August 2010 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:

• ONGOING -- Asian Longhorned Beetle Information
• 8/4/10 -- Memorial service for Chris Ellison
• 8/11/10 -- WICN's radio program Inquiry interviews SY MONTGOMERY on her book BIRDOLOGY
• 8/24/10 -- Forbush Bird Club trip to South Beach has been cancelled due to predicted wind and rain
• 8/27/10 -- Forbush South Beach Trip re-scheduled for Friday 8/27: call or email Ed Banks ASAP if you're interested (508-430-0845 h, 508-769-6762 c, edbanks@verizon.net)
• 8/27/10 -- Forbush South Beach Trip is ON for Friday 8/27, but meet at 8:30 to go over at 9:00. Please email or call Ed if you are going (contact info above)
• 8/29/10 -- Lecture/Discussion: Massachusetts Important Bird Areas Project

Bird Sightings:

8/31/10 -- Sterling Peat, Sterling

This morning the shorebird species and numbers were about the same as Tom Pirro's post on the 29th. There were FIVE Great Egrets. They all got together to pose for the attached picture). I was about to take a picture of three egrets, but before I could the other two flew in and joined them. (report from Bart Kamp).

8/31/10 -- George's Hill, Lancaster

Today from 6:00pm to 7:22pm I was at George's Hill in Lancaster.  For about an hour I watched numerous Common Nighthawks flyover on top of the hill.  Around 7:00pm when it started to get a little darker I had several feeding very low to the ground allowing for very good photo opportunities.  I was able to take some nice pictures.   They were all feeding nearer to where you park.  They were quiet, but I was fortunate enough to hear one of them make that "boom" call.  Over all I had about 30 nighthawks.  (report from Jessica Johnson).

8/30/10 -- Worcester Airport, Mulberry St, Leicester

This morning between 7:30 and 9:00 I checked out the airport runways from Mulberry Street in Leicester. By 7:30 the sun had risen enough so that it wasn't a problem. There were 3 Meadowlarks, 6+ American Kestrels, 1 Merlin and 2 juvenile Peregrines (see picture). There were no Killdeer or sandpipers. I wonder if the presence of all of the falcons had anything to do with it. (report and photo from Bart Kamp).

8/29/10 -- Gate 40-44, Quabbin Reservoir

Today we atlased 5 blocks in northeastern Quabbin. Two of these blocks contained only very teeny parcels of land accessible from inside Quabbin. Our route took us from Gate 40 to opposite Mount Zion; then over to Grave's landing; down Whitney Road; Dugway Road and finally out Gate 35. Shorebirds are now appearing in several areas of Quabbin: opposite Mt Zion south of Dana Center; Graves Landing; and of course southern sections of Gate 35. Totals. Common Loon (3ad+1juv); Great Blue Heron (1); GREAT EGRET (2); Canada Goose (14); Mute Swan (2: pair around the phrag island); Wood Duck (6); Mallard (8); Green-winged Teal (4); Bald Eagle (1ad+1imm); Sharp-shinned Hawk (4); Broad-winged Hawk (1); Wild Turkey (2ad w/15yg plus 1 other ad); Virginia Rail (2); Killdeer (15); Greater Yellowlegs (6); Spotted Sandpiper (2); Buffbreasted Sandpiper (1); Ring-billed Gull (6); CASPIAN TERN (1ad around phrag island); Mourning Dove (1); Ruby-throated Hummingbird (5); Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (18 imm); Downy Woodpecker (10); Hairy Woodpecker (7); N Flicker (10); Pileated Woodpecker (3); E Wood Peewee (17); E Phoebe (1); Blue-headed Vireo (10); Red-eyed Vireo (52); Blue Jay (59); A Crow (20); Black-capped Chickadee (91); Tufted Titmouse (17); RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH (64); White-breasted Nuthatch (13); Veery (14); Hermit Thrush (2); A Robin (1); Gray Catbird (18); Cedar Waxwing (13); WARBLERS: Magnolia (8); Black-throated Blue (5); Yellow-rumped (25); Black-throated Green (10); PINE (145); Prairie (6); Black and White (11); A Redstart (3); C Yellowthroat (39); Canada (4); Scarlet Tanager (3); E Towhee (28); Chipping Sparrow (11); Song Sparrow (4); Swamp Sparrow (6); Rose-breasted Grosbeak (1); Bobolink (1 overhead); Purple Finch (4); A Goldfinch (7); (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

8/29/10 -- Sterling Peat, Sterling

This evening I bumped into Brad Blodget at Sterling Peat, where noteable birds were:   Great Egret  4; Killdeer ~15; Greater Yellowlegs 6; Lesser Yellowlegs  2; Solitary Sandpiper 2; Spotted Snadpiper  2; Least Sandpiper  13; Common Nighthawk  60+.   **Note: Brad had a Little Blue Heron here yesterday 8/28 (a young white bird), but neither of us saw it this evening.  

