January 2013 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:

1/28/13 -- St. Johns Cemetery, Worcester
In The Middle River here there were 22 Mallards, 3 pairs of Hooded Mergansers, a lone Ring-necked Duck, 1 juvenile Red-tailed Hawk, 200+ Canadian Geese, and a flock of about 30 Juncos. (report from Brian Mulhearn)

1/27/13 -- Worcester/Rutland/New Braintree/Old Furnace/Brookfields
We birded from Worcester to Rutland to New Braintree and ended in the Brookfields. Birding was slow and February is shaping up to be a tough birding month in the county. Highlights only, such as they are.
  • WORCESTER: Tatnuck Brook Mallards (25); looking for handouts
  • RUTLAND (Muschopauge Road); Wild Turkey (flock of 40); A Robin (36); Dark-eyed Junco (23);
  • RUTLAND SP (Cold Plains Road parking lot and vicinity); Winter Wren (1); Red-breasted Nuthatch (3); RED CROSSBILL (pair. The male sang several times. This species can pair up very early and may even nest rather early. In the months ahead, County birders should look for possible nesting of this species);
  • NEW BRAINTREE: Red-tailed Hawk (1); Hairy Woodpecker (2); Eastern Bluebird (8);
  • OLD FURNACE (village of Hardwick); Red-tailed Hawk (1); N Flicker (1); Pileated Woodpecker (1); Carolina Wren (1);
  • BROOKFIELD:Quabog IBA. NB: Late Quabog, Lake Wickabog and Lake Lashaway are almost completely frozen and have ice fishermen out on them. Even the river is covered in ice for long stretches. We looked for small pockets of open water. Canada Goose (1 on a lawn); Hooded Merganser (5f in a group at the outflow of Wickabog into the Quabog River); Common Merganser (2m+1f resting on the ice next to a very small open space where the river flows into Lake Quabog); Wild Turkey (12); Ring-billed Gull (29: Quabog); Belted Kingfisher (1: Wickabog outflow); Dark-eyed Junco (19);
  • WORCESTER AIRPORT: Horned Lark (30+); Snow Bunting (65+); NB: birds very jumpy, not surprising since they are being shot
    (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

    • 1/27/13 -- Westborough/Northborough
  • Visited the continuing pine grosbeaks (had 11, no adult males) at the Speedway Plaza on Rte. 9 (Westborough). Photo
  • Also visited the continuing redpolls in the Little Chauncey fields (Northboro) reported by Tim Spahr. These birds are sometimes skittish and other times not, pecking around my feet and almost landing on me twice. Photo1 | Photo2 |
    All in all nice to bird only a few miles from home for a change. (report from Garry Kessler).

    • 1/27/13 -- Berlin
    At least two and perhaps three Great Horned Owls continue in my yard, heard and then found two on top of white pines last evening and one was very vocal outside my window early this morning.  I look for them roosting during the day but have yet to find them.  (report from Randy Langer).

    1/26/13 -- various locations
    We set out to search for whatever scraps of open water were left in eastern Worcester County. Which was not much after this very hard freeze. Highlights below:
  • WORCESTER: LAKE QUINSIGAMOND north of Rt. 9 Bridge. 99% frozen, ice fishermen out. In a small open patch at a stream in flow in the northern tip of the lake: Canada Goose (230+); Mallard (13); American Black Duck (1); Hooded Merganser (2);
  • WACHUSETT RESERVOIR: 97% frozen or slush covered. Mute Swan (3 on ice near small island seen from dam. We thought they might be frozen in, but when we returned 2 had gone); Mallard (3: Quinapauxet River); Hooded Merganser (2m: Quinny); Bald Eagle (2ad sitting on the ice, 1 right next to the swans); Red-tailed Hawk (1); Ring-billed Gull (30);
  • CLINTON: on the Nashua River behind Wheetabix); Mallard (290+); A Black Duck (3);
  • BOLTON FLATS-OXBOW NWR: we poked in various areas: Mallard (13); Cooper?s Hawk (1); Red-tailed Hawk (6); Red-bellied Woodpecker (5); N Flicker (1); E Bluebird (3); N Mockingbird (1); Tree Sparrow (7); Song Sparrow (1); Dark-eyed Junco (37);
  • AUBURN: at dam: river almost completely frozen Mallard (46 flying towards the mall); Red-tailed hawk (1);
  • WORCESTER: Notre Dame Cemetery: River mostly frozen Great Blue Heron (1 standing on ice); Hooded Merganser (3); Song Sparrow (3);
  • WORCESTER: St. John?s Cemetery Canada Goose (350+ including 3 hybrids with some other species/breed); Red-tailed Hawk (1);
  • WORCESTER: Middle River across from Holy Cross: Mallard (12);
  • MILLBURY: Central Cemetery: Canada Goose (47); Mallard (24); Hooded Merganser (3); Red-tailed Hawk (2); American Robin (42); Song Sparrow (3);
    It's very tough out there in Worcester County for waterfowl and for many species of birds. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

