January 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.

1/29/01 -- Westminster

About noon today I saw an Imm. Bald Eagle soaring near the junction of Rtes. 2 , 140 exit 24. It appeared to be missing a few primaries on one side. (report from Tom Pirro).

1/29/01 -- Westboro WMA, Westboro

At 5:00 p.m. I observed a Norhtern Shrike at the Westboro WMA. The bird flew across the path and up into a nearby tree. I observed with binoculars it had a mouse in its bill and beat the little creature on a branch several times. The bird then flew to a tree nearby and again whacked the mouse again and again before packing it into a crux of a branch. It then flew off into a thicket. The Shrike has been in this area for several weeks. (report from Ann Boover).

1/29/01 -- Tatnuck Square, Worcester

No Peregrine, but while talking with John Liller on the phone (thanks, John), an immature female Cooper's Hawk flew into my yard and perched in a tree in plain sight for about thirty seconds. Unlike Mark Lynch's bird, mine left without dinner. So far this month I've had two flyover Red-tails and in the yard or just off it in a spruce the Cooper's, two Sharpie sightings, two Merlin sightings, and a Kestrel...and that's just glancing out every once in a while! (report from Howard Shainheit).

1/28/01 -- Gate 43, Quabbin Reservoir

I saw a barred owl at Quabbin Reservoir near Gate 43 this afternoon at 1:30. (Report from Robert Brady)

1/28/01 -- Gardner to Royalston

This morning Fred Bouchard , Shawn Carey and I birded areas in Gardner , Templeton/Baldwinville and Royalston center with the following being the hilites:
Gardner: Am. Robin 30+ various locations; Red-Br. Nuthatch 2; Br. Creeper 1; Cedar Waxwing ~150 (100 the College and 50+ at the juntion of Rtes 140/101); Purple Finch 4 2 pair @ Smith st. gate of High Ridge; Pine Siskin 15 +/- most on Kelton Street, tough to count as they were moving; conifers. White-winged Crossbill 8 minimum ..some were seen in flight but we did have nice looks at few different males and 1 female. They were signing and rather noisy. They've been in the area for over a month now.
Templeton: Am. Robin ~10; Sharp-shinned hawk 1; Red-tailed hawk 2; Wild Turkey 8 Elliot Hill area; Raven 1;
Royalston Center: Lots of Juncos , Tree Sparrows , Blue Jays , ~6 White-throated Sparrows , 2 Hairy Woodpeckers ~10 Am. Goldfinches ... basically a lot of birds consisting of the typical winter mix. Winter finches were absent. (report from Tom Pirro).

1/28/01 -- Tatnuck Square, Worcester

Yesterday (1/27) evening at 4:30 and this morning at 9 I had a female or immature Merlin perched atop a spruce a couple of hundred feet from my back yard near Tatnuck Square, doubtless the same bird I saw in mid December. On Jan. 14th and 17th I had a Sharpie, probably an immature female, make a circuit of my yard, even perching for five minutes atop my feeder aray. Both times the Sharpie blew through the arbor vitae in my yard, but came out empty-clawed. ...Now if only the Peregrine would visit! (report from Howard Shainheit).

