August 2014 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

Bird Sightings:

8/31/14 -- Ware River Watershed IBA

Today we birded the SE quadrant of the WARE RIVER WATERSHED IBA. The weather was dark, overcast and breezy: not great conditions to srach for landbirds. Despite that, we did come across a few mixed species flocks, though it is still tough to say whether these are species staging for migration or actually moving through.

Highlights included: Great Blue Heron (2); Wood Duck (8); Mallard (6); Osprey (1: not migrating, but hunting); Sharp-shinned Hawk (not migrating); American Kestrel (1: not migrating); Solitary Sandpiper (1); Spotted Sandpiper (4); Ruby-throated Hummingbird (1); Belted Kingfisher (1); E Wood Pewee (5: all still calling); E Phoebe (6); Red-eyed Vireo (5); Tree Swallow (13: moving and feeding along the river); Red-breasted Nuthatch (9); House Wren (5); Veery (1); Hermit Thrush (2); Gray Catbird (24);

WARBLERS: Chestnut-sided (6); Magnolia (3); Black-throated Blue (7: 1 still singing away); Yellow-rumped (3); Black-throated Green (1); Blackburnian (1); Pine (7); Black and White (5); A Redstart (6); Ovenbird (1); C Yellowthroat (14)

(report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

8/30/14 -- Wachusett Meadows Wildlife Sanctuary, Princeton

Highlights of the Forbush Bird Club trip included good close looks at a Red-shouldered Hawk and a Broad-winged Hawk in flight, the distant call and close looks of two Common Loons as they flew overhead, and a friendly Ruffed Grouse that had to be protected by the group from an approaching automobile along the road. Species total was 44.

Complete list: Mallard; Hooded Merganser; Ruffed Grouse; Common Loon; Double-Crested Cormorant; Green Heron; Turkey Vulture; Cooper's Hawk; Red-shouldered Hawk; Broad-winged Hawk; Red-tailed Hawk; Mourning Dove; Ruby-throated Hummingbird; Belted Kingfisher; Red-bellied Woodpecker; Downy Woodpecker; Hairy Woodpecker; Northern Flicker; Eastern Wood-pewee; Eastern Phoebe; Red-eyed Vireo; Blue Jay; American Crow; Barn Swallow; Black-capped Chickadee; White-breasted Nuthatch; Brown Creeper; House Wren; Wood Thrush; Gray Catbird; European Starling; Cedar Waxwing; Black-and-white Warbler; American Redstart; Common Yellowthroat; Scarlet Tanager; Eastern Towhee; Chipping Sparrow; Song Sparrow; Northern Cardinal; Rose-breasted Grosbeak; Brown-headed Cowbird; American Goldfinch; House Sparrow;
(report from Joan Gallagher).

8/29/14 -- Mount Wachusett, Princeton

Raptors observed today: Osprey 2 ; Sharp-shinned Hawk 6 ; Cooper's Hawk 1 ; Broad-winged Hawk 27 ; American Kestrel 2 ; Peregrine Falcon 1 . Raptor Observations: Around early PM, local Goshawk made an appearance. Non-raptor Observations: Raven - 1
(report from Steve Olson).

8/28/14 -- Grafton

I had 11 nighthawks over Grafton High School this evening, all between 6:15 and 6:30, and all heading south. I also had 14 chimney swifts, 11 killdeer, 1 double-crested cormorant, 3 barn swallows, 5 red-winged blackbirds, 60 common grackles, 6 eastern bluebirds, and 15+ chipping sparrows. (report from John Liller).

8/28/14 -- Mount Wachusett, Princeton

Raptors observed today: Sharp-shinned Hawk 6 ; Broad-winged Hawk 3 ;

Raptor Observations: 12 Turkey Vultures ( non-migrating); Goshawk ( Local & not migrating)

Non-raptor Observations: Raven - 1 Variety of songbirds

Road to Summit was suppose to be closed all day. However, Summit work moved quickly and by late AM, watchers were able to get to the Summit.
(report from Steve Olson).

8/25/14 -- Mount Wachusett, Princeton

Raptors observed today: Sharp-shinned Hawk 7 ; Red-shouldered Hawk 1 ; Broad-winged Hawk 17 .

