June 1999 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.

6/30/99 -- Leesville Pond, Worcester

A quick "before work" trip to Leesville Pond (city of Worcester) failed to turn up the YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT HERON (but see below) , but did have the following: Wood Duck (22 adults and sub-adults+ 34 downy young); Mallard (52); A. Black Duck (4); Green Heron (2) Great Blue Heron (1); Black-Crowned Night Heron (2); Killdeer (9); Belted Kingfisher (1); N. Rough-Winged Swallow (2). Note: Birds are really moving about at this time of the year. Also, getting a clear look at the trees and water at Leesville can be very difficult at this time of the year. So..the Yellow-Crowned Night Heron may very well still be about and not right at this section of the pond some of the time (Note: there is another section of Leesville on the other side of 290 completely in Auburn, much more difficult to access). The bird could even be hidden in trees right at Leesville and just be tough to spot. Birders are encouraged to search at different times of the day. The best strategy is to park as soon as you enter the cemetary proper and quietly walk right along the road that runs in and out along the edge of the pond. (report from Mark Lynch).

6/30/99 -- Downtown Worcester

Much to my disappointment, I have not spotted the Peregrine Falcon since I last reported it. I have been on the "lookout" for it. What I have spotted is a Red-tail Hawk that seems to be "favoring" the top of this building (BankBoston Tower/Mechanics Tower). I spotted the Red-tail today; it was perched on the windowsill outside of one of our offices, facing the Common. I wonder - could the Red-tail have driven the Peregrine away? (report from Jo-Ann Ferrie).

6/29/99 -- Broad Meadow Brook Wildlife Sanctuary, Worcester

Highlights included: Red-tailed Hawk (1); Red-bellied Woodpecker (1); Great Crested Flycatcher (1); Carolina Wren (2); Wood Thrush (3); Black-and-white Warbler (1); Ovenbird (2); Common Yellowthroat (5); Scarlet Tanager (4). (report from John Liller).

6/29/99 -- Institute Park, Worcester

Around noon today the female Wood Duck was observed again, still with 4 young. They were in the bay between the island and the apartments. Also, there were 3 juv. Black-crowned Night Herons close together along the back shore, with an adult Black-crowned Night Heron perched in a tree on the island. (report from Rick Quimby).

6/27/99 -- Worcester Art Museum, Worcester

At 6:00 PM, Sunday right over the Worcester Art Museum (en route to Leesville Pond), we witnessed a very high, tight kettle of (12) Turkey Vultures circling. Eventually the birds started to peel off and head south. Several of the birds had heavily worn or missing primaries. (report from Mark Lynch).

6/27/99 -- City of Worcester Pond Survey

The following were counted at the ponds and lakes in around the city of Worcester: Note: "young"=unfledged , downy young only. Double Crested Cormorant (1); Great Blue Heron (9); Mute Swan (pair+1 cygnet); Canada Goose (176 adults+25 young); Wood Duck (49 adults+31 young); A. Black Duck (3 all apparently paired with Mallards); Mallard (390 adults+13 young); Killdeer (17); Spotted Sandpiper (2); Ring-Billed Gull (17: very low); Belted Kingfisher 92); Red-Winged Blackbird (190+). Other species noted at the ponds: Chimney Swift (40+); Red-Bellied Woodpecker (1); Downy Woodpecker (11); N. Flicker (9); E. Wood Peewee (1); E. Phoebe (4); Great Crested Flycatcher (2); E.Kingbird (31); N. Rough-Winged Swallow (8); Tree Swallow (16); Barn Swallow (4) (NOTE: the Bank Swallow colony located by the north end of L. Quinsigamond at the gravel pit, has been destroyed); Carolina Wren (5); House Wren (13); Gray Catbird (67); N. Mockingbird (26); Brown Thrasher (7); Wood Thrush (4); Warbling Vireo (48); Red-Eyed Vireo (7); Yellow Warbler (6); Pine Warbler (1); C. Yellowthroat (6); Scarlet Tanager (1); Chipping Sparrow (34); Song Sparrow (63); Baltimore Oriole (9); Orchard Oriole (2m). The greatest variety of birds were on the ponds with the less amount of human traffic. We did not relocate the YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT HERON despite a thorough search. [ed. note: see, however, the following report]. Water birds do move around. Yesterday (6/26/99) at Leesville we had Great Blue Heron, (3) Green Heron and Black and Yellow-crowned Night Herons. Today we had NO herons at Leesville. Its amazing to see the amount of recreation at some of the ponds, like Indian Lake. Here are fishermen, power boats, canoes, sailboats, water skiers and the problematic jet skiers. How they all get along on a relatively small body of water is beyond me. I won't even talk about the effect on wildlife. (report from Mark Lynch).

