August 2003 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:

8/31/03 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre 
> Barre, Massachusetts, USA
> Daily Raptor Counts: Aug 31, 2003
> -------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Species            Day's Count    Month Total   Season Total
> ------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
> Black Vulture                0              0              0
> Turkey Vulture               0              0              0
> Osprey                       2              5              5
> Bald Eagle                   1              4              4
> Northern Harrier             0              1              1
> Sharp-shinned Hawk           7             12             12
> Cooper's Hawk                0              0              0
> Northern Goshawk             0              0              0
> Red-shouldered Hawk          0              0              0
> Broad-winged Hawk           21             28             28
> Red-tailed Hawk              4              4              4
> Rough-legged Hawk            0              0              0
> Golden Eagle                 0              0              0
> American Kestrel             1              3              3
> Merlin                       0              0              0
> Peregrine Falcon             0              0              0
> Unknown                      0              0              0
> Total:                      36             57             57
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> Observation start time: 08:00:00 > Observation end time: 14:00:00 > Total observation time: 6 hours > > Official Counter: David Grant > > Observers: Barton D. Kamp, David Grant, Don Gardella, Donna Schilling, Tom Carrolan > > Observations: 1 Common Nighthawk migrating (report from Bart Kamp).

8/31/03 -- Taylor Hill Road and Vicinity,Hardwick
The Sandpiper Convention continues at Quabbin Aqueduct Shaft #10 in Hardwick. Marvelous opportunities presented themselves to compare and contrast the fall plumages of Semipalmated, Least and Solitary Sandpipers, which I happily took advantage of. HUGE numbers of dragonflies were also present, mostly Common Green Darners and Twelve-Spotted Skimmers. A marauding band of White-breasted Nuthatches methodically canvassed two dead trees, vocalizing quite actively. At last, Nighthawks are making themselves known at this location in other than infinitesimal numbers. Warm, crystalline weather created ideal soaring conditions for the vulture population. Tree Swallows are beginning to stage in insect-saturated areas of the beaver pond. Cedar Waxwings also engaged in spirited fly-catching efforts!
Highlights from 5:00 am to 1:25 pm: American Kestrel 2; American Redstart 3; Black-and-white Warbler 2; Black-throated Green Warbler 5; Cedar Waxwing 78; Chestnut Sided Warbler 2; Common Nighthawk 18; Great Blue Heron 5; Great Egret 1; Great Horned Owl 2; Greater Yellowlegs 5; Hairy Woodpecker 1; Hooded Merganser 4; Killdeer 11; Least Sandpiper 19; Lesser Yellowlegs 4; Pectoral Sandpiper 2; PrairieWarbler 2; Semipalmated Sandpiper 3; Solitary Sandpiper 14; Spotted Sandpiper 6; Tree Swallow 52; Turkey Vulture 28; White-breasted Nuthatch 9; (report from Chris Ellison).

8/31/03 -- N. Smithfield/Burrillville, RI
We did some nighthawk-watching in the RI section of the Blackstone National Corridor.
  • First from 5-6PM, from an overlook (looking south) along Great Road in North Smithfield: COMMON NIGHTHAWK (141): these birds were flying directly west, with no stopping to feed. There was one large group of over 70 birds. Other birds: Turkey Vulture (2); Green Heron (1); Chimney Swift (22); Barn Swallow (8); Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (1); Baltimore Oriole (2).
  • From 6:20-7:10PM: Burrillville: overlook along West Ironstone Road looking south-southeast: COMMON NIGHTHAWK (239): these birds lingered flying back and forth in view, flying west, then east and feeding. Then by 6:50 they began to steadily drift to the west and southwest, though one group headed NW and right over us. We were very careful not to double-count birds. Several times there were 100+ birds in view at once. Other birds: 1 flock of ducks heading west had: Green-winged Teal (1); Mallard (14); A. Black Duck (1); also: E. Wood Peewee (1); Veery (1); Common Grackle (304: heading south); Baltimore Oriole (4). (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

    • 8/30/03 -- Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary, Princeton
    Highlights of a Forbush Bird Club held a trip at Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary included Monarch and Common Wood Nymph Butterflies, the many Ruby-throated Hummingbirds feeding and flying in several locations, Wood Duck 21, American Redstart 1 F, Common Yellowthroat 3, Scarlet Tanager 1 F, and Rose-breasted Grosbeak 3 F. Complete list here (report from Joan Zumpfe).

