August 2006 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:

8/31/06 -- Rt. 56 overlook, Leicester
We conducted a watch for nighthawks tonite from 5:45-7:15PM. Last night, only 10 birds were tallied by 9 watchers, but watchers at lower sites around the area had triple digit counts [see previous posts]. This was a curious situation, that the Rt. 56 site would do so poorly, while other typically not as productive sites all had huge counts. One of the reasons may have been that birds last night were feeding and not doing much moving and therefore low and local. Tonite, this is what we had: Cooper's Hawk (1: resident bird); Red-tailed Hawk (1: ditto); Wild Turkey (3ad+5yg); Chimney Swift (6); Tree Swallow (2); Barn Swallow (48); American Robin (162); Cedar Waxwing (8); Scarlet Tanager (1); Bobolink (56); Common Grackle (163); PLUS: Monarchs (30 migrating, some very high); (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

8/31/06 -- Wachusett Meadows Sanctuary, Princeton
At Wachusett Meadows tonight: Counted 552 common nighthawks moving W-NW from 6:25 to 6:45pm. After feeding the dog I returned to count 79 more from 6:55 to 7:05pm for total of 631. Wish I had gone out sooner. (report from Peg Knowlton).

8/31/06 -- Asnebumskit Hill, Paxton
A few hilites from a brief walk: 1 Black-throated Blue Warbler, 1 Yellow-rumped Warbler, 1 Black-throated Green Warbler, 2 Bay-breasted Warblers, 1 American Redstart, 1 Veery, 1 Philadelphia Vireo, and 1 Ruby-throated Hummingbird. (report from Brian Mulhearn)

8/30/06 -- Institute Park, Worcester
There were many Cedar Waxwings and some tyrant flycatchers vigorously flycatching over the pond. At about 4:45 PM, a flock of 100+ Common Nighthawks began flying over the park. As the flock circled around and flew above the park a second time, a flock of 10+ Chimney Swifts started flying over the pond from an altitude of about 60 ft to directly over the surface of the water. Both groups of birds continued to pass through and over the park for about half an hour. Also seen: 1 Great Blue Heron, 2 Canada Geese, ~8 DC Cormorants (mostly juveniles), several Yellow Warblers, 1 Spotted Sandpiper, 2 Least Sandpipers, a Belted Kingfisher, and a Warbling Vireo. (report from Nathaniel Freedman).

[Ed. note: later, around 7:15 pm, I was walking through a WPI parking lot, and a casual glance up at the sky revealed dozens of C Nighthawks heading generally SW. I knew that it must be a great night for seeing them: see posts below]

8/30/06 -- Redstone Hill, Sterling
There were 6 dozen Nighthawks flying over our house headed generally south. (report from Marion Larson & Scott Handler).

8/30/06 -- The Shoppes at Blackstone Valley, Millbury
At 5:30, my lawn, truck and driveway were covered with flying ants. I headed to the Millbury mall at about 5:45. From 6-7:15 a total of 344 nighthawks were observed. One flock of 136 was feeding and disappeared to the east. The other flocks of 47, 65, 16, 26 and 42 were feeding and headed north. The last group of 12 at 7:15 was not feeding and was flying directly south. (report from Alan Marble).

8/30/06 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
Raptors migrating today: Black Vulture 1 ; Turkey Vulture 7 ; Osprey 9 ; Bald Eagle 1 ; Sharp-shinned Hawk 3 ; Cooper's Hawk 1 ; Broad-winged Hawk 2 ; American Kestrel 2 ; Raptor Observations: Hundreds of hawks, mostly common nighthawks. The black vulture was very ragged looking, the bald eagle was an adult. There was very little non-migrant activity after 1:00 PM EDT. Non-migrants: 16 turkey vultures, at least 5 broadwings, 3 redtails and 2 Cooper's hawks.
Non-raptor Observations: 199 common nighthawks between 10-12 EDT; 6 between 2:45-3 EDT. 10 common mergansers, 5 ravens, 1 hummingbird. 52 monarch butterflies (report from Bart Kamp).

8/30/06 -- Note Dame Cemetery, Worcester
This evening Barbara and Rick Walker, Joan Zumpfe and I, counted 612 Nighthawks, between 5:30 and 8:00 pm. (report from Fran McMenemy).

8/30/06 -- Westminster
A good showing of Common Nighthawks tonight with a total of 735...which eventually headed north west. It began with 125+ moving SE well to my east...then ~30 headed north. I changed postions to what turned out to be a better vantage point. There I saw a group of 50 to my north, then a large group, well to my south east (est. at 650) came up from behind a ridge line over a mile away and headed north west...same direction as the previous 50....and later followed by another 30+. I heard a report of 400+ from South/central NH and another report of 900 from the Groton area along the Nashua River ....
Other birds seen and or heard at High Ridge WMA this evening: Turkey Vulture 3; Osprey 1 moving SW appeared migrating at 7:15PM; American Kestrel 1; Merlin 1 carrying prey; E. Phoebe 5; Scarlet tanager 1; Baltimore Oriole 2. I saw flying ants on my drive from Groton to High Ridge during the whole drive and heard of flying ants were taking flight in South central NH and Worcester. (report from Tom Pirro).

