May 2008 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:

5/31/08 -- Oxbow National Refuge, Harvard
Jeffrey Roth led a Forbush trip to Oxbow NWR in Harvard, with the following 67 species seen or heard. (report from Jeffrey Roth)

5/31/08 -- Rutland State Park, Rutland
I sighted a red-eyed vireo, four cedar waxwings, and an Eastern Kingbird fighting with a female Baltimore Oriole for perching rights. There are pictures of the vireo on my blog (report from ).

5/31/08 -- Blackstone
We spent the morning atlasing BLACKSTONE, blocks Uxbridge 11 and Uxbridge 12 (a half-sized block on the Rhode Island border. The weather was breezy and warm with threatening clouds to the north. But it never did rain, though by the time we got back to Worcester it was obvious that heavy showers had passed through central Worcester County just to our north. Both of us have some kind of upper respiratory infection, so the pace was leisurely, but intense. Absolutely no indication of migratory movement today: it was all migrant breeders on territory. Lots of breeding behavior observed today: nest-building; sitting on nests; feeding young and even a number of fledged birds all seen. Total list for both blocks: Double-crested Cormorant (1: soaring with some TVs); Great Blue Heron (2: in these Blackstone blocks we keep seeing Great Blue~Rs flying north with what appears to be a full crop: ie: bringing food back to young in the nest. Despite a lot of effort over a month, we cannot find any rookery and have determined it must be just north of our Uxbridge 11 block in some fairly inaccessible woodlot or beaver marsh); Turkey Vulture (4); Wood Duck (1m); Mallard (6); Cooper~Rs Hawk (1ad defending territory against a Red-tail); Red-tailed Hawk (6); Killdeer (6); Spotted Sandpiper (1); Rock Pigeon (13); Mourning Dove (52: we saw some newly fledged birds); Black-billed Cuckoo (2: pair); Yellow-billed Cuckoo (2); Eastern Screech Owl (1); Chimney Swift (26); Ruby-throated Hummingbird (2); Red-bellied Woodpecker (2); Downy Woodpecker (7: young in nest hole); N Flicker (5); E Wood Peewee (14); Willow Flycatcher (2); Eastern Phoebe (8); Great Crested Flycatcher (3); Eastern Kingbird (5: nest building observed); Warbling Vireo (9: on nest); Red-eyed Vireo (15); Blue Jay (4); A Crow (14: fledged young begging food seen); Tree Swallow (6); N Rough-winged Swallow (3); Barn Swallow (23); Black-capped Chickadee (24); Tufted Titmouse (26); White-breasted Nuthatch (2); Carolina Wren (5); House Wren (19); Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (4: on nest); Eastern Bluebird (2); Wood Thrush (4); A Robin (96: a few fledged young seen); Gray Catbird (50); N Mockingbird (19); Brown Thrasher (6); E Starling (237: MANY newly fledged young seen); Cedar Waxwing (21); Scarlet Tanager (3); E Towhee (12); Chipping Sparrow (66); Field Sparrow (1); Savannah Sparrow (1); Song Sparrow (37); N Cardinal (32); Rose-breasted Grosbeak (6); Indigo Bunting (4: all males); Bobolink (8); Red-winged Blackbird (51); Common Grackle (113); Brown-headed Cowbird (1 fledged young); ORCHARD ORIOLE (3m, one first year); Baltimore Oriole (33); House Finch (4); A Goldfinch (11); House Sparrow (84: many newly fledged young);. PLUS: BUTTERFLIES: Tiger Swallowtail (8);; Black Swallowtail (1);; Clouded Sulphur (3);; Little Wood Satyr (1);; Common Ringlet (3);; Hobomok Skipper (1);. PLUS: A number of SPOTTED TURTLES in small boggy wet areas in wood lots. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

5/29/08 -- Kelly Square, Worcester
A Peregrine Falcon was flying around Kelly Square at 3:30 today. (report from John Shea).

5/29/08 -- Wachusett Reservoir, Boylston
Apparently there is a Common Loon nesting on a very small island at Wachusett along the route 140 stretch in Boylston known as South Bay. The island is approximately 15 x 8 feet and its top elevation off the water is only about 10 inches. The nest and bird is within a foot of the edge of the water. If the reservoir is raise by only 5 to 10 inches this nest site is gone. Someone needs to contact the Superintendent and make them aware of this situation. I have seen the bird in the same location for at least 4 days, lets hope the egg(s) hatch within the next 25 days or so. (report from Matt Pearson).

5/28/08 -- Leicester/Spencer
This morning at about 8 a.m. there was an Olive-sided Flycatcher perched in the dead top of a big white ash tree across from the small farm at 165 Moose Hill Road on the Spencer/Leicester line. It repeatedly flew out from this perch and caught flying insects. There is a parking pull-off there and a short walk on the dike gave good, close views. (report from Alan Marble).

5/26/08 -- Webster
I birded Webster 8 and 9 atlas blocks this morning from 6:30-12:30. Both of these blocks encompass Webster Lake the eastern half of the town of Webster. Webster 8 additionally covers the the western side of Douglas State Forest, and the Mine Brook WMA. Webster 9 is mostly water, but does have 2 small land based areas which can be quite birdy. The eastern section is the northernmost limit of a wetland which extends quite deeply into CT. The western section mostly includes a maple swamp which also contains a Great Blue Heron Rookery. Highlights: Wood Duck (pr); Double-crested Cormorant 1; Great Blue Heron 8 (at least 7 nests); Turkey Vulture 1 (including 1 perched atop the roof of an abandoned camp in the Douglas State Forest); Broad-winged Hawk 1; Spotted Sandpiper 1; Ring-billed Gull 3 (immatures waiting for handouts at Memorial Beach); Great Horned Owl 1 (young bird occupying one of the Great Blue Heron Nests); Eastern Wood-pewee 2; Alder Flycatcher 1 (probable migrant); Eastern Phoebe 4 (including 1 on a nest inside the abandoned camp); Great Crested Flycatcher 5 (including a pair checking out a nest hole in the Maple Swamp); Yellow-throated Vireo 1; Warbling Vireo 8; Red-eyed Vireo 4; N Rough-winged Swallow 4 (flying out of some unused truck trailers in an industrial park); House Wren 6; Eastern Bluebird 1; American Robin * (2 nests inside abandoned camp); Cedar Waxwing 8 (2 groups of 4); Yellow Warbler 6; Chestnut-sided Warbler 1; Pine Warbler 4; Prairie Warbler 5; Black and white Warbler 4; American Redstart 3; Ovenbird 6; Common Yellowthroat 8; Canada Warbler 1 (probable migrant); Blackpoll Warbler 1; Scarlet Tanager 3; Eastern Towhee 4; Field Sparrow 2; Song Sparrow * (pr carrying food); Swamp Sparrow 3; Rose-breasted Grosbeak 2; Indigo Bunting 1; Baltimore Oriole 8. (report from Paul Meleski).

5/26/08 -- Westminster/Gardner
From 5PM to 8:45PM, a 22.25 bike ride from home to High Ridge and through gardner visiting MWCC and Crystal Lake and home via rte 2A yielded 63 species, with highlights of: Wood Duck 3; Common Loon 1; American Bittern 1; Turkey Vulture 1; Spotted Sandpiper 4; Common Nighthawk 3; Chimney Swift 15; Ruby-throated Hummingbird 3; Belted Kingfisher 1; Hairy Woodpecker 1; Northern Flicker 3; Eastern Wood-Pewee 2; Willow Flycatcher 2; Least Flycatcher 1; Great Crested Flycatcher 2; Eastern Kingbird 4; Red-eyed Vireo 3; Northern Rough-winged Swallow 2; Bank Swallow 200 (137 nest holes counted at sandpit); Red-breasted Nuthatch 1; House Wren 2; Veery 4; Wood Thrush 2; Cedar Waxwing 35; Yellow Warbler 4; Chestnut-sided Warbler 4; Black-throated Blue Warbler 1; Pine Warbler 1; Black-and-white Warbler 2; Ovenbird 4; Common Yellowthroat 6; Scarlet Tanager 3; Eastern Towhee 1; Swamp Sparrow 2; White-throated Sparrow 1; Rose-breasted Grosbeak 6; Bobolink 5; Brown-headed Cowbird 150; Baltimore Oriole 8; Purple Finch 1;
Also, during the Gardner Memorial Day Parade/ceremony I heard a Carolina Wren singing and an imm. Bald Eagle pass overhead. (report from Tom Pirro).

