December 2001 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.

12/31/01 -- Crystal Lake, Gardner
Today I had a second year Iceland Gull on Crystal Lake in Gardner. This is the second Iceland Gull I've seen on Crystal Lake this December. This bird has a two-toned bill much like a Glaucous gull but other attributes such as smaller size(compared to nearby Herring and GBB Gulls), longer wings, smallish bill(compared to nearby Herring Gulls)and rounder head "give it away" as an Iceland. I last saw the 1st yr Iceland on 12/22/01. (report from Tom Pirro).

12/31/01 -- West Brookfield
Today I saw two blue birds eating rose hips outside my kitchen window. I live in West Brookfield Ma. Thought it odd to see Bluebirds this time of year. (report from Helena Bland).

12/30/01 -- Wachusett Reservoir, West Boylston
The Tufted Duck has moved to Wachusett Reservoir in West Boylston. It may be found with 18 Greater Scaup under the power lines that parallel the route 140/12 causeway.
Since Christmas the following ducks/geese have been found in or near the still open area of Coachlace Pond in Clinton:1,000+ Canada Geese, 1 immature Snow Goose and a pair of Wood Ducks; at the open area of South Meadow Pond on South Meadow Road in Clinton: 300+ Blacks and Mallards, 1 female Shoveler, 1 male Shoveler, 1 male Wood Duck, 1 male Gadwall and a pair of Pintails.
Also, ducks seen at the Waushaccums before the ponds iced over that might have moved to the Reservoir were 100+ Hooded Mergansers, 7 Ruddy Ducks, 10 Buffleheads and 1 Ring-necked Duck. (report from Bart Kamp).

12/22/01 -- Rutland Terrace, Worcester
The large adult Cooper's Hawk is once again sitting in the small ornamental maple that hangs over the feeders. It is interesting to note that the behavior of the hawk is to visit the feeders only once every week or so, apparently to allow the Rock Doves to return after taking a bird, or possibly based on the Coop's hunting luck elsewhere. In the last week or so, I have now only sometimes seen one Rock Dove at the feeder. This summer the flock was up to past 25 birds, that is until the Coop starting taking birds in the fall. This one remaining pigeon is a very specific bird I have been following for some time (based on it's unique patterning) and have even noted at Broad Meadow Brook. I have a feeling that the pigeon watching project's days are numbered. (report from Mark Lynch).

12/20/01 -- Institute Park, Worcester
At noon there were 7 American Wigeon, 58 Hooded Mergansers, and 1 Common Merganser on the pond. (report from Rick Quimby).

12/20/01 -- Gardner
I saw/heard the following on a few prework stops this am before work:
Crystal Lake: C. Goldeneye 2; Iceland Gull 1 1st winter; Common Redpoll 1 heard only
Pearly Brook Res: Common Merg. 2 ad. male; Iceland Gull 1 ist winter (... although seen only ~5 minutes after the Crystal L. bird I believe it the SAME bird....its a quick flight from one body of water to the other and upon return trip to Crystal the Iceland was gone). A lot of GBB and Herring gulls this year...remember support your local land fill!
And at Mount Wachusett Community college there were 13 Pine Grosbeak in their favorite crab apple tree across the street (Green Street) from the MWCC pond. There were 2 adult males and at least 1 imm. male, a russett bird with some of the color across the breast. There are a fair amount of crab apple trees in this area but the big "boys" and girls like this tree tree best.
In past years I've seen areas were these finches will clean out the fruit on a particular tree (this particular tree for example) and move on while never bothering with other nearby trees full of friut (sometimes I noticed larger crabapples with a deep red color get ingored). Personally I tend to like Macs and Baldwins while I dislike Delicious...I suspect in the birds case it may be nutrition rather than taste...perhaps the seeds are more difficult to get to in some friut. (report from Tom Pirro).

12/19/01 -- Mount Wachusett Community College, Gardner
A quick "drive by" at Mount Wachusett Community College in Gardner this morning before work yielded 3 Pine Grosbeaks and an AM. Kestrel (a tougher bird to find up here in winter than the Grosbeaks). (report from Tom Pirro).

