November 2003 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:

• 11/14/03 -- Spruce cutting on River Road

Bird Sightings:

11/30/03 -- Ware River Watershed IBA, Barre/Rutland

We did one of our standard point counts of this large track of mixed forest betwen Barre Falls Dam and Rutland State Park. During migration and especially in the breeding season, this area is loaded with warblers, thrushes, vireos, tanagers et. But by this late in the season it is amazing how few birds are found in the middle of this otherwise productive forest. Many years back, Sheila and I started a tradition of doing a point count on the Sunday before the shotgun deer season begins, a challenge to see what we could find. This area can be good for Northern Shrike, winter finches and owls in winter. The gates are all still open at this time (they will close after the deer season);, and actually several gates that are normally closed during summer months, are open for the hunters allowing access by car to several areas accessable typically by foot only. This area also acts as a good preview for what the interior of Quabbin will be like for the upcoming CBC. Today, birds were very few and far between. Surprise misses included Winter Wren, White-throated and Tree Sparrow. The food crop was local and overall pretty poor with few berries and sumac. The area was also filled with more people than I normally bump into along these Army Corps of Engineer dirt roads: hunters checking out where they will be heading the next day. We also bumped into the stalwart hawk-watch group that has done such a great job staffing this location for most of the fall. Total list: Mallard (4: only a few small ponds in this parcel); Ruffed Grouse (1 amazingly survived the hunting season); Ring-billed Gull (6 overhead); Mourning Dove (4); Belted Kingfisher (1); Red-bellied Woodpecker (1); Downy Woodpecker (5); Hairy Woodpecker (3); Blue Jay (51); A. Crow (3); Common Raven (2); Black-capped Chickadee (219: all in mixed species winter flocks of varying sizes); Tufted Titmouse (3); Red-breasted Nuthatch (61: an OK flight year, but not a spectacular one by any means); White-breasted Nuthatch (24); Brown Creeper (19); Golden-crowned Kinglet (60); Eastern Bluebird (6); A. Robin (8: typically there are many more when the food crop is better); N. Cardinal (3); Swamp Sparrow (1); Dark-eyed Junco (66); Common Redpoll (10); Pine Siskin (34); A. Goldfinch (5); Evening Grosbeak (2). Needless to say, we saw no deer. The only mammal (other than us) being Red Squirrels. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

11/29/03 -- --Enfield Lookout, South Quabbin Park

A day characterized by intense snow squalls punctuated by intervals of arresting clarity. The dramatic conditions only accentuated the grandeur of FOUR adult Bald Eagles simultaneously knifing through the howling winds over Mt. Ram. Despite the volatile and capricious weather, passerine feeding activity remained high. Crows and gulls gamely took to the air, with comical results. Highlights from 9:30 A.M. 2:00 P.M.: American Robin 10 American Tree Sparrow 4 Bald Eagle 5 (4 adults, one juvenile) Brown Creeper 3 Cedar Waxwing 3 Golden-crowned Kinglet 5 Red-breasted Nuthatch 7 Red-tailed Hawk 3 Song Sparrow 5 White-throated Sparrow 2 (report from Chris Ellison).

11/29/03 -- Northboro

Fearful of mad shoppers, I birded only my own Northboro, MA property on Friday and Saturday. It is amazing what you can find close to home if you look hard enough. In all I had 22 species, with most of the usual suspects. There was a great deal of flocking occurring. At one point I counted 26 visible juncos. The hilites of the days were; red-tailed hawk, 2 red-breasted nuthatches (a property first), Carolina wren, ruby-throated kinglet, a flock of 23 cedar waxwings, 5 white-throated sparrows, 1 pine siskin. (report from Jim Hogan).

11/29/03 -- Woonsocket Reservoir/Cumberland Reservoirs, RI

WOONSOCKET RESERVOIR, SMITHFIELD RI --few birds: Canada Goose (8); C. Goldneye (1f); Hooded Merganser (2); Common Merganser (30); Peregrine Falcon (1imm perched on sandbar);

DIAMOND HILL/ARNOLD'S MILL RESERVOIRS, CUMBERLAND RI -- even fewer birds than last week: Horned Grebe (1); Great Blue Heron (1); Canada Goose (16); Mallard (35); C. Goldeneye (8); Hooded Merganser (17); Common Merganser (64); Red-tailed Hawk (2); (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

11/29/03 -- Meadow Pond, Northbridge

Very few birds on this pond today: Mute Swan (pair with 4 yng and another adult); Canada Goose (61); Mallard (62); A. Black Duck (8); (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

11/23/03 -- Blackstone National Corridor waterfowl survey

11/23/03 -- Grafton, Millbury & Sutton

Simon Hennin, Laura Lane, Kathie Hogan and I surveyed the towns of Grafton, Millbury and Sutton as part of the Blackstone Corridor Waterfowl Survey on Sunday, November 23. All ponds were 100% ice free. Here are the results.

Grafton: Flint Pond, Canada Geese (14), mute swan (6), mallard (5), common loon (1), great blue heron (1). Lake Ripple. Canada geese (30). Mallard (16), ring-billed gull (21), herring gull(19), great black-backed gull(1).

Cider Mill Pond: mallard (16). Hooded merganser (1f). American black duck (1). Silver Lake. mallard (15) red-tailed hawk (1 imm).

Blackstone River along rt. 122: Canada geese (5). Mallard (1). Ring-billed gull( 1). Belted kingfisher (1). Great blue heron (4) red-tailed hawk (1). Un-identified raptor (1).

Millbury: Dorothy brook. Mallard (25). Great blue heron (1).

Dorothy Pond: Mallards (5). Great blue heron (2). Belted kingfisher (1). Eastern bluebirds (3).

