January 2004 Central Mass Bird Sightings

Sightings are listed in reverse chronological order. The email address of birders submitting reports, as well as other Central Massachusetts birding info can be found via the Central Mass Bird Update homepage.

Bird News:

Bird Sightings:

1/31/04 -- Hardwick
On the drive out to Quabbin Park: Northern Shrike 1 (adult in Hardwick off rte32A); Wild Turkey 4 (somewhere along rte32 A) On the drive back home after viewing the Varied Thrush in Quabbin Park: Am. Robin ~20 here and there; Cedar Waxwing ~50 here and there; Bohemian Waxwing ~40 on Thresher Road. Later in the afternoon there was a Hermit Thrush on Norcross Hill Road in Templeton. (report from Tom Pirro).

1/31/04 -- Hardwick-Barre
  • We set out today to TRY to find A (one if we were very, very lucky) Bohemian Waxwing in the greater Hardwick area, venturing into some of nearby Barre and Petersham. By mid-morning, we had seen modest flocks of Cedars as well as A. Robins. While driving down Spring Hill Rd in Barre, very near the Hardwick line, we passed an area of farm fields that have often produced wintering robins and bluebirds in the past. Just as we passed Blair Rd a flock of waxwings flew across the road and (fortunately) landed atop a birch at the edge of the field. We got the scope out and indeed, they were all (41)BOHEMIANS. Trust me: we were surprised that we found what we had set out to find. It almost NEVER works out this way. We started to call folks even though the birds did not look like they would stay long. Indeed after about 15 minutes, they flew off low to the south. Continuing south on Spring Hill, we turned onto Thresher Rd and refound the flock, this time in Hardwick. Here they were perched at the edge of a field south of a small marsh. Again we got the scope out (great looks) and eventually the birds flew down to a small patch of multiflora rose in the middle of the field. Several times, part of the flock would fly down only to fly back up again to join the rest of the flock back in the tree. Eventually all the birds flew down to the multiflora, on the far side of the bushes and could not be seen from the road. We left the birds there.
    My experience in the past with Bohemians in this sizeable and complex area of roads, farm fields and woodlots has shown that they are very itinerant, feeding in one area for just a short time and then moving on practically never to return to the same spot again. Folks looking for these birds are STRONGLY advised to have a road atlas to the area (Central Massachusetts Arrow will do) and take time to explore especially looking for overgrown farm fields and atop birches and alders and in whatever crab-apple trees you find. There is a lot of places for these birds to go. Best of luck.
  • Other birds seen in this area included: Red-bellied Woodpecker (1); Hairy Woodpecker (2); Blue Jay (61); Black-capped Chickadee (48); Tufted Titmouse (17); A. Robin (149); Cedar Waxwing (68: in several mid-sized flocks, often with Robins); N. Mockingbird (2: very low); Dark-eyed Junco (45); Conspicuous by their absence were raptors of any kind (strange while searching so many fields that we did not see any kind of accipiter or even a Red-tail) and there were also NO Turkeys. Birds were often in multi-species "clumps" and there were long stretches when you would see nothing.
  • In New Braintree, one stop yielded: Red-bellied Woodpecker (1); Common Raven (2); A. Tree Sparrow (6).
  • We then drove the suprisingly open COLDBROOK ROAD through the Ware River Watershed from Barre Falls Dam to Rt. 122. We checked in the area of the hemlocks for Boreal Chickadees pretty thoroughly with no luck. There were very few birds and quite a number of snowmobiles on the side roads. Ring-necked Pheasant (1f); Hairy Woodpecker (1); Raven (1); Black-capped Chickadee (39); Red-breasted Nuthatch (3); Golden-crowned Kinglet (3). (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

    • 1/31/04 -- Quabbin Park, Quabbin Reservoir
    The VARIED THRUSH found last weekend feeding along the edge of the one way road that circles around the Tower parking Lot at Quabbin Park (South Quabbin: off Rt. 9 in Belchertown) was still present this morning and seen by a number of birders. (report from Mark Lynch).

    1/25/04 -- Fitchburg
    I am very excited to be hosting redpolls at my niger feeder. They've been coming with goldfinches. I live in a neighborhood with no woods or much tree cover, so to get these birds at my feeder is very exciting for me! (report from Cindy Cringan).

