For those with an interest, made a road trip this weekend to observe and photograph the winter crow roost in Lancaster, PA!
Conditions: partly cloudy, wind S at 6MPH, temp at 36F; sunset time 4:54PM
Had a wonderful visit to the renowned winter crow roost in Lancaster, PA this past Saturday late afternoon. Like so many other winter roosts, this one has been around for decades, and in this location, has experienced, at times, over 100,000 crows in winters past. This roost has fostered both deep concerns and aggressive deterrent action, as well as a groundswell of community support for alternative, non-lethal handling of the crows.....read the rest of story in the blog!
Date: 11/11/19 3:28 pm From: James P Smith <keenbirder...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Hadley - Pacific-slope Flycatcher 11/11
Greetings birders,
The Pacific-slope Flycatcher continues to be seen off the Huntington Road river access in Hadley. Today (11/11) whilst we were there, half-a-dozen or so birders met with success along the main trail under the power lines well before the track drops down towards the river, and actually pretty close the parking area. We watched it working up and down the low vegetation on both sides of the trail. We're especially grateful to the gentleman who waived us over after he initially found it at around 11:30 hours. It wasn't particularly easy to see today but patience was rewarded with some fairly decent views and a few record shots;
Date: 11/10/19 7:05 pm From: Cliff Cook <ccook13...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Eastern Point Western Kingbird and Lark Sparrow
The Western Kingbird was continuing today at Rampart Field. To get there park at Eastern Point lot and walk back down road to Audubon sanctuary sign. Take the trail through the woods to large field. Bird was on northeast edge at 9 this morning. In addition, a Lark Sparrow is present on the dike separating Niles Pond and Braces Cove. The bird was at the beginning of the dike at the Retreat House side.
Elsewhere on Cape Anne there was a report of a Townsends Solitaire at Halibut Point SP near the beginning of the Bayview trail.
Date: 11/10/19 3:36 pm From: Peter Trull <petrull...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Race Point today
Massbirders, I took nice walk along race Point beach today and as would be expected in November, the air was crisp, the breeze was strong and the sea was alive with birds! Thousands of Bonaparte’s gulls were streaming in from the east, northern gannets were diving for sand eels and mackerel, and parasitic jaegers we’re harassing everyone, even northern gannets. Single birders and bird club groups were also enjoying the birds and scenery. My 1.5 hour observation list is below.
Peter Trull
Brewster
<petrull...>
https://ebird.org/checklist/S61343948
Date: 11/10/19 2:24 pm From: Barbara Volkle <barb620...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Today at Drumlin Farm
Thanks to Pam Sowizral for this report.
Barbara Volkle Northborough, MA <barb620...> *
From: Pamela Sowizral <psowizral...> Subject: Today at Drumlin Farm Date: Sun, 10 Nov 2019 17:40:57 +0000
Cold morning but the birds were fairly active. I went looking for the phoebe I had last week, could not find it but still had 29 species. Best finds were palm warbler on the compost pile, savannah sparrows, 21 cardinals, pileated woodpecker (always nice to see), and a small sparrow that I could not ID, wish I had a better look. Spent time trying to relocate without success but I my impression was that it was not an everyday species.
Pam Sowizral Mass Audubon's Drumlin Farm Lincoln
Wild Turkey 1 Mourning Dove 6 Killdeer 1 Red-tailed Hawk 1 Red-bellied Woodpecker 2 Downy Woodpecker 5 Hairy Woodpecker 1 Pileated Woodpecker 1 Blue Jay 14 American Crow 1 Black-capped Chickadee 8 Tufted Titmouse 4 White-breasted Nuthatch 5 Carolina Wren 2 European Starling 130 Northern Mockingbird 1 Eastern Bluebird 9 American Robin 133 Cedar Waxwing 10 House Sparrow 17 House Finch 13 American Goldfinch 10 White-throated Sparrow 9 Savannah Sparrow 2 Song Sparrow 17 sparrow sp. 1 My mystery bird for the day - wish I had a better look at it. Considerably smaller than the adjacent song sparrow. Prominent line behind the eye. Eye ring. Lightly streaked breast, more to the sides than central - not finely streaked or buffy like a Lincoln's or thickly streaked like a song. Was not a savannah. Was unable to relocate. It was in the fallow patch of asters and weeds directly south of the perennial flower bed on the east side of Boyce Field. Common Grackle 1 Palm Warbler 1 Northern Cardinal 21 Careful count with birds found in multiple areas. Looks like they had a good breeding season. A week ago I found 8 NOCAs feeding on one weedy plant.
Massbird,I am a little late posting this, but I do think it's something you would enjoy. So, please pardon the tardiness. My birding reports require an average time of 4 hours to compile. And this one took closer to 8.
But, that's only because this eBird report is packed with action and adventure! Beauty and intrigue!
Sure, you may have seen a Western Kingbird before, but have you ever listened to one? Using the built in Voice Memo app on my iPhone, I recorded it!
eBird Report:https://ebird.org/checklist/S61329924
[text only report below signature]
Mr. Shilo McDonald, Lynn, MAMass Audubon, Brookline Bird Club and Essex County Ornithological Club memberShiloCM at yahoo dot com
Eastern Point--General Area, Essex, Massachusetts, US
Nov 4, 2019 8:03 AM - 9:26 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.26 mile(s)
Checklist Comments: Birded Eastern Point at dusk yesterday and dipped on the Western Kingbird. The best I saw was what I believed to be the bird, fly into a tree. So, this morning - I went back to that same tree. And what'd'ya know? I found the Western Kingbird! And what a beautiful bird it is!
33 species (+3 other taxa)
Mallard 11 On the rocky beach.
Common Eider 12 Near the dock. And along the edges of the jetty.
Surf/Black Scoter 5 In the ocean, by the docked boats.
Bufflehead 4 In the ocean, near the docked boats.
Mourning Dove 3
Ring-billed Gull 3
Herring Gull 7
Great Black-backed Gull 5
gull sp. 28 On the jetty. Didn't ID them.
Double-crested Cormorant 5 Resting on the dock.
Turkey Vulture 1 Soaring by, while en route to arrival at Eastern Point.
Cooper's Hawk 1 Perched in a tree on the edge of the field. Totally ignoring the American Crows harassing him.
Red-tailed Hawk 1 Flying in the distance.
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1 Heard only. Mew call. While walking through the woods.
Downy Woodpecker 1 Heard only. While walking through the woods.
Northern Flicker 1 Heard only. Kyeer call.
Western Kingbird 1 Seen in the field. Exact same spot I thought I'd seen it the night before. Photographed and audio recorded. What a beautiful bird!
Blue Jay 3 Seen and heard. Pumphandle and jeer calls.
American Crow 6 While harassing a Cooper's Hawk, one of the crows made an unusual vocalization. Audio recorded.
Black-capped Chickadee 3 Seen and heard.
White-breasted Nuthatch 1 Heard only. While walking through the woods. Yank call.
Marsh Wren 1 Seen and heard. In the reeds of the marsh. Photographed.
Carolina Wren 2 Seen and heard. In a tree on the edge of the field. And in a tree along the road.
European Starling 125 Impressive looking flock. Foraging in the trees and on the ground.
Gray Catbird 1 Heard only. Whining.
Northern Mockingbird 1 Perched on a power line, road side.
American Robin 3 Seen and heard.
House Sparrow 5 All in a single bush bordering a yard.
House Finch 8 Seen and heard. Flew into a tree by driveway to the light house.
American Goldfinch 3 Heard only. Potato chip call.
Dark-eyed Junco 2 Foraging on the ground on the side of the road.
Song Sparrow 3 Seen and heard. One was foraging alongside Dark-eyed Juncos.
Eastern Towhee 1 Heard only. Towheeee call.
sparrow sp. 1 Little Brown Job.
Yellow-rumped Warbler 1 Seen and heard. Chwit call.
Northern Cardinal 2 Seen and heard. Psit call.
Date: 11/10/19 11:06 am From: mike sylvia <mikesylvia87...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Two Greater White Fronted Geese - Fairhaven
Shaw Cove Road Fairhaven across from the large dairy Barn on the dead end portion of the road. Two immature Greenland race geese. Mixed in with small flock of Canada Geese
Date: 11/10/19 6:21 am From: Brian Rusnica <velocicrafter...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] FOY Rough-legged Hawks 11/10/19 @ Parker River NWR
This morning at Parker River NWR, Tom Wetmore got me a nice scope look at a perched Rough-legged Hawk from the Warden’s Area. Northern Shrike was seen also in the same region, looking south from Warden’s perched on the stone marker. Thanks Tom!
Around 9am I had two light morph Rough-legs near Cross Farm Hill, including at least one presumed adult male. First of year for me. Photo below:
Date: 11/9/19 8:34 pm From: Linda Ferraresso <tattler1...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] BBC Walk - Essex to Plum Island
13 people joined me on a very chilly early November morning. We started at the Stavros Reservation on Island Road and made several stops on our way to Parker River Wildlife Refuge. Highlights were a juv Bald Eagle that gave us pause for a few minutes; 10 Long-tailed Duck at Pavillion Beach; 100 Red-throated Loon, nice flocks of White-winged and Black Scoters, and 4 Northern Gannet at Lot 1 at PWNWR; and a Northern Shrike that evaded the group but seen by the leader when leaving the island at the end of trip, thanks to a late call from Margo and Steve.
It was a preview of winter birding to come. On Northgate Rd a car stopped to see what we were seeing and mentioned they had had a Snowy Owl at Crane Beach - so keep your eyes opened!
Ciao, Linda
eBird reports below.
-- Linda Ferraresso Salem, MA tattler1(at)comcast(dot)net
"Faith is the bird that feels the light and sings when the dawn is still dark" - Tagore
Stavros Reservation, Essex, Massachusetts, US Bald Eagle 1 Will add photo American Crow 4 Black-capped Chickadee 1 Tufted Titmouse 1 White-breasted Nuthatch 1 American Robin 10 White-throated Sparrow 1
Argilla-Northgate-Essex Rd. Fields Complex, Ipswich, Essex, Massachusetts, US
Canada Goose 575 Mute Swan 2 Heartbreak Rd Double-crested Cormorant 21 Great Blue Heron 1 Turkey Vulture 2 Red-tailed Hawk 3 Red-bellied Woodpecker 3 Downy Woodpecker 3 Eastern Phoebe 1 Blue Jay 2 American Crow 4 White-breasted Nuthatch 1 Eastern Bluebird 2 American Goldfinch 3 Song Sparrow 4 Yellow-rumped Warbler 2
Pavilion Beach, Essex, Massachusetts, US Common Eider 16 Long-tailed Duck 10 Mourning Dove 2 Ring-billed Gull X Herring Gull X Common Loon 3
Clark Pond & Beach, Essex, Massachusetts, US Canada Goose 6 Mute Swan 2 American Wigeon 9 Mallard 1 Greater Scaup 3 Hooded Merganser 10 Mourning Dove 5 American Coot 1 Bonaparte's Gull 2 Ring-billed Gull 15 Double-crested Cormorant 50 flyovers Blue Jay 1 Carolina Wren 1 American Robin 2 Song Sparrow 4 Yellow-rumped Warbler 2 Northern Cardinal 1
Parker River NWR--Lot 1, Essex, Massachusetts, US White-winged Scoter 40 Black Scoter 80 Red-throated Loon 100 Common Loon 10 Northern Gannet 4 Northern Harrier 1 Horned Lark 5 Tree Swallow 4 Snow Bunting 1 Yellow-rumped Warbler 1
Parker River NWR, Essex, Massachusetts, US Canada Goose 120 Mute Swan 1 American Wigeon 2 American Black Duck 500 Northern Pintail 2 Greater Yellowlegs 1 salt pannes
Parker River NWR--Hellcat Dunes Loop, Essex, Massachusetts, US Black-capped Chickadee 1 Carolina Wren 1 Gray Catbird 1 American Robin 4 Common Grackle 4 Yellow-rumped Warbler 1 Northern Cardinal 2
Parker River NWR--Maintenance Area, Essex, Massachusetts, US Northern Shrike 1 Pointed out by Margo and Steve
Date: 11/9/19 6:33 pm From: Paul Champlin <skua99...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Westport swallows and warblers
Still several flocks of tree swallows over Horseneck (33 total; no other swallow species observed), and a few pine and palm warblers around the dunes (seen while running or prepping for my run at the beach).
Paul Champlin
Westport
Observation start time: 08:30:00 Observation end time: 14:00:00 Total observation time: 5.5 hours
Official Counter: Craig Jackson
Observers: Weather: Light(2,1) west winds (WNW-WSW); Temperature (in shade) -- (-5°)-0°C; Cloud cover -- 1-70(very thin cirrus clouds)-25%
Raptor Observations: Small movement with almost half being Bald Eagles. As most Bald Eagles soared (before heading off), they were accompanied in their soar by 1 or 2 Red-tailed Hawks (local birds?) BE - 4 adults, 1 unsure of age RT - 3 adults, 3 immatures Non-migrants - - at least 3 Red-tailed Hawks; 1 Cooper's Hawk
Predictions: Next day with good winds (very strong WNW) will be Tuesday (after rain/snow). These winds should continue into Wednesday with extremely cold wind chill. Long-range forecast predicts strong NW-NNW winds on Saturday, continuing into at least Sunday AM. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Craig Jackson (<crleja1949...>)
Date: 11/9/19 3:44 am From: CRAIG GIBSON <cbgibson...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Hunt's Photo Walk: Lawrence Crows!
Greetings all,
Hunt's Photo and Video in Melrose hosted an exciting "Winter Crow Roost" photo walk in Lawrence for local photographers last Sunday afternoon. Photo Walk co-leader Ron Phillips, did a terrific job working with each attendee on how to capture birds in flight, as well as adjusting settings for low light light conditions and long exposure images. Paul Nelson, Director of Education at Hunt's, also joined us, and provided lots of technical expertise. We were blessed with thousands of Crows and the local pair of Peregrine Falcons, in active flight around the nearby Ayer Mill Clock Tower.
We had a full turnout, along with Bob Fox, Dana Duxbury-Fox, Wayne Petersen, and Cheryl Eggert, as well as an unexpected visit from Dr. David Bird. In Boston from Vancouver, for a talk at the Nuttall Ornithological Club, Dr. Bird was speaking on how drones can help our bird populations. In reference to his visit to the winter crow roost, he felt it was yet another example of an amazing spectacle in the birding world, and a nice example of how communities can come together to celebrate birds and how everyone can benefit from doing so. Details and photos posted on the blog!
Date: 11/9/19 1:59 am From: DOUGLAS E CHICKERING <dovekie...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] A change of seasons
Massbirders:
For the most part the seasons seem to change slowly, almost imperceptive. At least here in middle New England. The spring replaces winter maddingly slowly. The days warm up the snow slowly melts away and we look for those harbingers of spring. Look! There is a Killdeer. Is it spring yet? Yet the nights are still freezing and the daytime cold. The Snowy Owl is gone, we see Kestrels soaring by the platform at parking lot 1 on Plum island. Is it spring yet? Where are the warblers?
The same is true with the transition from spring to summer. Is it when the Dowitchers first arrive or with the first bite of a greenhead? It is all so unclear. The leaves in the trees slowly appear heavy and the first blush of color is noticed. Is that autumn on its way or is it already here? In some way’s nature likes to sneak up on us. Yet, there is one exception. The change from fall to winter is abrupt, surprising and often disruptive. Here in New England there always seems to be a brutal storm around Halloween. High winds, some damage, a little loss of electricity and then. When it’s over! It’s winter.
The foliage in the trees and underbrush are gone. The colors of nature have been reduced to the bright red of Winterberry and Bittersweet. There is still some faded yellow at the edges but mostly it is stark, gray and brown. Just waiting for the first snowfall. And to accentuate the disorientation we change our clocks and seemingly shorten the day. Even though we don’t really shorten the day it clearly seems that way. This abrupt and confusing change might cast a pall on our lives if it weren’t for the birds. They are different and fewer but no less magnificent.
Just yesterday I was walking the Hellcat trail looking for …. well, for anything that might show up. Looking, primarily for passerines. I came across many Robins and Myrtles. A few resident Woodpeckers, two Hermit Thrushes what may, or may not winter over and a Catbird. Pretty tame stuff. Then I saw a flicker of movement low and off to me left. Two birds were foraging among the bare branches of trees and brush at the edge of the path and they were making their way towards me. Maybe a Chat, I thought, or another rarity. November can be good for rarities. Then I got on one and then the other.
Not a surprise, and not a rarity. But it was one of those serene and beautiful moments that is both quiet and exhilarating. Two Golden-crowned Kinglets appeared right next to me. The binoculars were superfluous, and I found myself just standing there still, silent and watching. The hopped from twig to branch to twig in quick expert leaps; occasionally emitting a little squeak. They were stunningly beautiful. These tiny packets of energy; oblivious to my presence and weaving a magic spell of activity about me. I have experienced this before with Golden-crowned Kinglet as with other small passerines and it never gets old. Thank God I still have the childlike wonder in my heart, that I can still thrill to this short but magical moment.
The experience was both ordinary and unique as they paused, pirouetted and looked around in what seemed to be an endless space of time and was over all too soon. Sometimes I believe that it is these little common but special events that are the essence of the joy of birding.
Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 14:30:00 Total observation time: 6.5 hours
Official Counter: Craig Jackson
Observers: Weather: Strong (3-5) WNW-NW winds (with gusts of levels 5,6); Temperature -- (-)3°C - (-)1°C; Cloud cover -- began with 10% (eastern horizon), steady increase of Cumulus Clouds with nimbo-cumulus predominating near end of watch; three very brief (5-10 minutes) snow squalls went through shortly after 12 Noon, at 1:45 PM, and at 2:15 PM
Raptor Observations: Small movement of Red-tails; first Northern Harrier; Peregrine was last bird of day At least three non-migrating Red-tailed Hawks
Non-raptor Observations: Approximately 675 migrating Canada Geese
Predictions: Moderate Northwest winds will gradually change to southwest around noon. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Craig Jackson (<crleja1949...>)
Date: 11/8/19 8:16 am From: Peter Trull <petrull...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Birdy yard
Massbirders,
Out working around the yard after a while watching out the kitchen window has turned up a nice diversity of birds this morning, including the foy juncos under the feeder and a juvie, coopers hawk terrorizing the feeder. Pine warblers and bluebird came right in to some fresh beef suet, joined by the locals. The raven was a croaking flyover.
List here
https://ebird.org/checklist/S61266351
Date: 11/8/19 7:54 am From: Barbara Volkle <barb620...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] 11/7 - report from Gloucester yard
Here's a report from a poster in from Gloucester:
Yesterday, November 6th, I saw my first of season white-throated sparrow in our yard in Gloucester. Last year, for the first time, they stayed all winter. We had four or six of them. We'll see what happens this year!
Also we have not had red-breasted nuthatches at all. Last year was unusual in that we had a number of them, and they stayed for several weeks. I realize it was an irruptive year for red-breasted nuthatches last year, but still we usually get one or two. This year I have seen none. Has anyone else noticed a dearth of red-breasted nuthatches? I always find it interesting when the range maps don't really reflect my experience. Range maps I have for red-breasted nuthatch say that all of Massachusetts is a place where they are around all year. But that has not been my experience.
Last year we also had purple finches. I don't know if it was an irruptive year for them, but we normally don't get them at the feeder and last year we had quite a few. None so far this year. But the white-throated sparrows are always a pleasure.
From a couple of my photos, I see that the bird has mixed-age lesser coverts. Using Pyle's guide for aging, I couldn't come to any clear conclusion on the bird's age. Maybe excellent photos by Sean Williams give insight to age/sex of bird - I don't recall if Sean had any conclusion to this in his report. Pyle generally says that kingbirds have "eccentric" molt, making aging based on plumage complicated.
Date: 11/7/19 7:09 pm From: Kathy Dia <katbirder...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Weekly species census, Great Meadows NWR--Concord Unit, Nov 7, 2019
Great Meadows NWR--Concord Unit, Middlesex, Massachusetts, US Nov 7, 2019 7:12 AM - 10:27 AM Protocol: Traveling 2.1 mile(s) Checklist Comments: Weekly species census for the NWR. Mostly cloudy with bits of blue sky, 30's to 40's F. Observers: Alan, Kathy, Will, Tom, Joan, Maryellen, Audrey, Larry. 35 species (+2 other taxa)
Canada Goose 29 Mute Swan 2 Wood Duck 8 Mallard 13 American Black Duck 18 Wild Turkey 14 Mourning Dove 1 rail/crake sp. 1 Seen very briefly in the vicinity of "the Holt" (open area on the north side of the Lower Pool) as it flushed across the trail calling "kek kek kek" as it flew. The call is not one of the usual VIRA or SORA calls so I spent some time on Xeno Canto. The Sora has been seen recently in this area, however, reviewing xeno canto, call had more of a VIRA tone (flatter, less nasal). Ring-billed Gull 8 Great Blue Heron 2 Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 Cooper's Hawk 2 Bald Eagle 1 Fourth year? Looked a little smudgy on tail. Red-bellied Woodpecker 3 Downy Woodpecker (Eastern) 2 Pileated Woodpecker 1 Intersection of railroad grade and marsh trail. Blue Jay 12 American Crow 1 Black-capped Chickadee 12 Tufted Titmouse 10 Golden-crowned Kinglet 1 In the lot in the morning. Seemed as curious about us as we were about him! Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1 On side of railroad grade. Great views. White-breasted Nuthatch (Eastern) 3 Carolina Wren 2 Eastern Bluebird 6 American Robin 162 Most migrating over the river, streaming over in low loose flocks, House Finch 2 American Goldfinch 10 American Tree Sparrow 1 FOY. Dike Tr. White-throated Sparrow 12 Song Sparrow 20 Swamp Sparrow 4 Red-winged Blackbird 22 Rusty Blackbird 2 blackbird sp. 177 Yellow-rumped Warbler 1 Northern Cardinal 1
Date: 11/7/19 6:35 pm From: James P Smith <keenbirder...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Re: Pacific-slope Flycatcher and other notable passerines in the Poineer Valley
Greetings all,
I'm not sure if my original post has gone through to Massbird but I now see a further ebird report of the Pacific-slope Flycatcher from today (Nov 7th), so definitely still worth a try though my experience on cool blustery days has been poor. I've now seen the bird on three out of six visits but had the least success on windy days.
On Thu, Nov 7, 2019 at 9:22 PM James P Smith <keenbirder...> wrote:
> > Greetings birders, > > There's been some nice passerine action in the Pioneer Valley during the > opening week of November not least of which has been the continued presence > of the Pacific-slope Flycatcher off Huntington Road in Hadley. The last > ebird reports that I know of come from Nov 5th, and I had fantastic views > on Nov 4th. > > Other notables include a White-eyed Vireo on private land in Montague, > found by Brian Kane and Noel Watkins on Nov 3rd and still present on Nov > 5th, a Marsh Wren at Turner's Falls Rod and Gun club on Nov 5th and a late > Nashville Warbler in Deerfield Meadows on Nov 2nd. > > Images of the Pacific-slope Flycatcher and some of the other species > mentioned above can be seen here; > > > > https://pioneerbirding.blogspot.com/2019/11/ma-pacific-slope-flycatcher-plus.html > > > > > Good birding, > > > > James P. Smith > Northfield, MA. > > > >
Date: 11/7/19 6:25 pm From: James P Smith <keenbirder...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Pacific-slope Flycatcher and other notable passerines in the Poineer Valley
Greetings birders,
There's been some nice passerine action in the Pioneer Valley during the opening week of November not least of which has been the continued presence of the Pacific-slope Flycatcher off Huntington Road in Hadley. The last ebird reports that I know of come from Nov 5th, and I had fantastic views on Nov 4th.
Other notables include a White-eyed Vireo on private land in Montague, found by Brian Kane and Noel Watkins on Nov 3rd and still present on Nov 5th, a Marsh Wren at Turner's Falls Rod and Gun club on Nov 5th and a late Nashville Warbler in Deerfield Meadows on Nov 2nd.
Images of the Pacific-slope Flycatcher and some of the other species mentioned above can be seen here;
Date: 11/7/19 7:09 am From: <blafley...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Greater White-fronted Goose - New Salem
Hello
This AM in the large cornfield on Blackington Rd just East of Route 202 there is a Greater White-fronted Goose in the flock of Canada’s. The flock was on the east side of the field.
Date: 11/6/19 6:44 pm From: Barbara Volkle <barb620...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Moose Hill Audubon Indigo Bunting, Winter Wren, etc.
Thanks to Paul Peterson for this report.
Barbara Volkle Northborough, MA <barb620...>
* Date: Thu, 7 Nov 2019 00:43:05 +0000 (UTC) From: Paul Peterson <petersonpaul63...> Subject: Moose Hill Audubon Indigo Bunting, Winter Wren, etc.
Hi, If you've never been, go here. It is a beautiful and peaceful place in the beautiful town of Sharon. I birded the entire Kettle, Ovenbird, and Pine Trails, as well as the meadow near the visitor's center, the Upper Field (Moose Hill Street just north of Walpole St.)), and the Ward's Farm Fields. (along South Main Street and Wolomolapoag Rds.):
Red-tailed Hawk 1 accipiter sp. 1 Ward's Fields Killdeer 26 together at Ward's Fields (near the Heights Elementary School) Mourning Dove 40 Upper Field Pileated Woodpecker 1 heard drumming while on Ovenbird Tr. Hairy Woodpecker 2 Kettle Tr. (male and female) Common Raven 1 croaking flyby Kettlr Tr. Brown Creeper 2 together Ovenbird Tr. Carolina Wren 1 community farm Winter Wren 1 Hobbs Hill end of boardwalk off Kettle Trail Swamp Sparrow 4 in the corn at Upper Field (Moose Hill St. just north of Walpole St.) Chipping Sparrow 2 ditto INDIGO BUNTING 1 ditto (north end of field)
Mammalia: FLYING SQUIRREL 1 heard at night along Moose Hill Pkwy Eastern Chipmunk 1 Red Squirrel 3 White-tailed Deer 3
Observation start time: 07:45:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 8.25 hours
Official Counter: Craig Jackson
Observers: Visitors: Fred Palmer
Weather: Light (2/3) WNW winds for most of day turning NW in last hour; Temperature -- 1-9°C; Cloud cover -- 0-7-0%
Raptor Observations: Small movement throughout day -- possibly more Red-tails migrating but not definite; Adult Bald Eagles that had been hanging around Spot Pond seem to have left for warmer climes - headed southeast over Boston Harbor (all other migrants went SW). Migrating adult male Merlin at 2:55 was last bird seen migrating
Non-migrating - At least 5 (possibly twice as many) Red-tailed Hawks; and a SS Hawk that arrived at 4 PM and seemed to settle down
Non-raptor Observations: 50 Canada Geese
Predictions: tomorrow will be southwest winds, but Friday early AM will be strong Northwest winds becoming even stronger during the day. Good winds for migration - if you come dress for bitter cold (wind chill). Saturday winds will gradually shift to SW, but may be migrants backed up ======================================================================== Report submitted by Craig Jackson (<crleja1949...>)
Date: 11/6/19 2:09 pm From: David Moon <dmoon...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Plum Island 11-6-2019
Don Cooper and I co-led Joppa Flats Education Center's outing today. We had sunny, crisp fall weather for our trip to Plum Island, with dreams of a shrike dancing in our heads. But it was only that, a dream of seeing the persisting bird near Wardens and North Field, which was spotted by some this morning. The abundant sea ducks we have been seeing were much reduced this week, but we had our first Snow Buntings of the year.