    8/29/03 -- Moose Brook Valley, Hardwick
    Seen during an afternoon visit to the beaver pond below Quabbin Aqueduct Shaft 10 in the Moose Brook Valley were the Great Egret (now present >12days), 3 Great Blue Herons, 2 Blue-winged Teal, 2 American Black Ducks, 3 Hooded Mergansers, 5 Killdeer, 2 Greater Yellowlegs, 3 Lesser Yellowlegs, 3 Solitary Sandpipers, 2 Spotted Sandpipers, 24 Least Sandpipers and 3 Pectoral Sandpipers. Seen peripherally in The Valley were 15 Turkey Vultures, a Cooper's Hawk, 4 Common Nighthawks and a Black-throated Blue Warbler. (report from Chris Buelow)

    8/28/03 -- Rt. 56 airport overlook, Leicester
    Only a few birds moving tonite. (Counting: Sheila Carroll, Fran McMenemy and myself); Seen between 5:45 and 7:10PM: Double-crested Cormorant (3); Canada Goose (33 feeding in grass next to runway); Turkey Vulture (1); Osprey (1); Sharp-shinned Hawk (1); A. Kestrel (1m); Wild Turkey (8); Killdeer (3); COMMON NIGHTHAWK (66: all seen heading south and into the city); Chimney Swift (4, another 70+ seen entering the Flagg St. School chimney at dusk); Tree Swallow (1); Barn Swallow (16); Fish Crow (1); Bobolink (48); C. Grackle (104); Also: the same coyote feeding in the grasses along the runway the entire time we were there. (report from Mark Lynch).

    8/28/03 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre 
    > Daily Raptor Counts: Aug 28, 2003
> -------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Species            Day's Count    Month Total   Season Total
> ------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
> Black Vulture                0              0              0
> Turkey Vulture               0              0              0
> Osprey                       1              2              2
> Bald Eagle                   3              3              3
> Northern Harrier             1              1              1
> Sharp-shinned Hawk           5              5              5
> Cooper's Hawk                0              0              0
> Northern Goshawk             0              0              0
> Red-shouldered Hawk          0              0              0
> Broad-winged Hawk            7              7              7
> Red-tailed Hawk              0              0              0
> Rough-legged Hawk            0              0              0
> Golden Eagle                 0              0              0
> American Kestrel             0              1              1
> Merlin                       0              0              0
> Peregrine Falcon             0              0              0
> Unknown                      0              0              0
> Total:                      17             19             19
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
    > Observation start time: 09:00:00 > Observation end time: 14:00:00 > Total observation time: 5 hours > > Official Counter: Barton D. Kamp > > Observers: Barton D. Kamp, David Grant, Donna Schilling, Tom Carrolan > Observations: > The ages of the three Bald Eagles were juvenile, 2 year old and adult. > Raptors seen but not apparently migrating were 8 Turkey Vultures, 1 Sharp-shinned Hawk, 2 Cooper's Hawks, 4 Broadwinged Hawks and 4 Red-tailed Hawks. > > Some of the hundreds of dragonflies seemed larger than the hawks. Migrating were 7 DC Cormorants, 7 Ruby-throated Hummingbirds and 11 Monarch Butterflies. (report from Bart Kamp).

    8/27/03 -- Notre Dame Cemetery, Worcester
    This evening I arrived at Notre Dame Cemetery at 6:30 and was later joined by Rick and Barbara Walker. We stayed until 7:45. We counted a total of 367 Nighthawks. They were feeding along the way but all headed eventually towards the south and southwest. There were very few visible flying insects. The openings to the ant holes were much larger than they were last evening. The emergence of the flying ants is imminent. West of the Cemetery long after sunset (7:50) but still visible there was a mixed group of 100's of swallows and swifts in a feeding frenzy. (report from Bart Kamp).

