Date: 11/17/25 12:22 pm From: <sohzendeh...> Subject: [Arlington Birds] FW: Next Bear Creek, Saugus, walk on Sunday November 23, 9 am; report for November 16 walk
From: <sohzendeh...> <sohzendeh...>
Sent: Monday, November 17, 2025 3:18 PM
To: Soheil <sohzendeh...>
Subject: Next Bear Creek, Saugus, walk on Sunday November 23, 9 am; report
for November 16 walk
Folks,
The next walk at Bear Creek Sanctuary in Saugus is on Sunday, November 23 at
9 am. Details at the end of this email.
The walk on November 16 was attended by over 25 people. The morning started
out lovely with mild temperatures but soon a sharp southwest wind kicked up.
Thereafter it was hard to keeps optics focused and certainly hard to
photograph wildlife. Cammy Kaynor, who contributed the majority of photos
to the ebird list (see below) managed to heroically provide recognizable
images of some of the birds we saw.
Thanks to Brendan Burke for fulfilling list-keeping duties. If you were
there yesterday, the following link will allow you to share the list:
Here are details for attending the walk at this property on November 23:
Bear Creek is an upland sanctuary built on the WINWaste (formerly
Wheelabrator) landfill at the northeast corner of Rumney Marsh in Saugus and
Revere. Access information is below. Wear waterproof walking shoes and be
prepared to hike 3 – 4 miles. The property is mostly very open, so be
prepared for sun, wind and weather.
This walk is free and open to the public, but also note that this property
is accessible by invitation only and visitors need to be chaperoned at all
times. Please allow roughly 4 hours for this field trip. The actual length
of the trip depends on conditions and the birds present. It's usually
difficult to break up the party if you need to be somewhere in the early
afternoon. Come prepared to stay with the group.
WINWaste company has graciously stocked up on some extra pairs of
binoculars, so if you or someone you know wants to learn about birds and
birding, come on down. Please let Geoff Wilson <s2ary...>
<mailto:<s2ary...> know you're coming so we can have a head count.
Bear Creek Sanctuary access is via the WINWaste plant, 100 Salem Turnpike
(Rte 107), Saugus. The rotary at the intersection of Rtes 60 and 107 is
about 1½ miles southwest of the plant and about 1 mile east of Rte 1 exit on
Rte 60. When traveling northeast on 107, if you go over the Ballard Street
bridge (just after a set of lights) you’ve gone too far — turn back. Here is
a link to google maps:
When you arrive, drive through the plant gates, park in the parking lot
immediately and wait for the group. Please do not drive farther into the
property without an escort.
Date: 11/4/25 1:23 pm From: Cliff Cook <ccook13...> Subject: [Arlington Birds] BBC Fall Meeting THIS Friday with Amar Ayyash, Author of The Gull Guide
The Brookline Bird Club's in-person fall meeting open to all will take
place on November 7 at the Geological Lecture Hall at the Harvard Museum of
Comparative Zoology at 24 Oxford Street in Cambridge. The meeting is open
to all.
Date: 11/3/25 6:23 am From: Paul Ippolito <paulippolito295...> Subject: [Arlington Birds] MBC Meeting Tuesday Night - Note the earlier start time
Fellow MBC members,
As a reminder, our next meeting is tomorrow, Tuesday, November 4 (*note our
earlier start time for this meeting - **Doors open at 6:00 for set up and
social time and the meeting starts promptly at 6:30 PM.*). We will have Ilija
Dukovski cover the basics of bird photography as participants will get an
overview of what is takes to make advanced photos of birds. No prior
knowledge of photography is needed. This is meant for as broad audience as
possible. We will cover intros to a broad range of topics, from ethics of
bird photography, to making sharp portraits of birds, to editing and
enhancing your photos in Photoshop and Lightroom, and finally presenting
them to an audience.