Our list:
Canada Goose (40) - various.
Mute Swan (1) - South Pannes.
American Wigeon (2) - Main Panne.
Mallard (~40) - Bill Forward Pool (BFP) and North Pool.
American Black Duck - common.
Northern Pintail (~ 4+) - Bill Forward Pool.
Green-winged Teal (~20) - BFP.
Common Eider (~ 37) - 2, North End on seal rocks; ~35, Emerson Rocks.
White-winged Scoter (4) - parking lot #7 ocean.
Black Scoter (~35) - parking lot #7 ocean.
Bufflehead (4) - three males and a female,. (Later a flock of ~50 in Merrimack River from Joppa)
Common Goldeneye (1) - parking lot #7 ocean.
Rock Pigeon
Black-bellied Plover (1) - Emmerson Rocks.
Sanderling (15) - Emmerson Rocks.
Dunlin (12 - Maine Panne.
possible Purple Sandpiper (8) - Emmerson Rocks. Dark birds with straight bills, no good looks at legs.
Greater Yellowlegs (~10) - Maine Panne.
Herring Gull - common.
Great Black-backed Gull (2) - parking lot # 7 beach.
Common Loon (1) - Emerson Rocks.
Northern Gannet (7) - Parking lot #7 ocean.
Double-crested Cormorant - common, migrating skeins.
Great Blue Heron (1) - North Marsh.
Great Egret (~12) - 11, South Marsh; 1 North Marsh.
Turkey Vulture (1) - North End.
Northern Harrier (4) - various.
Cooper's Hawk (1) - behind Main Panne.
Bald Eagle (1) - immature bird over Maine Panne.
Red-tailed Hawk (2) - Hellcat.
Downy Woodpecker (1) - Hellcat.
Merlin (1) - Stage Island Pool.
Peregrine Falcon (1) - immature, Hellcat.
Black-capped Chickadee (~6) - Hellcat.
Northern Mockingbird (1) - Hellcat.
European Starling (~30) - PI Bridge.
Snow Bunting (12) - parking lot #7 beach.
Song Sparrow (1) - along road.
Yellow-rumped Warbler (4) - Hellcat.
David Moon
Sanctuary Director
he/him/his
Joppa Flats Education Center
Mass Audubon
1 Plum Island Turnpike
Newburyport, MA 01950
978-462-9998
www.massaudubon.org/joppaflats<http://www.massaudubon.org/joppaflats>
You can't be suspicious of a tree, or accuse a bird or a squirrel of subversion or challenge the ideology of a violet. - Hal Borland
Date: 11/6/19 10:47 am From: John Nelson <jnelson...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Gloucester Western Kingbird, Ipswich GWF Goose, Plum Island E. Meadowlark
The Western Kingbird was offering great looks around 8:20 this morning in Ramparts Field, in front of the blue house, in the Eastern Point area of Gloucester.
The Greater White-fronted Goose, previously reported by Linda Ferraresso, was in the field with a large flock of Canada Geese, seen from the gate at Northgate Road in Ipswich, at about 9:00. The field was empty when I passed by again at 12:15 p.m.
At 10:30 I got a close look at a lone Eastern Meadowlark at the Wardens on Plum Island. The bird was first beside a puddle just past the toilets, then flew around to the back of the building.
Date: 11/6/19 9:09 am From: Mardi Dickinson <mardi1d...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Roger F. Pasquier, Birds In Winter - BirdCallsRadio
Birders et al,
Thought many of your would be interested in my next guest Roger F. Pasquier, “Birds In Winter, Surviving the Most Challenging Season” https://birdcallsradio.com/
Date: 11/6/19 5:39 am From: David Williams <dave.williams6...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Western kingbird - yes. Ramparts Field, Easter Point
The Western kingbird is putting on a real nice show in Ramparts Field. It is hanging out in the thicket just to the right of the solar panels. Originally found by Sean Williams. Dave William's Reading, MA
Observation start time: 07:30:00 Observation end time: 13:30:00 Total observation time: 6 hours
Official Counter: Craig Jackson
Observers: Brian Rusnica, Jack Miano
Weather: Winds -- Light (2-3) NW at first, turned to SSE at 11 AM, then SE at 12, and nothing at 1 PM; temperature 1-6-5° C; cloud cover 2-15-7%
Raptor Observations: Very small movement; Non-migrating -- Although many Red-tailed Hawks could be seen in the distance [at least 7 and possibly twice as many], only one could definitely be considered a migrant; 2 Bald Eagles; 1 Turkey Vulture, and 1 UA
Non-raptor Observations: Migrating birds -- at least 40 Dark-eyed Juncos; 26 Canada Geese; 4 Chipping Sparrows, and 1 Yellow-rumped Warbler Dragonflies -- 1 unidentified medium-sized (not a Green Darner)
Predictions: Wednesday might be good after rain; Friday - very strong NW winds continuing into Saturday but half as strong ======================================================================== Report submitted by Craig Jackson (<crleja1949...>)
Date: 11/5/19 6:13 am From: Shilo McDonald <shilocm...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] American Tree Sparrow, Middleton, 11/4/19
Good Morning,Yesterday, I started my day birding at Eastern Point, where I took pictures (and an audio recording) of the Western Kingbird. A life bird! Then, I drove over to Plum Island, where I not so patiently waited for a Northern Shrike to come closer to my camera. Eventually it did. A life bird! And to finish, I birded the North Shore Community Garden in Middleton, where I got some metza metza photos of an American Tree Sparrow. Not a life bird. But, a great way to rusty cap the day. :-)
Along the way, I bumped into Ava Steenstrup (stop 1), Andy Sandford (stop 2) and Warren Tatro (stop 3). All of whom were a help at getting me on the birds. Thank you!
NS Community Garden checklist with Photos and an Audio File:https://ebird.org/checklist/S61191757
Text only list below my signature.
Mr. Shilo McDonald, Lynn, MAShiloCM at yahoo dot com
"The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." ― Mahatma Gandhi
North Shore Community Garden, Middleton, Essex, Massachusetts, US
Nov 4, 2019 1:15 PM - 3:12 PM
Protocol: Traveling
0.46 mile(s)
Checklist Comments: Warren Tatro was already here, when I arrived. So we birded together for a little while. He gave me some good field marks to keep my eyes out for; like the rusty undertail feathers of a Bohemian Waxwing. Not a common bird for our area, but still a visitor from time to time. And easy to overlook, when you only casually glance at Cedar Waxwings. Good advice. Thanks Warren!
22 species
Cackling Goose 1 I know very little about migrating geese. When they pull over for a bite to eat, how long do they stay? I ask, because I do not believe this is the same Cackling Goose I found here 2 1/2 weeks ago. So, I've either found a second Cackling Goose. Or this isn't a Cackling Goose at all? So, take a look at the photo. And you decide.
Canada Goose 99 Some of these Canada Geese are very small. So much so, I wonder if Canada x Cackling hybrids exist? Because if so? We may have a few of them in this flock.
Mourning Dove 2
Ring-billed Gull 10 Foraging the cut corn field.
Herring Gull 15 Always strange to see "seagulls" foraging a cut corn field.
Turkey Vulture 2 Soaring by on dihedral wings.
Red-tailed Hawk 3 Likely family unit. Following some scream calls, the three converged in the air. Almost as if they were checking in with each other. And then, they went their separate ways. See photos.
Downy Woodpecker 1 Found on a tree near the pond. Photographed.
Blue Jay 2 Heard only.
American Crow 11 Two groups seemed to be communicating to each other.
Black-capped Chickadee 3 Seen and heard. Chickadee dee dee.
Carolina Wren 1 Heard only.
European Starling 2 Seen and heard.
Northern Mockingbird 1 Singing. First thing I heard when I exited the car. Coming from the far garden corner, close to the road.
American Robin 27 Photographed. And audio recorded.
House Sparrow 0 So weird. First time here without spotting a House Sparrow. Wonder if I'm starting to filter them out? :-)
House Finch 4 Seen, heard and photographed.
American Goldfinch 2 Seen and heard.
American Tree Sparrow 1 Spotted by Warren. Got some okay views while it was on the ground in front of us. And then a great view when it flew out into the open. Rusty cap and eyeline. Gray face. Bicolored bill. Photos attached.
Savannah Sparrow 7 Stood within 6 feet of one bird. Couldn't believe it. He clearly knew I was there. He was looking right at me. And even allowed me to take his picture.
Song Sparrow 14 Seen, heard and photographed.
Palm Warbler 2 Unfortunately my still photos can't show the tail flicking.
Northern Cardinal 1 Seen and heard. Psit call.
Date: 11/5/19 5:29 am From: William Freedberg <4mrfish...> Subject: Re: [MASSBIRD] Godwit-- please report all window strikes!
Massbirders,
If anyone follows up on this or can confirm the record with photos, I would love to hear about it.
Mass Audubon is collecting data on window strikes, and incidental records are very useful-- especially if we can collect the bird to determine cause of death.
*****Please report any and all window strikes to 617-899-5525***** (and text photos if you can). In many cases, Mass Audubon staff will be able to pick up the specimen to bring to the Harvard MCZ. Occasionally, we can also transport an injured bird to a vet or licensed rehabber. (We are not rehabbers ourselves, and can't accept injured birds at our sanctuaries).
Thanks, Will
PS. Without hearing about size or any field marks other than "buffy colored," I would guess this is an American Woodcock. They are commonly found dead downtown due to window strikes, and occasionally, starvation.
On Mon, Nov 4, 2019 at 7:01 PM Devin Hefferon <dhefferon...> wrote: > > > My wife claims to have seen what she thinks was a godwit of some kind dead or dying in downtown Boston this evening. She said it was very buffy colored. No photos. > If anyone’s in the area of Oliver and Franklin St please take a look. > > > Devin Hefferon > Melrose
Date: 11/4/19 7:44 pm From: Barbara Volkle <barb620...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] 11/2 Passanageset Park Four White-crowned Sparrows, Lincoln's, etc.
Thanks to Paul Peterson for this report.
Barbara Volkle Northborough, MA <barb620...>
*
Date: Mon, 4 Nov 2019 21:59:29 +0000 (UTC) From: Paul Peterson <petersonpaul63...> Subject: 11/2 Passanageset Park Four White-crowned Sparrows, Lincoln's, etc.
Hi, I birded this place (formerly Broad Meadows) in Quincy from 1:00-5:00 on Saturday, I had to wait for the lady in the tractor to leave before I entered the adjacent D.P. W. yard. I was rewarded there with THREE WHITE-CROWNED AND ONE LINCOLN'S SPARROW ! Another White-crowned Sparrow way down by the footbridge gave me four. The Willet was continuing for about three weeks now!Â
Great Blue Heron 2 Great Egret 2 WOOD DUCK 5 flew in while I was there Bufflehead 5 Hooded Merganser 1 Red-tailed Hawk 2 Cooper's Hawk 1+ Killdeer 1 Dunlin 1 flying around and calling Greater Yellowlegs 9 roosting on dock WILLET 1 ditto Peregrine Falcon 1 Golden-crowned Kinglet 2 WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW 4 LINCOLN'S SPARROW 1 Song Sparrow 45 I covered much ground Savannah Sparrow 20 Swamp Sparrow 10 White-throated Sparrow 10 SNOW BUNTING 1 calling Dark-eyed Junco 1
P.S. There was a LINCOLN'S SPARROW yesterday at Sunset Lake in Braintree near the skateboard park. Also, there were sixteen Hooded Merganser. Also, I had my F.O.F. Hermit Thrush at Ricchardi Reservoir in Braintree/Randolph.
Date: 11/4/19 7:36 pm From: Barbara Volkle <barb620...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Meadowlark - Mary Cummings Park - Burlington
Thanks to Cappy Popp for this report.
Barbara Volkle Northborough, MA <barb620...>
* From: "Popp, Cappy" <cappy.popp...> Date: Mon, 4 Nov 2019 11:33:42 -0500 Subject: Meadowlark - Mary Cummings Park - Burlington
FYI - Just had a Meadowlark (assumed Eastern, being relentlessly harassed by a Mockingbird so unsure how long it will remain) at the Flight Field at Mary Cummings Park in Burlington MA @ 1050A. It's . There could be 2 in the area. It was calling both on the ground and in flight. White outer tail feathers, unique flight pattern easy to spot. It's flying in a route between the bleacher area, the open landing strip, and swampy region beyond the Pipeline Trail.
Direct Google Maps link to location: https://www.google.com/maps/place/42%C2%B028'37.5%22N+71%C2%B011'50.3%22W/@= 42.477074,-71.1978717,233m/data=3D!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m13!1m6!3m5!1s0x89e39e26fb4= 8edcb:0xeddf7a7fa992d9f3!2sMary+Cummings+Park!8m2!3d42.4779021!4d-71.195955= 2!3m5!1s0x0:0x0!7e2!8m2!3d42.477073!4d-71.1973146 (sorry for HTML).
Date: 11/4/19 7:34 pm From: Barbara Volkle <barb620...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Bill Drummond
Thanks to Nancy Eaton for this post.
Barbara Volkle Northborough, MA <barb620...>
*
Subject: Bill Drummond Date: Mon, 4 Nov 2019 15:09:59 +0000 (UTC) From: NEaton <nancyeaton...>
Fellow Birders:
Like so many others, I am indebted to Bill Drummond for growing my lists from Arizona to Alaska and beyond. Bill was not only a consummate birder but a dedicated and intense leader in the field. His organizational skills were legion, and he worked tirelessly to make sure that everyone saw or heard the target species. I valued his even-handed dealing with trip participants and his efforts at making distant trips affordable and accessible. His no-nonsense military style betrayed a caring and reliable competence that was so widely respected. When he called out, "Get ready!", we did--and I, for one, hope to remember his admonition not just for birding but for all of life.
Date: 11/4/19 7:23 pm From: Barbara Volkle <barb620...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Bill Drummond and the Brookline Bird Club
Thanks to Leslie Kramer for this post.
Barbara Volkle Northborough, MA <barb620...>
*
Date: Mon, 4 Nov 2019 04:58:13 -0500 From: Leslie Kramer <kramer.lf...> Subject: Bill Drummond and the Brookline Bird Club
So, so sad to lose Bill Drummond. Yes, our mentors are passing, and other mentors live on, as I/we learn something new or am reminded of knowledge passed along every time we're out birding. This is exactly why so many of us joined the Brookline Bird Club, and also birded with others way before joining the club: as Bill always said, "More eyes make for better birding." We will be finding ourselves quoting Bill, as we continue the honor of mentoring others, a major BBC mission.
Date: 11/4/19 3:57 pm From: Devin Hefferon <dhefferon...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Possible Godwit Window Strike- Boston
My wife claims to have seen what she thinks was a godwit of some kind dead or dying in downtown Boston this evening. She said it was very buffy colored. No photos. If anyone’s in the area of Oliver and Franklin St please take a look.
Joe Bourget reports on the Massachusetts Rare Bird Alert facebook page that on Saturday, Anthony Hill banded a young RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD in Foxboro. Visitors will not be allowed at this time.
Keep checking those hummingbird feeders if you choose to keep them up a bit longer!
It's hard to believe Bill is truly gone, but when you read the messages from his high school math students over four decades and birders, you'll realize that Bill is still very much with us.
Joe Bourget <https://www.facebook.com/joe.bourget>noted that he can't guarantee that this is the same bird, but Animal Control took this guy in today. This is in Sutton, MA:
Date: 11/3/19 5:57 pm From: Barbara Volkle <barb620...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] BBC Field Trip on NH Coast (3 species of warblers, Lapland Longspur,,6+ species of butterflies)
Thanks to Steve Mirick for this report.
Barbara Volkle Northborough, MA <barb620...>
*
From: Stephen Mirick <smirick...> Subject: BBC Field Trip on NH Coast (3 species of warblers, Lapland Longspur, 6+ species of butterflies) Date: Sun, 3 Nov 2019 18:59:20 -0500
Jane and I led our annual Brookline Bird Club field trip along the NH seacoast.
Not nearly as many species as last year and generally rather slow for birding, but we still managed to get some nice birds, and had a great trip today along the NH coast. Light to moderate westerly winds and lots of sun with seasonable temperatures. A nice fall day! Still no major frost yet on the coast and still lots of flowers and a lot of insect activity.  LOTS of butterflies and a few dragonflies noted.
Birds - 53 Species ------------------------ Brant - 2 migrating birds offshore. Canada Goose Green-winged Teal - Flock of 7 over the ocean (landing briefly with White-winged Scoters!) off Ragged Neck. Common Eider Surf Scoter White-winged Scoter Black Scoter Long-tailed Duck Bufflehead Red-breasted Merganser Rock Pigeon Mourning Dove Black-bellied Plover Semipalmated Plover Greater Yellowlegs Ring-billed Gull Herring Gull Great Black-backed Gull Red-throated Loon Common Loon Northern Gannet Double-crested Cormorant Great Cormorant Great Blue Heron GREAT EGRET - 2 lingering birds at Philbrick Marsh. Northern Harrier - One at Hampton Beach SP. Sharp-shinned Hawk Cooper's Hawk Red-tailed Hawk - Lots along the coast. Downy Woodpecker Merlin - 1 at Eel Pond. Blue Jay American Crow Horned Lark - Small flock at Hampton Beach SP. Black-capped Chickadee White-breasted Nuthatch Carolina Wren Eastern Bluebird European Starling House Sparrow House Finch American Goldfinch LAPLAND LONGSPUR - 1 seen well by all at Hampton Beach State Park with flock of Horned Larks. Chipping Sparrow - 1 at Goss Farm in Rye. Savannah Sparrow - Including 2 "Ipswich Sparrows" at Hampton Beach SP and one at Ragged Neck. Song Sparrow Swamp Sparrow White-throated Sparrow Red-winged Blackbird - Odd female in American Beach Grass at Hampton Beach SP. PALM WARLBER - 1 "western" type Palm in the short grasses at Ragged Neck in Rye. PINE WARBLER - 1 relatively bright male in gardens at Goss Farm. Yellow-rumped Warbler Northern Cardinal
Butterflies (6+ species) -------------- Cabbage White - 1 at Ragged Neck Clouded/Orange Sulphur - 1 at Goss Farm and 1 at Odiorne. Monarch - 10 (!!) estimated for the day with some migrating along the shoreline. Question Mark - 2+ plus another anglewing sp. possibly an Eastern Comma. Red Admiral - 1 in apples at Goss Farm. American Lady - At least 2 clearly Americans. A 3rd possible Painted Lady.
Dragonflies (2+ species) -------------------------------- Common Green Darner - 1 at Goss Farm Possibly Mosaic Darner - 1 at Goss Farm Autumn Meadowhawk - Several including pairs in tandem.
Date: 11/3/19 5:53 pm From: Barbara Volkle <barb620...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Pacific Slope Flycatcher for Massbird
Thanks to Leslie Kramer and Barry Burden for this report.
Barbara Volkle Northborough, MA <barb620...>
*
Sun, 3 Nov 2019 17:40:42 -0500 Leslie Kramer <kramer.lf...>
Pacific Slope Flycatcher
Massbirders, The Pacific Slope Flycatcher was still presentthis morningin Hadley, MA, at the end of Huntington Road. Head through the parking lot down toward the river, and in the woods about 1000 feet on the left, by the Connecticut River. Came out and vocalized when the suncame out.
Good birding, Leslie Kramer Barry Burden Medford, MA
Date: 11/3/19 10:56 am From: Peter Trull <petrull...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Hooded merganser, woodies, Buffleheads
massbirders, A single hooded merganser, male and female wood ducks, mallards, black duck, and my first 6 buffleheads of the fall on Aunt Patty’s Pond, Dennis. Peter Trull <petrull...> www.petertrull.org
I had 3 Ruddy Ducks on Fresh Pond in Cambridge as well.
M. Badger Cambridge, MA
Sent from my iPhone
> On Nov 3, 2019, at 6:46 AM, Peter Trull <petrull...> wrote: > > Massbirders, > Had my first 6 migrant ruddy ducks on Walkers Pond Brewster on November 1st. > Peter Trull > Brewster > <petrull...> > > Sent from my iPhone
Date: 11/2/19 7:14 pm From: Barbara Volkle <barb620...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Gloucester - First buffleheads of season
Thanks to a correspondent from the North Shore who reports the following:
Yesterday, November 1st, the first buffleheads of the season appeared on the Mill River in Gloucester. Yesterday they were four or six. Today there were 10 or 12. I expect the little flock to grow as it usually does until maybe it hits about 18 or 20. We'll see! But they're here! They stay for the winter.
Date: 11/2/19 7:10 pm From: Barbara Volkle <barb620...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Bill Drummond
Thanks to Walt Webb for the following post.
Barbara Volkle Northborough, MA <barb620...> *
From: "Walt Webb" <wwebb24...> Subject: Bill Drummond Date: Sat, 2 Nov 2019 21:31:22 -0400
I am joining the chorus of those who have such fond memories of Bill. For some reason, the one BBC walk with him I seem to recall was to Newburyport Cemetery (a trip that also included Plum Island) in May of 1989. Maybe it was the Philadelphia Vireo he pointed out, a new species for me. Or the many other surprising highlights that day as we walked with Bill through the cemetery, including eight warblers, a Scarlet Tanager, Gray-cheeked & Hermit Thrushes, a Broad-winged Hawk, & an Osprey. His birding talents & sharp personality will be greatly missed!
Date: 11/2/19 3:26 pm From: John Nelson <jnelson...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Tribute to Bill Drummond Reposted in Plain Text
My wife Mary and I met our dear friend Bill Drummond when he was leading our first Brookline Bird Club trip, at Plum Island in 1998. I tell the following story about the trip to open Chapter 14, "The Great Marsh: Shorebird Swarms and Swallow Waves," in my recently published book "Flight Calls: Exploring Massachusetts through Birds."
John Nelson Gloucester
Mary and I looked out past a tidal channel to soothing salt marsh. I heard songs I couldn’t identify. We chatted with another couple, new BBC members who wondered what to expect on a Plum Island field trip. We didn’t know. We were novices too.
We stopped talking when our commander, Bill Drummond, turned off his walkie-talkie and called our troop to attention. A rare bird, a Loggerhead Shrike, had just been seen at a nearby marsh called Plumbush. Instead of heading into the refuge, we’d form a caravan and drive back out, closing ranks in case of civilian cars on the road. Several vehicles would have CB radios, set to the birders’ channel, in case the shrike was found in transit. If we spotted it, we should flash our headlights. If we saw it once we were all on foot again, use hand signals--two arms straight up for a definite shrike, one arm for an iffier bird. Don’t shout, don’t make needless noise, don’t flail about. Spooking the bird would constitute insubordination.
“Loggerhead?” Mary asked in our car.
“Beats me. Paul Bunyanish?”
She flipped through our old Peterson guide. “It’s like a mockingbird with a mask. It looks just like this other type of shrike.”
“Well, I’m not flashing my lights. Not unless it lands on our hood with a sign: ‘I am a Loggerhead Shrike.’”
At Plumbush, along the Plum Island Turnpike, we eased out of our cars and fanned out for a search. Minutes later we quick-footed back toward Bill’s upraised arms. Mary and I looked where others were looking. “Get on this bird,” Bill commanded, “if it’s the last thing you ever do.” We finally spotted it, alone on a wire, bold like a mockingbird with a hard black mask right through its eye and a nasty hook at the end of its beak. The shrike dropped into marsh grass and returned, empty-beaked, to its wire.
“Butcher bird,” said a guy beside Mary.
“What?”
“The shrike. It kills other birds, then it impales them.” He grinned, as if cuing Mary to show some feminine revulsion. Mary didn’t blink. Two other guys high-fived. Mary and I eyed each other. This wasn’t exactly the NBA, but we liked to see people having fun. It was a cool bird.
The Loggerhead Shrike, seen in May 1998, is the only bird I remember distinctly from my first official bird outing in the Great Marsh. The species hasn’t been seen since in Essex County, and it wasn’t until years later, in Texas, that I watched a shrike pounce on a Bushtit, carry its prey to a barbed wire fence, and impale it, not for sadism or storage but to keep its meal fixed to one spot. The morning’s other birds have blurred together with warblers and waders from other outings, often guided by Bill Drummond. Former BBC president, leader of countless trips, Bill is loved for his generous mentoring and teased about his military regimen on field trips. “Get on this bird if it’s the last thing you ever do,” is his famous command, used to keep his troops intense whether they’re birders on the edge of an Ecuadorian cliff, as we later were, or students in his math class looking for an oriole he’s just spotted outside the window. To live, Bill needs birds.
I wondered if anyone has visited the Texas coast birding trail since Hurricane Harvey? I am considering traveling there for Spring 2020 migration, and was curious if anyone can comment on the post-hurricane recovery in that area.
If anyone has visited the Texas coast since Harvey, I would appreciate any advice regarding the conditions for birding tourism at the various reserves, any lodging recommendations, etc.
Date: 11/2/19 1:46 pm From: John Nelson <jnelson...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Apply Now for 2020 Brookline Bird Club Young Birder Scholarships
The BBC is pleased to announce that we will again offer two
Young Birder Scholarships to nurture interest in bird study and
conservation among young birders. The 2020 scholarships will cover the full
cost ($1395) of the Coastal Maine Bird Studies for Teens program at
National Audubon’s Hog Island camp on June 16-21, 2020. The cost includes
housing, boat travel, and all meals. Scholarship recipients will be
responsible for transportation costs to and from the camp.
