We spent from dawn till afternoon atlasing in WALES in a full block and a
sliver. Weather was OK: overcast; a few showers and rumbles of thunder, and
temps from the 70s-80s. It didn't really get hot till it cleared after
noon. Though the sliver we atlased today was narrow, it did have decent
access (often a challenge with slivers); and good habitat including a dirt
farm road that ran along several productive fields and farm lots, and both
the full block and the sliver had sections of the Norcross Sanctuary
properties, though these were separate from the main Norcross property.
Habitats included rural and suburban homes; small and medium farmlands; and
decent sized mostly deciduous woodlots. There were a number of small areas
of pines and hemlocks.
There is no doubt we are in the denouement of the breeding season, but still
there was lots of breeding activity to see, though the variety of species
singing has definitely dropped off. As usual, patience is the name of the
game in atlasing, and on three different occasions we spent 20 minutes or
more watching 1 bird, waiting for it to do "something atlas-able". In the
case of a Yellow-throated Vireo high in a tree, I am sure my PTs are going
to love what that experience did to my neck and upper back. The great thing
is that with 2 of us, 1 of us can stay on the bird, while the other hikes
around looking at other birds.
Totals for the morning:
Wood Duck (2 precocial yg);
American Black Duck (7 yg);
Red-shouldered Hawk (1);
Red-tailed Hawk (1 begging yg);
Wild Turkey (family of 9);
Mourning Dove (13);
Barred Owl (1 yg bird);
Chimney Swift (2);
Belted Kingfisher (4);
Downy Woodpecker (13);
N Flicker (2);
Pileated Woodpecker (3);
E Wood Peewee (8);
Least Flycatcher (7);
E Phoebe (25: a few apparently into a second nesting);
E Kingbird (25: a number of fledged yg following adults; begging food);
Yellow-throated Vireo (6: including an ad attending 3 just/almost fledged
yg);
Warbling Vireo (7: found 1 still occupied nest: second nesting?);
Red-eyed Vireo (86: several family groups);
Blue Jay (13);
A Crow (23);
Common Raven (4: 2ad+2just fledged yg: our best sighting of the day:
watching these adults teach the VERY noisy young how to get stuff out of
dumpsters. The adults also let out with an outstanding variety of calls and
noises. The young just wanted to be fed);
Tree Swallow (28: migrants);
Barn Swallow (43: some migrants; but 1 area still had adults feeding just
fledged yg);
Black-capped Chickadee (77);
Tufted Titmouse (28);
White-breasted Nuthatch (14);
House Wren (6);
Eastern Bluebird (8 just fledged and still somewhat downy in sections yg);
Veery (5);
Wood Thrush (4);
A Robin (33: still carrying food to nests; 2nd or 3rd nestings?);
Gray Catbird (53);
Cedar Waxwing (2);
Chestnut-sided Warbler (1);
Black-throated Blue Warbler (1adM w/1 just fledged yg);
Black-throated Green Warbler (8);
Pine Warbler (6);
Ovenbird (3);
C Yellowthroat (6);
Scarlet Tanager (21: still feeding yg in nests);
E Towhee (10);
Chipping Sparrow (43);
Song Sparrow (32);
Swamp Sparrow (14);
N Cardinal (53);
Rose-breasted Grosbeak (2);
Indigo Bunting (13: including birds feeding yg in nests);
Red-winged Blackbird (24);
C Grackle (21);
Brown-headed Cowbird (2);
House Finch (8);
A Goldfinch (42);
House Sparrow (49)
NB: these blocks were just south of the pathway of the destructive TORNADO
from earlier this summer. Today we drove over 2 roads in Brimfield that
intersected with the tornado's path to get to these blocks. We had not been
on these roads since the tornado, and the destruction in the Monson and Brimfield
area is still amazing and extremely sobering to see in person. I am sure
this event has fallen off the radars of many birders not from the area, but
for the people affected, it's going to be a long recovery. Quite a number of
houses we saw were still a shambles; either covered with tarps when possible
or just a pile of rubble. Though trees and debris have been pushed aside,
the forests are a wicked jumble of fallen trees and bark-stripped snags. One
area of a small river was still littered with mattresses, chairs and other
home furnishings that the tornado had ripped from houses. Amazingly, smack
in the middle of these ravaged areas, we noted a few species of birds still
carrying food and tending nesting or young, including cardinals, catbirds
Song Sparrows, and a Mockingbird.
(report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).
