Date: 8/13/20 10:52 am From: Carl Westlund <grimishere...> Subject: Re: [MASSBIRD] Crested Caracara YES
I'm down here in Texas and havent found one yet LOL
Carl Westlund
Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android
On Thu, Aug 13, 2020 at 12:16 PM, John Nelson<jnelson...> wrote: I got lucky and saw the previously reported Crested Caracara in flight just past noon today at Folly Cove in Rockport. I was standing roadside where Rt. 127 curves between the angle parking for Halibut Pt. SP and the Lobster Pool Restaurant. The caracara was gliding fairly high up between the state park and Folly Cove. I haven't seen this species in some years and remember it as generally flying closer to the ground, but that was in more open, less wooded habitat. I was struck by the bird's overall size, about Osprey-sized, the distinctive head shape, and its angular look in flight, with both head and long tail projecting far from the body.
John NelsonGloucester
Date: 8/13/20 10:17 am From: John Nelson <jnelson...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Crested Caracara YES
I got lucky and saw the previously reported Crested Caracara in flight just past noon today at Folly Cove in Rockport. I was standing roadside where Rt. 127 curves between the angle parking for Halibut Pt. SP and the Lobster Pool Restaurant. The caracara was gliding fairly high up between the state park and Folly Cove. I haven't seen this species in some years and remember it as generally flying closer to the ground, but that was in more open, less wooded habitat. I was struck by the bird's overall size, about Osprey-sized, the distinctive head shape, and its angular look in flight, with both head and long tail projecting far from the body.
Date: 8/13/20 6:49 am From: Andy Sanford <asanford2000...> Subject: Re: [MASSBIRD] Crested Caracara - Halibut Point, Rockport - 2
Just seen from coast from locust grove cemetery path.
Andy Sanford Marblehead
> On Aug 13, 2020, at 7:32 AM, Barbara Volkle <barb620...> wrote: > > Should say as well "currently being seen in the cemetery". > > Thanks, Sean! > > Barbara Volkle > Northborough, MA > <barb620...>
Date: 8/13/20 4:28 am From: Barbara Volkle <barb620...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Crested Caracara - Halibut Point, Rockport
Thanks to Sean Williams for the following report from the phone tree:
Crested Caracara is continuing, currently being seen from the ooverlook at Halibut State Park perched above the treeline to the southwest. Scope probably necessary. photo at http://s.groupme.com/1fi6y5ui
Also on ebird:
Crested Caracara (Caracara cheriway) (1) CONFIRMED - Reported Aug 12, 2020 18:00 by Max "Hummingbird" Baber - 30 Folly Point Road, Gloucester, Massachusetts, US (42.688, -70.647), Essex, Massachusetts - Map:http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=42.68773,-70.6467956&ll=42.68773,-70.6467956 - Checklist:https://ebird.org/checklist/S72353653 - Media: 1 Photo - Comments: "Good, long look at perched bird. Took flight, saw white in wings. Got photo, don't know how to upload"
Date: 8/12/20 8:39 am From: Douglas Chickering <dovekie...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Sooty Tern
The Sooty Tern was observed today for a few hours from Gate , Wachusett Res., 36 by myself, Tom Graham, Steve Babbit and Bob Murphy this morning. Great show!!!
Hi Massbirders, I had a proverbial odd duck on Gloucester Harbor tonight along the sea wall. It was clearly a youngster, as it stretched its wings, which had no flight feathers yet. It was overall a dark color, faintly brownish on the sides, and very dark on the top of the head. The bill was large and triangular giving the head a wedge shape. My overall impression was scoter, but Iâve never seen a young scoter here this time of year. And Iâve never seen a scoter that young in these parts period. Thoughts? Caroline Haines Gloucester <Songbirder...> Sent from my iPhone-please excuse brevity, typos, or insults.
Date: 8/11/20 10:46 am From: Lynette Leka <lynetteleka...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Friends of the Refuge Special Event - Shorebird Workshop
ZOOM into SHOREBIRDS !!!
Thursday, August 13, 7:00pm
Shorebird Workshop presented by Bill Gette
Learn shorebird identification from one of the area's experts.
Discover the best locations to search for shorebirds locally.
See the web site parkerriver.org for details and registration information.
------------------------------------ (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: 8/11/20 5:47 am From: Barbara Volkle <barb620...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Essex bay
Thanks to Derek Brown for this report.
Barbara Volkle Northborough, MA <barb620...>
*
From: Derek Brown <derekbrownbuild...> Date: Mon, 10 Aug 2020 21:31:32 -0400 Message-ID: <CA+u6VfH_Qj2EZkY7R-ixwpW9n9cSXTQQyU=<A471p_DmRF0XFzA...> Subject: Essex bay
Canoeing around the Spit yesterday afternoon we saw a black tern resting on the flats with a cotillion of common and least terns., this afternoon we were graced with a lone sooty tern that we were able to follow eastwards for a few minutes. derek brown & april manganiello essex ma
Gate 36 still. Walk out 200m or so on dike. Per others, locate the yellow buoy and the sandy bluff at roughly 10 and 11 o=E2=80=99clock. Scan the *tr= ees* between them (or keep scope still there and wait) *not* the water up to a scope FOV *above* the top distant treeline. The bird is dark, banks constantly, and when it banks back toward the trees you may lose it (repeatedly.) It was being harassed by swallows while I was on it. Good luck.
Hello MassBird, I took a walk around Cogswell's Grant yesterday. The - Nesting Grassland Birds - caution signs warmed the heart. While it's not exactly my Home Patch, Cogswell's Grant is where I learned how to Bird. And I don't mean, Walk Slow and Carry Big Binoculars. No, that part of Birding I learned from Steve Grinley and Jan Smith.
I mean the part about Conservation, Habitat Protection, and Community Activism. You know, that part of Birding which recognizes, if the habitat is lost, then so too are the birds who nest there. Our grass roots effort last year to protect one last standing field of grass Saved the Eastern Meadowlark. And here it is one year later... That field of grass still stands... And those Eastern Meadowlarks still sing!
Thank you, Mr. Shilo McDonald, a Birder in every sense of the word Lynn, Massachusetts ShiloCM 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
Cogswell's Grant, Essex, Massachusetts, US Aug 8, 2020 3:17 PM - 4:43 PM Protocol: Traveling 1.1 mile(s) Checklist Comments: Went for a walk around the main field, while soaked in bug spray. Still got bit. But, only a few times. :-) 32 species
Mallard 1 Heard only. Quacking. Coming from the direction of the Essex River. Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 1 Seen flying near the cemetery on Spring Street, prior to the Cogswell's Grant entrance. Mourning Dove 4 Seen and heard. Along Spring Street just prior to the entrance of Cogswell's Grant. Chimney Swift 1 Foraging in the sky above the Essex River. Lesser Yellowlegs 1 Heard only, "Tu, tu." Coming from the marsh grass alongside the Essex River. Herring Gull 5 Flying by. Double-crested Cormorant 7 Sitting all together. Above the Blue Sky Farm sign. Photo attached. Turkey Vulture 1 Flying by. Being harassed by a Red-winged Blackbird. Osprey 1 Flying by. Photos attached. Red-tailed Hawk 2 Saw one. And heard one screaming. Photo attached. Downy Woodpecker 1 Heard only. Descending whinny. Eastern Phoebe 2 Observed the adult feeding the young. Photos attached. Blue Jay 2 Black-capped Chickadee 1 Heard only, "Chick-a-dee-dee-dee." Tree Swallow 5 Foraging above the grass fields. Barn Swallow 27 Flying in and out of the barn, in and out of the shed, and in the air above the grass fields. European Starling 12 Traveling together. Gray Catbird 4 Heard meowing. Seen eating berries. Photos attached. American Robin 1 Heard only. Squee-eep! Cedar Waxwing 5 Heard only. High pitched trills. On Spring Street, before the entrance to Cogswell's Grant. House Sparrow 4 Inside the shed next to the barn. House Finch 7 Singing. Feeding young. American Goldfinch 6 Seen and heard. Chipping Sparrow 1 Juvenile. Small sparrow with streaked underparts. Streaked brown crown. Dark eye line. Some not-so-great photos attached. Song Sparrow 3 Seen and heard. Photos attached. Bobolink 16 Seen and heard. Photogenic juveniles. Curious of me, being curious of them. Eastern Meadowlark (Eastern) 1 When I first arrived, I heard him alert calling. I scanned the standing tall grass field and found a couple of people walking along its edge. They were harmless, but he still sounded the alert. Wonder what he's protecting in that tall grass? I found him at the tip top of his favorite tree. When the people left, he stopped the alert call. And changed over to singing. I took that as a compliment. And silently thanked him. Photos and audio recordings attached. Baltimore Oriole 1 Heard only. Songlike calls. Red-winged Blackbird 1 Seen only. Harassing a Turkey Vulture. Brown-headed Cowbird 1 Juvenile. Seen with and probably reared by House Finches. Yellow Warbler 1 Heard only. Begging juvenile. Coming from inside the hedgerow dividing Main Field from Front Field. Northern Cardinal 2 Heard only. Singing.
Bird was present Sunday morning from 8 to 9, but it was a long look across the reservoir (essentially due S from Gate 36.) The only other birds were a small number of Herring Gulls, so if you see a bird that's obviously different, that's it. Visible with good binoculars and identifiable with a scope. At that location Gate 8 might be better, but that looks like it's a long walk.
I went to Gate 8 today. The bird was just as far as seen from Gate 36, but the morning light was better (7:00 ish).
I believe the bird is using the geometric center of that section of reservoir and thus is not really close to any point one can get to.
There are a couple of small islands which I was told Gates 6 and 7 get behind so I opted for Gate 8.
