August 2002 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.

8/31/02 -- Rt.56 overlook of Worcester Airport
Very few nighthawks tonite, understandable because of the chilly weather. Still, there's always SOMETHING to look at from this site: Double-crested Comrorant (4 local birds and 1 flock of (55) heading high and SW); Turkey Vulture (3); Broad-winged Hawk (1ad); Red-tailed Hawk (2); A. Kestrel (2); Killdeer (3); Common Nighthawk (3 flying low feeding and one swarm of (26) that headed high and south); Pileated Woodpecker (1f: just we were about to leave, Sheila spotted this bird flying high across our whole field of vision making for quite a spectacular sight); E. Meadowlark (1). (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

8/31/02 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
Hawks migrating Saturday at Barre Falls between 11:30 and 4:00 were 2 Osprey, 1 male Northern Harrier, 4 Sharp-shinned Hawks and 2 American Kestrels. (report from Bart Kamp).

8/30/02 -- RT. 56 Leicester
We watched for nighthawks tonite from 5PM till 7PM from the Rt. 56 overlook of the Worcester Airport. It was a poor movement night and only (71) were counted. Most were moving SW but agroup of (19) close were heading fast and low to the NE as if to feed over the Kettlebrook Reservoirs in Paxton. Other birds seen from this vantage point included: Double-crested Cormorant (4 heading north); Canada Goose (24 on the runway); Turkey Vulture (7); Osprey (1); Sharp-shinned Hawk (1); A. Kestrel (2); Wild Turkey (5ad+5yng); Tree Swallow (2: geting scarce inland); Barn Swallow (11); Bobolink (7); Red-winged Blackbird (flock of 28). (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

8/30/02 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
I hawk watched from 12:45 to 3:00 at Barre Falls today. Migrating: 2 Osprey and 3 Common Nighthawks ( at 2:30 PM). Not migrating: 1 Sharp-shinned hawk, 2 Cooper's Hawks, 2 Broadwinged Hawks, 2 Red-tailed Hawks and 1 Turkey Vulture. (report from Bart Kamp).

8/28/02 -- Harvard/Bolton
There were 182 Killdeer on the 'QUAD" at Devens. There was 1 Osprey migrant moving SW from Fruitlands in Harvard...still able to tease some lift from the Sky at 6:20Pm.
At Bolton Flats: C. Nighthawk 42; Barn Swallow ~100; Am. Woodcock 2; G Horned Owl 2 calling; Am. Robin 2500+ coming to roost on the flats. (report from Tom Pirro).

8/27/02 -- Graves Landing-Quabbin Reservoir
Donna Schilling and I walked to Graves Landing at Quabbin Reservoir today. Birds seen by us and birders that we met were 9 Common Mergansers, 2 Semi-palmated Plovers, 10-15 Killdeer, 5-10 Greater Yellowlegs, 5-10 Lesser yellowlegs, 1 Pectoral Sandpiper, 5 White-rumped Sandpipers, 11 Baird's Sandpipers, 5-10 Least Sandpipers, 10-15 Short-billed Dowitchers and 1 Semi-palmated Sandpiper. (report from Bart Kamp).

8/27/02 -- Leesville Pond, Worcester
There was a Black-Crowned Night Heron actively foraging in the sunshine at noon time between the peninsula and small island.
Also, on the Midstate Trail in Spencer tonight at one of the small ponds, we noticed a few Nighthawks overhead. They were flying all over the pond eating the insects, and after a few minutes most had flown on. There were at least 200+. (report from Brian Mulhearn)

8/26/02 -- High Ridge WMA, Westminster
I stood watch again near the model airplane airport at High Ridge WMA in Westminster....the key here was nighthawk (singular) watch....as only 1 was seen between 6 and 7:45pm. (report from Tom Pirro).

8/26/02 -- Ramshorn Pond, Millbury
We had 266 Common Nighthawks fly over Ramshorn Pond. Most were feeding as they traveled south. (report from Dan/ Deb Berard).

8/25/02 -- Lookout Rock , Northbridge
Pat and I covered Lookout Rock in Northbridge on Sunday, August 25, 2002 from 5:28 PM to 7:17 PM. During that time we saw a total of 701 nighthawks. We set up on the southerly side of the rock so we were looking south down the valley. Views were excellent to the south and southwest and somewhat limited to the southeast (Wolfe Hill). There were no views to the east and northeast and the west and northwest were obliterated by the sun. There are views looking north but with other visitors (more on them later) and only two of us we concentrated our watching to the south.
The first nighthawks appeared at 5:45 and between that time and 6:20 we observed 529 birds. All were heading across the valley from west to east. The majority appeared from behind Goat Hill (south of Goat Hill) crossed the River and disappeared behind Wolfe Hill. A few came over Goat Hill or on the north side of the hill, across the valley and past Wolfe Hill. All flights were direct with little if any feeding behavior. Birds came across in waves every 2 minutes or so with the largest group totalling 84 individuals.
At 6:21 a group of 10 stopped to feed over Rice City Pond before continuing east. Between 6:21 and 6:36 a total of 62 birds were seen. They continued west to east in waves every 2 minutes but the groups were much smaller from 1 to 21 birds in each wave.
At 6:41 the first nighthawks from the north flew by in a group of 7. They headed south past Lookout Rock toward Rice City Pond in a very eratic flight that would indicate feeding. They hawked insects over Rice City then exited to the east north of Wolfe Hill. Between 6:41 and 6:57 we saw 52 birds, many following this same pattern of coming from the north feeding over the marshes and river then exiting toward the east.
Between 7:00 and 7:17 the net easterly movement of birds had ceased. Instead, we saw 58 nighthawks feeding over the valley. Most were concentrated at the top of Wolfe Hill, some were lower over Rice City Pond and a group of 5 put on a show for us just off Lookout Rock. These are probably the best looks I have ever had of nighthawks as they came very close to the rock and continued making loops through the area for nearly 20 minutes. The last "new" birds to join the feast were observed at 7:06.
After leaving the Lookout Rock parking lot at 7:30 we saw numerous nighthawks feeding as we drove past Rice City Pond and the canal area. Large numbers of birds were present as far west as the intersection of Hartford Ave and Linwood Street. Further west of here there were no nighthawks seen. It would appear that, at least on this evening, their feeding was concentrated to the area immediately surrounding the main stem of the Blackstone from just above the river and marshes to the top of Wolfe Hill. (report from Phil Guerin, fide Mark Lynch)

