August 2007 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:

• 8/5/07 -- Radio interview with LANG ELLIOTT on bird songs and other sounds of nature
• 9/2/07 -- Radio interview with MIKE O'CONNOR on WHY DON'T WOODPECKER'S GET HEADACHES?
• 9/10/07 -- Mass Audubon Program: Landscaping for Migrating Songbirds

Bird Sightings:

8/31/07 -- Rt. 56 airport overlook, Leicester

TIME: 5-7PM
WEATHER: COMPLEX: mostly cloudy; a front from the northwest was passing overhead and to the east it was very dark and looked like rain; overhead and to the north and west: mostly cloudy with two layers of clouds. TEMP: low 70s and dropping; WIND: 10-18MPH; Humidity: 71%
Double-crested Cormorant (1); Northern Harrier (1imm); Peregrine Falcon (1imm: fantastic views as this bird hunted low and fast over the fiedls RIGHT in front of us, eventually leaving to the west); Killdeer (1); Ring-billed Gull (1);

COMMON NIGHTHAWK (267: Really interesting evening of observations of nighthawk behavior. When we first arrived, it looked very grim for seeing any nighthawks: almost completely cloudy; it looked like it would rain any minute; it was windy. But we started to see small and medium sized flocks KETTLING very much like buteos, in and out of the clouds right along the frontal line of dark thick clouds which were almost right overhead. Almost all the birds were VERY high, mid-fall migrating Broadwing high, and most groups were seen to DESCEND or EMERGE from some bank of clouds and then quickly, rapidly circling all the time move south only to ASCEND back into clouds. There were two layers of clouds that we could see when looking at the few clear spots, and it appeared that the nighthawks were migrating inbetween these layers. We believe we missed many. Movement was brisk and to the south or south-south west. At 6:58 a last group of 40 came in very low over the trees from the northeast, fed a bit but then also moved on. The behavior of tonight's birds showed that nighthawks can migrate very high, over cloud layers, in wind and quite rapidly and behave very much like Broad-winged Hawks.

Belted Kingfisher (1); Chimney Swift (4); Tree Swallow (3); Barn Swallow (21); American Crow (36); Cedar Waxwing (19); E Starling (192); American Goldfinch (4); Bobolink (4); C Grackle (30);
PLUS: what was interesting is that we had 8 MONARCHS also EXTREMELY high in the wind (you definitely needed bins);, all moving along the exact same line across the hill also emerging in and out of clouds all heading directly south. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

8/31/07 -- Dudley

This afternoon, around 4:30, I saw a Great Egret in Mosquito Pond on Dudley-Oxford Road in Dudley. I've been checking the pond occasionally, but this was my first sighting this year. It usually arrives earlier in August. (report from Joan Zumpfe).

8/31/07 -- Institute Park, Worcester

At noon highlights were 1 DC Cormorant, 5 Mute Swans (1 ad, 4 imm nearly full size and now showing some white), 1 Green-winged Teal, 1 Lesser Yellowlegs, 1 Semipalmated Sandpiper, 6 Least Sandpipers, and 3+ Cedar Waxwings (flycatching over pond). Note: I have seen Black-crowned Night Herons on only a couple of occasions during the summer, much less frequently than usual. This could be due to the shallow water depth that is not optimal for their feeding [but is great for shorebirds!]).

8/30/07 -- Smith and Sayles Reservoir, Glocester, RI

Temp. ~84 F., wind ~6-8 S, clear

Total nighthawks = 23

6:55 p.m.          2          flying south at altitude 150 -200'
6:58                  2          flying south                     "
7:02                  2          feeding                           "
7:05                  2          feeding                           "
7:10                  2          flying south/southwest     "
7:14                  1          flying SE                         "
7:23                  4          flying SSE                       "
7:25                  2          flying SW                         "
7:35                  4          feeding SW                      "
7:42                  1          flying at 80'/ tree top SW
7:43                  1          flying at 80'/tree top SW

(report from Eugenia Marks).

8/30/07 -- Lake Louisa, Milford

There were 11 Least sandpipers and 6 Semipalmated plovers on the spillway this afternoon. (report and photo from Dan Wheeler).

8/28/07 -- Holden

At the Dawson Playground, at 6:00pm, we had about 30 Common Nighthawks that were headed West to East and then about 10-15 stayed around to feed.
Also, yesterday (8/27), between Assumption and Holden line, at about 7:30 pm we had 70-80 Common Nighthawks fly over our house. They were coming thick and fast from the East headed roughly Northwest. We started our watch at 6:30pm from our driveway without any C. Nighthawks but our 3 year old Zoe was finding plenty of flying ants. (report from Lisa, Simon, Seth and Zoe Hennin).

