Date: 6/18/18 3:30 pm From: Childs, Jackson <jchilds...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Probable Bay-breasted/Blackpoll hybrid, Bald Mountain, ME
Hi,
Yesterday (6/17/18) I observed a probable Bay-breasted/Blackpoll hybrid near the summit of Bald Mountain. I was able to get some shots of it and made a short video highlighting the plumage characteristics that, I think, clinch the identification:
I couldn't get a good recording of his song but it sounded like a fairly typical Blackpoll in New Hampshire song.
Bald Mountain is a delightful climb with spectacular views. I was able to see the outline of the Presidential range to the southwest and, it seemed to me, Katahdin to the northeast. Ravens were skydancing in the updrafts. The Rangeley lakes area is just wonderful to visit this time of year.
Date: 6/18/18 10:49 am From: Eddie <emgiles62...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] BBC Rangeley Lakes Trip - Two Spaces Open
Due to a couple of cancellations, two spaces have opened up on my BBC trip up to the Rangeley Lakes Region in western Maine. The trip runs Thursday, June 28 - Sunday, July 1. Target birds include Spruce Grouse, Black-backed Woodpecker, Olive-sided & Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, Philadelphia Vireo, Gray Jay, Boreal Chickadee, and Bicknell’s Thrush. E-mail me for more details. Thank you.
Eddie
************************************** Edward M. Giles, Board Of Directors Brookline Bird Club, Inc. http://www.brooklinebirdclub.org/ <egiles...>
Date: 6/18/18 3:35 am From: Diana F. <diana.fru...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Impromptu BBC kayak trip on the Charles in Dedham Saturday June 23
After doing this paddle on Saturday I've decided to run this BBC kayak trip weather permitting. I saw and heard almost 40 species of birds on Saturday.between 4 and 8 pm. The Chimney Swift's were at eye level hawking insects over the water. There were lots of birds feeding babies and it was a very peaceful easy scenic paddle.
Space is limited, so please email me at <diana.fru...> Meeting time will be 3:45 pm with a 4 pm launch. Ending time will be roughly around 7:30. We will turn around and paddle back, no car shuttle this time. You must bring your own kayak.
Here is a description:
The Charles River in Dedham allows you to enjoy one of the longest stretches of uninterrupted flat water on the Charles River.
Paddlers can enjoy calm paddling, with much of its shoreline being forest, marsh, or protected parkland.
We will begin our paddle at the Dolan Center in Dedham, passing Cutler Park, Millennium Park, Charles River Reservation and Stimson Wildlife refuge before heading back. http://www.dedhamtrails.com/map.html
The current in this stretch of river is generally mild, so round trips are easy.
With lots of wildlife, this paddle will be a scenic and relaxing way to enjoy the Charles River.
I wondered what a was so valuable to crows in a fuzzy stick. Then it hit me. Nesting material, the ultimate gift😊
Charlie Patterson
Norwell, Ma
<chaspatt...>
Sent From Middle Earth
From: Andrea Bean
Sent: Sunday, June 17, 2018 4:39 PM
To: massbird
Subject: [MASSBIRD] Crows leaving gifts
Massbirders,
I wanted to share something that happened today. I have a platform feeder that I put fruit out on until my fruit and berry trees start to produce/mature. I have a couple of crows that come by and partake in the feast. Today, we were watching out in the yard as we were having lunch when the crows flew in. We noticed that one had something in it's beak, and watched as he placed it down, and then rearranged it until it was in the center of the feeder. Then, they both took some apple and plum, and flew away. As soon as they left, I went out to see what he had and discovered that he had left me a gift!!! It was a stick that almost looked like a tattered piece of rope. I've read about them doing this but never actually witnessed it, never mind being the recipient of this wonderful gesture. I am still so giddy about it!
Date: 6/17/18 7:01 pm From: Barbara Volkle <barb620...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Wendell St Forest - 6/15/18
Thanks to Bill Lafley for the following post.
Barbara Volkle Northborough, MA <barb620...>
*
From: Bill Lafley <blafley...> Date: Sun, 17 Jun 2018 21:19:03 -0400 Subject: Wendell St Forest - 6/15/18
Wendell State Forest, Franklin, Massachusetts, US Jun 15, 2018 7:50 AM - 11:25 AM Protocol: Traveling 4.9 mile(s) Comments: Hiked Dirth Rd - around E side of Wickett Pond - Wickett Pond Rd to Ruggles Pond - M&M Trail from Ruggles Pond to Carleton/Dirth Rd trail back to Dirth Rd. 55 species
Wood Duck 2 Mallard 1 Cooper's Hawk 1 Red-shouldered Hawk 1 Broad-winged Hawk 2 Mourning Dove 4 Black-billed Cuckoo 2 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 8 2 pair and the rest were individuals Downy Woodpecker 1 Hairy Woodpecker 1 Pileated Woodpecker 1 Eastern Wood-Pewee 5 Alder Flycatcher 2 Eastern Phoebe 1 Great Crested Flycatcher 1 Eastern Kingbird 1 Red-eyed Vireo 16 Blue Jay 3 American Crow 1 Common Raven 1 Tree Swallow 1 Barn Swallow 2 Black-capped Chickadee 3 Tufted Titmouse 4 Red-breasted Nuthatch 3 White-breasted Nuthatch 3 Veery 6 American Robin 1 Gray Catbird 4 Cedar Waxwing 3 Ovenbird 20 Saw young fledging run off road into ferns in front of me and was then promptly dived bombed by 2 adults. Northern Waterthrush 1 Common Yellowthroat 6 American Redstart 3 Magnolia Warbler 1 Blackburnian Warbler 2 Yellow Warbler 1 Chestnut-sided Warbler 5 Black-throated Blue Warbler 13 Singing males almost all along the 4.9 mile hike Pine Warbler 4 Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) 2 Prairie Warbler 1 Black-throated Green Warbler 1 Canada Warbler 3 Chipping Sparrow 2 Song Sparrow 5 Eastern Towhee 11 Scarlet Tanager 8 Rose-breasted Grosbeak 1 Baltimore Oriole 2 Red-winged Blackbird (Red-winged) 3 Brown-headed Cowbird 1 Common Grackle 1 Purple Finch 1 American Goldfinch 3
Date: 6/17/18 5:53 pm From: Bob & Bonnie Buxton <bbxt...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Ruby-throated 'Flycatcher' in Merrimac
We just had the unexpected pleasure of watching a male Ruby-throated Hummingbird flycatching from our clothesline at dusk. We had never seen this behavior before, although it's probably common. He would sit on the clothesline looking intently around, and suddenly fly a short distance, clearly flycatching ( mosquitoes we hope! ) and then would return to the clothesline until the next little 'foray'. We watched him do this many times before he eventually flew off to parts unknown. We did see one of the tiny insects he caught as it was whitish, but we could not see any of the others. One of his flights was funny to watch.. He must have been in the middle of a little swarm of bugs because his head was twisting around as he tried to grab as many as he could. Mother Nature always seems to have something fascinating and new to show us!
Good birding to all, Bonnie & Bob Buxton Merrimac, MA bbxt(AT)comcast.net
I wanted to share something that happened today. I have a platform feeder that I put fruit out on until my fruit and berry trees start to produce/mature. I have a couple of crows that come by and partake in the feast. Today, we were watching out in the yard as we were having lunch when the crows flew in. We noticed that one had something in it's beak, and watched as he placed it down, and then rearranged it until it was in the center of the feeder. Then, they both took some apple and plum, and flew away. As soon as they left, I went out to see what he had and discovered that he had left me a gift!!! It was a stick that almost looked like a tattered piece of rope. I've read about them doing this but never actually witnessed it, never mind being the recipient of this wonderful gesture. I am still so giddy about it!
Date: 6/16/18 8:06 pm From: Walt Webb <wwebb24...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Fw: eBird Report - Arnold Arboretum, Jun 16, 2018
----- Original Message ----- From: <ebird-checklist...> To: <wwebb24...> Sent: Saturday, June 16, 2018 5:00 PM Subject: eBird Report - Arnold Arboretum, Jun 16, 2018
> Arnold Arboretum, Suffolk, Massachusetts, US > Jun 16, 2018 10:19 AM - 12:57 PM > Protocol: Traveling > 1.7 mile(s) > Comments: Clear. Temp. 70s. As always, I do not count birds unless > they number 1 or 2; anything more receives the dreaded "X". > 20 species (+1 other taxa) > > Turkey Vulture 1 > gull sp. 1 > Mourning Dove 1 Heard only. > Red-bellied Woodpecker 1 Heard only. > Downy Woodpecker 1 > Eastern Wood-Pewee 1 Heard only. > Warbling Vireo X > Blue Jay 2 > Tree Swallow 2 Nesting in box at Rehder Pond. > American Robin X > Gray Catbird X > European Starling X > Yellow Warbler X Heard only. > Chipping Sparrow X > Song Sparrow X > Northern Cardinal 2 > Red-winged Blackbird X > Brown-headed Cowbird 1 > Common Grackle X > American Goldfinch 2 > House Sparrow X > > View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S46593024 > > This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)
Date: 6/16/18 3:52 pm From: Eduardo del Solar <delsolar...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] nesting piping plover pair, South Boston
Unfortunately, the high tides during the middle of the week washed out the four eggs the PP pair had been incubating for the last two weeks. On Thursday morning the pair seemed rattled and looked like they were trying a new spot just a bit higher ground inside the Audubon’s ropes. Yesterday and today I did not see them when I went for my swim around mid-day at high tide.
Hopefully, they may still nest in the inner harbor. South Boston beaches are now really populated.
Date: 6/16/18 3:42 pm From: Jim Berry <jim.berry3...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Willowdale SF (east), Jun 16, 2018
Willowdale SF (east), Ipswich Jun 16, 2018 8:00 AM - 11:20 AM Protocol: Traveling 4.0 mile(s) Comments: I walked a long loop today with Miles Brengle and Nate Dubrow--our last chance together before their summer jobs begin. 45 species (+1 other taxon)
duck sp. 1 Herring Gull 1 flyover Mourning Dove 3 Black-billed Cuckoo 4 birds heard in 4 separate locations; one called in and seen Chimney Swift 1 Ruby-throated Hummingbird 2 Red-bellied Woodpecker 5 Downy Woodpecker 3 Hairy Woodpecker 1 Pileated Woodpecker 1 f (female) Eastern Wood-Pewee 4 Eastern Phoebe 1 Great Crested Flycatcher 3 Yellow-throated Vireo 1 m Warbling Vireo 2 Red-eyed Vireo 4 Blue Jay 8 American Crow 3 Black-capped Chickadee 4 Tufted Titmouse 6 Red-breasted Nuthatch 5 including 1 prob. juvenile White-breasted Nuthatch 4 Brown Creeper 3 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1 Eastern Bluebird 1 Veery 7 Hermit Thrush 1 m Wood Thrush 5 American Robin 2 Gray Catbird 11 Cedar Waxwing 8 Ovenbird 44 including 2 juvs. in separate locations--most were singing males. Northern Waterthrush 2 m Black-and-white Warbler 8 Nice to find 7 singing males as well as a juv. Common Yellowthroat 10 Yellow Warbler 1 Pine Warbler 5 Black-throated Green Warbler 0 These birds used to be common breeders in this forest, but they are now hard to find, even with Miles's and Nate's excellent ears. Chipping Sparrow 6 Song Sparrow 2 Scarlet Tanager 9 Northern Cardinal 4 Baltimore Oriole 3 Red-winged Blackbird 11 Brown-headed Cowbird 4 Common Grackle 8 American Goldfinch 4
I have to disagree. In all of the years that I studied birds' nests, I rarely spent more than an hour at a nest--even those nests checked daily. Extreme care was taken to not leave scent trails that mammalian predators could follow and to not attract the attention of avian egg predators. All observations were done from a distance that did not appear to affect the nesting behaviors of the birds--as evidenced by the data collected--although observers still probably have an effect. I spent a long time training my students to be aware of all of this before they attended nests on their own. But, close approach did temporarily affect each nest for a brief time. When you add repeated visits, close approaches that require the time to get the perfect shot and multitudes of people at once you are disturbing the nest and the behaviors of the birds. Walking past a nest is just that, a brief time where the potential predator does not typically even look at the nest 9something the parent bird is observing). An urban-nesting bird (or one nesting in a yard) has many different disturbances like this and may or may not be successful because of it. Please don't use June as an excuse. Breeding is the most energy-intensive part of a bird's life--and arguably the most important time evolutionarily. Disturbance does not only reduce the numbers of feeding visits to the young but it creates stress in the adults which increases the amount of energy they expend. These breeding birds do have energy constraints as much if not more than roosting and wintering owls. You're right that they may not abandon, but nest success (particularly number of young that fledge and recruit) and survival of adults to the next year are affected by the amount of energy that they expend during nesting. And from a population perspective, breeding has far more effect on a species survival than the survival of a wintering bird (in no way am I advocating for their disturbance either, of course). Maybe that's not important for a rare nest on the edge of the species range, but it can't be written off because it's June. They may do marvelously but not despite our presence. Mindy LaBranche Rochester, MA
On 6/15/2018 1:09 PM, Peter Trull wrote: > Sorry to disagree, but these are wild birds with a drive to incubate > eggs and feed young. That~@~Ys what they do. They habituate to their > surroundings and adapt. Consider all the researchers in every > conceivable habitat, only meters from their subjects, from seabirds to > sparrows to herons. The birds continue to feed and incubate despite > banding, tagging and handling. We all walk past nests in our yards, > catbirds, robins, cardinals, wrens, flycatchers every day, the birds > don~@~Yt desert. I agree that disturbance of birds needing to conserve > energy, roosting, wintering owls etc. should be avoided, but it~@~Ys June > my friends. Birds are nesting. It~@~Ys a must do situation for them and > they do it marvelously, despite our presence. > P. Trull > Brewster, > <petrull...> <mailto:<petrull...> > *From:* <megascops.2014...> <mailto:<megascops.2014...> > *Sent:* Friday, June 15, 2018 10:37 AM > *To:* Bill Lafley <mailto:<blafley...> ; Massbird > <mailto:<massbird...> > *Subject:* Re: [MASSBIRD] Breeding Birds adernd birders > Great point. In addition, an ebirder recently posted a reminder that > we leave scent trails which predators can follow. > We should be aware of this, especially during nesting season. Many > corvids seem to require only one successful find of food, then they > never forget. > Mary Keitelman > Hinsdale, MA > ------ Original message------ > *From: *Bill Lafley > *Date: *Fri, Jun 15, 2018 9:07 AM > *To: *Massbird; > *Cc: * > *Subject:*! [MASSBIRD] Breeding Birds and birders > Hello, > > The topic of this post came about when a friend (a casual birder) who > has done a few forest ecology studies on the Montague Plains in > Montague asked me if the Red Crossbills were still on the Plains.We > decided to look in eBird and realized there were no recent sightings > but looked back a couple months and were a bit taken aback at what we > found.The birds were first reported on March 9 and between then and > the end of the month there were 67 checklists reporting the birds. A > sampling of several them resulted in an average visit of 1 hr and 15 > min with some visits over 2 hours and one over 3 hours and several > with close up photographs!Considering that there were most likely > several birders that went to see them and do not use eBird there > probably was not a very long period of time that these birds were left > alone.I am only using the Red Crossbills as an example because we > stumbled across the data and not to debate birders visits or the > impact on them specifically. To me it illustrates the point well that > there are a lot of us birders that want to see these uncommon birds > and we may need to exercise some self-restraint. Limiting the number > of visits each of us makes to these sites, the distance we keep from > the birds and especially limiting the time spent at the site might be > good places to start. These steps are important for observing all > uncommon/rare birds but especially true with birds that are trying to > breed. > > Bill Lafley > > New Salem > > <blafley...> <mailto:<blafley...> >
I agree with most of what you are saying and my post was really directed at uncommon and local breeding birds that tend to attract legions of us. That said I once walked near a Phoebe nest in my barn and the fledglings panicked and left the nest too early. One crashed into the barn door and the others fluttered around on the ground clearly unable to fly or even walk. Years ago I also flushed a Woodcock from the nest and it was neat to see the nest eggs. However I went back a day or so later and the cold eggs were still in the nest. Sure there are plenty of Phoebes and Woodcock around and no I did not alter the balance of nature but my presence did make a difference in those nests.
Bill Lafley
New Salem
<Blafley...>
> On Jun 15, 2018, at 1:09 PM, Peter Trull <petrull...> wrote:
>
> Sorry to disagree, but these are wild birds with a drive to incubate eggs and feed young. That’s what they do. They habituate to their surroundings and adapt. Consider all the researchers in every conceivable habitat, only meters from their subjects, from seabirds to sparrows to herons. The birds continue to feed and incubate despite banding, tagging and handling. We all walk past nests in our yards, catbirds, robins, cardinals, wrens, flycatchers every day, the birds don’t desert. I agree that disturbance of birds needing to conserve energy, roosting, wintering owls etc. should be avoided, but it’s June my friends. Birds are nesting. It’s a must do situation for them and they do it marvelously, despite our presence.
> P. Trull
> Brewster,
> <petrull...>
>
> From: <megascops.2014...>
> Sent: Friday, June 15, 2018 10:37 AM
> To: Bill Lafley ; Massbird
> Subject: Re: [MASSBIRD] Breeding Birds adernd birders
>
> Great point. In addition, an ebirder recently posted a reminder that we leave scent trails which predators can follow.
>
> We should be aware of this, especially during nesting season. Many corvids seem to require only one successful find of food, then they never forget.
>
> Mary Keitelman
> Hinsdale, MA
>
>
>
> ------ Original message------
> From: Bill Lafley
> Date: Fri, Jun 15, 2018 9:07 AM
> To: Massbird;
> Cc:
> Subject:! [MASSBIRD] Breeding Birds and birders
>
> Hello,
>
> The topic of this post came about when a friend (a casual birder) who has done a few forest ecology studies on the Montague Plains in Montague asked me if the Red Crossbills were still on the Plains. We decided to look in eBird and realized there were no recent sightings but looked back a couple months and were a bit taken aback at what we found. The birds were first reported on March 9 and between then and the end of the month there were 67 checklists reporting the birds. A sampling of several them resulted in an average visit of 1 hr and 15 min with some visits over 2 hours and one over 3 hours and several with close up photographs! Considering that there were most likely several birders that went to see them and do not use eBird there probably was not a very long period of time that these birds were left alone. I am only using the Red Crossbills as an example because we stumbled across the data and not to debate birders visits or the impact on them specifically. To me it illustrates the point well that there are a lot of us birders that want to see these uncommon birds and we may need to exercise some self-restraint. Limiting the number of visits each of us makes to these sites, the distance we keep from the birds and especially limiting the time spent at the site might be good places to start. These steps are important for observing all uncommon/rare birds but especially true with birds that are trying to breed.
>
> Bill Lafley
> New Salem
> <blafley...>
Last year I only had female hummingbirds visiting my feeder which was totally different than past years when I would have male hummingbirds the first half of the season and female or juvenile hummingbirds towards the end of the summer. This year I have only had a male hummingbird. However, he seems to have disappeared the last few days and I'm hoping he's still ok and will return. I did see at least 3 hummingbirds do a quick spin over my feeder yesterday and then quickly leave again. Perhaps he was among the 3 and chasing the other 2 away from his territory.
My neighbor and I have been very happy to have a male rose-breasted grosbeak visiting our seed feeders daily the past several weeks!
Date: 6/15/18 11:29 am From: Paul Champlin <skua99...> Subject: Re: [MASSBIRD] RE: Documentation of Ovenbird Nest in Leominster SF
Working with Ovenbirds in the White Mountains, my wife and I discovered that chipmonks, red squirrels, and blue jays silently watched as we either found or checked ovenbird and thrush nests, then (almost immediately upon our departure, the jays) came in for an easy meal of either eggs and young. You never know who is watching.
________________________________
From: <massbird-approval...> <massbird-approval...> on behalf of Richard Guthrie <richardpguthrie...>
Sent: Thursday, June 14, 2018 10:25:41 PM
To: Floyd, Chris
Cc: Massbird
Subject: Re: [MASSBIRD] RE: Documentation of Ovenbird Nest in Leominster SF
Chris;
Good for you and your awareness of scent trails. That's often an overlooked
cause of nest predation the night after someone peeked at a nest.
I don't want to come on as condescending, but it's something not mentioned
often enough.
Richard Guthrie
On Thu, Jun 14, 2018 at 9:42 PM, Floyd, Chris <chrisf...> wrote:
> Intrigued to explore this new place a little more and again try my luck
> with Louisiana Waterthrush, I returned today, just a little earlier.
>
>
>
> The Ovenbird continues in nest; I took a photo also of the immediate nest
> site environs.
>
>
>
> Thanks to all who sent feedback on yesterdays report and the cowbird egg
> question. I got little sense of the size difference of the darker egg I
> kept my distance from the immediate vicinity of the nest, to minimize
> disturbance to the incubating bird and chance of providing a scent trail
> for predators.
>
>
>
> The waterthrush made a visit, calling and showing itself only briefly.
>
>
>
> A bonus of this spot is the Black-throated Blue Warblers, singing their
> territorial songs.
>
>
>
> More details, photos and audio at https://ebird.org/view/ > checklist/S46553284 .
>
>
>
> Yesterdays report at https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S46531256
Date: 6/15/18 11:28 am From: Peter Trull <petrull...> Subject: Re: [MASSBIRD] Breeding Birds adernd birders
Sorry to disagree, but these are wild birds with a drive to incubate eggs and feed young. That’s what they do. They habituate to their surroundings and adapt. Consider all the researchers in every conceivable habitat, only meters from their subjects, from seabirds to sparrows to herons. The birds continue to feed and incubate despite banding, tagging and handling. We all walk past nests in our yards, catbirds, robins, cardinals, wrens, flycatchers every day, the birds don’t desert. I agree that disturbance of birds needing to conserve energy, roosting, wintering owls etc. should be avoided, but it’s June my friends. Birds are nesting. It’s a must do situation for them and they do it marvelously, despite our presence.
P. Trull
Brewster,
<petrull...>
From: <megascops.2014...>
Sent: Friday, June 15, 2018 10:37 AM
To: Bill Lafley ; Massbird
Subject: Re: [MASSBIRD] Breeding Birds adernd birders
Great point. In addition, an ebirder recently posted a reminder that we leave scent trails which predators can follow.
We should be aware of this, especially during nesting season. Many corvids seem to require only one successful find of food, then they never forget.
Mary Keitelman
Hinsdale, MA
------ Original message------
From: Bill Lafley
Date: Fri, Jun 15, 2018 9:07 AM
To: Massbird;
Cc:
Subject:! [MASSBIRD] Breeding Birds and birders
Hello,
The topic of this post came about when a friend (a casual birder) who has done a few forest ecology studies on the Montague Plains in Montague asked me if the Red Crossbills were still on the Plains. We decided to look in eBird and realized there were no recent sightings but looked back a couple months and were a bit taken aback at what we found. The birds were first reported on March 9 and between then and the end of the month there were 67 checklists reporting the birds. A sampling of several them resulted in an average visit of 1 hr and 15 min with some visits over 2 hours and one over 3 hours and several with close up photographs! Considering that there were most likely several birders that went to see them and do not use eBird there probably was not a very long period of time that these birds were left alone. I am only using the Red Crossbills as an example because we stumbled across the data and not to debate birders visits or the impact on them specifically. To me it illustrates the point well that there are a lot of us birders that want to see these uncommon birds and we may need to exercise some self-restraint. Limiting the number of visits each of us makes to these sites, the distance we keep from the birds and especially limiting the time spent at the site might be good places to start. These steps are important for observing all uncommon/rare birds but especially true with birds that are trying to breed.
Great point. In addition, an ebirder recently posted a reminder that we leave scent trails which predators can follow. We should be aware of this, especially during nesting season. Many corvids seem to require only one successful find of food, then they never forget. Mary KeitelmanHinsdale, MA
------ Original message------From: Bill LafleyDate: Fri, Jun 15, 2018 9:07 AMTo: Massbird;Cc: Subject:[MASSBIRD] Breeding Birds and birders Hello,
The topic of this post came about when a friend (a casual birder) who has done a few forest ecology studies on the Montague Plains in Montague asked me if the Red Crossbills were still on the Plains. We decided to look in eBird and realized there were no recent sightings but looked back a couple months and were a bit taken aback at what we found. The birds were first reported on March 9 and between then and the end of the month there were 67 checklists reporting the birds. A sampling of several them resulted in an average visit of 1 hr and 15 min with some visits over 2 hours and one over 3 hours and several with close up photographs! Considering that there were most likely several birders that went to see them and do not use eBird there probably was not a very long period of time that these birds were left alone. I am only using the Red Crossbills as an example because we stumbled across the data and not to debate birders visits or the impact on them specifically. To me it illustrates the point well that there are a lot of us birders that want to see these uncommon birds and we may need to exercise some self-restraint. Limiting the number of visits each of us makes to these sites, the distance we keep from the birds and especially limiting the time spent at the site might be good places to start. These steps are important for observing all uncommon/rare birds but especially true with birds that are trying to breed.
Date: 6/15/18 8:36 am From: Jonathan Layman <jonathan.layman...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Nantucket recommendations
Massbirders,
For the next two weeks, I shall taking a summer class at UMASS' Nantucket field station. I have never been to Nantucket, and would appreciate any recommendations you would have on good birding spots (or other areas of interest to a naturalist) that might be worth visiting in the next two weeks.
Date: 6/15/18 6:08 am From: Bill Lafley <blafley...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Breeding Birds and birders
Hello,
The topic of this post came about when a friend (a casual birder) who has done a few forest ecology studies on the Montague Plains in Montague asked me if the Red Crossbills were still on the Plains. We decided to look in eBird and realized there were no recent sightings but looked back a couple months and were a bit taken aback at what we found. The birds were first reported on March 9 and between then and the end of the month there were 67 checklists reporting the birds. A sampling of several them resulted in an average visit of 1 hr and 15 min with some visits over 2 hours and one over 3 hours and several with close up photographs! Considering that there were most likely several birders that went to see them and do not use eBird there probably was not a very long period of time that these birds were left alone. I am only using the Red Crossbills as an example because we stumbled across the data and not to debate birders visits or the impact on them specifically. To me it illustrates the point well that there are a lot of us birders that want to see these uncommon birds and we may need to exercise some self-restraint. Limiting the number of visits each of us makes to these sites, the distance we keep from the birds and especially limiting the time spent at the site might be good places to start. These steps are important for observing all uncommon/rare birds but especially true with birds that are trying to breed.
Date: 6/15/18 6:08 am From: TheBirdNerd <th3b1rdn3rd...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Re: New way of communicating with other birders (with permission to be sent here)
Sorry that the link is invalid, I set it to not expire so I'm not sure why it isn't working, here's a new one: https://discord.gg/DBXS7yf
Francis Morello Waltham MA <th3b1rdn3rd...>
On Thu, Jun 14, 2018, 8:00 PM TheBirdNerd <th3b1rdn3rd...> wrote:
> Hey MassBirders, some friends and I have created a chatting group for > local birders. It's using an app called Discord. Discord can be used in a > web browser, or through the app (free of course). I've gotten permission > from Barbara to send the invitation link on MassBird. If you're not > familiar with Discord, here's how it works: There are certain chat channels > for discussing different topics, for example, on our Discord server, there > are rare sighting channels for different states, a channel to share photos, > a channel for general discussion about birds, and one for identification > help if you're struggling with a bird id. You can mute certain channels and > change notification settings if you only want to receive notification for > rare sightings in Massachusetts for example. This in no way replaces > massbird and is just a quick way to communicate and further discuss > rarities or just your love for birding. Here is the link to the server: > https://discord.gg/DBXS7yf > The rules for the server are posted on there, but here they are: > Be respectful of other > No spamming, trolling, racism, or discrimination of any sort > No NSFW content > Please keep cursing to a minimum > Try to keep discussions in the correct channel > No self-promoting without permission from an admin > Please ask if you have any questions about it, and happy birding! > > Thanks, > Francis Morello > Waltham, MA > <th3b1rdn3rd...> >
Date: 6/14/18 8:00 pm From: Richard Guthrie <richardpguthrie...> Subject: Re: [MASSBIRD] RE: Documentation of Ovenbird Nest in Leominster SF
Chris;
Good for you and your awareness of scent trails. That's often an overlooked
cause of nest predation the night after someone peeked at a nest.
I don't want to come on as condescending, but it's something not mentioned
often enough.
Richard Guthrie
On Thu, Jun 14, 2018 at 9:42 PM, Floyd, Chris <chrisf...> wrote:
> Intrigued to explore this new place a little more and again try my luck
> with Louisiana Waterthrush, I returned today, just a little earlier.
>
>
>
> The Ovenbird continues in nest; I took a photo also of the immediate nest
> site environs.
>
>
>
> Thanks to all who sent feedback on yesterday’s report and the cowbird egg
> question. I got little sense of the size difference of the darker egg – I
> kept my distance from the immediate vicinity of the nest, to minimize
> disturbance to the incubating bird and chance of providing a scent trail
> for predators.
>
>
>
> The waterthrush made a visit, calling and showing itself only briefly.
>
>
>
> A bonus of this spot is the Black-throated Blue Warblers, singing their
> territorial songs.
>
>
>
> More details, photos and audio at https://ebird.org/view/ > checklist/S46553284 .
>
>
>
> Yesterday’s report at https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S46531256
Date: 6/14/18 7:23 pm From: Floyd, Chris <chrisf...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] RE: Documentation of Ovenbird Nest in Leominster SF
Intrigued to explore this new place a little more and again try my luck with Louisiana Waterthrush, I returned today, just a little earlier.
The Ovenbird continues in nest; I took a photo also of the immediate nest site environs.
Thanks to all who sent feedback on yesterday's report and the cowbird egg question. I got little sense of the size difference of the darker egg - I kept my distance from the immediate vicinity of the nest, to minimize disturbance to the incubating bird and chance of providing a scent trail for predators.
The waterthrush made a visit, calling and showing itself only briefly.
A bonus of this spot is the Black-throated Blue Warblers, singing their territorial songs.
Date: 6/14/18 5:16 pm From: TheBirdNerd <th3b1rdn3rd...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] New way of communicating with other birders (with permission to be sent here)
Hey MassBirders, some friends and I have created a chatting group for local birders. It's using an app called Discord. Discord can be used in a web browser, or through the app (free of course). I've gotten permission from Barbara to send the invitation link on MassBird. If you're not familiar with Discord, here's how it works: There are certain chat channels for discussing different topics, for example, on our Discord server, there are rare sighting channels for different states, a channel to share photos, a channel for general discussion about birds, and one for identification help if you're struggling with a bird id. You can mute certain channels and change notification settings if you only want to receive notification for rare sightings in Massachusetts for example. This in no way replaces massbird and is just a quick way to communicate and further discuss rarities or just your love for birding. Here is the link to the server: https://discord.gg/DBXS7yf The rules for the server are posted on there, but here they are: Be respectful of other No spamming, trolling, racism, or discrimination of any sort No NSFW content Please keep cursing to a minimum Try to keep discussions in the correct channel No self-promoting without permission from an admin Please ask if you have any questions about it, and happy birding!
