March 2014 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
• 3/15/14 -- Rusty Blackbird Migration Blitz
• 3/25/14 -- radio programs on ornithology: on WICN
• 3/26/14 -- Kestrel Nest Box Talk

Bird Sightings:

3/31/14 -- Sterling/West Boylston

At Sterling Peat, there were Common and Hooded Mergansers, and Common Goldeneye.

In the basin of the Quinapoxet River there were 33 Ring-necked Ducks. There were also 2 Wood ducks near the beaver pond at the Stillwater River.
(phone report from Dave Grant).

3/31/14 -- Chaffin pond, Holden

Today between 7am-3pm in Holden around chaffin pond we had the following sightings: pair of mute swans constructing nest in the same spot as past several years, 3 gadwall, 4 wood duck, 3 common goldeneye, 2 hooded mergansers, 2 black ducks, 1 great blue heron, brown creeper, eastern phoebe. (report from Scott Corazzini).

3/31/14 -- West Millbury

Around noon today I had a Fox Sparrow feeding on the ground under my feeders. (report from Alan Marble).

3/29/14 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre

At the hawkwatch, there were 6 Red-tailed Hawks, 2 Red-Shouldered Hawks, and 1 Golden Eagle.
(phone report from Dave Grant).

3/29/14 -- Warren and the Brookfields

Today we birded a few stops in WARREN and then a few stops in the Quabog IBA in the Brookfields. Ponds were still mostly ice covered and ice fishermen were out on the larger ponds. The following were the highlight totals: Great Blue Heron (19 with 4 occupied nests); Turkey Vulture (1); Canada Goose (41); Wood Duck (29); A Black Duck (3); Mallard (48); Ring-necked Duck (83); C Goldeneye (2); Hooded Merganser (49); Common Merganser (7); Red-tailed Hawk (2); Wild Turkey (2); Killdeer (2); LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL (1adBr: Lake Quabog); Belted Kingfisher (2); Red-bellied Woodpecker (9); Pileated Woodpecker (2); E Phoebe (15); Tree Swallow (2); Brown Creeper (2 singing); Carolina Wren (6); Winter Wren (2 singing); E Bluebird (7); A Tree Sparrow (13); Fox Sparrow (1); Also: Red Fox and several River Otters.

We then headed over to Orlando's Ponds in Charlton to look for the Black-headed Gull Rodney Jenkins found, and found and photo'd it.

Pre-dawn in Spencer: American Woodcock (6);
(report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

3/28/14 -- Northbridge

After checking in at the Northbridge Sewer Dept office, Paul and I drove around the dry gravel beds. We found our first-of-year Eastern Phoebe, a few Eastern Bluebirds, one Yellow-shafted Flicker, several Song Sparrows, and quite a few Slate-colored Juncos. A number of Red-winged Blackbirds were calling from the marsh (still mostly frozen) and a few were perched on grass or trees. No killdeer yet. (report from Beth Milke)

3/28/14 -- Lake Quinsigamond, Shrewsbury

I spotted a pair of Wood Ducks on Lake Quinsigamond (north end) this morning. (report from Emily Eaton).

3/27/14 -- Holland/Sturbridge

Hamilton Reservoir: (open water near causeway) Ring Necked Duck (4), Hooded Merganser (1f).

Westville Lake: 11 Common Mergansers (7f, 4m), 4 Great Blue Heron, 1 Osprey, 2 Eastern Bluebird (1f, 1m), 4 Red-winged Blackbird. Also 1 Beaver, 1 Otter.
(report from Naomi Lacasse).

3/27/14 -- Worcester/Holden

Highlights inlude

Tatnuck Brook: Mallard Duck (88)

Eagle Lake: Killdeer (1), Wood Duck (1m), Hooded Merganser (1f) Common Grackle(3)

Alta Vista Farm: Wild Turkey (44).

Alden Labs : Hooded Merganser (1m).

Also this morning we had 2 Fox Sparrows sheltering in our forsythia bush.
(report from Lisa Hennin).

