Date: 6/12/25 8:07 pm From: David M via groups.io <davidpmassa...> Subject: [hmbirds] Thursday Birding 6/12 Pitney Meadows
Five birders set out on a warm, sunny Thursday morning with a steady breeze that kept things comfortable and surprisingly bug free - perfect conditions for early June.
Our main target for the morning was the Grasshopper Sparrow, and to our surprise, we didn’t have to wait long. Just a few minutes in, near the parking area and along the fence line heading into the trail, we heard its signature buzzy call coming from the field just beyond the fence. With a little back and forth between ears, eyes, and the Merlin app, we were able to lock in on one bird that matched both visually and audibly. It stayed low in the grass but popped up enough for everyone to get a look, and those with longer lenses were able to grab some decent shots from a distance. It wasn’t super close - maybe 20 to 30 yards out - but it was enough to feel confident in the sighting. Definitely the highlight of the day, and we were lucky to get it right at the start.
We were also joined by a new member, who recently signed up and fit right in - great energy, sharp ears, and helpful gear that definitely added to the experience. Always nice to have someone new on board who’s clearly passionate and knowledgeable.
The rest of the walk was mellow and easy - a big open field loop with wide views and lots of good bird activity. Overhead we had a trio of soaring Red-Tailed Hawks. Down in the brush and along the edges we spotted a nice mix of sparrows: Savannah Sparrows (including some great views of them riding the tall grass), Chipping Sparrows, and Song Sparrows. Tree Swallows and Barn Swallows zipped around throughout. There were plenty of American Goldfinches, some Cedar Waxwings, and an Eastern Kingbird that showed up briefly. We also had consistent audio from at least one Indigo Bunting, though it stayed out of sight the whole time. At one point near the beginning of the walk, we picked up a Bobolink calling with that classic, electronic sounding song.
Other notables included Red-Bellied Woodpecker and the usual crowd of Red-Winged Blackbirds, which were everywhere. All told, we tallied around 30 species, give or take a few we might’ve missed or misheard. After getting such a good look at the Grasshopper Sparrow right out of the gate, the rest of the walk like a bonus - and a beautiful one at that. The birds, the breeze, and the company made it a genuinely enjoyable morning from start to finish.
