October 2000 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.

10/31/00 -- Quabbin Gate 40

A pre-dusk walk into Gate 40 had Ring-neck Duck(10), Bufflehead(2), Hooded Merganser(3), American Woodcock, Ruffed Grouse(drumming), Red-breasted Nuthatch, American Robin(100+), Fox Sparrow(3) and Red-winged Blackbird(100+). (report from Chris Buelow)

10/31/00 -- Rowley Hill, Sterling

Junco (50) and golden-crowned kinglet (20) numbers have increased in the past few days; also seen were 2 sharp-shinned hawks, one Coopers hawks; and 2 barred owls were heard calling. (report from Richard Spedding).

10/31/00 -- Crystal lake, Gardner

There was single Red-necked grebe on Crystal lake this morning at 6:45AM , the only fowl on the Lake. (report from Tom Pirro).

10/29/00 -- Winimusett WMA, New Braintree

A snowy mid-morning at Winimusett had highlights of American Woodcock(1), Winter Wren(1), American Pipit(8), Yellow-rumped Warbler(3), Savannah Sparrow(10) and Swamp Sparrow(1). (report from Chris Buelow)

10/29/00 -- Gardner

I hawkwatched for a bit over an hour , before the snow this morning with the following results: 2 Sharp-shinned , 1 Red-tailed , 2 osprey (together) and 1 Un ID. Also some Robins and Crows were on the move and a flock of Black Scoter (~15) were circling Lake Wompanoag off in the distance. (report from Tom Pirro).

10/29/00 -- Wachusett Reservoir

Donning full winter gear (depressing) we headed to Wachusett Reservoir again. Like yesterday, the eastern shore was problematic to bird. Not only was the wind high, but the shimmer from the heat loss on the water made distant scoping difficult. We managed to see the following: Common Loon (18); Canada Goose (54); Mallard (12); A. Black Duck (2); LONG-TAILED DUCK [a.k.a. OLDSQUAW] (17); BLACK SCOTER (2m+1f); N. Harrier (1); Red-Tailed Hawk (2); Ruffed Grouse (1); BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER (same juv. as yesterday); Greater Yellowlegs (1); Belted Kingfisher (2); Golden-Crowned Kinglet (14); E. Bluebird (6); Hermit Thrush (2); Yellow-Rumped Warbler (5); Palm Warbler (1 eastern form); Snow Bunting (10); Purple Finch (2). By 10, the snow squalls hit and it was time to head home for something warm. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

10/28/00 -- Wachusett Reservoir/L. Quaboag

We birded Wachusett Res. early this morning. Conditions were extremely variable depending on where you were viewing from. Many vantage points from the eastern shore were extremely windy, and this made birding difficult in the extreme. We probably missed many birds from these areas as it was VERY difficult to keep a scope steady. But from the dam and certain areas on the western shore, there was enough of a wind break to make birding easier. RED-THROATED LOON (1); Common Loon (16); Horned Grebe (1); Double-Crested Cormorant (1); Great Blue Heron (1); Canada Goose (6); A. Black Duck (2); OLDSQUAW (24); Common Merganser (40); Red-Tailed Hawk (2); BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER (1 juv. on the Clinton dike/walking path); Killdeer (3: HS playing fields); Greater Yellowlegs (1); American Pipit (1); Yellow-Rumped Warbler (1); Snow Bunting (2); Pine Siskin (1).
At Lake Quaboag in Brookfield, we only had the following: Pied-Billed Grebe (8); Great Blue Heron (1); Canada Goose (153); Mallard (139); A. Black Duck (16); Ruddy Duck (7); A. Coot (3). Still some Yellow-Legged Meadowhawks about, and found a sphinx moth caterpillar. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

10/28/00 -- Quinapoxet Reservoir, Holden

We birded the southern 2/3 of the reservoir this morning. The conditions were extremely windy, making birding very tough. Canada Goose (22); Common Merganser (14); Killdeer (1); Ring-Billed Gull (8); Blue Jay (12); A. Crow (35); Black-Capped Chickadee (22); Tufted Titmouse (2); Golden-Crowned Kinglet (4); Hermit Thrush (2); White-Throated Sparrow (80); Dark-Eyed Junco (46). We still had (10+) Yellow-Legged Meadowhawks along the paved road to the building, and had a sphinx moth caterpillar and a wooly bear heading for the hills. As our permit runs out in November, this will be out last survey. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

10/28/00 -- Broad Meadow brook Sanctuary

I recorded the following highlights on a blustery walk with my class at the Broad Meadow Brook Wildlife Sanctuary (Worcester) yesterday morning (10/28/00): Turkey Vulture (1-2); Canada Goose (8 - flying very high); Red-tailed Hawk (1 adult); Ruby-crowned Kinglet (2); Hermit Thrush (2); Yellow-rumped Warbler (1); Song Sparrow (4); White-throated Sparrow (2); Dark-eyed Junco (11). (report from John Liller).

--------------- Tour: The Natural History of Antioch

I will be giving the "Tour-Of-The-Month" at the Worcester Art Museum in Novemeber on the NATURAL HISTORY OF ANCIENT ANTIOCH. This will co-incide with the museum's landmark exhibition ANTIOCH: THE LOST ANCIENT CITY. This huge exhibition, many years in the making, focuses on the city of Antioch (now in Turkey near the Syrian border). The Worcester Art Museum has long beeen famous for its collection of Antioch mosaics, and this show has brought together other mosaics and objects from many other institutions.
In my tour we will look at the birds (of course!), mammals and even fish that are found in the show and piece together a view of the natural world at that time. I will also talk about how these ancient Mediterranean cultures affected their environment, often with very negative results. Most importantly, I will talk about using art museums as resources in natural history.
The tour will be given twice: Wednesday, November 8 at 2 PM and again Saturday, November 11 at 2 PM. The tour is free with admission to the art museum. For directions and details, go to: www.worcesterart.org (submitted by Mark Lynch).