Thanks, Francis Morello Waltham, MA <th3b1rdn3rd...>
Date: 6/14/18 2:53 pm From: Jim Berry <jim.berry3...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Appleton Farm (TTOR), Jun 14, 2018 (east of tracks)
Appleton Farm (TTOR), Ipswich Jun 14, 2018 9:45 AM - 12:15 PM Protocol: Traveling 0.5 mile(s) Comments: I thoroughly birded the red-headed woodpecker swamp area today, spending much time just standing or sitting, listening and watching. The dam looks almost impossible to cross now, as the vegetation has completely taken over the old trail across it, so I stayed on the side near the RR tracks. This was one of those rare walks (the only walk?) on which I saw or heard zero chickadees, titmice, or nuthatches. 34 species
Wild Turkey 1 male heard gobbling Great Egret 1 Red-tailed Hawk 1 Killdeer 1 Herring Gull 4 flyovers Mourning Dove 2 Black-billed Cuckoo 1 Heard it call only once in 2 hours. Hairy Woodpecker 2 Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 1 Eastern Kingbird 3 Pair at nest about 50 up in a snag (same unsheltered, unprotected nest I reported a day or two ago). Bird either incubating or brooding small young. Warbling Vireo 1 Red-eyed Vireo 1 American Crow 3 Tree Swallow 6 3 pairs in 3 boxes Eastern Bluebird 3 American Robin 3 Gray Catbird 3 Found nest at 3 feet in thick multiflora rose shrub, then had to wait 20 minutes to see whose it was. Nest held 3 blind young. Northern Mockingbird 1 European Starling 5 Common Yellowthroat 3 Yellow Warbler 2 Pine Warbler 1 Chipping Sparrow 6 Savannah Sparrow 1 Song Sparrow 6 Northern Cardinal 1 Rose-breasted Grosbeak 1 This bird never stopped singing, I think because he did not yet have a mate. Indigo Bunting 1 Bobolink 3 Baltimore Oriole 5 4 of these were two pairs fighting near the nest of one pair, in which they were feeding young (when they weren't fighting off the other pair). Red-winged Blackbird 25 Common Grackle 2 American Goldfinch 4 House Sparrow 5 Near where I parked.
Date: 6/14/18 9:29 am From: M Scops <megascops.2014...> Subject: Re: [MASSBIRD] Absent male hummingbirds
In Hinsdale we have at least one male and what appears to be 2 females. Last year we had at least one mated pair, perhaps more.
Mary Keitelman Hinsdale, MA
On 6/14/2018 6:15 AM, Jane Moosbruker wrote: > At my feeder in Acton I have seen only male birds. > > Jane Moosbruker, Ph.D. > <Jamoos...> > > > -----Original Message----- > From: <massbird-approval...> [mailto:<massbird-approval...>] > On Behalf Of Greg Dysart > Sent: Wednesday, June 13, 2018 8:46 PM > To: alice morgan > Cc: <massbird...> > Subject: Re: [MASSBIRD] Absent male hummingbirds > > We only have two males this year at our home in Natick. Very unusual. Maybe > we should put them on this list serve... > > Greg Dysart > http://dysart.zenfolio.com/ > Natick, MA > > > >> On Jun 13, 2018, at 6:34 PM, alice morgan <morgan.alice...> wrote: >> >> My hummingbird feeder is busy, but only with female birds. I don't recall > noticing this in other years. Is it meaningful? Thanks for any thoughts, > Alice Morgan >> -- >> Alice & Dane Morgan >> Brookline & S. Dartmouth, MA > > --- > This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. > https://www.avast.com/antivirus
Date: 6/14/18 9:02 am From: Pamela Sowizral <psowizral...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Today at Drumlin Farm
Beautiful morning to be outside at Drumlin Farm. Saw 37 species with highlights being: spotted sandpiper, chimney swifts, newly fledged bluebird chicks, savannah sparrows, Baltimore orioles and rose-breasted grosbeak. Yesterday I had red-breasted nuthatch as well. A green heron has been seen periodically at our Ice Pond. Female turkeys are out and about with their young.
Pam Sowizral
Mass Audubon's Drumlin Farm
Lincoln
Wild Turkey 3
Red-tailed Hawk 3
Killdeer 4
Spotted Sandpiper 1
Mourning Dove 2
Chimney Swift 3
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Downy Woodpecker 2
Northern Flicker 2
Eastern Phoebe 1
Eastern Kingbird 3
Blue Jay 5
American Crow 2
Tree Swallow 12
Barn Swallow 3
Black-capped Chickadee 2
Tufted Titmouse 1
House Wren 1
Eastern Bluebird 7
American Robin 4
Gray Catbird 5
European Starling 7
Cedar Waxwing 4
Common Yellowthroat 2
Chipping Sparrow 2
Savannah Sparrow 4
Song Sparrow 6
Northern Cardinal 4
Rose-breasted Grosbeak 1
Bobolink 8
Baltimore Oriole 3
Red-winged Blackbird 9
Brown-headed Cowbird 6
Common Grackle 1
House Finch 2
American Goldfinch 6
House Sparrow 8
Date: 6/14/18 9:02 am From: Barbara Volkle <barb620...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Cackling Goose? Rt2 Lexington
Thanks to Henrietta Yelle for this post.
Barbara Volkle Northborough, MA <barb620...>
*
Good morning! While traveling westbound on Rt2 in Lexington just before the Lincoln town line a few minutes before 8 AM this morning,I saw a group of about six Canada geese grazing at the side of the road in the breakdown lane. One of the geese appeared to be a cackling goose - looked like a full plumage Canada goose with short neck and noticeably smaller than the geese beside it.
I did not see any juvenile geese in the group.
I was not able to stop safely but wonder if anyone else observed this group?
Date: 6/14/18 8:27 am From: Jane Moosbruker <jamoos...> Subject: RE: [MASSBIRD] Absent male hummingbirds
At my feeder in Acton I have seen only male birds.
Jane Moosbruker, Ph.D. <Jamoos...>
-----Original Message----- From: <massbird-approval...> [mailto:<massbird-approval...>] On Behalf Of Greg Dysart Sent: Wednesday, June 13, 2018 8:46 PM To: alice morgan Cc: <massbird...> Subject: Re: [MASSBIRD] Absent male hummingbirds
We only have two males this year at our home in Natick. Very unusual. Maybe we should put them on this list serve...
> On Jun 13, 2018, at 6:34 PM, alice morgan <morgan.alice...> wrote: > > My hummingbird feeder is busy, but only with female birds. I don't recall noticing this in other years. Is it meaningful? Thanks for any thoughts, Alice Morgan > > -- > Alice & Dane Morgan > Brookline & S. Dartmouth, MA
Date: 6/14/18 6:10 am From: Suzanne Sullivan <swampy435...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Re: Ipswich River Watershed Birding Festival results
Shoot! I forgot to list Mill Pond in Burlington (led by John Keeley)! The
absolute headwaters of the Ipswich River and very important!
Suzanne Sullivan
Wilmington, MA
On Thu, Jun 14, 2018 at 7:13 AM Suzanne Sullivan <swampy435...>
wrote:
> Hello Mass Birders,
>
> Last Saturday, as youmay recall we held our yearly Ipswich River Watershed
> Birding Festival. We had a great day! Thank you to everyone who
> participated. The weather was awesome! The people were great! And the home
> made chicken salad was yummy! Thank you to Rachael and Judy for setting up
> our lunch on their patio. We had 71 species total from a combination of
> Reading Town Forest (walk led my Dave Williams), Willowdale State Forest
> (walk led by Jim Berry), Danvers/Middleton Field Complex off Gregory St in
> Middleton (walk led by Suzanne Sullivan), and our paddle starting at
> Farnsworth Landing in Middleton( led by the Middleton Stream Team). Not too
> shabby of a group and birds!
>
> The list below represents just some of birds that breed in the Ipswich
> River Watershed. During migration this list would likely be doubled as the
> River is an important migratory pathway. The Ipswich River and its
> associated tributaries is probably one of the most important natural
> resource areas in eastern Massachusetts. It contributes to one of the most
> diverse ecosystems, the Great Marsh. It is a treasure and why it is so
> vitally important to protect it, not just for our enjoyment but also for
> the BIRDS!
>
> 71 Species.
> Virginia Rail
> Yellow-billed Cuckoo
> Black-billed Cuckoo
> Barred Owl
> Ruby-throated Hummingbird
> Eastern Wood-Pewee
> Eastern Phoebe
> White-breasted Nuthatch
> Brown Creeper
> Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
> Veery
> Hermit Thrush
> Blue-winged Warbler
> Black-and-white Warbler
> Common Yellowthroat
> American Redstart
> Yellow Warbler
> Pine Warbler
> Scarlet Tanager
> Wood Duck
> Mallard (Northern)
> Red-tailed Hawk
> Herring Gull (American)
> Mourning Dove
> Chimney Swift
> Red-bellied Woodpecker
> Downy Woodpecker (Eastern)
> Hairy Woodpecker (Eastern)
> Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)
> Eastern Kingbird
> Warbling Vireo (Eastern)
> Blue Jay
> American Crow
> Common Raven
> Tree Swallow 4
> Barn Swallow (American)
> Black-capped Chickadee
> Tufted Titmouse
> White-breasted Nuthatch (Eastern)
> American Robin
> Gray Catbird
> Northern Mockingbird
> Cedar Waxwing
> Prairie Warbler
> Chipping Sparrow
> Field Sparrow
> Song Sparrow (melodia/atlantica)
> Eastern Towhee
> Northern Cardinal
> Rose-breasted Grosbeak
> Indigo Bunting
> Orchard Oriole
> Baltimore Oriole
> Brown-headed Cowbird
> Common Grackle
> American Goldfinch
> House Sparrow
> Canada Goose
> Green Heron
> Glossy Ibis
> Turkey Vulture
> Killdeer
> Spotted Sandpiper
> Willow Flycatcher
> Barn Swallow (American)
> Carolina Wren
> Swamp Sparrow
> Peregrine Falcon
> Great Egret
> Marsh Wren
> Belted Kingfisher
>
> --
> Suzanne M. Sullivan
> Wilmington, MA
> <swampy435...>
>
> Be the Voice of the River
> http://www.ipswichriver.org >
>
--
Suzanne M. Sullivan
Wilmington, MA
<swampy435...>
"The self evident vision of who we are as a free and caring nation, and the
ideal to fulfill this destiny is stronger than the division of those who's
only vision is of themselves. “ SMB
Date: 6/14/18 4:33 am From: Suzanne Sullivan <swampy435...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Ipswich River Watershed Birding Festival results
Hello Mass Birders,
Last Saturday, as youmay recall we held our yearly Ipswich River Watershed Birding Festival. We had a great day! Thank you to everyone who participated. The weather was awesome! The people were great! And the home made chicken salad was yummy! Thank you to Rachael and Judy for setting up our lunch on their patio. We had 71 species total from a combination of Reading Town Forest (walk led my Dave Williams), Willowdale State Forest (walk led by Jim Berry), Danvers/Middleton Field Complex off Gregory St in Middleton (walk led by Suzanne Sullivan), and our paddle starting at Farnsworth Landing in Middleton( led by the Middleton Stream Team). Not too shabby of a group and birds!
The list below represents just some of birds that breed in the Ipswich River Watershed. During migration this list would likely be doubled as the River is an important migratory pathway. The Ipswich River and its associated tributaries is probably one of the most important natural resource areas in eastern Massachusetts. It contributes to one of the most diverse ecosystems, the Great Marsh. It is a treasure and why it is so vitally important to protect it, not just for our enjoyment but also for the BIRDS!
71 Species. Virginia Rail Yellow-billed Cuckoo Black-billed Cuckoo Barred Owl Ruby-throated Hummingbird Eastern Wood-Pewee Eastern Phoebe White-breasted Nuthatch Brown Creeper Blue-gray Gnatcatcher Veery Hermit Thrush Blue-winged Warbler Black-and-white Warbler Common Yellowthroat American Redstart Yellow Warbler Pine Warbler Scarlet Tanager Wood Duck Mallard (Northern) Red-tailed Hawk Herring Gull (American) Mourning Dove Chimney Swift Red-bellied Woodpecker Downy Woodpecker (Eastern) Hairy Woodpecker (Eastern) Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) Eastern Kingbird Warbling Vireo (Eastern) Blue Jay American Crow Common Raven Tree Swallow 4 Barn Swallow (American) Black-capped Chickadee Tufted Titmouse White-breasted Nuthatch (Eastern) American Robin Gray Catbird Northern Mockingbird Cedar Waxwing Prairie Warbler Chipping Sparrow Field Sparrow Song Sparrow (melodia/atlantica) Eastern Towhee Northern Cardinal Rose-breasted Grosbeak Indigo Bunting Orchard Oriole Baltimore Oriole Brown-headed Cowbird Common Grackle American Goldfinch House Sparrow Canada Goose Green Heron Glossy Ibis Turkey Vulture Killdeer Spotted Sandpiper Willow Flycatcher Barn Swallow (American) Carolina Wren Swamp Sparrow Peregrine Falcon Great Egret Marsh Wren Belted Kingfisher
-- Suzanne M. Sullivan Wilmington, MA <swampy435...>
Date: 6/13/18 7:37 pm From: Dekker, Job <Job.Dekker...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] possible golden eagle - Princeton
My wife saw a very large raptor on Beaman Road in Princeton this afternoon. She first thought it was a Bald Eagle, which she is very familiar with, but then noticed the bold white upper tail, and white in the wings so thought it might be a Golden Eagle. Perhaps worth to keep an eye out for this bird in the area.
Very relieved that I was careful enough for the disturbed bird to return to its incubation and stay put.
Any opinions on the darker greenish egg being a cowbird egg?
With directions from Ron Lockwood, I was visiting the spot in hopes (unfulfilled) of seeing Louisiana Waterthrush. Perhaps it was too late in the day or perhaps the birds Ron saw and heard there Friday have already finished breeding and left the area. No sign of them.
Date: 6/13/18 6:06 pm From: CJ Coppersmith <cj.coppersmith454...> Subject: Re: [MASSBIRD] Absent male hummingbirds
Sometimes the males only come very early in the morning (first hint of dawn in darkness) and again at twilight.
CJ Coppersmith Concord, MA
On Wed, Jun 13, 2018 at 6:34 PM, alice morgan <morgan.alice...> wrote:
> My hummingbird feeder is busy, but only with female birds. I don't recall > noticing this in other years. Is it meaningful? Thanks for any thoughts, > Alice Morgan > > -- > Alice & Dane Morgan > Brookline & S. Dartmouth, MA >
> On Jun 13, 2018, at 6:34 PM, alice morgan <morgan.alice...> wrote: > > My hummingbird feeder is busy, but only with female birds. I don't recall noticing this in other years. Is it meaningful? Thanks for any thoughts, Alice Morgan > > -- > Alice & Dane Morgan > Brookline & S. Dartmouth, MA
Date: 6/13/18 4:25 pm From: alice morgan <morgan.alice...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Absent male hummingbirds
My hummingbird feeder is busy, but only with female birds. I don't recall noticing this in other years. Is it meaningful? Thanks for any thoughts, Alice Morgan
-- Alice & Dane Morgan Brookline & S. Dartmouth, MA
Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 11:00:00 Total observation time: 3 hours
Official Counter: Donald Manchester
Observers:
Visitors: 1 visitor
Weather: Light southwest winds, very clear visibility. Cloud cover increased during the morning hours, eventually bringing heavy rain during the 3rd hour which shut down the watch.
Raptor Observations: Seven broad-winged hawks (mostly immatures) were seen heading north.
Non-raptor Observations:
======================================================================== Report submitted by Melissa Lowe (<mlowe...>) Pilgrim Heights information may be found at: http://massaudubon.org/wellfleetbay-hawkwatch
Site Description: The Pilgrim Heights Hawk Watch is located in the town of North Truro, MA on Cape Cod, approximately 100 miles southeast of Boston. The site is located within the Cape Cod National Seashore and is the only formal site located on Cape Cod. The site (elevation 50ft), is at the second or northernmost overlook along an interpretive trail that runs through the area. The trail is accessed only by foot but is open to the public. Currently the site is used, with permission from the Cape Cod National Seashore, for the spring migration, a 6-8 week period within the months of March through June. Historically, the heaviest flights have occurred during the last week of April and first week of May. At least 8 species are recorded as regular migrants at the site. There is a large migratory movement of non-raptor species including seabirds, gulls, ducks and passerines to name a few. The site is also known for observing butterfly and dragonfly migrants. Whale sightings off-shore are also common during these months. Muskrat, otter and white-tailed deer are common residents.
Directions to site: Pilgrim Heights is located within the Cape Cod National Seashore in North Truro on the east side of Route 6, just north of the Truro and Provincetown town line. Park in the first parking lot and take the Small's Swamp Trail to the second overlook. It is an easy walk down the trail, approximately one-half mile from parking lot.
Date: 6/13/18 3:46 pm From: Barbara Volkle <barb620...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] 6/8 Fowl Meadow in Milton and Canton
Thanks to Paul Peterson for the following report.
Barbara Volkle Northborough, MA <barb620...>
*
Wed, 13 Jun 2018 19:47:34 +0000 (UTC)
I birded from 10:25-4:45. This place is mostly within Canton, but perhaps 20 per cent is in Milton. WEAR DEET due to the horrendousness of the mosquitoes. (or, like me, just continuously swat around your face and head with your hands to create air movement):
Black-billed Cuckoo 1 in the 2nd opening with willows after the four-way intersection; singing Yellow-billed Cuckoo 2 one 1/3 way down main path(Burma Road); other all the way down right-hand path at 4-way intersection Ruby-throated Hummingbird 1 Hairy Woodpecker 4 Eastern Wood-Pewee 6 Eastern Phoebe 5 including a family Eastern Kingbird 1 Great Crested Flycatcher 2 Willow Flycatcher 3 Warbling Vireo 5 Red-eyed Vireo 4 Common Raven 2+ nest destroyed! Brown Creeper 2 uplands with evergreens Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 4 Wood Thrush 4 Veery 2 Blue-winged Warbler 4 including three in abandoned asphalt road area Black and White Warbler 1 Ovenbird 6 Pine Warbler 1 Yellow Warbler 30 Common Yellowthroat 30 American Redstart 3 Eastern Towhee 20 Swamp Sparrow 3 Rose-breasted Grosbeak 9 Scarlet Tanager 1 Baltimore Oriole 16
LEPIDS: Delaware Skipper 1 Monarch 1 Mourning Cloak 1 Tiger Swallowtail 2 Viceroy 1 Pearl Crescent 4 Black Swallowtail 1 Red Admiral 1 Horace Duskywing 1 Ebony Jewel-wing 12
This is one of my favorite places. It is in the town of Norfolk. Two words: tranquil, beautiful.I birded here from 6:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m.:
Wood Duck 12 dusk fly-ins as well as a hen with five chicks Hooded Merganser 1 Virginia Rail 2 seen and heard starting at 8:15 from boardwalk near where the view closes up Yellow-billed Cuckoo 3 very evident near visitors center/butterfly garden/edge of Purple Martin field Hairy Woodpecker 4 Eastern Wood-Pewee 5 most from beautiful woods on opposite side of North Street Eastern Kingbird 3 Red-eyed Vireo 1 Purple Martin 5+ field next to visitors center Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 3 near Bartols Pond (other side of North Street, also Audubon-owned) Eastern Bluebird 1 Ovenbird 5 Pine Warbler 3 Swamp Sparrow 3 singing, as usual, in marsh Rose-breasted Grosbeak 1 Orchard Oriole 1 Baltimore Oriole 10 P.S. Do yourself a favor and go here.
Susan Yurkus and I led today's Wednesday Morning Birding out of Joppa Flats Education Center on to Woodsom Farm in Amesbury. Skies ranged from clear to partly cloudy, temps in upper 70s, and winds SW/5-15 mph -- lovely day for a walk in the Woodsom grasslands.
Our list: Double Crested Cormorant (2) Red-tailed Hawk (1) Black-billed Cuckoo (1) - heard. Willow Flycatcher (3) Eastern Kingbird (1) Blue Jay (1) American Crow (1) Tree Swallow (~ 6) Barn Swallow (~ 7) Tufted Titmouse (1) - heard. American Robin (~7) - 1 on nest. Gray Catbird (1) Northern Mockingbird (3) European Starling (1!) Common Yellowthroat (1) - heard. Yellow Warbler (3) Eastern Towhee (1) - heard. Savannah Sparrow (5) Song Sparrow (~ 5) Northern Cardinal (2) Bobolink - common. Red-winged Blackbird - common. Eastern Meadowlark (4) Common Grackle (~ 12) Brown-headed Cowbird (3) Baltimore Oriole (1) American Goldfinch (3)
We will meet again next week back at Joppa Flats at 0930 for Wednesday Morning Birding. For more information about Joppa Flats programs, call David Moon or Dave Larson at 978-462-9998.
Date: 6/13/18 10:50 am From: Jim Berry <jim.berry3...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Fwd: eBird Report - Martin Burns WMA, Jun 11, 2018
I forgot to send this list from two days ago (monday) to massbird.
Martin Burns WMA, Newbury Jun 11, 2018 7:50 AM - 11:35 AM Protocol: Traveling 2.0 mile(s) Comments: I went here to look and listen for several species which I did not see or hear, but I did hear and/or see a lot of cuckoos, indigo buntings, etc. 45 species (+1 other taxon)
Great Blue Heron 15 roughly half adults and half young in 7 nests in back swamp over by I-95 Great Egret 1 same place Mourning Dove 4 Yellow-billed Cuckoo 2 Black-billed Cuckoo 3 Yellow-billed/Black-billed Cuckoo 2 These two were a pair that flew silently by me at eye level without enough time to see any field marks. Belted Kingfisher 1 Red-bellied Woodpecker 1 Downy Woodpecker 1 Hairy Woodpecker 2 Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 1 American Kestrel 1 in the beaver swamp with the GBHE colony Eastern Wood-Pewee 2 Alder Flycatcher 1 v-v-vee-BEER! Willow Flycatcher 1 call only (whit!) Eastern Phoebe 1 Great Crested Flycatcher 4 Eastern Kingbird 1 Yellow-throated Vireo 4 m Warbling Vireo 1 Red-eyed Vireo 3 Blue Jay 4 American Crow 2 Tree Swallow 2 Barn Swallow 1 Tufted Titmouse 6 White-breasted Nuthatch 1 American Robin 6 Gray Catbird 10 Ovenbird 2 one bird agitated but I couldn't find nest or young Blue-winged Warbler 2 I heard two males sing and saw one of 'em. Common Yellowthroat 17 Yellow Warbler 3 Chestnut-sided Warbler 1 Chipping Sparrow 3 Song Sparrow 6 Eastern Towhee 19 Scarlet Tanager 1 Northern Cardinal 3 Rose-breasted Grosbeak 8 Indigo Bunting 7 Baltimore Oriole 13 Red-winged Blackbird 15 Brown-headed Cowbird 2 Common Grackle 4 American Goldfinch 10
Date: 6/12/18 6:01 pm From: Glenn d'Entremont <gdentremont1...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Whip-poor-will walk 6/13/18 Myles Standish State Forest postponed
Due to the forecasted weather tomorrow late afternoon and early evening I am postponing my Myles Standish State Forest walk for Whip-poor-wills, and other Pine Barrens birds to next Wednesday 6/20/18; same place, same time.
The forest headquarters at 6:30 p.m. in Carver.
Glenn
Glenn d'Entremont: <gdentremont1...> Stoughton, MA
> On Apr 19, 2018, at 9:57 AM, Bird Watcher's Supply <birdwsg...> wrote:
>
> Dan Prima called the store at 9:45 to report the White-faced ibis is being seen next to Wolf Hollow on Rt 133 in Ipswich.
>
> Barrett S Bacall
>
> Steve Grinley
> Bird Watcher's Supply & Gift
> 194 Route 1
> Route 1 Traffic Circle
> Newburyport, MA 01950
> <Birdwsg...>
> 978-462-0775
> www.birdwatcherssupplyandgift.com
Date: 6/12/18 10:42 am From: Jim Berry <jim.berry3...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Appleton Farm (TTOR), Jun 12, 2018
Appleton Farm (TTOR), Ipswich Jun 12, 2018 7:00 AM - 10:15 AM Protocol: Traveling 1.5 mile(s) Comments: Rebecca Pugh and I birded the farm from the NE corner at the Waldingfield Rd. parking lot. We walked along the east side of the tracks as far as the red-headed woodpecker swamp, then Rebecca left and I continued on the other side of the tracks for awhile. The weather was perfect, if a little breezy. 42 species (+1 other taxon)
Wild Turkey 3 One of the toms was displaying to the hen in a plowed field, but the hen, as usual, paid no attention to him. Great Egret 1 Glossy Ibis 2 4 sightings of lone birds, so prob. some repetition. Killdeer 2 Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 1 Foraging in a plowed field (we didn't go near the barns, which is why the counts of this sp. and HOSP are low). Mourning Dove 5 Yellow-billed/Black-billed Cuckoo 1 Called distantly and only once--not heard well enough. Chimney Swift 1 Red-bellied Woodpecker 1 Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 3 Pileated Woodpecker 2 I got a couple clues to where they might be nesting but will have to follow up. (Near NE corner of farm.) Eastern Wood-Pewee 2 Eastern Phoebe 1 Great Crested Flycatcher 2 Eastern Kingbird 6 One pair nesting in snag--yet another nest with no cover. (In RHWO swamp.) Warbling Vireo 1 American Crow 2 Tree Swallow 20 MANY nest boxes on the property. Barn Swallow 12 Black-capped Chickadee 2 Tufted Titmouse 1 White-breasted Nuthatch 2 House Wren 1 Eastern Bluebird 9 One poor male was chasing a house sparrow out of "his" box. Good luck! American Robin 6 Gray Catbird 2 Northern Mockingbird 1 European Starling 120 many young, and flocks forming Cedar Waxwing 15 Flock coming down into the CSA field for some undetermined food. Common Yellowthroat 2 Pine Warbler 1 Chipping Sparrow 13 first juv. seen Song Sparrow 8 Northern Cardinal 4 Indigo Bunting 1 Bobolink 9 prob. a severe undercount Orchard Oriole 1 immature male singing Baltimore Oriole 4 Red-winged Blackbird 35 Brown-headed Cowbird 4 House Finch 2 American Goldfinch 2 House Sparrow 3
Date: 6/12/18 5:28 am From: Peter Trull <petrull...> Subject: Re: [MASSBIRD] off-topic: garlic mustard eradication
Then do a thorough tick check.
PT
Brewster
<petrull...>
From: Robert Mussey
Sent: Monday, June 11, 2018 2:42 PM
To: <massbird...>
Subject: [MASSBIRD] off-topic: garlic mustard eradication
Off-topic, but . . .I have extensive experience over 8 years eradicating garlic mustard on a 60-acre property in Milton. I have been hand-pulling and bagging it to prevent this lovely woodland from being overtaken.
>From my close observation -
1) it is spread far and wide by deer which love eating it. You'll see stands where every fourth plant is grazed off 3" from the ground. Once I discovered this, I knew where to look for new infestations each year -- along deer trails, in the swampy, rocky, brushy areas where they yard-up and hide. Get to know their habits, you will know where to look for new patches. They're often nasty, nasty spots.
2. Make 2 passes through each area, one while they are in full flower, a second pass just before they go to seed to get the ones you inevitably missed. Even the tiniest seedlings will bloom, so carefully pick them all.
3. "1 year's seeding = 7 years weeding" -- the seeds can lie dormat for 7 years or so. So once it has gone to seed, revisit the same areas for at least 7 years.
4. Bag them in black plastic bags. I leave most of them in the woods, then a year later, it will have turned to mush and any seeds will be infertile. Dump the mess and reuse the bags.
5. It is alleopathic -- where dense stands have formed, it puts out a poison through the roots which inhibits the germination and growth of native plants. You will see over that 7-year period native plants reestablishing themselves.
6. In the hundreds of hours I've spent picking, I have never seen a single bird feeding on the seed heads. Deer and possibly mice are the vectors for spread.
7. Spending hundreds of hours at this, being quiet on the forest floor, I've seen remarkable birds -- a pileated woodpecker drinking from atop a rock in a burbling brook; fledgling pine warblers being fed by their parent; a woodcock herding her chicks along the forest floor; a winter wren singing his magical song; locating a red-breasted nuthatch and a brown creeper nest just by watching where they carried nesting material.
8. The total bags picked in 8 years: 263. Fewer and fewer most years, except when I didn't have the time to make a second pass through, or where deer droppings fell in really inaccessible locations -- briers, rocks, swamp.
9. Conclusions, if you have deer, you will never totally get rid of it, they keep seeding new areas. But you can get it down to a manageable minimum which is under control. And the birding is remarkable!
Date: 6/11/18 7:26 pm From: Sebastian Jones <sebastianojones...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Brown Pelican, Plymouth
Hi Massbirders, Around 3 pm this afternoon, while a group of us were observing a continuing Red-headed Woodpecker near the Manomet Center south of Plymouth, I spotted an adult Brown Pelican flying south over Cape Cod Bay towards Ellisville Harbor and Ted Bradford managed to get some photographs. The bird maintained a slow but steady flight over the water throughout the entire time we observed it. Possibly of interest for birders around Cape Cod Bay to be on the lookout for it.
With considerable effort respotted the Audubon's Warbler at Mt Auburn. Right now (4:45 PM) singing very softly in crown of tall Hickory Tree at corner of Spruce Ave and Crystal Ave. Hope it sticks around!
Off-topic, but . . .I have extensive experience over 8 years eradicating garlic mustard on a 60-acre property in Milton. I have been hand-pulling and bagging it to prevent this lovely woodland from being overtaken.
>From my close observation -
1) it is spread far and wide by deer which love eating it. You'll see stands where every fourth plant is grazed off 3" from the ground. Once I discovered this, I knew where to look for new infestations each year -- along deer trails, in the swampy, rocky, brushy areas where they yard-up and hide. Get to know their habits, you will know where to look for new patches. They're often nasty, nasty spots.
2. Make 2 passes through each area, one while they are in full flower, a second pass just before they go to seed to get the ones you inevitably missed. Even the tiniest seedlings will bloom, so carefully pick them all.
3. "1 year's seeding = 7 years weeding" -- the seeds can lie dormat for 7 years or so. So once it has gone to seed, revisit the same areas for at least 7 years.
4. Bag them in black plastic bags. I leave most of them in the woods, then a year later, it will have turned to mush and any seeds will be infertile. Dump the mess and reuse the bags.
5. It is alleopathic -- where dense stands have formed, it puts out a poison through the roots which inhibits the germination and growth of native plants. You will see over that 7-year period native plants reestablishing themselves.
6. In the hundreds of hours I've spent picking, I have never seen a single bird feeding on the seed heads. Deer and possibly mice are the vectors for spread.
7. Spending hundreds of hours at this, being quiet on the forest floor, I've seen remarkable birds -- a pileated woodpecker drinking from atop a rock in a burbling brook; fledgling pine warblers being fed by their parent; a woodcock herding her chicks along the forest floor; a winter wren singing his magical song; locating a red-breasted nuthatch and a brown creeper nest just by watching where they carried nesting material.
8. The total bags picked in 8 years: 263. Fewer and fewer most years, except when I didn't have the time to make a second pass through, or where deer droppings fell in really inaccessible locations -- briers, rocks, swamp.
9. Conclusions, if you have deer, you will never totally get rid of it, they keep seeding new areas. But you can get it down to a manageable minimum which is under control. And the birding is remarkable!
Date: 6/11/18 9:42 am From: Bob Stymeist <bobstymeist...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Audubon’s Warbler-Mt Auburn
The Audubon~@~Ys Warbler found yesterday by visiting birders from New Mexico at Mt Auburn is still present today, the bird has been singing a lot and is pretty much moving about in both deciduous and evergreens along Walnut Ave and Sylvan paths. Thanks to Jake Turin and Robin Gurule who found a familiar bird from their neck of the woods in an unfamiliar location.
The Audubon’s Warbler found yesterday by visiting birders from New
Mexico at Mt Auburn is still present today, the bird has been singing
a lot and is pretty much moving about in both deciduous and evergreens
along Walnut Ave and Sylvan paths. Thanks to Jake Turin and Robin
Gurule who found a familiar bird from their neck of the woods in an
unfamiliar location.
