September 2006 Central Mass Bird Sightings
Sightings are listed in reverse chronological order. The email
address of birders submitting reports, as well as other
Central Massachusetts birding info can be found via the
Central Mass Bird Update homepage.
Bird News:
Bird Sightings:
- 9/30/06 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
-
Raptors migrating today:
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture 0 0 1
Turkey Vulture 1 17 24
Osprey 6 231 242
Bald Eagle 0 35 38
Northern Harrier 2 20 20
Sharp-shinned Hawk 12 348 351
Cooper's Hawk 2 31 32
Northern Goshawk 0 1 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 0 3 3
Broad-winged Hawk 7 5521 5523
Red-tailed Hawk 2 6 6
Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0
Golden Eagle 0 0 0
American Kestrel 0 89 92
Merlin 1 13 13
Peregrine Falcon 0 7 7
Unknown 2 16 16
Total: 35 6338 6369
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Non-raptor Observations:
12 double crested cormorants
67+ monarch butterflies
(report from Bart Kamp).
- 9/28/06 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
-
Raptors migrating today:
Turkey Vulture 1 ;
Osprey 10 ;
Bald Eagle 1 ;
Northern Harrier 1 ;
Sharp-shinned Hawk 12 ;
Cooper's Hawk 2 ;
Broad-winged Hawk 7 ;
American Kestrel 1 ;
Merlin 1 ;
Peregrine Falcon 2 ;
Non-raptor Observations:
1 chimney swift.
58 monarch butterflies
(report from Bart Kamp).
- 9/28/06 -- Winimusset Wildlife Management Area, New Braintree.
Cooks Canyon, Barre. Wheelers Pastures, Hardwick. Quabbin Reservoir,
Gates 40 & 41, Petersham
-
Here is the
extended trip report.
(report from Chris Ellison).
- 9/28/06 -- Mt. Wachusett, Princeton
-
Observed from the summit from 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM, the following: Turkey
Vulture ( non-migrating) - 12, Osprey - 1, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Cooper's Hawk
- 2, Broad-winged Hawk - 6, Kestrel - 5, Unknown Raptor - 3, Red-tailed Hawk
(non-migrating) - 8.
(report from Steve Olson)
- 9/27/06 -- Sterling
-
While in Sterling today a co-worker was accosted by an apparently
hand-fed blue jay as soon as he got out of his truck. The blue jay flew
onto his shoulder and walked with him for a while, at peanuts from his hand,
and even flew into his car and sat on the seat of his truck for a while. I
have attached a couple of pictures
(photo 1|
photo 2)
from the "incident." (report from Scott Jordan).
- 9/27/06 -- Mt. Wachusett, Princeton
-
Our best day so far this year. Observed from the summit from 9:30 AM to 4:30
PM, the following: Turkey Vultures (non-migrating) - 52, Osprey - 14, Bald
Eagle (immature) - 2, Northern Harrier - 4, Sharp-shinned Hawk - 7,
Broad-winged Hawk - 670, Kestrel - 1, Peregrine Falcon - 2, Unknown Raptor -
3, and Red-tailed Hawk (non-migrating) - 8. Non-raptors: Raven - 2.
Had a super day with two magnificent kettles of 160 birds in early
afternoon and
another 175 birds in mid to late afternoon.
(report from Steve Olson).
- 9/27/06 -- Muddy Brook WMA, Hardwick
-
Interesting migrants continue at Muddy Brook with
highlights of Blue-headed Vireo (1), Winter Wren (1),
Golden-crowned Kinglet (2), Ruby-crowned Kinglet (12),
Hermit Thrush (1), Nashville Warbler (3), Northern
Parula (3), Chestnut-sided Warbler (1), Magnolia
Warbler (1), Black-throated Blue Warbler (1),
Yellow-rumped Warbler (7), Black-throated Green
Warbler (2), Blackburnian Warbler (1), Blackpoll
Warbler (20), Black-and-white Warbler (1), CONNECTICUT
WARBLER (1, in different area than yesterday's) and
Common Yellowthroat (2). (report from Chris Buelow)
- 9/27/06 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
-
Raptors migrating today:
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture 0 0 1
Turkey Vulture 3 15 22
Osprey 24 215 226
Bald Eagle 8 34 37
Northern Harrier 4 17 17
Sharp-shinned Hawk 31 324 327
Cooper's Hawk 6 27 28
Northern Goshawk 0 1 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 0 3 3
Broad-winged Hawk 1219 5507 5509
Red-tailed Hawk 1 4 4
Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0
Golden Eagle 0 0 0
American Kestrel 17 88 91
Merlin 1 11 11
Peregrine Falcon 2 5 5
Unknown 2 13 13
Total: 1318 6264 6295
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Raptor Observations:
The Wiscasset wave of broadwings along with 6 bald eagles reached Barre
Falls shortly after noon EDT. There were up to 200 birds in the kettles.
The last group of about 150 birds was recorded shortly before 3 PM EDT.
(report from Bart Kamp).
- 9/26/06 -- Muddy Brook WMA, Hardwick
-
Time spent at Muddy Brook WMA turned up 13 species of
Warblers and a nice influx of Sparrows. Highlights
include Turkey Vulture (32 over the nearby landfill),
Northern Flicker (1), Eastern Phoebe (3), Blue-headed
Vireo (6), Golden-crowned Kinglet (4), Ruby-crowned
Kinglet (8), Gray Catbird (4), Nashville Warbler (2),
Northern Parula (2), Chestnut-sided Warbler (1),
Magnolia Warbler (1), Yellow-rumped Warbler (6),
Black-throated Green Warbler (3), Pine Warbler (1),
Palm Warbler (1), Blackpoll Warbler (10), American
Redstart (1), Ovenbird (1), CONNECTICUT WARBLER (1),
Common Yellowthroat (1), Song Sparrow (10), LINCOLN'S
SPARROW (1), and White-throated Sparrow (12). (report
from Chris Buelow)
- 9/26/06 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
-
Raptors migrating today:
Osprey 25 ;
Bald Eagle 2 ;
Northern Harrier 2 ;
Sharp-shinned Hawk 24 ;
Cooper's Hawk 1 ;
Broad-winged Hawk 22 ;
Red-tailed Hawk 1 ;
American Kestrel 4 ;
Merlin 1 ;
Peregrine Falcon 2 .
Raptor Observations:
The strong wind kept most birds low.
Non-raptor Observations:
46 Canada geese.
150+ monarch butterflies.
(report from Bart Kamp).
- 9/26/06 -- Mt. Wachusett, Princeton
-
Observed from the summit from 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM, the following: Turkey
Vulture - 13 (non-migrating), Osprey - 20, Sharp-shinned Hawk - 3, Cooper's
Hawk - 1, Broad-winged Hawk - 63, Kestrel - 1, Unknown Raptor - 5.
Non-Raptors: Raven - 2, Hummingbird - 1.
