May 2011 Central Mass Bird Sightings

Sightings are listed in reverse chronological order. The email address of birders submitting reports, as well as other Central Massachusetts birding info can be found via the Central Mass Bird Update homepage.

Bird News:

• ONGOING -- Asian Longhorned Beetle Information
• 5/11/11 -- Natural historian MARTIN WALTERS on the state of the world's bird populations, on WICN
• 5/20/11 -- The Forbush Bird Club evening trip to Bolton Flats has been cancelled, due to the weather

Bird Sightings:

5/31/11 -- Wachusett Reservoir/Bolton Flats, Clinton/Bolton

At Gate 40 on the Wachusett Reservoir this morning there was a Common Tern at the Bushy Island.

At Bolton Flats, I saw the Blue-winged Teal that was reported and 2 Purple Martins flew by me.
(report from Peter Morlock).

5/30/11 -- Northbridge

At Approx 10:00 am a Yellow-headed Blackbird was reported by Phyllis Di Palma. [ed: no details provided]. (report from William J Mello Jr.).

5/30/11 -- Gate 40 Wachusett Reservoir and Bolton Flats

After the showers today I went to gate 40 at Wachusett Reservoir. On the bushy island there were 3 Dunlin and 5 Short-billed Dowitchers; on Cemetery Island there was a Black Bellied Plover.

I then went to Bolton Flats. My goal was to find the Marsh Wren that Tom and Chuck heard singing on Saturday evening from the cattails north of the farm pond. I couldn't hear it. Nearly all of the puddles at the Flats have evaporated. As soon as I reached the cattails I heard the Marsh Wren. While there I heard a moorhen call 2 or 3 times and a LEAST BITTERN called more than a dozen times. None of the birds were seen.
(report from Bart Kamp).

5/29/11 -- Main Street Manchaug, Sutton

This morning (5.45 ) over the Manchaug Mills I observed 2 Common Nighthawks feeding with dozens of Chimny Swifts along  with 4 or 5 Eastern Kingbirds, 2 Phobes and a hand full of Cedar Waxwings. (report from Michael Jubert).

5/28/11 -- Millbury/Sutton Area

Highlights of the Forbush Bird Club trip were: Great Blue Herons on nest with young, Green Herons, Osprey on nest, Red-tailed Hawks on nest with young, a Pileated Woodpecker in and out of a nest hole and 3 singing Grasshopper Sparrows. Here is the complete trip list of the 63 Species recorded. (report from Alan Marble).

5/28/11 -- Bolton Flats, Bolton

This evening there was a Red-necked Phalarope at Bolton Flats.... I posted a few digi-scope shots of this bird on my blog. Paul Meleski, Chuck Caron and I were arriving and Bart Kamp was leaving to make a phone call, he told us of the bird and we continued in and then enjoyed prolonged view of this handsome bird. (report from Tom Pirro).

5/28/11 -- Bolton Flats, Bolton

I returned to Bolton Flats this evening, and the drake Northern Shoveler was there again. In the large puddle in the field that is north of the "T" , I found a RED-NECKED PHALAROPE. A short time later Paul, Tom and Chuck arrived. I told them about the phalarope. They had seen a drake Blue-winged Teal on the way in. It was in the field with the shoveler. (report from Bart Kamp).

5/27/11 -- Bolton Flats, Bolton

Just prior to sunset this evening I made a quick trip to Bolton Flats from the Route 117 parking lot. Feeding in the rapidly shrinking puddles with about a dozen male Mallards was a male Northern Shoveler. I think a Shoveler has been reported from Bolton this spring, but I don't think the sex was indicated. (report from Bart Kamp).

5/26 - Wachusett Reservoir, Clinton

This evening there was a Common Tern and a Black Tern flying around from Gate 40 in Clinton. The common eventually roosted on the "bushy island" (small island closest to the shore from gate 40). There were also 6 Semiplalmated Plovers on the island. Also, it looks like there are 2 Bald Eagle chicks on the nest again this year. I posted a photo of the Willet that was at Bolton Flats last Sunday. It's not every day (or year) we see Willets out here. (report from Kevin Bourinot)

5/26/11 -- Sutton

Last night around 1:15 AM I could hear at least 2 Whip-poor-wills calling in the woods behind my house.

This Am around 5.30 I went to the small pond above the Mumford river to try out some bugs I tied up .I was there a while before I was joined by the Hybrid Mallard Male that was in my yard a few weeks back. He showed great interest in the floating bug, so much so that I had to reel it in, calling it a morning here. As I was leaving he decided to swim to shore and follow me, which he did all the way home. When I got home I grabbed my camera for a quick photo of him.

This afternoon at the corner of Harback and Boston road in Sutton I saw a Brown Thrasher. (report from Michael Joubert).

5/25/11 -- Assabet River, Northborough

I have been seeing a pair of Greylag Geese since April on the Assabet River along Hudson Street in Northborough by the Aquaduct arches. Here is a recent photo. (report and photo from Henry Squillante).

5/25/11 -- Wachusett Reservoir, West Boylston

At 8:15 pm (dusk), there was a Vesper Sparrow in the grassy area under the power lines at Gate 25. (report from Rick Quimby)

5/23/11 -- Bolton Flats / Wachusett Reservoir

Bolton Flats: Highlights from late this afternoon -- despite carefully scanning the area I did NOT find/see or hear the Willet nor the King Rail reported from yesterday. I did get Virginia Rail 1 or 2; Common Moorhen 1 calling; Semipalmated Plover 14; Spotted Sandpiper 3; Greater Yellowlegs 5; Least Sandpiper 22; Short-billed Dowitcher 2 (origianlly found by Alan Marble earlier); Barn Swallow 20+; Bank Swallow 50+; Tree Swallow 50+; Chimney Swift 25+; Yellow-throated Vireo 1; Blackpoll Warbler 1.

