May 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.

************CHANGE IN WEB PAGE URL**************
If you look in your web browser's URL window (that's the http:// address that identifies this web site), you'll notice that it's now http://users.wpi.edu/~rsquimby/birds/recent.html, rather than the previous http://www.wpi.edu/~rsquimby/birds/recent.html. Basically the change is from www.wpi.edu to users.wpi.edu, and the same change applies to all web pages that I maintain here at WPI. For an indefinite period of time, you will be automatically redirected to the new URL if you try the old one. However, someday that redirection may go away, so please update your bookmarks accordingly.

5/28/02 -- Bancroft Tower Hill, Worcester
VERY few birds on the hill this morning, and those that were there may try to breed in the area: Chimney Swift (2); E. Wood Peewee (1); E. Phoebe (1); Great Crested Flycatcher (2); House Wren (1); Carolina Wren (1); Wood Thrush (2); Red-eyed Vireo (3); A. Redstart (1). (report from Mark Lynch).

5/27/02 -- Cumberland RI
We birded areas around north Cumberland part of the Blackstone National Corridor. Birds seen included: Double-crested Cormorant (3); Turkey Vulture (1); Canada Goose (58adults+35 goslings); Mute Swan (2); Wood Duck (pair at box); Wild Turkey (1 at a person's feeder. This species is very uncommon-rare in RI); Virginia Rail (7); Killdeer (5); Red-bellied Woodpecker (2); E. Wood Peewee (7); E. Phoebe (7); Great Crested Flycatcher (4); White-eyed Vireo (1: probably not a breeder); Yellow-throated Vireo (1); Warbling Vireo (18); Red-eyed Vireo (27); N. Rough-winged Swallow (4); Carolina Wren (7: BBS surveys done in the early '80s by RI bird expert Richard Ferren had NO Carolina Wrens in northern RI); House Wren (2); Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (2); Veery (7); Swainson's Thrush (1); Wood Thrush (2); Gray Catbird (69); Scarlet Tanager (7); E. Towhee (3); Rose-breasted Groasbeak (3); Bobolink (24); Baltimore Oriole (34).
Later, along the Seekonk River in Providence: Double-crested Cormorant (34); Great Egret (6); Mute Swan (12); Wood Duck (1m w 1f+ 1f w/19 ducklings, all in a tiny pond marsh in Blackstone Park next to the river); Mallard (22); A. Black Duck (2: both paired w/Mallards); Osprey (2 active nests); GULLS: all three common gulls were present in good numbers , mostly at India Point (Ring-billed: 25+; Herring: 40+; Great Black-backed : 47: almost all in non-adult plumages. BUT on a small wooden platform often used by cormorants for perching that is far up the Seekonk River, (1) Great Black-backed Gull adult was sitting on a nest. We watched the nest construction several weeks ago. It may seem hard to believe, but this is the ONLY nesting gull in the entire Blackstone National Corridor! Other gulls nest far south of the end of the Corridor.); Common Tern (3). (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

5/27/02 -- Worcester Airport
From 7PM-8:45PM, after the rain had stopped, we birded Worcester Airport and the airport owned fields between the airport and Rt. 56, Leicester. Actually, not a large area at all. Birds seen included: Mallard (2m); Wild Turkey (1); Killdeer (2); Spotted Sandpiper (2); A. Woodcock (5); Great Horned Owl (1); Whip-poor-will (2); Yellow-billed Cuckoo (1); Veery (7); Wood Thrush (9); Gray Catbird (20); Scarlet Tanager (3); E. Towhee (8); Field Sparrow (2); Savannah Sparrow (19); Rose-breasted Grosbeak (1); Indigo Bunting (1); Bobolink (15); Baltimore Oriole (3). Also: an outstanding chorus of Gray Tree Frogs: hundreds, as well as the usual plethora of Spring Peepers. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

5/27/02 -- Wachusett Meadows Sanctuary, Princeton
This evening Peg and I counted a "kettle" of fourteen common nighthawks slowly drifting north on a strong SW breeze the thunder heads. In addition 2 others were heard a short time earlier. The pair of evening grosbeaks reported the last two days were not seen today. (report from Dick & Peg Knowlton)

5/26/02 -- South Quabbin Park
Highlights recorded while leading a trip for Mass. Audubon at South Quabbin Park this morning: Common Loon (1); Osprey (1, mobbing the Bald Eagle); Bald Eagle (1, 3rd year bird); Wild Turkey (2); Spotted Sandpiper (6); Ruby-throated Hummingbird (1); Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (2); Hairy Woodpecker (1); Northern Flicker (2); Eastern Wood-Pewee (6); Least Flycatcher (3); Eastern Phoebe (5); Great Crested Flycatcher (4); Eastern Kingbird (2); Yellow-throated Vireo (2); Blue-headed Vireo (1); Red-eyed Vireo (24); Common Raven (1); Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (1); Eastern Bluebird (6); Veery (6); Hermit Thrush (1); Wood Thrush (5); Cedar Waxwing (33, including a flock of 25+); Blue-winged Warbler (1); Yellow Warbler (4); Chestnut-sided Warbler (5); Magnolia Warbler (1); Blackburnian Warbler (3); Pine Warbler (2); Prairie Warbler (3); Blackpoll Warbler (3); Cerulean Warbler (1, heard singing; we never actually saw it); Black-and-white Warbler (7); American Redstart (39, most likely greatly undercounted); Ovenbird (20); Common Yellowthroat (2); Scarlet Tanager (5); Eastern Towhee (12); Chipping Sparrow (11); Field Sparrow (2); Song Sparrow (1); Rose-breasted Grosbeak (5); Indigo Bunting (6); Brown-headed Cowbird (19); Baltimore Oriole (5); (report from John Liller).

5/26/02 -- Winchendon
We have two nesting pairs of saw whets owls in our nest boxes this year. The nest boxes are about 2000 feet apart located in the fringes of conifer stands bordering beaver impoundments. I also spotted a young barred owl who came out of it's natural cavity nest to take a look around. The Barred Owls are nesting in the same old beech tree that they have used for at least the last 10 years. (report from Rick Galat).

5/26/02 -- Wachusett Meadows Sanctuary, Princeton
A pair of evening grosbeaks have come to the cottage feeder two consecutive mornings, yesterday & today. Both times about 7 am. They were not seen again yesterday. We'll try to watch and see if they become regular or more frequent. Our nesting goshawks seem to have expanded their protective zone somewhat but only the one trail remains closed. (report from Dick Knowlton).

5/25/02 -- Blackstone River&Canal SP
We had a class trip to this small section of the National Corridor that runs from Plummer's Landing to the Stanley Woolen Mills. The area is just a few miles long, has a nice trail system right along the river and canal on the border of Northbridge and Uxbridge. We sampled only a few stops. Not much migration going on here, just lots of migrant breeders typical of riparian habitat. Birds included: Great Blue Heron (5); Turkey Vulture (8); Mute Swan (2); Wood Duck (10); Red-tailed Hawk (4); Belted Kingfisher (2); Least Flycatcher (1); E. Phoebe (3); Great Crested Flycatcher (3); E. Kingbird (11); Yellow-throated Vireo (1-2, we watched a bird nest building for some time); Warbling Vireo (15); Red-eyed Vireo (9); N. Rough-winged Swallow (6); Carolina Wren (2: low); House Wren (2); Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (6); E. Bluebird (2); Hermit Thrush (1); Wood Thrush (3); Scarlet Tanager (3); Rose-breasted Grosbeak (5); Indigo Bunting (1m); Baltmore Oriole (24); Orchard Oriole (3, we had 1 1st yrM singing constantly at eye level closer than ten feet away. This area is known as their breeding stronghold in Worcester County); A. Goldfinch (23). (report from Mark Lynch).

