April 2004 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:

Bird Sightings:

4/30/04 -- High Ridge WMA, Gardner
Hlites among 62 species seen and/or heard between 0730 and 1030: American Bittern 1; Green-winged Teal 2; Hooded-merganer 3; Solitary Sandpiper 1; Blue-headed Vireo 4; Warbling Vireo 1; Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 2; Nashville Warbler 1; Magnolia Warbler 1; Black-thr. Green Warbler 5; Black-thr Blue Warbler 1; Yellow-rumped Warbler 150+; Yellow Warbler 3; Pine Warbler 3; Palm Warbler 3; Black and White Warbler 4; Louisiana Waterthrush 1; Ovenbird 4; Common Yellow-throat 1; Baltimore Oriole 3. (report from Tom Pirro).

4/30/04 -- Oak St., Shrewsbury
At 4:45 p.m., I had a BLUE-WINGED WARBLER on Oak Street in Shrewsbury. (report from Joan Zumpfe).

4/30/04 -- Dudley
While driving through Dudley this morning, I heard 4 House Wrens, 1 Carolina Wren, 1 Baltimore Oriole, several Yellow Warblers, 2 Black-and-white Warblers and a Least Flycatcher that just made the 4D deadline on our Worcester County Field Card date. (report from Joan Zumpfe).

4/30/04 -- Merriam Rd., Grafton
I was able to take two somewhat distant photos of the SANDHILL CRANES . They can be seen at the following website. After the page downloads, select my name under the "Choose the Teacher" menu. The pictures are on the right in the Photo Gallery. If you wish to increase their size, you should be able to download them to your computer simply by dragging them. They are in JPEG format.

I recorded the following highlights in our yard and the nearby Grafton Conservation Lands on Merriam Road in Grafton this morning (4/30/04): Turkey Vulture (1); Sharp-shinned Hawk (1); Red-tailed Hawk (2); SANDHILL CRANE (2 - They were located in the back of a cornfield on Merriam Rd. across from the Conservation Lands. See my earlier posting for more details. Note that the birds were absent at 11:30.); Red-bellied Woodpecker (2); Pileated Woodpecker Flicker (1); Eastern Phoebe (1); Yellow-throated Vireo (1); Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (2); Eastern Bluebird (1);

Scarlet Tanager (1); Eastern Towhee (5); Chipping Sparrow (2); Song Sparrow (3); Swamp Sparrow (1); White-throated Sparrow (4); Rose-breasted Grosbeak (1); Brown-headed Cowbird (5); Baltimore Oriole (1); (report from John Liller).

4/30/04 -- Institute Park, Worcester
Highlights today at noon, among 29 recorded species: 3 DC Cormorants, 1 BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON (adult), 1 Mute Swan, 1 N. Flicker, 1 Eastern Kingbird, 1 Tree Swallow, 1 Hermit Thrush, 1 Gray Catbird, 1 Blue-headed Vireo, 2 Warbling Vireos, 4+ Yellow-rumped Warblers, 1 or 2 Black-and-white Warbler, and 1 Northern Waterthrush. The heron was located where I usually find it in the spring: in the back corner of the small bay between the island and the apartments. (report from Rick Quimby).

4/30/04 -- Broad Meadow Brook Sanctuary, Worcester
Highlights of a morning walk today were 3 Red-tails soaring together, 4 Wild Turkeys, 1 Red-bellied Woodpecker, 4 Flickers, 1 Phoebe carrying nesting material into the South end culvert, 1 Bluebird, 4 Catbirds, 1 Brown Thrasher, 11 Towhees, and 1 Field, 9 Song, and 3 White-throated Sparrows. Also, warblers were 1 Yellow, 28 plus Yellow-rumped, 1 Palm, and 2 Black-and-white. (report from Howard Shainheit).

4/30/04 -- Merriam Rd., Grafton
I just returned from my daily walk from my house to the Grafton Conservation Lands on Merriam Rd. Across from the path up the hill into the Conservation Lands is a cornfield. I had two Sandhill Cranes in the back of the field at 8:45. They were still there at 9:25.
To get there, take Rt. 140 from the center of Grafton towards Upton. Take a left onto Meadowbrook Rd., then a left onto Merriam Rd. The cornfield is the second one on the left (the first one is at the intersection). (report from John Liller).

4/30/04 -- Broad Meadow Brook Sanctuary, Worcester
Paid a quick visit to Broad Meadow Brook early this morning. The Brookside Trail is still flooded and impassable a few hundred yards south of the Dunkirk St entrance, but the willows around the beginning of the flooded section were thick with Yellow (10) and Yellow-rumped (30-40) Warblers. Other migrants on this stretch of trail and in the meadow on the other side of the brook (first 1/4 mile of the Cardinal Trail) included Eastern Kingbird (2), Common Yellowthroat (1), Rose-breasted Grosbeak (1), Baltimore Oriole (1). The southern end of the sanctuary was very quiet, but the Enchanted Forest trail produced Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (1) and Northern Parula (1). (report from Mark Landon).

4/30/04 -- Newton Hill/Bancroft Tower Hill, Worcester
A quick before work walk at Newton Hill had the following highlights: Chimney Swift (3); Downy Woodpecker (2); N. Flicker (2); E. Phoebe (2); E. Kingbird (1); Red-breasted Nuthatch (1); White-breasted Nuthatch (2); Ruby-crowned Kinglet (2); Gray Catbird (2); Brown Thrasher (1); Blue-headed Vireo (2); Yellow-rumped Warbler (25+); Pine Warbler (3m); Black and White Warbler (2); Chipping Sparrow (4); White-throated Sparrow (4); Purple Finch (1); PLUS: Bluets, Lilly of the Valley and Violets.
At BANCROFT TOWER HILL: Red-bellied Woodpecker (1); House Wren (1); Gray Catbird (2); Yellow-rumped Warbler (3). (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

4/29/04 -- Barrows Rd., Worc.
I had my year first Rose-breasted Grosbeak, a male, at my sunflower seed feeder about six this evening. (report from Howard Shainheit).

4/29/04 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
Migrating raptors today: > Turkey Vulture 1 ; > Osprey 3 ; > Sharp-shinned Hawk 7 ; > Broad-winged Hawk 29 ; > Merlin 1 . > Observations: Also, 200+ migrating Double-crested Cormorants. 1 Cabbage white butterfly. (report from Bart Kamp).

4/29/04 -- Paradise Pond, Princeton
Two adult Common Loons are back on Paradise Pond, Princeton. A pair sucessfully bred there last year and hopefully they will try again. Their nesting site, a small island in the center of this rather shallow pond, is far more submerged this year due to all the April rain. Also, we observed (from a distance) an Adult Bald Eagle in Brookfield on the nest at Quabaug Pond . (report from Cheryl & Jean Pierre Boissy).

4/29/04 -- Institute Park, Worcester
The first good migrant day in the park this spring. Highlights at noon: 1 Pied-billed Grebe, 1 Mute Swan, 1 RC Kinglet, 1 Gray Catbird, 1 Warbling Vireo, 2 Yellow Warblers, 1 Yellow-rumped Warbler, and 1 Palm Warbler. (report from Rick Quimby)

4/29/04 -- Merriam Road, Grafton
This morning before work I saw/heard the following at the Merriam Road Conservation Land: Black and white warbler (3+); BT green warbler Palm warbler (2); Blue headed vireo (2); E. towhee (many); Tree swallow (2 diving on blue bird guarding box #18 in western-most field); E. bluebird (3 seen peering into and resting on recently installed nest boxes in western-most fields); (report from Scott Jordan).

4/28/04 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
Migrating raptors today: > Osprey 14 ; > Northern Harrier 1 ; > Sharp-shinned Hawk 7 ; > Broad-winged Hawk 124 ; > Red-tailed Hawk 1 ; > American Kestrel 1 ; > > Observations: More than 80% of the hawks were seen between 9 and 12 EDT. They glided by rapidly without soaring. (report from Bart Kamp).

4/27/04 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre 
> Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 27, 2004
> -------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Species            Day's Count    Month Total   Season Total
> ------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
> Black Vulture                0              1              1
> Turkey Vulture              12             64             91
> Osprey                       8            182            182
> Bald Eagle                   0              6             12
> Northern Harrier             0             20             21
> Sharp-shinned Hawk          22            207            219
> Cooper's Hawk                0              7             19
> Northern Goshawk             0              0              0
> Red-shouldered Hawk          0              7             18
> Broad-winged Hawk           44            378            378
> Red-tailed Hawk              0             56            130
> Rough-legged Hawk            0              0              0
> Golden Eagle                 0              1              1
> American Kestrel             0            130            131
> Merlin                       0              7             11
> Peregrine Falcon             1              1              1
> Unknown                      0             17             21
>
> Total:                      87           1084           1236
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> > Observers: Barton D. Kamp, David Grant, Donna Schilling, > Tom Bosakowski > Observations: Red fox with mouthfull of prey for her 6 kits. A kettle of 18 Ravens. 406 migrating Double-crested Cormorants. (report from Bart Kamp).

