April 2010 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:
- 4/30/10 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
-
Hawks migrating today:
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture 0 0 0
Turkey Vulture 0 71 104
Osprey 2 75 75
Bald Eagle 2 13 17
Northern Harrier 1 8 9
Sharp-shinned Hawk 23 96 113
Cooper's Hawk 0 16 20
Northern Goshawk 0 0 0
Red-shouldered Hawk 0 3 11
Broad-winged Hawk 115 1060 1060
Red-tailed Hawk 1 16 65
Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0
Golden Eagle 0 0 0
American Kestrel 0 29 29
Merlin 0 1 1
Peregrine Falcon 0 0 0
Unknown Accipiter 0 0 0
Unknown Buteo 0 0 0
Unknown Falcon 0 0 0
Unknown Eagle 0 0 0
Unknown Raptor 0 10 13
Total: 144 1398 1517
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Non-raptor Observations:
FOY chimney swift.
(report from Bart Kamp).
- 4/29/10 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
-
Hawks migrating:
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture 0 0 0
Turkey Vulture 0 71 104
Osprey 8 73 73
Bald Eagle 0 11 15
Northern Harrier 1 7 8
Sharp-shinned Hawk 6 73 90
Cooper's Hawk 0 16 20
Northern Goshawk 0 0 0
Red-shouldered Hawk 0 3 11
Broad-winged Hawk 94 945 945
Red-tailed Hawk 1 15 64
Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0
Golden Eagle 0 0 0
American Kestrel 3 29 29
Merlin 0 1 1
Peregrine Falcon 0 0 0
Unknown Accipiter 0 0 0
Unknown Buteo 0 0 0
Unknown Falcon 0 0 0
Unknown Eagle 0 0 0
Unknown Raptor 1 10 13
Total: 114 1254 1373
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Raptor Observations:
The hawks passed fast in the gusty wind.
(report from Bart Kamp).
- 4/28/10 -- downtown Worcester
-
I am now almost certain the Peregrine Falcons are nesting on top of the
Unum building in their usual nest box. I saw both of them for the first
time in weeks, right at the ledge of the nest box; they were in the midst of a nest
switch off, I believe. The falcon on the ledge would remain there for
only a few seconds until it went inside the nest box, presumably to incubate eggs.
On another note, I spoke to Emily Eaton, and it doesn't appear that Fish
& Wildlife will be making a visit to the nest site until banding is done this
summer, so it looks as if there will be no egg count. I will post updates
as I get more information.
(report from Kimberly Allen).
- 4/27/10 -- Institute Park, Worcester
- There were two Mute swans on the pond, but one of them was dead. It
was also seen dead yesterday (4/26), in the water near the island. It
presumably died over the weekend, since it was seen last week sitting on a
nest. Tragically, another dead bird was observed on the pond today, again
in the water, and appeared to be a Great Blue Heron (although it was partially
submerged and difficult to ID). There was a plastic bag around the legs,
so perhaps it got entangled in the bag.
(report from Rick Quimby).
- 4/25/10 -- Petersham/New Salem
-
Our MAS (Broad Meadow Brook) "April Migration" class spent the morning
birding north Quabbin: three stops in Petersham and then 2 nice overlooks in
New Salem. Migration was not much in evidence and what we had for birds were
mostly breeders. Amazingly, the rain held off for the entire morning, and it
was overcast and cool.
- PETERSHAM:
Common Loon (1);
Great Blue Heron (3 active nests/5 individuals seen);
Canada Goose (6);
Wood Duck (10);
Mallard (3);
Hooded Merganser (pr);
Wild Turkey (7);
Killdeer (2);
Barred Owl (1);
Hairy Woodpecker (1);
N Flicker (1);
Pileated Woodpecker (2);
E Phoebe (2);
Blue-headed Vireo (17);
Blue Jay (9);
A Crow (3);
C Raven (1);
Tree Swallow (12);
Black-capped Chickadee (19);
Red-breasted Nuthatch (5);
Brown Creeper (4);
Winter Wren (3);
Golden-crowned Kinglet (3);
Hermit Thrush (7);
A Robin (37);
Yellow-rumped Warbler (11);
Black-throated Green Warbler (3);
Pine Warbler (13);
Palm Warbler (1);
E Towhee (1);
Chipping Sparrow (13);
Field Sparrow (1);
Red-winged Blackbird (36);
C Grackle (7);
Brown-headed Cowbird (6);
Purple Finch (4);
A Goldfinch (12);
PLUS: Beaver; River Otter; Muskrat.
