April 2012 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:
- 4/30/12 -- Sturbridge
- We observed our first ruby-throated hummingbird (1 male)
of the season at our feeder this evening.
(report from Naomi Lacasse).
- 4/30/12 -- Douglas
- My daughter and I spotted our first ruby-throated hummingbird
(male) of the year at our kitchen feeder. (report from Mary Sughrue-Yacino)
- 4/30/12 -- Institute Park, Worcester
- Highlights at noon were 1 Solitary Sandpiper, 1 Killdeer, 1
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, 1 Warbling Vireo, and 2 Yellow-rumped
Warblers. (report from Rick Quimby).
- 4/29/12 -- DCR Kristoff Farm, West Boylston, Sterling Peat and Sterling Rail Trail
(north end)
-
Highlights of the Forbush Bird Club trip were Northern Oriole, Rose-breasted Grosbeak and Spotted Sandpiper.
Here is the
complete trip report.
(report from Jean Holm).
- 4/28/12 -- Sylvester St/Worc Airport
- Here is the
complete trip list for the
Forbush Bird Club trip to Sylvester St/Worc Airport.
(report from Susan LaBree).
- 4/28/12 -- Mt Wachusett, Princeton
-
Nancy Demers and I spent this morning on the lower half of Mt
Wachusett, Princeton. Two or three Winter Wrens sang persistently along
Bicentennial Trail, along with a few Black-and-White Warblers.
Spring Beauty is blooming on the rocky bank along the left side of the Up
Road. We went a short distance on Semuhenna Trail in both directions from
the intersection on the Up Road and heard and saw Black-throated Green
Warblers along both sections. In addition, 2 Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers and a
Blue-headed Vireo were seen along the road, and 4 Turkey Vultures were in
the air. (report from Beth Milke)
- 4/28/12 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
-
- Migrating raptors today:
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture 0 0 0
Turkey Vulture 0 19 29
Osprey 1 38 39
Bald Eagle 0 7 10
Northern Harrier 0 1 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 47 54
Cooper's Hawk 0 15 16
Northern Goshawk 0 3 4
Red-shouldered Hawk 0 0 5
Broad-winged Hawk 15 257 257
Red-tailed Hawk 0 20 52
Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0
Golden Eagle 0 0 0
American Kestrel 0 24 24
Merlin 0 3 4
Peregrine Falcon 0 0 0
Total: 17 440 501
----------------------------------------------------------------------
- Raptor Observations:
Broadwing carrying food
- Non-raptor Observations:
Raven carrying food; 11 doubled-crested cormorants,
(report from Bart Kamp).
- 4/28/12 -- Elm Park, Worcester
- During an early morning visit to the
playground, observed the following migrants: Northern Rough-winged Swallow,
several Yellow-rumped Warblers, and a lingering Dark-eyed Junco.
(report from Lisa Hennin).
- 4/28/12 -- Institute Park, Worcester
- Highilghts at noon were a FOY Hermit Thrush, and FOY female
Red-winged Blackbird. (report from Rick Quimby).
- 4/28/12 -- Mulberry St. and airport, Worcester
- Preliminary highlights from the Forbush Bird Club trip led by
Susan LaBree were:
Wood Ducks, Broad-winged Hawk (perched close, calling), E Meadowlark
(excellent views, singing), A. Kestrel (m), many Yellow-rumped Warblers,
1 Black-and-white Warbler (m, good views), Savannah Sparrow.
(report from Rick Quimby).
- 4/27/12 -- Institute Park, Worcester
- Highilghts at noon under windy and cool conditions were Mute Swan
(2 ad with 6 young in tow); Bufflehead (2m, 2f); E Phoebe (1),
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (1), Warbling Vireo (1 singing). Also of note
was a male Red-winged Blackbird attacking another RWBB -- not surprising
in itself, except that in this case the RWBB being attacked was already
dead on the ground (belly up). I came upon this too late to see
whether the attacking RWBB was the killer, but I suspect that it
was. There are a good number of RWBBs at the pond now, and competition
for territory is fierce. (report from Rick Quimby).
