August 2004 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:

8/31/04 -- WTAG Towers, Holden

Between 6:00 and 7:00 p.m. we observed 20 Common Nighthawks flying in small groups of 3 to 5 and headed easterly. Also observed were 3 pairs of bluebirds, 3 pairs of goldfinches, and 3 Rufous Towhees. (Report from Steve Olson)

8/31/04 -- Grafton High School, Grafton

Clear, winds out of NNW, 70s. Double-crested Cormorant (1 - headed north); Canada Goose (4); Red-tailed Hawk (1); Killdeer (9); Ring-billed Gull (6); COMMON NIGHTHAWK (94 - flocks of up to 16, all birds were heading south or southwest); CHIMNEY SWIFT (9); Downy Woodpecker (1); Northern Flicker (1); Red-winged Blackbird (119 - all moving north); Common Grackle (8 - all moving north); Monarchs (3 - headed south); also: Mourning Dove, Blue Jay, American Crow, European Starling, (report from John Liller)

8/31/04 -- Rt.56 overlook of Worcester airport, Leicester

Time: 5:45-7:05PM. Observers: Mark Lynch, Sheila Carroll, John Shea, Bart Kamp, Fran McMenemy
COMMON NIGHTHAWKS: 90: all flying south to the east of us; many quite high and most flying quite rapidly. These were quite hard to see, and one had to look against the clouds in the hopes of picking them out. Other birds: Double-crested Comorant (2); Great Blue Heron (2); Green-winged Teal (1); A Black Duck (8); Turkey Vulture (1); N Harrier (1); Red-tailed Hawk (2); A KESTREL (9: all flying to the west together); Merlin (1); Wild Turkey (2); Killdeer (4); Ruby-throated Hummingbird (1); (report from Mark Lynch).

8/30/04 -- Providence St. area, Worcester

A co-worker of mine's son works at IDG of NE off the old rte 146 in Quinsig Village, Worcester, near the Millbury line. I was told it's off of Providence St somewhere. Someone at IDG of NE was feeding pigeons at lunch and a immature hawk took away one of the pigeons. The next day the hawk was on the ground near the person feeding the pigeons. Today the hawk flew into the building. These were apparently Red-tailed hawks, not falcons as originally reported. (report from Joan Gallagher)

8/29/04 -- Water's Farm, Sutton

From 5:00 PM-7:15 PM, observations made from the Manchaug Lake overlook opposite the Water's Farm Farmhouse:
Nighthawks: First bird observed at 5:37 overhead heading west. Between 6:00 and 6:15 had 13 flying over Manchaug Lake heading Southwest. All very direct flight with little feeding activity. From 7:00-7:15 there were 3 nighthawks spotted; 1 was feeding over the Lake and heading generally Southwest; 2 others flew overhead in a southeasterly direction toward the Lake. TOTAL NIGHTHAWKS: 17 Other birds of note: Chimney Swift (8), Eastern Bluebird (5), Red-tailed Hawk (1-hunting at farm), Red-bellied Woodpecker, Ruby-throated Hummingbird (feedingat flowers), Scarlet Tanager, Eastern Wood Peewee, Barred Owl (called from woods to the southwest).(report from Phil Guerin/Pat Robitaille).

8/29/04 -- Millbury

On my way to my granddaughter's 2nd birthday party in Shrewsbury, at around 2:00 p.m., on rte 20 near the rte 146 exit to the Mass Pike retaining pool, there was a Great Egret. Ironically, this circuitous route won't be necessary as of Monday, the 30th, because the straightaway is opening. So unless I'm heading for the pike, I won't view this pool anymore. (report from Joan Zumpfe).

8/29/04 -- Worcester Airport

This AM we saw the Upland Sandpiper that was first discovered by Mark Lynch and Sheila Carroll and then relocated by Fran Mcnenemy last evening. We got great views from Mulberry St from the knoll looking onto the runway just under the orange runway indicator walking in the grass. It eventually walked into tall grass and disappeared. ( Dan & Deb Berard);

8/29/04 -- Blackstone Corridor: Grafton

Kim Kastler, Colin Bacchiocchi and I had a much quieter night at the Grafton High School. In fact, we could have called the count the "Killdeer Watch" as we had an interesting movement of Killdeers. We did not have any flying ants tonight. Weather: 5:00 - Clear, SW winds at 10-15 mph, 84 degrees. 7:00 - Clear, light SW winds, 80 degrees. Turkey Vulture (1); Red-tailed Hawk (1 immature); Killdeer (30 - flew in 2-3 at a time from the north and landed to feed in the athletic fields); Ring-billed Gull (5 - flying around Lake Ripple); COMMON NIGHTHWAWKS (43 - all moving south); CHIMNEY SWIFT (58); Red-winged Blackbird (224 - heading north); Common Grackle (3); Also: Mourning Dove, Downy Woodpecker, Blue Jay, American Crow, European Starling, House Finch (report from John Liller).