Glenn
Glenn d'Entremont: <gdentremont1...> Stoughton, MA
> On 08/08/2020 9:48 PM bank1941 <bank1941...> wrote: > > > Mbers, I saw the bird today from dike at gate 36, but wondering if gates 6 and 7 might get one closer to bird's favorite haunts? Do locals have any insight on what sight lines would be from those gates? > > > Joe Paluzzi > > > > > > Joe Paluzzi > Salem, MA. USA > > > Sent by my Verizon tablet >
Mbers, I saw the bird today from dike at gate 36, but wondering if gates 6 and 7 might get one closer to bird's favorite haunts? Do locals have any insight on what sight lines would be from those gates?
Date: Sat, 8 Aug 2020 23:16:10 +0000 (UTC) From: Glenn Williams <gswilliams9...> Subject: Hummingbird anecdote
My favorite hummingbird story - a woman who lives in my town and fed hummers in summer was standing at her condo glass sliding door in a bathrobe with red flowers on it on a February morning. A hummingbird hovered in front of her and tried to get at her robe through the glass. She rushed to her storage area to get her hummer feeder and put it up. The bird fed voraciously and stayed for a few weeks. I was lucky enough to go see it. Mark Szantyr was able to get good photographs to prove it was a Rufous Hummingbird. Rusty on the details.
What was that little guy doing in southern Connecticut randomly looking for food in the middle of winter? Was it serendipity that it found the right person in a less than ideal habitat or would it have survived on random winter insect hatches or other sources and made its way south and around back to breeding territory anyway?
Date: 8/8/20 8:29 am From: JOSEPH <bank1941...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Wachusett-Sooty Tern-yes
Mbers, the subject is still being seen this morning from gate 36. From road walk out on the dike 200 yards and focus on yellow buoy/boat across the reservoir at about 10:00 or exposed sandy bluff. The bird likes that area high above tree line.
On Fri, Aug 7, 2020, 9:58 PM Cliff Cook <ccook13...> wrote:
> Turns out this is Gate 36, not 37.
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> > On Aug 7, 2020, at 8:02 PM, Cliff Cook <ccook13...> wrote:
> >
> > A Sooty Tern is still present at Wachusetts Reservoir as of about 5:30
> this afternoon. The bird is being seen from duke by Rainbow Cove, which is
> Gate 37 I think, across the water by the far side of the reservoir against
> the forest covered slope. You definitely need a scope. There is an exposed
> bluff far across the water and the bird tended to stay in that vicinity.
> >
> > Cliff Cook
> > Watertown
> >
> > Sent from my iPhone
>
>
> On Aug 7, 2020, at 8:02 PM, Cliff Cook <ccook13...> wrote: > > A Sooty Tern is still present at Wachusetts Reservoir as of about 5:30 this afternoon. The bird is being seen from duke by Rainbow Cove, which is Gate 37 I think, across the water by the far side of the reservoir against the forest covered slope. You definitely need a scope. There is an exposed bluff far across the water and the bird tended to stay in that vicinity. > > Cliff Cook > Watertown > > Sent from my iPhone
The maps show gates ringing the reservoir. Are the gates on the east side off limits? No one seems to be looking from there. Perhaps, like Quabbin, one can not get to the water from these access points.
Thanks everyone.
Glenn
Glenn d'Entremont: <gdentremont1...> Stoughton, MA
> On 08/07/2020 8:14 PM GLENN D'ENTREMONT <gdentremont1...> wrote: > > > I have been to Wachusett very few times and am only aware of the dike along Rt 140. I would like info on where Gate 36 and 40 are. > > Many thanks. > > Glenn > > Glenn d'Entremont: <gdentremont1...> Stoughton, MA >
From: <massbird-approval...> on behalf of GLENN D'ENTREMONT <gdentremont1...>
Reply-To: GLENN D'ENTREMONT <gdentremont1...>
Date: Friday, August 7, 2020 at 8:20 PM
To: "<massbird...>" <massbird...>
Subject: [MASSBIRD] Request for information-Wachusett Reservoir
I have been to Wachusett very few times and am only aware of the dike along Rt 140. I would like info on where Gate 36 and 40 are.
Many thanks.
Glenn
Glenn d'Entremont: <gdentremont1...> Stoughton, MA
You all have probably figured this out, but this is Westport, not Westford.
Glenn
Glenn d'Entremont: <gdentremont1...> Stoughton, MA
> On 08/07/2020 3:50 PM Robert Ross <plumisl...> wrote: > > > Hi Joe: > > I spotted three of them off the point at Gooseberry Neck in Westford (Bristol County) off of Horseneck Beach State Campground yesterday around 5:30 PM. > > Sincerely, > > Bob > > On Fri, Aug 7, 2020 at 11:55 AM JOSEPH < <bank1941...> mailto:<bank1941...> > wrote: > > > > Mbers, does anyone have any info whether subject has been seen today? > > > > Joe Paluzzi > > > > > > Sent from Xfinity Connect Application > > > > >
A Sooty Tern is still present at Wachusetts Reservoir as of about 5:30 this afternoon. The bird is being seen from duke by Rainbow Cove, which is Gate 37 I think, across the water by the far side of the reservoir against the forest covered slope. You definitely need a scope. There is an exposed bluff far across the water and the bird tended to stay in that vicinity.
Date: 8/7/20 12:54 pm From: Robert Ross <plumisl...> Subject: Re: [MASSBIRD] Sooty Tern info?
Hi Joe:
I spotted three of them off the point at Gooseberry Neck in Westford (Bristol County) off of Horseneck Beach State Campground yesterday around 5:30 PM.
Sincerely,
Bob
On Fri, Aug 7, 2020 at 11:55 AM JOSEPH <bank1941...> wrote:
> Mbers, does anyone have any info whether subject has been seen today? > > Joe Paluzzi > > > Sent from Xfinity Connect Application
Date: 8/7/20 10:01 am From: Barbara Volkle <barb620...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Re: [CarlisleNature] Common Loon pair flyover Carlisle, MA 8/7/20
Thanks to Andrew Wilmot for the following post.
Barbara Volkle
Northborough, MA <barb620...>
*
Date: Fri, 7 Aug 2020 12:40:44 -0400 (EDT) From: ANDREW WILMOT <andrewwilmot...> Subject: Re: [CarlisleNature] Common Loon pair flyover Carlisle, MA 8/7/20
Cool sighting!
There have been up to 4 loons at one time at Walden Pond this year (I've ha= d the cool experience of swimming within 10 feet of one of them). They have= n't been there the last several days. Perhaps related?
From: <massbird-approval...> on behalf of JOSEPH <bank1941...> Reply-To: JOSEPH <bank1941...> Date: Friday, August 7, 2020 at 11:55 AM To: <massbird...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Sooty Tern info?
Mbers, does anyone have any info whether subject has been seen today?
Date: 8/7/20 5:20 am From: Andrew Joslin <andrew...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Common Loon pair flyover Carlisle, MA 8/7/20
At 7:15 AM this morning 8/7 I heard a Common Loon calling, thought it was background on the radio but it didn't sync up with the subject matter ;-) Realized it was outside, ran out the door in time to hear and see a single loon flying north at about 170' over white pines/hardwood forest. Shortly after a second loon went over also calling. They continued calling as they progressed north. It made sense that I heard them initially and had the time to get out and see them, quite a bit of projection of their calls before and after they came though.
Thinking it it might be interesting to check Nagog Pond in Acton and Heart Pond in Chelmsford to see if they stuck around. They could also keep going a another few miles and be on the Merrimack by Lowell in no time.
Great Blue Heron sometimes take this same route at night, likewise I can hear them calling at a fair distance as they approach and after they go by.
Date: 8/6/20 5:24 am From: Barbara Volkle <barb620...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] House Rental Lakeville - Birders and gardener location - With,permission of the moderator
Thanks to Mike Sylvia for this post.
Best of luck, Mike!
Barbara Volkle Northborough, MA <barb620...>
*
From: Right Angle <mikesylvia...> Subject: House Rental Lakeville - Birders and gardener location - With permission of the moderator Date: Thu, 6 Aug 2020 07:59:02 -0400
Hello Fellow nature lovers.
I know it is odd to see a house rental on Massbird but I hope you won't mind. I would like to thank Barbara for the chance to make this available to fellow nature lovers. We also have two separate areas for gardening. My wife and I are moving to Ireland at the end of August for a job opportunity and will be renting our house in Lakeville for the coming year. Available September 1.
The house is in Lakeville and I have groomed it to be good for birds and other wildlife. It is also surrounded by a lot of great habitat and in an area with a lot more great habitat. You can check some of my bird lists on e= Bird. Winter bird feeding is very good and last year I had 30+ Pine Warblers at once for most of the Winter as well as many other birds. Bluebirds annually nest on the property as well as many other species.
Below is a link with photos and other information about renting it. If you have other questions please feel free to email me or you can contact the management company directly.
Date: 8/5/20 6:43 pm From: Barbara Volkle <barb620...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] My suet feeder
Thanks to Sandy Selesky for this report.
Barbara Volkle Northborough, MA <barb620...>
*
From: Sandy <sandyselesky...> Date: Wed, 5 Aug 2020 18:45:22 -0400 Subject: My suet feeder
It took over 30 years to finally get a Pileated coming to our suet feeder and it's not an every day event by any means although this spring and summer have seen more frequent visits. It's a double sided metal feeder that takes 2 normal sized no melt all season suet cakes, one on each side, and all our Woodpeckers plus many other birds including the Pileated seem to prefer the Nutty Suet I buy at Market Basket in the pet supply and bird seed aisle. I have tried the Berry suet and that's ok too but they seem to prefer the one with peanuts too. So far it's only the female who comes. The male stays on the trees or flies in the backyard sometimes but I have never seen him come to the suet yet. Good luck!!
Date: 8/5/20 5:02 pm From: GLENN D'ENTREMONT <gdentremont1...> Subject: Re: [MASSBIRD] Scolded by a Pileated
I worked with a person who fed hummingbirds. She told me one morning she heard a tapping at the deck slider window behind the closed curtain. When she opened the curtain she was just inches away from the slider with a hummingbird tapping at the window. The feeder was empty. She filled it while the hummingbird watched.
