November 2001 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.

11/28/01 -- Westminster

Had a Barred Owl land ten feet from my son and I this afternoon as we walked through the woods in Westminster. Also, was able to hear it call shortly before that. Quite loud and very exciting for my 16 year old. (report from Matthew Pearson).

11/28/01 -- Tatnuck Square, Worcester

It's not in the class of a Starling-munching Peregrine, but I had a Merlin in the usual spruce this morning a few yards from mine just off Tatnuck Square. In the past when I've had a Merlin in Oct. or Nov. or Dec., it seems to hang about for a week or two. Look up. (report from Howard Shainheit).

11/28/01 -- YWCA, downtown Worcester

At 1:10 pm this afternoon as I was leaving work at the YWCA in downtown Worcester, the Peregrine Falcon was enjoying a starling lunch on our (very tiny)front lawn. I was chasing my 2 year old son who was speeding off in the opposite direction of the car. He headed straight towards the Peregrine Falcon as the bird was making the kill. Fortunately I caught up with Seth before he disturbed the dining falcon, unfortunately for the starling! It was an incredible opportunity to watch this spectacular bird at 15 feet away. (report from Lisa Hennin).

11/27/01 -- Rowley Hill, Sterling

Birds seen included: 1 Coopers Hawk, 14 cedar waxwings, 6 golden-crowned kinglets, 8 robins, 1 northern flicker, and 3 fox sparrows. (report from Richard Spedding).

11/26/01 -- Howard St., Northboro

This morning there were 5 bluebirds on the wires near my home in Northboro. (report from Jim Hogan).

11/24/01 -- Blackstone Corridor Pond Survey

Starting about ten days ago, Sheila and I set out to visit ALL the ponds in the Blackstone National Corridor as a prelude to the organized pond counts starting next year. This was a huge undertaking, and it took several FULL (dawn to dusk) birding days to complete this. Basically what we did was take road atlases for MA and RI and every pond, reservoir, oxbow on those maps we attempted to visit and quickly count waterfowl, herons and gulls at these locations. I figure we got to 95-98% of the places. A few reservoirs that could not be seen from the roads that were marked 'NO TRESSPASSING" we passed up as well as a few ponds deep on private property or that would require extensive hikes to reach. Many ponds are very built up along the edges and have minimal emergent vegetation, but even some of these supported migratory ducks. Boats were the biggest problem. And while we are on the subject of environmental disturbaces, dirt bikes and ATVs remain one of the most widespread problems in the Corridor. We even found people racing dune buggies at the important Lonsdale Marshes! Some ponds on the maps, turned out to be well along transitioning into wet meadows. The RI section of the Corridor supported more waterfowl of a greater variety than the MA section, though we failed to turn up even a Mallard in Woonsocket. BUT: Woonsocket has very, very few ponds and they are small and smack in the middle of urban areas.
Here are the totals: Pied-billed Grebe (15); Double-crested Cormorant (48: large numbers (many 100s) summer or migrate by at the southern end of the Corridor); GREAT CORMORANT (3imm all well inland! 1 in Douglas, 1 in N. Smithfield and 1 in Cumberland. In mid-winter, a decent population overwinters along the Seekonk River); Great Blue Heron (28: seemed low to us); Mute Swan (131: found from Providence right up to Worcester, though they were absent from areas WEST of Rt. 146. There is little doubt these birds are following the Corridor north into Worcester); Canada Goose (1592); Brant (18: India Point, Providence. Typical in winter at India Point. large flocks congregate just south of there in spring); Wood Duck (54: seemed low); A. Wigeon (89. Numbers increase in winter in the southern end of the Corridor); Gadwall (58); Green-winged Teal (52); Mallard (2086: found in every town); A. Black Duck (393: as winter progresses, numbers of this species swell in the Seekonk River); N. Shoveler (5: all in the Turner Reservoir, E. Providence); N. Pintail (2: Northbridge); Ring-necked Duck (632); Greater Scaup (17: numbers increase later in the southern part of the Corridor. Flocks of 5000+ overwinter in the upper Providence River); Lesser Scaup (6); C. Goldeneye (57: numbers increase drmatically as winter progresses along the Seekonk); Bufflehead (102: see above comment); Hooded Merganser (565); RED-BREASTED MERGANSER (1m in the city of Worcester. In winter, numbers are found at India Point and along the Seekonk); Common Merganser (327); Ruddy Duck (311); Virginia Rail (1: we really didn't search for rail a lot); A. Coot (64); Killdeer (11); C. Snipe (3); Bonaparte's Gull (13); Ring-billed Gull (2020); Herring Gull (243); Great Black-backed Gull (58); NOTE: numbers of the three "common" gulls increase in winter along the Seekonk where many thousands can congregate at times); Belted Kingfisher (9: seemed low);
We did NOT see any Canvasbacks, though very good numbers overwinter/migrate through the Seekonk River and Turner Reservoir. Other species of waterbirds we have recorded in the Corridor this year include Red-throated Loon, Common Loon, Great Egret (common in mid-summer), Snowy Egret, Green Heron, Black-crowned Night Heron (good numbers at India Point and along the Seekonk in mid-summer till November) Eurasian Wigeon, C. Black-headed Gull, Laughing Gull (common post breeding wanderer at India Point and the Seekonk), Iceland Gull, Common Tern, Forster's Tern. We have tallied 18 species of shorebirds this year alone in the Corridor. Town by town numbers have been posted on Rick Quimby's website.
Numbers of landbirds were very good. We got to see otters at Lake Quinsigamond and at Bowdish Reservoir in Glocester. On 11/23 we had a Clouded Sulphur at India Point a nice late record. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

11/24/01 -- Gardner

Today there was/is 4 Pine Grosbeaks feeding in berry trees outside apartment building where I live. These four russet types provided a "no binocular needed" allowing me to approach within 2 feet while showing no concern. Yesterday while hawkwatching at the Wompanoag MAS I saw about 8 or 10 Pine Grosbeaks in flight ... they are probably fairly wide spread in North Worc. County and western mass. , so far this fall I've seen them in five locations. Royalston center is probably the still the best bet. (report from Tom Pirro).

