February 2005 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:


Bird Sightings:

2/28/05 -- Main South, Worcester
There were 20 Cedar Waxwings and 12 Robins eating the berries on the bushes in the backyard. (report from Brian Mulhearn)

2/27/05 -- Louisa Lake, Milford
We tried both in the morning (7:30AM) and in the afternoon (2:15PM) for the Black-headed Gull at Milford with no luck. In fact, there were very few Ring-billed Gulls there. As we left, two other birders were going to try and hopefully they had better luck. Reading Barry Blust's e-mail to me earlier this past week (SEE BELOW), one has to wonder about the fate of this gull. If any one DOES get the gull, please post your sighting to THIS SITE and Massbird, as I know many folks have tried for it and failed or want to try for it. Perhaps the Peregrine got it or scared the gulls off? Who knows, but this IS early for the gull to leave the area. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

2/26/05 -- Seekonk River, RI
We had a very nice MAS (at Broad Meadow Brook) trip to the Seekonk River between Providence and East Providence RI. This is the southern terminus of the BLACKSTONE NATIONAL CORRIDOR. This short stretch of water (from Bold Point to Pawtucket Falls) in this very urban setting is a great winter birding destination and the participants on this field trip were not disappointed. We made a brief stop at Turner Reservoir which was still mostly frozen. RED-THROATED LOON (19:though this species is annual along the Seekonk, this is a very high count for this location. We had them from Bold Point to the Hendersen Bridge. Two weeks ago, there were none here); RED-NECKED GREBE (2); Great Cormorant (28); Turkey Vulture (1); Great Blue Heron (1); Mute Swan (12 with another 10 at Turner Reservoir); Canada Goose (217 with another 18 at Turner Reservoir);); Gadwall (7); American Wigeon (8); Mallard (329); A Black Duck (338); Canvasback (12); Ring-necked Duck (6); Lesser Scaup (80); Bufflehead (353); Common Goldeneye (44); Hooded Merganser (49+ 19 at Turner); Red-breasted Merganser (37); Nota bene: not a big thing, but at one point we had all three common species of New England mergs right in a row); Common Merganser (58+9 at Turner); Ruddy Duck (14); BALD EAGLE (1 sub-ad: This bird was being mobbed by a Red-tailed Hawk and a Great Black-backed Gull); Cooper's Hawk (1ad); Red-tailed Hawk (7); Peregrine Falcon (1ad sitting at entrance to nest box on the Fleet Building); A Coot (7 at Turner Reservoir); GLAUCOUS GULL (1 1stW: seen well from Bold Point); ICELAND GULL (1 stW: Turner Reservoir); Ring-billed Gull (830); Herring Gull (518); Great Black-backed Gull (79); Nota bene. Over all, gull numbers were low for this time of the year. We observed several examples of kleptoparasitism performed by especially Great Black-backeds against mergs, Buffleheads et. We had one Great Black-backed in hot close pursuit of a Common Merg for quite a stretch of the river); N Flicker (1); Rusty Blackbird (5 at Lincoln Woods); Though we dipped on Harbor Seal we did see a GRAY FOX. Great day of urban birding. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

2/22/05 -- Lake Louisa, Milford
On Tue 2/22 my daughter Laura & I were driving to Boston from the Philadelphia area. We stopped off at Louisa Lake but only saw about half a dozen ring-billed gulls. We then went over to the area mentioned in another post, parked adjacent to the Benjamin Moore facility and walked out to the tip of the peninsula. At first we thought there were no gulls to be seen, but then I found one on the snow covered ice of the lake about 80 to 100 feet out. It was dead and was being plucked and eaten by an immature peregrine falcon. (Image 1) |(Image 2) Being that we had time contraints we were only able to watch for about ten minutes. During that time I saw enough of the dead gull to determine that it was not the black-headed gull but probably a ring-billed. My daughter took some pictures with her digital camera that has an 8x zoom. Although not close-ups the field marks are definitely visible. Certainly a good consolation prize for not finding the gull. (report and photos from Barry E. Blust, fide Mark Lynch).

2/21/05 -- West Millbury
Another hopeful sign [of spring]: There were two red-winged blackbirds at my feeder this snowy morning. (report from Alan Marble).

