- 3/21/99 -- Wachusett Reservoir, Clinton
-
From Mark Lynch:
We (Mark Lynch and Sheila Carroll) started searching for the Eared
Grebe that Fran McMenemy had reported by about 7:00 AM. When we arrived at
the dyke, MDC personell were present firing off different sorts of
"ordinance" as part of their anti-gull program. Needless to say, there were
no birds around THAT part of the reservoir. We began a thorough check of
different areas of Wachset Reservoir, which took most of the morning (it IS
a very large large body of water, second in size in MA only to Quabbin).
At about 11:00 from the Rt. 70 side (north-eastern shore) we spotted two
distant grebes cruising along the eastern shore of Cemetary Island. They
were in an area that was only visible from this spot, but were swimming
around, so.......we headed back to the Rt. 110 side, back to the dyke and
by 12:00 two grebes were visible, still at a distance. One looked like a
Horned Grebe in basic plumage. The other bird was darker and looked
potentially interesting. We waited and eventually the bird swam and flew
till after some waiting it was quite close to us and we were able to get
great views. It was a HORNED GREBE in transitional plumage. Though the
fore-neck was dark, and the sides of the face dusky, subtle details of the
pattern of dark on the top and sides of the head, the thickness and
structure of the bill, the thickness of the neck, and the fact that though
the head seemed somewhat peaked, it wasn't peaked enough, lead to this ID.
All this was seen only when the bird was very close. The bird at a distance
looked very promising. Whether this is the bird that Fran had yesterday,I
want to emphasize that of course I cannot say, but I do want to caution
birders looking for the Eared Grebe that this confusingly similar
plumaged Horned Grebe could easily be ticked off as the target bird when
seen at a distance. Sheila Carroll took some photos of both this grebe and
the Red-necked Grebe that it joined in close to the dyke. A complete list
of our surveys of the reservoir and nearby ponds will be posted on this web
site. (report from Mark Lynch).
- 3/21/99 -- Wachusett Reservoir/nearby pond survey
-
The following species were noted while searching for the Eared Grebe.
WACHUSET RESERVOIR:
Red-Necked Grebe (1); Horned Grebe (2); Canada Goose (24); Green-Winged Teal
(5); A. Black Duck (83); Mallard (12); A. Wigeon (5); Ring-Necked Duck
(15);Greater Scaup (5); Common Goldeneye (22); Bufflehead (1); Common
Merganser (41); Hooded Merganser (4); Red-Tailed Hawk (4: one with a rodent in
its talons); Killdeer (1); Tree Swallows (8); Yellow-Rumped Warbler (1); Fox
Sparrow (1).
COACHLACE POND, CLINTON:
Canada Goose (9); Green-Winged Teal (2); A. Black Duck (1); Mallard (4);
Gadwall (2); Greater Scaup (39); Lesser Scaup (1m).
SOUTH MEADOW POND, CLINTON:
Canada Goose (4); Wood Duck (2); Mallard (22); Hooded Merganser (14).
EAST WAUSHACUM, STERLING:
Canada Goose (2); Mallard (3); Bufflehead (2); Common Merganser (39).
WEST WAUSHACUM, STERLING:
Mallard (7); Common Goldeneye (2); Hooded Merganser (8).
STERLING PEAT, STERLING:
Canada Goose (81); A. Black Duck (1); Mallard (8);Ring-Necked Duck (17); A.
Kestrel (1); Belted Kingfisher (2). (report from Mark Lynch ).
- 3/21/99 -- Northboro/Westboro
-
Of the 26 species of birds seen today, 3/21, at the Westboro Fisheries and
Wildlife area, of note were 2 Great Blue Heron, 3 Wood Duck, 2
Hooded Merganser, 1 Northern Harrier (male), 1 American Kestrel, 5 Eastern
Bluebird, 1 Eastern Towhee and 3 Brown-headed Cowbird.
Also in Northboro on Bartlett Pond there were 1 Pied-billed Grebe, 2
American Widgeon, and 107 Ring-necked Ducks. At Little Chauncey Pond
there were 15 Ring-necked Duck and a pair of Common Goldeneye. (report
from Ann Boover).
- 3/21/99 -- Wachusett REservoir, Clinton
- The bird initially reported as an EARED GREBE was, upon a closer
inspection, identified as a HORNED GREBE in transitional plumage.
(report from Fran McMenemy).
- 3/20/99 Wachusett Reservoir, Clinton
- An EARED GREBE in basic plumage was found today at gate
39 (northwest side) of the reservoir. There was also a
RED-NECKED GREBE in the same area. Across rt. 110, on
Coachlace pond, there continued to be a drake REDHEAD DUCK.
There were also 38 Greater Scaup and 5 Lesser Scaup. On East
Lake Waushacum there was a GLAUCUS GULL. (report from Fran
McMenemy).
