Septemberf 2002 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.

Upcoming Events:

Sightings:

9/30/02 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
Daily Raptor Counts: 
> Species            Day's Count    Month Total   Season Total
> ------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
> Black Vulture                0              0              0
> Turkey Vulture               0              4              4
> Osprey                       3             55             59
> Bald Eagle                   1              4              4
> Northern Harrier             1              5              6
> Sharp-shinned Hawk          14            212            216
> Cooper's Hawk                2             13             13
> Northern Goshawk             0              0              0
> Red-shouldered Hawk          0              0              0
> Broad-winged Hawk            1            848            848
> Red-tailed Hawk              0              2              2
> Rough-legged Hawk            0              0              0
> Golden Eagle                 0              0              0
> American Kestrel            16             80             82
> Merlin                       0              8              8
> Peregrine Falcon             0              1              1
> Unknown                      0              0              0
>
> Total:                      38           1232           1243
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Observation start time: 08:00:00; > Observation end time: 14:30:00; > Total observation time: 6.5 hours; > > Site Coordinator: Barton D. Kamp; > Observers: Barton D. Kamp, David Grant, Donna Schilling; > Observations: As many as 6 American Kestrels were feeding at the site at the same time. 6 Common Loons, 104 Canada and 21 Snow Geese, 20 American Pipits landed at > the hawk watch site, 15-20 Monarch Butterflies. (report from Bart Kamp).

9/29/02 -- Sterling Peat, Sterling
This morning I was able to photograph a Cooper's Hawk that was standing on the large sand mound that serves as the summer home to the Sterling Peat bank swallows. (report and photo by Bob Ricci).

9/29/02 -- Wachusett Reservoir
At the Wachusett Reservoir today I saw the following, Common Loon 13, Red-necked Grebe 2, Snow Goose 95 (including 3 blue morphs), Canada Goose 660, American Wigeon 1, Black Duck 8, Mallard 15, Green-winged Teal 60, Greater Scaup 1, Common Merganser 7. (report from Fran McMenemy).

9/29/02 -- Wompanoag MAS, Gardner
Hilites from hawkwatching at the Wompanoag MAS this morning between 8 and 11am: Sharp-shinned Hawk 6; Am. Kestrel 8; Broadwing Hawk 1; Osprey 4; Northern Harrier 2; Total Raptors 21. Geese were on the move with the following tallied: Canada Goose 1837; Snow Goose 153; Also: a resident Northern Goshawk took a swipe at a Harrier moving through. Additional birds: Am. Pipit 5; Horned Lark 2; Yellowbellied Sapsucker 1; Rusty Blackbird 21. (report from Tom Pirro).

9/29/02 -- Bolton Flats, Bolton
This morning was very chilly but there were a lot of birds migrating. Early in the morning there were lots of Robins moving south. All during the morning were flocks of Red-wing Blackbirds and Canada Geese. I saw 2 flocks of Snow Geese migrating (42 and 24) and the 2nd flock which was later in the day was passed by a flock of Canada Geese. It was really neat to see both flocks in the same binocular view. Other birds of interest were some American Pipits,a Northern Harrier, 2 Rusty Blackbirds and an American Kestrel. (report from Peter Morlock).

9/29/02 -- Rowley Hill, Sterling
In Rowley Hill's largest pasture: 1 sharp-shinned hawk; 14 wild turkeys; and 38 American Pipits . (report from Richard Spedding).

9/29/02 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
Hawk watch summary: 
> Species            Day's Count    Month Total   Season Total
> ------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
> Black Vulture                0              0              0
> Turkey Vulture               0              4              4
> Osprey                       5             52             56
> Bald Eagle                   0              3              3
> Northern Harrier             1              4              5
> Sharp-shinned Hawk          17            198            202
> Cooper's Hawk                0             11             11
> Northern Goshawk             0              0              0
> Red-shouldered Hawk          0              0              0
> Broad-winged Hawk            0            847            847
> Red-tailed Hawk              0              2              2
> Rough-legged Hawk            0              0              0
> Golden Eagle                 0              0              0
> American Kestrel             6             64             66
> Merlin                       0              8              8
> Peregrine Falcon             0              1              1
> Unknown                      0              0              0
>> Total:                      29           1194           1205
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> Observation start time: 09:00:00; > Observation end time: 15:00:00; > Total observation time: 6 hours; > > Site Coordinator: Barton D. Kamp; > > Observers: Barton D. Kamp, David Grant, Donna Schilling, Paul Pinault; > > Visitors: > Grant and Laura Marley; Also, there were > 1071 migrating Canada Geese. 5 Monarch Butterflies. (report from Bart Kamp).

9/28/02 -- Mount Wachusett, Princeton
There was a Pileated Woodpecker drumming near Echo Lake, where recently beavers have been chewing down trees. There are recent Pileated excavations in a tree on the Link Trail. There was a pair of Ravens perched in the evergreen grove near Echo Lake. On the summit for 15 minutes there was an adult Red-tail Hawk, a Turkey Vulture, and an American Kestrel heading south with a strong NW wind. (report from Brian Mulhearn)

9/27/02 -- Devens, Harvard
In Devens (still in Harvard but close to the Ayer border) last evening there were 169 Killdeer and 1 Least Sandpiper on the soccer fields. This morning on the way into work I briefly stopped again and counted 113 Killdeer and 1 Least Sandpiper. (report from Tom Pirro).

