June 2003 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:

6/30/03 -- Institute Park, Worcester
At 2:30 pm there were 1 Black-crowned Night-Heron (ad) and 4 N. Rough-winged Swallows. (report from Rick Quimby).

6/30/03 -- downtown Worcester
At 7:30AM this morning, while I was in front of City Hall, an adult PEREGRINE FALCON zipped low (no more than two stories up) north right down the middle of Main Street. (report from Mark Lynch).

6/29/03 -- Wachusett Reservoir, Clinton
At ~ 4:30 PM, from Route 62/70 ,we spotted an adult Bald Eagle flying southward, low to the water, over the east side of Wachusett Reservoir between gates 2 & 3. (report from Marion E Larson and Scott R Handler).

6/29/03 -- Wachusett Reservoir
Francis X. McMenemy led 11 members of the Forbush Bird Club on a trip to Wachusett Reservoir on June 29, 2003. A walk through Gate 22 provided excellent viewing of the adult Common Loon on the South Bay (route 140) nesting raft. July 7th is the approximate hatching date. A walk through gate 35 left us concerned about the pair that had been nesting at Crescent Island. No loon was seen near the island but a pair was seen near gate 36 along route 110, hopefully not the nesting pair. Recent rains and the addition of water into the reservoir from the Quinopoxet Reservoir may have washed out the nest. Complete trip list here (report from Joan Zumpfe).

6/29/03 -- Paradise Pond, Princeton
Fran McMenemy and I checked on the progress of the nesting Common Loons on Paradise Pond in Princeton and discovered the pair hatched 2 chicks, most likely on June 27 and 28. Both chicks had been seen on the 28th, but there were no chicks on the 26th. They usually hatch one day apart.
Also, at Wachusett Reservoir: From gate 36, we saw an adult Great Black-backed Gull (rare in summer); 4 adult Common Loons, 1 in the Crescent Island cove (a good sign the pair may still be nesting) and 3 adult Common Loons near gate 6. From gate 38, 1 adult Common Loon; 1 female Mallard with 8 of the tiniest ducklings I've ever seen (the female brought them out of the water onto the rocks along the gate 39 dike where the whole family vanished); 1 Great Blue Heron being harrassed by a Red-winged Blackbird; 2 Double-crested Cormorants; 2 Eastern Kingbirds chasing the Red-winged; 4 Cedar Waxwings and 1 Indigo Bunting. From Mile Hill Road, 1 adult Bald Eagle and approximately 100 Common Grackles, apparently heading to a roosting site. (report from Joan Zumpfe).

6/29/03 -- Gate 15 & Quabbin Park, Quabbin Reservoir
  • Hilites from a walk into Gate 15 of Quabbin on Sunday: Common Merganser 1 female no young; Am. Woodcock 1; Acadian Flycatcher 1; Red-eyed Vireo ~10; Veery 2 or 3; Hermit thrush 3; Black-Th Green Warbler 6; Black-Th Blue Warbler 3; Blackburnian Warbler 7; Pine Warbler 3; Black + White Warbler 2; Ovenbird 8; Canada Warbler 2; Am. Redstart 1; Scarlet Tanager 3. I did pick-up a few ticks, but taking a 20 minute nap down by the water probably didn't help the tick situation. The Acadian "Fly" was calling (and seen) on the walk in (about 10am), but silent on the walk back out...90 minutes later.
  • At Quabbin park: I missed the Blue Grosbeak...but I was probably in the wrong area. I did hear a Cerulean Warbler a few hundred yards up the road from the memorial pull off. It sang perhaps a dozen times during the 30 minutes I stayed there, I also saw a Scarlet Tanager nest with young, a Red-bellied Woodpecker....and Pileated Woodpecker. (report from Tom Pirro).

    • 6/29/03 -- Ware River, New Braintree
    An Osprey was hunting about the Ware River, near the Veteran's Memorial Bridge on Hardwick Road. (report from Chris Buelow)

    6/29/03 -- South Quabbin Reservoir
    Deb & Dan Berard, Kathy Mongeon, Mary Scott and I enjoyed a morning outing to the south end of Quabbin Res. today. The highlight of the trip was the male Blue Grosbeak which was located in the large field west of the road just north the parking area at Tower Hill. This field has a number of dead trees, plus some live ones, still standing from a fire several years ago. It flew from tree to tree and rewarded us with its song. The trip list included: Also interesting mammals included a doe with three fawns, a doe with one fawn and three juv. raccoons climbing a tree. (report from Jeff Scott).

