September 2004 Central Mass Bird Sightings
Sightings are listed in reverse chronological order. The email
address of birders submitting reports, as well as other
Central Massachusetts birding info can be found via the
Central Mass Bird Update homepage.
Bird News:
Bird Sightings:
- 9/30/04 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
- Raptors migrating today:
> -------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
> ------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
> Black Vulture 0 0 0
> Turkey Vulture 0 18 18
> Osprey 1 159 160
> Bald Eagle 0 26 26
> Northern Harrier 0 20 20
> Sharp-shinned Hawk 30 460 460
> Cooper's Hawk 0 26 26
> Northern Goshawk 0 0 0
> Red-shouldered Hawk 0 0 0
> Broad-winged Hawk 2 3555 3557
> Red-tailed Hawk 0 29 29
> Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0
> Golden Eagle 0 0 0
> American Kestrel 7 99 100
> Merlin 0 10 10
> Peregrine Falcon 0 2 2
> Unknown 0 13 13
>
> Total: 40 4417 4421
(report from Bart Kamp).
- 9/29/04 -- Bolton Flats, Bolton
-
Hilites this evening:
Great Blue Heron 3;
Green-winged teal ~20;
Northern Pintail 1 hen;
Wood Duck 100+;
Northern Harrier 2 juv. perched together for a few minutes
and continued to hunt the area;
Wilson's Snipe 4 minimum;
Great Horned Owl 2 or 3 (one perched at the parking lot upon
my exit);
Belted Kingfisher 1;
American Robin 5000+ a crude est.;
Yellow-rumped Warbler ~5;
Red-winged Blackbird 100's;
Common Grackle 100's;
White-throated Sparrow several;
Swamp Sparrow several;
Song Sparrow several;
Indigo Bunting 5-10.
A spectacular sunset with Robins seemingly flying in from the flamming clouds.
(report from Tom Pirro).
- 9/28/04 -- Mount Wachusett Comm. College, Gardner
-
Hilites from a quick walk on the bike path across from the Mount Wachusett
Comm. College in gardner before work today:
Double Crested Cormorant 2;
Gray Catbird 1;
Northern Parula 1;
Black-thr. green Warbler 2;
Pine Warbler 3;
Blackpoll Warbler 1;
Black and White Warbler 1;
(report from Tom Pirro).
- 9/27/04 -- All Faith's Cemetery, Worcester
-
I went for a walk around All Faiths cemetery this evening and saw: 2 Pied billed
Grebes, 2 Black crowned Night-Heron, 3 Great Blue Heron, 10 A. Wigeon, 1 N.
Pintail (f) and 4 Green winged Teal. (report from John Shea).
- 9/27/04 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
- Raptors migrating today:
> -------------------------------------------------------------------
> Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
> ------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
> Osprey 3 158 159
> Bald Eagle 5 26 26
> Northern Harrier 2 20 20
> Sharp-shinned Hawk 27 430 430
> Cooper's Hawk 1 26 26
> Broad-winged Hawk 10 3553 3555
> Red-tailed Hawk 3 29 29
> Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0
> Golden Eagle 0 0 0
> American Kestrel 8 92 93
> Merlin 0 10 10
> Peregrine Falcon 0 2 2
> Unknown 1 13 13
>
> Total: 60 4377 4381
Yesterday (9/26) there were: > Osprey 4 ;
> Northern Harrier 1 ;
> Sharp-shinned Hawk 25 ;
> Broad-winged Hawk 2 ;
> American Kestrel 2 ;
(report from Bart Kamp).
- 9/26/04 -- Little Monadnock Mtn., Fitzwilliam, NH
-
Steve and I
climbed Little Monadnock Mountain located in Rhododendron State Park off
of Rte. 119. As we neared the vista we spotted 5 ravens playing &
talking together. When we went to the summit the ravens continued to
swoop then we saw there were now 6 of them and they were mobbing a
Northern Goshawk. They flew over the summit about 30' up several times,
for great views of the Goshawk. A turkey vulture joined in and then a
second Goshawk appeared a little later. In the woods we saw 2 black and
white warblers, a Tennessee warbler and - a sign of what's to come - 2
juncos.
(report from Kathy & Steve Olson).
- 9/26/04 -- All Faith's Cemetery, Worcester
- There was still one adult
Black-crowned Night-Heron present. Ducks included: two Wood Ducks, one female
Northern Pintail, three female Green-winged Teal, and six American Wigeon. This
is two to three weeks later than the wigeon usually return to this location.
This might have something to do with the poor conditions on their breeding
grounds this year. (report from Fran McMenemy).
- 9/26/04 -- Broad Meadow Brook Sanctuary, Worcester
-
HIghlights this morning during my class trip to
Broad Meadow Brook:
Cooper's Hawk (2-3 - We had 2 at the Visitors' Center first thing in the
morning, then a bird flying over the Green Heron Pond later on. It could
easily have been one of the same birds.);
unidentified accipiter (1 - definitely not one of the two Coopers from
earlier);
Solitary Sandpiper (2 - both along the Brookside Trail);
Red-bellied Woodpecker (1);
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (2);
Hairy Woodpecker (2);
Northern Flicker (3);
Eastern Phoebe (7);
Blue-headed Vireo (1);
Blue Jay (48 - seemed to be a good week for Blue Jays);
Carolina Wren (2);
House Wren (1);
Ruby-crowned Kinglet (1);
American Robin (32);
Gray Catbird (7);
Cedar Waxwing (6);
Nashville Warbler (2);
Northern Parula (3);
Chestnut-sided Warbler (1);
Yellow-rumped Warbler (2);
Black-throated Green Warbler (3);
Palm Warbler (1);
Blackpoll Warbler (8);
Black-and-white Warbler (3);
American Redstart (2);
Common Yellowthroat (4);
Eastern Towhee (4);
Chipping Sparrow (3);
Song Sparrow (6);
Lincoln's Sparrow (1);
White-throated Sparrow (26);
Rose-breasted Grosbeak (2);
(report from John Liller).
- 9/26/04 -- Bolton Flats, Bolton
-
We birded the impoundments of Bolton Flats WMA north of Rt. 117 from before
dawn till 11:30. Though there were good number of Red-wings and fair numbers
of sparrows, the number of warblers and other neotropical migrants (viroes,
thrushes, tanagers); was in fact pretty "middling", especially for the amount
of time and effort we put in. The conditions here are pretty prefect, with a
nice mix of planted and fallow (weedy); fields and new pathways have been
mown through many of the areas. Still, in years past, the place should have
been hopping with Palms and Yellow-rumps, and we only turned up mediocre
numbers and very few other warblers, despite a lot of beating the bushes.