> On 08/05/2020 12:16 PM Barbara Volkle <barb620...> wrote: > > > Thanks to Sandy Selesky for this report. > > Barbara Volkle > Northborough, MA > <barb620...> > > * > > > From: Sandy <sandyselesky...> > Date: Wed, 5 Aug 2020 11:34:32 -0400 > Subject: Scolded by a Pileated > > > Our female Pileated Woodpecker arrived again this morning but I hadn't > put out the suet yet. I take it in each night along with the sunflower > feeder because raccoons can climb up to our deck at night. I had just > put up the seed feeder and went back for the suet. As I stood outside my > slide door holding it I heard the loud calling of a very close Pileated. > I looked left to the trees and then right and there she was yelling and > then staring at me perched on the side of the deck wall above my seed > feeder that separates my deck from my neighbor's. I softly spoke to her > and told her I was sorry the suet wasn't up yet but that I was just > about to put it out!! She watched me and didn't fly away with me talking > and standing only 6 feet away from her!! After a minute she flew to a > nearby pine tree and I'm sure watched as I put the suet feeder up. > I ran to get my camera and when I got back sure enough she was eating > away on the suet feeder for over 5 minutes! > > She certainly knew how to scold the home owner for her breakfast treat > when it wasn't ready on time! > > Sandy Selesky Westford MA > <sandyselesky...> > > Sent from my iPhone
Just thought I’d pass on a creative idea I found a few years ago that has proven effective in keeping squirrels and other critters away front the bird feeders. A few years back I saw a post about threading your feeder poles through a regular metal slinky. This low cost option has allowed for hours of hilarious entertainment as you see the various animals travel up the pole only to get ahold of the slinky and immediately zoom towards the ground. If anyone else has had a problem with bird-seed theft, I suggest you try this amusing solution.
Date: 8/5/20 9:45 am From: Dee Stewart <haberlea...> Subject: Fw: [MASSBIRD] Scolded by a Pileated
Great story. We get downy, hairy and red bellied woodpeckers on our suet feeder, but never a pileated, although we occasionally see one in the yard. What kind of suet feeder do you have? Dee Stewart Stow MA
-----Original Message----- From: Barbara Volkle Sent: Wednesday, August 05, 2020 12:16 PM To: massbird Subject: [MASSBIRD] Scolded by a Pileated
Thanks to Sandy Selesky for this report.
Barbara Volkle Northborough, MA <barb620...>
*
From: Sandy <sandyselesky...> Date: Wed, 5 Aug 2020 11:34:32 -0400 Subject: Scolded by a Pileated
Our female Pileated Woodpecker arrived again this morning but I hadn't put out the suet yet. I take it in each night along with the sunflower feeder because raccoons can climb up to our deck at night. I had just put up the seed feeder and went back for the suet. As I stood outside my slide door holding it I heard the loud calling of a very close Pileated. I looked left to the trees and then right and there she was yelling and then staring at me perched on the side of the deck wall above my seed feeder that separates my deck from my neighbor's. I softly spoke to her and told her I was sorry the suet wasn't up yet but that I was just about to put it out!! She watched me and didn't fly away with me talking and standing only 6 feet away from her!! After a minute she flew to a nearby pine tree and I'm sure watched as I put the suet feeder up. I ran to get my camera and when I got back sure enough she was eating away on the suet feeder for over 5 minutes!
She certainly knew how to scold the home owner for her breakfast treat when it wasn't ready on time!
Date: 8/5/20 9:20 am From: Barbara Volkle <barb620...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Scolded by a Pileated
Thanks to Sandy Selesky for this report.
Barbara Volkle Northborough, MA <barb620...>
*
From: Sandy <sandyselesky...> Date: Wed, 5 Aug 2020 11:34:32 -0400 Subject: Scolded by a Pileated
Our female Pileated Woodpecker arrived again this morning but I hadn't put out the suet yet. I take it in each night along with the sunflower feeder because raccoons can climb up to our deck at night. I had just put up the seed feeder and went back for the suet. As I stood outside my slide door holding it I heard the loud calling of a very close Pileated. I looked left to the trees and then right and there she was yelling and then staring at me perched on the side of the deck wall above my seed feeder that separates my deck from my neighbor's. I softly spoke to her and told her I was sorry the suet wasn't up yet but that I was just about to put it out!! She watched me and didn't fly away with me talking and standing only 6 feet away from her!! After a minute she flew to a nearby pine tree and I'm sure watched as I put the suet feeder up. I ran to get my camera and when I got back sure enough she was eating away on the suet feeder for over 5 minutes!
She certainly knew how to scold the home owner for her breakfast treat when it wasn't ready on time!
> On Aug 5, 2020, at 8:28 AM, Barbara Volkle <barb620...> wrote:
>
> A Sooty Tern is still present at Wachusett Reservoir and is there now, 8:20 AM. It's been sighted since 7 AM.
>
> Better seen from gate 36, but can be seen from gate 40.
>
> Thanks to Joe Bourget for this report.
>
>
>
> Barbara Volkle
> Northborough, MA
> <barb620...>
Date: 8/5/20 5:04 am From: Lynn Salinger <blsalinger...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Is it common for blue jays to attack a pileated woodpecker?
Our yard enjoys many common feeder birds, and this year among many other species we have a flock of blue jays calling us home, it seems. But this morning a pileated woodpecker announced its arrival, a rare sight in our backyard. No sooner had it flown into the yard than a flurry of blue jays came along to chase it on its way. Is this a common behavior?
Date: 8/4/20 8:39 pm From: Barbara Volkle <barb620...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] 8/4/2020: Wanted to pass a link along for those interested: Bullock's,& Baltimore Oriole will remain 2 separate species it appears
Thanks to Matt S. for this report.
Barbara Volkle Northborough, MA <barb620...>
*
From: "Matt S." <accipiter22...> Date: Tue, 4 Aug 2020 23:03:01 -0400 Subject: 8/4/2020: Wanted to pass a link along for those interested: Bullock's & Baltimore Oriole will remain 2 separate species it appears
For those that follow splits/lumps, there was debate about lumping bullock's & baltimore back into one oriole for some time, but that appears to not be in the cards.
Date: 8/4/20 7:19 pm From: Barbara Volkle <barb620...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] more storm reports - Berkshire County
Manuel Morales reports on the Western Mass Birders facebook group:
There was something of a fallout at Pontoosuc Lake in Pittsfield this afternoon. At least 9 Sooty Tern were seen along with 1 Brown Noddy, and 1 Long-tailed Jaeger, plus additional jaegers seen by others. It was a pretty remarkable afternoon in Berkshire County!
Date: 8/4/20 3:09 pm From: Barbara Volkle <barb620...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Sooty Terns and storm birds
Marshall Iliff reports on the rare bird phone line that there were 2 Sooty Terns at Wachusett Reservoir at around 5:20 pm and 4 an hour before that at Lake Onota in Berkshire County. Nathan Dubrow reports Franklin's Gull at Andrews Point.
Marshall noted these storm birds move out quickly as the skies clear. He also noted Sooties could occur east to Boston or beyond. He encouraged folks to just get out and see what you can see.
Thanks to Marshall and Nathan and others for these reports.
Date: 8/4/20 11:31 am From: Neil Hayward <opororniswarbler...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] EXTRALIMITAL: Possible Sharp-tailed Sandpiper in VT
Dear all,
After posting the VT report from yesterday I received a reminder from Paul
Lehman (California), that this would be an an extraordinarily early date
for (what the report seems to suggest is a) juvenile Sharp-tailed
Sandpiper. Even in western Alaska, the earliest juveniles don't appear
until mid-month, at the very earliest.
Date: 8/4/20 9:04 am From: Neil Hayward <opororniswarbler...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] EXTRALIMITAL: Possible Sharp-tailed Sandpiper in VT
Dear Massbirders,
There was a report yesterday of a possible Sharp-tailed Sandpiper in VT.
There are no photos (at least on the eBird report), so it's hard to
evaluate, but worth keeping an eye out for more info. The eBird alert is
pasted below:
Sharp-tailed Sandpiper (Calidris acuminata) (1)
- Reported Aug 03, 2020 08:30 by Scott Morrical
- Colchester Railroad Causeway, Chittenden, Vermont
- Map:
http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=44.5653095,-73.3112559&ll=44.5653095,-73.3112559 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S72071255 - Comments: "Between about 9:15-9:30 AM I observed what I believe was a
juvenile Sharp-tailed Sandpiper at Colchester Causeway. Probably the same
bird was seen briefly by Ted Murin at the same location on the previous day
(8/2/20). I will be posting a detailed Rare Species Description of the
bird to the Vermont Bird Records Committee. Meanwhile, here are the key
details: Medium-sized shorebird, similar in size and overall structure to
Pectoral Sandpipers that were also present. Very bright plumage. Bright
buffy color on the breast was very prominent and attention- grabbing.
Marks on breast were confined to a narrow band of faint streaks across the
upper breast. The bright buffy color extended over the entire breast and
was completely unstreaked below that narrow band. This pattern is
characteristic of juvenile STSA and unlike any plumage of PESA that I have
ever observed or learned about. On the bird’s upper parts, rufous feather
edges on tertials, greater coverts and scapulars was also brighter than on
nearby PESAs. The bird’s head pattern included a bold white supercilium
and a rusty brown cap. The bill was shorter than nearby PESAs’ bills.
Legs were dull yellow. In flight the upper wing pattern had dark flight
feathers and hardly any wing stripe. The rump and upper tail coverts were
dark down the middle to the tip of the tail, white with dark streaks on the
sides. I believe that together these features are consistent with juvenile
Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, and eliminate known plumages of Pectoral Sandpiper,
the most similar species likely to be seen in North America."
Date: 8/3/20 5:13 pm From: Barbara Volkle <barb620...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] August 3, 2020 Newton, MA - First raucous band of blue jays came by,today....late summer is here
Thanks to Matt S. for this report.
