November 2010 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:

11/30/10 -- North Brookfield
Yesterday (11/29) I had 3 imm. Chipping Sparrows at the North Brookfield brush dump. Today (11/30) I had a late Lincoln's Sparrow in North Brookfield at a different location. Also, late this afternoon I had a second year Iceland Gull at the Barre Landfill. (report from Rodney Jenkins)

11/30/10 -- Institute Park, Worcester
At noon today, highlights were 1 Great Blue Heron, 2 Mute Swan, 4 Green-winged Teal, 1 Black Duck, 18 Hooded Mergansers, 1 Red-tailed Hawk, and 1 Belted Kingfisher. (Note: I've withdrawn my previous report of a dead GB Heron -- I subsequently got a closer and better look, and it appears to be some kind of bag that looked from a distance like a GBHeron's wings)
(report from Rick Quimby).

11/30/10 -- Dean Park, Shrewsbury
The 4 Snow Geese that George Gove reported via Massbird on 11/27 were feeding with 100+ Canada Geese at the Baseball Field today. (report from Peter Morlock).

11/29/10 - Depot Road, Westminster
While walking the dogs in our woods today, we saw a very noisy pileated woodpecker flying from dead tree to dead tree in the beaver pond, following us along the trail for a quarter mile. (report from Chris Mossman).

11/29/10 -- Brierly Pond, Millbury
This afternoon at 4 p.m. I stopped at Brierly's Pond in Millbury to check out the flock of gulls that has been increasing there lately. There were about 120 Ring-billed Gulls, 3 Herring Gulls and a first cycle Kumliens ICELAND GULL that was very close to the parking lot. (report and photo from Alan Marble).

11/25/10 -- Village of Manchaug, Sutton
This morning by the Manchaug Post office/Mumford River I had a Belted Kingfisher, and in the river was a lone Common Merganser . Also, yesterday (11/24) around 1.00 pm I spotted 3 Wild Turkeys about 100 yards in the woods behind my house and another 6 in the back yard which I did not see until I opened the door -- they did not stick around. All of the birds appeared to be hens. Happy Thanksgiving all. (report from Michael Joubert).

11/23/10 -- All Faith's Cemetery/Leesville Pond, Worcester
Sightings included a Great Blue Heron, a Double-crested Cormorant and many Mallard Ducks. (report from Joan Crowell).

11/21/10 -- East Washacum Pond, Sterling
Today there were 2 great blue herons, 1 common loon, 2 greater scaup, 14 bufflehead, 5 common mergansers, 3 hooded megansers, 20 ruddy ducks, and 80 mallards. (report from Richard Spedding).

11/21/10 -- Sutton
Around 2.00AM while filling my feeders I could hear a high pitched hooting off in the distance. Being dead quiet I grabbed my IPOD, hit the Saw-Whet call, and got a response. Did so again got a response this time much closer. Third time, this time it is in the tree right behind me. I scan the tree with a flash light with a green filter and found myself a beautiful Nortern Saw-Whet Owl. (report from Michael Joubert).

11/21/10 -- Chaochlace Pond, Clinton
Returning from viewing the PINK-FOOTED GOOSE in Sudbury, we stopped by COACHLACE POND in Clinton and saw the female REDHEAD found by Kevin Bourinot among 60+ scaup, viewed from the small park on the north side of the pond. Also present: Canada Goose (c. 80+); Ring-necked Duck (1); Bufflehead (4); Hooded Merganser (7) and an adult Bald Eagle. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

11/21/10 -- Brookfields
This afternoon, we checked the four major ponds in the QUABOG IBA in the Brookfields and had the following:
  • SOUTH POND/LAKE QUACUMQUASIT: Just a handful of Mallards.
  • LAKE QUABOG: Great Blue Heron (1); Mute Swan (3); Canada Goose (117); Mallard (19); A Black Duck (2); Redhead (1f); Greater Scaup (5); Black Scoter (2); Long-tailed Duck (1); Common Goldeneye (3); Common Merganser (226);
  • LAKE WICKABOAG: Canada Goose (19); Mallard (21); Green-winged Teal (1); Black Scoter (19); Surf Scoter (1f); Hooded Merganser (37); Common Merganser (273); Wild Turkey (4);
  • LAKE LASHAWAY: Great Blue Heron (1); Canada Goose (11); Bufflehead (1f); Hooded Merganser (57); Common Merganser (4);
    (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

    11/21/10 -- Meadow Pond Northbridge
    Heading by Meadow Pond at 7.30 PM you could see Mute swans still feeding . This was something I did not expect to see at this time of day. (report from Michael Joubert).

