November 2008 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:

ONGOING -- Asian Longhorned Beetle Information
December 2008 -- WICN Radio interview with JEFFREY V. WELLS, Senior Scientist for the Boreal Songbird Initiative
Fall 2008 -- Reporting tagged gulls for DCR
11/9/08 -- WICN radio interview: "Central Park night life" and "An owl as a significant other"
11/16/08 -- WICN radio interview with BERND HEINRICH, "THE SNORING BIRD"
11/19/08 -- Forbush Bird Club Meeting rescheduled
11/21/08 -- WICN radio interview on "HUMANS, NATURE AND BIRDS: SCIENCE ART FROM CAVE WALLS TO COMPUTER SCREENS"
11/25/08 -- WICN radio interview with Rosamond Purcell, photographer of EGG AND NEST
12/6/08 -- Bird Walk at Broad Meadow Brook Wildlife Sanctuary
12/11/08 -- Forbush Bird Club Social postponed to Dec. 12 due to weather

Bird Sightings:

11/30/08 -- Lake Quinsigamond, Shrewsbury

Today I spotted a new bird I had not seen before on the lake; it was a juvenile Pied-Billed Grebe. He hung around with some Mallards, did a lot of diving and caught some lunch! (report and photo from Emily Eaton).

11/30/08 -- , Gardner

Crystal Lake and Mount Wachusett Comm College: Canada Goose 156; Wood Duck 1; Mallard 110; Black Duck 14; Mall X Blk Hybrid 2; Common Goldeneye 7; Common Merganser 26; Red-breasted Merganser 1 female (one has been present since 11/15); Carolina Wren 1;

Baldwinville (Otter River area): Mockingbird 1 (there is typically 1 or 2 and sometimes a chore to find on the Chrstmas Count!); Winter Wren 1; Red-breasted Nuthatch 2; Golden-crowned Kinglet 2; Junco 15+; American Tree Sparrow 30+; Song Sparrow 5 (Song Sparrows are not easiy to find up this way come winter, the brushy area along the Otter River is a good place to find this species on the CBC); Swamp Sparrow 1; White-throated Sparrow 2;

Birch Hill WMA/ Lake Dennison Area: Winter Wren 1; Hairy Woodpecker 1; Brown Creeper 1; Red-breasted Nuthatch 4; Golden-crowned Kinglet 6;
(report from Tom Pirro).

11/30/08 -- Worcester

With predicted bad weather due in the afternoon, we decided to stay close to home. We attempted a sort of casual "Big Day", staying within the city of Worcester CBC circle with one exception. By 11AM, sleet started in earnest and by 12:30 we packed it in as some surfaces were getting slick. So our effort was cut short by several hours. We ended up with 62 species, but could have easily added another 10 or more if the weather had held. This is still a nice list of species for a landlocked city, well inland, and at the very end of November. By not visiting the airport environs during the day, we missed likely 6 or more expected species like Pileated Woodpecker and Brown Creeper. Key areas that had a number of interesting species included: Lake Quinsigamond (north and south ends); Flint Pond; Salisbury Pond, Coachlace Pond and the powerlines near the prison. A small cattail marsh in the Wachusett watershed and part of our sector of the CBC held (3); Winter Wrens, (2); Common Yellowthroats, (2); Swamp Sparrows and (5+); Golden-crowned Kinglets. There were a number of BIG misses. These included: WILD TURKEY, which appear to have gotten quite scarce this fall; COOPER'S HAWK (still hoping our local bird will visit our feeders before the end of the day); and FOX SPARROW.