5/26/08 -- Wachusett Meadows Sanctuary, Princeton
Walk from Wachusett Meadow up to the top of Mt Wachusett and back yielded dozens of black-throated green warblers, a few black-throated blues higher up, a veery, dozens of ovenbirds, a kestrel over wachusett meadow, yellow-rumps, and down just off the meadow a scarlet tanager. (report from Whit Andrews).

5/26/08 -- northeast Quabbin Reservoir
From well before dawn till after noon, we atlased ONE block in northeast QUABBIN: Shutesbury 10, which is partly in Petersham and partly in New Salem. Atlas blocks are really not that big and are much smaller than what people know as a "QUAD". This "birdable" area of this block is even smaller because about half of it is reservoir water. We birded from gate 35-gate37, and then covered the shore of gate 22. All of these areas are part of this one block. It is interesting to spend so much time in such a small area, you get to recognize individual birds on territory. One highlight today, was birding an old (a few years); logging road where DCR crews had cut down selected trees as part of their forestry projects. New growth was really starting to come back, but it still wasn't completely re-forested yet by any stretch of the imagination and the area was quite open. You had great views of species like Chest-sided and Prairie Warblers; Scarlet Tanager, and Eastern Wood Peewee as they found mates and began to build nests. For an atlaser looking for bird behavior, it was a pretty ideal situation. Migration, like yesterday, was pretty poor, and most birds were migrant breeders. Common Loon (5: two pairs and one un-paired. One pair spent most of the morning quickly flying up and down this part of the reservoir, calling loudly. We found another pair when a boater pulled up to a small island to relieve himself and flushed a pair of loons from the immediate shoreline of island right next to him. ); Double-crested Cormorant (2ad+4imm); Turkey Vulture (3); Canada Goose (45: still some flocks flying north); Wood Duck (pair); Mallard (1f); Hooded Merganser (1f); Bald Eagle (2ad: there are two nests in this block, but only 1 of them is actually visible from the gate 35 shore); NORTHERN HARRIER (1adF: while in the logged over area, we looked up and saw the harrier slowly circling above us and eventually out of sight. Not typical at all at this time of the year); Red-tailed Hawk (1); Ruffed Grouse (2 drumming); Wild Turkey (5ad: no poults yet); SEMIPALMATED PLOVER (1: odd bird out today. Gate 35 can sometimes get plovers, yellowlegs, dunlin et in FALL when there is low water, but spring shorebirds are much more erratic); Spotted Sandpiper (4: 2 pair); Ring-billed Gull (4 1stS); Morning Dove (5); Ruby-throated Hummingbird (2); Red-bellied Woodpecker (1m); Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (5); Downy Woodpecker (3); Hairy Woodpecker (2); N Flicker (1); Eastern Wood Peewee (got to watch a pair doing courtship displays and mate several times); Yellow-bellied Flycatcher (1); Alder Flycatcher (1); Least Flycatcher (4); Eastern Phoebe (3); Great Crested Flycatcher (4); Eastern Kingbird (5); Yellow-throated Vireo (3); Blue-headed Vireo (3); Red-eyed Vireo (42); Blue Jay (5); A Crow (10); C Raven (1); Tree Swallow (10+); Black-capped Chickadee (7); Red-breasted Nuthatch (1: ridiculously low); White-breasted Nuthatch (3); Brown Creeper (3); Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (4); Veery (27: at dawn we bumped into Dr. Donald Kroodsma in the block. He was studying Veery vocalization. When I told him I just had a Veery perched on this ruin of an old stone bridge, he immediately called out the bird's study number. Don had a lot to say about female oriole vocalizations done while nesting. Apparently there will be a new book coming out.); Swainson's Thrush (1); Hermit Thrush (2: low); American Robin (12); Gray Catbird (9); Cedar Waxwing (20: still flocking); Scarlet Tanager (15); Eastern Towhee (21); Chipping Sparrow (33: we watched a crow land on the main path that runs along the shore in gate 35. This bird would walk into the grass and brush about ten feet and scarf stuff up. As best as we could tell, the crow was eating Chipping Sparrow eggs/hatchlings); Song Sparrow (5); Swamp Sparrow (2); Rose-breasted Grosbeak (6); Indigo Bunting (1); Red-winged Blackbird (15); C Grackle (5); Brown-headed Cowbird (7); Baltimore Oriole (18); A Goldfinch (2); PLUS: a good selection of mammals: Striped Skunk; Beaver; White-tiled Deer; Woodchuck; Red Fox. But the weirdest sighting was of a medium-sized very reddish looking BAT hovering and darting above the water, not ten feet out and periodically, it would swoop down and either get a drink or take something off the surface of the water. It's quick, fluttering flight made getting clear looks impossible despite the bright sunshine and close proximity. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

5/25/08 -- Rutland State Park, Rutland
I sighted a prairie warbler amoung other birds in Rutland State Park. See my blog for pictures. (report from Dave Bronson).

5/25/08 -- Downtown Worcester
A Peregrine Falcon was perched on the Flagship Building at 7:00 this morning. It was on the corner near Front and Franklin Streets. I left at 7:30, it was still there. (report from Brian Mulhearn)

5/25/08 -- Purgatory Chasm, Sutton
My wife and I atlased this morning at Purgatory Chasm State Park in Sutton, part of [atlasing block] MILFORD 3. Highlights were: Red-bellied Woodpecker (1); Hairy Woodpecker (1); Eastern Wood-Pewee (3); Eastern Phoebe (3 - including one building nest); Great Crested Flycatcher (1); Blue-headed Vireo (6 - there are quite a few located here); Red-eyed Vireo (5 - including one collecting nesting material); Red-breasted Nuthatch (1 heard); Veery (2 - singing on adjacent territories); Swainson's Thrush (1); Hermit Thrush (3 - including a definite pair); Black-throated Green Warbler (4 - all heard); Pine Warbler (5); American Redstart (2); Ovenbird (10 - including two collecting material); Scarlet Tanager (1 - female collecting material and bringing it to nest that she was building); (report from John Liller).

5/24/08 -- Douglas
We were thrilled to see a Pileated Woodpecker in one of our trees today. (report from Lenny Demers).