8/30/06 -- Park Avenue, Worcester
Returning from PT last night c. 6:15PM, we had 182 COMMON NIGHTHAWKS over Park Avenue in one small stretch. Though many birds were quite low, other groups were quite high. I was profoundly disappointed because I assume another huge night was being had at the Rt. 56 overlook in Leicester. But, I got the following message from BART KAMP: This is doubly interesting becasue TOM GAGNON had one of his biggest migrations ever atop Mt. Tom in the Connecticut River Valley with over 2100+ nighthawks. To date, it often seems that when Tom has a good night there, we have a poor night at Leicester and the reverse is often true too. (report from Mark Lynch).

8/28/06 -- Greenbriar Recreation Area, Oxford
Some birds of note from the 40 species recorded from 10 AM to noon: 1 green heron, 2 mute swan, 1 wood duck, 1 broad-winged hawk, 1 American woodcock, 6 chimney swifts, 2 belted kingfishers, 1 eastern kingbird, 1 northern mockingbird, 1 brown thrasher and a large flock of cedar waxwings (I saw 87 in a dying cherry tree at the same time and there were more). (report from Alan Marble).

8/27/06 -- Quabbin Aqueduct Airshaft, Hardwick
Here is the extended trip narrative and species list. (report from Chris Ellison).

8/27/06 -- Auburn Birdbanding Research Station
We had a good weekend at the banding station, banding close to 100 birds. Big migration weekend for Northern Waterthrush, we caught and banded a record 24 on Saturday and another 6 Sunday. Other warblers banded included a Black Throated Blue, a Blue-winged, a couple of Canadas, a few Common Yellowthroats, an Ovenbird, and several American Redstarts. We also banded a lot of Gray Catbirds, and other species including, Carolina Wren, Red-eyed Vireo,Veery, Rose breasted Grosbeak, Northern Cardinal, and Chickadee. (report from Colleen Morin).

8/27/06 -- Grafton High School, Grafton
Note: heavy rain
COMMON NIGHTHAWK - 4 (between 7 and 7:30 only)
Also, CHIMNEY SWIFT - 28 (though several continued to feed around us, most were heading south); DC Cormorant - 16 (heading north towards Lake Quinsigamond); Great Blue Heron - 2; Green Heron - 2; PEREGRINE FALCON - 1 (It had something in its talons as it flew west across the playing fields. Needless to say, it spooked and scattered all of the gulls and Killdeer as it flew by.); Killdeer - 45 (feeding in athletic fields); Ring-billed Gull - 37 (we decided to count the birds in the fields because there was not much else to count for a long while); Eastern Kingbird - 1; Barn Swallow - 2 (heading north); American Robin - 16 (heading south); Cedar Waxwing - 2; RW Blackbird - 49 (all heading north, as they always do); Common Grackle - 98 (ditto); (report from John Liller).

8/27/06 -- Blackstone Corridor, RI
We did go out tonite to northern RI sections of the Corridor and got (no surprise) NO NIGHTHAWKS. Could the weather have been more counter productive? We decided to focus our attentions around large areas of water in the vague hopes of seeing birds feeding low over the water. These are also locations where we have seen nighthawks before.
Time: 4:45PM-7PM
Temp: 55 throughout the count
Weather: rain-heavy rain
  • RESURRECTION CEMETERY, CUMBERLAND RI: Canada Goose (22); Nota bene: there are typically numbers of Killdeer here, but tonite, we found zip.
  • ARNOLD'S MILLS/DIAMOND HILL RESERVOIRS, CUMBERLAND: A bonanza of shorebirds on Arnold's Mils, where the water has been dramatically lowered. Standing out in the rain and cold in rain gear with dripping scope brought back shivering memories of Birdathon. This is an unusal concentration of shorebirds, undoubtably related to the rain. Double-crested Cormorant (39); Great Egret (16: VERY unusual high count for an inland location in N RI); Great Blue Heron (13); Snowy Egret (1); Mute SWan (2); Canada Goose (38); Green-winged Teal (8); Blue-winged Teal (1); Mallard (22); A Black Duck (2); Osprey (1); Semipalmated Plover (10); Killdeer (22); Spotted Sandpiper (6); Solitary Sandpiper (4); Lesser Yelowlegs (11); Greater Yellowlegs (20); Least Sandpiper (118); Semipalmated Sandpiper (11); Baird's Sandpiper (1); White-rumped Sandpiepr (2); Short-billed Dowitcher (1); Barn Swallow (70+);
  • SNEETCH POND, CUMBERLAND: Wood Duck (1); Osprey (1); Nota bene: a large nest on one of the power stanchions looks like it could have been an Osprey or Red-tailed nest.
  • WOONSOCKET RESERVOIR, SMITHFIELD: The water here was nowehere near as lowered as the Cumberlabd reservoirs: Double-crested Cormorant (11); Belted Kingfisher (1);
  • We also checked Lincoln Mall where we have had flocks of nighthawks before, but no such luck. I have heard also from Beth Milke and Bill Cormier who also tried tonite and also came up with nothing. As they say, negative results are still results. (report from Mark Lynch).

    8/27/06 -- Wachusett Reservoir, Clinton
    A quick check of the east side of Wachusett Reservoir had: Common Loon (5); Double-crested Cormorant (82); GREAT CORMORANT (2imm: on platform nearer to dam end); Great Egret (1); Mallard (3); Belted Kingfisher (1); (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

    8/27/06 -- Leesville Pond/All Faiths Cemetery, Worcester
    Highlights of an early morning walk around the edge of the cemetery: 2 green-winged teal, 3 adult black-crowned night herons, 3 double-crested cormorants and 4 northern flickers. (report from Alan Marble).