6/27/99 -- Leesville Pond/Swedish Cemetary, Worcester

Sheila and I re-found the YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT HERON adult at Leesville Pond/Swedish Cemetary at about 6:30 PM tonite. It was perched in a birch at or below eye-level among the hemlocks along the road around the southern section of the cemetary. An adult Black-Crowned Night Heron (local and uncommon in these parts) was perched low over the water right across from the bird. The Yellow-Crowned was defintely not here this morning when we conducted one of our twice monthly water bird surveys of city ponds. So it is probably either hole up in some tree nearby during the day hours or flying across Rt. 290 to another section of the pond in Auburn. (report from Mark Lynch).

6/27/99 -- Canal Street, South Hadley

Scott Surner relates that he got close looks and possible photos of the Arctic Tern from the vantage point at Canal Park on Canal Street in South Hadley yesterday. And, yes, it still looks like a good candidate for a first summer Arctic Tern. (report from Mark Lynch).

6/26/99 -- Broad Meadow Brook Wildlife Sanctuary, Worcester

Highlights included Carolina Wren (1); House Wren (2); Wood Thrush (2); Blue-winged Warbler (3); Yellow Warbler (4); Prairie Warbler (1); Common Yellowthroat (14); Scarlet Tanager (1); Rose-breasted Grosbeak (2). (report from John Liller).

6/26/99 -- New Swedish Cemetary/Leesville Pond, Worcester

The YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT HERON was still present at the New Swedish Cemetary/Leesville Pond area at 12:30. However, the bird had moved. Originally it was seen on the shallow inlet on the right just before you enter the main section of the cemetary. The new location can be found if you continue to drive on the road around to the right that goes between the graves (on your left) and the pond (on your right). You will pass a line of hemlocks on the right. Eventually on the right there will be a small clearing with a large stone marked for the Lutheran Home For The Aged. Pull along the road here. You will see a sidewalk leading out to a path on a penninsula in the pond. To the left of this walk, screened by trees, is an inlet and in the inlet is a small bushy island. The heron was standing tall on this island. Great views. (report from Mark Lynch).

6/26/99 -- Canal Street Park, South Hadley

This morning we watched the first summer tern in South Hadley (Canal Street Park) that has been Id''d as an Arctic Tern. The bird certainly does look interesting, and what I could see of the field marks and jiz certainly look like a possible Arctic, BUT you are looking across the river, which is some distance and that does effect things, so I am still reserving judgement. We watched the bird on and off for two hours as it rested, flew up AND down the river, dove and caught fish and even circled once high up looking like it was going to leave. Usually it perches low in a tangle of dead branches across the river. Approaching from the other shore would be very difficult at best and is probably best not attempted. We tried to find where the bird would dissappear to when it flew down the river to the Holyoke Dam, but clear views of the river here are few and far between. More birders should get on this bird, as the occurance of a first summer Arctic Tern along the Connecticut River is quite bizarre to say the least. Somebody needs to get in a boat and approach close enough to take decent photos. (report from Mark Lynch).

