June 2008 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:

6/29/08 -- Gardner/Templeton
Highlights this morning from 0615 to1115 while working the Athol 11 BBA block, covering some "city" neighborhoods, the Gardner WWTP area, Airport area...basically the easter half of the block: Wood Duck 1; American Bittern 1; Great Blue Heron 9; Sharp-shinned Hawk (1 ... I had the good fortune of finding, stumbling upon was more like it, an active Sharp-shinned Hawk nest in Gardner near Templeton border. At least 1 adult came to the nest 3 times in the 45 minutes I watched, and fed mosquitos, from a distance, each time calling as it approached. The nest being about 40 up in a white pine. Last week I had found a Cooper Hawk nest in a similar setting a few miles away in the Athol 10 block, that bird appeared to be in the nest building stage); Killdeer 4; Black-billed Cuckoo 1; Hairy Woodpecker 2; Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 3; Eastern Wood-Pewee 2; Eastern Phoebe 5; Eastern Kingbird 7; Blue-headed Vireo 2; Warbling Vireo 3; Red-eyed Vireo 13; Northern Rough-winged Swallow 4; Bank Swallow 15; Barn Swallow 1; Carolina Wren 1; House Wren 4; Veery 1; Hermit Thrush 2; Wood Thrush 2; Brown Thrasher 1; Horned Lark 1; Cedar Waxwing 11; Nashville Warbler 1; Yellow Warbler 4; Black-throated Blue Warbler 1; Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) 3; Black-throated Green Warbler 2; Pine Warbler 3; Prairie Warbler 6; Ovenbird 15; Common Yellowthroat 9; Canada Warbler 1; Scarlet Tanager 3; Eastern Towhee 7; Field Sparrow 6; Swamp Sparrow 5; Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored) 2; Indigo Bunting 1; Baltimore Oriole 6; (report from Tom Pirro).

6/29/08 -- Spencer/Leicester
We spent Sunday morning atlasing in WORCESTER SOUTH 1, a block that already has other atlasers. We have finished our time on our blocks for this year, and decided to help out in some other blocks. Worcester South 1 is in Spencer and Leicester and has several ponds, several substantial wooded marshes, a nifty Mass Audubon property (Burncoat Pond);, includes a section of the Mid-State Trail and a section of the Spencer SF, and has lots of suburban development. In other words, this is a nice block to atlas. We spent only three hours and had the following: Wood Duck (1f w/5yg+ 1f w/3yg); Red-tailed Hawk (pair of newly fledged birds still begging food); Virginia Rail (2); Rock Pigeon (16); Mourning Dove (26); Black-billed Cuckoo (1); Chimney Swift (12); Red-bellied Woodpecker (1); Downy Woodpecker (3); Hairy Woodpecker (4: including a nest with young being attended by an adult); N Flicker (3); E Wood Peewee (9); Least Flycatcher (3); E Phoebe (13); E Kingbird (8); Yellow-throated Vireo (1); Warbling Vireo (10); Red-eyed Vireo (17); Blue Jay (22); A Crow (26: many fledged young); Tree Swallow (10+); Barn Swallow (27); Black-capped Chickadee (45); Tufted Titmouse (26); White-breasted Nuthatch (7); Brown Creeper (2); House Wren (10); Veery (2); Hermit Thrush (3); Wood Thrush (4); A Robin (63); Gray Catbird (39); European Starling (60+); Cedar Waxwing (10); Scarlet Tanager (14); E Towhee (9); Chipping Sparrow (52); Song Sparrow (27); Swamp Sparrow (6); N Cardinal (34); Rose-breasted Grosbeak (6); Red-winged Blackbird (85+); C Grackle (39); Baltimore Oriole (5); House Finch (7); A Goldfinch (17); House Sparrow (95+); PLUS: on the way home, we birded for just a tiny bit in WORCESTER NORTH 3 mostly in Leicester, and had Wood Duck (1f w/9yg); (see photo);; Virginia Rail (2);; Killdeer (1ad w/3yg);; Blue-headed Vireo (1);; and Savannah Sparrow w/nest. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

6/28/08 -- Princeton/Holden
Even with the misty conditions, atlasing the Sterling 8 BBA block, 4:50AM-4:50PM: was very productive. I confirmed 11 species for the Atlas, and added no less than 6 species to my overall list for the block. Also, noticing a DCR gate on Coalkiln Rd that I hadn't checked before, I decided to make a quick stop, since it seemed to lead toward a chunk of swamp I hadn't checked. I was so glad I stopped! It turned out to be a key spot, with Wood Duck, GW Teal, Swamp Sparrow, Least Flyc., YB Saps., and confirmed Gnatcatchers. Number of species: 76. Highlights: Wood Duck 6 female +5 babies (nearly half-grown); Green-winged Teal (American); 2 pair at a swamp off Coalkiln Rd. [I was shocked at first to see these (they were not even on my radar as potential breeders in my blocks);, the habitat seems quite good for them. It's a spot I overlooked before today, but tried when I noticed the gated path that appeared to lead to the swamp. The swamp is very large (one of several such here);, partially wooded & brushy, with much tall grass and a good network of open water. I first noticed the pair standing together on a half-submerged branch, and watched for several minutes ~1:00PM. They were ~50ft away. The female stood alert watching; the male was preening. Then the female swam away, and the male followed. Both were silent.]; Wild Turkey 1 female; Green Heron 1 flying around & calling at Bullard Rd.; Osprey 1 flyover at Coalkiln Rd; perhaps breeding around Lake Quinapoxet? (Observed - O); Black-billed Cuckoo 1 finally! The BBCU called almost nonstop for ~5min around noon; Barred Owl 1 ; Ruby-throated Hummingbird 1 male; Red-bellied Woodpecker 1; Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 3 still drumming, two in the swamp along Coalkiln Rd. No nests found.; Hairy Woodpecker 8; Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted); 4; Eastern Wood-Pewee 8 ; Least Flycatcher 1 ; Eastern Phoebe 14; Great Crested Flycatcher 3; Eastern Kingbird 4; Yellow-throated Vireo 2 ; Blue-headed Vireo 2; Warbling Vireo 2; Red-eyed Vireo 29; Common Raven 1 ; Tree Swallow 23 ; Barn Swallow 3 ; Brown Creeper 5 Incl. a family of 4, Coalkiln Rd swamp. (FL); House Wren 11; Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 4 ; Veery 31 ; Hermit Thrush 8 ; Wood Thrush 5 ; Cedar Waxwing 24; Blue-winged Warbler 2 ; Yellow Warbler 2; Chestnut-sided Warbler 16 (CF); Black-throated Blue Warbler 17 ; Yellow-rumped Warbler 2; Black-throated Green Warbler 5; Pine Warbler 16; Prairie Warbler 5 ; Black-and-white Warbler 13 ; American Redstart 3; Ovenbird 36; Northern Waterthrush 2; Common Yellowthroat 26; Canada Warbler 2 ; Scarlet Tanager 16 ; Eastern Towhee 36 ; Field Sparrow 1; Swamp Sparrow 4 ; (Probable - A); Rose-breasted Grosbeak 5; Indigo Bunting 2; Baltimore Oriole 5; Purple Finch 2; (report from Steven Sutton).