    6/29/03 -- High Ridge WMA, Gardner
    We spent this morning walking some of the trails in High Ridge WMA in Gardner and Winchendon. Pied-billed Grebe (1: has bred here); Double-crested Cormorant (2imm); American Bittern (1: this bird flew in from somewhere. We watched it fly in high above the tress and settle into one of the marshes); Great Blue Heron (6); Green Heron (1); Canada Goose (6ad+pr w/4yg+pr w/5yg); Wood Duck (8); A. Black Duck (3); Mallard (5); Hooded Merganser (3yg+1f w/9yg); Cooper's Hawk (1); Killdeer (1); Spotted Sandpiper (1); Mourning Dove (7); Black-billed Cuckoo (1 carrying food to nest); Great Horned Owl (1); Belted Kingfisher (1); Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (1); Downy Woodpecker (2); Hairy Woodpecker (1); N. Flicker (2); Pileated Woodpecker (1); E. Wood Peewee (3); Alder Flycatcher (5); Willow Flycatcher (1); Least Flycatcher (1); E. Phoebe (2); Great Crested Flycatcher (2); E. Kingbird (9); Tree Swallow (10); Blue Jay (13); Black-capped Chickadee (17); Tufted Titmouse (2); White-breasted Nuthatch (2); House Wren (8); E. Bluebird (1+pr at nestbox); Veery (6); Wood Thrush (3); A. Robin (12); Gray Catbird (13); Cedar Waxwing (13); Blue-headed Vireo (1); Red-eyed Vireo (12); Scarlet Tanager (5. 1f was watched closely "anting". She was on the road, hopping about, would pick up an ant and rub it on her spread wing or on her flanks. This is only the second time I have ever seen a tanager "ant" in MA); N. Cardinal (1); Rose-breasted Grosbeak (3); Indigo Bunting (3); Chipping Sparrow (7); Field Sparrow (1); Song Sparrow (14); Swamp Sparrow (7); Bobolink (7+); Red-winged Blackbird (50+); C. Grackle (80+); Brown-headed Cowbird (6); Baltimore Oriole (6); Purple Finch (4); A. Goldfinch (9); PLUS: 3 River Otters cavorting all over one of the marshes. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

    6/28/03 -- Broad Meadow Brook Sanctuary, Worcester
    Kim Bacchiocchi and I recorded the following highlights this morning: Green Heron (2 adults - One bird was carrying nesting material to a nest. Yesterday, I had an immature flying with the two adults. Could they be renesting for a second brood, or were they repairing the nest site as a roost site?) American Kestrel (2 - pair) Ruffed Grouse (1) Eastern Wood-Pewee (3) Willow Flycatcher (3) Great Crested Flycatcher (2) Eastern Kingbird (2 - one on the nest) Warbling Vireo (4 - a pair was aggressively chasing a Blue Jay) Red-eyed Vireo (1) Black-capped Chickadee (9 - pair feeding fledglings) Carolina Wren (1) House Wren (4) Eastern Bluebird (2 immatures) Wood Thrush (3) Brown Thrasher (1) Blue-winged Warbler (2) Yellow Warbler (4) Prairie Warbler (2) Common Yellowthroat (9) Scarlet Tanager (1) Eastern Towhee (6) Field Sparrow (1) Song Sparrow (14) Rose-breasted Grosbeak (4) Baltimore Oriole (4) (report from John Liller).

    6/28/03 -- Ware River Watershed IBA
    Today we did a partial BBS of the WARE RIVER WATERSHED IBA property east of Quabbin birding as usual only along the ACE dirt roads. Part of this area is covered in the Barre Falls Dam-Rutland SP section of the new Western MA bird finding guide. We could only do a partial survey because the very important Prison Camp Road, Brighham Road and Reuban Walker Roads were all closed due to flooding. This closed area is about one quarter of the total BBS route usually surveyed and also contains some of the most accessable marshlands. This is where rails and Alder/Willow Flycatchers are regular. This closed area also has some of the best fields and so numbers of Boblinks and other field species are also low. Army Corps of Engineer personel said these roads may be open the upcoming week.
    Great Blue Heron (10 adults/7 still used nests/ 12 yng still in the nest but realy about to fledge. As a matter of fact, as I was watching, one bird launched itself off the platform and took it's first flight. Granted on a downward slope, but he/she did reach the edge of the marsh in one piece)
    Complete list here (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