8/28/07 -- Rt. 56 airport overlook, Leicester

Time: 5:15PM-6:50PM
WEATHER: Wind from S (less than 1mph); Humidity 58%; Temp: 77F.
VISIBILITY: Excellent. We could clearly see the microwave tower in north Blackstone (on the RI border) and the fire tower in N Smithfield RI.
Double-crested Cormorant (1); Great Blue Heron (1); Turkey Vulture (1); Sharp-shinned Hawk (1); Cooper's hawk (1ad: resident); Merlin (1); Peregrine Falcon (2ad flying low to the west. We thought they would nail a nigthhawk!); Wild Turkey (same creche of 4 ad+13 yg parading around right in front of us);

COMMON NIGHTHAWK (402: all in 3 distinct feeding groups: (1) right over us and over the field to the west of Rt. 56, offering simply stunning views all the time we were there. We could sex/age the birds! When we pulled up, at first there was only one zooming around just over our heads. Soon this bird was joined form other birds to the south. (2) a HUGE, close to 175+, group in the direction of Tatnuck Square (3) another large group in the direction of what we found out was South High Comunity School. Just before 7, the brids were still feeding, so we set off to find out exactly where the two distant flocks were, and we found flock#2 over the school and surroundign houses gorging on flying ants. Flock#3 was over Tatnuck and by the time we reached them had begun to peel off in the direction of Coes Pond. E Starling (300+ many aerially feeding like nighthawks on flying ants)

Related note: Tom Gagnon, who has been nighthawk watching and keeping totals for several decades in the CT River Valley, typically from atop his favorite spot on Mt. Tom, had 656 this evening, most flying NORTH. It is interesting that his birds were flying north. Typically that means they are flying TO a hatch. Watching the formation of a feeding flock this evening, I can tell you it starts with 1 or only a few birds actively feeding who are then later joined by others, who likely spot feeding behavior at a distance and zoom over to where the food is. In this way, nighthawks are behaving somewhat similar to Turkey Vultures/ TVs spread out over an wide area and when one begins to descend to food, it is joined by the others. These birds seem to use visual cues to know where the food is concentrated. Furthermore, ant swarms are not uniformly distributed over a large area and are very local. There were ants swarming over us last night as well as at the school and at Tatnuck Square. What we don't know is if the birds feed and THEN migrate on later that night. Or do they stay in the area to feed over several days.

The next few days should see the peak movements of nigthhawks for this year, so don't give up.
(report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

8/28/07 -- Shoppes at Blackstone Valley, Millbury/Fisherville Pond, Grafton

Between 6:30 and 7:00 this evening I observed 149 common nighthawks wheeling around and moving to the southwest. There were 4 heading directly north. From 7:00-7:30 there were 47 moving to the southwest. Finally got some birds after being skunked on 8/21 and 8/26.

Also highlights from Fisherville Pond in Grafton this morning from 8:00 to 10:00: the immature little blue heron continues, 1 green heron, 1 great egret, 1 great blue heron, 1 semi-palmated plover, 3 pectoral sandpipers, many killdeers, many least sandpipers, a few semi-palmated sandpipers. The shorebird were constantly flying from place to place and were hard to count. I was not able to spot any Baird's sandpipers that were present during the weekend and on Monday. (report from Alan Marble).

8/28/07 -- Grafton High School

On the Nighthawk watch:

COMMON NIGHTHAWK - 145+
        5:42 - 3 - feeding overhead, eventually moving north
        5:49 - 1 - moving south over Quinsigamond River
        6:05 - 1 - moving north overhead
        6:08 - 5 - moving NNE overhead
        6:54 - 2 - feeding over Lake Ripple
        6:57 - 2 - moving south over Grafton Center
        6:58 - 6 - joined other two feeding over Lake Ripple
        7:02 - 5 - feeding over Grafton Center
        7:08 - 120+ - moved in from the south; feeding over Quinsigamond
                    River/Lake Ripple

Other highlights were Double-crested Cormorant - 9; Killdeer - 4; CHIMNEY SWIFT - 13; Tree Swallow - 6; Barn Swallow - 1; Cedar Waxwing - 2; Red-winged Blackbird - 108; Common Grackle - 87; (report from John Liller).