6/27/08 -- Uxbridge
Highlights atlasing in UXBRIDGE 7: Wood Duck (female with at least one young bird in West River); Great Blue Heron (4 - I had 3 perched in bare trees in the West River near the dam. I have not found a colony yet, but there are plenty of dead snags, and there are areas that are not easily accessible where a colony could exist. Therefore, I have listed this species as "possible".); Green Heron (1 at River Bend Farm); Killdeer (2 - an adult doing distraction display to me with a young bird nearby); Black-billed Cuckoo (1 singing in same location at River Bend Farm three trips in a row); Hairy Woodpecker; Northern Flicker; Eastern Wood-Pewee; Willow Flycatcher (1 at River Bend Farm); Least Flycatcher (1 at West Hill park); Eastern Phoebe; Great Crested Flycatcher; Eastern Kingbird; Yellow-throated Vireo (1 along the West River); Warbling Vireo; Red-eyed Vireo; Northern Rough-winged Swallow; Brown Creeper (1 at West Hill Park); Carolina Wren; House Wren; Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (1 seriously harassing Blue Jay at River Bend Farm); Eastern Blu;ebird Veery; Wood Thrush; Brown Thrasher (1 singing at River Bend Farm); Cedar Waxwing; Blue-winged Warbler; Yellow Warbler (including an immature in half moult at River Bend Farm; it was a wierd looking white-and-yellow patched bird); Chestnut-sided Warbler; Black-throated Green Warbler; Pine Warbler; Prairie Warbler; American Redstart; Ovenbird (including young bird at West Hill Dam); Common Yellowthroa;t Scarlet Tanager; Eastern Towhee (including male feeding Cowbird at River Bend Farm); Field Sparrow; Rose-breasted Grosbeak; Indigo Bunting; Baltimore Oriole (including several females feeding young);
During the 20 hours [of atlas coverage this year], I recorded 81 species with breeding status of at least "possible". Just as a comparison, 46 species were recorded as such in BBA 1. This probably is a reflection of a more thorough coverage the second time around. (report from John Liller).

6/27/08 -- Spencer/East Brookfield
We spent just a few hours in the morning finishing up our field hours atlasing our block in SPENCER (North Brookfield 12); looking for very specific species to try to upgrade. We then also spent just a little time starting to atlas in the two blocks directly south of that block (WARREN 10 AND WARREN 11);, again mostly in SPENCER, but also in parts of East Brookfield and Brookfield. These are two blocks we will finish next year, so we just hit a scant few locations in each block. Nothing extraordinary, just a nice selection of breeding birds with lots of breeding behavior to watch. TOTALS FOR ALL THREE: Double-crested Cormorant (1); American Bittern (2); Great Blue Heron (5); Green Heron (4); Turkey Vulture (2); Wood Duck (2); Mallard (1f w/4yg+3m); Broad-winged Hawk (1); Red-tailed Hawk (1); Wild Turkey (3); Virginia Rail (1); Killdeer (1ad w/3yg); Rock Dove (7); Mourning Dove (13); Chimney Swift (41); Belted Kingfisher (2); Red-bellied Woodpecker (3); Downy Woodpecker (10); Hairy Woodpecker (6); N Flicker (8); Eastern Wood Peewee (9); Alder Flycatcher (4); Willow Flycatcher (8); Least Flycatcher (2); Eastern Phoebe (7); Great Crested Flycatcher (1); Eastern Kingbird (22); Yellow-throated Vireo (4); Blue-headed Vireo (2); Warbling Vireo (15); Red-eyed Vireo (28); Blue Jay (23); A Crow (27); Tree Swallow (53); N Rough-winged Swallow (2); Bank Swallow (33); Barn Swallow (60+); Black-capped Chickadee (71); Tufted Titmouse (32); White-breasted Nuthatch (19); Brown Creeper (1); Carolina Wren (1); House Wren (24); Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (1); Eastern Bluebird (2); Veery (32); Hermit Thrush (5); Wood Thrush (7); A Robin (100+: some are apparently well into a second nesting); Gray Catbird (74); Brown Thrasher (4: fledged young); E Starling (61); Cedar Waxwing (7); Scarlet Tanager (14); Eastern Towhee (6); Chipping Sparrow (61); Field Sparrow (1); Savannah Sparrow (6); Song Sparrow (41); Swamp Sparrow (58); N Cardinal (25); Rose-breasted Grosbeak (10); Indigo Bunting (19); Bobolink (17); Red-winged Blackbird (263); Common Grackle (48); Baltimore Oriole (7); Purple Finch (2); House Finch (6); A Goldfinch (34); House Sparrow (135+); PLUS: Red Fox; Eastern, Snapping and Spotted Turtles. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

6/26/08 -- northeast Quabbin
We spent the morning finishing up our atlasing in two blocks in northeast Quabbin, mostly between Gates 35 and 39 but also did some atlasing in two small shore areas for an atlaser that is covering some of the larger islands of Quabbin. We are well into the breeding season of course, and there are many fledged birds about, but amazingly most CEDAR WAXWINGS have yet to settle down. For those of you thinking of venturing out to Quabbin this weekend, note that the Deer Flies and mosquitoes were BAD in several sections. Common Loon (8ad with 1 bird apparently on a nest); Turkey Vulture (3); Canada Goose (45); Wood Duck (16 adults and birds of the year, plus 2 tiny ducklings); Mallard (5); Hooded Merganser (1adF w/4yg); SHARP-SHINNED HAWK (Along a heavily forested road, we watched this bird from 30 feet away, suddenly come out of nowhere, fly quickly down into the dense cover at the edge of the road, nail a baby Ruffed Grouse, and then fly to a perch. Here it re-arranged the prey for a bit, then flew off low deep into the forest. The bird was an adult, and looked particularly small. State-listed as a breeding species); Red-tailed Hawk (2); Wild Turkey (1: though en route to our atlas area we passed 3 family groups with various number of young); Spotted Sandpiper (1); Mourning Dove (3); Black-billed Cuckoo (1); GREAT HORNED OWL (1ad while spending some time at a beaver marsh, I noticed this bird sitting out In the open near the trunk of a pine. A hunting Red-tailed Hawk passed right by it. It sat there the entire 30 minutes we were there, turning it?s head every once in a while, and then appeared to doze.); Barred Owl (1 bird of the year); Chimney Swift (2); Ruby-throated Hummingbird (2); Belted Kingfisher (2); Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (10ad: 5 nest holes with young); Downy Woodpecker (1); Hairy Woodpecker (4); Pileated Woodpecker (2); E Wood Peewee (21); Alder Flycatcher (1); Least Flycatcher (3); Great Crested Flycatcher (5); Eastern Kingbird (7); Yellow-throated Vireo (4); Blue-headed Vireo (9); Red-eyed Vireo (96); Blue Jay (16); A Crow (8); C Raven (4); Tree Swallow (28); Barn Swallow (2); Black-capped Chickadee (6); Tufted Titmouse (5); Red-breasted Nuthatch (3); White-breasted Nuthatch (2); Brown Creeper (4); Golden-crowned Kinglet (2); VEERY (90: these guys were everywhere calling, singing, carrying food back and forth. We flushed several from nests built in grassy patches right beside the road); Hermit Thrush (6); A Robin (15); Gray Catbird (19); Cedar Waxwing (6); Scarlet Tanager (36); E Towhee (26); Chipping Sparrow (25); Field Sparrow (12); Song Sparrow (8); Swamp Sparrow (6); White-throated Sparrow (8); Dark-eyed Junco (3); Rose-breasted Grosbeak (10); Red-winged Blackbird (74); Common Grackle (35+); Brown-headed Cowbird (8); Baltimore Oriole (12); Purple Finch (6); A Goldfinch (4); PLUS: a family of RIVER OTTERS. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

