August 1999 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.

8/31/99 -- Broad Meadow Brook Sanctuary, Worcester

Highlights this morning: Red-bellied Woodpecker (2); Carolina Wren (4); VEERY (1); CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER (1 - I love the fall plumage); AMERICAN REDSTART (1); NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH (1); Common Yellowthroat (7). A GENERAL OBSERVATION: Although the makeup of species has not changed very much over the past few weeks, the numbers of certain species has drastically changed. Fall is definitely in the air. (report from John Liller).

8/29/99 -- Broad Meadow Brook Sanctuary, Worcester

Highlights this morning: COMMON NIGHTHAWK (1 - recorded before sunrise); Chimney Swift (4); Red-bellied Woodpecker (2); Carolina Wren (4); PRAIRIE WARBLER (1 - first recorded in almost 2 months. This species is normally a fairly common breeder along the power lines, but they seemed to disappear this summer.); AMERICAN REDSTART (1); NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH (1); Common Yellowthroat (13); (report from John Liller).

8/29/99 -- Quinapauxet Reservoir/Leesville Pond, Holden/Worcester

A survey of birds at Quinapauxet Reservoir at dawn this morning had the following: Double Crested Cormorant (3); Great Blue Heron (1 migrating high overhead only); Green-Winged Teal (2); Mallard (6); A. Black Duck (2); Hooded Merganser (4 imm); Sharp-Shinned Hawk (1 large adult, perhaps a female); AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER (1: came out of the sky calling, circled a bit and eventually went down at the south end. Seen well); Semipalmated Plover (1; circled calling, came lower, then left); Killdeer (22); Greater Yellowlegs (6); Lesser Yellowlegs (4); Spotted Sandpiper (5); Least Sandpiper (8); Pectoral Sandpiper (3); BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER (1: circled calling constantly. I thought it was going to put down at the south end, but could not be re-found); Ring-Billed Gull (13); Belted Kingfisher (2); Pileated Woodpecker (1); E. Phoebe (1); E. Wood Peewee (2 still calling); Tree Swallow (7); Barn Swallow (2); Pine Warbler (8); Yellow-Rumped Warbler (2). Also seen: (1) White-Tailed Deer and several Ichneuman Wasps.

The behavior of the shorebirds was very interesting. A front moved through while we were out at the reservoir. When we arrived it was cool, clear, still. A short time later it was totally cloudy, quite breezy and distinctly chillier. Except for the Killdeer and Spotteds, all the shorebirds either came in calling , circled for a bit, and landed only for a short time and then left, or if they were already there, we watched them leave. The Buff-Breasted, Am. Golden Plover and Semi Plover all arrived singularly and over a space of time. All the Pects arrived together, called on approach, landed for all of 2-3 minutes, flew up again, re-settled for 1 minute, then flew out calling never to be seen again. All the shorebirds appeared very restless and eager to get moving on the favorable winds. Sheila wondered if when the shorebirds called and got no response from their own kind, it made the location seem not as favorable to the migrants. This was a time when it really paid to know shorebird calls.

The "restless" bahavior of the shorebirds may have had something to do with the front that so obviously passed over early in the morning. When we arrived at our first vantage point it was cool, cloudless and windless. Two hours later it was solidly overcast, degrees colder and very breezy as the front passed over. It then later cleared, though low lying areas such as the city of Worcester remained distinctly very hazy afterwards. The overall numbers of shorebirds at Quinapauxet today were not as impressive as past counts, though, and many seem to have moved out. It is interesting to speculate if they only migrated a short distance east to areas like Great Meadows. As another example of how birds had moved out of Quinapauxet in the last few days: A little over a week ago we had counted (32) Great Blue Herons and (5) Great Egrets feeding here. Today, we had only one Great Blue Heron flying high overhead and out of the area.