2/20/05 -- Milford / Bolton / Worcester
  • Milford: The winter plumage adult Black-headed Gull was present at Lake Louisa in Milford this morning. It was with several Ring-billed Gulls on the far side of the lake. "Chumming" with whole wheat bead brought about 1/3 of the gulls, that were....loafing...on the far side of the pond, over to the parking lot, but the Black-headed Gull was not enticed.
  • Bolton Flats: Birds seen and/or heard from a walk (a quiet walk) out to Bolton Flats between 11:45 and 1:15: Canada Goose 12; Mallard 6; Black Duck 2; Red-tailed hawk 6; Red-bellied Woodpecker 2; Downy Woodpecker 3; Black-capped Chickadee 6; White-breasted Nuthatch 6; Am. Tree Sparrow 2; Red-winged Blackbird 20; Am. Goldfinch 3;
  • Worcester: A Peregrine Falcon was perched on the south side of the Flagship Bank. (report from Tom Pirro).

  • 2/20/05 -- Millbury/SuAsCo/Flint Pond
  • We started by walking the Blackstone National Corridor bike path from MILLBURY-WORCESTER: Great Blue Heron (2: this spot is becoming one of the most dependable spots in Worcester County for this species in the dead of winter); Mallard (159); A Black Duck (24); N Pintail (1m); Hooded Merganser (9); Common Merganser (3); Red-tailed Hawk (1); E Bluebird (pair looking for nest box or hole); PLUS: Muskrat and an additional 32 Mallards swimming in the Wastewater Treatment facility aeration ponds: YUCK.
  • SuAsCo, WESTBORO: Still 99.99% frozen Mallard (7); Great Horned Owl (1 back on nest); E Bluebird (2); Nota bene: There are only 3 nests left that I could see from the canoe launch and one of them is the Osprey's. The poor beleagured Great Horned was sitting fast on it's nest. DO NOT DUSTURB THIS BIRD IN ANY WAY SHAPE OR FORM. Birders should note how close after the arrival of the Osprey it abandons the nest.
  • GRAFTON: Flint Pond, southern end, off "Irish Dam": Mute Swan (4); Canada Goose (56); Mallard (13); A Black Duck (4); Common Goldeneye (5m); Hooded Merganser (11); Common Merganser (19);
  • LAKE QUINSIGAMOND (western shore, near Itaian-American Veterans club); Mallard (9); A Coot (2);
  • Driving from Lake Quinsigamond to downtown Worcester: Red-tailed Hawks (6: 3 pairs in flight display); (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

    2/19/05 -- Connecticut River/Quabbin/Quabog
    Returning home from the Southern Berkshires, we made some stops. Landbirds were few and far between and unremarkable, but we did find:
  • At the marina in Northampton at the Rt. 9 bridge (Connecticut River);: Canada Goose (459); Mallard (4); Common Merganser (3); Red-tailed Hawk (1);
  • Quabbin Park, off Rt. 9: Bald Eagle (3ad: 1 ad on ice easily seen from the administration building); Red-tailed Hawk (1); Common Raven (3: including territorial pair at usual location. One bird was making vocalizations the likes of which we have NEVER heard before);
  • Quabog River, Brookfield:Much of the river remains frozen. Hooded Merganser (9); Common Merganser (38); (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

  • 2/19/05 -- Institute Park, Worcester
    Today while out with 5 year old Seth we had highlights of a pair of Hooded Mergansers, 2 pair of Common Mergansers, 2 Mute Swans, and 1 GREAT BLUE HERON. The GBH looked pretty frozen at the back of the marsh. (report from Lisa Hennin).

    2/18/05 -- Quabog Pond, Brookfield
    I saw a pair of eagles on the nest today at Quabog Pond in Brookfield. Also seen were 4 cuckoos driving their cars on the ice (yikes). (report from Scott Jordan).