- 3/20/99 Hodges Village ACE, Oxford
- Highlights at Hodges Village ACE this morning (3/20)included:
2 Fox Sparrow;
8 Wood Duck;
4 Hooded Merganser; and
1 Common Goldeneye. (report from Paul Meleski).
- 3/20/99 -- Petersham
- The following birds were counted in PETERSHAM just before and at dawn on 3/20:
Canada Goose (3); Mallard (3); A. Black Duck (3); Hooded Merganser (2) (note:
most of the ponds were still frozen); Wild Turkey (41); Ruffed Grouse (1); A.
Woodcock (3); BARRED OWL (2 heard); N. SAW-WHET OWL (2 heard); Belted
Kingfisher (1); Downy Woodpecker (4); Hairy Woodpecker (1); N. Flicker (1);
Pileated Woodpecker (2); Blue Jay (13); A. Crow (11); Common Raven (1);
Black-Capped Chickadee (41); Tufted Titmouse (7); Red-Breasted Nuthatch (5);
White-Breasted Nuthatch (10); Brown Creeper (5 singing); WINTER WREN (2
singing); Golden-crowned Kinglet (3); A. Robin (5); A. Tree Sparrow (24); Song
Sparrow (2); FOX SPARROW (1); Dark-Eyed Junco (94); PURPLE FINCH (1 singing);
EVENING GROSBEAK (1 calling overhead. Note: these birds are probably now
returning to MA to breed!); A. Goldfinch (44).
MAMMALS seen included: many Red and Grey Squirrels, (5+) E. Chipmunks; (5)
White-Tailed Deer; several tail-slapping Beavers in Barre; and excellent looks
at a MINK as it swam, clambered over a beaver lodge and eventually crossed the
road in front of us. (report from Mark Lynch).
- 3/19/99 -- Leesville Pond, Worcester
- This morning at Leesville Pond: there was: Canada Goose (2); Wood Duck (1m);
GADWALL (3: 1m+2f); A. Black Duck (7); Mallard (14); Hooded Merganser (3);
Golden-Crowned Kinglet (4); YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER (1); A. Tree Sparrow (5);
Song Sparrow (3); Red-Winged Blackbird (15+).
At nearby Notre Dame Cemetary: A. Black Duck (4); Mallard (7); A. Tree Sparrow
(1); Song Sparrow (6); Dark-Eyed Junco (2); Red-Winged Blackbird (10+); Common
Grackle (10+). (report from Mark Lynch).
- 3/19/99 -- Northboro
- A Fox Sparrow was in Ann Boover's backyard in Northboro at 6:30 this a.m. It first
visited on January 16, and has visited (daily) the same forsythia
shrub for two months now.
(report from Ann Boover).
- 3/16/99 -- Rowley Hill, Sterling
- There were 3 turkey vultures and 2 Am. Woodcock. (report from Richard Spedding)
- 3/16/99 -- Bay Path Voc/Tech, Charlton
- Today around noon there were over 100
America Robins and 8 Horned Larks (report from Paul Meleski).
- 3/13/99 -- Quabbin Park/Hadley
-
The following were seen in Quabbin Park,(south quabbin) and Belchertown:
COMMON RAVENS (setting up nesting);
RUFFED GROUSE (1);
WILD TURKEY (26).
In HADLEY , between Russelville/ Comins Road and Meadow
Street/Knightly Rd. off Rt. 116 N. of Rt.9, there were
GREATER WHITE FRONTED GOOSE (1);
SNOW GOOSE (1 imm);
Canada Goose (1250+);
Mallard (70+);
Turkey Vulture (4);
Red-Shouldered Hawk (1);
Red-Tailed Hawk (2);
Horned Lark (70+).
Note: This huge flock of Canadas, which contains the Greater White-Fronted and
Snow Goose often splits into a few sub-groups. Therefore, spend some time
along one set of roads, but be sure to check out the others! Don't asume you
are looking at ALL the geese in any one area. When we arrived at 8:30 AM,
flocks of geese were still flying in from the river to the south to feed in
this area of fields. Consequently, the geese in question may not be present
first thing in the AM or later in the PM. Earlier this year, the Greater
White-Fronted was seen at Hadley Cove, on the Connecticut River south of Rt.9.
Further note: the gate to get in and drive the roads of Quabbin Park, by the
administration building, did not open till 8:00 AM, which seems a bit late.
Anomaly? I can't tell. (report from Mark Lynch).
- 3/14/99 -- Hodges/Dark Brook Res, Oxford/Auburn
- Highlights from Hodges Village ACE in Oxford included
3 Field Sparrows and 4 Turkey Vultures.
Waterfowl at Dark Brook Reservoir in Auburn included
24 Common Merganser,
17 Hooded Merganser,
2 Common Goldeneye, and
1 Ring-necked Duck. (report from Paul Meleski).
- 3/14/99 -- Broad Meadow Brook Sanctuary, Worcester
- Highlights included 2
Red-bellied Woodpecker,
3 Carolina Wren,
and 3 Eastern Bluebird (report from John Liller).