    1/25/04 -- West Millbury
    I had a yellow-bellied sapsucker on the suet this morning at my home in West Millbury. A red-bellied woodpecker has been a frequent visitor. A small group of tree sparrows, which have been absent at my feeder for the last two years, are daily visitors. (report from Alan Marble).

    1/25/04 -- Quabbin Park, Quabbin Reservoir
    While birding Quabbin Park (South Quabbin) this morning, we were surprised to find an adult VARIED THRUSH feeding ON the north end of the road that circles the parking lot (one way) at the tower at about 10:30AM. While watching this bird the first time, it flew up into the trees for some minutes, then came back down and was searching for food along the edge of the road, in the presence of a Blue Jay. A Red-bellied Woodpecker was also seen feeding on the ground at the edge of the road, also in the presence of a Blue Jay. I actually stopped a car of non-birders and "made" them come out and look at the thrush. At that point, the thrush flew over the parking lot to the southern end, to the area where a small extension parking area overlooks a scrubby gully. We drove over to that end and found the thrush again feeding in the parking area on the edge right near 3 occupied MDC vehicles whose occupants had no idea the bird was there. Eventually the bird flew up into a tree and then down slope to the south and out of sight. We searched for awhile and did not find the bird, called some folks and continued birding at the Enfield Lookout.
    Here there were NO eagles of any sort, though a coyote was chowing down on a large carcass on the ice directly across from your view between the lookout and Prescott. (2) Common Ravens displayed over Mt. Ram.
    We bumped into Bill Lafleche, told him about the thrush, and he followed us back to the tower, where the bird was seen feeding with (2) Blue Jays right where we had originally found it, on the road near a small snow-free embankment. The bird offered great views and we set up a scope and enjoyed the bird to the fullest, stopping several cars from driving around and showing them the bird. Sheila shot a roll of slides. We left the bird there after about 30 minutes and continued birding.
    Earlier, we had made an extended stop at the PELHAM OVERLOOK on Rt. 202. Despite the cold temps (minus 3 at that point) we stood outside and scoped the Prescott. Here we had good views of an adult GOLDEN EAGLE and a Common Raven. The Golden eagle may very well be the same well documented bird that was seen sequentially by 4 different teams (including mine) on the Quabbin CBC. Interestingly, NO Bald Eagles were seen.
    Continuing birding through Hardwick and New Braintree we were struck by the paucity of even common birds, a pair of Red-tails. a Ruffed Grouse in a tree and a mid-sized flock of robins and CEDAR Waxwings being the only other birds of note. This echoes our experience on Saturday, when we birded Monroe, Florida, Windsor and Peru. Birds there were few and far between, and mostly at feeders (actually, people were pretty uncommon too: it was horribly cold and windy). There were sacttered flocks of Redpolls (all Common) and Evening Grosbeaks, but they were by no means widespread. Chickadees and Blue Jays were the only "common" birds, and even they weren't that common. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

    1/25/04 -- Quabbin Park, Quabbin Reservoir
    From Dave Small via BBC hotline:

    1/23/04 -- Gilboa Rd., Douglas
    I wanted to send along a quick note regarding a rather unique sighting today in Douglas. While delineating wetlands in the area I noticed a road-kill saw whet owl on Gilboa Road, just west of the Dunkin Donuts. The owl had to have been killed last night, as I was working in the same area yesterday and did not notice the owl in the road. (report from Scott Jordan).

    1/22/04 -- Clinton
    On the pond that never freezes ( it's actually half frozen) in Clinton on Thursday there were Canada Geese, Blacks, Mallards, a pair of Wood Ducks, 3 Common Goldeneye, 1 Ring-necked Duck and 4 Hooded Mergansers. Nearby at the Sterling Dike I watched a Coyote having brunch less than 100 yards away. It was dining on mice or shrews. (report from Bart).

    1/21/04 -- Grafton/Milford
  • The Painted Bunting was in the bottle feeder from 12:30 to about 12:45. It was not visible from 11 to 12:30. It can be well seen with binoculars, but a scope is better, of course. Note: The bottle feeder is best viewed from the far right of #764. There is no need for the occupants of #768 even to know you are around.
  • The nonbreeding phase Black-headed Gull is still at Lake Louisa in Milford. It was walking about at the perimeter of the parking lot at 2 p.m. pecking at whatever goodies were available. (report from Howard Shainheit).

