November 2006 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:

11/30/06 -- Broad Meadow Brook Sanctuary, Worcester
A Wilson's Snipe was the highlight. I had great looks at a perched Red-tailed Hawk and a singing Carolina Wren. (report from Brian Mulhearn)

11/28/06 -- West Millbury
At home in West Millbury, I had 53 brown-headed cowbirds on and on the ground around my platform feeder late this afternoon. Needless to say, there was not a seed left. (report from Alan Marble).

11/27/06 -- Hadwen Park/Indian lake, Worcester
When I got to Hadwen Park this morning, Brian Mulhearn had an osprey teed up on the Notre Dame Cemetery side affording good looks. Also 5 pintails, 2 golden-crowned kinglets and an American tree sparrow. At Indian Lake there were more than 300 common mergansers. (report from Alan Marble).

11/26/06 -- Crystal Lake, Gardner
This evening there was, again, a large number of gulls coming to roost on Crystal Lake. Among the 2500+ gulls (of the 3 common species of gulls) at dusk were:
  • Lesser Blacked-back Gull 2 (BUT different individuals from last evening..1 full adult and 1 3rd winter) last evening a single 1st winter and 2nd winter birds were seen well
  • Iceland Gull 2 (1 1st winter and 1 2nd winter) (report from Tom Pirro).

    • 11/26/06 -- Quabbin Park/Hubbardston WMA
    We started the day at South Quabbin or "Quabbin Park", the area of Quabbin off RT.9. The weather was a bit bizarre. At the lowest levels, it was quite pleasant but as you drove to the tops of the hills, like at the Tower, you were in fog and mist. This began to clear by the time we left. We walked across the dike, hiked down to the water at the "Blueberry Patch" and visited the state trout farm. Birds were pretty typical and waterfowl were in low numbers despite eventual good visibility. Common Loon (2); Horned Grebe (7); Great Blue Heron (2: at trout farm); Canada Goose (31); American Black Duck (1); Common Goldeneye (5f); Hooded Merganser (2); Common Merganser (3); Bald Eagle (1ad+1imm); Red-tailed Hawk (1); Ring-billed Gull (5); Mourning Dove (4); Red-bellied Woodpecker (1); Downy Woodpecker (3); Pileated Woodpecker (3); Black-capped Chickadee (23); White-breasted Nuthatch (13); Blue Jay (113: large numbers moving all about); American Crow (25); Common Raven (2); Ruby-crowned Kinglet (1); Eastern Bluebird (10); Hermit Thrush (1); American Robin (31); Cedar Waxwing (6); Yellow-rumped Warbler (2); American Tree Sparrow (10); Song Sparrow (2); Dark-eyed Junco (54); Snow Bunting (1); N Cardinal (1); Red-winged Blackbird (2); Common Grackle (1); American Goldfinch (16);

    Later in the day we made a brief visit to the HUBBARDSTON WMA,in Hubbardston, which has two nice ponds and several good sized mixed forest tracks. Part of the area is part of the Ware River Watershed and is therefore managed also by DCR. Birds were few and far between and there were NO signs of winter finches anywhere in Hubbardston despite lots of searching. Canada Goose (12); Mallard (9); Hooded Merganser (2); Common Merganser (3); Red-tailed Hawk (1); Hairy Woodpecker (1); Pileated Woodpecker (1); Black-capped Chickadee (51); Tufted Titmouse (8); Red-breasted Nuthatch (4); White-breasted Nuthatch (7); Brown Creeper (3); Blue Jay (5); American Crow (3); Golden-crowned Kinglet (6); Dark-eyed Junco (4); American Goldfinch (2); (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

    11/25/06 -- Bartlett Pond and Westboro WMA
    Saturday, I checked out Bartlett Pond in Northboro and found the following: Pied-billed Grebe-1, Great Blue Heron-1, Mute Swan-8, Gadwall-2, A. Wigeon-6, Mallard-5, and A. Coot-17. On Little Chaucey, I found 2 Mute Swans and 2 duck hunters in a boat. Everything else was in hiding! On Lake Chauncey, I found Common Loon-1, Mute Swan-7, Mallard-4 and Common Merganser-6. A walk around the Wildlife Management area between the ponds produced MODO's, Downy Woodpecker, E. PHOEBE, Blue Jay, Tufted Titmouse, Golden-crowned Kinglet, N. Mockingbird, A. Tree Sparrow, Song Sparrow, White-throated Sparrow, N. Cardinal, House Finch. (report from Laura Lane).

    11/25/06 -- Crystal Lake, Gardner
    Gulls numbers continue to be impressive at Crystal Lake in gardner, numbers start to build about 3 hours before sunset until dark (and after dark). Estimates from this evening: Herring Gull 2,000; Great Black-backied Gull 500; Ring-billed Gull 100; Iceland Gull 1 1st winter; Lesser Black-backed Gull 2 (1 2nd winter and 1 1st winter). (report from Tom Pirro).

    11/24/06 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
    Raptors migrating today: Turkey Vulture 1 ; Red-shouldered Hawk 4 ; Red-tailed Hawk 15 ; Raptor Observations: Not migrating: The Northern goshawk appeared several times. Non-raptor Observations: 236 Canada geese, 1 northern shrike. (report from Bart Kamp).

