May 2007 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.
Wild Turkey (1);
Killdeer (2);
Mourning Dove (6);
Downy Woodpecker (1);
N Flicker (1);
Eastern Wood Peewee (2);
Eastern Phoebe (2);
Eastern Kingbird (7);
House Wren (3);
Warbling Vireo (1);
Red-eyed Vireo (3);
Black-capped Chickadee (8);
Blue Jay (2);
A Crow (1);
Veery (5);
Wood Thrush (3);
A Robin (18: the nest of three young that was in my front yard, fledged
today and are now gone);
E Starling (7);
Cedar Waxwing (11);
Gray Catbird (9);
N Mockingbird (2);
Blue-winged Warbler (5);
Yellow Warbler (5);
Chestnut-sided Warbler (2);
Pine Warbler (2);
Black and White Warbler (2);
Ovenbird (3);
C Yellowthroat (8);
Scarlet Tanager (1);
Eastern Towhee (5);
Chipping Sparrow (8);
Field Sparrow (2);
Savannah Sparrow (3);
Song Sparrow (8);
Indigo Bunting (2);
Red-winged Blackbird (5);
Brown-headed Cowbird (4);
Baltimore Oriole (5);
Purple Finch (1);
House Finch (4);
A Goldfinch (3);
(report from
Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).
Double-crested Cormorant (2); Great Blue Heron (3: overhead at Coes coming from the direction of the airport and flying into the city); Canada Goose (21+4young); Mute Swan (pr); Mallard (8); Red-tailed Hawk (1); GOLDEN PHEASANT (continues on Newton Hill, calling and looking for a mate); Killdeer (1); Spotted Sandpiper (1); Ring-billed Gull (4); Mourning Dove (11); Chimney Swift (16: courtship flights noted); Downy Woodpecker (3); N Flicker (3); E Wood Peewee (11); Eastern Phoebe (2); Great Crested Flycatcher (2); Eastern Kingbird (7: nestbuilding noted); Warbling Vireo (4); Red-eyed Vireo (15); Blue Jay (7); A Crow (3); N Rough-winged Swallow (4); Black-capped Chickadee (8); Tufted Titmouse (18); White-breasted Nuthatch (5); Carolina Wren (4); House Wren (9); SWAINSON'S THRUSH (4: still migrating through: 2 on Newton Hill; 2 in Atwood Woods); Wood Thrush (12: carrying nesting material on Newton Hill); American Robin (46: the nest in my front yard has birds almost ready to fledge); Gray Catbird (24); N Mockingbird (4); Brown Thrasher (1); E Starling (16); Cedar Waxwing (2); Yellow Warbler (3); Pine Warbler (5); Blackpoll (5: still migrating through); A Redstart (3); C Yellowthroat (4); Scarlet Tanager (6); Chipping Sparrow (13); Song Sparrow (15); N Cardinal (22); Rose-breasted Grosbeak (4); Red-winged Blackbird (12); C Grackle (40+); Brown-headed Cowbird (6); Baltimore Oriole (10: nest building observed); House Finch (6); A Goldfinch (6); House Sparrow (60+); (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).
Common Loon (2 1stS); HORNED GREBE (1 br)
Great Blue Heron (rookery w/10 active nests)
PLUS: Verts: Fisher; Beaver (sev);; and a WOOD TURTLE (State listed);. BLOOMS:
included Ladys Slipper (many);; Bunchberry (common);; Starflower (abundant);;
Canada Mayflower (abundant);; Painted Trillium; Marsh Marigold; and a nice
showing of butterflies like Spicebush, Black and Tiger Swallowtails; large
numbers of Pearl Crescents; Red Admiral; Pine Elfin; Spring Azure; Mourning
Cloak; and good numbers of Juvenal's Duskywing.
For previous sightings, see
April 2007 Archives or
Archive Index
MAS Cooks Canyon Sanctuary,
Barre.
Winimusset Wildlife Management Area,
New Braintree.
Quabbin Reservoir Gate 45, Ware, and Gate 43,
Hardwick.
Taylor Hill, North, Barre, & Ridge Roads,
Hardwick.
4:00 A.M. 1:00 P.M.