4/26/99 -- New Swedish Cemetary/Leesville Pond, Worcester

There was a YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT HERON this morning at 8:00 here, in the first water on the right as you come in the cemetary. It was with a Black-crowned Night Heron. (report from Fran McMenemy).

6/25/99 -- Wachusett Meadows Sanctuary, Princeton

Two pair of Evening Grosebeaks have been frequenting the sanctuary. (report from Dick Knowlton).

6/24/99 -- Broad Meadow Brook Sanctuary

The following highlights were recorded this morning (6/24/99): Red-bellied Woodpecker (1 - immature); Hermit Thrush (1 - feeding cowbird); Wood Thrush (3); Brown Thrasher (2 - territorial); Yellow Warbler (1); Black-and-white Warbler (1); Ovenbird (3); Common Yellowthroat (24); Scarlet Tanager (1); Eastern Towhee (17); Brown-headed Cowbird (5). (report from John Liller).

6/22/99 -- Groton/Upton

More reports of Evening Grosbeaks: Tom Pirro heard an Evening grosbeak call in Groton on 6/21/99 (he has only 1 previous record from groton in the past several years). Also in Upton, Paul Dyburn heard evening grosbeaks on Saturday (6/19/99) flying overhead. (report from Tom Pirro).

6/21/99 -- Westminster/Winchendon area

There appears to be a significant invasion or flight of evening grosbeaks underway. In the past few days the following observations have been made: 6/18 Westminster 2, 6/19 Westminster 1, 6/20 Ashby 2. 6/21 Westminster 3 and 6/21 Winchendon 4. The birds are appearing in greater numbers than usual when they have bred in the area in the past, and they were not around until a few days ago. They seem too numerous and early to be part of a post-breeding dispersal. I wonder if the food crop to the north has failed due to the dry weather? [ed. note: see also the 6/19/99 report from Gardner]. (report from Chuck Caron).

Follow-up comment: Mark Lynch notes that the "winter finches" are notorious for breeding early in the year, and this could indeed be partly a post breeding dispersal. Birders should attempt if possible to sex and age the birds spotted. (comment from Mark Lynch).

6/20/99 -- Fisheries and Wildlife area, Westboro

Lisa and Simon Hennin (among others) still had the YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT singing away at the location in Westboro on Sunday, 6/20. It was seen and heard throughout the weekend. Remember: NO TAPING and KEEP YOUR DISTANCE! Don't crowd the bird, so keep well back. (report from Mark Lynch).

6/20/99 -- Hodges Village, Oxford

Following are highlights recorded during a breeding bird survey at 800 acre Hodges Village ACE/Greenbrier Park in Oxford: 2 Green Heron; 1 Wood Duck; 1 Wild Turkey; 1 Barred Owl (called once at mid-day); 3 Northern Rough-winged Swallow; 5 Eastern Bluebird (2 fleglings); 2 Wood Thrush; 16 Veery; 1 Yellow-throated Vireo; 2 Northern Waterthrush; 1 Louisiana Waterthrush. The Full Report is also available. (report from Paul Meleski).

6/20/99 -- Quaboag WMA, W. Brookfield

We spent the morning hiking various trails north and south of the river in the Quaboag Wildlife Management Area in West Brookfield and had, besides other species, the following totals: Wood Duck (1m); Mallard (1f+5 young); LEAST BITTERN (1: potential breeding bird); Turkey Vulture (1); Ruffed Grouse (1); Wild Turkey (2); Downy Woodpecker (6); Hairy Woodpecker (1); N. Flicker (1); Pileated Woodpecker (2); E. Wood Peewee (7); Alder Flycatcher (2); Willow Flycatcher (5); Least Flycatcher (2); E. Phoebe (5); Great Crested Flycatcher (1: low); E. Kingbird (2); Blue Headed Vireo (2); Red Eyed Vireo (14); Warbling Vireo (6); Cedar Waxwing (8); E. Bluebird (2); Veery (33); Hermit Thrush (1); Wood Thrush (5); Gray Catbird (34); Brown Creeper (3); MARSH WREN (4-5 calling birds. Very uncommon in Worcester County); Winter Wren (1); Blue Gray Gnatcatcher (10); Tree Swallow (12); Barn Swallow (4); WARBLERS: Blue-Winged (1 'Brewster's); Nashville (1); Yellow (6); Chestnut-Sided (4); Yellow-Rumped (3); Black-Throated Green (14); Blackburnian (3); Pine (5); Black and White (3); A. Redstart (7); Ovenbird (22); C. Yellowthroat (36). Also, Swamp Sparrow (19); Scarlet Tanager (16); Rose-Breasted Grosbeak (2); Baltimore Oriole (6). Birders hiking these trails should be warned that we came out with several DEER ticks on us, despite precautions. (report from Mark Lynch).