12/18/01 -- Sturbridge Christmas Count, 2001
The 6th Sturbridge CC was held Tuesday, despite rain, freezing rain, snow with flakes the size of juncos and eventually wind and clouds. This circle includes some of the least birded areas of the state. Though the Brookfields (West, North and East) have been known well to Forbush birders (especially Rodney Jenkins) for many, many years, most of the records never made it to Bird Observer though they were printed in the Chickadee, the yearly compendium of Worcester County birds. Other towns included in the count circle are Brimfield, Sturbridge, Charlton, Holland, and Wales, towns which few birders visit with ANY regularlity. Bill and Nancy Cormier who own the Wild Bird Crossing in Sturbridge began exploration of the area when they opened the store a few years back and it was thier findings that encouraged me to start the circle. All in all, it is a fascinating area where east meets west and north meets south as far as species of birds are concerned.

Despite foul weather, 46 hale and hardy folks hit the ponds, fields, and feeders on Tuesday. The large ponds were still completely open. There was only a trace of snow on the ground. The food crop was very spotty and local, often crab apples being the only offering for winter frugivores in most areas. Consequently, species like waxwings and robisn were in low numbers. Asterisked (**) species=new species for the count; all CAPS=new high count.

Complete report here
(report from Mark Lynch).

12/15/01 -- Athol CBC (Baldminville section)
Carl Schulz and I birded Baldwinville and the Birch Hill WMA for the Athol CBC on saturday 12/15. We had rain, snow , fog , clouds, sun , falling temps throughout the day and then the wind kicked up. Carl and I worked diligently to come up with 32 species and 726 individuals. There was more open water than in past years, for example Lake Dennison was completely open while some years folks are icefishing by this date, but it was of little use at our side of the circle as we only had 6 Mallards (the Geese were fly overs).
The list : CANADA GOOSE 55; MALLARD DUCK 6; RED-TAILED HAWK 1; RINGED-N. PHEASANT 1; GR. BLK. BACKED GULL 8; HERRING GULL 27; ROCK DOVE 52; MOUNING DOVE 17; DOWNY W-PECKER 8; HAIRY W-PECKER 4; BLUE JAY 26; COMMON CROW 16; BLK-CAPPED CHICKEDEE 125; TUFTED TITMOUSE 8; WHITE BR. NUTHATCH 12; RED-BR. NUTHATCH 5; BROWN CREEPER 1; CAROLINA WREN 1; N. MOCKINGBIRD 2; GOLDEN CRWN KINGLET 19; CEDAR WAX WING 10; EUROPEAN STARLING 47; HOUSE SPARROW 30; NORTHERN CARDINAL 7; EVENING GROSBEAK 22 flying over head; HOUSE FINCH 14; COMMON REDPOLL 5 flying over head; AMERICAN GOLDFINCH 40; DARK-EYED JUNCO 40; AM. TREE SPARROW 107; WHT-THR. SPARROW 3; SONG SPARROW 7. Other wildlife noted were 11 White-tailed Deer, 3 River Otter, 1 Mouse (sp.?) , Red and gray Squirrel. (report from Tom Pirro).

12/14/01 -- Leominster, Sterling & Westminster
Highlights included:
Leominster- Wood Duck 8 and Flicker 2
Sterling (Hy-Crest Pond)- Hooded Merganser 35, Common Merganser 3 and Common Goldeneye 4
Westminster (various locations)- Hooded Merganser 17, Bufflehead 4, Ring-Necked Duck 6, Common Goldeneye 8 and Common 4. (report from Chuck Caron).

12/13/01 -- Rockwell Pond, Leominster
There were 8 wood ducks (4 males, 4 females) at Rockwell Pond in Leominster this afternoon. I can't recall ever seeing or even hearing of a wood duck in northern Worcester County after November, never mind 8 of them. (report from Chuck Caron).

12/13/01 -- downtown Worcester
While waiting for a cab at 6 Chatham Street (Performing Arts building) at 10:45 this morning, I had great views of the adult Peregrine Falcon perched atop one of the highest spires of St. Paul's in the drizzle. He was not eating anything. When I first stood out there, there were no Rock Doves to be seen, but eventually a few trickled onto the billboard on Main Street. The falcon looked uninterested. (report from Mark Lynch).