4/27/04 -- Green Street, Gardner
An Upland Sandpiper was still present this morning on the front lawn of Mount Wachusett Community College off Green Street in Gardner. It has been present since Saturday 4/24/04. (report from Tom Pirro).

4/25/04 -- Sterling Peat, Sterling
Bruce DeGraaf of Shrewsbury and I spotted two Upland Sandpipers this morning in the big grassy field between Muddy Pond Road and the Sterling Peat operation. We watched them for quite awhile through a scope. They kept quite close to each other while foraging in the grasses, and at one point, one of the birds assumed an exagerrated pose with tail raised and body feathers fluffed out -- seemingly directed toward the other bird. A courting pair in migration? (report from Barry W. Van Dusen)

4/25/04 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
Migrant raptors today: > Turkey Vulture 5 ; > Osprey 10 ; > Northern Harrier 4 ; > Sharp-shinned Hawk 8 ; > Broad-winged Hawk 50 ; > Observations: Northern Goshawk carrying chipmunk. Sharp-shinned Hawk caught a Tree Swallow over the field. > > Ravens continue to carry food to the nest. Flyover of Common Loon and Pileated Woodpecker. (report from Bart Kamp).

4/25/04 -- Wachusett Meadows Sanctuary, Princeton
The following highlights were recorded on our regular Sunday am birdwalk. Great Blue heron(22),C goose(2),A Black duck(3),Mallard(1 drake swimming with female hybrid),Ring-necked duck(5-4m & 1f),Common merg(6-1m & 5f),Turkey vulture,B-w hawk(1),Y-b sapsucker(6)(very entertaining),N flicker(1),E phoebe(1),R-b nuthatch(3),B creeper(2),E bluebird(2),Hermit thrush,Y-r warblers,Palm warbler(4),Song sparrow,W-t sparrow(2)(1 tan & 1 white striped),B-h cowbirds,Purple finches(24-about even m & f). PM additions B-w hawk(2), R-crowned kinglet, N goshawk. (report from Dick Knowlton)

4/25/04 -- Rte. 117, Lansing (near Bolton WMA)
This evening in the snowmobile meadow next on Rte. 117 in Lansing, and next to Bolton WMA, a hybrid goose was grazing with a small flock of Canadas. It was 1 1/4 times as large as the biggest bird in the flock. It looked like this. The facial pattern was black and white with a white forehead like a lesser white-fronted goose but the white cheek patch of a barnacle goose. It had a white eye ring and a dark eye. The neck was white down the front and black down the back. The black turned into gray, again like a white-fronted, half way down. A gray collar encircled the top of the breast. Back and wings were gray as on the breast. The rest of the chest was white. The belly and sides were white except for a gray band encircling the belly by the legs. Upper and under tail coverts were white while the tail feathers all seemed to be black. The upper mandible was black, but the lower was yellow. The legs were also yellow. In spite of having legs longer than the Canadas and a bigger body, the bird's neck seemed disproportionately long. The bird acted wild in that it was as watchful as the Canada geese. (report from Andrea Burke).

4/25/04 -- High Ridge WMA, Westminster
On the front lawn of Mount Wachusett Community College was an Upland Sandpiper, present until at least afternoon. It was first seen yesterday (4/24) at 5:00 pm.
Hilites yesterday (4/24) from the Westminster side High Ridge WMA: Double Crested Cormerant 8; Common Merganser 1 female; Hooded Merganser 4 females; Broad Winged Hawk ~15; Red-Tailed Hawk 2; Sharp-shinned Hawk 2; Coopers Hawk 1; Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1; Pileated Woodpecker 1; Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1; Blue-Headed Vireo 3; House Wren 1; Hermit Thrush 3; Yellow-rumped Warbler ~20; Pine Warbler 1; Palm Warbler 3; Louisiana Waterthrush 2; Purple Finch ~15. (report from Tom Pirro).

4/25/04 -- Hodges Village, Oxford
Highlights on a walk this morning: 2 Ruby-crowned Kinglet; 4 Eastern Bluebird; 16 Northern Rough-winged Swallow; 3 Barn Swallow; 3 Brown Thrasher; 1 House Wren; 1 Common Raven; 2 Northern Waterthrush; 2 Palm Warbler; 26 Yellow-rumped Warbler; 6 Pine Warbler; 1 Black-throated Green Warbler; 4 Eastern Towhee; 1 Field Sparrow; 1 Swamp Sparrow; (report from Paul Meleski).

4/25/04 -- Ware River Warershed
Our MAS class spent the morning exploring some of the roads of this productive IBA area (see Western Guide for directions). Highlights were: Great Blue Heron (22 seen/14 occ.nests); LITTLE BLUE HERON (1 "calico" plumage: very uncommon in Worcester County); Canada Goose (5); Wood Duck (3); Hooded Merganser (1); Turkey Vulture (18); Osprey (4); N. Harrier (2); Sharp-shinned Hawk (1); Broad-winged Hawk (23); Red-tailed Hawk (3); A. Kestrel (3); Wild Turkey (1); Ruffed Grouse (3); N. Saw-whet Owl (1); N. Flicker (7); Pileated Woodpecker (2); E. Phoebe (6); Tree Swallow (80+); N. Rough-winged Swallow (4); C. Raven (pair carrying food to yng in nest); Red-breasted Nuthatch (21); Brown Creeper (11); Ruby-crowned Kinglet (14); E. Bluebird (4); Hermit Thrush (5); Blue-headed Vireo (12); Yellow-rumped Warbler (130+); Pine Warbler (17); Palm Warbler (7); Black and White Warbler (1); E. Towhee (2); Swamp Sparrow (12); Purple Finch (13); RED CROSSBILL (8: nice looks at them feeding); Pine Siskin (2); EVENING GROSBEAK (14 (good looks eventually); NON-BIRDS: E. Coyote, Muskrat, E. Garter Snake, Green Frog, Spring Peeper, Red-spotted Newt, Blacknose Dace, Spring Azure, Green Darner, Trailing Arbutus, Purple Trillium, Bloodroot. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

4/24/04 -- Forbush Bird Club trip, Westboro
The Forbush Bird Club held a club trip on Saturday, April 24, 2004, the anniversary of Edward Howe Forbush's birthday. Ann Boover led 10 club members in the town of Westborough where he is buried. The trip began at Mass Wildlife Headquarters and proceeded to both Lake Chauncys and the Westborough State Hospital grounds as well as a sanctuary near Technology Drive. The weather was in the 40's at the start but warmed to the 60's with breezes developing in mid-morning. There were at least 6 Brown Thrashers and 5 American Kestrels seen. Several Kestrels were hanging around a nest box at the State Hospital grounds. Here is the complete trip list. (report from Joan Zumpfe, fide Ann Boover)

4/24/04 -- Brook & Ridge Roads, Hardwick
This brief morning trip produced a fairly high number of species with minimal effort. Those readily observed seemed preoccupied with feeding. Profuse, incandescent green skunk cabbage now gaily adorns the banks of Moose Brook, a colorful backdrop for a quartet of Yellow-rumped Warblers that pursued this spring's first concentrated numbers of black flies with great relish. The Black-and-White Warblers were especially active, spiraling up one tree trunk and rapidly moving on to the next. An Osprey put in a fleeting appearance, masterfully surveying the Aqueduct beaver pond in two elliptical passes without a single wing beat. It then sped south on the turbulent morning air, shared with Turkey Vultures wafting upwards on early thermals. Three sedate Painted Turtles savored the morning sun, unperturbed by the Belted Kingfisher knifing through the pond's surface scarcely twenty-five yards in front of them.
Highlights from 6:30 8:15 A.M.: Barn Swallow 1; Belted Kingfisher 1; Black Duck 3; Black-and-White Warbler 3; Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 3; Blue-Headed Vireo 1; Broad-winged Hawk 3; Brown Creeper 1; Common Merganser 2; Dark-eyed Junco 1; Eastern Phoebe 2; Great Blue Heron 2; Louisiana Waterthrush 1; Osprey 1; Red-breasted Nuthatch 2; Red-tailed Hawk 2; Ruffed Grouse 3; Song Sparrow 4; Swamp Sparrow 2; Tree Swallow 17; Turkey Vulture 7; White-throated Sparrow 1; Wood Duck 9; Yellow-rumped Warbler 4. (report from Chris Ellison)

4/24/04 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
Raptors migrating today: > Osprey 15 ; > Bald Eagle 1 ; > Northern Harrier 1 ; > Sharp-shinned Hawk 11 ; > Red-shouldered Hawk 1 ; > Broad-winged Hawk 75 ; > Red-tailed Hawk 1 ; > American Kestrel 4 . > > Observations: More than 80% of the hawks were seen before noon EDT. (report from Bart Kamp).

