March 2002 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.

3/31/02 -- downtown Worcester
In the late afternoon, the adult PEREGRINE FALCON was seen again perched on a corner of the former Mechanics Bank building. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

3/31/02 -- Ware River Watershed periphery
This morning we birded all around the Ware River Watershed (nee Barre Falls Dam/Rutland SP). The dirt roads that penetrate the area are all still gated, so we poked around the edges of this parcel, doing small hikes into areas, like into the Prison Camp fields area (parking off Intervale Road). There was a small and very productive movement of hawks this morning. We watched hawks for a bit from the Prison Camp fields and did two short shifts at the traditional hawkwatch spot in the dirt lot above Barre Falls Dam (which was manned later in the AM). Great Blue Heron (3: 1 seemed to be an actual migrant. We spotted it from the "hawkwatch spot" soaring high like a migrant raptor and heading NW); Turkey Vulture (9); Canada Goose (22); Wood Duck (4); A. Black Duck (11); Mallard (15); Ring-necked Duck (17: one flock); Hooded Merganser (4); Bald Eagle (1 "type III", migrating right over head); Northern Harrier (1m plying the small fields beside the "hawkwatch spot" always a beautiful bird to see); Sharp-shinned Hawk (3); N. Goshawk (1ad: probably resident); Red-shouldered Hawk (2); BROAD-WINGED HAWK: (1: we were watching a kettle of 4 TVs catch a thermal and soar high overhead at the Prison Camp fields. Suddenly it was joined by a buteo, which turned out to be this species. Great views and no doubt. This was by far my earliest record for this species); Red-tailed Hawk (4); Golden Eagle (1ad: migrating obviously); American Kestrel (3. We watched a pair hunting very much "together" at the Prison Camp fields. After a bit, the male suddenly took off, caught a thermal and was out of there. The female caught one last small prey item 15 minutes later and then did the same); Wild Turkey (flock of 10 sitting under somebody's feeder looking up longingly..pretty bizzare looking. This person must have one hell of a feed bill); Killdeer (2); Ring-billed Gull (2); Mourning Dove (7); Belted Kingfisher (1); Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (1m at the "hawkwatch spot"); Downy Woodpecker (9); Hairy Woodpecker (4); N. Flicker (11: 4 or more feeding on the ground with the robins at any one time at the "hawkwatch area"); Pileated Woodpecker (2); Eastern Phoebe (31: at every stop); Blue Jay (20); A. Crow (46: most moving on one large flock over the parcel); Common Raven (4, including one calling continuously at the traditional nesting spot, so...); Tree Swallow (19); Black-capped Chickadee (93: we watched a "vicious" conflagration between two roaming bands of chickadees that apparently crossed into one anothers territory. They were contstant loud chickadee "dee" notes, lots of flying at each other with loud whirring of wings, serious chasing, and eventually one band drove the other out); Tufted Titmouse (16); Red-breasted Nuthatch (2); White-breasted Nuthatch (20); Brown Creeper (9); Golden-crowned Kinglet (20); Eastern Bluebird (12); American Robin (136); Field Sparrow (2); Fox Sparrow (8); Song Sparrow (52); Dark-eyed Junco (94); N. Cardinal (4); Red-winged Blackbird (99); Eastern Meadowlark (1: not a typical bird at all for the area. We heard some wild squealing at the "hawkatch spot" looked up from the scopes and a meadwolark was t'eed up on a tall tree. Eventually it flew down into the small field and fed with flickers. Apparently, a meadowlark has been seen by hwkwatchers here in springs before); Rusty Blackbird (1); Common Grackle (205); Brown-headed Cowbird (12); Purple Finch (1); Common Redpoll (flock of 7); Pine Siskin (2); American Goldfinch (3). PLUS: Compton's Tortoiseshell (2); reams of Wood Frogs and Peepers calling, and we followed Moose tracks for a bit. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

3/31/02 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
Yesterday (3/30) hawk watching at the Barre Falls hawk watch site from 12-4 were Bart Kamp, Donna Schilling and David Grant. As many hawks were seen from 12-3 as from 3-4. Today hawk watching at Barre Falls from 11-3 were David Grant, Mark Lynch, Sheila Carroll and Bart Kamp. 75% of the hawks were seen from 11-1 when it unexpectedly cleared. Following is a recap of the totals for 3/30 and 3/31. 
                                   3/30         3/31
Bald Eagle                          0              1
Northern Harrier                    2              1
Sharp-shinned                       1              4
Red-shouldered                      0              1
Broad-winged                        0              1
Red-tailed                          6              5
Golden Eagle                        0              1
American Kestrel                    4              5
Merlin                              3              0
                              ----------        ---------
Total                              16             19
Three out of the four Northern Harriers seen at Barre Falls this Spring have been males. (report from Barton Kamp).

3/30/02 -- Brookfields Forbush Bird Club Trip
Rodney Jenkins led 16 members and guests on a Forbush Bird Club trip that began at Lake Quaboag in Brookfield. There was a stong SW wind at the lake and it was cloudy but at all other stops, it was very calm and pleasant with the sun coming out. Highlights: Pied-billed Grebe 1; Great Blue Heron 4; Turkey Vulture 4; Mute Swan 3; Wood Duck 3; American Black Duck 24; BLUE-WINGED TEAL 1 (adult drake); Green-winged Teal 4; Ring-necked Duck 43; Bufflehead 4; Hooded Merganser 8; Common Merganser 11; Bald Eagle 1; Red-tailed Hawk 2; American Kestrel 2; Killdeer 3; Common Snipe 4; Hairy Woodpecker 1; Northern Flicker 1; Eastern Phoebe 13; Common Raven 1; Tree Swallow 40; Brown Creeper 2; Carolina Wren 1; Golden-crowned Kinglet 2; Eastern Bluebird 2; Cedar Waxwing 1; American Tree Sparrow; Song Sparrow; White-throated Sparrow 1; Eastern Meadowlark 1.

Complete trip list (report from Joan Zumpfe).

3/30/02 -- Gardner area
I checked a number of Gardner area birding spots yesterday afternoon, with hilites: Snow Goose 10 flying over downtown gardner; Green Wing teal 2; Rng-necked Duck 25; Bufflehead 7; Comon Goldeneye 9; C. Merganser 17; H. Merg. 8; Wood Duck 6; E. Phoebe 7; Tree Swallow 10; Field Sparrow 1; Coopers Hawk 1; Horned Lark 5 (territorial 3 M + 2 F); Great Horned Owl 1. (report from Tom Pirro).