    6/21/03 -- Worcester landfill, Worcester
    Sheila Carroll and I conducted a fairly complete BBS of the very embattled CITY OF WORCESTER CAPPED LANDFILL this morning from 5:30AM-7AM. WEATHER: partly cloudy; still. The conditions atop the landfill have recovered nicely from all the disturbance several years ago. However, the very southern end of the landfill is quite disturbed and it looks like they are dumping dirt atop it Our technique was to walk a complete circuit of the periphery about 20 feet in from the slope and then check the slopes separately. Birds heard calling from the adjacent woodlots were also counted. Care was given not to double count and indeed, some counts may be low due to caution.. NOTA BENE; this area if OFF LIMITS to the public. Complete list here (report from Mark Lynch and Sheila Carroll).

    6/21/03 -- West Royalston
    After doing the Worcester Landfill survey, we headed up to West Royalston to take some habitat photos and bird. We were able to drive to the eastern entrance of the Trustees of Reservations Royalston Falls property and hiked in, but I would only recommend the last stretch for high carriage 4WD. Here we searched and listened for Acadian Flycatchers with no luck. Birds included: Broad-winged Hawk (1); Red-shouldered Hawk (1); Ruffed Grouse (1); Wild Turkey (3); Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (1); Pileated Woodpecker (1); E. Wood Peewee (3); Least Flycatcher (4); E. Phoebe (5); E. Kingbird (3); Red-breasted Nuthatch (6); E. Bluebird (3); Veery (9); Hermit Thrush (1); Wood Thrush (4); Blue-headed Vireo (6); Red-eyed Vireo (53); Scarlet Tanager (8); Field Sparrow (1); Swamp Sparrow (2); White-throated Sparrow (3); Purple Finch (2). (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

    6/21/03 -- Tatnuck Square, Worcester
    Early in the AM at the Tatnuck Square Honey Farms parking lot we found a very freshly killed OVENBIRD. What it was doing here at this time of the year, I have no idea. (report from Mark Lynch).

    6/21/03 -- Broad Meadow Brook Sanctuary, Worcester
    We conducted the 13th annual Breeding Bird Survey at the Broad Meadow Brook Wildlife Sanctuary (Worcester) this morning. Complete list here (report from John Liller)

    6/20/03 -- Mount Wachusett Communtity College, Gardner
    Hiltes from the Mount Wachusett Communtity College campus pond area this evening: Canada Goose 7 no young; Mallard 12 males beginning to molt; Great Blue Heron 1; Tree Swallow 2; Barn Swallow 2; Willow Flycatcher 1; Eastern Kingbird 1; Gray Catbird 1; Yellow Warbler 2; Common Yellowthroat 2; Black-billed Cuckoo 1 in flight carrying food; Red-winged Blackbird 20+; Common Grackle 100+; Brown-headed Cowbird 50; E. Starling 750-1000; Bobolink 3; Song Sparrow 1. (report from Tom Pirro).

    6/19/03 -- Lincoln Street, Worcester
    A Common Nighthawk was heard overhead at 9:30PM while sitting at a traffic light near the Worcester Auditorium. (report from Chris Buelow)

    6/18/03 -- S. Barre BBS
    Kim Bacchiocchi and I conducted the S. Barre BBS (S. Barre, Oakham, Spencer, East Brookfield, Sturbridge) Breeding Bird Survey. Unfortunately, the sky opened up after we completed 30 of the 50 stops, so we were unable to finish the survey. Here is the complete list. (report from John Liller).

    6/15/03 -- Sterling Peat, Sterling
    A morning visit found Green Herons and Virginia Rails vocalizing. The heron was standing on a bush across from the fenced-in overlook. A pair of Brown Thrashers were moving through the brush and searching for food along the path near the ball field. I photographed one Brown Thrasher as it was visually scanning the area for possible trouble. Spotted Sandpipers are nesting along the western edge of Muddy Pond. I followed one that was walking erratically through the field in what I would call a distraction display. Here is a Yellow Warbler with a green caterpillar in its beak. The warbler swallowed the whole thing in an instant and went on feeding. Eating such a large caterpillar must be equivalent to a human consuming 10 pounds or more of steak! (report from Bob Ricci).