4/24/04 -- Boynton Park, Worcester
Highlights today: Barred Owl, Pileated Woodpecker, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Blue Gray Gnatcatcher. (report from Susan Sachs).

4/22/04 -- Merriam Rd., Grafton
Highlights in our yard and the nearby Grafton Conservation Lands on Merriam Road in Grafton: Wild Turkey (2); Red-bellied Woodpecker (1); Northern Flicker (2); Eastern Phoebe (1); Tree Swallow (2); Brown Creeper (1); Ruby-crowned Kinglet (3); Brown Thrasher (1); Yellow-rumped Warbler (1); NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH (2); Eastern Towhee (5); Chipping Sparrow (4); Song Sparrow (6); White-throated Sparrow (1); Dark-eyed Junco (1); Brown-headed Cowbird (16); PURPLE FINCH (12 - 1 male and 11 females at our feeders); (report from John Liller).

4/22/04 -- Gardner
Hiltes from a series of stops along Eaton and Raymond Roads between 0700 and 0745 this morning in Gardner: Common Loon 2 on Lake Wompanoag; Common Flicker 3; Northern Raven 1; Eastern Phoebe 1; Red-breasted Nuthatch 2; Hermit Thrush 3; Ruby-crowned Kinglet 4; Blue-headed Vireo 1; Nashville Warbler 1 The earliest I've had this species in the area by 8 days ..heard and seen; Pine Warbler 2; Yellow-rumped Warbler 10; Palm Warbler 3; Eastern Towhee 1; Purple Finch 6; Evening Grosbeak 1 female; (report from Tom Pirro).

4/22/04 -- Sterling Peat, Sterling
The bank swallows have returned to Sterling Peat. I noticed a few on Tuesday and by Thursday over 30 swallows had arrived. Here is a picture of a few swallows busy at house cleaning. The water level on Muddy Pond is still very high due to the recent rainfall and the dam building activity of the beavers. I needed rubber boots to walk the path that borders the now overflowing drainage ditch that runs along the eastern section of Sterling Peat. While sloshing through the water I flushed a Green Heron. I also flushed a Snipe and saw my first-of-the-season lady Red-Winged BB along the path.
The big open field at the intersection of Dee Road and Muddy Pond Road has been posted by the state and that is good news. I just wish the state would not mow all the fields on Sterling Peat each fall and allow at least one - the open field along Boutelle Road would be my choice - to go to seed. (report from Bob Ricci).

4/22/04 -- Asnebumskit Hill, Paxton
At the lookout we saw a migrating Broad-winged Hawk. The pair of Pileated Woodpeckers appear to have completed work on their nest hole. For the past week the male has been excavating the nest hole, pecking away for 6-7 minutes at a time, then tossing the wood chips out by the beakful for another minute or two, then he would poke his head out the hole and look around for a few minutes, then resume the routine. The female was out feeding most of the time while the male was working, returning once in a while to inspect the progress of the nest hole. I suppose there will be eggs shortly. Nearby was a pair of courting Common Flickers, chasing each other around. At the rookery, all 21 nests are occupied, with most nests having two Herons, here is a photo of one of the nests. (report from Brian Mulhearn)

4/21/04 -- Barrows Rd., Worcester
Re Jim Hogan's last post, I, too, have had a number of Purple Finches at my feeder for the past two days. Yesterday I had 5 females and 3 males; today I had 4 females and 1 male--that is, until a large adult Cooper's Hawk decided one of them might make a good midafternoon snack. Unfortunately for the Coop, the finches heard or saw her and headed into a group of small spruces. The hawk sat in an oak and stared at the spruces for a bit, but finally left without lunch; not too long after, the finches returned. (report from Howard Shainheit).

4/21/04 -- Howard St., Northboro
We have dad 4 purple finches at our Howard St. feeder for two days now. I also have not had a junco for 6 days. I think they have left. (report from Jim Hogan).

4/20/04 -- N. Attleboro
While delineating wetlands in the vicinity of the National Fish Hatchery in N. Attleboro today I finally saw (voice ID'd) my first two fish crows in Mass. The crows were near the entrance to the hatchery, off Bungay Road. For those who haven't been there, seeing the 25-35 pound brood stock salmon are worth the trip. (report from Scott Jordan).

4/20/04 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
Migrating raptors today: >Turkey Vulture 1 ; > Osprey 2 ; >Northern Harrier 2 ; > Sharp-shinned Hawk 2 ; Broad-winged Hawk 29 ; > Red-tailed Hawk 2 ; > Many non-migrating raptors are in the area. > > Also, 1 Cabbage White Butterfly (report from Bart Kamp).

4/20/04 -- Merriam Rd., Grafton
Colin Bacchiocchi and I recorded the following highlights in our yard and the nearby Grafton Conservation Lands on Merriam Road in Grafton this morning:Wild Turkey (2); Red-bellied Woodpecker (2); Eastern Phoebe (1); Tree Swallow (5); Ruby-crowned Kinglet (1); Yellow-rumped Warbler (2); Pine Warbler (1); Eastern Towhee (2); Chipping Sparrow (4); Song Sparrow (6); White-throated Sparrow (2); Dark-eyed Junco (2); Rusty Blackbird (25-30); Brown-headed Cowbird (7); (report from John Liller).

4/19/04 -- Lunenburg
This morning I saw a male indigo bunting at my backyard bird feeder. He ate at the feeder and on the ground, and then flew off. The goldfinches sort of scared him off. I also have a nesting pair of red-bellied woodpeckers in the backyard in a dead tree, they also come to the bird feeders and suet quite a lot. I have a pair of flickers too, they are just staring to stay around the feeders, and I think are house hunting, but not sure if they like the neighborhood. But I see them both everyday, so perhaps they will stay. (report from Lisa Ann Myers).

4/19/04 -- Merriam Rd., Grafton
Kim Kastler and I had a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher in our yard today.
Yesterday (4/18/04) we recorded the following highlights in our yard and the nearby Grafton Conservation Lands on Merriam Road in Grafton: Wood Duck (1 female); Ruffed Grouse (1); Wild Turkey (4); Red-bellied Woodpecker (1); Northern Flicker (3); Eastern Phoebe (1); Blue-headed Vireo (1); Tree Swallow (2); Golden-crowned Kinglet (1); Ruby-crowned Kinglet (10); Eastern Bluebird (1); Hermit Thrush (3); Yellow-rumped Warbler (4); Pine Warbler (3); Palm Warbler (1); Eastern Towhee (1); Chipping Sparrow (3); Field Sparrow (1); Song Sparrow (7); White-throated Sparrow (4); Dark-eyed Junco (5); Brown-headed Cowbird (6); (report from John Liller).

4/19/04 -- Broad Meadow Brook Sanctuary, Worcester
Kim Kastler, Howard Shainheit, and I recorded the following highlights this morning: Wood Duck (4); Red-tailed Hawk (1); Hairy Woodpecker (2); Northern Flicker (4); Eastern Phoebe (2); Tree Swallow (7); NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW (2 - this is a very uncommon species at BMB); Ruby-crowned Kinglet (7); Eastern Bluebird (2); Hermit Thrush (2); Yellow-rumped Warbler (8); Palm Warbler (6); Eastern Towhee (5); Chipping Sparrow (2); Field Sparrow (1); Song Sparrow (15); White-throated Sparrow (3); Dark-eyed Junco (1); Brown-headed Cowbird (10); (report from John Liller).

4/19/04 -- Fitchburg
We have the mixed blessing of a Northern Flicker who is excavating a cavity within very close (yards) proximity to our bedroom window/skylights. His calls begin pre dawn and do not abate until dusk ("ke ke ke ke ke ke ke"). Needless to say, the entire neighborhood is suffering from diminished sleep. Hopefully he will finish his construction and a suitable mate will be here soon so we can all get some rest. The cavity is located due east away from the prevai ing wind and weather. He is a beauty, and, without leaves on the tree we have a clear view of his handiwork. (report from Cheryl and Jean-Pierre Boissy).

4/19/04 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
Migrating raptors today: > Turkey Vulture 1 ; > Osprey 19 ; > Sharp-shinned Hawk 31 ; > Broad-winged Hawk 49 ; > Red-tailed Hawk 3 ; > American Kestrel 19 ; > > Also, 210 migrating Double-crested Cormorants . (report from Bart Kamp).