1/27/01 -- lower Blackstone Corridor , RI

Continuing our surveys of the Blackstone Corridor, we were in the lower section in Rhode Island today. There was little out of the ordinary, but still lots of waterfowl:
INDIA POINT, PROVIDENCE: Great Cormorant (9); Mute Swan (6); Canada Goose (17); Mallard (51); A. Black Duck (32); A. Wigeon (43); Gadwall (2); Greater Scaup (76); Lesser Scaup (10); Bufflehead (8); C. Goldeneye (2); Hooded Merganser (22); Common Merganser (6); Red-breasted Merganser (19); Red-tailed Hawk (1);
SEEKONK RIVER: almost completely ice free. Birds were very spread out and the huge flock of Canvasbacks were gone...but to where? Great Cormorant (4); Mute Swan (20); Mallard (25); A. Black Duck (64); Bufflehead (120); C. Goldneye (9); Hooded Merganser (16); Common Merganser (10); Red-breasted Merganser (5); Ruddy Duck (99); Red-tailed Hawk (2); Fish Crow (1); A. Robin (42)
SWAN POINT CEMETARY: Coul not find the Screech Owl. Hopefully it is still present, but down in it's hole. Red-bellied Woodpecker (1); N. Flicker (2); Carolina Wren (2); Winter Wren (1); Ruby-crowned Kinglet (1); A. Robin (11); Dark-eyed Junco (110);
JAMES V. TURNER RESERVOIR (E. Providence). Still very frozen, but one small patch of open water persists. Here, where (amazingly) duck feeding is allowed apparently, there was crammed: Canada Goose (147); Mallard (154); A. Black Duck (3); Common Merganser (2); A. Coot (22); Plus numerous gulls of the common three species.
We then went off the grid into Providence Harbor: eastern shore, JUST south of where the Corridor ends. We wanted to see if the 1500+ Canvasbacks that had been up-river had moved here. No luck,but did tally in just a very few stops: Common Loon (1); Horned Grebe (22); Mute Swan (324: I would love to know what the total swan population of RI actually is. All these birds were just in the upper reaches of Providence Harbor); Canada Goose (259); Mallard (122); A. Black Duck (86); A. Wigeon (34); Gadwall (2); Canvasback (40: this is the same group that has been at Watchemoket Cove); Greater Scaup (5164); Bufflehead (147); C. Goldeneye (623); Hooded Merganser (8); Red-breasted Merganser (723); Bonaparte's Gull (45); MONK PARAKEET (20: we then went a bit further south to Bullock's Point, just south of East Providence. Driving around this area, with no great searching, we found several nests and saw birds in the nests, on the road (they did not even flush when cars drove by), they went on people's roofs and were at feeders...and they were noisy. The 20 is a low ball estimate as birds were moving all around. Most birds were around the nests on Channing St and Clifton St.) (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

1/27/01 -- River Road, West Boylston

A good group gathered at River Road, West Boylston to look at gulls this evening. The water is rapidly freezing up as the MDC have ceased to let the warmer water in upstream, SO this is probably the end of the gull show for awhile. Sheila and I actually counted gulls as they came in: Ring-billed Gull (7: when of the questions brought up by several people was: where do the city Ring-billeds go? There must be several hundreds, but they are not roosting at Wachusett); Mallard (4); A. Black Duck (4); Common Merganser (2 flybys); Herring Gull (642); ICELAND GULL (1 1stW); Great Black-backed Gull (114). (report from Mark Lynch).

1/24/01 -- River Road, West Boylston

Fran McMenemy reports that the winter gull show has now begun at River Road in West Boylston. There are about 800 gulls that put in between 4:00 and 5:00 pm. The past two nights (1/23 and 1/24) there have been two good birds: a 1st year Iceland Gull and an adult Glaucous Gull. Directions: from I-190, take exit 5, onto 140 south. Go downhill until you get to the bridge where 140 makes a left turn. River road is just beyond this intersection. (report from Fran McMenemy).

1/23/01 -- Gardner Airport, Gardner

This morning at Gardner Airport there was a flock of 42 snow buntings. (report from Chuck Caron).

1/23/01 -- Park/Salisbury area, Worcester

The Cooper's Hawk [see 1/15 report] just took yet another Rock Dove. At what point do (1) the Rock Doves wise up and stop coming to my feeder or (2) I run out of Rock Doves. Only about 15 at the maximum have been coming to the feeder. (report from Mark Lynch).

1/22/01 -- Rowley Hill, Sterling

After the recent snow, my feeder junco count went from 30 to 60 birds. A song sparrow and a tree sparrow were new arrivals after the storm. I saw fisher tracks for the first time this season on my daily crosscountry ski route. (report from Richard Spedding).

1/21/01 -- city of Worcester

We made a few stops in the afternoon (after we shoveled ourselves out) in the city and had the following: Mallard (140: behind Notre Dame Cemetary; 80 in Tatnuck Brook in very little open water on the south side); A. Black Duck (40: behind Notre Dame Cemetary); Cooper's Hawk (1 ad. took a pigeon in my back yard again. It was flushed off the bloody carcass, but returned later and flew off with it); Red-tailed Hawk (7 seen throughout); Peregrine Falcon (seen this time atop the Phone Co. microwave tower); A. Crow (600+ Worcester Landfill; 400+ Worcester Airport; 250+ downtown); FISH CROW (1 heard calling repeatedly at landfill. I am positive this species comes up the Blackstone Corridor as they are common at the southern terminus); Horned Lark (4: landfill).
Later we headed out to River Road, West Boylston (Wachuset Reservoir) to see if gulls were gathering. We saw no gulls at South Bay, no gulls from the causeway; and there were only a few gulls at River Road. We left just before 5 PM, which may have been too early: Ring-billed Gull (4); Herring Gull (48); Great Black-backed Gull (37). Hopefully gulls will start roosting here at some point again. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