(report from Steve Olson)
- 9/25/06 -- Pine Island, Hardwick
-
A Great Egret was observed flying over Barre Road,
Hardwick as it was moving up Danforth Brook near the
center of town. (report from Chris Buelow)
- 9/25/06 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
-
Raptors migrating today:
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture 0 0 1
Turkey Vulture 5 12 19
Osprey 62 166 177
Bald Eagle 1 24 27
Northern Harrier 2 11 11
Sharp-shinned Hawk 38 269 272
Cooper's Hawk 2 20 21
Northern Goshawk 0 1 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 1 3 3
Broad-winged Hawk 207 4266 4268
Red-tailed Hawk 0 2 2
Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0
Golden Eagle 0 0 0
American Kestrel 9 67 70
Merlin 1 9 9
Peregrine Falcon 0 1 1
Unknown 1 10 10
Total: 329 4861 4892
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Raptor Observations:
Another very good osprey day. Most of the broadwings were seen in the
morning.
Non-raptor Observations:
81 Canada geese.
300+ monarch butterflies.
(report from Bart Kamp).
- 9/25/06 -- Mt. Wachusett, Princeton
-
Observed from the summit from 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM: Turkey
Vultures - 8 (non-migrating), Osprey - 22, Bald Eagle - 2 (Immature),
Northern Harrier - 1, Sharp-shinned Hawk - 7, Cooper's Hawk - 2,
Broad-winged Hawk - 116, American Kestrel - 3, Peregrine Falcon - 1, Unknown
Raptors - 4, Red-tailed Hawk - 4 (non-migrating). Non-raptors: Raven - 3.
(report from Steve Olson)
- 9/24/06 -- Moose Brook Valley, Hardwick
-
A single mid-morning flock in the Wheeler's Pastures
section of the Valley had Black-capped Chickadee (25),
Ruby-crowned Kinglet (3), Nashville Warbler (2),
Northern Parula (4), Magnolia Warbler (2),
Black-throated Blue Warbler (1), Yellow-rumped Warbler
(6), Black-throated Green Warbler (7) and Blackpoll
Warbler (12). Peripherally observed in the pastures
were Osprey (1, migrating low overhead), Northern
Flicker (2), Eastern Phoebe (1), House Wren (2), Gray
Catbird (7), Eastern Towhee (10) and Indigo Bunting
(1). (report from Chris Buelow)
- 9/24/06 -- Sterling Peat, Sterling
-
A little before 2:00 PM, my wife & I were driving by Sterling Peat and
noticed from the car, a whitest object in the large dead pine in the center
of the Peat. We pulled over, and the object turned out to be an Osprey which
flew off intent on attacking a Great Blue Heron. The Osprey failed, but with
the heavy westerly wind, flew high above the Peat but couldn't move against
the wind. It then dive-bombed the Peat in search of a fish and failed to get
one. As it came out of the water, a Cooper's Hawk began mobbing the Osprey.
Why a bird a third of the Osprey's size would attack is questionable. The
Osprey then flew higher and repeated his dive-bomb and was successful. He
flew back to the large dead pine and hunkered down with a fish in his
talons. A beautiful display! (report from Steve Olson).
- 9/24/06 -- Westboro WMA, Westboro/Northboro
-
- We birded the eastern sections of the WESTBORO WMA this morning, from
6:30AM-11AM. We started at the north end of Chauncy Pond hiked through the
fields to Little Chauncy (Northboro), and then hiked back a different route
to Chauncy, making a long, interesting loop. We then birded a bit around
the fields and trails to the east of the State Hopital facility. Weather was
warm (for this time of the year), humid, often overcast, sometimes foggy,
breezy and generally unsettled and confusing. This may explain the general
low numbers and poor variety of passerines. Nota bene: the dirt road to the
fishermen's access to Little Chauncy is still pretty flooded at two points,
though passable by a high carriage vehicle. This is due to beaver activity
and has been this way for some time, so I don't think the state is in any
hurry to fix it.
Great Blue Heron (3);
Turkey Vulture (5);
Canada Goose (15);
Mute Swan (2);
Wood Duck (11);
Mallard (34);
Osprey (2);
N. Harrier (2imm: including one dumbfounded individual that we initially
thought was injured. It just sat in the middle of the road until we got
within ten feet of it, then leisurely took off to continue hunting over the
fields.);
Cooper's Hawk (1);
Red-tailed Hawk (3);
Ring-billed Gull (44);
EASTERN SCREECH OWL (4: I believe this is my highest "during the day" count
for a single location in Central Mass);
Belted Kingfisher (2);
Downy Woodpecker (7);
Hairy Woodpecker (1);
N Flicker (3);
Eastern Phoebe (14);
Blue-headed Vireo (1: still singing every once in a while);
Red-eyed Vireo (1);
Blue Jay (19);
A Crow (11);
Black-capped Chickadee (13);
House Wren (2);
Eastern Bluebird (8);
A Robin (82);
GRAY CATBIRD (102: major movement of this species today. Many places we
stopped and spished would reveal 3-4);
N. Mockingbird (1);
Cedar Waxwing (46);
Black-throated Blue Warbler (1);
Palm Warbler (1);
Blackpoll (17);
Connecticut Warbler (1imm);
Common Yellowthroat (6);
Eastern Towhee (1);
Savannah Sparrow (6);
Song Sparrow (55);
Lincoln's Sparrow (3);
Swamp Sparrow (43);
White-throated Sparrow (37);
N Cardinal (9);
Indigo Bunting (2);
Bobolink (59);
Red-winged Blackbird (21);
House Finch (23);
A Goldfinch (9);
- LATER we made a brief stop at SuAsCo in WESTBORO and had the following:
Pied-billed Grebe (5);
Double-crested Cormorant (4);
Great Blue Heron (5);
Turkey Vulture (3);
Canada Goose (38);
MUTE SWAN (8adults+3 sub-adults+5 young: It is amazing how fast this
introduced species has spread in eastern Worcester County.It wasn't until
1990 that a swan nesting was noted in the County town of Milford and not
until 1995 that young swans were noted (ie: a successful nesting); . They
apparently spread up the Blackstone Watershed from Rhode Island (where the
1990s also saw a rapid inavsion of them to the north and eastern sections of
that state from the immediate coast); and established themselves in several
areas of the Worcester County including the towns of Grafton, Worcester and
Shrewsbury. Soon after that, they then rapidly became established in
Westboro, then Northboro, Southboro and Marlboro. What these birds do in the
harsh Worcester County winter is complex. Some eek out the season locally in
small areas of always open water (like Hagar Pond, Marlboro and Lake
Quinsigamond, Shrewsbury); supplimented by well-meaning but ill-advised
handouts from folks impressed by "the pretty white swans". Others seem to
retreat to the Rhode Island section of the Corridor, where along the Seekonk
River, between Providence and East Providence, and the terminus of the
National Corridor and really just an extension of the Blackstone River, a
mid-winter count can sometimes yield more than 100 birds in a relatively
small area. A smaller parrallel invasion may have occured in the Chicopee
Watershed as swans are now found regularly, but in much fewer numbers in the
Quabog IBA in the Brookfields and the Sturbridge CBC circle.);
Wood Duck (8);
A Black Duck (3);
Mallard (36);
RING-NECKED DUCK (1f: my "first for the fall" for the County this year);
Osprey (1);
Sharp-shinned Hawk (1);
Red-tailed Hawk (1);
Belted Kingfisher (2);
PLUS: lots of Peepers, Green Frogs, Pickerel Frogs, Painted Turtles et.
Butterflies included a number of Monarchs (many nectaring on Joe-Pye-Weed); ,
Clouded and Orange Sulphurs and the ever present Cabbage White.