    8/27/03 -- Rt. 56, Leicester
    We (Sheila Carroll, Fran McMenemy and myself) counted Common Nighthawks between 6PM and 7:30PM this evening from the scenic pulloff overlooking Worcester Airport on Rt. 56. We counted (983). These birds were moving in earnest, with very little feeding until almost 7:30 when the last straggling birds were seen pausing to briefly feed before moving on. Though most seemed to be coming into view from the NE, almost directly over Rt. 56, as they came into view the birds then split with some heading then south and over the city or between the city and the airport, while others headed WSW out towards what may be eventually the Quabog River Watershed. After 6:30, the majority of the birds headed WSW. After only a spotty flight this weekend, this was at last a decent count. Other species seen while counting: Double-crested Cormorant (2); Mallard (flock of 12); Wild Turkey (14); COMMON NIGHTHAWK (983); Tree Swallow (10+); Barn Swallow (45+); Bobolink (114); C. Grackle (258). Also seen: (1) E. Coyote feeding besides the runway. (report from Mark Lynch).

    8/26/03 -- Notre Dame Cemetery, Worcester
    This evening, between 6:00 and 6:15 pm, 94 Nighthawks were counted flying rapidly in an EASTERLY direction; from 6:15 to 7:25, 2 Nighthawks were counted flying in a southwesterly direction and at 7:30 when it was barely light enough to see, 39 Nighthawks were counted also flying in a southwesterly direction. Total Nighthawks 135. There was very little visible flying insect activity. The ants were very busy opening up their holes. (report from Bart Kamp).

    8/25/03 -- Barre
    Three immature WOOD STORKS were observed and photographed at a small farm pond in Barre from 6:15-9:30am,this morning. Four birds were initially observed by a local resident on the evening of 8/24, though only three were 'officially' documented by myself and a few other birders on Monady morning. At 9:30 the three storks flew off, flushed by a herd of curious cows. Because of its sensitive location, it may be best not to disclose exactly where the sighting occured. (report from Chris Buelow)

    8/25/03 -- Moose Brook Valley, Hardwick
    Observed from Quabbin aqueduct Shaft 10 this evening were the Great Egret (now present at least 7 days), a Great Blue Heron, 2 Spotted Sandpipers, 43 Common Nighthawks ~20 Chimney Swifts and a male Belted Kingfisher. (report from Chris Buelow)

    8/25/03 -- High Ridge WMA, Westminster
    I stood watch from 6:15 to 8:00 pm at high Ridge WMA for Nighthawks, but few passed at this locale: Common Nighthawk 13; Sharp-shinned Hawk 1; Northern Goshawk 1; Eastern Bluebird 1; Bobolink 2;
    Also in Groton on the commute home a group of 38 Common Nighthawks were seen. (report from Tom Pirro).

    8/25/03 -- Douglas
    A flock of northern orioles decended on my birches and rose of sharon bush at 9 a.m..There were more than 12, males and females. There were 6 flickers in the grass at the same time. (report from Martha Adams).

    8/24/03 -- Hardwick
    Sparkling weather created superb conditions under which to observe the following birds at the beaver pond in Hardwick due north of the intersection of Brook and Taylor Hill Roads. Despite a great deal of precipitation in recent weeks, a receding water line has developed, attracting species that exploit the food sources that become available upon open mudflats. The lone Great Egret, several Great Blue Herons, and many sandpipers were feeding quite energetically. Highlights from the day's birding: American Goldfinch 17; American Redstart 5; Belted Kingfisher 2; Broad-winged Hawk 1; Common Nighthawk 1; Common Yellowthroat 2; Gray Catbird 5; Great Blue Heron 7; Great Crested Flycatcher 1; Great Egret 1; Hairy Woodpecker 1; Kildeer 14; Ovenbird 2; Red-tailed Hawk 1; Ruby-throated Hummingbird 3; Solitary Sandpiper 8; Spotted Sandpiper 18; Swamp Sparrow 4; Turkey Vulture 9; (report from Chris Ellison).

