September 2009 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:
- 9/30/09 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
- Raptors migrating today:
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Turkey Vulture 10 13 13
Osprey 1 95 95
Bald Eagle 0 34 35
Northern Harrier 0 11 11
Sharp-shinned Hawk 27 416 418
Cooper's Hawk 1 36 36
Northern Goshawk 0 0 0
Red-shouldered Hawk 0 3 3
Broad-winged Hawk 2 2659 2659
Red-tailed Hawk 1 7 7
Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0
Golden Eagle 0 0 0
American Kestrel 2 59 59
Merlin 0 14 14
Peregrine Falcon 0 0 0
Unknown Accipiter 0 0 0
Unknown Buteo 0 0 0
Unknown Falcon 0 0 0
Unknown Eagle 0 0 0
Unknown Raptor 0 20 20
Total: 44 3367 3370
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Raptor Observations:
Not migrating: 2 turkey vultures and 1 redtail.
Non-raptor Observations:
1 tree swallow, 1 monarch butterfly
(report from Bart Kamp).
- 9/29/09 -- Brookfields
-
We had a short trip to just a few stops in the QUABOG IBA (THE Brookfields);
this AM and recorded the following during a beautiful fall morning:
Pied-billed Grebe (3);
Great Blue Heron (3);
GREAT EGRET (1);
Wood Duck (28);
Mallard (57);
Bald Eagle (1 sub-ad at Quabog, caught a fish right in front of us.);
Sharp-shinned Hawk (2imm);
Cooper's Hawk (1ad harassing a flock of crows);
Ring-billed Gull (7);
Ruby-throated Hummingbird (1);
Belted Kingfisher (2);
Downy Woodpecker (4);
Hairy Woodpecker (3);
N Flicker (2);
Pileated Woodpecker (1);
Eastern Phoebe (21);
Blue Jay (51);
A Crow (29);
Black-capped Chickadee (37);
Tufted Titmouse (2);
White-breasted Nuthatch (2);
House Wren (2);
Eastern Bluebird (9);
A Robin (5);
Gray Catbird (17);
American Pipit (2);
Yellow-rumped Warbler (10);
Pine Warbler (3: 1 still singing);
Prairie Warbler (1);
Palm Warbler (11);
Blackpoll Warbler (19);
C Yellowthroat (7);
Chipping Sparrow (62);
Song Sparrow (17);
Swamp Sparrow (51);
N Cardinal (10);
Bobolink (1);
Red-winged Blackbird (3);
Baltimore Oriole (1);
Purple Finch (1);
A Goldfinch (6);
(report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).
- 9/29/09 -- West Hill Park, Northbridge
-
A hatching-year Yellow-billed Cuckoo was banded at West Hill Park,
Northbridge, this morning at Strickland Wheelock's banding station.
Last week, two immature Connecticut Warblers were banded. (report from Beth
Milke)
- 9/29/09 -- Mount Wachusett, Princeton
- Raptors migrating today:
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture 0 0 0
Turkey Vulture 0 0 0
Osprey 0 166 166
Bald Eagle 1 47 47
Northern Harrier 0 8 8
Sharp-shinned Hawk 0 327 327
Cooper's Hawk 0 61 61
Northern Goshawk 0 1 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 0 0 0
Broad-winged Hawk 0 4462 4462
Red-tailed Hawk 0 1 1
Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0
Golden Eagle 0 0 0
American Kestrel 0 74 74
Merlin 0 11 11
Peregrine Falcon 0 7 7
Unknown Accipiter 0 3 3
Unknown Buteo 0 0 0
Unknown Falcon 0 0 0
Unknown Eagle 0 0 0
Unknown Raptor 0 106 106
Total: 1 5274 5274
----------------------------------------------------------------------
(report from Steve Olson).
- 9/29/09 -- Brierly's Pond, Millbury
-
This morning, there was a drake Ring-necked Duck on Brierly's Pond in
Millbury.
(report from Alan Marble).
- 9/28/09 -- Mount Wachusett, Princeton
- Raptors migrating today:
Osprey 3 ;
Sharp-shinned Hawk 2 ;
Cooper's Hawk 1 .
(report from Steve Olson).
- 9/26/09 -- Cross Street Power Lines, Millbury
-
During an early morning run on the Cross Street Power Lines in Millbury this
morning, I heard my first White-throated Sparrow of the season. I take it
as a sign they are heading back! (report from Kimberly Allen).