    2/17/05 -- Hadwen Park/Curtis Pond, Worcester
    One pr. Mute Swans, 5 Hooded Mergansers, 1pr. Red-tailed Hawks perched together on a high tension wire pole near the railroad tracks, and a large bushy tailed Red Fox which was briefly mobbed by a few Crows. (report from Brian Mulhearn)

    2/16/05 -- Rail Trail, West Boylston
    At 3:20 p.m., a mature male Red-tailed hawk was flying lower over Thomas St. and landed on the telephone poles by the Rail Trail parking lot. I observed the bird for about twenty minutes. He flew off the telephone pole twice searching for voles and mice between the Quinipoxet River and the riverbank. Startled by a van, he flew to the opposite side of the river. After a few minutes, he flew back to the telephone pole. I happened upon two MDC rangers and alerted them to be on the watch for the bird. With bad weather (rain) coming in and walking four miles, I was surprised to still see the bird on the telephone pole at 4:45 p.m. in the rain. As I left, he was still looking intently at the riverbank despite the rain. (Report from Steve Olson).

    2/16/05 -- Millbury
    A good sign, there were 9 turkey vultures circling over Millbury center today. (report from Alan Marble).

    2/15/05 -- Holden
    The Barred Owl that frequented our conifers and our neighbors' last year has returned. It appears to be the same bird with mannerisms that are quite similar to last year's bird and the facial display is very similar. He first appeared at the end of January but has been a regular since then. The crows and blue jays have been mobbing him on several occassions but he has withstood their attempts to dislodge him. (Report from Steve Olson)

    2/13/05 -- Asnebumskit Hill, Paxton
    The hilite was a Barred Owl flying from tree to tree as we walked down the trail. At the Heron rookery, we checked for nesting Great Horned Owls, there were none. 4 of the 30 nests were on the ice, still intact, at the base of the trees they fell from, apparently from the winter weather. A few days ago we watched the pair of Ravens playing in the sky, they landed on the tower where they have nested the past few years. (report from Brian Mulhearn)

    2/13/05 -- Lincoln Woods, Lincoln, RI
    Since no one has noted them lately, the flock of RUSTY BLACKBIRDS is still sometimes visiting Lincoln Woods. We actually had the flock of 60+ cross Rt. 146 Saturday mid afternoon and went back this morning and found them at 8AM. They were in several of the trees near the parking area and feeding on the ground around a brushy boggy spot. With them were at least 80 Brown-headed Cowbirds, a Red-winged Blackbird and a Common Grackle. The group split up after about 15 minutes with some of the birds flying off along the southern shore of the pond.

    Directions to LINCOLN WOODS: IN TOWN OF LINCOLN RI (part of the Blackstone National Corridor):GO SOUTH ON RT. 146, WATCH FOR SIGN TO LINCOLN WOODS (NOT LINCOLN PARK: DOG RACING) . EXIT, CROSS OVER RT. 146: drive into park (road only goes into park). You will pass a small horse farm on left. Be sure to check wooded marsh in back of farm (pull off on road) for the blackbirds. A Red-headed Woodpecker has been seen here in years past. Just past the horsefarm, the road "T"s. Go to left and park near the gate. In the woods near the pond watch for the blackbirds in the trees and on the ground.

    Also: On the way to Lincoln Woods this morning, on Rt.290, just before the Rt. 146 exit, one of the adult PEREGRINE FALCONS was perched atop a light pole, scaring all the Rock Pigeons in the area. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

    2/13/05 -- Louisa Lake, Milford
    The adult winter Black-headed Gull continues at Louisa Lake in Milford. We had it this morning around 10AM in the company of c. 120 Ring-billed Gulls and a few Herring Gulls feeding on bread a grandfather and grandson were throwing out. Eventually the gull flew off to the south. BTW: if you are traveling on Rt. 495 south of the Mass Pike, this is an easy and quick "off and on" trip to see this bird. Take Rt. 85 south and then in short order take a right on Dilla (Wendy's at corner). Drive about a mile and the parking area for the lake will be on the right. Be sure to check the spillway which is where we have often had this bird. If the bird is not there, wait a bit. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

    2/12/05 -- RT. 146, Northbridge/Sutton
    While driving north along Rt. 146 this afternoon, we were surprised to find a Northern Shrike "t"eed up in Northbridge. Even more surprising was a second shrike we later spotted on the opposite side of the road several miles further north in Sutton. Finally, still on Rt. 146, as we passed the Worcester Landfill, we found a American Kestrel. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

    2/12/05 -- Worcester/Millbury/Shrewsbury
  • There were two Peregrine Falcons on the Flagship Bank building (downtown Worcester) this morning. One was on the ledge looking in at the spot they nested in last year. Could it be? The T.+G. reported that the mall destruction won't start until July. Hopefully if they nest that will give them time to fledge.
  • From there I went to the bike path in Millbury:1 Green-wing Teal, 5 Hooded Merganser, 3 Common Merganser, 1 N. Pintail.
  • Then to Flint Pond: 6 Mute Swan(a year round bird now),4 Ring-neck Duck, 4 Common Goldeneye, 19 Hooded Merganser,7 Common Merganser. In a small stream that empties into lake Quinsig. on Lake ave. (just after the I.A.C.C. club) were 3 A. Coot. (report from John Shea).