    11/24/06 -- Burrillville and Glocester RI
    Today we conducted surveys of the ponds in Glocester and Burrillville Rhode Island, both towns in NW RI, both part of the Blackstone National Corridor. Waterfowl numbers were on the low side. Part of the problem was the weather was rather mild and many lakes still had boats out on them. Being hunting season, despite our wearing the regulation hunter's orange, we avoided ponds that required too much hiking through woods and stayed out of much of Pulaski and George Washington State Forests, and Durfee Hill WMA all of which had numbers of hunters in them. Passerine numbers seen near the ponds were generally unremarkable. Jay numbers were a bit high and there is a bumper acorn crop in these two towns. Juncos were also in good numbers. b=Burrillville; g=Glocester Great Blue Heron (g=3); Canada Goose (b=44; g=77); Mallard (b=21; g=37); American Black Duck (g=1); Ring-necked Duck (b=1; g=54); Common Goldeneye (b=1m); Hooded Merganser (b=12; g=46); Common Merganser (b=18; g=22); Ruddy Duck (g=2: very low count for both towns); Osprey (b=2: getting pretty late for these birds well inland); Sharp-shinned Hawk (g=1); Ring-billed Gull (b=3; g=24); Herring Gull (b=8; g=9); Belted Kingfisher (g=1; g=4); Red-bellied Woodpecker (g=1); Downy Woodpecker (b=1); Hairy Woodpecker (g=1); Pileated Woodpecker (b=1); Great Black-backed Gull (b=2); Carolina Wren (b=2; g=1); Black-capped Chikcadee (b=40; g=67 ); Tufted Titmouse (b=11; g=11 ); White-breasted Nuthatch (b=7; g=4); Blue Jay (b=46; g=64 ); American Crow (b=2; g=5); Golden-crowned Kinglet (g=8); Eastern Bluebird (g=4); Northern Mockingbird (b=1); Northern Cardinal (b=11; ); Swamp Sparrow (g=1); Dark-eyed Junco (b=89; g=72); American Goldfinch (b=4; ); (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

    11/23/06 -- Fitchburg
    A pair of Carolina Wrens were observed frolicking on our deck and railings at 8:30 AM . (report from Cheryl and Jean-Pierre Boissy).

    11/23/06 -- Wachusett Reservior IBA
    We took a short trip to a few stops at the Wachusett Reservoir IBA. This included stops at the Waushacums, the Quag, Meadow Pond, Coachlace Pond, and a few stops along the Reservoir proper. The weather was not great and continued to really deteriorate through the morning with a cold rain, wind and overcast skies which is why we did so few real hikes at the reservoir. Birds were few and far between. Common Loon (4); Horned Grebe (1); Red-necked Grebe (1); Double-crested Cormorant (1); Canada Goose (14); Mallard (55); Ring-necked Duck (3); Greater Scaup (42); Lesser Scaup (1); Common Goldeneye (28); Hooded Merganser (1); Common Merganser (20); Ruddy Duck (15); OSPREY (1 still at West Waushacum seen well from the rail trail); Bald Eagle (2ad: perched on Cemetery Island); Red-tailed Hawk (1); Ruffed Grouse (1 amazingly tame bird at the Waushacum Rail Trail. This bird walked right beside us, crawled up into low a bush not 5 feet away and began to calmly eat red berries all the while making various purring sounds); Red-bellied Woodpecker (1); Downy Woodpecker (3); Hairy Woodpecker (1); N Flicker (1); Blue Jay (27); American Crow (15); Black-capped Chickadee (31); Tufted Titmouse (6); White-breasted Nuthatch (7); Eastern Bluebird (3); American Robin (42); Cedar Waxwing (55: one flock); N Cardinal (4); White-throated Sparrow (17); Dark-eyed Junco (37); (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

    11/22/06 -- Hadwen Park, Worcester
    Highlights today: The Osprey was hovering, but I did not see it dive. 2 Pr. Northern Pintail, 1 late Eastern Phoebe which appeared to be having some luck fly-catching, a flock of 8 Tufted-titmice, and 10+ Golden-crowned Kinglets. (report from Brian Mulhearn)

    11/21/06 -- Hodges Village Dam, Oxford
    Highlights from this morning from 7:30-10:00: 2 American black ducks, 1 red-tailed hawk, 1 Carolina wren, 5 American tree sparrows, 1 field sparrow, 2 fox sparrows, 7 white-throated sparrows, 17 dark-eyed juncos and 10 American goldfinches. (report from Alan Marble).

    11/21/06 -- Broad Meadow Brook MAS/Hadwen Park, Worcester
  • At Broad Meadow Brook we had 4 Red-tailed Hawks, 2 Resident, 2 Migrants. The adult Coopers hawk was also seen. 6 Tree Sparrows. At the Heron Pond, there were 8 Mallards, and a Wood Duck. Also here, there is an old muskrat lodge. It appears the beavers are making their new lodge here as there are new sticks and branches on top of the muskrat lodge.
  • At Hadwen Park, highlights were 4 Northern Pintails, 5 Hooded Mergansers, and 1 Wood Duck. Also, the Red Foxes have renovated their foxholes, 2 of them 17 feet apart had fresh piles of dirt outside them. I guess they are preparing for the cold weather. (report from Brian Mulhearn)

