September 2011 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:
- 9/30/11 -- Sutton High School, Sutton
-
At 4.00 on the soccer fields at Sutton High School mixed in with 45 to 50
Ringed Billed Gulls there were 15+ Killdeers and 5 maybe 6 Spotted
Sandpipers. (report from Michael Joubert).
- 9/28/11 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
- Migrating raptors today:
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture 0 0 0
Turkey Vulture 0 4 4
Osprey 19 133 134
Bald Eagle 5 43 43
Northern Harrier 0 19 19
Sharp-shinned Hawk 18 369 369
Cooper's Hawk 9 70 70
Northern Goshawk 0 1 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 0 2 2
Broad-winged Hawk 1 5884 5884
Red-tailed Hawk 4 18 18
Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0
Golden Eagle 0 0 0
American Kestrel 2 67 67
Merlin 2 17 17
Peregrine Falcon 3 9 9
Unknown Accipiter 0 0 0
Unknown Buteo 0 2 2
Unknown Falcon 0 0 0
Unknown Eagle 0 0 0
Unknown Raptor 1 7 7
Total: 64 6645 6646
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Non-raptor Observations:
200 Canada Geese, 10-15 Monarch Butterflies.
(report from Bart Kamp).
- 9/27/11 -- Mount Wachusett, Princeton
- Raptors migrating today:
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture 0 4 4
Turkey Vulture 0 1 1
Osprey 7 55 55
Bald Eagle 1 18 18
Northern Harrier 2 6 6
Sharp-shinned Hawk 2 77 77
Cooper's Hawk 1 9 9
Northern Goshawk 0 0 0
Red-shouldered Hawk 0 0 0
Broad-winged Hawk 53 2364 2364
Red-tailed Hawk 0 0 0
Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0
Golden Eagle 0 0 0
American Kestrel 2 5 5
Merlin 0 3 3
Peregrine Falcon 0 2 2
Unknown Accipiter 0 0 0
Unknown Buteo 0 0 0
Unknown Falcon 0 0 0
Unknown Eagle 0 0 0
Unknown Raptor 2 20 20
Total: 70 2564 2564
----------------------------------------------------------------------
- Raptor Observations:
Had three kettles of Broad-wings during the day. May be the last for this
year. Dogfight between a Kestrel and juvenile Red-Tailed Hawk.
- Non-raptor Observations:
Ravens - 2, Flock of Canada Geese migrating south, around a dozen or so.
(report from Steve Olson).
- 9/27/11 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
- Migrating raptors today:
Osprey 38 ;
Bald Eagle 10 ;
Northern Harrier 8 ;
Sharp-shinned Hawk 60 ;
Cooper's Hawk 14 ;
Red-shouldered Hawk 1 ;
Broad-winged Hawk 169 ;
Red-tailed Hawk 9 ;
American Kestrel 18 ;
Merlin 2 ;
Peregrine Falcon 3 .
- Raptor Observations:
Steady movement of birds all day. Most of the Broadwings passed in two
kettles of 50 and 80 birds.
- Non-raptor Observations:
80 Canada Geese and 40-50 Monarch Butterflies.
(report from Bart Kamp).
- 9/26/11 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
- Migrating raptors today:
Osprey 4 ;
Bald Eagle 1 ;
Northern Harrier 4 ;
Sharp-shinned Hawk 45 ;
Cooper's Hawk 6 ;
Northern Goshawk 1 ;
Broad-winged Hawk 75 ;
Red-tailed Hawk 1 ;
American Kestrel 6 ;
Merlin 3 ;
Peregrine Falcon 2 .
- Raptor Observations:
Most of the birds were high; a few small groups of Broadwings.
- Non-raptor Observations:
7 Double-crested Cormorants, 15 Monarch Butterflies.
(report from Bart Kamp).
- 9/25/11 -- Bolton Flats/Pine Hill Road, Lancaster
-
Highlights of the Forbush Bird Club to Bolton Flats and Pine Hill
Road in Lancaster were NELSON'S SPARROW spotted
by Paul Meleski, Sora, Virginia Rail, Lincoln's Sparrow, Vesper
Sparrows and Grasshopper Sparrow at Pine Hill Road. The huge number of
Swamp Sparrows was also a highlight, but expected at Bolton Flats.