  • 2/11/05 -- Northboro
    I am home today, sick with the flu. What luck! At 9:30 a.m., as I filled a glass with water from the faucet, some bold movement in the backyard made me stop to look out the window. A bird perched on the chain link fence 25 feet away. Mockingbird, I thought. It flew down low in a forsythia bush. I grabbed my binoculars that are always nearby. It flew up again onto the fence, pumping its tail, and there was no mistaking that it was a NORTHERN SHRIKE. It flew down again to the lower branches of the forsythia. I made my way out into another room to get a clearer look. Sure enough. And off it flew up and over the neighbor's house and was gone. It left a clue of its presence behind. Low in the forsythia was a Junco dead and wedged into the dense lower branches of the shrub. What a cure for the flu! I now was up and about every half hour until 11:15 a.m. when I noticed the dead bird gone. I suspect the Shrike had come back for it. How can I rest to get over the flu when there is a Shrike skulking about my backyard! (report from Ann Boover).

    2/11/05 -- Lake Quinsigamund, Shrewsbury
    At 7:30 am, an adult Bald Eagle was perched in our Oak tree on Lake Quinsigamund, by Stringer Dam. This is the 2nd time it's been here this week! (report from Angela Govatsos).

    2/10/05 -- Shrewsbury
    The ruby-crowned kinglet we had reported in Shrewsbury through January no longer is present. Today, however, a Carolina Wren is coming to the suet feeders. (report from Whit Andrews).

    2/10/05 -- Sterling
    An unusual looking white bird has been visiting my sunflower seed feeder for a couple days. Perhaps other birders could help me identify it from the attached photo. My guess is that it is a partial albino purple finch. (report from Richard Spedding).

    2/9/05 -- Blackstone River bikepath, Millbury
    Today I saw a great blue heron, 5 common mergansers(4m, 1f), 1 northern pintail, many mallards, 29 black ducks, a song sparrow, a red-tailed hawk as well as the usual winter birds. There was no sign of the earlier reported bluebirds. At home in West Millbury, a barred owl flew out of an oak tree in the middle of the afternoon. (report from Alan Marble).

    2/9/05 -- Institute Park, Worcester
    The Bald Eagle was present again today at noontime, but flew off in a northwest direction around 12:15, with Howard Shainheit and I watching. It had been perched in a tree on the Salisbury St. side of the park, and Howard never knew it was there until it flew. I was fortunate to see it just as I was walking down to the park from the WPI campus. Also present in the pond were 1 Hooded Merganser and 6 Common Mergansers. (report from Rick Quimby).

    2/8/05 -- Institute Park, Worcester
    The eagle was present at the pond today at noon, but flew north around 12:10 pm. Other birds of note were 2 Mute Swan, 4 Common Mergansers, and 1 male Wood Duck. (report from Rick Quimby).

    [note added: Howard Shainheit reports that the eagle was not present from 9:15 to 10:30 am. At that time, he also saw the four Common Mergs (3 males, 1 female).]

    [additional note added: Pat Hackett reports that the eagle continued to fly northward, and was seen over the 290 /Burncoat area a few minutes later, heading north east.]

    2/8/05 -- Institute Park, Worcester
    I observed the bald eagle at Institute Park yesterday (2/7) at around 4 PM to try to determine if it is the same sub-adult that I was seeing last week in the Grafton/Northbridge area. While the Worcester eagle's head appeard to be almost entirely white, there did appear to be some dark feathers on the forehead and side of the head from the brow to the nape area. This coupled with the fact that I have not relocated the Grafton/Northbridge eagle in several days makes me feel fairly certain that it is the same bird.
    Additionally, I did observe the eagle this morning at 8:30 before the crows forced it into flight, where it headed north-northeast with seemingly no intention of returning to the park. Also, there is one drake wood duck squeaking away amongst several mallards in a small patch of open water in the northeastern portion of the pond, near the brick apartment buildings. (report from Scott Jordan).