9/27/02 -- Downtwn Worcester
Today a Peregrine Falcon was spotted near some very nervous Rock Doves. It landed on the Registry of Motor Vehicles where it perched. (report from Dan Berard Jr).

9/25/02 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
Hawks migrating at Barre Falls today between 8:30 AM and 2:00 PM were: Osprey 2 ;Broad-winged Hawk 1 ;Sharp-shinned Hawk 30 ;Cooper's Hawk 1 ;American Kestrel 9 ;Merlin 2 .
Total 45 (report from Bart Kamp).

9/25/02 -- Hadwen Park/Curtis Pond, Worcester
The Osprey was flying around the pond and perching in trees this morning. There were 8 Canadian Geese who flinched when the Osprey flew from a tree over them. There was 1 Belted Kingfisher chasing another Kingfisher and rattling away. There was a Brown Thrasher in a thicket, heard, then seen, Also, 57 Mallards, some in breeding plumage, and 1 Male Wood Duck in breeding plumage. (report from Brian Mulhearn)

9/24/02 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
There was a steady movement of hawks today at Barre Falls; but not in large numbers. Those migrating were: Turkey Vulture 4 ; Osprey 5 ; Northern Harrier 1 ; Sharp-shinned Hawk 34 ; Cooper's Hawk 1 ; Broad-winged Hawk 225 ; American Kestrel 15 ; Merlin 6 ; Peregrine Falcon 1 .
Total 292 (report from Bart Kamp).

9/23/02 -- Quabbin Reservoir Gate 40, Petersham
From Gate 40 to Dana Common and on to Graves Landing, birds seen included: 12 greater yellowlegs, 6 least sndpipers, 1 red-eyed vireo, 4 hermit thrush, 1 black-throated blue warbler, 1 black throated green warbler, 8 yellow-rumped warblers, 12 pine warblers, 1 blackpoll warbler, 3 white-throated sparrows. (report from Richard Spedding).

9/23/02 -- Bolton Flats, Bolton
Hilites from a walk into Bolton Flats this evening: Great Blue Heron 2; Wood Duck ~20 mostly in flight; Northern Harrier 1 Imm.; Cooper's Hawk 1 Imm.; Common Nighthawk 2; Great-horned Owl 2 calling ... one high pitched female and lower toned male; Eastern Screech Owl 2 calling; Am. Woodcock 1 in flight; American Robin ~2000 coming to roost; Common grackle ~250. Also while walking out i the dark I could see fireflies crawling in the grass...none in flight. (report from Tom Pirro).

9/23/02 -- Barre Falls Hawk Watch, Barre Falls Dam, Barre
Hawks migrating at Barre Falls today between 1:00 and 5:30 PM EDT were: Osprey 1 ; Northern Harrier 1 ; Broad-winged Hawk 359 ; Sharp-shinned Hawk 15 ; American Kestrel 2
Total = 378 (report from Bart Kamp).

9/22/02 -- Quinapoxet Reservoir, Holden
We headed out to the Quinapoxet Reservoir this afternoon to check on shorebirds (PERMIT NEEDED). We hiked in to the north end, where there was plenty of excellent shorebird habitat due to the very low water. But there were NO shorebirds apparent. We stayed at the north end wondering why there were no shorebirds when everyhting looked SO perfect, when (at last) some small flock of Calidrids flew in and immediately froze when they landed. This was because they were pursued by a pair of adult PEREGRINE FALCONS. These birds were just amazing to watch. They perched near each other on snags at the waters edge. Periodically, both would fly directly at some small group of shorebirds, co-operating in flushing and pursuing the birds in an amazing co-ordinated effort. Many shorebirds then left the reservoir completely. At one point, both birds singled out a kingfisher as it flew low over the water. They then took turns taking swooping , arcing dives at the poor bird every few seconds, causing it to literally dive under the water with a great splash to escape them, managing to fly only about ten feet between attacks. They did this for 10 MINUTES!! constantly taking turns diving at the very harassed and confused (and very wet) kingfisher. Finally the kingfisher reached the shore and the falcons perched again. At one point an idiot crow flew through their line of sight, and one bird similarly harassed and dove at it until it zipped low into the forest. These birds are in complete control of the Quinny and are letting every bird know it. Interestingly, we had a few ducks, none of which would fly and were essentially frozen in place. I don't blame them. Watching these birds take a power flight low over the mud flats and water was something to behold. One Peregrine was noticably larger than the other so I am assuming they are a pair. COMPLETE LIST: (we were really focusing on shorebirds) Double-crested Cormorant (5); Great Blue Heron (5); Canada Goose (9); Green-winged Teal (7: these birds did not flush no matter how close I got); Hooded Merganser (1f: on a rock and did not move); Turkey Vulture (2); Red-tailed Hawk (2); PEREGRINE FALCON (2ad: pair); Killdeer (1); Greater Yellowlegs (2); Spotted Sandpiper (3); Least Sandpiper (18); Pectoral Sandpiper (10); Ring-billed Gull (5: once the falcons showed up, they lit on the water and did not move); Belted Kingfisher (1 poor bird); Eastern Phoebe (7); Blue Jay (12); A. Crow (43); Black-capped Chickadee (23); Tufted Titmouse (7); WARBLERS: Yellow-rumped (1); Palm (1); Pine (1 still singing); Blackpoll (3).
BUTTERFLIES: We had our first good movement of Monarchs, many of which were nectaring on the large fields of asters that have sprung up on the land as the water has lowered. These aster fields were literally buzzing loudly with Honey, Bumble and other bee species busy nectaring. It was something to hear. Clouded Sulphur (3) Pearl Crescent (5) MONARCH (23 seen migrating in about 30 minutes) ALSO: thousands of meadowhawks, most likely Yellow-legged. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

