November 2012 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:
- 11/30/12 -- Worcester airport
-
This afternoon at the Worcester Airport parking lot, I had a Lapland
Longspur in a flock of about 25 Horned Larks. While checking the crabapple
trees on Airport Drive, north of the airport, I ran into Garry Kessler who
was already on 8 Pine Grosbeaks.
Here is a
photo taken by Garry.
(report from Alan Marble).
- 11/30/12 -- Lake Quaboag, Brookfield
-
There was a literal feeding frenzy of 575+ Common Mergansers and 100+
Ring-billed Gulls close to shore and a GREAT EGRET was right in the middle
of it all, reaping the benefits of the stirring up of bait fish. Other birds
were 45 Hooded mergansers, 30 Ruddy Ducks (at great distance), 10 Scaup
Species(ditto), and a male bufflehead. (report from Rodney Jenkins)
- 11/28/12 -- Worcester Airport
-
This morning at the Airport parking lot there were 38 Horned Larks, 20+ Snow
Buntings and 1 Lapland Longspur.
(report from Peter Morlock).
- 11/27/12 -- Wachusett Reservoir, Clinton/West Boylston
-
At Gate 40 in Clinton, there were 3 Red-breasted Mergansers this morning.
They were either females or 1st Winter males as the snowy conditions made
viewing difficult.
At South Bay on Rt 140, I observed the Barrow's Goldeneye (f) along with 17
Common Goldeneyes that Kevin Bourinot reported on 11/25.
(report from Peter Morlock).
- 11/27/12 -- Singletary Lake, Millbury
-
This morning there was a nice array of waterfowl at Lake Singletary, viewed
from the sidewalk on West Main St, just west of the entrance to the
Singletary boat ramp. Canada Geese 23, Mute Swan 2, American Black Duck 4,
Mallard 14, Ring-necked Duck 9, Bufflehead 4, Hooded Merganser 7, Common
Merganser 5, Ruddy Duck 4 and Pied-billed Grebe 1.
(report from Alan Marble).
- 11/26/12 -- Manchaug, Sutton
-
This morning by the Mumford River Manchaug I had a BeltedKingfisher also on
the river I found a dead Green Heron. On Main Street Manchaug an
EveningGrosbeak was flushed from a Crabapple tree by kids walking to their
bus stop. (report from Michael Joubert).
- 11/25/12 -- Lakee Williams, Marlborough
-
I took a walk down at Lake Williams, Marlborough, on the new trail. There
were Ring-necked Duck-5, Hooded Merganser-5, Common Merganser-7, Ruddy
Duck-17, Great Blue Heron-1, Red-tailed Hawk-1, A. Crow-3, Black-capped
Chickadee-3, N. Mockingbird-1 and Dark-eyed Junco-21. Another walker told
me there is a "big owl" that is sometimes seen from the trail. I'll have to
keep my eye out for the owl on future trips!
(report from Laura Lane).
- 11/25/12 -- Wachusett Reservoir, West Boylston
-
There was a female Barrow's Goldeneye at Wachusett Reservoir yesterday
evening at about 4:00PM. It was at South Bay behind in the small island
looking West from rt 140, where Barrow's seem to show up yearly. It was
with a flock of 17 Common Goldeneye (15m, 2f). 3 Black Scoters also seen to
the East.
(report from Kevin Bourinot).
- 11/25/12 -- Worcester Airport and environs
-
- We spent the morning looking for Pine Grosbeaks around Worcester Airport and
nearby locations. Typically when there is an incursion of this species, they
can be found in the ornamental crab apples near the terminal. We had none
today. BUT: It was incredibly windy on airport hill. So windy that opening
a door was a major struggle and getting in and closing the door behind you
was a risky enterprise for your legs and head. PLUS: Only some of the trees
still had fruit on them. Still, some trees look like they would be
attractive to Pine Grosbeaks, but there were none found this morning.
Perhaps later this week.