LIST: Common Loon (2); Double-crested Cormorant (1imm at South Bay; 1 ad southern Lake Quinsigamond); Great Blue Heron: (5); along some water at the very north end of Lake Quinsigamond; (2); Salisbury Pond and singles elsewhere. Canada Goose; Mute Swan; Wood Duck (2m+1f Salisbury Pond); A Black Duck;Mallard; N Pintail (1m n end of L. Quinsig.; 1m Flint); Green-winged Teal (n end of L Quinsig; Flint); REDHEAD (1m+1f: Coachlace); Ring-necked Duck; Greater Scaup; Lesser Scaup; Common Goldeneye (Wachusett and L. Quinsig); Hooded Merganser (many locations in good numbers); Common Merganser; BALD EAGLE (1imm: Wachusett); Red-tailed Hawk (many locations); Ring-billed Gull; Herring Gull; Great Black-backed Gull; Rock Dove; Mourning Dove; Eastern Screech Owl (neighborhood); Great Horned Owl (2); Barred Owl (2 in two diff. locations); N Saw-whet Owl (1); Belted Kinglfisher (L. Quinsig+Salisbury); Red-bellied Woodpecker (only 1); Downy Woodpecker;Hairy Woodpecker; N Flicker; Blue Jay; A Crow; Common Raven (Wachusett); Black-capped Chickadee; Tufted Titmouse; White-breasted Nuthatch (nb: try as we might, we could not turn up a Red-breasted in a number of locations); Carolina Wren (home); Winter Wren (3 in cattails); Golden-crowned Kinglet; Eastern Bluebird (4: prison powerlines); Hermit Thrush (ditto); A Robin (large flocks in a number of locations); N Mockingbird (only 1); E Starling; Cedar Waxwing (only 1); COMMON YELLOWTHROAT (total of THREE); Savannah Sparrow (1); Song Sparrow; Swamp Sparrow (2); White-throated Sparrow (common); Dark-eyed Junco (locally very common); N Cardinal;Red-winged Blackbird (1m); Purple Finch (1); House Finch; WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILL (4 at dawn overhead at prison powerlines); PINE SISKIN (small flocks overhead at dawn); A Goldfinch;House Sparrow. TOTAL: 62 SPECIES (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

11/30/08 -- downtown Worcester

Two Peregrine Falcons were on the Fallon Building this morning. (report from John Shea).

11/29/08 -- Mt. Watatic, Ashburnham

Results for Hawkwatching from 10Am to 2PM: Red-shouldered Hawk 2 both adults; Red-tailed hawk 4 all adults; Golden Eagle 1 adult passing very close. Also: Canada Goose 16 apparent migrants; Raven 5 or 6; Pine Siskin 1; White-winged Crossbill 7 (1 handsome male seen perched atop a spruce near the summit the other were heard on the hike up during the morning.). Also of note, was a couple that took their two goats (on leashes and decked out in hunter orange) for the hike to the summit! (report from Tom Pirro).

11/29/08 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre

Migrant raptors today:
-------------------------------------------------------------------

Species            Day's Count    Month Total   Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture                0              0              0
Turkey Vulture               0              2            258
Osprey                       0              2            168
Bald Eagle                   0              4             59
Northern Harrier             0              2             33
Sharp-shinned Hawk           0             26            827
Cooper's Hawk                0              3             72
Northern Goshawk             0              1             12
Red-shouldered Hawk          0              9             21
Broad-winged Hawk            0              0           5236
Red-tailed Hawk              3            112            216
Rough-legged Hawk            1              1              1
Golden Eagle                 0              2              3
American Kestrel             0              0            151
Merlin                       0              0             31
Peregrine Falcon             0              1             22
Unknown Accipiter            0              0              0
Unknown Buteo                0              0              1
Unknown Falcon               0              0              0
Unknown Eagle                0              0              0
Unknown Raptor               0              1             27

Total:                       4            166           7138
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Raptor Observations: a light morph rough-legged hawk. Not migrating: 1 redtail and 1 northern goshawk. Non-raptor Observations: 10 Canada geese. (report from Bart Kamp).

11/29/08 -- Worcester

I went to Worcester Airport this morning to look for the Snowy Owl reported earlier this week no luck. From there I went to Notre Dame: 1 Great Blue Heron, 11 Canada Geese, 2 Mute Swans, 25 Mallards, 2 N. Pintail, 4 Green-winged Teal, 12 Hooded Merganser 1 Carolina Wren and 1 Belted Kingfisher. At All Faiths cemetery I saw 2 Mute Swans, 2 Canada Geese, 10 Hooded Merganser, 2 Black Ducks, 3 Golden -crowned Kinglets and 1 Mockingbird. From there I went to Salisbury Pond: 41 Canada Geese, 4 Mute Swans, 1 Gadwall, 14 Mallards, 49 Hooded Merganser, 67 Ring-billed Gulls, 4 Herring Gulls, and 1 Belted Kingfisher. (report from John Shea).