    • 1/26/13 -- Westborough
    We had 12 Pine Grosbeak's (no males) at 10:30 this morning at the Westborough Speedway Plaza, previously reported at the same spot by Mark Lynch and Sheila Carroll. (report from Bob & Diane Abbott).

    1/26/13 -- All Faith's Cemetery, Worcester/Auburn
    I took this photo of a Redpoll having lunch today. (report from Brian Mulhearn)

    1/25/13 -- West Millbury
    I had a nice surprise this afternoon when I looked out the window and had a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker on my whole peanut feeder. (report from Alan Marble).

    1/25/13 -- Lake Quinsigamond, Worcester/Shrewsbury
    I had a Great Blue Heron this morning flying out of Lake Quinsigamond at 6:40, over the Burns Bridge and headed along the shore line towards the north section of the lake. (report from Scott Ricker).

    1/25/13 -- Paxton
    There were two bluebirds in a small flock of starlings on this cold morning, sitting on the electric wires, and flying down to land in a bush. (report from Kathy Van Schoick)

    1/24/13 -- Northboro
    Temperature 4 degrees this morning in Northboro, but I had Blue Birds on my feeder. (report from Henry Squillante).

    1/23/13 -- Innovation Drive, Worcester
    Today on my lunchtime walk, along Innovation Drive by the UMASS Medical School Campus (the road that goes up to the currently disappearing clock tower), I came upon an immature yellow-bellied sapsucker. This is the second time in a month or so I've seen this bird (or an identical one) at this location. (report from John Walsh).

    1/21/13 -- Northbridge
    As I enjoyed waffles with my 7 year old twin nephews this morning I glanced out the window and saw a huge bird headed our way. I sounded the alarm and we sprang into action. I ran to get the camera and the boys kept an eye on the bird shouting things like, "It's making circles" and "Hurry up Auntie Jen!!" After we all ran out on the porch in 20 degree weather (and still in our p.j.'s.) I managed to get some photos and this video. Looks to be a juvie bald eagle. (report from Jenifer Glagowski).

    1/20/13 -- Charlton/Southbridge/Worcester
    Highlights:
  • CHARLTON -- Orlando's Ponds: Canada Goose (6); Mallard (450+); Mallard X Black (6 drakes); A Black Duck (14); NORTHERN PINTAIL (1m+1f); Ring-billed Gull (150+);
  • SOUTHBRIDGE: Canada Goose (23); Mallard (15); Common Merganser (2f); Ring-billed Gull (45); Horned Lark (3 at landfill); Common Raven (2 at airport); Eastern Bluebird (49); A Robin (18); Tree Sparrow (5); Song Sparrow (1); Dark-eyed Junco (61); Brown-headed Cowbird (12); House Finch (26); American Goldfinch (29);
  • DUDLEY: Hooded Merganser (2); Common Merganser (1m); Northern Shrike (1);
  • WORCESTER -- Leesville Pond: Great Blue Heron (2); Mute Swan (2); Canada Goose (38: most flying overhead); Mallard (29); A Black Duck (11); Hooded Merganser (29); Common Merganser (1); Red-tailed Hawk (1); Belted Kingfisher (1);
  • AUBURN -- the dam near Leesville: Great Blue Heron (2); Mallard (32); Hooded Merganser (2);
  • WORCESTER -- Notre Dame Cemetery: Great Blue Heron (2); Mallard (26); A Black Duck (1); Hooded Merganser (9);
  • WORCESTER -- Coes Reservoir: American Crow (3500+ many roosting in trees behind the abandoned supermarket, but well over 1000 sitting on the ice. Fish Crow (1);
    (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