Date: 6/11/18 9:42 am From: Josh <opihi...> Subject: Re: [MASSBIRD] Garlic Mustard at Marblehead and Nahant MAS Sanctuaries
With any discussion of Garlic Mustard, it’s always worth adding that it tastes very good, especially if you pick it while it is young. The leaves are a great addition to sandwiches or salads, and I’ve been told that they make a pretty good base for pesto as well. So, improve bird habitat by removing it, and as an extra reward you get to add some flavor to your meals…
Date: 6/11/18 7:07 am From: Floyd, Chris <chrisf...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Garlic Mustard at Marblehead and Nahant MAS Sanctuaries
Massbirders,
My visits this spring to Marblehead Neck WS and Nahant Thicket WS were alarming for the increased presence of invasive garlic mustard. Although it is on the late side for efforts to control the production of new seed this year, visiting birders can still help control the spread (at MAS sanctuaries or anywhere) by removing pioneer plants with mature seedheads about to spread those to new areas. Getting those few pioneers maximizes the control results for the effort required, as compared to trying to remove hundreds of mature plants from already heavily infested areas, where a large proportion of the seedlings won't substantially increase the overall infestation. It is crucial to dispose of the mature plants in a way that they won't get back into the environment (trash pickup probably okay), as opposed to pulling them and leaving them on the ground, which probably accomplishes nothing.
There's a ton of good information available from a Google search on "garlic mustard," but here's something I found on MAS pages:
I you want to see what can happen to a previously nice birding area with ill-informed "improvements" and no control of garlic mustard, take a walk on Nahant's Heritage Trail (near the stump dump).
Thanks for your attention to something peripheral to birding, but which can ultimately help good birding experience.
Date: 6/10/18 7:05 pm From: Mike <rkramden1994...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Correction - Willow, not Alder Flycatcher: Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary, Jun 10, 2018
My write up was incorrect, it was a Willow not an Alder Flycatcher. It was singing a strange version of its song at first.
Apologies for the confusion
Mike
Begin forwarded message:
> From: Michael Baird <rkramden1994...>
> Date: June 10, 2018 at 6:42:44 PM EDT
> To: MassBird <massbird...>
> Subject: Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary, Jun 10, 2018
>
> 6 participants joined me for an absolutely stunning spring morning at Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary this morning for a walk focusing on the breeding birds of the sanctuary. We heard more than we saw but excellent looks at Baltimore Oriole (male and female), Red-winged Blackbirds (males sparring over the bridge by the beaver lodge at The Rockery pond), Swamp Sparrow and Alder Flycatcher were had. Thanks to those that joined the trip for your enthusiasm.
>
> Mike Baird
> Lowell, MA
> rkramden 1994 (at) g mail dot com
>
>
> Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary, Essex, Massachusetts, US
> Jun 10, 2018 6:30 AM - 10:15 AM
> Protocol: Traveling
> 1.5 mile(s)
> Comments: I led a group of 6 on a walk around the sanctuary focusing on breeding birds. Singing was the major breeding indicator of the day, which was bright sunny and warm, a perfect spring morning.
> 50 species (+1 other taxa)
>
> Wood Duck 3
> Great Blue Heron 1
> Great Egret 1
> hawk sp. 1
> Killdeer 1
> Mourning Dove 6
> Chimney Swift 3
> Ruby-throated Hummingbird 2
> Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
> Downy Woodpecker 2
> Northern Flicker 1
> Eastern Wood-Pewee 4
> Willow Flycatcher 1
> Eastern Phoebe 1
> Great Crested Flycatcher 2
> Eastern Kingbird 2
> Yellow-throated Vireo 1
> Warbling Vireo 3
> Red-eyed Vireo 5
> Blue Jay 1
> American Crow 1
> Tree Swallow 20
> Barn Swallow 1
> Black-capped Chickadee 5
> Tufted Titmouse 4
> White-breasted Nuthatch 2
> House Wren 1
> Marsh Wren 4
> Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 6
> Eastern Bluebird 2
> American Robin 4
> Gray Catbird 4
> European Starling 1
> Cedar Waxwing 8
> Ovenbird 3
> Common Yellowthroat 3
> Yellow Warbler 4
> Pine Warbler 2
> Chipping Sparrow 2
> White-throated Sparrow 1
> Song Sparrow 3
> Swamp Sparrow 5
> Scarlet Tanager 2
> Northern Cardinal 4
> Orchard Oriole 1
> Baltimore Oriole 3
> Red-winged Blackbird 25
> Brown-headed Cowbird 2
> Common Grackle 25
> American Goldfinch 4
> House Sparrow 12
>
> View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S46442387 >
> This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)
>
Date: 6/10/18 4:54 pm From: Miles Brengle <brenglema...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Yellow-Crowned Night Heron - Ipswich
Massbird,
Yesterday (June 9th) I saw an adult Yellow-crowned Night-Heron by the Ipswich Town Wharf around 7:00p.m. I was on a boat and the bird was not visible from the parking area at the wharf. I saw it where the river first makes a 90 degree left turn if you were to look downstream, but these birds have been here before and can often be seen right by the docks. -- Miles Brengle Ipswich, Mass. <brenglema...>
Date: 6/10/18 4:54 pm From: Michael Baird <rkramden1994...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary, Jun 10, 2018
6 participants joined me for an absolutely stunning spring morning at Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary this morning for a walk focusing on the breeding birds of the sanctuary. We heard more than we saw but excellent looks at Baltimore Oriole (male and female), Red-winged Blackbirds (males sparring over the bridge by the beaver lodge at The Rockery pond), Swamp Sparrow and Alder Flycatcher were had. Thanks to those that joined the trip for your enthusiasm.
Mike Baird Lowell, MA rkramden 1994 (at) g mail dot com
Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary, Essex, Massachusetts, US Jun 10, 2018 6:30 AM - 10:15 AM Protocol: Traveling 1.5 mile(s) Comments: I led a group of 6 on a walk around the sanctuary focusing on breeding birds. Singing was the major breeding indicator of the day, which was bright sunny and warm, a perfect spring morning. 50 species (+1 other taxa)
Wood Duck 3 Great Blue Heron 1 Great Egret 1 hawk sp. 1 Killdeer 1 Mourning Dove 6 Chimney Swift 3 Ruby-throated Hummingbird 2 Red-bellied Woodpecker 2 Downy Woodpecker 2 Northern Flicker 1 Eastern Wood-Pewee 4 Willow Flycatcher 1 Eastern Phoebe 1 Great Crested Flycatcher 2 Eastern Kingbird 2 Yellow-throated Vireo 1 Warbling Vireo 3 Red-eyed Vireo 5 Blue Jay 1 American Crow 1 Tree Swallow 20 Barn Swallow 1 Black-capped Chickadee 5 Tufted Titmouse 4 White-breasted Nuthatch 2 House Wren 1 Marsh Wren 4 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 6 Eastern Bluebird 2 American Robin 4 Gray Catbird 4 European Starling 1 Cedar Waxwing 8 Ovenbird 3 Common Yellowthroat 3 Yellow Warbler 4 Pine Warbler 2 Chipping Sparrow 2 White-throated Sparrow 1 Song Sparrow 3 Swamp Sparrow 5 Scarlet Tanager 2 Northern Cardinal 4 Orchard Oriole 1 Baltimore Oriole 3 Red-winged Blackbird 25 Brown-headed Cowbird 2 Common Grackle 25 American Goldfinch 4 House Sparrow 12
Date: 6/10/18 2:47 pm From: Linda Pivacek <lpivacek...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Bear Creek Sanctuary, Saugus (restricted access), Jun 10
Birds seen/heard during grassland bird survey, this morning. Enjoy, Linda Linda Pivacek, Nahant, <lpivacek...>
Bear Creek Sanctuary (restricted access), Essex, Massachusetts, US Jun 10, 2018 7:45 AM - 10:53 AM Protocol: Traveling 3.5 mile(s) Comments: Grassland Breeding Bird Survey 40 species (+1 other taxa)
Canada Goose 5 Mallard 5 American Black Duck 1 Mallard x American Black Duck (hybrid) 1 Wild Turkey 6 Double-crested Cormorant 5 Great Blue Heron 1 Great Egret 7 Osprey 9 Red-tailed Hawk 1 Spotted Sandpiper 1 Willet 1 Herring Gull 15 Mourning Dove 2 Chimney Swift 7 Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 2 American Kestrel 1 Peregrine Falcon 1 Carrying prey. Willow Flycatcher 6 Great Crested Flycatcher 1 Eastern Kingbird 1 Warbling Vireo 4 American Crow 1 Tree Swallow 20 Barn Swallow 6 American Robin 18 Northern Mockingbird 2 European Starling 100 Common Yellowthroat 2 Yellow Warbler 16 Savannah Sparrow 28 3 males singing. Song Sparrow 14 Northern Cardinal 1 Bobolink 28 18 males, 10 females. (8 males singing. 3 males displaying) Baltimore Oriole 2 Red-winged Blackbird 100 Brown-headed Cowbird 2 Common Grackle (Bronzed) 35 One female carrying food. House Finch 1 American Goldfinch 15 House Sparrow 5
Date: 6/10/18 1:40 pm From: Susan Hedman <2winterwren...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Fwd: eBird Report - Martin Burns WMA, Jun 10, 2018
Date: Sunday, June 10, 2018nSubject: eBird Report - Martin Burns WMA, Jun 10, Martin Burns WMA, Byfield Orchard St. Massachusetts Jun 10, 2018 7:15 AM - 10:45 AM Protocol: TravelingM2.0 mile(s) Comments: BBC Walk sunny clear skies 64-70 degree temperatures little to no wind, even not too buggy. Highlights numerous Indigo Buntings, 6 Black-billed Cuckoos some affording us long views, Scarlet Tanagers, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, Yellow Throated Vireos, Alder Flycatcher, Blue-winged Warblers, a GB Heron rookery and a huge surprise, singing Mourning Warbler! Notable misses of birds we used to have here regularly, Field Sparrow, Prairie Warbler, Chestnut-sided Warbler, Bluebirds, and thrushes. I have been birding here for more than 20 years and there used to be thrushes singing from the woodlands on this trip. There also used to be bluebird boxes, which gave us nesting Bluebirds and Tree Swallows. On the positive side the fields are not so over grown as in the past. Lots of butterflies on the trip, viceroys, red-spotted, purples, pearl crescents and skippers. 39 species
Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) 25 Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus) 1 Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) 2 Black-billed Cuckoo (Coccyzus erythropthalmus) 6 Great views of some of these Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon) 1 Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus) 2 Downy Woodpecker (Picoides pubescens) 2 Eastern Wood-Pewee (Contopus virens) 3 Alder Flycatcher (Empidonax alnorum) 1 Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe) 1 Great Crested Flycatcher (Myiarchus crinitus) 3 Yellow-throated Vireo (Vireo flavifrons) 3 Warbling Vireo (Vireo gilvus) 1 Red-eyed Vireo (Vireo olivaceus) 3 Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata) 2 Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor) 3 Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) 4 Tufted Titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor) 2 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea) 2 American Robin (Turdus migratorius) 4 Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis) 12 Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum) 20 Ovenbird (Seiurus aurocapilla) 5 Blue-winged Warbler (Vermivora cyanoptera) 7 Black-and-white Warbler (Mniotilta varia) 1 Mourning Warbler (Geothlypis philadelphia) 1 Singing for 10+ minutes in a thick tangle over water just before reaching gravel rail bed. Saw movement, but no real looks at the bird one in group recorded bird Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas) 10 Yellow Warbler (Setophaga petechia) 1 Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina) 12 Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia) 2 Scarlet Tanager (Piranga olivacea) 3 Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) 1 Rose-breasted Grosbeak (Pheucticus ludovicianus) 6 Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea) 9 Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula) 12 Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) 6 Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater) 2 Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula) 6 American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis) 6
Date: 6/10/18 10:45 am From: <blafley...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Natures Way
Hello,
This morning while birding in town I was standing next to a pond and saw something small moving out in the middle. Thinking it was an otter, muskrat or beaver head I put my binoculars on it and saw it was a young fledgling (I suspect a Red-winged Blackbird but could have been a Grackle). It was ~@~\swimming~@~] with its wings vigorously at first and pausing frequently. Its swimming got less and less vigorous as it seem to be tiring. It ended up sinking and not making it to the marsh.....
Date: 6/10/18 10:45 am From: Craig Gibson <cbgibson...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Lawrence Peregrines: banding article!
Greetings all,
For those with an interest, a terrific article in this morning's Eagle Tribune on Friday's leg banding for the Lawrence Peregrines. The effort on Friday was notable in that Tom French, from Mass Wildlife not only banded the three male chicks, but was also able to scoop up the resident unbanded female, and band her as well.
In a further bit of very good overall news on Peregrine Falcons in Massachusetts, French indicated that they will likely be reclassified as a species of special concern at the state level. With 46 known pairs, the threat level has subsided sufficiently to prompt the upcoming change in a few weeks.
Date: 6/10/18 4:13 am From: Mark Fairbrother <bogelfin...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Black Vulture, Turners Falls - Gill Bridge
As of a few minutes ago there was a Black Vulture standing on top of one of the Gill-side cement piers of the Turners Falls/Gill bridge. It probably spent the night there as it got quite cool overnight and nothing else appeared to be active. There have been a number of Turkey Vultures soaring around this area for the past week or so, probably drawn by the die-off of migrating fish below the dam.
Date: 6/10/18 4:13 am From: Mark Fairbrother <bogelfin...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Montague Plains June 9
Last night there were a number of Whip-poor-will calling from across the Plains just after dusk- we had at least a dozen without trying hard at all. In addition to the other usual suspects we came across a Woodcock that was very interested in a decent-sized puddle in the dirt road and gave us very good and prolonged looks in the headlights as it went about its business.
Date: 6/9/18 7:42 pm From: Jim Berry <jim.berry3...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Willowdale SF (east) and Middleton Community Gardens, Jun 9, 2018
Willowdale SF (east), Ipswich Jun 9, 2018 6:55 AM - 9:55 AM Protocol: Traveling 2.0 mile(s) Comments: Seven of us entered Willowdale from Topsfield/Ipswich Rd. at the town line and walked a 2-mile loop, including the grassy field that was formerly an illegal dump. I had the best results there I've ever had. The walk was one of several today that were part of the annual Ipswich River Watershed Assn. birding event organized by Suzanne Sullivan. 37 species
Yellow-billed Cuckoo 2 Heard from 2 places, one of them the aforesaid field. That one gave the slow cou, cou, cou calls; the other gave the "standard" kowp-kowp-kowp calls. Black-billed Cuckoo 1 Barred Owl 1 flew up and perched for us soon after we entered the forest, starting things off with a bang Ruby-throated Hummingbird 1 male holding territory at edge of field Downy Woodpecker 3 female feeding unseen young in cavity; sounded like at least 2 young Hairy Woodpecker 1 Eastern Wood-Pewee 10 m all singing Eastern Phoebe 2 Great Crested Flycatcher 2 Red-eyed Vireo 4 Blue Jay 5 Black-capped Chickadee 6 Tufted Titmouse 6 White-breasted Nuthatch 3 Brown Creeper 2 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 2 Veery 1 m Hermit Thrush 1 m Gray Catbird 6 Cedar Waxwing 3 Ovenbird 24 all but one singing Blue-winged Warbler 2 2 males singing in field Black-and-white Warbler 1 Common Yellowthroat 1 American Redstart 1 where we parked Yellow Warbler 1 Pine Warbler 4 Chipping Sparrow 3 Song Sparrow 1 edge of field Eastern Towhee 2 one at edge of field Scarlet Tanager 2 m One of these males was all over that owl, giving chip-burr calls constantly. (The owl did nothing.) Northern Cardinal 2 Indigo Bunting 1 m singing in field Brown-headed Cowbird 4 including one juv., alone Common Grackle 1 House Finch 1 American Goldfinch 3
North Shore Community Gardens, Middleton Jun 9, 2018 10:07 AM - 12:00 PM Protocol: Traveling 1.005 mile(s) Comments: This walk was part 2 of the Ipswich River Watershed Assn's. birding event, where participants from all three early walks met to walk this site and have lunch. (Suzanne Sullivan and Dave Williams led the other two walks in Wilmington and Reading, respectively.) 32 species
Canada Goose 37 Green Heron 1 Found a nest with 3 eggs Glossy Ibis 3 Turkey Vulture 2 Red-tailed Hawk 2 Killdeer 4 including 2 chicks Spotted Sandpiper 1 in a plowed field, where it could have been nesting Mourning Dove 1 Chimney Swift 1 Red-bellied Woodpecker 1 Willow Flycatcher 2 Eastern Kingbird 2 Warbling Vireo 2 Blue Jay 1 American Crow 1 Barn Swallow (American) 3 Carolina Wren 1 American Robin 2 Gray Catbird 2 European Starling 15 Approx Cedar Waxwing 1 Common Yellowthroat 5 Yellow Warbler 4 Song Sparrow 5 Swamp Sparrow 1 Northern Cardinal 2 Orchard Oriole 3 Found nest in a big willow with both adult male and 1st-year male feeding young (no female seen) Baltimore Oriole 4 Found nest in same tree where the orchards were nesting! Red-winged Blackbird (Red-winged) 25 Approx Brown-headed Cowbird 2 Common Grackle (Bronzed) 20 Approx American Goldfinch 1
Date: 6/9/18 7:01 pm From: Josh <opihi...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] HBC June meeting, trip cancellation, Fort River walks, and cuckoos
Hi MassBirders,
I’ll get the bad news out of the way first. The leader of our previously scheduled trip to Mount Greylock tomorrow had to cancel. Anyone who saw this on the club’s field trip schedule and was considering showing up spontaneously, should not do so.
This leaves just one trip remaining on the schedule before the club’s annual summer hiatus, the last of this spring’s Fort River Trail bird walks on June 23, led by George Regmund, Laura Beltran, and yours truly.
We also have one more meeting before the summer, this coming Monday. The program will feature Al and Lois Richardson recounting their trip to Papua-New Guinea.
George, Laura, and I also co-led the penultimate Fort River Trail walk of the spring this morning. Our group tallied 47 bird species plus a a couple of butterflies, dragonflies, and herps. Tim Carter and I proceeded to loiter around a few minutes after everyone else had left and added 5 more species to the morning’s haul. Pretty much all of them were regularly occurring breeding species for the site, there was no real evidence of migration. A few of the highlights:
Great Blue Heron - a distant flyover
Red-tailed Hawk - at least four, as I saw pairs soaring together on both sides of Maple St. One bird was being relentlessly assaulted by a couple of either kingbirds or blackbirds for a few minutes.
Northern Flicker - fairly certain we located a nest and watched a parent flying off with fecal sacs.
American Kestrel - perched on one of the nest boxes
Great Crested Flycatcher - heard a few, but one flew in and perched overhead for excellent looks
Barn Swallow - a whole bunch of them were lined up along one end of the front barn, while a few more foraged over the fields
Veery - heard singing faintly
Wood Thrush - a few heard singing much more clearly
Blue-winged Warbler - great looks at a male which was singing a slightly rough version of its song
American Redstart - as with the GCFL, we heard a few, but one came out and perched in the open right in the sun, didn’t even need binoculars…
Field Sparrow - several singing
Scarlet Tanager - one brief sighting
Rose-breasted Grosbeak - nice looks at one male, heard others
Bobolink - as usual, lots of them performing in the fields along Moody Bridge Road
Eastern Meadowlark - stinker appeared both before and after the walk but not during
Orchard Oriole - another post-walk sighting, first I saw a female flying off with nest material, then a pair flew in and disappeared into the long weeds along the driveway. Peculiar.
Herps: Eastern Painted Turtle, Green Frog
Lepidoptera: Black Swallowtail, Tiger Swallowtail, Viceroy, Common Ringlet, a few very small orange grass-skippers, a glimpse of a fairly large sphinx moth in flight
Odonata: Ebony Jewelwing, Common Whitetail
After the trip I got home to east Amherst and heard a Yellow-billed Cuckoo calling outside, then saw another cuckoo sp. flying across Route 9 as my son and I drove our household garbage to the town dump. And, I’m hearing it again now as I type this. After barely encountering cuckoos at all for several years when I moved up from Texas - from 2009 through 2016 I had seen Yellow-billed exactly once each in Hampshire, Franklin, Worcester, and Essex counties, and Black-billed only once in Hampshire but a few more in Franklin - the recent Gypsy Moth plague has really boosted the local population. I’ve heard a Yellow-billed in our yard almost daily since May 22 of this year. Black-billed was present almost daily last year from May 25 through July 1, but this year seems less regular here than the Yellow.
Date: 6/9/18 5:32 am From: <trogon6...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] YOUR MOST MEMORABLE BIRD
With permission of the Moderator I would like to start a story line regarding your most memorable bird. Your response to your "spark bird" was overwhelming and the stories were fascinating.
Your most memorable bird could indeed be the bird that ignited the spark however as you bird over the years the spark bird never goes away but there are new birds that can mean something very significant.
I believe that with each memorable bird there will be a very interesting story line explaining why this bird is so memorable. Keep in mind it only has to mean something very important to you and you should never consider that the bird is too common to be mentioned. It means something to you and that's all that is important. You can only talk about one bird even though the narrative may include other species.
All birders will look forward to reading your stories. I envision there being two story lines - one from old time birders and the other from you who are new at the game. Regardless of your time in field each story is precious.
Date: 6/9/18 5:32 am From: Jonathan Jones <brewbird...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Re: Introduction to birding
I got too many responses to reply individually, but thank you all who responded! It was quite helpful.
Jonathan Jones Wrentham, MA
> On May 27, 2018, at 2:46 PM, Jonathan Jones <brewbird...> wrote: > > Hi folks, > > A friend of a friend is looking to get into bird watching, and doesn~@~Yt quite know how to get started. I had the benefit of a fantastic teacher, but what resources are available for someone who will need to be somewhat self taught. > > Thanks in advance! > Jonathan Jones > Wrentham
Need to correct a mistake on the listed trip on the last line of my email yesterday.
My Brookline and South Shore Bird Club trip to Quabbin-Gate 10 will be on SATURDAY July 7 meeting at 7:00 a.m. at Gate 10 on Rt 202 in Pelham.
Sorry for the inconvenience and confusion.
Glenn
Glenn d'Entremont: <gdentremont1...> Stoughton, MA
> On June 7, 2018 at 7:27 PM Glenn d'Entremont <gdentremont1...> wrote:
> More directions:
> After passing the power lines, look for two gated roads going north. = My early July Gate 10 walk comes out the eastern road and we climb the hil= l west to the power lines where we turn north and head back to Gate 10. Th= e hemlock covered stream is on the south side of the Gate 8 road and is cur= rently rushing. I get ACFL almost routinely on my walk and many times we a= re there relatively late 10:30-11:30.
> I don't go farther east on this road and it appears the habitat conti= nues based on the directions below. Also, the discrete birder can probably= stop in the early morning. Don't get out of sight of your car. Taking a = group is problematic and you are likely to be asked to leave. The June 2 B= BC group had three cars and were present about 15 minutes before a DCR EE i= n their personal vehicle (after shift?) stopped and suggested we move on be= fore a more official person comes by.
> LOWA is difficult to get after July 1, so I have only once had one an= d it was visual.
> Yellow-throated Vireo is also somewhat regular here.
> Glenn
> P.S. I recommend my Gate 10 trip which is quite birdy. July 6 this = year; 7:00 a.m.
Date: 6/8/18 2:20 pm From: Walt Webb <wwebb24...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Fw: eBird Report - Wollomonopoag Conservation Area, Jun 8, 2018
----- Original Message ----- From: <ebird-checklist...> To: <wwebb24...> Sent: Friday, June 08, 2018 4:53 PM Subject: eBird Report - Wollomonopoag Conservation Area, Jun 8, 2018
> Wollomonopoag Conservation Area, Norfolk, Massachusetts, US > Jun 8, 2018 9:31 AM - 11:05 AM > Protocol: Traveling > 1.0 mile(s) > Comments: An old beaver pond in Wrentham, MA, with a heron rookery and > an Osprey nest. As always, I do not count birds unless they number 2 or 3; > anything more receives the dreaded "X"! > 18 species > > Canada Goose 1 Flew over the parking lot. > Double-crested Cormorant 1 Flyover. > Great Blue Heron X Roughly 30 nests, most of them occupied by both > adults & juveniles. > Turkey Vulture 1 Flyover. > Osprey 2 One adult on its nest. This nest is located at the far end > of the pond & has been occupied by Ospreys for years. Two other visitors > said the nest contained two juvenile birds. The mate showed up the > departed a few times. (It can be seen partly hidden below the nest in one > photo. > Mourning Dove 1 Heard only. > Red-bellied Woodpecker 1 Heard only. > Eastern Phoebe 2 Heard only. > Great Crested Flycatcher 1 Heard only. > Eastern Kingbird 1 > Blue Jay 1 Heard only. > Tree Swallow X Many flying over the pond. > Black-capped Chickadee 1 Heard only. > Tufted Titmouse 2 Heard only. > American Robin X > Baltimore Oriole 1 > Red-winged Blackbird X > Common Grackle X > > View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S46400703 > with photos > > This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)
Date: 6/8/18 2:01 pm From: Richard Osborne <dynorecords...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Hooded Warbler at Marblehead Neck Wildlife Sanctuary
While at Marblehead Neck Wildlife Sanctuary this morning (10:30 to11:30am), we had a great view of a male Hooded Warbler! We entered the sanctuary, then walked left on the main trail, and about 50' along on the right of the trail (while watching a pair of Great Crested Flycatchers), we heard and found it. Spectacular!
Date: 6/8/18 8:53 am From: Karen Idoine <kidoine...> Subject: Re: [MASSBIRD] MBTA - NY Times editorial
Thank you for this, Barbara. Your guidance and willingness to moderate discussion supports the kind of civic discourse that encourages participation!
Karen Idoine Wendell, MA
> On Jun 7, 2018, at 10:46 PM, Barbara Volkle <barb620...> wrote: > > Here's an editorial from the NY Times by two former deputy directors at the United States Department of the Interior: > > https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/07/opinion/a-free-pass-to-kill-migratory-birds.html > > I realize that some of you may disagree, but there really is very little disagreement from major environmental, birding, and land protection organizations that this change of interpretation and enforcement "does a profound disservice". > > I urge each of you to call or write your senators and congresspeople with your opinions and to support those organizations that work on behalf of your views. > > I thought long and hard about posting this, but it is important to share viewpoints from reputable sources and to be able to have conversations about important topics like this. I will strictly moderate the discussion on this, and reserve the right to withhold any message. Please strictly stay on topic. Please comment only if you have additional comments that further the discussion. Let's work together to demonstrate that venues like this have merit when discussing important issues related to protection of birds. > > > Barbara Volkle, moderator MASSBIRD > > Northborough, MA > > <barb620...> > > >
I realize that some of you may disagree, but there really is very little disagreement from major environmental, birding, and land protection organizations that this change of interpretation and enforcement "does a profound disservice".
I urge each of you to call or write your senators and congresspeople with your opinions and to support those organizations that work on behalf of your views.
I thought long and hard about posting this, but it is important to share viewpoints from reputable sources and to be able to have conversations about important topics like this. I will strictly moderate the discussion on this, and reserve the right to withhold any message. Please strictly stay on topic. Please comment only if you have additional comments that further the discussion. Let's work together to demonstrate that venues like this have merit when discussing important issues related to protection of birds.
After passing the power lines, look for two gated roads going north. My early July Gate 10 walk comes out the eastern road and we climb the hill west to the power lines where we turn north and head back to Gate 10. The hemlock covered stream is on the south side of the Gate 8 road and is currently rushing. I get ACFL almost routinely on my walk and many times we are there relatively late 10:30-11:30.
I don't go farther east on this road and it appears the habitat continues based on the directions below. Also, the discrete birder can probably stop in the early morning. Don't get out of sight of your car. Taking a group is problematic and you are likely to be asked to leave. The June 2 BBC group had three cars and were present about 15 minutes before a DCR EE in their personal vehicle (after shift?) stopped and suggested we move on before a more official person comes by.
LOWA is difficult to get after July 1, so I have only once had one and it was visual.
Yellow-throated Vireo is also somewhat regular here.
Glenn
P.S. I recommend my Gate 10 trip which is quite birdy. July 6 this year; 7:00 a.m.
Glenn d'Entremont: <gdentremont1...> Stoughton, MA
> On June 7, 2018 at 1:48 PM "Floyd, Chris" <chrisf...> wrote:
>
>
> Acadian Flycatcher - ACFL
>
> Louisiana Waterthrush – LOWA
>
>
>
> Yesterday Ron Lockwood and I eventually had good luck birding Gate 8 area midday (returning from Skinner Mountain), though neither of us were familiar with the right spots to look/listen, particularly for ACFL. Below is some guidance to help others save time getting to target birds.
>
>
>
> Gate 8 is at Packardville Road, turning east off Route 202 on the west side of Quabbin. You will see a sign for the bait shop. The area we had these birds was about a half back from the end of the road at Fishing Area 1, about two miles total from Route 202, where there is parking for $6. As you approach the end over the last mile or so, you should notice that you are paralleling a stream on your right. Listen for birds of interest along that stream. It seems okay to stop and listen from your car, but parking and leaving your car might risk ticket or towing per signs we read.
>
>
>
> Also notice two speed limit signs (on left of road, facing AWAY from you), first one dark green and then one white, along the last half mile of road. We could hear both LOWA and ACFL from the road roughly between these two signs.
>
>
>
> After legally parking, walk back up the road to a spot roughly halfway between the two signs, looking for a spot of easy entry into the woods to get to the stream, now on your left. You’ll have to go up and down a moderately high embankment. Our entry spot offered easy walk to stream with little impeding understory vegetation.
>
>
>
> At the stream we got great looks at the singing ACFL but the LOWA had gone quiet when we began looking for it, about 2 PM (ACFL then quiet, too). Even after that we also heard a grouse drumming twice on the other side of the road.
>
>
>
> Chris Floyd
>
> Lexington
>
> <chrisf...>
>
>
>
Date: 6/7/18 4:12 pm From: Mary Small <mary.halm.small...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Any information on Christian Science (Tower) peregrines?
Hi- The Tower has been sold and I have not heard how the peregrine pair is doing or if they have any chicks this year. Would love to hear how they're doing!
Date: 6/7/18 2:31 pm From: Josh <opihi...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Acadian flycatchers across MA; also Ring-necked Duck
Hi MassBirders,
Acadian Flycatcher seems to be establishing a few breeding toeholds across western MA. I’ve been seeing reports from all three Valley counties recently, plus that big county east of the Quabbin:
Hampden: I’m not seeing any June reports yet, but in late May there were several eBird reports from a location near Granville, at least one of which includes a photo of a bird on its nest. Veit and Peterson mention in the southern Connecticut River valley, maybe this is the same one?
https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S46035917 <https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S46035917>
Franklin: Geoff LeBaron recently reported one singing on a road near Conway, which a few other birders and heard and seen since, per posts on Western Mass Birders.
Worcester: Nick Paulson posted in Central Mass Birders a couple of days ago that one was singing in Douglas State Forest.
That just leaves out Berkshire County, for now. There was confirmed breeding there per BBA2, and a 1990 record from Savoy cited in V&P.
Is it safe to assume that Acadians still nest south of Boston? I see only two eBird reports so far since June 1, one from Wompatuck SP which seems like a likely breeding spot for them.
A possible report of an even rarer breeding record for the state: Ernie LeBlanc posted to eBird recently that he observed a pair of Ring-necked Ducks in a conservation area in Royalston on May 29, and saw the male still there on June 6. He speculated that they were likely breeding. V&P mention three confirmed nesting records for the state, two of them in Ashfield (Franklin County), which is also the location of the only confirmed BBA record. I was actually at the same conservation area in Royalston last Sunday with an Athol Bird & Nature Club dragonfly outing, but we sadly missed the ducks...
The best first-hand bird sighting that I can add is that this morning, while I was reading “The Martian” with my son, he and I heard a Black-billed Cuckoo calling outside. Didn’t even have the windows open...
Yesterday Ron Lockwood and I eventually had good luck birding Gate 8 area midday (returning from Skinner Mountain), though neither of us were familiar with the right spots to look/listen, particularly for ACFL. Below is some guidance to help others save time getting to target birds.
