Sightings are listed in reverse chronological order. The email
address of birders submitting reports, as well as other
Central Massachusetts birding info can be found via the
Central Mass Bird Update homepage.
- 9/30/07 -- Birdbanding Research Station, Auburn
- It was a pretty productive weekend in Auburn. Sunday the team
captured and banded the first Gray-cheeked Thrush of this year. In
addition to the Gray-cheeked they captured a Swainson's Thrush, numerous
Catbirds, and a variety of sparrows including Lincoln's, Swamp,
White-throated, and Song. Other species included Myrtle Warblers
(Yellow-rumped), Common Yellowthroats, Northern Waterthrush, Oven Birds,
Blue Jays, White-breasted Nuthatches and a few hatching year Cedar
Waxwings. We are having a record breaking year with 1582 birds banded
in Auburn so far in 2007. Next weekend will be the final days of
banding in Auburn until the spring 2008 migration. Here is
Mattie VandenBoom's
photo of the Gray-cheeked (left) and Swainson's
(right) thrushes (report from Colleen Morin).
- 9/30/07 -- Pulaski SF, RI
-
We spent the good part of this morning birding the Pulaski SF on the
Burrillville/Glocester line. We would have spent much longer, but at 10AM a
caravan of 7 SUVs towing several ATVs each rumbled down the road, and we
took this as a sign to move on. Birds were few and far between, typically in
small discrete mixed species flocks. As is typical in late fall here, we
would slowly drive along, listen for chickadees, then stop, spish and
screech owl. Numbers and variety were nothing extraordinary for this
location, but there were a few surprises.
Turkey Vulture (1);
Green-winged Teal (2: fly-over);
Mourning Dove (1);
Barred Owl (2 young birds, still a bit buffy, out and about together in
mid-morning.);
Red-bellied Woodpecker (1);
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (2);
Downy Woodpecker (16);
Hairy Woodpecker (5);
N Flicker (2);
Eastern Phoebe (5);
Blue-headed Vireo (13: most still singing);
Blue Jay (63: movement all morning);
A Crow (2);
Black-capped Chickadee (186: small flocks everywhere, certainly indicating
some migration was occurring);
Tufted Titmouse (48);
Red-breasted Nuthatch (9: typical late fall number);
White-breasted Nuthatch (21);
Brown Creeper (7);
Carolina Wren (1: very unusual for this location);
Golden-crowned Kinglet (18);
Ruby-crowned Kinglet (11);
Hermit Thrush (2: low);
A Robin (32);
Black-throated Blue Warbler (1m);
Yellow-rumped Warbler (19);
Black-throated Green Warbler (4);
Blackburnian Warbler (1);
Pine Warbler (12);
Blackpoll Warbler (37);
Eastern Towhee (7);
Chipping Sparrow (4);
Swamp Sparrow (1: shore of small pond);
White-throated Sparrow (25);
Dark-eyed Junco (23);
Purple Finch (7);
PLUS: White-tailed Deer (1);
Later, we went to the Woonsocket Reservoir (Smithfield/Lincoln); and had:
Double-crested Cormorant (3);; Turkey Vulture (4 sitting on one of the small
islands);; Canada Goose (12);; NORTHERN GOSHAWK (1ad, attacking a small group
of crows);; Killdeer (1: only shorebird there!);.
(report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).
- 9/30/07 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
-
Migrant raptors today:
Daily Raptor Counts: Sep 30, 2007
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture 0 0 0
Turkey Vulture 4 6 6
Osprey 19 99 103
Bald Eagle 2 34 35
Northern Harrier 4 12 12
Sharp-shinned Hawk 43 514 514
Cooper's Hawk 0 36 36
Northern Goshawk 0 1 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 0 0 0
Broad-winged Hawk 7 3633 3640
Red-tailed Hawk 1 7 7
Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0
Golden Eagle 0 0 0
American Kestrel 2 78 79
Merlin 0 24 25
Peregrine Falcon 0 5 5
Unknown 5 5
Total: 82 4454 4468
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Non-raptor Observations:
148 Canada geese, 37 monarch butterflies.
(report from Bart Kamp).
- 9/30/07 -- Mosquito Pond, Dudley
- The Great Egret is still being seen in Mosquito Pond in Dudley as
of today. Every time I check, it's sitting on the Wood Duck box.
(report from Joan Zumpfe).
- 9/30/07 -- Leesville Pond, Auburn/Notre Dame Cemetery, Worcester
-
Highlights from Leesville Pond this morning: 3 wood ducks, 9 American
wigeons, 2 northern pintails, 1 green-winged teal and 1 white-crowned
sparrow at
the entrance to All Faiths Cemetery in the disposal area. In the marsh
behind
Notre Dame Cemetery, the was a great egret and a great blue heron.
(report from Alan Marble).
- 9/30/07 -- Wachusett Meadows Sanctuary, Princeton
- There were a ruby-crowned kinglet and white-throated sparrow
among the various backyard birds near the parking lot.
(report and photo from Gary Kessler).
- 9/29/07 -- Bolton Flats & Sterling Peat, Bolton/Sterling
-
Barry Van Dusen and I birded Bolton Flats and Sterling
Peat today, starting out at Bolton Flats. The weather was cooler
than prior days but the wind kicked up quite early in the morning causing
many birds to head for cover. Sparrows there included tons of Swamp, a
handful of Lincoln, a few White-throated, a dozen or so Song and a few
Savannahs Sparrows. The usual assortment of common birds were there
including tons of Red-wings, Starlings, Eastern Phoebe, Catbirds, Robins,
Blue Jays, Mourning Doves, a few Cedar Waxwings, Downy Woodpecker, Am.
Goldfinch, Red-eyed Vireo, Am. Crow and at least 3 Eastern Bluebirds.
Warblers were quite scarce -- a few Common Yellowthroats, a couple of
Black-throated Greens, a few Palms, Northern Parula and about a dozen or so
Yellow-rumped Warblers. Another birder who was working the edges of the
fields before us reported great looks at a Connecticut Warbler and a Sedge
Wren, however, we had neither. We really didn't check out the ponds but saw
a group of 14 Wood Ducks fly in as well as a few scattered Teal and
Mallards. Raptors were more cooperative and active including at least 4
Harriers, 6 Red-tails, 3 Turkey Vultures, 1 American Kestrel, 1 Cooper's
Hawk, 2 Sharpies and 1 Osprey. Butterflies were restricted to a few
Monarchs and Clouded and Orange Sulfurs. Birds were extremely scarce behind
the red barn off Route 110 , however, young Leopard Frogs were prevalent on
the path starting just beyond the river.
Based on recent reports from Sterling Peat, we headed there for our next
stop. Arriving we found that the water level in the west part was down to a
handful of small pools/puddles -- the lowest levels either of us had ever
seen there. So low in fact it may well be completely dry by the time you
read this. Accordingly, shorebirds were feeding actively, including Greater
and Lesser Yellowlegs, Pectoral Sandpipers, Least Sandpipers and Killdeer as
reported by Kevin Bouirnot earlier in last week. Also present was a dozen
American Pipits, 14 Green-winged Teal, 3 Great Blue Herons, 1 Great Egret, 1
Green Heron, 2 Kingfisher, American Goldfinch, Song Sparrow and 1
Double-crested Cormorant. A Merlin also flew in and temporarily flushing
many of the birds. Fortunately the Wilson's Snipe was still there. Barry
and I were quite cautious at first and watched the action from the shore.
We eventually decided to try to get closer looks at the Snipe since it had
sat in the exact same spot for an hour and a half. As we approached the
small pool where the Snipe was sitting, only the Pipits seemed bothered. In
fact, the Snipe started actively feeding as we approached and was then
joined by Yellowlegs, Least Sandpipers, and beautiful juvenile Pectoral
Sandpipers. As we moved closer we were joined by Rich Johnson and Bob
Kearsley (sp.) of Westboro, both of whom had seen the Snipe there before.