Howe Pond: nothing.

Brierly Pond: mallard(5). American black duck (5). hooded mergansers (19). great blue heron (1). belted kingfisher (1).

Singletary Pond: Canada geese (1). American black duck (11). Mallard (6). green-winged teal (1).great blue heron (1). Red-tailed hawk (1).

Ramshorn Pond: common loon (1). Canada geese (118) mallard (3). common mergansers (5). Sutton:

Putnam, Adams & Arnold Ponds along W Sutton Rd.: mallard (19). American black duck (1).common goldeneye (1 f).

Manchaug Pond. mallard (17). Common goldeneye (16). Common mergansers (12). Ring-billed gull (58). Herring gull (18). Great black backed gull (3).

Stevens Pond: mallard (6). Common mergansers (14).

Tucker Pond: mallard (21).

Swans Pond: Canada geese (2). (Report from Jim Hogan).

11/23/03 -- Wompanoag MAS, Gardner

Hilites from Birding/Hawkwatching at the Wompanoag MAS this weekend:

Sunday 11/23/03 (9:30 to Noon): Northern Harrier 2; Sharp-shinned Hawk 1; Cooper's Hawk 1; Red-shouldered Hawk 3; Red-tailed Hawk 22; Also 3 E. Bluebirds, about 200 Gulls, 10-15 Common Mergansers.

Saturday 11/22/03 (8:30 to 11:30 AM): Northern Harrier 2; Sharp-shinned Hawk 1; Red-tailed Hawk 14; Un Id'd raptor 1; Total 18.

Also 10 Snow Goose, Pileated Woodpecker, at least 4 Common Redpolls (seen and heard lying past); and 1 Evening Grosbeak along with the imm. Northern Shrike thats been present the past 3 weekends. (report from Tom Pirro).

11/23/03 -- RI ponds

John Liller, Kim Kastler (Bacchiocchi), Howard Shainheit recorded the following (All ponds open):

NORTH SMITHFIELD Pied-billed Grebe (2 - Slatersville Reservoir); Great Blue Heron (1 - Slatersville Reservoir); Canada Goose (93); Mute Swan (3 - 2 at Homestead Gifts, 1 at Pratt Pond); Wood Duck (3 - pair at Trout Brook Pond, 1 male at Pratt Pond); American Black Duck (35); Mallard (138); Northern Pintail (2 males - marsh by Rt 104 exit from Rt 146); Also: Red-tailed Hawk (2);, Red-bellied Woodpecker (2); Greatest Number - Slatersville Reservoir (PBGR (2);, GTBH (1);, CAGO (14);, ABDU (3);, MALL (30);); Greatest Variety - Slatersville Reservoir (see above); No Gulls

BURRILLVILLE Canada Goose (29); American Black Duck (8); Mallard (50); Bufflehead (1); Hooded Merganser (6); Common Merganser (12); Ruddy Duck (18 - all at Spring Lake); Osprey (1 - southern end of Wallum Lake at 7:45 this morning); Ring-billed Gull (12); Herring Gull (1); Belted Kingfisher (1); [Message 5 marked for deletion] Also: Carolina Wren (1); Greatest Number - Pascoag Reservoir (CAGO (12);, ABDU (6);, MALL (35);, COME (9);, RBGU (6);, HERG (1);); Greatest Variety - Pascoag Reservoir (see above); Gulls - Pascoag Reservoir (see above);

GLOCESTER Great Blue Heron (1 - Waterman Reservoir); Canada Goose (107 + 30 flying high southwest at 3:30 over Bowdish Reservoir); Wood Duck (1 male - Pascoag Reservoir/Echo Lake section); American Black Duck (64); Mallard (83); Mallard x American Black Duck Hybrid (2 - Ponanganset Reservoir, Lake Washington); Ring-necked Duck (15 - all at Cherry Valley Pond); Bufflehead (11); Hooded Merganser (38); Common Merganser (2); Ring-billed Gull (12); Herring Gull (2); Great Black-backed Gull (2); Belted Kingfisher (1); Swamp Sparrow (2 - in a cattail marsh in transit); Also: Red-bellied Woodpecker (2); Greatest Number - Lake Washington (CAGO (7);, ABDU (26);, MALL (22);, HOME (15);); Greatest Variety - Waterman Reservoir (GTBH (1);, CAGO (3);, ABDU (13);, MALL (8);, BUFF (3);, HOME (4);, COME (2);, RBGU (9);, HERG (1);, GBBG (2);); Gulls - Waterman Reservoir (see above); (report from John Liller).

11/23/03 -- Blackstone Corridor, RI

Here are some of the results of the three areas I monitored for our bi-annual survey of ponds, resevoirs and rivers in the Blackstone National Corridor. I have left off the "regular" gull totals, which are also counted:

CUMBERLAND RI (extreme NE part of the state);: Great Blue Heron (5); Mute Swan (16:high); Canada Goose (224); Wood Duck (2); Green-winged Teal (28); A. Black Duck (76); Mallard (141); N. Pintail (2f); Ring-necked Duck (142); Greater Scaup (1); Lesser Scaup (3); C. Goldeneye (16); Bufflehead (1); Hooded Merganser (42); Common Mergnaser (86); OSPREY (1); Red-tailed Hawk (6); Wilson's Snipe (1); Red-bellied Woodpecker (1); E. Phoebe (1: Arnolds Mill Res); Carolina Wren (4); Golden-crowned Kinglet (14: very high for this area); E. Bluebird (6);