(report from Chris Ellison). There were young in every nest and an
adult on every nest; plus 2 other adults. This rookery is actually
well-hidden, at a distance off a dirt road. We heard the calls of young
birds through the forest and did some serious bushwhacking to find it. We
discovered a small new beaver pond, a crowd of dead trees and this small
rookery)
Green Heron (1);
Canada Goose (6);
American Black Duck (1);
Mallard (3);
Broad-winged Hawk (3 territorial birds);
Ruffed Grouse (4);
Wild Turkey (5);
Spotted Sandpiper (2);
Rock Pigeon (1);
Mourning Dove (11);
Black-billed Cuckoo (3);
Yellow-billed Cuckoo (1);
Barred Owl (we flushed this bird from the edge of a beaver swamp at dawn);
Chimney Swift (1);
Ruby-throated Hummingbird (4);
Downy Woodpecker (6: 1 bird feeding young in nest hole);
Hairy Woodpecker (4);
N Flicker (2);
Pileated Woodpecker (1);
E Wood Peewee (12);
Alder Flycatcher (7);
Least Flycatcher (14);
Eastern Phoebe (15);
Great Crested Flycatcher (7);
Eastern Kingbird (21: nest building noted);
Yellow-throated Vireo (4);
Blue-headed Vireo (20);
Warbling Vireo (6);
Red-eyed Vireo (67);
Blue Jay (13);
American Crow (10: an adult still feeding a fledged young);
Common Raven (5)
This included an adult still feeding 2 fledged young. We also
found a pile of corvid feathers near the nest site at Barre Falls Dam. Some
years ago, we came across an unleashed dog tossing a newly fledged raven
carcass around almost in the same spot and it is possible another young
raven met a similar fate)
Tree Swallow (43: using both natural and human made sites);
N Rough-winged Swallow (6);
Black-capped Chickadee (82);
Tufted Titmouse (5);
Red-breasted Nuthatch (10: including bringing food to a nest hole);
White-breasted Nuthatch (4);
Brown Creeper (19: including birds attending a nest site);
House Wren (2);
Winter Wren (2: very low for this site);
Golden-crowned Kinglet (4);
Veery (27);
Hermit Thrush (28);
Wood Thrush (11);
American Robin (57: the birds nesting in my front yard are almost fully
feathered);
Gray Catbird (21);
Cedar Waxwing (21);
WARBLERS:
Blue-winged (4);
Nashville (1);
Yellow (8);
Chestnut-sided (45);
Black-throated Blue (4);
Yellow-rumped (23);
Black-throated Green (62);
Blackburnian (10);
Pine (27);
Prairie (1);
Black and White (20);
A Redstart (15);
Ovenbird (102);
Northern Waterthrush (5);
MOURNING WARBLER (1: our only definite migrant (as opposed to migrant
breeder); that we had today);
C Yellowthroat (41);
Canada (2);
Scarlet Tanager (26);
E Towhee (19);
Chipping Sparrow (55);
Song Sparrow (12);
Swamp Sparrow (8);
White-throated Sparrow (1: very low for this area);
Dark-eyed Junco (1);
N Cardinal (4);
Rose-breasted Grosbeak (9);
Indigo Bunting (2);
Bobolink (22);
Red-winged Blackbird (16);
C Grackle (58);
Brown-headed Cowbird (10);
Baltimore Oriole (6);
Purple Finch (pair);
A Goldfinch (11);
(report from
Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll
(report from John Liller).
Here is the total list:
American Bittern (7: in three widely separated sections of the block);
LEAST BITTERN (1);
Great Blue Heron (2);
Turkey Vulture (2);
Canada Goose (19);
Wood Duck (12);
Mallard (7);
Hooded Merganser (2f);
Broad-winged Hawk (2: 1 carrying food (small mammal););
Red-tailed Hawk (1);
Ring-necked Pheasant (2m);
Wild Turkey (3);
Virginia Rail (3: we did NOT tape any rails and likely there are many more);
Sora (2);
Killdeer (11+ 1ad w/3yg);
American Woodcock (12: I almost stepped on one);
Rock Dove (9);
Mourning Dove (18);
Black-billed Cuckoo (2);
Yellow-billed Cuckoo (2);
Great Horned Owl (1);
Barred Owl (2);
N Saw-whet Owl (1);
Chimney Swift (9);
Ruby-throated Hummingbird (2);
Belted Kingfisher (1);
Red-bellied Woodpecker (1);
Downy Woodpecker (10, including 1 feeding yg at nest hole);
Hairy Woodpecker (7: see note above);
N Flicker (4);
Pileated Woodpecker (2);
E Wood Peewee (12);
Alder Flycatcher (7);
Willow Flycatcher (8);
Least Flycatcher (7);
E Phoebe (24);
Great Crested Flycatcher (2);
Eastern Kingbird (24: some great views of nestbuilding);
Yellow-throated Vireo (6);
Blue-headed Vireo (3);
