BIRD LIST OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACUSETTS
1931-2010
This list is a revised version of Robert
C. Bradbury’s Bird List of Worcester County, Massachusetts (1992). It contains bird species recorded in
Worcester County since the Forbush Bird Club began publishing The Chickadee in 1931.
Included in Appendix A, and
indicated in bold face on the Master List are bird Species which have been
accepted by the Editorial Committee of The
Chickadee, and have occurred either fewer than 10 times overall, or have
appeared fewer than 5 times or fewer in the last 20 years in Worcester
County.
The Editorial Committee has
established the following qualifying criteria for any records to be considered
of any Review Species, as well as any previous record not accepted on the
Master List :
1)
1)
a recognizable specimen
2)
2)
a recognizable photograph or video
3)
3)
a sight record corroborated by 3
experienced observers
Included in Appendix B are records
considered problematic. Problematic species
either do not meet at least one of the qualifying criteria listed above, are
considered likely escaped captive birds, have arrived in Worcester County by
other than self-powered means, or are species not yet recognized as a countable
species by the Editorial Committee of The
Chickadee.
Species names in English and Latin
follow the American Ornithologists’ Union Checklist of North American Birds, 7th
edition,51st supplement, rev. 2010.
I’d like to thank the following people for their reviews and comments:
Bradford G. Blodget, Rodney S. Jenkins, Barton Kamp, Mark Lynch, Francis X.
McMenemy, Thomas Pirro, and Joan Zumpfe.
DUCKS. GEESE and SWANS
Fulvous
Whistling-Duck Dendrocygna
bicolor
Barnacle
Goose Branta leucopsis
Greater White-fronted Goose Anser
albifrons
Snow Goose Chen
caerulescens
Brant Branta
bernicla
Cackling Goose Branta
hutchinsii
Canada Goose Branta
Canadensis
Mute Swan Cygnus
olor
Tundra
Swan Cygnus
columbianus
Wood Duck Aix
sponsa
Gadwall Anas
strepera
Eurasian
Wigeon Anas penelope
American Wigeon Anas
americana
American Black Duck Anas
rubripes
Mallard Anas
platyrhynchos
Blue-winged Teal Anas
discors
Northern Shoveler Anas
clypeata
Northern Pintail Anas
acuta
Green-winged Teal Anas
crecca
Canvasback Aythya
valisineria
Redhead Aythya
americana
Ring-necked Duck Aythya
collaris
Tufted
Duck Aythya fuligula
Greater Scaup Aythya
marila
Lesser Scaup Aythya
affinis
King Eider Somateria spectabilis
Common
Eider Somateria mollissima
Surf Scoter Melanitta
perspicillata
White-winged Scoter Melanitta
fusca
Black Scoter Melanitta
americana
Long-tailed Duck Clangula
hyemalis
Bufflehead Bucephala
albeola
Common Goldeneye Bucephala
clangula
Barrow’s Goldeneye Bucephala
islandica
Common Merganser Mergus
merganser
Red-breasted Merganser Mergus
serrator
Ruddy Duck Oxyura
jamaicensis
PARTRIDGES, GROUSE, TURKEYS and OLD WORLD QUAIL
(PHASIANIDAE)
Ring-necked Pheasant Phasianus
colchicus* considered viable until 2009
Ruffed Grouse Bonasa
umbellus
Wild Turkey Meleagris
gallopavo
NEW WORLD QUAIL (ODONTOPHORIDAE)
Northern Bobwhite Colinus
virginianus*viability undetermined
LOONS (GAVIIDAE)
Red-throated Loon Gavia
stellata
Common Loon Gavia
immer
GREBES (PODICIPEDIAE)
Pied-billed Grebe Podilymbus
podiceps
Horned Grebe Podiceps
auritus
Red-necked Grebe Podiceps
grisegana
Eared
Grebe Podiceps nigricollis
SHEARWATERS and PETRELS (PROCELLARIIDAE)
Northern
Fulmar Fulmarus glacialis
STORM-PETRELS
Leach’s
Storm-Petrel Oceanodroma leucorhoa
BOOBIES and GANNETS (SULIDAE)
Northern
Gannet Morus bassanus
CORMORANTS (PHALACROCORACIDAE)
Double-crested Cormorant Phalacrocorax
auritus
Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax
carbo
BITTERNS, HERONS, and allies (ARDEIDAE)
American Bittern Botarus
lentiginosus
Least Bittern Ixobrychus
exilis
Great Blue Heron Ardea
herodias
Great Egret Ardea
alba
Snowy Egret Egretta
thula
Little Blue Heron Egretta
caerula
Cattle Egret Bubulcus
ibis
Green Heron Butorides
striatus
Black-crowned Night-Heron Nycticorax
nycticorax
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron Nyctanassa