    Note added 1/21/13 by Scott Ricker: I see these crows going to the roost every late afternoon, and I see then departing the roost every morning. I found it interesting that a large portion of this crow roost chose to settle in at the railroad tracks and trees at the corner of Layfayette and Quinsigamond Ave last Tuesday night (Jan 15). The rail-box staging area and associated tracks make for a good place for these birds, kinda like the crow roost in Springfield which is in such an area and I would estimate has at least the same amount that Mark indicated here, and likely more.

    • 1/20/13 -- Grafton
    Today with my girl scouts we saw three Eastern Bluebirds at the Armond Dauphinais Memorial Park in Grafton. We were only about 50 feet away and got really nice looks as they struggled to stay perched on a power line. (report from Michele Bennett Decoteau).

    1/20/13 -- The Fair Plaza, Worcester
    The Black-headed Gull that was observed in the area yesterday was seen this morning in the parking lot near the Burlington Coat factory from 7:30 to about 7:40. This is the same pattern as yesterday. Yesterday it made a brief stop in the afternoon at around 3. Seven birders were on hand this morning to see it. (report from Alan Marble).

    1/20/13 -- Worcester/Wachusett Reservoir
    This morning, my wife (Kim Kastler) and I made a brief stop at the parking lot of the Fair Shopping Center in Worcester (corner of Greenfield St. and Route 20), and then headed to South Bay at Wachusett Reservoir. Highlights were:
  • FAIR SHOPPING CENTER: We found the BLACK-HEADED GULL (1) right when we got there amongst the Ring-billed Gulls. While we watched, a women started driving towards them slowly, honking constantly to try to move them out of her way. Finally, the gulls got spooked, and when they settled back, the Black-headed was gone, either to the rooftop or off to the treatment plant/landfill. The whole time we were there, there was a women sitting in a DCR truck. She finally came over to talk to us, telling us that she was counting the gulls every 20 minutes as part of a DO NOT FEED THE GULLS campaign. When we mentioned the Black-headed Gull, she was not aware that there was an odd species amongst the gulls.
  • SOUTH BAY at WACHUSETT RESERVOIR: Greater Scaup (65); Lesser Scaup (12); Ring-necked Duck (50); CANVASBACK (7); Common Goldeneye (66); BARROW'S GOLDENEYE (1 female); Hooded Merganser (2);
    (report from John Liller).

    • 1/19/13 -- Worcester/Westboro/Blackstone/Northbridge
    We spent the day birding Worcester, Westboro and the southern end of the Blackstone Corridor. Highlights:
  • Downtown WORCESTER: Sharp-shinned Hawk (1); Red-tailed Hawk (2); Peregrine Falcon (1 on People's United Building eating something);
  • WORCESTER: THE FAIR SHOPPING CENTER/WASTEWATER FACILITY (Millbury): Canada Goose (189: flying overhead); N Harrier (1imm rising up from the landfill in the PM); Red-tailed Hawk (2); BLACK HEADED GULL [see previous report]
  • CHAUNCY POND, WESTBORO: Snow Goose (1ad); Canada Goose (280); Mallard (8); A Black Duck (4); Common Merganser (1); Iceland Gull (1 1stW); A Robin (60+);
  • SuAsCo, WESTBORO (from Arch Street canoe launch): Mute Swan (59); Canada Goose (250+); Mallard (28); Hooded Merganser (7); BALD EAGLE (1ad perched in tree right next to waterfowl); Red-tailed Hawk (1);
  • MILLBURY Red-shouldered Hawk (1);
  • GRAFTON: Red-shouldered Hawk (1); Red-tailed Hawk (2);
  • UXBRIDGE: Hooded Merganser (7); Turkey Vulture (1);
  • BLACKSTONE (town of); Turkey Vulture (10+); Black Vulture (3);
      NB: the roost for the vultures is still around the mill buildings in Woonsocket RI across from Cold Spring Park. BUT we worked the area for some time and eventually vultures would fly north into Blackstone typically in close proximity to the river and fly back again. We also had 4 Turkey Vultures working farm fields much further north in Blackstone.
    Canada Goose (101); Mallard (31); Hooded Merganser (1); Sharp-shinned Hawk (2); Red-tailed Hawk (2); Red-bellied Woodpecker (2); Fish Crow (1);
  • NORTHBRIDGE, Arcade Pond: Mute Swan (3); Mallard (2); Red-shouldered Hawk (1 in the small woodlot exactly where we had one back when looking at the Little Blue Heron); Red-tailed Hawk (1);
  • NORTHBRIDGE, Meadow Pond: Mute Swan (3); Canada Goose (55); Mallard (8)
    (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