At Wachusett Reservoir (~6PM): Brant (100+/- packed tightly and tough to count...though apparently B. Kamp saw them in flight also and was able to carefully count 133); Horned Grebe 1; White-winged Scoter 14.
(report from Tom Pirro).

5/23/11 -- Bolton/Clinton

At Bolton Flats, the 2 Short-billed Dowitchers found by Alan Marble earlier in the day were still there at 1:30 PM. There were dozens of swifts and swallows feeding low over the field. Among them were 3 Cliff Swallows. The female Northern Harrier previously reported was also seen.

From gate 40 at Wachusett Reservoir there was 1 Horned Grebe in breeding plumage and 3 Brant.

From Mile Hill Road an immature Bald Eagle flew by. I also observed a large flock of black looking water birds land at the bushy island. I thought cormorants but through the scope they were Brant. I went back to gate 40 to count them. They were as close together as a raft of Black Scoters and difficult to count. Suddenly they all took off, circled a few times and landed again. This time the flock was more stretched out and I was able to count them one by one. There were 133 Brant.
(report from Bart Kamp).

5/22/11 -- Oxbow NWR, Harvard

Highlights of the Forbush Bird Club trip were: Yellow-throated Vireos, Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, Magnolia Warbler, Blackpoll Warbler, Northern Waterthrush, Canada Warbler, Scarlet Tanagers and Rose-breasted Grosbeaks. Here is the complete trip list of the 63 Species recorded. (report from Alan Marble).

5/22/11 -- Bolton Flats/Wachusett Reservoir, Bolton/Clinton

After the Forbush Trip to Oxbow in Harvard I went to Bolton Flats at Rt 117 along with Bart Kamp, Dave Grant and Donna Schilling. Hilites: Virginia Rail, Sora and a WILLET.

After Bolton Flats, we went to Wachusett Reservoir Gate 40 where there were 4 Brant, 2 or 3 Red-breasted Mergansers and 7 Black-bellied Plovers.
(report from Peter Morlock).

5/22/11 -- Ware River Watershed IBA

Today, our MAS (Broad Meadow Brook) Spring Migration Class had a trip to the WARE RIVER WATERSHED IBA. Sheila and I have been doing breeding bird surveys of this area for several decades; and together with Dale Monette of DCR, we got this area nominated as an IBA and for the BREEDING BIRD ATLAS II, we covered several of the key blocks of the parcel. Today we stuck to ONLY the southern half of the IBA, hitting only SOME of the key areas, with me keeping careful counts (resulting in ink stained hands). The insects were, as you can imagine, FIERCE and PELNTIFUL. For a good description of some of the birding possibilities of this IBA, see my article from a few years back in BIRD OBERVER. Most species seen were breeders in this IBA. The weather today was not great: misty, foggy early on; cool and solid overcast for the rest of the day.

Bird list: Great Blue Heron (5: one of the standard rookeries we used to census has now been abandoned); Green Heron (1); Turkey Vulture (2); Canada Goose (2ad w/8 goslings+ another adult); American Black Duck (1); Mallard (1f w/7ducklings plus another 3 ad); Osprey (1); Red-shouldered Hawk (1); Broad-winged Hawk (1); Red-tailed Hawk (1); Ruffed Grouse (3); Virginia Rail (6); Killdeer (1); Spotted Sandpiper (1); Mourning Dove (6); Black-billed Cuckoo (2); Chimney Swift (2); Ruby-throated Hummingbird (1m); Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (1); Downy Woodpecker (5); Hairy Woodpecker (pair feeding young in nest+4); N Flicker (4); Pileated Woodpecker (1); Eastern Wood Peewee (3); Alder Flycatcher (6); Willow Flycatcher (3); Least Flycatcher (12); E Phoebe (7); Great Crested Flycatcher (3); E Kingbird (13); Yellow-throated Vireo (2); Blue-headed Vireo (6); Warbling Vireo (10); Red-eyed Vireo (58); Blue Jay (13); A Crow (8); C Raven (4); Tree Swallow (48); N Rough-winged Swallow (3); Barn Swallow (10); Black-capped Chickadee (26); Tufted Titmouse (7); Red-breasted Nuthatch (2); White-breasted Nuthatch (6); Brown Creeper (1: including a pair bringing food to a nest); House Wren (2); Winter Wren (2); Veery (28); Swainson?s Thrush (1); Hermit Thrush (13); Wood Thrush (6); A Robin (37); Gray Catbird (31); E Starling (2); Cedar Waxwing (8);

WARBLERS: Blue-winged (6m); Nashville (3); N Parula (7); Yellow (19); Chestnut-sided (51); Magnolia (6); Black-throated Blue (11); Yellow-rumped (14); Black-throated Green (35); Blackburnian (7); Pine (23); Prairie (7); Blackpoll (1); Black and White (5); A Redstart (18); Ovenbird (121); Northern Waterthrush (4); Louisiana Waterthrush (1); C Yellowthroat (71); Canada (11);

Scarlet Tanager (23); E Towhee (25); Chipping Sparrow (41); Savannah Sparrow (2); Song Sparrow (18); Swamp Sparrow (23); Rose-breasted Grosbeak (38: this species put on a real show today, with quite a number seen on the ground or quite low. Males and females); Indigo Bunting (6); Bobolink (13); Red-winged Blackbird (110+); C Grackle (25+); Brown-headed Cowbird (8); Baltimore Oriole (39); Purple Finch (4); A Goldfinch (11); House Sparrow (1);

ALSO; American Toad (heard and seen); Pickerel Frog; Eastern Painted Turtle; Red Fox; BRIDLED SHINER (State listed); and many blooms inlcuding: CLINTONIA; FRINGED POLYGALA; PURLE TRILLIUM; JACK IN THE PULPIT; CANADA MAYFLOWER; STARFLOWER; WILD SARSPARILLA; SESSILE BELLWORT and a large, rather sinister patch of STINGING NETTLES. No butterflies due to cloudy cover and cold temps. Normally this is a great butterflying spot.
(report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