11/23/01 -- Broad Meadow Brook Sanctuary, Worcester

I recorded the following highlights during my 7th Annual Thanksgiving Count at the Broad Meadow Brook Wildlife Sanctuarythis morning: Sharp-shinned Hawk (1 - first for count; chasing a Red-tailed Hawk); Red-tailed Hawk (2); Mourning Dove (48 - new high); Red-bellied Woodpecker (3 - new high); Hairy Woodpecker (1); Northern Flicker (4); Blue Jay (39 - new high); White-breasted Nuthatch (16 - new high); Brown Creeper (1); Carolina Wren (3); Eastern Bluebird (4); HERMIT THRUSH (1 - new species; late for BMB); Cedar Waxwing (5); American Tree Sparrow (25); Song Sparrow (8 - new high); Common Grackle (2); COMMON REDPOLL (32 - new high; all in one flock).
Total of 29 species, 426 individuals. (report from John Liller).

11/23/01 -- Blackstone Corridor pond survey part 2

We spent all day surveying the ponds in the towns of the Rhode Island section of the Blackstone National Corridor east of Rt. 146. Numbers and variety of birds were outstanding. We have left out gull totals and landbird totals for the most part for brevity's sake, but numbers of both were very good. LINCOLN/CENTRAL FALLS: Great Blue Heron (11); Mute Swan (6); Canada Goose (51); Wood Duck (4); A. Wigeon (8); Gadwall (12); Mallard (111); A. Black Duck (38); Ring-necked Duck (15); Hooded Merganser (39); A. Coot (18)
CUMBERLAND: Pied-billed Grebe (2); Double-crested Cormorant (7); Great Cormorant (1 imm); Great Blue Heron (2); Mute Swan (4); Canada Goose (115); Wood Duck (3); Green-winged Teal (13); Gadwall (2); Mallard (94); A. Black Duck (44); Bufflehead (3); Hooded Merganser (47); Common Merganser (143); Ruddy Duck (3); Killdeer (11); PLUS: American Pipit (2).
PROVIDENCE: Nota bene: only a very small section of Providence is in the Blackstone National Corridor, from India Point up the Seekonk River. We covered only that area. Double-crested Cormorant (30); Mute Swan (17); Brant (18); Canada Goose (40); Mallard (49); A. Black Duck (56); Bufflehead (67); C. Goldeneye (2); Bonaparte's Gull (13); PLUS: (1) Clouded Sulphur.
PAWTUCKET: A small area with only a few ponds. Great Blue Heron (1); Mute Swan (4); Green-winged Teal (2); Mallard (24); A. Black Duck (84); Bufflehead (3); Hooded Merganser (6);
EAST PROVIDENCE: Note: only a very small area of East Providence is "in" the Corridor, essentially Turner Reservoir, the western shore of the Seekonk (counted under Providence) and one small pond. The area is small, but look at the totals and the variety! Pied-billed Grebe (2); Double-crested Comorant (2); Mute Swan (67); Canada Goose (121); Green-winged Teal (5); Gadwall (40); A. Wigeon (51); Mallard (88); A. Black Duck (2); N. Shoveler (5); Ring-necked Duck (6); Greater Scaup (17); Lesser Scaup (6); Bufflehead (2); Ruddy Duck (174); A. Coot (35)
We tried to count waterfowl in WOONSOCKET, but could not find any, though this was the very end of the day. There are very few ponds in this very urban area anyway. A small pond on the border of Woonsocket and Smithfield in interesting looking conservation land went uncounted as we did not have the time to hike in far enough to get to the pond.
We have now visited nearly 98%+ of all the ponds in the entire Blackstone Corridor. Only those ponds deep inside private property or reservoirs not visible from the road and labeled "No Tresspassing" went uncounted. Whew!! (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

11/23/01 -- Wallis/Mosquito/Pierpont Ponds, Dudley

I spent about an hour this afternoon checking Wallis, Mosquito and Pierpont Pond in Dudley. Highlights were: 1 Great Blue Heron, about 250 Canada Goose, 16 Wood Duck, 3 Northern Pintail (1 handsome drake in breeding plumage, 1 immature drake and 1 female), 1 drake Green-winged Teal, 13 Hooded Merganser, 3 Rusty Blackbird (late date), 77 Ring-billed Gull, 5 Killdeer. There were only 12 Wild Turkey on Marsh Road ( down from 32 a couple of weeks ago). Where have all the Turkeys gone? (report from Joan Zumpfe).