8/29/04 -- Rt. 56 overlook of Worcester Airport, Leicester

4:55PM-7:10PM. Weather: winds from the SW 10mph; hot, humid, hazy, partly cloudy. Thunder storms from a passing front far to the west and north of us. COMMON NIGHTHAWKS: 230. We actually thought we were going to be skunked tonite. We did not see our first nighthawk till 5:48. Then the birds, in widely separated singles and small groups, started to move to the west of Rt. 56 and then south. Eventually, numbers started to pick up and then they were more commonly seen moving south over the runways, though birds still moved to the west of us too. Some birds were quite close. By 6:55, flocks started to feed in earnest and there was some drifting back. No noticeable flying ants swarms were seen. Eventually we were joined by the some of the Barre Falls Hawkwatch folks, including Bart Kamp. Other birds: Double-crested Comorant (1); Canada Goose (27: on the runways); N Harrier (1 sub-ad M); Sharp-shinned Hawk (1); Red-tailed Hawk (2); A Kestrel (8 on the runway at once); Wild Turkey (25); Killdeer (7 on the runway at once); UPLAND SANDPIPER (1 at end of runway. We were able to pick it out from Rt 56!. Fran McMenemy refound this bird a few days back, and several people have now had it from Mulberry Street early in the AM or in the afternoon); Ring-billed Gull (2); Chimney Swift (19); Tree Swallow (6); Barn Swallow (11); Cedar Waxwing (10); Savannah Sparrow (4); Bobolink (12); E Meadowlark (1); Northern Oriole (2m); (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

8/29/04 -- the Mall, Millbury

Tonight from the Mall in Millbury: 5pm humid, 93, wind WSW @ 5 mph @5:30 the temp dropped to 83, and the wind picked up to 12mph from the WSW 7pm temp 79,wind 10mph WSW. Nighthawks (14); total: 5:00 (1) northeast & (1) southwest, 5:15 (1) southwest, 5:45 (1) south & (9) west flew right over head, 6:00 to 6:30 (0), 6:45 (1) south. Also, Red Tail (2), turkey Vulture (3), Red Wing (9), Humming Bird (1), King Bird (5), Coppers Hawk (1), Chimney swifts (5).(report from Deb & Dan Berard).

8/28/04 -- Wachusett Meadow Sanctuary, Princeton

The Forbush bird Club held a trip to Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary in Princeton on Saturday, August 28, 2004. Highlights included Wood Duck 9; Wild Turkey 4; Green Heron 1; Sharp-shinned Hawk 1; Cooper's Hawk 1; Red-shouldered Hawk 1; Ruby-throated Hummingbird 6; Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 3; Blue-headed Vireo 1; Red-eyed Vireo 2; Golden-crowned Kinglet 1; Cedar Waxwing 10; Black-throated Blue Warbler 1; Black-throated Green Warbler 3; American Redstart 2 F; Common Yellowthroat 3; Sacrlet Tanager 1 F; Complete trip report here. (report from Joan Zumpfe).

8/28/04 -- East Meadows, Northampton

We birded the fields of East Meadows from dawn on this morning. We were later joined by Tom Gagnon, which is always cheery. Sharp-shinned Hawk (1 that flew into the clouds of swallows and kept moving on); Peregrine Falcon (1imm: at dawn this bird did some serious buzzing of the fields. Later we had it perched); Killdeer (15++); Semipalmated Plover (1); American Golden Plover (1ad); Least Sandpiper (15++); Baird's Sandpiper (3); Buff-breasted Sandpiper (1); Nota bene: when we first arrived, there were NO shorebirds in the field across from the manure pile. Driving much further down the road, we found a flock of Killdeer, the Buff-breasted and several peep, including 2 Baird's at the far end of a field. Tom joined us at this point. These birds eventually left, flying far off south. Efforts to relocate this flock were unsuccessful, but it's a large area and birds could be in any number of places. Then we went back to the field opposite the manure pile, but this time from the opposite side (near the red barn);. Here was the Golden Plover and 1 Baird's Sandpiper and several Leasts, all offering great views. Much later, open leaving, we passed the "manure field" again, which was being plowed. A group of Killdeer, Leasts and (2); Bairds were in a tight group there. Horned Lark (9); TREE SWALLOW (75,000++: when we arrived at dawn, the numbers of Tree Swallows on the road, in the air and roosting in the corn was nothing short of breathtaking, swirling in huge dense clouds, certainly rivaling anything I have ever seen on Plum Island. Within an hour, they began to disperse considerably, though there remained numbers of swallows throughout the morning); Bank Swallow (30++); Barn Swallow (100++); Yellow Warbler (2); C. Yellowthroat (2); Indigo Bunting (4); Bobolink (56: flying overhead all morning, but especially early on); Red-winged Blackbird (40+); Baltimore Oriole (3); (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

8/28/04 -- Blackstone Corridor

We did several spots in NE RI tonite, including some new locations with very mixed results:

5:10-6PM: RESURRECTION CEMETERY, CUMBERLAND: COMMON NIGHTHAWKS: 38: all far to the north, probably in MA! All flying west. We actually recorded ALL of these in the first 15 minutes. Then there were NONE for the rest of the time. Ring-billed Gull: 19: all aerial feeding on some insects (flying ants?);

6:10-6:30: CUMBERLAND RESERVOIRS: Common Nighthawks: 0 Ring-billed Gull (161: many aerially feeding again); It was amazing there were NONE around these two large adjacent reservoirs.

