March 2000 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.

3/31/00 -- downtown Worcester

The male Peregrine is sitting on the corner of the Flagship Bank Building as I write this (5:10 pm). I first spotted him at 5:00 p.m. He is at the corner of the building which is closest to the Fashion Outlets and this building (Mechanics). I've got a nice look at the plummage and am sure it is the male. Not feeding, no female in sight. (report from Jo-Ann Ferrie).

3/31/00 -- downtown Worcester

At lunch today two Red-Tails were seen flying around the Worcester Common. No Peregrines seen. (report from Jo-Ann Ferrie).

3/31/00 -- Park/Salisbury St area, city of Worcester

This morning a single Fox Sparrow was under my feeder with about 15 Dark-Eyed Juncos. (report from Mark Lynch).

3/30/00 -- downtown Worcester

At 4:00 p.m. I saw one of the Peregrines fly by the conference room I was in (at a meeting, so I couldn't "follow" the bird). It flew up, towards the roof of this (BankBoston/Mechanics) building. I drove around the downtown area on my way home from work with no further luck. Hopefully, more tommorrow. (report from Jo-Ann Ferrie).

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3/30/00 -- North Quabbin area

A Pied Billed Grebe was observed that couldn't handle his catch. He was spotted close up with about a 4-inch sunfish in it's bill. Sunfish being about as wide as they are long prevented the Grebe from doing much else with it. He made a variety of attempts at making it a meal and failed because of it's large size. He continued to flop this fish around but eventually gave up the catch for much smaller fish. (report from Greg Watkevich).

3/30/00 -- Barre Falls, Rutland

Among the usual, a morning walk along Longmeadow Road turned up a singing Pine Warbler, a drumming Ruffed Grouse, 5 Great Blue Herons, 15 Tree Swallows and a Northern Raven. (report from Chris Buelow)

3/29/00 -- Peregrines, downtown Worcester

For the record: At 2 p.m. today I stopped off downtown to see the Peregrines. One bird was on the tip of City Hall spire. I think it was the male, but I can't be sure as it started pouring. I did not see the other bird, and being averse to getting soaked, I left. (report from Howard Shainheit).

3/29/00 -- downtown Worcester

I haven't been able to get out this week to make my luncheon "circuit" of the area, but I have tried to be vigilant in perusing the rooftops of nearby buildings from my office, and have NOT been successful at spotting either one of the Peregrines. I have seen a Red-Tail circling about the Common, both today and yesterday. (report from Jo-Ann Ferrie).

3/28/00 -- Bolton Flats, Bolton

I went to Bolton Flats, Route 117 area, this afternoon. The water's up but the duck numbers are down. Knee boots required. On the cornfield side only Canada Geese, Gulls, Crows and about 100 Snipe were seen. In the swamp there was 1 Great Blue Heron, 2 Wood Ducks, 6 Ring-necked Ducks, 1 male Pintail, 6 Mallards, 6 Black Ducks, 15 Green-winged Teal, 3 American Widgeon, 3 male Blue-winged Teal and an Osprey hunting overhead. Ducks are very nervous, approach cautiously. (report from Bart Kamp).

3/26/00 -- North central mass.

Yesterday while doing some window repairs a Carolina Wren was heard singing from a Neighbor's yard. [ed. note: A bird that does windows -- really!?] Although generally an uncommon bird up this way , with the recent succession of mild winters more maybe expected in the northern part of Worcester County.

Also yesterday: While returning from grocery shopping on Rte202 in Winchendon a Shrike ( I assume a Northern) was doing some "shopping" of its own . It grabbed a small bird in the middle the road about 50' in front of our car and flew off with its dinner.

On 3-27 on Round Meadow Pond in Westminster there were 2 Tree Swallows and a Double-crested Cormorant. (report from Tom Pirro).

3/26/00 -- Stillwater River, Sterling

Seen from the Stillwater River by canoe, 6 green wing teal, 10 mallards, 4 black ducks, 1 great blue heron, 2 red tailed hawks, 1 turkey vulture, 4 phoebe, 4 brown creeper, 1 fox sparrow, 3 tree swallows. Also a few spring peepers were heard, and under water, yellow lilly pad buds were already formed and working their way to the surface. Also three beaver dams were present, along with a beaver lodge about 6 feet high. (report from Richard Spedding).

3/26/00 -- Peregrine on Mechanic Tower, downtown Worcester

This morning, Sunday at 9:30, using binoculars, I spotted a Peregrine Falcon sitting at the extreme northwest corner of the Mechanic Tower (on top, of course!). I was standing at the northwest corner of City Hall, on Main Street. I had foolishly left my scope in the car on the south side of the common. I looked at the bird long enough to be certain it was a Peregrine. It was facing me, so I could see the broad shoulders, and when it turned its head, I thought I could see the sideburns--but it is a long shot with binoculars, and the bird was somewhat backlit.

I began running back through the common to get my scope, and as I came back with the scope, the pigeons took off and began wheeling in the air. I figured the falcon was up, and stopped at the edge of the big (dry) pool to search for it. I spotted it flying above City Hall, headed north up Main Street. I couldn't catch up with it, and it disappeared from view. My impression was it may have been the female, because of the dark brown appearance, and I think the male would have been noticeable as such, since it would have been front-lit for me.

I returned to the scene of the crime, set up my scope for a look at the tower to make sure there wasn't another bird there, and that's how I noticed something sticking up at the corner that the architect didn't put there. It could be a slightly curved stick, or the wing of a dead bird. In any case I think the northwest corner of the roof should be inspected as a possible place where the falcons could be building a nest.

Let's make sure I have the location right. The Flagship Bank is clearly marked. Standing at Main Street on the north side of City Hall, and looking east, you see a very tall, square-topped (ugly) building at the left of the Flagship building. At the left near corner is where I saw the bird. Through binoculars I could barely make out this piece of something sticking up, but in the scope it's quite clear. I hung around for another hour or so, walking around, looking at the tops of other buildings, but didn't see any other perched falcons. However I did catch several glimpses of what I took to be a Peregrine flying in the neighborhood of the Mechanic Tower, north and east of it, or flying to the west from behind the tower. I was lucky to see the bird only fifteen minutes or so after I parked! Hope this report is useful. (report from Jack Barthel).

3/26/00 -- Central Mass, various locations

Warren Jewell and I took a quick Central Mass tour.......... Highlights today: 1 Osprey perched on a snag at SuAsCo in Westboro.........There was a nesting pair here last year, could ths be the beginning of another attempt?

1 Field Sparrow at Hodges in Oxford.............

(also stopped at Sudbury Reservoir in Southboro, Wachusett Reservoir, and Bolton Flats with nothing beyond the regular) (report from Paul Meleski).