We continued to move closer, of course taking photos at every stop. At one
point, we spotted a young Bobcat that quickly darted off into the undercover
where its parent was waiting. The birds continued feeding as our expanded
group moved closer, eventually getting within 25 feet or so from the puddle.
The Snipe put on a great show, including some quite unusual poses as it
groomed and bathed.
Here's the
link to my gallery containing photos from today's outing.
Additionally, here is a
link to a gallery with photos taken at Bolton
Flats on 10/6/06, including photos of Lincoln's, Field,
Song, Savannah, White-throated and White-crowned Sparrows, Northern Parula,
Palm and Yellow-rumped Warblers, Rusty Blackbirds, Northern Flickers and
several Raptors.
(report from Bruce deGraaf).
- 9/29/07 -- Petersham
-
We spent the morning birding several areas in PETERSHAM: including Harvard
Pond; Tom Swamp and the Federated Women's Clubs State Forest. Passerines
were tough to come by, in low numbers and poor variety. It certainly seems
like the "home stretch" of fall migration. And it only got worse as the
morning wore on and the wind really kicked up.
Canada Goose (41);
Wood Duck (16);
A Black Duck (2);
Mallard (2);
Green-winged Teal (2);
N Harrier (1imm);
Wild Turkey (19);
Downy Woodpecker (2);
Hairy Woodpecker (1);
N Flicker (3);
Eastern Phoebe (2);
Blue-headed Vireo (5: all singing);
Blue Jay (60);
A Crow (18);
Black-capped Chickadee (72);
Tufted Titmouse (19);
Red-breasted Nuthatch (2: no signs of a major movement of this species);
White-breasted Nuthatch (23);
Brown Creeper (5);
Winter Wren (2);
Ruby-crowned Kinglet (6);
HERMIT THRUSH (6: including 1 "just fledged" individual, which was quite
downy still in some parts and rather ratty looking overall; still being
attended by an adult. This bird could only fly very short distances, like
from the road up to a low branch.);
A Robin (3);
Gray Catbird (1);
Cedar Waxwing (2);
Yellow-rumped Warbler (23);
Black-throated Green Warbler (2);
Pine Warbler (6: 2 still persistently singing);
Palm Warbler (2);
Blackpoll (25);
C Yellowthroat (1);
E Towhee (1);
Song Sparrow (6);
Swamp Sparrow (4);
White-throated Sparrow (17);
Dark-eyed Junco (3);
Common Grackle (flock of 350+ working their way along and feeding below the
canopy deep in the forest. These birds were focusing on oaks, but not eating
the acorns, but feeding on something in the leaf clusters);
Purple Finch (4);
PINE SISKIN (5: migrating);
A Goldfinch (6);
PLUS: E Coyote (2 young ones that came out onto a road we were standing on
and just started at us as we did a screech owl call);
LATER, we hiked out to the stunning overlook of north Quabbin in NEW SALEM.
We were only here a short time, but had: Canada Goose (flock of 38 migrating
south);; Sharp-shinned Hawk (1);; Red-tailed Hawk (4);; A Kestrel (1);; Common
Raven (3);. I am surprised this amazing spot is not manned every year as a
regular hawkwatch spot as the views are incredible. Later while briefly
stopping at Quabbin Park: Turkey Vulture (4);; Bald Eagle (2ad);; Cooper's
Hawk (1ad);
(report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).
- 9/29/07 Sterling Peat, Sterling
- There were - green-winged teal(6);
Wilson's snipe(1),
great egret(2 on 9/30);, blue
heron, little green heron, pectoral sandpiper, least sandpiper, greater and
lesser yellowlegs, killdeer, pipit (thanks to Bruce DeGraaf); and BOBCAT(1
adult and 1 juvenile). (report and photo from Gary Kessler).
Additional report and photos from Richard Johnson:
While watching the Snipe at Sterling Peat today, one of the photographers in
our group noticed a cat (note 'bob tail'); to our left.
In the
first image
he is noticing us, ...in the
second image he is
jumping back into the woods to the parent (in upper right corner of image).
(report and photos from Richard Johnson
- 9/27/07 -- Sterling Peat, Sterling
-
This evening there was a Marsh Wren in the phragmites that bisect the field
adjacent to muddy pond. Also, there were 4 Pectoral Sandpipers and a
Wilson's Snipe at the pond.
Photos can be seen
here
(report from Kevin Bourinot).
- 9/27/07 -- Martha Deering WMA, Millbury
-
Late this afternoon at the Martha Deering WMA on Riverlin St. in Millbury
there was a lone dark-eyed junco hanging out with a chipping sparrow.
(report from Alan Marble).
- 9/27/07 -- Mosquito Pond, Dudley
- The Great Egret continues to be seen in Mosquito Pond in Dudley.
It was seen on Tuesday 09/25/07 and today, sitting and preening on a
Wood Duck box.
(report from Joan Zumpfe).
- 9/26/07 -- Gate 36, Wachusett Reservoir
-
This AM around 7:00 I birded this gate and saw the following hilights:
Merlin;
DC Cormorants 17;
Common Loon 3;
Eastern Meadowlark;
Savannah Sparrow 2;
American Pipit 10+;
Belted Kingfisher.
(report from Peter Morlock).
- 9/24/07 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
-
Migrant raptors today:
Bald Eagle 1 ;
Northern Harrier 1 ;
Sharp-shinned Hawk 16 ;
Cooper's Hawk 1 ;
Broad-winged Hawk 2 ;
Red-tailed Hawk 1 ;
American Kestrel 1 ;
Peregrine Falcon 1 ;
(report from Bart Kamp).
- 9/23/07 -- Mosquito Pond, Dudley
-
The single Great Egret continues to be seen in Dudley at Mosquito Pond.
(report from Joan Zumpfe).
- 9/23/07 -- Broad Meadow Brook Santuary, Worcester
-
Today I led a class trip to the Broad Meadow Brook Wildlife Sanctuary
in Worcester. Highlights were:
Mute Swan - 1 (flyover; believe it or not, this is a new record for BMB);
Double-crested Cormorant - 1 (flyover);
Green Heron - 1 (adult);
Accipiter sp. - 1;
Red-bellied Woodpecker - 1;
Hairy Woodpecker - 2;
Northern Flicker - 13;
Eastern Wood-Pewee - 1;
Eastern Phoebe - 14;
Red-eyed Vireo - 3;
Carolina Wren - 3;
Marsh Wren - 3-4 (a quick look at the 4th bird showed that it had a very;
short tail; was it a Winter Wren?);
Ruby-crowned Kinglet - 2;
American Robin - 14;
Gray Catbird - 12;
Northern Parula - 1;
Magnolia Warbler - 1;
Yellow-rumped Warbler - 1;
Palm Warbler - 1;
Common Yellowthroat - 2;
Scarlet Tanager - 1;
Chipping Sparrow - 3;
Song Sparrow - 19;
White-throated Sparrow - 2;
Rose-breasted Grosbeak - 1;
Bobolink - 1;
Red-winged Blackbird - 37;
Purple Finch - 1 (female);;
Also:
Monarch - 1
Beaver - 0 (However, the Beavers have returned to the area adjacent to the
Troiano Brookside Trail, as we found fresh evidence)
(report from John Liller).
- 9/23/07 -- Bolton Flats WMA , Bolton
-
We spent from well before dawn till afternoon birding BOLTON FLATS. While
birding from the :main entrance: off Rt. 117 for the first 4 hours, we
were
surprised at not seeing any other birders. At this time of the year, you
typically run into small numbers of birders or even club trips searching for
sparrows and other fall migrants. But we saw no one else. :Curious: we
thought. Well, it wasn't till we got back to the car and pulled out of the
hidden lot to Rt. 117 that we realized why. Rt. 117 was now BLOCKED OFF
because the Bolton Fair, just a jot down the road, was in full swing and
there was a stalled line of traffic in front of the entrance to BF. As we
pulled down to the intersection with Rt. 110, we passed all the just erected
signs warning folks that only :Fair traffic: was being allowed down
Rt.117.