It should be noted that the Quinapauxet Reservoir is one of Worcester County's best fall shorebird spots (after the North Dana Flats). HOWEVER, it is one of the city of Worcester's reservoirs and is thus OFF LIMITS to any person without a specific city permit. We obtained such a permit to do these Manomet surveys. It should also be noted that because of the drought in the northeast, the water level is the lowest it has been since the 60s. For the purposes of pumping water out for use by the city, it is "dry". The city has two "chains" of small reservoirs that serve our water needs and both of the outer ones are now "dry".

It would be interesting to hear other reports from other inland reservoirs (such as the Cambridge) to see if the one VERY narrow sliver of a silver lining to this pernicious drought in the northeast has been to find good numbers of migrating shorebirds.

LEESVILLE POND (CITY OF WORCESTER): Double Crested Cormorant (1); Great Blue Heron (5); Green Heron (2); Black-Crowned Night Heron (2 ad+2imm); Canada Goose (13); Wood Duck (51); Green-Winged Teal (1); Mallard (494); A. Black Duck (14); Red-Tailed Hawk (1imm.); Warbling Vireo (1 calling); Yellow-Rumped Warbler (1). (report from Mark Lynch).

8/28/99 -- Nighthawk watching: city of Worcester

We started at GODDARD MEMORIAL PARK at 5:45 PM where we had: Osprey (1); A. Kestrel (4); C. Nighthawk (10); C. Swift (14); E. Wood Peewee (1 still calling); E. Kingbird (1); Cedar Waxwing (19:many flying quite high), E. Meadowlark (2 flying over the city and onto the airport).. It was quite windy atop the hill, and this may have prevented us from seeing more nighthawks. MILL STREET: by 6:30 driving down Mill Street towards Notre Dame Cemetary, we had: C. Nighthawk (64). All of these birds were very low and crossed over Mill Street heading southwards before you got to the grocery store. NOTRE DAME CEMETARY: Simon and Lisa Hennin were there when we arrived. We had: Double Crested Cormorant (4); Red-Tailed Hawk (1); Killdeer (2); Greater Yellowlegs (1); COMMON NIGHTHAWK (1070); Chimney Swift (90+); Ruby-Throated Hummingbird (1); E. Kingbird (1). All the nighthawks were moving quickly and directly with none of the flying back and forth that we saw last week. Many flew quite low. The largest numbers were seen west of the vantage point. The birds often came in "pulses" of 20+ . There was no wind at this spot, but the wind we experienced on airport hill meant that the birds were perhaps flying low to stay out of the wind. Because the movements of the nighthawks was direct and one way, they were relatively easy to count. (report from Mark Lynch).

8/26/99 -- Westminster area

This evening 126 Common Nighthawks were counted passing overhead moving southwest about 5:30 PM. (report from Tom Pirro).

8/25/99 -- Broad Meadow Brook Sanctuary

A nighthawk count this evening yielded COMMON NIGHTHAWK (17), along with Chimney Swift (14); American Crow (83); Barn Swallow (2); European Starling (148); Cedar Waxwing (20); Baltimore Oriole (2); (report from John Liller).

8/25/99 -- Institute Park, Worcester

A noontime walk yielded 19 species, including 1 adult Green Heron, 1 adult Black-crowned Night Heron, and 2 male sub-adult Wood Ducks (report from Rick Quimby).

8/24/99 -- Broad Meadow Brook Sanctuary, Worcester

Highlights this morning: AMERICAN KESTREL (1); Red-bellied Woodpecker (1); OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER (1); Empidonax species (3); Carolina Wren (7 - including family of 4); House Wren (1); AMERICAN REDSTART (2); NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH (1); Common Yellowthroat (8); PURPLE FINCH (2); (report from John Liller).

