May 2004 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:

5/31/04 -- Brook, Taylor Hill, and Prouty Roads, Upper Church Street, Hardwick
Today's breathtaking clarity was an especially fitting backdrop for the bell-like songs of thrushes resounding along the entirety of Ridge Road, its steep incline allowing for fine viewing of these often elusive songsters when they chose to reveal themselves on a sunlit snag or within the shadowy depths of the forest interior. Empidonax flycatchers were also especially vocal. Many birds could be found actively feeding or searching for food overhead. Baltimore Orioles doggedly clung to the tops of slender birch branches as they filled the air with their enthusiastic caroling. Some could be seen carrying nesting material. A pair of Great Blue Herons was cause for a brief double take, their raptor-like silhouettes starkly juxtaposed against a cloudless sky as they made use of the thermals that appeared as the sun approached its zenith.
Recorded from 5:00 A.M. - 1:30 P.M.: Acadian Flycatcher 2; Alder Flycatcher 1; American Redstart 16; Bald Eagle 2; Baltimore Oriole 11; Belted Kingfisher 1; Black and White Warbler 5; Blackburnian Warbler 1; Black-throated Blue Warbler 3; Black-throated Green Warbler 6; Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 3; Blue-headed Vireo 4; Blue-winged Warbler 4; Broad-winged Hawk 2; Brown Creeper 1; Brown Thrasher 1; Canada Goose 11; Canada Warbler 1; Cedar Waxwing 28; Chestnut-sided Warbler 3; Chimney Swift 19; Common Loon 1; Common Merganser 3; Common Raven 1; Common Yellowthroat 5; Double-crested Cormorant 7; Eastern Bluebird 2; Eastern Kingbird 3; Eastern Phoebe 5; Eastern Wood Peewee 4; Great Blue Heron 5; Great Crested Flycatcher 3; Hermit Thrush 7; Hooded Merganser 6; House Wren 2; Indigo Bunting 2; Killdeer 3; Least Flycatcher 5; Louisiana Waterthrush 3; Mockingbird 2; Nashville Warbler 1; Northern Rough-winged Swallow 11; Northern Waterthrush 1; Ovenbird 9; Pileated Woodpecker 1; Pine Warbler 5; Red-bellied Woodpecker 2; Red-breasted Nuthatch 1; Red-eyed Vireo 5; Red-tailed Hawk 2; Rose-breasted Grosbeak 1; Ruffed Grouse 4; Scarlet Tanager 2; Sharp-shinned Hawk 1; Song Sparrow 6; Swainson's Thrush 3; Tree Swallow 7; Turkey Vulture 12; Veery 3; White-breasted Nuthatch 4; Wood Thrush 5; Yellow Warbler 6; Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1; Yellow-rumped Warbler 5; Yellow-throated Vireo 3. (report from Chris Ellison).

5/31/04 -- Petersham
While searching for the Bog Elfin on the dike on Tom Swamp Road (north of Harvard Pond on Rt. 122); much to our surprise, we began to hear a Sandhill Crane calling continuously from the sky. Eventually, we found the bird coming in fairly high from the east and watched as it flew over, circled in front of us and slowly descended (neck out, legs down, wings bowed); to what looked to be the vicinity of Harvard Pond, calling the entire time. Getting back out to Rt. 122, we searched the few overlooks of Harvard Pond , but could not refind the bird, though there are MANY places for the bird to be and it could easily be out of sight. Birders in the area should be on the lookout. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

Also, on Thursday May 20, MassWildlife photographer Bill Byrne heard and then saw a Sandhill crane flying overhead near the Petersham/Phillipston line on Rte 101. It soared in circles above him and then made an evasive move to escape a Red shouldered hawk stooping. Both birds then rode thermals adjacent to one another and the crane finally headed north. The bird has also been seen at Wachusett Meadows Sanctuary in Princeton. (fide Marion Larson).

5/31/04 -- Tom Swamp Road/Harvard Pond, Petersham
While searching for hours for the BOG ELFIN (butterfly, which we eventually got great looks at);, we had the following here and off Rt. 122 at Harvard Pond: Great Blue Heron (2); Red-shouldered Hawk (1); Broad-winged Hawk (1); SANDHILL CRANE (1: see previous post); Killdeer (3); Yellow-billed Cuckoo (1); Ruby-throated Hummingbird (1m on territory); Alder Flycatcher (6); Least Flycatcher (5); E. Wood Peewee (2); Great Crested Flycatcher (1); E. Kingbird (1); Common Raven (1); Yellow-throated Vireo (1); Blue-headed Vireo (3); Warbling Vireo (1); Red-eyed Vireo (26); WARBLERS: Nashville (1); Yellow (6); Chestnut-sided (6); Black-throated Blue (4); Black-throated Green (10); Blackburnian (5); Black and White (4); A. Redstart (8); Northern Waterthrush (2); Ovenbird (13); C. Yellowthroat (7); Canada (2); Scarlet Tanager (2); Baltimore Oriole (2); AND: Meadow Vole (1); (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

5/31/04 -- Swift River Reservation, Petersham
Early this morning we had a fine hike in the beautiful Slab City Tract of the Swift River Reservation (Trustees of Reservations property off Rt. 122). This area has a good set of trails that scale a rather high hill (overlook) and samples a variety of habitats along the Swift River. We hiked up and through numerous rocky outcroppings amid fine hemlock stands and decidious forest. Starting temps were in the mid-30s! Ruffed Grouse (1); Pileated Woodpecker (1); E. Wood Peewee (6); Least Flycatcher (2); Alder Flycatcher (3); Red-breasted Nuthatch (5); Brown Creeper (3); Hermit Thrush (9); Veery (3); Cedar Waxwing (5); Blue-headed Vireo (5); Red-eyed Vireo (20); Scarlet Tanager (4); Rose-breasted Grosbeak (2); Swamp Sparrow (2); (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

5/30/04 -- Pine Hill Reservoir, Rutland
At Pine Hill Reservoir in Rutland there was a PAIR of adult Common Loons. (report from Mark Lynch).

5/30/04 -- Three dike hike , Barre
Early this AM (5:30);, our MAS class hiked three of the Army Corps of Engineers dikes along Blood Swamp in the Ware River Watershed. accessing the area from the trailhead on Blake Road. These three well elevated water control dikes typically are a nice spot to watch migration when conditions are right. Today, there was no evidence of migration and we only had "migrant breeders" along this 1 mile walk. This was more than made up for by the excellent views of singing male warblers like Blackburnian, Yellow-rumped, Pine and BT Green atop the normally difficult to see trees in the light of the rising sun. The starting temps were in the mid-30s, which certainly helped keep the mosquitoes off: Great Blue Heron (1); Sharp-shinned Hawk (1ad); Ruffed Grouse (3); Killdeer (1); Pileated Woodpecker (1); E. Wood Peewee (2); E. Phoebe (2); Red-breasted Nuthatch (9); Brown Creeper (2);. Veery (13); Hermit Thrush (4); Wood Thrush (5); Cedar Waxwing (22); Red-eyed Vireo (19); Scarlet Tanager (6); Rose-breasted Grosbeak (4); Purple Finch (2); PLUS: loads of Pink Lady's Slipper and a Short-tailed Weasel (Ermine);. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

5/30/04 -- Winnimusset Meadows WMA, New Braintree
Our MAS class headed later in the AM to this great marshy WMA. Bird included: Double-crested Cormorant (1imm); Great Blue Heron (3); American Bittern (1); Canada Goose (34adults w/24 yng); Mallard (6); Hooded Merganser (1f w/2yng and another f coaxing young out of a Wood Duck box); Turkey Vulture (2); VirginiaRail (4: including a pair allopreening); Olive-sided Flycatcher (1); Least Flycatcher (2); Alder Flycatcher (2); Willow Flycatcher (5+); E. Kingbird (2); Tree Swallow (40+); Bank Swallow (4); Warbling Vireo (5); Yellow Warbler (8); Swamp Sparrow (3); Bobolink (11); Baltimore Oriole (4: 1 nest found); Plus: a huge Am Toad (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

5/29/04 -- off Salisbury, near Park Ave, Worcester
When we left this morning to lead a MAS trip at 4:45AM, an Eastern Screech Owl was calling softly from a tree in front of our house. When we returned at 3:45PM, an American Robin was up in the tree in front of our house calling in an extremely agitated fashion. In short oreder we found the gray phase Screech Owl perched high up in the maple. The owl was puffed completely out, looking very much like a gray feathered football, obviously a reaction to the maurading robin. Eventually the robin left and as of 6:45PM, the owl is still roosting there. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

5/29/04 -- Quabbin Park , South Quabbin Reservoir
On a MAS class to Quabbin Park (South Quabbin); Saturday AM in pretty windy weather we had the following: Common Loon (1); Double-crested Cormorant (13: migrating north); Great Blue Heron (3); Canada Goose (13); Hooded Merganser (1f sitting atop a Wood Duck box trying to coax the young out); Common Merganser (2); Turkey Vulture (19); Bald Eagle (2imm+adult pair attending nest visible from Enfield Lookout); Red-tailed Hawk (11: from Enfield Lookout, Red-tailed pairs began to soar all over from the western shore and along the Prescott); Chimney Swift (13); Belted Kingfisher (1); Red-bellied Woodpecker (1); Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (1); Pileated Woodpecker (2); E Wood Peewee (8); Least Flycatcher (3); E. Phoebe (2); Great Crested Flycatcher (3); E. Kingbird (5); Tree Swallow (16); N. Rough-winged Swallow (4); Common Raven (2ad each carrying food ( young nestlings that may have been robins); to at least 1 pretty fledged young (1 seen on nest still);); Brown Creeper (1); House Wren (3); Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (7); Veery (10); Hermit Thrush (1: low); Cedar Waxwing (17); Yellow-throated Vireo (2: very low); Blue-headed Vireo (1); Red-eyed Vireo (51); Scarlet Tanager (4); Rose-breasted Grosbeak (5); Indigo Bunting (4: mating observed); Song Sparrow (3); Dark-eyed Junco (1); Purple Finch (2); Baltimore Oriole (12); (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

5/29/04 -- Gate 15, Quabbin Reservoir
Continuing our MAS trip, we hiked down the logging road in Gate 15 in windy weather. ACADIAN FLYCATCHER (1 seen and heard many times); Blue-headed Vireo (2); Red-eyed Vireo (8); Blackburnian Warbler (2); Black-throated Green warbler (3); Pine Warbler (1); Black and White Warbler (1); Ovenbird (4); Scarlet Tanager (1); Pine Siskin (1); (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll)

5/29/04 -- Bike/Rail Trail, Amherst
The MAS class ended the day getting the PROTHONATORY WARBLER that has been present along the bike trail for about a week. Park at the Station Road parking area for the bike trail (warning: there have been many break ins to cars here); and hike down the bike trail c.450 yards till you see a wooded island on right. The bird sings here and behind here. We had it about 2:45PM. Other species in the area were: Red-bellied Woodpecker, Pileated Woodpecker, OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER (great views);, E. Wood Peewee, and several huge Banded Watersnakes. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

5/27/04 -- Bolton Flats, Bolton
On a cool (low 60's), calm and partly cloudy Thursday evening May 27th, 8 members of the Forbush Bird Club were led by Bart Kamp on an American Woodcock/ Goatsucker bird walk in Bolton that began at the red barn off rte. 110 at Bolton Flats. Highlights included: > Wood Duck 50 > Green Heron 1 > AMERICAN WOODCOCK 4 > COMMON NIGHTHAWK 20 > WHIP-POOR-WILL 2 Complete trip list here. (report from Joan Zumpfe and Bart Kamp).

