March 2013 Central Mass Bird Sightings

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

Bird News:

Bird Sightings:

3/31/13 -- Bolton Flats, Bolton
Birds of note were Eurasian GW Teal (with ~100 GW Teal), 11 Snipe, 1 N. Shrike, 1 Osprey, and Fox Sparrows
(phone report from Dave Grant).

3/31/13 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
Migrating raptors today: Turkey Vulture 3 ; Osprey 2 ; Northern Harrier 1 ; Red-tailed Hawk 9 . Raptor Observations: Not migrating: 1 adult Northern Goshawk. (report from Bart Kamp).

3/31/13 -- Bolton Flats, Bolton
Today, Mark Lynch and Sheila Carroll found a Sandhill Crane at Bolton Flats. Later, Bart Kamp, Kevin Bourinot and I re-located it and observed it flying around and eventually heading towards the red barn. We also heard and saw a Greater Yellowlegs and Bart spotted a Eurasian Teal. I have included a photo of the teal. (report from Alan Marble).

3/31/13 -- Gates Pond, Berlin
Saw a very vocal Cooper's Hawk Easter Sunday morning over at Gates Pond.  He/she sat on a branch and allowed me to get right up close.  Truly a treat to see! (report from Randy Langer)

3/31/13 -- Hope Cemetery, Worcester
Yesterday I found a Red-tailed Hawk constructing a nest. I went back this morning to get a photo and the Hawk was on the nest. (report from Brian Mulhearn)

3/31/13 -- Bolton Flats and the Wachusett Reservoir IBA
We birded Bolton Flats and the Wachusett Reservoir IBA.
  • BARTLETT POND, LANCASTER: Canada Goose (35); Wood Duck (5); Mallard (32); A Black Duck (6); Sharp-shinned Hawk (1); Belted Kingfisher (1); E Phoebe (1); BOLTON FLATS: Canada Goose (101); Mute Swan (pair); A Black Duck (16); Mallard (64); Blue-winged Teal (pair); Green-winged Teal (91); NB: while trying to look for the crane, Kevin Bourinot, Bart Kamp and Alan Marble found a Eurasian/Common Teal but the teal flushed back and out of sight. People should check carefully tomorrow, hopefully from a good distance); Ring-necked Duck (12); Common Merganser (9); Osprey (1); N Harrier (1); Sharp-shinned Hawk (2: 1 perched and calling continuously); Red-tailed Hawk (1); SANDHILL CRANE (1: Sheila and I found the crane while scanning the flats from Rt.117 pull off. We called folks and some of them eventually saw and the crane which then flew north but likely is still at the flats); Killdeer (19); Greater Yellowlegs (1); Pectoral Sandpiper (1); Wilson's Snipe (5); Pileated Woodpecker (1); Tree Swallow (6); E Bluebird (4: 2 pair); N Mockingbird (1); A Tree Sparrow (2); Fox Sparrow (3: 1 singing); Song Sparrow (33); Dark-eyed Junco (17); NB: Bolton Flats is an amazing and difficult place to bird at this time of the year. By walking out the main road all the way you typically flush everything and no one else gets to see most of the ducks till the next day. And of course this isn't just birders, but hunters and dog walkers. I wish someone would erect a viewing tower at the edge of the field!

    THEN we birded the WACHUSETT RESERVOIR IBA:

  • STERLING: EAST WAUSHACUM (almost completely ice free);, Ring-necked Duck (8); Bufflehead (2); Common Merganser (17);
  • STERLING: WEST WAUSHACUM: (90% ice covered); Common Goldeneye (2);
  • STERLING: THE QUAG (85% ice covered); Wood Duck (8); Ring-necked Duck (6); Hooded Merganser (7); Common Merganser (3);
  • STERLING: STERLING PEAT (main body mostly ice free but the little side pond was 60% ice covered); Great Blue Heron (1); Mute Swan (1); Canada Goose (36); Wood Duck (2); Mallard (3); A Black Duck (4); Green-winged Teal (11); Ring-necked Duck (13); Hooded Merganser (13); N Harrier (1m); Red-tailed Hawk (2); Killdeer (3); Tree Swallow (2);
  • WACHUSETT RESERVOIR: (bays still ice covered including South Bay); Common Loon (1); Turkey Vulture (1 looking like it was coming off the ice at South Bay); Canada Goose (22); Mute Swan (1); A Black Duck (86: there was a large flock of dabblers resting on Cunningham Ledge and small flocks on the water); Mallard (54); N Pintail (3); Green-winged Teal (7); Ring-necked Duck (16); Lesser Scaup (2); Bufflehead (4); C Goldeneye (4); Hooded Merganser (5); Common Merganser (2); RED-BREASTED MERGANSER (1m seen from the dam looking at edge of ice); Red-tailed Hawk (2);
    (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