Warbling Vireo (29: several seen nestbuilding, mating et);
Red-eyed Vireo (41);
Blue Jay (21);
A Crow (19: an adult feeding newly fledged young was noted);
Tree Swallow (40: NONE nesting in boxes);
Barn Swallow (16);
Black-capped Chickadee (30);
Tufted Titmouse (12);
Red-breatsed Nuthatch (11);
White-breasted Nuthatch (7);
Brown Creeper (2);
Carolina Wren (2);
House Wren (8);
MARSH WREN (minimally 15 singing birds);
Golden-crowned Kinglet (2);
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (2);
Veery (38);
Swainson's Thrush (2 singing);
Hermit Thrush (1);
Wood Thrush (10);
American Robin (147);
Gray Catbird (88);
N Mockingbird (1);
Brown Thrasher (1 seen carrying food);
European Starling (35);
Cedar Waxwing (8);
WARBLERS:
Blue-winged (25);
Yellow (64);
Chestnut-sided (8);
Magnolia (1);
Black-throated Blue (4);
Yellow-rumped (2);
Black-throated Green (8);
Blackburnian (2);
Pine (12);
Blackpoll (2);
Black and White (25);
American Redstart (18);
Ovenbird (28);
Northern Waterthrush (1);
C Yellowthroat (89);
Canada (1);
Scarlet Tanager (16);
Eastern Towhee (3);
Chipping Sparrow (37);
Field Sparrow (1);
Savannah Sparrow (4);
Song Sparrow (33);
Swamp Sparrow (32);
N Cardinal (23);
Rose-breasted Grosbeak (12);
Indigo Bunting (12);
Bobolink (28);
Red-winged Blackbird (160+);
C Grackle (105+);
Brown-headed Cowbird (7);
Orchard Oriole (2);
Baltimore Oriole (35);
House Finch (1);
American Goldfinch (16);
House Sparrow (11);
PLUS:
VERTS: Coyote (pack: howling at me);; Muskrat (sev);; Beaver (sev);;
White-tailed Deer (2);; E. Cottontail (many);; both squirrels and chipmunks
galore; Meadow Vole (2);; River Otter; SPOTTED TURTLE; E Painted Turtle
(many);; FROGS: Bull, Green, Pickerel; Spring Peeper; American Toad;
INVERTS: Stream Cruiser; Dusky Clubtail; Springtime Darners; Tiger
Swallowtail; Black Swallowtail; Cabbage White; Clouded Sulphur; Spring
Azure; Pearl Crescent; Juvenal's Duskywing. Tiger beetles.
BLOOMS: Starflower; Fringed Polygala; Canada Mayflower; Jack-In-The-Pulpit;
Pinxster; Painted Trillium; Pink Ladyslipper.
All in all, a pretty outstanding morning in the field...and local too.
(report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).
Also, on Thursday evening (5/24) prior to my Forbush Bird Club walk
there were 5
short-billed dowitchers and 1 Wilson's snipe.
(report from Bart Kamp).
WARBLERS:
Blue-winged (8);
Yellow (12);
Chestnut-sided (18);
Black-throated Blue (2);
Black-throated Green (4);
Pine (6);
Blackpoll (6);
Black and White (21);
A Redstart (20);
Ovenbird (29);
Northern Waterthrush (1);
C Yellowthroat (18);
Scarlet Tanager (7);
E Towhee (13);
Chipping Sparrow (20);
Field Sparrow (1);
Savannah Sparrow (12);
Song Sparrow (9);
N Cardinal (9);
Rose-breasted Grosbeak (12: I got to see some amazing behavior of this
species. While hiking through Spider Gates, a male and female RB Grosbeak
landed in the middle of the road right in front of me. They began what could
only be called "a dance": around and around each other, wings drooped and
vibrating and simultaneously turning back and forth. After a few minutes of
this, the male passed a twig (that had been in hill beak the entire time); to
the female, and she flew off with the male to construct the nest.);
Indigo Bunting (2);
Bobolink (42);
Red-winged Blackbird (6);
E Meadowlark (2);
C Grackle (40+);
Brown-headed Cowbird (6);
Baltimore Oriole (5);
A Goldfinch (12);
House Sparrow (13);
(report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).
(report from John Liller).
Highlights were:
1 American Black Duck (bird has been of and on at a small swamp for 3 wks);
1 Great Blue Heron (hunting in same swamp);
2 Eastern Kingbird;
1 House Wren;
1 Winter Wren-singing alongside brook in small hemlock stand;
7 Veery;
3 Wood Thrush;
7 Red-eyed Vireo;
3 Blue-winged Warbler;
2 Chestnut-sided Warbler;
1 Black-throated Green Warbler;
1 American Redstart;
8 Ovenbird;
4 Common Yellowthroat;
2 Scarlet Tanager;
3 Rose-breasted Grosbeak;
3 Eastern Towhee;
2 Brown-headed Cowbird;
4 Baltimore Oriole;;
Also, 7 Bobolink at a lunchtime stop on Carpenter Hill Rd.