4/18/04 -- Wachusett Meadow Sanctuary, Princeton
  • The first of our regular Sunday morning birdwalks at Wachusett Meadow recorded the following highlights: Hooded Mergs(2),Common Mergs(2),Wood duck(2), Ring-necked duck(2),Osprey(1),Great Blue heron(23),American Kestrel(1),Wild Turkey(heard),Yellow-bellied sapsucker(several), N flicker,Pileated woodpecker(heard),E Phoebe,Tree swallows,RB Nuthatch(2),Brown Creeper(1 seen,Several heard),Ruby-crowned kinglet(1),Eastern bluebird, Pine warbler(heard),Palm warbler(3),A tree sparrow(1),Chipping sparrow(2),Song sparrow,DE junco, BH cowbird(much too many),Purple finch(7),Pine siskin(1), WT sparrow(1).
  • In addition a pm visit to Barre Falls/Rutland State Park recorded the following highlights: Wood duck(4),Common merg(1)Turkey vultures,A kestrel(1), Belted Kingfisher,Yellow-bellied sapsucker, N flicker,E Phoebe,Tree swallows, RB nutchatch(3), B creeper(3),E bluebird(2),Hermit thrush(1), YR warbler(4),Pine warbler(4),Palm warbler(5), Chipping sparrow,Song sparrow,WT sparrow(1),DE juncos. Not included in the above list were several raptors seen during a brief visit to the hawk watch at Barre Falls which were included on Bart Kamps report from that site. (report from Peg & Dick Knowlton).

    • 4/18/04 -- Westboro/Northboro
    At "Big" Chauncy Pond in Westboro: Pied-billed Grebe (1); NO Snowy Egret; Mallard (4); Ring-necked Duck (22); Bufflehead (4);
    Little Chauncy Pond: couldn't drive down the road to the pond because of flooding.
    Bartlett Pond, Northboro: Mute Swan: 2 pair w/2 nests; Canada Goose (1); Wood Duck (3 overhead); Mallard (2); Tree Swallow (30+); (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

    4/18/04 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
    Migrating raptors: 
    > Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 18, 2004
> -------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Species            Day's Count    Month Total   Season Total
> ------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
> Black Vulture                1              1              1
> Turkey Vulture               0             44             71
> Osprey                      11            126            126
> Bald Eagle                   1              5             11
> Northern Harrier             1             12             13
> Sharp-shinned Hawk          27            117            129
> Cooper's Hawk                1              7             19
> Northern Goshawk             0              0              0
> Red-shouldered Hawk          0              6             17
> Broad-winged Hawk           79             98             98
> Red-tailed Hawk              2             47            121
> Rough-legged Hawk            0              0              0
> Golden Eagle                 0              1              1
> American Kestrel            40             99            100
> Merlin                       0              7             11
> Peregrine Falcon             0              0              0
> Unknown                      0             13             17
>
> Total:                     163            583            735
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
    Official Counter: Donna Schilling > > Observers: Barton D. Kamp, David Grant, Don Gardella, Donna Schilling, Paul Pinault, Tom Carrolan > > Visitors: Tom Bosakowski, Peg & Dick Knowlton, Chris Ellison, John Shea and Erwin Markowitz. > Observations: No Broadwing kettles. The Black Vulture passed directly overhead. > Also, 16 Double-crested Cormorants, 1 Wood Duck. 1 Spring Azure Butterfly. (report from Bart Kamp).

    4/18/04 -- New Salem/Petersham
    On a MAS class trip this morning, we had the following highlights:
  • WINIMUSSET MEADOWS WMA, NEW BRAINTREE (pp.278 Bird Finding Guide To Western MA): Great Blue Heron (5: though none apparently nesting); Canada Goose (13); Green-winged Teal (37); Wood Duck (17); Mallard (8); A. Black Duck (13); Hooded Merganser (7); Common Merganser (2); A. Kestrel (1f); Wild Turkey (3); Ruffed Grouse (3); Virginia Rail (2); Sora (1); Greater Yellowlegs (1); Belted Kingfisher (1); Pileated Woodpecker (1); E. Phoebe (8); Tree Swallow (150+); Barn Swallow (1); Ruby-crowned Kinglet (4); Cedar Waxwing (flock of 30); Yellow-rumped Warbler (11); Savannah Sparrow (13); Swamp Sparrow (9); Purple Finch (1); PLUS: nice brace of RIVER OTTERS
  • OLD FURNACE: Wild Turkey (3);
  • RT. 32A, PETERSHAM: Louisiana Waterthrush (1);
  • HARVARD POND, PETERSHAM (pp.246 in the Western Guide): Canada Goose (3); Wood Duck (5); Mallard (4); A. Black Duck (7); Ring-necked Duck (5); Hooded Merganser (2); Common Merganser (9); Turkey Vulture (4); Osprey (1: bathing); Killdeer (1); Belted Kingfisher (2); Winter Wren (1); Blue-headed Vireo (3); Yellow-rumped Warbler (2); Pine Warbler (6); Swamp Sparrow (6); Purple Finch (3); Pine Siskin (2); PLUS: Spring Azures and an E. Comma.
  • FEDERATED WOMEN'S CLUBS SF, PETERSHAM (pp.249 same guide): A. Black Duck (14); Ring-necked Duck (1); Bufflehead (2); Osprey (1); Broad-winged Hawk (4); Pileated Woodpecker (1); Winter Wren (1); Red-breasted Nuthatch (11); Brown Creeper (8); Ruby-crowned Kinglet (4); Hermit Thrush (2); Blue-headed Vireo (4); Yellow-rumped Warbler (2); Pine Warbler (4); Purple Finch (1); Nota Bene: we watched an American Robin singing whose song ended with the song of a HERMIT THRUSH, which was a first for me. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

    • 4/17/04 -- Upper Church Street, Ruggles Hill, Thresher, Ridge, & Taylor Hill Roads, Hardwick
    The sporadic hooting of a lone Barred Owl and deafening choruses of peepers accompanied cool, cloudy, damp dawn conditions. The air soon filled with the whistling wings of Mourning Doves, their muted, beige shapes scurrying along the edges of the cornfields on Upper Church Street. Gradually clearing skies ushered in the first warming rays of the sun, allowing steadily increasing numbers of industrious Tree Swallows to take wing and harvest the first crops of insects appearing over bodies of standing water. The strident calls of a Red-shouldered Hawk echoed along the length of Ridge Road between 7:00 and 8:20 A.M. Ferociously squabbling Common Flickers are aggressively staking out nesting territories. Of greatest interest to this birder was the continued presence of an Osprey on the Quabbin Aqueduct beaver pond situated near the intersection of Brook and Taylor Hill Road. Its feeding attempts are frequent and successful. While a second bird has yet to appear and no nesting activity is apparent, such developments are eagerly anticipated. A hyperactive Winter Wren vocalized vigorously and periodically sprinted from one exposed perch to another at the MDC access gate situated at this location.
    Sunset showcased the energetic courtship display of two American Woodcock, their characteristically urgent PEENT call piercing the soft gloom as they propelled themselves aloft, feathered asterisks frenziedly climbing into the purple twilight and haphazardly arcing their way earthwards.
    Sighting highlights from 4:00 A.M. to 7:30 P.M.: American Woodcock 2; Barred Owl 1; Brown-headed Cowbird 42; Cedar Waxwing 5; Common Flicker 6; Double-crested Cormorant 62; Eastern Bluebird 4; Eastern Bluebird 2; Fox Sparrow 1; Golden-crowned Kinglet 6; Great Blue Heron 12; Hairy Woodpecker 1; Hooded Merganser 18; Northern Harrier 1; Osprey 1; Pileated Woodpecker 2; Purple Finch 3; Raven 1; Red-bellied Woodpecker 1; Red-breasted Nuthatch 9; Red-shouldered Hawk 1; Red-tailed Hawk 2; Red-winged Blackbird 86; Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1; Ruffed Grouse 3; Sharp-shinned Hawk 2; Tree Swallow 63; Turkey Vulture 16; Winter Wren 1; Wood Duck 8; (report from Chris Ellison).

    4/17/04 -- Rutland State Forest, Rutland
    I had the following sightings at Rutland State Forest off of Intervale Rd. on Saturday: 8 palm warblers, 12 pine warblers, 20 + tree swallows, 2 b. kingfishers, numerous w.b. nuthatches including one nest building, 5 r. b. nuthatches, 3 ruffed grouse, 10 b. creepers, 5 h. thrushes, and the one sighting that really stood out literally and figuratively - an olive-sided flycatcher perched at the top of a dead conifer. (report from Andrea Burke).

    4/17/04 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
    Raptors migrating today: Osprey 33 ; Sharp-shinned Hawk 25 ; > Cooper's Hawk 3 ; Red-shouldered Hawk 1 ; > Broad-winged Hawk 13 ; > Red-tailed Hawk 5 ; American Kestrel 21 ; > Merlin 1 ; > Observations: 1 Northern Goshawk carrying 1 Eastern Chipmunk. > > Also, 116 Double-crested Cormorants, 2 Common Loons, 10 Great Blue Herons, 12 Common Mergansers, 1 Palm Warbler, 1 Savannah Sparrow, 1 Eastern Meadow Lark. > Butterflies: 1 Mourning Cloak and 1 Milbert's Tortoiseshell. (report from Bart Kamp).