- Birds of any species were tough to come by because of the wind, but we did
have:
Great Blue Heron (Kettlebrook#2);
Mute Swan (3);
Canada Goose (46);
Mallard (56);
Hooded Merganser (13);
Common Merganser (1f: the 150+ Common Mergs at Kettlebrook#4 have left);
Red-tailed Hawk (1: perched low on a fence);
Horned Lark: (at least 75 birds, the maximum seen at one time. There could
have been more, but smaller flocks came and went so quickly it was difficult
to keep track. Sometimes they put into the car lot, but most of the time
they were out in the grasses between the runways and very difficult to see);
American Robin (flock of 30+ feasting on fruit);
Tree Sparrow (8);
Dark-eyed Junco (15+);
LAPLAND LONGSPUR (1 w/larks in lot, then it flew off with that group of
larks and we could never turn it up again. This has often been my experience
with this species here. I can't figure out if they are just passing through,
or only sometimes following the larks to the lot. Sheila has gotten some
fine pics in the past, but not today: too windy and the birds too flighty)
NB: NO Snow Buntings despite a diligent search, which is unusual;
Common Redpoll (22: in birches at the industrial park);
A Goldfinch (7).
(report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).
- 11/24/12 -- Gardner
-
- This morning there were 3 Pine Grosbeaks in the crabapple trees in front of
Henry Heywood Hospital in Gardner; all were female types.
- On 11/22 I enjoyed
prolonged looks at an immature Northern Shrike at High Ridge WMA near the
Overlook Road gate, I have posted a pictures on my
blog.
(report from Tom Pirro).
- 11/23/12 -- Barre
-
Around 10 am I had an adult Lesser Black-backed
Gull with 13 Herring and 1 Great Black- backed on the ice at the Barre
landfill on Rt. 122.
(report by Rodney Jenkins)
- 11/22/12 -- Lancaster
-
While driving to my sister's house yesterday for Thanksgiving dinner, I
spotted an Osprey flying overhead. It was just west of Lancaster on route
117 at the bridge over the Nashua River.
(report from Laura Lane).
- 11/22/12 -- Western Worcester County
-
-
PAXTON: Worcester Memorial Cemetery: The immature SNOW GOOSE continues in
among 80+ Canada Geese. I have now been informed that periodically these
geese are flushed off the grass by the cemetery groundskeeper.
- ROYALSTON:
We went here to check on "winter finches" and put in a concerted search for
Boreal Chickadee. We dipped totally on winter finches and the Boreal, but
did have (among other birds);:
Hooded Merganser (10);
Common Merganser (27);
Red-tailed Hawk (1);
Common Raven (1);
Red-breasted Nuthatch (14);
Golden-crowned Kinglet (11);
- We then headed to NEW SALEM to look for the Pine Grosbeaks that have been
reported there. Dipped, and found most of the same species we found in
Royalston. From LOVER'S LEAP we had (1); Red-tailed Hawk and a flock of (12);
Common Mergansers heading into Quabbin.
- At the QUABBIN PARK/SOUTH QUABBIN area we had:
Common Loon (3);
Horned Grebe (4);
Mallard (4);
A Black Duck (1);
Hooded Merganser (6);
Bald Eagle (2ad);
Red-tailed Hawk (2);
Common Raven (2);
Red-breasted Nuthatch (8);
Brown Creeper (1);
Carolina Wren (2);
Golden-crowned Kinglet (4);
Eastern Bluebird (5);
Hermit Thrush (2);
A Robin (50+);
Fox Sparrow (1);
PINE GROSBEAK (5 immature/female in crab apple trees in front of Visitor's
Center. Search well for these birds. They are so quiet and unflappable, they
are easy to miss even when you are looking at the tree. Several called
quietly while we were observing them);
Common Redpoll (6);
- Returning home we had (2); EASTERN MEADOWLARKS at Worcester Airport from the
Leicester side.
(report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).
- 11/21/12 -- Paxton/North Brookfield
-
- The Snow Goose continues [see Nov. 17-18 reports] at the
Memorial Cemetery on Rt. 56. It was with 91 Canada geese.