5/24/08 -- downtown Worcester
From 11am-noon we watched the Peregrines downtown. One bird was found perched on the edge of the small open (and old) box on the corner of the BANCROFT COMMONS building on the corner of Franklin and Portland Streets (SEE ATTACHED PHOTO) . We watched it for awhile. It was faced inwards, sometimes holding it's wings out when it got breezy. At one point it flew over to the corner of the Flagship Bank building and sat there. We changed our posiiton to a parking area across from the old Centrum parking garage. Here we had views of both the perched falcon and the corner of Bancroft Commons. Suddenly the bird flew down and away. I turned my attention to the "nest box" (NB: I have no idea if anything is in there) and a falcon flew up wierdly, dropped down again, and then flew up with a prey item. It then entered the box, WITH IT'S BACK TO US all the time, and began to systematically tear up the prey items for c.15 miutes. We could not clearly see if the bird was feeding the gobbets to young or just eating the bird itself. It certainly LOOKED like it MAY have been feeding young. While this was going on, a SECOND Peregrine was clearly seen taking off from the Flagship Bank Building roof and heading away low. We never saw that bird again. Eventually the bird in the nest box stopped tearing the prey item up, took what was left of the carcass in it's talons, flew over to the Flagship Bank building. When it arrived there, the carcass remnant was gone, so I assume it dropped it en route. Perched on the corner of the Flagship Bank, we watched it extensively preen and clean it's talons and even scraping it's bill on the lightening rod! Now from this vantage point, we could also view the former nesting location at Flagship Bank, where it used to nest in the planter. We NEVER saw either bird enter that area. It is not clear by any means if the pair is nesting or not, but I want to encourage more observers to watch this location and send your observations into this web site for posting. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

5/24/08 -- East Brookfield/Spencer
Today we did some serious atlasing in two blocks that are mostly in EAST BROOKFIELD and SPENCER: WARREN 10 AND WARREN 11. Now in the second year of the Breeding Bird Atlas II, I have to admit I am finding atlasing addictive. For one thing, it totally changes the way you bird. Instead of chasing species, you go to a very confined area and explore every nook and cranny. Many of these locales are not what one would call "primary" birding destinations, but it doesn't matter because what you are looking for is also different from "standard" ticking. You drive down roads, walk down trails and step into sandpits you likely would never have given a second look before. Your idea of a species to get excited about expands: , a Black-throated Green Warbler gets really exciting when you unexpectedly find one breeding in a tiny pocket of hemlock and pines in a block where they are not common at all. And you know what, it's still exciting when you finally turn one up in another block. I have found myself getting a thrill from finally finding breeding Rock Pigeons in some out of the way, non-urban block. You also learn to celebrate a variety of things: a catbird carrying nesting materials (Confirmed!);; displaying Rose-breasted Grosbeaks; a Baltimore Oriole weaving a nest (Confirmed!);; a Wood Duck with a brood of ducklings (Confirmed!);. All of these give you a thrill because that's what you are looking for while atlasing: breeding BEHAVIOR. So you begin to closely observe every species Warbling Vireos, Yellow Warblers, Green Herons. To find a nest of a Green Heron is a major accomplishment that beats getting 300 species in a Massachusetts year list hands down. And of course, with all this close observation, SOMETIMES you also find a rarity or at least something uncommon which is the icing on the cake. Today there was little song, numbers were low and migration basically a non-event: it was all residents and migrant breeders.

Totals for the two blocks are as follows: Great Blue Heron (5: we found what appeared to be an old rookery that also had one HUGE (even huge for a Great Blue); new looking nest, but no nesting birds were seen); Green Heron (2: Sheila took a number of shots of one Green Heron that was perched right next to a Drake Mallard. Every time the Mallard preened, so would the Green Heron. When the Mallard stopped, so would the heron. Weird); Canada Goose (2: pair: no young); Wood Duck (11: 3 pair and 1 female flying out of a nest hole in tree); Mallard (11: at least 3 pair, no ducklings seen); Red-tailed Hawk (2); Rock Dove (2: there has got to be more of these around all the mill buildings); Mourning Dove (15); Chimney Swift (15+ several display flights seen); Ruby-throated Hummingbird (1); Red-bellied Woodpecker (4: including 1 at nest hole); Downy Woodpecker (5); Hairy Woodpecker (4); N Flicker (2: seems low for the habitat covered); Willow Flycatcher (5); Least Flycatcher (4); Eastern Phoebe (8); Great Crested Flycatcher (5); Eastern Kingbird (20: nest building seen); Yellow-throated Vireo (1); Blue-headed Vireo (3: not expected in these blocks, but a good find in small isolated hemlock/pine areas); Warbling Vireo (27: nest building); Red-Eyed Vireo (33); Blue Jay (10); A Crow (11); COMMON RAVEN (pair of adults searching for food: we so far have failed to find a nest); Tree Swallow (21: all nesting in natural cavities); Black-capped Chickadee (25); TUFTED TITMOUSE (28: including a newly fledged young being fed by adult: seems early); White-breasted Nuthatch (6); Brown Creeper (3); Carolina Wren (1: seems low for habitat); House Wren (12); Veery (7: we watched what appeared to be a territorial dispute between two birds: they flew at each other and then bounced at each other, bill straight up and open, neck stretched out); Wood Thrush (1: extremely low); American Robin (94); Gray Catbird (67: nestbuilding); European Starling (31: some had newly fledged young); Cedar Waxwing (2);

Scarlet Tanager (3: low); Chipping Sparrow (24); Song Sparrow (25); Swamp Sparrow (13); N Cardinal (34); Rose-breasted Grosbeak (7); Bobolink (23); Red-winged Blackbird (139); C Grackle (25); Brown-headed Cowbird (8); Baltimore Oriole (38); House Finch (5); A Goldfinch (6); House Sparrow (37); PLUS: Eastern Cottontail (sev);; White-tailed Deer; Red Fox (1: that sauntered right by us near a marsh); (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

5/23/08 -- downtown Worcester
Today at 1PM, Sheila and I spotted a large adult PEREGRINE land on the corner of the building on the corner of PORTLAND and FRANKLIN STREET, where there is a very old nest box. The bird immediately began plucking a prey item and feathers were flying everywhere. We drove to the library parking lot and could not get great views. We only had bins after all. As we drove back to Franklin, we found another Peregrine perched on the corner of the Bank North building, kitty corner from the first falcon. This bird was smaller, and slightly browner looking, but that may have been a factor of lighting. We are going back tonight with scopes to see if we can see anything more. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

5/23/08 -- Ware River Watershed, Rutland
While walking down a path we found a turkey nest on the ground next to the trail with over a dozen eggs. (report from Brian Mulhearn)

5/19/08 -- May Street, Worcester
A PILEATED WOODPECKER was seen flying out of the woodlot next to Fallon May Street and heading to Tatnuck Square. (report from Sheila Carroll/Mark Lynch).

5/18/08 -- Crocker Pond, Westminster
Last evening there was 17 Semipalmated Plovers and 15 Least Sandpipers at Crocker Pond in Westminster. The water level in the pond has been lowered for repairs to the dam, that is by far the most Semi Plovers I have seen in the area at once. (report from Tom Pirro).

5/18/08 -- Uxbridge
Highlights while atlasing in UXBRIDGE 7 (Lookout Rock, Rice City Pond, River Bend Farm) this morning: Wood Duck (pair spooked from tree adjacent to Rice City Pond); Ruffed Grouse (1 adjacent to Rice City Pond); Turkey Vulture; Osprey (1 feeding at Rice City Pond); Broad-winged Hawk (1 - River Bend Farm); Red-tailed Hawk (pair at River Bend Farm); Killdeer (2 at Rice City Pond); Spotted Sandpiper (3 at Rice City Pond); Least Sandpiper (11 at Rice City Pond); Black-billed Cuckoo (1 - moving around the field at River Bend Farm); Red-bellied Woodpecker; Hairy Woodpecker; Eastern Wood-Pewee (2 at Lookout Rock); Eastern Phoebe; Eastern Kingbird; Warbling Vireo; Red-eyed Vireo; Northern Rough-winged Swallow; Carolina Wren; House Wren; Eastern Bluebird; Wood Thrush; Brown Thrasher (pair at River Bend Farm); Cedar Waxwing; Yellow Warbler; Pine Warbler; American Redstart; WORM-EATING WARBLER (heard from Lookout Rock); Northern Waterthrush (1 at River Bend Farm); Common Yellowthroat; Eastern Towhee; Swamp Sparrow; Rose-breasted Grosbeak; Indigo Bunting; Bobolink; Baltimore Oriole; (report from John Liller).