12/12/01 -- Rowley Hill, Sterling
There were 1 sharp-shinned hawk, 1 Coopers hawk (eating a mourning dove) , 2 ruffed grouse, 4 ring-necked pheasants (perhaps the Sportsmans Club released these birds), 1 barred owl (calling), 1 northern flicker, 2 brown creepers, 2 golden-crowned kinglets and the usual feeder birds. (report from Richard Spedding).

12/12/01 -- MassWildlife Headquarters, Westboro
From 10:30-12:00 a.m. near the Headquarters area I observed the following: Red-tailed Hawk 2 (1 adult, 1 imm.), Rough-legged Hawk 1 adult female (Good looks as the bird soared over the field below the headquarters), Northern Shrike 1 (at the top most point of the stand on larches across from the model airport runway), Common Redpolls 35+/- ( feeding on catkins in the stand of birches, just down the dirt path below headquarters.). In addition, numbers of American Tree Sparrows, American Goldfinch and Juncos. (report from Ann Boover).

12/11/01 -- Gate 40, Quabbin Reservoir
A short evening walk had 18 Canada Goose, 25 American Black Duck, 30 Mallard, 20 Ring-necked Duck, 45 Hooded Merganser, 1 Ruffed Grouse and a Belted Kingfisher. (report from Chris Buelow)

12/11/01 -- Gardner
This morning there were 4 Pine Grosbeaks across from Mount Wachusetts Community College on green St. in Gardner. Two were handsome adult males. Not much else to report. (report from Tom Pirro).

12/10/01 -- Westboro WMA, Westboro
An afternoon walk from rt 135 to Chauncy Lake turned up 1 Common Loon, 2 American Coot, 1 Northern Flicker, 1 Gray Catbird, 1 Northern Shrike, 18 Song Sparrow and 1 female Red-winged Blackbird. (report from Chris Buelow)

12/9/01 -- downtown Worcester
At 2:15 this afternoon I saw the peregrine falcon atop one of the spires on St. Paul's Cathedral, eating an unidentifiable bird. (report from Betty Jenewin).

12/9/01 -- city of Worcester
We started the day with the usual birds at the feeders: 20+ White-throats, chickadees, titmice, cardinals and both nuthatches. I was surprised to see 4 Rock Doves, surprised because for the last 2 months a Cooper's Hawk has been slowly but surely deceminating the flock of 15+ that had been at my feeder all summer and fall. There had not been a Rock Dove at the feeder for more than 2 weeks. I noted the presence of the Rock Doves from my office on the second floor, and remarked to Sheila that it was a prefect situation for the Cooper's Hawk to put in an appearance. We often see a Coop right after a snow. By the time I had walked downstairs and looked out, all birds were gone and the adult COOPER'S HAWK was perched high in a tree in my neighbor's yard. Here it stayed for more than two hours probably waiting for the Rock Doves to return. This is the third winter I will have had a Cooper's Hawk working my feeders though I have no idea if it is the same bird. But, I have never seen any Coop in my yard take anything OTHER THAN a Rock Dove, even though Mourning Doves are common in my yard, even while the Coop is present (though perched in trees and not on the ground) as well as other prey species like jays et. The Sharpie that also haunts the yard is much less picky and will dash after any feathered prey item.