- 4/26/12 -- Mason Park, Holden
- Observed a Wood Thrush plus one singing, and 2
singing Brown Creepers.
(report from Lisa Hennin).
- 4/26/12 -- Broad Meadow Brook Sanctuary, Worcester
-
Highlights from a walk at lunchtime were:
6 Song Sparrows, 1
Rose-breasted Grosbeak, 2 Tree Swallows exchanging courting behavior,
1 turkey vulture, 1
red-tailed hawk, and a female mallard in
the brook with SEVEN very small downy ducklings. Very Cute!
(report from Susan LaBree).
- 4/25/12 -- Bolton Flats, Bolton
-
I went to Bolton Flats Wednesday afternoon. I met Dave Grant there. Most of
the ducks were on the south side of Route 117. Could not find the
Blue-winged Teal previously reported.. Among the ducks there were 39 male
and 3 female Wood Ducks. On the north side of route 117 there were 1 Spotted
Sandpiper, 6 Killdeer, 2 Wilsons Snipe, 8 Greater Yellowlegs and 6 Lesser
Yellowlegs.
(report from Bart Kamp).
- 4/25/12 -- off Salisbury St, Worcester
- This morning while on my morning walk in the
neighborhood observed the following: Eastern Bluebird, House Wren, two
Northern Mockingbirds with beaks locked in aerial display;breeding pair of
Northern Flickers. Our band of Wild Turkey's that hang out in our yard has
shrunk from 25 to 5, mostly adult males. Hens must be on nest somewhere,
but location unknown at this point.
(report from Lisa Hennin).
- 4/25/12 -- Sterling Peat, Sterling
-
At Sterling Peat this morning, there were 2 Spotted Sandpipers, a
Wilson's Snipe and a Killdeer. Not much else.
(report from Alan Marble).
- 4/25/12 -- Curtis Pond, Worcester
- There was a DC Cormorant perched on an
object in the pond. (report from Brian Mulhearn)
- 4/25/12 -- Downey Road, North Brookfield
-
In North Brookfield
I had FOY Brown Thrasher and Common Yellowthroat today. At Orlando's in
Charlton there were 4 Bufflehead and 2 Ruddy Ducks. Also, on 4/23 at Lake
Quaboag there was a breeding plumage Horned Grebe. (report from Rodney
Jenkins)
- 4/24/12 -- Bolton Flats Rt117, Bolton
-
This morning I was hoping to find some shorebirds after the rains we got.
There weren't any.
There were a lot of ducks in the puddles of water in the corn fields. Mostly
Green-winged Teal, Mallards, Wood Ducks, a Common Merganser and Canada
Geese.
I saw at least 5 Blue-winged Teal, maybe more. I saw 4 females and one male.
You will need boots to access this area.
(report from Peter Morlock).
- 4/24/12 -- Institute Park, Worcester
- Highlights at noon were 2 Green-winged Teal (m&f), 1 E Phoebe,
2 Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, 1 Blue-headed Vireo, 1 Yellow-rumped Warbler,
and 1 Brown-headed Cowbird (m). (report from Rick Quimby).
- 4/24/12 -- River Bend Farm, Uxbridge
-
Watched our first-of-year Yellow Warbler sing at River Bend Farm, Uxbridge
(Oak St). It was singing an alternate song similar to that of its close
cousin, Chestnut-sided Warbler--ending with a down note. (report from Beth
& Paul Milke)
- 4/23/12 -- Wachusett Lake, Westminster
-
During a brief stop at Wachusett Lake (Wesminster) this evening (6:40pm) I
was fortunate to see 3 Bonepart's Gulls ("breeding" plumage). Also present
were a pair of Ring-necked Ducks.
(report from Tom Pirro).
- 4/22/12 -- Lake Chauncy, Westboro
-
On this gray and misty day I saw a flock of at least 100 tree swallows
catching bugs. (report from Henry Squillante).
- 4/20/12 -- Olean St, Worcester
- While rock climbing with the kids at the Cascades off
Olean Street, we heard a Louisiana Waterthrush singing. Continuing on the
trail north to Boynton Park, just past the Ampitheater, we had a pair of
Pileated Woodpeckers, one excavating a rotted tree while the male called.