- NEW SALEM (2 overlooks: highlights only);
Common Loon (2);
Double-crested Cormorant (4);
Great Blue Heron (4);
Turkey Vulture (16);
Common Merganser (2m);
Bald Eagle (2imm in dramatic display flight+ 1ad);
Red-tailed Hawk (1);
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (3);
Pileated Woodpecker (2);
Blue-headed Vireo (4);
Common Raven (1);
Hermit Thrush (4);
Purple Finch (1);
(report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).
- 4/24/10 -- Oxbow National Wildlife Refuge, Harvard
-
Blue-gray Gnatcatchers have returned. About 8-10 were detected during a late
morning walk here. Otherwise the birding was rather slow, but Painted
Turtles, Green Frogs, and Garter Snakes were well-represented.
(report from Wendy Howes).
- 4/24/10 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
-
Hawks migrating today:
Turkey Vulture 5 ;
Osprey 4 ;
Bald Eagle 1 ;
Sharp-shinned Hawk 3 ;
Broad-winged Hawk 30 .
(report from Bart Kamp).
- 4/23/10 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
-
Hawks migrating today:
Turkey Vulture 9 ;
Osprey 2 ;
Bald Eagle 2 ;
Sharp-shinned Hawk 5 ;
Broad-winged Hawk 16 ;
Red-tailed Hawk 1 .
(report from Bart Kamp).
- 4/23/10 -- Gate 35, Quabbin Reservoir
-
We spent the morning doing some atlas work in northeast Quabbin, mostly
between Gates 35 and 37. Conditions at the edge of the water were quite cool
and very breezy, making doing landbirding a bit tough. Totals for the
morning were as follows:
Common Loon (1ad);
Double-crested Cormorant (1ad);
Turkey Vulture (4);
Great Blue Heron (1);
Canada Goose (1);
Wood Duck (2 pair);
Mallard (pair);
Bufflehead (pair);
Common Merganser (1m);
Osprey (1: migrant);
Bald Eagle (1ad at nest on Hamilton Island);
Mourning Dove (6: nest building observed);
Barred Owl (1);
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (3);
Downy Woodpecker (1);
Hairy Woodpecker (4);
N Flicker (1);
Eastern Phoebe (4);
Tree Swallow (48);
Blue-headed Vireo (15);
Blue Jay (13);
A Crow (1);
Black-capped Chickadee (20);
Tufted Titmouse (4);
Red-breasted Nuthatch (6);
White-breasted Nuthatch (4: carrying food to nest hole observed);
Brown Creeper (3);
Ruby-crowned Kinglet (3);
Hermit Thrush (8);
A Robin (10);
Yellow-rumped Warbler (23);
Pine Warbler (34: mating; sexual chases et observed);
Black and White Warbler (1);
Eastern Towhee (23);
Chipping Sparrow (27: nest building observed);
Field Sparrow (3);
Song Sparrow (3);
White-throated Sparrow (9);
Red-winged Blackbird (17);
C Grackle (3);
Brown-headed Cowbird (9);
Purple Finch (4);
A Goldfinch (2);
PLUS: Moose tracks.
(report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).
- 4/22/10 -- Northbridge
- Highlights of a short walk down the trail by Plummer's Landing in
Northbridge off of Church Street included one blue-gray gnatcatcher and one
palm warbler.
- Also, here's a
video of the Cooper's Hawk in my back yard. It starts pulled
back and then zooms in. (report from Jenifer Glagowski).
- 4/22/10 -- Westminster
- I thought I heard a more "hoarse" sound among the "finchy chatter"
out back of my apartment this afternoon. It was a brief vocalization
and it did not call again, I thought perhaps my imagination or
hopefullness was getting the best of me. A few minutes later a Pine
Sisikin landed on the feeder, a nice surprise. "The local" towhee
must have returned last night to the powerline cut next door, and a
Pileated Woodpecker was calling from the nearby woodlot.
(report from Tom Pirro).
- 4/22/10 -- St Philips Cemetery, Grafton
-
I had five Rusty Blackbirds in the area of St Philips in Grafton at 6:45
morning along the path at the beginning of the wetlands near where the
Herons nest is located. They would be in the midst of other blackbird
flocks but could easily be distinguished by their unique call. I would
finally locate them where they were all on their own and in a separate
part of the tree which allowed me to get a really good look at their
pale iris and thin bill. They all took off as a group after about 5
minutes or so and I am guessing they were migrating and decided to make
a quick pit stop for the evening, but this may be a spot worthy of
checking out as it could be a good stopover during migration. I also
had a Savannah Sparrow near the brambles where the dirt pile is.
(report from Kimberly Allen).