8/23/99 -- Notre Dame Cemetery, Worcester 8/23

A good show of migrating Common Nighthawks was had at the traditional spot (Notre Dame Cemetary) in the city of Worcester tonite. Fortunately a good group of county birders were on hand to enjoy the spectacle. Estimated numbers (birds, not birders!) were 2000+. This flight once again coincided with a dramatic flight of flying ants all over the city. Local birders know to look for this phenomena during the day and then to hit the cemetery later in the afternoon or early evening. Also seen were 50+ Chimney Swifts, a good flight of Common Grackles, 8+ Mallard Ducks, (3) Wood Ducks and on the way home, a Black-Crowned Night Heron adult could be seen flying down Park Avenue heading most likely for Salisbury Pond. (report from Mark Lynch).

8/23/99 -- High Rdge WMA, Westminster

From a morning walk into the prison entrance of High Ridge WMA in Westminster , here are some of the more notable sightings: C. Nighthawk 24 on the move at 10AM; Coopers Hawk 2; Sharp Shinned Hawk 1; Cliff Swallow 1; E. Wood Peewee 6; Red-Breasted Nuthatch 9; Cape May Warbler 1; N. Parula 1; Magnolia Warb. 1; Am. Redstart 6. While scanning a flock of swallows over the "lower marsh" I picked up a "falling rock" coming in from up high. Of course the "rock" was a raptor , an imm. Coopers Hawk to be specific , which was stooping in , in an attempting to capture a Belted Kingfisher , the "rattling" Kingfisher "ditched it" in the marsh while the Coop had hit the brakes to avoid taking a swim. The Coop made a 2 more quick stabs at the Kingfisher , just a few feet over the water , sending the Kingfisher in the drink 2 more times before it finally escaped flying off and "rattling " like a machine gun. A juv. Brown Headed Cowbird was observed being fed by a Red-eyed Vireo.

A few more Nighthawks were seen in Gardner in the late afternoon then between 5 and 6 PM .... Flying ants were everywhere but I only saw about 10 Nighthawks between 5 and 6 PM. But Starlings , Waxwings , Ring-billed Gulls , a few swallows and swifts were enjoying a feast. The starlings on the grass at the college could be seen "jumping" up in 4 to 5 foot flights off the ground to grab at the ants , then settle back down and do it again. (report from Tom Pirro).

8/22/99 -- Westboro Fisheries and Wildlife area

A morning walk yielded 31 species of birds. Notable were: Great Blue Heron 2, Green-backed Heron 4, Wood Duck 9, Osprey 2, Killdeer 2, Solitary Sandpiper 1, Sandpipers 11, Belted Kingfisher 1, Great Crested Flycatcher 2, Carolina Wren 1, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks 2, and Baltimore Orioles 2. (report from Ann Boover).

8/22/99 -- City of Worcester Pond survey

A count on the ponds and lakes in and contiguous with the city of Worcester on Sunday had the following: Double-Crested Cormorant (28); Great Blue Heron (22); Green Heron (7 adults+1 imm); Black-Crowned Night Heron (2 adult+2 imm); MUTE SWAN (1 lone adult+pair w/ 1 young+pair w/5 young. All at Lake Quinsigamond); Canada Goose (197); Wood Duck (83); A. Black Duck (16); Mallard (818); HOODED MERGANSER (1 imm); Turkey Vulture (1); Osprey (2); Red-Tailed Hawk (4); Sharp-Shinned Hawk (1 imm: this bird caught another bird which looked like a song sparrow and then went down to the edge of the water and held the bird under the water, or at least seemed to!); Killdeer (30 including a flock of 27 at Hope Cemetary); Spotted Sandpiper (3); Least Sandpiper (14); Ring-Billed Gull (48); Belted Kingfisher (4); Red-Winged Blackbird (2).

OTHER SPECIES COUNTED AT THE PONDS: Red-Bellied Woodpecker (1); Downy Woodpecker (5); N. Flicker (19); E. Wood Peewee (1); "empid. sp." (1 looked like Least); E. Phoebe (7); E. Kingbird (10); Tree Swallow (16); Barn Swallow (103); Carolina Wren (2); House Wren (6); Gray Catbird (31); N. Mockingbird (11); Cedar Waxwing (36); Yellow Warbler (4); YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER (1); Pine Warbler (1); N. Cardinal (17); Indigo Bunting (1); Song Sparrow (33); Baltimore Oriole (8); A. Goldfinch (33).

