January 2002 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.

1/30/02 -- Louisa Lake, Milford

Joan Zumpfe and I went to Milford to see the Black-headed Gull this morning. The bird was very easy to find. When we pulled in to the Louisa Lake parking lot, the bird was 20 ft. away on the grass. The easiest way to get to Louisa Lake from Worcester is to go South on Rt. 495, to Rt. 85, (exit 20). Go South on Rt. 85 to the traffic lights, (about half a mile). At the lights, go right on to Dilla St. About 2 miles on Dilla St., on the right side of the road, just before Dilla St. intersects with Purchase St., will be the Louisa Lake parking lot. (report from Fran McMenemy).

1/29/02 -- Worcester/Wachusett Reservoir

WORCESTER (downtown): Peregrine Falcon (1 - perched on City Hall)
WACHUSETT RESERVOIR (Gate 25): Common Loon (1); CANVASBACK (1 male); Ring-necked Duck (2); Greater Scaup (20); TUFTED DUCK (1 - having a bad "hair" day); Common Merganser (10)
WACHUSETT RESERVOIR (South Bay): Common Loon (1); Great Cormorant (1); Ring-billed Gull (1900); Herring Gull (100); ICELAND GULL (1); Great Black-backed Gull (6); Belted Kingfisher (1). (report from John Liller).

1/29/02 -- Louisa Lake, Milford

Dick Hildreth called to tell me that Lyn Lovell had seen a small gull in with the Ring-billed Gulls at Louisa Lake in Milford. Dick checked it out today and found that it was a first winter BLACK-HEADED GULL.
At the Wach. Res. this evening there was no sign of the Gaucous Gull but there were at least three 2nd winter Iceland Gulls among the 6000 plus gull present on the reservoir. (report from Fran McMenemy).

1/28/02 -- Wachusett Reservoir, West Boylston

After 3:30 PM this afternoon amongst the water birds at Wachusett Reservoir seen from the route 140/12 causeway in West Boylston was 1 RED-THROATED LOON. In South Bay along route 140 in Boylston amongst more than 6,000 gulls was 1 adult GLAUCOUS GULL. An estimated 3,000 mostly Ring-billed gulls were on the ice near route 140. In the water out near the Cormorant raft were another 3,000 gulls. At 5:00 PM when I left 100's of gulls were still streaming in from all points on the compass. Also the gulls close to route 140 began flying out towards the area of the raft. (report from Bart Kamp).

1/28/02 -- Rt. 140, West Boylston

Around 11:45 a.m., a gorgeous Red-tailed hawk was sitting in a dead tree on Rt. 140 by the old landfill and just watching the traffic. After a few minutes, it flew off towards Wachusett Reservoir. A minute or two later, driving South on 140, I was parallel with the bird as it flew over the water. It then landed in a stand of pines overlooking the reservoir just over the Boylston town line. (Report from Steve Olson)

1/27/02 -- Wachusett Reservoir, West Boylston

After a day of birding the Blackstone National Corridor (see below) we headed to Wachusett Reservoir to see what gulls were coming in to roost the afternoon.
GATE 25: Common Loon (2); Greater Scaup (12: this flock is getting smaller); TUFTED DUCK (1m: great views from under the power lines. The flock of scaup with the Tufted were a bit nervous and were seen flying all around this part of the reservoir, resettling for just a bit, then taking off again. Perhaps the eagle was around or they were getting "migratory restlessness"); Common Merganser (5); Nota bene: while there we saw one birder scoping from the Rt. 12 causeway. Not only is this dangerous because cars speed along here, your views are not that great. Just south of the causeway and before the railroad overpass you will see a pulloff for a few cars and a gate labeled "25". Birders should walk in here and down the narrow but well worn path to under the power line tower right next tot he water. If the birds are here you will get great views.
RIVER ROAD: Pied-billed Grebe (2); Canada Goose (1); Mallard (21); A. Black Duck (2); Ring-necked Duck (99); Hooded Merganser (26); Gulls: in the last few days, Bart Kamp has noted several thousands of gulls here in the afternoon, that then leave by 5 PM to the main body of the reservoir. With the high temps, there is just a little ice for them to rest on off River Road, and consequently we found only a few gulls here. To whit: Ring-billed (66), Herring (30), Great-balck Backed (11). So, we headed over to South Bay. Here there were many more gulls by 4PM, and more coming all the time. Further out in the reservoir and only dimly visible through the heat haze coming off the water, were another several hundred gulls around the baffles. Counting the close gulls at South Bay, we found: Ring-billed (330), Herring (142), Great Black-backed (2) and ICELAND GULL (1 2W: always a beautiful bird in Worcester County). We then headed back to River Road to see if any more gulls had put in, and the few gulls there left and looked to be headed to South Bay. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