Double-crested Comorant (2 overhead);
Great Blue Heron (2);
Turkey Vulture (6: we flushed four from the ground at the banks of the Still
River off Rt.110. Judging by the putrid smell, theer was something large and
dead there, but we could not find out what);
Canada Goose (90);
Wood Duck (17);
Mallard (8);
Hooded Merganser (1f);
Osprey (1 w/bullhead);
N Harrier (4);
Sharp-shinned Hawk (5, causing havoc among the migrants per usual);
Cooper's Hawk (1);
Broad-winged Hawk (3);
Red-tailed Hawk (6: 3 resident pairs);
Merlin (1);
Virginia Rail (1);
Killdeer (9 overhead);
Wilson's Snipe (7);
E Screech Owl (2);
Belted Kingfisher (2);
Downy Woodpecker (8);
N Flicker (10);
Least Flycatcher (1);
E Phoebe (11);
Blue Jay (96: a slow but steady stream of birds just over the treetops along
the Nashua, heading SW);
A Crow (3);
Black-capped Chickadee (7: low);
Tufted Titmouse (3);
White-breasted Nuthatch (10);
Carolina Wren (1);
House Wren (2);
E Bluebird (3);
A Robin (42);
Gray Catbird (51);
N Mockingbird (2);
Brown Thrasher (2);
A Pipit (6);
Cedar Waxwing (6);
- WARBLERS:
Orange-crowned (1: hopefully a few more in the weeks to come);
Yellow-rumped (13: very low);
Black-throated Green (1);
Palm (6);
Blackpoll (11);
Connecticut (1imm);
C Yellowthroat (32);
Wilson's (1m);
- SPARROWS:
E Towhee (2);
Savannah (58);
Nelson's Sharp-tailed (1: this species is likely yearly here, put it takes a
Herculean effort of "working" the weeds and great patience to turn it up);
Song (70);
Lincoln's (9);
Swamp (102);
White-throated (11);
N Cardinal (2);
Rose-breasted Grosbeak (2);
Indigo Bunting (5);
Dickcissel (2 calling continuously overhead and seen);
Bobolink (19);
Red-winged Blackbird (2047: at dawn we watched a steady stream of young
blackbirds leaving the marshes and flying into the corn and beyond);
Rusty Blackbird (1);
C Grackle (126);
Purple Finch (2);
House Finch (1);
A Goldfinch (46);
PLUS: many Pickerel and Green Frogs, A Toad. Thousands upon thousands of
meadowflys, with 10+ in view at any one time, usually more. Other odes
included a good number of Green Darners, (1); Canada Darner and about 20 E
Pondhawks.
Nota Bene: we were very disturbed to learn from some local residents that
the property on Rt. 110 directly adjacent to and just north of the "Red
Barn" (parking lot for Bolton Flats); had been sold for development, with
plans for a huge series of housing lots to be built right down to the river
and right next to the WMA. For those of you who have enjoyed this area for
years (or decades) this is alarming news. Local residents are planning on
fighting the plans but I am not sure if it's a "done deal" yet. Another case
of sprawl eating up and surrounding the few already saved areas in Central
Massachusetts.
(report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).
- 9/25/04 -- Mount Watatic , Ashburnham
-
Mount Watatic Hawkwatch report:
Osprey 1 ;
Sharp-shinned Hawk 2 ;
Broad-winged Hawk 6 ;
Observations:
the wind was from the wrong direction for any flights.
Also, 22 migrating Blue jays.
1 resident Common raven, and
in the trees at the summit, 6 Dark eyed junco, 3 B+W warblers, 4 Golden
crowned kinglets, 1 RB nut.
(report from Tom Pirro).
- 9/25/04 -- Pulaski SF/Seekonk River, RI
-
We birded two areas in the RI section of the BLACKSTONE NATIONAL CORRIDOR.
- We started at dawn (cool and breezy); covering some of the dirt roads in the
Pulaski/George Washington Forest tract, Burrillville/Glocester. It was slow
going and only a very modest amount of migrants were moving through:
Hairy Woodpecker (2);
Downy Woodpecker (6);
N Flicker (9);
E Phoebe (13);
Blue Jay (34);
Black-capped Chickadee (82);
Tufted Titmouse (18);
Red-breasted Nuthatch (3);
White-breasted Nuthatch (26);
Brown Creeper (2);
Ruby-crowend Kinglet (6);
Golden-crowend Kinglet (14);
Hermit Thrush (3);
A Robin (9);
Blue-headed Vireo (4);
Red-eyed Vireo (3);
WARBLERS:
N Parula (4);
Ornage-crowned (1);
Nashville (1);
Magnolia (1);
Yellow-rumped (26);
Black-throated Green (11);
Palm (5);
Pine (4);
Black and White (10);
Blackpoll (17);
C Yellowthroat (4);
Scarlet Tanger (3);
N Cardinal (4);
E Towhee (8);
Chipping Sparrow (11);
Field Sparrow (2);
White-throated Sparrow (9);
Dark-eyed Junco (9);
A Goldfinch (4);
Baltimore Oriole (1);
ALSO: River Otter and many fungi, with Puffballs being very common and lots
of Indian Pipe.
- We then conducted our twice monthy point count of the Seekonk River between
Providence abd East Providence from Bold Pt to the Pawtucket line. It was
low tide and bait fish were far up the river and there was quite a feeding
frenzy going on.
Double-crested Cormorant (343);
Great Blue Heron (19);
Great Egret (1);
Black-crowned Night Heron (2imm+1ad);
Mute Swan (30);
Mallard (248);
A Black Duck (29);
Hooded Merganser (1f);
Turkey Vulture (5);
Osprey (1);
Red-tailed Hawk (2);
Greater Yelowlegs (6);
Spotted Sandpiper (1);
Semipalmated Sandpiper (16);
White-rumped Sandpiper (3);
Laughing Gull (64: almost all juvs);
Ring-billed Gull (863);
Herring Gull (137);
Great Black-backed Gull (46);
N Rough-winged Swallow (4);
Tree Swallow (1);
(report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).
- 9/24/04 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
- Raptors migrating today:
> Osprey 3 ;
> Bald Eagle 2 ;
> Sharp-shinned Hawk 36 ;
> Cooper's Hawk 3 ;
> Broad-winged Hawk 122 ;
> Red-tailed Hawk 2 ;
> American Kestrel 5 ;
> Peregrine Falcon 1 ;
> Observations:
Most of the Broadwings were seen between 10 and 11 EDT.
>
> Also, a kettle of 11 Ravens.
(report from Bart Kamp).
- 9/23/04 -- Mount Watatic , Ashburnham
-
Mount Watatic Hawkwatch report:
Osprey 10 ;
Sharp-shinned Hawk 9 ;
Broad-winged Hawk 30 ;
American Kestrel 2 ;
(report from Tom Pirro).
