This morning I birded with Julia and Richard at the Brooks Estate in Medford and later at Long Pond in the Middlesex Fells in Winchester. There must have been some significant migration last night.
Saturday, April 27
Charlestown and Jamestown, RI
For this full day trip, we will bird local hotspots such as Trustom Pond NWR, Card’s Pond Rd, Beavertail State Park, and other locales based on time and which birds are around; our destinations will be dictated by the bird activity. A scope is recommended if you have one. Bringing a packed lunch is recommended as this trip will run beyond noon and not have a set end time; we’ll keep birding as long as we find birds! Due to parking restrictions at certain areas we are visiting, carpooling will be necessary to ensure all cars will have room. If you’d like to find a carpool to the meeting location, we can try to help you find one! Note - If you are unable to meet at the park 'n ride, please coordinate with the leader. Due to the nature of this trip, the birding locations will be decided the morning of based on bird activity and recent sightings which often makes for an incredibly productive trip. Meeting location: Tower Hill Park ‘n Ride, at intersection of Bridgetown and Mooresfield Rd, South Kingston. Google Maps directions here <https://goo.gl/maps/ci5RagmPrsG2>8:00 AM Dan Berard <mailto:<DJBerard84...>
Sunday, April 28
Whipple Hill and Locke Farm: Late risers' walk
This is a late morning walk. Besides birds, we may encounter some later-rising wildlife, including insects and pond life. Whipple Hill conservation area in Lexington and Winchester includes many habitats within its 130-odd acres. We’ll see what spring has to offer in the woods around Whipple Hill (at 374 feet, the highest point in Lexington) and in the lowland area around Locke Pond. Depending on interest, we’ll also stop at the adjoining 18th Century Wright Locke Farm. Meet in the parking lot across from the fire station at Mullen playground, off of Lockeland Road in Winchester. 10:00-12:00 PM Andrea Golden <mailto:<andgold2...> and Stephen Kruse
Date: 4/21/19 10:30 am From: '<dacooper...>' <dacooper...> [arlingtonbirds] <arlingtonbirds-noreply...> Subject: [Arlington Birds] Warblers at Long Pond (Middlesex Fells) 4/21
After the Sandy Beach walk, I went to check out the northern end of Long Pond in the Middlesex Fells (most quickly accessed from Hillcrest Pkwy in Winchester). For several years, this has been one of my favorite places to find early spring migrants, and it came through again today.
On both sides of the pond there were small flocks of Pine, Palm, and Yellow-rumped Warblers, all singing away up in the trees. -Also a singing Ruby-crowned Kinglet and Brown Creeper. A slightly different chip directed me to a Black-and-White Warbler.
Maybe I should schedule a Menotomy Bird Club walk here next year?
Date: 4/21/19 8:46 am From: '<dacooper...>' <dacooper...> [arlingtonbirds] <arlingtonbirds-noreply...> Subject: [Arlington Birds] Sandy Beach walk 4/21
A group of ten on the Menotomy Bird Club walk at Sandy Beach in Winchester enjoyed dry conditions but few migrants. We did manage to find one (or two?) Palm Warblers high in the trees and one singing Yellow-rumped Warbler. Another highlight was a perched adult Cooper’s Hawk.
A few of us then stopped at the dam where there were 3 species of swallows (Tree, Barn, Rough-winged), one Great Cormorant among the crowd of Double-cresteds, and a Belted Kingfisher which posed on a corner of the red brick building, then caught a small fish and flew off with it.
Date: 4/21/19 8:18 am From: Paul Devaney <PaulDBooty...> [arlingtonbirds] <arlingtonbirds-noreply...> Subject: [Arlington Birds] Fells
Lawrence WoodsApril 21, 2019 10:30 Above the granite bridge I had 2 Blue-gray gnatcatchers, 1 Red-breasted Nuthatch, and 1 Black & White warbler. Paul DevaneyWinchester
Date: 4/20/19 11:18 am From: 'Marj. Rines' <marj...> [arlingtonbirds] <arlingtonbirds-noreply...> Subject: [Arlington Birds] Horn Pond walk today
Despite a constant drizzle three other birders joined me for the Menotomy Bird Club walk at Horn Pond this morning. Sometimes the rain let up, and sometimes it didn't but it was never too awful. Birds, on the other hand, were few and far between. The only warbler was a Yellow-rump identified by a chip note but no visual. We did have a couple of Blue-gray Gnatcatchers and Ruby-crowned Kinglets, plus both Tree and Northern Rough-winged swallows. Could have been worse.....
On 4/19/2019 11:25 PM, Chandrashekhar Tibrewal <ctibrewal...> [arlingtonbirds] wrote: > > > I don't seem to have any details about the Rhode Island trip on April > 27th. Can you please send the details again? > > Thanks. > > Chandrashekhar Tibrewal > > > > On Fri, Apr 19, 2019 at 9:53 AM 'Diana F.' <diana.fru...> > <mailto:<diana.fru...> [arlingtonbirds] > <arlingtonbirds-noreply...> > <mailto:<arlingtonbirds-noreply...>> wrote: > > Some folks have asked me if there will be a carpool set up for > next Saturday's trip, April 27, to Rhode Island with Dan Berard. > Feel free to post here to see who might want to carpool with you. > > Thanks, > Diana Fruguglietti > Woburn > > > > >
Date: 4/19/19 8:25 pm From: Chandrashekhar Tibrewal <ctibrewal...> [arlingtonbirds] <arlingtonbirds-noreply...> Subject: Re: [Arlington Birds] Carpooling for Saturday's RI trip
I don't seem to have any details about the Rhode Island trip on April 27th.
Can you please send the details again?
Thanks.
Chandrashekhar Tibrewal
On Fri, Apr 19, 2019 at 9:53 AM 'Diana F.' <diana.fru...>
[arlingtonbirds] <arlingtonbirds-noreply...> wrote:
>
>
> Some folks have asked me if there will be a carpool set up for next
> Saturday's trip, April 27, to Rhode Island with Dan Berard. Feel free to
> post here to see who might want to carpool with you.
