October 2006 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:

10/31/06 -- Wachusett Reservoir, Clinton
Highlights of an early morning trip to Wachusett Reservoir and Coachlace Pond were: 13 common loon, 4 red-necked grebes, 8 horned grebes, 2 pied-billed grebes, 3 double-crested cormorants, 5 black ducks, 34 greater scaup (Coachlace), 6 lesser scaup, 3 common goldeneye, 12 bufflehead, 1 white-winged scoter, 1 ruddy duck (Coachlace) and 5 common mergansers. (report from Bart Kamp).

10/31/06 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
Raptors migrating today: 
Species            Day's Count    Month Total   Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture                0              0              1
Turkey Vulture               1            297            321
Osprey                       0             43            285
Bald Eagle                   2             12             50
Northern Harrier             3             11             31
Sharp-shinned Hawk           7            688           1039
Cooper's Hawk                1             89            121
Northern Goshawk             0              5              7
Red-shouldered Hawk          0             14             17
Broad-winged Hawk            0             41           5563
Red-tailed Hawk              2            142            148
Rough-legged Hawk            0              0              0
Golden Eagle                 3              3              3
American Kestrel             0             69            161
Merlin                       0             29             42
Peregrine Falcon             0              3             10
Unknown                                    36             52

Total:                      19           1482           7851
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Raptor Observations: Our first three Golden Eagles of the the season passed close by within 10 minutes of each other. Each one was an immature. The Bald Eagles were an adult and an immature. Non-raptor Observations: 11 Canada geese, 6 greater yellowlegs, 2 monarch butterflies were migrating. (report from Bart Kamp).

10/31/06 -- Long Pond, Rutland
On this very warm day there were tons of flying insects and the fish were jumping. At the southern end of Long Pond near the Midstate Trail, we had 3 Ospreys, and there were probably more. Other highlights: 1 Great Blue Heron, 1 Sharp-shinned Hawk, 1 Red-tailed Hawk, 1 Raven, 10 Hermit Thrushes, 1 Eastern Phoebe, 1 Pileated Woodpecker, and both Kinglets. (report from Brian Mulhearn)

10/30/06 -- Hadwen Park, Worcester
Highlights were 1 Pied-billed Grebe, 1 Great Blue Heron, 1 Great Egret, 6 Black Ducks, 2 Wood Ducks, 12 Mallards, 19 Hooded Mergansers, 4 Ring-Billed Gulls, 1 Belted Kingfisher, 4 GC Kinglets, 6 RC Kinglets. (report from Brian Mulhearn)

10/29/06 -- Mt. Wachusett, Princeton
I shared the summit of Mt. Wachusett with 27 hardy Snow Buntings - a very nice reward for the hike up in wild conditions! (report from Simon Hennin).

10/29/06 -- Wachusett Reservoir and Vicinity
The Forbush Bird Club held a trip today in West Boylston, Boylston , Sterling and Clinton at Wachusett Reservoir's Gates 25, 26, 36 and 39 and also at Thomas Basin and Coachlace Pond. Francis X. McMenemy led 11 members who braved very windy conditions. Here are the 20 species observed. (report from Joan Zumpfe).

10/29/06 -- Rutland Prison Camp, Rutland/Hadwen Park, Worcester
Very windy, not many birds. At the Prison Camp, 2 Hermit Thrushes, 20 Robins, and a Ring-necked Pheasant. At Hadwen Park, we had 2 Black-crowned night Herons today. 1 Great Blue Heron, 20 Hooded Mergansers, 1 Northern Pintail, 6 Gold-crowned Kinglets, and a couple of warblers I didn't get a good look at. (report from Brian Mulhearn)

10/29/06 -- Fitchburg/Leominster
Another Bald Eagle sighting in Fitchburg (my husband's second this month). This time Sunday morning traveling from Rt. 31 eastbound on Route 2 this fellow flew approx. 100 ft from the tree tops. We are used to spotting kettles of Turkey vultures in the proximity of the Fitchburg landfill -- not this time! He was heading south over Notown Reservoir unfazed by the wind gusts and giving a spectacular view of his plumage. (report from Cheryl and Jean-Pierre Boissy).

10/29/06 -- Wachusett Reservoir
Braving very blustery conditions we attempted to bird some areas in the Wachusett Reservoir IBA today including the Reservoir proper (including Scar Hill cliffs, which, as you can imagine, was ridiculously windy) ; the Waushacums, and Coachlace Pond. Most of the reservoir looked like Andrew's Point, Cape Ann during a storm, with constant white caps churning up the water, making spotting birds on the water's surface very tough, not to mention how hard it was trying to keep a scope steady. Amazingly, one of the calmer spots was birding from the Mile Hill lookout off Rt.70. Branches were down everywhere and we heard a few very large trees topple in the forests near Scar Hill. At one point we JUST missed having a very large and heavy branch land atop the car. At another, Sheila almost blew over. Despite all this, we managed: Common Loon (6); Double-crested Cormorant (6); Great Blue Heron (1); Canada Goose (12); Mallard (54); A Black Duck (5); Greater Scaup (38); Black Scoter (1f); Bufflehead (3); Common Goldeneye (6); Red-breasted Merganser (1f); Common Merganser (22); Ruddy Duck (8); Bald Eagle (1imm); Red-tailed Hawk (1); Wild Turkey (4); Bonaparte's Gull (3 1stW); Ring-billed Gull (32); Herring Gull (3); Passerines were understandably tough to find, but we did see Golden-crowned Kinglet (4); Ruby-crowned Kinglet (1); Hermit Thrush (1) ; A Robin (23); Yellow-rumped Warbler (5) ; Pine Warbler (1) ; Chipping Sparrow (1); White-throated Sparrow (12); Dark-eyed Junco (15). (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