I moved onto end of Merill Raod to get a better view of the nighthawks, bird were feeding horizon to horizon along the far ridge line to the south east. Eventaully they passed over, a slow progression to the south west, as it got darker...but the movement was rather complex the count to best of my ability was 788 (with some degree of error as one might expect with a "movement" of this type).
(report from Tom Pirro).

8/29/10 -- Wachusett Reservoir, Clinton

During a nighthawk watch from gate 40 in Clinton from 6:50 to 7:30PM, Rebecca and I counted over 325 Common Nighthawks. All birds were moving southwest while feeding. This constant movement of nighthawks stretched across the sky along the north and west border of the reservoir. Not one flew over the water. (report from Kevin Bourinot).

8/29/10 -- The Shoppes at Blackstone Valley, Millbury

Bart Kamp joined me tonight at the Millbury Mall. Flying ants were present. We had 177 Common Nighthawks, about half feeding and half migrating. We also had a huge flock of about 80 Chimney Swifts feeding over Millbury. (report from Alan Marble).

8/28/10 -- Gates 49-45, Quabbin Reservoir

Today we atlased two blocks inside Quabbin from GATES 49-45, the southestern section of the reservoir from the Goodnough Dike north. Totals below: Common Loon (1ad); Turkey Vulture (2); Wood Duck (35); Common Merganser (flock of 16imm); Broad-winged Hawk (2); Red-tailed Hawk (6); Greater Yellowlegs (1); Spotted Sandpiper (1); Buff-breasted Sandpiper (1); BONAPARTE?S GULL (1 juv just north of Lizzie); Ring-billed Gull (4); N Saw-whet Owl (1); Ruby-throated Hummingbird (13); Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (12); Downy Woodpecker (7); Hairy Woodpecker (14); N Flicker (1); Pileated Woodpecker (1); E Wood Peewee (34); Yellow-bellied Flycatcher (1); Least Flycatcher (6); E Phoebe (8); Great Crested Flycatcher (2); Yellow-throated Vireo (3); Blue-headed Vireo (3); Red-eyed Vireo (78); Blue Jay (42); A Crow (4); C Raven (2); Black-capped Chickadee (131); Tufted Titmouse (43); RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH (45); White-breasted Nuthatch (57); House Wren (4); Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (1); Veery (5); Hermit Thrush (2); Gray Catbird (38); Cedar Waxwing (4); WARBLERS: Nashville (1); N Parula (1); Chestnut-sided (2); Magnolia (4); Black-throated Blue (6); Yellow-rumped (6); Black-throated Green (2); Pine (57); CERULEAN (1imm); Black and White (8); A Redstart (4); C Yellowthroat (14); Canada (1); Scarlet Tanager (11); E Towhee (32); Song Sparrow (2); Rose-breasted Grosbeak (3); Baltimore Oriole (1adM); A Goldfinch (15); (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

8/28/10 -- Lake Wampanoag, Gardner/Ashburnham

While kayaking today, Marion Larson and I observed 3 loons on Lake Wampanoag, plus 2 Great Blue Herons. (report from Scott Handler).

8/28/10 -- The Shoppes at Blackstone Valley, Millbury

I was joined at the Millbury Mall tonight from 5-7:30 p.m. for nighthawk watching by Dan Berard Sr and Debbie Berard . Flying ants were present the whole time. We had a total of 213 Common Nighthawks. Only 18 appeared to be migrating to the south and southeast. One decent sized feeding flock of 173 appeared far to the southeast and eventually came over us moving to the northwest. (report from Alan Marble).

8/27/10 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre

Raptors migrating today: Northern Harrier 3 ; Sharp-shinned Hawk 3 ; Broad-winged Hawk 2 ; Red-tailed Hawk 2 ; American Kestrel 1 . (report from Bart Kamp).

8/26/10 -- The Shoppes at Blackstone Valley, Millbury

This evening from 5-730 p.m., Kim Allen, Sharon Hoey and I watched for Common Nighthawks at the Millbury Mall. Throughout the time period we had small flocks feeding and some moving directly to the south and southeast. The largest flock was 43 moving directly south. We had a total of 265 Common Nighthawks, which is decent for this site. Other Highlights included 22 Chimney Swifts, 2 Double-crested Cormorants and a close flyby of a very impressive flock of approximately 125 Cedar Waxwings. (report from Alan Marble).