3/30/02 -- Blackstone National Corridor
We hit a few areas in the Corridor today. Note how many places we had Mute Swans.
TOWN OF BLACKSTONE: Great Blue Heron (1); Tree Swallow (2); Carolina Wren (6)
WOONSOCKET: Blackstone River at the border with Lincoln. There is a nice marsh here: Great Blue Heron (1); Mute Swan (pair w/nest: chased Canada Goose away); Canada Goose (1); Wood Duck (2); Mallard (2); A. Black Duck (2); E. Phoebe (1). Note: yesterday we had (2) American Wigeon in this same spot.
SEEKONK RIVER: Great Cormorant (5ad); Double-crested Cormorant (2imm+4ad); Mute Swan (12+ 1 nest...so far); Canada Goose (14); A. Wigeon (15); Mallard (6); A. Black Duck (110); Greater Scaup (5); Bufflehead (57); Red-breasted Merganser (12); Common Merganser (6); Osprey (2 pair at 2 nest poles); Bonaparte's Gull (23: 1 bird had full adult black hood); Fish Crow (3); Common redpoll (flock of 27 in small birch on shore edge from Swan Point Cemetery, where we finally found the grave of H.P.Lovecraft)
LACKEY POND, SUTTON MA: Mute Swan (pair)
MEADOW POND, NORTHBRIDGE: Great Blue Heron (2: there is a rookery in this part of the Blackstone somewhere, but we have yet to find it); Mute Swan (6); Canada Goose (390); Snow Goose (1); Mallard (6); A. Black Duck (12); A. Wigeon (2); Ring-necked Duck (33); Common Merganser (3); Cooper's Hawk (1 elsewhere in Sutton); E. Phoebe (3); Tree Swallow (20+); Pine Siskin (2)
FISHERVILLE POND (north end only, quick stop) Canada Goose (8); Green-winged Teal (11); Mallard (20); A. Black Duck (11); Red-tailed Hawk (1); E. Phoebe (1). Note: the trash at this overlook is just disgusting.
LAKE RIPPLE, GRAFTON: Mute Swan (2)
QUINSIGAMOND RIVER, GRAFTON (along Rt. 122) Mute Swan (pair w/nest)
HOVEY POND, GRAFTON Mute Swan (2). That's a LOT of swan. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

3/30/02 -- Holden
We birded the area between Mson Farm and Poutwater WMA late this afternoon and had among other birds: Flicker (3); E. Phoebe (3); Tree Swallow (1 migrating high and fast); Brown Creeper (4); A. Robin (250+); PINE WARBLER (1 heard and seen); Fox Sparrow (1); Red-winged Blackbird (120+); Common Grackle (60+); Brown-headed Cowbird (9); Rusty Blackbird (5);
A quick stop at QUINAPOXET RESERVOIR at the fence had: Canada Goose (2); Ring-necked Duck (36); Lesser Scaup (1m); Common Merganser (3); E. Phoebe (1) (report from Mark Lynch).

3/30/02 -- Hodges Village, Oxford
Pete Morlock joined me this morning to walk the route at Hodges. The following highlights were noted: Canada Goose 7 (significantly less than last week); Wood Duck 7; Green-winged Teal 3; Turkey Vulture 1; Hairy Woodpecker 3; Northern Flicker 1; Eastern Phoebe 2; TREE SWALLOW 12; Brown Creeper 5; Eastern Bluebird 7; American Robin 33 (significantly more than last week); YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER 1; American Tree Sparrow 2; FIELD SPARROW 4 (all singing on territory); Song Sparrow 25 (migrants and residents); Dark-eyed Junco 14 (two moderately sized groups); BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD 11 (none noticed last week); Red-winged Blackbird 43 (on the move again); Common Grackle 35 (ditto).
Leaving Pete,and inspired by Mark Lynch, and having a free afternoon, I decided to follow the French River (river that drains Hodges) to it's end in the Thames River at the Groton-New London CT line. (The French River actually has it's beginnings at Sargent Pond in Leicester, the pond behind the Castle Restaurant. ) I made quick visits to: Thompson Lake (The Quinebaug River joins the French 1000 feet below the Lake)
Quinebaug WMA in Plainfield where I heard Pine Warblers singing-only 25 miles from Oxford where I haven't heard them yet-any day??????
Aspinook Pond in Jewitt City: The first body of water I noticed Mute Swans, about 30 miles away from MA .......
Route 12 in Norwich: Here, the Shetucket River joins the Quinebaug to Form the Thames.
Uncasville: The Thames becomes tidal at the hometown of the Mohegan Sun Casino-50 miles from Oxford, 12 miles to Long Island Sound
Groton: Drove to Eastern Point where I had a wonderful view of the River spilling into Long Island Sound, 62 miles from Oxford. I then drove 5 miles to Bluff Point Coastal Reserve, one of the top 10 birding spots in the state of CT. Excellant migrant trap in spring with large numbers of neotropical migrants using the preserve as the first point of land for birds flying from Long Island over the sound. (report from Paul Meleski).

3/29/02 -- downtown Worcester
This afternoon, Sheila Carroll and Val Miller had an (the?) adult Peregrine Falcon perched on the Centrum side of the "old" Mechanics Bank building. (report from Mark Lynch).

3/29/02 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
Hawks migrating at Barre Falls on Friday were 3 Turkey Vultures, 1 Bald Eagle, 1 Osprey, 7 Red-shouldered Hawks, 31 Red-tailed Hawks, 6 Sharp-shinned Hawks, 2 Cooper's Hawks, 1 American Kestrel and 3 Merlin. Non raptors counted were 350+ Canada Geese, 5 Great Blue Herons and 1 Mourning Cloak butterfly. (report from Bart Kamp).