10/28/06 -- Worcester Art Musuem, Worcester
A hardy (it was a long tour) group of 28 birded the galleries of the Worcester Art Museum Saturday for the annual BIRDER'S TOUR OF THE MUSEUM'S COLLECTION. It was dry, no wind, you could sit down and there were real bathrooms nearby. As is typical with musuem birding, the list is heavy on the non-passerines, but that's OK with me. Trip list, handed out at the start of the trip, below: PELICAN sp. (Pelecanus sp.); SACRED IBIS (Threskiornis aethiopicus); WHITE STORK (Ciconia ciconia); GLOSSY IBIS (Plegadis falcinellus); EURASIAN SPOONBILL (Platelea leucorodia); MUTE SWAN (Cygnus olor); COMMON SHELDUCK (Tadorna tadorna); RUDDY SHELDUCK (Tadorna ferruginea); MALLARD (Anas platyrhynchos); OLD WORLD VULTURE species; FALCON species; DOMESTIC CHICKEN (Gallus gallus); HELMETED GUINEAFOWL (Numida melagris); WILD TURKEY (Melagris gallopavo); BLUE PEACOCK (Pavo cristatus); ROCK PTARMIGAN, Japanese ssp. (Lagopus mutus japonicus). High point of this year's trip: new species for this excursion. QUAIL (Coturnix coturnix); PURPLE SWAMPHEN (Porphyrio porphyrio caspius); COMMON CRANE (Grus grus); CRANE sp. (Grus sp.); TAWNY OWL (Strix aluco); LITTLE OWL (Athene noctua); EUROPEAN BEE-EATER (Merops apiaster); EUROPEAN GREEN WOODPECKER (Picus viridis); HOODED CROW (Corvus cornix); MAGPIE species; FINCH species. (report from Mark Lynch).

10/27/06 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
Raptors migrating today: Turkey Vulture 2 ; Northern Harrier 1 ; Sharp-shinned Hawk 15 ; Cooper's Hawk 1 ; Northern Goshawk 2 ; Red-tailed Hawk 26 ; Merlin 4 ; Raptor Observations: The non-migrating pair of northern goshawks made their daily appearance. Non-raptor Observations: Migrating:20 Canada geese and 100's of crows. (report from Bart Kamp).

10/27/06 -- Wachusett Reservoir, Clinton
Highlights of an early morning trip to Wachusett Reservoir and Coachlace Pond were: 1 red-necked grebe, 3 horned grebes, 1 male pintail, 11 greater scaup (Coachlace), 3 buffleheads, 6 long-tailed ducks, 1 white-winged scoter, 31 surf scoters, 275 black scoters, 8 ruddy ducks (Coachlace) and 16 snow buntings. (report from Bart Kamp).

10/27/06 -- Mount Wachusett, Princeton/ Hadwen Park, Worcester
  • Mount Wachusett: On the walk up and down there were over 100 Juncos. There were lots of Chickadees, both Kinglets, a Hairy Woodpecker, and 6 Hermit Thrushes eating berries in a Mountain Ash tree. This was a clear day, and snow covered Mount Washington was visible. Also at the summit, 18 Snow Buntings.
  • Hadwen Park: I flushed a Black-crowned night Heron today. It flew across Curtis Pond and landed in the largest tree on the shore at the extreme corner of Notre Dame Cemetery. The Great Egret was here also, and 3 Northern Pintails. (report from Brian Mulhearn)

    • 10/27/06 -- Institute Park, Worcester
    Highlights at noon included 6 Green-winged Teal, 8 Hooded Mergansers, 1 Ruby-crowned Kinglet, 2 Hermit Thrushes, and 4 Yellow-rumped Warblers. (report from Rick Quimby).

    10/27/06 -- Worcester Art Museum, Worcester
    While doing some last minute checking for my BIRDER'S TOUR on Saturday, I noticed that there were minimally 4 HERMIT THRUSHES in the small museum courtyard. (report from Mark Lynch).

    10/26/06 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
    Raptors migrating today: Turkey Vulture 5 ; Northern Harrier 1 ; Sharp-shinned Hawk 60 ; Cooper's Hawk 4 ; Red-shouldered Hawk 2 ; Red-tailed Hawk 28 ; Non-raptor Observations: 64 Canada geese, 7 Brant. (report from Bart Kamp).

    10/25/06 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
    Raptors migrating today: Turkey Vulture 1 ; Sharp-shinned Hawk 97 ; Cooper's Hawk 5 ; Northern Goshawk 1 ; Red-shouldered Hawk 5 ; Red-tailed Hawk 39 ; Raptor Observations: The sharpies began migrating at 8 AM EDT. Non-raptor Observations: Migrating: 17 Canada Geese, 100's of crows and 1000's of robins and blackbirds. (report from Bart Kamp).

    10/25/06 -- Hadwen Park, Worcester
    This afternoon we kicked up a Black-crowned Night Heron which flew across Curtis Pond and landed in a tree on the Notre Dame Cemetery side. There was a Great Egret, 3 Northern Pintails, (2m, 1f) 5 DC Cormorants, 1 Belted Kingfisher, a dueling Red-bellied Woodpecker and Sharp-shinned Hawk, 12 Hermit Thrushes, (there has been movement of these the past few days) and a Red-eyed Vireo. (report from Brian Mulhearn)

    10/24/06 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
    Raptors migrating today: Turkey Vulture 7 ; Sharp-shinned Hawk 105 ; Cooper's Hawk 6 ; Red-shouldered Hawk 1 ; Red-tailed Hawk 10 ; Merlin 1 ; Raptor Observations: A surprisingly good sharpy day. Non-raptor Observations: 18 bluebirds and 2 palm warblers around the parking lot. 10 Canada geese, 100's of crows and 1000's of blackbirds and robins migrating. (report from Bart Kamp).

    10/24/06 -- Institute Park, Worcester
    At noon there were 3 GW Teal, 1 Hooded Merganser, 1 Killdeer, 1 Belted Kingfisher, and 2 Ruby-crowned Kinglets. (report from Rick Quimby).

    10/22/06 -- Brookfields and Charlton
    The Forbush Bird Club held a trip in the Brookfields and at Orlando Pond in Charlton today, with Rodney Jenkins leading 10 members on a clear and cold day. Some of the highlights of these 44 species seen were Northern Pintail, Ruddy Duck, Osprey, Northern Harrier and Eastern Bluebird. Here is the detailed account (report from Joan Zumpfe).