- 3/7/99 -- Pond survey of Brookfields/Auburn/Worcester
- The following birds were seen Sunday PM, under less than ideal conditions:
lots of wind/blowing snow, low digit wind chills:
BROOKFIELDS: We did a survey of the major ponds in the Brookfields.
Surprisingly, there were few ducks (compared to yesterday's count in Southboro
and Westboro) even though most of the ponds were open:
Canada Goose (78);
WOOD DUCK (14);
A. Black Duck (6);
Mallard (23);
Hooded Merganser (5);
Common Merganser (24);
Turkey Vulture (1);
Red-Tailed Hawk (1: raptors were having a tough time soaring today!);
Ring-Billed Gull (42);
Herring Gull (6);
Great-Black-Backed Gull (1);
Eastern Bluebird (4).;
BAY PATH VOC./TECH, CHARLTON:
Horned Lark (3);
A. Robin (10)
DARK BROOK RESERVOIR, AUBURN:
Canada Goose (4);
Mallard (2);
Common Goldeneye (2);
Hooded Merganser (10);
Common Merganser (24);
LEESVILLE POND, WORCESTER
Canada Goose (4);
Wood Duck (pair);
A. Black Duck (2);
Mallard (10);
Hooded Merganser (7);
Common Merganser (2);
NOTRE DAME CEMETARY, WORCESTER
Mallard (35);
A. Black Duck (2);
A. Tree Sparrow (3);
Dark-Eyed Junco (20);
There were surprisingly few birds at Leesville and Notre Dame, perhaps because
of the storm last night. (report from Mark Lynch).
- 3/6/99 -- Pond survey of Westboro/Southboro/Northboro
-
The following were seen today while censusing ponds in three of the adjacent
"boro" towns 3/6:
AT SUASCO (Westboro):
Canada Goose (9);
A. Black Duck (6);
Mallard (19);
Ring-Necked Duck (5);
C. Goldeneye (1);
Hooded Merganser (10);
Common Merganser (16);
GREAT BLUE HERON (3 birds on 2 occ. nests..so far);
GREAT HORNED OWL (1 on nest: see notes below);
RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER (1m usually here);
Red-Winged Blackbird (30+ all m on terr.);
AT CHAUNCY POND (Westboro):
Canada Goose (28);
Mallard (10);
Hooded Merganser (5);
Common Merganser (256);
Ruddy Duck (1);
A. Robin (10);
Red-Winged Blackbird (20+);
AT LITTLE CHAUNCY POND (Northboro):
Canada Goose (4);
A. Black Duck (2);
Mallard (7);
Ring-Necked Duck (5);
Red-Winged Blackbird (25);
AT BARTLETT POND (Northboro):
Canada Goose (18);
A. Black Duck (2);
Mallard (10);
Hooded Merganser (3);
Red-Winged Blackbird (15+);
AT SUDBURY RESERVOIR (Southboro)
Canada Goose (46);
Mallard (50);
Ring-Necked Duck (9);
Common Goldeneye (39);
Bufflehead (8);
Hooded Merganser (10);
Common Merganser (99);
Belted Kingfisher (1);
HERMIT THRUSH (1 on the Bay Crescent Trail).
Note: The nesting Great Horned is out on the SUASCO water impoundment in a
Great Blue Heron nest at a bit of distance from land. For those of you who
have never seen this bird: Look from the canoe launch area just past the
railroad overpass on ARCH STREET(get an atlas!). Look for a small electrical
utility structrure, the short path to the canoe launch is just to the right of
this. This is also a good spot to check the herons and check for ducks. almost
every year a Great Horned nests among the Great Blues. This year the nest is
the rightmost tree that has a tandem pair of nests. The Great Horned is on the
lower nest. Sometimes the bird is scrunched way down and all you can see are
the head tufts. Later in spring, the young can be seen in the nest all the
while that Great Blues nest all round. Last year there was a similar situation
at Barre Falls Dam. You will defintely need a scope. Walking up the embankment
to the railroad tracks, you can walk down along the edge of the water and get
other, sometimes better, views. Be sure to check for waterfowl.
(report from Mark Lynch).
- 3/6/99 -- Rowley Hill, Sterling
-
There were 1 great horned owl, 1 barred
owl, and 1 am. kestrel. (report from Richard Spedding).
- 3/6/99 -- Hodges Village Dam ACE, Oxford
- Highlights of a census of Hodges Village Dam included
4 Wood Duck, 6 Hooded Merganser,
17 Red-winged Blackbird, and 5
Common Grackle.