>
> Thanks,
> Diana Fruguglietti
> Woburn
>
>
>
>
Date: 4/19/19 4:33 pm From: <phawk254...> [arlingtonbirds] <arlingtonbirds-noreply...> Subject: [Arlington Birds] Black is Beautiful
Last year I posted about my love for Great Cormorants in breeding plumage at the Medford Boat Club boat dock on the lower Mystic Lake. They are spectacular, with each "new" scaly black feather exquisitely silhouetted in three dimensions as though it had been sculpted in obsidian. The white thigh patches and gular pouch are perfect accents, complementing the icy but glowing prehnite-colored eyes. Simply a joy to behold close, especially if you can see the eyes in good light.
This winter there were precious few Great Cormorants on the lakes at any time, apparently due in large part to significant mortality along the northwest Atlantic Coast in the fall and early winter. (I'm still not sure what caused the widespread deaths.)
This spring has somewhat compensated for the lack of Great Cormorants by having several dozen Double-crested Cormorants returning and lounging on the dock in the most spectacular breeding plumage that I have ever been able to see, and thankfully, photograph. Most of the year one can reasonably question why the species is named "Double-crested" when they don't appear to have ANY crests. Seeing some of the birds now will put an end to all skepticism regarding their name. Magnificent, flaring crests that seem both sophisticated and "untamed" at the same time. The same sculpted, three-dimensional feathers carved in obsidian as their larger "European" relative, and smaller but piercingly radiant light green eyes, the color of prehnite, a rock that looks a bit like petrified seawater.
I have had my best views ever of Double-crested Cormorant this month at the lakes, best appreciated on sunny days with a spotting scope. Late last year I had the good fortune to have my Nikon P900 Megazoom camera fail due to heavy usage. I was compelled to buy a new camera, a Nikon P1000 with 120X optical zoom (3000 mm). The 50X increase in magnification enabled me to take reasonably decent photos that capture some of the beauty of these almost all-black birds, including their incredible eyes. They look so much better in their Easter finery than they do in August and September. To see some of my photos of elegant but untamed Double-crested Cormorants, go to my lfickr page at www.flickr.com/photos/30136859@N06/albums
It's impossible to talk about the beauty of some virtually all-black birds without mentioning Groove-billed Anis, a relatively common and widespread relative of cuckoos found in Mexico and Central America and seen less often in southern Texas and Florida. They have a distinctive silhouette; an elegant, glossy black, scaly plumage; and a social species' personality that endears them to me. Every time I see them I am reminded how beautiful basic black can be.
Date: 4/19/19 4:29 pm From: 'Soheil Zendeh' <sohzendeh...> [arlingtonbirds] <arlingtonbirds-noreply...> Subject: [Arlington Birds] Next Bear Creek, Saugus, walk on Sunday, April 28; report for April 14 walk
Folks,
The next walk at Bear Creek Sanctuary, Saugus, is scheduled for 9 am on Sunday, April 28. Details for attending Bear Creek walks are at the end of this email.
Note that there is NO WALK on Easter Sunday, April 21.
A variety of spring migrants, from twitchy Blue-grey Gnatcatchers to cheery Savannah Sparrows, brightened this day. American Kestrels were everywhere, not obviously migrating (though of course most if not all of them were migrants) but hovering and searching for prey all over the grassland.
Of note among walk participants was a visiting British birder, Mark Barrett, whose enthusiasm for American birds was infectious; he pronounced many of our birds “brilliant” or “smart.” And of course, they are. WE have invited Mark to drop by any time for a spot of birding.
Bear Creek Sanctuary (Restricted Access), Essex, Massachusetts, US
Bear Creek is an upland grassland sanctuary built on the Wheelabrator (formerly RESCO) landfill at the northern end of Rumney Marsh in Saugus and Revere. Access information is below. Wear good walking shoes and be prepared to hike 3 – 4 miles. The property is mostly very open, so be prepared for sun, wind and weather.
This walk is free and open to the public, but also note that this property is accessible by invitation only and visitors need to be chaperoned at all times. Please allow roughly 4 hours for this field trip. The actual length of the trip depends on conditions and the birds present. It's usually difficult to break up the party if you need to be somewhere in the early afternoon. Come prepared to stay with the group.
Wheelabrator company has graciously stocked up on some extra pairs of binoculars, so if you or someone you know wants to learn about birds and birding, come on down. Please let me know you’re coming so we can have a head count.
Bear Creek sanctuary access is via the Wheelabrator plant, 100 Salem Turnpike (Rte 107), Saugus. The rotary at the intersection of Rtes 60 and 107 is about 1½ miles southwest of the plant and about 1 mile east of Rte 1 exit on Rte 60. When traveling northeast on 107, if you go over the Ballard Street bridge (just after a set of lights) you’ve gone too far — turn back. Here is a link to google maps:
When you arrive, drive through the plant gates, park in the parking lot immediately and wait for the group. Please do not drive farther into the property without an escort.
Date: 4/19/19 6:53 am From: 'Diana F.' <diana.fru...> [arlingtonbirds] <arlingtonbirds-noreply...> Subject: [Arlington Birds] Carpooling for Saturday's RI trip
Some folks have asked me if there will be a carpool set up for next Saturday's trip, April 27, to Rhode Island with Dan Berard. Feel free to post here to see who might want to carpool with you.
Date: 4/19/19 2:52 am From: MJ Keeler <maryjane.keeler...> [arlingtonbirds] <arlingtonbirds-noreply...> Subject: Re: [Arlington Birds] Coyotes at Horn Pond
There is a leash law in effect at Horn Pond but no one pays attention to it..
On Thu, Apr 18, 2019 at 10:09 PM Joe Mal <joemal333...> [arlingtonbirds]
<arlingtonbirds-noreply...> wrote:
>
>
> I am forwarding this from Mass Lep. I know that some birders walk their
> dogs at Horn Pond Mtn. I wanted people to be aware and not frightened. It
> is better to be safe than sorry, especially with smaller dogs.
>
> All the Best,
> Joe Malachowski
>
>
> On Sunday, April 14, at the Ward Reservation in Andover I saw my first
> butterfly of the season, a Mourning Cloak ( https://flic.kr/p/24XUSYz ).
> I usually expect to see them in mid - March, so this was a later first
> appearance than usual.
>
> Earlier that day, I visited Horn Pond Mtn in Woburn, with my intrepid
> assistant Suzie. At one point she took off into the bushes; by the time I
> caught up with her she was with two small (slightly bigger than her)
> coyotes. So I think they were probably juveniles, and fortunately mom was
> out shopping somewhere! Nobody got hurt in any event, although in
> retrospect it was pretty scary. As I grabbed Suzie’s collar, one of them
> sniffed her butt. So they were pretty close. I was able to get a photo of
> one of them: https://flic.kr/p/24XUSZg . And no butterflies at HPM that
> day!
