March 2011 Central Mass Bird Sightings

Sightings are listed in reverse chronological order. The email address of birders submitting reports, as well as other Central Massachusetts birding info can be found via the Central Mass Bird Update homepage.

Bird News:

ONGOING -- Asian Longhorned Beetle Information
3/23/11 -- Richard Crossley on his new bird ID guide, on WICN

Bird Sightings:

3/30/11 -- St. Philips Cemetery, Grafton

Pileated wood pecker is in nest hole in the back of wide snag to the left of the Great Blue Heron's nests. Three Great Blue Herons in the nesting tree today. I had 2 wood ducks, 4 hooded merganser, 8 mallards, 3 canada geese, 2 mute swans, 1 belted kingfisher and 12 tree swallows. Also two blue birds, 2 flicker, many robins, red winged black birds, grackles and song sparrows. (report from Susan Labree).

3/30/11 -- Grafton Center

I was greeted by a loud oo-eek this morning as I opened my back door at 6:45 am, and thought that I had just flushed the largest flicker on the planet from my yard. When I looked to my left, however, I noticed a pair of wood ducks alighting in a large silver maple tree in my neighbor's yard. This is the second time in the past three springs that I have had migrating wood ducks perched in trees in my yard, located high and dry, "up on the hill" in Grafton Center. (report from Scott Jordan).

3/28/11 -- Eastern Worcester County

Some highlights from spots in eastern Worcester county, birding from 8-4:

Upton-my yard: Cooper's Hawk-1 calling from nest area; Red-shouldered Hawk-1 making usual territorial racket. He needs to make sure all the other birds know our yard is his yard; Phoebe-1; Siskin-1; Raven-1;

Upton-Upton State Forest-Warren Brook area: Siskin-30; Golden-crowned Kinglet-2; R-b Nuthatch-3; Raven-1

Grafton-Miscoe Brook/silver lake: Green-winged Teal-6; Wood Duck-4; Hooded Merganser-6; Eastern Towhee-1 this is my usual early spot for them.

Milford-Cedar Swamp Pond(aka Milford Pond): Ring-necked Duck-140; Green-winged Teal-1; C. Goldeneye-2

Upton-Upton State Forest+Tension Wires area Wood Ducks-7; Raven-2 calling from nest area; Pileated Woodpecker-2 m/f excavating a nest and territorial drumming.

Westboro/Northboro-Westboro WMA including both Big and Little Chauncy Ponds and the fields and swamps in between. Big Chauncy is 90% frozen and Little Chauncy is 10% frozen. Common Merganser-140-mostly males, all on Little Chauncy as Big Chauncy is still mostly frozen. Estimate counted by fives; Wild Turkey-4; American Bittern-1-Flushed from Little Chauncy Pond marsh, made its squark flight call. Saw the dark outer wing feathers and lighter feathers of the rest of its body. Flew towards the NE corner of Little Chauncy; Belted Kingfisher-1f-While I was sitting on the shore of Big Chauncy she landed 10 feet away from me and gave me a good scolding then finally decided to find another perch; American Crow-95-Very large group between little chauncy the main fields and the woods in between. most where eating sumac; Fox Sparrow-5-red; A. Tree Sparrow-7; Ring-billed Gull-280/Herring Gull-100/Great Black-backed Gull-35 Largest concentration of gulls I have ever had here. I counted the total of all the gulls one by one then estimated the species make up. All age types were represented for in the three common species. This was the highest total of Great blackbacked gulls I have ever had anywhere in westboro/northboro area. Normally we have 1-4. No unusual gulls seen today. Several with wing bands I could not read in the wind.

Westboro-Mill Pond(aka A1 site/Suasco res.): Osprey-1 adding sticks to the nest already; Phoebe-1; Mute Swan-30; Bufflehead-6; H. Merganser-6; C. Merganser-30; Ring-necked Duck-50; Turkey Vulture-5.
(report from Nick Paulson).