1/27/02 -- Blackstone Corridor

We first headed to Whitin Pond in Northbridge in hopes of seeing the Bald Eagle that had been there the last few days. Throughout the day, we tried three times, morning and afternoon, and had no luck, but elsewhere in Northbridge (but NOT at the sewer beds) we had: Canada Goose (254); Mallard (39); A. Black Duck (18); N. Pintail (2m+1f); Ring-necked Duck (14); Common Merganser (9); Red-tailed Hawk (2); Red-bellied Woodpecker (2); N. Flicker (2); Pileated Woodpecker (1: this species is VERY local and very uncommon-rare throughout the Corridor); Carolina Wren (2); American Robin (31); Tree Sparrow (10+); Song Sparrow (6); White-throated Sparrow (60+); Dark-eyed Junco (55+); House Finch (30+); Pine Siskin (3); Common Redpoll (1 flock of 75+); Nota bene: we have had really good numbers of sparrows, robins and other landbirds in the fields along the dead end Castle Hill Road. These fields look, and are, amazingly productive for landbirds. BUT: we have only birded them from the road. Does anybody know the status of these fields? Are they private property or public land? Are they in danger of going the way of the developer? They certainly host huge numbers of birds. Please e-mail me directly.
In DOUGLAS, en route to Burrillville we had Mallard (9), A. Black Duck (18), Red-tailed Hawk (1), Carolina Wren (1), A. Robin (15) and a flock of 26 House Finches "gritting". BTW: Lake Wallum is now ice covered, though it is very thin ice.
In Burrillville, Rhode Island we found mostly the typical landbirds, though we did see a pair of Brown Creepers looking like they were exploring potential nest sites at Buck Hill. Also: Red-tailed Hawk (1), Golden-crowned Kinglet (6).
In GLOCESTER we found small edges of open water and had Mallard (19), A. Black Duck (11), Hooded Merganser (13), Common Merganser (4), Red-taield Hawk (2), Eastern Bluebird (3).
On the way home on Rt. 146 Millbury we had a Turkey Vulture. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

1/25/02 -- Gate 17 Wachusett Reservoir, Boylston

This morning I observed an immature Bald Eagle land on the shore and proceed to walk into the water. I watched it bathe itself for about 10 minutes. It would stick it's head under the water and then lift it up and shake it's wings. It would look around and then do it again. Finally it flew up to a pine tree and perched, most likely to dry off. (report from Peter Morlock).

1/25/02 -- Barre Landfill, Barre

This morning at about 9:00 AM I found both a Lesser Black-backed Gull and a first year Iceland Gull among the 200 or so gulls perched on the ice covering the pond next to the Barre landfill on Route 122. By 9:30 AM many of the gulls including the Iceland Gull had left the ice. (report from Bob Ricci)

1/25/02 --Wachusett Reservoir, Clinton

Today I saw a mature Bald Eagle at Wachusett Reservoir near the Dam on Route 70. (report from Kenneth Perry)

1/25/02 -- Meadow Pond, Whitinsville

An immature bald eagle has been hanging around Meadow Pond in Whitinsville since at least 1/22. Another birder reported seeing it pick off one of the numerous Canada geese on the pond. To find Meadow Pond, take 146 South to the "Main St., Whitinsville" exit, then take a left off the ramp. Stay on this road for a mile or so. The first body of water you'll see (to your left) is Meadow Pond. The eagle has been perching in some dead trees on the left side of the pond. (report from Mary Sughrue-Yacino).