8/25/10 -- Gate 35, Quabbin Reservoir

Reading all the reports of terns being found at inland ponds due to this summer "nor'easter" Sheila and I went into Gate 35 late Wednesday afternoon in the clouds and wind, though the sun came out a few times too. Highlights included: Common Loon (6ad); Double-crested Cormorant (2ad); Mute Swan (2: a pair); Canada Goose (6); Bald Eagle (1ad); Wild Turkey (10); BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER (2ad: flew over from the east calling and landed on the phrag island); Greater Yellowlegs (2: ditto); Spotted Sandpiper (3);

WHIMBREL (1: amazingly we found another and this time we had both our scopes and watched the bird for over an hour even seeing it fly and re-land. The bird seemed to be searching for food among the short grasses but often also just stood there, looking like it was going to take off. At one point, the Yellowlegs passed right by the Whimbrel offering nice size/color comparisions. With both our scopes cranked to 60X, we could see the long decurved bill; the grey legs; the long neck, small head and plump body and long wings. We left the bird there. Sheila had left her I-Phone at the office and her Blackberry did not have service, so we could not call anyone)

"peep": 15+ Ring-billed Gull (12); Herring Gull (1); (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

8/22/10 -- Sterling Peat, Sterling

There was a Merlin at Sterling Peat this evening among the recent reports. It made a try for a green heron and then for some wood ducks. (report from Kevin Bourinot).

8/22/10 -- Mill Pond, Westboro

Today my father Ken Paulson had 7 Great Egrets at Mill Pond in Westboro. That's the most either of us has had there. (report from Nickilas Paulson).

8/22/10 -- Gate 35 Quabbin/Lake Quabog, Brookfield/ Worc. Airport, Leicester

Highlights of an early AM atlasing trip into Gate 35 Quabbin that was curtailed by rain: Common Loon (11ad); Double-crested Cormorant (2); Great Blue Heron (2); Green Heron (1); Mute Swan (1ad); Common Merganser (tight flock of 9 imm, diving en masse); Bald Eagle (1ad); Sharp-shinned Hawk (1ad); MERLIN (1: perched off and on the phrag island. Chased a number of birds. Finally relentlessly pursued a Least Sandpiper all over our field of view and then out of sight); Wild Turkey (1ad+9yg); Spotted Sandpiper (5); Least Sandpiper (7); BONAPARTE'S GULL (1juv); Belted Kingfisher (1); Pileated Woodpecker (2); E Wood Peewee (4 still singing); Tree Swallow (17); Barn Swallow (6); Red-eyed Vireo (13, some still singing); Common Raven (2); Pine Warbler (immense flock of 70++ birds, most just fledged juv.); Yellow-rumped Warbler (7); Black and White Warbler (1); Common Yellowthroat (8); Baltimore Oriole (1);

LAKE QUABOG, BROOKFIELD in rain: Great Blue Heron (4); Great Egret (5); Mallard (55); Bald Eagle (1ad: caught huge fish); Greater Yellowlegs (2juv); Tree Swallow (60+); Barn Swallow (1); Baltimore Oriole (4);

WORCESTER AIRPORT in rain: A Kestrel (1); Peregrine Falcon (1);
(report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

8/21/10 -- Rt. 56 overlook of Airport, Leicester

We were on the way home from a LONG day in Cheshire in the Berkshires when at 4:45 on Rt. 122 Paxton, we saw a flock of nighthawks. Despite being extremely tired, we headed to the overlook, surprised to find it empty. Later we were joined by Beth Milke and her friend (I apologize but your name just escapes me at the moment). We stayed till 7PM. Temp: 71; winds: 4mph from the SW.
Birds: Double-crested Cormorant (2); AMERICAN BITTERN (1: flew high across our field of view heading SE, then descended in the direction of the Wheelabrator tower); Wild Turkey (flock of 28+ group of 6ad w/4 precocial yg); N Harrier (2imm); Merlin (1); American Kestrel (3); Solitary Sandpiper (2: calling and seen right overhead); COMMON NIGHTHAWK (417: most heading south, low, some SSW; fast and no feeding; some right overhead; great show); Ruby-throated Hummingbird (1); Chimney Swift (4); Pileated Woodpecker (1: right across our field of view); Tree Swallow (4); Barn Swallow (3). (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

8/19/10 -- Church and Quaker Streets, Northbridge

While lounging on my deck I noticed many Common Nighthawks flying over. From 6:30-7:45 PM I'd say conservative numbers to be 20, maybe up to 40. They were flying very high...some moving very quickly as broadwings do on a good soar...but some were doubling back to hawk some insects. A few chimney swifts flying lower would sometimes join in. They were moving NE to SW. Here's a video of one...sorry it's so shaky...they were high and moving fast...enjoy the music though! (report from Jenifer Glagowski).