8/28/07 -- Holden

The migration of nighthawks has finally started in this area. My wife, Kathy, and I counted approximately 30 birds between 6:35 and 7:15 PM this evening flying over our yard. If the weather holds up, we'll try to do a count over the next few nights at the WTAG Towers. Also, for information purposes, I will be the site co-ordinator for Eastern Mass Hawk Watch at Mount Wachusett this year. I invite all interested parties to visit the Summit from Labor Day through 9/30/07 to check on the migrations. Hope to see you there. (report from Steve Olson).

8/27/07 -- Route 56 overlook, Leicester

I arrived at the Route 56 nighthawk watch site in Leicester at 6:00 PM. To the north there was a circling and feeding flock of 56 nighthawks. At 7:00 PM the 56 nighthawks were still circling and feeding. At 7:05 PM they all headed west. I saw only 4 additional nighthawks and left the area at 7:30 PM. A northern harrier was hunting the fields on both sides of Route 56. (report from Bart Kamp).

8/27/07 -- High Ridge WMA, Westminster

Highlights seen and or heard from near the High Ridge WMA "head quarters this evening: Hooded Merganser....3; Double-crested Cormorant....1; Turkey Vulture.. 1; American Kestrel.. 1; Great Black-backed Gull.. 1;

Common Nighthawk.. 221 most birds eventually moved either south or west after feeding in the area. About 1/2 the birds were very distant to the east toward Fitchburg. From the this vantage point I can also see crows moving into the fitchburg roost and turkey vultures. I have observed both TV's and Crows passing, through the scope (20x), BEHIND the communication tower on Oak Hill in Fitch. That tower in 4.2 miles from my vantage point, based on USGS maps, of course these are dark birds against a light sky with little "heat" distortion at the end of the day.

Chimney Swift.. 5; Belted Kingfisher.. 1; Pileated Woodpecker.. 2; Eastern Wood-Pewee.. 2; Eastern Phoebe ..1; Eastern Kingbird.. 5; Wood Thrush.. 2; American Robin.. 2; Gray Catbird.. 1; Cedar Waxwing.. 50; Bobolink.. 15; 7 small shorebirds pass at a long distance, perhaps Least Sandpipers.

Also of note (well not really) was large mylar balloon in the shape of a bird floating north east. It appeared to be a cross between tweety-bird, sluggo (the guy who used to beat up Mr. Bill on SNL) and penguin (it had a bow-tie)....with stupid grin on its face. It seemed time after time...while scanning my eyes would gravitate to this big stupid "bird", with that big dumb grin on its face. (report from Tom Pirro).

8/27/07 -- Grafton High School

Highlights were: Double-crested Cormorant - 3; Osprey - 1 (with fish); Killdeer - 7; COMMON NIGHTHAWK - 15 (all but one were flying north; the other bird flew east over me before heading south); CHIMNEY SWIFT - 21; Tree Swallow - 10; Song Sparrow - 1; Red-winged Blackbird - 25; Common Grackle - 2. (report from John Liller).

8/26/07 -- Grafton/Uxbridge

I was surprised to see 4 great egrets flying together in a loose flock (for lack of a better term) at Lake Ripple in Grafton on Sunday morning. These birds were continuosly alighting in the tops of trees momentarily before flying off again. Later that day I saw a flock of approx. 100 bobolinks at Bangma Farm in Uxbridge while getting an ice cream, then later that evening, heard our semi-resident screech owl softly trilling in our hemlocks near Grafton Common. (report from Scott Jordan).

8/26/07 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre

Extended trip narrative of Common Nighthawk watch. (trip report from Chris Ellison).

8/26/07 -- Leesville Pond, Worcester

Present were wood ducks, mallards, Canada Geese, great blue heron, black-crowned night-herons (2 adults). (report from Garry Kessler).

8/26/07 -- Flint Pond, Shrewsbury

Kayaking on Flint Pond this morning I saw : 7 Killdeer, 5 Solitary Sandpiper, 7 Least Sandpiper, 1 f. HOODED MERGANSER, 4 Belted Kingfisher,1 Osprey and 1 Red tail . Also, from 6:00 to 7:30 pm Fran McMenemy and I had 97 C Nighthawks at Notre Dame Cemetery. (report from John Shea).