5/25/02 -- Tatnuck Square, Worcester
A lone Pine Siskin, the latest I've seen in my yard in the Tatnuck Square area of Worcester by months, chowed down at my thistle feeder this morning before heading off to ....? (report from Howard Shainheit).

5/24/02 -- Muddy Pond, Oakham
I spent most of the morning up here and got 47 species. Some of the hilites are: 5 Great Blue Herons all in the same tree. I didn't see any nests anywhere. 2 Wood Ducks, 2 Hooded Mergansers, 2 Spotted Sandpipers, 1 Pileated Woodpecker, 4 Eastern Wood-Pewees, 1 Alder Flycatcher, 3 Least Flycatchers, 2 Great Crested Flycatchers, 6 Eastern Kingbirds, 1 Blue-headed Vireo, 1 Warbling Vireo, 3 Red-eyed Vireos, 3 Yellow Warblers, 1 Chestnut-sided, 2 Magnolias, 3 Yellow-rumped, 3 Prairie, 10 Ovenbirds, 8 Common Yellowthroats, 3 Scarlet Tanagers, 5 Rose-breasted Grosbeaks and 3 pairs of Evening Grosbeaks (I'm assuming I ran into the same pair 3 times, but who knows). There were also 2 Otters and 1 Deer. (report from Peter Morlock).

5/23/02 -- Casimir Pulaski SP, Burrillville RI
We did a survey of the dirt roads in this park in extreme NW Rhode Island that is also part of the Blackstone National Corridor. Areas of this park bleed into George Washington SP in Glocester. Many of the birds seen were migrant BREEDERS, but there were not that many individuals that you could identify as just "migrants", ie: Tennessee. So the following list gives a fair general idea of the breeding birds of the area.
Highlights: HOODED MERGANSER: 1f acting very agitated around a Wood Duck box. This is in the same pond where last year we found several newly fledged young; Sharp-shinned Hawk (1); Red-shouldered hawk (1 doing a flight display and calling loudly); Red-tailed Hawk (1); BARRED OWL (1: local in RI); E. Wood Peewee (5); E. Phoebe (8); Great Crested Flycatcher (9); E. Kingbird (5); Blue-headed Vireo (13); Warbling Vireo (1); Red-eyed Vireo (39); COMMON RAVEN (1: though still rare in RI, this species now nests within a few miles of the RI border, as in Blackstone MA. Look for the status of this species in RI to change as the years pass); Red-breasted Nuthatch (3); Brown Creeper (4); Winter Wren (1); Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (5); Veery (11); Hermit Thrush (38); Wood Thrush (9); Scarlet Tanager (15); E. Towhee (47); Baltmore Oriole (15); Purple Finch (5, including 1f carrying nesting material).
Wildflowers included: Starflower, Lady's Slipper, Fringed Polygala, Red Baneberry. Very sobering to see was the extent of the infestation of WOOLY ADELGID. All stands of hemlocks here are infested to varying degrees, often still only a patch of a few trees among a stand, but every stand had some. If this continues, species like the Blackburnian will soon be a memory as a breeding species.
Later in the MA town of Blackstone, we checked on the Raven's nest, and apparently they have all fledged and left, typical for this time in the season. Also in Blackstone was a Wild Turkey. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

5/23/02 -- Broad Meadow Brook Sanctuary, Worcester
Highights this morning: Wild Turkey (1); Red-bellied Woodpecker (1); Eastern Wood-Pewee (2); Willow Flycatcher (1); Eastern Phoebe (1); Eastern Kingbird (3); Warbling Vireo (3); Red-eyed Vireo (2); House Wren (1); Veery (1); Wood Thrush (4); Blue-winged Warbler (4); Yellow Warbler (10); Chestnut-sided Warbler (1); Prairie Warbler (1); American Redstart (2); Common Yellowthroat (12); Scarlet Tanager (2); Eastern Towhee (7); Field Sparrow (2); Rose-breasted Grosbeak (6); Brown-headed Cowbird (5); Baltimore Oriole (5). (report from John Liller).

5/22/02 -- Moose Hill, Spencer
There was an American Bittern at the small pond in front of the trail shelter today. I saw it here a few days ago. This small man made pond is loaded with large Bull-Frog tadpoles. I suppose it will be feasting here for a while. (report from Brian Mulhearn).

5/22/02 -- Broad Meadow Brook Sanctuary, Worcester
Highlights this morning: Turkey Vulture (1); Hairy Woodpecker (1); Eastern Phoebe (1); Great Crested Flycatcher (1); Warbling Vireo (5); Red-eyed Vireo (2); House Wren (1); Veery (1); Wood Thrush (5); Blue-winged Warbler (3); Yellow Warbler (10); Chestnut-sided Warbler (1); Magnolia Warbler (1); Yellow-rumped Warbler (2); Blackpoll Warbler (1); American Redstart (1); [Ovenbird (1 - reported by a couple from California who were birding the Sanctuary)]; Common Yellowthroat (14); [Canada Warbler (2 - reported by the same couple)]; Scarlet Tanager (2); Eastern Towhee (2); Field Sparrow (1); Rose-breasted Grosbeak (6); Baltimore Oriole (7). (report from John Liller).

5/22/02 -- Bancroft Tower Hill, Worcester
A small number of migrants on the hill this morning and song was sparse. Red-tailed Hawk (1 seen on the hill. Later in the morning I looked out my back window to find a Red-tail mantling a Rock Dove it had killed); N. Flicker (1); E. Phoebe (1); Red-breasted Nuthatch (2); House Wren (1); Wood Thrush (2); Gray Catbird (8); Red-eyed Vireo (3); WARBLERS: Tennessee (1), N. Parula (3), Chestnut-sided (2), Magnolia (4), Black-throated Green (1), Black-throated Blue (2); Scarlet Tanager (3). (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

5/20/02 -- Broad Meadow Brook Sanctuary, Worcester
Highlights this morning : Virginia Rail (2); Sora (1); Eastern Wood-Pewee (1); Willow Flycatcher (1); "Empidonax" species (1 - found in a location where we often have Alders in migration); Eastern Phoebe (2); Great Crested Flycatcher (1); Eastern Kingbird (1); Warbling Vireo (3); Red-eyed Vireo (4); Tree Swallow (8); House Wren (1); Eastern Bluebird (1); Veery (1); Wood Thrush (4); Brown Thrasher (1); Cedar Waxwing (5); Blue-winged Warbler (4); Tennessee Warbler (2); Nashville Warbler (1); Northern Parula (1); Yellow Warbler (7); Yellow-rumped Warbler (9); Blackburnian Warbler (1); Prairie Warbler (1); Blackpoll Warbler (1); Black-and-white Warbler (2); American Redstart (1); Ovenbird (1); Common Yellowthroat (6); Scarlet Tanager (4); Eastern Towhee (9); Field Sparrow (4); Rose-breasted Grosbeak (3); Red-winged Blackbird (13); Brown-headed Cowbird (5); Baltimore Oriole (11 - including a female building a nest). (report from John Liller).