7/22/11 -- Webster/Thompson, CT
This afternoon at 4.30 very close to the Webster & Thompson Conn. line I had
a lone Black Vulture . The bird was in Thompson but close enough to Mass.
that any birders in the area should keep an eye out.
(report from Michael Joubert).
7/20/11 -- Sterling Peat, Sterling
At Sterling Peat this morning there was 1 Greater Yellowlegs. The water no
longer surrounds the Bank Swallow mound.
(report from Bart Kamp).
7/18/11 -- Wachusett Reservoir, Sterling/Clinton
This evening at the reservoir there was an adult bald eagle across the water
from gate 40 in Clinton, and the loon pair with 2 chicks was seen from gate
36 in Sterling. (report from Jean Holm).
7/17/11 -- Sterling/Rutland
This morning I stopped at Sterling Peat to look for the Pied-billed Grebe
that Peter Morlock had reported. No luck; but perched on the dead tree was a
Great Egret. I then proceeded to the Prison Camp and Intervale Road area of
Rutland where Dave Grant and Donna Schilling had heard a Black-billed Cuckoo
yesterday. No luck; but I first heard then saw a pair of Arcadian
Flycatchers. (report from Bart Kamp).
7/17/11 -- Institute Park, Worcester
At Institute Park this evening there were at least 4 Black-crowned Night
Herons, 2 adults and 2 younger birds.
(report from Bart Kamp).
7/17/11 -- Gate 35-39, Quabbin Reservoir
Today we atlased in two blocks between Gate 35 and Gate 39 in Quabbin, still
upgrading several species. Bird song was still decent till 8AM and then it
was mostly the persistant through-the-day-singers like peewee and Red-eyed
Vireo. Lots of fledged young with adults still in attendance. Finding
species in dense mixed forest once the song has begun to slack off is
difficult. Deer Flies as well as some truly huge buzzy flies that look like
they were the inland equivalent to Greenheads were were out in abundance.
Frittilaries were out in many places and many hundreds of odonates, esp.
SLATY SKIMMERS, were all over.
GATE 35-39 TOTALS:
Common Loon (19ad, including a "flock" of 10. No yg seen);
Double-crested Cormorant (2 imm);
Great Blue Heron (3: out on the Phragmite Island. At one point, 2 went up
atop the Osprey platform and slept);
Canada Goose (17: single flock of ad+fledged yg);
Red-shouldered Hawk (1);
Ruffed Grouse (1ad and at least 1 precocial chick);
Ring-billed Gull (7);
Mourning Dove (2);
Black-billed Cuckoo (1);
Belted Kingfisher (2ad);
Yellow-belied Sapsucker (6);
Pileated Woodpecker (1);
E Wood Peewee (17);
Least Flycatcher (7);
Great Crested Flycatcher (3);
Eastern Kingbird (15: several just fledged yg following adults around);
Yellow-throated Vireo (1);
Blue-headed Vireo (11: including 4 fuzzy-ish just fledged yg following at
least 1 adult);
Red-eyed Vireo (107: several parties of 2-3 just fledged yg following adults
and 1 just fledged Brown-headed Cowbird being attended by ads);
Blue Jay (19);
A Crow (9: including 2 fledged yg following ad and begging food);
Tree Swallow (149: staging in phragmites on Island);
Barn Swallow (6: small movement south);
Black-capped Chickadee (35);
Red-breasted Nuthatch (3);
White-breasted Nuthatch (2);
Veery (19: still singing);
Hermit Thrush (11: none singing, just calling);
Wood Thrush (1);
A Robin (21);
Gray Catbird (17);
Cedar Waxwing (15);
WARBLERS:
Yellow (3);
Chestnut-sided (7);
Black-throated Blue (11);
Yellow-rumped (16: including 2 just fleged);
Black-throated Green (10);
Blackburnian (4: 1 still carrying food to nest);
Pine (21);
Black and White (2);
A Redstart (4+2 just fledged yg following/begging adults);
Ovenbird (3: singing);
C Yellowthroat (28: a few just fledged)
Scarlet Tanager (9);
E Towhee (47);
Chipping Sparrow (28);
Field Sparrow (2);
Song Sparrow (10);
Indigo Bunting (2);
Bobolink (3 overhead);
C Grackle (4);
Baltimore Oriole (2);
Purple Finch (2ad+1 just fledged);
A Goldfinch (4)
(report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).
7/15/11 -- Sutton
This evening while heading off to work on Whitens Road, I had Great
Horned Owl fly across the road. (report from Michael Joubert).