9/22/02 -- SuAsCo, Westboro
We led a trip for the Westboro Land Trust today to the Assabet Conservation parcel on the SW shore of the water. This heavily wooded parcel was saved by the land trust and is criss-crossed by well maintained trails. This is a small, easy-to-bird place that has always had good numbers of migrants at first light spring and fall. Double-crested Cormorant (3); Turkey Vulture (1); Great Blue Heron (2); Great Egret (2); AMERICAN BITTERN (1); Mute Swan (adult pair w/3 cygnets AND adult pair w/5 cygnets); Wood Duck (16); Mallard (2); Osprey (3: hanging around the pond); Sharp-shinned Hawk (2); Ring-billed Gull (7); Herring Gull (1); Belted Kingfisher (5); Downy Woodpecker (7); Hairy Woodpecker (1); N. Flicker (3); E. Phoebe (13); Blue-headed Vireo (1); Philadelphia Vireo (1); Blue Jay (7); A. Crow (8); Black-capped Chickadee (38); Tufted Titmouse (9); White-breasted Nuthatch (10); A. Robin (10); Gray Catbird (16); Brown Thrasher (3); E. Towhee (4); Chipping Sparrow (12); Field Sparrow (1); Song Sparrow (7); N. Cardinal (2); A. Goldfinch (3). As has been typical here in the fall, the neotropical migrants were in two main areas: the open area as you first walk in all around till the trail re-enters the forest (at dawn) and later, along the cut-across trail that connects the main trail with the paved road down to the small building. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

9/21/02 -- High Ridge WMA, Gardner
Some hilites among 52 species seen and/or heard in gardner, mostly during a walk at High Ridge WMA: Wood Duck 3; Greater Yellowlegs 1; Least Sandpiper 6; Red-eyed Vireo 1; Blue-headed Vireo 2; Tennessee Warbler 1 yellowy imm.; Nashville Warbler 1; Blackpoll Warbler ~10+; Back-throated Blue Warbler 1; Northern Parula 2 or 3; Lincoln's Sparrow 2; Indigo Bunting 1; Scarlet tanager 2; Eastern towhee 2. (report from Tom Pirro).

9/21/02 -- Oxbow NWR, Harvard
My MAS class had intended to bird Bolton Flats, and we arrived there at 6:30AM , and no sooner had we started in than the HUNTERS started to arrive. It's that "special" early goose season (so be forewarned!!). Instead we did Oxbow NWR and had a nice hike. Highlights (Oxbow NWR unless otherwise noted): Great Blue Heron (2); American Bittern (1 from Bolton Flats parking lot flushed by hunters); Canada Goose (4); Wood Duck (5, another 50 from the Bolton Flats parking lot); Mallard (24: Bolton Flats); Osprey (1: perched from the Fruitlands overlook); Sharp-shinned Hawk (1, another one at dawn at Bolton Flats and another at the Fruitlands); Solitary Sandpiper (1); A. Woodcock (1: Bolton Flats); E. Screech Owl (1); Red-bellied Woodpecker (1); Downy Woodpecker (12); Hairy Woodpecker (1); N. Flicker (2); E. Wood Peewee (1); E. Phoebe (17); Yellow-throated Vireo (1); Red-eyed Vireo (2); E. Bluebird (1); A. Robin (41, with an additional 213 at Bolton Flats); Gray Catbird (24); Brown Thrasher (2); Scarlet Tanager (1); Bobolink (20).
We actually had a nice array of "herps" with: Green, Wood, Bull and Gray Tree Frogs, Spring Peeper; E. Painted Turtle, BLANDINGS TURTLE, Ribbon Snake (3 together on a beaver lodge) and E. Garter Snake. There were hundreds of meadowhawk species (Yellow-legged?) and several Slender Spreadwings. (report from Mark Lynch).

9/20/02 -- Hadwen Park/Curtis Pond, Worcester
Taking a break from hawk watching, we strolled along the waters edge from the top of Knox St. to the railroad trestle. We had Mallards, Wood Ducks, Canadian Geese, and the Mute Swan family, still with 3 young ones. While watching a Kingfisher wrestle down a large fish, in the background an Osprey called and flew from a tree. The Kingfisher swallowed the fish and immediately dove into the water for another meal. The Osprey was flying all over the pond. Later it flew from a tree overhead with a large fish in it's talons. I think the same Osprey or Ospreys linger here every year because the fishing is so good. Then, below the playground was a Great Egret. It was wobbling it's neck and bobbing it's head in a wild way that would rival the head bobbing of a Great-horned Owl. The Egret also was all over the pond, looking for lunch. Meanwhile, while all this was going on, a Green Heron was flying back and forth. All in all, a great 90 minutes.(report from Brian Mulhearn)

9/18/02 -- Broad Meadow Brook Sanctuary, Worcester
Highlights on a 1 1/2 hour long hawkwatch beginning at 8:45 am: Turkey Vulture (2); Osprey (1 - carrying a fish); Sharp-shinned Hawk (2); Broad-winged Hawk (2); Red-tailed Hawk (1); Chimney Swift (5); Northern Flicker (1); Eastern Wood-Pewee (1); Eastern Phoebe (2); Carolina Wren (1); Song Sparrow (1); Common Grackle (2). (report from John Liller).