5/19/02 -- Westminster/Princeton Forbush Bird Club Trip
On Sunday, May 19, 2002, the Forbush Bird Club held a Bird Walk in Westminster and Princeton. the trip had 13 participants who were led by Francis X. McMenemy with Chuck Caron assisting in keeping the count of each pecies. The temperatures ranged from 33 at 7:00 a.m. to the low 50's at 1:00 p.m., with 10 to 15 mph NW winds and a bright blue sky. This was quite a contrast from the several inches of snow in this area the day before. Highlights among the 75 bird species seen and/or heard were: Pied-billed Grebe 2; American Bittern 1; Sharp-shinned Hawk 1; Cooper's Hawk 1; RED-SHOULDERED HAWK 1; Broad-winged Hawk 2; RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD 3; Blue-headed Vireo 2; Red-eyed Vireo 4; Northern Rough-winged Swallow 2; BANK SWALLOW 3; Barn Swallow 1; Brown Creeper 2; Winter Wren 1; Golden-crowned Kinglet 2; Eastern Bluebird 1; Veery 4; Hermit Thrush 2; Wood Thrush 1; Tennessee Warbler 1; Nashville Warbler 1; Northern Parula Warbler 1; Yellow Warbler 10; Chestnut-sided Warbler 2; Magnolia Warbler 1; Bkack-throated Green Warbler 1; Black-throated Blue Warbler 6; Yellow-rumped Warbler 4; Pine Warbler 1; Prairie Warbler 2; Black-and-white Warbler 2; Ovenbird 10; Northern Waterthrush 1; American Redstart 1; Common Yellowthroat 7; Eastern Towhee 5; Swamp Sparrow 4; Dark-eyed Junco 1; Rose-breasted Grosbeak 4; INDIGO BUNTING 1 ; Baltimore Oriole 7; Purple Finch 1.

Complete trip list here (report from Joan Zumpfe).

5/19/02 -- High Ridge WMA, Gardner
Select species from 76 species seen and/or heard in High Ridge WMA this morning: American Bittern 1 flushed from the edge of a grassy field under a crab apple tree about 1/2 mile from any water (I did not realize this was a grassland species!); Hooded Merganser 2 females..a nesting species here; Northern Goshawk 1 imm; Northern Harrier 1; Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1 male; Pileated Woodpecker 1 female; Eastern Kingbird 3; Great-crested Flycatcher 1; Yellow-throated Vireo 2; Warbling Vireo 3; Red-eyed Vireo ~10; Swainson's Thrush 7 a good # up here; Wood Thrush 4; Black+white Warbler ~10; Blk-Thr Green Warb. 6; Canada Warb. 1; Chestnut-sided Warb. 5; Blk-Thr Blue Warb. 1; Am. Redstart 2; Balt. Oriole 14 2 fem. building nests; Rose-breasted Grosbeak 4; Scarlet Tanager 1 fem. (very few); Evening Grosbeak 1 heard over head. Only 12 species of warblers detected, a low number for this date and NO Winter Wrens heard, there was still a few inches of snow in places. (report from Tom Pirro).

5/19/02 -- Upton SF
We birded a few of the trails of this very popular State Park that is also part of the Blackstone National Corridor. Though windy and cold we had: Pileated Woodpecker (1 heard); E. Wood Peewee (3); E. Phoebe (2); Great Crested Flycatcher (1); Eastern Kingbird (4); Veery (2); Hermit Thrush (7); Wood Thrush (4); Warbling Vireo (1); Yellow-throated Vireo (1); Red-eyed Vireo (2); Scarlet Tanager (4); Rose-breasted Grosbeak (3); Baltimore Oriole (14). Wildflowers included: Fringed Polygala (lots); Lady's Slipper (some groups, sadly some crushed by horses or mountain bikes); Star Flower, Lilly-Of-The-Valley, Birdsfoot Violets.
Note: This park has plenty of parking and well marked trails. I printed out a topo map from a personal Massachusetts map CD-Rom and that came in very handy as there were no trail maps available. The Upton SF actually consists of several very disparate parcels . We hiked in the largest which is on the border with Hopkington. The habitat is mostly mixed upland forest with many low lying woody marshy areas. A decent brushy marsh with cattails and hemlocks is near the main parking area. The area is popular with joggers, dog walkers, and mountain bikers, so come early. The area looks like it could be good in spring and fall migration. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

5/17/02 -- Institute Park, Worcester
Highlights at noon included 1 Black-crowned Night-heron, 1 Least Flycatcher, 1 Eastern Kingbird, 1 Carolina Wren, 3 Warbling Vireo, 1 Red-eyed Vireo, 1 Yellow Warbler, 1 Magnolia Warbler, 2 Yellow-rumped Warbler, 1 Am. Redstart, 2 Common Yellowthroats (m&f), 1 Wilson's Warbler, 1 Rose-breasted Grosbeak, and 2 Baltimore Oriole. (report from Rick Quimby).

5/17/02 -- Bancroft Tower Hill, Worcester
Very few birds today, and in an odd mix, mostly singles of species. Very little warbler song. Many birds seemed to have taken off with last night's favorable winds. Most noteworthy, besides the thrush, was the group of Bay-breasted all of which were in trees at the very top of the hill. Red-tailed Hawk (1 mantling a large Gray Squirel it just dispatched); E. Phoebe (2); Great Crested Flycatcher (1); E. Kingbird (1); Barn Swallow (2 migrating overhead); BICKNELL'S THRUSH (1 heard: 1-2 Gray-cheeked/Bicknell's Thrushes have shown up for 1-3 days exactly at this time and very early in the AM they can sometimes (rarely) be heard allowing identification. Swainson's Thrushes are more common, but still very much "uncommon" overall at this location (3-10+ per year), and can also be sometimes heard in the early AM singing. Just past mid-May seems to be the best time to look and listen. As more people have taken to walking dogs on this hill (up dramatically this year, and many NOT leashed) I expect these woodland thrushes to become much more difficult to see as the dogs seem to flush many birds ahead of them.); Wood Thrush (2); Red-eyed Vireo (1); Scarlet Tanager (1); Bobolink (1 overhead); Baltimore Oriole (2). (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

5/16/02 -- Hodges Village ACE, Oxford
Noticed my first Common Nighthawk of the season at Greebrier Park this afternoon after work. Also quickly noticed was a Red-eyed Vireo, a pair of Blue-headed Vireos, a Yellow-throated Vireo, 4 Wood Thrushes, a Veery, a pair of Brown Thrashers, a Black-throated Blue Warbler, 5 Magnolia Warblers, a Canada Warbler, a Northern Waterthrush, a few American Redstarts, Pine, Yellow-rumped, Yellow Warblers and Common Yellowthroats, and a White-crowned Sparrow. The 2 Solitary Sandpipers also continue. (report from Paul Meleski).

5/16/02 -- All Faiths Cemetery, Worcester
There was a Green Heron on the shore next to the peninsula at the SE corner of the cemetery. It flew across the pond and landed in one of the large trees at the end of the opposite shoreline of the cemetery. (report from Brian Mulhearn).

5/16/02 -- Institute Park, Worcester
Highlights among 37 species recorded today at noon included 2 Chimney Swifts, 1 Least Flycatcher, 2 Eastern Kingbirds, 1 Tree Swallow, 1 Carolina Wren, 3 Warbling Vireos, 1 Scarlet Tanager (f), 1 Rose-breasted Grosbeak, 3 White-throated Sparrows, and 3 Baltimore Orioles. (report from Rick Quimby)

5/16/02 -- Mt. Watatic, Ashburnham
Highlights of birds seen this morning at Mt. Watatic include: Common Merganser 2 (headed north); Broadwing Hawk 3; Hermit Thrush 4; Veery 2; Golden-crowned Kinglet 10; Red-breasted Nuthatch 8; Red-eyed Vireo 4; Blue-headed Vireo 3; Purple Finch 1; Rose-breasted Grosbeak 3; Dark-eyed Junco 1; White-throated Sparrow 1; Scarlet Tanager 1. (report from Chuck Caron).

