November 2005 Central Mass Bird Sightings

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

Bird News:

Bird Sightings:

11/29/05 -- Ramshorn Pond, Millbury/Sutton
An adult bald eagle flew over Ramshorn Pond in Millbury this morning at about 11:30. The bird approached from the north, flew the length of the pond at treetop level, affording great looks, and disappeared to the south. This caused a flock of about 150 Canada geese to noisily take to the air and leave. Also seen were 14 hooded mergansers, 12 common mergansers, five mallards and 32 ring-billed gulls. (report from Alan Marble).

11/27/05 -- Cedar Hill and Crane Swamp, Northboro
I took a walk around Cedar Hill and Crane Swamp. The swamp was alive with large numbers of Robins and Cedar Waxwings. Other species of note were N. Flicker, Brown Creeper, and Golden-crowned Kinglet. (report from Laura Lane).

11/27/05 -- Notre Dame Cemetery, Worcester
The Osprey was easily found, perched high in a tree behind the baseball field in Hadwen Park. Also there were 2 Great Blue Herons, 1 imm. Red-tailed Hawk, 24 Hooded Mergansers, 1 Wood Duck, 3 Black Ducks, 33 Mallards, 6 Canadian Geese, 2 Mute Swans, and 6 Gold-crowned Kinglets. (report from Brian Mulhearn)

11/27/05 -- Lake Quinsigamond/Flint Pond, Worcester/Shrewsbury
Part of Flint Pond froze over. A lot of birds left but there were still some around:29 Hooded Merganser, 7 Common Merganser 4 Black Duck. On Lake Quinsigamond: 57 Hooded Merganser, 1 Common Merganser, 2 D.C. Cormorant, 16 A Coot (12 by the islands and 4 by the pumping station), 29 Common Goldeneye ( by the islands), 3 Great Blue Heron, 1 Belted Kingfisher. (report from John Shea).

11/27/05 -- South Quabbin Reservoir (Quabbin Park)
At Quabbin Park/South Quabbin, off Route 9 in Belchertown, the viewing conditions were great, but there were few waterbirds present compared to what I have seen here in years past (both Quabbin and Wachusett are having very poor waterfowl showings this season compared to years past), and also a complete lack of frugivores, despite the presence of an adequate wild food crop. Amazingly, we also dipped completely on raptors, despite several searches. Complete list for Quabbin Park: Common Loon (2); Mallard (1); A Black Duck (7); Common Merganser (4); Herring Gull (1); Downy Woodpecker (3); Hairy Woodpecker (2); Blue Jay (6); A Crow (9: weirdly, we also dipped on Raven in both Colrain and Quabbin Park); Black-capped Chickadee (41); Red-breasted Nuthatch (8); White-breasted Nuthatch (5); Northern Shrike (1imm: this bird was at the Enfield Lookout and perched and made attempts to catch prey very close to us giving us spectacular views); Yellow-rumped Warbler (1 overhead, heading west); Tree Sparrow (30); Field Sparrow (1); Song Sparrow (1); Dark-eyed Junco (1); Snow Bunting (flock of 8 heading west while I was on the dam); Purple Finch (1 flying west overhead); A Goldfinch (2); This looks like it will be a tough year for some inland northern CBCs this year, like the Quabbin count.

ALSO: While we were in front of the Administration Building, hunters were there picking up keys and permits, so a reminder that the Quabbin Deer hunt is starting soon. And a general reminder that while bow and shotgun season is on, WEAR 100 SQUARE INCHES OF REGULATION ORANGE while out and about, even if just to duck in some woods for a "pit stop".! Nothing spoils a day's birding more than a gaping shotgun wound. I am not a hunter, but hunting is a legal activity and it's just being smart to wear orange while deer hunting is on while you are outside...even on Sunday (poaching does happen and there are folks who do not know the regulations). SPEAKING OF WHICH, while at South Quabbin, we came across several groups of completely tame WHITE-TAILED DEER. Tame to the point that I could stand outside my car not 15 feet from them and they continued to browse. We drove right up to others. Some just slowly sauntered across the roads right in front of cars. They had no survival skills what so ever. One of the reasons for this we discovered, was that some pea-brain put out a huge pile of corn for the deer to browse on right next to the rotary and three deer were there scarfing it up. This is not good, turning a supposedly wild and commonly hunted animal into a confiding "almost-cow". (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