    10/22/06 -- All Faiths Cemetery, Worcester
    Barbara, Rick, and I had the following birds on the water at All Faiths Cemetery on Sunday afternoon: Mallard, Green-winged Teal, Canada Goose, American Wigeon, Wood Duck (6), Northern Pintail (3), Great Blue Heron Land birds of note were a few Eastern Phoebes and one Brown Creeper. (report from Michael Walker).

    10/22/06 -- Worcester Ponds
    At mid-day, Fran McMenemy and I stopped at Coes Reservoir and Curtis, Notre Dame and Leesville Ponds in Worcester and Auburn. I've combined the Worcester totals and kept them separate from the Auburn section of Leesville. Here are the highlights:
  • WORCESTER PONDS/RESERVOIR: Double-crested Cormorant 4; Great Blue Heron 2; Great Egret 1; Mallard 11; Northern Pintail 3; American Wigeon 2; Wood Duck 6; Hooded Merganser 1; Belted Kingfisher 1; Carolina Wren 1; Golden-crowned Kinglet 2
  • AUBURN: Great Blue Heron 1; Northern Pintail 4; Green-winged Teal 22; American Wigeon 7; Mute Swan 2; Canada Goose 39; Mallard 26; Wood Duck 1; American Black Duck 1
    (report from Joan Zumpfe).

    • 10/22/06 -- Mount Watatic, Ashburnham
    Raptors migrating today: Turkey Vulture 7 ; Sharp-shinned Hawk 44 ; Cooper's Hawk 3 ; Red-shouldered Hawk 2 ; Red-tailed Hawk 14 . Non-raptor Observations: Other migrants: Canada Goose 311; Black Duck 14; American Crow 506; A few Monarch Butterflies were seen. (report from Tom Pirro).

    10/22/06 -- South Quabbin/Quabbin Park
    Our MAS (Broad Meadow Brook) CENTRAL MASSACHUSETTS IBA class had a nice trip to Quabbin Park this morning. This is the section of Quabbin off Rt.9 in Belchertown. Stops included a dawn hike across the dike; the Tower; Enfield Lookout; the apple orchard; the "blueberry patch"; the Rt.9 marsh; the State Trout Farm and other places. AND heated bathrooms! Yahoo! Common Loon (13: only in near 1 adult breeding plumage); Horned Grebe (14); Great Blue Heron (1); Turkey Vulture (1); Canada Goose (167); Wood Duck (1m); American Black Duck (5); Ring-necked Duck (10); White-winged Scoter (1m); Black Scoter (6); Red-breasted Merganser (2f); Ruddy Duck (2); Bald Eagle (2imm+1sub-ad+3ad: some stunning views); Sharp-shinned Hawk (3); Red-tailed Hawk (4); Killdeer (17); Ring-billed Gull (8); Herring Gull (2); Mourning Dove (11); Belted Kingfisher (2); Red-bellied Woodpecker (2); Downy Woodpecker (5); Hairy Woodpecker (6); N Flicker (2); Pileated Woodpecker (3); Blue-headed Vireo (1); Blue Jay (61: some definite migration); American Crow (155: some definite migration); Common Raven (4); Black-capped Chickadee (49); Tufted Titmouse (7); Red-breasted Nuthatch (1: NOT an irruption year); White-breasted Nuthatch (12); Brown Creeper (1); Winter Wren (2); Golden-crowned Kinglet (20); Ruby-crowned Kinglet (6); Eastern Bluebird (7); Hermit Thrush (1); American Robin (26); American Pipit (3); Yellow-rumped Warbler (5); Palm Warbler (1); Eastern Towhee (2); Chipping Sparrow (15); Field Sparrow (2); Savannah Sparrow (1: on the dike wall); Song Sparrow (8); White-throated Sparrow (37); Dark-eyed Junco (86); N Cardinal (4); Red-winged Blackbird (5); Purple Finch (1); House Finch (4); PLUS: Beaver; Eastern Cottontail; a surprise was seeing a butterfly pass by close while at Enfield Lookout in these rather cool temps. But the real surprise was that it was a COMMON BUCKEYE, not a Monarch or Clouded Sulphur. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

    10/22/06 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
    Raptors migrating today: Northern Harrier 1 ; Sharp-shinned Hawk 54 ; Cooper's Hawk 7 ; Red-shouldered Hawk 2 ; Red-tailed Hawk 13 ; American Kestrel 1 ; Merlin 1 ; Raptor Observations: A day without a single turkey vulture migrating or not migrating. Non-raptor Observations: 341 Canada geese. 1 monarch butterfly (report from Bart Kamp).

    10/21/06 -- Charlton/Brookfield/South Quabbin
  • CHARLTON: A stop along two ponds on Brookfield Road in Charlton revealed: Great Blue Heron (1); Canada Goose (252); Wood Duck (1m); Mallard (233); A Black Duck (20); Ruddy Duck (12); Ring-billed Gull (360+); Blue-headed Vireo (1); Golden-crowned Kinglet (3); Ruby-crowned Kinglet (10); Swamp Sparrow (8); White-throated Sparrow (20);
  • LAKE QUABOG, BROOKFIELD: still lots of boaters and few ducks: Great Blue Heron (1); Greater Scaup (3);
  • SOUTH QUABBIN/QUABBIN PARK: Common Loon (2); Horned Grebe (1); Surf Scoter (6m); Common Merganser (4); Bald Eagle (1ad); Sharp-shinned Hawk (1); Golden Eagle (1imm); Merlin (1); Blue Jay (9); A Crow (31 migrating); Common Raven (2); Eastern Bluebird (2); E Starling (12); Yellow-rumped Warbler (6); Chipping Sparrow (3); Song Sparrow (2); Swamp Sparrow (1); White-throated Sparrow (15);
    (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