3/29/02 -- Smithfield, RI
At 11:55AM, Sheila and I had the Townsend's Solitaire fly from the direction of the Spragueville Road (west) and perch atop a tree right on the corner of the road and the east side of the Mountaindale parking area. We got bins on it, watched it a bit, then it dove down and out of sight. We thought it would be close by between the parking area and the first house, BUT we worked on the bird for the next hour or so, as other birders showed up (including old friend Walter Bosse). We left about 1, never refinding the bird. Talking to the other birders present, the solitaire seems irregular in putting in its appearances, obviously spending more time elsewhere. It has been seen several times: (1) near the small building by the dam of Mountaindale Pond (a very short walk from the car); (2) from near the parking lot to the gravel pit/quarry across the street, (3) from the road near both parking areas, (4) and pretty far in along the lower (left most) dirt road into the quarry. So if the bird is not present, explore a bit. I would also recommend parking in the lot for the quarry. The bird put in pretty clsoe to where cars would park for the Mountaindale Pond. Other birds seen in the area: Wood Duck (4); Ring-necked Duck (4); Hooded Merganser (1); Killdeer (1); Northern Rough-winged Swallow (1: flew around every overhead once in a while. My first of the year); E. Bluebird (1). And (finally) my first butterfly of the year: an Eastern Comma. (report from Mark Lynch).

3/28/02 -- W. Townsend/Gardner
I made a few stops on the commute home this evening with the following result: West Meadow Road (West Townsend) hilites: Canada Goose ~100; Mallard 50+; Black Duck 15-20; Green-wing Teal 12; Turkey Vulture 17; RT Hawk 1; Killdeer ~15; E. Meadow Lark 1.
Crystal Lake (Gardner): As many Gulls as I've seen in some time at dusk...a total of 1300 (+/- a few) mainly Herring Gulls (~80%) with the balance Great Black-backed and Ring-billed (with more Ringers than GBB) but NO other gull species present. There was also a few Common Goldeneyes. (report from Tom Pirro).

3/28/02 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
Hawks migrating at Barre Falls today were: 3 Turkey Vultures, 1 Sharp-shinned Hawk, 10 Red-shouldered Hawks, 5 Red-tailed Hawks, 2 Merlin and 1 American Kestrel. (report from Bart Kamp).

3/27/02 -- Hardwick Center
A few highlights from around Hardwick this afternoon include 2 Pileated Woodpeckers, a Carolina Wren and 6 Common Redpolls at a feeder. Also, the annual Turkey Vulture roost behind the town common is active again with at least 20 birds flying in at 4:30pm. To view, park behind the Highway Department garage on rt32A and look southwest. The roost is across the valley in a large stand of White Pine. (report from Chris Buelow)

3/26/02 -- Sterling Peat, Sterling
This morning before work there were 2 NORTHERN SHOVELERS (M&F), 17+ Green-wing Teal, 55+ Ring-neck Ducks, 2 Killdeer and 1 Pheasant, (report from Peter Morlock).

3/25/02 -- Briely Pond, Millbury
Today is the first time I've seen Mute Swan on Briely Pond. Mute Swan [4], Common Mergansers [2], and Belted Kingfisher [1]. (report from Deb Berard).

3/25/02 -- Grafton
Tonite I was at my son and "dil'"s house in Grafton right on the Quinsigamond River and thus in the Blackstone National Corridor. While taking my grand-daughter, Samantha (just 2 years of age) for an evening walk in her back yard, I was able to show her and get her to hear many times, her first displaying woodcock, which she even imitated . Trust me : I was delighted. She also had about 50+ Mallards and 5+ Wood Ducks going down for the evening in the river as well as numerous robins roosting in her pines and Mourning Doves. She is an excellent spotter already. Even though her attention span is still in the early stages of development, her retention of such events is pretty amazing. Samantha already has a MA Selasphorus on her life list as well as more typical birds like Red-bellied Woodpecker. (report from Mark Lynch).

3/25/02 -- Winimusett WMA, New Braintree
Seen this afternoon were 1 Killdeer, 5 Common Snipe, 1 Belted Kingfisher, 2 Northern Flickers and 15 Rusty Blackbirds. (report from Chris Buelow)

3/25/02 -- Smithfield, RI
Followup to post of 3/23: 
>... I saw the Bird [Townsend's Solitaire] at 3pm today....
>   The Solitaire flew into a Bush just about 15 feet above the Dam, and next
>to a square concrete building. I could not have seen it from the road. This
>is Mountaindale Pond off Mountaindale road in Smithfield, RI. Drive past
>where you can see the dam on the right, go to a parking lot just ahead, and
>follow the path on the east side of the dam which is just a short distance.
(from Walter Bosse via MASSBIRD).

3/24/02 -- SuAsCo, Westboro
A very quick stop this afternoon at the Sudbury/Assabet/Concord Rivers flood control project in Westboro (aka: SuAsCo), had the following: Great Blue Heron (5 birds seen while we were there/4 occupied nests minimally); Mute Swan (3); Canada Goose (24: 1 chased relentlessly by a Mute); Mallard (2); A. Black Duck (6); Ring-necked Duck (15); Hooded Merganser (4); Common Mergnaser (21); Turkey Vulture (1); Sharp-shinned Hawk (1); Red-tailed Hawk (2); Great Horned Owl (1 on nest); Belted Kingfisher (1); Tree Swallow (6). (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

3/24/02 -- Hodges Village, Oxford
Decided to take a morning walk despite the winds. The male Blue-winged Teal has stayed on for another week. Only noticed one of the Rusty Blackbirds. Other notables: Canada Goose 53; Wood Duck 5; American Black Duck 24; Mallard 37; Hooded Merg 2 (pr); Killdeer 1; Turkey Vulture 5. (report from Paul Meleski).

3/23/02 -- Blackstone National Corridor waterbird survey
On Saturday, March 23, 17 people in 6 teams from Broad Meadow Brook MAS in Worcester fanned out across the Blackstone National Corridor between Worcester and Providence to count "water birds" on river, pond, lake and reservoir. We were actually short one team, so their territory was counted by two other teams splitting up the territory. The day was very windy and very cold in the AM, especially in NW Rhode Island, making counting tough. Ice was on many marshy with emergent vegetation and shallow ponds. This is part of a series of counts to be conducted in the Corridor for the next several years. Totals: Pied-billed Grebe (2); Double-crested Cormorant (3); Great Cormorant (28: 8 of which were found on PONDS in Lincoln); Great Blue Heron (19: nesting was noted in Burrillville and Smithfield, Rhode Island); Snow Goose (1); Canada Goose (1666); Mute Swan (113. Birds already on the nest were noted in Cumberland, Lincoln, Pawtucket, and North Smithfield Rhode Island, and in the city of Worcester. Many pairs had not begun to nest yet); Wood Duck (117); Gadwall (14); A. Wigeon (33); A. Black Duck (314); Mallard (1360); Green-winged Teal (9); N. Pintail (3); Northern Shoveler (1m); Ring-necked Duck (336); Greater Scaup (7); Lesser Scaup (399); TUFTED DUCK (the drake continues at Flint Pond); Bufflehead (218); C. Goldeneye (41); Hooded Merganser (165); Common Merganser (396); Red-breasted Merganser (6); Ruddy Duck (77); BALD EAGLE (1ad at Sneetch Pond, Cumberland RI); Killdeer (30); C. Snipe (3); Bonaparte's Gull (4); Ring-billed Gull (1687); Herring Gull (579); Great Black backed Gull (110); Belted Kingfisher (3: seems very low). Other birds noted by the field observers included the TOWNSEND'S SOLITAIRE in Smithfield, RI, (44) Turkey Vultures, (24) Red-tailed Hawks. Other raptors seen included Sharp-shinned, Cooper's and Red-shouldered. I asked people to count Red-bellied and Hairy Woodpeckers just to see how thier totals would compare. It was NOT a great day to count land birds because of the wind, but 10 Red-bellieds and only 2 Hairys were noted. (7) Eastern Phoebes, (7) Tree Swallows, (15) Fish Crows and (24) Carolina Wrens were also seen.