5/18/08 -- Spencer and East Brookfield
We spent the morning atlasing in SPENCER AND EAST BROOKFIELD. We spent most of our time in NORTH BROOKFIELD 12, which is actually mostly in Spencer. But we also did some atlasing in an adjacent (to the south) block we plan on finishing next year (WARREN 10), which is mostly in EAST BROOKFIELD. The habitat found in these blocks is varied: lots of 'burbs and spawn of sprawl, but still a decent number of farms hanging on. There is a modest lake, Lashaway, in Warren 10, but this is mostly heavily built up along the shore. There are a number of marshes along the very modest rivers, but very little areas of cattails, unlike along the Quabog River mainstem. There are also some old mill buildings, which provide good nesting locations for swifts. Rt. 9 passes almost through the middle of this area, which means there is a shopping center, Dunkin' Doughnuts, MacDonalds and so on. So when the atlasing is going slow you can drown your sorrows in McNuggets and coffee. Below is the combined list. Not much of a migration day this morning. What we found appeared to be almost exclusively migrant-breeders: Double-crested Cormorant (1imm); Great Blue Heron (6); Green Heron (2); Turkey Vulture (2); Canada Goose (12 plus a pair w/4yg); Mute Swan (1adM); Wood Duck (pair); Mallard (3m plus a female on the nest seen as the young were hatching, a first for me); Sharp-shinned Hawk (1ad); Cooper's Hawk (1); Red-tailed Hawk (2); Ruffed Grouse (1 drumming); Wild Turkey (1: left-overs from hunting season); Virginia Rail (2); Killdeer (5+ pair w/3yg); Solitary Sandpiper (1); Rock Pigeon (1); Mourning Dove (29); Chimney Swift (30+); Ruby-throated Hummingbird (2m); Belted Kingfisher (1); Red-bellied Woodpecker (1); Downy Woodpecker (3); Hairy Woodpecker (2); N Flicker (7); Least Flycatcher (12); Eastern Phoebe (7); Great Crested Flycatcher (3); Eastern Kingbird (21); Yellow-throated Vireo (1); Warbling Vireo (17); Red-eyed Vireo (22); Blue Jay (8: this species finally appears to have stopped migrating); A Crow (25); Tree Swallow (9); N Rough-winged Swallow (2); Bank Swallow (12: colony in sandpit); Barn Swallow (32); Black-capped Chickadee (32); Tufted Titmouse (12); White-breasted Nuthatch (7+1 bringing food to nest hole); Carolina Wren (2); House Wren (14); Eastern Bluebird (3); Veery (3); Hermit Thrush (1); Wood Thrush (13); A Robin (114); Gray Catbird (67); N Mockingbird (4); Brown Thrasher (4); E Starling (33); Scarlet Tanager (7); E Towhee (8); Chipping Sparrow (61); Field Sparrow (2); Song Sparrow (38); Swamp Sparrow (26); N Cardinal (39); Rose-breasted Grosbeak (13); Indigo Bunting (1); Bobolink (45: all males, setting up territories in various fields); Red-winged Blackbird (201: well along in nesting); C Grackle (123); Brown-headed Cowbird (20: some kicking back and relaxing, their work is done, having a beer and a smoke. It's Miller-time if you are a brood parasite); Baltimore Oriole (70); House Finch (9); A Goldfinch (29); House Sparrow (114); (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

5/17/08 -- Mt. Wachusett State Reservation, Princeton
The Forbush Bird Club held a trip which was led by Francis X. McMenemy on May 17,2008 at Mt. Wachusett State Reservation in Princeton and at High Ridge Wildlife Management Area in Gardner. Here is a listing of the 57 species observed. (report from Joan Zumpfe fide Joan Gallagher)

5/17/08 -- Grafton
Here are the highlights that Kim Kastler and I recorded as part of Bird-a-thon in Grafton: Green Heron (2 at St. Philip's Cemetery); Osprey (1 on nest); Barred Owl (1 caling behind our house); Chimney Swift; Red-bellied Woodpecker; Hairy Woodpecker; Northern Flicker; Least Flycatcher (1 singing); Eastern Phoebe; Great Crested Flycatcher; Eastern Kingbird; Yellow-throated Vireo; Warbling Vireo; Red-eyed Vireo; Northern Rough-winged Swallow; Barn Swallow; Carolina Wren; Veery; Wood Thrush; Brown Thrasher; Blue-winged Warbler; Yellow Warbler; Chestnut-sided Warbler; Black-throated Blue Warbler; Yellow-rumped Warbler; Pine Warbler; Prairie Warbler; Black-and-white Warbler; American Redstart; Ovenbird; Common Yellowthroat; Scarlet Tanager; Eastern Towhee; Field Sparrow; Rose-breasted Grosbeak; Bobolink; Orchard Oriole (male near Fisherville Pond); Baltimore Oriole; (report from John Liller).

5/17/08 -- northeast Quabbin Reservoir
Today, we atlased our two adjacent QUABBIN blocks, SHUTESBURY 10 and BARRE 1. We spent about 5 hours beginning late morning between Gates 39 and 35 along the extreme northeastern section of the reservoir. Weather later in the morning was bright and sunny but breezy. Not much of a migration day, and we mostly noted migrant breeders. Bird song was also less than expected undoubtedly due to our late start. Total list for the two blocks: Common Loon (2 pairs plus another loner); Double-crested Cormorant (3ad); Turkey Vulture (9); Canada Goose (3); Wood Duck (6); Hooded Merganser (2 females together and another male/female pair); Common Merganser (2f); Bald Eagle (2ad: nest in one of the blocks); Red-shouldered Hawk (1); Ruffed Grouse (3); Wild Turkey (1); Sora (1: where they bred last year); Spotted Sandpiper (2); Rock Dove (3: in small section of "downtown Petersham that is "in" one of the blocks); Barred Owl (1); Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (4); Downy Woodpecker (1); Hairy Woodpecker (2); N Flicker (1); Pileated Woodpecker (2); Eastern Wood Peewee (1); Least Flycatcher (8); Eastern Phoebe (2); Great Crested Flycatcher (1); Eastern Kingbird (6); Yellow-throated Vireo 93); Blue-headed Vireo (9); Red-eyed Vireo (26); Blue Jay (4); American Crow (2); C Raven (2); Tree Swallow (12 nesting); Black-capped Chickadee (11); Tufted Titmouse (1); Red-breasted Nuthatch (2); Brown Creeper (4); House Wren (2); Winter Wren (1); Golden-crowned Kinglet (3); Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (7); Veery (1); Swainson's Thrush (1); Hermit Thrush (3); Wood Thrush (1); American Robin (21); Gray Catbird (3); Scarlet Tanager (8); E Towhee (9); Chipping Sparrow (31); Song Sparrow (4); Dark-eyed Junco (2); Rose-breasted Grosbeak (11); Red-winged Blackbird (51); C Grackle (26); Brown-headed Cowbird (30+); Baltimore Oriole (14); Purple Finch (4); A Goldfinch (6); Evening Grosbeak (2);
PLUS: Butterflies included Tiger Swallowtails; Pine Elfin; Cabbage White; Clouded Sulphur and quite a number of Juvenal's Duskywings: a collection on every piece of scat on the dirt roads. We counted well over a hundred. Frogs calling included Spring Peepers; Gray Tree Frogs and American Toads; we also had (1); Red-backed Vole and a "bat species" flying about at mid-tree top level at noon. Among the blooms, there was a nice showing of Fringed Polygala. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

5/15/08 -- Newton Hill, Worcester
A Blackburnian Warbler has been singing in the tree tops along the path just below the top of Newton Hill for the past two days on both the Doherty HS side and the Pleasant Street side. (report from Alex Dunn).

5/14/08 -- Westminster
Highlights from my deck this morning: Red-bellied Woodpecker 1; Hairy Woodpecker 1; Wood Thrush 1; Northern Parula 2; Chestnut-sided Warbler 1; Black-throated Blue Warbler 2; Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) 4; Black-throated Green Warbler 1; Black-and-white Warbler 1; American Redstart 1; Ovenbird 2; Common Yellowthroat 1; Eastern Towhee 1; Rose-breasted Grosbeak 1; Brown-headed Cowbird 3; Baltimore Oriole 1;
(report from Tom Pirro).