    • 3/31/13 -- Bolton Flats, Bolton
    While searching with Alan and Kevin for the Sandhill Crane found by Mark & Sheila early this morning at Bolton Flats north of Route 117, I found amongst the Green-winged Teal in the flooded field an Eurasian Green-winged Teal. (report from Bart Kamp).

    3/31/13 -- Bolton Flats, Bolton
    A late morning - early afternoon foray around Bolton Flats provided us the following sightings: Turkey Vulture (2); Mute Swan (2); Canada Goose (flocks throughout); Green-winged Teal (110); Mallard (24); Northern Pintail (2); Ringed Neck Duck (12); Ring-billed Gull (30); Great Blue Heron (3); Killdeer (12); Wilson Snipe (5 - all visible in our scope at same time!!); Greater Yellowlegs (2); Red-tailed Hawk (3); N Cardinal (8); Tree Swallow (12) (report from Marion Larson/Scott Handler).

    3/30/13 -- Barre/Sterling/Clinton
  • Barre Falls Dam, Barre: At the hawkwatch site, there were 1 Meadowlark, 1 N. Goshawk, 1 Am Kestrel.
  • Sterling Peat: Ring-necked ducks & GW Teal
  • The Quag: Hooded Mergs & GW Teal
  • East Washachum: Bufflehead, Common Mergansers, Scaup species
  • Gate 39, Wachusett Reservoir: Goldeneye, Common Loons
    (phone report from Dave Grant).

    • 3/30/13 -- Leicester
    I took a walk into Burncoat Pond Audubon Sanctuary in Leicester yesterday.  Still a lot of snow and ice on the trails so I couldn't get in too far.  I had a pair of Pileated Woodpeckers drumming back and forth and managed to see one of them up close.  Also saw Northern Cardinal, American Crow, American Robin, Blue Jay, Canada Goose, Black-capped Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, Red-winged Blackbird and Downy Woodpecker. Later in the day a couple of Common Ravens flew over my house, calling. (report from Steven Sulzer).

    3/30/13 -- Bolton Flats, Bolton
    Highlights from the north side of Bolton Flats this morning were 1 drake Blue-winged Teal, a pair of Northern Pintail, 8 Green-winged Teal, more than a dozen Killdeer and 2 Wilson's Snipe. There is still plenty of water in the field, but the path is totally dry all the way down to the "T." You will need tall boots to go past that point. (report from Alan Marble).

    3/30/13 -- Westborough/Northborough/Berlin
  • Westborough (Lyman School for Boys property): Mute Swan (2), Song Sparrow (3).  
  • Northborough (Cold Harbor Brook): Wood Duck (3), Great Blue Heron (1).  
  • Berlin (Gates Pond): Common Merganser (35), Red-breasted Merganser (5), Hooded Merganser (2), Bufflehead (1), Downy Woodpecker (3).  
  • Berlin (Ross Site): Hooded Merganser (3), Mallard (2), Canada Goose (2), Great Blue Heron (3), Turkey Vulture (4), Red-tailed Hawk (2), Red-shouldered Hawk (1), Tree Swallow (5), Eastern Bluebird (1), American Goldfinch (1), Northern Cardinal (1)
  • Berlin (Dudley Road): Hairy Woodpecker (1), Downy Woodpecker (5), Red-bellied Woodpecker (1), Pileated Woodpecker (1).   The Pileated Woodpecker (shot taken this morning) has been around for 3 days now.
    (report from Randy Langer)

    • 3/29/13 -- Hardwick
    Today 2 Kestrels (male and female) were seen at Mandell Hill in Hardwick. This is the area that has had Kestrels nesting for the past 5 years. (report from Jeff Smith).