11/27/08 -- Lake Quabog, South Quabbin, Barre Falls Dam

We spent Thanksgiving morning birding three spots in Central MA: Lake Quabog and vicinity in the Brookfields; South Quabbin/Quabbin Park; and finally Cold Brook Road and Barre Falls Dam in the Ware River Watershed. Still water is frozen, but many streams and seeps were ice-free. The food crop is spotty at best, and acorns in particular are scarce. Temps ranged from 18F-35F, and there was black ice on some sections of the roads. Hunting is in full swing, and hunters were at most locations (except Quabbin Park);, so be sure to wear a suitable amount of "hunter's orange" when out in forest and field for the next month. Some kind of "disk golf" tourney was also in full swing at Barre Falls Dam, but amazingly the hunters and the frisbee-ers managed to stay out of each other's way. High lights, such as they are, only:

LAKE QUABOG AND VICINITY, BROOKFIELDS: Canada Goose (67); Mallard (9); Common Goldeneye (2m); Ring-necked Pheasant (1m: obviously a released bird, it was strolling down the middle of a busy road looking like it was searching for a handout); Hairy Woodpecker (1); Dark-eyed Junco (80+); Brown-headed Cowbird (flock of 35+);

QUABBIN PARK, BELCHERTOWN: NB: remarkably few birds, especially waterbirds. Common Loon (3); Red-necked Grebe (1); Bald Eagle (1 sub-ad: low count); Wild Turkey (11: several up in a crab apple tree, picking it clean); Hairy Woodpecker (3); Pileated Woodpecker (1); Dark-eyed Junco (28); White-winged Crossbill (3); PLUS: at the orchard, we watched (4); White-tailed Deer APPROACH a man as he got outside of his car.

WARE RIVER WATERSHED: we made just a few stops along Coldbrook Rd (too many hunters); and spent about 45 minutes hawkwatching at Barre Falls Dam. N Goshawk (1ad); Red-tailed Hawk (6 determined to be migrating); Ring-Billed Gulls (11); Herring Gull (147); Great Black-backed Gull (7); NB: all gulls were circling high and moving west southwest, heading to where?. Barred Owl (1 perched out on Coldbrook Road. Sheila will post some shots on her blog: http://gremlinthecat.blogspot.com Hairy Woodpecker (2); Common Raven (1); Purple Finch (1); A Goldfinch (16);
(report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

11/24/08 -- Marlboro, Northboro, Westboro ponds

I did a survey of my local ponds Monday afternoon.

Jackson's Pond, Marlboro was completely ice covered.

Lake Williams, Marlborough, was open water and had 30 Canada Geese, 2 Mallard, 4 Bufflehead, 12 Hooded Mergansers, 17 Common Mergansers, and 19 Ruddy Ducks.

Bartlett Pond in Northboro was 90 % ice covered and had 6 Canada Geese and 8 Mute Swans.

Lake Chauncey in Westboro was open water and had 18 Black Ducks, 9 Mallard, 21 Bufflehead and 1 American Coot.

Little Chauncey in Westboro was about 1/3 ice covered and had 3 Wood Duck, 2 Mallard, and 2 Hooded Mergansers. I expect today's warm temperatures and rain will clear much of the ice from the smaller ponds.
(report from Laura Lane).

11/23/08 -- Grafton-Northbridge Pond Survey

My wife and I did a regular pond survey today in Grafton and Northbridge. Here is what we recorded: Canada Goose - 235 (including 152 on Lake Ripple in Grafton and 62 on Linwood Pond in Northbridge); Mute Swan - 20 (including 10 on Whitins Pond in Northbridge); WOOD DUCK - 2 females (Linwood Pond in Northbridge); American Black Duck - 11 (10 on Linwood Pond and 1 on Whitins Pond in Northbridge); Mallard - 78 (including 48 on Linwood Pond in Northbridge); Ring-necked Duck - 6 (Meadow Pond in Northbridge); Hooded Merganser - 12 (including 9 on Arcade Pond in Northbridge); Great Blue Heron - 2 (Fish Pond and Whitins Pond in Northbridge); Ring-billed Gull - 35 (including 20 on Lake Ripple in Grafton and 14 on Arcade Pond in Northbridge); Belted Kingfisher - 1 (Fish Pond in Northbridge); (report from John Liller).