8/20/10 -- Wachusett Reservoir, Boylston

At Wachusett Reservoir this morning from the piece of land that juts out from the shoreline accessible from gate 9 in Boylston I observed: 2 Common Loons, 7 Double-crested Cormorants, 4 Common Mergansers, 1 adult Bald Eagle diving towards something on the surface of the water, 1 juvenile Bald Eagle, 1 soaring Cooper's Hawk with a swarm of swallows diving on it, 1 juvenile RUDDY TURNSTONE (it landed along the shore 20-30 feet from me for about 3 minutes) and 3 Least Sandpipers. (report from Bart Kamp).

8/20/10 -- Sutton

While on Nighthawk  watch tonight I had a Hummingbird harrasing a Belted Kingfisher, but no Nighthawks. I did have 46 Nighthawks on Wed. 8/18 and 32 on Thur. 8/19. (report from Michael Joubert).

8/19/10 -- Sterling Peat, Sterling

Around 3-4 pm-ish, there were Semipalmated sandpipers - 3, Pectoral sandpiper - 1, Least - 6, Greater Yellowlegs -1, Lesser Yellowlegs - 3, Spotted sandpiper -2, Solitary Sandpiper -4, Killdeer- 7, Great blue heron -2, Green heron - 1, Great egret -1, Glossy ibis -1, mallards -10, Canada goose -1, turkey vulture -7 (the were sitting out there and flew away shortly after I arrived). (report from Jessica Johnson).

8/18/10 -- The Shoppes at Blackstone Valley, Millbury

This evening around 5 p.m.at the Millbury Mall, I had 8 Common Nighthawks feeding and they drifted off to the west. Around 5:30, one Common Nighthawk was flying by close and moving more directly south. There may have been more activity, but I left at that point. (report from Alan Marble).

8/18/10 -- Notre Dame Cemetery, Worcester

This evening I had 45 nighthawks between 6:30 and 7:00 PM. (report from Susan LaBree).

8/18/10 -- Sterling Peat, Sterling

I happened to check Sterling Peat after Tom Pirro's post about the Wilson's Phalarope.  I was there with Fran McMenemy around 3:30pm and took some photos (image 1| image 2) of it.  (report and photos from Jessica Johnson).

8/18/10 -- Sutton

While on Nighthawk survey, I had 2 Black Vultures fly by, heading south  at very close range from my site at Main Street Manchaug in Sutton. The Nighthawk watch was also worthwhile, with 46 seen from 5:00 till 7:30 pm. (report from Michael Joubert).

8/18/10 -- Sterling Peat, Sterling

This continues to be the "Poorman's South Beach" of Worcester County, and I had the good fortune of crossing paths with a basic plumaged Wilson's Phalarope about 1PM today. It would occassionaly be harrassed by Lesser yellowlegs..... the Glossy Ibis continues. Hilights: Great Egret 1; Glossy Ibis 1; Green Heron 1; Great Blue Heron 3; Solitary Sandpiper 4; Greater Yellowlegs 2or 3; Lesser yellowlegs 4; Least Sandpiper 15-20; Solitary Sandpiper 1; Pectoral Sandpiper 1; Red-necked Phalarope 1 basic plumage. I'll toss a photo on my blog shortly. (report from Tom Pirro).

8/17/10 -- Sterling Peat, Sterling

At around 1:45 - 2:40ish, the Glossy Ibis was still there.  There was also a Pectoral Sandpiper there that let me get really close and I got a decent shot with only a 55mm lense.  Other species were Great Blue Heron - 2, Green Heron - 1, Mallard - 10, Killdeer - 7, Greater Yellowlegs -1, Lesser Yellowlegs -2, Least Sandpiper - 8, Solitary Sandpiper 3, Spotted Sandpiper - 1.   (report and photo from Jessica Johnson).

8/17/10 -- Leesville Pond/All-Faith's Cemetery, Worcester

The Double-crested Cormorant was present again today. (report from Joan Crowell).

8/17/10 -- North East Quabbin Reservoir

Hilights from this morning, viewing the resevoir area north and east of Mt. L, from Old North Dana Road, about 3 miles in from gate 35: Common Merganser 24; Common Loon 12; Black-crowned Nightheron 1 on "Phrag" Island; Bald Eagle 3 ( 2 ad. and 1 Juv.); Osprey 1; Cooper's Hawk 1 or 2 Imm.; Pergrine Falcon 1 imm.; Semipalmated Plover 12; Least Sandpiper 20+; White-rumped Sandpiper 1; *Bonepart's Gull 4 imm/nonbreeding plumage; *Black Tern 2 Non breeding plumage; Pileated Woodpecker 1.