8/26/07 -- Rt. 56 overlook of Worcester Airport, Leicester

Time: 5PM-7:05PM
Weather: Wind WNW 7mph; humidity 60%; starting temp: 76%
Visibility: best in three days, actually even getting better as evening wore on.
Nighthawkers: Mark Lynch; Sheila Carroll; Bruce DeGraaf; Barton Kamp. (BTW: on Saturday, I forgot to mention that we were joined by FRAN McMENEMY)
Double-crested Cormorant (2); Greate Blue Heron (1); GREAT EGRET (1: seen flying very high from Paxton/Leicester area to the direction of downtown and the Blackstone); Green Heron (1: put down briefly at Spider Gates and then flew west right by us, low); Canada Goose (3 on the runway); Mallard (1); Wild Turkey (same "creche" of 4ad w/13 yg plus another 4 adults); Killdeer (1); Herring Gull (1); Great Black-backed Gull (2); COMMON NIGHTHAWK (236: small-medium sized flocks off and on almost all night. Almost all were flying WSW-SW towards the Quabog Valley. At the end, a small flock was seen feeding out towards the Pachachog radio towers. About half the birds flew over the hill on the west side of Rt. 56. A few groups seemed to circle around the base of the hill and head SW-west. Bart found the first few small flying ants at the site); Chimney Swift (27); Mourning Dove (5); Tree Swallow (11); Barn Swallow (19); American Crow (33); Common Raven (1); European Starling (458); Cedar Waxwing (68: close by we watched a good sized flock aerially feed on a huge, dense ball of some flying insects); C Yellowthroat (2); Bobolink (3); Common Grackle (318); American Goldfinch (13); PLUS: numerous odes including many Green Darners and meadowhawk sp; several migrating Monarchs and (2); White-tailed Deer. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

8/26/07 -- Sterling Peat, Sterling

At 7:00AM this morning there was a WILSON'S SNIPE and a BLUE-WINGED TEAL towards the end of the peninsula. Also, two days ago I watched 2 Cooper's Hawks (1imm and 1ad); and a Peregrine Falcon unsuccessfully try to pick off some of the peeps here. Cooper's Hawks nested about a mile away from Sterling Peat behind the parking lot of West Waushacum pond along the new rail trail section (Be careful back there, I was attacked by one of the adult hawks. It was great). I put together a page with some photos of the teal and snipe from this morning as well as the breeding Cooper's Hawks from early July. (report from Kevin Bourinot).

8/26/07 -- Grafton High School

Highlights this evening were: Double-crested Cormorant - 7; Killdeer - 7; COMMON NIGHTHAWK - 8 (all flying overhead and heading south); CHIMNEY SWIFT - 43; Tree Swallow - 4; Red-winged Blackbird - 121; Common Grackle - 7; (report from John Liller).

8/26/07 -- Grafton/Worcester/Wachusett Reservoir

Checking on some Worcester County shorebird locations, we did the following:

FISHERVILLE POND, GRAFTON: Thanks to Bart Kamp for alerting folks to the shorebird show here. This morning was spectacular, probably because birds were caught between two fronts. I imagine most birds will be moving on (to be replaced by others). Flocks were flying up and down constantly while we were there, possibly exhibiting migratory restlessness. Double-crested Cormorant (3); Great Blue Heron (4); Great Egret (2); LITTLE BLUE HERON (1imm still present from when Bart originally found it); Green Heron (1); Canada Goose (1); Mallard (1); Red-tailed Hawk (1); Killdeer (56); Semipalmated Plover (10); Solitary Sandpiper (18); Spotted Sandpiper (13); Lesser Yellowlegs (15); Greater Yellowlegs (9); Semipalmated Sandpiper (12); Least Sandpiper (159); BAIRD'S SANDPIPER (3juv); Pectoral Sandpiper (4); Belted Kingfisher (1);

Tiny BIOTECH POND, DOWNTOWN WORCESTER: Even here there were some shorebirds: Great Blue Heron (1); Green Heron (6); Mallard (24); Sharp-shinned Hawk (1); Killdeer (1); Solitary Sandpiper (2); Semipalmated Sandpiper (1: we watched this bird fly up, circle and leave); Least Sandpiper (8: much fewer than yesterday Belted Kingfisher (1);

WACHUSETT RESERVOIR: we birded South Bay; Scar Hill Bluff; from Mile Hill Road and the Dam; from the west side dike. The shorebird show was only so-so, but the raptor show was great. NB: water levels are still low because of repair work in the dam area. There are a number of bars/islands at the north end and across from Scar Hill Bluff. Common Loon (3ad); Double-crested Cormorant (25); Great Blue Heron (2); Canada Goose (6); Mallard (8); COMMON MERGANSER (2f); Osprey (2: we watched 1 that was standing in the water off a bar seen from Scar Hill); Bald Eagle (1ad: harassed by 2 Red-tails and a Sharpie); Sharp-shinned Hawk (3); Red-tailed Hawk (8); Peregrine Falcon (1ad+1imm); Killdeer (10); Semipalmated Plover (1); Spotted Sandpiper (4); Greater Yellowlegs (4); Lesser Yellowlegs (5); Least Sandpiper (16); Bonaparte's Gull (1imm); Ring-billed Gull (68); Herring Gull (6); Belted Kingfisher (1);
(report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

8/25/07 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre

Extended trip narrative of Common Nighthawk watch. (trip report from Chris Ellison).