Applicants must be New England residents, ages 14-17 as of June
1, 2020, and must submit a written application and two letters of
reference. Preference will be given to applicants with individual or family
BBC memberships. To be considered a member, an applicant may join the club
at the time of application. All nine of our scholarship recipients have had
tremendous adventures at Hog Island. “I truly had an unforgettable
experience at the Hog Island camp,” wrote 2018 recipient Sam Mroz in a
thank-you note to the BBC, “and I would not have been able to attend
without your sponsorship.”
References may be sent separately to the BBC or included with
the young birder’s application, but all completed applications and
references must be received by the BBC by February 15, 2020. Selection and
notification of recipients will be completed by February 29, 2020.
Click on www.brooklinebirdclub.org to go to scholarship announcement on the
BBC home page and then click on the announcement to get links to the
instructions and application form.
John Nelson
Chair, BBC Conservation and Education Committee
Date: 11/2/19 12:42 pm From: Anthony Hill <anhinga13...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] second Rufous Hummingbird
Hello,
This morning I visited a private home in Foxboro and banded a hatching-year female Rufous Hummingbird that had reportedly been present since early October. This is the second 'western' hummingbird that I have encountered in our state this year. Details will be reported to the state records committee.
Another reminder about leaving our (freshly-cleaned) hummingbird feeders out after our regulars have left. I leave mine out well into November.
I need to emphasize that the location is unfortunately not appropriate for visitors.
Thanks to Vin Zollo for letting me know about this bird.
Anthony S. Hadley
Anthony Hill Certified Trainer, Passerines and Hummingbirds Co-Chair, Hummingbird Working Group North American Banding Council (http://www.nabanding.net) Coordinator, Appledore Island Migration Station
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We had about 300 in our yard/trees here in Concord several times over the
last two weeks. Pretty spectacular to watch. I have feeders up but they
actually choose to forage in the grass. Hoping I'll see them once more in
the next few days before they move along.
Meaghan Sinclair
Concord, MA
On Sat, Nov 2, 2019 at 9:21 AM Karen Idoine <kidoine...> wrote:
> We, too, have witnessed several large flocks of mixed blackbirds jostling
> loudly among the trees at the edge of the field and beaver pond. I counted
> well over a hundred birds while many more perched unseen in the still leafy
> trees. We have no feeders out, as the bears have yet to den. A big flock
> passed through at the beginning of the week and another the week before.
> They’ll return, ravenous and looking for corn in March!
>
> Karen Idoine
> Wendell, MA
>
>
>
>
>
> > On Oct 31, 2019, at 10:10 AM, <dave.williams6...> wrote:
> >
> > At 9:12 this morning, my wife called to me to come look at all the birds
> in the yard. Over the next 15 minutes a huge flock of Common Grackles, with
> a few Starlings and Red-winged blackbirds mixed in, took over the
> neighborhood. At times the noise this flock generated was amazing!
> > At the flocks peak, I fairly accurately counted 137 Grackles, 11
> Starlings, and 3 Red-winged blackbirds. I have only two feeding stations
> set up right now, and many birds in this flock just attacked these. The
> rest of the birds were spread over the yards and driveways of five of my
> neighbor's. The birds were working theses grassy backyards aggressively,
> flipping over leaves, looking for food. My recently tilled vegetable
> garden also provided fodder for these birds.
> > When a car would go by, there would be a big " whoose" as the majority
> of the birds flew up into adjacent trees. Seconds latter they would
> descend back down onto their feeding grounds. This feeding frenzy lasted
> for just about 15 minutes, when the bulk of the flock took off. As I write
> this, there still remains about 25 birds.
> > Dave Williams
> > Reading, MA
> >
> > Sent from my iPad
>
>
>
Date: 11/2/19 7:28 am From: Barbara Howell <bhowell12...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Bill Drummond
I was sorry to hear the birding world has lost a giant. Bill Drummond was that giant. I met him for the first time on Plum Island, back in the 70s. He invited me to join the Brookline Bird Club that very day. I was fortunate to be able to go on some of his earliest trips to California, Arizona, Texas, Florida etc with many of the old timers, Dick and Dora Hale, Ida, The Oliver twins and the Claytons to name a few. We all had great birding on those trips thanks to Bill. He made sure we all "got on the bird". Bill was a great teacher, both in his math classes and in the field on his days off from school. My deepest sympathy goes to Barbara, another great birding companion with the best ear for bird sounds. The birding world will miss Bill. He was one in a million. Barbara Howell
We, too, have witnessed several large flocks of mixed blackbirds jostling loudly among the trees at the edge of the field and beaver pond. I counted well over a hundred birds while many more perched unseen in the still leafy trees. We have no feeders out, as the bears have yet to den. A big flock passed through at the beginning of the week and another the week before. They’ll return, ravenous and looking for corn in March!
Karen Idoine Wendell, MA
> On Oct 31, 2019, at 10:10 AM, <dave.williams6...> wrote: > > At 9:12 this morning, my wife called to me to come look at all the birds in the yard. Over the next 15 minutes a huge flock of Common Grackles, with a few Starlings and Red-winged blackbirds mixed in, took over the neighborhood. At times the noise this flock generated was amazing! > At the flocks peak, I fairly accurately counted 137 Grackles, 11 Starlings, and 3 Red-winged blackbirds. I have only two feeding stations set up right now, and many birds in this flock just attacked these. The rest of the birds were spread over the yards and driveways of five of my neighbor's. The birds were working theses grassy backyards aggressively, flipping over leaves, looking for food. My recently tilled vegetable garden also provided fodder for these birds. > When a car would go by, there would be a big " whoose" as the majority of the birds flew up into adjacent trees. Seconds latter they would descend back down onto their feeding grounds. This feeding frenzy lasted for just about 15 minutes, when the bulk of the flock took off. As I write this, there still remains about 25 birds. > Dave Williams > Reading, MA > > Sent from my iPad
Date: 11/2/19 5:31 am From: John Nelson <jnelson...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] A Tribute to Bill Drummond
My wife Mary and I met our dear friend Bill Drummond when he was leading
our first Brookline Bird Club trip, at Plum Island in 1998. I tell the
following story about the trip to open Chapter 14, "The Great Marsh:
Shorebird Swarms and Swallow Waves," in my recently published book *Flight
Calls: Exploring Massachusetts through Birds.*
John Nelson
Gloucester
Mary and I looked out past a tidal channel to soothing salt marsh. I heard
songs I couldn’t identify. We chatted with another couple, new BBC members
who wondered what to expect on a Plum Island field trip. We didn’t know. We
were novices too.
We stopped talking when our commander, Bill Drummond, turned
off his walkie-talkie and called our troop to attention. A rare bird, a
Loggerhead Shrike, had just been seen at a nearby marsh called Plumbush.
Instead of heading into the refuge, we’d form a caravan and drive back out,
closing ranks in case of civilian cars on the road. Several vehicles would
have CB radios, set to the birders’ channel, in case the shrike was found
in transit. If we spotted it, we should flash our headlights. If we saw it
once we were all on foot again, use hand signals--two arms straight up for
a definite shrike, one arm for an iffier bird. Don’t shout, don’t make
needless noise, don’t flail about. Spooking the bird would constitute
insubordination.
“Loggerhead?” Mary asked in our car.
“Beats me. Paul Bunyanish?”
She flipped through our old Peterson guide. “It’s like a
mockingbird with a mask. It looks just like this other type of shrike.”
“Well, I’m not flashing my lights. Not unless it lands on our
hood with a sign: ‘I am a Loggerhead Shrike.’”
At Plumbush, along the Plum Island Turnpike, we eased out of
our cars and fanned out for a search. Minutes later we quick-footed back
toward Bill’s upraised arms. Mary and I looked where others were looking.
“Get on this bird,” Bill commanded, “if it’s the last thing you ever do.”
We finally spotted it, alone on a wire, bold like a mockingbird with a hard
black mask right through its eye and a nasty hook at the end of its beak.
The shrike dropped into marsh grass and returned, empty-beaked, to its
wire.
“Butcher bird,” said a guy beside Mary.
“What?”
“The shrike. It kills other birds, then it impales them.” He
grinned, as if cuing Mary to show some feminine revulsion. Mary didn’t
blink. Two other guys high-fived. Mary and I eyed each other. This wasn’t
exactly the NBA, but we liked to see people having fun. It was a cool bird.
The Loggerhead Shrike, seen in May 1998, is the only bird I
remember distinctly from my first official bird outing in the Great Marsh.
The species hasn’t been seen since in Essex County, and it wasn’t until
years later, in Texas, that I watched a shrike pounce on a Bushtit, carry
its prey to a barbed wire fence, and impale it, not for sadism or storage
but to keep its meal fixed to one spot. The morning’s other birds have
blurred together with warblers and waders from other outings, often guided
by Bill Drummond. Former BBC president, leader of countless trips, Bill is
loved for his generous mentoring and teased about his military regimen on
field trips. “Get on this bird if it’s the last thing you ever do,” is his
famous command, used to keep his troops intense whether they’re birders on
the edge of an Ecuadorian cliff, as we later were, or students in his math
class looking for an oriole he’s just spotted outside the window. To live,
Bill needs birds.
Date: 11/1/19 7:04 pm From: Barbara Volkle <barb620...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] More Thoughts on Birds and Bird Photography
Thanks to Dave Gibson for the following post.
Barbara Volkle Northborough, MA <barb620...>
*
From: David Gibson <20cabot...> Date: Fri, 1 Nov 2019 15:23:54 -0400 Subject: More Thoughts on Birds and Bird Photography
Hi MA birders, First of all, condolences to the Drummond family and to all on the loss of Bill Drummond. This reminds me very much of the passing of Ida.
Here's my latest photo essay. It's a more bird/wildlife photography nuts and bolts piece than I've written before. I describe my gear and my settings, I introduce shooting modes and so on. And as always, I share a few thoughts on birds and what I hope you find are compelling photos. I hope you enjoy it, and I look forward to your feedback! Here's the link: https://birdpartner.com/2019/11/01/birds-bird-photography-2/. And as always, thanks to Barbara for her kind permission. Dave Gibson https://birdpartner.com/
Date: 11/1/19 7:00 pm From: Barbara Volkle <barb620...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Sad loon story
Thanks to Caroline Haines for the following post.
Barbara Volkle Northborough, MA <barb620...>
*
From: caroline <carolinawrencarolinawren...> Subject: Sad loon story Date: Fri, 1 Nov 2019 18:05:43 +0000
Today in Gloucester harbor-a loon somehow entangled with what appeared to a second deceased loon, barely making headway swimming against the wind, dragging the deceased bird behind it, and a gull repeatedly attempting to get at the dead bird, while the live bird tried to defend itself. Hard to watch. Caroline Haines <Songbirder...> Gloucester
Sent from my iPhone-please excuse brevity, typos, or insults.
Date: 11/1/19 6:54 pm From: Barbara Volkle <barb620...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Bill Drummond
Thanks to David Oliver for the following post.
Barbara Volkle Northborough, MA <barb620...>
*
Date: Fri, 1 Nov 2019 16:47:47 +0000 (UTC) From: David Oliver <davido401...> Subject: Bill Drummond
I am heart broken to hear about the passing of Bill. He was one of the first members of the BBC that I met back in 1975 when Dennis and I started birding. I can not count the number of trips that I attended that he led in Massachusetts. After that it was off to many trips around the United States and also around Latin America. He was always a great friend and I will miss him enormously. My heart goes out to Barbara in her time of sorrow. She also was a great friend. I hope she finds some comfort in knowing that Bill was greatly loved by many people. David Oliver
Date: 11/1/19 6:54 pm From: Barbara Volkle <barb620...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Sad news about Bill
Thanks to Sandy Selesky for the following post.
Barbara Volkle Northborough, MA <barb620...>
*
From: Sandy <sandyselesky...> Date: Fri, 1 Nov 2019 10:56:20 -0400 Subject: Sad news about Bill
My condolences Barbara. Bill was such a kind and passionate man who, as you said, loved birds so deeply. My first and only birding trip was in 1990 to Costa Rica with you and Bill. Barbara Volkle was my roommate! (All my other trips have been bird photography trips since then ). Most memorable was when we got to visit and meet Alexander Skutch at his home -author of the guidebook to the Birds of Costa Rica. Bill was so enthusiastic about every bird we saw and as always, wanted to make sure everyone got to see each one and would ask us what our favorite sightings were at the end of the trip. Mine of course was the bird I came to see - the Resplendent Quetzal! May the birds follow Bill's spirit everywhere!
I was talking to 2 neighbors after giving out candy to a group of kids in my condo community around 6:15 last night. It was dark out but my outside light as well as my neighbor's outside light was on and our doors were open facing each other. I was standing in front of my door when all of a sudden a tiny bird flew down and landed just in front of my feet for a few seconds. It was a Carolina Wren!! I was so surprised to see any bird still flying around after dark. Did it also come for a treat? (Perhaps attracted to the moths still coming to our front lights). It looked up at me staring down at it and took off again. What a nice Halloween surprise!
Observation start time: 08:30:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 6.5 hours
Official Counter: Craig Jackson
Observers: Weather: Very strong (6-4) West to West-northwest winds (even stronger gusts throughout watch); temperature -- 8-12-11°C; cloud cover 8-1% (blue sky except for tiny clouds on horizons)
Raptor Observations: small movement of raptors -- Immature BE at 9:40 AM; adult Bald Eagle probably also migrating Non-migrating -- 2 Adult Bald Eagles; adult and imm Red-tailed Hawk; 1 Turkey Vulture
Non-raptor Observations: 25 Canada Geese 1 Green Darner
Predictions: Hopefully better than today - winds will continue from west but less strong ======================================================================== Report submitted by Craig Jackson (<crleja1949...>)
Date: 11/1/19 10:44 am From: Gerry Cooperman <trogon6...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] BILL DRUMMOND
Barbara,
I as most of the birding world here in Massachusetts are deeply saddened by Bill's passing. I have birded many places with many leaders but Bill was my favorite because there was something special about a Drummond trip. There were many givens; see a lot of birds, raid convenience stores for food, make great friends, see the world but most of all there were the calls to action.
"Here we go", "If you do nothing on this trip you must get on this bird", "This is big", and "We need to get this bird." A few of the many we remember as every trip always had something new. What I was always admired about Bill was his humility. He very seldom if ever used the word I and he certainly earned the right. I was with him in Alaska when he recorded his 700th NA bird. He came back to the van and quietly said "that was 700."
Bill introduced me to my greatest birding spectacle; the cliffs on St. Paul in the Aleutians. My most harrowing experience of driving in a blinding snowstorm coming down thru a mountain pass. I will always remember what Bill did for me in coming down Pinnacle Pass after finding the Colima warbler. I was physically exhausted and as everyone moved on Bill kept telling me everything was okay and just take my time. He stayed with me until we finally made it off.
There will be many words said about this man but what's important to me is that he was my friend and we enjoyed each other whenever we were together. Bill also knew about trains and when he spied the Union Pacific making its way across the vast Colorado landscape we all got a train 101 course that I still remember to this day.
Barbara there are many stories that all of us have and I know that you will find strength in hearing them as well. Bill will always be in my thoughts and will be rekindled whenever I see a bird. Barbara you will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Date: 11/1/19 10:36 am From: <warbler...> Subject: Re: [MASSBIRD] Sad loss
Dear Barbara,
There are no words of condolence that would suffice for all that Bill meant to you and the birding world. I'll never forget the many experiences I had on trips with him both in MA and out of state. His knowledge was legendary and his trips were exciting and fun. May I offer my deepest sympathies.
RIP "Red Crossbill."
Sincerely,
Sylvia Martin, Newton <warbler...>
Quoting Barbara Drummond <bdraraavis...>:
> Massbirders > > I’m overcome with sadness as I report the death of my husband Bill > Drummond on October 30. He loved birds, birding, and showing people > birds, sharing their joy. As many of you know, fronto-temporal > dementia took away his language. This was a cruel blow to a man who > loved to talk to people. > > There will be visiting hours at Conte Funeral Home on Florence St, > Andover, on Monday November 11 from 3 -7. On Tuesday November 12 > there will be a funeral mass at St. Michael’s Catholic church on > Main St., North Andover, at 10:00 A.M. I will post a link to the > obituary when published. > > Barbara Drummond > North Andover > <bdraraavis...>
Date: 11/1/19 10:17 am From: Charlie Nims <charlie.nims...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Bill Drummond memories
Since I moved to NH over 6 years ago, I have not posted much on Massbird but am moved to today by the news of Bill’s passing.
While Massachusetts has been and continues to be home to some incredible birders and ornithologists, my sense is that Bill Drummond had as much if not more impact than anyone on the Mass. beginning and intermediate birding community. Although he led many local trips, his destination trips were the ones I remember so fondly, from Texas to California to Alaska and many locations in between which introduced so many of us to the wonders of birding away from New England. I can still hear the echoes his sayings such as “if it’s the last thing in the world, get on that bird” or “aliens” when a vehicle would start passing our convoy. He carried his career as a teacher into birding, always trying to help people ID and get on birds.
Bill will be missed but not forgotten by the birding community.
Date: 11/1/19 5:28 am From: Fred Bouchard <frederickbouchard...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] God Bless Bill
Dear Barbara Bill was our intrepid, well-prepared, avuncular leader for countless BBC avian adventures, to destinations near and far. Especially memorable were SE Arizona, Trinidad & Tobago, South Texas. I can hear Bill intoning in his classroom commander voice: "Get. On. That. Bird!" What an inspiring companion! My heart goes out to you. Fred Bouchard -- <frederickbouchard...> 78 farnham st belmont 02478 ma 617-484-6692 www.fredbouchard.wordpress.com
'One ought, every day, to hear a little song, read a good poem, sip a tasty wine, see a fine picture, and if possible, to speak a few reasonable words.' -- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749-1836)
Date: 11/1/19 2:04 am From: <dovekie...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Bill Drummond
Bills passing in not only shocking but fills me with deep sorrow. He was not only a birder of unmatched intensity but a good and generous friend. We have missed him in the field and now only have memories. I can almost still hear him calling; “Man your scopes!” May Barbara find solace in his memory and the fact that he had, and she still has, many friends who mourn his passing.
Date: 10/31/19 10:03 pm From: Barbara Volkle <barb620...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Bad news - Bill Drummond
I'm reposting this since many of you did not get this initially.
Barbara Volkle Northborough, MA <barb620...>
-------- Forwarded Message -------- Subject: [MASSBIRD] Sad loss Date: Thu, 31 Oct 2019 17:41:51 -0400 From: Barbara Drummond <bdraraavis...> Reply-To: Barbara Drummond <bdraraavis...> To: MassBird <massbird...>
Massbirders
I’m overcome with sadness as I report the death of my husband Bill Drummond on October 30. He loved birds, birding, and showing people birds, sharing their joy. As many of you know, fronto-temporal dementia took away his language. This was a cruel blow to a man who loved to talk to people.
There will be visiting hours at Conte Funeral Home on Florence St, Andover, on Monday November 11 from 3 -7. On Tuesday November 12 there will be a funeral mass at St. Michael’s Catholic church on Main St., North Andover, at 10:00 A.M. I will post a link to the obituary when published. Barbara Drummond North Andover <bdraraavis...>
Date: 10/31/19 2:46 pm From: Barbara Drummond <bdraraavis...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Sad loss
Massbirders
I’m overcome with sadness as I report the death of my husband Bill Drummond on October 30. He loved birds, birding, and showing people birds, sharing their joy. As many of you know, fronto-temporal dementia took away his language. This was a cruel blow to a man who loved to talk to people.
There will be visiting hours at Conte Funeral Home on Florence St, Andover, on Monday November 11 from 3 -7. On Tuesday November 12 there will be a funeral mass at St. Michael’s Catholic church on Main St., North Andover, at 10:00 A.M. I will post a link to the obituary when published.
At 9:12 this morning, my wife called to me to come look at all the birds in the yard. Over the next 15 minutes a huge flock of Common Grackles, with a few Starlings and Red-winged blackbirds mixed in, took over the neighborhood. At times the noise this flock generated was amazing! At the flocks peak, I fairly accurately counted 137 Grackles, 11 Starlings, and 3 Red-winged blackbirds. I have only two feeding stations set up right now, and many birds in this flock just attacked these. The rest of the birds were spread over the yards and driveways of five of my neighbor's. The birds were working theses grassy backyards aggressively, flipping over leaves, looking for food. My recently tilled vegetable garden also provided fodder for these birds. When a car would go by, there would be a big " whoose" as the majority of the birds flew up into adjacent trees. Seconds latter they would descend back down onto their feeding grounds. This feeding frenzy lasted for just about 15 minutes, when the bulk of the flock took off. As I write this, there still remains about 25 birds. Dave Williams Reading, MA
Date: 10/30/19 5:21 pm From: Barbara Volkle <barb620...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Eight Nelson's Sparrows at The Key at Belle Isle Marsh
Thanks to Paul Peterson for this report.
Barbara Volkle Northborough, MA <barb620...>
*
Date: Thu, 31 Oct 2019 00:02:48 +0000 (UTC) From: Paul Peterson <petersonpaul63...> Subject: Eight Nelson's Sparrows at The Key at Belle Isle Marsh
I birded here from 1:30-3:45. I was hoping the tide was going to be astronomically high, which it was. Thus, all the birds were forced out onto the berm area .Everything else was submerged. WOW!
Great Blue Heron 2 Great Egret 1 Green-winged Teal 2 Hooded Merganser 1 Red-tailed Hawk 1 Cooper's Hawk 1 accipiter sp. 1 AMERICAN KESTREL 1 ad. male Yellow-rumped Warbler 11 NELSON'S SPARROW 9 including two interior Ammodramus sp. 2 Savannah Sparrow 4 Swamp Sparrow 1
P.S. Later on, seen from Belle Isle Cemetery feeding on the inlet:
Date: 10/30/19 3:40 pm From: Madeleine Linck <madeleine.linck...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Adult Great Black-back Gull dead under power line in Westport
Looked like a fresh kill on East Beach Street today. Between power lines, glass buildings and cell towers, birds sure have many challenges for their survival in our developed world.
Date: 10/30/19 3:05 pm From: David Moon <dmoon...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] S-P-L Farm and Plum Island 10-30-2019
Susan Yurkus and I led Wednesday Morning Birding from Joppa Flats Education Center today. Rain anticipated never came, so a nice day to be out, with a bit of mist, and some spots of blue sky. The high tide roost at the Main Panne was covered by rain water this week, so we will see if it drains. Highlights were the dark morph Snow Goose at the field across from the airport, and small groups of American Pipits about. Note we have changed our trip to Cape Ann from 11/13 to 11/20. We will be back out as usual next Wednesday from Joppa at 9:30 am.
Our list:
Mute Swan (2) - Main Panne.
Northern Shoveler (4) - Bill Forward Pool (BFP).
Mallard - common.
American Black Duck - common.
Northern Pintail (~ 40) - Bill Forward Pool.
Green-winged Teal (100's) BFP.
Common Eider (~ 30) Emerson Rocks.
Surf Scoter (5) - flying by Emerson Rocks.
White-winged Scoter - common, scattered abundantly over ocean from parking lot #7 platform.
Black Scoter (1+) - seen in a photo from the trip, but no big flocks this week, though many "scoter sp." out at sea.
Scoter sp. 100's well off shore.
Bufflehead (2) - females, Stage Island Pool.
Wild Turkey (5) - in a driveway north of refuge.
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Greater Yellowlegs (~20) - various.
Ring-billed Gull (~45 +1) - large flock with Canada Geese in field across from airport; 1 at parking lot #7 beach.
Herring Gull - common.
Great Black-backed Gull (1) - North Marsh.
Common Loon (4) - Emerson Rocks.
Northern Gannet (2) - Parking lot #7 ocean.
Double-crested Cormorant - common, many migrating skeins.
Great Blue Heron (2) - 1, Spenser Pierce Little Farm (S-P-L Farm), 1 Hellcat salt marsh.
Great Egret (~15) - various.
Northern Harrier [1] - Pink House marsh.
Cooper's Hawk [1] - S-P-L Farm.
Red-tailed Hawk (2) - 1, S-P-L Farm; 1, Gatehouse.
Northern Flicker (3) - Roadside in/near S-curves.
Blue Jay (12) 8 S-P-L Farm; 4, Hellcat parking lot.
American Crow [1] - Airport.
Black-capped Chickadee (3) - Hellcat.
Tufted Titmouse [3] - S-P-L Farm.
Carolina Wren [1] - S-P-L Farm.
American Robin (~10) - various.
Northern Mockingbird (5) - Plum Island.
European Starling - common.
Dark-eyed Junco (2) - Middens.
Savannah Sparrow [1] - S-P-L Farm.
Song Sparrow (1+) - One positively identified, many more probable along road.
Red-winged Blackbird (9) - 8, S-P-L Farm; 1, parking lot #7.
Yellow-rumped Warbler (1) - S-P-L Farm.
Northern Cardinal (1) - Hellcat.
David Moon
Sanctuary Director
he/him/his
Joppa Flats Education Center
Mass Audubon
1 Plum Island Turnpike
Newburyport, MA 01950
978-462-9998
www.massaudubon.org/joppaflats<http://www.massaudubon.org/joppaflats>
You can't be suspicious of a tree, or accuse a bird or a squirrel of subversion or challenge the ideology of a violet. - Hal Borland
Date: 10/30/19 11:42 am From: Mark Rosenstein <mar...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Danehy Park, Cambridge, Oct 30, 2019
Today was the last of this fall's Danehy walks, co-led by myself and Karsten Hartel. Ten people joined us today, where we saw 8 different sparrow species, a Nashville Warbler, a Merlin, and a Hermit Thrush.
Heading into this year’s edition of my Halloween trip, I had two concerns. First, the weather forecast was for rain all day and temperatures never exceeding the 40s. Second, I’d had the most interest in this trip ever; roughly 16 people had told me that they were going to try to join me this year. Birding in cold rain can be pretty fun if one does most of their birding in or near the car; but if the group gets too large, with too many cars, car-birding doesn’t work as well, so we were going to have to do more walking, making the cold rain more of a problem. Lucky for me, one problem solved another, as the weather apparently scared most birders into staying home, so only three of us - Harvey Allen, Peter Gagarin, and myself - showed up Sunday morning.
We met up at the power canal in Turners Falls, and took a walk there first. The birds were unremarkable, but at least it was not raining much… yet.