11/23/08 -- off Salisbury Street near Park Ave, Worcester

Before leaving for the Berkshires, we had a pair of WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS fly in to a backyard pine, likely to mob the Cooper's Hawk that was perched nearby as many other brids were doing. Our traditional "winter" Coop has been taking Rock Pigeons in our backyard once again. On Saturday, we got to watch the Coop attack a RED-TAILED HAWK that had come down to get a squirrel. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

11/22/08 -- Wompanoag MAS/Crystal Lake, Gardner

Birds seen and/or heard while hawkwatching from the Wompanoag MAS in Gardner between 11am and 2PM Today. Strong wind and cold temps, about 20f all day, made for a chilly watch. All raptors low and riding the wind. Migrant raptors: Bald Eagle 3; Northern Goshawk 1 imm.; Red-tailed Hawk 7; Also: Canada Goose 53 migrants; Great Blue Heron 1 migrating; Horned Lark 7; Snow Bunting 2; White-winged Crossbill 33 all in flight but low.;

Later at Crystal Lake in Gardner: Canada Goose ~150 "Locals" on the golf course, a few weeks back I counted at least 30 with metal bands, apparently ringed by Mass. Fish and Wildlife. Mallard 58; Black Duck 6; Mallard X Black duck hybrid 3; Common Merganser 2 fem; Red-breasted Merganser 1 fem; Common Loon 1; NO gulls at dusk, unusual -- they were on Round Meadow Pond, which is now nearly covered with thin ice. (report from Tom Pirro).

11/20/08 -- Brierly Pond, Millbury

To anyone wanting to add the Brant to your Worcester County list, I suggest that you get to Brierly Pond in Millbury soon. The Brant was there at 7:30 this morning but the pond is starting to ice over. Also seen there were: 20 Ring-necked Ducks, 4 Common Goldeneyes, 25 Hooded Mergansers, a Great Blue Heron and a Belted Kingfisher. (report from Alan Marble).

11/18/08 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre

Migrant raptors today: Sharp-shinned Hawk 2 ; Red-shouldered Hawk 3 ; Red-tailed Hawk 29 . Raptor Observations: Not migrating 4 redtails and a pair of northern goshawks. Non-raptor Observations: 14 Canada geese, 3 common mergansers and a flock of 11 ravens (report from Bart Kamp).

11/18/08 -- Brierly Pond, Millbury

The BRANT was still present at Brierly pond in Millbury at 6:45 am this morning. It was on the far side of the pond, sometimes behind the island. There is a gravel parking lot at the junction of West Main St and Sutton Rd. You can walk a trail for some distance to the left and a shorter trail to the right in order to see around the island. In addition to the ducks mentioned in yesterday's post, there were 2 drake Buffleheads. There are also a few wing-tagged Ring-billed Gulls at the Singletary boat ramp which is about 1/2 mile further on West Main St. (report from Alan Marble).

11/17/08 -- New Braintree/Millbury

The Sandhill Crane found by Mark and Sheila was still there in New Braintree this morning in the same spot described by Mark in his recent post. Here is a photo of the crane by Richard Johnson entitled "Mutual Respect".

This morning I was very surprised to find a lone BRANT on Brierly's Pond in Millbury. Also seen there were a Great Blue Heron, 12 Mallards, 2 American Black Ducks, 18 Ring-necked Ducks, 2 Common Goldeneyes, 9 Hooded Mergansers and a Belted Kingfisher.
(report from Alan Marble).

11/17/08 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre

Migrant raptors today: Osprey 1 ; Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 ; Cooper's Hawk 1 ; Red-tailed Hawk 6 ; Golden Eagle 1 ; Peregrine Falcon 1 . Raptor Observations: 6-8 redtails and a pair of northern goshawks not migrating. (report from Bart Kamp).

11/16/08 -- Bartlett Pond and Lake Chauncey, Northborough

I made a check of the local ponds on Sunday afternoon. The wind was blowing a gale and Lake Chauncey had whitecaps. The Pied-billed Grebe that we had distant fleeting looks at the previous week on the Forbush trip was still at Bartlett Pond and was close to the road this week for great viewing.

Bartlett Pond: Pied-billed Grebe-1, Mallard-26, Gadwall-4, and Ring-necked Duck-8.

Lake Chauncey- Common Loon-1, Mallard-3.
(report from Laura Lane).

11/16/08 -- Winimusett WMA, New Braintree

From the Mackay Road entrance today from 10:30 a.m. -12:00 p.m., there were many sparrows feeding in the fields and perching in the thickets hiding from the high winds. I found two Fox Sparrows and was able to get within 15 feet of one. Just saw Mark and Sheila's post about the crane, but didn't see any near the Mackay entrance. (report from Josh Gahagan).