- 9/23/04 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
- Raptors migrating today:
> Osprey 4 ;
> Bald Eagle 1 ;
> Northern Harrier 1 ;
> Sharp-shinned Hawk 34 ;
> Broad-winged Hawk 36 ;
> Red-tailed Hawk 2 ;
> American Kestrel 4 ;
> Peregrine Falcon 1 ;
> Observations:
>
>
> 1 Chimney Swift and 93 Canada Geese. 2 Monarch Butterflies.
(report from Bart Kamp).
- 9/22/04 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
- Raptors migrating today:
> Osprey 6 ;
> Bald Eagle 1 ;
> Northern Harrier 2 ;
> Sharp-shinned Hawk 46 ;
> Broad-winged Hawk 146 ;
> American Kestrel 10 ;
(report from Bart Kamp).
- 9/21/04 -- Winimusset WMA, New Braintree
-
A very brief mid-day stop at Winimusset turned up
highlights of Lesser Yellowlegs (1), Savannah Sparrow
(6), Lincoln's Sparrow (1), and a nice flight of 6+
New England Buck Moths. (report from Chris Buelow)
- 9/21/04 -- Mount Watatic , Ashburnham
-
Mount Watatic Hawkwatch report:
Osprey 26 ;
Northern Harrier 2 ;
Sharp-shinned Hawk 14 ;
Cooper's Hawk 2 ;
Broad-winged Hawk 120 ;
American Kestrel 12 ;
Official Counter: Tim Morwy
Tom Mcullough called Tom Pirro and stated at his hawk watch site in ALNA
Maine today from 11am until 2pm they saw 2061 migrating BW hawks
and 80 SS hawks, mainly a mid day flight.
(report from Dan Furbish).
- 9/21/04 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
- Raptors migrating today:
> Turkey Vulture 2 ;
> Osprey 24 ;
> Bald Eagle 7 ;
> Northern Harrier 2 ;
> Sharp-shinned Hawk 53 ;
> Broad-winged Hawk 1094 ;
> American Kestrel 20 ;
> Observations:
Large and small waves of Broadwings between 1:00 and 4:00 EDT under dark
cloudy skies. The 7 Bald Eagles were a daily high for the site.
(report from Bart Kamp).
- 9/20/04 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
- Raptors migrating today:
> Osprey 5 ;
> Sharp-shinned Hawk 18 ;
> Cooper's Hawk 1 ;
> Broad-winged Hawk 63 ;
> Red-tailed Hawk 3 ;
> American Kestrel 7 ;
> Merlin 1 ;
> Observations:
> Most of the raptors were seen between 1:00 and 3:00 EDT.
>
>Also, 6 Canada Geese. An American Pipit landed on the wooden railing that
> surrounds the site.
(report from Bart Kamp).
- 9/19/04 -- Bolton Flats Trip
- The Forbush Bird Club held a trip to Bolton
Flats, which was led by Eric Salmela with 8 members attending.
Highlights among 35 species were a Solitary
Sandpiper, Ruby-throated Hummingbirds and a Lincoln's Sparrow.
Complete trip report here. (report from Joan Zumpfe).
- 9/19/04 -- Mount Watatic , Ashburnham
-
Mount Watatic Hawkwatch:
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture 0 0 0
Turkey Vulture 0 0 0
Osprey 5 102 102
Bald Eagle 1 13 13
Northern Harrier 1 12 12
Sharp-shinned Hawk 55 315 315
Cooper's Hawk 4 26 26
Northern Goshawk 0 0 0
Red-shouldered Hawk 0 0 0
Broad-winged Hawk 286 5149 5149
Red-tailed Hawk 0 2 2
Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0
Golden Eagle 0 0 0
American Kestrel 1 59 59
Merlin 0 9 9
Peregrine Falcon 0 0 0
Unknown 4 10 10
Total: 357 5697 5697
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Observations:
a foot note: Tom Pirro mentioned that Tom Mc Cullough called and said that at his watchlocation in ALMA , Maine they had 1300 raptors today
with 1263 of them being BW hawks- so they're still coming....
(report from Dan Furbish).
- 9/19/04 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
- Raptors migrating today:
> Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
> ------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
> Black Vulture 0 0 0
> Turkey Vulture 2 16 16
> Osprey 12 109 110
> Bald Eagle 1 10 10
> Northern Harrier 3 12 12
> Sharp-shinned Hawk 46 191 191
> Cooper's Hawk 3 21 21
> Northern Goshawk 0 0 0
> Red-shouldered Hawk 0 0 0
> Broad-winged Hawk 330 2080 2082
> Red-tailed Hawk 0 19 19
> Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0
> Golden Eagle 0 0 0
> American Kestrel 3 36 37
> Merlin 1 9 9
> Peregrine Falcon 0 0 0
> Unknown 2 8 8
>
> Total: 403 2511 2515
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Observations:
Birds passed very quickly. Very little soaring.
>
> Also, 25 Canada Geese and 5 Monarch Butterflies were migrating.
(report from Bart Kamp).
- 9/19/04 -- Belchertown/New Braintree/Worcester
-
Returning to Central MA from the southern Berkshires, we first stopped by
South Quabbin. Other than 4 cormorants and a reservoir whipped up to white
caps with the high wind, the only other bird of note was a Great Egret in
the small pond on Rt. 9.
At Winimusset Meadows WMA in New Braintree:
Pied-billed Grebe (3);
Hooded Merganser (2 imm);
Turkey Vulture (8);
Red-tailed Hawk (1);
E Phoebe (1);
At 3:30PM, while driving through ZTatnuck Square we had a kettle of 38
Broad-winged Hawks relatively low.
(report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).
- 9/18/04 -- Wachuset Reservoir, Clinton
-
As soon as the rain ended we headed out to the reservoir to see if anything
"dropped in". Short answer: no. We did have:
Common Loon (8);
Double-crested Cormorant (21);
Great Blue Heron (1);
Canada Goose (52: Clinton HS);
Osprey (1);
Killdeer (45: Clinton HS);
Belted Kingfisher (1);
(report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).
- 9/16/04 -- Mount Watatic , Ashburnham
- Raptors migrating today:
Osprey 5 ;
Sharp-shinned Hawk 20 ;
Broad-winged Hawk 6 ;
American Kestrel 1 ;
Observations:
a poor flight today.
Also,
33 Wild turkeys seen from the summit in the fields below, 1 Chimney swift,
3 American pipits at the summit.
Great looks at a resident juv Northern goshawk.
(report from Dan Furbish).