3/27/14 -- Dorothy Pond, Millbury

At Dorothy Pond on Riverlin Street, there were 4 hooded merganser, 12 common merganser, 14 ring necked ducks and 6 mallards. At my feeder in Worcester I had my first chipping sparrow and cowbird this morning. (report from Susan LaBree).

3/27/14 -- Institute Park, Worcester

At noon highlights were 4 GB Herons, 1 Mute Swan (there were 4 a couple of days ago), 4 Ring-necked Ducks, 9 Hooded Mergansers, and 17 Common Mergansers. One Am Goldfinch was singing, the only thing spring-like today. (report from Rick Quimby).

3/27/14 -- West Millbury

At home at my feeders I had a 6 woodpecker day, all visiting the suet cage that I have stapled to a tree: Red-bellied, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Downy, Hairy, an amazing 7 Northern Flickers and a first time visitor to the suet, Pileated. I often hear and see Pileated Woodpeckers around the house, but I have never seen them come to the suet before. A Brown Creeper also showed up. The pair of Red-shouldered Hawks are still hanging around and I got a picture of one. (report from Alan Marble).

3/26/14 -- Holden

Today between 8 am-4pm on chaffin pond and Gail drive we had American robin, fox sparrow, 4 wood duck, 2 mute swan, 1 sharp shinned hawk, 1 adult bald eagle soaring in the strong wind. (report from Scott Corazzini).

3/25/14 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre

At the hawkwatch, there were 5 Red-tailed Hawks, 1 Sharp-shinned Hawk, and 2 Cooper's Hawks. There was also a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker.

At my house in northeast Worcester, there was 1 Merlin.
(phone report from Dave Grant).

3/24/14 -- Institute Park, Worcester / Wachusett Reservior, West Boylston

Had the following highlights at Institute Pond Worcester; 1-Red-tail Hawk; 36-Common Merganser; 5-Hooded Merganser 2m 3f; 1-Great Blue Heron; 1-Song Sparrow  

Also had the following at the 140 Causeway Wachusett Reservior; 1-Buffle Head Duck; 2-Eastern Blue Birds Old Stone Church  

Also had the following at the River Rd of Wachusett Reservior; 7-Mute Swan; 2-Ring-neck Duck 1m 1f in water adjacent to River Rd.
(report from Scott Ricker).

3/23/14 -- Lake Quinsigamond, shrewsbury

There were many Ring-necked ducks, and also 1 Double-crested Cormorant behind white City Plaza
(phone report from Dave Grant).

3/23/14 -- Quinnebaug River/Sturbridge/Quabog IBA

Today we started birding right along the QUINNEBAUG RIVER from Southbridge, through Dudley to the Connecticut line. In many sections the river was running too fast for many ducks and some slow sections were still iced over. Highlights included: Turkey Vulture (3); Canada Goose (7); Wood Duck (9); Mallard (7); Common Merganser (16); Eastern Phoebe (2); Tree Swallow (19);

Then in STURBRIDGE: Great Blue Heron (11 occupied nests in rookery+another bird); Canada Goose (7); Wood Duck (4); Mallard (6); Hooded Merganser (2); Common Merganser (1); Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (1); N Flicker (3); E Phoebe (1); Tree Swallow (2);

BRIMFIELD: East Brimfield Reservoir Canada Goose (42); Mallard (2); Hooded Merganser (4); Common Merganser (12); Killdeer (1);

QUABOG IBA in the Brookfields: Great Blue Heron (2); Canada Goose (58); Wood Duck (1); A Black Duck (2); Mallard (34); Ring-necked Duck (23); Common Goldeneye (1m); Hooded Merganser (28); Common Merganser (22); Sharp-shinned Hawk (1); Red-tailed Hawk (2); Killdeer (1); Eastern Phoebe (2); Tree Swallow (28);
(report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

3/23/14 -- Leesville Pond, Worcester

Early this afternoon, There 4 Pairs of Canadian Geese, with one pair being continuously harassed by a pair of Mute Swans. There was 1 Male Wood Duck. 2 Pr. Mallards, 1 Pr. Black Ducks, 1 Pr. Ring-necked Ducks, 16 Hooded Mergansers, 26 Common Mergansers, including this Femaleand Male . 1 Great Black-backed Gull , 2 Great Blue Herons, and a pair of Red-tailed Hawks frolicking together in the sky. (report from Brian Mulhearn)

3/22/14 -- Rail Trail, Sterling

There was a Rusty Blackbird along the rail trail.
(phone report from Dave Grant).