Barbara Volkle Northborough, MA <barb620...>
*
From: "Matt S." <accipiter22...> Date: Mon, 3 Aug 2020 19:28:31 -0400 Subject: August 3, 2020 Newton, MA - First raucous band of blue jays came by today....late summer is here
Hi All,
For me one of the signs of late summer arriving is that subtle yellow tinge the afternoon light takes on, usually in late July or early August is when I first notice it. Another is when blue jays exit their secretive nesting phase and form large raucous flocks to carry them through to next breeding season. Just now for the first time this summer I heard such a group as it called from the trees in our yard. Hard to believe another summer is passing. We still have our hummingbird that visits daily, once usually between 8 and 9 AM, and a second time between 7PM and 8PM, "the humming hours" as we call them.
Date: 8/2/20 8:28 pm From: Marsha Salett <msalett...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] August 2020 Bird Observer now online
Massbirders,
Bird Observer announces that its August 2020 issue is now online at www.birdobserver.org <http://www.birdobserver.org/>.
Along with birders everywhere, the Bird Observer team found life and birding challenging this past spring due to Covid-19. We offer a special Where to Go Birding feature written by staff and board members: ”Birding Safely and Sanely during the Pandemic of Spring 2020.” Martha Steele devotes her column to “The Spring of Covid 19” and John Nelson writes “Whip-poor-will Dream."
Feature articles include "Revisiting Bird-Window Collisions in Boston” by William Freedberg and “Hearing Aids for Birders” by Timothy P. Walker. Field Notes describe “Group Bathing by White Ibises” and “Sanderlings, Ruddy Turnstones, and Least Sandpipers Forage on Ephemeral Floating Seaweed Substrate by William E. Davis, Jr. and “Wilson’s Phalarope: Second Record for Ashley Falls and Fifth Record for Berkshire County, Massachusetts” by Ken Schopp. The photo essay is “Birds of East Falmouth” by Nate Marchessault.
As usual, we include Bird Sightings for March-April 2020, Bygone Birds, Hot Birds, and Wayne Petersen's "At A Glance.” Soheil Zendeh guest-reviewed About Books.
The cover art features Barry Van Dusen’s Greater Yellowlegs. “About the Cover: Greater Yellowlegs” is written by William E. Davis, Jr.
Date: 8/2/20 6:30 pm From: Barbara Volkle <barb620...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Red necked grebe - Gloucester
Thanks to Caroline Haines for this report.
Barbara Volkle Northborough, MA <barb620...>
*
From: caroline <carolinawrencarolinawren...> Subject: Red necked grebe Date: Sun, 2 Aug 2020 17:46:49 +0000
The red necked grebe in breeding plumage continues near the sea wall at the eastern most end of the private section of Niles Beach on Eastern Point in Gloucester. Caroline Haines <Songbirder...> Gloucester
Sent from my iPhone-please excuse brevity, typos, or insults.
Date: 8/2/20 1:36 pm From: Josh <opihi...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] MA Red Crossbill influx
Hi MassBirders,
A post in Western Mass Birders inspired me to look up recent MA Red Crossbill sightings on eBird. What I saw was actually fairly striking. While there was a scattering of sightings across the state through July, a pocket of activity around Mount Greylock, and a few reports near Rutland, there has been a noticeable uptick over the past week, and especially yesterday and the day before, up and down the CT River Valley. Here’s a summary:
July 26, Ted Gilliland, 8 birds in Montague
July 29, Ben Normark, 2 in Leverett
July 31, James Smith, 8 in Gill
July 31, David Sibley, 2 in Deerfield
July 31, Larry Therrien, 1 in Belchertown
July 31, Ernie LeBlanc, 2 in Royalston
July 31, Tim Spahr, 8 in Barre
August 1, Larry Therrien <https://www.facebook.com/larry.therrien.9?hc_location=ufi>, 2 in south Quabbin
August 1, Amy Loveless, 1 in north Quabbin
August 1, James Smith, 4 in Gill
August 1, David Sibley, 10 in Deerfield
Outside of the Greylock and Rutland pockets, I see 9 reports of a total of 15 birds from July 1-26. That includes the one from Tom Swamp July 25, already posted here by Strickland Wheelock; I’m counting that with the earlier sightings because Aaron Hulsey eBirded one from the same location on July 18, so I’d assume that those two reports were the same individual bird continuing in place. Then 21 birds across 5 locations July 31, and 17 in 4 locations August 1. James mentioned in one of his eBird reports that he’d heard some possible but unconfirmed crossbill calls during the days prior to 7-31, hinting that maybe they arrived around the same time as Ted’s Montague flock, not so far to the south of Gill….
Ted, Tim, Larry, and David all got recordings of some of their crossbills’ calls. All of them report that their recordings were identified at Type 10. The only reports of any other types being in MA recently were by Greg Ward, who recorded a few birds on Greylock; one was identified as another Type 10, but a second was ID’d as Type 1, and a third as Type 3.
Date: 8/2/20 7:48 am From: Barbara Volkle <barb620...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Curlew Sandpiper - Scituate
Liam Norton reported a Curlew Sandpiper found by a friend in Scituate this morning on facebook on "What's This Bird" and the ABA Rare Bird Alert. Location noted as "spit third cliff".
Thanks to Joe Bourget for passing along word of this.
Date: 8/2/20 6:55 am From: Andy Sanford <asanford2000...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Suspicious white egret bill forward
There is a white egret with dark lores with several snowys at bill fwd pool plum island, best seen from hellcat or perhaps blind. No long white plumes, but yellowish feet, legs mostly black with bit of green up back I think. Bill dark, slight down curve, Bill and bird look slightly larger than nearby snowys. Could be juv snowy, or little? Not sure but want to get the word out.
Date: 8/1/20 9:28 am From: Barbara Volkle <barb620...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Elm Bank in Dover - Pileated Woodpeckers and Barred Owl
Thanks to Steve Carey for this report.
Barbara Volkle Northborough, MA <barb620...>
*
From: Stephen Carey <stephencarey1...> Subject: Elm Bank in Dover - Pileated Woodpeckers and Barred Owl Date: Sat, 1 Aug 2020 11:08:37 -0400
What beats a full house? How about 4, count 'em 4 Pileated woodpeckers in the same tree!!! From afar it looked like mom, dad and 2 FY as they had a nice family âpeckâ-nic going in a tall pine near the parking area before the stone bridgeâ¦quite a sight. Only to be followed by a Barred Owl along the river path. Scarlet Tanager singing in the background, Great Blue Heron, Eastern Kingbird and a Carolina Wren rounded out the walk.
Date: 7/31/20 1:54 pm From: John Nelson <jnelson...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Invitation to Free Zoom Presentation on My Book Flight Calls on August 13
You're all invited to my free Zoom slide show presentation for the Peabody
Institute Library in Danvers at 6:30 to 7:30 on August 13. Please share the
invitation with any birding friends who might be interested.
on the utility wires, Pine Island Road - in the past I've seen them here in late August and September, but this seems early to be migratory...
------------------------------------ (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: 7/31/20 12:57 pm From: Sam Miller <zamziller...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Little Blue Heron, Crane Swamp, Westborough
Carla and I had a juvenile Little Blue Heron at Crane Swamp this morning. Long distance views from the west end of the hidden swamp/pond. The bird was along the northeast shore of the swamp, 150 yards or so away from our vantage point at the west end of the hidden swamp.
You can see our checklist here:
https://ebird.org/checklist/S71985460 <https://ebird.org/checklist/S71985460>
It’s a little difficult to access the viewing point, but here are directions if you want to try for the bird.
Park at the end of Beeman Road, off Talbot Road, in Westborough. Go behind the ornamental cedars to find the start of the Cole and Talbot trails. There is a map there, but its detail of this area is not fine.
Follow the trail in, take a right at the first fork, a right at the second fork, and continue on until the trail pretty much ends at a place where you can see a hole to walk through out to the cornfield on the left.
Turn left and look for a medium-tall flat-topped white pine across the field in the direction of the smokestack. That is your destination.
Follow the cornfield left towards the swamp, and then right at the corner, following the field along the edge of the mostly hidden swamp off to your left. A couple of hundred yards down this side of the cornfield you should find an opening on your left that leads in beneath that pine, and to the edge of the swamp, where you can get fairly good views of most of the area. Try to approach quietly (not easy) as there can be water birds at that western end of the swamp.
There are other possible access points to the swamp, but they require more bushwhacking, generating more noise, and mostly providing more limited views.
Our annual trip to Mt Greylock was a social distancing non group trip with only one other companion. We began at the normal 6:00 a.m. and began our accent. Stopping every half mile or so we enjoyed the bird sound.
We did NOT encounter Mourning Warbler. We had the highest number of chickadees ever. Two Swainson's Thrush on the Saddleball Trail. Veery rebounded to the highest since 2016. Robins had their third highest number. Most warblers in normal numbers. Black-throated Greens are amazingly static for 9 years. Blackburnian had their highest since 1999 and tied the highest ever count. Chestnut-sided Warbler is lowest since 2004. Blackpoll was enjoyed on the Saddleball trail. Ovenbirds were off the charts with their highest ever in both number and elevation having a couple at the hairpin turns! Dark-eyed Junco rebounded with their highest total since 2014. White-throated Sparrow confined to the very top and only one individual was encountered; will this species be lost like the Mourning and Magnolia warblers? We encountered Red Crossbills along the Saddleball trail.