- 9/26/09 -- Wachusett Reservoir, West Boylston
-
During a brief walk around the Old Stone Church and the opposite side near
the Railroad tracks, highlights were 1 adult Bald
Eagle, 17 Double-Crested Cormorants, and 2
Catbirds. (report from Chip Ingraham & Shannon Hunt)
- 9/26/09 -- Mount Wachusett, Princeton
- Raptors migrating today:
Osprey 2 ;
Bald Eagle 1 ;
Sharp-shinned Hawk 7 ;
Cooper's Hawk 2 ;
Northern Goshawk 1 ;
Broad-winged Hawk 15 ;
American Kestrel 3 .
Raptor Observations:
Bald Eagle was a mature. Immature (non-migrating); Goshawk was the bird of
the day giving observers a nice show in front before the flyover.
(report from Steve Olson).
- 9/26/09 -- South Quabbin Reservoir and Quabbin Tower
-
- Highlights at the reservoir were American Pipit 8, Osprey 1, Common Raven 1,
Bald Eagle 1, Turkey Vulture 1.
- At McLaughlin Fish Hatchery, there were:
Killdeer 15, Eastern Bluebird 1, Eastern Phoebe 1, Great Blue Heron 1
(report from Kate Doiron).
- 9/25/09 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
- Raptors migrating today:
Turkey Vulture 3 ;
Osprey 3 ;
Bald Eagle 3 ;
Northern Harrier 2 ;
Sharp-shinned Hawk 59 ;
Cooper's Hawk 7 ;
Red-shouldered Hawk 1 ;
Broad-winged Hawk 17 ;
Red-tailed Hawk 1 ;
American Kestrel 6 ;
Merlin 1 .
Non-raptor Observations:
291 Canada geese, 1 American pipit, 4 monarch butterflies.
(report from Bart Kamp).
- 9/25/09 -- Mount Wachusett, Princeton
- Raptors migrating today:
Osprey 4 ;
Bald Eagle 2 ;
Northern Harrier 1 ;
Sharp-shinned Hawk 32 ;
Cooper's Hawk 12 ;
Broad-winged Hawk 23 ;
American Kestrel 12 ;
Peregrine Falcon 1 .
Raptor Observations:
2 Bald Eagles - immature - 1 was a 2 yr. old and the other a 4 yr. old -
white head & dark terminal on the tail.
Because of wind speed & distance, many birds were not identifiable.
Non-raptor Observations:
Small flocks of migrating Candian Geese are occuring now.We had 2 flocks of
25-30 & 18-25 during the day.
(report from Steve Olson).
- 9/24/09 -- Mount Wachusett, Princeton
- Raptors migrating today:
Osprey 23 ;
Bald Eagle 3 ;
Sharp-shinned Hawk 40 ;
Cooper's Hawk 14 ;
Broad-winged Hawk 160 ;
American Kestrel 12 ;
Merlin 1 .
Raptor Observations:
3 Bald Eagles - 1 mature & 2 immature - all p.m. birds.
Some the immature Broad-Wingeds and some Sharpies had a full crop upon
observation.
Non-raptor Observations:
Chimney Swifts - 4
Raven - 1
Gulls - 2
Juncos - a bunch
(report from Steve Olson);.
- 9/24/09 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
- Raptors migrating today:
Osprey 5 ;
Bald Eagle 9 ;
Northern Harrier 1 ;
Sharp-shinned Hawk 62 ;
Cooper's Hawk 2 ;
Broad-winged Hawk 45 ;
American Kestrel 6 ;
Merlin 2 .
Raptor Observations:
5 of the bald eagles were adults.
Non-raptor Observations:
23 monarch butterflies.
(report from Bart Kamp).
- 9/23/09 -- Mount Wachusett, Princeton
- Raptors migrating today:
Osprey 7 ;
Broad-winged Hawk 1 ;
Merlin 1 .
(report from Steve Olson).
- 9/22/09 -- Mount Wachusett, Princeton
- Raptors migrating today:
Osprey 8 ;
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 ;
Broad-winged Hawk 1 ;
Raptor Observations:
An Osprey day
(report from Steve Olson).
- 9/21/09 -- Mount Wachusett, Princeton
- Raptors migrating today:
Osprey 8 ;
Bald Eagle 6 ;
Sharp-shinned Hawk 40 ;
Cooper's Hawk 3 ;
Broad-winged Hawk 147 ;
American Kestrel 5 ;
Merlin 1 .
Raptor Observations:
Had 6 Bald Eagles ( all in afternoon), Two of them were naked-eye birds (1
mature & 1 immature). 3 of the Bald Eagles were mature and the other three
were immature. Bird activity on the summit started upon arrival. Continued
with low numbers until late afternoon and finally petered out.
(report from Steve Olson).