    4/17/04 -- Northboro/Sterling/Bolton
    I made a few stops this morning:
  • Big Chauncy - SNOWY EGRET fishing in the water on the town beach, 5 Savannah Sparrows and Ruby-crowned Kinglet.
  • Bolton Flats Rt 117 South side - Greater Yellowlegs 2, American Wigeon 8, Ruby-crowned Kinglet.
  • Sterling Peat - Pied-billed Grebe (report from Peter Morlock).

    • 4/17/04 -- Blackstone National Corridor
    Hi-lights:
  • BUCK HILL WMA, BURRILLVILLE: Great Blue Heron (11 birds seen/6 active nests); Canada Goose (7); Wood Duck (6); Mallard (2); A. Black Duck (1); Wild Turkey (1); Ruffed Grouse (1); Barred Owl (1); Hermit Thrush (7); Yellow-rumped Warbler (1); Pine Warbler (1); Palm Warbler (1); Purple Finch (2); Pine Siskin (1);
  • WOONSOCKET RESERVOIR and environs, SMITHFIELD: Common Loon (1br); Double-crested Cormorant (1); Great Blue Heron (6 birds seen, at least 4 active nests); Canada Goose (11); Wood Duck (2); Mallard (2); Common Merganser (7); Killdeer (2); Red-bellied Woodpecker (2); E. Phoebe (2); Purple Martin (1m at nest house: private property); Tree Swallow (25+); Barn Swallow (5+); Ruby-crowned Kinglet (3); Golden-crowned Kinglet (1); E. Bluebird (2); Pine Warbler (7);
  • SEEKONK RIVER: Great Cormorant (1ad); Double-crested Cormorant (43); Great Egret (1); Mute Swan (31+ at least 1 nest); Canada Goose (5); Mallard (5); A. Black Duck (43); Bufflehead (64); Common Merganser (5); Osprey (1 pair at nest+1 bird sitting next to another nest+2); Sharp-shinned Hawk (1); Red-tailed Hawk (1 that was "bombed" by one of the Ospreys); Peregrine Falcon (1ad perched on phone pole at Bold Pt.); Black-headed Gull (1adS); Bonaparte's Gull (1adS); N. MOCKINGBIRD (7: we watched one bird along the shore that mimiced the following: Flicker (2 diff. calls; Blue Jay (4 diff. calls);; Carolina Wren; White-breasted Nuthatch; E. Starling (2 diff. calls);; E. Phoebe, English Sparrow, A. Robin (2 diff. calls);; N. Cardinal; Red-bellied Woodpecker; COMMON GOLDENEYE, Tufted Titmouse, A. Goldfinch); Pine Warbler (3); (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

    • 4/17/04 -- downtown Worcester
    An adult PEREGRINE FALCON was seen sitting on the railing along the upper floor of the Flagship Bank Building, tearing apart some prey that looked like a Rock Pigeon. This is where they are nesting: on the east side (facing the church); and we had the bird perched on the far north end. This is VERY near where there are plans to tear down the Galleria in a short time. We got good views of the bird from the far end of the Library Parking lot. You cannot see the nest as it is down behind the railing and in a planter, but you can see the birds come and go. After finishing it's meal, the bird flew up to one of the church steeples and we left it there. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

    4/16/04 -- Crystal Lake, Gardner
    This morning at Crystal Lake in gardner: Horned Grebe 1 in Breeding plumage; Bufflehead 1 female; Common Merganser ~30; Tree Swallow 10+; Pine Warbler 1; Purple Finch 3. Also Herring and Great Black-backed Gulls. (report from Tom Pirro).

    4/15/04 -- Leesville Pond, Worcester
    Yesterday (4/14) I saw about 3 dozen swallows at Leesville Pond. They were about half trees and half northern rough-winged. Today (4/15) the numbers were down to about a dozen, almost all n. rough-winged. The very beautiful yellow-rumped warbler is still at the edge of the peninsular. Wood ducks (5) ane still there and tody I counted 4 phoebes. (report from Jim Hogan).

    4/15/04 -- Wright's Reservoir, South Gardner
    Last evening (4/14) there were 3 Red-necked Grebes on Wright's Reservoir in South Gardner, but they were gone this morning. That was the most Red-necks (Grebes that is) I've seen at once in the area. Also, on Crystal Lake there was: Common Goldeneye 5 (1 ad. drake, 2 imm. drakes and 2 females); Common Merganser 32; Belted Kingfisher 1; Pileated Woodpecker 1. (report from Tom Pirro).

    4/14/04 -- downtown Worcester
    The following is part of a long posting on Massbird by Tom French on breeding Peregrines in the state: (report from Howard Shainheit).

    4/14/04 -- Westboro/Northboro Ponds
  • Little Chauncy: 1 Oldsquaw(L-T Duck)Male almost in spring plummage; 2 C. Merganser; 2 R-N Duck; 6 Bufflehead; 2 N. R-W Swallow in among the many Tree Swallows; 2 Belted Kingfisher; 18 Tree Sparrows
  • Big Chauncy: 1 Oldsquaw male in spring plummage and 2 N. Rough-winged Swallows
  • Suasco Res.(Mill Pond): 2 Osprey; 4 D-C Cormorants; 6 GB Herons; P-B Grebe (report from Nickilas Paulson).

    • 4/12/04 -- Bolton Flats, Bolton
    Hilites from this evening on Bolton Flats: Pied-billed grebe 2; Green-winged teal ~250 (~200 on the north side in flight and ~50 on the south side); American Wigeon 8; Northern Pintail 1 female; Wood Duck 10+; Ring necked Duck ~10; Common Merganser 3; Wilson's Snipe 3; American Kestel 1 carrying nesting material; Red-tailed hawk 1 adult; Belted Kingfisher 1; Tree Swallow ~200; Northern Rough-winged Swallow 1 or 2; Barn Swallow 1; Water levels are quite low, right now, but now certainly on the rise! (report from Tom Pirro).

    4/12/04 -- Broad Meadow Brook Sanctuary, Worcester
    Highlights of a walk this morning along Frog Pond and Sprague Lane trails were 2 Turkey Vultures, 1 Flicker, 1 Red-belly, 5 Phoebes, 2 Golden-crowned Kinglets, 4 White-throated Sparrows, 3 Tree Sparrows, 1 Song Sparrow, and one male TOWHEE. (report from Howard Shainheit).

    3/12/04 -- Asnebumskit Hill, Paxton
  • All 21 of the Great Blue Heron nests appeared to be occupied, with approximately 35-40 Herons around the rookery. Both Ravens were at their nest. 2 Days ago we found Moose tracks here, last April a Moose appeared at the same time and lingered here a few weeks. I found a pair of Pileated Woodpeckers finishing their work on a new nest hole, one of the woodpeckers flew out of their hole seconds before this photo was taken.
  • Kettlebrook Reservoir#2, There were 22 Common Mergansers.
  • Hadwen Park, In the Cattails behind the basketball court on the extreme left, Canadian Geese have constructed a large nest upon a Muskrat Hut, and a goose is sitting on the nest, I wonder how long till the Swans evict them. (report from Brian Mulhearn)

    • 4/12/04 -- Leesville Pond, Worcester
    A mid-day walk at Leesville Pond (The New Swedish/All Faiths Cemetery) was very productive today. I had 22 species overall with the island/peninsular being the most interesting. The highlights were: mute swans (2), wood duck (2 pair), flicker (1), red-bellied woodpecker (1), E. phoebe (3), tree swallows (dozens), yellow-rumped warbler (2), palm warbler (1). (report from Jim Hogan).

    4/11/04 -- Howard St., Northboro
    On Friday (4/9) I had my first Phoebe of the spring on Howard Street in Northboro. Today it was joined by a second. Also over the weekend, my wife and I separately also saw our first tree swallows of the year. (report from Jim Hogan).

    4/11/04 -- Wachusett Reservoir, Clinton
    At 3PM , Marion Larson and Scott Handler sighted an adult Bald Eagle dining on fish while it perched on the rocks in Carville Basin ( Wachusett Reservoir) just south of the Clinton District Court between gates 1 & 2. (report from Scott R Handler DVM, MBA).

    4/11/04 -- Sturbridge area
    We visited a few spots in Sturbridge area this morning. Highlights:
  • Wells State Park (swamp and parking area only)- Wood Duck (2), Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (1), Northern Flicker (2), Eastern Phoebe (2), Tree Swallow (2), Ruby-crowned Kinglet (1);. Pine Warbler (2), Fox Sparrow (1), Song sparrow (3); and Dark-eyed Junco (23).
  • Westville Dam- Canada Goose (18), Wood Duck (2), Red-bellied Woodpecker (1), E Phoebe (3), Tree Swallow (42); many on nesting boxes, E Bluebird (3), Cedar Waxwings (44), Pine Warbler (2), Song Sparrow (7), White-throated Sparrow (3), RW Balckbirds (15),
  • Hobbs Pond- ( the path is flooded and there is poor visibility) Wood Ducks (6), Green-winged Teal (1), Ring-necked Duck (5), Osprey (1 perched), N Flicker (1), Song Sparrow (5), RW Blackbirds (many); . (report from Dan, Deb, and Danny Berard).

