June 2014 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:

6/29/14 -- Hasting Cove, Wachusett Reservoir
I was fortunate to get some great pictures of the loons at Hasting Cove and their 2 chicks, 2 days after they hatched.
  • 2 adults and 2 chicks on 6-27-14
  • 1 adult with chick flapping wings on 6-29-14
    (report from Emily Eaton).

    • 6/29/14 -- Oakham, Rutland, Princeton
  • On 6/28, Nancy Demers and I birded the Oakham section of the Central MA Rail Trail from the powercut on Rte 122 to Muddy Pond. A number of birds were singing, even into mid-day, including Ovenbirds, Red-eyed Vireos, E. Towhees, Song Sparrows, Great crested Flycatcher, Blue-headed Vireo, Wood Thrush, Veery, Indigo Bunting. Warblers: Black-throated Green, Chestnut-sided, and Prairie. Three Great Blue Herons flew over one of the marshes. In Rutland, along Whitehall Road to the bog: Scarlet Tanager, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, N. Flicker, A. Redstart, Common Yellowthroat, and Pine Warbler.
  • This morning (6/29), we hiked the Echo Lake Trail below Mt. Wachusett in Princeton. Wood Thrush and Veery sang off-and-on through the morning. Most of the species seen yesterday were seen again today, plus E. Wood Pewee, Chipping Sparrows, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Black-throated Blue Warbler, and Blackburnian Warbler.
  • Butterflies noted: White Admiral and Fritillary
    (report from Beth Milke)

    • 6/28/14 -- Otter River SP-Birch Hill Dam ACE, Winchendon-Royalston
    Today we birded the Otter River-Birch Hill Dam parcel in Winchendon and Royalston, and had the following:
  • Great Blue Heron (3); Mallard (1f); NORTHERN GOSHAWK (1ad: great views of a bird that flew across the road and down the river at eye level); Red-shouldered Hawk (1); Broad-winged Hawk (5); Killdeer (3); Spotted Sandpiper (1+1ad w/2still fuzzy yg); Mourning Dove (9); Black-billed Cuckoo (1); Chimney Swift (3); Ruby-throated Hummingbird (2); Belted Kingfisher (1); Hairy Woodpecker (1); N Flicker (5); Alder Flycatcher (4); Willow Flycatcher (3); Least Flycatcher (5); E Phoebe (4); E Kingbird (6); Yellow-throated Vireo (1); Blue-headed Vireo (7); Warbling Vireo (6); Red-eyed Vireo (41); Blue Jay (14); A Crow (5); C Raven (2); Tree Swallow (26); Black-capped Chickadee (28); Tufted Titmouse (1); Red-breasted Nuthatch (13); White-breasted Nuthatch (2); Brown Creeper (5); Winter Wren (1); E Bluebird (4); Veery (7); Hermit Thrush (34); Wood Thrush (1); A Robin (37); Gray Catbird (19); Cedar Waxwing (4);
      WARBLERS: Nashville (1); Yellow (7); Chestnut-sided (10); Black-throated Blue (3); Yellow-rumped (5); Black-throated Green (21); Blackburnian (1); Pine (35); Black and White (3); Ovenbird (69);
        MOURNING (1m: constantly singing, seen and watched for over 30 minutes. This bird was in the exact spot where we had seen and photographed 1 on 5/11 and where we had seen and heard a Mounting in 2013. This bird flew from tree to thick bushes within a well-defined territory along the river. It was difficult to see, especially so when it stopped singing. It was across an inlet of the river and not approachable. Sheila took some documenting shots. The bird would forage, carry food, sing, and then with food in its bill, disappear into one area of shrubbery and stop singing for several minutes and then re-emerge and frage again. We will go back and check it again)
      C Yellowthroat (61);
    Scarlet Tanager (1: very low); Eastern Towhee (19); Chipping Sparrow (24); Song Sparrow (19); Swamp Sparrow (10); White-throated Sparrow (16); Indigo Bunting (3); Red-winged Blackbird (27); C Grackle (11); Baltimore Oriole (2); Purple Finch (4); A Goldfinch (11)
  • There was also a spectacular show of odonates that included River Jewelwing (and many Ebony);; Powdered Damsels; a Rusty Snaketail; Unicorn Clubtail (many); and many other species.
    (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

    • 6/25/14 -- Wachusett Reservoir, Boylston
    Stopped by South Bay and caught looks at the common loons feeding their chick (photo 1 , photo 2). (report from Garry Kessler).