    6/15/03 -- Brimfield/Sturbridge
    We decided to celebrate the printing of the Western MA "where-to-find" guide by hitting 2 areas from the book.
  • Our first stop was the Quinnebaug Basin in the general area of FIVE BRIDGE ROAD, BRIMFIELD, an Army Corps of Engineers area: Great Blue Heron (1); Wood Duck (3); Mallard (4); Virginia Rail (6); Killdeer (1 overhead); Barred Owl (1 out and about in the day being mobbed by everything in the vicinity, even a Wood Duck); Belted Kingfisher (1 bringing food to a nest hole); Red-belied Woodpecker (2); Hairy Woodpecker (4); Downy Woodpecker (6); N. Flicker (4); E. Wood Peewee (8); Alder Flycatcher (1); Willow Flycatcher (4); Least Flycatcher (4); E. Phoebe (6); Great Crested Flycatcher (4); E. Kingbird (5); Tree Swallow (8); N. Rough-winged Swallow (6); Bank Swallow (60+ active nest holes); Brown Creeper (3); Carolina Wren (2); Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (4); VEERY (44 : if ever there was a bird symbol for this area, it is this species. They were "trash birds" here today); Wood Thrush (4); Gray Catbird (20); Cedar Waxwing (12); Blue-headed Vireo (1); Yellow-throated Vireo (3); Warbling Vireo (11); Red-eyed Vireo (14);
      WARBLERS: Blue-winged (6); Yellow (28); Chestnut-sided (3); Black-throated Green (3); Pine (16); Prairie (2); Black and White (6); A. Redstart (2); Ovenbird (18); C. Yellowthroat (38);
    Scarlet Tanager (3); Rose-breasted Grosbeak (3); Swamp Sparrow (27); Baltimore Oriole (17); PLUS: a gazillion Green Frogs who were so dense and so noisy at times we could not hear birds, Bullfrogs, E. Garter Snakes, E. Painted Turtles and many beaver.
  • Then on to WELLS SP, in Sturbridge. In just a brief visit late in the AM to a small part of the park we found: Great Blue Heron (at least 15 active nests with yng); Canada Goose (pair+4yng); Turkey Vulture (13); Broad-winged Hawk (1); Red-shouldered Hawk (1); E. Wood Peewee (5); Least Flycatcher (2); Great Crested Flycatcher (3); Tree Swallow (30+); Brown Creeper (5); Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (6); Wood Thrush (1); Red-eyed Vireo (14);
      WARBLERS: Yellow (3); Chestnut-sided (2); Yellow-rumped (2); Black-throated Green (6); Blackburnian (4); Pine (6); Black and White (5); Ovenbird (10); C. Yellowthroat (13);
    Scarlet Tanager (8); Rose-breasted Grosbeak (4); Purple Finch (3); ALSO: Black Rat Snake (1); Ribbon Snake (1); numerous E. Painted Turtles. In both places the evergreen pollen was the worst we had EVER seen it. There were times when our view was literally obscured by dense clouds of it, like it was smoke. Needless to say, our clothes and optics were covered with the yellow dust. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll); .

    • 6/14/03 -- Moose Brook Valley, Hardwick
    Some highlights from the 57 species found on a cool, overcast BBC trip through the Moose Brook Valley in Hardwick include 1 Broad-winged Hawk, ~15 Chimney Swifts, 2 Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, 1 Belted Kingfisher, 1 pair of Pileated Woodpeckers, 6 Eastern Wood Pewees, 3 Alder Flyacatcher, 1 Willow Flycatcher (calling adjacent to ALFL); 3 Yellow-throated Vireos, 3 Warbling Vireos, ~75 Bank Swallows -(large colony on route 32); 1 Winter Wren, 1 Blue Gray Gnatcatcher, 3 Blue-winged Warblers, 4 Chestnut-sided Warblers, 2 Black-throated Blue Warblers, 10 Black-throated Green Warblers, 9 Black-and-White Warblers, 12 American Redstarts, 5 Scarlet Tanagers, 7 Rose-breasted Grosbeaks and 4 Baltimore Orioles. Bird song was very quiet, with observed numbers being much lower than expected. Many individulas were observed carrying food items to suspected nestlings/fledglings. (report from Chris Buelow);

    6/14/03 -- Blackstone Corridor: Cumberland/Seekonk River
    Despite some rain early on, it turned up to be a fine day to do some BBS monitoring in the RI section of the Corridor.
    (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