    3/29/13 -- Millbury/Leicester
  • This morning in Millbury I have phoebe and field sparrows singing.
  • Last evening (3/28) I had 9 woodcock and 1 great horned owl on Mulberry St., Leicester.
    (report from Susan LaBree).

    • 3/28/13 -- Webster Lake, Webster
    Today there was a Black-headed Gull at Webster Lake. I was able to take a few photographs. The DCR was there capturing gulls to be banded. After the net cannon went off all birds dispersed. (report from Justin Lawson).

    3/28/13 -- Institute Park, Worcester
    Highlights at noon were 2 Mute Swan (one on nest, the other trying to figure out which of the ~50 Canada Geese to chase next!), 1 Wood Duck (m), 2 GW Teal (m/f), 2 A Black ducks, 3 Hooded Mergansers, 6 Common Mergansers, and a Hairy Woodpecker along with 2 Downies. (report from Rick Quimby)

    3/28/13 -- Ayer
    There are as many as 7 or 8 pairs of wood ducks that I have been observing for a week or so. There are also hooded and common mergansers, mute swans, mallards etc... The location is Bowers Brook (Grove Pond), on Barnum Rd in Ayer.They can usually be seen looking south across the marsh from the barnum rd bridge. Or for a closer look, you can park in the cemetery on the other side of the rotary (rte 110 - Harvard rd) and "sneak" up on them (being careful not to spook them as you peek over the ridge as you would be right above where they like to hang out). Hope this helps someone get a look at these beauties. (report from Cliff McNeill).

    3/28/13 -- Oxford
    My husband just called to say that as he drove by the great blue heron rookery on Sutton Avenue in Oxford (between the Sutton line and the Home Depot/Market Basket plaza), he saw a number of herons on the nests. He couldn't stop to count them, though. (report from Mary Sughrue-Yacino).

    3/27/13 -- Grafton
    I had my first Eastern Phoebe of the year, as it was singing in our yard this morning. (report from John Liller).

    3/27/13 -- Douglas State Forest, Douglas
    After work today, my husband and I checked out the great blue heron rookery on the Wallis Pond Loop in Douglas State Forest. The nests were still empty, but we did see a GBH in the water at another overlook just off the trail. (report from Mary Sughrue-Yacin).

    3/27/13 -- Bolton Flats, Bolton
    Among the recently reported arrivals this afternoon were: 8 NORTHERN PINTAILS, 3 WILSON'S SNIPE, 3 TREE SWALLOWS. (report from Kevin Bourinot).

    3/25/13 -- All Faiths Cemetery, Leesville Pond, Worcester
    Highlights at noon today were: 1 Great Blue Heron, 12 Common Mergansers, 26 Hooded Mergansers, 8 American Black Ducks, and 6 Green-winged Teal. (report from Brian Mulhearn)

    3/24/13 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
    Migrating raptors today: Turkey Vulture 1 ; Bald Eagle 1 ; Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 ; Red-shouldered Hawk 3 ; Red-tailed Hawk 7 . Non-raptor Observations: 5 Tree Swallows, 1 Killdeer. (report from Bart Kamp).