Raptor Observations: Merlin - local, not migrating; Two Red-Tailed Hawks in dogfight Northwest of Summit. Juvenile Birds just playing; Lots of immature Turkey Vultures in Summit area

Non-raptor Observations: Ravens - 9; Juncos - 3; Eastern Towhees - 2
(report from Steve Olson).

8/23/14 -- High Ridge WMA, Westminster/Gardner

Species seen/heard from a ~5 mile walk at High Ridge WMA (Westminster/Gardner) from 10AM to 2:30PM. Nothing terribly unusual but many nice mixed species flocks of passerines made for an enjoyable trek around High Ridge.

Wood Duck 5; Mallard 4; Green Heron 2; Turkey Vulture 1; Broad-winged Hawk 2; Mourning Dove 4; Chimney Swift 2; Ruby-throated Hummingbird 4; Red-bellied Woodpecker 3; Downy Woodpecker 7; Hairy Woodpecker 3; Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 3; Pileated Woodpecker 1; American Kestrel 1; Eastern Wood-Pewee 1; Least Flycatcher 1; Eastern Phoebe 32; Eastern Kingbird 7; Blue-headed Vireo 1; Warbling Vireo 2; Red-eyed Vireo 26; Blue Jay 6; American Crow 4; Common Raven 1; Black-capped Chickadee 47; Tufted Titmouse 17; Red-breasted Nuthatch 3; White-breasted Nuthatch 11; Brown Creeper 2; House Wren 8; Eastern Bluebird 3; Hermit Thrush 1; Wood Thrush 1; American Robin 6; Gray Catbird 14; European Starling 1; Cedar Waxwing 19; Black-and-white Warbler 9; Common Yellowthroat 16; American Redstart 11; Magnolia Warbler 2; Blackburnian Warbler 1; Yellow Warbler 1; Chestnut-sided Warbler 6; Pine Warbler 3; Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) 1; Black-throated Green Warbler 13; Canada Warbler 4; Wilson's Warbler 1 female; Chipping Sparrow 12; Song Sparrow 11; Swamp Sparrow 3; Scarlet Tanager 1; Northern Cardinal 3; Rose-breasted Grosbeak 1; Bobolink 12; House Finch 1; American Goldfinch 9
(report from Tom Pirro).

8/23/14 -- Rt. 56 airport overlook, Leicester

From 5PM-6:45PM: COMMON NIGHTHAWK: 511: majority heading directly south along the eastern side of the hill. Most were flying high and directly. We left when a few single birds started to drift back north to feed. Other birds noted: Turkey Vulture (12); Green Heron (2); Osprey (1); Red-tailed Hawk (1); A Kestrel (2); Merlin (1); Wild Turkey (2). (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

8/23/14 -- Sterling Peat/Wachusett Reservoir/Kettlebrooks

AT STERLING PEAT: Double-crested Cormorant (5 overhead); Great Blue Heron (3); Green Heron (8); Canada Goose (7); Wood Duck (3); Mallard (21); Hooded Merganser (1juv); Red-tailed Hawk (1); Killdeer (8); Solitary Sandpiper (5); Spotted Sandpiper (6); Least Sandpiper (17); Ruby-throated Hummingbird (1); Belted Kingfisher (1); Barn Swallow (8); House Wren (2); Rose-breasted Grosbeak (2); Baltimore Oriole (4);

WACHUSETT RESERVOIR: Common Loon (8); Double-crested Cormorant (49); Green heron (1); Mute Swan (1); Canada Goose (9); Common Merganser (5); Red-tailed Hawk (2); Solitary Sandpiper (1); Spotted Sandpiper (1); Ring-billed Gull (43);

KETTLEBROOK RESERVOIR#3 (PAXTON); Great Blue Heron (1); Canada Goose (10); Wild Turkey (5); Killdeer (10); Solitary Sandpiper (6); Spotted Sandpiper (2); Least Sandpiper (12); Belted Kingfisher (1);

KETTLEBROOK RESERVOIR#2 (Leicester); Great Blue Heron (1); Canada Goose (19); Hooded Merganser (12juv); Sharp-shinned Hawk (1); A Kestrel (1); Killdeer (2); Spotted Sandpiper (2); Solitary Sandpiper (1); Least Sandpiper (1); NB: the repairs to the dam at Kettlebrook Reservoir#4 are done and water levels are starting to rise once again.
(report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

8/23/14 -- Mount Wachusett, Princeton

Raptors observed today: Osprey 1 ; Sharp-shinned Hawk 6 ; Broad-winged Hawk 4 ; American Kestrel 2 .