Here is the
complete list of the 52 species recorded.
Bruce Degraaf posted a few
photos from the trip, including
photos of the Nelson's & Grasshopper Sparrows plus Common Buckeye, Cicada
and Leopard Frog.
(report from Kevin Bourinot).
- 9/25/11 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
- Migrating raptors today:
Osprey 4 ;
Bald Eagle 1 ;
Northern Harrier 1 ;
Sharp-shinned Hawk 45 ;
Cooper's Hawk 7 ;
Broad-winged Hawk 7 ;
American Kestrel 4 ;
Merlin 4 .
(report from Bart Kamp).
- 9/25/11 -- Leesville Pond, Worcester
-
At Leesville pond late this afternoon there were 6 Green-winged Teal and 6
American Wigeon. (report from Bart Kamp).
- 9/24/11 -- Gate 35, Quabbin Reservoir
-
We spent most of the morning inside GATE 35 in the northeast end of Quabbin.
The weather was overcast, foggy at times; misty and drizzling at others, all
in all not a great day for birding the area. Still, there were several nice
pockets of migrants working the oaks, though the majority of the birds went
unidentified as they were high in upperstory against the gloomy backdrop.
- Bird list: Common Loon (7ad+1imm);
Double-crested Cormorant (3);
Blue-winged Teal (1);
Common Merganser (5imm);
Osprey (1);
Bald Eagle (2ad);
A Kestrel (1);
Merlin (1);
Ruffed Grouse (1);
Ring-billed Gull (7);
Belted Kingfisher (1);
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (2);
Pileated Woodpecker (1);
E Phoebe (3);
Blue-headed Vireo (1);
Blue Jay (18);
Common Raven (1);
Black-capped Chickadee (51);
Red-breasted Nuthatch (1);
White-breasted Nuthatch (6);
A Robin (1);
Gray Catbird (8);
N Parula (1);
Black-throated Blue Warbler (4m);
Yellow-rumped Warbler (31);
Black-throated Green Warbler (21);
Pine Warbler (85);
Black and White Warbler (7);
Blackpoll (44);
Eastern Towhee (15);
Song Sparrow (3);
White-throated Sparrow (4);
A Goldfinch (1);
- Non-birds: Much to our surprise, despite the weather, we had 3 Monarchs trying to
migrate and there was a nice show of late season dragonflies, mostly
meadowflys and darners. And because of all the rain, the interior of the
forest still looks like the out takes of MATANGO, Amanitas and Milkycaps the
most obvious.
(report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).
- 9/24/11 -- St Philips Cemetery, Grafton
-
At 11:00AM this morning there were 4 Green-winged Teal mixed in with the
usual Mallards. The teal were so close, you could get a great look at them
without a scope and they did not flee when they heard me which was nice for
a change. The teal were found to the left of the Great-blue Heron's nest where the
broken fence is. Also present was an Eastern Phoebe singing as if it were still
spring and 2 American Black Ducks.
(report from Kimberly Allen).
- 9/23/11 -- Sutton/Oxford
-
Around 5.05 at Singletary Sportsman Club Oxford there were 8 Wild Turkeys
feeding near the road.At 5.45 at Manchaug Pond Sutton there was a female
Belted Kingfiser.At 5.50 on Manchaug Road Sutton there was a large mix of
Wild Turkeys did not get an accurate count but there were more than 20
birds.
(report
from Michael Joubert).
- 9/21/11 -- Mount Wachusett, Princeton
- Raptors migrating today:
Black Vulture 2 ;
Osprey 2 ;
Bald Eagle 2 ;
Northern Harrier 1 ;
Sharp-shinned Hawk 2 ;
Broad-winged Hawk 5 ;
Raptor Observations:
A Black Vulture day! 5 total. At least three were juvenile. Two were
migrating together to west. Two others moved from southwest and headed
north and were not migrating. Final one was picking at carrion on Mountain
Road below park entrance. Got a good look at a good-sized black head which
was much larger than a juvenile turkey vulture. Got spooked bay another
vehicle on the road and flew off but unable to determine if a migrant. Tail
was sort of short. The two Bald Eagles were mature adults.