11/27/05 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
Migrating today were: 
-------------------------------------------------------------------

Species            Day's Count    Month Total   Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture                0              0              1
Turkey Vulture               0             20            249
Osprey                       0              0            150
Bald Eagle                   0              8             66
Northern Harrier             0             21             39
Sharp-shinned Hawk           0             50           1094
Cooper's Hawk                0             21             83
Northern Goshawk             0              1              5
Red-shouldered Hawk          1             36             64
Broad-winged Hawk            0              0          16896
Red-tailed Hawk              3            545            733
Rough-legged Hawk            1              4              4
Golden Eagle                 0              1              4
American Kestrel             0              1            132
Merlin                       0              0             47
Peregrine Falcon             0              1              8
Unknown                      0             14             51

Total:                       5            723          19626
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Raptor Observations: Light morph rough-legged hawk. Non-raptor Observations: 33 snow buntings, 40 cedar waxwings. Migrating: 63 Canada Geese and 1 great blue heron. (report from Bart Kamp).

11/27/05 -- Mandel Hill, Hardwick
Among the usual subjects at Mandel Hill was a Blue-headed Vireo in a wet tangle. Mandel Hill is an East Quabbin Land Trust property at the intersection of Barre and Ridge Roads, Hardwick. (report from Chris Buelow)

11/25/05 -- Fort Meadow Reservoir, Marlborough
Seen this AM: Pied-billed Grebe (1); Double-crested Cormorant (3); Mallard (5); C Goldeneye (1); Hooded Merganser (31); Common Merganser (53); Ruddy Duck (169); A Coot (13); Yellow-rumped Warbler (1); (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

11/25/05 -- Off Salisbury St. (near Park Ave), Worcester
The ('our"); annual wintering COOPER'S HAWK is back with a venegence. For the past several weeks, she has been nailing the feeding Rock Pigeons (and only the pigeons, never a Mourning Dove) several times a week. In years past, after every kill, the small (and getting smaller) flock of pigeons would stay away several days and only eventually return, at which point so would the Coop. But this year, pigeons seem to be present every day, allowing the Coop ample opportunity to feed. Today, she flew down the street low and swept arund the house about 6 feet off the ground and immediately surprised and nailed a pigeon. She mantled it for a few minutes, bashing it's head in, and then flew off with the meal. (report from Mark Lynch).

11/25/05 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
Migrating today were: Northern Harrier 2 ; Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 ; Cooper's Hawk 1 ; Red-tailed Hawk 37 ; Raptor Observations: Similar numbers of birds seen each hour. Non-raptor Observations: The hawk watch site was plowed and sanded before our arrival. 23 common mergansers. (report from Bart Kamp).

11/25/05 -- Lake Quinsigamond/Flint Pond, Worcester/Shrewsbury
On Lake Quinsigamond from Lake Park looking at the islands I saw 5 Hooded Merganser,1 N. Pintail (m), 21 Common Goldeneye, and 7 A Coot. On Flint Pond: 38 Hooded Merganser, 51 Ring-neck Duck, 3 N.Pintail(m), 10 Mute Swans and 2 Golden-crowned Kinglets. (report from John Shea)

11/23/05 -- Hadwen Park, Worcester
I did not see an Osprey here last Autumn, so I was pleased to hear an Osprey calling as I got close to the tree it was perched in. I didn't see it until it flushed from a tree behind the baseball field, a location easily observed from the extreme rear of Notre Dame Cemetery. It flew over the railroad tracks to the other side of Curtis Pond. Other sightings in the park: 2 Wood Ducks, 4 Hooded Mergansers, 2 Mute Swans, 1 was a sub adult, 2 Ruby-crowned Kinglets, 4 Gold-crowned Kinglets, and 2 Tree Sparrows. (report from Brian Mulhearn)

11/23/05 -- Orlando Pond, Charlton
Today I noticed a 2nd yr Iceland Gull mixed in with the waterfowl at Orlando Pond in Charlton (report from Paul Meleski).