- 4/21/10 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
-
Hawks migrating today:
Turkey Vulture 3 ;
Osprey 2 ;
Sharp-shinned Hawk 10 ;
Broad-winged Hawk 39 ;
American Kestrel 3 .
(report from Bart Kamp).
- 4/21/10 -- Eastern Quabbin Reservoir
-
Traveling the "legal" bike roads from Gate 40, which brought me through Dana
Center, Fishing area #3, Hell huddle Road to gate 43 and down to where
"Shaft 12" is now blocked. Then back to Dana and onto to Grave's Landing and
back to Gate 40. I took some side trips off the main route on Thayer Road
and visited the old jet crash site No big surprises (execpt the guy who
hauled in a 6LB 11 oz Smallmouth Bass at fishing area 3 thats a serious
"smally"). High counts of certain species are indicative of good habitat and
miles of coverage, ~14 miles one way .
Complete list:
Canada Goose 5; Mute Swan 2; Wood Duck 1; American Black Duck 4; Mallard 3; Green-winged Teal 5; Ring-necked Duck 1; Hooded Merganser 4; Common Merganser 2; Ruffed Grouse 1; Common Loon 2; Great Blue Heron 1; Turkey Vulture 3; Osprey 1; Bald Eagle 3; Sharp-shinned Hawk 1; Broad-winged Hawk 17 mostly high flying migrants; Red-tailed Hawk 1; Mourning Dove 12; Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 25; Downy Woodpecker 3; Hairy Woodpecker 4; Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 4; Pileated Woodpecker 3; Eastern Phoebe 3; Blue-headed Vireo 10; Blue Jay 105; American Crow 13; Common Raven 3; Tree Swallow 21; Black-capped Chickadee 48; Tufted Titmouse 13; Red-breasted Nuthatch 14; Brown Creeper 2; Ruby-crowned Kinglet 26; Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1; Eastern Bluebird 2; Hermit Thrush 6; American Robin 37; Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) 31; Pine Warbler 91; Palm Warbler (Yellow) 14; Black-and-white Warbler 1; Eastern Towhee 36; Chipping Sparrow 21; Savannah Sparrow 1; Song Sparrow 10; Swamp Sparrow 5; White-throated Sparrow 25; Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored) 26; Northern Cardinal 4; Red-winged Blackbird 18; Common Grackle 2; Brown-headed Cowbird 14; Purple Finch 3; American Goldfinch 20.
(report from Tom Pirro).
- 4/21/10 -- Institute Park, Worcester
- Highlights at noon today were 2 Mute Swans (one apparently on nest),
1 Hermit Thrush, 4 Yellow-rumped Warblers (both m&f, one singing),
and 1 Palm Warbler. Yesterday (4/20) I also had a Ruby-crowned Kinglet
and 2 Broad-winged Hawks low over Bancroft Tower hill.
(report from Rick Quimby).
- 4/20/10 -- Bolton Flats, Bolton
-
I went to Bolton Flats late this afternoon. Both sora and Virginia
rails were calling and the pectoral sandpiper was still there; no other
shorebirds. Knee boots are sufficient to get through the water hazzards; but
the water is too deep for a passenger car to get into the route 117 parking
lot. (report from Bart Kamp).
- 4/20/10 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
-
Hawks migrating today:
Turkey Vulture 2 ;
Osprey 8 ;
Bald Eagle 2 ;
Sharp-shinned Hawk 17 ;
Cooper's Hawk 6 ;
Broad-winged Hawk 430 ;
Red-tailed Hawk 1 .
Raptor Observations:
Many of the broadwings were very high.
(report from Bart Kamp).
- 4/20/10 -- Northbridge
-
I seem to be a Cooper's Hawk magnet (see previous post on 4/8/10).
A pair decided to build a nest in my
back yard (near intersection of Church
and Quaker) in a white pine. They seem to have been incubating for about a
week now. (report from Jenifer Glagowski).
- 4/19/10 -- Oakham
-
I took this
photo of an Evening Grosbeak through my greenhouse window. It was
feeding with goldfinches.
(report and photo from Kathy Van Schoick).
- 4/19/10 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
-
Hawks migrating today:
Turkey Vulture 2 ;
Osprey 7 ;
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 ;
Cooper's Hawk 1 ;
Broad-winged Hawk 261 ;
American Kestrel 4 .
Raptor Observations:
The broadwings were already on the move when I arrived.
(report from Bart Kamp).
- 4/18/10 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
-
Hawks migrating today:
Turkey Vulture 1 ;
Osprey 4 ;
Bald Eagle 1 ;
Sharp-shinned Hawk 3 ;
Broad-winged Hawk 33 ;
Red-tailed Hawk 2 .