5/14/08 -- the Bovenzi Woods, Worcester
This morning, before work, we did some atlas birding in WORCESTER NORTH 11. Today we hiked into the GREATER WORCESTER LAND TRUST property known as the BOVENZI CONSERVATION AREA in the city of Worcester. This is 120.68 acres of mostly upland deciduous forest, with some streams and mountain laurel undergrowth. To access the area, take Maravista Street off West Mountain Street. Drive to the very end and notice the dirt " pull around" and park here at the trailhead. We are still learning the trails, but the main trail hooks to the right just as you enter then swings gently uphill and soon "T"s. If you follow the trails to the left, you come out along the eastern edge of the property near Rt. 190. If you follow the trails to the right, noticeably downslope to begin with, you will get eventually to a stream crossing and the trails keep going beyond that. This choice piece of "saved" land is rarely visited by birders, which is a real shame because it looks like a prime piece of land to bird during migration, especially in spring. This morning we had: Red-bellied Woodpecker (2); Downy Woodpecker (1); Hairy Woodpecker (1); Great Crested Flycatcher (2); Yellow-throated Vireo (1); Red-eyed Vireo (5); House Wren (1); Blue Jay (5); A Crow (1); Black-capped Chickadee (4); Tufted Titmouse (5); White-breasted Nuthatch (1 bringing food to nest hole); Veery (2); Wood Thrush (3); A Robin (3); N Parula (3); Yellow-rumped Warbler (7); Black-throated Green (3); Black and White Warbler (2); A Redstart (1); Ovenbird (2); Scarlet Tanager (3); Rose-breasted Grosbeak (2); Common Grackle (searching for nests to rob); Brown-headed Cowbird (2); Baltimore Oriole (3); A Goldfinch (2); Our first STARFLOWERS of the season were out. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

5/13/08 -- Templeton/Gardner
  • Highlights this evening from the Gardner Airport and adjacent marsh, in the Athol 11 block but in the town of Templeton: Wood Duck 4; American Black Duck 2; Hooded Merganser 1; Great Blue Heron 1; Virginia Rail 1; Killdeer 1; Whip-poor-will 1; Eastern Kingbird 1; Horned Lark 2; Tree Swallow 15; Bank Swallow 25 likely a colony across the marsh in the sandpit; Barn Swallow 5; Veery 1; Hermit Thrush 1; Yellow Warbler 1; Black-throated Green Warbler 2; Pine Warbler 1; Ovenbird 1; Common Yellowthroat 2; Eastern Towhee 1; Song Sparrow 1; Swamp Sparrow 2; Baltimore Oriole 1;
  • Highlights on the ride to the airport: Virginia Rail 1 (trophet Swamp); Killdeer 1; Eastern Kingbird 1; Warbling Vireo 1; Wood Thrush 1; Yellow Warbler 2; Common Yellowthroat 2; Eastern Towhee 2; Chipping Sparrow 5; Song Sparrow 1; Swamp Sparrow 2; Bobolink 3; Baltimore Oriole 2; House Finch 2;
    (report from Tom Pirro).

    5/13/08 -- Oakham
    I found a small flock of Evening Grosbeaks hanging around my feeders earlier this afternoon. (report from Josh Gahagan).

    5/13/08 -- Institute Park, Worcester
    Highlights at noon from Institute Park and nearby Bancroft Tower Hill were: 2 Mute Swans (nesting), 1 E. Kingbird, 1 Wood Thrush (singing just below Bancroft Tower Hill), 2 Cedar Waxwings, 2 Warbling Vireos, 1 Red-eyed Vireo, 1 N. Parula, 1 Yellow Warbler, 1 Yellow-rumped Warbler, 1 Blackpoll Warbler, 2 Black-and-white Warblers, 1 Am. Redstart, 2 Baltimore Orioles, and 1 RT Hummingbird. (report from Rick Quimby).

    5/13/08 -- various locations
    We've come across several species in Worcester County the past few days--none particularly early, but always nice to see:
  • 2 male bobolinks at Hundred Acre Lot on Sutton St, Uxbridge;
  • 2 eastern kingbirds together at West Hill Dam, Uxbridge and another at Fisherville Pond, Grafton;
  • several blue-winged warblers and common yellowthroats in various spots;
  • 2 male redstarts at Moore State Park, Paxton;
  • a wood thrush singing late in the day at Sylvester St, Leicester;
  • a Virginia rail calling at Milford Pond
  • and a first-spring male orchard oriole (greenish-yellow body with a black bib) along the Milford bike path not far from the parking lot.
    (report from Beth and Paul Milke)

    5/11/08 -- Blackstone
    Today we spent from before dawn till noon atlasing in two blocks in the town of BLACKSTONE. Actually that should read "1.5" blocks because one of our atlasing locations is a block on the border of Woonsocket, Rhode Island and is only half the usual atlas block size. The town of Blackstone is on the Blackstone River (no surprise there); and is one of the river's "mill villages" where for well over a century, numerous workers labored in the numerous mill buildings (many still extant); turning out a variety of manufactured goods. Many of these workers were immigrants from French Canada. Many were children who worked long hot hours in often-dangerous conditions. If you want a peek at what these mill workers lives were like, visit the MUSEUM OF WORK AND CULTURE in Woonsocket, a touching and interesting tribute to these laborers.

    As a birding and atlasing location, Millville can be pretty challenging. The area of the town along the river and Rt. 122 is very congested and heavily built up. Yes, there are mostly Rock Pigeons, starlings and House Sparrows here, but species like orioles and Blue-gray Gnatcatchers can be found in small parks. Monk Parakeet once nested here in a transformer behind a bar. The modest Blackstone River runs rather quickly through Blackstone, not offering much for waterfowl to dwell in (at least in my atlas blocks);. As you move north, it is mostly congested suburbs. But there are a number of small farms, productive wet woodlots, several very small rivers and streams, some with good areas of willows, an interesting forested Wildlife Management Area and Daniel's Farm historical site high atop a hill. You basically poke around in whatever location looks productive in this small area.

    Total list for both blocks: Double-crested Cormorant (2); Great Blue Heron (2); Turkey Vulture (5); Canada Goose (9+a pair already with a gosling tucked under a wing); Mute Swan (3); Wood Duck (2m, females likely on a nest); Mallard (12); Red-shouldered Hawk (1); Red-tailed Hawk (1); American Kestrel (1m); Ruffed Grouse (1 drumming); Wild Turkey (7); Killdeer (7); Lesser Yellowlegs (1: in small pond); Solitary Sandpiper (2); American Woodcock (5); Rock Pigeon (19); Mourning Dove (37); Black-billed Cuckoo (1); Barred Owl (2, pair); WHIP-POOR-WILL (6: nice find. From extensive scouting, we had noted a few locations that "looked" like they maybe/perhaps/hoped could support some Whips, and amazingly, we found/heard them there); Chimney Swift (82+: swifts do love the big chimney stacks of old mill buildings); Ruby-throated Hummingbird (1); Red-bellied Woodpecker (9); YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER (1 ); Downy Woodpecker (9); N Flicker (9); Least Flycatcher (2); E Phoebe (16); Great Crested Flycatcher (5); Eastern Kingbird (7); Yellow-throated Vireo (5); Warbling Vireo (15: many mating, displaying et); Red-eyed Vireo (2); Blue Jay (27); A Crow (24); COMMON RAVEN (2 adults with three "just about to leave the nest" fully feathered, squawking young. Lots of perching on cross beams and rapid fluttering of wings. This nesting location, high atop a microwave tower across from Daniel's Farm, has been active for several years now); Tree Swallow (22); N Rough-winged Swallow (8); Barn Swallow (9); Black-capped Chickadee (29); Tufted Titmouse (37); White-breasted Nuthatch (10); Brown Creeper (1: good find for a location like this); Carolina Wren (12); House Wren (15); Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (14: nest building observed); Veery (1: more to come); Wood Thrush (16); American Robin (169: the #1 breeding species found in most atlas blocks); Gray Catbird (106); N Mockingbird (8); Brown Thrasher (6); E Starling (47); Cedar Waxwing (3);

