January 2000 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.

1/31/00 -- Rowley Hill, Sterling

A Coopers hawk buzzed my yard twice, making unsuccessful attempts at getting a mourning dove. Also seen were a flicker, cedar waxwings, a field sparrow , a song sparrow, and tree sparrows. (report from Richard Spedding).

1/30/00 -- Blackstone River, Millbury

The Bald Eagle was seen today for the third day. Today it was feeding in a tree on the banks of the Blackstone River. In the river just below the eagle were 12 Common Merganzers, 3 Hooded Merganzers, 12 Black Ducks, and 4 Mallards. We were unable to identify the eagle's food. On Friday it was seen eating a duck. This area of the Blackstone can be seen from the Elm St. bridge looking north. To get to this bridge take the West Main St.exit off Rte 146 south and bear left off ramp. the bridge is a very short distance and you can park in the Senior Center just left of the bridge. (report from Dan and Debbie Berard.).

1/30/00 -- Lake Quinsigamond, Shrewsbury/Worcester

I spent an hour, between 3:00 PM and 4:00 PM, at Lake Quinsigamond today. At the north end opposite Fallon Clinic in an open area where water is bubbling up I observed 1 Ruddy Duck, 1 female Common Goldeneye and 1 male Ring-necked Duck. I then proceeded to the rear of Friendly's at White City where 200-300 gulls were on the ice. The snowmobiles zooming by didn't seem to bother them. A close examination of the gulls revealed one adult ICELAND GULL in breeding plumage. I watched the gulls as they left the lake for the night; they all flew toward the southeast, perhaps to Flint Pond. The open area opposite Maronis Park had the usual Canadas, Blacks, Mallards and Coots. Every day since last Sunday, January 23, Fran McMenemy and/or I have/has seen one of the Peregrines between 4:30 PM and 5:15 PM on the west corner of the Mechanics tower. (report from Bart Kamp).

1/30/00 -- Westboro Wildlife Management Area

The Hermit Thrush and Grey Catbird were still present at the Westboro WMA this morning. Other species worth reporting were 2 Red-tailed Hawks, 1 American Kestrel, and 65+ American Tree Sparrows. Also, at 4:45 p.m., at the Edmund Hill Woods in Northboro, a Barred Owl was calling. (report from Ann Boover).

1/30/00 -- Institute Park, Worcester

A noontime walk yielded 17 species, including 1 Hooded Merganser (male), 1 Common Merganser (male), 1 adult Sharp-shinned Hawk , and 1 American Robin. (report from Rick Quimby).

1/29/00 -- city of Worcester

A quick tour aorund some spots in the city revealed few birds. At Lake Quinsigamond, a tight flock of waterfowl continue at the only open water, including 50+ Canada Geese; 150+ Mallards; 20+ A. Black Ducks and at least 3 A. Coot. These birds hang in here despite the numerous snowmobiles careening down the lake. All these birds are very hard to see from either behind Maronis Park or behind the movie theatre. At a crab apple tree on the Regent Street side of the American Antiquarian Society was a flock of (40+) American Robins; (20+) Cedar Waxwings and (1) N. Flicker. The waxwings and robins were seen flying up to nearby roofs to drink the snow melt. Later, many of them went to the shore of Salisbury Pond. Only a small piece of the Middle River behind Notre Dame Cemetary is open, and this had about (40) Mallards and (8) A. Black Ducks and the domestic Greylag-type goose. At the city landfill, there were a handful of American Crows and a small flock of Canada Geese. We did not walk to the top of the landfill. We tried twice this morning for the Peregrine (s), with no luck from several vantage points. This does not mean they were not there, and people should continue to try at different times of the day. A ride out Rt. 122 in Barre, across from the landfill had NO gulls, and a trip up Rt. 190 to Rt. 2 had only (3) Red-Tailed Hawks.