    • 11/19/06 -- Sudbury Reservoir, Southboro-Marlboro
    Our MAS "Central Massachusetts IBAs" class visited SUDBURY RESERVOIR, in Southboro and Marlboro (only the northern quarter in in Marlboro). This is part of the Sudbury and Foss Reservoirs IBA. We hiked just a few of the many trails, including the great Emerald Necklace trail that runs up the eastern shoreline. Just as we were about to hike in the NW corner to some of the most important overlooks, we were confronted by quite a group of heavily equipped PAINTBALLERS, piling in to have a spree. When I asked them if they knew this was illegal on DCR property, they said it wasn't and pushed on. Amazed and angered by these idiots attitude, we called the police and left to bird nearby Fort Meadow Reservoir in Marlborough. BTW: I have found that this is a now an evergrowing problem wherever there is open land, like at the Ware River Watershed locally. Because of spending cutbacks, much WMA and DCR properties are not now patrolled and sometimes they become free-for-all zones. As you can imagine, the mess left behind in a forest after a paintball war is considerable and grotesque.
  • SUDBURY RESERVOIR: Pied-billed Grebe (1); Canada Goose (44); American Black Duck (2); Mallard (52); Ring-necked Duck (1137: several huge flocks); Greater Scaup (5); Lesser Scaup (2); Common Goldeneye (46); BARROW'S GOLDENEYE (1f: seen well close to shore initially from the Emerald Necklace Trail, Southboro end); Hooded Merganser (13); Common Merganser (22); Ruddy Duck (88); Red-tailed Hawk (1); American Coot (2); Killdeer (1); Belted Kingfisher (1); Red-bellied Woodpecker (5); Downy Woodpecker (8); Hairy Woodpecker (3); N Flicker (3); Blue Jay (36); American Crow (11); Common Raven (1); Black-capped Chickadee (26); Tufted Titmouse (6); White-breasted Nuthatch (13); Brown Creeper (4); Carolina Wren (4); Golden-crowned Kinglet (12); American Robin (37); Song Sparrow (2); White-throated Sparrow (45); Dark-eyed Junco (23); N Cardinal (13); Red-winged Blackbird (31); A. Goldfinch (11); PLUS: Wild Radish still in bloom.
  • FORT MEADOW RESERVOIR, MARLBOROUGH: Great Blue Heron (2); Canada Goose (32); Mallard (42); Ring-necked Duck (3); Lesser Scaup (2); Hooded Merganser (7); Common Merganser (1); Ruddy Duck (278); American Coot (2); (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

    • 11/18/06 -- Waushacum Overlook, Sterling
    While walking newly acquired town conservation boundaries in Sterling (Waushacum Overlook) we flushed a woodcock. Also saw and heard the "usual suspects" of chickadees, cardinals, nuthatches in the woods. A flock of about 15 mallards were seen in the north cove area of East Lake Waushacum and a red tailed hawk was wheeling above us. (report from Marion Larson).

    11/18/06 -- Mount Watatic, Ashburnham
    Raptors migrating today: Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 ; Cooper's Hawk 2 ; Red-shouldered Hawk 8 ; Red-tailed Hawk 57 ; Non-raptor Observations: Canada Goose 10 mirgrant; Horned Lark 36 migrants; American Crow 381 migrants; Common Raven 12 apparent migrants and a few "locals"; Purple Finch 5; Common Redpoll 8; (report from Tom Pirro).

    11/18/06 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
    Raptors migrating today: Northern Harrier 1 ; Red-shouldered Hawk 7 ; Red-tailed Hawk 31 ; Not migrating: 2 northern goshawks, 1 Cooper's hawk and 2 redtails. Non-raptor Observations: 1 northern shrike, dozens of crows and 100's of gulls. 2 clouded sulphur butterflies. (report from Bart Kamp).

    11/17/06 -- Hadwen Park/Curtis Pond, Worcester
  • At Hadwen Park: 2 Juvenile DC Cormorants, 1 Great Blue Heron, 2 Canadian Geese, 2 Mute Swans, 1 pr. Wood Ducks, 18 Mallards, 2 Black Ducks, 3 Northern Pintail, 12 Hooded Mergansers. I heard an Osprey calling, while I was watching it hunt, I noticed higher up a migrating Coopers Hawk. I also had a late Gray Catbird near the railroad trestle.
  • Leesville Pond, There were over 240 Canadian Geese here, along with 1 Great Blue Heron, 2 Mute Swans, 12 Hooded Mergansers and 2 Green-winged Teal. (report from Brian Mulhearn)

    • 11/16/06 -- Orlando Pond, Charlton
    A lunch stop look at Orlando Pond in Charlton included the following: 53 Ruddy Duck; 4 Bufflehead; 1 Wood Duck; 1 Long-tailed Duck; and the usual Mallard, Black Duck, Canada Goose contingent. (report from Paul Meleski).

    11/15/06 -- Institute Park, Worcester
    A few selected birds seen at 8:30 AM this morning: Hooded Merganser 14; BROWN THRASHER; SWAMP SPARROW; American Tree Sparrow; Dark-eyed Junco 3; GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET; White-throated Sparrow; WINTER WREN. (report from Peter Morlock).

    11/14/06 -- Wachusett Meadows Sanctuary, Princeton
    A northern shrike appeared Sunday 11/12 and was seen by me twice again yesterday 11/13. It was also reported to be seen again today. Seems to be hanging around the barns and the south meadow (report from Dick Knowlton).