Yikes! No wonder no one else was there! Driving north on Rt.110, we then
also saw signs that a ROAD RACE was starting at noon and to expect :traffic
delays:. Double yikes! This whole area was certainly one to avoid this
weekend and we hadn't a clue. Under the gun now, we briefly hit the :red
barn: entrance and some other spots, but had to give Oxbow NWR a pass. Then
heading south, we again hit a major traffic jam at the intersection of
Rt.117 and Rt.110. Finally getting through that mess, and heading south on
Rt.110, we spent the rest of our time birding the southern impoundments of
Bolton Flats, with the sounds of the fair blaring in the background. Whew!!
Birders also should be aware that fall hunting season is in full swing and
we found several shot crow carcasses. Once pheasant season starts, Sundays
become the best time to bird this Wildlife Management Area that is very
popular with hunters.
The good news is that sparrow migration is in full swing and their numbers
will only increase in the next week or so. The main cornfields have yet to
be cut, but the extremely weedy pumpkin fields (north of the cornfields)
hosted a bonanza of sparrows. BUT getting to see the sparrows required a lot
of work. Walking in the weedy patches even along the formally plowed furrows
was treacherous, not only because the weeds were thick and the footing
uneven, but also because of the number of slippery pumpkins and gourds
lurking under the weeds. Luckily there were some pathways already cleared by
squash harvesters.
Warblers were in very poor numbers and variety considering the habitat and
the amount of time we spent birding it. Incredibly, we could not turn up a
Connecticut despite the acre upon acre of perfect habitat. Typically they
are recorded every fall here. So far, this has been my poorest fall in many
years for warbler migration inland. Also on the move were phoebes, jays,
robins,catbirds and Red-wingeds. Purple Finches are starting to show up in
almost all locations inland in small flocks, hopefully indicating a good
flight year. The complete list is below.
Great Blue Heron (1);
Turkey Vulture (minimally 13);
Canada Goose (18);
Wood Duck (4);
Mallard (1);
Osprey (1);
N Harrier (2imm);
Sharp-shinned Hawk (3);
Cooper's Hawk (1);
Red-shouldered Hawk (1);
Broad-winged Hawk (1);
Red-tailed Hawk (6);
Belted Kingfisher (2);
Downy Woodpecker (5);
N Flicker (9);
Pileated Woodpecker (1: flew high across the entire area of fields at dawn);
Eastern Phoebe (27);
Red-eyed Vireo (3);
Blue Jay (71);
A Crow (16);
Black-capped Chickadee (28);
Tufted Titmouse (6);
White-breasted Nuthatch (5);
House Wren (2);
Marsh Wren (1);
Eastern Bluebird (22: at one point a single large flock of bluebirds flew
high overhead);
American Robin (94); Gray Catbird (43);
Cedar Waxwing (5);
Yellow-rumped Warbler (1: ridiculously low);
Blackpoll Warbler (17: most moving at dawn);
Northern Waterthrush (1);
C Yellowthroat (19);
Eastern Towhee (2);
Field Sparrow (4);
Savannah Sparrow (60);
NELSON'S SHARP-TAILED SPARROW (2: with extraordinary luck, we got both
briefly in the scope at relatively close range. They were in close proximity
to each other. As has been typical with my experience with this species
here, they T-up briefly, and then are never seen again for the next several
hours. Be sure to have someone with a scope in your birding group to check
on :t-eed: up birds when birding here);
Song Sparrow (123);
Lincoln's Sparrow (9);
Swamp Sparrow (116);
White-throated Sparrow (60);
White-crowned Sparrow (1imm);
N Cardinal (8);
Rose-breasted Grosbeak (1);
Indigo Bunting (1: low);
DICKCISSEL (1: pumpkin fields);
Bobolink (14);
RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD (2761 : the majority leaving the cornfields at dawn,
but small flocks flying overhead all morning);
Common Grackle (4);
Purple Finch (10);
A Goldfinch (52);
PLUS: about a Gogolplex number of :Meadowhawk: species; a decent movement
of
Monarchs; Eastern Garter Snake; and at one point, c. 30 N Leopard Frogs in
the fields (local in Central MA);.
On the way home, we birded WACHUSET RESERVOIR and had: Common Loon (1);;
Double-crested Cormorant (12);; Canada Goose (65);;Green-winged Teal (3);; A
Black Duck (2);; A Golden Plover (1);; Killdeer (4);; Spotted Sandpiper (1);;
Buff-breasted Sandpiper (2);. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).
- 9/23/07 -- Mount Watatic, Ashburnham
- Migrating raptors today:
Turkey Vulture 5 ;
Osprey 9 ;
Bald Eagle 2 ;
Northern Harrier 2 ;
Sharp-shinned Hawk 32 ;
Cooper's Hawk 4 ;
Broad-winged Hawk 83 ;
Red-tailed Hawk 1 ;
American Kestrel 5 ;
Merlin 2 ;
Raptor Observations:
Nice looks at two Merlins that passed closely, no kettles of BW's over 7.
Non-raptor Observations:
Canada Goose 51 migrants, Common Loon 2 adults...hiflying moves SE.
(report from Tom Pirro).
- 9/23/07 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
-
Migrant raptors today:
Osprey 6 ;
Bald Eagle 2 ;
Sharp-shinned Hawk 37 ;
Cooper's Hawk 7 ;
Broad-winged Hawk 10 ;
American Kestrel 4 ;
Merlin 1 ;
Peregrine Falcon 1 ;
Non-raptor Observations:
9 Canada geese, 1 chimney swift, 23 monarch butterflies.
(report from Bart Kamp).
- 9/22/07 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
-
Migrant raptors today:
Sharp-shinned Hawk 24 ;
Cooper's Hawk 5 ;
Broad-winged Hawk 1 ;
Red-tailed Hawk 1 ;
American Kestrel 5 ;
Merlin 1 ;
Non-raptor Observations:
100+ migrating blue jays, 15 monarch butterflies and one praying mantis.
(report from Bart Kamp).
- 9/22/07 -- Blackstone Corridor
- We spent this morning birding in our upcoming atlas block: UXBRIDGE 11. This
block is mostly in the small town of BLACKSTONE MA on the border with
Woonsocket RI. This block also includes a small area of southern Mendon. You
do not bump into many birders in this part of the state, which is what makes
it so interesting to explore. Blackstone, a former mill town along the
Blackstone River, is now mostly featureless suburbs, but with some nice
woodlots, power line cut-throughs and small fields and farms. There is very
little standing water, just a few tiny farm ponds. But one of the small
tributaries of the Blackstone here hosts the very rare, State-listed Brook
Lamprey. Interesting areas to bird in this block also inlcude DANIEL'S
FARM, a small historical site with a good amount of forest edge. Ravens
breed in the microwave tower just across the street. Even better is the
QUISSET HILL WMA. This has got to be one of the toughest WMAs in the state
to find a trail head into. Thanks to Beth Milke and her friend, we finally
discovered the trailhead at the very end of Quisset Hill Road in Mendon.