Fighting a nasty cold, we decided to stay close to home today after the snow stopped. We went to just a few locations and had the following:
WORCESTER AIRPORT: Virtually nothing, certainly no waxwings, Pine Groasbeaks or even robins.
COES POND: Great Blue Heron (3); Canada Goose (37); Wood Duck (2m); Mallard (35); Hooded Merganser (3)
CURTIS POND: Canada Goose (5); Mallard (8); A. Black Duck (7); Hooded Merganser (17)
NOTRE DAME CEMETERY: Mallard (41); A. Black Duck (2); A. Tree Sparrow (10+); Song Sparrow (15+); White-throated Sparrow (2); Dark-eyed Junco (65+); House Finch (5+ including 1 leucistic individual with large white patches on the wings); A. Goldfinch (5); Common Redpoll (4 flew overhead and we turned up 2 on the weed mound);
LEESVILLE POND: Canada Goose (43); Green-winged Teal (12); A. Wigeon (14); Mallard (53); A. Black Duck (5); Hooded Merganser (5); Song Sparrow (5+); Dark-eyed Junco (35+); A. Goldfinch (10+);
DOWNTOWN: We got incredible views of the adult Tundra PEREGRINE FALCON. Sheila initially spotted the bird atop the School Department building with something in it's talons. It then flew to the top spire of St. Paul's Cathedral, calling all the way, where it proceeded to pluck and eat a Northern Mockingbird. Judging by the presence of wash, the bird has perched here before. We watched this bird for sometime through scopes in great light and VERY close. We watched as it ate an entire wing and (another time) ate an entire leg, as well as the more typical gobbets of flesh. Feathers were being plucked constantly and blowing down off the church like snow.
INDIAN LAKE: nota bene: ATVs had been out. Canada Goose (5); Mallard (52); A. Wigeon (5: Little Indian); Hooded Merganser (4); Common Merganser (16). (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

12/9/01 -- Royalston center
While watching a dozen pine grosbeaks in the crab apples across from the library, fifteen evening grosbeaks flew in to watch for a while mid morning on Saturday. A pair of white crossbills were seen at a feeder in town also. (report from Carl Kamp).

12/8/01 -- West Boylston
Some of the birds seen in the Maple Ave., Route 140, gate 22 and the capped landfill area of West Boylston today were 1 adult Bald Eagle (gate 22), 2 Red-bellied Woodpeckers, 6 Robins, 20 Cedar Waxwings, 1 Field Sparrow and 75+ Common Redpolls. The Redpolls were along the power lines between 140 and the landfill. (report from Bart Kamp).

12/8/01 -- Blackstone Corridor, RI
LONSDALE MARSHES, CENTRAL FALLS: Great Blue Heron (2); Mute Swan (2); Canada Goose (26); Wood Duck (2m); Green-winged Teal (6); Gadwall (21); A. Wigeon (1); A. Black Duck (21); Carolina Wren (2); Gray Catbird (1); Common Redpoll (flock of minimally 63 on back of first marsh on left);
SEEKONK RIVER: Double-crested Cormorant (13); Great Cormorant (2imm); Great Blue Heron (1); Mute Swan (11); Canada Goose (188); Mallard (47); A. Black Duck (135); Buffelhead (114); C. Goldeneye (2); Red-tailed Hawk (1); Bonaparte's Gull (18);
INDIA POINT:PROVIDENCE/E. PROVIDENCE Horned Grebe (2); Double-crested Cormorant (4); Great Blue Heron (1); Mute Swan (7); Mallard (26); A. Black Duck (8); A. Wigeon (26)
WOONSOCKET RESERVOIR, SMITHFIELD: A. Black Duck (3); Greater Scaup (3); Hooded Merganser (15); Common Merganser (41)
SNEETCH POND, CUMBERLAND: Mute Swan (2); Canada Goose (74); A. Black Duck (15);
DIAMOND HILL/ARNOLD'S MILL RESERVOIRS, CUMBERLAND: Double-crested Cormorant (4); Mute Swan (4); Canada Goose (51); Mallard (14); A. Black Duck (12); C. Goldeneye (1m); Hooded Merganser (4); Common Merganser (118); (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

12/8/01 -- Gardner area
Did a little polking around for some pre-CBC scouting today. Nothing terribly notable in the Baldwinvile section of the Athol circle but i did have a House Finch with a white face that was ever so slightly tinged with pink...cool looking bird. While on the subjest of mutants yesterday in groton the "long time" brown Crow was present. The body is the color of a Chesapeak Retriver/ Chocolate Lab. while the upper parts are lighter..tanish on the primaries. I have seen this bird(I presume the same bird) since the mid-90's...though it seems to be darker than before.
Birds from gardner today: Common Golden-eye 4; Carolina Wren 1; Am. Kestrel 1 Ad. male; Pine Grosbeak 10 near the college al fem./imm. a few russetts mixed in; (report from Tom Pirro).