    2/7/05 -- Blackstone bike path, Millbury
    I went for a walk down the bike path along the Blackstone in Millbury today and saw: 124 Mallard Duck, 38 Black Duck, 3 Hooded Merganser, 1 Green -winged Teal(m), 1 N. Pintail (m),and 9 Bluebirds. Someone snow blowed the path so it's easy walking. (report from John Shea).

    2/7/05 -- Institute Park
    At 2:30 this afternoon at Institute Park there was a sub-adult Bald Eagle feeding on a dead duck that was on the ice. (report from Bart Kamp).

    [ed. note: the eagle was not there at 3:20 pm, and was not there earlier at 1:00 pm. Also, it was sad to see a total of 5 ducks (all Mallards) dead in the pond.]

    2/6/05 -- Hardwick and Winimusset WMA, New Braintree
    Encouraged by the appearance of milder weather conditions, I donned my snowshoes and traveled the length of Brook Road in Hardwick, anticipating that avifauna would also be interested in savoring the comparatively balmy temperatures that have temporarily settled over western Worcester County.
    Cavity nesters were especially active, with White-breasted Nuthatches and Common Flickers eagerly ferreting out sustenance from every sunlit tree trunk and decaying branch. Three tightly knit flocks of Mourning Doves rocketed with wild abandon thorough the azure skies. Veering off the dirt roadbed on a northeasterly course towards Ridge Road garnered first-rate views of a Pileated Woodpecker, punctuated by four Ruffed Grouse thundering aloft from beneath my feet!
    Crunching my way slowly down to the MDC beaver pond on the north side of Taylor Hill Road provided fleeting glimpses of Common Mergansers and Cedar Waxwings high overhead. The sonorous GONK- GONK- GONKing of a pair of Ravens engaged in effortless aerial horseplay served to enliven the cathedral-like quiet of the landscape. Continuing along the length of the access road, wide-eyed Tufted Titmice expressed mild curiosity in my shadow, starkly silhouetted against the snow. The insistent, antiphonal whine of a pair of Red-breasted Nuthatches, the raucous blare of Blue Jays, and the brief appearance of another Pileated Woodpecker's jaunty outline etched against the sky accompanied my noisy footfalls.
    Exceptional visibility from the southern tip of Upper Church Street provided fine views of a lone Bald Eagle steadily traversing the length of the western horizon. Three Herring Gulls steadily winged their way through cloudless skies toward Quabbin Reservoir. Concentrations of Multiflora Rose and Bittersweet yielded White-throated, Song, and Tree Sparrows. The appearance of a Merlin served to temporarily scatter the few passerines that materialized at this location.
    In keeping with the statistics amassed by many birders during the most recent CBC, Golden-crowned Kinglets were also seen in significant numbers. Winimusset WMA in New Braintree yielded Hairy Woodpeckers and Brown Creepers along the length of Mackay Road. A pair of Red-tailed Hawks alternately launched themselves out into the afternoon's strong thermals and alighted on the austere branches of the snags surrounding the Great Blue Heron rookery visible from the parking area abutting Hardwick Road. A lone Sharp-shinned Hawk surveyed the surrounding cornfields, making two unsuccessful feeding forays.
    A collection of yam-colored blobs in the depths of a neighbor's Smooth Sumac and Winterberry revealed itself to be a flock of American Robins, contentedly soaking up the dwindling rays of the sun.
    Birds recorded: American Crow 13; American Robin 14; Bald Eagle 1; Black-capped Chickadee 11; Blue Jay 5; Brown Creeper 4; Cedar Waxwing 11; Common Flicker 6; Common Merganser 7; Common Raven 2; Downy Woodpecker 3; Golden-crowned Kinglet 13; Hairy Woodpecker 2; Herring Gull 3; Merlin 1; Mourning Dove 15; Pileated Woodpecker 2; Red-breasted Nuthatch 2; Red-tailed Hawk 2; Ruffed Grouse 4; Sharp-shinned Hawk 1; Song Sparrow 4; Tree Sparrow 8; Tufted Titmouse 6; White-breasted Nuthatch 10; White-throated Sparrow 5; (report from Chris Ellison).