    • 1/19/13 -- FAIR SHOPPING CENTER, Worcester
    The BLACK HEADED GULL (1stW) was refound this AM by Sheila and I and later seen by Alan Marble and Kim Allen. We found the bird sitting in THE FAIR SHOPPING CENTER parking lot (corner of Greenwood St and Rt. 20: very near the Millbury line and just off the pike); at c. 7:30 AM. It was roosting with ~ 60 Ring-billed Gulls. Sheila took a bunch of photos. Eventually the gulls all went up, and most returned to the lot but the Black-headed and 2 Ring-billeds flew off in the direction of the wastewater treatment facility across the street (at this point the bird was in Millbury). By driving east on Rt. 20 and then back, we pulled over at the bike path entrance just east of the Rt. 146 overpass. This spot offers a distant overlook of the wastewater facility and with a scope we were able to pick out the Black Headed roosting atop some large white quonset sheds. Kim and Alan later found the bird from this location. Later in the day, returning from the southern towns of the Blackstone National Corridor, we again pulled into The Fair parking lot and refound the Black Headed Gull among 80+ Ring-billeds and 1 Herring Gull, gorging on bread slices and small loaves that someone had thrown out (BTW: the DCR REALLY does not want you to do this so DO NOT FEED THE GULLS). This was 3:15PM. Sheila took some more shots and we left the bird there.

    The only other recent records of Black Headed Gull for the County have been the bird that appeared near Lousia Lake in Milford in the winters of '04 and '05. This bird actually was mostly seen in the dirt parking lot next to the lake or in the concrete outflow sluice. There was also a bird that had been present for some time that turned up in the Worcester County section of the Quabbin CBC 1994 (Dana Sector).
    (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

    1/18/13 -- Worcester
    I  had another Turkey Vulture today around 2pm circling over Southbridge St over the W&P Rail yard. (report from Scott Ricker).

    1/18/13 -- Northborough
    A Snow Goose was found during a quick stop at 12:50pm at Juniper Hill Golf Course in Northborough, seen from School St. It is mixed with the flocks of Canadas. This flock spends most of its time here off of School and Brigham streets but often goes over to Big Chauncy and the WWMA. So it may stay for a while as this flock is here all winter. Important: view from the road, no trespassing. Big Chauncy was very quiet in the heavy wind. (report from Nick Paulson).

    1/17/13 -- Institute Park, Worcester
    Highlights at noon were an adult Bald Eagle that circled over the pond for some time, then slowly drifting north; also, 8 Hooded Mergansers and 1 RT Hawk. (report from Rick Quimby).

    1/17/13 -- Westboro/Southboro
    Quick note before work.
  • Big Chauncy in Westboro: Snow Goose and Iceland Gull -- View from Chauncy Beach along Lyman St.
  • Sudbury Reservoir in Southboro: White-winged Scoter along Codaville Road
    (report from Nick Paulson).

    • 1/17/13 -- South Bay, Wachusett Reservoir, Boylston
    This morning, the 2 drake CANVASBACKS continued at South Bay. Common Goldeneyes, Greater and Lesser Scaup and Ring-necked Ducks were present in their usual numbers. (report from Alan Marble).

    1/15/13 -- I-190, Sterling
    I had an interesting view of a Pileated Woodpecker today flying over 190N, then it came back from the median area and tilted so I could clearly see the silhouette of the entire bird including its fanned out tail and large perked up crest. The only thing I saw was silhouette no color, but it was just so impressive. (report from Scott Ricker).