5/22/11 -- Bolton Flats, Bolton

This morning I had a WILLET in the corn field pool. It flew around and called then landed somewhere in the corn stubble. While looking at the willet I heard a morhen and a KING RAIL behind me. Very few shore birds, i.e. 1 each of Solitary Sandpiper, Lesser and Greater Yellowlegs. No plovers. Other birds of note were 2 Virginia and 2 Sora Rails, a female Harrier, a Screech Owl answered me in the parking lot off Rt. 110. Also at that parking lot was a Wilson's Warbler. (report from Rodney Jenkins)

5/22/11 -- Wachusett Reservoir, Clinton

I made a quick stop at gate 40 of the Wachusett Reservoir this morning. At the bushy island there were a pair of Red-breasted Mergansers and 4 Brant. (report from Bart Kamp).

5/21/11 -- Wachusett Reservoir

Highlights from a mid-day trip to Wachusett Reservoir today were: 17 White-winged Scoters, 1 Ruddy Duck, 1 Black-bellied Plover and 2 BLACK TERNS. (report from Bart Kamp).

5/20/11 -- Gate 35, Quabbin Reservoir

We spent several hours today, continuing our atlasing efforts in GATE 35 QUABBIN, part of SHUTESBURY 10 block. Despite our many hours of previous efforts, we were still able to add THREE NEW SPECIES to the Atlas block list, which is amazing and attests to the importance of Quabbin habitats to Central Massachusetts breeding birds.

Bird list: Common Loon (11ad+4 first summers); Double-crested Cormorant (86: migrants); AMEIRCAN BITTERN (pumping almost continuously for the four hours we were in there); Turkey Vulture (4); Wood Duck (3 drake); SURF SCOTER (1 drake); Bald Eagle (3ad: no definite indications of nesting that we could see); Broad-winged Hawk (1); Red-tailed Hawk (1); Ruffed Grouse (1); Wild Turkey (3); Ring-billed Gull (1); COMMON TERN (1: seen off and on for c. 40 minutes, as it flew up and down the bay, wheeled down to the water, mostly on the Worcester County side of the water. Eventually it headed off south just off east Quabbin mainshore (east of Mount L); and out of sight. Sheila managed some identifiable photos. BLACK TERN (1: flew by, heading south, no stops, no back and forths, on a mission); Mourning Dove (2); Ruby-throated Hummingbird (1m on territory); Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (4); Hairy Woodpecker (1); Pileated Woodpecker (2); E Wood Peewee (2); Acadian Flycatcher (1: thinly distributed and declining breeder at Quabbin, especially on the east side); Alder Flycatcher (2); Least Flycatcher (5); E Phoebe (6); Great Crested Flycatcher (5); E Kingbird (4); Yellow-throated Vireo (4); Red-eyed Vireo (29); Blue Jay (3); A Crow (3); Common Raven (2); Tree Swallow (19); N Rough-winged Swallow (2); Black-capped Chickadee (4); Tufted Titmouse (2); Red-breasted Nuthatch (2); White-breasted Nuthatch (1); Brown Creeper (1); Veery (17); Swainson's Thrush (1: in song for c.20 minutes); Hermit Thrush (2); A Robin (10);

WARBLERS: Nashville (1); N Parula (1); Yellow (5); Chestnut-sided (19); Magnolia (5); Black-throated Blue (8); Yellow-rumped (7); Black-throated Green (4); Blackburnian (10); Pine (9); Prairie (4); Bay-breasted (1); Blackpoll (2); Black and White (8); A Redstart (20); Ovenbird (16); Northern Waterthrush (1); C Yellowthroat (12); Canada (2);

Scarlet Tanager (9); Eastern Towhee (18); Chipping Sparrow (22); Field Sparrow (3); Savannah Sparrow (1); Song Sparrow (3); Swamp Sparrow (4); White-throated Sparrow (2); Red-winged Blackbird (39); Brown-headed Cowbird (9); Baltimore Oriole (8); Purple Finch (1); A Goldfinch (3);

PLUS; we had 1 RIVER OTTER swim all the way from the Gate 22 side, almost right to us, with a HUGE fish in it's mouth. Then of course, we went to SOUTH QUABBIN for the Red Phalarope (Thanks to Dave Small and Dale Monette)
(report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

5/20/11 -- 5/20/11 -- Bolton Flats

Highlights of an early afternoon walk into Bolts Flats from the Route 117 parking lot today were 5 Semipalmated Plovers and a dozen feeding Common Nighthawks. (report from Bart Kamp).

5/19/11 -- Bolton/Worcester

A few highlights from Bolton Flats this morning: 5 Black-bellied Plovers, 1 Semipalmated Plover,1 Pectoral Sandpiper, 2 Spotted Sandpipers and 2 Virginia Rails. Greater Yellowlegs were heard but not seen.

In downtown Worcester, there was a Peregrine Falcon perched on the top corner of the Peoples United Bank building. This was viewed from the library parking lot.
(report from Alan Marble).

5/17/11 -- Clinton

The Brant recently reported by Kevin Bourinot at the Clinton High School baseball fields was there this morning playing right field. (report from Alan Marble).

5/17/11 -- Institute Park, Worcester

This morning I found a Great Egret feeding around the island. (report from Peter Morlock).

5/16/11 -- Sutton

At 4,10 I glanced out at my feeder to have this Whitewinged Crossbill . I also have 3 or 4 PineSiskins hanging on in my yard. (report and photo from Michael Joubert).