    • 1/19/04 -- Grafton St., Shrewsbury
    The Painted Bunting flew into the apple juice bottle "feeder" at 3:50 p.m. today at 764 Grafton Street in Shrewsbury. Noone was on th e street at 2:30 p.m. when I arrived, which I thought was unusual (I hadn't yet read about the problems with the neihgbors at 768). Nick Paulson showed up shortly after and helped me locate the noted feeder. Then 2 other birders showed up and parked on the street at 768. The woman who lives there came home and cursed us. Nick and I stayed, the other 2 birders left. I wasn't parked directly in front of 768 but decided to move my car across the street which still provided a good vantage point to see the bottle feeder. The woman from 768 moved her car out of her driveway and parked where the 2 other birders had parked. Nick and I were rewarded for our patience but the bird didn't stay as long as we would have liked. It was a "Life Bird" for both of us. (report from Joan Zumpfe).

    1/19/04 -- southern Blackstone National Corridor
  • 10 MILE RIVER /E. Providence: Mallard (186); A. Black Duck (5); Cooper's Hawk (1ad);
  • TURNER RESERVOIR: 99% frozen with just a small blob of open water next to the causeway, but crammed in here with some domestic waterfowl were: Canada Goose (54); Mallard (73); Common Merganser (1f); A. Coot (8);
  • SEEKONK RIVER: from Bold/India Points-Pawtucket. The river was about 80%+ frozen, especially the upper reaches. Great Cormorant (6); Double-crested Cormorant (1); Mute Swan (6); Canada Goose (298); A. Wigeon (52); Gadwall (6); Mallard (67); A. Black Duck (156); Lesser Scaup (2m); Bufflehead (44); Common Goldeneye (7); BARROW'S GOLDENEYE (1f); Hooded Meranser (127); Red-breasted Merganser (9); Common Merganser (69); Ruddy Duck (24); N. Harrier (1imm around landfill); BALD EAGLE (3ad: these birds were all seen from the same vantage point simultaneously: 2 birds were on the ice, 1 eating a large dark bird, possibly a Black Duck while another was perched in the trees on the Providence side); Sharp-shinned Hawk (1ad); Red-tailed Hawk (1 also on the ice, eating a male Hooded Merganser). (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

    • 1/18/04 -- Northboro
    The same red-tailed hawk has been at our place daily for the past 2 weeks. I have had great looks and am starting to become familiar with its peculiar field marks and am pretty sure it is always the same bird. Today, we saw it 6 or 7 times. At one point we watched it enjoy its breakfast on a stout limb just across from our house. The bird kept the food pined to the limb with its talons and bent down to tear it apart and eat it. When it was finished it flew away. Now, here is the curious part. Immediately, three blue jays landed where the hawk had been and began pecking at the exact spot on the limb where the food had rested. They stayed for a few minutes and then flew away. I have sen blue jays at the suet, so I guess they might eat meat as well.
    We had only 5 redpolls and they were on the move. We also had a lone pine siskin at the feeder for a few minutes. (report from Jim Hogan).

    1/18/04 -- Fitchburg
    Finally! I have ten to fifteen Common Redpolls in my backyard in Fitchburg. The "scout bird" was here last week and today in the light snow this morning, her "friends and family" arrived. (report from Cheryl Boissy)

    1/17/04 -- Grafton St., Shrewsbury
    The PAINTED BUNTING was seen today by a large crew at about 4:15 PM today, but at 764 Grafton Street. It was serendipitous. While we were all standing, birdless, at the original location, a man stopped, asked what we were doing, described the bird perfectly and said it has been at his feeder that day further down the street. It was relocated in a bottle feeder (literally INSIDE it when we first saw it) in the back yard. It is not easy to see this feeder, but stand to the left of the dark blue house and look towards the slide and you will see the feeder. A scope is helpful. DO NOT TRESSPASS OR MAKE YOURSELF ANNOYING AND BE CAREFUL WHERE YOU PARk. Apparently the bird has been rather regular here all along, it's just that no one was looking. They reported it appearing since just after Christmas. The woman has actually seriously reported seeing two males at the same time. Also at the location was a Red-bellied Woodpecker, (20+) Cedar Waxwings, and flocks or Redpolls were seen at feeders up in the development behind the houses. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

    1/16/04 -- Howard St., Northboro
    The same flock of redpolls remains in the trees around my house in Northboro. This morning they came in even closer to the house and we were able to watch them from the comfort of the kitchen. I counted about 30 this morning, all commons. We are trying hard for a hoary, but no luck so far. (report from Jim Hogan).