11/23/05 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
Migrating today were: Bald Eagle 3 8 66 Red-shouldered Hawk 2 35 63 Red-tailed Hawk 7 505 693 (report from Bart Kamp).

11/21/05 -- Blackstone National Corridor, Millbury
I just got a note from Carolyn Corsiglia of the Tufts University Wild Animal Clinic in Grafton that they just got into the clinic a HIMALAYAN MONAL ( Lophophorus impeyanus) AKA "Impeyan Pheasant", found "floating down the Blackstone River in Millbury" (!!!). It is still alive, is being given care and it will probably be given to one of the Boston Zoos. No clue where it came from. If you have no idea what this extraordinary bird looks like, Google the name. OK, not countable of course, but what a cool bird to see on your day list...especially in that location! (report from Mark Lynch).

11/21/05 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
Migrating today were: Bald Eagle 2 ; Northern Harrier 1 ; Cooper's Hawk 1 ; Red-tailed Hawk 4 . Raptor Observations: 1 northern goshawk not migrating. Non-raptor Observations: 1 northern shrike (report from Bart Kamp).

11/20/05 -- Wachusett Reservoir and nearby ponds
We checked out waterfowl at some of the ponds around Wachusett Reservoir this morning: Nota bene: we also counted gulls and the common passerines, but have for the most part, left them off the list below.
  • STERLING: THE QUAG (really the adjacent water to West Waushacum, but too cool a name not to use): Mallard (2); A Black Duck (1); Hooded Merganser (4);
  • STERLING: WEST WAUSHACUM: Common Loon (1); Mallard (13); Red-breasted Nuthatch (3); WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILL (1);
  • STERLING: EAST WAUSHACUM: Great Blue Heron (1); Mallard (10); Bufflehead (8); Common Goldeneye (1); Common Merganser (75); Ruddy Duck (44); Carolina Wren (2);
  • CLINTON: COACHLACE POND: Mallard (19); A Black Duck (4); Greater Scaup (43);
  • CLINTON: SOUTH MEADOW POND: Double-crested Cormorant (1); Great Blue Heron (2); Mallard (30); Lesser Scaup (8); Greater Scaup (1); Hooded Merganser (31); Common Merganser (2); Sharp-shinned Hawk (1);
  • WACHUSETT RESERVOIR:nota bene: We did a complete loop around the reservoir, including a hike out to Scar Hill Cliffs. We also checked River Road for winter finches and Boreal Chickadee and dipped. Red-throated Loon (1); Common Loon (13); Horned Grebe (7); Canada Goose (1); Bufflehead (3); Common Goldeneye (31); Common Merganser (12); Red-tailed Hawk (3); A. Kestrel (1); (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

    • 11/20/05 -- Sudbury Reservoir
    Kim Kastler and I did a quick circuit of the Sudbury Reservoir this morning. (Directions can be found here). We recorded the following: Canada Goose (20+); Mallard (2); Ring-necked Duck (70); Lesser Scaup (20); Common Goldeneye (52); Common Merganser (7); Ruddy Duck (213); Ring-billed Gull (3); Herring Gull (1); Great Black-backed Gull (2); Also: Red-tailed Hawk (2); (report from John Liller).

    11/20/05 -- Worcester/Leicester
    The Shrike is still at the rt 56 over look of Worcester airport . At Coes Pond: 15 Common Merganser, 8 Hooded Merganser, 1 Great Blue Heron. At All Faiths cemetery: 1 N. Pintail (f), 9 Green -winged Teal, 21 Hooded Merganser and 1 Red -bellied Woodpecker. (report from John Shea).