3/22/14 -- Rutland

Woodcock's started displaying this evening at our place in Rutland. Also had a fox sparrow here today. Had started to feel left out, but I guess enough ground is finally showing. (report from Ted Purcell).

3/22/14 -- Westboro, Northboro, Southboro, Bolton Flats, Wachusett Reservoir

This AM we birded several ponds and reservoirs in central-eastern Worcester County. Below are the highlights. Most ponds were still ice covered, but with some open water around the edges.

WESTBORO-NORTHBORO: including SuAsCo, both Chauncys (ice fishermen out on all 3), Bartlett. Canada Goose (188); Mute Swan (11); Mallard (16); Red-tailed Hawk (3); Wild Turkey (1); Red-winged Blackbird (507); C Grackle (1356); Brown-headed Cowbird (18); NB: huge movement of blackbirds at Little Chauncy and on the State grounds.

SOUTHBORO: Sudbury Reservoir. Most birds noted along the river. Canada Goose (111); Mallard (11); Ring-necked Duck (1); Hooded Merganser (11); Common Merganser (8); Gray Catbird (1);

BOLTON FLATS: several stops and walk ins. Fields still mostly frozen, but sections of Still River are open. Great Blue Heron (3); Turkey Vulture (1); Canada Goose (670+); Mute Swan (1); Wood Duck (10); A Black Duck (31); Mallard (107); N Pintail (pr); Green-winged Teal (26); Ring-necked Duck (37); Hooded Merganser (4); Bald Eagle (1ad); Red-tailed Hawk (4); Killdeer (3); Pileated Woodpecker (2); Tree Swallow (1); E Bluebird (2); A Tree Sparrow (28); Red-winged Blackbird (187); C Grackle (111);

CLINTON: Coachlace Pond Mute Swan (2); Canada Goose (55); Mallard (8); A Black Duck (1); C Goldeneye (1m); Hooded Merganser (1f);

WACHUSETT RESERVOIR (still mostly ice covered, but open water at river entrance on River Road); Mute Swan (3); Canada Goose (40); Mallard (12); Ring-necked Duck (6); Hooded merganser (10);
(report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

3/21/14 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre

At the hawkwatch, there were 7 Red-tailed Hawks, 2 Red-Shouldered Hawks, 1 Sharp-shinned Hawk, and 1 Goshawk. There were also 9 Brant flying over.

At the Quinapoxet River there were many Ring-necked ducks
(phone report from Dave Grant).

3/19/14 -- Hager Pond, Marlborough

On my break at work today I had one Pileated Woodpecker( FOY ). One Osprey ( FOY ) diving for fish. Also appx. 34 Ring-necked Ducks. (report from Bob Abbott).

3/18/14 -- Winimusett Wildlife Management Area, New Braintree

At the McKay road location, a beautiful adult Northern Shrike was teed up in a small tree along the right side of the field looking from the road. I remember seeing one in this exact spot several winters ago. (report from Josh Gahagan).

3/18/14 -- Leominster

At approximately 1pm while in the parking lot at Walmart in south Leominster (Rt 117/Jungle Road) I sighted a bald eagle soaring just to the north of my position. This was confirmed with binoculars. It continued to soar and eventually moved too far north of my position to see. This area is not far from the North Nashua River. (report from Paul Zephyr).

3/16/14 -- Quabog IBA/Spender/Charlton

Today we birded the Quabog IBA with stops in Spencer and Charlton.