8/25/02 -- Millbury
I was a cookout at the corner of Railroad Ave. and Gover Rd. in Millbury. We had 25 going west to east between 6:00 and 6:30 (report from Kevin Murphy, fide Mark Lynch).

8/25/02 -- Waters Farm,Sutton
We had a total of 219 Common Nighthawks after a 2 1/2 hours watch. Other birds of interest included Eastern Screech Owl [1], Ruby-throated Hummingbird [3], Eastern Kingbird [5],Eastern Bluebirds [8], and Baltimore Oriole [2]. (report from Dan & Deb Berard).

8/25/02 -- Asnebumskit Hill, Holden/Paxton
At the beaver swamp there were dozens of Cedar Waxwings flying around and flycatching. There was a Pileated Woodpecker calling and drumming. Also there was a Great-Crested Flycatcher, an American Kestrel, an Eastern Phoebe, and a Grackle. At the summit we saw 4 Broad-Winged Hawks circling and rising on the thermals and heading south. Also 1 Red-tailed hawk, 1 Turkey Vulture, and during our walk we had Chimney Swifts flying over us continuously, there were lots of them. (report from Brian Mulhearn)

8/25/02 -- Daniel's Farm, Blackstone
Tonite my class conducted a nighthawk count at Daniel's Farm in NW Blackstone MA. This wonderful property is a small farm high atop a hill and is managed by the Metacomet Land Trust. The area is not open to the public yet, but Mass Audubon has been conducting faunal and plant surveys there this year. Birds seen tonite, sitting in just two spots, some in chairs, between 4:50PM and 7:15PM were: Double-crested Cormorant (1 heading south); Mute Swan (5 heading south); Turkey Vulture (1); A. Kestrel (1); Herring Gull (11: heading south); COMMON NIGHTHAWK (1181!!!. These birds' movements were complex. Some were close, even right overhead. Most groups moved around the hill NW, some around the hill SW. One large flock was seen kettling overhead and rose into a large cumulous cloud and disappeared like some Broad-wings. There is little doubt this is a major spot to count this species); Chimney Swift (19); Red-bellied Woodpecker (2); Downy Woodpecker (2); N. Flicker (5); E. Wood Peewee (5); E. Phoebe (2); E. Kingbird (19: migrating up and over); Tree Swallow (1); Barn Swallow (11 migrating); Common Raven (3 seen closley: they bred across the street here this year); Carolina Wren (4); Eastern Bluebird (3); Cedar Waxwing (10); Chipping Sparow (2); Field Sparrow (2); C. Grackle (265); ORCHARD ORIOLE (1: late); Baltimore Oriole (15 migrating). PLUS: (1) Black Swallowtail; (1) Tiger Swallowtail (1) Monarch. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

8/25/02 -- Kettlebrook Reservoir#4, Paxton
We surveyed small Kettlebrook Reservoir#4 (with the requisite PERMIT necessary) this morning. The weather seemed better suited for the end of September than the end of August and was quite cool and breezy. Mist was coming off the water and it was a bit chilly, sweater weather. Landbirds were in short supply. Great Blue Heron (1); Canada Goose (11); Red-tailed Hawk (2); Killdeer (16); Spotted Sandpiper (2); Least Sandpiper (1); Mourning Dove (4); Ruby-throated Hummingbird (2); Chimney Swift (1); E. Wood Peewee (7); "empid sp." (1 that looked like a Least); E. Phoebe (1); Tree Swallow (3); Barn Swallow (16); Blue Jay (6); A. Crow (6); COMMON RAVEN (2 flying along the shore and calling. After we were done, we had a raven flying north along Rt. 56 in Leicester. Folks should watch for this species now around the airport); Black-capped Chickadee (29); Tufted Titmouse (2); White-breasted Nuhatch (3); Hermit Thrush (3); Gray Catbird (5); Cedar Waxwing (9: many flycatching); Red-eyed Vireo (4); Yellow Warbler (1); Yellow-rumped Warbler (5); Black-throated Green Warbler (1); Pine Warbler (3); Black and White warbler (3); C. Yellowthroat (6); Scarlet Tanager (1); Song Sparrow (2); N. Cardinal (1); Bobolink (1 overhead); C. Grackle (55); A. Goldfinch (1).
Blooms included Spotted Joe-Pye Weed, asters and goldenrod: typical end of summer fare. Lots of meadowhawks about and (4) C. Ringlets.
After, behind Worcester Airport, we had some raptors: Cooper's hawk (2 imm, one was catching something on the road, flopping all over) Red-tailed Hawk (1); Broad-winged Hawk (1 imm); A. Kestrel (3); E. Bluebird (2); Bobolink (3). (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