6:35: MANDEVILLE CROSSING OF BLACKSTONE RIVER: Common Nighthawks: 0 It was amazing that none were feeding along the mainstem of the river.

6:50-7:10: NORTH SMITHFIELD: GREAT ROAD OVERLOOK. This was a spot we found last year and had a good count of nighthawks at. You are in central extreme north North Smithfield looking south. The birds are fairly close. COMMON NIGHTHAWKS: 76: who knows how many passed all evening? They flew by along the same route as we saw them flying last year: Directly west. As it got past 7, two groups "balled up" drifted back and fed a bit, then continued west.

NOTA BENE: I will be back at the Rt. 56 Overlook Sunday. PLEASE post all results to each other (see list above); AND Rick's site. Next weekend I will check spots in Glocester and Burrillville. It really does look like the bulk of RI nighthawks BY FAR migrates west through the northern sections of the state (ie: the Corridor);. Sometimes large flocks do drift further south, but these occurances are likely exceptions. (report from Mark Lynch).

8/28/04 -- Blackstone Corridor: Millbury Mall

5:00 Humid, 90, wind from SW @ 5mph
7:00 Humid, 83, wind from SW @ 3mph

15 min times-Common Nighthawks:2 flew high over Millbury center heading SouthWest 5:15 (1) flew North, 5:30 (5) flew South feeding and (4) flew SouthWest feeding, 5:45 (0); 6:00 (0), 6:15 (6) heading SouthWest, 6:30 till 7:00 (0); Other sightings of interest (57); Mallards flew up from the BlkStone River and headed NW with one group being (36);, Canada (10);, ChimneySwifts (8);, Ring Bills (4);, Kingbird (2);, starlings (35); heading NorthEast, Tree Swallows (8); heading NorthEast, heard a phoebe, Turkey Vultures (13); very interesting was at 5:00 there were only 5, then more kept arriving from the NorthWest then around 5:45 they formed a kettle and went down behind the trees near the rte146/20 intersection. (report from Deb and Dan Berard).

8/28/04 -- Blackstone Corridor: N RI

Tonight, during the first night of the Blackstone Corridor Nighthawk Watch, Kim Kastler and I recorded the following: Great Blue Heron (2); Canada Goose (5); Mallard (8); Killdeer (1); COMMON NIGHTHAWK (341); CHIMNEY SWIFT (126); Downy Woodpecker (2); Northern Flicker (1); Eastern Kingbird (1); Tree Swallow (3); Barn Swallow (5); Red-winged Blackbird (134 - all moving north); Common Grackle (50 - all moving north); also: Mourning Dove, Blue Jay, American Crow, European Starling, House Finch, American Goldfinch, House Sparrow
5:00 - Partly Cloudy, 88 degrees, light winds from the south
7:00 - Clear, 84 degrees, light winds from the south

Early on, we had a large group of nighthawks feeding around Lake Ripple, and in time, these birds headed southwest towards the Blackstone. Then, the flying ants began to emerge, which brought in a huge group of Chimney Swifts, probably out of the north. Then a large group of nighthawks came out of the north, fed for a while, and then headed south, directly over our heads. At the same time, a couple of smaller groups of nighthawks came in from the southwest along the Quinsigamond River and fed before moving southwest towards the Blackstone. Throughout the early evening, the flying ants were quite thick, and we actually had one group emerge right next to where we were standing. Meanwhile, many of the birds were feeding quite high. (report from John Liller).

8/27/04 -- Rt.56 overlook of Worcester Airport, Leicester

We counted nighthawks from 5PM to 7:10PM tonite from this overlook. Eventually we were joined by Dan Berard and Deb Berard and Fran McMenemy. Weather: 70's, humid, winds: 10mph from the SW. Low lying clouds (almost foggy); obscured distant views. Double-crested Cormorant (3); N Harrier (1immM); Sharp-shinned Hawk (2); Red-tailed Hawk (1); A Kestrel (4); Merlin (1); Wild Turkey (a total of 15ad+9imm in 4 groups); A Golden Plover (4); Killdeer (3); COMMON NIGHTHAWK (530: bird behavior tonite was interesting. From 5-6, birds flew in from the WEST, often very low. When they hit the runways, they would feed a bit, then continue on south. At 6:06, birds started to come in on a broad front from the North and Northwest. Many birds were low. Ruby-throated Hummingbird (1); Cimney Swift (10); Cedar Waxwing (16); Tree Swallow (3); Barn Swallow (7); YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT (1: flew across Rt. 56 right next to us when we first arrived); Rose-breasted Grosbeak (1); E. Meadowlark (1); (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

8/27/04 -- Worcester Airport, Leicester

This evening there was an Upland Sandpiper at the Worcester Airport. It was half way between the end of the runway and the fence on Mulberry St.. (report from Fran McMenemy).