5/27/04 -- Loons in Worcester County
On Thursday, May 27, 2004, Fran McMenemy and I checked several spots to determine what the Commmon Loon pairs are doing. At Paradise Pond in Princeton, the pair was in the water and was seen circling the little island where they nested last year. There was also 1 Spotted Sandpiper. At Hy Crest Pond in Sterling we first saw only one adult but another put in a brief appearance. There were 2 Spotted Sandpipers there also. At South Bay in Boylston, a pair of adult Common Loons was seen in the neck of the cove as well as 1 Double-crested Cormorant on the Gull Raft. From Gate 36, only 1 non-breeding plumaged Common Loon was seen and a Blue-winged Warbler was heard. From Gate 38, a pair of adults were seen together and at one point, one of them went into the nesting raft, put out by MCR Biologist Dan Clark, for a short time while the other stayed close by. There were also 9 Double-crested Cormorants, a Spotted Sandpiper and about 50 Ring-billed Gulls. We only saw Tree Swallows at the newly installed Bluebird boxes along the Gate 39 dike. (report from Joan Zumpfe).

5/27/04 -- Institute Park, Worcester
At noon highlights were 1 Mute Swan, 1 OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER (another new species for my Park list, now at 144), 1 Eastern Kingbird, 2 Warbling Vireos, 1 Magnolia Warbler, 1 Pine Warbler, 1 Am. Redstart, and 2 Baltimore Orioles. (report from Rick Quimby).

5/27/04 -- Crystal Lake, Gardner
Hilites from the bike path on the east side of Crystal Lake before work this morning: Eastern Wood Peewee 2; Yellow-bellied Flycatcher 3 seen and heard; Alder Flycatcher 1; Willow Flycatcher 1; Eastern Kingbird 4; Red-eyed Vireo 2; Wood thrush 1; Chestnut-sided Warbler 4; Pine Warbler 2; Yellow Warbler 1; American Redstart ~8 or 10; Blackpoll Warbler 2; Common Yellowthroat 5; Wilson's Warbler 2; Canada Warbler 1; Baltimore Oriole 2. I consider myself lucky to find a single YB Fly in the area every few years, 3 at once is exceptional! Nothing on Crystal Lake, the first morning in 3 days I'm able to see more than a few hundred feet in the heavy fog....was hoping for scoters. (report from Tom Pirro).

5/27/04 -- Sylvester Street, Leicester
Early this morning we did a bit of hiking along Sylvester Street in Leicester. This is now the "snowmobile" road across from the Catholic school at the bend of Mulberry Street behind the airport. This road was off limits for awhile, but is now open, though for long stretches the land right on either side of this dirt road is posted "NO TRESSPASSING". If you follow the road in far enough it bends to the right and comes out at the trail head on Lynde Brook Reservoir off Rt. 9. Other trails follow behind the airport. Unfortunately dirt bikes and ATVs are also sometimes using these roads though we saw none this morning. The habitat is regrowth reservoir forest: mixed, with stands of Red Pine but mostly deciduous edge and forest. Most of what we saw and heard this AM appeared to be breeders. We had the following in a short hike in: Great Blue Heron (1: you end up getting some views of the back side of Lynde Brook); Black-billed Cuckoo (2); Red-bellied Woodpecker (1); E. Wood Peewee (2); E. Phoebe (1); Great Crested Flycatcher (2); E. Kingbird (1); Brown Creeper (1 singing); House Wren (1); Veery (8); Wood Thrush (5); Cedar Waxwing (7); Gray Catbird (14); Red-eyed Vireo (9); Blue-winged Warbler (2: 1 singing the Golden-winged song continuously); Yellow Warbler (2); Chestnut-sided Warbler (6); Black-throated Blue Warbler (2: may breed); Pine Warbler (2); Black and White Warbler (4); A. Redstart (4); Ovenbird (7); C. Yellowthroat (8); Rose-breasted Grosbeak (2); (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

5/25/04 -- Wachusett Reservoir, Boylston/West Boylston/Clinton
This evening (6-7:30PM) we went to see if anyhting remained of the huge flock (200) of White-winged Scoters that Bart Kamp had at Wachusett Reservoir yesterday. We hit South Bay, Scar Hill Bluff and overlooks of the northeast arm. We had: Common Loon (16: including a loose flock of 10 1st S birds); Double-crested Cormorant (230); White-winged Scoter (66 males: this included a flock of 52 that we had leaving the reservoir as we pulled into the NE overlook); Red-winged Merganser (2f); Spotted Sandpiper (1); Ring-billed Gull (400+ almost all 1stS birds); Skimming over the surface of the reservoir were many hundreds of swallows: Barn, Bank and Trees. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

5/25/04 -- Bolton/Clinton
  • Hilites from Bolton Flats this evening: Black-bellied Plover 1 transitioning from winter to breeding plumage; Greater Yellowlegs 1; Least Sandpiper 12;
  • Hilites from Wachusett Res. this evening: Common Loon 11 (including 9 in basic plumage); Double-crested Cormerant ~50+; White-winged Scoter 9; Un-ID'd Scoters probably White-wings ~50 (a tightly pack group on the very far side of the Res); Bonepart's Gull 1; Ring-billed Gull 150+; Hundreds of Swallows...mostly Bank and Tree (report from Tom Pirro).

    • 5/25/04 -- Leicester/Worcester
    Recent birds seen and photographed are: Chestnut-sided Warbler ( with an attitude problem ) on Mulberry Street in Leicester; Baltimore Oriole, Yellow Warbler, Warbling Vireo and a Mourning Dove in the Forest Grove Area of Worcester. (report from Bob Ricci).

    5/25/04 -- Newton Hill, Worcester
    We birded the Newton Hill city park this morning between 5:45AM and 7AM. This small heavily wooded hill is situated behind Doherty HS and can have some decent movements of migrants in spring. The area is criss-crossed with trails. The weather was cool and foggy and the ground saturated from numerous storms the night before. There were a good number and variety of northbound migrants this morning, many singing, providing one of the more unusual dawn choruses I have heard in the spring IN the city. E. Wood Peewee (3: some if not all: residents); Least Flycatcher (1: singing); Alder Flycatcher (1: singing); Yellow-bellied Flycatcher (2 minimally:both singing); E. Kingbird (2); Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (1: late migrant); Swainson's Thrush (9 minimally: all singing); Gray-cheeked Thrush (1 singing); Wood Thrush (5: most if not all are residents); Gray Catbird (10: ditto); Brown Thrsher (1: resident); Philadelphia Vireo (1 singing); Red-eyed Vireo (7); Chestnut-sided Warbler (1); Magnolia Warbler (3); Pine Warbler (2: residents); Black and White (1); Bay-breasted Warbler (1); Blackpoll (16); A. Redstart (7); C. Yellowthroat (3); Canada Warbler (2); Wilson's Warbler (1); Rose-breasted Grosbeak (4: resident); Baltimore Oriole (4: some are resident); (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

    5/24/04 -- Wachusett Reservoir, Clinton
    At Wachusett Reservoir in Clinton today there were 2 female Red-breasted Mergansers and a raft of more than 200 White-winged Scoters. (report from Bart Kamp).

    5/23/04 -- downtown Worcester
    As reported in Sundays T+G from Mass wildlife:"Peregrine Falcons have hatched in Downtown Worcester. Four chicks have been documented by building management personal. The chicks will be banded in early June and it is believed the female is banded." You can't see the nest but you can watch the adults from the Salem st. parking lot behind the library. The nest is in the back of the Flag Ship Bank. (report from John Shea).

    5/23/04 -- Lake Quaboag,Brookfield
    On our way back from the Forbush Quabbin trip, Fran McMenemy and I stopped at Lake Quaboag in Brookfield. There was no activity at the Eagle nest, but we also saw the COMMON TERN on the buoy mentioned by Paul Meleski as well as 1 or 2 Common Loons that were diving constantly and were too distant to age. (report from Joan Zumpfe).

    5/23/04 -- Asnebumskit Hill, Paxton
    Birds today included:2 Barred Owls, 4 Pileated Woodpeckers, 1 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, 1 Red-bellied Woodpecker, 4 Redbreasted Nuthatches, 4 Veery, 6 Hermit Thrush, 5 Wood Thrush, 5 Great-Crested Flycatchers, 10 Tree Swallows, 2 Northern Rough-winged Swallows, 2 Barn Swallows, 5 Eastern Phoebes, 2 Peewee, 12 Scarlet Tanagers, 14 Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, 5 Baltimore Orioles, 11 Eastern Towhees, 1 Raven, 4 Chimney Swifts, 2 Turkeys, 2 Ruffed Grouse, approximately 40 GB Herons at the rookery, 2 Green Herons, 1 Northern Goshawk, 2 Kestrels, 3 Red-tailed Hawks, 8 Red-eyed Vireos, 4 Blue-headed Vireos, and 6 Turkey Vultures. Warblers: 16 Ovenbirds, 8 Blackpoll, 14 Yellow-rumped, 13 Black-throated Green, 6 Black-throated Blue, 5 Black and White, 4 Chestnut-sided, 6 Common Yellowthroat, 2 Pine, 4 Yellow, 5 American Redstart. Also, 1 Belted-kingfisher,and 1 Hooded Merganser. Last but not least, we did not find the TIMBER RATTLESNAKE we found last weekend. It was in the middle of the trail, while we stood right over it trying to figure what kind of snake it was, it rattled it's tail at us twice. It was 3 feet long, and it was as thick as my forearm No Doubt about it, it was a Rattler. It was a huge thrill for both of us, and we'll be looking for it until September if we have to, to try and obtain a photo. (report from Brian Mulhearn)

    5/23/04 -- Quaboag area, Brookfield
    Paul Meleski and I birded the Quaboag area this AM for a few hours, the hiltes: Common Loon 2 adult in alt plumage and 1 imm. or basic plumaged bird; Bald Eagle 2 adults at the nest; Great-black-bakced Gull 5 imm.; Common Tern 1 perched on bouy near the boat ramp; Black-billed Cuckoo 2; Marsh Wren 4; Virginia Rail 2; Blackpoll Warbler 2. (report from Tom Pirro).