    8/24/03 -- Mt. Wataic , Ashby/Ashburnham
    I Hawkwatched from 10:00 to 3:30PM to get a few August hours on the books:, NO Mirant raptors to report. The following rators were meandering about appearing to go "no place in particular" Turkey Vulture 2; Cooper's Hawk 2 imm.; Broad Winged Hawk 4; Red-tailed Hawk 2 adults; Other birds on the move: Solitary Sandpiper 1; Tree Swallow ~20; Barn Swallow 3; Cliff Swallow 1; Monarch Butterfly 5; (report from Tom Pirro).

    8/24/03 -- Daniel's Farm, Blackstone
    We conducted night two of the Corridor-wide nighthawk watch tonite from 5PM-7:30PM. Again, it looked like a less than promising evening: windy (from the WSW), cold, no flying ants. Conventional wisdom has it that under such conditions, just after the passage of a cold front, nighthawks just do not move. OR SO WE THOUGHT. From 5-7 we had only 4 distant birds heading west. Then just after 7PM, we had 90 all heading SW. These were in small flocks, not feeding, just moving. Several groups passed very close by and right overhead. It is interesting to note that Deb and Dan Berard, who were staffing the Water's Farm lookout in SW Sutton reported NO nighthawks till AFTER 7PM. At which time they had 40 !` Other birds seen just standing in two spots in a small field: Great Blue Heron (2 heading south. We also learned from folks who live near here of a huge heron rookery hidden on a hill in nearby Mendon);
    The count: Canada Goose (2); Mallard (56: we kept seeing small flocks of Mallards all heading north); Turkey Vulture (2); BALD EAGLE (1 1ST YR heading north); Red-tailed Hawk (1); Great Black-backed Gull (1); COMMON NIGHTHAWK (94); Chimney Swift (90+: large numbers active all over horizon when we first arrived, activity died down after an hour); Ruby-throated Hummingbird (1); Downy Woodpecker (1); N. Flicker (1); E. Wood Peewee (1); E. Phoebe (2); E. Kingbird (25 migrating over the hill in small flocks); Tree Swallow (10+); Barn Swallow (35+); C. Raven (3 birds still hanging about the tower and calling. They flew in from the south); House Wren (2); Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (1); E. Bluebird (3); Wood Thrush (1: didn't start calling till 7:30PM); A. Robin (19); E. Starling (12+ a huge blob of a flock of 3000+ heading east); Black-throated Green Warbler (1); Bobolink (12: some leaving from fields at dusk to migrate); C. Grackle (22); Baltimore Oriole (4); (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

    8/23/03 -- High Ridge WMA, Garnder/Westminster
    The following species were seen and or heard from a walk around High Ridge WMA (garnder and Westminster) from (0700 to 1600): dbl-cr. cormerant 1; great blue heron 10; american bittern 1; canada goose 4; mallard duck 8; black duck 1; wood duck 4; hooded merganser 6; turkey vuture 2; sharp-shinned hawk 2; broad-winged hawk 1; osprey 1; solitary sandpiper 1 ; rock dove 2; mouning dove 20; common nitehawk 1; chimney swift 6; r-thr. hummingbird 3; belted kingfisher 4; common flicker 3; downy w-pecker 19; hairy w-pecker 5; pileated w-pecker 2; yellow-b. sapsucker 2; eastern kingbird 17; eastern pheobe 6; trail's type flycather 1; least flycatcher 1 ; eastren peewee 2; tree swallow 2; barn swallow 3; blue jay 20+; common crow 10; blk-capped chickedee 50+; tufted titmouse 6; white br. nuthatch 7; red-br. nuthatch 3; brown creeper 2; house wren 6; gray catbird ~20; veery 1; eastern bluebird 3; cedar wax wing 25+; yllw-thr. vIREO 1; red-eyed vireo 6; blk + wht warbler 6; nashville warbler 1; magnolia warbler 1; blk.-thr. bl warbler 1; blk.-thr.gr. warbler 4; yellow-rmp warbler 3; blkburnian warbler 1; chestnut-s. warbler 4; ovenbird 2; c. yellow throat 29; wilson's warbler 2; canada warbler 4; american redstart 23; bobolink 4; n. oriole 2; rose-br. grosbeak 1; indigo bunting 1; purple finch 2; chipping sparrow 20; swamp sparrow 1; song sparrow ~20;
    Butterfly species seen: Tiger Swallowtail; Black Swallowtail; Pearl Crescent; Least Skipper; Cabbage White; Clouded Sulpher; Common Ringlet; Common Wood Nymph; Great Spangled Fritillary; Eastern Bluetail; (report from Tom Pirro).