Our next stop was a little roadside marsh in Northfield. This place had an astounding number of sparrows, mostly Song, a few White-throats, a Chipping just as we arrived, a Field which appeared near the end, and several Swamp, one surprisingly approachable. The rain picked up and was chasing us back to the car when I saw a bird pop up, which turned out to be a Palm Warbler. I mentioned it to Peter and Harvey, who wanted to see it. As we pursued the warbler, we came across something even more noteworthy, a late Blue-headed Vireo.
A quick visit to Sawyer Ponds yielded a couple of dozen Wood Ducks before we continued to Hell’s Kitchen. We failed to find a Pectoral Sandpiper, a species that this trip had observed three years in a row. However, we did find one each of Solitary and Least Sandpiper, both flagged as unusually late by eBird. The place was alive with Green-winged Teal, at least two dozen of them, and and even larger number of Wood Ducks.
After the shorebirds and teal required us to stand outside using our spotting scopes for a while, we were pretty thoroughly cold and wet, and birded from my car for a while. Continuing into Satan’s Kingdom WMA, we added a Belted Kingfisher on the main pond, then a couple of Hermit Thrushes lurking along the road in the woods further north. A cruise through the fields along Caldwell Road and River Road in the intensifying rain did not add much.
We were very happy to find the Northfield House of Pizza open, and greatly enjoyed being somewhere warm and dry for a while, and eating a hot lunch. Then, with the rain letting up a bit, we continued up to Pauchaug Brook WMA. I’d birded this area several times before, but had thought that it only consisted of the area around the boat ramp; Harvey informed us that the WMA extended across the river and could be accessed via a driveway just a bit further north. As we pulled in, Peter said something about wanting to see a Rusty Blackbird. Sure enough, when we reached the end of the driveway down near a big cornfield, a flock of blackbirds were in the trees along the field edge; and while most were Red-winged, a few Rusties popped up for some nice spotting scope views!
We tentatively attempted to look for birds around the edges of the Northfield Meadows, but were barely able to drive 25 feet before my car’s tires started fishtailing on the rain-slicked farm roads and sinking alarmingly fast into the mud. Not wanting to have to convince a tow truck to come rescue us out in that mud in the cold rain, we quickly surrendered and retreated.
We finished our day by returning to Turners Falls. The power canal gate had been closed - the power company has gotten stricter about that this year - and we didn’t feel like walking that long of a distance as the rain continued. We did not have much luck in visits to the airport and Rod & Gun Club; our best find for this last stretch of the trip was a group of roughly 18 Ring-Necked Ducks on Barton Cove near the campground. We finished the day with 47 species.
Fate conspired to place me in Belmont on Tuesday afternoon, giving me a chance to visit Rock Meadow. But unfortunately, there was no sight nor sound of the kingbird during my visit. I guess Fate needs to conspire faster next time. Between this and the Pacific-Slope Flycatcher failing to appear during my visit to its location on Friday, I’m starting to feel like these late-autumn tyrannids have something against me….
Most pleasant surprise came just before I opened my car door to get in and leave: two warblers abruptly appeared in a small tangle of brush on the ground at the edge of the parking lot. The first appeared to be a Blackpoll. I assumed that the second would be the same, but it took me a few minutes to relocate it. When I did, it turned out to be a Black-throated Green! Combined with the Palm Warbler that I’d seen along the loop trail earlier, and the abundance of butter-butts, that gave me four warbler species among the 25 species total that I tallied in a little over an hour at Rock Meadow.
Flycatcher dang and called and was in one spot for pics at about 2pm. See
eBird report for directions and pics.
Pete Gilmore
Newton, MA
<petegilmore79...>
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: <ebird-checklist...>
Date: Tue, Oct 29, 2019 at 8:44 PM
Subject: eBird Report - stakeout Pacific-slope Flycatcher--Hadley (Oct
2019), Oct 29, 2019
To: <Petegilmore79...>
stakeout Pacific-slope Flycatcher--Hadley (Oct 2019), Hampshire,
Massachusetts, US
Oct 29, 2019 1:50 PM - 2:25 PM
Protocol: Traveling
0.3 mile(s)
Checklist Comments: 59F, overcast, calm. With Chris Leuchtenburg,
George Gove, Judy Gordon and Steven Whitebread.
8 species
Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus) 1
Downy Woodpecker (Eastern) (Dryobates pubescens pubescens/medianus) 1
Pacific-slope Flycatcher (Empidonax difficilis) 1 Seen well,
photographed with eye-ring, very dark yellowish underparts, orange lower
mandible and watched it sing it’s song and make it’s call. Five observers.
The bird was to the left, down the bushwhacked area between the ridge and
the river. It was south of the large dead trees you climb over, in a brushy
tangle that protrudes out toward the. Walking area. It was often up high,
but came down twice for photos. Called and sang for about 15 minutes.
Tufted Titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor) 3
Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Regulus calendula) 3
White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis) 1
White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis) 2
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) (Setophaga coronata coronata) 3
Thanks to George Gove and Judy Gordon for passing along this report.
Barbara Volkle Northborough, MA barb620theworld.com
*
Tue, 29 Oct 2019 18:50:56 -0400 <gwgove...> Pacific-slope Flycatcher
Judy and drove to Hadley with some trepidation because it was misting here. The weather out there was high clouds, no mist, and warm. We got to the stakeout site about 1 p.m., parked in the little lot, and walked down the path to the river and then took the sharp left into the area where the bird had been seen previously. After scrambling over several downed trees, we saw three other people ahead of us looking into the trees. When we reached the three gentlemen, they said they had heard the Pacific-slope Flycatcher. Almost immediately, Judy heard it and pointed to the area from where the call was coming. We looked up into the area and saw the bird about 8 meters up in front of a V in the tree made by two large trunks. This was at about 1:45 p.m. and was in the direction of Rt 47 from the path but not far from the path.
The bird sat there for 5 to 10 minutes calling and turning. All five of us got fantastic looks and some of us got great photos.
Eventually the bird flew off into the trees but it could still be heard calling.
Date: 10/29/19 5:51 am From: CRAIG GIBSON <cbgibson...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] MUSE: New Crow article
Massbirders,
For those with an interest, thought you might enjoy a look at this newly published cover article in Muse Magazine about the winter crow roost in Lawrence, MA.
Muse has just published a fascinating article about the winter crow roost in Lawrence, MA. Muse Magazine is a well-known magazine for students about science, culture, and nature. It’s aimed at younger people, mostly middle school students, who love to learn about new things. Muse is an award-winning magazine that delights these students with stimulating images, articles on space, information on nature, and much more. The Smithsonian sponsors it, so you can be sure any reader will be getting solid information!
On Winter Nights, Crows Pour into Cities by the Thousands. Nobody Knows Why.
Author: Joseph Keierleber, is a biologist who lives in Maine. He once drove all over his town and trudged through knee-deep snow while chasing a crow roost with a microphone. The recording sounded a lot like laughter.
The article looks at the overall phenomenon of an overnight winter crow roost, the mystery behind a roost: warmth, safety, information centers? It also explores the citizen science benefits with increased observations and data collection as well as expanded community awareness and involvement.
Date: 10/28/19 7:09 pm From: Barbara Volkle <barb620...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] 10/26 Blue Grosbeak at Lost Pond in Brookline, etc.
Thanks to Paul Peterson for the following report.
Barbara Volkle Northborough, MA barb6202theworld.com
*
Date: Mon, 28 Oct 2019 16:48:14 +0000 (UTC) From: Paul Peterson <petersonpaul63...> Subject: 10/26 Blue Grosbeak at Lost Pond in Brookline, etc.
Hi, You can either park at Skyline Park on Tranfer Station Dr. in Brookline or Kennard Park on Dudley Rd. in Newton. Newton is easier, just park and go up the driveway a short distance to take the left at the sign into the lovely woods. Soon you get to a path that goes left into the low-lying pond area. Don't take it. Instead, continue straight until you come to the meadow with the long wall at the top. Keep the wall to your right as you walk all the way down to the end, staying paralell to, but below the wall. You will be near the tan building, but on other side of the fence from it. (former incinerator?) There is also a tiny pond/watering hole here. Unbeknownst to me, the bird was feeding invisible in the weeds with a flock of forty mostly visible House Finches. I walked close and flushed the birds . The immature BLUE GROSBEAK landed on a sapling in the nearby cattails. I birded here from 3:40-5:30. UNLESS NOTED, ALL BIRDS FROM LOST POND MEADOW AREA:
Great Horned Owl 2 heard Hairy Woodpecker 1 Blue-headed Vireo 1 Eastern Bluebird 4 Yellow-rumped Warbler 7 including five along Tranfer Station Dr. Common Yellowthroat 2 including one along Tranfer Station Dr. Indigo Bunting 1 BLUE GROSBEAK 1 SEE ABOVE
P.S. At the nearby D. Blakely Hoar Sanctuary in Brookline earlier in the day, there was a ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER along the boardwalk near the tennis courts, just before the boardwalk briefly widens. Also, there were a minimum of six Swamp Sparrows there.
heard and seen in at least 2 locations in same area previously reported. Seen well at mid-day by several birders thanks to sharp observers who found and refound this sometimes elusive bird. I was lucky to enjoy good looks at this little gem.
Thanks again, Linda Linda Pivacek, Nahant, <lpivacek...>
Observation start time: 09:00:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 7 hours
Official Counter: Rod Chase
Observers: Dave Brown, Eric Mueller, JoAnne Hart, Rod Chase, Tom Pirro, Tom Gottschang
Visitors: Great to have Tom Pirro for an hour in the morning and Joe Bourget for an hour in the afternoon. Also helping were Alicia and Joe Kendall, Rick Quimby, and Lauren Konicky. The last drive-up crowd (assuming no one came in Sunday's rain?) was modest and all friendly -- both those who knew what we were doing and many who were delighted to find out. The daily hikers all know us, far sure, and many have our names down pat!
Weather: Wind was from North thru the morning at 3-8mph; afternoon speed 0-5 dropped further and to 0-3mph in the last two hours; direction was variable after noon but ranged NW to NE with an occasional hint of ENE. Temp slowly rose from 48F at 9am to 55 at 2pm before then declining to 53F at 3pm.
Raptor Observations: The day's flight ramped up to the peak 11am hour (17 raptors) before tailing off once again in the afternoon hours. Our double-digit species (TVs, BEs & RTs -- in that order) were 83% of our total of 52 ... Nearly all of the morning birds arrived from the North while the afternoon brought a few more from the E or SE and these passed on South side of summit.
Not migrating raptors: 3 BE, 6 TV.
Non-raptor Observations: Ravens led the way with 17 locals plus 10 who, by protocol, could have been departing. Also seen were Blue Jays, Towhees, 1 Cormorant going north.
No Monarchs seen today.
Predictions: Rain :-(. Hope to have some hikes by a few observers now that the road is closed until spring. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Rod Chase (<rodchase...>) Wachusett Mountain information may be found at: http://www.massbird.org/emhw
Brad et al. I tried for the Belmont Kingbird on Sunday morning before the rain started and didn't see it in the hour and a half I was there. I have not seen any reports on eBird since Saturday afternoon, so I'm guessing that it has left. I'm not sure if anyone tried for it today.
I also know that a bunch of people tried all afternoon today for the Pac-Slope without getting it. It is probably still around, but hard to see, and sunny mornings are probably your best bet.
Time to find some more vagrants! Liam Waters -- Liam
Does anyone know if the kingbird is still at the location after the heavy rain that we had yesterday? I haven't seen it yet and would consider a visit if it's still there, even if the weather looks to be overcast.
Thank you, Brad Dinerman Ashland, MA
> -----Original Message----- > From: <massbird-approval...> <massbird- > <approval...> On Behalf Of Sherry Leffert > Sent: Saturday, October 26, 2019 8:58 PM > To: <massbird...> > Subject: [MASSBIRD] Tropical Kingbird > > Tropical Kingbird was still present at Rock Meadow this afternoon at 3PM. > Here are some photos:; > > https://www.flickr.com/photos/134847027@N04/albums/7215771151197379 > 6 > > Sherry Leffert > Cambridge
Date: 10/28/19 11:12 am From: Stuart Walker <stuarttwalker...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Pacific-slope FC Yes, Monday 10/28
Several people reported hearing the bird this morning a little after 8, and several were able to see it briefly around 8:30 in a tangle of bittersweet next to a noticeably curved old apple tree branch. I was not able to zero in on the eye-ring before it flew, but had good looks at its wing-bars and yellowish cast. It was fairly distant from where our group stood in a trampled-down area just off the beaten path along the low ridge.
There is parking for a few cars at the intersection of River Rd (Rte 47 N) and Huntington Rd. Cross 47 and follow the wide grassy access road toward the river, and then turn sharp left following a trampled path through tall vegetation, toward and then alongside a low ridge. Be prepared for poison ivy and some fallen trees. The bird has been hanging out in the tangles atop the ridge. As far as I know it had not been see again by the time we left around 10.
Date: 10/27/19 6:17 pm From: Stephen Mirick <smirick...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Great Skuas in MA waters
Posting this for Paul Lehman.
Steve Mirick Bradford, MA
FYI, Derek and Jeanette Lovitch are aboard a Princess cruise ship on a 5-day round-trip cruise from New York City to the Maritimes and back, and on 27 October they had 5 (FIVE) Great Skuas in Massachusetts waters, as well as 6 skua sp. And they still have the full return day offshore coming south in another few days. This same cruise (offered once every year in late Oct, give or take) two years ago produced Great Skuas in the first day. Only times so far that birders have been aboard. Definitely a comfortable way to look for this species!
Migrating Russian eagles run up huge data roaming charges
Getty Images
A steppe eagle: the species is threatened by farming and power lines
Russian scientists tracking migrating eagles ran out of money after some of the birds flew to Iran and Pakistan and their SMS transmitters drew huge data roaming charges.
After learning of the team's dilemma, Russian mobile phone operator Megafon offered to cancel the debt and put the project on a special, cheaper tariff.
The team had started crowdfunding on social media to pay off the bills.
The birds left from southern Russia and Kazakhstan.
The journey of one steppe eagle, called Min, was particularly expensive, as it flew to Iran from Kazakhstan.
Min accumulated SMS messages to send during the summer in Kazakhstan, but it was out of range of the mobile network. Unexpectedly the eagle flew straight to Iran, where it sent the huge backlog of messages.
The price per SMS in Kazakhstan was about 15 roubles (18p; 30 US cents), but each SMS from Iran cost 49 roubles. Min used up the entire tracking budget meant for all the eagles.
The Russian researchers are volunteers at the Wild Animal Rehabilitation Centre in Novosibirsk. Their crowdfunding appeal, which has paid off more than 100,000 roubles (£1,223), was called "Top up the eagle's mobile".
Rrrcn screenshot
The eagles' winter migration routes from Central Asia (RRRCN website)
The SMS messages deliver the birds' coordinates as they migrate, and the team then use satellite photos to see if the birds have reached safe locations. Power lines are a particular threat for the steppe eagles, which are endangered in Russia and Central Asia.
They are currently tracking 13 eagles. The birds breed in Siberia and Kazakhstan, but fly to South Asia for the winter.
Megafon's offer to bail out the team, reported by RIA Novosti news, means they can continue monitoring the eagles' routes, collecting vital data to help their survival.
You might also like:
Yikes! Fox and rodent battle is top wildlife photo
Sea eagles return to England after 240 years
A Bulgarian vulture's odyssey into Yemeni war zone
Date: 10/27/19 8:45 am From: <environment...> <environment...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] First Harlequins at Gully Point in Rockport
The first pair of Harlequin ducks returned to Gully Point in Rockport on October 25. Last year they showed up on 10/28 (they were late seen this Spring on May 5. Today there are a large number of gannets and scoters (along with scattered loons) streaming by Gully Point this morning. Dave PetersonRockport
____________________________________________________________
Urologist Tells Men To "Fix" Their ED With This New Trick!
Med Journal
http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL3131/5db5ba846c0443a841d71st01vuc
Date: 10/27/19 6:40 am From: Neil Hayward <opororniswarbler...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Pacific-slope Flycatcher
The bird was heard calling from 7:24 this morning. I heard it 4 times before leaving at 9:15. It was deep in the thicket on the ridge. I saw the bird fly and a then an extremely poor view through vegetation. Probably one of the least fulfilling MA birding experiences.
Date: 10/27/19 3:39 am From: Chris Heys <chris.p.heys...> Subject: Re: [MASSBIRD] Pacific-Slope Flycatcher update
All,
Echoing Josh’s previous email:
In coastal Northern California, on Humboldt Bay, some Pacific Slope Flycatchers will stick around well into October before departing for the winter. The temperatures on more sheltered parts of that region have average lows in the mid 40’s that time of the year. This temperature does not take into account the wind and weather, moisture and precipitation that the region can be known for, especially in autumn, either.
One thought that I had is that this species prefers the deep and humid woods, shady and cool. I don’t suspect that it will take kindly to snow, though.
One would hope that it moves on. Does anyone have any data on the fate of off course migrants? So many of the 90-degree-ers seem to meet their end in the talons of some alert raptor, but I suspect that part of this is because there are often many observers, making to occurrence of this violent sort of end seem more common than (a) it actually is, or (b) than is typical for any small bird.
I guess what I am getting at it: we would like to think that a bird that meets terrible cold in an unknown landscape might disembark for points south, but this bird (and other 90-degree-ers) have already proven themselves a little compass-confused. Or maybe that is too much personification. Maybe the 90-degree-ers know full well that their migratory route was one of an avian pioneer.
Do these lost migrant make their way south, eventually? Anyone know or have interesting anecdotes?
Chris Heys
Jaffrey NH
Sent from my iPhone
> On Oct 26, 2019, at 10:42 PM, Josh <opihi...> wrote:
>
> Linda and MassBirders,
>
> The breeding range of this species extends all the way up to southeastern Alaska, where temperatures similar to what is forecast for tomorrow - 40s and rainy - are far from unknown, even during the summer.
>
> Back when I lived in North Carolina, a “Western” flycatcher, considered by most observers (but not the state bird records committee) to be a Pacific-Slope, was found in the central part of the state in mid-January. It continued in the area until a winter storm hit that produced over a foot of snow, and temperatures down to just above zero. So, when weather like that moves in - as it usually does at some point here in MA - the flycatcher will be in trouble, should it still be in this neighborhood. But that seems unlikely. (If it sticks around that long, even *I* might get to see it!)
>
> A few years after that flycatcher in NC, I was participating in a CBC in the same part of the state, and discovered an Empidonax. I wasn’t sure which species, but it turned out to be the state’s first Gray Flycatcher. It was seen on and off for nearly a month. While NC is certainly milder in weather than MA, the average January temperatures in Chatham County (where both of these Empids were found) are highs in the upper 40s, lows just below freezing; if anything, a bit colder than we’ll see tomorrow.
>
> Point being, Empids from the western US are capable of surviving the occasional cold spell, perhaps even more so than our usual eastern breeding species. I would not bet this bird's still being around for, say, Thanksgiving; but Halloween seems entirely possible….
>
> Good birding,
>
> Josh
>
>
> Joshua S. Rose, Ph.D.
> Amherst, MA
>
> Vice-president, Hampshire Bird Club
> https://hampshirebirdclub.org/ >
> Northeast Chapter head, Dragonfly Society of the Americas
> https://www.dragonflysocietyamericas.org/northeastdsa >
> http://bugguide.net/user/view/2399 > https://www.facebook.com/opihi >
>
>> On Oct 26, 2019, at 5:56 PM, linda pivacek <lpivacek...> wrote:
>>
>> Thanks to Joe Oliverio for finding this rarity, and so many others providing info/data. I'm hoping to look for this gem on Monday with mixed emotions.
>> I have concerns about the survival of this "off course" migrant, the usual 90 degrees. Perhaps a feeder with worms could help this bird, however low temperatures may not make it possible for survival.
>> Linda
>>
>> Linda Pivacek, Nahant.
>> <lpivacek...>
>>>
>
The breeding range of this species extends all the way up to southeastern Alaska, where temperatures similar to what is forecast for tomorrow - 40s and rainy - are far from unknown, even during the summer.
Back when I lived in North Carolina, a “Western” flycatcher, considered by most observers (but not the state bird records committee) to be a Pacific-Slope, was found in the central part of the state in mid-January. It continued in the area until a winter storm hit that produced over a foot of snow, and temperatures down to just above zero. So, when weather like that moves in - as it usually does at some point here in MA - the flycatcher will be in trouble, should it still be in this neighborhood. But that seems unlikely. (If it sticks around that long, even *I* might get to see it!)
A few years after that flycatcher in NC, I was participating in a CBC in the same part of the state, and discovered an Empidonax. I wasn’t sure which species, but it turned out to be the state’s first Gray Flycatcher. It was seen on and off for nearly a month. While NC is certainly milder in weather than MA, the average January temperatures in Chatham County (where both of these Empids were found) are highs in the upper 40s, lows just below freezing; if anything, a bit colder than we’ll see tomorrow.
Point being, Empids from the western US are capable of surviving the occasional cold spell, perhaps even more so than our usual eastern breeding species. I would not bet this bird's still being around for, say, Thanksgiving; but Halloween seems entirely possible….
> On Oct 26, 2019, at 5:56 PM, linda pivacek <lpivacek...> wrote:
>
> Thanks to Joe Oliverio for finding this rarity, and so many others providing info/data. I'm hoping to look for this gem on Monday with mixed emotions.
> I have concerns about the survival of this "off course" migrant, the usual 90 degrees. Perhaps a feeder with worms could help this bird, however low temperatures may not make it possible for survival.
> Linda
>
> Linda Pivacek, Nahant.
> <lpivacek...>
>>
Date: 10/26/19 5:28 pm From: GLENN D'ENTREMONT <gdentremont1...> Subject: Re: [MASSBIRD] Manx Shearwaters, East of Chatham
The manx number might be an all time one day high although there might be one 4 digit day from a few years ago (?).
Glenn
Glenn d'Entremont: <gdentremont1...> Stoughton, MA
> On October 26, 2019 at 5:37 PM Peter Trull <petrull...> wrote: > > > Massbirders, > > Had a beautiful 7 hour day yesterday in the calm waters east of Chatham and running a tad north to the waters off Nauset. Three species of shearwaters were hard to find but one was omnipresent, in huge numbers. Manx shearwaters were seen in large rafts, numbering from 20 to over a hundred throughout the day, It was most impressive. > > List is below. > > > > https://ebird.org/checklist/S60927648 > > > > Peter Trull > > Brewster, > > <petrull...> > > > > Sent from Mail https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=550986 for Windows 10 > > >
Date: 10/26/19 3:30 pm From: judy parrot-willis <jep_willis...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Another first at feeders
First of Fall season, a pair of Dark-eyed Juncos arrived today, foraging at the base of one feeder, now mingling w/the other new arrivals as of yesterday, a pair of WTHS. Guess IT'S coming! Judy P-WillisNorth Andover
Thanks to Joe Oliverio for finding this rarity, and so many others providing info/data. I'm hoping to look for this gem on Monday with mixed emotions. I have concerns about the survival of this "off course" migrant, the usual 90 degrees. Perhaps a feeder with worms could help this bird, however low temperatures may not make it possible for survival. Linda
Date: 10/26/19 2:35 pm From: Peter Trull <petrull...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Manx Shearwaters, East of Chatham
Massbirders,
Had a beautiful 7 hour day yesterday in the calm waters east of Chatham and running a tad north to the waters off Nauset. Three species of shearwaters were hard to find but one was omnipresent, in huge numbers. Manx shearwaters were seen in large rafts, numbering from 20 to over a hundred throughout the day, It was most impressive.
List is below.
From: Frank Bowrys <frank_bowrys...> Subject: Re: [MASSBIRD] Pacific-Slope Flycatcher update Date: Sat, 26 Oct 2019 13:45:46 +0000
Calling actively in a 200 foot section about 400 feet south of the access road. I was fortunate enough to see it clearly twice and see it call twice. First on a bush about 6 feet off the ground where it was bobbing its tail. I could see wing bars but not the head. Then it flew right and we lost it. I then saw it perched on a vine, or a tree that grew like a vine, about 4 feet off the ground, for about 15 seconds where I could see the eyering. It called again and flew directly away to the east and down into the thickets.
________________________________ From: <massbird-approval...> <massbird-approval...> on be= half of <danafox...> <danafox...> Sent: Saturday, October 26, 2019 7:42:40 AM To: 'Josh' <opihi...>; 'massbird' <massbird...> Subject: RE: [MASSBIRD] Pacific-Slope Flycatcher update
Josh,
Thank you so much for a detailed report. Taking so much time to give this information is truly appreciated.
Thank you so much for a detailed report. Taking so much time to give this information is truly appreciated.
Dana
From: <massbird-approval...> <massbird-approval...> On Behalf Of Josh
Sent: Saturday, October 26, 2019 12:01 AM
To: massbird <massbird...>
Subject: [MASSBIRD] Pacific-Slope Flycatcher update
Joe, Dana, and other interested MassBirders,
The Pacific-Slope Flycatcher was intermittently present but very uncooperative in Hadley this afternoon. So far as I can tell, after its original detection by Joe Oliverio on Wednesday, there have only been two really clear and satisfactory sightings, once around 8 AM or so:
Outside of those two dazzling reports, eBird is full of comments ranging from “I managed a few crappy shots ... The photos were distant and in terrible light and lightening them up seems to have washed most of the color out” (L. Therrien) through "Calling frequently and even sang once, but very difficult to see” (L. Waters & J. Eckerson), "Not confident enough to call on such a brief look” (J. Bourget & N. Tepper), “the look was so fleeting I don’t feel great about counting it…. Bird in view for less than a second” (J. Offerman), “Difficult to see this morning. Bird was calling quite a bit, but very elusive” (S. Surner), on up to "prob the worst lifer experience i could have” (J. Lawson).
It sounds like at least a few people heard about and looked for the flycatcher on Thursday, but either struck out completely, or heard it sporadically and did not see it at all.
Just to make things more fun, a Wood-Pewee (presumably a late Eastern?) was in the same vicinity as the PSFL, sowing the occasional moment of confusion. As if the swarms of Yellow-rumps and kinglets didn’t create enough...
I was only able to stop by for about half an hour, roughly 515-545 PM, and neither saw nor heard any species of flycatcher during that time. I was hoping that at least I could serve as the sacrificial birder and summon the bird for other people by departing, as I did on both of my failed attempts at the LeConte’s Sparrow in Deerfield earlier this month, but apparently it didn’t work this time.
But the bird was, at least, around, even if not very cooperative. Hopefully it will remain in town for a while…
Date: 10/25/19 9:44 pm From: Barbara Volkle <barb620...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] October 25, 2019 Rock Meadow Belmont, Tropical Kingbird photo gallery
Thanks to Matt S. for this post.