(report from Bart Kamp).
- 4/18/10 -- Quabog IBA, Brookfields
-
Our MAS (Broad Meadow Brook) class on APRIL MIGRATION birded the Quabog IBA
this morning. Though it was overcast, cool and damp, at least it didn't
rain. Despite the weather, there was some hawk movement , but passerine
species variety was middlin'. Partial list:
Common Loon (1 migrating overhead);
Double-crested Cormorant (61: small groups migrating overhead);
Great Blue Heron (9);
Turkey Vulture (7);
Canada Goose (15);
Wood Duck (6);
Mallard (12);
Blue-winged Teal (2);
Green-winged Teal (3);
Ring-necked Duck (16);
Common Merganser (8);
Osprey (2: 1 we got to watched bathe);
Bald Eagle (ad pr at Quabog);
N Harrier (2m+1f);
Sharp-shinned Hawk (2);
Cooper's Hawk (1);
Broad-winged Hawk (6);
Red-tailed Hawk (14);
Ruffed Grouse (1);
Wild Turkey (2);
Killdeer (2);
Belted Kingfisher (2);
Red-bellied Woodpecker (3);
Downy Woodpecker (6);
Hairy Woodpecker (5);
N Flicker (10);
Pileated Woodpecker (1);
Eastern Phoebe (2: very low);
Tree Swallow (79);
N Rough-winged Swallow (3);
Ruby-crowned Kinglet (2);
Eastern Bluebird (6);
Pine Warbler (17);
Palm Warbler (4);
E Towhee (1);
Chipping Sparrow (43);
Song Sparrow (18);
Swamp Sparrow (13);
White-throated Sparrow (56);
N Cardinal (16);
PLUS: Eastern Painted Turtles; Bloodroot; and a first for any bird trips I
have led: we pulled up to the Miniature Horse farm (the breed of horses are
small, not the farm);. As we got out of the cars, one of the mares lay down,
the owners rushed out and as we stood there nearby, she gave birth. The
youngin' was wrapped in a blanket, brought into a warm barn to get out of
the damp and cold, and the mom was running around.
(report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).
- 4/17/10 -- Bolton Flats, Bolton
-
A morning stop at the north side of Bolton Flats with Kim Allen yielded the
following highlights: Snow Goose, 2 Northern Shovelers, 100+ Green-winged
Teal, 2 VIRGINIA RAILS (seen and heard), 4 Wilson's Snipe, Ruby-crowned
Kinglet and Blue-gray Gnatcatcher.
(report from Alan Marble).
- 4/16/10 -- Oxbow NWR, Harvard
-
Selected sightings this morning from Pine Hill Rd:
Vesper Sparrow, Cooper's Hawk, Hermit Thrush, Pine Warbler, Swamp Sparrow,
Eastern Towhee, Field Sparrow.
(report from Peter Morlock).
- 4/15/10 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
-
Hawks migrating today:
Turkey Vulture 3 ;
Osprey 13 ;
Bald Eagle 1 ;
Northern Harrier 1 ;
Sharp-shinned Hawk 4 ;
Cooper's Hawk 2 ;
Broad-winged Hawk 24 ;
Red-tailed Hawk 1 ;
American Kestrel 2 .
(report from Bart Kamp).
- 4/14/10 -- Bolton Flats Rt 117, Bolton
-
This morning I saw the following at Bolton Flats:
Snow Goose (Imm) on south side;
Ruby-crowned Kinglet on North side;
Northern Shoveler (M&F) on North side;
Lots of Green-winged Teal on both sides. (report from Peter Morlock).
- 4/13/10 -- Sutton and Grafton
-
- I did some birding and hiking at Purgatory Chasm in Sutton this evening.
Highlights were at least 4 Blue-headed Vireos along Charlies Trail, 1
Red-breasted Nuthatch, and about 1/2 dozen Pine Warblers that can actually
be seen really well along this trail because of its elevation to the trees.
- I went to St Philips in Grafton next and highlights of that were a Brown
Thrasher and my first of the year Barn Swallow who was in the midst of over
20 Tree Swallows who were hawking for insects around the cemetery. Also,
the two Mute Swans are back for those of you eagerly awaiting their return.
(report from Kimberly Allen).