- 9/15/04 -- Mount Watatic , Asby
-
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture 0 0 0
Turkey Vulture 0 0 0
Osprey 18 92 92
Bald Eagle 0 12 12
Northern Harrier 5 11 11
Sharp-shinned Hawk 30 240 240
Cooper's Hawk 4 22 22
Northern Goshawk 0 0 0
Red-shouldered Hawk 0 0 0
Broad-winged Hawk 7 4857 4857
Red-tailed Hawk 0 2 2
Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0
Golden Eagle 0 0 0
American Kestrel 12 57 57
Merlin 0 9 9
Peregrine Falcon 0 0 0
Unknown 0 6 6
Total: 76 5308 5308
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Also:
1 American pipit, 2 Black poll warblers, 1 migrating common loon, 2 Ruby
throated hummingbirds, great looks at a juv Northern Goshawk overhead
deemed not migrating.10 to 14 Common raven/residents.
(report from Dan Furbish).
- 9/15/04 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
- Raptors migrating today:
> -------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
> ------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
> Black Vulture 0 0 0
> Turkey Vulture 0 14 14
> Osprey 7 97 98
> Bald Eagle 0 9 9
> Northern Harrier 1 9 9
> Sharp-shinned Hawk 15 145 145
> Cooper's Hawk 1 18 18
> Northern Goshawk 0 0 0
> Red-shouldered Hawk 0 0 0
> Broad-winged Hawk 2 1750 1752
> Red-tailed Hawk 1 19 19
> Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0
> Golden Eagle 0 0 0
> American Kestrel 4 33 34
> Merlin 2 8 8
> Peregrine Falcon 0 0 0
> Unknown 0 6 6
>
> Total: 33 2108 2112
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Also: 1 RT Hummingbird.
(report from Bart Kamp).
- 9/14/04 -- Mount Watatic , Ashburnham
-
Osprey 19 ;
Bald Eagle 3 ;
Northern Harrier 3 ;
Sharp-shinned Hawk 51 ;
Cooper's Hawk 6 ;
Broad-winged Hawk 1816 ;
Red-tailed Hawk 1 ;
American Kestrel 23 ;
Merlin 4 .
>Observations:
360 hawks from 5:30 AM until 9 AM, 92% of the total raptors flew by before
10 AM. (report from Tom Pirro).
- 9/14/04 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
- Raptors migrating today:
> Turkey Vulture 1 ;
> Osprey 16 ;
> Northern Harrier 1 ;
> Sharp-shinned Hawk 25 ;
> Cooper's Hawk 2 ;
> Broad-winged Hawk 250 ;
> Red-tailed Hawk 1 ;
> American Kestrel 10 ;
> Merlin 3 ;
>
> Observations:
Nearly half the birds passed between 9 and 10 EDT; after that a trickle.
>
> Canada Geese 25, Monarch butterfly 1.
(report from Bart Kamp).
- 9/14/04 -- Moose Brook Valley, Hardwick
-
An evening walk in the pastures of Brook Road turned
up Belted kingfisher(1), Eastern Phoebe (11),
Ruby-crowned Kinglet(2), Northern Parula(3),
Black-throated Green Warbler(1), Blackpoll Warbler(1),
Nashville Warbler(1), American Redstart(1), Eastern
Towhee(1) and Indigo Bunting(1). (report from Chris Buelow)
- 9/14/04 -- Sylvester St., Leicester
-
A very quick before work "at dawn" walk down this dirt road had at least one
good flock of migrants. Unfortunately, because of the habitat (tall mixed
forest, narrow dirt road);, we missed about half the birds.
Great Blue Heron (1);
Canada Goose (6);
Greater Yellowlegs (1);
Red-tailed Hawk (1: airport);
A Kestrel (1: airport);
Merlin (1: airport);
Downy Woodpecker (2);
Pileated Woodpecker (1);
E Phoebe (1);
Black-capped Chickadee (19);
Tufted Titmouse (3);
White-breasted Nuthatch (5);
Red-breasted Nuthatch (5);
Brown Creeper (2);
Gray Catbird (5);
Red-eyed Vireo (2);
WARBLERS:
N Parula (5);
Black-throated Green (1);
Pine (8);
Blackpoll (3);
A Redstart (3);
Connecticut (1imm);
C Yellowthroat (5);
Song Sparrow (8);
Plus: 1 recently killed Short-tailed Shrew.
(report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).
- 9/13/04 -- Mount Watatic , Ashburnham
- Rapors migrating today:
Osprey 20 ;
Bald Eagle 3 ;
Northern Harrier 1 ;
Sharp-shinned Hawk 101;
Cooper's Hawk 6 ;
Broad-winged Hawk 1908 ;
Red-tailed Hawk 1 ;
American Kestrel 12 ;
Merlin 3.
Observations:
A substantial amount of raptors, approx 60% were seen after 3PM, 660 hawks
went by the hill after 5PM and hawks were still in the air at 5:45 PM.
(report from Dan Furbish).
- 9/13/04 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
- Raptors migrating today:
> Turkey Vulture 6 ;
> Osprey 23 ;
> Bald Eagle 3 ;
> Northern Harrier 2 ;
> Sharp-shinned Hawk 26 ;
> Cooper's Hawk 2 ;
> Broad-winged Hawk 1201 ;
> Red-tailed Hawk 8 ;
> American Kestrel 9 ;
> Merlin 3 ;
>
> Observations:
No hawks until 10:00 AM EDT. A steady flow of hawks all day. There were 2
groups of 200 Broadwings and the best formed kettle of the day occurred at
5:45 PM EDT with 97 Broadwings directly overhead!! 2 Northern Goshawks and
3 Red-shouldered Hawks were seen but were not migrating.
>
> The day started with day hawks and ended with 4 Common Nighthawks. There
were 7 Monarch Butterflies
(report from Bart Kamp).
- 9/12/04 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
- Raptors migrating today:
> Osprey 12 ;
> Bald Eagle 1 ;
> Northern Harrier 1 ;
> Sharp-shinned Hawk 13 ;
> Cooper's Hawk 2 ;
> Broad-winged Hawk 22 ;
> Red-tailed Hawk 1 ;
> American Kestrel 1 ;
Also,
> 4 migrating Ruby-throated Hummingbirds.
(report from Bart Kamp).
- 9/12/04 -- Ware River Watershed IBA
- We followed the same route as last week, making the same stops (the ones we
do during our BBS route);. What a difference a week makes! Migrant species
numbers and variety were down, though a few new species were noted. Overall,
warbler numbers were low. Unlike last week, the greatest number of warblers
were seen feeding early in the morning, especially along the edges of fields
in dense thickets of alders and birch. At Broad Meadow Brook we have noticed
in years past, that in the fall, many alders develop huge infestations of
aphids, and this is what these migrants were feeding on. As is typical of
clear, cool fall mornings in dense forested situations in the interior: it's
best to head at dawn for some open area bordered by these alders/birches
that the sun is first hitting. The show is mostly over by 8 or 9 and we saw
80% of our birds in that time though we continued till the early afternoon.