11/16/08 -- Brookfields and Quabbin Park

Just happy to be able to get out today, we had little hope of seeing anything "interesting". The winds were high; the temps were dropping precipitously, not a recipe for a great day afield. The lesson is (no surprise) don't look for excuses: "JUST BIRD". We hit a few locations in the Brookfields and Quabbin Park. Highlights:

LAKE QUABOG, BROOKFIELD: Amazingly NO ducks. Just an adult BALD EAGLE.

LAKE QUACUMQUASIT, BROOKFIELD/STURBRIDGE: BLACK SCOTER (2 females); Osprey (1: late); Cedar Waxwing (20+); Red-winged Blackbird (90+); Rusty Blackbird (30+);

LAKE WICKABOAG, WEST BROOKFIELD: Great Blue Heron (3); Canada Goose (172); Mallard (18); Green-winged Teal (6); BLACK SCOTER (3 females); Common Merganser (79);

BONAPARTE'S GULL (37: this may be a new INLAND state high count. It is certainly higher than anything mentioned in Petersen and Veit. If there have been higher counts in the Valley, can someone let me know? These birds were perched with c.130+ Ring-billed Gulls on a mudbar at the north end of the pond. All of them were adult winters. As we watched them, almost half took to the air, struggled to circle high and eventually drifted off east almost out of sight. Within another few minutes, most of the Ring-billeds were gone and all of the Bonies. Typically, Bonaparte's Gulls are uncommon migrants in Worcester County, most often noted at the two large reservoirs. Typically single birds are seen among flocks of Ring-billeds, but small (2-6); flocks are reported almost annually.

Added note (11/17)

SOUTH QUABBIN, QUABBIN PARK: by now it had gotten quite windy. Horned Grebe (2); Bufflehead (1m); NB: again, surprisingly few waterbirds out on the main body of the reservoir. We felt for sure we would find other scoters. Hooded Merganser (2); Bald Eagle (2ad+2imm); Sharp-shinned Hawk (1); Red-tailed Hawk (4); GOLDEN EAGLE (1ad: watched from near the Goodnough area circling to the north over the area near the Baffle Dams. Common Raven (3);

HARDWICK: A Ruffed Grouse almost hit the car as it flew low across the road.

NEW BRAINTREE: SANDHILL CRANE 1 ad. I had literally just said to Sheila: "we should really be on the lookout for a crane near Winimusset Meadows WMA.." when Sheila spotted the bird. Look, honestly typically nothing is found after I say stuff like that 99.99999% of the time. Sheila has posted a few pics on her blog.

DIRECTIONS: Take Old Turnpike Road off Rt.122 following signs to HARDWICK. This road changes names to Hardwick Road in New Braintree, but basically just stay straight on this road. Crossing Rt. 67, follow Old Turnpike Road for just under two MORE miles. You will pass Winnimusset WMA on left (look for small shack with state sign);. Just past Winnimusset Meadows in a large farm spread. If you hit WEST ROAD you have gone too far. Look for a wide grassy corn stubble field with a large obvious birch against the back. The crane was hanging out when we had it (c.11AM); under the birch. The whole arae is great for cranes and we have had Sandhill's here in the past. Be sure to pull completely off road and do not flush bird.
(report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

11/15/08 -- Wachusett Reservoir, Boylston

We returned to WACHUSETT RESERVOIR a bit later in the morning after the first round of showers had passed. We first checked to see if the BARROW'S was there, and it was, BUT the composition of the flock had changed: there were only about half the birds there, and now there were all drakes. Previously there were at least 4 females attending. And, now the flock had been joined by a drake Bufflehead. It was great to find diligent atlaser ALAN MARBLE "on the bird" and I hope others got it too. This shows you how quickly birds move in and out of this reservoir. We managed a very quick and somewhat superficial survey of the reservoir, hitting Scar Hill Bluffs, the Mile Hill Road overlook and a quick stop on Rt. 112. Then it really began to pour, and we headed home again. Total list for morning: Common Loon (6); Horned Grebe (flock of 7); Great Blue Heron (1); Canada Goose (1); Mallard (9); A Black Duck (8); Common Goldeneye (37); BARROW'S GOLDENEYE (1m: see: gremlinthecat.blogspot.com for a few distant metza-metza, but identifiable shots); Buffelhead (1m); Common Merganser (29); Red-tailed Hawk (1); Wild Turkey (1); (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

11/15/08 -- Wachusett Reservoir, Boylston

The beautiful drake Barrow's Goldeneye found by Mark and Sheila this morning was still there at 11:00 when I left. The bird was in the company of 7 drake Common Goldeneyes and a drake Bufflehead. It can be seen in South Bay from Rt 140. (report from Alan Marble).