- 4/12/10 -- Brookfield/Charlton/Oxford
- Lake Quaboag in Brookfield was completely empty of any waterfowl and no eagles were
seen either. A stop at Orlando's Pond in Charlton showed 5 Bufflehead (3
were drakes), a pair of Ring-necked Ducks, about 210 Canada Geese, a couple
hundred Ring-billed Gulls (none were tagged) and about 40 Mallards. A later
stop at Hodges Village Dam in Oxford produced a pair of Bluebirds, 3 Pine Warblers, 3
Tree Swallows, 2 Northern Rough-winged Swallows and 1 Turkey Vulture.
(report from Joan Zumpfe).
- 4/11/10 -- Bolton Flats
-
Highlights of the Forbush Bird Club trip to Bolton Flats and vicinity were: 2 Northern
Shovelers, 3 Blue-winged Teal, 3 Common Snipe and a Vesper Sparrow.
Here is the
complete trip list of the 51 species recorded.
(report from John Shea, fide Joan Gallagher).
- 4/11/10 -- Holden & West Boylston
-
- The Red-tailed hawks on Rt. 122A in Holden
have renested and both birds were in the nest early afternoon on Easter
Sunday 4/4.
- At 2:00 today both Adult Bald Eagles were in the nest at
Wachusett Reservoir in Boylston. After a half hour of scoping, it appears
(but not certain) that the chicks may have hatched. Both Adult Birds were
very busy attending to activity in the nest. One bird finally out over the
Reservoir and may have been retriving more food. The other Adult Bird
remained at the nest. Hard to say as the past history of these pair is late
hatching of the eggs.
- Rail Trail in Holden: On 4/1/10 at Mile Marker 60.04, a two-year
Black Bear cub was sighted
off the trail by my wife and myself and it promptly headed into deep woods.
Also the ColtsFoot
wildflowers and May Flowers are now blooming on the trail. A very unusual
spring so far.
(report from Steve & Kathy Olson).
- 4/11/10 -- Bolton Flats, Bolton
-
I made another stop at Bolton Flats today, with a lot more success.
All birds seen from Rt. 117.
Snow Goose 1 imm south side;
Mute Swan 4 north side;
Blue-winged Teal 1m south side;
Green-winged Teal 23;
Pectoral Sandpiper 1 north side.
(report from Ian Davies).
- 4/11/10 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
-
Hawks migrating today:
Turkey Vulture 5 ;
Osprey 8 ;
Bald Eagle 3 ;
Sharp-shinned Hawk 7 ;
Cooper's Hawk 1 ;
Broad-winged Hawk 4 .
(report from Bart Kamp).
- 4/10/10 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
-
Hawks migrating today:
Turkey Vulture 3 ;
Osprey 3 ;
Northern Harrier 2 ;
Sharp-shinned Hawk 2 ;
Broad-winged Hawk 1 ;
Red-tailed Hawk 1 .
(report from Bart Kamp).
- 4/10/10 -- Bolton Flats, Bolton
-
The following are hilights from a visit to Bolton Flats late this
morning 4/10:
Canada Goose ~200;
Mute Swan 4;
Wood Duck 10;
Green-winged teal ~50;
Ring-billed Gull 100 (including 2 tagged #475 and one which i
couldn;t read but appeared to be a 2 digit #);
Lesser Black-backed Gull 1 adult sleeping within the flock of
'ringers";
Wilson's Snipe 1;
Northern Harrier 1 female;
Common Grackle ~700.
I looked carefully through the blackbirds for the previously reported
female Yellow-headed Blackbird but had NO "luck".
(report from Tom Pirro).
- 4/10/10 -- New Braintree
-
- We spent the morning doing some early atlasing in a block in NEW BRAINTREE
that is south of Winnimusset Meadows. Highlights include:
Turkey Vulture (2);
Canada Goose (2);
Mallard (5);
Hooded Merganser (pair);
Red-tailed Hawk (1);
Cooper's Hawk (1);
Wild Turkey (1);
Ruffed Grouse (1 drumming/1 recent road kill);
N Flicker (7);
Eastern Phoebe (8: already nest-building);
Eastern Bluebird (4);
Hermit Thrush (4);
Red-breasted Nuthatch (6);
Palm Warbler (1);
Pine Warbler (10);
Eastern Towhee (3);
Chipping Sparrow (14);
Field Sparrow (1);
Swamp Sparrow (3);
Song Sparrow (17);
White-throated Sparrow (8);
- On 4/7, we did an evening survey of the same block and had:
Wood Duck ( 2pair);
Killdeer (5);
American Woodcock (26);
E Screech Owl (2);
Great Horned Owl (2);
Barred Owl (3);
N Saw-whet Owl (3);
(report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).