    8/23/03 -- Daniel's Farm, Blackstone
    From 5PM-7:30PM we conducted a nighthawk watch here as part of the Corridor-wide nighthawk count. We had 53 COMMON NIGHTHAWKS all heading south in a mostly a rather quick manner. Other birds seen included: Mallard (6 overhead); Wild Turkey (pair with 8 rather young poults: second brood?); Chimney Swift (45+); Ruby-throated Hummingbird (3: one was relentlessly pursued by a kingbird, then when the kingbird finally gave up, the hummer chased the kingbird!); "empid sp' (1); E. Phoebe (4); E. Kingbird (16 migrating over hill); Tree Swallow (4); Barn Swallow (70+); COMMON RAVEN (2 birds (birds of the year?); sitting on microwave tower while another called from woods); Warbling Vireo (1); Red-eyed Vireo (1); Black-throated Green Warbler (2); Prairie Warbler (1); A. Redstart (1); C. Grackle (130 going to roost); (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

    8/23/03 -- Ware River Watershed , Barre/Rutland
    We birded a small section of the Ware River Watershed IBA this morning, essentially only the area between Barre Falls Dam and Rutland SP (see new Western MA guide for directions); . There were good movements of flycatchers, orioles and a few species of warblers. Other species of warblers that are common breeders in this area like Yellow and Chestnut-sided were now absent. And There was only a handful of the typically very common breeder: Ovenbird. As Chris Beulow wrote in to Massbird a few days ago, there is a modest movement of Red-breasted Nuthatches currently on. There appeared to be also a small movement of cuckoos. Many of the individuals we saw were birds of the year.
    Great Blue Heron (10: 1 imm. sitting right next to a nest still); Wood Duck (2); Mallard (4); Hooded Merganser (1juv); Turkey Vulture (6); Broad-winged Hawk (4: 1ad+3juv, likely the resident birds); Red-tailed Hawk (1); Virginia Rail (1); Solitary Sandpiper (1); A. Woodcock (1); Mourning Dove (19); Black-billed Cuckoo (5); Yellow-billed Cuckoo (2); Chimney Swift (2); Ruby-throated Hummingbird (2); Belted Kingfisher (1); Downy Woodpecker (22); Hairy Woodpecker (2); N. Flicker (8); Pileated Woodpecker (1); E. Wood Peewee (27); "Traill's type empid" (1); Least Flycatcher (2); E. Phoebe (15); Great Crested Flycatcher (5); E. Kingbird (46: most seen withing an hour of dawn); Barn Swallow (11); Blue Jay (46); A. Crow (7); Common Raven (3); Black-capped Chickadee (170: lots of flocks moving through the forest); Tufted Titmouse (18); Red-breasted Nuthatch (39: from spring through summer this year I have had just a very few here); White-breasted Nuthatch (24); Brown Creeper (3); House Wren (8); Golden-crowned Kinglet (6); E. Bluebird (2ad+3imm); Hermit Thrush (29); A. Robin (23); Gray Catbird (50); Cedar Waxwing (57); E. Starling (2: not common here: flyovers); Blue-headed Vireo (2); Warbling Vireo (3); Red-eyed Vireo (27); Scarlet Tanager (5); N. Cardinal (1); Rose-breasted Grosbeak (4); Indigo Bunting (3); E. Towhee (34); Chipping Sparrow (27); Song Sparrow (8); Swamp Sparrow (4); White-throated Sparrow (2); Bobolink (1 overhead); Baltimore Oriole (38); Purple Finch (1); A. Goldfinch (32); (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

    8/20/03 -- Notre Dame Cemetery, Worcester
    Between 6:30 and 8:00 this evening there were swarms of flying insects and approximately 75 Nighthawks. (report from Bart Kamp).