While advance registration is *NOT* required
https://share.google/r51D48ZTEb0f8D8xZ, if possible, please try to do so as
it allows the Jenks Center to better set up for the amount of people
attending.
We have identified a few trips later into November and December, do however
continue to look at the weekly e-mails as we will be continually adding
trips based upon what is being seen, weather and availability of our
leaders.
November typically has some interesting observations being posted
throughout Massachusetts so keep exploring your local patches, *report what
you are seeing* and enjoy all that our area has to offer.
*Tuesday, November 4*
*6:00 PM Social Time, 6:30 PM Meeting Start *
*Basics of Bird Photography*
*Ilija Dukovski – Jenks Center, Winchester*
Ilija Dukovski has been a passionate birder since the age of seven and
discovered his love for bird photography during a life-changing trip to
Costa Rica. Since then, he has photographed birds across the United States
and in some of the world’s most remarkable habitats, including the
Galápagos Islands and Peru. With years of experience observing and
capturing birds in the wild, Ilija brings both technical knowledge and deep
enthusiasm to his teaching.
In this talk, we will cover the basics of bird photography as participants
will get an overview of what is takes to make advanced photos of birds. No
prior knowledge of photography is needed. This is meant for as broad
audience as possible. We will cover intros to a broad range of topics, from
ethics of bird photography, to making sharp portraits of birds, to editing
and enhancing your photos in Photoshop and Lightroom, and finally
presenting them to an audience.
Doors open at 6:00 for set up and social time and the meeting starts
promptly at 6:30 PM.
*Sunday, November 23 **Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge, Concord*
*John Edmondson, 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM *Walking about 3 miles on flat easy
trails, we will search for a variety of birds. Note that an entrance fee or
pass is required. If conditions have been cold, be prepared for ice on the
trails. Meet in the refuge parking lot on Monsen Road (off of rte 62).
Co-sponsored with the Brookline Bird Club. 8:00 - 11:00 AM John Edmondson
<Johnhedmondson...>
*Saturday, December 6 **Dunback Meadow, Lexington*
*Cliff Cook, 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM *Join us as we search for semi-hardy
migrants and wintering birds including raptors. Fox sparrow are often here
at this time of year. Expect to walk on about 3 miles on possibly muddy
trails. Meet at the Clark Middle School at the end of Brookside Ave.
Co-sponsored with the Brookline Bird Club. 8:00 - 12:00 PM Cliff cook
<ccokk13...>
If you are interested in leading a trip, please reach out to Alan Ankers,
Renee LaFontaine or myself, the club would be so lucky to have you lead.
Please continue to post your observations.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out.
Date: 10/30/25 8:02 am From: Olivia Smith <olivesmithh892...> Subject: [Arlington Birds] Gabriel will be in the neighborhood.
Hello Everyone.
We’re scheduling a dryer vent cleaning and if anyone else is interested, we
can get a group discount. Normally, this service costs $350, but if more
people sign up, the price drops to $150 per home! Not cleaning your dryer
vent increases the risk of fire in your home because lint and dust build up
inside the vents, which can become a serious fire hazard.
We’ve used this service before, and they do an excellent job. (he does duct
and chimney cleaning as well if you need that as well)
If you’re interested, please PM me your contact info and address, and I’ll
arrange a convenient time. Or feel free to text him at 786-927-4854.
Date: 10/30/25 4:41 am From: Paul Ippolito <paulippolito295...> Subject: [Arlington Birds] MBC - walk this weekend and upcoming meeting
Fellow MBC members,
There is a walk on Saturday at Arlington Reservoir as posted earlier this
week on the ListServ as well as some trips later in November and December.
Our next meeting is Tuesday, November 4 (note our earlier start time for
this meeting) as we will have Ilija Dukovski cover the basics of bird
photography as participants will get an overview of what is takes to make
advanced photos of birds. No prior knowledge of photography is needed. This
is meant for as broad audience as possible. We will cover intros to a broad
range of topics, from ethics of bird photography, to making sharp portraits
of birds, to editing and enhancing your photos in Photoshop and Lightroom,
and finally presenting them to an audience. While advance registration is
*NOT* required https://share.google/r51D48ZTEb0f8D8xZ, if possible, please
try to do so as it allows the Jenks Center to better set up for the amount
of people attending.