8/27/04 -- Grafton High School, Grafton

I did some scouting this evening for a place to look for nighthawks this weekend in Grafton. At the High School, I recorded the following numbers: Common Nighthawk (213 - all moving north and feeding); Chimney Swift (42); Ruby-throated Hummingbird (1 - headed south); The Grafton High School is located adjacent to Lake Ripple and the Quinsigamond River. (report from John Liller).

8/26/04 -- High Ridge WMA, Westminster

This evening 111 Common NightHawks passed over High Ridge WMA in Westminster between 5:45 and 7:30PM. (report from Tom Pirro).

8/25/04 -- High Ridge WMA, Westminster

A nice flight of 389 Common Nighthawks passed High Ridge WMA in Westminster last evening. There was some meandering of birds but the overall flight was SSW with an occasional small group deviating to the east or west. The flight was over a broad front and during the peak birds were coming directly over head and both to the east and west but no long strings of birds.
An older gentleman from the RC airplane club stopped by and we had a nice conversation. He recalled seeing a large flight of Nighthawks in Florence many years ago, the fact he doesn't see them during nesting season any more (he recalled seeing them displaying over Hubbarston center years ago), and the "good old days" ...back when Elms lined the streets of Hubbarston center and when "they" sprayed for bugs you had to, unfortunately, pick up the dead Orioles and Robins under the Elms!
Other birds seen: Great Blue Heron a few squawking from the marsh below; UN ID'd Heron 1 Way out in poor light, may have been a Night Heron flying S; DC Cormorant 4; Eastern Bluebird 4 (Ad. M, Ad. F and 2 youngsters); Eastern Phoebe 1; Belted Kingfisher 1; Cedar Waxwing ~15; RT Hummingbird 1; Barn Swallow a few moving S; Tree Swallow a few moving S; Chimney Swift a few moving S;
Also, on 8/26 I heard a Common Loon heard calling..(probably in flight) and Pileated Woodpecker before I got out of bed. (report from Tom Pirro).

8/25/04 -- Rt.56 overlook of Worcester Airport, Leicester

We tallied nighthawks tonite between 5PM and 6:30PM. Clear, almost cloudless skies, light winds from the S. COMMON NIGHTHAWKS (237). Their movement tonite was interesting. Rt. 56 runs almost north-south at this point and you are looking east from the lookout, over the airport runways below for some distance. As a matter of fact you can see the microwave relay tower in north Blackstone (town) that is opposite Daniel's Farm to the right of your field of distant view. Thus you are looking diagonally from the NW corner of the MA section of the Blackstone National Corridor (Leicester) to the SE area (Blackstone). Between 5 and 6, birds came in over a broad front from the east, mostly from the SE direction of our point of view (south of the Pachachoag towers). They then hit Airport Hill, headed NORTH around the hill, then Northwest and then we lost sight of them because of terrain. Shortly after 6PM, some birds began to return from the north and west, some flying around the hill southeast and then south, some coming from the NW right over our heads. We did NOT count these in our finished tally as we assumed they could be part of the birds we saw heading north. Other than the nighthawks, it was not a great evening for other birds migrating and numbers were overall modest or low.
Other birds seen: Double-crested Cormorant (2); Turkey Vulture (1); N Harrier (1m on runway); Sharp-shinned Hawk (2); Red-tailed Hawk (2); Merlin (1 on runway); Wild Turkey (3 flocks: 1 in the field right in front of us (3ad+9yng); and then 2 simultaneously on the runways far below (2ad+12yg and 1ad+7yg); Killdeer (3 on runways); Greater Yellowlegs (1 flying and calling overhead); Chimney Swift (3); Tree Swallow (8); Barn Swallow (9); (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

8/25/04 -- Notre Dame Cemetery, Worcester

Between 6:00 and 7:45 this evening there were 108 Nighthawks. Nearly all were flying north to south. (report from Bart Kamp).

8/24/04 -- Notre Dame Cemetery, Worcester

We took a chance there might be a few nighthawks flying and walked up to Notre Dame Cemetery. We were rewarded with 37 low flying birds that seemed to be generally headed in a southerly direction. Also lots of swirling Barn and Tree Swallows and Chimney Swifts feeding at the top of the hill on a beautiful night. (report from Rick and Barbara Walker).