11/22/01 -- Blackstone Corridor Pond Survey: RI part 1

We spent all day visiting ponds in the RI section of the Blackstone National Corridor, concentrating on the towns west of Rt. 146. Overall, there were very good numbers and variety of waterfowl, and landbird numbers were good too. Town by town totals:
BURRILLVILLE: Pied-billed Grebe (1); Canada Goose (29); A. Wigeon (4); Mallard (104); A. Black Duck (8); Ring-necked Duck (137); Buffelhead (6); Hooded Merganser (32); Common Merganser (1); Ruddy Duck (73); ALSO: Barred Owl, very uncommon in RI, (1). NOTE: We did NOT visit the pond deep inside Buck Hill WMA, far too many deer hunters were out.
GLOCESTER: Pied-billed Grebe (1); Canada Goose (21); Mallard (45); A. Black Duck (18); Ring-necked Duck (401); Buffelhead (16); Hooded Merganser (116); Ruddy Duck (42); PLUS: (2) River Otters in Bowdish Reservoir.
SMITHFIELD: Pied-billed Grebe (1); Great Blue Heron (2); Canada Goose (70); Wood Duck (3); Gadwall (2); Mallard (144); A. Black Duck (2); Ring-necked Duck (7); Buffelhead (4); Hooded Merganser (125); Common Merganser (6)
NORTH SMITHFIELD: Double-crested Cormorant (1); Great Cormorant (1 imm); Mute Swan (2); Canada Goose (146); Green-winged Teal (6); Mallard (25); A. Black Duck (11); Ring-necked Duck (1); C. Goldeneye (1); Ruddy Duck (1). (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

11/21/01 -- Mount Watatic, Ashburnham

I did some late season hawkwatching atop Watatic today from 9 to 3; wind was light out of the NW, then turn SW early afternoon. VERY pleasant day, great visibility and with only light wind, the temp was comfortable. The following migrant raptor were noted: Bald Eagle 1 imm.; Sharp-shinned Hawk 1; Northern Goshawk 1 imm.; Red-shouldred Hawk 2; Red-tailed Hawk 19; Rough-legged hawk 1 imm. light morph.; Ud iD'd 1; Totals 26.
The Eagle was a distant bird that was being harassed by a "ball" of starling. I've seen Starlings do this to a Merlin and Kestrel earlied this year. The Eagle appeared to try to "make a move" at these birds, but eventually just continued on. Perhaps this BE had put down in that area the night before and the Starlings may have been "escorting it out of town". Aside from the imm. migrate Goshawk I had a GREAT look (in close with perfect lighting..could see its red eyes) at an adult Gos that was a local bird, it was acting territorial flying with deep "nighthawk" type wing beats. I've seen this behavior in both spring and fall. The other neat behavior was a Raven playing catch with leaves...it would catch a leaf then carry it in its bill let it go then move to catch another leaf. This was the first time I've seen a Raven exhibit this behavior, I have seen Red-tails do this on 2 or 3 occassion and Kestrel once. Lastly any Rough-legged hawk is always a good bird in central Mass. (report from Tom Pirro).

11/21/01 -- SUASCO, Westboro

At 8:00 - 8:30 AM, in the Birch trees along the water near the Fisher St. bridge (Closed) there was a flock of 8+ Common Redpolls feeding on the catkins. (report from Peter Morlock).

11/20/01 -- Wompanoag MAS/Birch Hill WMA, Gardner/Winchendon

I birded a little while at the Birch Hill WMA in Winchendon late this morning, the woods were fairly quiet. The best bird was an adult Northern Shrike in a clearing on New boston Road.
From noon to 2:30 I hawkwatched at the Wompanoag MAS in gardner...migrant raptors noted were Red-tailed Hawk 7, Red-shouldered hawk 1, Norhern Harrier 1 (ad. female) and Turkey Vulture 2. All hawks were adults as were the Vultures. A total of 14 Evening Grosbeak and a yellow-rumped Warbler were also seen at the sanctuary. At dusk on Crystal Lake was a 1st year Iceland Gull among a mixed gulls totaling ~500. (report from Tom Pirro).

11/19/01 -- Gate 40, Quabbin Reservoir

I took a leisurely walk down to Graves Landing yesterday between noon and 6pm. Nothing terribly unusual to report...I missed the Shrike amd Redpolls reported by Chris but did hear Evening grosbeaks and at least 1 Pine Grosbeak. I counted about 40 Hooded Mergs flying over Dana Common at dusk while watching the moon. Golden Crowned Kinglets were seen and heard the whole length of the walk. Pattapoug Pond had Black, mallard and Ring-necked Duck as well as the Hoodies mentioned earler. There was a single Common Loon at Graves Landing along with Black Ducks, Mallards and a few Ring-billed Gulls. (report from Tom Pirro).

11/19/01 -- Gate 40, Quabbin Reservoir

An evening walk to Dana Common had 1 adult Northern Shrike at the Common and 11 Common Redpolls feeding on White Birch catkins. (report from Chris Buelow)

11/18/01 -- Forbush Trip to Northboro, Westboro, and Southboro

On the Forbush Bird Club Trip, sixteen club members visited Northboro, Westboro, and Southboro. The day started cold but warmed up to the 50's with bright blue skys. We visited the following areas: Solomon Pond, Edmund Hill Woods, Michael Yellick Conservation Area, Bartlett Pond, Litttle Chauncey Pond, Lake Chauncey, the fields below Westboro State Hospital and the Southboro Reservoir. Complete Trip Report here (report from Ann Boover).