    8/26/06 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
    Here is the trip narrative and species list (report from Chris Ellison).

    8/26/06 -- West Hill Dam, Uxbridge
    At least 40 common nighthawks came wheeling in from the north at West Hill Dam tonight, circling the marsh, crossing the dam, circling the river, heading south. The nighthawks appeared in small groups of five or so between 7 and 8PM. Some flew low enough that we could see their white wing and throat patches in the relatively low light.
    The middle of the dam afforded a good view of nighthawks and the swarms of mosquitoes that might have been attracting the birds. Chimney swifts were numerous, and several cedar waxwings worked the trees along the dam spillway. Two wood ducks landed in the marsh as the light faded quickly. (report from Paul and Beth Milke)

    8/26/06 -- Rt. 56 overlook, Leicester
    Tonite was Day#1 of the Blackstone Corridor and western Worcester County co-ordinated Nighthawk watch. Teams were in many locations all counting during the same time period: We were joined by Bart Kamp; Oona Aldrich and Jean McLarty: Double-crested Cormorant (27 migrating SW); Great Blue Heron (4); Sharp-shinned Hawk (2); Cooper's Hawk (1); Red-tailed Hawk (1); American Kestrel (1); Wild Turkey (7ad+9yg); Killdeer (4);
      COMMON NIGHTHAWK (563 a conservative, careful count: This was a really interesting night to watch, with lots of first flying one way, then another and you really had to try to keep close watch of where birds went so as not to double count. This is why having multiple obervers at a site like this really helps. We got to watch three (at least); substantial kettles. These soared very high and then would quickly dissolve as birds suddenly peeled off and soared much lower, often out of sight. We watched birds fly in from the south to join these kettles and a best guess is that they form around swarms of flying insects.
    Chimney Swift (37); Pileated Woodpecker (1); Tree Swallow (5); Barn Swallow (79); American Robin (245); Bobolink (88); Common Grackle (427); Baltimore Oriole (1); Plus: White-tailed Deer (3); (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

    8/26/06 -- Northfield/Northampton
  • We started the day at the Northfield SOD FARMS. Here we found Tom Gagnon already on some great shorebirds: Killdeer (63); Semipalmated Plover (1); Solitary Sandpiper (1); Least Sandpiper (6); Baird's Sandpiper (1juv); Buff-breasted Sandpiper (1); Pileated Woodpecker (1);
  • We then (with Tom); headed to SATAN'S KINGDOM WMA and HELL'S KITCHEN for a brief visit (after all, who wants to go to Satan's Kingdom for a LONG time anyway?) , also in Northfield. Here we found: Great Blue Heron (1); Wood Duck (6); Belted Kingfisher (4); Olive-sided Flycatcher (4 minimum); E Wood Peewee (8); E Phoebe (10); Red-eyed Vireo (1); Magnolia Warbler (1); Black and White Warbler (2); Common Yellowthroat (4); Canada Warbler (1);
  • Afterwards we head to the Meadows, Northampton to find almost no fields have been plowed yet, hence no shorebirds. Passerines were in the weedy thickets. Highlights were only an immature Cooper's Hawk sitting on the road; Willow Flycatcher (1); ; and (7); Indigo Buntings. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

    • 8/26/06 -- Grafton High School, Grafton
    COMMON NIGHTHAWK - 60
  • 5:00-5:30 1 (moving WSW from Grafton Center to Quinsigamond River);
  • 5:35-6:00 9 (heading south along Quinsigamond River);
  • 6:00-6:30 0
  • 6:30-7:00 28 (27 were heading SE over Grafton Center, 1 heading SW over Quinsigamond River);
  • 7:00-7:30 10 (3 heading south along Quinsigamond River, 7 heading NE over Lake Ripple);
  • 7:30-7:50 12 (3 heading south along Quinsigamond River, 9 feeding over Lake Ripple at end);
  • Note: Many of the birds were feeding on route, so their movements were not always direct.
  • CHIMNEY SWIFT - 116 (feeding mainly to west and north of High School);
  • Wood Duck - 1 (flying NE to Lake Ripple); (report from John Liller).

    8/26/06 -- Asnebumskit Hill, Paxton
    Hilites: GB Heron 2, Green Heron 1, Turkey Vulture 4, Wood Duck 2, Red-tailed Hawk 1, Ruffed Grouse 1, Chimney Swift 4, Hairy Woodpecker 4, Common Flicker 2, Pileated Woodpecker 1, Olive-sided Flycatcher 1, Peewee 12, Yellow-bellied Flycatcher 1, Empi. Flycatcher 3, Phoebe 8, Great-crested Flycatcher 4, Kingbird 2, Red-eyed Vireo 5, Philadelphia Vireo 1, Raven 3, RB Nuthatch 4, Carolina Wren 2, Winter Wren 2, Hermit Thrush 2, Catbird 6, Cedar Waxwing 38, actively flycatching, Yellow Warbler 4, Yellow-Rumped Warbler 3, Chestnut-Sided Warbler 1, Black-throated Green Warbler 3, Black and White Warbler 2, Ovenbird 4, Common Yellowthroat 7, Wilson's Warbler 1, Towhee 9, Rose-breasted Grosbeak 5, Swamp Sparrow 2. (report from Brian Mulhearn)

    8/24/06 -- The Shoppes at Blackstone Valley, Millbury
    I was night hawk watching from 5:45 until about 7:00 PM. Fran McMenemy joined me for a while. I saw a total of 111 nighthawks. The majority of the night hawks (76) were seen from 6:10-6:25 moving north or northeastward. Prior to this, there were small groups moving northwest, south and southeast. None were seen after 6:45. Also seen were 2 eastern kingbirds. (report from Alan Marble).