(report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).
- 9/24/06 -- Broad Meadow Brook Sanctuary, Worcester
- I led a class trip to the Broad Meadow Brook Wildlife Sanctuary
(Worcester); this morning, where we recorded:
Great Blue Heron (3);
Turkey Vulture (1);
Canada Goose (8);
Mallard (6);
Mourning Dove (2);
Belted Kingfisher (1);
Red-bellied Woodpecker (1);
Downy Woodpecker (6);
Hairy Woodpecker (3);
Northern Flicker (2);
Eastern Phoebe (7);
"Empidonax" Species (1);
Blue-headed Vireo (1);
Red-eyed Vireo (3);
Blue Jay (6);
American Crow (3);
Black-capped Chickadee (22);
Tufted Titmouse (5);
White-breasted Nuthatch (6);
Carolina Wren (2);
Ruby-crowned Kinglet (7);
American Robin (4);
Gray Catbird (9);
Brown Thrasher (1);
Cedar Waxwing (5);
Nashville Warbler (2);
Northern Parula (10);
Chestnut-sided Warbler (1);
Magnolia Warbler (2);
Black-throated Green Warbler (3);
Palm Warbler (4);
Blackpoll Warbler (7);
American Redstart (1);
Common Yellowthroat (6);
Eastern Towhee (3);
Chipping Sparrow (4);
Song Sparrow (36);
Lincoln's Sparrow (1-2);
Swamp Sparrow (1);
White-throated Sparrow (9);
Northern Cardinal (7);
Rose-breasted Grosbeak (1);
Indigo Bunting (1);
Red-winged Blackbird (2);
House Finch (5);
American Goldfinch (18);
(report from John Liller).
- 9/23/06 -- Blackstone Corridor: Northern RI section
- We birded at a few stops in the northern Rhode Island section of the
Blackstone National Corridor IBA (which is partly in both MA and RI).
- Our first stop was the Casimir Pulaski/George Washington SP in Burillville
and Glocester, RI. The southern area of this State owned land has campsites
and a popular fishing lake, but the northern areas are mostly upland
deciduous forest with some modest stands of hemlock crossed by a network of
driveable dirt roads (well, especially if you have a high carriage vehicle); .
A nice variety of passerines BREED here (including Winter Wren (very small
population); ; Blue-headed Vireo and Blackburnian (small breeding population)
and Black-throated Green Warblers) . In spring and especially fall migration,
an early start can sometimes reveal decent movements of warblers, especially
of Blackpoll which favors areas of oak, as well as the small areas of alder
and birch. Today the weather was less than perfect, with dark, overcast
skies and periodic showers. Wind and heavier rain really kicked in by 9:40
and after that, passerines became very tough to find. Despite all that, we
had some nice movements of birds early on with many more passing overhead
through the canopy un-identified. Birds were for the most part heading W or
WSW, typical for fall in this location.
Species count:
Wood Duck (4);
A Black Duck (3);
Mallard (1);
American Kestrel (1);
Solitary Sandpiper (1);
Red-bellied Woodpecker (1);
Downy Woodpecker (3);
Hairy Woodpecker (3);
N Flicker (1);
E Wood Peewee (2 still singing);
Eastern Phoebe (11);
Blue-headed Vireo (2);
Philadelphia Vireo (1);
Red-eyed Vireo (7);
Blue Jay (24: including one constantly doing a Red-shouldered call);
A Crow (3);
Black-capped Chickadee (166: several large flocks moving through the forest);
Tufted Titmouse (18);
Red-breasted Nuthatch (1);
White-breasted Nuthatch (14);
Brown Creeper (2);
Winter Wren (1);
Ruby-crowned Kinglet (13);
Hermit Thrush (10);
Wood Thrush (4: still doing the "liquid whip" call);
A Robin (4);
Gray Catbird (4);
Cedar Waxwing (17);
WARBLERS:
N Parula (9);
Chestnut-sided (1);
Cape May (1);
Black-throated Blue (3m+3f);
Yellow-rumped (14);
Black-throated Green (21);
Blackburnian (2);
Pine (18);
Bay-breasted (1);
BLACKPOLL (123);
Black and White (6);
Ovenbird (10);
Connecticut (2imm: we typically only see this "very uncommon-to-rare-in-RI"
species along the very northern roads of the parcel. Today we got to hear
the distinct loud chip call a lot [that sounds (to me ear) like a variation
on an weird Indigo Bunting call note] as well as getting some great views
but only after some hard work triangulating, spishing and screech-owling)
Scarlet Tanager (3);
Eastern Towhee (17);
Chipping Sparrow (21);
White-throated Sparrow (2);
N Cardinal (2);
Nota bene: this area seems to be getting trashed around a lot more than it
used to, and we found many tossed beer cans and a huge pile of illegally
thrown away tires.
- We then hit the small WOONSOCKET RESERVOIR, which is actually in
SMITHFIELD/LINCOLN RI. Here we only had:
Double-crested Cormorant (3);
Great Blue Heron (1);
Mallard (2);
Osprey (1: sitting in some shallow water just off a small island, being
mobbed by 3 crows);
Merlin (1);
- THEN at DIAMOND HILL/ARNOLD'S MILLS RESERVOIRS, two small adjacent
reservoirs for Pawtucket that are in the town of CUMBERLAND, RI, we had:
RED-NECKED GREBE (1 post breeding, but not near complete winter plumage yet);
Double-crested Cormorant (13);
Great Blue Heron (2);
Great Egret (1);
Turkey Vulture (9);
Canada Goose (117);
Mute Swan (2);
A Black Duck (4);
Mallard (47);
Osprey (3);
Red-tailed Hawk (4);
Killdeer (3);
Greater Yellowlegs (1);
COMMON RAVEN (3: calling and doing aerial acrobatics right over the
causeway. This species is still very uncommon in the state);
NOTA BENE: We were stopped by reservoir security, even though we were
birding along the driving road that separates the two reservoirs. Security
here has been heightened dramatically recently and he said they are really
looking to nail and fine some people for trespassing by way of making an
example. Apparently some serious vandalism had been done in various parts of
the area, including the taking down of the signs warning about the steep
fines by someone using a bolt cutter and 6 feet of a huge chain-link fence
was also taken down . My feeling is that this was likely done by locals who
have been illegally fishing in here for years. The officer also mentioned
that he was also on the lookout for "terrorists" and folks taking pictures
of the reservoirs. The officer was definitely polite and nice, quite chatty
even, and I showed him the grebe, Ospreys, ravens and cormorants through the
scope and we talked about fishers in the area. But he also certainly
checked me out and he asked me for some identification. Birders who bird
this important area for migrant waterbirds should be prepared to be stopped
and questioned and don't tresspass whatever you do.
(report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).
- 9/22/06 -- Mount Watatic, Ashburnham
-
Raptors migrating today:
Osprey 41 ;
Northern Harrier 5 ;
Sharp-shinned Hawk 15 ;
Cooper's Hawk 2 ;
Broad-winged Hawk 66 ;
American Kestrel 4 ;
Merlin 1 ;
Peregrine Falcon 1 ;
Raptor Observations:
Nice flight of OS, for this site and a Peregrine was the last bird of the
day.