    3/24/13 -- Spencer to Holland
    Today we birded down to Holland and Wales and then back. Most ponds were still partly ice-covered. Highlights only:
  • SPENCER: behind water treatment plant Canada Goose (48); Wood Duck (10); Mallard (4); A Black Duck (2); Hooded Merganser (2);
  • EAST BROOKFIELD: Ceramic Pond Canada Goose (2); Mallard (4); Hooded Merganser (13); Common Merganser (5); Belted Kingfisher (1);
  • STURBRIDGE: Walker Pond Turkey Vulture (1); Mallard (8); Ring-necked Duck (42); Hooded Merganser (2); Wild Turkey (12); Carolina Wren (1); Fox Sparrow (1 singing);
  • STURBRIDGE: behind a small company on Rt. 20 Great Blue Heron (17 occupied/being rebuilt nests); Hooded Merganser (10); Osprey (1 bird seen on nesting area atop microwave relay tower. NB: we checked the Rt. 84 tower, where they also nest, and found no birds); Red-tailed Hawk (1); Eastern Phoebe (1); Tree Swallow (2); Eastern Bluebird (2); Yellow-rumped Warbler (1);
  • HOLLAND: mostly around Hamilton Reservoir Horned Grebe (1); Mallard (2); Ring-necked Duck (38); Common Merganser (6); Carolina Wren (1);
  • WALES: around Lake George Turkey Vulture (4); Canada Goose (38); Wood Duck (1); Ring-necked Duck (19); Lesser Scaup (2); Hooded Merganser (7); RED-BREASTED MERGANSER (1f); Common Merganser (18); PLUS: Mink (1);
  • BRIMFIELD: Turkey Vulture (6);
  • SPENCER: Cranberry Meadow Pond Canada Goose (2); Ring-necked Duck (4); Hooded Merganser (4);
  • QUABOG IBA (the Brookfields): just a really quick tour around the 4 major ponds. South Pond (Quacumquasit) was the most open and also crowded with fishermen and fishermen out on kayaks, which equaled no ducks. Great Blue Heron (2); Turkey Vulture (3); Canada Goose (23); Wood Duck (5); Mallard (19); A Black Duck (9); Hooded Merganser (33); Common Merganser (20); Red-tailed Hawk (2); Wild Turkey (3); Ring-billed Gull (138); Herring Gull (1); Carolina Wren (1); Red-breasted Nuthatch (1); E Bluebird (3); Dark-eyed Junco (2 singing);
  • Later, in the early evening, a quick drive from Rutland to Holden yielded American Woodcock (5); and a Great Horned Owl.
    (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

    • 3/24/13 -- West Hill Park, Uxbridge/Northbridge
    Enjoyed the sights and sounds of spring today. Highlights included: At Harrington Pond - A group of 4 male Hooded Mergansers performing courtship display for 1 female (a first for me and very fun to watch), one pair of Wood Ducks, a Hairy Woodpecker and a lone Tree Swallow. Once home, I sat by my window enjoying some coffee and noticed a ruckus in my white pine. I was delighted to see a Sharp-shinned Hawk trying to catch lunch. The Tufted Titmouse was too fast today! (report from Jenifer Glagowski)

    3/23/13 -- Uxbridge
    Nancy Demers and I made a few local stops this morning, hoping some sign of spring would defy the cold, the snow, and the wind.
  • At Uxbridge Community Gardens on Sutton St., the Northern Shrike was in a tall shrub about halfway down the cartpath. At the end of the path, the female Northern Harrier floated up and down several times. Two Red-tailed Hawks flew down and settled on trees at the edge of the neighboring cornfield. A Song Sparrow sang reluctantly, maybe not convinced it's spring.
  • At Riverdale Mill, two Bald Eagles--an adult and an immature--soared and flew in low, heading north around the bend in the river, past a pair of Common Mergansers..
  • On Whitins/Meadow Pond there were 5 Bufflehead near the causeway (Main St) -- 3 drakes, 2 hens.
    (report from Beth Milke)

    • 3/23/13 -- Worcester-Westboro
  • DOWNTOWN: Peregrine Falcon: pair on People's United Bank building. One perched on the "K", the other perched below on the railing above where they have nested before.
  • WORCESTER COUNTRY CLUB: Canada Goose (8); Mallard (pair); Hooded Merganser (9 in teeny pond next to entrance road); E Bluebird (1);
  • CORPORATION INDUSTRIAL PARK: Red-tailed Hawk (1); Red-bellied Woodpecker (1); Song Sparrow (3); A Goldfinch (10); Common Redpoll (1); Pine Siskin (4); House Finch (3);
  • LAKE QUINSIGAMOND: Mute Swan (4); Canada Goose (36); Mallard (2); Gadwall (2); Bufflehead (2); Common Goldeneye (42); Barrow's Goldeneye (1f); Hooded Merganser (4);
  • SuAsCo Westboro: Mute Swan (45); Canada Goose (14); Ring-necked Duck (144); Common Goldeneye (2); Hooded Merganser (83: several being kleptoparasitized by Ring-billed Gulls);
  • CHAUNCY LAKE, WESTBORO: Canada Goose (119); Wood Duck (2); Lesser Scaup (11); Hooded Merganser (14); Common Merganser (243);
    (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

    • 3/21/13 -- Suasco Impound, Westborough
    A friend sent me an email last night. He'd seen a group of long-tailed ducks on Suasco Lake late in the day. He's very knowledgeable and saw the facial markings. I checked this morning, didn't see the ducks, but didn't scour the lake either as I was on my way to the canal for the king eider. (report from Garry Kessler).