- Yesterday (11/20), at the same site of the previous day's Pine
grosbeaks in North Brookfield, I had an imm. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker.
(report from Rodney Jenkins)
- 11/21/12 -- Lake Lashaway/Lake Quaboag, N. Brookfield/Brookfield
-
Two Gadwalls (M+F) and a Pied-billed Grebe were at Lake Lashaway in N.
Brookfield this A.M.
There was a Ring-necked Pheasant running around the Boat Launch at Lake
Quaboag.
(report from Peter Morlock).
- 11/20/12 -- Zenith Dr, Worcester
-
I flushed this
Barred Owl when I dumped leaves on the compost pile in my
back yard. I think it's been in my yard for 3 or 4 days. It's presence might
explain a very large splat of whitewash that I found on top of the stone
wall a few days ago. There are lots of mice and shrews in the yard the it
might be feeding on.
(report from Bart Kamp).
- 11/20/12 -- North Brookfield
-
I saw 7 Pine Grosbeaks this morning in North Brookfield. (report from Rodney
Jenkins)
- 11/20/12 -- Worcester Airport, Worcester
-
This morning there were Horned Larks 15+ and Snow Buntings 35+ flying about.
They were viewed from the parking lot at the left side of the airport.
(report from Peter Morlock).
- 11/18/2012 -- Winimusset WMA, New Braintree
- We birded Winimusset WMA and adjacent fields and wetlands.
Highlights were 1 adult BALD EAGLE, 1 COOPER'S HAWK, 1 MERLIN, about 60
AMERICAN PIPITS, 6 EASTERN BLUEBIRDS, 1 BELTED KINGFISHER, and at least 2
RED-BELLIED WOODPECKERS. We saw no ducks or geese. (Wendy Howes & Alan
Rawle)
- 11/18/12 -- Flint Pond, Worcester/Shrewsbury
-
There were 7 Common Redpolls at the Flint Pond boat ramp. Not much on the
pond or Lake Quinsig. Yesterday there were people water skiing and someone
was out in a kayak. I was freezing I don?t know what they were feeling.
(report from John Shea).
- 11/18/12 -- Ware River Watershed IBA, Barre/Worcester Memorial Cemetery, Paxton
-
- Today we birded some of the sections of the WARE RIVER WATERSHED IBA,
concentrating on the western dirt roads and starting with the roads that run
along the Burnshirt River. The habitat is mostly mixed forest with a few
overgrown fields. Now that fall is waning and the leaves are of the trees
and temps are falling, passerines are few and far between in deep forest
habitats like this and the variety is limited. But we came across several
nice mixed species pockets. Here are some highlights:
Canada Goose (38 in a marsh);
Wild Turkey (1);
Downy Woodpecker (7);
Hairy Woodpecker (7);
Black-capped Chickadee (91);
Tufted Titmouse (18);
Red-breasted Nuthatch (96);
White-breasted Nuthatch (23);
Brown Creeper (9);
Hermit Thrush (3);
E Bluebird (1);
NB: NO winter finches!
- I had gotten an e-mail from Rick that a birder [Ted Purcell -- see report
below] had reported a SNOW GOOSE
among Canadas at the WORCESTER MEMORIAL CEMETERY in Paxton. We stopped there
first near dawn and though there was a sizeable flock of Canadas feeding on
the frosted grass, we couldn't find a Snow Goose (though there were (60+);
American Robins and (70+); Dark-eyed Juncos among other birds. Later, after
birding the IBA, we stopped again at the cemetery and this time we found the
immature SNOW GOOSE among (88) Canada Geese. So, if looking for this bird,
try different times of the day.
(report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).
- 11/17/18 -- Worcester Memorial Cemetery, Paxton
- In the flock of geese frequenting the Worc Mem
Cemetary pond in Paxton (rte 56) north of the center there has been an
odd goose hanging with the Canada's. It looks to me like a juv
Snow goose. (report from Ted Purcell).