10/25/00 -- Airport/Parker Pond, Gardner

Highlights of birds observed in or near Gardner include:
Gardner Airport: 1 Northern Shrike, 4 Horned Larks, 4 Rusty Blackbirds and 3 Hermit Thrushes
Parker Pond: 4 Green-winged Teal (report from Chuck Caron).

10/25/00 -- Mt. Wachusett summit, Princeton

Snow Buntings have arrived in Worcester County. I found one on the summit of Mount Wachusett today. (report from Bart Kamp).

10/25/00 -- various locations

This afternoon, Fran McMenemy and I checked out some Worcester County sites. Some of our highlights are:
Wachusett Reservoir (South Bay): Oldsqaw - 2 ; Horned Grebe - 17; Common Loon - 6 ; Bufflehead - 1 (f).
Wachusett Reservoir (Gate 39): Common Loon - 11; Red-necked Grebe - 1 ; Red-throated Loon - 1 ; Bufflehead - 4 (3D,1f) ; Am. Golden Plover - 1 ; Oldsqaw - 4 ; Greater Scaup - 4 ; Common Mergansers - 30 .
Sterling Peat: Northern Harrier - 1; Northern Shrike - 1; Killdeer - 6; Red-winged Blackbird - 6.
West Lake Wauchacum: Greater Scaup - 18; Ring-necked Duck - 1; TUFTED DUCK - 1.
East Lake Wauchacum: Ruddy Duck - 30; Bufflehead - 2; Pied-billed Grebe - 1.
New Swedish Cemetery: American Wigeon - 22; Gadwall - 2; Mute Swan - 1; Green-winged Teal - 8 (many were hidden and hard to count); Wood Duck - 30. (report from Joan Zumpfe).

10/24/00 -- Petersham

Various afternoon stops around Petersham turned up Red-throated Loon, Pied-billed Grebe, Great Blue Heron, Wood Duck(4), Green-winged Teal(12), Ring-necked Duck(10), Eastern Phoebe, Northern Raven(3), Red-breasted Nuthatch(3), Brown Creeper(3), Golden-crowned Kinglet(15), Winter Wren, and a Fox Sparrow. (report from Chris Buelow)

10/24/00 -- Rowley Hill, Sterling

There were 8 golden crowned kinglets, 12 juncos, 2 sharp-shinned hawks, a red-bellied woodpecker , 4 bluebirds, one hermit thrush, and 20 yellow-rumped warblers today. (report from Richard Spedding).

10/23/00 -- Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary, Princeton

Among the usual yellow-rumps etc, a couple of interesting sightings today: Our 4th record ever of a red-bellied woodpecker (male), an immature bald eagle and, yes, 1 AMERICAN TREE SPARROW. Actually, according to our archives this is slightly later than average (15 Oct) for the harbinger of things to come. (report from Dick Knowlton).

10/22/00 -- Cook Pond, Worcester

A stroll around Cook Pond in the Tatnuck Square area produced 4 dozen Mallards, 2 Canada Geese (1 with an injured wing?), 1 Dbl.-crested Cormorant, 2 Great Blue Herons, 4 Hooded Mergs (2 male, 1 female, 1 imm.?), 1 adult Red-tail, 1 Osprey which is clearly hanging about, 1 8" Largemouth Bass in the Osprey's talons, and a dozen or so Crows, which were having a hard time figuring out whether to harrass the Os or the Tail. The water is still low, but there were no shorebirds. Oddly, there were no White-throated Sparrows or Juncos. (report from Howard Shainheit).

10/22/00 -- Winimusett WMA/Moose Brook Valley, Hardwick/New Braintree

A morning at Winimusett WMA in New Braintree had Greater Yellowlegs(1), Common Snipe(3), Turkey Vulture(2), Sharp-shinned Hawk(1), Eastern Bluebird(1), Hermit Thrush(1), and Savannah Sparrow(4). An afternoon along the Moose Brook Valley in Hardwick had Great Blue Heron(1), Cooper's Hawk(1), Ruby-crowned Kinglet(4), Blackpoll Warbler(1), Black-throated Green Warbler(1), and AMERICAN TREE SPARROW(1). (report from Chris Buelow)

10/22/00 -- Wompanoag MAS/Crystal Lake Cemetery, Gardner

Yesterday (10/21) I Hawkwatched for an hour from Crystal Lake Cemetery in gardner with the following results: Sharp-shinned hawk 4; Am. Kestrel 4; Red-tailed Hawk 4; Bald Eagle 1 imm. an particularly "ratty"; looking individual unidentified 1; total= 14.
Later at my son's baseball game a Ruffed Grouse came zipping down the 3rd base line ... slamming into the backstop ...and unfortunately breaking its neck. The 3rd base coach has been relieved of his duties .... never send the Grouse home , toward the backstop , during October.
Today (10/22) hawkwatching at Wompanoag MAS, the following passed during the afternoon hours: Sharp-shinned 18; Coopers hawk 1; Red-shouldered hawk 5; Red-tailed hawk 3; Turkey Vulture 2; Un Id'd 2; Total hawks= 31. Also ~250 Canada geese moving and 344 migrating American Crows. (report from Tom Pirro).