11/18/01 -- Northbridge/Uxbridge/Douglas Pond Surveys

Continuing our surveys of the ponds of the Blackstone National Corridor town by town, we hit three towns in the southern MA section of the Corridor. As expected, a good variety and number of waterbirds were present in these areas that have long been known by County birders to have interesting species. However, today, many ponds in Uxbridge which do regularly produce numbers of ducks were either devoid of waterfowl or only had a few present. This included Rice City Pond which USED to be a premier waterfowl spot in the county, but ever since canoing has increased dramatically, is less favored by ducks.
NORTHBRIDGE: Pied-billed Grebe (6); Double-crested Cormorant (1); Canada Goose (439); Wood Duck (14); A. Black Duck (47); Mallard (143); N. Pintail (2m); Green-winged Teal (9); C. Goldeneye (1m); Hooded Merganser (21); Ruddy Duck (3); OTHER BIRDS INCLUDED: Virginia Rail (1); Common Snipe (3); E. Screech Owl (1); Belted Kingfisher (1); House Wren (1); E. Bluebird (8); A. Pipit (1); Yellow-rumped Warbler (1); Swamp Sparrow (3); White-winged Crossbill (3).
UXBRIDGE: Canada Goose (19); Mute Swan (2); A. Black Duck (2); Mallard (19); A. Coot (4); Hermit Thrush (1); NOTA BENE: The dam at West Hill Dam is still off limits and very much under construction, though the park remains open.
DOUGLAS: GREAT CORMORANT (1 imm perched on a rock at Laurel Lake. This bird and 4 "joke" geese were the only birds on the lake); Gadwall (2); Mallard (16); Common Goldeneye (flock of 53 at Whitin Reservoir); Hooded Merganser (3);
NOTE: We checked Wallum Lake from both the Douglas and Burrilville, RI ends and middle and there was not one duck on this, the largest lake in the town of Douglas. One of the reasons has to be the plethora of fishing boats still out on the lake. At all three town locations there were good numbers of Golden-crowned Kinglets, Dark-eyed Juncos and many sparrows and goldfinches. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

11/18/01 -- Leicester

While watching the Leonid Meteor Shower, which was outstanding, in one of the quieter stretches of Leicester, we had (1) Great Horned Owl and (1) Saw-whet Owl. This was NOT along Rt. 56 at the airport overview where there were minimaly 300+ folks out enjoying the meteors at 3:30 AM!!!!! It was SRO and quite a party. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

11/18/01 -- High Ridge WMA, Gardner

Hilites from a walk into the Smith Street gate : Golden-crowned Kinglet 6; Brown Creeper 1; Downy Woodpecker 5; Am. Robin 12; Am. Goldfinch 20+; Pine Grosbeak 1 heard; Evening Grosbeak 16 eating sumac seeds; Tree Sparrow 10+; Song Sparrow ~10; Swamp SParrow 1.
I heard the call of a Pine Grosbeak, in flight, but could not locate it. The Evenings were near the parking lot, first perched in deciduous trees, then moving into the sumac where quietly fed...but I could hear the seeds cracking.
The meteor showers were spectacular from the Wompanoag MAS...seeing my son was going to write something for school about this we decided to count them using a hand clicker. The tally stood at 1093 between 3:30 and 5:45. If only some those wishes come true...... well it was quite a show. Interesting how some left contrails behind that lasted upwards of 20 seconds. (report from Tom Pirro).

[Note added:]
I watched from my driveway for 30 minutes from 0450 to 0520. Most contrails disappeared in 10 seconds or less, but one meteor was so bright it seemed to explode when it burned out. That contrail lasted about THREE MINUTES. I've seen many meteors over the years, but this was by far the longest-lasting contrail I have ever seen. (report from Jim Berry ,Ipswich).

11/17/01 -- Blackstone Corridor Pond Surveys

We continued our survey of the ponds of the Blackstone National Corridor town by town seriously attepting to visit every pond. Numbers today were low for the number of ponds we looked at. Part of the reason MAY be the number of hunters about and the numbers of guns going off, though almost all the hunting seemed to be for grouse, pheasant and deer. It was sobering how many ponds are completely built up along the shore. Though it was great to see so much farmland still in existance, much of it is sadly slated to be converted to housing developments. The number of new developments already up on former farmland and forest is just depressing. In another decade unless something is done to halt this trend, most of the Corridor will be characterless uniform unrelenting suburbs. On a lighter note high numbers of juncos, white-throats and goldfinches were found in every town.
GRAFTON: note: Fisherville Pond is extremely dry with only the Quinsigamond River running through. Great Blue Heron (1); Mute Swan (2); Canada Goose (16); Mallard (22); A. Black Duck (5); Ring-billed Gull (11); Great Black-backed Gull (1)
UPTON: very poor showing. Mallard (7); Common Merganser (1);
MILLVILLE/BLACKSTONE: Mute Swan (5); Canada Goose (87); Mallard (50); Ring-necked Duck (1); Hooded Merganser (6); Ruddy Duck (11); Ring-billed Gull (48); Herring Gull (3)
MENDON/HOPEDALE: Canada Goose (49); Wood Duck (5); Mallard (23); A. Black Duck (5); Ruddy Duck (2); Ring-billed Gull (2);
SUTTON: Great Blue Heron (1); Canada Goose (1); Mallard (69); A. Black Duck (9); Hooded Merganser (10); Common Merganser (33); Ring-billed Gull (182); Herring Gull (8); (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

11/16/01 -- Gates 17 & 22, Wachusett Reservoir

This morning at Gates 17 & 22 I saw 5 Common Loons, 5 Horned Grebes, 1 RED-NECKED GREBE AND 47 Common Goldeneyes. (report from Peter Morlock).

11/16/01 -- Bancroft Tower Hill, Worcester

Starting just after 4PM and continuing till close to 4:45, the American Crow roost formed atop Bancroft Tower Hill this afternoon, or at least passed over the hill, with some remaining atop the hill. Attempting to count the birds was tough, but I tried and came up with c. 2500, by FAR the largest crow roost I have seen in this area including this fall. They poured in thick and fast from the NW as viewed from my house at the bottom of the hill. This is unique, as I have often seen crows go to roost from the Sanctuary (into the city) and down Park Avenue to Bancroft Tower Hill. I have seen another large crow roost at Assumption College, which is the direction that these birds were coming from. Indeed, there were so many more birds than typical for the roost at this spot, it was as if another crow roost came from someplace else to join this one. I cannot believe they will all roost atop the very small hill. Very attentive listening revealed at least (2) FISH CROWS. These city crow roosts seemed to have grown in the last few years, but I believe they do not roost in the same place from evening to evening, and may break up into several smaller roosts. I have to believe that people living near these birds flush them intentially and unintentially. On a less dramatic note, a Fox Sparrow took a bath in our birdbath. (report from Mark Lynch).