(report from Lisa Hennin).
- 4/20/12 -- Douglas
-
On a return visit to the heron rookery at Wallis Pond marsh in Douglas, a
Broad-winged Hawk circled and gave its piercing call at the Ridge Trail
entrance on Wallis St. There were a couple pockets of yellow-rumps, pine
and palm warblers in greater numbers than we saw last Saturday. Today we
heard the wheezing call of Blue-gray Gnatcatchers and saw several. (report
from Beth Milke & Nancy Demers)
- 4/20/12 -- QCC Campus, Worcester
-
While walking to class early this morning I was surprised to hear the song
of a House Wren in the distance. This is much earlier than I ever remember
them coming back....
(report from Josh Gahagan).
- 4/19/12 -- Westborough Wildlife Management Area, Westborough
-
Two of us were lucky to see a magnificent flight of an American Woodcock at
dusk; the best I've ever seen, nice and low without bins. Also saw and
heard 6 Eastern Towhee's, and 4 Wood Ducks. (report from Joan Gallagher).
- 4/19/12 -- Brookfield
-
This morning I walked along the railroad tracks to the Brookfield marsh with
hopes of early Marsh Wren and Yellowthroat (no luck). I was surprised
however to hear and see a WARBLING VIREO. By far my earliest ever. Other
birds were an American Bittern, 3-4 Virginia Rails and 10 Swamp Sparrows.
(report from Rodney Jenkins)
- 4/19/12 -- Green Briar Recreation Area, Oxford
- There was a Green Heron here at 7am today. (report from Brian Mulhearn)
- 4/18/12 -- Middle Pond, Webster Lake
- Here is a
photo of a Horned Grebe recently photographed
in Middle Pond on Webster Lake by Gail Paradis. The bird was
photographed on 4/9/12
around 4:45 until 5:30. (report from Joan Zumpfe).
- 4/18/12 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
-
- Migrating raptors today:
Turkey Vulture 1 ;
Broad-winged Hawk 76 .
- Raptor Observations:
The only identified hawks recorded as migrating were broad-wings.
- Non-raptor Observations:
8 double-crested cormorants.
(report from Bart Kamp).
- 4/18/12 -- Lake Chauncy, Westboro
-
I spotted the following at Lake Chauncy today:
Yellow Rumped Warblers, Double Crested Cormorant, Blue Bird, Red Tailed Hawk
and Tree Swallows.
(report from Henry Squillante).
- 4/18/12 -- Douglas
- Thanks to Beth Milke's 4/14 post, my husband and I decided to
check out the great blue heron rookery that she saw in Douglas State
Forest. There are now eight active nests at the rookery! A beaver lodge
in the same general area explained the very fresh beaver damage we saw
at another point along this trail.
(report from Sughrue-Yacino).
- 4/18/12 -- Bolton/Lancaster
-
This morning I birded at Bolton Flats and the Pine Hill Rd. "scrubland"
area. I bumped into Alan Marble and Donna Shilling at Bolton Flats and we birded
together at Pine Hill. Hilights:
- Bolton Flats (9:20- 10:20): very dry...no shorebirds, and waterfowl were confinded to "pond
areas", which are obscurred. There were
Mute Swan 1 (seen from rte 117 and it appeared to be "on nest");
Green-winged Teal 2;
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1;
Red-tailed Hawk 6 or 7;
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1 (at the rte 117 parking area);
Tree Swallow ~25;
Chimney Swift 5;
Savanaha Sparrow ~20;
Song SParrow 10;
Swamp Sparrow 5.
- Pine Hill Road (10:30 to 12ish) :
Osprey 1;
Broad-winged Hawk 1;
Ruffed Grouse 1;
Field Sparrow 3 or 4;
Vesper Sparrow 3 singing males.
We listened "hard" for Grasshopper Sparrow but heard NONE, though the date
is early.
All the above appear to be ontime, but perhaps the C. Swifts are a shade
early.