    6/24/14 -- Otter River SP, Winchendon/Baldwinville
    Birds from a walk this noon between 12:10 and 12:55, along Dennsion Street, near Otter River SP: Turkey Vulture 1; Spotted Sandpiper 1; Downy Woodpecker 1; Least Flycatcher 1; Eastern Kingbird 2; Blue-headed Vireo 2 (adult carrying food); Blue Jay 1; Common Raven 4 (likley a family group, 2 birds in heavy molt and 2 in "fresh" looking plumage); Black-capped Chickadee 4; Red-breasted Nuthatch 1; Golden-crowned Kinglet 1 (adult carrying food); Hermit Thrush 4; American Robin 2; Gray Catbird 1; Cedar Waxwing 1; Ovenbird 4; Common Yellowthroat 2; Pine Warbler 10; Song Sparrow 2; Swamp Sparrow 1; White-throated Sparrow 1; Scarlet Tanager 1; Common Grackle 1; Baltimore Oriole 1; American Goldfinch 1
    (report from Tom Pirro).

    6/18/14 -- Wampanoag WSS, Gardner
    It was a very quiet early a.m. walk along Raymond Rd. and Wampanoag WS, only 26 spacies total. B-w hawk,G-c flycatcher,E kingbird,R-e vireo(just 1),Blue jay, T swallow(4),Barn swallow,B-c chickadee, B creeper(3),H wren(3), thrush(4), A Robin(2),G catbird(2). S tanager(2),C sparrow, Song sparrow(3),W-t sparrow, N cardinal,R-w blackbird(9), A goldfinch(3)
    (report from Dick Knowlton).

    6/15/14 -- Pine Hill WMA, Lancaster
    During our afternoon program with Chris Buelow at Pine Hill we were treated to views of a pair of Vesper sparrows, one with food. Also in the evening/night during our nightjar census for Fisheries and Wildlife we counted at least a dozen Whip-poor-wills along the 2 mile road thru the WMA. (report from Dick Knowlton).

    6/15/14 -- Warren
    Today we spent the day birding in WARREN, first to check on nesting grassland birds, and then just to check on species we had turned up on the atlas. Birds seen included: Great Blue Heron (9 active nests with at least 22 feathered young); Green Heron (1); Turkey Vulture (15); Canada Goose (5+ pr w/7yg Osprey (pr at nest: too high to see how many young); Sharp-shinned Hawk (1ad); Broad-winged Hawk (1); Red-tailed Hawk (3); American Kestrel (1m hunting over fields where we had 1 during the atlas. We tried to follow it, but lost it in a copse of trees. Possibly nesting); Ruby-throated Hummingbird (1); E Wood Pewee (5); Alder Flycatcher (1); Least Flycatcher (2); E Phoebe (6+1ad w/just fledged yg); E Kingbird (4); Yellow-throated Vireo (2); Warbling Vireo (14); Red-eyed Vireo (49); Carolina Wren (1); House Wren (10); Winter Wren (1); Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (1); E Bluebird (3 just fledged young sitting on branches waiting to be fed); Veery (36); Wood Thrush (6); Scarlet Tanager (9); Rose-breasted Grosbeak (7); Indigo Bunting (1); Bobolink (10+ pairs); Baltimore Oriole (10); Purple Finch (1)
  • Butterflies seen included Red-spotted Purple; Viceroy; Silver Spotted and Dun Skippers. Dragonflies seen included: Common White-tail; Dot-tailed White Face; Spangled Skimmer; Aurora Damsel; Fragile Forktail and many Ebony Jewelwings.
    (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

    • 6/11/14 -- New Braintree
    Today we checked on some breeding grasslands birds for an upcoming initiative from Mass Audubon. We then birded a few nearby locations including a section of a rail trail that crosses from New Braintree over to the Old Furnace village of Hardwick. Highlights included: Turkey Vulture (2); Mallard (1); Killdeer (1); Yellow-billed Cuckoo (1); E Wood Pewee (6); Alder Flycatcher (3); Willow Flycatcher (8); Least Flycatcher (7); Warbling Vireo (13); Red-eyed Vireo (39); Bank Swallow (pair mating); Veery (6); Brown Thrasher (1); Scarlet Tanager (1); E Towhee (3); Savannah Sparrow (6); Rose-breasted Grosbeak (6); Indigo Bunting (6); Bobolink (27+ pairs); E Meadowlark (1);
    (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