11/15/01 -- West Boylston

I saw a snow bunting in the Oakdale section of West Boylston on the soccer field, about 75 yards from the tennis court. (report from Richard Spedding).

11/15/01 -- Gate 40, Quabbin Reservoir

A walk out to Grave's Landing turned up highlights of Common Loon(3), Horned Grebe(1), Hooded Merganser(50), Bald Eagle(1, 3rd year), Wild Turkey(9), Barred Owl(1), Hairy Woodpecker(9), Pileated Woodpecker(3), Red-breasted Nuthatch(9), Brown Creeper(7), Winter Wren(1), Eastern Bluebird(2), Hermit Thrush(1), American Tree Sparrow(15) and Fox Sparrow(5). No Gray Jays or finches. (report from Chris Buelow)

11/14/01 -- Rowley Hill, Sterling

The flock of wild turkeys has increased from 22 to 26 birds. Also seen were 1 ruffed grouse, 4 golden-crowned kinglets, 1 brown creeper, 1 hermit thrush, 5 robins, 30 grackles and 10 tree sparrows. At the feeder I have the usual plus 6 fox sparrows( the most I've ever had). (report from Richard Spedding).

11/12/01 -- Quabbin Reservoir

I have received several requests for additional information about the Gray Jays I saw today at Quabbin. I will post my reply for all to see: Good Luck!

  I was indeed very surprised to see them; I had gone hoping to see
woodpeckers, but NEVER expected Gray Jays.  I'm from Colorado
originally, where they are quite common in the mountains, so for
a half second I thought, Hmm, Gray Jays. Haven't seen THEM for
awhile.  Then it hit me that this was not very usual, despite the
recent sightings.

     They were located just off the trail described by Mark Lynch in the
Birder's Guide to Massachusetts, Chapter12, page 120, Trails from Dana
Common, Trail  #1 (described as the shortest of the three hikes).  The
trail also appears on the map on page118 as a dotted line running due
south from the west end of Dana Common near the junction of
Greenwich Rd., and Skinner Hill Rd.  About one third to one halfway
Dana Common to the Pond you will find an old overgrown unimproved
"road" (really just two wheel ruts) which was apparently used for
logging at one time.  It goes through a thicket into a stand of pines.
I decided to walk it to see what was up there, and it was near the
pine stands at the end of the road where I saw the first Jay.
It was on the ground and on a woodpile foraging.  It was fairly tame and
let me approach closely.  I watched it for about twenty minutes as
it looked for food; seeds, I think, though I couldn't tell what it was
eating. I was about 50 feet away.  It flew in the direction of the Pines.
The second Jay was seen at the junction of Trail #1 and the logging road
on my way out.  It flew to the right of the trail past thick vegetation
and I was unable to observeit again, or for any length of time.  There
is a slim possibility that it was the same bird as the first, but I
don't think so, as the first went off in a totally different direction,
and I think I would have noticed it circling back around.

     Good luck finding it if you try, and don't hesitate to write to me
at Offermann@mediaone.net to clarify directions, etc.

(report from Jeffrey Offermann, Cambridge, via Massbird).

11/12/01 -- Holden

With some of our feeders out, having the usual birds. However, a few different birds this weekend (11/10-11/11). The pair of Carolina Wrens are still around. Spotted a Fox sparrow. Highlight was a Barred Owl being stalked by 8 to 10 Crows with a few Blue Jays thrown into the mix. All of this in a Holden backyard. (Report from Steve Olson)

11/12/01 -- Cleghorn, Fitchburg

A solitary White Winged Crossbill was contentedly feeding at our thistle seed feeder along with our regular American Goldfinches White Breasted Nuthatches, Downy Woodpeckers and Black-Capped Chickadees earlier today. This is the only time we have seen this visitor at our backyard feeding stations here in Cleghorn (Fitchburg). (report from Cheryl and Jean-Pierre Boissy).

11/12/01 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre

The sixteenth species of the season was recorded at the Barre Falls hawk watch site today. It was 1 ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK. Also recorded were 1 Sharp-shinned Hawk, 2 Red-shouldered Hawks and 6 Red-tailed Hawks. Barre Falls becomes the first hawk watch site in central Mass. to record 16 different species of raptors in the same season. (report from Bart Kamp).

11/12/01 -- downtown Worcester

The adult Peregrine was perched on the corner of the "Mechanics Bank" building this afternoon. Also seen downtown were 2 Red-tailed Hawks. One was perched on the Auditorium, on the corner cornice , right between the legs of the huge stone eagle. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

11/12/01 -- Granby, Pelham, New Salem

We started the day with great views of the the SELASPHORUS HUMMINGBIRD at the feeder in Granby. The owner of the house, Sharon Warner (#16 Smith Avenue) is extremely pleasant and VERY congenial to birders...even baking breads for visitors and making coffee!! When we left, she expressed disappointment that more people hadn't come. The bird continues here and at the feeder a few houses down. When not at the feeder, the bird rests in some lilac in the hedgerow. Also in Granby: Wild Turkey (5); Yellow-rumped Warbler (2) and Fox Sparrow at Sharon's feeder.
We then went to the Pelham overlook where we had only (1) Common Raven.
In New Salem we had (3) adult Bald Eagles all moving north, (1) adult Golden Eagle heading south and (2) Pine Grosbeaks.
At the Barre Falls Dam hawkwatch spot, we joined Bart Kamp and others for only a short time and had (1) Red-shouldered Hawk. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