(report from Paul Meleski).
(report from John Liller).
Only had a short time for my first visit here. Parked by the Red Barn and
crossed the river just a short distance. Didn't have waders so I took off
my sneakers, rolled up my pants and waded across. In addition to several
American goldfinches, Grackles, Red-winged Blackbirds, Catbirds, Common
Yellowthroats, and Song Sparrows I saw a
Solitary Sandpiper bobbing along as
it fed on worms.
(report and photo from Jenifer Glagowski).
WARBLERS:
Blue-winged (7);
N Parula (2);
Yellow (6);
Chestnut-sided (11);
Black-throated Blue (4);
Black-throated Green (5);
Blackburnian (2);
Pine (6);
Blackpoll (3);
Black and White (2);
WORM-EATING (1);
American Redstart (5);
Ovenbird (15);
C Yellowthroat (3);
MOURNING (1m);
Canada (1);
Scarlet Tanager (6);
Savannah Sparrow (6);
Somg Sparrow (4);
N Cardinal (7);
Rose-breasted Grosbeak (9);
Indigo Bunting (1m);
Bobolink (28);
Red-winged Blackbird (20);
E Meadowlark (2);
C Grackle (2);
Brown-headed Cowbird (7);
Baltimore Oriole (1);
American Goldfinch (2);
PLUS: Long-tailed Weasel (1);.
(report from
Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll
(report from John Liller).
(report from John Liller). The eagle, our best sighting of the day,
occured while scoping Mt.
Lizzie. We had seen an adult Bald there earlier in the AM. By early
afternoon, we returned to see if we could find evidence of nesting. At first
only TVs put up and soared over the island. Then, an immature Bald Eagle put
in an appearance. This bird looked like a first summer bird. As it soared
down in front of the island, and adult sped out from the forested slope of
Mt Lizzie and began to viciously attack the immature, hitting it, and almost
knocking the bird into the water. Gamely, the immature fought back and the
two wheeled around, periodically attacking each other. Eventually the
immature seemed to move off...only to fly back in front of the island. At
that point, the PAIR of adult Balds flew up from the forested slope of Mt
Lizzie. Both initially attacked the immature, but very soon, one returned
quickly to the cover of the trees and what was very likely the nest. As the
two eagles continue to engage, an adult COMMON RAVEN which was also nesting
on Mt Lizzie (and had very vocal young too); flew out and began to attack
BOTH eagles. The immature flew off, the adult Bald flew back to join the
other adult Bald and the raven flew back to it's nest.
Cooper's Hawk (1ad);
Broad-winged Hawk (1);
Red-tailed Hawk (1);
Ruffed Grouse (4);
Wild Turkey (4);
Virginia Rail (1);
American Woodcock (3);
Mourning Dove (7);
Black-billed Cuckoo (1);
Yellow-billed Cuckoo (1);
Great Horned Owl (1);
Barred Owl (2);
N Saw-whet owl (1);
Ruby-throated Hummingbird (3m on territory);
Belted Kingfisher (1);
Red-bellied Woodpecker (2);
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (2+pair w/yng in nest. It was great to just sit and
watch as both the male and female took turns feeding the young, as one would
fly off to leave the other tending the nest, and then reverse roles);
Downy Woodpecker (6);
Hairy Woodpecker (3);
N Flicker (3);
Pileated Woodpecker (3 pairs+1: spectacular views);
Eastern Wood Peewee (only 1, they have just staretd to return);
Least Flycatcher (12);
Eastern Phoebe (3);
Great Crested Flycatcher (7);
Eastern Kingbird (4);
Yellow-throated Vireo (8);
Blue-headed Vireo (2);
Warbling Vireo (5);
Red-eyed Vireo (49);
Blue Jay (7);
American Crow (3);
Common Raven (1+ pair w/nest w/very vocal young);
Tree Swallow (27none, that is zero, nesting in boxes, all that were nesting,
were nesting in tree cavities in beaver swamps);
Barn Swallow (2);
Black-capped Chickadee (19);
Tufted Titmouse (4);
Red-breasted Nuthatch (4);
White-breasted Nuthatch (6);
Brown Creeper (2 w/nest);
House Wren (1);
Winter Wren (1: low);
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (8);
Veery (39);
GRAY-CHEEKED THRUSH (1);
SWAINSON'S THRUSH (19: right along the shoreline, typically very low, never
perching high, and periodically hopping down to feed and sometimes call,
there was a very discrete passage of "olive-backed" thrushes continually
moving north in morning in the showers);.