    6/9/14 -- Ware River Watershed IBA
    Today we birded the southeastern section of the Ware River Watershed IBA. The mosquitoes and other biting insects were BAD. We still had 2 birds that were migrants, but other than those, it was all migrant breeders.
  • Complete list: Great Blue Heron (3); Green Heron (1); Canada Goose (20+ pr w/2yg+ pr w/6yg); Wood Duck (1: undoubtedly many more in the area); Mallard (2); Hooded Merganser (3 just fledged yg); N Goshawk (1ad); Broad-winged Hawk (1); Ruffed Grouse (1ad w/at least 9 yg crossing one of the roads. We stopped the car and got out to make sure they all made it across and we were promptly scolded loudly by the adult. We got back in the car, drove on); Mournign Dove (5); Black-billed Cuckoo (4: including 3 chasing each other, and calling often, near the prison camp area. Sexual chase flight?); Ruby-throated Hummingbird (1); Belted Kingfisher (2); Hairy Woodpecker (3+1f attending yg in nest hole); N Flicker (4); Pileated Woodpecker (2); Olive-sided Flycatcher (1: Sheila got some nice shots); E Wood Peewee (15); Alder Flycatcher (7); Willow Flycatcher (3); Least Flycatcher (19); E Phoebe (3); Great Crested Flycatcher (2); E Kingbird (3); Yellow-throated Vireo (2); Warbling Vireo (4); Red-eyed Vireo (46); Blue Jay (13); Tree Swallow (6); Black-capped Chickadee (18); Tufted Titmouse (4); Red-breasted Nuthatch (12); Brown Creeper (3); House Wren (1); Winter Wren (1); Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (1); Veery (24); Hermit Thrush (14); Wood Thrush (2); A Robin (27); Gray Catbird (21); Cedar Waxwing (10);
      WARBLERS: Blue-winged (4); Nashville (1); Yellow (14); Chestnut-sided (22); Magnolia (4); Black-throated Blue (3); Yellow-rumped (13); Black-throated Green (11); Blackburnian (2); Pine (21); Prairie (3); Black and White (6); A Redstart (3); Ovenbird (70); Mourning (1: migrant); C Yellowthroat (27); Canada (3);
    Scarlet Tanager (13); E Towhee (23); Chipping Sparrow (7); Song Sparrow (10); Swamp Sparrow (7); N Cardinal (6); Rose-breasted Grosbeak (8); Indigo Bunting (2m); Bobolink (7m); Red-winged Blackbird (70+); C Grackle (27); Baltimore Oriole (9); Purple Finch (4); A Goldfinch (7);
  • Plus: E Coyote (1);; my first Red-spotted Purples (butterfly) of the season.
    (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

    • 6/6/14 -- downtown Worcester
    A peregrine falcon was seen on the window ledge of our office on the 18th floor of the Worcester Telegram building at 12:25pm. We got good looks at it as it was preening, and it couldn't see us perhaps because of the window reflection. It was banded; the only piece of the band I could read was a 9 on top with an A below it. (the bird just happened to extend its leg so I could see a small part of the band). This window faces the People's United Bank building and the Common. (report from Jo-Ann Ferrie).

    6/2/14 -- Grafton
    This morning, my wife and I had our 91st yard bird here in Grafton. We had a Hooded Warbler singing for about 10 minutes before moving on. Unfortunately, we were unable to get any kind of look at it, but its song was loud and vehement. (report from John Liller).

    6/1/14 -- Orange WMA/Warwick, MA
    Today we birded the Orange WMA area and then continued a short distance to the town of Warwick. In Warwick we concentrated on several pond and marsh locations looking for dragonflies. All species seen and heard looked to be breeders. These are the combined totals of some of the birds we saw:
  • DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT (5 occupied nests: these had birds sitting in them looking like they were on young or eggs. We also watched birds still bringing material to nests that had birds in them); Great Blue Heron ( at least 7 occupied nests+ 7 other birds seen hunting through the day); Green Heron (2); Turkey Vulture (4); Canada Goose (24: no young seen); Wood Duck (11+1f w/10yg); Sharp-shinned Hawk (1ad carrying a large bird into the forest); Red-shouldered Hawk (3); Broad-winged Hawk (1); Ruffed Grouse (1); Wild Turkey (1); Yellow-billed Cuckoo (1 seen and watched calling); Ruby-throated Hummingbird (3 territorial males); Belted Kingfisher (1); Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (2); Pileated Woodpecker (3); E Wood Peewee (10); Alder Flycatcher (13); Least Flycatcher (10); Great Crested Flycatcher (10: 1 bird seen entering a nest hole in dead tree in a swamp); E Kingbird (9); Blue-headed Vireo (6); Warbling Vireo (1); Red-eyed Vireo (125); Red-breasted Nuthatch (11); Brown Creeper (3); Winter Wren (5); Golden-crowned Kinglet (2); E Bluebird (1 ); Veery (8); Hermit Thrush (11); Wood Thrush (3); Cedar Waxwing (4);
      WARBLERS: Nashville (2); Yellow (2); Chestnut-sided (1); Black-throated Blue (12); Yellow-rumped (5); Black-throated Green (16); Blackburnian (8); Pine (10); Black and White (5); A Redstart (4); Ovenbird (37); Northern Waterthrush (1); C Yellowthroat (28); Canada (2);
    Scarlet Tanager (10); Indigo Bunting (3); Purple Finch (1);
  • Butterflies included a major flight of Tiger Swallowtails and many Pine Elfins (21);. Dragonflies included small clouds of teneral Chalk-fronted Corporals along certain dirt roads and good numbers of other species like Stream Cruisers and my first adult bluets of the year. There was still a few tired-looking blooms of Painted Trillium
    (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

    • For previous sightings, see May 2014 Archives or Archive Index