Non-raptor Observations:
Eastern Towhee
(report from Steve Olson).
- 9/21/11 -- Institute Park, Worcester
- HIghlights today at noon were 1 GB Heron, 1 Green Heron, 3 Mute Swan,
3 GW Teal, 1 Osprey (imm), 2 Killdeer, and 1 N Parula. There were also
swarms of USDA personel staring into the trees with binoculars, but in
talking to them I discovered that they weren't actually looking for
beetle holes, but were rather doing a training assessment, looking for
objects that had been placed in the trees for the exercise. [maybe we
could try that for birders ;) ].
(report from Rick Quimby).
- 9/19/11 -- Mount Wachusett, Princeton
- Raptors migrating today:
Osprey 3 ;
Bald Eagle 4 ;
Northern Harrier 2 ;
Sharp-shinned Hawk 11 ;
Cooper's Hawk 2 ;
Broad-winged Hawk 33 .
Raptor Observations:
Bald Eagles - 3 mature and 1 immature.
Non-raptor Observations:
Resident Red-tails putting on a show throughout the day.
(report from Steve Olson).
- 9/18/11 -- Mount Wachusett, Princeton
- Raptors migrating today:
Black Vulture 2 ;
Osprey 5 ;
Sharp-shinned Hawk 10 ;
Cooper's Hawk 2 ;
Broad-winged Hawk 6 ;
Merlin 1 .
Raptor Observations:
Good lift and great tail wind for all birds, so they moved through very
quickly. but few birds seen. Every bird was traveling solo except the two
Black Vultures (first ever at Wachusett to my recollection) 2 OS, 2 SS & 2
BW.
Non-raptor Observations:
Other birds of note: i Belted Kingfisher, i Northern Flicker, 2 imm Tree
Swallows. Redtails (6 juv and 1 ad put on great show throughout the day,
aided by sharpie and cooper's harassing the juveniles, who were stooping at
each other. Also had 3+ non-migrating Turkey Vultures.
(report from Paul Roberts).
- 9/18/11 -- Mount Watatic, Ashburnham
- Migrating raptors today:
Osprey 9 ;
Bald Eagle 1 ;
Northern Harrier 4 ;
Sharp-shinned Hawk 33 ;
Broad-winged Hawk 193 ;
American Kestrel 6 ;
Merlin 1 .
Raptor Observations:
Slow day despite good conditions and big flights in maine including 7900+
from just outside Alna, Me. yesterday 9/17
(report from Tom Pirro).
- 9/18/11 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
- Migrating raptors today:
Osprey 9 ;
Bald Eagle 1 ;
Northern Harrier 2 ;
Sharp-shinned Hawk 27 ;
Cooper's Hawk 7 ;
Broad-winged Hawk 33 ;
Red-tailed Hawk 1 ;
American Kestrel 9 ;
Merlin 1 .
Non-raptor Observations:
Migrating: 47 Canada Geese, 2 Great Blue Herons, 20-25 Monarch Butterflies
(report from Bart Kamp).
- 9/17/11 -- Sutton/Millbury/Northbridge
-
-
Sutton: evening NightHawk counting yeilded no birds -- I am done till next
year. I still had one Hummingbird at my feeders this morning, but did not see
her the rest of day or today .
- At Brierlly Pond in Millbury
there was a GreatEgret also 3 GreatBlueHerons and 1 Commerant .
- At
Meadow Pond and Arcade Pond in Whitensville/Northbridge there were over 40
MuteSwans along with dozens of Mallards and BlackDucks . Also seen at Meadow Pond:
11 Canada Geese 2 GreatBlueHerons and 1male BeltedKingFisher.
(report
from Michael Joubert).