    3/21/13 -- River Bend Farm, Uxbridge
    While walking in the field at dusk, I heard/saw woodcocks displaying. I was excited to witness two males counter-peenting and then see one of these males fly in the direction of the other while making an unusual rattle noise that I have never heard a woodcock make before. Then they both flew into the air and displayed/flew together across the sky for almost a minute before landing again - something else I've never seen. I happened to get a video of this, and though it is not the best quality for viewing it is good enough for evidence of this behavior. A bit later, I got another "video" (which is dark so it's more like audio) of the same male that rattled in the previous video. He is displaying and then lands about 15 yards from me and lets me hear him loud and clear! (report from Jenifer Glagowski)

    3/19/13 -- Robbins Pond, Devens
    There was an Eastern Phoebe at Robbins Pond in Devens this afternoon. (report from Kevin Bourinot).

    3/19/13 -- Zenith Drive, Worcester
    My "Snowbird" (a Chipping Sparrow) has been on the mixed seed feeder this morning. . It was last seen on the day of the last snow storm -- see report of March 8th. (report from Bart Kamp).

    3/18/13 -- Little Asnebumskit Hill, Paxton
    At the Heron Rookery on the NW side of the hill there were 15 nests, about 6 of them with Herons standing in them. There were about 6 other Herons flying around. There was also a Pileated Woodpecker, and a Red-bellied Woodpecker. (report from Brian Mulhearn)

    3/18/13 -- Worcester
    My wife, Kim Kastler, and I checked out several areas in the Worcester area this morning. HIghlights were:
  • LEESVILLE POND/ALL FAITHS (NEW SWEDISH); CEMETERY Canada Goose (16); Mute Swan (2); Wood Duck (2); American Black Duck (4); Hooded Merganser (16); Common Merganser (10); Red-bellied Woodpecker (1); Brown Creeper (1); American Robin (6); Song Sparrow (8); Dark-eyed Junco (25); Red-winged Blackbird (4); Common Grackle (2);
  • NOTRE DAME CEMETERY Wood Duck (11); Hooded Merganser (5); Carolina Wren (1); Golden-crowned Kinglet (1); American Robin (12); Song Sparrow (4); Dark-eyed Junco (4); Red-winged Blackbird (14);
  • LAKE QUINSIGAMOND Common Goldeneye (31); BARROW'S GOLDENEYE (1 female); Hooded Merganser (7); Common Merganser (7); Song Sparrow (2); Red-winged Blackbird (8);
  • FLINT POND Common Merganser (6); American Robin (3);
    (report from John Liller & Kim Kastler).

    • 3/17/13 -- Wachusett Reservoir/Bolton Flats
    Sunday morning we birded WACHUSETT RESERVOIR and BOLTON FLATS IBA. Highlights:
  • WACHUSETT RESERVOIR: 50-60% ice covered Horned Grebe (1); Mute Swan (2: I believe these over-wintered); Canada Goose (4); Mallard (2); Greater Scaup (3); Bufflehead (6); Common Goldeneye (15); Hooded Merganser (6); Common Merganser (1); Red-tailed Hawk (5); Killdeer (1: on Cunningham Ledge); Ring-billed Gull (23+); Herring Gull (2+); Great Black-backed Gull (6); Red-bellied Woodpecker (3); Downy Woodpecker (3); Carolina Wren (1); E Bluebird (9); Hermit Thrush (1: in wet woodlot); N Mockingbird (1);
  • BOLTON FLATS/NASHUA RIVER IBA: Turkey Vulture (1); Mute Swan (1); Canada Goose (423: flocks throughout; some moving north); Wood Duck (4); Green-winged Teal (34); Mallard (8); A Black Duck (17); Hooded Merganser (23); Sharp-shinned Hawk (1); Red-tailed Hawk (8: we watched a pair mate); Killdeer (3); Ring-billed Gull (120+); Eastern Bluebird (9); A Robin (72); Song Sparrow (12); N Cardinal (11); Red-winged Blackbird (3170+: see below); Common Grackle (5644+); YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD (1adM: with huge flocks on Neck Rd); Rusty Blackbird (2: off by themselves); Brownheaded Cowbird (2);
      NB: Flocks of blackbirds were seen all morning in the area, BUT in the corn stubble fields between Neck and Center Roads there was a truly HUGE mixed flock of THOUSANDS of icterids. Initially there were more grackles than red-wings but later large flocks of red-wings joined the flock. I have likely under-estimated the numbers. While pouring over the flock from Neck Road with my scope I had an adult YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD fly by in my view with hundreds of grackles, moving to the edges of the field. We immediately went to Center Rd to get closer, but by then the flocks were in the fields and in the trees all over. We could not refind the Yellow-headed. But this is not surprising. This was one of the more impressive blackbird flocks I have seen in the County or the state for that matter. Eventually the birds moved north, some roosted in the trees and went back to far (eastern); edge of the fields. Other headed low and north. Soon a territorial Red-tailed Hawk started over the group at the same time a small helicopter flew low over the fields and the birds moved north.
    (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