    8/24/06 -- Grafton High School, Grafton
  • From 5:35-7:45: COMMON NIGHTHAWK - 221
  • 5:35-6:00 80 (53 heading WSW from Lake Ripple, 27 heading south along Quinsigamond River)
  • 6:00-6:30 61 (57 heading south along Quinsigamond River, 4 heading SSE over Grafton Center)
  • 6:30-7:00 72 (53 heading south along Quinsigamond River, 19 heading SSE over Grafton Center)
  • 7:00-7:30 8 (3 heading south along Quinsigamond River, 5 heading SSE over Grafton Center)
  • Note: Many birds were circling for a couple of minutes before heading off. This was especially true when I first got there, as a group of 37 were feeding over Lake Ripple. I also had a group of 40 at 6:18 and a group of 51 at 6:33, both heading south along the river.
  • Also: CHIMNEY SWIFT - 42 (feeding mainly to west and north of High School); DC Cormorant - 7 (heading north towards Lake Quinsigamond); Great Blue Heron - 1 (heading south); GREAT EGRET - 1 (heading south along the Quinsigamond River); Killdeer - 15 (feeding in athletic fields); Tree Swallow - 6 (feeding with the Chimney Swifts); Barn Swallow - 10 (most heading north); American Robin - 14 (all heading south); Cedar Waxwing - 1; RW BLACKBIRD - 55 (all heading north, as they always do); COMMON GRACKLE - 20 (ditto); (report from John Liller).

    • 8/24/06 -- Rt.56 overlook, Leicester
    We were in Belchertown visiting Val and Scott. En route to Belchertown along Rt.9, we came across several flocks of Nighthawks: BROOKFIELD (70: most heading towards the river); WARE (48: many low and feeding; heading SW); BELCHERTOWN (37 all heading south, all pretty high and just moving.)
    We got home to find the following message from BART KAMP: (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

    8/24/06 -- Brierly Pond, Millbury/Merrill WMA, Sutton
  • Seen this afternoon at Brierly Pond, West Main St, Millbury: 1 PIED-BILLED GREBE, 1 double-crested cormorant, 1 spotted sandpiper and 8 mallards.
  • At the Merrill WMA ponds on West Sutton Rd, Sutton:11 wood ducks, 2 great blue herons, 3 mallards, 5 eastern phoebes and 2 eastern wood pewees. (report from Alan Marble).

    8/24/06 -- Institute Park, Worcester
    At noon highlights included 1 BC Night-Heron (ad), 1 Spotted Sandpiper, 2 Least Sandpipers, 1 Belted Kingfisher, 1 E. Phoebe, and 4 Cedar Waxwings. (report from Rick Quimby).

    8/23/06 -- High Ridge WMA, Westminster
    I have watched for Common Nighthawk movements a few evenings, at High Ridge WMA in Westminster, over the past week. The results to date: 
    8/18/06      12 moving SW
8/20/06      27 moving SW
8/22/06      132 primary movement NW
8/23         102 "              " W
    (report from Tom Pirro).

    8/23/06 -- Grafton High School, Grafton 
    DATE:  8/23/06
TIME:  5:40-7:00
OBSERVERS:  John Liller
WEATHER:  Partly Cloudy, 70s, NE 5 mph

COMMON NIGHTHAWK - 9
        6:17 - 3 flying South overhead
        6:29 - 1 flying South overhead
        6:34 - 5 flying SSE over Grafton Center

CHIMNEY SWIFT - 39 (feeding mainly to west and north of High School)

DC CORMORANT - 2 (heading north towards Lake Quinsigamond)
GREAT BLUE HERON - 1 (heading south)
KILLDEER - 26 (feeding in athletic fields)
BARN SWALLOW - 9 (all heading north)
AMERICAN ROBIN - 2
CEDAR WAXWING - 3
RW BLACKBIRD - 30 (all heading north, as they always do)
COMMON GRACKLE - 56 (ditto)

Also:  Mallard, Ring-billed Gull, Mourning Dove, Blue Jay, European
Starling, Song Sparrow, American Goldfinch, House Sparrow
    (report from John Liller).

    8/23/06 -- Rt.56 overlook, Leicester
    Do to a previous appointment, I was unable to watch for nighthawks tonite, but of course BART KAMP and others were on the case. I got the following message from Bart:
      John Shea started at 5:30. I arrived at 5:45 and Pauline Metras stopped by at 6:45. We all left at about 8:00. There wasn't a dull moment from start to finish. The first group of birds formed a broadwing like kettle of 80 birds. No tricks this evening. ALL of the birds moved from generally NE to SW. At times there were birds passing the same point at the same time at both bino and scope range and there were groups of birds one or two fields above or below each other passing at the same time making it difficult to count them. The final count was 1029 common nighthawks. Also noted was a sharpy and Cooper's hawk, an osprey and a great blue heron.
    (report from Bart Kamp, fide Mark Lynch).