- 9/21/09 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
- Raptors migrating today:
Osprey 11 ;
Bald Eagle 2 ;
Sharp-shinned Hawk 14 ;
Cooper's Hawk 2 ;
Broad-winged Hawk 478 ;
Merlin 1 .
Raptor Observations:
An unexpected 9:00-10:00 AM EDT lift off of broadwings. Broadwings were
converging from all directions in an attempt to join kettles already
forming.
(report from Bart Kamp).
- 9/20/09 -- Tower Hill, Boylston
-
On Sunday, September 20 as part of the celebration of John Trexler's 25
years as the head of TOWER HILL BOTANICAL GARDENS in Boylston, Sheila
Carroll and I conducted an open hawkwatch from 10AM-noon. The
site at the flagpole
has great potential as a hawkwatch site , with benches a great
views over the southern end of Wachusett Reservoir. We were joined by quite
a number of folks, many of them new to hawkwatching. Despite clear blue
skies, we had some outstanding views of Broad-wings forming kettles as well
as other raptors. Definitely a great morning's hawkwatching.
Double-crested Cormorant (6);
Great Blue Heron (1);
Turkey Vulture (7);
Canada Goose (2);
Mallard (5);
Osprey (2: 1 bird right over head in a long, slow glide);
Bald Eagle (1ad: Wachusett bird);
Sharp-shinned Hawk (5: great views of a Sharpie continually bombing a
circling Broad-wing);
N. Goshawk (1ad: resident?);
Red-tailed Hawk (4: including 1 local bird that put on quite a show);
Broad-winged Hawk (94: we had really good views of this species forming
kettles. What a great situation for new birders!);
Ring-billed Gull (17);
Chimney Swift (1: getting late);
Ruby-throated Hummingbird (3);
N Flicker (3);
American Pipit (1: my "first of this fall");
Pine Warbler (1 still singing);
A great time was had by all.
(report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).
- 9/20/09 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
- Raptors migrating today:
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Osprey 8 66 66
Bald Eagle 0 18 19
Northern Harrier 0 5 5
Sharp-shinned Hawk 28 233 235
Cooper's Hawk 7 20 20
Northern Goshawk 0 0 0
Red-shouldered Hawk 0 2 2
Broad-winged Hawk 46 2110 2110
Red-tailed Hawk 3 4 4
Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0
Golden Eagle 0 0 0
American Kestrel 2 41 41
Merlin 0 9 9
Peregrine Falcon 0 0 0
Unknown Accipiter 0 0 0
Unknown Buteo 0 0 0
Unknown Falcon 0 0 0
Unknown Eagle 0 0 0
Unknown Raptor 5 15 15
Total: 99 2523 2526
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Raptor Observations:
Not migrating: 1 bald eagle, 1 osprey, 2 redtails and 8 turkey vultures.
(report from Bart Kamp).
- 9/20/09 -- Mount Watatic, Ashburnham
- Migrating raptors today:
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture 0 0 0
Turkey Vulture 0 0 0
Osprey 7 85 85
Bald Eagle 1 18 18
Northern Harrier 1 11 11
Sharp-shinned Hawk 16 272 272
Cooper's Hawk 1 17 17
Northern Goshawk 0 0 0
Red-shouldered Hawk 0 1 1
Broad-winged Hawk 69 3219 3219
Red-tailed Hawk 0 3 3
Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0
Golden Eagle 0 0 0
American Kestrel 2 42 42
Merlin 1 7 7
Peregrine Falcon 0 4 4
Unknown Accipiter 3 7 7
Unknown Buteo 0 0 0
Unknown Falcon 0 0 0
Unknown Eagle 0 0 0
Unknown Raptor 2 5 5
Total: 103 3691 3691
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Raptor Observations:
Slow day.
(report from Tom Pirro).
- 9/20/09 -- Mount Wachusett, Princeton
- Raptors migrating today:
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture 0 0 0
Turkey Vulture 0 0 0
Osprey 10 111 111
Bald Eagle 2 34 34
Northern Harrier 0 7 7
Sharp-shinned Hawk 8 205 205
Cooper's Hawk 0 29 29
Northern Goshawk 0 0 0
Red-shouldered Hawk 0 0 0
Broad-winged Hawk 50 4115 4115
Red-tailed Hawk 0 1 1
Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0
Golden Eagle 0 0 0
American Kestrel 0 42 42
Merlin 0 8 8
Peregrine Falcon 1 6 6
Unknown Accipiter 0 1 1
Unknown Buteo 0 0 0
Unknown Falcon 0 0 0
Unknown Eagle 0 0 0
Unknown Raptor 2 73 73
Total: 73 4632 4632
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Raptor Observations:
2 Bald Eagles were a juvenile in a.m. and a 3rd year bird in p.m.
(report from Rod Chase).