- At home (Westminster) this afternoon is a calling Eastern Towhee and Carolina Wren.
(report from Tom Pirro).
- 4/18/12 -- Institute Park, Worcester
- Highlights today at noon was a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, calling
continually from the treetops. (report from Rick Quimby).
- 4/17/12 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
-
- Migrating raptors today:
Turkey Vulture 5 ;
Osprey 1 ;
Sharp-shinned Hawk 3 ;
Broad-winged Hawk 61 ;
Red-tailed Hawk 1 ;
American Kestrel 1 .
- Raptor Observations:
2 Broad-wings calling and displaying
(report from Bart Kamp).
- 4/16/12 -- Barre/Uxbridge/Douglas/Sutton
-
- Usbridge: two male Eastern Towhees were seen at the Legg property off
West River Rd in Uxbridge. This conservation parcel abuts the Blackstone
River, where there were two Belted Kingfishers. A Kestrel and a silent
Brown Thrasher were seen along Oakhurst St in Sutton; an Osprey spotted on a
cell tower to the north flew over the area.
- At Wallum Lake, Douglas: two Winter Wrens were trying to outsing each other.
Blue-headed Vireos and Pine Warblers also were singing.
- Yesterday (4/15): A Blue-headed Vireo was heard and then seen on a side trail
from Coldbrook
Rd, Barre. Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers also were heard and seen
in the area, including the very nice section of the Mid-state Trail that
merges with Coldbrook Rd just below Parker Cemetery.
(report from Beth Milke)
- 4/16/12 -- West Boylston
- Today around 6:30 pm I had a pair of yellow bellied sapsuckers in my front
yard. (report from Jean Holm).
- 4/15/12 -- Ware River IBA, Rutland
-
A brief visit to the Rutland State Park section of the WARE RIVER IBA this
morning featured the following:
Great Blue Heron (2);
Canada Goose (3);
Mallard (1);
Red-tailed Hawk (1);
A Kestrel (1);
Wild Turkey (2);
Mourning Dove (7);
Red-bellied Woodpecker (1);
Hairy Woodpecker (3);
N Flicker (3);
Pileated Woodpecker (1);
E Phoebe (5);
Blue-headed Vireo (2);
Blue Jay (7);
A Crow (1);
Tree Swallow (18);
Black-capped Chickadee (19);
Tufted Titmouse (6);
Red-breasted Nuthatch (3);
White-breasted Nuthatch (2);
Brown Creeper (12);
Ruby-crowned Kinglet (2);
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (1);
Hermit Thrush (14);
A Robin (18);
Yellow-rumped Warbler (9);
Pine Warbler (33);
Palm Warbler (7: all ?yellow?);
Chipping Sparrow (4);
Song Sparrow (11);
Swamp Sparrow (23);
White-throated Sparrow (6);
Dark-eyed Junco (9);
N Cardinal (3);
Red-winged Blackbird (65+);
C Grackle (30+);
Brown-headed Cowbird (12);
A Goldfinch (14).
(report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).
- 4/15/12 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
-
- Migrating raptors today:
Turkey Vulture 1 ;
Osprey 2 ;
Bald Eagle 1 ;
Northern Harrier 1 ;
Sharp-shinned Hawk 3 ;
Cooper's Hawk 2 ;
Northern Goshawk 1 ;
Broad-winged Hawk 43 ;
Red-tailed Hawk 2 ;
Merlin 1 .
- Raptor Observations:
First Northern Harrier of the season
- Non-raptor Observations:
4 Double-crested Cormorants
(report from Bart Kamp).
- 4/15/12 -- downtown Worcester
- There was a Peregrine Falcon on the steeple of a large church today,
across from the Worcester Public Library, near the common. It briefly landed on
the
Peoples Bank sign. It did not appear to be banded. (report from Julie Hebert).
- 4/15/12 -- Mount Wachusett, Princeton
- While starting our Mount Wachusett climb along the Bicentennial
Trail, we saw and heard a winter wren singing its beautiful song. We also
got great looks at a pair of yellow-bellied sapsuckers, just after we turned
onto the Loop Trail. Later in the hike, we heard another winter wren
singing.