Also, Dark Brook Reservoir in Auburn had the following highlights:
2 Common Goldeneye,
8 Hooded Merganser, and
13 Common Merganser. (report from Paul Meleski).
- 3/3/99 -- Broad Meadow Brook Sanctuary, Worcester
- There were 1 AMERICAN WOODCOCK,
2 Carolina Wren,
1 Eastern Bluebird,
39+ Red-winged Blackbird,
150 Common Grackle, and 2
Brown-headed Cowbird. (report from John Liller).
- 3/3/99 -- Institute Park, Worcester
- There were 1 Kingfisher, a Pied-billed Grebe (starting summer plumage), 25 Common
Mergansers, 5 Hooded Mergansers, and 8 Common Grackles. (report from Howard Shainheit).
- 3/2/99 -- Rowley Hill, Sterling
- There were 1 Coopers Hawk,1 turkey
vulture, 15 grackles, and 10 red winged blackbirds. (report from Richard Spedding)
- 2/28/99 -- City of Worcester pond survey
- A semi-monthly (twice a month) survey today (2/28) of ponds and lakes in and
contiguous to the city of Worcester (many of which were recently substantially
re-frozen) had the following totals:
PIED BILLED GREBE (1) The same bird hangs on at Salisbury Pond;
Mute Swan (4);
Canada Goose (89);
A. Black Duck (38);
Mallard (530 + 2 obvious Mallard/Black Duck hybrids);
REDHEAD (1m). The same drake is still present at L. Quinsigamond;
Greater Scaup (2);
Common Goldeneye (28 all at southern end of Lake Quinsigamond);
Hooded Merganser (36);
Common Merganser (59);
A. Coot (15);
Ring-Billed Gull (479);
Herring Gull (89);
Great Black-Backed Gull (9);
B. Kingfisher (3);
Red-Winged Blackbird (30: all males on territory);
In addition there were 4 Red-Tailed Hawks, a flock of (450+) A. Robins feeding
at the base of Airport Hill on crabapples and bittersweet,(many on the ground)
and (6) Common Grackles.
A search of downtown did NOT produce the Peregrine.
(report from Mark Lynch).
- 2/28/99 Worcester Water Diversion marsh, Auburn
- An early morning walk at the Worcester Water Diversion marsh on Southbridge St
in Auburn yielded
1 pr Gadwall,
1 pr Green-winged Teal, and
3 pr Hooded Merganser. (report from Paul Meleski).
- 2/27/99 -- Hodges Village ACE, Oxford
- Highlights at Hodges Village included
2 WOOD DUCK (m and f pair),
6 RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD,
40 AMERICAN ROBIN,
2 EASTERN BLUEBIRD, and
1 TURKEY VULTURE.
Also at Bolton Flats there were
1 GREAT HORNED OWL calling at sunset and
10 RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD. (report from Paul Meleski).
A PILEATED WOODPECKER was observed on Upper Gore Road in
Webster (report from Pam Landry, fide Paul Meleski).
- 2/26/99 -- Southboro
- TURKEY VULTURES were reported roosting in the Southboro
area (report from Kevin Gagnion).
- 2/26/99 -- Worcester
- A HERMIT THRUSH appeared today (2/26) in Mark Lynch's backyard
(16 Rutland Terrace, off Salisbury St. near intersection with Park Ave.)
(report from Mark Lynch).
- 2/24/99 -- Institute Park, Worcester
- A TURKEY VULTURE was seen descending on the pond around 2:00 in the
afternoon. (report from Mark Lynch).
- 2/23/99 -- Rowley Hill, Sterling
- There were 2 great horned owls, 4 red
tailed hawks, one COOPERS HAWK, 8 golden crowned kinglets, 12 am. robins and
two brown creepers. (report from Richard Spedding).
- 2/20/99 -- South Meadow Pond, Clinton
- There was a drake REDHEAD duck, along with 19 Mallards,
1 Hooded Merganser, and
4 Greater Scaup.
The water on the left side of the road was frozen but on the right side
there was a good size opening.
If this spot doesn't freeze over the Redhead might still
be there.
Go along Rt 110 from Worcester towards Clinton, Gate 39 (Wachusett Res)
will be on your right directly across will be South Meadow Road on your
left. Go half a mile and there is a little dirt parking lot on the right.
There are some bushes that you can hide behind while looking at the ducks.
The pond is in Clinton.
(report from Peter Morlock).
- 2/21/99 -- Broad Meadow Brook Sanctuary, Worcester
- There were 1 Carolina Wren and 2
Golden-crowned Kinglet among the usual winter sancuary species. (report from
John Liller).
- 2/13/99 -- Worcester
- There were 1 pair Greenwing Teal, 1
Pintail drake, and 12+ Common Mergansers at New Swedish Cemetary.
