Date: 9/29/25 5:57 pm From: Barbara Volkle <barb620...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] September 27, 2025: Rock Meadow Belmont BBC Walk - Decently birdy.,Late gnatcatcher
Thanks to Matt S. for this report.
Barbara Volkle Northborough, MA <barb620...>
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From: "Matt S." <accipiter22...> Date: Sat, 27 Sep 2025 22:17:43 -0400 Subject: September 27, 2025: Rock Meadow Belmont BBC Walk - Decently birdy. Late gnatcatcher
I lead a walk this morning at Rock Meadow for the BBC - the group was huge, two dozen people, plus myself. Always enjoyable to see turnout like that. It did make navigating around the gardens a bit difficult, putting people on birds is tough when the back of the line could be 30 feet behind you. The radar was huge last night, and despite mixed results in the past when that is the case, today was pretty birdy. The usual goldfinches, song sparrows, jays, etc. were all there. But we also had great looks at a female scarlet tanager that was almost at eye level, Lincoln=E2=80=99s spar= row, blue-headed vireos, a smattering of warblers, hermit thrush, a nicely posing red-eyed vireo, and most surprisingly a blue-gray gnatcatcher, the latest I have seen one there.
The back fields disgorged a palm warbler, a bunch of phoebes, and several raptors. It was a very sticky humid warm day, and the birds seemed to be energized, everything was somewhat frenetic in pace. Most of what we spotted was not staying still, but most people got on most of the birds, I believe, which is always good with such a huge group. As always, I encourage everyone, new or experienced, to come on out and join one of our walks, it's terribly fun and a low-pressure experience.
That's all for now,
Matt s. newton, NH <Accipiter22...> -------------
Rock Meadow Conservation Area, Belmont, Middlesex, Massachusetts, US Sep 27, 2025 8:06 AM - 10:16 AM Protocol: Traveling 1.018 mile(s) 36 species