- 11/17/12 -- Wachusett Reservoir, Clinton
-
Late this afternoon there were 2 bald eagles perched next to each other
on the dead tree across from gate 40 - it must be date night! Eight
common loons were also seen between gates 36-40.
(report from Jean Holm).
- 11/17/12 -- Bolton Flats, Bolton/Sterling Peat, Sterling
-
- At Bolton Flats, the White-rumped Sandpiper continued this morning with 6
Wilson's Snipe and a Pectoral Sandpiper. Observed with Kim Allen and Peter
Morlock.
- At Sterling Peat there was a White-rumped Sandpiper seen well with
Mark Lynch Sheila Carroll, Peter Morlock and Kim Allen. The 17 Common
Redpolls reported by Tom Pirro yesterday were there feeding on the birch
catkins.
(report from Alan Marble).
- 11/17/12 -- Bolton Flats, Bolton/Sterling Peat, Sterling
-
Following up on Tom Pirro's post, I went looking for the Common Redpolls
that he saw yesterday at Sterling Peat. They were easy to spot, flying
between the Birch trees, I counted 20. There was also a White-rumped
Sandpiper in the middle of the pond on a mud bar. I wasn't sure at first
that it was a White-rumped Sandpiper because it wasn't moving around. Mark
Lynch, Sheila Carroll, Alan Marble and Kim Allen came by later and we all
agreed that it was. Mark thought that it might be the same one that was seen
at Bolton Flats. Alan, Kim and I went to Bolton Flats and immediately saw a
White-rumped, so there might be two. There were also some Killdeer, Snipe
and a Pectoral Sandpiper.
(report from Peter Morlock).
- 11/17/12 -- Wachusett Reservoir & vicinity/Holden
-
- We started the day birding the WACHUSETT RESERVOIR IBA, which includes
(besides the reservoir) Sterling Peat (Muddy Pond), the Waushacums, and
Coachlace Pond. Here is some of what we found:
Common Loon (7);
Pied-billed Grebe (1);
Horned Grebe (2);
Double-crested Cormorant (1);
Great Blue Heron (5);
Canada Goose (137);
Mallard (32);
N Pintail (1f);
Green-winged Teal (29);
Ring-necked Duck (6);
Greater Scaup (85);
Lesser Scaup (6);
Surf Scoter (1m+1f);
Black Scoter (3f);
Bufflehead (20);
C Goldeneye (23: 1 flock);
Hooded Merganser (24);
Ruddy Duck (26);
Cooper's Hawk (1imm);
Red-tailed Hawk (6);
WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER (1: at Sterling Peat. This bird was there first thing
in the morning and found by Peter Morlock. Several us got on it and Sheila
took some poor distant shots. Peter and the other birders then headed over to Bolton
Flats to see if they could find the White-rump found by Kevin Bourinot last
weekend. They did, BUT when Sheila and I returned to Sterling Peat to see if
the White-rumped was still there, it was GONE. So it could be the same bird!)
Belted Kingfisher (2);
Pileated Woodpecker (1);
Red-breasted Nuthatch (21);
E Bluebird (16);
Brown-headed Cowbird (6);
Common Redpoll (20: feeding on birch catkins at Sterling Peat);
- THEN we headed to QUINAPOXET RESERVOIR, in Holden. The water has been
lowered and we had:
Mallard (3);
A Black Duck (7);
Hooded Merganser (5);
Common Merganser (133);
Ring-billed Gull (71: in a feeding frenzy along some of the pools);
Herring Gull (2);
E Bluebird (6);
- AT NEARBY MAPLE SPRING POND, also in Holden:
A Black Duck (3);
Ring-necked Duck (181);
Bufflehead (9);
Common Goldeneye (2);
Ruddy Duck (9);
(report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).
- 11/16/12 -- Bolton Flats/Wachusett Reservoir/Sterling Peat,
Bolton/Clinton/Sterling
-
Hilites from the follow location this afternoon:
- Bolton Flats:
Killdeer 4;
White-rumped Sandpiper 1;
Pectoral Sandpiper 1;
Wilson's Snipe 6;
Horned Lark 60-70 carefully checked for the previously reported Lapland
Longspur but I did not see it with these birds.
