November 2007 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.
Birds listed below from the IBA unless otherwise noted:
Cooper's Hawk (1ad);
Red-tailed Hawk (1 in Petersham);
Wild Turkey (10 in Petersham);
Great Horned Owl (3);
Barred Owl (6: we almost hit one going about 5 miles per hour along a rugged
dirt road. It was on the side of the road and flew up only at the very last
second and scared the daylights out of us. No wonder so many are showing up
as road kills!);
N Saw-whet Owl (4: really nice variety of vocalizations pre-dawn today, with
toots, whistles, screams and bill clacking. The latest bird was calling at
6:30AM);
Downy Woodpecker (3);
Hairy Woodpecker (4);
N Flicker (1: feasting on sumac and then crab apples);
Blue Jay (59: high counts everywhere we went today);
A Crow (4: fly-overs);
Winter Wren (1);
House Wren (1: very uncommon/rare by this time of the year in Worcester
County; found along a seep running into the marsh near the Prison Camp site);
Black-capped Chickadee (52);
Tufted Titmouse (3);
Red-breasted Nuthatch (4);
White-breasted Nuthatch (12);
Brown Creeper (7);
Golden-crowned Kinglet (6);
Eastern Bluebird (12 in Petersham; 1 in Barre);
A Robin (121: flocks feeding and roosting around Prison Camp area);
Cedar Waxwing (4);
N Mockingbird (1 in Barre: getting scarce in these parts);
E Starling (1: feeding on crab apples w/robins. Typically very uncommon in
the forest);
Tree Sparrow (3 and another 30 in Petersham);
Swamp Sparrow (4);
Song Sparrow (8);
Dark-eyed Junco (15);
Snow Bunting (1: flying back and forth over the Prison Camp area at dawn);
Purple Finch (2);
Red Crossbill (4);
Common Redpoll (91);
Hoary Redpoll (1: great study from within the car, through open sun roof at
about 10 feet);
A Goldfinch (18);
Evening Grosbeak (18: all fly-overs, all heading north; another 3 in
Petersham);
Rusty Blackbird (flock of 13 perched in birches near small farm in Barre;
flew off to wetland area)
Plus: Beavers; Red Squirrels and despite 15 degree temps before and just
after dawn, several moths flying about.
(report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).
First drive into SOUTH QUABBIN, off Rt.9 in Belchertown. DIRECTIONS: There are three entrance roads to Quabbin Park, all along Route 9 in the towns of Ware and Belchertown. The eastern entrance is 4.3 miles west of the intersection of Route 9 and Route 32 (south) in the center of Ware. The middle entrance (signed as "Winsor Dam/Quabbin Reservation") is 5.5 miles west of the Route 32 intersection. The western entrance is 7.2 miles west of the intersection of Route 32 south in Ware. This western gate is 3 miles EAST of the intersection of Route 9 and Route 202 in Belchertown. These gates are generally open from dawn till dusk. FOR THE GREBES: Take the middle entrance and at the now blocked spillway, drive RIGHT. Follow this road to the ROTARY and see directions below (from the guide), paying attention to the sections on THE BLUEBERRY PATCH as well as GATE 52:. FROM THE ROTARY TO GOODNOUGH DYKE: There are birds to be found all along the Administration Road through to Goodnough Dike, so listen, watch and stop where it looks good. There are several traditional stops. Note: Mileage is now given starting from the Rotary. THE ENFIELD LOOKOUT: Continue driving further down Administration Road from the rotary. Administration Road will now run down slope for awhile. At .4 miles you will see a parking area on the left. This is the famous Enfield Lookout, where many people come to view Bald Eagles. The Enfield Lookout is worth a stop anytime of the year, but it can get downright crowded during winter eagle watching season. From this spot, you are looking north over the southern terminus of the Prescott Peninsula. The prominent hill in front of you is Ram Hill or Mount Ram. Scan the taller pines on Ram and along the whole end of the Prescott for Bald Eagles. They have nested in a large pine along the shore near the southwestern terminus of the Prescott. If there is an active nest, there is usually one or more dedicated eagle watcher around who will point out its location. If the reservoir is frozen, check the ice for a deer carcass, which will attract numbers of eagles as well as crows, ravens and coyotes. Always keep an eye on the sky, not just for eagles, but for Turkey Vultures, Red-Tailed Hawks and a great variety of raptors. This is often a good hawkwatching spot. But eagles and other raptors are not the only species to look for while at the Enfield Lookout. Scope the distant water, especially in the cove of the peninsula, for loons, grebes and ducks. Wild Turkeys can sometimes be picked out walking along the shore. Migrant landbirds of a great variety will either fly over or put down briefly in the surrounding trees. THE BLUEBERRY PATCH: At one mile you will notice a large grassy picnic area on the left that is traditionally known as the "Blueberry Patch". In late spring, summer and fall, the gate is open and you can drive down to the picnic area and park. In summer, there are Port-O-Lets here. In winter, when the gate is closed, park along the road and hike down. From the picnic parking area, you will notice an obvious broad trail that leads gently down to the water. This is a great spot to scan for loons, grebes, waterfowl and eagles. In migration, warblers and other landbirds are attracted to the thickets along the path. Tree Swallows and bluebirds are also often found and sometimes nest. In winter, be sure to check the tops of the trees and bushes for Northern Shrike. The meadows of this area are also good for butterflies and in late summer watch for Silver-Bordered Fritillary and Peck?s Skipper. Opposite the Blueberry Patch entrance road on Administration Road, you will see a broad walking trail. This is a great spot in spring and fall for migrant thrushes, warblers, Black-Billed Cuckoo and occasionally a Pileated Woodpecker. Watch for the patch of dangerous looking Devil?s Walking Stick on the right and just off the trail. GATE 52: At 1.5 miles, you will see a small parking area in front of a numbered gate on your left. Be sure not to block the gate. This short walk (less than a quarter mile) leads down to an isolated cove across from Little Quabbin Hill. This another place to check in migration for loons, grebes, and waterfowl and try your luck for eagles. I have also seen Pileated Woodpecker, Ruffed Grouse and Barred Owl here on several occasions. Landbirding can be good anywhere here spring and fall, though in winter you may only find the typical permanent residents. " From the end of the trail at the Blueberry Patch, look east to the base of LITTLE QUABBIN island. This is where David Spector had the birds. if you don't see them here, hike in Gate 52 and check from the end here (a very short hike of about 1/8mile).(report from Mark Lynch).
For previous sightings, see October 2007 Archives or Archive Index