    1/15/13 -- South Bay at Wachusett Reservoir, Boylston
    We headed to South Bay, Wachusett Reservoir (viewed from Rt. 140) at dawn this morning and found the following: Great Cormorant (1ad: perched on platform w/5 adW Great Black-backed Gulls. While we were there, we looked up, and it was gone.); Canvasback (2m staying in close proximity to each other in one of the scaup flocks); Ring-necked Duck (15); Greater Scaup (86); Lesser Scaup (10); Common Goldeneye (21); Hooded Merganser (2). (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

    1/14/13 -- Worcester
    I saw 5 Turkey Vultures this afternoon circling over Park Ave X May St as I was driving towards Webster Square around 3:40. I think there may have been a few more because more appeared as I was getting better views over the buildings. (report from Scott Ricker).

    1/13/13 -- Rutland
    On both  1/12 and 1/13 Great Horned Owls were calling from the white pines between our yard and a neighbors.  (report from Ted Purcell).

    1/13/13 -- Sutton / Boylston / West Boylston
  • Sutton: off Blackstone River-GADWALL-1
  • Wachusett Reservoir: River Rd West Boylston -- WIGEON- 1 (thanks Mark & Shelia), Red-breasted Nuthatch-7, Great back-blacked Gull-4
  • Wachusett Reservoir: Route 12 Bridge West Boylston -- RED-BREASTED MERGANSER-1, COMMON LOON-2, American Black Duck- 2
  • Wachusett Reservoir: South Bay, Boylston: GREAT CORMORANT-1 (thanks Mark &Shelia)
    (report from Justin Lawson).

    • 1/13/13 -- Lake Quinsigamond and Wachusett Reservoir
    We spent most of the day birding in the city of Worcester and Shrewsbury mostly around Lake Quinsigamond and Flint Pond. We also birded around Wachusett Reservoir. Partial list below:
  • WORCESTER and adjacent SHREWSBURY (western Quinsig and Flint Pond): Highlights were Common Loon (3: 1 north of Rt.9 bridge, 2 south); Double-crested Cormorant (1 imm: perched on marker buoy just south of Rt.9 bridge); Great Blue Heron (3); Canada Goose (5); Mute Swan (19); A Black Duck (11); Mallard (143); C Goldeneye (3m); Hooded Merganser (7); Common Merganser (13); Ruddy Duck (2); Bald Eagle (1ad+1imm); Sharp-shinned Hawk (1); Cooper's Hawk (2); Red-tailed Hawk (6); Peregrine Falcon (1: finally caught up with 1 of the 2 birds that have been seen downtown. This one was perched on the railing of the old People's Bank Building near where they nested years back); Ring-billed Gull (250+); Herring Gull (40+); Iceland Gull (1 1stW); Lesser Black-backed Gull (1 1stW); Great Black-backed Gull (10+); E Screech Owl (2); Belted Kingfisher (1); N Flicker (2); Golden-crowned Kinglet (flock of 4 at Edgmere boat lunch); A Robin (43 on exposed lawn); Swamp Sparrow (2); White-winged Crossbill (4 in pines at Lake Park);
  • WACHUSETT RESERVOIR: Common Loon (4); Great Cormorant (1ad: we finally caught up with this bird. Alan marble is right..it just seems to "appear". We tried several time syesterday and today and then, suddenly, it was there); Mute Swan (3); Canada Goose (21); A Wigeon (1f seen from River Rd. Sheila got some marginal shots); Mallard (23); A Black Duck (4); Ring-necked Duck (11); Lesser Scaup (8+); Greater Scaup (58); Bufflehead (2f); C Goldeneye (24: no sign of the Barrow?s); Hooded Merganser (28); Common Merganser (10); Bald Eagle (1imm); Red-tailed Hawk (1); Glaucous Gull (1stW seen briefly as it put down among the other common gulls); Pileated Woodpecker (1);
    (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

    • 1/12/13 -- Brookfield/Charlton
    On the Quaboag River in Brookfield, there were 48 Hooded mergansers and 4 Common Mergansers. At Orlando's in Charlton I counted approximately 940 Mallards, 48 Black Ducks, 1 male Ring-necked Duck, 1 female Pintail, 1 Ruddy Duck, and oddly, only 4 Ring-billed Gulls and NO Canada Geese. (report from Rodney Jenkins).