ALSO: A Raccoon swimming across Salisbury Pond. One of the weirdest sights was at Curtis. WE heard and then saw a large species of dragonfly (Darner) flopping wildly on the ground. On closer inspection we saw a small Yellowjacket-type wasp furiously stinging the ode right on the tip of the abdomen. The Yellowjacket could not have been one fifth the size of the dragonfly, but it held on with a vengence, with the ode buzzing and contorting furiously, rolling all over. Eventually the dragonfly took off with the Yellowjacket still attached! Later at Goddard Memorial park in about 15 minutes we had: Turkey Vulture (5); Osprey (1); Red-Tailed Hawk (3); Barn Swallow (2); Prairie Warbler (1); Savannah Sparrow (1); and (20+) A. Golfinches. (report from Mark Lynch).

8/21/99 -- The "Borough" Ponds, WEstboro/Northboro/Southboro

In the murk of Saturday afternoon we checked some of the ponds in Westboro, Northboro, and Southboro: SuAsCo (Westboro): Pied-Billed Grebe (1); Double-Crested Cormorant (3); Great Blue Heron (8); Green Heron (1ad+2imm); Wood Duck (5); Osprey (2ad+3imm); B. Kingfisher (1); Chimney Swift (5+); "empid sp.": "Traill's type" (1); E. Phoebe (1); E. Kingbird (1); Tree Swallow (20+); Barn Swallow (200+); Cedar Waxwing (50+ hawking for insects over the marsh). CHUANCY POND (WESTBORO): Double-Crested Cormorant (1); Great Blue Heron (1); Tree Swallow (15+);Barn Swallow (60+). LITTLE CHAUNCY POND (Northboro): Great Blue Heron (1); Green Heron (1); nearby on state property (3) Turkey Vulyures were vainly attempting to dry their wings atop some water towers; and (2) E. Meadowlarks. BARTLET POND (NORTHBORO): only (1) Least Sandpiper. SUDBURY RESERVOIR, SOUTHBORO: Double-Crested Cormorant (8); Great Blue Heron (1); Mute Swan (1ad); Green-Winged Teal (1); Mallard (32); RING-NECKED DUCK (1f); Osprey (1). (report from Mark Lynch).

8/20/99 -- Quinapauxet Reservoir, Holden

A survey of Quinapauxet Reservoir, done with a permit, for the shorebird surveys conducted by Manomet Bird Observatory had the following species: Great Blue Heron (31: most seen flying into the reservoir from the NW); Great Egret (5: ditto); Green-Winged Teal (1); Blue-Winged Teal (4); Hooded Merganser (4 imm.); Osprey (2); Red-Shouldered hawk (1 imm); Red-Tailed Hawk (4 ad+1 imm); A. Kestrel (1 ad+2 imm); Semipalmated Plover (17); Killdeer (25); Greater Yellowlegs (1); Lesser Yellowlegs (2); Solitary Sandpiper (3); Spotted Sandpiper (13); Least Sandpiper (168); Semipalmated Sandpiper (3); White-Rumped Sandpiper (1); BAIRD'S SANDPIPER (1 what appeared to be adult pl.); Ring-Billed Gull (8); Belted Kingfisher (3-4); Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker (1); E. Peewee (3); E. Phoebe (2); Red-Breasted Nuthatch (3); House Wren (1); Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher (1); Hermit Thrush (1); Cedar Waxwing (11); Red-Eyed Vireo (1); Prairie warbler (1); Baltimore Oriole (4); Pine Warbler (4).