3/28/11 -- Northboro/Westboro

Today at litle Chauncey Pond, just over the lined from Northboro, we watched a magnificant Bald Eagle for about 15 munutes. He was driving a flock of over 50 American Crows crazy and the mixed (Ring-billed and Herring) Gull flock of about 100 was not too pleased either. There was also about 50 Common Mergansers. Other highlights were Wood Duck 2; Great Blue Heron 1; Northern Flicker 1; Eastern Bluebird ; Fox Sparrow ; Song Sparrow ; White-throated Sparrow ; Dark-eyed Junco . (report from Jim & Kathie Hogan).

3/28/11 -- Broad Meadow Brook Sanctuary, Worcester

Around noon there was a singing E. Phoebe on the northern part of the sanctuary. (report from Rick Quimby).

3/27/11 -- Brookfields

On the Forbush Bird Club trip, 11 cold people ventured through the Brookfields and Orlando's in Charlton. 44 species were found with some interesting highlights including 2 Iceland Gulls at Orlandos, 1 horned and 1 pied-billed grebe at Lake Quaboag, 21 Wood Ducks, 142 Ring-necked Ducks, 42 Green-winged Teal (2 at lake Wickabog, 40 at the stump pond in Warren), 6 Buffle head, 28 Hooded and 42 Common Merganmsers, an adult Bald eagle eating a fish close to shore at Quaboag, 1 Red-Shouldered hawk, 5 Tree Swallows and 2 Rusty Blackbirds. I found 1 Iceland Gull(2nd year) at Orlando's on Friday and the Horned Grebe has been present at lake Quaboag for at least a week. The Iceland Gulls, Red Shoulder and Horned Grebe were a first for this trip that I've been leading for 20+ years!. Here is the complete species list. (report from Rodney Jenkins).

3/26/11 -- Sterling/West Boylston

Quick stop at Sterling Peat at 6pm: 100+ Ring-necked ducks, 4 Bufflehead, 3 Green-winged teal, 5 Hooded mergansers, Belted kingfisher and two large beavers

At Thomas basin (Wachusett Reservoir) had 5 Common Mergansers and 4 River Otter.

The Great Blue herons are back at the rookery on Rt. 12 on the W. Boylston/Sterling border.
(report from Alex Dunn).

3/26/11 -- South Quabbin/Brookfields

A small group birded SOUTH QUABBIN/QUABBIN PARK today. The main body of the reservoir is still 90% ice covered and it was cold and very breezy at times, making it feel like we had skipped back a month or so. Highlights: Turkey Vulture (7); Canada Goose (3); Wood Duck (12); Hooded Merganser (14); Common Merganser (pair); Bald Eagle (1 on nest); Killdeer (2); Belted Kingfisher (1); Red-bellied Woodpecker (3); Eastern Phoebe (1); Tree Swallow (1); Common Raven (pair w/1 on nest); Eastern Bluebird (6); Tree Sparrow (3); Fox Sparrow (2 singing); Dark-eyed Junco (40+);

Later, we made 2 stops in the Brookfields: Turkey Vulture (1); Mallard (8); Ring-necked Duck (13); Bufflehead (pair); Hooded Merganser (17); Common Merganser (14: some being kleptoparasitized by Ring-billed Gulls); Bald Eagle (1ad); Sharp-shinned Hawk (1)
(report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll)

3/26/11 -- Mumford River, Sutton

This morning on the Mumford River by the 4 corners in Manchaug I had a male Belted kingfisher. (report from Michael Joubert).

3/25/11 -- Oxford

This afternoon around 4.00 at Market Basket Oxford there were 9 Fish Crows feeding in the parking lot. (report from Michael Joubert).

3/25/11 -- Lancaster

At about noon today I made a quick stop to see the Snow Geese that have been reported in Lancaster. I saw them in a field off of Langen Road, close to George Hill Road. With them was distinctly smaller, dark goose with a white face patch that I am pretty sure is a Barnacle Goose. Unfortunately I only had my binoculars with me and the bird was well out into the field and I would like to have confirmed my id with a look through the scope. (report from Chuck Caron).