    11/14/06 -- Broad Meadow Brook Sanctuary, Worcester
    I had an adult Coopers Hawk, my 3rd sighting of this in the past 11 months, so they may be resident here. Other highlights: 3 Red-tailed Hawks, 1 Red-bellied Woodpecker, 2 Hermit Thrushes, 1 Eastern Phoebe, 6 Gold-crowned Kinglets, 4 American Tree Sparrows. I kicked up a large Deer near Granite St. and I had a large brown Fisher cross the trail in front of me, then it crossed back the other way. (report from Brian Mulhearn)

    Note added by John Liller: The Cooper's Hawk is indeed most likely a resident. We found a nest several years ago, and they have been around ever since.

    11/12/06 -- Forbush Bird Club trip to Northboro /Westboro
    The Forbush Bird Club held a trip to the Northboro /Westboro area in heavy fog, drizzle, and eventually rain. Here are details of the thirty eight species that were noted (report from Ann Boover).

    11/12/06 -- Sudbury Reservoir, Southboro/Bartlett Pond, Northboro
  • We did a quick scouting trip to the SUDBURY RESERVOIR in Southboro to check on areas for my class' trip next weekend. The viewing conditions were horrible, with drizzle and dense fog. What we could see from close to the roads (no hikes); included: Double-crested Cormorant (1); Canada Goose (26); American Black Duck (2); Mallard (42); Ring-necked Duck (40); Lesser Scaup (6); Ruddy Duck (93); American Coot (1); Eastern Phoebe (1); Carolina Wren (8); American Robin (250+); Cedar Waxwing (15+); White-throated Sparrow (115); Dark-eyed Junco (145); Red-winged Blackbird (200+);
  • Later at BARTLETT POND, NORTHBORO: Mute Swan (2ad+7imm); Canada Goose (67); Wood Duck (1f); Mallard (4); Ring-necked Duck (1); Red-tailed Hawk (1); American Coot (18);
  • Heading home, at TUFTS in GRAFTON there were (16) Wild Turkeys. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

    11/11/06 -- Coes Pond/All Faith's Cemetery, Worcester
  • Highlights at Coes Pond: 21 Hooded Merganser, 4 Common Merganser, 78 Canada Geese, 1 Belted Kingfisher
  • Highlights at All Faith's Cemetery: 1 Great Egret, 2 Great Blue Heron, 1 Belted Kingfisher, 2 Mute Swan, 5 American Widgeon, 4 Green-winged Teal, and a lonely female Ruddy Duck moseying amidst 248 Canada Geese! Land birds included 2 American Robin, 8 White Throated Sparrow, 2 Song Sparrow, 1 Carolina Wren, 1 Red Tailed Hawk, and 1 Turkey Vulture. (report from Susan LaBree).

    • 11/11/06 -- Gate 6, Wachusett Reservoir
    There was an adult Bald Eagle carrying leaves to the eagle nest that is out on the island. (report from Peter Morlock).

    11/11/06 -- Sterling Peat, Sterling
    Here is a photo of the osprey that Peter Morlock had found earlier at Sterling Peat. (report and photo from Richard Johnson).

    11/11/06 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
    Raptors migrating today: Turkey Vulture 1 ; Bald Eagle 2 ; Northern Harrier 1 ; Sharp-shinned Hawk 3 ; Red-shouldered Hawk 1 ; Red-tailed Hawk 6 ; Raptor Observations: Not migrating:4 redtails, 1 goshawk. Non-raptor Observations: A northern shrike was in the area all day. Still nectaring on the dandilions were 2 clouded sulphurs. (report from Bart Kamp).

    11/11/06 -- Blackstone National Corridor: RI section
    My MAS IBA [Important Birding Area] class made a few stops in the Rhode Island section of the Blackstone National Corridor Saturday. Here are the highlights:
  • WOONSOCKET RESERVOIR (SMITHFIELD/LINCOLN); Common Loon (1); Double-crested Cormorant (1); Green-winged Teal (5); Common Goldeneye (4f); Hooded Merganser (4); Common Merganser (1); Yellow-rumped Warbler (2);
  • SEEKONK RIVER (Providence/East Providence); : Great Cormorant (6); Double-crested Cormorant (9); Great Blue Heron (1); Canada Goose (5); Mallard (77); American Black Duck (18); Bufflehead (54); Hooded Merganser (1); Ruddy Duck (4); Red-tailed Hawk (4); Merlin (2 peched simultaneosly); Eastern Screech Owl (1); NB: scullers and boats were out in force and this may have contributed to the lack of waterfowl.
  • JAMES TURNER/PAWTUCKET RESERVOIR-CENTRAL POND (East Providence); : Double-crested Cormorant (5); Great Blue Heron (5); Turkey Vulture (3); Mute Swan (22); Canada Goose (115); Mallard (61); American Black Duck (11); American Wigeon (1); Gadwall (24); Green-winged Teal (1); Northern Shoveler (4); Greater Scaup (3); Lesser Scaup (11); Ring-necked Duck (2); Hooded Merganser (15); Ruddy Duck (146: including one loner with a badly deformed bill); Sharp-shinned Hawk (2); Red-tailed Hawk (2); Belted Kingfisher (3); Carolina Wren (3); Field Sparrow (2); NB: there were still boats out on Turner, so waterfowl numbers may have been off. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