1/20/01 -- Broad Meadow Brook Sanctuary, Worcester

I recorded the following highlights on two days of following up on a report of a possible Dickcissel (no luck) at the Broad Meadow Brook Wildlife Sanctuary (Worcester):
1/18/01: American Tree Sparrow (8); Song Sparrow (1); RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD (15); BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD (8).
1/20/01: Mallard (3); Carolina Wren (3); American Robin (8); American Tree Sparrow (30); White-throated Sparrow (2); American Robin (24). (report from John Liller).

1/19/01 -- Downtown Worcester

I have finally gotten a good look at the Peregrine Falcon as he sits on top of the letter A in the Flagship Bank sign (facing the Common). He has been sitting there for quite a while now (it is now 12:40p.m.). I just wanted to comment on the bird's right eye (the right eye as he sits with his back toward me). With my binocs 8.5X44, in the dim lighting of this snowy/rainy day, the right eye looks okay to me. (report from Jo-Ann Ferrie).

1/19/01 -- Still River Road, Harvard

A quick drive down Still River Road in Harvard this morning yielded a nice variety of birds highlighted by a northern shrike, 2 bluebirds, a robin and 2 red-tailed hawks. (report from Chuck Caron).

1/17/01 -- Institute Park, Worcester

Noontime birds included 1 Great Blue Heron, 8 Hooded Mergansers (4m, 4f), 2 Common Mergansers (both m), and 2 Red-tailed Hawks (behavior sugggests a mated pair). (report from Rick Quimby).

1/16/01 -- Rowley Hill, Sterling

On a cross country ski trip along the western side of Rowley Hill, I saw 3 ruffed grouse, 6 robins and 7 bluebirds. I also had a snowshoe hare run across my tracks only 10 feet from me. He appeared larger than a cottontail; his big feet easily kept him on top of the powder snow; his fur was not pure white, but rather the color of old snow, a kind of salt and pepper color. I wonder if he wasn't being pursued; coyote tracks were present in the area. He hopped around in clear view for about 3 minutes, reminding me of hare behaviors I'd seen in England. (report from Richard Spedding).

1/15/01 -- Park/Salisbury area, Worcester

The huge, probably female Cooper's Hawk is once again perched in my back yard this morning, showing very little interest in the sparrows, but waiting for a dove or pigeon to put in. (report from Mark Lynch).

1/15/01 -- Brimfield

As I type this [late morning], I'm looking at a flock of well over 100 blackbirds under my feeders (around 80 redwings and more than 30 cowbirds --both of those guaranteed undercounts). In 28 years of watching from this location, I've never had anything like this in January, nor even before late February. (report from John Worrell).

1/14/01 -- Lake Quinsigamond, downtown Worcester, Wachusett Reservoir

Fran McMenemy and I enjoyed theese highlights this afternoon: Lake Qinsigamond - 11 American Coot
Downtown Worcester - 1 Peregrine Falcon
Thomas Basin (Wachusett Reservoir, West Boylston) - 5 Common Mergansers
Wachusett Reservoir (Gate 23) - 2 Golden-crowned Kinglets, 8 Common Mergansers, 1 Iceland Gull, 1 Glaucous Gull and 1 Bald Eagle (adult). The eagle was perched most of the time near Davenport Point but chased a hawk that was spotted sitting on the ice around 4:30 p.m. We weren't able to positively identify the hawk.
The gulls appear to be staying for the evening at the reservoir even though there is very little open water. All 3 species of the common local gulls were present in large numbers. We entered from Gate 22 and took the first left path that goes by the pump. This brings you closer to the open water than going straight from Gate 22 and provides better looks. The white-winged gulls were easily identified.
On Friday (1/12), Fran and I participated in the statewide eagle count. We observed 1 immature eagle at 4:16 p.m. in the same vicinity where the gulls are congregating. (report from Joan Zumpfe).

