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.
- 10/31/02 -- Leesville Pond, Worcester
- A quick check showed the views of the
pond getting better with the leaves falling. There were 29 American
Wigeon, 22 Wood Ducks, 45 Mallards, 3 Canadian Geese, 1 Great Blue Heron,
and 1 Double-crested Cormorant. (report from Brian Mulhearn)
- 10/31/02 -- Fitchburg
-
We had early an early morning visit from a Carolina Wren and a Cooper's
Hawk, along with our usual guests at our backyard feeding station this
morning at 6:30 AM.(report from Cheryl and Jean-Pierre Boissy).
- 10/30/02 -- Wachusett Reservoir, Boylston
-
At Wachusett Reservoir today I saw 12 Common Loons,
1 Red-necked Grebe, 18 Horned Grebes, 1 Great Cormorant, 6 Double-crested
Cormorants, 23 Black Ducks, 1 Green-winged Teal, 13 Common Goldeneyes,
7 Buffleheads, 2 White-winged Scoters, 1 Surf Scoter,
2 Black Scoters, 17 Hooded Mergansers and an adult Bald Eagle that passed
within 30 feet, at eye level, from where I was standing at the Scar Hill
bluffs.
(report from Bart Kamp).
- 10/30/02 -- Curtis Pond, Worcester
- There were 45 Hooded Mergansers, 3
Double-crested Cormorants, 2 American Black Ducks, 12 Mallards, 2
Canadian Geese, 1 Great Blue Heron, 1 Mute Swan, and a few dozen Gulls.
Also, At Hadwen Park, 22 Hooded Mergansers, 3 Wood Ducks, 1 Belted
Kingfisher, 26 Mallards, 2 Mute Swans, 2 Ruby-crowned Kinglets, 1 Song
Sparrow, 1 Carolina Wren, and 12 Juncos. (report from Brian Mulhearn)
- 10/29/02 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
-
> Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 29, 2002
> -------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
> ------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
> Black Vulture 0 0 0
> Turkey Vulture 1 230 234
> Osprey 0 33 92
> Bald Eagle 0 13 17
> Northern Harrier 1 24 30
> Sharp-shinned Hawk 21 486 702
> Cooper's Hawk 0 48 61
> Northern Goshawk 2 19 19
> Red-shouldered Hawk 5 53 53
> Broad-winged Hawk 0 4 852
> Red-tailed Hawk 19 171 173
> Rough-legged Hawk 0 1 1
> Golden Eagle 0 5 5
> American Kestrel 0 77 159
> Merlin 2 19 27
> Peregrine Falcon 0 7 8
> Unknown 2 22 22
>
> Total: 53 1212 2455
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Observation start time: 07:45:00
> Observation end time: 14:30:00
> Total observation time: 6.75 hours
>
> Site Coordinator: Barton D. Kamp
>
> Observers: Barton D. Kamp, David Grant, Donna Schilling, Tom
Carrolan
>
> Visitors:
> Richard Spedding
> Observations:
>
>
> An adult Northern Shrike perched as close as ten feet from the hawk
watchers. 1 Common Loon, 267 Canada Geese and 694 Common Crows were
migrating.
(report from Bart Kamp).
- 10/29/02 -- Curtis Pond, Worcester
- Behind Bickford's Restaurant, There were
40+ Hooded Mergansers, 6 American Black Ducks, 1 DC Cormorant, 3
Mallards.
Also, in Hadwen Park there were 15 Hooded Mergansers, 3 American Black
Ducks, 2 Mute Swans, 35 Mallards, 1 Winter Wren, 3 Ruby-crowned Kinglets, and
1 Red-Tailed Hawk.(report from Brian Mulhearn)
- 10/29/02 -- Indian Lake, Worcester
-
A quick chilly checkof Indian lake this morning revealed only (3)
Double-crested Comrorants, (17) Mallards; (7) Hooded Mergansers and (3)
Common Mergansers.
(report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).
- 10/28/02 -- Barrows Rd., Worcester
-
Mark Lynch's posting for today, 10/28, rang a bell. I, too, had my first
Fox Sparrow of the fall today at Barrows Rd. (off of Salisbury St., at the
Worc./Holden line), and with 20 plus Juncos and a few White-throated
Sparrows, both of which have been around on and off for much of the month.
(report from Howard Shainheit).
- 10/28/02 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
-
> Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 28, 2002
> -------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
> ------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
> Black Vulture 0 0 0
> Turkey Vulture 1 229 233
> Osprey 0 33 92
> Bald Eagle 0 13 17
> Northern Harrier 5 23 29
> Sharp-shinned Hawk 24 465 681
> Cooper's Hawk 0 48 61
> Northern Goshawk 3 17 17
> Red-shouldered Hawk 4 48 48
> Broad-winged Hawk 0 4 852
> Red-tailed Hawk 11 152 154
> Rough-legged Hawk 0 1 1
> Golden Eagle 1 5 5
> American Kestrel 1 77 159
> Merlin 1 17 25
> Peregrine Falcon 0 7 8
> Unknown 0 20 20
>
> Total: 51 1159 2402
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> Observation start time: 08:00:00
> Observation end time: 16:00:00
> Total observation time: 8 hours
>
> Site Coordinator: Barton D. Kamp
>
> Observers: Barton D. Kamp, David Grant, Donna Schilling, Tom
Carrolan
>
> Visitors:
> Paul Pinault
> Observations:
> Not much activity in the AM; better in the PM. Our best Northern Harrier
day with 5. A Golden Eagle passed in front of the site at about 2 PM.
>
> 753 Canada Geese, 160 Snow Geese, 1 Common Loon and 100's of crows were
migrating. One Orange Sulphur Butterfly is still hanging on.
(report from Bart Kamp).
- 10/28/02 -- Rutland Terrace, Worcester
-
At 3:34 pm I just had my first FOX SPARROW of the fall season along with the
30+ White-throats that have been here for some time.
(report from Mark Lynch).
- 10/27/02 -- Wachusett Reservoir & vicinity, W. Boylston/Sterling/Boylston
- Highlights from a Forbush Bird Club trip, led by Fran McMenemy, included
6 Common Loon, 5 Horned Grebe, 7 Green-winged Teal, 2 Am. Black Duck, 45 Greater
Scaup, 1 Tufted Duck, 1 Hooded Merganser (in transitional plumage), 12 Common
Merganser, 1 Red-breasted Merganser, 2 Osprey, 2 Spotted Sandpiper, 1 Belted
Kingfisher, and 1 Yellow-rumped warbler (in transitional plumage).
(report from Rick Quimby).