10/22/00 -- The Brookfields

Checking just a few places in the Brookfields in mid-morning, we had the following:
LAKE QUABOAG: Pied-Billed Grebe (11); Great Blue Heron (2); Canada Goose (42); Mallard (46); Ring-Necked Duck (16); Bufflehead (6); Ruddy Duck (9); Turkey Vulture (2); A. Coot (2); (Note: more waterfowl may have been present first thing in the morning.)
COYS BROOK. WEST BROOKFIELD: Pied-Billed Grebe (1); Mallard (16); A. Black Duck (1); GADWALL (1f-type);
LAKE WICKABOAG: Great Blue Heron (1); Pied-Billed Grebe (2); Canada Goose (11); Wood Duck (1); Mallard (44); A. Black Duck (22); A. Wigeon (1); Ring-Necked Duck (1); Bufflehead (6); Common Merganser (3); (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

10/22/00 -- The Brookfields

Highlights of the Forbush Bird Club trip included Pied-billed Grebe (10+), Bufflehead (6), Common Merganser (15), Ruddy Duck (20+), A. Coot (2), Osprey (2), Bald Eagle (1), N. Harrier (1), Sharp-shinned Hawk (1), Cooper's Hawk (1), Ring-necked Pheasant (1), Killdeer (10+), Common Snipe (1), Northern Flicker (1), Eastern Phoebe (2), Ruby-crowned Kinglet (1), American Pipit (1), Palm Warbler (2), Common Yellowthroat (1), Savannah Sparrow (3), Swamp Sparrow (1), Dark-eyed Junco (2), Red-winged Blackbird (3), Common Grackle (large flock). (report from Rick Quimby).

10/21/00 -- Broad Meadow Brook Sanctuary, Worcester

Highlights on a walk with my class: Sharp-shinned Hawk (1); Hairy Woodpecker (1); Northern Flicker (1); Eastern Phoebe (6); Carolina Wren (1); Golden-crowned Kinglet (4); Ruby-crowned Kinglet (20+ - including a large group that came into some spishing); Hermit Thrush (10); American Robin (35); Gray Catbird (1); Cedar Waxwing (4); NORTHERN PARULA (1 - a late record); Yellow-rumped Warbler (10); Palm Warbler (8 - including one "Western"); Common Yellowthroat (1); Eastern Towhee (2); Song Sparrow (24); Swamp Sparrow (6); White-throated Sparrow (12); Dark-eyed Junco (4); Red-winged Blackbird (1); Common Grackle (1); American Goldfinch (3). (report from John Liller).

10/21/00 -- Quinapoxet Reservoir, Holden

A pretty thorough survey of Quinapoxet Reservoir today (armed with necessary permits of course) had the following: Double-Crested Cormorant (5); Great Blue Heron (1); Green-Winged Teal (56); Mallard (20); A. Black Duck (19); Hooded Merganser (17); Common Merganser (39); Turkey Vulture (2); N. Harrier (1); Sharp-Shinned Hawk (3: drove the crows nuts!!); Red-Tailed Hawk (1); BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER (2); KILLDEER (17); GREATER YELLOWLEGS (8); SPOTTED SANDPIPER (1); ***RUDDY TURNSTONE (1: this is only my second or third for the county!! Very rare in the county); PECTORAL SANDPIPER (2); **DUNLIN (6: great count of this shorebird that is uncommon in the county!); Ring-Billed Gull (30); Herring Gull (6); Belted Kingfisher (2); Red-Bellied Woodpecker (1); Downy Woodpecker (4); N. Flicker (1); Blue Jay (34); A. Crow (350+: this huge flock seems to spend all its time plying the shores of the reservoir); Black-Capped Chickadee (58); Tufted Titmouse (12); Red-Breasted Nuthatch (9); White-Breasted Nuthatch (6); Brown Creeper (4); Winter Wren (1); Golden-crowned Kinglet (21); Ruby-Crowned Kinglet (4); Hermit Thrush (8); A. Robin (3); American Pipit (6); Yellow-Rumped Warbler (4); Palm Warbler (1); Savannah Sparrow (1); Song Sparrow (4); White-Throated Sparrow (76); Dark-Eyed Junco (65); PINE SISKIN (1); Purple Finch (1); A. Goldfinch (6). PLUS: Still a Mourning Cloak flying; hundreds of YELLOW-LEGGED MEADOWHAWKS and a few Aeshna species; E. painted Turtles still basking and a few Spring Peepers calling. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

10/21/00 -- Wachusett Reservoir

An early morning tour of a few stops at Wachuset Reservoir this morning had: RED-THROATED LOON (2); Common Loon (17); Horned Grebe (2); RED-NECKED GREBE (1); Canada Goose (32); Mallard (14); Common Merganser (20); RED-BREASTED MERGANSER (1 f-type); Sharp-Shinned Hawk (1); Merlin (1); Red-Bellied Woodpecker (1); Golden-Crowned Kinglet (16); Ruby-Crowned Kinglet (3); Yellow-Rumped Warbler (22); Palm Warbler (1); Purple Finch (2); PINE SISKIN (3); (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

10/20/00 -- Tatnuck Square, Worcester

At about 10 this morning an Osprey flew over my house in the Tatnuck Square area. It was low enough so I could see its markings and that it was carrying a fish in its talons. Cook Pond is very low; in fact, it's almost a mud flat. Perhaps the fish is from there. (report from Howard Shainheit).