Gate 8 is at Packardville Road, turning east off Route 202 on the west side of Quabbin. You will see a sign for the bait shop. The area we had these birds was about a half back from the end of the road at Fishing Area 1, about two miles total from Route 202, where there is parking for $6. As you approach the end over the last mile or so, you should notice that you are paralleling a stream on your right. Listen for birds of interest along that stream. It seems okay to stop and listen from your car, but parking and leaving your car might risk ticket or towing per signs we read.
Also notice two speed limit signs (on left of road, facing AWAY from you), first one dark green and then one white, along the last half mile of road. We could hear both LOWA and ACFL from the road roughly between these two signs.
After legally parking, walk back up the road to a spot roughly halfway between the two signs, looking for a spot of easy entry into the woods to get to the stream, now on your left. You'll have to go up and down a moderately high embankment. Our entry spot offered easy walk to stream with little impeding understory vegetation.
At the stream we got great looks at the singing ACFL but the LOWA had gone quiet when we began looking for it, about 2 PM (ACFL then quiet, too). Even after that we also heard a grouse drumming twice on the other side of the road.
Date: 6/7/18 11:19 am From: Barbara Volkle <barb620...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] seeking Bulletin editor - Brookline Bird Club
Are you passionate about birding, sharing information about birding field trips, and interestedin supporting the birding community? The Brookline Bird Club is seeking a new *Bulletin Editor**.*
The Bulletin Editor is responsible for editing and publishing the club~@~Ys three annual Blue Books. The editor liaises with the Field Trip Coordinator and the board for editing content, and is responsible for working with the printer to ensure the publication is printed accurately and on time. The position requires experience with copy editing, use of Microsoft Word, a keen eye for detail, and good communication skills. The new Bulletin Editor will be trained by Sylvia Martin, our current and out-going editor. The Bulletin Editor sits on the Brookline Bird Club Board of Directors.
If you are interested, please email BBC Board Member Leslie Kramer: <lesliekramer86...> <mailto:<lesliekramer86...>
Date: 6/7/18 4:26 am From: Jim Berry <jim.berry3...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Crane Beach, Ipswich, Jun 6, 2018 (BBC walk)
Crane Beach, Ipswich Jun 6, 2018 6:15 PM - 8:55 PM Protocol: Traveling 0.75 mile(s) Comments: I led my annual BBC walk on Crane Beach to look for nesting piping plovers, least terns, bank swallows, and (at dusk) whip-poor-wills. Tonight turned windy and cool, cool enough for gloves. This might explain why the whip count was down from the other night when I heard 4 of them. We walked less than a mile down the beach, as a large tern colony begins half a mile down.
27 species
Double-crested Cormorant 3 Great Egret 1 Snowy Egret 9 flock near dusk flying inland, though they may have been heading for Kettle Island Osprey 2 Piping Plover 20 Including 4 tiny young of one pair, of course painfully cute. Jeff Denoncour, the TTOR ecologist, told me today that about 42 pairs are on the beach, the third highest count since they started keeping track in 1986. Semipalmated Sandpiper 7 Willet (Eastern) 4 Herring Gull 33 Great Black-backed Gull 4 Least Tern 100 Rough estimate at the one colony we visited. Jeff told me there are from 100 to 150 pairs at the beach this year, or 200 to 300 birds. They are beginning to nest, and we saw several birds on eggs. (We saw the eggs in at least one case.) Common Tern 10 Mourning Dove 4 Eastern Whip-poor-will 1 One or two heard singing--only one for sure. Northern Flicker 1 not seen (thus cannot report it as yellow-shafted) Great Crested Flycatcher 1 Eastern Kingbird 2 Tree Swallow 8 Bank Swallow 0 We didn't go far enough down the beach to see the colonies, though in my previous visits there have been few to no swallows despite the presence of numerous burrows. Gray Catbird 3 Cedar Waxwing 1 Common Yellowthroat 1 Yellow Warbler 2 Savannah Sparrow 1 Song Sparrow 3 Eastern Towhee 1 Red-winged Blackbird 4 Common Grackle 1 American Goldfinch 1
Just wanted to give everyone a heads up the bird is still present in the pond. Brookfield/Osgood Roads. -- Justin Lawson ATU Local 22 The Funding For Public Transit Committee 774-249-5684 Twitter/Facebook: @FundMassRTAs
Date: 6/6/18 6:01 am From: Joseph Bourget <joseph.bourget...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Trumpeter Swan stakeout Hotspot
Good morning all!
After realizing the hotspot everyone is using for the Trumpeter Swan is incorrect, I created a specific stakeout hotspot on Osgood road.
If it doesn't trouble anyone, would all who have used the hotspot and/or made personal locations nearby kindly change the location to the new stakeout spot? Thanks in advance!
Date: 6/6/18 3:13 am From: Barbara Volkle <barb620...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] warning about clicking on links - moderator
Just now on massbird, and recently on several email lists, posts with links (and no further explanation) have appeared.
Never click on a link that doesn't explain what the link is for or is otherwise suspicious. I don't know whether these are just spam sites or infected sites, but if you see these messages, just ignore them.
As always, make sure your virus and firewall protections are up to date.
Back to birding!
Barbara Volkle, moderator MASSBIRD Northborough, MA <barb620...>
Date: 6/5/18 5:24 pm From: Chris Martone <cmartone00...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Common Gallinule - Great Meadows NWR Concord
Gallinule in the middle of upper pool. Calling infrequently. During 40 minutes it was hidden in cattails, but did come to the edge of cattails one time.
Date: 6/5/18 3:45 pm From: <phawk254...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Thank You to Josh Rose for Posts on Tadoussac and More
I just want to thank Josh Rose for his update on the Quebec report and for his other posts summarizing reports from various Facebook pages, etc. It is a real public benefit and service. THANK YOU, Josh! We are increasingly suffering from a plethora of information channels yet ever narrowing circles (or nearly closed loops) of communication. You help compensate for that. Keep up the good work.
Date: 6/5/18 2:43 pm From: Sebastian Jones <sebastianojones...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Brookline Bird Club McLaughlin Woods Walk, 6/5
Hi Massbirders, For the final walk of the season at McLaughlin Woods in Boston, two of us did a quick loop of the main spots checking for any lingering migrants, of which there weren't many. The highlights included the continuing Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, who was busy drumming on someone's back porch, and a group of four Carolina Wrens including two fledglings that were being fed by their parents. The full eBird checklist is below.
Thanks to everyone who has participated in the walks this spring. I had a wonderful time leading them and getting to meet many of you.
As for the birds, McLaughlin delivered once again and we had a really nice mix of migratory species and rarities over the course of the season: 28 warbler species (including Orange-crowned, Hooded, Mourning), 8 flycatcher species (including Olive-sided and Alder), a Summer Tanager, Clay-colored Sparrow and Gray-cheeked Thrush, to name just a few. Many of these were seen or heard on our walks or found by participants at other times of the week. Hopefully, many of you will continue to keep McLaughlin in rotation for your spring migration hotspots.
Best, Sebastian Jones Jamaica Plain, MA
---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: <ebird-checklist...> Date: Tue, Jun 5, 2018 at 9:41 AM Subject: eBird Report - McLaughlin Woods, Jun 5, 2018 To: <sebastianojones...>
McLaughlin Woods, Suffolk, Massachusetts, US Jun 5, 2018 7:31 AM - 8:50 AM Protocol: Traveling 1.16 mile(s) Comments: Brookline Bird Club walk. 50s and overcast. 20 species
Herring Gull 4 Mourning Dove 3 Chimney Swift 2 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1 Continuing. Heard well drumming on the metal siding of one of the houses on Fisher Ave. Subsequently located drumming on someone's back porch. Downy Woodpecker 1 Northern Flicker 2 Blue Jay 1 Black-capped Chickadee 1 House Wren 1 Carolina Wren 4 American Robin 5 Gray Catbird 3 Northern Mockingbird 1 European Starling 4 Common Yellowthroat 1 Northern Cardinal 2 Baltimore Oriole 1 Common Grackle 1 House Finch 2 House Sparrow 12
Kenn Kaufman posted a comment on FaceBook yesterday that helped me realize that some of what I said here a few days ago was incorrect. Will copy and paste his comment below. My primary error was that I attributed much of the huge flight of migrants to the huge expanse of breeding habitat north of the site. As it turns out, the flight was going *south*. It most likely consisted of birds which had flown quickly north overnight, overshot their intended destinations, and were making a corrective southwards flight once the sun rose and helped them realize where they were. In addition to the direction, this was also indicated by the species composition, which was heavily slanted toward species that mostly breed south rather than north of the observation site: many times more Bay-breasted Warblers than Blackpolls, similarly more Swainson’s Thrushes than Gray-cheeked, etc.
A few details below (end of this comment) that may be of interest to friends intrigued by bird migration. - By now, every birder in this galaxy undoubtedly has heard about the monster flight of warblers and other migrants last Monday (May 28) at Tadoussac, Quebec. My colleague Andrew Del-Colle wrote an account for Audubon, and I was able to supply some background for how this happened.
Briefly, on the night of May 27, millions of warblers were migrating north over southern Quebec, as is normal for nights at this season. During the night, very strong southerly and southwesterly winds carried many of the birds far north of their intended destinations. In the morning, those birds that had overshot their targets started flying south again. (These are all nighttime migrants but they will reorient in the daytime as necessary.) As they headed south they reached the north shore of the St. Lawrence River, which is many miles wide in the region east of Tadoussac. Rather than cross the river, they turned and followed the edge of it south-southwest, so that vast numbers of them came funneling right past the observers at Tadoussac.
The New York Times also carried a story about the flight, and it was mostly well done except for one odd misconception: the idea that some of these birds "have been blown off course and are heading back to known food sources before continuing on." There's no basis for thinking that some of these birds, flying south, were going to then turn around and continue on toward the north. It's safe to assume that essentially every bird going south-southwest past Tadoussac had gone beyond its intended target and was purposefully headed back south toward its final destination.
To understand this, it helps to know that these migrants are very site-specific in summer. An adult warbler migrating north from the tropics isn't just headed to "the boreal forest" in a general sense; more likely, it's headed to the exact spot where it spent the previous summer. These birds often get wind-drifted during their nocturnal flights, but they'll correct for it during the day.
It's instructive to look at a map to see exactly where Tadoussac is located, look at the actual eBird checklist linked in the story, and then look at the breeding ranges of individual species. The observers estimated 144,000 Bay-breasted Warblers but fewer than 1000 Blackpoll Warblers (even though the Blackpoll undoubtedly has a higher total population). Why the difference? One likely factor is that the breeding range of Bay-breasted Warbler is mostly south of Tasoussac, while the breeding range of Blackpoll is mostly farther north. Even if both species were carried north by the wind during the night, some Bay-breasts had to backtrack, while most Blackpolls didn't. Practically all the species recorded in highest numbers during the day, including Magnolia, Cape May, Blackburnian, and Tennessee Warblers, have breeding ranges mostly south of Tadoussac, so they would have had to reposition back to the south after the night's major wind drift.
For another example, look at thrushes. The team had 425 Swainson's Thrushes and no Gray-cheeked Thrushes. The breeding range of Gray-cheeked Thrush is entirely north of Tadoussac, so it's not surprising that none were moving south there during the day, even if many flew overhead during the previous night.
EDIT: Samuel Denault, one of Quebec's top birders, informs me that Bay-breasted and Cape May Warblers have extended their breeding ranges beyond what was known historically. He says the recent Quebec Breeding Bird Atlas found large numbers of them (as well as Tennessee Warblers) east-northeast of Tadoussac, feeding on outbreaks of spruce budworms. So the situation may be even more complicated than what I tried to describe. My comments on Blackpoll Warbler and Gray-cheeked Thrush should still apply. No wonder we find migration so endlessly fascinating!"
Date: 6/5/18 1:27 pm From: Sam Miller <zamziller...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Old Weston Nurseries Land, Hopkinton. White-eyed Vireo, No; Police, Yes.
I returned to the old Weston Nurseries land in Hopkinton the last two days to see if I could relocate the White-eyed Vireo that I heard and saw on Sunday. No luck yesterday in the rain, and none today in nicer weather. I did have an encounter with a policeman, who came to investigate me and my car because the LNG facility had seen, on camera, my car parked next to their fence the last two days, and called the police. If you visit this location (now an eBird hotspot) I suggest not parking near the fence of the LNG facility or next to the fenced-in cell tower. Probably the best bet is to enter along Phipps St., off of Legacy Farms Rd., and park somewhere off the road after you’ve passed the few houses. Still nice birding here, even without the White-eyed Vireo. My eBird list from today is below. Sam Miller Acton, MA
> Old Weston Nurseries Land, Middlesex, Massachusetts, US > Jun 5, 2018 9:56 AM - 12:53 PM > Protocol: Traveling > 2.5 mile(s) > Comments: I suggest NOT parking alongside the chain link fence that surrounds the LNG facility on the west side of the property, nor near the fenced-off cell-phone tower. The LNG facility had seen my car on camera by their fence the last couple of days, and called the police, who came to investigate. I moved my car, and will not park near the fenced areas in the future. > 35 species > > Great Blue Heron (Blue form) 1 > Turkey Vulture 1 > Osprey (carolinensis) 1 > Red-tailed Hawk (borealis) 1 > Mourning Dove 1 > Black-billed Cuckoo 2 > Chimney Swift 6 > Downy Woodpecker (Eastern) 1 > Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 3 > Willow Flycatcher 1 > Great Crested Flycatcher 1 > Warbling Vireo (Eastern) 3 > Blue Jay 1 > Barn Swallow (American) 2 > Black-capped Chickadee 2 > Tufted Titmouse 1 > American Robin 5 > Gray Catbird 5 > Cedar Waxwing 3 > Blue-winged Warbler 3 > Common Yellowthroat 6 > Yellow Warbler (Northern) 12 > Prairie Warbler 1 > Chipping Sparrow 1 > Field Sparrow 1 > Song Sparrow (melodia/atlantica) 14 > Eastern Towhee 4 > Northern Cardinal 3 > Rose-breasted Grosbeak 1 > Indigo Bunting 2 > Baltimore Oriole 2 > Red-winged Blackbird (Red-winged) 4 > Common Grackle (Bronzed) 4 > American Goldfinch 12 > House Sparrow 3 > > View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S46327669 > > This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)
Date: 6/5/18 4:30 am From: Jim McCoy <jfmccoy...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Very late Bufflehead in Melrose
I stopped by Ell Pond in Melrose this morning, and along with the cob harassing the geese, there was a single drake Bufflehead. He's not going to get first choice of breeding locations this year...
I may have been the only person who missed the swan on their first attempt on Monday May 27th. I got there around 6:00 a.m. and was kind of surprised the bird would have left on an inappropriate weather night. I met another birding friend and we did a quick search of other bodies of water and concluded the bird left. We then went to Oxford to the Prothonotary Warbler spot and walked around the body of water and failed on that attempt as well. Being in the area we then went back to the Charleton spot and the bird was still a no show. This was around 10:30ish.
Saturday morning (6/2) I was more lucky and arrived around 5:25ish. The bird was present in the pond, by itself, content and preening occasionally, but mostly just swimming around. About five minutes observing it some Canada Geese got animated and began calling at which time the swan got very alert and was paying attention to those geese. Those raucous geese then flew (it was only a few) and the swan took off with them. It flew almost directly south. Anyone arriving after 5:35ish would not find it.
This flight line would have taken it over the small solar panel array along side the next pond west. It did not gain a lot of altitude so must have remained local. A google map search of the area shows a couple of farm type fields just south of the solar array and these seem isolated from roads, so no access. Continuing south one crosses the Pike and then there is Lower Sibley Pond and more farm type fields. Could the bird be going to any of those spots to feed and then return to the known spot?
It is my impression this bird is wild; certainly wanted to be part of the geese which moved and likely those geese are not of those currently spending a lot of time in the field with the feral ducks. Those which flew were the farthest away from the ducks, in the water and on the slope which can not be seen from the barn on Brookfield; maybe ten birds total.
It also seems the bird is molting into a more adult plumage with white coming in along the bird border and on the back, based on images posted from the prior weekend.
Glenn
Glenn d'Entremont: <gdentremont1...> Stoughton, MA
> On June 4, 2018 at 12:40 AM Josh <opihi...> wrote:
>
> Hi Alan - have not seen any reply to your question. The answer is, yes and no. The swan is excessively tame, and a bit out of season for the species to be moving around, which raises some suspicion. However, a swan of the same species apparently showed up in Rhode Island about a month earlier, and then disappeared just before this one showed up in MA, so it may not have moved far. And most commenters discussing this swan on FaceBook are considering it to be from the Great Lakes population. That population was built using eggs taken from nests in Alaska, hatched and raised in zoos, then released. The birds from the Great Lakes are distinctly more tame and have a less predictable migration than the completely wild birds further west, but birds from that population are considered “countable” under ABA rules because the population now seems to be self-sustaining and growing.
>
> Good birding,
>
> Josh
>
>
> Joshua S. Rose, Ph.D.
> Amherst, MA
> http://bugguide.net/user/view/2399 > https://www.facebook.com/opihi >
>
>
> > > On May 31, 2018, at 2:20 PM, Alan Strauss <ansch100...> mailto:<ansch100...> > wrote:
> >
> > Does anyone know whether the swan is being considered wild or captive origin?
> >
> > thank you,
> > Alan Strauss, Providence
> >
> > >
>
Date: 6/4/18 5:51 am From: Suzanne Sullivan <swampy435...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Re: Reminder - The Ipswich River Watershed Association Birding Festival/Walks
On Sat, Jun 2, 2018 at 4:33 PM, Suzanne Sullivan <swampy435...>
wrote:
> Hello Massbirders,
>
> Just wanted to remind folks about The Ipswich River Watershed Association
> annual Birding Festival *Saturday, Jun 9, 2018*.
>
> We will all meet at the Danvers Community Gardens for lunch and then head
> out for a paddle on the river and do some birding by boat. So come and have
> some fun and enjoy the best and most important Watershed in the region for
> birding.
>
>
> Dave Williams : Reading Town Forest, Reading - *7 AM to 9:30* AM meeting
> off Grove St. here is the map https://www.google.com/maps/ > place/Reading+Town+Forest/@42.5504819,-71.1372669,15z/data=!
> 4m5!3m4!1s0x89e30b0a1d5203bb:0x95953844848187c0!8m2!3d42.
> 550478!4d-71.1285122
>
> Jim Berry : Willowdale State Forest, Ipswich - *7 AM to 9:30 AM* meeting
> on Topsfield Rd https://www.google.com/maps/place/Willowdale+Estate/@42.
> 6572322,-70.9068946,15z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0xc8138557ae162bf4!8m2!3d42
Hi Alan - have not seen any reply to your question. The answer is, yes and no. The swan is excessively tame, and a bit out of season for the species to be moving around, which raises some suspicion. However, a swan of the same species apparently showed up in Rhode Island about a month earlier, and then disappeared just before this one showed up in MA, so it may not have moved far. And most commenters discussing this swan on FaceBook are considering it to be from the Great Lakes population. That population was built using eggs taken from nests in Alaska, hatched and raised in zoos, then released. The birds from the Great Lakes are distinctly more tame and have a less predictable migration than the completely wild birds further west, but birds from that population are considered “countable” under ABA rules because the population now seems to be self-sustaining and growing.
> On May 31, 2018, at 2:20 PM, Alan Strauss <ansch100...> wrote:
>
> Does anyone know whether the swan is being considered wild or captive origin?
>
> thank you,
> Alan Strauss, Providence
Sorry, but whenever I forward ebird lists with this lousy thunderbird email system, for some reason it omits my signature. i never had problems like this with outlook express, which was much more user-friendly.
Date: 6/3/18 9:15 pm From: Jim Berry <jim.berry3...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Crane Beach, Ipswich, Jun 3, 2018 (and Jun1 at dusk)
Crane Beach, Ipswich
Jun 3, 2018 11:00 AM - 1:40 PM Protocol: Traveling 2.3 mile(s) Comments: I walked down through the dunes and pitch pines, then back on the beach, after going farther down the beach about half a mile from where I entered it. Highlight was finally finding a white-rumped sandpiper among a LOT of semis. (Saw it first on the beach and then in flight.) The strong SE wind kept me from hearing more, but the most surprising thing was that I saw zero swallows! Normally I see tree and bank swallows here, but despite the many burrows of the latter, no birds were flying. 24 species
Double-crested Cormorant 7 Osprey 1 Round Island platform apparently abandoned, yet again. Piping Plover 6 Sanderling 7 Dunlin 4 White-rumped Sandpiper 1 Semipalmated Sandpiper 235 Hard to estimate since they were flying back and forth, but I tried not to double-count. Largest group was of about 100. Ring-billed Gull 13 Herring Gull 30 Great Black-backed Gull 1 Least Tern 60 Common Tern 8 Eastern Phoebe 1 Blue Jay 1 Northern Mockingbird 2 I thought it was curious to hear a Carolina wren singing at the beach until I realized who the perp was. Common Yellowthroat 2 Chipping Sparrow 1 Song Sparrow 6 Eastern Towhee 2 Red-winged Blackbird 4 Common Grackle 8 Purple Finch 3 Heard 3 singing; the only one I saw was a female type. American Goldfinch 3 House Sparrow 1
Friday evening, Lynne Holton and I heard a minimum of 4 WHIP-POOR-WILLS from the vicinity of the parking lot, so I can almost guarantee them on my Wed. evening BBC walk, assuming decent weather.
Date: 6/3/18 3:20 pm From: Sam Miller <zamziller...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] White-Eyed Vireo, Old Weston Nurseries Land, Hopkinton, Jun 3, 2018
A White-eyed Vireo was singing this afternoon not far from the cell-phone tower in the northwest corner of the old Weston Nurseries land. It sang long enough for me to get a tolerable iPhone recording, and I eventually saw it quite well. I notified Dave and Tim Swain, who alerted me to this spot, but we could not relocate it after they arrived. I only had it in hearing/view for about five minutes, but it seems like perfect WEVI habitat, and the date makes me think it might hang around, rather than being a late migrant. Who knows... It’s a nice property to bird, and seems underbirded. Location and direction details for the WEVI spot are included in the eBird report below. Sam Miller Acton, MA > > Old Weston Nurseries Land, Middlesex, Massachusetts, US > Jun 3, 2018 8:44 AM - 4:24 PM > Protocol: Traveling > 4.0 mile(s) > Comments: Went to the old Weston Nurseries land after Dave and Tim Swain alerted me to this promising spot. At around 2:20 in the afternoon, I heard a White-eyed Vireo singing, and got close enough for a recording and a couple of pretty good looks (never could see the eye well). Bird was in an overgrown field just southeast of the small pond that is 100 or 200 yards east of the cell phone tower in the northwest section of the property. > Easiest access route to look for the bird is probably the following: > From Rt. 135 (East Main St., I think) in Hopkinton, take Legacy Farms Road north. Follow it along the northern border of the old Weston Nurseries land all the way to the stop sign at Wilson St. Turn left, and almost immediately turn left on an unmarked road that heads east through a meadow, more or less paralleling Legacy Farms Road. This road will take you to the cell tower in a quarter mile or so. Park near there. Walk east a hundred yards or so to the small pond. Turn left on the track that goes north, and almost immediately there is an entrance to a large, down-sloping overgrown field. The WEVI was at the bottom of this field, ranging along the bushes that border the field, in the northwest corner. > Alternatively, you can enter the old nurseries land via Phipps St., off Legacy Farms Rd., and work your way across to the cell phone tower area on old roads. > 39 species > > Canada Goose 17 > Great Blue Heron (Blue form) 1 > Green Heron 1 > Turkey Vulture 1 > Red-tailed Hawk (borealis) 2 > Mourning Dove 1 > Yellow-billed Cuckoo 1 > Black-billed Cuckoo 2 > Chimney Swift 4 > Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 3 > White-eyed Vireo 1 Singing, recorded, eventually seen quite well. Yellow flanks, wing bars, glimpse of spectacles; furtive behavior; seen while singing. Wanted to see white eye, but missed it. > Warbling Vireo (Eastern) 2 > Blue Jay 7 > American Crow 4 > Common Raven 2 > Barn Swallow (American) 4 > Tufted Titmouse 2 > American Robin 10 > Gray Catbird 11 CF > Brown Thrasher 1 > Northern Mockingbird 1 > European Starling 1 > Cedar Waxwing 13 > Blue-winged Warbler 4 > Common Yellowthroat 7 > Yellow Warbler (Northern) 16 > Chipping Sparrow 8 > Field Sparrow 7 > Song Sparrow (melodia/atlantica) 19 CF > Eastern Towhee 6 > Northern Cardinal 2 > Rose-breasted Grosbeak 1 > Indigo Bunting 6 Minimum. Lots of good INBU habitat. > Orchard Oriole 2 > Baltimore Oriole 2 > Red-winged Blackbird (Red-winged) 3 > Brown-headed Cowbird 1 > Common Grackle (Bronzed) 1 > American Goldfinch 12 > > View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S46275611 > > This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)
Date: 6/2/18 3:41 pm From: Suzanne Sullivan <swampy435...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Reminder - The Ipswich River Watershed Association Birding Festival/Walks
Hello Massbirders,
Just wanted to remind folks about The Ipswich River Watershed Association
annual Birding Festival *Saturday, Jun 9, 2018*.
We will all meet at the Danvers Community Gardens for lunch and then head
out for a paddle on the river and do some birding by boat. So come and have
some fun and enjoy the best and most important Watershed in the region for
birding.
--
Suzanne M. Sullivan
Wilmington, MA
<swampy435...>
"The self evident vision of who we are as a free and caring nation, and the
ideal to fulfill this destiny is stronger than the division of those who's
only vision is of themselves. “ SMB
Date: 6/2/18 3:41 pm From: Paul Peterson <petersonpaul63...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Winter Wren Bedford and Hanscom A.F.B. Highlights
Hi, Yesterday, I came upon a singing Winter Wren along the orange loop in the Hartwell Town Forest. The entrance is on Hartwell St. The location of the song was where there are tall ferns on both sides of the trail.
I walked around the edge of the fence for about .3 miles. This is in the area of the George Jordan Conservation Area and also Hartwell Rd. Some guy in a very noisy helicopter kept on returning to the area where I was birding. Was he trying to drive me away? I can say it was frustrating. I did, however, get a singing EASTERN MEADOWLARK atop a six foot tall orange wind sock. He remained there for a long time.
Osprey 1 Red-tailed Hawk 1 Killdeer 2 American Woodcock 1 Willow Flycatcher 1 Eastern Kingbird 1 Red-eyed Vireo 1 Northern Rough-winged Swallow 2 flying over the brook/wetlands near fence Yellow Warbler 1+ Common Yellowthroat 2 Blue-winged Warbler 2 Eastern Towhee 4 Field Sparrow 4 Savannah Sparrow 5 Orchard Oriole 1 EASTERN MEADOWLARK 1 Bobolink 6
OTHER LIVING THINGS:
Common Ringlet 40 Pearl Crescent 7 Spring Azure 1 (or possibly an Eastern Tailed Blue) Clouded Sulphur 2 Viceroy 2 Ebony Jewel-wing 1 (FOY) Town Forest Gray Tree Frog 2 (FOY) Town Forest
Date: 6/2/18 1:56 pm From: Tim Spahr <tspahr44...> Subject: Re: [MASSBIRD] an amazing day...
Hey Paul, I'm curious if you could clarify your comments, as well as suggest some places where we might see 15% of this flight (100,000 warblers?) If this is typical and overlooked as you say, surely you could list us a dozen spots we might find warbler flights like this annually?
I am also curious how you can dismiss this as not a stellar day when right now I don't think there's a documented flight of warblers this large ever reported?
I did a quick check on eBird, which of course is not exhaustive, but cannot find any flights greater than 10% of this total in the United States or in Canada.
It is interesting you say not many people are looking for morning flights as I know of several dozen around the country; this work has been done at Cape May for at least a decade. Rick Heil has done Plum Island morning flights as long as I've been birding (2002). There are routine morning flight watches all along the Lake Erie and Lake Ontario shorelines, on both sides (Magee Marsh in Ohio, Point Pelee in Ontario, Long Point in Ontario, Presque Isle in Pennsylvania...) I know of folks doing this in Washington and Arizona as well.
I'd sure love to find a spot where I could see even a paltry 10,000 warblers in a day!
good birding
Tim Spahr Marlborough <tspahr44...>
On Sat, Jun 2, 2018 at 12:39 PM, Paul Champlin <skua99...> wrote:
> A few thoughts: > > This is probably typical for this location, and is probably overlooked at > other places around North America. > > I wonder what a really stellar day would be like. > > There just aren't that many people seeking out morning flight, everywhere > (something to consider). > > Imagine what it was like 40 or 50 years ago! > > Paul Champlin > Westport, MA > Get Outlook for Android <https://aka.ms/ghei36> > > ------------------------------ > *From:* <massbird-approval...> <massbird-approval...> > on behalf of Barbara Volkle <barb620...> > *Sent:* Friday, June 1, 2018 5:17:26 PM > *To:* massbird > *Subject:* Re: [MASSBIRD] an amazing day... > > Wow! The New York Times picked up the story - > > https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/31/science/warblers-canada-migration.html > > > Barbara Volkle > > Northborough, MA > <barb620...> > > > On 5/29/2018 6:22 AM, Barbara Volkle wrote: > > Thanks to Ian Davies for sharing this amazing report. > > > > Barbara Volkle > > Northborough, MA > > <barb620...> > > > > * > > > > Ian Davies from facebook: > > > > Today was the greatest birding day of my life. > > > > I was fortunate to spend more than 9 hours watching a river of > > warblers pour past Tadoussac, Quebec. By the time the flight finally > > died down, we estimated that more than 721,000 individual warblers had > > flown past. This Bay-breasted is one of an estimated 144,324 > > Bay-breasted Warblers today. Words cannot capture today's experience. > > > > Full list here: https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S46116491. I'll be > > adding some video and more photos in the coming days. > > > > https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S46116491 > > > >
Date: 6/2/18 12:23 pm From: Floyd, Chris <chrisf...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Olive-sided Flycatcher at Mt Auburn Cemetery, 6/2
Birders are even scarcer than migrant birds now in Mt Auburn, but there are still decent chances for Mourning Warbler, Yellow-bellied Flycatcher and Olive-sided Flycatcher. Searching for the warbler, I found an OSFL. Could still use the other two - I may be back next likely day.
________________________________
From: <massbird-approval...> <massbird-approval...> on behalf of Barbara Volkle <barb620...>
Sent: Friday, June 1, 2018 5:17:26 PM
To: massbird
Subject: Re: [MASSBIRD] an amazing day...
On 5/29/2018 6:22 AM, Barbara Volkle wrote:
> Thanks to Ian Davies for sharing this amazing report.
>
> Barbara Volkle
> Northborough, MA
> <barb620...>
>
> *
>
> Ian Davies from facebook:
>
> Today was the greatest birding day of my life.
>
> I was fortunate to spend more than 9 hours watching a river of
> warblers pour past Tadoussac, Quebec. By the time the flight finally
> died down, we estimated that more than 721,000 individual warblers had
> flown past. This Bay-breasted is one of an estimated 144,324
> Bay-breasted Warblers today. Words cannot capture today's experience.
>
> Full list here: https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S46116491. I'll be
> adding some video and more photos in the coming days.
>
> https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S46116491 >
Date: 6/2/18 9:16 am From: Regina Harrison <onebirdlife...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Charlton Trumpeter Swan?
Any recent sightings? Life happens to be taking me to Charlton today and I thought I would try for it, if it still seems to be around. Thanks for any tips!