5/16/11 -- Bolton Flats, Bolton

Late this morning i saw or heard the following (highlights only): Semipalmated Plover 2; Black-bellied Plover 7; Greater Yellowlegs 5; Lesser Yellowlegs 5; Solitaire Sandpiper 3; Spotted Sandpiper 4; Least Sandpiper ~30; Wilson's Snipe 1; Common Moorhen 3 heard only, 2 calling in close to each other in the cattail (near the farm pond), a 3rd called from 100 meters east of there just after the 2 called; Sora 1; Virgina Rail 1; Willow Flycatcher 1; Yellow-throated vireo 1 near the parking area on rte 117; Marsh Wren 1;
The water level is rising and hip boots would be a good choice to get to the farmpond, unless you don't mind getting wet. (report from Tom Pirro).

5/15/11 -- Buck Hill, Spencer

Here is the complete trip list for the Forbush Bird Club trip. (report from Susan LaBree fide Jean Holm).

5/15/11 -- Clinton

There was a Brant in the Clinton High School baseball field this evening at about 4PM. (report from Kevin Bourinot).

5/15/11 -- Lake Chauncy, Westboro

I have seen this albino Robin for the last two years in Westboro, near Lake Chauncy, and finally got a picture today. I have also had a female Hummingbird come to my feeder on 05/07/11 during a rain shower -- she seemed to be bathing. (report and photos from Henry Squillante).

5/15/11 -- Mumford River, Sutton

While trying out one of my new flyrods this after noon on the Mumford River I was watching the the Chimny Swifts feeding above the river to be joined by a Common Night Hawk. While on the river I was joined by 1 Belted Kingfisher,and 1 Great Blue Heron. All 3 of us were having pretty good luck fishing . (report from Michael Joubert).

5/15/11 -- Quabbin Park

We spent a few hours in the off and on rain this morning at QUABBIN PARK. Bird numbers were on the low side, likely due to the weather, but there were a few surprises. Highlights: Common Loon (4); Double-crested Cormorant (1); Great Blue Heron (1); Wood Duck (6); Common Merganser (2); Bald Eagle (ad on the nest and at least 1 yng bird moving around in the nest JUST visible); Red-tailed Hawk (1); Spotted Sandpiper (1); Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (6); Pileated Woodpecker (2); E Wood Peewee (1); E Phoebe (4); Great Crested Flycatcher (5); E Kingbird (1); Yellow-throated Vireo (7); Warbling Vireo (4); Red-eyed Vireo (27); Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (2); Veery (9); Wood Thrush (2); Brown Thrasher (1);

WARBLERS: Blue-winged (4); Tennessee (1: this is a decidedly uncommon spring migrant well inland. Luckily it has that song, which you really can't miss. So when one IS around, you know it. While it constantly sang, it took us 15 minutes to finally get orientated correctly to get decent looks at the bird in the leafy tops); N Parula (2); Yellow (3); Chestnut-sided (30); Magnolia (2); Black-throated Blue (3); Yellow-rumped (2); Black-throated Green (2); Blackburnian (1); Pine (8); Prairie (7); Bay-breasted (1); A Redstart (29); Worm-eating (1: in suitable breeding habitat, but?); Ovenbird (16); Louisiana Waterthrush (1); C Yellowthroat (11);

Scarlet Tanager (10); E Towhee (24); Rose-breasted Grosbeak (3); Indigo Bunting (1m); Baltimore Oriole (10)
(report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

5/15/11 -- Buck Hill, Spencer

The Forbush Bird Club held a trip to Buck Hill. Here is the complete trip list of the 51 Species recorded. (report from Susan LaBree).

5/14/11 -- Princeton

The Forbush Bird Club held a trip around Mt. Wachusett. Here is the complete trip list of the 48 Species recorded. (report from Fran McMenemy).

5/14/11 -- Round Meadow Pond, Westminster

I saw an adult bald eagle on a stump in Round Meadow Pond today at approximately 6:30 PM. He was visible from Route 2W, as we were exiting onto 2A/Route 140. (report from Paula Davison).

5/14/11 -- Broad Meadow Brook Sanctuary, Worcester

While birding this morning at Broad Meadow Brook from
7-9:30 AM with Martha Gach, we recorded 50 different bird species.
Anything with 3 or more I just put at [+] because I didn't count them all.

Highlights included: Green Heron (1),  Spotted Sandpiper
(1), Ruby-Throated Hummingbird (1), Eastern Kingbird [+], Warbling Vireo
[+], Red-eyed Vireo (1), Eastern Bluebird (2), Wood Thrush [+], Brown
Thrasher (2), Blue-winged Warbler (2), Northern Parula (1), Yellow Warbler
(+ including 1 building a nest), Yellow-rumped warbler (1), Blackpoll
Warbler (2), American Redstart (1), Ovenbird [+], Common Yellowthroat [+],
Scarlet Tanager [+], Rose-breasted Grosbeak [+], Baltimore Oriole (+
including 1 nest) and my 3rd fisher sighting in a week!

I still wanted more birding so I then headed solo to Hassanamesit
Woods in Grafton from 10:45-3:15. I had 36 different birds there.
Highlights included: Turkey Vulture (1), Red-Tailed Hawk (2 with nest nearby
but hard to say if it was new or old), Chimney Swift (2), Red-Bellied
Woodpecker [+], Downy Woodpecker (1), Hairy Woodpecker (1), Eastern Kingbird
(2), Red-eyed Vireo (2), Blue Jay (+ and nest), Barn Swallow
(1), Wood Thrush (2), Cedar Waxing (2), Blue-winged Warbler [+], Yellow
Warbler (1), Chestnut sided warbler [+], Magnolia Warbler (1), Pine Warbler
[+], Prairie Warbler (+ and nest building),
Black and White Warbler (2), Ovenbird [+], Common Yellowthroat [+],
Scarlet Tanager [+], Eastern Towhee [+], Field Sparrow [+], Rose-breasted
Grosbeak (+ and female building nest while male escorted), Brown headed
cowbird (1), Baltimore Oriole [+]. 

Super highlight: *BREWSTERS WARBLER* (1 male singing along the power
lines).
For photos see my Flickr web site at www.flickr.com/photos/90406337@N00.