Note added 3/25

3/23/11 -- Bolton Flats, Lancaster

Along Rt 117, North Side, there was a Male and Female Pintail this AM. (report from Peter Morlock).

3/23/11 -- Sterling Peat, Sterling

Today from 12:00pm-12:45pm I stopped at the Sterling Peat. Notable species I had were 5 Common Mergansers, 5 Hooded Mergansers, 2 Bufflehead both males, 27 Ring-necked Ducks, 6 Common Goldeneye, 10 Green-winged Teal (American), 2 Wood Duck, and 2 Fox Sparrows.

I also stopped today at Dexter's Drumlin in Lancaster at about 3:20pm -4pm to see the Snow Geese . There were 18 individuals, one of which was a blue morph. (report and photo from Jessica Johnson)

3/22/11 -- Westboro/Upton

I birded Mill Pond (aka A1 site / Suasco Reservoir) in Westboro today at dusk from 6:20-7pm, with a few surprise ducks. Mill Pond has been slow for ducks the past few years so this year has been a nice change for the better. Canada Goose-2; Mute Swan-15; Wood Duck-8; Mallard-6; Canvasback-6 (Surprise birds 2m/4f. First time I have seen canvasbacks on any Westboro area pond); Ring-necked Duck-90 (mostly males. numbers continue to grow); Surf Scoter-1 male (Surprise bird. More often seen in the fall. I usually only see them on Big Chauncy pond but it is still mostly frozen); Bufflehead-8; Hooded Merganser-9; Common Merganser-115 (more males than females. They were flying in constantly to spend the night on the pond); Bald Eagle - One third year bird eating a fish.

Also in Upton yesterday (3/21), I had a Raven collecting nesting material along East Street near the Tension Wires. Two weeks ago I had two Ravens here doing courtship displays. SO they are definitely nesting here. Another pair continues to visit our yard as well. This other pair I believe nests in Hopkington though. Also along the tension wires in Upton: Fox Sparrow-4 (3 were normal red ones. One was like the other red ones but the dot in the center of the chest was black with red streaking around it); E. Towhee-3 (2 females/1 male); Siskin-8; C. Redpoll-4; Purple Finch-1; Junco-30.
(report from Nickilas Paulson).

3/22/11 -- Bartlett Pond, Northboro

This morning there was a Male & Female Gadwall at the boat launch on Lyman St. There were 35+ Ring-necked Ducks there also. (report from Peter Morlock).

3/22/11 -- Dexter Drumlin, Lancaster

This afternoon, Donna Schilling and I saw a flock of 15 Snow Geese with 400+ Canada Geese at Dexter Drumlin in Lancaster. (report from Alan Marble).

3/22/11 -- Paradise Pond, Princeton

Saw a mature bald eagle this morning at the still mostly frozen Paradise Pond in Princeton. The bird was flying parallel to me along Rt 31, about 50 feet above the pond before banking left right over me and peeling off to the west-northwest. This bird is likely spending the day due west-northwest at Wachusett Lake or Wyamn Pond.

3/21/11 -- Off Salisbury Street, Worcester

The first day of spring brought two northbound migrants at our feeders: 2 Common Redpolls and 1 Fox Sparrow. The Fox Sparrow was busy excavating snow from a patch of our herb garden. (report from Lisa Hennin).

3/21/11 -- Northboro

For several evenings we have been hearing (but not seeing) Woodcock on our wetlands. Last evening (3/20) we saw as well as heard them. We saw them in flight and peenting as they sat on soggy tufts in our small marsh. This morning we had 3 Fox Sparrows at our feeders and they are still there (@ 2 PM). Seemed that spring cannot be far away, and then the snow began. (report from Jim & Kathie Hogan).