8/24/04 -- off Salisbury St, (near Park Ave.), Worcester

I just went out to fill the feeders at 7:30PM and had 47 Common Nighthawks circling overhead, feeding, some calling. Eventually the group drifted NW. (report from Mark Lynch).

8/24/04 -- Wachusett Reservoir, Clinton

Late this afternoon there was one adult Red-necked Grebe in fading summer plumage. Another bird that doesn't read check lists. RN Grebes are not supposed to be here until October. (report from Bart Kamp).

8/24/04 -- Worcester and vicinity

Salisbury Pond (Worc): around 11:00 AM there was an Osprey circling the pond.

At Gate 39 Wachusett Res in the afternoon, there were 2 Ospreys and a Great Egret.

I stopped at Sterling Peat and saw 2 Great Egrets, a Green Heron and a Great Blue Heron.

Cascade Rd Worc.: While looking for Common Nighthawks (12) from my back deck, I also saw an Osprey flying overhead. (report from Peter Morlock).

8/24/04 -- Ramshorn Pond, Millbury

Last night (8/23/04) we had 3 nighthawks fly over at 7pm heading NE. Tonight (8/24/04) we had 1 nighthawk feeding as it flew in a SW direction around 7:40pm. (report from Dan & Deb Berard).

8/24/04 -- Interstate 190, Worcester

Driving north on I-190 just past exit 2 around 5:45 pm this evening I saw 5 C. Nighthawks flying in a sw direction low over the road. There may well have been more, but I was clearly in no position for a leisurely viewing! (report from Rick Quimby).

8/23/04 -- West Main St., Dudley

While sitting at a gas station on West Main Street in Dudley, at 6:45 pm, very close to the Webster line, a bird caught my attention. I pulled my binoculars out from under the car seat and spotted a Common Nighthawk flying over the French River. It was the first time I've seen one in Dudley. (report from Joan Zumpfe).

8/22/04 -- Sterling Peat/Wachusett Reservoir/All Faith's Cemetery, Sterling/Clinton/Worcester

Late in the afternoon, Fran and I stopped at Sterling Peat and saw 2 Great Egrets, 2 Snowy Egrets,1 Greater Yellowlegs, 1 Belted Kingfisher, 1 Eastern Kingbird, 1 Eastern Phoebe and heard 1 Spotted Sandpiper and 1 Killdeer. We had a second Greater Yellowlegs at the pool near the school soccer fields with some Canada Geese.

At Wachusett Reservoir, there were 5 Common Loons and 3 Bonaparte's Gulls near gate 6. There was another bird hanging out by the Bonies that was much smaller which flew and dove like a tern. We were unable to get close enough for a better look to id it. There was also 1 additional Great Egret at Wachusett Reservoir on the island near Gate 39.

At All Faith's Cemetery, there were 2 adult Black-crowned Night Herons, 7 Wood Ducks, 2 adult Mute Swans, 10 Chimney Swifts and a few Cedar Waxwings. No Common Nighthawks were noticed. (report from Joan Zumpfe).

8/22/04 -- High Ridge WMA, Gardner

Hilites this morning: Great Egret 1 (has been present for a few weeks); Broad-winged hawk 3 (1 Ad. and 2 Imm.); "trails" type Flycatcher 2; Least Flycatcher 2; Eastern Phoebe 10+; Warbling Vireo 1; Blue-headed Vireo 4; Red-eyed Vireo 20+; Nashville Warbler 1; Magnolia Warbler 2; Black-throated green Warb. 10+; Blackburnian Warb. 1; Chestnut-sided Warbler 4 all imm.; Wilson's Warbler 1; Common yellowthroat 15+; Rose-breasted Grosbeak 10-15 (including one female feeding a fledgling); Scarlet tanager 5-10; Baltimore Oriole 5. (report from Tom Pirro).

8/22/04 -- High Ridge WMA, Westminster

Hilights from a Nighthawk survey (from near the radio "control" airplane field at High Ridge WMA); from 5PM to 8PM included a modest 87 Common Nighthawks moving SW with 85 % of the birds passing between 6 and 7PM. Other hilites: Turkey Vulture 35 kettling up in the distance; American Kestrel 1 male; Pileated Woodpecker 1; Bobolink 25+; R-Thr. Hummingbirds 2; Small numbers of Barn and Tree Swallows along with Chimney Swifts passed headed south west.
There are hazards of conducting this count from near the airstrip, other than the whining noise of the RC aircraft: last evening one the RC planes was buzzing overhead and suddenly stopped, and crashed....only 21 feet away from me (7 paces away). The only consolation, other than it missed me, was the final thud as it hit the paved road. Tonight I'll have to bring a helmet or maybe the 12 gauge. (report from Tom Pirro).