Do however continue to look at the weekly e-mails as we will be continually
adding trips based upon what is being seen, weather and availability of our
leaders.
Fall migration is still happening with some interesting observations being
posted throughout Massachusetts so keep exploring your local patches, *report
what you are seeing* and enjoy all that our area has to offer.
*Saturday, November 1 **Arlington Reservoir*
*Chris Floyd, 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM *In the fall water levels are lowered
creating good conditions for ducks and shorebirds. Join Chris Floyd as he
leads an Autumn Migratory Bird Walk at the Arlington Reservoir. This event
is co-sponsored by the Reservoir Committee and the Open Space Committee.
Meet at the Beach Kiosk on Lowell Street.
*Tuesday, November 4*
*6:00 PM Social Time, 6:30 PM Meeting Start *
*Basics of Bird Photography*
*Ilija Dukovski – Jenks Center, Winchester*
Ilija Dukovski has been a passionate birder since the age of seven and
discovered his love for bird photography during a life-changing trip to
Costa Rica. Since then, he has photographed birds across the United States
and in some of the world’s most remarkable habitats, including the
Galápagos Islands and Peru. With years of experience observing and
capturing birds in the wild, Ilija brings both technical knowledge and deep
enthusiasm to his teaching.
In this talk, we will cover the basics of bird photography as participants
will get an overview of what is takes to make advanced photos of birds. No
prior knowledge of photography is needed. This is meant for as broad
audience as possible. We will cover intros to a broad range of topics, from
ethics of bird photography, to making sharp portraits of birds, to editing
and enhancing your photos in Photoshop and Lightroom, and finally
presenting them to an audience.
Doors open at 6:00 for set up and social time and the meeting starts
promptly at 6:30 PM.
*Sunday, November 23 **Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge, Concord*
*John Edmondson, 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM *Walking about 3 miles on flat easy
trails, we will search for a variety of birds. Note that an entrance fee or
pass is required. If conditions have been cold, be prepared for ice on the
trails. Meet in the refuge parking lot on Monsen Road (off of rte
62)Co-sponsored with the Brookline Bird Club. 8:00 - 11:00 AM John
Edmondson <Johnhedmondson...>
*Saturday, December 6 **Dunback Meadow, Lexington*
*Cliff Cook, 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM *Join us as we search for semi-hardy
migrants and wintering birds including raptors. Fox sparrow are often here
at this time of year. Expect to walk on about 3 miles on possibly muddy
trails. Meet at the Clark Middle School at the end of Brookside Ave.
Co-sponsored with the Brookline Bird Club. 8:00 - 12:00 PM Cliff cook
<ccokk13...>
If you are interested in leading a trip, please reach out to Alan Ankers,
Renee LaFontaine or myself, the club would be so lucky to have you lead.
Please continue to post your observations.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out.
Date: 10/29/25 1:05 pm From: Peter Arest <arestpeter47...> Subject: [Arlington Birds] Gabriel is in the neighborhood!!
Hello Everyone!
We’re scheduling a dryer vent cleaning and if anyone else is interested, we
can get a group discount. Normally, this service costs $350, but if more
people sign up, the price drops to $150 per home! Not cleaning your dryer
vent increases the risk of fire in your home because lint and dust build up
inside the vents, which can become a serious fire hazard.
We’ve used this service before, and they do an excellent job. (he does duct
and chimney cleaning as well if you need that as well)
If you’re interested, please PM me your contact info and address, and I’ll
arrange a convenient time. Or feel free to text him at 786-927-4854.