Tonight under a softly colored cloud canopy, a black crowned night heron stepped gingerly among the barnacled rocks near the Blynman bridge, a late horned grebe dove near Half Moon beach, and the year's first two crèches of eider ducklings swam with their guardians along the shore toward the old Coast Guard station. In the Blynman canal a squadron of snowy egrets raced one another along the muddy shore gobbling up minnows as fast as they could eat them, each bird attempting to stay ahead of the others by a nose, or, in this case, a bill. Above them three adult little blue herons flew toward the bridge, heading to roost, and another black crowned night heron hunched in the sky behind them. The sun descended briefly through the clouds and then disappeared. Alls right with world. Caroline Haines Gloucester <Songbirder...>
Sent from my iPhone-please excuse brevity, typos, or insults.
Date: 6/1/18 6:48 pm From: Glenn d'Entremont <gdentremont1...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] May 2018-what a month
A great month of birding with strategic vacation days and weather conditions which dropped a lot of migrants on our area allowed me to achieve the highest species amount I ever had in May-219. I had 218 in three years, so this is my personal best despite missing such "easy" birds as Harlequin Duck, Northern Harrier, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Virginia Rail, and Purple Sandpiper.
Quite a few firsts for me.
Sorry for the rambling man summary:
It began with a calling Caspian Tern and Common Merganser at Great Pond in Randolph, a second Common Goldeneye, 1300 Long-tailed Ducks, an immature male King Eider, a pheasant, Sora, 22 Palm Warblers (the only ones for the month), a flock of over 100 warblers taking off in unison and being forced back down by strong westerly's, a Rusty Blackbird (perhaps only the second May record for me), 300 White-throated Sparrows, 7 Red-necked Grebes in mostly breeding plumage-2 courting bill to bill forming a heart shape between them, Ruddy Duck, 2 oystercatchers flying over the rocks at North Scituate, 48 Ovenbird, Lincoln's Sparrow, Great Horned Owl calling in the Dell at Mt Auburn, 45 Northern Parula, Hooded Warbler, Blue Grosbeak, 4 Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers, 6 Yellow-throated Vireos, 4 Worm-eating Warblers, 4 Evening Grosbeaks-male displaying, Vesper Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Cerulean Warbler below eye level, 126 species day, pair of Northern Shovelers, Ruffed Grouse at Wompatuck w! hen no one else was reported it, an early Eastern Wood Pewee, Orange-crowned Warbler, 2 Cape May Warblers in the same field of view, Cattle Egret, Whimbrel (not often in spring), Short-billed Dowitcher, my second May Snowy Owl, 11 Least Flycatchers on the coast, 19 Black-throated Green Warblers, 53 Yellowthroats.
That's the first half of the month:
Female Tennessee Warbler, a Sooty Shearwater, 30 Gannets, displaying Piping Plovers, 11 Parasitic Jaegers, 1st summer Iceland Gull plopping in front of me, 1300 Common Tern, 2 stunning White-crowned Sparrows, 2 Manx Shearwater, Black-billed Cuckoo visual, Olive-sided Flycatcher, singing Tennessee Warbler while driving-got to see it, 26 Magnolia Warblers, 4 Bay-breasted Warblers, 8 Wilson's Warbler, 10 Canada Warblers, 3 Yellow-billed Cuckoos seen, 4 more Bay-breasted, juvenile begging Barred Owls, Pied-billed Grebe, 2 King Rails, Clapper Rail, at least 3 Common Nighthawks, 2 Acadian Flycatcher-one very obliging to be observed at leisure, White-eyed Vireo in view while singing, another Hooded Warbler, Saltmarsh Sparrow, 4 Green Herons together flying overhead, 2 American Bitterns, a Least Bittern, 4 Black-billed Cuckoos, 13 Willow Flycatchers, Alder Flycatcher, 8 Prairie Warblers, 6 Indigo Buntings, 2 Grasshopper Sparrows, 40 Black-bellied Plover, a displaying Upland Sandpipe! r, 2 White-rumped Sandpipers, the only Sanderlings, 2 Black Skimmers, an adult Red-headed Woodpecker (not annual), 5 Horned Lark, 3 Eastern Meadowlark, a Lesser Black-backed Gull, Chuck-will-widow, 3 Whip-poor-wills, 2 Tricolored Heron, flying Glossy Ibis, 10 Roseate Terns, Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, watched waxwings share a berry for the first time (only heard about this), 43 Yellow Warblers, nest of American Redstart, nest of Orchard Oriole, .........
and the last bird-Cliff Swallow.
Thank you for reading this rant.
And for everyone who assisted me. Such a month is not done alone.
Glenn
Glenn d'Entremont: <gdentremont1...> Stoughton, MA
On 5/29/2018 6:22 AM, Barbara Volkle wrote: > Thanks to Ian Davies for sharing this amazing report. > > Barbara Volkle > Northborough, MA > <barb620...> > > * > > Ian Davies from facebook: > > Today was the greatest birding day of my life. > > I was fortunate to spend more than 9 hours watching a river of > warblers pour past Tadoussac, Quebec. By the time the flight finally > died down, we estimated that more than 721,000 individual warblers had > flown past. This Bay-breasted is one of an estimated 144,324 > Bay-breasted Warblers today. Words cannot capture today's experience. > > Full list here: https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S46116491. I'll be > adding some video and more photos in the coming days. > > https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S46116491 >
The seaside sparrow I reported at Belle Isle was actually a saltmarsh sparrow - apologies. Confused at the time as I was on mobile.
Cappy Popp Reading MA
On Fri, Jun 1, 2018 at 1:40 PM Cappy Popp <cappy.popp...> wrote:
> Still calling loudly. Just follow end of path and be patient. Walked 4' in > front of me. Also, seaside sparrow singing at end platform overlooking > river. Beautiful views. > > Cappy Popp > Reading, MA >
Apologies - King Rail is at Belle Isle Marsh Reservation. Park in lot, take right path ahead of you. A few hundred feet down the path there will be a small, muddy, rudimentary boardwalk made of pallets and stone on your right. It doesn't look like a "true" path. Take it out to overlook a small pond. The rail is there. Be careful at the end of this path: there are some synthetic 4x4 timbers laying in the reeds, and the bird was seen walking near their end. Please watch your step, it can be almost right under you and barely visible.
On Fri, Jun 1, 2018 at 13:40 Cappy Popp <cappy.popp...> wrote:
> Still calling loudly. Just follow end of path and be patient. Walked 4' in > front of me. Also, seaside sparrow singing at end platform overlooking > river. Beautiful views. > > Cappy Popp > Reading, MA >
Date: 6/1/18 11:52 am From: Marsha Salett <msalett...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] June 2018 Bird Observer now online
Massbirders,
Bird Observer announces that its June 2018 issue is now online at www.birdobserver.org
Where to Go Birding highlights "Birding the Mud Flats and Tidal Marsh of Charlestown Breachway, Rhode Island by Carlos Pedro. Articles feature Conservation of Forest Birds in Massachusetts by Jeff Ritterson, The Seventh Report of the Maine Bird Records Committee by Louis R. Bevier, and State Coastal Waterbird Expert Receives Mass Audubons Inaugural Wildlife Conservation Award by Mass Audubon.
As usual, we include regular columns by David Larson, Martha Steele, and Mark Lynch, as well as Neil Haywards "By-gone Birds," Bird Sightings for January/February 2018, and Wayne Petersen's "At A Glance."
The cover art features John Sill's Black-billed Cuckoo.
Date: 6/1/18 10:46 am From: Cappy Popp <cappy.popp...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] King Rail YES
Still calling loudly. Just follow end of path and be patient. Walked 4' in front of me. Also, seaside sparrow singing at end platform overlooking river. Beautiful views.
Date: 6/1/18 9:30 am From: Tom Sullivan <tomsullivan9...> Subject: Re: [MASSBIRD] Bay-breasted, Harvard Yard/crazy Quebec report
The North Coast of Quebec, Cote Nord, is serviced by a once a week ferry
http://relaisnordik.com/en/. It makes for a cruise through the wilderness.
We took the boat from Havre Sainte Pierre to Harrington Harbour and back.
It is all a wonderful vacation destination.
On Fri, Jun 1, 2018 at 9:40 AM, Childs, Jackson <jchilds...>
wrote:
> Hi Josh,
>
>
>
> Thank you for your comments. I think you are right there is a confluence
> of date, weather, geography. I’ve also suspected that migration gets to be
> more precise or condensed as birds get closer to their destination: a
> species tends to hit a breeding area almost all on the same day, given the
> competition for territory (probably there are papers on this, so sorry if
> this is amateurish speculation). So the numbers counted may be a
> substantial percentage of the population of those species for that region.
> Also, I understand there has been a spruce budworm outbreak in just that
> region of Quebec in recent years, although I don’t know what the status is
> of that this year.
>
>
>
> However, the very interesting thing I learned from the NYTimes article
> about the report (https://www.nytimes.com/2018/ > 05/31/science/warblers-canada-migration.html?smtyp=cur&smid=
> tw-nytimesscience ) is that the birds were flying along the river going
> *southwest*. This was, it seems, the greatest ever example of reverse
> migration or morning flight. And it went all day, which is hard to get your
> mind around in itself.
>
>
>
> Sorry about your misses. It’s hard to identify a song if you never see the
> species, a problem I have with Cape May warblers.
>
>
>
> Jackson Childs
>
> <jchilds...>
>
> Arlington, MA
>
>
>
> *From:* <massbird-approval...> [mailto:massbird-approval@ > TheWorld.com] *On Behalf Of *Josh
> *Sent:* Thursday, May 31, 2018 5:53 PM
> *To:* Massbird
> *Subject:* Re: [MASSBIRD] Bay-breasted, Harvard Yard/crazy Quebec report
>
>
>
> Hi Jackson,
>
>
>
> If you look at the map of the location from which that report was filed
>
>
>
> https://www.google.com/maps?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=48.1548874,
> -69.6665911&ll=48.1548874,-69.6665911
> <https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.google.com_maps-3Fie-3DUTF8-26t-3Dp-26z-3D13-26q-3D48.1548874-2C-2D69.6665911-26ll-3D48.1548874-2C-2D69.6665911&d=DwMFaQ&c=WO-RGvefibhHBZq3fL85hQ&r=Nha_zH7gdBgFBnEzo5HwcQr_ZSIEGzaBNeTmFyMdZr8&m=RaoDu30UcIqo7oxpV3nUXEbLmRrNnYFfGVEAcXIIzrA&s=rVSKmPPgRneFYNjdsqkhKzisUB1fksK-exZffT48758&e=> >
>
> (If that link doesn’t work, just go to Ian’s eBird report and click where
> it says “Map"
>
>
>
> It’s right on the shore of the Saint Lawrence River, which runs more or
> less from the Great Lakes near its west end to the Atlantic on its east.
> North of there is a huge area which is, as far as I can tell,
> overwhelmingly unpopulated and undeveloped. The acreage appears to be
> larger than the combined total of all of New England, New York,
> Pennsylvania, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick, combined; but without most of
> the cities, highways, sprawl, fragmentation, etc. So I think the phenomenon
> is one where the weather (Ian comments about the wind direction and rain in
> his eBird report) and geography bottlenecked, in both space and time, the
> breeding bird population of a really large and healthy ecosystem. The only
> other similarly large and healthy ecosystems are further west in Canada and
> Alaska, and have mostly land south of them without any really large bodies
> of water, so the migrants headed there can spread out over much wider areas
> on their way north.
>
>
>
> That’s my hypothesis anyway. Maybe Ian himself will weigh in on the topic,
> after he catches up on his sleep, which might be in November or so knowing
> him.
>
>
>
> As for your lack of Cape Mays, I’ve managed to miss both that *and*
> Bay-breasted, and Mourning too, not just this year but pretty much entirely
> since I left Texas and moved back to Massachusetts. Not that I’ve made
> concerted efforts to target those species, but I’ve seen 27 other warbler
> species in the state during the same span of time, you’d think I’d have
> blundered into one or two of that trio by now. I’d worry that my hearing
> was declining, but I’m not having any trouble hearing Black-and-Whites,
> Blackpolls, or Brown Creepers as far as I can tell… yet…
>
>
>
> Good birding,
>
>
>
> JSR
>
>
>
>
>
> Joshua S. Rose, Ph.D.
> Amherst, MA
> http://bugguide.net/user/view/2399 > <https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__bugguide.net_user_view_2399&d=DwMFaQ&c=WO-RGvefibhHBZq3fL85hQ&r=Nha_zH7gdBgFBnEzo5HwcQr_ZSIEGzaBNeTmFyMdZr8&m=RaoDu30UcIqo7oxpV3nUXEbLmRrNnYFfGVEAcXIIzrA&s=Ax08isFSH7sTezzMHyxOGD0VoP2hzfG_iOvJRj4rq7o&e=> >
> https://www.facebook.com/opihi > <https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.facebook.com_opihi&d=DwMFaQ&c=WO-RGvefibhHBZq3fL85hQ&r=Nha_zH7gdBgFBnEzo5HwcQr_ZSIEGzaBNeTmFyMdZr8&m=RaoDu30UcIqo7oxpV3nUXEbLmRrNnYFfGVEAcXIIzrA&s=gRr1KjWij59vgvn07hQUn5_5D1i278i0gGi7pRgyS2M&e=> >
>
>
> On May 29, 2018, at 9:21 AM, Childs, Jackson <jchilds...>
> wrote:
>
>
>
> Big year for this species continues. One was singing vigorously by Lamont
> library this morning, getting late.
>
>
>
> The report from Quebec has broken my brain. I couldn’t find *one* Cape
> May myself this spring lol. Does anyone have any insight into this
> phenomenon?
>
>
> Jackson Childs
>
> <jchilds...>
>
> Arlington, MA
>
>
>
Date: 6/1/18 8:18 am From: Frank Lehman <frank.lehman...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] King Rail yes
Dear list,
If you can tolerate the ear-shreading noise of airplanes flying overhead every 2 minutes, the Belle Isle King Rail is singing loudly right now, arouns 9:30, at the little pond where it's been frequenting the past few days. Happy hunting!
Date: 6/1/18 6:47 am From: Childs, Jackson <jchilds...> Subject: RE: [MASSBIRD] Bay-breasted, Harvard Yard/crazy Quebec report
Hi Josh,
Thank you for your comments. I think you are right there is a confluence of date, weather, geography. I’ve also suspected that migration gets to be more precise or condensed as birds get closer to their destination: a species tends to hit a breeding area almost all on the same day, given the competition for territory (probably there are papers on this, so sorry if this is amateurish speculation). So the numbers counted may be a substantial percentage of the population of those species for that region. Also, I understand there has been a spruce budworm outbreak in just that region of Quebec in recent years, although I don’t know what the status is of that this year.
It’s right on the shore of the Saint Lawrence River, which runs more or less from the Great Lakes near its west end to the Atlantic on its east. North of there is a huge area which is, as far as I can tell, overwhelmingly unpopulated and undeveloped. The acreage appears to be larger than the combined total of all of New England, New York, Pennsylvania, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick, combined; but without most of the cities, highways, sprawl, fragmentation, etc. So I think the phenomenon is one where the weather (Ian comments about the wind direction and rain in his eBird report) and geography bottlenecked, in both space and time, the breeding bird population of a really large and healthy ecosystem. The only other similarly large and healthy ecosystems are further west in Canada and Alaska, and have mostly land south of them without any really large bodies of water, so the migrants headed there can spread out over much wider areas on their way north.
That’s my hypothesis anyway. Maybe Ian himself will weigh in on the topic, after he catches up on his sleep, which might be in November or so knowing him.
As for your lack of Cape Mays, I’ve managed to miss both that *and* Bay-breasted, and Mourning too, not just this year but pretty much entirely since I left Texas and moved back to Massachusetts. Not that I’ve made concerted efforts to target those species, but I’ve seen 27 other warbler species in the state during the same span of time, you’d think I’d have blundered into one or two of that trio by now. I’d worry that my hearing was declining, but I’m not having any trouble hearing Black-and-Whites, Blackpolls, or Brown Creepers as far as I can tell… yet…
Really back in the day Bob Pease walked out from Sandy Neck Road into the Great Marsh for the same reason. Herman would contact him and walk out with him. He would take me, too.
Life bird: 7/17/1977 "Barnstable". It was here with Bob Pease & Herman.
For those who may not know the name Bob Pease I recall he was everything Barnstable, although it might be also Sandwich. I believe he published a "Birds of Barnstable" which might have been just a listing with status per species.
A google search does not turn up any reference.
Glenn
Glenn d'Entremont: <gdentremont1...> Stoughton, MA
It’s right on the shore of the Saint Lawrence River, which runs more or less from the Great Lakes near its west end to the Atlantic on its east. North of there is a huge area which is, as far as I can tell, overwhelmingly unpopulated and undeveloped. The acreage appears to be larger than the combined total of all of New England, New York, Pennsylvania, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick, combined; but without most of the cities, highways, sprawl, fragmentation, etc. So I think the phenomenon is one where the weather (Ian comments about the wind direction and rain in his eBird report) and geography bottlenecked, in both space and time, the breeding bird population of a really large and healthy ecosystem. The only other similarly large and healthy ecosystems are further west in Canada and Alaska, and have mostly land south of them without any really large bodies of water, so the migrants headed there can spread out over much wider areas on their way north.
That’s my hypothesis anyway. Maybe Ian himself will weigh in on the topic, after he catches up on his sleep, which might be in November or so knowing him.
As for your lack of Cape Mays, I’ve managed to miss both that *and* Bay-breasted, and Mourning too, not just this year but pretty much entirely since I left Texas and moved back to Massachusetts. Not that I’ve made concerted efforts to target those species, but I’ve seen 27 other warbler species in the state during the same span of time, you’d think I’d have blundered into one or two of that trio by now. I’d worry that my hearing was declining, but I’m not having any trouble hearing Black-and-Whites, Blackpolls, or Brown Creepers as far as I can tell… yet…
> On May 29, 2018, at 9:21 AM, Childs, Jackson <jchilds...> wrote:
>
> Big year for this species continues. One was singing vigorously by Lamont library this morning, getting late.
>
> The report from Quebec has broken my brain. I couldn’t find one Cape May myself this spring lol. Does anyone have any insight into this phenomenon?
>
> Jackson Childs
> <jchilds...> <mailto:<jchilds...> > Arlington, MA
Date: 5/31/18 5:36 am From: Sebastian Jones <sebastianojones...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Brookline Bird Club McLaughlin Woods Walk, 5/29
Hi Massbirders, A group of 8 of us birded McLaughlin Woods in Boston this past Tuesday and while migration is winding down, we still found an interesting mix of species. Highlights included a lingering Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, a singing Indigo Bunting, and some good looks at a Brown Thrasher. Full eBird checklist for the walk can be found below.
---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: <ebird-checklist...> Date: Thu, May 31, 2018 at 8:20 AM Subject: eBird Report - McLaughlin Woods, May 29, 2018 To: <sebastianojones...>
McLaughlin Woods, Suffolk, Massachusetts, US May 29, 2018 7:33 AM - 8:53 AM Protocol: Traveling 1.26 mile(s) Comments: Brookline Bird Club walk. 65F at start and warming, with plenty of sun. 31 species
Double-crested Cormorant 3 Flyover. Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 2 Mourning Dove 1 Chimney Swift 2 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1 Continuing. Drumming at start of dirt path. Downy Woodpecker 1 Northern Flicker 1 Eastern Wood-Pewee 1 Red-eyed Vireo 2 Blue Jay 2 Black-capped Chickadee 1 White-breasted Nuthatch 2 House Wren 1 American Robin 5 Gray Catbird 3 Brown Thrasher 1 Northern Mockingbird 2 European Starling 5 Cedar Waxwing 2 Common Yellowthroat 2 American Redstart 4 Magnolia Warbler 1 Yellow Warbler 1 Northern Cardinal 3 Indigo Bunting 1 Baltimore Oriole 1 Red-winged Blackbird 1 Common Grackle 3 House Finch 1 American Goldfinch 1 House Sparrow 8
Date: 5/30/18 5:23 pm From: Bates, David Westfall,M.D. <dbates...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] 5/25 Big Day
Deb Kovacs and I did our annual big day on 5/25. Sorry to be slow getting this out, always takes a few days to recover. We ended up with 170 species (assuming I haven't missed something), which is a good total for us. This was the case despite nearly no migration activity on the coast. Was the Friday before Memorial Day weekend, and was very hot-88-90 in the afternoon. The evening was clear and warm, which ended up being really good for hearing night birds though we heard few if any migrants going over (reading Ian Davies' post was absolutely mind-blowing). Big misses included Black-throated Blue, Surf Scoter, Little Blue Heron and Red-breasted Merganser. Also couldn't find some of the rarities we knew were around (White-faced Ibis, Cattle Egret, Upland Sandpiper, Glaucous Gull). We really struggled with sea birds, and had no scoters at all until we got to Plum Island! Did our usual route-Mt. Watatic, down Route 119, then to Bolton Flats area/Pine Hill Rd grasslands, then to coast-Nahant, Marblehead Neck and then up to Ipswich, W Newbury and finishing on Plum Island. No big surprises, but some nice things. Had 21 species of warblers, 11 sparrows, 18 sp shorebirds.
Selected highlights:
Mt. Watatic
Ruffed Grouse 1 (drumming-haven't had here for a few years)
Pine Hill Road (Bolton)
Kestrel 1
Grasshopper Sparrow 1
Vesper Sparrow 1
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Today Egypt Lane Fairhaven; 7:30-8:30 AM. Two Clapper Rails. The one on the left side of the dike continually ~@~\kekking~@~]. Came into view several times. Briefly saw the one on the right side also. Several Willets, at least 3 Willow Flycatchers.
Date: 5/30/18 2:51 pm From: David Gibson <20cabot...> Subject: Re: [MASSBIRD] Audubon takes action on the attacks on Migratory Bird Act
Perhaps Suzanne is right. The suit may be a good thing. But it also may be
unwise, and may be unnecessary. Some, like Suzanne, feel the MBTA is 'under
attack'. While many others (and ardent birders and conservationists among
them) believe it is clearly not. So OK. We can agree to disagree. But as we
discuss the MBTA and what courses of action are in the best interest of the
birds that we love, what isn't acceptable is that we pillory those who hold
opposing viewpoints. Dave Gibson Chesapeake, VA
On Wed, May 30, 2018 at 9:38 AM, Suzanne Sullivan <swampy435...>
wrote:
> *YES!!!! *
>
> https://www.audubon.org/news/were-suing-federal-government-protect-birds >
> --
> Suzanne M. Sullivan
> Wilmington, MA
> <swampy435...>
>
> "The self evident vision of who we are as a free and caring nation, and
> the ideal to fulfill this destiny is stronger than the division of those
> who's only vision is of themselves. “ SMB
>
> Be the Voice of the River
> http://www.ipswichriver.org >
>
Date: 5/30/18 2:07 pm From: David Weaver <cygnus-dkw...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Plum Island - 05-30-2018
David Moon and I led today's edition of Wednesday Morning Birding out of
Joppa Flats Education Center on to Plum Island. Skies were clear to partly cloudy; temps in middle to upper 60s;and winds NE-E/5-10 mph. We made our way directly to Sandy Point and were rewarded with ample parking spaces -- read that school still in session and cool temps.
Our list:
Canada Goose (11) - including pr. w/ 6 good-sized goslings; Bill Forward Pool. Mute Swan (1) - ad, southern-most panne,. Gadwall (3) -lone drake, pannes; pr. BFP. Mallard - many including molting drakes, Stage Island Pool. Red-breasted Merganser (1) - hen, SIP. Wild Turkey (1) - tom, South Field. Double-crested Cormorant - common. Great Egret (~ 5) Snowy Egret (~ 7) Osprey (1) - overhead, BFP. Black-bellied Plover (~ 25) - 2, Sandy Point; balance, South Marsh. Semipalmated Plover (5) - 3, SP; 2, BFP. Piping Plover (~ 9) - SP. Killdeer (2) - 1, pannes; 1, SP. Spotted Sandpiper (1) - BFP. Willet - common. Ruddy Turnstone (3) - w/ Black-bellies; South Marsh. Semipalmated Sandpiper (~ 200) - BFP. Herring Gull Least Tern (5) - 1, main panne; 3, SP; 1, BFP. Common Tern (1)- SP. Mourning Dove Empidonax sp. (2) - together in small trees and shrubs se. corner North Pool, Hellcat dike; probable Willow Flys. Great Crested Flycatcher (1) - heard, n. end S-curves. Eastern Kingbird (3) - various. American Crow (2) Purple Martin (~ 7) - lot #1. Tree Swallow - common. Bank Swallow (1) - SP. Barn Swallow (3) Marsh Wren - common; North Pool. American Robin (2) Gray Catbird - common. Northern Mockingbird (3) - 1, SP; 1, Hellcat; 1, lot #1. Brown Thrasher (1) - roadside, s. end S-curves. European Starling Cedar Waxwing (2) - Hellcat. Black-and-white Warbler (1) - heard; Goodno crossing. Common Yellowthroat - common. American Redstart (3) Yellow Warbler - common. Eastern Towhee - common. Song Sparrow - common. Northern Cardinal (1) Bobolink (6) - 1, North Field; 5, vicinity of BFP dike. Red-winged Blackbird - common. Common Grackle - common. Brown-headed Cowbird (4) Baltimore Oriole (2) - 1, Hellcat; 1, Goodno crossing. Purple Finch (2) American Goldfinch (2) - SP.
We will meet again next week back at Joppa Flats at 0930 for Wednesday Morning Birding. For more information about Joppa Flats programs, call David Moon or Dave Larson at 978-462-9998.
Please note that Wednesday Evening Birding is being conducted during the month of May. Meet at Joppa Flats Education Center at 5:30 for the 2-hour program.
I highly recommend the birding programs offered through Mass Audubon. There are many beginning birding classes as well as weekly birding trips. Their staff is super knowledgeable and very fun. It makes for a great day outside.
Best,
Nancy Blasi
On 5/30/18, John Nelson <jnelson...> wrote: > Jonathan, > > I'd second Sally's suggestion that your friend join a local bird club and > participate some club birding walks. There are clubs all over the state. > When I started birding, I was greatly helped by trip leaders from the > Brookline Bird Club. > > John Nelson > Gloucester > > On Sun, May 27, 2018 at 6:59 PM, Sally Chisholm <swchis7...> wrote: > >> Also suggest that they join a local bird club. The South Shore Bird Club >> has been an enormous resource for learning through weekly bird walks for >> me. >> >> On Sun, May 27, 2018 at 4:49 PM, David Gibson <20cabot...> wrote: >> >>> Hi Jonathan, Your friend might be interested in my new blog. I'm making, >>> I think, a solid case for bird watching. Best, Dave >>> http://www.elizabethriver.org/wildlife-reports >>> >>> On Sun, May 27, 2018 at 2:46 PM, Jonathan Jones <brewbird...> wrote: >>> >>>> Hi folks, >>>> >>>> A friend of a friend is looking to get into bird watching, and doesn’t >>>> quite know how to get started. I had the benefit of a fantastic >>>> teacher, >>>> but what resources are available for someone who will need to be >>>> somewhat >>>> self taught. >>>> >>>> Thanks in advance! >>>> Jonathan Jones >>>> Wrentham >>>> >>> >>> >> >
Date: 5/30/18 7:48 am From: Haynes Miller <hrm...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Nahanton Park: Yellow-billed Cuckoo pair
This morning I found a pair of Yellow-billed Cuckoos at Nahanton Park, together, one with food. Florrie's Path leads downstream along the Charles from the canoe rental location off Nahanton St. It claims to be handicap accessible, but there are two fallen trees that you have to duck under. Beyond them there is a ten foot high snag with a hole near the top (BCCH?). I saw the birds high in the canopy just beyond the snag. A Blue-gray Gnatcatcher was present there also.
--
Suzanne M. Sullivan
Wilmington, MA
<swampy435...>
"The self evident vision of who we are as a free and caring nation, and the
ideal to fulfill this destiny is stronger than the division of those who's
only vision is of themselves. “ SMB
Date: 5/30/18 4:44 am From: John Nelson <jnelson...> Subject: Re: [MASSBIRD] Introduction to birding
Jonathan,
I'd second Sally's suggestion that your friend join a local bird club and
participate some club birding walks. There are clubs all over the state.
When I started birding, I was greatly helped by trip leaders from the
Brookline Bird Club.
John Nelson
Gloucester
On Sun, May 27, 2018 at 6:59 PM, Sally Chisholm <swchis7...> wrote:
> Also suggest that they join a local bird club. The South Shore Bird Club
> has been an enormous resource for learning through weekly bird walks for me.
>
> On Sun, May 27, 2018 at 4:49 PM, David Gibson <20cabot...> wrote:
>
>> Hi Jonathan, Your friend might be interested in my new blog. I'm making,
>> I think, a solid case for bird watching. Best, Dave
>> http://www.elizabethriver.org/wildlife-reports >>
>> On Sun, May 27, 2018 at 2:46 PM, Jonathan Jones <brewbird...> wrote:
>>
>>> Hi folks,
>>>
>>> A friend of a friend is looking to get into bird watching, and doesn’t
>>> quite know how to get started. I had the benefit of a fantastic teacher,
>>> but what resources are available for someone who will need to be somewhat
>>> self taught.
>>>
>>> Thanks in advance!
>>> Jonathan Jones
>>> Wrentham
>>>
>>
>>
>
I am posting this with the permission of the moderator. The birders in the state of Maine are starting a 5 year Breeding Bird Atlas from 2018 to 2022. I heard about this from John Liller. He has taken blocks where he vacations in the summer. I have also contacted the regional coordinator where we have family property in northern ME. They are really glad for me to take some blocks and help them out.
Date: 5/29/18 3:40 pm From: Asli Memisoglu <memisoglu.asli...> Subject: Re: [MASSBIRD] Bald eagle at Walden Pond
I live nearby in Concord and suspect it was the same bird that some of my neighbors reported last week. The bird my neighbors saw was happily feasting on roadkill on Powdermill Rd in Concord. This prompted the town to put up temporary road signs to alert drivers to take care.
I am thrilled to have this bird so close.
Asli Memisoglu Concord, MA
On Tue, May 29, 2018, 3:08 PM Liz Thorstenson <lizzylee...> wrote:
> Hi all, > > My co-worker, a birder who is not a member of Mass Bird, saw an adult bald > eagle at Walden Pond on Saturday 5/26. I thought this would be of interest > to some of you. > > She reports that it was happily fishing in the pond close to the pontoons > that enclose the swimming area. It was seemingly unbothered by humans and > most of the humans were oblivious. > > It caught a fish and settled into a nearby pine to eat it, and then went > on a second fishing expedition. > > She has a cell photo of it in the tree but it is poor quality. I'm sure > she'd be happy to send it to anyone who is interested. > > Interesting! > Liz in Arlington >
On my way by I took a quick mid-day walk at the Stony Brook Conservation Area off West St and there were a couple of Marsh Wrens singing from the large marsh and encountered two Yellow-billed Cuckoos along the walk. Willow Flycatcher "sang" a few times from near the marsh also. This time of year to really appreciate this nice natural area you need to have an affinity for Poison Ivy (ankle to shin high in several places along the old roads) and ticks (lost count after a dozen+). The good thing is when you think the mosquitos are bad just look down at your pants and suddenly the mosquitos are the least of your problems. : ).
From: Floyd, Chris
Sent: Tuesday, May 29, 2018 3:01 PM
To: 'Massbird' <massbird...>
Subject: FW: [MASSBIRD] RE: Very Likely Bicknell's Thrush at Mt. Auburn, 5/28/18
Hi Massbirders,
Well, analyzing Gray-cheeked/Bicknell’s song structure has studied complexities I was not aware of. I forward with his okay analysis by Sean Williams that puts the songs I recorded into the Gray-cheeked category. I am still sorting out for myself the paper (deleted from this forward) that is the basis of Sean’s analysis.
Date: 5/29/18 12:11 pm From: Liz Thorstenson <lizzylee...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Bald eagle at Walden Pond
Hi all,
My co-worker, a birder who is not a member of Mass Bird, saw an adult bald eagle at Walden Pond on Saturday 5/26. I thought this would be of interest to some of you.
She reports that it was happily fishing in the pond close to the pontoons that enclose the swimming area. It was seemingly unbothered by humans and most of the humans were oblivious.