9/18/02 -- Jessie Farber Recreational Area, Worcester
I tried this spot again (see 9/13 post) for 1/2 hr at lunch (12:30-1:00 pm), with light winds (<5mph) generally from the NNW, scattered fair weather clouds, and temp of 70F. Raptors seen were 3 Broad-winged Hawks (moving together) and 1 Osprey. Also had nice views of an imm Rose-breasted Grosbeak, and a singing Carolina Wren. (report from Rick Quimby).

9/17/02 -- Broad Meadow Brook Sanctuary, Worcester
HIghlights this morning on an hour long hawkwatch beginning at 10:30: Double-crested Cormorant (23); Turkey Vulture (11); Osprey (3); Broad-winged Hawk (3); Red-tailed Hawk (4); Chimney Swift (6); Red-bellied Woodpecker (1); Northern Flicker (1); Eastern Phoebe (1); House Wren (1); Common Yellowthroat (1). (report from John Liller).

9/16/02 -- Barre Falls Dam Hawk Watch, Barre
It began to clear at Barre Falls at about 2:00 PM. The sky was full of dragonflies and Monarch butterflies and a few hawks. Osprey 17 ; Broad-winged Hawk 65 ; Sharp-shinned Hawk 22 ; Cooper's Hawk 2 ; American Kestrel 9 ;; Total 115 . Also, Monarch Butterflies 74 . (report from Bart Kamp).

9/15/02 -- Broad Meadow Brook Sanctuary, Worcester
Highlights while participating in a hawkwatch for the Blackstone Corridor: Turkey Vulture (1); Cooper's Hawk (2 - 1 immature, 1 adult); Sharp-shinned Hawk (2 - including an adult chasing an adult Cooper's Hawk); Red-tailed Hawk (1); Chimney Swift (3); TREE SWALLOW (1 - this is a very uncommon bird in the fall on the Sanctuary; this is the 2nd September record and the 3rd fall record); House Wren (1); Cedar Waxwing (13); Common Yellowthroat (2); Common Grackle (3). Also: 1 Cabbage White (report from John Liller).

9/15/02 -- Seekonk River, Blackstone Corridor
We birded some areas of the southern part of the Blackstone National Corridor. There was an amazing concentration of gulls and egrets along the Seekonk River at low tide. This very urban end of the Blackstone River separates Providence from East Providence and is about 1.5 miles long from India Point to the Pawtucket line: Double-crested Cormorant (235); Great Blue Heron (13); Great Egret (30); Snowy Egret (3); Black-crowned Night Heron (3); Mute Swan (12); Mallard (145); A Black Duck (14); Osprey (1); Red-tailed Hawk (1); Peregrine Falcon (1ad); Semipalmated Plover (1); Greater Yellowlegs (2); Spotted Sandpiper (3); Semipalmated Sandpiper (36); Nota Bene: there was not much river edge, so the shorebird numbers were small Bonaparte's Gull (2 juv/1stW); LAUGHING GULL (596: the nearest nesting area is 25+ miles south. Like last year, large numbers of post breeders and newly fledged immatures wander up into the Corridor to feed on schooling bait fish. They do not even appear in this southern end of the Corridor till late summer, so these numbers are pretty extraordinary. Now, if a good hurricane could only come roaring up the coast at this time of year, Worcester County would get a bunch of Laughing Gull records!); Ring-billed Gull (925); Herring Gull (274); Great Black-backed Gull (91); Tree Swallow (10); N. Rough-winged Swallow (1); Barn Swallow (5); Marsh Wren (2 in the phragmites along the river);
ALSO: At WOONSOCKET RESERVOIR, SMITHFIELD: Great Blue heron (1); Lesser Yellowlegs (5); Spotted Sandpiper (1); Least Sandpiper (1); Pectoral Sandpiper (1);
RESURRECTION CEMETERY, CUMBERLAND: Turkey Vulture (3); N. Harrier (1); Sharp-shinned Hawk (6); Red-tailed Hawk (2); A. Kestrel (1); Merlin (1: came right in and buzzed the starlings at the leaf dump); Greater Yellowlegs (1 overhead); Chimney Swift (28 migrating); Barn Swallow (1);
DIAMOND HILL/ARNOLD'S MILLS RESERVOIRS, CUMBERLAND: Double-crested Cormorant (3); Mute Swan (2); Canada Goose (32); Mallard (19); Turkey Vulture (13: 11 of which were standing on the shore fighting over some morsel); Killdeer (4); Greater Yellowlegs (1: likely the same bird we saw flying over Resurrection Cemetery. It was heading this way); Tree Swallow (49); COMMON RAVEN (1: likely one of the birds from Blackstone). (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

9/14/02 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
Hawks migrating at the Barre Falls hawkwatch site today between 10:00 and 3:00 EDT were: Osprey 11; Northern Harrier 3; Sharp-shinned Hawk 2; Cooper's Hawk 1; Broad-winged Hawk 138; American Kestrel 3; Peregrine Falcon 1 .
Total = 159. (report from Bart Kamp).