    5/23/04 -- downtown Worcester
    The Peregrine Falcon was on top of the old Mechanics Bank yesterday and this morning. Also, I spent 3 hours at Broad Meadow Brook Sanctuary this morning and got 43 species. Some hilites: 1 Green Heron ,1 Ruffed Grouse, 2 Peewee, 2 Willow Flycatcher,1 YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT,1 Blackpoll,1 A Redstart, 4 Canada,2 Prairie,4 Yellow, and 1 Black+ White Warbler. (report from John Shea).

    5/23/04 -- Worcester airport fields, Leicester
    This morning we birded the fields and woodlots between the airport and Rt. 56, including a hike in the snow-mobile trail that runs between the airport and the reservoir. Double-crested Cormorant (1); Broad-winged Hawk (2); Killdeer (1); Belted Kingfisher (1); E. Wood Peewee (2); Least Flycatcher (2); E. Phoebe (1); Great Crested Flycatcher (2); E. Kingbird (4); Red-bellied Woodpecker (1); Red-breasted Nuthatch (2); Tree Swallow (10+); Barn Swallow (2); House Wren (3); Common Raven (1); Veery (3); Wood Thrush (5); Gray Catbird (18); Cedar Waxwing (8); Red-eyed Vireo (12); Scarlet Tanager (1); Rose-breasted Grosbeak (2); E. Towhee (3); Field Sparrow (2); Savannah Sparrow (13); Song Sparrow (10); Bobolink (24); E. Meadowlark (4); False Solomon Seal was in bloom everywhere. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll)

    5/22/04 -- Auburn Bird Banding Research Station
    Today proved to be a very good day. In addition to a few Baltimore Orioles, Canada Warblers, Common Yellowthroats, we captured a Yellow-bellied Flycatcher and a Mourning Warbler. The bird of the day, captured with the help of Fran McMenemy and his audio equipment and methods, was the Eastern Kingbird that has been singing to us for the past two weeks. It is the first Eastern Kingbird ever caught and banded by the Auburn Station and we could not have caught it without Fran. (report from Colleen Morin).

    5/22/04 -- Gate 15, Quabbin Reservoir
  • A morning walk into the LOGGING ROAD at Gate 15 this morning had the following: ACADIAN FLYCATCHER (1 bird heard singing continuously and seen. To find this bird: park at the gate and walk down the road. Walk past the trailhead for the old trail on the left (this is the one that descends to where this species has been found for many years in the past); and continue straight down the logging road about 3/4 of a mile. This road parrallels Rt. 202 for a distance. You will pass the ruins of an old bridge in the woods on the right and the road will begin to descend in earnest. The road is also very muddy and rutted as the area is now being logged. Listen for the flycatcher on the right in an are of hemlocks along a stream. It is about 3/4 of a mile from the car. Paul Meleski, Dan Berard and company had the bird in here during Birdathon, though not as far down the road. Also Veery (3); Hermit Thrush (1); Red-eyed Vireo (3); WARBLERS: Chestnut-sided (1); Magnolia (1); Black-throated Blue (5); Blackburnian (6); Black-throated Green (6); Pine (2); Black and White (3); A. Redstart (3); Ovenbird (9);
  • Further north on Rt. 202, at the New Salem scenic overlook sometimes called "Lover's Leap" we had: Black-billed Cuckoo (1); Ruby-throated Hummingbird (2); Red-eyed Vireo (3); Chestnut-sided Warbler (4); C. Yellowthroat (3); Indigo Bunting (2); Evening Grosbeak (3); (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

    • 5/21/04 -- Auburn
    4-6 turkey vultures arrived at my yard 5/21. Two of them lit in my large front yard oak. (report from Therese Gmyrek).

    5/21/04 -- Flint Pond, Shrewsbury
    II went kayaking on Flint Pond after work and saw 2 D. C. Cormorants, 2 Osprey, 2 Spotted sandpiper,1 Killdeer, 1 G.B.B. Gull, 3 Common Nighthawks, 1 Red-bellied Woodpecker, 2 Mute Swans , 13 E. Kingbirds, 8 Tree Swallows, 2 Barn Swallows, 2 Northern Rough -winged Swallows, 2 Yellow Warblers and 1 Black and White Warbler. (report from John Shea).

    5/21/04 -- High Ridge WMA, Gardner
    The following are hilites from a walk into the Smith Street gate of High Ridge WMA area this moring: American Bittern 1; Green-winged Teal 2; Black-billed Cuckoo 1 or 2 calling; Yellow-billed Cuckoo 1 calling and seen; Alder Flycatcher 2; Veery 2; Wood Thrush 1; Blue-winged Warbler 1; Black and White Warb. ~5; Chestnut-sided Warbler 2; Yellow-rumped Warb. 1; Blackpoll Warb. 2; Common Yellowhroat several; Ovenbird 3; A. Redstart 4. (report from Tom Pirro).

    5/21/04 -- Fitchburg
    We got in late (10:00 PM); from a Mass Audubon presentation on Loons and from our driveway in Fitchburg a Whippoorwill could be heard calling softly but constantly. This is a first for us in this part of Fitchburg. I have lived here for about 19 years and have never heard one here before! (report from Cheryl Boissy).

    5/21/04 -- MAS Cooks Canyon, Barre / Taylor Hill, Brook,Thresher, & Jackson Roads, Hardwick
    As if anyone really needs to be told, critical mass has been reached in the foliation of the trees. The only productive method of canvassing the more secluded areas in which I birded was to resort to extended periods of stationary listening. These extended intervals revealed high numbers of thrushes, especially Wood Thrush. Especially noteworthy was the lone Swainson's Thrush I detected scarcely six feet over my head at Cook's Canyon, its dazzling phrasings soaring in sublime fashion upwards through the surrounding forest canopy like silvery helium balloons. Blackpoll Warblers, often indicators of the denouement of the spring warbler migration, were especially vocal along the MDC-owned trail immediately north of the intersection of Taylor Hill and Brook Roads. A pair of Scarlet Tanagers gathering nesting material was especially entertaining.
    Highlights 5:30 8:30 P.M: Alder Flycatcher 1; American Kestrel 2; American Redstart 9; Baltimore Oriole 8; Bank Swallow 1; Barred Owl 1; Belted Kingfisher 1; Black-and-White Warbler 13; Blackburnian Warbler 5; Blackpoll Warbler 4; Black-Throated Blue Warbler 3; Black-Throated Green Warbler 8; Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher 1; Blue-Headed Vireo 3; Blue-Winged Warbler 2; Broad-winged Hawk 1; Brown Creeper 1; Brown-Headed Cowbird 28; Carolina Wren 3; Chestnut-Sided Warbler 13; Chimney Swift 17; Common Loon 1; Common Merganser 3; Common Yellowthroat 4; Eastern Kingbird 2; Eastern Towhee 1; Eastern Wood Pewee 4; Field Sparrow 2; Great Crested Flycatcher 3; Greater Yellowlegs 1; Hermit Thrush 4; Hooded Merganser 12; Indigo Bunting 3; Least Flycatcher 5; Louisiana Waterthrush 1; Magnolia Warbler 2; Nashville Warbler 3; Northern Parula 1; Northern Rough-Winged Swallow 3; Ovenbird 1; Pileated Woodpecker 2; Pine Warbler 7; Prairie Warbler 3; Red-Bellied Woodpecker 1; Red-Breasted Nuthatch 2; Red-Eyed Vireo 8; Rose-Breasted Grosbeak 4; Ruffed Grouse 2; Scarlet Tanager 2; Sharp-Shinned Hawk 1; Solitary Sandpiper 2; Swainson's Thrush 1; Swamp Sparrow 2; Tennessee Warbler 1; Turkey Vulture 4; Veery 14; Warbling Vireo 2; Wild Turkey 1; Wood Duck 1; Wood Thrush 12; Yellow Warbler 6; Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker 1; Yellow-Rumped Warbler 11; Yellow-Throated Vireo 1; (report from Chris Ellison).

    5/21/04 -- : off Salisbury Street , near Park Ave., Worcester
    To my very considerable surprise, a BICKNELL'S THRUSH began signing at 3:45PM today for about twenty minutes. It then was quiet and I assumed it was long gone. It was calling from my neighbor's yard from a dense line of hemlocks and pines. Later, right at dusk, it began singing again. This time Sheila was home and was able to hear it sing more or less continuously. We went outside and listend as the bird was singing closely. Eventually, we saw the bird fly up, perch high in a pine and fly north up and out of here. On a very few rare occassions, I have heard a Bicknell's sing early in the AM on Bancroft Tower Hill during the peak of thrush migration. The much more regular and by far much, much more common Swainson's Thrushes can also be heard singing at this time usually right at dawn too. Typically 1-2 Bicknell's/Gray-cheecked Thrushes in a good year (I have not separated the species if they were not singing); have been seen at the same location. This is the first time I have ever heard this species from my house. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll)

    5/20/04 -- Abby Kelley Foster Charter School, Worcester
    From 6-7am. 19 species of birds were recorded. Highlights included: Chimney Swifts (4), Eastern Kingbird (1), Yellow Warblers (2) and Black-throated Green Warblers (2). (report from Ann Boover)

    5/19/04 -- Ware River, Ware
    A flock of at least 17 Common Nighthawks was seen at dusk from the bridge over the Ware River near Main Street, Ware. They remained in the immediate area, feeding over the River and around the mills for the 20 minutes that we watched. (report from Chris Buelow)

    5/19/04 -- Oxbow NWR, Harvard
    At 7:00 pm I saw or heard the following: 1 barred owl, 4 nighthawks, 1 brown thrasher, 4 wood thrushes, 1 veery, 2 king birds, 1 boblink, too many B. orioles to count, 3 warbling vireos, 5 yellow warblers, 3 yellowthroats. (report from Andrea Burke).