Here is the detailed count info:

(compiled and submitted by Mark Lynch).

3/23/02 -- Blackstone Corridor Monitoring/ Worcester & Leicester
WORCESTER TOTALS: Canada Goose 160, 1 on nest at Salisbury Pond; Mute Swan 7, possible unoccupied nest at Notre Dame Cemetery, both swans in water nearby; Wood Duck 17; American Black Duck 18; Mallard 303; Northern Shoveler 1 drake (missed at 6:30 a.m., but found at 6:25 p.m.after arriving at 6:20 p.m. and about ready to give up because of the approaching darkness, it flew in to its usual spot!); Green-winged Teal 3; Tufted Duck 1 drake in Flint Pond near state boat ramp (not immediately seen at 6:00 a.m., but flew in after walking around to check out the coves); Lesser Scaup 3 (2 adult drakes, 1 female, all with the Tufted Duck); Common Goldeneye 28; Hooded Merganser 16; Common Merganser 25; Ring-billed Gull 711; Herring Gull 50; Great Black-backed Gull 2; Red-bellied Woodpecker 1 calling on Edgemere Road; Eastern phoebe 2; Carolina Wren 1; Mallard X Black Duck 1 at Burncoat Pond in Worcester; Muskrat at edge of Elm Park Pond toward Park Ave.
LEICESTER TOTALS: Canada Goose 32; Wood Duck 1 drake; Mallard 146; Bufflehead 8; Common Goldeneye 2 (pair); Hooded Merganser 12; Common Merganser 62; Ring-billed Gull 6; Herring Gull 20; Belted Kingfisher 1. (report from Joan Zumpfe).

3/23/02 -- Blackstone National Corridor
While conducting waterfowl the co-ordinated waterfowl census of the Blackstone National Corridor, Dan and Deb Berard found a Townsend's Solitaire "in the thickets near the pull-off for Mountaindale Pond Dam on Mountaindale Road". They got great views as the bird T-eed atop a small tree. This is at the north end of the pond, across the street from an old sand/rock quarry. I sent Dan and Debs' notes already to Chris Raithel of RI Audubon. Today (3/24), Sheila Carroll and I spent 3.5 hours (from 5:30-9AM) in the area and did NOT see the bird. This of course does not mean the bird is not still around, there's a lot of places for the bird to go, so keep checking.
Other birds seen in the area Sunday included: Wood Duck (7); Ring-necked Duck (2); Common Merganser (2 overhead); Red-shouldered hawk (1 heading north); Red-tailed Hawk (resident 2); Cooper's Hawk (1ad: flew low over us uttering a series of calls not unlike a Pileated, then perched); Wild Turkey (1 heard: but there is a "Rod and Gun" area here, so was it stocked?); Killdeer (1); Red-bellied Woodpecker (pair); E. Bluebird (2); Yellow-rumped Warbler (1); Field Sparrow (2); A. Tree Sparrow (3); Rusty Blackbird (6); Plus: one Red Fox. Earlier, pre-dawn: in Smithfield: Great Horned Owl (2), American Woodcock (7). The complete results of the Corridor-wide pond survey will be sent to Massbird and Central MA Bird Sightings later in the week. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

3/23/02 -- Lake Mattawa, Orange
Just wanted to report an extremely nice sighting of a Ruddy Duck at lake Mattawa in Orange, Ma at 8:30 AM. The duck is a female, winter plumage and was spotted close up. It was moving along the south shore of the lake, along holtshire road. After watching it for about 15 min it was joined by a pair of Hooded Mergansers. (report from Gregory Watkevich)

***************Note on Birding Ethics******************
Ed. note: The vast majority of birders are, at their core, ethically minded. However, the thrill of the chase occasionally causes us to forget some basic ethical principles, and we need some reminders. Here is such a reminder, from Mark Lynch:

3/21/02 -- Lake Quinsigamond, Shrewsbury
At noontime, the drake Tufted Duck was seen with 2 Lesser Scaup (1F,1 adult drake), 2 pairs of Common Goldeneye and an adult Mute Swan at the State Boat Ramp at Flint Pond, on rte. 20, opposite the Edgemere Diner. Another Mute Swan was seen from rte. 20. At the South Quinsigamond site, the drake Northern Shoveler continues to be seen with a pair of Mallards. There were also 4 Wood Duck (2 pr.), 4 Green-Winged Teal, 6 American Black Duck and 6 Mallard(3 pr.). (report from Joan Zumpfe).

3/19/02 -- Sterling Peat, Sterling
Birds seen during a walk through Sterling Peat this AM included a Common Snipe feeding along the edge of Muddy Pond with several Killdeer. There have been 50+ Ring-necked Ducks present for the past week along with one or two Common Goldeneyes and several Green-winged Teal. On the 17th at Sterling Peat, I had a Fox Sparrow along with several Tree Sparrows and a Song Sparrow. (report from Bob Ricci).