- 9/17/11 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
- Migrating raptors today:
Osprey 7 ;
Bald Eagle 5 ;
Sharp-shinned Hawk 24 ;
Cooper's Hawk 5 ;
Broad-winged Hawk 4411 ;
American Kestrel 3 ;
Merlin 1 ;
Raptor Observations:
Endless broadwings from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM EDT; sometimes kettling in all
directions at the same time.
Non-raptor Observations:
123 Canada Geese and 15-20 Monarch Butterflies.
(report from Bart Kamp).
- 9/17/11 -- Mount Watatic, Ashburnham
- Migrating raptors today:
Osprey 10 ;
Bald Eagle 4 ;
Sharp-shinned Hawk 13 ;
Cooper's Hawk 3 ;
Broad-winged Hawk 1139 ;
American Kestrel 4 ;
Peregrine Falcon 1 ;
Unknown Accipiter 1 .
Raptor Observations:
Slow start and picking up[ in afternoon but sporatic. Local Red-tail, 3 or
4 Red-shouldered hawks (not moving and perhaps a local family group).
Non-raptor Observations:
Canada Goose ~50 on the move, Common Loon, ~25 TV and Ravens roving the
area.
(report from Tom Pirro).
- 9/17/11 -- Mount Wachusett, Princeton
- Raptors migrating today:
Turkey Vulture 1 ;
Osprey 7 ;
Bald Eagle 2 ;
Northern Harrier 1 ;
Sharp-shinned Hawk 15 ;
Cooper's Hawk 2 ;
Broad-winged Hawk 1600 ;
American Kestrel 2 ;
Merlin 1 .
Raptor Observations:
2 Bald Eagles: one immature 2 yr old.Second one a mature bird which was
harassed by a resident Red-tailed Hawk. Nice interlude and caused the Eagle
to show more of the white head & tail off.
Non-raptor Observations:
8 Ravens.
(report from Steve Olson).
- 9/16/11 -- Mt. Jefferson, Hubbardston
-
With no auto access to Mt. Wachusett I thought I would check out Mt.
Jefferson in Hubbardston. This is a lovely conservation land area with good
views to the north, east and south and is about half way between Barre Falls
and Mt. Wachusett. (You can see the new fire tower steel works being
assembled on top of Wachusett.) I was joined by Fay and Peter Vale and our
combined observation time was from 10:00 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Sightings were:
57 Broad Wings; 1 Northern Harrier (high up. We hoped he would drop down as
the area has 2 hay fields that were just mowed); 3 Sharp-Shinned; 1 Red
Shouldered. We also had 3 Turkey Vultures, 1 non-migrating Bald Eagle
(adult), 7 blue birds (at least 2 juvies with spotted breast feathers), and
6 Monarch butterflies.
The winds were good today but not a lot of clouds so sightings were hard.
We did not see the numbers that Wachusett had. I called Steve Olson on
Wachusett around 11:30 and he had had a kettle of 75 Broad Wings about 10
minutes before. We saw 2 in that time period so the kettle didn't come over
us. This site is about due west from Wachusett. This is a nice spot if you
don't want to or can't climb Wachusett.
(report from Kathy Olson).
- 9/16/11 -- Sutton
- Counting CommonNightHawks the last 2 nights I had 2 tonight and 1 yesterday (9/15).
Looks like it's just about over. As of this afternoon I still have 1
HummingBird still using my feeders. (report from Michael Joubert).
- 9/16/11 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
- Migrating raptors today:
Osprey 10 ;
Bald Eagle 5 ;
Northern Harrier 1 ;
Sharp-shinned Hawk 16 ;
Cooper's Hawk 1 ;
Broad-winged Hawk 779 ;
American Kestrel 5 .
Raptor Observations:
Only 3 raptors in the last 2 hours of the watch;2 Bald Eagles and 1
Broadwing. The lone harrier was a young male who hunted the adjacent field
for a short time.
Non-raptor Observations:
20-25 Monarch Butterflies.
(report from Bart Kamp).
- 9/16/11 -- Mount Wachusett, Princeton
- Raptors migrating today:
Osprey 7 ;
Bald Eagle 2 ;
Sharp-shinned Hawk 15 ;
Broad-winged Hawk 603 ;
American Kestrel 1 ;
Peregrine Falcon 1 .