Date: 10/28/25 10:05 am From: Mark Hibberd <markghibberd...> Subject: Re: [Arlington Birds] New Looks at Scoters (Long)
👍
On Tue, Oct 28, 2025 at 6:39 AM 'PAUL ROBERTS' via Arlington Birds <
<arlingtonbirds...> wrote:
> Yesterday I was reminded once again about what makes birding special for
> me. It was a chilly morning at the Mystic Lakes, quiet in every respect.
> The eagle activity was very low key. The Great Egret of the past few days
> was gone and the juvenile Spotted Sandpiper of the past several weeks had
> disappeared as well.
> The highlight, beyond a young, rambunctious little juvenile male
> Cooper's Hawk harassing two Ring-billed Gulls that were larger than him,
> was when I spotted a small diving duck flying north high overhead. No one
> else was really paying much attention when I called it out the first time.
> I shouted diving duck, based on its small size and very rapid wingbeats,
> but it looked all dark underneath and I couldn't figure out what it was. It
> appeared to land in the far reaches of the upper lake, but I could not see
> it. Then I spotted a similar critter flying south high overhead. No better
> looks or ideas this time, mainly watching a duck butt flying south. Minutes
> later I saw it again flying north. Originally I thought it was going to be
> a Bufflehead or possibly a Common Goldeneye, but it clearly was not. No
> white or pale belly was visible. It obviously was not a Wood Duck either. I
> was puzzled. Then I saw it fly north again and got people on it. I got my
> best view yet. Small, all black, including the belly, with a contrasting
> underwing; lighter flight feathers below. Two photographers, one being
> Frank Killoren, caught an orange flash on the bill. Drake Black Scoter. But
> it still seemed smaller and faster than I think Black Scoters are.
> Later Julie and I drove to Plum Island. We visited Lot 7 as a rising
> tide began to cover Emerson Rocks. Juvenile and immature Northern Gannets
> were occasionally approaching close to shore, but there were very few sea
> ducks visible; odd for a day with a northeast wind. But there was a drake,
> 2nd year Surf Scoter not too far offshore, and it was hanging with two
> drake adult White-winged Scoters.
> Every year I appreciate all three scoters more and more, even as they
> become fewer and fewer. In recent years, Black Scoter have often appeared
> to be more abundant than the usual White-winged Scoter. but I've had a
> special fondness for the uniquely colored drake Surf Scoter, or Skunkhead.
> Yesterday, they swam atypically close to shore on the rising tide. Whenever
> they dived and came up with food, they were harassed by juvenile Herring
> Gulls, so they moved around a lot, but I was able to get decent photographs
> with my 125X Nikon P1100, often with two mixed drakes swimming together.
> Shortly before we left I had a large very distant flock of Black Scoter
> flying low over the water from the north, looking disorderly, like a
> massive jail break.
> Returning home I went to *The Crossley ID Guide:Waterfowl, *which
> I think to be the richest recent guide to waterfowl, with abundant photos
> and great text. What struck me this time was that Black Scoter average just
> above 2 lbs, with Surf Scoter about 10% heavier and White-winged Scoter
> roughly 50% heavier. Then the light dawned. I realized that I can't recall
> ever having Black Scoter, especially a lone drake, flying high directly
> over me like the duck yesterday morning. It is somewhat larger than a Wood
> Duck, but was flying higher than I usually see Wood Ducks, or obviously
> even the much smaller Bufflehead or the Common Goldeneye, which is about
> the same mass as the Black Scoter.
> All three scoter in one late October day. Not unusual, but a learning
> experience. I am also fascinated because scoter are raised in freshwater
> environments. When they winter on saltwater, they change their prey and
> their body has to adjust to treat the radically new intake of salt in their
> diet. Talk about having to grow up quickly......
>
> Best,
> Paul
>
> Paul M. Roberts
> Medford, MA
> <phawk254...>
>
> --
> Group home page:
> https://menotomybirdclub.com/ > ---
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
> "Arlington Birds" group.
> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an
> email to arlingtonbirds+<unsubscribe...>
> To view this discussion visit
> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/arlingtonbirds/<1222116969.294020.1761647953438...> > <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/arlingtonbirds/<1222116969.294020.1761647953438...>?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> > .
>
Date: 10/28/25 7:22 am From: Diana F. <diana.fru...> Subject: [Arlington Birds] BBC Teen Birder Scholarships
Fyi
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: 'John Nelson' via Association of Massachusetts Bird Clubs <
<association-of-massachusetts-bird-clubs...>
Date: Tue, Oct 28, 2025, 10:07 AM
Subject: [AMBC Google Group] BBC Teen Birder Scholarships
To: Massachusetts Assoc of Bird Clubs <
<association-of-massachusetts-bird-clubs...>
Association members,
The Brookline Bird Club will again offer two Bill Drummond Young Birder’s
Scholarships to nurture interest in bird study and conservation among young
birders. 2026 scholarships will cover the full cost of the Coastal Maine
Bird Studies for Teens program at National Audubon’s Hog Island camp on *June
21-26, 2026.* The cost includes housing, boat travel, and all meals.
Scholarship recipients will be responsible for transportation costs to and
from the camp.
Applicants must be New England residents, ages 14-17 as of June 1, 2026,
and must submit a written application and two letters of reference.
Preference will be given to applicants with individual or family BBC
memberships. To be considered a member, an applicant may join the club at
the time of application. A youth membership for one year is $10.All
completed applications and references must be received by the BBC
scholarship committee by *February 16, 2026*. Selection and notification of
recipients will be completed by *March 12, 2026*. For instructions and an
application form, check the BBC website at
Please help spread the word to any teen birders who might be interested.
Some of our previous applicants and recipients learned of our scholarships
through Association members.
Date: 10/28/25 3:39 am From: 'PAUL ROBERTS' via Arlington Birds <arlingtonbirds...> Subject: [Arlington Birds] New Looks at Scoters (Long)
Yesterday I was reminded once again about what makes birding special for me. It was a chilly morning at the Mystic Lakes, quiet in every respect. The eagle activity was very low key. The Great Egret of the past few days was gone and the juvenile Spotted Sandpiper of the past several weeks had disappeared as well. The highlight, beyond a young, rambunctious little juvenile male Cooper's Hawk harassing two Ring-billed Gulls that were larger than him, was when I spotted a small diving duck flying north high overhead. No one else was really paying much attention when I called it out the first time. I shouted diving duck, based on its small size and very rapid wingbeats, but it looked all dark underneath and I couldn't figure out what it was. It appeared to land in the far reaches of the upper lake, but I could not see it. Then I spotted a similar critter flying south high overhead. No better looks or ideas this time, mainly watching a duck butt flying south. Minutes later I saw it again flying north. Originally I thought it was going to be a Bufflehead or possibly a Common Goldeneye, but it clearly was not. No white or pale belly was visible. It obviously was not a Wood Duck either. I was puzzled. Then I saw it fly north again and got people on it. I got my best view yet. Small, all black, including the belly, with a contrasting underwing; lighter flight feathers below. Two photographers, one being Frank Killoren, caught an orange flash on the bill. Drake Black Scoter. But it still seemed smaller and faster than I think Black Scoters are. Later Julie and I drove to Plum Island. We visited Lot 7 as a rising tide began to cover Emerson Rocks. Juvenile and immature Northern Gannets were occasionally approaching close to shore, but there were very few sea ducks visible; odd for a day with a northeast wind. But there was a drake, 2nd year Surf Scoter not too far offshore, and it was hanging with two drake adult White-winged Scoters. Every year I