>
>
>
> --
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> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an
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> <masslep...>.
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> For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
>
>
>
Date: 4/18/19 7:08 pm From: RIch Turk <turkrich...> [arlingtonbirds] <arlingtonbirds-noreply...> Subject: [Arlington Birds] Tonight's Slideshow Link
Great to see so many of you at the meeting tonight. Thanks again Eric for putting it all together again. Sorry that the sound on my photo/video didn't work out, here's a link to it in my Florida web gallery, music should be OK!
Date: 4/18/19 7:07 pm From: Joe Mal <joemal333...> [arlingtonbirds] <arlingtonbirds-noreply...> Subject: [Arlington Birds] Coyotes at Horn Pond
I am forwarding this from Mass Lep. I know that some birders walk their dogs at Horn Pond Mtn. I wanted people to be aware and not frightened. It is better to be safe than sorry, especially with smaller dogs.
All the Best,Joe Malachowski
On Sunday, April 14, at the Ward Reservation in Andover I saw my first butterfly of the season, a Mourning Cloak ( https://flic.kr/p/24XUSYz). I usually expect to see them in mid - March, so this was a later first appearance than usual.
Earlier that day, I visited Horn Pond Mtn in Woburn, with my intrepid assistant Suzie. At one point she took off into the bushes; by the time I caught up with her she was with two small (slightly bigger than her) coyotes. So I think they were probably juveniles, and fortunately mom was out shopping somewhere! Nobody got hurt in any event, although in retrospect it was pretty scary. As I grabbed Suzie’s collar, one of them sniffed her butt.. So they were pretty close. I was able to get a photo of one of them: https://flic.kr/p/24XUSZg. And no butterflies at HPM that day!
--
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To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to masslep+<unsubscribe...>
To post to this group, send email to <masslep...>
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Date: 4/18/19 6:33 am From: Paul Ippolito <paulippolito295...> [arlingtonbirds] <arlingtonbirds-noreply...> Subject: [Arlington Birds] MBC Meeting Reminder for tonight!!!
As a reminder we have our next meeting of the season tonight Thursday,
April 18th @ 7:30 PM. The doors open at 7:00 PM for social time and
setup.
Fox Library Community Room, 175 Mass Ave, Arlington
Members Photo Night
Please join the Menotomy Bird Club as we present our Members Photo
Night. This presentation is always a favorite each year as our
talented members display a wide arrange of photos and stories that
show a combination of local birds and mammals, highlights from exotic
travel locations, and amazing scenery. Based on the reaction from our
members from years past, this is a highlight of the year and we expect
this year to be no different.
If anyone would like to bring a baked item, bought item or drink that
would be fantastic! Please email Wendy McIntosh at <wendymci...> so
we can coordinate our contributions.
Hope to see you there!!!
Paul Ippolito – Woburn
------------------------------------
Posted by: Paul Ippolito <paulippolito295...>
------------------------------------
Date: 4/17/19 3:09 pm From: Anna Piccolo <sweetestlight9...> [arlingtonbirds] <arlingtonbirds-noreply...> Subject: [Arlington Birds] National Geographic: Why this owl raised a duckling as its own
Why this owl raised a duckling as its own
National Geographic
Wood duck parents don't put all their eggs in one basket—as brood parasites, they place some of their eggs in other birds' nests. Read the full story
*Saturday, April 20** **Horn Pond Early Spring Migrants* We should be able to find several species of swallows, plus phoebes, towhees, and maybe a couple species of warbler. Or, let's find a surprise. Come on, beginners, this is the time to get out before it gets too hectic! Meet at the Sturgis Street entrance. 7:30-9:30 AM.Marj Rines<https://mrines.com/menotomy/mailtoa;<marj...>
*Sunday, April 21** **First Warblers at Sandy Beach* It's finally spring, and Sandy Beach is a great place to find those early migrants. Among other possibilities, Pine, Palm, and Yellow-rumped Warblers are almost guaranteed. Meet at the Sandy Beach (now the Charles Shannon Memorial Beach) parking lot on Mystic Valley Parkway in Winchester. 7:30-9:00 AM.Renee LaFontaine <mailto:<dacooper...>
Date: 4/16/19 4:48 am From: Paul Ippolito <paulippolito295...> [arlingtonbirds] <arlingtonbirds-noreply...> Subject: [Arlington Birds] MBC Meeting Reminder - Thursday, April 18th
As a reminder we have our next meeting of the season this coming
Thursday, April 18th @ 7:30 PM. The doors open at 7:00 PM for social
time and setup.
Fox Library Community Room, 175 Mass Ave, Arlington
Members Photo Night
Please join the Menotomy Bird Club as we present our Members Photo
Night. This presentation is always a favorite each year as our
talented members display a wide arrange of photos and stories that
show a combination of local birds and mammals, highlights from exotic
travel locations, and amazing scenery. Based on the reaction from our
members from years past, this is a highlight of the year and we expect
this year to be no different.
If anyone would like to bring a baked item, bought item or drink that
would be fantastic! Please email Wendy McIntosh at <wendymci...> so
we can coordinate our contributions.
Hope to see you there!!!
Paul Ippolito – Woburn
------------------------------------
Posted by: Paul Ippolito <paulippolito295...>
------------------------------------
Date: 4/15/19 8:37 pm From: <jthomas139...> [arlingtonbirds] <arlingtonbirds-noreply...> Subject: [Arlington Birds] Black Scoters at Horn Pond
I bumped into Marge Rimes in the back part of Horn Pond and she told me about two Black Scoters on the main pond, which I had missed on my arrival. I did get distant views on my way out. There were some migrants around, including a Savannah Sparrow, a gnatcatcher, both kinglets, and some waxwings.
Jeff Thomas
Winchester
Date: 4/15/19 6:22 pm From: 'Diana F.' <diana.fru...> [arlingtonbirds] <arlingtonbirds-noreply...> Subject: [Arlington Birds] Supporting the Massachusetts Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program
I have been asked to spread the word on this program as they are not allowed to solicit donations directly according to Andrew Vitz. This information was provided to us at the Association of Mass Bird Club meetings.