1/24/02 -- Institute Park, Worcester

A noontime walk yielded 18 species, including 2 Great Blue Heron, 44 Hooded Merganser, 15 Common Merganser (4 flew off while I watched), 1 Cooper's Hawk (adult, with full crop, flying low over pond), and 1 Red-tailed Hawk (adult, perched on shore near football field). (report from Rick Quimby).

1/23/02 -- River Rd., West Boylston

Amongst an estimated 4,000 gulls at River Rd. in West Boylston late this afternoon was 1 first year Iceland Gull. Starting at about 5:00 the gulls and ducks began to leave the area. They headed east. By 5:20 ALL of the gulls were gone. At 5:25 the large flock of Ring-necked Ducks reported earlier by Fran McMenemy flew off and not a single duck was left. Apparently both gulls and ducks like the big open areas of the reservoir to spend the night. (report from Bart Kamp).

1/23/02 -- Barre Landfill, Barre

Amongst the more than 650 gulls on the pond next to the Barre landfill this morning was 1 third year Lesser Black-backed Gull. The best time to view the gulls is between 9:00 AM and 10:30 AM. (report from Bart Kamp).

1/23/02 -- Gardner

I saw the following on a few quick stops on the way to work today in gardner: Am. Kestrel 1 an Adult male @ Mount Wachusett Community College; Pine Grosbeak 8 imm/fem. types feeding in a crabapple tree along Eaton Street, they've working this tree for a few weeks now. The small open patch of water on Crystal lake has frozen leaving the lake vacant of Gull and Waterfowl today. (report from Tom Pirro).

1/22/02 -- Wachusett Reservoir, West Boylston

At the Wach. Res. today about 11:00 a.m. the scaup and the Tufted Duck were not visible from under the power lines. Later I was able to locate them South along the shore line towards gate 22. By 1:00 p.m. they had returned to their regular area at gate 25. The make-up of the scaup in this flock has remained constant since the first of the year. It consists of 22 Greater Scaup (13 males, 9 females) and 2 Lesser Scaup (both young males). In the Thomas Basin section of the reservoir the ice shelf has begun to form and it is attracting a large number of gulls in the afternoon. By 3:00 p.m. today over 300 gull had already congregated there. Also in the basin were 21 Hooded Mergansers and 175 Ring-necked Ducks. (report from Fran McMenemy).

1/22/02 -- downtown Worcester

Today at the intersection of Plantation and Franklin Streets I had an adult Peregrine Falcon flying low and fast towards downtown. It was a quick look, but the impression was of a bird with a slighter build; perhaps our local male. (report from Chris Buelow)

1/22/02 -- Sholan Apple Orchard Farm (Heywood Road), Leominster

I cross-country skied through the entire orchard looking for pine grosbeaks, but with no success. I did however see 2 flickers, 1 adult male red-bellied woodpecker and 75 American robins. (report from Richard Spedding).

1/19/01 -- Blackstone National Corridor, RI

We counted birds in just a few areas of the southern part of the Blackstone National Corridor; hunters were out adjacent to India Point on foot and midway up the Seekonk in a huge camo boat, so waterfowl numbers were scattered and low.
SEEKONK RIVER, FROM INDIA POINT (Providence): just about 1.75 miles of very urban river. Great Cormorant (6: low so far numbers this winter); Great Blue Heron (1); Mute Swan (26); Canada Goose (55); A. Wigeon (15); A. Black Duck (107); Mallard (71); C. Goldeneye (12); Bufflehead (62); Hooded Merganser (8); Common Merganser (47); Red-tailed Hawk (4); Peregrine Falcon (1 imm); Bonaparte's Gull (79); Black Headed Gull (1 adW); E. Screech Owl (1 red ph); Red-bellied Woodpecker (2); N. Flicker (1); Fish Crow (1); A. Robin (147); Swamp Sparrow (2)
TURNER RESERVOIR, E. PROVIDENCE: had a nicer selection of waterfowl, though it is disturbing how close to the reservoir the new houses are being built on the eastern shore. There seems to have even been some trimming of brush and trees along the trail to make for a "better view" from these houses.It will be interesting to see how the waterfowl will be impacted once all these houses are occupied. Mute Swan (8); Canada Goose (68); Gadwall (4); A. Wigeon (4); Mallard (161); Canvasback (60); Greater Scaup/"scaup sp." (232); Lesser Scaup (12+); Ring-necked Duck (8); Hooded Merganser (24); Common Merganser (26); Ruddy Duck (101); A. Coot (36); Fish Crow (4). There were good numbers of gulls there too: Ring-billed (205), Herring (329), Great Black-backed (6). A thorough search revealed no other species, so the Lesser Black-backed must have come in after we left.
We checked out the reserviors in CUMBERLAND (extreme NE Rhode Island) on the way home. They were mostly (85-90%) frozen, but we still had: Mute Swan (2); A. Black Duck (27); Ring-necked Duck (40); Hooded Merganser (1); Common Merganser (15).
Driving back up to Worcester along Rt. 146 from Smithfield we had 10 Red-tails and 1 Coop. Returning home, the "house pet" large adult Cooper's was once again in the small ornamental maple that hangs over the feeders. Here it sits, often for hours apparently waiting for a Rock Dove to arrive. It ate everyone of the flock of thirty that were at my feeder this fall...one by one, day by day. Now with no more RoDos, after a bit, it will take a Cardinal or Modo. But still it waits first. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