- 10/27/02 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
-
> Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 27, 2002
> -------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
> ------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
> Black Vulture 0 0 0
> Turkey Vulture 6 228 232
> Osprey 0 33 92
> Bald Eagle 1 13 17
> Northern Harrier 0 18 24
> Sharp-shinned Hawk 15 441 657
> Cooper's Hawk 2 48 61
> Northern Goshawk 0 14 14
> Red-shouldered Hawk 3 44 44
> Broad-winged Hawk 0 4 852
> Red-tailed Hawk 3 141 143
> Rough-legged Hawk 0 1 1
> Golden Eagle 1 4 4
> American Kestrel 4 76 158
> Merlin 0 16 24
> Peregrine Falcon 0 7 8
> Unknown 1 20 20
>
> Total: 36 1108 2351
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Observation start time: 08:00:00
> Observation end time: 16:00:00
> Total observation time: 8 hours
>
> Site Coordinator: David Grant
>
> Observers: Barton D. Kamp, David Grant, Donna Schilling, Tom
Carrolan
>
> Visitors:
> John Nelson and Paul and Julie Roberts.
>
> Observations:
>
>
> 2 Northern Shrikes stopped to hunt at the hawk watch site. There were
10-15
> American Pipits in the field.
(report from Bart Kamp).
- 10/27/02 -- SW Sutton
-
We started today's tour of the Blackstone National Corridor by hitting three
close together farm areas: the farm on Town Farm Hill, Whittier Farm, and
Water's Farm. Open field habitat is positively a rare habitat in the Corridor
and getting rarer all the time in Worcester County. I had a depressing talk
with Mr. Whittier about the state of running a dairy farm nowadays and he
revealed that he is probably going to have to sell off parcels of the
farmland to developers who are of course offering mucho dinero. This is a
real crime because this area and Town Farm Hill are turning out to be major
migration watch spots and should be preserved. We don't need more surburban
trophy homes.
Canada Goose (85 overhead);
Wood Duck (2: tiny farm Pond);
Mallard (4: same pond);
Blue Jay (38);
Hermit Thrush (1);
A. Pipit (14);
Orange-crowned Warbler (1);
Yellow-rumped Warbler (19);
Palm Warbler (4);
Savannah Sparrow (72);
Song Sparrow (22);
Lincoln Sparrow (1);
Swamp Sparrow (8);
White-throated Sparrow (123);
White-crowned Sparrow (7: all juv);
Dark-eyed Junco (55);
N. Cardinal (13);
Dickcissel (1 calling overhead);
As the morning started, we had an amazing blackbird show as they moved over
Town Farm Hill heading SW:
Red-winged Blackbird (3335);
C. Grackle (1935);
Rusty Blackbird (18)
At LAKE MANCHAUG:
Common Loon (1: unusual for this location);
Mallard (21);
Killdeer (8).
(report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).
- 10/27/02 -- Blackstone National Corridor: RI section
-
After birding Sutton [see above], we hit a few areas in the Rhode Island section of the
Blackstone National Corridor. We avoided the large bodies of water that still
had boats on them.
WOONSOCKET RESERVOIR, SMITHFIELD:
A. Black Duck (4);
Ring-necked Duck (54);
Bufflehead (1f);
Hooded Merganser (9);
Ruddy Duck (3);
Sharp-shinned Hawk (1)
DIAMOND HILL/ARNOLD'S MILL RESERVOIRS, CUMBERLAND: these are two adjacent
small reservoirs in NE Cumberland. A great inland shorebird show for this
time of the year:
Double-crested Cormorant (3);
Great Blue Heron (1);
Snowy Egret (1juv: rare by now inland);
Mute Swan (2);
Canada Goose (37);
Green-winged Teal (3);
Gadwall (2);
Mallard (34);
Hooded Merganser (6);
Turkey Vulture (3);
Red-tailed Hawk (1);
Killdeer (7);
American Golden Plover (1);
Semipalmated Plover (3);
Wilson's Snipe (3);
Greater Yellowlegs (4);
White-rumped Sandpiper (1);
Pectoral Sandpiper (8);
Dunlin (9)
TINY NO-NAME POND ON WEST WRENTHAM ROAD, CUMBERLAND:
Green-winged Teal (3);
Gadwall (2);
Mallard (6)
CARL'S POND, CUMBERLAND:
Mute Swan (2);
Green-winged Teal (3);
Mallard (4)
SNEETCH POND, CUMBERLAND:
Double-crested Cormorant (1);
Canada Goose (66);
Green-winged Teal (2);
A. Black Duck (11);
Belted Kingfisher (1);
and a very hungry River Otter and many Yellow-legged Meadowflys
SAYLESVILLE/BARNEY'S POND, LINCOLN:
Mute Swan (1);
Canada Goose (8);
A. Wigeon (7);
Mallard (22);
Hooded Merganser (2)
JAMES TURNER RESERVOIR, E. PROVIDENCE: always great for waterfowl even though
it is such a small body.
Pied-billed Grebe (3);
Double-crested Cormorant (9);
MUTE SWAN (199!!!!: this was like a nightmare. This size concentration has
everything to do with the fact that they allow duck feedign here. Obscene);
Canada Goose (114);
Wood Duck (1);
Gadwall (3);
A. Wigeon (24);
Mallard (57);
A. Black Duck (2);
N. Shoveler (1m);
Lesser Scaup (22);
Greater Scaup (2);
Ruddy Duck (8);
A. Coot (3);
Sharp-shinned Hawk (1);
Belted Kingfisher (1);
Fish Crow (5)
SEEKONK RIVER:
Double-crested Cormorant (50);
Great Cormorant (2imm);
Mute Swan (8);
Great Blue Heron (4);
Great Egret (1);
Mallard (85);
A. Black Duck (136);
Long-tailed Duck (1m);
Red-tailed Hawk (3);
Greater Yellowlegs (31);
Laughing Gull (2);
Bonaparte's Gull (5);
PLUS; at this time of the year, when you are in Swan Point Cemetery,
Providence (good views of the Seekonk) you inevitably run into Goth kids
looking for H.P. Lovecraft's grave. Today we had the pleasure of taking 3
black drapped wiccans from Winthrop to the grave, where we left a bug Pez
dispenser among the many strange tokens (which included today a drawing of
Cthulu) alreday there.
(report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).
- 10/25/02 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
-
> Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 25, 2002
> -------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
> ------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
> Black Vulture 0 0 0
> Turkey Vulture 8 222 226
> Osprey 2 33 92
> Bald Eagle 3 12 16
> Northern Harrier 0 18 24
> Sharp-shinned Hawk 12 426 642
> Cooper's Hawk 3 46 59
> Northern Goshawk 3 14 14
> Red-shouldered Hawk 4 41 41
> Broad-winged Hawk 0 4 852
> Red-tailed Hawk 20 138 140
> Rough-legged Hawk 0 1 1
> Golden Eagle 0 3 3
> American Kestrel 3 72 154
> Merlin 1 16 24
> Peregrine Falcon 0 7 8
> Unknown 2 19 19
>
> Total: 61 1072 2315
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Observation start time: 08:00:00
> Observation end time: 14:45:00
> Total observation time: 7 hours
>
> Site Coordinator: Barton D. Kamp
>
> Observers: Barton D. Kamp, David Grant, Donna Schilling
> Observations:
> Hilights of the day were 3 adult Bald Eagles.