    • 11/10/06 -- Rail Trail, West Boylston
    Just at dusk, two bats were flying around the ornamental freight trains at the entrance of the trail. Flying as bats do, they bounced around for a bit. Then, out of the blue, a Cooper's Hawk appeared from nowhere and made an attempt to snare one without any success. The hawk then flew off to a tree on the hill and just watched as dusk came in. An interesting look at prey and predators. (report from Steve Olson).
    11/10/06 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
    Raptors migrating today: Turkey Vulture 2 ; Northern Harrier 2 ; Sharp-shinned Hawk 6 ; Red-shouldered Hawk 2 ; Red-tailed Hawk 19 ; 2 clouded sulphur and 1 monarch butterfly. (report from Bart Kamp).

    11/9/06 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
    Raptors migrating today: Northern Harrier 1 ; Sharp-shinned Hawk 3 ; Red-shouldered Hawk 2 ; Red-tailed Hawk 9 ; Raptor Observations: 3-5 northern goshawks not migrating. Non-raptor Observations: 1 monarch and 1 clouded sulphur butterfly. (report from Bart Kamp).

    11/7/06 -- Shore Drive, Worcester
    Leaving the Unitarian Church on Shore Drive, where we vote, at 7:03AM (Sheila and I were the first and second folks to cast thier ballots) we were amazed to come out and see a MERLIN zoom by and perch across the street in a pine. We got out our bins and got great looks. Also: (700+) American Robins migrating high overhead. Love combining civic duty and avocation! (report from Mark Lynch).

    11/7/06 -- Hadwen Park, Worcester
    Highlights today: I had excellent close up looks at a male Black-throated Blue Warbler as it pursued flying insects near a fallen log. Also, 1 DC Cormorant, 1 Great Blue Heron, 22 Hooded Mergansers, 1 pr. Northern Pintail, 1 Red-tailed Hawk, 1 Belted Kingfisher, 1 Eastern Phoebe, 2 Carolina Wrens, and 4 Gold-crowned Kinglets. (report from Brian Mulhearn)

    11/6/06 -- Sterling Peat, Sterling
    There was a lot of activity here this morning in the hedges near the ballfield: American Robins +40; Dark-eyed Juncos 8; White-throated Sparrow +10; Fox Sparrow 2; Starling +10; House Finch 2; Cedar Waxwing 2; Bluejay 4; Song Sparrow 2; (report from Peter Morlock).

    11/5/06 -- Broad Meadow Brook Sanctuary, Worcester
    Highlights were American Tree Sparrow, Eastern Bluebird, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Brown Creeper, Hairy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Turkey Vulture, Red-tailed Hawk, Cedar Waxwing, Hermit Thrush, Common Yellowthroat. (report from Mike Walker).

    11/5/06 -- Gate 35, Quabbin Reservoir
    The Forbush held a walk into Gate 35 at Quabbin Reservoir. We had very close looks at some Horned grebes, C. Loons, adult Bald Eagle (passed right over head), 2 Female R-B Mergs. We also had one unidentified Pluvialis plover (either Black-bellied or Am. Golden), a very long look. All Eagles were adults, one was carrying a largish fish. Here is a complete trip list (report from Tom Pirro).

    11/5/06 -- Westboro Wildlife Management area
    Highlights in a walk around the Westboro Wildlife Management area this afternoon: Mute Swan, EA. PHOEBE, Golden-crowned Kinglet, A. Robin, A. Tree Sparrow, Savannah Sparrow, Song Sparrow, White-throated Sparrow, and Red-winged Blackbird (a large flock of around 50). They were harvesting the corn in the fields, which will make it safer to walk around the fields during hunting season. Today, it meant many birds were hiding from the noise. Also at Bartlett Pond I found a Common Loon, 3 Ring-necked Duck, and 10 American Coot. (report from Laura Lane).

    11/5/06 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
    Raptors migrating today: Bald Eagle 1 ; Northern Harrier 1 ; Sharp-shinned Hawk 6 ; Red-shouldered Hawk 1 ; Red-tailed Hawk 6 ; (report from Bart Kamp).