Raptor Observations: Merlin - Local and not migrating

Non-raptor Observations: Ravens - 6
(report from Steve Olson).

8/23/14 -- Worcester

At 1:30 PM while I was driving northbound on Rte I-190 near the Ararat Street exit, an adult bald eagle flew overhead. (report from Marion Larson).

8/22/14 -- Wachusett Reservoir

Hoping for something that stopped over after last night's rain, I checked the Wachusett reservoir and had a Black tern at gate 40. Non-breeding plumage. Does not look like it's sticking around though. Eventually saw it fly high over the tree line. I'll be checking South Bay next. (report from Kevin Bourinot).

8/21/14 -- Reservoir # 2, Paxton

There was a great Egret in reservoir # 2 on the Paxton/Leicester town line. Also a very quick look along the shore line produced 1 solitary sandpiper and several Killdeer. (report from Rodney Jenkins)

8/20/14 -- Rt. 56 overlook, Lesicester/Paxton

This evening from 5PM-6:30Pm we watched for nighthawks from the Rt. 56 airport overlook. We had (32) birds all migrating north/north northeast in two flocks. Near 6:30 1 bird flew FROM the north, headed south around the est side of the hill and then headed west.

Other birds seen while searching for nighthawks included: Green Heron (1); Turkey Vulture (2); Canada Goose (3); Broad-winged Hawk (1); Red-tailed Hawk (1); A Kestrel (2); Chimney Swift (7); Ruby-throated Hummingbird (1); Tree Swallow (55); Barn Swallow (13); Bobolink (9)

Afterwards, at KETTLEBROOK RESERVOIR #3 (NB: observed from the road. Worcester Reservoirs are strictly off limits): Great Egret (1); Hooded Merganser (5juv); Solitary Sandpiper (5); Spotted sandpiper (2); Semipalmated Sandpiper (1); Least Sandpiper (3); Belted Kingfisher (1).
(report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

8/20/14 -- Sterling Peat/Wachusett Reservoir

This morning at STERLING PEAT: Double-crested Cormorant (2); Great Egret (1); Snowy Egret (1); Green Heron (8); Canada Goose (3); Wood Duck (5); Mallard (14); Killdeer (9+); Solitary Sandpiper (1); Spotted Sandpiper (8); Least Sandpiper (11+); E Wood Pewee (1); E Phoebe (2); E Kingbird (1); Prairie Warbler (2); Bobolink (4 overhead); Baltimore Oriole (4);

Then at WACHUSETT RESERVOIR: Common Loon (11); Double-crested Cormorant (13); Great Blue Heron (2); Mute Swan (1); Canada Goose (57); Common Merganser (5); Osprey (1); Sharp-shinned Hawk (1); Wild Turkey (2); Spotted Sandpiper (6); Bonaparte's Gull (1); Ring-billed Gull (91); Herring Gull (1); Tree Swallow (18+); Barn Swallow (21); Cedar Waxwing (20+ aerial feeding along dike);
(report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

8/20/14 -- Mount Wachusett, Princeton

Raptors observed today: Bald Eagle 3 ; Sharp-shinned Hawk 4 ; Broad-winged Hawk 4 ; American Kestrel 1 .

Raptor Observations: In AM, some migrant movement. Still mostly local birds in the area - merlin and juvenile red-tailed hawks.

Non-raptor Observations: Swallows, chimney swifts, & cedar waxwings - all feeding on berries, Junco
(report from Steve Olson).

8/19/14 -- Mount Wachusett, Princeton

Raptors observed today: Bald Eagle 1 ; Sharp-shinned Hawk 2 ; Cooper's Hawk 1 ; Broad-winged Hawk 5 ;

Raptor Observations: Bald Eagle - 1 mature

Non-raptor Observations: Raven - 1 Chimney Swifts - 8 Tree & Bank Swallows - 12 (Swallow migration beginning);
(report from Steve Olson)

8/18/14 -- Ware River Watershed IBA

This morning we birded a few of the dirt roads of the WARE RIVER WATERSHED IBA. Passerines were in widely separated mixed species flocks. This meant there was long stretches of forest with few birds and then you would stumble across a flock of birds moving across or along the road: classic fall migration forest birding in the interior of the state. The strategy was to listen for chickadee calls, and then spish and screech owl as there were often warblers moving with the chickadee flocks. Because of the tall trees and dense foliage, it was impossible to ID all the birds in any one flock.

