September 2001 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.

9/30/01 -- West Lake Waushacum, Sterling
The male Tufted Duck has returned to West Lake Waushacum in Sterling. It was there today with a male Greater Scaup and a male Ring-necked Duck The directions to W. Waushacum are , Gates Rd. off Rt. 12 in Sterling. Gates Rd. is opposite the Hebert Candy Store on Rt. 12. The lake is on the left about half a mile from Rt. 12. (report from Fran McMenemy).

9/30/01 -- The "Boro" Ponds, Northboro/Westboro
Well, to be frank, I had low expectations for today what with the forecast of wind...but we had a great day afield none-the-less. We started at Chauncy Pond Westboro and walked through the Westboro WMA to Little Chauncy Pond (actually in Northboro). Species total for the walk: Pied-billed Grebe (1: thanks to Val); Double-crested Cormorant (10 migrating); Great Blue Heron (1); Canada Goose (36); MUTE SWAN (1: it is profoundly disturbing how in recent years this species has invaded these ponds); Wood Duck (14); A. Black Duck (2); Mallard (15); Osprey (1); Sharp-shinned Hawk (1); Cooper's Hawk (1 great views); N. GOSHAWK (1imm.: stunning views as it fle right at us low); NOTE: we did the "accipiter" Grand Slam Red-tailed Hawk (2); Ring-billed Gull (19); Mourning Dove (7); Downy Woodpecker (1); N. Flicker (2); E. Phoebe (2); Blue Jay (16); A. Crow (13); Black-capped Chickadee (26); Tufted Titmouse (3); White-breasted Nuthatch (4); A. Robin (18); Gray Catbird (8); American Pipit (1 overhead); Cedar Waxwing (18); Yellow-rumped Warbler (20); Palm Warbler (10); C. Yellowthroat (6); E. Towhee (1); Savannah Sparrow (33); Song Sparrow (31); Lincoln's Sparrow (2); Swamp Sparrow (88: at Little Chauncy we found an amazingly co-operative group of Swamp Sparrows, about 50, that allowed close and prolonged views); White-throated Sparrow (15); N. Cardinal (8); DICKCISSEL (we all had GREAT views of a bright plumaged female in th WMA fields); Red-Winged Blackbird (flock of 100+); A. Goldfinch (1).
Then, on to BARTLETT POND, NORTHBORO where we did not find many birds because several boats were out on this small pond, but we did find: Great Blue Heron (2), Mute Swan (2), Wood Duck (1), Mallard (2), Red-bellied Woodpecker (1 heard); E. Phoebe (2).
THEN: on to SuAsCo (WESTBORO) where we made three brief stops and had some good birds: Double-crested Cormorant (6), Great Blue Heron (5), Mute Swan (4), Canada Goose (2), Wood Duck (15), Mallard (18), Ruddy Duck (2), Turkey Vulture (1), Osprey (2), N. Harrier (1: thanks Deb), Sharp-shinned Hawk (3), Red-Tailed Hawk (2), MERLIN (1 bird sitting in a Great Blue Heron;s nest!), Ring-billed Gull (41), Herring Gull (1), Belted Kingfisher (1), Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (1), Downy Woodpecker (1), Mounring Dove (6), Black-capped Chickadee (6), Tufted Titmouse (5), Blue Jay (9), A. Crow (3), Yellow-rumped Warbler (6), Blackpoll (1), Chipping Sparrow (4), Field Sparrow (1), Song Sparrow (3), White-throated Sparrow (2), A. Goldfinch (1). Nice day afield despite recovering from a cold and high winds. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

9/30/01 -- ponds, Northboro
From 9-10:30 a.m., a quick check of the following ponds in Northboro, Solomon, Warren, Bartlett, Little Chauncey and the MWRA area on the Northboro/Hudson line, yielded the following birds: Double-crested Cormorant 1; Green Heron 1; Great Blue Heron 2; Mute Swan (2 adult, 1 imm on Bartlett pond); Mallard 51; Wood Duck 13; Sharp-shinned Hawk 1; Red-tailed Hawk 1; Spotted Sandpiper 1; Herring Gull 1; Rock Dove 11; Mourning Dove 6; Belted Kingfisher 2; Blue Jay 5; Black-capped Chickadee 9; Gray Catbird 2; Yellow-rumped Warbler 7; White-throated Sparrow 2; Swamp Sparrow 5; Song Sparrow 4.

There is a new promising walkway in Northboro. Turn into the Fisherman's Access road off Lyman St. on the Northboro/Westboro line. About 100 feet in on the right is a mowed area. Park there and take the marked trail to the right into the woods. The path leads you through thickets, saplings and fields around to the backside of Little Chauncey Pond and behind some old barns of the Westboro State Hospital. If you walk the whole trail it leads up to the Westboro Water Towers and down through Cedar Hill and back. (report from Ann Boover).

9/30/01 -- Bolton Flats, Bolton
I recorded the following on a walk with my class at Bolton Flats this morning (9/30/01): Great Blue Heron (2); Turkey Vulture (3 recorded from the Fruitlands Overlook); Canada Goose (25); Wood Duck (13); Mallard (21); Northern Harrier (4 immatures - we had great looks watching them hunt over the field); Sharp-shinned Hawk (3 + 1 from the Fruitlands Overlook); Cooper's Hawk (1 + 1 from the Fruitlands Overlook); RED-SHOULDERED HAWK (1 immature); Red-tailed Hawk (1 + 1 from the Fruitlands Overlook); SORA (1 - heard several times, seen briefly); Killdeer (2); Ring-billed Gull (6); Mourning Dove (2); Downy Woodpecker (3); Hairy Woodpecker (1); Eastern Phoebe (4); Blue-headed Vireo (1); Blue Jay (5); American Crow (63 - including a leucistic individual); Black-capped Chickadee (2); Tufted Titmouse (1); American Robin (1500+ - heading south at dawn); Gray Catbird (5); American Pipit (11); Cedar Waxwing (8); Yellow-rumped Warbler (75); Palm Warbler (9); Common Yellowthroat (2); Eastern Towhee (1); Savannah Sparrow (19); Song Sparrow (26); Lincoln's Sparrow (1); Swamp Sparrow (48 - I am sure that there were many, many, many more); White-throated Sparrow (16); Northern Cardinal (2); Red-winged Blackbird (500+ - moving southward after dawn); RUSTY BLACKBIRD (21); Purple Finch (5); American Goldfinch (4). (report from John Liller).

9/29/01 -- McAfee Park, off Rte. 135 in Northboro
This is a lovely area to bird early in the a.m. Drive in and park in the parking lot. Walk towards a small dirt/sand dumping area at the back. If you walk up and over the hill to the left of the dumping area, you will come upon a trail down to a succeeding pond. If you walk to the right of the dumping area you will find the mowed path in the woods well behind the soccer fields. The path borders the Assabet River and loops around and out to the open soccer fields. From 8:00 - 9:00 am: Wood Duck 18; Mallard 9; Downy Woodpecker 1; Northern Flicker 3; Eastern Phoebe 2; Blue Jay 2; American Crow 1; Black-capped Chickadee 7; Eastern Bluebird 7; Gray Catbird 5; Blue-headed Vireo 1; Northern Parula 1; Magnolia Warbler 1; Yellow-rumped Warbler 5; Song Sparrow 1; American Goldfinch 4; (report from Ann Boover).