This WMA is mostly upland deciduous forest, with a good set of trails. The
numerous oaks and alders attract numbers of fall migrant warblers as we
found out today. Overall, it was a mediocre landbird migration day, except
for Blackpolls. Highlights are below:
Green Heron (1);
Wood Duck (2);
Mallard (1);
Red-tailed Hawk (1);
Solitary Sandpiper (2);
Eastern Screech Owl (4);
Blue Jay (38: migrating);
C Raven (2);
Black-capped Chickadee (91);
Tufted Titmouse (52);
Red-breasted Nuthatch (1);
White-breasted Nuthatch (17);
Carolina Wren (8);
Hermit Thrush (2);
A Robin (21);
Gray Catbird (21);
Cedar Waxwing (19);
N Parula (1);
Black-throated Blue Warbler (1);
Magnolia Warbler (1);
Yellow-rumped Warbler (1);
Black-throated Green Warbler (1);
Pine Warbler (2);
Prairie Warbler (1);
Black and White Warbler (1);
Bay-breasted Warbler (1);
BLACKPOLL (128: seen. Over half were seen in about 20 minutes in one small
area of the Quisset Hill WMA as they quickly fed and moved SW in the alders
as the sun finally came out. Many more of this species and others were heard
chipping as they lit off high overhead);
Ovenbird (2);
Connecticut Warbler (1);
C Yellowthroat (2);
Rose-breasted Grosbeak (2);
Purple Finch (12: 1 flock);
PLUS: Woodchuck (1);; Wood Frog (1 seen);; Gray Tree Frog (several heard);.
(report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).
- 9/20/07 -- Mount Watatic, Ashburnham
- Migrating raptors today:
Osprey 4 ;
Northern Harrier 1 ;
Sharp-shinned Hawk 12 ;
Cooper's Hawk 2 ;
Broad-winged Hawk 106 ;
American Kestrel 5 107 107
Raptor Observations:
Caught a couple of 40 BW kettles swimming through the "merk".
Non-raptor Observations:
A few Monarch, and thousands of flying ants that would occassionally
'stick" to us.
(report from Tom Pirro).
- 9/19/07 -- Rt. 56 overlook, Leicester/Worcester
- This afternoon, Sheila noticed on her way home from work that there had been
a MASSIVE hatching of flying ants. They filled the air, were all over cars
etc. So we headed up to Worcester Airport between 5:45PM and 6:30 in the
hopes of seeing some nighthawks, even though is is late in the season for
good-sized flocks. We saw (1) nighthawk despite intensive searching. We also
had (10) Wild Turkeys; (2) American Kestrels, (1) Cooper's Hawk and (6)
Eastern Meadowlarks and (7) White-tailed Deer and (c.50) migrating Monarchs.
On the way home, stopping to pick up food at Nancy Chang's, we had a flock
of (52) Common Nighthawks slowly flying to the south, low and feeding just
above tree-top level. So there are indeed still decent numbers of nighthawks
around.
(report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).
- 9/19/07 -- Mount Watatic, Ashburnham
- Migrating raptors today:
Osprey 6 ;
Sharp-shinned Hawk 28 ;
Broad-winged Hawk 7 ;
American Kestrel 3 ;
Merlin 1 ;
Raptor Observations:
Territorial RS still in the neighborhood...last bird of the day was SS I
heard hitting the leaves in a nearby tree, it moved on SW empty handed.
Non-raptor Observations:
25-50 Monarchs, 3 Purple Finches
(report from Tom Pirro).
- 9/18/07 -- Sterling Peat and Gravel Pit, Sterling
- From 5:15-7:00PM, highlights were:
Pied-billed Grebe (1); Double-crested
Cormorant (1); Great Blue Heron (1); Great Egret (1); Green Heron (5);
Semipalmated Plover (1); Killdeer (18); Greater Yellowlegs (11); Lesser
Yellowlegs (6); Spotted Sandpiper (1); Least Sandpiper (6); Wilson's Snipe
(1); Belted Kingfisher (2); Northern Flicker (1); Eastern
Phoebe (2); Red-eyed Vireo (1); House Wren (2); American Robin (65); Gray
Catbird (13); Brown Thrasher (1); Cedar Waxwing (5);
Yellow-rumped Warbler (1); Palm Warbler (4); American Redstart (1); Eastern
Towhee (2); Field Sparrow (7) Song Sparrow (9) Lincoln's Sparrow (1); Swamp
Sparrow (1); Common Grackle (1). (report from Kevin Bourinot).
- 9/18/07 -- Mount Watatic, Ashburnham
- Migrating raptors today:
Osprey 10 ;
Bald Eagle 2 ;
Sharp-shinned Hawk 35 ;
Cooper's Hawk 3 ;
Broad-winged Hawk 108 ;
American Kestrel 22 ;
Raptor Observations:
slow but steady action and some good looks. Resident Coopers,
Red-Shouldered and Red-tailed Hawks out and about.
(report from Tom Pirro).
- 9/18/07 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
-
Migrant raptors today:
Osprey 2 ;
Sharp-shinned Hawk 35 ;
Cooper's Hawk 3 ;
Broad-winged Hawk 2 ;
Red-tailed Hawk 1 ;
American Kestrel 6 ;
Non-raptor Observations:
4 great blue herons, 25+ monarch butterflies.
(report from Bart Kamp).
- 9/18/07 -- Lake Quaboag, Brookfield
- There were 2 male
Belted Kingfishers chasing each other for at least 10 minutes. Also, not far
from the parking lot, was an adult Bald Eagle flying around as well as an
Osprey which was seen catching a fish. In Brookfield behind the Clam Box
Restaurant on route 9, were 3 Cedar Waxwings that could be heard constantly
as well as seen perched in a tree, both yesterday and today.
Also, there was 1 Great Egret in Mosquito Pond in
Dudley again today.
(report from Joan Zumpfe).
- 9/17/07 -- Mount Watatic, Ashburnham
- Migrating raptors today:
Osprey 2 ;
Bald Eagle 1 ;
Northern Harrier 2 ;
Sharp-shinned Hawk 57 ;
Cooper's Hawk 4 ;
Broad-winged Hawk 1865 ;
American Kestrel 28 ;
Raptor Observations:
An early flurry, slowing then picking up in the PM
Non-raptor Observations:
2 American Pipits
(report from Tom Pirro).
- 9/17/07 -- Mosquito Pond, Dudley
- Yesterday morning (9/16) I
checked Mosquito Pond in Dudley and the 2 Great Egrets were there. Today,
I saw only one Great Egret. Also today, flying over Lake Quaboag
in Brookfield was an Osprey.
(report from Joan Zumpfe).
- 9/17/07 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
-
Migrant raptors today:
Osprey 6 ;
Bald Eagle 1 ;
Sharp-shinned Hawk 35 ;
Cooper's Hawk 3 ;
Broad-winged Hawk 35 ;
Red-tailed Hawk 1 ;
American Kestrel 6 ;
Merlin 3 ;
Non-raptor Observations:
9 Canada geese, 50+ monarch butterflies.
(report from Bart Kamp).
- 9/16/07 -- Bolton Flats, Bolton
- The Forbush Bird Club held a trip today at Bolton
Flats. Here is the
complete trip list
(report from Joan Zumpfe).
- 9/16/07 -- Mount Watatic, Ashburnham
- Migrating raptors today:
Osprey 11 ;
Bald Eagle 6 ;
Sharp-shinned Hawk 68 ;
Cooper's Hawk 4 ;
Broad-winged Hawk 5029 ;
American Kestrel 3 ;
Raptor Observations:
Steady stream all day but picked up in the afternoon, still had birds
fairly high in the air at 4:45 EST. Many of the larger streams of birds
come right over or near the top and high. Our best day since 2001!
Tom McCullough in Alan, Maine had about 3,000 birds today (his back yard
count); and mostly later afternoon...so more on the way.
Non-raptor Observations:
Fewer monarch butterflies than last week, but we soon forgot about the
bugs. One high flying Great Blue Heron, a few gulls.
(report from Tom Pirro).
- 9/16/07 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
-
Migrant raptors today:
Osprey 16 ;
Bald Eagle 13 ;
Northern Harrier 4 ;
Sharp-shinned Hawk 84 ;
Cooper's Hawk 4 ;
Northern Goshawk 1 ;
Broad-winged Hawk 2115 ;
American Kestrel 12 ;
Peregrine Falcon 3 .