6/25/08 -- Charlton and Spencer
Highlights atlasing: Wild Turkey 2, Red-tailed Hawk 1, Chimney Swift 2, Red-bellied Woodpecker 1, N Flicker 3(1 carrying food);, Eastern Wood-pewee 2, Eastern Phoebe 3, Great Crested Flycatcher 1, Eastern Kingbird 1, Blue-headed Vireo 1, Warbling Vireo 3, Red-eyed Vireo 4, Tree Swallow 8 (fledged birds now taking wing and leaving nest sites);, Barn Swallow 4, House Wren 4, Eastern Bluebird 7 (5 fledged birds with 2 adults);, Gray Catbird * (adults carrying food and fledged birds);, Northern Mockingbird 2, Brown Thrasher 2 (pr);, Cedar Waxwing 6, Blue-winged Warbler 3, Yellow Warbler 3, Chestnut-sided Warbler 2, Pine Warbler 1, Prairie Warbler 2, Black-and-white Warbler 1, American Redstart 2, Ovenbird 1, Northern Waterthrush 1, Common Yellowthroat 3, Scarlet Tanager 2, Eastern Towhee 1, Savannah Sparrow 1, Rose-breasted Grosbeak 1, Indigo Bunting 2, Bobolink (easily 130, many adults carrying food);, Baltimore Oriole 5 (adults carrying food);, Purple Finch 2 (singing males);. (report from Paul Meleski).

6/24/08 -- Berlin
Highlights while atlasing in Hudson 6 BBA block - Berlin and Clinton, 6:45AM-4:45PM: Wild Turkey 1 lone female, Derby St; Great Blue Heron 2; Turkey Vulture 2 ; Cooper's Hawk 1 adult; one seen 2 miles apart, or two individuals; Broad-winged Hawk 2 circling together; one harassing a Red-tail for a while, with repeated close dives at the RTHA (T); Red-tailed Hawk 3 incl. an immature at Garfield Woods, that definitely seemed to be a young of this year (Confirmed - FL); Killdeer 1 heard from Barnes Rd. A surprising miss until today.; Belted Kingfisher 1 male at G.Woods; Red-bellied Woodpecker 3 a male at G.Woods still making frequent food trips to a hole (as on 6/14); Hairy Woodpecker 5; Northern Flicker 6; Eastern Wood-Pewee 3 singing (s); Willow Flycatcher 2 ; Eastern Phoebe 9 ; Great Crested Flycatcher 5 [pair at G.Woods did indeed nest where I first thought - it's just not a typical hole. It's a place where a branch broke off a small (est. 5" diameter) tree, probably hollowed out further by birds. It's about 7ft up in the tree, and right next to active RR tracks, about eye level (~5ft higher than RR). Both members of pair were in & out, and I saw frequent food trips (mostly dragonflies);, so I'm guessing they have small babies inside (no begging calls heard)]; Eastern Kingbird 11; Blue-headed Vireo 3 ; Warbling Vireo 11 ; Red-eyed Vireo 8 ; Barn Swallow 18 incl. 4 fledglings perched in dead branches near a barn on Derby Rd, with attending adults ; Brown Creeper 1 ; Carolina Wren 1 ; House Wren 8 ; Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1 ( G.Woods: the poor Gnatcatcher was following and scolding a Jay that was clearly looking for a meal of eggs or babies. It went back and forth silently through the Gnatcatcher's little territory for at least 15-20min., but apparently was unsuccessful. When the Jay finally left, I turned my attention to other things, not wanting to jeopardize the Gnatcatcher further, since the Jay hadn't gone very far); Eastern Bluebird 6; Hermit Thrush 1 ; Wood Thrush 2 ; Cedar Waxwing 22 ; Yellow Warbler 10 ; Pine Warbler 7 ; American Redstart 4 ; Ovenbird 10 ; Louisiana Waterthrush 1 ; Common Yellowthroat 12 ; Scarlet Tanager 8 ; Eastern Towhee 1 ; Swamp Sparrow 1 ; Rose-breasted Grosbeak 7 ; Indigo Bunting 11 ; Bobolink 4 ; Baltimore Oriole 9; (report from Steven Sutton).

6/24/08 -- Sutton
Highlights from some atlasing in Sutton, part of MILFORD3: Killdeer (2); Great Horned Owl (2 very young birds, being harassed by Blue Jays); Chimney Swift (1); Red-bellied Woodpecker (2); Northern Flicker (1); Eastern Wood-Pewee (3); Eastern Phoebe (2); Eastern Kingbird (3 - including pair); Warbling Vireo (1); Red-eyed Vireo (2); House Wren (1); Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (1); Veery (2); Wood Thrush (2); Cedar Waxwing (6); Blue-winged Warbler (1); Yellow Warbler (including female carrying food); Prairie Warbler (3 - including bird carrying food); Common Yellowthroat; Eastern Towhee; Field Sparrow (inclduing adult feeding young); Rose-breasted Grosbeak; Indigo Bunting (2); Orchard Oriole (female); Baltimore Oriole (including adults feeding young); (report from John Liller).

6/24/08 -- Worcester
We spent the morning finishing up our 20 field hours in WORCESTER NORTH 11. This very urban block includes northern sections of the city of Worcester, including the Greater Worcester Landtrust "Bovenzi Property" (west and adjacent of 190), the north end of Lake Quinsigamond and the area near the prison and the Boylston police headquarters. The latter area features some nice fields and an area of powerlines that were very productive early this AM. Though species variety was modest today, there was lots of breeding behavior going on. Double-crested Cormorant (1 fly-over); Cooper~Rs Hawk (1 newly fledged bird); Red-tailed Hawk (2); Mourning Dove (21); Chimney Swift (8); Ruby-throated Hummingbird (1); Red-bellied Woodpecker (1); Downy Woodpecker (7: including fledged birds); Hairy Woodpecker (4: including at least 1 fledged young); N Flicker (5); Eastern Wood Peewee (3); Eastern Phoebe (7); Eastern Kingbird (4); Warbling Vireo (4); Red-eyed Vireo (6); Black-capped Chickadee (17: including several fledged young); Tufted Titmouse (14: including fledged young); White-breasted Nuthatch (5); Tree Swallow (11); Carolina Wren (2); House Wren (7); Blue Jay (11); American Crow (3); Hermit Thrush (3); Wood Thrush (10); American Robin (89); Gray Catbird (42); N Mockingbird (4); Cedar Waxwing (4); Euro Starling (68); Blue-winged Warbler (5); Yellow Warbler (11); Yellow-rumped Warbler (1); Pine Warbler (7); Prairie Warbler (6); Black and White Warbler (2); Northern Waterthrush (1 still singing); Ovenbird (3); Common Yellowthroat (9); Scarlet Tanager (8); Eastern Towhee (24: we had great views of just fledged still downy young being constantly fed by an adult male); Field Sparrow (7); Chipping Sparrow (17: a number of fledged young); Savannah Sparrow (2); Song Sparrow (7); N Cardinal (11); Rose-breasted Grosbeak (10, including several fledged young); Indigo Bunting (1); Red-winged Blackbird (60+); Common Grackle (6); Brown-headed Cowbird (3: including 1 female laying an egg in a Field Sparrow nest); Baltimore Oriole (8); House Finch (12); A Goldfinch (6); (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