    11/5/06 -- Wachusett Reservoir
    Our MAS class on CENTRAL MA IBAs birded the Wachuset Reservoir IBA this morning including the reservoir proper (South Bay; tow dike stops; the dam; Mile Hill Road; hike out to Scar Hill Bluff); the Waushacums (nice hike on Rail Trail) Meadow and Coachlace Ponds. The weather was seasonable: quite chilly in the AM, but warming nicely and with excellent visibility. Common Loon (16); Horned Grebe (26); Red-necked Grebe (3); Double-crested Cormorant (7); Great Blue Heron (3); Canada Goose (23); Wood Duck (12); American Black Duck (16); Mallard (39); Green-winged Teal (57); Ring-necked Duck (1f); Greater Scaup (46); Lesser Scaup (3); Black Scoter (1f); Long-tailed Duck (5f+4m); Bufflehead (45); Common Goldeneye (44); Hooded Merganser (27); Red-breasted Merganser (2f); Common Merganser (16); Ruddy Duck (17); Osprey (2); Bald Eagle (2ad); Red-tailed Hawk (1); American Kestrel (1m: great views of this bird eating a "meadowfly species" and other insects); Merlin (1); Killdeer (7); Ring-billed Gull (24); Herring Gull (7); Mourning Dove (19); Belted Kingfisher (1); Downy Woodpecker (5); Hairy Woodpecker (1); Pileated Woodpecker (1); Blue Jay (47: some movement); A Crow (39); Black-capped Chickadee (53); Red-breasted Nuthatch (2: NOT a "flight year"); White-breasted Nuthatch (10); Brown Creeper (2); Golden-crowned Kinglet (7); Ruby-crowned Kinglet (1); Eastern Bluebird (9); Hermit Thrush (2); American Robin (503: flocks flying very high overhead at dawn, heading south); N Mockingbird (2); Yellow-rumped Warbler (5); American Tree Sparrow (1); Chipping Sparrow (2: getting late for this species inland); Song Sparrow (8); White-throated Sparrow (40); Dark-eyed Junco (310); Snow Bunting (4: on dike); Red-winged Blackbird (630); Common Grackle (5806); Brown-headed Cowbird (1); House Finch (12); American Goldfinch (16); PLUS: despite temps in the low 40s, a CLOUDED SULPHUR that appeared in fresh condition. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

    11/4/06 -- Millbury bike path
    This morning Rick, Barbara and I had these highlights: Eastern Bluebird, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Golden-crowned Kinglet, and what we though MAY have been a Lincoln's Sparrow. There weren't many birds on the water other than Mallards but we did have one Great Blue Heron and one Kingfisher.
  • At Meadow Pond in Northbridge: Mute Swan (17), Common Merganser (2), Ruddy Duck (2)
  • At All Faiths Cemetery in Worcester: American Wigeon, Green-winged Teal, Northern Pintail (2), Canada Goose, Hooded Merganser (8), Double-crested Cormorant, Blue Heron, Mute Swan
  • At Notre Dame Cemetery in Worcester: American Black Duck, Green-winged Teal, Wood Duck, Northern Pintail, Canada Goose, Hooded Merganser (report from Mike Walker).

    11/4/06 -- Millbury/Sutton
    I birded some local areas today with some nice results. I started off by scanning the waterfowl on Ramshorn Pond from my backyard then headed out to do mostly pond watching with stops at Town Farm Rd, the Whittier Farm Milk Store Fields and Waters Farm for land birds and I also drove around trying to refind that Yellow-headed Blackbird. I ran into one large flock of blackbirds but no luck.
    The highlights were the male Canvasback which is still present in the same location allowing great looks, an adult Northern Shrike at Town Farm Rd in Sutton that was trying to take down a Horned Lark, an adult Northern Goshawk seen near the Whittier Farm Milk Store Field, and a Winter Wren near Waters Farm. Another thing I found funny (ha ha funny and odd funny) was that every pond came equipped with a Red-tailed Hawk. Here are the highlights:
  • Ramshorn Pond - Millbury: Canada Goose - 104; Mallard - 6; Golden-crowned Kinglet - 1; Carolina Wren - 1; Red-tailed Hawk - 1;
  • Lake Singletary - Millbury side (with Alan Marble) Canvasback - 1m; Ruddy Duck - 28; Common Merganser - 1; Hooded Merganser - 4; Bufflehead - 3; Mallard - 3; Canada Goose - 4; Pied-billed Grebe - 1; Belted Kingfisher - 1; Eastern Bluebird - 12; Northern Flicker - 1; Red-tailed Hawk - 1; Ring-billed Gull ~ 20;
  • Brierly Pond - Millbury: American Black Duck - 6; Mallard - 8; Hooded Merganser - 7; Great Blue Heron - 2; Belted Kingfisher - 1; Red-tailed Hawk - 1; Ring-billed Gull - 2
  • Meryl Pond - Sutton (This ended up being a better landbird spot): Mallard - 23; Eastern Phoebe - 1; Brown Creeper - 1; Red-tailed Hawk - 1
  • Town Farm Rd - Sutton: Northern Harrier - 1f; Red-bellied Woodpecker - 7; Northern Flicker - 1; Northern Shrike - 1; Common Raven - 1; Horned Lark - 5; Carolina Wren - 2; Eastern Bluebird - 8; American Pipit - 17; Yellow-rumped Warbler - 14; Savannah Sparrow - 4; Song Sparrow - 6; Swamp Sparrow - 1; Red-winged Blackbird ~ 100; Common Grackle ~ 200;
  • Whittier Farm Milk Store Field - Sutton American Pipit - 1; Northern Goshawk - 1ad; Great Blue Heron - 1 (down the road in a small marsh); ;
  • Waters Farm - Sutton: Winter Wren - 1; Golden-crowned Kinglet - 1; Savannah Sparrow - 1; Purple Finch - 3; Northern Mockingbird - 1; ; Every stop had lots of Dark-eyed Juncos. I'd estimate possibly 100+ with all stops combined.

    Here are links to some pics taken today (I apologize for the Bluebird pun but I couldn't help myself)

  • Eastern Bluebird on the rocks
  • Savannah Sparrow
  • Canvasback and Pied-billed Grebe (report and photos from Dan Berard).