Quabog IBA: highlights Ponds still almost completely ice covered, but rivers are open. Great Blue Heron (1); Mute Swan (2); Canada Goose (7); Mallard (45); A Black Duck (9); Ring-necked Duck (16); Hooded Merganser (61); Common Merganser (34); Ring-billed Gull (16); Red-shouldered Hawk (2: possible pr); Red-tailed Hawk (1); Wild Turkey (1); Killdeer (1); Winter Wren (1); E Bluebird (24); A Robin (74); Gray Catbird (1);

Charlton: Orlandos Turkey Vulture (1); Canada Goose (12); Mallard (300+); A Black Duck (32); Ring-billed Gull (25+); C Grackle (9);

Spencer: Wood Duck (pr); Mallard (pr); Hooded Merganser (1m); Red-tailed Hawk (pr); C Raven (1 mobbed by crows, 1 on nest); Red-winged Blackbirds were widespread at most locations.
(report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

3/16/14 -- Davis Farmland, Sterling

We had two Eastern Meadowlarks here at 2:30pm.
(report from Bob Abbott).

3/16/14 -- Holden

While walking frozen Chaffin pond today between 1-2 pm we observed 6 male wood ducks, 4 male hooded mergansers, 2 male black ducks,4 eastern bluebirds, 2 red tailed hawks. The pond has open water by the industrial park and is visible from ball field across. (report from Scott Corazzini).

3/16/14 -- Thomas Street, West Boylston

Around 3: 45 pm, a Red-Shouldered Hawk was on the telephone line on Thomas Street in West Boylston just before the entrance to the Rail Trail parking lot. It appeared to be an adult male and wasn't bothered by the traffic passing below it. This is my second sighting of a Red-Shouldered Hawk this winter. I had a previous sighting in mid-January around the 140 & 62 intersection in Sterling. Unlike Red-Tailed Hawks, the Red-Shouldered Hawks stay closer and low to the ground to get their prey quicker. Also, the adult birds have a "snowflake" pattern to their back and are smaller than the ordinary Red-Tailed Hawk. Given this unusual winter, I'm not surprised to see these birds in the area. So keep your eyes peeled. (report from Steve Olson).

3/15/14 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre

At the hawkwatch, there were a handfull of Red-tailed Hawks, and 1 Goshawk.

At St. Phillips Cemetery, Grafton: 1 Great-horned Owl and 1 Tree Swallow

At Lake Quinsigamond, there was 1 Ruddy Duck behind white City Plaza
(phone report from Dave Grant).

3/15/14 -- Barton Cove/South Quabbin

Today we first stopped at BARTON COVE to enjoy the waterfowl show described by James Smith. We saw the Canvasbacks (2m), Redhead (m), Long-tailed Duck (f), the scaup, Bufflehead, Goldeneye, Ring-necked Duck (close to 70), and mergansers. A Bald Eagle adult was perched nearby (they nest here).

For eastern birders who have not birded here, one of the better vantage spots for this part of the Connecticut River in winter is right off Rt. 2: RIVERVIEW DRIVE, which is an "in and out" loop of a road just before the light at the Turner's Falls bridge. There are 2 spots to check: 1) park near the small brick building near the stream (be sure to pull off the road, this is a residential area) and 2) pull off near the bend of the road to check the area near the bridge. Sometimes you need to check from the other side of the water, at which point at the light drive south from Rt.2 over the bridge and look for Avenue A or some other left which leads to the small Unity Park right on the river. There are several vantage points. Note that you have to be there late in the afternoon, towards dusk even, to get the full gull show. We were there in mid-morning and found only 1 Iceland Gull perched on a building in town.

To get to the Power Canal: head south on Avenue A (the main street of Turners Falls); and take a right on 11th Street, cross the bridge over the canal and take a left on G Street. Follow this to a small parking lot (on left) and gate. Beyond the gate is the paved road right along the canal. The gate is generally closed on weekends, but open during the week at which time you can drive the road. You can walk in anytime.

From there we headed to the South Quabbin area where birds found included: Turkey Vulture (3); Mallard (16: at the trout hatchery); A Black Duck (2); Common Merganser (1f at the trout hatchery); Bald Eagle (9: including 5 adults, a pair of which looked to be in a display flight. 1 ad was on the nest visible from the Administration Building); Red-shouldered Hawk (1); Red-tailed Hawk (2); Golden Eagle (1ad: from Enfield looking north along Prescott); Killdeer (4: at the trout hatchery); Pileated Woodpecker (1); Common Raven (4). Red-winged Blackbirds, grackles and vultures were in many areas all morning. NB: the surface of the main body of Quabbin is still ice covered. Saturday there was an old deer carcass visible from the Administration Building. This carcass was also visible and a bit closer from the pull off near the gate down to the DCR boat area, north of the spillway on Quabbin Hill Road. Birders earlier in the morning had several eagles on this carcass, but we had only an interesting looking immature Bald.