8/24/02 -- Quinapoxet Reservoir, Holden
Sheila and I did a pretty complete survey of Quinapoxet Reservoir this morning between 6AM and 10AM+. Landbirds were tough to come by because of the time of the year and the fact that it was overcast with some drizzle. Shorebirds were in several locations, but the greatest number at the extreme north end. Though the water level is low, it is still not as low as when the largest numbers of shorebirds have been there. Though lots of rocky islets are showing, the muddy edges are still local. REMINDER: all Worcester Reservoirs are OFF LIMITS without a permit. Again, since 9/11, security is tight. Double-crested Cormorant (2); Great Blue Heron (13: mostly year birds); Great Egret (minimally 3); Canada Goose (12: one flock); Mallard (8); COMMON MERGANSER (1imm); HOODED MERGANSER (2imm); Sharp-shinned Hawk (3 imm. together harassing crows); Wild Turkey (10: 5ad+5yng); Killdeer (41); Semipalmated Plover (4); Greater Yellowlegs (8); Lesser Yellowlegs (5); Solitary Sandpiper (1); Spotted Sandpiper (5); Least Sandpiper (82); Semipalmated Sandpiper (7); BAIRD'S SANDPIPER (1 juv); Ring-billed Gull (8); Mourning Dove (4); Belted Kingfisher (2); Downy Woodpecker (7); Hairy Woodpecker (1); E. Wood Peewee (15: most still calling); E. Phoebe (7); Tree Swallow (6); Barn Swallow (26); Blue Jay (12); A. Crow (13); Black-capped Chickadee (71); Tufted Titmouse (8); Red-breasted Nuthatch (2); White-breasted Nuthatch (13); House Wren (1); Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (1); Hermit Thrush (3); A. Robin (6); Gray Catbird (3); Cedar Waxwing (22); Red-eyed Vireo (5: 2 still singing); Yellow-rumped Warbler (5); Pine Warbler (1); Black-throated Green Warbler (2); C. Yellowthroat (1); Scarlet Tanager (1); Song Sparrow (2); Rose-breasted Grosbeak (1); Indigo Bunting (2); Purple Finch (1); A. Goldfinch (12). PLUS: the only flowers still out are several late summer asters. Odes were predominantly thousands of meadowfly species that were everywhere. Verts included (1) Wood Frog; (2) White-tailed Deer and (1) extremely recently killed Star-nosed Mole. The latter is my most "hard-luck" state mammal. Though I have seen hundreds DEAD, I have yet to find one alive! (report from Mark Lynch).

8/24/02 -- Woonsocket Reservoir
This evening, attempting to spot nighthawks anywhere in the RI section of the Blackstone National Corridor, we hit Woonsocket Reservoir at 5PM and watched till 5:45. NO nighthawks (bad weather) but we did have : Double-crested Cormorant (2); Great Blue Heron (2); Great Egret (1); Killdeer (9); Lesser Yellowlegs (1); Least Sandpiper (7); Semipalmated Sandpiper (2); Pectoral Sandpiper (2).
The overcast and showery weather continued, so we headed to the nearby Lincoln Mall where last year we had some good numbers of nighthawks. This time: NO nighthawks. Finally we hit the nearby Lincoln Airport where we had (1) Common Nighthawk heading west, little else of interest except a flock of 8 Eastern Kingbirds flying north. (report from Mark Lynch).

8/23/02 -- High Ridge WMA, Westminster
I stood watch for nighthawks Friday evening near the model airplane "strip" in the Westminster section of High Ridge from 6 to 8PM and tallied 182 migrant Nighthawks, most of which were rather distant birds fairly low on the horizon and moving to the South-South west. Also seen was a Ruby-throated Hummingbird harrassing an Eastern Kingbird. (report from Tom Pirro).

8/23/02 -- Buck Hill, Burrillville RI
This evening, in our never ending quest of looking for nighthawks in the Blackstone National Corridor, we hiked in Buck Hill WMA in the extreme NW corner of RI, on the corner of MA and Conn. At 5:15PM as we pulled in the parking lot, a flock of (6) COMMON NIGHTHAWKS flew low over heading SSW. Those were to be the only ones we saw all evening despite searching in other locations in northern Burrillville. Other birds seen at Buck Hill in the short walk to the pond included: Cooper's Hawk (1 imm that had caught something on the side of the road); Least Sandpiper (2 calling as they flew overhead); Barred Owl (1); "empid sp" (2 Traill's types); E. Wood Peewee (3); E. Phoebe (8); Great Crested Flycatcher (3); E. Kingbird (1); Red-eyed Vireo (3); Black and White warbler (3); A. Redstart (1); C. Yellowthroat (1); Scarlet Tanager (1); Baltimore Oriole (4). Elsewhere in Burrillville we came across a flock of 11 orioles moving through the trees. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

8/22/02 -- Leesville Pond, Worcester
Bev and I were birding the Swedish Cemetery after dinner on Aug 22 when we saw a Black-crown Night Heron perched on a branch of a dead tree that had fallen into Leesville Pond. The first photo shows the heron in the usual bird-guide stance. Its legs have been stained green by the duck weed that covers most of the pond's surface. A few seconds after I took this photo the heron spied something tasty in the water and whirled around into a hunting pose. The rapid motion raised its white plume above its head in the way an Indian brave might have worn a feathered head band. I was able to capture this interesting sight in the second photo (photos by Bob Ricci).

