Date: 11/10/25 11:10 am From: <sohzendeh...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Next Bear Creek, Saugus, walk on Sunday November 16, 9 am; report for November 9 walk
Folks,
The next walk at Bear Creek Sanctuary in Saugus is on Sunday, November 16 at
9 am. Detail at the end of this email.
The walk on November 9 was attended by 9 people who initially found few if
any passerine migrants – sparrow numbers very low (except for Whitethroats)
and warblers practically non-existent. But eventually some of the normally
expected late fall and winter passerines (Snow Buntings, Horned Larks,
American Pipits, Eastern Meadowlark) put in an appearance and a Short-eared
Owl flushed from underfoot – thank you Jamie!
We ended up watching the Shorty at a moderate distance for a while – it
landed on a raised dirt pile in plain view after flying over our heads. A
few crows apparently saw it fly by and arrived on the scene, hoping to
harass it, as is their custom – they’re playful and in the past we have
watched Shorties playing air games with them. It’s not clear that the
Shorties enjoy it, but who knows.
In this case, the crows initially did not see where the Shorty had landed,
but by flying back and forth, they located it and two or three of them
landed on the same dirt pile. Everybody was looking at each other
quizzically. There were no audible sounds from any of the participants. The
crows kept looking at the owl as though they were puzzled – “why aren’t you
flying so we can play?” The owl was hunched down and kept looking at them
and then around but just would not give them the satisfaction. Eventually,
all the crows left and the owl stayed behind, still on its dirt mound.
I posted a couple of owl-crow images to the eBird list:
Speaking of playing around (or raptor harassment?), large murmurations of
starlings were in the sky a number of times, harassing or being harassed by
the resident Cooper’s Hawk. I’m hoping one of the walk participants got
photo images they can share.
Thanks to Brendan Burke for fulfilling list-keeping duties. If you were
there yesterday, the following link will allow you to share the list:
One other thing: Some weeks ago, our intrepid cinematographer, Mat Clark,
was with us and later submitted this YouTube video he wanted me to share
with y’all:
Here are details for attending the walk at this property on November 16:
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.