10/17/00 -- Quabbin Gate 35

An evening walk into Gate 35 had highlights of Common Loon(6), Horned Grebe(6), Great Blue Heron(1), Belted Kingfisher(1), Northern Raven(2), Golden-crowned Kinglet(25), Ruby-crowned Kinglet(20), Swainson's Thrush(5), Black-and-White Warbler(1), Yellow-rumped Warbler(5), Common Yellowthroat(1), Chipping Sparrow(3) and White-throated Sparrow(10). Additionally, a few highlights from Moose Brook Valley in Hardwick were Turkey Vulture(1), Barred Owl(1), Common Yellowthroat(1), White-crowned Sparrow(2, ad + juv), Swamp Sparrow(2) and Song Sparrow(25). (report from Chris Buelow)

10/17/00 -- Wachusett Rservoir

Water birds at Wachusett Reservoir this morning were 51 Common Loons, 19 Horned Grebes, 1 Red-necked Grebe, 17 Double-crested Cormorants, 12 Snow Geese, 71 Canada Geese, 2 Mallards, 14 Black Ducks, 8 White-winged Scoters, 9 Surf Scoters and 3 Lesser Scaup. (report from Bart Kamp).

10/16/00 -- Wachusett Reservoir

Hilights at Wachusett Reservoir this morning were 1 Red-throated Loon, 12 Common Loons, 600+ Canada Geese migrating, 8 Buffleheads, 7 Lesser Scaup, 5 Ring-necked Ducks, 10 Black Scoters, 11 White-winged Scoters and a hunting immature Bald Eagle making the water fowl very nervous. (report from Bart Kamp).

10/15/00 -- WMA, Westboro

In the a.m., in the fields just below the Westboro WMA main buliding I observed 9 Eastern Meadowlarks and 6 Eastern Bluebirds. (report from Ann Boover).

10/15/00 -- River Bend Farm, Uxbridge

I recorded the following on a Mass. Audubon sponsored walk at River Bend Farm (Uxbridge) this morning: Great Blue Heron (1); Canada Goose (46); Wood Duck (1); OSPREY (1); Ring-necked Pheasant (2 - most likely released birds); Mourning Dove (6); Red-bellied Woodpecker (1); Downy Woodpecker (6); Hairy Woodpecker (1); Northern Flicker (4); Eastern Phoebe (4); Blue Jay (13); American Crow (16); Black-capped Chickadee (12); Tufted Titmouse (5); White-breasted Nuthatch (4); Carolina Wren (2); Golden-crowned Kinglet (2); Ruby-crowned Kinglet (2); Eastern Bluebird (18 - there were probably several more; there were reportedly 20 young raised by 6 pairs in the boxes this year); Hermit Thrush (1); American Robin (21); Northern Mockingbird (3); European Starling (9); Cedar Waxwing (5); Yellow-rumped Warbler (34); Song Sparrow (16); White-throated Sparrow (11); WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW (1 adult); Northern Cardinal (5); Red-winged Blackbird (24); Common Grackle (12); House Finch (40); American Goldfinch (2); House Sparrow (4). (report from John Liller).

10/14/00 -- Broad Meadow Brook Wildlife Sanctuary, Worcester

Highlights this morning: Canada Goose (25); American Black Duck (4); Mallard (4); Hairy Woodpecker (1); Northern Flicker (2); Eastern Phoebe (6); Carolina Wren (3); House Wren (1); Golden-crowned Kinglet (4); Ruby-crowned Kinglet (13); Eastern Bluebird (3); Hermit Thrush (5); American Robin (67); Gray Catbird (2); Cedar Waxwing (9); Yellow-rumped Warbler (26); Palm Warbler (2); Common Yellowthroat (2); Eastern Towhee (2); Field Sparrow (1); Song Sparrow (12); Swamp Sparrow (1); White-throated Sparrow (49); WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW (1); Dark-eyed Junco (2); Red-winged Blackbird (32). (report from John Liller)

---------------------Forbush Bird Club Meeting

On Thursday, October 19 at 7:30 p.m. in Room 236 of Haberlin Hall at Holy Cross College, hawk expert Paul Roberts will give an informative talk and slide presentation entitled, "Identifying Those Other Hawks." The program is sponsored by the Forbush Bird Club and is free and open to the public. (submitted by Ann Boover).

10/11/00 -- Wachusett Meadows Wildlife Sanctuary, Princeton

The past few nights/early am's Wachusett Meadow has been subject to huge migrating grackle flocks. They apparently arrive during the night and, after a brief feeding period at dawn, they are on their way. Conservative estimates range from 5000 to 7500 birds. Last Thurs. (10/5/00) estimate 14,000. A few starlings always mixed in and yesterday 3 rustys seen. I'm sure there were more. Oddly enough, no red-wingeds. (report from Dick Knowlton).

10/10/00 -- Salisbury St./Park St., Worcester

Birds moving through my backyard this afternoon included: Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker (1 imm. eating cherries from ornamental); N. Flicker (1); Carolina Wren (1); Golden-Crowned Kinglet (10++); A. Robin (20+); Blackpoll Warbler (1); White-Throated Sparrow (20++). (report from Mark Lynch).

10/9/00 -- Wachusett Reservoir

Scoters have arrived at Wachusett Reservoir. I had 15 male Black Scoters and 6 White-winged Scoters today. (report from Bart Kamp).