    11/20/10 -- Douglas
    We've had a few Pine Siskins at our feeders off and on for the last couple of weeks, but this morning a flock of 25-30 passed through. This is the highest count in the six years that we've lived here. (report from Mark Landon)

    11/20/10 -- Coachlace Pond, Clinton
    There was a female Redhead mixed in with the group of about 80 scaup. This was best seen from the path adjacent to the Clinton High School baseball field. Other highlights were 320 Canada Geese, 2 Geen-winged Teal, and 6 Hooded Mergansers on the pond, as well as 4 Horned Larks and a Killdeer in the baseball field. (report from Kevin Bourinot).

    11/19/10 -- All Faiths Cemetery/Leesville Pond, Worcester
    Sightings at Leesville Pond included Hooded Mergansers, a Double-crested Cormorant, Wood Ducks and Mallards. (report from Joan Crowell).

    11/19/10 -- Lake Quaboag, Brookfield
    Waterfowl late this afternoon included 1 Red-necked grebe, a pair of CANVASBACKS, 72 Black Scoter, 3 Surf Scoter, 1 Ruddy Duck, 5 Greater Scaup, 5 Bufflehead and 85 Common Mergansers. (report from Rodney Jenkins)

    11/15/10 -- Village of Manchaug, Sutton
    When I arrived home this AM from work I had 1 RedWing Blackbird and 2 FoxSparrows .The Redbreasted Nuthatches at my feeders have increased to 3 also still have 2 PineSiskins that show up with the GoldFinches .My Purple Finch numbers have gone way down -- at best I have 1 male and 3 or 4 females.I still have a few White Throated Sparrows hanging around with an occasional WhiteCrowned mixed in with the Darkeyed Juncos. (report from Michael Joubert).

    11/13/10 -- All Faith's Cemetery/Leesville Pond, Worcester
    This afternoon, there was a lot of activity at Leesville Pond. Sightings included numerous Hooded Mergansers, several Northern Pintail, a few Wood Ducks and many Mallard Ducks. (report from Joan Crowell).

    11/13/10 -- Worcester airport
    There were 37 Snow Buntings at Worcester Airport this morning. (report from John Shea).

    11/12/10 -- Northboro
    This morning I had 2 Pine siskins at our feeders on Howard St. in Northboro.  (report from Jim Hogan).

    11/11/10 -- Worcester
    Heading North on 146 in Worcester, I noticed 30 to 40 Crows flying around, and when I looked down at the wood lot right before the Extra space storage buildings( in Worcester on the right side of 146), I saw American Crows by the hundreds all in trees, at 4:05 this afternoon. At around 4:20 at Salsbury Pond by Rainbow Furniture, I had a few minutes to spare so I took a quick look around to find 40+ Hooded Mergansers (50/50 split male & females) also 1 pair of Wood ducks ,5 mallards  1 Piedbilled Grebe ,and 1 Greenheron. (report from Michael Joubert).

    11/11/10 -- WTAG Towers, Holden
    This is an unconfirmed sighting of an adult female Swainson's Hawk at the WTAG Radio Towers in Holden. At 12:30 PM, I was releasing captured field mice and notice a large Buteo low over the field. Windspan was in the 48 to 52" area. However, there was no coloration ever visible with a grey back and white belly. The fingers on the wing were not extended like a Red-tailed hawk. There was absolutely no Red on this bird. I discounted a Goshawk because it was far too dark. The bird then perched on the white rung of the radio tower about a third of the way up from the ground. After 2 or 3 minutes, it took flight. Wings were very straight and no fingers were showing. The color was good and upper body was a solid gray with a very white underbelly. It was migrating and headed to the Southwest. I consulted Wheeler's Raptor guide and plate 254 on pg. 242 is extremely close to the bird I saw. I just didn't get to see the face. As well, there were no other observers. So, I have to list this sighting as unconfirmed. Also, for general public's info, the WTAG Towers are posted and off-limits to the general public. Holden Police are enforcing when patrolling upon the owner's orders. (report from Steve Olson).

    11/10/10 -- Wampanoag MAS, Gardner
    Highlights from a mid day hawkwatch (10AM-1PM) at the Wampanoag MAS, in Gardner:
  • Migrant Raptors: Turkey Vulture 1; Northern Harrier 2; Sharp-shinned Hawk 1; Cooper's Hawk 1; Red-shouldered Hawk 7; Red-tailed Hawk 23; Golden Eagle 1 juv...passing at 10:25
  • Other birds: Northern Goshawk 1 or 2 adults ("non migrant(s)" best I could tell); Canada Goose 60; small type canada goose 1 with CAGA and SNGO..too far for a conclusive ID...perhaps a bit smaller than the SNGO; Snow Goose 1 mixed in with a flock of 35 CAGO; Great Blue Heron 1 migrant; American Crow 230 migrants (plus locals) quietly headed SW; Palm Warbler 1; Pine Siskin 1; Evening Grosbeak 4 (one group of 3; plus and a single all headed west).
    (report from Tom Pirro).