As with all forest biridng in the fall, there are long stretches with no
birds. This is more than compensated for by the pleasure of watching mixed
species flocks move through the forest. We had time to spend only a few
minutes with the dedicated hawkwatchers at Barre Falls Dam, so our hawk
numbers are extremely meager. Temps: 46-72 degrees.
Great Blue Heron (8);
Turkey Vulture (7);
Wood Duck (10: all in pairs);
Mallard (4);
Osprey (1);
Bald Eagle (1imm);
Sharp-shinned Hawk (2: we watched 1 imm dash madly about in the forest after
chickadees and nuthatchs right in front of us, unfazed by our presence. It
was totally unsuccessful);
Broad-winged Hawk (1);
Red-tailed Hawk (1);
Ruffed Grouse (3);
Solitary Sandpiper (1);
Least Sandpiper (2);
Ruby-throated Hummingbird (1);
Belted Kingfisher (1);
Downy Woodpecker (9);
Hairy Woodpecker (6);
N Flicker (4);
Pileated Woodpecker (4);
Olive-sided Flycatcher (1 bird we watched for 15 minutes and photographed.
Note: no Peewees!);
E Phoebe (24);
Yellow-throated Vireo (4: typically 0-2 birds are found during the breeding
season);
Blue-headed Vireo (16: some doing funky versions of their song);
Red-eyed Vireo (17);
Blue Jay (68);
A Crow (7);
Barn Swallow (1 overhead);
Black-capped Chickadee (195: smaller flocks than last week);
Tufted Titmouse (8);
Red-breasted Nuthatch (12: no big flight, so far);
White-breasted Nuthatch (35);
Brown Creeper (31: unusually high numbers);
House Wren (3);
Golden-crowned Kinglet (2);
Swainson's Thrush (1);
Hermit Thrush (6);
A Robin (59);
Gray Catbird (42);
E Starling (20 on periphery);
Cedar Waxwing (4);
WARBLERS:
Orange-crowned (1);
Nashville (2);
N Parula (3);
Chestnut-sided (1);
Magnolia (4);
Black-throated Blue (1f);
Yellow-rumped (16);
Black-throated Green (39);
Pine (73);
Blackpoll (4);
Black and White (2);
A Redstart (2);
Connecticut Warbler (2imm);
C Yellowthroat (11: a few males still doing thier display call/flight);
Scarlet Tanager (3);
E Towhee (6);
Chipping Sparrow (8);
Song Sparrow (4);
Swamp Sparrow (8);
White-throated Sparrow (1: for the most part, still no major movements of
sparrows in the interior);
N Cardinal (1m);
Bobolink (10 overhead at dawn);
Purple Finch (1);
A Goldfinch (12);
PLUS: VERTS: Raccoon (1);; River Otter (2);; and the usual gogolplex smacking
chipmunks; Gray Tree Frog; Pickerel Frog; Green Frog; Red-spotted Newt;
Ribbon Snake; E Painted Turtle; Bridled Shiner (we spent some time trying to
get photos of this decreasing state species);; Grass Pickerel; Pumpkinseed.
Few butterflies (and those were typical); but loads of odes including
thousands of meadowflys and many Darners including Lance-tipped, Canada,
Green, and what looked like a Sweet-flag Spreadwing. Closed (Bottle); Gentian
still putting on a good show and interesting fungi everywhere.
Nice day to be out tromping around field and forest!
(report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).
- 9/12/04 -- Mount Watatic , Ashburnham
- Rapors migrating today:
Osprey 13 ;
Bald Eagle 3 ;
Northern Harrier 1 ;
Sharp-shinned Hawk 16 ;
Cooper's Hawk 2 ;
Broad-winged Hawk 90 ;
American Kestrel 6 ;
Merlin 1 ;
Also, 2 Ruby throated Hummingbirds,
1 Monarch butterfly
(report from Dan Furbish ).
- 9/11/04 -- Blackstone Corridor: RI section
-
- At dawn at BUCK HILL WMA/BURRILLVILLE: we only hiked to the pond and then
back out (see below);:
Least Sandpiper (2: at pond);
E Wood Peewee (4: some still calling);
"empid sp." (1: appeared to be Least);
E Phoebe (7);
Great Crested Flycatcher (1 still calling);
Barn Swallow (1);
House Wren (2);
Golden-crowned Kinglet (1);
Blue-headed Vireo (1);
Yellow-throated Vireo (2: both still singing);
Philadelphia Vireo (1);
Red-eyed Vireo (10);
Warblers:
Tennessee (1);
Magnolia (1);
Black-throated Green (3);
Pine (2);
Blackpoll (16);
Ovenbird (1);
Connecticut (1imm);
Scarlet Tanager (1);
Bobolink (1 overhead);
Nota bene: there were two rapidly moving (S); flocks of passerines at the
pond. These were moving through the trees so fast, we missed at least 50% of
the birds. On the way out, we bumped into a hunter coming in with a
shotgun/rifle, so beware.
- WOONSOCKET RESERVOIR, SMITHFIELD:
Double-crested Cormorant (6);
Canada Goose (2);
Green-winged Teal (4);
A Black Duck (1);
Killdeer (21);
Least Sandpiper (4);
CASPIAN TERN (1 perched on one of the sandbars. It stayed the entire time we
were there, preening occ.);
Belted Kingfisher (1);
- SEEKONK RIVER: Providence/East Providence. We conducted one of our point
counts at low tide. Large numbers of gulls were far up-river despite
numerous skullers and dragon boats in Pawtucket.
Double-crested Cormorant (132);
Great Egret (7);
Great Blue Heron (6);
Snowy Egret (2);
Black-crowend Night Heron (14 ad/sub ad+7imm);
Mute Swan (32);
Mallard (289);
A Black Duck (6);
Hooded Merganser (1imm);
Osprey (2);
Sharp-shinned Hawk (1);
Red-tailed Hawk (1);
Semipalmated Plover (5);
Greater Yellowlegs (1);
Semipalmated Sandpiper (67);
Laughing Gull (76);
Ring-billed Gull (1196);
Herring Gull (182);
Great Black-backed Gull (43);
Common Tern (3);
Forster's Tern (13: all up near Pawtucket end, feeding, calling and often
getting kleptoparasitized by Ring-billeds);
Belted Kingfisher (1);
Tree Swallow (30+);
N Rough-winged Swallow (10+);
(report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).