>
> One Orange Sulphur Butterfly still hanging on.
(report from Bart Kamp).
- 10/25/02 -- Rowley Hill, Sterling
- I saw 70 American Pipits in Rowley
Hill's largest pasture( the most I have ever seen there). Also noted
were 1 barred owl, 1 pileated woodpecker, 1 raven, 16 wild turkeys, 2
ruby-crowned kinglets and 4 golden-crowned kinglets, 300 robins, 2 palm
warblers, 2 chipping sparrows, and 300 common grackles.
(report from Richard Spedding).
- 10/25/02 -- Wachusett Mountain, Princeton
-
We saw 21 Snow Buntings in 3 flocks between 11:00AM - 11:30AM at the
summit amongst the patches of snow.
(report from Brian Mulhearn)
- 10/25/02 -- Broad Meadow Brook Sanctuary, Worcester
-
I did a one way walk through of the sanctuary this morning from 6:45AM till
10AM, starting at Dunkirk and ending at the headquarters. The big news is
that the STRETCH is all but impassable because of flooding by beaver(s). The
flooding starts shortly south of the "sewer cover" and I could not get beyond
that without wellies (though I tried and got very wet and cold feet for the
effort). Even crossing at the culvert at the north end (off Dunkirk) is not
that easy as the water has backed up here too and the rocks one uses to step
on are a bit under water. How these beavers got here is a good question. One
theory floated by several is that they were BROUGHT here (!) perhaps by folks
unhappy with Mass Audubon's efforts to repeal the leg trap. On the other
hand, maybe they came up the brook from south of Dorothy Pond under Rt. 20
and the Mass Pike. That seems somewhat unlikely, but you never know.
Complete list:
Ruffed Grouse (2);
Mourning Dove (1);
Red-bellied Woodpecker (2 noisy males working the trees: one at the north end
of the power lines, one near headquarters);
Downy Woodpecker (4);
Hairy Woodpecker (3);
Blue Jay (13);
A. Crow (15);
Black-capped Chickadee (19);
Tufted Titmouse (4);
White-breasted Nuthatch (9);
Carolina Wren (1);
Winter Wren (1);
Ruby-crowned Kinglet (9);
Eastern Bluebird (2);
Hermit Thrush (6);
A. Robin (67);
Gray Catbird (1);
N. Mockingbird (2);
E. Starling (250+ flyovers in one flock);
Crdar Waxwing (1);
Orange-crowned Warbler (1: this is the time of the year to look for this bird
at BMB);
Yellow-rumped Warbler (25: some I watched chowing down on Poison Ivy berries);
Palm Warbler (2);
Song Sparrow (13);
Swamp Sparrow (8);
White-throated Sparrow (59);
Dark-eyed Junco (11);
N. Cardinal (7);
Red-winged Blackbird (167: roosting in phragmites);
C. Grackle (7);
Brown-headed Cowbird (6);
Purple Finch (1);
House Finch (5);
A. Goldfinch (13);
House Sparrow (30: periphery of Frog Pond trail in folks yards).
ALSO: Lots of Turkey Tracks along the north end of the power lines; lots of
deer tracks all over north end of sanctuary; and: 2 very recently killed
chipmunks along the Sprague Lane had the base of their skulls chewed through.
These were perhaps killed by Short-tailed Weasel.
(report from Mark Lynch).
- 10/25/02 -- Institute Park, Worcester
- Highlights at noon included 4 Hooded Merganser, 1 Carolina Wren,
1 Ruby-crowned Kinglet, and 1 Hermit Thrush. (report from Rick
Quimby).
- 10/24/02 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
-
> Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 24, 2002
> -------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
> ------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
> Black Vulture 0 0 0
> Turkey Vulture 11 214 218
> Osprey 0 31 90
> Bald Eagle 0 9 13
> Northern Harrier 2 18 24
> Sharp-shinned Hawk 32 414 630
> Cooper's Hawk 18 43 56
> Northern Goshawk 6 11 11
> Red-shouldered Hawk 16 37 37
> Broad-winged Hawk 0 4 852
> Red-tailed Hawk 26 118 120
> Rough-legged Hawk 0 1 1
> Golden Eagle 1 3 3
> American Kestrel 0 69 151
> Merlin 2 15 23
> Peregrine Falcon 3 7 8
> Unknown 1 17 17
>
> Total: 118 1011 2254
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Observation start time: 07:00:00
> Observation end time: 15:15:00
> Total observation time: 8.25 hours
>
> Site Coordinator: Barton D. Kamp
>
> Observers: Barton D. Kamp, David Grant, Donna Schilling, Tom
Carrolan
>
> Visitors:
> Richard Spedding
> Observations:
> The third Golden Eagle in two days passed close by at 8:30 EST. There were
three Peregrines. The bird of the day was the Northern Goshawk. 6 all
older than juvenile were counted.
>
> 2 or 3 Orange Sulfur Butterflies managed to survive the cold and the snow.
(report from Bart Kamp).
- 10/24/02 -- Institute Park, Worcester
- Highlights at noon included 2 Red-tailed Hawk, 1 Eastern
Phoebe, 2 Hermit Thrush,
1 Red-eyed Vireo, 1 Chipping Sparrow, 5 Song Sparrow, and 1
Common Grackle (unusual in the park this late in the year).
(report from Rick Quimby).
- 10/23/02 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
-
> Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 23, 2002
> -------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
> ------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
> Black Vulture 0 0 0
> Turkey Vulture 1 203 207
> Osprey 1 31 90
> Bald Eagle 0 9 13
> Northern Harrier 0 16 22
> Sharp-shinned Hawk 32 382 598
> Cooper's Hawk 2 25 38
> Northern Goshawk 0 5 5
> Red-shouldered Hawk 9 21 21
> Broad-winged Hawk 0 4 852
> Red-tailed Hawk 8 92 94
> Rough-legged Hawk 0 1 1
> Golden Eagle 2 2 2
> American Kestrel 2 69 151
> Merlin 4 13 21
> Peregrine Falcon 0 4 5
> Unknown 0 16 16
>
> Total: 61 893 2136
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Observation start time: 10:00:00
> Observation end time: 15:00:00
> Total observation time: 5 hours
>
> Site Coordinator: Barton D. Kamp
>
> Observers: Barton D. Kamp, Donna Schilling, Tom Carrolan
>
> Visitors:
> Richard Spedding
> Observations:
> Hilight of the day were two juvenile Golden Eagles that flew low and close
to the hawk watch site soaring TOGETHER as they passed at about 2:30 EST.
