February 2013 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
2/9/13 -- Due to the upcoming storm, this weekend's Forbush Bird Club Cape Ann trip will be postponed one week to next Saturday, Feb 16. Meeting time/place will still be at the Jodrey Fish Pier at 9am.
2/27/13 -- Songbirds of the Northeast program at Acton Memorial Library, 7pm

Bird Sightings:

2/28/13 -- St Phillips Cemetery, Grafton: Highlights today were (2) Eastern Bluebirds, (4) Red-winged Blackbirds, (2) Northern Flickers, (4) House Finches. Sutton Ave Soccer Fields in Uxbridge provided great looks at (70) Common Grackles, (1) Northern Shrike, (1) Northern Harrier. This was my first county record of a N Harrier ( crappy record photo here. Also had my first worcester county record of Eastern Meadowlark (1 -- photo and video. Also had (4) Killdeer, displaying and singing (video and photo. Great hour of birding!
(report from Justin Lawson).
2/26/13 -- Leesville Pond, Worcester: At Leesville Pond there was: an adult Bald Eagle feeding on a Common Merganser; Song Sparrows singing their hearts out; And a noisy Belted Kingfisher. Notre Dame Cemetery had singing (4) Red-winged Blackbirds and (2) Golden-crowned Kinglets.
(report from Justin Lawson).
2/23/13 -- West Boylston: Red winged blackbirds have returned and are singing at the heron rockery on rt. 12 Sterling line. Signs of spring! (report from Alex Dunn).
2/23/13 -- Shrewsbury: We live close to Seagate access road off South Street in Shrewsbury MA, so we checked the fruit trees at 3:00 PM today and found (12) Pine Grosbeaks (no adult males). We thought some birders would still like to know. (report from Bob and Diane Abbott)
2/23/13 -- Paxton: There was a Barred owl in our back yard in Paxton in the late afternoon today. (report from Michael Voorhis).
2/23/13 -- Worcester/Ware River Watershed IBA: We began by birding at WORCESTER AIRPORT Horned Lark (45+); Snow Bunting (60+);
We then headed to the WARE RIVER IBA and birded along Cold Brook Road, the only road still open. Ring-billed Gull (1); Downy Woodpecker (1); Hairy Woodpecker (1); Pileated Woodpecker (1); Blue Jay (1); Common Raven (pair bringing sticks to nest); Black-capped Chickadee (27); Tufted Titmouse (1); Red-breasted Nuthatch (24: a number feeding on open ground under pines); White-breasted Nuthatch (5); Dark-eyed Junco (3); Red Crossbill (10);
We ended the day birding three cemeteries in the SW corner of the city of Worcester: All Faiths, Notre Dame, Hope: Turkey Vulture (1); Canada Goose (120); Mallard (17); A Black Duck (11); Green-winged Teal (3); Hooded Merganser (18); Common Merganser (6); Bald Eagle (1ad soaring low over Leesville Pond eventually harassed by an adult Great Black Backed Gull. Later, found perched along side the water; Sharp-shinned Hawk (1); Mourning Dove (19); Belted Kingfisher (1); A Robin (38); Carolina Wren (1); Tree Sparrow (1); Song Sparrow (7); Dark-eyed Junco (17); N Cardinal (11);
(report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).
2/22/13 -- Worcester: A couple of Turkey Vultures were spotted overhead while I was driving south on Park Ave around 4:00 pm. (report from Rick Quimby).
2/20/13 -- Barre/Rutland/Royalston: I birded North Worcester County yesterday. Highlights were:
Barre-Powder Mill Pond: (1) Iceland Gull (photo) and video)
Royalston Center: (10) Common Redpoll, (2) Common Raven
Rutland-Muschopauge Road: (50) Horned Lark, (10) Snow Buntings
(report from Justin Lawson).
2/20/13 -- Berlin: In addition to the usual winter birds, I've had Hairy Woodpecker, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Red-breasted Nuthatch, and Brown Creeper frequenting my backyard and feeders this winter. I've also had two Carolina Wrens visiting my suet feeders the past couple of days, and this morning one Sharp-shinned Hawk swooped in, landed briefly on the railing of my deck, and then flew off. Thankfully he didn't reap any benefits of the breakfast items I've been attracting. I have not heard nor seen the Great Horned Owls for the past several days. (report from Randy Langer)
2/19/13 -- Douglas: I've noticed recent signs of a pileated woodpecker in the conservation land where I walk. While walking along Mumford Road in Douglas today, I heard and then saw the pileated woodpecker flying from tree to tree in the woods along the road. (report from Mary Sughrue-Yacin).