      WARBLERS: Blue-winged (13); N Parula (10); Yellow (37); Yellow-rumped (6); Black-throated Green (2); Pine (15); Prairie (6); Black and White (3); A Redstart (11); WORM-EATING (1: possible breeder); Ovenbird (25); Northern Waterthrush (2); Louisiana Waterthrush (1: known breeder in this location); C Yellowthroat (32);
    Scarlet Tanager (10); Eastern Towhee (27); Chipping Sparrow (95: the national bird of the ~Qburbs); Field Sparrow (12); Song Sparrow (60); Swamp Sparrow (2); N Cardinal (38); Rose-breasted Grosbeak (16); Bobolink (2); Red-winged Blackbird (39); Common Grackle (50: we watched a group attempting to rob a robin's nest); Brown-headed Cowbird (12); Orchard Oriole (2m: possible breeders); Baltimore Oriole (55: everywhere today); House Finch (9); A Goldfinch (23); House Sparrow (60+); Plus: Eastern Cottontail; Woodchuck; E Painted Turtle; Butterflies included: Black Swallowtail; Cabbage Whites; Clouded Sulphurs; Spring Azures; Juvenal's Duskywing and Common Sootywing. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

    5/10/08 -- Tower Hill Botanic Garden, Boylston
    Jim & Kathie Hogan led eight members of the Forbush Bird Club on a bird walk at the Tower Hill Botanic Garden in Boylston, Ma. on May 10, 2008. The day was cloudy and damp with a temperature hanging around 45 degrees. The birds were scarce and tough to locate. Here is a list of the 40 species recorded. (report from Jim Hogan).

    5/10/08 -- Wachusett Reservoir, Clinton
    At 7:45PM, 3 Common Nighthawks were seen from Gate 39 in Clinton. (report from Kevin Bourinot).

    5/8/08 -- Lunenburg/Fitchburg
    I made a few stops on the way to my folks house last night:
  • In Lunenburg: Cliff Swallow ( 3 I didn't scan for too long but hopefully they will still be a few pairs that nest here. Previously the bulk of the Cliff Swallows nests were build inside an old barn, that barn has now been removed (it had survived a fire, several years ago, and was in tough shape). However some pairs had also nested on a few other older buildings, hopefully they still do.)
  • Fitchburg Airport: Horned Lark ( 2 Likely breeders, I beleive this species was a confirmed breeder during the first Atlas project.); Eastern Meadowlark (1 heard singing).
    (report from Tom Pirro).

    5/8/08 -- Institute Park
    About 6:30 pm, we had a scarlet tanager in the maples down by the water across from the tennis courts. We also had a flock of about 40 cedar waxwings in the crab apple tree along the shore by the apartments. (report from Susan LaBree).

    5/8/08 -- Westminster
    This morning, highlights from my back deck, and from Monty Tech Voc. school. >Lesser Black-backed Gull 1 (2nd cycle) >Great Black-backed Gull 10 >Ruby-throated Hummingbird 1 female >Red-bellied Woodpecker 1 >Red-breasted Nuthatch 1 >House Wren 1 >Wood Thrush 2 >Gray Catbird 6 >Northern Parula 4 >Yellow Warbler 1 >Black-throated Blue Warbler 2 >Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) 10 >Black-throated Green Warbler 2 >Black-and-white Warbler 1 >Scarlet Tanager 1 >Eastern Towhee 1 >Baltimore Oriole 2 (report from Tom Pirro).

    5/8/08 -- Newton Hill, Worcester
    Had a great lunch outing to Newton Hill today from noon-1pm with highlights: Baltimore Oriole; Wood Thrush; Rose-breasted Grosbeak; Brown Thrasher; House Wren; E. Phoebe; Wood Thrush; Blue-gray Gnatcatcher; Ruby-Crowned Kinglet; and 10 warblers: Yellow-rumped; Black-White; Redstart; Prairie; Black-throated Green; Black-throated Blue; Ovenbird; Chestnut-sided; Nashville; Pine. (report from Alexander Dunn).

    5/7/08 -- High Ridge WMA, Westminster
    Highlights this evening: Hooded Merganser 1; Wild Turkey 1; Double-crested Cormorant 3; American Bittern 2 (one at the East gardner Road mash another from the Smith Street Marsh); Great Blue Heron 4; Broad-winged Hawk 1; Belted Kingfisher 1; Red-bellied Woodpecker 1 (from my yard, I now have seen the 6 expected woodpeckers in the yard after living here just two months); Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 4; Eastern Phoebe 5; Blue-headed Vireo 1; Northern Rough-winged Swallow 1; Barn Swallow 2; Red-breasted Nuthatch 1 (I've been seeing a few of these recently after a near abscence this winter and spring); House Wren 2; Wood Thrush 8; Gray Catbird 6; Yellow Warbler 3; Black-throated Blue Warbler 1; Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) 3; Black-throated Green Warbler 2; Pine Warbler 1; Ovenbird 3; Common Yellowthroat 1; Eastern Towhee 3; Swamp Sparrow 2; White-throated Sparrow 1; Rose-breasted Grosbeak 5; Bobolink 3; Baltimore Oriole 1; Purple Finch 5; Pine Siskin 1 (feeding station on East gardner Road with goldfinches); (report from Tom Pirro).

    5/7/08 -- Douglas State Forest, Douglas
    A walk in the southwestern portion of the Douglas State Forest this morning produced, in addition to the usual woodland residents: Least Flycatcher (1);; Eastern Kingbird (3, all bathing together on the wing -- very cool);; Great Crested Flycatcher (4);; Tree Swallow (2);; Ruby-crowned Kinglet (1);; Gray Catbird (12);; Veery (4);; Red-breasted Nuthatch (1);; Yellow-throated Vireo (1);; Blue-headed Vireo (3);; Blue-winged Warbler (1);; Northern Parula (5);; Yellow Warbler (10);; Yellow-rumped Warbler (1);; Black-throated Green Warbler (8);; Black-and-white Warbler (15);; Ovenbird (25-30);; Northern Waterthrush (1);; Common Yellowthroat (7);; Scarlet Tanager (2 singing males);; Eastern Towhee (12);; Chipping Sparrow (20);; Song Sparrow (2);; Swamp Sparrow (2);; Baltimore Oriole (6);. Also lots of nesting Common Grackles and Red-winged Blackbirds in the wetlands, and plenty of opportunistic Brown-headed Cowbirds just about everywhere. At our house, on Rt 16 just east of the forest, yesterday also brought the first singing Wood Thrush of the season and two duelling male Ruby-throated Hummingbirds. (report from Mark Landon).

    5/7/08 -- West Boylston/Boylston
    We spent about an hour before work birding/atlasing in WORCESTER NORTH 11, mostly in the vicinity of the prison and nearby power lines. We found a nice collection of migrants and migrant breeders especially along the power lines at dawn. Wood Duck (pair); Red-tailed Hawk (2); Ruffed Grouse (1 drumming); Ring-billed Gull (2 non-ads); Mourning Dove (9); Red-bellied Woodpecker (1); Downy Woodpecker (1); Hairy Woodpecker (2); N Flicker (1); E Phoebe (2); Great Crested Flycatcher (1); Scarlet Tanager (1); Blue-headed Vireo (1); Blue Jay (23: still migrating); Barn Swallow (1); Carolina Wren (2); Black-capped Chickadee (12); Tufted Titmouse (5); Eastern Bluebird (pair); Wood Thrush (6); Cedar Waxwing (flock of 18); Gray Catbird (53); N Mockingbird (4); Brown Thrasher (3); E Starling (17);
      WARBLERS: Blue-winged (3); Nashville (1); Yellow (9); Chestnut-sided (1); Yellow-rumped (27); Pine (4); Prairie (4: breeds); Black and White (2); Ovenbird (5); C Yellowthroat (3);
    Eastern Towhee (13); Chipping Sparrow (39); Field Sparrow (6: breeds); Song Sparrow (13); N Cardinal (21); House Finch (8); A Goldfinch (7); Rose-breasted Grosbeak (8); Red-winged Blackbird (14); C Grackle (33); Brown-headed Cowbird (9); Baltimore Oriole (9);
    (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

    5/6/08 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
    Raptors migrating today: Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 ; American Kestrel 1 ; (report from Bart Kamp).