It caught a fish and settled into a nearby pine to eat it, and then went on a second fishing expedition.
She has a cell photo of it in the tree but it is poor quality. I'm sure she'd be happy to send it to anyone who is interested.
Date: 5/29/18 12:06 pm From: Floyd, Chris <chrisf...> Subject: FW: [MASSBIRD] RE: Very Likely Bicknell's Thrush at Mt. Auburn, 5/28/18
Hi Massbirders,
Well, analyzing Gray-cheeked/Bicknell’s song structure has studied complexities I was not aware of. I forward with his okay analysis by Sean Williams that puts the songs I recorded into the Gray-cheeked category. I am still sorting out for myself the paper (deleted from this forward) that is the basis of Sean’s analysis.
Chris Floyd
Lexington
<chrisf...>
From: Sean Williams [mailto:<seanbirder...>]
Sent: Tuesday, May 29, 2018 10:22 AM
To: Floyd, Chris <chrisf...>
Subject: Re: [MASSBIRD] RE: Very Likely Bicknell's Thrush at Mt. Auburn, 5/28/18
Hi Chris,
Wow, thank you for the extensive notes and documentation on this thrush. We hardly ever get recordings of full songs, which is the only reliable way to tell these apart in the field. Thanks!
You provided recordings for five songs (four in the first audio, one in the second), and of those, the second and fourth song in the first audio are the only full songs. By "full" song, I mean that they contain all four parts of a Bicknell's/Gray-cheeked Thrush song. These parts are labeled as parts I, II, III, and IV by Ouellet (1993), which I have attached here. According to Ouellet, the final phrase of the song, i.e. part IV is the most useful (perhaps the only definitive part) in distinguishing Bicknell's and Gray-cheeked. In Bicknell's, part IV should either rise or remain constant in frequency, and it should have a peak frequency of 6 kHz. In Gray-cheeked, part IV should fall in frequency and have a peak frequency of 5 kHz. In both of the full songs you recorded, part IV falls in frequency and has a peak frequency of 5 kHz.
This is all to say that the full songs you recorded match Gray-cheeked Thrush and rule out Bicknell's Thrush. The other songs in the recordings do not contain all four parts of the song, and so therefore cannot be used for identification. I have double-checked this with some of the other eBird reviewers for the state, and they agree.
I am happy and open to hearing your thoughts on this. This is a very tricky identification for which we have little to rely on with birds only observed in the field (and not in the hand). Thanks so much again for the awesome documentation.
Best,
Sean
On Tue, May 29, 2018 at 8:43 AM, Floyd, Chris <chrisf...><mailto:<chrisf...>> wrote:
I’ve updated my eBird report again with extensive notes for both photos and audios. I am now more confident that identification as Bicknell’s is correct, although I am eager for any feedback that would enlighten me on observations that I may be misinterpreting to this conclusion. I still have some wing formula lookup to do in Pyle but I am away from home.
By the way, I only hear the audio songs easily, even on my volume-maxed recordings, with my high-frequency-boosted hearing aids in.
I went to Mt Auburn yesterday, with very limited time, specifically to find a Gray-cheeked Thrush (and secondarily perhaps a Mourning Warbler), and I found this. The weather seemed ideal, since I’ve found them (GCTHs) so regularly over the years on rainy, drizzly days, singing atop small tombstones, which they seem to prefer.
It was the first bird I heard, singing, when I got my hearing aids in, after parking in my regular spot on Beech Ave near the Dell. I did a quick scan all around, and there the bird was, sitting a atop one of a pair of the smallest tombstones in view over toward Locust Ave, 25 paces away. I was first struck by the warm color (for a GCTH) with a closer view, but only gradually began to hear the BITH character of the soft singing as I followed the bird around. Some of the songs I heard seemed not to have the ending upturn. But the recordings seem convincing to me for BITH.
This was my second confident Bicknell’s for Massachusetts, the first being a bird I found in Mt Auburn on May 25, 2008, just southeast of the tower. That bird sang and sang on that sunny day from dense foliage in a small tree and was heard by many, seen by just a few (not by me), photographed by Paul Cozza, but unfortunately not audio-recorded.
Date: 5/29/18 10:28 am From: Maurice Gilmore <petegilmore79...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Fwd: Trumpeter
---------- Forwarded message --------- From: Maurice Gilmore <petegilmore79...> Date: Tue, May 29, 2018 at 10:05 AM Subject: Trumpeter To: Massbird <Massbird...>
Still at the red barn on Brookfield Road in Charlton
Date: 5/29/18 9:59 am From: Eduardo del Solar <delsolar...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Re: Piping plover, Southie
Went for my swim at the L Street bath house and saw the Audubon folks were here and fenced the area. Good news, there is one egg already!! Bad news is the Plover laid the egg in nest outside the very large enclosure. Called the Audubon folks and gave them the good/bad news. Now, if only the rats don't get the eggs.
Sent from my BLU smartphone deviceOn May 26, 2018 12:11 PM, Eduardo del Solar <delsolar...> wrote: > > Just as I was about to go for my swim at the L Street bath house in South Boston, a piping plover was frantically calling me to step away from nest he is building to attract females. This would be a first as far as I know to have piping plover nesting here. Will update if activity continues. > > Eduardo del Solar > <Delsolar...> > Boston, ma > > Sent from my BLU smartphone device
Seals heard vocalizing. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Melissa Lowe (<mlowe...>) Pilgrim Heights information may be found at: http://massaudubon.org/wellfleetbay-hawkwatch
Site Description: The Pilgrim Heights Hawk Watch is located in the town of North Truro, MA on Cape Cod, approximately 100 miles southeast of Boston. The site is located within the Cape Cod National Seashore and is the only formal site located on Cape Cod. The site (elevation 50ft), is at the second or northernmost overlook along an interpretive trail that runs through the area. The trail is accessed only by foot but is open to the public. Currently the site is used, with permission from the Cape Cod National Seashore, for the spring migration, a 6-8 week period within the months of March through June. Historically, the heaviest flights have occurred during the last week of April and first week of May. At least 8 species are recorded as regular migrants at the site. There is a large migratory movement of non-raptor species including seabirds, gulls, ducks and passerines to name a few. The site is also known for observing butterfly and dragonfly migrants. Whale sightings off-shore are also common during these months. Muskrat, otter and white-tailed deer are common residents.
Directions to site: Pilgrim Heights is located within the Cape Cod National Seashore in North Truro on the east side of Route 6, just north of the Truro and Provincetown town line. Park in the first parking lot and take the Small's Swamp Trail to the second overlook. It is an easy walk down the trail, approximately one-half mile from parking lot.
Date: 5/29/18 5:50 am From: Floyd, Chris <chrisf...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] RE: Very Likely Bicknell's Thrush at Mt. Auburn, 5/28/18
I've updated my eBird report again with extensive notes for both photos and audios. I am now more confident that identification as Bicknell's is correct, although I am eager for any feedback that would enlighten me on observations that I may be misinterpreting to this conclusion. I still have some wing formula lookup to do in Pyle but I am away from home.
By the way, I only hear the audio songs easily, even on my volume-maxed recordings, with my high-frequency-boosted hearing aids in.
I went to Mt Auburn yesterday, with very limited time, specifically to find a Gray-cheeked Thrush (and secondarily perhaps a Mourning Warbler), and I found this. The weather seemed ideal, since I've found them (GCTHs) so regularly over the years on rainy, drizzly days, singing atop small tombstones, which they seem to prefer.
It was the first bird I heard, singing, when I got my hearing aids in, after parking in my regular spot on Beech Ave near the Dell. I did a quick scan all around, and there the bird was, sitting a atop one of a pair of the smallest tombstones in view over toward Locust Ave, 25 paces away. I was first struck by the warm color (for a GCTH) with a closer view, but only gradually began to hear the BITH character of the soft singing as I followed the bird around. Some of the songs I heard seemed not to have the ending upturn. But the recordings seem convincing to me for BITH.
This was my second confident Bicknell's for Massachusetts, the first being a bird I found in Mt Auburn on May 25, 2008, just southeast of the tower. That bird sang and sang on that sunny day from dense foliage in a small tree and was heard by many, seen by just a few (not by me), photographed by Paul Cozza, but unfortunately not audio-recorded.
Chris Floyd
Lexington
<chrisf...>
From: Floyd, Chris
Sent: Monday, May 28, 2018 4:11 PM
To: 'Massbird' <massbird...>
Subject: RE: Very Likely Bicknell's Thrush at Mt. Auburn, 5/28/18
Corrected audios posted
From: Floyd, Chris
Sent: Monday, May 28, 2018 3:58 PM
To: Massbird <massbird...><mailto:<massbird...>> Subject: Very Likely Bicknell's Thrush at Mt. Auburn, 5/28/18
Date: 5/29/18 4:54 am From: sean riley <newburyowls...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] King Rail -Belle Isle Marsh
King Rail calling from the small pool inside the main park right hand side of path. I can hear it calling as a type this . Calling 6:00am to present (7:30)
bird continues next to barn this morning. Orlando’s Farm in Charlton.
--
Justin Lawson
ATU Local 22
The Funding For Public Transit Committee
774-249-5684
Twitter/Facebook: @FundMassRTAs
Date: 5/29/18 3:28 am From: Barbara Volkle <barb620...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] an amazing day...
Thanks to Ian Davies for sharing this amazing report.
Barbara Volkle Northborough, MA <barb620...>
*
Ian Davies from facebook:
Today was the greatest birding day of my life.
I was fortunate to spend more than 9 hours watching a river of warblers pour past Tadoussac, Quebec. By the time the flight finally died down, we estimated that more than 721,000 individual warblers had flown past. This Bay-breasted is one of an estimated 144,324 Bay-breasted Warblers today. Words cannot capture today's experience.
Date: 5/28/18 9:50 pm From: Jim Berry <jim.berry3...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Fwd: eBird Report - Bald Hill Reservation--Crooked Pond, May 28, 2018
Bald Hill Reservation--Crooked Pond, Boxford
May 28, 2018 9:00 AM - 11:15 AM Protocol: Traveling 0.75 mile(s) Comments: I birded the Crooked Pond area with Miles Brengle, Linda Ireland, and Phil Brown. Highlight was hearing 2 yellow-billed cuckoos, among other birds. 38 species
Wood Duck 1 Hooded Merganser 1 Female was prob. nesting at back of pond, though we did not see her enter or exit a cavity. She did, however, leave some trees and settle nearby on pond, quacking with crest raised. Great Blue Heron 3 Turkey Vulture 1 Mourning Dove 5 Yellow-billed Cuckoo 2 both heard giving the full kowp-kowp calls Red-bellied Woodpecker 1 Hairy Woodpecker 1 Pileated Woodpecker 3 2 near parking lot, 1 at back of pond Eastern Wood-Pewee 4 Eastern Phoebe 1 Great Crested Flycatcher 5 Eastern Kingbird 2 Yellow-throated Vireo 3 Blue-headed Vireo 5 Red-eyed Vireo 4 Tree Swallow 2 Black-capped Chickadee 2 Tufted Titmouse 5 Brown Creeper 2 Winter Wren 1 singing behind the pond Veery 1 First one I've heard singing this year. Gray Catbird 2 Ovenbird 6 Louisiana Waterthrush 1 singing at first crossing; gave us a nice view Common Yellowthroat 3 Magnolia Warbler 1 Yellow Warbler 2 Pine Warbler 3 Black-throated Green Warbler 1 Chipping Sparrow 2 Song Sparrow 1 Scarlet Tanager 3 Northern Cardinal 1 Rose-breasted Grosbeak 3 Baltimore Oriole 1 Red-winged Blackbird 8 American Goldfinch 2
Date: 5/28/18 4:48 pm From: Andrea Bean <abean60...> Subject: Re: [MASSBIRD] Breeders - a 1 acre success story
Congratulations! Your little space sounds like heaven!
On Mon, May 28, 2018 at 7:09 PM, mike sylvia <mikesylvia87...> wrote:
> Just wanted to share a bit of pride and enthusiasm for what can be > achieved in a small space. > > I have been sculpting my small yard in Lakeville over the last ten years > to allow for nature. > > Stone and wood piles, unmowed sections or poverty grass and other native > "weed species", open to moderate height shrubs surrounded by tall trees. > > A good sized patch of sumac > > A large dead maple that has been had all of the top branched removed. > > > 3 nest boxes on poles and the dead tree excavated by woodpeckers over the > years > > > This year the three boxes have bluebirds, tree swallows, and titmice > > The dead tree has hairy woodpecker, house sparrow (oh well), and a pair of > great crested flycatchers moved in this weekend > > Gray catbirds, downy woodpeckers, ruby-throated hummers, chipping > sparrows, and house wrens also nesting. > > > the Baltimore checkerspots have a large population again and both > black-tailed and tiger swallow tailed butterflies about > > garter snakes are also doing well > > > Proud care taker > > > Mike Sylvia > > Lakeville > > > > >
About 3 hours ago, Chuck Johnson posted a (distant) photo of a Sedge Wren to Western Mass Birders, taken in Williamstown. No more specific location has been shared; Chuck mentioned that the bird was “actively nest-building,” so the potential for disturbance would be fairly high if the bird’s location were widely publicized.
A couple of hours before that, a photo of an adult male Western Tanager from Nantucket, taken April 30, was posted to the MA RBA FaceBook group. Skyler Kardell posted it, saying that the photo was taken by Soo Woodley, and just sent to him yesterday. Skyler notes that this is the first-ever spring record for the island (eBird does show a few spring records for the Cape and Vineyard).
I spent most of Sunday doing things with my kids, with not enough time left over outside of those activities to drive to Turners and back. I did get one consolation prize. I took a walk in the Wentworth Farm Conservation Area yesterday evening. As my time was running out and I had to head home, I had seen a nice variety of species, but all customary breeding residents for the area. Until I was about halfway back to the car, and then an Olive-sided Flycatcher appeared atop a snag. Second-best bird of the walk was a Yellow-billed Cuckoo doing its “rain crow” thing in a bit of cool drizzle.
No real birding time today, but did look out the window at the right moment to spot not one, but two Wood Thrushes that perched on my brush pile. One of them proceeded to hop on the ground under my feeders, coming within maybe 5 or 6 feet of our house, and devour a bunch of suet and mealworm crumbs dropped by birds up on the feeders. I hear them singing and calling in our backyard fairly often, but rarely get an actual look at them even out in the woods, and have never seen one approach a house so closely...
Mourning Warbler continues at the Reading Town Forest in the same location that Dave Williams noted yesterday. Dave’s note with location detail is pasted below. There is at least one Wood Thrush in the same area, singing frequently. The Mourning Warbler sang at 12:22pm for less than ten minutes and then went silent or moved away. Other passing birders mentioned it was not singing, nor seen, this morning.
Best,
Chris Martone
Lynnfield
Dave’s note:
The highlight of the walk in the Reading Town Forest was a male Mourning warbler. While we were watching two Wood thrushes ahead of us on the dirt road, a Mourning warbler sang just to our right. It popped up onto a bush and stayed there for a good 10 seconds providing us with stunning looks at this bird. It then dropped down into the understory and we observed it off and on moving about on both side of the road for almost 10 minutes. It never sang again, but did give its " pwich" call several times. We returned to the same spot at the end of the walk, and sure enough, saw the bird again.
A full eBird list of the walk can be found here: https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S46061690
Dave Williams
Reading, MA
BirdReadingMA project
If you want to try for the Mourning warbler, here are the directions. Park on Grove St., Reading, at the entrance to Strout Ave. No vehicles are allowed on Strout Ave. Walk to the end of Strout Ave. and pass through the gate. Walk all the way across the big, grass field and onto the dirt road. Follow this road for 50 yards and two roads will come in from the right to join this road you are on. Start looking/listening for the Mourning warbler where the second of these two roads merges with the main road you are on. It was seen on both sides of the road.
Date: 5/28/18 11:19 am From: Carolyn Longworth <bvm1290...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Rails at Fairhaven
Dear Massbirders,
This morning there were the usual Clapper Rails at Egypt Lane in Fairhaven. One kekking constantly on the sea side and the other on the fenced side doing a few half-hearted keks. Then an orange one, that we thought was a King Rail showed up on the fenced side and for the next few hours cavorted in a friendly manner with the Clapper.
I eBirded the bird as a King, but looking at the photos, the bird seems only the same size as the Clapper and its face has some gray. Last year there was a definite King with clear orange throat and was bigger than the Clappers.
Afer disappearing this morning the bird is back at Orlando’s Farm (ebird
hotspot, please use instead of a personal location) in Charlton.
--
Justin Lawson
ATU Local 22
The Funding For Public Transit Committee
774-249-5684
Twitter/Facebook: @FundMassRTAs
Joe Bourget went to Orlando’s Farm this morning and reports NO Trumpeter
Swan.
--
Justin Lawson
ATU Local 22
The Funding For Public Transit Committee
774-249-5684
Twitter/Facebook: @FundMassRTAs
Also suggest that they join a local bird club. The South Shore Bird Club
has been an enormous resource for learning through weekly bird walks for me.
On Sun, May 27, 2018 at 4:49 PM, David Gibson <20cabot...> wrote:
> Hi Jonathan, Your friend might be interested in my new blog. I'm making, I
> think, a solid case for bird watching. Best, Dave
> http://www.elizabethriver.org/wildlife-reports >
> On Sun, May 27, 2018 at 2:46 PM, Jonathan Jones <brewbird...> wrote:
>
>> Hi folks,
>>
>> A friend of a friend is looking to get into bird watching, and doesn’t
>> quite know how to get started. I had the benefit of a fantastic teacher,
>> but what resources are available for someone who will need to be somewhat
>> self taught.
>>
>> Thanks in advance!
>> Jonathan Jones
>> Wrentham
>>
>
>
It is still there. Also if you are headed there tomorrow i will check early in the morning and report to massbird as i only live 13 minutes away.
On Sun, May 27, 2018 at 5:12 PM bank1941 <bank1941...> wrote:
> > > M'bers, anymore positive reports of the Trumpter Swan? > > Joe > > > > Joe Paluzzi > Salem, MA. USA > > > Sent by my Verizon tablet > -- Justin Lawson ATU Local 22 The Funding For Public Transit Committee 774-249-5684 Twitter/Facebook: @FundMassRTAs
On Sun, May 27, 2018 at 2:46 PM, Jonathan Jones <brewbird...> wrote:
> Hi folks,
>
> A friend of a friend is looking to get into bird watching, and doesn’t
> quite know how to get started. I had the benefit of a fantastic teacher,
> but what resources are available for someone who will need to be somewhat
> self taught.
>
> Thanks in advance!
> Jonathan Jones
> Wrentham
>
Date: 5/27/18 1:12 pm From: Walt Webb <wwebb24...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Fw: eBird Report - Walpole Town Forest, Walpole, MA, May 26, 2018
----- Original Message ----- From: <ebird-checklist...> To: <wwebb24...> Sent: Sunday, May 27, 2018 1:25 PM Subject: eBird Report - Walpole Town Forest, Walpole, MA, May 26, 2018
> Walpole Town Forest, Walpole, MA, Norfolk, Massachusetts, US > May 26, 2018 9:34 AM - 11:34 AM > Protocol: Traveling > 1.75 mile(s) > Comments: Walked the Bay Circuit Trail in the Walpole Town Forest. A > highlight was hearing & later identifying the calls of a White-eyed Vireo. > See comments under the species. As before, I do not count birds unless > they number 2 or 3. Anything more, i use the dreaded "X"! Sky partly to > mostly cloudy. Temp upper 70s to about 80. > 19 species > > Mallard 11 Adult female with 10 ducklings. > Great Blue Heron 1 Flyover. > Mourning Dove 2 Heard only. > Red-bellied Woodpecker 2 Heard only. > Eastern Phoebe 1 > White-eyed Vireo 1 As we walked the Bay Circuit Trail in the forest, > we heard a loud distinctive call, repeated > several times, but one that we could not identify. The call was coming > from thickets between the trail and the Neponset River. We could not find > the bird. Later, when I checked vireo calls in a field guide, I recognized > the "chick-a-per-weeoo-chick" as the vocalization we heard. Online voice > recordings confirmed it. The habitat was a perfect match for this > vireo--"swampy streamside thickets and brushy area with tall trees" > (Petersen/Burrows). This spring the WEVI had not been reported in Norfolk > County and indeed, according to Breeding Bird Atlas 1 and 2, with a few > exceptions, the species is decreasing in much of MA. It is possible the > bird we heard is nesting. The map location flag is positioned at the very > approximate coordinates for the bird. > Blue Jay 2 > Black-capped Chickadee 2 Heard only. > Tufted Titmouse 1 Heard only. > White-breasted Nuthatch 2 > Wood Thrush 1 Heard only. > American Robin X > Gray Catbird X > Ovenbird X Heard only. > Yellow Warbler 1 Heard only. > Song Sparrow 1 > Northern Cardinal 2 Heard only. > Baltimore Oriole 1 Heard only. > Common Grackle X
Date: 5/27/18 11:55 am From: Jonathan Jones <brewbird...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Introduction to birding
Hi folks,
A friend of a friend is looking to get into bird watching, and doesn’t quite know how to get started. I had the benefit of a fantastic teacher, but what resources are available for someone who will need to be somewhat self taught.
Date: 5/27/18 8:43 am From: Eduardo del Solar <delsolar...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Re: Piping plover, Southie
Piping plover here again now, saw one but maybe two. :-)
Sent from my BLU smartphone deviceOn May 26, 2018 12:11 PM, Eduardo del Solar <delsolar...> wrote: > > Just as I was about to go for my swim at the L Street bath house in South Boston, a piping plover was frantically calling me to step away from nest he is building to attract females. This would be a first as far as I know to have piping plover nesting here. Will update if activity continues. > > Eduardo del Solar > <Delsolar...> > Boston, ma > > Sent from my BLU smartphone device
Date: 5/27/18 6:31 am From: Mark Fairbrother <bogelfin...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Turners Falls RED-NECKED PHALAROPE
As of 9:00 this morning there was a breeding-plumage Red-necked Phalarope at Barton Cove. It was staying quite close to the bank just upstream from the pull-out at the bottom of the hill at Unity Park.
Date: 5/27/18 6:31 am From: <dave.williams6...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Reading Town Forest - Mourning warbler
The highlight of the walk in the Reading Town Forest was a male Mourning warbler. While we were watching two Wood thrushes ahead of us on the dirt road, a Mourning warbler sang just to our right. It popped up onto a bush and stayed there for a good 10 seconds providing us with stunning looks at this bird. It then dropped down into the understory and we observed it off and on moving about on both side of the road for almost 10 minutes. It never sang again, but did give its " pwich" call several times. We returned to the same spot at the end of the walk, and sure enough, saw the bird again. A full eBird list of the walk can be found here: https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S46061690
Dave Williams Reading, MA BirdReadingMA project
If you want to try for the Mourning warbler, here are the directions. Park on Grove St., Reading, at the entrance to Strout Ave. No vehicles are allowed on Strout Ave. Walk to the end of Strout Ave. and pass through the gate. Walk all the way across the big, grass field and onto the dirt road. Follow this road for 50 yards and two roads will come in from the right to join this road you are on. Start looking/listening for the Mourning warbler where the second of these two roads merges with the main road you are on. It was seen on both sides of the road.
Karsten Hartel called at 7:30 am this morning to report that the immature TRUMPETER SWAN that was posted on eBird yesterday is still present in Charlton this morning at Orlando's Farm. The bird was in the pond by the rad barn, at the corner of Brookfield and Osgood Roads.
Steve Grinley Bird Watcher's Supply & Gift 194 Route 1 Route 1 Traffic Circle Newburyport, MA 01950 <Birdwsg...> 978-462-0775 www.birdwatcherssupplyandgift.com
Date: 5/26/18 2:38 pm From: Jim Berry <jim.berry3...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Fwd: eBird Report - Crane Beach, Ipswich, May 26, 2018
Crane Beach, Ipswich
May 26, 2018 8:10 AM - 11:30 AM Protocol: Traveling 2.0 mile(s) Comments: I walked a loop from the barns out Castle Hill and down the Cedar Point Trail to the NW end of the beach, then back along the beach to Steep Hill, where I completed the loop back to the barns, retracing my steps only at the end. The highlight was finding two orchard oriole nests! 51 species (+1 other taxon); partial list
Wild Turkey 1 He barely got out of my way. Double-crested Cormorant 9 Great Egret 8 Snowy Egret 4 Turkey Vulture 1 Osprey 1 Spotted Sandpiper 3 A pair may have been nesting at the foot of Steep Hill by the beach, but the nest would have been impossible to find in that thick vegetation. Willet (Eastern) 6 At least 2 pairs in the salt marsh and another on beach near the NW end. Herring Gull 1 The only gull I saw all morning! Unbelievable! Least Tern 4 Common Tern 11 Willow Flycatcher 2 Cedar Pt. Trail Eastern Phoebe 1 Great Crested Flycatcher 3 Eastern Kingbird 2 Bank Swallow 3 I saw about 26 newly excavated burrows along the beach, but almost no bank swallows. Strange. Barn Swallow 9 swallow sp. 15 way up high Eastern Bluebird 2 American Robin 7 Gray Catbird 12 Northern Mockingbird 2 European Starling 2 nesting in a hole in an ancient piling Cedar Waxwing 4 Black-and-white Warbler 1 Common Yellowthroat 11 American Redstart 2 Magnolia Warbler 1 Yellow Warbler 9 Blackpoll Warbler 2 Pine Warbler 1 Field Sparrow 2 Both singing in dunes along the Cedar Pt. Trail. Song Sparrow 14 Eastern Towhee 5 Scarlet Tanager 1 Northern Cardinal 5 Bobolink 1 Orchard Oriole 4 Two pairs, both building nests (or at least the females were). One male seen, the other just heard. The nest I could actually see was at 9 feet in a n. arrowwood along the CPT. The other was in thick deciduous leaves at the parking lot where I could not see it. Baltimore Oriole 7 Red-winged Blackbird 17 Brown-headed Cowbird 2 Common Grackle 14 American Goldfinch 9
Date: 5/26/18 9:19 am From: Eduardo del Solar <delsolar...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Piping plover, Southie
Just as I was about to go for my swim at the L Street bath house in South Boston, a piping plover was frantically calling me to step away from nest he is building to attract females. This would be a first as far as I know to have piping plover nesting here. Will update if activity continues.
Date: 5/25/18 8:15 pm From: Barbara Volkle <barb620...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] May 25, 2018 Mount Auburn Cemetery Cambridge MA. Migration winding down
Thanks to Matt Sabourin for this post.
Barbara Volkle Northborough, MA <barb620...>
*
From: "Matt S. " <accipiter22...> Date: Fri, 25 May 2018 19:57:09 -0400 Subject: May 25, 2018 Mount Auburn Cemetery Cambridge MA. Migration winding down
Greetings,
Headed out this morning to see if I could stir up a Mourning Warbler, a worm-eating, or a yellow-billed cuckoo that were seen recently at Mt. A. Struck out on all three, but still had a nice time. Migration is winding down; it feels a few days early to me. Plus I had hoped that maybe things would extend since the season got a late start. I suppose that is just getting greedy though, considering how plentiful the past two weeks were.
Every year I get a bit of birding 'inertia'; I forget that this season passes and assume that the birds will just keep coming, and then one day I have a trip where numbers are down about 80%. That was today, so I am a bit wistful. Still, what a fun trip; I got to see a hummingbird collecting webs, I assume for a nest, and tons of blackpoll warblers. The wood thrush continues to sing in the dell
I'll never forget this migration year, the Bay-Breasteds especially, my goodness. I still somehow don't have a decent picture of one. This spring marks 8 years of coming to Mount Auburn, I still have a few species I want to bag here; Worm-Eating, Blue-Winged (seriously, how have I missed that every year), YB Cuckoo, screech owl, and clay-colored sparrow among them.
Until next time,
Matt Sabourin Accipiter22 @ Gmail.com Brighton, MA
Date: 5/25/18 7:13 pm From: Sean Williams <seanbirder...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Kite watching
Hello all,
Today Blair Nikula and I watched for kites from Bearberry Hill in Truro. Within the first hour of our vigil, an adult Mississippi Kite flew past us, not very far away. The bird continued north to Provincetown, where Peter Trimble was able to pick it up. Photos and details here- https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S46023152
Similar winds will blow tomorrow, and so the kite potential remains high. For anyone interested in observing this individual or others, you might try scoping from the Province Lands Visitor Center in Provincetown, Pilgrim Heights, or even Bearberry Hill in Truro. Any time between 10 am through 4 pm can be good.
Good kiting, Sean
-- Sean M. Williams Westborough, Massachusetts <seanbirder...>
Date: 5/25/18 5:46 pm From: Ann Fisher <aef0625...> Subject: Re: [MASSBIRD] Lost duckling
Ideally, the mother should be close by. It's important to determine if she's definitely there or not because the ducking will fare better with her. If there's really no sign of her, contact a wildlife rehabilitator for further options. You can locate one closest to you by using the following link. Good luck! https://www.mass.gov/service-details/find-a-wildlife-rehabilitator Ann
-------------------------------------------- On Fri, 5/25/18, Jonathan Jones <brewbird...> wrote:
Subject: [MASSBIRD] Lost duckling To: "MassBird" <massbird...> Date: Friday, May 25, 2018, 7:08 PM
I saw a lone duckling running along a curb on route 115 in Norfolk near Wrentham. Is there anything that can be done for it?
Date: 5/25/18 5:46 pm From: Jim Berry <jim.berry3...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Daniel Boone Park and Bill Forward WMA, May 25, 2018
Daniel Boone Park, Ipswich
May 25, 2018 6:18 AM - 7:15 AM Protocol: Traveling 0.6 mile(s) Comments: I birded this hilltop with Miles Brengle early this morning. The migrants have petered out, but we found a few. 34 species
Glossy Ibis 2 Chimney Swift 1 Ruby-throated Hummingbird 1 Red-bellied Woodpecker 1 Downy Woodpecker (Eastern) 1 Hairy Woodpecker (Eastern) 1 Eastern Wood-Pewee 1 Great Crested Flycatcher 2 Eastern Kingbird 2 Red-eyed Vireo 2 Blue Jay 7 American Crow 4 Black-capped Chickadee 6 Tufted Titmouse 2 Eastern Bluebird 2 Swainson's Thrush (Olive-backed) 1 American Robin 7 Gray Catbird 8 Cedar Waxwing 35 Ovenbird 1 Common Yellowthroat 1 American Redstart 4 Blackpoll Warbler 4 Wilson's Warbler 1 Chipping Sparrow 1 Scarlet Tanager 1 Northern Cardinal 2 Rose-breasted Grosbeak 1 Baltimore Oriole 1 Red-winged Blackbird 2 Brown-headed Cowbird 4 Common Grackle (Bronzed) 2 House Finch 1 American Goldfinch 4
William Forward WMA, Newbury May 25, 2018 9:15 AM - 10:30 AM Protocol: Traveling 0.5 mile(s) Comments: I went to look for cliff swallows at the Rt. 1 bridge over the Parker River, and also to walk the trail into the WMA from the south side of the bridge. There were no cliff swallows to be seen. (I later saw a few at the Rt. 1 bridge over the Merrimack.) 23 species
Double-crested Cormorant 1 Glossy Ibis 40 Flew over and settled down on the west side of Rt. 1. Osprey 1 Willet 1 not seen Ruby-throated Hummingbird 1 Eastern Wood-Pewee 1 Great Crested Flycatcher 1 Warbling Vireo 1 Red-eyed Vireo 2 Blue Jay 1 Barn Swallow 10 5 or 6 pairs of barn swallows were nesting under the bridge, but not one of 'em had a buffy rump. Black-capped Chickadee 3 Tufted Titmouse 3 Gray Catbird 3 Common Yellowthroat 2 Song Sparrow 2 Eastern Towhee 3 Scarlet Tanager 1 Northern Cardinal 1 Rose-breasted Grosbeak 2 Baltimore Oriole 2 Red-winged Blackbird 12 American Goldfinch 1
View this checklist online athttps://ebird.org/view/checklist/S46017514
Date: 5/25/18 4:15 pm From: Glenn d'Entremont <gdentremont1...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] King Rails at Egypt Lane in Fairhaven
Not seeing any report, I heard what I believe were two KING RAILS at Egypt Lane in Fairhaven. The Clapper Rail was singing in the bay side marsh the whole time we were there (2:00 to 2:30ish).