(report from Mary Sughrue-Yacino).
- 4/14/12 -- Grafton
-
My wife and I had the pleasure of recording 6 different species of
woodpeckers from our house before breakfast this morning. We regularly
get Red-bellied, Downy, and Hairy at our feeders, and this morning was no
exception. When I went out to get our newspaper, a Pileated was calling
from across the street, and it flew over our house shortly thereafter. At
that point, I said to myself, "wouldn't it be cool if we recorded a sweep
of the regular Massachusetts woodpeckers?" I couldn't believe it, but in
less than a minute, I heard the tapping of a Sapsucker over my head.
Then, to top it all off, a few minutes later I had a Flicker calling
nearby.
Not a bad morning!
(report from John Liller).
- 4/14/12 -- Douglas State Forest, Douglas
-
It felt good to celebrate "opening day" of spring birding with some warblers
in Douglas State Forest. Nancy Demers and I started at Ridge Trail off
Wallis Street in Douglas and took the first trail to the right, which skirts
the marshy southern edge of Wallis Pond and loops back. A Wood Duck pair
and two pairs of Ring-necked Ducks were on the water, and a Canada Goose was
on its nest. A short side path took us to another section of marsh, a Lost
World where Great Blue Herons were coming and going to five active nests.
The loop trail then passes a section of young hemlock trees, where there
were yellow-rumps, Palm, and Pine Warblers--several of each species. On
this walk we also saw a few E. Phoebes and the usual woodland birds:
chickadees, tufted titmouses, and a white-breasted nuthatch. (report from
Beth Milke)
- 4/14/12 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
-
- Migrating raptors today:
Turkey Vulture 2 ;
Sharp-shinned Hawk 2 ;
Broad-winged Hawk 4 ;
Red-tailed Hawk 2 ;
American Kestrel 2 .
(report from Bart Kamp).
- 4/13/12 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
-
- Migrating raptors today:
Turkey Vulture 1 ;
Osprey 11 ;
Sharp-shinned Hawk 3 ;
Cooper's Hawk 3 ;
Northern Goshawk 1 ;
Broad-winged Hawk 32 ;
Red-tailed Hawk 4 ;
American Kestrel 8 .
- Raptor Observations:
The hawks were very high before 11AM EDT. Many would not have been seen
without the clouds.
- Non-raptor Observations:
First Purple Finch of the season; Sulphur species and Mourning Cloak
Butterflies.
(report from Bart Kamp).
- 4/13/12 -- River Road, West Boylston
-
There was a Spotted Sandpiper flying around the rocks at the mouth of
the Quinapoxet River this evening. (report from Kevin Bourinot).
- 4/12/12 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
-
- Migrating raptors today:
Turkey Vulture 1 ;
Osprey 2 ;
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 ;
Cooper's Hawk 1 ;
Broad-winged Hawk 17 ;
Red-tailed Hawk 1 ;
American Kestrel 1 .
- Raptor Observations:
Hawks were migrating between showers, first BW kettle of the season.
- Non-raptor Observations:
Common Raven carrying food to the nest. 2 Chipping Sparrows.
(report from Bart Kamp).
- 4/12/12 -- Lyndebrook Reservoir, Leicester
- There were 2 pairs of Red-breasted Mergansers, migrants. A male
Kestrel flew by also. (report from Brian Mulhearn)
- 4/10/12 -- Northbridge/Grafton/Westboro
-
- Today while Paul and I were watching a sub-adult Bald Eagle perched
along the Blackstone River in Northbridge, a Double-crested Cormorant flew
in to swim in the rising water at Riverdale Pond.
- There were 3 Great Blue Herons hunkered down on the 3 nests at St Philips
Cemetery on Millbury St, Grafton, and 3 additional herons on snags or in the
marsh below. A pair of Wood Ducks and a pair of Hooded Mergansers swam
silently through the sticks and stumps. The Mute Swan was on her nest.
Also noted: Red-winged Blackbirds, Grackles and Tree Swallows, a
Yellow-shafted Flicker and a Song Sparrow.