3/26/00 -- West Brookfield

We spent the morning exploring some of the delightful country roads of West Brookfield. Spring was in full swing this beautiful morning and although there was nothing unusual, numbers of birds were good. The Brookfields, as always, are a delight to bird: Pied-Billed Grebe (2); Canada Goose (18); Wood Duck (5+ a pair on the roof of a house exploring the Chimney as a potential nest site. We think the female may have gone down , as when we looked again, the male was still on the chimney frantically looking down the chimney hole. This was bizarre. Only 2 days before, I had someone tell me about finding a drake Wood Duck in their chimney...alive); Mallard (14); A. Black Duck (3); Ring-Necked Duck (1); C. Goldeneye (1m); Bufflehead (3); Common Merganser (7); Ring-Necked Phaesant (1: getting very uncommon in some parts of the county); Killdeer (3); RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER (4: and there were undoubtably more. West Brookfield and the surrounding area is Red-Bellied central in the county); Downy Woodpecker (14); Hairy Woodpecker (1); PILEATED WODPECKER (3: good count for this area); Belted Kingfisher (1); Eastern Phoebe (29); Tree Swallow (2); Blue Jay (48); Black-capped Chickadee (96); Tufted Titmouse (46); White-Breasted Nuthatch (12: including pair at nest hole); Eastern Bluebird (12); American Robin (500); Northern Shrike (1ad: getting late); N. Mockingbird (1); N. Cardinal (19); Field Sparrow (8); Fox Sparrow (5 singing); Chipping Sparrow (1); A. Tree Sparrow (5); Song Sparrow (130); Dark Eyed Junco (44); Red-Winged Blackbird (250+); C. Grackle (375+); Brown-Headed Cowbird (18); Pine Siskin (pair in potential nesting habitat); A. Goldfinch (16); Plus: thousands of Spring Peepers; hundreds of Wood Frogs; many many Painted Turtles; a very nice view of an Otter crossing the road right in front of us and, strangely, a Wooly Bear...a thawed out specimen?

BTW: The "Brookfields" include West Brookfield, North Brookfield, East Brookfield and just plain ole Brookfield. We birded only West Brookfield. All of them offer interesting field and wood lot birding and some very decent large ponds for migratory waterfowl. The Quabog River has some of the best cattail marshes in the county. End of Brookfield plug. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

3/26/00 -- Curtis Pond, Worcester

A 7:00 AM stop at Curtis Pond, Worcester, yielded my first Double-crested Comorant of the year.

Also, a couple of hours of hawk watching at Barre Falls Dam in the early afternoon resulted in 4 Red-tailed Hawks, 2 Turkey Vultures, 2 Merlin, 1 American Kestrel, 1 Sharp-shinned Hawk, 1 Northern Goshawk and a beautiful male Northern Harrier. (report from Bart Kamp).

3/25/00 -- North Quabbin Area

New arrivals to North Quabbin ponds Petersham, Athol, New Salem include: GWTeals, GBHerons, Kingfisher and a couple Tree Swallows. Also: there are a good number of Ring-Necked Ducks in the area; it is not uncommon to see 50-60 or upwards to 100 on any given morning over the next couple weeks. Goldeneye are also being spotted regularly in groups ranging from 9 - 30. Wood Ducks are also daily sightings, 12 this AM. Hooded Mergs, CMergs can also be seen with regularity. Also observed a Bald Eagle which put about 100 or so Rnecks and Goldeneye into a frenzy earlier this week. (report from Greg Watkevich).

3/25/00 -- Hodges Village, Oxford

The tour today yielded the following highlights: 4 Wood Duck; 1 Green-winged Teal; 2 Ring-necked Duck; 1 Common Snipe; 2 Red-bellied Woodpecker (first sightings at Hodges); 3 Northern Flicker; 2 Eastern Phoebe; 8 Tree Swallow; 1 Pine Warbler ; 2 Fox Sparrow; 5 Pine Siskin. (report from Paul Meleski).

3/25/00 -- Sterling Peat, Muddy Pond Road, Sterling

There were 3 green-wing teal, 13 ring-necked ducks, 3 great blue herons, 2 red-tailed hawks, 1 turkey vulture, 1 rough-legged hawk, 8 killdeer, 1 kingfisher, 1 meadowlark, 4 phoebe, 3 fox sparrows, 8 tree sparrows. I also heard spring peepers calling. (report from Richard Spedding).

3/24/00 -- Peregrines, downtown Worcester

I spotted the female Peregrine on the letter "K" in Flagship Bank at 10:30 this morning. I have her in the scope in a vacant office and people are getting a good look at this bird. She is not feeding and the male is not with her at this time.

The female Peregrine continued on the letter K in the Flagship Bank sign from 10:30 a.m. until about 11:45 a.m. I did not see either bird after that. (report from Jo-Ann Ferrie).

I heard from Tom French. He is checking this site daily for updates, so keep all reports coming. He still thinks there is no reason to believe that this pair won't nest, but that they are obviously not using the nest box. Their first egg should be laid within the next two weeks. The Springfield nest already has four eggs, but they haven't begun to lay in Boston (more typical timing). Keep checking ALL buildings for sightings. (report from Mark Lynch).

3/24/00 -- Turner's Falls Eagles

The Turner's Falls eagles are incubating 2 eggs. They are in their original nest. The nest can be seen easily with binoculars, but the Eagle Cam is again functioning with new pictures every five minutes. The internet address is http.//www.nu.com/eagles/eagles.htm. (report from Howard Shainheit).

3/23/00 -- Peregrines, downtown Worcester

Did not see either of the Peregrines on Thursday. I did see two Red-Tails flying around the Common and above this building. I first spotted them at about 1:00 p.m. and they were seen throughout the afternoon, off and on. This morning, after searching various rooftops around Worcester, no luck again with the falcons. (report from Jo-Ann Ferrie).

3/23/00 -- Asnebumskit Hill, Worcester

Today on asnebumskit hill one ruffed grouse drumming. Also sighted a fisher at the same spot two fishers were sighted yesterday. It climbed a large tree. This must be a female with a den close by. This spot is on the blue trail just before you reach the red-yellow trail four fifths of a mile up the hill from the worcester amc lodge on howard street off camp street which is off route 122. (report from Brian Mulhearn).

3/22/00 -- downtown Worcester

Today I did not see either of the peregrines. I was able to do a short survey of the area at lunch, with no luck. (report from Jo-Ann Ferrie).

3/22/00 -- Asnebumskit Hill, Paxton

Today from asnebumskit summit, two northern goshawks. Also suprised two fishers who were right next to each other. One ran away, the other one stared us down and nonchalantly walked away. My binoculars were around my neck at this time, and three of us had an excellent look. (report from Brian Mulhearn).