2/18/13 -- Dudley: While my friend and I were walking along the Quinebaug Valley Rail Trail in Dudley this morning, a large shadow fell upon us. We looked up and saw an adult bald eagle flying overhead. It flew toward the Quinebaug River, where we lost sight of it. (report from Mary Sughrue-Yacin)
2/17/13 -- off Salisbury St. north, Worcester: A sampling at our feeders today: Carolina Wren (2) Northern Cardinal (11, down from 15 a week ago), White-throated Sparrow (2), Song Sparrow(1),Eastern Bluebird (5 m), E. Starling (12) Red-bellied Woodpecker (1), Hairy WP (1), Downy WP (numerous), English Sparrow (numerous), Wild Turkey (3 m). The starlings and the bluebirds have been at the feeder since late December; the starlings favoring the 3 beef suet cakes. The bluebirds are gleaning from the ground, not sure what though-if its discards from the suet or seed. (report from Lisa Hennin).
2/17/13 -- Princeton: Had a very good view of a red-shouldered hawk this morning in Princeton on Rt. 62. It paused for 15 mins or so in our yard, and then the neighbor's yard, with its escort of 3 crows. When the hawk landed the crows would land a few feet above it and remain silent until the hawk moved, then they'd start cawing loudly and follow after. (report from John Walsh).
2/16/13 -- Leesville Cemetary, Worcester / Wachusett Country Club, West Boylston: While checking a few places today, I found an American Wigeon and 2 Green-winged Teal at Leesville pond (All-faiths cemetery). Wachusett Country Club had an American Kestrel perched up in a tree. (report from Peter Morlock).
2/16/13 -- SW cemeteries, Worcester: In the early afternoon, we surveyed four cemeteries in the SW corner of the city of Worcester: St. John's; Hope; Notre Dame; All Faiths (Leesville Pond). Landbirds were in short supply and we had NO chickadees, nuthatches; titmice.
Birds recorded: Great Blue Heron (1: Leesville); Mute Swan (1); Canada Goose (102: all at St. John's nibbling grass exposed next to gravestones); Mallard (6); A Black Duck (2); Hooded Merganser (24); Common Merganser (6); Sharp-shinned Hawk (1); Ring-billed Gull (2); E Screech Owl (1); Belted Kingfisher (1); Hairy Woodpecker (2); A Robin (60+); Dark-eyed Junco (30: single flock); Pine Grosbeak (1 fly-over); White-winged Crossbill (pair).
(report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).
2/16/13 -- River Rd, West Boylston: There were (15) Red-breasted Nuthatches, (1) Common Raven (3) RED CROSSBILLS at River Rd. (report from Justin Lawson).
2/16/13 -- Northbridge/Whitinsville: I had a possible Peregrine Falcon sighting today in town. I was in front of the Whitinsville Bank Building, in the Historic District of Whitinsville, when I saw a fairly large, stream-lined, falcon-shaped bird flying fast from the direction of Church Street headed due West towards the old mill buildings. It was not flying that much higher than the surrounding buildings, thus giving me a good idea of its size (my boyfriend and I both estimate the bird to be at least 14"). However, it was backlit so I got no good field marks. Given the potential for decent nesting sites, with all of the old buildings over there, I will definitely be keeping an eye out in that area from now on. (report from Jenifer Glagowski)
2/15/13 -- Howard St, Northboro: Today a lone Turkey vulture was moving north over our property. (report from Jim Hogan).
2/15/13 -- Institute Park, Worcester: At noon highlights were 2 Mute Swan, ~30 Hooded Mergs, and 1 Common Merg (m). (report from Rick Quimby).
2/14/13 -- Winchendon: About 8 weeks ago I saw my first red polls at my feeder. Today I counted 37 red polls at the feeder. (report from Larry Barrieau).
2/13/13 -- Saint John's Cemetery, Worcester: I noticed this Red-tailed Hawk had a skin problem on his belly. As I watched, he raised a leg and scratched at the problem on his belly. I hope he recovers. (report from Brian Mulhearn)
2/12/13 -- Rutland: I saw an adult bald eagle overhead this AM driving from Rutand to Paxton. (report from Ted Purcell).