Raptor Observations:
Steady movement of birds through out the day. 117 broadwings at 5:30 EDT.
Non-raptor Observations:
1 rt hummingbird, 100+ monarch butterflies.
(report from Bart Kamp).
- 9/16/07 -- The Brookfields
-
This morning we birded several stops in the Brookfields north of Route 9.
This means we did NOT bird the important marshes of the Quabog River, Lake
Quabog or the several impoundments of the Quabog WMA. Instead, we hit the
Elm Hill Mass Audubon Property, the southern portion of the Richardson WMA,
Coys Brook as well as several small fields, woodlots and gravel pits. We had
no grand plan, but just stopped wherever it looked good or saw some
activity.
Numbers of migrants were on the low side, warblers and thrushes particularly
(ex: we had NO migrant thrushes and even very few robins). Still, there were
a few surprises and tromping around the fields and forests of the
Brookfields on an early fall day like this is tough to beat. Blue Jays,
catbirds and flickers were on the move. Purple Finches were in much greater
numbers here than they were this summer. We had some hawk movement, but
nothing outstanding.
Turkey Vulture (7);
Canada Goose (36);
Wood Duck (12);
Mallard (32);
Green-winged Teal (3);
Hooded Merganser (2imm);
Sharp-shinned Hawk (4);
Broad-winged Hawk (13);
Red-tailed Hawk (11);
A Kestrel (3);
Merlin (1);
Wild Turkey (14: plus another 7 in Paxton and 22 on someone's lawn in
Leicester);
Killdeer (3);
Mourning Dove (51);
Yellow-billed Cuckoo (1);
Ruby-throated Hummingbird (2imm);
Downy Woodpecker (8);
Hairy Woodpecker (4);
N Flicker (24);
"Traill's-type" Flycatcher. (1: this bird called briefly twice and
sounded
most like a Willow);
Eastern Phoebe (22);
Blue-headed Vireo (4);
Philadelphia Vireo (1);
Red-eyed Vireo (6);
Blue Jay (87: movement at all stops);
A Crow (27);
Common Raven (3 together);
Black-capped Chickadee (105);
Tufted Titmouse (14);
Red-breasted Nuthatch (7);
White-breasted Nuthatch (20);
Carolina Wren (3);
House Wren (2);
American Robin (12);
Gray Catbird (102);
American Pipit (1: overhead);
Cedar Waxwing (36);
WARBLERS:
Blue-winged (1);
Tennessee (1);
N Parula (5);
Yellow (2);
Chestnut-sided (1);
Magnolia (7: all in one small "wave");
Yellow-rumped (6);
Pine (1);
Prairie (2);
Blackpoll (2);
Black and White (3);
A Redstart (1m);
Connecticut (2imm);
C Yellowthroat (17);
Scarlet Tanager (3);
E Towhee (17);
Chipping Sparrow (64);
Song Sparrow (34);
Lincoln's Sparrow (1);
Swamp Sparrow (18);
White-throated Sparrow (4);
N Cardinal (39);
Rose-breasted Grosbeak (7);
Dickcissel (1immM all by itself in a small weedy field);
Bobolink (3);
Purple Finch (22);
House Finch (14);
A Goldfinch (39);
PLUS: Green Darners and especially "meadowhawk species", were everywhere.
Butterflies included (37); Monarchs, (2); Red Admirals and (1); Leonard's
Skipper. Despite the chill temps (low 40s to start);, many E Painted
Turtle's
were still sunning in the small marshes. A nice stand of Turtlehead was
found at Elm Hill. Mammals included (1); Red Fox and (sadly) a just
"road-killed" Bobcat young born this year.
(report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).
- 9/15/07 -- Quabbin Park, Quabbin Reservoir
-
We birded QUABBIN PARK, Belchertown this AM in what can only charitably be
described as "not the best conditions". When we arrived , it was pouring. So
we parked in front of the Administration Building, scanning the water for
awhile. Then the wind really kicked up, causing white caps to form.
Eventually it "improved" and was merely dank with occasional drizzle and
wind. We pushed on, not expecting much, just seeing what we could possibly
turn up. Below is our total list:
Common Loon (3);
Double-crested Cormorant (1);
Great Blue Heron (3);
Turkey Vulture (1);
Canada Goose (1);
Wood Duck (8);
Mallard (1);
Bald Eagle (1ad+1imm);
Sharp-shinned Hawk (2);
Broad-winged Hawk (1imm);
Killdeer (26: all at the State trout hacthery);
Spotted Sandpiper (3);
Ring-billed Gull (7);
Herring Gull (1);
Great Black-backed Gull (1);
E SCREECH OWL (2: this is a very uncommon owl anywheer in Quabbin, even at
Quabbin Prk);
Belted Kingfisher (1);
Hairy Woodpecker (3);
N Flicker (1);
E Wood Peewee (1: only singing bird in area);
Eastern Phoebe (1);
Blue Jay (8);
A Crow (13);
Tree Swallow (1);
House Wren (1);
MARSH WREN (1);
Black-capped Chickadee (22);
Tufted Titmouse (4);
Chestnut-sided Warbler (2);
Black-throated Green Warbler (7);
Prairie Warbler (1);
Blackpoll Warbler (2);
C Yellowthroat (5);
Eastern Towhee (11);
Chipping Sparrow (12);
Field Sparrow (3);
Song Sparrow (3);
Swamp Sparrow (7);
White-throated Sparrow (1);
Indigo Bunting (1);
Purple Finch (1);
American Goldfinch (8);
PLUS: (1); White-tailed Deer that just stood in the middle of the road as our
car approached. We had to beep the horn several times and eventually it
sauntered off to the side.
On the way home, we made a brief stop at LAKE QUABOG in Brookfield and had:
Great Blue Heron (4);
Great Egret (1);
Mallard (66);
Bald Eagle (1ad);
Tree Swallow (40+);
Barn Swallow (60+);
(report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).
- 9/14/07 -- Mount Watatic, Ashburnham
- Migrating raptors today:
Osprey 6 ;
Northern Harrier 1 ;
Sharp-shinned Hawk 23 ;
Cooper's Hawk 2 ;
Broad-winged Hawk 64 ;
;
Raptor Observations:
The "off" winds slowed the migration, but what was lacked in the numbers,
we had a lot of very very close birds which is not always common for this
sight.
Non-raptor Observations:
1 RT Humminbird, the usual assortment of ravens and Turkey Vutures milling
about.
(report from Tom Pirro).
- 9/14/07 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
-
Osprey 13 ;
Bald Eagle 5 ;
Sharp-shinned Hawk 98 ;
Cooper's Hawk 4 ;
Broad-winged Hawk 196 ;
American Kestrel 13 ;
Merlin 7 ;
Raptor Observations:
Broadwings began rising from the woods at about 9:30 AM EDT. They soared
but got very little lift. By 11:00 AM EDT they had returned to the woods to
hunt and eat. Not migrating: a pair of loudly calling red-shouldered hawks.
We heard them for most of the morning and thought that they were blue jays
until they soared overhead for several minutes endlessly calling.
Non-raptor Observations:
2 rt hummingbirds, 14 dc cormorants, 50+ monarch butterflies.
(report from Bart Kamp).
- 9/13/07 -- West Boylston
-
I came home from work to see that there was a huge emergence of flying ants
in the area. I figured it would be a perfect evening for nighthawks. From
5:50PM to 7:00PM I observed from my deck near the intersection of route 12
and 110 in West Boylston many large groups of Common Nighthawks. At 6:10PM a
group of 79 flew SE towards the Wachusett Reservoir and began feeding and
kettling. After about 10 minutes of feeding, the group reformed and drifted
back North over my deck. Then, a group of 141 again flew SE. At this point I
figured there was just one large patchy group circling the area, so I
decided to get a high count of birds seen at one time rather than count all
birds seen. The high count was 187 at 6:40.