This fund was responsible for the Peregrine Falcon and Bald Eagle coming back after the DDT issue year ago if I remember correctly.
They depend solely on donations which have declined as far as the number of people donating. If you do not do your own taxes, then tax advisors need to be made aware of this if you want to donate. Some tax software even makes this item hard to find.
So if you have already filed your taxes, you can donate online at:
and click on Support Endangered Species Conservation.
Or it's line 33a on your state income tax form.
From their website:
The Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program is responsible for the conservation and protection of hundreds of species that are not hunted, fished, trapped, or commercially harvested in the state, as well as the protection of the natural communities that make up their habitats.
Date: 4/15/19 4:11 pm From: Jason Forbes <jason...> [arlingtonbirds] <arlingtonbirds-noreply...> Subject: [Arlington Birds] Red-necked Grebes, Cambridge Res
I made a pass around the Cambridge Res this afternoon just as the showers were finishing and had 4 Red-necked Grebes. I had checked this morning after the rain stopped and had just about nothing, so they may have been new arrivals.
Other stops during the nicer part of the day had another early Spotted Sandpiper on the Charles by Watertown Square (but no Red-breasted Merganser) and lots of Hermit Thrushes and both kinglets.
Jason
-- Jason Forbes Waltham, MA <jason...> www.brewsterslinnet.com
Date: 4/15/19 3:44 pm From: Christine King - Business <bc.biz...> [arlingtonbirds] <arlingtonbirds-noreply...> Subject: [Arlington Birds] Mount Auburn Kinglets
So many Kinglets in the Dell at Mount Auburn Cemetery mid-morning today. Both Ruby-crowned and Golden-crowned; heard only one singing just a bit. Flickers, Wild Turkeys, Robins in abundance. Juncos, White-throated Sparrows, White-crowned Sparrows. A Hermit Thrush, not singing.
--Christine
------------------------------------ Posted by: Christine King - Business <bc.biz...> ------------------------------------
Date: 4/15/19 1:28 pm From: Paul Ippolito <paulippolito295...> [arlingtonbirds] <arlingtonbirds-noreply...> Subject: [Arlington Birds] MBC Horn Pond walk on Sunday, April 14th
12 birders joined me for our Horn Pond evening walk on Sunday, April 14th. Conditions were cloudy and a bit breezy as the weather front was approaching.
Highlights included; Yellow-rumped Warbler, Palm Warbler, 5 Ruby-crowned Kinglets and very good views of Wood Duck. A full listing of the 33 species seen / heard is listed below:
Thanks to all who participated.
Paul Ippolito Woburn
Canada Goose Mute Swan Wood Duck Mallard Double-crested Cormorant Great Blue Heron Turkey Vulture Killdeer Ring-billed Gull Rock Dove Mourning Dove Red-bellied Woodpecker (h) Downy Woodpecker Northern Flicker Blue Jay Tree Swallow Black-capped Chickadee Tufted Titmouse Ruby-crowned Kinglet American Robin Northern Mockingbird European Starling Palm Warbler (distant and fleeting view) Yellow-rumped Warbler Savannah Sparrow Song Sparrow White-throated Sparrow Northern Cardinal Red-winged Blackbird Common Grackle Brown-headed Cowbird American Goldfinch House Sparrow
------------------------------------ Posted by: Paul Ippolito <paulippolito295...> ------------------------------------
Date: 4/13/19 2:13 pm From: Jason Forbes <jason...> [arlingtonbirds] <arlingtonbirds-noreply...> Subject: [Arlington Birds] Beaver Brook North Saturday
One person braved the less-than-expected rain this morning for the MBC walk and we had a pretty good time. It wasn't loaded with newly arrived birds, but there were more than enough nice ones.
Highlights: Canada Goose (https://flic.kr/p/2frF2ko for why that was a highlight) Blue-winged Teal flyover Hermit Thrush almost at our feet 3 Chipping Sparrow Fox Sparrow 6+ Rusty Blackbird Lowlight was a dead Hairy Woodpecker
The teal flew over the big marsh with two Wood Ducks. After we finished, I walked along Concord Ave a bit hoping that it put down along there. No luck with that but I did have 3 Palm Warblers, a Pine Warbler, a Wilson's Snipe, and heard a Virginia Rail (I probably heard one on the walk too but it was very distant and didn't call again). I also stopped at Arlington Res and had the early Spotted Sandpiper Jeff Thomas found yesterday.
Jason
-- Jason Forbes Waltham, MA <jason...> www.brewsterslinnet.com
Got a bit of a latter start at Dunback Meadow but had a pretty good time there nonetheless. Evening Grosbeaks are still hanging around. Other species reported today from here include a Towhee by the Bowman School, Catbird, Palm Warbler and Snipe.
Dunback Meadow Apr 13, 2019 10:00 AM Traveling 2.90 miles 163 Minutes All birds reported? Yes
3 Canada Goose 2 Mallard 2 Mourning Dove 2 Turkey Vulture 2 Cooper's Hawk 1 Red-tailed Hawk 2 Red-bellied Woodpecker 6 Downy Woodpecker 1 Hairy Woodpecker 2 Northern Flicker 1 American Kestrel 5 Eastern Phoebe 11 Blue Jay 2 American Crow 5 Tree Swallow 10 Black-capped Chickadee 3 Tufted Titmouse 3 White-breasted Nuthatch 2 Winter Wren 3 Carolina Wren 1 Ruby-crowned Kinglet 52 American Robin 1 European Starling 3 Evening Grosbeak -- 1 make, 2 female at first bridge on way to Bowman School from Allen St entrance. 2 House Finch 6 American Goldfinch 2 American Tree Sparrow -- Getting late. 1 Dark-eyed Junco 4 White-throated Sparrow 36 Song Sparrow 1 Swamp Sparrow 15 Red-winged Blackbird 4 Brown-headed Cowbird 30 Common Grackle 1 Yellow-rumped Warbler -- Just after first bridge. Could this be overwintering bird? 12 Northern Cardinal 5 House Sparrow
Date: 4/11/19 10:15 am From: <WendyMcI...> [arlingtonbirds] <arlingtonbirds-noreply...> Subject: [Arlington Birds] Call for Refreshments for our April 18 Meeting
Hi Everyone, This is a general call to all club members to ask whether anyone would like to contribute a baked item, snack or drink to our meeting. So far only one baker has replied. Many thanks, Wendy McIntosh
Date: 4/11/19 9:47 am From: <WendyMcI...> [arlingtonbirds] <arlingtonbirds-noreply...> Subject: [Arlington Birds] Call for Refreshments for our MBC Meeting on April 18th
Hi Everyone,
This is a general call to all club members to ask whether anyone would like to contribute a baked item, snack or drink to our meeting. So far only one baker has replied. Please let me know so I can coordinate.