3/22/00 -- High Ridge WMA, Gardner

A flock of 42 Bohemian Waxwings were at the Smith Street entrance to High Ridge WMA , right at the intesection of RTE140 and Smith Street. Earlier , While I was looking over the marsh I saw a "suspicious" flock of birds that had the jizz of being waxwings on the far side toward the prison. I didn't have time to chase em down , so luckily they came to me. Then while walking back to the car , scanning a noisy of blackbirds , the flock flew over head eventually landing at the entrance (or exit). I might add that where they enventually perched there was little or no food. Other birds seen in High Ridge were 12 Evening Grosbeaks (fly overs) , 6 Woood Ducks and 4 hooded Mergansers and hundreds of the 3 more common species of blackbirds. (report from Tom Pirro).

3/21/00 -- Peregrines, downtown Worcester

We spotted the male bird on top of the Flagship Bank Building and he was joined by the female as we watched. They sat together for a bit and sort of went from foot to foot as they sat. The female moved away to the corner of the building (nearest Salem St.). We watched both birds from 12:35 until the male flew away at about 1:05. (up and towards the roof of the Mechincs Building). Got a glimpse of the bands on the male. No feeding witnessed. At 3:15 pm, the male and female were again sitting on the Flagship Bank Building. The male is on the letter "K" in the Flagship Bank sign and the female is at the corner nearest the nest box. They are just "hanging out." I have my scope on them, and am able to really see the differences in the plummages that Mark mentioned in his report. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to get a good look at the bands on the male's leg. Stay tuned... (report from Jo-Ann Ferrie).

The peregrines were still present between 4:00 and 4:30 pm. They were at first perched on the letters of the Flagship Bank building (male on "P" and female on "K". About 4:15 pm the female flew around the Bank Boston Building, and landed on the sill of a top floor window of that building. (report from Rick Quimby).

Additional note from Jo-Ann: At 4:10 the female was sitting on the K and the male was sitting on the P in the Flagship Bank sign. I think that the female is banded as well. I see red and black on her left leg, although I can't seem to get a really clear look. The female flew over to the letter P and the male flew out over the common as she approached. He then flew back they remained there for a few moments, now she has taken off. It is now 5:10 p.m. and the male bird is still sitting on the Flagship sign, but I cannot see the female bird. (report from Jo-Ann Ferrie).

3/21/00 -- Sterling

A rough-legged hawk, dark phase, was seen in fields near the intersection of Redemption Rock Trail and Crowley Road; also in Sterling a pair of pileated woodpeckers was seen. (report from Richard Spedding).

3/21/00 -- Peregrines, downtown Worcester

At 6:50 this AM, we spotted the male Peregrine perched on the corner of the Flagship Bank building closest to the nesting box. We set up the scope in the Salem Street parking lot to watch. At 7:15, the bird took off, flew across our field of view and perched atop the Regency Suites Hotel on Southbridge Street on the side of the building facing us in the Salem Street lot. It stayed here for about a minute, flew up and flipped over the building and out of sight. It flew out and around the Regency again, and then, again, flipped over the top and out of sight. Driving to the Registry parking lot on Southbridge Street we found BOTH birds. The female was tearing apart a pigeon (feathers flying) atop the higher center structure of the hotel and the male perched on the nearby corner of the building to the right. We set up the scope again for some incredible views. I could make out the bands on the male, but could read no numbers. At one point the male flew right up to the female, there was some calling, and the male flew out a bit and perched about 5 feet from the female, who continued to eat. An American Crow actually detoured on a flight across the city and attempted to make a few half-hearted passes at the birds, but apparently thought better of it and moved on. We ended up showing the birds to a couple of women passing by, who were quite thrilled and had heard all about the Peregrines. We left the pair still atop the Regency at 7:34. So: the pair is still in the city. They may have already chosen a nest site or may be still looking. This is a critical time period if these birds are going to nest here. Birders are encouraged to not just look from the typical vantage points, but drive around the city checking new areas. As always: PLEASE REPORT ALL EFFORTS (positive or negative) TO THIS SITE.

BTW: if looking at a single bird: Yes, the female is dramatically larger than the male, BUT they are also differently plumaged. The male has darker, neater upperparts coloration. A darker, more glossy blue/black especially visible about the facial markings. The female has definite browner tones and is LESS glossy and crisply plumaged. Good luck! (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

3/20/00 -- 2 Peregrines, downtown Worcester

I spotted both birds at lunch today (1:00pm), boy - are these birds fast! I was looking at one on the corner of Flagship Bank Building where it has been all day on-and-off (more on than off I might add). The other bird flew by the window and towards the top of Mechanics Tower (my building, since I was looking out the window I couldn't tell where on the roof it landed, if it did indeed land.) Then the "Mechanics" bird flew out over the common and caused some commotion with the Rock Dove entourage. Lost sight of it due to window glare and files in the way!! The "Flagship" bird sat there for a few more minutes then took off towards this building, but where? It was back again on the Flagship building until about 2:00 p.m. (I have not seen it feeding on anything all this time). (report from Jo-Ann Ferrie).

3/20/00 -- Peregrine, downtown Worcester

One of the Peregrines is sitting on top of the Flagship Bank Building as I write this, it has been there since 9:00 a.m. I don't know for sure if it is the male or female bird. It is sitting at the corner closest to Salem Street and the Common. Hopefully more to report later. (report from Jo-Ann Ferrie).

3/19/00 -- Gardner/Westminster

The follwoing are hilites from Gardner sunday morning 3-19-00 : Red-tailed Hawk 1 W/ an extreemly light belly band other charactoristics are of a typical RT; Killdeer 4; Brown Creeper 1 singing; N. Flicker 1; Hairy Woodpecker 3 very vocal and animated; E. bluebird 1; Song Sparrow 24; Juncos sevral singing; Carolina Wren 1; Evening Grosbeak 7. The number of Song Sparrows was high for mid-march , as few Song Sparrows over-winter up here and none had been present in these areas this past winter. The Carolina Wren at Crystal Lake made through the winter. Many smaller ponds and back waters have refrozen in the past few days.

On saturday 3-18 an imm. Bald Eagle was seen in Westminster up high heading west south west over Meetinghouse Reservoir while Ring-necked Ducks , Common Goldeneye , few Buffleheads , Hooded and Common mergs. and a few Wood Ducks have been present in the area where there is sufficent open water. (report from Tom Pirro).

3/19/00 -- The Boro's

This weekend 3/18-3/19 after 4 1/2 hours of field time spent checking Solomon, Bartlett and Little Chauncey Ponds in Northboro, Lake Chauncey in Westboro and the Southboro Resevoir off Rte. 9 and walking the Westboro Wildlife Management area I observed 42 species of birds. Of note were: Pied-billed Grebe 1, Mute Swan 1, Wood Duck 12, American Widgeon 4, Ring-necked Duck 168, Hooded Merganser 6, Bufflehead 27, Common Mergansers 34, Ruddy Ducks 16, Sharp-shinned Hawk 1, American Kestrel 1, Killdeer 1, Eastern Phoebe 4, and Eastern Bluebird 2. (report from Ann Boover).