Last year I submitted this post with selected species counts from this trip I do annually on (usually) the third weekend in June to Mt. Greylock. I added 2020 to those numbers and reposted. The numbers after the species will be 1992, 93, 94,95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 2000, 01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 09, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 separated by a comma. A "*" means that numbers were not recorded for that species that year. There is now over 25 years of data here:
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker:4,6,1,7,10,5,1,2,2,7,5,4,1,5,4,8,4,4,5,3,5,5,2,4,3,3,4 Common Raven:1,2,0,1,2,0,1,8,3,3,3,3,7,5,0,7,1,2,0,1,4,0,0,2,3,4,2 Black-capped Chickadee:14,8,6,11,5,4,7,16,7,12,11,8,6,11,7,4,7,4,7,6,10,9,10,13,9,8,19 Winter Wren:2,5,6,3,9,2,6,4,6,3,6,4,8,7,2,2,5,4,6,3,1,9,4,2,1,3,6 American Robin:*,47,20,19,15,21,14,27,27,29,29,19,22,31,30,22,27,31,17,20,34,17,28,18,24,13,32 Wood Thrush:9,4,1,6,2,2,2,6,3,11,4,0,3,2,2,6,1,1,1,0,2,1,1,3,2,0,1 Hermit Thrush:9,3,11,8,2,3,9,10,5,7,1,4,6,2,1,6,6,5,9,2,5,1,4,4,3,4,7 Veery:23,8,7,15,16,15,13,18,10,21,9,18,12,10,15,10,10,6,16,12,8,9,15,8,13,4,14 Blue-headed Vireo:8,7,5,7,2,3,5,8,1,3,4,1,3,6,4,15,9,1,6,7,5,2,1,1,1,5,3 Red-eyed Vireo:32,32,48,44,40,47,36,67,58,69,65,59,44,98,86,93,92,94,78,80,91,82,76,74,96,63,89 Magnolia Warbler:7,7,4,5,2,1,5,6,11,4,4,2,3,7,4,5,3,2,1,3,3,1,0,3,3,0,0 Black-throated Blue Warbler:12,10,17,9,16,6,9,20,15,12,9,6,8,11,15,11,16,11,14,8,24,13,21,21,18,12,16 Yellow-rumped Warbler:11,8,6,18,9,15,22,29,23,26,11,14,12,18,15,9,7,11,5,9,11,8,3,12,4,8,6 Black-throated Green Warbler:4,6,11,5,5,8,5,16,10,14,8,4,9,19,16,10,16,12,8,7,8,9,7,8,9,8,10 Blackburnian Warbler:18,16,18,19,16,18,13,31,15,15,22,10,16,26,23,20,17,23,26,18,24,11,17,23,16,14,31 Chestnut-sided Warbler:15,16,11,13,19,22,16,26,29,9,18,17,11,28,24,15,15,15,15,17,18,18,16,18,20,14,12 Blackpoll Warbler:1,2,3,1,2,2,3,4,7,3,2,2,4,6,7,4,3,4,2,1,4,1,2,2,3,3,5 Ovenbird:20,19,21,22,29,22,22,42,16,35,23,34,25,28,30,38,38,35,34,21,38,32,46,40,51,36,66 Mourning Warbler:1,2,1,2,3,1,2,2,2,2,4,3,2,3,0,3,1,1,0,1,2,1,4,2,2,0,0 Common Yellowthroat:18,6,8,8,15,7,8,19,5,6,8,6,6,10,5,8,12,4,8,10,10,4,10,5,3,8,7 Canada Warbler:4,7,5,2,8,6,1,8,2,5,2,0,1,1,2,1,1,2,3,1,1,0,1,1,1,2,2 American Redstart:14,6,13,17,15,8,19,30,27,31,11,17,12,29,13,19,38,33,18,27,13,17,13,26,10,11,14 Scarlet Tanager:1,6,3,3,3,4,2,10,1,1,6,4,2,2,1,1,4,3,2,1,6,2,5,2,4,1,6 Rose-breasted Grosbeak:7,4,4,0,1,0,4,6,2,3,3,2,5,4,0,2,5,4,2,2,2,1,2,1,6,1,6 Eastern Towhee:13,7,11,9,11,7,8,11,11,10,14,15,4,7,7,4,11,4,14,6,11,11,11,7,7,9,6 Dark-eyed Junco:20,22,18,27,18,21,13,31,16,31,17,19,14,23,10,19,20,18,19,9,27,17,13,11,16,8,19 White-throated Sparrow:14,8,9,6,9,11,7,24,8,6,3,3,6,4,7,3,2,2,2,1,3,4,2,2,4,2,1
Glenn
Glenn d'Entremont: <gdentremont1...> Stoughton, MA
Had my first Merlin of fall migration at breakfast this morning, perched for about 10 minutes on the dead tree across the street until a band of blue jays drove it of. Caroline Haines, Gloucester <Songbirder...> Sent from my iPhone-please excuse brevity, typos, or insults.
Date: 7/29/20 6:44 am From: Linda Ferraresso <tattler1...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Remembrance Service for Fay Vale July 30, 2020 - REMINDER
A brief reminder, for those interested.
Thanks, Linda
On 7/8/2020 2:21 PM, Linda Ferraresso wrote: > Peter Vale has scheduled a cremation burial and remembrance service > for Fay at 10:00 a.m. on July 30, 2020 at Mt. Auburn Cemetery in > Cambridge. > > Protocols at the Cemetery > • Do not attend if you are sick or experiencing any COVID-19 > related symptoms. > • Always practice social distancing; maintain 6 feet between > yourself and others, including cemetery staff. > • Except for public restrooms, all Cemetery buildings are currently > closed to the public. > • No chairs will be provided but you are welcome to bring your own. > • No water bottles will be provided but you are welcome to bring > your own. > • There will be no formal service – Peter will speak about their > life together followed by any other remembrances family/friends may > wish to share. > • Due to COVID-19 restrictions, there will be no post-burial get > together. Once vaccines are available, Peter will schedule a > celebration of life event. > > Arrival at the Cemetery > • Cemetery staff will be at the Entrance Gate 15 minutes before the > burial to assist guests as they arrive. We ask that guests plan to > arrive no more than 15 minutes before the service. > • Mount Auburn staff will instruct guests where to park and wait > until all attendees arrive. > • Guests should remain in their cars to maintain social distancing. > • When all guests have arrived, a Mount Auburn Cemetery staff > member will escort the group to the grave in procession. > > Mount Auburn Cemetery > 580 Mount Auburn Street, Cambridge, MA 02138 > 617-547-7105 | www.mountauburn.org | <info...> > > Please share this with others who may want to attend but may not > subscribe to Massbird. > > Thank you. > -- > 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
-- 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
Date: 7/27/20 7:58 pm From: Charles Patterson <chaspatt...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Researchers build first AI tool capable of identifying individual birds
Date: 7/27/20 1:24 pm From: Barbara Volkle <barb620...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Durham, NH Mississippi Kites - BAD BEHAVIOR AND CHANGES BEING MADE
Thanks to Steve Mirick for this update.
Barbara Volkle Northborough, MA <barb620...>
*
From: Stephen Mirick <smirick...> Subject: Durham, NH Mississippi Kites - BAD BEHAVIOR AND CHANGES BEING MADE Date: Mon, 27 Jul 2020 10:32:11 -0400
I'm sorry to report that there has been continued bad behavior at the Mississippi Kite nest in Durham. I was privately contacted by a neighbor who has reported further cases of illegal parking and trespassing with photographers walking down their driveway into their back yard. I suspect that most of the bad behavior comes from photographers, some who don't even own or carry binoculars!
I'm embarrassed to be a birder and photographer when I hear (and see) what people do. I am not the "police" of the kite nest and this is all public property with a sidewalk. But at the request of the neighbors, I am asking that the following guidelines be followed:
1) People have been "camping out" to get great photos. If you visit, stay a short while only. Limit your stay to 15 minutes or less. If you don't get a great photo or witness a food exchange, then too bad. Be happy you got to see the kites.
2) Do not park on Madbury Road. It is illegal. Find a side street and walk. The exercise is good for you.
3) DO NOT TRESSPASS! (why do I need to even ask this!?!?!)
4) Stay on the sidewalk only and be courteous of other people who use the sidewalks. It is your responsibility to move you tripod if other people are biking or walking along the street.
5) Do not block driveways with spotting scopes or tripods.
6) Avoid photographs toward any houses. I know the nest is located above a house, but be careful.
7) Wear a mask (or at least have one ready to put on) if someone comes by to talk to you. We all know the rules with respect to COVID.
8) If you see bad behavior by other birders or photographers, LET THEM KNOW!!
9) Above all, be respectful.
In addition to these guidelines, I am relocating the hotspot on eBird so that it does not direct people toward the house. I am also asking that people not post the specific location on any email lists or photography web sites.
If you have any questions, please feel free to ask.
This AM took a short walk along the W side of the pond near the dam. Resident birds very active and the Solitary Sandpiper is a harbinger of things to come. One pleasant surprise was the mosquitoes took the morning off.
Bill Lafley
New Salem
<Blafley...>
Harvard Pond, Petersham, Worcester, Massachusetts, US
Jul 26, 2020 7:23 AM - 9:22 AM
Protocol: Traveling
0.75 mile(s)
Checklist Comments: Short walk on W side from Rte 122. Saw raccoon foraging on the mud flats.
43 species
Canada Goose 8
Wood Duck 4
Black-billed Cuckoo 1
Chimney Swift 10
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 2
Killdeer 3
Spotted Sandpiper 1
Solitary Sandpiper 1
Great Blue Heron (Blue form) 1
Belted Kingfisher 1
Downy Woodpecker 2
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 2
Eastern Wood-Pewee 1
Eastern Phoebe 4
Great Crested Flycatcher 1
Eastern Kingbird 1
Red-eyed Vireo 5
Blue Jay 2
Black-capped Chickadee 5
Tufted Titmouse 2
Tree Swallow 2
White-breasted Nuthatch 6
Brown Creeper 2
Gray Catbird 1
Veery 1
Wood Thrush 1
American Robin 10
Cedar Waxwing 2
American Goldfinch 1
Song Sparrow 5
Eastern Towhee 1
Red-winged Blackbird (Red-winged) 35 Estimate
Brown-headed Cowbird 2
Ovenbird 1
Black-and-white Warbler 3
Common Yellowthroat 3
American Redstart 1
Blackburnian Warbler 1
Yellow Warbler 1
Chestnut-sided Warbler 1
Pine Warbler 1
Black-throated Green Warbler 1
Scarlet Tanager 3
I spent a good bit of Saturday morning at Delaney WMA, which sits near the intersection of Stow, Boxborough and Harvard. The main entrance is by the boat launch parking lot off Harvard Road in Stow. There is another entrance off Finn Road and a large marsh viewable from the road along Garner Road. Overall, I saw about what one would expect. There are numerous Wood Duck families still in the area. The Great Blue Heron colony along Garner Road was largely deserted. Land birds seemed to have thinned out a bit, with many of the neotropical breeders fairly quiet. The most interesting time was spent at the boat launch scoping the area. An Osprey put up shorebirds not otherwise visible at the back of the main pond. The only observation flagged by ebird were the shorebirds sp., which surprised me. You can see my speculation about ID below. Expected more raptors than I found but perhaps they were taking a pass on the heat. After leaving Delaney I went to Oxbow NWR off Still River Rd in Harvard. Pretty birdy there overall, particularly near the parking lot.