3/17/02 -- Blackstone Corridor, RI
I recorded the following while conducting some scouting of my section in the Blackstone Valley National Corridor this morning: 
N. SMITHFIELD
- Forestdale Pond:  Canada Goose (1), Mallard (1), Red-winged Blackbird (1)
- Slatersville Reservoir:  Mallard (1), Common Merganser (3), Red-winged
  Blackbird (4)
- Trout Brook Pond:  Mallard (1), American Black Duck (2)
- Small pond on Black Plain Road:  Red-winged Blackbird (3)
- Primrose Pond:  Mallard (1)
- Lake Belgir:  Mallard (2), Eastern Bluebird (1)
- Tarklin Pond:  Mallard (2)
- Pond on Karen Marie Drive:  Canada Goose (2)

BURRILLVILLE
- Nichols Pond:  Canada Goose (30 - in the extension at the golf course),
Mallard (3), Ring-necked Duck (5)
- Slatersville Reservoir:  Common Merganser (5)
- Spring Lake:  Canada Goose (2), Mallard (3), Ring-necked Duck (3),
Common Merganser (5)
- Mill Pond:  Canada Goose (2), Red-winged Blackbird (1)
- Gillerau Pond:  Mallard (4)
- Sucker Pond:  Canada Goose (22), Hooded Merganser (5); the people who
own much of the land around this pond stopped by and asked me about the
project.
- Pascoag Reservoir:  Turkey Vulture (1), Canada Goose (1), Bufflehead
(2), Ring-billed Gull (26), Herring Gull (9)
- Wilson Reservoir:  Canada Goose (3), Hooded Merganser (14)

There were also tons of Common Grackles everywhere I went.
(report from John Liller).

3/17/02 -- Buck Hill WMA,Burriville, RI
There were: Black Duck [2], Wood Duck [5],Downy Woodpecker [1], T. Titmouse [4], A. Robin [1],and Golden-crowned Kinglet [3].
Also at the Woonsocket Reservoir, Smithfield, RI, there were: Canada Goose [169], Bufflehea [8], Common Merganser [20], Ring-billed Gull [35], Herring Gull [7], and Red-tailed Hawk [1]. (report from Deb/Dan Berards).

3/17/02 -- Hodges Village, Oxford
Highlights this morning: Wood Duck 4 (2 pr); NORTHERN PINTAIL 2 (pr-same general area as last week); BLUE-WINGED TEAL 1 (male); RING-NECKED DUCK 7; Hooded Merganser 2 (pr); Ruffed Grouse 1 (drumming); Hairy Woodpecker 2; NORTHERN FLICKER 1; EASTERN PHOEBE 1; Golden-crowned Kinglet 1; EASTERN BLUEBIRD 5; American Robin 6; American Tree Sparrow 1; White-throated Sparrow 2; Song Sparrow 9; Dark-eyed Junco 3; Red-winged Blackbird 17 (mostly birds on territory-noticed more last wk); RUSTY BLACKBIRD 6; Common Grackle 12 (more last week also). (report from Paul Meleski).

3/16/02 -- Gardner Airport, Gardner
In the afternoon I birded the Gardner Airport for about an hour. The following were the hilites: Hooded Merganser 2; Great-horned Owl 1...on nest; Horned Lark 3 or 4...(2 signing males and 1 or 2 females); American Pipit 1 ....seen and heard well.
The Great Horned Owl was sitting in the last decent Great Blue heron nest standing of what was a modest colony of a dozen nests. Back in the early 90's the colony moved from 1 side of the marsh to the other and about 2 years ago it appeared they abandoned this site too. With all the beaver activity in north worc. county (and EVERY place else ) perhaps they've found more suitable habitat elsewhere. (report from Tom Pirro).

3/16/02 -- Blackstone Corridor, RI section
We checked out a few ponds and reservoirs in the RI section of the Blackstone National Corridor, scouting out areas for the Corrdior wide waterfowl count next weekend. Waterfowl are definitely on the move, and numbers and variety are decreasing at the southern end of the Corridor, though ponds further north are still hosting decent numbers.
WOONSOCKET RESERVOIR, SMITHFIELD: Great Blue Heron (9 birds, 4 nests seen with others possibly present); Canada Goose (254); Mallard (6); Ring-necked Duck (4); Common Goldeneye (9); Bufflehead (5); Hooded Merganser (1); Common Merganser (40); Ruddy Duck (2); Ring-billed Gull (16); Herring Gull (15); Great Black-backed Gull (1); E. Phoebe (2); Tree Swallow (1); Fox Sparrow (1);
SNEETCH POND, CUMBERLAND Canada Goose (7); A. Black Duck (2); Common Merganser (5); Turkey Vulture (1); Killdeer (2); Cedar Waxwing (12); Rusty Blackbird (1);
DIAMOND HILL/ARNOLD'S MILLS RESERVOIRS, CUMBERLAND: Canada Goose (2); Green-winged Teal (11); Mallard (37); A. Black Duck (3); Common Goldeneye (2); Bufflehead (6); Common Merganser (60)
WATCHEMOKET COVE, E. PROVIDENCE (NOT "in" the Corridor, but less than a mile south of the southern end of the Corridor. It is about half the size of Indian Lake, Worcester) Mute Swan (125: obscene); Canada Goose (54); A. Wigeon (60); Mallard (4); A. Black Duck (5); Bufflehead (8); C. Goldeneye (1); Hooded Merganser (2)
JAMES TURNER RESERVOIR, E. PROVIDENCE (back "in" the Corridor) Great Cormorant (9ad+1imm); Mute Swan (16); Canada Goose (67); Mallard (33); A. Black Duck (1); Ring-necked Duck (7); Buffelhead (3); Common Merganser (3); Ruddy Duck (50); A. Coot (22); Fish Crow (2);
SEEKONK RIVER, PROVIDENCE: Great Cormorant (4ad+2imm); Double-crested Cormorant (2imm); Mute Swan (8); Mallard (16); A. Black Duck (211); Buffelhead (57); Common Merganser (4); Hooded Merganser (1); Red-tailed Hawk (2).
Although there were large number sof the common species of gulls, all the Bonaparte's that had been overwintering here have moved on. Dark-eyed Junco (flock of 65 at Swan Point Cemetery) (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

3/16/02 -- Worcester Airport, Worcester
A very brief pre-dawn partial count at Worcester Airport (Worcester/Leicester) had the following: 2 flocks of Wild Turkeys heard gobbling; American Woodcock (20: several of these birds were right along the Rt. 122 end of Airport Drive and could easily be heard from your car); American Robin (50+ all ove rthe roads pre-dawn); Song Sparrow (7); N. Cardinal (11). Our count was interrupted by lightening, thunder and torrential rain. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

3/15/02 -- Northboro
From 2:00-3:00 p.m. there were the usual suspects at Little Chauncey except for: Wood Duck, 4; Ring-necked Duck, 38; Bufflehead, 1; Hooded Merganser, 2; Tree Swallows, 3. and on Bartlett Pond American Coot, 1. (report from Ann Boover).