    • 10/21/06 -- Asnebumskit Hill, Paxton
    In an hour of hawk watching from the lookout, 11:00 to 12:00 we had a migrating Turkey Vulture and Sharp-shinned Hawk. We saw many flocks of DC Cormorants land in Kettle Brook Reservoir (#4?); below. There were over 120 Cormorants that flew in. 4 Ravens landed on the tower where they have nested. A Northern Goshawk rose up and soared in front of us. Also , 3 Wood Ducks, 2 Yellow-rump Warblers, 1 Palm Warbler, 4 Gold-crowned Kinglets, 3 Ruby-crowned Kinglets, 2 Hermit Thrushes, 1 Veery. (report from Brian Mulhearn)

    10/21/06 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
    Raptors migrating today: Turkey Vulture 9 ; Osprey 1 ; Bald Eagle 1 ; Northern Harrier 1 ; Sharp-shinned Hawk 66 ; Cooper's Hawk 10 ; Red-shouldered Hawk 1 ; Red-tailed Hawk 3 ; American Kestrel 3 ; Merlin 4 ; Raptor Observations: Many of the birds were at or below the tree tops. Non-raptor Observations: 8 bluebirds, 10 American pipits landed in the field. 3 monarch butterflies. (report from Bart Kamp) .

    10/21/06 -- Crystal Lake, Gardner
    This evening there were approx. 700 gulls coming to roost on Crystal Lake in Gardner. Despite the Gardner Landfill closing last January, many gulls are coming to roost here. Most appear to be commuting from the direction of the Westminster Landfill. The approx. species break down: Herring Gull 500; Lesser Black-backed Gull 1 3rd winter; Great Black-backed Gull 100; Ring-billed Gull 100;
    This morning a friend and I hiked up to North Pack on to South Pack Monadnock in the Peterborough, NH area. Rough ests. of birds seen and heard: Sharp-shinned Hawk 1; Raven 4; Golden-crowned Kinglet 50+ (never seemed be to out of "ear shot" for the whole 5.5 mile hike); D.E. Junco 300+; White-thr Sparrow 50+; Fox Sparrow 1. (report from Tom Pirro).

    10/19/22 -- Broad Meadow Brook Sanctuary, Worcester
    At the Troiano Brookside Trail there were Sparrows everywhere, perched and diving and flying all around. There were mostly Song and White-throated, and also fewer Swamp Sparrows. They were all along the stretch. Also there were over 100 Goldfinches, and a Nashville Warbler. And a few Ruby-crowned Kinglets. At the Heron Pond behind the auto parts place beavers have built a dam at the outlet and the water level there has risen. (report from Brian Mulhearn)

    10/18/06 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
    Raptors migrating today: Turkey Vulture 35 ; Osprey 1 ; Bald Eagle 1 ; Northern Harrier 1 ; Sharp-shinned Hawk 20 ; Cooper's Hawk 8 ; Red-tailed Hawk 2 ; American Kestrel 4 ; Non-raptor Observations: 22 monarch butterflies. (report from Bart Kamp).

    10/17/06 -- Asnebumskit Hill, Paxton
    At one of the beaver swamps a huge flock of Grackles flew in. There were over 1,200 birds, with some Red-winged blackbirds and Rusty blackbirds. They stayed about an hour, then flew off. (report from Brian Mulhearn)

    10/16/06 -- Wachusett Reservoir
    Highlights of a Monday morning trip to Wachusett Reservoir were: 20-30 common loons, 1 red-necked grebe, at least 25 horned grebes, 5 black ducks, 1 greater scaup, 25-30 common mergansers, 1 or 2 adult bald eagles, 4 northern harriers and 1 Bonaparte's gull. (report from Bart).

    10/16/06 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
    Raptors migrating today: Turkey Vulture 31 ; Sharp-shinned Hawk 13 ; Cooper's Hawk 2 ; American Kestrel 3 ; Merlin 1 ; Non-raptor Observations: 8 monarch butterflies. (report from Bart Kamp).

    10/16/06 -- Millbury
    Howe Pond: great egret, great blue heron
    Brierly's Pond: 3 hooded mergansers, 3 common mergansers
    (report from Alan Marble).

    10/15/06 -- Cooks Canyon, Barre / Pottapaug Pond, Petersham / WWMA, New Braintree
    Here is the complete trip report (trip report from Chris Ellison).

    10/15/06 -- Hadwen Park, Worcester
    Today we found a third Black-crowned night Heron perched near 2 others we flushed. They were all on the Notre Dame Cemetery side of the pond opposite the basketball court. Also a calling Carolina Wren. (report from Brian Mulhearn)

    10/15/06 -- Nashua River Watershed IBA
    Today our MAS (Broad Meadow Brook) class ("BIRDING CENTRAL MASS IBAs") started at Bolton Flats just before dawn (6:30AM), we birded some of the areas north and south of Rt.117, make a very brief stop at OXBOW NWR, and ended doing some late season hawkwatching at the FRUITLANDS OVERLOOK. The spectacle of hundreds or sparrows darting all over at dawn as we slowly walked out the main road was both thrilling and daunting, but I kept count as best I could. Totals are below: Turkey Vulture (11); Canada Goose (249); Wood Duck (9); Mallard (60+: before dawn, large movements of Mallards or Blacks; all that we could ID were in fact Mallards); N Harrier (1imm); Sharp-shinned Hawk (11: at one point, while birding a back field next to the river, a few of us almost got seriouisly strafed as a Sharpie appeared out of nowhere, flying full bore, and went over some of our heads by less than a foot!); Cooper's Hawk (1); Red-tailed Hawk (12); Peregrine Falcon (1: Fruitlands Overlook); Wild Turkey (27: looking from the Fruitlands by scope over to the prison); Virginia Rail (1); Killdeer (5); WILSON'S SNIPE (32: a very nice movement of calling birds just before dawn, seen against the lightening sky); Herring Gull (74: moving south); Eastern Screech Owl (1); Great Horned Owl (2); Red-bellied Woodpecker (1); Downy Woodpecker (7); Hairy Woodpecker (2); N Flicker (5); Eastern Phoebe (7); Blue Jay (31); American Crow (44); Black-capped Chickadee (16); Tufted Titmouse (4); White-breasted Nuthatch (3); Carolina Wren (1 singing); House Wren (1); Golden-crowned Kinglet (4); Ruby-crowned Kinglet (6); Eastern Bluebird (7); American Robin (753: most leaving south at dawn); Gray Catbird (4); European Starling (200+); American Pipit (5: all overhead); Cedar Waxwing (4); Orange-crowned Warbler (1); Yellow-rumped Warbler (57); Palm Warbler (1); Blackpoll Warbler (1); Common Yellowthroat (4); Chipping Sparrow (5); Savannah Sparrow (130); Song Sparrow (157); Lincoln's Sparrow (only 1: low for this location, but it is getting late) Swamp Sparrow (181); White-throated Sparrow (85); White-crowned Sparrow (13); N Cardinal (9); Bobolink (1); Red-winged Blackbird (147); Rusty Blackbird (12); Common Grackle (63); House Finch (2); A Goldfinch (12); PLUS: Eastern Coyote (1); Meadow Vole (1); N Leopard Frog (2: very local in central MA); Green Frog (1); Crayfish (1 large specimen found in the middle of a field alive, but obviously not doing well. We returned it to the Still River); meadowhawk species: many (100+ once the sun was up for awhile); Monarch (5); Eastern Comma (1); American Lady (1). (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