2/12/13 -- Worcester: There was a Turkey Vulture soaring here this morning at the intersection of Chandler and June street. (report from Brian Mulhearn)
2/12/13 -- Worcester: We had a small flock (10-12) of pine siskins picking over what's left of our crabapple tree on the corner of Kendall St and Oak Ave near Memorial Hospital. In the past we have typically seen large numbers of cedar waxwings at this time finishing off the fruit, but none have returned this year. Instead we've had large numbers of American Robins over the past ten days. (report from Paul Dufault).
2/10/13 -- Shrewsbury: We had 8 pine grosbeaks (no adult males) today at approximately 9:00 am at previously reported site in Seagate parking lot F off South Street in Shrewsbury. (report from Diane & Bob Abbott).
2/10/13 -- Worcester: We ventured out a bit Sunday AM. Getting around was awkward in many places as the "big dig out" was very much still underway. Worcester Airport was almost devoid of birds, but Tatnuck Brook had 70+ Mallards. On CHANDLAR STREET at the sand lot across from Foley Stadium, while getting sand, we had: Red-tailed Hawk (1); Ring-billed Gull (7); Herring Gull (1); American Crow (12); FISH CROW (1: perched on old Capital Toys building and calling continuously. Sheial got soem shots); House Finch (2); WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILL (pair: heard and seen: flew in direction of Doherty Hill); A Goldfinch (1). (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).
2/9/13 -- Shrewsbury: One of our DFW staff showed me images taken in the past week of pine grosbeaks on the crabapple trees at the UMass complex in Shrewsbury in the South Street area. Robins were also there, mostly picking at the "drops". (report from Marion Larson).
2/9/13 -- Grafton: It was a "Backyard Bird Feeder Derby" at our feeders this morning [after the blizzard], with 12 species including Red-bellied Woodpecker - 1; Hairy Woodpecker - 1; Carolina Wren - 2; and Eastern Bluebird - 4 (they have been coming to our feeders for weeks). (report from John Liller).
2/8/13 -- West Millbury: The Yellow-bellied Sapsucker that first showed up at my feeders on January 25, has been a daily visitor and was out there this morning stoking up on peanuts and suet. (report from Alan Marble).
2/7/13 -- Blackstone: This afternoon at about 3:45 at the Dunkin Donuts parking lot on 122 in Blackstone, 2 BLACK VULTURES came soaring in from the north, heading into Woonsocket. I enjoyed the view with John and Audrey Hoye. (report from Alan Marble).
2/7/13 -- Northboro: On the day before we are to have a blizzard, I had Bluebirds at my feeder. There have been four at the feeders all winter. (report from Henry Squillante).
2/7/13 -- Institute Park, Worcester: Highlights at noon were 1 Mute Swan, ~100 Canada Geese, 5 Hooded Merganser, 8 Common Merganser, and 1 Great Black-backed Gull (imm). (report from Rick Quimby).
2/4/13 -- Notre Dame Cemetery, Worcester: There were 2 Great Blue Herons, 10 Hooded Mergansers, 2 Mute Swans, 1 Hairy Woodpecker, 3 Brown Creepers, 2 Gold-crowned Kinglets, 1 Carolina Wren, 2 Song Sparrows, and 12 American Tree Sparrows, one of which I got a photo of, camouflaged against its background. (report from Brian Mulhearn)
2/3/13 -- Paxton: A single raven just came to my back yard at South Street and rt 31 in Paxton. A solitary crow had been in the yard a few minutes before. This is the first raven we've seen in the yard in two years. We used to have a larger family of crows in years past but have also seen a big increase in red tailed and, this winter, sharp shinned hawks. (report from Michael Voorhis).
2/2/13 -- Notre Dame and Hope Cemeteries, Worcester: I saw 2 Red Tail Hawks, one flying from tree to tree. As I got closer and it looked as though she was carrying a twig. Also 6 Song Sparrows, 2 Mute Swan, 12 Hooded Mergensers. (report from Debbie Gleason).
2/1/13 -- Webster Square, Worcester: A Red-tailed Hawk landed next to where I was parked. Here is a photo. (report from Brian Mulhearn)
2/1/13 -- Westborough WMA: Today I birded quickly the Westborough WMA at Little Chauncy, with highlights of Brown Creeper 2 (FOY); Eastern Bluebird 1; American Tree Sparrow 1; Song Sparrow 9; Swamp Sparrow 2 (continuing birds); White-throated Sparrow 2; Red-winged Blackbird 3. (report from Justin Lawson)