Non-raptor Observations:
68 Migrant Canada Goose, 1 DC Cormorant
(report from Tom Pirro) .
- 9/22/06 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
-
Raptors migrating today:
Turkey Vulture 1 ;
Osprey 42 ;
Bald Eagle 1 ;
Sharp-shinned Hawk 26 ;
Broad-winged Hawk 912 ;
American Kestrel 6 ;
Merlin 2 ;
Raptor Observations:
A very good osprey day became a very good broadwing day at 4:30 PM EDT when
we had a kettle of 300+ broadwings with many more birds passing through.
For a short while the southern sky was full of broadwings.
Non-raptor Observations:
82 monarch butterflies. 31 Canada geese.
(report from Bart Kamp) .
- 9/22/06 -- Mt. Wachusett, Princeton
- The following were seen from the
summit of Mt. Wachusett
from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM EST:
Turkey Vulture (non-migrating) - 5, Osprey - 31 (very active today) ,Northern
Harrier - 3, Sharp-shinned Hawk - 9, Cooper's Hawk - 3, Broad-winged Hawk -
85, Kestrel - 3, Merlin - 2, Peregrine Falcon - 1, Unknown - 5, Red-tailed
Hawk (non-migrating) - 5. Non-Raptors: Raven - 2.
(report from Steve Olson) .
- 9/21/06 -- Mount Watatic, Ashburnham
-
Raptors migrating today:
Osprey 9 ;
Northern Harrier 2 ;
Sharp-shinned Hawk 11 ;
Cooper's Hawk 1 ;
Broad-winged Hawk 42 .
Started out slow...then tapered off to a mere trickle.
Non-raptor Observations:
1 American Pipit, 9 Geese appeared to be migrats and 2 Sandhill Cranes
passed at 4PM (5PM daylight savings time)...coming in from the west and
headed south east....next stop Bolton Flats??
~50 Monarch Butterflies
(report from Tom Pirro).
- 9/21/06 -- Mount Wachusett, Princeton
-
Observed from the Summit from 8:15 AM to 4:00 PM, the following species:
Turkey Vultures (non-migrating) - 10, Osprey - 5, Sharp-shinned Hawk - 4,
Cooper's Hawk - 5, Broad-winged Hawk - 67, Kestrel - 5, Merlin - 2,
Red-tailed Hawk (non-migrating) - 6, and Unknown Raptor - 1. Non-raptors
were Hummingbird - 1 and a Crow -1.
(report from Steve Olson)
- 9/21/06 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
-
Raptors migrating today:
Turkey Vulture 2 ;
Osprey 6 ;
Sharp-shinned Hawk 26 ;
Cooper's Hawk 2 ;
Broad-winged Hawk 46 ;
American Kestrel 4 .
Raptor Observations:
Raptors 88 Monarchs 87. The wind kept the birds relatively low.
Non-raptor Observations:
87 monarch butterflies
(report from Bart Kamp).
- 9/21/06 -- Bolton Flats, Bolton
-
I birded Bolton Flats (the south side of rte. 117) with the Thursday AM
birding group from Drumlin Farm. We saw 32 species. The star of the show
was a Connecticut Warbler that came out briefly and posed for us on a sunny
branch! There were lots of sparrows and a nice group of warblers moved
through. Highlights included: Broadwinged Hawk (4), lots of E. Phoebes,
Yellow-throated Vireo, Cedar Waxwings, N. Parula, Yellow-rumped Warbler,
Black-throated Green, Pine W., Palm W., A. Redstart, Connecticut Warbler,
Common Yellowthroats (lots), Savannah Sparrow, Song Sp., Lincoln Sp.,
White-throated Sp., and Indigo Bunting.
(report from Laura Lane).
- 9/20/06 -- Muddy Brook WMA, Hardwick
-
A large, diverse flock of migrants was quietly working
their way through the Scrub Oak thicket of Muddy Brook
in the mid-to-late day. Highlights include Eastern
Phoebe (1), Blue-headed Vireo (4), Red-eyed Vireo (2),
Black-capped Chickadee (35), Tufted Titmouse (15),
Red-breasted Nuthatch (1), Ruby-crowned Kinglet (2),
Golden-crowned Kinglet (2), Gray Catbird (4), Northern
Parula (8), Magnolia Warbler (3), Yellow-rumped
Warbler (4), Black-throated Green Warbler (6),
Blackburnian Warbler (1), Pine Warbler (3), Blackpoll
Warbler (14), American Redstart (2), Common
Yellowthroat (1), Scarlet Tanager (1), Eastern Towhee
(3). (report from Chris Buelow)
- 9/20/06 -- Mount Watatic, Ashburnham
-
Raptors migrating today:
Osprey 6 ;
Northern Harrier 1 ;
Sharp-shinned Hawk 24 ;
Cooper's Hawk 2 ;
Broad-winged Hawk 180 ;
American Kestrel 1 ;
Raptor Observations:
Most migrants were seen before noon...kettles were small and few.
Non-raptor Observations:
13 Migrant Double-crested Cormorats, 1 Ruby-throated Hummingbird, 3 Am.
Pipits and a Ruffed grouse on the hike up.
(report from Tom Pirro).
- 9/20/06 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
-
Raptors migrating today:
Osprey 2 ;
Bald Eagle 1 ;
Sharp-shinned Hawk 22 ;
Cooper's Hawk 2 ;
Broad-winged Hawk 222 ;
American Kestrel 7 ;
Raptor Observations:
Very good cloud cover not many raptors.
Non-raptor Observations:
1 hummingbird, 4 Canada geese
500++ monarch butterflies.
(report from Bart Kamp).
- 9/20/06 -- Mount Wachusett, Princeton
-
Observed today at the summit from
8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, the following species:
Turkey Vulture (non-migrating) - 8, Osprey - 4, Northern Harrier - 1,
Sharp-shinned Hawk - 3, Broad-winged Hawk - 301, Kestrel - 2, Merlin - 1,
Red-tailed Hawk (non-migrating) - 9, Unknown Raptor - 2. Non-Raptors
observed: Raven - 2, Hummingbird - 1.
(report from Steve Olson)
- 9/20/06 -- Newton Hill, Worcester
- A brief hawk-watch from 12:30 - 1:00 pm yielded the following migrants:
2 Sharp-shinned Hawks, 1 Cooper's Hawk, and 44 Broad-winged Hawks. The
BW's were in kettles from 7 to 17. Also, at Salisbury Pond, there was
1 Least Sandpiper. (report from Rick Quimby).
- 9/19/06 -- Uxbridge
-
We spent several hours checking local birding spots and taking
pictures of plants. While trying to get some good shots of the wild rice
growing in Rice City Pond, Paul and I were happy to see an osprey circle
several times over the far end of the pond. What appeared to be a dozen
red-winged blackbirds grew perhaps tenfold in number as they rose a few at a
time out of the wild rice and flew in what blackbirds consider formation
over the marsh. A great blue heron stood motionless, ignoring everything.
Later in the afternoon, we saw several myrtle [yellow-rumped]
warblers along the field edge
at River Bend Farm, including one young one. The snag of the old oak tree
was a popular gathering spot--a flock of starlings joined a yellow-shafted
[northern] flicker there.