11/12/01 -- Millbury Pond Survey

Continuing our attempt to visit all the major ponds of the Blackstone Corridor in November, this afternoon, we covered MILLBURY. TOTALS: Great Blue Heron (6); MUTE SWAN (11: all at Dorothy Pond!!); Canada Goose (97); Mallard (213); A. Black Duck (16); Ring-necked Duck (63); Hooded Merganser (14); Ring-billed Gull (81); Herring Gull (34); Great Black-backed Gull (4); Sharp-shinned Hawk (2). NOTE: In a sound environmental gesture, the town of Millbury have erected very good, clear and educational signs about why it is important to not feed the ducks. The only problem is that at the bottom of the sign is a nice painting of a Canada Goose and a HARLEQUIN DUCK!! If a Harlequin Duck appears in Millbury, I'll take it out to dinner. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

11/12/01 -- Rt. 56, Leicester

At dawn this morning at the overlook of the airport, we had (1) Pine Grosbeak fly over. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

11/11/01 -- Mt. Watatic, Ashburnham

Migrant Raptors counted atop of mt. Watatic today were 21 Red-tailed Hawks, 3 Red-shouldered Hawks, 1 Sharp-shinned Hawk, 1 Cooper's hawk and 1 imm. Bald Eagle. Also seen were 330 migrating Snow Geese. On the hike down I saw a Weasel (could not tell which species) and a Beaver. (report from Tom Pirro).

------------Forbush Bird Club Meeting

The Forbush Bird Club meeting will be held Thursday, November 15th at 7:30 p.m. in Room 236 of Haberlin Hall at Holy Cross College in Worcester. World traveler and experienced birder, Wayne Harrington will be giving a slide presentation and talking to the club about his most recent birdng journey to Thailand. The meeting is free and open to all interested in birds. (submitted by Ann Boover).

11/10/01 -- Worcester/Leicester Pond Surveys

We are attempting to visit EVERY pond in the BLACKSTONE CORRIDOR town by town over the next few weeks. Today we started with Worcester and Leicester.
WORCESTER TOTALS: Pied-billed Grebe (2); Double-crested Cormorant (3); Great Blue Heron (10); Canada Goose (169); Mute Swan (11); Wood Duck (25); American Wigeon (26); A. Black Duck (42); Mallard (714); Green-winged Teal (17); Ring-necked Duck (1); Hooded Merganser (114); RED-BREASTED MERGANSER (1m at Indian L.); Common Merganser (58); Ruddy Duck (2); Red-tailed Hawk (7); A. Coot (7); Ring-billed Gull (559); Herring Gull (19); Great Black-backed Gull (1); Belted Kingfisher (5); OTHER BIRDS OF INTEREST at the various ponds: Red-bellied Woodpecker (3); Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (1); Gray Catbird (1); A. Pipit (1 over Salisbury low); Pine Siskin (3).
LEICESTER: actually, for the number of ponds we covered, very few ducks..perhaps because of hunting. We did come across one pond with a string of decoys out. Double-crested Cormorant (1); Canada Goose (122); Mallard (126); A. Black Duck (4); Bufflehead (1); Hooded Merganser (32); Common Merganser (85); Ring-billed Gull (20); Great Black-backed Gull (1); PLUS: Fox Sparrow (2). (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

11/10/01 -- Westboro State Hospital, Westboro

In the fields below Westboro State Hospital at 12:30 p.m., Rick, Barbara and Mike Walker and I found an adult Northern Shrike. On the second dirt road up from the lake, near the old hospital dump site, Mike spotted a bird perched up in a small tree. It was the Northern Shrike which then took off after an elusive American Goldfinch. It flew about and landed back in the tree affording us great looks. This is the second year in a row that a Shrike has been in this area. Last year it was an immature bird, this year an adult. (report from Ann Boover).

11/10/01 -- Mt. Watatic, Ashby

Hawkwatching from 9am to 2 PM on Watatic today was quite dismal with only a single Red-tail seen migrating. I did ok on winter finches with 2 Pine Grosbeaks, 3 Evening Grosbeaks, 1 Common Redpoll and 1 Pine Siskin. There were many Golden-crowned Kinglets seen and heard on the hike up the hill.
I swung through Royalson on the way home with only 29 Wild Turkeys being noteable. In Templeton there was another 79 Wild Turdkeys and 9 White-tailed Deer near Elliot Hill. (report from Tom Pirro).

11/9/01 -- Gate 40, Quabbin Reservoir

An evening walk to Dana Common included highlights of Great Blue Heron(1), American Black Duck(11), Hooded Merganser(2 males), Ruffed Grouse(9), Northern Shrike(1 adult), American Tree Sparrow(7) and Fox Sparrow(5). (report from Chris Buelow)

11/9/01 -- Gates Pond, Berlin

At 12:00 p.m, highlights included Long-tailed Duck (1 beautiful male in winter plumage); Hooded Mergansers 7; Red-bellied Woodpecker 1; Golden-crowned Kinglets 5; (report from Ann Boover).