In PAXTON, on our way to Barton Cove, we had a TREE SWALLOW and a sapsucker.
(report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

3/15/14 -- West Millbury/Sutton

This morning, before heading out to do some birding, I saw a hawk perched on a limb in my backyard. When I got my binoculars, of course it was gone. While standing there, I started to hear a Red-shouldered Hawk calling. Naturally without visual confirmation I couldn't ID it as it might have been a Blue Jay mimicking. Soon, however, I saw 2 Red-shouldered Hawks flying around in the woods and then soaring and calling overhead. I had put out some turkey bones and scraps on the snow and one came down for a bite. When I came back with my camera, it was gone and the were 2 crows feeding, soon to be displaced by a Turkey Vulture (photo), a sight I had never seen in my yard before.

Later I was able to get a picture of an American Kestrel on Oakhurst Rd in Sutton.
(report from Alan Marble).

3/13/14 -- West Millbury

There was a large flock of 60+ mixed blackbirds at my feeders all morning. Mostly Common Grackles and Red-winged Blackbirds with a few Brown-headed Cowbirds. (report from Alan Marble).

3/13/14 -- Douglas

I saw my first red-winged blackbirds of this season this morning, under my feeder. Also, the robin sitting on top of my feeder has been hanging around my suet for days. (report from Mary Sughrue-Yacino ).

3/12/14 -- Holden

At 4:00 pm in our yard today we had a Northern shrike chasing a common grackle. It was perched for several minutes while I took a picture through a window, and it could be the same bird that I spotted last week from a couple hundred yards on chaffin pond but couldn't confirm. (report from Scott Corazzini).

3/11/14 -- Institute Park, Worcester

At 3:00 on the pond there were 2 Mute Swan, 2 Green-winged Teal, 8 Ring-necked Duck, 2 Hooded Merganser, and 14 Common Merganser. (report from Rick Quimby).

3/9/14 -- Bolton Flats/Wachusett Reservoir/L Quinsigamond/Notre Dame Cemetery

We started well before dawn owling the Bolton Flats and Oxbow NWR areas and continued to bird there at dawn. Highlights: Red-tailed Hawk (3); E Screech Owl (2); Great Horned Owl (2); Red-bellied Woodpecker (3); Downy Woodpecker (2); Hairy Woodpecker (1); Carolina Wren (1); E Bluebird (6); A Robin (19); N Mockingbird (2); A Tree Sparrow (7); Song Sparrow (7); Red-winged Blackbird (3 signing); C Grackle (1); N Cardinal (38: singing everywhere and first song we heard well before dawn); Also: just as dawn was breaking, an amazing chorus of eastern coyotes.

Then we birded WACHUSETT RESERVOIR, which remains 99% ice covered, but we did manage: Mallard (5); Hooded Merganser (2); Red-breasted Nuthatch (2);

On to the LAKE QUINSIGAMOND-FLINT POND complex: Highlights included: Mute Swan (16); Canada Goose (4); Mallard (56); A Black Duck (19); Ring-necked Duck (6); C Goldeneye (1m); Hooded Merganser (5); Common Merganser (6); Red-tailed Hawk (4); Iceland Gull (1adW);

Auburn: Dunn's Brook dam: A Black Duck (2); Hooded Merganser (3); Red-tailed Hawk (4);

Leesville Pond: (6); Canada Geese on ice.

Notre Dame Cemetery, Worcester: Wood Duck (1m); Green-winged Teal (3m); Mallard (7); A Black Duck (4); Common Merganser (6); Red-winged Blackbird (3m);
(report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

3/7/14 -- Holden

From our yard today between 7am-9am we observed 4 eastern bluebirds,2 American robins,6 cedar waxwings,8 house finch,12 goldfinch,1 fox sparrow,1 red bellied woodpecker,2 red tailed hawks,4 common raven. (report from Scott & Rubina Corazzini).