- Coachlace Pond (Clinton):
Greater Scaup 70;
Lesser Scaup 3 or 4;
Bufflehead 1;
Hooded Merganser 2
- Wachusett Reservoir Gates 40 and 36:
Common Loon 8;
Red-necked Grebe 3;
Horned Grebe 3
- Sterling Peat (Sterling):
Ring-necked Duck 6;
Hooded Merganser 6;
Common Redpoll 17 feeding on birch catkins;
Red-winged Blackbird 125;
Common Grackle 125;
(report from Tom Pirro).
- 11/16/12 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
- Migrating raptors today:
Northern Harrier 1 ;
Red-shouldered Hawk 1 ;
Red-tailed Hawk 6;
Rough-legged Hawk 1
- Raptor Observations:
The Rough-legged Hawk soared with the Northern Harrier.
(report from Bart Kamp).
- 11/15/12 -- Wachusett Reservoir, Clinton
-
Here is some video I took of a
Bald Eagle flying over the reservoir.
(report from Kathleen Griffin).
- 11/15/12 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
- Migrating raptors today:
Osprey 1 ;
Bald Eagle 1 ;
Cooper's Hawk 1 ;
Red-shouldered Hawk 1 ;
Red-tailed Hawk 13 .
- Non-raptor Observations:
33 Canada Geese
(report from Bart Kamp).
- 11/14/12 -- Marlborough
-
I have been seeing Pine Siskins at my feeders off and on for a couple of
weeks now. This week 2 Common Redpolls appeared at my feeders!
(report from Laura Lane).
- 11/13/12 -- Douglas
-
This morning, when I looked out at my feeder area, I had a fox sparrow, 5
white-throated sparrows, two red-breasted nuthatches, a Carolina wren, and
"the usuals" (cardinals, juncos, etc.), all at the same time. It really pays
off to feed the birds! (report from Mary Sughrue-Yacino).
- 11/12/12 -- Quabbin Park, Quabbin Reservoir
-
A morning's trip to QUABBIN PARK/SOUTH QUABBIN had the following highlights:
Common Loon (6);
Horned Grebe (18);
Canada Goose (26);
A Black Duck (6);
Mallard (12);
Bufflehead (3m);
Bald Eagle (2ad+1 sub adult);
Sharp-shinned Hawk (1);
Red-tailed Hawk (3);
Ring-billed Gull (7);
Belted Kingfisher (2);
Red-bellied Woodpecker (2);
Downy Woodpecker (2);
Hairy Woodpecker (1);
Pileated Woodpecker (1);
Common Raven (2);
Red-breasted Nuthatch (23);
Brown Creeper (1);
CAROLINA WREN (1);
E Bluebird (5);
N Mockingbird (1);
Pine Grosbeak (1);
Red Crossbill (2);
Evening Grosbeak (1).
PLUS: 3 RIVER OTTERS in the Rt. 9 marsh chowing down on bullheads; and (1)
PAINTED LADY in Quabbin park Cemetery.
(report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).
- 11/12/12 -- Berlin
- At ~5 pm I spotted two great horned owls in the woods in front
of my home -- both were perched on top of white pines.
(report from Randy Langer).
- 11/12/12 -- Quabbin gate 43, Hardwick
-
Shorebirds seen at Quabbin gate 43 in Hardwick today were: 5 Greater
Yellowlegs, 1 White-rumped Sandpiper and 1 Black-bellied Plover.
(report from Bart Kamp).
- 11/12/12 -- Leesville Pond/Fair Plaza, Worcester
-
Kim Allen and I did some local birding this morning. At the Fair Plaza in
Worcester, at dawn, we had a few hundred American Crows staging with one
definite Fish Crow. Later, around 10 p.m., at a cove on Leesville Pond on
Hope ave in Worcester, we had a
gray phase Eastern Screech Owl roosting
in a wood Duck Box. (report from Alan Marble).