    8/23/06 -- Institute Park, Worcester
    Today at noon the mud island at the center of Salisbury Pond condinued to bring interesting shore birds within view. Highlights were 4 DC Cormorants, 1 GB Heron, 1 Lesser Yellowlegs, 1 Killdeer, 2 Least Sandpipers, 1 Belted Kingfisher, and 1 Eastern Phoebe. (report from Rick Quimby).

    8/22/06 -- The Shoppes at Blackstone Valley, Millbury
    I went looking for common nighthawks from 6:15-7:30 PM from the parking lot of the Millbury Mall. 65 came by in small groups,from 6:30 to about 7:15, all heading pretty directly to the northeast. From 7:15 to 7:30 there were two heading southwest. Other highlights: 3 Baltimore Orioles and 8 chimney swifts. (report from Alan Marble).

    8/22/06 -- Mosquito Pond, Dudley
    Today at noon there were 2 Great Egrets at Mosquito Pond on Dudley-Oxford Road in Dudley. Also, on 8/20, around noontime in Rice City Pond in Uxbridge, there was a Great Egret and a mute Swan nearby seen from the car as I went over the bridge.(report from Joan Zumpfe).

    8/22/06 -- Rt. 56 airport overlook, Leicester
    We had to work late, and so did not arrive at the nighthawk watch location till 6:20Pm. BART KAMP was already there since 6PM. From his arrival, he witnessed a huge, broad front of COMMON NIGHTHAWKS moving directly EAST (ie: contrary to typical movements) into the city of Worcester, literally from end to end of the sky. We caught the end of this movement and tallied (974) birds. Then by 6:35 there was a lull, and by 6:42 birds were then seen moving in singles and small groups BACK over the hill now to the SW. Some of these birds were likely the birds seen previously moving into the city, but some could also have been new migrants from the east and north. From 6:42-7:45Pm, we tallied (331) birds, almost all moving low, again over a broad front. We stopped when viewing got too difficult. Because so many of the birds were so low, we could have easily missed many birds flying north or south around the Rt.56 hill. This is a great example of how complex the movements of nighthawks are and folks who do not have a broad view (we have almost a 360 degree view on Rt. 156) need to be careful not to recount birds doubling back. Birds seen tonite: Sharp-shinned Hawk (1); American Kestrel (2); Wild Turkey (2); COMMON NIGHTHAWK (974 heading east, then later 331 heading SW. Great views.); Barn Swallow (37); Bobolink (105); Common Grackle (184); PLUS: Monarch's migrating: (16); and (3) White-tailed Deer. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

    8/22/06 -- Mandel Hill, Hardwick
    This evening there were three small waves of common nighthawks passing over Mandell Hill in Hardwick, totalling 18 birds between 7:00 and 7:30PM. All were moving due west. (report from Chris Buelow)

    8/22/06 -- Sterling Peat, Sterling
    There were 4 Green Herons perched up in the big snag this morning. (report from Peter Morlock).

    8/22/06 -- Institute Park, Worcester
    Interesting birds at noon included 2 Least Sandpipers, and 1 Semipalmated Plover, on exposed mud at center of pond. (report from Rick Quimby).

    8/21/06 -- Rt.56 airport overlook, Leicester
    TIME: 5:45PM-7:30PM
    WEATHER: Partially cloudy at the start, but soon evolved into almost clear skies with just a few insignificant small clouds. Visibility excellent: we could see all the way to microwave tower in north Blackstone (town) and beyond. Temp: 75-68. Winds: 0-8.0mph from the NW.
    Another slow day for nighthawks as predicted by veteran Bart Kamp who believes there is very little movement on the day following the passage of a major front. Double-crested Cormorant (2); Great Blue Heron (2); Osprey (1); Sharp-shinned Hawk (1); Wild Turkey (7ad+8yg); Killdeer (1); COMMON NIGHTHAWKS (39: some birds were heading around the southern end of the hill and then SW or very high and cutting across the hill to the SW. At 7:26 (5) birds flew in low and began to hunt over the aiport fields); Belted Kingfisher (1: it flew very high across our field of view, likely heading to one of the city reservoirs); Chimney Swift (3); Eastern Kingbird (flock of 8 that migrated in over the tree tops and then spread out and went to roost for the night); Tree Swallow (14); Barn Swallow (66); Red-eyed Vireo (1); American Crow (21); American Robin (139); Gray Catbird (2); Cedar Waxwing (14); Bobolink (77); C Grackle (253); Baltimore Oriole (2); American Goldfinch (6); PLUS: almost NO odes in strak contrast to the previous night's amazing showing; (9) Monarchs migrating and (1) SHORT-TAILED WEASEL that crossed the road right next to us. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

    8/21/06 -- Rail Trail, Holden
    The two Cooper's Hawk chicks (really full sized adult ) are staying close to the original nest. They have moved down about 50 to 60 yards from their original nest. Like young juveniles, they are noisy and playful and their banter is noticeable. I was surprised that they were still here today. If you listen closely to the calls, you may find them between the gate off River St. in Holden and the first bridge. I suspect only a short time until they leave. (report from Steve Olson).

    8/21/06 -- JWhitin Pond, Uxbridge
    Two great egrets were seen circling low over JWhitin Pond off Rte 122. (report from Paul and Beth Milke)

    8/21/06 -- Institute Park, Worcester
    Sediment filling in the pond has created a small mud island in the middle, which has increased the possibility of shore birds. A noontime walk today yielded highlights of 2 DC Cormorants, 1 Black-crowned Night-Heron, 1 Solitary Sandpiper, 1 Belted Kingfisher, and 2 Least Sandpipers. (report from Rick Quimby).