5/16/02 -- Bancroft Tower Hill, Worcester
A fair number of migrants this morning. Most were on the lower NE area, then moved SW around the hill. Eastern Wood Peewee (1); E. Phoebe (2); Wood Thrush (2); Red-eyed Vireo (3); Scarlet Tanager (3); Rose-breasted Grosbeak (1); Baltimore Oriole (3). (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

5/15/02 -- Moose Hill, Spencer
At the Moose Hill parking lot there was a Green Heron in a large puddle next to the woods at the bottom of the hill. As we climbed the hill we saw a Gray Catbird, 2 Hermit Thrushes, and we heard a few Black Throated Green Warblers, and a few Ovenbirds. It was very windy and cold, we saw a few snow flurries and there were no insects flying around. We were here yesterday and there were bird songs coming from every direction and today was much quieter. At the summit there were 3 Bobolinks, 2m, 1f, a male was pursuing the female. Unfortunately this field has its hay mowed a few times a year. (report from Brian Mulhearn).

5/15/02 -- All Faith Cemetery, Worcester
Today despite the wind we recorded the following: DC Cormorant [1],Mute Swan [2], Canada Goose [4], Wood Duck [2 male on box female seen entering], Mallard [1], Solitary Sandpiper [1], Mourning Doves [6],Northern Flicker [3], E. Kingbird [1], Tree Swallows [8], A Robin [11], Gray Catbird [15],Warbling Vireo [5],Yellow Warbler [3], Yellow-rumped Warbler [28],Common Yellowthroat [2],Northern Cardinal [1], Chipping Sparrow [18], Song Sparrow [5], Red-winged Blackbirds [9], Common Grackles [5], Brown-headed Cowbirds,Baltimore Oriole [8], ORCHARD ORIOLE [1], and House Sparrows [7]. The Orchard Oriole was on the small peninsula at the SE part of the cemetery. [report from Dan & Deb Berard]

5/14/02 -- Bancroft Tower Hill, Worcester
A good number of birds were on the hill early this morning, but in an unusual mix. It was just as interesting what was NOT there. Like: NO Redstarts. Numbers of Yellow-rumpeds had dropped amazingly since Sunday. Birds were most active at the middle level road (a stretch of Massachusetts Avenue formerly dirt) with almost no birds atop the hill around the "castle". At the middle level, it was an impressive concentration of birds in a VERY small area. There were also birds along the lower tennis court path. Should be a good morning at other migration hot spots. Red-tailed Hawk (1); N. Flicker (1); Great Crested Flycatcher (1); Veery (1: hopping about on the path); Swainson's Thrush (1 hopping about on a lawn); Wood Thrush (2); Red-eyed Vireo (2); LINCOLN'S SPARROW (1); WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW (1); Baltimore Oriole (2). At 7:05AM, song and activity dropped 90% suddenly, as if a curtain had dropped. We went to the top of the hill, and there were extremely few birds there. All I can guess is that birds headed low on either side of the hill. I have no idea. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

5/12/02 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
In the before-the-rain hours, the roads around the Barre Falls Dam yielded the following sightings: 1 broad-winged hawk, 2 c. raven (both adult voices), 1 spotted sandpiper, 3 downy woodpecker, 1 hairy woodpecker, 3 flicker, 1 e. kingbird, 4 red-br. nuthatch, 10+ white-br. nuthatch, 2 brown creeper, 3 r.c. kinglet, 8 catbird, 2 wood thrushes, 1 veery, 2 red-eyed vireo, 2 warbling vireo, 4 blue-headed vireo (including a pair nest building), 4 scarlet tanager, 5 rose-br. grosbeak (1 female), 4 field sparrow, 2 chipping sparrow , 3 e. towhee, 2 b. oriole, 2 purple finch. (report from Andrea Burke).

5/12/02 -- Bancroft Tower Hill, Worcester
We had a nice outfall of birds in this very small (about a block in area, but lots of oaks) hill /park crossed by roads in the city of Worcester (totally surrounded by houses and the city), less than a block from my house. Birds started to arrive at 5:30AM, some were seen to fly in from across Park Avenue (busy street) and Worcester Polytechnic Institute or from Salisbury Pond just to the NE. They moved up and over the hill and (apparently) dispersed around the area or kept moving. We had intended to merely very quickly stop here on the way to South Quabbin, and found ourselves still here an hour later having a great birding morning.
Double-crested Cormorant (3 low overhead); Great Blue Heron (1 ditto); Eastern Phoebe (4); Great Crested Flycatcher (2); Eastern Kingbird (1); Warbling Vireo (1); Red-eyed Vireo (1); Ruby-crowned Kinglet (1); Veery (2); Swainson's Thrush (1); Wood Thrush (2); Scarlet Tanager (6: these also seemed to arrive together, included 2 females) ; Rose-breasted Grosbeak (6); Bobolink (1 overhead); Baltimore Oriole (10: several females). One thing we noticed is that there were many FEMALES among the warblers, the most we had seen in any one area yet this year. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

5/12/02 -- Quabbin park, Quabbin Reservoir
We arrived later than usual and it began raining by the time we got to Enfield Lookout (starting from the headquarters building), so we could not complete a thorough count. None the less we had: Common Loon (4); Great Blue Heron (2); BUFFLEHEAD (1f); Common Merganser (pair); RED-BREASTED MERGANSER (2 pair!); Broad-winged Hawk (1); Red-tailed Hawk (2); Wild Turkey (1); Spotted Sandpiper (1); Red-bellied Woodpecker (1); Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (2); Eastern Phoebe (4); Great Crested Flycatcher (3); (Nota bene: no Least Flycatchers) Yellow-throated Vireo (4); Warbling Vireo (3); Red-eyed Vireo (10); COMMON RAVEN )pair w/4 newly fledged young in tow); Ruby-crowned Kinglet (1); Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (6: seemed low); Veery (6); Hermit Thrush (2); Wood Thrush (6); Scarlet Tanager (6); E. Towhee (16); Field Sparrow (2); LINCOLN'S SPARROW (1); WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW (2ad); Rose-breasted Groasbeak (7); Baltimore Oriole (18); Cowbirds (tallied 31) were everywhere. Wild Columbine, Pussytoes andother blooms noted. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

5/12/02 -- Broad Meadow Brook Sanctuary, Worcester
Highlights yesterday morning (5/11/02): Ruffed Grouse (1 drumming); Wild Turkey (1); Virginia Rail (1); Red-bellied Woodpecker (1); Hairy Woodpecker (2); Northern Flicker (4); Eastern Phoebe (1); Eastern Kingbird (1); Warbling Vireo (2); Red-eyed Vireo (1); House Wren (2); Ruby-crowned Kinglet (1); Eastern Bluebird (1); Swainson's Thrush (2); Wood Thrush (3); Gray Catbird (7); Northern Mockingbird (1); Brown Thrasher (1); Blue-winged Warbler (4); Nashville Warbler (3); Northern Parula (1); Yellow Warbler (7); Magnolia Warbler (1); Yellow-rumped Warbler (27); Black-throated Blue Warbler (1); Black-throated Green Warbler (1); Black-and-white Warbler (4); Ovenbird (1); Common Yellowthroat (12); Wilson's Warbler (1); Scarlet Tanager (1); Eastern Towhee (9); Field Sparrow (3); Song Sparrow (11); Rose-breasted Grosbeak (5); Brown-headed Cowbird (4); Baltimore Oriole (12);

I recorded the following on a casual walk in a different part of the Sanctuary this morning (5/12/02): Red-eyed Vireo (2); Carolina Wren (2); Gray Catbird; Blue-winged Warbler (1); Yellow-rumped Warbler; Black-throated Green Warbler (1); Black-and-white Warbler (1); Ovenbird (2); Northern Waterthrush (1 singing as if on territory); Common Yellowthroat; Scarlet Tanager; Eastern Towhee; Swamp Sparrow (1); White-throated Sparrow (1). (report from John Liller).