    1/15/04 -- Worcester
    I had 2 Common Redpolls on my thistle feeder this morning. (report from Bart Kamp).

    1/15/04 -- Howard St., Northboro
    This morning while walking my dog around 8 AM I had over 50 common redpolls in the trees near my house. They were hard to count as they kept moving in and out and I think there were still more deeper in the woods. At 9 AM, they were still there. We live on Howard Street in Northboro near the Berlin line. (report from Jim Hogan).

    1/14/04 -- Grafton St., Shrewsbury
  • I staked out the Shrewsbury property this morning from 10:00 Am to about 10:30 and didn't see the painted bunting.
  • Yesterday (1/13) we had a ruffed grouse in our Northboro yard. He flew in and perched on the low limb of a wild crab apple tree and gave great looks for several minutes. He then flew into the brush and was not seen again. (report from Jim Hogan).

    • 1/12/04 -- Wachusett Reservoir
    Amongst the 2800 gulls seen by Bart Kamp, Donna Schilling, Dan Clark, Fran McMenemy, Richard Beaudreau and Beverly Renaud at Wachusett Reservoir late this afternoon were one first year Glaucous Gull and three Iceland Gulls (2 Imm. and 1 adult). (report from Bart Kamp).

    1/12/04 -- Grafton Street, Shrewsbury/Grafton
    From Simon Perkins on Massbird:

    1/11/04 -- Medfield, Milford, Uxbridge, Sutton
  • We started the morning getting the imm. RED-HEADED WOODPECKER in Medfield. Directions: Find Hospital Street in extreme NW Medfield. Park where the railroad tracks cross the road and walk north along the tracks north about 100 yards. There is a small wooded marsh on the left (west). The bird likes a small twin trunked tree close to the southern corner and the woodlot just before you see the marsh. Also present: E. Bluebird (8); Red-bellied Woodpecker (1).
  • Then we went to LOUSIA LAKE, MILFORD and found the adult winter BLACK-HEADED GULL in the spillway. Directions: Take Rt. 85 south of Rt. 495 to the first intersection. Go right (west) on Dilla Street. Louisa Lake will be on your right after about a mile. There is a good sized parking lot and typically a decent number of Ring-billed Gulls and a few Herrings to search through. Be sure to check the spillway. This is this bird's thrird winter here. According to Lynn Lovell, it has stayed as late as April.
  • In UXBRIDGE at Whitin Pond, there were: Great Blue Heron (1); Canada Goose (285); Mallard (151); N. Pintail (2); Hooded Merganser (3); Common Merganser (1).
  • In western SUTTON around the farm fields we found: Red-tailed Hawk (7); Canada Goose (152); N. Flicker (1); Gray Catbird (2); Horned Lark (1 flock of at least 120 birds on Town Farm Road); Snow Bunting (minimally 10); Lapland Longspur (1-2). This flock of larks and buntings seems to be traveling around the various farm fields in this area. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