    11/20/05 -- Bolton Flats, Bolton
    Following up on Steve Sutton's report, we headed out to Bolton Flats WMA late this afternoon. We were not sure which exact area in this large WMA Steve had the possible Long-eareds in, so we walked in the "main" entrance on Rt. 117, northside. We hiked till the trail "T"d, headed a bit west and essentially hung out there till 5PM, which by that time it was far too dark to discriminate owl species unless they were VERY close. We were amazed to be the only people out there and enjoyed a wonderful sunset and great birds by ourselves. Though we did NOT see any owls of any kind, we did have the following: Canada Goose (1 flyover); Mallard (6: not many ducks flying around this heavily hunted spot); Red-tailed Hawk (1); Killdeer (1); GREATER YELLOWLEGS (1: landed right in front of us: late for the interior of MA); Wilson's Snipe (11 at least. The fields are as flooded as they typically are in late spring); American Woodcock (1 flying over field at dusk); Downy Woodpecker (2); Hairy Woodpecker (1); Black-capped Chickadee (9); Ruby-crowned Kinglet (1: this bird was chattering away on the path into the flats. We squeaked it up); American Robin (2); Yellow-rumped Warbler (1); Tree Sparrow (6); Swamp Sparrow (4); Song Sparrow (10); Northern Cardinal (1); RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD (2337: see note under Common Grackle.); Rusty Blackird (8); COMMON GRACKLE (2529: large flocks flying NW overhead just before dusk. They were NOT roosting in Bolton Flats but heading somewhere else. Oxbow NWR? Delaney WMA? Where could they be heading, especially in north-westerly direction? This seems a bit late to be noting these numbers inland.); Lots of flying insects about, including many moths. We also heard some late fall crickets. The amount of Ring-necked Phaesant "parts" (wings, feathers et); in the parking lot was a bit grotesque, but typical in this location at this time of the year. (report from Mark Lynch).

    11/20/05 -- Westboro Fish and Wildlife
    At 8:30 a.m. I observed a dead Shrike at the Westboro Fish and Wildlife off Rte. 135. It was a curious death. The bird was still at the top of a tree and still holding on to a branch although it was slumped over and stuck in the crux of three small branches. It seemed a recent death. The bird seemed colorful, the eye still glistened in the morning light. What happened to it? I couldn't get to the tree because of the thick vegetation under it. I would have climbed the tree to bring it down if I could have. Did a hunter shoot it? It was still somewhat intact so I discounted that theory. It did look as if something came at it from behind perhaps breaking its neck. Did a raptor or another Shrike decide to take it out and thus not have competition for food? (I saw a Cooper's Hawk in the general area.); I don't think I'll ever know what happened to it. It was in a leafless deciduous tree on the easterly (far) side of the large pond just past the hobby airplane field. (report from Ann Boover).

    11/19/05 -- Whittier Farms Milk Store, Sutton
    This morning in the fields near the Whittier Farms Milkstore in Sutton there were flocks of Am. Pipits and Horned Larks with a few Snow Buntings and Lapland Longspurs mixed in. There was also a Grasshopper Sparrow near the road. (report from Dan Berard).

    11/19/05 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
    Migrating today were: Turkey Vulture 1 ; Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 ; Red-tailed Hawk 11 . Non-raptor Observations: Northern shrike, 6 brant. (report from Bart Kamp).

    11/19/05 -- Worcester ponds
    Checked some ponds around the city this morning. Salisbury Pond: 55 Hooded Merganser,
    Indian Lake: 119 Common Merganser, 3 Rudy Ducks, 6 Hooded Merganser,
    Little Indian Lake: 2 Hooded Merganser and 2 OTTER,
    the pond at the Vietnam Memorial in Green Hill Park: 2 Hooded Merganser and 1 Mallard.
    (report from John Shea).

    11/18/05 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
    Migrating today were: Sharp-shinned Hawk 2 ; Cooper's Hawk 2 ; Red-shouldered Hawk 8 ; Red-tailed Hawk 35 ; Rough-legged Hawk 1 . Raptor Observations: The rough-legged hawk was a dark morph (black type). Non-raptor Observations: Northern shrike. (report from Bart Kamp).