Birders are strongly reminded that ALL of Worcester's Reservoirs are OFF LIMITS to tresspassing. The frustrating thing for Sheila and I, who are doing a Worcester City "Big Year" is to have several species SO close to the city, BUT NOT IN THE CITY! We could REALLY use a Semipalmated Plover (or Sandpiper for that matter) and a Great Egret actually IN the city. BTW: the water level is the lowest it has been in decades. (report from Mark Lynch).

8/19/99 -- High Ridge WMA, Gardner

This evening 83 Common Nighthawks were observed migrating south west. Other highlights included a Northern Harrier zigging and zagging over the marsh scattering both Solitary (~10) and Least Sandpipers (~ 5) and making the waterfowl a bit edgy too. However , the 24 Great Blue Herons seemed unconcerned. 10 Green herons was a high count for the marsh this year. A single Osprey was still moving southwest at 7:30PM -- must have decided to "roll up the sleeves and migrate the old fashion way". (report from Tom Pirro).

8/16/99 -- Broad Meadow Brook Sanctuary, Worcester

Highlights this morning: Red-tailed Hawk (1 imm); RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD (1); Red-bellied Woodpecker (1); Empidonax species (2 - most likely Willows); BARN SWALLOW (3); RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH (1); Carolina Wren (2); Wood Thrush (1); NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH (1); Common Yellowthroat (4); (report from John Liller).

8/16/99 -- Northboro

This evening, August 16, while walking my dog in the neighborhood I noted approximately 175 Common Nighthawks flying west. (report from Ann Boover).

8/15/99 -- City of Worcester

During a dank and dreary afternoon, the following were seen in the city. Locations given in the order they were done:

INDIAN LAKE: AMERICAN BITTERN (1: flew length of pond offording great views and went into cattail patch at north end); Great Blue Heron (2); Black-Crowned Night Heron (1imm); Canada Goose (12); Mallard (40+); Belted Kingfisher (1); Tree Swallow (5); Barn Swallow (3). Plus (1) Brown Rat. (hey it was my "year" Brown Rat!)

NOTRE DAME CEMETARY: Green Heron (3); Wood Duck (10); Mallard (48); Solitary Sandpiper (1); Belted Kingfisher (1); N. Flicker (4); House Wren (3 imm); MARSH WREN (1); Gray Catbird (15+); Red-Winged Blackbird (flock of 30+).

HOPE CEMETARY: Killdeer (27); Mourning Dove (120++); N. Flicker (4); N. Mockingbird (11); Brown-Headed Cowbird (15+ in flock of E. Starlings which included one leucistic bird).

LEESVILLE POND: Double-Crested Cormorant (1); Great Blue Heron (4); Black-Crowned Night Heron (5 all adults); Wood Duck (43); Mallard (239); A. Black Duck (8); Baltimore Oriole (1). Plus: several muskrats and one huge Snapping Turtle. (report from Mark Lynch).

8/12/99 -- Downtown Worcester

After almost giving up on the Peregrine, I spotted it flying past our conference room window at 1:15 this afternoon! It flew over the Common and perched on top of the old Denholm Building. I hadn't seen this bird in quite a while! [ed. note: see reports of 6/8 and 6/30] (report from Jo-Ann Ferrie).

8/10/99 -- High Ridge WMA, Gardner

An evening walk into the Smith Street marsh at High Ridge WMA yielded the following hilites: Great Blue Heron ~10; Green Heron 3; B.C. Night Heron 4 imm.; Am. Bittern 1 flushed from brushy field; Green Wing teal 4; C. Pintail 1 seems early?; Solitary Sandpiper 5; Am . Woodcock 1; Tree Swallow ~250 - 300; Barn Swallow ~5 - 10; Cliff Swallow 2. Nice evening walk ... again the AM. Bittern was in a brushy field approx. 200" from the marsh. The 4 BC Night Herons represents the highest count I've had in the area and the number of Great Blues was down from recent weeks. I was surprised to see a Pintail.. Lots of swallows mostly imm. Tree Swallows but it was nice to pick a few "Cliffies" out of the swarm. (report from Tom Pirro).