    8/20/06 -- West Hill Dam, Uxbridge
    About a dozen common nighthawks appeared around 7PM circling for several minutes at West Hill Dam in Uxbridge. Also seen during the hour: two great blue herons, eastern phoebes, rock pigeons, tree and barn swallows, and a family of five eastern bluebirds. A short time later, two common nighthawks flew over River Bend Farm from (roughly) northeast to southwest. (report from Paul and Beth Milke)

    8/20/06 -- Wachusett Reservoir/Bolton Flats/Sterling Peat, Sterling/Bolton
  • Just a few stops around WACHUSET RESERVOIR: Common Loon (4); Double-crested Cormorant (18); Great Egret (1); Tree Swallow (15+); Barn Swallow (30+); Scarlet Tanager (4imm);
  • BOLTON FLATS (a few stops); : Double-crested Cormorant (2); N Goshawk (1imm); Killdeer (4); Ruby-throated Hummingbird (3); Downy Woodpecker (3); Hairy Woodpecker (2); N Flicker (3); Eastern Phoebe (11); Eastern Kingbird (19); Red-eyed Vireo (1); Barn Swallow (35+); Blue Jay (3); Black-capped Chickadee (16); Tufted Titmouse (6); White-breasted Nuthatch (2); House Wren (3); A Robin (209); Gray Catbird (43); Brown Thrasher (1); Cedar Waxwing (11); Prairie Warbler (1imm); Black and White Warbler (3); A Redstart (2); Common Yellowthroat (27); Eastern Towhee (2); Swamp Sparrow (9); Song Sparrow (65); Rose-breasted Grosbeak (1); Indigo Bunting (3); Bobolink (68); Red-winged Blackbird (23); Baltimore Oriole (4); Purple Finch (1); A Goldfinch (27);
  • STERLING PEAT: Great Egret (3); Canada Goose (42); Mallard (14); Red-tailed Hawk (1); Killdeer (3); Solitary Sandpiper (1); Least Sandpiper (4); Belted Kingfisher (1);
  • We also stopped by CLINTON HIGH SCHOOL and had 18 Killdeer which were flushed off the playing fields. Eight of them landed and stayed on the roof of the high school. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

    • 8/20/06 -- Rt.56 overlook, Leicester
    Time: 5:30PM-7:25PM.
    Weather: humid, warm.Low 80s at start, down to 60s as line of sever storms approached from west. Winds 0-light, increasing as storms approached.
    We were joined By Bart Kamp. Very poor night for nighthawk movement here in the Corridor (see below); , perhaps because we were between two fronts. I do know Tom Gagnon did much better than us in the Valley tonite. Though we had plenty of flying insects, we had no flying ants, which seems key to having large movements on humid evenings, at least here. We did have an amazing odonate show, with many hundreds of darners, skimmers et. COMMON NIGHTHAWK (18: Many far out; Some were heading SW, some SE); Chimney Swift (4); Eastern Kingbird (4); Tree Swallow (98); Barn Swallow (60); Crow (24); Common Raven (2); Cedar Waxwing (7); Bobolink (38); Eastern Meadowlark (2); C Grackle (87); Baltimore Oriole (1); A Goldfinch (7); (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

    8/20/06 -- Louisa Lake, Milford
    Around mid-day Sunday, an adult black-crowned night heron flew from the shallow water below the spillway at Louisa Lake, Milford, into the low branches of a willow tree. It remained there for about ten minutes, providing an excellent view of its red eyes, yellow legs and feet, and long white plume. It flew off across Dilla Street in the direction of the marsh. Two least sandpipers were pecking in the spillway water, and a great blue heron waded along the shoreline of the lake. One adult and one young ring-billed gull loitered nearby, and one domestic goose (white) accompanied one (yes O-N-E) Canada goose. (report from Paul and Beth Milke)

    8/19/06 -- Fisherville Pond, Grafton
    From 6:30 - 8:30AM, Highlights: Great Egret 6; Green Heron; Great Blue Heron 2; Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher; Mourning Dove 71 on power lines. The water was high and the only shorebirds were 4 Killdeer and a Least Sandpiper. (report from Peter Morlock).

    8/19/06 -- Asnebumskit Hill, Paxton
    As I returned to my car at the summit I heard Ravens calling. I flushed six of them from the tower where they bred, it had to be the whole family as there were 4 Ravens produced from the nest this year. As they flew out a Sharp-shinned Hawk perched on another tower took a pass at one of them. They rose on a thermal diving at each other and calling loudly overhead. Also of note, a mother Black Bear and her cub recently destroyed a bird feeder at a house at the Holden/West Boylston area, Laurel, Manning St. Trout Brook, Rail Trail area. They have been spotted many times during the last month. (report from Brian Mulhearn)