- 11/11/12 -- Bolton Flats, Bolton
-
This afternoon there was a White-rumped Sandpiper at Bolton Flats. It was
seen from the 117 entrance in the pool furthest to the North. Not much else
when I was there other than 3 Killdeer, American Pipits (40+), and Horned
Larks (50+). (report from Kevin Bourinot).
- 11/11/12 -- Gates Pond, Berlin / Wachusett
Reservoir
-
- Gates
Pond (0655-0945): Highlights were Common loon (2), hooded merganser (2),
broad-wing hawk (1), barred owl, heard not seen (1), pileated woodpecker
(1),
hairy woodpecker (4), brown creeper (5), red bellied woodpecker (1),
red breasted nuthatch (32)
- Wachusett Reservoir (1100-1400): Common loon (8), bufflehead
(30+),
bald eagle (1), red-tailed hawk (3), yellow-rumped warbler (13),
double-crested cormorant (1), dark-eyed junco (18).
- Two Footnotes: In the Eastern white pines, below the dam of
Watchusett Reservoir there was a huge flock of American crows , I'd
estimate between 175-200, difficult to count, but very vocal. Also, I now
have a third red-tailed hawk in my
wooded development, that makes two mature and one immature, the
latter may be an offspring.
(report from Randy Langer)
- 11/10/12 -- Gate 37 (North Dana and Dana), Quabbin Reservoir
- The following were seen and or heard from a 14.6 mile hike from gate 37 to
the "Indian Kitchen" within the north east section of the Quabbin watershed
today from 8:45am to 3:45pm. A beautiful day to enjoy the Quabbin's
shoreline, woodlands, roads, historic sites, stone walls, wildlife and
scenery! I kept a careful count on the RB nuts as every chickadee flock had
4-6 in the mix and looked and listened and looked hard for Boreal Chickadee
when I was near spruces but none were detected. I bush wacked a good deal
and was surprised not to kick up a grouse but they are cyclical.
- Birds recorded:
American Black Duck 15;
Mallard 6;
White-winged Scoter 1 female;
Bufflehead 2 females;
Common Merganser 4 females;
Red-breasted Merganser 1 female;
Common Loon 6;
Horned Grebe 2;
Bald Eagle 1 imm.;
Greater Yellowlegs 1;
shorebird sp. 3 likely Pecs;
Ring-billed Gull 7;
Barred Owl 1;
Downy Woodpecker 18;
Hairy Woodpecker 9;
Pileated Woodpecker 5;
Blue Jay 10;
American Crow 20;
Black-capped Chickadee 161 careful count;
Tufted Titmouse 37;
Red-breasted Nuthatch 106 careful count;
White-breasted Nuthatch 41;
Brown Creeper 16 careful count;
Golden-crowned Kinglet 15;
Snow Bunting 1;
American Tree Sparrow 1;
Dark-eyed Junco 7;
Red Crossbill 20;
White-winged Crossbill 9;
Common Redpoll 1 flying past overhead;
American Goldfinch 2;
(report from Tom Pirro).
- 11/9/12 -- Pingry Hill, Ayer
- Today and yesterday, my husband observed three
Evening grosbeaks at our backyard sunflower feeders. Also,
we have had our regular Eastern Bluebirds, new Pine Siskins and White
Throated Sparrows.
(report from Cheryl and Jean-Pierre Boissy).
- 11/9/12 -- West Millbury
-
Under my home feeders on Elmwood St, I had a Fox Sparrow, late afternoon
yesterday and this morning and now there are 2 this afternoon. I have also
had a Red-breasted Nuthatch that is rare here and male and female Purple
Finches. I daily hear Pileated Woodpeckers and occasionally they are at the
perimeter of the yard. They never come to the suet though.
(report from Alan Marble).
- 11/9/12 -- Worcester/Shrewsbury
- While driving on Route 20 this morning,
I had an adult Bald Eagle flying over from Flint Pond to Lake Quinsig at
about 7:35.(report from John Liller).