6/22/08 -- town of Blackstone
We spent from well before dawn atlasing two blocks near the Blackstone River. Uxbridge 11 and Uxbridge 12 are mostly in the town of Blackstone on the border with Rhode Island, though they also include parts of Millville and Mendon. Uxbridge 12 is just a "half block", that contains a lot of the remnants of the mill town. The habitat is unremarkable: with lots of suburbs, old mill-town buildings, a few remnant small farms, some streams but very little standing water, and a number of small but productive woodlots. Totals for the morning were: Double-crested Cormorant (1); Great Blue Heron (3); Turkey Vulture (3); Wood Duck (1f w/4yg; 1f w/3yg; +1 un-affiliated female); Mallard (28: including several newly fledged birds); Red-shouldered Hawk (1); Red-tailed Hawk (1+ a pair that vigorously defended it~Rs territory. I walked out into an overgrown farm field from a short trail through the woods. Before I knew it, the two adult Tails were screaming, 1 continually flying in my direction and screaming, then circling back, only to fly at me again. I backed off); Ruffed Grouse (2); Wild Turkey (1); Killdeer (7, including 4 older precocial/almost fledged young. These birds were all raised on the roofs of the Kennedy Grade School, a single story school, with an ever so gently sloping series of roofs, all of them covered in pebbles and stones. Just about the most perfect breeding spot for Killdeer. We watched them breed throughout the season, and now the young are on the ground, still under the watch of the adults); American Woodcock (1); Rock Dove (53); Mourning Dove (77: a number of fledged young seen); Yellow-billed Cuckoo (3); Eastern Screech Owl (2); WHIP-POOR-WILL (5); Chimney Swift (33); Ruby-throated Hummingbird (3); Red-bellied Woodpecker (3); Downy Woodpecker (10: young in several nest holes); N Flicker (15); E Wood Peewee (19); Willow Flycatcher (2); Least Flycatcher (1); Eastern Phoebe (20: including 1 nesting in a pig stye); Great Crested Flycatcher (3); Eastern Kingbird (16); Yellow-throated Vireo (6); Warbling Vireo (17); Red-eyed Vireo (30); Blue Jay (26); A Crow (16); FISH CROW (1: no, not a newly fledged young American Crow. Fish Crows are actually quite common just a bit further south along the Blackstone, and this is likely a wanderer. I saw no sign of it~Rs breeding); Common Raven (1: these DO breed here, but the young have now fledged and dispersed); Tree Swallow (9); N Rough-winged Swallow (9); Bank Swallow (20+); Barn Swallow (33); Black-capped Chickadee (41: adults seen feeding fledged young); Tufted Titmouse (40: ditto); White-breasted Nuthatch (14); Brown Creeper (1); Carolina Wren (13: including one apparently nesting in a hole high on a long dead tree stub that a huge pig was rubbing against and looking like it was going to knock down. The wren was "not amused"); House Wren (28); Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (11); Eastern Bluebird (24: many newly fledged young); Veery (13); Wood thrush (6); American Robin (242: I never REALLY knew how abundant this species was, especially in suburban settings till I started to atlas. There were times today, before dawn when you literally could not hear yourself think because of the ~Scheery~T din of singing robins. They were everywhere.); Gray Catbird (107); N Mockingbird (19); Brown Thrasher (5); E Starling (86); Cedar Waxwing (9); Scarlet Tanager (10); Eastern Towhee (25); Chipping Sparrow (120: several seen feeding newly fledged cowbirds); Field Sparrow (11); Savannah Sparrow (2); Song Sparrow (99); Swamp Sparrow (3); N Cardinal (43: many seen feeding fledged young); Rose-breasted Grosbeak (9); Indigo Bunting (20); Bobolink (2); Red-winged Blackbird (40+); C Grackle (90+); Brown-headed Cowbird (13); ORCHARD ORIOLE (10 and two nests found); Baltimore Oriole (28: several nests had noisy young inside); House Finch (6); A Goldfinch (37); House Sparrow (168); PLUS: many Eastern Cottontails and (4); territorial chickens that showed us on our way from a hiking trail. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

6/21/08 -- Gardner, Templeton, Winchendon
Atlasing in the Athol 10 block, covering the landfill, Pealey brook Res. area, marsh on Mill Glen Road, highlights among the 70 species observed were: Wild Turkey 6 Inclkuding a displaying "Tom"; Cooper's Hawk 1 (building a nest); Northern Goshawk 1 (in a small wetland, essentially every bird in this wetland was "teed up" and very agitated, I noticed this adult Gos just as if flew off with an Eastern Kingbird as a "Jockey".; Broad-winged Hawk 2; Killdeer 1; Chimney Swift 2; Hairy Woodpecker 4; Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 2; Pileated Woodpecker 1; Eastern Wood-Pewee 2; Eastern Phoebe 5 CF; Great Crested Flycatcher 1; Eastern Kingbird 5; Blue-headed Vireo 8 FL; Red-eyed Vireo 25; Tree Swallow 6; Bank Swallow 6; Barn Swallow 2; Red-breasted Nuthatch 7 FY at nest hole; Brown Creeper 2; House Wren 3; Winter Wren 1; Eastern Bluebird 1; Veery 4 FL; Hermit Thrush 9; Wood Thrush 1; Cedar Waxwing 13; Chestnut-sided Warbler 1; Black-throated Blue Warbler 2; Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) 5; Black-throated Green Warbler 12; Blackburnian Warbler 2; Pine Warbler 8 NB; Prairie Warbler 1; Black-and-white Warbler 1; Ovenbird 36 CF; Northern Waterthrush 1 CF; Common Yellowthroat 18 CF; Canada Warbler 3; Scarlet Tanager 3; Eastern Towhee 2; Savannah Sparrow 2; Swamp Sparrow 5 CF; White-throated Sparrow 1; Rose-breasted Grosbeak 6 NB; Indigo Bunting 3; Bobolink 3; Baltimore Oriole 3; Purple Finch 2; (report from Tom Pirro).

6/21/08 -- Webster
I spent the morning atlasing Webster 9 in Webster. Most of my day was spent walking around the Freeman Brook marsh. Highights: Wood Duck 1; Great Blue Heron 13 (4 active nests), and 1 adult making his best impression of a duck swimming in a pond with feet extended!); Green Heron 1; Broad-winged Hawk 1; Great Horned Owl 1 (fledged bird now off the nest but still staying in home block); Ruby-throated Hummimngbird 2 (territorial males); Red-bellied Woodpecker 3 (pr plus 1 calling male); Northern Flicker 2; Hairy Woodpecker 2; Eastern Wood-pewee 6; Eastern Phoebe 3 (including adult feeding fledged young); Great Crested Flycatcher 5; Eastern Kingbird 4 (2 pr); Warbling Vireo 2; Red-eyed Vireo 5; Tree Swallow * (flight courtship display); Black-capped Chickadee * (feeding fledged young); White-breasted Nuthatch * (feeding fledged young); Brown Creeper 2; Wood Thrush 4; Veery 2; American Robin * (carrying food); Yellow Warbler 1; Black-and-white Warbler 2 (pr); Pine Warbler 2; Common Yellowthroat 2; Ovenbird 4; Scarlet Tanager 5; Eastern Towhee 1; Swamp Sparrow 4; Common Grackle CF (feeding fledged young); Baltimore Oriole * (carrying food). (report from Paul Meleski).