    10/15/06 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
    Raptors migrating today: Turkey Vulture 24 ; Osprey 5 ; Bald Eagle 1 ; Sharp-shinned Hawk 29 ; Cooper's Hawk 3 ; Red-shouldered Hawk 1 ; Red-tailed Hawk 2 ; American Kestrel 1 ; Merlin 5 . Non-raptor Observations: 97 Canada geese, 3 monarch butterflies. (report from Bart Kamp).

    10/14/06 -- Fitchburg
    Unusual yard bird - Mature Bald Eagle soaring in circles directly over our deck/house at 1 PM. Would never have seen him but for our year-old pionites melanocephala (Black-Capped Parrot) , whose perch we had moved close to our deck doors. This bird (who shares our house with us) , has an unusual vocalization when he becomes alert to overhead hawks. I had moved him away from his vantage point during the height of the hawk migration as we, in Fitchburg close to the Nashua River and at a high elevation near the old Cleghorn Quarry, get a fair number of raptors making their way south over Mt. Wachusett (due south west). We did not want to cause any undue stress to him. This beautiful eagle he spotted must have been winding his way south but stopped briefly over the quarry. I certainly would not take Miles (parrot) hawk-watching but his visual acumen is incredibly accurate and he is a reliable spotter. We first became aware of his "hawk above" sounds during our summer trip to the Cape when, in his travel cage held on my lap, he "pointed" in the direction of overhead Turkey Vultures and Red Tails soaring above us on 495 while sounding the alarm. Again, he saw the hawks long before we did!
    Also, Juncos and White Throated Sparrows have now joined the morning chorus along with our resident Carolina Wrens and Cardinals. They arrived in time for the first frost here today. (report from Cheryl and Jean Pierre Boissy)

    10/14/06 -- Turner's Falls
    After doing some monitoring of bird populations locally at dawn, we drove out to the TURNER'S FALLS ANADRAMOUS FISH CANAL. We arrived by 10AM and already there were 100+ Canada Geese and some ducks about midway down the road. As we got out more and more flocks began to fly in from different areas. SETH KELLOG and several other birders, further down the road, had the bird [CACKLING GOOSE] fly in, and told us as they drove past. Quickly after that, we fouund the bird, about midway between two large groups of geese, offering great views even though the lighting was not the best (afternoon light is best) . It was a good thing Seth got us on the bird, because for the next 30 minutes many hundreds more geese just kept coming in, adding to the confusion. That said, we continually re-found the CACKLING and studied it at leisure. We left the bird there by 11 or shortly thereafter. Note: For those coming out from the east via Route 2, be aware that this is peak "leaf peeping" time and the traffic by mid-day had really increased. As a matter of fact, there was an amazing crowd ON the French King Bridge taking pictures. Pied-billed Grebe (1); Double-crested Cormorant (1); Canada Goose (1118 by our count); CACKLING GOOSE (1: this bird was slightly larger than a Mallard, but with a longer neck. The head was tiny and very round; the bill very stubby. The upperparts were more silvery gray than brown and this enabled us to pick the bird out at a distance even just with bins. The scapulars had wide white feather edges. The black on the neck did not come down as far proportionately as with the Canadas. The lower neck/upper breast was lighter than the upperparts color. It continually called, a higher-pitched call than the other geese, fairly easy to pick out among the constant chatter of 1000+ Canada Geese. It slept for a bit, but moslty swam around among different groups of geese, calling, almost as if it was looking for others of it's kind. Several times we noticed Canadas pecking or chasing the Cackling. Wood Duck (6 fly-overs); Mallard (47: some yahoos weer feeding the ducks and gulls); A Black Duck (10); N Pintail (3f); American Wigeon (5); Belted Kingfisher (1); Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (1); (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

    10/14/06 -- Leesville Pond/ All Faiths Cemetery, Notre Dame Cemetery, Worcester
    At Leesville Pond today: 2 wood ducks, 8 green-winged teal, 12 American wigeons. While talking with John Shea at the back corner of Notre Dame Cemetery, we had 2 adult black-crowned night herons fly in and perch on a downed tree in the water. (report from Alan Marble)

    10/14/06 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
    Raptors migrating today: Turkey Vulture 76 ; Osprey 2 ; Northern Harrier 1 ; Sharp-shinned Hawk 14 ; Cooper's Hawk 1 ; Red-shouldered Hawk 1 ; Red-tailed Hawk 1 ; American Kestrel 4 ; Merlin 1 ; Raptor Observations: A parade of turkey vultures. Non-raptor Observations: 106 Canada geese, 7 monarch butterflies. (report from Bart Kamp).