8/22/02 -- Blackstone Corridor
Sheila and I headed down to Cumberland RI tonite to look for nighthawks, but the weather was anything but promising with rain and some wind. At the Manville crossing of the Blackstone River we had (2) nighthawks and c.70 swifts. At the Arnold's Mills Reservoirs we had (3) nighthawks as well as: Double-crested Cormorant (2); Great Blue Heron (1); Great Egret (7); Blue-winged Teal (2); Killdeer (16); Greater Yellowlegs (18); Lesser Yellowlegs (7); Semipalmated Sandpiper (7); Least Sandpiper (10); Friday and Saturday nights look good for more nighthawkwatching. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

8/22/02 -- Sterling Peat, Sterling
On a before work check of Sterling Peat I found 3 Greater Yellowlegs, 3 Lesser Yellowlegs, 7 Least Sandpipers, 5 Killdeer, 5 Great Blue Heron, 1 Pied-billed Grebe and a gorgeous Coyote walking the back edge of the mudflats. (report from Peter Morlock).

8/22/02 -- Leesville Pond, Worcester
There were 3 Great Blue Herons, 6 Cedar Waxwings, 16 Canadian Geese, many Mallards and Wood-ducks. 2 Mute Swans, 5 DC Cormorants, including an individual standing on a fallen tree over the water with a Green Heron standing 5 feet behind on the same limb. The Cormorant was banded, with a yellow band on it's left leg, a thinner white band on it's right leg. It would be interesting if anyone could figure out where and when this Cormorant was banded. Also today, at the beaver swamp next to the Mid-state Trail in Spencer, far behind the Spencer Country Inn, the Great Egret I saw 2 days ago was still there. (report from Brian Mulhearn)

8/21/02 -- Hope Cemetery, Worcester
On our way to Paul Robert's excellant hawk ID presentation, we stopped at Hope Cemetary to see if any Nighthawks were flying. We counted 150+ in 10 minutes starting at 6:20pm. They seemed to be coming from the south, flying low over our vantage point and then heading towards downtown Worcester. (report from Barbara and Rick Walker).

8/21/02 -- Worcester Airport, Worcester
An evening nighthawk count from the Worcester Airport overlook on Rt. 56 had the following between 6:45PM and 7:45PM: Canada Goose (23 on runway); Wild Turkey (4ad+5yng); Killdeer (2); COMMON NIGHTHAWK (144 all heading SSW, except for one bird heading NNE. They were not swarming and were moving in earnest. Our last groups was seen passing right in front of the rising full moon: just spectacular.); Tree Swallow (1); Barn Swallow (7); Bobolink (80: most landing to roost overnight in the fields in front of us); Also: (1) Eastern Coyote on the runway. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

8/21/02 -- High Ridge WMA, Gardner
423 migrant Common Nighthawks were tallied between 6 and 8pm from the Westminster side of High Ridge WMA near the model airplane "air strip". Most passed between 6 and 6:30 so perhaps an earlier start would've yielded more as birds were passing as I pulled in. No flying ants were observed and the Nighthawks continued heading south west with little swarming. (report from Tom Pirro).

8/20/02 -- High ridge WMA, Gardner
Hiltes among 40 species present at the High Ridge WMA this evening : Great Blue Heron 1; Green Heron 1; Am. Bittern 1; Lesser Yellowlegs 6; Solitary Sandpiper 3; Least Sandpiper 2; Great Horned Owl 2 heard only; Yellow-rumped Warbler 1; Rose-breasted Grosbeak 1; Scalet tanager 1; Purple Finch 5-10. (report from Tom Pirro).

8/20/02 -- off Salisbury Street, Worcester
This evening just before bed, an (the?) Eastern Screech Owl was calling away outside our windows. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

8/20/02 -- Mid-State Trail, Spencer
Today at the Massachusetts Audobon Sanctuary located far behind the Spencer Country Inn and next to the Mid-State Trail, in the marshes, ponds, and woods, there were 1 Great Egret, 1 Great Blue Heron, 1 Belted Kingfisher, 12 Wood Ducks, 14 Wild Turkeys, and 1 Pileated Woodpecker. (report from Brian Mulhearn).

8/20/02 -- Gate 40 Quabbin Reservoir, Petersham
From Gate 40 to Dana Common and on to Graves Landing Highlights there were: 3 black-bellied plovers, 4 semipalmated plovers, 12 killdeer, 4 greater yellowlegs, 4 lesser yellowlegs, 1 spotted sandpiper, 1 semipalmated sandpiper, 15 least sandpipers, 1 white-rumped sandpiper, 1 pileated woodpecker, 3 red-eyed vireos, 12 cedar waxwings, 2 yellow-rumped warblers, 1 black and white warbler, 1 common yellowthroat, 1 scarlet tanager, (report from Richard Spedding , Bart Kamp and Donna Schilling).

8/20/02 -- West Boylston
From a residential street in the center of West Boylston about 7:30 pm there were 2 COMMON NIGHTHAWKS working their way south. This observation was from a casual glance skyward, not an extended watch. (report from Rick Quimby).

8/20/02 -- Broad Meadow Brook Sanctuary, Worcester
From 6:30PM to 7:15PM from the parking lot of Broad Meadow Brook (and just before class) the following were observed: Double-crested Cormorant (1); COMMON NIGHTHAWK (26 heading south); Barn Swallow (flock of 9 heading north for some reason); Cedar Waxwing (flock of 31 heading south); House Finch (64 in small groups heading south); Red-winged Blackbird (12 heading south); C. Grackle (154, in small groups all heading east). (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

8/19/02 -- City Hall & Airport, Worcester
A Peregrine Falcon perched on a Worcester City Hall tower lighting fixture. Seconds after I took this picture the falcon swooped down onto Main Street to bag a pigeon. The picture was taken at 6 AM and the sun was still low in the eastern sky.

This Kestrel was hawking insects from its perch on a Worcester Airport light fixture. The photo was taken at about 6 PM from the airport gate on Mulberry Street. (photos by Bob Ricci).