1/14/01 -- Providence Harbor

Despite both of us being in pain from recent injuries, we headed to do a bit of birding to RI. At the terminus of the Blackstone Corridor, at India Point in Providence, ducks were much fewer in number than last week. Possibly, this was because the uper harbor itself had several boats of duck hunters buzzing about. We had for our Blackstone Year List: Common Loon (1); Great Cormorant (4); Mute Swan (10); Mallard (29); Greater Scaup (3); Bufflehead (5); C. Goldeneye (1); Hooded Merganser (10: up near Two Islands); Common Merganser (23); Red-breasted Merganser (4); Cooper's Hawk (1 imm); Bonaparte's Gull (2: new for us for this year's Blackstone list); There was also a good line of 50+ decoys visible further out in the harbor.
We then continued south a bit intending to only do nearby Watchemoket Cove, but ended up birding a bit of Upper Providence Harbor (NOT in the Blackstone Corridor per se, but damn close to it). We went as far south as Beach Road in East Providence, as as far south as the RIYC in Cranston on the western shore. Both areas are almost across from each other. Despite the aforementioned duck hunters, waterfowl numbers were pretty good. Horned Grebe (43); Great Blue Heron (1); Mute Swan (454: this is insane); Canada Goose (787); Mallard (76); A. Black Duck (146); Gadwall (11); American Wigeon (462: I bet the wigeon that are seen in fall migration in Worcester ponds, follow the Blackstone down and winter here); EURASIAN WIGEON (1m seen closely from Still House Cove in Cranston. At one point, a bunch of wigeon joined the big scaup flock including the Eurasian) Canvasback (32); Greater Scaup (2500+, most in one huge flock that broke up, rejoined and flew back and forth. One bird in the flock was a hybrid between a drake Greater Scaup and what looked like perhaps a Goldeneye. It had a scaup head, but two broad wing patches visible at rest on a pretty overall gray body. Pretty strange looking bird.); Bufflehead (159); Common Goldeneye (207); Hooded Merganser (13); Red-breasted Merganser (241); Bonaparte's Gull (151); C. Black Headed Gull (1 adW). I have a feeling once the hunting lets up, ducks will really build up here. As we headed for home, the Peregrine Falcon was sitting on the corner of the (former) Mechanics Bank Building in downtown Worcester. (report from Mark Lynch).

1/14/01 -- Brimfield

Yesterday morning 33 robins showed up in the trees around my place in Brimfield, despite a full foot of snowcover. They hung around for a half hour or more before departing en masse. Today (1-14) there were 19 redwing blackbirds around my feeders. This is the third consecutive morning that at least a half-dozen redwings have appeared. Both the robins and redwings had been absent from our area for about two months prior to these appearances, and it is at least a month earlier than they have shown up here in recent years. (report from John Worrell).

1/14/01 -- Lake Quinsigamond, downtown Worcester

Totals: Canada Goose (2); Mallard (about 200); American Black Duck (8); American Coot (5); Cooper's Hawk (1); Peregrine Falcon (1).
After checking the small area of open water at Lake Quinsigamond across from Maronis Park (the first 4 species plus the 3 common gull species; the Cooper's was perched across the street from the parking lot), I headed donwtown to look for the Peregrine Falcon. It was perched on the very top of City Hall. I scoped it for about 5 minutes before it dove, scattering the pigeons in a frenzy. I could not refind it. (report from John Liller).

1/14/01 -- Downtown Worcester

As we drove north on Rt. 290 we saw a pair of Red=tails soaring over the city. As we exited at Rt. 9 waiting to take a left onto Belmont St.; we saw a beautiful male Kestrel perched on a highway light. We headed down Belmont St. and of course once again stopped in traffic. This time it was the Peregrine perched on top of the United Congretional Church. Quite a nice raptor show for a few minutes in the city (report from Dan,Debbie, & Danny Berard).

1/13/01 -- Hager Pond, Marlboro

One lunch time this past week I checked out Hager Pond in Marlboro (eastbound side of Rt. 20 just before the Sudbury line) which is next door to where I work. This pond has a year round population of Mallards, Canada geese, domestic geese and various funky hybrids. But it attracts some good migrants spring and fall, and because it never completely freezes in the winter it is a good spot to check. Here's the tally:
Mute Swan 23; Canada Goose 57; American Black Duck 8; Mallard 150 (at least); Northern Pintail 11; Ring-necked Duck 3; Common Merganser 1; Ring-billed Gull 93; Herring Gull 85; Great Black-backed Gull 11. (report from Simon Hennin).