Wood Thrush (47);
American Robin (26);
Gray Catbird (32);
WARBLERS:
Blue-winged (6);
Tennesse (1);
Nashville (1);
N Parula (1);
Yellow (29);
Chestnut-sided (59);
Magnolia (3);
Black-throated Blue (24);
Yellow-rumped (15);
Black-throated Green (17);
Blackburnian (13);
Pine (26);
Bay-breasted (3);
Black and White (18);
American Redstart (43: there was one spot we stood in, a small clearing in
the forest, where at least eight birds, male and female, were in behavior
overdrive, singing, pirouetting, chasing each other, flycatching as the sun
came out );
Worm-eating (1);
Ovenbird (44);
Northern Waterthrush (1);
C Yellowthroat (54);
Canada (11);
Scarlet Tanager (39);
Eastern Towhee (59);
Chipping Sparrow (17);
Song Sparrow (13);
Lincoln's Sparrow (1);
White-throated Sparrow (2);
N Cardinal (5);
Rose-breasted Grosbeak (32);
Red-winged Blackbird (134);
C Grackle (45+);
Brown-headed Cowbird (18);
Baltimore Oriole (49: we had a great sigting of a female peched on a stump.
A male flew down and began the wildest display, bowing, wings drooped,
turning all about, calling and eventually after much to-do, ended up mating
with her);
Purple Finch (1);
American Goldfinch (6);
Evening Grosbeak (2);
PLUS: Fisher (1);; White-tailed Deer (5: including 1 swimming from Mt Lizzie
to the shore); Beavers; Spring Peepers; Gray Tree Frogs; Green Frogs, Bull
Frogs; about a gazillion Red Efts; BLOOMS included thousands of Canada
Mayflower; Starflower; large numbers of Jack-in-the-Pulpit; and a huge
display of violets (including Bird's Foot); and Fringed Polygala.
(report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).
Also a banded bird - orange on left, aluminum on right - best guess is
Warbling Vireo (I had never seen one before and positively identified one
later in the day in Norton, MA)
(report from Jenifer Glagowski).
WARBLERS:
Blue-winged (10);
Nashville (2);
N Parula (6);
Yellow (11);
Chestnut-sided (48);
Magnolia (6);
Black-throated Blue (6);
Yellow-rumped (3);
Black-throated Green (7);
Blackburnian (6);
Pine (17);
Prairie (6);
Bay-breasted (2);
Blackpoll (2);
Cerulean (1m);
Black and White (11);
A Redstart (41);
Ovenbird (30);
Louisiana Waterthrush (1);
C Yellowthroat (34);
Canada (4);
Scarlet Tanager (16: 1 seen nestbuilding);
Eastern Towhee (53);
Chipping Sparrow (74);
Savannah Sparrow (2);
Song Sparrow (9);
Swamp Sparrow (12);
N Cardinal (6);
Rose-breasted Grosbeak (21);
Indigo Bunting (3);
Red-winged Blackbird (90+);
C Grackle (85+);
Brown-headed Cowbird (15);
Baltimore Oriole (29);
Purple Finch (1);
House Finch (2);
A Goldfinch (2);
House Sparrow (6);
PLUS: White-tailed Deer; Beaver; Starflower.
(report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).
(report from Kevin Bourinot).
(report from Bart Kamp).
(report from Paul Meleski).
(report and photo from Richard Johnson).
Great Blue Heron (2);
Canada Goose (2);
Wood Duck (6);
Mallard (9m);
Hooded Merganser (pr+2f);
N Harrier (1: hunting over airport fields. Potential nester in this
location);
Red-tailed Hawk (1 1stS);
Ruffed Grouse (3 seen and heard);
Wild Turkey (4);
Virginia Rail (2);
Spotted Sandpiper (1);
N Flicker (2);
Least Flycatcher (1);
Tree Swallow (3);
Blue-headed Vireo (2: nest building);
Warbling Vireo (4);
Red-eyed Vireo (11);
Black-capped Chickadee (7);
Tufted Titmouse (2);
House Wren (5);
Blue Jay (4);
American Crow (3);
Veery (2);
Wood Thrush (19);
A Robin (23);
Gray Catbird (34);
N Mockingbird (1);
WARBLERS:
Blue-winged (12: including 1 bird getting nesting material being guarded by
another, both making a variety of buzzy-chip notes);
Chestnut-sided (23);
Magnolia (2);
Black-throated Blue (3);
Black-throated Green (2m);
Black and White (14);
Blackburnian (2m);
Pine (6);
American Redstart (23);
Northern Waterthrush (1);
Louisiana Waterthrush (pr);
Ovenbird (14);
C Yellowthroat (16);
Canada (3);
Scarlet Tanager (12);
Eastern Towhee (8);
Field Sparrow (2);
Savannah Sparow (14);
Song Sparrow (6);
N Cardinal (6);
Rose-breasted Grosbeak (6);
Indigo Bunting (4);
Bobolink (32);
Red-winged Blackbird (40+);
C Grackle (34);
Baltimore Oriole (16);
American Goldfinch (5);
(report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).