9/14/02 -- Whittier Farm, Town Farm RD, Sutton
We participated in the Blackstone Corridor Hawkwatch. We had the following interesting species: DC Cormorants [75],Turkey Vultures [31], Osprey [1], Harrier [1], Sharp-shinned Hawk [1], Cooper's Hawk [1], Broad-winged Hawk [70], Red-tailed Hawk [5], Merlin [2], Peregrine [2], Greater Yellowlegs [1], and Eastern Meadowlark [1]. (report from Dan & Deb Berard).

9/14/02 -- Mosquito Pond, Dudley
There has been a Great Egret in Dudley again this year. I've been seeing it every day since August 28th to today September 14th in Mosquito Pond along Dudley-Oxford Road. (report from Joan Zumpfe).

9/14/02 -- Greendale Mall, Worcester
While going down the exit ramp from 290 by the Greendale Mall, there were approximately 200 Common Nighthawks swirling around as if in a feeding frenzy over the mall. They were below dark and heavy clouds and the winds were very gusty. This is close to Norton's where Tom Pirro had recently seen Nighthaks. (report from Joan Zumpfe).

9/14/02 -- Daniel's Farm, Blackstone
My MAS class manned this small farm this morning as part of a co-ordinated hawkwatch through-out the MA section of the Blackstone National Corridor. Conditions did not seem great for hawks today, but we had a decent variety, watching between 9AM and noon, with most of the raptors appearing after 10:30. We got to the spot at 6:30 and birded the edges of the fields and got a decent variety of migrant landbirds at dawn. This farm is situated on the eastern side of a high ridge and is a natural area to attract migrants. By 8, the show was over as the passerines dispersed. All in all, a nice day spent covering what is really a very small area: Turkey Vulture (9 minimal); Osprey (1); Sharp-shinned Hawk (7); Broad-winged Hawk (13); Red-tailed Hawk (2); Red-shouldered hawk (2: calling); Wild Turkey (9); Herring Gull (5 imm+1ad heading south too); Chimney Swift (38 migrating); Ruby-throated Hummingbird (2); Red-bellied Woodpecker (1); E. Wood Peewee (1); E. Phoebe (6); Great Crested Flycatcher (2); Yellow-throated Vireo (2: 1 still singing); Red-eyed Vireo (3); Common Raven (4. 1 sat on the microwave tower where they bred this year and called for over an hour); Carolina Wren (4); House Wren (2); Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (1); E. Bluebird (4); Swainson's Thrush (1); Hermit Thrush (1); Wood Thrush (2); A. Robin (43: feeding on the numerous grapes); Gray Catbird (18); Brown Thrasher (1); Cedar Waxwing (48); Scarlet Tanager (5); Lincoln's Sparrow (1); Rose-breasted Grosbeak (1); Bobolink (14); Baltimore Oriole (1). (report from Mark Lynch).

9/13/02 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
Hawks migrating at Barre Falls today were 11 Osprey, 109 Broad-winged Hawks, 6 Sharp-shinned Hawks and 2 American Kestrels. (report from Bart Kamp).

9/13/02 -- Jessie Farber Recreational Area, Worcester
In a search for additional hawk-watching areas in the Worcester area, I tried the Jessie Farber Recreational Area, which can be entered from the corner of Elliot & Merrifield streets, just to the south of Belmont St. (route 9). From Belmont St. heading east, turn right onto Merrifield, and then left onto Elliot. Park along Elliot near the entrance. After a short walk uphill, there is an open area at the top of the hill, with nearly 360 degree view. The elevation appears to be about the same as Worcester Airport, which is clearly visible from the hill, as is Mount Wachusett. The winds were strong (about 20 mph) from the SW, not good for hawkwatching. In 1/2 hour at 12:45 - 1:15, the only raptors were 1 American Kestrel (f, migrating), and 2 resident Red-tailed Hawks. Also seen were 2 Cedar Waxwings. This is a promising site, and should be checked again in better conditions. (report from Rick Quimby).

9/13/02 -- Broad Meadow Brook Sanctuary, Worcester
I had a couple of hours late this morning to go hawkwatching at BMB. I know the sky was too clear and the wind was all wrong, but I have to take advantage of the opportunities that come my way. I entered the power lines from Granite Street. This is what I recorded: Turkey Vulture (5 - heading north); Osprey (1 heading south); Cooper's Hawk (1 - heading east); Red-tailed Hawk (2 - resident birds); Chimney Swift (1); Let's pray for better hawkwatching conditions this weekend. (report from John Liller).

9/11/02 -- South Bay, Wachusett Reservoir
The MDC people recently anchored a platform in South Bay at Wachusett Reservoir. The platform serves to attract birds that might otherwise be near Carville Basin where the reservoir water flows into the pipes that supply Boston with its drinking water. Last year the platform was placed near Dover Point. This year it has been placed further south - about 400 yards from Rt 140 and can be easily seen with a scope. On the morning of Sept 11 there were Cormorants, Gulls and a Heron on board (report and photo by Bob Ricci).