3/20/11 -- Chaffin Pond, Holden

From 6:30am - 6:30pm, south end of Chaffin pond, the earliest sighting was a Barred Owl being mobbed by crows. Then (2) common mergansers (male and female, mating), (6) hooded mergansers, (22) golden eye (amazing courtship displays), (18) bufflehead, (3) ring-necked ducks, (16) wood ducks, (12) black ducks, (3) mallards, (1) red tailed hawk, (1) red bellied woodpecker, (30+) red winged black birds, juncos, cardinals, sparrows (song, tree, white throated, fox), (2) woodcock, and the resident muskrat. (report from Scott and Rubina Corazzini).

3/20/11 -- Boylston

Kevin Delacey observed a pair of immature eagles in flight today over Route 140 in Boylston. The swooping, chasing and cartwheels lasted nearly 15". (report from Paul Dufault).

3/19/11 -- Clinton/West Boylston

This afternoon at Coachlace Pond in Clinton (~50% open water) there were 40 ring-necked ducks, a goldeneye pair, 5 buffleheads and 5 mallards. In West Boylston on Wachusett in Thomas Basin there were 5 common mergs. (report from Jean Holm).

3/19/11 -- Monson/Brookfields

We did some serious owling Saturday pre-dawn (out at 3AM-dawn); in an atlas block in MONSON. And had the following: Great Horned Owl (6); Barred Owl (4: some great duetting); E Screech Owl (2: great find as their distribution between Worcester County to the Valley is not well documented); N Saw-whet Owl (only 2. This is a very low showing compared to the habitat present. Too much moonlight?); American Woodcock (3: VERY low. Most have not returned to the still snowy highlands yet); PLUS: A FISHER hunting along a forest road; Striped Skunk, but not a single Spring Peeper: not out yet in many areas of the interior);

In the daylight of early morning we atlased some blocks in Holland and Wales. Nothing earth shattering but did have an adult BALD EAGLE on the ice of Hamilton Reservoir.

On the way home surveyed a few ponds in the BROOKFIELDS. All are still mostly ice-covered, but where there was open water, there were migrant waterfowl: Turkey Vulture (2); Canada Goose (13); Wood Duck (2); Mallard (24); Ring-necked Duck (89); Bufflehead (9); Common Goldeneye (16); Hooded Merganser (12); Common Merganser (12); Bald Eagle (1ad); Wilson's Snipe (3); Tree Swallow (4); Among the hundreds of Ring-billed Gulls on the ice there was 1 ad LESSER-BACK-BACKED GULL; Common Raven (1); Weirdest sighting: Sheila stopping traffic in mid-morning on Rt 9 to let a MUSKRAT cross at the crosswalk.
(report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll)

3/19/11 -- Swedish cemetery, Worcester

An immature bald eagle was seen at Swedish cemetary off Hope Ave, and also the usual ducks: common mergs, hooded mergs, green winged teal. (report from Paul Dufault).

3/17/11 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre

Raptors migrating today: Turkey Vulture 4 ; Cooper's Hawk 1 ; Red-tailed Hawk 4 . Raptor Observations: Not migrating 3-4 Redtails and a pair of Northern Goshawks. Non-raptor Observations: 1 Bluebird and 1 Tree Swallow that circled the Bluebird boxes a few times. (report from Bart Kamp).

3/17/11 -- Village of Manchaug, Sutton

At 6:45 I had a first of year Pine Warbler at my suet feeder in my yard. (report from Michael Joubert).

3/15/11 -- Dudley

Yesterday I was wondering when I would see my first spring American Robin on a house lawn. Well, this afternoon my wish came true in Dudley. I believe the winter of our discontent is finally over. (report from Joan Zumpfe).

3/14/11 -- Sutton

This morning near the 4 corners on Whitens Road Sutton I had an American Woodcock fly right in front of the car -- I don't know how we missed hitting it. Also at Atlas Box and Crating on the North bound side of 146 in Sutton, I had a Killdeer calling . At my feeders I now have 5 Fox Sparrows, (report from Michael Joubert).