>
> 44 Canada Geese and many crows were migrating.
(report from Bart Kamp).
- 10/22/02 -- Wachusett Reservoir, Boylston
-
This morning at the intersection of Mile Hill Rd and Rt 70 in Boylston,
an adult bald eagle was flying low over the water approx 100 ' from the
road. It continued SW along the shore line about 1/4 mile then posted up
in a large pine.
(report from Dick Knowlton).
- 10/22/02 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
-
> Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 22, 2002
> -------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
> ------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
> Black Vulture 0 0 0
> Turkey Vulture 9 202 206
> Osprey 1 30 89
> Bald Eagle 1 9 13
> Northern Harrier 1 16 22
> Sharp-shinned Hawk 37 350 566
> Cooper's Hawk 6 23 36
> Northern Goshawk 0 5 5
> Red-shouldered Hawk 6 12 12
> Broad-winged Hawk 1 4 852
> Red-tailed Hawk 19 84 86
> Rough-legged Hawk 0 1 1
> Golden Eagle 0 0 0
> American Kestrel 1 67 149
> Merlin 2 9 17
> Peregrine Falcon 0 4 5
> Unknown 2 16 16
>
> Total: 86 832 2075
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> Observation start time: 07:15:00
> Observation end time: 15:15:00
> Total observation time: 8 hours
>
> Site Coordinator: Barton D. Kamp
>
> Observers: Barton D. Kamp, David Grant, Donna Schilling, Tom
Carrolan
>
> Migrating were 1 Common Loon, 30 Canada Geese and 150 Crows.
(report from Bart Kamp).
- 10/21/02 -- Gate 36N, Quabbin Reservoir, Petersham
- From Gate 36N, Soapstone Hill area;
Birds seen included: an adult bald eagle unsuccessfully diving at a
flock of 30 ducks, 2 sharp-shinned hawks, 1 greater yellowlegs, 3 ravens,
1 phoebe, 12 golden-crowned kinglets, 7 ruby-crowned kinglets, 1 winter
wren, 20 yellow-rumped warblers, 8 hermit thrush, 30 white- throated
sparrows, 35 dark eyed juncos
(report from Richard Spedding).
- 10/21/02 -- Pearley Brook Reservoir, Gardner
-
This evening there was an adult Lesser Black-backed Gull on Pearley
Brook Resevior in Gardner. Eventually it ended up on Crystal Lake, where
they roost. The head of this bird is still quite white, perhaps some
fine streaking around the eye and face...but difficult to see in the dim
late day light.
Also
Herring Gull ~190;
Great Blk-bk Gull 57;
Ring-billed Gull 16;
Many Mallards and a few Black Ducks and 1 MallardXBlack Hybrids
(report from Tom Pirro).
- 10/21/02 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
-
> Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 21, 2002
> -------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
> ------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
> Black Vulture 0 0 0
> Turkey Vulture 12 193 197
> Osprey 2 29 88
> Bald Eagle 1 8 12
> Northern Harrier 1 15 21
> Sharp-shinned Hawk 71 313 529
> Cooper's Hawk 2 17 30
> Northern Goshawk 0 5 5
> Red-shouldered Hawk 2 6 6
> Broad-winged Hawk 0 3 851
> Red-tailed Hawk 13 65 67
> Rough-legged Hawk 1 1 1
> Golden Eagle 0 0 0
> American Kestrel 1 66 148
> Merlin 0 7 15
> Peregrine Falcon 0 4 5
> Unknown 4 14 14
>
> Total: 110 746 1989
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Observation start time: 09:00:00
> Observation end time: 15:00:00
> Total observation time: 6 hours
>
> Site Coordinator: Barton D. Kamp
>
> Observers: Barton D. Kamp, David Grant, Donna Schilling
>
> Visitors:
> Richard Spedding
> Observations:
> Hilight of the day was a dark phase Rough-legged Hawk that paused to hunt
> several times as it passed the hawk watch site.
>
> Migrating were a flock of more than 200 ducks probably Scoters and 150
> Crows. Orange Sulfer Butterflies were feeding on the still blooming
> Goldenrod and Dandilions.
(report from Bart Kamp).
- 10/20/02 -- Forbush Bird Club Trip in The Brookfields and Charlton
-
Rodney Jenkins led 24 members and guests of the Forbush Bird Club on
October 20, 2002 in the Brookfields and Charlton. It was a partly sunny day
with temperatures ranging from low 40's to the mid 50's and with NW winds of 5
to 10 mph.
The birding highlight of the trip was a YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO which was
spotted by Peg Knowlton and provided excellent views.
Complete trip list here
(report from Joan Zumpfe).
- 10/21/02 -- Institute Park, Worcester
- At noon, birds of note included 5 Yellow-rumped Warblers,
5 Song Sparrows, and 1 White-crowned Sparrow (imm).
(report from Rick Quimby).
- 10/20/02 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
-
> Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 20, 2002
> -------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
> ------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
> Black Vulture 0 0 0
> Turkey Vulture 2 181 185
> Osprey 0 27 86
> Bald Eagle 0 7 11
> Northern Harrier 0 14 20
> Sharp-shinned Hawk 11 242 458
> Cooper's Hawk 0 15 28
> Northern Goshawk 1 5 5
> Red-shouldered Hawk 0 4 4
> Broad-winged Hawk 0 3 851
> Red-tailed Hawk 1 52 54
> Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0
> Golden Eagle 0 0 0
> American Kestrel 1 65 147
> Merlin 0 7 15
> Peregrine Falcon 0 4 5
> Unknown 1 10 10
>
> Total: 17 636 1879
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> Observation start time: 11:15:00
> Observation end time: 15:00:00
> Total observation time: 3.75 hours
>
> Site Coordinator: Donna Schilling
>
> Observers: Barton D. Kamp, David Grant, Donna Schilling
(report from Bart Kamp).
- 10/20/02 -- Quinapoxet Reservoir, Holden
-
We did a pretty complete survey of Quinapoxet this morning from 7AM-11:15AM.
Though the water is still low, it is now higher than it was earlier.
Shorebirds were disappointing, but passerines were moving. NOTE BENE: as with
all City of Worcester properties, this area if OFF LIMITS without a permit.