    6/12/03 -- Fitchburg, Princeton
    This Raven has been a solitary visitor to our backyard at dawn and dusk. The occasional crows who land nearby look tiny in compairson. This quick digital snapshop was all he would allow this morning in Fitchburg. Also, on Tuesday (6/10), we pointed out two nesting Common Loons on Paradise Pond (off route 31 in Princeton) to Rose Miconi who is conducting a breeding census of Loons in Massachusetts. We are hopeful that the area can be restricted for a time as, to our dismay, we observed some canoists harassing the birds and approaching the nest site last Sunday. There are two eggs and two adults present on the pond. Also observed in Princeton have been Black Throated Green warblers, Baltimore Orioles, Kingbirds (several) and large numbers of Cedar Waxwings, and Tree Swallows,multiple Turkey Vultures and two Great Blue Herons in and around Paradise Pond. We can not get close enough for a decent picutre of the Loons for fear of distressing them at this critical time. (report from Cheryl and Jean-Pierre Boissy ).

    6/11/03 -- Woodruff Farm, Lunenburg
    This noon I counted 37 active Cliff Swallow nests, at Woodruff Farm, in Lunenburg. The number appears fairly steady compared with past visits in recent years(usually mid-30's to low 40's). All the nests are located inside an old barn up in the peak of the roof. No active nests were noted outside on the eves of the roof. In past years there have been a few nests(usually only a few) on the eves of the buildings. Half of the barn is in tough shape, the other half is in rough shape....hopefully it will continue to stand
    Note: this is private property (posted), and I was accompanied by a relative of the landowner. (report from Tom Pirro).

    6/11/03 -- Broad Meadow Brook Sanctuary, Worcester
    Kim Bacchiocchi and I recorded the following highlights this morning: Virginia Rail (2); Red-bellied Woodpecker (1); Eastern Wood-Pewee (3); Willow Flycatcher (3); Eastern Phoebe (1); Great Crested Flycatcher (1); Eastern Kingbird (4 - one was on the nest and its mate was aggressively defending it against a grackle); Warbling Vireo (4); Red-eyed Vireo (2); Carolina Wren (1); House Wren (2); Wood Thrush (2); Cedar Waxwing (4); Blue-winged Warbler (3); Yellow Warbler (9); Prairie Warbler (1); Ovenbird (1); Common Yellowthroat (11); Eastern Towhee (6); Field Sparrow (3); Song Sparrow (18); Rose-breasted Grosbeak (3); Baltimore Oriole (7). (report from John Liller).

    6/10/03 -- Mt. Wachusett, Princeton
    I saw 10 dark-eyed juncos at various elevations on the mountain; I studied a pair of juncos feeding their young at nest . Also seen were great crested flycatcher and winter wrens. (report from Richard Spedding).

    6/10/03 -- Brook Rd, Charity Hill Rd, Taylor Hill Rd, Hardwick
    From 4:30 AM - 10:30 AM, positively crystalline weather allowed for delightful viewing of the species listed below (highlights): Alder Flycatcher 3; American Redstart 7; Baltimore Oriole 2; Bank Swallow 1; Barn Swallow 8; Belted Kingfisher 1; Black-and-white Warbler 5; Blackburnian Warbler 1; Black-throated Blue Warbler 3; Black-throated Green Warbler 7; Blue-headed Vireo 1; Broad-winged Hawk 1; Brown-headed Cowbird 12; Carolina Wren 1; Cedar Waxwing 9; Chestnut-sided Warbler 3; Common Yellowthroat 1; Eastern Phoebe 4; Eastern Wood Pewee 1; Great Crested Flycatcher 2; House Wren 1; Louisiana Waterthrush 4; Magnolia Warbler 2; Ovenbird 2; Pine Warbler 4; Prairie Warbler 1; Red-eyed Vireo 7; Rough-winged Swallow 5; Scarlet Tanager 1; Veery 3; Warbling Vireo 1; Wild Turkey 1; Wood Thrush 2; Yellow Warbler 4. (report from Chris Ellison).