As I was sitting down in the natural history library to enjoy a bowl of soup after a very uneventful day birding in the city, I noticed what appeared to be snow falling in front of the windows. On second look, I found it to be a flurry of feathers falling from the sky. As I went to the front door to go outside, I saw the adult Cooper's Hawk mantling a Rock Dove it had just killed on my front walk. Sheila and I quietly watched from inside, but the bird spooked when a local cat came near, and attempted to fly off with the pigeon. It ended up dropping the prey into the pristine snow on my front lawn, where all that could be seen was a RoDo tail sticking straight up out of the snow. The hawk took off, though Sheila saw it fly high and over a few minutes later. About an hour after that, I noticed that the pigeon was gone. Sheila and I went outside and searched the scene for tracks ect. Even though there was a crust on the snow, tracks like those of a squirrel did show up. We saw no cat or dog tracks near the hole in the snow where the pigeon had fallen. Indeed, I found what appeared to be talon marks in the snow, meaning that, most likely, the Cooper's Hawk returned to the scene and pulled the prey out of the snow and took it off to a more quite place to feed. This has been a good winter for accipiters at my feeder, with an adult Sharp-Shinned Hawk , an immature Cooper's Hawk and this adult Cooper's Hawk all taking prey from the feeder area. The adult Cooper's really seems to be hanging around the area. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

1/29/00 -- Millbury

A Bald Eagle was seen again today in Millbury. I saw it perched along Rte 146 south between the 122A/146 split and the West Main St. exit. It was an adult probably the same individual pictured in this am Telegram & Gazette. (report from Debbie Berard).

1/29/00 -- Westboro Wildlife Management Area

At 4:15 p.m. at the Westboro WMA I observed an immature Northern Shrike. It was perched in a small tree near the edge of the large frozen pond just below the Fisheries and Wildlfe main building. (report from Ann Boover).

1/27/00 -- Rowley Hill, Sterling

A field sparrow appeared at my feeder today; cedar waxwings were seen on the hill. (report from Richard Spedding).

1/25/00 -- Ware River, New Braintree

This afternoon I walked the Ware River from Barre Plains to behind Hiller's Airport in New Braintree. The weather seemed to make the marshes slow, just three Song Sparrows, but the swamps were active with Eastern Bluebird(5), American Robin(60), Cedar Waxwing(1), Golden-crowned Kinglet(3) and Red-breasted Nuthatch(2). (report from Chris Buelow)

1/24/00 -- Barre Landfill, Barre

At 2:45 PM this afternoon I stopped at the pond on route 122 that is next to the Barre Landfill. I found amongst about 25 gulls a first year Glaucous Gull. Most of the time the gulls are not on the ice. They start covering the landfill at about 3:00 and the gulls come to the ice to rest and take a drink of water at the top of the dam before leaving for their night time roost.

I birded Winnemusset meadows earlier in the day and many of the birds previously reported were still there. I had Sharp-shinned Hawk 1; Red-tailed Hawk 1; Flicker 1; Downy Woodpecker 1; Horned Lark 24; Blue Jay 4; Crow 3; Black-capped Chickadee 2; Robin 12; Bluebird 2; Cedar Waxwing 12; Cardinal 1. I didn't see a single sparrow. (report from Bart Kamp).

1/24/00 -- Rowley Hill, Sterling

What I saw today is pretty typical of what I see on my daily 2 mile XC ski trips north along the base of Rowley Hill: great horned owl, red tailed hawk, 4 ruffed grouse, robins, golden crowned kinglets, red breasted nuthatch, juncos, tree sparrows. Tracks seen include: deer, grey squirrel, red squirrel, mouse , vole, coyote, and snowshoe hare. (report from Richard Spedding).

1/24/00 -- Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary, Princeton

The Meadow has become very quiet. Since the severe cold all redpolls & siskins have disappeared. The only "winter" finches have been purples(8-10) and they are not really wintering here. We do have a regular large flock of robins - 116 today around the meadow and the fruit trees. The usual feeder types include BC chickadees(10-20), hairy & downy woodpeckers, 3 brown creepers, 5 WB nuthatches (no RB's), 11 titmice, 24 goldfinches, 2 tree sparrows, 4 blue jays, occassional northern shrike, 1 coopers hawk, 12 cedar waxwings (occuring in huge #s on a nearby farm) & 18 juncos. (report from Peg & Dick Knowlton).

1/24/00 -- Institute Park, Worcester

A noontime walk yielded 20 species, including 2 Great-blue Herons, 2 Wood Ducks (male/female pair), 1 Hooded Merganser (male), and 2 American Robins. (report from Rick Quimby).

1/23/00 -- Mechanics Bank building, downtown Worcester

Fran McMenemy had TWO Peregrine Falcons on the Mechanics Bank building on Sunday, perched on opposite corners. This is really exciting news, and people should be on the lookout for potential nesting behavior in the weeks to come. (report from Mark Lynch).