8/22/04 -- Tower Hill Botanic Garden, Boylston

Kathie Hogan and I continued our systematic birding of Tower Hill Botanic Garden (Boylston, Ma.) on Sunday, August 22. We counted 27 species with the highlights being: cooper's hawk (1), northern harrier (1), barn swallow (2), brown thrasher (1), r.th. hummingbird (6), wood pewee (4), blue-gray gnatcatcher (1), a very late Baltimore Oriole. (report from Jim Hogan).

8/22/04 -- Rt.56 overlook of Worcester Airport, Leicester

We counted migrating nighthawks tonite between 4:30PM and 6:45PM. Weather was ideal: the day after the passage of a major front, almost clear and almost still. Other birds were on the move too, including a decent number of hawks. From this one overlook: Double-crested Cormorant (26); A Black Duck (4); Turkey Vulture (3); Osprey (2); Sharp-shinned Hawk (2); Cooper's Hawk (1); Red-tailed Hawk (3: not migrating); Broad-winged Hawk (3); A Kestrel (10); Wild Turkey (4ad+7yg on runway); Killdeer (2); UPLAND SANDPIPER (1: Sheila picked up this bird in the scope high and a looong way off flying towards us from the east. To our amazement, we followed it continuously until, eventually, it landed in the field right in front of us!); COMMON NIGHTHAWK (458: all flying S or SSE. Most flying purposely, though around 6PM a group of 50 that had passed drifted back once, fed,and then moved on); Chimney Swift (5); Ruby-throated Hummingbird (1); E Kingbird (1); Tree Swallow (100: an actual count, not an estimate); Cliff Swallow (2imm); Barn Swallow (47); Cedar Waxwing (11); Bobolink (7); Red-winged Blackbird (12); C Grackle (5); Baltimore Oriole (2); ALSO: At about 4:30PM Sheila spotted a huge HONEYBEE SWARM right in front of us. Deep in queen pherome bliss, this huge swarm of several thousand bees flew low right over us rapidly and loudly, heading west. An amazing sight and sound. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

8/21/04 -- Wachusett Reservoir, Clinton

Before the rain today an adult Bald Eagle was wading on the bushy island in Clinton. A short time after it left an Osprey landed on one of the man-made perches. (report from Bart Kamp).

8/20/04 -- High Ridge WMA, Westminster

While no Nighthawks were detected to be "on the move" this evening at High Ridge WMA, I did have the fortune to be entertained by two Olive-sided Flycatchers. 4 Eastern Kingbirds were on the move heading south west. (report from Tom Pirro).

8/18/04 -- Sterling Peat, Sterling

At Sterling Peat this morning there were 5 Great Blue Herons, 3 Great Egrets, 2 Snowy Egrets, 3 Green Herons and 1 Black-crowned Night Heron. (report from Bart Kamp).

8/18/04 -- High Ridge WMA, Westminster

This evening I tallied a modest 62 Common Nighthawks passing High Ridge WMA near the model airplane air field between 5:45PM and 7:45PM. Most birds were fairly distant but one small group of 5 passed directly overhead. The breakdown in 15 minute "buckets":

5:45-6:00        0
6:00-6:15        3
6:15-6:30        18
6:30-6:45        28
6:45-7:00          2
7:00-7:15          0
7:15-7:30        7
7:30-7:45        4

Total            62

Other hilites seen were 10 Eastern Kingbirds migrating SW and a flock of 20 Bobolinks was moving about the area and small numbers of Chimney Swifts, Barn Swallows and Tree Swallows were moving SW. (report from Tom Pirro).

8/17/04 -- Cental Mass Common Loons

To date this year successful hatching of C. loons has taken place on at least 4 bodies of water, EXCLUDING Wachusett and Quabbin Res. Today I checked on the Notown Res. in Leominster and both young are doing well, nearly adult sized, and today were continuously diving (hardly taking time for a breath of air) in the company of one of the parents for about 20 minutes. Other successful pairs in north central mass, that I have observed this summer, include: Lake Wompanoag (Gardner/Ashburnham): 1 chick; Upper Naukeg Res.(Ashburnham): 2 chicks; Paradise Pond (Princeton): 2 Chicks; Here are two links (to non-profit organizations); with more detail on our massachusetts (summer resident); loons dealing with some of the perils these birds face including lead fishing gear and methyl-mercury: The Biodiversity Research Institute: http://www.briloon.org/ ... look under the "recent reports" on the left side of the home page. Massachusetts Aquatic Conservation Society : http://www.macsloons.org/ (report from Tom Pirro).