As we headed toward the parking lot to leave, we were surprised by a few
blackpoll warblers in the small birch trees by the footbridge. High above,
several common nighthawks wheeled first one direction, then another,
disappearing and reappearing a few times before calling it a day.
(report from Beth Milke).
- 9/19/06 -- Mount Wachusett, Princeton
-
Observed from Oxbow (9:00 -11:00 AM) and Summit (11:00 AM - 3:00 PM): Turkey
Vultures (non-migrating) - 10, Osprey - 2, Cooper's Hawk - 1, Broad-winged
Hawk - 2, Non-raptors included Raven - 4 and Cedar Waxwings - 6.
(report from Steve Olson)
- 9/18/06 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
-
Raptors migrating today:
Osprey 1 ;
Sharp-shinned Hawk 7 ;
Cooper's Hawk 1 ;
Broad-winged Hawk 11 .
Non-raptor Observations:
1 olive-sided flycatcher, 1 hummingbird.
11 monarch butterflies.
(report from Bart Kamp).
- 9/18/06 -- Mount Watatic, Ashburnham
-
Raptors migrating today:
Sharp-shinned Hawk 13 ;
Cooper's Hawk 1 ;
Broad-winged Hawk 71 ;
American Kestrel 4 ;
Merlin 1 ;
Peregrine Falcon 1 .
Raptor Observations:
An imm. Red-tailed hawk put on a great show playing tag with a pair of
raven in close. Later in the afternoon the RT took a few stoops into the
forest coming up with a leaf once and short stubby stick the 2nd time
(which it carried for several minutes).
Non-raptor Observations:
3 Chimney Swifts and a RT Hummingnbird
(report from Tom Pirro).
- 9/18/06 -- Mount Wachusett, Princeton
-
Observed today at the summit from
9:15 AM - 4:15 PM (7 hours): Turkey Vulture - 42 (non-migrating), Osprey -
4, Sharp-shinned Hawk - 1, Cooper's Hawk - 2, Northern Goshawk (immature)
-1, Broad-winged Hawk - 11, Kestrel - 1, Merlin -1, Peregrine Falcon - 1,
and Red-tailed Hawk - 5 (non-migrating).
(report from Steve Olson)
- 9/17/06 -- Bolton Flats, Bolton
- The Forbush Bird Club held a trip to Bolton Flats, with the
following
29 species observed.
(report from Joan Zumpfe).
- 9/17/06 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
-
Raptors migrating today:
Osprey 6 ;
Northern Harrier 1 ;
Sharp-shinned Hawk 17 ;
Cooper's Hawk 3 ;
Red-shouldered Hawk 1 ;
Broad-winged Hawk 75 ;
American Kestrel 2 ;
Raptor Observations:
The broadwings would soar in the same area for a long time gaining very
little altitude.
Non-raptor Observations:
27 monarch butterflies.
(report from Bart Kamp)
- 9/17/06 -- Mount Watatic, Ashburnham
-
Raptors migrating today:
Raptors migrating today:
Osprey 9 ;
Northern Harrier 2 ;
Sharp-shinned Hawk 36 ;
Cooper's Hawk 2 ;
Broad-winged Hawk 1060 ;
American Kestrel 8 ;
Merlin 1 ;
Raptor Observations:
Some nice looks at birds right over the hill today.
Non-raptor Observations:
2 Ruby-throated Hummingbirds , 2 Common Loons.
(report from Tom Pirro).
- 9/17/06 -- Mt. Wachusett, Princeton
-
Counts today from 9:30 AM to 2:00 PM:
TV - 16 (non-migrating);
OS - 5;
NH - 3;
SS - 12;
CH - 8;
BW - 24;
AK - 9;
RT - 4 (non-migrating);
Raven - 4;
(report
from Steve Olson) .
- 9/16/06 -- Ware River Watershed IBA
-
This morning, we attempted to conduct a standard point count in a small
section of this IBA. I say "attempted" because we got totally derailed
looking at butterflies (cool) , and then broke for lunch, and only later
finished up our route. Also, as it was a beautiful day, and folks
(mushroomers, paper readers, hikers, fihsermen, other birders) were all over
the park, and often right where we needed to pull over to count, so we
passed on some of the better birding spots. We spent just a smidgeon of
time with Bart Kamp et al at the Barre Falls Dam dedicated hawkwatch site
and picked up many of the hawk species on the list during that short time.
There was a decent movement of Blackpolls today, as well as good numbers of
BT Greens, Yellow-rumps and phoebes. Apparently Red-breasted Nuthatches were
also on the move. As is typical when birding interior mixed forest, birds
were often at edges of clearings first thing in the morning where the sun
was hitting the trees. Later, we just listened for chickadees and then
screech-owled, spished et and that often would bring in some migrants. Some
of our best sightings were NOT birds. SEE BELOW.
Great Blue Heron (4);
GREAT EGRET (1: decidedly uncommon in this rather forested area, but there
are a few marshes in this IBA);
Turkey Vulture (10);
Bald Eagle (1imm);
N Harrier (1);
Sharp-shinned Hawk (2);
Broad-winged Hawk (13);
American Kestrel (2);
Ruby-throated Hummingbird (2);
Belted Kingfisher (2);
Red-bellied Woodpecker (1);
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (1);
Downy Woodpecker (5);
Hairy Woodpecker (5);
N Flicker (14);
Pileated Woodpecker (1);
Eastern Wood Peewee (2: still singing);
EASTERN PHOEBE (56);
Blue-headed Vireo (5);
Red-eyed Vireo (11);
Blue Jay (97: obviously some local movement);
A Crow (2);
Common Raven (2);
Black-capped Chickadee (161);
Tufted Titmouse (14);
Red-breasted Nuthatch (57);
White-breasted Nuthatch (29);
Brown Creeper (4);
House Wren (4);
Winter Wren (1);
Ruby-crowned Kinglet (19);
Veery (2);
Hermit Thrush (9);
A Robin (66);
Gray Catbird (71);
Cedar Waxwing (16);
WARBLERS:
N Parula (1);
Magnolia (2);
Cape May (1);
Black-throated Blue (2);
Yellow-rumped (59);
Black-throated Green (28);
Blackburnian (4);
Pine (46);
Prairie (1);
Palm (2 "yellow");
Bay-breasted (1);
BLACKPOLL (170);
Black and White (4);
A Redstart (2);
Ovenbird (4);
Connecticut (2);
C Yellowthroat (21)
Scarlet Tanager (5);
Eastern Towhee (13);
Chipping Sparrow (29);
Song Sparrow (10);
Swamp Sparrow (19);
White-throated Sparrow (3);
N Cardinal (1);
Rose-breasted Grosbeak (1);
Purple Finch (2);
A Goldfinch (22);
PLUS: It was a great day for fungi, and we saw some spectacular species. We
butterflied some time with Barbara, Rick, and Mike Walker. Mike has this
crazy knack of always finding something really interesting on many of his
field trips and today he found some spectacular specimens of GIANT PUFFBALL
(Calvatia maxima); . I have been searching for these ever since I was a kid
and saw the illustration of a boy craddling one of these monstrous fungi in
the Golden Nature Guide to Non-flowering Plants. Although not rare, I have
just never found one. And Mike found three HUGE ones. They looked like
Aepyornis eggs. Maybe bigger. Soccor ball big. They were so big, you just
couldn't help laughing. Supposedly these are edible when firm, but how would
you cook these gargantuans? Like a turkey?