3/15/02 -- Broad Meadow Brook Sanctuary, Worcester
Highlights on a walk this morning: Wood Duck (3 males); Red-tailed Hawk (2 - one with nesting material); Red-bellied Woodpecker (2); Hairy Woodpecker (1); Carolina Wren (2); Eastern Bluebird (6 - three pairs); American Robin (4); American Tree Sparrow (3); Song Sparrow (12); White-throated Sparrow (1); Dark-eyed Junco (12); Red-winged Blackbird (18); Common Grackle (37); Brown-headed Cowbird (2); Purple Finch (1). (report from John Liller).

3/14/02 -- Quabbin Gate 40, Hardwick/Petersham
I covered the area of Dana Common to Graves Landing and as far south toward gate 43 as is permitted under the tighter security controls: 3 bald eagles, 1 turkey vulture, 4 ring-necked ducks, 1 hooded merganser, 10 common mergansers, 2 mallards, 6 ring-billed gulls, 20 American Crows, 1 pileated woodpecker; 6 hairy woodpeckers, 4 downy woodpeckers, 25 black-capped chickadees, 6 white-breasted nuthatch, 2 golden-crowned kinglets, 10 brown creepers (some singing their spring song), 6 blue jays, 2 robins, 20 dark-eyed juncos, 4 wild turkeys, 10 red-winged blackbirds, I also saw an otter and heard a small chorus from spring peepers, and saw a medium sized butterfly blackish with white along edge of wing (species ?) . It's one thing to read that Quabbin is low, but seeing it today, convinced me, we do have a drought problem. I haven't seen Quabbin so low for many years. (report from Richard Spedding).

3/14/02 -- Sutton, Millbury, Shrewsbury
A pre-dawn check of the Twon of Sutton (Blackstone National Corridor) had the following: Killdeer (2 calling in the dark); A. Woodcock (26); Great Horned Owl (7); E. Screech Owl (1); N. Saw-whet Owl (1);
As dawn broke, other landbirds included: Red-bellied Woodpecker (3); Carolina Wren (3); Song Sparrow (21); N. Cardinal (22)
MANCHAUG POND, SUTTON: Mallard (2); Buffelhead (2m); Hooded Merganser (3); Common Merganser (13)
MERRILL POND WMA, SUTTON: Canada Goose (2); Wood Duck (6); Mallard (28); Ring-necked Duck (27); C. Goldeneye (1m); Hooded Merganser (4); N. Flicker (1); Golden-crowned Kinglet (11)
SINGLETERRY POND, SUTTON/MILLBURY: Common Merganser (13); Ring-billed Gull (7); Herring Gull (24); Great Black-backed Gull (2); Red-bellied Woodpecker (1)
BRIERLY POND, MILLBURY: Great Blue Heron (1); Canada Goose (2); Hooded Merganser (2); Common Merganser (5)
FLINT POND, WORCESTER/SHREWSBURY: Mute Swan (2); Canada Goose (41); Wood Duck (5); Mallard (45); TUFTED DUCK (1m, still with the female scaup. best seen from State Boat Ramp off Rt. 20, at the traffic light, just east of the Worcester/Shrewsbury line); Lesser Scaup (2f); C. Goldeneye (28); Hooded Merganser (2); E. Phoebe (1). (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

3/13/02 -- Rowley Hill, Sterling
There were 1 Cooper's hawk, 3 turkey vultures, 2 barred owls calling from the swamp, 8 bluebirds, 12 cedar waxwings, 1 red-bellied woodpecker, 4 brown creepers, and 2 golden-crowned kinglets. (report from Richard Spedding).

3/12/02 -- Princeton/Worcester
In the early afternoon, soaring above the common in Princeton Center was a Rough-legged hawk heading southwest. Later, at the Holden/Princeton line on Rt. 31, there was flock of 50 to 75 Robins in the field at Charlie Robinson's old farm. Around 4:00 p.m., just before the Kelly Square exit on 290 (South), a Red-tailed hawk was flushed from the thickets growing along the side of the road. (report from Steve Olson).

3/12/02 -- Westboro WMA, Westboro
Birding from Rte. 135 to Lake Chauncey and back, 1:30-3:30 p.m., Cloudy, light rain. It seems Westboro has opened a firing range for local police. The range is on DPW land that abuts the south end of the WMA. I could hear the staccato of gunfire throughout the entire walk and I suppose the birds could too. A Fox Sparrow that I observed on Sunday was not about today, but the following highlights were: Mute Swan, 3 (They're everywhere); Bufflehead, 2; Common Mergansers, 350+/-; Red-tailed Hawk, 1 resident; Great Black-backed Gull, 5; Hairy Woodpecker, 1; Northern Flicker, 1; Golden-crowned Kinglet, 1; Eastern Bluebird, 4; American Robin, 3; Cedar Waxwing, 3; American Tree Sparrow, 21+; Song Sparrow, 6; White-throated Sparrow, 13+; Red-winged Blackbird, 3; Common Grackle, 1; American Goldfinch, 12.
Woodcocks have been displaying for awhile at Westboro. One needs only to park their car in the lot up at the WMA Headquarters building and lean your head out the window, to hear their "peents." Or park and walk down the asphalt road,behind headquarters, about 1/2 hour before sunset. The other night, one bird called at 6:00 p.m. By 6:30, 10+ birds were calling. By 7, the fields were alive with displaying American Woodcocks. (report from Ann Boover).

3/12/02 -- Broad Meadow Brook Sanctuary, Worcester
Highlights on a walk along the Stretch this morning: Sharp-shinned Hawk (1 - see American Woodcock notes for details); AMERICAN WOODCOCK (1 - After I had flushed it down the trail several yards, it began to do a dance on the path, sticking its tail up with feathers spread. This did not last long, because out of the trees came a hawk and chased the woodcock. I am assuming that this was the Sharpie because I saw the Sharpie twice in the same area, once chasing the blackbirds leaving their roost and then, as I was leaving, perched.); Red-bellied Woodpecker (2); Hairy Woodpecker (2); American Robin (1); American Tree Sparrow (3); Song Sparrow (6); White-throated Sparrow (2); Dark-eyed Junco (1); Red-winged Blackbird (135); Common Grackle (2); Common Redpoll (22). (report from John Liller).