(report from Kevin Bourinot).
- 9/13/07 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
-
Migrant raptors today:
Osprey 22 ;
Bald Eagle 7 ;
Northern Harrier 1 ;
Sharp-shinned Hawk 68 ;
Cooper's Hawk 6 ;
Broad-winged Hawk 1243 ;
Red-tailed Hawk 2 ;
American Kestrel 11 ;
Merlin 6 ; ;
Raptor Observations:
Broadwings were disappearing into the base of the clouds as early as 10:00
AM EDT. Most of the hawks were seen in the afternoon. The largest kettle of
the day was the last kettle of the day:156 broadwings at 5:15 EDT.
Non-raptor Observations:
5 rt hummingbirds, 300+ monarch butterflies.
(report from Bart Kamp).
- 9/13/07 -- Mosquito Pond, Dudley
- There have been 2 Great Egrets in Mosquito Pond in Dudley for a
week now. I saw them on 09/06/07 and several times since, as well as today.
(report from Joan Zumpfe).
- 9/13/07 -- Mount Watatic, Ashburnham
- Migrating raptors today:
Osprey 33 ;
Bald Eagle 8 ;
Northern Harrier 2 ;
Sharp-shinned Hawk 108 ;
Cooper's Hawk 7 ;
Broad-winged Hawk 1664 ;
American Kestrel 22 ;
Merlin 1 ;
Raptor Observations:
Non-migrants included Red-tail, Red-shoulder and nice looks at a juv.
Goshawk.
Had a dozen of so BW's set down within a few hundred meters of the summit
just before 5PM STandard time. The bulk of the BW's in the afternoon.
Non-raptor Observations:
American Pipit, 1 RT Hummingbird
(report from Tom Pirro).
- 9/13/07 -- Greenbriar Recreation Area, Oxford
-
Highlights from a walk around the Greenbriar ponds this morning: 3 great
blue herons, 2 great egrets, 2 mute swans, 14 Canada geese, 5 wood ducks, 4
lesser yellowlegs, 3 greater yellowlegs, 1 solitary sandpiper, 3 belted
kingfishers, 2 warbling vireos, a winter wren and a house wren. The high
point was
watching an osprey harassed by a red-shouldered hawk that was it turn
harassed
by a merlin. They all landed in trees across the pond and were in the field
of view of the scope while a red-tailed hawk and a turkey vulture soared in
the background.
(report from Alan Marble).
- 9/12/07 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
-
Migrant raptors today:
Turkey Vulture 1 ;
Osprey 12 ;
Bald Eagle 2 ;
Northern Harrier 2 ;
Sharp-shinned Hawk 30 ;
Broad-winged Hawk 14 ;
American Kestrel 10 ;
Merlin 3 ;
Raptor Observations:
The broadwings elected to stay north of here for another day.
Non-raptor Observations:
9 rt hummingbirds, 1 loon, 11 common nighthawks; 308 monarch butterflies.
(report from Bart Kamp).
- 9/12/07 -- Mount Watatic, Ashburnham
- Migrating raptors today:
Osprey 22 ;
Bald Eagle 12 ;
Northern Harrier 5 ;
Sharp-shinned Hawk 34 ;
Cooper's Hawk 1 ;
Broad-winged Hawk 72 ;
Red-tailed Hawk 1 ;
Golden Eagle 1 ;
American Kestrel 9 ;
Merlin 8 ;
Raptor Observations:
Slow start, good eagle day.
GE an adult passing far to our east
Non-raptor Observations:
400+ Monarch Butterflies, 200+ migrating Cedar Waxwings mostly later in the
day.
(report from Tom Pirro).
- 9/12/07 -- Berlin
- Yesterday (9/11)
at around 7:45 AM, I was passing the elementary school in
Berlin on South Street. A flock of Canada geese have been grazing on the
playing fields in the mornings, but on this day I spotted a lone Snow Goose
grazing with the 35 bird flock. Of course this morning, there wasn't a
goose to be seen when I passed by at the same time!
(report from Marion Larson).
- 9/12/07 -- Institute Park, Worcester
- At noon there were 3 Mute Swan (imm), 1 Bald Eagle (adult, migrating),
2 Sharp-shinned Hawk, 2 Broad-winged Hawks, 1 Peregrine Falcon (swooping
over pond, heading north, maybe a local), 1 Solitary Sandpiper, 2 Least
Sandpipers, 1 Belted Kingfisher, 1 Barn Swallow, and 1 Cedar Waxwing.
(report from Rick Quimby).
- 9/11/07 -- Sterling Peat, Sterling
- This
photo of a Wilson's Snipe was
taken from a distance with a 700mm lens and heavily cropped -- the snipe was not
apparent to the naked eye. (report and photo from Richard Johnson).
- 9/10/07 -- Worcester Airport
-
Early this morning (6:30-7:30AM) we birded the roads immediately around
Worcester Airport to see if theer was any fall-out of migrants after last
nights great vocal show (see previous post). The weather atop airport hill
was dense fog and very cool. Flocks of BOBOLINKS could be heard still
circling in the air and out of sight. We neither saw nor heard any thrushes,
despite the huge numbers passing over last night. But there were a number
(30+) of migrant warblers still flying overhead in the fog. I could pick out
Black-throated Greens and Blackpolls, but most I could not safely ID. Try as
we might, we could not spish these birds down. A single Common Yellowthroat
was "on the ground" in some weeds. Other birds seen/heard included a
perched imature Cooper's Hawk, a very vocal Eastern Screech Owl, and several
Killdeer. I hope folks to the south of us, like in Burrillville RI (Buck
Hill and Pulaski SF would be good choices) get the chance to check and see
if there was a big outfall of migrants last night.
(report from Mark Lynch).
- 9/9/07 -- Worcester
-
Starting about 8PM, we began to notice large numbers of flight calls of
migrating passerines passing overhead. What was extra-ordinary about this is
how loud these were: ie: these birds were LOW. I first noticed them with the
TV on! These birds continued calling and moving , averaging about 30-40 or
more calls per minute, till about 11:30PM when the vocalizations dropped off
almost completely. What was also amazing was that I was able to double-check
flight call ID by playing the "FLIGHT CALLS OF MIGRATORY BIRDS" CD-Rom while
actually listening to the birds: that's how low and loud they were. It was
great fun to call up a call and be able to say, "that was the one". The most
common calls BY FAR were thrushes with Veerys the most common but other
species of thrush as well. I was able to pick out Hermit and others. Also
common were Bobolinks, very odd to hear low overhead at my house in downtown
Worcester! There were also grosbeaks and there was at least one Dickcissel,
ID'd thanks to it's unique flight call. BUT: I heard NO warblers or
sparrows!!!
Now whether this was a continuous flow of birds or a large flock circling I
cannot tell. The weather was thickly overcast, almost foggy right overhead.
A large rain cell was passing by about 10 miles to the north. Whether this
translates into a big outfall of migarnts is hard to say. Birders today
should check local thickets and birding spots for unsual numbers of migrants
but also check the ground under large buildings lit up at night.
Unfortunately, large numbers of low-flying migrants likely hit some of the
tall buildings of Worcester, radio towers et.
(report from Mark Lynch).
- 9/9/07 -- Sterling Peat, Sterling
- There were Wilson's snipes (2) at about 2 PM out on the mud flats
at the end of the peninsula on this overcast day. Also seen: greater
yellowlegs, lesser yellowlegs, pectoral sandpiper, least sandpiper,
semipalmated plover (winter plumage), great blue heron, little green heron,
great egret and red-shouldered hawk also present.
(report from Garry Kessler).