1/17/02 -- Oxbow NWR, Harvard

This morning before work I saw a Northern Shrike perched at the top of a tree along Still River Road. (report from Peter Morlock).

1/17/02 -- Wachusett Reservoir, West Boylston

I saw the following near the causeway at Wachusett Res. this morning: Common Loon 1; Double-crested Cormerant 1 (appears to have an injured wing); Tufted Duck 1 (sleeping with the Scaup.); Gr. Scaup 22 (looked to be all Greaters to me, but most were sleeping); Hooded Merg. 2; Com. Merg. 2; Belted Kingfisher 1. also several Gulls of the 3 common species ("Ringers", Herring anf Great Blk-backed). (report from Tom Pirro).

1/15/02 -- Upper North Row Rd, Sterling

Yesterday (1/14) we had a Red Bellied Woodpecker feed briefly at our suet feeder. Today, we had a Pileated Woodpecker in the woods right by our house. (report from Stanley Selkow).

1/13/02 -- Buffumville Reservoir, Charlton

An afternoon walk around the reservoir yielded brown creepers and golden-crowned kinglets. (reported by Robert Brady).

1/13/02 -- Lake Quinsigamond, Worcester

On Friday, Jan. 11, Joan Zumpfe an I had a sub-adult Great Cormorant at L. Quinsigamond, just South of the Rt. 9 bridge. I wasn't totally sure of the i.d. then but today the same bird was just North of the Rt. 9 bridge and was positively identified as a Great Cormorant. (report from Fran McMenemy).

1/12/02 -- Royalston Center

I saw 13 species at Royalston Center today. Some of the hilites were: 17 Pine Grosbeaks (on the road, across from the library), 1 Common Redpoll, 35+ Pine Siskins and 5 Evening Grosbeaks. (report from Peter Morlock).