    • 4/11/04 -- New Braintree/Petersham
  • WINIMUSSET MEADOWS WMA, NEW BRAINTREE: Great Blue Heron (1 occ nest); Snow Goose (22 feeding on a field); Wood Duck (2); Green-winged Teal (15); Mallard (29); A. Black Duck (24); Hooded Merganser (3); Common Merganser (4); Sharp-shinned Hawk (1); Ruffed Grouse (2); Wild Turkey (3); Killdeer (6); Wilson's Snipe (3); Belted Kingfisher (1); Pileated Woodpecker (2); Tree Swallow (70+); Common Raven (1); American Pipit (1); Palm Warbler (1); E. Meadowlark (1);
  • FEDERATED WOMEN'S CLUBS SF, PETERSHAM: Canada Goose (2); A. Black Duck (1); Bufflehead (2); Wild Turkey (11); Belted Kingfisher (1); Pileated Woodpecker (1); Red-breasted Nuthatch (14); Brown Creeper (8); Golden-crowned Kinglet (6);
  • GATE 37, QUABBIN/WEST ST, PETERSHAM: only down to the first beaver swamp and reservoir overlook: Wood Duck (3); Mallard (4); A. Black Duck (7); Ring-necked Duck (13); Common Goldeneye (3f); Merlin (1); Ruffed Grouse (1); Wild Turkey (2); Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (1m); Belted Kingfisher (1); Pileated Woodpecker (2); E. Phoebe (4); Tree Swallow (36); Red-breasted Nuthatch (8); Brown Creeper (3); Common Raven (2); Ruby-crowned Kinglet (1); Golden-crowned Kinglet (9); Hermit Thrush (4: none singing); Pine Warbler (2); Fox Sparrow (1); Purple Finch (4); Evening Grosbeak (11);
  • HARVARD POND, PETERSHAM: Great Blue Heron (1); Canada Goose (4); Mallard (2); Bufflehead (2); Hooded Merganser (2); Common Merganser (5); Killdeer (3); E. Phoebe (1); Purple Finch (2); Pine Siskin (2); Evening Grosbeak (2);
  • PETERSHAM DPW POND: Canada Goose (1); Ring-necked Duck (13); Bufflehead (2); Hooded Merganser (2); Tree Swallow (30+);
  • BARRE FALLS DAM A.C.E.: upper lot: We were pretty tired so we spent only about 20 minutes with Barton Kamp and the others of this area's hardcore hawkwatch team: Mallard (3); Turkey Vulture (2); N. Harrier (1); Sharp-shinned Hawk (2); Red-tailed Hawk (1); A. Kestrel (2); Merlin (1); Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (1m); C. Raven (1); E. Bluebird (2); (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

    • 4/11/04 -- Lake Quaboag, Brookfield
    We had the opportunity to visit Lake Quaboag in Brookfield today and viewed the following: (2); Bald Eagles - 1 adult on nest; 2nd adult perched in trees nearby....remained closer in vicinity to nest than previously observed. Changed perch in response to boaters fishing shoreline in vicinity of nesting site. (1) Palm warbler; (2) pair Mallards; (4) Canadian geese; (1) Great blue heron; 12+ red-wing blackbirds; 12+ rusty blackbirds. (report from Larry & Naomi Lacasse).

    4/11/04 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
    Raptor highlights today: 
    > -------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Species            Day's Count    Month Total   Season Total
> ------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
> Black Vulture                0              0              0
> Turkey Vulture               4             44             71
> Osprey                      16             68             68
> Bald Eagle                   1              2              8
> Northern Harrier             3             11             12
> Sharp-shinned Hawk          12             61             73
> Cooper's Hawk                1              3             15
> Northern Goshawk             0              0              0
> Red-shouldered Hawk          0              5             16
> Broad-winged Hawk            1              1              1
> Red-tailed Hawk              2             35            109
> Rough-legged Hawk            0              0              0
> Golden Eagle                 1              1              1
> American Kestrel             6             35             36
> Merlin                       2              5              9
> Peregrine Falcon             0              0              0
> Unknown                      0             12             16
>
> Total:                      49            283            435
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
    > > Observations: An adult Golden Eagle passed directly overhead. The Bald Eagle was an immature. More birds than expected and some were very high. > > Also, 2 Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers, 1 Hermit Thrush, 1 Field Sparrow.

    Yesterday (4/10), migrating raptors included > Turkey Vulture 6 40 67 > Osprey 34 52 52 > Northern Harrier 2 8 9 > Sharp-shinned Hawk 27 49 61 > Red-shouldered Hawk 3 5 16 > Red-tailed Hawk 7 33 107 > American Kestrel 18 29 30 > Merlin 1 3 7 There was a steady movement all day. The hawks passed quickly without soaring in the strong wind making it difficult to identify them. Up to 4 osprey were seen hunting over the river at the same time. Not migrating were 5 Turkey Vultures, 6 Redtails, 3 Red-shoulders, 1 Cooper's Hawk and 1 Goshawk. Also, one woolly bear caterpillar (report from Bart Kamp).

    4/10/04 -- Worcester Airport
    BOTH Short-eared Owls were seen tonite by several of us. The first bird was seen c.7PM from Mulberry Street and by c.7:15, the second bird had joined it. Nice show. Also seen: Great Blue Heron (1 flyover); Canada Goose (4 on runway); A. Kestrel (4); Wild Turkey (1); E Meadowlark (4); (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

    4/10/04 -- Quabbin Park, Belchertown
    Our MAS class trip to Quabbin Park had the following among other species: Common Loon (3); Pied-billed Grebe (1); Double-crested Cormorant (5 migrating north); Great Cormorant (1 migrating north); Great Blue Heron (11); Canada Goose (51); Mallard (10); A. Black Duck (3); Bufflehead (4); Hooded Merganser (5); Common Merganser (16); Turkey Vulture (20); Osprey (2); Bald Eagle (5ad); Sharp-shinned Hawk (8); Red-tailed Hawk (9); Red-bellied Woodpecker (2); Pileated Woodpecker (3); Tree Swallow (16); Common Raven (pair w/nest); E. Bluebird (2); A. Robin (124); Pine Warbler (4); Chipping Sparrow (1); E. Meadowlark (1 on the Winsor Dam wall); PLUS: Porcupine (1); sleeping in tree. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

    4/10/04 -- off Salisbury St (near Park Ave), Worcester
    Returning home about 7:45, we were pleased to hear a SCREECH OWL (red-ph) calling loudly in the front tree. It was soon seen flying all about in response to it's mate sitting in a hole in that same tree. The hole-sitting bird was partially sticking out and was making prolonged sounds like a muffled ambulance or alarm while the bird flying about that tree was making the classic Screech tremulo. Eventually, both birds moved on to other trees on the street finding the hole in this one tree unsatisfactory. (report from Mark Lynch).

    4/10/04 -- Winimusset WMA, New Braintree/ Ridge Road, Hardwick.
    Tree Swallows are enthusiastically investigating nesting cavities amongst the myriad snags at Winimusset WMA. Perhaps preoccupied with its own domestic thoughts, a contemplative Osprey sporting positively pristine plumage calmly observed the morning's proceedings. A flock of Snow Geese, wings pitching intermittently on the stiff morning wind, punctuated the gentle ebb and flow of the Cirrus clouds high overhead with their rasping, guttural barks. Wild Turkeys called sporadically from the underbrush, furtively venturing out into the soft, newly turned earth of the cornfields abutting Ridge Road.
    Highlights: American Pipit 3; Belted Kingfisher 1; Black Duck 5; Cedar Waxwing 7; Chipping Sparrow 3; Common Flicker 4; Common Merganser 13; Common Snipe 3; Eastern Phoebe 2; Golden-crowned Kinglet 2; Great Blue Heron 3; Hairy Woodpecker 1; Hooded Merganser 11; Killdeer 6; Osprey 1; Pileated Woodpecker 2; Red-bellied Woodpecker 1; Red-tailed Hawk 1; Red-winged Blackbird 92; Ruffed Grouse 3; Sharp-shinned Hawk 2; Snow Goose 27; Song Sparrow 13; Swamp Sparrow 4; Tree Swallow 58; Turkey Vulture 3; Wild Turkey 11; Wood Duck 9. (report from Chris Ellison).

    4/9/04 -- Worcester Airport
    A small group gathered to look for the owls on Mulberry Street at 7PM. Joan Zumpfe found one bird perched far out on the runway that I was able to get a look at, but it quickly flew and no other owls were seen this evening. The runway system and surrounding hills are large, most of it not visible, so the owls are likely to still be around and birders are encouraged to keep checking. Other birds seen: Canada Goose (4 on the runway); A. Kestrel (1m); Wild Turkey (1); E. Meadowlark (3); (report from Mark Lynch).