On the fresh water/marsh side two birds almost simultaneously grunted; deep base sounding grunts with no "mechanical" sounding notes at the end, like Virginia. Playing the sounds (safely in my car) of both species I have no doubt they were King Rails.
These sounds were unsolicited and from the proximity of both sounds likely were stimulated by a chance encounter with each other (?).
Glenn
Glenn d'Entremont: <gdentremont1...> Stoughton, MA
Date: 5/25/18 1:05 pm From: Madeleine Linck <madeleine.linck...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Fwd: [mou-net] Multi-org Lawsuits Seek to Restore Federal Protections for Birds with MBTA
Of concern to all birders
Forwarded from a Minnesota bird list serve.
Madeleine Linck
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Gordon Andersson <gpandersson...>
Date: Fri, May 25, 2018, 1:39 PM
Subject: [mou-net] Multi-org Lawsuits Seek to Restore Federal Protections
for Birds with MBTA
To: <MOU-NET...>
Bird lovers and advocates
National Audubon Socy is joined by ABC/CBD/NRDC/DoW/NWF in a lawsuit to
continue protections from "incidental take" under the Migratory Bird Treaty
Act. The Dept of Interior issued a new legal opinion in December 2017 that
removes the application of this law to power lines, wind turbines,
communication towers, oil ponds, and even the effects of oil spills (e.g.
BP Deep Horizon). 2018 is the 100 year anniversary of the MBTA. Since
1918, it has been the most important regulation for protecting birds from
deliberate harm and killing, and from death from encounters with the
industrial environment,
PS This press msg is from Center for Bio Diversity (with link). I removed
the contact info from the reps of the different conservation orgs, but I
left their descriptions at the bottom.
G Andersson
St Paul
member MOU Conservation Comte
------------------------------------------
Subject: Press Release: Lawsuits Seek to Restore Federal Protections for
Migratory Birds
Steve Holmer, American Bird Conservancy
Noah Greenwald, Center for Biological Diversity,
Gwen Dobbs, Defenders of Wildlife,
Jim Murphy, National Wildlife Federation,
Lisa Hardaway, National Audubon Society,
Josh Mogerman, Natural Resources Defense Council,
Lawsuits Seek to Restore Federal Protections for Migratory Birds
WASHINGTON— A coalition of national environmental groups today filed
litigation in the Southern District of New York challenging the Trump
administration’s move to eliminate longstanding protections for waterfowl,
raptors and songbirds under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA).
Groups filing the litigation — National Audubon Society v. Department of
the Interior —included the American Bird Conservancy, Center for Biological
Diversity, Defenders of Wildlife, National Audubon Society, National
Wildlife Federation and the Natural Resources Defense Council.
The Act's prohibition on the killing or “taking” of migratory birds has
long been understood to extend to incidental take from industrial
activities — meaning unintentional but predictable and avoidable killing.
Under the Trump administration’s revised interpretation, the MBTA’s
protections will apply only to activities that purposefully kill birds. Any
“incidental” take — no matter how inevitable or devastating the impact on
birds — is now immune from enforcement under the law.
The risk of liability under the MBTA has long provided the oil and gas
industry, wind energy development companies and power transmission line
operators with an incentive to work with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
to minimize bird deaths.
For example, in an effort to protect migratory birds and bats and avoid
potential MBTA liability, the wind industry, conservation groups, and the
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service worked to develop comprehensive guidelines
aimed to ensure best practices for siting and developing wind farms.
The Trump administration’s new policy eliminates this incentive for
industries and individuals to minimize and mitigate foreseeable impacts of
their activities on migratory birds, putting already-declining populations
of our nation’s songbirds and other migratory birds at risk.
The MBTA also protects birds from fossil fuel development. Oil pits kill
hundreds of thousands of birds — if incidental take liability is
eliminated, industry need no longer take measures to protect birds from
these hazards. In addition, when the 2010 BP Deepwater Horizon disaster
spilled more than 210 million gallons of oil in the Gulf of Mexico more
than 1 million birds were killed in the four years following the blowout.
BP paid $100 million in fines under the MBTA that supported wetland and
migratory bird conservation. The new interpretation would bar the federal
government from seeking such mitigation under the MBTA for devastating oil
spills in the future.
The American Bird Conservancy, Center for Biological Diversity, Defenders
of Wildlife and National Audubon Society are being represented in the
litigation by the public-interest law firm of Meyer Glitzenstein & Eubanks
LLP.
“The new policy makes it much harder to protect birds from major bird traps
— threats like oil pits, wind turbines and communication towers in bird
migration hotspots,” said Mike Parr, President of American Bird
Conservancy. “Leaving these threats unattended is like leaving manhole
covers off along the sidewalk during rush hour — it’s negligent,
irresponsible and guaranteed to cause harm.”
“The Trump administration's rollback of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act is an
absolute disaster for America's birds,” said Noah Greenwald, endangered
species director at the Center for Biological Diversity. “Many bird species
are already declining from habitat destruction and a host of other threats.
This rule will allow the death of even more birds, whether they're landing
on polluted ponds left uncovered by the oil and gas industry or have their
nest trees cut down from underneath them. It's tragic.”
“For 100 years, the United States has committed with other nations to
protect migratory birds through international treaties and laws. The Trump
administration’s meddling with the Migratory Bird Treaty Act threatens to
reverse decades of progress to conserve birds that are essential to
ecosystems, economies and our enjoyment of nature. On the centennial of
this important law, we will do everything we can to protect migratory birds
that are defenseless against the reckless actions taken by this
administration,” said Jamie Rappaport Clark, CEO and President of Defenders
of Wildlife.
“One of the first conservation laws, the MBTA sparked 100 years of
conservation leadership in this country,” said Sarah Greenberger, senior
vice president of conservation policy for the National Audubon Society. “It
defies all facts for the Department of the Interior to suggest that this
law is somehow broken when we have a century of evidence that says
otherwise.”
“We cannot let Secretary Zinke add one of the oldest and most important
laws for birds to his list of anti-environmental giveaways, especially when
birds are in critical need of protection. Drastically slashing the reach of
the MBTA and removing accountability for preventable bird deaths is
unacceptable,” said Katie Umekubo, Natural Resources Defense Council,
senior attorney, nature program.
American Bird Conservancy is dedicated to conserving birds and their
habitats throughout the Americas. With an emphasis on achieving results and
working in partnership, we take on the greatest problems facing birds
today, innovating and building on rapid advancements in science to halt
extinctions, protect habitats, eliminate threats and build capacity for
bird conservation.
Defenders of Wildlife is dedicated to the protection of all native animals
and plants in their natural communities. With over 1.8 million members and
activists, Defenders of Wildlife is a leading advocate for innovative
solutions to safeguard our wildlife heritage for generations to come. For
more information, visit Newsroom.Defenders.org and follow us on Twitter
@DefendersNews.
The Center for Biological Diversity is a national, nonprofit conservation
organization with more than 1.6 million members and online activists
dedicated to the protection of endangered species and wild places.
Biologicaldiversity.org
The National Audubon Society protects birds and the places they need, today
and tomorrow. Audubon works throughout the Americas using, science,
advocacy, education and on-the-ground conservation. State programs, nature
centers, chapters, and partners give Audubon an unparalleled wingspan that
reaches millions of people each year to inform, inspire, and unite diverse
communities in conservation action. A nonprofit conservation organization
since 1905, Audubon believes in a world in which people and wildlife
thrive. Learn more how to help at www.audubon.org<http://www.audubon.org> and follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @audubonsociety.
The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) is an international nonprofit
environmental organization with more than 3 million members and online
activists. Since 1970, our lawyers, scientists, and other environmental
specialists have worked to protect the world's natural resources, public
health, and the environment. Visit us at www.nrdc.org<http://www.nrdc.org> and follow us on Twitter @NRDC.
Date: 5/25/18 12:19 pm From: David Scott <dscott0313...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Slow morning at Mt A, BBC trip 5/25
Fairly quiet this morning in Mt Auburn, and we didn't manage to track down any of the recent rarities. Still great to be there. Our best bird was perhaps a Wood Thrush singing out in the open in the Dell.
We covered a lot of ground, but heard very little song, and worked hard to get a look at anything that wasn't breeding in the cemetery. One each of Redstart, Magnolia, Black-throated Green and Blackpoll Warblers. Lots of swifts.
That was the last BBC trip at Mt A for the season, but there should still be a few migrants filtering through over the next few days.
The story about Neil Hayward in the Globe's life science website STATnews just published, and features one of the BBC trips from Mt Auburn a few weeks ago. The angle was really about scientists who've changed direction in their careers, but it does a decent job of capturing the joys of a spring morning during migration.
Date: 5/25/18 11:49 am From: Gary Freedman <gmf7162...> Subject: RE: [MASSBIRD] Yellow-billed Cuckoos in Norfolk
Photographed a Black-billed Cuckoo yesterday AM at Stony Brook Audubon (in Norfolk). It posed for one and only one photo; my first of BBCU. Also seen: Baltimore Orioles Towhee Yellow Warbler Goldfinch Kingfisher Mute Swans with cygnets Cedar Waxwings Wood Ducks And our more common friends.
Heard Yellow-billed yesterday afternoon on Tuttle Lane in Stow by the community gardens. Couldn’t see it though.
Good birding!
Gary Freedman Stow, MA
-----Original Message----- From: <massbird-approval...> [mailto:<massbird-approval...>] On Behalf Of Paul Peterson Sent: Thursday, May 24, 2018 7:05 PM To: Massbird MASSBIRD; Boston Birds Subject: [MASSBIRD] Yellow-billed Cuckoos in Norfolk
Hi, On my way to the Norfolk Airport to look for grassland birds, I heard and then saw two Yellow-billed Cuckoos. They initially were in a tree in front of #7 Miller Rd. near Myrtle St. As I moved further down Miller St., so did the cuckoos. I last heard/saw them near the entrance to the airport. (a bit before Leland St.)
MILLER RD. (MYRTLE TO LELAND ST.): Graylag Goose 1 farm pond Chinese Swan Goose 1 quite obstreperous aggressive; farm pond; huge knob on bill YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO 2 Great Crested Flycatcher 1 Tree Swallow x Barn Swallow x Northern Rough-winged Swallow 1 Brown Thrasher 1 Ovenbird 1 Yellow Warbler 6+ Swamp Sparrow 2 Orchard Oriole 1
Date: 5/25/18 10:11 am From: William Crawford <crawfordwm...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Osprey on "Nest" - Saugus/Revere - Route 107
Osprey on "Nest" - Saugus/Revere - Route 107
A few years ago, the electric power company put an "artificial nest" at the very top of a power line pole - safely, well above the electric wires. This year, Osprey have nested here, with lots of twigs/branches, in the large metal/plastic "dish" on the pole at the southbound side, that's adjacent to the Pines River (Saugus/Revere line). That pole is ~1.3 mi. south of the Saugus River drawbridge on the Lynn/Saugus line. Adult now on the nest - apparently, no young yet.
BE CAREFUL here. Traffic moves fast (60+ mph), on what's locally called "the Marsh Road." Also, the shoulders on the road (both s-bound and n-bound) are very narrow. BE CAREFUL!
Date: 5/25/18 8:45 am From: Eduardo del Solar <delsolar...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Boston birds, images part II
While the Black-throated blue warblers, Ovenbird and kinglets have moved on, the Black and White and Magnolia warblers stayed in my backyard, the Jones Hill area in Dorchester. The change of winds after the last storm brought a wave of new warblers including Wilson warbler, many American Redstarts and a Black-throated green warbler. Lucky for me, the leaves in my backyard did not bloom till late, providing nice photo opportunities to catch them. Link to images is below.
http://delsolar.org/webs/birds/warblers18b/index.html
Date: 5/25/18 8:42 am From: Peter Trull <petrull...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Northern Ravens on nest.
Massbirders, I was sure that finding a pair of Northern Ravens on the nest would be difficult. It wasn’t. Busy street, people all around, in Harwich. A busy pair, to and from the nest, observed one bird sitting on the nest this morning.
Peter Trull
Brewster
<petrull...>
Date: 5/24/18 10:17 pm From: Josh <opihi...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Night and day cuckoos and other Valley birds
Hi MassBirders,
An unusual set of circumstances gave me some free time after dark Wednesday night, so I tried for some night birds. It was pretty much a bust. I walked the Norwottuck Rail Trail from Station Road in Amherst, which goes through some nice marshes and woods and near some fields; I thought I was bound to hear a few things. As it turned out, I walked for over an hour, more than a mile, to the bridge over Hop Brook, without hearing a single bird of any species. After I turned around to head back to the car around 10:30, a few Woodcock finally started peent-ing, saving the walk from being totally birdless. There was a very impressive frog chorus, at least 5 species, plus several bats and the first fireflies I’ve seen this year, so it was a lively walk. Just not a birdy one.
Monday night - actually Tuesday morning, it was after midnight - was a bit more of the usual circumstances, where my only chance for night birds was by standing outside our home in east Amherst and listening for a few minutes. Did not hear any night birds then either, but did hear the call of a Yellow-billed Cuckoo! Not at all what I expected at half past midnight, especially given that I haven’t seen nor heard the species during the day in the neighborhood, or anywhere else, since last fall…..
About 11 hours later, I heard a cuckoo in much more expected conditions, as a Black-billed was calling from some woods along Stadium Drive near the edge of the UMass campus. Thursday morning I heard another Black-billed calling, this one from West Mineral Road at the far eastern end of the Turners Falls Airport.
On Tuesday, just a short time before hearing the UMass cuckoo, I came across a Lincoln’s Sparrow along Mill River Lane in Hadley. Two Green Herons were along the marshier section of Stadium Drive.
Back on Sunday, had a nice wave of Common Nighthawks pass over. I stepped outside to our driveway around 7 PM to get in the car, just in time to see at least six of them skimming overhead, some just barely above the treetops. The few others of their species that I’d seen this spring had all been much higher up.
Time to go to sleep. But maybe on the way I’ll stand on the front porch for a few minutes and see if that cuckoo calls again….
Date: 5/24/18 6:29 pm From: Paul Peterson <petersonpaul63...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Fw: [BostonBirds] Franklin Park Highlights, etc.
----- Forwarded Message ----- From: 'Paul Peterson' via Boston Birds <bostonbirds...>To: Massbird MASSBIRD <massbird...>; Boston Birds <bostonbirds...>Sent: Monday, May 21, 2018, 6:32:42 PM ESTSubject: [BostonBirds] Franklin Park Highlights, etc.
Hi,
I birded this very large place from 9:00-3:45. I covered a great deal of it. Nice to have both a male Bay-breasted Warbler and a female.
Turkey Vulture 1
Great Crested Flycatcher 2
Eastern Phoebe 2 nesting pair
Eastern Wood-Pewee 1
Eastern Kingbird 1
Red-eyed Vireo 3+
House Wren 2
Swainson's Thrush 6
Veery 1
Cedar Waxwing 10 or 20 or?
WARBLERS:
Cape May 1 Jewish Veterans Dr. east of Elicott Arch in big oak
Bay-breasted 2 male and female
Blackburnian 2
Canada 1 Sigouney Rd. entrance
Tennessee 1
Nashville 1
Black-throated Green 8
Black and White 8
Magnolia 10
Northern Parula 10
American Redstart 20
Ovenbird 1
Pine 1
Yellow 2
Comon Yellowthroat 1
Yellow-rumped 6
Chestnut-sided 1
Blackpoll 2
Scarlet Tanager 2
Rose-breasted Grosbeak 1
FLORA:
Jack-in-the-Pulpit
Wild Geranium
Solomon's Seal
Paul Peterson
<petersonpaul63...>
Boston
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Date: 5/24/18 6:21 pm From: DOUGLAS E CHICKERING <dovekie...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] The Migration to Remember
Massbirders:
There wasn’t anything like a major fall of birds this May. There was a persistent east wind and the days were cool and often cloudy. Yet contrary to what a reasonable experienced birder might expect the birding was good, all month. That is all month so far. There were times when the birding was more than good but redolent of the memories; sometimes charged and inaccurate, of migrations past. I suspect that some of the interludes of this migration were not unique, but because they seemed so it is a good sign that they were spectacular. I don’t know which of these will remain prominent in my memories but right now several images stand out. All Warblers.
That cool and somewhat overcast morning up at the point in the oak hill Cemetery. The trees were as filled with birds as I had seen in years, in decades. The bird song was so dense that it was difficult to distinguish the individual songs. Only the Tennessee Warblers song stood out loud and clear. The trees seemed to be alive with the activity of foraging Warblers. So many that the four of us had to give up trying to point out particular birds that we managed to get into our view. There were the expected Warblers and the treasured surprises such as Bay-breasted, Tennessee, and Cape May. And more than one of each.
The Prothonotary Warbler in the decaying tree at the Crosswalk at hellcat, on Plum island, staying low and foraging a few feet away, at waist level. He seemed impervious to the chorus of camera clicks, that he invoked every time he came into view. To me the back seemed a little darker than I expected, but this only served to accentuate the shining blaze of yellow in the head and breast. And he just stayed there, completely oblivious to the awestruck audience.
In a similar fashion there was the Tennessee Warbler in the S Curves. He also stayed low and close to the side of the road and drew in birders for most of the morning as the word passed up and down the Island and the expectant birds kept streaming in. I had never seen a Tennessee warbler at knee level or so close. I never realized that their backs were a nice soft green.
There was a Chestnut-sided Warbler that lazily foraged in a low bush near the North Pool overlook and was briefly spooked by an Accipiter that glided by, flew across the road and then took up a perch in a sparse tree just below eye-level and stayed there, absolutely still. Perhaps he was reacting to the hawk but whatever was responsible, he just perched there in the sun giving the small gathering a treat of a view.
And then there were the Blackburnians and Bay-breasteds. What more can be said about the bright sparkling beauty of a Blackburnian, or the subtler, but no less beautiful Bay-breasted. This season what was remarkable was how many there were. They were found day after day and where ever there was a cluster of birds feeding in the Oaks or Pines, there usually was a Blackburnian and Bay-breasted tucked in there somewhere.
In general, the numbers were impressive. More Palm Warblers this year than I ever remember. The same with Least Flycatcher. I had four Prairie Warbler’s in the flitting and darting through the low brush on top of the middens on Plum. With one of them occasionally singing. And now the Warbler migrations are beginning to fade away. The trees at hellcat are slowly growing in. The understory is cutting of the view and we look for stirrings behind a tangle and in the leaf litter. It has been good birding. And there are still some days left.
Date: 5/24/18 1:07 pm From: Barbara Volkle <barb620...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Who wants to go Bird watching at Plum Island 4th August with me?
I hope one or more of you can take up the task!
Barbara Volkle Northborough, MA <barb620...>
*
From: Wladimir Tameling <wiltameling...> Date: Thu, 24 May 2018 21:48:18 +0200 Subject: Who wants to go Bird watching at Plum Island 4th August with me?
Dear Moderator,
I am from The Netherlands and would like to go bird watching during my visit on Saturday 4th August at Plum Island with somebody that knows the area. Could you please post my message below in the group? I would really appreciate that.
Best regards, Wladimir Tameling
---------------------------------- Dear birders,
Saturday 4th August 2018 I would like to go bird watching a full day, at Plum Island and other nice areas with somebody that knows the area. I will be staying in Boston for a plant biology conference, which ends 3rd August. It would be great if we could go birding together. Of course I will pay for the transportation, drinks and food. I am 43 years old and born and raised in the Netherlands. I enjoy bird watching very much. I am a medium level birder. When I travel for my job, I always try to see the birds in the country that I visit. In 2016 I have done bird watching for two days in Oregon. I hope you have time to go bird watching with me the 4th of August. Please let me know if you like it and have time. I can=E2=80=99t wait to see the birds in the area.
Date: 5/24/18 10:15 am From: Barbara Volkle <barb620...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Birdchat/Frontiers lists are down
For those of you who are subscribed or post or read these email lists, here's the update!
Barbara Volkle Northborough, MA <barb620...>
*
Thu, 24 May 2018 11:22:06 -0400
Hello, I'm trying to get the word out to members of lists in the KSU birding Listserv family. If you're a present or former contributor to one of the RBA lists, you will not be able to post any RBA compilations this week. If you're a subscriber to Birdchat, Frontiers, or any of the other lists in the family, you will not get any mail from the list until further notice.
The Kansas State University LISTSERV lists, including Birdchat, Birdeast, Birdcntr, Birdwest, Frontiers of Identification, and Birdband, will be down until further notice. Kansas State University's computing facility experienced an electrical fire late on 5/22/18. The servers themselves were not harmed but had to be brought down. Service will be restored as soon as possible but there is currently no time estimate.
Please feel free to re-post this to other state and regional bird forums. I~@~Yll let you know when the lists are back up or further information is available.
I had the Lawrence’s Warbler this morning around 7:10am on the west side of the road on Georgetown rd.
I managed to get one photo of the bird with my point and shoot camera where you can just see a bit of the black chin. Will be uploading that photo my eBird report.
101–115 Georgetown Rd, West Newbury US-MA (42.7764,-70.9876) May 24, 2018 7:11 AM Stationary 21 Minutes All birds reported? Yes Comments: Submitted from eBird for iOS, version 1.6.5 Build 36
2 Mourning Dove 1 Gray Catbird 2 Cedar Waxwing 1 Ovenbird -- Heard 1 Lawrence's Warbler (hybrid) -- Continuing bird. Yellow warbler with blue wings, wing bars, black thru eye and black chin singing blue-wing song. 1 Common Yellowthroat -- Heard 1 Chestnut-sided Warbler 3 Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Date: 5/24/18 5:30 am From: Suzanne Sullivan <swampy435...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Plum Island sand project
Hello Massbirders,
I just thought people in the Plum Island area or who love the island and
realize the importance of the off shore habitat to birds would be
interested this. The state is accepting sand dredged from 2 rivers ( one in
Maine and one in MA) off the coast of the northern tip of Plum Island to
“protect” the homes out there. The idea is to let the sand, which is surely
contaminated considering where it comes from, to settle on the beaches. The
disposal sites are clam and endangered species habitat. As we all know this
area of the mouth of the Merrimac is some of the best habitat for eiders (
the clam eaters) terns etc. This is disgraceful if you ask me and it has
flown under the radar. Not only will the sand will find its way into other
areas like the clam beds in the estuaries and in Ipswich sound etc. and
Sandy Point, where the last replenishment project ended up it will also has
the potential to contaminate clam beds and change the already changing
dynamic in this area. I wish there was someone out there that cared enough
to fight back, my plate is already too full right now so I can’t but they
still need local permits from the Conservation Commissions. So if there is
anyone out there that is a angry as I am I can do what I can to help.
--
Suzanne M. Sullivan
Wilmington, MA
<swampy435...>
"The self evident vision of who we are as a free and caring nation, and the
ideal to fulfill this destiny is stronger than the division of those who's
only vision is of themselves. “ SMB
Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 12:00:00 Total observation time: 4 hours
Official Counter: Donald Manchester
Observers:
Visitors: 5 visitors
Weather: Light to moderate northwest winds, partly cloudy skies cleared.
Raptor Observations: Seven of the eight ospreys seen today were traveling within minutes of each other. One single seen first, followed by two groups of three ospreys.
Non-raptor Observations: 1 belted kingfisher ======================================================================== Report submitted by Melissa Lowe (<mlowe...>) Pilgrim Heights information may be found at: http://massaudubon.org/wellfleetbay-hawkwatch
Site Description: The Pilgrim Heights Hawk Watch is located in the town of North Truro, MA on Cape Cod, approximately 100 miles southeast of Boston. The site is located within the Cape Cod National Seashore and is the only formal site located on Cape Cod. The site (elevation 50ft), is at the second or northernmost overlook along an interpretive trail that runs through the area. The trail is accessed only by foot but is open to the public. Currently the site is used, with permission from the Cape Cod National Seashore, for the spring migration, a 6-8 week period within the months of March through June. Historically, the heaviest flights have occurred during the last week of April and first week of May. At least 8 species are recorded as regular migrants at the site. There is a large migratory movement of non-raptor species including seabirds, gulls, ducks and passerines to name a few. The site is also known for observing butterfly and dragonfly migrants. Whale sightings off-shore are also common during these months. Muskrat, otter and white-tailed deer are common residents.
Directions to site: Pilgrim Heights is located within the Cape Cod National Seashore in North Truro on the east side of Route 6, just north of the Truro and Provincetown town line. Park in the first parking lot and take the Small's Swamp Trail to the second overlook. It is an easy walk down the trail, approximately one-half mile from parking lot.
Date: 5/23/18 7:15 pm From: Fred Bouchard <frederickbouchard...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] "Wildlife Photography" speaker Shawn Carey @ Friends of Hall's Pond Open Annual Meeting, Tuesday 6/5, 6-8pm
Friends of Hall’s Pond
welcome all to its
2018 Annual Meeting
Tuesday, June 5, 6 –7:30 pm
Wheelock College, Brookline Campus
With guest speaker
Shawn Carey, Migration Productions
“On Wildlife Photography”
Interest in birds and wildlife has seen a surge in popularity in recent
years thanks in large part to vast improvements in technology. Digital
cameras are better, easier to use, and more affordable than ever. But how
to choose the right one? Then once you have the camera, what’s next? Where
and when do you go? And how do you turn those great looks you’re getting
into memorable images that truly capture the moment?
For answers to these questions, join wildlife photographer and Mass Audubon
instructor Shawn Carey in a photography discussion on these topics,
equipment needed (camera, computer and software) and some 'tricks of the
trade'. Shawn's insider's look at several locations in Massachusetts and
beyond, his instructive, interesting stories, fascinating photos, and
give-and-take with the crowd should all provide for a lively gathering.
Close to Hall’s Pond, at Wheelock College Brookline Campus, 43 Hawes St.
One block south of Beacon St. at MBTA Green Line C trolley’s Hawes St. stop
Refreshments will be served!
For further information go to
friendsofhallspond.org,
migrationproductions.com,
write to <friendsofhallspond...>
or call 617-739-9228.
--
<frederickbouchard...>
78 farnham st
belmont 02478 ma
617-484-6692
www.fredbouchard.com
Date: 5/23/18 2:05 pm From: David Weaver <cygnus-dkw...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Plum Island (Parker River NWR) - 05-23-18
David Moon and I led today's Wednesday Morning Birding out of Joppa Flats Education Center on to Plum Island and the Parker River Refuge. The weather was beautiful -- skies partly cloudy with fair-weather clouds, temps in the 70s, and winds NW/5-10 mph switching to SE/10+ mph. The panne thickets were quiet, but Hellcat roadside to just north of Goodno crossing was very active -- we spent the major share of our morning there..
Our list: Mute Swan (5) - ads, main panne. Double-crested Cormorant (6) - 5, marsh w. boat ramp; 1, main panne. Great Egret (~5) Snowy Egret (4) Osprey (2) - nesting platform w. boat ramp. Cooper's Hawk (1) - high over lot #1 being harassed by Tree Swallows. Killdeer (2) - pannes. Willet - common. Herring Gull (2) Least Tern (3) - main panne. Common Tern (4) Rock Pigeon Morning Dove Peregrine Falcon (1) - seen from PI Bridge flying low down river toward Merrimack. [Willow Flycatcher (1) - Parker River Refuge HQ.] Least Flycatcher (1) - heard, Hellcat. Great Crested Flycatcher (1) - roadside, S-curves. Eastern Kingbird (3) - roadside, n. Goodno. Blue-headed Vireo (1) - heard & seen roadside, n. Goodno. Red-eyed Vireo (1) - heard, Goodno woods. Blue Jay (3) Purple Martin (~ 12) - lot #1. Tree Swallow - common. Black-capped Chickadee (2) - 1, pannes; 1, Hellcat. Veery (1) - seen in road, n. end S-curves. American Robin (1) Gray Catbird - common. Brown Thrasher (3) Cedar Waxwing (2) - Goodno flyover. Northern Waterthrush (1) - heard, Goodno. Black-and-white Warbler (3) - roadside, n. Goodno. Common Yellowthroat - common. American Redstart - common. Northern Parula (5) - roadside, Goodno. Magnolia Warbler (3) - roadside, Goodno. Bay-breasted Warbler (1) - roadside, n. Goodno. Yellow Warbler - common. Chestnut-sided Warbler (1) - roadside, Goodno. Blackpoll Warbler (1) - female; roadside, Goodno. Black-throated Green Warbler (1) - heard, Goodno. Canada Warbler (2) - 1 seen roadside, n. Goodno; 1 heard, Goodno woods. Eastern Towhee - common. Field Sparrow (1) - heard, n. S-curves. Savannah Sparrow (1) - atop granite town marker, North Field. Song Sparrow - common. Northern Cardinal (1) - Goodno. Bobolink (5) - North Field/The Warden's Field. Red-winged Blackbird - common. Common Grackle - common. Orchard Oriole (2) - pr. w/ nest, roadside, n. Goodno. Baltimore Oriole (3) - 1, Hellcat parking lot; pr. w/ nest, roadside, Goodno. Purple Finch (~ 5) - Hellcat/Goodno & Old Pines. American Goldfinch (2) House Sparrow
We will meet again next week back at Joppa Flats at 0930 for Wednesday Morning Birding. For more information about Joppa Flats programs, call David Moon or Dave Larson at 978-462-9998.
Please note that Wednesday Evening Birding is being conducted during the month of May. Meet at Joppa Flats Education Center at 5:30 for the 2-hour program.
Also be aware that during the month of May, "Friday Morning Bird Walks: Focus on Warblers," will go from 8:00 - 11:00. Preregistration not required. Meet at Joppa Flats Education Center.
I birded by bike (and mostly by ear) this morning around Fresh Pond and had a singing Alder Flycatcher at the little wet meadow near the Huron Ave pines.
Also: Empid Species (silent, behind Neville Manor) Blackpoll Warbler (5) Canada Warbler (Black's Nook) Magnolia W. All the Yellow Warblers and Warbling Vireos are in. Green Heron (Black's Nook) Redstart (many) House Wren Raven Orchard Oriole Pine Warbler (of course)
On Wed, May 23, 2018 at 11:47 Cappy Popp <cappy.popp...> wrote:
> Singing straight-up blue-winged warbler song. Singing consistently, > crossing between power lines on Georgetown Rd. In head-high brush to higher > trees. Feasting on caterpillars. So if you hear blue-winged song focus on > that to find it. >
Singing straight-up blue-winged warbler song. Singing consistently, crossing between power lines on Georgetown Rd. In head-high brush to higher trees. Feasting on caterpillars. So if you hear blue-winged song focus on that to find it.
Date: 5/23/18 8:02 am From: Steven Simpson <steveshrike...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Alder Flycatcher @ Fresh Pond Cambridge
I birded by bike (and mostly by ear) this morning around Fresh Pond and had a singing Alder Flycatcher at the little wet meadow near the Huron Ave pines.
Also: Empid Species (silent, behind Neville Manor) Blackpoll Warbler (5) Canada Warbler (Black's Nook) Magnolia W. All the Yellow Warblers and Warbling Vireos are in. Green Heron (Black's Nook) Redstart (many) House Wren Raven Orchard Oriole Pine Warbler (of course)
Date: 5/22/18 7:12 pm From: Matt S. <accipiter22...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] May 22, 2018 Harvard Stadium, Allston - Odd behavior from a Mockingbird, anyone ever seen this before?