- 4/9/10 -- Bolton Flats/Wachusett Reservoir, Bolton/Clinton
-
- At Bolton Flats WMA:
Wood Duck 4;
American Black Duck 4;
American Black Duck x Mallard 1;
Green-winged Teal 50;
Ring-necked Duck 2;
Great Black-backed Gull 2.
Missed the Snow Goose, Northern Shovelers, and Blue-winged Teal, but we
never left 117 during our time there, and it was raining constantly.
- At Wachusett Reservoir--Clinton Dam:
Bufflehead 2;
Red-breasted Merganser 5;
Double-crested Cormorant 1;
Barn Swallow 3.
(report from Ian Davies).
- 4/9/10 -- Bolton Flats, Bolton
-
This morning at the Rt 117 North entrance I made it thru the water with
Wellies. There were lots of Green-winged Teal as previously reported. I saw
2 Drake Blue-winged Teal but didn't see the Shovelers. Later I stopped to
view a large group of Blackbirds on Rt 110 at the New River Academy. I was
lucky enough to get a good look at a female Yellow-headed Blackbird.
(report from Peter Morlock).
- 4/9/10 -- WPI campus, Worcester
- This morning at 7:30 there was a Ruby-crowned Kinglet singing in a
blossoming magnolia tree. A bit early, and my 1st of the year.
(report from Rick Quimby).
- 4/8/10 -- Sterling
-
- At Sterling Peat, I observed a male
pied-billed grebe calling.
- In Cookshire Cemetery (on the east end of
Boutelle Road near the Houghton/Chocksett School), there was a pair of
white-breasted nut hatches preparing a nest hole. Also, A HUGE BED OF
FULLY BLOSSOMED MAY FLOWERS! YIKES! TOO EARLY!!
(report from Susan LaBree).
- 4/8/10 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
-
Turkey Vulture 2 ;
Osprey 3 ;
Northern Harrier 1 ;
Sharp-shinned Hawk 6 ;
Cooper's Hawk 4 ;
Red-shouldered Hawk 1 ;
Broad-winged Hawk 1 ;
American Kestrel 5 .
(report from Bart Kamp).
- 4/8/10 -- Broad Meadow Brook Sanctuary, Worcester
-
Here is one of the
videos I took of the Cooper's Hawk building a
nest at Broad Meadow Brook Sanctuary. (report and video from Jenifer Glagowski).
- 4/8/10 -- Sterling Peat, Sterling
-
This morning at Sterling Peat there was an adult Bald Eagle, a Palm
Warbler and a Brown Thrasher. (report from Peter Morlock).
- 4/7/10 -- Douglas State Forest, Douglas
-
This evening around 6:30, a hermit thrush sang along the Ridge Trail at
Douglas State Forest (Wallis St entrance). Pine warblers also were heard,
and a phoebe put in an appearance. Trailing arbutus, the Massachusetts
state flower, was flowering in many spots along the trail.
(report from Beth Milke and Nancy Demers).
- 4/7/10 -- Bolton Flats
-
Hilights from this evening at Bolton Flats, covered from a few
vantage points along rt. 117 and along the road from the rt. 117
parking lot. Large numbers of Green-winged Teal continue. This
evening's good lighting conditions and birds in the open aided in
viewing these tiny ducks :
Snow Goose 1 imm.;
Canada Goose 100+;
Wood Duck 15;
Mallard 100+;
Black Duck 8;
Blue-winged Teal 1 ...drake south side of rte 117;
Northern Shoveler 2 ...on the north side of rte117 (likely the
pair that Alan Marble found this morning);
Green-winged Teal (525 .... a large number continue ... 510 counted
from a single point on the north side of rte 117 and 15 counted on
the south side of Rte 117);
Wilson's Snipe 6;
Great Blue Heron 3;
Osprey 2;
Ring-billed Gull 110 wing tagged bird #475 was present;
Great-black Backed Gull 2;
Swamp Sparrow 4;
(report from Tom Pirro).
- 4/7/10 -- downtown Worcester
-
The male Peregrine Falcon was on top of the 446 Main Street building
this morning at 10:00AM. I went up there and saw some building workers
working on the roof and the male remained there squawking away in
outrage over his company, but determined to remain and keep watch of his
downtown domain. This prompted me to contact Emily Eaton as his
behavior led me to believe something was up. Emily saw them copulating
last week on top of the Commerce Building and since then, the female has
only been seen on occasion by the two of us. Emily will be putting in a
call to the Department of Fish & Wildlife so they can get an egg count.
Will post the results once I get them. As a side note, three people
have contacted Emily to report they have seen THREE Peregrine Falcons in
the downtown area over the past two weeks. Neither she nor myself have
seen this to verify, so don't know the validity of it.