- 11/5/12 -- Whalom Lake, Lunenburg
- This afternoon on Whalom Lake were:
Greater Scaup 8;
Surf Scoter 10;
Bufflehead 10.
(report from Tom Pirro).
- 11/5/12 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
- Migrating raptors today:
Osprey 1 ;
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 ;
Cooper's Hawk 2 ;
Red-shouldered Hawk 1 ;
Red-tailed Hawk 19 ;
Merlin 1 .
Non-raptor Observations:
236 Canada Geese and 4 loons.
(report from Bart Kamp).
- 11/4/12 -- Northboro, Westboro, and Marlborough
-
Highlights of the Forbush Bird Club trip included a pair of Long-tailed Ducks on
Lake Chauncey, 6 Pied-billed Grebes on Bartlett Pond, and a Golden-crowned
Kinglet that put on a display for us. Here is the
complete trip list.
(report from Laura Lane).
- 11/4/12 -- Worcester County
- Birds recorded at various locations:
- DOUGLAS> a few stops
Canada Goose (196);
Mallard (8);
Ruby-crowned Kinglet (4);
E Bluebird (6);
Hermit Thrush (1);
Yellow-rumped Warbler (3);
White-winged Crossbill (16);
- SUTTON (a few stops);
N Harrier (1);
Red-tailed Hawk (4);
A Kestrel (1);
Green-winged Teal (8: at Bug Swamp);
Ring-necked Duck (61);
C Raven (1);
Golden-crowned Kinglet (5);
E Bluebird (13);
Yellow-rumped Warbler (4);
Dark-eyed Junco (91);
PLUS: Eastern Comma (1);
(report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).
- 11/4/12 -- Uxbridge Community Gardens, Uxbridge
-
We visited the UXBRIDGE COMMUNITY GARDENS and adjacent weedy fields for two
and a half hours, both yesterday (11/3) early afternoon and early
this morning. Here are the totals (1st number for 11/3, 2nd number for 11/4):
Northern Harrier (2/2);
Sharp-shinned Hawk (1/1);
Red-tailed Hawk (1/1);
Red-bellied Woodpecker (1/1);
Cedar Waxwing (5/14);
N Mockingbird (3/1);
E Bluebird (1/15+);
American Robin (0/ 60+);
American Crow (0/70+);
House Finch (5/70+: huge single flock feeding in weeds);
Pine Siskin (0/5);
American Goldfinch (2/40+);
Yellow-rumped Warbler (0/6);
Palm Warbler (0/1);
A Tree Sparrow (2/10+);
Chipping Sparrow (0/1);
CLAY-COLORED SPARROW (1/1: photo documented);
Vesper Sparrow (1/0);
Savannah Sparrow (30+/40+);
Song Sparrow (50+/50+);
Swamp Sparrow (2/10);
WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW (20+ both days MINIMAL count. All immatures; several
singing the entire time we were there both days. Photo documented);
White-throated Sparrow (15+ both days);
Dark-eyed Junco (0/30+);
Red-winged Blackbird (60+/600+);
Common Grackle (300++).
(report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).
- 11/4/12 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
- Migrating raptors today:
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture 0 0 0
Turkey Vulture 0 1 361
Osprey 1 1 196
Bald Eagle 1 2 55
Northern Harrier 0 0 27
Sharp-shinned Hawk 2 6 845
Cooper's Hawk 1 1 175
Northern Goshawk 0 1 5
Red-shouldered Hawk 4 6 47
Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 4730
Red-tailed Hawk 16 41 330
Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0
Golden Eagle 0 0 1
American Kestrel 0 0 174
Merlin 0 2 35
Peregrine Falcon 0 0 20
Unknown Accipiter 0 0 0
Unknown Buteo 0 0 0
Unknown Falcon 0 0 0
Unknown Eagle 0 0 0
Unknown Raptor 3 6 69
Total: 28 67 7070
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Non-raptor Observations:
5 Brant and 1 Monarch Butterfly
(report from Bart Kamp).