(report from Jenifer Glagowski)

5/13/11 -- Bolton Flats, Bolton

Highlights of a trip to Bolton Flats early this afternoon were 4 Greater Yellowlegs, (the puddles are nearly all dried up), 3 Common Moorhens and 1 first year male Orchard Oriole. The Moorhens were at the edge of the cattails that are north of the farm pond. Knee or hip boots required to get to the farm pond. Two of the Moorhens were fighting. The winner swam off with the third Moorhen. Since female moorhens fight each other, NOT the males, I most likely observed 2 females and 1 male Common Moorhen. (report from Bart Kamp).

5/13/11 -- Institute Park, Worcester

There were fewer warblers today at noon, but I was again treated to a (the same?) first spring male ORCHARD ORIOLE singing. (report from Rick Quimby).

5/13/11 -- Worcester

At 7:00 This morning I saw a large adult Peregrine Falcon land on the antenna atop one of the Webster Square Tower apartment buildings on Main St. (report from Brian Mulhearn)

5/12/11 -- Institute Park/Bancroft Tower Hill, Worcester

Highlights at noon included Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (2 IP), 1 Wood Thrush (1 BTH), Warbling Vireo (3 IP, 1 BTH). Warblers: N. Parula (2 IP, 1 BTH), Yellow (2 IP), Chestnut-sided (1 BTH), Yellow-rumped (1 IP, 1 BTH), Pine (1 BTH), Black-and-white (2 IP), Am. Redstart (2 IP), and Wilson's (1 IP). Also Rose-breasted Grosbeak (1 IP, 1 BTH), and Baltimore Oriole (IP: 2m 1f). (report from Rick Quimby).

5/11/11 -- Sutton

At 6.10 this morning I had two new feeder birds in my yard in the form of a male and female Mallards. Note the odd markings Hybred or domestic? (report from Michael Joubert).

5/11/11 -- Institute Park, Worcester

Highlights at noon included the following warblers: N Parula 2, Yellow 3, Yellow-rumped 2, Pine 1, B&W 2+, Am Redstart 4 (including 1st spring male), Wilson's 1, and Magnolia 1. (report from Rick Quimby).

5/10/11 -- Round Meadow Pond, Westminster

This morning on my way to work a Bald Eagle was sitting on a stump in the middle of Round Meadow Pond, near the intersection of Rte 2 and 2A. (report from Cindy Cringan).

5/10/11 -- Healy Road, Dudley

There were 3 White-crowned Sparrows at my husband's cousin house who lives in Dudley, just down the road from Nichols College. There was also a Baltimore Oriole. (report from Joan Zumpfe).

5/10/11 -- Round Meadow Pond, Westminster

This evening a handsome breeding plumaged Horned Grebe was seen on Round Meadow Pond in Westminster. I have a few photos of the bird on my blog. Also present were Barn, Bank, Tree and Rough-winged Swallows. The Bald Eagles still remain present in the area, with one being observed this evening. (report from Tom Pirro).

5/10/11 -- Institute Park, Worcester

At noon highlights included the following warblers: Nashville 1, N. Parula 2, Yellow 2, Black-throated Blue 1 (m), Yellow-rumped (1), Black-throated Green 1, Pine 1, Black-and-white 2, and Am Redstart 3 (2m 1f). Also noted were Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1, Warbling Vireo 2, Swamp Sparrow 1, and Baltimore Oriole 2 (m). (report from Rick Quimby)

5/9/11 -- West Millbury

I have a lot of nesting activity within 50 yards of my house this year. Eastern phoebe under the eaves, American Crow in the top of a White Pine tree, House Wren in a box, American Robin in the Lilac, Gray Catbird, American Redstart and Northern Cardinal in the thickets. The most interesting has been the Black-capped Chickadees that have taken up residence, for the second year, in the imitation Gray Birch that I made out of PVC pipe and packed with sawdust. (report and photos from Alan Marble)>

5/9/11 -- Institute Park, Worcester

Highlights at noon were Mute Swan and Canada Goose, both on nest within 10 feet of each other, E Kingbird 1, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (2 constructing nest), Warbling Vireo 2, Yellow Warbler 2, Yellow-rumped Warbler 2, Am. Redstart 2, ORCHARD ORIOLE 1 (1st spring male, singing), and Baltimore Oriole 2. (report from Rick Quimby).

5/8/11 -- Sutton

This morning while trying out a new fly rod on the Mumford River in Sutton I had 5 Chimny Swifts feeding above the river -- not much feeding in the river . (report from Michael Joubert).

5/8/11 -- Gate 40, Quabbin Reservoir

We spent the day atlasing in GATE 40. This includes parts of 3 blocks. Alan Marble already atlased the largest section, and did a great job, so we were just upgrading his results and seeing if we could add a few species (we did). The area also includes two narrow, small sections of 2 other blocks and we have been working hard to see what we can find in these small areas. Today we CONFIRMED the nesting of 4 species of woodpeckers in just 1 of the slivers, which was an outstanding day when you are atlasing. Gate 40 Quabbin, is mostly mixed forest, with some small open areas, especially around Dana Commons. There is Pottapaug Pond and a few marshes. Today we continued all the way south to opposite Mt. Zion (water overlook); and Graves Landing (another water overlook);, but basically it's forest birding. Today there were lots of birds, but sorting out the nesters, from the "soon to be nesting" from the migrants is difficult. Some species are already well under way constructing or sitting on nests; but other species seen consisted of all males. There were a few surprises and definite migrants. The one huge caveat is that the black flies/mosquitoes were also AMAZING. Not for the weak or anyone with insect angst.