Besides Matango, Mushroom of Terror, we had 16 species of butterflies,
including an amazingly tiny Clouded Sulphur, almost the size of a Pearl
Crescent. I first thought it could be the LITTLE YELLOW, a stray to MA from
the south, but we got good looks at it and Mike took some photos of it next
to normal Sulphurs (with which it gamely tried to mate); , and it was just an
extremely miniscule Clouded Sulphur. I never knew this kind of size
difference could occur in Sulphurs. Mike will hopefully post the photos on
Masslep.
ALSO: a fine display of Bottle Gentian in seevralions; lots of odes
including many hundreds of meadowhawk species; Canada Darners, et and the
usual herps. The small disjunct population of BRIDLE SHINER, state listed,
is hanging on despite the fact that thier pond is rapidly shrinking due to
beaver activity.
(report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).
- 9/16/06 -- Mount Watatic, Ashburnham
-
Raptors migrating today:
Osprey 9 ;
Sharp-shinned Hawk 29 ;
Cooper's Hawk 4 ;
Broad-winged Hawk 245 ;
American Kestrel 17 ;
Merlin 4 ;
Raptor Observations:
Much slower than expected.
(report from Tom Pirro).
- 9/16/06 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
-
Raptors migrating today:
Osprey 9 ;
Bald Eagle 3 ;
Northern Harrier 5 ;
Sharp-shinned Hawk 41 ;
Cooper's Hawk 2 ;
Broad-winged Hawk 378 ;
Red-tailed Hawk 1 ;
American Kestrel 8 ;
Merlin 4 ;
Raptor Observations:
The birds were high and disappeared into the base of some of the clouds.
Non-raptor Observations:
72 monarch butterflies
(report from Bart Kamp)
- 9/15/06 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
-
Raptors migrating today:
Turkey Vulture 4 ;
Sharp-shinned Hawk 6 ;
Northern Goshawk 1 ;
Broad-winged Hawk 4 ;
American Kestrel 2 ;
Raptor Observations:
It was an immature northern goshawk.
Non-raptor Observations:
1 hummingbird
8 monarch butterflies
(report from Bart Kamp)
- 9/15/06 -- Holden
-
After a day-long screeching of crows in the neighborhood, a single juvenile
Sharp-shinned hawk was discovered sitting in my next neighbor's tree. He put
up with their noise very well and didn't move for some time. Eventually, he
flew off with three crows on his heels. (report from Steve Olson)
- 9/15/06 -- Rutland Prison Camp, Rutland
- Highlights from a walk around this area this morning: 1 DC
Cormorant flew in and landed near 3 Great Egrets, and a GB Heron. 2 female
Northern Bobwhites walked out of a field ten feet in front of me. They
walked down the dirt road for twenty feet and went back into the field. 1
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, 2 Common Flickers, 2 Empidonax Flycatchers, 8
Eastern Phoebes, 4 House Wrens, 1 Winter Wren, 1 Ruby-crowned Kinglet, 45
Robins, 32 Gray Catbirds, 15 Cedar Waxwings, 1 Black-throated Blue Warbler,
2 Chestnut-sided, 5 Yellow-rumped, 2 Prairie, 6 Pine, 2 Black-throated
Green, 4 Blackpoll, 1 Nashville, 9 Common Yellowthroats, 3 White-throated
Sparrows, 2 Swamp Sparrows, and 6 Lincoln's Sparrows. (report from Brian
Mulhearn)
- 9/14/06 -- Institute Park, Worcester
- Highlights at noon included 2 Killdeer, 1 Lesser Yellowlegs, and
2 Least Sandpipers. (report from Rick Quimby).
- 9/13/06 -- Mount Watatic, Ashburnham
-
Raptors migrating today: none (in 7 hours of observation)
(report from Tom Pirro).
- 9/13/06 -- Mt. Wachusett, Princeton
-
An absolutely awful morning [for hawk watching!].
Low cloud ceiling, winds from the west at 15 to
20 mph, and temps between 45 and 50. Observers were Steve Olson, Bill
LaFlech, and Eric Lantiegne. Observation time: 9:00 -10:30 AM. No raptors at
all. Blacked-eyed Junco and a Catbird were the only sightings in that time
frame. Moved to Ox-Bow and at 11:00 AM had 25 non-migrating Turkey Vultures.
Elsewhere, I did see either a adult female Merlin or juvenile male
Merlin today on Linden St. in Boylston, MA at 1:30 PM. The bird was on an
electric line running across the road. It was "talking" until it flew off
after 5 minutes. Very nice sighting. (report from Steve Olson)
- 9/12/06 -- Auburn Birdbanding Station
- Today Gary Hetel captured and banded a Connecticut
Warbler. We don't get too many of those!
(report from Colleen Morin).
- 9/12/06 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
-
Raptors migrating today:
Osprey 4 ;
Bald Eagle 3 ;
Northern Harrier 2 ;
Sharp-shinned Hawk 13 ;
Cooper's Hawk 1 ;
Broad-winged Hawk 14 ;
Red-tailed Hawk 1 ;
American Kestrel 4 ;
Merlin 1 ;
Non-raptor Observations:
13 monarch butterflies. (report from Bart Kamp).
- 9/12/06 -- Mount Watatic, Ashburnham
-
Raptors migrating today:
Turkey Vulture 9 ;
Osprey 2 ;
Northern Harrier 1 ;
Sharp-shinned Hawk 7 ;
Broad-winged Hawk 43 ;
Red-tailed Hawk 1 ;
American Kestrel 1 ;
Raptor Observations:
Most birds passed to the west of the summit, except for a glorious hour
when they were low and directly overhead.
Non-raptor Observations:
Many troupes of blue jays, and two vistiations from a flock very hungry
juncos (they investigated my sandwich while I wasn't looking. 20+ monarch
butterflies. (report from Tom Pirro).
- 9/12/06 -- Mount Wachusett, Princeton
-
Seen from the summit today:
TV - 30;
OS - 3;
BE - I immature;
SS - 17;
CH - 2;
NG - 1;
BW - 5;
AK - 8;
ML - 4;
RT - 11 Red-tailed (non-migrating);
Unknown - 3;
Ravens -2.
Note: Observation time was from 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM. Observers were Steve
Olson, Bill LaFlech, Anne Howe, and Chuck Johnson. Most of the summit was
blocked off because of the work on the fire tower. The workers indicate they
will be finished by tomorrow and we will get the summit back. By the count,
today was a very slow day. (report from Steve Olson)
- 9/11/06 -- Mount Watatic, Ashburnham
-
Raptors migrating today:
Osprey 14 ;
Bald Eagle 8 ;
Northern Harrier 2 ;
Sharp-shinned Hawk 16 ;
Cooper's Hawk 4 ;
Broad-winged Hawk 336 ;
merican Kestrel 22 ;
Merlin 1 ;
Raptor Observations:
Broad-wings were mostly early (before 10am) and dropped off.
Non-raptor Observations:
A dozen + Ravens in the area.
(report from Tom Pirro).