- 9/19/09 -- Mount Wachusett, Princeton
- Raptors migrating today:
Osprey 7 ;
Bald Eagle 8 ;
Sharp-shinned Hawk 26 ;
Cooper's Hawk 8 ;
Broad-winged Hawk 318 ;
American Kestrel 3 ;
Peregrine Falcon 1 .
Raptor Observations:
Bald Eagles (4 mature & 4 immature) - 3 times 2 BEs appeared at once. I
mature appeared at least 3 more times.
Falcon was immature but close-up and glided over the radio relay in
mid-p.m. Osprey were also abundant in p.m.
(report from Rod Chase).
- 9/19/09 -- Mount Watatic, Ashburnham
- Migrating raptors today:
Osprey 10 ;
Bald Eagle 3 ;
Sharp-shinned Hawk 39 ;
Cooper's Hawk 2 ;
Broad-winged Hawk 255 ;
American Kestrel 1 ;
Peregrine Falcon 2 .
Raptor Observations:
Consitant activity during the morning but no acumulation of numbers.
Non-raptor Observations:
About 50 Canada Goose on the move, 3 Common Loons, a few dozen ravens.
(report from Tom Pirro).
- 9/19/09 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
- Raptors migrating today:
Osprey 10 ;
Bald Eagle 3 ;
Sharp-shinned Hawk 66 ;
Cooper's Hawk 3 ;
Broad-winged Hawk 245 ;
American Kestrel 2 .
Raptor Observations:
Not migrating: 3 bald eagles (2 adult and 1 immature)that were together and
were in the area for about 30 minutes.
Non-raptor Observations:
29 Canada geese and 6 monarch butterflies.
(report from Bart Kamp).
- 9/18/09 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
- Raptors migrating today:
Osprey 3 ;
Northern Harrier 1 ;
Sharp-shinned Hawk 5 ;
Cooper's Hawk 1 ;
Broad-winged Hawk 47 ;
American Kestrel 7 ;
Merlin 1 .
Raptor Observations:
Most of the birds were low.
Non-raptor Observations:
1 rt hummingbird, 3 monarch butterflies.
(report from Bart Kamp).
- 9/18/09 -- Mount Wachusett, Princeton
- Raptors migrating today:
Osprey 3 ;
Bald Eagle 2 ;
Northern Harrier 1 ;
Sharp-shinned Hawk 5 ;
Cooper's Hawk 1 ;
Broad-winged Hawk 15 ;
American Kestrel 1 .
Official Counter:
Observers: Bill LaFleche, Rod Chase, Ted Mara
Visitors:
Rod Stocking, Jenifer Glagowski, Paul Pinault, David & Ursula Godine, and
George Cove
Weather:
Summit was fogged in for 45 minutes in a.m. Once cleared, blue skies with
many clouds (cumulus & cirrus). Temp was 65. Strong wind was W at 5 to 7
m.p.h. with frequent gusts up to 19 m.p.h.
Raptor Observations:
Very slow day. Wind was forcing birds down and prevented them from reaching
summit. Moved site from summit to a more favorable location. Still slow.
Bald Eagles - 1 mature & 1 immature
(report from Steve Olson).
- 9/18/09 -- Mount Watatic, Ashburnham
- Migrating raptors today:
Osprey 2 ;
Bald Eagle 1 ;
Sharp-shinned Hawk 6 ;
Cooper's Hawk 2 ;
Broad-winged Hawk 27 ;
Merlin 1 .
Raptor Observations:
Slow day, some BW's geeting nice lift but most keeping a low profile in the
stiff wind.
Non-raptor Observations:
A nice "pack" of ravens playing near the summit.
(report from Tom Pirro).
- 9/17/09 -- Marlborough
-
Among my yard birds this week I have had a Baltimore Oriole, a Rose breasted
Grosbeak and 2 Blackpolls. (report from Laura Lane).
- 9/17/09 -- Mount Wachusett, Princeton
- Raptors migrating today:
Osprey 15 ;
Bald Eagle 4 ;
Northern Harrier 1 ;
Sharp-shinned Hawk 6 ;
Cooper's Hawk 2 ;
Broad-winged Hawk 56 ;
Raptor Observations:
4 Bald Eagles - 2 mature, 1 2 yr. bird and 1 age unknown.
It was an Osprey day.
No late push by birds because there were few thermals coming off the land
Non-raptor Observations:
12 Cedar Waxwings;
2 Loons (flying);
11 Ravens.
(report from Steve Olson).
