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.
- 7/29/99 -- Broad Meadow Brook Sanctuary
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The following highlights were observed:
Red-bellied Woodpecker (2);
Carolina Wren (1);
Eastern Bluebird (2);
HERMIT THRUSH (2 - one was an immature, which means at least
one of the nestlings successfully fledged);
WOOD THRUSH (4 - still singing);
Cedar Waxwing (3);
Common Yellowthroat (4);
Baltimore Oriole (1);
(report from John Liller).
- 7/29/99 -- Institute Park, Worcester
- Noontime highlights included 3 Black-crowned Night Herons
(1 ad, 2 imm), 2 Wood Ducks (sub-adult, near mouth of inlet
stream), 1 Great Blue Heron, and 1 Belted Kingfisher.
(report from Rick Quimby).
- 7/28/99 -- Broad Meadow Brook Wildlife Sanctuary, Worcester
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Highlights this morning:
Red-tailed Hawk (3 - including 2 immature);
Red-bellied Woodpecker (1);
Willow Flycatcher (3);
Empid species (1);
Carolina Wren (3);
Eastern Blubird (1);
Cedar Waxwing (10);
Yellow Warbler (2);
Common Yellowthroat (6);
Scarlet Tanager (1);
Rose-breasted Grosbeak (2);
(report from John Liller).
- 7/25/99 -- South Quabbin (Quabbin Park)
-
At South Quabbin off Route 9, the following highlights were counted despite the fact
that song has dropped off considerably. A good percentage of the songbirds
counted were newly fledged young.
Double-Crested Cormorant(1);
Green Heron (2);
Wood Duck (1);
Sharp-Shinned Hawk (1);
Ruby-Throated Hummingbird (1);
C. Raven (1);
Red-Breasted Nuthatch (19);
Winter Wren (1);
Blue Gray Gnatcatcher (7);
E. Bluebird (6);
Veery (2) ;
Hermit Thrush (12+ 2 newly fledged young);
Wood Thrush (6);
Cedar Waxwing (12);
Blue-Headed Vireo (6ad+1 newly fledged young);
Yellow-Throated Vireo (3);
Red-Eyed Vireo (78: 1 feeding a young cowbird);
Blackburnian W. (1);
CERULEAN W. (1adM still singing+ 1 newly fledged young);
Ovenbird (1: they have shut up almost completely and are very hard to find at
this time);
Louisiana Waterthrush (2);
Scarlet Tanager (9);
Rose-Breasted Grosbeak (6);
Indigo Bunting (5 :all young birds);
Chipping Sparrow (58: many newly fledged, heavily streaked birds)
Butterflies included Tiger Swallowtail (2); Cabbage White (2); Clouded
Sulphur (5); Orange Sulphur (2); Common Ringlet (6); American Lady (4); Pearl
Crescent (69); Silver-Bordered Fritillary (23); Summer Azure (2); Common Wood
Nymph (241);
Peck's Skipper (20). A really nice patch of meadow has been saved from mowing
at the "blueberry patch' (thanks to efforts by Dave Small) and this was where
most of the Fritillaries were as well as the skippers and lots of Pearl
Crescents and Wood Nymphs. An excellent Lep show at this small saved patch.
(report from Mark Lynch).
- 7/24/99 -- City of Worcester Pond Survey
-
Totals: Double-Crested Cormorant (5); Great Blue Heron (10); Green Heron (4);
Black-Crowned Night Heron (2ad+3imm); Mute Swan (5ad+6young); Canada Goose
(252); Wood Duck (54ad+2 downy young); Mallard (531adults+5 downy young); A.
Black Duck (7); Killdeer (11+5ad w/4young at Hope Cemetary+ 15 at Worcester
Airport); Spotted Sandpiper (3); Least Sandpiper (2 - one flew out of
Salisbury Pond); Ring-Billed Gull (33);
Belted Kingfisher (1); Red-Bellied Woodpecker (1); Downy Woodpecker (12); N.
Flicker (16); E. Wood Peewee (2); E. Kingbird (54; starting to move); Barn
Swallow (8: note no Tree Swallows); Carolina Wren (2); House Wren (1); Wood
Thrush (2); Gray Catbird (58); Red-Eyed Vireo (6); Warbling Vireo (18);
Yellow Warbler (13); Black and White Warbler (1); A. Redstart (1); N.