Many thanks,
Wendy McIntosh
Date: 4/9/19 3:40 am From: Paul Ippolito <paulippolito295...> [arlingtonbirds] <arlingtonbirds-noreply...> Subject: [Arlington Birds] MBC Meeting - Thursday, April 18th
Our next meeting of the season is Thursday, April 18th @ 7:30 PM. The
doors open at 7:00 PM for some social time and setup.
Fox Library Community Room, 175 Mass Ave, Arlington
Members Photo Night
Please join the Menotomy Bird Club as we present our Members Photo
Night. This presentation is always a favorite each year as our
talented members display a wide arrange of photos and stories that
show a combination of local birds and mammals, highlights from exotic
travel locations, and amazing scenery. Based on the reaction from our
members from years past, this is a highlight of the year and we expect
this year to be no different.
If anyone would like to bring a baked item, bought item or drink that
would be fantastic! Please email Wendy McIntosh at <wendymci...> so
we can coordinate our contributions.
Hope to see you there!!!
Paul Ippolito – Woburn
------------------------------------
Posted by: Paul Ippolito <paulippolito295...>
------------------------------------
Early migrants are sure to be showing up by next weekend, so make your plans:
Saturday, April 13
Beaver Brook North
We'll explore the fields, marshes, and woods of this large reservation in Waltham, Belmont and Lexington looking for migrants and early breeders. Meet at the parking lot on Metropolitan Parkway South in Waltham (https://goo.gl/maps/6liYe). 7:30-10:30 AM. Jason Forbes <mailto:<jason...>
Sunday, April 14
Horn Pond, Woburn - Evening
Struggling to make our early morning walks? Looking for the other types of birdies on the golf course early morning? Having schedule conflicts? Then join us for an early evening walk at the Horn Pond Conservation Area in Woburn. We should be able to find early Spring migrants such as Pine, Palm, and Yellow-rumped Warblers, several species of swallows, and phoebes among other possibilities. Meet at the Sturgis Street entrance. 5:00-7:00 PM Paul Ippolito <mailto:<paulippolito295...>
Wednesday, April 17
Brooks Estate, Medford
Join us as we explore for early spring migrants. Co-sponsored with the Brookline Bird Club. Meeting location: 255-277 Grove Street (Brooks Estate Path on Google Maps). 8:00-10:00 AM. Diana Fruguglietti <mailto:<diana.fru...>
You can always see the entire Spring trips schedule on the club website <menotomybirdclub.org <http://menotomybirdclub.org/>>
Date: 4/8/19 9:46 am From: 'Soheil Zendeh' <sohzendeh...> [arlingtonbirds] <arlingtonbirds-noreply...> Subject: [Arlington Birds] Next Bear Creek, Saugus, walk on Sunday, April 14; report for April 7 walk
Folks,
The next walk at Bear Creek Sanctuary, Saugus, is scheduled for 9 am on Sunday, April 14. Details for attending Bear Creek walks are at the end of this email.
This week: more kestrels, more tree swallows and Osprey pairs copulating and picking over nesting sites. Also, a Common Raccoon in a tree and a Coyote terrorizing the Canada Geese. EBird report below.
Bear Creek Sanctuary (Restricted Access), Essex, Massachusetts, US
Apr 7, 2019 9:17 AM - 12:28 PM
Protocol: Traveling
2.86 mile(s)
45 bird species (+1 other taxa)
Canada Goose 131
Mallard 5
American Black Duck 18
Green-winged Teal 11
Lesser Scaup 1 Continuing from 3 weeks ago. Female type
Bear Creek is an upland grassland sanctuary built on the Wheelabrator (formerly RESCO) landfill at the northern end of Rumney Marsh in Saugus and Revere. Access information is below. Wear good walking shoes and be prepared to hike 3 – 4 miles. The property is mostly very open, so be prepared for sun, wind and weather.
This walk is free and open to the public, but also note that this property is accessible by invitation only and visitors need to be chaperoned at all times. Please allow roughly 4 hours for this field trip. The actual length of the trip depends on conditions and the birds present. It's usually difficult to break up the party if you need to be somewhere in the early afternoon. Come prepared to stay with the group.
Wheelabrator company has graciously stocked up on some extra pairs of binoculars, so if you or someone you know wants to learn about birds and birding, come on down. Please let me know you’re coming so we can have a head count.
Bear Creek sanctuary access is via the Wheelabrator plant, 100 Salem Turnpike (Rte 107), Saugus. The rotary at the intersection of Rtes 60 and 107 is about 1½ miles southwest of the plant and about 1 mile east of Rte 1 exit on Rte 60. When traveling northeast on 107, if you go over the Ballard Street bridge (just after a set of lights) you’ve gone too far — turn back. Here is a link to google maps:
When you arrive, drive through the plant gates, park in the parking lot immediately and wait for the group. Please do not drive farther into the property without an escort.
That is really interesting. I was walking in Great Brook Farm State Park this morning and heard what sounded like a muted Pileated Woodpecker call nearby, which seemed very strange because they are usually anything but muted. It turned out to be a Blue Jay, and I thought that was unusual – while I have often heard them imitate Red-tailed, Red-shouldered and Broad-winged Hawks, I had not heard them imitate Pileateds before. Maybe today is Pileated Woodpecker day on the Blue Jay calendar!
Alan Ankers
Carlisle, MA
From: <arlingtonbirds...> <arlingtonbirds...> On Behalf Of Paul Devaney <PaulDBooty...> [arlingtonbirds]
Sent: Sunday, April 7, 2019 10:30 AM
To: <arlingtonbirds...>
Subject: [Arlington Birds] Vocals
Sunday Apr. 07, 2019
This morning at my house a Blue Jay did a perfect rendition of a Red-shouldered Hawk followed immediately by Pileated Woodpecker and then back to Red-shouldered.