1/23/00 -- Fisheries and Wildlife area, Westboro

At 9:00 a.m., 18 species of birds were noted while on a quick 1 hour walk. Worth noting were 8 Eastern Bluebirds, 1 Hermit Thrush, and 1 Gray Catbird. This group of birds were in a tangle of multiflora shrubs just past the small pond after the entrance to the F&W area off Rte 135 in Westboro. (report from Ann Boover).

01/23/00 -- Ware/Hardwick

This afternoon I had an adult Northern Shrike in the marsh behind Ware Airport on rt 32 and 30 Common Redpoll at a feeder in Hardwick. (report from Chris Buelow)

1/22/00 -- Northbridge Wastewater Treatment Plant, Northbridge

We spent a very cold 3/4 of an hour walking around the Northbridge filter beds and had a nice variety of mid-winter species: Mallard (10); A. Black Duck (20); VIRGINIA RAIL (1); COMMON SNIPE (1); Winter Wren (1); A. Tree Sparrow (2); Swamp Sparrow (1); Song Sparrow (25+); Dark-Eyed Junco (10+); N. Cardinal (15); RUSTY BLACKBIRD (3). NOTE BENE: The ducks, rail, snipe, and blackbirds were seen in the small cattail marsh in back of the outflow building at the far end of the facility. These birds, especialy the rail and the snipe are living very much on the edge of survival. DO NOT TAPE ANY OF THESE BIRDS OR TROOP THROUGH THE MARSH!!!. Any wasted energy on the birds part could very well mean the difference between death and survival. We watched quietly from the small rise overlooking the marsh in back of the building and (eventually) saw the birds mentioned. But, please DO NOT HARASS THESE BIRDS. Other birds are undoubtably in the marsh, but were hidden from view. The very vocal Winter Wren was along on of the brushy streams in the middle of the facility. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

1/21/00 -- Upton/Northbridge

A bald eagle with full white cowl and tail feathers was seen well in Upton on the Upton/Northbridge line. The bird was soaring at about 60 feet (25 or 30 feet above the tree line) and tracking south into Northbridge in an area that would suggest it was following the Blackstone River. The time was 12:30 p.m. As it was employing a crisscrossing pattern, I actually had time to pull over and watch it for almost a minute. It was definitely a bald eagle. (report from Jim Floyd).

1/20/00 -- Winimusett WMA, New Braintree

Highlights from a snowy afternoon include: VIRGINIA RAIL (observed walking on frozen stream channel), Horned Lark(20), Common Redpoll(50), Northern Shrike(1 adult), Winter Wren(1), Swamp Sparrow(2), Song Sparrow(1), Northern Flicker(3), Cedar Waxwing(10), and American Robin(60). (report from Chris Buelow)

1/20/00 -- Holy Name High School, Granite St, Worcester

Today at 3:15 PM We found a large mixed flock. They were feeding in an ornamental berry tree by the school and then crossing the road, where they perched in several trees. There were approximately 200 Cedaar Waxwings,125 Am. Robins, 50 E. Starlings. While we were watching the activity back and forth across the road, a Merlin flew in and grabbed the only Mockingbird we saw and landed about 15 ft. from our car. A battle followed for about 1 minute and the Mockingbird flew away, much to the surprise of the Merlin. (report from Dan and Debbie Berard).

1/19/00 -- Winimusett WMA, New Braintree

Another late trip into Winimusett turned up Horned Lark(20), Northern Flicker(1), and American Robin(250+). This has become a reliable roost for Robins this winter. (report from Chris Buelow).

1/18/00 -- Winimusett WMA, New Braintree

A dusk walk into Winimusett turned up Northern Shrike(1 adult), Swamp Sparrow(2), American Robin(25), Northern Flicker(1), and a calling Great Horned Owl. (report from Chris Buelow).

1/18/00 -- Rutland Terrace, Worcester

An adult Cooper's Hawk nailed a Rock Dove at my feeder this morning (area of Park/Salisbury Streets), and then proceeded to pluck and strip the flesh from the bird on the ground for more than an hour and a half. Needless to say, all other activity at my feeders stopped. The Cooper's Hawk hit the Rock Dove on the ground, leaving some rather nice imprints of its primary feathers in the snow. It then dragged the dove about three and half feet so that it was nearer to the hedges. Here it sat for more than an hour and a half, plucking the bird and tearing strips of flesh off. The hawk was always alert to cars passing by on the road and other disturbances. Amazingly, as soon as the Cooper's Hawk left, all the other "feeder birds" (English Sparrows, House Finches, American Goldfinches, Black-Capped Chickadees, Tufted Titmice, White-Breasted Nuthatches and even the Mourning Doves) materialized as if from thin air and began to actively feed even though there was a large bloody pile of feathers right next to them. The other Rock Doves did NOT return to the feeders for the rest of the day.