violacea
IBISES and SPOONBILLS (THRESKIORNITHIDAE)
Glossy Ibis Plegadis
falcinellus
STORKS (CICONIIDAE)
Wood Stork Mycteria
Americana
NEW WORLD VULTURES (CATHARTIDAE)
Black Vulture Coragyps
atratus
Turkey Vulture Cathartes
aura
OSPREY (PANDIONIDAE)
Osprey Pandion
haliaetus
HAWKS, KITES, EAGLES and ALLIES (ACCIPITRIDAE)
Bald Eagle Haliaeetus
leucocephalus
Northern Harrier Circus
cyaneus
Sharp-shinned Hawk Accipiter
striatus
Cooper’s Hawk Accipiter
cooperi
Northern Goshawk Accipiter
gentilis
Red-shouldered Hawk Buteo
lineatus
Broad-winged Hawk Buteo
platypterus
Swainson’s
Hawk Buteo swainsoni
Red-tailed Hawk Buteo
jamaicensis
Rough-legged Hawk Buteo
lagopus
Golden Eagle Aquila
chrysaetus
CARACARAS and FALCONS (FALCONIDAE)
American Kestrel Falco
sparverius
Merlin Falco
columbarius
Gyrfalcon Falco
rusticolus
Peregrine Falcon Falco
peregrinus
RAILS, GALLINULES, and COOTS (RALLIDAE)
King Rail Rallus
elegans
Virginia Rail Rallus
limicola
Sora Porzana
Carolina
Purple
Gallinule Porphyrio
martinica
Common Moorhen Gallinula
chloropus
American Coot Fulica
Americana
CRANES (GRUIDAE)
Sandhill Crane Grus
Canadensis
LAPWINGS and PLOVERS (CHARADRIIDAE)
Black-Bellied Plover Pluvialis
squatarola
American Golden-Plover Pluvialis
dominica
Semipalmated Plover Charadrius
semipalmatus
Killdeer Charadrius
vociferous
SANDPIPERS, PHALAROPES, and allies (SCOLOPACIDAE)
Spotted Sandpiper Actitis
macularia
Solitary Sandpiper Tringa
solitaria
Greater Yellowlegs Tringa
melanoleuca
Willet Catophtrophorus semipalmatus
Lesser Yellowlegs Tringa
flavipes
Upland Sandpiper Bartramia
longicauda
Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus
Hudsonian
Godwit Limosa haemastica
Marbled
Godwit Limosa fedoa
Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria
interpres
Red Knot Calidris
canutus
Sanderling Calidris
alba
Semipalmated Sandpiper Calidris
pusilla
Western
Sandpiper Calidris mauri
Least Sandpiper Calidris
minutilla
White-rumped Sandpiper Calidris
fuscicollis
Baird’s Sandpiper Calidris
bairdii
Pectoral Sandpiper Calidris
melanotos
Dunlin Calidris
alpine
Stilt Sandpiper Calidris
himantopus
Buff-breasted Sandpiper Tryngites
subruficollis
Ruff Philomachus pugnax
Short-billed Dowitcher Limnodromus
griseus
Long-billed
Dowitcher Limnodromus scolopaceus
Wilson’s Snipe Gallinago
delicate
American Woodcock Scolopax
minor
Wilson’s
Phalarope Phalaropus tricolor
Red-necked
Phalarope Phalaropus lobatus
Red
Phalarope Phalaropus fudicarius
GULLS, TERNS and SKIMMERS (LARIDAE)
Laughing
Gull Larus
atricilla
Black-headed Gull Larus
ridibundus
Bonaparte’s Gull Larus
philadelphia
Ring-billed Gull Larus
delawarensis
Herring Gull Larus
argentatus
Iceland Gull Larus
glaucoides
Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus
fuscus
Glaucous Gull Larus
hyperboreus
Great Black-backed Gull Larus
marinus
Black-legged
Kittiwake Rissa
tridactyla
Sooty Tern Sterna fuscata
Caspian Tern Sterna
caspia
Black Tern Childonias
niger
Roseate
Tern Sterna dougallii
Common Tern Sterna
hirundo
Black
Skimmer Rynchops niger
AUKS, MURRES and PUFFINS (ALCIDAE)
Dovekie Alle
alle
PIGEONS and DOVES (COLUMBIDAE)
Rock Pigeon Columba
livia
White-winged
Dove Zenaida asiatica
Mourning Dove Zenaida
macroura
LORIES, PARAKEETS, MACAWS and PARROTS (PSITTACIDAE)
Monk
Parakeet Myiopsitta
monachus
CUCKOOS, ROADRUNNERS, and ANIS (CUCULIDAE)
Yellow-billed Cuckoo Coccyzus
americanus
Black-billed Cuckoo Coccyzus
erythropthalmus
BARN-OWLS (TYTONIDAE)
Barn Owl Tyto
alba
TYPICAL OWLS (STRIGIDAE)
Eastern Screech-Owl Megascops
asio
Great Horned Owl Bubo
virginianus
Snowy Owl Bubo scandiacus
Barred Owl Strix
varia
Great Gray
Owl Strix
nebulosa
Long-eared Owl Asio
otus
Short-eared Owl Asio
flammeus
Boreal Owl Aegolius funereus
Northern Saw-whet Owl Aegolius
acadicus
GOATSUCKERS (CAPRIMULGIDAE)
Common Nighthawk Chordeiles
minor
Chuck-will’s-widow Caprimulgus carolinensis
Eastern Whip-poor-will Caprimulgus vociferous
SWIFTS (APODIDAE)
Chimney Swift Chaetura
pelagica
HUMMINGBIRDS (TROCHILIDAE)
Ruby-throated Hummingbird Archilochus
colubris
Rufous
Hummingbird Selasphorus rufus