5/11/02 -- Buck Hill, Spencer
Susan Sachs led 12 members of the Forbush Bird Club on a bird walk through Buck Hill in Spencer, MA. The weather was excellent, a little cool at first in the mid 40's, but with no wind and no clouds, it reached the 60's. Highlights among 51 species seen and/or heard: Red-bellied Woodpecker 2; Least Flycatcher 12; Eastern Phoebe 4; Tree Swallow 20; Barn Swallow 2; Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 4; Veery 1; Hermit Thrush 1; Wood Thrush 1; Gray Catbird 5; Blue-headed Vireo 4; Yellow-throated Vireo 4; Warbling Vireo 4; Blue-winged Warbler 2; Northern Parula 4; Yellow Warbler 8; Chestnut-sided Warbler 3; Black-throated Blue Warbler 5; Yellow-rumped Warbler 4; Black-throated Green Warbler 6; Blackburnian Warbler 2; Black-and-white Warbler 4; American Redstart 1; Ovenbird 12; Northern Waterthrush 1; Louisiana Waterthrush 1; Common Yellowthroat 2; Canada Warbler 2; Scarlet Tanager 6; Rose-breasted Grosbeak 4; Chipping Sparrow 4; Song Sparrow 2; Swamp Sparrow 1; Baltimore Oriole 6; Purple Finch 2.

Complete trip list here. (report from Joan Zumpfe).

5/11/02 -- behind Worcester Airport, Worcester
At 8:30PM we had the following between the runways and Rt. 56: American Woodcock (10); Whip-poor-will (4); Great Horned Owl (1 beautifully silhouetted against the darkening sky atop a tall pine); Wood Thrush (1); Savannah Sparrow (5); E. Meadowlark (1). (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

5/11/02 -- Hodges Village, Oxford
Breezy, cool conditons during the regular route at Hodges this AM. Highlights: Great Blue Heron 1; Wood Duck 2; Solitary Sandpiper 2; Hairy Woodpecker 1; Least Flycathcher 2; Great-crested Flycatcher 1; Eastern Kingbird 3; Eastern Phoebe 3; Tree Swallow ~45; Bank Swallow 35 (counted 62 nest holes at a colony) +4 migrating; Northern Rough-winged Swallow 18; Barn Swallow 4; Brown Creeper 3; Ruby-throated Hummingbird 1; Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 3; House Wren 13; Eastern Bluebird 4; Wood Thrush 2; Veery 1; Hermit Thrush 2; American Robin 16; Gray Catbird 18; Brown Thrasher 2; Cedar Waxwing 1; Blue-headed Vireo 5; Warbling Vireo 7; Yellow-throated Vireo 1; Blue-winged Warbler 2; Black-and-white Warbler 3; Magnolia Warbler 3; Chestnut-sided Warbler 2; Canada Warbler 1; Wilson's Warbler 1; Yellow-rumped Warbler 21; Black-throated Green Warbler 1; Prairie Warbler 6; Pine Warbler 11; Yellow Warbler 20; Ovenbird 4; Northern Waterthrush 4; Louisiana Waterthrush 2; Common Yellowthroat 13; American Redstart 2; Rose-breasted Grosbeak 4; Eastern Towhee 8; Song Sparrow 16; Field Sparrow 5; Chipping Sparrow 4; Swamp Sparrow 7; Baltimore Oriole 11. (report from Paul Meleski).

5/11/02 -- Buck Hill RI, Douglas SF
We had a Birding the Blackstone National Corridor trip today to two almost adjacent areas: Buck Hill WMA in Burrillville RI (extreme NW corner of state) and we also hiked the boardwalk at the White Cedar Swamp at Douglas SF, Douglas MA. There was a decent movement of birds at Buck Hill and I wished we had gotten there earlier, say right before dawn. That said, we had really great views of most of the birds, as well as being able to study and enjoy lots of extraordinary pre-nupt behavior. There was also a very nice show of thrushes, with outstanding views for the whole class of most of the woodland species. For those of you who have never been there, Buck Hill is small WMA of mostly deciduous forest with a small human-made pond atop one of the higher spots in Rhode Island.
BH=Buck Hill/DSF=Douglas State Forest, Cedar Swamp trail only Great Blue Heron (BH only: 3 adults with 2 active nests: 1 nest had 3 young and the other at least 2 yng. Nests of this species well away from the coast in RI are very local and uncommon); Canada Goose (BH: pair+6 goslings); Wood Duck (BH: pair); Northern Goshawk (BH: one adult seen twice, once in a mad pursuit of a male Baltimore Oriole. Very cool sighting. May breed next door in Douglas SF, or (very maybe) even at Buck Hill); Red-tailed Hawk (BH:1); Ruffed Grouse (BH:1: very local in RI); Eastern Phoebe (BH:5); Great Crested Flycatcher (BH:1); Yellow-throated Vireo (BH:4); Tree Swallow (BH:15+); Red-breasted Nuthatch (DSF:1); Brown Creeper (DSF:1); Winter Wren (DSF: 1 singing); Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (BH:1; DSF:3); Veery (BH:4; DSF:3); GRAY-CHEEKED/BICKNELL'S species (BH: 1 non-singing bird obviously, seen at a very close distance and studied by the whole class as it foraged along the trail); Swainson's Thrush (BH:4: great study as they foraged right in front of us on the trail); Hermit Thrush (DSF: 2. I was very surprised that we got none at Buck Hill where in year's past we have had several breeding pairs); Wood Thrush (BH:4, DSF:2); Gray Catbird (BH:11, DSF:4); Cedar Waxwing (BH:15); Scarlet Tanager (BH:11: we watched a male suddenly start to cock it's tail and droop it's wings and dance around in an unusual manner. Sure enough, a passing female tanager appeared and after a bit, moved on); Eastern Towhee (BH:13, DSF:7); Rose-breasted Grosbeak (BH:3); Baltmore Oriole (BH:14, DSF:1: there was lots of territorial disputes going on with males, with serious chasing going on everywhere); PLUS: Beaver lodge seen , Gray Tree Frog and Spring Peeper's heard, and (1) Eastern Garter Snake which promptly in it's defense, scented me, a smell I will always associate with childhood (because I love snakes and were always picking them up). BTW: we saw no other birders the entire morning and had Buck Hill entirely to ourselves. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

5/11/02 -- Charlton
Highlights of birds observed today in Charlton include: Kingfisher 1, Great Crested Flycatcher 2, Eastern Kingbird 2, Wood Thrush 2, Veery 3, Red-eyed Vireo 2, Warbling Vireo 1, Warblers; Yellow-rumped 8, Black-and-White 5, Northern Parula 2, Black-throated Green 2, Ovenbird 18, American Redstart 1, Black-throated Blue 8, Chestnut-sided 1, Eastern Towhee 2, Rose-breasted Grosbeak 3, Scarlet Tanager 4 and Baltimore Oriole 9. (report from Chuck Caron).

5/10/02 -- Moose Hill, Spencer
The high light of a mid-day walk at Moose Hill, Spencer, was a Red-shouldered Hawk, heard, then seen. (report from Brian Mulhearn).