(report from Alan Marble).
WARBLERS:
Blue-winged (3);
Nashville (5);
N Parula (2);
Chestnut-sided (11);
Yellow-rumped (52);
Black-throated Green (18);
Pine (18);
Prairie (2);
Black and White (13);
Worm-eating (1);
Ovenbird (49);
Northern Waterthrush (2);
Louisiana Waterthrush (4: I unintentionally flushed one off a nest);
C Yellowthroat (24);
Canada (3: all potential nesters);
Scarlet Tanager (22);
Eastern Towhee (12);
Chipping Sparrow (23);
Savannah Sparrow (2);
Song Sparrow (22);
Swamp Sparrow (24);
N Cardinal (6);
Rose-breasted Grosbeak (18);
Indigo Bunting (1);
Bobolink (6);
Red-winged Blackbird (134);
C Grackle (67);
Brown-headed Cowbird (8);
Baltimore Oriole (31);
Purple Finch (1);
House Finch (2);
A Goldfinch (9);
House Sparrow (12);
TOTAL: 83 SPECIES
PLUS: American Lady (1);; Spring Azure (11);; Juvenal's Duskywing (9);; and
lots of odes, including many Springtime Darner and (1); Beaverpond Basketail.
Mammals included: Beaver, Muskrat, White-tailed Deer.
ALSO: We actually started at 3AM doing some owling in an adjacent block we
are also "atlasing" and had: American Woodcock (4);; Great Horned Owl (2);;
Barred Owl (1);; N Saw-whet Owl (1); as well as many Tree Swallows doing their
nocturnal flight/call displays high in the sky.
(report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).
Many of the observations were made at the Flat Rock Sanctuary (and Crocker
Conservation Area) off of Prospect Street and Ashburnham Hill Road in
Fitchburg. I have been driving by this sanctuary for years without ever
birding there. As it is one of (maybe the only) publically accessible tracts
of land in this Atlas Block I starting checking it out about a week ago. It
is an amazing area with unique and diverse habitats. The main feature is a
large area of exposed bedrock that supports a Pine Barrens-like plant
community that is filled with Towhees and Nashville Warblers. I would
encourage everyone to check it out.
(report from Chuck Caron).
PLUS: American Toads (many calling);; White-tailed Deer; BUTTERFLIES: Tiger
Swallowtail; Cabbage White; Pine Elfin; Comptons Tortoiseshell; Spring
Azure; American Copper; Juvenals Duskywing (many);; BLOOMS: Pussytoes;
Bird's foot Violets; Bluets.
(report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).
Non-avian:
Eastern Chipmunk - 10+;
Eastern Gray Squirrel - 3;
Red Squirrel - 4;
Southern Flying Squirrel - 5 (nice looks at one as it ran right in front of;
us);;
Beaver - 1 (close looks at ~5 ft away);;
Little Brown Myotis - 80+ (this is a large roosting area);;
Big Brown Bat - 1;
American Toad - 200+;
Green Frog - 5+;
Bullfrog - 1;
Pickerel Frog - 1;
Gray Tree Frog - 1;
Eastern Painted Turtle - 3
(report from Dan Berard).
WARBLERS:
Blue-winged (11: great breeding habitat for this species in this block);
Yellow (27);
Chestnut-sided (7);
Black-throated Blue (2);
Black-throated Green (10);
Pine (5);
Black and White (21);
A Redstart (5);
Ovenbird (42);
Northern Waterthrush (2);
Louisiana Waterthrush (1);
Comon Yellowthroat (13);
Eastern Towhee (19);
Chipping Sparrow (29);
Savannah Sparrow (12: mating observed);
Song Sparrow (14);
N Cardinal (23);
Rose-breasted Grosbeak (2);
Bobolink (8males);
Red-winged Blackbird (18);
Eastern Meadowlark (3);
Common Grackle (43);
Brown-headed Cowbird (6);
Baltimore Oriole (9);
Purple Finch (1);
House Finch (16);
A Goldfinch (8);
House Sparrow (17);
PLUS: Marsh Marigold; American Toads; Gray Tree Frogs and about a gazillion
Black Flies.