1/12/01 -- Blackstone Corridor /RI section

We checked out some of the ponds and rivers in the Rhode Island section of the Blackstone National Corridor:
WOONSOCKET RESERVOIR, SMITHFIELD: about 60% frozen Canada Goose (163); Mallard (10); C. Goldeneye (4); Hooded Merganser (13); Common Merganser (25); E. Bluebird (4)
MANVILLE CROSSING OF THE BLACKSTONE: Great Blue Heron (1); Canada Goose (1); Mallard (17); A. Black Duck (8)
DIAMOND HILL RESERVOIR, CUMBERLAND: Canada Goose (24); Mallard (2); A. Black Duck (1); Ring-necked Duck (38); Common Goldeneye (4); Common Merganser (36); Red-tailed Hawk (1: relentlessly harassed by crows); PEREGRINE FALCON (1imm buzzed right through); Belted Kingfisher (1); E. Bluebird (5)
INDIA POINT (from the high overlook of the bike path) Pied-billed Grebe (1); Great Blue Heron (1); Mute Swan (16); A. Wigeon (39); Mallard (6); A. Black Duck (4); Hooded Merganser (9); Red-breasted Merganser (8); Red-tailed Hawk (1)
SEEKONK RIVER: at low tide Double-crested Cormorant (2); Great Cormorant (14); Great Blue Heron (2); Mute Swan (9); Canada Goose (153); Gadwall (2); Mallard (64); A. Black Duck (139); Bufflehead (132); C. Goldeneye (16); Hooded Merganser (3); Common Merganser (18); Ring-billed Gull (531); Herring Gull (77); Great Black-backed Gull (26); Bonaparte's Gull (94: amazingly, we had no Bonies in the Seekonk till this late fall. We DID have a few Bonies last winter from India Point); E. Screech Owl (1 red phase that overfilled the cavity, it looked virtually stuffed in, and ready to burst out. Photographed); Fish Crow (5); A. Crow (80+ bathing and drinking); A. Robin (90+ feeding on holly berries)
TURNER RESERVOIR, E. PROVIDENCE: 70% frozen but still the best place for waterfowl fall and winter in the entire Corridor. If you have never birded this spot, TRY IT! Mute Swan (5); Canada Goose (437); Gadwall (6); A. Wigeon (5); Mallard (169); A. Black Duck (6); Canvasback (20); Greater Scaup/"scaup species" (233: of the ones that were not sleeping, the majority were Greaters by far); Lesser Scaup (6+); Bufflehead (1); Hooded Merganser (21); Common Merganser (6); Ruddy Duck (83); A. Coot (37); Ring-billed Gull (672); Herring Gull (71); Great Black-backed Gull (4); We searched and searched for the Greater White-fronted Goose and Iceland Gull that was sene here last weekend, but to no avail. BUT geese and gulls were coming and going all the time.
TEN MILE RIVER, by golf course, virtually a stream at this point: Mallard (80+ being fed out someone's back door);
OLNEY POND, LINCOLN PARK: 85% frozen Canada Goose (6); Wood Duck (4); Mallard (105); A. Black Duck (29)
Nota Bene: We ran into a local at India Point that told us he had a HARBOR SEAL just south of where we were at Watchemoket Cove, in the river, a few weeks back. This would be an incredible mammal to get "for the Corridor". (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

1/11/02 -- Hager Pond, Marlboro

This week I checked on the residents of Hager Pond on Rt. 20 in Marlboro. The pond was approx. 80% frozen but never completely freezes. Amongst the dozens (if not hundreds) of Mallards, domestic water fowl, and funky looking hybrids were the following: Mute Swan 18; Canada Goose 96; Hooded Merganser 1f; Northern Pintail 4 (2m, 2f); American Black Duck 4; Gadwall 1m (my first for this pond); American Coot 2; Ring-billed Gull 60+; Herring Gull 20+; Great Black-backed Gull 1. (report from Simon Hennin).

1/11/02 -- Westminster

Durning the eagle census (zero eagles for me) on Friday I found a Rough-legged Hawk (an imm. dark morph.) perched atop a pine tree on an island (a pelagic!!) at Mare Meadow Resevoir in Westminster, just off the causeway. Other birds of interest were Wild Turkey 116 Templeton (it was quite impressive to watch all these birds fly to roost to the upper level of some tall White Pines); Common Redpolls 20 in gardner; Pine Grosbeaks 63 (gardner 23, Royalston 30, Templeton 10) only 1 ad. male was observed; Pine Siskin ~125-150 Royalston.
I covered bodies of water in Gardner, templeton and Westminster ....then headed off to the western mass. (report from Tom Pirro).

1/10/02 -- Crystal Lake, Gardner

This morning at Crystal lake were: Mallard 10; Herring Gull ~200; Great black-backed Gull 250; Ring-billed Gull a few; Although I was not able to pick out a white-winged Gull, the mix of birds roosting can change on a daily basis...there is still an open patch (a few hundred feet across) water. On Eaton Street there were 12 Pine Grosbeaks feeding in a crab apple tree in the front yard of a private residence. No adults were present. (report from Tom Pirro).