- 9/11/04 -- RT. 56 overlook, Leicester
-
This evening we went to the traditional spot. Looking down on the Worcester airport runway we
saw the usual crowd of killdeer, some yellowlegs and other shorebirds that
looked interesting. Driving down to Mulberry Street, as we walked up the
small rise to overlook the runway, we were stopped by some Reservoir Police,
who know us, and were told that because it was "9-11" the airport people
wanted NO ONE even looking at the runways.... at least that day. The
Reservoir Police were very nice and knew exactly what we were doing, but had
to follow orders. So we left. What we saw in the brief time we were there:
Merlin (1);
Wild Turkey (10);
Killdeer (14);
Greater Yellowlegs (2);
Lesser Yellowlegs (1);
(report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll)>
- 9/11/04 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
- Raptors migrating today:
> Osprey 9 ;
Northern Harrier 1 ;
> Sharp-shinned Hawk 21 ;
> Cooper's Hawk 6 ;
Broad-winged Hawk 222 ;
> Red-tailed Hawk 1 ;
American Kestrel 2 ;
> Observations:
> The 3 largest kettles contained 57, 44 and 25 Broadwings.
> More than half of the Broadwings were seen between 11 and 12 EDT.
>
> Migrating were 1 Double-crested Cormorant, 1 Common Nighthawk and 2
Monarch
Butterflies.
(report from Bart Kamp).
- 9/11/04 -- Mount Watatic , Ashburnham
-
Raptors migrating today:
Osprey 22 ;
Bald Eagle 3 ;
Northern Harrier 1 ;
Sharp-shinned Hawk 42 ;
Cooper's Hawk 4 ;
Broad-winged Hawk 1036 ;
American Kestrel 4 ;
Merlin 1 ;
(report from Tom Pirro).
- 9/10/04 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
- Raptors migrating today:
Osprey 4 ;
Sharp-shinned Hawk 9 ;
Broad-winged Hawk 22 ;
(report from Bart Kamp).
- 9/8/04 -- Sterling Peat, Sterling
-
About 3:15 pm, a Rough-legged hawk perched in the dead maple or
oak tree next to the dead pine tree in the bog. It stayed there for about
twenty minutes. Without a scope unable to determine age or sex. It was definely
a light morph. Probably an adult but hard to say. Head to chest and belly to
legs mostly white. Legs were white. Spend 10 minutes preening talons. Upper
body was brown. A stripe of brown was around the eyes. When it finally flew,
wingspan was about four feet. On the left wing, the five-finger tethering was
visible. The bird circled the Peat and then headed in a southwest direction
towards Wachusett Reservior. Afterwards, I spotted a Northern Goshawk flying low
over the Thomas Street intersection and Rte. 140. (Report from Steve Olson).
- 9/8/04 -- Lake Wompanoag, Gardner
-
The following hilites from the Lake Wompanoag area this morning before work:
Common Loon 2 (1 adult/ 1 young);
Hermit Thush 1;
Red-breatsed Nuthatch 3;
Red-eyed Vireo 2;
Warbling Vireo 1;
Blue-headed Vireo 1;
Yellow-rumped Warbler 3;
Northern Parula 2;
Black-throated Green Warbler 2;
Black and White Warbler 3;
American Redstart 3;
Blackburnian Warbler 1;
Common Yellowthroat 3;
Evening Grosbeak 2 minimum.
Last evening 21 Common Night Hawks were seen feeding and slowly meandering
North East in the Gardner area.
(report from Tom Pirro).
- 9/8/04 -- Barrows Rd., Worcester
-
I awoke this morning at 5:45 to my first Worcester Co. Whip-poor-will. My
wife said it had been calling for about five minutes and seemed to have
been travelling at the edge of the woods behind us from ENE in a roughly
southerly direction. Needless to say, I did not get to see the bird, but
it surely did sound nice just before first light. (report from Howard
Shainheit).
- 9/7/04 -- Auburn
- Bird banding has started again in Auburn.
We will be there Saturday and Sundays while the migration lasts, weather
permitting. Not very much in the way of warbler movement yet, a few
Redstarts, Common Yellow Throats, a Chestnut Sided, a couple Northern Water
thrush, and a lot of Catbirds. We did catch and band a Scarlet Tanager
which is unusual for us and a Great Horned Owl almost destroyed one of our
nets and scared the volunteers opening nets at 5:30 a.m. Labor Day. The
most exciting sighting involved the Master Bander, Mark Blazis. September
4, Mark worked quite a few areas on the coast looking for Rails. In the
Bill Forward Wildlife Management Area, Rowley, Massachusetts, Mark, with the
help of his bird dog Brie, was able to flush and get a good look at the
elusive Yellow Rail. This was a bird Mark has never seen before. Needless
to say, he was very excited.(report from Colleen Morin).
- 9/7/04 -- Broad Meadow Brook Sanctuary, Worcester
-
I had one nighthawk flying north over the Visitors' Center tonight while waiting for my class. (report from John Liller).
- 9/6/04 -- Leesville Pond, Worcester
- Today there were 1 N. Pintail{f}, 1 A. Widgeon and 1 Pied- billed Grebe at the
pond. (report from John Shea).
- 9/6/04 -- RT.56 overlook, Leicester
-
We watched nighthawks from 5:15 to 7PM tonite, joined by Fran McMenemy.
Temps were in the 60s, light wind from the SW. Very few nighthawks tonite:
(total:12), eventually moving south in widely separated small groups far
out. Is the show over for the year? Other birds seen:
Double-crested Cormorant (3);
Turkey Vulture (3);
N Harrier (2, including that same sub-ad M that has been here for weeks);
Sharp-shinned Hawk (1);
Cooper's Hawk (1);
Broad-winged Hawk (2 watched coming in to roost in the trees);
Red-tailed Hawk (1);
A Kestrel (2);
Killdeer (20 on runway);
Chimney Swift (1);
Tree Swallow (3);
Barn Swallow (16);
E Meadowlark (6).
(report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).
- 9/6/04 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
-
Migrant raptors today:
> Turkey Vulture 1 ;
> Osprey 9 ;
> Sharp-shinned Hawk 19 ;
> Cooper's Hawk 4 ;
> Broad-winged Hawk 15 ;
> Red-tailed Hawk 3 ;
> American Kestrel 2 .
Also, 8 Ruby-throated Hummingbirds. (report from Bart Kamp).
- 9/6/04 -- Gate 40, Quabbin Reservoir
- Petersham Road Parking Lot to Graves Landing,
4:00 A.M. - 2:30 P.M.
Surprisingly comfortable weather conditions
characterized a day of sporadic activity highlighted
by a slightly above average tally of raptors. A
Great Horned Owl hooted sleepily as my car coasted to
a halt in the parking lot. The weedy tangles bordering
Petersham Road leading to Dana Common reluctantly
yielded pockets of passerines foraging in the warming
rays of the sun. In this particular habitat type,
Black-throated Green and Pine Warblers foraged the
most actively and in the greatest numbers. Two
Sharp-shinned Hawks scrutinized the endless stands of
Canada Goldenrod and Spotted Joe-Pye-Weed. They
succeeded in stirring up several Song Sparrows, but
gained no sustenance from their efforts. The
glass-smooth surface of Pottapaug Pond produced one
Great Blue Heron, with two immature Bald Eagles
lumbering aloft at my insufficiently stealthy
approach.