    5/6/08 -- Charlton/Spencer
    This AM (6:30AM-8:30AM) I ended up driving many of the roads of the Worcester South 2 Atlas block to get myself acquainted. Surprisingly, there is a fair amount of open space acreage remaining here. It contains the Bennett and Four Chimneys Wildlife Mgmt. Areas, as well as a good number of old and active farms, hayfields, and an old orchard. There is some development encroachment, mostly from single family homes, but so far this block seems to have escaped those huge multihome developments that have recently occurred in Central Mass. Many migrants are just beginning to return, but this mornings activity was a welcome sight compared to the past week. Evidently, there must have been a fair movement of birds overnight.
  • I recorded the following highlights: 1 Ruffed Grouse, 3 Northern Flicker, 2 Pileated Woodpecker, 2 Eastern Phoebe, 1 Blue-headed Vireo, 2 Warbling Vireo, 16 Barn Swallow, 3 House Wren, 1 Ruby-crowned Kinglet, 15 Gray Catbird, 8 Yellow Warbler, 1 Chestnut-sided Warbler, 9 Yellow-rumped Warbler, 1 Black-throated Green Warbler, 1 Pine Warbler, 5 Black-and-white Warbler, 6 Ovenbird, 2 Northern Waterthrush, 4 Eastern Towhee, 40 Chipping Sparrow, 15 Song Sparrow, 1 Swamp Sparrow, 9 White-throated Sparrow, 1 Dark-eyed Junco, 3 Rose-breasted Grosbeak, 4 Bobolink, 11 Baltimore Oriole, and 2 Purple Finch. (report from Paul Meleski).

    5/6/08 -- Westminster
    A nice influx of new arrivals over night. Highlights during a bike ride this morning before work: Double-crested Cormorant 7; Belted Kingfisher 1; Red-bellied Woodpecker 1; Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 4; Pileated Woodpecker 1; Eastern Phoebe 6; Eastern Kingbird 1; Yellow-throated Vireo 1; Blue-headed Vireo 2; Warbling Vireo 5; House Wren 5; Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1; Hermit Thrush 1; Wood Thrush 2; Gray Catbird 1; Northern Parula 1; Yellow Warbler 2; Chestnut-sided Warbler 1; Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) 11; Black-throated Green Warbler 2; Black-and-white Warbler 3; Ovenbird 3; Common Yellowthroat 2; Eastern Towhee 2; Chipping Sparrow 35; Song Sparrow 4; White-throated Sparrow 24; Rose-breasted Grosbeak 1; Baltimore Oriole 5; Purple Finch 10. (report from Tom Pirro).

    5/6/08 -- Petersham
    I birded today in BBA Block Barre 2 from 4 a.m. until 11:45 a.m. Highlights were: Turkey Vulture, Hooded Mergansers (hanging around wood duck boxes in two different locations), Common Merganser, Several American Woodcock displaying at Dana Common, Barred Owl, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Least Flycatcher, Eastern Phoebe, Veery, Wood Thrush, Gray Catbird, Chestnut-sided Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Black-throated Green warbler, Pine Warbler, Prairie Warbler, Palm warbler, Black-and White Warbler, Ovenbird, Common Yellowthroat, Eastern Towhee, Chipping Sparrow, Field Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Swamp Sparrow, and Baltimore Oriole. (report from Alan Marble).

    5/5/08 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
    Raptors migrating today: Turkey Vulture 3 ; Osprey 7 ; Sharp-shinned Hawk 2 ; Broad-winged Hawk 10 ; Red-tailed Hawk 2 ; (report from Bart Kamp).

    5/5/08 -- Millbury
    Highlights from a few spots in Millbury this morning: Gray Catbird, Eastern Bluebirds in a nesting box, Veery, Northern Parula, Black and White Warbler, Magnolia Warbler, Prairie Warbler, Palm Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Ovenbird, Baltimore Oriole, Rose-breasted Grosbeak and Eastern Towhee. (report from Alan Marble).

    5/4/08 -- Quabbin Reservoir
    The Forbush bird club held its annual "drive thru" of the gated back roads of East Quabbin reservoir today. Fortunately the rain subsided just after leaving gate 43 at 0720 making for better than expected weather conditions and fine day of birding. Recent weather conditions had held up some migrants, and while the species total was 13 short of last year's total (56 vs. 69), the trip was not without hilights. Hilights included a Barred Owl nest with newly hatched downy white Owlets, peeking out the nest cavity, near Gate 44, great looks at Louisiana Waterthrush inside gate 45, hundreds of swallows (95% Tree) migrating north over the "big water". Pileated Woodpeckers were vocal, we tallied 7 (all identified by call or drumming) at various points between gates 43 and 35 as well as a nice wave of ~150 Yellow-rumped Warblers along the shoreline of the Reservoir. Two pairs of adult Bald Eagles toward the day's end was fitting conclusion to the trip. Once again, we express our gratitude to the DCR for the privilege of allowing us to drive the back roads of Quabbin. Here is the complete list of the 56 species observed (report from Tom Pirro).

    5/4/08 -- Northeast Quabbin Reservoir
    This morning, we returned to Quabbin to do some more atlasing. Today we birded from Gate 35 to Gate 39 (end of paved section of Dugway Road); mostly in the town of Petersham. The weather was cloudy, misty at times and still cold in the AM, especially along the shore. Shutesbury 10, one of our atlas blocks, is interesting because half the block is water and the other half mixed forest. Species like Rock Pigeon, E Starling and House Sparrow are not to be found here. Despite the poor, raw weather, boat fishermen were out in force, as were Deer Ticks and Black Flies.
    Species observed: Common Loon (8: including what appeared to be 2 pairs. Some loud and dramatic vocalizing that echoed throughout this end of Quabbin); Double-crested Cormorant (5ad. We watched two of these birds that were perched on a small bouy, that held a sign for a shoreline bathroom, loudly and violently fight off the other three who also found this one small perch attractive); Great Blue Heron (2); Turkey Vulture (1); Canada Goose (2 pair); Wood Duck (10: including a pair looking for a nest site); American Black Duck (pair on phragmite island; hopefully breeders); Mallard (7); Hooded Merganser (1m); Common Merganser (pair+1f); Bald Eagle (1ad+1imm. The immature appeared to be a second year bird. The adult may be breeding in the area. We watched it hunt in a small section of the shoreline and then disappear from view into the forest on opposite shore); N Harrier (1f: put up and down on phragmite island); Red-shouldered Hawk (1); Ruffed Grouse (5 drumming); Wild Turkey (pair); Mourning Dove (7); Barred Owl (1); Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (4); Hairy Woodpecker (4); N Flicker (2); Pileated Woodpecker (4); Least Flycatcher (1); Eastern Phoebe (2); Blue-headed Vireo (15); Blue Jay (7); A Crow (4); Tree Swallow (90+); Barn Swallow (55+); Nb: most swallows bee-lining it north low along the water); Black-capped Chickadee (29); Tufted Titmouse (2); Red-breasted Nuthatch (1: most seem to not have returned yet); White-breasted Nuthatch (1); Brown Creeper (3: nest building); Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher (6); Hermit Thrush (4); American Robin (8); Yellow-rumped Warbler (92); Black-throated Green Warbler (26); Blackburnian Warbler (1m); Pine Warbler (17); Palm Warbler (8); Black and White Warbler (4); Ovenbird (1); Eastern Towhee (8); Chipping Sparrow (29); White-throated Sparrow (9); N Cardinal (6); Red-winged Blackbird (20); Common Grackle (7); Brown-headed Cowbird (16); Purple Finch (5); A Goldfinch (2); Evening Grosbeak (7);
    (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