1/12/01 -- Gate 43 Quabbin

Simon Perkins e-mailed me to report what his crew (which included Wayne Peterson, Ron Wolanin and Andrea Jones et al) got during the state eagle survey at Quabbin on 1-12. His team spent all their time in Gate 43 both at the Shaft 12/Baffle Dams area and at the boat launch area. Birds that Simon reported included: Bald Eagle (4ad+2 second yr+ 1 first yr); GOLDEN EAGLE (1ad, from boat ramp. I am glad Simon turned this up after it was missed on the Quabbin CBC); Red-shouldered Hawk (1); C. BLACK-HEADED GULL (1 adW seen mostly from Shaft 12.); Common Raven (6); Northern Shrike (1). Simon also reported seeing, at a distance, several flocks of small finches he believes could have been Redpolls, but he cannot be certain because of the views. (report from Mark Lynch).

1/12/01 -- Westboro

Steve Arena just moved to Westboro and he just called to say that he has an adult male Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker coming to his feeder. (report from Mark Lynch).

1/11/01 -- Park/Salisbury area, Worcester

This morning as I was carrying a trash bag out in my back yard, I was startled to have a rather small (male?) Sharpie actively pursue sparrows (White-throats and juncos) all around me while I stood there. The bird came tearing around the side of the house, the sparrows made a bee-line for the nearest dense small bushes and the Sharpie made one swing into one of the bushes, at which point about 30-40 sparrows could be seen exiting pell mell from a conifer bush the size of a large wombat. Quite a sight in and of itself. The Sharpie vainly pursued one of these, missed and then perched at eye level about 15 feet away from me while I stood there dumbly still with my yellow trash bag. Here it remained for a minute of two, actively looking around, seemingly oblivious to my presence, then madly took off into another bush, singled out a fleeing White-throat and caught it as it went around the corner. It always amazes me how fearless accipiters are, especially when in the pursuit of prey.
Just now (1:35), Sheila came and told me a hawk was perched in the front of the house. This time it is a HUGE (female?) adult Cooper's Hawk looking about the size of a Broad-winged Hawk. This bird has been about the feeder lately, taking Rock Doves and Mourning Doves, usually leaving behind a pile of feathers and blood. I can literally watch the Coop as I type this. Undoubtably it is waiting for some unsuspecting dove to wander by. Or, digesting a recent meal. Since we moved in here a few years ago, both species of accipiters have been regular (and welcomed) visitors to our feeding area in the winter. (report from Mark Lynch).

1/9/01 -- Institute Park, Worcester

Noontime highlights included 1 Great Blue Heron, 2 Common Mergansers (both m), and 20+ Cedar Waxwings. (report from Rick Quimby).

1/7/01 -- Rowley Hill, Sterling

A Coopers hawk has been taking mourning doves from the area near my feeders. The 4 meadowlarks reported about a week ago, were seen again on the shoulder of South Nelson Road, at the base of Rowley Hill. (report from Richard Spedding).

1/7/01 -- Gardner , Ashburham and Rindge NH

I spent a few hours this morning doing some random back road birding in Ashburham and little in Rindge NH. In Ashburnham 12 Purple Finches , at least 1 Pine Siskin and 1 female White-winged Crossbill (off rte 119 at the base of Mt. Watatic). While in Rindge a Ruffed Grouse , 50+ Am. goldfinches and a minimum of 3 Pine Siskins , 5 White Throated Spparrows were hilites. Hilites for making a few quick stops near Lake Wompanoag in Gardner were 2 hairy Woodpecker , a Ruffed Grouse and 6 Pine Siskins. (report from Tom Pirro).

1/7/01 -- Tatnuck Square, Worcester

From my back deck at noon today I had a Kestrel at the top of the same spruce off Tatnuck Square where I had a Merlin in December. It sat for 3 or 4 minutes, long enough for me to get it in my scope, then dropped down and headed off towards the square. Tres cool. (report from Howard Shainheit).