3/13/11 -- Princeton

I finally got great looks at my first FOX SPARROW at my parent's feeder in Princeton today. Pretty Bird!! (report from Susan LaBree).

3/13/11 -- Sterling

Recently we've been seeing a flock of 28 turkeys wander our woods. Today, in our neighbor's front yard, was a large flock of turkeys with 5 males simultaneously standing around with their tails fanned. (report from Stan Selkow).

3/13/11 -- Wachusett Reservoir basin, West Boylston/Sterling

From Thomas St. in W. Boylston in the Wachusett reservoir basin there were 3 Common Mergansers f/m, 1 Common Goldeneye m

At Sterling Peat there were 2 Hooded Mergansers.
(report from Alex Dunn).

3/13/11 -- Douglas

This afternoon, in the wide area of the Mumford River across from the old woolen mill on Gilboa Street, I saw a pair of wood ducks, a pair of common mergansers, and a pair of mute swans. (report from Mary Sughrue-Yacino).

3/13/11 -- Monson/Brookfields

This morning we did some Atlas scouting in MONSON 4, which is mostly in the town of Monson, east of Rt. 32. The habitat contains large areas of preserved forest, conifer and mixed);) wooded swamps, and fields and is all rather hilly.

Birds recorded: Turkey Vulture (12); Canada Goose (152); Wood Duck (8); Mallard (11); Green-winged Teal (4); Hooded Merganser (10); Bald eagle (ad pr in suitable nesting habitat, but no sign of a nest that we could see); Red-tailed Hawk (2); Killdeer (6); Ring-billed (35+ all ad in a flooded field); Rock Pigeon (4); Morning Dove (8); Red-bellied Woodpecker (11: 1 in nest hole calling continuously, periodically sticking it's head out and also calling response from close by); Downy Woodpecker (7); Hairy Woodpecker (2); Pileated Woodpecker (4); Blue Jay (84: noticeable movement of small flocks north and west all morning); American Crow (26); Common Raven (pair plus another 1); Black-capped Chickadee (72); Tufted Titmouse (42); Red-breasted Nuthatch (4); White-breasted Nuthatch (13); Carolina Wren (3); Eastern Bluebird (4); American Robin (333); E Starling (113); Cedar Waxwing (23: single flock); Song Sparrow (37); Dark-eyed Junco (67); N Cardinal (46); Red-winged Blackbird (262: migrating flocks, but also many males on territory); Common Grackle (237); Brown-headed Cowbird (10); House Finch (21); House Sparrow (81);

On the way home we made a few stops in the QUABOG IBA in the Brookfields. NB: Some of the roads are closed due to flooding, esp. the road that runs alongside Lake Quabog. The four large ponds are still mostly ice-covered. Highlights: Common Loon (1 ad flying overhead, north); HORNED GREBE (1 on the Quabog River); Turkey Vulture (1); Mute Swan (2); Canada Goose (70); Wood Duck (2); Mallard (17); A Black Duck (4); Ring-necked Duck (25); Common Merganser (17); Bald Eagle (2ad); Red-tailed Hawk (4)
(report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

3/13/11 -- West Millbury

A Fox Sparrow showed up under my feeders at about 3:30 this afternoon. (report from Alan Marble).

3/13/11 -- Sutton

Today among the regulars at my feeders I had 3 Fox Sparrows. Mixed in with the Pine Siskins I had 5 Common Redpolls. Also had 3 Male Redwing Blackbirds and 1 female. Also had 7 House Finches, 5 males and 2 females. I have not seen any around here for a while, (report from Michael Joubert).

3/13/11 -- Gardner

A flock of Bohemian waxwings in excess of 200 birds has been circulating thru the Heritage Village section of South Gardner this AM. We got a chance to study them pretty well right from our living room and could find only one Cedar amongst them. Incredible show. (report from Dick Knowlton).

