Date: 7/3/25 7:45 pm From: Barbara Volkle <barb620...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] 7/2 Belle Isle Marsh Highlights
Thanks to Paul Peterson for this report.
Barbara Volkle Northborough, MA <barb620...>
*
Date: Fri, 4 Jul 2025 00:23:53 +0000 (UTC) From: Paul Peterson <petersonpaul63...> Subject: 7/2 Belle Isle Marsh Highlights
Yesterday evening, I went to Belle Isle in hopes of finding the Ruff. No luck, but a good time was had by all
Black-crowned Night-Heron 6 including three Lewis Lake Great Blue Heron 3 Great Egret?? 1 Snowy Egret 2 Oaprey 1+ Virginia Rail 1 called once at 8:40 p.m. between the boardwalk and pond; pig-like grunts Killdeer 3 Willet 2 Greater Yellowlegs 4 yellowlegs sp. 3 American Woodcock 1 flushed from the path! large shorebird sp. 4 either Willet or American Oystercatcher Least Tern 2 Willow Flycatcher 1 Saltmarsh Sparrow 6 two from end of boardwalk killer looks Baltimore Oriole 2 male and female adults at nest site
Nice walk in the AM coolness. Still lots of bird activity although the singing has waned a bit. Sapsuckers and Pine Warblers seem to be more vocal after being quiet for a while. The deer flies and mosquitoes ganged up on me in spots but were better along the shoreline. As I walked near the Spotted Sandpiper nest with 4 eggs I had found on 6/15 I heard an adult call very close by. I figured the eggs had hatched by now and when I looked in the nest there was one dead nestling. I guess they all don’t make it out. Both cuckoos was nice and the Merlin was a bit of a surprise.
Quabbin Reservoir--Gate 35, Franklin, Massachusetts, US Jul 3, 2025 7:23 AM - 11:15 AM Protocol: Traveling 2.65 mile(s) 63 species
Mallard 3 Female and 2 young Common Merganser 7 2 adults, 5 young Mourning Dove 1 Yellow-billed Cuckoo 2 Black-billed Cuckoo 1 Killdeer 1 Spotted Sandpiper 2 Ring-billed Gull 5 Common Loon 3 2 seen together and another at least a mile apart. Double-crested Cormorant 10 Turkey Vulture 2 Bald Eagle 1 Red-tailed Hawk 1 Belted Kingfisher 1 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 4 Hairy Woodpecker 2 Pileated Woodpecker 2 Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 1 Merlin 1 Took off from trees on shore ahead of me and flew right in front of me. Small dark falcon, pointed wings and steady flight. Eastern Wood-Pewee 5 Least Flycatcher 3 Eastern Phoebe 3 Great Crested Flycatcher 1 Eastern Kingbird 2 Yellow-throated Vireo 2 Red-eyed Vireo 18 Blue Jay 3 American Crow 2 Black-capped Chickadee 2 Tufted Titmouse 3 Tree Swallow 1 Barn Swallow 4 White-breasted Nuthatch 3 Red-breasted Nuthatch 1 Brown Creeper 1 Gray Catbird 3 Veery 6 Hermit Thrush 1 Wood Thrush 1 American Robin 6 Cedar Waxwing 4 Purple Finch 2 Pair near beaver pond American Goldfinch 3 Chipping Sparrow 6 Song Sparrow 3 Eastern Towhee 5 Red-winged Blackbird (Red-winged) 7 Brown-headed Cowbird 2 Common Grackle 9 Ovenbird 14 Black-and-white Warbler 3 Common Yellowthroat 5 American Redstart 10 Yellow Warbler 3 Chestnut-sided Warbler 1 Black-throated Blue Warbler 1 Female Pine Warbler 9 Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) 2 Prairie Warbler 1 Powerline Black-throated Green Warbler 1 Scarlet Tanager 3 Northern Cardinal 1 Indigo Bunting 1
Date: 7/2/25 5:55 am From: Lynette Leka <lynetteleka...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Stage Island water level management
Parker River National Wildlife Refuge and MassWildlife announce Stage Island water level management timeline in advance of salt marsh restoration project
Parker River National Wildlife Refuge has begun seasonal water level management of the Stage Island Impoundment near the south end of Plum Island to benefit migratory shorebirds. Throughout June, staff gradually lowered the water to expose mudflats, with a target of providing maximal foraging habitat in early July.
In collaboration with MassWildlife, this drawdown facilitates ongoing field work to develop detailed hydrodynamic models and design plans for the Stage Island Impoundment tidal restoration project. During this period, water levels will be temporarily lowered one week earlier than the normal schedule to facilitate topographic surveys and sediment sampling.
Since June 4, up to five least bitterns, a state endangered species in Massachusetts, have been observed using the Stage Island Impoundment. Given the timeframe and repeated sightings, both agencies are working together to avoid any potential adverse effects to these birds. If actively breeding, any young birds would have been mobile by late June. Accordingly, staff will wait until the second week of July to expose mud flats, providing mobile chicks the opportunity to adjust to these changes. The Stage Island flats will again be flooded in early August to provide foraging habitat for shorebirds through September.
Routine water level management is also ongoing in the Bill Forward and North Pools. In April, Bill Forward Pool was lowered for spring shorebird migration but was partially refilled by abundant spring rainfall. Drawdown resumed in June to provide foraging habitat through the fall migration. The water level in North Pool will remain high to support breeding marsh and wading birds.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service works with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. For more information, visit www.fws.gov, or connect with us through any of these social media channels: Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Flickr.
The Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife) is responsible for the conservation of freshwater fish and wildlife in the Commonwealth, including endangered plants and animals. MassWildlife restores, protects, and manages land for wildlife to thrive and for people to enjoy. For more information, visit www.mass.gov/masswildlife.
Matt Hillman Refuge Manager Parker River, Thacher Island Great Bay and Wapack NWRs 6 Plum Island Turnpike Newburyport, MA 01950 O: 978-572-5613 C: 774-303-9090
------------------------------------ (by)..."not noticing birds in one's daily environment, one misses a whole segment of life on earth that can deliver joy every day." Bruce M. Beehler, 2019
Lynette Leka Newbury, MA 01951 email: <lynette.leka...>
Date: 6/27/25 1:33 pm From: Barbara Volkle <barb620...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] 6/26 Brown Thrasher in Squantum (Not where you think)
Thanks to Paul Peterson for this report.
Barbara Volkle Northborough, MA <barb620...>
*
Date: Fri, 27 Jun 2025 16:34:22 +0000 (UTC) From: Paul Peterson <petersonpaul63...> Subject: 6/26 Brown Thrasher in Squantum (Not where you think)
I birded in Squantum from 2:30-7:00 I was delighted to see a Brown Thrasher in an area where most people don't bird. I heard several calls. After a short while, I realized that I could be hearing a thrasher I hurried over to the area in time to see the bird land briefly on a tree top and then dive into dense brush. This is the area where the old, long-abandoned swing set and ball field used to be. It is at Airport Rd. at Saratoga Rd. I covered all of Squantum with the exception of Nickerson Park That means the salt pannes, Moswetuset Hummock, Squantum Pt. Park, nature trail opposite nursing home, river trail, and Billings Salt Marsh Trail
Gloss Ibis 1 Great Blue Heron 2 Black-crowned Night-Heron 1+ Snowy Egret 4+ Great Egret 4 + Osprey 4+ CLAPPER RAIL 1 calling between the two salt pannes Wild Turkey 3 Killdeer 7 American Oystercatcher 2 Greater Yellowlegs 1 Willet 5+ Least Tern 1 Eastern Kingbird 1 Warbling Vireo 2 House Wren 1 Carolina Wren 2 Brown Thrasher 1 Gray Catbird 12+ Yellow Warbler 12+ Common Yellowthroat 3 Saltmarsh Sparrow 5 Kennedy Center salt panne Swamp Sparrow 1 Baltimore Oriole 2
Date: 6/25/25 8:57 pm From: Barbara Volkle <barb620...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Purple Martins Nesting on Nantucket
Thanks to Mary Keleher for this news.