8/25/07 -- BioTech Pond, Worcester

The water level is dropping at tiny BioTech Pond, making it attractive to migrant shorebirds, This morning we had: Great Blue Heron (1 scarfing up the numerous and easy to catch frogs); Green Heron (3); Mallard (35); Killdeer (3); Spotted Sandpiper (2); Solitary Sandpiper (2); Least Sandpiper (12); Belted Kingfisher (1);

Here are directions to BioTech Pond:

Take PLANTATION STREET north of Rt.9. U Mass Med will be on your right. The
pond and surrounding fields can be seen from Plantation Street on the west
side of the road, opposite BEL COURT ROAD, just north of U Mass Med. To bird
the area, pull into the parking lot of the last biotech company (heading
north) on west side of street and drive to the north side of lot and bird
the area from this lot.

(report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

8/25/07 -- South Quabbin/Quabbin Park

We birded a bit around Quabbin Park off Rt.9 this AM. Weather conditions were warm, humid, overcast, and foggy/hazy, making long distance visibility over the water extremely difficult. We searched for the Horned Grebe that Larry Therrien had from Gate 5 earlier, with no luck. Things were pretty quiet, but we did manage to see/hear: Great Blue Heron (2); Wood Duck (14); Cooper's Hawk (1ad); Sharp-shinned Hawk (2imm: still close to Administration Building where we had 3 a bit back); Virginia Rail (1); Black-bellied Plover (1: overhead calling); Killdeer (39: all at State Fish hatchery); Greater Yellowlegs (1 fly-over); Spotted Sandpiper (2: State Fish Hatchery); Least Sandpiper (3: State Fish Hatchery); Herring Gull (1); Mourning Dove (10); Ruby-throated Hummingbird (1); Belted Kingfisher (2); Hairy Woodpecker (3); N Flicker (1); Eastern Wood Peewee (14: one of the few common still-singing birds); E Phoebe (4); Red-eyed Vireo (6); Tree Swallow (2); A Crow (2); Blue Jay (12); House Wren (2); Red-breasted Nuthatch (4); White-breasted Nuthatch (3); Black-capped Chickadee (34); Tufted Titmouse (14); Gray Catbird (15); Ceadar Waxwing (11); Prairie Warbler (1imm); Eastern Towhee (3); Chipping Sparrow (12); Rose-breasted Grosbeak (1); Bobolink (7: overhead); Common Grackle (1imm at fish hatchery trying to get in under the tank nets); House Finch (2); A Goldfinch (9); PLUS: lots of Gray Tree Frogs calling; White-tailed Deer (1);; River Otter (1);; and a fine display of FERN-LEAVED FALSE-FOXGLOVE. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

8/25/07 -- Rt.56 airport overlook, Leicester

Time: 5PM-7:12PM: Winds from the SW at 9-15MPH; humidity: 77%
Partially cloudy; hazy.
Double-crested Cormorant (1); Green Heron (2); Turkey Vulture (1); Wood Duck (5); Cooper's Hawk (1ad); A Kestrel (2); Peregrine Falcon (1 imm over runway); Wild Turkey (same "creche" of 2 adult pair w/13 young all together); Greater Yellowlegs (1 overhead); Mourning Dove (8); Chimney Swift (13); COMMON NIGHTHAWK (38: all flying west/west southwest: maening none of these birds would have hit RI, but likely were heading for the Quabog Valley. Actually, up until 6:57 we had only seen 7 birds, and we were saying things like" you know it's a bad night when you see more turkeys than nighthawks!", and then the rest of the birds came in fast, low, and direct. No feeding. Moral: don't give up till the very end of the count period); Tree Swallow (4); Barn Swallow (23); Blue Jay (1); American Crow (18); Common Raven (2); Black-capped Chickadee (1); A Robin (16); Cedar Waxwing (17); E Starling (480); Savannah Sparrow (2); Bobolink (10); C Grackle (52); Baltimore Oriole (1); American Goldfinch (8); (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