3/13/11 -- Bolton Flats, Bolton

I checked Bolton Flats this morning, and as might be expected, hip waders are needed to get in there. The fields are flooded, and the access roads have standing water generally 0.5-2.0 feet deep. Highlights were 3+ Great Blue Heron, 2 Mute Swan, 600+ Canada Geese, ~30 Green-winged Teal, 3 Am. Black Ducks, 2 Gadwall, 6 Hooded Mergansers, 2 Red-tailed Hawk, 1 Rough-legged Hawk (light phase), 8 Song Sparrow (singing), 800+ Red-winged Blackbird, 2000+ Common Grackle (the blackbirds and grackles flew over in large flocks, headed South). Also, I watched a coyote for some time, while it chased some ducks (no luck!), but then did find something and carried it away (looked like it wanted to bury it), clenched in its jaws. (report from Rick Quimby).

3/12/11 -- Grafton

We are over 100 Redpolls! (report from John Liller).

3/12/11 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre

Raptors migrating today: Turkey Vulture 4 ; Bald Eagle 2 ; Cooper's Hawk 3 ; Red-shouldered Hawk 2 ; Red-tailed Hawk 15 . Raptor Observations: Not migrating 3-4 Turkey Vultures, 2 Red-tailed Hawks Non-raptor Observations: Ravens, Killdeer, 2 Horned Larks and 1 Porcupine. (report from Bart Kamp).

3/11/11 -- Sutton

This Morning on Whitens Road, just before Putnam Hill road in Sutton, I had 7 Wild Turkeys; all appeared to be hens . (report from Michael Joubert).

3/10/11 -- Shrewsbury

Killdeer were seen and heard off Lake St., in the early evening. (report from Kathy Van Schoick).

3/10/11 -- Grafton/Upton

Finally heard a screech owl trilling in my yard last night (3/9) -- still hoping that they may breed again in my nest box in Grafton Center. Also, saw a beautiful BUFFLEHEAD drake with a pair of hoodies in the small pond at the corner of Williams Street and Route 140 in Upton this afternoon. (report from Scott Jordan).

3/10/11 -- Northboro

Highlights in our yard were : Turkey Vulture 1; Red-bellied Woodpecker; White-throated Sparrow; Dark-eyed Junco ; Common Redpoll 1 (had 1 confirmed Redpoll, but saw 6 Redpoll sized birds quickly fly over us. Not a good id.); Pine Siskin 8; (report from Jim & Kathie Hogan)

3/9/11 -- Sterling

Heard a "peenting" Am. Woodcock today at the small DCR parcel on Fairbanks Rd. in Sterling. (report from Alex Dunn).

3/9/11 -- Sterling

There's a flock of at least 20 Common Redpolls around my feeder in Sterling. (report from Stan Selkow).

3/9/11 -- North Brookfield

I was a little surprised to see a Phoebe this morning at the Sewer Plant. Ties my earliest ever record for a presumed non-wintering Phoebe. (report from Rodney Jenkins)

3/8/11 -- Leesville Pond/All Faiths Cemetery, Auburn/Worcester

Today's sightings included 4 male and 3 female green-winged teal ducks, a great blue heron, numerous hooded mergansers and common mergansers. (report from Joan Crowell).

3/6/11 -- Uxbridge area

Some Duck highlights from birding around my area this morning:

Mill Pond Upton - 1 Wood Duck

Rice City Pond Uxbridge - 111 Canada Geese; 8 Black Ducks; 2 Ring-necked Ducks; 2 Mute Swans; 2 Common Mergansers; 18 Mallards; 2 Green-winged Teal; 2 Turkey Vultures

Whiten Pond Uxbridge - 2 Mute Swans; 11 Common Mergansers; 1 Ring-necked Duck; 2 Buffleheads; 2 Hooded Mergansers; 6 Mallards; 1 Ruddy Duck female

Meadow Pond Northbridge - 7 Common Mergansers; 2 Mute Swans; 6 Mallards

The river next to Riverside Cemetary in Grafton - 2 Hooded Mergansers

Warren Brook Fowler Street Upton - 2 Black Ducks (report from Nickilas Paulson).