8/17/04 -- Hell's Kitchen, Greenfield

This morning we birded HELL'S KITCHEN AND SATAN'S KINGDOM WMA in Greenfield, near the VT border (see pp. 110 in the BIRD FINDING GUIDE TO WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS). This modestly sized WMA is mostly mixed forest with good stands of hemlock and also includes a nice string of small beaver ponds. Temps were in the mid-60s, fairly cool for a visit to the nether regions. Birds were in a few mixed species flocks and seemed to be on the move. Great Blue Heron (3); Wood Duck (13); Osprey (1 migrating SSW); N Goshawk (1ad); Broad-winged Hawk (4 migrating SSW); Killdeer (1); Solitary Sandpiper (1); Ruby-throated Hummingbird (2); Belted Kingfisher (2); Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (1); Downy Woodpecker (7); Hairy Woodpecker (3); N Flicker (1); Olive-sided Flycatcher (2: the wooded beaver marshes here are perfect for finding this species in migration); E Wood Peewee (7); E Phoebe (28); E Kingbird (4); Tree Swallow (9); Black-capped Chickadee (42); Tufted Titmouse (6); White-breasted Nuthatch (5: curiously for such perfect habitat: NO RB Nuts!); Brown Creeper (3); Winter Wren (1); Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (4); Golden-crowned Kinglet (1); Gray Catbird (4); Yellow-throated Vireo (1); Blue-headed Vireo (3); Warbling Vireo (1imm); Red-eyed Vireo (14);

WARBLERS(mostly immatures of females);: Chestnut-sided (6); Magnolia (3); Yellow-rumped (4); Black-throated Green (18); Pine (3); Black and White (9); A Redstart (1); C Yellowthroat (3); Canada (6);

Scarlet Tanager (5); Chipping Sparow (9); Song Sparrow (5); Purple Finch (1); Soul-sucking Spawn of the Dark Realm (0);

On the way home, we stopped by BARTON'S COVE, GILL: Double-crested Cormorant (2); Great Blue Heron (3); Great Egret (4); Green Heron (3); Wood Duck (9); Mallard (299); A Black Duck (4); Osprey (1); Bald Eagle (1 imm+1ad); Belted Kingfisher (2);
Then, along Rt. 122 in Barre at about 2:30PM, we had (73); Turkey Vultures all heading SW. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

8/17/04 -- Sterling Peat, Sterling

At dawn: Great Blue Heron (9); Great Egret (2); Snowy Egret (2imm); Green Heron (5imm: these flew in as a group and dispersed throughout the area); Canada Goose (65); Mallard (24); A Black Duck (15); Red-tailed Hawk (1); Virginia Rail (1); Killdeer (4); Greater Yellowlegs (2); Lesser Yellowlegs (1); Solitary Sandpiper (3); Spotted Sandpiper (2); Least Sandpiper (8:1 juv); Semipalmated Sandpiper (1); BLUE GROSBEAK (1imm); Bobolink (11 overhead); Baltimore Oriole (4); (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

8/17/04 -- High Ridge WMA, Gardner

Hilites from Smith Street at High Ridge WMA this evening: Great Blue Heron 3; Great Egret 1; Wood Duck 1 (only); Hooded Merganser 1; Olive-sided Flycatcher 1; Balt. Oriole 5; Scarlet tanager 2. Also on my commute home last evening 17 Common Nighthawks were seen in West Townsend. (report from Tom Pirro).

8/16/04 -- Quabbin Park ("South Quabbin")

We birded Quabbin Park this morning in mist and rain. Despite the gloomy weather, there were a few passerines about, but they were in a very few and widely separated "mixed species" flocks (a la fall migration);. Only a very few birds were still "on territory" and song was almost absent. Common Loon (3ad); Double-crested Cormorant (5); Green Heron (2); Canada Goose (27); Wood Duck (7); Mallard (3); A Black Duck (1); Red-tailed Hawk (3); Wild Turkey (2adF w/16 yng); Virginia Rail (1); Killdeer (1); CASPIAN TERN (1: likely yearly at Quabbin and possibly Wachuset Reservoir); Ruby-throated Hummingbird (2); E Screech Owl (1: this species is very tough anywhere in Quabbin proper where Saw-whet is the common small owl. Quabbin Park remains your best bet for finding a Screech Owl in the area); Belted Kingfisher (1); Red-bellied Woodpecker (1); Downy Woodpecker (9); Hairy Woodpecker (4); Pileated Woodpecker (2); E Wood Peewee (12: one of the few species still singing); "empid sp." (1 "Traill's type"); E Phoebe (10); Great Crested Flycatcher (1); E Kingbird (3); Tree Swallow (11); Barn Swallow (18); Black-capped Chickadee (14); Tufted Tirmouse (7); Red-breasted Nuthatch (1); White-breasted Nuthatch (12); Yellow-throated Vireo (2); Red-eyed Vireo (19: almost all were silent except for giving scold notes); Blue Jay (22); A Crow (9); C. Raven (1); House Wren (3); Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (7); E Bluebird (3); Hermit Thrush (4); A Robin (3); Gray Catbird (20);

WARBLERS: Yellow (3); Chestnut-sided (2); Black-throated Green (4); Blackburnian (1m); Pine (6); Prairie (5); Black and White (2); A Redstart (3); C Yellowthroat (4);

Scarlet Tanager (8); N Cardinal (3); Rose-breasted Grosbeak (3); E Towhee (10); Chipping Sparrow (23); Field Sparrow (5); Swamp Sparrow (1); Song Sparrow (11); Bobolink (4 overhead); Red-winged Blackbird (2); Brown-headed Cowbird (only 1); Baltimore Oriole (12); A Goldfinch (12);
PLUS: among the typical late summer blooms we saw at Quabbin Park today were Great Lobelia, Fern-leaved False Foxglove (try saying THAT fast 10 times);, Wand-like Bush-Clover, Blue Curls, and the ever popular Devil's Walking Stick. (report from Mark Lynch).