Date: 4/7/19 7:30 am From: Paul Devaney <PaulDBooty...> [arlingtonbirds] <arlingtonbirds-noreply...> Subject: [Arlington Birds] Vocals
Sunday Apr. 07, 2019 This morning at my house a Blue Jay did a perfect rendition of a Red-shouldered Hawk followed immediately by Pileated Woodpecker and then back to Red-shouldered. Paul DevaneyWinchester
Please read below for ways you can help. Species reported to eBird cannot be imported to VPRS.
Diana Fruguglietti Woburn
---------- Forwarded message --------- From: Vitz, Andrew (FWE) <andrew.vitz...> Date: Fri, Apr 5, 2019, 4:22 PM Subject: Bird Conservation Opportunities To: Massachusetts Assoc of Bird Clubs < <association-of-massachusetts-bird-clubs...>
As requested at the last meeting, I have put together a paragraph on how clubs can support bird conservation efforts at the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife). First, we encourage people to submit their nesting season observations of state listed birds into the Vernal Pools and Rare Species (VPRS) database ( https://www.mass.gov/service-details/vernal-pool-rare-species-vprs-information-system). It can be a little cumbersome to get registered, but it is currently the only way to get these important records into the state database. Staff will then review records and map areas to protect habitat when applicable. Another thing that birders can assist with is being a volunteer monitor at specific nests. We often do this for eagles, peregrines, and kestrels. In the southeast, there will be an increasing desire to have people report observations of loons on the Assawompsett Pond Complex and surrounding lakes. People can get in contact with me to discuss options. Lastly, as the agency looks to expand our relevancy to a broader group of people, we are also encouraging birders to utilize the Wildlife Management Areas that are all owned by MassWildlife. Having clubs lead walks on these properties would be helpful.
Date: 4/5/19 7:36 am From: <phawk254...> [arlingtonbirds] <arlingtonbirds-noreply...> Subject: [Arlington Birds] “Over the Pines. Moving Right. Fast – Parker River Raptors on the Move!" Raptor Talk Thurs. Apr 11, 7:00 p.m.
Over the Pines. Moving Right. Fast – Parker River Raptors on the Move!
Thursday April 11 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Parker River NWR Headquarters/Visitor Center
Newburyport, MA
Every year thousands of raptors migrate through the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge. Some raptors will spend only a few minutes and others a lifetime on or around the refuge. This presentation will introduce you to twenty species of raptors, primarily hawks but including a few owls, you might see on the refuge. You’ll get acquainted with our most spectacular and abundant migrants, locally breeding species, and some winter visitors; learn a bit about what is happening with each species in our area; and see what raptors are particularly special to the refuge.
Paul M. Roberts founded the Eastern Massachusetts Hawk Watch (EMHW) in 1976 and started the Plum Island Hawk Watch (part of EMHW) in 1977. Since then, he has been studying, writing, and teaching about hawks, hawk identification, and hawk migration in the northeast. Paul retired from management in high-tech communications in 2009. He is currently president of the NorthEast Hawk Watch.
Spaces in the refuge’s 85-seat auditorium will be filled on a first come, first served basis. This free evening program is sponsored by the Friends of Parker River National Wildlife Refuge and the Parker River NWR. NO preregistration for this program.
Date: 4/5/19 6:58 am From: Jason Forbes <jason...> [arlingtonbirds] <arlingtonbirds-noreply...> Subject: [Arlington Birds] Evening Grosbeaks still at Dunback
I haven't seen any reports for awhile now, but there were at least 6 Evening Grosbeaks this morning just past the far bridge by the Bowman School end. They were very vocal, which meant they were fairly easy to find even when buried deep in the trees. Fairly quiet otherwise but I did have at least 3 singing Fox Sparrows and a Red-shouldered Hawk too.
Jason
-- Jason Forbes Waltham, MA <jason...> www.brewsterslinnet.com
Date: 4/5/19 5:41 am From: <phawk254...> [arlingtonbirds] <arlingtonbirds-noreply...> Subject: [Arlington Birds] Weather and Migration Overview for Plum Island Spring Hawk Watch 2019
Spring hawk migration is underway. The Plum Island Spring Hawk Watch, run by the Eastern Massachusetts Hawk Watch (EMHW), is beginning regular coverage this week. For the past four or five years EMHW has provided email forecasts regarding good weather for hawk migration 3-5 days in advance, and brief summaries of what migration occurred during the previous period For multiple reasons, it is not feasible to continue those forecasts this year. To help those who have not subscribed in the past, the following is a brief overview of good weather for spring hawk migration across the region with a focus on Plum Island. Daily reports when there is coverage will be posted on Massbird, or you can just go to HawkCount.org and look for Plum Island reports on the home page, or search for the Plum Island page to see the monthly and seasonal summary.
WEATHER FORECASTS/REPORTS
Weather, particularly wind direction and speed, is critical for identifying potentially good migration days. There are many different online sources for forecasts My preference is the National Weather Service Forecast Office, Boston, MA with a Point Forecast for Newburyport, MA
https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=42.812&lon=-70.8726&unit=0&lg=english&FcstType=graphicalhttps://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=42.812&lon=-70.8726&unit=0&lg=english&FcstType=graphical Or you can search for “U.S. Weather Service Forecast for Newburyport, MA”. That should take you to the URL forecast.weather.gov providing current conditions for Lawrence Municipal Airport. To the right of the current conditions click on “Hourly Weather Forecast” which should take you to the graphical hourly six-day forecast for Newburyport.
The strengths of this is that it forecasts
1. Surface Wind Speed, Direction, and Gusts
2. Precipitation
3. Temperature
on an hourly basis for the next six days. Just because the forecast is detailed doesn’t mean it is accurate. The accuracy is highest for the most immediate hours and decreases each hour/ day out. They update the 6-day forecasts multiple times throughout the day, so always check the current forecast before making a decision. Wind direction and speed are CRITICAL. Because weather conditions are highly changeable, and for spring migration the weather south and west of Newburyport is most important, I often look at current weather National Weather Service reports from Beverly Airport, which you can Google. To the right of “Current Conditions click on “3-Day History” to get wind direction and speed hourly for the past three days. This is helpful is identifying when there are sea breezes along the coast. (See below)
BEST WEATHER FOR MIGRATION
In general, the best winds to see migrant hawks on Plum in spring are “strong” (10+ mph, inc. gusts up to 30+ mph) winds anywhere from the west. Strong west or northwest winds for kestrels and harriers, especially early in April, and strong southwest winds later in April and early May for sharpies. Any wind from the east, including a sea breeze, generally produces little. If you hear the surf breaking on the beach, time to start looking for non-raptor species. North winds are the kiss of death. Southerly winds might produce very good numbers inland (such as Broadwings at Bradbury Mountain, Maine) but do not drive hawks towards our coast, or keep them down to where we can see them best. Good days in the first half of migration are often cold, so dress for winter birding, in layers, with gloves, warms shoes or boots, etc. And bring sunscreen!