- 9/11/06 -- Mt. Wachusett, Princeton
- The following were seen from the
summit of Mt. Wachusett:
TV - 8
OS - 8
BE - 1 (Mature) with an Immature following
BE - 2 (Immature) counting the one above
SS - 11
CH - 2
BW - 78
AK - 2
ML - 1
PR - 1
RT - 9 (Red-tailed Hawk) non-migrating
Raven - 4 (non-migrating)
Note: DCR has decided to replace the roof on the fire tower on the
summit this week. Starting tomorrow, access to the summit will be limited to
the Eastern Side by the stone overlook. No one will be allowed on the rocks
that afford a better view. Only suggestion is that we use Ox-Bow as the
observation point until the roof on the fire tower is removed and replaced.
Who knows what DCR was thinking but obviously not a hawk migration fan.
(report from Steve Olson).
- 9/11/06 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
-
Raptors migrating today:
Osprey 1 ;
Bald Eagle 10 ;
Northern Harrier 1 ;
Sharp-shinned Hawk 20 ;
Cooper's Hawk 1 ;
Red-shouldered Hawk 1 ;
Broad-winged Hawk 28 ;
American Kestrel 4 ;
Peregrine Falcon 1 ;
Raptor Observations:
All but one of the bald eagles were adults. Both the northern harrier and
peregrine hunted low over the adjacent field.
Non-raptor Observations:
26 monarch butterflies. (report from Bart Kamp).
- 9/10/06 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
-
Raptors migrating today:
Osprey 13 ;
Bald Eagle 5 ;
Sharp-shinned Hawk 25 ;
Cooper's Hawk 1 ;
Broad-winged Hawk 2335 ;
American Kestrel 7 ;
Merlin 1 ;
Raptor Observations:
1816 broadwings were counted between 3 and 4 PM EDT. There were several
kettles of 50 to over 200 broadwings visible at the same time.
Non-raptor Observations:
41 Canada geese, 1 nighthawk and 4 hummingbirds. Many more than the 250
monarch butterflies counted.
(report from Bart Kamp).
- 9/10/06 -- Mount Watatic, Ashburnham
-
Raptors migrating today:
Turkey Vulture 3 ;
Osprey 9 ;
Bald Eagle 4 ;
Northern Harrier 2 ;
Sharp-shinned Hawk 27 ;
Cooper's Hawk 1 ;
Broad-winged Hawk 960 ;
Red-tailed Hawk 2 ;
American Kestrel 8 ;
Merlin 1 .
Raptor Observations:
Cold front got thing things stirred up and moving, the bulk of the flight
was in the afternoon.
Non-raptor Observations:
35 Double-crested Cormorants, 1 RT Hummingbird, a few Ravens milling about.
(report from Tom Pirro).
- 9/9/06 -- Brooks Woodland Preserve, Petersham
- Here is an
extended trip narrative
from the East Quabbin Bird Club
(report from Chris Ellison).
- 9/9/06 -- Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary, Princeton
- On a Forbush Bird Club trip led by Joan Zumpfe, with assistance from Peg Knowlton, 10
participants enjoyed watching several hummingbirds, even hearing their call.
There was an unusual sighting of a robin that was pale, the color of a
Clay-colored Robin but with some vague white splotching. It was seen in the
woods across from Peg's home.
Here is a list of the
42 species observed
(report from Joan Zumpfe).
- 9/9/06 -- Oakham
- Between 5:20 and 6:30, 31 nighthawks flew over my house, heading
north, and feeding, as the cold front moved in from the west.
(report from Kathy Van Schoick).
- 9/9/06 -- Wachusett Reservoir/Sterling Peat, Clinton/Sterling
- At Sterling Peat:
Great Egret (1);
Canada Goose (31);
Mallard (19);
A Black Duck (1);
Killdeer (24);
Least Sandpiper (4);
NB: the water levels are still fairly high here.
-
At Wachusett Reservoir:
Double-crested Cormorant (24);
GREAT CORMORANT (1imm);
Bonaparte's Gull (1 adpostS);
Ring-billed Gull (300+ scattered over the reservoir and sitting on the
surface);
Belted Kingfisher (1);
(report from Mark Lynch).
- 9/9/06 -- Mount Watatic, Ashburnham
-
Raptors migrating today:
Northern Harrier 3 ;
Sharp-shinned Hawk 14 ;
Cooper's Hawk 1 ;
Broad-winged Hawk 5 ;
American Kestrel 2 ;
Raptor Observations:
Non-migrants included a few Red-tails, 1 Red-shouldered and 2 imm.
Goshawks.
Non-raptor Observations:
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 1, Chimney Swift 8 and 3 large plovers either
Black-bellied or Am. Golden Plovers.
(report from Tom Pirro).
- 9/8/06 -- Holden
- From 6:30 -6:40 we had 10
nighthawks fly over our house. They were flying basically NE to SW, pretty
much as single birds. A couple did some circling and then headed off. A
couple appeared to be doing some feeding. Then by 7 pm, there were 7
more flying in the same direction. Not only did I get a year bird,
but it's a yard bird! It took 18 years for me to have a nighthawk fly in my
airspace!
(report from Kathy Mills).
- 9/7/06 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
-
Raptors migrating today:
Sharp-shinned Hawk 11 ;
Cooper's Hawk 2 ;
Broad-winged Hawk 11 ;
American Kestrel 3 .
Raptor Observations:
Most of the birds seen were quite high.
Non-raptor Observations:
74 monarch butterflies.
(report from Bart Kamp).
- 9/6/06 -- West Boylston
-
I stepped out of my PT's office at 6:45PM and had (92) Common Nighthawks all
heading directly west.
(report from Mark Lynch).
- 9/6/06 -- Greenbriar Recreation Area, Oxford
-
Highlights from a morning walk: 2 double-crested cormorants, 2 great blue
herons, 1 broad-winged hawk, 4 chimney swifts, 1 belted kingfisher, 1
red-bellied woodpecker, 3 northern flickers, 2 eastern kingbirds, 1
warbling vireo, 1
brown thrasher, 1 black-throated- blue warbler and 1 black and white
warbler.
(report from Alan Marble).
- 9/5/06 -- Dudley
- This afternoon around 3:30 p.m., about 1/2 mile from
CT, approx 30 Common Nighthawks were heading due north. It was just starting
to sprinkle. There didn't seem to be much wandering or feeding going on.
(report from Joan Zumpfe).
- 9/5/06 -- Hadwen Park, Worcester
- 1 Great Egret, 1 Northern Harrier 1 Belted Kingfisher. We came
across a tree stump which was covered with flying ants. They were flying
off, and the stump looked alive with them. Don't know if this means anything
regarding Nighthawks with the approaching rain. (report from Brian
Mulhearn)
- 9/4/06 -- Bird Banding Station, Auburn
-
We have caught and banded over 50
Northern Waterthrush this fall which is unusual. Over the long weekend,
we banded a bunch of
Catbirds, American Redstarts, and Common Yellowthroats. Three of the
Banders, Gary Hetel, Sarah Reich, and Mattie VandenBoom, did happen to
see a Northern Shrike while out in the woods checking the nets.
(report from Colleen Morin).