- 9/17/09 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
- Raptors migrating today:
Osprey 11 ;
Bald Eagle 3 ;
Northern Harrier 1 ;
Sharp-shinned Hawk 16 ;
Cooper's Hawk 1 ;
Broad-winged Hawk 200 ;
Red-tailed Hawk 1 ;
American Kestrel 2 ;
Merlin 1 .
Raptor Observations:
Most of the activity was between 2:00 and 4:00 EDT.
Non-raptor Observations:
26 Canada geese, 1 rt hummingbird.
(report from Bart Kamp).
- 9/17/09 -- Mount Watatic, Ashburnham
- Migrating raptors today:
Osprey 17 ;
Bald Eagle 3 ;
Northern Harrier 4 ;
Sharp-shinned Hawk 22 ;
Broad-winged Hawk 655 ;
American Kestrel 14 ;
Raptor Observations:
Slow until 1PM Standard time. Not the a big day we'd hoped for, we seem to
be on the installment plan for BW's...but not a bad day at all. Some
afternoon BW's traveling into the clouds.
Non-raptor Observations:
9 Common Loons passed, 7 headed south and 2 east....a Solitary Sandpiper
passed late morning.
(report from Tom Pirro).
- 9/16/09 -- Mount Watatic, Ashburnham
- Migrating raptors today:
Osprey 16 ;
Northern Harrier 3 ;
Sharp-shinned Hawk 48 ;
Cooper's Hawk 3 ;
Red-shouldered Hawk 1 ;
Broad-winged Hawk 821 ;
Red-tailed Hawk 1 ;
American Kestrel 19 ;
Merlin 1 ;
Peregrine Falcon 1 .
Raptor Observations:
A push of BW's between 8 and 9 Standard time, birds soaring into the low
cloud deck and other times dropping out of the clouds into view.
Non-raptor Observations:
A kettle of 45 Ravens were observed to the north east, in New hampshire
another 12 to the east in Ashby. A Common Loon in flight and about 100
Canada Geese moving south.
(report from Tom Pirro).
- 9/16/09 -- Mount Wachusett, Princeton
- Raptors migrating today:
Osprey 4 ;
Bald Eagle 3 ;
Sharp-shinned Hawk 21 ;
Broad-winged Hawk 60 ;
American Kestrel 4 ;
Merlin 1 .
Raptor Observations:
3 Bald Eagles - 1 immature (1st yr. bird) and 2 mature.
Unlike last two days, no late movement of Broadwings in the afternoon.
Conditions were not right.
Non-raptor Observations:
Raven - 12;
Great Blue Heron - 1;
(report from Rod Chase).
- 9/15/09 -- St Philips Cemetery, Grafton
-
Have been to St. Philips cemetery the past few days and saw what I assumed to be the
same male Pileated Woodpecker that was there this past spring. No sign of
female though.
After a brief stop there last evening I was fortunate enough to see an
American Kestrel perched on the same snag that a Merlin had been on a couple
of weeks ago.
LOUSY photos of both can be found on my
blog.
(report from Kimberly Allen).
- 9/15/09 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
- Raptors migrating today:
Osprey 6 ;
Bald Eagle 5 ;
Northern Harrier 1 ;
Sharp-shinned Hawk 44 ;
Cooper's Hawk 1 ;
Broad-winged Hawk 1263 .
Raptor Observations:
Many small groups of broadwings all day long, soaring briefly and then
moving on. All of the bald eagles were adults.
Non-raptor Observations:
12 monarch butterflies.
(report from Bart Kamp).
- 9/15/09 -- Mount Watatic, Ashburnham
- Migrating raptors today:
Osprey 11 ;
Bald Eagle 3 ;
Sharp-shinned Hawk 38 ;
Cooper's Hawk 4 ;
Broad-winged Hawk 774 ;
Red-tailed Hawk 1 ;
American Kestrel 1 ;
Merlin 2 ;
Peregrine Falcon 1 .
Raptor Observations:
Steady activity,with largest kettles, and only a few, about 30-40.
Non-raptor Observations:
5 Monarch Butterflies, 1 Amercian pipit, Blue-grey Gnatchcatcher.
(report from Tom Pirro).
- 9/15/09 -- Mount Wachusett, Princeton
- Raptors migrating today:
Osprey 20 ;
Bald Eagle 2 ;
Sharp-shinned Hawk 44 ;
Cooper's Hawk 3 ;
Broad-winged Hawk 2260 ;
Red-tailed Hawk 1 ;
American Kestrel 11 ;
Merlin 1 ;
Peregrine Falcon 1 .
Raptor Observations:
The two Bald Eagles were matures.
The Red-tailed Hawk was migrating.