    • 3/16/13 -- Blackstone Corridor
    We checked a few ponds in the southern section of the Blackstone National Corridor:
  • NORTHBRIDGE: MEADOW POND mostly open Mute Swan (4); Canada Goose (88); Mallard (5); Ring-necked Duck (59); Hooded Merganser (11);
  • NORTHBRIDGE: CARPENTER RESERVOIR: still mostly frozen Mallard (3); Bufflehead (pr);
  • NORTHBRIDGE: LINWOOD POND Mute Swan (2); Canada Goose (10); Mallard (6); A Black Duck (4); Hooded Merganser (14); Nearby: 4 more swans, 2 on nests.
  • BLACKSTONE-MILLVILLE: Mute Swan (10); Canada Goose (15); Mallard (10); Turkey Vulture (12); Red-tailed Hawk (2); Common Raven (pr nesting microwave tower; 1 bird on the nest);
  • UXBRIDGE: LACKEY DAM: Canada Goose (98); A Black Duck (2);
  • DOUGLAS: Wallum Lake: still almost completely covered in ice Nearby: Great Blue heron (1); Hooded Merganser (3);
  • DOUGLAS: WHITIN RESERVOIR one side of causeway frozen, the other side open: Canada Goose (4); Mallard (2); Ring-necked Duck (38); Bufflehead (pr); Common Goldeneye (7); Common Merganser (7);
  • SUTTON: LAKE MANCHAUG (50% ice covered); Bufflehead (12); Common Merganser (3); Sharp-shinned Hawk (1); Ring-billed Gull (32); Herring Gull (3);
  • MILLBURY: BRIERLY POND Canada Goose (2); Hybrid Canada X domestic Greylag (5); Domestic Greylag (1); Mallard (9); Red-tailed Hawk (2);
    (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

    • 3/15/13 -- Uxbridge Community Gardens
    The Northern Shrike has been here everyday since 2/28. Everyday that I have seen him he had been singing. The Eastern Meadowlark also sings when I've seen him. The Northern Harrier has been here the past 4 days. I haven't seen the White-crowned Sparrow since last week. (report from Justin Lawson).

    3/14/13 -- Auburn
    I had a huge mixed batch of migrating birds in my yard yesterday around 5:00 pm off Prospect St in Auburn. There were over 100 and they included brown headed cowbirds, european starlings, grackles, red wing blackbirds. I was surprised to see such a group traveling together. I had a few red wings blackbirds last week. It's so nice to hear them singing again! Spring has sprung!!! (report from Debbie Gleason).

    3/14/13 -- Notre Dame Cemetery, Worcester
    There were 2 Great Blue Herons, 4 Wood Ducks, 1 Hooded Merganser, 12 Common Grackles, 4 Red-winged Blackbirds and 1 Carolina Wren. (report from Brian Mulhearn)

    3/11/13 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
    Migrating raptors today: Turkey Vulture 2 ; Cooper's Hawk 1 ; Red-tailed Hawk 4 . Non-raptor Observations: Dozens of migrating American Crows. (report from Bart Kamp).