9/10/02 -- Hadwen Park/Curtis Pond, Worcester
Hilites were 1 Great Egret, 1 Black--crowned Night Heron, the Mute Swans that bred here this spring with their 3 young ones (down from 7 young ones in early June), and an Osprey carrying a fish. Ospreys are seen here every year during migration. Also, 1 Sharp-shinned Hawk. (report from Brian Mulhearn)

9/10/02 -- Broad Meadow Brook Sanctuary, Worcester
HIghlights this morning: Green Heron (1); Ruby-throated Hummingbird (1); Hairy Woodpecker (1); Northern Flicker (3); "Empidonax" species (1 - most likely a Willow); Red-eyed Vireo (1); Carolina Wren (3); House Wren (1); Veery (1); Cedar Waxwing (5); Northern Parula (1); Yellow Warbler (1); Chestnut-sided Warbler (1); American Redstart (3); Common Yellowthroat (5); Eastern Towhee (1); Song Sparrow (9); Rose-breasted Grosbeak (3); Common Grackle (1). (report from John Liller).

9/9/02 -- Quabbin Gate 35 (Petersham Section)
Birds seen included: 2 common loons, 2 sharp-shinned hawks, 5 turkeys, 4 greater yellowlegs, 4 lesser yellowlegs, 14 ring-billed gulls, 1 red-bellied woodpecker, 4 blue-headed vireos, 1 red-eyed vireo, 4 magnolia warblers, 1 black-throated blue warbler, 10 black-throated green warblers, 2 blackpoll warblers, 1 black and white warbler. (report from Richard Spedding).

9/9/02 -- West Boylston
At 7:15PM at the intersection of Rt.12 and Rt.110 there were 20 Common Nighthawks flying west. (report from Mark Lynch).

9/9/02 -- Mount Wachusett, Princeton
There were 3 of us on the summit between 10:30am and Noon. It was very hot, hazy, and humid, Mt. Monadnock was not visible. We had 1 hawk, a Broad-wing rising in a thermal and heading south. We saw an adult Bald Eagle, and 6 Turkey vultures flying back and forth. Other birds on the summit were Eastern Towhee(8) Dark-eyed Junco(5), Black-capped Chickadee(2), Gray Catbird(3), Blue Jay(2), White-breasted Nuthatch(1). There were 4 Ruffed Grouse in a Mountain Ash tree eating the red berries near the Northeast rock lookout between the 2 information bulletin boards. Also, someone placed a plastic Great Horned Owl decoy on the stairs leading up the fire tower lookout about 30 feet up. I spoke with a Wachusett Mountain worker, he said they first noticed it this morning. I don't know why someone would do this, maybe to draw in more hawks during migration and get a better look? (report from Brian Mulhearn)

9/8/02 -- Quabbin Park/South Quabbin REservoir
We led a MAS class trip to Quabbin Park, the area of the Quabbin off Rt.9 between the dike and the dam. We had intended to do some hawkwatching, but with winds from the south and clear skies, raptors were tough to come by. Passerines were thinly distributed too and it was tough to tell the migrants from the breeders. But it was a beautiful day and the scenery fantastic. Highlights included: Common Loon (2ad); Turkey Vulture (11); Great Blue Heron (1 bird we watched for quite a while struggling to get a good sized Brown Bullhead down and finally giving up and the heron put the fish back in the water. Go Hornpout!); Wood Duck (30); Bald Eagle (1ad); Sharp-shinned Hawk (5. We saw a lot more, but I think it was the same immature pair circling all over the area); Cooper's Hawk (1); Red-tailed Hawk (3); A. Kestrel (1m definitely migrating); C. Nighthawk (group of 6 migrating); Chimney Swift (11 rapidly migrating); Ruby-throated Hummingbird (4, including one that flew high to chase and hit the migrating kestrel); Red-bellied Woodpecker (2); N. Flicker (13); Pileated Woodpecker (3); E. Wood Peewee (4); E. Phoebe (12); Yellow-throated Vireo (3); Philadelphia Vireo (1); Red-eyed Vireo (18: many in a single feeding flock in oaks feasting on some caterpillars. Staging for migration?); Tree Swallow (16 migrating); House Wren (4); E. Bluebird (5); Scarlet Tanager (6); Dark-eyed Junco (2); Indigo Bunting (2: still in the area where they breed); Bobolink (4 overhead).
We also had a White-tailed Deer, great views of an Otter swimming and on the rocks of the dam. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

9/7/02 -- Gardner
Hilites from early morning birding: Great Egret 1; Green wing Teal 2; Sharp-shinned Hawk 1imm. mixing it up with Am. Crows; Cooper's hawk 1imm.; Broad-wing Hawk 1imm. great looks at this close-by perch bird; Solitary Sandpiper 1; Eastern Phoebe 10 to 15; House Wren 8; Red-eyed vireo 3; Warbling Vireo 2 one singing a little bit; Yellow Warbler 1; Black and White warbler 1; Tennessee Warbler 2 (1 adult + 1 Imm.); Magnolia Warbler 3; Blackpoll Warbler 6; C. Yellowthroat 5; Am. Redstart 3; Indigo Bunting 5. (report from Tom Pirro).