    8/19/03 -- Rt. 56 overlook of Worc. Airport, Leicester
  • From 5PM-6:45PM at Rt. 56 overlook: Double-crested Cormorant (flew in from north and went down in the vicinity of what we guessed was Coes Pond); Turkey Vulture (1); Red-tailed Hawk (1); A. Kestrel (2); Merlin (1 imm heading west); COMMON NIGHTHAWK (64: almost all heading SW-SSW); Tree Swallow (8); Barn Swallow (32: most migrating SW); A. Goldfinch (35); Bobolink (48); E. Meadowlark (5); Baltimore Oriole (1adM flying high and S across entire field of view).
  • Later at Leesville Pond, Worcester: Double-crested Cormorant (1); Great Blue Heron (1); Mute Swan (2); Wood Duck (17); Mallard (75); A. Black Duck (1); Cooper's Hawk (1 going to roost); Solitary Sandpiper (1); Belted Kingfisher (1); E. Wood Peewee (1); E. Kingbird (5); Cedar Waxwing (18); Baltimore Oriole (4);
  • At Notre Dame Cemetery we found Fran McMenemy and the Walkers. Here were c. 200+ Chimney Swifts followed by 60+ Barn SWallows. Fran reported less than 10 nighthawks at that time. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

    • 8/18/03 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
    Migrating today: Osprey 1 ; American Kestrel 1 . Not many migrants; but we were able to refresh our identification skills on the non-migrating birds: Turkey Vulture, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Cooper's Hawk, Red-shouldered Hawk, Broadwinged Hawk and Red Tailed Hawk. Part of the field adjacent to the hawk watch site has not been cut and there were many species of butterflies feeding on the variety of flowers. (report from Bart Kamp).

    8/18/03 -- Chandler St., Worcester
    I live near Tatnuck Book seller .This eveningI had 63 C. Nighthawks fly over my house. Most heading south some south west .A few were feeding very low over the yard great looks .I think it's the most excitement I've had on my deck. (report from John Shea).

    8/18/03 -- Moose Brook Valley, Hardwick
    Highlighting a late evening walk into Quabbin Shaft 10 off of Brook Road, Hardwick was a Great Egret feeding, then roosting at the edge of the large beaver pond. No Nighthawks were seen at this traditional spot. (report from Chris Buelow)

    8/18/03 -- High Ridge WMA, Westminster
    This evening I watched for Nighthawks from the High Ridge WMA, near the model airplane airport, between 6Pm and 8PM. The following are the hilites: Common Nighthawk 87; Chimney Swift 15; Belted Kingfisher 1; House Wren 3; Eastern Kingbird 1; Eastern Bluebird 3; Chipping Sparrow 10; Balt Oriole 2; Bobolink 4; (report from Tom Pirro).

    8/17/03 -- Seekonk River, Blackstone Corridor
    A survey along the Seekonk River at the southern end of the Blackstone National Corridor had the following: Double-crested Cormorant (95); Great Blue Heron (3); Great Egret (7: later another Great Egret was found in Cumberland at Arnold's Mills Reservoir); Snowy Egret (1); Black-crowned Night Heron (7ad+10imm); Osprey (5); Mute Swan (28); Mallard (381); A. Black Duck (6); Red-breasted Merganser (1f); Semipalmated Plover (1); Spotted Sandpiper (1); Greater Yellowlegs (5); Lesser Yellowlegs (2); Least Sandpiper (15); Laughing Gull (18: a tight flock of 9 of these headed far up into Pawtucket and the Blackstone and went out of sight. They never returned the entire time I was there!); Common Tern (5); Belted Kingfisher (1); Tree Swallow (54); N. Rough-winged Swallow (4); Cliff Swallow (1); Barn Swallow (18); (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

    8/17/03 -- Chandler St., Worcester
    I had 6 C. Nighthawks fly over my house .They were flying down Chandler Street (report from John Shea).