appreciate all three scoters more and more, even as they become fewer and fewer. In recent years, Black Scoter have often appeared to be more abundant than the usual White-winged Scoter. but I've had a special fondness for the uniquely colored drake Surf Scoter, or Skunkhead. Yesterday, they swam atypically close to shore on the rising tide. Whenever they dived and came up with food, they were harassed by juvenile Herring Gulls, so they moved around a lot, but I was able to get decent photographs with my 125X Nikon P1100, often with two mixed drakes swimming together. Shortly before we left I had a large very distant flock of Black Scoter flying low over the water from the north, looking disorderly, like a massive jail break. Returning home I went to The Crossley ID Guide:Waterfowl, which I think to be the richest recent guide to waterfowl, with abundant photos and great text. What struck me this time was that Black Scoter average just above 2 lbs, with Surf Scoter about 10% heavier and White-winged Scoter roughly 50% heavier. Then the light dawned. I realized that I can't recall ever having Black Scoter, especially a lone drake, flying high directly over me like the duck yesterday morning. It is somewhat larger than a Wood Duck, but was flying higher than I usually see Wood Ducks, or obviously even the much smaller Bufflehead or the Common Goldeneye, which is about the same mass as the Black Scoter. All three scoter in one late October day. Not unusual, but a learning experience. I am also fascinated because scoter are raised in freshwater environments. When they winter on saltwater, they change their prey and their body has to adjust to treat the radically new intake of salt in their diet. Talk about having to grow up quickly...... Best, Paul Paul M. Roberts Medford, MA <phawk254...>
Date: 10/27/25 7:54 pm From: Nina Shepardson <nmallozzi...> Subject: [Arlington Birds] Re: Black Scoter (drake) on Mystic Lakes 8:00 am.
I was at the dam a little later in the morning. Didn't see the scoter, but
one of the eagles did a low flyover. For a moment, I thought it was going
to land on the roof of the Tufts boathouse! Sometime around 9:45, I also
saw what looked like a young eagle circling high over the western shore of
the upper lake. The head was mostly dark and the plumage was mottled, so
I'm guessing one or two years old? If the resident eagles were still
around, they didn't feel the need to see the youngster off. It flew off to
the west.
Best wishes,
Nina Shepardson, Arlington
On Monday, October 27, 2025 at 9:23:05 AM UTC-4 PAUL ROBERTS wrote:
> It was a relatively quiet, chilly morning on the Mystic Lakes, highlighted
> by a drake Black Scoter flying up and down both lakes several times. Its's
> possible there was more than one, but we had multiple sightings going from
> lower to upper and vice versa.
> The Great Egret and long present Spotted Sandpiper (juvenile) were
> not seen this morning. A juvenile male Cooper's hawk was seen harassing
> several Ring-billed Gulls, and both eagles made relatively brief
> appearances.
>
> Best,
> Paul
>
> Paul M. Roberts
> Medford, MA
> <phaw......>
>
Date: 10/27/25 12:58 pm From: Ann LeRoyer <annleroyer12...> Subject: [Arlington Birds] Bird Walk at the Res - Sat, Nov 1, 8-10am
Chris Floyd will lead another Autumn Migratory Bird Walk at the Arlington Reservoir on Saturday, November 1 from 8 to 10 am. This free event is co-sponsored by the Reservoir Committee and the Open Space Committee.
Meet at the Beach Kiosk on Lowell Street and bring binoculars if you have them.
Date: 10/27/25 6:23 am From: 'PAUL ROBERTS' via Arlington Birds <arlingtonbirds...> Subject: [Arlington Birds] Black Scoter (drake) on Mystic Lakes 8:00 am.
It was a relatively quiet, chilly morning on the Mystic Lakes, highlighted by a drake Black Scoter flying up and down both lakes several times. Its's possible there was more than one, but we had multiple sightings going from lower to upper and vice versa. The Great Egret and long present Spotted Sandpiper (juvenile) were not seen this morning. A juvenile male Cooper's hawk was seen harassing several Ring-billed Gulls, and both eagles made relatively brief appearances. Best,Paul Paul M. Roberts Medford, MA <phawk254...>