Here is a complete list: Great Blue Heron (4); Turkey Vulture (9: at a putrid dead porcupine in the woods); Wood Duck (10); Sharp-shinned Hawk (1imm); Broad-winged Hawk (1); Red-tailed Hawk (1); Mourning Dove (4); Barred Owl (1); Chimney Swift (1: flying over the forest); Ruby-throated Hummingbird (5); Belted Kingfisher (2); Downy Woodpecker (2); Hairy Woodpecker (4); E Wood Pewee (3); E Phoebe (31: small groups along roads and around small marshes); E Kingbird (12: 1 loose group moving along a Ware River marsh); Blue-headed Vireo (5); Red-eyed Vireo (32); Blue Jay (38); A Crow (3); Tree Swallow (4); Barn Swallow (19); Black-capped Chickadee (108); Tufted Titmouse (2); Red-breasted Nuthatch (12); White-breasted Nuthatch (15); Brown Creeper (3); House Wren (1); Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (1); E Bluebird (1); Hermit Thrush (11); A Robin (4); Gray Catbird (23); Cedar Waxwing (17);

WARBLERS: Chestnut-sided (3); Black-throated Blue (2f); Yellow-rumped (14); Black-throated Green (17); Blackburnian (2); Pine (33); BLACKPOLL (1); Black and White (13); A Redstart (2); Ovenbird (8); C Yellowthroat (19); Canada (1);

Scarlet Tanager (1); E Towhee (14); Chipping Sparrow (4); Song Sparrow (7); Swamp Sparrow (9); N cardinal (6); Bobolink (1: overhead); Red-winged Blackbird (2); C Grackle (280: single flock feeding while moving through the middle of the forest counted as they crossed a trail); Baltimore Oriole (1); A Goldfinch (7);

Butterflies included Red-spotted Purple and White Admirals; Appalachian Brown and Red Admiral. Dragonflies included several species of darner and mammals included a Short-tailed Shrew. Pickerel Frogs were all around every scrubby open area.
(report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

8/15/14 -- Otter River SP-Birch Hill Dam, Winchendon/Royalston

Today we birded the area between Otter River State Park and Birch Hill Dam (Army Corps of Engineers) in Winchendon and Royalston. The area is mostly mixed forest with small rivers and several small marshy ponds crossed with a network of dirt roads. The weather was overcast, cool for this time of the year) and breezy: not great for birding. Bird song has practically vanished though a number of Hermit Thrush and a few vireos were still singing. Many warblers breed here, but it was tough finding any warblers today.

Birds recorded: Great Blue Heron (4); Wood Duck (13); Mallard (1f: this bird which was hanging out with a domestic duck along the Miller's River near the entrance road to Birch Hill Dam , now has an injured leg); Sharp-shinned Hawk (2 juv birds hanging out together); Broad-winged Hawk (1); Red-tailed Hawk (1); Ruffed Grouse (8 in a loose group: family group?); Wild Turkey (1 flock of 15 birds 8 of which were young birds); Rock Pigeon (4: flying over dam); Mourning Dove (6); Black-billed Cuckoo (1 very cooperative and vocal bird, photographed); Ruby-throated Hummingbird (1); Belted Kingfisher (4); Downy Woodpecker (3); N Flicker (3); E Phoebe (9); E Kingbird (2); Blue-headed Vireo (4); Red-eyed Vireo (4); Blue Jay (20+ a single flock of 51 birds flying north low over the trees); A Crow (6); Tree Swallow (36); Barn Swallow (7); Black-capped Chickadee (62); Tufted Titmouse (6); Red-breasted Nuthatch (12); White-breasted Nuthatch (5); House Wren (6); Hermit Thrush (28: including 6 just fledged young birds with speckled tops of the head and still some downy tufts being attended by adult birds); A Robin (16); Gray Catbird (19); Cedar Waxwing (2);

WARBLERS: Yellow-rumped (3: all young birds); Pine (8); Black and White (4: 3 young birds); Ovenbird (1); C Yellowthroat (14);