Downtown, there was a Red-tail Hawk with nesting material on a window ledge
of the Commerce building on Main St. (also, the Peregrine Falcon was searched for
but not found). (report from Barbara Walker).
- 2/13/99 -- Gardner area
- In Templeton there were
2 Common Merg. ,
2 Hooded Merg.,
1 Northern Harrier,
1 Pileated Woodpecker,
and 4 Horned Lark.
Birds singing included Chickadees, T. Titmouse , Mourning
Dove , and Brown Creeper (spring is near!). On a sadder note,
2 diseased House Finches were observed in different locales. 1
( a female) in Baldwinville had the left eye completely closed and
while the right eye was still partially opened but this side of its
head very swollen. It stood in the thicked calling but would not fly ,
I suspect it was nearly if not completely blind. A pathetic sight! The
other diseased House Finch was approx. 2 miles away , a male with the
left eye closed and right appeared fine. This bird appeared to able to
function ... for the time being.
On 2-15 in Gardner
there were 1 N. Goshawk (adult),
112 Am. Robin,
and 2 R-Breated Nuthatch. (report from Tom Pirro).
- 2/15/99 -- Wachusett Reservoir, Sterling
- In a late afternoon survey of Wachuset Reservoir, there were:
MUTE SWAN (1 ad); Canada Goose (17); A. Black Duck (9); WHITE-WINGED SCOTER
(2); Common Goldeneye (1m); Common Merganser (23); BALD EAGLE 91ad; eating
something on the ice, from the southern end of the "dyke"). (report from
Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).
- 2/13/99 -- Wachusett Reservoir, West Boylston
- Sat morning about 7:30 there were 6
BRANTS on the Wachusett Reservoir,
unusual for an inland location. They were observed for about an hour,
just swimming around - not feeding.
The Brant were seen from the intersection of
Rt 140 & Rt 110. If you are heading north on
140 it is on the right, just before Rt 140 takes a left (Where the Hot Dog
man is located). There were also 1
Drake Common Goldeneye, 1 Drake Common Merganser and an unidentified Drake
Scaup. (report from Peter Morlock)
- 2/13/99 -- Leicester/W. Brookfield
- In Leicester there were 40 A. Robins. Highlights in West Brookfield included
9 Ring-Necked
Duck , 5 Hooded Merganer, 4 Common Merganser, 1(m) Red-Bellied Woodpecker
, 1 COMMON RAVEN
, 1(m) E. Bluebird, 30 Tree Sparrow (30) (report from
Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).
- 2/13/99 -- PELHAM OVERLOOK, Quabbin Reservoir
- There were: Common Merganser (3: flyovers);Bald Eagle(2; 1ad+1 sub-ad) ; N. Goshawk (1ad);
GOLDEN EAGLE (1imm: probably same bird that Lisa and Simon Hennin had last
week) Red-tailed Hawk (7); Pileated Woodpecker (2); C. Raven (1).
Directions: The Pelham Overlook is the only "scenic" overlook/pulloff along
Rt. 202, with a view of the water of west Quabbin.
Also, in SOUTH NEW SALEM there were 10 Wild Turkey.
Some hints on birding at the Pelhamm overlook:
(1) Give it some time. We took 2+ hours, and most of the time, there was
absolutely nothing to see. We often bird here, and the experience is usually
the same. (2) late morning, early afternoon light is best, but don't wait till
too late as the raptors will not be flying. ; (3) the more eyes the better;
(4); you will defintely need a scope; (5)if you don't have some experience
with IDing raptors "at a distance", then this will be probably a fruitless
expedition; (6) leave qustionable distant birds un-ID'd. Good luck! (report from
Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).
- 2/14/99 -- Bolton Flats, Bolton
- A survey of BOLTON FLATS:
Canada Goose (5); Mallard (1); Red-Tailed Hawk (7); Mourning Dove (2); Belted
Kingfisher (1);Blue Jay (22); A. Crow (141);Black-capped Chickadee
(23);Tufted Titmouse (2);N. Mockingbird (1); N. Cardinal (11); Tree Sparrow
(56);Dark-Eyed Junco (13); Red-winged Blackbird (8). Some pussywillows were
in bloom, but very, very few birds. (report from
Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).
- 2/13/99 -- Oakdale, West Boylston
- A male EASTERN BLUEBIRD was observed along rt. 140 in the
Oakdale region of WEst Boylston (report from Whitney Barnard, fide
Rick Quimby).
- 2/15/99 -- Institute Park, Worcester
- There was 1 PIED-BILLED GREBE, 27 COMMON MERGANSERS, 1 BELTED KINGFISHER,
and 1 GREAT BLUE HERON. (report from Howard Shainheit).
- 2/13/99 -- Hodges Village Dam, Oxford
- Highlights at Hodges Village ACE in Oxford included
2 Red-shouldered Hawks and 2 Turkey Vultures
(report from Paul Meleski).