    5/19/04 -- Institute Park, Worcester
    At noon, there were 3 Warbling Vireo, 1 Magnolia Warbler, 1 Black-throated Blue Warbler (f), 3+ Blackpoll Warblers (m+f), 4 Am. Redstart (m+f), 1 c. Yellowthroat (f), 1 WILSON'S WARBLER, and 4+ Baltimore Oriole (m+f+1st yr male). The Orchard Oriole was not observed today. (report from Rick Quimby).

    5/19/04 -- Crystal Lake Cemetery, Gardner
    I spent a few minutes at Crystal Lake Cemetery this morning before work; the hilites: Double-crested Cormorant 1; Eastern Kingbird 2; Mockingbird 1 (doing Phoebe, Gr. crested Fly, Kingfisher and Thrasher songs); Yellow-rumped Warbler 1; Blackpoll Warbler 2 or 3; Common Yellowthroat 1; American Redstart 1. (report from Tom Pirro).

    5/19/04 -- Newton Hill, Worcester
    A quick morning survey at Newton Hill again had few migrants: E. Wood Peewee (1); Great Crested Flycatcher (1); Red-breasted Nuthatch (1); Veery (1); SWAINSON'S THRUSH (2 singing right at the start of the trail); Wood Thrush (5); Gray Catbird (12); Brown Thrasher (1); Red-eyed Vireo (1); Yellow-rumped Warbler (1); Pine Warbler (2); Blackpoll (9); A. Redstart (2); Scarlet Tanager (1); E. Towhee (2); Baltimore Oriole (2);
    A pass by BANCROFT TOWER HILL had: Killdeer (1 overhead); Red-bellied Wood Pecker (1); E. Wood Peewee (1); Great Crsted Flycatcher (1); Gray Catbird (2); Red-eyed Vireo (1); Black-throated Blue Warbler (1); Blackpoll (5); C. Yellowthroat (1); (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

    5/19/04 -- Barrows Rd., Worcester
    I had a lone, late [?] Pine Siskin at my thistle feeder about 7 this morning. It came; it ate; it left. (report from Howard Shainheit).

    5/18/04 -- Institute Park, Worcester
    At 1:15 pm, there was again a 1st yr male ORCHARD ORIOLE singing. It was on the shore closest to the tennis courts, and seen well. Even more interesting is that I think this may be a different individual than the one recorded yesterday. It is a dirtier yellow color, and the song is somewhat different. (report from Rick Quimby).

    5/17/04 -- Institute Park, Worcester
    Highlights at noon included 3 Warbling Vireos, 1 Pine Warbler, 2 Blackpolls, 1 Am Redstart, 3 Common Yellowthroat, 1 ORCHARD ORIOLE (1st yr male), and 3+ Baltimore Orioles. The Orchard Oriole was seen well, and singing, adding a new species to my Institute Park list (now at 143 species since 1992). (report from Rick Quimby).

    5/17/04 -- Tower Hill, Boylston
    Kathie Hogan and I recorded the following highlights in an early morning survey: Chimney swift (1); Flicker (1); Eastern kingbird (2); Eastern phoebe (3); E. bluebird (1); Magnolia warbler (1); Yellow-rumped warbler (1); Pine warbler (1); Ovenbird (1); c. yellowthroat (2); Baltimore oriole (4); r.b. grosbeak (1 f); (report from Jim Hogan).

    5/17/04 -- Abby Kelley Foster Charter School Worcester
    Highlights from 6-7 am: Killdeer 1; Chimney Swift 9; Eastern Phoebe 2; Gray Catbird 2 (1 dead ); Yellow Warbler 2; Northern Waterthrush 1; Common Yellowthroat 2; Song Sparrow 2; Total 20 species. (report from Ann Boover).

    5/17/04 -- Newton Hill, Worcester
    A smattering of migrants this morning and not much song. An increasing number of female warblers are moving through. (*);=indicates a species that may breed either here or nearby, though not necessarily in the numbers observed, which could include migrants. *Chimney Swift (3); *E. Wood Peewee (1); *E. Phoebe (1); *Great Crested Flycatcher (1); *?Red-breasted Nuthatch (1m: this bird continues and I watched it for a bit, apparently gathering food, but then it dropped down and out of site. It would be very interesting to know if it is in fact breeding here or nearby); *Wood Thrush (3); *Gray Catbird (8); *Brown Thrasher (1); *Warbling Vireo (1); *?Red-eyed Vireo (4); Though Red-eyeds may attempt to breed in small woodlots like this, nesting failure is likely due to cowbird parasitism. N. Parula (3); Chestnut-sided Warler (1); Magnolia Warbler (1); Black-throated Blue Warbler (1); Yellow-rumped Warbler (3); *?Pine Warbler (1); 1 pair may attempt to breed here, but it is far from certain. Bay-breasted Warbler (1); Blackpoll (7); A. Redstart (2); Ovenbird (1); *C. Yellowthroat (1); *Rose-breasted Grosbeak (1); *Baltimore Oriole (4); (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

    5/16/04 -- Forbush Bird Club Trip, Westminster/Princeton/Gardner
    The Forbush Bird Club held a trip from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sunday, May 16, 2004 in Westminster, Princeton and Gardner. Francis X. McMenemy led 10 members on the trip, with the following highlights among 73 bird species observed: Green-winged Teal 3 D; Ruffed Grouse 1; Common Loon 2 (a pair at Paradise Pond seen protecting the island where the nested last year from Canada Geese); AMERICAN BITTERN 1; VIRGINIA RAIL 1; BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO 3; YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER 2; PILEATED WOODPECKER 3; Great Crested Flycatcher 3; ALDER FLYCATCHER 1; Eastern Kingbird 4; Blue-headed Vireo 2; Warbling Vireo 1; Red-eyed Vireo 15; COMMON RAVEN 1; Northern Rough-winged Swallow 4; Bank Swallow 6; Red-breasted Nuthatch 2; WINTER WREN 1; Hermit Thrush 4; Wood Thrush 2; Northern Parula 1; Yellow Warbler 8; Chestnut-sided Warbler 7; Black-throated Blue Warbler 3; Yellow-rumped warbler 6; Black-throated Green Warbler 8; Pine Warbler 7; Prairie Warbler 1; Black-and-whitw Warbler 9; American Redstart 4; Ovenbird 10; Northern Waterthrush 1; Louisiana Waterthrush 1; Common Yelowthroat 10; Scarlet Tanager 10; Eastern Towhee 2; Field Sparrow 2; Swamp Sparrow 6; Dark-eyed Junco 4; Rose-breasted Grosbeak 6; INDIGO BUNTING 3; Bobolink 6; Baltimore Oriole 3. Complete trip listing. (report from Joan Zumpfe).

    5/16/04 -- Quabbin Park (South Quabbin)
    We had the following this morning under cloudy skies: Common Loon (12); Double-crested Cormorant (11); Great Blue Heron (1); Canada Goose (14); Wood Duck (1); Mallard (7); WHITE-WINGED SCOTER (5m); Common Merganser (3); Turkey Vulture (1); Bald Eagle (2ad); Red-shouldered Hawk (2); Red-tailed Hawk (2); Virginia Rail (1); Killdeer (2); Spotted Sandpiper (3); Barred Owl (1); Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (1); Pileated Woodpecker (2); E. Wood Peewee (7); Least Flycatcher (4); E. Phoebe (4); Great Crested Flycatcher (4); E. Kingbird (7); Tree Swallow (14); N. Rough-winged Swallow (4); Barn Swallow (3); COMMON RAVEN (pair attending nest. We could make out 1 young which looked just about fledged and was standing on the edge, flapping it's wings); Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (7); Veery (8); Hermit Thrush (2); Wood Thrush (7); Cedar Waxwing (4); Gray Catbird (15); Yellow-throated Vireo (9); Red-eyed Vireo (42); Scarlet Tanager (16); Rose-breasted Grosbeak (9); Indigo Bunting (16: at one point we had 4m actively pursuing a female and fighting among themselves in one small field); E. Towhee (17); Bobolink (10 overhead); Baltimore Oriole (29); PLUS: River Otter, White-tailed Deer, and Beaver. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

    5/16/04 -- Auburn Bird Banding Research Station
    We processed 120 birds this weekend, quite a few warblers including, a Blackpoll, a Northern Parula, some Wilson's, some Black and Whites, a Black Throated Blue, several Common Yellowthroats, an Ovenbird, several Redstarts, and we recaptured a Worm-eating Warbler that we had banded May 8th. It looks like this bird may be nesting in Auburn. We also banded several Baltimore Orioles, Gray Catbirds, and American Goldfinches. (report from Colleen Morin).

    5/16/04 -- Wachusett Meadows Sanctuary, Princeton
  • The following highlights were observed on our regular Sunday am birdwalk. It was not a particularly exciting day. Double-crested comorant(not a fly-over); Great Blue heron,Wood duck(pair);Sharp-shinned hawk,N goshawk,Red-tailed hawk,Ruffed grouse,Great Horned owl(being mobbed by many A crows);C swift,R-t hummingbird,Y-b sapsucker,E Wood-peewee(3);Least flycatcher,E phoebe(2);E kingbird(6);B creeper,B-g gnatcatcher,Veery(3);Hermit thrush,Wood thrush(2);B-h vireo,Yellow warbler(pair);Chestnut-sided warbler,Magnolia warbler,B-t green warbler,B & W warbler,A redstart,Ovenbird(3);C yellowthroat,Scarlet tanager, Bobolink(3);Baltimore oriole(3);
    Also seen today at the sanctuary: Purple finch,R-b grosbeak,Blue-winged warbler.
  • This pm the following highlights were recorded during a very soggy, buggy beginers program at Oxbow NWR. Wood duck,Sharp-shinned hawk,herring gull(4);Chimney swift,N flicker,E phoebe,E kingbird,Veery(2);Warbling vireo,B-winged warbler,Yellow warbler,Chestnut-sided warbler,Pine warbler,B&W warbler(2);A redstart,C yellowthroat,Scarlet tanager,R-b grosbeak(4);Baltimore oriole(4); All in all a very quiet day, especially for warblers. (report from Dick Knowlton).