Barbara Volkle Northborough, MA <barb620...>
*
Date: Wed, 25 Jun 2025 17:32:21 From: Mary Keleher <maryeak...> Subject: Purple Martins Nesting on Nantucket
With the recent increase in the Purple Martin population within the state I thought this might be of interest. Purple Martins are nesting on Nantucket Island for the first time.
Mary Keleher, Mashpee, MA
Current Nature: New Species for Nantucket - Give a Warm Welcome for…
CURRENT NATURE: NEW SPECIES FOR NANTUCKET - GIVE A WARM WELCOME FOR…
This AM we kayaked about 1.5 miles of the Upper Millers River and a small section of the Otter River. Birds were active with lots of singing. Along the shore grackles were very active feeding young. Two Bald Eagles, both looked to be 4th year old birds, were moving up and down the river.
Millers River- New Boston Rd crossing -Winchendon US-MA 42.64666, -72.09822, Worcester, Massachusetts, US Jun 25, 2025 9:05 AM - 11:10 AM Protocol: Traveling 1.65 mile(s) Checklist Comments: Kayaked from New Boston Rd put in to the confluence with the Otter River. Went up the Otter River to old bridge abutments. 40 species
Mallard 2 Mourning Dove 3 Yellow-billed Cuckoo 1 Great Blue Heron (Great Blue) 2 Bald Eagle 2 Broad-winged Hawk 1 Belted Kingfisher 1 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1 Least Flycatcher 2 Eastern Kingbird 1 Yellow-throated Vireo 1 Blue-headed Vireo 1 Warbling Vireo 1 Red-eyed Vireo 5 Blue Jay 2 American Crow 1 Common Raven 1 Black-capped Chickadee 1 Tufted Titmouse 1 Tree Swallow 2 Gray Catbird 4 American Robin 3 Cedar Waxwing 2 Purple Finch 1 American Goldfinch 2 Chipping Sparrow 3 Song Sparrow 6 Swamp Sparrow 3 Baltimore Oriole 1 Red-winged Blackbird (Red-winged) 3 Common Grackle 7 Ovenbird 2 Common Yellowthroat 5 American Redstart 1 Yellow Warbler 5 Chestnut-sided Warbler 4 Pine Warbler 2 Prairie Warbler 1 Powerline Scarlet Tanager 1 Rose-breasted Grosbeak 1
Date: 6/22/25 1:43 pm From: Barbara Volkle <barb620...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Moose Hill in Sharon Highlights
Thanks to Paul Peterson for this report.
Barbara Volkle Northborough, MA <barb620...>
*
Date: Sun, 22 Jun 2025 18:17:30 +0000 (UTC) From: Paul Peterson <petersonpaul63...> Subject: Moose Hill in Sharon Highlights
I birded here from 1:00-6:00 I hit the Hobb's Hill Loop Trail, then all of the Kettle Trail, the Field Loop, Billings Loop, the Pasture Trail, the Old Pasture Trail, and finally, most of the Bluff Trail.. Along the Old Pasture Trail, three birds of the same species were singing, down low, an amazing song that was warbler-like. The song had three different sections to it, each section seeming to end the song, but then the bird would sing more and more! Winter Wren? The song wasn't high and tinkling like I would expect from this species.
Red-shouldered Hawk 1 Wild Turkey 9 including six adorable poults crossing Moose Hill Parkway with mum Killdeer 1 Barred Owl 1 minimum Hairy Woodpecker 3 family Great Crested Flycatcher 5 Red-eyed Vireo 4 Common Raven 2 minimum Red-breasted Nuthatch 2 first ones in a while Brown Creeper 3 Winter Wren 3 See Above Veery 6 Wood Thrush 1 Eastern Bluebird 1 Ovenbird 35 Pine Warbler 25 Northern Wterthrush 1 Common Yellowthroat 6 Eastern Towhee 7 Swamp Sparrow 2 Scarlet Tanager 6 a surpirise
A chuck-wills-widow was heard this morning at 3:45 to 4:00 am from Roxy Cahoon Road just a little north of the village at the south end of Great Herring Pond. There is a small parking area and from there a distant Chuck was heard with about 6 Whips.
From the power lines adjacent to Whispering Pines in Plymouth on Sol (might be Solomon?) Joseph Road which is a continuation of Sandy Pond Road there were quite an assortment of raptors the best of which were 6 rather distance Mississippi Kites. These power lines are on the border of Plymouth/Bourne and gives quite a view of sky in several directions.
The cicadas were increasing in volume and quantity all through the early morning!
Glenn
Glenn d'Entremont: <gdentremont1...> Stoughton, MA
Date: 6/20/25 10:53 am From: Kathy Dia <katbirder...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] BBC Birds and Blanding's Kids' Walk
Spaces remaining!!
Birds and Blanding’s Family Walk — A walk for kids ages 8+ with
accompanying adult(s
*Sponsored by the Brookline Bird Club*
*Thursday June 26, 8-10AM, Concord area*
Special guest Dr. Bryan Windmiller of Zoo New England will talk about the
endangered Blanding’s turtles that call Great Meadows NWR home. Then we
will head out to see what turtles, birds, and mammals and other wildlife we
can observe on the refuge. Dr. Bryan will set a live turtle trap the night
before, so we hope to have the opportunity to see a live Blanding's
turtle! Group size is limited. Please email trip leader Kathy Dia to
register (<kdia...>). Due to limited group size this walk
is limited to kids age 8+ and their parent/adult chaperones. Meeting
location will be sent to all registrants three days before the walk.
Date: 6/20/25 5:36 am From: Lynette Leka <lynetteleka...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] not receiving any MassBird postings
hi - I seem to be out of the loop again, nothing from MassBird (or Spam) for about a week, can you help?
thanks!
------------------------------------ (by)..."not noticing birds in one's daily environment, one misses a whole segment of life on earth that can deliver joy every day." Bruce M. Beehler, 2019
Lynette Leka Newbury, MA 01951 email: <lynette.leka...>
A fine-looking adult male Orchard oriole flew in front of me this afternoon in the Arnold Arboretum (Boston). It was along the southwest stretch of the main paved road that skirts Bussey Hill and was singing shortly before flying.
thank you Barbara. I didn't know that, but will keep that in mind moving
forward. :)
On Mon, Jun 16, 2025 at 11:50 PM Barbara Volkle <barb620...>
wrote:
> Thanks to Lynn Pelland for this post.
>
> Unfortunately, massbird does not handle images, so I had to remove that
> before forwarding this post.
>
> Barbara Volkle
> Northborough, MA
> <barb620...>
>
> *
>
> From: Lynn Pelland <lpelland...>
> Date: Mon, 16 Jun 2025 14:55:54 -0400
> Subject: Re: [MASSBIRD] Brightwater Bog, Shutesbury
> To: Josh <opihi...>
> Cc: Massbird <massbird...>
>
> Very nice list. Sounds like a must visit bog.