6/19/99 -- Gardner

Although I didn't bird this weekend I did hear and see 4 Evening Grosbeaks passing high over my yard while having breakfast outside Saturday morning. They were moving southwest. (report from Tom Pirro).

6/19/99 -- City of Worcester capped landfill

A group of us (Mark Lynch, Sheila Carroll, John Liller, Val Miller, Fran McMenemy, and Joan Zumpfe) checked the Worcester capped landfill as part of a survey of grassland birds conducted by Massachusetts Audubon. We had the following: Green Heron (1); Turkey Vulture (2); Red-Tailed Hawk (4); A. Kestrel (1); Killdeer (1 doing "broken-wing" display); Spotted Sandpiper (1 acting very agitated: young or nest likely nearby); Hairy Woodpecker (1); N. Flicker (2: 1 at nest hole); Bank Swallow (4); Barn Swallow (10+); Savannah Sparrow (37); GRASSHOPPER SPARROW (3); Song Sparrow (16). NOTE BENE: This area is off limits. We had permission to do this count. The area is degraded this year compared to past years because of extensive work on the top of the hill during this past year installing methane collectors and work on one end of the hill. Hopefully, with the work done, the grassland will restore itself in the next years. In past years we have recorded up to 16 Grasshopper Sparrows, many Bobolinks (none on this count) and E. Meadowlark (also zip this year). It was interesting to note also how very dry it was as opposed to past years and this may have affected the nesting success of some species. (report from Mark Lynch).

6/19/99 -- Broad Meadow Brook Sanctuary, Worcester

Highlights of the annual breeding bird survey included: Killdeer (1 - new BBS species); Black-billed Cuckoo (1 - building nest); Red-bellied Woodpecker (6 - new high); Willow Flycatcher (3); Carolina Wren (8 - new high; includes 2 immatures w/ parents); Eastern Bluebird (4); Veery (2); Wood Thrush (16); Yellow Warbler (11 - including one feeding cowbird); Black-and-white Warbler (5 - new high); Scarlet Tanager (11); Song Sparrow (37 - including one feeding cowbird); Brown-headed Cowbird (41 - new high, including 2 fledglings); Baltimore Oriole (23 - new high). Species missing: Mallard (2nd time), Wild Turkey (young have been seen recently), Indigo Bunting (1st time). Complete Report is also available. (report from John Liller).

6/17/99 -- Institute Park, Worcester

A noontime walk yielded 25 species, including 2 BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERONS (1 ad, 1 imm). Also, yesterday (6/16) there were 5 Wood Ducks (1 female with 4 young), and the previous day (6/15) an adult Green Heron. (report from Rick Quimby).

6/16/99 -- Wachusett Reservoir

There was a Bonaparte's Gull this evening near Gate 39/40 on a sand bar. Fran McMenemy had a Bonaparte's the night before, likely a different one (the head color wasn't as dark). This is an unusual date to be seeing them. Also, there were at least 6 Common Loons on the reservoir, including 3 sub-adults. (report from Joan Zumpfe).