10/9/00 -- Crystal Lake, Gardner

I checked Crystal lake in Gardner for Scoters this evening. NO luck on the Scoters , but I did have a single female "type" Red-breasted Merganser. The only diving duck on the lake.
The dump is still closed and the #'s of gulls continuues to be low , about 30 birds last night mostly Herrings and a few Ring-billed. The city should be opening a new "cell" in the dump in the near future , that could begin to attract more gulls. (report from Tom Pirro).

10/8/00 -- Northbridge sewer beds

A nice selection of birds were present first thing this morning at these small, and active sewer beds along the Blackstone River. Highlights included: Great Blue Heron (1); Osprey (1); Sharp-Shinned Hawk (1); Least Sandpiper (1: getting very scarce in the county at this date); Common Snipe (3); E. Phoebe (1: numbers getting low in the county); Carolina Wren (2); E. Bluebird (3); Hermit Thrush (1); A. Pipit (3); N. Parula (1); Yellow-Rumped Warbler (98); Palm Warbler (9); Blackpoll (2); Indigo Bunting (2); Chipping Sparrow (17); Field Sparrow (2); Savannah Sparrow (16); NELSON'S SHARP-TAILED SPARROW (1); Song Sparrow (85); Swamp Sparrow (44); Lincoln Sparrow (8); White-Throated Sparrow (20); White-Crowned Sparrow (14); Red-Winged Blackbird (41); A. Goldfinch (24). (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

10/8/00 -- Fisherville Pond, Grafton

Very few birds at Fisherville Pond this AM: Great Blue Heron (2); Turkey Vulture (5); Sharp-Shinned Hawk (1); Yellow-Rumped Warbler (40+); At nearby Lake Ripple: Mute Swan (9). (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

10/8/00 -- Assabet Conservation land (SuAsCo), Westboro

We took a quick hike into the wonderful conservation land property on the southern banks of the SuAsCo. The wind had kicked up and landbirds were tough to come by, but still we got a decent selection of late fall migrants: Double-Crested Cormorant (3); Mute Swan (2); Turkey Vulture (1); Ring-Billed Gull (7); Downy Woodpecker (2); N. Flicker (1); Blue Jay (7); Black-Capped Chickadee (21); Tufted Titmouse (10); White-Breasted Nuthtach (3); Golden-Crowned Kinglet (9); Ruby-Crowned Kinglet (4); Yellow-Rumped Warbler (8); Palm Warbler (11); Blackpoll (4); N. Cardinal (2); E. Towhee (1); White-Throated Sparrow (15); A. Goldfinch (2). Lots of Amanita sp. of 'shrooms about and still some Honey Mushrooms. A single, large dark Aeshna sp. of darner was spotted. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

10/8/00 -- The 'Boro ponds, Westboro, Northboro

We surveyed the ponds in Westboro and Northboro and actually had very few birds. To whit: CHAUNCY POND, WESTBORO: Pied-Billed Grebe (1 imm); Great Blue Heron (1); Osprey (1); Red-Tailed Hawk (1); Killdeer (1); Ring-Billed Gull (43); Plus: Cabbage White (2); Orange Sulphur (1).
LITTLE CHAUNCY POND, NORTHBORO: Great Blue Heron (2); Wood Duck (2); Mallard (2);
BARTLETT POND, NORTHBORO: Mute Swan (2); ALSO: Clouded Sulphur (1) and still some E. Painted Turtles. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

10/8/00 -- Sudbury Reservoir, Southboro

Waterfowl numbers are on the rise at this fine body of water, especially Ring-Necks and Ruddys. We surveyed the reservoir this PM. Pied-Billed Grebe (1); Double-Crested Cormorant (13); Snow Goose (2 on the water); Canada Goose (281); Wood Duck (5); Green-Winged Teal (8); Mallard (25); A. Black Duck (1); A. Wigeon (15); Ring-Necked Duck (657); Greater Scaup (2); Ruddy Duck (139); Osprey (1); Ruffed Grouse (1); A. Coot (2). Plus: a nice Question Mark still trying to get around in the cold and wind. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

10/8/00 -- Rowley Hill, Sterling

About 200 robins were enjoying the wild grape harvest. The wild grape harvest , the acorn harvest, and the hickory nut harvest seem very high this year on Rowley Hill. Also seen were 4 kestrels; a flock of about 35 chipping sparrows and 2 bluebirds. (report from Richard Spedding).

10/7/00 -- Broad Meadow Brook Sanctuary, Worcester

Highlights of a quick walk at Broad Meadow Brook this morning were a flight of C. Geese (heard, not seen, but I had a lovely string of 44 geese later over my house at Tatnuck Square), 2 Phoebes, 11 White-throated and 4 Song Sparrows, a Towhee still calling, 5 Catbirds, 2 Downys, 4 Flickers, 3 Ruby-crowned Kinglets, and 4 Yellow-rumped and 3 Palm and 1 Blackpoll Warbler. Oddly, I had no raptors; but at Park and Chandler I had 2 Red-tails mock-fighting overhead, and at home I had a Turkey Vulture, a Red-tail, and what I believe were two Cooper's. (report from Howard Shainheit).