9/29/01 -- Wompanoag MAS, Gardner
Migrant raptors (and others) tallied passing (between 7:30AM and 6 PM [daylight savings time] with a soccer break between 9:30 and 11:10) the Wompanoag MAS in Gardner, with winds NNE about 10MPH: Turkey Vulture 5; Osprey 21; N. Harrier 3; Bald Eagle 2; Sharp-shinned 80; Cooper's 9; N. Goshawk 2; Red-shouldered 1; Broad-winged 15; Red-tailed 8; Am. Kestrel 38; Merlin 6; Peregrine 2; Un ID'd 7; Totals 199.
Other migrants: Common Loon 9 (a group of 4 another of 5); DC Cormorants ~20; Canada goose 195; Flicker 93 including a "flock" of 21 that passed close by; BlueJay 865; other notable birds seen and/or heard from the sanctuary: Am. Pipit 1; Evening Grosbeak at least 1 heard calling; Rusty Blackbird 5-10; On the ride home I saw a cow Moose on someone's front lawn on Pearl Street (Rte 101) in town. (report from Tom Pirro).

9/29/01 -- Blackstone Coridor, RI
We started in the extreme NE part of RI in NE Cumberland, mostly at the two small reservoirs and Sneetch Pond: Double-crested Cormorant (12+flock of 60 migrating overhead); Great Blue Heron (1); Canada Goose (42); Wood Duck (8); Mallard (21); A. Black Duck (17); Turkey Vulture (4); Osprey (2); Sharp-shinned Hawk (1); Broad-winged Hawk (2); Red-tailed Hawk (1); A. Kestrel (1); FORSTER'S TERN (5: at Diamond Hill Reservoir: This was a surprise as this is a really inland location for this species. 2 of the birds took off and even headed north); Tree Swallow (3); Barn Swallow (1); Yellow-rumped Warbler (22); Palm Warbler (7); Pine Warbler (1); Prairie Warbler (1); Savannah Sparrow (30+ in one field);
TURNER RESERVOIR, EAST PROVIDENCE: Great Blue Heron (1); Black-crowned Night Heron (1imm); Mute Swan (32); Canada Goose (11); Green-winged Teal (7); A. Wigeon (32); Mallard (165); N. Shoveler (1m); Spotted Sandpiper (2); Osprey (1);
WATCHEMOKET COVE, EAST PROVIDENCE (NOT in the Corridor): Great Blue Heron (7); Great Egret (10); Snowy Egret (2); Mute Swan (19); Canada Goose (5); A. Wigeon (2); Mallard (32); A. Black Duck (2); Laughing Gull (250+); Forster's Tern (15); Greater Yellowlegs (5);
INDIA POINT, PROVIDENCE: Double-crested Cormorant (490+: most feeding in an incredibly dense flock on obviously schooling fish. Above them and diving in and among them were hundreds of Laughing Gulls); Great Cormorant (1imm); Great Blue Heron (4); Black-crowned Night Heron (3imm); Sharp-shinned Hawk (1); Laughing Gull (680+ most juv); Forster's Tern (15+);
SEEKONK RIVER, PROVIDENCE/PAWTUCKET: The feeding frenzy of gulls continues here, though the huge flock of Forster's Terns that had been here for a few days last week has decreased dramatically. RI birders have told me that Blue Fish have chased the bait fish far up into the river from Naragansett Bay. If anybody else has another theory, plaese let me know. Whatever it is, the gulls, terns and cormorants are really having a field day. Double-crested Cormorant (102); Great Blue Heron (10); Black-crowned Night Heron (10imm+4ad); Mute Swan (11); Green-winged Teal (1); Mallard (74); A. Black Duck (51); Turkey Vulture (1); Osprey (3); Laughing Gull (580++); Ring-billed Gull (635++); Forster's Tern (39). (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

9/28/01 -- Mt. Pisgah, Northboro
From 1:45 -3:30 at Mt. Pisgah, Northboro. Not alot of activity. A great hiking area but few birds about. Hairy Woodpecker, 1 Northern Flicker, 1 Blue Jay, 7 American Crow, 5 Black-capped Chickadee, 9 Tufted Titmouse, 3 Black-throated Blue Warbler, 1 male Black-and-white Warbler, 1 male Common Yellowthroat, 2 male Song Sparrow, 1 White-throated Sparrow, 1 (report from Ann Boover).

9/27/01 -- Sterling Peat, Sterling
I lucked onto a nice little flock (8 birds) of rusty blackbirds late this afternoon at Sterling Peat. It was the first time I've had a chance to draw them. They were lovely in their fall color. I did a bunch of drawings and a little painting before the light ran out. I did this larger painting this morning from my sketches and memory. Here are some more regular denizens of Sterling Peat - all painted within the last few days. (report and images from Barry Van Dusen

9/25/01 -- Restricted Acces to Reservoirs
Birders should be aware that due to increased security concerns, the Quabbin and Wachusett Reservoirs are closed to public access until further notice. For updated info on the Quabbin reservoir, call 413-323-7221. Public notices will be posted on the website of the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority. I will post related updates on the Central Mass Bird Update website as I receive new information. [editor]

9/24/01 -- Sudbury Reservoir, Southboro/Northboro
At 1:30-2:00 in Southboro Resevoir off Rte. 9 : 7 Double Crested Cormorants, 1 Black Duck, 28 Mallard, 37 Ring-Necked Ducks, 1 Sharp-Shinned Hawk, and 2 Belted Kingfisher.(The Ring-Necked ducks were in the southeast most cove and hard to see unless I pulled my car into the breakdown lane of Rt 9 which I did, but probably isn't the safest thing to do.) (report from Ann Boover).

9/24/01 -- Broad Meadow Brook Sanctuary, Worcester
At 7PM, while [we were] waiting for the last students to arrive at class, a COMMON NIGHTHAWK flew low over the building heading north. This was followed by a large dark bat (Big Brown Bat?) (report from Mark Lynch).

9/24/01 -- New Swedish Cemetary, Worcester
I went to the New Swedish Cemetary this morning in an attempt to find Fran and Joan's Dickcissel. I failed, but I did get nice looks at an adult ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER, which was feeding with a few Yellow-rumps and a half dozen White-throated Sparrows low in the trees around the brush piles where the Dickcissel was seen. (report from Howard Shainheit).

9/23/01 -- All Faiths Cemetery, Worcester
When Joan Zumpfe and I were at All Faiths Cemetery (also referred to as New Swedish Cemetery, off Webster St.) this morning, Joan found a female Dickcissel. It was in the their brush dump, which is just beyond the crematorium. It had a good yellow breast patch, bright yellow eyebrow line and a nice chestnut shoulder patch. (report from Fran McMenemy).