Raptor Observations:
Best Broad-wing day of the season so far. Majority of birds seen in the
Morning. Dwindled in numbers as the day went on. But still around for most
of the day. Bigger raptors appeared in PM.1 immature Bald Eagle and 1
mature Bald Eagle.
(report from Steve Olson).
- 9/16/11 -- Mount Watatic, Ashburnham
- Migrating raptors today:
Osprey 1 ;
Bald Eagle 3 ;
Northern Harrier 1 ;
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 ;
Cooper's Hawk 2 ;
Broad-winged Hawk 163 ;
American Kestrel 1 ;
Unknown Accipiter 1 .
Raptor Observations:
TVs sighted (could all have been same individual) NO Redtails seen, not
even local ones.
Most early birds, actually almost all birds - had excellent lift, which
was strong. Some birds were likely missed, but we had excellent observers,
using scopes to scan as well as bino???s . Cumulus clouds provided good
backdrop.. Just no friggin birds much of time. 50 BWs were in one very
tight kettle seen well by one observer shortly after 11 a.m. EST. Next
largest kettles were 16, 15 and 8! Most sightings were of birds gliding or
soaring alone. No birds for last 1.3 hrs. Almost total absence of
non-broadwings was also incredible.
(report from Paul Roberts, fide Tom Pirro).
- 9/16/11 -- Institute Park, Worcester
- Today at noon there was a decent movement of warblers in the woods
around the pond. Birds of note included Belted Kingfisher (1 f),
Gray Catbird (1), N. Parula (1), Yellow Warbler (1), Blackpoll Warbler (1),
Black-and-white Warbler (1 f), and 1 Am. Redstart (1m). Also yesterday
(9/15) there was an imm Green Heron. (report from Rick Quimby).
- 9/14/11 -- Mount Wachusett, Princeton
- Raptors migrating today:
Osprey 1 ;
Sharp-shinned Hawk 2 ;
Cooper's Hawk 1 ;
Broad-winged Hawk 7 .
Raptor Observations:
Another slow day. Between temp and wind direction, the birds were not
moving much.
Non-raptor Observations:
Work began on building the new Fire Tower on the Summit. This will contine
throughout the hawkwatch. An 11 foot high platform obscures sights to the
south. This will be the new observation deck next year. Second paving of
the roads up to the summit. All foot, bike, & car traffic is ban on the
roadways. Only the trails to the summit can be used. This accounts for few
if no vistors to the summit.
(report from Steve Olson).
- 9/14/11 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
- Migrating raptors today:
Sharp-shinned Hawk 4 ;
Cooper's Hawk 1 ;
Broad-winged Hawk 3 .
(report from Bart Kamp).
- 9/14/11 -- Sutton
-
Counting NightHawks tonight was amazing -- I walked out my front door and had
birds from the start. From 5.00 through 6.20 I had at least one CONI in
sight.All birds came in from the SouthEast activly feeding their way
NorthWest .Total count for the night was 95.I still have a few ChimnySwifts
in the area and I am down to 1 Humming bird still using my feeders.
(report from Michael Joubert).
- 9/14/11 -- Oakham
- A group of approximately 30 nighthawks circled over a half
mile area flying and feeding from 6:30 until sunset.
(report from Kathy Van Schoick).
- 9/13/11 -- Sutton
-
CommonNightHawks for tonight I ended up getting 57 .It was pretty slow till
6.28 and 6.32 when I had one group of 26 and 17 making up the bulk of the birds.
(report from Michael Joubert).
- 9/13/11 -- Mount Wachusett, Princeton
- Raptors migrating today:
Osprey 2 ;
Sharp-shinned Hawk 2 ;
Broad-winged Hawk 2 .
Non-raptor Observations:
Upon arrival at the Mountain, signs were up that only the hiking trails
were open. The road was closed to walking traffic, bicycle traffic, &
motorized traffic because the road was being repaved. Also the sign hinted
that the summit was off limits through 9/16/11. However, it didn't seem to
be a problem as I spend the entire day on the top and talked with workers.