    • 5/16/04 -- Gate 15, Quabbin
    A hike in gate 15 did NOT find any Acadian Flycatchers, despite some hiking around beyond the usual spots. But we did have: E. Wood Peewee (1); Red-breasted Nuthatch (3); Winter Wren (1); Hermit Thrush (5); Blue-headed Vireo (5); Red-eyed Vireo (9); Chestnut-sided Warbler (2); Magnolia Warbler (1); Black-throated Blue Warbler (5); Yellow-rumped Warbler (2); Black-throated Green Warbler (13); Blackburnian Warbler (7); Pine Warbler (2); Black and White Warbler (2); Ovenbird (10); Louisiana Waterthrush (1); Scarlet Tanager (1); Dark-eyed Junco (1); Purple Finch (1); PLUS: many Red Efts, a nice patch of Painted Trillium and a gogolplex of mosquitoes and Balck Flies. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

    5/15/04 -- Grafton/Northbridge/Uxbridge
    Highlights among 88 species that we (John Liller, Kim Kastler, Howard Shainheit, Laura Lane) recorded in Grafton/Northbridge/Uxbridge. We found virtually no migrating songbirds. Common Loon (flyover); Mute Swan; Wood Duck; Osprey; Northern Harrier (over Fisherville Pond); Cooper's Hawk; American Kestrel (Grafton Conservation Lands); Wild Turkey (our yard); Virginia Rail (Rice City Pond); Semipalmated Plover (Fisherville Pond); Killdeer; Greater Yellowlegs (Fisherville Pond); Solitary Sandpiper; Spotted Sandpiper; Least Sandpiper; Black-billed Cuckoo (Riverbend Farm); Common Nighthawk (flyover at Plummer's Landing); Chimney Swift; Red-bellied Woodpecker; Eastern Wood-Pewee; Great Crested Flycatcher; Yellow-throated Vireo; Northern Rough-winged Swallow; Barn Swallow; Carolina Wren; House Wren; Blue-gray Gnatcatcher; Eastern Bluebird; Veery; Hermit Thrush; Wood Thrush; Brown Thrasher; Cedar Waxwing; Blue-winged Warbler; Yellow Warbler; Yellow-rumped Warbler; Black-throated Green Warbler; Pine Warbler; Prairie Warbler; Blackpoll Warbler; Black-and-white Warbler; American Redstart; Worm-eating Warbler (Goat Hill and Lookout Rock); Ovenbird; Northern Waterthrush; Common Yellowthroat; Scarlet Tanager; Eastern Towhee; Field Sparrow; Savannah Sparrow; Swamp Sparrow; Rose-breasted Grosbeak; Indigo Bunting; Bobolink; Orchard Oriole (Riverbend Farm and Fisherville Pond); Baltimore Oriole. (report from John Liller).

    5/15/04 -- Ware River Watershed IBA
    As part of Broad Meadow Brook's CENTRAL MASSACHUSETTS ONLY Birdathon, I covered part of the Ware River Watershed, essentially between Barre Falls Dam and Rutland SP and the adjacent roads. We had the following: American Bittern (3); Great Blue Heron (17 occ. nests); Turkey Vulture (4); Canada Goose (1); Wood Duck (7); A. Black Duck (1); Mallard (6); GREEN-WINGED TEAL (2); Hooded Merganser (1f); Sharp-shinned Hawk (1ad); N. Goshawk (1); Red-shouldered Hawk (1); Broad-winged Hawk (6: at least 2 seemed to be migrating); Red-tailed Hawk (2); Ruffed Grouse (5); Killdeer (1); Solitary Sandpiper (1); Spotted Sandpiper (2); A. Woodcock (1); Mourning Dove (8); Black-billed Cuckoo (1); Yellow-billed Cuckoo (1); Barred Owl (1); C. Nighthawk (3); Whip-poor-Will (4: at one point we had 3 on the road right in front of us, waddling around); Ruby-throated Hummingbird (1); Downy Woodpecker (6); Hairy Woodpecker (2); N. Flicker (2); Pileated Woodpecker (2); E. Wood Peewee (1); Alder Flycatcher (5); Least Flycatcher (19); E. Phoebe (8); Great Crested Flycatcher (3); E. Kingbird (13); Blue-headed Vireo (10); Warbling Vireo (5); Red-eyed Vireo (73); Blue Jay (8); A. Crow (1); C. Raven (3); Tree Swallow (36); N. Rough-winged Swallow (6); Barn Swallow (3); Black-capped Chickadee (39); Tufted Titmouse (7); Red-breasted Nuthatch (30); White-breasted Nuthatch (4); Brown Creeper (13); House Wren (5); Winter Wren (4); Golden-crowned Kinglet (11); Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (4); Veery (13); GRAY-CHEEKED THRUSH (1); Swainson;s Thrush (3); Hermit Thrush (33); Wood Thrush (9); A. Robin (97); Gray Catbird (31); Brown Thrasher (1); Cedar Waxwing (4); Scarlet Tanager (26); E. Towhee (27); Chipping Sparrow (43); Field Sparrow (2); Song Sparrow (26); Swamp Sparrow (28); White-throated Sparrow (15); Dark-eyed Junco (3); Rose-breasted Grosbeak (20); Indigo Bunting (3); Bobolink (5); Red-winged Blackbird (65+); C. Grackle (40+); Brown-headed Cowbird (15); Baltimore Oriole (26); Purple Finch (1); RED CROSSBILL (2); A. Goldfinch (13); E. Grosbeak (2); (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll)>

    5/15/04 -- Delaney IBA
    Continuing our Birdathon in Central MA IBAs, we did the greater Delaney IBA in the heat of the very hot day and had the following highlights. Double-crested Cormorant (9); Great Blue Heron (22 occ. nests); Canada Goose (1); Wood Duck (2); Mute Swan (2: OK, a low-light); Hooded Merganser (2f); Virginia Rail (5); KING RAIL (1: do not tape this state listed species); Sora (2); Spotted Sandpiper (1); Great Crested Flycatcher (2); Warbling Vireo (2); Yellow Warbler (12); Pine Warbler (5); Bay-breasted Warbler (1); Ovenbird (2); Scarlet Tanager (1); Swamp Sparrow (3); Baltimore Oriole (4); (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

    5/15/04 -- Fisherville Pond, Grafton
    Fisherville Pond, part of the Blackstone Corridor IBA had the following: Great Blue Heron (1); Mallard (4); Turkey Vulture (2); COOPER'S HAWK (1 imm feasting on what looked like a Ring-necked Phaesant, but I could not be sure. The amazing thing is that the Yellowlegs and the peeps were walking all around it all the while); Killdeer (4); Semipalmated Plover (2); Greater Yellowlegs (2); Lesser Yellowlegs (1); Spotted Sandpiper (5); Solitary Sandpiper (1); Least Sandpiper (4); Orchard Oriole (1: this bird was seen by several Birdathon teams); (report from Mark Lynch/Shiela Carroll).

    5/15/04 -- downtown Worcester
    An adult PEREGRINE FALCON was seen again, perched on the railing near it's nest on the former People's Bank Building. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

    5/15/04 -- Fisherville Pond, Grafton
    After finishing a quiet walk through Newton Hill for Birdathon, Dan & I went to check Fisherville Pond. We found Semipalmated Plover, Least, Semipalmated and Spotted Sandpiper, and Lesser Yellowlegs. The highlight was a beautiful male Orchard Oriole perched in a bush in the dirt parking area near the pond to the right of the shorebird area. There was also Brown Thrasher and many singing Blue-winged Warblers. ( Dan & Debbie Berard)

    5/14/04 -- Lancaster/Bolton
    Fran McMenemy and I participated in the MA Audubon Bird-A-Thon for Broad Meadow Brook. Highlights were: 1 Vesper Sparrow at Fort Devens, 1 SANDHILL CRANE in Lancaster and 15 Least Sandpipers at Bolton Flats as well as a Greater Yellowlegs. (report from Joan Zumpfe)>

    5/14/04 -- Quabog IBA
    We started our Mass Audubon Birdathon run at 6PM working the diverse Quabog IBA which includes several of the large ponds, the WMA and the MAS Audubon property on Elm Hill. A. Bittern (1); LEAST BITTERN (1); Wood Duck (6); Mallard (11); Bald Eagle (1ad near nest); A. Kestrel (1); Wild Turkey (2); Virginia Rail (14); Sora (1); C. Nighthawk (14); Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (1); Least Flycatcher (1); E. Phoebe (4); E. Kingbird (7); Tree Swallow (35+); Bank Swallow (2); N. Rough-winged Swallow (2); Barn Swallow (50+); House Wren (3); MARSH WREN (7); Veery (18); Wood Thrush (6); Gray Catbird (60+); Yellow-throated Vireo (2); Warbling Vireo (16); Red-eyed Vireo (2); Blue-winged Warbler (2); Yellow Warbler (52); Chestnut-sided Warbler (3); Magnolia Warbler (1); Blackpoll (1); Black and White Warbler (4); A. Redstart (7); Ovenbird (1); C. Yellowthroat (21); Scarlet tanager (2); Rose-breasted Grosbeak (3); Savannah Sparrow (3); Swamp Sparrow (21); Baltimore Oriole (13); Orchard Oriole (1m); OTHERS: included Coyotes, Beaver, Muskrat, Woodland Jumping Mouse, Woodchuck, N. Banded Watersnake, A. Toad, Spring Peeper, Wood Frog, Pickerel Frog, Gray Tree Frog, Green Frog, E. Painted Turtle, N. Banded Watersnake. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

    5/14/04 -- Institute Park, Worcester
    Highlights at noon included 1 Black-crowned Night-Heron, 1 Mute Swan, 1 Spotted Sandpiper, 3 Warbling Vireos, 2 Yellow Warblers, 1 Pine Warbler, 3 Common Yellowthroats, and 2 Baltimore Orioles. Also yesterday (5/13) there were 2 Blackpolls and 1 Ovenbird. The heron today was in the same location as the previous two sightings this spring (this time standing on the shore). It has not been seen on most days, however. (report from Rick Quimby).