    8/19/06 -- Ware River Watershed, Barre/Rutland
    We did a standard point survey of the SE section of the Ware River Watershed IBA. This area is between Barre Falls Dam and Rutland SP is about 1/3 of the total area of the IBA. This time of the year is a difficult time to bird inland forest habitats. It is post breeding, post singing for most birds. Red-eyed Vireos and Peewees are still singing, and the odd warbler, but mostly it is silent out in the forest. The big movements of passerine migrants have yet to start so the calssic dawn flocks of fall warblers found at the edges of fields or instands ot birch or alders, are not yet happening. That said, modest movements of Eastern Kingbirds and other flycatchers as well as orioles (all early migrants) were evident today. Most birds were in loose mixed species flocks, some difficult to spot as they fed in the upperstory of oaks and conifers. Many "birds of the year" were seen, some in pretty ratty condition. Double-crested Cormorant (1 ina tiny wooded pond smack dab in the middle of the forest); Great Blue Heron (4); Wood Duck (8); Mallard (6); Red-shouldered Hawk (1); Ruffed Grouse (1); Virginia Rail (3); Solitary Sandpiper (1); Yellow-billed Cuckoo (2); Chimney Swift (6); Ruby-throated Hummingbird (2); Downy Woodpecker (8); Hairy Woodpecker (11); Olive-sided Flycatcher (1); Eastern Wood Peewee (26); Yellow-bellied Flycatcher (1); "Traill's type" Flycatcher (1); Eastern Phoebe (7); Eastern Kingbird (29); Yellow-throated Vireo (1); Blue-headed Vireo (5); Red-eyed Vireo (82); Blue Jay (29); A Crow (2); Common Raven (5); Tree Swallow (26); Barn Swallow (7); Black-capped Chickadee (133); Tufted Titmouse (11); Red-breasted Nuthatch (18); White-breasted Nuthatch (7); Golden-crowned Kinglet (6); Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (1); Veery (8); Hermit Thrush (16); A Robin (79); Gray Catbird (41); Cedar Waxwing (18); Scarlet Tanager (8); Eastern Towhee (27: many juvenile birds); Chipping Sparrow (16); Field Sparrow (2); Song Sparrow (11); Swamp Sparrow (3); Rose-breasted Grosbeak (3); Bobolink (3 overhead); Common Grackle (87: flocks feeding in upperstory of oaks in deep forest); Baltimore Oriole (17); A Goldfinch (22); PLUS: Woodchuck, Red Squirrel; Eastern Chipmunk. There have been very recent reports of Moose and Black Bear from this area. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

    8/19/06 -- Rt.56 overlook, Leicester
    Time: 5:30PM-7:30PM
    Weather: completely overcast; Rain just before we got there and showers in the middle of the watch. SW Winds 0-4.9mph
    We joined Bruce deGraaf already in place and were later joined by Bill Cormier and friend. Green Heron (1); Wild Turkey (3ad+7yg); Sharp-shinned Hawk (1ad); Cooper's Hawk (1ad); Red-tailed Hawk (1); American Kestrel (1m); COMMON NIGHTHAWK (111 : I thought tonite would be a bust, or close to it, what with overcast skies and rain showers off and on, but a decent movement of birds were tallied anyway. The only time we did not see birds is when it really rained, for about 15 minutes smack in the middle of the watch period. Birds went through in a variety of locations but all eventually heading S and SSW. Many birds were fairly low. Many birds went by BEHIND (west); of us and Sheila had to stand looking out our sun roof to pick all of them up.); Chimney Swift (2); Tree Swallow (16); Barn Swallow (71); American Robin (101); Cedar Waxwing (3); Savannah Sparrow (3); Bobolink (58); Common Grackle (208); A Goldfinch (6); (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

    8/18/06 -- Rt. 56 overlook of Worcester Airport, Leicester
    6PM-8PM: Almost cloudless sky, very light winds. We were joined for much of the count by Bart Kamp and Fran McMenemy. Sharp-shinned Hawk (1ad); Cooper's hawk (1ad); Killdeer (1); COMMON NIGHTHAWK (360: birds were flying low within 5 minutes of arrival, heading SSW per usual. Many birds initially were benind (west) of us, but eventually birds appeared over Worcester and in small groups in a variety of locations, including right over head. For most of the time birds moved directly and quickly and only at the very end did they appear to be feeding); Chimney Swift (7); N Flicker (2); Eastern Kingbird (1); Tree Swallow (12); Barn Swallow (66); American Crow (21); Common Raven (1); American Robin (110); Savannah Sparrow (2); Bobolink (143); Red-winged Blackbird (23); Common Grackle (86); Baltimore Oriole (4); A Goldfinch (6); PLUS: BUTTERFLIES: Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (6); Clouded Sulphur (18); C. Wood Nymph (1); Monarch (9). (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

    8/16/06 -- Hadwen Park/ Curtis Pond, Worcester
    1 Great Egret, 3 GB Herons, 1 Green Heron, 1 DC cormorant, 1 Solitary Sandpiper, 1 Osprey. I have been seeing Ospreys all summer around Asnebumskit Hill, Paxton. Maybe they have nested on one of the nearby reservoirs? (report from Brian Mulhearn)

    8/14/06 -- Rice City Pond, Uxbridge
    The great egret remains at Rice City Pond on Hartford Avenue, Uxbridge, sometimes in the company of one or two great blue herons. An osprey spent most of Monday morning in the area, also. It was seen around 8AM perched in the tall pines next to the Visitors Center at River Bend Farm. Although the bird dived to the water two or three times, it came up empty-taloned and finally flew off toward Rice City Pond. A short time later it was seen from Lookout Rock off Quaker Street. This perch allowed us to see the stately bird several times from overhead; at other times the osprey soared high above us. An osprey was seen again between 5 and 6PM at the Farm. This time it snagged a fish and flew over the field, heading southeast. (report from Beth Milke and Nancy Demers)

    8/13/06 -- Sterling Peat, Sterling
    Highlights from Sterling Peat: 6 Great Egrets; 2 Double-crested Cormorants; 3 Common Nighthawks; 1 Spotted sandpiper; 3 Killdeer; 1 Ruby-throated Hummingbird; 1 Brown Thrasher; 10+ Cedar Waxwings; 1 Prairie Warbler; 5 Baltimore Orioles; (report from Kevin Bourinot & Rebecca Ciborowski).