Will be posting pictures of the male on my
blog when I get home tonight.
(report from Kimberly J Allen).
- 4/7/10 -- Bolton Flats, Bolton
-
This morning, at Bolton Flats, there was a pair of Northern Shovelers north
of Rt 117. On the south side, I relocated the Snow Goose.
(report from Alan Marble).
- 4/4/10 -- Bolton Flats, Bolton
-
The snow goose reported by Alan Marble at Bolton Flats was still present this
morning. It could be seen by scanning the south side of route 117
from the parking lot entrance. Birds noted on the north side were a pair of
gadwall and a pair of mute swans.
(report from Bart Kamp).
- 4/4/10 -- Worcester County
-
- BEFORE DAWN: we spent 2 hours doing some owling in an atlas block in
WESTBOROUGH:
American Woodcock (18);
Eastern Screech Owl (4);
Great Horned Owl (4);
Barred Owl (2);
THEN: We spent the morning birding a few areas west and north of Worcester.
- WARE RIVER IBA: just a few peripheral stops as the gates are all still
closed.
Pied-billed Grebe (1);
Great Blue Heron (1);
Canada Goose (4);
MUTE SWAN (1m);
Wood Duck (12);
A Black Duck (2);
Mallard (12);
Green-winged Teal (6);
Hooded Merganser (2);
Red-bellied Woodpecker (1);
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (2);
N Flicker (5);
Pileated Woodpecker (1);
Eastern Phoebe (17);
Common Raven (1);
Tree Swallow (45+);
Barn Swallow (1);
Red-breasted Nuthatch (5);
Winter Wren (2);
Golden-crowned Kinglet (11);
Eastern Bluebird (2);
Yellow-rumped Warbler (1);
Pine Warbler (12);
Louisiana Waterthrush (1);
Dark-eyed Junco (3);
Purple Finch (1);
- WINNIMUSSET MEADOWS WMA and nearby areas of New Braintree:
Great Blue Heron (1);
Canada Goose (6);
Wood Duck (1);
Mallard (5);
Green-winged Teal (2);
Ring-necked Duck (2);
Hooded Merganser (3);
Common Merganser (5f);
American Kestrel (1m);
Ruffed Grouse (2 drumming);
Wild Turkey (2);
Killdeer (2);
Wilson?s Snipe (18);
Belted Kingfisher (1);
Downy Woodpecker (2);
Eastern Phoebe (14);
Tree Swallow (40+);
Pine Warbler (2);
Savannah Sparrow (5);
Swamp Sparrow (6 singing);
Dark-eyed Junco (2);
Eastern Meadowlark (1);
- PETERSHAM: several stops:
Canada Goose (2);
Wood Duck 91);
A Black Duck (2);
Mallard (8);
Ring-necked Duck (19);
Hooded Merganser (2);
Red-shouldered Hawk (pair in flight display);
Belted Kingfisher (1);
RED-HEADED WOODPECKER (1ad: flew in and landed and called quite a number of
times, perching above Sheila?s head, while we were watching a pair of otters
copulating. Flew off to SE never to be seen from again);
Downy Woodpecker (4);
N Flicker (2);
Eastern Phoebe (10);
Common Raven (1);
Tree Swallow (20+);
Red-breasted Nuthatch (3);
Brown Creeper (6);
Winter Wren (4);
Hermit Thrush (3);
Pine Warbler (2);
Palm Warbler (2);
Dark-eyed Junco (2);
Purple Finch (1);
- A brief check in with the team of DEDICATED HAWKWATCHERS at Barre Falls Dam
around late morning revealed they were having a slow day, but at least in
nice weather.
- PLUS: Red Fox in Westborough; a number of mating otters at different
locations. We watched one couple mating for 40+ minutes at close range. It
was SPECTACULAR and NOISY.
(report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).
- 4/3/10 -- Coes Pond, Worcester
- At dusk, I observed SEVEN swans landing on Coes
Pond. I was in a hurry and left a message on Fran McMenemy's machine to
check it out.
I remembered these swans looking like missals coming over the water had
black bills and black feet. The swans came in at dusk and were gone in
the morning. After discussing this with Fran, we are under the
impression that these were most likely Tundra Swans. It would be very
unlikely to have seven MUTE swans together at this period of their
breeding season. They were
still on the pond when I came back by it at 10:30 pm, but by morning
they were gone. (report from Susan LaBree).
- 4/3/10 -- Athol
-
I saw this
bird in Athol today at about 6PM. Neighbors have
told me that it has been hanging around the one block area bounded by Main
St, Central St, Park St and Liberty St. I believe it is an albino robin.