Complete list. Common Loon (1ad; no sign of a nest); Double-crested Cormorant (1ad); Great Blue Heron (1); Turkey Vulture (6); Canada Goose (4); American Black Duck (4 solitary drakes on various pieces of water. We have confirmed them breeding here, but they are declining as breeders in the state overall); Ruffed Grouse (5 drumming/1 seen); Virginia Rail (4); Sora (1); Mourning Dove (7); Ruby-throated Hummingbird (1); Belted Kingfisher (3); Red-bellied Woodpecker (2); Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (13: one of the easiest woodpecker nests to find at Quabbin); Downy Woodpecker (5); Hairy Woodpecker (2); Pileated Woodpecker (3); Least Flycatcher (6); E Kingbird (4); Yellow-throated Vireo (4); Blue-headed Vireo (8); Red-eyed Vireo (14: more to come); Blue Jay (9); A Crow (5); Common Raven (1); Tree Swallow (9); Black-capped Chickadee (19); Tufted Titmouse (4); Red-breasted Nuthatch (22); White-breasted Nuthatch (14); Brown Creeper (3); Golden-crowned Kinglet (3: likely nesters); Ruby-crowned Kinglet (4); Veery (11); Hermit Thrush (1: low); Wood thrush (12); American Robin (33; we found 1 nest that was about 2 feet off the ground right on the main entrance road); Gray Catbird (35);

WARBLERS: Blue-winged (2); N Parula (14); Yellow (6); Chestnut-sided (51: we saw only males; but this is a common breeder in this block); Magnolia (11: all in areas with young pines: these were mostly migrants); Cape May (2: very uncommon in Worcester County); Black-throated Blue (26: all males); Yellow-rumped (29: some seen nest building); Black-throated Green (29); Blackburnian (18: all males. This species is a regular nester in the block); Pine (31: nest building); Bay-breasted (1); Black and White (35: this was a real treat: we watched 3 pairs begin constructing nests); A Redstart (12); Ovenbird (55); Louisiana Waterthrush (1); C Yellowthroat (42); Wilson's (1m);

Scarlet Tanager (21); E Towhee (47); Chipping Sparrow (35); Song Sparrow (6); Swamp Sparrow (13); White-throated Sparrow (4); N Cardinal (3); Rose-breasted Grosbeak (12); Red-winged Blackbird (56); C Grackle (24); Brown-headed Cowbird (18); Baltimore Oriole (16m); A Goldfinch (3); PLUS: River Otters mating and really putting up a racket while doing so; and a large, muscular FISHER loped right in front of our car en route in Barre.
(report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

5/8/11 -- Sutton

Around 5.00 this afternoon I had a female Rosebreasted Grosbeak show up at my feeders, and at 5,30 a male showed up . (report from Michael Joubert).

5/8/11 -- Uxbridge

I recorded the following highlights while doing some block wrangling in Uxbridge as part of the Breeding Bird Atlas this morning: Wood Duck (pair and female with 10+ young); Double-crested Cormorant (3); Great Blue Heron (2); Belted Kingfisher (1); Red-bellied Woodpecker Least Flycatcher (1); Eastern Phoebe; Great Crested Flycatcher; Eastern Kingbird (2); Yellow-throated Vireo (2); Blue-headed Vireo (1); Warbling Vireo; Red-eyed Vireo; Barn Swallow; House Wren; Blue-gray Gnatcatcher; Wood Thrush; Brown Thrasher (1); Blue-winged Warbler; Northern Parula; Yellow Warbler; Chestnut-sided Warbler (1); Yellow-rumped Warbler; Black-throated Green Warbler; Pine Warbler; Prairie Warbler; Black-and-white Warbler; American Redstart; Ovenbird; Common Yellowthroat; Scarlet Tanager; Eastern Towhee; Chipping Sparrow; Savannah Sparrow (3); Song Sparrow; Rose-breasted Grosbeak; Baltimore Oriole. (report from John Liller).

5/7/11 -- North Grafton

An Indigo Bunting was observed today picking blossoms off a cherry tree. (report from Jim DeVere).

5/7/11 -- Hodges Village Dam, Oxford

Highlights of the Forbush Bird club trip included Scarlet Tanager, Great Crested Flycatcher, Red-eyed Vireo, Common Raven, Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, 10 species of warblers, Osprey, and Double-crested Cormorant kettling high above our heads.Here is the complete trip list (report from Paul Meleski fide Jean Holm).

5/7/11 -- Lancaster/Bolton Flats/Oxbow

Hilights from the above locations, in the Nashua River Valley:

Lancaster WMA (Pine Hill Road): Ruffed Grouse ... 2 (heard...one near gate, other near RR tracks on Pine Hill road); Eastern Whip-poor-will ...1; Brown Thrasher ...1; Praire Warbler 4 minimum; Field Sparrow ...5; Vesper Sparrow ...2 both singing males...; Grasshopper Sparrow ...2 (one singing atop a sign post, its LEFT leg was banded, 2nd bird silent nearby in the grass); **** under ideal listening conditions I could "make out" an American Bittern calling from on Bolton Flats....0.8 miles away ***

Bolton Flats: Mute Swan ...2 (one on nest seen from bridge over the Still River...an unhighlight); Blue-winged Teal ... 2 (pair); Green-winged Teal ...8; American Bittern ...2; Green Heron ...2; Greater Yellowlegs ...18; Lesser Yellowlegs ...5; Solitary Sandpiper ...15; Spotted Sandpiper ...5; Least Sandpiper ...2; Pectoral Sandpiper ...3; unlin ...4 (BP present since Tuesday); Wilson's Snipe ...8; Virgina Rail ...1; Chimney Swift ...12; Marsh Wren ...2; Blackpoll Warbler ...1

Oxbow (including Still River Road);: Green Heron ...1; Red-shouldered hawk ...1 (adult harassed by crows); Ruffed Grouse (heard in parking lot); Great Crested Flycatcher ...3; Solitary Vireo ...1; Yellow-throated Vireo ...3; Warbling Vireo ...7; Red-eyed Vireo ...1; Wood Thrush ...2; Gray Catbird... 27; Ruby-crowned Kinglet ...1; Blue-gray Gnatcatcher ...4; Nashville Warbler ...2; Yellow Warbler ...12; Northern Parula ...7; Chestnut-sided ...Warbler 1; Pine Warbler ...2; Blackburnian Warbler ...1; Yellow-rumped Warbler ...20+; Blackpoll Warbler ...1; Black and White Warbler ...7; American Redstart ...4; Ovenbird ...5; Common Yellowthroat ...15; Bobolink ...1; Orchard Oriole ...1 adult male; Baltimore Oriole ...11.
(report from Tom Pirro).