1/7/01 -- Blackstone Corridor: Worc. County section

We explored several areas of the Blackstone Corridor in Worcester County today, starting with the city. All of the city of Worcester is part of the "Corridor".
WORCESTER AIRPORT: Wild Turkey (9 high in vines eating Bittersweet. Overall, the food crop this year is poor); Horned Lark (5: rental car parking area); Cedar Waxwing (6); Snow Bunting (1 with larks);
NOTRE DAME CEMETERY Canada Goose (33 on ice); Mallard (127); A. Black Duck (13); Red-tailed Hawk (1); Dark-eyed Junco (30+); Red-winged Blackbird (3);
Then we followed the Blackstone River proper from Millbury to Blackstone. The river is actually rather small at this point. There are also numerous waterfalls and rills (which is what made this river so attractive to mill builders during the Industrial Revolution. Indeed, the first mill built during the INdustrial Revolution was along the Blackstone in RI). Many spots of the river were also frozen, but we managed to tally in just a few stops: Canada Goose (88); Wood Duck (1m+1f); Mallard (805); A. Black Duck (50); Gadwall (2f); N. Pintail (1m); Hooded Merganser (17); Common Merganser (19); Red-tailed Hawk (6); Belted Kingfisher (1); RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET (1 working along the Mallard hang out in the Blackstone behind the market in Millbury. VERY uncommon in the county in winter).
On the way home, we found the Worcester Peregrine Falcon perched atop the microwave towers atop the (now) Verizon building on Chestnut Street. This used to be the Bell-Atlantic building. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

1/6/01 -- lower Blackstone Corridor , RI

Continuing our exploration of the Blackstone River Corridor that runs from the city of Worcester to the city of Providence, we started today at the terminus of the corridor: India Point in Providence. Here, the Seekonk River (nee Blackstone) finally flows into Providence Harbor. There is a nice park, India Point Park, that allows good views of this cul-de-sac of the harbor and the mouth of the river.
INDIA POINT PARK: Great Cormorant (17); Great Blue Heron (1); Mute Swan (8); Mallard (25); A. Black Duck (45); American Wigeon (37); Gadwall (2); Greater Scaup (250+); Canvasback (20+); Bufflehead (10); C. Goldeneye (8); Hooded Merganser (21: up in the river proper); Common Merganser (10); Red-breasted Merganser (69); Sharp-shinned Hawk (1 imm); Red-tailed Hawk (1); Belted Kingfisher (2);
WATCHEMOKET COVE: NOT part of the corridor, but really JUST south in E. Providence, easy walking distance from the mouth of the river. Mute Swan (164: obscene); Canada Goose (274 and a nice (?) array of domestic geese too); Mallard (42); A. Black Duck (90); A. Wigeon (66: likely looking place for a Euro Wigeon); Canvasback (40); Bufflehead (6); C. Goldeneye (12); Hooded Merganser (5); Bonaprate's Gull (14); C. BLACK-HEADED GULL (1 adW: This very co-operative bird put down on both sides of the cove offering excellent views. Try as we might, we could not see either species of gulls from back at India Point, though we tried so we could get them on our Blackstone List! Damn!);
SEEKONK RIVER (north of Henderson Bridge, most waterfowl seen from Swan Point Cemetery); Great Blue Heron (1); Canada Goose (12); Mallard (17); A. Black Duck (87); Canvasback (684: these birds are on the shore near the wastewater treatment plant, best scoped from Swan Point Cemetery); Bufflehead (43); C. Goldeneye (21); Hooded Merganser (16); Common Merganser (32); Red-breasted Merganser (1); Ruddy Duck (40); Red-tailed Hawk (3); A. Coot (6); E. Screech Owl (1 red-phase continues at the cemetary. Nice bird. RI birders have informed me that this is the same tree where a gray phase appeared years ago); Fish Crow (2); Brown Creeper (2); Winter Wren (1); A. Robin (60+);
JAMES TURNER RESERVOIR, E. PROVIDENCE: only a small area of water still open, but it was jammed with ducks and gulls. Duck feeding goes on here. Canada Goose (116); Mallard (143); A. Black Duck (6); Canvasback (38); Lesser Scaup (13); Ruddy Duck (4); A. Coot (32); Despite a thorough search, all the gulls appeared to be of the 3 common varieties.
Back in the city of Worcester, but still in the Blackstone Corridor:
FLINT POND (Worc./Shrewsbury):tiny bit of water open near state boat lauch off Rt. 20: Mallard (48); A. Black Duck (2); N. Pintail (1m: good bird for county in winter);
LAKE QUINSIGAMOND (all birds seen from behind Maronis Park in the only tiny bit of open water. The guy in the yellow house on the Worc. side was seen feeding the ducks: what chaos!! Double-crested Cormorant (1 imm); Canada Goose (28); Mallard (190); A. Black Duck (12); Canvasback (1m: good bird for the city); Ring-necked Duck (1m under Rt. 9 bridge); A. Coot (14);
As we got home, the local A. Crow roost of 400+ birds flew low over our house. BTW: thanks to the RI birders who have offered information and advice!!! (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

1/6/01 -- Broad Meadow Brook Sanctuary, Worcester

On my monthly Saturday morning bird walk we had 21 species, mostly the usual, including Downy, Hairy, and Red-bellied Woodpeckers. We also had an immature Cooper's Hawk in front of the sancturary building (close to where the Christmas count Cooper's were seen) and on Sprague Lane Trail just before the brook, a clearly seen YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER, thanks to the good eyes of Laurie Patterson of Hudson. If you decide to hunt for it, stand warned: while we watched, the bird flew South off of the Sanctuary. (report from Howard Shainheit).