- 2/7/99 -- Brimfield, Brookfield, Quabbin
- The RED-HEADED WOODPECKER continues in Brimfield. Here are directions
courtesy of Mark Lynch:
The bird is on PAIGE HILL ROAD. This is west of Brimfield Center, south of Rt.
20. Take the HOLLAND ROAD south from Rt.20, and Paige Hill is the first left
off of that. A Haynes Hill Rd branches of to the left of Paige Hill shortly
after Paige Hill leaves Holland Rd.
The house with the woodpecker is on the right (east) side of the road, the
large (white?) house with the feeders in the front yard is on top of the hill.
This house is just before/north of where AGARD ROAD branches off to the right
(east) to join the Holland Rd. Besides checking the feeders, check the trees
all along the road and on the right side of the house.
(2) RED-BELLIED WOODPECKERS were seen at Harold Tibbets feeder in West
Brookfield (112 Long Hill Rd). This is where the Red-Headed Woodpecker was last year.
A GOLDEN-EAGLE (sub-ad) and three Balds were seen from the Pelham Overlook
along Rt. 202 by Quabbin. This is the only scenic pull-over right on the road
with any kind of view of the reservoir, and is a convenient place to search
for this species. (report from Lisa and Simon Hennin, fide Mark Lynch).
- 2/8/99 -- Rowley Hill, Sterling
- There were 1 Great Horned Owl, 100 American Robins,
and 6 Golden Crowned Kinglets (report from Richard Spedding).
- 2/6/99 -- City of Worcester
- The following were counted
during Mark and Sheila's bi-weekly waterbird census of ponds in the city of Worcester:
PIED-BILLED GREBE (1;same bird tenaciously hangs on at salisbury Pond); Mute
Swan (2); Canada Goose (172=1domestic breed, possibly Toulouse Goose
+1hybrid); GREEN-WINGED TEAL (6: 5m+1f all behind Notre Dame Cem); A. Black
Duck (25); Mallard (529); REDHEAD (1m: Lake Quinsiamond, seen on the eastern
shore from Moronis Park); Common Merganser (35); Hooded Merganser(28); A. Coot
(12); Ring-Billed Gull (452: only birds at ponds counted); Herring Gull (116);
Great Black-Backed Gull (7); Belted Kingfisher (1).
Also seen; Red-Tailed Hawk (9 -- one pair mating);
PEREGRINE FALCON (1ad: Mechanics Bank Bldg);
and (2) American Crows with 'white wing patches' which consisted of one or two
secondary feathers for each bird on both wings. ie; the white was evenly
placed on each bird.
Also, 2/7/99 (Sunday) at noon:
Westboro: (1) Turkey Vulture; (10) Red-Tailed(many doing display flights).
City of Worcester: Peregrine Falcon (1 same building but opposite side: so the
bird does move around!)); Turkey Vulture (2).
(report from Mark Lynch).
- 2/4/99 -- Charlton
- On Thursday there were 16 Horned Larks at the Bay Path Vocational School Athletic fields
in Charlton (report from Paul Meleski).
- 2/5/99 -- Broad Meadow Brook Sanctuary, Worcester
- There were 2 Red-bellied Woodpecker,
2 Carolina Wren, and 1 American Robin. (report from John Liller).
- 2/4/99 -- Institute Park, Worcester
- There were 14 COMMON MERGANSERS, 2 HOODED MERGANSERS, 1 PIED-BILLED GREBE,
1 BELTED KINGFISHER, AND 1 RED-TAILED HAWK. (report from Howard Shainheit
and Rick Quimby).
- 2/1/99 -- Institute Park, Worcester
- The PIED-BILLED GREBE that has frequented the pond this winter was
present again today, along with a BELTED KINGFISHER and HOODED
MERGANSER. (report from Rick Quimby).
- 1/31/99 -- Assumption College, Worcester
- On Sunday , Jan. 31, Mark and Sheila had (1) FISH CROW call while watching the crow
roost at Assumption College in the late PM. There were about (500+) American
Crows gathering here. The array of behavior exhibited was a real treat to
watch: lots of bathing in a small stream; dominance tussles; much vocalization
and one behavior worth detailing. They witnessed several birds land on the snow,
jut their head down and under the snow, and then walk along, essentially
plowing the snow with their head and upper body underneath the snow. They
would do this for several feet, turning at times. This may be the
American Crow's version of snow bathing.
Later at dusk, much of this roost apparently moved to Bancroft Tower Hill
Why they moved is a mystery, because the area where
they were roosting at Assumption looked perfect. Perhaps disturbance. This
roost has gone to Bancroft Tower Hill several times, but has most often later
shifted to another location.
