Date: 11/10/25 8:44 pm From: Barbara Volkle <barb620...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Next Bear Creek, Saugus, walk on Sunday November 9, 9 am; report for October 19 walk
Thanks to Soheil Zendeh for this report.
While the upcoming trip notice is a bit late, the trip report is still of interest.
Barbara Volkle Northborough, MA <barb620...>
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From: <sohzendeh...> Subject: Next Bear Creek, Saugus, walk on Sunday November 9, 9 am; report for October 19 walk Date: Wed, 22 Oct 2025 10:59:26 -0400
Folks,
The next walk at Bear Creek Sanctuary in Saugus is on Sunday, November 9 at 9 am. Detail at the end of this email.
Note that there are NO WALKS on Sundays October 26 or November 2.
On the October 19 walk, it was evident that a large number of migrant sparrows (mostly Savannahs) that we saw on the previous walk (October 5) had departed, perhaps with the cold front of the previous week. Nevertheless, there were still a lot of American Pipits around, plus a couple of Bobolinks and respectable counts of Savannah and Song Sparrows. I also saw a photo of a very pale Savannah Sparrow taken by one of the participants -- probably an Ipswich. I'll try to get that photo posted to this ebird list. The highlights were: -Uncharacteristically tame Eastern Coyote, probably young of last winter, who wouldnât scamper away but instead stayed in one place pawing the ground endlessly -Juvenile American Golden Plover which was misidentified by the intrepid leader (you know who) as a Black-bellied and later correctly identified by Tim Brown checking his photos against Merlin on line. Thank you Tim. -And very tame Eastern Garter Snake which curled and uncurled, striking out as though it was a rattler but not retreating to hide.
Bear Creek Sanctuary (restricted access), Essex, Massachusetts, US Oct 19, 2025 9:10 AM - 12:29 PM Protocol: Traveling 2.887 mile(s) 38 bird species (+1 other taxa)
Canada Goose 2 Mallard 6 American Black Duck 20 Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 10 Mourning Dove 13 American Golden-Plover 1 Wilson's Snipe 4 American Herring Gull 50 Great Black-backed Gull 1 Double-crested Cormorant 80 Great Egret 4 Great Blue Heron 2 Cooper's Hawk 1 Northern Harrier 2 Bald Eagle 1 Red-tailed Hawk 2 Downy Woodpecker 1 American Crow 3 Black-capped Chickadee 2 Tree Swallow 2 Carolina Wren 1 European Starling 50 Northern Mockingbird 2 American Robin 1 House Sparrow 4 House Finch 6 Purple Finch 1 American Goldfinch 3 Field Sparrow 2 White-throated Sparrow 3 Savannah Sparrow (Savannah) 50 Savannah Sparrow (Ipswich) 1 Song Sparrow 15 Eastern Towhee 1 Bobolink 2 Black-and-white Warbler 1 Common Yellowthroat 1 Palm Warbler 1 Northern Cardinal 3
Here are details for attending the walk at this property on November 9:
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 â 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...> 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) youâve gone too far â turn back. Here is a link to google maps: http://tinyurl.com/326v87d.
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.