9/7/02 -- Quinapoxet Reservoir, Holden
We conducted one of our monthly surveys of this small reservoir of the City of Worcester water system. NOTA BENE: all city reservoirs are strictly off limits without the proper permits. Water levels have dropped enough to allow a nice count of inland shorebirds. Migrant passeriformes were in only very modest numbers. Complete list: Double-crested Cormorant (3); Great Blue Heron (7); Great Egret (3); Turkey Vulture (5); Canada Goose (10); Mallard (14); HOODED MERGANSER (8imm); Osprey (1 hunting); Sharp-shinned Hawk (4imm: 3 of these birds relentlessly harassed a huge flock of crows, zipping left, right, up, down and sideways at them causing the crows to go nuts. They did this for at least an hour and the crows finally gave up); N. Goshawk (1ad); Wild Turkey (1adw/12yng); Killdeer (78); Semiplamated Plover (7); Spotted Sandpiper (9); Solitary Sandpiper (5); Greater Yellowlegs (29); Lesser Yellowlegs (5); Least Sandpiper (144); Semipalmated Sandpiper (15); BAIRD'S SANDPIPER (3juv minimum); Pectoral Sandpiper (3); Ring-billed Gull (18); Rock Dove (1: not typical here); Mourning Dove (3); Belted Kingfisher (4); Downy Woodpecker (4); Hairy Woodpecker (1); N. Flicker (1); "empid sp" (6: all looked like Leasts); Yellow-bellied Flycatcher (1); E. Phoebe (13); Red-eyed Vireo (3); Blue Jay (41); A. Crow (69); C. Raven (1 getting harassed by the sharpies too); Black-capped Chickadee (70); Tufted Titmouse (8); White-breasted Nuthatch (7); Brown Creeper (2); Hermit Thrush (1); Gray Catbird (11); Cedar Waxwing (12); Scarlet Tanager (3); Chipping Sparrow (11); Song Sparrow (14); Dark-eyed Junco (1); Indigo Bunting (1); Bobolink (6 overhead); C. Grackle (2); A. Goldfinch (15).
BUTTERFLIES: Cabbage White (12); Clouded Sulphur (3); Pearl Crescent (5); C. Ringlet (2); Viceroy (2); Monarch (1). ODES included thousands of meadowhawks, many ovipositing; Slender Spreadwing (10+); Green Darner (sev); E. Pondhawk and Variable Darner. With the low water, fish were concentrated with thosands of minnows and good numbers of Pumpkinseed and Smallmouth Bass. Other verts included Gray Tree Frog (several) and E. Painted Turtle. All in all a beautiful day to be tromping around a local reservoir. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

9/6/02 -- Quabbin Gate 40, Petersham
From Gate 40 to Dana Common and on to Graves Landing, Birds seen included 2 common loons, 1 bald eagle, 2 great blue herons, 14 greater yellowlegs, 18 lesser yellowlegs, 1 semipalmated plover, 11 least sandpipers, 12 killdeer, 4 pileated woodpeckers, 8 red-eyed vireos, 2 black-throated green warblers, 1 pine warbler, 1 blackpoll warbler, 1 ovenbird. (report from Richard Spedding).

9/6/02 -- Institute Park, Worcester
Highlights at noon included 1 Great Blue Heron, 1 Green Heron, 1 Black-crowned Night-Heron (ad), 1 Belted Kingfisher (f), 2 Red-eyed Vireos, and 1 Black-throated Green Warbler. (report from Rick Quimby).

9/6/02 -- Broad Meadow Brook Sanctuary, Worcester
HIghlights this morning: Great Blue Heron (1); Ruby-throated Hummingbird (1); Hairy Woodpecker (2); Eastern Wood-Pewee (1); Least Flycatcher (1); Eastern Phoebe (2); Carolina Wren (2); Gray Catbird (21, including several immatures); Cedar Waxwing (2); Northern Parula (2); Chestnut-sided Warbler (1); Magnolia Warbler (1); Black-and-white Warbler (2); American Redstart (2); Northern Waterthrush (1); Common Yellowthroat (5); Song Sparrow (4); Rose-breasted Grosbeak (3). (report from John Liller).

9/5/02 -- I-290 east, Worcester
At 4:00 p.m. as I was driving east on 290 from Worcester, a Glossy Ibis flew over the highway and headed toward the west side of the AllAmerica building. It was dropping and seemed like it was going to land in that area. (report from Ann Boover).

9/5/02 -- RT.56/Leesville Pond, Worcester
We attempted some nighthawk-watching this evening at the Rt. 56 overlook of Worcester Airport but had ZERO nighthawks in an hour. We did have (6) Turkey Vultures; (1) Merlin; (5 yng Wild Turkeys with 4 adults and an additional 3 adults that flew low across the road almost hitting a zooming car!); and (2) Killdeer.
At LEESVILLE POND/ALL FAITH'S CEMETERY there was a decent array of waterbirds for the city: Pied-billed Grebe (2 imm); Double-crested Cormorant (1); Great Blue Heron (4); Green Heron (1); Black-crowned Night Heron (2 sub-ad); Mute Swan (2); Canada Goose (19); Wood Duck (39); Green-winged Teal (1); American Wigeon (8); Mallard (306); Blue-winged Teal (7 all in eclipse/female-type plumage typical for this time of the year and all together); Belted Kingfisher (1); E. Phoebe (1). (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

9/4/02 -- Sterling Peat, Sterling
Hilites from a quick stop: Pied-billed Grebe 1; C. Nighthawk 58 swarming on the far side of RTE190; Another dozenish Nighthawks in the area of Norton Company in Worcester. (report from Tom Pirro).