1/9/02 -- Northboro/Westboro ponds and vicinity

From 1:00-3:30 p.m., birds I observed taking advantage of open water were:
On Bartlett Pond, Northboro: Mute Swans 3 (still); Black Duck 2; Mallard 74; American Coot 2
Lake Chauncy in Westboro: Canada Geese 6; Black Duck 1; Ring-necked Ducks 110+/-; Ruddy Ducks 5; Hooded Mergansers 5; Greater Black-Backed Gull 1; Herring Gull 7; Ring-billed Gulls 12;
and finally, on the Juniper Hill Golf Course in Northboro, hanging out with 60 or so Canada Geese is an odd goose. I've seen this bird on and off for a couple of years. Thanks to Sibley's Guide I think I can finally, confidently, ID it as a Greater White Fronted/Canada Goose hybrid...I think. (report from Ann Boover).

1/8/02 -- Wachusett Reservoir, West Boyalston

Highlights from an afternoon include 5 Common Loons, 1 Horned Grebe, 1 Pied-billed Grebe (River Road), 3 Mute Swans, 5 Ring-necked Ducks, 12 Greater Scaup, 1 TUFTED DUCK (still under power lines), 8 Common Goldeneye, 40 Hooded Mergansers, 12 Common Mergansers, 1 juvenile Cooper's Hawk and 2 Belted Kingfishers. (report from Chris Buelow)

1/6/02 -- Wachusett Reservoir, West Boylston

Returning from a great trip to Salisbury and Plum, we hit just a few areas at southern Wachusett Reservoir: South Bay, the causeway area, and River Road, and had the following: Common Loon (3: including 2 young birds at the pond at the intersection of River Rd); Horned Grebe (2); Double-crested Cormorant (1); Canada Goose (86); Mallard (1); A. Black Duck (8); Ring-necked Duck (2); Greater Scaup (24); TUFTED DUCK (1m, best view still from under the power lines by causeway. Hanging with the scaup per usual. Really terrific views. It was nice to see out of state birders coming and seeing this bird); Common Goldeneye (2); Hooded Merganser (19); Sharp-shinned Hawk (2). (report from Mark Lynch).

1/4/02 -- Bolton Flats, Bolton

From 1:00-3:15 p.m. Sunny, cold, slight breeze. I parked in the first parking lot on the right, off Rte. 117, just past Bolton Orchards and walked in the main trail. A Northern Shrike perched up in one of the trees, midway and to the right of the path. I continued to the end of the main path, bearing left and then right, walking toward the river. The corn field was on my left. The Northern Harrier flew over the field to my right and out over the river. I continued walking to the left, keeping the river to my right. Along this trail most of the birding activity was observed. The Rusty Blackbirds flew up from the corn field and landed in a large tree affording me great looks. In the weedy fields on the left, Common Redpolls hung from and fed on the wildflower heads in the fields, along with numbers of American Tree Sparrows.

Northern Harrier, 1; Cooper's Hawk, 1 (Chasing mourning doves); Red-tailed Hawk, 2; Mourning Dove, 110; Hairy Woodpecker, 3; Downy Woodpecker, 6; NORTHERN SHRIKE, 1 (Perched up, good looks); Blue Jay, 3; American Crow, 44 (Chasing and harassing Red-tails); Black-capped Chickadee, 12; Tufted Titmouse, 5; White-breasted Nuthatch, 3; Brown Creeper, 2; Golden-crowned Kinglet, 1; American Robin, 1; Northern Mockingbird, 1; American Tree Sparrow, 75+ (they're everywhere); Song Sparrow, 8; Dark-eyed Junco, 30; RUSTY BLACKBIRD, 28; COMMON REDPOLL, 15; American Goldfinch, 20. (report from Ann Boover).

1/2/02 -- Grosvenordale, CT

A (possible) yellow throated vireo appeared at my peanut feeder on (12/31/01) and returned again the next morning. The bird visited the feeder off and on from about 10 AM to 4PM on the 31st. When I first saw the bird I did a double take and realized it was a vireo by size, color and activity level. Then I went to my bird guides to be sure and to find out which vireo it was. All the field marks are evident. The color, eye ring, wing bars etc. Here is the best photo we have so far, taken through a Kowa scope.