    5/3/08 -- Sylvester Street, Worcester Airport
    Here are details of the 42 species observed on the Forbush Bird Club trip. (report from Susan LaBree)

    5/3/08 -- Spencer/Quabbin Reservoir
    Today we atlased in three blocks: one in SPENCER (North Brookfield 12); and two adjacent blocks in Quabbin (Shutesbury 10 and Barre 1);. The weather was cool, wet and raw, with periodic showers. Temps didn~Rt get above 42. Turkey hunters were out in force, but not IN Quabbin.
  • SPENCER (2 hours);: Great Blue Heron (3); Canada Goose (5: including birds on nests); Wood Duck (pair); Mallard (3); Hooded Merganser (1f); Sharp-shinned Hawk (1 carrying small bird to copse of pines); Wild Turkey (7); Rock Dove (5); Mourning Dove (20); Red-bellied Woodpecker (1); Downy Woodpecker (8); Hairy Woodpecker (5); N Flicker (5: pair seen copulating and displaying); Eastern Phoebe (2); Blue-headed Vireo (1); Blue Jay (33); A Crow (4); Black-capped Chickadee (31); Tufted Titmouse (18); White-breasted Nuthatch (5: including a bird carrying food to a nest hole); Carolina Wren (1); Winter Wren (1); Ruby-crowned Kinglet (2); Eastern Bluebird (pair); A Robin (69); Gray Catbird (1); N Mockingbird (4); Brown Thrasher (2); E Starling (51); Yellow Warbler (1); Yellow-rumped Warbler (3); Black-throated Green Warbler (1); Pine Warbler (8); Louisiana Waterthrush (2); Eastern Towhee (5); Chipping Sparrow (52); Field Sparrow (5); Savannah Sparrow (4); Song Sparrow (23); Swamp Sparrow (8); White-throated Sparrow (9); N Cardinal (12); Rose-breasted Grosbeak (2m); Bobolink (1m); Red-winged Blackbird (112); Common Grackle (53); Brown-headed Cowbird (21); House Finch (4); A Goldfinch (18); House Sparrow (43);
  • AT QUABBIN: we birded from Gate 37 to Gate 35 (3 hours);. The total list: Common Loon (14: 2 adult loons were keeping close company with a rather small immature plumaged loon. Young from last year? Unlikely. According to the Birds Of North America On-line, adult loons typically leave the young of the year and migrate out before hand); Double-crested Cormorant (1); Great Blue Heron (3); Turkey Vulture (5: including a pair doing the ~Sfollow flight~T performed between mated pairs on nesting territory); Canada Goose (4: 2 nests); Wood Duck (6m); Mallard (4); LONG-TAILED DUCK (1m); Hooded Merganser (1m); Common Merganser (4: known breeder in this location); Osprey (1); Bald Eagle (3ad); Red-tailed Hawk (pair); Wild Turkey (1); Spotted Sandpiper (2); Barred Owl (1); N Saw-whet Owl (1); Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (2); Hairy Woodpecker (1); N Flicker (2); Pileated Woodpecker (3); Eastern Phoebe (1 on nest); Blue-headed Vireo (7); Blue Jay (6); A Crow (4); Tree Swallow (32); Barn Swallow (40+: migrants low over Quabbin); Black-capped Chickadee (17); Brown Creeper (1); Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (2); A Robin (6); Yellow-rumped Warbler (137); Black-throated Green Warbler (16); Pine Warbler (12: nest building observed); Black and White Warbler (2); Northern Waterthrush (1); Eastern Towhee (4); Chipping Sparrow (16); Song Sparrow (1); Red-winged Blackbird (10); C Grackle (2); Purple Finch (2); PINE SISKIN (3); A Goldfinch (3); Evening Grosbeak (4);
    (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

    5/3/08 -- Uxbridge
    This morning, we did some atlasing in UXBRIDGE 7, with stops at River Bend Farm, Rice City Pond, and West Hill Dam/Park. Here are highlights: Mute Swan (pair - Rice City Pond; definite courtship behavior); Wood Duck (4 - West Hill; pair - River Bend; the latter were sitting near each other on a tree limb, with some display. The female then took off and the male followed her. They continued to circle the area together for several minutes before alighting on adjacent branches.); Great Blue Heron (1 - River Bend); Red-tailed Hawk (1 adult - River Bend); Killdeer (1 - River Bend); Belted Kingfisher (1 - River Bend); Red-bellied Woodpecker (pair - River Bend); Northern Flicker (1 - River Bend); Eastern Phoebe (2 - River Bend, including one going under a bridge); Northern Rough-winged Swallow Barn Swallow Carolina Wren (2 - River Bend); House Wren Ruby-crowned Kinglet (1 - singing at River Bend); Eastern Bluebird (2 pairs - West Hill); Cedar Waxwing (14 - River Bend; in a flock); Yellow Warbler (6 - River Bend; 1 - West Hill); Chestnut-sided Warbler (1 - River Bend); Yellow-rumped Warbler Black-throated Green Warbler (3 - West Hill); Pine Warbler (several at both River Bend, including female collecting material, and West Hill); Ovenbird (1 - West Hill); Northern Waterthrush (1 or 2 - West Hill); Common Yellowthroat (2 - River Bend); Eastern Towhee Chipping Sparrow (including several pairs); Field Sparrow (1 at River Bend, pair at West Hill); Savannah Sparrow (pair(?); at West Hill); White-throated Sparrow (1 at River Bend); Purple Finch (female at West Hill); (report from John Liller, Kim Kastler, Jeremy Cole).

    5/2/08 -- Newcomb Rd, Westminster
  • Highlights this morning from 0615 to 0715: Wood Duck 1; Hooded Merganser 2; Double-crested Cormorant 6; Red-tailed Hawk 1; Pileated Woodpecker 1; House Wren 1; Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1; Hermit Thrush 2; Brown Thrasher 2; Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) 12; Black-and-white Warbler 3; Eastern Towhee 5; Chipping Sparrow 10; Field Sparrow 5; Song Sparrow 3; White-throated Sparrow 2; ose-breasted Grosbeak 1; Purple Finch 1;
  • Last evening, 5/1, I stopped by the old Leominster landfill site, off Mechanic Street in leominster. The hilight was a very cooperative Red-tailed Hawk, a few digi-bin photos are on my blog. Also, was a pair of Eastern Meadowlarks which have been here in past years as well (Ayer 3 block).
    (report from Tom Pirro).

    5/1/08 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
    Raptors migrating today: Osprey 2 ; Sharp-shinned Hawk 10 ; Cooper's Hawk 1 ; Broad-winged Hawk 21 ; Red-tailed Hawk 2 ; American Kestrel 5 . Raptor Observations: Not migrating:3 adult bald eagles, 1 northern goshawk, 2 pairs of redtails, 3 pairs of broadwings. Non-raptor Observations: 5 evening grosbeaks (report from Bart Kamp).

    5/1/08 -- Route 56 overlook, Leicester
    There was a pair of American Kestrels seen mating today from the Route 56 overlook. They were seen in the fields to the west of the Worcester Airport runway. (report from Kevin Bourinot).

    5/1/08 -- Worc airport/Sylvester St.
    Cold and pretty quiet tonight as I was scoping for my Forbush Bird Club trip on Saturday. One noteable female ring-necked pheasant strolled across the dirt road near the entrance to Sylvester St. Don't get your hopes up, we probably won't see this one on Saturday! (report from Susan LaBree).

    For previous sightings, see April 2008 Archives or Archive Index