PAWTUCKET (extremely urban area north of Providence): Double-crested Cormorant (1: nota bene: Great Cormorants have yet to arrive at the Seekonk River); Mute Swan (4); Canada Goose (148); Wood Duck (2); A. Black Duck (5); Mallard (85); Gadwall (5); Bufflehead (16); Hooded Merganser (9); Red-tailed Hawk (2); Carolina Wren (4); PROVIDENCE-EAST PROVIDENCE (nota bene: only a very small area of borth cities are IN the Corridor and therefore censused. Essentially the Seekonk River to India/Bold Points and the part of the Ten Mile River from Turner Reservoir to the Seekonk River. This forms the southern end of the Corridor): Pied-billed Grebe (1); Double-crested Cormorant (11); Great Blue Heron (6); Mute Swan (17: low!); Canada Goose (262); A. Black Duck (278); Mallard (163); A. Wigeon (13); Ring-necked Duck (5); Greater Scaup (6); Lesser Scaup (33); SURF SCOTER (1 imm: scoters of any species are very uncommon anywhere in the Corridor); C. Goldeneye (5); Bufflehead (109); Hooded Merganser (20); Common Merganser (2); Red-breasted Mergnaser (3); Ruddy Duck (118); Red-tailed Hawk (6: 1 eating a huge fish on the banks of the Seekonk); Peregrine Falcon (1); LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL (1adW); E. SCREECH OWL (1 red ph); Belted Kingfisher (2); Red-bellied Woopecker (1); Carolina Wren (5); PLUS: a beautiful Red Fox watched eating, relaxing and washing. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

11/23/03 -- Hubbardston

There were four Evening Grosbeaks at our feeder today (along with the usual "crowd" of chickadees, cardinals, etc.!) (report from Bobbie Pierce).

11/22/03 -- Pond Survey, Worcester As part of the Blackstone National Corridor Survey, we did a complete census of the ponds in Worcester. Complete results here. (report from Joan Zumpfe).

11/22/03 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre

Raptor highlights today: > Bald Eagle 2 ; > Northern Harrier 1 ; > Sharp-shinned Hawk 4 ; > Cooper's Hawk 2 ; > Red-shouldered Hawk 1 ; > Red-tailed Hawk 30 . (report from Bart Kamp).

11/22/03 -- off Rt. 140, West Boylston

Highlights of a brief walk under the power lines that cross rt. 140 were 2 late-season Field Sparrows, along with 3 Song, 5 Tree, and 3 White-throated Sparrows. (report from Rick Quimby).

11/22/03 -- Leicester ponds/airport overlook

We covered ALL the ponds and reservoirs in and contiguous to the town of LEICESTER this morning as part of this weekend's BLACKSTONE NATIONAL CORRIDOR WATERBIRD SURVEY. There was no ice on any ponds and beautiful weather. Totals: Double-crested Cormorant (1ad); Great Blue Heron (4); Canada Goose (114); Green-winged Teal (3: 1m+2f); Mallard (76); A. Black Duck (7); Hooded Merganser (47); Common Merganser (24); Red-tailed Hawk (1); Belted Kingfisher (3); OTHER BIRDS: Red-bellied Woodpecker (1); E. Phoebe (1); Ruby-crowned Kinglet (1); Golden-crowned Kinglet (37); E. Towhee (1).

From 3:30PM to almost 4:30 PM, we watched from the Rt. 56 overlook of Worcester Airport, hoping for a Short-eared Owl. We dipped on that, but did have: Canada Goose (63); Hooded Merganser (4); Common Merganser (9); Ring-billed Gull (36 flying into Leicester from Worcester); N. Flicker (1); A. Crow (885 coming into roost); N. Shrike (1); Snow Bunting (7); Red-winged Blackbird (9); C. Grackle (10); PLUS: 3 White-tailed Deer. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

11/21/03 -- Fort Meadow reservoir, Marlboro/Hudson

This morning at Fort Meadow reservoir at the Marlboro/Hudson line I counted 170 Ruddy Ducks and 3 Canvasbacks. (report from Simon Hennin).

11/21/03 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre

Raptor highlights today: > Sharp-shinned Hawk 4 ; > Cooper's Hawk 3 ; > Northern Goshawk 1 ; > Red-shouldered Hawk 5 ; > Red-tailed Hawk 26 ; > Merlin 1 ; > Unknown 1 . (report from Bart Kamp).

11/20/03 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre

Raptor highlights today: > Northern Harrier 1 ; > Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 ; > Cooper's Hawk 1 ; > Red-shouldered Hawk 3 ; > Red-tailed Hawk 19 . (report from Bart Kamp).

11/19/03 -- Hadwen Park, Worcester

At Hadwen Park, the Osprey is still here, easily found behind the basketball court. Also, 1 Red-tailed Hawk, 4 Hooded Mergansers, and a pair of Wood Ducks.

At Leesville Pond, There were 13 Hooded Mergansers, 8 American Wigeon, 6 Green-winged Teal, 2 Mute Swans, 1 GB Heron, 1 American Tree Sparrow, 3 White-throated Sparrows, 1 Swamp Sparrow, 2 House Finches, 50+ Juncos, 4 Wood Ducks, and 6 Cedar Waxwings.

At Curtis Pond behind Bickford's Restaurant were 25+ Hooded Mergansers, and 1 GB Heron. (report from Brian Mulhearn)

11/17/03 -- off Salisbury St. (at the Holden line), Worcester

This morning at about ten, two Pine Siskins were busily munching at my thistle feeder along with the usual dozen plus Goldfinch. They are the first I've seen this year. Yesterday's Fox Sparrow also made a brief appearance. (report from Howard Shainheit).