12/7/01 -- Gates Pond, Berlin
At 11:30 a.m. there were: Hooded Mergansers 9; Pileated Woodpecker 1 (Spectacular looks at a male working the trunk of a tall pine); Brown Creepers 7; Golden-crowned Kinglet 5. (report from Ann Boover).

12/7/01-- Westminster/Harvard
Below are a few observations of note from the last couple of days:
1.  12/6  Harvard- 1 Turkey Vulture over Route 2
2.  12/6  Westminster- 1 Rusty Blackbird
3.  12/7  Westminster-  1 female Pintail in with all the trash ducks at the
Old Mill
4.  12/7  Westminster-  32 Hooded Mergansers on Round Meadow Pond
(report from Chuck Caron).

12/5/01 -- Drury Square, Auburn
In the pond behing the Auburn Fire Dept just at Drury Square there are about 130 Canada geese with a dozen or so mallards intermingled among them. Today at 1 PM there was also a lone snow goose near the shore by the Fire station. (report from Jim Hogan).

12/3/01 -- Royalston
Yesterday (12/2) there were 15 pine grosbeaks near the center of town high in the trees in downtown Royalston and today there were about 10 in the crab apple trees across from the Royalston Library. Almost all were female or immature. (report from Carl Kamp).

12/2/01 -- some Central MA ponds
We counted waterfowl at a few ponds/small reservoirs in Central MA today. Here are the totals:
INDIAN LAKE, city of Worcester. This is either a small lake or a slightly large pond and the scene of heavy recreation. The water has been lowered for weed control. Great Blue Heron (1); Canada Goose (87); Wood Duck (1m); Mallard (97); Hooded Merganser (45); Common Merganser (193); PEREGRINE FALCON (1ad: one came in fast and low and almost beaned Sheila, looked like it was going to stoop at a crow and kept moving. This could be the bird that has been downtown, but is the first time I have seen it here)
FORT MEADOW RESERVOIR, MARLBORO: Double-crested Cormorant (1); Canada Goose (68); Mallard (208); A. Black Duck (23); Canvasback (1f); Ring-necked Duck (1); Bufflehead (2); Hooded Merganser (18); Common Merganser (12); Ruddy Duck (507: this spot is known for good numbers of Ruddys in the fall);
SUDBURY RESERVOIR, SOUTHBORO. The north end is in Marlboro. Canada Goose (227); Wood Duck (2m); Mallard (35); A. Black Duck (18); Canvasback (2); Ring-necked Duck (743); Bufflehead (2); Common Goldeneye (98); Hooded Merganser (152); Common Merganser (66); Carolina Wren (6); E. Bluebird (4); E. Towhee (1: getting late inland); E. Grosbeak (1 overhead); Conspicuous by their absence were Ruddy Ducks. This area is noted for even larger numbers than Fort Meadow Reservoir sometimes. We also check nearby Foss Reservoir in Framingham, also noted for large numbers of Ruddys, and found none there too.
LAKE WICKABOAG, WEST BROOKFIELD. Boats were still plying the waters (curse this good weather!!) and waterfowl numbers were low. Canada Goose (4); Mallard (65); A. Black Duck (16); Hooded Merganser (5); Common Merganser (88); Also noted was a large (for central MA well east of the Connecticut River) flock of Great Black Backed Gulls, mostly adult winter (62).
LAKE QUABOAG, BROOKFIELD. Again, boats were out and there were few ducks: Canada Goose (76); Green-winged Teal (2); Mallard (22); Canvasback (1); Common Goldeneye (4); Common Merganser (2)
(report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

12/2/01 -- Crystal Lake, Gardner
Birds on Crystal Lkae this afternoon: Mallard ~70; Black Duck 4; Common Goldeneye 3; Black Scoter 1 female; Hooded Merganser 1; Common Merganser 2; and a few Herring and GBB Gulls....the gull numbers will built just before dusk. (report from Tom Pirro).