6/20/08 -- Princeton, Holden, and Sterling
Today I took the day off from work for a long and rewarding day of atlasing, visiting Princeton, Holden, and Sterling. Highlights are below. One surprise was finding a Yellow-throated Vireo that sang a perfect Blue-Headed song! (see notes under YTVI) Number of species: 75.
Great Blue Heron 3 (plenty of good nesting areas, but I haven't found any nests so far); Green Heron 1; Turkey Vulture 1; Broad-winged Hawk 1; Red-tailed Hawk 2 adult + immature (not together); Chimney Swift 4 V-wing display seen(Probable - C); Belted Kingfisher 1; Red-bellied Woodpecker 4; Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 3 all drumming, two of them on tall wooden poles along a powerline cut; Hairy Woodpecker 5; Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 3 "s"; Pileated Woodpecker 3 seen, heard, and a little drumming; Eastern Wood-Pewee 8 ; Least Flycatcher 1 ; Eastern Phoebe 16 s (Confirmed - FL); Great Crested Flycatcher 7 ; Eastern Kingbird 8 (Confirmed - CN); Yellow-throated Vireo 2 ( one along powerline cut just east of Coalkiln Rd, and almost within earshot of a BHVI territory. This vireo sang a perfect BHVI song, with no burry notes at all, but when I finally saw it, it was a YTVI! Made me wonder who it's mate might be (and its parents, though it looked normal). I heard it for over 20 minutes from ~7:15AM, and again for nearly 30 min. starting at 11:40AM. It sang from both white pines and red maples, at a somewhat swampy spot. Later I found a YTVI at a different swamp, singing a normal song.); Blue-headed Vireo 2 ; Warbling Vireo 1 ; Red-eyed Vireo 32 ; Barn Swallow 6; Brown Creeper 1 ; House Wren 10 (Confirmed - CF); Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 3; Eastern Bluebird 4; Veery 31 s, they were everywhere, but I couldn't quite confirm them today; Hermit Thrush 3 ; Wood Thrush 1 ; Cedar Waxwing 17; Blue-winged Warbler 2 ; Yellow Warbler 4 ; Chestnut-sided Warbler 15 (Confirmed - CF); Black-throated Blue Warbler 20 s, these also were abundant. One trail in particular was full of them, and in one spot there were 3 males chasing each other through a tangle of mountain laurel right in front of me, and singing!; Yellow-rumped Warbler 2 ; Black-throated Green Warbler 7 ; Pine Warbler 15 ; Prairie Warbler 5 ; Black-and-white Warbler 15 (Confirmed - CF); American Redstart 5 ; Ovenbird 44 (CF); Northern Waterthrush 2 ; Louisiana Waterthrush 1 seen/heard briefly along the entrance lane to Poutwater Pond, but it never sang.; Common Yellowthroat 19 (CF), unfortunately the nest I saw on 6/10 failed. It was intact but empty today - not enough time for 4 eggs to hatch and fledge.; Canada Warbler 4 one seen well for 5+ minute; Scarlet Tanager 13 (Probable - P); Eastern Towhee 33 (Confirmed - FL); Field Sparrow 4 ; Swamp Sparrow 2 ; Rose-breasted Grosbeak 3 (Probable - P); Indigo Bunting 5 ; Brown-headed Cowbird 13 host was C.Yellowthroat(Confirmed - FL); Baltimore Oriole 9 ; Purple Finch 6 ; (report from Steve Sutton).

6/20/08 -- Gardner/Templeton
Atlasing highlights: Killdeer 1; Chimney Swift 7; Hairy Woodpecker 3 FL; Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 1; Alder Flycatcher 1; Eastern Phoebe 4; Great Crested Flycatcher 1; Eastern Kingbird 2; Blue-headed Vireo 1; Warbling Vireo 6 ON; Red-eyed Vireo 8; Northern Rough-winged Swallow 1; Bank Swallow 10; Brown Creeper 1; House Wren 3; Veery 2; Wood Thrush 1; Brown Thrasher 1; Cedar Waxwing 16; Yellow Warbler 2; Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) 1; Black-throated Green Warbler 2; Pine Warbler 1; Black-and-white Warbler 3; Ovenbird 6; Common Yellowthroat 5; Scarlet Tanager 3; Eastern Towhee 4; Swamp Sparrow 6; Rose-breasted Grosbeak 2; Indigo Bunting 1; Baltimore Oriole 8 CF; Purple Finch 4;

Also, last evening 6/19 in Leominster (Ayer 3) was: Eastern Meadowlark 1; Bobolink a few one carrying food; Savanah Sparrow 2 singing males. Also in Groton there has been a male Saffron Finch coming to the feeder at work, an obvious escaped cage bird..but handsome non the less. (report from Tom Pirro).

6/15/08 -- northeast QUABBIN
We spent SUNDAY atlasing two adjacent (east/west); blocks in northeast Quabbin, essentially between GATES 35-39. One of these blocks also contains some areas "outside of Quabbin": a small part of Petersham including West Street, a small part of Harvard Pond and part of the Federated Women's Clubs SF. We spent most of the morning birding around the power-line cut-through. This long swath cut through the forest is very difficult to access completely and some of the best sections are found only along little used trails. There is no road or trail that runs along or parallel to the powerlines. A number of large beaver swamps occur throughout this power line section, and near those, the species variety is the highest for either block. Weather in the AM featured showers, but these ceased by mid-morning. Total species list for both blocks: Common Loon (6 birds, including two pairs looking like they were trying to find a suitable nest site among the numerous boats); Double-crested Cormorant (4); Great Blue Heron (5); Turkey Vulture (1: not a great day for soaring birds); Wood Duck (1f w/4yg; another unattended ducking plus an additional 10 adults); Hooded Merganser (1f w/3yng plus another 2 females. We watched the female with the young "parade" the ducklings rapidly back and forth along a short stretch of shoreline of a marsh and then she began to show them how to dive. When we left, only 1 duckling had given it a go.); Cooper's Hawk (1 huge adult. When we first entered Gate 39, a collection of Least Flycatchers, Hermit Thrush and Blue-headed and Red-eyed Vireos were mobbing something. We stood on the road in the gloom and couldn't find anything till I spotted a large nest with something in it very close by. It was the Coop. Instead of taking off, she just sat and glared at us not making a sound. Thinking it might be on a nest, we left);. Red-shouldered Hawk (pair plus another individual); Red-tailed Hawk (2); Ruffed Grouse (1f w/at least 3 yg); Wild Turkey (1); Virginia Rail (2); Spotted Sandpiper (2); Mourning Dove (16); Ruby-throated Hummingbird (3m); Red-bellied Woodpecker (1); Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (9); Downy Woodpecker (2); Hairy Woodpecker (1); N Flicker (2); Pileated Woodpecker (8); E Wood Peewee (15); Alder Flycatcher (2: seems very low for the habitat); Least Flycatcher (29); E Phoebe (3); Great Crested Flycatcher (13: we watched a pair mate; display and examine a kestrel box like they were considering it a nesting option); Eastern Kingbird (9); Yellow-throated Vireo (3); Blue-headed Vireo (12: including a nest w/young); Red-eyed Vireo (91); Blue Jay (20); A Crow (7); Tree Swallow (19); Barn Swallow (2: out low over Quabbin from Gate 35); Black-capped Chickadee (19); Tufted Titmouse (6); Red-breasted Nuthatch (8); Brown Creeper (3); House Wren (4); Winter Wren (2); Golden-crowned Kinglet (9); Veery (40); Hermit Thrush (12); Wood Thrush (3); A Robin (47); Gray Catbird (37); E Starling (21); Cedar Waxwing (22: all in small flocks); Scarlet Tanager (38); Eastern Towhee (38); Chipping Sparrow (37); Field Sparrow (2); Song Sparrow (17); Swamp Sparrow (6); White-throated Sparrow (5); N Cardinal (4); Rose-breasted Grosbeak (15); Indigo Bunting (4); Red-winged Blackbird (73: we saw a few newly fledged young); Common Grackle (22: in several areas of swamp, adult birds were flying back and forth to their nests with their bills positively stuffed with teneral dragonflies); Brown-headed Cowbird (11); Baltimore Oriole (26); Purple Finch (6); PINE SISKIN (1: along one stretch of the power lines, a siskin flew over calling); A Goldfinch (17); House Sparrow (5 nesting in the town of Petersham); PLUS: Columbine in bloom; lots of Blue Flag; several White-tailed Deer and beaver, a huge Snapping Turtle laying eggs, and in the shallows of 1 small sandy spit in Quabbin proper, about a googolplex American Toad tadpoles. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