8/10/99 -- Broad Meadow Brook Sanctuary, Worcester

Highlights this morning: Red-tailed Hawk (1 imm + 1 ad) Red-bellied Woodpecker (2 - I believe we had 3 pairs breeding this year) Willow Flycatcher (1) Empidonax species (1) Carolina Wren (3) Wood Thrush (2) Cedar Waxwing (28) Blue-winged Warbler (1) Common Yellowthroat (4) . (report from John Liller).

8/9/99 -- Biotech Pond, Worcester

A quick early AM check of Biotech Pond had: Great Blue Heron (1); Mallard (95 !); Solitary Sandpiper (1); Belted Kingfisher (1); Bobolink (3). The Solitary S. gave me pause when it appeared to have a white rump, but closer inspection revealed , sadly, no. Be that as it may, birders should closely inspect odd Solitarys to make sure they are not Wood or Green Sandpipers. (report from Mark Lynch).

8/8/99 -- Rte 2, Fitchburg/Leominster

While driving down rte 2 a very large raptor was seen off in the distance. Pulling off near Notown Res. brought an imm. Bald Eagle into focus -- this bird was moving from the NE toward the south west. (report from Tom Pirro).

8/8/99 -- Northboro/Westboro area

In Northboro at Bartlett Pond from the Ridge Road side, 29 species were recorded. Birds worth noting include Double-crested Cormorants 2, Great Blue Heron 3, Green-backed Heron 2, Wood Duck 6, Killdeer 3, Spotted Sandpiper 3, Least Sandpiper 9, and Belted Kingfisher 1. At the Westboro Fisheries and Wildlife area there was one Great Blue Heron, a Green Heron and 5 Wood Ducks. I also had an interesting sighting of three accipiters which I believe were Coopers Hawks. All three birds were perched on one Wood Duck box. One would fly down onto the nearly dried up pond below the box while the others looked on. Then the bird would fly back up and another bird would fly out and over the pond and back to the box. I assume it was a family out hunting for breakfast. (report from Ann Boover).

8/8/99 -- Around (but not in) Worcester

Searching for shorebirds and egrets in areas around Worcester had the following: EAGLE LAKE, HOLDEN: Great Blue Heron (2); Tree Swallow (150++)

QUINAPAUXET RESERVOIR (HOLDEN) FROM THE SMALL PRINCETON STREET VIEWING AREA: Great Blue Heron (12); Sharp-Shinned Hawk (1ad relentlessly attacking a crow); Killdeer (16); Greater Yellowlegs (3); Lesser Yellowlegs (1); Solitary Sandpiper (3); Spotted Sandpiper (12); Least Sandpiper (50); Semipalmated Sandpiper (2). Note: trying to view this shorebird hotspot from this area , what with the fence and the screening trees, is not unlike trying to enjoy a large art gallery by looking through a very small keyhole. BTW: Obviously a car slammed into the fence here. Flocks of the calidrids were seen and heard leaving, heading east.

WACHUSET RESERVOIR, RT. 110 SIDE ONLY: Common Loon (1ad+2 juv.); Double-Crested Cormorant (28); Canada Goose (35); Mallard (14); BONAPARTE'S GULL (1 juv.).

KETTLEBROOK RESERVOIR #4, PAXTON (from just off the road only): Killdeer (22); Spoted Sandpiper (5); Solitary Sandpiper (19); Lesser Yellowlegs (5); Least Sandpiper (76); Semipalmated Sandpiper (3). REMEMBER: ALL WORCESTER'S RESERVOIRS ARE OFF LIMITS. No tresspassing (dammit). (report from Mark Lynch).