3/11/02 -- Maple St, West Boylston
There were 2 Fox Sparrows scratching under our feeder this morning. (report from Rick Quimby).

3/11/02 -- Worcester/shrewsbury/Grafton
The day started amusingly with 3 male Wild Turkeys checking out the full feeders this a.m. for about a 1/2 hour. This afternoon, I found 4 Ring-necked Duck(3D,1F) near Stringer Dam and 1 Great Cormorant on a dock at Lake Quinsigamond in Shrewsbury while looking from Bridle Path in Worcester.
The drake Tufted Duck was in Flint Pond (Shrewsbury) near the state boat ramp with 2 Lesser Scaup (1 immature drake/ 1 F). As I was leaving, 40 Common Redpolls were seen at the entrance (maybe the same ones seen by Jim Hogan recently).
I was feeling lucky so I proceeded to South Quinsig. Ave. and found the drake Northern Shoveler with 6 Wood Duck(3 prs.) as well as a Mute Swan. My next stop was at SUASCO, from the Fisher Street Bridge, I was able to see the adult Great Horned Owl moving in its nest. I headed to Fisherville Pond (Grafton) and saw 1 Belted Kingfisher, 115 Canada Geese, 89 Mallards and 7 American Black Ducks. Also in Grafton, from behind Charter Communications, there was a drake Gadwall among 8 Mallards. At Riverdale, from the street,there was a pair of Mute Swans. (report from Joan Zumpfe).

3/11/02 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
Observed at Barre Falls today were 1 Turkey Vulture, 1 adult Bald Eagle that landed in a tree along the river, 3 Red-tailed Hawks (migrating), 1 Red-shouldered Hawk (migrating) and 2 Ravens. (report from Bart Kamp).

3/11/02 -- Paxton
We had (have) what appears to be a single fox sparrow in our back yard; it showed up on saturday (3/9) late and has been thrashing through old piles of seeds in our back yard, standing on the ground and thrashing with its feet. (report from Michael Voorhis).

3/10/02 -- Blackstone National Corridor
We scoped a few ponds and waterways this morning in preparation for the intensive waterbird monitoring by several teams through out the entire Corridor in two weeks. We would have done more, but I m still very much in the recovery mode.
WOONSOCKET RESERVOIR, SMITHFIELD RI: GREAT BLUE HERON: at least 9 birds seen building at least 5 nests on the western shore, visible from the southern end of the dam (phone pole #31, Reservoir Road), looking straight across the water. This is a new rookery for the Corridor, and one of the very few in RI. Though the interior of the reservoir is posted as strictly off limits, I have often seen fishermen at this spot, so the rookery may eventually be abandoned); Mute Swan (3); Canada Goose (23); Mallard (3); A. Black Duck 92); Ring-necked Duck (5); Buffelhead (2); C. Goldeneye (4); Common Merganser (36); Ruddy Duck (1); Red-tailed Hawk (1); Ring-billed Gull (9); Herring Gull (17); Great Black-backed Gull (7); E. Bluebird (2)
WOONASQUATUCKET RESERVOIR, SMITHFIELD RI: Canada Goose (19); Wood Duck (4); Mallard (20); Ring-necked Duck (5); Buffelhead (2); Common Merganser (2); Turkey Vulture (2); Belted Kingfisher (1); Red-bellied Woodpecker (2); Cedar Waxwing (flock of 58)
GEORGIAVILLE POND, SMITHFIELD RI: Canada Goose (7); Mallard (9); Ring-necked Duck (1); Common Merganser (2)
SEEKONK RIVER (FROM PROVIDENCE RI SIDE): Great Cormorant (7 all adult breeding); Double-crested Cormorant (1); Mute Swan (9); Mallard (21); A. Black Duck (71); Bufflehead (50); Common Goldeneye (4); Common Merganser (7); Bonaparte's Gull (29); Black-headed Gull (2adW); Ring-billed Gull (280); Herring Gull (97); Great Black-backed Gull (17); Belted Kingfisher (1); Fish Crow (1)
INDIA POINT, RI (southern end of the Corridor and very northern tip of Providence River) Great Cormorant (4); Mute Swan (6); American Wigeon (13); Mallard (8); A. Black Duck (11); Greater Scaup (17); Red-breasted Merganser (4); Red-tailed Hawk (1)
PRATT POND, NORTH SMITHFIELD (this small pond is just south of the MA border on the east side of Rt. 146) Mute Swan (pair nesting)
MEADOW POND, NORTHBRIDGE MA: Canada Goose (588: this is likely mostly the same birds that overwintered in the area. The odd goose with the all white body is still present); Ring-necked Duck (1); Bufflehead (2); C. Goldeneye (4); Hooded Merganser (2); Common Merganser (7);
ARCADE POND, NORTHBRIDGE MA: Canada Goose (6); Hooded Merganser (5); Ruddy Duck (4)
CARPENTER RESERVOIR, NORTHBRIDGE, MA: Canada Goose (68); Ring-necked Duck (8)
RIVERDALE CROSSING OF BLACKSTONE RIVER, NORTHBRIDGE, MA: BTW: The bridge here looks like it is finally in the midst of being repaired, which will mean much more traffic. Mute Swan (2); Common Merganser (13); Turkey Vulture (3); Great Black-backed Gull (2adW)
FISHERVILLE POND, GRAFTON MA(north impoundment only. This is now flooed again and looks great for ducks) Canada Goose (10); Mallard (113); A. Black Duck (6); Red-tailed Hawk (1). (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll)

3/9/02 -- Gardner
On staurday morning at the Gardner Airport there were 3 Horned Larks and a single Snow Bunting. The Horned Larks are more than likely the local breeders, as 2 were acting territorial (i.e. "putting on a flight display and even pursued the Snow Bunting).
I checked some pond in the area, I don't have the data here,but there were a few C. Goldeneyes, a single Bufflehead, Common Mergs. and a few Ring-necked Ducks in the area.
Near Plant Road on the Templeton/Gardner town line I heard a singing Carolina Wren. numbers of this species appear to be increasing with this year's mild winter. I've had 4 or 5 sightings in the general area this winter, I'm sure if I spent more time doing city/in town birding more would be found. (report from Tom Pirro).