Good birding!
Cliff Cook Watertown
Delaney WMA Jul 25, 2020 6:22 AM Traveling 3.50 miles 264 Minutes All birds reported? Yes Comments: Submitted from eBird for iOS, version 2.0.13 Build 2.0.122
12 Canada Goose 2 Mute Swan 39 Wood Duck -- Several family groups 6 Mallard -- Hen and three young 9 Mourning Dove 2 Chimney Swift 6 Killdeer 1 Spotted Sandpiper 2 shorebird sp. -- Unsure about these. Clearly smaller than killdeer and bigger than spotted sandpiper. Best guess is solitary sandpiper but too distant to ID 2 Double-crested Cormorant 8 Great Blue Heron 1 Osprey 1 Broad-winged Hawk 1 Red-tailed Hawk 6 Red-bellied Woodpecker 5 Downy Woodpecker 1 Hairy Woodpecker 4 Northern Flicker 8 Eastern Wood-Pewee 3 Eastern Phoebe 2 Great Crested Flycatcher 10 Eastern Kingbird 8 Warbling Vireo 7 Blue Jay 2 American Crow 32 Black-capped Chickadee 19 Tufted Titmouse 6 Tree Swallow 23 Barn Swallow 6 White-breasted Nuthatch 2 House Wren 4 Carolina Wren 16 Gray Catbird 6 Eastern Bluebird 17 American Robin 13 Cedar Waxwing 18 American Goldfinch 10 Chipping Sparrow -- One feeding a cowbird 27 Song Sparrow 16 Swamp Sparrow 1 Baltimore Oriole 43 Red-winged Blackbird 1 Brown-headed Cowbird 3 Common Grackle 7 Common Yellowthroat 3 Yellow Warbler 3 Pine Warbler 5 Northern Cardinal 2 Rose-breasted Grosbeak
In response to Robert Ross; we have had a bluebird pair for a few years too. This May they seemed to be nesting in one box and suddenly moved house to a second. By this time it was June and they have raised a brood of 4. The juveniles are still in the area and the adults seem to be nesting in the originally abandoned box for what would be a third effort. As it turns out, I cleaned out the nest from the abandoned effort and found one damaged egg in it. So three attempts this season. It remains to be seen of the third try is productive, but boy did they work their tails off for the four that fledged.
Massbirders, Thanks to Andy Sanford's eBird report on Friday, my Saturday morning up-in-the-air plans became set in stone... There's a Yellow-crowned Night-Heron in Essex County. And I aimed to see it. :-)
Happy Birding! Mr. Shilo McDonald Brookline Bird Club and ECOC member
Perkins Park, Newburyport, Essex, Massachusetts, US Jul 25, 2020 8:13 AM - 10:11 AM Protocol: Traveling 3.363 mile(s) Checklist Comments: My first time birding here. Walked (and drove), as much of the perimeter of the park as possible. CAUTION: There’s a baseball game being played. With lots of spectators and lots of kids --> NOT wearing masks.
27 species
Mallard 4 Chimney Swift 5 Herring Gull 14 Two flyovers. The rest were across the street foraging in the mud of the Merrimack River. Great Blue Heron 1 Hunting and relaxing. Great Egret 2 One flying by. And one hunting in the pond. Then later, it was seen relaxing and preening on a dead tree. Green Heron 1 Hunting from a low branch, alongside the edge of the pond. Photos attached. Black-crowned Night-Heron 3 1 adult. 2 juveniles. Independently hunting the edges of the pond. Yellow-crowned Night-Heron 2 Thank you Andy Sanford! Note: There is more than one here. While photographing one, another flew around the corner. Yellow feet sticking out beyond the tail. Belted Kingfisher 1 Oddly enough, seen first, then heard. Male perched atop a bare tree. Photo attached. Downy Woodpecker 2 Blue Jay 2 Tree Swallow 10 A small group flew in and out on an aerial acrobat show above the pond. Marsh Wren 2 Singing heard across the street from the paved park path. Coming from the reeds alongside the Merrimack River, on Water Street. Carolina Wren 1 Heard only. Singing the Teakettle Song. Coming from the residential neighborhood adjacent the park. European Starling 5 Gray Catbird 6 American Robin 2 Cedar Waxwing 4 Heard only. High pitches trills. Coming from the treetops of trees alongside a residential edge of the pond. House Sparrow 5 In the residential neighborhood adjacent the park. House Finch 4 Seen and heard. Alongside the pond. Singing directly above my head. American Goldfinch 15 Song Sparrow 2 Baltimore Oriole 1 Heard only. Singing. Red-winged Blackbird 16 Seen and heard. Males and females. Mostly in and above the reeds around the pond. Common Grackle 8 Common Yellowthroat 1 Heard only. Chucking. Northern Cardinal 2
Date: 7/25/20 6:05 pm From: Barbara Volkle <barb620...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] BBC Great Meadows 7/25
Thanks to Sylvia Martin for this post.
Barbara Volkle Northborough, MA <barb620...>
*
Date: Sat, 25 Jul 2020 23:29:37 +0000 From: <warbler...> Subject: BBC Great Meadows 7/25
Hi, Massbirders,
Eight pre-registered birders joined me at the Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge, Concord Unit, from 7:00 a.m. to about 9:40 this morning. The club protocols concerning COVID precautions were followed, inluding mask wearing, keeping at least 8 feet apart (sometimes with leader reminders), and not sharing materials such as guides, etc. We birded only the parking lot area, dike, and river spot.
Canada Goose 7 Wood Duck 2 one female, one possible young or another female Mallard 6 Mourning Dove 2 Virginia Rail 1 female, along the dike, very vocal shorebird spp. heard but impossible to see under heavy lotus cover on impoundments Great Blue Heron 22 at least; most were streaming toward nesting site Great Egret 1 Osprey 1 Mystery Raptor 1 along the river, large and uniformly dark, very long wings, no visible tail bands; flew just before getting the scope on it. Various theories including imm. bald eagle Belted Kingfisher 1 Downy Woodpecker 4 Willow Flycatcher 2 Eastern Kingbird 2 Warbling Vireo 2 Red-Eyed Vireo 1 Blue Jay 3 Am. Crow 3 Fish Crow 1 Bl.C. Chickadee 2 Tufted Titmouse 1 Barn Swallow 1 or 2; surprisingly low White-Br. Nuthatch 1 Marsh Wren 18; questioned by Ebird :) Gray Catbird 4 N. Mockingbird 1 Wood Thrush 1 Am. Robin X Cedar Waxwing 1 Am. Goldfinch 7 Chipping Sparrow 1 Song Sparrow 7 Swamp Sparrow 4 Red-W. Blackbird X quite a few feeding young Common Yellowthroat 3 Yellow Warbler 3 N. Cardinal 2
Date: 7/25/20 6:04 pm From: Barbara Volkle <barb620...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] 7/25 Forbush Bird Club Trip - Wachusett Reservoir
Thanks to Kevin Bournot for this post.
Barbara Volkle Northborough, MA <barb620...>
*
From: Kevin Bourinot <kevin.bourinot...> Date: Sat, 25 Jul 2020 14:05:35 -0400 Subject: 7/25 Forbush Bird Club Trip - Wachusett Reservoir
Four members of the Forbush Bird club had a great trip this morning around Wachusett Reservoir. We all did a great job social distancing and were alone for most of the trip. Masks were worn when required. The weather was very hot as the morning progressed (64-89F) especially during the 3 mile hike, partly cloudy with a slight breeze by the water. Locations included Gates 35, 37, 39, 17 and 25. Lots of breeding activity observed with recently fledged young of many species seen and heard throughout the trip. Eastern Wood-Pewees and Pine Warblers were seen at active nests. Eastern kingbirds were everywhere. We located an adult Common Loon sitting on a nest on one of the DCR rafts as well as two adults at opposite ends of the reservoir each with two downy chicks, the chicks in the north being a few weeks older. We saw the newly built Bald Eagle nest in the north, but the adults were not seen today (seen yesterday at the nest site). We also saw a Common Tern flying around the north looking ready to move on.