However, this sign proabaly has discouraged people from going to the summit.
(report from Steve Olson).
- 9/12/11 -- Sutton
-
Tonight while counting NightHawks at 5,25 I had an Osprey flying east. The
last 3 days counting CONI'S I had 9, 7, and 28 tonight .As long as there
are birds to be seen I will continue to count,As of today I have 1 possibly
2 Humming Birds at my feeders.
(report from Michael Joubert).
- 9/12/11 -- Mount Wachusett, Princeton
- Raptors migrating today:
Osprey 5 ;
Bald Eagle 1 ;
Sharp-shinned Hawk 3 ;
Broad-winged Hawk 16 ;
Peregrine Falcon 1 .
Non-raptor Observations:
4 very vocal ravens
(report from Steve Olson).
- 9/11/11 -- Worcester Landfill
-
This morning we birded the WORCESTER LANDFILL looking for the Black Vultures
reported by Alan Marble. A great vantage point is where Rt. 20 intersects
with the bike path. There is a break down lane in which to pull over, and
you can stand in the bike path to get off the road. We got there just as
birds were circling up from the ground. No Black Vultures, but we did have:
Great Blue Heron (1)
Turkey Vulture (21)
Osprey (1)
Sharp-shinned Hawk (1)
Red-tailed Hawk (2)
Wild Turkey (4)
(report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).
- 9/11/11 -- Mount Watatic, Ashburnham
- Migrating raptors today:
Osprey 6 ;
Bald Eagle 3 ;
Sharp-shinned Hawk 13 ;
Cooper's Hawk 1 ;
Broad-winged Hawk 206 ;
Merlin 1 .
Raptor Observations:
A Modest start de-progressing to a mere trickle by afternoon.
Non-raptor Observations:
American pipit, Common loon (2), Blackpoll Warblers
(report from Tom Pirro).
- 9/11/11 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
- Migrating raptors today:
Osprey 10 ;
Bald Eagle 8 ;
Sharp-shinned Hawk 35 ;
Cooper's Hawk 4 ;
Broad-winged Hawk 103 ;
American Kestrel 1 .
Non-raptor Observations:
1 Ruby-throated Hummingbird, 6 Monarch Butterflies.
(report from Bart Kamp).
- 9/10/11 -- Mount Wachusett, Princeton
- Raptors migrating today:
Osprey 4 ;
Bald Eagle 2 ;
Sharp-shinned Hawk 10 ;
Broad-winged Hawk 20 .
Raptor Observations:
A local Bald Eagle and Red-tailed hawk were hanging around the summit.
Broadwing Hawks were 12 adults, 4 immature, and 4 unknown.
Non-raptor Observations:
12 Ravens who kettled around the summit three times and were joined at
different times by 2 Broadwings and a Sharpie. Ravens were very vocal.
(report from Steve Olson).
- 9/10/11 -- Mount Watatic, Ashburnham
- Migrating raptors today:
Osprey 16 ;
Bald Eagle 9 ;
Sharp-shinned Hawk 32 ;
Cooper's Hawk 9 ;
Broad-winged Hawk 1494 ;
Red-tailed Hawk 1 ;1
American Kestrel 5 ;
Merlin 2 .
Raptor Observations:
Slow start picking up in the afternoon.
Non-raptor Observations:
RT Hummingbird 3 , Ch Swift ~10, Bank Swallow 1, Barn Swallow 2, tree
Swallow 5, Raven ~6-8,
(report from Tom Pirro).
- 9/10/11 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
- Migrating raptors today:
Turkey Vulture 4 ;
Osprey 21 ;
Bald Eagle 4 ;
Northern Harrier 3 ;
Sharp-shinned Hawk 65 ;
Cooper's Hawk 4 ;
Broad-winged Hawk 290 ;
Red-tailed Hawk 2 ;
American Kestrel 11 ;
Merlin 1 .
Raptor Observations:
Several kettles of 20-40 Broadwings. Not migrating:3 Red-shouldered Hawks,
2 Red-tailed Hawks, 10-15 Turkey Vultures.
Non-raptor Observations:
9 Canada Geese, 6 Common Nighthawks, 1 Ruby-throated Hummmingbird and 40-50
Monarch Butterflies.
