January 2011 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:

1/31/11 -- Northbridge
I spotted two Eastern Bluebirds in my backyard today (corner of Church and Quaker), gleaning berries off one of my bushes. I put on my snowshoes to get a closer look. Luckily I took some photos prior to my attempt at walking across the snow as I promptly fell and got stuck in a deep snow bank. (report and photo from Jenifer Glagowski).

1/30/11 -- Wachusett Reservoir, Boylston
At 2:30 pm My wife and I took a ride to the Wauchusett Reservoir to see if we could see any eagles. I stood by the Dam, very cold and windy, nothing. We were driving south on route 70 by Mile Hill Rd, and all of a sudden an adult Bald Eagle flew towards us. This was our first eagle sighting ever ! (report from Henry Squillante).

1/29/11 -- Sutton
Around 3.50 I had two Common Ravens heading south on Boston Road Sutton by St Marks Church. When I arrived home I had three Common Redpolls on my feeders. I had camera in hand ready to get a photo, only to have a Red-bellied woodpecker land on the feeder scattering the Redpolls. (report from Michael Joubert).

1/28/11 -- Uxbridge
At my feeder this morning there were three Pine Siskins. Here's a photo of one. (report and photo from Melissa Peloquin).

1/27/11 -- Devens
The Lark Sparrow was again present at the feeder in Devens today. The home owner and neighbors said it should be OK to view the bird from the street. However, this is a "private, residential" road with signs posted. I'd suggest parking elsewhere close by and walking to the spot. Email me (kevin.bourinot@gmail.com) if you'd like the location and details on where to park. (report from Kevin Bourinot).

1/27/11 -- Millbury/Sutton
At 3.50 Pm I saw two dozen+ Wild Turkeys roosting near Royal House of Pizza on West Main St, Millbury . When I got home (Sutton) at 5.40 I could hear at least two Screech Owls in the woods behind the house . (report from Michael Joubert).

1/27/11 -- Douglas
Late this morning we had four White-winged Crossbills at our feeders at the southern edge of Worcester County, about three miles north of the Rhode Island state line. This is a first in the six years that we've lived here. (report from Mark Landon).

1/26/11 -- Sterling
Three white winged crossbills put in a brief appearance at my feeders this morning. (report from Richard Spedding).

1/26/11 -- Devens
Today while checking feeders around Devens, I spotted a definite Lark Sparrow feeding on the ground with juncos. This is about 1.4 miles away from where I had a probable Lark Sparrow on December 15th. I didn't have enough evidence to do anything with that sighting. Unfortunately, the bird is on private property and the homeowner wasn't home today. So I won't be advertising the address at this time. For those who keep county lists, Devens is split between Middlesex and Worcester counties. This bird is in Worcester county. You can see more details and photos on my blog. I will post an update after I speak to the homeowners. (report from Kevin Bourinot).

1/26/11 -- Millbury
A Chipping Sparrow and Song Sparrow were seen today, and yesterday (1/25) there were 114 brown-headed cowbirds and 1 common grackle feeding amongst the winter birds here on Riverlin Road. (report from Susan LaBree).

1/24/11 -- West Millbury
The Chipping Sparrow continues at my feeders with the Dark-eyed Juncos for the 12th straight day. (report from Alan Marble).

1/23/11 -- Worcester Airport
We took a break from shoveling and went over to look for "Fran's" winter flock. At the small parking lot past the Terminal we were rewarded with great views of a large flock of snow buntings and horned larks. (report and photos from Garry and Anne Kessler)

1/22/11 -- Oakham
This adult first year white-winged crossbill was at the feeder today, and photographed through the greenhouse. (report and photo from Kathy Van Schoick).

1/22/11 -- Sutton
This afternoon I have had  10 + American Robins feeding on some sort of berries right behind the house.  (report from Michael Joubert).

1/17/11 -- Quinsigamond Community College, Worcester
This morning at 8am there were about 15 snow buntings flying around the middle, student parking lot (2 on map) at the top of the hill at QCC in Worcester. (report from Alex Dunn).

1/16/11 -- Millbury
This morning, while taking the northbound exit ramp off 146 to the Millbury plaza, I saw a flash of white in the sky. It turned out to be the tail of an adult BALD EAGLE, lazily circling over the Blackstone River. (report from Mary Sughrue-Yacino).

1/15/11 -- Sutton
This afternoon around 3.15 I had my first Common Redpoll ( male ) show up. I grabbed my camera, waited for him to turn around for pic; he went to far side of the feeder for the best part of an hour,  just to watch him fly off !!! (report from Michael Joubert).