Canada Goose (40) Mallard (7) Mourning Dove (3) Chimney Swift (2) Ruby-throated Hummingbird (2) Killdeer (1) Spotted Sandpiper (4) Ring-billed Gull (47) Common Tern (1) Common Loon (16) Double-crested Cormorant (18) Turkey Vulture (4) Osprey (1) Red-tailed Hawk (2) Barred Owl (1) Belted Kingfisher (1) Red-bellied Woodpecker (3) Downy Woodpecker (6) Hairy Woodpecker (3) Pileated Woodpecker (1) Northern Flicker (1) Eastern Wood-Pewee (21) Great Crested Flycatcher (4) Eastern Kingbird (19) Blue-headed Vireo (1) Warbling Vireo (1) Red-eyed Vireo (16) Blue Jay (12) American Crow (8) Black-capped Chickadee (15) Tufted Titmouse (22) Northern Rough-winged Swallow (4) Tree Swallow (52) Barn Swallow (3) White-breasted Nuthatch (18) Brown Creeper (3) Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (4) Carolina Wren (1) Gray Catbird (14) Northern Mockingbird (1) Eastern Bluebird (5) Wood Thrush (4) American Robin (11) Cedar Waxwing (22) House Sparrow (4) House Finch (4) American Goldfinch (25) Chipping Sparrow (8) Song Sparrow (23) Eastern Towhee (4) Eastern Meadowlark (1) Baltimore Oriole (3) Red-winged Blackbird (6) Brown-headed Cowbird (4) Common Grackle (1) Ovenbird (2) Common Yellowthroat (2) American Redstart (1) Yellow Warbler (1) Pine Warbler (17) Scarlet Tanager (9) Northern Cardinal (6) Rose-breasted Grosbeak (1) Indigo Bunting (3)
A few Blue Grosbeaks have set up shop in Hadley again, in the same general neighborhood as last summer. I’ve been reading about them via FaceBook and eBird for a couple of weeks, but I don’t think they’ve been mentioned on MassBird yet. This year’s first was noticed by Mary McKitrick in the Hadley Honeypot. Several birders have found two there since. There have also been reports of 1-2 at Aqua Vitae Road, but this location is close enough to the Honeypot that I’m not sure if those are the same birds or a separate pair.
Little Blue Herons are more common near the coast, but only show up west of the Quabbin a couple of times per year. The first one this year, an immature unsurprisingly, was found this Wednesday by Lois and Al Richardson, on the locally famous Longmeadow Sandbar. A few other birders have relocated it since. Photos at:
https://ebird.org/checklist/S71724331 <https://ebird.org/checklist/S71724331> A couple of weeks ago, on July 11, that same sandbar hosted another species that is much rarer in western MA than along the coast, a Laughing Gull, originally found by Ted Gilliland:
https://ebird.org/checklist/S71353150 <https://ebird.org/checklist/S71353150>
I haven’t been getting around much lately, so haven’t seen any of the above yet. I did go exercising in a new place yesterday evening, the Pemberton Memorial Forest in Pelham, a hike highlighted by a singing Yellow-throated Vireo. Similar hikes on Wednesday and Monday near Buffam Falls (also in Pelham) crossed paths with singing Winter Wrens, and all three featured several Hermit Thrushes in song. A trio of Common Ravens have been in the same general area, I suspect three recently fledged siblings or perhaps one fledgling and its parents. Back home by Amethyst Brook, a trio of fuzzy-headed fledgling Barred Owls have been calling in the woods for the past few weeks, occasionally appearing near the roadside to put on a show for various of their human neighbors. And today, I looked out our bathroom window and spotted a female Pileated Woodpecker, presumably the same one who periodically visits my suet feeders, on the ground picking ants out from under a board.
Date: 7/25/20 9:36 am From: Strickland Wheelock <skwheelock...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Tom Swamp birding
Sat 7/25 made a quick visit to the Tom Swamp in Petersham around 8 am - as I found out also a haven for blueberry pickers out in the marsh with their waders. There was much bird activity immediately with Red-breasted & White-breasted Nuthatches, Swamp & Song Sparrows, small flocks of Ceder Waxwings, Red-eyed & Yellow-throated Vireos, Am. Goldfinch & Purple Finches, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, E Phoebe, N Flicker, Downy Woodpecker, Catbirds, Yellow Warblers, many Common Yellowthroats, Northern Waterthrush, Veery, Ruby-thr Hummingbird, Tree Swallows, Broad-winged Hawk, etcTop bird I located was a Red Crossbill that was calling & moving about in the tall pines in the marsh - also heard a Winter Wren song from the nearby woods As enjoyable was all the bird activity at Tom Swamp this morning was the pleasure of passing through the historic towns & their lovely town commons of Petersham, Barre, Paxton off Rt 122 - so many historic houses lining the streets............ Strickland WheelockUxbridge Ma
Date: 7/24/20 11:18 am From: <mexczech...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] black swans (exotics I imagine), north andover, essex county
Hi Birders,
Was driving by Smolak's farm in North Andover yesterday morning. As I glanced at the pond I saw what looked like two cormorants but they were 'riding high' in the water. Pulled over and used my binoculars to look at a pair of beautiful black swans.
My wife went by the farm later that day and I drove by today and we didn't see them.
Smolak's has a variety of animals roaming around their farm. Most likely exotics, but very pretty nevertheless. They do have some little shelters near the pond and the swan's may have been in these, especially with the rain.
Take care,
Tim ZajicBoxford, MA
Our resident pair of Pileated Woodpeckers showed up around 6 pm in the backyard of our condo yesterday and flew to a tree together. The female came to our upper deck to eat some nutty suet and then they both flew across the backyard to the other side. She had come to our suet last week when I was out (my husband saw her) but it's not a regular visit by any means. I went out onto the deck to see where they landed and all of a sudden both of them came flying one behind the other right towards me as I stood on the deck! When they got closer and saw me by the railing they quickly veered off and flew back into the back woods! Wow what an exciting feeling!! I just wonder if both would have landed on the deck and suet if I had stayed inside since the male has never come to the suet before, just the female (as far as I know)! This nutty suet from Market Basket has been attracting bluebirds, Carolina Wrens, Blue Jays, titmice, chickadees, nuthatches, constant downy, hairy, and red-bellied Woodpeckers, an occasional chipping sparrow, Cardinal, catbird, Oriole, grackle, red-winged blackbird, rose-breasted grosbeak (once), and unfortunately squirrels. We take it in at night because of raccoons. The goldfinch and house finches prefer the sunflower and thistle. The occasional Pileated visit of course is the most exciting, especially when the pair show up flying around the backyard together!!
I helped to manage bluebird trails in Minnesota where three broods did occur several times. Even had it happen on our own property although the number of eggs usually went down. As I remember, our latest brood fledged one year over Labor Day weekend.
Here in Massachusetts, I have noticed on fields that have a large number of nest boxes, tree swallows take over most of the boxes even close together. Once the swallows are done with their single brood and leave, the bluebirds seem to have better luck getting a nest box and pulling off a brood. Madeleine Linck Rehoboth. Mass
On Thu, Jul 23, 2020, 9:15 PM Robert Ross <plumisl...> wrote:
> We have hosted a Bluebird pair in our yard in Byfield the past three > years. We believe it to be the same pair. This year they had their first > brood in a nesting box, with two eggs and at least one hatchling. The bird > fledged during the middle of May. We emptied the nest box and then took it > down when House Sparrows moved in, though we had another nest box already > up. The Bluebirds moved into the new nest box and had five new eggs, with > at least four young emerging in mid June. Now, for the first time, they > have a third brood with three new eggs in the same box. We have not had > three broods in a single year until this year. We have read Bluebirds often > have two broods, so we assume three is rare. Even so, we now have at least > seven Bluebirds in the yard, though we have seen the parents drive off the > first brood young just before the second fledged. Yet they all seem to be > back now, as the third brood awaits. > > Robert Ross > <plumisl...> > Byfield, MA >
Date: 7/23/20 6:10 pm From: Robert Ross <plumisl...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Bluebird's 3rd Brood
We have hosted a Bluebird pair in our yard in Byfield the past three years. We believe it to be the same pair. This year they had their first brood in a nesting box, with two eggs and at least one hatchling. The bird fledged during the middle of May. We emptied the nest box and then took it down when House Sparrows moved in, though we had another nest box already up. The Bluebirds moved into the new nest box and had five new eggs, with at least four young emerging in mid June. Now, for the first time, they have a third brood with three new eggs in the same box. We have not had three broods in a single year until this year. We have read Bluebirds often have two broods, so we assume three is rare. Even so, we now have at least seven Bluebirds in the yard, though we have seen the parents drive off the first brood young just before the second fledged. Yet they all seem to be back now, as the third brood awaits.
I have a barely used (tried once) non-stretch binocular harness. Free to the first person requesting it off list (bob.parker AT truthltd.com <http://truthltd.com>) , I'll cover the postage (or you can pick it up if nearby).
Date: 7/22/20 11:23 am From: Jon Woolf <jswoolf01...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] A very surprised sanderling
I posted this to NHBirds yesterday, but it occurs to me that it should be posted here too, since it happened in MA waters.
Yesterday I went out with Granite State Whale Watch's afternoon run. We headed southeast toward where they'd found whales in the morning, and only a couple of miles north of Halibut Point we found two humpback whales, identified as "Spoon" and "Pinball," drifting along and enjoying a peaceful afternoon snooze. Pinball was surfacing only to breathe, but Spoon was staying on the surface with her back exposed most of the time. Easy to see why this behavior got the name "logging."
After we'd been drifting with them for a few minutes, a migrating Sanderling happened by and decided that big black rock down there would make a nice place to land. (I have a couple of pictures that, while fuzzy, show enough detail to definitely identify the bird.) It promptly got the surprise of its life when said "rock" turned out to be Spoon. Both whales were startled awake, dived, and then gave us a grand show in the form of several full-body breaches.
A very interesting sighting, and a very nice way to spend an afternoon! I've seen gulls try to land on a whale before, but never a shorebird.
Killdeer generally seen at Lowe's in Hudson, too. Actually, closer to Panera in the dirt/undeveloped area in front of Lowe's and next to Panera. Yesterday there were 5 Ravens strutting around this same area. Frequently see Ravens when visiting Lowe's. Usually just flying and croaking. First time I've seen them on the ground there.
Good birding!
Gary Freedman Stow, MA
From: <massbird-approval...> [mailto:<massbird-approval...>] On Behalf Of <elliot...> Sent: Tuesday, July 21, 2020 9:14 PM To: 'Massbird MASSBIRD' Subject: [MASSBIRD] Hudson Killdeer
There were (at least) three killdeer visible at Bruces Pond in Hudson this morning among a sord of mallards. Also, two very small wood ducklings among a small paddling. All easily visible from the bridge on Apsley St.
There were (at least) three killdeer visible at Bruces Pond in Hudson this morning among a sord of mallards. Also, two very small wood ducklings among a small paddling. All easily visible from the bridge on Apsley St.