The feeder is in our front yard and when the bird is present he can be seen from the street. This afternoon the bird was back and just sat inside the enclosure of our "squirrel proof" feeder for a while and then went back to the peanut feeder. He was also hopping around on the roof and it appeared he was either pecking at the shingles or trying to stuff a peanut under them. I did put some seed mixed with dried fruit into the peanut feeder along with the peanuts but he does seem to be going mainly for the peanuts. Our house is very easy to get to and if you or anyone else wants directions I will supply them. We are less than 1/2 hour from Worcester. If anyone is interested in trying to get a look at the bird I can be reached by email (mary@curvedmouldings.com) or phone (860) 923-2340 or (860) 923-2771. The first # is the house and the 2nd our business phone. (report from Mary Sharkey).

[ed note: further investigation by Mary and other Conn birders suggests that this bird was a Pine Warbler (fide Mark Lynch)]

1/2/02 -- Framingham

Have two Carolina Wrens in my backyard in Framingham. The yard backs up to the woods and is very near to the "Garden In The Woods". I have two bird feeders: one containing thistle and the other containing mainly black oil sunflower and a little of other grains. Also have bread out for the squirrels which the wrens seem to like also. (report from John Hunter).

1/1/02 -- Holden

New Year's day dawned with an immature (1st year) male Cooper's Hawk sitting in our sugar maple tree from 9 to 10:25 a.m. He then flew onto a neighbor's lawn for a "sparrow snack." Ten minutes later, he was back in our silver maple tree and stayed until 11:45 a.m. The Crows made three attempts in the morning to mob him. It took three grey squirrels coming from opposite ends of the tree limb to make him move. He flew across the street and landed on a neighbor's lawn and proceeded to attack their overgrown shrubs in which there are always 50 to 75 sparrows. He spend about five minutes doing this and then disappeared. End of story? Around 3 p.m., he showed up in the silver maple tree again. Ten minutes later, he flew off and repeated the ritual of attacking the sparrows in our neighbor's shrubs for 5 minutes and then disappeared. 30 minutes later, the sparrows flew out of our neighbor's shrubs and hit our sunflower heart feeders. Within 2 minutes, the hawk landed on our front yard and about six feet from me attempting to dine on a sparrow or two. He went into our shrubs and then flew off without any success. He may have circled back to another neighbor's yard where he may have roosted in his 90 ft. pine trees given the vocal activity of the half dozen crows at dusk. As my wife & I left for work the following morning (1/2/02), the crows were extremely vocal and we suspect that this Cooper's Hawk was still in the area. Given his hunting ability (or lack of it),he gives new meaning to the word, "immature." (report from Steve Olson).

1/1/01 -- New Year's Day "In the Blackstone Corridor"