Hi All,
I was running at Harvard's track today and saw some odd behavior by a mockingbird while attacking a starling. I've obviously seen them be aggressive before, but in this case the mockingbird pinned the starling down and spread its wings like a hawk over a kill. It looked like it was trying to tear at the starling while it had it pinned there. It would roll off, onto its back, wings still spread, and then right itself. The starling appeared stunned, and the mocker just stood next to it for a few moments before diving back on top, spreading its wings again, and continuing the attack. It looked like a hawk eating its prey. After repeating this a few times the starling actually got away and flew off.
I've seen mockers be pretty aggressive before, but this one actually looked like it was trying to eat the starling...has anyone ever seen this behavior before in them?
After finishing up a terrible tennis match in North Framingham (Edgell Road area) I was treated to at least two Common Nighthawks flying north toward Sudbury! Always a treat for me and helped me get over the agony of defeat very quickly! Also heard my first Eastern Wood Peewee earlier in the match.
Outdoor sports can be a challenge during migration season as I am easily distracted by bird song!
Today is the first day since i found it on saturday that i have not seen it. Just wanted to give anyone a headsup that were still looking to chase. -- Justin Lawson ATU Local 22 The Funding For Public Transit Committee 774-249-5684 Twitter/Facebook: @FundMassRTAs
Date: 5/22/18 11:57 am From: Sebastian Jones <sebastianojones...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Brookline Bird Club McLaughlin Woods Walk, 5/22
Hi Massbirders, A group of 19 of us birded McLaughlin Woods in Boston this morning and were treated to a nice mix of species (eBird checklist below). Highlights included an Alder Flycatcher, a group of five Bay-breasted Warblers, and an assortment of other warblers, flycatchers, and thrushes. Oddly, much like last week, I also had an Olive-sided Flycatcher pop up after the conclusion of the walk, so a good day for flycatchers all around.
PS- for those on this morning's walk who would like me to share the eBird checklist with you, send me a quick email and I'll take care of that.
---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: <ebird-checklist...> Date: Tue, May 22, 2018 at 2:36 PM Subject: eBird Report - McLaughlin Woods, May 22, 2018 To: <sebastianojones...>
McLaughlin Woods, Suffolk, Massachusetts, US May 22, 2018 7:59 AM - 9:52 AM Protocol: Traveling 1.08 mile(s) Comments: Brookline Bird Club walk. Overcast and around 70 f. Nice mix of species. 40 species
Mourning Dove 2 Chimney Swift 2 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1 Continuing. Seen and heard. Downy Woodpecker 1 Eastern Wood-Pewee 1 Alder Flycatcher 1 Heard and recorded giving f-bee-oo call. Great Crested Flycatcher 1 Red-eyed Vireo 3 Blue Jay 3 Black-capped Chickadee 1 House Wren 1 Carolina Wren 1 Veery 1 Swainson's Thrush 1 American Robin 6 Gray Catbird 3 Northern Mockingbird 2 European Starling 5 Cedar Waxwing 3 Ovenbird 1 Black-and-white Warbler 2 Common Yellowthroat 2 American Redstart 6 Northern Parula 2 Bay-breasted Warbler 5 Flock of 3 males, 2 females. Yellow Warbler 1 Chestnut-sided Warbler 1 Blackpoll Warbler 1 Black-throated Green Warbler 1 Canada Warbler 1 Chipping Sparrow 2 Song Sparrow 1 Scarlet Tanager 1 Northern Cardinal 2 Rose-breasted Grosbeak 1 Baltimore Oriole 2 Red-winged Blackbird 1 Common Grackle 4 House Finch 2 House Sparrow 12
John Hoye called the store at 9:20 am to report a WHITE-FACED IBIS with three glossy ibis in the Rowley pans along Route 1A just north of Pikul's (now Tendercrop) Farm.
Steve Grinley Bird Watcher's Supply & Gift 194 Route 1 Route 1 Traffic Circle Newburyport, MA 01950 <Birdwsg...> 978-462-0775 www.birdwatcherssupplyandgift.com
Date: 5/21/18 8:03 pm From: Susan Hedman <2winterwren...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Fwd: eBird Report - Halibut Point State Park Rockport, May 21, 2018
Halibut Point SP, Rockport Massachusetts, US May 21, 2018 7:25 AM - 10:35 AMProtocol: Traveling 2.0 mile(s) Comments: Spectacular nice weather warm, clear, sunny and lots of birds58degrees-70 52 species
Ring-necked Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) 1 Yellow-billed Cuckoo (Coccyzus americanus) 1 Black-billed Cuckoo (Coccyzus erythropthalmus) 1 Chimney Swift (Chaetura pelagica) 5 Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) 1 Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon) 1 Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus) 1 Downy Woodpecker (Picoides pubescens) 1 Hairy Woodpecker (Picoides villosus) 1 Eastern Wood-Pewee (Contopus virens) 1 Least Flycatcher (Empidonax minimus) 1 Great Crested Flycatcher (Myiarchus crinitus) 1 Blue-headed Vireo (Vireo solitarius) 3 Red-eyed Vireo (Vireo olivaceus) 1 Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata) 4 Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor) 4 Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) 4 Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) X Tufted Titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor) X House Wren (Troglodytes aedon) 1 Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus) 1 Swainson's Thrush (Catharus ustulatus) 2 Hermit Thrush (Catharus guttatus) 2 American Robin (Turdus migratorius) 6 Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis) 12 Brown Thrasher (Toxostoma rufum) 1 Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum) 14 Ovenbird (Seiurus aurocapilla) 7 Northern Waterthrush (Parkesia noveboracensis) 3 Black-and-white Warbler (Mniotilta varia) 5 Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas) 11 American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla) 12 Cape May Warbler (Setophaga tigrina) 1 Northern Parula (Setophaga americana) 10 Magnolia Warbler (Setophaga magnolia) 9 Yellow Warbler (Setophaga petechia) 8 Blackpoll Warbler (Setophaga striata) 1 Black-throated Blue Warbler (Setophaga caerulescens) 2 Palm Warbler (Setophaga palmarum) 1 On the ground on back 40 trail, warbler wagging tail seen briefly as another person scared it and it flew into bushes Black-throated Green Warbler (Setophaga virens) 5 Canada Warbler (Cardellina canadensis) 2 Wilson's Warbler (Cardellina pusilla) 4 White-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys) 3 Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia) 3 Eastern Towhee (Pipilo erythrophthalmus) 4 Scarlet Tanager (Piranga olivacea) 1 Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) 6 Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula) 6 Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) X Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula) X American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis) 2 House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) 4
Date: 5/21/18 6:13 pm From: Jonathan Center <jbcenter...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] BBC Trip Report - Oxbow NWR, May 20, 2018
A Brookline Bird Club walk on Sunday, May 20 to the Oxbow National Refuge in Harvard was enjoyable and successful with 41 bird species seen or heard. There was a Friends of Oxbow NWR bird walk scheduled on the same date and starting time as the BBC trip. Since no one showed up for the Friends trip (other than leader and his spouse) the two groups merged together for a total five people. The weather began as overcast and became partly sunny by the end of the morning. Other than the bird species that were observed also seen were a Fisher, several water snakes, and two good sized Blanding's Turtles. It was a very good morning of birding. See full trip report below.
Jonathan Center <jbcenter...> Chelmsford
Oxbow NWR (Worcester County), Worcester, Massachusetts, US May 20, 2018 7:00 AM - 11:45 AM Protocol: Traveling 3.9 mile(s) Comments: Brookline Bird Club walk led by Jonathan Center with 4 participants. Birded parking lot, bridge over Nashua River, Still River Depot Rd., Tank Rd. to Turnpike Trail to Riverside trail. Notable non-avian sightings were 1 Fisher, 5 Northern Water snakes, and 2 Blanding's Turtles. 41 species
Date: 5/21/18 1:07 pm From: Floyd, Chris <chrisf...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] BBC Report for Mt. Auburn Cemetery, 5/21/18
Remarkable high counts for less common warblers continued this beautiful morning, but counts are mostly of birds heard only. The warblers tended to be higher in the canopy than during most of the past week. Ovenbirds were notably down compared to yesterday.
Full details and some photos (including side-by-side Cape Mays) at
Date: 5/21/18 10:56 am From: William Loughlin <wkloughlin111...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Hockomock Swamp WMA 5/21
My day started well, waking to a yellow-billed cuckoo calling behind my house followed by a rose-breasted grosbeak singing high in one of the trees, a ruby-throated hummingbird and a red-eyed vireo. At the Hockomock Swamp WMA, entering via Maple Street in West Bridgewater, most of the birding was by ear. Counts are representative rather than precise due to the thick underbrush. (The path is sometimes a tunnel through honeysuckle thickets, and the air was perfumed with them). Total distance was a mile one way, 2 total. Great blue heron - 2 (seen) Cooper's hawk - 1 (seen), with breakfast in its talons Black-billed cuckoo 1 Yellow-billed cuckoo 1 Northern flicker 1 Eastern wood-peewee 1 Eastern phoebe 1 Great crested flycatcher 2 Yellow-throated vireo 1 Blue jay 2 Robin 1 Veery 7 (1 seen) could have been more Gray catbird 5 (guess)
Warblers: Blue winged 1 Northern parula 3 Yellow warbler 15 Magnolia 2 Blackpoll 2 Black-and-white 2 American Redstart 1 Ovenbird 3 Northern Waterthrush 8 (guess) Common Yellowthroat 10 Also a possible Nashville warbler, seen briefly but silent
Date: 5/21/18 9:30 am From: Charles Martin <cemartinjr...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Lawrence’s Warbler
Found the Lawrence’s warbler as described by the earlier post. It flew from under the power lines, across Georgetown Road into one of the large oaks... got a brief but definitive look at the bird. Also had Several RB Grosbeaks, Common Yellowthroats... lots of singing going on even at 11:30am. Charlie Martin West Newbury Sent from Charlie's Iphone
Date: 5/21/18 7:42 am From: patricia p reeser <ppreeser...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Lawrence's Warbler West Newbury
I heard a blue wing this morning and was surprised to see THIS bird pop out of the brush. Large black splotch around the eye, two white wing bars and black under the chin. Another blue wing was singing as I watched the Lawrence’s hop around. Corner of Georgetown Rd. and Crane Neck Street under the utility lines on west side of Georgetown Rd.
Date: 5/21/18 7:09 am From: Peter Trull <petrull...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Harwich Ravens
Massbirders, I’ve been watching Northern Ravens in Harwich for about a month, same location every time. Yesterday I had the pair flying, communicating and displaying to each other in flight. Vast area for a possible nest. I feel more diligent now in my attempt to get an idea where they are. Strong possibility of a nest attempt I think.
PeterTrull
Brewster,
<petrull...>
Date: 5/21/18 5:34 am From: bank1941 <bank1941...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Life is good
M'bers, this morning in the woodlands behind my house, 2 Wood Thrushes were lustily singing in stereo and full throated. Spring doesn't get any better...!!
Date: 5/21/18 5:04 am From: Suzanne Sullivan <swampy435...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Possible (very) Common Ringed Plover at Plum Island
Hello Massbirders,
I had a plover yesterday afternoon at the main pannes during high tide
(north side) that looked to me to be a female ( 1st yr non-breeding male?)
that sounded off for semipalmated plover. I was unable to secure a
recording which I think you would need maybe to confirm id. Maybe one of
the experts will weigh in. This is a tricky bird for sure. So for any and
all shorebird fanatics out there it might be one to go for, just make sure
you have something to record it. If I can get back this afternoon I might
try. Here is my ebird report for details. Oh by the way I had 16 shorebird
species, pretty good for May!
--
Suzanne M. Sullivan
Wilmington, MA
<swampy435...>
"The self evident vision of who we are as a free and caring nation, and the
ideal to fulfill this destiny is stronger than the division of those who's
only vision is of themselves. “ SMB
Date: 5/21/18 12:26 am From: Thomas Robben <robben99...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] NEW pelagic trip June 3, 2018 from Gloucester MA
FOR KRILL CARSON:
What is 20 miles offshore at this time of year? What seabirds, whales, fish and plankton are out there now?
Join us as we search the ocean off Massachusetts for seabirds and wildlife of all kinds.
Tickets are still available for this exciting ocean adventure!
Ocean Exploration Cruise - Spring 2018
Sailing Date: rescheduled to Sunday, June 3, 2018 Time: 7 am to 1 pm Boarding Time: 6:30 am (we leave the dock at 7 am sharp) Location: Boat leaves from Gloucester Harbor aboard the Privateer IV, 7 Seas Whale Watch
Join the New England Coastal Wildlife Alliance (NECWA) for an all day adventure to support marine wildlife education, research, and conservation. This excursion is a fundraising event for NECWA, an all-volunteer nonprofit based in southeastern MA.
Enjoy commentary from our guest naturalists onboard including: Jim Sweeney (South Shore Bird Club), Thomas Robben (Hartford Audubon Society), Jay Frontierro (7 Seas Whale Watch), Peter Flood (NECWA), Dr. Adrian Jordaan (UMASS Amherst), as well as NECWA staff.
We head offshore to view and collect data on seabirds, whales, dolphins, seals, sharks, plankton and other marine animals. If weather allows, we chum for seabirds, and incorporate a number of environmental sampling stations into our agenda for the day. This data is shared with other researches in the New England area to support their research and management efforts. NECWA will also provide our free nature-themed raffle to thank passengers for joining us.
To learn more about this exciting trip or to register online through our Constant Contact Event site, go to www.necwa.org and click on our Events page. There you will find a link to our Constant Contact Event site where you can learn more or register for the trip.
Adult tickets - $80 Student tickets - $55
For additional information, contact Krill Carson using the information below.
Date: 5/20/18 7:15 pm From: Barbara Volkle <barb620...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] May 20, 2018 Mount Auburn Cemetery Cambridge, MA Warbler inundation, continues at slightly lower volumes. Also, Philadelphia Vireo
Thanks to Matt Sabourin for the following report.
Barbara Volkle Northborough, MA <barb620...>
*
From: "Matt S. " <accipiter22...> Date: Sun, 20 May 2018 21:37:27 -0400 Subject: May 20, 2018 Mount Auburn Cemetery Cambridge, MA Warbler inundation continues at slightly lower volumes. Also, Philadelphia Vireo
Had a nice morning jaunt around Mount Auburn, was joined by Frank Lehman & Rob Jilek for a good chunk of it. The Great Warbling 2018 continues, with plenty of bay-breasteds, blackburnians, chestnut-sideds, and a whole retinue of warblers to be had. Numbers overall of each species were down slightly today from the past few.
Also of note, I saw a black-and-white warbler apparently building a nest in a spruce shrub in the dell. I saw it carrying nesting material into the bush several times; I wasn't aware they bred in the cemetery.
Lastly, thanks to Rob for posting his Philadelphia Vireo sighting on Flickr, it inspired me to go back and check some of the shoddier pictures I had taken and would usually just delete. Turns out what I thought was a female BTB was actually a philly.
Matt Sabourin Brighton, MA <Accipiter22...>
----------------- Mt. Auburn Cemetery, Middlesex, Massachusetts, US May 20, 2018 8:23 AM - 10:41 AM Protocol: Traveling 5.49 mile(s) 50 species
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) 2 Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) 1 Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) 1 Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) 1 Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) 2 Chimney Swift (Chaetura pelagica) 1 Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus) 2 Least Flycatcher (Empidonax minimus) 1 Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe) 1 Philadelphia Vireo (Vireo philadelphicus) 1 WHOAH. thought it was a female btb, got home and looked at pictures. Might be a mount Auburn first for me Warbling Vireo (Vireo gilvus) 1 Red-eyed Vireo (Vireo olivaceus) 2 Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata) 3 American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) 1 Common Raven (Corvus corax) 1 Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) 2 Tufted Titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor) 1 House Wren (Troglodytes aedon) 1 Veery (Catharus fuscescens) 1 Swainson's Thrush (Catharus ustulatus) 1 Wood Thrush (Hylocichla mustelina) 1 American Robin (Turdus migratorius) 7 Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis) 3 Ovenbird (Seiurus aurocapilla) 2 Black-and-white Warbler (Mniotilta varia) 2 Tennessee Warbler (Oreothlypis peregrina) 2 Nashville Warbler (Oreothlypis ruficapilla) 1 Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas) 4 American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla) 5 Cape May Warbler (Setophaga tigrina) 1 Northern Parula (Setophaga americana) 10 Magnolia Warbler (Setophaga magnolia) 6 Bay-breasted Warbler (Setophaga castanea) 4 Continuing, if in lesser numbers Blackburnian Warbler (Setophaga fusca) 4 Chestnut-sided Warbler (Setophaga pensylvanica) 2 Blackpoll Warbler (Setophaga striata) 2 Black-throated Blue Warbler (Setophaga caerulescens) 6 Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata) 5 Black-throated Green Warbler (Setophaga virens) 4 Canada Warbler (Cardellina canadensis) 2 Wilson's Warbler (Cardellina pusilla) 1 Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina) 2 White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis) 1 Eastern Towhee (Pipilo erythrophthalmus) 1 Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) 2 Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula) 5 Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) 2 Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater) 1 Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula) 4 American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis) 2
Date: 5/20/18 6:48 pm From: Sue McGrath <newburyportbirders...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Common Nighthawks - West Newbury
Birders,
My small group was thrilled with four Common Nighthawks on Turkey Hill Rd., West Newbury. The birds foraged over the Pike's Br. Rd. parking area & at the Greenbelt Colby Pasture.
There were woodcocks sky dancing in that area too.
FYI:
The bridge on Plummer Spring Road will be closed to vehicle traffic starting on 5/23.
Date: 5/20/18 4:59 pm From: Barbara Volkle <barb620...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Request for assistance monitoring Peregrine Falcon nest sites
Thanks To Drew Vitz and Tom French for the following.
Barbara Volkle Northborough, MA <barb620...>
*
Hi All.
I want to forward this request for assistance from Tom French in monitoring the state's Peregrine Falcon population. Please distribute to your respective bird clubs and anyone interested in helping to monitor the identified sites can get in touch directly with Tom or me.
Thanks. Drew
Andrew Vitz
State Ornithologist
MassWildlife
<andrew.vitz...>
_____________________________________
Request for assistance
Many of our urban Peregrine Falcon nests are closely monitored every year by several dedicated observers. Five of our nests in Boston, Lawrence, Lowell, Springfield and Amherst, can be easily monitored by anyone because nest cameras have been installed and viewing is available online. Other nest sites are only occasionally visited by MassWildlife staff and other birders. Some of our falcon pairs have already hatched chicks and banding will begin next week. However, some of our Peregrines are still incubating and at least three pairs failed early in the season due to bad weather and are in the process of re-laying. As the numbers increase, we are really having trouble keeping up with all the pairs. We really w2ant to know where all of the nesting pairs are located, and how did they do (lay eggs, hatch chicks, fledge chicks and how many). We would really appreciate help with observations at any of the following Peregrine Falcon nest sites:
Quincy, Fore River Bridge – The actual nest site is unknown.
Brockton, Verizon Tower, 180 Court Street – The nest box faces toward the city center.
Bourne, Cape Cod Canal bridges – The only chick fledged (2013) was on the cape side of the Bourne Bridge, but all three bridges have been used.
New Bedford, a mill building converted to condos at 24 Logan Street – The nest is in a small alcove above a parking lot on the north end of the east
side. This nest is easily viewed.
Fall River, Braga Bridge over the Taunton River, Battleship Cove – The nest box is on top of the first concrete pier in the river.
Fall River – There may be a nest on one of the industrial buildings on Ace Street. A chick too young to quite fly was found on the street in 2016.
Worcester – The location of the current nest site is a big mystery. The nest box on the People’s United Bank at 120 Front Street is not occupied.
Chicopee, MassPike bridge over the Connecticut River, I-90 – This nest box is easily viewed from the boat ramp on the SE side of the bridge.
Holyoke, Muller Bridge over the Connecticut River, Rte. 202 – The best viewing is usually from the east bank and south of the bridge.
Northampton, Coolidge Bridge over the Connecticut River, Rte. 9 – The nest box can be viewed from the crew boat dock on the west side.
Deerfield, Mt Sugarloaf – The nest ledge is generally on the right, center of the ledge. Three week old chicks will be visible by scope at the parking
area on the west side of the Rte. 116 bridge over the Connecticut River.
Montague/Greenfield, General Pierce Bridge over the Connecticut River, Montague City Road – The actual nest location is unknown
Gill, French King Bridge over the Connecticut River, Rte. 2 (A nest box was installed, but no reports of use yet.)
Erving, Farley Cliffs on Rte. 2 – The nest is usually on the lower left portion of the cliff, and the nest ledge is not always visible.
Russell, Mt. Tekoa, just north of the MassPike (I-90) over the Westfield River – The exact location of the nest on the cliff varies.
Sandisfield, Hanging Mountain, on the west side of Rt. 8 just north of the CT state line – Viewing can be difficult from the road.
Great Barrington, Monument Mt., west side of Rte. 7, owned by TTOR and open to hiking – The exact location on the cliff is unknown.
Date: 5/20/18 1:19 pm From: Donna Cooper <donna.j.cooper...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] MVBC at Martin Burns
The Merrimack Valley Bird Club birded at Martin Burns this morning. The highlight was 5 black billed cuckoo's! Group of two and group of three just beyond the parking area.
Date: 5/20/18 9:57 am From: Eddie <emgiles62...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Brookline Bird Club Walk - Wompatuck SP, May 20, 2018
Wompatuck SP, Plymouth, Massachusetts, US May 20, 2018 6:00 AM - 11:00 AM Protocol: Traveling 6.0 mile(s) Comments: Brookline Bird Club walk led by Eddie Giles. Pleasant morning with overcast skies and temps in the 60s. Slow start but activity picked up as the morning wore on. We had to work for our warblers this morning! Highlights were the Scarlet Tanager show and small thicket that produced a preening Magnolia, Wilson's and an accommodating Canada that sang from several exposed perches, providing great looks. 51 species
Mallard (Northern) 1 Great Blue Heron 1 Flyover. Great Egret 1 Flyover. Turkey Vulture 1 Flyover. Broad-winged Hawk 2 Herring Gull 1 Flyover. Mourning Dove 2 Red-bellied Woodpecker 3 Hairy Woodpecker (Eastern) 2 Female seen entering cavity. Northern Flicker 2 M/F pair at nesting cavity. Eastern Phoebe 4 Great Crested Flycatcher 10 Red-eyed Vireo 8 Blue Jay 4 Black-capped Chickadee 6 Tufted Titmouse 6 Brown Creeper 1 Winter Wren 1 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 3 Veery 5 Wood Thrush 5 American Robin 6 Gray Catbird 8
There is a fully leucistic American Robin and a partially leucistic one at some type of senior home, so if you do go to check them out, please be respectful. They both seemed to be carrying food and not eating it so they may have nests somewhere. The fully leucistic one has been consistent by the gazebo and the partially leucistic was seen by the road leading in. Here is the link to the eBird list with the photos and location (for location click the map link at the top).
Date: 5/20/18 8:42 am From: <dave.williams6...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Reading Town Forest - Lots of Warblers!
The third in the annual series of Spring Bird Walks in Reading produced lots of warblers this morning in the Reading Town Forest. The first 20 minutes were spent right in the meeting spot as the birds were all over the Oak trees there. The sharp eyes and ears of Mark Daly and Mark Nelson turned up warbler after warbler. Viewing them proved to be a challenge at times as the birds were up high in the well leafed-out Oaks and the light breeze kept the birds hidden at times. Town-high counts for Bay-breasted and Canada. Full eBird list here. https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S45855052
Dave Williams Reading, MA BirdReadingMA project. When birding in Reading, please share your eBird list with: BirdReadingMA
Date: 5/20/18 8:25 am From: Pamela Sowizral <psowizral...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Drumlin Farm this morning
Difficult conditions this morning - breezy, bad light, and near full leaf-out but still managed to find some decent birds. In addition to the below a co-worker spotted ovenbird and chestnut-sided. Good looks at a Canada warbler topped off the morning.
Pam Sowizral
Mass Audubon's Drumlin Farm
Lincoln
Canada Goose 5
Wild Turkey 4
Great Egret 1 fly over
Broad-winged Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 2
Mourning Dove 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Downy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 1
Eastern Phoebe 1
Eastern Kingbird 1
Red-eyed Vireo 1
Blue Jay 2
American Crow 2
Tree Swallow 6
Barn Swallow 1
Black-capped Chickadee 5
Tufted Titmouse 1
White-breasted Nuthatch 2
Carolina Wren 1
Eastern Bluebird 3
Wood Thrush 1
American Robin 3
Gray Catbird 2
European Starling 10
Black-and-white Warbler 1
Common Yellowthroat 4
American Redstart 2
Northern Parula 2
Magnolia Warbler 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler 1
Canada Warbler 1
Chipping Sparrow 2
Song Sparrow 2
Northern Cardinal 5
Bobolink 6
Baltimore Oriole 3
Red-winged Blackbird 10
Brown-headed Cowbird 1
House Finch 1
American Goldfinch 7
House Sparrow 2
Date: 5/20/18 8:17 am From: John <john.mcelligott3...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] My Backyard
On Friday and Saturday 5/18-5/29 we had the following in my Backyard on the Lynn /Salem line.
Female Common Yellow throat Male Common Yellow Throat RT Hummingbird Hermit Thrush Black and White Warbler 2 Magnolia Warblers Catbird Song Sparrow 4 Chimney Swifts American Redstart Wilson's Warbler W B Nuthatch Pair of nesting Cardinals 8 Wild Turkeys
For whatever reason the GPS coordinates app I used today were way off. Please use the one that Tim posted yesterday. Sorry -- Justin Lawson ATU Local 22 The Funding For Public Transit Committee 774-249-5684 Twitter/Facebook: @FundMassRTAs
Date: 5/20/18 3:58 am From: Justin Lawson <justindlawson...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Prothonotary Warbler- Oxford. Hodges Village Dam Continues
Hey everyone! The PROW I found yesterday continues again today. The GPS location is 42.129989,-71.865573. Park near the North Cemetery/ Oxford Police Station. -- Justin Lawson ATU Local 22 The Funding For Public Transit Committee 774-249-5684 Twitter/Facebook: @FundMassRTAs
Date: 5/19/18 8:39 pm From: Sabrina Hepburn <s.k.hepburn...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] BBC Trip to Mt. Auburn Cemetery 5/19
The rain held off for our annual "birding by ear trip" and what turned out to be a very nice morning with 19 warbler species. Most were in good numbers. It was an especially good day to listen to songs!
Mt. Auburn Cemetery, Middlesex, Massachusetts, US
May 19, 2018 6:00 AM - 10:30 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.5 mile(s)
49 species
Mallard 2
Double-crested Cormorant 1
Ring-billed Gull 2
Herring Gull 1
Mourning Dove 3
Chimney Swift 2
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Eastern Kingbird 2
Warbling Vireo 4
Red-eyed Vireo 3
Blue Jay 4
Black-capped Chickadee 2
White-breasted Nuthatch 1
Swainson's Thrush 3
Wood Thrush 1
American Robin 20
Gray Catbird 5
European Starling 4
Ovenbird 2
Black-and-white Warbler 15
Tennessee Warbler 2
Nashville Warbler 2
Common Yellowthroat 4
American Redstart 20
Cape May Warbler 1
Northern Parula 30 Estimated
Magnolia Warbler 15 Estimated
Bay-breasted Warbler 11 Careful count
Blackburnian Warbler 6
Yellow Warbler 3
Chestnut-sided Warbler 2
Blackpoll Warbler 6
Black-throated Blue Warbler 6
Yellow-rumped Warbler 3
Black-throated Green Warbler 10
Canada Warbler 2
Wilson's Warbler 4 Careful count.
Chipping Sparrow 3
Scarlet Tanager 1
Northern Cardinal 5
Rose-breasted Grosbeak 1
Orchard Oriole 1
Baltimore Oriole 8
Red-winged Blackbird 4
Brown-headed Cowbird 1
Common Grackle 5
House Finch 1
American Goldfinch 3
House Sparrow 10
Date: 5/19/18 7:30 pm From: Susan Hedman <2winterwren...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Fowlers Lane Ipswich, May 19, 2018
Fowlers Lane Ipswich, Essex, Massachusetts, US May 19, 2018 12:30 PM - 1:05 PM Protocol: Traveling 0.5 mile(s) Comments: End of street by Highland Cemetery and Animal Shelter 21 species
The location is Off of Route 12 in Oxford. Just before the Police Department. The location is a Recreation Area next to a cemetery. looking at a map it says central street (off route 12) however its a defunct street. Park at end and there is a yellow gate. Bird is loud and was singing till dark. Bird was observed checking many nesting cavities.
On Sat, May 19, 2018 at 8:58 PM Glenn d'Entremont <gdentremont1...> wrote:
> For those of us who still use maps, what is the street address and what is > there-is this a personal residence? > > > Glenn > > > Glenn d'Entremont: <gdentremont1...> Stoughton, MA > > On May 19, 2018 at 9:10 AM Tim Spahr <tspahr44...> wrote: > > Hi Birders, Justin Lawson just called to report a singing Prothonotary > Warbler in Oxford. The precise coordinates of the bird are : > > 42.141094,-71.867622 > > > > For those not familiar with the area, this is very near Oxford Police > Department building. > > > Good birding!! > > > Tim Spahr > > Marlborough > > <tspahr44...> > > > > -- Justin Lawson ATU Local 22 The Funding For Public Transit Committee 774-249-5684 Twitter/Facebook: @FundMassRTAs
For those of us who still use maps, what is the street address and what is there-is this a personal residence?
Glenn
Glenn d'Entremont: <gdentremont1...> Stoughton, MA
> On May 19, 2018 at 9:10 AM Tim Spahr <tspahr44...> wrote: > > Hi Birders, Justin Lawson just called to report a singing Prothonotary Warbler in Oxford. The precise coordinates of the bird are : > > 42.141094,-71.867622 > > > For those not familiar with the area, this is very near Oxford Police Department building. > > Good birding!! > > Tim Spahr > Marlborough > <tspahr44...> mailto:<tspahr44...> > > >
Date: 5/19/18 4:33 pm From: Mark Taylor <m.taylor604...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Beech Forest, P. Town
Hello Massbirders, Being on the Cape in May for the first time in many years, a trip to the Beech Forest in Provincetown was a must! We arrived a bit late for prime time, around 10:00 a.m. but found the place still hopping with Warblers! Multiple Northern Paula (8), Magnolia (3), Yellow-rumpled (6], Wilson’s (3),American Redstart (7), Black and White (7), Nashville (2), Canada, [2), Black-throated Green (3), Black-throated Blue (2),and a single Blackpoll finished out the lot! Great action overall! Mark Taylor Northfield , MA <M.taylor604...>
Date: 5/19/18 2:40 pm From: <blafley...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Lincoln’s Sparrow - New Salem
Hello,
Got home from work today to find a Lincoln~@~Ys Sparrow scratching at the dregs of what is left of the feed on the ground. Also Black-billed Cuckoos have showed up here with one in New Salem at the place the Snowy Owl spent a few infamous days and one in Wendell State Forest. A couple of Canada Warblers are also back along Dirth Rd in WSF. While birding WSF I saw a very large Moose (have yet to see a small one) cross the road about 50 yds away.
Date: 5/19/18 10:10 am From: Childs, Jackson <jchilds...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Mt. Auburn 5/19
A fine morning with similar high numbers of last several days. Parula, Redstart, Black-and-white, etc. very numerous, Bay-breasted and Blackburnian still common. Blackpolls stationary high in thick canopy as usual at this location. I didn't check the dell but saw several Swainson's thrush on the north side so that species likely common too. Several Canada and Nashville singing loudly. Seems like big numbers all week at Mt. Auburn.
Date: 5/19/18 6:33 am From: Nick Dorian <dorianscale3...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Clay-colored Sparrow, Tufts University Medford
Hi all,
There is a Clay-colored Sparrow loosely associating with House Sparrows on the President's Lawn. Seen most reliably on the bluish turf (grass seed with fertilizer) at the top of the memorial steps. This is the first spring record for campus.