    11/18/05 -- Royalston/Petersham
    We birded these two towns this morning. Compared to the towns in the Northern Berkshires we birded earlier this week (ex: Monroe, Windsor), there were more of the common birds about in Royalston and many more in Petersham. In both towns the wild food crop was much more extensive than in the northern Berkshires and we found good areas of crab apples, bittersweet, winterberry et. That said, frugivores like robins, waxings and bluebirds were almost entirely a "no show". We even checked near the Eagle Hill School in Hardwick (Rt. 32A) and the area was loaded with bittersweet and crab apples, but we found no robins, waxwings et. The cone crop on the other hand was very poor in both towns. We were especially interested in what was happening with "winter finches" in these two areas, and spent time looking for those species. We found Evening Grosbeaks easily in Royalston in a few locations, but did not find one in Petersham. This does not mean they are absent from Petersham, just not as widespread as in Royalston. Evening Grosbeaks are certainly "about" in certain spots in NW Worcester County. For instance the hawkwatchers at Barre Falls Dam have had several small flocks pass by that area in the last week.
  • ROYALSTON: Common Goldeneye (3); Hooded Merganser (15); Common Merganser (13); Ring-necked Phaesant (2m: likely game release birds); Downy Woodpecker (4); Pileated Woodpecker (1); Blue Jay (24); Black-capped Chickadee (77); Tufted Titmouse (6); Red-breasted Nuthatch (11); White-breasted Nuthatch (4); Brown Creeper (2); CAROLINA WREN (1); Golden-crowned Kinglet (8); A. Robin (1); Song Sparrow (2); White-throated Sparrow (2); Dark-eyed Junco (4); Pine Siskin (2); EVENING GROSBEAK (27);
  • PETERSHAM: Canada Goose (43); A Black Duck (5); Mallard (28); Green-winged Teal (2); Hooded Merganser (64); Cooper's Hawk (1); Red-tailed Hawk (1); Wild Turkey (80, including a single flock of 55 birds); Blue Jay (49); Black-capped Chickadee (86); Tufted Titmouse (16); Red-breasted Nuthatch (6); White-breasted Nuthatch (5); Winter Wren (1); Snow Bunting (15); Purple Finch (1); A Goldfinch (14);
  • ALSO: on the way home, we stopped by the Rt.56 overlook of Worcester Airport in LEICESTER and had a NORTHERN SHRIKE. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

    • 11/17/05 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
    Migrating today were: Turkey Vulture 1 ; Northern Harrier 3 ; Sharp-shinned Hawk 2 ; Cooper's Hawk 3 ; Red-shouldered Hawk 10 ; Red-tailed Hawk 25 . Non-raptor Observations: Northern shrike, 4 horned larks and 10 evening grosbeaks. (report from Bart Kamp).

    11/16/05 -- Wachusett Reservoir, Boylston
    At South Bay, there were unusually few birds for this time of the year: Horned Grebe (1); Double-crested Cormorant (1); Common Goldeneye (8). (report from Mark Lynch).

    11/15/05 -- Lake Quaboag, Brookfield
    A check of Lake Quaboag this morning yielded VERY few birds: Double-crested Cormorant (2); Mallard (17); Ruddy Duck (1). BTW: A nice display of photographs of the banding of the Quaboag Bald Eagles is on display at Wild Bird Crossing in Sturbridge. (report from Mark Lynch).

    11/14/05 -- Quinsigamond Village, Worcester
    This morning before work I noticed a single Chimney Swift on Forsberg St in Quinsigamond Village (near Greenwood Park). (report from Paul Meleski).

    11/13/05 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
    Migrating today were: Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 ; Red-tailed Hawk 16 . Non-raptor Observations: 1 double-crested cormorant, 1 northern shrike and 1 clouded sulphur butterfly. (report from Bart Kamp).