8/24/07 -- Rt. 56 airport overlook, Leicester

Time: 5PM-7PM
Weather: Hazy, humid and windy (20+mph at times, diminishing by end).
Visibility: distant visibility poor due to haze. Pachachog towers JUST barely visible. Green Heron (1); Osprey (1); Cooper's Hawk (1ad); American Kestrel (2); Merlin (1); Wild Turkey (pr w/6yg+ pr w/7yg: all right in front of us); Killdeer (3); Mourning Dove (7); COMMON NIGHTHAWK (153 : all seen between 5:30 and 6PM. All fairly close, some overhead. All low. All flying directly and swiftly S and SSW, no feeding. Birds appeared to be "hilltopping".); Chimney Swift (40); Tree Swallow (14); Barn Swallow (9); American Crow (28); Black-capped Chickadee (3); American Robin (35); European Starling (333); Cedar Waxwing (28); Bobolink (18); C Grackle (31); American Goldfinch (13). (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

8/23/07 -- Fisherville Pond, Grafton

I decided to check out Fisherville Pond in Grafton late this morning. When I got there I noticed that the water was very low. There were large areas of mud flats and shallow water; perfect for wading birds and shore birds. Here is what I found: 3 great blue herons, 6 great egrets, 1 immature LITTLE BLUE HERON, 6 semi-palmated plovers, 30-35 killdeer, 2 spotted sandpipers, 2 solitary sandpipers, 2 lesser yellowlegs, 200 least sandpipers and 8 semi-palmated sandpipers. Ospreys were hunting and carrying fish. A merlin flew into the area chasing any bird that flew including a double-crested cormorant. The wading birds were easily seen from the Route 122 access at the Riverside Condos. However because of the stubble of old weeds on the mud flats sandpipers were hard to see from the Route 122 side. It was necessary to walk to Fisherville Pond from the WEST using the power line trail from Pleasant Street. That brought you very close to the shore birds. Pleasant Street is closed due to bridge repairs and must be approached from Route 122 to get to the power lines. It's OK to walk past the chain link fence and no trespassing sign to get to the power lines. (report from Bart Kamp).

8/21/07 -- Sterling Peat and West Waushacum Pond, Sterling

There were 2 Great Egrets at Sterling Peat this evening. About 15 minutes later 1 Great Egret (likely one of the two at Sterling Peat) flew in to roost along with 36 Double-crested Cormorants on the island at West Waushacum. Also at West Waushacum was an Osprey. I saw an osprey here in early July, but never found evidence of breeding. (report from Kevin Bourinot).

8/19/07 -- Rt. 56 Overlook of airport, Leicester

This evening while starting to monitor nighthawks from the Rt.56 overlook of the airport, Sheila and I were able to UPGRADE Wild Turkey to CONFIRMED for TWO [atlas] blocks. The border between Worcester North6 and Worcester North9 bisects the airport, and simultaneously two families of turkeys came into view with flightless young in tow, one close (WN6) one at the far edge of the airport (WN9). We are also still seeing species like catbird and robin carrying food and fecal sacs, so you could still upgrade some species! (report from Mark Lynch).

8/19/07 -- Sterling Peat, Sterling

Shorebirds seen from 6:30 to 7:30PM: Killdeer (3); Lesser Yellowlegs (1); Spotted Sandpiper (4); Semipalmated Sandpiper (1); Least Sandpiper (14);
(report from Kevin Bourinot).

8/19/07 -- Rt. 56 Overlook, Leicester

From 5PM-6:30PM, Skies were partly cloudy, much more cloudy to the southeast. Winds: light. Lots of flying insects, but the ants were not flying yet. Total list: Double-crested Cormorant (1); Great Blue Heron (1); Green Heron (1: flew close across our field of view and put down in the marsh near Spider Gates Cemetery); Turkey Vulture (2); BALD EAGLE (1imm: looked like a bird of the year. Circled low and right in front of us and headed, eventually, to the SW); Red-tailed Hawk (1); American Kestrel (4, 3imm); Wild Turkey (1f w/4yg plus pair w/5yg); Killdeer (2); Mourning Dove (8); COMMON NIGHTHAWK (2: 1 at 6PM looking towards Worcester, 1 at 6:30PM over hill on west side of Rt.56. Both heading straight and fast SSW); Chimney Swift (4); Tree Swallow (3); Barn Swallow (3); Blue Jay (8); American Crow (19: most on the runway); Black-capped Chickadee (2); A Robin (1); Gray Catbird (1); Cedar Waxwing (13); E Starling (40); Scarlet Tanager (2); Bobolink (14); C Grackle (46); American Goldfinch (9); Plus: Tiger Swallowtail (1);; Great Spangled Fritillary (1);; Monarch (5); (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