6/14/08 -- Broad Meadow Brook Sanctuary, Worcester
We recorded the following 61 species this morning during the 18th Annual Breeding Bird Survey at the Broad Meadow Brook Wildlife Sanctuary in Worcester. (report from John Liller).

6/14/08 -- Gardner/Templeton/Winchendon
Highlights atlasing in the Athol 10 block from 5:45AM to 12:15PM this morning: Green Heron 1; Killdeer 1; Hairy Woodpecker 7; Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 5; Pileated Woodpecker 1; Eastern Wood-Pewee 2; Alder Flycatcher 2; Eastern Phoebe 9; Great Crested Flycatcher 1; Eastern Kingbird 4; Warbling Vireo 4; Red-eyed Vireo 26; Bank Swallow 30 (31 nest holes); Red-breasted Nuthatch 1; Brown Creeper 4; House Wren 15; Winter Wren 1; Eastern Bluebird 1; Veery 1; Hermit Thrush 4; Wood Thrush 2; Brown Thrasher 2; Cedar Waxwing 21; Yellow Warbler 6; Chestnut-sided Warbler 4; Black-throated Blue Warbler 3; Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) 3; Black-throated Green Warbler 11; Blackburnian Warbler 2; Pine Warbler 10; Prairie Warbler 5; Black-and-white Warbler 8; Ovenbird 32; Common Yellowthroat 19; Canada Warbler 2; Scarlet Tanager 5; Eastern Towhee 6; Field Sparrow 5; Savannah Sparrow 1; Swamp Sparrow 5; White-throated Sparrow 1; Rose-breasted Grosbeak 1; Indigo Bunting 5; Bobolink 1; Baltimore Oriole 4; Purple Finch 2; (report from Tom Pirro).

6/14/08 -- Berlin
Highlights atlasing in the Hudson 8 BBA block from 4:45AM-2:00PM this morning: Green Heron 1 Willow Rd (Rte 62) swamp; Turkey Vulture 1; American Kestrel 1 (adult male, Barnes Rd. Watched for ~15 minutes); Ruby-throated Hummingbird 1 male; Red-bellied Woodpecker 3 one at G.Woods making trips with food to a nest hole (as on 6/10); Hairy Woodpecker 4; Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 4 ; Pileated Woodpecker 2 ; Eastern Wood-Pewee 8 ; Eastern Phoebe 16 ; Great Crested Flycatcher 5 Eastern Kingbird 7 (Incl. one standing on its nest with two very small babies inside. The nest was unconcealed in a dead bush, next to some water, about 5 feet up and ~30 feet from a road(Confirmed - ON); Yellow-throated Vireo 1 ; Blue-headed Vireo 1 ; Barn Swallow 7; Brown Creeper 2 ; House Wren 10 ; Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 3; Eastern Bluebird 10 ; Veery 9 ; Hermit Thrush 6 ; Wood Thrush 4 ; Cedar Waxwing 16; Blue-winged Warbler ; Yellow Warbler 7 ; Black-throated Green Warbler 1 ; Pine Warbler 8 ; American Redstart 5 ; Ovenbird 11 ; Louisiana Waterthrush 2 ; Common Yellowthroat 15 ; Scarlet Tanager 11 ; Eastern Towhee 3 ; Field Sparrow 3 ; Swamp Sparrow 2 ; Rose-breasted Grosbeak 6 ; Indigo Bunting 11 ; Bobolink 1 ; Baltimore Oriole 12 ; (report from Steven Sutton).

6/13/08 -- Uxbridge
This morning, I did some atlasing in Uxbridge, part of UXBRIDGE 7. I stopped at Overlook Rock, Rice City Pond, and River Bend Farm. Here are highlights: Great Blue Heron (4 - one at Rice City Pond, 1 at River Bend, and 2 flyovers); Killdeer (2 at Rice City Pond); Spotted Sandpiper (several at Rice City Pond; visibility made an exact count very difficult); Black-billed Cuckoo (1-2 at River Bend Farm); Great Horned Owl (1 in the woods by Rice City Pond, being harassed and chased by a variety of smaller birds); Hairy Woodpecker; Northern Flicker; Eastern Wood-Pewee (including bird collecting material at Overlook Rock); Willow Flycatcher (1 at River Bend Farm); Great Crested Flycatcher; Eastern Kingbird; Warbling Vireo; Red-eyed Vireo; Northern Rough-winged Swallow; Barn Swallow (1 - collecting material at River Bend Farm); Carolina Wren; Eastern Bluebird; Hermit Thrush; Wood Thrush; Cedar Waxwing; Blue-winged Warbler; Yellow Warbler; Pine Warbler; American Redstart; Worm-eating Warbler (1 singing at a distance at Overlook Rock); Ovenbird; Common Yellowthroat; Scarlet Tanager; Northern Cardinal (including female feeding fledged Cardinal and male feeding fledged Cowbird); Rose-breasted Grosbeak; Indigo Bunting; Baltimore Oriole; (report from John Liller).

6/12/08 -- Purgatory Chasm, Sutton
Kim Kastler and I recorded the following highlights at Purgatory Chasm SP in Sutton (part of MILFORD 3): Hairy Woodpecker; Eastern Wood-Pewee; Eastern Phoebe; Great Crested Flycatcher (1 calling); Blue-headed Vireo (including one bird taking material from what looked like a Red-eyed Vireo nest); Veery (heard only); Hermit Thrush (including a bird carrying food); Wood Thrush; Black-throated Green Warbler (several singing); Pine Warbler; Ovenbird; Scarlet Tanager; Indigo Bunting; (report from John Liller).

6/11/08 -- Fitchburg
I biked over to the Fitchburg Airport this evening to look for Meadowlarks at the Airport. I missed them but had a nice look at an Upland Sandpiper walking and feeding in the short grass between the runways. I watched it for about 15 minutes before it flew toward the opposited, NW side of the airport. I also had nice looks at 2 Male Horned Larks. This is a busy municiple airport and completely fenced off, I viewed the "UPPIE" and the Horned Larks from the parking lot. I did not have a scope, but one would be helpful. I did NOT see or hear any Nighthawks while biking through downtown Fitchburg at ~8:45PM, although last week on a few nights I heard them as I drove through town at about 10PM. (report from Tom Pirro).