As Mark and Sheila watched this Bancroft roost settle in, (17) AMERICAN ROBINS flew in to
roost overnight in their backyard ornamental evergreens, as well as (16) Mourning
Doves and (10) Cedar Waxwings. The latter roosted very low (below eye level)
in a small arbor vitae or similar shrub.
Birders should know that Roger Leo of the Telegram and Gazette reported seeing
Snow Buntings and a ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK at Mason Farm on Mason Road in Holden a
few weeks back. This looks like a very likely spot ,so birders, keep watching,
as this looks
like a spot where even a Short-Eared Owl could appear (and there are lot of
them in the state this winter).
(report from Mark Lynch, moalynch@aol.com).
- 1/31/99 -- Broad Meadow Brook Wildlife Sanctuary, Worcester
- A GREAT BLUE HERON was seen (first winter record for sanctuary)
(report from John Liller).
- 1/27/99 -- Broad Meadow Brook Wildlife Sanctuary, Worcester
- During an owl census at Broad Meadow Brook (no owls), 6 WILD TURKEYS
were found in a tree. They were at the
intersection of Sprague Trail and the powerlines.
(report from John Liller).
- 1/27/99 -- Milne Road, Rutland
- One RED CROSSBILL was observed along Milne Road in Rutland.
(report from Chuck Caron).
- 1/24/99 -- City of Worcester
- The following were seen today (1/24) during Mark Lynch's bi-monthly survey of waterbirds
in the city of Worcester ponds and lakes. The ponds were 99% frozen despite
the warm temps and heavy rain.
PIED-BILLED GREBE (1; Salisbury Pond); Great Blue Heron (1); Mute Swan (2);
Canada Goose (2: low); GREEN-WINGED TEAL (4; 1f at Leesville Pond; 3m at N.
Dame Cemetary); Mallard (207); A. Black Duck (14); N. PINTAIL (1f at N. Dame
Cem); Hooded Merganser (13); Common Merganser (22); Ring-Billed Gull (256);
Hering Gull (37); Great Black-Backed Gull (1).
(report from Mark Lynch, Worcester, moalynch@aol.com).
- 1/21/99 -- Raymond Rd., Gardner
- Last evening (Jan. 20) a Saw-Whet Owl was heard calling and briefly seen in
flight at the Wompanoag MAS at the end of Raymond Rd. in Gardner. (report
from Tom Pirro).
- 1/18/99 -- Downtown Worcester
- The adult Peregrine Falcon was seen in downtown Worcester today 1/18
(Monday). It was perched on the Mechanics Bank building, side facing the
library, just below the "M" on the top row of window ledges.
On Saturday 1/16, along
route 146 within the city limits, there were (2) Red-Tailed Hawks;
(1m) Am. Kestrel and (1) Cooper's Hawk. A Northern Flicker
has also been visiting the trees near Park Ave. and Salisbury St.
Though not in Worcester County (though just next door) The RED-HEADED
WOODPECKER (imm) continues at the feeder at #101 Paige Hill Road, Brimfield.
(report from Mark Lynch, moalynch@aol.com).
- 1/17/99 -- Westminster
- A Red-Shoulder was at the junction of RTE 2 and RTE 140 exit 24 and
could likely be the same individual that over-wintered last year. There
were also 3 Eastern Bluebirds, a Am Robin, and 1 Am. Kestrel (in Garnder)
(report from Tom Pirro).
- 1/16/99 -- Templeton
- Seen from the Garnder airport (southern end), There was 1 Northern Goshawk,
1 Northern Shrike,
and 2 Raven. (report from Tom Pirro).
- 1/10/99 -- Broad Meadow Brook Wildlife Sanctuary, Worcester
- Along with the usual winter species there was 1 EASTERN BLUEBIRD
(report from John Liller).
- 1/6/99 -- Oxford
- 3 Turkey Vultures were sighted over Route 395 in Oxford (report
from Chuck Caron).
- 1/6/99 -- City Hall building, Worcester
- The PEREGRINE FALCON was seen again today in downtown Worcester
(report from Lisa Hennin, fide Mark Lynch).
- 1/4/99 -- Institute Park, Worcester
- One PIED-BILLED GREBE is present (report from Rick Quimby).
- 1/3/99 -- Worcester and vicinity
- White-winged Scoter seen at South Bay, Wachusett Reservoir on
1/2. At Lake Quinsig. on same day in addition to Tundra Swan, 1 drake
Redhead (there were 2 drake Redheads on 1/1), 1 female Wood Duck, 1 drake
Green-winged Teal. Peregrine Falcon seen on 1/2 on top of Mechanics Bank
Building (also seen 1/3 by Barton Kamp at same place). Pied-billed Grebe
at Institute Park on 1/1. Ruby-crowned Kinglet in Friendly's parking lot
on Park Ave, Worcester on 1/1. (report from Bob Bradbury).