>
> If anyone is in the area of Montague. I had beautiful views of a
> Black-billed Cuckoo at the Montague Plains yesterday morning. I heard at
> least 3, but only saw one. After I spotted a Coyote (which we saw each
> other at the same time) and a weird spider with spikes!!
>
>
>
>
--
Lynn Pelland
Facilities Services Assistant
Facilities Management
Smith College
126 West St
Northampton, MA 01063
p 413.585.2391
f 413.585.2398
<lpelland...>
--
Date: 6/16/25 8:56 pm From: Barbara Volkle <barb620...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] 6/16 Fowl Meadow in Milton and Canton
Thanks to Paul Peterson for this report.
Barbara Volkle Northborough, MA <barb620...>
*
From: Paul Peterson <petersonpaul63...> Subject: 6/16 Fowl Meadow in Milton and Canton Date: Mon, 16 Jun 2025 23:45:17 +0000 (UTC)
I birded here from 10:30-4:30
Green Heron 1 flyover Red-shouldered Hawk 1 min. Ruby-throated Hummingbird 1 perched, where else, but on the top of a dead tree Hairy Woodpecker Willow Flycatcher 4 Great Crested Flycatcher 1 Eastern Wood-Pewee 3 Eastern Kingbird 1 (min.) Warbling Vireo 8 river trail mostly Red-eyed Vireo 4 Common Raven 1 Cleary Square Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 4 Wood Thrush 3 Blue-winged Warbler 1 Black and White Warbler 2 Yellow Warbler 20 Common Yellowthroat 18 Ovenbird 4 Swamp Sparrow 6 Eastern Towhee 20 Scarlet Tanager 1 near marker 6101 Rose-breasted Grosbeak 4 Baltimore Oriole 4 Northern Leopard Frog 2 (min.) Green Frog 6 Painted Turtle 1 also one dead on Neponset Valley Pkwy White-tailed Deer 2 Eastern Raccoon 1 dead on Neponset Valley Pkwy Gray Squirrel x Eastern Chipmunk x Silver-spotted Skipper 1 Little Wood Satyr 2 Cabbage White 1 skipper sp. 7
If anyone is in the area of Montague. I had beautiful views of a Black-billed Cuckoo at the Montague Plains yesterday morning. I heard at least 3, but only saw one. After I spotted a Coyote (which we saw each other at the same time) and a weird spider with spikes!!
Sorry can not do any more than just a few highlights from this weekend.
Mt Greylock: rain from 6:00 to 9:30. We waited it out at the summit. After the rain the first surprise was an adult male Northern Parula just my second time in June and the latest. One Blackpoll was present. We ended up with 14 warblers including 2 Canadas on the Saddleball trail. Due to the rain bird song was very quiet and a lot of birds were silent.
Since we could not do the mountain road the way I wanted I had about 20 minutes on Sunday morning to go up the mountain road before needing to get to the meeting spot for that trip. Windows open I drove up a couple of miles slowly turned around and came back down. Just one mile/one and quarter miles from the visitor's center I heard a Mourning Warbler (normal) which is why I wanted to go back.
Sunday's trip had its own surprise with a Blue-winged Warbler on October Mountain at the corner where the road goes to the picnic area next to Schoolhouse reservoir (I think thats the name). There is little to no habitat for this and this area was cut about 7 years ago so the secondary habitat has grown, but the make up of species is not what one would find blue-winged, but it was constantly singing.
The other interesting bird was two Red Crossbills which seemed to be searching for something; heard three times and seen in flight twice.
93 species for the weekend.
Glenn
Glenn d'Entremont: <gdentremont1...> Stoughton, MA
Yesterday Sam McGullam and I co-led a walk for the Hampshire Bird Club. We went to Brightwater Bog, a fairly new preserve owned by the Kestrel Trust; before Kestrel acquired the land it was known as Julian’s Bower, named for the owner whose outdoor sculptures are still featured along one section of trail, and whose poetry is posted on a few trailside trees. The bog and preserve surround Ames Pond in Shutesbury. We tallied 46 bird species, plus several butterflies and dragonflies, a couple of orchids, some carnivorous plants, and various other critters.
Bird highlights: A pair of Broad-winged Hawks soaring low over the forest canopy, one of them calling A pair of Red-shouldered Hawk, one of which was carrying a snake Some Common Ravens making a racket Alder Flycatcher cooperatively calling from atop a snag in the bog 9 warbler species singing, and one of the Ovenbirds popping up by the trail while carrying food
Date: 6/15/25 7:34 pm From: Barbara Volkle <barb620...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] 6/14 Burrage Pond Bittern, Rail, Cuckoo, Etc.
Thanks to Paul Peterson for this report.
Barbara Volkle Northborough, MA <barb620...>
*
Date: Sun, 15 Jun 2025 19:44:27 +0000 (UTC) From: Paul Peterson <petersonpaul63...> Subject: 6/14 Burrage Pond Bittern, Rail, Cuckoo, Etc.
I birded here from 2:00-6:10. Thankfully, the weather was cool and overcast, otherwise I would have been exposed to the sunshine constantly in this vast, open space.
Double-crested Cormorant 1 American Bittern 1 just south of the northern half of the pond; harassed mercilessly by a blackbird Glossy Ibis 10 (six plus four) Great Blue Heron 9 Great Egret 6 Osprey 3 (two together) Red-shouldered Hawk 1 just in from Hawkes Ave.entrance in Hanson Virginia Rail 1 same spot as the bittern; unseen; calling kiddik singly several times Yellow-billed Cuckoo 1 heard kdowl six times in succession; heard from edge of pond near beginning of dike Willow Flycatcher 2 Great Crested Flycatcher 3 Eastern Wood-Pewee 1 Eastern Kingbird 2 Yellow-throated Vireo 1 Red-eyed Vireo 2 Fish Crow 1 Bank Swallow 3 (max.) Marsh Wren 6 Veery 1 Eastern Bluebird 1 Yellow Warbler 20 Common Yellowthroat 7 Black and White Warbler 1 Ovenbird 4 Pine Warbler 3 Eastern Towhee 5 Swamp Sparrow 15 Orchard Oriole 1 Baltimore Oriole 3
Nice calm, cool morning at Quabbin this AM. Birds were very vocal and active. With all the rain the reservoir level is much higher than a month ago. Was surprised to hear and then have an Osprey with what looked to be a bass in its talons circle overhead. Also inadvertently flushed a Spotted Sandpiper from a nest that had 4 eggs. Came face to face with a bear and after looking at each other for a while I took a step and it loped off into the woods. Nice morning to be out.