8/18/07 -- Wachusett Reservoir

We birded around Wachusett Reservoir late this afternoon. Despite the fact that several great-looking sandbars have emrged at the north end, we found relatively few shorebirds and poor variety. Common Loon (2ad+1 bird that looked like it was born this year); Double-crested Cormorant (7); Great Blue Heron (1); Canada Goose (1); Mallard (25); A Black Duck (8); Semipalmated Plover (1); Killdeer (19); Spotted Sandpiper (3); Least Sandpiper (20); Bonaparte's Gull (2juv); Ring-billed Gull (17); Tree Swallow (15); Barn Swallow (6); E Bluebird (6); (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

8/18/07 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre

Raptors migrating: Osprey 2 ; Bald Eagle 1 ; Broad-winged Hawk 7 ; American Kestrel 1 ;
Raptor Observations: The migrating broadwings were high. Not migrating: 4 turkey vultures, 1 bald eagle, 1 redtail, 1 sharp-shinned hawk and at least 7 broadwings. Non-raptor Observations: 8 monarch butterflies (report from Bart Kamp).

8/12/07 -- Quabbin Park, Quabbin Reservoir

I took an extremely bad fall on stairs on AUGUST 6, badly spraining my left wrist, and straining, tearing, and spraining many muscles (like my lats); on my right side from my neck to my hips, contused my liver et. Needless to say I was/am a physical mess. But after being confined for a week, I had to get out a bit and try SOME form of birding. Now, I couldn?t do something as simple as walk from the car to the dike at Great Meadows, but I could stand next to the car for short intervals. So we decided on QUABBIN PARK on Sunday, which is totally accessible by car (Sheila driving of course);.

Birding under physical duress is always interesting. Things slow down considerably and you focus more on what?s right around you for longer periods of time. It is scary to think you actually may be birding ?better?. You may be deeply cranky and in quite some pain (at least I was/am); but there is no better anti-inflam than seeing some birds for at least a little while on a nice day. I am still layed up for at LEAST another week, and I am slowly but surely on the mend, but birding does help (despite what my PTs say), at least mentally. Here?s my QUABBIN PARK UNDER DURESS list: Common Loon (7 all in adult plumage, including a flock on the water of 5); Great Blue Heron (4); Turkey Vulture (2); Wood Duck (5); Hooded Merganser (1 imm); Common Merganser (3imm); Bald Eagle (1ad); SHARP-SHINNED HAWK (3 newly fledged young, together, screaming and yelping almost constantly. Only 1 flew a very short distance, the others stayed put screaming the entire 30+ minutes we watched); N Goshawk (ad pair doing aerial maneuvers over the Prescott); Broad-winged Hawk (2 immatures circling together); Wild Turkey (12, including 5 birds of the year); Virginia Rail (2); Killdeer (23); Solitary Sandpiper (1); Spotted Sandpiper (2); Ring-billed Gull (2); Chimney Swift (1); Belted Kingfisher (4); Hairy Woodpecker (1); N Flicker (4); E Wood Peewee (12: one of the very few species still singing); Eastern Phoebe (6); Eastern Kingbird (8); Red-eyed Vireo (16); Blue Jay (14); A Crow (6); Common Raven (3); Tree Swallow (45+ migrating and feeding); Barn Swallow (72+: ditto); Black-capped Chickadee (14); Tufted Titmouse (15); White-breasted Nuthatch (3); House Wren (2); Eastern Bluebird (4); Gray Catbird (12); E Starling (9); Cedar Waxwing (9); Yellow Warbler (1); Prairie Warbler (1); Black and White Warbler (1); C Yellowthroat (3); E Towhee (9); Chipping Sparrow (52); Song Sparrow (9); Swamp Sparrow (4); N Cardinal (4); Indigo Bunting (3); Red-winged Blackbird (12); C Grackle (7); Brown-headed Cowbird (1 imm being fed by a Chipping Sparrow); Baltimore Oriole (6); A Goldfinch (27); PLUS: at least 6 White-tailed Deer and 5 species of butterflies including several Peck?s Skippers nectaring on thistle and a modest migratory movement of (19); Monarchs. (report from Mark Lynch).

