; Sharp-shinned Hawk 2 ; Broad-winged Hawk 1 ; American Kestrel 1 . Raptor Observations: Oddly, some of the raptors we saw flew directly into the wind with little if no flapping. The upper winds were proably stronger than the ground wind. (report from Steve Olson).

10/1/09 -- Notre Dame cemetery/All Faiths, Worcester

I went over to Notre Dame cemetery last night to look for ducks and saw: 2 D.C. Cormorants, 11 Wood Ducks, 12 Mallards, 15 Yellow rumped Warblers, 2 Cardinals and 1 Song Sparrow. From there I went to All Faiths cmetery, where there were: 14 Canada Geese, 4 Mute Swans, 11 Wood Duck, 4 A. Wigeon, 47 Mallard Ducks, 1 N. Pintail (f), 2 Pied-billed Grebes and 1 Great Blue Heron. (report from John Shea).

10/1/09 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre

Raptors migrating today: Turkey Vulture 4 ; Osprey 1 ; Bald Eagle 1 ; Sharp-shinned Hawk 23 ; Cooper's Hawk 2 ; Broad-winged Hawk 1 ; American Kestrel 6 ; Merlin 1 . Raptor Observations: Hawks were low; did very little soaring. Non-raptor Observations: Steady movement of blue jays, robins and other passerines. (report from Bart Kamp).

For previous sightings, see September 2009 Archives or Archive Index