    • 11/4/06 -- Burncoat Pond Mass Audubon Sanctuary, Spencer
  • Burncoat Pond: Highlights were: 2 DC Cormorants, 3 Great Blue Herons, 12 Canadian Geese, 6 Wood Ducks. 23 Mallards, 8 Black Ducks, 6 Ring-necked Ducks, 6 Bufflehead, 23 Hooded Mergansers, 4 Common Mergansers, 8 Ruddy Ducks, 1 Red-tailed Hawk, 25 Ring-billed Gulls, 4 Great Black Backed Gull, 1 Belted Kingfisher, 6 Gold-crowned Kinglets, 1 Eastern Phoebe, 2 Palm Warblers, 14 Savannah Sparrows, and 75+ Juncos. We watched a pair of River Otters swim to a Beaver Lodge that had an exposed entrance because the water level here has been lowered. The Otters went right into the lodge. There were also many exposed fresh water clamshells.
  • Hadwen Park, Worcester: I found a Black-crowned Night Heron perched on a tree branch in front of the Railroad trestle. While I was watching that Heron, I heard another one call. (report from Brian Mulhearn)

    • 11/4/06 -- Cumberland, RI
    Today we conducted a complete waterfowl survey of the ponds of CUMBERLAND RI. For five years (2001-2005), dedicated monitors from Broad Meadow Brook MAS conducted bi-annual (spring and fall) waterbird surveys of ALL the ponds, reservoirs et of all the towns and cities of the Blackstone National Corridor, Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Cumberland RI, in the extreme NE corner of the state, is one of those towns of "The Corridor" as well as an important part of the Blackstone Watershed. Broad Meadow volunteers still conduct several other annual monitoring projects throughout the Corridor (ex: nighthawks; migrant passerines), but we now plan to conduct thorough waterfowl surveys every 5 years to map changes in pond usage as the Corridor becomes both more developed and the water (hopefully) becomes cleaner. Sheila Carroll and I will continue to do complete waterfowl surveys of select towns in the Corridor every year.
    The habitats of Cumberland are fairly typical Southern New England inland-suburban (north end, with lots of recently developed lots, but some woodlots and small forested areas still exist, though many are in danger of being developed soon) bleeding into urban habitat (in the southern end, which is part of the Providence/East Providence/Pawtucket/Central Falls urban area). Cumberland has a few small, but important, reservoirs and a smattering of small ponds but very little marsh habitat. Some of the most important field habitat in all of the Rhode Island section of the Corridor is found in Cumberland, though for how much longer I cannot tell. I really wish some state conservation organization would work to preserve the critical field habitat at the intersection of Pine Swamp Road and West Wrentham Road (across from Resurrection Cemetery) which still hosts breeding Savannah Sparrows and Bobolinks as well as other grassland species. The Blackstone River forms much of the western border of Cumberland.

    Species list: Pied-billed Grebe (1); Double-crested Cormorant (3); Great Blue Heron (1: low); Canada Goose (141); Mute Swan (4ad+4yg); Wood Duck (21); American Wigeon (6); American Black Duck (16); Mallard (211); Green-winged Teal (12); Bufflehead (5); Common Goldeneye (2); Hooded Merganser (25); Common Merganser (2: just starting to migrate in); Ruddy Duck (63); Osprey (1); Cooper's Hawk (2); N. GOSHAWK (1: uncommon in RI); Red-tailed Hawk (4); American Coot (2); Killdeer (6); Ring-billed Gull (28); Herring Gull (4); Great Black-backed Gull (1); Mourning Dove (20); Belted Kingfisher (1); Red-bellied Woodpecker (8); Downy Woodpecker (11); N Flicker (8); NORTHERN SHRIKE (1); Blue Jay (94); American Crow (20: low); Black-capped Chickadee (71); Tufted Titmouse (27); White-breasted Nuthatch (8); Brown Creeper (1); Carolina Wren (6); Golden-crowned Kinglet (21); Ruby-crowned Kinglet (2); Eastern Bluebird (12); Hermit Thrush (3); American Robin (466); N Mockingbird (16); American Pipit (1); Cedar Waxwing (109); Yellow-rumped Warbler (11); Palm Warbler (1 "western"); American Tree Sparrow (3); Song Sparrow (12); White-throated Sparrow (159); Dark-eyed Junco (56); N Cardinal (64); Red-winged Blackbird (1); Common Grackle (40); House Finch (27); American Goldfinch (32); (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

    11/4/06 -- Gardner/Templeton
  • Hawkwatching from the Wompanoag MAS, 11AM to 1PM: Migrants: Sharp-shinned Hawk 5; Red-shouldered Hawk 1; Red-tailed hawk 11; Nice adult Northern Goshawk in the area, appeared to be a resident. Also: American Pipit 5; Eastern Bluebird 6; American Crow 40 migrants; Canada Goose 46 migrants, there was a smallish goose mixed in but due to distant/height it was difficult to determine whether it was a "legit" small form.
  • Templeton: Fox Sparrow
  • Crystal Lake in gardner: Canada Goose 50; Mallard 50+; Black Duck 8; Common Goldeneye 6; Common Merganser 8; Hooded Merganser 8; Red-breasted Merganser 1 female; Herring Gull ~1500; Lesser Black-backed Gull 1 the 3rd winter bird continues; Great Black-backed Gull ~200; Ring-billed Gull ~50; Large numbers of gulls continue to roost on the lake despite the Gardner landfill closure, as normal.. birds where still arriving after dark. No white-winged gulls...yet. (report from Tom Pirro).