    11/13/05 -- Blackstone National Corridor, RI
    This morning in the Rhode Island section:
  • WOONSOCKET RESERVOIR, SMITHFIELD/LINCOLN: Pied-billed Grebe (1); Canada Goose (4); Mallard (2); A Black Duck (10); Lesser Scaup (2f: one of these landed quite near us and began to vocalize (like a grating pig); constantly and loudly.); Common Goldeneye (4); Bufflehead (1m); Hooded Mergnaser (6); Common Merganser (6); A Robin (125 migrating SW overhead); Dark-eyed Junco (146); Purple Finch (1); PLUS: (1); River Otter
  • SNEETCH POND, CUMBERLAND: Pied-billed Grebe (1); Mallard (3); A Black Duck (2); Belted Kingfisher (1); Red-bellied Woodpecker (1); Carolina Wren (3); Cedar Waxwing (40+);
  • DIAMOND HILL/ARNOLD MILLS RESERVOIRS, CUMBERLAND: Double-crested Cormorant (3); Canada Goose (107); Mallard (19); Hooded Merganser (7); Common Merganser (4); Ruddy Duck (20); Red-bellied Woodepcker (1); Carolina Wren (4); Common Raven (1); Eastern Bluebird (2); Hermit Thrush (5); A Robin (10); Yellow-rumped Warbler (6); Eastern Towhee (1); Fox Sparrow (4); White-throated Sparrow (30+);
  • SEEKONK RIVER, PROVIDENCE: Double-crested Cormorant (90); Great Blue Heron (2); Mute Swan (2); Canada Goose (286); Mallard (122); A Black Duck (221); Green-winged Teal (2); WHITE-WINGED SCOTER (2); Bufflehead (87); Common Merganser (5); Red-tailed Hawk (1); Greater Yellowlegs (1); Lesser Yellowlegs (1); A Robin (140+); Dark-eyed Junco (70+);
  • JAMES TURNER RESERVOIR, EAST PROVIDENCE: Pied-billed Grebe (2); Double-crested Cormorant (7); Great Blue Heron (2); Mute Swan (7); Canada Goose (68); Mallard (19); Lesser Scaup (9); Greater Scaup (4); Ruddy Duck (146); A Coot (2); Fish Crow (4); Nota bene: duck numbers were modest at best, and for areas like Turner Reservoir, the Cumberland Reservoirs and even the Seekonk River, the waterfowl number and variety was on the low side. We noticed that the Seekonk was still running very high and the water had large pieces of debris in it. We have left the gul totals off the report, but species consisted only of the three common types.
  • Later in the day at BURDON POND, SUTTON MA right next to Rt.146: Mallard (3); Ring-necked Duck (137); Plus: (1); Monarch migrating at 4:30PM high over Rt. 146! (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

    • 11/12/05 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
    Migrating today were: Turkey Vulture 3 ; Northern Harrier 1 ; Sharp-shinned Hawk 3 ; Cooper's Hawk 2 ; Northern Goshawk 1 ; Red-shouldered Hawk 1 ; Red-tailed Hawk 52 . Raptor Observations: 1 adult male northern harrier. Non-raptor Observations: 1 northern shrike. (report from Bart Kamp).

    11/12/05 -- Greenville Street, Spencer
    At the old Seven Springs Horse Farm, on top of the hill next to a hay field, I had excellent looks at a very late Great-crested Flycatcher. As it flew along from tree to tree, 2 Gold Finches followed behind it. In the sky above, a Common Raven was harassing a Red-tailed Hawk. (report from Brian Mulhearn)

    11/11/05 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
    Migrating today were: Bald Eagle 1 ; Northern Harrier 1 ; Sharp-shinned Hawk 2 ; Cooper's Hawk 2 ; Red-shouldered Hawk 11 ; Red-tailed Hawk 77 . Raptor Observations: 1 Adult bald eagle. Non-raptor Observations: 1 northern shrike, 100's of gulls, 1 snow bunting. (report from Bart Kamp).

    11/11/05 -- Worcester Art Museum, Worcester
    Here are pictures (image 1| image 2) taken by HONNE HESS, Director of Education of the Worcester Art Museum, of a Red-tailed Hawk eating a squirrel atop the Pomodoro sculpture. (submitted by Mark Lynch).

    11/10/05 -- Millbury/Sutton
    Birds of interest in Millbury/Sutton today are a Clay Colored Sparrow on Stowe Rd in Millbury, 1 Horned Lark + 3 Lapland Longspurs + 12 Am Pipits in the Whittier Farms Milk Store fields in Sutton, and 1imm Iceland Gull on Lake Singletary seen from the Millbury side that's been present since 11/8. (report from Dan Berard).