*The Black Terns were first seen passing the north/east side of Mt. L, just south of the "Phag" Island, then proeceded to pass well to the east of Mt. L and disappeared to the south at about 8:30AM. 20 Mintutes later I picked up Bonepart's in the scope coming from behind Mt. L, way out and the two BL. Terns were w/ them. All 6 birds dropped out of sight to the west of the "Phrag" Island, I didn;t see the terns again but the Bonepart's eventually flew into an island a few hunder yards in front of me.

(report from Tom Pirro).

8/17/10 -- Wachusett Reservoir, Boylston

Visible from gate 40 and Mile Hill Road at Wachusett Reservoir were a pair of Red-necked Grebes in breeding plumage. There was one adult Bonaparte's Gull with the other gulls. The pair of Common Loons at Crescent Island apparently nested late. They were guarding two downy young that appeared to be less than two weeks old. (report from Bart Kamp).

8/15/10 -- Sterling Peat, Sterling

I had a few hours this morning to check-out a couple of nearby birding destinations.

During a quick check of Wachusett Reservoir, a Common Loon flew across South Bay, but I couldn't tell if it was a juvenile or adult. Otherwise, things were very quiet during my brief check.

My next stop was Sterling Peat, off Muddy Pond Road in Sterling, MA, between Route 140 and Route 12. The conditions were right for shorebirds with the water being quite low, especially in the western part of the pond. IA quick check of the area revealed a sleeping Glossy Ibis near the tip between the western and eastern portions of the pond, my first encounter with one there. Also present were Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs, numerous Killdeer, Solitary Sandpiper, Least Sandpiper, Semipalmated Sandpiper, Spotted Sandpiper, a Great Egret, Great Blue Heron, Green Heron, and Common Yellowthroat. I probably missed quite a few other species as well as I concentrated on photographing the Glossy Ibis. For those interested, I posted a series of photos on my website. I also posted a 45 second HD video on YouTube of the Glossy Ibis catching a small fish. (report from Bruce deGraaf).

8/15/10 -- Sterling Peat, Sterling

I ran into Kim Allen and Tom Piro at Sterling Peat, where a glossy ibis has joined the usual birds gathering there. Others birds seen include, 1 great egret, 4 great blue herons, 2 spotted sand pipers, 5 solitary sandpipers, least sandpipers, 1 greater yellowlegs, 4 lesser yellowlegs, 2 willow flycatchers, 1 warbler flyby probably prairie. Here is a photo of the glossy ibis. (report and photo from Garry Kessler).

8/15/10 -- Sterling Peat, Sterling

At 10:50AM this morning there was a Glossy Ibis at Sterling Peat. It was feeding in the stream at the tip where the two ponds divide. It was still there when I left at 11:20AM. Photos at www.pbase.com/kevbourinot/herons_bitterns_and_egrets. (report from Kevin Bourinot).

Note added: Alan Marble reports "There is a Glossy Ibis at Sterling Peat. I got a heads-up from Kevin Bourinot about it. It was still there at 3:30 when I left."

8/14/10 -- NE Quabbin Reservoir

We spent Saturday AM and early afternoon atlasing SHUTESBURY 10, in NE Quabbin. This includes Gate 35-39 and the shoreline along Gate 22. There was a tremendous amount of activity of migrants along the islands, and not just the phragmite islands. Some of the newly emerged (and close) small rocky bars also had shorebirds. There were quite a number of birders there and each has their own lists, but we also shared many birds. That said, there were HUNDREDS of un-identified shorebirds (mostly "peeps" seen whizzing about the phrag island.
Birds:Common Loon (14: 1 of the other groups also had a 1st yr bird); Double-crested Cormorant (6+flock of 17 migrating south); AMERICAN BITTERN (1: a real surprise. On the phragmite island, BUT apparently reported earlier in the summer from the same location!); GLOSSY IBIS (1: on the phrag island. Seen by all. Later in the day it could be seen from the other side of the island from gate 22); Canada Goose (94); MUTE SWAN (2: pair); Mallard (21: incl, sev. still flightless yg); COMMON MERGANSER (62 still flightless yg); Osprey (2); Bald Eagle (2ad); N Harrier (1imm); Broad-winged Hawk (2imm seen attacking a soaring Red-tail); Red-tailed Hawk (2); Ruffed Grouse (1ad w/3yg); Black-bellied Plover (2); Semipalmated Plover (6); Killdeer (9); Greater Yellowlegs (2); Lesser Yellowlegs (4); Solitary Sandpiper (3); Spotted Sandpiper (7); Semipalmated Sandpiper (3); Least Sandpiper (25+); White-rumped Sandpiper (1); Pectoral Sandpiper (6); Ring-billed Gull (13); COMMON TERN (1); Mourning Dove (7); Yellow-billed Cuckoo (1); Ruby-throated Hummingbird (4); Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (4); Downy Woodpecker (4); Hairy Woodpecker (3); N Flicker (1); Pileated Woodpecker (3); E Wood Peewee (most still calling; a single just fledged juv seen); Blue-headed Vireo (3); Red-eyed Vireo (25); Blue Jay (6); A Crow (16); Tree Swallow (39); Barn Swallow (7); Black-capped Chickadee (44); Tufted Titmouse (21); Red-breasted Nuthatch (9); White-breasted Nuthatch (12); Brown Creeper (3); Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (3); Veery (1); Hermit Thrush (3); A Robin (8); Gray Catbird (12); Cedar Waxwing (2);