11/16/03 -- Northboro and Westboro

Highlights from the Forbush Bird Club trip: > Mute Swan 4; > Wood Duck 9; > Gadwall 1 D; > American Wigeon 6; > American Black Duck 6; > Green-winged Teal 1 D; > Lesser Scaup 2 (pair); > Greater Scaup 1 F; > Bufflehead 2 F; > Hooded Merganser 4 (2 pair); > Northern Harrier 1 F; > Sharp-shinned Hawk 1; > American Coot 1; > Killdeer 3; > Great Horned Owl 1; > Belted Kingfisher 2; > Red-bellied Woodpecker 2 males; > Hairy Woodpecker 1; > Northern Flicker 1; > Red-breasted Nuthatch 4; > Brown Creeper 2; > Carolina Wren 3; > Easter Bluebird 3; > American Robin; > Gray Catbird 1; > Cedar Waxwing 31; > Yellow-rumped Warbler 2; > Pine Warbler 1; > American Tree Sparrow 51; > Chipping Sparrow 1; > Fox Sparrow 1; > Swamp Sparrow 2; > Red-winged Blackbird. Complete trip list here. (report from Joan Zumpfe).

11/16/03 -- Mt Watatic, Ashburnham

Hiltes hawkwatching from 9am to 3PM : Sharp-shinned Hawk 1; Red-shouldered Hawk 2; Red-tailed Hawk 26; Also 868 migrantings gulls of which approx. 95% were Herring and the balance Great Black-backed....one distant gull may have been an iceland ( a very pale looking bird...but very distant). Also passing were 10 Horned Larks, 31 Snow Buntings, 2 Pine Siskins , 145 canada Goose. While I was Hiking up the trail I saw 5 Fox Sparrows, many Juncos, a few White-throated Sparrows , Brown Creeper, a Pileated Woodpecker. The visibilty from the hill was spectacular on Sunday...able to see into the snow covered White Mtns. of NH. (report from Tom Pirro).

11/16/03 -- Wachusett Reservoir/Washacums, Sterling/Boylston

In the afternoon, Fran McMenemy and I made a few stops at Wachusett Reservoir and the Washacums.

Mile Hill: Bald Eagle 1 A, Common Loon 2.

Gate 36: SNOW BUNTING at least 22 (seen flying and landing close enough to observe them feeding), Red-breasted Merganser 4 F, Horned Grebe 11, Red-necked Grebe 2, Common Loon 6 and Bufflehead 2.

East Lake Washacum: Bufflehead 15 (5D), Common Loon 1, Common Merganser 9, Great Blue Heron 2, Hooded Merganser 2 F.

West Lake Washacum: Greater Scaup 55, Wood Duck 19.

The Quag: Hooded Merganser 26, Wood Duck 4. (report from Joan Zumpfe).

11/16/03 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre

Raptor highlights today: > Northern Harrier 1 ; > Sharp-shinned Hawk 3 ; > Cooper's Hawk 1 ; > Northern Goshawk 1 ; > Red-shouldered Hawk 14 ; > Red-tailed Hawk 30 . Also, Loon, Great Blue Heron, 14 Snow Buntings, 1 Snow Goose, and 143 Canada Geese. (report from Bart Kamp).

11/16/03 -- off Salisbury St. at the Holden line, Worcester

Fox Sparrows are still out and about in Worcester. This morning one was foraging in the leaves under my feeders along with the usual collection of Juncos and White-throated Sparrows. (report from Howard Shainheit).

11/16/03 -- Flint Pond, Shrewsbury

There are 8 Hooded Merganser at the Flint Pond boat ramp. Also down s. Quinsigamond Ave. in Shrewsbury about 1/4 mile before Sunset Beach on the left is an opening with 7 Gadwall, 6 Wood Ducks and 1 Pied-billed Grebe. This spot is starting to freeze. (report from John Shea).

11/16/03 -- Broad Meadow Brook Sanctuary, Worcester

Fresh back from 5 weeks of birding in Australia, I recorded the following highlights this morning with Kim Kastler: Hairy Woodpecker (2); Brown Creeper (3); Golden-crowned Kinglet (2); American Tree Sparrow (5); FOX SPARROW (1); Red-winged Blackbird (5); American Robin (2). (report from John Liller).

11/15/03 -- Wompanoag MAS, Gardner

Between 8 am and 4 pm: Migrant Raptors: Bald Eagle 1 Juv. (passing @ 1:50PM); Coopers Hawk 1; Red-shouldered Hawk 2; Red-taild Hawk 22; Golden Eagle 2 both adult (passing @ 1:55PM and 3PM); Un ID'd Acciptor 1; Un ID'd Buteo 1; total migrant raptors 30

Also passing the site: Common Loon 1; Common Merganser 6; Am Pipit 1; Horned Lark 63; Snow Bunting 3; Common Grackle 2. In the area were 7 Evening Grosbeaks (5 males and 2 females) feeding on sumac seeds, and some Pine Siskin passed.

Most unusual was an imm. Northern Shrike that nearly landed on my head. While scanning for raptors I heard a noise like wings flapping close very close. When I turned there was a bird literally in my face, within 2 feet. It then perched briefly atop my scope, for perhaps one second (about 4 feet I was standing within arm's reach of the scope) we looked at each other and it flew off and perched atop a tree a hundred yards away.

At Crystal Lake in Gardner was a first year type Iceland Gull with the gull roost. (report from Tom Pirro).

11/15/03 -- Delaney WMA, Stowe

Highlights from a hike at Delaney were a number of Red-breasted Nuthatch, a flock of about 50 American Pipit, 6 Bluebirds and a squawking Common Raven harrassing a juvenile Bald Eagle as they flew closeby overhead. (report from Rick, Barbara and Mike Walker).