7/15/11 -- Flat Rock Rd., Fitchburg
We have recently had Bluebirds in our yard (nesting in natural
cavities). Also a family of Barred Owls. (report from
Joanne Brenan).
7/14/11 -- Institute Park, Worcester
At noon there were 3 Green Herons (1 ad, 2 juv), and a Black-crowned
Night-Heron (ad). (report from Rick Quimby)
7/13/11 -- Sterling Peat, Sterling
There was a Pied-billed Grebe at Sterling Peat this morning.
(report from Peter Morlock)
7/11/11 -- Institute Park, Worcester
Today at noon there was a Least Sandpiper on the pond -- marking
the beginning of "fall" migration. (report from Rick Quimby).
7/11/11 -- Grafton Center
We had been watching at least one adult and one fledgling in our maple tree
for the past two weeks, and this morning we found a nestling sleeping on the
lawn below the tree. This
little guy could not fly, still
developing tail feathers, so we had to pick him up and put him
back in the
tree before the neighborhood cats found him. Note the little headless mouse
that the adult had placed at his feet sometime last night.
(report from Scott Jordan).
7/10/11 -- Rice City Pond, Uxbridge
I saw a Great Egret today around 12:30 pm in
Uxbridge at Rice City Pond as we drove by on our way to Bridgewater. Perhaps the
same one in
Beth Milke's report of 7/7.
(report from Joan Zumpfe).
7/10/11 -- Wachusett Reservoir
The Forbush Birb Club had a great morning trip to the Wachusett
Reservoir area this morning. We started off by hiking into gate 35 to
Prescott Cove and Wood Island. We all got excellent looks at a pair of
Common Loons with 2 young chicks. Then, it was off to South Bay where
we located another pair with 2 chicks. The trip ended with a short
walk through Clinton Landfill.
Here is the
detailed trip report.
(report from Kevin Bourinot)
7/10/11 -- Sutton
This morning I had a Blue Jay with an all Black head and throat . At first
glance I was thinking it was in heavy molt till it raised its crest. The
bird has visited my feeders off and on all day along with 6 or so other Jays,
making it tough to get an image. I am also seeing large numbers of Chimney
Swifts around the genaral area around my house.
(report from Michael Joubert).
7/7/11 -- Rice City Pond, Uxbridge
A Great Egret was feeding at Rice City Pond, Hartford Avenue, Uxbridge this
morning about 8:30. (report from Beth Milke)
7/6/11 -- Grafton Center
We have been lucky enough to have several looks at a
screech owlet (at least
one)
and one
adult screech owl at our house in Grafton Center this week,
thanks to the help of mobbing chickadees. The fledgling
regularly walks or runs all over the tree when harassed by song birds
and the adult often rests in a nearby tree.
(report and photos from Scott Jordan).
7/4/11 -- Gates 49-44, Quabbin Reservoir
We did some BREEDING BIRD ATLASING in southeast Quabbin, covering from Gates
49 to 44. The habitat along our route was mostly deciduous forest along hill
sides along the edge of Quabbin. There are small isolated areas of pines and
some hemlock, but not much. Some areas of the forest had been logged in the
last few years and those areas are starting to grow back. There are a very
few small marshes and ponds. Though the road seems to run right along the
shores of Quabbin, good overlooks are few and far between: most of the time,
your view of the "big" water is screened by trees and dense bushes. Small
side roads were still muddy and the edges soft. STILL: Lots of activity and
lots of birds.