    5/14/04 -- Newton Hill, Worcester
    Another slow morning atop Newton Hill this morning, though a small group of migrants moved up and over the hill at 6:30. E. Kingbird (2); House Wren (1); Swainson's Thrush (1); Wood Thrush (4); Gray Catbird (7); Brown Thrasher (1); Red-eyed Vireo (2); N. Parula (2); Yellow-rumped Warbler (7); Bay-breasted Warbler (1); Blackpoll (4); A. Redstart (2); Ovenbird (1); C. Yellowthroat (3); Scarlet Tanager (2); Rose-breasted Grosbeak (1); Indigo Bunting (2m); Plus: E. Cottontail (1);. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

    5/13/04 -- MAS Cooks Canyon Sanctuary, Barre / Brook Road and Upper Church Street, Hardwick
    Observation of scant, widely dispersed, highly vocal birds characterized my dusk foray into the Massachusetts Audubon Society^Òs Cook^Òs Canyon Sanctuary in Barre. I also briefly explored habitat in Hardwick that has contained increasing numbers of neotropical migrants. Greater concentrations of insects allowed fine views of Little Brown Myotis Bats ricocheting through the twilight, a fine complement to two pairs of Blackburnian Warblers gorging on the ballooning numbers of Black Flies. The lightening-fast sprinting of three Eastern Cottontail rabbits enlivened my stroll around the edges of the Pumpkin Patch along the west side of Brook Road in Hardwick. Periwinkle and Pointed Blue-eyed Grass have appeared in portions of the sporadically used pastures east of Brook Road. While observing the dependably displaying Woodcock along Upper Church Street, my eyes unavoidably arched upward to the tree line. Taking in their whirlwind descent to earth revealed a magnificent Great Horned Owl glowering back at me from a dead tree starkly outlined against a rapidly fading sunset. As twilight faded into night, sustained observation allowed me to view its failed attempt at capturing a wriggling rodent in the field in which the Woodcocks' courtship displays have featured prominently.
    Highlights from 5:30 - 8:30 P.M.: American Kestrel 1; American Redstart 3; American Woodcock 3; Baltimore Oriole 4; Barn Swallow 17; Black-and-White Warbler 2; Blackburnian Warbler 4; Black-throated Green Warbler 7; Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 2; Blue-Winged Warbler 1; Broad-winged Hawk 1; Brown Creeper 1; Brown Thrasher 1; Cedar Waxwing 12; Common Yellowthroat 2; Eastern Bluebird 1; Eastern Kingbird 3; Eastern Phoebe 1; Field Sparrow 1; Great Horned Owl 1; Hairy Woodpecker 1; House Wren 1; Killdeer 2; Least Flycatcher 4; Nashville Warbler 1; Ovenbird 5; Pileated Woodpecker 1; Pine Warbler 1; Red-bellied Woodpecker 1; Red-breasted Nuthatch 1; Rose-Breasted Grosbeak 4; Ruffed Grouse 4; Rufous-sided Towhee 1; Savannah Sparrow 3; Scarlet Tanager 2; Solitary Sandpiper 1; Tree Swallow 23; Turkey Vulture 9; Veery 3; Wood Duck 7; Wood Thrush 5; Yellow Warbler 5; Yellow-rumped Warbler 5. (report from Chris Ellison).

    5/13/04 -- Hodges Village, Oxford
    A quick walk this AM before work on the northern side of the ACE only........ Least Sandpiper 5 (the upper third of the French River as it runs through Hodges has some pretty extensive mudflats-for a small river-may be promising as we go forward); Baltimore Oriole 6; Rose-breasted Grosbeak 2; Yellow Warbler 4; Yellow-throated Vireo 2; Red-eyed Vireo 1; Black-throated Green Warbler 2; Warbling Vireo 1; American Redstart 2; (report from Paul Meleski).

    5/13/04 -- Gardner
    Hilites from a quick stop at the Bike path across Green Street from Mount Wachusett Communiy college this morning: Common Loon 1 flying into Crystal Lake ....perhaps one of the Wompanoag Pair "hopping Lakes"; Yellow Warbler 4; Chestnut-sided Warbler 3; Ovenbird 2; Black and White Warbler 1; American Redstart 1; Wilson's Warbler 1; Baltimore Oriole 3; Orchard Oriole 1 1st year male (a first for me in Gardner); (report from Tom Pirro).

    5/13/04 -- Newton Hill, Worcester
    Breezy and cool this AM, making migrants tough to see and hear. Only a few migrants on the hill this AM: E. Kingbird (1); Red-breasted Nuthatch (1); Wood Thrush (3 minimum); Gray Catbird (6); Brown Thrasher (2); Red-eyed Vireo (1); N. Parula (1); Baybreasted Warbler (1); A. Redstart (4); Ovenbird (1); Scarlet Tanager (2); Rose-breasted Grosbeak (2); Baltimore Oriole (3);

    Also, at 4AM this morning, an Eastern Screech Owl was calling away in front of our house (off Salisbury St.). (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

    5/12/04 -- Auburn
    Another record broken today at the Auburn Banding Program. With the help of a group of Auburn Middle School students, Mark Blazis and his research team banded a 109 birds today. This is a spring record for this station. The highlights included a worm eating warbler, a northern parula, and 2 Wilson's warblers. (report from Colleen Morin);.

    5/12/04 -- Gardner
    Hiltes from a quick walk on the bike path across from Mount Wachusett Comm. College in Gardner before work today: Eastern Kingbird 1; Least Flycatcher 1; Warbling Vireo 2; Baltimore Oriole 2; Bobolink 2. Also, on the commute in to work: a Wild Turkey in Gardner , 2 Green Herons in Westminster and 1 Green Heron in Ayre. (report from Tom Pirro).

    5/12/04 -- Millbury/Worcester
  • We started the morning birding the short stretch of the Blackstone River bikepath in Millbury between 122A and Rt. 2. This is the first time we have birded this area during the week and found that it is VERY noisy: with the traffic going on the Pike and along Rt. 146 and the working gravel pit on the other side. Birds here mostly consisted of typical migrant breeders. Canada Goose (2); Wood Duck (1); Mallard (4m); Killdeer (pair mating); Spotted Sandpiper (2); Red-bellied Woodpecker (1); E. Kingbird (4); N. Rough-winged Swallow (minimally 7); Barn Swallow (1); Carolina Wren (2); Gray Catbird (9); Warbling Vireo (6); Yellow Warbler (8); Pine Warbler (1); Black and White Warbler (1); A. Redstart (1); Common Yellowthroat (3); Baltimore Oriole (6); As well as the usual expected permanent residents.
  • Next we birded All Faith's Cemetery/Leesville Pond: Mute Swan (pair); Canada Goose (14ad+ 1 group of 3 goslings and another group of 6 goslings); Wood Duck (7m); Mallard (1); Killdeer (1); Spotted Sandpiper (2); Solitary Sandpiper (1); N. Flicker (2); Willow Flycatcher (1 migrant); E. Phoebe (1); E. Kingbird (3); House Wren (1); Veery (3); Wood Thrush (1); Gray Catbird (4); Warbling Vireo (7); Yellow Warbler (8); N. Parula (3); Yellow-rumped Warbler (11); Black and White Warbler (2); A. Redstart (1); Baltimore Oriole (9);
  • Last, we did a very quick stop at Bancroft Tower Hill and had: Great Crested Flycatcher (1); House Wren (1); Wood Thrush (2); Yellow-throated Vireo (1); Red-eyed Vireo (3); N. Parula (2); Black-throated Blue Warbler (1); Black-throated Green Warbler (1); Black and White Warbler (1); A. Redstart (2); (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

    • 5/11/04 -- High Ridge WMA, Gardner
    The hiltes from the Smith Street gate of High Ridge WMA this morning: (not a lot of migrants many birds were territorial): Great Blue Heron 1; Olive-sided Flycatcher 1; Canada Goose 2 (1 has been on a nest for a while now); Green-winged Teal 1 drake; Wood Duck 2; Hooded Merganser 2; Solitary Sandpiper 1; Eastern Kingbird 2 (carrying nesting material); Wood Thrush 2; Ruby-thr Hummingbird 1 male; Brown Creeper 2; Scarlet Tanager 1; Rosebreasted Grosbeak 2; Baltimore Oriole 4 (1 carrying nesting material). (report from Tom Pirro).

    5/11/04 -- Newton Hill, Worcester
    Only a modest number of migrants on the hill this morning. N. Flicker (1 drumming on light pole); E. Phoebe (1); Wood Thrush (3); Gray Catbird (6); Brown Thrasher (2); Red-eyed Vireo (1); Scarlet Tanager (1); Rose-breasted Grosbeak (2); Baltimore Oriole (4); Lilly-of-the-Valley blooming in many places. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

    5/10/04 -- Worcester/Clinton
    In Worcester, in my back yard, there were 3 White-crowned sparrows today. In Clinton at Wachusett Reservoir there was 1 Red-throated Loon. (report from Bart Kamp).

    5/10/04 -- Notre Dame Cemetery, Worcester
    Despite nesting Mute Swans less than a hundred yards away as the crow flies, a pair of Canadian Geese raised a few goslings. Report from Brian Mulhearn)

    5/10/04 -- Northboro/Worcester/Princeton
    At our Northboro home we have two nest building Baltimore Orioles and at least one vigorously singing scarlet tanager. We put out fur from our collie after we brush her and the orioles love it for their nests. At Wachusett Meadows on Saturday (5/8) we had our first Kingbird of the season and 3 bobolinks Today at Leesville Pond I had a suspected warbling vireo. The song sounded right, but I only got a very quick glimpse of the bird. What I saw looked good. There are also two beautiful wood ducks, several yellow warblers and several yellow-rumped warblers. Finally, I watched a mute swan attack and almost catch a Canada goose. The goose fled across the water and just got airborne ahead of the swan. I was rooting for the goose. (report from Jim Hogan).

    5/10/04 -- Newton and Bancroft Tower Hills, Worcester
    A nice selection of migrants were found on these two small urban hills this morning:
  • NEWTON HILL (6-7AM): Killdeer (1 overhead); Least Flycatcher (2); N. Rough-winged Swallow (1 migrant overhead); Barn Swallow (6 migrating overhead); Red-breasted Nuthatch (1: is this bird breeding here?); Wood Thrush (3); Gray Catbird (6); Brown Thrasher (2); Blue-headed Vireo (1);
      WARBLERS: Blue-winged (1); Tennessee (2: great looks at one bird "singing away" from the top of the hill); N. Parula (5); Magnolia (4); Cape May (1); Yellow-rumped (32: many females); Black-throated Green (3); Pine (2: may breed); Black and White (4); Blackpoll (1); A. Redstart (3); C. Yellowthroat (2);
    Scarlet Tanager (3); Rose-breasted Grosbeak (2); E. Towhee (1); White-throated Sparrow (4); Bobolink (1m singing in a tree and 2 more m migrating overhead); Baltimore Oriole (7); Orchard Oriole (1 1st yr M);
  • BANCROFT TOWER HILL (brief stop): Red-bellied Woodpecker (1); Wood Thrush (2); Blue-headed Vireo (2); Yellow-throated Vireo (1: uncommon on either hill in spring); Warbling Vireo (1); Red-eyed Vireo (2);
      WARBLERS: Chestnut-sided (1); N. Parula (3); Magnolia (1); Yellow-rumped (3); Black-throated Green (2); A. Redstart (2);
    Baltimore Oriole (1); (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

    • 5/9/04 -- Forbush Bird Club Trip, Shrewsbury
    The Forbush Bird Club held a trip on Sunday, May 9, 2004 in the town of Shrewsbury with 9 attending. Mike Bellows was our leader. Highlights among the 44 species observed: Solitary Sandpiper 1 (seen first followed by nearby Spotted offering an opportunity for comparison); Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1; Eastern Bluebird 2 (pair) going to a nest box; Wood Thrush 2; WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW 1; Baltimore Oriole 3. Complete trip list here. (report from Joan Zumpfe).