1/13/11 -- Lake Quinsigamond, Shrewsbury
Today we saw an adult bald eagle above Quinsigamond lake in Shrewsbury. I parked the car on the white city parking lot and this beautiful bird flew above us for a couple minutes. (report from Matthieu Prot).

1/13/11 -- West Millbury
At home this morning, I was pretty surprised to find a CHIPPING SPARROW visiting the feeding area. I did get a not great picture through the window. (report from Alan Marble).

1/12/11 -- Millbury
Here are some pics of the White-winged Crossbill that was at the feeder during the storm today. (image 1 |image 2). It stayed all day, which was pretty cool and allowed a very close approach while at the feeder. (report and photos from Dan Berard).

1/12/11 -- Sutton
Coming home early ( 5.15 AM )  from work I had an Owl fly right in front us on Whitens Road in Sutton .Between the road not being plowed all that well and the heavy snow falling and the speed of the bird I had not much time for an ID. It would have been about the right size of a Barred either way at least I got some birding in. (report from Michael Joubert).

1/11/11 -- Quabbin Park, Quabbin Reservoir
At ~1 pm today I went to the apple orchard location in the Quabbin Park near the rotary . About 300 ft down the trail walking from the gate, there was a Barred Owl sitting in the open, very low about 40 yards off the trail. (report from Josh Gahagan).

1/10/11 -- Linden St., Boylston
  I've seen an immature Bald Eagle twice in recent days, from my house which is ~1/4 mile from the Wachusett Reservoir. Also, there is a Kingfisher hanging around the marsh that borders my property, that seems to be constantly calling, tail flared, neck stretched.  Also a Red Bellied Woodpecker at the suet this morning. (report from Dawn Pavone).

1/9/11 -- Westminster
While walking the neighborhood today, I saw a Lesser Black-backed Gull (adult) on Round Meadow Pond in Westminster, with about 20 Herring and 10 Great-black-backed gulls. While observing the bird it took flight headed for the Westminster Landfill area. Small numbers of gulls congregate on the ice at Round Meadow, but on a sporadic basis...but its worth keeping an eye for "it" at the Wachusett Res. roost, and also Saw Mill Pond in Fitchburg (near the Westminster Landfill), at the junction of Rte 31 and Rte 2. (report from Tom Pirro).

1/9/11 -- Gardner
There were 31 Common redpolls at our feeders this AM along with a dozen or so Pine siskins and many goldfinches. The redpolls' visit was very brief. This PM 42 Cedar waxwings were on Timpany Blvd in the fruit trees around Athol Savings Bank. (report from Dick Knowlton).

1/9/11 -- Sutton
At 12:15 this afternoon, there was a Turkey Vulture soaring over the intersection of Central Turnpike and Douglas Road in Sutton. (report from Alan Marble).

1/9/11 -- King Philip Rd, Worcester
We live on the top of King Philip Rd. in Worcester and every weekend my wife and I have been noticing Crows flying over our house going towards South West. I mean thousands! all following each other.. It's been going on for about a month now (from Shrewsbury to Tatnuck Sq. would be the path). (report from Joe Breault).

1/8/11 -- Wachusett Reservoir, Clinton
Late this afternoon there were 7 hooded mergansers, 1 common merg pair, 10 goldeneyes, 12 Scaup and 25 ring billed/black back gulls seen from the Clinton dike between gates 36 and 37. There were no ducks on 'Bart's Pond' (the pond that never freezes), which is still not frozen, but there were 2 golden crowned kinglets heard and seen. (report from Jean Holm).

1/7/11 -- Lincoln St., Worcester
Late this pm I had a mature bald eagle flying over Rt 290, near the Hanover Insurance Building and Lincoln St area, heading southeast. (report from Scott Jordan).

1/7/11 -- Leesville Pond/All Faith's Cemetery, Worcester
There was a lot of activity on Leesville Pond this afternoon. Sightings included 3 Mute Swans, a Great Blue Heron, a Northern Pintail, Hooded Mergansers, Mallard Ducks, and a Red-Tailed Hawk. (report from Joan Crowell)

1/6/11 -- Wachusett Reservoir, West Boylston/Clinton
Highlights today:
  • Gate 26: Greater Sacaup-35 They flew out before I could scope them to see if there was anything with them.
  • Gate 36: Hooded Merganser-16; Common Merganser-1; Lesser Scaup-1; Ring-necked Duck-1; Common Loon-3; Snow Bunting-10;
  • Gate 40: Common Loon-2; Common Merganser-4; Bufflehead-3 females;
  • Gate 6: From gate 40 I could see distant flocks of Goldeneyes and Scaup, so I went over to gate 6 and hiked out the peninsula to get a closer view with better light. From gate 6 I was able to scope the birds better for identification. Greater Scaup-29; Common Goldeneye-37; Barrow's Goldeneye-2 (m/f); Common Loon-2; Also, several Red-breasted Nuthatches were at several different gates.
  • Before finally leaving the area at 1pm, at the pond that never freezes I had Wood Duck-17 (6m/11f) all flushed and easier to count; Hooded Merganser-2; Mallard-3.
    (report from Nickilas Paulson).