Waterthrush (2); "waterthrush sp. (1); Baltimore oriole (8).
Also, Rubythroated Hummingbird (1); and Evening Grosbeak (1 fly-over).
Mammals seen included woodchuck; e. cottontail; muskrat; river otter
( in small pond adjacent to (part of) south of Indian lake); and
three racoons (in the small willow alongside the entrance stream at
Salisbury Pond. They
were falling all over the place, hanging by their feet).
(report from Mark Lynch).
- 7/24/99 -- Gardner Area
-
Hilites from North Central mass on Saturday 7-24 ( in no particular
order):
Bank Swallow 28 nest holes( Templeton)
Belted Kingfisher 1 Nest hole (Templeton)
Horned Lark 9 (5 adults and 4 Juviniles)
(Templeton)
Least Sandpiper 9 (Gardner )
Solitary Sandpiper 5 (Gardner)
RT Hummingbird 1 ( Harrassing E. Kingbirds)
Alder Flycatcher 2 (templeton)
The Horned Larks were at the Gardner Airport , 3 of the 4 young looked
to be fairly newly fledged young while the 4th looked to a little older
(perhaps from an earlier brood). A RT Hummingbird was chasing after a
pair of E. Kingbirds , now there is a change of pace!). The sandpipers
were Bent's Pond in South Gardner where the "tide" has been out for a
few weeks now.
(report from Tom Pirro).
- 7/21/99 -- Broad Meadow Brook Sanctuary, Worcester
-
Highlights observed while checking nests for the Birds
of Forested Landscapes project:
Red-bellied Woodpecker (1);
Willow Flycatcher (1) + Empid species (1 - probably another Willow);
Carolina Wren (3);
House Wren (2);
Eastern Blubird (3);
Hermit Thrush (1 - the nest was empty but in excellent shape,
which means that there is a good possibility that the
young fledged; I found one adult but none of the other birds);
Wood Thrush (5 - I believe that the nest was abandoned);
Song Sparrow (15 - including one feeding a Cowbird fledgling);
Brown-headed Cowbird (7 - see Song Sparrow);
(report from John Liller).
- 7/18/99 -- HARVARD POND AND SURROUNDING FOREST, PETERSHAM
-
A. BITTERN (1); Great Blue Heron (1); Wood Duck (5); A. Black Duck (10);
Broad-Winged Hawk (1); Wild Turkey (2);
Belted Kingfisher (1); Red-Bellied Woodpecker (1); N. Flicker (3);
Pileated Woodpecker (2); E. Wood Peewee (3); E. Phoebe (4); Tree Swallow
(200+: staging for migration); Black-capped Chickadee (21); Red-Breasted Nuthatch (1);
Brown Creeper (1); Winter Wren (5); Hermit Thrush (19); Veery (2);
A. Robin (10); Gray Catbird (21); Cedar Waxwing (4); Red-Eyed Vireo (14);
Blue-Headed Vireo (7); yellow Warbler (2); Pine Warbler (3);
Yellow-Rumped Warbler (3); Magnolia W. (3); Black-Throated Green W. (14);
Black-Throated Blue (1); Northern Waterthrush (1); C. Yellowthroat (11);
Scarlet Tanager (4); Song Sparrow (16); Swamp Sparrow (10); White-Throated Sparrow (5);
Evening Grosbeak (1).
AT THE POND BEHIND THE TOWN HIGHWAY GARAGE, PETERSHAM:
Wood Duck (13); A. Black Duck (1); Mallard (4).
Note: this birding was done later in the morning. Birdsong is diminishing rapidly.
For instance, we heard no Ovenbirds, which is extraordinary for this type of habitat.
(report from Mark Lynch).
- 7/15/99 -- Broad Meadow Brook Wildlife Sanctuary, Worcester
-
Highlights observed while checking nests for the Birds of
Forested Landscapes project:
Eastern Wood-Pewee (2);
Willow Flycatcher (2);
Carolina Wren (2);
House Wren (2);
Eastern Blubird (2);
Hermit Thrush (4 - including 3 young on nest, now with feathers);
Wood Thrush (6 - no activity observed at nest, although an adult
may have been hunkered down incubating eggs);
Cedar Waxwing (3);
Scarlet Tanager (4);
Also on (7/14/99) there were:
Turkey Vulture (1 - perched on power pole);
Wild Turkey (5+);
Great Crested Flycatcher (1);
Hermit Thrush (1 - going to nest site; will check nest tomorrow);
Wood Thrush (8);
Gray Catbird (13 - including immature w/ adult).