Barbara Volkle Northborough, MA <barb620...>
*
From: "Matt S." <accipiter22...> Date: Fri, 25 Oct 2019 23:13:31 -0400 Subject: October 25, 2019 Rock Meadow Belmont, Tropical Kingbird photo gallery
Hi All,
I just wanted to share this gallery of tropical kingbird photos I took today...I'll be adding a bunch more in the next couple days, but this is what I've posted so far:
Outside of those two dazzling reports, eBird is full of comments ranging from “I managed a few crappy shots ... The photos were distant and in terrible light and lightening them up seems to have washed most of the color out” (L. Therrien) through "Calling frequently and even sang once, but very difficult to see” (L. Waters & J. Eckerson), "Not confident enough to call on such a brief look” (J. Bourget & N. Tepper), “the look was so fleeting I don’t feel great about counting it…. Bird in view for less than a second” (J. Offerman), “Difficult to see this morning. Bird was calling quite a bit, but very elusive” (S. Surner), on up to "prob the worst lifer experience i could have” (J. Lawson).
It sounds like at least a few people heard about and looked for the flycatcher on Thursday, but either struck out completely, or heard it sporadically and did not see it at all.
Just to make things more fun, a Wood-Pewee (presumably a late Eastern?) was in the same vicinity as the PSFL, sowing the occasional moment of confusion. As if the swarms of Yellow-rumps and kinglets didn’t create enough...
I was only able to stop by for about half an hour, roughly 515-545 PM, and neither saw nor heard any species of flycatcher during that time. I was hoping that at least I could serve as the sacrificial birder and summon the bird for other people by departing, as I did on both of my failed attempts at the LeConte’s Sparrow in Deerfield earlier this month, but apparently it didn’t work this time.
But the bird was, at least, around, even if not very cooperative. Hopefully it will remain in town for a while…
Date: 10/25/19 4:46 pm From: Barbara Volkle <barb620...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] First WTSP at feeder
Thanks to Judy Parrot-Willis for this report.
Barbara Volkle Northborough, MA <barb620...>
*
<jep_willis...> Fri, 25 Oct 2019 21:01:38 +0000 (UTC) First WTSP at feeder
Only heard one two days ago in the woods behind our house, but just gazed out at the feeder and a handsome adult was foraging below it. Today in Lawrence, I also found a dead Dark-eyed Junco on the entrance road to my eye MD's office/assuming from a window hit. Both firsts for this season here in the area for me but much better if BOTH were alive and well! Judy Parrot-Willis, North Andover
Date: 10/25/19 11:10 am From: Barbara Volkle <barb620...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] First Juncos and More, Westwood, Oct. 25
Thanks to Walt Webb for the following report.
Barbara Volkle Northborough, MA <barb620...>
*
From: "Walt Webb" <wwebb24...> Subject: First Juncos and More, Westwood, Oct. 25 Date: Fri, 25 Oct 2019 12:42:16 -0400
I keep a yearly record of when the first Juncos arrive and depart. Right on schedule, two of them arrived today under my mixed bird feeder. Joining them at the feeding station were two White-throated Sparrows, two Carolina Wrens, and on the suet a bright male Red-bellied Woodpecker. This makes a total so far of 15 visiting species.
Date: 10/25/19 10:56 am From: Barbara Volkle <barb620...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] October 25, 2019 Rock Meadow, Belmont Tropical Kingbird - YES
From: "Matt S." <accipiter22...> Date: Fri, 25 Oct 2019 11:09:55 -0400 Subject: October 25, 2019 Rock Meadow, Belmont Tropical Kingbird - YES
Hi All,
I'm working from home today since I'm sick, and saw that the kingbird was still around. I decided to take an early lunch and see if I could find it; which I did. Fortunately, my hacking and wheezing didn't scare it off. The bird is making the rounds at the sheep pen with the electric fence around it, sallying out to catch things, or onto the ground to get grasshoppers. It's gorging pretty good, hopefully, to fuel up for a flight south.
I'll post a gallery of photos later...I went a little crazy and got 800+ photos that I need to sort through. I figure I'll probably never see another in Massachusetts so I should use my cameras buffer & high frame-rate for something.
Date: 10/25/19 9:05 am From: Barbara Volkle <barb620...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Information on purple gallinule treated at Tufts Wildlife Clinic
Thanks to Marcia Dunham for passing this along.
Barbara Volkle Northborough, MA <barb620...>
*
Hi Barbara, This is the final narrative of the purple gallinule's treatment as a patient at Cummings Wildlife Center. Thanks for passing it along. Marcia Dunham Dedham, MA
I understand that you have been in touch with our veterinarians, and they shared the sad news about the purple gallinule. As promised, I wanted to send you a more formal statement on the bird’s injuries and treatment at Tufts Wildlife Clinic. Do you mind letting me know where you plan to post/distribute?
It’s always so difficult in these situations, but please know we greatly appreciate the support of the community and their compassion toward the wildlife they encounter. Please let me know if there is anything else you need from us.
Best,
Tara
/On Tuesday, October 22, an injured juvenile purple gallinule was admitted to Tufts Wildlife Clinic at Cummings Veterinary Medical Center at Tufts University in North Grafton. The purple gallinule is a medium-sized marsh bird usually found in the southeastern U.S. Purple gallinules are a rare sight, appearing in Massachusetts every few years. The most recent documented sightings of this bird species were on Nantucket in May 2017 and in the Westborough area in Fall 2015./
/This juvenile bird was first seen and reported by birders in Milton, MA, on Sunday, October 20. On Tuesday, when the bird appeared unable to move, a concerned private citizen captured it and brought it to Tufts Wildlife Clinic. Veterinarians found the bird alert, but thin. Preliminary examination revealed a keel fracture and mobility problems in both legs, likely caused by collision with a motor vehicle. After stabilizing the bird with pain medication and supportive care, further diagnostic radiographs (x-rays) were taken on Wednesday, October 23. Unfortunately the images revealed multiple keel fractures, a wing fracture and bilateral dislocated hips. Sadly these injuries would not be repairable or allow the bird to regain full mobility or flight. While the Clinic’s primary goal is always to treat and release its patients back into the wild, due to the severity of the injuries, the difficult but humane decision to euthanize the bird was made./
--
Taraneh Pettinato
Associate Director of Media Relations
Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University
Date: 10/25/19 8:52 am From: Sean Williams <seanbirder...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Pacific-slope Flycatcher, Hadley now 10/25
Hello all,
Currently there is a Pacific-slope Flycatcher calling and showing off and on in Hadley. Joe Oliverio originally found and photographed the bird, which suggested a “western“ flycatcher. Today it was vocalizing, which helped confirm it as a Pacific-slope. It is along route 47, across from its intersection with Huntington Road. A pin of the intersection can be found here-
From that intersection, walk toward the river along a wide trail and just down the hill, on the left side (south side) is a crude trail. Walk out into the open floodplain. It was seen and calling anywhere within the first few hundred feet, from within the thickets on the left that are at a slightly higher elevation above the floodplain. It is moving around a fair amount, so if no one is currently on it, I would recommend people spread out along those thickets and listen for the ting call or the pseeweet call.
Date: 10/25/19 6:59 am From: Josh <opihi...> Subject: Re: [MASSBIRD] Chebacco Woods & Pond Complex, Oct 24, 2019
Hi Jim and MassBirders - Over the past few weeks, I’ve heard a number of Song Sparrows (maybe a few White-throats as well) singing mutant songs, often unrecognizable as their own species until I saw the bird in question. From what I’ve learned in various ornithology and animal behavior classes, these are most likely young birds still learning their species’ distinctive sound. But we might have to ask Don Kroodsma, maybe even play a recording for him, to know for certain…
> On Oct 24, 2019, at 11:50 PM, Jim Berry <jim.berry3...> wrote:
>
> Song Sparrow 1 singing weakly and unsteadily--a young bird or an adult who'd lost his hormones?
Date: 10/25/19 5:08 am From: Phil Brown <ecocmail...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] ECOC Meeting Reminder - Friday, November 01 - 7:45pm - The Evolution of Beauty
Friday, Nov. 1, 7:45 pm The Evolution of Beauty ECOC meeting 7:30–7:45 pm
Do birds appreciate beauty? Drawing from his award-winning and provocative book, The Evolution of Beauty, Yale Univ. ornithologist Richard Prum looks at how “a taste for beauty,” has guided the development of the extraordinary ornamentation we see in the animal world.
A book signing for The Evolution of Beauty: How Darwin’s Forgotten Theory of Mate Choice Shapes the Animal World—and Us follows the program. This event is made possible by The Lowell Institute and a generous donation from Joanie and Tim Ingraham made in memory of beloved ECOC member Dotty Brown. Cosponsored by PEM.
Morse Auditorium, Peabody Essex Museum. Free and open to the public.
Date: 10/24/19 8:54 pm From: Jim Berry <jim.berry3...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Chebacco Woods & Pond Complex, Oct 24, 2019
Chebacco Woods & Pond Complex, Hamilton-Wenham Oct 24, 2019 9:30 AM - 12:00 PM Protocol: Traveling 3.6 mile(s) Checklist Comments: I took part in a Greenbelt walk here, led by Kathy Lanois and Jane Rumrill. We took a 3.6-mile loop along or around several of the ponds Including Coy Pond over by Gordon College. The walk took the first two hours, but since I did not see any pied-billed grebes on the ponds, I took another half-hour to check other ponds for them and finally found one at Chebacco Lake. Distance is for the walk only. 16 species
Mallard 2 Pied-billed Grebe 1 west end of Chebacco Lake--a low number for late October! Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 2 Gordon College Osprey 1 Beck Pond Red-tailed Hawk 2 Red-bellied Woodpecker 1 Pileated Woodpecker 1 Blue Jay 13 American Crow 2 Black-capped Chickadee 1 Tufted Titmouse 1 White-breasted Nuthatch 1 American Goldfinch 2 Song Sparrow 1 singing weakly and unsteadily--a young bird or an adult who'd lost his hormones? Rusty Blackbird 10 I heard a few (maybe 10 or so) with the first grackle flock we saw between Beck and Round Ponds, their squeaky songs even squeakier than the grackles' squeaky songs. After that I didn't hear any more. Common Grackle 1900 Give or take a few hundred. Several large flocks, the largest about 1300 near Chebacco Lake. I did not see any redwings or cowbirds with them, just grackles and a few rusties.
Thanks - keep up the good work. I'm glad it wasn't "just me"!!
Janet Sherwood
> On October 24, 2019 at 7:20 PM Barbara Volkle <barb620...> wrote: > > > The software that runs massbird needs to be replaced. It's fixed for now, working on replacement. > > Barbara Volkle > Northborough, MA > <barb620...> mailto:<barb620...> > > * > > > On 10/24/2019 6:22 PM, Tom Collins wrote: > > > > Sorry for the late report but for the last twwo weeks I keep getting hundreds of the same messages from Massbird. I not sure if it is on my end or the Massbird software. > > > > > > >
Date: 10/24/19 4:24 pm From: Barbara Volkle <barb620...> Subject: Re: [MASSBIRD] Repeat messages from Massbird.
The software that runs massbird needs to be replaced. It's fixed for now, working on replacement.
Barbara Volkle Northborough, MA <barb620...>
*
On 10/24/2019 6:22 PM, Tom Collins wrote: > Sorry for the late report but for the last twwo weeks I keep getting > hundreds of the same messages from Massbird. I not sure if it is on my > end or the Massbird software. >
Date: 10/24/19 3:55 pm From: linda pivacek <lpivacek...> Subject: Re: [MASSBIRD] Repeat messages from Massbird.
me too. also was wondering if it is "just me".
Thank you Tom. And sorry for your recent health challenges.
Linda
Linda Pivacek, Nahant
<lpivacek...>
On October 24, 2019 at 6:22 PM Tom Collins <tcbirder...> wrote:
BarbSorry for the late report but for the last twwo weeks I keep getting hundreds of the same messages from Massbird. I not sure if it is on my end or the Massbird software.I have been out of commission for a some time due to medical problems thus this late notification to you .Perhaps you can look into it and see what the glitch might be.Thank you so much,Tom CollinsPittsfield, <Ma.tcbirder...>
Date: 10/24/19 3:26 pm From: Tom Collins <tcbirder...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Repeat messages from Massbird.
Barb
Sorry for the late report but for the last twwo weeks I keep getting hundreds of the same messages from Massbird. I not sure if it is on my end or the Massbird software.
I have been out of commission for a some time due to medical problems thus this late notification to you .
Perhaps you can look into it and see what the glitch might be.
Thank you so much,
Tom Collins
Pittsfield, Ma.
<tcbirder...>
Date: 10/24/19 2:06 pm From: <phawk254...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Sad News Regarding Steve Olson from the Hawk Watch at Wachusett Mtn.
Steve Olson of Holden, MA, who became the site coordinator for the Wachusett Mountain Hawk Watch in 2006 and went on to serve as President of the Eastern Massachusetts Hawk Watch, passed away on Tuesday, October 24 following a long illness. Steve welcomed beginning hawk watchers and general visitors to the Wachusett summit while he was conducting hawk counts, establishing a sense of community and friendship with people from many states and countries. He taught them a bit about the incredible migration and birds they might witness on the mountain and invited them back to see it better next time. Many came back, to see Steve and the hawks, creating an extended family of hawk watchers. He, and soon his colleague Rod Chase, greatly expanded the hours of coverage each season at Wachusett to enable it to better serve as a barometer for raptor migration and raptor population trends in the northeast. The year 2013 was particularly special when Steve, Rod and others counted more than 35,000 Broad-winged Hawks over Wachusett for the season, including 14,471 on Sept. 15 and 12, 272 on Sept 18. Steve will be missed.... and long remembered. His wife Kathy and the Olson family are planning a memorial service for this Saturday. His obituary and details can be seen at the funeral home web site:http://www.milesfuneralhome.com .
Date: 10/24/19 12:26 pm From: Leslie Miller <lmiller...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Invitation to Chris Leahy's Author Talk & Book Signing on Mongolia on Thurs, Nov 7, 2019 7-9pm
Please join Chris Leahy for an author talk, slideshow and book signing on Mongolia: the Last Wilderness Nation. Mongolia is home to abundant wildlife and some of the world's rarest birds. Chris Leahy is an expert naturalist and birder, as well as a Mass Audubon tour leader and former staff member, and he has been exploring Mongolia since 1982. He will be signing copies of his new field guide, The Birds of Mongolia, the first of its kind to be published.
This event will be held on Thursday, November 7, 2019, from 7:00-9:00 p.m., at Mass Audubon's Drumlin Farm Nature Center, 208 South Great Road, Lincoln, MA 01773. This event is open to the public, free to Mass Audubon members and staff; $5 to non-members. For more information or to register, please call the Audubon Shop at 781-259-2214 or use the program catalog on our website, www.massaudubon.org
More about the author: Christopher W. Leahy holds the Gerard A. Bertrand Chair of Natural History and Field Ornithology (emeritus) at the Massachusetts Audubon Society. He served as Director of Mass Audubon's Center for Biological Conservation from 1985 to 2001. His interests in natural history are comprehensive, and he is a recognized authority on birds and insects. Chris has designed and led natural history explorations to over 80 countries on all of the continents.
Hope to see you there!
Regards, Leslie Miller phone 781-259-2211 <lmiller...> Audubon Shop Mass Audubon 208 South Great Road Lincoln, MA 01773 Open Tuesday-Sunday 10:00 am-5:00 pm Closed Mondays & Open Monday Holidays
Date: 10/24/19 6:15 am From: Anthony Hill <anhinga13...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Rufous in the Berkshires
Good Morning,
On Tuesday morning I went to New Ashford, MA, (N of Pittsfield) and banded a hatching-year (HY) female Rufous Hummingbird. Greg Ward from Great Barrington joined me there, and he has posted to eBird, as has the homeowner Bette Phelps. The bird has been returning to the feeder since the banding, and considerate visitors are welcome. Morning visits have been the most productive.
The address is 17 Route 7 (Williamstown Road) in New Ashfield (N 42.590113. W 0723.249966 is best bet). Visitors are OK, and are asked to stay away from the house; there is a feeder below the house on a pole in the yard that the bird has been visiting and people should focus on that. The driveway up from Rt 7 is narrow and parking at the house should be reserved for the homeowners. One option would be for people to carpool from the Mount Greylock parking lot, just down the road. Morning visits have been the most productive.
Anthony Hill S. Hadley, MA
Anthony Hill Certified Trainer, Passerines and Hummingbirds Co-Chair, Hummingbird Working Group North American Banding Council (http://www.nabanding.net) Coordinator, Appledore Island Migration Station
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It looks like we may get another break in the weather this weekend, so we've scheduled another Chatham mini-pelagic (possibly the last of the year - we'll see) for this Saturday, 10/26, leaving the Chatham Fish Pier at 8:00 a.m. and returning about noon, with a cost of $110/person. If interested let me know a.s.a.p.
Date: 10/24/19 5:26 am From: Henrietta Yelle <hyelle...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Yes Tropical Kingbird still in Belmont 10/24 8:20am
Just seen northwest corner of community gardens Rock Meadow
Henrietta Yelle
Lexington MA
On Oct 23, 2019 10:15 AM, Robert D Scott <rscott...> wrote:
The Tropical Kingbird continues this morning (0805-0845 at least) at Rock Meadow in Belmont. Seen well on the woven wire sheep meadow fence. Thanks to Scott who got me on the bird when I was scanning trees in the other direction.
Observation start time: 09:00:00 Observation end time: 14:30:00 Total observation time: 5.5 hours
Official Counter: Rod Chase
Observers: Daryl Turek, Dave Brown, Eric Mueller, JoAnne Hart, Marty McNamara, Rod Chase
Visitors: No mobs today except one boisterous group of students who were exiting the summit as I was walking up. Timing can be everything! Otherwise the slow flow of friendly people who were all happy to interact and were in no hurry to leave the pretty views. One couple left, got clothes from their car and returned to the tower.
Weather: Winds 5-15 [gusts 20mph] at start. 11am saw increase to 10-20mph [g 25] until backing off at 2pm to 0-15 mph. Direction NNW until last half hour's W. Cloud cover was always changing as mini-fronts of drier air kept blowing in: up and down from 30-60-40-60-50-30%. Humidity dropped thru the day from 78% to 47%. Visibility over haze was 15mi thru noon, 30mi thru the afternoon.
Raptor Observations: Raptor-related? No... I suspect the AK at 10:55 and the RT at 1:19 were not related.
Not so sure about the 3 local RTs. (David noted one was a 'pale male.') Also had 1 CH.
Non-raptor Observations: Common Ravens 7, Jays and Juncos.
No monarchs.
Predictions: Sunny Sixty-three Southwest wind 5-9 gusts 24. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Rod Chase (<rodchase...>) Wachusett Mountain information may be found at: http://www.massbird.org/emhw
Observation start time: 08:15:00 Observation end time: 11:30:00 Total observation time: 2.75 hours
Official Counter: Rod Chase
Observers: Daryl Turek, Eric Mueller, Levi Burford Visitors: I went up today fearing the weather forecast but happy to meet Levi Burford from Pack Monadnock. He currently is the counter there 5 days a week and offered to come visit on his "weekend." A few hours of enjoying the updates on each site, trading names of folks we've both met and guessing about the effects of climate change on the migration routes of northeastern raptors. I totally enjoyed this otherwise 'slow' day! We crossed paths with a few hikers and others but the hill was mostly empty -- peacefully foggy.
Eric Mueller and Daryl Turek on the watch today ... unfortunately, neither saw the day's 4 birds but did get a chance to enjoy Levi's company for a bit also.
Weather: Wind from NE all day: 3-5mph/5-8kpm from start to 11am and 5-8m/8-13k thereafter.Temp 45F/7K rose to 48/9 by 11am and on. Fog (100% cloud cover) was around all thru our shortened day. Summit visibility was 100 yds and we resorted to checking various lookouts below the summit. North lookout provided 5 mi. view and an immediate Osprey going by close, flapping with the tailwind. Local passerines held our attention as the next low cloud blew in. A check at the top was no better so Levi (mentioned below) decided to head out. We stopped to talk with Eric and Daryl who had walked down the road -- also seeking visibility. I stopped at the higher ski slope and found 2-4 mile window to peer thru. Three Sharp-shinned hawks graced my view between 11 and 11:30 as the next fog layer was blowing in... at least these birds passed very close! Oh ... weather: humidity 100% at start and 93% at end; Barometer 30.16 to 30.11.
Raptor Observations: OS 9:57 from NE, passed close to North and turned SW. SS 2 at 10:59 SS 1 at 11:10. All passed from N on east side of hill.
One local Cooper's hawk was chasing the last SS then turned back north.
Non-raptor Observations: Levi checked out and photographed bush-birds while we both enjoyed the company and the conversations on this mostly foggy day. Yes, we've both seen many like this.
Predictions: Showers before 8am, fog before 9am. Cloudy thru mid-morning then gradually clearing. High near 63, west wind 5-15mph with gusts to 25. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Rod Chase (<rodchase...>) Wachusett Mountain information may be found at: http://www.massbird.org/emhw
Observation start time: 10:00:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 6 hours
Official Counter: Craig Jackson
Observers: Jack Miano
Weather: Moderate - strong (2-3) Northwest - West Northwest winds most of day (gusts up to level 4); approx 15°C throughout; cloud cover 90-15%
Raptor Observations: small movement of raptors Non-migrating -- 3-4 adult Bald Eagles; 2 Red-tailed Hawks; 1 apparent American Kestrel (dive-bombed "local" Bald Eagle)
First two hours of watch done by Jack Miano (not official counter); rest done by official counter [different thermometers, clocks, and wind speed indicators]
Non-raptor Observations: 49 migrating Canada Geese ======================================================================== Report submitted by Craig Jackson (<crleja1949...>)
Date: 10/23/19 2:11 pm From: David Moon <dmoon...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Plum Island 10-23-2019
Sean Riley and I led Wednesday Morning Birding From Joppa Flats Education Center today. We watched the rain end from the lobby, then sunny/cloudy skies with moderate cool breeze ensued. The Main Panne has become a wonderful high tide roost! The birds are close and you can hear them vocalize. When the tide drops they are gone. The bittern at Hellcat performed beautifully. Note we have changed our trip to Cape Anne from 11/13 to 11/20. We will be back out as usual next Wednesday from Joppa.
Our list:
Mute Swan (3)
Mallard - common.
American Black Duck - common.
Northern Pintail (~ 40) Stage Island pool; 3, Bill Forward Pool (BFP); 35+.
Green-winged Teal (100's) BFP.
Common Eider (~ 30) Emmerson Rocks.
White-winged Scoter - common, scattered abundantly over ocean from parking lot #7 platform.
Black Scoter - see above.
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Black-bellied Plover (5) - pannes.
Semipalmated Plover (~30) - Main Panne.
Sanderling (1) - parking lot #7 beach.
Dunlin (~40) - Main Panne.
White-rumped Sandpiper (7) - Main Panne.
Semipalmated Sandpiper (5) - Main Panne.
Western Sandpiper (1) - Main Panne.
Greater Yellowlegs (~30) - various.
Ring-billed Gull (1) - parking lot #7 beach.
Herring Gull - common.
Great Black-backed Gull (2) - Parking lot #7 beach, North Marsh.
Common Loon (2) Emmerson Rocks.
Northern Gannet (~30) - Parking lot #7 ocean.
Double-crested Cormorant - common, many migrating skeins.
American Bittern (1) - Hellcat Dike in North Pool.
Great Blue Heron(1) - North Pool.
Great Egret (~15) - various.
Turkey Vulture (5) - various.
Red-tailed Hawk [1] - Pink House.
Merlin (1) - Hellcat parking lot.
Peregrine Falcon (2) - Nuke siren.
Blue Jay (~4) Hellcat parking lot.
American Crow (2) - Plum Island.
American Robin (3) - various.
Northern Mockingbird (2) - Plum Island.
European Starling - common.
Savannah Sparrow (1) - Wardens.
Nashville Warbler (1) - Wardens.
Yellow-rumped Warbler (2) - Wardens.
David Moon
Sanctuary Director
he/him/his
Joppa Flats Education Center
Mass Audubon
1 Plum Island Turnpike
Newburyport, MA 01950
978-462-9998
www.massaudubon.org/joppaflats<http://www.massaudubon.org/joppaflats>
You can't be suspicious of a tree, or accuse a bird or a squirrel of subversion or challenge the ideology of a violet. - Hal Borland
Date: 10/23/19 9:10 am From: Mark Rosenstein <mar...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Danehy Park, Cambridge, Oct 23, 2019
Only two people joined Karsten Hartel and I this rainy morning for our weekly walk through this urban park. The first hour was dark and wet, but eventually the weather relented and we got a decent list. The sparrow show was good with both White-crowned and Clay-colored showing up. We tried, but could not find any warblers other than a single Common Yellowthroat. Lots of Ruby-crowed Kinglets, and a nice pair of Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers.
Next week will be our final week this fall at Danehy Park.
-Mark Rosenstein Cambridge, MA <mar...>
-------- Forwarded Message --------
Subject:
eBird Report - Danehy Park, Cambridge, Oct 23, 2019
Date:
Wed, 23 Oct 2019 11:39:40 -0400 (EDT)
From:
<ebird-checklist...>
To:
<mar...>
Danehy Park, Cambridge, Middlesex, Massachusetts, US Oct 23, 2019 7:30 AM - 10:21 AM Protocol: Traveling 1.106 mile(s) Checklist Comments: Menotomy Bird Club & Brookline Bird Club trip co-led with Karsten Hartel. Intermittent rain for the first hour, but it eventually cleared and lightened up. 34 species
Date: 10/23/19 7:12 am From: Robert D Scott <rscott...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Tropical Kingbird still in Belmont 10/23 a.m.
The Tropical Kingbird continues this morning (0805-0845 at least) at Rock Meadow in Belmont. Seen well on the woven wire sheep meadow fence. Thanks to Scott who got me on the bird when I was scanning trees in the other direction.
Observation start time: 09:15:00 Observation end time: 14:45:00 Total observation time: 5.5 hours
Official Counter: Rod Chase
Observers: Bill Rasku, Eric Mueller
Visitors: Observing and counting: Eric Mueller and Bill Rasku.
Hundreds of people and dogs on the summit including a steady flow from the ski lift who were enjoying the AppleFest down below. A wonderful mix of faces and languages.