    8/17/03 -- Wompanoag WMA, Gardner
  • Hitlites this morning (800 to 1045) from the Raymond Road/Wompanoag MAS area of town: Common Loon 1 imm. ( but No Adults Lake Wompanoag); Osprey 1; American Kestrel 1; Empidinax Flycatcher 1; Ruby-throated Hummingbird 2; Gray Catbird 12; Nashville Warbler 3; Blk-thr. Green Warbler 2; Blk Thr. Blue Warbler 1; Black And White Warbler 3; Am. Redstart 1; Common Yellowthroat 10; Ovenbird 2; Canada Warbler 1; Wilson's Warbler 1; Purple Finch 1; Balt. Oriole 2; Eastern Towhee 11; White-throated Sparrow 3;
  • Hilites from birding yesterday (8/16) morning, 800 to 1030, in the Smith Street area of High Ridge WMA in Gardner: Northern Harrier 1 Juv.; Ruby-throated Hummingbird 2; Olive-side Flycatcher 2; Empidinax Flycatcher 6; Least Flycatcher 1; Eastern Wood Peewee 2; Eastern Phoebe 1; Eastern Kingbird 4; Gray Catbird 13; Red-eyed Vireo 3; Warbling Vireo 1; Blue Headed Vireo 1; Nashville Warbler 1; Blk-thr. Green Warbler 1; Black-thr Blue 1; Yellow-rumped Warbler 4; Common Yellowthroat 15; Black+White Warbler 1; Am. Redstart 1; Balt. Oriole 2; Rose-breasted Grosbeak 1; Purple Finch 1; (report from Tom Pirro).

    • 8/15/03 -- Ramshorn Pond, Millbury
    Around 7 pm this evening we had 14 Common Nighthawks fly over in a southerly direction. Nighthawk migration has started. (report from Deb & Dan Berard).

    8/14/03 -- Gate 39, Wachusett Reservoir, Clinton
    A before work walk resulted in 3 dozen Canada Geese, 1 Belted Kingfisher, 2 Barn Swallows, 2 Tree Swallows and an Osprey. (report from Peter Morlock).

    8/10/03 -- Northbridge Sewer Beds/ Rice City Pond, Uxbridge
    At the Northbridge Sewer Beds this morning there were 2 Solitary Sandpipers, 1 Killdeer, 1 Spotted Sandpiper and 7 Least Sandpipers. I also saw a Great Egret at Rice City Pond. (report from Peter Morlock).

    8/9/03 -- Broad Meadow Brook Sanctuary, Worcester
    Kim Bacchiocchi and I recorded the following highlights this morning : GREEN HERON (2 adults and 2 young - The 2 young still had a lot of down feathers and were climbing around the branches near the nest. They are still a little a ways away from being able to fly.); Spotted Sandpiper (1); Belted Kingfisher (1); Hairy Woodpecker (1); Willow Flycatcher (2); Eastern Phoebe (1); Eastern Kingbird (10+); Warbling Vireo (1); Carolina Wren (1); Gray Catbird (25+, including several immatures); Yellow Warbler (2); Black-and-white Warbler (1); Common Yellowthroat (10+); Song Sparrow (10+); Rose-breasted Grosbeak (2 immatures). (report from John Liller).

    8/9/03 -- Worcester Airport, Leicester
    Delores Price led 7 members of the Forbush Bird Club and Massachusetts Butterfly Club on a "Birds and Butterflies" walk in Leicester behind the Worcester Airport and at the former Leicester landfill. In spite of hot, humid and hazy weather with overcast skies, butterflies were abundant. Complete list of the 28 Bird and 22 Butterfly species observed. (report from Joan Zumpfe).