PLUM ISLAND HAWK WATCH
We hawk watch from the visitors’ building platform at Lot 1 from late March to about May 10. If winds are favorable, someone should be there covering. Just introduce yourself. If no one is covering, keep a written record of what you see. Go to massbird.org/emhw for information on how to record and report weather and hawk data. For up-to-date reports on what has been seen this year and in the preceding ten years or so, go tohttp://www.hawkcount.org and follow instructions to look for the Plum Island pages. (The Plum Island Hawk Watch was actually started over forty years ago, but not all that data is entered on HawkCount, which started in 2002.) Look for current reports and also click on “Site Profile” and examine “Migration Timing” for a calendar of spring migration by species.
MIGRATION
Over the past thirteen years, 53% of our hawks have been kestrels, seen from late March to early May, but generally peaking in the second to fourth weeks of April. Sharpshins have been our second most abundant migrant at 14%, seen primarily in late April and especially early May. Harriers surprisingly have been our third most abundant migrant, constituting 10% of our birds, seen primarily in late March and the first half of April. Merlins have been our fourth most abundant raptor at 7%, seen primarily in the second half of April and early May. These four species comprise 84% of our migrants. Of course you might see anything at any time. We’ve had 17 species of hawks and several owls reported!
For spring hawk watching it is essential to pay close attention to weather forecasts. Spring weather and winds in New England are notoriously changeable. Hawks don’t get forecasts. They go on what they see, real-time. They are driven by thoughts of home, of mating, and prosperity. By hormones. Adults want to get back as quickly as possible. We’ve had sudden shifts in wind direction that produced significant flights almost immediately. It is not unusual to have a stationary front straddle the region, producing cold, wet winds off the North Atlantic for days..and days..and days. A weather block. That can mean little or no migration anywhere. If that block breaks on a clearing cold front, you could experience a dramatic surge of hawks. You need to take advantage of the good days when they occur.. Tough decisions are when favorable wind directions are forecast but maybe not 10 mph or above. However, if they are off on the windspeed forecast and it is 12 mph instead of 8, the birds can be flying. If the forecast is correct, there could be good broad movement inland, but not on Plum. On warm, sunny April days with weak winds, check Bradbury Mountain reports on HawkCount.
SPRING VS FALL
Spring and fall hawk migration in the northeast are quite different. In the fall hundreds of thousands of hawks from America north of us, from west to east, including the young of the year, move south in huge numbers. At Wachusett Mountain State Reservation, our major site in the fall with daily coverage for September, we average roughly 11,000 hawks a year. On average, we expect about 5 three-digit flights, and 2-3 four-digit flights a year, with a five-digit flight (10,000+ birds) occurring around once every five years. The overwhelming majority of these are Broad-winged Hawks, which pass primarily Sept 10-Sept 26.It is not unusual to see 70-80% of all the hawks we count in a season pass in one day, over 3-4 hours. It can be spectacular.
Spring migration is very different. Inland Broadwings comprise the bulk of the flight in eastern North America (excluding Turkey Vultures), but they are flying north through the interior from Texas and begin to spread out as they get farther north. Many Broadwings and other hawks that do not like to migrate over water encounter the southern shores of the Great Lakes and fly east around the lakes, so Braddock Bay near Rochester, New York, and Derby Hill near Syracuse, New York, are major spring sites, averaging 40-70,000 hawks a year. In interior New England, Broadwings start to pass in mid April, peaking in the last 10-14 days of April. Best movement occurs on south or southwest winds, but later in the season can occur on relatively light west or even northwest winds. North and east are anaethma.
In New England we see far fewer hawks in spring than in fall. At Plum we hope for 3-5 three-digit flights each year, and anything over 200 is absolutely spectacular. We average around 1,100 hawks a season, but have had over 1,700 in a great year. Our largest single flight at Plum included 550 American Kestrels at Plum on April 20, 1995! Although the spring numbers are far lower than what you’d expect inland in the fall, the birds are lower in altitude as well. Spring at Plum can afford some excellent views. The season is relatively short The more you get out and look, the more you are likely to see.
(Note there is a $5 fee per car to enter the refuge, or you can use a current Duck Stamp or Golden Age passport for admission.)
For the Eastern Massachusetts Hawk Watch
Massbird.org/emhw
Paul
Paul M. Roberts
Medford, MA
<phawk254...> mailto:<phawk254...> Paul M. Roberts
Medford, MA
<phawk254...>
Date: 4/4/19 2:51 pm From: 'Soheil Zendeh' <sohzendeh...> [arlingtonbirds] <arlingtonbirds-noreply...> Subject: [Arlington Birds] Next Bear Creek, Saugus, walk on Sunday, April 7; report for March 31 walk
Folks,
The next walk at Bear Creek Sanctuary, Saugus, is scheduled for 9 am on Sunday, April 7. Details for attending Bear Creek walks are at the end of this email.
Ospreys are in! There were at least three on territory in Rumney Marsh on a windy March 31, all busily circling and calling over the marsh and Bear Creek sanctuary. A few other early spring passerine migrants (e.g. Eastern Phoebe and Fox Sparrow) put in fleeting appearances, while waterbirds continue to trickle through.