3/19/00 -- Fisherville Pond, Grafton

This small, marshy pond had a good selection of waterfowl and other birds today: Pied-Billed Grebe (1); Mute Swan (pair); Canada Goose (58); Wood Duck (15); Common (Green-Winged) Teal/A. c. carolinensis (44); Common Teal/nominate race: A.c.crecca (1m); Mallard (192); A. Black Duck (122); N. Pintail (1f); Common Merganser (3); A. Wigeon (1m); Turkey Vulture (2); Sharp-Shinned Hawk (1); Red-Tailed Hawk (3); Killdeer (1); Belted Kingfisher (3); E. Phoebe (1); E. Bluebird (1). The "Common" Teal was in the northern impoundment today, visible from the boat launch behind the Riverview Apts. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

3/19/00 -- Leesville Pond, Worcester

Canada Goose (2); Wood Duck (18); Mallard (5); A. Black Duck (2); Hooded Merganser (3); Common Merganser (2); Red-Tailed Hawk (1); Killdeer (2 pair+ 3 more at Hope Cemetary); E. Phoebe (1); Plus: Eastern Painted Turtles and muskrats. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

3/18/00 -- Sterling Peat, Sterling

There were 11 green wing teal, 15 ring neck ducks, 2 hooded mergansers, 50 mallards, 15 black ducks, and 1 fox sparrow. Also in Sterling, at Rowley Hill there was 1 yellow-bellied sapsucker. In W. Boyl. there were 16 ring necked ducks , 2 bufflehead, 2 hooded mergansers. (report from Richard Spedding).

3/18/00 -- the "Boro" Ponds

SuAsCo: Canada Goose (4); Wood Duck (2); Mallard (7); Ring-Necked Duck (46); Bufflehead (2); Hooded Merganser (4); Common Merganser (5); Cooper's Hawk (1ad); Ruffed Grouse (1 seen+ tracks of another); Great Horned Owl (1 on nest: best views are still from the town conservation land); Carolina Wren (1); Winter Wren (1); E. Bluebird (1); A. Robin (16); A. Tree Sparrow (2); Fox Sparrow (1); Song Sparrow (3); Dark-Eyed Junco (12). Great tracking conditions first thing this AM at the conservation land. Lots of the typical mammals were about. VERY cold here early this morning.
CHAUNCY POND, WESTBORO: Canada Goose (15); Bufflehead (16); Common Merganser (14); E. Phoebe (1); Caroila Wren (2); A. Tree Sparrow (6); Song Sparrow (13); Dark-Eyed Junco (11).
LITTLE CHAUNCY POND, NORTHBORO: Canada Goose (19); Wood Duck (5); Green-Winged Teal (2); Mallard (2); A. Wigeon (1m); Ring-Necked Duck (139); Bufflehead (1); Hooded Merganser (5); Killdeer (1).
BARTLET POND, NORTHBORO: Canada Goose (19); Wood Duck (5); Mallard (31); A. Black Duck (5); A. Wigeon (4); Ring-Necked Duck (1); Killdeer (1); A. Tree Sparrow (4).
SUDBURY RESERVOIR, SOUTHBORO: Great Blue Heron (1); Mute Swan (1 sub-ad); Canada Goose (16); Mallard (21); Ring-Necked Duck (76); Lesser Scaup (2); C. Goldeneye (27); Bufflehead (15); Hooded Merganser (3); Common Merganser (124); Ruddy Duck (19); Killdeer (4); E. Phoebe (3); Golden-Crowned Kinglet (5); E. Bluebird (1); A. Robin (58); Gray Catbird (1 holdover from winter); (Plus: tracks of Fisher among all the tracks of E. Cottontails, Chipmunks, Gray Squirrels and White-Footed Mice) (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

3/18/00 -- Wachuset Reservoir/Indian Lake In the pm: WACHUSET RESERVOIR: Canada Goose (31); Mallard (3); Ring-Necked Duck (13); Common Goldeneye (31); Bufflehead (6); Hooded Merganser (12); Common Merganser (28); Killdeer (1); E. Phoebe (1)
AT COACHLACE POND, CLINTON: Greater Scaup (16); TUFTED DUCK (1m); Common Merganser(1);
INDIAN LAKE, WORCESTER: Canada Goose (11); Mallard (29); Hooded Merganser (13); Common Merganser (80). (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll)

3/18/00 -- Fisherville Pond, Grafton

A Eurasian race Green-winged Teal was found today at Fisherville Pond. It was viewed from behind the burned-out factory building on rt. 122A.

Also, the Tufted Duck is still present at Coachlace Pond in Clinton, and the Rough-legged Hawk continues at Sterling Peat.

In Worcester, there were 2 Gadwall and 2 Am. Wigeon on Lake Quinsigamond, seen from S. Quinsigamond Rd in Shrewsbury. (report from Fran McMenemy).

3/17/00 -- Rowley Hill, Sterling

There were 3 fox sparrows, 1 field sparrow , one phoebe, 2 killdeer, and 3 ruffed grouse. (report from Richard Spedding).

3/16/00 -- Barre Falls, Rutland

The past 24 hrs along Longmeadow Road turned up 30+ displaying Woodcock, 2 Eastern Phoebes, 2 Killdeer, 1 Cooper's Hawk, a calling Great Horned Owl, 10 Wood Ducks, 8 Hooded Mergansers, and a handful of singing Pickerel Frogs. (report from Chris Buelow).

3/16/00 -- downtown Worcester

Yesterday (3/15) I saw 2 Red-tailed Hawks circling above the Mechanics Building at about 1:15. Today at about 11:35am, I have seen one Red-tail making a complete circuit of the Common. Would the Peregrines tolerate this? No falcons seen, just the Red-tails. (report from Jo-Ann Ferrie).

3/15/00 -- North Street/Gilboa Street, Douglas

This morning, in the North Street/Gilboa Street area of Douglas, I spotted two Eastern Phoebes and heard a third. There are a number of Eastern Bluebirds in the area, including a pair that's hanging around my bluebird boxes. Also, two Carolina Wrens were at my feeder (they've been around all winter). (report from Mary Sughrue-Yacino).

3/14/00 -- Coachlace Pond, Clinton

This morning the drake Tufted Duck was still present. It was associating with 5 drake G. Scaup , on Coachlace Pond in Clinton. (report from Tom Pirro).

3/13/00 -- Peregine, downtown Worcester

I spotted one of the Peregrines on top of the Mechanics Tower today (the bird, not me) at 1:15 p.m.; it was on the side facing the Common. At 5:15 the bird flew by one of our conference rooms. At 5:30 p.m., I saw it (same bird?) sitting on the corner of the Mechanics Tower (the corner facing the Outlets). Hopefully, more later. (report from Jo-Ann Ferrie).

3/13/00 -- Athol, WEstminster

New spring arrivals to the area, 2 Kestrels, 30 Bluebirds in pasture, Top of Brooks Road, Athol. 4 Wood Ducks at Sawmill Pond in Westminster. (report from Greg Watkevich).