Non-raptor Observations:
Pipit - 1
Eastern Towhee - 2
Raven - 5
(report from Steve Olson).
- 9/14/09 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
- Raptors migrating today:
Osprey 3 ;
Sharp-shinned Hawk 19 ;
Cooper's Hawk 2 ;
Broad-winged Hawk 176 ;
American Kestrel 5 .
Raptor Observations:
Weak thermals, broadwings seemed to be moving in slow motion.
Non-raptor Observations:
2 rt hummingbirds, 3 monarch butterflies.
(report from Bart Kamp).
- 9/14/09 -- Mount Wachusett, Princeton
- Raptors migrating today:
Osprey 8 ;
Bald Eagle 2 ;
Northern Harrier 1 ;
Sharp-shinned Hawk 26 ;
Cooper's Hawk 1 ;
Broad-winged Hawk 1231 ;
American Kestrel 1 .
Raptor Observations:
2 Bald Eagles - 1 Mature & a first-year juvenile.
Non-raptor Observations:
Turkey Vultures (non-migrating) - 36. An unusally high count for
Wachusett.
Gulls - 40
Note: Front page article about hawk-watchers on Mt. Wachusett in the
Worcester Telegram & Gazette on 9/14/09.
(report from Steve Olson).
- 9/14/09 -- Mount Watatic, Ashburnham
- Migrating raptors today:
Osprey 6 ;
Bald Eagle 4 ;
Northern Harrier 1 ;
Sharp-shinned Hawk 38 ;
Cooper's Hawk 1 ;
Broad-winged Hawk 472 ;
Red-tailed Hawk 1 ;
American Kestrel 2 .
Raptor Observations:
First "real" kettles of BW's to our short season the largest being 64 and
80 and in the afternoon.
Non-raptor Observations:
A dozen ravens, our first American Pipits of the fall (2) and a Cliff
Swallow were the most noteable.
(report from Tom Pirro).
- 9/14/09 -- Dudley
- Earlier today as I was driving down Dudley-Oxford Road in Dudley Ma, I
saw an eagle right near Shepherd Hill Regional High School. There
is an area across the street from the school and soccer fields that has a
small body of water and tall pine trees and the bird was flying in to these
pine trees. (report from Sandra Buron).
- 9/13/09 -- Bolton Flats WMA, Bolton
- Here is a
list of the
44 species recorded on the Forbush Bird Club trip.
(report from Kevin Bourinot fide Joan Gallagher)
- 9/13/09 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
- Raptors migrating today:
Osprey 5 ;
Bald Eagle 2 ;
Northern Harrier 1 ;
Sharp-shinned Hawk 18 ;
Cooper's Hawk 2 ;
Red-shouldered Hawk 1 ;
Broad-winged Hawk 103 ;
American Kestrel 6 ;
Merlin 2 .
Raptor Observations:
2 redtails not migrating.
Non-raptor Observations:
6 rt hummingbirds, 2 monarch butterflies.
(report from Bart Kamp).
- 9/13/09 -- Mount Watatic, Ashburnham
- Migrating raptors today:
Osprey 15 ;
Bald Eagle 2 ;
Northern Harrier 2 ;
Sharp-shinned Hawk 59 ;
Cooper's Hawk 4 ;
Broad-winged Hawk 136 ;
American Kestrel 3 ;
Merlin 2 .
Raptor Observations:
A nice push of SS, largest BW kettle was a dozen...
Non-raptor Observations:
Not a single Monarch Butterfly, RT Hummer 1, 13 Ravens.
(report from Tom Pirro).
- 9/13/09 -- Mount Wachusett, Princeton
- Raptors migrating today:
Osprey 8 ;
Bald Eagle 1 ;
Sharp-shinned Hawk 34 ;
Cooper's Hawk 3 ;
Broad-winged Hawk 76 ;
American Kestrel 7 ;
Merlin 1 ;
Peregrine Falcon 1 .
Raptor Observations:
Bald Eagle was an adult.
Most birds had excellent lift, so were quite high against the sky which
was usually 50-75% overcast.
North of Wachusett shortly after 3 p.m air mass stabilized and eventually
had rain showers and the flight shut down cold, with heavy, low overcast
and showers to the north and sunny, clear skies to the south and west.
(report from Paul Roberts).
- 9/12/09 -- Quabog, Brookfields / South Quabbin Reservoir
-
-
We started the day at LAKE QUABOG. Here we found (1) Double-crested
Cormorant; (1) Wood Duck; (64) Mallards; (1) Greater Yellowlegs (fly-over
calling); (250+) Tree Swallows; (3) Barn Swallows. There was also a string
of goose decoys out and hunters on the far shore.