6/11/08 -- Sutton
Highlights while atlasing in Sutton (MILFORD 3) this morning: Wild Turkey (10 birds together, including 2 males in full display with females nearby. Are these birds young from last year?); Red-tailed Hawk (1 - I have seen this bird in the same location in the past, and there is a nest nearby, but I did not see any activity in the nest.); Great Horned Owl ( heard); Chimney Swift; Red-bellied Woodpecker; Northern Flicker; Eastern Wood-Pewee; Great Crested Flycatcher; Eastern Kingbird; Warbling Vireo; Red-eyed Vireo; Barn Swallow; Carolina Wren; House Wren; Wood Thrush; Cedar Waxwing; Blue-winged Warbler; Yellow Warbler; Pine Warbler; Prairie Warbler; American Redstart; Ovenbird; Common Yellowthroat; Eastern Towhee (including a pair); Field Sparrow; Rose-breasted Grosbeak; Indigo Bunting; Bobolink (1 male); Baltimore Oriole (including a nest);; (report from John Liller).

6/10/08 -- Princeton/Holden
Highlights while atlasing BBA block Sterling 8, 4:45AM-12:45PM. Number of species: 67
Wild Turkey 3 adults; Broad-winged Hawk (2 I heard a loud whoosh similar to Nighthawk diving sound, so I looked up and saw a Red-Tail diving steeply. It then circled upward, closely followed by a BWHA. The RTHA then dove again, at a second BWHA. Finally the 2 BWHA circled together, the RTHA separately, and all three moved out of sight in the same direction); Chimney Swift 3; Red-bellied Woodpecker 1 Coalkiln Rd; Hairy Woodpecker 2; Northern Flicker 2 ; Pileated Woodpecker 1 heard, Poutwater Pond WMA; Eastern Wood-Pewee 8 ; Least Flycatcher 1 Parker Place swamp; Eastern Phoebe 6 ; Great Crested Flycatcher 6 ; Eastern Kingbird 8 ; Blue-headed Vireo 2 ; Warbling Vireo 1 Parker Pl.; Red-eyed Vireo 27 ; Barn Swallow 1; Brown Creeper 2 ; Carolina Wren 1 ; House Wren 4 ; Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 2; Eastern Bluebird 4 ; Veery 4 ; Hermit Thrush 3 ; Wood Thrush 1 ; Cedar Waxwing 25 still small groups; Blue-winged Warbler 1 ; Yellow Warbler 3 ; Chestnut-sided Warbler 9 ; Black-throated Blue Warbler 8 ; Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) 2 ; Black-throated Green Warbler 4 ; Pine Warbler 7 ; Prairie Warbler 4 ; Black-and-white Warbler 7 ; American Redstart 8 ; Ovenbird 18 ; Northern Waterthrush 2 Poutwater Pond; Common Yellowthroat 15 ( one female flushed from a nest along a powerline cut. Nest was in the middle of a large clump of grass, next to a large, semi-permanent puddle; it contained 4 small, white eggs heavily speckled with brown); Scarlet Tanager 6 ; Eastern Towhee 11 ; Indigo Bunting 1 Houghton Rd; Bobolink 3 males at Houghton Rd fields; Baltimore Oriole 6 ; (report from Steven Sutton).

6/8/08 -- Wachusett Reservoir
At 8:15PM, there was another BLACK TERN seen from gate 39 in Clinton. This one was foraging for insects and occasionally diving for fish. Like the bird Bart Kamp spotted last June, this one was perching on the white buoy to the right of the bushy island. Other birds of note were a male COMMON MERGANSER, a Bald Eagle (young, maybe 3rd year), 2 Common Loons, and about 280 Mallards. (report from Kevin Bourinot).

6/8/08 -- Spencer
Finishing up our atlas hours in NORTH BROOKFIELD 12 (mostly in the town of Spencer); this morning we had the following: Wood Duck (1); Mallard (5); Cooper~Rs Hawk (1ad); Broad-winged Hawk (1); American Kestrel (1m being soundly attacked by an Eastern Kingbird); Ruffed Grouse (4); Wild Turkey (2); Killdeer (1); Rock Dove (6); Mourning Dove (29: though we are starting to see a few newly fledged young, today we also saw an adult carrying a twig to finish a nest); Yellow-billed Cuckoo (3); Chimney Swift (4); Ruby-throated Hummingbird (1m on territory); Belted Kingfisher (2>pair); Red-bellied Woodpecker (8); Downy Woodpecker (2); N Flicker (3); Pileated Woodpecker (2: a pair at nest); E Wood Peewee (8); Alder Flycatcher (3); Willow Flycatcher (7); Least Flycatcher (11); E Phoebe (10); Great Crested Flycatcher (2); Eastern Kingbird (16); Yellow-throated Vireo (1m); Warbling Vireo (17); Red-eyed Vireo (42); Blue Jay (10); A Crow (21); Tree Swallow (10); N Rough-winged Swallow (4); Bank Swallow (15+); Barn Swallow (64); Black-capped Chickadee (22); Tufted Titmouse (21); Red-breasted Nuthatch (pair); White-breasted Nuthatch (6); Carolina Wren (1); House Wren (17); Winter Wren (1); E Bluebird (pair); Veery (18); Wood Thrush (3); A Robin (90+); Gray Catbird (57); N Mockingbird (5); Brown Thrasher (5); E Starling (132); Cedar Waxwing (18); Scarlet Tanager (9); Eastern Towhee (10); Chipping Sparrow (32); Field Sparrow (4); Savannah Sparrow (5); Song Sparrow (54); Swamp Sparrow (10); N Cardinal (24); Rose-breasted Grosbeak (4); Indigo Bunting (10); Bobolink (27); Red-winged Blackbird (122); Common Grackle (17); Brown-headed Cowbird (3: including a fledged young being fed by a Chipping Sparrow); Baltimore Oriole (9); Purple Finch (pair); House Finch (6); A Goldfinch (24); House Sparrow (107); PLUS: Ragged Robin blooming in every field. Also: several HUGE Snapping Turtles seeking out places to lay eggs. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

6/7/08 -- South Quabbin Park
John Shea led a Forbush Club trip to South Quabbin Park. Here is a list of the 74 bird species seen or heard. (report from John Shea).

6/7/08 -- West Hill Dam/Park, Uxbridge
This morning, Kim Kastler, Jeremy Cole, and I did some atlasing at West Hill Dam/Park, part of UXBRIDGE 7. Highlights included: Wood Duck (flushed a female); Broad-winged Hawk (1 circling above); Chimney Swift (2); Ruby-throated Hummingbird (1 female); Northern Flicker (1); Eastern Wood-Pewee (3); Least Flycatcher (1); Great Crested Flycatcher (8 - they were everywhere, and we saw a pair in the vicinity of a nest hole, one of which entered the hole several times); Eastern Kingbird (2); Warbling Vireo (1); Red-eyed Vireo (1); Northern Rough-winged Swallow; House Wren; Eastern Bluebird; Veery; Cedar Waxwing (4 - one was collecting material); Blue-winged Warbler (1); Black-throated Green Warbler; Pine Warbler; Prairie Warbler (1); Ovenbird; Northern Waterthrush (2); Common Yellowthroat (including a pair); Eastern Towhee (1 male); Field Sparrow; Rose-breasted Grosbeak; Indigo Bunting (2 males); Baltimore Oriole; (report from John Liller).

6/6/08 -- Wachusett Reservoir, Clinton
I returned to gate 39 this evening to see if the Black Terns stuck around, but had no luck. I did get to see a pair of Common Loons on the nest raft located just off Cemetery Island. The pair, both of which had leg bands, were seen copulating on the raft. (report from Kevin Bourinot).