Quabbin Reservoir--Gate 35, Franklin, Massachusetts, US Jun 15, 2025 7:50 AM - 11:24 AM Protocol: Traveling 2.65 mile(s) 57 species
Canada Goose 8 Mallard 1 Female Common Merganser 2 Both female Mourning Dove 1 Yellow-billed Cuckoo 1 Spotted Sandpiper 3 Nest w/4 eggs Common Loon 4 3 breeding plumage, 1 winter plumage Double-crested Cormorant 3 Osprey 1 Carrying what looked to be a small bass Bald Eagle 1 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 2 Downy Woodpecker 1 Hairy Woodpecker 1 Pileated Woodpecker 1 Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 1 Eastern Wood-Pewee 5 Alder Flycatcher 1 Powerline Least Flycatcher 3 Eastern Phoebe 1 Great Crested Flycatcher 2 Eastern Kingbird 1 Yellow-throated Vireo 2 Blue-headed Vireo 2 Red-eyed Vireo 14 Blue Jay 2 American Crow 1 Black-capped Chickadee 3 Tufted Titmouse 3 White-breasted Nuthatch 1 Red-breasted Nuthatch 1 Brown Creeper 1 Northern House Wren 1 Gray Catbird 4 Veery 3 Wood Thrush 2 American Robin 2 Cedar Waxwing 1 American Goldfinch 4 Chipping Sparrow 6 Song Sparrow 5 Eastern Towhee 4 Baltimore Oriole 1 Red-winged Blackbird (Red-winged) 4 Brown-headed Cowbird 1 Common Grackle 6 Ovenbird 14 Black-and-white Warbler 5 Common Yellowthroat 5 American Redstart 13 Yellow Warbler 3 Chestnut-sided Warbler 5 Pine Warbler 9 Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) 1 Prairie Warbler 1 Powerline Black-throated Green Warbler 2 Scarlet Tanager 3 Northern Cardinal 2
Three of us walked the Fruitlands Museum trails this morning in Harvard (a Boxborough Birders/Brookline Bird Club co-led walk) and in spite of the wet weather we were able to hear and see some great birds -- highlights included excellent views of blue-winged warblers, common yellowthroats, chestnut-sided warblers, and several indigo buntings. See below for the bird list.
Fruitlands Museum, Harvard, 100-132 Prospect Hill Road, Worcester, Massachusetts, US Jun 14, 2025 7:00 AM - 8:38 AM Protocol: Traveling 1.7 mile(s) Checklist Comments: Foggy and cool to start, 56 degrees or so, drizzling throughout. Many mosquitoes! But a good walk nonetheless. 40 species
Wild Turkey 13 (8 poults, 2 toms, 3 hens) Chimney Swift 1 Ruby-throated Hummingbird 1 Double-crested Cormorant 1 flyover Red-bellied Woodpecker 1 Eastern Phoebe 1 Eastern Kingbird 2 Blue-headed Vireo 1 Red-eyed Vireo 1 Blue Jay 2 Tufted Titmouse 1 Tree Swallow 1 Barn Swallow 1 White-breasted Nuthatch 1 European Starling 1 Gray Catbird 4 Northern Mockingbird 1 American Robin 5 Cedar Waxwing 6 House Sparrow 2 House Finch 3 American Goldfinch 3 Chipping Sparrow 3 Song Sparrow 2 Eastern Towhee 3 Bobolink 1 singing in old meadow Red-winged Blackbird 2 Brown-headed Cowbird 1 Common Grackle 1 Ovenbird 2 Blue-winged Warbler 3 Black-and-white Warbler 1 Common Yellowthroat 4 American Redstart 1 Yellow Warbler 2 Chestnut-sided Warbler 3 Pine Warbler 1 Northern Cardinal 1 Rose-breasted Grosbeak 1 Indigo Bunting 4 may be more
Wow! That sounds amazing.
Are there or will there be other trips to those locations?
On Tue, Jun 10, 2025 at 6:25 PM Barbara Volkle <barb620...> wrote:
> Thanks to Strickland Wheelock for this report
>
> Barbara Volkle
> Northborough, MA
> <barb620...>
>
> *
> Date: Tue, 10 Jun 2025 17:44:28 +0000 (UTC)
> From: Strickland Wheelock <skwheelock...> <skwheelock...>
> Subject: Adirondack's Birding Results
>
>
> Our MAS trip from Drumlin Farm to the Adirondacks from Fri 6/6 to Mon 6/9
> involved a mixture of boreal and grassland habitats to maximize our
> exposure to the wide variety of breeding species that can be found in
> northern NY. Despite 2 very challenging rainy days [Fri & Mon], we had 2
> lovely birding days where we had many birding highlights each day as we
> explored remote boreal trails, marshes and managed grasslands - net result
> were 128 breeding species including 20 warbler species [Golden-winged,
> Mourning], thrushes [Bicknell's, Swainson's], sparrows [Henslow's,
> Lincoln's], vireos [Philadelphia, Blue-headed], terns [Caspian, Black],
> wrens [Sedge& Winter], chickadees [Boreal], jays [Canada], flycatchers
> [Yellow-bellied, Olive-sided, Alder], marsh species [Sora, Bittern, Crane]
> and so much more.
> Day 1 - 1st stop on our long drive [often in heavy rain] was in northern
> Vt near Whitehall NY - Tim's Trail that took us through some woods and then
> opened into a shrubby grassland returning back to the entrance - no rain at
> this point as this remote narrow trail turned out to be a goldmine of
> species - singing Golden-winged & Blue-winged & Prairie Warblers that also
> included a male Lawrence's Warbler - had also Field Sparrows, Louisiana
> Waterthrush, Magnola, Yellow, Chestnut-sided, B&W, Blk-thr Green, C
> Yellowthroat, Am Redstarts, Indigo Bunting, Yellow-thr Vireos, Gt-crested
> Fly & ended hearing 2 Screech Owls - close by we had along a small river a
> Kingfisher & War=
> bling Vireos [missed the Least Bittern spotted a few days earlier by
> Leslie].The balance of the day was dealing with medium rain as we explore
> some boreal trails, lakes with some success finding a Boreal Chickadee,
> Blk-thr Blue & Yellow-rumped Warblers, Swainson's & Hermit Thrushes, Veery,
> Golden-crKinglets, Pileated Woodpecker, C Loons, Bald Eagle, Osprey, Ravens
> - net result the rain kept bird activity low, us wet - thank goodness for
> Tim's Tr=
> ail where we all got excellent looks at the warblers, bunting & more!
> Day 2 - clear weather as we focused on boreal birding at Massawepie Mire
> near Tupper Lake as we hiked this old dirt railroad bed that crossed an
> expansive wetland bog with stunted scrubs, fir trees on either side of us -
> here we were greeted by 8 Canada Jays, singing Nashville, Canada, Wilson's
> & Palm Warblers, Yellow-bellied & Alder Flycatchers, Lincoln & Wht-thr
> Sparrows, Red-b Nuthatches, Golden-cr Kinglets - further down the trail the
> bog ends & opens up into ideal boreal forest for Blk-backed Woodpeckers &
> longshot Spruce Grouse which did not appear.Before you start walking the
> bog trail we had a variety of deciduous habitats that yielded Mourning,
> Blackburnian, Chestnut-sided, Magnola, Pine, N Parula, Blk-thr Green,
> Yellow, Blk& Wht, Yellow-rumped Warblers, Ovenbirds, Rose-b Grosbeaks,
> Blue-headed Vireo, Olive-sided Fly, Scarlet Tanagers, Indigo Buntings,
> Cedar Waxwings, Broad-winged Hawks - missed the Blk-billed Cuckoos nesting
> nearbyAfter lunch, we headed to the Watertown area for non-boreal birding
> with grasslands & large marshes. Gameplan was to eat an early dinner and
> arrive at Chaumont Barrens Nature Preserve that has a lovely marsh &
> extensive fields [managed for field birds] for an evening birding
> experience - also has an observation tower for scanning the marsh and
> fields for nesting Short-eared Owls.As we walked to the marsh, we enjoyed
> various pairs of Bobolinks and E Kingbirds. Once at the marsh, volumes of
> Marsh Wrens & Swamp Sparrows were calling - over the marsh, a Caspian Tern
> was crashing into the water and a pair of Black Terns swooping about - in
> the water we had Blue-winged Teal, Pied-billed Grebes, C Moorhen plus an Am
> Egret, Gt Blue & Green Herons, a Virginia Rail called & as dusk was coming,
> suddenly a lone Sandhill Crane called & flew off -it was so special being
> there watching the sun set, hearing the Bobolinks singing along with the
> marsh birds - so peaceful & lovely way to end the day.