E Towhee (10); Chipping Sparrow (4); Song Sparrow (23); Swamp Sparrow (8); Indigo Bunting (2); Bobolink (2 overhead); C Grackle (3); Baltimore Oriole (3); Purple Finch (1); A Goldfinch (8)

Best non-bird was a Cinereous Shrew.
(report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

8/12/14 -- Sterling Peat, Sterling

In the late afternoon there were 1 Snowy Egret, 3 Green Herons (1 ad, 2 imm), 1 Semipalmated Plover, 1 Greater YL, 2 Lesser YL, 1 Solitary Sandpiper, 6 Spotted Sandpipers, 5 Least Sandpipers, 2 Belted Kingfishers, and 3 Song Sparrows. (report from Rick Quimby).

8/12/14 -- Sterling Peat, Sterling

This morning there was an immature Snowy Egret at Sterling Peat. (report from Peter Morlock).

8/6/14 -- Sterling Peat, Sterling

Blithely unaware of the Glossy Ibis on Muddy Pond, Annie and I stumbled across them while checking the place out. It's a good group of birds with a couple in nice plumage. Here's the first of four photos of a couple of them. And here's some new and improved photos added 8/7/14. (report from Garry Kessler).

8/6/14 -- Notre Dame cemetery, Worcester

Seen from Notre Dame Cemetery before and after sunset this evening were 2 adult and 1 immature Black-crowned Night Herons. (report from Bart Kamp).

8/5/14 -- Sterling Peat, Sterling

Six Glossy Ibis just made a circling descent and landed here at 1:00 PM. On the Eastern side. (report from Ed Kittredge)

8/3/14 -- Wachusett Reservoir/Sterling Peat/Pine Hill Road

At STERLING PEAT: Great Blue Heron (2); Green Heron (c 6); Glossy Ibis (1: bird found yesterday continues); Wood Duck (4); Mallard (8+1f w/5yg); Killdeer (13); Solitary Sandpiper (2); Spotted Sandpiper (1); Least Sandpiper (8); Belted Kingfisher (2); E Wood Pewee (1); E Kingbird (2); Yellow Warbler (3); Chestnut-sided Warbler (1); C Yellowthroat (2); Rose-breasted Grosbeak (2); Indigo Bunting (1); Baltimore Oriole (1);

WACHUSETT RESERVOIR: Common Loon (10+1 ad w/1yg); Double-crested Cormorant (12); Great Blue Heron (1); Canada Goose (19); Bald Eagle (1imm); Wild Turkey (pr w/8 very yg birds); Killdeer (1); Least Sandpiper (1); E Wood Pewee (5); E Kingbird (17); Tree Swallow (20+); N Rough-winged Swallow (1); Bank Swallow (2); Barn Swallow (15+); E Meadowlark (3);

PINE HILL ROAD (Lancaster, just west of Bolton Flats): KRISTOFF PROPERTY: A Kestrel (3); E Phoebe (3); Great Crested Flycatcher (1); House Wren (3); Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (1); E Bluebird (4); Wood Thrush (1); Hermit Thrush (2); Chipping Sparrow (8); Field Sparrow (5: including 1ad still feeding 2 just fledged yg); Vesper Sparrow (1); Purple Finch (1);
(report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

8/3/14 -- Sterling Peat, Sterling

Bart's Glossy Ibis was still present on the eastern edge of Muddy Pond about 11:15 AM today. Other highlights: 7 Spotted Sandpiper, 1 Solitary Sandpiper, 1 Greater Yellowlegs, 8 Least Sandpiper, 10 Killdeer, 1 Great Blue Heron, 8 Green Heron, 1 Great Egret. Could not locate Semipalmated Sandpiper or Semipalmated Plover. (report from Ed Kittredge)

8/2/14 -- Sterling Peat, Sterling

At about 2:30 this afternoon there was a Glossy Ibis at Sterling Peat. Also present were at least 7 Green Herons , 6 Semipalmated Plovers, 6+ Killdeer, 6+ Spotted Sandpipers, 2 Solitary Sandpipers, 2 Greater Yellowlegs, 10-15 Least Sandpipers and 1 Semipalmated Sandpiper. There could be more of the small sandpipers. The vegetation in some areas is taller than they are. (report from Bart Kamp).

For previous sightings, see July 2014 Archives or Archive Index