3/6/11 -- Westminster

Today at least 70 Bohemian Waxwings were present at High Ridge WMA at the end of Overlook Rd. in Westminster, the location where Nick P.(Thank You Nick!) had them yesterday. Historically, this has been a good location for BOWA's, and in speaking to a few folks walking their dogs, I learned that the waxwings have also been present at other locations in the wildlife management area (take a left just inside the Overlook Gate...which would lead to more fields), and likely have been there for a while. Also, 16 Common Redpolls and a Common Grackel) flew over the waxwing location...TV's were soaring in the distance.

Yesterday morning (3/5) there was a 1st year type Iceland Gull on Saw Mill Pond on the Westminster/Fitchburg border, near the intersection of Rtes 2 and 31. ..it was also there on the 4th. There are good numbers of large gull species in the general area, attracted by the Westminster/Fitchburg Landfill.
(report from Tom Pirro).

3/6/11 -- Quabbin Park

Highlights from a trip to SOUTH QUABBIN/QUABBIN PARK this morning included: Canada Goose (12); Hooded Merganser (2); Common Merganser (2); Sharp-shinned Hawk (1); Bald Eagle (pair at nest); Ring-billed Gull (6); Red-bellied Woodpecker (2); Pileated Woodpecker (1: flew right overhead again while scoping from the Administration Building); Brown Creeper (1);

NB: there is a deer carcass RIGHT in front of the Administration Building. It has been there since Thursday. Today. 1 of the pair of nesting eagles flew in and began to feed offering great views and photographic opportunities. On a more distant carcass, scope needed, we witnessed a large FISHER shoo off a Coyote.

Previously we were at WORCESTER AIRPORT, terminal side. The Snow Bunting show continues with several large flocks wheeling about, sometimes landing in the parking lot, but mostly spending time feeding on the muddy/grassy edges of the runways. Numbers were very difficult to estimate but we believe there were minimally 250+ buntings and 1 LAPLAND LONGSPUR, which was visible only a small part of the time. We had NO Horned Larks, which up until last weekend, were also wintering at the airport in good numbers. No sign of any winter finches or waxwings of either species.
(report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

3/6/11 -- Worcester

I checked some Worcester ponds this morning from 9:30-11:00, with highlights:

All Faiths Cemetery: GC Kinglet 2, Mute Swan 3, Ring-necked Duck 2 (m), Hooded Merganser 7, Common Merganser ~20, N. Pintail 1 (m), C Grackle 3, R-winged Blackbird ~4

Notre Dame cemetery: Hooded Merg 5, Wood Duck 5, RW Blackbird 4

Worcester Airport: Snow Bunting 10+ (flew over without landing). There was light rain, and a commercial flight took off (yes, it actually IS an airport), reducing the chances of seeing more.

Institute Park: Common Merg 10, Hooded Merg 7, Mute Swan 2, C Grackle 10 (starting chase flights now)
(report from Rick Quimby).

3/5/11 -- Turner's Falls

Today I stopped by New Salem center...I missed the Bohemian Waxwings, but did run into the Hampshire Bird Club members (Jose et al).

Turner's Falls Rod and Gun Club: Mute Swan 21; Ring-necked Duck 17; Redhead 1 (Drake); Common goldeneye 1; Common Merganser 12; Hooded Merganser 4

Turner's Falls/ Barton's Cove area: Turkey Vulture 4 or 5; Bald Eagle 3 ... being nuisances by chasing off the roosting gulls at least 3 times; Merlin 1 .... another "nuiscance"..chasin off the waxwings a few times; Cooper's Hawk 1 or 2; Glaucous Gull 2 (both 1st year type, one very pale the other a bit darker...the 2nd bird did not come in until later in the afternoon); Iceland Gull 1 year type; Cedar Waxwing ~260

Erving: Turkey Vulture 12 over rte 2; Small numbers of Red-winged Blackbirds were wide spread.
(report from Tom Pirro).