    11/9/05 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
    Migrating today were: Red-tailed Hawk 158 . Raptor Observations: Nothing but red-tails. They were easy to find against the creamy cirrus clouds. Up to 10 in view at the same time. Not migrating:1 Cooper's hawk and 1 northern goshawk. Non-raptor Observations: 1 northern shrike. (report from Bart Kamp).

    11/8/05 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
    Migrating today were: Turkey Vulture 4 ; Northern Harrier 2 ; Sharp-shinned Hawk 2 ; Red-tailed Hawk 22 . Raptor Observations: Most of the birds were seen between 1:00 and 3:00. Non-raptor Observations: Red-throated loon, 5 common mergansers, American pipit, northern shrike, yellow-bellied sapsucker and tree swallow. (report from Bart Kamp).

    11/7/05 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
    Migrating today were: Turkey Vulture 3 ; Cooper's Hawk 1 ; Red-tailed Hawk 5 ; Rough-legged Hawk 1 ; Raptor Observations: The rough-leg was a dark morph. (report from Bart Kamp).

    11/6/05 -- Oakham
    Today a northern shrike captured a goldfinch at our feeder. Last night at midnight, a barred owl was very vocal, using a variety of calls. This owl is likely a resident and can be heard frequently with it's typical hoot at any time from 3:00 pm on as well as at dusk with a variety of calls. (report from Kathy Van Schoick).

    11/4/05 -- Wachusett Reservoir, Clinton
    At around 1:30 pm from Gate 36 off Rt. 110 we observed an adult Bald Eagle swimming to shore (doing the "breast stroke"!). It was later clear that the bird was bringing some food to shore, and it pecked at it for a while before finally flying off. (report from Anita Volungis).

    11/4/05 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
    Migrating today were: Northern Harrier 3 ; Sharp-shinned Hawk 4 ; Cooper's Hawk 6 ; Red-shouldered Hawk 2 ; Red-tailed Hawk 30 ; American Kestrel 1 ; Merlin 0 ; Peregrine Falcon 1 . Raptor Observations: The peregrine was an adult. There were 2 northern goshawks not migrating. Non-raptor Observations: 1 adult northern shrike, 3 tree swallows and 1 snow bunting. (report from Bart Kamp).

    11/4/05 -- Barrows Rd., Worcester
    This morning a somewhat late [?] Towhee was foraging under my feeders with a mixed flock of Juncos and White-throated Sparrows. ...Could it be spring already? Probably not: I had my first Am. Tree Sparrow at Broad Meadow Brook on Tuesday, 11/1. (report from Howard Shainheit).

    11/3/05 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
    Migrating today were: Turkey Vulture 1 ; Bald Eagle 1 ; Northern Harrier 2 ; Sharp-shinned Hawk 3 ; Cooper's Hawk 1 ; Red-tailed Hawk 8 ; Rough-legged Hawk 1 ; Golden Eagle 1 . Raptor Observations: Our 19,000th bird of the season was an immature golden eagle. Our first rough-leg was an adult dark morph. Non-raptor Observations: 2 tree swallows. The resident pair of ravens soared effortlessly in the strong wind. (report from Bart Kamp).

    11/2/05 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
    Migrating today were: Turkey Vulture 3 ; Bald Eagle 1 ; Northern Harrier 2 ; Sharp-shinned Hawk 19 ; Cooper's Hawk 1 ; Red-tailed Hawk 43 . Raptor Observations: Adults: migrating: bald eagle and northern harrier; not migrating: pair of northern goshawks. Non-raptor Observations: 1 adult northern shrike and 1 tree swallow. (report from Bart Kamp).

    11/1/05 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
    Migrating today were: Turkey Vulture 3 ; Northern Harrier 2 ; Sharp-shinned Hawk 6 ; Red-tailed Hawk 4 . Raptor Observations: The raptors came from behind and beat the butterflies 16 to 8. Non-raptor Observations: Butterflies: 2 monarchs and 6 clouded sulphurs. Large flocks of leaves flying towards the northeast. (report from Bart Kamp).

    For previous sightings, see October 2005 Archives or Archive Index