Bird list:
Canada Goose (2ad w/3yg);
Wood Duck (14: many just fledged yg);
Bald Eagle (1ad);
Cooper?s hawk (1 just fledged);
Ruffed Grouse (1 ad w/ at least 1 yg);
Wild Turkey (1imm);
Ring-billed Gull (2);
Barred Owl (1imm);
Ruby-throated Hummingbird (3);
Belted Kingfisher (3);
Yellow Bellied Sapsucker (a pair being followed by 4 noisy just fledged
yg+another pair feeding young in the nest+16 others);
Downy Woodpecker (9);
N Flicker (3);
Pileated Woodpecker (1);
E Wood Peewee (18);
Least Flycatcher (28);
E Phoebe (4);
Great Crested Flycatcher (5);
E Kingbird (3);
Yellow-throated Vireo (16);
Blue-headed Vireo (3);
Red-eyed Vireo (118);
Blue Jay (12);
A Crow (9);
Tree Swallow (42);
Barn Swallow (1 overhead);
Black-capped Chickadee (16);
Tufted Titmouse (4);
White-breasted Nuthatch (12);
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (2);
Veery (74);
Hermit Thrush (2: seen carrying food and did not make a sound);
Wood Thrush (32);
A Robin (28);
Gray Catbird (45);
Cedar Waxwing (9: some just nestbuilding);
WARBLERS:
Yellow (4);
Chestnut-sided (62);
Black-throated Blue (4);
Yellow-rumped (5);
Black-throated Green (9);
Blackburnian (4);
Pine (24);
Black and White (1 just fledged yg+8ad);
A Redstart (63: several nests found);
Worm-eating Warbler (1);
Ovenbird (54);
C Yellowthroat (43)
Scarlet Tanager (23);
E Towhee (45);
Chipping Sparrow (9);
Song Sparrow (6);
Swamp Sparrow (2);
Rose-breasted Grosbeak (2);
Indigo Bunting (1);
Bobolink (4: along Fisherdick Rd);
Red-winged Blackbird (75++: many just fledged birds);
C Grackle (90+: many just fledged birds);
Brown-headed Cowbird (4);
Baltimore Oriole (4);
A Goldfinch (9)
VERTEBRATES included Short-tailed Weasel and White-tailed Deer; BUTTERFLIES
included 3 species of swallowtail; Red-spotted Purple and 5 Northern
Pearly-eye. Odonates included Black-shouldered Spinyleg.
(report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).
7/3/11 -- Leesville Pond, Auburn/Worcester
Today near All Faith's Cemetery, I saw 2 families of Wood Ducks. One family had 10 juveniles and the
other family had 9 juveniles.
(report from Joan Crowell).
7/3/11 -- Brookfields
We spent the morning checking several of our Breeding Bird Atlas blocks in
the BROOKFIELDS, seeing if we could turn up new species or upgrade others.
There is still lots of song and breeding behavior, but we are "past peak".
Some species like Barn Swallows were already seen in large post breeding
flocks. Other species like Robins are into a second nesting. Totals for the
morning were:
Great Blue Heron (4);
Turkey Vulture (1);
Canada Goose (only 2!);
Mallard (1 f w/9 just hatched ducklings);
Broad-winged Hawk (1);
Ruffed Grouse (1 ad w/8yg);
Wild Turkey (21);
Virginia Rail (3);
Killdeer (1);
Mourning Dove (35);
Black-billed Cuckoo (2);
Chimney Swift (4);
Belted Kingfisher (3);
Red-bellied Woodpecker (3);
Downy Woodpecker (19);
N Flicker (6);
Pileated Woodpecker (2);
E Wood Peewee (only 1);
Alder Flycatcher (3);
Willow Flycatcher (4);
Least Flycatcher (18);
E Phoebe (24: including just fledged individuals);
E Kingbird (36L including a pair feeding 3 almost fledged yg in nest);
Yellow-throated Vireo (7);
Warbling Vireo (27);
Red-eyed Vireo (51);
Blue Jay (17);
A Crow (38: several family groups of adults with fledged young);
Tree Swallow (23);
N Rough-winged Swallow (4);
Bank Swallow (6);
Barn Swallow (109: sizeable post breeding flocks starting to form);
Black-capped Chickadee (38);
Tufted Titmouse (32);
White-breasted Nuthatch (7);
Carolina Wren (5);
House Wren (22);
Marsh Wren (6);
E Bluebird (11);
Veery (22);
Wood Thrush (3);
A Robin (118);
Gray Catbird (136);
N Mockingbird (2);
Brown Thrasher (1);
Cedar Waxwing (13);
WARBLERS:
Yellow (18);
Chestnut-sided (7);
Black-throated Green (1);
Pine (14);
Black and White (6);
A Redstart (8);
Ovenbird (10);
C Yellowthroat (81);
Scarlet Tanager (7);
E Towhee (14);
Chipping Sparrow (95);
Field Sparrow (2);
Savannah Sparrow (3);
Song Sparrow (62);
Swamp Sparrow (57);
N Cardinal (31);
Rose-breasted Grosbeak (9);
Indigo Bunting (22);
Bobolink (37: some just fledged yg; but also adults still carrying food to
nest);
Red-winged Blackbird (149: many newly fledged yg);
C Grackle (45);
Brown-headed (6);
House Finch (7);
A Goldfinch (19)
(report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).
For previous sightings, see
June 2011 Archives or
Archive Index