    10/14/06 -- Hadwen Park, Worcester
    I was surprised to see 2 Black-crowned night Herons still here around the water behind the basketball court. I have been seeing them regularly here. Also, an Osprey perched in a tree eating a fish, a Great Egret, and a singing Blue headed Vireo. (report from Brian Mulhearn)

    10/13/06 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
    Raptors migrating today: Turkey Vulture 5 ; Osprey 2 ; Bald Eagle 1 ; Northern Harrier 1 ; Sharp-shinned Hawk 21 ; Northern Goshawk 1 ; Red-tailed Hawk 1 ; American Kestrel 1 ; Merlin 1 ; Raptor Observations: Birds were hard to find in the bright blue sky. Non-raptor Observations: 10 Canada geese, 14 monarch butterflies. (report from Bart Kamp).

    10/13/06 -- Martha Deering WMA, Millbury
    Highlights from a quick stop this morning:red-bellied woodpecker, 3 eastern phoebes, blue-headed vireo, golden-crowned kinglet, ruby-crowned kinglet, 4 eastern bluebirds, 3 yellow-rumped warblers, 3 song sparrow, 2 swamp sparrows, 8 white-throated sparrows and 4 dark-eyed juncos. (report from Alan Marble).

    10/11/06 -- Sterling Peat, Sterling
    Before work at 7:15 AM I stopped here and saw a Great Egret, 2 Greater Yellowlegs, a Merlin devour a small bird and a sandpiper that at first I thought was a Pectoral. The bill seemed too long and the legs appeared black and the back was wrong. I thought it might be a Dunlin, but was concerned that it was a Pectoral with mud on it's legs. Thanks to Bart [Kamp] for confirming my suspicions. (report from Peter Morlock).

    10/11/06 -- Sterling Peat, Sterling
    Highlights of a morning trip to Sterling Peat were: 1 great egret, 12 green-winged teal, 1 wood duck, 1 Merlin, 5 greater yellowlegs, 1 dunlin and 1 white-crowned sparrow. (report from Bart Kamp).

    10/10/06 -- East Brookfield River, Brookfield
    This afternoon there was a Great Egret in the East Brookfield River across from Lake Quaboag in Brookfield. Also, the most recent sighting of a Great Egret in Dudley was 9/10/06, and the most recent sighting of a Great Egret (for me) in Uxbridge at Rice City Pond was on 9/30/06. (report from Joan Zumpfe).

    10/10/06 -- Wachusett Reservoir
    Highlights at Wachusett Reservoir this morning were 1 horned grebe, 2 red-breasted mergansers, 9 surf scoters, 5 green-winged teal, a raft of 46 black ducks that included 1 male mallard and 1 male white-winged scoter and 2 peregrines that were perched on the rocks at Sholan Point. One of them walked into the water up to it's belly and took a bath. (report from Bart Kamp).

    10/10/06 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
    Raptors migrating today: Turkey Vulture 1 ; Osprey 6 ; Bald Eagle 1 ; Sharp-shinned Hawk 4 ; Cooper's Hawk 4 ; Red-tailed Hawk 1 ; Peregrine Falcon 1 ; Raptor Observations: Not migrating: 3 red-shouldered hawks and a pair of northern goshawks. Non-raptor Observations: 396 Canada geese. A formation of 150 geese contained a goose at least half the size of the others. It was part of the formation, the second bird. Most likely a cackling goose. Also, 42+ monarch butterflies. (report from Bart Kamp).

    10/9/06 -- Hodges Village Dam, Oxford
    Morning highlights from the Rocky Hill Rd entry point: 19 wood ducks, 2 belted kingfishers, yellow-bellied sapsucker, 3 eastern phoebes, brown creeper, 3 golden-crowned kinglets, 6 ruby-crowned kinglets, 3 hermit thrushes, 6 yellow-rumped warblers, 2 palm warblers, pine warbler, 4 eastern towhees, 7 chipping sparrows, 2 savannah sparrows, 8 song sparrows, 4 swamp sparrows, and 25 white-throated sparrows. (report from Alan Marble).

    10/9/06 -- Wachusett Reservoir
    Water birds seen at Wachusett Reservoir this morning were: 20-25 common loons, 3 horned grebes, 1 great cormorant, 30-40 double-crested cormorants, 3 great blue herons, 1 great egret (there were 5 on Saturday 10/7), 9 ring-necked ducks, 8 common mergansers, 2 red-breasted mergansers and 1 Bonaparte's gull (there were 5 on Saturday 10/7). (report from Bart Kamp).

    10/8/06 -- New Braintree
    The Forbush Bird Club held a trip in New Braintree this morning. Here are details of the 44 species observed. (report from Joan Zumpfe).

    10/8/06 -- Elm Hill MAS, Brookfield
    En route to Quabbin, We made a brief visit to the Massachusetts Audubon Society sanctuary at Elm Hill and had the following: Canada Goose (77); Sharp-shinned Hawk (2imm together); Wild Turkey (5: when we entered the field that the geese and turkeys were in, the turkeys immediately ran across the field and joined the geese, and the male began to display); Red-bellied Woodpecker (1); Downy Woodpecker (2); Hairy Woodpecker (1); Pileated Woodpecker (1); Eastern Phoebe (2); Blue Jay (7); American Crow (2); Black-capped Chickadee (14); Tufted Titmouse (3); Golden-crowned Kinglet (5); Ruby-crowned Kinglet (2); American Robin (36); Gray Catbird (6); American Pipit (3); Yellow-rumped Warbler (41); Palm Warbler (1); Common Yellowthroat (1); N Cardinal (13); Red-winged Blackbird (13); (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