KINGFISHERS (ALCEDINIDAE)
Belted Kingfisher Megaceryle
alcyon
WOODPECKERS (PICIDAE)
Red-headed Woodpecker Melanerpes
erythrocephalus
Red-bellied Woodpecker Melanerpes
carolinus
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Sphyrapicus
varius
Downy Woodpecker Picoides
pubescens
Hairy Woodpecker Picoides
villosus
American
Three-toed Woodpecker Picoides
dorsalis
Black-backed
Woodpecker Picoides
arcticus
Northern Flicker Colaptes
auratus
Pileated Woodpecker Drycopus
pileatus
TYRANT FLYCATCHERS (TYRANNIDAE)
Olive-sided Flycatcher Contopus
cooperi
Eastern Wood-Pewee Contopus
virens
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher Empidonax
flaviventris
Acadian Flycatcher Empidonax
virescens
Alder Flycatcher Empidonax
alnorum
Willow Flycatcher Empidonax
traillii
Least Flycatcher Empidonax
minmus
Eastern Phoebe Sayornis
phoebe
Say’s
Phoebe Sayornis saya
Great Crested Flycatcher Myiarchus
crinitus
Western Kingbird Tyrannus
verticalis
Eastern Kingbird Tyrannus
tyrannus
Scissor-tailed
Flycatcher Tyrannus
forficatus
SHRIKES (LANIIDAE)
Loggerhead Shrike Lanius
ludovicianus
Northern Shrike Lanius
excubitor
VIREOS (VIREONIDAE)
White-eyed Vireo Vireo
griseus
Yellow-throated Vireo Vireo
flavifrons
Blue-headed Vireo Vireo
solitarius
Warbling Vireo Vireo
gilvus
Philadelphia Vireo Vireo
philadelphicus
Red-eyed Vireo Vireo
olivaceus
JAYS and CROWS (CORVIDAE)
Gray Jay Persoreus
canadensis
Blue Jay Cyanocitta
cristata
American Crow Corvus
brachyrhynchos
Fish Crow Corvus
ossifragus
Common Raven Corvus
corax
LARKS (ALAUDIDAE)
Horned Lark Eremophila
alpestris
SWALLOWS (HIRUNDINIDAE)
Purple Martin Progne
subis
Tree Swallow Tachycineta
bicolor
Northern Rough-winged Swallow Stelgidopteryx serripennis
Bank Swallow Riparia
riparia
Cliff Swallow Petrochelidon
pyrrhonta
Barn Swallow Hirundo
rustica
CHICKADEES and TITMICE (PARIDAE)
Black-capped Chickadee Poecile
atricapilla
Boreal Chickadee Poecile
hudsonica
Tufted Titmouse Baeolophus
bicolor
NUTHATCHES (SITTIDAE)
Red-breasted Nuthatch Sitta
Canadensis
White-breasted Nuthatch Sitta
carolinensis
CREEPERS (CERTHIIDAE)
Brown Creeper Certhia
americana
WRENS (TROGLODYTIDAE)
Carolina Wren Thryothorus
ludovicianus
House Wren Troglodytes
aedon
Winter Wren Troglodytes
trogloytes
Sedge Wren Cistothorus
platensis
Marsh Wren Cistothorus
palustris
KINGLETS (REGULIDAE)
Golden-crowned Kinglet Regulus
satrapa
Ruby-crowned Kinglet Regulus
calendula
GNATCATCHERS (POLIOPTILIDAE)
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher Poliptila
caerulea
THRUSHES (TURDIDAE)
Northern
Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe
Eastern Bluebird Sialia
sialis
Mountain
Bluebird Sialia
curucoides
Townsend’s
Solitaire Myadestes
townsendi
Veery Catharus
fuscescens
Gray-cheeked Thrush Catharus
minimus
Bicknell’s Thrush Catharus
bicknelli
Swainson’s Thrush Catharus
ustulatus
Hermit Thrush Catharus
guttatus
Wood Thrush Hylocichia
mustelina
American Robin Turdus
migratorius
Varied Thrush Ixoreus
naevius
MOCKINGBIRDS and THRASHERS (MIMIDAE)
Gray Catbird Dumetella
carolinensis
Northern Mockingbird Mimus
polyglottos
Brown Thrasher Toxostoma
rufum
STARLINGS (STURNIDAE)
European Starling Sturnus
vulgaris
WAGTAILS and PIPITS (MOTACILLIDAE)
American Pipit Anthus
rubescens
Sprague’s
Pipit Anthus
spragueii
WAXWINGS (BOMBYCILLIADAE)
Bohemian Waxwing Bombycilla
garrulus
Cedar Waxwing Bombycilla
cedrorum
LONGSPURS and ALLIES (CALCARIIDAE)
Lapland Longspur Calcarius
lapponicus
Snow Bunting Plectrophenax
nivalis
WOOD WARBLERS (PARULIDAE)
Blue-winged Warbler Vermivora
cyanoptera
Golden-winged Warbler Vermivora
chrysoptera
Tennessee Warbler Oreothlypis
peregrina
Orange-crowned Warbler Oreothlypis
celata
Nashville Warbler Oreothlypis
ruficapilla
Northern Parula Parula
americana
Yellow Warbler Dendroica
petechia
Chestnut-sided Warbler Dendroica
pensylvanica
Magnolia Warbler Dendroica
magnolia
Cape May Warbler Dendroica
tigrina
Black-throated Blue Warbler Dendroica
caerulescens
Yellow-rumped Warbler Dendroica
coronata
Black-throated Green Warbler Dendroica
virens
Blackburnian Warbler Dendroica
fusca
Yellow-throated