- Two Ospreys were at the power pole nest on Nelson Pond, Grafton. A Great
Blue Heron was in a nest along the edge of the pond. A stop a bit farther
along Rte 30 at Parmenter Ave, a dirt "road" (generous description), yielded
a small assortment of ducks: a few Ring-necks, a Hooded Merganser pair, and
a Wood Duck Pair, along with 10 Canada Geese.
- SUASCO in Westboro had another 2 ospreys, a Great Blue Heron, a Mallard, and waaay too
many Mute Swans (40-plus).
(report from Beth Milke).
- 4/10/12 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
-
- Migrating raptors today:
Osprey 3 ;
Bald Eagle 1 ;
Sharp-shinned Hawk 7 ;
Cooper's Hawk 3 ;
Broad-winged Hawk 2 ;
Red-tailed Hawk 5 ;
American Kestrel 2 ;
Merlin 2 .
- Raptor Observations:
First-of-the season Broadwinged Hawks.
- Non-raptor Observations:
Yellow-rumped and Pine Warblers, singing Brown Creeper.
(report from Bart Kamp).
- 4/9/12 -- Worcester
- On 4/8 there was a Fox Sparrow in my yard. Today, Chipping Sparrows
appeared for the first time this season, and there was a second year Wild
Turkey.
There was a noticeable increase in juncos: 20-30.
A red fox, female I assume, who has visited my yard on several days missed
again in her attempt to catch a squirrel.
(report from Bart Kamp).
- 4/8/12 -- RT 56 Worcester Airport
-
There was a female American Kestrel seen perched on the various posts along
the roadway next to the field during the morning and afternoon hours. I've
seen a female here for the past three days straight, so I wonder if its the
same bird. Tried to get a few photos from my car but she will not let me
poke my head out without taking off.
(report from Josh Gahagan).
- 4/8/12 -- Grafton
-
My wife and I had a male Kestrel this morning near Fisherville Pond in
Grafton. (report from John Liller).
- 4/8/12 -- Westford
-
Today we spotted a bald eagle flying over Beaver Brook in
Westford. (report from Jeff Seifert)
- 4/7/12 -- Worcester airport/Holden
-
- Nancy Demers and I saw three A. Kestrels today at Worcester Airport: 1
hovering and perching on runway lights seen from the rental car parking lot
near the runways; 1 male perched on the fence and hunting seen from Mulberry
St; 1 female seen from Rte 56. Also, 15 Common Mergansers, mostly drakes, on
Kettle Brook Reservoir #2 seen from Manville St.
- On the way to Eagle Lake Audubon Sanctuary on Causeway St, Holden, there
were several Common Mergansers on Stump Pond. At the Sanctuary we saw a
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, which called and hammered its distinctive rhythm.
A Purple Finch was singing there, also. Later, the Sanctuary will be full
of birdsong--especially Veeries and Black-throated Blue Warblers--and
blossoming Mountain Laurel.
(report from Beth Milke)
- 4/6/12 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
- Migrating raptors today:
Turkey Vulture 1 ;
Osprey 7 ;
Bald Eagle 4 ;
Sharp-shinned Hawk 12 ;
Cooper's Hawk 1 ;
Northern Goshawk 1 ;
American Kestrel 2 .
(report from Bart Kamp).
- 4/5/12 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
- Migrating raptors today:
Turkey Vulture 4 ;
Osprey 7 ;
Sharp-shinned Hawk 6 ;
Cooper's Hawk 3 ;
Red-tailed Hawk 2 ;
American Kestrel 5 .
Non-raptor Observations:
1 Great Cormorant
(report from Bart Kamp).
- 4/5/12 -- Institute Park, Worcester
- Highlights at noon were 1 Black-crowned Night-Heron (ad), 2 Mute
Swan, 1 E Phoebe, 1 Pine Warbler, 3 Song Sparrows, and 3 Dark-eyed
Juncos. (report from Rick Quimby).