6/16/99 -- Fisheries and Wildlife area, Westboro

Fran McMenemy and Joan Zumpfe went for the YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT this morning (6/16) at about 7:15. The Chat was singing from the general area, near the dead tree (see June 12 reports), in the tree with the Multi-flora Roses. They had a couple of very brief looks at it. It then went toward the brushy area across the road and made its weird calls again, but was not seen after that. It stopped calling at around 8:30, and was not calling from 8:30 to 9:00. (report from Joan Zumpfe).

Ed. note: Birders are again reminded to be especially careful not to disturb this territorial and potentially breeding bird. Please stay on the road and do not play tapes to attract it. Your patience will be rewarded eventually with a view of the bird in its natural state.

6/16/99 -- HyCrest Pond, Sterling

The Common Loons on HyCrest Pond in Sterling are still on a nest. They're visible from the dam on Upper North Row Rd. on the left end of the smaller island (the left island). (report from Stanley Selkow)

6/15/99 -- High Ridge WMA, Gardner

This Morning I took a pre-work walk into the Smith Street Marsh area; the following were hilites: Green Heron 1; Gr. Bl. Heron 15; Wood Duck (many but no sign of young); Virginia Rail 2; Cliff Swallow 2; Black-Thr. Blue Warb. 1; Alder Flycatcher 2; Least Flycatcher 1; Blue Headed Vireo 2. A nice concentration of Great Blues. The low water has no doubt condensed the aquatic life providing easy pickings for predators. A few Great Blues were mercilessly harassed by territorial Kingbirds and Red-wings until they'd move on , always a good show! The Cliff Swallows did land a few times , 1 on out on the marsh and the other in a corn field , then seemed to head off in the direction of the prison. This makes me wonder if they were collecting mud for nesting?? ( report from Tom pirro).

6/14/99 -- Fisheries and Wildlife area, Westboro

The YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT was heard and seen well again this morning at 10:15 am. It did require a 30 minute wait, however, before the bird started to sing, so birders should allow plenty of time if they want to "tick" this bird. Please do not use tapes -- if you are patient the bird will eventually sing for you. It was in a taller tree with vines hanging down, just behind the lone dead tree described earlier (see June 12 reports). Several birders also saw the bird yesterday, again after a bit of a wait. (report from Rick Quimby).

6/13/99 -- Trustees of Reservations parcels, Monson

The following were tallied in SW Monson on Sunday. This included visiting the new Trustees of Reservations adjacent properties at Peaked Mountain and Lunden/Miller Pond. Highlights included: Mallard (1); Red-Tailed Hawk (1); Ruffed Grouse (1); Ruby-Throated Hummingbird (1); Belted Kingfisher (2); Red-Bellied Woodpecker (2-3); Pileated Woodpecker (1); E. WoodPeewee (6); Alder Flycatcher (4); Least Flycatcher (2); E. Phoebe (14); Great Crested Flycatcher (3); E. Kingbird (2); Blue Headed Vireo (2); Red Eyed Vireo (24); Warbling Vireo (2); Veery (32); Hermit Thrush (4); Wood Thrush (7); Blue Gray Gnatcatcher (1); WARBLERS: Blue-Winged (6); Nashville (1); Yellow (29); chestnut-Sided (4); Black-Throated Blue (2); Yellow-Rumped (5); Blackburnian (3); Black-Throated Green (8); Pine (7); Prairie (1); Black and White (5); A. Redstart (6); Ovenbird (19); Louisiana Waterthush (1); C. Yellowthroat (27); Scarlet Tanager (9); Rose-Breasted Grosbeak (10); Indigo Bunting (4); Baltimore Oriole (16). The Trustees parcels are very interesting, with good warblers around the pond and the mountain (good parking and clearly marked trails to summit) has the potential as an important hawk watch site. Monson is radpidly being developed, and the Trustees of Reservations and the landowners deserve credit and support for saving these parcels. (report from Mark Lynch).