    11/4/06 -- Crystal Lake, Gardner
    This evening there was a 3 year Great Blacked-backed Gull with a green "slash" of green across the upper breast/throat area. (report from Tom Pirro).

    11/3/06 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
    Raptors migrating today: Sharp-shinned Hawk 6 ; Red-shouldered Hawk 5 ; Red-tailed Hawk 13 ; Golden Eagle 1 ; American Kestrel 1 ; Merlin 1 ; Raptor Observations: The Golden Eagle was a juvenile. Not migrating: 3-4 redtails, 3 goshawks, 2 red-shoulders, 2 Cooper's hawks. (report from Bart Kamp).

    11/3/06 -- Mt Wachusett, Princeton
    Recorded 13 snow buntings after a hike to the summit. Highlights of the walk down the road were: 2 red-tailed hawks, sharp-shinned hawk, 2 hairy woodpeckers, 5 golden-crowned kinglets, 7 white-throated sparrows and too many dark-eyed juncos to keep track of. There were easily well over a hundred as the were on the road and beside the road at quite a few locations on the way down. The best bird of the day for me was a fox sparrow. (report from Alan Marble).

    11/3/06 -- Rutland Prison Camp, Rutland
    I had another flock of Bluebirds here where I haven't seen any in months. There were over 30 of them. We also flushed a Black-crowned Night Heron which called as it flew. We were off the trail bushwhacking when we flushed it. It was perched in a tree near a wetland. (report from Brian Mulhearn)

    11/3/06 -- Lake Singletary, Millbury
    The Canvasback that Alan Marble found on Lake Singletary yesterday evening is still present. It's been very close to the road allowing excellent looks. There is a boat ramp parking lot on West Main Street in Millbury, near the West Millbury Firestation. Between Harris Ave and the intersection of West Main Street and Singletary Rd. There is a newspaper dispensing machine (is there an actual name for those?) near the entrance. Just park in there and walk on the sidewalk towards the lake, along a fence and the bird was hanging out in that area very close to the road with some Ruddies and Mallards.
    I decided to check a few other ponds in Millbury before class and while checking Brierly Pond (located near the intersection of West Main Street and Sutton Rd) a male Yellow-headed Blackbird flew over in a flock of 500+ Red-winged Blackbirds and Common Grackles. They were heading due west. Here is the list from the morning:
  • Ramshorn Pond: Mallard - 12; Canada Goose - 227; American Black Duck - 1; Bufflehead - 1m; Belted Kingfisher - 2; Red-bellied Woodpecker - 1;
  • Lake Singletary: Mallard - 8; Ruddy Duck ~ 40; Canvasback - 1m; American Black Duck - 2; Canada Goose - 3; Common Merganser - 7; Ring-necked Duck - 1f; Ring-billed Gull ~ 20;
  • Brierly Pond: Mallard ~ 15; American Black Duck - 6; Wood Duck - 2; Hooded Merganser - 9; Canada Goose - 3; Great Blue Heron - 1; Red-winged Blackbird ~ 500; Common Grackle ~ 100; Yellow-headed Blackbird - 1m.
    (report from Dan Berard).

    11/2/06 -- Lake Singletary, Millbury
    There is a drake CANVASBACK with 14 ruddy ducks. Park at the boat ramp on WestMain St in Millbury and walk west on the West Main St. sidewalk about 100-150 yds. Great views. Close to the road. (report from Alan Marble).

    11/2/06 -- Gardner
  • On Crystal Lake this morning were: Common Goldeneye 6; Hooded merganser 8
  • Mount Wachusett Community College (front Lawn), a quick scan: Canada Goose 50+; Herring Gull 450; Great Black-backed gull 25
  • Gardner High School Athletic Fields (A quick Scan): Herring Gull ~450
  • On Saturday 10/28 there were 6 Black Scoters on Crystal Lake.
    I haven't seen the Lesser Black-backed gull in a while, but to be honest I have not looked too hard. There are still good numbers of gulls roosting on Crystal Lake, so it may still be present. Iceland and Glaucous could show in the upcoming week(s). (report from Tom Pirro).

    • 11/2/06 -- Broadmeadow Brook Sanctuary, Worcester
    I had my 1st Eastern Bluebirds in many months here, a flock of more than 20 birds at the power lines near Granite St. (report from Brian Mulhearn)

    11/1/06 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
    Raptors migrating today: Turkey Vulture 1 ; Northern Harrier 3 ; Sharp-shinned Hawk 19 ; Cooper's Hawk 4 ; Red-tailed Hawk 12 ; American Kestrel 2 ; Merlin 1 ; Non-raptor Observations: 22 American pipits. 5 monarch butterflies. (report from Bart Kamp).

    11/1/06 -- Barrows Rd., off Salisbury St. Worcester/Holden line
    At mid-day today I had a somewhat late female Black-throated Blue in the woods behind my house. (report from Howard Shainheit).

    11/1/06 -- Hadwen Park/Curtis Pond, Worcester
    A few highlights: 1 Great Egret, 1 DC Cormorant, 16 Hooded Mergansers, 1 Belted Kingfisher, and 2 Carolina Wrens foraging together in and on a hollow log. (report from Brian Mulhearn)

    For previous sightings, see October 2006 Archives or Archive Index