10/7/00 -- Wachusett Res/the Waushacums/Sterling Peat

We hit only two stops along the Rt. 70 side of Wachusett Reservoir first thing this AM: the Scar Hill bluffs and the Mile Hill Road overlook. Just at dawn there were quite a collection of landbirds by the dirt mound in the cemetery that quickly dispersed. Common Loon (33); Horned Grebe (6); Double-Crested Cormorant (21); Canada Goose (67); BRANT (1: we found this bird originally looking south towards Greenhalge Pt. from the Mile Hill Rd. overlook. Later, Fran McMenemy and Joan Zumpfe had the bird from the Scar Hill bluffs); Common Merganser (14); Red-Bellied Woodpecker (1); E. Phoebe (5); Winter Wren (1); Golden-Crowned Kinglet (17); Ruby-Crowned Kinglet (20); Red-Eyed Vireo (1); Yellow-Rumped Warbler (64); Pine Warbler (4); Palm Warbler (1); Blackpoll (5); Black and White Warbler (1); Chipping Sparrow (45); CLAY-COLORED SPARROW (1: this bird was in the area with the Chippies, but not really with them. This imm. T'ed up at point blank range and then moved out north along the cemetery back. Joan and Fran tried later, but the big movement of migrants this dawn had dispersed.); Lincoln's Sparrow (1); Song Sparrow (2); White-Throated Sparrow (35+); White-crowned Sparrow (2).
WEST WAUSHACUM POND, STERLING: Pied-Billed Grebe (1); Double-Crested Cormorant (1); Canada Goose (4); Green-Winged Teal (2); Mallard (27); A. Black Duck (2); Gadwall (4); Osprey (1); Sharp-Shinned Hawk (1); Yellow-Rumped Warbler (34); Pine Warbler (3: 1 still singing); Blackpoll (1);
EAST WAUSHACUM: Double-Crested Cormorant (9); Mallard (19); TUFTED DUCK (1 m. Best views were from the town beach on the eastern shore. We had bumped into 2 birders from Connecticut at West Waushacum, and luckily were able to show them their "life" Tufted that they had come for, here. Note: this bird has been moving around lately); Greater Scaup (9).
STERLING PEAT: few birds. Pied-Billed Grebe (1); Great Blue Heron (1); Mallard (5); N. Harrier (1); Sharp-Shinned Hawk (5); Red-Tailed Hawk (4); Belted Kingfisher (1); E. Phoebe (4); A. Pipit (1); Palm Warbler (5); Savannah Sparrow (7). (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

10/7/00 -- Quinapoxet Reservoir, Holden

Sheila and I surveyed Quinapoxet Reservoir (armed with the needed permits) in mid-afternoon. Things were quiet for the most part. Double-Crested Cormorant (6); Great Blue Heron (7); Canada Goose (13); Green-Winged Teal (39); Mallard (13); A. Black Duck (3); Hooded Merganser (3); Common Merganser (10); Red-Tailed Hawk (1); Killdeer (15); Greater Yellowlegs (6); Spotted Sandpiper (3); Pectoral Sandpiper (1); Ring-Billed Gull (5); Mourning Dove (18); Belted Kingfisher (3); Red-Bellied Woodpecker (2); Downy Woodpecker (6); E. Phoebe (1); Blue Jay (23); A. Crow (87: huge flocks of crows are working the shoreline); Black-Capped Chickadee (72); Tufted Titmouse (4); Red-Breasted Nuthatch (9); White-Breasted Nuthatch (4); Brown Creeper (2); Golden-Crowned Kinglet (11); Ruby-Crowned Kinglet (9); Gray Catbird (4); Blue-Headed Vireo (2); Yellow-Rumped Warbler (9); Blackpoll (4); C. Yellowthroat (1); E. Towhee (3); Song Sparrow (2); White-Throated Sparrow (88); White-Crowned Sparrow (1); Dark-Eyed Junco (5); A. Goldfinch (11). Also: (4+ large, dark Aeshna sp. odonates, but NO Ruby Meadowhawks today. We saw a number of large unusual wasps (bright orange abdomen, bright yellow ends to antennas; rest of body jet black) constantly diving into the grasses for short periods. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

10/7/00 -- Wompanoag MAS, Gardner

Migrant raptors passing the Wompanoag MAS in gardner between 11:30 and 3:40 in light WNW wind: Sharp-shinned Hawk 50; Coopers Hawk 3; Am. Kestrel 5; Merlin 1; Red-tailed Hawk 3; Red-Shouldered Hawk 1; Osprey 13; Turkey Vulture 3; Un id'Accip. 1; Un id' Falcon 1; Un id' Raptor 1. Total Migrant raprors: 82. At 11:45 a flock of 65 Brant passed directly over head , at ~12:30 another flock this one ~50 passed just to the east. Total Brant: 115. Also 2 adult N. Goshawks (these were not migrants) and a Raven. Lots of Palm Warblers were in the field. (report from Tom Pirro).

10/7/00 -- Pine Island, Hardwick

An afternoon around the marshes had 2 Common Snipe, 1 Red-bellied Woodpecker, 2 Ruby-crowned Kinglets, 6 Catbirds, 1 Nashville Warbler, 30 Palm Warblers, 15 Myrtle Warblers, 1 Common Yellowthroat, 5 Lincoln's Sparrows, 20 Swamp Sparrows, 25 Song Sparrows, 12 White-throated Sparrows and 6 White-crowned Sparrows (2 ad, 4 juv). (report from Chris Buelow)

10/7/00 -- Broad Meadow Brook Sanctuary, Worcester

Highlights on a walk with my class this morning: SHARP-SHINNED HAWK (1); Red-tailed Hawk (1); Red-bellied Woodpecker (1 - originally we thought it might be a Sapsucker); Hairy Woodpecker (1); Northern Flicker (3); Eastern Phoebe (4); Carolina Wren (1); Golden-crowned Kinglet (2); Ruby-crowned Kinglet (10); Hermit Thrush (2); American Robin (37); Gray Catbird (9); Cedar Waxwing (9); NORTHERN PARULA (1); Yellow-rumped Warbler (8); BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER (1); PRAIRIE WARBLER (1); Palm Warbler (7); Common Yellowthroat (2); Eastern Towhee (3); Song Sparrow (10); Swamp Sparrow (5); White-throated Sparrow (24); WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW (1). (report from John Liller).