8/19/02 -- Woonsocket Reservoir, Woonsocket
We again checked the Woonsocket Reservoir at dawn this morning (before work), primarily to see how much the shorebirds change from day to day (we checked this yesterday on a class trip). As I suspected, these inland shorebird spots have a regular and somewhat rapid turnover of species, especially with a front passing through overnight. Species that may linger are likely to be muddy shore-loving (as opposed to coast-loving) species like Spotted and Solitary Sandpiper, Killdeer and possibly Least Sandpiper.
Double-crested Cormorant (2); Great Blue Heron (3); Great Egret (1); Mallard (2); Killdeer (27); Semipalmated Plover (1); Greater Yellowlegs (1); Spotted Sandpiper (1); Least Sandpiper (26); Semipalmated Sandpiper (14); White-rumped Sandpiper (1); Pectoral Sandpiper (3). (report from Mark Lynch).

8/18/02 -- Broad Meadow Brook Sanctuary, Worcester
At noon, 14 Glossy Ibis flew high over the wet meadows at Broad Meadow Brook Massachusetts Audubon Sanctuary in Worcester, MA.
We were returning from a butterfly walk (Leonard's Skipper and other goodies) to where we had parked our cars at the end of what I believe is Everton Street. Shortly before where one crosses the brook there is an open meadow where I noticed the birds flying south in a V formation. As they came to the meadow, they began to circle overhead somewhat erratically but still in a relatively tight flock (for about 5 minutes) before heading off to the northeast. One Turkey Vulture and one Chimney Swift were also passing by near the Ibis flock.
We could see the decurved bills clearly which eliminated Double-crested Cormorant and Canada Goose which are only two local species that might look anything like these birds. The neck and head appeared as extended as the legs. The birds appeared all dark with no obvious white in the facial area or the wings. They were quite high which made picking up any other color impossible. The only other specie that would show the same appearance is White-faced Ibis which we could only eliminate by the obvious fact that 14 White-faced's migrating through Worcester County on a 90+ degree mid-August day would be a stretch. The sky was relatively clear with a high haze typical of a hot, humid summer day in New England. The early morning clouds had disappeared around 10:30am.
Other observers were Walter Bosse of RI, Steve Moore of Northboro, Ma and Dolores Price of Worcester, Ma. (report from Barbara Volkle, fide Mark Lynch).

8/18/02 -- Quinapoxet Reservoir, Holden
A quick (6:30PM-7:30PM) trip this evening to only the very northern end of Quinapoxet Reservoir had some shorebirds in the rapidly lowering water. REMINDER: this reservoir, as with all Worcester Water Dept properties, are OFF LIMITS without a permit. Double-crested Cormorant (11); Great Blue Heron (3); Great Egret (2); Killdeer (12); Greater Yellowlegs (8); Spotted Sandpiper (3); Solitary Sandpiper (1); Least Sandpiper (17); Semipalmated Sandpiper (3); E. Wood Peewee (1); Barn Swallow (2). A full survey will be conducted this upcoming weekend. (report from Mark Lynch).

8/18/02 -- Blackstone Corridor
Sheila and I led a MAS class trip to a few points in the Blackstone National Corridor to look for shorebirds. Highlights were:
FISHERVILLE POND, GRAFTON MA: Great Blue Heron (1); Green Heron (1); Osprey (1); Red-tailed Hawk (2); Spotted Sandpiper (2); Solitary Sandpiper (1); Least Sandpiper (10); Belted Kingfisher (3); E. Kingbird (19); Tree Swallow (1); Barn Swallow (1); Bobolink (3 overhead); Baltimore Oriole (7)
NORTHBRIDGE SEWER BEDS: Great Blue Heron (1); Mallard (24); Cooper's Hawk (1); Red-tailed Hawk (1); Virginia Rail (1); Killdeer (3); Least Sandpiper (7: including one juvenile that had a VERY long, female Western length bill); Ruby-throated Hummingbird (1); E. Phoebe (3); E. Kingbird (3); INDIGO BUNTING (30: this was the largest number of this species I have ever seen anywhere in MA. Most were juveniles);
WOONSOCKET RESERVOIR, SMITHFIELD RI: Double-crested Cormorant (11); Osprey (1 bathing); Cooper's Hawk (1); BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER (4 ad post br. It started to rain and these birds literally came out of the sky and landed. They stayed 15 minutes and then took off SSE. See below); Semipalmated Plover (3); Killdeer (22); Lesser Yellowlegs (7); Spotted Sandpiper (3); Semipalmated Sandpiper (16); Least Sandpiper (49); WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER (3); Eastern Wood Peewee (2); E. Kingbird (8); Pine Warbler (20);
We ended by birding the end of the Corridor from India Point up the Seekonk River (c. 1.5 miles of very urban inland river): Double-crested Cormorant (114); Great Blue Heron (9); Great Egret (31); Snowy Egret (11); Black-crowned Night Heron (7); Mute Swan (6); Mallard (29); RED-BREASTED MERGANSER (1m); Osprey (3); Red-tailed Hawk (1); BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER (4: same plumage as the birds seen at Woonsocket Reservoir and very likley the same birds!!); Spotted Sandpiper (3); Semipalmated Sandpiper (62); Least Sandpiper (10); LUGHING GULL (33: most far up in the Seekonk River); Common Tern (10); FORSTER'S TERN (6). All in all, not bad for an inland trip! (report from Mark Lynch).

8/18/02 -- Asnebumskit Hill, Holden/Paxton
The hilites of a walk up the hill were in the beaver swamp where good looks were had at an Olive-sided Flycatcher and a Louisiana Waterthrush. (report from Brian Mulhearn)

8/17/02 -- Hardwick
There was a Great Egret in a small pond next to route 32. (report from Brian Mulhearn).