11/15/03 -- Gates 33 & 35, Quabbin Reservoir

From 11:08 AM - 5:00 PM: A stealthy approach afforded an impressive view of a substantial group of loafing Mallards on Bassett Pond. A starkly plumaged Common Loon methodically canvassed its surface. A curious Otter came quite close to the shore. Appearing curious about my presence, it uttered a soft series of grunts, RUCK-RUCK-RUCK, as it periodically dove and surfaced, perhaps as much to avoid the stinging winds as to feed itself. Most passerine activity was confined to the hedgerows, the birds clinging tenaciously to the shrubs. The branches of isolated pockets of mixed woodland well off the trails also contained some activity. The day's frigid, blustery conditions were a fitting backdrop for observing the animated, compact flock of Snow Buntings that flitted energetically from one sandy berm and rocky outcropping to the next. The best observation point was a desolate, windswept, grassy area peppered with pockets of light gravel at the terminus of the trail leading directly from the Gate 35 parking lot to the reservoir's edge. Pointing my scope due west, the Snow Buntings made their initial appearance on the first berm visible from this vantage point.
Highlights: American Robin 6; Bald Eagle 2; Brown Creeper 1; Common Flicker 2; Common Grackle 53; Common Loon 3; Golden-crowned Kinglet 11; Great Blue Heron 1; Hairy Woodpecker 1; Horned Grebe 1; Mallard 74; Pileated Woodpecker 1; Raven 1; Red-breasted Nuthatch 7; Red-tailed Hawk 1; Red-winged Blackbird 14; Ring-billed Gull 15; Snow Bunting 23; Tree Sparrow 3; White-breasted Nuthatch 7; White-throated Sparrow 4. (report from Chris Ellison).

11/15/03 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre

Raptor highlights today: > Bald Eagle 1 ; > Sharp-shinned Hawk 5 ; > Cooper's Hawk 5 ; > Red-shouldered Hawk 5 ; > Red-tailed Hawk 27 . > > Also, 8 male Common Mergansers, Flicker and Snow Buntings. (report from Bart Kamp).

11/15/03 -- Hadwen Park, Worcester

I was pleasantly surprised to see an Osprey fly from a tree to the opposite side of Curtis Pond this morning. (report from Brian Mulhearn)

11/11/03 -- Gate 36, Wachusett Reservoir, Clinton

This morning around 6:30AM I saw 22+ Snow Buntings that would continually fly out over the water only to keep returning to the rocks along the shore. They were very noisy and didn't seem to care that I was close by. I also saw a Northern Harrier, 3 Common Goldeneyes, 3 Common Loons and 4 Common Mergansers. (report from Peter Morlock).

11/11/03 -- Wachusett Meadow Sanctuary, Princeton

Had two evening grosbeaks for about five minutes at the Wachusett Meadow cottage feeder this afternoon. One had the bright yellow supercilium with a body that was mostly dark-grayish with just a hint of faint yellowish coloring on the belly, flanks and nape. The second one appeared to be a mature female-all gray body with a yellowish nape. About twenty minutes after these birds left, a Cooper's Hawk flew through the yard scattering the white-throated sparrows, purple finches, goldfinches, mourning doves and chickadees. (report from Peg Knowlton).

11/9/03 -- Gate 35, Quabbin Reservoir

On the morning after a Lunar Eclipse, which was well seen due to clear skies, Chris Buelow led 13 members of the Forbush Bird Club through Gate 35 at the Quabbin Reservoir. The calm day began in the low 20's and warmed to the high 30's. Highlights included: > Common Loon, 10 > Horned Grebe, 2 > Common Merganser, 6 > Bald Eagle, 3 > Ruffed Grouse, 1 > Black-bellied Plover, 2 > Pileated Woodpecker, 1 > Red-breasted Nuthatch, 5 > Northern Raven, 2 > Golden-crowned Kinglet, 5 > American Tree Sparrow, 1 > Snow Bunting, 1 > Red-winged Blackbird, 12. Complete trip list here. (report from Joan Zumpfe).

11/9/03 -- Wompanoag MAS sanctuary, Gardner

This afternoon between 2PM and 3:30PM, 5 Red-tailed Hawks were noted migrating and other notable species were: 1 calling Evening Grosbeak headed north was heard, and an Imm. Northern Shrike was seen.

The following Migrants were passing by yesterday morning 11/08/03 between 7:30am and 10:15AM: Shrp-shinned Hawk 4; Coopers Hawk 2; Northern Goshawk 1; Red-shouldered Hawk 8; Red-tailed hawk 43; Total Migrant Raptors 58; Other Migrants: Canada Goose ~75; Scoter species 1; Common Merganser 6; American Robin 466; American Crow 247; Red-winged Blackbird 2; Pine Siskin a few heard. Also 2 Ravens were "playing about" in the area. The raptors were mostly quite low and birds were on the move, right from the 7:30 start in the strong North west wind. (report from Tom Pirro).

11/9/03 -- Mt Wachusett, Princeton

I hiked up Mt Wachusett and saw a small group of about 7 or 8 Snow Buntings on the summit. It was a brisk day but exceptionally clear with great views. We could even see Mt Greylock. (report from Laura Lane)

11/9/03 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre

Raptor highlights today: > Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 ; > Cooper's Hawk 1 ; > Red-shouldered Hawk 8 ; > Red-tailed Hawk 32 ; > Golden Eagle 1 . > Also, 24 Snow Buntings in 2 flocks, 3 Yellow Rumped Warblers and 20 Canada Geese.(report from Bart Kamp).