10/5/00 -- Quinapoxet Reservoir, Holdon

The following species, seen by Mark Lynch last Saturday at the Quinapoxet, were visible today from the chain link fence opposite Elmwood street. They were 1 Dunlin, 6 Pectoral Sandpipers, 3 Greater Yellowlegs, 1 Least Sandpiper, 1 Spotted Sandpiper, 12 Killdeer and 11 Water Pipits. (report from Bart Kamp).

10/5/00 -- Salisbury/Park area, Worcester

Today in my backyard before dawn a large flock (50+) of White-Throated Sparrows rapidly passed through as well as about (10+) Ruby-Crowned Kinglets. In the pre-dawn darkness, the flight calls of many sparrows and some warblers could be heard overhead. (report from Mark Lynch).

10/4/00 -- Wachusett Reservoir

Hilights of a trip to Wachusett Reservoir today were 7 Horned Grebes, 25 Snow Geese in the water, 2 White-winged Scoters, 3 Black-bellied Plovers and 1 Spotted Sandpiper. (report from Bart Kamp).

10/4/00 -- Rowley Hill, Sterling

The first juncos of the fall have returned to Rowley Hill today. Also recorded were 2 barred owls and a pileated woodpecker. (report from Richard Spedding).

10/4/00 -- Hardwick

An afternoon in the weedy marshes around Pine Island turned up Belted Kingfisher (1), Eastern Phoebe (1), Blackpoll Warbler (2), Common Yellowthroat (3), Savannah Sparrow (1), Lincoln's Sparrow (2), Swamp Sparrow (30), Song Sparrow (50) and White-throated Sparrow (25). A quick stop in a rank field near Moose Brook had Lincoln's Sparrow (1), Swamp Sparrow (12) and Song Sparrow (25). (report from Chris Buelow)

10/4/00 -- High Ridge WMA, Gardner

Hilites from a quick walk into High Ridge WMA this AM: Sharp-shinned Hawk 2 each playing tag with 2 separate; groups of Blue Jays; Common Snipe 1 in flight over the marsh; Ruby-Crowned Kinglet 2 or 3; Swamp Sparrow 10+; White-crowned Sparrow 1 imm; Lincoln's Sparrow 1; Yellow-Rumped Warbler 20+; Palm Warbler 1; C. yellow-throat 2 or 3; G. Catbird 4; Blue headed vireo 2 or 3 one was singing; I thought one of the Yellow-rumps could have been of the Audubon's race (a yellowish throat) , I saw it too briefly (and could NOT relocate it). I could not , however , discount color reflection off the foliage it was perched above. (report from Tom Pirro).

10/3/00 -- West Lake Wauchacum, Sterling

This afternoon, Fran McMenemy and I checked West Lake Wauchacum in Sterling to see if the Tufted Duck had returned. This past weekend we were only seeing 4 Greater Scaup (3F, 1D) there. The Tufted Duck has now come back again and arrived with a female Lesser Scaup. The 4 Greater Scaup are also still there. (report from Joan Zumpfe).

10/3/00 -- Broad Meadow Brook Sanctuary, Worcester

Highlights of my morning walk at Broad Meadow Brook are as follows: 3 Turkey Vultures, 1 Cooper's Hawk, 1 (possibly 2) Red-shouldered Hawks in trees at the Auto Parts Pond, 1 immature Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, 2 Downy and 1 Hairy Woodpecker, 7 Flickers, 6 Phoebes, 3 Gold-crowned and 6 Ruby-crowned Kinglets, 1 Magnolia Warbler, 8 Yellow-rumps, 1 Black-throated Blue, 2 Palms, 2 female C. Yellowthroats, 6 Towhees, 3 Song and 5 White-throated Sparrows, and 6 Red-winged Blackbirds. The kinglets, warblers and sparrows are very much undercounted. (report from Howard Shainheit).

10/2/00 -- Broad Meadow Brook Sanctuary, Worcester

Highlights this morning: Wood Duck (2); BARRED OWL (1 - New Species for the Sanctuary); Northern Flicker (3); Eastern Phoebe (3); BLUE-HEADED VIREO (1); Red-eyed Vireo (1); Blue Jay (14); Carolina Wren (1); GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET (4); RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET (11); American Robin (16); Gray Catbird (14); NASHVILLE WARBLER (1); NORTHERN PARULA (2); YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER (11); BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER (2); PALM WARBLER (2); BLACKPOLL WARBLER (4); Common Yellowthroat (2); Field Sparrow (5); Song Sparrow (15); LINCOLN'S SPARROW (1); Swamp Sparrow (4); White-throated Sparrow (13); BOBOLINK (5). ALSO: a Red Fox was prowling along the brook at dawn. (report from John Liller).