11/15/08 -- Wachusett Reservoir, Boylston

At SOUTH BAY (Rt. 140 near Rt. 70), there was a stunning drake BARROW'S GOLDENEYE w/20 Common Goldeneyes very close to shore. These birds were around the close small islands on the east end and tough to get views at from the road at first because they were initially behind the island, but eventually they all swam out for excellent views. Unfortuntely, it began to pour and we had to leave. Also present: 2 Common Loons. We did not want to flush the birds, so Sheila did not even try for a photo. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

11/12/08 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre

Migrant raptors today: Turkey Vulture 1 ; Osprey 1 ; Red-shouldered Hawk 2 ; Red-tailed Hawk 23 ; Raptor Observations: Not migrating: 1 redtail and 1 adult northern goshawk. Non-raptor Observations: 10 white-winged crossbills and 2 sulphur butterflies nectaring on dandelions. (report from Bart Kamp).

11/11/08 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre

Migrant raptors today: Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 ; Northern Goshawk 1 ; Red-shouldered Hawk 3 ; Red-tailed Hawk 17 ; Raptor Observations: 6-8 redtails did not appear to be migrating. Non-raptor Observations: 12 horned larks. (report from Bart Kamp).

11/9/08 -- Northborough and vicinity

The Forbush Bird Clud held a trip to Solomon Pond, Carney Park, Bartlett Pond and Lake Chauncey. Here is a listing of the 41 species observed (report from Laura Lane, fide Joan Gallagher).

11/9/08 -- Wachusett Reservoir area

I spent about 7.5 hours birding around the Wachusett Reservoir IBA. Aside from the several periods of strong wind, it was a nice day overall. The highlights were probably seeing both crossbill species. The red crossbill was a female seen alone flying over the water from gate 36 in Clinton, while the white-wingeds were seen flying overhead at spruce point along River Road in West Boylston. Also seen from gate 36 was a large flock of pine siskins. After about 5 hours of birding this IBA my goal was to find at least one horned grebe. At this I failed. Highlights were: Greater Scaup (39) Coachlace Pond; Lesser Scaup (4); Coachlace PondLong-tailed Duck (4) 2m 2f, Gate 39; Bufflehead (4) 2m 2f, E.Waushacum Pond; Hooded Merganser (36) 19m 17f; Common Merganser (2); Ruddy Duck (1); Common Loon (18); Pied-billed Grebe (2); Double-crested Cormorant (3); Great Blue Heron (2); Bald Eagle (2); AdultsCooper's Hawk (2); Red-tailed Hawk (8); Merlin (1); Belted Kingfisher (3); Common Raven (2); Flying together in Sterling; Brown Creeper (3); Golden-crowned Kinglet (4);Eastern Bluebird (7);American Robin (509); Majority at Sterling Peat; American Pipit (2) Gate 36; Cedar Waxwing (12); Yellow-rumped Warbler (5); American Tree Sparrow (7); Chipping Sparrow (2); Field Sparrow (4); Fox Sparrow (4) All at Sterling Peat; Song Sparrow (6);White-throated Sparrow (12); Dark-eyed Junco (152); Red-winged Blackbird (4); Common Grackle (91); House Finch (7); Red Crossbill (1) f, Flyby at Gate 36 White-winged Crossbill (12) flyby flock, River Road; Pine Siskin (56) One flock at Gate 36;
(report from Kevin Bourinot).

11/9/08 -- Grafton-Northbridge Pond Survey

I recorded the following during a survey of a number of ponds in the towns of Grafton and Northbridge this morning: Canada Goose - 79; Mute Swan - 25 (including 21 on Whitins Pond in Northbridge); American Black Duck - 15 (14 of which were on Linwood Pond in Northbridge); Mallard - 30; Ring-necked Duck - 74 (all in Whitins Pond in Northbridge); Hooded Merganser - 10 (pond at end of Parmenter Lane in North Grafton); Great Blue Heron - 1 (pond at end of Parmenter Lane in North Grafton); American Coot - 1 (Whitins Pond in Northbridge); Ring-billed Gull - 51 (including 41 on Lake Ripple in Grafton); Belted Kingfisher - 1 (pond at end of Parmenter Lane in North Grafton); ALSO: Wild Turkey - 25 (field at Tufts Vet School; many of them were in full display); Eastern Bluebird - 1 male (Tufts Vet School); (report from John Liller).