ALSO: seen and heard going to roost on Bancroft Tower Hill this afternoon were 500+ American Crows and (1) FISH CROW heard and seen. This roost is not as large as ones in previous years, and often the crows gather here and then move off to some other location. (report from Mark Lynch).

1/17/00 -- City of Worcester

Checking out some of the very few spots where there might still be some surviving waterfowl, we hit the following:
LAKE QUINSIGAMOND: Mute Swan (6: these were feeding in a small edge of open watrer just north of Rt. 9. They then flew to somewhere to the extreme southern end of the lake); Canada Goose (98+); Wood Duck (pair); Green-Winged Teal (1m); Mallard (194++); A. Black Duck (16); Sharp-Shinned Hawk (1 ad. very tame); Red-Tailed Hawk (1); American Coot (13+). Note: Other than the swans, all the rest of the waterfowl were visible ONLY from behind Maronis Park looking across to the opposite shore. Here there is always a small sliver of open water. The birds were packed in so densely, that it was very difficult to get any kind of accurate count. Other species may be lurking in the group. We witnessed some water bubbling up just next to this area, and this is probably why the area stays open. These birds are very stressed now because of the cold.
NOTRE DAME CEMETARY: Mallard (106); A. Black Duck (14); Hooded Merganser (pair); Carolina Wren (1); Northern Shrike (1ad> I unfortunately disturbed this bird as it was apparently about to nail a junco at the feeding area in the cul-de-sac. It flew into the marsh and then chased a titmouse.)
WEBSTER SQUARE: Red-Tailed Hawk (1 hunting low right over the square)
TATNUCK BROOK: Mallard (191: These birds subsist on handouts and are very densely packed into this mere trickle of a brook) (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

1/16/00 -- Northwest Worcester County

Highlights of the day:
Fieldstone Farm, Rte 62 Princeton (approx 1 mile W of Wachusett Meadow Sanc'y) ~250 Cedar Waxwings ( no Bohemians that I could tell); ~150 American Robin; ~10 Eastern Bluebird; 1 Red-tailed Hawk. The Waxwings would be put up every time the Hawk decided to take wing- the Robins were much more daring and stayed put.
West Royalston ~30 Common Redpoll at a feeder on Rte 68
Royalston 1 Barred Owl awake and looking around on the edge of a field at the height of midday (12:30 PM). (report from Paul Meleski).

1/16/00 -- Northbridge filter beds

I spent a few hours at the Northbridge filter beds today and recorded the following: Mallard 25, Black Duck 15, Red-tailed hawk 1, Virginia Rail 1, Common Snipe 3, Mourning Dove 26, Downy Woodpecker 2, Blue Jay 12, Common Crow 6, Black-capped Chickadee 3, Robin 1, Redwinged Blackbird 3, Rusty Blackbird 1, Cardinal 4, Goldfinch 1, Dark-eyed Junco 20-30, Tree sparrow 20-30, Song sparrow 12. Most of these birds were recorded on the Uxbridge Christmas count. (report from Barton Kamp).

1/16/00 -- Royalston / Templeton

Hilites from a drive up to Royalston center and parts of Templeton sunday morning 1-16-00 follow:
Royalston: Hairy Woodpecker 2; AM. Robin ~25; C. Redpoll 10-15; P. Siskin 10-15; Evening Grosbeak ~20.
Templeton : At Elliot Hill there were 62 Wild Turkeys while at Norcross Hill Road there were 9 Cedar Waxwings , 22 Evening Grosbeaks and 3 Purple Finches. In the Baldwinville section: ~20 American Robins and a single C. Redpoll, while in nearby Otter River (also in Templeton) a Coopers Hawk was present. (report from Tom Pirro).