9/23/01 -- Bolton Flats, Bolton
We had a MAS FALL MIGRATION CLASS trip to Bolton Flats today, spending most of its time in the Rt. 117 entrance. There was a dramatic movement of robins at dawn. Sparrows are out in force, but we did not see some of the "uncommon" species like White-crowned. There were modest movements of pipits, jays, chickadees, phoebes and some warbler species. NOTA BENE: The narrow, overgrown trail that runs to the right when the main trail "Ts" to the "gravel pit" pond and the oxbow of the Still River has a hidden White-faced Hornets nest along it. When went in, we did not disturb them and did not even know they were there. On our way out though, they were angry and some got in hair et. It was not a good situation becasue the trail is so overgrown and narrow, there is no escaping it. Amazingly no one got stung. SO BEWARE!!! Double-crested Cormorant (6); Green Heron (1); Great Blue Heron (1); Canada Goose (7); Wood Duck (42); A. Black Duck (3); Mallard (47); N. Harrier (3); Sharp-shinned Hawk (2); Cooper's Hawk (1); Red-tailed Hawk (3); VIRGINIA RAIL (3); SORA (2); A. Woodcock (10 landing in field before dawn); E. Screech Owl (1); Great Horned Owl (2); Belted Kingfisher (3); Downy Woodpecker (9); Hairy Woodpecker (2); N. Flicker (10); E. Phoebe (28); Red-eyed Vireo (5: including an adult still feeding a fledged young); Blue Jay (58); A. Crow (47); Black-capped Chickadee (47); Tufted Titmouse (6); White-breasted Nuthatch (6); Ruby-crowned Kinglet (3); E. Bluebird (3); A. ROBIN (2011: all heading south); Gray Catbird (42); A. Pipit (25); Cedar Waxwing (27); SPARROWS: Savannah (78); Song (104); Swamp (114); Lincoln's (24); White-throated (72); N. Cardinal (1); Rose-breasted Grosbeak (3); Bobolink (3); Rusty Blackbird (3); Purple Finch (23); A. Goldfinch (23). (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

9/23/01 -- Fruitlands overlook , Harvard
We attempted some hawkwatching after our Bolton excusrion, but came up with very few hawks (though we did not start till after 11 and only watched for an hour): Turkey Vulture (4); Osprey (2); Sharp-shinned (2); Broad-winged Hawk (1); Red-tailed Hawk (10: all looked like non-migrants). (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

9/23/01 -- Leesville Pond/New Swedish Cemetery, Worcester
An early evening trip to the New Swedish/ All Faiths Cemetery in the city of Worcester had the following: Great Blue Heron (3); Black-crowned Night Heron (4ad: an immature was also found nearby in the Middle River); Canada Goose (33); Wood Duck (14); Mallard (~140+); Killdeer (4 overhead: 16 were found at Hope Cemetery across the street); N. Flicker (7); E. Phoebe (4); House Wren (1); Yellow Warbler (1); Magnolia Warbler (1); Yellow-rumped Warbler (5); Palm Warbler (4); DICKCISSEL (1f: this brilliant bird was found this morning by Fran McMenemy and Joan Zumpfe in the small dump area of the cemetery around some small weedy hills and we were able to share this bird with the Walkers. Great views.) On the way home (3) COMMON NIGHTHAWKS were over Park Ave. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

9/23/01 -- Broad Meadow Brook Sanctuary, Worcester
HIghlights on a walk with my class this morning: Double-crested Cormorant (1 - flying northwest); Turkey Vulture (5); Eastern Wood-Pewee (1); Eastern Phoebe (6); Blue-headed Vireo (1); Red-eyed Vireo (3); Carolina Wren (1); House Wren (1); Ruby-crowned Kinglet (4); American Robin (60); Gray Catbird (12); Cedar Waxwing (22); Nashville Warbler (5); Northern Parula (10); Chestnut-sided Warbler (3); Magnolia Warbler (4); Yellow-rumped Warbler (19); Black-throated Green Warbler (5); Palm Warbler (1); BLACKPOLL WARBLER (30); Black-and-white Warbler (6); American Redstart (4); Common Yellowthroat (11); Eastern Towhee (18); Field Sparrow (3); Song Sparrow (10); Lincoln's Sparrow (1); White-throated Sparrow (17); Rose-breasted Grosbeak (1); Purple Finch (2). (report from John Liller).

9/22/01 -- Broad Meadow Brook Sanctuary, Worcester
HIghlights on a walk this morning: Red-tailed Hawk (1); American Kestrel (1); Belted Kingfisher (1 - usually just a flyover, but it remained around our pond for about 15 minutes); "Empidonax" species (1); Eastern Phoebe (2); Blue-headed Vireo (1); Red-eyed Vireo (1); Ruby-crowned Kinglet (6); American Robin (93); Gray Catbird (12); Brown Thrasher (1); Cedar Waxwing (54); Nashville Warbler (1); Northern Parula (15); Yellow Warbler (1); Chestnut-sided Warbler (2); Magnolia Warbler (5); Black-throated Blue Warbler (2); Yellow-rumped Warbler (19); Black-throated Green Warbler (9); Palm Warbler (7); BLACKPOLL WARBLER (82); Black-and-white Warbler (9); American Redstart (6); CONNECTICUT WARBLER (1 imm); Common Yellowthroat (9); Eastern Towhee (6); Field Sparrow (2); Song Sparrow (2); White-throated Sparrow (4); Rose-breasted Grosbeak (1); Common Grackle (1). Note: There is a fairly large aphid bloom in a concentrated area, and this was where I spent most of the morning, and saw most of the warblers. (report from John Liller).

9/22/01 -- Pulaski SP, Burrillville, RI
We hit Pulaski SP, part of the Blackstone Corridor, this morning, driving a few of the dirt roads. There was a great show of Blackpolls, though 90% of the birds were seen BEFORE 8AM. After that activity died down and we only found one good small wave after that. Birds were often moving through the trees fairly quickly, almost all in a SW direction. Numbers of many other common species were low. Also signifiant were the species we did NOT see: Palm, Nashville, Song Sparrow or any vireos. Weather was dreary and blah till later morning. Sharp-shinned Hawk (1); RUFFED GROUSE (1: uncommon in RI); Downy Woodpecker (15); Hairy Woodpecker (2); N. Flicker (2); E. Wood Peewee (4: still calling); E. Phoebe (17); Blue Jay (28); Black-capped Chickadee (144); Tufted Titmouse (30); Red-breasted Nuthatch (12); White-breasted Nuthatch (46); Brown Creeper (5); House Wren (1); Golden-crowned Kinglet (2); Ruby-crowned Kinglet (3); Hermit Thrush (6); Wood Thrush (2); A. Robin (3: seems very low); Gray Catbird (2); Cedar Waxwing (1); Scarlet Tanager (1); Rose-breasted Grosbeak (2); E. Towhee (26); Chipping Sparrow (11); Field Sparrow (4); White-throated Sparrow (5); Dark-eyed Junco (10); Purple Finch (1); A. Goldfinch (3). (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

9/21/01 -- Downtown Worcester
We just had a great sighting of a Peregrine Falcon flying back and forth around the Med City/Union Station side of the Mechanics Bank building - at times at eye-level, at about 3:15 until about 3:45 p.m. I don't have my binnocs with me, but I can tell you that the breast was dark and heavily streaked. There are 2 Red-tailed Hawks out there now (3:54 pm), the Peregrine is not being seen right now. (report from Jo-Ann Ferrie).

9/20/01 -- Rowley Hill, Sterling
3 juncos spent the day in my yard, the first of the autumn. (report from Richard Spedding).