8/17/02 -- Delaney WMA, Harvard/Bolton/Stow
We had a well attended class trip to Delaney WMA (Harvard/Bolton/Stow) this morning, hiking almost all of the periphery of both impoundments. Highlights included: Double-crested Cormorant (4); Great Blue Heron (3); Green Heron (flock of 4 flying together); Canada Goose (71: most left when the boats were put in); Wood Duck (21); Mallard (12); BLUE-WINGED TEAL (3); Osprey (1 actively hunting and diving in); Sharp-shinned Hawk (1imm); Cooper's Hawk (1ad+1imm); Broad-winged Hawk (1); Red-tailed Hawk (1 or 2); Virginia Rail (11); Greater Yellowlegs (2, 1 of which landed right on the dusty trail right in front of us where the Grasshopper and Savannahs have bred); Least Sandpiper (1 overhead); Great Horned Owl (1 juvenile, which at one point was being mobbed by a large flock of Baltmore Orioles! Quite a sight for the group.); Ruby-throated Hummingbird (1f); Belted Kingfisher (4); Pileated Woopecker (1); E. Wood Peewee (2: still calling); E. Phoebe (4); E. Kingbird (15: on the move); Tree Swallow (13); Barn Swallow (16); Carolina Wren (5); House Wren (1); E. Bluebirds (2); NO woodland thrushes; Gray Catbird (16); Cedar Waxwing (10); Pine Warbler (1); C. Yellowthroat (6): Amazingly few warblers, but typical for this time of the year; Grasshopper Sparrow (2: we had checked earlier in the year and found no breeding birds, though obviously they still could have been there. These could also be post breeding visitors from nearby); Savannah Sparrow (2); Swamp Sparrow (8); Baltimore Oriole (27: in a few flocks and moving). Best plant we saw was Downy Rattlesnake Plaintain. Odes were super abundant, with species like Meadowhawk species (thousands); E. Pondhawk (common); Black Saddlebags (1); Shadow Darner; C. Green Darner (common) 1 humungous Dragonhunter; Blue dasher (super abundant). This is also one of the few birding trips we have led where we were able to ID live FISH. A small but deep pool on the backside of the dam had a good number of fish trapped in it including: Brown Bullheads, Pumpkinseeds, Smallmouth Bass and Yellow Perch. Hope it rains soon. BTW: Wooly Adelgid was in several places. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

8/15/02 -- Chatham Street, downtown Worcester
At 6:45PM, as I was waiting for a ride in front of 6 Chatham Street, the (an?) adult Peregrine Falcon zoomed down and flushed a huge group of Rock Doves that were roosting behind the billboard that faces out to Main Street on the corner of Main and Chatham. The bird really did not seem that interested in actually catching any of the pigeons, merely harassing them, and after several aerial manoevers scattering them hither and yon, the falcon went back in the direction of the Mechanics Bank Building. Amazingly, the Rock Doves resettled in the same area in less than 2 minutes. (report from Mark Lynch).

8/14/02 -- Seekonk River, Providence RI
A quick evening survey of the Seekonk River in Providence RI (southern end of the Blackstone National Corridor) between 6:30PM and 7:30PM had the following: Double-crested Cormorant (100); Great Blue Heron (8); Great Egret (43); Snowy Egret (11); Black-crowned Night Heron (8ad+2imm); Mute Swan (8); Mallard (54); Killdeer (8); Semipalmated Plover (8); Lesser Yellowlegs (1); Semipalmated Sandpiper (430); Least Sandpiper (66); Belted Kingfisher (2); Tree Swallow (30+). Good numbers of post-breeding Herring and Black-backed Gulls are also now moving up into the river: Great Black-backed Gull (126); Herring Gull (224). (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

8/14/02 -- Worcester airport, Worcester
At Worcester Airport I found one Upland Sandpiper this morning between 11 and 12. Looking from the gate on Mulberry Street in Leicester the bird was on the north side of the runway between the stop sign and number 6. It was much closer to the stop sign. (report from Bart Kamp).

8/14/02 -- Downtown Worcester
An adult Peregrine Falcon was on the old "Mechanics Bank" building (the side facing Rt. 290) at 6:30AM and closely studied through a scope. (report from Sheila Carroll).

8/12/02 -- Quabbin Gate 40, Petersham
I birded the area from Gate 40 to Dana Commons and on to Graves Landing. Highlights included: 2 black-bellied plovers, 6 semipalmated plovers, 8 greater yellowlegs, 2 lesser yellowlegs, 12 killdeer, 1 spotted sandpiper, 5 pileated woodpeckers, 2 blue-headed vireos, 2 hermit thrush ( still singing beautifully), 1 indigo bunting. The low water at Graves Landing has produced some good shore birding possibilities. Moose tracks were also noted in the mud at Graves Landing. (report from Richard Spedding).

8/11/02 -- Worcester Airport, Worcester
We went back to Worcester Airport this evening and the 2 UPLAND SANDPIPERS were there (as well as Fran McMenemy!!) offering good views. For those who have never been to this spot, take Rt. 122 north from Tatnuck Square, left onto the road to the airport (well signed); but then an immediate right onto Bailey. Follow Bailey for awhile and when the road bends to the right, take the left onto Mulberry. In short order the back of the airport runways will appear on the left. Watch for a locked gate numbered "23", and pull off in the obvious aea on the right side of the road just beyond this. The best strategy is to walk back to opposite the gate and walk up the embankment across the road from the gate. This gives you some height and a decent view of this end of the runways. A scope is helpful. Late afternoon or (better) early evevning light is best. Mid-day is useless as there is too much heat distortion. We watched the brids for a bit, and then they flew to the LEFT this time, over the edge and down into the terraced fields and out of sight. These birds move around, so if there are not immediately there, be patient. We actually originally spotted the birds from the Rt. 56 overlook, but the views were extremely distant. Also seen were: (16) Canada Geese still on the runways; (11) adult Wild Turkeys; (1) A. Kestrel; (2) Tree and (15+) Barn Swallows and several Bobolinks and Savannah Sparrows. (report from Mark Lynch).