    10/8/06 -- Quabbin Park, South Quabbin Reservoir
    There was a nice selection of birds at Quabbin Park (the area of Qaubbin off Rt.9, Belchertown) and vicinity (including the State trout hatchery) today. Be forewarned, at this time of the year, by 10AM on weekends, the Park becomes literally swarming with leaf-peepers, walkers et. So: get here early for the next few weeks. Common Loon (6: some interesting transitional plumaged birds, but NO Pacific/Arctic); Great Blue Heron (4: all at the trout hatchery); Turkey Vulture (1); Canada Goose (13); Wood Duck (1m); Mallard (2); White-winged Scoter (3m); Common Merganser (14); Sharp-shinned Hawk (2); Red-tailed Hawk (2); American Golden-Plover (1 fly-over while walking over the dike); Killdeer (5: all at trout hatchery); Bonaparte's Gull (1 1stW); Ring-billed Gull (51); Mourning Dove (78: all at trout hatchery); Belted Kingfisher (1); Red-bellied Woodpecker (1); Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (1); Downy Woodpecker (10); Hairy Woodpecker (6); N Flicker (9); Pileated Woodpecker (3); Eastern Phoebe (3); Blue-headed Vireo (1); Blue Jay (52: some movement); American Crow (11); Common Raven (7); Black-capped Chickadee (71); Tufted Titmouse (24); Red-breasted Nuthatch (7); White-breasted Nuthatch (17); Brown Creeper (3); Carolina Wren (1 at Enfield Lookout: this species is VERY uncommon anywhere in Quabbin proper, but in the fall-winter they sometimes turn up in odd locations north to south at Quabbin. I once found one during the Quabbin CBC during a raging snowstorm deep in Gate 40!); Winter Wren (1); Golden-crowned Kinglet (6); Ruby-crowned Kinglet (7); Eastern Bluebird (2); American Robin (26); Gray Catbird (17); Cedar Waxwing (4); Orange-crowned Warbler (1 extremely co-operative bird feeding on small caterpillars in small bushes and trees); Yellow-rumped Warbler (63); Pine Warbler (3: 1 still in full song); Palm Warbler (3); Blackpoll Warbler (10); Common Yellowthroat (10); Eastern Towhee (9); Chipping Sparrow (12); Field Sparrow (2); Song Sparrow (24); Lincoln's Sparrow (1); Swamp Sparrow (19); White-throated Sparrow (22); Dark-eyed Junco (2); N Cardinal (6); Red-winged Blackbird (65+); Common Grackle (3450+: we had several HUGE flocks leaving ove rthe DCR cemetery); American Goldfinch (2); PLUS: Monarch (8); ; Clouded Sulphur (3); ; Mink (1); (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

    10/7/06 -- Millbury/Sutton
  • At Butler's Farm, a town owned open space area on West Sutton Rd in Millbury: Cooper's hawk, 3 Eastern phoebes, Carolina wren, ruby-crowned kinglet, 4 eastern bluebirds, 4 yellow-rumped warblers, chipping sparrow, 2 song sparrows and a swamp sparrow.
  • Brierly's Pond in Millbury: 2 great blue herons, double-crested cormorant.
  • Powerlines at the junction of West Sutton Rd and Hutchinson Rd in Sutton: sharp-shinned hawk, several swamp sparrows and 3 eastern meadowlarks.
  • Merrill WMA, Sutton: 15 wood ducks, 12 mallards, 22 ring-necked ducks 3 great blue herons, a noisy flock of hidden red-winged blackbirds and at least 15 white-throated sparrows. (report from Alan Marble).

    10/7/06 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
    Raptors migrating today: Turkey Vulture 16 ; Osprey 1 ; Bald Eagle 2 ; Sharp-shinned Hawk 20 ; Cooper's Hawk 10 ; American Kestrel 1 ; Raptor Observations: Most of the birds in the AM Non-raptor Observations: 75 Canada geese, 12 monarch butterflies. (report from Bart Kamp).

    10/7/06 -- Mount Watatic, Ashburnham
    Raptors migrating today: Turkey Vulture 12 ; Osprey 3 ; Northern Harrier 4 ; Sharp-shinned Hawk 29 ; Cooper's Hawk 6 ; Red-shouldered Hawk 2 ; Broad-winged Hawk 1 ; American Kestrel 5 ; Merlin 2 ; Raptor Observations: a few lingering Red-tails and an imm. Coop which "showed" nicely on several passes. Non-raptor Observations: 2 Common Loons, 1 great Blue heron, Purple Finch, Am. Pipit and a few dozen Monarch butterflies. (report from Tom Pirro).

    10/6/06 -- Clinton/Sterling
  • Coachlace Pd., Clinton Greater Scaup 5.
  • Wachusett Res., Sterling C. Loon 8.
  • Wach. Res. , Clinton Red-necked Grebe 1.
  • Wach. Res., South Bay D.-c. Cormorants 90, on the raft. Common Egret 1.
  • Sterling Peat Canada Goose 145; Green-winged Teal 4; Am. Coot 1; Greater Yellowlegs 2; Pectoral Sandpiper 2; Dunlin 1.
    (report from Fran McMenemy).

    • 10/6/06 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
    Raptors migrating today: Turkey Vulture 49 ; Osprey 6 ; Sharp-shinned Hawk 16 ; Cooper's Hawk 8 ; American Kestrel 6 ; Merlin 2 ; Raptor Observations: Another day of migrating turkey vultures. Non-raptor Observations: 762 Canada geese. 15+ monarch butterflies. (report from Bart Kamp).

    10/5/06 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
    Raptors migrating today: Turkey Vulture 34 ; Osprey 6 ; Bald Eagle 1 ; Sharp-shinned Hawk 40 ; Cooper's Hawk 7 ; Broad-winged Hawk 1 ; Red-tailed Hawk 11 ; American Kestrel 9 ; Merlin 3 ; Peregrine Falcon 1 . Raptor Observations: Birds were high early, most were counted in the AM. Not migrating: only 4 TV's, 4 redtails and 1 Northern goshawk. Non-raptor Observations: 947 Canada geese, 8 brant. 63+ monarch butterflies. (report from Bart Kamp).

    10/6/06 -- Sterling Peat, Sterling
    Thursday morning birds of interest: pied-billed grebe, double-crested cormorant, great egret, 14 green-winged teal, Cooper's hawk, 5 killdeer, 4 greater yellowlegs, lesser yellowlegs, 3 least sandpipers, 2 pectoral sandpipers, ruby-crowned kinglet, 2 yellow-rumped warblers and common yellowthroat. (report from Alan Marble).