(report from John Liller).
- 7/13/99 -- Institute Park, Worcester
- Today at the pond there were 5 Black-Crowned Night Heron (2 ad,
3 imm), as well as 2 Belted Kingfisher and 3 Double Crested Cormorants.
(report from Rick Quimby).
- 7/13/99 -- Institute Park, Worcester
- There continues to be a Wood Duck family in the pond, 4
immatures with the female adult. Seen to the right of the island,
moving through the reeds, around noon. (report from Rick Quimby).
- 7/11/99 -- City of Worcester Pond Survey
-
A survey of the ponds and lakes in the city of Worcester this morning at the
following:
Double Crested Cormorant (2); Great Blue Heron (9); Green Heron (8);
Black-Crowned Night Heron (7 adults+6 imm); Mute Swan (pair+1 young); Canada
Goose (212); Wood Duck (44 adults and immatures+36 unfledged young); A. Black
Duck (6); Mallard (609 adults+8 ducklings); Turkey Vulture (1); Broad-Winged
Hawk (1); Red-Tailed Hawk (2); Killdeer (35: but this includes a group of 26
at one field in Hope Cemetary); Ring-Billed Gull (43); Red-Bellied Woodpecker
(1); Downy Woodpecker (7); N. Flicker (16); Chimney Swift (31); Belted
Kingfisher (4); Great Crested Flycatcher (1); E. Kingbird (39); Tree Swallow
(15); Bank Swallow (2); N. Rough-Winged Swallow (9); Barn Swallow (2);
Red-Breasted Nuthatch (1); Carolina Wren (3); House Wren (3); Wood Thrush
(1); Gray Catbird (65); N. Mockingbird (28); Brown Thrasher (4); Cedar
Waxwing (6); Yellow Warbler (8); Northern Waterthrush (1 at Leesville Cem);
C. Yellowthroat (3); Song Sparrow (58); Red-Winged Blackbird (296);
Brown-Headed Cowbird (1 imm being fed by a pair of Song Sparrows).
The Night Herons were at Leesville Pond, Salisbury Pond, Curtis Pond and the
small overflow pond to the south of the main body of Indian Lake. Undoubtably
more are in the city due, but they are hard to find because of their shy and
retiring ways and the difficulty of getting clear looks at edge growth.
Though the number of Great Blue Herons remained the same as two weeks ago,
the number of Green Herons is higher. The number of Killdeer at Hope Cemetary
shows that this species breeds in a number of scattered locations in the city
and then gather in more communal feeding areas after breeding. Note: bird
song is really winding down.
WORCESTER AIRPORT: Killdeer (12); Savannah Sparrow (21); Bobolink (30+).
(report from Mark Lynch).
- 7/9/99 -- Broad Meadow Brook Sanctuary, Worcester
-
Highlights this morning:
Red-bellied Woodpecker (1);
Willow Flycatcher (1);
Carolina Wren (6);
Hermit Thrush (5 - 2 adults and 3 VERY young birds on a nest, all Hermit
Thrush);
Wood Thrush (7);
Scarlet Tanager (3);
Blatimore Oriole (3);
(report from John Liller).
- 7/8/99 -- Salisbury and Park, Worcester
- An adult Sharp-Shinned Hawk (possibly a male judging by the small
size) was observed chasing the birds at our feeder and being mobbed by a crowd of Blue
Jays. Also at the feeder lately have beed large numbers of newly fledged
Common Grackles, some still being fed by adults. White-Breasted Nuthatchs and
Black-Capped Chickadees are also visiting the feeder with fledged, but still
begging young. 4-5 newly fledged Red-Winged Blackbirds are also now at the
feeder. Up until this week, they were in the company of an adult female and
would still beg food from her. Before that I had a number of adults and first
summer males, but they are now gone. My guess is that Red-Wings are going
into a second nesting by now.
(report from Mark Lynch).