    8/13/06 -- High Ridge WMA, Gardner/Westminster
    Birds seen and/or heard during a 5+ mile walk along "major" roads at High Ridge WMA, in both gardner and Westminster, from 8:45AM to 3:45PM:
    Wood Duck 5; Mallard 3; Double-crested Cormorant 1; Great Blue Heron 3; Turkey Vulture 3; Cooper's Hawk 1 (An imm. harrassed by Tree Swallows); Broad-winged Hawk 5 (Appeared to be a family group together, an imm. was; catching and eating insects on the wing); Red-tailed Hawk 1; Killdeer 1; Solitary Sandpiper 1; Ring-billed Gull 1; Mourning Dove 8; Ruby-throated Hummingbird 1; Belted Kingfisher 1; Downy Woodpecker 8; Hairy Woodpecker 3; Northern Flicker 5; Olive-sided Flycatcher 1 (right on time); Eastern Wood-Pewee 7; Eastern Phoebe 11; Eastern Kingbird 5; Blue-headed Vireo 4; Red-eyed Vireo 8; Blue Jay 9; American Crow 6; Tree Swallow 40; Bank Swallow 7; Barn Swallow 2; Black-capped Chickadee 68; Tufted Titmouse 8; White-breasted Nuthatch 4; House Wren 17; Eastern Bluebird 2; Veery 1; Wood Thrush 1; American Robin 26; Gray Catbird 15; Cedar Waxwing 32; Chestnut-sided Warbler 3; Black-throated Blue Warbler 1; Yellow-rumped Warbler 2; Black-throated Green Warbler 2; Pine Warbler 1; Black-and-white Warbler 1; American Redstart 2; Common Yellowthroat 21; Scarlet Tanager 2; Eastern Towhee 1; Chipping Sparrow 17; Song Sparrow 20; Swamp Sparrow 2; Northern Cardinal 1; Rose-breasted Grosbeak 1; Indigo Bunting 4; Bobolink 2; Common Grackle 2; Purple Finch 3; House Finch 1; American Goldfinch 17;
    (report from Tom Pirro).

    8/12/06 -- Leicester/Worcester
    The Forbush Bird Club held a trip on August 12, 2006 on route 56 in Leicester, at the Leicester Landfill and on Mulberry Street behind the Worcester Airport which caused some inquiries from airport security. Here are details of the bird and butterfly species observed during the trip. (report from Joan Zumpfe).

    8/9/06 -- Hardwick/New Braintree
    Here is the extended trip narrative for a trip to:
    Pine Island, Hardwick
    North Road, Hardwick
    Ruffed Grouse Society Property-Mackay Road, New Braintree
    (trip report from Chris Ellison).

    8/7/06 -- Rail Trail, Holden
    A pair of Cooper's Hawks have successfully fledged two chicks from a nest along the rail trail in Holden. The chicks are flying and have been doing so for the past week in the parking lot off River Street in Holden. They are hanging close to the nest but making themselves quite obvious to the casual observer with their squirks. Like all young siblings, they're playing with each other. It is amazing how much strength they've developed in the eleven days from leaving the nest to flying close to it. I suspect that one is a male (small and less of a wing span) and the other is a female (much larger). No sight of the parents today but suspect they are in the area. Expect that the activity around the nest will decrease as the birds grow older and go further as they learn to hunt. (report from Steve Olsen).

    Ed note: Steve has been monitoring this nest for a good part of the summer, but info has not been posted until now, to prevent any possible disturbance of the nest.

    8/5/06 -- Ware River Watershed
    Some highlights from 6:00 - 8:30 AM: Black-billed Cuckoo; Black-throated Green Warbler; Black and White Warbler 2; Canada Warbler; Chestnut-sided Warbler; Ruby-throated Hummingbird 2; Eastern Towhee 8 (there was a family group of 3 juveniles and 2 adults all foraging together); Bobwhite M&F (both very tame and not too concerned about my car); Cedar Waxwings - lots. (report from Peter Morlock).

    8/4/06 -- Millbury Bike Path/West Millbury
    Highlights along the Blackstone this morning: 22 wood ducks (11 very young), 2 great blue herons, 2 first year double-crested cormorants, 3 solitary sandpipers (one flew up and landed in a tree) and 2 spotted sandpipers. At home in West Millbury, I've had a 1st fall rose-breasted grosbeak eating sunflower seeds this week. At least 2 red-bellied woodpeckers are seen regularly and the winter wrens behind my house have stopped singing. (report from Alan Marble).

    8/2/06 -- Grafton Center
    I had a screech owl whinnying and trilling outside of my bedroom window this evening. A first for us at this time of year. Sounded so close that I could've reached out my bedroom window and grabbed him. (report from Scott Jordan).

    For previous sightings, see July 2006 Archives or Archive Index