    1/12/13 -- Berlin
    I have three Common Redpoll visiting my feeders this morning in Berlin. (report from Randy Langer).

    1/12/13 -- Sturbridge
    This afternoon we observed Eastern bluebirds (2M, 2F) in our yard and 1 Northern Mockingbird at our feeder in Sturbridge. (report from Naomi Lacasse).

    1/11/13 -- Worcester
    I got some details on a recent ebird report of a Black-headed gull in Worcester, Ma. The observer ( a DCR gull banding team member) reported the location as "The Fair Shopping Plaza", and sent some details and a few photos that indicate it was indeed a Black-headed Gull. Additional details include "the base of its bill was distinctly a darker shade of orange/red", and the photos while grainy indicate a sub adult.

    Some years back a Black-headed Gull frequented, for 2 or 3 winters, a parking lot at Lake Louisa in Milford, Ma. It was usually with Ring-billed Gulls and was happy to accept handouts. So keep an eye on those "plaza gulls".
    (report from Tom Pirro).

    1/11/13 -- Wachusett Reservior / Westminster
  • South Bay, Wachusett Reservior: A nice assorment of birds continues on Wachusett Reservior, primarily in South Bay: Greater Scaup 72; Lesser Scaup 3; Ringed-necked Duck 40; Common Goldeneye 30; Barrow's Goldeneye 1 previously reported female; Hooded Merganser 4 (off River Road); Common Merganser 9 (Gate 25 area); Herring Gull 400+ (excluding the 20ish breeding plumage plastic decoys perched under the power lines seen from gate 25); Ring-billed Gull 2500 seen from S. Bay but most on the main body of water; Great Black-backed Gull 50+; Iceland Gull (1 2nd winter w/ two-toned glaucous like bill, smaller than Herring Gull, roundish head, typical Iceland "kumlien's" Gull like wing markings); Glaucous Gull 1 "bright" hulking 1st winter bird; Great Cormorant 1 previously report by Bart Kamp et al, initial no-where to be seen but eventually showed up on the raft (seen from south bay) just before dusk.
  • Westminster: a flock of 30-50 Common redpolls continue in my neighborhood.
    (report from Tom Pirro).

    • 1/10/13 -- West Boylston
    This morning at @8am on the Wachusett Reservoir side of the Thomas Street (RT 140) Bridge, there were several Hooded Mergansers in the water (as others have reported recently) and one adult Bald Eagle sitting on the edge of the ice. (report from John Walsh).

    1/9/13 -- Wachusett Reservoir, Boylston
    From 2:30-3:30 I was at South Bay at Wachusett Reservoir. I thought that there was an unusually large number of gulls (400-500) present for that time of day. Also the numbers were about 60% Herring and Greater Black-backed Gulls. On my last post more than 90% of the gulls were Ring-billed Gulls. Among the gulls were 1 first winter Glaucous Gull and 1 first winter Iceland Gull and the Great Cormorant was "loafing" all alone on the raft. On the islands there was a flock of Redpolls feeding on the Alder catkins. (report from Bart Kamp).

    1/9/13 -- North Brookfield
    This morning I had an adult Northern Shrike harassing House Sparrows at the Bigelow Street Sewer Pump Station. (report from Rodney Jenkins)

    1/9/13 -- Wachusett Reservoir, Boylston
    This afternoon around 2:15 there were a couple hundred gulls at South Bay starting to roost for the night. There were 2 Glaucous Gulls. One was 2nd Winter and the other had more black on the bill, so maybe 1st or 2nd Winter.
    Note added 1/10: After checking my Field Guides, the gull with the more black on the bill was actually an Iceland Gull. (report from Peter Morlock).

    1/8/13 -- Paxton Center
    Three cedar waxwings were feeding on a flowering pear (fruit) in the courtyard at the Paxton Center School today.  Not a rarity I know, but cool for the students to see.  (report from Ted Purcell).

    1/8/13 -- Coldbrook Road, Barre
    This morning I happened upon 10 or so Red Crossbills (M&F) feeding in some Red Pines along Coldbrook Rd. After feeding they flew to the dead trees in the swamp on the left side. They perched there for a while until a Cooper's Hawk flew nearby and they all started calling and flew off. This is the same place that I saw a group back in Sept. (report from Peter Morlock).