    3/11/13 -- Southbridge
    A pair of Red-shouldered Hawks were sighted on 3/3-3/7 at Vinton-Boardman Farmhouse, 93 Torrey Road in Southbridge (Charlton side, near the new M/H school). Here is one feeding. Also, Turkey Vultures were seen today. (report from Lisa Alesci).

    3/11/13 -- Uxbridge Gardens/Soccer Fields/Rice City Pond, Uxbridge
    I went out today around my area for about an hour. I went to the Uxbridge Gardens/Soccer Fields. Continuing Northern Shrike that I originally found on 2/28 was very interested in the American Tree Sparrows. While taking video of the Shrike a calling Eastern Meadowlark fly from a field and perched on a tree and then some plastic tubing. Shot some record video of him again. (also originally found on 2/28). I then headed to Rice City Pond for some American Woodcocks. I ran into Paul and Beth Milke who stated there were about 2 dozen in the field. We walked down there and I saw 5 flying with many many more calling from the bushes. Not a bad hour! (report from Justin Lawson).

    3/10/13 -- Gardner
    Not the most welcome sign of spring but a male and female cowbird was at our feeder early this morning in Gardner. Yesterday there was a tree full of grackles just off route 2 in Fitchburg. (report from Dick Knowlton).

    3/10/13 -- Quabbin Park
  • We spent a few hours birding QUABBIN PARK/SOUTH QUABBIN. The warm weather brought out lots of people and it was as crowded in the park as on a fine fall day. Quabbin still had some ice on its surface, but there were also large areas of open water. Highlights included: Common Loon (3); Canada Goose (2); Mallard (3); Ring-necked Duck (3m); Common Goldeneye (5); Common Merganser (12); Bald Eagle (pair at nest, 1 bird incubating and another adult at the trout hatchery. We spoke with one of the workers there and apparently the eagles never take live fish from the troughs, but do steal them from the herons, which freely take fish); Red-tailed Hawk (1); Pileated Woodpecker (3); American Crow (202: significant movement north along both shore. Most groups were 10-15 birds, but there was one long, strung out flock of 90); Common Raven (2); Eastern Bluebird (3); A Robin (49); Yellow-rumped Warbler (1); Red Crossbill (1 fly by);
  • Earlier we birded a cemetery in WARE and had: Turkey Vulture (41 roosting in trees and later soaring in small groups north. Great photo ops); Black Vulture (3); Carolina Wren (1);
  • After Quabbin, at the Chicopee Reservoir (still mostly frozen);: Common Merganser (3); Bald Eagle (1imm); Red-tailed Hawk (2); Common Ravens (pair)
    (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

    • 3/8/13 -- Sutton
    When I arrived home from work this morning at 6.20 I had two PineGrossbeaks in my yard. Also since the last blizzard I've had American Robins feeding on my suet. (report from Michael Joubert).

    3/8/13 -- Zenith Drive, Worcester
    For the fourth time this winter, my "Snowbird" spent the day feeding ON one of my mixed seed feeders. Beginning December 17th 2012 he has appeared ONLY on the day of a snow storm. I've looked but have not seen him on any other day. It's a Chipping Sparrow. He feeds while perched on the feeder, rarely on the ground like most sparrows. (report from Bart Kamp).

    3/7/13 -- Barre/Rutland
    Saw four common mergansers on the Ware River at 122 bridge in Barre, and 8 hooded mergansers on Long Pond Causeway Rutland.  Any sliver of open water and they are here. (report from Ted Purcell).

    3/7/13 -- Worcester
    I saw a bald eagle today soaring overhead at the crossing of Route 9 and Plantation Street! It was awesome!! (report from Michelle Muller).

    3/5/13 -- Uxbridge
    This morning I birded the Uxbridge Community Gardens again and I came across a juvenile White-crowned Sparrow: Photo and Video. (report from Justin Lawson).

    3/5/13 -- Institute Park, Worcester
    Highlights at noon were 2 Mute Swan, 1 GB Heron, ~20 Hooded Mergs, 18 Common Mergs, and 4 Red-winged Blackbirds (m), singing [ahhh, spring!]. (report from Rick Quimby).

    3/3/13 -- Fitchburg
    The Glaucous Gull that I had seen earlier in February and on 3/2 at the Valley Shopping Plaza in Fitchburg is actually a 2nd winter bird. I got a better look through the scope today... pictures are on my blog. (report from Tom Pirro).