3/13/00 -- Quabbin Reservoir

My first Fox Sparrow of the year appeared at my feeder (Worcester) this morning. I went to gate 43 at the Quabbin in the afternoon. The only bird seen on the way in to shaft 12 was an Eastern Phoebe. From the shaft I saw 4 Red-tailed Hawks, 5 American Crows, 1 Raven and two Bald Eagles. At the fisherman's landing area there were 16 Common Mergansers, 2 Mallards, 3 Turkey Vultures and 2 Bald Eagles. The reservoir is still 99.9% ice covered. The only open water is out from the spillway at the fisherman's landing and at shaft 11A which is at the end of the short paved road on which they usually place the portopotty (it's not there yet). (report from Bart Kamp).

3/13/00 -- Sterling Peat, Sterling

At Sterling Peat I saw the dark phase rough-legged hawk. It was sitting in the tree that has the one great blue heron nest; conditions were excellent and under 30X I could see three white circles about the size of nickels on the back of its head; is this a peculiarity of this bird, or all dark phase rough- legged hawks? Also seen were 4 ring necked ducks , 6 hooded mergansers, 3 green winged teal , 20 black ducks and 14 mallards, and 13 killdeer. At my feeder I had the over wintering field sparrow return , along with a fox sparrow , and 2 red breasted nuthatches. Also in West Boylston, River Road area, there were 16 ring necked ducks In East Wauchacum Pond, Sterling, there were 11 bufflehead. (report from Richard Spedding).

3/13/00 -- Sterling Peat, Sterling

The Rough-legged Hawk was still present at 5:30 pm, perched on a snag on the far shore, near some sand cliffs. There were also 5 Tree Sparrows. (report from Rick Quimby).

3/13/00 -- Institute Park, Worcester

The MUTE Swan that Mark Lynch found on Sunday (3/12) was not present today around noon. There were, however, a nice mix of ducks: 3 Am. Wigeon, 1 Ring-necked Duck, 1 Hooded Merganser, and 6 Common Mergansers. (report from Rick Quimby).

3/13/00 -- Sudbury Reservoir/Southboro

Highlights of a check of Sudbury Reservoir in Southboro included 3 Ruddy Duck and 28 Common Merganser......... (water was all open) (report from Paul Meleski).

3/12/00 -- Peregrine, downtown Worcester

At 3:30, Sheila and I went downtown to see about the Peregrines. Although there has been a dearth of reports on this site, an out of state birder reported to Massbird seeing one bird on Saturday perched on the Flagship Bank letters. At 3;35 we spotted one Peregrine perched atop the NW corner of the Mechanics Bank building. We then pulled into the Salem Street lot to get a scope view. At this point the Peregrine took off and headed right to the WORCESTER PLAZA building (440-446 Main Street). This is the VERY high mirrored building. The bird then furiously circled the building clockwise and very high four times. It was a bit startling seeing its large reflection in the surface of the building. It then abruptly flew behind the building high up and disappeared. A minute or two later, it flew out from behind the building, circled the building a few times more, flew behind it and then disappeared again. This time many minutes went by and we did not see the falcon reappear. We then drove up to the B Parking lot on Harvard Street, where you can get a great, but low, view of the north and west faces of the Plaza Building. We did not see the falcon here or on the telephone towers. HOWEVER: there is much space atop the Plaza for a bird to perch and not be seen. Furthermore, there is a high lip on the upperparts (I think to anchor the window washers) and the bird could easily be here and behind this. It is even conceivable that the birds could be nesting here, and we are not seeing them. You would have to get to the roof of the building to check it out. We stayed till 5 PM, checking all the usual lookouts and spending most of our time waiting at the Harvard St. lot. At one point, I definitely saw something light colored flash up from behind the lip to the right of the blue crane, but could not make out what it was (it could have been a large peice of paper, one of the birds, who knows). It is still too early to give up on the falcons yet. A falcon is still downtown, and it is possible that both are around and we are only seeing one of them. I want to encourage birders to spend some time downtown searching from different vantage points and report thier findings on this site promptly. BTW: the nesting box just erected is easily visible from the commons on the right side of the Flagship Bank Building at the balcony level. (report from Mark Lynch).

3/12/00 -- Indian Lake, Worcester

Late PM: Mallard (8); Ring-Necked Duck (4); Hooded Merganser (5); Common Merganser (104). Also, earlier in the day at Salisbury Pond in the pouring rain there was a MUTE SWAN among the many Common Mergansers. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

3/12/00 -- Sterling Peat, Sterling

The dark phase Rough-legged Hawk that was seen late Tuesday afternoon from River Road was found by Fran McMenemy at Sterling Peat on Thursday (3/9). It was seen again by He and Joan Zumpfe on Friday (3/10). Today I found the bird at Sterling Peat between 5:00 PM and 6:00 PM. It perched in four different trees in the area of the piles of dirt. It is a VERY dark bird. (report from Bart Kamp).

3/12/00 -- Coachlace Pond, Clinton

Fran McMenemy reports that the TUFTED DUCK has returned to Coachlace Pond in Clinton as of today. (report from Bart Kamp, fide Fran McMenemy).

3/12/00 -- Saw Mill Pond, Fitchburg/ Westminster

At Saw Mill Pond friday evening (3-10-00) on the way home from work the 1st Year Iceland Gull was present along with the 3 more common Gull species, and the Mute Swan was still present. This morning, a second Mute Swan has joined the first. Also on Friday, 1 Woodcock was beginning its display routine and I saw "my" first Eastern Phoebe of the year moving along the pond's edge. (report from Tom Pirro).

3/11/00 -- Brookfield ponds

LAKE LASHAWAY: Canada Goose (17); Mallard (2); Common Merganser (23); Belted Kingfisher (1); Purple Finch(1)
LAKE QUABOAG: Canada Goose (9); Mallard (9); Ring-Necked Duck (82); Common Merganser (102)
LAKE QUACUMQUASITT (aka South Pond): Mallard (7)
LAKE WICKABOAG: Canada Goose (2); Mallard (2); A. Black Duck (2); Common Merganser (2)
WEST BROOKFIELD: Wood Duck (2); Green-Winged Teal (2); Mallard (25); A. Black Duck (13); Ring-Necked Duck (16); Red-Bellied Woodpecker (pair at nest hole); Red-Winged Blackbird (flock of 120+ including many females); C. Grackle (40+); Brown-Headed Cowbird (10+); All the ponds were mostly frozen (60-70%). (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

3/11/00 -- Quabbin Park, South Quabbin Reservoir

The following were seen mid-morning in Quabbin Park until the sleet started to fall: Great Blue Heron (2); Canada Goose (10); Wood Duck (pair); Mallard (4); Hooded Merganser (6); Bald Eagle (3 ad + 1 sub-ad + 5 imm); Red-Tailed Hawk (1); Golden Eagle (1ad: talking to the folks at headquarters, this adult, found on the CC, has been reported/seen before today into February); Ruffed Grouse (2); Pileated Woodpecker (2); C. Raven (pair at nest); A. Robin (57). Plus: Several coyotes crossing the ice, and on a small stream outlet behind Goodnough Dyke: Water Striders. The Quabbin is still very much frozen, though the ice looks very "iffy" in many places. Most of the waterfowl were seen in the open marshes. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

3/11/00 -- Northboro/Westboro area

From 7:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. I counted 25 species of birds in the Northboro/Westboro area. On Little Chauncey there were 165 Ring-necked Duck and 3 Wood Duck . On Bartlett Pond there were an additional 17 Ring-necked Ducks. Over at Lake Chauncey n Westboro I observed 110 Common Mergansers and 4 Bufflehead. A Northern Shrike is still frequenting the fields and telephone lines to the west of Westboro State Hospital. (report from Ann Boover).