    • 1/10/04 -- Hardwick Center
    Wearing enough wool garments to make a New Zealand sheep rancher beam with pride, I exited my abode at 6:10 A.M. Clad as I was like Shackleton trekking across the Antarctic wastes, I made excruciatingly slow progress through my backyard, shuffling precariously along on my snowshoes. I was soon ensconced at the foot of my favorite oak, stuffed into my trusty military sleeping bag. I was rewarded by one Great Horned Owl putting in a surprisingly robust bout of calling, his ardor perhaps being the only thing keeping him warm given the obscenely cold temperatures (-10 F.) Passerine activity increased slightly as an incandescent orange sunrise briefly enlivened the snowy wastes with a cheery apricot hue. My exhaled breath formed ice crystals nearly instantaneously upon colliding with the atmosphere. I marveled at this barely perceptible sound, and realized the vicious cold could only be combated by periodically returning indoors to warm up, and ducked inside at 6:55 A.M.
    I reemerged at 8:15 A.M, the sibilant, conversational lisps of a White-breasted Nuthatch getting my attention as I surveyed my neighbors feeders. The ease and tenacity with which a pair of Downy Woodpeckers depleted a suet feeder seemed to make a mockery of the winter temperatures, their adroit prodding the only movement in a temporarily inert landscape. A lone Common Flicker dropped noiselessly from its perch atop a dead hickory and undulated across a bramble-filled field on the south side of Ruggles Hill Road, flying directly over a comical flock of Mourning Doves hunkered down in a Multiflora Rose bush, so puffed up against the cold that they resembled not so much birds but coffee ice cream cones, with heads crammed into their breast feathers and tails projecting far beyond their perches.
    Birds of note: American Robin 56; Common Flicker 1; Great Horned Owl 1; Hairy Woodpecker 1; Red-bellied Woodpecker 1; Tree Sparrow 11. (report from Chris Ellison).

    1/10/04 -- Stow
  • We had the SUMMER TANAGER (f) this morning c.8:15AM, this time on the ground under the green feeder where it has been most often seen coming to. This spot is adjacent to the Delaney WMA: 1 No Name Road. The feeders are on the right side of the buff colored house. Be sure to pull off the road in such a place as to not block the traffic in any way. Also present were: Red-bellied Woodpecker (1); Carolina Wren (1); and c. 20 Pine Siskins.
  • We then cruised some of the roads of ROYALSTON and got little for our efforts except (18) Pine Siskins and (2) Ruffed Grouse. Checking a few feeders in Petersham likewise had few birds but large numbers of jays and juncos.
  • A check of a gull flock on Rt. 122 in Barre revealed an ICELAND GULL (adW) among the hundreds of Great Black-backed, Herring and Ring-billed Gulls. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

    • 1/9/04 -- Stow
    I headed over to Stow after lunch to try for the Summer Tanager. When I first arrived, there was no activity at the feeders. Soon another birder (from New Hampshire) arrived. After about 15 minutes of standing out in the 7 degree weather, a group of Pine siskens, Goldfinch, and Chickadees moved in to the feeders. The Tanager appeared about the same time and hung around feeding longer than I did. Heated seats and a full blast heater beckoned. The irony of going to see a Summer Tanager on the coldest day of the Winter did not escape me. (report from Laura Lane).

    1/8/04 -- Fernald School, Templeton
    I observed an immature bald eagle around Eliot Hill at the Fernald School in Templeton. I first observed it flying very low at tree top level and I had the impression that it had just flushed from the trees nearby, although it may just have appeared flying low. As usual there were the typical hordes of turkeys. The largest group was 26 birds. Please note that most of the land at the Fernald School is strictly off limits to the general public. (report from Chuck Caron).

    1/7/04 -- Stow
    A quick lunch time trip to Stow this noon yielded a sighting of the Summer Tanager at 1 No Name Road this noon at 12:45. Also Present were 3 Pine Siskins a Carolina Wren, and the typical assortment of winter birds. (report from Tom Pirro).

    1/7/04 -- Douglas Rd., Sutton
    There are two large flocks of birds on Douglas Road in Sutton, Ma. right before Whittier Farms, with approximately 50+ Horned Larks, 12 Snow Buntings and 8 Lapland Longspurs. Seen around one o'clock. (report from Dan Berard Jr.).

    1/6/04 -- Wachusett Reservoir, West Boylston
    This evening at the Wachusett Reservoir, I had 2 very white, first winter Glaucous Gulls. I failed to find the Iceland Gull that Bart Kamp reported on Jan. 1st. I entered the reservoir property at gate 22 and I viewed the gulls from the overlook near the W. Boylston wells. There are many thousands of gulls roosting on the reservoir at this time. I did not find the Glaucous Gulls until 4:30 pm., but they were still easy to pick-out at 4:45 pm. (report from Fran McMenemy).

    1/4/04 -- High School, Gardner
    Near Gardner High School a pair of Pileated Woodpeckers were present. (report from Tom Pirro).