    4/9/04 -- Quabog Valley
  • WARREN: Great Blue Heron (8 w/3 active nests); Canada Goose (8); Wood Duck (10); Mallard (20); Ring-necked Duck (18); Hooded Merganser (4); Common Merganser (7); N. Goshawk (1ad); Killdeer (5); Pileated Woodpecker (1); E. Phoebe (22); Tree Swallow (34); N. Rough-winged Swallow (1); Barn Swallow (3); E. Bluebird (2); Rusty Blackbird (5);
  • W. BROOKFIELD>L. WICKABOAG: Great Blue Heron (2); Canada Goose (1); E. Phoebe (4);
  • W. BROOKFIELD>COYS BROOK: Great Blue Heron (1); Wood Duck (2); Green-winged Teal (4); Mallard (14); A. Black Duck (4); Ring-necked Duck (2); Hooded Merganser (2); A. Kestrel (pair); Wilson's Snipe (14); E. Phoebe (2); Fox Sparrow (1); Swamp Sparrow (2 singing); Purple Finch (3);
  • BROOKFIELD>L. QUABOG: Common Loon (1); Common Merganser (3); Bald Eagle (1ad on nest); E. Phoebe (5); Pine Warbler (1);
  • N. BROOKFIELD: Common Loon (1); Great Blue Heron (1); Canada Goose (2); Mallard (12); Turkey Vulture (2); Sharp-shinned Hawk (1); E. Phoebe (13); Tree Swallow (20+);
  • NEW BRAINTREE (nota bene: we did NOT visit Winamusset Meadows); Canada Goose (9); Mallard (2); A. Kestrel (pair); Wild Turkey (6); Pileated Woodpecker (1); Tree Swallow (30+); A. Tree Sparrow (3); Calling Spring Peepers and Wood Frogs in many locations as well as E. Painted Turtles. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

    • 4/8/04 -- Dudley and SUASCO, Westboro
  • While checking the 3 ponds in Dudley near Dudley-Oxford Road, I was surprised to see a first for me for my town, an adult Mute Swan (it made some strange snorting sounds) who was accompanied by 95 Ring-necked Ducks, 2 (pair) Common Mergansers, 2 (pair) Wood Duck and a Belted Kingfisher. There were also 5 Eastern Phoebes as I took a circuitous route home.
  • In the mid-afternoon, while returning from Westboro, I checked SUASCO and saw the 2 Osprey, initailly only one was on the nest, but while I was counting 20 Ring-necked Ducks, the other Osprey appeared on the nest, too, for a short visit. There were only 3 Great Blue Herons , each on a nest, many Herring and Ring-billed Gulls as well as 2 Great Black-backed Gulls, 1 Canada Goose, 1 drake Wood Duck, 1 Red-tailed Hawk, many Tree Swallows, but a new sign of spring were the dozen or so Painted Turtles.
  • When I returned home, I was greeted by a male Red-bellied Woodpecker on the suet in my yard in Dudley, the first time I've seen it this year. (report from Joan Zumpfe).

    • 4/8/04 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
    Migrating Raptors today: 
    > -------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Species            Day's Count    Month Total   Season Total
> ------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
> Black Vulture                0              0              0
> Turkey Vulture              12             14             41
> Osprey                       7             14             14
> Bald Eagle                   1              1              7
> Northern Harrier             6              6              7
> Sharp-shinned Hawk          13             14             26
> Cooper's Hawk                1              2             14
> Northern Goshawk             0              0              0
> Red-shouldered Hawk          2              2             13
> Broad-winged Hawk            0              0              0
> Red-tailed Hawk             17             25             99
> Rough-legged Hawk            0              0              0
> Golden Eagle                 0              0              0
> American Kestrel             8             10             11
> Merlin                       2              2              6
> Peregrine Falcon             0              0              0
> Unknown                      0              2              6
>
> Total:                      69             92            244
    > Official Counter: Barton D. Kamp > > Observers: Barton D. Kamp, Donna Schilling, Paul Pinault > > Observations: The hawks were high. The cirrus clouds helped us see them. The Bald Eagle was an immature. > > The Raven was seen carrying food to the nest twice.

    Yesterday (4/7), migrating raptors were Turkey Vulture 1 ; Osprey 4 ; Cooper's Hawk 1 ; Red-tailed Hawk 3 . Also, 100+ Snow Geese in one flock, 12 Double-crested Cormorants, 3 very high > flying Great Blue Herons, (report from Bart Kamp).

    4/8/04 -- Broad Meadow Brook Sanctuary, Worcester
  • Highlights of a brief walk along the south end of the stretch today were two adult Red-tails soaring together, four Tree Swallows, a half dozen Song Sparrows, and a Palm Warbler, my first of the year. The male and female Bluebirds continue on the power lines near power pole 40.
  • At home (Barrows Rd., Worcester); I have had lone C. Redpolls the past two days. (report from Howard Shainheit).

    • 4/7/04 -- Mulberry Street, Leicester
    This evening five people watched TWO Short-eared Owls hunting along the runways of Worcester Airport. The owls first appeared at about 7:00 PM. (report from Bart Kamp).

    4/7/04 -- Worcester Airport
    At about 5:35PM, we checked out the back side of the airport again to see if we could find the owls again. We did not, but we did spot: Turkey Vulture (3); Sharp-shinned Hawk (1); Red-tailed Hawk (3); A. Kestrel (1f); Tree Swallow (1); E. Meadowlark (1); (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

    4/7/04 -- Coldbrook Rd., Oakham
    I birded Coldbrook Road n and s of Rt 122 in Oakham this morning from 5-8am and had, N. Saw-whet Owl calling, 2 Woodcocks calling, 2 W. Wrens callng, 9 Brown Creepers, 1 Raven, 1 Fish Crow, 12 R-B Nuthatchs, 9 Red Crossbills, 14 Evening Grosbeaks, 4 Siskins, 8 Redpolls, 14 P. Finchs, 1 Grouse drumming, 1 Rusty Blackbird and 1 Cooper's Hawk. (report from Nickilas Paulson).

    4/7/04 -- Sterling Peat, Sterling
    Bluebirds (photo1| photo2) have returned to the Boutelle Road area of Sterling Peat and Pine Warblers are occupying the evergreens along the Stillwater River. Ring-necked Ducks (~10), and a pair of Common Goldeneyes are on Muddy Pond as are Kingfishers. (The bluebird photos were taken on Wednesday afternoon in Lancaster off of Bolton Rd and across from the Lancaster Mass. Correction Institute.). (report and photos from Bob Ricci).

    4/7/04 -- Smith Street gate, High Ridge WMA, Gardner
    This evening between 5 and 6:45PM: Great Blue Heron 1; Mallard 20; Black Duck 8; Green-winged Teal 6; Wood Duck 6; Hooded Merganser 4; American Kestrel 1; Killdeer 2; Common Flicker 1; Eastern Phoebe 2; American Pipit 1; Nothern Shrike 1 imm. brownish w/ only a hint of a mask; Swamp Sparrow 1; American Tree Sparrow ~10; Song Sparrow ~10. (report from Tom Pirro).

    4/6/04 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
    Migrant raptors today: > Turkey Vulture 1 ; > Osprey 3 ; > Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 ; > Red-tailed Hawk 5 ; > American Kestrel 2 ; > Observations: The first Osprey of the season was carrying a fish. An adult Northern Goshawk flew low over the site. > >Also, 9 Wild Turkeys. (report from Bart Kamp).

    4/6/04 -- Worcester Airport
    I was looking for the Short-eared Owls midday when a Roughed-legged Hawk (light morph) flew right over me. (report from Brian Mulhearn)

    4/6/04 -- Barrows Rd., Worcester
    I saw my first Chipping Sparrow of the year this morning. It was at my sunflower seed feeder for a few minutes about 11:30. (report from Howard Shainheit).

    4/5/04 -- Charlton
    I just got pictures back of a ruffed grouse I encountered while working in the woods in Charlton last week. This bird's hormones were raging so much that after I crouched down with my disposable camera he approached to within 8-10 feet. (report from Scott Jordan).

    4/5/04 -- Institute Park, Worcester
    Today at noon there were 2 PIED-BILLED GREBES, along with 2 Hooded Mergansers. The grebes were in the cove between the island and the apartments. (report from Rick Quimby).

    4/4/04 -- Bolton Flats and Delaney WMA, Bolton/Stow/Harvard
    Francis X. McMenemy led his annual Forbush Bird Club spring trip to Bolton Flats, Delaney Wildlife Management Area and some additional stops between. Highlights of the 41 species observed were Glossy Ibis, Wilson's Snipe, Northern Pintail, American Wigeon and Barrow's Goldeneye. Here is the complete trip list (report from Joan Zumpfe).