3/11/00 -- Hardwick

For over an hour we saw two pileated woodpeckers in our back yard (woods) today. Also had throughout the day two fox sparrows on the ground by the feeders. (report from Susan Gainley).

3/10/00 -- Fortin's Market Parking Lot, Worcester

A sharp-shinned hawk was seen attacking a crow at roof top level; this small hawk made some strong dives and pursued this much larger crow with great determination in between the three deckers in the neighborhood. (report from Richard Spedding).

3/10/00 -- Ponds, City of Worcester

LEESVILLE POND: Green-Winged Teal (5); Wood Duck (18); Mallard (16); Ring-Necked Duck (1m); Hooded Merganser (3); Killdeer (pair on their usual territory); A. Tree Sparrow (8); Song Sparrow (13); Red-Winged Blackbird (6); C. Grackle (10+); Brown-Headed Cowbird (1)
HOPE CEMETARY: Killdeer (6)
NOTRE DAME CEMETARY: Canada Goose (2); Wood Duck (2); Mallard (19); A. Black Duck (8); Hooded Merganser (2); Carolina Wren (1); Song Sparrow (7); Red-Winged Blackbird (6)
CURTIS POND: Canada Goose (17); "domestic Greylag" (1 still here. Survived the winter in back of N. Dame on handouts. Still hanging with the Canadas. Watch for hybrids.); Mallard (6); Gadwall (2)
INDIAN LAKE: PIED-BILLED GREBE (1); Canada Goose (8); Mallard (3); A. Wigeon (4); Ring-Necked Duck (27); Hooded Merganser (14); Common Merganser (28); Ring-Billed Gull (159); Herring Gull (63). (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

3/9/00 -- gulls at Wachusett Reservoir

At 5 PM I was driving across the Rt. 12 causeway over Wachusett Reservoir and I could spot about 1000+ gulls far out on the ice to the east. This section of the water still has lots of ice but also open water. These gulls could later fly into the spot opposite River Road where people have been gull watching this year OR this could be the new evening roost spot. In which case it will be very difficult to get good views of the gulls. (report from Mark Lynch).

3/9/00 -- Swift River Reservation, Petersham

Another good show for Woodcock tonight with at least 4 displaying in the fields around the Nichewaug Road enterance of the Swift River Reservation. Also seen here this evening was an adult Northern Shrike and 10 American Robins. (report from Chris Buelow)

3/9/00 -- Peregrines, downtown Worcester

I haven't seen the peregrines since last Friday the 3rd, when I saw just the male sitting on the corner of the Flagship Bank Building late in the day. A co-worker, Kelly Frederico, and I have been on the lookout everyday for these birds. (report from Jo-Ann Ferrie).

Tom French just called to say that the Springfield pair just laid their first egg a short time ago today. He mentioned something that sounded like the "Monarch Building". However this is VERY early for Peregrines to lay eggs. (report from Mark Lynch)

3/9/00 -- Lake Quinsigamond, Shrewsbury

A quick stop this AM at the small cattail marsh on South Quinsigamond Ave. had the following: Mute Swan (1 very aggressive male that drove off two Canada Geese); Canada Goose (2); Wood Duck (4); Mallard (15); A. Black Duck (6); A. Wigeon (2); Ring-Necked Duck (6); Hooded Merganser (pair); Red-Winged Blackbird (10+); C. Grackle (20+). (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

-- Upcoming Forbush Bird Club Meeting

Mark Lynch and Sheila Carroll will give an engaging and informative lecture/slideshow called "Birds in the City of Worcester" at The Forbush Bird Club monthly meeting, next Thursday evening (3/16). Don't miss this one! For details go to the Online Birding Calendar. (Listing submitted by Ann Boover, officer of Forbush Bird Club)

3/8/00 -- Barre Falls, Rutland

An afternoon walk along Longmeadow Road in Barre Falls turned up 1 Tree Swalllow, 1 Turkey Vulture, 1 adult Northern Shrike, 12 Common Redpolls, 4 Song Sparrows and a calling Great Horned Owl. Later in the day a Hermit Thrush was seen roadside in Barre, and 3 American Woodcock were observed displaying at Swift River Reservation in Petersham. (report from Chris Buelow)

3/8/00 -- Saw Mill Pond, Fitchburg/Westminster

During a quick stop at Saw Mill Pond on the Fitchburg / Westminster line off Rte 2 this evening a first year Iceland Gull was mixed in with a flock of ~300-400 Gulls. The group of Gulls departed the pond at 5:30 ... headed for Wachusett Res. maybe? Also the Mute Swan was in attendance. (report from Tom Pirro).

3/8/00 -- Peregrine Falcons, downtown Worcester

I just talked to Tom French of the State Fish and Wildlife. He has already done a site visit to check on the possibility of putting up a nest box for the falcons. After a bit, FLAGSHIP BANK and the owners of the building has nicely agreed to allow Tom to erect a nestbox on the top level (balcony) on that bank. This Tom will do this Friday starting at about 9:30 and finishing about noon. The nestbox will be on the side of the bank facing the fountain/commons on the right side. He is also going to erect a PERCH POLE at the site. This encourages the Peregrines to visit the site by offering a "too good to refuse" place to perch at the nestbox. The following week after the nestbox erection will be critical to see if the falcons accept the site. So all birders are encouraged to post thier sightings promptly at this website (Tom DOES check this website). ALSO: be on the lookout for the leg bands on the male. There are two leg bands. The band on the right leg is black. The band on the left leg is black over red, BUT this left leg band contains an important two character code that has yet to be read. The code could be two letters, it could be two numbers, or it could be a number and a letter. The code could be horizontal or vertical or one character one way and the other character the other. The code is repeated around the legband. SO: get out your scopes and see if you can read what the leg band says! This will defintely tell the origin of this Peregrine.