- 9/4/06 -- Asnebumskit Hill, Paxton
- 1 Great Blue Heron, 1 Red-shouldered Hawk, 1 Red-tailed Hawk, 1
American Kestrel, 1 Winter Wren, 1 Black-throated Blue Warbler. A Pileated
Woodpecker was working the dead trees in the beaver swamp when it was
ambushed by an adult Sharp-shinned Hawk. It was chased around a bit, then
landed on a tree and held off several dives. The hawk flew off, the
Woodpecker gave a triumphant call when a juvenile Sharpie started harassing
the woodpecker. The woodpecker stood firm on it's tree, after a few minutes
the juvenile Sharpie also gave up and flew away. (report from Brian
Mulhearn)
- 9/4/06 -- Mosquito Pond, Dudley
- I have been checking Mosquito Pond in Dudley just about every day,
today included. There has been a Great Egret there since since
August 22nd. There actually were 2 of them from the 22nd till the 24th.
(report from Joan Zumpfe).
- 9/4/06 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
-
Raptors migrating today:
Osprey 2 ;
Sharp-shinned Hawk 3 ;
Cooper's Hawk 1 ;
Broad-winged Hawk 1 ;
American Kestrel 3 ;
Raptor Observations:
Non migrants: 10-15 turkey vultures, 3-4 broadwings, 2-3 Cooper's hawks, 2
sharpies and 3 redtails.
Non-raptor Observations:
1 pileated woodpecker, 9 ruby-throated hummingbirds and 21 common
nighthawks.
4 monarch butterflies.
(report from Bart Kamp).
- 9/4/06 -- off Salisbury Street (near Park Ave), Worcester
-
After a long day birding in the Berkshires, we returned home, stepped out of
the car, and counted (81) COMMON NIGHTHAWKS overhead at 5:30PM, heading SW.
(report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).
- 9/4/06 -- Route 56 Airport Overlook, Leicester
-
With all the rain from the remnants of Ernesto moving up the coast the last
couple of days, I decided to check-out the possible impact on the Nighthawk
migration. Here are the results.
Time: 05:20 pm. to 07:30 pm.
Weather: Partly cloudy. Temp 70-60F. Winds, 0 to 8 mph out of the west.
Excellent visibility to start but degraded toward dusk.
Observers: Bruce deGraaf, Kathy Van Schoick
Common Nighthawks (173: Most were headed South; a few headed West,
including 3 groups of 5-7 birds that flew directly overhead giving
outstanding looks; the largest group was 30 birds around 7:15 pm.)
Also:
Barn Swallows (7);
American Crow (23);
Cedar Waxwing (13);
Barn Swallow (7);
Swallow Sp. (two groups of 20-30 birds each too distant for me to identify)
Wild Turkey (11);
Sharp-shinned Hawk (1);
American Kestrel (1);
Great Blue Heron (1);
Osprey (1);
Great Egret (1);
Buteo Sp. (2);
(report from Bruce deGraaf).
- 9/3/06 -- South Quabbin/Northfield sod farm
-
- We started out at "Quabbin Park", aka "South Quabbin", the area of Quabbin
right off Rt.9 in Belchertown. We included a trip to the State Trout
Hatchery. The weather was periodic showers and rain, temps in the low 60s:
Double-crested Cormorant (2);
Great Blue Heron (4);
Green Heron (1);
Turkey Vulture (9);
Canada Goose (42);
Wood Duck (6);
Hooded Merganser (3imm: in small pond on Rt. 9, Belchertown next to driving
range);
Bald Eagle (1imm+3ad: 2 of the adults were at the trout farm. The immature,
a bird of this year, was perched on the wall of the Winsor Dam and remained
there for about 15 minutes. As I walked across the dam, another couple
flushed it, but it flew only about 15 feet further down the low wall.
Eventually it took off and slowly flew across the reservoir);
Wild Turkey (15);
Killdeer (46: all at trout farm);
Spotted Sandpiper (2);
Semipalmated Sandpiper (1: at trout farm);
Ruby-throated Hummingbird (1);
Belted Kingfisher (1);
Barn Swallow (4);
Eastern Bluebird (1im);
Prairie Warbler (3);
Eastern Towhee (8);
Field Sparow (2);
Chipping Sparrow (23);
Indigo Bunting (2);
Bobolink (2);
PLUS: River Otter; Easterrn Cottontail; Woodchuck and one of the more
alliterative-named wildflowers of our area: a huge display of Fern-leaved
False Foxglove, a species that is parasitic on root systems of oak trees.
- Then at the Northfield sod farm. Shorebirds were coming and going as Scott
Surner, Val Miller, Sheila Carroll , myself (and several others); watched.
Numbers are what several of us agreed on. But any 2 viewers would come up
with different numbers as the birds were spread out over a muddy section of
the sod field.
Great Blue Heron (1 feeding in back of field);
Red-tailed Hawk (1);
A Kestrel (2);
American Golden Plover (1ad);
Semipalmated Plover (14);
Killdeer (49);
Short-billed Dowitcher (2: we had been there some time, when the yellowelgs
finally left and with them two dows which none of us had seen after being
there at least 30 minutes, though birders that were there much earlier had
reported them. My advice to birders at this site is wait and give it time:
stuff comes and goes and even just seems to appear as a bird or birds will
walk out from behind some clump of mud);
Greater Yellowlegs (3);
Solitary Sandpiper (1);
Semipalmated Sandpiper (12);
Least Sandpiper (21);
White-rumped Sandpiper (11);
Eastern Phoebe (2);
Tree Swallow (3);
Bank Swallow (2);
Barn Swallow (35+);
-
A quick check of Barton Cove revealed only:
Double-crested Cormorant (2);
Great Blue Heron (1);
Mute Swan (2ad+2yg);
Mallard (79 at least);
Bald Eagle (1ad);
(report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).
- 9/3/06 -- Lake Quabog, Brookfield
- A quick check of Lake Quabog in the rain had only:
Great Blue Heron (1);
Peregrine Falcon (1ad);
Bank Swallow (15+);
And even briefer check around the parking area for Lake Quacumquasit had:
Eastern Phoebe (5);
Warbling Vireo (1 still singing);
Yellow Warbler (2);
Song Sparrow (14);
Indigo Bunting (2);
(report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).
- 9/1/06 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
-
Raptors migrating today:
Osprey 1 ;
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 ;
Cooper's Hawk 1 ;
Broad-winged Hawk 4 ;
American Kestrel 3 ;
Non-raptor Observations:
570 nighthawks between 11 and 12:30 EDT. 30 double-crested cormorants.
5 monarch butterflies. (report from Bart Kamp).
- 9/1/06 -- Rt. 56 overlook, Leicester
- The weather looked completely contrary for any substantial movements of
nighthwaks tonite, so we checked only between 6:15PM and 6:45Pm. Winds were
rising, from 5-10mph from ENE, overcast skies, temps: 61 and falling.
Great Blue Heron (1);
Mallard (1m);
American Kestrel (2);
Merlin (1);
Herring Gull (4);
COMMON NIGHTHAWK (11: feeding low along south edge of hill and another (2);
seen feeding high over the city driving to the watch site.
Bobolink (3);
My guess is that Monday or Tuesday night, after the clearing, could have the
last big movements of the year.
(report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).
- 9/1/06 -- Institute Park, Worcester
- Highlights at noon were 11 DC Cormorants, 2 Green-winged Teal,
1 Spotted Sandpiper, and 5 Least Sandpipers. (report from Rick
Quimby).
For previous sightings, see
August 2006 Archives or
Archive Index