    6/8/03 -- Howard St., Northboro
    After participating in the Wachusett Meadow BBC today, Kathie and I decided to do a BBC on and about our 6 acres on Howard Street in Northboro. We have mixed hardwoods, some conifer woods, two streams, some bushy fields, and a small pond. The weather continued to be tough for birds but we counted 43 species. We know that the goshawk lives on the Berlin conservation land about 3 miles through the woods from our house. The sharpie came in like a jet fighter after something in the marsh. Noticeably absent this year for us is the hermit thrush, and the wood thrushes are way down. Also, in past years we have had whip-poor-wills across our road. There are none this year. Complete list here (report from Jim & Kathie Hogan).

    6/8/03 -- Gardner area
    Hilites among 86 species seen/heard in the town of Gardner this Weekend:
    (report from Tom Pirro).

    6/8/03 -- Wachusett Meadows Sanctuary, Princeton
    Highlights from the 90 species recorded during the annual Breeding Bird Census at the sanctuary included : 2 PURPLE MARTINS ( last recorded in 1969); 1 COMMON LOON -- a flyover; 1 American bittern; 4(!!!) Great-horned owls (all seen) 1 adult w/2 chicks in nest and 1 first-year; 3 Barred owls; 1 Yellow-throated vireo; 2 Canada warblers; 4 Blackburnian warblers; 3 Pileated woodpeckers; 1 N goshawk defending territory.
    After the census, which is conducted annually by members of the Forbush Bird Club, census organizer Fran McMenemy was acknowledged for his 40 years of dedicated service in organizing the Breeding Bird Survey at Wachusett Meadow. Here are photos from this June 8, 2003 event: (report and photos from Peg Knowlton).

    6/8/03 -- Seekonk River, Blackstone National Corridor
    We conducted one of our standard surveys of this terminus of the Blackstone Corridor from India/Bold Points to the Pawtucket border. Double-crested Cormorant (34); Great Egret (3); Green Heron (1); Black-crowned Night Heron (1ad); Nota bene: it will not be till mid-July that numbers of Great and Snowy Egrets, Black-crowned Night Herons will move up into the Seekonk and some eventually up into Worcester County); Mute Swan (79: with most still hanging about in the upper Seekonk); Canada Goose (20adults+3yng); Wood Duck (pair); Mallard (145: now is the time when a large concentration of moulting Mallards starts to build up here); A. Black Duck (1); BUFFLEHEAD (1m still hanging around the same stretch of river. Sick? Wounded? Extremely fond of swans? Whatever, this species is rare in June anywhere in southern NE); Osprey (2 active nests); Red-tailed Hawk (1); Peregrine Falcon (1ad and 2 newly fledged young in downtown Providence, the young perched next to nest box atop Fleet building); Killdeer (2); Spotted Sandpiper (1); Ring-billed Gull (43); Herring Gull (42); GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL (20 plus a pair nesting atop small "cormorant platform" in mid-river. We watched as one bird, sitting on what looked like a nest-- mass of sticks and other deitrus--was greeted by another adult, who flew in and regurgitated in front of the nesting bird and then took off. The nesting bird continued to arrange the sticks around (her?), sitting tight. The other adult returned with a bill filled with good sized sticks and dumped them on the nest in front of the bird laying in the nest. The bird in the nest then began to carefully arrange these eggs. This event is significant because it would be the ONLY nesting gulls anywhere in the Corridor, including off India and Bold Points!); Belted Kingfisher (2); PLUS; one of the wildest sightings was while we were casually driving through the middle of Swan Point Cemetery in downtown Providence a large COYOTE loped right in front of the car! Sheila whistled as if to a dog and it actually paused for a few heartbeats, but continued through the cemetery towrds the banks of the Seekonk. (report from Mark Lynch).

    6/8/03 -- Warren
    We stopped by the Great Blue Heron rookery along Taylor Brook in Warren (next to Mass Pike) and were surprised to find NO nesting herons. The nests looked like there had been no nesting this year in that they were clean, with no wash. Two adult Great Blues were there, one hunting but one kept inspecting nests. Does anyone know what happened? Was this rookery functional earlier and the birds have all fledged or did they abandon this site for some unknown reason? Also present were 14 adult Mallards and two broods of ducklings: one with (12) and one with (10); Red-Tailed Hawk (2); Spotted Sandpiper (1). Then on East Street we had: Mallard (2); Turkey Vulture (1); Olive-sided Flycatcher (1 extremely co-operative bird perched atop small trees in a field and atop dead branches right on the road); E. Wood Peewee (1); E. Phoebe (1); E. Kingbird (3); Veery (1); Warbling Vireo (3); Red-eyed Vireo (3); Blue-winged Warbler (2); A. Redstart (11); Rose-breasted Grosbeak (1). (report from Mark Lynch).