> Day 3 - An early start on a clear morning took us to Perch River wildlife
> area where there are lookouts and dikes around extensive marshes, fields
> and woodland edges. Here we experienced the songs of Scarlet Tanagers,
> Veery, Gt-crested Fly, E Kingbirds, Yellow Warbler - from the marshes, the
> song of the Soras and other marsh species. As we walked along the dike, the
> calls of the Yellow-billed Cuckoo greeted us, an Am. Bittern flew by us
> along with 3 Blk-cr Night Herons, more Pied-billed Grebes & C Moorhens,
> Caspian Terns plus all the Marsh Wrens & Swamp Sparrows - other highlights
> was a Green Heron teed up in the scope - a wonderful way to start the
> morning!Next stop was a special habitat for the Sedge Wren which we heard
> calling - nearby we had our 1st Towhees, Orchard Oriole, Catbirds, C
> Yellowthroats, Blk&Wht WarblersOur final stop in Watertown area was another
> managed grassland area that blew everyone away - one little dirt pull-off
> with the grasslands on either side of this back road. Here we had stunning
> looks at E Meadowlarks & Bobolinks sitting up on fence post, pair of Am
> Kestrels hunting the fields & stopping on the poles to tear apart their
> prey, being surrounded by Henslow's, Savannah & Vesper Sparrows singing &
> teeing up, Barn & Tree Swallows swooping bye, Turkey Vultures overhead - it
> was hard to leave!We then traveled back to Lake Placid area to bird another
> boral habitat - Bloomingdale Bog. Here we walked another trail in the
> evening enjoying another Canada Jay, Black-thr Blue, Magnolia, Blk-thr
> Green, Nashville Warblers, Red-b Nuthatches, Winter Wrens and the lovely
> song of the Hermit Thrush.
> Day 4 - Back to windy, cool & rainy weather as we drove up to near the top
> of Whiteface Mountain with the goal of finding/hearing the Bicknell's
> Thrush - as we got higher over 4000 ft, we did hear a Swainson's Thrush
> singing through the wind & rain - not ideal weather but we really lucked
> out as we pulled into a dirt pull off near the top, there was a Bicknell's
> Thrush feeding in the dirt by the stunted pines along with a Junco - time
> to get off the mountain and head home with time to stop maybe 1 more stop
> weather permitting.Fortunately the rain stopped briefly, and we pulled off
> by a small lake and what did we hear singing were 2 pairs of Philadelphia
> Vireos plus a nearby Red-eyed Vireo by the road edge - that was a special
> treat for everyone to compare the songs plus closeup views of the
> Philadelphia Vireo's breeding plumage. In the lake was a beautiful C Loon
> close up, Least Fly & Brown Creeper calling, Chestnut-sided & Magnolia
> Warblers feeding - that was a great ending as we then continued drive home
> in the rain.
> In the end again, we enjoyed viewing/hearing 128 species on this
> Adirondack excursion, many of which are species that we rarely see/hear in
> NE, especially in full breeding plumages. In addition to all the bird
> species, we encountered many large Snapping Turtles laying eggs, Muskrats,
> Swallowtail & other beautiful Butterflies along the trails, White-tailed
> Deer everywhere, Moose tracks, colorful wildflowers and the wonderful smell
> of the boreal forest surrounding you.
> Thanks to Leslie Bostrom for all her planning/scouting/driving and Lindsay
> Neubeck-Brown for her expertise/driving and a hardy crew of participants
> dealing with a few rainy days, hiking these trails and a few Mosquitos
> along the way - in the end, we all had a wonderful exposure exploring all
> these boreal and grassland habitats in upper NY!!
>
> Strickland Wheelock
> Uxbridge MA
>
>
Our MAS trip from Drumlin Farm to the Adirondacks from Fri 6/6 to Mon 6/9 involved a mixture of boreal and grassland habitats to maximize our exposure to the wide variety of breeding species that can be found in northern NY. Despite 2 very challenging rainy days [Fri & Mon], we had 2 lovely birding days where we had many birding highlights each day as we explored remote boreal trails, marshes and managed grasslands - net result were 128 breeding species including 20 warbler species [Golden-winged, Mourning], thrushes [Bicknell's, Swainson's], sparrows [Henslow's, Lincoln's], vireos [Philadelphia, Blue-headed], terns [Caspian, Black], wrens [Sedge& Winter], chickadees [Boreal], jays [Canada], flycatchers [Yellow-bellied, Olive-sided, Alder], marsh species [Sora, Bittern, Crane] and so much more. Day 1 - 1st stop on our long drive [often in heavy rain] was in northern Vt near Whitehall NY - Tim's Trail that took us through some woods and then opened into a shrubby grassland returning back to the entrance - no rain at this point as this remote narrow trail turned out to be a goldmine of species - singing Golden-winged & Blue-winged & Prairie Warblers that also included a male Lawrence's Warbler - had also Field Sparrows, Louisiana Waterthrush, Magnola, Yellow, Chestnut-sided, B&W, Blk-thr Green, C Yellowthroat, Am Redstarts, Indigo Bunting, Yellow-thr Vireos, Gt-crested Fly & ended hearing 2 Screech Owls - close by we had along a small river a Kingfisher & War= bling Vireos [missed the Least Bittern spotted a few days earlier by Leslie].The balance of the day was dealing with medium rain as we explore some boreal trails, lakes with some success finding a Boreal Chickadee, Blk-thr Blue & Yellow-rumped Warblers, Swainson's & Hermit Thrushes, Veery, Golden-crKinglets, Pileated Woodpecker, C Loons, Bald Eagle, Osprey, Ravens - net result the rain kept bird activity low, us wet - thank goodness for Tim's Tr= ail where we all got excellent looks at the warblers, bunting & more! Day 2 - clear weather as we focused on boreal birding at Massawepie Mire near Tupper Lake as we hiked this old dirt railroad bed that crossed an expansive wetland bog with stunted scrubs, fir trees on either side of us - here we were greeted by 8 Canada Jays, singing Nashville, Canada, Wilson's & Palm Warblers, Yellow-bellied & Alder Flycatchers, Lincoln & Wht-thr Sparrows, Red-b Nuthatches, Golden-cr Kinglets - further down the trail the bog ends & opens up into ideal boreal forest for Blk-backed Woodpeckers & longshot Spruce Grouse which did not appear.Before you start walking the bog trail we had a variety of deciduous habitats that yielded Mourning, Blackburnian, Chestnut-sided, Magnola, Pine, N Parula, Blk-thr Green, Yellow, Blk& Wht, Yellow-rumped Warblers, Ovenbirds, Rose-b Grosbeaks, Blue-headed Vireo, Olive-sided Fly, Scarlet Tanagers, Indigo Buntings, Cedar Waxwings, Broad-winged Hawks - missed the Blk-billed Cuckoos nesting nearbyAfter lunch, we headed to the Watertown area for non-boreal birding with grasslands & large marshes. Gameplan was to eat an early dinner and arrive at Chaumont Barrens Nature Preserve that has a lovely marsh & extensive fields [managed for field birds] for an evening birding experience - also has an observation tower for scanning the marsh and fields for nesting Short-eared Owls.As we walked to the marsh, we enjoyed various pairs of Bobolinks and E Kingbirds. Once at the marsh, volumes of Marsh Wrens & Swamp Sparrows were calling - over the marsh, a Caspian Tern was crashing into the water and a pair of Black Terns swooping about - in the water we had Blue-winged Teal, Pied-billed Grebes, C Moorhen plus an Am Egret, Gt Blue & Green Herons, a Virginia Rail called & as dusk was coming, suddenly a lone Sandhill Crane called & flew