9/20/01 -- Foley Stadium, Chandler St., Worcester
At 4:00 pm a Sandhill Crane was observed flying over the stadium, heading in a northeast direction. (telephone report from Ed Banks).

9/19/01 -- Broad Meadow Brook Sanctuary, Worcester
I recorded the following highlights on a walk with Howard Shainheit this morning: Sharp-shinned Hawk (1); Red-bellied Woodpecker (3); Hairy Woodpecker (3); Northern Flicker (10); Eastern Phoebe (3); Red-eyed Vireo (6); House Wren (3); Ruby-crowned Kinglet (1); Eastern Bluebird (8); Hermit Thrush (1); American Robin (48); Gray Catbird (24); Cedar Waxwing (13); Northern Parula (7); Magnolia Warbler (2); Yellow-rumped Warbler (3); Black-throated Green Warbler (6); Blackpoll Warbler (2); Black-and-white Warbler (3); American Redstart (3); Ovenbird (1); Common Yellowthroat (12); Eastern Towhee (2); Song Sparrow (7); White-throated Sparrow (34); Rose-breasted Grosbeak (2). (report from John Liller).

9/19/01 -- Broad Meadow Brook MAS Sanctuary, Worcester
I spent just a few hours this morning doing a "one-way" walk-through of the sanctuary starting at the north end (Dunkirk St.). I spent the better part of my time in the "2 Loop", essentially the north end. Broad Meadow Brook always offers some of the best land birding in the county in fall. Numbers were pretty typical with no outstanding waves.
Highights: Osprey (2 migrating together high overhead); Ruffed Grouse (1: remains of a relict population in this urban green island); Rock Dove (flock of 52 "racing pigeons" overhead heading east and 5 at main building feeders. What was extraordinary about the RoDos at the feeders was that one of them was a RoDo that also visits my feeders. For the hell of it this year, I took notes on 4 different pigeons that were visiting my feeder that were distinctly and unusually patterned with the idea of hoping to see them elsewhere in the city to see how far these birds range. I have had no luck until now and this is as about as far from my house as you can get in the city: opposite ends); Red-bellied Woodpecker (2); Hairy Woodpecker (1); N. Flicker (18: definite migratory movement down power lines); "empid sp." (1: looked like a Least); E. Phoebe (7); Red-eyed Vireo (4); arolina Wren (1); House Wren (4); E. Bluebird (2); Hermit Thrush (1); A. Robin (156: some migratory movement west); Gray Catbird (19); Cedar Waxwing (19); E. Towhee (14); Chipping Sparow (1); Field Sparrow (1); Song Sparrow (21); Lincoln Sparrow (3); White-throated Sparrow (39); Rose-breasted Grosbeak (10); C. Grackle (1: low); Purple Finch (9). Beautiful day. Nice display of fall asters and goldenrods and hundreds of Yellow-legged Meadowhawks. (report from Mark Lynch).

9/18/01 -- Broad Meadow Brook Sanctuary, Worcester
Highlights of a late morning walk on the Brookside Loop at Broad Meadow Brook MAS: 1 Swamp Sparrow, 3 Song Sparrows, 10 White-throated Sparrows, and 6 warbler species: 4 B-T Greens, 3 Magnolias, 2 Yellowthroats, 2 Redstarts, 2 Black-and-Whites, and my life CONNECTICUT, which, by the way, was well seen! (report from Howard Shainheit).

9/18/01 -- Kelton Street, Gardner
I made a few stops along Kelton Street this AM before work and saw the follow (hilites): RE Vireo 2; BH Vireo 1; Nashville Warbler 2 or 3; Tenn. Warbler 2 (1 very yellow and the other a bright adult); Magnolia Warbler 3; Blackpoll Warbler 1; Yellow-rumped Warbler 8; Common yellowthroat 1; BT Green Warbler 2; BT Blue Warbler 1; Northern parula 3; Scarlet Tanager 2. Nearly all these birds were together at the kelton Street overpass(over Rte 140) with numerous Am. Robins. The Robins took off in a hurry and the young Sharp-shinned "dove" in the brush to break up the "party". Although White-throated Sparrow are fairly common breeders in this part of town the numbers are up as migrants begin to move in. I checked a spuce grove (on Kelton Street) for Boreal chickadee with NO luck, but time was limited.
Also I saw Black-billed Cuckoo in gardner on Monday 9/17/01 (report from Tom Pirro).

9/16/01 -- River Bend Farm, Uxbridge
As part of work on the Blackstone Corridor IBA (Important Bird Area), I led a class trip to River Bend Farm (Uxbridge) this morning. I recorded the following: Double-crested Cormorant (1); Great Blue Heron (2); Turkey Vulture (3); Osprey (2); Red-tailed Hawk (1); American Kestrel (1); Mourning Dove (5); Belted Kingfisher (1); Downy Woodpecker (9); Hairy Woodpecker (1); Northern Flicker (11); Eastern Phoebe (11); Warbling Vireo (3 - singing); Red-eyed Vireo (2); Blue Jay (19); American Crow (23); Black-capped Chickadee (25); Tufted Titmouse (31); White-breasted Nuthatch (5); Carolina Wren (4); House Wren (3); Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (2); Eastern Bluebird (14); American Robin (9); Gray Catbird (14); Northern Mockingbird (1); Brown Thrasher (3); European Starling (77); Cedar Waxwing (10); Northern Parula (5); Yellow-rumped Warbler (10); Blackpoll Warbler (3); American Redstart (2); Common Yellowthroat (4); Chipping Sparrow (1); Field Sparrow (1); Savannah Sparrow (4); Song Sparrow (20); Lincoln's Sparrow (3); Northern Cardinal (3); Common Grackle (3); Purple Finch (4); House Finch (10); American Goldfinch (52); House Sparrow (1); (report from John Liller).

9/16/01 -- Kettlebrook Reservoir#4, Paxton
We started the day conducting a fairly complete survey of a place at the northern end of the Blackstone Watershed: Kettlebrook Reservoir#4 of the city of Worcester Water Supply. Water levels are pretty low, but shorebirds were almost non-existant. HOWEVER, migrant landbirds were excellent. This small reservoir is certainly a haven for migrants. Compare this list with John Liller's, who did another area in the Blackstone Corridor. BTW: when we started at dawn, it was in the high 30s.
Double-crested Cormorant (1); Great Blue Heron (2); Canada Goose (15: flew in while we were there); HOODED MERGANSER (14 imm); N. Harrier (1: looked like it was going after a Least Sandpiper); Sharp-shinned Hawk (2); Red-tailed Hawk (1); A. Kestrel (2); Killdeer (13); Spotted Sandpiper (3); Least Sandpiper (2); SANDERLING (1juv, undoubtably the same bird we found here days ago); Belted Kingfisher (1); Downy Woodpecker (7); Hairy Woodpecker (3); N. Flicker (1); E. Phoebe (8); Blue Jay (17); A. Crow (14); COMMON RAVEN (1 flew overhead and called several times); Black-capped Chickadee (41); Tufted Titmouse (6); Red-breasted Nuthatch (6); White-breasted Nuthatch (19); Brown Creeper (1); House Wren (3); Ruby-crowned Kinglet (8); Golden-crowned Kinglet (1); A. Robin (10); Gray Catbird (12); Brown Thrasher (1); Cedar Waxwing (4); Blue-headed Vireo (2); WARBLERS: N. Parula (11); Black-throated Blue (1f); Black-throated Green (10); Cape May (1); Yellow-rumped (12); Pine (17: some still singing); Blackpoll (35); C. Yellowthroat (20); Eastern Towhee (4); Song Sparrow (11); LINCOLN SPARROW (4); White-throated Sparrow (4); Dark-eyed Junco (10); Rose-breasted Grosbeak (3); Purple Finch (6); A. Goldfinch (7). Also seen: (2) White-tailed Deer, numerous Pickerel Frogs and thousands of meadowhawks. Butterflies were (1) Pearl Crescent and 10+ migrating Monarchs. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

