Date: 1/8/25 4:06 pm From: 'Paul Peterson' via Boston Birds <bostonbirds...> Subject: [BostonBirds] 1/8 Eleven Duck Species in Jamaica Plain; Cackling Goose NO
Of all the duck species seen today, only the American Black Duck and Wood Ducks were not seen in Jamaica Pond; they were in Leverett Pond. I birded from 2:30-4:30. I did check the hundred geese or so at Parkman Memorial Park, but no luck. This park is located on the other side of Francis Parkman Dr. from the pond. He must have been an important man since not one, but two places were named after him. I do know his estate had stood at this site back when there were many summer estates around the pond, and no public access to the pond.
Common Loon 1 continuing from New Years Day?
American Wigeon 2 continuing
Gadwall 2 continuing
Wood Duck 7 Leverett Pond
American Black Duck 4 Leverett Pond
Green-winged Teal 1 continuing; way over on other side of pond from where all the action is
Mallard Duck 200 wild guess (most at Leverett Pond)
Blond Mallard 1 Jamaica Pond-beautiful
Chocolate Mallard 1 Willow Pond (all chocolate except for white bib); beautiful
Lesser Scaup 1 continuing; way over on other side of pond from where all the action is
Ring-necked Duck 11 total from L.P. and J.P.
Hooded Merganser 100 wild guess
Common Merganser 40 guess
Ruddy Duck 13
Common Raven 1
Golden-crowned Kinglet 1
Date: 12/28/24 12:03 pm From: 'Paul Peterson' via Boston Birds <bostonbirds...> Subject: [BostonBirds] 12/27 Fowl Meadow Fun Towhees, Catbird, Fox Sparrow' etc.
Yesterday, I birded at Fowl Meadow, starting in the Readville section (Meadow Rd.) and then the whole two miles of the Burma Rd.. Then I did several other trails within this large place. This all was from 12:05=4:35.
Pileated Woodpecker 1 calling dusk
Hairy Woodpecker 5
Downy Woodpecker 8
Black-capped Chickadee 8
Tufted Titmouse 7
White-breasted Nuthatch 8
Brown Creeper 1 minimum
Golden-crowned Kinglet 1
Winter Wren 1
Carolina Wren 7
Gray Catbird Meadow Rd. feeding with a towhee!
Eastern Towhee 3 two heard along the Burma Rd.(the main trail)
Fox Sparrow 1 Meadow Rd.
American Tree Sparrow 1 Meadow Rd.
Swamp Sparrow 3
White-throated Sparrow 15
Song Sparrow 13
Dark-eyed Junco 6
Red-winged Blackbird x one singing!!
I pretty much managed to keep my sneaker-clad feet dry the entire time due to the compactness of the five inches of snow cover! This place is so special with snow cover
Date: 12/26/24 1:47 pm From: 'Paul Peterson' via Boston Birds <bostonbirds...> Subject: [BostonBirds] 12/25 and 11/26 McLaughlin Woods Highlights
On Christmas, I didn't have my binoculars with me, but I sure wish I had. For there was a warbler chip at the lowest level. I returned today, but this bird has flown! I did have my binoculars with me today:
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Cooper's Hawk 1 a day apart from the Cooper's, but virtually in the same spot!
Peregrine Falcon 1 on very top of the left tower. From atop Parker Hill, I could see the whitewash on crucifix
Northern Flicker 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Downy Woodpecker 2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1 12/26
Carolina Wren 3
Warbler sp. 1 See Above
White-throated Sparrow 4
Date: 12/16/24 5:40 pm From: 'Paul Peterson' via Boston Birds <bostonbirds...> Subject: [BostonBirds] Virginia Rails and Orange-crowned Warbler in Newton, Etc.
I birded in Newton on three of the last four days, focusing on Charles River habitat in Waban (Day 1) Lower Falls (Day 2), and Auburndale (Day 3):
Great Blue Heron (Day1)
Hooded Merganser 4 (Day3)
Bufflehead 17 (Day1 and 3)
Red-tailed Hawk 3
Wild Turkey 5 roosting in Waban
Peregrine Falcon 1 on top of crucifix on top of steeple (across from Lyons Park)
Virginia Rail 2 heard from Swamp Trail footbridge; one on each side ;at dusk 4:22-4:30 p.m.
Sora 1 ? calling once-a rapid keek keek keek followed by high, sharp kew; 4:22 p.m.
Belted Kingfisher 1
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1 Quinobequin Rd. Waban (along the river)
Hairy Woodpecker 4 total, including two together Lower Falls
Brown Creeper 1
Winter Wren 2 one wavan Rd after dusk, other Flowed Meadow at dusk
Golden-crowned Kinglet 9 including six Auburndale
Orange-crowned Warbler 1 Lower Falls Park near Charles River and bridge into Weston
Swamp Sparrow 6
White-throated Sparrow 33 (11+11+11) how bizarre
Dark-eyed Junco 50
Common Grackle 200 near Riverside Station