Warbler Dendroica
dominica
Pine Warbler Dendroica
pinus
Prairie Warbler Dendroica
discolor
Palm Warbler Dendroica
palmarum
Bay-breasted Warbler Dendroica
castanea
Blackpoll Warbler Dendroica
striata
Cerulean Warbler Dendroica
cerulean
Black-and-white Warbler Mniotilta
varia
American Redstart Setophaga
ruticilla
Prothonotary
Warbler Protonotaria citrea
Worm-eating Warbler Helmitheros
vermivorum
Ovenbird Seirus
aurocapillus
Northern Waterthrush Parkesia
noveboracensis
Louisiana Waterthrush Parkesia
motacilla
Kentucky Warbler Oporonis
formosus
Connecticut Warbler Oporonis
agilis
Mourning Warbler Oporonis
philadelphia
Common Yellowthroat Geothylpis
trichas
Hooded Warbler Wilsonia
citrina
Wilson’s Warbler Wilsonia
pusilla
Canada Warbler Wilsonia
canadensis
Yellow-breasted Chat Icteria
virens
NEW WORLD SPARROWS (EMBERIZIDAE)
Eastern Towhee Pipilo
erythrophthalmus
American Tree Sparrow Spizella
arborea
Chipping Sparrow Spizella
passerine
Clay-colored Sparrow Spizella
pallida
Field Sparrow Spizella
pusilla
Vesper Sparrow Pooecetes
gramineus
Lark
Sparrow Chondestes
grammacus
Savannah Sparrow Passerculus
sandwichensis
Grasshopper Sparrow Ammodramus
savannarum
Henslow’s
Sparrow Ammodramus
henslowii
Nelson’s Sparrow Ammodramus
nelsoni
Fox Sparrow Passerella
ilacea
Song Sparrow Melospiza
melodia
Lincoln’s Sparrow Melospiza
lincolnii
Swamp Sparrow Melospiza
georgiana
White-throated Sparrow Zonotrichia
albicollis
Harris’s
Sparrow Zonotrichia querula
White-crowned Sparrow Zonotrichia
leucophys
Golden-crowned
Sparrow Zonotrichia
atriapilla
Dark-eyed Junco Junco
hyemalis
CARDINALS, SALTATORS and allies (CARDINALIDAE)
Summer
Tanager Piranga
flava
Scarlet Tanager Piranga
olivacea
Northern Cardinal Cardinalis
cardinalis
Rose-breasted Grosbeak Pheucticus
ludovicianus
Black-headed
Grosbeak Pheucticus
melanocephalus
Blue Grosbeak Passerina caerulea
Indigo Bunting Passerina
cyanea
Painted
Bunting Passerina ciris
Dickcissel Spiza
Americana
BLACKBIRDS (ICTERIDAE)
Bobolink Dolichonyx
oryzivorus
Red-winged Blackbird Agelaius
phoeniceus
Eastern Meadowlark Sturnella
magna
Yellow-headed
Blackbird Xanthocephalus
xanthocephalus
Rusty Blackbird Euphagus
carolinus
Common Grackle Quiscalus
quiscala
Brown-headed Cowbird Molothrus
ater
Orchard Oriole Icterus
spurious
Bullock’s
Oriole Icterus
bullockii
Baltimore Oriole Icterus
galbula
CARDUELINE FINCHES and allies (FRINGILLIDAE)
Pine Grosbeak Pinicola
enucleator
Purple Finch Carpodacus
purpureus
House Finch Carpodacus
mexicanus
Red Crossbill Loxia
curvirostra
White-winged Crossbill Loxia
leucoptera
Common Redpoll Carduelis
flammea
Hoary Redpoll Carduelis
hornemanni
Pine Siskin Carduelis
pinus
American Goldfinch Carduelis
tristis
Evening Grosbeak Coccothtaustes
vespertinus
OLD WORLD SPARROWS (PASSERIDAE)
House Sparrow Passer
domesticus
REVIEW SPECIES
Barnacle Goose Branta
bernicla
*March 29-30, 2005 Bolton Flats 1
(Kamp #) in company of an apparent Barnacle X Canada hybrid (Lynch &
Carroll, McMenemy #) arrived and departed with migratory Canada Geese, origin
not definitively determined.* Dec 4-13, 2008 Charlton (French, #)
Fulvous Whistling-Duck Dendrocygna
bicolor
*December 8-10, 1979 Uxbridge 2 (FBC
# )
Tundra Swan Cygnus
columbianus
More
than 10 historical records exist. Shown
here are records from the last 20 years
*April 12 (Mungeon) – May 29, 1995 Auburn 1 (Lynch & Carroll) bird of questionable origin * November 12,
1998 Sturbridge 16 (Cormier #) * January 1 – 7, 1999 Worcester 1 (v.o) *
January 4 – 10, 1999 Sterling (Wachusett Res.) 2 imm. (McMenemy & Zumpfe
Eurasian Wigeon Anas Penelope
*May 8-13, 1992 Uxbridge 1 (Knapik #
fide BO) * February 27, 1993 Milford 1 m. (Hildreth) * November 4, 2000
Southboro 1m. (Lynch & Carroll) * April 14, 2001 Boylston 1 m. (McMenemy #)
*April 21, 2007 Bolton 1 (Kamp)
Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula
*January 26, 1995 – January 5, 2003,
single male visited both spring and fall into winter, associating with flock of
Greater Scaup. Most frequently found at Wachusett Reservoir in West Boylston
and Lake Washacum in Sterling.