We started well before dawn in DOUGLAS, where with some work we managed (1) Great Horned Owl, (1) Barred Owl and no less than (3) N. Saw-whet Owls. It took me just a little while to realize that it was EXTREMELY cold standing outside the car without a coat. We then crossed state lines (but still "in the Corridor") to Burrilleville RI and had (5) Great Horned Owls and (3) more Saw-whets. At dawn (3) Pine Siskins flew overhead. In Glocester, RI we got a Pileated Woodpecker at Durfee Hill WMA. This species is extremely local in RI and this is one of the very few places to look for it. We also had great views of an Eastern Coyote here too, our first for RI.
We then wended our way to Providence, where at the southern terminus of the Corridor, at India Point, we had (7) Mute Swans, (23) American Wigeon), (3) Greater Scaup, (11) Red-breasted Mergansers, (2) Hooded Mergansers, Great AND Double-crested Cormorants.
Along the Seekonk River we had (1) Pied-billed Grebe, (10) Mute Swans, good numbers of Mallards, A. Black Ducks, Buffelhead and Canada Geese. We also found (2) C. Goldeneye, (1) Common Mergansers, (1) Ruddy Duck and (4) Canvasbacks. A concentration of (84) Bonaparte's Gulls also had (2) C. Black-headed Gulls in the flock. Just south of the Corridor, around Watchemoket Cove, is one of the most regular spots for this species in New England. Landbirds along the Seekonk River included Fish Crow, N. Flicker, and (160) Robins, (2) Red-bellied Woodpeckers, (70) juncos and a co-operative E. Screech Owl.
Turner Reservoir in East Providence was 75% frozen, but still had an amazing concentration of waterfowl: (19) Mute Swans, (135) Canada Geese on the ice, (2) A. Wigeon, (2) Gadwall, (120) Mallards, (15) Canvasbacks, (2) Lesser Scaup, (7) Ring-necked Ducks, (2) Buffelhead, (2) Hooded Mergs and (33) Ruddy Duck. Also: (35) A. Coot. A real surprise was a nice 2ndW LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL, photographed along the causeway. maong the many hundreds of other gulls,w e searched for a "white-wing" variety with no luck.
At one brief stop along the tiny Ten Mile River in E. Providence, between Turner Reservoir and the Seekonk River, we found (96) Mallards, (2) Hooded Mergansers, (3) Wood Ducks and a surprise Yellow-bellied Sapsucker.
Heading back up Rt. 146, we made another brief stop at Olney Pond in Lincoln Park. The water was 75+% frozen and ice fishermen were about, but in the area of open water were: (3) Wood Duck, (1) Gadwall, (142) Mallards, (22) Black Ducks, (1) Common Merganser as well as several hundred Canada Geese.
Back in MA, we crossed over to Rt. 122 passing the Mumford River, which was frozen except for a small area that had (8) Mallards. But at Whitin Pond, Uxbridge we saw (17) Canada Geese, (6) Wood Ducks, (76) Mallards, (2) N. Pintails and (4) Hooded Mergansers.
It was cold at the Northbridge Sewer Beds. We did managed (1) Common Snipe, (2) Swamp Sparrows, and, with a LOT of work, the not very co-operative Virginia Rail that was missed on the Uxbridge CBC. It was not easy. There were good numbers of the typical sparrows. We heard a chip note several times that "sounded" like a Common Yellowthroat, but never saw it or heard it well enough to call.
Up Rt. 122, at the Riverdale crossing of the Blackstone River, even though it was mostly frozen, there were (5) Mute Swans. There is NO stopping these waterfowl!
Lake Ripple was also almost completely frozen, but in a small open space was (2) Mute Swans and (5) Canada Geese. (330) Canada Geese were in a nearby cornfield.
At Maronis Park on Lake Quinsigamond back in the city of Worcester, we had (1) Pied-billed Grebe, (11) Mute Swans, (32) Canada Geese, hundreds of Mallards, (2) C. Goldeneye, (10) Hooded Mergansers, and (6) Coot. We also had a great sighting of Fran McMenemy, Joan Zumpfe and the rest of the Forbush Club out for their New Year's birding. They had had the Peregrine eating a RoDo on the phone building, so that was our next stop.
We checked most of the usual downtown perches the Peregrine has been frequenting and had nothing. Finally, we headed to the library parking lot. We watched a male A. Kestrel catch a small bird and fly up INTO a broken eave to pluck it. FINALLY, the Peregrine flew past and we picked up Chinese Food and headed home. Back home, all the usual suspects were at the feeders, including the Red-breasted Nuthatch. Great day. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

1/1/02 -- New Year's Day Forbush Bird Club Trip

A sunny but cold and windy 2002 New Year's Day didn't deter 10 members from participating in a Forbush Bird Club trip led by Joan Zumpfe with additional leadership support from Fran McMenemy. We met at noon and traveled to Notre Dame Cemetery, downtown Worcester and Lake Quinsigamond in the city. We also checked the lake from Maronis Park in Shrewsbury and ended the day at various sites at and around Wachusett Reservoir. The temperatures ranged from 31 at noon to 26 at 4:30 p.m. with brisk NW winds that made it feel colder at times. The highlight of the trip was a sighting of the Peregrine Falcon at One Chestnut Place eating what looked like a pigeon or an American Crow. The falcon tugged and pulled at the bird, showed its front and back sides while feathers were flying around it. It was quite a show observed from High Street!

The complete species list

(report from Joan Zumpfe).

1/1/02 -- Sherborn

At my suet feeder for the past week I've had a red-bellied woodpecker. Have had N Flickers here before, but this is a first. The way this one eats, it looks like I'll be spending a fortune in suet this winter!. And, a Carolina wren which is a year-round resident here--also a suet-lover. (report from George Moore).

1/1/02 -- Indian Lake, Worcester

A cluster of birch trees in the Y parking lot at Indian Lake held 40 feeding Common Redpolls this afternoon. (report from Denis Mahoney).

For previous sightings, see December 2001 Archives or Archive Index