11/9/01 -- Leesville Pond/Notre Dame Cemetery, Worcester

A quick survey of Leesville Pond from the cemetery this AM had the following: Pied-billed Grebe (1); Mute Swan (2); Canada Goose (41); Wood Duck (4); Green-winged Teal (8); A. Wigeon (29); Mallard (69); A. Black Duck (3); Gadwall (1m).
Then at Notre Dame Cemetery, there were also some ducks along the river and a good collection of finches feeding in the weedy mound area: Wood Duck (1); Mallard (108); A. Black Duck (5); Hooded Merganser (3m); A. Tree Sparrow (2); Swamp Sparrow (3); White-throated Sparrow (10+); Dark-eyed Junco (60+); House Finch (25+); Pine Siskin (2); A. Goldfinch (20+). (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

11/8/01 -- Mosquito and Wallis Ponds, Dudley

This afternoon there were 4 Northern Pintail (1D, 3F); 6 Hooded Merganser (3D, 3F); 10 Wood Duck (7D, 3F);the female Gadwall and female Blue-winged Teal continue; 118 Canada Goose; 1 Pectoral Sandpiper; 5 Killdeer, 6 American Black Duck, 26 Mallard, 2 Golden-crowned Kinglet and at least 32 Wild Turkeys on Marsh Road, on the edge of the hill just past Mass Audubon's Pierpont Sanctuary. A flock that appeared to be shorebirds flew out of a part of Wallis Pond that was difficult to see. They may have been the rest of the Pectorals that were being seen last week. (report from Joan Zumpfe).

11/8/01 -- Rowley Hill, Sterling

Birds seen: 1 turkey vulture, 22 wild turkeys, 5 bluebirds, 4 golden-crowned kinglet, 4 fox sparrows, 2 tree sparrows, and 3000 grackles( these grackle flocks are seen flying north over Rowley Hill in the morning, and seen heading south toward Worcester in the late afternoon. Todays grackle flock had the highest number of grackles I've recorded this fall). (report from Richard Spedding).

11/7/01 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre

Observed from the Barre Falls hawk watch site today were 1 Northern Harrier hunting, catching and eating prey, 1 immature Northern Goshawk, 1 Red-tailed Hawk, 1adult Northern Shrike hunting, catching and eating prey, and 9 Evening Grosbeaks eating the buds on a tree. The Shrike perched many times on the Bluebird boxes that are located in the field that surrounds the parking lot. (report from Bart Kamp).

11/6/01 -- Rowley Hill, Sterling

Birds seen: 2 turkey vultures, 2 red-tailed hawks, 1 Coopers Hawk, 1 pileated woodpecker, 2 evening grosbeaks, and 3 fox sparrows (in my teepee shaped brush pile). (report from Richard Spedding).

11/5/01 -- Coachlace Pond, Clinton

The Tufted Duck was observed with 10 Greater Scaup at 1:30 this afternoon at the far end of the pond. (report from Chris Buelow)

11/5/01 -- Holden center

At noontime, two red-tailed hawks were soaring low over the center of town, heading northeast. In my backyard, there were a pair of Carolina Wrens. At 3:00, there was a single cooper's hawk, very high, heading southwest. (report from Steve Olson)

11/5/01 -- Park/Salisbury area, Worcester

All morning, until noon, an adult Cooper's Hawk sat hidden in the small ornamental maple in my backyard. The raptor's presence did not go unnoticed by scolding chickadees and white-throats. When I looked out at about 12:30, there was a big pile of Rock Dove feathers, and no body, so I assume it got what it came for. Also this morning while filling up the feeders, a Common Redpoll flew over. (report from Mark Lynch).

11/5/01 -- Back yard, Worcester

Feeding on the bird seed in my back yard this afternoon was 1 Fox Sparrow. (report from Bart Kamp).

11/5/01 -- Indian Lake, Worcester

The annual water drainage at Indian Lake is in progress resulting in increasing amounts of mud flats that are beginning to attract a number of gulls. This AM there were 120 Ring-billed Gulls, 22 Herring Gulls and 2 G.B. Gulls. In addition, there was an A. Widgeon (Little Indian), an Osprey, a D.C. Cormorant, 70 Mallards, 52 Canada Geese and a Mute Swan.
Also, on 11/5/01 at Leesville Pond there were 10 Wood Duck, 2 Gadwall, 14 A. Widgeon, 20 Green-winged Teal and a number of Mallards and Canada Geese. At Curtis Pond there were 50+ Hooded Mergansers. (report from Bob Ricci).

11/4/01 -- Watatic Mt., Ashby

During the Hawkwatch today we had a single Bohemian Waxwing circle the summit, briefly land on a spruce and move on. So with Jacob's report from Royalston recent finch reports and Boreal Chickadees this years CBC season should prove to very interesting. We had a decent Raptor flight over 100 Raptors mainly Red-tails and Turkey Vutures, the final result to be posted later. (report from Tom Pirro).

11/4/01 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre

Observed from the Barre Falls hawk watch site today were 1 Turkey Vulture, 3 Northern Harriers, 4 Sharp-shinned Hawks, 1 Northern Goshawk, 3 Red-shouldered Hawks, 67 Red-tailed Hawks and 1 Snow Bunting in the parking lot. (report from Bart Kamp).

11/3/01 -- Broad Meadow Brook/Waushacum ponds, Worcester/Sterling

My monthly Saturday morning bird walk at Broad Meadow Brook today was very slow (20 species only), but we did have 2 Ruby-crowned Kinglets, 3 Hermit Thrushes, 30 Cedar Waxwings, 1 lone Yellow-rumped Warbler, 2 Am. Tree Sparrows, 2 Swamps, 2 White-throats...and an AMERICAN BITTERN, probably the same bird that John Liller and I have seen twice before over the past few weeks.
Also, the Tufted Duck was at East Waushacum later in the morning, along with 16 Hooded Mergs, 6 Bufflehead, 2 L. Scaup, 29 Gr. Scaup, 2 DC Cormorants, 7 Ruddy Ducks, and a Great Blue Heron. (report from Howard Shainheit).