    4/4/04 -- Sterling/Boylston/Clinton
    These are some of the highlights that Francis McMenemy and I enjoyed after the Forbush Bird Club trip and in between the raindrops: Common Loon 6 (3 Clinton, 2 Sterling, 1 Boylston); BLUE-WINGED TEAL 1 Drake in Sterling; Green-winged Teal 6 in Boylston; Ring-necked Duck 40 (4 Clinton, 20 Sterling, 16 Boylston); Greater Scaup 19 (11 Clinton, 8 Sterling); Bufflehead 12 (2 Clinton, 8 Sterling, 2 Boylston); Common Goldeneye 18 (16 Sterling, 2 Boylston); Hooded Merganser 9 (3 Clinton, 6 Boylston); Common Merganser 65 (48 Clinton, 5 Sterling, 12 West Boylston); American Woodcock 3 Leicester; Great Black-backed Gull 1 Clinton; SHORT-EARED OWL 1 Leicester; Red-breasted Nuthatch 4 Clinton; Carolina Wren 1 Worcester; Pine Warbler 2 Sterling; Tree Sparrow 1 Sterling; EASTERN MEADOWLARK 3 Leicester. (report from Joan Zumpfe).

    4/4/04 -- Oakham/Athol/Orange
  • I met up with Paul Meleski and took a ride out to Oakham for the Red Crossbills again. We only heard and saw a few fly over briefly, butthere were still Siskins in the area and 2 Ruffed Grouse drumming.
  • We ended up hitting a few ponds in the south Athol/New Salem area with Bob Mallet and Jeff Johnstone, where some Ringed-necked Ducks, Hooded Mergs and 6 Tree Swallows were seen in the area. Most entertaining was a Belted Kingfisher at the south end of Lake Rohunta. One of the guys saw it catch a fish, and in viewing through the scope we could determine it was a Chain Pickerel and probably about 7 inches long. Certainly a "trophy" catch for the Kingfisher. The Kingfisher, perched on a duck blind, proceeded to twist its head, with the fish in its bill, so as to bludgeon the duck blind with the fish's head. This went on for about four minutes ....it must have beat the Pickerel against the wood 30-40 times until it's catch was DEAD...DEAD....DEAD, then it beat the fish some more for good measure! With some effort the fish went "down the hatch" and afterward the bird appeared uncomfortably "full".
  • Near Hunt's Farm in Orange were a Red-bellied Woodpecker, a dozen or so Turkey Vultures perched, 75+ Horned Larks and 14 Snow Goose flew over heading south. (report from Tom Pirro).

    • 4/4/04 -- Bolton Flats WMA/Delaney WMA, Bolton/Harvard/Stow
    We started at dawn with several stops at Bolton Flats, though much of the flats are not accessible except with bib-waders and even then mud could pose real trouble. Much of the birding can be done along the roads IF you pull off the roads completely in the few "pull ins" used by hunters and farmers. Be forewarned: cars speed along Rt. 117. The parking lot is inaccessible due to flooding.
  • BOLTON FLATS: GLOSSY IBIS (1); Canada Goose (280); Wood Duck (25); Green-winged Teal (84); A. Wigeon (4); Mallard (255); A. Black Duck (64); N. Pintail (4); Ring-necked Duck (74); Hooded Merganser (2); Red-tailed Hawk (1); Killdeer (4); Wilson's Snipe (12); Ring-billed Gull (585+: flocks whirling about and feeding on the flats. The majority were adS); Herring Gull (25+); B. Kingfisher (1); E. Phoebe (5);
  • DELANEY WMA: corner of Harvard/Bolton/Stow Great Blue Heron (29 birds seen w 14 occ nests); Canada Goose (17); Wood Duck (14); Mallard (16); A. Black Duck (4); Bufflehead (4); Common Goldeneye (15); Barrow's Goldenye (1m); Hooded Merganser (4: 1 pair seen inspecting nest boxes); Common Merganser (6); Red-tailed Hawk (4); Red-shouldered Hawk (1); Belted Kingfisher (1); E. Phoebe (6); Tree Swallow (30+); Pine Siskins (2); (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

    • 4/4/04 -- Wachusett Reservoir
    A quick stop at just a few overlooks of the reservoir in the rain had the following: Common Loon (1); Canada Goose (14); Wood Duck (2); Mallard (4); A. Black Duck (4); Hooded Merganser (3); Common Merganser (27); Red-breasted Merganser (2f); (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

    4/4/04 -- Worcester Airport
    This evening at 5:10 pm EDT we had (2) Short-eared Owls hunting the runways and nearby areas of Worcester Airport, as usual: seen best from Mulberry Street, Leicester but even spotted from as far away (scope birds only); as from the airport lookout on Rt. 56 (just south of the legendary Hot Dog Annies');. Other birds seen in our brief time there before it really started to rain in earnest included: Turkey Vulture (1); Red-tailed Hawk (1); A. Kestrel (1f); E. Bluebird (4); E. Meadowlark (1); (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

    4/4/04 -- Ware River, New Braintree
    An Osprey was seen perched in the afternoon along the Ware River in New Braintree, across Winimusset WMA. (report From Chris Buelow)

    4/3/04 -- Oakham
  • In Oakham: Ruffed grouse 3; Pileated Woodpecker 2; Winter Wren 1 (Coldbrook Rd. north side of Rte122); Red Crossbill 3 (Coldbrook Road on the south side of Rte122) Pine Siskin 10-12 (Cold Brook Rd both sides of rte122) Purple Finch 4; Also, Redbreasted Nuthatches and singing Brown Creepers.
  • At the Wachusett Reservoir: Bufflehead 2; Red-Breasted Merganser 2 a pair; Iceland gull 1 3rd year or adult; a fair number of Common Goldeneyes, Hooded and Common Mergs at the evening roost of gulls seen from the gate 22 area. (report from Tom Pirro).

    • 4/3/04 -- Blackstone National Corridor Waterfowl Count
    This weekend is the biannual count of waterbirds on all ponds, rivers reservoirs etc of the Blackstone National Corridor. Several teams cover the entire Corridor, each team covering 3-4 towns. Today Sheila and I had the following highlights (I have left out for the most part the gull totals):
  • CUMBERLAND: Great Blue Heron (1); Mute Swan (4); Canada Goose (105); Wood Duck (10); Mallard (27); A. Black Duck (5); Ring-necked Duck (85); Bufflehead (2); C. Goldeneye (5); Hooded Merganser (11); Common Merganser (26); Ruddy Duck (1); Cooper's Hawk (1); Killdeer (10); Wilson's Snipe (18: in 1 field); A. Woodcock (13: only a very partial count); Great Horned Owl (1); Red-bellied Woodpecker (7); E. Phoebe (32); Carolina Wren (12); Gray Catbird (1); Rusty Blackbird (3); Common Redpoll (16: 1 flock feeding on birch catkins);
  • PAWTUCKET : Mute Swan (4); Canada Goose (36); Wood Duck (2); Mallard (11); Tree Swallow (46);
  • TURNER RESERVOIR/CENTRAL POND, E. PROVIDENCE: Common Loon (1 br); Pied-billed Grebe (1); Great Cormorant (8); Mute Swan (9); Canada Goose (64); Mallard (6); Gadwall (5); Lesser Scaup (3); Ruddy Duck (8); Common Merganser (4); Killdeer (2); Lesser Black-backed Gull (1adS: we searched through many hundred other gulls and saw no Glaucous); Tree Swallow (16);
  • SEEKONK RIVER: Great Cormorant (7); Double-crested Cormorant (2); Mute Swan (60: most at Bold-India Points area); Canada Goose (10); Green-winged Teal (2); A. Wigeon (22); Mallard (31); A. Black Duck (96); Bufflehead (142); C. Goldeneye (2); Common Merganser (6); Red-breasted Merganser (21);
  • LEICESTER: Great Blue Heron (1); Canada Goose (4); Wood Duck (6); Mallard (34); Ring-necked Duck (72); Bufflehead (11); Common Merganser (90); Red-tailed Hawk (2); SHORT-EARED OWL (1 watched perched and hunting over the back of Worcester Airport at 4:55PM. We contacted several birders who were able to get out and see this bird from Mulberry Street); E. Phoebe (9); Pine Warbler (1); Fox Sparrow (1); (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

    • 4/2/04 -- Bolton Flats, Bolton
    The water at Bolton Flats is now where it should be this time of year and then some. It is covering part of the road on the south side of route 117. If the river has not yet crested then Route 117 will be under water tomorrow. Seen among the 100's of ducks on the north side of route 117 this afternoon were 1 Eurasian Green-winged Teal, 1 pair of American Wigeon, 1 pair of Northern Shovelers and 1 Glossy Ibis. (report from Bart Kamp).

    For previous sightings, see March 2004 Archives or Archive Index