Double-crested Cormorant (3);
Great Blue Heron (2);
Canada Goose (2 fly-overs);
Mallard (2);
Common Merganser (5);
Osprey (1 poor bird sitting in a tree and being mobbed by a huge flock of
crows);
Sharp-shinned Hawk (1);
Merlin (1);
Ruffed Grouse (1);
Wilson's Snipe (1);
Greater Yellowlegs (1);
Ring-billed Gull (9);
Mourning Dove (2);
Belted Kingfisher (3);
Red-bellied Woodpecker (1);
Downy Woodpecker (6);
Hairy Woodpecker (2);
Pileated Woodpecker (1);
E. Phoebe (4);
Blue Jay (16);
A. Crow (140+: this huge group gathered from all points to drink and
socialize at the north end of Quinny);
C. Raven (2);
Black-capped Chickadee (57);
Tufted Titmouse (11);
Red-breasted Nuthatch (1);
White-breasted Nuthatch (14);
Brown Creeper (2);
Ruby-crowned Kinglet (9);
GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET (83: good movement of small flocks along shore/forest
edge. Flight year?);
E. Bluebird (6);
Hermit Thrush (4);
A. Robin (44);
American Pipit (3);
Gray Catbird (1);
Orange-crowned Warbler (1);
Yellow-rumped Warbler (66);
Palm Warbler (33);
Blackpoll (1);
C. Yellowthroat (1);
N. Cardinal (1);
Chipping Sparrow (5);
Swamp Sparrow (2);
Lincoln Sparrow (1);
Song Sparrow (27);
White-throated Sparrow (49);
White-crowned Sparrow (3);
Dark-eyed Junco (55);
Snow Bunting (2);
House Finch (1);
A. Goldfinch (3);
Rusty Blackbird (5 overhead);
(report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).
- 10/19/02 -- Athol
-
Saturday I visited (and the home owner) the Selasphorus Hummingbird
coming to a feeder in Athol, it has been regular for a number of days at
this location. I had very nice views of this bird from close range, but
after viewing field guides I still can't pin a species (Rufus ro
Allen's) name to it. Though I have no expierence with selasphorus genus
hummers other than a few breeding plumage Allens' in San Francisco this
past May. The bird was photographed earlier in the day so it will be
interesting to see if can be ID'd to species (though from what I gather
the vast majority of these north east record turn out to be Rufous).
Also the home owner is a verteran birder with extensive west coast
expirence.
(report from Tom Pirro).
- 10/19/02 -- Rt. 146 at Mumford River, Sutton/Northbridge
-
The sizeable Bank Swallow colony area right off Rt. 146 just north of the
Mumford River (Sutton/Northbridge vicinity) crossing, west side of the road
and at the entrance to the new industrial park has been eradicated as the
sandbank has been taken down. Hopefully the swallows will find another
location nearby.
(report from Mark Lynch).
- 10/19/02 -- Woonsocket Reservoir /Seekonk River, Smithfield RI
-
In late morning we birded the Woonsocket Reservoir in Smithfield RI, part of
the Blackstone National Corridor.
Canada Goose (204);
Mallard (2);
A. Black Duck (2);
Ring-necked Duck (82);
Greater Scaup (1f);
Ruddy Duck (4);
Turkey Vulture (5);
PEREGRINE FALCON (1ad eating some unlucky bird);
DUNLIN (1);
A. Pipit (1);
Later at the Seekonk River at the southern end of the Corridor:
Double-crested Cormorant (120);
Great Blue Heron (16: NO Great Egrets or night herons);
Mute Swan (9);
A. Wigeon (2);
Mallard (172);
A. Black Duck (126);
Red-breasted Merganser (1f);
Red-tailed Hawk (1);
Cooper's Hawk (1ad);
Merlin (1 relentlessly toying with some crows);
Greater Yellowlegs (4);
Laughing Gull (only 16 though there were good numbers of the three other
common larids);
(report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).
- 10/19/02 -- Kettlebrook Reservoir#4, Paxton
-
We did one of our standard surveys early this morning of this small reservoir
of the Worcester water system and part of the Blackstone watershed. The water
level is still pretty low. It was a beautiful morning for a walk into this
gem of a preserved area and there was a nice selection of late fall passerine
migrants. NOTE BENE: all City of Worcester Reservoirs are OFF LIMITS without
permits.
Great Blue Heron (3);
Mallard (2);
Hooded Merganser (12 immature: probably the same group that were raised
nearby);
Common Merganser (23);
Merlin (1);
Ruffed Grouse (1 flushed from hemlocks);
Killdeer (2);
Greater Yellowlegs (7);
Ring-billed Gull (4);
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (1);
Downy Woodpecker (4);
Hairy Woodpecker (3);
N. Flicker (1);
E. Phoebe (4);
Blue Jay (8);
A. Crow (21);
Common Raven (3 looking for food along the shoreline and calling. Since they
bred on Asnebumpskit, these birds have become almost regular here);
Black-capped Chickadee (28);
Tufted Titmouse (3);
White-breasted Nuthatch (8: note bene: no sign what-so-ever of a Red-breasted
flight year);
Brown Creeper (5);
Golden-crowned Kinglet (11);
Ruby-crowned Kinglet (4);
Hermit Thrush (6);
A. Robin (23: some movement);
Gray Catbird (1);
ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER (1);
Yellow-rumped Warbler (101: flying overhead, heading SW in ones and twos);
Pine Warbler (3);
Palm Warbler (8);
Blackpoll (1);
Song Sparrow (4);
Swamp Sparrow (3);
White-throated Sparrow (51);
Dark-eyed Junco (23);
Rusty Blackbird (5).
PLUS: 3 White-tailed Deer (1 doe+2 young, casually drinking at the shoreline)
and (1) River Otter seen swimming and out on the shore chowing down on a
fish. Also, severla great areas of Witch Hazel, traditionally the last bloom
of the year round these parts.
(report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).
- 10/18/02 -- Wachusett Reservoir, Boylston
-
During a quick stop at Wachusett Reservoir at Scar Hill in Boylston early
Friday morning I saw 3 Horned Grebes and 1 male Black Scoter.
(report from Bart Kamp).
- 10/18/02 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
-
> Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 18, 2002
> -------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
> ------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
> Black Vulture 0 0 0
> Turkey Vulture 9 179 183
> Osprey 2 27 86
> Bald Eagle 0 7 11
> Northern Harrier 4 14 20
> Sharp-shinned Hawk 25 231 447
> Cooper's Hawk 1 15 28
> Northern Goshawk 0 4 4
> Red-shouldered Hawk 1 4 4
> Broad-winged Hawk 0 3 851
> Red-tailed Hawk 2 51 53
> Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0
> Golden Eagle 0 0 0
> American Kestrel 1 64 146
> Merlin 2 7 15
> Peregrine Falcon 0 4 5
> Unknown 0 9 9
>
> Total: 47 619 1862
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> Observation start time: 09:00:00
> Observation end time: 15:00:00
> Total observation time: 6 hours
>
> Site Coordinator: David Grant
>
> Observers: Barton D. Kamp, David Grant, Donna Schilling
(report from Bart Kamp).