WARBLERS: Chestnut-sided (4); Black-throated Blue (1 just fledged); Blackburnian (2); Pine (13: sev. still singing; others just fledged); Prairie (1); Black and White (4); C Yellowthroat (19: sev. yg still attended by adults);

Scarlet Tanager (2); E Towhee (13); N Cardinal (3); Bobolink (3); A Goldfinch (8).
PLUS: E Painted Turtle; Stinkpot; E Garter Snake; (we have been working on id-ing fish through bins): Gren Frog; Pickerel Frog; Gray Tree Frog; Yellow perch; Golden Shiner; Black-nosed Dace; Chain Pickerel; Red-spotted Sunfish. And a really nice display of a very odd flower: Common Pipewort.
(report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

8/14/10 -- Sutton

I had 2 Common Night Hawks tonight between 6.00 and 7.00 at the Main Street Manchaug site in Sutton. Other birds of note in the area were 2 Great Blue Herons, 1 Green Heron, and 1 Belted Kingfisher. Also there was a Great Egret in the swamp by the National Gallery on Putnum Hill Road in Manchaug . I had to go to the Shoppes In Millbury to pick up a book for my son and while there I searched for Night Hawks for around a half hour. None were seen. (report from Michael Joubert).

8/13/10 -- Leesville Pond/All Faiths Cemetery

Today there was a Double-crested Cormorant. Also on 8/8 there were 2 Great blue herons. (report from Joan Crowell).

8/13/10 -- Sterling Peat, Sterling

In addition to the birds that Tom Pirro reported yesterday, I had a Wilson's Snipe, Semipalmated Plover and a Great Egret this morning at Sterling Peat. There is a nice shorebird show going on there right now. (report from Alan Marble).

8/12/10 -- Sterling Peat, Sterling

Hi-lights from this evening were: Great-blue Heron 4; Great Egret 1; Killdeer 7; Greater Yellowlegs 1; Lesser yellowlegs 4; Solitary Sandpiper 14; Spotted Sandpiper 6; Semipalmated Sandpiper 1; Least Sandpiper 37; Common Nighthawk 4. Also, a quick trip into Institute Park in Worcester yielded 3 Black-crowned Night-herons, all juv. (report from Tom Pirro).

8/12/10 -- Institute Park, Worcester

After a fairly slow summer for birding in the park, things are getting a bit more interesting. Highlights today at noon were Pied-billed Grebe (1 - also seen on 8/10); Black-crowned Night-Heron (2 imm 1st year birds, also seen yesterday 8/11); Mute Swan (1); Killdeer (3); Least Sandpiper (1); Cedar Waxwing (8 - flycatching over pond). (report from Rick Quimby).

8/11/10 -- All Faiths Cemetery and Notre Dame Cemetery, Worcester

Highlights of the Forbush Bird Club trip were 2 Green Herons, 8 Wood Ducks, and 2 Black-crowned Night-Herons (adults). Here is a list of the 23 species recorded. (report from Susan Labree fide Joan Gallagher).

8/11/10 -- Sterling Peat, Sterling

All below sightings were seen with Jess Johnson. Great Egret 1 Continuing bird in the west end, same as yesterday; Green Heron 1; Killdeer 9; Spotted Sandpiper 4; Solitary Sandpiper 7; Lesser Yellowlegs 1; Least Sandpiper 30 Estimate; Pectoral Sandpiper 1 Adult bird, watched flying off to the north over the treeline out of sight.