8/15/04 -- Seekonk River, RI

We conducted a standard survey of the Seekonk River between Providence and East Providence and from India/Bold Points to the Pawtucket line. It was low tide and the rain had stopped. Double-crested Cormorant (74); Turkey Vulture (3); Great Blue Heron (8); Snowy Egret (1); Great Egret (5); Black-crowned Night Heron (18ad+6imm); Mute Swan (88ad+4yng); Mallard (332); A Black Duck (5); Osprey (2); Spotted Sandpiper (1); Greater Yellowlegs (6); Semipalmated Sandpiper (69); Least Sandpiper (7); Laughing Gull (5); CASPIAN TERN (1ad: flying north up Seekonk and into Pawtucket); Common Tern (39+1 almost fledged yng on wooden structure off Bold Pt. There could have been others); Forster's Tern (1); Belted Kingfisher (3); Tree Swallow (200+); Red-eyed Vireo (2+1 feeding a young cowbird at Swan Point); Black and White Warbler (2); (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

8/15/04 -- Ramshorn Pond, Millbury

At 7:30 this morning a Boneparte's Gull rested on our pond. This was the first sighting of this species on our pond and we were quite surprised. (report from Dan & Deb Berard)

8/14/04 -- Sterling Peat, Sterling

This morning at Sterling Peat there were 2 Great Egrets and 2 Snowy Egrets feeding in the pool left of the sand bank. (report from Peter Morlock).

8/11/04 -- Sterling Peat, Sterling

On Wednesday morning there were 2 Snowy Egrets and 2 Great Egrets at Sterling Peat; 1 Great Egret on Cemetery Island in Clinton and 1 Great Egret at Institute Park in Worcester. (report from Bart Kamp).

8/10/04 -- Sterling Peat, Sterling

Today at Sterling Peat there were 2 Snowy Egrets, 1 Great Egret, 1 Green Heron, and 1 Semipalmated Plover. (report from Fran McMenemy).

8/8/04 -- Wachusett Reservoir, Clinton

At approximately 5:15 p.m. as I drove down Route 70 near Gate 1 of Wachusett Reservoir (at the dam) I saw a mature bald eagle circling just above the road and treetops. (report from Joan Richards).

8/8/04 -- Sterling Peat, Sterling

I took some photos this weekend at Sterling Peat, including a Great Egret, Snowy Egret, and Solitary Sandpiper. On 8/7/04 there were also Great Blue Herons, Least Sandpipers, Spotted Sandpipers, Killdeer, Canada Geese, and Mallards. I saw the same birds on 8/8/04 as well as a Greater Yellowlegs and a Semipalmated Sandpiper. (report and photos from Bruce deGraaf).

8/7/04 -- Broad Meadow Brook Sanctuary, Worcester

Highlights of my monthly Saturday morning walk at Broad Meadow Brook were 1 Great Blue and 1 Green Heron, 1 Cooper's and 1 Red-tailed Hawk circling overhead together, 2 Solitary Sandpipers, 1 Ruby-throated Hummingbird, 3 Phoebes, 3 E. Kingbirds, 1 Great-crested Flycatcher, 1 Brown Thrasher, 1 Yellow Warbler, and 2 Common Yellowthroats. Also, a possible male Wood Duck that was preening behind a stand of phragmites in the beaver pond. (report from Howard Shainheit).

8/7/04 -- Worcester Airport vicinity, Leicester

The Forbush Bird Club held a "Birds and Butterflies" field trip on Saturday, August 7, 2004 from behind the Worcester Airport in Leicester (route 56) and Mulberry Street. Bird sightings included: Northern Harrier 1; Cooper's Hawk 1; Broad-winged Hawk 7 (kettling); American Kestrel 2; Killdeer 2; Ruby-throated Hummingbird 1; Eastern Kingbird 3; Veery 1; Cedar Waxwing 4; Savannah Sparrow 1; Eastern Meadowlark 2. Complete trip report here (report from Joan Jumpfe).

8/3/04 -- Sterling Peat, Sterling

Among the birds at Sterling Peat this morning was 1 Snowy Egret. (report from Bart Kamp).

8/2/04 -- Leesville Pond, Auburn

Here is a photo of one of the two Black-crowned Night Herons that were easily found midday.(report from Brian Mulhearn)

For previous sightings, see July 2004 Archives or Archive Index