9/16/01 -- Seekonk River, Providence/Pawtucket, RI
Continuing our surveys of the Blackstone Corridor, we hit the Seekonk River, nee Blackstone River (Providence/Pawtucket, RI) at dead low tide today. There was an enormous concentration of cormorants, terns, and gulls in this mile+ stretch of VERY urban river. Counting birds that were densely roosting or in a feeding frenzy was a challenge, but we perservered. Fish were definitely schooling, and sections of water seemed to seethe with small fish at times. Totals: Double-crested Cormorant (212); Great Blue Heron (25: almost all imms); Great Egret (8); Green Heron (1); Black-crowned Night Heron (18ad+12imm); Mute Swan (11); Mallard (262); A. Black Duck (6); Osprey (4); Greater Yellowlegs (3); Least Sandpiper (9); Ring-billed Gull (1500+); Herring Gull (250+); Great Black-backed Gull (40+); Laughing Gull (819: majority juvs); Common Tern (94); FORSTER'S TERN (354: this was one of the largest concentrations of this species I have seen in New England, but perhaps this happens here all the time here in mid-September and I have not hit it right. There is a long pipe and railing structure across from the sculling boathouse and hundreds of terns were perched at the end here offering great looks with a scope. The majority of them were Forster's); Belted Kingfisher (2);
Later, further to the south in East Providence (and NOT in the Blackstone Corridor) at Watchemoket Cove: Double-crested Cormorant (19); Great Blue Heron (14); Great Egret (33); Snowy Egret (11); Mute Swan (17); Mallard (49); Greater Yellowlegs (9); (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

9/15/01 -- Wompanoag MAS, Gardner
Saturday I spent hawkatching at the Wompanoag MAS in gardner from 8am to 6PM with a 2 hour "break" (9:30 to 11:30am) to coach my son's soccer team. Birds were up early with over 500 by 9:30. winds light from the NNW. The totals: Osprey 4; Bald Eagle 6; No. harrier 3; Sharp-shinned hawk 31; Broad-wing hawk 2383; Am. Kestrel 17; Merlin 2; Un Id Raptor 2; Total 2458. The hour by hour break of the flight(all species) times are day light saving time: 
8-9                      22
9-9:30                563
9:30-11:30             0 at soccer
11:30-12            307

12-1                    559
1-2                    190
2-3                    41
3-4                    498
4-5                    159
5-6                    129
Also moving were about 25 Canada goose , 39 Blue Jay , 2 C. Loon and 2 Ruby-throated hummingbird.
The HANDS DOWN hilite of the day (one the best I ever had in the field) was late in the day 5:45pm when an imm. Bald Eagle passed directly overhead, the loons on the lake (1/2mile away) were "wailing" away I assume from the eagle's presence. It s was perfect moment to end a great watch, I logged the eagle on the tally sheet and looked up to "only" see a bull moose walking acroos the field only 50-60 yards away. He stopped and look directly at me, probably trying figure out what the heck a person , tripod and lawn chair were doing in his field. The "stand off" lasted about 5 minutes then "bullwinkle" continued on his way. Quite a way to end a great watch, and best all only 2 miles from home. (report from Tom Pirro).

9/15/01 -- Broad Meadow Brook Sanctuary, Worcester
I recorded the following highlights on a walk with my class this morning: Double-crested Cormorant (5); Osprey (2); Sharp-shinned Hawk (2); unidentified accipiter (1); Broad-winged Hawk (3); American Kestrel (1); MERLIN (1); Ruby-throated Hummingbird (1); Hairy Woodpecker (2); Northern Flicker (19); Eastern Wood-Pewee (1); "Empidonax" species (1); Eastern Phoebe (1); Carolina Wren (1); House Wren (1); Ruby-crowned Kinglet (1); Wood Thrush (1); American Robin (100); Gray Catbird (31); European Starling (117); Cedar Waxwing (9); ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER (1); Northern Parula (3); Yellow Warbler (1); Magnolia Warbler (2); Yellow-rumped Warbler (2); Black-throated Green Warbler (2); Pine Warbler (1); Blackpoll Warbler (1); Black-and-white Warbler (3); American Redstart (4); Northern Waterthrush (1); Common Yellowthroat (9); Eastern Towhee (5); Field Sparrow (3); Song Sparrow (19); White-throated Sparrow (2); Rose-breasted Grosbeak (4); Common Grackle (1); Purple Finch (1) . and tons of migrating Monarchs (report from John Liller).

9/15/01 -- Rt. 117 Hawk Watch, Lancaster
Today, from the hawk watch site on Route 117 in Lancaster I counted the following: 25 Osprey, 2 adult Bald Eagles, 1 adult GOLDEN EAGLE, 14 Northern Harriers, 52 Sharp- shinned hawks, 1 Cooper's Hawk, 317 Broad-winged Hawks and 52 American Kestrels. (report from Bart Kamp).

9/14/01 -- Moose Brook Valley, Hardwick
A few afternoon hours spent in the meadows of the Moose Brook Valley turned up the following highlights of Osprey(1 migrating), Ruffed Grouse(1 drumming), Barred Owl(2, calling) Yellow-bellied Sapsucker(1), Eastern Phoebe(9), Great Crested Flycatcher(1), House Wren(1), Nashville Warber(2), Northern Parula(6), Magnolia Warbler(10), Black-throated Green Warbler(15), Yellow-rumped Warbler(4), Blackpoll Warbler(65+), Bay-breasted Warbler(2), Prairie Warbler(1), American Redstart(10), Common Yellowthroat(33), Lincoln's Sparrow(15+), Swamp Sparrow(5). (report from Chris Buelow)

9/14/01 -- Westborough wildlife management area, Westboro
. On a short walk today I saw 2 A. redstarts (1m, 1f) 1 Black and white warbler, 2 house wrens, 4 w.b. nuthatches, 1 Downy woodpecker, dozens of b.c. chickadees. These were all in a small brushy clump of trees at the same time. (report from Daniel Mushrush).

9/14/01 -- Rutland Terrace, Worcester
Filling up the feeders early this morning, I found a HUGE group of warblers in the trees and shrubs in my backyard apparently grounded by the front and rain. This included 25+ Yellow-rumped Warblers, several BT Greens and Blackpolls and a CONNECTICUT WARBLER. (report from Mark Lynch).