10/1/00 -- Bolton Flats/ Sterling Peat, Bolton/Sterling

We surveyed Bolton Flats north of RT. 117 this AM. WE bumped into John Liller's class at the Rt. 117 entrance. Bird numbers were typical for many species, some species numbers were low. The four common migrant sparrow species were in expected numbers, and Lincoln Sparrows made a decent showing. Though the numbers of sparrows counted may seem like a lot, this represents only a fraction of the numbers actually present because of the difficulty in accessing huge areas of prime habitat. Modest movements of robins and Red-Wings were observed. The variety of warblers was poor and numbers somewhat on the low side for many species. I did a complete one-way walk-through, starting at the Rt. 117 parking area and meeting Sheila at the northern-most parking lot off Rt. 110. There were many birds in this large "in-between" area not often done by birders. There is a lot of area and birds are all over, so two different groups counting on the same day could easily get very different numbers and species.
Great Blue Heron (3); Canada Goose (4); Wood Duck (20); A. Black Duck (1); Mallard (3); N. Harrier (3); Sharp-Shinned Hawk (3); Belted Kingfisher (2); Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker (1); Downy Wodpecker (11); Hairy Woodpecker (1); N. Flicker (6); "empid species" (1: this bird was along the trail north of the pumpkin patch. It had a weak eye-ring, moderate-long primary extension, a very green back, pale yellow on most of the underparts, bright wing bars edged with buff; a moderately long tail. Didn't look like a Least to me (or a Traill's type for that matter). The bird stayed VERY low along the trail (1-2 feet above ground) and was finally flushed away by a couple with a dog); E. Phoebe (16); Blue Jay (52); Black-Capped Chickadee (16); Tufted Titmouse (12); White-Breasted Nuthatch (7); House Wren (1); Ruby-Crowned Kinglet (16); E. Bluebird (8); A. Robin (403); Gray Catbird (83); A. Pipit (22); Cedar Waxwing (6); Blue-Headed Vireo (1); Red-Eyed Vireo (1); ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER (1); Yellow-Rumped Warbler (88); Black-Throated Green Warbler (1); Palm Warbler (4: low); Blackpoll (18); C. Yellowthroat (26); N. Cardinal (9); Indigo Bunting (5); E. Towhee (3); SPARROWS: Chipping (12); Savannah (140); NELSON'S SHARP-TAILED (1: along the weeds in the "in-between" area); Song (177); Lincoln's (24); Swamp (207); White-Throated (62); White-crowned (1: low); Bobolink (6); Red-Winged Blackbird (310); C. Grackle (1); Purple Finch (1); House Finch (6); A. Goldfinch (17).
ALSO: (1) very recently killed Star-Nosed Mole. By later in the morning, the fields came alive with Ruby-Meadowhawks (thousands) and Aeshna sp (40+). At Sterling Peat we witnessed crowds of mating Ruby Meadowhawks (80-100 pairs in one dense "flock", 50-60 in another) dipping up and down to the wet edge of the water in the grasses to lay eggs. It was like some wild ode dance. At Sterling Peat almost all (1000+) the Ruby-Meadowflys seen flying over the weeds were mating. Also got to watch some Praying Mantids flying about. Butterflies included Cabbage White (3); Clouded Sulphur (6); Orange-Sulphur (9) and Viceroy (1).

Birds at Sterling Peat included: Double-Crested Cormorant (1); Great Blue Heron (1); Canada Goose (18); Green-Winged Teal (6); Mallard (17); A. Black Duck (2); N. Pintail (1); Turkey Vulture (1); Red-Tailed Hawk (2); Killdeer (31); Least Sandpiper (2); Pectoral Sandpiper (1). (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

10/1/00 -- Bolton Flats/Oxbow NWR, Bolton, Harvard

This morning I took my class on a walk into Bolton Flats. Most of the birds were also seen by Mark Lynch and Sheila Carroll. Canada Goose (4); Wood Duck (13); Mallard (7); Northern Harrier (3); Broad-winged Hawk (1); Red-tailed Hawk (2); Virginia Rail (1 - feeding very close to us); Mourning Dove (1); Downy Woodpecker (3); Northern Flicker (2); Eastern Phoebe (7); Blue-headed Vireo (1); Blue Jay (29); American Crow (49); Black-capped Chickadee (5); Tufted Titmouse (5); White-breasted Nuthatch (1); Ruby-crowned Kinglet (1); Eastern Bluebird (1); American Robin (133); Gray Catbird (6); European Starling (2); American Pipit (17); Yellow-rumped Warbler (32); Common Yellowthroat (4); Savannah Sparrow (24); Song Sparrow (47); Lincoln's Sparrow (2); Swamp Sparrow (35); White-throated Sparrow (8); Northern Cardinal (3); Indigo Bunting (1); Bobolink (1); Red-winged Blackbird (100+); House Finch (5); American Goldfinch (7).

Afterwards, we made a quick visit to Oxbow NWR, where the bird activity was low. Red-tailed Hawk (1); Mourning Dove (1); Belted Kingfisher (1); Downy Woodpecker (2); Hairy Woodpecker (2); Northern Flicker (2); Eastern Phoebe (5); Blue Jay (23); Black-capped Chickadee (9); Tufted Titmouse (1); Red-breasted Nuthatch (1); White-breasted Nuthatch (3); American Robin (12); Gray Catbird (2); Northern Mockingbird (1); Yellow-rumped Warbler (3); Common Yellowthroat (1). ALSO: Clouded Sulphur (1), Orange Sulphur (3), Cabbage White (2), Question Mark (1), Mourning Cloak (1), Leopard Frog (1), Garter Snake (1). (report from John Liller).

For previous sightings, see September 2000 Archives or Archive Index