12/1/01 -- Wells State Park, Sturbridge
I saw a winter wren in Wells State Park. It was singing. I also saw a painted turtle sunning itself along the shores of the lake. (report from Robert Brady)

12/1/01 -- Broad Meadow Brook, Worcester
It was VERY QUIET on my monthly walk for novices along the Brookside Trail at Broad Meadow Brook this Saturday, but we did have a Golden-crowned Kinglet, a Hairy Woodpecker, a Flicker, and a Red-bellied Woodpecker, Downies, a scattering of Sparrows (1 Am. Tree; the rest, White-throats), and one of the ubiquitous Red-tails, as well as Chickadees, Juncos, and so on. Later, as I was chatting with two R.I. birders in the parking lot, we had a Cooper's Hawk soaring over the main building. ...A bit later at home (Tatnuck Square area) two Red-tails soared in lazy circles overhead as a prelude to another visit by "my" Spruce-sitting Merlin. (report from Howard Shainheit).

12/1/01 -- Blackstone Corridor, RI
We hit just a few spots in the Rhode Island section of the Corridor.
WOONSOCKET RESERVOIR, SMITHFIELD: few ducks, but.. Canada Goose (5); A. Black Duck (5); Hooded Merganser (8); Common Merganser (20); BALD EAGLE (1 "Basic III or maybe Basic II, see Wheeler & Clark HAWKS OF NORTH AMERICA. This bird flushed all the gulls, landed on the sandbar, ate a small fish and then bathed.)
CUMBERLAND: just a few stops. Double-crested Cormorant (6); Great Blue Heron (3); Canada Goose (224); Gadwall (2); Mallard (91); A. Black Duck (75); N. Pintail (1m); C. Goldeneye (1f); Hooded Merganser (4); Common Merganser (152); Red-tailed Hawk (2); E. Bluebird (4); Yellow-rumped Warbler (1)
JAMES TURNER RESERVOIR, E. PROVIDENCE: Pied-billed Grebe (1); Double-crested Cormorant (1); Mute Swan (59); Canada Goose (86); Gadwall (29); A. Wigeon (5); Mallard (63); N. Shoveler (1m); Greater Scaup (10); Lesser Scaup (22); Buffelhead (7); Ruddy Duck (130); Fish Crow (4)
SEEKONK RIVER (from India Point to Pawtucket line. Low tide) Double-crested Cormorant (20); Great Cormorant (5); Great Blue Heron (3); Mute Swan (21); Brant (24); A. Wigeon (1); Mallard (122); A. Black Duck (190); Buffelhead (10); C. Goldeneye (2); Red-tailed Hawk (2); There was a nice collection of gulls feeding at low tide on the river: Bonaparte's Gull (78); C. Black Headed Gull (1 adW); Ring-billed Gull (600+); Herring Gull (60+); LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL (1 1stW); Great Black-backed Gull (15+); Fish Crow (8); PLus: (1) Orange Sulphur and (1) what looked like a worn Cloak or Lady.
(report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

-------------birding during deer hunting
Just a reminder to birders that we are in the midst of the SHOTGUN deer season in MA. This runs (in zones 1-11, 14) from Nov. 26 till December 8. IN zones 12-13: Nov. 26-Dec.1 (See here for details). The Archery season is OVER (ended November 24), and the PRIMITIVE FIREARMS season is yet to come (limited to pre-1865 or facsimile) and runs from Dec. 10-Dec.15. Anybody considering doing anything in the woods or even near the woods, should consider wearing the regulation 100 square inches of hunters orange. While doing some waterfowl surveys in very suburban places like Upton, I was quite surprised to see hunters so close to homes. I finally went out and bought a regulation orange coat and hat (as well as Sheila) and I tell you, it's some measure of psychological comfort when I have to run in the woods for a "pitstop".
Regardless of how you feel about hunting (I don't hunt and never have, never will), it's legal and popular, and so don't go getting yourself shot while looking for crossbills and grosbeaks. I imagine a musket ball would really put a dent in your year list, or, worse, damage your optics. Though hunting is done at many times of the year (a coyote season is coming up January 1-Feb.28, much to my surprise), it is usually during the deer seasson that tragedies occur. Be careful! (submitted by Mark Lynch).

For previous sightings, see November 2001 Archives or Archive Index