6/12/99 -- Westboro Fisheries and Wildlife area, Westboro

This morning, Sat. June 12, at Westboro Fisheries and Wildlife area at 7:45 a.m. Ann Boover heard and clearly saw a YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT. It called loudly from shrubs below a dead tree. It then flew up and perched in the low branches affording great looks. It flew to some shrubs across the road, then onto another low opn dead branch. It continued to call. Ann stayed with it for fifteen minutes then contined her walk. A half hour later and the bird was still calling from shrubs just behind where it was first seen.

To see the bird take Rte. 9 to the Rte 135/Northboro exit. Follow along a mile or so until to you see the brown Fisheries and Wikdlife area sign on your right. Park there. (It is just to the right of the Cobb house, an antique shop.) Do not block the gate. Walk in. Follow the dirt road past a small pond until it intersects with an asphalt road that comes in on your right. Stop. Ahead on the left is a dead tree. That is the area where I first heard and saw the Chat. It is good to go early in the morning. (report from Ann Boover).

6/12/99 -- Westboro WMA, Westboro

Ann Boover found a singing YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT today at the Westboro Wildlife Management Area. Sheila Carroll and Mark Lynch went out to see the bird at about 3:30 PM. When we first arrived at the spot, there was no sign of the bird and no song. We waited about 20+ minutes , and suddenly the bird began singing again. By quietly and slowly approaching the tangle of small trees and dense bushes (still some distance away) we were able to get good looks at this potential territorial bird. We had the bird singing and mostly not visible for about 45 minutes and left the bird there still singing.

NOTE BENE: Birders are cautioned NOT to use tapes of any kind in an attempt to see this bird. Patience and a quiet demeanor will eventually pay off. There is always the possibility this bird could find a mate. It certainly is in classic breeding habitat, but can be easily driven off by thoughtless taping. Don't be the idiot twitcher that drives this uncommon bird off. DIRECTIONS: Take Rt. 135 north of Rt. 9 in Westboro. After about a mile, you will see a gate into the WMA on the right. If you see the COBB HOUSE on the right (signed: and dated from some time in the 1700's, also antiques), you have just passed the gate. This area has limited parking along the road. DON'T BLOCK THE GATE. Wildlife Management personnel and model airplane enthusiasts use this road and need clear access. Walk through the gate and down the road. This road used to be paved, but now seems like mostly dirt. Eventually, a paved path comes in from the right, and there will be an old fire hydrant down in the grasses at the corner. Straight ahead on the dirt road about 30 feet you will see a singular bare tree on the left side of the road. The chat was singing from these tangles at the base of the tree and behind it and other bushy tangles in the immediate vicinity. Just wait on the road quietly and if the bird is still around, it will sing.

The whole area is good for birding. Ann has found Golden-Winged Warbler here in past years (not this year). She had an Olive-Sided Flycatcher in this area this past week. The area is filthy with Yellow Warblers, and all the species of bushy edge habitat. This is also where Sheila and I had our life Sedge Wren decades ago and were able to show it to Herman Weissberg. It is also full of butterflies. Species seen today in our short time there included: Cabbage White, Common Ringlet, Tiger Swallowtail, Spicebush Swallowtail, Great Spangled Fritillary, Viceroy, C. Wood Nymph, and Least Skippers. There is a lot of Poison Ivy about, and use caution about deer ticks. (report from Mark Lynch).

6/11/99 -- Institute Park, Worcester

The Wood Duck family was seen again today, but now there are only 4 chicks (there were 6 on 6/7/99). Perhaps they are being preyed on by snapping turtles? Last year there were 8 chicks on 6/4/98, 7 on 6/18/98, but the number of young had dwindled to 1 by 7/2/98. (report from Rick Quimby).

6/9/99 -- Broad Meadow Brook Sanctuary, Worcester

The following highlights were recorded while conducting a thrush census for Cornell: VEERY (1); WOOD THRUSH (3); Cedar Waxwing; Black-and-white Warbler; Scarlet Tanager. ( report from John Liller).