Weather: Wind was from SE at 5mph early then switched to S and 2-4mph at 11am and 0-2 by noon. At 12:45 the breeze surged back to 5mph for half an hour. When the wind died down again so did today's flight. There were 2 SSs that passed an hour later. Cloud cover 50% at start but 100% by 11am and for the rest of the day. Visibility at start was 10mi to N-SW but 5 mi from S to NE. At 12:30 this format was reversed 180 degrees: Boston now visible while Greylock & Stratton were "gone."
Raptor Observations: Start was slow, from 11am-1pm was a steady flow, then after 1pm there were only 2 to go. Of note: 2 NH and 1 BV passed thru today - 1 Harrier was the first bird of the day and 2nd was the last bird of the morning. BV at 12:20 was travelling close to 4 TVs. Noted by Eric: nearly all raptors passed on South side of the summit today.
Locals: 1 BE imm. stayed far to north; TV 1; RT 2.
Predictions: n/a. Delayed posting. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Rod Chase (<rodchase...>) Wachusett Mountain information may be found at: http://www.massbird.org/emhw
Date: 10/22/19 11:18 am From: William Freedberg <4mrfish...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Tropical Kingbird continues Belmont 10/22
Updates for those who haven't yet gotten on this-- the kingbird was present on-and-off from 12:40-1pm (and for much of the morning) at Rock Meadow, by the sheep pen on the left a few hundred feet from the parking lot. Bill Lee and Ryan Doherty reported it had been feeding actively on crickets and grasshoppers and was regularly absent from the sheep pen for 20-30 minutes at a time in between feeding forays.
Date: 10/22/19 9:12 am From: Barbara Volkle <barb620...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] more on Purple Gallinule
Thanks to Marshall Iliff for the following.
From Marshall Iliff:
Purple Gallinule was in bad shape in the road this morning and has been taken in for care at Tufts. Thanks to all for making this such a positive experience for the neighborhood. Hopefully the bird will be okay.
Date: 10/22/19 7:18 am From: Marcia Dunham <mdunhamma99...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Purple Gallinule No
Tom Kelley has transported puga this am to Tufts N Grafton with add"l leg injury from unknown source. Thanks to Tom for helping out. Marcia Dunham Dedham Ma
Date: 10/22/19 7:09 am From: newburyportbirders <newburyportbirders...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Waterfowl on Reservoirs - West Newbury
Birders,There are newly arrived ducks on the reservoirs.Cherry Hill: Ruddy DucksArtichoke: Ring-necked Ducks & a few scaup (hens)Good birding,SueSue McGrath <NewburyportNewburyportbirders...> Sent via the Samsung Galaxy S7, an AT&T 4G LTE smartphone
Observation start time: 09:00:00 Observation end time: 15:30:00 Total observation time: 6.5 hours
Official Counter: Rod Chase
Observers: Daryl Turek, Eric Mueller, Rod Chase
Visitors: Lisa Stanley helped with the count for over an hour. Welcome and thank you. Also several visitors who were excited to point out possible migrants. Quite a congenial group where facts and knowledge passed both ways. Welcome and thank you again.
Weather: Wind speed thru noon was 3-5mph(5-8kph) with gusts of to 10(16). Noon hour saw increase to 5-10(8-16) with gusts to 15mph(24kpm) but only for an hour. Rest of day saw 0-5mph with the "5" representing the "gusts"! A NNE direction at the start, N from 10-11am and then NE for the rest of the day. Temps rose steadily from 49F(8.5C) to 60(15.5) at closing. With a strong sun this did n-o-t feel like October! Humidity drop from 80 to 60% helped clear some of the AM fog and mists. Cloud cover of 25% at start was quickly blown to the east -- 5% by 11am and 0% all afternoon. Visibility 15mi(24km) in the AM, 20(32) in the PM. Barometer 30.09 +/- .01 thru the day.
Raptor Observations: Thanks to spurts of Turkey Vultures our count is 84 and not '33.' Two Red-shouldered hawks added some spice and the accipiters and Red-tailed hawks thickened the broth. Of the 3 BEs migrating two were not aged due to distance and the haze.
Locals: RT 3; BE 1 was spotted 3 times, once far to SW, but always ended up north.
Non-raptor Observations: Common Ravens 13, Blue Jays, Juncos, Phoebe, Towhees and 27 Canada Geese.
Monarchs 2 Dragonflies (no id) 2.
Predictions: Possible light rain after 3pm. Otherwise, increasing cloudiness, high in mid-fifties, east wind 5-8 mph. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Rod Chase (<rodchase...>) Wachusett Mountain information may be found at: http://www.massbird.org/emhw
This morning, a homeowner at 118 Wood St shared that they found the bird with an injured leg yesterday evening. (They don’t think it was run over.) They have taken it inside and say it is more alert now and are in contact with folks who will likely direct them to a wildlife rehabilitator.
Date: 10/22/19 5:21 am From: Shilo McDonald <shilocm...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] American Bittern, Rowley, 10/21/19
Okay, so picture this... While at Hellcat, you bump into your friend Carol, who's scoping the North Pool for the Sora found by Tom Wetmore earlier in the day. Happy to see you, she starts telling you a very important birding story. And that's when it happens... Through your binoculars, you catch a glimpse - just a glimpse - of a pair of brown night-heron sized flapping wings just before they disappear under the reeds of the North Pool channel. So, you do what anyone would do, while Carol is in mid-sentence, probably even mid-word, you quickly turn away and start running towards the tower. Haha! :-D
I will always remember that as the moment I became a true Birder. ;-) Sorry Carol!
The bird had vanished. But, I wasn't giving up so easily. I quickly walked down the dike. Carol caught up and asked, "What did you see?"Scanning the edges of the reeds with my bins, "I think I saw a Bittern.""Do you want to use my scope?"My gaze stopping on the bird, "No, I see it. I found an American Bittern!"
eBird report with photos and an audio file too:https://ebird.org/checklist/S60834763
Text only version underneath my signature.
Mr. Shilo McDonald, Lynn, MassachusettsShiloCM at Yahoo dot com
Never doubt that a small thoughtful group of committed citizens can change the world, indeed it is the only thing that ever has. - Margaret Mead
Parker River NWR, Essex, Massachusetts, US
Oct 21, 2019 7:17 AM - 12:50 PM
Protocol: Traveling
5.0 mile(s)
Comments: Had a great time at Plum Island today. Bumped into Warren Tatro and Ava Streenstrup and Marjorie Watson. And finally met Dan Prima in person. Plus, I got to see my friend Carol too. And although I had a Life Bird, the Eurasian Wigeon was not today's highlight. While on the Hellcat Dike, I found an American Bittern! And it was close enough for my 200mm camera lens to capture pictures of it. :-)
50 species (+4 other taxa)
Canada Goose 10
Mute Swan 2 In the area of the Salt Pannes.
Northern Shoveler 2 Bill Forward Pool.
Eurasian Wigeon 1 First of Life! In the Salt Pannes. See photos.
American Wigeon 8 Salt Pannes.
Mallard 24
American Black Duck 40 Mostly in the Salt Pannes.
Northern Pintail 25 Bill Forward Pool.
Green-winged Teal 25 Bill Forward Pool.
Common Eider 10
White-winged Scoter 12 Ocean side of the Lot 2 parking lot.
Black Scoter 12 Ocean side of the Lot 6 parking lot.
duck sp. 200 In the Bill Forward Pool. Didn't ID them.
Mourning Dove 3
Black-bellied Plover 4 In the ocean side mud flats off the Stage Island Trail.
Semipalmated Plover 25 Salt Pannes.
Sanderling 12 Ocean side from the Lot 2 parking lot.
Dunlin 12
White-rumped Sandpiper 1 In the Sale Pannes.
Semipalmated Sandpiper 12 In the Salt Pannes.
Greater Yellowlegs 16 Seen in the Salt Pannes and while on the Stage Island Trail.
Ring-billed Gull 8
Herring Gull 12
Great Black-backed Gull 8
gull sp. 20 Various flybys. Didn't ID them.
Red-throated Loon 1 Seen twice. In the ocean off Lot 2 parking lot.
Northern Gannet 18 Seen oceanside from the Lot 2 and Lot 6 parking lots.
Double-crested Cormorant 10
American Bittern 1 I still can't believe I found this bird! See the photos!
Great Blue Heron 2
Great Egret 2
Turkey Vulture 2
Northern Harrier 2
Red-tailed Hawk 2
Downy Woodpecker 1 Heard only. While in the Hellcat parking lot.
Blue Jay 4
American Crow 2
Black-capped Chickadee 6 On the Stage Island Trail. And on the Lot 2 boardwalk.
Carolina Wren 1 Heard only. While in the Hellcat parking lot.
European Starling 5
Gray Catbird 1 Seen and heard.
Northern Mockingbird 1 Perched in a tree next to the Lot 6 parking lot.
American Robin 7
Cedar Waxwing 3 Heard only. Stage Island Trail.
House Finch 2
American Goldfinch 2
Vesper Sparrow 2 Seen and heard while on the Stage Island Trail. Flew from a bush/tree near the lookout platform, over me and the trail, all the way down to the hedgerow north side. Two Sparrows. Brown on top. Light underneath. White exterior tail feathers.
Song Sparrow 4 Stage Island Trail.
Swamp Sparrow 1 On the Stage Island Trail.
sparrow sp. 16 Heard, but never seen.
Common Grackle 2
blackbird sp. 26 Flock flew by, in the distance.
Yellow-rumped Warbler 2 One on Stage Island Trail. One on Lot 2 parking lot boardwalk.
Northern Cardinal 1
A small group of us birded Cuttyhunk Island on Saturday. With the forecast WNW winds overnight after a stretch of SW winds, the conditions seemed good for a day full of birds. We all expected to be flooded with Yellow-rumped Warblers, but were pleasantly surprised to have great warbler diversity without having to pick through 400+ Yellow-rumps...
Highlights from a collective 96 species over almost 9 hours: 16* warbler species headlined by a Townsend's Warbler that we found late in the day, just before it was time to head back to the dock. 11 sparrow species including a Lark Sparrow (found by Mike Sylvia just before we arrived) and 2 Grasshopper Sparrows 1 Yellow-breasted Chat -- which are surprisingly under-detected out here
Had my first white-throat in the backyard today. I had seen a couple several weeks ago at Salisbury State Reservation, but this was the first of the season in my yard (about 2 miles down the road from SSR). Always a pleasant bird to see!
Date: 10/21/19 9:11 am From: Stuart Walker <stuarttwalker...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Purple Gallinule yes
East Milton’s Purple Gallinule continues at 118 - 124 Wood St at 11:30 this morning, observed and photographed by about half a dozen people watching it from across the street. It made no attempt to hide, and once or twice came very close to the street. A neighbor said it appears to be eating grubs and worms, and is drinking and bathing in a small plastic bucket at the base of a downspout.
Date: 10/21/19 7:51 am From: Bob & Bonnie Buxton <bbxt...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Blue-headed Vireo in Merrimac Sunday
We had a beautiful Blue-headed Vireo visit the stream briefly yesterday afternoon, along with a couple of Yellow-rumps. We are hoping that perhaps the immature Red-headed Woodpecker spotted by Kyle Wilmarth yesterday might show up here! Kimball Farm is not far from here.... 'as the woodpecker flies'...
Good birding to all, Bonnie & Bob Buxton Merrimac, MA bbxt(AT)comcast.net
Passing through Wood's Hole yesterday late afternoon after fishing along the Vineyard, unusual bird caught my eye flying over area known as Penzance Point.
Sleek, long, pointed wings like a falcon, long tail like an accipiter, graceful flight with few wing flaps with quick movements, hovers, rapid tilts of the wings.
Got my binoculars on it, saw dark wings and tail, lighter body, no other significant markings. Watched it for 2 minutes at about 100 yards.
99% sure it was a Mississippi Kite. Pretty cool.
Doug Peebles
Cataumet
Further comments on FaceBook indicate that the gallinule has shown no fear nor awareness of auto traffic, and is skulking very close to the road, sometimes right by the sidewalk. Some of the passing traffic is driving frighteningly fast. One careless visitor trying to get just a *little* bit closer for a better look or photo could very easily spook the bird into the street and turn it into roadkill. The landowner has thus far been very friendly toward birders, but if the bird’s own survival is threatened by anyone’s behavior, his attitude is likely to change quickly….
> On Oct 20, 2019, at 7:47 PM, GLENN D'ENTREMONT <gdentremont1...> wrote:
>
> This neighborhood is NOT a place for a group. The streets are narrow and seem to be used as a way between East Milton Square and Squantum Street.
>
> Glenn
>
> Glenn d'Entremont: <gdentremont1...> Stoughton, MA
>
>
>> On October 20, 2019 at 4:57 PM Barbara Volkle <barb620...> wrote:
>>
>>
>> Thanks to Joe Bourget for this report via the Massachusetts Rare Bird
>> Alert on facebook.
>>
>> *
>>
>> Please be respectful of the neighborhood and others properties. Thank you.
>>
>> Learned late on the night of the 18th about an imm PURPLE GALLINULE in
>> front yard hedges at 124 and 118 Wood St., Milton, MA. Present a week or
>> so and still present today. Jeanie and Tom at 118 Wood St say it's ok
>> for birders to visit. Best to park on Alvin Ave. nearby and view from
>> opposite side of street, to give bird a little space, but it is super
>> confiding...
>>
>> Please use the stakeout hotspot when visiting this bird to consolidate
>> sightings and markers on map. Thank you!
>>
>>
>>
>> *
>>
>>
>> Barbara Volkle
>>
>>
>> Northborough, MA
>>
>>
>> <barb620...>
>>
Thanks to Strickland Wheelock for the following report.
Barbara Volkle Northborough, MA <barb620...>
*
Sunday 10/20/19 I headed north to bird the NH coastline and came across several unusual species in my scouting for a much later trip to the same area on 12/14.
Started at the Great Bay Discovery Center [many Bluebirds, a Swamp Sparrow, etc], then headed to Odiorne Point SP around 9 am where we encountered a nice variety of passerine species like Palm Warblers, Towhee, Yellow-rumps, etc along the coastal trail north of the Seacoast Science Center - then in the thickets, we heard the scolding call of a Chat but never could call out the bird. Here is the shocker - while trying to call in the Chat, I heard the clear call "No Hope" twice, shortly later it called again "No Hope" - the call of the Inca Dove - a very distinctive call from the SouthWest states.. We searched for this bird with no luck - hope someone can locate this rarity.
While scanning the ocean for sea ducks - mostly eiders, scoters, 1 Bufflehead - had a male King Eider swimming relatively close to shore with a group of W-W Scoters - great looks at all it's features Then off at a distance an alcid flew south low over the water [possible Puffin from profile?] Other species seen were Gannets, a Bald Eagle, Red-b & Common Loons, all 3 scoter species, etc
At Eel Pond, another highlight was an adult Lesser Blk-backed Gull mixed in with the other gulls - great comparisons in back color, size as it sat between Gt Blk-backed & Herring Gulls. Also in the pond were 2 Hooded Mergansers and 6 Ringed-necked Ducks
So very frustrating not seeing the Inca Dove or Chat but had several other nice species on this lovely weather day - guessing the 12/14th weather might be a little more challenging but looking forward to the winter mix of ducks, alcids, raptors & passerines that are found along the NH Coastline..........
Date: 10/20/19 7:19 pm From: Barbara Volkle <barb620...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] eBird Report - Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge, Oct 19, ,2019
Thanks to Walt Webb for the following report.
Barbara Volkle Northborough, MA <barb620...>
*
> To:<wwebb24...> > Sent: Sunday, October 20, 2019 3:53 PM > Subject: eBird Report - Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge, Oct 19, > 2019 > > >> Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge, Middlesex, Massachusetts, US >> Oct 19, 2019 1:22 PM - 4:54 PM >> Protocol: Traveling >> 2.0 mile(s) >> Comments: I chose as my contribution to eBird's "October Big Day" a >> place I hadn't been to in 10 years--the Great Meadows refuge (Concord >> Unit). My brother and I crossed the dike between both upper & lower pools >> & then circled most of the marsh. Sorry, I do not count birds unless they >> number 2 or 3. Anything more, I use the dreaded "X"! Sky clear, temp in >> low 50s. >> 19 species >> >> Canada Goose X >> Mallard X >> Great Blue Heron 3 One of the 3 great blues seen. This one was >> standing on a post in the upper pool. >> Northern Harrier 1 Flew across the Concord River into deep woods. >> Although the view was very brief, the very narrow brown wings in a V >> indicated to me either a juvenile or adult female harrier. >> Cooper's Hawk 1 Flew low directly in front of us through the woods. >> Very brief view. Its size and brown color indicated to me a possible >> juvenile Cooper's. >> Red-tailed Hawk 1 Flew out of the trees nearby being chased by a >> flock of American Crows across the upper pool to the opposite side. >> Red-bellied Woodpecker 3 Heard only. >> Downy Woodpecker 2 >> Northern Flicker 1 Heard only. >> Eastern Phoebe 1 >> Blue Jay X >> American Crow X Flock chased Red-tailed Hawk across the upper pool. >> Black-capped Chickadee 1 >> American Robin 1 Heard only. >> Song Sparrow 2 >> Swamp Sparrow X >> Red-winged Blackbird 1 >> Common Grackle X >> Yellow-rumped Warbler X >> >> View this checklist online athttps://ebird.org/checklist/S60789488 >> >> This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 >> (https://ebird.org/home) > Walt Webb > Westwood, MA > <wwebb24...>
Date: 10/20/19 6:31 pm From: Sue McGrath <newburyportbirders...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] American Pipits - Spencer-Peirce-Little Farm, Newbury - Sun., 10/20
Birders,
Paula McFarland and I led a walk this morning at Spencer-Peirce Little Farm in Newbury. It was a lovely autumnal morning in the field!
Spencer Peirce Little Farm - Oct 20, 2019 - 9:21 AM - Traveling - 1.33 miles - 102 mins:
200 Canada Goose 1 Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) - Almost all white 2 Mourning Dove 100 Killdeer 200 Double-crested Cormorant -- Flyovers & 6 in farm pond 1 Great Blue Heron 1 Turkey Vulture 1 Northern Harrier 1 Merlin 4 Blue Jay 2 American Crow 5 Tree Swallow 15 European Starling 1 Eastern Bluebird 6 American Pipit 1 House Finch 4 Chipping Sparrow 2 White-throated Sparrow 2 Savannah Sparrow 2 Song Sparrow 4 Northern Cardinal 1 Northern Flicker
Date: 10/20/19 6:27 pm From: Neil Hayward <opororniswarbler...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] BBC Field Trip to Plum Island–10/20
Dear Massbirders,
15 birders joined last night's guest speaker, Laura Erickson, for a
beautiful fall morning of birding with the Brookline Bird Club. We almost
recorded a half century of species, with a nice mix of late migrants
(including a very late pewee), and early winter visitors (Horned Grebes).
eBird checklist below.
Good birding,
–Neil
Neil Hayward
Cambridge, MA
Plum Island (please use more refined location), Essex, Massachusetts, US
20/10/2019 8:31 AM - 12:47 PM
Protocol: Traveling
9.413 mile(s)
Comments: BBC Field Trip with guest speaker, Laura Erickson. Led by
Neil Hayward.
49 species
Canada Goose 8
Mute Swan 3
Eurasian Wigeon 1
American Wigeon 20
Mallard 19
American Black Duck 46
Northern Pintail 5
Green-winged Teal 8
White-winged Scoter 22
Wild Turkey 5
Horned Grebe 4
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 8
Black-bellied Plover 3
Semipalmated Plover 25
Sanderling 5
Pectoral Sandpiper 1
Semipalmated Sandpiper 5
Long-billed Dowitcher 22 21 at North Pool Overlook, 1 at Hellcat.
Rounded backs.
Greater Yellowlegs 5
Herring Gull 36
Red-throated Loon 1
Common Loon 2
Northern Gannet 21
Double-crested Cormorant 600
Great Blue Heron 2
Great Egret 6
Cooper's Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Downy Woodpecker 1
Merlin 1
Eastern Wood-Pewee 1 Along road between Wardens and North Pool
Overlook. Flycatching. Dark Contopus flycatcher, with prominent buffy
wingbars, dusky vest, large bill with pink base to lower mandible, no
eye-ring and prominent crest. Silent. Photos.
Blue-headed Vireo 1
Blue Jay 6
American Crow 4
Black-capped Chickadee 2
Golden-crowned Kinglet 4
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1
European Starling 2
Northern Mockingbird 1
Hermit Thrush 1
American Robin 1
Cedar Waxwing 5
White-crowned Sparrow 1
White-throated Sparrow 3
Savannah Sparrow 4
Song Sparrow 3
Northern Parula 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler 32
Northern Cardinal 1
Date: 10/20/19 6:06 pm From: Linda Ferraresso <tattler1...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] BBC Walk Boston Nature Center Wildlife Sanctuary (Mass Audubon), Oct 19, 2019
It was cold crisp morning at the Boston Nature center on Saturday. Warblers were the star of the show - Savannah Sparrow was a notable miss.
Thanks to all for their good eyes and camaraderie!
Ciao, Linda
Boston Nature Center Wildlife Sanctuary (Mass Audubon), Suffolk, Massachusetts, US Oct 19, 2019 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM Protocol: Traveling 1.0 mile(s) Comments: BBC Walk 48 degrees, sunny 34 species
Canada Goose 18 Wild Turkey 12 Mourning Dove 12 Herring Gull 5 Double-crested Cormorant 45 Red-tailed Hawk 2 Red-bellied Woodpecker 2 Downy Woodpecker 2 Northern Flicker 1 Eastern Phoebe 1 Blue Jay 35 American Crow 4 Black-capped Chickadee 2 Tufted Titmouse 1 Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1 White-breasted Nuthatch 4 Carolina Wren 2 European Starling 7 Gray Catbird 2 Northern Mockingbird 4 American Robin 51 House Sparrow 1 House Finch 13 American Goldfinch 30 Chipping Sparrow 1 White-throated Sparrow 1 Song Sparrow 34 Swamp Sparrow 1 Common Grackle 155 Nashville Warbler 1 Palm Warbler 3 Yellow-rumped Warbler 25 Black-throated Green Warbler 1 Northern Cardinal 12
This neighborhood is NOT a place for a group. The streets are narrow and seem to be used as a way between East Milton Square and Squantum Street.
Glenn
Glenn d'Entremont: <gdentremont1...> Stoughton, MA
> On October 20, 2019 at 4:57 PM Barbara Volkle <barb620...> wrote: > > > Thanks to Joe Bourget for this report via the Massachusetts Rare Bird > Alert on facebook. > > * > > Please be respectful of the neighborhood and others properties. Thank you. > > Learned late on the night of the 18th about an imm PURPLE GALLINULE in > front yard hedges at 124 and 118 Wood St., Milton, MA. Present a week or > so and still present today. Jeanie and Tom at 118 Wood St say it's ok > for birders to visit. Best to park on Alvin Ave. nearby and view from > opposite side of street, to give bird a little space, but it is super > confiding... > > Please use the stakeout hotspot when visiting this bird to consolidate > sightings and markers on map. Thank you! > > > > * > > > Barbara Volkle > > > Northborough, MA > > > <barb620...> >
Date: 10/20/19 2:30 pm From: Joe Battenfeld <jbattenfeld...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Tropical Kingbird still present Belmont
As of 430 pm on Sunday the Tropical Kingbird I found yesterday is still here at Belmont Victory Gardens, seemingly unbothered by dozens of birders that came here today.
It’s mostly still in northwest corner of gardens but was also going into the sheep pasture and in other parts of the gardens. It is most of the time looking for insects to eat and finding plenty of food, on the ground and in the air. Great chances for photos and close looks of this picturesque bird.
Joe Battenfeld Roslindale <jbattenfeld...>
Thanks to Joe Bourget for this report via the Massachusetts Rare Bird Alert on facebook.
*
Please be respectful of the neighborhood and others properties. Thank you.
Learned late on the night of the 18th about an imm PURPLE GALLINULE in front yard hedges at 124 and 118 Wood St., Milton, MA. Present a week or so and still present today. Jeanie and Tom at 118 Wood St say it's ok for birders to visit. Best to park on Alvin Ave. nearby and view from opposite side of street, to give bird a little space, but it is super confiding...
Please use the stakeout hotspot when visiting this bird to consolidate sightings and markers on map. Thank you!
Date: 10/20/19 12:49 pm From: <kevin.bourinot...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] 10/20: Forbush Bird Club - Wachusett Reservoir IBA
9 Forbush Bird Club birders had an excellent trip around the Wachusett Reservoir IBA today. Locations included River Rd, Sterling Peat, the Quag, West and East Waushacums, rail trail at cider mill, Coachlace, and reservoir gates 36, 39, and 17.
Full list below:
34 Canada Goose 2 Wood Duck 32 Mallard 1 Green-winged Teal 5 Ring-necked Duck 15 Greater Scaup 4 Surf Scoter 2 White-winged Scoter 45 Black Scoter 1 Ruddy Duck 1 Pied-billed Grebe 1 Horned Grebe 4 Red-necked Grebe 6 Rock Pigeon 5 Mourning Dove 4 Greater Yellowlegs 41 Ring-billed Gull 16 Common Loon 34 Double-crested Cormorant 2 Great Blue Heron 1 White-faced Ibis 5 Turkey Vulture 2 Cooper's Hawk 1 Bald Eagle 1 Red-shouldered Hawk 3 Red-tailed Hawk 4 Belted Kingfisher 4 Red-bellied Woodpecker 8 Downy Woodpecker 2 Hairy Woodpecker 3 Northern Flicker 1 Eastern Phoebe 32 Blue Jay 7 American Crow 15 Black-capped Chickadee 7 Tufted Titmouse 1 Golden-crowned Kinglet 2 Ruby-crowned Kinglet 2 White-breasted Nuthatch 1 Brown Creeper 4 Carolina Wren 8 European Starling 1 Gray Catbird 16 Eastern Bluebird 33 American Robin 12 Cedar Waxwing 4 House Sparrow 7 House Finch 7 American Goldfinch 1 Field Sparrow 21 White-throated Sparrow 2 Savannah Sparrow 19 Song Sparrow 2 Swamp Sparrow 19 Red-winged Blackbird 1 Common Grackle 1 Blackpoll Warbler 1 Palm Warbler 29 Yellow-rumped Warbler 7 Northern Cardinal
Date: 10/20/19 9:25 am From: Pamela Sowizral <psowizral...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Today at Drumlin Farm
With the cooler temperatures moving in there was a noted changed in the sparrows this morning with a greatly decreased number of savannahs and an increase in white-throated. Saw 33 species today with the best finds being clay-colored sparrow and bobolink. I ran into Kathy and Jay. They picked up several species I did not see - Canada Goose, Cooper's Hawk, Northern Flicker, Common Raven, Dark-eyed Junco, and Eastern Towhee.