(report from Chris Casella).
- 4/3/10 -- South Quabbin Reservoir
- Our MAS APRIL MIGRATION class had a fine trip to SOUTH
QUABBIN/QUABBIN PARK. Weather was perfect and the first wave of passerine
migration underway, plus some surprises. Birds:
Common Loon (2);
Great Blue Heron (2);
Turkey Vulture (27);
BLACK VULTURE (2: outstanding close and long views of 2 birds migrating w/2
TVs from the Tower as they passed by the hill);
Mallard (5);
A Black Duck (3);
Ring-necked Duck (2);
Bufflehead (3);
Hooded Merganser (2);
Common Merganser (5);
BALD EAGLE (1 ad on nest);
Sharp-shinned Hawk (1);
Red-tailed Hawk (2);
Wild Turkey (7: toms in full display);
Ruffed Grouse (1 drumming);
Killdeer (4);
Red-bellied Woodpecker (1);
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (2);
Downy Woodpecker (1);
Hairy Woodpecker (3);
N Flicker (17);
Eastern Phoebe (23);
Tree Swallow (30+);
Eastern Bluebird (2);
American Robin (49);
Blue Jay (17);
American Crow (9);
COMMON RAVEN (1 on nest+2);
Black-capped Chickadee (14);
Tufted Titmouse (5);
White-breasted Nuthatch (3);
Brown Creeper (1 singing);
Pine Warbler (8);
Palm Warbler (3);
Chipping Sparrow (4);
Song Sparrow (7);
White-throated Sparrow (8);
Dark-eyed Junco (18);
N Cardinal (2);
Red-winged Blackbird (21);
C Grackle (22);
Brown-headed Cowbird (11);
House Finch (2);
A Goldfinch (13);
PLUS: before trip: 3 RIVER OTTERS; then: SPRING PEEPERS; Spring Azure (7);;
Mourning Cloak (1);;
Eastern Comma (2);.
(report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).
- 4/3/10 -- Bolton Flats, Bolton
-
Early this afternoon, Kim Allen and I had a Snow Goose with about 75 Canada
Geese. We saw it on the south side of Bolton Flats from
the dirt pulloff that is .4 mile west of the main parking lot on
Route 117. When
we
checked back later, some kayakers had flushed the flock. I think the flock
may hang out there in the middle of the day. So it's worth checking. Check
Kim's blog
The Curious Birder
for pictures and narrative.
(report from Alan Marble).
- 4/2/10 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
-
Turkey Vulture 23 ;
Osprey 2 ;
Cooper's Hawk 1 ;
Red-shouldered Hawk 1 ;
Red-tailed Hawk 1 ;
American Kestrel 1 .
Raptor Observations:
The hawks were very high.
(report from Bart Kamp).
- 4/2/10 -- West Hill Dam, Uxbridge
-
A first-of-season osprey circled over the flooded marsh at West Hill Dam on
Hartford Avenue in Uxbridge around 6:30 this evening. About a
dozen tree swallows also were seen. (report from Beth Milke and Nancy
Demers)
- 4/2/10 -- Wachusett Reservoir, Boylston/Sterling
-
- I went looking for the Red-throated Loon reported from last evening
by Bart Kamp. I finally caught up with it at Mile Hill Road. Shortly it
took to the air and rose to a great height flying in a big circle, before
heading north. There were 2 Common Loons here as well.
- I had a Pine Warbler in the Pine Grove at Gate 37 in Sterling.
(report from Alan Marble).
- 4/1/10 -- Wachusett Reservoir
-
I went to Wachusett Reservoir this evening. The wind was calm and the
water level was probably the highest since the reservoir was built.
At gate 36 there was 1 common loon; at gate 39, 3 buffleheads; from Mile
Hill Road, 4 common mergansers and 1 male red-breasted merganser; from Scar
Hill, 1 red-throated loon, still in winter plumage and to the north of Scar
Hill near Wood Island and Tahonto Point a group of more than 200 ducks
consisting mostly of ring-necked ducks, some goldeneyes and common
mergansers. They were other species but they were too distant to identify.
(report from Bart Kamp).
- 4/1/10 -- Clinton/Sterling
-
- At Coachlace Pond in Clinton this morning, there were a pair of
Lesser Scaup associated with 8 Greater Scaup. There were also 3 Buffleheads
on
the pond
- Scoping the Wachusett Reservoir from Gate 37 in Sterling, I saw 3
Common Loons. Looking across the reservoir I could see the Bald Eagle on
the
nest.
(report from Alan Marble).
For previous sightings, see
March 2010 Archives or
Archive Index