(report from Bart Kamp).
- 9/9/11 -- Mount Wachusett, Princeton
- Raptors migrating today:
Osprey 9 ;
Bald Eagle 2 ;
Sharp-shinned Hawk 3 ;
Broad-winged Hawk 14 ;
(report from Steve Olson).
- 9/9/11 -- Oxford
-
At 5.00, Market Basket Oxford, as I came out of the store I spotted some
Common Night Hawks . While waiting for my family to come out I counted 51 all
tolled up . Mixed in with the CONI counting I spotted a Vulture working it's
way in my direction, and when it came to with in a couple of hundred yards from me I
could see I had my first Mass sighting of Black Vulture of the year. CONI'S for
the night I ended up with 63. (report from Michael Joubert).
- 9/9/11 -- Barre Falls Dam, Barre
- Migrating raptors today:
Osprey 3 ;
Sharp-shinned Hawk 8 ;
Cooper's Hawk 3 ;
Red-shouldered Hawk 1 ;
Broad-winged Hawk 8 ;
American Kestrel 1 ;
Merlin 2 .
Raptor Observations:
Not migrating 1 adult Red-shouldered Hawk.
Non-raptor Observations:
4 Monarch Butterflies, 1 Ruby-throated Hummingbird, a group of 15 Ravens.
(report from Bart Kamp).
- 9/8/11 -- Sutton
-
Around 5.40 I had 1 CommonNightHawk feeding over the Mumford River
Manchaug/Sutton. My feeder Humming birds have decreased to 3 .
(report from Michael Joubert).
- 9/7/11 -- Main St Manchaug, Sutton
- The last 4 nights CONI counting has been slow with 42, 4, 0,and 0. I am
seeing between 5 to 7 Ruby Throated Humming birds at my home feeders daily
which is unusal for me here as I rarely have more than 3 at any one time .
(report from Michael Joubert).
- 9/5/11 --Gates 35-39, Quabbin Reservoir
-
- This morning we spent in NE Quabbin, covering from Gate 35 to Gate 39.
Initially the weather was overcast and breezy, but eventually it settled
down to just mostly cloudy with threatening showers. Habitat included a bit
of the shoreline and mostly upland mixed and deciduous forest. Passerines
were in flocks in the middle of the forest, feeding high in the canopy in
mostly oaks. Most slipped by unidentified because they were too high up
among the leaves and all we could see was the movement. Except for the
single Parula, all the species were species that commonly breed at Quabbin,
and for the last month, we have been finding these post breeding flocks of
(likely) local breeders. These flocks were quite separate and if you weren't
in the right place at the right time, it would seem the forest was almost
empty of birds. Having studied these flocks for years now, we have found
that they wander about within a small area of the forest, but are typically
in the same general areas of the woods week after week until migration
starts in earnest. Most Eastern Wood Peewees were still singing, as were
many vireos and Pine Warblers. Two male Black-throated Blue Warblers were
also still vigorously singing. Adults feeding just fledged birds included
several catbirds, towhees, vireos, Pine Warblers and an Eastern Wood Peewee.
A small flock of turkeys included a VERY small bird, still downy in spots,
obviously just hatched a few weeks back.