- 10/17/02 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
-
> Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 17, 2002
> -------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
> ------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
> Black Vulture 0 0 0
> Turkey Vulture 21 170 174
> Osprey 2 25 84
> Bald Eagle 1 7 11
> Northern Harrier 0 10 16
> Sharp-shinned Hawk 19 206 422
> Cooper's Hawk 0 14 27
> Northern Goshawk 2 4 4
> Red-shouldered Hawk 1 3 3
> Broad-winged Hawk 0 3 851
> Red-tailed Hawk 11 49 51
> Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0
> Golden Eagle 0 0 0
> American Kestrel 5 63 145
> Merlin 0 5 13
> Peregrine Falcon 0 4 5
> Unknown 2 9 9
>
> Total: 64 572 1815
> Observation start time: 08:30:00
> Observation end time: 15:00:00
> Total observation time: 6.5 hours
>
> Site Coordinator: Donna Schilling
>
> Observers: Barton D. Kamp, David Grant, Donna Schilling
>
> Visitors:
> Judy Gordon and George Gove
> Observations:
>
>
> 24 Canada Geese and 50 Cormorants were migrating.
(report from Bart Kamp).
- 10/16/02 -- Leesville Pond, Worcester
- There were 47 Mallards, 10 Canadian Geese, 8
American Wigeon, 2 Blue-winged Teal, 6 Wood Duck, and 1 Black Crowned
Night Heron. The BCNH was sleeping in the rain. (report from Brian
Mulhearn)
- 10/15/02 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
-
> Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 15, 2002
> -------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
> ------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
> Black Vulture 0 0 0
> Turkey Vulture 14 149 153
> Osprey 0 23 82
> Bald Eagle 2 6 10
> Northern Harrier 0 10 16
> Sharp-shinned Hawk 29 187 403
> Cooper's Hawk 3 14 27
> Northern Goshawk 1 2 2
> Red-shouldered Hawk 0 2 2
> Broad-winged Hawk 0 3 851
> Red-tailed Hawk 11 38 40
> Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0
> Golden Eagle 0 0 0
> American Kestrel 8 58 140
> Merlin 0 5 13
> Peregrine Falcon 0 4 5
> Unknown 0 7 7
>
> Total: 68 508 1751
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> Observation start time: 07:45:00
> Observation end time: 15:00:00
> Total observation time: 7.25 hours
>
> Site Coordinator: Barton D. Kamp
>
> Observers: Barton D. Kamp, David Grant, Donna Schilling
>
> Visitors:
> Richard Spedding
>
> Observations:
>
>
> 13 Ravens in one group, 104 Canada Geese and 1 Monarch Butterfly were
> migrating.
(report from Bart Kamp).
- 10/15/02 -- Dudley Ponds, Dudley
-
A quick check of the Dudley ponds this afternoon resulted in seeing 3
Great Blue Heron, 685 Canada Goose, 8 American Black Duck, 54 Mallard, 27 Wood
Duck and 3 female Northern Pintail.
(report from Joan Zumpfe).
- 10/15/02 -- Hadwen Park, Worcester
-
There were a few migrating raptors: 2 Red-tailed Hawks, 1 Osprey, 1
Northern Harrier, 1 Juvenile Cooper's Hawk pursued over Curtis Pond by a
few Crows. Later we saw the same hawk flying between trees a couple times
obviously on the hunt. We saw 4 Wood Ducks, 6 American Black Ducks, 12
Mallards, 1 Northern Flicker, 2 Northern Mockingbirds, 4 Golden-crowned
Kinglets, 4 Tufted titmouse and 1 Red-bellied Woodpecker. (report from
Brian Mulhearn)
- 10/14/02 -- Midstate Trail, Spencer
- From late afternoon to dusk we had 1
Red-shouldered Hawk, 1 Red-tailed Hawk, 2 Turkey Vultures, 1 Great Horned
Owl, 2 Eastern Phoebes, 4 Wood Ducks, 2 squabbling Belted Kingfishers, 2
Savannah Sparrows, 6 Golden-crowned Kinglets, 10 Yellow-rumped Warblers,
1 Great Blue Heron, 2 American Woodcock, and 7 Ruffed Grouse. (report from
Brian Mulhearn)
- 10/14/02 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
-
> Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 14, 2002
> -------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
> ------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
> Black Vulture 0 0 0
> Turkey Vulture 53 135 139
> Osprey 2 23 82
> Bald Eagle 1 4 8
> Northern Harrier 2 10 16
> Sharp-shinned Hawk 77 158 374
> Cooper's Hawk 3 11 24
> Northern Goshawk 0 1 1
> Red-shouldered Hawk 1 2 2
> Broad-winged Hawk 0 3 851
> Red-tailed Hawk 16 27 29
> Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0
> Golden Eagle 0 0 0
> American Kestrel 21 50 132
> Merlin 0 5 13
> Peregrine Falcon 0 4 5
> Unknown 3 7 7
>
> Total: 179 440 1683
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> Observation start time: 07:45:00
> Observation end time: 15:30:00
> Total observation time: 7.75 hours
>
> Site Coordinator: Barton D. Kamp
>
> Observers: Barton D. Kamp, David Grant, Donna Schilling
>
> Visitors:
> Richard Spedding
> Observations:
> Birds were flying at tree top level. Very few were seen high although they
> might have been invisible against the cloudless sky.
>
> 249 Canada Geese and 1 Monarch Butterfly were migrating. Eight American
> Pipits and one Wilson's Snipe landed in the field.
(report from Bart Kamp).
- 10/13/02 -- Salisbury Pond, Worcester
-
On returning home from the Cape this afternoon at 3PM, we found a Turkey
Vulture on the ground chowing down RIGHT next to the sidewalk across from
WPI. Strange sight for that location and with all the traffic.
(report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).
- 10/11/02 -- Oxbow NWR, Harvard
-
An hour long study of 50 meters of "alive" hedgerow at Oxbow resulted in
the following sightings: one white crowned sparrow, three swamp sparrows
(2 immatures), one field sparrow, 3 song sparrows, two white throated
sparrows, many savannah sparrows, two female juncos, 20+ yellow rumped
warblers, one phoebe, two catbirds. One immature harrier cruised above
the field behind.
(report from Andrea Burke).