King Eider Somateria spectabilis
*November 23, 1997 (2nd
winter m.) Worcester (Indian Lake) 1 (McMenemy, Zumpfe #)
Common Eider Somateria mollissima
*May 3-21, 1980 Charlton 1 imm. m.
(Meservey #) * May 7, 1986 Gilbertville 1 m. (R. Jenkins, Nelson)
* November 2, 1991 Clinton 1 m.
(Nielson #) * November 26, 1992 Lancaster 1 f. (T. Poole #)
Eared Grebe Podiceps nigricollis
* May 19-24, 1980 Clinton 1 ad.
(Blodget #)
Northern Fulmar Fulmnaris
glacialis
*December 29, 1938, Worcester 1 light
phase, found dead (Browne, Parker, Green)* September 27, 1985 Boylston 1 light
phase (McMenemy)
Leach’s Storm-Petrel Oceanodroma
leucoroa
*September 21, 1932, Worcester
1*October 31, 1971, Petersham 1 (Albertine #)*August 20, 1991, Clinton 1 (Lynch
& Carroll, Kamp), and another found dead in Worcester on same date
(Salvadore identified by R. Jenkins). * October 15, 1994 Clinton 1 (Kamp)
Northern Gannet Morus
bassanus
*November 2, 1986, Boylston 1 ad.
(FBC)
Wood Stork Mycteria
americana
*August 24-September 7, 2003, Barre
4 (Huntington, Buelow fide BO, photo, also Carrolan 1 (fide BO)
Swainson’s Hawk Buteo
swainsoni
*October 18, 1997, Wachusett Mt.
summit 1 light phase imm. (P. Roberts, N. Soulettte #)
Gyrfalcon Falco rusticolus
*February 21, 1982, Hardwick 1 (D.
Brown # fide R. Forster)
Purple Gallinule Porphyrula
martinica
*July 4-17, 1976, Bolton 1 (McMenemy
# ph) * October 25, 2000, Westboro 1 imm. found dead (Blodget)
Willet Tringa
semipalmata
*August 20, 1947 Spencer 1
(Crompton) * October 2, 1970 Dana 1 (Clark) * October 4, 1997 Lake Quabog 1 (R.
Jenkins) * June 2, 2000, Clinton 1
(McMenemy, Zumpfe, Kamp)* May 13, 2006, Petersham 1 (Lynch & Carroll,
Small)
Whimbrel Numenius
phaeopus
*July 19, 1972, Hardwick 1 (Gagnon,
Orzulak) * September 23, 1983, Princeton 9 (Kamp, Roberts #) * August 27, 1988, Dana 1 (Small, Labrie,
Johnstone) * July 25 and August 25, 2010, Petersham 1, 1 (Lynch & Carroll)
Hudsonian Godwit Limosa
haemastica
*October 10-16, 1965, E. Brookfield
2 (W. Wetherbee, McMenemy, Comer) *May 25-26, 1978, Bolton 1 (Merriman #)
*September 4-13, 1981, Westboro 1 (McMenemy #), October 6, 1984, Clinton 1
(Meservey) *October 17-18, 1993, Brookfield 1 (FBC)
Marbled Godwit Limosa
fedoa
*September 24, 1974 Worcester 1
(Mierzejewski) *August 10-14, 1997, Holden (Quinapoxet Reservoir) 1 (Bradbury,
photo, #)
Red Knot Calidris
canutus
*August 27, 1983, Westboro 1
(Blodget, McMenemy, Kamp) * August 21, 1988, Dana 1 (Blodget, Lynch
& Carroll)
Western Sandpiper Calidris
mauri
More than 10 historical records exist. Shown here are records from past 20 years
* August 10-13, 1994, Princeton 1 (Bradbury #)
Ruff Philomachus
pugnax
*April 19-20, 1971, Bolton 1 m. (V.
Crompton #) * April 8-28, 1973, Bolton 1 m. (FBC) * May 2-5, 1982, Bolton 1 f.
(Blodget #), * August 22, 1999 Quinapoxet Res. (Bradbury & Kamp)
Long-billed Dowitcher Limnodromus
scolopaceus
*September 24, 1950 Worcester 1 (Crompton
#) * September 26-29, 1971 Sterling 1 (Bloget #) * August 10, 1983 Westboro 1
(Kamp, Obers) * September 27-October 1, 1997 Brookfield 1 (R. Jenkins #) *
September 9, 2001 Dana 1 seen and heard (R. Jenkins #) * September 21, 2002
Dana 1 seen and heard (R. Jenkins)
Wilson’s Phalarope Phalaropus
tricolor
More than 10 historical records exist. Shown here are records from past 20 years
* July 22, 1994 Holden 1 (Blodget) *
May 26, 2007 Bolton Flats 1 (Kamp) * August 18, 2010 Sterling Peat (Pirro #)
Red-necked Phalarope Phalaropus
lobatus
More than 10 historical records exist. Shown here are records from past 20 years
*May 24, 2001 Grafton 1 f. (Kamp)
*October 4, 2002 Wachusett Reservoir 1 (Kamp) * May 13-14, 2006 Bolton 1-2
(Sutton fide BO, Kamp)
Red Phalarope Phalaropus
fulicarius
*September 22, 1947 Spencer 1
(Crompton) * November 6, 1983 Southboro 1 (Blodget, Meservey, Merriam) *May
13-14, 2006 Clinton 11 (Pirro, Meleski, Kamp, Lynch & Carroll, Shea) * May
15, 2006 Bolton 1 (Pirro)
Laughing Gull Larus
atricilla
*Late August, 1949 East Brookfield 1
(Allen) * May 9, 1950 Blackstone 3 (Crompton) * May 13, 1979 Boylston 2 ad.