11/3/01 -- Worcester Area ponds

I recorded the following with my class in the Worcester area today. Note that the birds listed are only those related to water.
LEESVILLE POND (Worcester/Auburn) Pied-billed Grebe (1); Canada Goose (45); Wood Duck (26); American Wigeon (15); American Black Duck (7 + one probable female Black Duck/Mallard hybrid); Mallard (74); Green-winged Teal (13)
NOTRE DAME CEMETARY (Worcester) Wood Duck (4); American Black Duck (3); Mallard (80);
WEST WAUSHACUM (Sterling) nothing;
EAST WAUSHACUM (Sterling) Double-crested Cormorant (2); Great Blue Heron (1); Canada Goose; Mallard; Greater Scaup (29); Lesser Scaup (2); TUFTED DUCK (1); Bufflehead (6); Hooded Merganser (16); Ruddy Duck (7); Ring-billed Gull; Herring Gull; Great Black-backed Gull (1). (report from John Liller).

11/3/01 -- Wachusett Reservoir

Water birds seen at Wachusett Reservoir during this afternoon were 10 Common Loons, 1 RED-THROATED LOON, 12 Horned Grebes, 35 Ring-necked Ducks, 6 Scaup species, 7 Common Goldeneyes, 1 Bufflehead, 1 White-winged Scoter, 3 Ruddy Ducks and 5 Common Mergansers. (report from Bart Kamp).

11/3/01 -- Blackstone Corridor, RI

We spent some time dodging showers in the AM and visiitng some spots in the RI section of the Blackstone Corridor.
WOONSOCKET RESERVOIR, SMITHFIELD: Double-crested Cormorant (1); Great Blue Heron (1); A. Wigeon (3); Ring-necked Duck (27); Common Merganser (1); Ruddy Duck (42); PEREGRINE FALCON (1ad: see below); HUDSONIAN GODWIT (1juv. an outstanding bird for this very inland location, probably put down because of the rain. The water level is low at this small reservoir, and we have been getting a variety of shorebirds here..as well as "Grins. This was the only shorebird present this time. We watched it for 10+ minutes from by the dam when suddenly it ducked and essentially laid down in the little bit of water it was standing in...extremely odd looking..The the 'Grin zoomed in from the left, the godwit flew with the falcon in hot pursuit (giving us great looks at upper and under wing pattern and the tail). Both birds went to the left and out of sight. Driving down the road a bit gives you another view of this reservoir. From this vantage point, we could see the Peregrine perched on a sandbar, tearing a large bird apart. Judging by what I could see of the tail, it was the godwit!!! What a way to end an extraordinary sighting.); BONAPARTE'S GULL (8); Snow Bunting (6).
DIAMOND HILL/ARNOLD'S MILL RESERVOIRS, CUMBERLAND. These small reservoirs are across a causeway from each other. Double-crested Cormorant (4+ flock of 113 that landed as we watched); Mute Swan (7); Canada Goose (2); Mallard (34); A. Black Duck (31); Ring-necked Duck (2); Hooded Merganser (1); Ruddy Duck (1);
ELDER BALLOU ROAD, CUMBERLAND: Sharp-shinned Hawk (1); NORTHERN SHRIKE (1imm: watched through scope looking north over the fields from the pulloff across from the small cemetery);
RESSURECTION CEMETERY, CUMBERLAND. far NE corner near dump had a huge concentration of seed eaters as it was raining. Red-bellied Woodpecker(1); A. Robin (70+); Cedar Waxwing (40+); A. Goldfinch (80+); N. Cardinal (10+); Dark-eyed Junco (60+);
JAMES TURNER RESERVOIR, E. PROVIDENCE: a nice array of migrant waterfowl. Pied-billed Grebe (3); Double-crested Cormorant (3); Mute Swan (77: scary); Canada Goose (61); Gadwall (5); A. Wigeon (20); Mallard (152); A. Black Duck (4); N. Shoveler (2 brM + 1 eclipseM+1f); Greater Scaup/scaup sp.: pretty far out. All the ones that raised themselves in the water and flapped wings were Greaters (16); Lesser Scaup (1+); Buffelhead (8); Hooded Merganser (1); Ruddy Duck (63); A. Coot (7); Fish Crow (1);
SEEKONK RIVER: from India Point (tip of Providence River) to the Pawtucket line. About 1.5 miles of very urban river. Double-crested Cormorant (230); Great Blue Heron (11); Great Egret (1); Black-crowned Night Heron (3ad+1imm); Mute Swan (10); A. Wigeon (12); Gadwall (1); Mallard (114); A. Black Duck (169); Long-tailed Duck (1); Black Scoter (1); Buffelhead (13); Red-breasted Merganser (1f); Killdeer (4); Greater Yellowlegs (6); Bonaparte's Gull (2); Laughing Gull (3adW); Forster's Tern (12); Ring-necked Phaesant (2m walking on the mudflats like shorebirds by sewage treatment center. Released birds most likely and none too wary by the looks of them); Belted Kingfisher (2); Fish Crow (4). (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

11/2/01 -- Wachusett Reservoir/Fort Meadow REservoir, West Boylston/Marlboro

Yesterday (11/1), I stopped at Fort Meadow reservoir in Marlboro to check on the fall congregation of Ruddy Ducks. I counted approximately 500. Mallards, Am. Black Ducks and Am. Wigeon were present in much smaller numbers. I also counted 12 Am. Coot.
Today (11/2), we (Lisa,Seth and I) walked in gate 22 (off Rt. 140) at Wachusett Reservoir and saw a Horned Grebe. (report from Simon Hennin).

11/1/01 -- Rowley Hill, Sterling

Birds seen included 15 American pipits, 1 hermit thrush, and 22 wild turkeys. I sat in the same spot this evening, where a week earlier I had seen over 1000 robins come to roost, but on this evening I saw only 15 robins; a tremendous drop in a weeks time. (report from Richard Spedding).

For previous sightings, see October 2001 Archives or Archive Index