9/4/02 -- Mount Wachusett, Princeton
I spent an hour on the summit, 11am to Noon. There was a strong breeze from the west and it was partly sunny. No hawks were seen migrating though there were 2 immature Broad-winged hawks playing tag and drifting to the north. 1 DC Cormorant flew over heading from NW to SE. 12 Dark-eyed Juncos, 6 Eastern Towhees giving their chewink call and 1 Gray Catbird. Later at Leesville Pond, Worcester, There was a pair of Pied-billed Grebes in breeding plumage in between the cemetery and route 290. There were 4 American Wigeons, a Black-crowned Night Heron, and a Great-blue Heron. (report from Brian Mulhearn)

9/3/02 -- June/Chandler St., Worcester
I stopped at June and Chandler Streets at about 6: 00 this evening. I noticed lots of flying ants. I looked up and saw a swirling mass of 200-300 nighthawks in a feeding frenzy. (report from Bart Kamp).

9/3/02 -- Gardner
Hilites from last evening: Great Blue Heron 3; Green heron 1; Great Egret 1; Eastern Kingbird 1; Eastern Phoebe 2; Purple Finch 2 or 3; Scarlet Tanager 1. A good flying ant night with many birds birds activy flycatching including Cedar Waxwings, E. Kingbird, E. Phoebe, Scalet Tanager, White-breated Nuthatch, Purple Finch....no Nighthawks seen last night. The Egret has been in the area for over a week now, though this was my first siighting of it. (report from Tom Pirro).

9/1/02 -- Barre Falls Dam/Rutland SP
Sheila and I ran one of our standard point counts in this parcel of the Ware River Watershed between Rutland State Park and Barre Falls Dam ACE. Starting temp was 46, but it got into the low 60s at one point, then got a lot cooler again. Generally it was cloudy and sometimes downright gloomy in certain areas of forest.
This is always a strange time of the year to do forest birding. Most of the song is kaput (except for some Peewees and a few Red-eyed Vireos) which is how you find most birds in dense mixed forest to begin with. So it's all "spishing and screech-owling". This time of the year is also before the BIG push of fall migration when lots of migrants can be found on the sunny edges of fields first thing in the AM. Warblers, with the exception of staging Pines, were in short supply compared to breeding populations. So, normally during summer when we would find many Ovenbirds, today there was just a very few. There were large movements of chickadees and jays and phoebes. Most warblers and flycatchers were in mixed species flocks with these chickadees. There were long stretches with no birds and then you would finally find a flock.
Double-crested Cormorant (1 bird I took to be migrating suddenly careened out of the sky and landed in the small wooded brook); Great Blue Heron (5); Turkey Vulture (1); Wood Duck (3); Mallard (12); Sharp-shinned Hawk (5: we briefly visited with the hawkwatchers at the lot above the dam and they were at the time having a slow day); Greater Yellowlegs (1: rare in this location: no good flats what so ever. This bird flew over calling); Solitary Sandpiper (1); Ring-billed Gull (1); Mourning Dove (8); Chimney Swift (4: migrants); Ruby-throated Hummingbird (1); Belted Kingfisher (2); Downy Woodpecker (12); Hairy Woodpecker (8); N. Flicker (6); Pileated Woodpecker (2); Olive-sided Flycatcher (3: this species is regular late spring and early fall migrant at this location); E. Wood Peewee (22); "empid sp.": (1:looked like a Least. This has NOT been a great empid fall migration in Worcester County); EASTERN PHOEBE (54: did anyone else find big movements of this species today?); Great Crested Flycatcher (1); Eastern Kingbird (4); Blue-headed Vireo (3: a common breeder in the area); Yellow-throated Vireo (1 still singing); Red-eyed Vireo (37); Blue Jay (67); A. Crow (5); Common Raven (1); Tree Swallow (9); BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE (229); Tufted Titmouse (4); Red-breasted Nuthatch (12); White-breasted Nuthatch (26); House Wren (7); Winter Wren (1 still singing); Hermit Thrush (16); A. Robin (19); Gray Catbird (38); Cedar Waxwing (43); Scarlet Tanager (7); E. Towhee (19); Chipping Sparrow (43); Field Sparrow (2); Song Sparrow (20); Swamp Sparrow (2); White-throated Sparrow (10); Dark-eyed Junco (2); N. Cardinal (1: uncommon in parcel); Rose-breasted Grosbeak (3); Bobolink (7); Baltimore Oriole (1 flock of 5); Purple Finch (7); A. Goldfinch (20).
VERTS included many heard Gray Tree Frogs, as well as Spring Peepers, Green and Bull Frogs. INVERTS included a smatetring of the common butterflies; thousands of meadowhawk species; Praying Mantids. Blooms included the typical later summer/early fall asters; False Dragonhead; Bottle Gentian; Cotton Grass; Purple Gerardia; a stunning display of Cardinal Flower along the brook; and Turtlehead. Huge numbers of bumblebees nectering on the tons of Spotted Joe-Pye Weed. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

For previous sightings, see August 2002 Archives or Archive Index