    5/9/04 -- Gardner/Westminster
    Paul Meleski and I birded part of High Ridge WMA yesterday morning from 0700 till 1100. Hilites among 65 species seen and/or heard: American Bittern 2 (1 in Smith St. marsh and 1 in a field complex further in the WMA); Green-winged Teal 2 (M + F); Wood Duck 2; Hooded Merganser 2 minimum; Belted Kingfisher 1; Solitary Sandpiper 2; Warbling Vireo 1; Blue-headed Vireo 3; Wood Thrush 3; Hermit Thrush 1; Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1; Nashville Warbler 4; Yellow Warbler 2; Chestnut-sided Warbler 3; Yellow-rumped Warbler ~50 +/-; Magnolia Warbler 3; Pine Warbler 1; BT Green Warbler 5-10; BT Blue Warbler 6; Northern parula 6; Northern Waterthrush 3; Louisiana Waterthrush 2; Black and White Warbler ~10; Ovenbird ~10; COmmon Yellowthroat 5; Bobolink 4; Baltimore Oriole 4; White-crowned Sparrow 1; Lincoln's Sparrow 1. (report from Tom Pirro).

    5/9/04 -- Worcester
    I had a very good day of birding in Worcester today: 52 species starting with 1 Peregrine Falcon on the back of the Flagship Bank. From there I went to Broad Meadow Brook, with hilites of 2 Sora and 1 Virginia Rail seen at the Heron pond, warblers: Yellow 3, Black + White 8, Canada 1, Nashville 1, Prairie 3, Chestnut-sided 3, N. Perula 19, B. T. Green 4, Palm 1, Yellow -rump 100 + and Ruby -crowned Kinglet 2. From 9:00 till 10:00 birds were coming through at a steady pace -- it was amazing. (report from John Shea).

    5/9/04 -- Auburn
    Record breaking bird for the Auburn Bird Banding Team this weekend. Our first ever Black-billed Cuckoo was captured and banded today. She was a beautiful bird with very distinctive brood patch. She stole the thunder of the Worm-eating Warbler, who had been the "Bird of the Weekend" until the Cuckoo's arrival. (report from Colleen Morin).

    5/8/04 -- Buck Hill, Spencer
    On Saturday, May 08, 2004, Susan Sachs led 12 members of the Forbush Bird Club on a trip to Buck Hill, Spencer. Highlights among the 61 species observed: Wood Duck 2 (pair); Ruffed Grouse 2; Osprey 1; Bald Eagle 1 sub-adult; Cooper's Hawk 2; Red-shouldered Hawk 1; Broad-winged Hawk 1; Red-bellied Woodpecker 2; Yellow-throated Vireo 1; Blue-headed Vireo 6; Warbling Vireo 4; Northern Rough-winged Swallow 2; Red-breasted Nuthatch 3; Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1; Blue-winged Warbler 1; Yellow Warbler 3; Chestnut-sided Warbler 2; Black-throated Blue Warbler 4; Yellow-rumped Warbler 16; Black-throated Green Warbler 10; Black-and-white Warbler 5; American Redstart 1; Ovenbird 24; Louisiana Waterthrush 1; Common Yellowthroat 1; Scarlet Tanager 4; Eastern Towhee 2; Rose-breasted Grosbeak 6; Baltimore Oriole 6. Complete trip list here. (report from Joan Zumpfe).

    5/8/04 -- Wachusett Community College, Gardner
    While walking to the Theatre at the Mount (Wachusett Community College - Gardner, MA) at 7;30 PM, we spied two white-crowned sparrows foraging on the ground outside of the theatre entrance. (report from Marion Larson/Scott Handler).

    5/8/04 -- Brooks Woodland Preserve, Petersham
    Our MAS class had a wonderful hike into this beautiful Trustees of Reservations property in Petersham. The habitat is deep mixed forest along stream/small river and a small wooded marsh. There are considerable stands of hemlocks. Starting temps were in the high 30's, which was a plus as it kept the Black Flies at bay. We did a circuit hike of several miles. Almost all species seen were migrant breeders. Here, it is still very early in the season and many other species of breeders have yet to arrive, in particular the flycatchers and warbler species like Magnolia and Canada. Great Blue Heron (1); Canada Goose (1); Mallard (1); Broad-winged Hawk (2); Wild Turkey (1); Ruffed Grouse (2); Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (1); Pileated Woodpecker (3); E. Phoebe (pair at nest); C. Raven (1); Winter Wren (4); Red-breasted Nuthatch (26); White-breasted Nuthatch (3); Brown Creeper (12); Veery (1); Hermit Thrush (11); Wood Thrush (5); Blue-headed Vireo (3); Scarlet Tanager (4); Rose-breasted Grosbeak (1); Swamp Sparrow (2); White-throated Sparrow (4); Purple Finch (6); Evening Grosbeak (4); Wildflowers seen included: Purple Trillium (including the largest single trillium I have ever seen);; Sessile Bellwort, Wood Anemone and Trailing Arbtus. Clintonia was just about to come into bloom. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

    5/7/04 -- Marlborough
    Among the bird sightings in my backyard today were Scarlet Tanager, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Black and White Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, and a Double Crested Cormorant. (report from Laura Lane).

    5/7/04 -- Moore State Park, Paxton
    Plenty of catbirds, a northern water snake, an American Redstart, and two Baltimore Orioles. Plus the usuals. Photos available if desired at Moore State Park. (report from Whit Andrews).

    5/7/04 -- Institute Park, Worcester
    Highlights at 1:00 pm included 1 Black-crowned Night Heron, 2 Warbling Vireos, 2 N. Parula, 1 Yellow Warbler, 1 Magnolia Warbler, 1 Yellow-rumped Warbler, 1 Black-and-white Warbler, 1 Common Yellowthroat, 6 White-throated Sparrows, and 2 Baltimore Orioles. (report from Rick Quimby).

    5/6/04 -- Westboro Wildlife Management Area, Westboro
    I took a walk around the Westboro WMA this evening. Here are some highlights: 2 Easter Meadowlarks, 2 solitary Sandpiper, 1 Spotted Sandpiper, 4 blue-gray gnatcatchers, Brown Thrasher, Cedar Waxings, Yellow Warblers, Common Yellowthroats, Yellow-rumps, and a Woodcock. The beavers have now succeeded in flooding the access road to Little Chauncey Pond and the parking lot on it. Some people with high clearance SUV's can still get down the road, but I decided it was too deep for my Subaru. (report from Laura Lane).

    5/6/04 -- Delargy and Taylor Hill Roads, Aqueduct Beaver Pond, & Upper Church Street, Hardwick
    A brief dusk foray on a deliciously cool evening unspoiled by the presence of positively voracious black flies produced the species listed below. Warblers are beginning to appear in tantalizing numbers at these locations. The clear vocalization of an Olive-sided Flycatcher on the western portion of Taylor Hill Road was especially noteworthy. American Woodcock continue to provide entertaining viewing on the west side of Upper Church Street. This evening produced three first-rate displays silhouetted against a magenta-hued sky. Highlights from 6:10 P.M. 9:00 P.M.: American Redstart 2; American Woodcock 2; Barn Swallow 13; Black and White Warbler 3; Black-throated Green Warbler 4; Blue-winged Warbler 1; Chestnut-sided Warbler 5; Chimney Swift 1; Common Flicker 4; Common Yellowthroat 2; Downy Woodpecker 1; Eastern Phoebe 1; Great Blue Heron 4; Killdeer 2; Kingbird 1; Louisiana Waterthrush 1; Nashville Warbler 1; Olive^Ösided Flycatcher 1; Ovenbird 3; Pine Warbler 2; Rufous-sided Towhee 4; Rusty Blackbird 2; Tree Swallow 22; Warbling Vireo 1; Wood Duck 2; Wood Thrush 5; Yellow-rumped Warbler 13; YellowWarbler 1. (report from Chris Ellison).

    5/6/04 -- Institute Park, Worcester
    Highlights at 1:00 pm were 1 adult Black-crowned Night-Heron, 2 Warbling Vireos, 2 Northern Parulas, 1 Yellow-rumped Warbler, and 3 Baltimore Orioles. (report from Rick Quimby).

    5/6/04 -- Gardner
    Hilites from this morning off Kelton and Raymond Roads in Gardner: Ruby-throated Hummingbird 1 male; Red-breasted Nuthatch 2; Blue-headed Vireo 1; Nashville Warbler 3; Black-throated green Warbler 8; Yellow-rumped Warbler 5; Pine Warbler 1; Black and White Warbler 6; Ovenbird 7; Northern Waterthrush 3; Common Yellowthroat 5; Purple Finch 1. (report from Tom Pirro).

    5/6/04 -- Newton Hill, Worcester
    Just a few migrants on Newton Hill today: Least Flycatcher (1); E. Phoebe (1); E. Kingbird (1); Red-breasted Nuthatch (1); Ruby-crowned Kinglet (1); Wood Thrush (2); Gray Catbird (2); Brown Thrasher (1); Warbling Vireo (1); Blue-headed Vireo (1); N. Parula (2); Yellow-rumped Warbler (6); Pine Warbler (2); Indigo Bunting (1); Baltimore Oriole (2); Lilly of the Valley was starting to bloom. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

    5/5/04 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
    Migrant raptors today: > Osprey 2 ; > Sharp-shinned Hawk 1; > Red-tailed Hawk 1 .

    Yesterday (5/4) there were: > Osprey 2 ; > Bald Eagle 1 ; > Broad-winged Hawk 3 . (report from Bart Kamp);.

    5/5/04 -- Fitchburg
    We still are loosing sleep with the Northern Flicker at work carving the nesting cavity; we have had a female (5/4) and today the first male Ruby Throated Hummingbirds, undaunted by this morning's frosty 32 degrees here; a male Rose Breasted Grosbeak has been visiting for three days as well. Our "regular" White Throated sparrows and Dark Eyed Juncos moved off just last week, replaced by a Chipping Sparrow and Song Sparrow near the quarry which abuts our property. A kettle of six Turkey Vultures was seen at dusk right overhead and quite low to everyone else last night. (report from Cheryl and Jean Pierre Boissy).