6/5/08 -- Wachusett Reservoir, Clinton
At 6:30PM, there were 2 BLACK TERNS seen from gate 39 in Clinton. They were foraging together for insects around the bushy island and North towards the dam along with hundreds of mostly tree swallows. One of the birds was in complete breeding plumage while the other was still in non-breeding plumage. Unfortunately, the DCR put up a no trespassing sign at gate 40 while they work by the pumping station. This would have been the ideal spot to view these birds, but gate 39 is still a good spot with a scope if you walk as close to the brick building as you can get. I left the birds still foraging at 7:15PM. (report from Kevin Bourinot).

6/5/08 -- St Philips Cemetery, Grafton
Today I observed 6 baby wood ducklings following their Mom in the swamp. Also, the Swans from Lake Ripple have just started building a nest here. The Great Blue Heron started sitting on the nest on May 6th. There are also a pair of green herons. I haven't seen the nest, but I heard them calling today and saw one of them last week. I tried playing the ipod for bittern and Virginia rail, but no response. (report from Susan LaBree).

6/5/08 -- Worcester
We spent an hour and a half this dreary, wet and cool morning, atlasing in WORCESTER NORTH 11. This block includes the northern section of the city of Worcester (Higgins Armory, eastern edge of Indian Lake); as well as the northern end of Lake Quinsigamond and the prison. We spent most of the time hiking along the power lines that run between the prison and the Boylston police headquarters. We then hit the north end of Lake Quinsigamond. Canada Goose (pair w/4yg); Mallard (9); Wild Turkey (1 yg bird); Ruffed Grouse (2 drumming); Red-bellied Woodpecker (1); Downy Woodpecker (4); Eastern Kingbird (1); Warbling Vireo (3); Red-eyed Vireo (3); Tree Swallow (12); N Rough-winged Swallow (4); Barn Swallow (2); House Wren (2); Black-capped Chickadee (4); Tufted Titmouse (3); Hermit Thrush (1); Wood Thrush (5); A Robin (33); Gray Catbird (8); N Mockingbird (1); Cedar Waxwing (29); Blue-winged Warbler (1); Yellow Warbler (6); Chestnut-sided Warbler (4); YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER (2 singing males); Pine Warbler (4); Prairie Warbler (5); A Redstart (1); C Yellowthroat (6); Eastern Towhee (7); Chipping Sparrow (5); Savannah Sparrow (2); Song Sparrow (4); Red-winged Blackbird (30+); Baltimore Oriole (8); Lots of Pink Lady's Slipper out as well as Sheep Laurel. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

6/3/08 -- Gardner Airport, Templeton
Highlights seen and/or heard between 5:30 and 6:30PM : Wood Duck 4 2 Pair Ruffed Grouse 1 Agitated and Sqealing American Bittern 1 heard and seen well south of the runway a first of the year at this location, but I've seen or heard Am. Bitterns off and on for the last 20 years. Great Blue Heron 5 Young in nest in 1 nest, this colony has fluctuated from about 12 nests in 1989, to zero about 5 years back and now there is only 2 nests. Killdeer 4 with young Alder Flycatcher 1 Warbling Vireo 1 Bank Swallow 8 Horned Lark 2 singing males, this species has nested, I found a nest several years ago and have seen fledglings before, here for years. Ovenbird 1 Common Yellowthroat 3 Eastern Towhee 2 Swamp Sparrow 4 (report from Tom Pirro).

6/2/08 -- Fitchburg/Westminster
Hilights this evening at Trophet Swamp, bisected by RTE 2A in Wesminster: Virginia Rail 4 (including 1 dead on road); Alder Flycatcher 1; Eastern Kingbird 3; Swamp Sparrow 3;
From Downtown Fitchburg at 9:30PM were a few Common Nighthawks that I could hear calling from just over the roof tops. I had seen and heard Nighthawks during the breeding season 5+ years ago. Last night's birds could very well be migrants but I think there were nesters or probable nester during the first BBA in the "70's". (report from Tom Pirro).

6/1/08 -- Barre Falls/Rutland State Park
Dick and Peg Knolwton led a trip to Barre Falls Dam and adjacent Rutland State Park. Here are the 67 species seen or heard. (report from Dick Knowlton).

6/1/08 -- Webster
I spent from 7:15-11:15AM birding a section of the Douglas State forest and Mine Brook WMA from Route 16 at the Douglas/Webster line to Rawson Rd in Webster. This was a piece of the [breeding bird survey] Webster 8 block. Most of the walk was along old Woods roads in Oak savannah except for interspersed pine stands and a single hemlock grove. There was also a mountain laurel thicket on a south facing slope and some open alder thickets as I approached Rawson Rd. Highlights: 2 Great Blue Heron (overhead); 1 Ruby-throated Hummingbird; 1 Red-bellied Woodpecker; 1 Hairy Woodpecker; 8 Eastern Wood-pewee; 1 ACADIAN FLYCATCHER: This bird stayed pretty quiet and called only 3x in; the 15 min I tried to get a look at the bird.; 1 Least Flycatcher; 2 Eastern Phoebe; 2 Great Crested Flycatcher; 12 Red-eyed Vireo; 1 Carolina Wren (plus an old nest which a homeowner showed me with young; already fledged and gone); 7 Veery; 3 Hermit Thrush; 2 Wood Thrush; 1 Cedar Waxwing; 1 Blue-winged Warbler; 2 Yellow Warbler; 3 Chestnut-sided Warber; 1 Black-throated Blue Warbler; 2 Black-throated Green Warbler; 3 Pine Warbler; 1 Prairie Warbler; 4 Black-and White Warbler; 2 American Redstart; 12 Ovenbird; 4 Common Yellowthroat; 2 Scarlet Tanager; 8 Eastern Towhee; 2 Rose-breasted Grosbeak (pr); 4 Baltimore Oriole; (report from Paul Meleski).

6/1/08 -- Gardner, Templeton and Winchendon
I did some atlasing from the Athol 10 block this morning from 0740 to 1240, which is partly in the towns listed above. Here are highlights of the 70 species observed: Wild Turkey 1; American Bittern 1; Broad-winged Hawk 2; Red-tailed Hawk 1 Imm. "last yr's young starting its first molt"; Chimney Swift 5; Belted Kingfisher 1; Hairy Woodpecker 4 FY; Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 1; Pileated Woodpecker 2; Eastern Wood-Pewee 1; Alder Flycatcher 1; Eastern Phoebe 1; Great Crested Flycatcher 1; Eastern Kingbird 5 NB; Blue-headed Vireo 2; Warbling Vireo 2; Red-eyed Vireo 16; Northern Rough-winged Swallow 3; Bank Swallow 2; Barn Swallow 2; Red-breasted Nuthatch 1; Brown Creeper 3; House Wren 4; Eastern Bluebird 2 Pair; Veery 3; Hermit Thrush 3; Brown Thrasher 1; Cedar Waxwing 21; Nashville Warbler 1; Yellow Warbler 5 Pair; Chestnut-sided Warbler 3; Black-throated Blue Warbler 4; Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) 4; Black-throated Green Warbler 7; Pine Warbler 6; Prairie Warbler 2; Black-and-white Warbler 5; Ovenbird 31; Northern Waterthrush 1; Common Yellowthroat 19 Pair; Scarlet Tanager 5; Eastern Towhee 1; Swamp Sparrow 1; Indigo Bunting 1; Bobolink 2; Brown-headed Cowbird 11 Pair; Baltimore Oriole 8 NB; Purple Finch 4; (report from Tom Pirro).

For previous sightings, see May 2008 Archives or Archive Index