Though the falcons choose a nest site in the beginning of March, they will not actually lay eggs till April. Tom also said that just by his visit, he found the falcons have taken pigeons, a mourning dove and a cardinal. Let's keep our fingers crossed that that the falcons finally nest. In years to come, if the falcons do accept the site, then Tom may try to move the nest to the west side of the building so that scraps are not falling on the sidewalk. There are no plans THIS YEAR for a "falcon cam", but Tom is certainly thinking about one perhaps next year. Keep the falcon reports coming! (report from Mark Lynch).

3/8/00 -- ponds, Gardner/Westminster

This morning a prework check of a few ponds (most standing water is still ice covered though) yielded the following:
Bent's Pond (S. gardner): Canada Goose 20; Mallard 52; R-B Gull 8; Herring gull 2
Pail Factory Swamp : Pintail 2 a pair; Wood Duck 1 a Drake; Hooded Merganser 8; Ring-necked Duck 3 Drakes; Several Common Grackles and territorial Red-Wing B-birds. The drake Hoodies were in full display ... crests fully fanned , bending their heads back and "chattering" away. One of the great early spring sights to see in wooded back water! This has been a breeding locale for Hoodies in past years.
In Wright's Res (Westminster), a small open area contained sevral Mallards , 4 Black Ducks , 1 C. Goldeneye , 2 Hooded Merg. and a few C. Goose. (report from Tom Pirro).

3/8/00 -- Salisbury/Park area, Worcester

Off and on throughout the night, till 5 AM this morning, an Eastern Screech Owl has been calling in our backyard. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

3/7/00 -- WMA, Westboro

This evening from 5:45p.m. to 6:45 pm. at the Westboro WMA off Rte 135, I recorded 18+ American Woodcock. It was Woodcockarama! The birds peented and performed their spectacular courtship display against a rosy sunset, under a sliver of a new moon. (report from Ann Boover).

3/7/00 -- Winimusett WMA, New Braintree

An evening walk into the upper fields of Winimusett (Thompson Road entrance) turned up 8 displaying Woodcock, an adult Northern Shrike (one of three wintering at Winimusett) and a vocal Barred Owl. After dark I also had a Northern Saw-Whet Owl respond to whistling at the Swift River Reservation in Petersham. (report from Chris Buelow)

3/7/00 -- Wachusset Reservoir, West Boylston

This afternoon from 3 till just before 6 we counted gulls as they came into roost on the rapidly diminishing ice on the River Road end of Wachusset Reservoir. We had no unusual gulls tonite [except see below], (though we had some decent county birds), but the repetoire of larids changes every night. We were joined along the way by Bart Kamp and Paul Meleski: Great Blue Heron (1); Mallard (4); Ring-Necked Duck (9); Hooded Merganser (1); Common Merganser (5); Red-Tailed Hawk (1); ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK (1 dark-phase. This species is very uncommon/rare in the county. We got long and great views of this bird as it moved slowly to the NW and even watched it hover a few times. We had never seen a dark phase bird in the county before tonite. It was great to be able to share this bird with veteran hawk-watcher Bart); PEREGRINE FALCON (1ad. This bird cruised right over our heads while we were watching the Rough-Legged. Hard to believe that a Peregrine could ever be upstaged, but we now that we have a pair in downtown Worcester....); Killdeer (1); Ring-Billed Gull (269); Herring Gull (1307); Great Black-Backed Gull (131); Red-Breasted Nuthatch (2); Golden-Crowned Kinglet (6+); Red-Winged Blackbird (90+). Note: once the ice disappears, probably by Friday, the gulls will move elsewhere. There have been a number of sightings at this spot in the last two weeks of species like Iceland, Glaucous and Lesser Black-Backed Gulls.

Additional note: JUST AFTER WE LEFT, Bart Kamp had a Glaucous Gull come in with a last batch of gulls. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

3/7/00 -- Institute Park, Worcester

Birds of note today included Bufflehead (1 m), Common Merganser (16), Turkey Vulture (1), and Merlin (1 f perched). (report from Rick Quimby).

3/6/00 -- Rowley Hill , Sterling

Redwing blackbirds, grackles and a turkey vulture returned for the first time this year. Also, in Fitchburg a mute swan was seen on the most northern of the Paradise Pond chain of lakes. (report from Richard Spedding).

Comment on this sighting:
Regarding Richard Spedding's post on the Mute Swan on Saw Mill Pond -- I also saw this bird the evening of 3/6 and was quite surprised. I've birded North Worc. County for the past decade and have never seen this species , other than "clipped birds" in parks , in the Greater Gardner area. Yet Sunday (3/5) I reported 1 from Winchendon (Lake Monomanac) and now this one in Fitchburg/Westminster. As the season progesses it will be interesting to see if these individuals move on or become stay in the area. Do these birds have a migration "cycle" or are they considered Non-migratory? (report from Tom Pirro).

3/5/00 -- Wachusett Reservoir/Lake Quinsigamond/Lake Quaboag, West Boylston/Shrewsbury/Brookfield

2 Glaucous Gulls were at the Wachusett Reservoir gull roost in West Boylston (it does change every day!).
1 Northern Shoveler and a Gadwall were at Lake Quinsigamond in Shrewsbury.
A drake Redhead was at South Pond and a Canvasback at Lake Quaboag in Brookfield. (report from Paul Meleski, fide Fran McMenemy).

3/5/00 -- Flint Pond (Worc., Shrewsbury, Grafton)

Found this early PM: Mute Swan (pair); Canada Goose (3); Mallard (31); A. Black Duck (6); Common Goldeneye (14); Common Merganser (5); E. Bluebird (2). (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

3/5/00 -- Southern Worcester County Lakes

Most of the water bodies in Worcester County remain mostly frozen (many now have small openings where there are strong currents or shallow areas)...Noteworthy (?) birds included:
Dark Brook Reservoir: 2 Common Merganser; 1 Killdeer (across from lake at school athletic field)
Hodges Village Dam: 4 Common Merganser; 1 Wood Duck
Webster Lake: 9 Ring-necked Duck; 3 Common Merganser; 2 Hooded Merganser
Crystal Lake-Douglas: 2 Common Goldeneye; 1 Wood Duck
Wallis Reservoir-Douglas: 12 Common Merganser; 2 Ring-necked Duck
-- plus scattered sightings throughout of Red-winged Blackbirds, Common Grackles and Canada Geese moving north.......... (report from Paul Meleski).

3/5/00 -- North Central Mass

Some hilites from Northern Worcester County this AM :
Templeton: Hooded Merg. 3; Ring-Necked Duck 1; Ruffed Grouse 1 Drumming; Wild Turkey ~60 with about 5 "Tom's" in full display and some Gobbling; Killdeer 1; Evening Grosbeak 6
Royalston Center: Raven 1; Evening Grosbeak 8; Pine Siskin 1; Purple Finch 1; Bohemian Waxwing 91 Some of these were enjoying a drink Maple sap.; Brown Creeper 1 singing; Red-wing Blackbird several
Winchendon: Mute Swan 1 at the outlet Lake Monomac Unusual for this section of Worcester County , a nice surprise.
Gardner: Pileated Woodpecker 1 from the yard; Am. Woodcock 1.
(report from Tom Pirro).