1/15/00 -- Quabbin Park/Gate 8

Highlights of a trip out to Quabbin Park today turned up Common Loon(3), Ring-necked Duck(8), Greater Scaup(2), Common Goldeneye(6), Hooded Merganser(30) and a Red-bellied Woodpecker. Gate 8 however was very quiet with the exeption of Red Crossbill(10) and an adult Bald Eagle. (report from Chris Buelow)

1/15/00 -- Wachuset Reservoir

A quick tour around Wachuset Reservoir this morning had the following totals: Common Loon (2); Canada Goose (244); Mallard (13); A. Black Duck (9); A. Wigeon (3); Ring-Necked Duck (112); C. Goldeneye (4); Common Merganser (271); Hooded Merganser (86); Ruddy Duck (16). We did NOT hike into Gate 22 (way too cold) so the status of the Tufted Duck is unknown. Long distance visibility was also a problem because of the dense smoky wisps of water vapor hovering over the surface as the reservoir gave up its heat. Although most of the main body of the reservoir was still open, the small inlets and edges were ice covered or in the process of freezing. Places like South Bay on Rt. 140 were almost half frozen. People thinking of looking for the Tufted Duck in Gate 22 may only now have a small window of oportunity, what with the freezing temps for the next few days. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

1/9/00 -- Wachusett Reservoir/Gardner

The following were hilites from Gardner on Saturday AM 1-8-00 : Common Pintail 1 Drake Bent's Pond in South Gardner; Carolina Wren 1; A. Robin 5; N. Shrike 1 High Ridge Smith Street; Evening Grosbeak 6 High Ridge Smith Street; Common Redpoll ~45High Ridge Smith Street.

Hilites from Sunday Morning around Wachusett Reservior 1-9-00 : C. Loon 2; Horned Grebe 3 S. bay; Bufflehead 2 drakes; Gr. Scaup 2 (a pair); C. Goldeneye 12; Ringed-necked Duck 56 S. bay; Redhead 1 Drake with "Ringers" at S. Bay.; Ruddy Duck 12 S. Bay; Hooded Merg. 20; Common merg. 12; Red-Breasted Merg. 1 female in the river at River Road. Time ran out on me and I didn't end up walking down gate 22 so I missed the Tufted Duck. One unfortunate Ringed-Necked Duck (a Drake) was tangled in fishing line out on an Island in South Bay , I had no way of reaching the bird. (report from Tom Pirro).

1/9/00 -- Broad Meadow Brook Sanctuary/Worcester Landfill, Worcester

Highlights this morning at Broad Meadow Brook Wildlife Sanctuary (Worcester): Red-tailed Hawk (2); Red-bellied Woodpecker (3); Carolina Wren (4); Eastern Bluebird (1); American Robin (20); COMMON YELLOWTHROAT (1 - immature male); American Tree Sparrow (6); Song Sparrow (5); White-throated Sparrow (6).

Highlights at the Worcester Landfill: TURKEY VULTURE (11 - that is not a mistake, they were feasting at a recently dumped (illegally?) trash pile. ); Red-tailed Hawk (2); Great Black-backed Gull (2); Hairy Woodpecker (1); American Tree Sparrow (8); Song Sparrow (6); EASTERN MEADOWLARK (1). (report from John Liller).

1/9/00 -- Royalston area

A tour of a few spots in NW Royalston this morning had: N. Goshawk (1ad); Red-Tailed Hawk (1); Wild Turkey (13); Pileated Woodpecker (1); Northern Shrike (1); Purple Finch (4); Evening Grosbeak (38). The Shrike was along a power line cut through in some mixed forest on a steep hill. This adult bird staked out a White-Breasted Nuthatch and began to relentlessly chase the bird through the forest, all around trees and through branches much in the manner of a Sharpie pursuing a chickadee. Twice it seemed to lose the nuthatch and perched mid-height in the forest, only to re-find the nuthatch and pursue it again. We left with the shrike still nuthatchless.
In Petersham: Wild Turkey (31); Pine Siskins (10); Evening Grosbeaks (31);
In Hardwick: Eastern Bluebird (9), with an additional (12) bluebirds in nearby New Braintree. (report from Mark Lynch).

1/9/00 -- Worcester Landfill, Worcester

Sheila and I headed out to the WORCESTER LANDFILL about 2:30 pm to see some of the Turkey Vultures that John Liller had reported. Amazingly we had NO TVs, but did have: Canada Goose (160); Sharp-Shinned Hawk: (1 adult on the ground feasting on the body of a Ring-Biled Gull. I find it hard to believe that this bird killed the gull, but...); Red-Tailed Hawk (3); American Crows (600+ feeding on the newly added side of the hill and then flying off to roost); FISH CROW (1); Song Sparrow (2); SWAMP SPARROW (1); Plus a few Ring-Billed, Herring and Great Black-backed Gulls each. It was disturbing to see several dirt bikes riding around the hill on what will soon be Grasshopper Sparrow and other grasland breeding habitat. The gate should be closed.