8/11/07 -- Seekonk River (Providence, East Providence, Pawtucket) RI

Still recovering from a bad fall and with limited mobility, I had to get out today after being cooped up all week. We decided to do a point count of the Seekonk River, from Pawtucket to Bold Point, the southern terminus of the Blackstone National Corridor. I could just stand by the car and bird, and not walk, which was great. Even then, it was a painful experience. But here' s what we counted: Double-crested Cormorant (93); Great Blue Heron (19: many immatures); Snowy Egret (7); Black-crowned Night Heron (5ad+7imm); Mute Swan (6); Mallard (80); A Black Duck (1); COMMON GOLDENEYE (1f: one of the odd migrant waterfowl that seem to show up here in mid-summer every year. In years past I have found single Bufflehead, Long-tailed Duck, Common Merganser and scaup on the Seekonk. All those species occur in fall migration and winter, but obviously are typically NOT found in these waters in mid-summer. Lingering, wounded, sick, or just really early for fall migration? Who knows?); Osprey (total: 11, with at least 5imm. There was never a point when there was not at least 3 Ospreys in the air at once); Red-tailed Hawk (6: 3imm); Peregrine Falcon (1ad: perched on high tension stanchions in Pawtucket end); Lesser Yellowlegs (1); Semipalmated Sandpiper (3); Least Sandpiper (10); Ring-billed Gull (307); Herring Gull (46); Lesser Black-backed Gull (1 2ndS); Great Black-backed Gull (84); Common Tern (1); Ruby-throated Hummingbird (1imm); Belted Kingfisher (3); Passerines included Gray Catbird (13+ 2 newly fledged yg);; N Mockingbird (11);; Cedar Waxwing (12);; Brown-headed Cowbird (1 newly fledged young being fed by House Finch);; Baltimore Oriole (4);; American Goldfinch (13 plus a nest with young in it);.

A brief stop at WOONSOCKET RESERVOIR (Smithfield/Lincoln) revealed: Double-crested Cormorant (3); Great Blue Heron (4); Canada Goose (98); Semipalmated Plover (2); Killdeer (11); Spotted Sandpiper (1); Least Sandpiper (8); Eastern Bluebird (6); Pine Warbler (2ad and 4 just fledged young still being fed by adults. Likely the products of a second nesting Baltimore Oriole (3);
(report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

8/11/07 -- Athol

Shorebirds seen at a drained resevior off exit 18 (rte 2) in Athol this evening:

Killdeer...............12
Semipalmated Plover.....2
Spotted Sandpiper.......2
Solitary Sandpiper......7
Least Sandpiper.........29

also...
Great Blue Heron........3
Belted Kingfisher.......1 male
Baltimore Oriole........1 male
Raven...................1

(report from Tom Pirro).

8/10/07 -- Off Salisbury St (near Park Ave), Worcester

Looking out at my feeder this afternoon, I watched as an adult Common Grackle waylaid a newly fledged House Sparrow and then proceeded to tear it up and feed the large gobbets of flesh to the newly fledged grackle that was begging for food next to it, looking very much like when a raptor feeds it's young. Later, a Blue Jay came by and finished up what was left of the Sparrow. Though I have seen grackles kill House Sparrows before, this is the first time I have seen one feeding it to it's young. (report from Mark Lynch).

8/4/07 -- Route 56 Overlook, Leicester

Highlights on a joint Forbush Bird Club / Massachusetts Butterfly Club trip to the fields on the Route 56 side of Worcester Airport were Turkey (7), Cooper's Hawk (1), American Kestrel (2); Red Bellied Woodpecker; Eastern Phoebe; Eastern Kingbird; Savannah Sparrow; Indigo Bunting (2); Bobolink (22); Eastern Meadowlark;
Here is the complete trip report. (report from Dave Grant and Donna Schilling).

8/4/07 -- Wachusett Reservoir, Clinton

A brief stop at WACHUSET RESERVOIR found some shorebirds on the emerging islands at the north end. Construction at the dam has meant lower water and therefore some good shorebird/gull/tern possibilities in the weeks and months to come: Common Loon (1ad); Double-crested Cormorant (7); Canada Goose (12); Black-bellied Plover (4); Lesser Yellowlegs (9); Greater Yellowlegs (3); Least Sandpiper (15); (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

8/1/07 -- Flint Pond, Shrewsbury/Grafton

I went kayaking on Flint Pond for the first time this summer and saw some good birds, 8 Killdeer, 5 Least Sandpiper, 5 Great Blue Heron, 1 Red tail Hawk, 1 T.V., many E. Kingbirds and Cedar Waxwings. They have a weed control plan to lower the water for 3 winters (last year was the first). I was concerned for the Turtles so I counted them to 17. There use to be to many to count, it was very sad. By the time the water-lowering plan is done there will be nothing but water in the pond. (report from John Shea).

For previous sightings, see July 2007 Archives or Archive Index