- 1/2/99 -- Quabbin Reservoir Christmas Count
- Quabbin Christmas Count report from Mark Lynch:
Overall results were pretty poor (the second lowest species number since the
inception). Many groups did not owl because of the dangerously low temps.
Consequently, what could have been a high count of Saw-whets (i think an
invasion of minor proportion is going on) was only very modest. Also: we
should have had a record number of Golden-Crowned Kinglets, and again the
count was more modest. Reason: you have to walk a lot to 'get' kinglets and
people did more car/feeder birding than typical and knocked off earlier.
C. Loon (5); Horned Grebe (6) Note; the water in south Quabbin was still open.
A. Black duck (111); Mallard (434); N. Pintail (1); Ring-Necked Duck (20);
Greater Scaup (2; our section, from opp. Mt.Zion); C. Goldeneye (41); Hooded
Merganser (51); Common Merganser (172); Bald Eagle (10: a very low number.
They actually counted my bird which was seen at 2:00Pm flying from another
territory. I think the real number is 9 or less! Is this the effect of the
deer hunt taking food away from wintering eagles, not to mention the
disturbance of the hunting and even more logging on the Prescott? Who knows?);
Cooper's hawk (1); N. Goshawk (1cw); Red-Tailed Hawk (37); A. Kestrel (1);
Ring-Necked Phaes. (2); Ruffed grouse (16); W Turkey (62); Ring-Billed Gull
(9); Herring Gull (12); Gt Black-Backed Gull (3) (Note: the active gull
eradication program at Quabbin seems to be working); Rock Dove (267); Mourning
Dove (210); E. Screech Owl (1: good find for area, in Gate 37 vicinity);
Gt.Horned Owl (6: our team had the only ones for the count!); Barred Owl (3);
N. Saw-Whet Owl (11: low for this year); B. Kingfisher (3); Red-Bellied Woodp.
(3: low); Downy Woodp. (131); Hairy Woodp (36); n. Flicker (9); Pileated
Woodp. (15); Horned Lark (59); A. Crow (221); C. Raven (12); B.C. Chickadee
(1065); T. Titmouse (297); RB Nuthtatch (35; non-flight year); WB Nutahtch
(197); B. Creeper (24); Carolina Wren (1); Winter Wren (1); GC Kinglet (182;
lower than it should be); E. Bluebird (20); A. Robin (53); N. Mockingbird
(22); Cedar Waxwing (208); E. Starling (1075); N. Cardinal (85); A. Tree
Sparrow (611); Field Sparrow (1; on the Prescott, same place for the last 4+
years!); Fox Sparrow (1 needs documentation); White-Throated Sparrow (30); DE
Junco (1327); RUSTY BLACKBIRD (2: in newly plowed field just outside Hardwick
center); BH Cowbird (45); House Finch (66); C. REDPOLL (6: an anomalous report
from Gate 5. The reporter saw a small flock of finches fly from an area where
he has seen redpolls before. They weren't goldfinches he reported, and
concluded they might be redpolls. Possibly, but a weak report); A. Goldfinch
(317); House Sparrow (97).
With starting temps of -15 9or less) and the peak late in the PM of !8, not a
count for the faint of heart. (report from Mark Lynch, Worcester,
moalynch@aol.com).
- 1/3/99 -- Lake Quinsigamond, Worcester
- 1 Tundra Swan is in the company of 4 Mute Swans at Regatta
State Park on Lake
Quinsigamond in Worcester. The birds are by the boathouse.
The birds were
spotted first by Fran McMenemy and Joan Zumpfe 1/1/99...
(report from Paul Meleski)
- 12/28/98 -- Gillepsie Road, Charlton
- 11 PINE GROSBEAKS were observed with a flock of 27 robins at the end of
Gillepsie Road in Charlton. They were feeding on black birch catkins.
(report from Chuck Caron).
- 12/24/98 -- Institute Park, Worcester
- There were 2 Am. Wigeon and 16 Hooded Mergansers (report from
Howard Shainheit)
- 12/6/98 -- Wachusett Reservoir, Gate 22, West Boylston
- There was a RED-NECKED GREBE, 15 COMMON GOLDENEYE, AND 2
HOODED MERGANSERS (report from Rick Quimby).
- 12/6/98 -- Broad Meadow Brook Sanctuary, Worcester
- Highlights included 1 COMMON SNIPE,
1 EASTERN SCREECH-OWL,
1 Red-bellied Woodpecker,
3 Carolina Wren, and
1 Common Grackle (report from John Liller)
- 12/1/98 -- Crystal Lake, Gardner
- This morning 12-1 At 7:15 am a 2nd year GLAUCOUS GULL was observed on Crystal Lake.
(details provided). It took flight 5 minutes after it was first observed,
heading toward the Gardner Dump. (report from Tom Pirro).
For previous sightings, see
Fall 1998 Archives or
Archive Index