(report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).
WARBLERS:
Nashville (1);
N Parula (3);
Yellow (16: likely the most common BREEDING warbler IN the city);
Yellow-rumped (2);
Pine (2);
Eastern Towhee (6);
Chipping Sparrow (34: some on nests);
Song Sparrow (21);
White-throated Sparrow (6);
N Cardinal (2);
Red-winged Blackbird (36);
Common Grackle (60+: nest building, on nests);
Brown-headed Cowbird (8);
Baltimore Oriole (22);
House Finch (22: it's fascinating how many of these breed right in the heart
of downtown!);
American Goldfinch (17);
House Sparrow (89);
PLUS: A real surprise was hearing a number of AMERICAN TOADS trilling from
the tiny enclosed duck pond at Green Hill Park.
(report from Mark Lynch/Sheial Carroll).
WARBLERS:
Blue-winged (2);
ORANGE-CROWNED (1);
Nashville (1);
Yellow (2);
Magnolia (1);
Yellow-rumped (36);
Black-throated Green (1);
Pine (5);
Palm (2);
Black and White (6);
Ovenbird (5);
Northern Waterthrush (1);
C Yellowthroat (1);
Savannah Sparow (12);
White-throated Sparrow (2);
Dark-eyed Junco (2);
Eastern Meadowlark (4);
When you combine the attractions of this spot with the airport fields and
Sylvester Street, this area of Leicester is really is one of the best areas
to bird during spring migration close to Worcester.
(report from Mark Lynch).
Also:
Spotted Turtle - 1;
Eastern Gray Squirrel - 2;
Red Squirrel - 1;
Eastern Cottontail - 1;
(report from Dan Berard).
(report from Mike Walker).
(report from John Liller).
Daily Raptor Counts: May 06, 2007
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture 0 0 0
Turkey Vulture 0 0 35
Osprey 0 6 211
Bald Eagle 0 3 49
Northern Harrier 0 1 24
Sharp-shinned Hawk 2 17 205
Cooper's Hawk 0 0 20
Northern Goshawk 0 0 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 0 0 16
Broad-winged Hawk 1 47 1157
Red-tailed Hawk 0 0 121
Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 1
Golden Eagle 0 0 0
American Kestrel 0 2 62
Merlin 0 0 4
Peregrine Falcon 0 0 2
Unknown 1 18
Total: 3 77 1926
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Observation start time: 08:15:00
Observation end time: 13:00:00
Total observation time: 4.75 hours
Official Counter: Barton D. Kamp
This is the final spring report.
(report from Bart Kamp).
WARBLERS:
Yellow (2);
Chestnut-sided (2m);
Magnolia (3m);
Black-throated Blue (3m);
Yellow-rumped (62);
Black-throated Green (16);
Blackburnian (1);
Pine (34: some nestbuilding: REALLY hard to believe this common breeding
species was missed for this block during Atlas1!);
Palm (2);
Black and White (16);
Ovenbird (25);
Northern Waterthush (1);
C Yellowthroat (1);
NB: all these species, with the exception of the Palm, breed in this block
and were found in the habitats where we have found them breeding over the
decades);
Eastern Towhee (27);
Chipping Sparrow (50);
Swamp Sparrow (5: very low count);
White-throated Sparrow (53: some will stay to breed);
N Cardinal (6);
Rose-breasted Grosbeak (8m);
Red-winged Blackbird (42: nestbuilding);
Common Grackle (36: nestbuilding);
Brown-headed Cowbird (14);
Baltimore Oriole (1m);
Purple Finch (5);
American Goldfinch (7);
EVENING GROSBEAK (pr);
PLUS: Beavers; a Porcupine out in the middle of a grassy field in broad
daylight digging at something. I walked over to make sure it was OK, and
eventually it lumbered back into the woods); ; Jumping Mouse sp.; Red
Squirrels (far too many); ; Eastern Painted Turtles; a HUGE Common Snapping
Turtle in a small wooded sink-hole pond smack in the middle of the forest.
Blooms included Wild Strawberry; Marsh Marigold and our first Purple
Trillium of the season.
(report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).