- At QUABBIN PARK/SOUTH QUABBIN we had (1) Great Blue Heron; (3) Green Heron;
(1 imm) Turkey Vulture; (24) Wood Duck; (11) Wild Turkeys; (36) Killdeer. At
the trout farm: (4) Ring-billed Gull; (1)Common Raven; (5) Eastern
Bluebird; (42) Black-capped Chickadee; (6) Tufted Titmouse; (2) Red-breasted
Nuthatch; (2) Gray Catbird; (17) Chipping Sparrows; (1) Savannah Sparrow.
There were a few migrant warblers moving among the chickadees: (1) N.
Parula; (1) Yellow-rumped ;(4) Black-throated Green; (1) Prairie ;(7) Pine;
(1) Black and White.
- En route home, along the edge of a large area of fields in New Braintree we
found: (1) Turkey Vulture; (7) Canada Goose; (1) Red-tailed Hawk; (2) N.
Flicker; (20) Eastern Bluebird; (11) Cedar Waxwing; (40) Chipping Sparrow;
(5) Savannah Sparrow.
(report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).
- 9/10/09 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
- Raptors migrating today:
Osprey 11 ;
Bald Eagle 1 ;
Sharp-shinned Hawk 11 ;
Cooper's Hawk 1 ;
Broad-winged Hawk 11 ;
Merlin 2 .
(report from Bart Kamp).
- 9/10/09 -- Mount Wachusett, Princeton
- Raptors migrating today:
Osprey 17 ;
Bald Eagle 4 ;
Sharp-shinned Hawk 5 ;
Cooper's Hawk 5 ;
Broad-winged Hawk 17 ;
American Kestrel 4 ;
Merlin 3 ;
Peregrine Falcon 2 .
Raptor Observations:
Sharp-shined hawk attacked Turkey Vulture in mid-air for 20 seconds.
Bald Eagles were 1 adult and 3 immature.
Non-raptor Observations:
Turkey Vultures - 6 or 7 and close to summit.
Gulls - 29 flying in formation quite high over the summit.
(report from Steve Olson).
- 9/9/09 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
- Raptors migrating today:
Osprey 4 ;
Sharp-shinned Hawk 16 ;
Cooper's Hawk 1 ;
Red-shouldered Hawk 1 ;
Broad-winged Hawk 6 ;
American Kestrel 3 .
Raptor Observations:
One of the osprey was carrying a fish. Not migrating 2 immature northern
goshawks.
(report from Bart Kamp).
- 9/9/09 -- Mount Wachusett, Princeton
- Raptors migrating today:
Osprey 9 ;
Bald Eagle 3 ;
Sharp-shinned Hawk 16 ;
Cooper's Hawk 4 ;
Broad-winged Hawk 18 ;
Red-tailed Hawk 0 ;
American Kestrel 4 ;
Merlin 2 .
Raptor Observations:
3 Bald Eagles - 2 immature & 1 mature.
Non-raptor Observations:
Raven - 4;
Junco - 2;
Towhee - 2.
(report from Steve Olson).
- 9/8/09 -- Mount Wachusett, Princeton
- Raptors migrating today:
Osprey 1 ;
Northern Harrier 2 ;
Sharp-shinned Hawk 5 ;
Cooper's Hawk 1 ;
Broad-winged Hawk 4 ;
American Kestrel 1 .
Raptor Observations:
Watched a Sharp-shined Hawk take out an unknown small bird in mid-air and
fly into the canopy for a luncheon date.
Non-raptor Observations:
Non-Raptors included a Common Nighthawk, 12 Raven, 2 Pine Warblers, 4
Juncos, and 25+ TVs.
(report from Steve Olson).
- 9/7/09 -- Institute Park, Worcester
- Highlights at noon were 3 DC Cormorants, 1 GB Heron, 1 BC Night-Heron
(ad), 5 Mute Swans, 2 Killdeer, 1 Lesser Yellowlegs, 1 Spotted Sandpiper,
and 2 Least Sandpipers. (report from Rick Quimby).
- 9/6/09 -- Mount Wachusett, Princeton
- Raptors migrating today:
Osprey 9 ;
Bald Eagle 2 ;
Northern Harrier 2 ;
Sharp-shinned Hawk 7 ;
Broad-winged Hawk 5 ;
American Kestrel 6 .
Raptor Observations:
The 2 Bald Eagles observed were 1 mature and 1 first-year immature.
(report from Rod Chase).