    1/8/13 -- Wachusett Reservoir, Boylston
    The GREAT CORMORANT seen by Bart yesterday was loafing on the raft today at South Bay at 2 p.m. (report from Alan Marble).

    1/7/13 -- Wachusett Reservoir, Boylston
    Late this afternoon I went to South Bay at Wachusett Reservoir to check the gulls that have been bathing then resting on the ice there. They were only a fraction of the number of gulls that were flying in to roost at the Reservoir. Most of them bypassed South Bay and headed for the area west of the Gate 22 peninsula. I did manage to find 1 second winter Glaucous Gull. On the raft there was an adult GREAT CORMORANT. It left when the raft was overwhelmed by the gulls. I estimate that there are three to four thousand gulls are currently roosting at the reservoir. They were still coming in at 5 PM which is a half hour after sunset. (report from Bart Kamp).

    1/7/13 -- Wachusett Reservoir, West Boylston
    This afternoon there was an American Wigeon in the Quinapoxet River on River Rd along with Mallards and Hooded Mergansers. (report from Peter Morlock)

    1/6/13 -- Worcester / West Boylston
  • Wachusett Reservoir: Mute Swan (3); Greater Scaup (64); Lesser Scaup (4); Ring-necked Duck (8); Common Goldeneye (33); Barrow's Goldeneye (1f); Common Merganser (7)
  • Wachusett Country Club (2 visits): American Robin (80+: most flying over); Cedar Waxwing (2); Pine Grosbeak (2)
  • Worcester Corporation Center and environs: Wild Turkey (15); Red-tailed Hawk (1); E Screech Owl (1); E Bluebird (3); Hermit Thrush (1); A Robin (10+); N Mockingbird (1); Common Redpoll (31); A Goldfinch (22)
    (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

    • 1/6/13 -- Whalom Lake, Lunenburg
    Early this afternoon at Whalom Lake in Lunenburg among 300-400 gulls there was a second winter Glaucous Gull. (report from Bart Kamp).

    1/6/13 -- Sutton
    On Providence Rd in Sutton just before the Millbury line, there are a couple of potholes in the ice adjacent to the Blackstone that have remained open during the cold spell. This morning for the second time I saw a GADWALL there with a few Mallards. The ducks are very close to the road and very skittish. Your best bet is to be heading west towards Millbury and pull over to the side of the road and view from inside the car. They will flush if you get out. (report from Alan Marble).

    1/5/13 -- Hardwick / Boyston / West Boylston
    This morning Kim Allen and I made a few stops:
  • In Hardwick at a feeder at the intersection of Sessions Rd and 32A , highlights were a big flock of 20+ Evening Grosbeaks and 3 Common Redpolls.
  • In Boylston at the South Bay of Wachusett Reservoir there was a flock of 58 Greater Scaup and 3 Lesser Scaup, 23 Common Goldeneye and one Barrow's Goldeneye, 5 Great Black-backed Gulls and 4 Herring Gulls.
  • In West Boylston, a handful of Pine Grosbeaks continued at Wachusett Country Club.
    (report from Alan Marble).

    • 1/5/13 -- West Boylston / Worcester Airport
    Today my wife and I saw 30 Hooded Mergansers on the Wachusett reservoir near Railroad rd in W. Boylston. We also saw the Horned Larks and Snow Buntings at the Worcester Airport and the Pine Grosbeaks at Wachusett Country Club. (report from Fred and Marsha Paine).

    1/3/13 -- Bart's Pond, Clinton
    This morning there was a female Northern Pintail at Bart's Pond. (report from Peter Morlock).

    1/3/13 -- Institute Park, Worcester
    At 3:30 pm there was 1 GB Heron, 2 Mute Swan, 2 Canada Geese, 10 Mallard, 5 Hooded Merganser, and 8 Common Merganser. There is a small area of open water where the inlet comes into the pond. This area typically stays open most of the winter. (report from Rick Quimby).