Pam Sowizral
Mass Audubon's Drumlin Farm
Lincoln
Wild Turkey 5
Mourning Dove 13
Killdeer 2
Double-crested Cormorant 230 fly overs
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 3
Downy Woodpecker 7
Pileated Woodpecker 2
Blue Jay 16
American Crow 5
Black-capped Chickadee 10
Tufted Titmouse 7
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1
White-breasted Nuthatch 5
Carolina Wren 2
European Starling 4
Northern Mockingbird 1
Eastern Bluebird 7
American Robin 13
Cedar Waxwing 15
House Sparrow 3
House Finch 5
American Goldfinch 1
Chipping Sparrow 3
Clay-colored Sparrow 1
White-throated Sparrow 17
Savannah Sparrow 11
Song Sparrow 25
Swamp Sparrow 5
Bobolink 1
Red-winged Blackbird 13
Yellow-rumped Warbler 5
Northern Cardinal 4
Fresh Pond, Middlesex, Massachusetts, US Oct 20, 2019 7:00 AM - 9:05 AM Protocol: Traveling 2.0 mile(s) Comments: BBC bird walk- Lusitania Field to Butterfly Field to Black's Nook to Little Fresh Pond and back along Fresh Pond. 26 species (+1 other taxa)
Canada Goose 6 Mallard 2 American Black Duck 4 Ring-necked Duck 76 one flock of 52, another of 24 Ruddy Duck 4 Ring-billed Gull 3 gull sp. 7 Double-crested Cormorant 13 Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 Downy Woodpecker 5 Northern Flicker 1 Eastern Phoebe 1 Blue Jay 18 American Crow 2 Black-capped Chickadee 7 Tufted Titmouse 6 White-breasted Nuthatch 5 European Starling 11 Northern Mockingbird 2 American Robin 11 House Sparrow 6 American Goldfinch 3 Savannah Sparrow 2 Song Sparrow 6 Red-winged Blackbird 1 Common Grackle 7 Northern Cardinal 2
Date: 10/20/19 6:45 am From: Alan Kneidel <akneidel...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] white-fronted and snow geese in Plymouth County
Birders,
It's check the goose flock season once again. For me, a personally thrilling task. A Greater White-fronted Goose and blue Snow Goose continue this morning among 600+ Canadas on Route 105 in Rochester, Plymouth County. The regular goose field there. Yesterday, the white-front was in the adjacent farm pond packed very tight with Canadas, a dizzying sorting task, today in the corn field.
Lisa Schibley with better photos this morning in the list below, which also shows the location.
Date: 10/20/19 2:53 am From: <lfkramer...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Save the Date: "Bird of Prey" BBC Movie Night on November 12th!
“Bird of Prey”, A Cornell Lab of Ornithology Film
Join the Brookline Bird Club to watch this remarkable documentary!
“The Great Philippine Eagle is the largest and rarest bird of prey in the world. Fewer than 800 individuals remain today and their survival is tied to the fate of the last fragments of old-growth forest in the Philippines. In 1977, world-renowned cinematographer, Neil Rettig, filmed the first images of the eagle in the wild, transforming the bird from a mysterious jungle predator into a beloved national symbol.” ( iTunes)
What are the challenges and what might the future hold for this astounding bird in its fragile environment? Join the Brookline Bird Club to watch “Bird of Prey.” Please sign up on the BBC website so we can ensure adequate seating.
When : Tuesday, November 12
Time : 6 PM social half-hour. “Bird of Prey” starts at 6: 30 PM and is 1 hour, 37 minutes.
Where : Woburn Public Library , 45 Pleasant Street, Woburn, MA, Program Room downstairs
Cost : Free (donations to the BBC accepted!) Light refreshments offered.
Observation start time: 09:00:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 7 hours
Official Counter: Rod Chase
Observers: Bill Rasku , Charlie Roache, Daryl Turek, JoAnne Hart, Rod Chase, Tom Gottschang
Visitors: Assisting with the count: Tim Jordan, Rachael with new binoculars(!). Another busy hill with this warm, for October, day -- though nothing like last weekend! Many friendly people voicing approval of our efforts and appreciating our help identifying various mountains and cities.
Weather: Wind 5-10mph/8-16kph thru 10am, 5-8/8-13 thru noon, 0-5/0-8 'til 1pm and 0-3mph/0-5kpm for rest of day. 49 of today's 68 migrating raptors arrived in the first 2 hours ... Wind drop appears to be the cause. Direction wobbled WNW-N-NW-WNW-W thru the day. Temp was 4u2F/55C at start, 45/7 at noon but then rose to 55F/13C by the last hour. Visibility was 15mi/24km thru a low, light haze -- above which 40mi/64km to distant heights possible.
Raptor Observations: Yup, we were exhilarated by today's start but the curtain fell as the breeze fell off; for rest of day a 5 birds per hour rate was almost acheivable... Notables: NH at 10:12; the 2:25 BE was subadult1 with white mottling on wing's tops and bottoms.
Locals: TV 5, BE 3 (subadult early, adult after 11), CH 1, RT 6.
Non-raptor Observations: Non-raptors: Canada Geese 99 (30 +69); Common Ravens 26, formed a distant kettle in west and then peeled right in close to summit; Crows 4. Predictions: Increasing clouds, light and variable wind becoming South at 5mph, temp. near 56. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Rod Chase (<rodchase...>) Wachusett Mountain information may be found at: http://www.massbird.org/emhw
I was birding the Belmont Victory Gardens at Rock Meadow conservation area in Belmont late Saturday afternoon when I observed large Kingbird with bright yellow belly and chest extending to the neck, thick, long dark bill, deeply notched tail with no white on outer part. In northwest back corner of gardens near where the gardens meet the woods. I know this is extremely rare but I don’t know what else it could be. I watched it for almost an hour. I ruled out Western Kingbird because there was yellow all the way to white neck and no white outer tail feathers. I was shocked to see this bird while looking for Sparrows around 5 pm today (Saturday). It was still there when I left at 530 so hopefully it will be there tomorrow morning. I got great looks at this beautiful bird from about 20 feet away through binoculars but no camera. The Kingbird was fly-catching in the northwest back corner of the gardens, sometimes landing on fencing or on medium sized tree along the stone wall. I also observed it flying in the fields where they keep the sheep and landing on the fencing, also in trees at the back of the gardens. It stayed in that general area the whole time.
I hope someone else can find it tomorrow to confirm but I’m pretty sure of the ID.
Joe Battenfeld Roslindale <jbattenfeld...>
Lovely! There were several at Salisbury Reservation in the Pines area just beyond the campground dump station two weekends ago. Always nice to see!
Sent from my iPhone
> On Oct 19, 2019, at 10:25 AM, Barbara Volkle <barb620...> wrote: > > Thanks to Alice Morgan for this report. > > Barbara Volkle > Northborough, MA > <barb620...> > * > > > From: alice morgan<morgan.alice...> > Date: Sat, 19 Oct 2019 10:12:42 -0400 > Subject: White-Throated Sparrow! > > > visited feeder in S. Dartmouth > > -- > Alice & Dane Morgan > Brookline & S. Dartmouth, MA >
Date: 10/19/19 9:19 am From: Paul Champlin <skua99...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Gooseberry, Westport
In a little over an hour, I had a nice set of migrant waves passing to the mainland, the most interesting birds being an American Crow and a Raven (crow is rather rare on the island, and I'd never seen a Raven actually on the island, before. Seen at eye level, it was carrying what looked like a large orange sea sponge).
Other interesting birds:
Lark Sparrow
WARBLERS
2 B-t Blue
B-t Green
Pine
Prairie
Both Palms
100+ Yellow-rumps
Common Yellowthroat
2 Swainson's Thrush
3 Hermit Thrush
3 Blue-headed Vireos
9 Phoebes
Both kinglets
3 Juncos
12 Chipping Sparrows
3 Field Sparrows
Savannah Sparrows
Song Sparrows (migrants)
1 Swamp Sparrow
1 Lincoln's Sparrow
Northern Cardinal (migrants)
4 Towhees
7 Flickr's
3 Red-bellied Woodpeckers
3 Bonaparte's Gulls
Forster's Tern
3 Brant
1 Canada Goose headed due south over the water.
Lots of birds migrated past, unidentified, and many other birds on the move, too (scoters, cormorants, laughing gulls, etc.).
Observation start time: 09:30:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 5.5 hours
Official Counter: Rod Chase
Observers: Daryl Turek, Eric Mueller, JoAnne Hart, Rod Chase
Visitors: Helping with the count: Hamilton Hilton for over an hour.
Two buses full of Essex students who, as youngsters will, survived their climb and the chill despite the lack of enough warm clothing. Oh, I remember those days!
Weather: Wind from NW from 9:30 - 11, WNW until 2pm and from W thereafter. Speed 10-15mph/16-24kph with gusts to 20/32 until 1pm when gusts increased to 25mph/40kpm. Cloud cover 100% finally down to 80% at noon and 75% by 1pm. The sun's warmth was appreciated whenever it's rays were on the tower. Visibility excellent at 30mi./48km. all day. Some low haze N to SW decreased steadily as humidity plummeted (71 to 59% thru day.) One exception: Boston exceptionally clear all morning then haze somehow blew inland off the ocean in afternoon.
Raptor Observations: Lots of talk-time (which is good but bad..) while waiting for the next bird or birds to appear. Even with the west component most birds from N or NE chose to work to the west first. Only a few passed on east side.
Local raptors: TVs 3, BEs 3 (2 adults together @9:56 & a subadult @11:42), SS 1 who flew SW then back due north.
Non-raptor Observations: Common Ravens 3, Junco, Blue Jay.
Monarchs 3.
Predictions: Saturday: Frost before 9am. Sunny with high near 57 and a west wind at 5-8mph. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Rod Chase (<rodchase...>) Wachusett Mountain information may be found at: http://www.massbird.org/emhw
Observation start time: 07:30:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 7.5 hours
Official Counter: Craig Jackson
Observers: Weather: Moderate (3) NW winds throughout watch with gusts up to level 5; Temperature 7-11°C; Cloud cover -- 90-97-35%
Raptor Observations: Fewer migrants than expected; All migrant SS that could be aged were adults Non-migrating -- At least 4 adult Bald Eagles around although some of them may have migrated (2 in direction of Spot Pond; 2 hanging around shore); at least 2 Red-tailed Hawks
Non-raptor Observations: 1 Kingfisher
Predictions: Winds will be somewhat lighter the next two days, but still from the WNW. Stronger on Saturday. Normally this would portend a good forecast, but that's what I thought about today. Hopefully, some birds will have made their way down south to Massachusetts ======================================================================== Report submitted by Craig Jackson (<crleja1949...>)
Directions to site: Pinnacle Rock location is in the southeast corner of Middlesex Fells Reservation, Malden, Massachusetts Finding Pinnacle Rock seems to present a problem. Although there is a map of the site on Hawkcount.org. that will get you in the right vicinity, the trail signs for the Rock are not very helpful and may indeed lead you astray. There are two entrance gates that can be used to find Pinnacle Rock â Gate 52 and Gate 56
To get to gate 52 first find the first parking lot on Fellsway East [in Medford], just north of East Border Road. The map at the parking lot will indicate the Rock; it's in the extreme southeast corner of the Fells Reservation. Cross the road and head south toward East Border Road. Shortly on your left will be gate 52. Follow the Rock Circuit Trail (white blazes). It will lead you right onto the Rock. When you get there, the only hill to the south will be an old metal tower with a radio antennae/ airport beacons? [Some of them were round disks, but as of this writing only one remains].
To get to gate 56, park on Woodland right off East Border Road. The gate will be directly opposite Woodland on East Border Road. [On the map this is labeled Pinnacle Rock Path]. Walk up the path to the crest of the hill. The radio tower will be on your right. Crest the hill and go down the other side. On your right you will see the Rock. At the bottom of the hill on your right you will see a fallen tree trunk lying in the trunks of another tree. Head up this hill and you will see a path to the top of the Rock. [It is possible to walk to this entrance from the Orange Line (Oak Grove Station), although it is a bit of a hike].
Date: 10/18/19 4:49 am From: pamela low <pipswiche...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] N. Fulmar
I thought massbirders might be interested to hear that the storm blew in a northern fulmar to the streets of Melrose. The bird was brought to the Melrose Animal Clinic last night in a weakened condition. After much discussion and consultation the bird was identified as a fulmar and one of our veterinary technicians drove it out to Tufts. Given its condition it may not survive but I will keep you posted. .
Date: 10/17/19 4:38 pm From: Barbara Volkle <barb620...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Birds and bird photography
Thanks to Dave Gibson for this post.
Barbara Volkle Northborough, MA <barb620...>
*
From: David Gibson <20cabot...> Date: Thu, 17 Oct 2019 17:55:49 -0400 Subject: Birds and bird photography
Hi, Massachusetts birders, I've published yet another photo essay: "A Few Thoughts on Birds and Bird Photography." I cover some bird photography basics and share some thoughts about birds. Hopefully, you'll find the content, which also includes some interesting stories, both engaging and helpful. And as always, I welcome and look forward to your feedback! Here's the link: http://birdpartner.com/2019/10/17/birds-bird-photography/
Date: 10/17/19 8:59 am From: William Freedberg <4mrfish...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Window-killed Clay-colored and Sharp-tailed Sparrows, Boston
Massbirders,
On Tuesday, Jonathan Layman found a *deceased* Clay-colored Sparrow as well as a *deceased* possible Atlantic Nelson's Sparrow at UMass Boston while volunteering for Mass Audubon's Avian Collision Team. The site is surrounded with native grassland plantings and great pollinator/sparrow habitat, and unfortunately we have found a number of uncommon species of ex-bird there (including several Lincoln's on other dates).
Saltmarsh Sparrow is certainly a more likely ID for the second bird, but several observers on iNaturalist have suggested an Atlantic-population Nelson's Sparrow. If anyone with experience with these birds wants to weigh in, that would be great (offlist).
Date: 10/17/19 6:52 am From: Tim Walker <timothypwalker...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Hearing Aid Recommendations for Birders
(Posted with approval from the Moderator)
Birders,
I've reached that time of life where we lose the ability to hear bird songs :(
So, I'm looking to get a hearing aid. I have had my hearing tested, and have significant loss above 2 kHz. I would like to know peoples experiences with:
Brands - Phonak has frequency shifting technology, does it work? Audiologists - Do any of them understand Birders?
Please respond privately to me and I will post the results.
Date: 10/16/19 10:28 pm From: Jim Berry <jim.berry3...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] William Forward WMA, Oct 16, 2019
William Forward WMA, Newbury Oct 16, 2019 1:00 PM - 2:25 PM Protocol: Traveling 0.7 mile(s) Comments: After hearing speeches from several local and state officials on the "opening" of Kent's Island upon completion of the new and much improved bridge over the salt creek, 5 of us walked for a bit on the island and heard Mass. Fisheries and Wildlife's plans for managing it. There were few birds, however, since it was mostly a talking and listening walk with no chance to seek birds out. Nevertheless, I'm glad I went. 6 species
Great Egret 3 Turkey Vulture 3 Red-bellied Woodpecker 1 Blue Jay 1 American Crow 2 American Goldfinch 1
Date: 10/16/19 7:37 pm From: Barbara Volkle <barb620...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] White-eyed Vireo YES at McLaughlin Woods
Thanks to Paul Peterson for the following report.
Barbara Volkle Northborough, MA <barb620...>
*
Date: Thu, 17 Oct 2019 00:29:27 +0000 (UTC) From: Paul Peterson <petersonpaul63...> Subject: White-eyed Vireo YES at McLaughlin Woods
The White-eyed Vireo refound and also originally found by Ted and Sebastian was still at McLaughlin Woods on Mission Hill today. It was in the uppermost level, which has some thorn bushes. Enter from the front end (Parker Hill Ave.) Go down as far as you can until you get to where it is impassable due to overgrowth. The bird was on the right. I got great looks at it. This makes about nine days now for this bird being here. Getting late!
Date: 10/16/19 7:37 pm From: Barbara Volkle <barb620...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] 10/16 Millennium Park Highlights
Thanks to Paul Peterson for the following report.
Barbara Volkle Northborough, MA <barb620...>
*
Date: Thu, 17 Oct 2019 00:39:13 +0000 (UTC) From: Paul Peterson <petersonpaul63...> Subject: 10/16 Millennium Park Highlights
I birded here from 2:20-5:10 today.
Double-crested Cormorant 1 Great Blue Heron 1 Red-tailed Hawk 1 Killdeer 3 Blue-headed Vireo 1 canoe launch Cedar Waxwing 1 first in over a month NASHVILLE WARBLER 1 same area as the Lincoln's Sparrows Yellow-rumped Warbler 40 Palm Warbler 2 LINCOLN'S SPARROW 2 near each other near the solar panel beyond football field FIELD SPARROW 4 one top; one sort of near delta; two near Lincoln's Savannah Sparrow 17 Chipping Sparrow 1 Swamp Sparrow 1 EASTERN TOWHEE 1 back side of basin that's near canoe launch Dark-eyed Junco 2
This morning I came across an unusually cooperative Orange-crowned Warbler at Salt Pond Sanctuary in Falmouth. There were decent numbers of Yellow-rumped Warblers, 2 American Redstarts, 1 Winter Wren, 4 Ruby-crowned Kinglets and 3 Golden-crowned Kinglets.
-- Mike Tucker Woods Hole, MA
*"In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks" ~ John Muir*
Date: 10/16/19 3:43 pm From: mike sylvia <mikesylvia87...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] First really good fallout - Cuttyhunk Island, Oct 15, 2019 - Western Kingbird and more
See ebird checklist with photos through link at bottom of checklist
Cuttyhunk Island, Dukes, Massachusetts, US
Oct 15, 2019 6:40 AM - 2:10 PM
Protocol: Traveling
6.8 mile(s)
Comments: W winds at sunset to midnight then switching to NW 10-14 kts. Temp 45-55 F. Good fall out day. Dawn flight impressive with many birds moving in skies especially robins and later Blue Jays. Many new species and numbers arrived on island,
60 species (+2 other taxa)
Canada Goose 2
Mourning Dove 6
Semipalmated Plover 15
Sanderling 5
Great Blue Heron 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk 3
Cooper's Hawk 2
Belted Kingfisher 1
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Downy Woodpecker 2
Northern Flicker 15
Merlin 1
Eastern Phoebe 18
Western Kingbird 1 Bird seen well and photographed. I was able to relocate this bird later in day and spend 30 minutes with it photographing it.
Blue-headed Vireo 12 High count. All birds seen throughout day in very separate habitat. # at one location alone.
Red-eyed Vireo 5 High count. Bird seen throughout the day in different locations across island
Blue Jay 107 1 flock of 82 individuals migrating north off island. Other small groups
American Crow 3
Black-capped Chickadee 6
Tufted Titmouse 1
Tree Swallow 100
Barn Swallow 1 Bird photographed. Seen well. Positive ID
Golden-crowned Kinglet 7
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 3
House Wren 5
Winter Wren 1
Carolina Wren 4
European Starling 143
Gray Catbird 18
Northern Mockingbird 5
American Robin 350
Cedar Waxwing 26
House Sparrow 5
House Finch 45
American Goldfinch 3
Chipping Sparrow 33
Field Sparrow 3
Dark-eyed Junco 9
White-crowned Sparrow 2
White-throated Sparrow 21
Song Sparrow 56
Lincoln's Sparrow 3
Swamp Sparrow 8
Eastern Towhee 47 Counting species in high numbers. High count. Spread all over island in suitable habitata
Red-winged Blackbird 2
Black-and-white Warbler 3 all birds seen well. Classic BAWW plumage. Unmistakable. All photographed
Orange-crowned Warbler (Gray-headed) 1
Common Yellowthroat 5
American Redstart 2 Absolutely gorgeous bird
Cape May Warbler 1 Bird seen well and photographed
Magnolia Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler 6 Birds photographed. 3 males in one view on grape arbor. two females. One separate male.
Palm Warbler 4
Pine Warbler 28 large fallout. Birds seen feeding on grass in groups of 3-10 and individually in brush
Yellow-rumped Warbler 180
Black-throated Green Warbler 1
warbler sp. (Parulidae sp.) 70 Birds seen in flight high and beyond ID
Scarlet Tanager 1 Bird seen well and photographed
Northern Cardinal 3
Indigo Bunting 3
passerine sp. 50 Migrating high or elusive in brush
Date: 10/16/19 3:14 pm From: David Weaver <cygnus-dkw...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Plum Island - 10-16-2018
> David Moon and I led today's Wednesday Morning Birding program out of Joppa Flats Education Center on to Plum Island. Skies were clear to partly cloudy; temps upper 40s to low 60s; winds SSW/5-10 mph. > > Our list: > > Canada Goose (~ 75) - large flock flying south over The Warden's marsh. > Wood Duck (5) - NPO; flew out to sw. > Gadwall (2) - North Pool Overlook (NPO). > American Black Duck - common. > Mallard (~ 50) - most in North Pool from Hellcat Dike. > Green-winged Teal (~ 150) - Bill Forward Pool (BFP). > Common Eider (~ 20) - Emerson Rocks. > Surf Scoter (13) - seven ocean. > White-winged Scoter - many; seven ocean. > Black Scoter (50+) - seven ocean. > Red-throated Loon (1) - seven ocean. > Common Loon (1) - seven ocean. > Northern Gannet (~ 25) - seven ocean. > Double-crested Cormorant (~ 40) - various. > Great Blue Heron (3) - 1, marsh n. Cross Farm Hill; 2, vicinity of hay marsh n. refuge entrance. > Great Egret (~ 15) - 12, Main Panne (MP); 3, various. > Turkey Vulture (3) - e. New Pines. > Northern Harrier (3) - various. > Red-tailed Hawk (1) - atop siren, e. end PI Bridge. > Semipalmated Plover (~ 75) - MP. > Greater Yellowlegs - common; various. > Lesser Yellowlegs (4) - North Pool from Hellcat Dike. > Sanderling (4) - seven beach. > Semipalmated Sandpiper (5) - MP. > Least Sandpiper (1) - MP. > White-rumped Sandpiper (1) - MP. > Dunlin (~ 105) - 5, North Pool from Hellcat Dike; ~ 100, MP. > Dowitcher sp. (22) - 18, NPO; 4, North Pool from Hellcat Dike. > Long-billed Dowitcher (1) - NPO. > Ring-billed Gull (4) - seven beach. > Herring Gull > Rock Pigeon > Mourning Dove > Eastern Phoebe (2) - 1, The Warden's; 1, Hellcat restrooms. > Blue Jay (2) - while walking dikes from The Warden's to NPO. > American Crow (1) > American Robin (5) - The Warden's to NPO walk. > Northern Mockingbird (2) - 1, The Warden's; 1, NPO. > European Starling > Yellow-rumped Warbler - common; The Warden's to NPO walk. > Field Sparrow (3) - The Warden's. > Song Sparrow - common; roadside. > White-throated Sparrow (5) - The Warden's to NPO walk. > Northern Cardinal (1) - The Warden's to NPO walk. > American Goldfinch (1) - The Warden's to NPO walk. > > We will meet again next week back at Joppa Flats at 0930 for Wednesday > Morning Birding. For more information about Joppa Flats programs, call > David Moon or Dave Larson at 978-462-9998. > > Dave Weaver > Manchester, MA 01944 > <cygnus-dkw...> > >
Date: 10/16/19 8:49 am From: Neil Hayward <opororniswarbler...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] BBC Meeting on Saturday: Laura Erickson
Dear Massbirders,
I'm pleased to announce that birding author and radio broadcaster, *LAURA
ERICKSON* is our guest speaker for our fall meeting this Saturday (see
details below). The meeting is free for members and their guests, and to
those who are interested in finding out more about the club. As an
additional incentive for joining, come meet and bird with our speaker,
Laura, the following morning on a members-only walk. Contact me directly
for time and location.
*What*: Brookline Bird Club Fall Meeting
*Who:* Laura Erickson–author of 11 bird books, producer of ‘For the Birds’,
the longest-running radio program about birds in the US, and recipient of
the American Birding Association’s highest honor, the Roger Tory Peterson
Award. We will also hear from our two Hog Island Scholarship recipients,
Sam Poleretzky and Brynlee Kimball.
*When*: *SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2019 7:30*, with a social hour (light
refreshments) from 6:30–7:30 PM
*Parking*: FREE! At the 52 Oxford St. parking garage (just tell them you're
attending the BBC event).
"*LAURA’S BEST BIRD EVER. A LIFETIME OF MAGICAL ENCOUNTERS."*
Have you ever had such a perfect look at a bird, or watched it in such
perfect circumstances, that you thought it had to be the best bird ever?
Laura Erickson has found herself saying exactly that on many occasions,
from special glimpses at Pileated Woodpeckers and a Five-striped Sparrow
family to her one and only glimpse at one of the rarest birds on the
planet, the Horned Guan. Some of the birds she’s seen in her travels to
four continents made the grade, but so did some of the special individuals
she’s seen in her own backyard. Sometimes looking for the best bird ever
can open our minds and hearts to much, much more.
I look forward to seeing you all at the meeting on* SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19.*
Date: 10/16/19 7:56 am From: Bob Stymeist <bobstymeist...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Greater Boston Christmas Bird Count
Birders, especially returning Greater Boston CBC participants
The Count is scheduled for Sunday December 15, the latest Brookline Bird Club Bulletin has erroneously listed the count for December 22.
The Boston CBC covers most of the Greater Boston area towns, there are several section leaders that often need additional help in covering areas, interested birders should contact me for additional information. Thank you
Date: 10/16/19 7:09 am From: Nash, Matthew (DCR) <matthew.nash...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] DCR's Belle Isle Marsh Reservation, Saturday Oct 19 8:00 a.m
Saturday, October 19 8:00-9:00 a.m. (Meets every 1st and 3rd Saturday of the Month at 8:00 a.m. at DCR's Belle Isle Marsh Reservation, 1399 Bennington Street, East Boston) An Oasis for Birds, (781-656-1485) mass.gov/dcr/calendar MBTA: Blueline to Beachmont or Suffolk Downs. Free of charge . DCR Naturalists Sean Riley and Matthew Nash lead this bird walk through a restored wildlife sanctuary. Insect repellent is recommended. Bring binoculars if you have them. Suitable for adults and children ages 10 and older accompanied by an adult. Reasonable accommodations available upon request.