- 9/9/07 -- Northfield sod farm; Turner Falls Canal; Belchertown
- Hoping to find some shorebrids at the Northfield Sod Farms, we headed out
this morning to the Connecticut River Valley. En route we passed several
flocks of Wild Turkeys, including a pair w/13 young in Barre and another 16
in Erving. By the time we got to Northfield, it was pouring. At the sod
farms we met Scott Surner also looking for shorebirds. There was plenty of
sod but not a single Killdeer around, let alone any of the anticipated
Baird's, Buff-breasted or Golden Plover (all of which were seen here last
year). Part of the problem may be that none of it has been cut yet. Last
year many of the shorebirds spent much of thier time in the turned over dirt
of the recently cut areas. All we had for our efforts was a Sharpie
harassing some wet crows.
We then headed over to the Anadramous Fish Canal in Turner Falls. As has
been mentioned in a previous post, the canal has been drained. There were
still groups of folks rescuing the fish, Mudpuppys and invertebrate larvae
now trapped in the dwindling pools. This entailed walking down to the rocky
and muddy canal bottom with wellies and buckets and carefully looking in
pools and under submerged rocks. Once a certain amount of canal life was
snagged, then the buckets were hauled away to the main body of the
Connecticut River at Barton Cove and released. Among the fish we got to see
up close and personal included White Sucker, a large Chain Pickerel,
numerous small American Shad and several ammocoetes stage Sea Lamprey. Scott
spotted a small flock of Least Sandpipers and there were (10); Green-winged
and (1); Blue-winged Teal among the c.456 Mallards that were moving and
feeding over the exposed mud like starlings on a lawn. It was amazing how
hard it was to spot the shorebrids on the exposed mud, rock and plantlife.
Several times we could hear a Solitary Sandpiper but we never actually saw
the bird. The Leasts would fly up for a moment or call, then disappear from
sight. BUT: While we were all standing there, we were treated to a
BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER that flew up from the north end of the canal, flew
past our line of vision and then as we watched it (apparently); left to the
south. We waited awhile hoping it would return but all we could find were
(2); Belted Kingfishers and an Osprey. It is very possible that this spot may
host some very interesting shorebirds in the next few days as the condiitons
are perfect for a outfall of migrant shorebirds. The canal should be
re-fileld by next weekend.
Scott heard that Puffer Pond in North Amherst had "low water" so we headed
there next. Here at this small forested pond that is part of the Miller's
River Conservation Area were (1); Spotted Sandpiper and (3); Lesser Yellowlegs
as well as (2); Belted Kingfisher and a Pileated Woodpecker.
We left Scott heading for home and then we stopped by South Quabbin (Quabbin
Park) in Belchertown. Viewing the "big water" from in front of the
Administration Building, we had...NOTHING. So we next stopped at the State
Trout Hatchery south of Route 9. Here there were (29); Killdeer running
around among the concrete trout sloughs, (1); adult Bald Eagle; (1); Great
Blue Heron; (10); Wild Turkeys and (8); Turkey Vultures. Elsewhere in
Belchertown and Ware there was (1); adult Northern Goshawk; (1); adult
Cooper's Hawk and (17); Wood Duck. After all that, it was time for us to head
home.
(report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).
- 9/8/07 -- Oakham
- There were
44 nighthawks flying SSW, 5:00 -5:30 pm, running ahead of the severe
thunderstorms. Some feeding. Up to this point, I have seen only singles
migrating over my fifteen acres. (report from Kathy Van Schoick).
- 9/8/07 -- Blackstone Corridor
- On SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 8, Sheila and I attempted to do a "Century Run" in
the
JOHN H. CHAFEE BLACKSTONE RIVER VALLEY NATIONAL HERITAGE CORIDOR (aka
Blackstone National Corridor). This unusual urban "national park" runs
from
Worcester MA to Providence RI, mostly around the watershed of the rather
modest Blackstone River. This river was once one of the most polluted in the
nation. There is no coastal area in the park (the coast is many miles to the
south); and the southern terminus is at Bold Point, East Providence a very
congested, urban spot at the southern end of the Seekonk River where it
joins the north end of Providence River. There are a number of nice birding
spots in the Corridor, and early fall is a great time to bird them. Our
effort was pretty relaxed and we even got to come home (we live in the
Corridor) and rest for a few hours.
Saturday was a very poor day for passerine migration inland, and we had a
hard time chalking up a decent list of flycatchers, warblers, thrushes and
vireos. The weather in the early morning was very breezy, very overcast and
very humid. To make maters worse, the forest lots we visited to find
migrants were still alarmingly bone dry on Saturday. Many birds that we did
see or hear, were moving rapidly overhead and zipped by "un-ID'd". We had
much better luck with shorebirds and owls. Our effort was cut short in the
late afternoon and early evening by the onset of torrential rain
accompanying a severe thunderstorm with lots of cloud to ground lightening.
As with any Century Run effort, there were a number of surprises and
interesting sightings, but also many misses of species we have gotten in
this area at this time of the year before.
We ended up with 108 SPECIES, but another mid-September effort with better
weather should net closer to 120-125 species.
Highlights of SPECIES SEEN only:
Double-crested Cormorant (one spot hosted 209);
Great Cormorant (2imm);
Great Egret (at a number of locations. But we dipped on Snowy Egret);
Black-crowned Night Heron (2: very low count);
WHITE IBIS (1imm: continues at the Cumberland Reservoirs, but a different
location: a small side branch of Diamond Hill Reservoir on the east side of
Reservoir Street. There had been no reports Friday and we thought the bird
would be long gone, but Sheila refound it and we were able to show it to two
other birders. At one point it was harassed by crows);
Blue-winged Teal (3);
N Pintail (1f);
Green-winged Teal (22 at one location);
Common Goldeneye (1f: present for some time);
Hooded Merganser (1imm);
Ruddy Duck (1: though a common migrant, this is somewhat early for this
species here);
Osprey (in many locations);
Sharp-shinned Hawk;
Cooper's Hawk;
Red-shouldered Hawk (2);
Red-tailed Hawk (several);
A Kestrel (9 hunting the Worcester Airport fields at once);
Merlin (1);
Peregrine Falcon (3: including 2 adults perched on a small sandbar in a
small reservoir. One of these brutally harassed a Ring-billed Gull);
Wild Turkey;
Semipalmated Plover;
Killdeer;
Greater Yellowlegs;
Lesser Yellowlegs;
Solitary Sandpiper;
Spotted Sandpiper;
Semipalmated Sandpiper;
Least Sandpiper;
White-rumped Sandpiper (2);
Baird's Sandpiper (2);
Short-billed Dowitcher (2: very uncommon in the Corridor; actually IN the
Corridor, a better find than the Baird's);
LAUGHING GULL (6: small numbers sometimes follow schools of Menhaden up
river from the coast. You can also get a Common Tern or two, even
Forster's,
but not this Saturday);
Eastern Screech Owl (1: front yard);
Great Horned Owl (1);
Barred Owl (3: extremely vocal pre-dawn);
N Saw-whet Owl (2);
Common Nighthawk (a single flock of 73 birds flew low across the east side
of Worcester Airport just as the thunderstorm hit);
Chimney Swift (2);
Ruby-throated Hummingbird;
NB: As mentioned above, passerines were unremarkable. Among the more
interesting sightings was (1); "Traill's type empid; a flock of (22); Fish
Crows; (1); Common Raven; only 11 species of Warbler including Blue-winged, N
Parula, Black-throated Green, Blackpoll, Black and White, Ovenbird, and
Wilson's; a number of Scarlet Tanagers; (3); Rose-breasted Grosbeak; (1);
Eastern Meadowlark but NO Bobolinks because the airport has just mown the
fields; and a flock of (75); Brown-headed Cowbirds.
PLUS: a family of Beavers; White-tailed Deer; Green Frogs and American Toads
all over the road at one point while owling; and an incredible chorus of
Katydids.
Next year: 125 or BUST!
(report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).
- 9/8/07 -- Mount Watatic, Ashburnham
- Migrating raptors today:
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 ;
Cooper's Hawk 1 ;
Broad-winged Hawk 1 ;
American Kestrel 1 ;
Merlin 2 ;
(report from Tom Pirro).