    1/4/04 -- Bolton Flats, Bolton
    Spring has arrived early at Bolton Flats. On Sunday amongst the birds there were a Northern Harrier, a Flicker, several Robins, 2 Pine Siskins and a flock of over a thousand blackbirds. The flock consisted of about 80% Redwings and 20% Grackles with a few Cowbirds. Flying with the flock was a nearly all WHITE bird. I couldn't get close enough to the flock to tell if was a leucistic blackbird or an escapee of some kind. (report from Bart Kamp).

    1/4/04 -- Louisa Lake, Milford
    Lyn Lovell called me Dec.31 to tell me that the Black-headed Gull had returned for the third winter to the parking lot at Louisa Lake in Milford. I saw the bird today at nearby Milford Pond. (report from Fran McMenemy).

    1/4/04 -- Temple St., Worcester
    Two Peregrine Falcons were observed in a tree near the parking lot of the St. James church at noon. (report from Kevin Keenan).

    1/4/04 -- Bolton Flats, Bolton
    Went to Stow and saw the Summer Tanager with about 12 other people . Kind of strange standing in a strangers driveway with 12 strangers.
    From there I stopped at Bolton Flats: 1 Ruby -crowned Kinglet, 2 Red Tail Hawks and 107 Mourning doves. It was very muddy and wet so I couldn't go far.
    Then I went to Wachusett Res.: 1 Common Loon, 5 Bufflehead, 4 Common Goldeneye,10 Common Merganser, 37 Greater Scaup, in the woods at gate 22 I had 2 Hairy & 4 Downy Woodpeckers,7 Brown Creepers, 5 Red -breasted & 4 White-breasted Nuthatch and 3 Golden crown Kinglets. (report from John Shea).

    1/3/04 -- Fernald School, Templeton
    At the Fernald School (now the Templeton Developement Center) there were: Northern Goshawk 1 adult; Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 imm.; There were a few hundred Rock Pigeons (formerly Rock Dove) in flight and being harrassed by the Goshawk, it would circle out and head toward the flock of pigeons and would miss catching up by a long shot. At this point I told my friend, "the hawk has lost the element of surprise and will NOT catch any of these birds" ..... at this point the Gos "peeled" off away from the main flock appearing to give up the chase. But apparently one poor "sap" (a Rock Pigeon) stayed behind, perched on the barn roof, and spooked when the Gos gave up on the "high chase" and got nailed by the Gos in mid air and ruined my credibility. (report from Tom Pirro)

    1/3/04 -- Autumn Road, Medway
    There was a pair of common redpolls feeding on birch catkins near our home on Autumn Road in Medway this afternoon. (report from Mike McCarthy).

    1/2/04 -- High Ridge WMA, Gardner
    Near the model airplane airport: Cedar Waxwing 15; Am. Robin 6; Common Redpoll 7; and in downtown Gardner there was 1 imm. Coopers Hawk. (report from Tom Pirro).

    1/2/04 -- Granite St., Worcester
    I had a Screech Owl this morning at Standard Auto Parts on Granite St. Then after work I went looking for the Peregrine Falcon downtown. I haven't seen it for a long time so I was very surprised to see two of them on city hall -- one at the very peak and the other just below it. Great start to 2004. (report from John Shea).

    1/1/04 -- Manville St., Leicester
    With the recent warm temps it wasn't too suprising to see a Hermit Thrush along the side of the road in front of the old town dump. (report from Brian Mulhearn)

    1/1/04 -- Forbush Bird Club Trip New Year's Day 2004
    Beginning at noon, on New Year's Day 2004, 8 members of the Forbush Bird Club were led by Joan Zumpfe to several sites primarily in the city of Worcester. We were unsuccessful in our attemts to find the Peregrine Falcon downtown. The greatest number and variety of waterfowl were at Lake Qunisigamond. Here is the complete trip list of the 25 species observed. (report from Joan Zumpfe).

    1/1/04 -- Wachusett Reservoir, West Boylston
    Amongst the gulls at Wachusett Reservoir in West Boylston late this afternoon today was one first year Iceland Gull. (report from Bart Kamp).

    For previous sightings, see December 2003 Archives or Archive Index