SALISBURY POND: Hooded Merganser (15).
LEESVILLE POND: Canada Goose (9); Mallard (16); A. Black Duck (9); GADWALL (1f); Hooded Merganser (9); Belted Kingfisher (1); Carolina Wren (1 singing).
NOTRE DAME CEMETARY: Canada Goose (54+ 1 domestic Greylag breed that was hanging out at Curtis Pond all summer); Mallard (96); A. Black Duck (19); A. Tree Sparrow (an amazing flock of 50+ feeding among the graves); Song Sparrow (5). (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

1/8/00 -- Wachuset Reservoir

A quick tour of Wachuset Reservoir had the following: Common Loon (9); Horned Grebe (7); Canada Goose (122); Mallard (4); A. Black Duck (18); Ring-Necked Duck (53); Greater Scaup (16); Lesser Scaup (3m); TUFTED DUCK (1m); Common Goldeneye (74); Hooded Merganser (18); Common Merganser (60); Ruddy Duck (13); Belted Kingfisher (2).

Note: The TUFTED DUCK was found at Gate 22, off Route 140 at the Fish and Wildlife Headquaters. It's a quick 10 minute walk through the labeled gate to the water. Along this dirt road/path, you will come to another major trail exiting to the left, STAY RIGHT until you can see the water through the trees. The Tufted, in a small flock of Greater Scaup, was seen from a small side trail that exits this main trail off to the left, just before it hits the water overlook. Morning light was good from this vantage point. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

1/8/00 -- Bolton Flats, Bolton, and Indian Lake, Worcester

A tour of the fields at Bolton Flats yielded only Red-Tailed Hawk (6); N. Flicker (1); N. Mockingbird (4); A. Tree Sparrow (65); Song Sparrow (1). Along Still River Depot Road in Harvard there was (1) Eastern Meadowlark. At Indian Lake in Worcester, there was Mute Swan (1); Hooded Merganser (6) and TURKEY VULTURE (2). The TVs were hunting very low over the edges of the pond, well below tree level at times and occassionally mobbed by a few Ring-Billed Gulls. [ed. note: see other report of TV's below]
(report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

1/8/00 -- Broad Meadow Brook Wildlife Sanctuary, Worcester

While driving by the Broad Meadow Brook Wildlife Sanctuary in Worcester at 12:30 today (1/8/00), I had a TURKEY VULTURE fly over. This represents the first January record of this species for BMB. (report from John Liller).

1/5/00 -- South Bay, Wachuset Reservoir

The drake REDHEAD continues at South Bay along Rt. 140. Other ducks seen on a very quick count early this AM inlcuded: Ring-Necked Duck (60+); Common Goldeneye (25+); Common Merganser (20+); and Ruddy Duck (2). (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

1/4/00 -- Roosting Starlings on Southbridge St., Worcester

Here is a photo of some of the approximatly 50,000 starlings that roost each night under the railroad bridge on SOUTHBRIDGE St. The starlings gather near the bridge each evening at approximatly 4:15 PM and begin their aerial display that last about 15 miniutes before they begin to swoop down into their roost. The gathering of starlings has not gone unnoticed by a variety of hawks who can also be seen in the neighboring trees and rooftops. A good place to watch this amazing sight is on LAGRANGE St which can be reached by taking a right off of SOUTHBRIDGE St onto JACKSON St just before the bridge. LAGRANGE St is on the left. Thanks to Fran McMenemy for bringing this to my attention. (report from Bob Ricci).