- 10/10/02 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
- Today's raptor count:
> Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
> ------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
> Black Vulture 0 0 0
> Turkey Vulture 15 82 86
> Osprey 0 21 80
> Bald Eagle 0 3 7
> Northern Harrier 0 8 14
> Sharp-shinned Hawk 12 81 297
> Cooper's Hawk 1 8 21
> Northern Goshawk 0 1 1
> Red-shouldered Hawk 0 1 1
> Broad-winged Hawk 0 3 851
> Red-tailed Hawk 3 11 13
> Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0
> Golden Eagle 0 0 0
> American Kestrel 0 29 111
> Merlin 1 5 13
> Peregrine Falcon 2 4 5
> Unknown 0 4 4
>
> Total: 34 261 1504
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Observation start time: 08:00:00
> Observation end time: 14:00:00
> Total observation time: 6 hours
>
> Site Coordinator: Barton D. Kamp
>
> Observers: Barton D. Kamp, David Grant, Donna Schilling
> Observations:
> The day began and ended with a Peregrine flying low over the hawk watch
> site. Some of the Turkey Vultures were flying above the lower layer of
> clouds.
>
> 19 Canada Geese and three Monarch Butterflies were migrating.
>
> The Barre Falls site is a south facing field on the side of a 1000\' hill
that overlooks the Ware River valley. There is a 180 degree view to the
east.The area is managed by the Army Corp of Engineers who maintain the
Barre Falls Dam.
(report from Bart Kamp).
- 10/9/02 -- Wallis Pond, Dudley
-
Wallis Pond in Dudley had 9 very tired Ring-necked Ducks on Wednesday,
October 9th. There were also 10 Wood Ducks and 2 Killdeer. There's no shoreline
to attract Pectoral Sandpipers like the fall of 2001.
(report from Joan Zumpfe).
- 10/9/02 -- Graves Landing, Quabbin Reservoir, Petersham
- Birds seen: 2 Northern
Pintail, 2 green-winged teal, 3 hooded mergansers, 1 common merganser, 12
greater yellowlegs, 3 pectoral sandpipers, 6 ring-billed gulls, 1
Bonaparte's gull, 4 golden-crowned kinglets, 4 hermit thrush, 20
yellow-rumped warblers, 20 dark-eyed juncos (report from Richard Speddding).
- 10/9/02 -- Crystal Lake, Gardner
-
This evening there was a single female/imm. Red-breasted Merganser on
Crystal Lake in Gardner. The 3 common inland species of Gulls (Herring,
Great Black-backed and Ring-billed in order of abundance) were present
and Mallards (one Mallard X Black hybride). Numbers of gulls and
mallards (and other waterfowl species) typically typicaly build at dusk
to roost.
(report from Tom Pirro).
- 10/9/02 -- Barre Falls Raptor counts, Barre
-
> Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
> ------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
> Black Vulture 0 0 0
> Turkey Vulture 56 61 65
> Osprey 5 20 79
> Bald Eagle 2 3 7
> Northern Harrier 4 7 13
> Sharp-shinned Hawk 29 64 280
> Cooper's Hawk 2 6 19
> Northern Goshawk 1 1 1
> Red-shouldered Hawk 1 1 1
> Broad-winged Hawk 1 3 851
> Red-tailed Hawk 8 8 10
> Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0
> Golden Eagle 0 0 0
> American Kestrel 4 27 109
> Merlin 1 4 12
> Peregrine Falcon 0 2 3
> Unknown 1 4 4
>
> Total: 115 211 1454
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Observation start time: 07:30:00
> Observation end time: 14:30:00
> Total observation time: 7 hours
>
> Site Coordinator: Barton D. Kamp
>
> Observers: Barton D. Kamp, David Grant, Donna Schilling
> Observations:
> Steady movement of Turkey Vultures. There were 12 species of raptors
> migrating.
>
> 30 American Pipits in field adjacent to site. 155 Canada Geese and 4
> Monarch Butterflies.
(report from Bart Kamp).
- 10/9/02 -- downtown Worcester
-
This morning at about 7:30 AM there were two Peregrine Falcons in
Worcester. When I first saw them, one was perched on St. Paul's Cathedral
and the other falcon was on a tower located on the roof of a building
located across from the Cathedral on Chatham St. For about 15 minutes I
watched them hunt pigeons. At one point they perched together on the roof
of the old Denholm's building on Main St. (report from Bob Ricci).
- 10/8/02 -- Crystal Lake, Gardner
-
There was 10 Surf Scoters (immatures and 1 or 2 ad. females) on Crystal
Lake this evening along with 5 Wood Ducks and the usual assortment of
the 3 common gull species. Scoters, with a few exceptions I can think
of, typically don't stay long on Crystal L. ...they were not present
this am and I'm guessing they'll be gone in the morning.
(report from Tom Pirro).
- 10/6/02 -- Forbush Bird Club Trip, New Braintree
-
Rodney Jenkins was the leader of the Forbush Bird Club bird watching trip
in New Braintree on Sunday, October 6, 2002. It began at the Winimusset Meadows
Wildlife Management Area and ended at a vegetable farm on Wine Road. There were
15 members who enjoyed a sunny and calm day with temperatures in the 50's and
slight northerly winds. Highlights were 175 Savannah Sparrows, 2 Grasshopper
Sparrows and a Dickcissel.
Complete trip list here
(report from Joan Zumpfe).
- 10/6/02 -- Wompanoag MAS, Gardner
-
Hilites from hawkwatching from the Wompanoag MAS in Gardner from 8am to
noon. The sky was cloudless until about 11:30 making high-flying
Sharp-shins and their allies very difficult to pickup in the blue sky as
the birds had good lift early:
Osprey 5;
Bald Eagle 2 (1 imm. + 1 ad.);
Sharp-shinned Hawk 40;
Coopers Hawk 7;
Am. Kestrel 4;
Red-shoulered Hawk 2;
Red-tailed Hawk 1;
Broad-winged Hawk 1 imm.;
Turkey Vulture 20;
Un Id'd raptor 2.
Total 84;
Also: migrating Canada Goose 105;
Brant ~65 ( a
"disorganized" flock of small dark geese being pushed around by a modest
breeze unlike the more stable formations of Canadas that passed under
similar conditions this morning.);
Common Merganser 5 female/imm.;
A. Pipit 2;
Rusty Blackbird 2;
The Imm. B. Eagle did a nice Raven-like barrel roll when a Sharp-shinned
took a swip at it. Some (20) Turkey Vultures were clearly on the move up
higher and headed south-west with "a purpose", yet some others were just
meandering about. Lots of White-throated sparrows, Palm Warblers,
yellow-rumped warblers, Ruby-crowned Kinglets near the eadge of the
field.
Yesterday evening (10/5) at Crystal Lake was 3 Greater Scaup (2 male/1 female)
infiltrating the mallards...I only have seen this species in gardner
once before. Believe it or not I have more records of each of the Scoters
and Oldsquaw (Long-tailed Duck) from Gardner than G. Scaup.
(report from Tom Pirro).
- 10/6/02 -- West Waushacum Pond, Sterling
- Today after the Forbush Bird Club trip, Joan Zumpfe and I check a
number of local ponds.