9/13/01 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
Over the past three days at Barre Falls 100's of small birds have been observed flying across the open area viewed from the hawk watch site each day. Today I checked the woods around the site and found more than 15 species of warblers and vireos including 1 Philadelphia Vireo and 1 Connecticut Warbler. Hundreds of Monarch Butterflies have passed the site. Hawks counted today were 15 Osprey, 7 Northern Harriers, 49 Sharp-shinned Hawks, 1 Cooper's Hawk, 157 Broad-winged Hawks, 1 Merlin and 50 Kestrels. (report from Bart Kamp).

9/12/01 -- Kettlebrook/Leesville Pond, Worcester
A very quick pm stop at the east end of Kettlebrook Reservoir #4 (PERMIT NEEDED) yeilded: Killdeer (7); Spotted Sandpiper (1); SANDERLING (1juv). A count at Leesville Pond had: Great Blue Heron (1); Green Heron (2); Black-crowned Night Heron (4ad); Canada Goose (7); Wood Duck (19); Green-winged Teal (2); Mallard (176); A. Black Duck (2); Blue-winged Teal (2); A. Wigeon (2); Belted Kingfisher (2); E. Phoebe (6); Yellow-rumped Warbler (2); Blackpoll Warbler (1). (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

9/12/01 -- Tatnuck Square, Worcester
The cold front is producing: this morning I had a Red-breasted Nuthatch, the first since May of 2000, at a feeder. Yesterday morning John Liller and I walked the Brookside Loop at Broad Meadow Brook. It is still fairly quiet, but we did find 8 warbler species, including Blackburnian, Nashville, and N. Waterthrush. We also had a singing Carolina Wren, 3(?) House Wrens, and 4 White-throated Sparrows; John had a Wood Thrush by ear. (report from Howard Shainheit).

9/11/01 -- Broad Meadow Brook Wildlife Sanctuary, Worcester
HIghlights on a walk with Howard Shainheit: Red-tailed Hawk (1); Hairy Woodpecker (1); Northern Flicker (9); "Empidonax" species (2); Red-eyed Vireo (1); Carolina Wren (1); House Wren (4); Wood Thrush (1); American Robin (16); Gray Catbird (25); Cedar Waxwing (14); Nashville Warbler (1); Magnolia Warbler (3); Black-throated Green Warbler (2); Blackburnian Warbler (1); Black-and-white Warbler (2); American Redstart (4); Northern Waterthrush (2); Common Yellowthroat (7); Eastern Towhee (4); Song Sparrow (9); White-throated Sparrow (4); Rose-breasted Grosbeak (2); Common Grackle (3); (report from John Liller).

9/11/01 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
Hawk watching at Barre Falls from 1:00 to 5:00 this afternoon I saw 3 Osprey, 1 Bald Eagle, 14 Sharp-shinned Hawks, 277 Broad-winged Hawks and 4 Kestrels. (report from Bart Kamp).

9/11/01 -- Kelton Street, Gardner
A prework stop this am "yielded" the following hilites: Yellow throated Vireo 1; Red-eyed Vireo 1; Blue-headed (Solitary) Vireo 2 one was singing; Blackpoll Warbler ~10; Nashville Warbler 3; Blk-Thr Blue Warbler 3; Blk-Thr Green Warbler 1; Magnolia Warbler 2;; Chestnut-sided 2 screaming yellowy-green backs blazing in the sun; Am. Redstart 3; C. yellowthroat 2; Black + White Warbler 1.
In Ashburnham, 2 hawkwatchers ready and waiting on the summit of mt watatic: judging by time of day, locale, habitat and jiz, it was (Tom) McCullough and (Petti) Staub.
On Rte 119 in West Townsend 8 Solitary Sandpipers in a tiny pond which is 90% empty. (report from Tom Pirro).

9/9/01 -- Broad Meadow Brook Sanctuary, Worcester
I recorded the following highlights on a walk with my class this morning: Eastern Screech Owl (1); Hairy Woodpecker (3); Northern Flicker (5); Eastern Wood-Pewee (3); Least Flycatcher (1); "Empidonax" species (2); Great Crested Flycatcher (1); Red-eyed Vireo (1); House Wren (2); Gray Catbird (32); Brown Thrasher (1); Cedar Waxwing (3); Black-throated Green Warbler (1); Black-and-white Warbler (1); American Redstart (2); Northern Waterthrush (3); Common Yellowthroat (6); Eastern Towhee (5); Song Sparrow (10); Rose-breasted Grosbeak (4); Common Grackle (6). (report from John Liller).

9/8/01 -- High Ridge WMA, Gardner
This moning an American Golden Plover was observed on the small mud flat of the upper marsh off Smith Street. This adult bird still had a good deal of black on the belly extending back between the legs and undertail coverts. Its called repeatedly and seemed a bit skiddish at about 7:45 it flew off, frieghtened by a Sharp-shinned Hawk chasing after a small grop of flickers.
Other stuff: Am. Bittern 1; Lesser yellow Legs 1; Wild Turkey 8; Philidelphia Vireo 1 seen wel at close range; Nashville Warbler 1; N. Parula 2 or 3; Blk Thr Blue Warbler 2; Wilson's Warb 1 female; Canada W 1; Redstart 3; Magnolia W 3 or 4; Blackpoll 5 ish; Yelow-rumped several; Purple Finch 1. (report from Tom Pirro).

9/7/01 -- Wachusett Reservoir, Clinton/Boylston
At the Wachusett Reservoir the MDC is trying a new strategy to lure the roosting gulls away from the Clinton area. They have built a large raft , and have floated it in the W. Boylston section of the reservoir. It can best be seen from the Scar Hill section of Boylston. The hope is that this will concentrate the gulls in this section of the reservoir.
At the present time the raft has been taken over by the Double-crested Cormorants. This evening there were over one hundred cormorants on the raft. There were an additional 20 cormorants at there traditional roosting spot on the rocks at Sholan Pt. Amongst these cormorants were at least 5 GREAT CORMORANTS. As the evening approached the cormorants on the rocks left and most flew over near the raft. Because of the lighting I am not sure what became of the Great Cormorants. (report from Fran McMenemy).

9/7/01 -- High Ridge WMA- Westminster
Highlights of birds observed at High Ridge WMA near the lower marsh were 13 species of warblers: Nashville 6, Wilson's 4, Redstart 2, Yellowthroat 9, Blackpoll 6, Black-and-white 2, Parula 2, Black-throated Green 7, Black-throated Blue 2, Magnolia 6, Blackburnian 1, Tennessee 2 and Yellow-rumped 2. Other good birds include American Bittern 2, Blue-winged Teal 1, Hooded Merganser 2, Osprey 2, Barm Swallow 1, Tree Swallow 14, Blue-headed Vireo 2 and White-throated Sparrow 8. (report from Chuck Caron).

9/7/01 -- High Ridge WMA, Gardner
Hilites from a walk into the Smith St. gate this am before work today . Most of the reported birds were along Neighborhood road (the first right off Smith once inside the gate) working through the early morning sunlite trees. I didn't have time to get down to the marsh: Wild turkey 19 adults and young in field viewed from RTE140; Red-breasted Nuthatch only 1; House wren 1 or 2; Yellow-throated Vireo 1; Red-eyed-Vireo 1; Black and White Warb. 1; Magnolia Warb 2; N. Parula 2; Black-thr. green Warb 3; Black-thr. Blue Warb 1; Yellow-rumped Warb. 1; Blackpoll Warb 6; Am. Redstart 1; Wilson's Warb. 1 male; C. Yellowthroat 5ish; Scarlet Tanager 1. (report from Tom Pirro).