    8/9/03 -- Quabbin Park, Quabbin Reservoir
    We birded Quabbin Park this morning in fog and overcast conditions. Most of the warblers were juveniles and most were (obviously); ; not in song. Birds were very much in discreet mixed species flocks that only responded to spishing or a screech owl call.
    Great Blue Heron (1); Green Heron (1); Wood Duck (17 juv); SORA (1); Killdeer (16: all at fish hatchery); Spotted Sandpiper (1); Mourning Dove (20); Ruby-throated Hummingbird (1juv); Belted Kingfisher (4); E. Screech Owl (1); Downy Woodpecker (8); Hairy Woodpecker (3); N. Flicker (2); Pileated Woodpecker (1); E. Wood Peewee (18: these and the vireos were for the most part the only birds still singing); Least Flycatcher (5); E. Phoebe (2); E. Kingbird (11); Barn Swallow (4); Blue Jay (6); A. Crow (9); C. Raven (1); Black-capped Chickadee (32); Tufted Titmouse (11); White-breasted Nuthatch (14); House Wren (11); Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (3); Hermit Thrush (7); Wood Thrush (4); A. Robin (33); Gray Catbird (28); Cedar Waxwing (4); Yellow-throated Vireo (1); Red-eyed Vireo (59: many juv. birds); Scarlet Tanager (5); E. Towhee (21); Chipping Sparrow (26); Field Sparrow (8); Song Sparrow (1); N. Cardinal (2); Rose-breasted Grosbeak (2); Indigo Bunting (5); Purple Finch (3); House Finch (1); A. Goldfinch (20); Bobolink (2 overhead); Red-winged Blackbird (15+); Baltimore Oriole (4); (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

    8/7/03 -- Sterling Peat, Sterling
    There were a pair of Great Egrets in the marshy area along the east edge of Muddy Pond this morning. They appeared very nervous and left immediately after I took this photo. They flew off in a westerly direction toward Holden. Last August I found one on a limb in the big dead tree that stands in the swampy area of Muddy pond. That Great Egret appeared very calm and allowed me to photograph it over several minutes time. It may be that Great Egrets feel more secure sitting high in a tree than standing at ground level in a marsh. (report and photos by Bob Ricci).

    8/7/03 -- Fort Devens, Havard
    Last evening (8/6/03) there were 111 Killdeer on the soccer fields at "Fort" Devens in Harvard. Also, this morning I heard a Pileated Woodpecker calling/drumming outside my apartment in Gardner. (report from Tom Pirro).

    8/5/03 -- Wachusett Reservoir, Clinton
    This morning before work I stopped at Gate 39 in Clinton. There was an very early Common Merganser sitting on the shoreline. There also were some Canada Geese, Chipping and Song Sparrows, Kingbird and Bluebird. (report from Peter Morlock).

    8/4/03 -- All-Faiths (New Swedish) Cemetery, Worcerster
  • I saw one Black- crowned Night-Heron at Swedish Cemetery
  • Also, on 8/3/03 there were two Red-tailed Hawks flying around Foley stadium. Possibly the ones that nested at Elm Park. Also one Peregrine Falcon on the Verizon building. (report from John Shea).

    • 8/3/03 -- Seekonk River, RI
    We took a detour coming home from the Cape to conduct a complete survey of the Seekonk River, the southern end of the Blackstone National Corridor. It was high tide and there were a few shorebirds on the waste area south and adjacent to Bold Point. Double-crested Cormorant (80); Great Blue Heron (2); Great Egret (3); Green Heron (2); Black-crowned Night Heron (2); Mute Swan (46); Mallard (108 adults/8 yg); A. Black Duck (2); BLACK SCOTER (1m still present at Bold Pt. This bird has been here all summer); Osprey (3:including 1 juv. I am happy to report the young finally left the nest, though the juvenile we found was perched on the nest platform); Red-tailed Hawk (1); Killdeer (3); Semipalmated Plover (8); SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER (2: uncommon anywhere in the Corridor); Spotted Sandpiper (2); Greater Yellowlegs (1); Least Sandpiper (11); Semipalmated Sandpiper (4); Laughing Gull (3 adS); Common Tern (5); (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

    For previous sightings, see July 2003 Archives or Archive Index