    11/10/10 -- Sterling Peat, Sterling
    I found 30 - 40 Snow Buntings at Sterling Peat near the mounds of Rock, Sand etc. There were some Tree Sparrows and Canada Geese, but not much else. (report from Peter Morlock).

    11/09/10 -- Brookfield/North Brookfield
    This morning I saw 4 Red-necked Grebes at Lake Quaboag in Brookfield and later found 2 at Lake Lashaway in North Brookfield. (report from Peter Morlock).

    11/7/10 -- Oakham
    Five bluebirds were feeding out in the field today. (report from Kathy Van Schoick).

    11/7/10 -- Mt Wachusett, Princeton
    At the summit of Mt Wachusett at 10:30 AM today there was a flock of 20 snow buntings. (report from Scott Handler/Marion Larson).

    11/7/10 -- Sutton
    This morning I had a Common Raven calling and flying around in the woods behind my house . I had a lone Grackle recently at my feeders it struck me as odd that it been by itself. Today at 3:00 it was back, and paying more attention this time I noticed it has a blueish green in the head area, yellow eye like a Grackle, but it has a shorter tail ( possibly lost and growing back in?) -- an overall sleeker appearence than a grackle, as well looking proportionatly smaller length ( 9 to 10 inches) . I did manage to get 2 photos of it though not much use due to bad light and through a window. With my son's help I had him hold a 12 inch ruler at the feeder at about the same spot  to get some sense of size, and shot a pic from the same spot. This bird is between 9 to 10 inches in length. Possible Brewers Blackbird? (report from Michael Joubert).

    11/7/10 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
    Migrating raptors today: Turkey Vulture 1 ; Northern Harrier 1 ; Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 ; Cooper's Hawk 1 ; Red-shouldered Hawk 1 ; Red-tailed Hawk 7 . Non-raptor Observations: 4 Common loons, 2 Red-throated loons. (report from Bart Kamp).

    11/6/10 -- Meadow pond, Northbridge
    Around 5:30 Pm I had a Great Blue Heron on the main pond. Among the other sections and Little Meadow, it is loaded with Mute Swans -- just quick counting  there are at least 45 to 50 adults and immature. [ed: !!!!]. Probably a lot more if I had bothered to go all around the pond. (report from Michael Joubert).

    11/6/10 -- The Fair Plaza, Worcester
    In the parking lot today at the Fair Plaza in Worcester, there was a small group (6-8) of Fish Crows mingling with a few American Crows and Ring-billed Gulls. They were hanging out between Price Chopper and Wendy's. Thanks to Kim Allen for the heads-up. The Fair Plaza is at the site of the old Worcester Fair near the junction of Greenwood St and Route 20 in Worcester. (report from Alan Marble).

    11/6/10 -- Indian Lake, Worcester
    I went to Indian Lake This morning and saw: 14 Great Blue Heron, 12 of them were lined up along the shore to the right of Shore Park. 47-Hooded Merganser, 133 Common Merganser, 1 Rudy Duck, 83 Canada Geese and 26 Black Scoter. The Scoter were flying around the lake and I couldn't make out what they were, when they landed I had the same problem as most of them are female the four male birds gave me the answer. When I got home I had a Rose- breasted Grosbeak at my feeder. He was still there at 4:30. (report from John Shea).

    11/6/10 -- Brookfield/Barre
  • Brookfield: This morning there were 12 Snow Buntings at the Lake Quaboag boat launch.
  • Barre: This afternoon at Miller Beach on the Ware River, there were a couple hundred Canada Geese as well as 3 Black Scoters (F).
    (report from Peter Morlock).

    11/3/10 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
  • Migrating raptors today: Bald Eagle 1 ; Northern Harrier 1 ; Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 ; Northern Goshawk 1 ; Red-tailed Hawk 2 ; Golden Eagle 1 ;
  • Non-raptor Observations: 213 Canada Geese, 4 Brant migrating. 1 Clouded Sulphur Butterfly.
    (report from Bart Kamp).

    11/3/10 -- North Brookfield/Paxton
  • In North Brookfield: I had a very late blackpoll Warbler and a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker in a large group of common species. Also, on 11/2 I had my first Tree Sparrow of the fall
  • In Paxton: Recent sightings were Fox Sparrow, 2 Evening Grosbeaks and up to 22 Pine Siskins at my feeder.
  • On Lake Quabog (Oct.31): A "raft" of 19 A. Coot along with an adult Bonapartes Gull and 2 Ruddy Ducks.
    (report from Rodney Jenkins)

    11/2/10 -- Mount Watatic, Ashburnham
  • Migrating raptors today: Osprey 1 ; Bald Eagle 4 ; Sharp-shinned Hawk 6 ; Cooper's Hawk 1 ; Northern Goshawk 3 ; Red-shouldered Hawk 11 ; Red-tailed Hawk 26 ; Rough-legged Hawk 1 ; Merlin 1 .
  • Raptor Observations: Rough-legged hawk was the light form, juv. female, a kettle of 6 adult Red-shouldered in the afternoon sun was stunning! Goshawks were 2 juv. and 1 adult and moving SW.
  • Non-raptor Observations: American Crow 727 migrants (they didn;t get rolling until the afternoon, 9 Pine Siskin, 24 Snow Buntings, 2 Horned larks, 5 Yellow-rumped Warblers (getting thin now), 56 Common grackle, 75 American Robin. One the hike up/down winter wren 1 and hermit thrush 2.
    (report from Tom Pirro).