3/4/00 -- River Road, Wachusset Reservoir, West Boylston

We counted gulls off River Road West Boylston tonite from 4 to almost 6 PM. We were joined as we counted by Bart Kamp, Joan Zumpfe, Fran McMenemy, Tom Mongeon and Kathy Mongeon: Here are the totals: Mallard (2); Ring-Necked Duck (13); Common Merganser (6); Ring-Billed Gull (195); Iceland Gull (1 1stW); Herring Gull (1610); Lesser Black-Backed Gull (1 Excellent views of a very co-operative bird. At first ID's as a 2nd winter, it is now considered to have been in FIRST SUMMER plumage, with some first winter characteristics); Great Black-Becked Gull (154); American Crow (60); Red-Winged Blackbird (21). The gull show is changing on a daily basis, and the more eyes the better. Many large groups did not come in until the last 45 minutes. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

3/4/00 -- Institute Park, Worcester

Birds at the park today at noon included 24 Common Mergansers, 2 Hooded Mergansers, and excellent views of a 3rd winter Lesser Black-backed Gull. I watched the gull for about 5 minutes, and then watched as it flew away to the northwest. (report from Rick Quimby).

3/4/00 -- SuAsCo, Westboro; Concord Res, Southboro

At the still mostly frozen SuAsCo in Westboro this AM: Great Blue Heron (pair on nest, displaying, moving sticks around. The pair then left, probably to feed elsewhere); Canada Goose (2); Ring-Necked Duck (3); Common Goldeneye (2m); Hooded Merganser (2); Common Merganser (3); Turkey Vulture (1); Red-Tailed Hawk (1); Great Horned Owl (1 on nest. We could only see the very top of the head and the tufts from the Conservation Land on the southern shore. We could see nothing from the canoe launch off Arch Street.); Red-Bellied Woodpecker (1); Carolina Wren (1); E. Bluebird (pair); Red-Winged Blackbird (10+); C. Grackle (5+); Brown-Headed Cowbird (1);
Along Assabet River connection: Canada Goose (192 ); Mallard (5); A. Black Duck (2); Common Merganser (7); E. Bluebird (pair); Gray Catbird (1: probably overwintered); Fox Sparrow (2). We hiked the MDC trail on the eastern shore looking for Mourning Cloaks with no luck, but did find lots of Skunk Cabbage and E. Chipmunks. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

3/3/00 -- Saw Mill Pond, Fitchberg/Westminster line

This morning at Saw Mill Pond (I incorrectly identified this pond as Snow Mill Pond on 3/1), on the Fitch/West line , were ~300-400 gulls. I could only pick out GBB and Herring -- the birds were in close today. The Glaucous was NOT present (neither yesterday). On 3/1 when the Glauc. was present (morning and evening) the percentage of Great Black-backed Gulls (GBBG) was fairly high , about 30-40% in the morning when several hundred gulls were present and 80+% in the evening when only a ~125 Gulls were present. while today GBBG's made up 10-15%.
Last evening at High Ridge WMA a short walk yielded 2 displaying Am. Woodcocks. The first one I heard/saw was landing right in road just inside the Smith St. gate , had great looks. (report from Tom Pirro).

3/2/00 -- Asnebumskit Hill, Paxton

Today my friend and I were hiking on asnebumskit hill in paxton and we heard, then we observed two pileated woodpeckers moving through the woods. They were calling and pecking at the trees as they moved along. Pileated woodpeckers may be observed year round here and at cascades park and boynton park. And the results of their all-out assaults on the trees in the area are not difficut to locate. (report from Karen Mulhearn).

3/2/00 -- Downtown Worcester

Both peregrine falcons were seen this morning at 8:00 a.m. at the familiar spots. The male was on the roof at the corner of the Flagship Bank Building and the female was on the "K" in the Flagship Bank sign. They sat there until at least 9:30 a.m., they were not there when I checked at 10:00 a.m. I must bring my scope in to see if I can get more detail, there appears to be a band on the male bird's leg. At 12:15 the male returned to the corner of the Flagship Bank Building, he sat there until at least 2:30 p.m. (report from Jo-Ann Ferrie).

3/1/00 -- Oakdale, West Boylston

There were 6 ring-necked ducks, six common mergansers, 100 robins, and the usual common gulls. (report from Richard Spedding).

3/1/00 -- Institute Park, Worcester

Among the 16 species seen at noon there were 15 Common Mergansers, 2 Turkey Vultures, 1 adult Coopers Hawk, and 5 Common Grackles on territory. Also, on 2/28, the first Red-winged Blackbird showed up at the park. (report from Rick Quimby).

3/1/00 -- Downtown Worcester

Falcon news: The Peregrines were seen this morning at 8:00 a.m. by myself and several co-workers - one (the male) [ed: bird, that is!] was sitting in a favorite spot, on the roof at the corner of the Flagship Bank Building (the corner closest to Mechanics Tower, on the Outlets side, away from Front Street), from 8:00 until after 9, Kelly spotted the female which was on top of the letter "N" (the one facing the Common), it was still there at 11:10 a.m., when the male returned and teed up on an adjacent letter, the birds sat together for a few minutes. The male took off first in the direction of the Common and swooped back and upwards toward the top of the Mechanics Building. The female watched it, her mouth was opening and closing repeatedly, (we were watching these birds from the 16th floor of the Mechanics building, so we were above them). She then took off and flew over to the top of the Bancroft building at 50 Franklin Street, where she appears to be picking at some left over carcass, as I write this (11:20 a.m.).

Later, at 1:00 p.m. the female returned to the top of the Letter "N" in the Flagship Bank sign on the Common side of the building and was joined by the male almost immediately, he didn't stay long. The female sat on the letter "N" until 2:50 when she was joined once more by the male 2 letters away. He flew off first, over the common, and she flew off right after in the same direction. We got some good looks at the Peregrines today. (report from Jo-Ann Ferrie).

3/1/00 -- Saw Mill Pond, Fitchburg/Westminster

This morning a first year Glaucous Gull was present among several hundred Herring and Great Black-backed gulls on Saw Mill Pond ( aka Flag's Pond) located right on the Westminster/Fitchburg line. The Glauc. flew in from the dump and landed in back (of course) , but its characteristic two-toned bill and menacing "glance" could seen well as it stood above the Herring Gulls. This mixed flock was several hundred yards across the pond and the tightly packed flock made "picking" through the birds difficult , so there may be more. This could be the locale that the "River Road" (West Boylston) birds travel to. (report from Tom Pirro).

3/1/00 -- Park/Salisbury area, city of Worcester

The first Common Grackles of the spring arrived at my feeder today. (report from Mark Lynch).

For previous sightings, see February 2000 Archives or Archive Index