(Blodget) *July 12, 1994 Wachusett Reservoir-Clinton 1 (2nd summer)
(Bradbury) * September 17, 1999 Wachusett Reservoir 1 (Lynch & Carroll,
Perkins, Rines) * May 30, 2007 Lancaster 1 adult flying (Sutton fide Massbird)
Black-legged Kittiwake Rissa
tridactyla
*March 22, 1987 E. Brookfield 1 ad.
(McMenemy, Allen, Robert, Babbitt, V. Crompton #)
Roseate Tern Sterna
dougallii
*August 31, 1954 West Brookfield
“some” (Conkey) * August 25, 1961 West Brookfield 1 imm. (Conkey)*August 29,
1971 Sterling 1 (R. Jenkins) * November 2, 1997 Worcester-Indian Lake 1 (Lynch
& Carroll #)
Sooty Tern Sterna
fuscata
*September 6, 1979 Brookfield 1 ad.
(R. Jenkins) * September 7, 1979 Spencer 1 ad. found dead (R. Jenkins) *
September 8, 1979 Dana 1 found dead (Lamontagne fide O’Reagan)
Black Skimmer Rynchops
niger
*March 14, 1993 Auburn 1 found
exhausted and starved, expired the next day (Grocia #)
Dovekie
Historically, inland wrecks of this species have been
documented in Massachusetts
Records as follows: 1950: November 26 Princeton 1 (Davis),
November 28 Worcester 1 (Gordon) 1962: November
3 Oxford (Hubbard, photo), December 7 Fitchburg (O. E. Hendrickson), also
reported in Clinton, Westminster, and Princeton, December 21 Spencer Browning
Pond 1967: December 4, Grafton 1 died
(L. Jenkins) 1968: December 5-6
Clinton 1 (Naughton, D. Crompton) 1969: November
3 Barre 1 (Miner), November 9 Fitchburg (fide Hanley) 1974: December 2 following NE gale (fide Worcester Telegram)
White-winged Dove
*December 14, 2009 – January 21, 2010
Sturbridge 1 (Ian Lynch #)
Monk Parakeet Myiopsitta
monachus
*1995 Blackstone 2 (Hildreth #)
*February 11, 1996 Blackstone 2 (Vokle fide BO) * August 7, 1998 Worcester
Leesville Pond 1 seen and heard (Lynch & Carroll) * June 6, 2005 Fitchburg
1 (probable escaped cage bird) (Boissy fide Massbird, photo)
Barn Owl Tyto
alba
*February 28, 1936 Lancaster 1 found
dead (Greenleaf) * May 4, 1967 Athol 1 (Allison) * April 15, 1972 Athol 1
(Gilguts, Clark #) * October 12, 1984 Mendon-Millville 1 (Quinlan #) * February
29, 1996 Brookfield (Lynch & Carroll) * December 15, 1997-January 4, 1998
Athol 1 (Fregeau, Arena #)
Snowy Owl Bubo
scandiacus
More than 10 historical records
exist. Shown here are records from past
20 years
*November 21, 1996 West Boylston 1 found dead
(Blodget) * February 7, 2006 Sterling 1 found dead (Spedding) * November 1,
2008 Ashburnham 1 (Pirro) *Late November, 2008 Worcester Airport, unknown
observer
Great Gray Owl Strix
nebulosa
*February 25, 1979 Hardwick 1
(Gregory #) * March 3, 1979 West Brookfield 1 (Caverley #)
* March 4-8, 1979 Wilkinsonville 1
(Oliver #) * January 29-March 4, 1980 Oakham 1 (Sampson # photo)*February 22,
1984 Sterling 1 found dead (Berry fide Blodget)
Boreal Owl Aegolius
funereus
*March 3, 1940, Worcester 1 found
dead (fide D. Wetherbee)
Chuck-will’s Widow
*May 20, 1996 Boylston 1 heard
(Newcomb) * May 11, 2001 Royalston, Birch Hill Dam 1 heard
(D. Small #)
Rufous Hummingbird Selasphorus
rufus
*October 2 – December 18, 2010
Worcester 1 (B. Humphrey, fide Lynch & Carroll, banded A. Hill)
Selasphorus sp.
*October 29-November 17, 1998
Leicester 1 (Gardner, McMenemy, Lynch & Carroll, #) * October 7- November
23, 2000 Worcester 1 (Pax, Lynch & Carroll, McMenemy) * October 9-October
30, 2001 Worcester 1 (Pax via BO) * October 13-14, 2002 Princeton 1 (Van Dusen)
* October 13-19, 2002 Athol 1 (Pirro, photo) * October 8, 2008 Leicester 1 (M.