5/10/02 -- Bancroft Tower Hill/Broad Meadow Brook, Worcester
This morning at Bancroft Tower Hill: E. Phoebe 1; Red-bellied Woodpecker 1m; Great-crested Flycatcher 1; Wood Thrush 1; Baltimore Oriole 3; At Broad Meadow Brook (loop from Dunkirk St.): Least Flycatcher 1; E. Bluebird 1; Warbling Vireo 2; E. Phoebe 1; E. Kingbird 1; Wood Thrush 1; Killdeer 1; Red-bellied Woodpecker 1; House Wren 1; E. Towhee 2; Also in the past week, we've had (separately) both a male and female Purple Finch at our feeder at home. (report from Simon and Lisa Hennin).

5/10/02 -- Blackstone River/Canal Heritage SP, Northbridge/Uxbridge
This park along the river and right on the border of Northbridge and Uxbridge features some very nice trails, some right along the old tow-path of the canal. Eventually these will be connected all the way from Worcester to Providence. The whole area of this area (Heritage SP) is only a few miles long and includes Plummer's Landing (which we did not hike in), Riverbend Farm and Lookout Rock. Not much of a migration day here, just migrant breeders on territory, but nice birding in a truly beautiful spot. Great Blue Heron (5); Turkey Vulture (2); Mute Swan (2: another 6 were at Riverdale); Wood Duck (1); A. Kestrel (1 carrying food); Killdeer (3, including 1 apparently nesting on the roof of the old Stanley Woolen Mill); Solitary Sandpiper (2); Spotted Sandpiper (3); Least Sandpiper (2); Chimney Swift (19); Belted Kingfisher (2); Red-bellied Woodpecker (4); Least Flycatcher (1); E. Phoebe (7); Great Crested Flycatcher (2); E. Kingbird (9); Warbling Vireo (16); Red-eyed Vireo (2); Tree Swallow (9); N. Rough-winged Swallow (12); Barn Swallow (1); Carolina Wren (6); House Wren (2); Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (7); E. Bluebird (2); Hermit Thrush (3); Gray Catbird (31); Brown Thrasher (5); Scarlet Tanager (3); Rose-breasted Grosbeak (5); Orchard Oriole (1); Baltimore Oriole (49: this stretch of riparian habitat is just about textbook perfect breeding habitat for this species and they were EVERYWHERE today. Interestingly, only 2 of the birds were females). PLUS: many E. Painted Turtles and (1) Black Racer, about a 4 footer. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

5/10/02 -- Raymond Road, Gardner
Hilites from a half dozen quike roadside stops this morning off Raymond Road in Gardner: Blue Jay small numbers heading NE; House Wren 1; Prarie Warbler 1; Blk-thr. Green Warbler 2; Ovenbird 5 or 6; Nashville Warbler 5; Black and White Warbler ~10; Common Yellowthroat 3; Magnolia Warbler 2; Northern Waterthrush 1; Yellow-rumped Warbler ~10; Easter Towhee 1 female. (report from Tom Pirro).

5/9/02 -- Bancroft Tower Hill, Worcester
Fewer birds this morning, with just a sprinkling of species: Red-bellied Wodpecker (1m: looking for a mate?); Great Crested Flycatcher (1); Eastern Phoebe (2); House Wren (1); Warbling Vireo (1); WARBLERS: N. Parula (4); Nashville (2); Yellow (1); Magnolia (3); Black-throated Green (3); Yellow-rumped (33); Black and White (1);
Baltimore Oriole (4). (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

5/9/02 -- High Ridge WMA, Gardner
Hilites from a quick "spin" (~40 species) into the Smith Street end of High Ridge WMA this morning: Hooded Merganser 1 female in a Wood Duck box; Green Heron 1; Least Flycatcher 1; Blue Jay 25-30 some looked to migrants moving low over the trees; Gray Catbird 5; Wood thrush 3; E. Bluebird 2; B.H. Vireo 1; Yellow Warbler 1; Black And White Warbler 5; Blk-Thr. Green Warbler 1; Yellow-rumped Warbler 3; Ovenbird 4; Common yellowthroat 5+; Chestnut-sided Warbler 1; Balt. Oriole 2; White-thr. Sparrow 10+; Lincoln's Sparrow 1; Purple Finch 1. (report from Tom Pirro).

5/8/02 -- Oxbow NWR, Harvard
A 7:00 pm check of Oxbow NWR in Harvard turned up the following: numerous savannah sparrows, 1 rose-breasted grosbeak, several b. orioles, 2 yellow throated vireos, 2 blue-gray gnatcachers, several yellow warblers, 1 black and white warbler, 2 blue-winged warblers, 1 c. yellowthroat, 2 flickers, 1 downy woodpecker, 3 wood thrushs singing, a male bufflehead with wing askew (soon to be a fox's meal?), and an osprey winging down the river. (report from Andrea Burke).

5/8/02 -- Bancroft Tower Hill, Worcester
We did a quick "before work" tour of Bancroft Tower Hill in the city of Worcester. This small city park on a slight hill, is completely surrounded by houses, but has a nice set of oaks which attracts migrants. Our hosue lies in the shadow of this hill, so it's less than a block walk away. In spring, at times (not often), decent movements of migrant passerines can be found close to dawn. After that, the birds appear to move up and over the hill west and disperse into the neighborhood. Today we had: Red-bellied Woodpecker (1: though found in various parts of the city, this is a new species for this immediate neighborhood); Least Flycatcher (1); E. Phoebe (3); Great Crested Flycatcher (1); Barn Swallow (1 migrant); Carolina Wren (1); House Wren (2); Gray Catbird (6); Blue-headed Vireo (1); Warbling Vireo (1); Red-eyed Vireo (1); Rose-breasted Grosbeak (1); Purple Finch (1f); Baltimore Oriole (5). Not bad for what is almost my back yard. (report from Mark Lynch).

5/8/02 -- Institute Park, Worcester
Birds of note at noon included 1 Black-crowned Night-heron, 1 Chimney Swift, 1 Least Flycatcher, 1 Eastern Kingbird, 1 Carolina Wren, 2 Gray Catbirds, 1 Brown Thrasher, 3 Warbling Vireos, 1 Yellow Warbler, 3 Yellow-rumped Warbler, 1 Black-and-White Warbler, 1 Northern Waterthrush, 1 Common Yellowthroat, 1 Red-breasted Grosbeak, and 2 Baltimore Orioles. (report from Rick Quimby).

5/8/02 -- Sterling Peat, Sterling
During a 20 minute before work search around the ballpark and sand bank turned up Baltimore Orioles, Warbling Vireos, White-crowned Sparrow, Prairie Warbler, Yellow Warblers and Catbirds. (report from Peter Morlock).

5/8/02 -- Fitchburg
A Brown Thrasher was spotted foraging under leaves near backyard feeders along with White Throated Sparrows and a Chipping Sparrow singing above. (report from Cheryl Boissy).

5/7/02 -- Princeton
An Indigo Bunting (male) was observed at a feeder in Princeton. (report from Mary Richards).

5/7/02 -- Broad Meadow Brook Sanctuary, Worcester
I had 40 species on a morning walk on the Brookside trail loop at Broad Meadow Brook today. Highlights were 1 Sharpie, 2 Least and 2 Great-crested Flycatchers (both species seen and heard), 2 Blue-headed Vireos, 3 Bluebirds (always a highlight!), 1 Wood Thrush, 7 Catbirds, 1 Brown Thrasher, 15 Towhees, 5 Field and 24 Song and 4 White-throated Sparrows, 2 Baltimore Orioles, and 8 warbler species: 2 Blue-winged, 1 N. Parula, 7 Yellows, 2 Magnolias, 13 Yellow-rumps, 1 BT Green, 1 Redstart, and 6 C. Yellowthroats. Lowlight was 7 Cowbirds. (report from Howard Shainheit).