Also yesterday (8/10): Great Egret 1 Continuing bird in the west end of the pond area shown on Google Maps, where all the other birds were; Green Heron 3; Killdeer 15; Spotted Sandpiper 3; Solitary Sandpiper 6; Lesser Yellowlegs 1; Least Sandpiper 32 All shorebirds in west end; Belted Kingfisher 1; Brown Thrasher 1; Photos taken during these couple days can be seen at: www.flickr.com/photos/uropsalis/sets/72157624710281476/. (report from Ian Davies).

8/11/10 -- Briely's Pond, Millbury

There is a Great Egret at Briely's Pond in Millbury. According to a local, it has been there for 2 or 3 days. (report from Alan Marble)

8/9/10 -- Lancaster

All below sightings were seen with Jess Johnson.

Langen Rd field: Northern Bobwhite 1 - calling from previously reported spot at 3PM

Dexter's Drumlin, George Hill Rd: Savannah Sparrow 5 (report from Ian Davies).

8/8/10 -- Quabbin Reservoir Gates 35-37

Four of us (Sheila Carroll, Mark Lynch, Val Miller, Scott Surner,) birded/ atlased [Breeding Bird Survey block] SHUTESBURY 10. This block includes Quabbin Gates 35-37 and along the shoreline of Gate 22. Some breeding behavior was still be observed as well as some staging for migration. Shorebirds were evident but 97% of them went "unidentifiable" because of distance/visibility issue. Most of the early morning feature poor distant visibility because the air was actually cooler than the water. Things improved later in the AM. Common Loon (9); Double-crested Cormorant (2); Great Blue Heron (6); Canada Goose (46); Mallard (2f w/3yg); Common Merganser (33 yg birds, but possibly 61! A flock of 33 birds were found and watched several times on the east side of the phragmite island. When we observed the same island from the Gate 22 side, we found a flock of 28 mergs. It is very possible these are 2 different flocks); Osprey (1); Bald Eagle (1imm); Broad-winged Hawk (1imm); Red-tailed Hawk (3); Black-bellied Plover (1); Killdeer (3); Solitary Sandpiper (3); Spotted Sandpiper (6); Least Sandpiper (1 heard+ 30+ "peep species" far out on the phragmite island); Ring-billed Gull (16); Morning Dove (5); Barred Owl (1 perched very low in an hemlock); Ruby-throated Hummingbird (2); Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (5); Downy Woodpecker (5); Hairy Woodpecker (6); N Flicker (3); Pileated Woodpecker (4: 2 birds were watched and photographed high up in a choke cherry eating cherries); E Wood Peewee (13); Least Flycatcher (3); E Phoebe (4); E Kingbird (2); Blue-headed Vireo (5); Red-eyed Vireo (19); Blue Jay (4); A Crow (8); Tree Swallow (400+ over phrag island at dawn); Black-capped Chickadee (12); Tufted Titmouse (13); Red-breasted Nuthatch (3); White-breasted Nuthatch (13); Brown Creeper (3); House Wren (3); Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (1); Hermit Thrush (1); A Robin (5); Gray Catbird (7); Cedar Waxwing (20+ still in flocks, no yg birds seen);

WARBLERS: Chestnut-sided (4); Black-throated Blue (2); Yellow-rumped (1); Black-throated Green (10); Blackburnian (1); Pine (21); Black and White (2); A Redstart (3); C Yellowthroat (11);

Scarlet Tanager (5); E Towhee (16); Chipping Sparrow (6); Song Sparrow (4); Swamp Sparrow (1); Bobolink (1 overhead ); Red-winged Blackbird (3); A Goldfinch (8);
(report from Mark Lynch).

8/5/10 -- Sterling Peat, Sterling

Some highlights from Sterling Peat this morning: 2 Great Blue Herons, 2 Green Herons, 1 BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER flying around very close but did not land, several Killdeer, 2 Spotted Sandpipiers, 1 Solitary Sandpiper, 2 Greater Yellowlegs, about a dozen Least Sandpipers, 1 Pectoral Sandpiper (photo here). I could not find the Semi-palmated Sandpiper or Semi-palmated Plovers that were seen yesterday by Bart. (report from Alan Marble).

8/4/10 -- Sterling Peat, Sterling

Shorebirds seen at Sterling Peat today not previously reported were 1 Semi-palmated sandpiper and 2 Semi-palmated Plovers. All of the other shorebird and wader species were still there. A large snapping turtle buried itself in the muck near where the shorebirds were feeding hoping to ambush one if it walked too close. It had a mouth into which you could put a baseball with room to spare. (report from Bart Kamp).