In South Bay at Wachusett Reservoir, on the gull raft were, 42
Double-crested Cormorants and 2 GREAT CORMORANTS. At All Faiths Cemetery (Worcester)
were, 1 Pied-billed Grebe, 20 Wood Duck, 9 American Wigeon, 4 NORTHERN
PINTAIL, and 25 Wood Duck. At West Waushacum Pond in sterling were 3
scaup and 1 male TUFTED DUCK. (report from Fran McMenemy).
- 10/6/02 -- Bolton Flats, Bolton
-
Highlights while leading a trip for the Massachusetts
Audubon Society to Bolton Flats yesterday morning (10/6/02):
Great Blue Heron (2);
Canada Goose (241);
Wood Duck (12);
American Black Duck (3);
Green-winged Teal (8+);
Northern Harrier (1);
Sharp-shinned Hawk (1);
Red-tailed Hawk (3);
Killdeer (1);
Eastern Screech-Owl (1);
Belted Kingfisher (1 or 2);
Hairy Woodpecker (2);
Northern Flicker (3);
Eastern Phoebe (4);
Red-eyed Vireo (1);
Carolina Wren (1);
House Wren (1);
Ruby-crowned Kinglet (1);
Eastern Bluebird (2);
Hermit Thrush (1);
American Robin (129);
Gray Catbird (8);
American Pipit (30+);
Yellow-rumped Warbler (32);
Palm Warbler (1);
Common Yellowthroat (5);
Savannah Sparrow (9);
[Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow - another group reported seeing one, but we
did not find it]
Song Sparrow (13);
Lincoln's Sparrow (1 possible; we ran into a couple of people who had
several);
Swamp Sparrow (32);
White-throated Sparrow (9);
Red-winged Blackbird (223).
(report from John Liller).
- 10/6/02 -- Westboro WMA, Westboro
-
We birded some of the Westboro WMA between 7:15AM and 10:30AM this morning,
sticking to the areas between Chauncy and Little Chauncy Ponds. This area is
sadly under-covered, except by Ann Boover, who files reports often on this
web site. Sheila and I have birded the area off and on (mostly off) for
about 30 years, and it was here that I had my "life" Sedge Wren very many
years ago. People who are looking for an alternative to Bolton Flats, this is
the place. There are areas of fields interspersed with interesting small
woodlots and two small ponds popular with fishermen. It is a popular place to
walk and run dogs, so get here early. As with all WMAs, Sunday is the best
time to visit. However, if the thought of hundreds of fleeing, diving LBJs
gives you the willies, STAY AWAY.
Today we found an insane amount of sparrows at dawn for such a small area,
though numbers quieted down considerably by 9AM as birds seemed to just
evaporate.
Double-crested Cormorant (1);
Great Blue Heron (7);
Canada Goose (31);
Wood Duck (8);
Mallard (34);
A. Black Duck (2);
Ruddy Duck (2);
Cooper's Hawks (2imm together);
Killdeer (6);
Greater Yellowlegs (1 calling overhead);
Spotted Sandpiper (1);
Ring-billed Gull (30+);
Belted Kingfisher (1);
Red-bellied Woodpecker (2);
Downy Woodpecker (6);
N. Flicker (7);
E. Phoebe (21);
Blue-headed Vireo (1);
Red-eyed Vireo (2);
Blue Jay (36);
Black-capped Chickadee (38);
Tufted Titmouse (11);
White-breasted Nuthatch (10);
Brown Creeper (1);
Carolina Wren (1);
Ruby-crowned Kinglet (4);
E. Bluebird (4);
Gray Catbird (51);
N. Mockingbird (11);
Cedar Waxwing (8);
WARBLERS:
Orange-crowned (3);
Yellow-rumped (83);
Palm (11);
Blackpoll (17);
Connecticut (1imm);
C. Yellowthroat (4);
SPARROWS:
E. Towhee (3);
Chipping (1);
Savannah (154);
Song (128);
Lincoln (13);
Swamp (177);
White-throated (173);
White-crowned (3);
N. Cardinal (5);
Indigo Bunting (6);
Dickcissel (1imm: almost in the exact same spot where I had one last year
with a MAS class. Great views);
Bobolink (16);
Red-winged Blackbird (222);
Rusty Blackbird (5);
Brown-headed Cowbird (15+);
House Finch (12);
A. Goldfinch (8);
AND: several patches of EASTERN STINKHORN, certainly one of the most phallic
plants in MA bar none.
Beautiful morning to be out!
(report from Mark Lynch).
- 10/5/02 -- Auburn
-
The bird banding project in Auburn Saturday, October 5, was honored to have
a yellow-breasted chat land in one of their nets, and now proudly wears
their leg band. Breathtakingly beautiful bird. (report from Colleen Morin).
- 10/5/02 -- Seekonk River, RI
-
We hit the Seekonk River, at the southern end of the BLACKSTONE NATIONAL
CORRIDOR this afternoon and had an amazing concentration of birds feeding on
bait fish, mostly up towards Pawtucket.
Double-crested Cormorant (253);
Great Blue Heron (30);
Great Egret (18);
Black-crowned Night Heron (4ad+1subAd+4imm);
Mute Swan (15);
Mallard (145);
A. Black Duck (87);
American Wigeon (1f);
Red-breasted Merganser (1f);
Turkey Vulture (3);
Osprey (4);
Red-tailed Hawk (1imm);
Greater Yellowlegs (9);
Spotted Sandpiper (1);
Bonaparte's Gull (3);
Laughing Gull (268);
Ring-billed Gull (1645);
Herring Gull (972);
Great Black backed Gull (241);
Marsh Wren (1).
(report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).
- 10/4/02 -- Devens, Harvard
- There were 203 Killdeer in Devens this evening( 129 on the soccer fields
and 74 near the Baseball field), also 2 Snipe. (report from Tom Pirro).
- 10/4/02 -- Wachusett Reservoir, Boylston
-
New arrivals seen at Wachusett Reservoir around mid-day were 3 Red-throated
Loons, 11 White-winged Scoters and 1 RED-NECKED PHALAROPE. The Phalarope was
observed feeding on the water from Scar Hill. The Scoters and Loons were
observed from Mile Hill Road.
(report from Bart Kamp).
- 10/2/02 -- High Ridge WMA, Gardner
-
Hilites from a brief walk into High Ridge WMA, the Smith st. gate in
Gardner, this evening was large hatching of flying ants. I observed a
few Am. Robins and a single Am. Crow making attempts to flycatch (or
antcatch if you will). The crow was quite interesting to watch.. I
watched the crow perched atop a snag looking at all these ants as if it
was conciously thinking "there's gutta to be some way to harvest these
things". It did make some attempts at flycatching though in poor light
it was difficult to actually see if it had success.
Also 1 Imm. White-crowned Sparrow was seen.
(report from Tom Pirro).
For previous sightings, see
September 2002 Archives or
Archive Index