11/9/03 -- Sudbury Reservoir, Southboro

We had a MAS class trip this morning to this IBA located in Southboro and Marlboro hiking in several areas. Deer ticks were a real problem. Pied-billed Grebe (1); Double-crested Cormorant (4); Great Blue Heron (3); Canada Goose (54); Wood Duck (1m); A. Wigeon (4); Mallard (140); A. Black Duck (32); RING-NECKED DUCK (1540: this is my highest count for this species in the state, the second highest for me being (1180) on 11-4-00 also at the Sudbury Reservoir. Many birds were in one huge, long spectacular flock, well hidden); Lesser Scaup (11); Canvasback (2f: uncommon in Worcester County); Common Goldeneye (29); Hooded Merganser (33); Common Merganser (29); Osprey (1); Sharp-shinned Hawk (2); Belted Kingfisher (1); Winter Wren (1); Hermit Thrush (1: very low); Yellow-rumped Warbler (17); Fox Sparrow (5); Rusty Blackbird (40+). (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

11/8/03 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre

Raptor highlights today: > Turkey Vulture 2 ; > Bald Eagle 1 ; > Sharp-shinned Hawk 16 ; > Cooper's Hawk 3 ; > Red-shouldered Hawk 19 ; > Red-tailed Hawk 116 ; > Unknown 6 ; (report from Bart Kamp).

11/8/03 -- Turner Res/Seekonk River, Blackstone Corridor

We surveyed the Turner Reservoir and Central Pond and then the Seekonk River from Bold Point to the Pawtucket line. Conditions were windy and cool. Waterfowl were in low numbers perhaps reflecting hunting going on and the continued dredging the north end of Providence River.

JAMES TURNER RESERVOIR: Pied-billed Grebe (1); Double-crested Cormorant (3); Mute Swan (35: this is a very low number and few were in the north end of Central Pond. Was this area disturbed by illegal hunters?); Canada Goose (195); Mallard (111+1 Mallard X doemstic hybrid); A. Black Duck (3); Gadwall (4); N. Shoveler (3f+1m); Lesser Scaup (4); Bufflehead (1); Ruddy Duck (28); Osprey (1); A. Coot (3); LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL (1adW: stunning bird perched out on rocks while we studied it for 15+ minutes);

NOTA BENE: While on the causeway, looking near the island (Seekonk MA side, south of causeway) we had a female Aythya that looked like a POSSIBLE TUFTED DUCK. It could also be possibly an immature Lesser Scaup.The lighting was atrocious and it kept ducking behind the island. What we saw was a dark-backed duck with a small notch/tuft in the right area, but not very long. A very small, not very distinct area of light was at the base of the bill. A few times when it stretched it looked like it had a lot of white on the wings. Head shape looked right and from what I could see of the color, it also looked right, but as I mentioned: the lighting was very tough and the bird not co-operative. It was with Mallards and Ruddys (and Shovelers), the only Aythya in the area, the scaup being at the other end of the pond. Birders should try again in the afternoon light.

SEEKONK RIVER: Double-crested Cormorant (20); Black-crowned Night Heron (1imm); Mute Swan (7); Canada Goose (51); Mallard (57); A. Black Duck (119); Ring-necked Duck (1f); Bufflehead (37); Sharp-shinned Hawk (1); Red-tailed Hawk (3); Greater Yellowlegs (2). (report from Mark Lynch).

11/7/03 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre

Raptor highlights today: > Turkey Vulture 13 ; > Osprey 3 ; > Northern Harrier 5 ; > Sharp-shinned Hawk 26 ; > Cooper's Hawk 8 ; > Red-shouldered Hawk 19 ; > Red-tailed Hawk 117 ; > Rough-legged Hawk 1 ; > Merlin 3 ; > Peregrine Falcon 2 . > Observations: A steady movement all day with the greatest per hour number between 9:00 and 11:00. The kettles of Red-tails had up to 7 birds. A light morph Rough-leg that soared overhead was joined by a Turkey Vulture and male Northern Harrier. The pair of non-migrating Northern Goshawks also made an appearance. > > Also, a flock of 10-15 American Pipits dropped into the field. (report from Bart Kamp).

11/6/03 -- Crystal Lake, Gardner

Hlites from a brief stop by Crystal Lake in Gardner this morning: Common Merganser 3; Hooded Merganser 3; Herring Gull 60; Great Black-backed gull 2; Junco 15; Song Sparrow 1; White-throaed Sparrow 5; Purple Finch 4; Pine Siskin 3 calling birds flying over head. (report from Tom Pirro)

11/6/03 -- Northboro

Like the recent reports from nearby Berlin, we had a small flock (5-6) pine siskins at the feeder this morning. Also present were goldfinches and house finches. The purple finches we have had recently were not around today. (report from Jim Hogan).

11/3/03 -- Wachusett Reservoir, Boylston

From Scar Hill Bluffs at Wachusett Reservoir in Boylston late this morning I saw: 1 Red-throated Loon, 1 Red-necked Grebe, 6 Red-breasted Mergansers, 1 Red-shouldered Hawk and 1 Red-tailed Hawk. There wasn't a single red feather on any of them.

Also, the Brant reported by John Shea on 11/2 were present at the same location this morning. (report from Bart Kamp).

11/3/03 -- Broad Meadow Brook Sanctuary, Worcester

Today I birded Broad Meadow Brook Between 9:30 and 1:00, with the following highlights: 7 Hermit Thrush ; 5 Golden-crowned Kinglet ; 2 Ruby-Crowned Kinglet ; 1 Hairy Woodpecker ; 2 Red-bellied WP ; 1 Brown Creeper ; 1 Winter Wren ; 2 Carolina Wren ; 2 HOUSE WREN (At high tension wires: one was the normal drab tan and the other was very rufous almost as much as a carolina(like western)) ; 1 Kingfisher ; 1 Cooper's Hawk ; 1 E. PHOEBE (at the beaver lodge) ; 1 Yellow-Rumped Warbler ; 1 Palm Warbler ; 1 PINE WARBLER ; 1 Grackle ; 1 Female Eastern Towhee ; and Sparrows: 78 White-throated; 13 Song; 1 Swamp; 1 FOX; 1 Savannah; 36 Junco (report from Nickilas Paulson).

