Date: 10/7/26 8:30 pm From: Barbara Volkle <barb620...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] West Hill Dam banding update
Thanks to Strickland Wheelock for this report.
Barbara Volkle Northborough,MA <barb620...>
*
Date: Tue, 6 Oct 2026 23:37:36 +0000 (UTC) From: Strickland Wheelock <skwheelock...> Subject: West Hill Dam banding update
Finally, the Yellow-rumps have arrived along with the Wht-thr Sparrows - today [10/6] our 1st Junco joined the mix, so we are getting into the late fall movements. We have been averaging around 20 to 30 captures the last few days [approx 3 hrs/morning] despite the breeze blowing the nets around plus adding x number of leaves to extract.For bird mix, have a few Blackpolls, C Yellowthroats and Palm Warblers joining the Yellow-rumps, 1 Blue-headed Vireo, the Towhees are outnumbering the Catbirds, several small flocks of Field Sparrows along with Chipping Sp [plus a few Swamp & Lincoln Sp], today several Robins and Bluebirds were caught, few Phoebes, several Downy Woodpeckers, Carolina & House Wrens - a major surprise today was a House Finch which we rarely see at West Hill Dam area.The hope is to make it through Oct since there is no hunting this fall due to the front gate to the Park being closed for expansion to the main parking area - a much-needed project given the popularity to the public. As we move through Oct., will be looking forward to witnessing all the changes/numbers in the species utilizing the Park.