    Ed. note: see also Justin Lawson's photos below from 3/2

    3/3/13 -- Worcester/Millbury/Sutton/Northbridge/Uxbridge
  • MILLBURY >central Cemetery and nearby areas (highlights): Turkey Vulture (1); Wood Duck (2); Mallard (16); Hooded Merganser (2); Red-tailed Hawk (pair); E Screech Owl (1); Carolina Wren (2); E Bluebird (3); American Robin (41); YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER (1: most likely an over winterer); Song Sparrow (3 in constant song);
  • SUTTON: Mute Swan (2); Red-tailed Hawk (5); E Bluebird (7);
  • UXBRIDGE COMMUNITY GARDENS: Killdeer (3); Red-bellied Woodpecker (1); Northern Shrike (1ad); Song Sparrow (12); Red-winged Blackbird (40+); C Grackle (16);
  • NORTHBRIDGE: LINWOOD POND: Mute Swan (2); Canada Goose (26); Wood Duck (2); Mallard (4); A Black Duck (13); Common Merganser (6);
  • NORTHBRIDGE: MEADOW POND Mute Swan (2); Canada Goose (295: including 2 small ssp that were NOT Cackling Geese); Ring-necked Duck (68: only a handful of females); Bufflehead (1m); Hooded Merganser (14); Ring-billed Gull (13); Great Black-backed Gull (1ad);
  • WORCESTER: Peoples United Bank Peregrine Falcon (pair);
  • WORCESTER home (near Park/Salisbury): Common Raven (1 heard. They are attempting to nest nearby and this is a first for my yard list)
    (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

    • 3/2/13 -- Brookfields/Rutland/Worcester
    We drove out to the Brookfields and then up to Rutland and then home to Worcester. Highlights only.
  • LEICESTER: Red-tailed Hawk (1) Pine Grosbeaks (4f feeding on the side of Marshall Street) Red-winged Blackbird (3)
  • SPENCER: Mallard (64) Hooded Merganser (7) Ring-billed Gull (35+) Red-winged Blackbird (1) Common Grackle (2)
  • QUABOG IBA: Canada Goose (5) Wood Duck (1m) Mallard (18) A Black Duck (6) Hooded Merganser (13) Common Merganser (5) Killdeer (1) Ring-billed Gull (71) Herring Gull (9) Red-bellied Woodpecker (1) E Bluebird (1) Tree Sparrow (2) Red-winged Blackbird (72: males on territory) C Grackle (9) OAKHAM: Turkey Vulture (1)
  • MUSCHAPOAG ROAD, RUTLAND: Wild Turkey (15) Horned Lark (8)
  • Back in WORCESTER, we did a quick circuit around LAKE QUINSIGAMOND still about 60% frozen: Great Blue Heron (1) Mute Swan (1) Canada Goose (36) Mallard (45) A Black Duck (3) Common Goldeneye (28) Hooded Merganser (28) Common Merganser (36) Red-tailed Hawk (4)
    (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

    • 3/2/13 -- Central Plaza, Fitchburg
    Following up on Tom Pirro's report of a Glaucous Gull, I was able to get photos and video:
  • photo 1
  • photo 2
  • photo 3
  • video
    (report from Justin Lawson).

    • 3/2/13 -- Uxbridge
    This morning in the scrubby field behind the Uxbridge Community Garden on Sutton St., there was a Northern Shrike. (report from Alan Marble).

    3/2/13 -- Fitchburg
    There was a first winter Glaucous Gull at the Central Valley Plaza in Fitchburg (off Water Street) this morning, a large gull with two-toned bill, very pale, with clean white primaries and short primary extension beyond the tail. This is the second time I have seen this bird at this locale, the previous being 2/2/2013. (report from Tom Pirro).

    3/1/13 -- Uxbridge
    This morning at the Uxbridge Community Gardens on Sutton St,, I had 5 Killdeer, many singing Song Sparrows, a large mixed flock of Red-winged Blackbirds feeding in the fields and a large flock of ~65 Common Redpolls teed up in the bushes affording good scope views. (report from Alan Marble).

    For previous sightings, see February 2013 Archives or Archive Index