Rowden photo)
American Three-toed Woodpecker Picoides
dorsalis
*April 23-24, 1956 Athol 1 m.
(Allison) * October 27, 1960 Hardwick 1 (Hunt) * January 8-11, 1963 Boylston 1
(L. Down, M. Down) * March 24, 1968 Hardwick 1 (Clark, Small) * January
15-April 27, 1975 Harvard 1 m. (Perry #, photo)
Black-backed Woodpecker Picoides
arcticus
More than 10 historical records
exist. Shown here are records from past
20 years
* March 18, 1998 Uxbrige 1 m. (Kimball fide
BO) * November 1, 2006 Dana (Blodget, Spedding)
Say’s Phoebe Sayornis
saya
*October 20, 1985 Dana 1 (Lynch
& Carroll #) * October 13, 2004 Lunenburg 1 (R. Brown photo)
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher Tyrranus
forficatus
*May 19-21, 1970 Westminster 1
(Richards #) * August 11-12, 1987 Bolton Flats 1 (Salmella # ) * May 1, 2010
Barre 1 (B. Kamp & D. Grant)
Loggerhead Shrike Larius
ludovicianus
More
than 10 historical records exist. Shown
here are records from past 20 years
* April 6, 1992 Bolton 1 photo (Quinlan) *
September 14, 1993 Brookfield 1 (R. Jenkins *April 2, 2000 Sterling 1 (Lynch
& Carroll)
Gray Jay Persioreus
canadensis
More than 10 historical records exist. Shown here are records from past 20 years
* December 30, 1995 Petersham 1
(Moore and Vokle) * November 11, 2001 Barre heard and seen (R. Jenkins) *
November 12, 2001 Petersham Quabbin Gate 40 1 or 2 (Offerman via Central Mass
Bird Listserv) * October 21 (Hill fide Pirro) through at least November 24
(v.o.), 2007, Mt. Watatic, Ashburnham
Northern Wheatear Oenanthe
oenanthe
*September 5-8, 1994 Fitchburg 1 (T.
Mongeon #, Pirro fide BO) * September 17-18, 1994 Miford 1 (Hildreth, Bradbury,
Lynch & Carroll) * September 16-18, 1995 Petersham 1 (J. Baird #) * May
16-17, 2001 Petersham 1 (J. Baird #)
Mountain Bluebird Sialia
currucoides
*May 29, 1994 Rutland 1 (T. and G.
Mann, photo)
Townsend’s Solitaire Myadestes
townsendi
*December 25, 1957 Worcester 1
(published in Mass Audubon Society Bulletin, pg. 92) *December 23-24 Gardner 1
(Pirro #)
Sprague’s Pipit Anthus
spragueii
*October 26-November 3, 1991 Clinton
1 (Blodget # photo)
Yellow-throated Warbler Dendroica
dominica
*May 12, 1956 Hubbardston 1
(Murdock) * June 20, 1959 Boylston 1 m. (McAllister) * May 9, 1984 Brookfield 1
m. (Blodget, Meservey) * May 8-10, 1985 Brookfield 1 (Meservey # ) * May 7-8,
1986 Brookfield 1 (Nelson, R. Jenkins) * May 12, 1988 Petersham 1 m.
(Johnstone, Small, #)* May 5, 2004 Worcester 1 (Lynch & Carroll)
Prothonotary Warbler Protonotaria
citrea
More than 10 historical records exist. Shown here are records from past 20 years
* May 16, 1992 Northbridge 1 (Hildreth) * May
3,2009 Westboro 1 (Paulsons)
Summer Tanager Piranga
rubra
*May 17-21, 1946 Petersham 1
(Coolidges) * September 1, 1954 Worcester 1 (Mills fide Crompton) * September
26, 1976 Worcester 1 f. or imm. (R. Jenkins) * April 19-27, 1993 East
Brookfield 1 (1st yr. m) (Cormier, Mills, Rasku, photo #) * April
17-May 3, 1994 Spencer 1 ad. m. (Meservey) * May 13-17, 1996 Boylston 1
(Newcomb, photo) * May 18, 1997 Worcester (Phillips fide BO) *May 2, 2004 Upton
1 (Paulsons)* May 5, 2004 Worcester 1 (Lynch & Carroll)
Lark Sparrow Chondestes
grammacus
More than 10 historical records exist. Shown here are records from past 20 years
* September 19, 2003 Barre Falls Dam
1 (Lynch & Carroll) * December 19, 2007- April 18, 2008 Millbury (Berard #)
* December 15, 2010 Devens 1 (Bourinot)
Henslow’s Sparrow Ammodramus
henslowii
More than 10 historical records exist. Shown here are the last 3 records
* October 21, 1989 Northbridge 1 (Wheelock)
* October 19, 1991 Milford 1 (Hildreth) * October 5-7, 2003 Bolton 1 (Lynch
& Carroll, Paulsons)
Harris’s Sparrow Zonotrichia
querula
*December 26, 1963-May 2, 1964
Warren 1 imm. (Shuttleworths #) * October 12-19, 1985 Bolton 1 m. (Quinlan # )
Golden-crowned Sparrow Zonotrichia
atricapilla
*April 26, 2006 Sturbridge 1 ad.