off -it was so special being there watching the sun set, hearing the Bobolinks singing along with the marsh birds - so peaceful & lovely way to end the day. Day 3 - An early start on a clear morning took us to Perch River wildlife area where there are lookouts and dikes around extensive marshes, fields and woodland edges. Here we experienced the songs of Scarlet Tanagers, Veery, Gt-crested Fly, E Kingbirds, Yellow Warbler - from the marshes, the song of the Soras and other marsh species. As we walked along the dike, the calls of the Yellow-billed Cuckoo greeted us, an Am. Bittern flew by us along with 3 Blk-cr Night Herons, more Pied-billed Grebes & C Moorhens, Caspian Terns plus all the Marsh Wrens & Swamp Sparrows - other highlights was a Green Heron teed up in the scope - a wonderful way to start the morning!Next stop was a special habitat for the Sedge Wren which we heard calling - nearby we had our 1st Towhees, Orchard Oriole, Catbirds, C Yellowthroats, Blk&Wht WarblersOur final stop in Watertown area was another managed grassland area that blew everyone away - one little dirt pull-off with the grasslands on either side of this back road. Here we had stunning looks at E Meadowlarks & Bobolinks sitting up on fence post, pair of Am Kestrels hunting the fields & stopping on the poles to tear apart their prey, being surrounded by Henslow's, Savannah & Vesper Sparrows singing & teeing up, Barn & Tree Swallows swooping bye, Turkey Vultures overhead - it was hard to leave!We then traveled back to Lake Placid area to bird another boral habitat - Bloomingdale Bog. Here we walked another trail in the evening enjoying another Canada Jay, Black-thr Blue, Magnolia, Blk-thr Green, Nashville Warblers, Red-b Nuthatches, Winter Wrens and the lovely song of the Hermit Thrush. Day 4 - Back to windy, cool & rainy weather as we drove up to near the top of Whiteface Mountain with the goal of finding/hearing the Bicknell's Thrush - as we got higher over 4000 ft, we did hear a Swainson's Thrush singing through the wind & rain - not ideal weather but we really lucked out as we pulled into a dirt pull off near the top, there was a Bicknell's Thrush feeding in the dirt by the stunted pines along with a Junco - time to get off the mountain and head home with time to stop maybe 1 more stop weather permitting.Fortunately the rain stopped briefly, and we pulled off by a small lake and what did we hear singing were 2 pairs of Philadelphia Vireos plus a nearby Red-eyed Vireo by the road edge - that was a special treat for everyone to compare the songs plus closeup views of the Philadelphia Vireo's breeding plumage. In the lake was a beautiful C Loon close up, Least Fly & Brown Creeper calling, Chestnut-sided & Magnolia Warblers feeding - that was a great ending as we then continued drive home in the rain. In the end again, we enjoyed viewing/hearing 128 species on this Adirondack excursion, many of which are species that we rarely see/hear in NE, especially in full breeding plumages. In addition to all the bird species, we encountered many large Snapping Turtles laying eggs, Muskrats, Swallowtail & other beautiful Butterflies along the trails, White-tailed Deer everywhere, Moose tracks, colorful wildflowers and the wonderful smell of the boreal forest surrounding you. Thanks to Leslie Bostrom for all her planning/scouting/driving and Lindsay Neubeck-Brown for her expertise/driving and a hardy crew of participants dealing with a few rainy days, hiking these trails and a few Mosquitos along the way - in the end, we all had a wonderful exposure exploring all these boreal and grassland habitats in upper NY!!
Date: 6/9/25 10:16 am From: Bill Lafley <blafley...> Subject: Re: [MASSBIRD] Lawence's Warbler likely breeding at Fowl Meadow, Milton
Hello,
Good point Glenn. On a related note about Golden-winged/Blue-winged Warblers, yesterday AM while conducting my 3rd visit for the Trustees Grassland Bird Survey at Jewell Hill in Ashburnham I heard a buzzy song that took me a bit to figure out since I had not heard it in 20+ years. I tried to enlist the help of my Uncle Merlin but he ignored it. Finally concluded it was a Golden-winged song and luckily with some persistence I found the bird and it was a Blue-winged Warbler perched 15-20 up in a tree singing away. Earlier that AM in another area of the property I had a Blue-winged singing its typical bee-buzz song. I remember one of my early birding mentors telling me when you hear one of these birds singing either song always try to get a visual. That was in the days when encountering a Golden-winged was not quite as rare as it is seems to be today.
Bill Lafley
New Salem
<blafley...>
> On Jun 8, 2025, at 8:50 PM, GLENN D'ENTREMONT <gdentremont1...> wrote:
>
>
> Attached is an ebird report with images of Lawrence's Warbler which is a hybrid backcross with a Brewster's (first generation hybrid) and a pure Golden-winged (simplistic probability 1 out of 16 eggs) as this is the recessive genes.
>
> The images show a bird holding food which means confirmed breeding. I am not sure where this is in Fowl Meadow, but anyone birding the area should pay attention and see with what this bird is paired.
>
> Glenn
>
> awrence's Warbler (hybrid) (Vermivora chrysoptera x cyanoptera (F2 backcross)) (1)
> - Reported Jun 03, 2025 08:55 by Ethan Ripperger
> - Fowl Meadow, Norfolk, Massachusetts
> - Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-71.1313248&<ll...>,-71.1313248- Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S246297180 > - Media: 7 Photos
> - Comments: "I was scratching my head for awhile on this one. After wracking my brain for awhile the blue-ish wings made me think of a Blue-winged/Golden-winged hybrid. Some additional googling led me to Lawrence's."
> Glenn d'Entremont: <gdentremont1...> Stoughton, MA
Thanks for sharing, Bill. Together there should be a solution!
Move the people, put a new door in the building, let them finish their nesting this year and make changes to the human access to the building after they finish rearing their young...
Move offices to a mobile headquarters. Have Mass Audubon provide that facility. They are used as temporary offices at construction sites, why not here?
Sue Cloutier
-----Original Message----- From: <blafley...> Sent: Jun 7, 2025 6:21 AM To: Massbird <Massbird...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Greenfield Recorder E-Edition Article
Attached is an ebird report with images of Lawrence's Warbler which is a hybrid backcross with a Brewster's (first generation hybrid) and a pure Golden-winged (simplistic probability 1 out of 16 eggs) as this is the recessive genes.
The images show a bird holding food which means confirmed breeding. I am not sure where this is in Fowl Meadow, but anyone birding the area should pay attention and see with what this bird is paired.
Glenn
awrence's Warbler (hybrid) (Vermivora chrysoptera x cyanoptera (F2 backcross)) (1) - Reported Jun 03, 2025 08:55 by Ethan Ripperger - Fowl Meadow, Norfolk, Massachusetts - Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&<q...>,-71.1313248&<ll...>,-71.1313248- Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S246297180 - Media: 7 Photos - Comments: "I was scratching my head for awhile on this one. After wracking my brain for awhile the blue-ish wings made me think of a Blue-winged/Golden-winged hybrid. Some additional googling led me to Lawrence's."