5/7/02 -- Institute Park, Worcester
Among 37 species at noon there were 1 adult BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON, 1 Least Flycatcher, 1 Eastern Kingbird, 2 Tree Swallows, 2 Barn Swallows, 1 Carolina Wren, 1 Veery, 2 Gray Catbirds, 1 Warbling Vireo, 1 Yellow Warbler, 4 Yellow-rumped Warblers, 2 Pine Warblers, 1 Palm Warbler, 1 Black-and-white Warbler, 3 White-throated Sparrows, and 2 Baltimore Orioles. (report from Rick Quimby).

5/7/02 -- Boynton Park, Worcester
A quick "before-work" tour of a few of the trails in the Boynton Park area had a few migrants and more migrant breeders. Migrants really moved off quickly as wind picked up. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (1); Great Crested Flycatcher (1); COMMON RAVEN (1 heard); Ruby-crowned Kinglet (2); Wood Thrush (7); Warbling Vireo (1); Scarlet Tanager (1); Rose-breasted Grosbeak (2); Purple Finch (2); Baltimore Oriole (1). Despite a search, we could not turn up Winter Wren or Louisiana Waterthrush. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

5/6/02 -- Institute Park, Worcester
At noon highlights included 1 BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON (ad), 1 Carolina Wren, 1 Gray Catbird, 1 Warbling Vireo, 3 Yellow-rumped Warblers, and 2 Baltimore Orioles (1 adult m, 1 1st yr m). (report from Rick Quimby).

5/6/02 -- Bancroft Tower Hill, Worcester
A very quick tour of the "hill" this AM had the following: Red-bellied Woodpecker (1m: calling continuously. This is actually the first one that has shown up in my neighborhood. I have had Pileated here before, but not a Red-bellied!); House Wren (2); Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (1); Gray Catbird (4); Red-eyed Vireo (1); N. Parula (1); Chestnut-sided Warbler (1); Magnolia Warbler (1); Yellow-rumped (60+: big movement up and over the hill); Black-throated Green Warbler (1); Black and White Warbler (1); Baltmore Oriole (2). As is usual, the birds moved up the hill early and dispersed rapidly. (report from Mark Lynch).

5/5/02 -- Hodges Village Dam, Oxford
The Forbush Bird Club enjoyed a birding trip at Hodges Village Dam which was led by Paul Meleski. There were 16 members attending. We began at Greenbriar off route 12 and ended at the Dam. The weather was calm and sunny with temperatures ranging from the low 40's to the high 60's. The major highlight was the sighting of a PURPLE MARTIN, which is a rare sight in Worcester County. Highlights among the 71 species that were seen and/or heard: Wood Duck 12; Hooded Merganser 1 (F); Northern Harrier 1; Cooper's Hawk 1; Broad-winged Hawk 2 (including 1 perched in a tree for great closeups); Sora 1(calling from opposite side of River); Solitary Sandpiper 2; Killdeer 1; Chimney Swift 2; Belted Kingfisher 1; Great-crested Flycatcher 2; Eastern Kingbird 2; Yellow-throated Vireo 1; Blue-headed Vireo 3; Warbling Vireo 5; PURPLE MARTIN 1; Northern Rough-winged Swallow 12; Barn Swallow 1; Brown Creeper 4; Carolina Wren 1; House Wren 5; Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher 3; Eastern Bluebird 2 (pair on nest box- beautiful light); Veery 1; Gray Catbird 4; Brown Thrasher 3; Cedar Waxwing 2; Yellow Warbler 8; Yellow-rumped Warbler 4; Black-throated Green Warbler 2; Pine Warbler 5; Black-and-white Warbler 1; Ovenbird 5; Northern Waterthrush 4; Louisiana Watherthrush 1 (the Louisiana and of the Northerns were side by side, providing a comparison study); Common Yellowthroat 3; Eastern Towhee 2; Chipping Sparrow; White-throated Sparrow 1; Rose-breasted Grosbeak 1; Baltimore Oriole 1; Purple Finch 1 female. Muskrats, Otters, Red Squirrel, Gray Squirrel were also observed. Butterflies seen included Spring Azure, Clouded Sulphur, Cabbage White and Juvenal Duskywing. Several early spring Damselflies were noticed.

Complete list here (report from Joan Zumpfe).

5/5/02 -- Bolton Flats, Bolton
We spent a truly delightful hour+ birding Bolton Flats from 6:20-7:30PM. Some caveats: (1) water is still crossing the main road, so you have to cross on some rickety sticks, not too bad. (2) at the end of the main path (where it "T"s), water has flooded the area, so unless you have wellies, proceeding further would be difficult. (3) we saw all the below birds WITH NO TAPING. Patience at this time of the day paid off, and not only did we hear the birds, but got great views too. No need to unduly harass. American Bittern: 2 different pumping birds, one that we got to watch pumping in a scope. Canada Goose (25); Wood Duck (10); Green-winged Teal (27); Mallard (21); A. Black Duck (1); N. Harrier (2); Virginia Rail (6); Sora (4: including one bird we watched for 15 minutes as it climbed over branches 1-2 feet above water); Killdeer (3); Greater Yellowlegs (8); Lesser Yellowlegs (6); Least Sandpiper (10); Pectoral Sandpiper (2); Common Snipe (4); Belted Kingfisher (1); Eastern Kingbird (3); Horned Lark (1); Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (3); Warbling Vireo (1); Yellow Warbler (15); Yellow-rumped Warbler (3); Red-winged Blackbird (185+: many small flocks apparently still migrating); Baltimore Oriole (2). (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

5/5/02 -- Wachusett Reservoir Gate 27
The hightlites of this morning at the reservoir were Least Flycatcher, House Wren, Gray Catbird, Brown Thrasher, Blue-winged Warbler, Yellow Warbler,Prairie Warbler, Ovenbird, and Baltimore Oriole. (report from Peter Morlock).

5/5/02 -- Rail Trail off rte 56, Rutland
A morning trip I led for the Wachusett Greenways organization had the following highlights: 10 Wood Ducks, 16 Ring-necked Ducks, 2 Hooded Mergansers (f), 1 Common Merganser (flyover), 1 Killdeer, 2 Chimney Swifts, 1 Hairy Woodpecker, 2 Least Flycatchers, 1 Eastern Kingbird, 3 Warbling Vireos, 2 Ruby-crowned Kinglets, 1 Wood Thrush, 2 Gray Catbirds, 1 Blue-winged Warbler, 2 Yellow Warblers, 8 Yellow-rumped Warblers, 1 Palm Warbler, 2 Black-and-white Warblers, 2 Common Yellowthroats, and 1 Baltimore Oriole. (report from Rick Quimby).