3/7/14 -- Douglas

While heading out this afternoon, I saw a huge bird circling the wide part of the Mumford River (next to the DD just off Route 146). I pulled into the envelope factory's parking lot, and though it flew away before I could get a decent look, I was pretty sure it was a juvenile bald eagle. On the way home, I pulled into the parking lot and saw something out on the ice. Luckily, I had my good binocs with me and could clearly see the bald eagle as it stood on the ice, tearing apart a goose. (report from Mary Sughrue-Yacino).

3/2/14 -- Worcester County Winter Birding Rally Results

Over 30 participants went out from 12am-530pm on Sunday, March 2nd and covered every town in the whole county for the 1st Worcester County Winter Birding Rally. In total on rally day teams found 71 species! and 82 species for the rally week scouting trips. A very good number given the lack of water and amount of snow in some parts of the county. I want to thank all the pioneers involved that took part and believed in this event as we collected valuable data in towns that are very under-birded. Our next rally will be this May! Stay Tuned.

Complete species list
(report from Justin Lawson).

3/2/14 -- Quinsigmaond Community College, Worcester

In the last week I have observed a Chroicocephalus Gull flying over the student parking lots at Quinsigmond community college. I originally identified it as a Bonaparte's Gull, but on further reflection came to the conclusion that I could not rule out Black-Headed Gull. I would encourage birders to try to get a positive ID of this bird, since they are both rare to the area. (report from Mark C. Clegg).

3/2/14 -- Quabog IBA/Lake Quinsigamond, Brookfields/Shrewsbury

Today we birded a few stops in the QUABOG IBA in the Brookfields and had the following: Mute Swan (2); Mallard (36); Hooded Merganser (31); Red-breasted Merganser (1m: photo'd as it swam under the Rt. 148 bridge over the Quabog River); Cooper's hawk (1); Red-tailed Hawk (1); Ring-billed Gull (6 on frozen Lake Quabog along with many ice fishermen and over 25 cars on the ice); Red-bellied Woodpecker (1); Downy Woodpecker (9: 1 excavating hole); Hairy Woodpecker (1); N Flicker (1); C Raven (1); A Robin (311); Pine Warbler (1: possible over winterer. Though I typically see/hear my first Pine Warblers in the Brookfields during the first week of April, on 1/7/07 we found, and photo'd a Pine Warbler also in the Quabog WMA in the company of chickadees and robins.); A Tree Sparrow (14); Red-winged Blackbird (2);

We Then checked out a report of a POSSIBLE Snowy Owl at Greenhill Park area, but found nothing. While there, we did a quick birding survey of LAKE QUINSIGAMOND/FLINT POND complex. Highlights included: Canada Goose (4); Mute Swan (8); A Black Duck (26); Mallard (156); Ring-necked Duck (14); C Goldeneye (2m); Hooded Merganser (4); Common Merganser (18); Red-tailed Hawk (2); Wild Turkey (5); Fish Crow (2 very vocal birds sitting right next to each other. Possible pair?); A Robin (111); Red-winged Blackbird (2); C Grackle (3);

While looking for the Canvasback (and dipping) we had 3 snowmobilers zoom under the Rt. 9 bridge (where the water looked open, and park below us and then climb up to the restaurant. Leaving their snowmobiles on VERY thin looking ice. Yikes! Also: there is a deer carcass on the ice under the Rt. 290 bridge. People should watch for eagles here.
(report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

3/1/14 -- Mendon

I had a report this evening of a Barnacle Goose in Mendon. It was reported by Cheri Ezell, who runs Maple Farm Sanctuary in Mendon, and she saw it at the Farm with a flock of Canadas, and the flock was evidently around most of the day. See (http://www.maplefarmsanctuary.org/). I asked if the public could visit, and she said yes, keeping in mind it is a sanctuary. She included a couple of cell phone photos. (report from Marj. Rines fide Paul Meleski)

For previous sightings, see February 2014 Archives or Archive Index