(Cormier #)
Black-headed Grosbeak Pheucticus
melanocephalus
*October 14, 1958 S. Lancaster 1 m.
(Daniels fide L. Jenkins) * November 2, 1974-January 6, 1975 Worcester 1
(Quinlan # ) * November 15-19, 1978 Rutland 1 f. (Sargent fide Blodget) * August 23-September 11, 1984 Worcester 1
imm. (Cromptons)
Painted Bunting Passerina
ciris
*December 31, 1971-January 6, 1972
Barre 1 (Dorsey #) * January 11-February 5, 2004 Shrewsbury 1 m. (E. Surrette
fide BO, #)
Yellow-headed Blackbird Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus
*April 2-11, 1961 Holden 1 m.
(Spring) * April 14-15, 1961 Auburn 1 m. (Cox fide L. Jenkins) * February 19,
1981 Royalston 1 f. (Coyle #) * March 7, 2004 Bolton Flats 1 m. (Lynch &
Carroll) * November 3, 2006 Millbury 1 (Berard fide Massbird) * Apr 9, 2010
Bolton Flats 1 (Morlock)
Bullock’s Oriole Icterus
bullockii
*November 24, 1957 North Brookfield 1 (Alcorn) *November
11, 1998-February 15, 1999 Sterling 1 m. (Tosi, McMenemy, Lynch & Carroll,
#)
PROBLEMATIC LIST
Whooper Swan Cygnus
cygnus
*April 11, 1998 Fisherville Pond,
Grafton 1 (McMenemy & Zumpfe), February 27, 1999 Milford 1 (Hildreth)
Pacific Loon Gavia
pacifica
*November 5, 1949 Sterling 1
(Crompton, Eliot) * April 4, 1950 Southboro 1 (Crompton) * October 30, 1952
East Brookfield 2 (Crompton) * October 8, 1958 Boylston 2 (McAlister)
Magnificent Frigatebird Fregata
magnificens
*May 14, 1959 Dudley 1 (Hubbard)
White Ibis Eudocimus
albus
*March 20, 1948 Oakham 1 (Mower fide
Eliot)
White-faced Ibis Plegadis
chihi
*July 25-27 Holden 1 breeding
plumage (Blodget, Byrne)
Black-shouldered Kite Elanus
caeruleus
*July 7, 1935 Spencer 1 (Heywood)
Mississippi Kite Ictinia
mississippiensis
*May 14, 1993 East Brookfield 1
(Blodget)
Yellow Rail Coturnicops
noveboracensis
*September 30, 1984 Bolton 1 (Lynch
& Carroll) * April 29, 1986 Bolton 1 (Salmela) * October 17, 1991 West
Brookfield 1 heard (R. Jenkins)
Wilson’s Plover Charadrius
wilsonia
*November 1, 1943 Lake Quabog 1
(Fleming, Harrison)
Stercorarius
sp.
*September 6, 1979 Brookfield 1 (R.
Jenkins) (probable Pomarine Jaeger)
Gull-billed Tern Sterna
nilotica
*August 20, 1991 Clinton 1
(Bradbury, Lynch)
Forster’s Tern Sterna
forsteri
*September 17, 1999 Wachusett Reservoir 1 (:Lynch & Carroll)
Black Guillemot Cepphus
grille
*January 2, 1934 West Brookfield 2
(Ekblaw)
Northern Hawk-Owl Surnia
ulua
*February 17, 1964 Petersham 1
(Patterson fide Crompton)
Gray Kingbird Tyrannus
dominicensis
*August 31, 1945 Worcester 2 (K. and
O. Wetherbee)
Black-billed Magpie Pica
pica
*February 7-18, 1959 W. Sterling 1
(Wilders, Flemings, Allen and Cromptons), presumed released birds *March 3, 1966 Dana 1 (Swedberg photo),
presumed released bird
*Western Tanager Piranga
ludoviciana
*November 20, 1953 Fitchburg 1 f.
(Lawrence fide Bruce) * October 28, 1954 Worcester 1 (Thayer) * December 11-24,
1984 Gardner 1 (Cobbs # fide Williams)
*Leconte’s Sparrow Ammodramus
leconteii
*September 6-7, 1958 Spencer 5
(Alcorn) * September 15, 1984 Hardwick 1 (R. Jenkins, Ricker)
*European Goldfinch Carduelis
carduelis
*May 14, 1968 S. Athol 1 (Coyle #) *April 11, 1969 Athol 1 m.
(Coyle #) * April 21, 1971 Holden 1 m. (R. Jenkins) *March 29-31, 1987 Athol
1 m. (Herberts # fide Coyle), all presumed escaped cage birds.
REFERENCES
Bradbury, Robert C. 1992. Bird List of Worcester County, Massachusetts. Mass Audubon Society Publ.
Chesser, R. Terry, Richard C. Banks, F. Keith Barker, Carla Cicero, Jon L. Dunn, Andrew W. Kratter, Irby J. Lovette, Pamela C. Rasmussen, J. V. Remsen, James D. Rising, Douglas F. Stotz, Kevin Winker. 2010. Fifty-first supplement to the American Ornithologists' Union Check-List of North American Birds. Auk 127(3):726-744.
Forbush Bird Club. The Chickadee: Journal of Worcester County Ornithology, vols 1-80, 1931-2010.