- 11/3/12 -- Worcester County
- Birds recorded at various locations:
- PAXTON> Kettlebrook Reservoir#4:
Common Merganser (10);
- LEICESTER>Lyndebrook Reservoir
Golden-crowned Kinglet (6);
Yellow-rumped Warbler (2);
- SUTTON>Commerce Park
E Bluebird (11);
Cedar Waxwing (23);
Field Sparrow (2);
Savannah Sparrow (5);
Dark-eyed Junco (78);
A Goldfinch (25+);
- NORTHBRIDGE (just s few stops);
Pied-billed Grebe (2);
Great Blue Heron (1);
Mute Swan (8);
Mallard (41);
A Black Duck (12);
Gadwall (pair);
Lesser Scaup (1);
Bufflehead (3m);
Hooded Merganser (5);
- RUTLAND>1 stop
Red-winged Blackbird (2000+);
Common Grackle (8000++);
Huge river of birds moving rapidly overhead for over 15 minutes. Headed NE
- RUTLAND>Muschopauge Rd
Canada Goose (8 overhead);
Snow Goose (1 overhead);
N Harrier (1);
Killdeer (1);
Horned Lark (43);
Savannah Sparrow (6);
- WORCESTER>Coes Pond
Mute Swan (1);
Canada Goose (2);
Mallard (4);
Hooded Merganser (8);
(report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).
- 11/3/12 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
- Migrating raptors today:
Bald Eagle 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk 3
Northern Goshawk 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 2
Red-tailed Hawk 20
Merlin 2 .
- Raptor Observations:
We watched a group of 6 soaring redtails disappear into the base of a
cumulus cloud. Not migrating: 3 redtails and 2 Northern Goshawks.
- Non-raptor Observations:
12 Double-crested Cormorants.
(report from Bart Kamp).
- 11/3/12 -- Indian Lake, Worcester
- On Indian Lake there were 84 Common Mergansers, ~6 Hooded Mergansers,
16 Ruddy ducks, 3 Buffleheads, and 7 DC Cormorants. Just off Lincoln
St near my feeders there were 2 White-crowned Sparrows, 3 Pine Siskins,
and a local Cooper's Hawk. (phone report from Dave Grant).
- 11/3/12 -- Gardner/Westminster
- Wompanoag MAS in Gardner: I did a little hawkwatching from 12:30 to
1:30PM. Not much happening on the raptor front, the highlights were
Brant 8 (small flock migrating SE);
Common Loon 1 in flight;
Bald Eagle 1 adult moving NW;
Red-tailed Hawk 1 (migrant);
Eastern Bluebird 2;
White-winged Crossbill a few flew overhead calling.
- Crystal Lake (Gardner):
Bufflehead 4 females;
Ruddy Duck 2;
Herring Gull 2;
Ring-billed Gull 9
- Meeting House Pond (Westminster):
Pied-billed Grebe 1;
Common Loon 1;
Bald Eagle 1. The eagle was an adult perched in a tree keeping a close "eye" on the grebe,
which was swimming a few hundred feet away. Eventually the eagle took a
"stab" at the grebe (an assumption), of course the grebe dove but the eagle
hovered in place (like an Osprey, using the wind to keep it aloft) and then
dove. It landed in the water and could be seen "reaching deep" for its prey,
it then swam a minute or two and flew off the water empty handed. It then
perched in another tree and began "eyeing" the grebe again (and likely the
grebe was eyeing the eagle even closer.
(report from Tom Pirro). - 11/3/12 -- Douglas
-
While looking at white-throated sparrows under my feeder, I noticed another
bird enthusiastically kicking up leaf litter. Turns out it was a fox
sparrow, my first of the season. (report from Mary Sughrue-Yacin).
- 11/2/12 -- Institute Park, Worcester
- Highlights at noon were 1 Cooper's Hawk (ad) feeding on prey, 1
Belted Kingfisher (f), and 1 Yellow-rumped Warbler. (report from
Rick Quimby).
For previous sightings, see
October 2012 Archives or
Archive Index