Glenn d'Entremont: <gdentremont1...> Stoughton, MA
Date: 6/8/25 11:59 am From: Barbara Volkle <barb620...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] sad news - Shiloh Schulte - statement from Manomet
Statement from Manomet Conservation Sciences on the Passing of Shiloh Schulte, PhD We are devastated by the sudden loss of our colleague and friend, Shiloh Schulte, PhD, who died in a helicopter crash while conducting conservation work in Alaska. Shiloh was a deeply respected member of the Manomet Conservation Sciences team, whose passion for shorebird conservation and unwavering commitment to protecting our planet inspired everyone fortunate enough to work alongside him. As the coordinator for the American Oystercatcher Recovery Program, Shiloh worked tirelessly and resourcefully, collaborating with partners along the Eastern Seaboard to help rebuild the American Oystercatcher population by 45%. Shiloh gave his life in the service of something greater than himself, dedicating himself to preserving the natural world for future generations. Our thoughts are with Shiloh’s family, friends, and all who knew and loved him. We will be honoring his legacy by continuing the critical conservation work he championed with such integrity and courage. At this time, we respectfully ask for privacy for Shiloh’s family as they navigate this incredibly difficult time. We are doing everything we can to support them and our team as we grieve this heartbreaking loss. We have created a dedicated online space where those who knew him can share messages, photos, and reflections. This memorial space is intended to honor Shiloh’s legacy and the deep connections he fostered across the shorebird conservation community. Contributions will be used to share with the family and support future remembrance efforts. https://www.kudoboard.com/boards/uGDutZGD <https://www.kudoboard.com/boards/uGDutZGD?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExNDRLWWY0U3VKUlk3Nk5EeQEe6XeI53Egb6tOrpQy0RaKSXWOM7SUNXvs0seCYZ3xmycZbw9UJGhW7tuTIq0_aem_QHCMD9q8HBNZs8NA0QtwxA> Media Contacts: Dorie Klissas <dklissas...> Jeanne O’Rourke Senior Director, Marketing & Communications <jorourke...>
Date: 6/8/25 7:25 am From: Barbara Volkle <barb620...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] sad news - Shiloh Schulte
I'm passing along the sad news of the death of Manomet Conservation Sciences scientist, Shiloh Schulte, in a helicopter crash in Alaska's North Slope.
“Shiloh was a deeply respected member of the Manomet Conservation Sciences team, whose passion for shorebird conservation and unwavering commitment to protecting our planet inspired everyone fortunate enough to work alongside him,” the organization said Saturday in a statement.
He coordinated an American Oystercatcher recovery program for Manomet.
Date: 6/8/25 5:43 am From: Judy Hall <judy6238...> Subject: Re: [MASSBIRD] To crown a king - rarely-seen field marks
Richard, thank you for suffering the skeeters to bring us these fantastic
photos. Wow, I never would have known (or seen) these glimpses of the
Kingbird's red crown without your efforts and the keen eye of your camera.
Such a treat!
Judy Hall
Wendell
On Sat, Jun 7, 2025 at 12:00 PM Richard George <richard...> wrote:
> Yesterday, between the rains, I was birding at Parker River. I happened to
> be doing so at the same time as a Mass Audubon-led group, and while up at
> the pans I overheard the guide talking about a field mark he’d rarely if
> ever seen, with reference to a Kingbird that was present - the hidden red
> crest. I’d never heard of this, and with the light at the time didn’t
> realize I’d managed to capture it in these photos - the bird was
> considerably closer to me than to the group at the time, and I figure if
> anyone happened to know the leader or any of the participants, they might
> be interested in this closer look. I’ll also drop Mass Audubon a line on
> Monday in case it’s of interest.
>
> Photos are at
> https://www.flickr.com/photos/parsingphase/albums/72177720326705753 >
> Between the mosquitos, I caught several photos of other Kingbirds, but
> this is the only one with the slightest hint of the crown.
>
> (Sadly, this being the first time I’d got out birding in months, I
> neglected to take bug spray - don’t make my mistake; Hellcat was 99%
> mosquitos by volume and they were biting hard!)
>
>
> Richard George
> Wakefield MA
> <richard...>
>
>
>
Date: 6/7/25 7:09 pm From: Barbara Volkle <barb620...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] 6/6 Belle Isle and Rumney Marshes, Etc. Eventful Day
Thanks to Paul Peterson for this report.
Barbara Volkle Northborough, MA <barb620...>
*
Date: Sat, 7 Jun 2025 17:32:13 +0000 (UTC) From: Paul Peterson <petersonpaul63...> Subject: 6/6 Belle Isle and Rumney Marshes, Etc. Eventful Day
I birded first at Belle Isle Marsh, then Revewre Beach for shearwaters, then Rumney Marsh-South End in hopes of getting Clapper Rail and White-faced Ibis.A very satisfying day indeed:
Manx Shearwater 17 near south end, close to shore roosting at low tide White-faced Ibis 1 seen in wet area on Route 1A just north of the Freeman St. Fire Station; WOW! It was with four Glossy Ibis.There is a sidewalk here. Just north of Revere St. and Rte. 1 A intersection Glossy Ibis 30+ impossible to count, always on the move Snowy Egret 3 B.I. Osprey 6+ combined total Great Egret 1 CLAPPER RAIL 2 Jacobs Park; one calling just a bit W of Elmwood, other a bit E of Thorndike; this park runs along Hastings St. scoter sp. 3 Killdeer 5 Semipalmated Plover 4 White-rumped Sandpiper 1 Semipalmated Sandpiper 4 Willet 3+ American Oystercatcher 1 Belle Isle Inlet Greater Yellowlegs 1 Common Tern 3 Least Tern 2 Willow Flycatcher 1 B.I. Lawn Ave. Trail (wear long sleeves; mosquitoes await you) Warbling Vireo 3 B.I. Yellow Warbler 7 B.I. Common Yellowthroat 2 B.I. Saltmarsh Sparrow 5 B.I. Bobolink 1 B.I. Meadow Baltimore Oriole 1 B.I.
Date: 6/7/25 8:51 am From: Richard George <richard...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] To crown a king - rarely-seen field marks
Yesterday, between the rains, I was birding at Parker River. I happened to be doing so at the same time as a Mass Audubon-led group, and while up at the pans I overheard the guide talking about a field mark he’d rarely if ever seen, with reference to a Kingbird that was present - the hidden red crest. I’d never heard of this, and with the light at the time didn’t realize I’d managed to capture it in these photos - the bird was considerably closer to me than to the group at the time, and I figure if anyone happened to know the leader or any of the participants, they might be interested in this closer look. I’ll also drop Mass Audubon a line on Monday in case it’s of interest.
Between the mosquitos, I caught several photos of other Kingbirds, but this is the only one with the slightest hint of the crown.
(Sadly, this being the first time I’d got out birding in months, I neglected to take bug spray - don’t make my mistake; Hellcat was 99% mosquitos by volume and they were biting hard!)
Date: 6/7/25 7:20 am From: Bill Lafley <blafley...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Bike birding by ear - New Salem - 6.6.25
Hello,
Rode an 8 mile loop from the house and recorded the birds mainly by ear. Birds were very vocal even though it was late morning. Used to do a lot of atlasing for the NY Breeding Bird Atlas in the 80s by bike. Great way to hear the birds and easy to stop and check them out.