3/5/11 -- Worcester

There was a flock of 60 + Snow Bunting and a few Horned Lark at the Worcester Airport this morning.

At Notre Dame I saw 4 Hooded Merganser, 3 Common Merganser and heard many Red winged Blackbirds. Boy did that sound great.

At All Faiths cemetery: 6 Hooded Merganser, 15 Common Merganser, 4 Black Duck and 1 N. Pintail.
(report from John Shea).

3/5/11 -- Worcester county

I did a large loop through Worcester county today, birding parts of Upton, Westboro, Northboro, Marlboro, Boylston, West Boylston, Clinton, Bolton, Lancaster, Harvard, Westminster, Gardner, Hubbardston, Rutland, Oakham, paxton, Leicester and Worcester. I started at 6am and ended at Worcester Airport at 4pm. Overall I had 43 total species. I had no real plan to start, other than starting at Westboro WMA and going to Bolton Flats WMA. after that I just followed my instincts. Some deep woods spots literally had Zero birds even with 30 minutes hiking there. Here are some of the Highlight birds:

9 Wood Ducks - at Bart's Pond in Clinton

2 Ring-necked Ducks - Bart's Pond and Northboro golf course

Northern Harrier - Juvenile at Worcester Airport

Rough-legged hawk - Dark phase at Worcester Airport

Many Turkey Vultures all over, including 7 at Bolton Flats.

Ring-necked Pheasant - Bolton Flats - assumed stocked.

Pileated Woodpecker - High Ridge WMA, Cold Brook Road Oakham

Lots of Bluebirds at several locations

85 Bohemian Waxings at High Ridge WMA in Westminster from the end of Overlook Road entrance. The birds were in the second field in the crabapple tree and also in the woods between the 1st and 2nd field drinking in the river. Admittedly this was a great random prediction. I figured they have been here in years past and with all the reports out west I hoped there was a good shot they would be here again.

Cedar Waxwing - Worcester Airport

75 Snow Buntings - Worcester Airport, some in breeding plummage. Great close up views in parking lot. They practically walk up to your feet if you stay still. All buntings, I searched in vain for longspurs mixed in.

Common Redpolls - My Yard in Upton and Cold Brook Road Oakham

Pine Siskin - Worcester Airport - Mulberry Road side

2 Evening Grosbeaks - Cold Brook Road Oakham

Large Flocks of Blackbirds, Grackles and Robins in many locations.

Also in the woods at River Road by Wachusett Reservoir - Moose Tracks, Fox Tracks, Bobcat Tracks, Raccoon Tracks, and what looked like Mink or Weasel tracks.
(report from Nickilas Paulson).

3/4/11 -- Sutton

At 4:20 near exit 6 on 146 Sutton I observed 2 Turkey Vultures . Also my flock of Common Redpolls has grown to 14 I also still continue to have 25 to 30 Pine Siskins daily at my feeders. (report from Michael Joubert).

3/3/11 -- West Millbury

The flock of Common Redpolls coming to my feeders has grown to about 65 this morning. The Chipping Sparrow continues. (report from Alan Marble).

3/2/11 -- Grafton

In the past two days, our feeders have been overrun by a flock of over 25 Common Redpolls. Needless to say, our niger seed level has dropped considerably in a short time. (report from John Liller).

3/2/11 -- Sterling

We have been fortunate to have this barred owl sit in branches within 30 feet of our house, for 6 of the last 9 days. He seems to spend 80 % of his time sleeping. and 20 % of the time in hunting mode. Crows come and hastle the owl a couple times a day. I took the picture thru my window and thru a binocular.

Also, while trying to squeak in some birds in a wooded swamp this week , a bobcat came to investigate the sounds; probably a once in a lifetime experience.
(report from Richard Spedding).

3/1/11 -- Leesville Pond/All Faiths Cemetery, Auburn/Worcester

Today's sightings included numerous common and hooded mergansers, two mute swans and a pair of mallard ducks. (report from Joan Crowell).

For previous sightings, see February 2011 Archives or Archive Index