5/7/11 -- South Quabbin Reservoir

Our MAS Broad Meadow Brook "Spring Migration" class had a trip to QUABBIN PARK/SOUTH QUABBIN this AM. It wasn't a great migration day by any means, but there were some decent pockets of birds and many species are on territory. We managed 81 species. A partial list below: Common Loon (1 migrating north high overhead. NB: the breeding loons are Quabbin are much further north); Horned Grebe (1 adBr); Double-crested Cormorant (6 migrating); Great Blue Heron (2); Turkey Vulture (5); Canada Goose (4); Mallard (13); Hooded Merganser (1m); Common Merganser (3); Bald Eagle (1ad on the nest and at least 1 yg bird seen in the nest); Broad-winged Hawk (pair); Red-tailed Hawk (3); Wild Turkey (5); Killdeer (1); Spotted Sandpiper (1); Chimney Swift (pair nesting in chimney of Administration Building); Ruby-throated Hummingbird (5); Red-bellied Woodpecker (6); Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (8); Downy Woodpecker (3); Hairy Woodpecker (4); N Flicker (6); Pileated Woodpecker (4); Least Flycatcher (11); E Phoebe (10); Great Crested Flycatcher (4); E Kingbird (2); Yellow-throated Vireo (14); Blue-headed Vireo (5); Red-eyed Vireo (6); BLUE JAY (74: small flocks migrating all day); C Raven (2); Tree Swallow (17); N Rough-winged Swallow (2); Barn Swallow (10); Brown Creeper (3); House Wren (4); Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (12); E Bluebird (2); Veery (5); Hermit Thrush (3); Wood Thrush (2); Gray Catbird (27);

WARBLERS: Blue-winged (1); Nashville (1); N Parula (8); Yellow (5); Chestnut-sided (24); Black-throated Blue (7); Yellow-rumped (28); Black-throated Green (10); Blackburnian (6); Pine (25); Prairie (7); Bay-breasted (1); Black and White (4); A Redstart (29: the un-official logo of Quabbin Park); Ovenbird (32); C Yellowthroat (8); Canada (1);

Scarlet Tanager (8); E Towhee (29); Swamp Sparrow (1); White-throated Sparrow (4); Rose-breasted Grosbeak (6); Baltimore Oriole (20); Purple Finch (2); PLUS: a really good flight of AMERICAN LADY.
(report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll)

5/6/11 -- Monson

Today we atlased in a single block in MONSON (and a bit of Brimfield). This area is almost unknown to eastern birders. Monson is a small town, nestled among hills on the Connecticut border: east of the Connecticut River Valley, but west of Worcester County. The town has suburban/town habitat, some small farms an Army Corps of Engineers dam/park (just the northern edge gets into this block); and this block also includes some parcels of the Brimfield State Forest. Birds seen just in this one atlas block: Common Loon (1ad: 1 low flyover); Great Blue Heron (7 individuals, but 3 active nests); Turkey Vulture (1: low); Canada Goose (10); Wood Duck (4); Mallard (5drakes); Hooded Merganser (1m); Common Merganser (1f); Ruffed Grouse (3); Wild Turkey (5); Killdeer (2);

Rock Dove (1: Atlasing is not your usual frantic search for your next tick and you end up spending time often on single birds WAITING for them to do something that would make them "Probable" or "Confirmed". This also means every block is a clean slate, and species you might normally not give even a quick glance at, you end up studying at length. Such is this Rock Pigeon. We cannot yet "confirm" this species for the block. We spent 45 minutes cruising the main road through Monson (the parts IN the block) looking for pigeons among the Town Hall et. When we finally found this one, we waited for some time to DO something, find a mate; but it just flew off and left the block. Such is atlasing! Love it.)

Mourning Dove (8); Barred Owl (1 calling in mid morning); Chimney Swift (8); Red-bellied Woodpecker (7); Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (2); Downy Woodpecker (6); Hairy Woodpecker (1); N Flicker (7); Pileated Woodpecker (2); E Phoebe (16); Great Crested Flycatcher (4); E Kingbird (5); Yellow-throated Vireo (7); Blue-headed Vireo (8); Warbling Vireo (3); Blue Jay (25); A Crow (9); C Raven (1 breeds in block); Tree Swallow (69); N Rough-winged Swallow (6); Bank Swallow (1); Barn Swallow (10); Black-capped Chickadee (36); Tufted Titmouse (35); Red-breasted Nuthatch (8); White-breasted Nuthatch (4); Brown Creeper (13); Carolina Wren (2); House Wren (11); Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (16: we watched a pair building a nest for about 30 minutes. The lichen cup was finished but they both were lining it with what looked like pine needles, hair and very thin strips from plants); Eastern Bluebird (4); Hermit Thrush (3); Wood Thrush (7); A Robin (56); Gray Catbird (22); N Mockingbird (1: another bird we spent some time on, but so far got nothing significant on it); E Starling (22);

WARBLERS: Blue-winged (5); N Parula (4); Yellow (13); Chestnut-sided (6); Magnolia (2); Black-throated Blue (4); Yellow-rumped (119); Black-throated Green (10); Pine (9); Black and White (1: low); A Redstart (10); Worm-eating (1: possible nester in appropriate habitat); Ovenbird (33); Northern Waterthrush (1); Louisiana Waterthrush (1); C Yellowthroat (13);