      Update on pond name: Comments received so far are generally supportive of using the name "Bart's Pond", although it has also been pointed out (and I agree) that this won't help specify the location for readers who are not already familiar with it. My plan would be to make the pond name a web link on the sighting page, so if you click on the name it would take you to a brief description of the pond, the original name "pond that never freezes", and a map. Bart has graciously consented to the use of his name for the pond, if that is the decision, although other good suggestions have been made, such as "Coachlace South". I still like "Bart's Pond", but will continue to accept comments (rsquimby@wpi.edu) and further suggestions before any decision is made.

    1/6/11 -- Gardner
    There were 12 common redpolls, 25 (est.) pine siskins and 2 white-throated sparrows along with the usuals at our feeders here today, at our new location in Gardner. Not quite as exciting as our previous location [caretakers house at Wachusett Meadows Sanctuary in Princeton] but enough to keep us watching. Never had white-throats this time of year at the sanctuary. (report from Dick Knowlton).

    1/6/11 -- Shrewsbury/Clinton
  • At Lake Quinsigamond, looking from Vinny T's in Shrewsbury, there were 2 Red-breasted Mergansers this morning. Also at that location were 27 Common Goldeneyes.
  • At the "pond that never freezes" in Clinton, near Coachlace, there was a nice assortment of ducks including 12 Wood Ducks, 5 A. Black Ducks, 31 Mallards, 2 Common Goldeneye and 2 Hooded Mergansers.
    (report from Alan Marble).

      Editor's note:There have been and continue to be many references to the "pond that never freezes" in Clinton. Variations are starting to occur, such as "unfrozen pond", etc. To avoid confusion, to simplify reports, and to honor the person who (I believe, correct me if I'm wrong) first coined the phrase "pond that never freezes" (a very descriptive but cumbersome name), I propose renaming it (for the purpose of reports on this site, at least) "Bart's Pond". I don't think this will cause confusion with Barton's Cove. Please send me your comments/vote via email at rsquimby@wpi.edu, and I'll announce any such informal name change at a later date. Of course, the honoree can veto the suggestion, but I hope he doesn't!

      Update on pond name: Comments received so far are generally supportive of using the name "Bart's Pond", although it has also been pointed out (and I agree) that this won't help specify the location for readers who are not already familiar with it. My plan would be to make the pond name a web link on the sighting page, so if you click on the name it would take you to a brief description of the pond, the original name "pond that never freezes", and a map. Bart has graciously consented to the use of his name for the pond, if that is the decision, although other good suggestions have been made, such as "Coachlace South". I still like "Bart's Pond", but will continue to accept comments and further suggestions before any decision is made.

    1/5/11 -- Wachusett Reservoir, West Boylston/Clinton
    At Wachusett Res, early this afternoon, the hilights:
  • Near the causeway seen from gate 25 area: Greater Scaup 66; Lesser Scaup 1 perhaps 2; Redhead 1 the female continues associated with scaup; Common Goldeneye 10; Common merganser 9; Hooded merganser 14; Bald Eagle 2 adults at the nest site.   I missed the Barrow's GE and R-B Merg, but the water was choppy.  
  • The "Unfrozen Pond" near Coachlace:   Wood Duck  8  
  • Sterling at the junction of rte 140 and I190: there was a Northern Harrier.  
  • At my feeders in Westminster: Siskins continue and a yard Common Redpoll and 2 Eastern Bluebirds.
    (report from Tom Pirro).

    1/5/11 -- Sutton
    This afternoon around 2.45 I had a Mourning Dove with it's upper tail coverts that were entirely white . (report from Michael Joubert).

    1/5/11 -- Royalston
    Donna Schilling and I birded Royalston this morning. Soon after leaving the library parking lot at the center, we were rewarded with some great looks at a flock of 12 noisy Evening Grosbeaks, perched in the sun in the top of a large maple tree. We also picked up a couple of Pine Siskins at a feeder near the center. A little while later on Prospect Hill Rd, we hit the jackpot with 28 Evening Grosbeaks and 5 more Pine Siskins. (report from Alan Marble).