8/2/10 -- Sutton

Around 4:45 heading south on Putnam Hill road, I observed an American Crow with an adult Gold Finch still alive in its jaws . That's nature I guess, but still tough to watch. (report from Michael Joubert).

8/2/10 -- Sterling Peat, Sterling

This morning around 7:00 AM I stopped at Sterling Peat. The Great Egret was still there as well as a couple of Green Herons, some Least Sandpipers, Killdeers and a Spotted Sandpiper. On top of the largest snag on the East side of the pond were at first 2 Kestrels, then later 3 others joined them. For at least a half hour they 5 stayed up there. I saw Mike Bagette (sp) on the West side photographing some Green Herons and told him about the 5 Kestrels and that if they were still there when he left, it would make for a nice shot. The Green Herons he was photographing were very close and the Least's were within a couple of feet, so he probably had some great shots of those. (report from Peter Morlock).

8/1/10 -- Gate 35 Quabbin Reservoir

Common Loon: 15 >all ad.; Double-crested Cormorant 1ad; Great Blue 5; Great Egret 3; Canada Goose :105 >several flocks left Quabbin, heading north, at dawn; Mallard: 3f; American Black Duck : 1; Common Merganser : 15 >all immatures.; Turkey Vulture :1; Osprey 2; Bald Eagle 2ad; Sharp-shinned Hawk 1imm; Broad-winged Hawk 1imm; Red-tailed Hawk 1ad+1imm; Virginia Rail 2; Semipalmated Plover 2; Killdeer 3; Wilson?s Snipe 1; Solitary Sandpiper 2; Spotted Sandpiper 3; Least Sandpiper 30+ >Leasts/"calidrid sp." the few birds we could hear overhead, were Leats, but most of the birds of the phragmite island were too small to id other than "peeps".; Ring-billed Gull 16; Herring Gull 1; Bonaparte's Gull 3 >2 1st S+1adS; Black Tern 1 >ad non br; Mourning Dove 1; Black-billed Cuckoo 1; Yellow-billed Cuckoo 4; Ruby-throated Hummingbird 1; Belted Kingfisher 2; Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 2; Downy Woodpecker 1; Hairy Woodpecker 3; Pileated Woodpecker 4; Eastern Wood-Pewee 8; >incl. 1 just fledged bird; Eastern Phoebe 3; Eastern Kingbird 2; Tree Swallow 228+ >We tried to keep an exact account, but it got tough. At dawn: at the power lines, small groups of swallows were seen migrating just over tree tops directly north constantly. At the water, the same thign was observed. Several times, small flocks came in from the south and descended on the phragmites island; fed, then seemed to leave north/northeast/east. This is obviously an important inland location for migrating swallows, I just can't figure out why so many seem to be heading directly north of here.; Barn Swallow 24 > minimal; Cedar Waxwing 6; Gray Catbird 7; Hermit Thrush 6; American Robin 14; Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 3; Black-capped Chickadee 41; Tufted Titmouse 9; Red-breasted Nuthatch 10; White-breasted Nuthatch 13; Blue Jay 8; American Crow 18; Common Raven 1; Blue-headed Vireo 3; Red-eyed Vireo 18; American Goldfinch 5; Yellow Warbler 3; Chestnut-sided Warbler 1imm; Black-throated Blue Warbler 1M; Black-throated Green Warbler 3imm; Pine Warbler 8; Black-and-white Warbler 1; Common Yellowthroat 13; Scarlet Tanager 3; Eastern Towhee 11; Chipping Sparrow 4; Song Sparrow 7; Swamp Sparrow 4; Bobolink 4 >overhead; Red-winged Blackbird 12 >on phrag island
(report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

8/1/10 -- Wachusett Meadows Sanctuary, Princeton

Over the past few days there have been several reports of an Evening Grosbeak coming to the feeders at the main visitor center. Cindy Dunn and Joe Choiniere both report sightings- Joe as recent as yesterday. Also we are hearing both Black and Yellow-billed cuckoos in the early AMs. (report from Dick Knowlton).

8/1/10 -- Lancaster/Sterling

Lancaster: This morning, at the Langen Road location in Lancaster (described perfectly in an earlier post), I had a fairly close Northern Bobwhite calling as soon as I got out of my truck. Later I could hear another one further out in the field. I was there from 7:45-8:15.

Sterling: At Sterling Peat, the Great Egret continues. Other highlights were a Green Heron, a Solitary Sandpiper, 3 Spotted sandpipers and 4 Least sandpipers.
(report from Alan Marble).

For previous sightings, see July 2010 Archives or Archive Index