8/7/99 -- Worcester Pond Survey

The following were tallied during our twice monthy survey of ponds and lakes in and contiguous to the city of Worcester: Double-Crested Cormorant (6); Great Blue Heron (16); Green Heron (21: including an amazing concentration of 13 in one small marshy cove of Lake Quinsigamond! This group included many buffy immatures); Black-Crowned Night Heron (3 adults+3 imm; seemed like a low count for this time of the year.); Mute Swan (3 ad+1 imm: the other swan family w/5 imm. and 2 ad were undoubtably still present in some inaccessable cove of L. Quinsigamond); Canada Goose (139); GREEN-WINGED TEAL (1: fall waterfowl migration begins in earnest.); A. Black Duck (4); Mallard (820+3 ducklings); Killdeer (4+ a loose flock of 27 at Hope Cemetary); Spotted Sandpiper (6); Least Sandpiper (2); Ring-Billed Gull (39); Belted Kingfisher (5); Swamp Sparrow (1); Red-Winged Blackbird (9).

OTHER SPECIES TALLIED: Turkey Vulture (3); Red-Tailed Hawk (8); A. Kestrel (4); Chimney Swift (18); Downy Woodpecker (5); N. Flicker (16); E. Wood Peewee (1 still calling); "empid sp." (1: def. NOT a Least and did not appear to be a "Traill's"; E. Phoebe (5); E. Kingbird (62: on the move); Tree Swallow (61: migrating); Barn Swallow (31: also migrating); Red-Breasted Nuthatch (1); Carolina Wren (1); House Wren (2); Gray Catbird (46); N. Mockingbird (14); Brown Thrasher (1); Cedar Waxwing (12); Red-Eyed Vireo (4); Warbling Vireo (3); Yellow Warbler (6); Northern Waterthrush (4); Rose-Breasted Grosbeak (1); Baltimore Oriole (4); Bobolink (1); A. Goldfinch (46). One interesting behavior noted was of an Eastern Kingbird at Leesville Pond continually hitting the water hard, practically diving in ala Osprey. It was getting soemthing from just below the surface, but what I do not know. Some kind of waterbug? I truly expected the bird to hit the water and go under permanently as it was going partially under as it was! There was a big movement of Clouded Sulphurs at Worcester Airport (Sulphurs (74); Orange Sulphurs (22); Cabbage White (14) plus: Summer Azure (2); Common Ringlet (1); Tiger Swallowtail (1); Monarch (7). (report from Mark Lynch).

8/6/99 -- Broad Meadow Brook Wildlife Sanctuary, Worcester

Highlights this morning : GREAT EGRET (4 flying over - this is a NEW SANCTUARY SPECIES); Red-tailed Hawk (2 imm); Red-bellied Woodpecker (1); Willow Flycatcher (2); LEAST FLYCATCHER (1); Empidonax species (1); BARN SWALLOW (1); Carolina Wren (3); House Wren (1); Cedar Waxwing (8); Yellow Warbler (3); WATERTHRUSH species (2); Common Yellowthroat (4); Rose-breasted Grosbeak (4); INDIGO BUNTING (1 singing male). (report from John Liller).

8/5/99 -- Broad Meadow Brook Sanctuary, Worcester

Today, we found a Coturnix Quail (Common Quail of Eurasia) at Broad Meadow Brook, obviously a released or an escaped bird. The people at Tufts Veterinary Clinic in Grafton recognized what it was right away, and said that it is a fairly common pet. But what a strange looking creature it is. (It has the same build as those found in the wild, but the coloration was slightly different, with much less patterning, probably due to the fact that it was raised in captivity and had been eating other than a typical diet for this species.) Note added: In retrospect, I believe it was an immature that was just beginning to molt into an adult. (report from John Liller).