New Salem, Franklin, Massachusetts, US Jun 6, 2025 10:25 AM - 11:46 AM Protocol: Traveling 8.1 mile(s) Checklist Comments: Biked loop from home on S Main to Wendell Rd to Neilson Rd to N Main St to S Main. 50 species
Mourning Dove 2 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 2 Red-bellied Woodpecker 2 Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 1 Eastern Wood-Pewee 5 Least Flycatcher 3 Eastern Phoebe 5 Great Crested Flycatcher 3 Yellow-throated Vireo 1 Blue-headed Vireo 2 Warbling Vireo 1 Red-eyed Vireo 24 Blue Jay 2 American Crow 1 Black-capped Chickadee 4 Tufted Titmouse 4 Tree Swallow 2 Barn Swallow 2 White-breasted Nuthatch 1 Red-breasted Nuthatch 2 Northern House Wren 11 European Starling 2 Gray Catbird 4 Eastern Bluebird 1 Veery 3 Wood Thrush 1 American Robin 16 Cedar Waxwing 2 House Sparrow 2 House Finch 1 American Goldfinch 2 Chipping Sparrow 23 Song Sparrow 6 Eastern Towhee 3 Baltimore Oriole 1 Red-winged Blackbird (Red-winged) 2 Brown-headed Cowbird 2 Ovenbird 14 Black-and-white Warbler 3 Common Yellowthroat 7 American Redstart 12 Magnolia Warbler 1 Blackburnian Warbler 1 Yellow Warbler 2 Chestnut-sided Warbler 5 Black-throated Blue Warbler 2 Pine Warbler 1 Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) 1 Black-throated Green Warbler 2 Scarlet Tanager 2
Date: 6/7/25 6:26 am From: Josh <opihi...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Cliff Swallow colony endangered in Rowe
> On Jun 7, 2025, at 6:17 AM, <blafley...> wrote: > > Thought this might be of interest. > > Bill Lafley > New Salem > <blafley...> > > > Follow the link below to view the article. > > Removal pending for rare bird colony > https://greenfieldrecorder-ma.newsmemory.com/?publink=04b6310ce_134fa13
Hey all,
Another link to what I think is the same story, since the above link didn’t work for me the first time that I clicked on it:
And here’s data from the MA Breeding Bird Atlas showing that our state lost more than half of its Cliff Swallow breeding sites between the first Atlas in 1974-1979, and the second one in 2007-2011:
Swallow researcher Mara Silver has asked that people contact the Rowe town government to ask that they not destroy the Cliff Swallow colony on their town hall. Here is an excerpt from the latest Athol Bird & Nature Club email update about the how and why:
> Cliff Swallow colony in Rowe, MA: For Immediate action > > Please send an email voicing your concern for the Cliff Swallows of Rowe, MA. Talking points are listed below. Please use the points but create your own message. Let’s try to save one of the last few Cliff Swallow colonies in the state.
> Send the email to the following (send in to all recipients in one email):
> A significant and rare colony of Cliff Swallows nests on the Rowe town hall in Rowe, MA, where artificial clay nests are installed to prevent nests from falling, a common occurrence with the prevalence of painted barns today. The Rowe selectboard does not want the Cliff Swallows nesting on the town hall after 2025, and they are going to put structures under the eaves next year to prevent the birds from nesting there. A small group of birders has tried everything in our power to convince them not to do so and even tried to compromise. This year we didn't put any ceramic nests over the windows, and every year we take the ceramic nests down and clean them and put them up in spring on freshly painted boards so they look nice. We have explained that the swallows and their minimal droppings (which we hose down) outside the building are absolutely not a health threat. We have also conveyed that Cliff Swallows are a very rare species in MA; there are approximately 8 known colonie! s in the state. The selectboard has requested that we "move" the colony to a nearby barn by putting the ceramic nests on that barn. We put 3 up on this barn and no pairs are using them. Mara Silver, who has worked on swallow conservation projects for 35 years, has explained that you can't just "move" them. The town hall is their preferred nesting site. They are so successful there that last year they arrived in late April and were done nesting and absent from the Town Hall by July 3--that is less than 10 weeks! Cliff Swallows are not a listed species in MA, but they are a Species of Greatest Conservation Need MassWildlife's State Wildlife Action Plan, and they are listed as Threatened just north of us in New Hampshire. The Rowe colony, with over ~30 pairs, is the second largest colony in the state and thus hosts a significant portion of the swallows nesting in the state. The MA state ornithologist has written a snail mail letter and email to the town to no avail. Many local! residents and birdwatchers are against the elimination of thi! s colony.
Date: 6/5/25 8:39 pm From: Barbara Volkle <barb620...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] 6/5 Acadian and Y.-B. Flycatchers at McLaughlin Woods,, Etc.
Thanks to Paul Peterson for this report.
Barbara Volkle Northborough, MA <barb620...>
*
Date: Thu, 5 Jun 2025 19:58:56 From: 'Paul Peterson' via Boston Birds <bostonbirds...> Subject: 6/5 Acadian and Y.-B. Flycatchers at McLaughlin Woods, Etc.
I wasn't planning on birding in the woods today, but I awoke to the song of a CANADA WARBLER just outside my window! I took that as an omen, and decided to bird McLaughlin Woods after all! I birded from 10:15-12:20
Acadian Flycatcher 1 orchard Yellow-bellied Flycatcher 1 orchard Great Crested Flycatcher 1 possibly nesting; caught a worm up in the trees Canada Warbler 1 See Above Tiger Swallowtail 1 duskywing sp. 1 ?
We try to do this hike every year (missed last year) about this week. Blackburnians were very numerous and we got some beautiful looks at a few since they were in shorter trees along Saddleball ridge. Only 2 Blackpolls (have had as many as 5) and no Swainson’s Thrushes. Last one we had was 2021 and we had 3 in 2020. Always great to hear the Winter Wren’s song along the trail. One thing we have noted twice is most of the Black-throated Green Warblers were in deciduous woods from 2500 - 2900’ elevation and only 1 or 2 of the 11 we recorded were in the spruce/fir on Saddleball. In the N Quabbin area they are generally found in predominantly hemlock/pine forests.
Mount Greylock State Reservation, Berkshire, Massachusetts, US Jun 5, 2025 7:44 AM - 2:27 PM Protocol: Traveling 9.55 mile(s) Checklist Comments: Hiked up Cheshire Harbor trail to Appalachian Trail just below summit and along Saddleball ridge to Old Adams Rd and back to Cheshire Harbor Trail 40 species
Broad-winged Hawk 1 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 2 Pileated Woodpecker 1 Yellow-bellied Flycatcher 1 Late migrant? Called “Turee” a couple times and Che-Lyk several times. About 2 miles up the Cheshire Harbor Trail. Blue-headed Vireo 1 Red-eyed Vireo 11 Blue Jay 3 Common Raven 4 Black-capped Chickadee 4 Tufted Titmouse 1 Golden-crowned Kinglet 6 5 along Saddleball Red-breasted Nuthatch 4 Brown Creeper 2 Winter Wren 4 3 along Saddleball Mtn, one in lower forest Gray Catbird 1 Veery 1 Hermit Thrush 6 American Robin 2 Purple Finch 1 Along Saddleball Chipping Sparrow 1 Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored) 13 Song Sparrow 1 Baltimore Oriole 1 Ovenbird 29 Minimum Black-and-white Warbler 2 Common Yellowthroat 1 American Redstart 2 Magnolia Warbler 5 Blackburnian Warbler 24 Probably more. We heard one almost the whole length of the Saddleball section of the trail. Great looks at a few since they were lower in the shorter trees. Yellow Warbler 1 Chestnut-sided Warbler 1 Blackpoll Warbler 2 Along Saddleball Black-throated Blue Warbler 10 Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) 8 Black-throated Green Warbler 11 Canada Warbler 1 On Saddleball Scarlet Tanager 2 Northern Cardinal 1 Rose-breasted Grosbeak 1 Indigo Bunting 1