    6/7/03 -- Broad Meadow Brook Sanctuary, Worcester
    Kim Bacchiocchi and I recorded the following highlights this morning: Green Heron (2, maybe 4); Wood Duck (1); Wild Turkey (7 - female with 6 very newly hatched young); Virginia Rail (1); Killdeer (1); Red-bellied Woodpecker (1); Hairy Woodpecker (3); Eastern Wood-Pewee (2); Willow Flycatcher (2); Eastern Phoebe (1); Great Crested Flycatcher (2); Eastern Kingbird (4); Warbling Vireo (3); Red-eyed Vireo (2); House Wren (2); Eastern Bluebird (1); Wood Thrush (3); Brown Thrasher (2); Cedar Waxwing (6); Blue-winged Warbler (2); Yellow Warbler (7); Prairie Warbler (2); Common Yellowthroat (9); Scarlet Tanager (1); Eastern Towhee (3); Field Sparrow (4); Song Sparrow (14); Rose-breasted Grosbeak (1); Brown-headed Cowbird (3); Baltimore Oriole (5). (report from John Liller).

    6/7/03 -- Quabog IBA, Brookfield
    I spent part of this morning with my MAS class at just a few stops in the Quabog IBA in Brookfield. Among the birds we had were: Common Loon (1 1stS: Lake Quabog); Double-crested Cormorant (1); Great Blue Heron (9); Mute Swan (1 sadly); Canada Goose (21); Wood Duck (1m+ 1f w/9yng+1f w/5yng: see notes under Hooded Merg); A. Black Duck (1); Hooded Merg (2f+at least 3 ducklings. 1 duckling was lost and desparately tried to follow a female Wood Duck and her brood. Eventually the female Woodie turned on the Hoodie duckling and viciously attacked it almost killing it, it barely escaping with it's life); Bald Eagle (1ad on nest); Sharp-shinned Hawk (1imm); Ruffed Grouse (2); Wild Turkey (1); Virginia Rail (4); A. Woodcock (1 flushed from cornfield); Ruby-throated Hummingbird (1); Belted Kingfisher (1); Pileated Woodpecker (1 female at nest hole with at least 3 large but young bills getting fed at the entrance. She eventually entered the crowded nest hole for a few minutes and exited with a fecal sac. Great views); E. Wood Peewee (12); Alder Flycatcher (1); Willow Flycatcher (5); E. Kingbird (7); Brown Creeper (1 singing); Marsh Wren (at least 10 singing birds in colony); Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (2); Veery (14); Hermit Thrush (1); Wood Thrush (11); Gray Catbird (23); Cedar Waxwing (16); Blue-headed Vireo (2); Yellow-throated Vireo (2); Warbling Vireo (11); Red-eyed Vireo (18); Scarlet Tanager (7); Rose-breasted Grosbeak (12); Indigo Bunting (1); Swamp Sparrow (14); Baltimore Oriole (13); PLUS: White-tailed Deer (1); Beaver (several); A. Toad (10+); Wood Frog; Green Frog; Jack-In-The-Pulpit, Starflower and something called Carrionflower. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

    6/6/03 -- Wachusett Reservoir, Clinton
    We visited Gate 39 at WR this morning and did not see the black terns. Guess they have moved on. We did see: Common Loon; Coopers Hawk; numerous Tree, Barn and 1 Cliff Swallow; Eastern Kingbird; (report from Jeff Scott).

    6/5/03 -- Wachusett Reservoir, Clinton
    Riding my bike north along Route 70 past northeast corner of Wachusett reservoir just before Clinton courthouse. A large shadow of a bird passed over me. I looked up to see an adult Bald Eagle about 50 feet overhead which then soared out over the water and landed in the pine trees on the small island near the shore. Several crows attempted to harass the eagle but he/she was not impressed. (report from Preston Turner).

    6/5/03 -- Wachusett Resevoir, Clinton
    I spent approx. 45 minutes scanning for the Black Tern(s) at gate 39 this morning, with NO success. Other species present: Common Loon 2; Double Crested Cormorant 5; Barn Swallow 4; Bank Swallow ~20; Tree Swallow 10; Chimney Swift 3; Red-eyed Vireo 1; Eastern Kingbird 3; Indigo Bunting 1; Song Sparrow 2; Common Grackle 2; Red-winged Blackbird. (report from Tom Pirro).