- 9/6/09 -- Brierly Pond, Millbury
-
Around 6pm while watching the Graylag and her kin and the plethora of
Mallards, an adult Bald Eagle made a pit stop for about 15 minutes on a rock
in the middle of the Pond. Also sighted were Killdeer and a Great Blue
Heron.
(report from Chip Ingraham and Shannon Hunt)
- 9/6/09 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
- Raptors migrating today:
Osprey 5 ;
Bald Eagle 4 ;
Northern Harrier 1 ;
Sharp-shinned Hawk 10 ;
Cooper's Hawk 1 ;
Broad-winged Hawk 13 ;
American Kestrel 10 ;
Merlin 3 .
Raptor Observations:
There were high flying fast gliding birds. An adult and 2 sub adult bald
eagles were together. Not migrating: at least 12 turkey vultures, 4
redtails and 1 broadwing.
Non-raptor Observations:
5 rt hummingbirds, 1 monarch butterfly.
(report from Bart Kamp).
- 9/5/09 -- Mount Wachusett, Princeton
- Raptors migrating today:
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 ;
Broad-winged Hawk 5 .
Raptor Observations:
7 local Turkey Vultures and 1 local Red-tailed Hawk hanging around.
(report from Paul Roberts).
- 9/4/09 -- Notre Dame cemetery, Worcester
-
Rick Walker and I
began at 5:55 pm counting Night hawks, with the birds coming
in bunches as follows:
- 5:55 pm:
20, 67, 41
- 6:45 pm: 252, 5, 22, 4
- 7:08 pm: 89, 3
- 7:11 pm: 132
- 7:23 pm: 23
(report from Susan LaBree).
- 9/3/09 -- Mount Wachusett, Princeton
- Raptors migrating today:
Bald Eagle 1 ;
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 ;
Cooper's Hawk 1 ;
Raptor Observations:
Very quiet day and early in the season.
Non-raptor Observations:
I had five common nighthawks fly over around 11:00 am. Very unusual and
they were definitely migrating, heading due South. Very odd as they should
be resting. (report from Steve Olson).
- 9/3/09 -- Rt. 56 airport overlook, Worcester
-
Seen 5-7PM from the Rt.56 airport overlook:
Double-crested Cormorant (2);
Osprey (1);
Red-tailed Hawk (1);
A Kestrel (2);
Merlin (1);
Wild Turkey (1);
Killdeer (8);
Ring-billed Gull (2);
COMMON NIGHTHAWK (973: most in several large feeding flocks. We watched one
sizeable flock drift back and forth a number of times over SW Worcester.
Very little direct movement. Lots of flying ants about);
Tree Swallow (19);
Barn Swallow (5);
Bobolink (1);
E Meadowlark (1).
(report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).
- 9/2/09 -- Sterling Peat, Sterling
- This evening at Sterling Peat there was an immature little blue heron. It
was roosting in a dead tree along with a great egret.
(report from Kevin Bourinot).
- 9/2/09 -- The Shoppes at Blackstone Valley, Millbury
- Kim Allen and I continued our Common Nighthawk watch at the Millbury Mall
tonight. We were joined by Joan Gallagher. We started to observe birds
around 5:15 with large flocks feeding and drifting north. Later between
6:00 and
7:00 we had presumably some of the same birds feeding and moving south. We
tried to be careful about double counting and came up with a conservative
number of 328.
- At 10:30 a.m.at home in Millbury, I had a small flock of 10 Common
Nighthawks feeding for about 5 minutes above the house before drifting off
to the
Southeast.
(report from Alan Marble).
- 9/2/09 -- Notre Dame Cemetery, Worcester
- Rick Walker and I saw 679 Common Night Hawks between 5:30 and 7:30 at Notre
Dame Cemetery this evening. We had one large group of 116 that flew south then
some of them came back north (50), I thought the same group was going back
south again but there were 251 in the new group! They came in groups of: 65,
122, 251,35, 68,116, and 22. All eventually heading south/ south east.
The night before I saw 142 Common Night Hawks at the same Place.
(report from John Shea).
- 9/1/09 -- Winimussett WMA, New Braintree
- Here is the
extended trip narrative
from the Hardwick Road Entrance, 4:48 - 7:43 P.M.
(trip report from Chris Ellison).
- 9/1/09 -- The Shoppes at Blackstone Valley, Millbury
-
Kim Allen, Sharon Anderson and I did some nighthawking tonight from 5:30 to
7:30 at the Millbury Mall. We had 30 birds feeding and moving around in
different directions, 28 birds migrating to the southeast, 6 to the south
and 3 to the southwest. 3 birds were making a beeline directly to the
northeast, for a total of 70.
(report from Alan Marble).
For previous sightings, see
August 2009 Archives or
Archive Index