- 4/4/12 -- Trout Brook Reservation, Holden
- On a beautiful spring morning, I revisited some of the areas from
the Breeding Bird Atlas. An early morning walk at Trout Brook Reservation
off Manning Street in Holden yielded the following highlights:
Hairy Woodpecker (2), Eastern Phoebe*(6), Eastern Bluebird(1),
Dark-eyed
Junco(3), Brown Creeper** (5),
Red-breasted Nuthatch*** (1), Ruby-Crowned Kinglet (1), Pine Warbler(1).
* There were 3 Eastern Phoebes flying and displaying around the various
structures next to the trout pond
**All the Brown Creepers were singing males, fairly widespread about the
area where I was hiking.
***When I first heard this RB Nut calling in the distance, it was so
forceful and emphatic I thought I was hearing a weird electronic device such
as a phone or pager. I saw the bird fly in where it continued its call.
Also seen in the vicinity were 2 American Kestrels (kestreling) and male Ruby
Crowned Kinglet singing its heart out.
(report from Lisa Hennin ).
- 4/4/12 -- Royalston
- There was an Eastern Bluebird at the head if the common by the post office, around 4pm.
Absolutely stunning! (report from Lynn Anair).
- 4/4/12 -- The Brookfields and Charlton
-
Today at Quaboag Pond I counted 24 Buffleheads in one raft. At Orlando's
Pond the Ruddy Ducks that have been hanging around there for months were
still there. I counted 8, but there could be more in the back. Of the
hundreds of gulls that were hanging around there I found only one Greater
Black-backed. While canvassing Slab City Road, I spotted a Male Harrier
hunting the marsh.
(report from Peter Morlock).
- 4/4/12 -- Grafton St, Worcester
- I
had a FOY Chipping Sparrow under my feeders around noon today.
(report from Scott Ricker).
- 4/3/12 -- Queen Lake, Phillipston
-
I flushed a flock of six or so turkeys on the west side of Queen Lake and
watched them glide/fly across the lake to the east side. Google Earth
measured out about 1700 foot distance. That's the farthest I have ever seen a
turkey fly. The west side has an elevation rise above the lake of about a
hundred feet, They launched off that and went right across. The east side is
just above the lake level.
(report from Matt Pearson).
- 4/2/12 -- Royalston
-
2 male and 2 female evening grosbeaks were in the center of town on Sunday 4/1,
and a pair of Common Mergansers have been regularly seen on the Miller's
River in South Royalston, including today.
(report from Carl Kamp).
- 4/2/12 -- Bullard Road, Princeton
-
Two pied-billed grebes were seen on 30 March and again on 2 April in the
small pond on the eastern side of Bullard Road in Princeton. Bullard Road
is north of Route 140 just west of the Thomas Prince School.
(report from Larry Pistrang).
- 4/2/12 -- Bolton Flats, Bolton
-
Some highlights from the northern side of Rt 117 this morning at Bolton
Flats: a pair of Northern Shovelers, one GLOSSY IBIS, a nice Northern
Harrier
(adult male gray ghost), American Kestrel, 2 Virginia Rail, 2 American
Coot,1 Lesser Yellowlegs and 2 Swamp Sparrows.
(report from Alan Marble).
- 4/2/12 -- Uxbridge
-
A Chipping Sparrow is at the platform seed feeder today. Thought I'd heard one or
two Chippers the past few days, but I'm always a bit fuzzy on these early in
the season [Pine? No, Chipping Sparrow. No wait, it's a Pine. Could be a
Chipper, though.]
(report from Beth Milke)
- 4/1/12 -- Bolton Flats
-
Highlights of the Forbush Bird Club trip were: 2 N. Shovelers, 2 N.
Pintail, 1 Peregrine Falcon, 1 Lesser Yellowlegs, 68 Snipe and 4 Pine
Warblers.
Here is the
complete trip list.
(report from John Shea, fide Jean Holm).
- 4/1/12 -- Worcester airport
-
I went to the Terminal side of the Airport mid-day and had 1
Eastern Meadowlark and 1 Sharp-shinned Hawk.
(report from Susan LaBree).
For previous sightings, see
March 2012 Archives or
Archive Index