    6/4/03 -- Dean Park, Shrewsbury
    The National Geographic Field Guide to North American Birds reports that Greater White-fronted Geese occasionally hybridize with Canada Geese. This photo of a goose seen feeding with a flock of Canada Geese in Dean Park on Wednesday would seem to fit the description of such a hybrid. Is it a rare wild hybrid? Not likely, given the fact that there were two present - as can be seen in the photo- that fit the description. (report and photo from Bob Ricci).

    6/4/03 -- Wachusett Reservoir, Clinton
    Both Black Terns were feeding around the bushy island at Wachusett Reservoir at noon today [see previous posts] and an adult Bald Eagle was standing on the bushy island. (report from Bart Kamp).

    6/3/03 -- Wachusett Reservoir, Clinton
    This morning before work (6:45AM), the 2 Terns were actively feeding by the small island where they were previously seen at Gate 39. Also seen were 2 Common Loons, 1 Indigo Bunting and a Brown Thrasher. (report from Peter Morlock).

    6/3/03 -- Newton Hill, Worcester
    Spring migration is almost over and so it's mostly breeding birds that are around. A walk around this small hill this morning had the following: (*=likely breeder either on the hill or nearby): Canada Goose (2 flyovers likely going down to Elm Park); Red-tailed Hawk (*1ad feeding 2 yng in the nest); Killdeer (1 calling: could breed atop Doherty HS, but likely breeds elsewhere and feeds around here); Mourning Dove (*3); Chimney Swift (*4); Downy Woodpecker (*2); E. Wood Peewee (*1); E. Phoebe (*1); Tufted Titmouse (*3); Blue Jay (*1); Wood Thrush (*4); Gray Catbird (*7); N. Mockingbird (*1); Cedar Waxwing (*?1); Red-eyed Vireo (*?: 4, including a pair that were looking like they might attempt nesting); Pine Warbler (*1); Black and White Warbler (1m); Blackpoll (2); A. Redstart (1); N. Cardinal (*2); A. Goldfinch (*1). ALSO: a nice display of Canada Mayflower, Lily of the Valley and still a number of Lady's Slippers, though they look past peak. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

    6/3/03 -- Broad Meadow Brook Sanctuary, Worcester
    Highlights this morning: Green Heron (2); Wood Duck (2); Mallard (5 + 4 young); Cooper's Hawk (1); Virginia Rail (1); BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO (1); Chimney Swift (4); Red-bellied Woodpecker (2); Hairy Woodpecker (1); Eastern Wood-Pewee (3); Willow Flycatcher (2); Great Crested Flycatcher (1); Eastern Kingbird (4 - one bird on nest); Warbling Vireo (4); Red-eyed Vireo (4); House Wren (2); Veery (1); Wood Thrush (4); Brown Thrasher (1); Cedar Waxwing (4); Blue-winged Warbler (3); Yellow Warbler (8); Prairie Warbler (1); Common Yellowthroat (16); Scarlet Tanager (1); Eastern Towhee (4); Swamp Sparrow (1); Rose-breasted Grosbeak (2); Indigo Bunting (1); Baltimore Oriole (4); Also: Beaver (1), Muskrat (1). (report from John Liller).

    6/2/03 -- Central Cemetary, Millbury
    I saw an Eastern bluebird today sitting on tombstones in Central Cemetary, Millbury. It was absolutely dazzling in the bright sun. The last few years, a pair has nested rather high up in a natural cavity in a red maple. At my home in West Millbury, Caroline wrens are nesting in a decorative basket on my front door for the second straight year. Phoebes are under the back eaves. (report from Alan Marble).

    6/2/03 -- Wachusett Reservoir, Gate 39, Clinton
    At 8:00 pm the Black Terns were still flying over the water, near the emerging island. (report from Fran McMenemy).

    6/2/03 -- Wachusett Reservoir, Clinton
    Both Black Terns were still present at Wachusett Reservoir this morning between 5:30 and 6:30. They were in the same area where found on Saturday. Briefly joining them was a Bonaparte's Gull. (report from Bart Kamp).

    6/1/03 -- Wachusett Reservoir Gate 39, Clinton
    I just got back (4:00 pm) from gate 39 at Wachusett and saw the 2 Black terns. (report from John Shea).

    For previous sightings, see May 2003 Archives or Archive Index