8/11/02 -- Blackstone Corridor shorebird survey
This morning we checked a few spots in the Blackstone National Corridor for shorebirds etc. We started at dawn behind Worcester Airport: Canada Goose (16 on the runway that had to be flushed by a security car) Red-tailed Hawk (1) American Kestrel (4) Red-tailed Hawk (1); A. Kestrel (4); Barn Swallow (8); Savannah Sparrow (11); Bobolink (13: all juveniles); E. Meadowlark (3);
FISHERVILLE POND, GRAFTON: The water remains very low, but grasses have grown quickly over many of the flats leaving only a bit of shorebird habitat: Great Blue Heron (1); GREAT EGRET (1); Killdeer (2); Spotted Sandpiper (2); Least Sandpiper (19); Belted Kingfisher (2); E. Kingbird (2); Barn Swallow (1). Many, many E. Painted Turtles.
NORTHBRIDGE SEWER BEDS: The new building is nearing completion, but there were still some good filter pools. It looks like there will be some more construction on the weedy hill to the west of the small out flow building. This area has been great for sparrows in the past, but I fear may be developed. Black-crowned Night Heron (1ad); Mallard (6); Cooper's Hawk (1); Red-tailed Hawk (1); Killdeer (12); Spotted Sandpiper (1); Solitary Sandpiper (12); Least Sandpiper (41: most flew out north when the Coop came in); C. Swift (20); E. Wood Peewee (1); E. Phoebe (2); E. Kingbird (2); Tree Swallow (2); Bank Swallow (1); Barn Swallow (25+); Carolina Wren (1); House Wren (1); Marsh Wren (1: migrant/post-breeding wanderer); C. Yellowthroat (6); Chipping Sparrow (30+); Song Sparrow (26); Rose-breasted Grosbeak (3); Indigo Bunting (4); Bobolink (4); Red-winged Blackbird (11: all juvs). There were also huge number sof odonates: with many hundreds of Blue Dashers; and good numbers of Green Darners and 12-Spotted Skimmers.
WOONSOCKET RESERVOIR, SMITHFIELD RI: Double-crested Cormorant (4); Great Blue Heron (1); Canada Goose (7); Osprey (1); Killdeer (18); Spotted Sandpiper (2); SEMIPALMATED PLOVER (1); WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER (1); Semipalmated Sandpiper (7); Least Sandpiper (30); WILSON'S PHALAROPE (1 juv. We watched this bird for 15+ minutes as it ran around crazily catching insects on a small island seen from the south end of the dam and over the chain link fence on Reservoir Road. Eventually it flew to the north end of the reservoir when the Osprey came into view); Ring-billed Gull (28);
DIAMOND HILL/ARNOLD'S MILLS RESERVOIRS, CUMBERLAND RI; These two small reservoirs are separated by a long road/causeway. Double-crested Cormorant (8); Great Blue Heron (4); GREAT EGRET (4); Canada Goose (23); Mallard (19); A. Black Duck (1); Turkey Vulture (3); Sharp-shinned Hawk (1); Killdeer (32); Greater Yellowlegs (12); Lesser Yellowlegs (5); Least Sandpiper (11); Ring-billed Gull (122); Herring Gull (3). (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

8/11/02 -- Worcester Airport, Worcester
I checked the airport this noon time and I didn't see any Upland Sandpipers. Viewing is poor there at mid-day.
However, I saw both of the Upland Sandpipers again this evening. Mark Lynch was there and he said that they had seen them early this morning. Because of the unevenness of the terrain and the height of the grass in some areas, these birds can be out of sight for long periods of time. The best time of the day to view this area is in the evening. (report from Fran McMenemy)

8/10/02 -- Sterling Peat, Sterling
These snapshots of a Kingfisher, Lesser Yellowlegs, Solitary Sandpiper, Robin and A. Goldfinch were taken at Sterling Peat during the past week. (photos by Bob Ricci).

8/10/02 -- Worcester Airport, Worcester
This evening at 6:30, I saw two Upland Sandpipers in the grass at the end of the runway at the Worcester Airport. The name of the street at the end of the runway is Mulberry St. in Leicester. (report from Fran McMenemy).