6/8/99 -- Peregrine Falcon, downtown Worcester

The Peregrine Falcon was seen again this morning at 10:30 a.m. It was sitting on the corner of the Flagship Bank Building on the Franklin St./Salem St. side of the building facing the Common. It flew up and around the Common, almost at the level of the 16th floor of the BankBoston (Mechanics Tower). It wasn't carrying anything. It was good to see the bird again, I hadn't seen it in about a week. (report from Jo-Ann Ferrie).

6/8/99 -- Institute Park, Worcester

For the second year a pair of Wood Ducks have successfully bred in the pond, presumably using the Wood Duck boxes near the back part of the island. Yesterday a female with 6 young chicks (exact count) were seen along the perimeter of the island, and today 5+ chicks were seen (view intermittent, partially obscured by vegetation). Also seen was a female Mallard with 5 chicks (exact count). (report from Rick Quimby).

6/7/99 -- Downtown Worcester

The Peregrine Falcon has not been spotted downtown for the past week. (report from Jo-Ann Ferrie).

6/5/99 -- Downtown Worcester/ New Swedish Cemetery

Fran McMenemy and Joan Zumpfe saw the Peregrine downtown on Saturday evening around 5:30 p.m. He seemed to be chasing 2 Red-tailed Hawks and then flew to the front of the Mechanics Tower building on the floor just below the roof where it appears to be opened, so there's a place for it to perch. This was the side that faces the Common. Also, at New Swedish Cemetery there was an adult Black-crowned Night Heron feeding from an often used perch (the dead branch that hangs over the water across from the marshy area, at the bend). (report from Joan Zumpfe).

6/6/99 -- Gate 40, Quabbin Reservoir

Hilites among ~55 bird species from a Bike ride into the Gate 40 area of Quabbin were (in no particular order): Evening Grosbeak 1 male; Pileated Woodpecker 1 fly over; Common Loon 2 (1 on nest); Common Merganser 2 (2 adult females); Alder Flycatcher 1; Least Flycatcher 10"ish"; E. Wood PeeWee 10"ish"; Blue-Gray Gnatcher 2. The Evening grosbeak was a few hundred yards inside the gate entrance ; he was feeding on insect larvae quietly on the ground. The Pileated was seen from the same spot. About 1/2 way to Dana center a doe and fawn crossed in front of me. Numerous Red-eyed Vireos , C. yellowthroats, Chestnut-sided , ovenbirds and Am. Redstarts were heard along the roads. Seems there was a Redstart or 2 every 100 yards or so. A Loon was tending a nest down the end of the road leading directly out of Dana Center as was the 2 female Common Mergs. (both were of equal size and appeared adult sized). the other Loon was at Grave's landing Swimming about. Lots and Lots of Dragon Flys mostly Chalk-Fronted Skimmers , I think. The various "stands" ferns were most impressive. (report from Tom pirro).