    1/1/13 -- Barre to Wachusett Reservoir
    Highlights from January 1 birding in Worcester County:
  • LEICESTER (pre-dawn): Great Horned Owl (3); Barred Owl (2);
  • WARE RIVER WATERSHED IBA (pre-dawn): Great Horned Owl (1); Barred Owl (1); N Saw-whet Owl (3);
  • BARRE-HARDWICK: Sharp-shinned Hawk (1); Common Raven (1); American Robin (36); Tree Sparrow (8); Song Sparrow (1); Swamp Sparrow (1); Dark-eyed Junco (56); Common Redpoll (30+); Hoary Redpoll (1 at feeder); Evening Grosbeak (35+: at 1 feeding station);
  • OLD FURNACE: C Raven (1); E Bluebird (5); N Mockingbird (1); Tree Sparrow (23); Dark-eyed Junco (39); Pine Grosbeak (2); BROOKFIELDS (nb: all larger ponds now frozen as well as sections of the river): Mallard (6); Hooded Merganser (23); Red-tailed Hawk (3); E Screech Owl (1); Red-breasted Nuthatch (5); E Bluebird (7); Hermit Thrush (1); A Tree Sparrow (50+: 1 large flock in a field); Savannah Sparrow (1); Song Sparrow (2); White-throated Sparrow (7); Dark-eyed Junco (84); C Redpoll (45+);
  • CHARLTON (Orlando's): Canada Goose (20+); Mallard (400+); A Black Duck (2); Gadwall (1f);
  • WORCESTER AIRPORT: Horned Lark (25+); A Robin (15+); Snow Bunting (8);
  • WACHUSETT COUNTRY CLUB (parking lot): Red-tailed Hawk (1); American Robin (45+); Pine Grosbeak (2);
  • WACHUSETT RESERVOIR: Mute Swan (2); Canada Goose (40+); A Black Duck (11); Ring-necked Duck (3: w/goldeneyes); Common Goldeneye (42); Barrow's Goldeneye (2f):
      nb: while we while watching the flock of goldeneyes at South Bay that contained 1 female Barrows, another flock of goldeneyes (c.16) joined them, flying in from the east. Then there were 2 female Barrow 's. Did anyone check Quinsigamond for the Barrow's there on the first?
    Common Merganser (4); Red-tailed Hawk (2); Red-bellied Woodpecker (1); N Flicker (1); Yellow-rumped Warbler 92 still present w/flock of chickadees etc);
  • CLINTON: (Coachlace frozen);
    Bart's Pond: Canada Goose (24); Mallard (16);
  • NORTHBORO: 1 small cattail marsh in private area: Mallard (6); Carolina Wren (1); Winter Wren (1); Tree Sparrow (2); Fox Sparrow (1); Song Sparrow 910+); Swamp Sparrow (2); C Redpoll (3);
  • NB: we searched for sometime for the Peregrine downtown and did NOT see it.
    (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

    • 1/1/13 -- Westborough
    Bluebirds have been coming to our feeding station since early November.  They were initially seen in my edlerberry tree, eating the berries, and I immediately put out mealworms.  I tried all summer to attract bluebirds to my yard, so I was delighted and surprised to see them in the fall. After they took to the mealworms, I slowly moved the bellfeeder to the pole.  Now they (there are four) come every morning waiting to be fed.  This is now a curse and a blessing as mealworms are expensive.  Redpolls were also found yesterday morning (12/31). (report from Curtis Armitage).

    1/1/13 -- West Boylston
    There was an Eastern Meadowlark by the Old Stone Church at Wachusett Reservoir this morning. First seen fly in over the water and noticed white outer tail feathers. Landed on the point of rocks below the old stone church. Perched up for great views: bright yellow throat and breast with black "V" on breast. I left the bird under the arborvitaes near the church. (report from Kevin Bourinot).

    1/1/13 -- Worcester
     As a friend and I were driving home from a wake at 3:30 PM New Year's Day we saw an adult Bald Eagle overhead near the Showcase Cinemas at the Aarat St Exit off 190.  (report from Ted Purcell).

    1/1/13 -- off Salisbury St, Worcester
    Yesterday and today, there were Eastern Bluebird (4 M) at our feeder, trying to feed on suet cake. (report from Lisa Hennin).

    For previous sightings, see December 2012 Archives or Archive Index