A lone marauding Peregrine Falcon neatly cleaved a
quartet of Rock Pigeons in half, making one ivory-hued
bird disappear in a burst of savaged feathers over
Leveau Island. Terrified, its three remaining
companions sprinted madly in opposite directions. A
Coopers's Hawk sprinted from its perch along the
southern shore of Stevens Island, gliding deftly over
my head into the forested depths of Rattlesnake Hill,
scattering a multitude of Black-throated Green
Warblers and Black-capped Chickadees from the
surrounding shrubs and Red Pines. Peering downward at
the water's edge from the interior of my blind, four
Greater Yellowlegs also erupted into flight. The
penetrating GONK! of a pair of Northern Ravens and the
plaintive mewling of several Gray Catbirds accompanied
me on my return to my vehicle.
Species counts:
American Goldfinch 13
;American Redstart 7
;American Robin 27
;Bald Eagle 3
;Barn Swallow 15
;Belted Kingfisher 1
;Black-and-white Warbler 2
;Blackburnian Warbler 1
;Black-capped Chickadee 13
;Black-throated Blue Warbler 1
;Black-throated Green Warbler 14
;Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 2
;Blue-headed Vireo 1
;Blue-winged Warbler 1
;Broad-winged Hawk 2
;Cedar Waxwing 12
;Chestnut-sided Warbler 3
;Chimney Swift 5
;Chipping Sparrow 17
;Common Flicker 6
;Common Grackle 16
;Common Yellowthroat 5
;Cooper's Hawk 1
;Double-crested Cormorant 5
;Downy Woodpecker 4
;Eastern Kingbird 4
;Eastern Wood Pewee 3
;Gray Catbird 7
;Great Blue Heron 3
;Great Horned Owl 1
;Greater Yellowlegs 4
;Killdeer 3
;Least Flycatcher 1
;Mallard 5
;Northern Cardinal 2
;Northern Raven 2
;Osprey 2
;Peregrine Falcon 1
;Pileated Woodpecker 3
;Pine Warbler 11
;Red-eyed Vireo 2
;Red-tailed Hawk 3
;Ring-billed Gull 3
;Rock Pigeon 14
;Rose-breasted Grosbeak 1
;Scarlet Tanager 4
;Sharp-shinned Hawk 3
;Spotted Sandpiper 4
;Tree Swallow 14
;Tufted Titmouse 7
;Turkey Vulture 15
;White-breasted Nuthatch 6
;Yellow-rumped Warbler 2.
(report from Chris Ellison).
- 9/5/04 -- Grafton Conservation Lands, Grafton
-
Kim Kastler and I recorded the following highlights in the Grafton Conservation Lands
off of Merriam Rd. in Grafton this morning:
Hairy Woodpecker (1);
Northern Flicker (1);
Red-eyed Vireo (1);
House Wren (1);
Wood Thrush (1);
American Robin (1);
Gray Catbird (8);
Chestnut-sided Warbler (1);
Black-and-white Warbler (1);
American Redstart (7);
Northern Waterthrush (1);
Common Yellowthroat (1);
Eastern Towhee (1);
Song Sparrow (1);
Rose-breasted Grosbeak (3);
Also: Fisher (1);
(report from John Liller).
- 9/5/04 -- Ware River Watershed IBA, Barre/Rutland
-
We spent the morning running one of our standard counts of a section of the
Ware River Watershed IBA. This is the area described by me in the Western
Guide, an area managed by the MDC. Weather was not great: cool (high 50s-low
60s);, breezy, overcast (often dark);. We spent about 15 minutes with the
stalwart Barre Falls Dam hawk-watchers, but had to press on to complete our
survey route. SURPRSINGLY (because of the weather); there were good numbers
of passerine migrants, typically in the presence of large flocks of
chickadees, nuthatches et. We found that whenever we stopped when we heard
chickadee call notes and then spished and screech-owled for a bit, mixed
species flocks would appear. Species were a combination of breeding species
(either here or nearby); with a sprinkling of non-breeding migrants. Pine
Warblers were very much in "staging for migration" mode. At one point we had
a "flock" of 20 Scarlet Tangers with a large flock of Pine Warblers. Sparrow
numbers were low and we saw NO blackbirds what so ever.
Great Blue Heron (5);
Turkey Vulture (3);
Wood Duck (3);
A Black Duck (2);
Osprey (2 migrants);
Bald Eagle (2 1st yr birds, migrating);
Sharp-shinned Hawk (2);
Broad-winged Hawk (4 migrants);
Red-tailed Hawk (2);
Ruffed Grouse (1adF w/6 birds of the year);
Spotted Sandpiper (1);
Ring-billed Gull (flock of 36 passing hawkwatch spot);
Herring Gull (1ad passing hawkwatch spot);
Chimney Swift(1);
Ruby-throated Hummingbird (2);
Red-bellied Woodpecker (1);
Downy Woodpecker (5);
Hairy Woodpecker (6);
N Flaicker (5);
E Wood Peewee (7: one of the very few birds still singing);
Least Flycatcher (1);
E Phoebe (43);
WHITE-EYED VIREO (1 bird studied for 10 minutes. WE Vireos are rare anytime
in Worcester County. Up till today, I had only seen 2 previous birds. Almost
all records are for spring);
Yellow-throated Vireo (1);
Blue-headed Vireo (4);
Philadelphia Vireo (1);
Red-eyed Vireo (31);
Blue Jay (54);
Common Raven (1);
Black-capped Chickadee (262);
Tufted Titmouse (17);
Red-breasted Nuthatch (29);
White-breasted Nuthatch (33);
Brown Creeper (8);
House Wren (5);
Golden-crowned Kinglet (1);
Ruby-crowned Kinglet (1);
Hermit Thrush (13);
Wood Thrush (1);
A Robin (21);
Gray Catbird (27);
Brown Thrasher (1);
E Starling (flock of 19);
Cedar Waxwing (21);
WARBLERS:
Nashville (5);
N Parula (3);
Yellow (1);
Chestnut-sided (11);
Magnolia (10);
Cape May (1adF);
Black-throated Blue (6);
Yellow-rumped (21);
Black-throated Green (28);
Blackburnian (4);
Pine (83);
Prairie (1);
Bay-breasted (2);
Black and White (22);
A Redstart (29);
Ovenbird (6);
Northern Waterthrush (2);
C Yellowthroat (36);
Scarlet Tanager (31);
E Towhee (14);
Chipping Sparrow (30);
Song Sparrow (9);
Swamp Sparrow (1);
N Cardinal (6);
A Goldfinch (6);
PLUS:
VERTS: Green Frog, Short-tailed Shrew, Short-tailed Weasel, the ever-present
Beaver, E Chipmunk and Red Squirrel. We found some "spoor du moose". We also
got to study the Bridle Shiners in their small pool, which is now in danger
of drying up due to beaver activity. We saw NO leps, but odes were
everywhere, mostly meadowflys, Green Darners and other darner species.