3/9/02 -- Douglas
We started well before dawn in Douglas (part of the Blackstone National Corridor) listening for owls and did surprsingly well. A. Woodcock (1); Great Horned Owl (7: VERY vocal this AM); Barred Owl (3); N. Saw-whet Owl (3: two of these were extremely vocal and were found in the exact same areas where we found them on January 1. These spots look like ideal nesting habitat). As day broke: lots of common bird song that included: Carolina Wren (1); Pine Siskin (2); N. Cardinal (30); Song Sparrow (19);
After the fog cleared: WHITIN RESERVOIR, DOUGLAS Mallard (4); Bufflehead (2); C. Goldeneye (22); Common Merganser (10);
LAKE MANCHAUG, SUTTON: Canada Goose (2); Mallard (2); Bufflehead (2); Common Merganser (51); Ring-billed Gull (92); Herring Gull (19); Great Black-backed Gull (3);
On the way back home on Rt. 146 in Millbury: Turkey Vulture (3). (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

3/9/02 -- Hodges Village, Oxford
Highlights today: Turkey Vulture 1; Wood Duck 1; Northern Pintail 2 (pair); Hooded Merg 3; Northern Flicker 1; Common Raven 3; Winter Wren 1 (singing); Eastern Bluebird 8; Rusty Blackbird 6*** These birds have been spending the entire winter here. (report from Paul Meleski).

3/8/02 -- Sherborn
Searched for woodcock last night (3/7), and heard one just after dark. Tonight, just before dark, I left early and made the 3 minute walk from my home to where I'd heard it. After waiting a few minutes, I heard a peent in a wet depression just off some train tracks (active) --not more than 15 feet away. I was so close I could hear a slight whistle each time before the actual peent. I then heard about six others peenting nearby. I saw one, then another, take off and circle overhead. I lost them in the darkening sky, but I could hear them making a high-pitched tittering or "smooching" noise while flying in a circle. Did not see them come back down. >From then on, I heard no more peenting, but did hear a symphony of those smooching sounds from the wooded areas all around where I was. Sounded like a bunch of teen-agers at a make-out party! Went there the next two nights, and did not see or hear much. Saw four wild turkeys and a bat. (report from George Moore).

3/8/02 -- Broad Meadow Brook Sanctuary, Worcester
Highlights of a walk along the Brookside Loop were 24 Redpolls at the junction of North Link and Cardinal trails and a Golden-crowned Kinglet at the southerly end of the brook. No Tree Swallows or Phoebes yet. Nothing in the pond except a few Red-winged Blackbirds and a few Grackles hanging about. Highlights of a foggy Saturday morning walk from the center out Sprague Lane Trail to the power lines were two very vocal male Red-bellied Woodpeckers. Otherwise, the usual crew. (report from Howard Shainheit).

3/7/02 -- Cumberland, RI
Needing to get out and do SOME birding, if only from the car, we did a pre-dawn woodcock survey in northern Cumberland, RI, part of the Blackstone National Corridor. The distribution of woodcock in RI is not well documented, and they are considered a species which are dramatically declining in that state. In about an hour we totaled (30) American Woodcock, most around two large areas of fields and woodlots: one being the Ballou District (corner of West Wrentham Road and Pine Swamp Road) and the other area which had even more birds were the fields along Burnt Swamp Road. Both of these areas look like they could be developed soon. Also heard were (3) Eastern Screech Owls and (2) Great Horned Owls.
At Diamond Hill Reservoir an estimated 2000+ gulls could be dimly seen on the water and wheeling low over the water before dawn. Just before the sun actually broke the horizon, these gulls rapidly streamed off directly south and overhead. I estimated that 1500+ were Ring-billeds, 500+ Herring and about 50+ Great Black-backs. Also at the reservoirs: Mute Swan (5); Canada Goose (35); Green-winged Teal (2); Mallard (12); C. Goldeneye (14); Hooded Merganser (3); Common Merganser (39); Killdeer (2); Belted Kingfisher (2);
SNEETCH POND: Canada Goose (56); Green-winged Teal (2); Common Merganser (2). By 7 AM it was time to head home and rest. (report from Mark Lynch).

3/3/02 -- Rocky Narrows Trustees of Reservations Property, Sherborn
Took advantage of the 60-degree temps..4 Common Mergs in Farm Pond, and 8 Ring-necked ducks in little Farm Pond. Near the Charles River, saw three red-tailed hawks (one being mobbed by crows), one brown creeper, lots of bluebirds, lots of goldfinches, a belted kingfisher zipping back and forth across the river, a number of red-winged blackbirds, including two earlier under my feeders (I live nearby). Also flushed a grouse or a quail from a thicket. (report from George Moore).

3/3/02 -- Dudley Ponds, Dudley
There were not many ducks around. In all the ponds I checked, there were: a pair of Hood Mergs., 3 pairs of Common Mergs., 3 Ring-necked Ducks(2D, 1 F), and 2 pairs of Green-winged Teal. The shore at Wallis Pond where I saw 3 Killdeer yesterday has disappeared because of the last night's rain. (report from Joan Zumpfe).

3/3/02 -- Pierpont Meadow Wildlife Refuge, Dudley
I saw three Hooded Mergansers in the pond on the east side of Marsh Road at the Pierpont Meadow Wildlife Refuge in Dudley this afternoon. There was also a beaver swimming about. I also saw a Ruffed Grouse in the backyard of my house on the Oxford/Charlton line. (report from Robert Brady).

3/3/02 -- Quaboag Pond, Brookfield
During a very brief visit to Quaboag Pond in Brookfield we saw 2 adult Bald Eagles perched along the back shore and one BASIC III type Bald fishing right in front of us. We saw an eagle nest, also against the back, but did not see either eagle enter. Last year a pair constructed a nest here but raised no young. We heard that they have constructed a new nest this year and hopefully will complete the nesting this year. Best views are still from the parking lot/boat launch but a scope is necessary. A pair of Red-tails were also noted. Strangely, there were very few ducks present: (2) Mallards and (3) Common Mergansers. Most inland ponds are pretty much open and boats are out on many, so waterfowl are on the move. (report from Mark Lynch).

3/02/02 -- Dudley Ponds
This afternoon in the Dudley ponds there were 11 drake Ring-necked Duck, 12 Hooded Mergansers and 3 killdeer. Also, there were 2 Turkey Vutures in Oxford near the Webster line, seen from rte. 395. (report from Joan Zumpfe).

For previous sightings, see February 2002 Archives or Archive Index