April 2005 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.
Exiting the dank confines of my blind, I briefly savor the intermittent morning sunshine and hurriedly decamp, straining to keep my eyes focused on a somber, zebra-striped shape flying over the distant road. A trio of American Pipits accompanies me as I dash towards the parking lot, the even cadence of PIP-IT!-PIP-IT! cascading earthward.
Resituated where a vast cornfield abuts mature forest, I scope the larger tree trunks. The two-toned shape reappears, revealing itself to be a Black-and-white Warbler systematically probing the trunk of a giant hickory. Two Brown Creepers also forage nearby, alternately adorning the trunks of two separate trees, perhaps convinced the other has the better feeding ground.
I return to the brushy tangles of a neighborhood birding haunt in hopes of rewarding viewing. Ensconcing myself at my favorite vantage point savages my outerwear. My watch cap and a forlorn scrap of canvas wrested from a coat sleeve become perverse decorations upon the pitiless branches of the surrounding Multiflora Rose bushes. After retrieving these items, my skin welcomes the prompt administration of approximately one quart of Bactine. The appearance of two Eastern Bluebirds compensates for the temporary trauma. They feed sporadically, and abruptly leave. Thinking that nothing avian remains within the confines of the surrounding shrubbery, I rise to leave. A timid descant of PEE-A-WEE, PEE-eeww emanates from the area that moments ago contained the Eastern Bluebirds. A muted olive and gray shape emerges from the tangle onto a sunlit perch. Perhaps attempting to ward off the morning chill, the bird preens, periodically flicking its wings, the evenness of the bird's facial coloration drawing my attention to its lack of an eye ring. As it assumes a more animated demeanor, I discern inconspicuous wing bars. Concluding its grooming, it folds its wings, their neatly folded dimensions extending half the length of its notched tail. Pleasantly astonished, I add an Eastern Wood Pewee to my morning trip totals.
American Pipit 3; Belted Kingfisher 1; Black Duck 4; Black-and-white Warbler 1; Brown Creeper 2; Brown-headed Cowbird 14; Canada Goose 11; Cedar Waxwing 12; Chipping Sparrow 5; Common Merganser 9; Dark-eyed Junco 2; Eastern Bluebird 2; Eastern Phoebe 3; Eastern Wood Pewee 1; Field Sparrow 1; Great Blue Heron 5; Green-winged Teal 6; Hairy Woodpecker 1; Killdeer 5; Mallard 16; Northern Flicker 1; Osprey 1; Palm Warbler 3; Pine Warbler 1; Red-bellied Woodpecker 1; Red-tailed Hawk 1; Red-winged Blackbird 25; Ring-necked Duck 6; Song Sparrow 3; Tree Swallow 16; Turkey Vulture 7; White-throated Sparrow 8; Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1. Herps: Eastern Garter Snake 1. (report from Chris Ellison).
On 4/12, an Osprey was reported on the Nashua River, Mechanics Street, Leominster. Also on 4/8, an Osprey at Lake Shirley, Ruth St. Lunenburg. (report from Lydia Henshaw).
Note added: Nathaniel Freedman reports that he saw one of the Swans harassing some Canadian Geese on the pond.
Also from my parents who live in Paxton: One week ago, my mother was reading on her kitchen windowseat in broad daylight, looked up at the feeder about 4 feet away and had a staredown with a big owl (she doesn't know what kind--I suspect it was a barred, since I've heard they're more active than others in daylight). It was likely trying to grab a chipmunk, who had itself been seen grabbing some sunflower seeds.. (report from George Moore).
For previous sightings, see March 2005 Archives or Archive Index