- 7/6/99 -- Broad Meadow Brook Sanctuary, Worcester
-
Highlights this morning:
Red-tailed Hawk (1);
Northern Flicker (3 - including 2 fledglings);
Willow Flycatcher (1);
Great Crested Flycatcher (1);
Carolina Wren (2);
House Wren (1);
Wood Thrush (4 - including a female working on a nest; this is the first
nest I have found while conducting the Birds of Forested Landscapes
project);
"Brewster's" Warbler (1);
(report from John Liller).
- 7/5/99 -- Barre Falls Dam-Rutland State Park
-
A census this morning of the roads in Barre Falls Dam/Rutland State Park area
had the following highlights:
A Kestrel (1m);
Black-Billed Cuckoo (2);
Ruby-Throated Hummingbird (3m on territory);
Pileated Woodpecker (1);
Alder Flycatcher (6);
Least Flycatcher (13);
Winter Wren (5);
Golden-Crowned Kinglet (5);
E. Bluebird (2);
Veery (22);
Hermit Thrush (30);
Wood Thrush (3);
Cedar Waxwing (38);
Blue-Headed Vireo (14);
Yellow-Throated Vireo (4);
Magnolia Warbler (11);
Blackburnian Warbler (4);
Louisiana Waterthrush (3);
Canada Warbler (8: including 1 newly fledged young);
Scarlet Tanager (28);
Rose-Breasted Grosbeak (11);
Indigo Bunting (5);
White-Throated Sparrow (6);
Evening Grosbeak (5).Complete CENSUS DATA
available.
Butterflies seen included: Tiger Swallowtail, Black Swallowtail, E. Tailed
Blue, Summer Azure, Eyed Brown, N. Pearly-Eye, Red-Spotted Purple, Mourning
Cloak, Viceroy, American Lady,A. Copper, Silver-Spotted Skipper and lots of
Dun Skippers. But the real butterfly story were the Great Spangled
Fritillarys. We counted 70. They were everywhere. One one White Milkweed (I
think that's what it was) we had 14 alone. Lots of Canada Lillies out as well
as Joe Pye Weed and Tall Meadow Rue all in bloom. Beautiful (if hot and
extremely muggy) morning in the field.
(report from Mark Lynch).
- 7/4/99 -- Quaboag WMA, W. Brookfield
-
A short mid-morning (after the rain) hike in one of the trails off Long Hill
Road into the Quaboag Wildlife Management Area (W. Brookfield) had the
following: Ruby-Throated Hummingbird (1); E. Wood Peewee (4); Veery (8);
Hermit Thrush (2); Wood Thrush (1); Red-Eyed Vireo (6); Pine Warbler (3);
Yellow-Rumped Warbler (2); Black-Throated Green (2); Ovenbird (4); C.
Yellowthroat (5); Scarlet Tanager (5); Swamp Sparrow (3).
Butterflies included: Tiger, Black and Spicebush Swallowtails, Great
Spangled and Aphrodite Fritillary; Quaestion Mark, Little Wood Satyr, Long
Dash, Silver Spotted Skipper. Plus a dazzling variety of odonates.
At Lake Quaboag (Brookfield): Killdeer (3); LEAST SANDPIPER (4). Looks like
shorebird migration is starting already! (report from Mark Lynch).
- 7/3/99 -- Leesville Pond, Worcester
-
A check of Leesville Pond starting at about 7:00 PM Saturday did NOT turn up
the Yellow-Crowned Night Heron. We did find: Green Heron (1); Black-Crowned
Night Heron (1ad); Canada Goose (49); Wood Duck (41 adults and fledged
young+18 downy young); Mallard (46 adults and fledged young+ 7 downy young);
Killdeer (4); Belted Kingfisher (1); N. Rough-Winged Swallow (2); Cedar
Waxwing (18: many flycatching).
(report from Mark Lynch).
- 7/3/99 -- Fisheries and Wildlife area, Westboro
-
I have not heard or seen the Yellow-breasted Chat in several outings
over the last nine days. I'm beginning to think it has moved on.
This morning, July 3, besides the usual twenty-five common species,
there were 3 Green-backed Heron, and 3 Bobolinks (a common bird to
Worcester County but an unusual visitor to Westboro Fish and Wildlife.)
(report from Ann Boover).
(report from Tom Pirro).
For previous sightings, see
June 1999 Archives or
Archive Index