1/2/00 -- Quabbin Christmas Count

The Quabbin Christmas Count was held on Sunday, Jan 2, 2000. Highlights: Common Loon (23); RED-BREASTED MERGANSER (2); Common Merganser (1527); Bald Eagle (10 maximum: very low. 6 adults/4 imm. For the first time in the history of the count, no Bald eagles were noted by the Prescott team)); Sharp-Shinned Hawk (1); Cooper's Hawk (1); N. Goshawk (3); GOLDEN EAGLE (1 ad. This bird, found by Simon Hennin at Graves Landing, spent almost 4 hours in the Dana sector, eventually flying down to the Baffle Dam area where it was seen by that team. Everyone on the "inside Quabbin/Dana sector team, got great looks.); MERLIN (1); E. Screech Owl (1); Great Horned Owl (19); Barred Owl (14: several were seen out and about in the day); N. Saw Whet Owl (12); Red-Bellied Woodpecker (6; including one in the middle of the Prescott Penn.); N. Flicker (7); Pileated Woodpecker (31: they were everywhere and very vocal); Horned Lark (22); C. Raven (10: there were no ravens seen on the Prescott for the first time in the count) ; Red-Breasted Nuthatch (42); Carolina Wren (1); Winter Wren (2); E. Bluebird (39); Northern Shrike (10); N. Cardinal (80: including 4 on the Prescott penn. for the first time); EASTERN TOWHEE (1); Field Sparrow (2); Purple Finch (82); Red-Crossbill (2); C. Redpoll (149); Pine Siskin (21); Evening Grosbeak (70); COMMON GRACKLE (1).

COMPLETE LISTING AVAILABLE HERE
(report filed for Scott Surner by Mark Lynch).

1/2/00 -- Wachusett Meadows Wildlife Sanctuary, Princeton

The northern shrike is still here and was observed this AM by Peg & I. It is most often seen around the farm buildings and in the South Meadow where it seems to lurk in sight of the feeders near the parking lot. Redpolls are here daily and generally at the cottage feeders (our front yard) in numbers ranging from 6 to 17. A raven is being seen frequently over Brown Hill and North Meadow and great-horned owls have begun vocalizing just within the last 2 nights. (report from Peg & Dick Knowlton).

1/1/00 -- Hodges Village, Oxford

Highlights at Hodges today included: 1 Northern Shrike; 25-30 American Robin; 4 Eastern Bluebird; 1 Sharp-shinned Hawk. (report from Paul Meleski).

1/1/00 -- Rt. 190 Sterling/Lake Quinsigamond/downtown Worcester

After "doing" Wachuset Reservoir, we checked the Sterling stretch of Route 190 and found: Sharp-Shinned Hawk (1); Red-Tailed Hawk (7); Eastern Bluebird (15); A. Robin (60+); Cedar Waxwing (366).

A check of Lake Quinsigamond just north and south of the Rt.9 bridge yielded: Mute Swan (5); Canada Goose (145); Wood Duck (pair); Green-Winged Teal (1m); Mallard (260); A. Black Duck (44); Ring-Necked Duck (6); Hooded Merganser (14); Ruddy Duck (1); A. Coot (13); On the ice we found a Red-Tailed Hawk eating a gull.

ALSO: downtown on a corner of the Mechanics Bank building, the adult PEREGRINE FALCON was chowing down on some bird. Also present were two Red-Tailed Hawks. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

1/1/00 -- Lake Quinsigamond, Shrewsbury

A pair of canvasbacks were recorded on Lake Quinsigamond during the Forbush Bird Club trip. They were on the Shrewsbury side directly across from the ITAM Club on Lake Ave. (report from Peg Knowlton fide Fran McMenemy).

1/1/00 -- Wachusett Reservoir, West Boylston

Sheila and I checked out Wachusett Reservoir and environs to see if the TUFTED DUCK was still there. We did NOT find it. Also: The spot in West Boylston that had hosted the Red-Headed Woodpecker (Prescott St., near the Mixter municipal buildings), had instead a noisy displaying pair of Red-Bellied Woodpeckers and (4) N. Flickers. We checked the spot twice.

Waterfowl+ at Wachuset Reservoir: Common Loon (10); Horned Grebe (5); Canada Goose (356); Mallard (8); A. Black Duck (13); A. Wigeon (2); Ring-Necked Duck (52); Greater Scaup (1); Canvasback (pair); Common Goldeneye (51); Hooded Merganser (117); Common Merganser (40); A check of River Road yielded only a few Golden-Crowned Kinglets and a small (4) flock of Redpolls. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

1/1/00 -- Broad Meadow Brook Sanctuary

Highlights of a morning walk: Carolina Wren (3) American Robin (1) American Tree Sparrow (8) FOX SPARROW (1 - 1st winter record) Song Sparrow (1) White-throated Sparrow (5) (report from John Liller).

For previous sightings, see December 1999 Archives or Archive Index