6/6/99 -- Worcester City Pond Survey

The following were seen at ponds and lakes in and contiguous with the city of Worcester 6/6/99: Double-Crested Cormorant (1); Great Blue Heron (6); Green Heron (2); Mute Swan (4adults+1 young); Canada Goose (131 adults+5 young); Wood Duck (9); Mallard (180 adults+ 43 young, including 4 rescued by the Worcester Fire Department from the bottom of the spillway at Salisbury Pond. They had to lower a ladder, get down in there with boots and scoop the ducklings up in a bucket. 2 others were unfortunately wisked futher down the drain tunnel. The firemen say they do this at least every year (the station is adjacent to the area). At the bottom of the spillway was a large Snapping Turtle, also a victim of the spillway, probably waiting for hapless ducklings, but the firemem didn't rescue it unfortunately.); Killdeer (10 adults+3 newly hatched young at Notre Dame+1 nest with 4 eggs at Leesville. The other nest at Leesville has vanished and no trace of it or the eggs could be found. Near the site of the other nest was a pile of Killdeer feathers, proof of a kill by a dog, fox or coyote); Spotted Sandpiper (1 seen at Biotech Pond, but this bird flew out and up into the grass, probably to a nest or young); Ring-Billed Gull (110; almost all 1st summer); Belted Kingfisher (3); Downy Woodpecker (1 nest with young inside calling at Leesville; 3 young just leaving nest hole in presence of 1 adult at Patch Reservoir); E. Wood Peewee (1); Willow Flycatcher (1 at Leesville Pond); E. Phoebe (3); E. Kingbird (16); Tree Swallow (11); N. Rough-Winged Swallow (11); Bank Swallow (25+ at colony at sandpit at N. end of Lake Quinsigamond); Barn Swallow (1); Carolina Wren (1); House Wren (6); Veery (1); Wood Thrush (2); Cedar Waxwing (19); Gray Catbird (31); Brown Thrasher (2); Yellow-Throated Vireo (1); Warbling Vireo (27); Red-Eyed Vireo (12); Yellow Warbler (25); Pine Warbler (2); A. Redstart (2); Common Yellowthroat (12); Song Sparrow (34); Baltimore Oriole (24); ORCHARD ORIOLE (1m at Flint Pond. We watched this bird sing for 10+ minutes and then lost it in some shrubs. Probable nester.); Red-Winged Blackbird (170+); Note: Young ducks are most likely very undercounted. They stay hidden in emergent vegetation and summer is the hardest times to get clear views of some of these waterways because of all the screening vegetation. Butterflies seen (many at Patch Reservoir) included: Tiger Swallowtail; Spicebush Swallowtail; Cabbage White; Little Wood Satyr; Spring Azure; Silver Spotted Skipper; Juvenal's Duskywing; Peck's Skipper. (report from Mark Lynch).

6/6/99 -- Fisheries and Wildlife area, Westboro

A morning visit (7:00 a.m.-9:00 a.m.) yielded 36 species of birds. Highlights included OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER 1, Willow Flycatcher 5, Veery 2, Warbling Vireo 1. The Olive-sided Flycatcher was calling from the woods at the bottom of the graay path down the hill from behind the Fisheries and Wildlife Headquarters building. I listened to its call for several minutes but could not get a look at it. (report from Ann Boover).

6/5/99 -- High Ridge WMA, Gardner/Westminster

A pair of Ring-necked Ducks was seen in the swampy area near the East Gardner Road entrance. Other highlights included the usual goodies for High Ridge: 2 pair of American Bittern, Virginia Rail (3), Sora (2), Alder Flycatcher (5), Willow Flycatcher (2) and a pair of Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers. (Report from John Williams)

6/5/99 -- Broad Meadow Brook Sanctuary

The following highlights were recorded: Wild Turkey (1 hen with 11 small chicks); OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER (1); Willow Flycatcher (4); Great Crested Flycatcher (2); Carolina Wren (1); House Wren (2); Eastern Bluebird (1); Wood Thrush (2); Cedar Waxwing (5).

Also, on 6/4/99, there were Red-bellied Woodpecker (1); Willow Flycatcher (3); Carolina Wren (1); House Wren (2); Eastern Bluebird (4); VEERY (1); WOOD THRUSH (3); Chestnut-sided Warbler (1); Black-and-white Warbler (1); Ovenbird (1). (report from John Liller).

6/3/99 -- High Rdige WMA, Westminster

A quick walk into the East Gardner gate at High Rdige WMA this morning yielded the following: Am. Bittern 1 calling; Alder Flycatcher 3; Willow Flycatcher 1; NO sign of any Ring-necked Ducks ( a female was seen on 5-15 and then a Drake on 5-23 by the Forbush Bird Club) , but none today. Misc: 1 Wood Turtle was trudging along a path and some Blue Flag was in bloom on the marsh. (report from Tom Pirro).

For previous sightings, see May 1999 Archives or Archive Index