1/6/01 -- feeder in Oxford

I saw a Carolina wren at my suet feeder in Oxford this morning. It was missing all its tail feathers. I don't know if this is from a moult or a close encounter with a cat. (report from Robert Brady).

1/6/01 -- Tower Hill Botannical Gardens, Boylston

I saw approx. 40 Snow Buntings. It looked like the flock had just put up from one of the fields; I only briefly saw them in flight and was not able to relocate them.
Also, at our feeders at home in Worcester (north side), we had an immature Red-winged Blackbird and 2 Carolina Wrens. (report from Simon Hennin)

1/5/01 -- Winimusett WMA, New Braintree

Highlights from a morning at Winimusett include AMERICAN KESTREL(1m), Northern Flicker(1), Northern Raven(2), NORTHERN SHRIKE(1juv), Winter Wren(5), Eastern Bluebird(4), American Robin(130), Song Sparrow(1), and Swamp Sparrow(1). (report from Chris Buelow)

1/5/01 -- Millbury

A Turkey Vulture was seen at the Mass Pike exit area at 2 PM. (report from Sheila Carroll).

1/4/01 -- Lake Quinsigamond, Shrewsbury

A late afternoon check of Lake Quinsigamond from behind Maronis Park, just past the White City Plaza in Shrewsbury on South Quinsigamond Ave., off route 9 yielded the following: Mute Swan 2 (1A, 1I); Canvasback 1 Drake; Greater Scaup 1 Drake; American Coot 7; Iceland Gull 1.
The following species recently seen here in the past week were not seen today: Gadwall, Green-winged Teal, Northern Pintail, Hooded or Common Merganser. There is a very small area of open water where a homeowner was feeding the waterfowl around 4 p.m. There were many Canada Geese, Mallards, Black Ducks and common gulls also on the ice and/or in the small piece of opened water.
I noticed on a street map that this area is called 'Sleepy Hollow'. It's actually opposite the bridge at Regatta Point. I didn't stop there but could see a few gulls from the bridge. I also didn't make it down to the southern end of the lake where there may still be Common Goldeneye. (report from Joan Zumpfe).

1/1/01 -- Gardner area

Hilites from few stops around town: Raven 3 at the gardner Airport; Am. Robin 5 near Lake Wompanoag; WW Crossbill 2 near Lake Wompanoag (these were "fly-overs" the last 3 times I've been in the area I've seen and heard WWXbills , 12/23 on the Westninster CBC was the only time I've seen them perched ( we had great looks that day as a pair fed in spruces). So... there appears to be at least a few in the area but getting a respectable view could be a challenge.)
I looked again for the Gray Catbird that was in the area on CBC day but I could not find it. This bird did not appear to be quite 100% (well) on count day (12/23) so it could be in a "better place" now. (report from Tom Pirro).

1/1/01 -- Rowley Hill, Sterling

Birds of interest were 1 great horned owl, 1 Coopers hawk, 1 flicker, 8 golden-crowned kinglets and 20 robins. (report from Richard Spedding).

1/1/01 -- Blackstone River Corridor

Sheila and I hit a FEW spots along the Blackstone River Corridor (this year we are going for a Blackstone Big Year) that stretches from the city of Worcester to the city of Providence/E. Providence. It was interesting to note the different effects the storm had had on the two cities: Worcester had about a foot plus of just snow, Providence had a bit snow but LOTS of ice. Traveling north from Providence to Worcester along Rt. 122, well south of Woonsocket you really begin to notice the car climbing as you go from the coastal plain to the hills of Worcester County. Indeed, the Blackstone River was famous during the Industrial Revolution for its many falls, which then hosted many mills. Highlights, with only a few stops mentioned:

RHODE ISLAND:
JAMES TURNER RESERVOIR: mostly frozen, but the few open spots were jammed with waterfowl. Canada Goose (230); Mallard (461); A. Black Duck (6); Greater Scaup (2); Lesser Scaup (2); Canvasback (230: mostly drakes); Hooded Merganser (3); Ruddy Duck (8); A. Coot (37);
SEEKONK RIVER: Mostly frozen, but a nice concentration of waterfowl at the base of the wastewater treatment plant): Canada Goose (410); Mallard (100+); A. Black Duck (222); Canvasback (c.500+: jammed together); C. Goldeneye (38); Bufflehead (78); Common Merganser (3); Red-tailed Hawk (1); Belted Kingfisher (2);
SWAN POINT CEMETARY: beautiful park cemetary on the banks of the Seekonk that rivals Mt. Auburn. Red-bellied Woodpecker (1); Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (1); E. Screech Owl (1 very co-operative red ph. sunning itself); Fish Crow (1); A. Robin (120++); Yellow-rumped Warbler (1)

MASSACHUSETTS:
UXBRIDGE: just a very few spots. Saw teams from the Uxbridge CBC furiously counting. Canada Goose (186); Wood Duck (1m+1f); Mallard (23); A. Black Duck (34); Common Merganser (3); Belted Kingfisher (1); At one small wet seep along River Rd. were (60) juncos, (7) Song Sparrows, (5) Tree Sparrows and (20) goldfinches.
NORTHBRIDGE SEWER BEDS: Mallard (8); A. Black Duck (6); Virginia Rail (1); C. Snipe (4); Winter Wren (1); E. Bluebird (6); Swamp Sparrow (1); Song Sparrow (27); White-throated Sparrow (12); Elsewhere along the Blackstone in Northbridge a Great Blue Heron.
L. QUINSIGAMOND, CITY OF WORCESTER: Double Crested Cormorant (1 imm); Mute Swan (5); Canada Goose (45); Green-winged Teal (1m); Mallard (247); A. Black Duck (12); Gadwall (1f); Ring-necked Duck (2); Hooded Merganser (5); Common Merganser (1); Sharp-shinned Hawk (1. Note, in the snow at Maronis park was the perfect impression of the wings of presumably this hawk catching some small bird); Iceland Gull (1 1stW, most often seen at north end of lake)
DOWNTOWN WORCESTER: Peregrine Falcon (1ad chasing resident Red-tailed Hawk -- While watching the Peregrine atop the old Mechanics Bank building, we were struck by the observation that the bird's right eye looked strange. Now this could have been a factor of the later afternoon light, odd moulting or the bird could have an injured or diseased right eye. Hopefully it was just the lighting, but other observers are asked to look for this and report here on what they find)
NOTE BENE: We bumped into the Forbush Bird Club at L. Quinsigamond, and Bart Kamp informed us that apparently the TUFTED DUCK has left the reservoir as both he and Fran McMenemy thoroughly checked the area last week. Hopefully it will return next fall. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

1/1/01 -- Worcester New Year's Day Highlights

The Forbush Bird Club held it's annual New Year's Day city of Worcester trip which began at noon. Highlights were: Double-crested Cormorant, Mute Swan and Iceland Gull (North Lake Quinsigamond near Lincoln Street Bridge
Gadwall, Canvasback, Ring-necked Duck, Hooded and Common Merganser and American Coot near Rte. 9 bridge on Lake Quinsigamond
Greater Scaup, Common Merganser and Common Goldeneye at southern end of Lake Quinsigamond, looking from Bridle Path off Lake Ave
Great Blue Heron, Hooded Merganser and Belted Kingfisher at Institute Park
Peregrine Falcon on Mechanic's Building in downtown Worcester
Six Red-tailed Hawks were seen in various parts of the city, one was seen being chased by the Peregrine.
Turkey tracks were seen in the snow at Worcester Airport, but no actual turkeys. On Friday, 12/29/00, David Bigwood had seen 28 Turkeys.
The 3 common species of gulls were seen as well as Canada Geese, but very few land birds were seen or heard.
Another unusual sighting was a man taking a dip into Lake Quinsigamond. He didn't stay in very long. (report from Joan Zumpfe).

1/1/01 -- Holden

I got a call from Bill Rasku at 10:00 this morning. He had a Red Shouldered Hawk perched in his yard. It was there for about a half an hour. It flew to a neighbor's yard after we approached it too closely. Great yard bird and a nice bird to start the 2001 list. (report from Kathy Mills).

For previous sightings, see December 2000 Archives or Archive Index