8/5/99 -- High Ridge WMA, Gardner

An evening walk into the Smith Street section of high Ridge WMA yielded the following hilites: Wood Duck ~12; Great Blue Heron ~30; Green Heron 5 a family group playing follow the leader; American Bittern 2 ( 1 adult , 1 imm.); Am. Woodcock 2; Solitary Sandpiper 2; Least Sandpiper 9; Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher 1; Bobolink 1. While walking through the small brushy field that overlooks the marsh I noticed some movement in the vegetation. I expected to see a Song Sparrow or Yellowthroat , but this was a smallish heavily streaked bird .. no it was a not whole bird at all , but an American Bittern with its bill pointing skyward and slowly swaying back and forth in the heavy brush about 200' from the marsh on the hillside. 2 birds eventually flushed , one appeared to be an immature. There was a nice gathering of Great Blue Herons , but NO Night Herons or Egrets as I had hoped. The low water has opened up some small mud flats , but heavy vegetation prevents good views. (report from Tom Pirro).

8/4/99 -- Institute Park, Worcester

The Forbush Bird Club held its annual Black-crowned Night Heron Walk at Institute Park in Worcester on Wednesday evening, August 4th, 1999. At least 20 species of birds were seen or heard. The highlights included only 1 Immature Black-crowned Night Heron, a Sharp-shinned Hawk, 2 Common Nighthawks and multiple Eastern Kingbirds. (report from Joan Zumpfe)

8/4/99 -- Broad Meadow Brook Sanctuary

Highlights from this morning (8/4/99): Red-bellied Woodpecker (2); Willow Flycatcher (2); Carolina Wren (6); Eastern Bluebird (1); Wood Thrush (1); Cedar Waxwing (11); Blue-winged Warbler (1); Yellow Warbler (2); LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH (1); Common Yellowthroat (2 - they have disappeared); Scarlet Tanager (1); Eastern Towhee (28); Baltimore Oriole (9). (report from John Liller).

8/3/99 -- Templeton/Phillipston town line

A Great Egret was seen this evening at the small pond on Rt. 2A at the Templeton/Phillipston town line. (Report from John Williams).

8/1/99 -- various locations, Worcester area

KETTLEBROOK RESERVOIR #4, PAXTON: Great Blue Heron (1); Killdeer (8); Spotted Sandpiper (3); Solitary Sandpiper (2); Least Sandpiper (15); Semipalmated Sandpiper (1).

SALISBURY STREET, CITY OF WORCESTER: Wild Turkey (2 ad+ 2 unfledged young+ 3 newly hatched chicks all together in the middle of the road)

WORCESTER AIRPORT: A. Kestrel (2); Eastern Kingbird (4); Tree Swallow (1); Savannah Sparrow (50+); Bobolink (6); E. Meadowlark (2); Baltimore Oriole (1); A. Goldfinch (16).

LEESVILLE POND, CITY OF WORCESTER: Double-Crested Cormorant (1); Great Blue Heron (9); Green Heron (1); Black-Crowned Night Heron (5 ad); Canada Goose (2); Wood Duck (64+ 3 ducklings); Green-Winged Teal (1); Mallard (219); A. Black Duck (3); Killdeer (1); Spotted Sandpiper (5); E. Phoebe (1); E. Kingbird (8); Northern Waterthrush (1); Baltimore Oriole (1). (report from Mark Lynch).

8/1/99 -- High Ridge WMA, Gardner

Hilites from a sunday morning walk into the Smith Street entrance to High Ridge WMA follow: Great Blue Heron 33; Green Heron 2; Alder Flycatcher 2 still calling; Great Crested Flycatcher 4; Blue gray Gnatcatcher 1; Purple Finch 4; Northern Waterthrush 1 singing; Rose Breasted grosbeak 4. The most notable individual was a leusistic American Robin , its upper parts were a light creamy tan (initailly appearing white with the naked eye) , with the head being a slightly darker (richer tan) , the under parts (mainly the breast coloration) was a lighter than normal orange. The bill , eyes and legs appeared to have normal coloration. Family groups of Song Sparrow , Swamp Sparrow , Great creasted Flycatcher , Rose Breasted Grosbeak and House Wren were observed. The low water in the marsh appears to have concentrated the aquatic life producing a nice concentration of Great Blue Herons (33). (report from Tom Pirro).

For previous sightings, see July 1999 Archives or Archive Index