    11/2/10 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
  • Migrating raptors today: Black Vulture 1 ; Turkey Vulture 1 ; Northern Harrier 1 ; Sharp-shinned Hawk 7 ; Cooper's Hawk 4 ; Red-shouldered Hawk 3 ; Red-tailed Hawk 14 .
  • Raptor Observations: Today, our 16th species of the season was recorded. The Black Vulture was observed soaring directly overhead against a snow white cloud.
  • Non-raptor Observations: 165 Canada Geese, 10 Common Mergansers and 100's of American Crows were migrating.
    (report from Bart Kamp).

    11/2/10 -- Lake Quaboag, Brookfield
    There are 3 American Coot out in front of the boat ramp on Shore Road in Brookfield. Also 8 Bufflehead. (report from Alan Marble).

    11/2/10 -- Indian Lake, Holden
    At 9:00am there were ~100 Common Mergansers, 6 Hooded Mergansers, 3 Bufflehead, and 1 Red-necked Grebe. (report from Alexander Dunn).

    11/1/10 -- Northboro, Westboro and Marlboro
    I did some scouting yesterday for my Forbush Club trip next Sunday. Here are some highlights:
  • Bartlett Pond, Northboro: Mallards (3), Osprey (1)
  • Westboro Wildlife Management Area: N. Harrier (1), Red-tailed Hawk (3), Savannah Sparrows (6), Song Sparrows (6), White-throated Sparrow (2), White-Crowned Sparrow (1), a large mixed flock of Black birds (100+). There was a hunter in the area, so I didn't stay long.
  • Carney Park, Northboro: Osprey (2), E. Bluebird (2)
  • Solomon Pond, Northboro: Great Blue Heron (1), Canada Goose (10), Mallard (25), Hooded Merganser (4), E. Bluebird (1), Yellow-rumped Warbler (2).
  • Fort Meadow Reservoir, Marlboro (from "The Grove"): Canada Goose (18), Mallard (25), Ring-necked Duck (100), Ruddy Duck (22).
  • Lake Williams, Marlboro- Hooded Merganser (16), Ruddy Duck (2).
    (report from Laura Lane).

    11/1/10 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
    Migrating raptors today: Turkey Vulture 1 ; Bald Eagle 2 ; Sharp-shinned Hawk 9 ; Cooper's Hawk 1 ; Northern Goshawk 1 ; Red-shouldered Hawk 13 ; Red-tailed Hawk 43 . (report from Bart Kamp).

    11/1/10 -- Mount Watatic, Ashburnham
    I hawkwatched today from mt. Watatic.
  • Migrant raptors passing between 0945 and 0300 Day Saving time: Bald Eagle 1 adult; Sharp-shinned Hawk 5; Cooper's hawk 1; Red-shouldered Hawk 7; Red-tailed Hawk 49; Golden Eagle 1 juv. ( I actually have a few photos my blog and a few photos from another that passed on Friday, we are certainly within the seasonal peak for this species -- the hawkwatch on "Pack" in southern NH has one each of the past 5 days.).
  • Other notable species: Brant 70 (I have been out more this year but this is the 4th group I have seen pass over central Mass this fall (Yesterday 35 at Quabbin and ~25 at barre falls, and on 10/18 ..68 over Gardner); American Crow (Not many passing today only a few migrant groups totaling less than 50); Raven 12 ish; Horned lark 1; Snow Bunting 2; Purple Finch 1; White-winged Crossbill 1.
    (report from Tom Pirro).

    11/1/10 -- Boylston/Clinton/Worcester/Auburn
    Highlights from a few stops today:
  • There were about 150 Black Scoters and 4 Long-tailed Ducks on Wachusett Reservoir today seen from Mile Hill Road in Boylston.
  • On Coachlace Pond in Clinton, the flock of Greater Scaup has grown to 51. I was able to pick out 2 Lesser Scaup in the group.
  • At Indian Lake in Worcester, there were 114 Common Mergansers.
  • At Leesville Pond in Auburn there were 2 Northern Pintails, 4 American Wigeon, 8 Green-winged Teal and 3 Wood Ducks.
    (report from Alan Marble).

    For previous sightings, see October 2010 Archives or Archive Index