11/9/08 -- Winimusett WMA, Oakham

From the Mackay Rd entrance: Along with the usual Song Sparrows, Swamp Sparrows, and Dark-eyed Juncos that you find here this time of year, I found one Fox Sparrow and 2 American Tree Sparrows. The Fox Sparrow was located on the other side of the field hiding in the thorn bushes right before the marsh. I also saw/heard a Belted Kingfisher, American Goldfinches, Eastern Bluebirds, Northern Cardinals, American Pipits and one male Ring-necked pheasant. (report from Josh Gahagan).

11/8/08 -- Southbridge

We spent the morning birding a few Atlas blocks and slivers that have yet to be covered in southern Southbridge and adjacent southeastern Sturbridge. The entire area is on or near the Mass/Conn border. The habitat ranges from the urban (center of Southbridge) to mostly suburban, but with still some large woodlots with lots of Mountain Laurel understory. There were only a few small ponds. One pond had most of the forested land preserved around it thanks to the local Opacum Land Trust and this looks promising for a number of breeding forest species. Though most birds were typical of the location and time, there were a few surprises: Canada Goose (5); Wood Duck (1); Mallard (10); OSPREY (apparently new nesting location: while covering SOUTHBRIDGE 8/9 on Mashapaug Road, we spotted a huge Osprey nest atop a microwave relay tower in back of the Travel Lodge. This is the exact type of tower that Ospreys nested in for the first time this year further north in Sturbridge, between Rt. 20 and the Mass Pike. This nest we found today was still in great condition, so it appears to have been constructed this year. We will obviously get this ?confirmed? next year.); Cooper's Hawk (1); Wild Turkey (2); VIRGINIA RAIL (1: calling from large cattail marsh); Ring-billed Gull (1); Rock Pigeon (67); Mourning Dove (19); RED-HEADED WOODPECKER (1 in back of old golf course. BTW: this species likely bred in the block just to the north and was well photo documented); Red-bellied Woodpecker (5); Downy Woodpecker (18); Hairy Woodpecker (7); N Flicker (3); Blue Jay (52); A Crow (29); Black-capped Chickadee (92); Tufted Titmouse (30); White-breasted Nuthatch (23); Brown Creeper (4); Golden-crowned Kinglet (11); Ruby-crowned Kinglet (1); Eastern Bluebird (6); Hermit Thrush (5); A Robin (211); N Mockingbird (just 1); E Starling (64); Cedar Waxwing (58); PALM WARBLER (1 "yellow": scarce now well inland); A Tree Sparrow (3); Song Sparrow (9); Swamp Sparrow (4); White-throated Sparrow (53); Dark-eyed Junco (232); N Cardinal (31); Red-winged Blackbird (4); House Finch (12); A Goldfinch (39); House Sparrow (38); AND: Clouded Sulphur (1);

In Charlton, at Orlando?s ponds: Canada Goose (78); Mallard (429); A Black Duck (16); Ring-necked Duck (30); Bufflehead (11); Ruddy Duck (8); Ring-billed Gull (32);
(report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

11/2/08 -- Gate 35, Quabbin Reservoir

Highlights of the Forbush Bird Club walk included nice views of at least 4 Bald Eagles, Red-shouldered Hawk, Horned Grebes, Common Loons, Snow Bunting and Pine Siskins. One participant arrived early and had a very nice look at a Bull Moose not far from the starting point of the trip. Here is the complete list of the species observed. (report from Tom Pirro fide Joan Gallagher)

11/2/08 -- Quabog River, Brookfield

I kayaked up the Quabog River from the 148 bridge and only saw 3 Great blue herons and 1 adult Bald eagle. NO DUCKS! (report from Josh Gahagan).

11/2/08 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre

Migrant raptors today: Bald Eagle 1 ; Northern Harrier 2 ; Sharp-shinned Hawk 11 ; Cooper's Hawk 2 ; Red-tailed Hawk 19 . Raptor Observations: Not migrating:1 bald eagle and 3-4 redtails. Non-raptor Observations: A flock of 15-20 snow buntings landed in the adjacent field. (report from Bart Kamp).