- 9/8/07 -- Leesville Pond, Worcester
- The black-crowned night-herons (3 adults) continue. Also
present: great blue heron, little green heron, mallards, Canada Geese and
mute swan. (report from Garry Kessler).
- 9/5/07 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
-
Migrant raptors today:
Osprey 1 ;
Sharp-shinned Hawk 19 ;
Broad-winged Hawk 3 ;
American Kestrel 1 ;
Non-raptor Observations:
1 hummingbird, 1 common nighthawk, 21 monarch butterflies.
(report from Bart Kamp).
- 9/5/07 -- Mount Watatic, Ashburnham
- Migrating raptors today:
Osprey 2 ;
Bald Eagle 5 ;
Northern Harrier 1 ;
Sharp-shinned Hawk 8 ;
Broad-winged Hawk 29 ;
American Kestrel 2 ;
(report from Tim Mowry).
- 9/4/07 -- Arnold Mills Reservoir, Cumberland, RI
-
The juvenile white ibis continues at Arnold Mills Reservoir on Reservoir
Road, Cumberland, RI. Several birders observed the ibis, which seemed
oblivious to the mallards wreaking chaos all around it. Today, six great
egrets were in the shallows to the right of the ibis.
NOTE: this is a juvenile, so you are looking for a BROWN wader with white
underparts and a long, down-curved orange bill.
Unless you are making a quick stop, it is advisable to park
elsewhere--approaching on Reservoir Rd from Rte 114, there is a cemetery
(open 8am to dusk) on the right about 1/4 mile before the causeway. The
water company patrols the causeway and is tolerant, but inside the guardrail
is posted.
(report from Beth Milke)
- 9/3/07 -- Quabbin Aqueduct, Taylor Hill Road, Hardwick
- Here is the
extended trip narrative.
(report from Chris Ellison).
- 9/3/07 -- Arnold Mills Reservoir, RI
-
The juvenile white ibis waded, preened, and poked the sand this morning at
Arnold Mills Reservoir, RI, in close quarters with a great blue heron and a
great egret. We watched the ibis from about 8:30 to 9:30 am, and introduced
several passersby to this rare visitor.
Mark Lynch found the bird yesterday (9/2), the first record of white ibis in
this part of Rhode Island.
There were many Canada geese and ducks on the reservoir, along with gulls
and shorebirds, cormorants and several other great blue herons. An osprey
flew in to see what the fuss was about. (report from Beth Milke and Nancy
Demers)
- 9/2/07 -- Blackstone Corridor
- WE did some searching for "non-coastal" shorebirds in a few sections of
the
BLACKSTONE NATIONAL CORRIDOR in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. There were
a few surprises:
- GRAFTON, MA: FISHERVILLE POND: small, muddy oxbow of the Quinsigamond
River (important tributary of the Blackstone); with low water
Double-crested Cormorant (4);
Great Egret (1);
Great Blue Heron (3);
Green Heron (1);
Killdeer (51);
Semipalmated Plover (2);
Solitary Sandpiper (1: low count for this location);
Greater Yellowlegs (6);
Lesser Yellowlegs (3);
Solitary Sandpiper (13);
Least Sandpiper (48);
- SEEKONK RIVER RI: (between Providence and East Providence. Tidal, but we
missed the best part of low tide);
Double-crested Cormorant (241);
Great Cormorant (1imm);
Great Blue Heron (8);
Snowy Egret (1);
Black-crowned Night Heron (1ad+2imm);
YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT HERON (1imm: watched hunting along the edge across from
Swan Point Cemetery. I have had other Yellow-crowneds in the Corridor
before, including (1ad); on 6/29/96, a long-staying bird that fed on
earthworms on the manicured lawns of a Northbridge development and
6/26-27/99: another adult at Leesville Pond in Worcester, but the species is
RARE in the Corridor);
Mute Swan (6);
Mallard (27);
COMMON GOLDENEYE (2f: we had 1f here several weeks ago, resting on the same
muddy edge with Mallards and cormorants. Though they are regular WINTER
visitors here, they are very uncommon-rare at this time of the year. They
preened continually while we were watching them);
Osprey (7);
Red-tailed Hawk (1);
Killdeer (1);
Spotted Sandpiper (3);
Greater Yellowlegs (1);
Least Sandpiper (1);
Semipalmated Sandpiper (flock of c.30 that whizzed by so close to my head,
calling, that I could hear their wings);
Laughing Gull (2ad: small numbers of Laughing Gulls follow the bait fish up
from the coast, through Narragansett Bay, up the Providence River and into
the Seekonk River. Today we saw several schools of Menhaden);
Belted Kingfisher (1);
- SNEETCH POND, CUMBERLAND RI: water levels still high
Double-crested Cormorant (flock of 15 migrating overhead);
Great Egret (1);
Green Heron (1);
Turkey Vulture (6);
Wood Duck (24);
American Black Duck (1);
Hooded Merganser (1imm);
Osprey (1);
Red-tailed Hawk (1);
Spotted Sandpiper (1);
Belted Kingfisher (1);
E Phoebe (6);
N Rough-winged Swallow (12);
Cliff Swallow (5);
Barn Swallow (3);
- ARNOLDS MILL RESERVOIR, CUMBERLAND RI (low water);
Double-crested Cormorant (7);
Great Egret (6);
Great Blue Heron (5);
WHITE IBIS (1juv. We watched this bird for 30 minutes and eventually got
Walter Bosse also on the bird. We had to run, but eventually Jan St Jean
also got the bird. This "very rare stray" (Ferren); to Rhode Island has
more
fall records than spring. Records, always of single birds, include: 10/13/54
(imm); Block Island; 3/9-25/64 (ad); Wickford; 9/14/75 (imm); Sakonnet;
8/12-16/79 (imm); Quonochontaug-Charlestown; 9/23-10/6/91 (imm); Block Island.
This is the first record for the Blackstone Corridor and the first record
for this far north in Rhode Island.
Turkey Vulture (1);
Canada Goose (71);
Ruddy Duck (1);
Semipalmated Plover (3);
Killdeer (7);
Semipalmated Sandpiper (3);
Least Sandpiper (49);
White-rumped Sandpiper (2);
Short-billed Dowitcher (2);
Tree Swallow (9);
(report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).
- 9/2/07 -- Rt. 56 overlook, Leicester
- From 5-7PM:
WEATHER: cool; cloudless skies; excellent visibility; Temp: 66 and lower;
winds light from the west; Humidity: 44%
PRESENT: Mark Lynch; Sheila Carroll; Bruce DeGraaf; Beth Milke (for a time);.
Double-crested Cromorant (17);
Turkey Vulture (1);
Sharp-shinned Hawk (1ad);
Red-tailed Hawk (2);
Wild Turkey (16);
Black-bellied Plover (3: seen and heard);
Ring-billed Gull (2);
Great Black-backed Gull (3);
COMMON NIGHTHAWK (217: all, every one, heading NORTH. Action off and on
throughout the watch, with a good sized movement in the last 30 minutes.
Most birds were far out and HIGH to the east. Some feeding was observed en
route, but generally birds were moving purposely. There was NO driftback.
Will we see some of these same birds tomorrow? Will they move over to the
Valley? Will they drift back during the night?);
Chimney Swift (2);
Ruby-throated Hummingbird (2);
Belted Kingfisher (1);
Tree Swallow (5);
Barn Swallow (24);
A Crow (22);
Cedar Waxwing (26);
E Starling (228);
E Meadowlark (1);
C Grackle (149);
Baltimore Oriole (1);
A Goldfinch (2);
PLUS: Eastern Coyote (1 near runway);; Monarchs (34 migrating);; Blimp (1 to
east);
(report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).
For previous sightings, see
August 2007 Archives or
Archive Index