8/10/02 -- Kettlebrook Reservoir #4
We conducted a standard survey of this small reservoir of the city of Worcester reservoir system. NOTA BENE: all Worcester Water Department properties are strictly OFF LIMITS without a permit. In the wake of 9/11, these areas are now often checked by the Reservoir Police. The more Sheila and I have done these surveys of the Water Department properties, the more we have come to really appreciate their secondary, non-intended function as great areas of preserved habitat for all sorts of species. As more and more land around the city goes to development, these two strings of reservoirs are goldmines of saved breeding and migratory habitat covering a much larger area than any one organization like Mass Audubon could ever hope to purchase. Birds today were very much in the first stage of fall migration. Song has all but stopped, except for the peewees and (1) vireo. Most of the warblers were in one mixed species flock with chickadees and nuthatches. Water levels, though lower than earlier, are still fairly high with only some edge showing, so shorebirds are the breeding species only.
Great Blue Heron (3); Canada Goose (flock of 11); Mallard (3); HOODED MERGANSER (9 newly fledged young. Phil Guerin has suggested, and I think he is correct, that these birds probably breed in the hidden wooded marsh across Rt. 122 from this reservoir (also Water Department property). Tree Swallow (7 migrating high and south ); Killdeer (2); Spotted Sandpiper (6); Ring-billed Gull (1 adS); Mourning Dove (7); Chimney Swift (15); Belted Kingfisher (2); Downy Woodpecker (3); Hairy Woodpecker (1); N. Flicker (2); "E. Wood Peewee (4: still singing); empid sp." (1: looked like a Least); E. Phoebe (4); Barn Swallow (2); Blue Jay (11); A. Crow (6); Black-capped Chickadee (31); White-breasted Nuthatch (11); House Wren (3); A. Robin (3); Gray Catbird (9); Cedar Waxwing (16); Red-eyed Vireo (2); Scarlet Tanager (1); E. Towhee (1); Song Sparrow (5); A. Goldfinch (8); Bobolink (2 overhead); C. Grackle (10); Baltimore Oriole (1).
Because it was pretty overcast and cool this morning we only had (1) Pearl Crescent and (1) C. Wood Nymph. Large numbers of teneral "Meadowhawk sp." dragonflies were about. Joe Pye Weed and Goldenrod are in bloom or just past, and the first blooms of Jewelweed are out. (report from Mark Lynch).

8/9/02 -- Worcester
Early in the evening we hit a few spots around the city of Worcester: WORCESTER AIRPORT (back in Leicester): the fields have all been mowed. Red-tailed Hawk (1); Wild Turkey (4 ad+5 poults); C. Nighthawk (1); Barn Swallow (28); A. Goldfinch (14)
NOTRE DAME CEMETERY from nighthawk overlook only: Killdeer (1); Barn Swallow (16)
LEESVILLE POND: Great Blue Heron (2); Black-crowned Night Heron (1imm+1 1st yr); Mute Swan (2); Wood Duck (17); Mallard (81); E. Phoebe (2); E. Kingbird (7). (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

8/9/02 -- off Salisbury Street, Worcester
We were awakened this morning at 4:15AM by an Eastern Screech Owl calling loudly and incessantly right outside our window. The calls were repeated in rather rapid succession for 15 minutes then the bird just shut up, probably going to a roost for the day. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

8/8/02 -- Tatnuck Square, Worcester
I had a lone adult Broad-wing at 9:15 this morning circling high overhead in the Tatnuck Square area before head off, west to east. (report from Howard Shainheit).

8/3/02 -- Seekonk River/Fisherville
Having a leg injury (nothing serious), I could only manage birding next to the car today, so we hit the Seekonk River at low tide first and then Fisherville Pond from one overlook at the north end. Both areas are part of the Blackstone National Corridor.
SEEKONK RIVER (from India Point to Pawtucket line: about 1.5 miles of urban river): Double-crested Cormorant (61); Great Blue Heron (3); Great Egret (32: a species reknown for its post breeding dispersal, which is why we see them here in Worcester County); Snowy Egret (4: this species never exhibits as extensive or dramatic post breeding dispersal as the Great Egret or Black-crowned Night Heron); Green Heron (1); Black-crowned Night Heron (7ad+2 first yr+2imm: good post breeding dispersal); Mute Swan (14); Mallard (155: numbers of moulting birds are now decreasing); Red-breasted Merganser (1 f); Osprey (5ad + a pair with 3 very close to being fledged young); Red-tailed Hawk (3); Killdeer (4); Spotted Sandpiper (3); Least Sandpiper (156); Semipalmated Sandpiper (9); Common Tern (6 post breeding adults which flew far up into Pawtucket and then back into Providence in the river); Small but significant numbers of orioles, kingbirds, Yellow Warblers and Rose-breasted Grosbeaks were on the move too.
FISHERVILLE POND, GRAFTON: Nota bene: the water has been down so long that much of the flats are now sprouting a deep growth of grasses, making it not as good for shorebirds. But still worth a check. Double-crested Cormorant (1); Great Blue Heron (1); Red-tailed Hawk (2); Killdeer (9); Spotted Sandpiper (1); Least Sandpiper (3); Eastern Kingbird (7). (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

8/2/02 -- Westboro WMA, Westboro
From 2:00-3:00 p.m. at Westboro WMA in the area north of Lake Chauncey and west of Westboro State Hospital, there were two Indigo Buntings, one adult male and one first year male, continuing to be seen and heard in the fields, trees, thickets, and corn fields in this area. The active and vocal birds have been there for a week. If one takes the path below the soccer fields and in from the State Hospital, just north of the lake, a bunting has been seen perched and calling from the telephone wire. One bird seems to really enjoy perching in one of the large Spruce trees in the stand just up from the lake and singing loudly. Or take the fisherman's access road to Little Chauncey Pond off Lyman Street and park at the first parking area on your left with the large orange metal bar gate. Walk down the car path until the corn field begins on your left. A bunting has almost always been present here at mid afternoon calling from an Oak tree that abuts the corn field. If the bird isn't there, take a walk along and take a left down toward the lake. The wildflowers are spectacular and listen for the buntings. They're in there somewhere. (report from Ann Boover).

8/2/02 -- Institute Park/Leesville Pond, Worcester
A quick stop at the pond at Institute Park revealed 2 DC Cormorants. At Leesville Pond there were 4 DC Cormorants, 2 Mute Swans, 1 Great Blue Heron, many Wood Ducks, and a Coopers Hawk flying by overhead. (report from Brian Mulhearn)

For previous sightings, see July 2002 Archives or Archive Index