11/1/08 -- Mount Watatic, Ashburnham

Migrating raptors today: Bald Eagle 1 ; Northern Harrier 1 ; Sharp-shinned Hawk 6 ; Cooper's Hawk 4 ; Northern Goshawk 1 ; Red-shouldered Hawk 5 ; Red-tailed Hawk 37 ; Merlin 1 ; Non-raptor Observations: The bird of the day was a Snowy Owl that past overhead at 9:20, heading SW, a very uncommon bird in Central Massachusetts. Snow Goose 65, Canada Goose 295, Snow Bunting 4, Common Raven 9 (minimum), a nice push of migrant American Crows totaling 1634 (largest group about 350), American Tree Sparrow, Pine Siskin ~50 and Purple Finch 8. One Milk Snake. (report from Tom Pirro).

11/1/08 -- St. Phillips Cemetery, Grafton

At 4:30 PM there were: 2 Mute Swans; 3 Eastern Bluebirds; 2 Chipping Sparrows. It was a real treat to see the bluebirds as they are hard to find in my area and will not come to my bird feeders. (report from K Allen).

11/1/08 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre

Migrant raptors today: Sharp-shinned Hawk 8 ; Red-shouldered Hawk 1 ; Red-tailed Hawk 7 ; Golden Eagle 1 ; Non-raptor Observations: A few sulphur butterflies still roam the adjacent field. (report from Bart Kamp).

11/1/08 -- Blackstone National Corridor waterfowl

There was a nice variety of water in several ponds in the Blackstone National Corridor this AM, both in the RI and MA sections. This included BLACK SCOTERS in several ponds as well as good counts of Ring-necked Ducks.

WOONSOCKET RESERVOIR: SMITHFIELD/LINCOLN RI: Mallard (6); A Black Duck (12); Lesser Scaup (2); Ring-necked Duck (293); BLACK SCOTER (10 all f); Bufflehead (26); Ruddy Duck (6);

DIAMOND HILL/ARNOLD? MILL RESERVOIRS: CUMBERLAND RI: Mute Swan (4); Canada Goose (164); Mallard (75); A Black Duck (12); N Pintail (12); Green-winged Teal (52); Lesser Scaup (3); Ring-necked Duck (24); BLACK SCOTER (91: mix of males and females); Bufflehead (55); Hooded Merganser (19); Common Merganser (1); Ruddy Duck (4); A Golden Plover (1); Black-bellied Plover (3); Killdeer (26); Sanderling (12); Dunlin (19); American Pipit (68);

SNEETCH POND, CUMBERLAND RI: Turkey Vulture (1); Canada Goose (6); Wood Duck (4); BLACK SCOTER (1f); Ruddy Duck (3); Hooded Merganser (1m); Sharp-shinned Hawk (1); Red-tailed Hawk (1);

MEADOW POND, NORTHBRIDGE MA Mute Swan (19); Canada Goose (18); Mallard (3); Ring-necked Duck (20); BLACK SCOTER (1f); Red-tailed Hawk (2);

BURDON POND: SUTTON MA Mute Swan (2); Canada Goose (37); Ring-necked Duck (162); E Phoebe (1);

INDIAN LAKE, WORCESTER MA: Double-crested Cormorant (7); Great Blue Heron (3); Canada Goose (110); Mallard (62); A Black Duck (2); Ring-necked Duck (1); Bufflehead (7); Hooded Merganser (93); Common Merganser (131); Ring-billed Gull (280: NB: 1 w/a pink wing tag (right wing); labeled: A 64);
(report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

11/1/08 -- Wachusett Reservoir, Boylston/Clinton

Highlights from Scar Hill Bluff: Greater Scaup (36);; Black Scoter (3, 1m2f);; Long-tailed Duck (12);; Common Goldeneye (1m);; Common Merganser (3);; Common Loon (3);; Horned Grebe (3);.

At Coachlace Pond: Green-winged Teal (4);; Greater Scaup (33);; Hooded Merganser (3);; Ruddy Duck (4);.
(report from Kevin Bourinot).

11/1/08 -- West Millbury

There were 3 purple finches (1 m, 2 f); eating sunflower seeds at home today in West Millbury. (report from Alan Marble).

For previous sightings, see October 2008 Archives or Archive Index