Find yourself in a DCR State Park The Department of Conservation and Recreation manages over 150 state parks and oversees more than 450,000 acres throughout Massachusetts. These protected lands include mountains, freshwater beaches, saltwater beaches, and much more. The DCR works to ensure the accessibility and quality of our natural resources, recreational facilities, and great historic landscapes for the health and happiness of people across Massachusetts.
North Region Coastal District Department of Conservation and Recreation One Eliot Circle
Contact: Matthew Nash Revere, MA 02151 781-656-1485
Date: 10/15/19 7:45 pm From: Charles Patterson <chaspatt...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Very late hummer.
On a ride down the Shining Sea Bike Path today I saw a female (or possibly a juvenile) Ruby Throat working on a groundsel tree along the path about 2 miles north of Woods Hole going south. I shot right by but turned around to confirm it.
This is the latest I have ever seen a hummingbird in Massachusetts.
Observation start time: 08:30:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 6.5 hours
Official Counter: Rod Chase
Observers: Christine Restell, Daryl Turek, Eric Mueller, Mike McNamara
Visitors: Also observing: Bob Heppler from 9-12 was a welcome help!
Compared to the last 3 days the hill was quiet and peaceful. One school group up for half an hour and a few dozen people asking about the watch and taking in the good views. Of note was a gentleman Knute Hansen who spoke with Christine for a while and I was pleased to catch the last half. Great talk with an all-smiles birder who loves ocean and shore birds and much more.
Weather: NW breeze 5mph/8kph to start but dropped to 0-3/0-5 by 10am. Mid-afternoon we found some periods with variable shifts from North to West and only a hint of breeze. The fair morning flight evaporated to a very slow flight from 11am on. Cloud cover 5% rose to 15% by noon but the light cirrus was almost transparent and had no effect on the available thermal lift. We just needed more birds. Visibility was also fine: 15mi/24k with light haze down below in the AM but 30mi/48km in the afternoon.
Raptor Observations: Again, TVs were the biggest contributers to our total yet all appeared before 10:50am. Having another RS was nice but it passed so high above us. An early PG decided he had to repeatedly dive on the BE and did so from under and over. One strike to eagle's back just for emphasis -- no harm done. The two local Coopers hawks put on the best show. One came in high and made many close passes at our high, back and forth then higher and lower. Suddenly the 2nd Coop came up from the NE shrubs and began a duel with the original bird. They were all over each other but, after about 5 minutes worth, one peeled down and out to the NW.
Locals, besides the 2 CH: 3 TV, 1 BE adult.
Non-raptor Observations: 5 Common Ravens playing all day; 70-75 Grackles swirled by; only some Blue Jays popped up from the trees. Monarchs 5.
Predictions: Increasing clouds, high near 60, light South wind becoming SW in the afternoon at 5-10 mph. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Rod Chase (<rodchase...>) Wachusett Mountain information may be found at: http://www.massbird.org/emhw
Joe Bourget reported on the Massachusetts Rare Bird Alert on facebook that the Monomoy Banding Team banded (and then recaptured) a Yellow-Green Vireo today.
Date: 10/15/19 10:02 am From: Mardi Dickinson <mardi1d...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Keith Mueller, Bird Artist and Sculptor - BirdCallsRadio
Birders et al,
Thought many of you would be interested in my next guest Keith Mueller, Bird Artist and Sculptor who gives a deep dive into the world of avian carving. https://bit.ly/2akUsxp
Date: 10/15/19 9:36 am From: Barbara Volkle <barb620...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Black-throated Gray Warbler - Falmouth
There's a report on the Massachusetts Rare Bird Alert on facebook of a Black-throated Gray Warbler in Falmouth just found by Karen Fiske.
Via Mary Keleher (and Joe Bourget), "Karen Fiske found a Black-throated Gray Warbler at Salt Pond in Falmouth this morning. She parked in the small parking area (room for 2-3 vehicles) on Elm St. next to the bike path & walked the trails along the west side of Salt Pond. She said “I am on a trail near a sign that says Agawam Rd. It’s at a fork in the trail that has two stone commemorative benches.” There is no Agawam Road this is just a name on a sign within the trail system here."
Thanks to Karen Fiske, Mary Keleher and Joe Bourget for getting the word out.
Date: 10/15/19 8:46 am From: James P Smith <keenbirder...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Deerfield - Le Conte's Sparrow
Greeting birders,
I noticed that this report has not appeared on Massbird to date though it has appeared elsewhere on other media, but on October 13th, Charles Caron found a Le Conte's Sparrow near Historic Deerfield, about one mile south of town. The bird has been showing pretty well from the roadside along Mill Village Road, just a few meters south of the intersection with Wells Cross Road and appears to favor the sumac thickets on the riverside of Mill Village Road. Most successes on the 14th and 15th have come from the morning hours before 10 am, and the bird can be seen from the road without having to enter the fields. A few pics can be seen at this link; http://pioneerbirding.blogspot.com/
Date: 10/14/19 7:46 pm From: DOUGLAS E CHICKERING <dovekie...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] A Dazzling Day at Sea
Massbirders and New Hampshire Birders:
It could be good, maybe… we thought as we chatted and the boat pulled out of the little harbor in Rye New Hampshire, but then again… maybe not. The initial conditions weren’t particularly encouraging. We chugged through fog that was rather thick, and we speculated that perhaps the real big show had passed us by when the two days before when a ferocious storm had rattled the coast. Perhaps the lucky ones were those with the pluck and stamina to sit at various viewing places on the coast and peer through the storm and wind as a multitude of great birds flashed by or struggled against the fierce turmoil. Perhaps we would simply gather up a few remnants and spend much of the trip chilled and in desultory conversation about previous, better pelagic trips. It wasn’t as if we continued out into the unknown under a pall of pessimism it was just that we didn’t know what we would find.
The fog began to lift as we headed out into the great mystery of the Atlantic and then a few birds became visible, slipping inauspiciously out of the gloom. Then came a real bird; one that we had hoped for, A light phase Fulmar, then another, and followed by a dark phase Fulmar. Fulmar was a target bird and it was likely we would see one, but the recent storms might had swept them away. We were glad and grateful for the two or three. A glimpse of a passing Shearwater upped out hopes when suddenly the sun was out, the sea flattened to light, pleasant swells and the birds began appearing. Appearing in a steady roll of species that scrambled my memory so even now I cannot quite remember the order of their appearance. Now the day is a segmented series of memories and I am not sure of the order of their appearance.
The Fulmars kept appearing on the water like apparitions from a dream. Seemingly oblivious to our passing, often close by. Taking to flight now and again and giving us good looks of their sharp stiff wing beats and peculiar profiles when airborne. It had been thirty some years since my last sighting of Fulmar and now I was taking this opportunity to closely scrutinizing their flights.
The first sighting of a Phalarope in the water sent a wave of electric excitement down the ship and a little frantic activity lest the bird take flight prematurely. We needn’t have worried. Like the Fulmars, the Phalaropes; at first Reds and then Red-necked and finally a mixture of the two drifted along unconcerned and almost unaware of our presence.
We had hoped to see a few Fulmars and Phalaropes in the trip. We had hundreds of both.
There were more moments. Unexpected, sharp and destined for the great birding stories of the future.
A Little Gull among the Bonaparte’s Gulls. A juvenile whose bright sharp field marks stood out when in flight and whose size was obvious among the boneys when in the water.
A Leach’s Storm-petrel that was first seen at some distance about two points above the starboard beam. The bird flew close to the surface – after all it was a Storm-petrel – at a leisurely pace and allowed us to pass by it on the starboard side, close. Close enough that its slightly forked tail was discernable and its familiar flight pattern obvious.
The South Polar Skua, bulky heavy with a distinctive flight pattern slowly gaining on the boat as we relentlessly but inadequately pursued.
As we sailed into an area where Humpbacked Whales were feeding, the gulls began to gather and it seemed as if every cluster of gulls flying and sitting by the whales contained a Black-legged Kittiwake or two; flying around with the gulls so that I could clearly see that wing and back pattern of darker grey on the back and then extending out towards the tips of the wings growing ever lighter until nearly white to jet black tips.
A good but brief look of a Parasitic Jaeger.
In the morning the boat drove south and then worked its way north along the length of Jeffreys ledge. Along with the flurry of birds we had whales. In the afternoon as we made our way up Jeffreys ledge we came upon several pairs and a few three whale groups feeding. They would dive and arise from the ocean, mouths open and at the top of their thrust you could see the throats balloon out into a odd black and white, almost harlequin, pattern before dropping back into the sea to expel the water in their swollen throats and feed on the unfortunates left pressed against the baleen. At one point the whales were surface feeding, heads barely below the surface and rolling over on their backs to force the water out, which foamed a light red from the krill they fed upon.
In a way the whale feeding, which would have drawn oohs and aahs from Whale watches were simply a fascinating backdrop to the center stage of the birds.
I am sure that the numbers of birds we saw on the trip will be posted somewhere. I was dazzled by scene and didn’t keep track. I am sure that other participants may have other episodes and other impressions than I, and there have been some sights I have not related. But I am also sure that the conviction that we were all in a special place on a special day is universal among us.
Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 15:30:00 Total observation time: 7.5 hours
Official Counter: Rod Chase
Observers: Bill Rasku , Chris Eddy
Visitors: Compiler Bill Rasku only had company from Chris Eddy and friend Sammy (2-3:30) and Mike Keyser from Philly joined from 2-3.
Visitor's, per Bill: "Wall to Wall to Wall to Wall." (yup, sounds like our day yesterday. At least the leaves are best of the last three years!)
Weather: Fog shrouded the mountain early so visibility was under 1mi/5km but the 100% cloud cover did soon begin lifting and visibility improved to 10mi/16km by 10am and 20/32 from noon on. Noon also came with 100% blue sky. Temp of 50F/10C at start also rose steadily to 61/16 at noon and 68F/20C by 3pm. A SW breeze of 8mph/13kpm drew back to 5-8/8-13 for the afternoon. Humidity 87% at start, 70% at noon and 59% at the end. Barometer 30.00 at 8am, 29.95 at noon and 29.89 at 3pm.
Raptor Observations: The slow but steady flow of raptors started at 10:30 and tailed off at 3pm. Three BEs were all immature and appeared at 10:30, 12:12 & 1:24. The 18 TVs dominated the count.
Locals: BE 2 adults, 1 immature. TVs 2; RT 1.
Non-raptor Observations: Two Common Ravens who hassled the migrating CH and later the local TVs. Also: Ravens 8, 500 Grackles, Towhees, Chickadees, Blue Jays, Robin, White-throated Sparrow.
No monarchs.
Predictions: Sunny, high near 60F, NW wind 5-7mph. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Rod Chase (<rodchase...>) Wachusett Mountain information may be found at: http://www.massbird.org/emhw
Date: 10/14/19 7:24 pm From: Barbara Volkle <barb620...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] October 14, 2019 Belle Isle Marsh - Greater Yellow Legs, Snowy Egret,,and Tons of out of season Cowbirds
Thanks to Matt S. for this report.
Barbara Volkle Northborough, MA <barb620...>
*
From: "Matt S." <accipiter22...> Date: Mon, 14 Oct 2019 20:42:02 -0400 Subject: October 14, 2019 Belle Isle Marsh - Greater Yellow Legs, Snowy Egret, and Tons of out of season Cowbirds
Hi All,
I took my first ever trip to Belle Isle Marsh today, I didn't realize how easy it was to park at or get to, I'll definitely be going back, what a fun spot. I didn't see any warblers, but there were a bunch of cowbirds and red-winged blackbirds foraging right by the entrance. I also saw a few greater yellow-legs and a snowy egret; so odd to see those basically in Boston, in modern times.
That's all for now.
Matt S. Newton, MA <Accipiter22...>
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Belle Isle Marsh Reservation, Suffolk, Massachusetts, US Oct 14, 2019 9:18 AM - 10:22 AM Protocol: Traveling 1.53 mile(s) 22 species
Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) 1 Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) 2 Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) (Columba livia (Feral Pigeon)) 24 Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) 15 Greater Yellowlegs (Tringa melanoleuca) 3 Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis) 4 Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) 4 Double-crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus) 1 Snowy Egret (Egretta thula) 1 Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens) 2 Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata) 1 European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) 89 Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis) 2 Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) 3 American Robin (Turdus migratorius) 6 House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) 1 House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus) 2 American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis) 2 Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis) 5 Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia) 10 Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) 11 Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater) 14 Mixed flock right at entrance with red wings and starlings. In the photos below those 2 males were seen simultaneously to the flock of 10 in the other picture. The 7th female in the 2nd picture is behind the starling in the bath. I have more photos that show it. Also simultaneous to these two shots were another two males in a tree to the left.
A report from Gloucester notesew South in a space of about 10 to 15 minutes over the Mill River in Gloucester between 1:30 and a quarter till 2 Saturday.
Five Greater Yellowlegs were seen today. Yellowlegs (mostly greater) also appear at this location at this time of year, staying for at least month.
Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 6.5 hours
Official Counter: Rod Chase
Observers: Daryl Turek, Eric Mueller, George Russell, Janet Kovner, JoAnne Hart, Nancy Given, Rod Chase, Susan Moses
Visitors: Helping with the watch: Marty McNamara up with his brother Tom, John Alicia, Tim Jordan and Rachael, and Beth Stuerman had many good questions and comments. Conversation extraordinare with Ardeth Barnhart and Juan Perez-Mercader. Juan was a custodian of the Donana Preserve in southern Spain which is a Natural Preserve within a National Park and protects a vast area of unique biodiversity. Protected marshes serve as breeding grounds and, also, a transit stop for thousands of European and African birds. Also, over 200,000 migratory birds use the dunes and swamps as wintering grounds. Thanks for your quick lecture while on the platform with us! More to learn every day!
There were more people on the hill yesterday than I've ever seen! Over 500 all day long and a rough guess of 5- 6 thousand total!? Rangers wouldn't guess -- they were too busy directing traffic in and out of the lots and getting people to park on the up road. Ski lift ran all day also. Lots of happy folks taking in the views and colors today.
Weather: Winds from NW most of the day; first and last hours WNW. Wind speed 5-8mph at start before dropping to 0-5 at 10am and 0-3mph from noon on. Temp 48F to start, rose to 52 by 10am then jumped to 61F at noon and remained there until 3pm closing. Cloud cover 90-95% until noon before opening up a little to 60% until 2pm, 70% for last hour. Haze kept visibility a low 5mi at start but improved to 1 10mi by noon and 20mi towards the last hour.
Raptor Observations: At 9:15 A beautiful, healthy mature BE appeared closeby but eventually went back North. It's possible the next BE at 11:40 was the same bird coming close to summit and then moving out SW. An immature and an adult eagle were also passing the hill simultaneously on different paths! Featured surprises were the NH at 10:45 and a solo BV who didn't reveal its true identity until passing high in the NW while starting SSW. The TV count was fair then greater 22 in three groups passed between 2:31 and 2:40. A nice flourish after a birdless hour to have these and the last eagle. Local raptors: TV 3, SS 1.
Non-raptor Observations: Non raptors: Ravens in a group of 8; dozen Blue Jays. Monarchs: 25.
Predictions: Monday: Mostly sunny, high near 68, South wind 3-6mph. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Rod Chase (<rodchase...>) Wachusett Mountain information may be found at: http://www.massbird.org/emhw
Date: 10/14/19 9:56 am From: Barbara Volkle <barb620...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] American Golden Plover - Winthrop
Thanks to Jonathan Layman for this report.
Barbara Volkle Northborough, MA <barb620...>
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From: Jonathan Layman <jono.layman...> Date: Mon, 14 Oct 2019 10:54:51 -0400 Subject: AMGP Winthrop
Birders,
As of 10:45 am, there were at least three American golden-plovers mixed in with the black-bellied plovers on the grassy part of the breakwater at Fishermans Bend Park in Winthrop.
Date: 10/14/19 9:48 am From: Barbara Volkle <barb620...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Special trip/Newburyport area
Thanks to Strickland Wheelock for the following report.
Barbara Volkle Northborough, MA <barb620...>
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Date: Mon, 14 Oct 2019 13:22:29 +0000 (UTC) From: Strickland Wheelock<skwheelock...> Subject: Special trip/Newburyport area
Sometimes birding trips are extra special and Sunday the 14th was that as a Drumlin Farm group headed to the Newburyport area in beautiful clear weather, mild temperatures, low winds and excellent birding experiences & education - note foliage was stunning to add to the day. The highlight for the group were some of the side by side comparisons of various species, esp at the Salt Pannes at Plum Island. In one tight flock of shorebirds close to the road & with the sun at our back, we were able to study in detail all the winter ID features from comparative body sizes, bill shapes, leg color, primary feather projections, overall feather coloring of these shorebirds - in the group were a Western Sandpiper, several Dunlin, Sanderlings, Least & Semipalimated Sandpipers, Wht-rumped Sandpiper, Semipalimated Plovers, Greater Yellowlegs. Short time later we had an excellent look at a sitting Pectoral Sandpiper, a fly over Black-bellied Plover and a pair of feeding Am. Golden Plovers in a field with many Killdeer. Another great learning experience were with all the ducks at the refuge and ones off the shore. Again in great light between Hellcat and Bill Foreward Pool, we had excellent comparisons in all features, ages and M/F coloration's of Northern Shoveler, Am. Widgeon, N Pintail, Green-winged Teal, Gadwalls along with all the Mallards and Black Ducks - later we had Ring-necked Ducks and Ruddy Ducks. Off the shoreline near Emerson Rocks, we enjoyed comparing all 3 Scoter species [Wht-winged, Surf & Black], Common Eiders along with N Gannets and C. Loons. Another very special experience/comparison for the group was having sitting side by side immature Yellow-crowned and Blk-cr. Night Herons at this park in Newburyport - while enjoying these species, a calling Kingfisher flew by, in the trees close to us we had Yellow-rumped Warblers along with a few Ruby-cr Kinglets, Black-thr Blue and Nashville Warbler, Carolina Wren & more - earlier in the Pines at PI, we had great looks at several Golden-cr Kinglets. Some other species that gave us special looks was a Merlin sitting on a post allowing us to walk us so close to it & admire all it's features, a large flock of Am. Pipits calling and flying low over our heads, flying Sharp-shinned Hawk and N. Harriers for ID practice. a sitting Bonaparte's Gull in the harbor - some more challenging bird ID's were at the boat ramp on PI with a Marsh Wren, Seaside & Nelson's Sparrows [species that only give you fleeting looks]. At the end of the day, we had only 74 species as we did not spend much time with the passerine migrants but focused with the group on these comparison & educational opportunities these cooperative shorebirds, ducks, etc gave all of us - combine all that with the beautiful foliage, great weather, all of us had special day in the field.
Date: 10/13/19 3:37 pm From: Barbara Volkle <barb620...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Yellow-crowned Night Heron
Thanks to Alice Morgan for the following.
Barbara Volkle Northborough, MA <barb620...>
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From: alice morgan <morgan.alice...> Date: Sun, 13 Oct 2019 17:51:27 -0400 Subject: YCNH
We still have a juvenile Yellow-Crowned Night Heron, although all its relatives seem to be gone. I will miss it, but I hope it leaves before the weather gets bad enough to make its journey risky.
-- Alice & Dane Morgan Brookline & S. Dartmouth, MA
Observation start time: 06:45:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 8.25 hours
Official Counter: Craig Jackson
Observers: Jack Miano
Visitors: Alex Riina came and helped observe from 12-1:15 PM
Weather: Winds less strong than hoped for -- light (1-2) W-NW throughout watch becoming lighter as day advanced; temperature -- 10-17°C; Cloud cover -- 15-95-60%
Raptor Observations: Very small movement of accipiters and one Bald Eagle; Non-migrating -- at least 3 and possibly as many as 5 Bald Eagles seen in area; 2 Turkey Vulture; 1 Osprey; at least 5 Red-tail Hawks; and one accipiter (probably a local Cooper's)
Non-raptor Observations: DC Cormorant - 25; Canada Geese - 10 3 Green Darner 2 Monarch Butterflies
Predictions: Southerly winds tomorrow with light northwest winds on Tuesday are not very promising but I will probably be on the Rock to see if any birds are "in the pipeline" -- longer range forecast - strong northwest winds on Thursday afternoon after a morning rain continuing into Friday might bring whatever raptors are around ======================================================================== Report submitted by Craig Jackson (<crleja1949...>)
Date: 10/13/19 1:58 pm From: Barbara Volkle <barb620...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Nahanton Park in Newton Highlights
Thanks to Paul Peterson for this report. Barbara Volkle Northborough, MA <barb620...> * Date: Sun, 13 Oct 2019 20:38:40 +0000 (UTC) From: Paul Peterson<petersonpaul63...> Subject: Nahanton Park in Newton Highlights
I birded here from 10:22-2:40. Unless noted, all birds were from today:
Red-tailed Hawk 3 Eastern Phoebe 1 Blue-headed Vireo 1 COMMON RAVEN 2 continual soaring quite high up; calling too; great vocals Carolina Wren 3 Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1 Yellow-rumped Warbler 1 Palm Warbler 1 Blackpoll Warbler 3 LINCOLN'S SPARROW 1 upper garden Swamp Sparrow 4 Chipping Sparrow 7 White-throated Sparrow 3 Somg Sparrow 15 Field Sparrow 1 yesterday evening Indigo Bunting 1 yesterday evening Common Grackle 300 heading to roost yesterday evening; pure flock BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD 52 yesterday evening; pure flock! Charlemont St Peregrine Falcon 1 Dark-eyed Junco
LEPIDS:
American Copper 1 Monarch 3 Orange Sulphur 1 Clouded Sulphur 1 American Lady 1 lady sp. 2 Cabbage White 4
10/11 MILLENNIUM PARK:
Wood Duck x heading to roost in small groups Common Raven 2 National Grid rooftop; seen from up on hill at M.P. AMERICAN PIPIT 5 Savannah Sparrow 30 Swamp Sparrow 7 heard in cattails along perimeter
Date: 10/13/19 10:26 am From: linda pivacek <lpivacek...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] male Hooded Warbler Nahant
about noon today. adult male Hooded Warbler. along roadside going uphill toward Lodge Park. road bends left and small building, boats on right side. around this location, actively feeding and calling.
Observation start time: 09:30:00 Observation end time: 14:30:00 Total observation time: 5 hours
Official Counter: Rod Chase
Observers: JoAnne Hart, Rod Chase
Visitors: Saw hiker Bill early. When asked why I was up, I explained what addiction can do to people. Anything for a laugh. Fine conversations with a few hikers and the folks in the parking lot who recognized me from newspaper articles and had lots of good questions.
Weather: NE wind 0-2mph/0-3kph all day. Really. Temp 48F/9C at start slowly up to 54/12 at noon before backing down to 52f/31c at end. Humidity 100% fog at start. I decided to try lower lookouts in morning. North lookout was fogged early and 200 yds/183 meters was not promising so I moved to the third ski slope above the up/down roads intersection. Over 1mi/1.6km view allowed me to find 5 SSs and 1 ML in the 10-11am hour. All were fairly close below me as was a local CH who was back and forth and down a couple of times. I decided to check out summit at 11am. Ledges overlook Also 1 mi. view and clearer air to west. Admired the look for a while but nothing in the air. I checked the summit to find the cloud bottom was hanging just below. Thus is when JoAnne appeared and said she'd been on the hill since 10am! She even checked lower lookouts but we must have been circling the mountain at the same time. I suggested the North lookout had to be open for business and we were right. The BE cruised low from NW to SE side soon after we arrived. Visibility 15mi here and we later found 4 + 1 TVs far NNE who found height and left SW. We agreed to return to summit and found great visibility NE to SW --30mi/48km with clear air. E to S was, like on previous days, much less towards the storm: 15mi/24km and slightly hazy as well. Despite the great view only 1 CH passed between 12:30 and 1pm. At 1:30 we agreed to save energy for tomorrow.
Non-raptor Observations: 32 Canada Geese, many Blue Jays, 1 distressed Robin who finally flew out of trees. Source of stress undetermined.
No monarchs..
Predictions: Sunny,65F, NW 3-7 mph. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Rod Chase (<rodchase...>) Wachusett Mountain information may be found at: http://www.massbird.org/emhw
Date: 10/12/19 4:22 pm From: Linda Ferraresso <tattler1...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] BBC Walk Nahanton Park , Oct 12, 2019
6 staunch birders joined me in the light rain this morning and were rewarded with some nice birds. We were bemoaning the lack of warblers but did end up with 3 species, 7 species of sparrows with a surprise Dark-eyed Junco and a late Ruby-crowned Kinglet.
The next BBC walk is tomorrow at Great Meadows NWR - a Big Sit with Nick Paulson from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Stop in for any portion! My next walk is Saturday October 19 at Boston Nature Center at 8:00 a.m.
Good Birding, Linda
Nahanton Park , Middlesex, Massachusetts, US Oct 12, 2019 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM Protocol: Traveling 1.5 mile(s) Comments: BBC Walk - 51 degrees and light mist most of the morning 32 species (+2 other taxa)
Canada Goose 20 duck sp. 2 Mourning Dove 5 Herring Gull 5 Double-crested Cormorant 1 at the boat ramp Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 Red-bellied Woodpecker 2 Downy Woodpecker 3 Northern Flicker 2 Blue Jay 14 Black-capped Chickadee 4 Tufted Titmouse 4 swallow sp. 1 Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1 White-breasted Nuthatch 4 European Starling 10 Gray Catbird 5 American Robin 55 House Sparrow 1 House Finch 9 American Goldfinch 29 Chipping Sparrow 5 Field Sparrow 2 Dark-eyed Junco 1 a surprise! White-throated Sparrow 9 Savannah Sparrow 2 Song Sparrow 27 Swamp Sparrow 6 Common Grackle 250 Common Yellowthroat 1 Blackpoll Warbler 2 Black-throated Green Warbler 1 Northern Cardinal 11 Indigo Bunting 2
Date: 10/12/19 3:54 pm From: Tim Spahr <tspahr44...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] skuas, Brown Booby (First Encounter Beach, Eastham)
Hi Birders,
There was a tremendous flight of jaegers and skuas (as well as an adult Brown Booby!) today at First Encounter Beach in Eastham. I'm still posting some of the photos, but birders may wish to see the eBird checklist below.