9/6/01 -- Muddy Pond/Sterling Peat, Sterling
Muddy Pond at Sterling Peat was the host this AM to 7 Great Blue Herons, 2 Hooded Mergansers, 12 Green-winged Teal, 5 Blue-winged Teal, 3 Wood Ducks, 3 Pied-billed Grebe, 7 Killdeer, 2 Least Sandpipers, 1 Solitary Sandpiper and 50+ Mallards. (report from Bob Ricci).

9/6/01 -- Oxbow NWR, Harvard
Highlights of birds observed at Oxbow NWR this morning include Northern Harrier 1, Coopers Hawk 1, Warbling Vireo 1, Yellow-throated Vireo 1, Red -eyed Vireo 1, Connecticut Warbler 1, Wilsons Warbler 1, Redstart 3, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1 and Winter Wren 1. (report from Chuck Caron).

9/6/01 -- Kelton Street, Gardner
1 stop on Kelton Street this morning, near the route 140 over pass , yielded a nice variety of song birds between 6:45 and 7:15ish: Empidinax Flycatcher sp. 1 probably a least, distinct eyering and flicking tail a bit; Red-eyed virio 1 or 2; Solitary Virio 2; Nashville Warbler 3 (at least); Blackpoll Warb 2; Magnolia Warbler 3; Ovenbird 1; Yellow-rumped 4; Blackburnian 2 (1 ad. male + 1 ad. female); Black + WHite 1; Wilson's 1; Black-Thr. Green 4 or 5; Black-Thr. Blue 1; Chestnut-sided 2. (report from Tom Pirro).

9/6/01 -- Tatnuck Square, Worcester
My early September Merlin, a female probably, is back for the third year. She perched for five minutes at about 7:30 a.m. atop a spruce just off my yard, then took off to the west-northwest. (report from Howard Shainheit).

9/5/01 -- High Ridge WMA, Gardner
Birding was rather quiet this morning during a 45 min. walk at High Ridge WMA ... the only warblers seen were 1 Nashville and a few C. Yellowthroats. A good variety of early morning raptors Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 (imm.) , Coopers Hawks 1 (imm.), Red-tailed hawk 2 (1 adult , 1 sud-adult), Broad-winged hawk 1 and Norhtern Harrier 1.
While trying to "spish" some birds in along Neighborhood Road (the first right off Smith St.) I heard a "Muuha" sound to the left. About 50 yards away was bull Moose staring at me(looking rather imposing though 8.5X optics I might add), he then turned began to shaking his antlers in a small sapling (there was still some summer velvet on its antlers). After finishing this chore he began walking up the road toward me, causing me to slowly back peddle before he slowly walked off the road. (report from Tom Pirro).

9/4/01 -- Broad Meadow Brook Sanctuary, Worcester
Howard Shainheit and I recorded the following highlights on a walk at the Broad Meadow Brook Wildlife Sanctuary this morning: Sharp-shinned Hawk (1); Red-tailed Hawk (1); Chimney Swift (1); Red-bellied Woodpecker (1); Northern Flicker (8); Eastern Wood-Pewee (1); Red-eyed Vireo (3); House Wren (2); Eastern Bluebird (6); Cedar Waxwing (24); Northern Parula (1); Chestnut-sided Warbler (2); Magnolia Warbler (1); Black-throated Green Warbler (1); American Redstart (1); Common Yellowthroat (9); Scarlet Tanager (1); Eastern Towhee (10); Field Sparrow (2); Song Sparrow (6); Rose-breasted Grosbeak (5); Red-winged Blackbird (3); Common Grackle (21). (report from John Liller).

9/4/01 -- Gardner/Ashburnham
Hilites from a walk at High Ridge WMA between 7ish and 10:30am on 9/3: American Bittern 4; Green Heron 1; Least Sandpiper 8; Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 or 2; Least Sandpiper only 7 now!; Solitary Sandpiper 2; Lesser yellowlegs 1; Red-shouldered Hawk 1 adult; Osprey 1; Semi Plover 1; N. Parula 1; Tenn. Warbler 2; Blackburnian Warbler 1; Blackpoll Warbler 1; Magnolia Warbler 2; Linclon's Sparrow 2. While talking to Oakes Spalding a Sharp-shinned "snuck" up on the small flock of shorebirds on the marsh and managed to snatch one out of the air. [ed. note: I presume it was Tom doing the talking!]
This morning (9/4) before work a few stops along Eaton Street produced some good warbler activity: Blackpoll W 1; Magnolia W 6; N. Parula 1; Black+White 1; Yellow-Rumped 3; Am. Redstart 3; Black-Thr Green W 2; Black-Thr Blue W 1; Chestnut-sided 1; Red-Br. nuthatch 4.
...and in Ashburnham (during the commute) a Merlin being harrassed by Blue Jays. I pulled off (Rte 101) to view a small falcon flying across a wooded marsh (then perching) hoping it was a Merlin, I raised my glasses and low and behold it was an Am. Kestrel. Then I heard the classic "freight squawk" of a near by Blue Jay, a few snags to the right and there was a small flock of Blue Jays "mixing it up" with a Merlin. Every time I've heard this particular call given off by a Blue Jay there is a small Raptor involved , usually a Sharp-shinned but ocassionally a Coopers hawk or Merlin. I would the guess the call has something to do with a near death expirence for the Jay , though I have yet see a Jay get caught in one of these sqirmishes. (report from Tom Pirro).

9/3/01 -- Rowley Hill, Sterling
Five wild turkeys were seen; four ruffed grouse explored my flower garden; the wood peewee continues to sing every day , all day; from dawn until well after sunset; robins have been flocking up in the evening. (report from Richard Spedding).

9/3/01 -- Buck Hill/Seekonk River, RI
We hit two areas in the Blackstone Corridor today. We started at Buck Hill WMA, in Burrillville (far NW corner of) RI. On entering, we were momentarily surprised to see a hunter with a gun, till we realized (and asked) that it was the early goose season. As with other forested areas inland that I have birded in the fall, activity is most obvious at dawn and very shortly thereafter as migrants work the sun-facing edges of the forest early on, but then quickly disperses all over the canopyonce it warms up. Moral: to bird forests in fall: get there at dawn and find the sunny edges. Again, the first signs of fall landbird migration were present: Wood Duck (9); no geese (duh!); Mallard (2); A. Kestrel (1imm); Solitary Sandpiper (1); Ruby-throated Hummingbird (1); Downy Woodpecker (10); Hairy Woodpecker (1); N. Flicker (4); E. Wood Peewee (6); E. Phoebe (15); Great Crested Flycatcher (1); E. Kingbird (1); Tree Swallow (7 migrating); Blue Jay (11); A. Crow (1); Black-capped Chickadee (32); Tufted Titmouse (17); White-breasted Nuthatch (10); Veery (2); Hermit Thrush (7); A. Robin (20); Gray Catbird (15); Cedar Waxwing (6); Warbling Vireo (1); PHILADELPHIA VIREO (1; killer views at eye level); Red-eyed Vireo (12); Scarlet Tanager (4); A. Goldfinch (4). Also seen: Pickerel Frog; Great Spangled Frit. (3); C. Wood Nymph (1) and good area of Nodding Lady's Tresses.
THEN; we went to the Seekonk River as low tide was fast approaching. There was an amazing show of flocks and flocks of LAUGHING GULLS, most juvenile birds. These gulls were actively feeding on the schools of small fish that could be seen rippling the surface and sometimes jumping out of the water en masse. But some gulls were just picking up pieces of paper or plant matter and then flying around with it as other juvenile gulls pursued them. We watched one gull pick up and then drop, then pick up again a cookie wrapper , repeating this several times. It reminded me of wathcing migrating Tree Swallows playing with a feather. The heron/egret show was likewise good. Double-crested Cormorant (109); Great Blue Heron (10); Great Egret (21: an inveterate Corridor follower up into Worcester County)); Snowy Egret (4); Black-crowned Night Heron (7imm+9ad:another Corridor follower); Mute Swan (3); Mallard (87); A. Black Duck (1); Turkey Vulture (3); Osprey (3); Spotted Sandpiper (2); Least Sandpiper (19); Laughing Gull (540++: an amazing concentration of this species up in a river, again most, by far, juveniles); Ring-billed Gull (470++); Common Tern (20+); Forster's Tern (2); Tree Swallow (50+). Great show of birds in the Corridor. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