11/3/03 -- Leesville Pond, Worcester

I did a noon-time survey of Leesville Pond today in 70 degree, sunny weather. Given the time of day there was quite a bit of bird activity. Highlights: Mute swan 2 wood duck 2 Am. wigeon 9 green-winged teal 15 gt. blue heron 1 chipping sparrow 2 white-throated sparrow 1 dark-eyed junco 12+ (report from Jim Hogan).

11/2/03 -- Wachusett Reservoir and vicinity/Lake Quinsig, Shrewsbury

At Sunset Beach in Shrewsbury, Fran McMenemy and I saw the Brant that had been reported earlier by John Shea. On our way to some pre-trip scouting we saw 3 Wood Ducks at the northern part of Lake Quinsig opposite Worcester Sand and Gravel and 2 Wood Ducks and 2 Hooded Mergansers at Spruce (Cassandra) Pond in Boylston.

At South Bay (Wachusett Reservoir, rt. 140), there were 3 Black Scoters (2 drakes whose orange bills were vibrant, with 1 female); 1 Pied-billed, 2 Horned and 1 Red-necked Grebe: a raft of about 50 Scaup species included 6 drake Greater Scaup. We had 4 Hooded Merganser (3d, 1F) at The Quag which were 3 more than on the trip as well as 33 Ring-necked Duck. On Campground Road in Sterling a Wild Turkey was seen in a back yard. At East Lake Waushacum we had a drake Surf Scoter, 2 female Greater Scaup and a Greater Yellowlegs (not seen on the Forbush trip). At Gate 36 there were 2 female Black Scoters. (report from Joan Zumpfe).

11/2/03 -- Forbush Bird Club Trip at Wachusett Reservoir

On Sunday, November 2, 2003, Francis X. McMenemy led 19 members and friends of the Forbush Bird Club on a trip around Wachusett Reservoir in the towns of Sterling (the Quag, East and West Lake Waushacum), Clinton and Boylston. Highlights included 3 Otters at the Quag, 22 Common Loons near Gate 36, Bufflehead at several stops, 3 Grebe species, 3 Red-breasted Mergansers and all 3 scoter species. Complete trip list here. (report from Joan Zumpfe).

11/2/03 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre

Raptor highights today: > Turkey Vulture 2 ; > Osprey 2 ; > Northern Harrier 1 ; > Sharp-shinned Hawk 18 ; > Cooper's Hawk 4 ; > Red-shouldered Hawk 5 ; > Red-tailed Hawk 18 ; > Rough-legged Hawk 2 . > Observations: > The birds were high early. There was nothing after the heavy showers between 1 and 2. > > 100's of gulls, 40 Canada Geese, 95 Snow Geese including 3 Blue Geese; 20-25 Rusty Blackbirds; 1 Pileated Woodpecker. 1 Monarch and 1 Sulphur Butterfly. (report from Bart Kamp).

11/2/03 -- Wachusett Reservoir, Boylston

This morning I traveled around the reservoir birding a few spots. The most productive was Gate 22. I saw some unusual combinations of waterfowl, such as a raft of Ring-necked Ducks interspersed with 2 Male & 2 Female Black Scoters, a Red-necked Grebe and a Pied-billed Grebe. Another combination I witnessed was 7 Buffleheads with one Horned Grebe in between. At one time I saw the Pied-billed Grebe and the Red-necked Grebe all alone side by side within a foot or 2 of each other making a great comparison. (report from Peter Morlock).

11/2/03 -- Flint Pond, Shrewsbury

There were 4 Brant at Sunset Beach yesterday (Saturday 11/1) which are still there as of this morning. They were eating the grass by the boat docks. You can see them from Stringer Dam facing south. (report from John Shea).

11/2/03 -- Blackstone National Corridor

We hit a few spots, mid-Corridor this morning:

SUTTON, MA: the farm fields in the SW corner on Town Farm Road, Waters Farm and Whittier Farm. An amazing variety and number of birds were about, especially on Town Farm Road. Canada Goose (179); Mallard (11); Turkey Vulture (3); Sharp-shinned Hawk (1); Red-tailed Hawk (2); Red-bellied Woodpecker (2); Downy Woodpecker (3); N. Flicker (19); Blue Jay (21); Carolina Wren (2); Winter Wren (1); Golden-crowned Kinglet (17); E. Bluebird (24); A. Robin (89); American Pipit (63); Cedar Waxwing (16); Orange-crowned Warbler (1); Yellow-rumped Warbler (7); Palm Warbler (9); Field Sparrow (1); Savannah Sparrow (8); Lincoln Sparrow (1); Swamp Sparrow (6); Song Sparrow (60); White-crowned Sparrow (4imm); White-throated Sparrow (176: including one outstanding leucistic individual. This bird had bright yellow lores, some color on the auriculars, some small splotches on the nape and back, some individual grayish flight feathers and rectrices and the rest snow white. It stood out like a sore thumb); Dark-eyed Junco (211); Lapland Longspur (1 flyover); Snow Bunting (1); N. Cardinal (22); Red-winged Blackbird (87); Rusty Blackbird (50); C. Grackle (152); Brown-headed Cowbird (48); Pine Siskins (3); A. Goldfinch (22); AND: (1); Clouded Sulphur