Wildflowers besides the common asters and goldenrods of early fall included
an incredible display of Closed or Bottle Gentian, lots of Cardinal Flower
and Turtlehead.
(report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).
- 9/5/04 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
-
Migrant raptors today:
> Turkey Vulture 6 ;
> Osprey 11 ;
> Bald Eagle 2 ;
> Northern Harrier 1 ;
> Sharp-shinned Hawk 11 ;
> Cooper's Hawk 1 ;
> Broad-winged Hawk 8 .
Also migrating were 4 RT Hummingbirds, 60 Double-crested Cormorants and 1 Great
> Blue Heron.
(report from Bart Kamp).
- 9/4/04 -- Rt. 56 overlook, Leicester
-
We counted nighthawks from 5PM till 7:15PM. Weather was mostly cloudy at the
start, with a front moving through, winds from the NE. We were joined by
Barbara Walker, Mike Walker, Rick Walker and Fran McMenemy. Fran stayed till
the bitter end.
COMMON NIGHTHAWKS: (103: birds did not even start to appear till c.6:30 when
two headed over, then nothing till c. 6:55, and most then came by rapidly
from the north, most heading high and to the SW. A last large flock was seen
feeding towards the NE. BTW: flying ants WERE around and we had them coming
out their anthills right at our feet);.
Other birds:
Double-crested Cormorant (1);
Osprey (1);
N Harrier (the same sub-ad M);
Sharp-shinned Hawk (1);
Red-tailed Hawk (1);
Broad-winged Hawk (1);
A Kestrel (4);
Wild Turkey (16);
Killdeer (17 minimally on the runway. We would not have even seen these if
if it not for the security SUV driving wildly all over the runway CHASING
Killdeer and Turkeys back and forth and even firing off ordnance at them. It
was quite a stupid display .I can understand keeping Turkeys off the runway,
but Killdeers? And he kept pursuing the flocks of Killdeer that would
re-settle on the runway. It was quite something to watch from our vantage
point);
Barn Swallow (1);
Plus: Monarch (1);
Nota Bene: at 4:45Pm, we had a flock of 30 nighthawks feeding (likely on
ants); over Tatnuck Square with aerial feeding starlings and Ring-billed
Gulls. The nighthawks eventually drifted north.
(report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).
- 9/3/04 -- Rt. 56 overlook, Leicester
-
We watched nighthawks tonite from 5:30 till 7:10PM joined by Pauline Metras
and Bart Kamp. Most of the movement was rather late and many were high. Some
birds headed south to the east of us, others crossed over and around the
north end of the hill and then headed south or southwest.
COMMON NIGHTHAWKS (117);
Other birds:
Double-crested Comorant (2);
N. Harrier (that same sub-ad male);
Sharp-shinned Hawk (1);
Red-tailed Hawk (1);
A Kestrel (6);
Wild Turkey (26);
Killdeer (12);
Chimney Swift (3);
Tree Swallow (9);
Barn Swallow (8);
Cedar Waxwing (13);
Scarlet Tanager (1 overhead);
Red-winged Blackbird (162);
(report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).
- 9/2/04 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
-
Migrant raptors today:
> Osprey 3 ;
> Bald Eagle 3 ;
> Northern Harrier 2 ;
> Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 ;
> Broad-winged Hawk 6 ;
> Red-tailed Hawk 2 ;
> Observations:
> The 3 Bald Eagles passed within 30 minutes of each other. Not migrating
> were 4 Red-shouldered hawks (soaring together), 4 Broad-winged Hawks, 3
> Red-tailed Hawks and about a dozen Turkey Vultures.
Also:
> 1 monarch butterfly. The Olive-sided Flycatcher returned to it's perch of
> yesterday and hunted from it for about 90 minutes.(report from Bart Kamp).
- 9/2/04 -- High Ridge WMA, Westminster/Gardner
-
- Last evening's nighthawk watch (9/1) from High Ridge WMA (RC airfield) was rather slow
with only 4 passing between 5:45 and 7:30. Other birds near the site (Hilites):
Great Eagret 1 there has been one in the area for a least a
few weeks now;
Sharp-shinned hawk 1 imm.;
Olive-sided Flycather 1 present the whole time feeding from a distant
snag and spruces;
Eastern Wood PeeWee 2 calling from woods;
Eastern Bluebird 2;
- Hilites from a short walk in the Smith Street Gate this AM 9/2:
Great Blue Heron 4;
Cooper's Hawk 1 imm. "spished in" only ~10' away;
E. Wood PeeWee 1 calling;
Eastern Kingbird 1;
Eastern Phoebe 3;
Least Flycather 1;
Gray Catbird 10;
Nashville Warbler 1;
COmmon Yellowthroat 5+;
Black-throated green Warbler 2;
Black-throated Blue Warbler 1 female;
Swamp Sparrow 3
Song Sparrow 15+;
Lincoln's Sparrow 1.
(report from Tom Pirro).
- 9/1/04 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
-
Migrant raptors today:
Osprey 3 ;
> Sharp-shinned Hawk 5 ;
> Broad-winged Hawk 2 ;
> Red-tailed Hawk 2 ;
> American Kestrel 5 ;
Observers: Barton D. Kamp, Donna Schilling, Tom Carrolan
>
> Also, a Philadelphia Vireo was heard and an Olive-sided Flycatcher caught
insects
from the top of a dead tree for part of the day. 2 Ruby-throated
Hummingbirds and 1 Monarch Butterfly were migrating.
(report from Bart Kamp).
- 9/1/04 -- Rt.56 overlook of airport, Leicester
-
A good group of observers gathered here tonite, though numbers of migrating
nighthawks were modest to poor at best. Present were: Mark Lynch; Sheila
Carroll; Fran McMenemy, Bart Kamp, the Walkers (Barbara and Rick) , and
others.
Osprey (1);
N Harrier (1 sub-ad M);
A Kestrel (5);
Wild Turkey (29: in the field in front of us and on the runway);
Killdeer (7: on runway);
UPLAND SANDPIPER (still present at end of runway);
Solitary Sandpiper (1 flyby);
COMMON NIGHTHAWK (84: from 5:45-7:15PM: all eventually heading south, though
some headed north around the hill, then south. Many birds were high and far
out);
Barn Swallow (25 migrating);
Cedar Waxwing (35);
Savannah Sparrow (6);
Bobolink (10);
Red-winged Blackbird (75: one flock).
Bart Kamp is thinking Friday (9/3) might be the next big night.
(report from Mark Lynch).
For previous sightings, see
August 2004 Archives or
Archive Index