    2/6/05 -- Seekonk River, RI
    We conducted one of our surveys of the Seekonk River between Providence and East Providence today. The Seekonk River is the southernmost terminus of the BLACKSTONE NATIONAL CORRIDOR. Large sections of the river are now covered with ice. Red-throated Loon (1); Great Cormorant (8); Great Blue Heron (1); Mute Swan (11); Canada Goose (151); Gadwall (1); A Wigeon (35); Mallard (245); A. Black Duck (151); Ring-necked Duck (11); Lesser Scaup (78); Greater Scaup (4); Canvasback (215); Bufflehead (31); C Goldeneye (8); Hooded Merganser (37); Red-breasted Merganser (22); Common Merganser (53); Ruddy Duck (19); Red-tailed Hawk (1); Peregrine Falcon (1ad); Ring-billed Gull (750); Lesser Black-backed Gull (1adW); Iceland Gull (1 1stW+ 1adW); Herring Gull (1616); Great Black-backed Gull (322); Nota bene: large flocks of gulls were resting on the ice near where the Ten Mile River enters the Seekonk. Suddenly, they rose, almost "en masse" and headed south. At first, we thought there had to be an eagle about, but we could find none. Thier presence here may have been related to tides. E Screech Owl (1 gray phase); Fish Crow (20+: large numbers of crows were on the ice along the upper river); PLUS: the annual wintering seal off Bold Point, resting on some rotting timbers. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

    2/6/05 -- Lake Quinsigamond and Flint Pond, Shrewsbury
    I found some open water on Lake Quinsigamond and Flint Pond today. On the lake were: 3 A. Coot, 2 Black Duck, 15 Mallard Duck, 1 Common Merganser, 2 Hooded Merganser. On Flint Pond were: 1 Great Cormorant,( stringer dam); 6 Mute Swan, 142 Mallard Duck, 15 Black Duck, 2 Ring-neck Duck, 1 Common goldeneye, 3 Common Merganser,9 Hooded Merganser, 1 Red Tail Hawk and 1 Belted Kingfisher. (report from John Shea).

    2/6/05 -- Quabbin Reservoir
    Two rather quiet (all birds seen/heard are listed) walks into Quabbin Resevoir this weekend.
  • Today, species seen and or heard from a walk into Gate 40 to Dana Center and back: Northern Goshawk 1 adult; Ruffed Grouse 4; Mourning Dove 2 singing; Downy Woodpecker 3; Pileated Woodpecker 2 Drumming; American Robin 8; Blue Jay 1; American Crow 2; Common Raven 2; Black-capped Chickadee 20; Red-breasted Nuthatch 1; White-breated Nuthatch 3; Golden-crowned Kinglet 12;
  • Yesterday (2/5/05), species seen and or heard from a walk into Gate 35 starting in New Salem into Petersham and back (~ 6 mile round trip walk): Ruffed Grouse 1; Bald Eagle 1 adult; American Crow 2; Downy Woodpecker 2; Hairy Woodpecker 1; Pileated Woodpecker 1 drumming; American Robin 1; Black-Capped Chichadee ~20; Golden Crowed Kinglet ~10; Brown Creeper 1; Also 2 Coyotes; (report from Tom Pirro).

  • 2/5/05 -- Route 2, Athol
    We saw an adult Bald Eagle perched atop a tree on the eastbound side of Route 2 in Athol at about 3 p.m. (report from Joan Richards).

    2/3/05 -- Northbridge
    I have been watching the bald eagle in South Grafton and finally managed to get within camera shot down the Blackstone River in Northbridge. Here is a photo of the eagle on the ice and a photo of the eagle flying at Riverdale Pond. The eagle appears to be a fourth or fifth year bird as he still has some dark feathers on his head. (report and photos from Scott Jordan).

    2/1/05 -- Institute Park, Worcester
    Today at noon, in the "other pond that never freezes (completely)", there were 2 Mute Swan and 3 Common Mergansers in the water coming in from the inlet, and 1 MERLIN perched high above them. If venturing into the park, snowshoes or skis are recommended. (report from Rick Quimby).

    For previous sightings, see January 2005 Archives or Archive Index