E Towhee (8); Chipping Sparrow (87); Song Sparrow (8); N cardinal (21); Rose-breasted Grosbeak (12); Red-winged Blackbird (49); C Grackle (25); Brown-headed Cowbird (14); Baltimore Oriole (16 males); Purple Finch (8); House Finch (22); A Goldfinch (17); House Sparrow (25); PLUS: both Compton and Milbert's Tortoiseshell; E Comma; many Cabbage Whites; Blooms included Large Flowered Trillium and Jack In The Pulpit.
(report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

5/5/11 -- Dudley

A friend who lives about a mile away called to tell me he had a bird with a white stripe on top of his head. I told him what I thought it was and that I would be right there. Sure enough, he had a beautiful White-crowned Sparrow. While visiting him and his wife, I also saw a male Ruby-throated Hummingbird, 2 Gray Catbirds, and a female Eastern Bluebird. Elaine had seen a Baltimore Oriole earlier. Last weekend (4/29/11 and 5/1/11), Pauline Metras had a White-crowned Sparrow in her yard in Southbridge. (report from Joan Zumpfe).

5/5/11 -- Northbridge

Around 6.30 on Arcade Pond in Northbridge I observed a Great Blackbacked Gull on a rock near the Island. On Meadow Pond in Northbridge I observed a Mute Swan on a nest very close to the road. Also on Meadow Pond there were 2 female Common Mergansers and 1 male. (report from Michael Joubert).

5/4/11 -- Uxbridge

First-of-season Red-eyed Vireo singing persistently in yard. (report from Beth Milke)

5/3/11 -- Wachusett Reservoir, West Boylston

Beverley Renaud and I clearly heard repeated calls of a Whip-Poor-Will behind our house at the Wachusett Reservoir at approximately 8 PM.  It was close by in the woods east of our house on Pinewood Drive in West Boylston.  This area is near DCR Gate 23 and the mouth of the South Bay section of the reservoir. (report from Richard Beaudreau).

5/3/11 -- Millbury

The resident orioles are back this morning, just after getting their nectar feeder up yesterday!! (report from Susan LaBree).

5/3/11 -- Uxbridge

Highlights in Uxbridge while doing some block wrangling for the Breeding Bird Atlas in UXBRIDGE 05 this morning: Broad-winged Hawk (1); Red-tailed Hawk (1 - being harassed by crows); Red-bellied Woodpecker (1 male); Blue-headed Vireo (1 singing); Wood Thrush; Blue-winged Warbler (1 singing); Pine Warbler (2); Prairie Warbler (1 singing); Black-and-white Warbler (several); Ovenbird (several singing); Northern Waterthrush (1 singing); Louisiana Waterthrush (2 singing); Scarlet Tanager (1 or 2 singing); Eastern Towhee; Rose-breasted Grosbeak (1 singing); (report from John Liller).

5/2/11 -- Ecotarium, Worcester

While returning to my car at the Ecotarium, I spotted a single Wild Turkey on the grass near the road to the lower parking lot. I was wondering, how rare is it to see a Wild Turkey in Worcester? I'd appreciate it if anyone has seen them in the city to let me know (jbzumpfe@verizon.net). I think they may have been seen at Broad Meadow Brook. (report from Joan Zumpfe).

5/2/11 -- Bolton Flats and Westminster

Hilights from an early evening trip to Bolton Flats:   Green-winged Teal  ~30; Blue-winged Teal  2 (a pair); American Bittern  1 calling; Killdeer  ~12; Greater Yellowlegs  27; Lesser Yellowlegs    4; Solitary Sandpiper    2; Spotted Sandpiper    1; Pectoral Snadpiper    5; Dunlin   4 (in breeding plumage); Wilson's Snipe 10-15  

Also in Westminster, a pair of Bald Eagles, that has been frequenting the Round Meadow Pond (at the junction of Routes 2 and 2A) area for the past month, were present again today. Though I have yet to see an actual nest or nest building activity this season, one of the birds is likely a "new" adult, dusky tail and very faint "osprey-like" dark facial markings.
(report from Tom Pirro).

5/1/11 -- North Brookfield

After hearing a suspicious song at the sewer plant yesterday, I was able to locate the Worm-eating Warbler this morning. At home in Paxton, I saw my Tree Sparrow after not seeing it since the 27th. Very late, maybe only the second May record in Worcester County. I will have to research that. (report from Rodney Jenkins).

5/1/11 -- Sutton

In the woods behind the house this morning I ran into few warblers: at least 3 OvenBirds, 1 Blackburnian, 2 Pine, 1 Black and White, 1 BlackThroated Blue, and 4 Yellowrumped ( Myrtle). I also had a few RubyCrowned Kinglets there as well as a few Towhees in the fields near Stevens Pond. I had many common birds in the area, high ight of these being a GreatBlue Heron on the pond. On my return home I had a petty good swarm of Humming birds with 7 males and 4 females.This afternoon I was back to just the single pair.  The high light of the day so far is that I managed to get a better photo of of the Blackcapped Chickadee with the white tail. (report and photo from Michael Joubert).

5/1/11 -- Forbush Bird Club Quabbin Auto Trip

11 Forbush Club members enjoyed perfect spring weather for the club's annual auto trip in the former townships of Greenwich and Dana, along the east side of the Quabbin. Avian highlights, among 71 species, included 2 Red-breasted mergansers, 4 Horned Grebes in breeding plumage, 6 Common Loons, 5 Bald Eagles, 6 Pileated Woodpeckers and 14 species of wood warblers. Quabbin specialties such a lunch on Dana Common, secluded beaver ponds, Common Loons and 5 Bald Eagles, including two Imm. eagles that made a dramatic pin-wheeling descent with locked talons, were treasured by club members. Two porcupines, feeding high in maple trees were also favorites. Here is the complete list of birds species seen and/or heard. (report from Tom Pirro).

For previous sightings, see April 2011 Archives or Archive Index