9/2/01 -- Northbridge/Uxbridge
We went out for an evening to see if we could find nighthawks in other parts of the Corridor. We started at the NORTHBRIDGE SEWER BEDS. The large construction project continues here, and birders are advised to only visit after hours or on Sunday. Few shorebirds anyway: Mallard (34); Killdeer (2); Solitary Sandpiper (3); Least Sandpiper (15); Ruby-throated Hummingbird (1); Tree Swallow (3); Barn Swallow (7); Indigo Bunting (3). An amazing show of odes too but no nighthawks.
At RICE CITY POND: (1) Great Egret.
We went to West Hill Dam only to find the dam very much under construction and closed to human traffic (though you can walk the trails off to the west, you cannot do a circuit). We talked to a ranger and it will be like this for 2 years. Huge mounds of sand are everywhere. Still, from the parking lot, we had Chimney Swift (30) and Barn Swallow (20+). No nighthawks. No flying ants either.
We searched several other places and found no nighthawks anywhere, though when we returned home we did hear (1). A personal report from Tom Gagnon from the Connecticut River Valley also reports a very poor year for nighthawk migration and very few nighthawks in the last few days. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

9/2/01 -- Quinapoxet Reservoir, Holden
Conducting a pretty thorough survey of this outermost of the city of Worcester's reservoir system (much of it in Holden), we found the water level had dropped, but not so much as to attract a great variety of shorebirds. That said, good numbers and variety of migrant passerines were on hand, and the first signs of definite fall landbird migration (see below). All the warblers, with the exception of the Yellowthroats, were in mixed species flocks usually in the company of a good number of chickadees. There were great spaces of hiking where (apparently) there were no migrant landbirds or no birds at all. Typical of fall migration inland. Again, as with all city of Worcester Reservoirs, Quinapaoxet is strictly OFF LIMITS without the necessary permits. COMMON LOON (1 calling, flew out first thing in the AM); Double-crested Cormorant (3); Great Blue Heron (6); GREAT EGRET (1); Mallard (13); A. Black Duck (7); Turkey Vulture (2); Osprey (2: 1 fishing at Quinny, the other migrating high overhead); Broad-winged Hawk (1: not migrating); Ruffed Grouse (group of 8: family group?); Killdeer (41); Spotted Sandpiper (4); Solitary Sandpiper (1:seems VERY low for the amount of edge); Greater Yellowlegs (4); Least Sandpiper (11); Ring-billed Gull (14); Belted Kingfisher (2); E. Wood Peewee (12); "empid sp." (1); Great Crested Flycatcher (1); E. Phoebe (6); Blue Jay (20); A. Crow (62: one flock feeding along edge at dawn); Black-capped Chickadee (138); Tufted Titmouse (27); Red-breasted Nuthatch (4: no sign of a flight year); White-breasted Nuthatch (35); Brown Creeper (3); Hermit Thrush (9); A. Robin (11); Gray Catbird (14); Cedar Waxwing (7); Blue-headed Vireo (1); Philadelphia Vireo (1); Red-eyed Vireo (16: some still singing); Scarlet Tanager (3: including 1f feeding a fledged juv); E. Towhee (3); Chipping Sparrow (8); Song Sparrow (3); Purple Finch (3); A. Goldfinch (12); Bobolink (5 overhead); C. Grackle (3). Butterflies inlcuded: Great Spangled Fritillary (2); Pearl Crescent (1); Monarch (1); Viceroy (2: including one very worn); Leonard's Skipper (1). Also seen: Wood Frogs; Red Eft; lots of fall flowers including numerous asters and goldenrods as well as Blue Curls. Odes were abundant, most meadowhawk sp; but also a species of spreadwing damselfly, and many large Aeshnas. Fungi of an oustanding variety and size were all over: another sign of the changing seasons. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

9/2/01 -- High Ridge WMA, Gardner
Hilites from a walk into the Smith Street Gate at High Ridge WMA this morning between 8:30 and 10am: Great Blue Heron 5; Am. Bittern 1; Green Heron 1; Solitary Sandpiper 4; Semi. Plover 1; Least Sandpiper 8; Broad wing Hawk 2; Red-tailed Hawk 1; Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 imm. chasing E. Phoebe; Warlbing Vireo 1; (possible) Philidelphia Vireo 1; Olive-sided Flycatcher 2 (seen together); Nashville Warbler 1; BT Green Warb 1; Chestnut-sided Warb 1; Yellow-rumped warb 6; C.yellowthroat ~10; Purple Finch 5+; Balt. Oriole 1 chased by one of the O-S Flys.. (report from Tom Pirro).

9/1/01 -- Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary, Princeton
46 species were seen this AM on the annual Forbush Club birdwalk at Wachusett Meadow. Highlite for the day-2 OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHERS. OTHERS: great blue heron-2,wood duck-11,hooded merg-2,ruffed grouse,wild turkey-6,rock dove-30 approx,mourning dove 10 approx,common nighthawk,chimney swift-2,ruby-throated hummer-5,belted kingfisher,yellow-bellied sapsucker,downy wp-2,eastern wood-peewee,eastern phoebe,unk empid,great-crested flycatcher,blue jay-3,american crow,black-capped chickadee-15 approx,tufted titmouse-5,w-b nuthatch-3,house wren,robin-2,gray catbird- 4 approx,cedar waxwing,starling-too many,red-eyed vireo-2,nashville warbler-2,chestnut-sided warbler,b-t blue,b-t green-5 approx,american redstart-2,ovenbird,common yellowthroat,scarlet tanager-3(all in one bino view),northern cardinal-2,rose-breasted grosbeak,eastern towhee-2,chipping sparrow-many,song sparrow-3,r-w blackbird,common grackle-only 1,american goldfinch-a bunch,house sparrow-some. Thanks to Peg K who stood in for Joan Z for her excellent tour for a small but enthusiastic group. (report from Dick Knowlton).

For previous sightings, see August 2001 Archives or Archive Index