5/5/02 -- Rutland SP-Barre Falls Dam ACE
We birded along our standard route that runs between Rutland State Park and Barre Falls Dam and Rt. 122. This is a much smaller parcel than the entire Ware River Watershed parcel nominated as an IBA. There was not much movement of birds at all, mostly migrant breeders on territory with the exception of the Ruby-crowneds and Palms, and only SOME of the breeders have returned as of yet. All in all, it was a pretty typical early May list for the area. One species that WAS moving was Blue Jays. We saw several flocks obviously migrating all heading NE. Great Blue Heron (9 individuals+ 7 occupied nests); Turkey Vulture (1); Canada Goose (6); Mallard (12); Sharp-shinned Hawk (1); Red-shouldered Hawk (1 on territory); Red-tailed Hawk (2: nota bene: we did not spend any time hawkwatching from the traditional spot); Wild Turkey (3); Least Sandpiper (1: not typical for the area at all, but heard overhead); Mourning Dove (15); Belted Kingfisher (1); Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (2); Downy Woodpecker (6); Hairy Woodpecker (8); N. Flicker (7); Pileated Woodpecker (4); Least Flycatcher (13); Eastern Phoebe (19); Great Crested Flycatcher (4); Blue-headed Vireo (28); Warbling Vireo (1); Blue Jay (126: most migrating in small flocks); A. Crow (1); Common Raven (2); Tree Swallow (58); N. Rough-winged Swallow (8); Black-capped Chickadee (61); Tufted Titmouse (6); Red-breasted Nuthatch (17); White-breasted Nuthatch (8); Brown Creeper (15); Winter Wren (2); Golden-crowned Kinglet (4: all likely breeders); Ruby-crowned Kinglet (6); Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (5); Eastern Bluebird (4); Hermit Thrush (10: low); Wood Thrush (2); American Robin (70); Gray Catbird (8); Brown Thrasher (1); European Starling (4+ nest: not a typical bird at all for this area, up until now. See Cardinal below); Scarlet Tanager (4); Eastern Towhee (31); Chipping Sparrow (63); Field Sparrow (8: including one singing an aberrant song that sounded like a White-throats); Song Sparrow (17); Swamp Sparrow (25); White-throated Sparrow (23); N. Cardinal (5: actually this used to be an unusual bird for the area, but I suspect as the surrounding land gets more built up and suburbanized, this species will become more common on the periphery); Rose-breasted Grosbeak (7); Bobolink (1m); Red-winged Blackbird (142); C. Grackle (50); Brown-headed Cowbird (11); Baltimore Oriole (1); Purple Finch (14); A. Goldfinch (37); Evening Grosbeak (3).
PLUS: many Red-spotted Newts, Spring Peepers, Green Frogs, a few E. Painted Turtles, (1) Spotted Turtle. Many of the vernal pools were essentially "tadpole soup", brimming with newly hatched. Butterflies included Spring Azures, (1) worn American Lady and Juvenal's Duskywings. Lots of Water Striders, Waterboatmen and Whirl-A-Gigs and (1) diving species of spider. Flowers included Marsh Marigolds, Wood Anemones, and Bearberry. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

5/4/02 -- Quabbin Reservoir Gates 43-35
The 34th Annual Forbush Bird Club trip through the Quabbin Reservoir was held on May 4, 2002. Francis X. McMenemy led 28 members from Gate 43 to Gate 40, 39, 38, 37 and 35. The trip began with temperatures in the low 40's and ended in the mid 60's. We enjoyed clear blue skies and calmness most of the day. It was a spectacular day for the members who squeezed into 5 vehicles. Due to 9/11, the usual gates covered were not accessible. Fran spent many recent days mapping out new routes in the un-restricted areas. The new routes provided many views of the shores of the reservoir and of Beaver Swamps. Highlights were the Baltimore Oriole, the Adult Bald Eagle, the Blackburnian, Black-and-white, Pine and Yellow Warblers, the 4 Killdeer eggs, and the 5 Goslings.

Complete list here (report from Joan Zumpfe).

5/4/02 -- Maple St., West Boylston
Upon returning from the Forbush Bird Club trip (see above), I found a White-Crowned Sparrow under my feeder at home, along with several White-throated Sparrows. (report from Rick Quimby).

5/4/02 -- Fort Nature Reserve, N. Smithfield RI
The Broad Meadow Brook MAS class on BIRDING THE BLACKSTONE spent a great morning hiking in this small Rhode Island Audubon sanctuary. Fort Nature Reserve is smaller than Broad Meadow, and just as narrow. Highlights included: Common Loon (9 migrating north in ones. We may have seen more if the skies were not clear blue); Double-crested Cormorant (flock of 12 migrating); Great Blue Heron (1); Turkey Vulture (6); Wood Duck (pair really inspecting a nesting box); Sharp-shinned Hawk (2); Ruffed Grouse (1: pretty local in RI); Ruby-throated Hummingbird (2); Eastern Phoebe (2); Blue-headed Vireo (1); Tree Swallow (7); N. Rough-winged Swallow (2); Red-breasted Nuthatch (1); Brown Creeper (4); Ruby-crowned Kinglet (1); Hermit Thrush (2); Wood Thrush (2); Eastern Towhee (9); Pine Siskin (1 overhead). Butterflies included: Cabbage White, Juvenal's Duskywing and E. Pine Elfin. Plants were many but included: Bellwort, Lady's Slipper, Rattlesnake Plaintain, Marsh Marigold, Birdsfoot Violets, Wild Columbine. Sadly, we also saw Wooly Adelgid, meaning that the lovely stands of hemlocks here are doomed.
We then headed to the Millville-Blackstone area in Worcester County where we had great looks a pair of nesting Common Ravens with young.
In the Rt.20/146 Park and Ride (Millbury) where we met to carpool there were (3) Warbling Vireos, (1) Yellow Warbler, (1) Eastern Bluebird and (1) Solitary Sandpiper. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

5/3/02 -- Rail Trail (off rt. 56), Rutland
Highlights of a very windy mid-morning walk on the old Central Mass Railroad route just west of rte. 56 were 3 Wood Ducks, 35 Ring-necked Ducks, 5+ Northern Rough-winged Swallows, 100+ Tree Swallows, 5 Barn Swallows, 1 Gray Catbird, 1 Warbling Vireo, 1 Yellow-rumped Warbler, 3 Palm Warblers, and 2 Black-and-white Warblers. (report from Rick Quimby).

5/3/02 -- Tatnuck Square, Worcester
I saw my first Baltimore Oriole of the year this morning in my yard, Tatnuck Square area, Worcester. 'Twas a male. (report from Howard Shainheit).

5/3/02 -- Salisbury/Park Street area, Worcester
An adult White-crowned Sparrow has been frequenting my feeders for the last two days with the usual White-throated Sparrows. (report from Mark Lynch).

5/2/02 -- Bolton Flats, Bolton
This evening the cultivated field at Bolton Flats off of Rte 117 contained: 1 least sandpiper, 1 lesser yellow legs, 4 greater yellow legs, 2 snipes, numerous solitary sandpipers, several killdeer, 200+ mallards (mostly male), 50+ wood ducks (a good mix), and 20+ green wing teals (saw only profiles), and 20+ Canada geese. Swamp sparrows, several Virginia rails, and one American bittern vocalized in the swamp. A red-tailed hawk flew along the tree line. (report from Andrea Burke).

5/1/02 -- Bancroft Tower Hill, Worcester
A very quick tour of "the hill" this AM had: Red-Tailed Hawk (1); Red-bellied Woodpecker (1); E. Phoebe (2); Wood Thrush (2); Blue-headed Vireo (2); Yellow-rumped Warbler (7); Black and White Warbler (1); Evening Grosbeak (1 overhead). (report from Mark Lynch).

5/1/02 -- Institute Park, Worcester
Highlights at noon among 30 species were 1 Broad-winged Hawk (this bird was molting and a primary feather was missing from each wing, giving the appearance of crescents at a distance. It was a perfect example of the type of ID pitfall discussed in a recent issue of Birding), 1 Belted Kingfisher, 1 Eastern Phoebe, 2 Barn Swallows, 1 Hermit Thrush, 2 Yellow-rumped Warblers, and 1 Black-and-white Warbler. (report from Rick Quimby).

5/1/02 -- Rowley Hill, Sterling
1 blue-headed vireo; 1 black and white warbler, 2 yellow-rumped warblers, 1 ovenbird, 1 black-throated green warlbler,1 sharp-shinned hawk, 1 red-bellied woodpecker, 2 meadowlarks, 1 barred owl calling; 5 white-throated sparrows. (report from Richard Spedding).

For previous sightings, see April 2002 Archives or Archive Index