WOONSOCKET RESERVOIR, N. SMITHFIELD RI: Double-crested Cormorant (3); Canada Goose (147); A. Black Duck (2); Ring-necked Duck (39); Bufflehead (6); C. Goldeneye (2); Hooded Merganser (2); Common Merganser (2); Ruddy Duck (11); E. Bluebird (2); Palm Warbler (1);

CUMBERLAND, RI: DIAMOND HILL+ARNOLD'S MILL RESERVOIRS: A very nice array of waterbirds for this location, including the grebe "hat trick", which is tough well inland. Pied-billed Grebe (1); Horned Grebe (2); RED-NECKED GREBE (2: very uncommon in the Corridor); Double-crested Cormorant (1); Great Blue Heron (3); Canada Goose (261); SNOW GOOSE (2ad+2imm); Mallard (95); A. Black Duck (59); N. Pintail (3m); Ring-necked Duck (13); Buffelhead (16); C. Goldeneye (2); Hooded Merganser (8); Common Merganser (10); Ruddy Duck (9); Sharp-shinned Hawk (1); A. Coot (1); Killdeer (3); Greater Yellowlegs (2); Red-bellied Woodpecker (3); Palm Warbler (3); PLUS: Painted Lady (1 worn);

SNEETCH POND, CUMBERLAND RI: this pond is now open to the public again for the first time since 9-11 and the Jersey Barriers are gone. Pied-billed Grebe (2); Great Blue Heron (1); Canada Goose (33); Wood Duck (3); Mallard (4); A. Black Duck (15); Ring-necked Duck (13); Hooded Merganser (1); Osprey (1); (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

11/2/03 -- Leesville Pond, Worcester

An hour or so birding Leesville Pond this afternoon (Sunday); prior to the rain starting turned up a few things. The area to the left of the point of entry where all the branches are dumped was filled with sparrows, including a nice Fox Sparrow. Highlights: Canada Goose 15; American Wigeon 11; Green-winged Teal 9; Red-tailed Hawk 1; Red-bellied Woodpecker 2; Carolina Wren 2; Palm Warbler 1; Chipping Sparrow 3; FOX SPARROW 1; Song Sparrow 3; White-throated Sparrow 18; Dark-eyed Junco 25. (report from Jeff Scott).

11/1/03 -- Broad Meadow Brook Sanctuary, Worcester

Highlights of my monthly Saturday morning birdwalk around the Brookside Loop with Kim Bacchiocchi and 5 others were as follows: 1 Great Blue Heron, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Red-tailed Hawk, 2 Hairy and 1 Red-bellied Woodpecker, 2 Flickers, 2 Hermit Thrushes, 102 Robins (flyovers), 7 Ruby-crowned Kinglets, 37 White-throated Sparrows, 3 Purple Finches, 3 Palm Warblers, and 3 Carolina Wrens together in one very small fir tree. (report from Howard Shainheit).

11/1/03 -- Gate 35, Quabbin Reservoir

The Massachusetts Audubon Society at Broad meadow Brook IBA class had a hike into Gate 35 this morning all the way out to the North Dana Penninsula. The weather was perfect (at dawn it was veritably a Hudson River School "sublime" landscape);. There were surprisingly few ducks and geese, though decent numbers of loons and grebes and some nice late (for inland); shorebirds. Overall, landbirds were what you would expect at this time, though there obviously is a flight of RB Nuts and Blue Jays underway, there are decent numbers of Golden-crowend Kinglets around, and we did have some siskins. Below is the complete list:
Common Loon (16); Horned Grebe (14); Double-crested Cormorant (1); Canada Goose (6); A. Black Duck (3); Hooded Merganser (6); Common Merganser (7); BALD EAGLE (3ad); N. Harrier (1); Sharp-shinned Hawk (2); Red-tailed Hawk (3); GOLDEN EAGLE (1ad); Merlin (1); Ruffed Grouse (1); BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER (10); A. GOLDEN PLOVER (2); DUNLIN (21); Ring-billed Gull (13); Mourning Dove (5); Belted Kingfisher (1); Hairy Woodpecker (2); Downy Woodpecker (1); N. Flicker (3); Pileated Woodpecker (2); Blue Jay (61); A. Crow (116: large flocks moving south along the Prescott); C. Raven (4); Black-capped Chickadee (49); Tufted Titmouse (7); Red-breasted Nuthatch (27); White-breasted Nuthatch (13); Brown Creeper (9); Golden-crowned Kinglet (28); Ruby-crowned Kinglet (4); Winter Wren (1); E. Bluebird (2); Hermit Thrush (1); A. Robin (90: several large flocks flying north and high); Blue-headed Vireo (1); Yellow-rumped Warbler (13); Palm Warbler (1); Chipping Sparrow (1); Song Sparrow (1); White-throated Sparrow (12); Dark-eyed Junco (42); Snow Bunting (4); Red-winged Blackbird (10); Rusty Blackbird (1); Purple Finch (10); House Finch (1); Pine Siskin (8); A. Goldfinch (53);
ALSO: the usual numbers of Red Squirrels and chipmunks scurrying about; (1); Red-backed Vole, (1); E. Garter Snake; (1); DeKay's Snake (dead);; (1); E. Painted Turtle, (5); Monarchs migrating (3); Clouded Sulphurs (one of the few times I have had Snow Buntings and butterflies in the same spot at the same time);; Green Darners and meadowhawks were still about. AND: a huge "outbreak? invasion? of Ladybugs. These were all over us, on our clothes, in our hair, on our scopes, bins..you name it, and everywhere in the air. I have never seen this many before. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

For previous sightings, see October 2003 Archives or Archive Index