    1/4/11 -- Uxbridge
    A lone turkey vulture circled over my backyard this afternoon about 2pm. Was it around for Saturday's CBC? NOOOoooooooooooo. (report from Beth Milke)

    1/3/11 -- Wachusett Resevoir, West Boylston
    This afternoon, while checking the large flock of 71 Greater Scaup at Wachusett Reservoir from under the powerline towers at gate 25, there was a female RED-BREASTED MERGANSER. Two of the scaup had the head profile that looked good for Lesser Scaup. Here is a photo of the merganser. (report from Alan Marble).

    1/3/11 -- West Millbury
    This morning, in addition to the usual feeder birds, I had a flock of 15 Brown-headed Cowbirds, a Carolina Wren and a Brown Creeper. (report from Alan Marble).

    1/2/11 -- Worcester and Wachusett Reservoir
    We spent the day birding a few locations within the Worcester CBC circle. There was a good variety and number of waterfowl for a January 2 so well inland.
  • LEESVILLE POND: Great Blue Heron (2); Canada Goose (13); Mallard (151); A Black Duck (16); N Pintail (2m); Green-winged Teal (4); Hooded Merganser (41); Common Merganser (3);
  • NOTRE DAME CEMETERY: Mute Swan (1); Canada Goose (19); Mallard (54); A Black Duck (7); Hooded Merganser (3); Red-tailed Hawk (1); E Screech Owl (1);
  • AUBURN: KETTLEBROOK DAM: Great Blue Heron (1); Canada Goose (8); Mallard (24); Green-winged Teal (2); Hooded Merganser (2); Belted Kingfisher (1);
  • WACHUSETT RESERVOIR: Common Loon (3); Mallard (16); Greater Scaup (60+: this large flock is best seen from under the power lines near the causeway. We took some distant views, saw that most were Greater Scaup, but as we walked out, the fog rolled in and we couldn?t get a better count or look for other species even after 30 minutes); Bufflehead (2f); Common Goldeneye (57); Barrow?s Goldeneye (1m+1f); Hooded Merganser (9); Common Merganser (5);
  • LAKE QUINSIGAMOND/FLINT POND COMPLEX: only a partial survey. You spend all day birding all the nooks and crannies of these ponds Great Blue Heron (2); Canada Goose (41); Mute Swan (17); Wood Duck (1); Gadwall (pair); American Wigeon (pair); A Black Duck (28); Mallard (674); N Shoveler (1f); Ring-necked Duck (69); Lesser Scaup (1); Common Goldeneye (43); Hooded Merganser (29); Common Merganser (2); Bald Eagle (1ad: perched north of Rt.9 bridge); C Yellowthroat (1); Swamp Sparrow (3);
  • At WORCESTER AIRPORT the lark/bunting show continues and numbers seem to have increased: Horned Lark (60++); Snow Bunting (130+);
  • DOWNTOWN: Peregrine Falcon (1ad);
    (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

    1/2/11 -- Regatta Point on Lake Quinsigamond, Worcester
    Around 11am today there were about 50 Ring-necked Ducks close to the eastern shore. There were also 2 goldeneye drakes and several females. Also saw a mature bald eagle. (report from Jean Holm).

    1/2/11 -- Harvard Pond, Petersham
    A Northern Shrike was seen today. It perched for several minutes in a high treetop (typical shrike behavior) above the recently-logged area on the north side of the pond, before eventually flying down into some lower trees at the edge of the harvested plot. (report from Wendy Howes & Alan Rawle)

    1/1/11 -- Village of Mancaug, Sutton
    New Years day I took a walk around the area near my house .At the Mumford River by the old Fire Station I had a Belted Kingfisher and 1 American Robin,Down stream I had 15 to 20 Mallards with 3 Black ducks and 9 fly over Canada Geese. Near Whitens Road I had 1 Coopers Hawk. On Whitens Road 1 Red tailed hawk along with 5 Whitetailed Deer. Back on the river the kingfisher had returned I also had there 1 lone Turkey Vulture.. On my return home I had a male Purple Finch mixed in with all the Pine Siskins and the rest of the regulars after I went in and settled in I had a Brown Creeper show up. (report from Michael Joubert).

    1/1/11 -- Worcester
    Highlights of the annual New Year's day Forbush Bird club trip led by Joan Zumpfe included Ring-necked Duck (6), Common Merganser (1 f), Bald Eagle (adult, Notre Dame cemetery), Cooper's Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Merlin (perched in Notre Dame cemetery, photographed by Joan Gallagher), Belted Kingfisher, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Golden-crowned Kinglet, and Snow Bunting (~50 at airport). Here is the complete list of species. (report from Rick Quimby).

    For previous sightings, see December 2010 Archives or Archive Index