Date: 7/21/20 6:57 am From: Liz Pease <lizpease...> Subject: Re: [MASSBIRD] Birds of prey rehaibilation in Worcester County
Thanks for sharing, Joe. I have known Jessica for ages, starting back when she was an animal control officer and I worked at an animal shelter, before she went to Tufts Wildlife Rehab and got licensed to do raptors. She is a stand-up human being who does a ton for animals -- definitely worth supporting her efforts!
Date: 7/19/20 5:59 pm From: Barbara Volkle <barb620...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Anatomy of a Photo Shoot
Thanks to Sue Dave Gibson for this post.
Barbara Volkle Northborough, MA <barb620...>
*
From: David Gibson <20cabot...> Date: Sun, 19 Jul 2020 16:28:58 -0400 Subject: Anatomy of a Photo Shoot
MA birders, I love bird photography, and I know many of you do, too. I explore it in a little more depth than usual, here. Here's the link: http://birdpartner.com/2020/07/19/photo-shoot/. Dave Gibson https://birdpartner.com/ P.S. I'm thrilled that Common Loons are now breeding in southeastern MA. To all who were responsible...keep up the good work.
Date: 7/19/20 12:43 pm From: Greg Power <jewett1066...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Seabird 101, Upcoming webinar from Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary
From the NOAA Sanctuaries Education program
Seabirds 101 July 23, 2020 at 3 pm Pacific / 6 pm Eastern
Wayne Petersen, Massachusetts Audubon Society
Seabirds are among the most widely traveled and extraordinary navigators in
the bird world. Find out from Wayne Petersen, Mass Audubon’s Important Bird
Area Program Director, how these remarkable birds are supremely adapted to
spend most of their lives in some of the most remote and hostile
environments on the planet. We will trace the travels of some of these
amazing birds as they seasonally utilize Stellwagen Bank National Marine
Sanctuary, and learn what they are telling us, both about the marine
environment and ourselves.
Date: 7/18/20 12:15 pm From: Barbara Volkle <barb620...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Passing of Newbury Birder L. David Davis
Thanks to Sue McGrath for this news.
Barbara Volkle Northborough, MA <barb620...>
*
From: <newburyportbirders...> Date: Sat, 18 Jul 2020 13:27:44 -0500 Subject: Passing of Newbury Birder L. David Davis
Birders,
It's with a heavy heart that I share the passing of Newbury's Lawrence David Davis. This obit was in the _Newburyport Daily News._
Newbury - David Davis succumbed to the devastations of cancer on July 11, 2020. He was 73. He grew up in Colorado, hiking in the high ranges of the Rocky Mountains. After graduating from the University of Colorado-Boulder in 1968, he volunteered for the Peace Corps working as a surveyor in the deserts of Morocco. Upon returning, David, a conscientious objector, taught math to learning disabled children at Eagle Hill School in Hardwick, MA as an alternative to military service. He then earned a PhD at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst and joined the faculty at the University of Hawaii teaching philosophy and logic. Switching gears, he began a career in software development, working in a specialized area of artificial intelligence where he pioneered many techniques for applying the technology to real-world problems. His work was featured multiple times in _Newsweek_ and was the subject of a BBC World Service interview. He founded or co-funded three companies specializing in application of this technology, authored or co-authored more than 40 papers in the field and wrote or edited five books on the subject.
He had been writing poetry since his undergraduate days; so when he and his wife, Wendy, moved to Newbury, David was drawn to Newburyport's Powow River Poets Workshop. He became a key member, helping organize poetry events, and published four books of poetry, including _Market Town and Other Poems_, released just days after his death.
As an avid birder, he established the Poet in Residence program at Joppa Flats Education Center and served as its Poet in Residence from 2012 to 2017. For years, he led birding trips and brought together the poetry and birding communities in events that celebrated the intersection of nature and the arts. David's approach to his terminal cancer can be found in his book _The Joy Poems_ which is an instruction manual for getting more joy out of life, no matter what.
David leaves behind his wife Wendy; stepson Alex Bruskin, his wife Meline and their daughter Nara; his mother Kirby Davis; a brother Kent Davis, a sister Rebecca Davis and their spouses and children.
Date: 7/17/20 3:52 pm From: Jim Guion <jim_guion...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Great Black Hawk Statue Unveiled in Deering Oaks Park, Portland, Maine
This was reported on the CT Birds mailing list. It was incredible to see this majestic bird in real life and I can't wait to see its statue.
When I was there, numerous Portland residents came to see it, having heard about it on local radio and TV news. It was a wonderful opportunity to share with them how such birds can end up so far out of place and to let them look through our scopes and binoculars to see it up close.
Date: 7/17/20 1:50 am From: Barbara Volkle <barb620...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] North Shore Community Gardens, Middleton, Jul 16, 2020
Thanks to Jim Berry for report.
Barbara Volkle Northborough, MA <barb620...>
*
Subject: North Shore Community Gardens, Middleton, Jul 16, 2020 From: Jim Berry <jim.berry3...> Date: Thu, 16 Jul 2020 23:53:01 -0400
North Shore Community Gardens, Middleton Jul 16, 2020 10:00 AM - 11:05 AM Protocol: Traveling 0.5 mile(s) Checklist Comments: I didn't bird the gardens per se, but the back field from the first pond south to the second. 21 species
Mourning Dove 2 Chimney Swift 1 Killdeer 1 Green Heron 1 Flew out from 2nd pond, where I found a nest a few years back. Willow Flycatcher 2 Eastern Kingbird 1 Blue Jay 1 American Crow 2 Tree Swallow 13 Barn Swallow 6 House Wren 2 European Starling 3 American Robin 8 American Goldfinch 8 Song Sparrow 13 Baltimore Oriole 1 Red-winged Blackbird 6 Brown-headed Cowbird 2 Common Grackle 1 Common Yellowthroat 3 Yellow Warbler 1
Date: 7/16/20 2:58 pm From: Neil Hayward <opororniswarbler...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Update on BBC Field Trips and Workshops
Dear Massbirders,
While the Brookline Bird Club had expected that the beginning of summer
would mark the general resumption of our field trips, the course of the
Covid-19 pandemic has forced us to reconsider that hope. While we cannot
return to "the old normal" at this time, we are working on finding a way
forward for some of our field trips. These will be offered as limited
participation with important Covid-related requirements to ensure safety.
Trips will require pre-registration on the club web site (
brooklinebirdclub.org). This is so that we can limit numbers. (Please don't
turn up for a trip without signing up–you'll be turned away if you do.)
This is also the place to check if a trip is going ahead. If all spaces are
filled, you will be placed on a waitlist and contacted if a space opens
up. On the day of the trip please remember to bring and wear a mask. During
the trip please maintain a distance of at least six feet from other
participants. We will not be encouraging the sharing of scopes or other
optical equipment (outside of household groups). There will be no
carpooling offered during the trips.
While our trips have regrettably taken a hit this year, I’d like to
highlight the development of our online learning program. We’re been
gearing up to provide workshops each month this year. Upcoming titles
include: Birds of Arizona (Jared Keyes), a Hearing Aid Forum (Tim Walker),
Raptor ID (Paul Roberts), and Beginner and Intermediate Shorebirds (a
multi-class workshop, Neil Hayward). These workshops are free, but with
limited spots and are only open to BBC members. If you’re not a member,
please consider joining (visit our website at brooklinebirdclub.org).
Workshops are advertised to members by email. If you are a member and
haven’t provided your email to us, please contact our membership secretary,
Jill Mathieu, at <membership...> to update your details.
Like you, I’d rather be out birding with birding friends. But I hope that
while we hit the pandemic pause button on our lives, the
limited-participation trips and the workshops and meetings will provide
some reminder of the joys of our great local birding community.
Date: 7/16/20 1:40 pm From: David Weaver <cygnus-dkw...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary - 07-15-2020
Apologies for the belated post. Yesterday morning, David Moon and I birded with a small group on some of the trails of Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary, this in the name of Wednesday Morning Birding Redux. Skies were partly cloudy with an occasional spritz of rain (hardly worth a mention); temps in the upper 60s; and winds, light and variable.
Our list:
Wood Duck (1) Mallard (5) Mourning Dove (2) Ruby-throated Hummingbird (1) Double-crested Cormorant (1) Great Blue Heron (2) Great Egret (2) Snowy Egret (1) Green Heron (1) Black-crowned Night-Heron (1) Turkey Vulture (1) Red-tailed Hawk (2) Downy Woodpecker (5) Pileated Woodpecker (1) Eastern Kingbird (2) Eastern Wood-Pewee (2) Warbling Vireo (1) Red-eyed Vireo (2) Blue Jay (1) Tree Swallow (~ 15) Barn Swallow (5) Black-capped Chickadee (4) Tufted Titmouse (2) White-breasted Nuthatch (2) House Wren (1) Marsh Wren (1) Carolina Wren (1) Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (4) - including 2 fledglings. Eastern Bluebird (2) Gray Catbird (~ 5) European Starling (3) Cedar Waxwing (1) House Sparrow - common. American Goldfinch (4) Chipping Sparrow (2) Eastern Towhee (1) Baltimore Oriole (1) Red-winged Blackbird - common. Ovenbird (1) Common Yellowthroat (2) Northern Cardinal (5)
This bird was on one of the islands at Egypt Lane in Fairhaven. I have little experience with waterthrushes, except for once seeing one in Freetown State Forest while I was standing stuck in mud up to my knees and being pulled out!
Conservation is filled with stories of hope and perseverance. Which is one of the reasons I love it!
There had not been a common loon hatch in southern Massachusetts since before the telephone was invented. Until recently, that is. This is the story of how a strong partnership, a multi-state project, and a 2017 Natural Resource Damage Assessment and Restoration program settlement came together to bring back the native birdhttp://ow.ly/G5UM50Azprz <http://ow.ly/G5UM50Azprz?fbclid=IwAR2f4Ch5mnOQ9wpsuvQgQNaeT177WwuKsRTUDT3QYqBsOI1bZJUXlMqrMb4>