- Species list: Common Loon (12 ad. We watched a flock of 5 birds dive and search for fish
together, as a flock; they were eventually joined by a sixth and this group);
Double-crested Cormorant (2imm);
Great Egret (1);
Wild Turkey (5);
Sanderling (4: all one 1 small, rocky close to shore, island);
Semipalmated Sandpiper (1);
Ring-billed Gill (4: low);
Ruby-throated Hummingbird (4);
Red-bellied Woodpecker (1);
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (4);
Hairy Woodpecker (1);
N Flicker (1);
Pileated Woodpecker (1);
E Wood Peewee (20);
Blue-headed Vireo (1);
Red-eyed Vireo (29);
Blue Jay (11);
A Crow (10);
Black-capped Chickadee (38);
White-breasted Nuthatch (9);
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (2);
Gray Catbird (7);
WARBLERS:
N Paula (1);
Chestnut-sided (2);
Black-throated Blue (2m);
Yellow-rumped (9);
Black-throated Green (12);
Blackburnian (4);
Pine (26);
Black and White (26);
A Redstart (21);
C Yellowthroat (3)
Scarlet Tanager (2);
E Towhee (12);
Chipping Sparrow (19);
Song Sparrow (3);
Rose-breasted Grosbeak (1);
A Goldfinch (4);
- PLUS: The incredible show of fungi continues. The very wet conditions of the
Quabbin area is producing an amazing variety and number of large showy
species of fungi. ALSO: in small wet areas deep in the forest, there was a
nice showing of TURTLEHEAD.
(report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).
- 9/5/11 -- Millbury/Worcester bike path, Worcester
-
- This morning at around 8 a.m. I went up to the highest point on the
Millbury/Worcester bike path. From there you can get a good scope view of
the old
Worcester landfill that is being capped. In the morning, good numbers of
Turkey Vultures gather and loaf waiting for the thermals. Two on the ground
looked like good candidates for Black Vultures. When they started lifting
off at around 8:45, this was confirmed. The final vulture count was 35
Turkey Vultures and 2 Black Vultures.
- This location can be accessed from the bike path parking lot near the
bottom of Cliff St in Worcester. Walk south on the bike path and bear left
up to
the top of hill right next to Rt 20.
(report from Alan Marble).
- 9/4/11 -- Oxbow NWR, Harvard
-
Nighthawk observations for the past 3 evenings at the Oxbow overlooking the
Nashua and Bolton Flats . Friday 9/2: 75 - 80; Saturday 9/3: 76;
Sunday 9/4: 12.
(report from Dick Knowlton).
- 9/3/11 -- Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary, Princeton
-
Highlights of the Forbush Bird Club trip to Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanactuary were: Immature Hooded Merganser, a freshly feathered and beautifully colored Red-tailed Hawk , two American Kestrels (M), Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds not only at feeders but at several locations on the sanctuary, Blue-headed and Philadelphia Vireos. Also a House Wren which was
photographed. Here is the
complete species list for the 36 species recorded.
(report from Joan Gallagher)
- 9/3/11 -- Main St. Manchaug, Sutton
-
Counting NightHawks tonight at 7.55 I had another American Wood Cock flying
east over the Mumford river .I had one a short while back pretty much the
same time and place. Counting Night Hawks tonight was very productive with a
final count tonight of 379 for 3 hours watching.
(report from Michael Joubert ).
- 9/2/11 -- Main St Manchaug, Sutton
- At last light while counting CONI'S I had 3 Glossy Ibisfly over . Though I
have had flying ants all week feeding, NightHawks have been very sparse.The
bulk of CONI'S here have been heading mainly South East with the exception
of Monday when they were heading West, Has been a decent week numbers wise
with 113 Mon, 262 Tue, 183 Wed, 80 Thur, and 151 Fri. Also seeing large
numbers of CedarWaxwings 50+ daily and a big reduction of ChimnySwifts 12 to
15 tops. I had been having 50 to 75+ daily .
(report from Michael Joubert).
- 9/1/11 -- Sturbridge
- This evening we observed 85 - 90 Common Nighthawks in Sturbridge
between 6:45 - 7:30 PM. They were feeding and were off to the south-southeast.
(report from Naomi Lacasse).
- 9/1/11 -- Institute Park
- Today at noon there was 1 Black-crowned Night-Heron (2nd yr), 3 Mute
Swans (1 ad, 2 imm), 5 Cedar Waxwings (flycatching), 1 Warbling Vireo
(singing). Yesterday (8/31) there were 3 Spotted Sandpipers, 2 E Phoebe,
1 Carolina Wren (singing), 2 Gray Catbirds, 2 Warbling Vireo( singing), and 1
Red-winged Blackbird (m). (report from Rick Quimby).
For previous sightings, see
August 2011 Archives or
Archive Index