    5/5/04 -- Newton and Bancroft Tower Hills, Worcester
    There was only 'some" activity today on these local migration spots, but extremely surprisingly that included two very good birds.
  • NEWTON HILL: Gray Catbird (3); Blue-headed Vireo (1); Warbling Vireo (1); N. Parula (1); Nashville Warbler (3); YELOW-THROATED WARBLER (1 heard singing loudly and clearly several times from the top of the hill. By the time we worked our way to the top, the bird was now downslope. It sang several more times clearly and then departed. Folks should be on the lookout for this bird in case it hasn't yet flown the coop. Totally unexpected); Yellow-rumped Warbler (2); Pine Warbler (2: likely breeders); Black and White (1); SUMMER TANAGER (1m: dynamite views of this bird as it sat in a small deciduous tree on the slope-side that overlooks the basketball courts. We watched it for several minutes and eventually it flew off north. Amazingly, this is not my first of the year: see Stow winter Summer Tanager); Rose-breasted Grosbeak (1); Baltimore Oriole (3); Purple Finch (2);
  • BANCROFT TOWER HILL: Red-bellied Woodpecker (1); E. Phoebe (1); Wood Thrush (1 breeds); Chestnut-sided Warbler (1); Yellow-rumped Warbler (1); Black and White Warbler (1); Baltimore Oriole (2: breeds); (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

    • 5/4/04 -- Institute Park, Worcester
    Highlights at noon included 2 Mute Swan, 1 E. Kingbird, 1 Hermit Thrush, 1 WOOD THRUSH, 1 Gray Catbird, 1 Warbling Vireo, 2 Northern Parula, 2 Yellow Warblers, 7+ Yellow-rumped Warblers, and 1 Baltimore Oriole. (report from Rick Quimby).

    5/4/04 -- Chandler Magnet Elementary school, Shrewsbury
    There is at least one adult and one immature rose-breasted grosbeak in the vicinity of our yard and eating at our feeders; at least one pair of cat birds, a RT Hummingbird, and Baltimore orioles are new as of Friday (5/2). Beside the usual hairy woodpeckers, white throated sparrows, etc., birds of interest include: a savannah sparrow; red winged blackbirds, red-bellied woodpecker. (report from Mardi Coleman).

    5/3/04 -- Forest-Grove area, Worcester
    Recently I was able to photograph a few of the birds that can be found here. They include: Cowbirds courting, Chipping Sparrow chipping, Hermit Thrush feeding, a Rose-breasted Grosbeak and a Blue-winged Warbler. (report and photos from Bob Ricci).

    5/3/04 -- Bolton Flats / Oxbow, Bolton, Harvard
  • This evening I birded Bolton Flats with the following hilites: Pied-billed Grebe 1; Green-winged teal 12; Tree Swallow 20+; Bank Swallow 50+; Barn Swallow 10+; Cliff Swallow 2; Greater Yellowlegs 9; Lesser Yellowlegs 1; Least Sandpiper 3; Wilson's Snipe 6.
  • Hilites From OXbow NWR in Harvard: Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1; Gray Catbird 2; Great-crested Flycatcher 1; Warbling Vireo 2. (report from Tom Pirro).

    • 5/3/04 -- High Ridge WMA, Gardner
    Hilite from High Ridge WMA this morning off Smith Street between 0630 and 0730: Green Heron 1; Green-winged Teal 1 female; Blue-headed Vireo 1; Wood Thrush 2; Hermit Thrush 1; Nashville Warbler 2; Black-throated Green Warbler 4; Yellow-rumped Warbler ~20; Yellow Warbler 2; Pine Warbler 2; Chestnut-sided Warbler 1; Black and White Warbler 5; Ovenbird 5; Common Yellowthroat 4; Rosebreasted Grosbeak 1. (report from Tom Pirro).

    5/2/04 -- Asnebumskit Hill, Paxton
    The Pileated Woopecker pair are apparently sharing incubation duties. Upon returning from food foraging, the woodpeckers land in a pine stand 50 yards from the nesthole, give a call, and then land at the nesthole. When the returning woodpecker arrives, the mate flies off, and the returnee enters the hole. this photo is the returning female, the male having just flown off.(report from Brian Mulhearn).

    5/2/04 -- Fitchburg
    Today there was a Gray Catbird at the jelly feeder, the earliest I've had one of them in the yard!
    Yesterday (5/1) there was a Baltimore Oriole at the feeder and territorial singing, again the earliest in our yard. (report from Cindy Cringan)

    5/2/04 -- Blackstone Bike Path, Millbury
    This morning we birded the Millbury section of the Blackstone National Corridor bikepath that runs from 122A almost to Rt. 20 and parrellels Rt. 146 and runs right along the river. This short stretch of the bike path that will eventually connect Worcester with Providence, looks like it could be productive during big waves in spring and fall. In winter, there are good numbers of the common waterfowl as well as typically 1 or 2 overwintering Great Blue Herons. It is very much still being landscaped and the last jot to connect it to the National Corridor Center has yet to be completed. A nice parking area is just off Rt. 146 (McCracken exit, go towards Millbury, it is quickly on your right , just east of Rt. 146.). Walk up the path towards Rt. 146 and there is a separate bridge for bikes and walkers that takes you across 146 and onto the pathway. It is a narrow stretch of riparian woodland, with several bridge crossings to view the river. This morning we had: Great Blue Heron (1); Canada Goose (2); Mallard (7, 1f); Turkey Vulture (2); Spotted Sandpiper (1: very territorial. Once, while it flew down the river, it was viciously attacked by a Red-wing, which forced it into the water. Here it floated like a phalarope for a minute, before continuing on); Downy Woodpecker (3); E. Kingbird (2); Tree Swallow (3); N. Rough-winged Swallow (8); Blue Jay (2); Black-capped Chickadee (6); Tufted Titmouse (3); White-breasted Nuthatch (2); Carolina Wren (2); House Wren (1); A. Robin (4); Gray Catbird (7); N. Mockingbird (1); Warbling Vireo (7); Blue-winged Warbler (1); Yellow Warbler (4); Yellow-rumped Warbler (6); Black and White Warbler (1); Red-winged Blackbird (3); Orchard Oriole (1m); A. Goldfinch (7); (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll)

    5/2/04 -- 5/2/04 -- Seekonk River, RI
    We conducted one of our bi-monthly surveys of this southern end of the Blackstone National Corridor that runs between Providence and East Providence from Bold/India Points north to the Pawtucket border. This is the beginning of the slow time for this area. Most of the migrant waterfowl have moved on and many more boats are about. Things start to liven up again in mid-July with migrant shorebirds and post breeding egrets and herons. We also did a quick, superficial swing through Swan Point (on the Seekonk); Double-crested Cormorant (34); Great Egret (3); Mute Swan (29: 2 definite nests); Canada Goose (8); Mallard (49: 1 f); BRANT (12: off Bold Pt); Osprey (3+ pair w/nest); Cooper's Hawk (1); Killdeer (1); Common Tern (3 far up by the Pawtucket border); Red-bellied Woodpecker (3); Great Crested Flycatcher (3); E. Kingbird (1); PURPLE MARTIN (1 migrant high overhead); Tree Swallow (4); N. Rough-winged Swallow (2); Barn Swallow (1); Carolina Wren (3); House Wren (2); MARSH WREN (1 calling continuously in phragmites at Bold Point, likely just a migrant); Warbling Vireo (3); Yellow Warbler (7); Baltimore Oriole (4); (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

    5/2/04 -- Forbush Bird Club trip, Oxford and vicinity
    Paul Meleski led a trip in the Oxford area with 14 Club members participating. The rain held off, and the group was treated to a vigorous hike through the Hodges Village Dam area. Complete trip list
    Other non-bird highlights included a watersnake. There were 62 Species, identified on the trip. (report from Paul Meleski).

    5/1/04 -- Forbush Bird Club trip to Quabbin Reservoir
    On May 1, 2004, the Forbush Bird Club held a trip through several gates at Quabbin Reservoir. Francis X. McMenemy led 8 members on this 36th annual trip when the club is given access by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (formerly the MDC) to drive through several gates. 68 bird species were observed, including BLACK SCOTER 1 Drake, COMMON RAVEN 1, and WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW 2, with excellent looks. Complete trip list here. (report from Joan Zumpfe).

    5/1/04 -- Broad Meadow Brook Sanctuary, Worcester
    Highlights of my monthly birdwalk at Broad Meadow Brook along the north and south ends of the Brookside Trail only were 2 Wild Turkeys, 2 Flickers, 2 Phoebes, 1 Red-eyed Vireo, 4 Tree Swallows, 1 Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher, 3 Catbirds, 8 Yellow Warblers, 4 Yellow-rumps only, 14 Song Sparrows, 1 White-throated Sparrow only, and 1 Rose-breasted Grosbeak. The lowlight was that there was not a fallout at BMB this morning. Oh, well. (report from Howard Shainheit ).

    5/1/04 -- Gate 33, Quabbin Reservoir
    Our MAS class had a morning hike into Gate 33 Quabbin (New Salem);. Great company, lots of birds, beautiful scenery: what more could you ask for? The only definite non-breeding species were the cormorants, the swan, and the harriers. Common Loon (8: with three migrating north); Double-crested Cormorant (4 migrating); A. Bittern (2); Great Blue Heron (1); TUNDRA SWAN (1ad flew right over us); Canada Goose (3); Mallard (11); A. Black Duck (2+ breeding pair of a hybridXMallard and a female Black); Hooded Merganser (2f); Common Merganser (2); Turkey Vulture (1); Bald Eagle (1ad); N. Harrier (2); Broad-winged Hawk (1); Red-tailed Hawk (1); Wild Turkey (4); Ruffed Grouse (4); N. Flicker (4); Pileated Woodpecker (2+ pair nesting in utility pole); Least Flycatcher (2); E. Phoebe (1); Great Crested Flycatcher (1); E. Kingbird (1); Tree Swallow (10); Blue Jay (93: numbers seen migrating north); Common Raven (1); Black-capped Chickadee (62); Red-breasted Nuthatch (17); Brown Creeper (2+ 1 carrying food to nest); Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (2); Ruby-crowned Kinglet (3); Hermit Thrush (5); Gray Catbird (4); Blue-headed Vireo (11); Rose-breasted Grosbeak (1); E. Towhee (18); Field Sparrow (3); Swamp Sparrow (6); White-throated Sparrow (6); Purple Finch (1); OTHER STUFF: Marsh Marigolds, Trailing Arbutus, Porcupine (sleeping in tree);, American Toad, Spring Peeper, Gray Tree Frog, Wood Frog (egg masses);, Spring Azure, Brown Elfin, Pine Elfin, Painted Lady, (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

    For previous sightings, see April 2004 Archives or Archive Index