Warblers:
1 Nashville Warbler;
8 Yellow Warbler;
50-60 Yellow-rumped Warbler;
4 Black-throated Green Warbler;
2 Prairie Warbler;
10 Palm Warbler;
6 Pine Warbler;
3 Black-and-white Warbler;
4 Ovenbird;
2 Northern Waterthrush;
10 Eastern Towhee;
1 Savannah Sparow;
12 White-throated Sparrow;
1 Baltimore Oriole;
1 Purple Finch
60 total species
(report from Paul Meleski).
BOLTON FLATS WMA, 4/30/07 (5:15 to 7:45 PM) and 5/2/07 (5:00 to 6:00 PM)
Fields along Rte 117; sunny and VERY windy both evenings
First number from 4/30, second from 5/2
Double-Crested Cormorant - 0/2
Canada Goose - ~50/30+
Mallard - 20+/15+
American Black Duck - a few/a few
Green-Winged Teal - 150+/130+
American Widgeon - pair/0
Wood Duck - 25/2
Kildeer - 2+/2+
Greater Yellowlegs - 31/24
Lesser Yellowelegs - 5/12
SPOTTED SANDPIPER - 1/1, first of the year
Least Sandpiper - 0/5
Wilson's Snipe - 0/2
GLOSSY IBIS - 0/1
Great Black-Backed Gull - 2 imm./0
Herring Gull - 4(ad.+3imm.)/0
Ring-Billed Gull - est.300/est.70
Red-Tailed Hawk - 0/2
American Crow - 2/36
Tree Swallow - 6+/15
Barn Swalllow - 1+/0
BANK SWALLOW - 2/12+ , first
Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher - 1/1
Yellow-Rumped Warbler - 0/1
Song Sparrow - few/few
Swamp Sparrow - few/few
Savannah Sparrow - 27+/5+
BOLTON FLATS WMA, 4 May 2007
Southern section, 7:00 to 9:00 AM
BBA block Hudson5; s = singing
Canada Goose - 1 flyover (Observed = O)
Mallard - pair landing in the beaver swamp (Probable = P)
Wood Duck - 7, pair + group of 5 (Probable = P)
Killdeer - 3, incl. pair together (Probable = P)
Wilson's Snipe - 2, in a wet meadow
Great Blue Heron - 2, pair on and at nest (Confirmed = ON)
Turkey Vulture - 8, incl. six milling about in a field, flew off at 8:50 AM
Osprey - 1,low flyover
Red-Tailed Hawk - 1 (Possible = X)
Belted Kingfisher - 1 heard, (Possible = X)
s Mourning Dove - 6
s Northern Flicker - 2
Hairy Woodpecker - 2, pair together; not in siutable habitat (swamp), but
there is some close by(Possible = X)
Downy Woodpecker - 1, incl. brief drumming (Possible = X)
s White-Breasted Nuthatch - 1 heard (Possible = X)
s Black-Capped Chickadee - 3, incl. pair together (Probable = P)
s Tufted Titmouse - 3, incl. pair with one giving agitated calls (Probable =
A,P)
EASTERN KINGBIRD - 1, FOY
Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher - 5, incl. a pair in the same spot where I saw a nest
in 2005 (Probable - P)
Tree Swallow - 3, one checking out a stump in the swamp, but not entering
hole
Bank Swallow - 2
s American Robin - 6+, one flew off a nest overhead when I got out of the
car (Confirmed = ON)
s GRAY CATBIRD - 1, FOY
Blue Jay - 3 (Possible = X)
American Crow - 15 (Observed = O)
s WARBLING VIREO - 1, FOY
s YELLOW WARBLER - 3, FOY
s Yellow-Rumped Warbler - 4+
Palm Warbler - 1 yellow
s BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER - 2, FOY
s AMERICAN REDSTART - 1 heard, FOY
s COMMON YELLOWTHROAT - 1 heard, FOY
s Northern Waterthrush - 1 heard
s ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK - 1 male, FOY
s Song Sparrow - 6, incl. pair together (Probable = P)
s Swamp Sparrow - 5 (Possible = X)
s Chipping Sparrow - 1
s White-Throated Sparrow - 2 heard
s Red-Winged Blackbird - 10+, both m+f (Possible = X) - easy to upgrade next
week!
s Common Grackle - 8+, incl. males displaying (Probable = P)
Brown-Headed Cowbird - 2 (Possible = X)
s Northern Cardinal - 4
American Goldfinch - 4
House Finch - 1 heard, flyover
ALSO: CHIMNEY SWIFTS arrived today (5/4/07), with 3 in Bolton center and 1 n
South Lancaster.
PILEATED WOODPECKER seen flying over Rte 495 in Harvard, around
9:15 AM (Hudson7 - X)
(report from Steven Sutton).
(report from Tom Pirro).