    10/3/06 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
    Raptors migrating today: Osprey 2 ; Sharp-shinned Hawk 17 ; Cooper's Hawk 2 ; Broad-winged Hawk 6 ; American Kestrel 8 ; Merlin 2 . Non-raptor Observations: 54 Canada geese 22 monarch butterflies (report from Bart Kamp)

    10/3/06 -- Sterling Peat, Sterling
    Highlight this evening from Sterling Peat: 6 Green-winged Teal, 1 Great Blue Heron, 1 Great Egret, 1 Cooper's Hawk, 12 Killdeer, 4 Greater Yellowlegs, 2 Lesser Yellowlegs, 3 Least Sandpipers, 2 Pectoral Sandpipers, 1 Belted Kingfisher, 2 Common Nighthawks, 1 Nashville Warbler, 1 Magnolia Warbler, 5 Palm Warblers, and 2 Blackpoll Warblers. (report from Kevin Bourinot).

    10/3/06 -- Dudley/Oxford
  • Highlights from Pierpont Meadows in Dudley: 2 sharp-shinned hawks, 13 northern flickers, 5 eastern phoebes, 1 golden-crowned kinglet, 1 ruby-crowned kinglet, 5 eastern bluebirds, 11 yellow-rumped warblers, 2 palm warblers, 5 chipping sparrows, 2 savannah sparrows, 11 song sparrows, 3 Lincoln's sparrows, 8 swamp sparrows and 4 white-throated sparrows.
  • At Greenbriar Recreation Area in Oxford: 2 pied-billed grebes, 2 mute swans, 2 wood ducks, 3 mallards and 1 red-winged blackbird. (report from Alan Marble).

    • 10/2/06 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
    Raptors migrating today: Turkey Vulture 1 ; Osprey 11 ; Bald Eagle 2 ; Northern Harrier 1 ; Sharp-shinned Hawk 65 ; Cooper's Hawk 7 ; Broad-winged Hawk 34 ; American Kestrel 27 ; Merlin 4 ; Peregrine Falcon 1 ; Raptor Observations: Most of the birds were seen in the morning. There is a non-migrant pair of northern goshawks in the area. Non-raptor Observations: 14 Canada geese. 98+ monarch butterflies (report from Bart Kamp).

    10/1/06 -- Auburn Birdbanding Station
    We banded our 4th Connecticut Warbler of the season this weekend. Also saw a few Blackpoll, Blue-winged, and Pine Warblers, Common Yellowthroats, and a ton of Chipping Sparrows. We happened to capture and band 3 different Thrush species at the same time: Wood, Swainson's, and Hermit. That was unusual. Next weekend is our last for banding passerines this season. Maybe we will catch a Grey-cheeked to complete our Thrush records collection. (report from Colleen Morin).

    10/1/06 -- Bolton Flats, Bolton
    We got up early (4AM: actually typical for us) and checking out the weather radar saw the rain coming fast from the south. Thinking this may have put some migrants down, we quickly headed out to arrive at pre-dawn to the northern section of Bolton Flats (off. Rt.117) . We were the only folks here before 6:30AM, though after about 45 minutes we were joined by a pair of hunters running thier dogs, gearing up for pheasant season. These folks were perfectly nice and actually gave us a wide berth for most of their time. We later talked to them about trail maintainance at Bolton and the quaility of the pheasants currently being released by the state. Sparrows were initially EVERYWHERE, especially Swamp Sparrows, an impressive concentration, and it was daunting trying to keep track of them as we slowly worked our way out. There were many times, before the rain, when we would have 4-6 or more Swamps in one binocular field. Every step kicked up more Swamps, but also Songs and White-throats. But just before 8AM, the showers hit and sparrows became considerbly tougher to see and get to "T" up. It was really frustrating. Having left our rain gear stupidly back in the car, we headed back to the lot to find the small BBC trip (Jonathan Center leader) just getting under way. By now it was more or less constant showers with some real rain. Hopefully, the BBC trip will turn up some more birds under these far less than ideal conditions. If only the day had been nicer, it would have been a classic fall Bolton Flats bonanza. We continued birding: making several stops along Rt.117; at the sand pits; along Rt.110 (several stops) and finally at the south impoundment at the model airplane field entrance.At all of these locations we wandered only short distances from the car, which means most of Bolton Falts was not covered. There were still sparrows at every stop, but warblers and other migrants were tough to come by. Birders: remember: hunting season at Bolton Flats is huge, especially the up-coming Pheasant, and Sundays are really your best option for a visit. Great Blue Heron (2); Canada Goose (11); Wood Duck (8); Mallard (14); Green-winged Teal (2); N Harrier (1imm); Sharp-shinned Hawk (1); Red-tailed Hawk (1); Peregrine Falcon (1ad: hunting over the fields just after dawn, then circled up and left south); Belted Kingfisher (2); Downy Woodpecker (9); Hairy Woodpecker (1); N Flicker (6); Eastern Phoebe (10); Blue Jay (43); Black-capped Chickadee (58); Tufted Titmouse (12); White-breasted Nuthatch (5); Carolina Wren (1); House Wren (1); Ruby-crowned Kinglet (9); Hermit Thrush (2); American Robin (506: flocks leaving thier roost in the flats at dawn); Gray Catbird (55); American Pipit (10); N Parula (4); Magnolia Warbler (1); Yellow-rumped Warbler (9); Prairie Warbler (1); Palm Warbler (5); Bay-breasted Warbler (1); Blackpoll (17); A Redstart (2); Connecticut Warbler (1); C Yellwothroat (37); N Cardinal (11); Indigo Bunting (2); Red-winged Blackbird (310+); A Goldfinch (7); PLUS: White-tailed Deer (1 yng w a female); AND: on the way home on the Clinton HS soccor fields we had (80) Killdeer. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

    For previous sightings, see September 2006 Archives or Archive Index