Bear Creek Sanctuary (Restricted Access), Essex, Massachusetts, US
Mar 31, 2019 9:16 AM - 12:36 PM
Protocol: Traveling
3.0 mile(s)
Comments: Extremely windy, mild, partly to fully cloudy
38 species (+2 other taxa)
Canada Goose 80
Mute Swan 2
Mallard 2
American Black Duck 53
Green-winged Teal 5
Lesser Scaup 1
Common Eider 1
scoter sp. 1
Bufflehead 1
Hooded Merganser 1
Red-breasted Merganser 36
Wild Turkey 7
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 10
Killdeer 3
American Woodcock 1
Wilson's Snipe 1
Herring Gull 120
Great Black-backed Gull 1
Common Loon 4
cormorant sp. 1
Great Egret 1
Turkey Vulture 7
Osprey 3
Red-tailed Hawk 3
Northern Flicker 1
American Kestrel 1
Merlin 1
Eastern Phoebe 1
Blue Jay 1
American Crow 8
Horned Lark 8
Tree Swallow 6
American Robin 8
House Finch 2
American Goldfinch 8
Savannah Sparrow 1
Song Sparrow 3
Red-winged Blackbird 15
Common Grackle 3
Northern Cardinal 2
Bear Creek is an upland grassland sanctuary built on the Wheelabrator (formerly RESCO) landfill at the northern end of Rumney Marsh in Saugus and Revere. Access information is below. Wear good walking shoes and be prepared to hike 3 – 4 miles. The property is mostly very open, so be prepared for sun, wind and weather.
This walk is free and open to the public, but also note that this property is accessible by invitation only and visitors need to be chaperoned at all times. Please allow roughly 4 hours for this field trip. The actual length of the trip depends on conditions and the birds present. It's usually difficult to break up the party if you need to be somewhere in the early afternoon. Come prepared to stay with the group.
Wheelabrator company has graciously stocked up on some extra pairs of binoculars, so if you or someone you know wants to learn about birds and birding, come on down. Please let me know you’re coming so we can have a head count.
Bear Creek sanctuary access is via the Wheelabrator plant, 100 Salem Turnpike (Rte 107), Saugus. The rotary at the intersection of Rtes 60 and 107 is about 1½ miles southwest of the plant and about 1 mile east of Rte 1 exit on Rte 60. When traveling northeast on 107, if you go over the Ballard Street bridge (just after a set of lights) you’ve gone too far — turn back. Here is a link to google maps:
http://tinyurl.com/326v87d
When you arrive, drive through the plant gates, park in the parking lot immediately and wait for the group. Please do not drive farther into the property without an escort.
I've had a good week for random observations of interesting hawk behaviors.
On Monday morning, I had a pair of Red-shouldered hawks copulating on a branch about 50 feet from my bathroom window. They returned for another go this morning.
Tuesday morning, driving along 128 in Burlington, I saw a hawk in flight that looked like a Red-tail, but had something dangling behind, extending well beyond its tail. My first thought was perhaps jesses on an escaped falconer's bird, which would be unlikely to be a Red-tail. As I got closer I realized that it was indeed a Red-tail, carrying a snake in its bill.
This morning I heard a soft wheezy "kick" call and looking out my (home) office window saw a beautiful adult Cooper's Hawk about 20 feet away, apparently picking pieces of lichen from a branch - presumably for nest lining material.
Date: 4/4/19 7:52 am From: 'Alan & Ruth Bragg' <alan.ruth.bragg...> [arlingtonbirds] <arlingtonbirds-noreply...> Subject: [Arlington Birds] Great Meadows NWR--Concord Unit, Apr 4, 2019
Great Meadows NWR--Concord Unit, Middlesex, Massachusetts, US Apr 4, 2019 7:30 AM - 10:05 AM Protocol: Traveling 2.1 mile(s) Comments: Weekly survey by NWR volunteers Will, Cristine, Kevin, Maryellen, Jared, Audrey, Tom, Frank and Alan. 29 species
Canada Goose 31 Mute Swan 1 Wood Duck 8 Mallard 8 American Black Duck 1 Wild Turkey 8 Mourning Dove 5 Virginia Rail 4 At start of cross-dike and near poison ivy bench upper impoundment. Herring Gull 2 Turkey Vulture 3 Red-bellied Woodpecker 3 Downy Woodpecker 2 Eastern Phoebe 1 Blue Jay 5 American Crow 1 Tree Swallow 250 Black-capped Chickadee 3 Tufted Titmouse 6 White-breasted Nuthatch 1 Brown Creeper 1 American Robin 4 American Goldfinch 1 Song Sparrow 18 Swamp Sparrow 4 Brown-headed Cowbird 1 Common Grackle 85 Pine Warbler 1 Northern Cardinal 4 House Sparrow 3 Alan Bragg Bedford MA
Hello fellow bird friends,
We've had a pair of mating Coopers Hawks in this neighborhood for several years and now a developer is going to clear cut this land. are there any protections for these birds overall and especially during mating season which I think is soon upon us ?
Thank you .
Catherine Shaughnessy
Woburn
> On March 31, 2019 at 3:40 PM "Paul Devaney <PaulDBooty...> [arlingtonbirds]" <arlingtonbirds-noreply...> wrote:
>
>
>
> March 31, 2019
>
> A Phoebe was calling this morning at Mahoney's Rocky Ledge Nursery.
>
> Paul Devaney
> Winchester
>
>
>
Date: 4/3/19 2:04 am From: 'Diana F.' <diana.fru...> [arlingtonbirds] <arlingtonbirds-noreply...> Subject: [Arlington Birds] New England Birding Calendar
I sent this a few days ago, but not sure it went through...
I attended the Association of Massachusetts Bird Club Meeting yesterday as a representative of our club and it was announced that the https://www.birdingcalendar.com site is ready now with many clubs participating.
It contains trips and meetings, including ours, of many clubs across new england. So if you want to check out a birding location you have never been to, please check it out.
Wednesday, April 3
Horn Pond, Woburn
We’ll see which ducks are still around, such as Gadwall and Green-winged Teal and look for early spring migrants, such as Eastern Phoebe, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Field Sparrow, and Palm, Pine, and Yellow-rumped Warblers.. Co-sponsored by the Brookline Bird Club. Meet at the Sturgis Street entrance. 8:00-10:00 AM. Diana Fruguglietti <mailto:<diana.fru...>
Saturday, April 6
Dunback Meadow, Lexington
Early migrants will be our target, particularly Pine and Palm Warblers, but there may also be Phoebes, several sparrows, both kinglets and thrushes. Meet at Allen Street entrance. 8:00-10:00 AM Bobbie Hodson <mailto:<robertahodson...>
Monday, April 8
Horn Pond, Woburn
We’ll see which ducks are still around, such as Gadwall and Green-winged Teal and look for early spring migrants, such as Eastern Phoebe, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Field Sparrow, and Palm, Pine, and Yellow-rumped Warblers.. Co-sponsored by the Brookline Bird Club. Meet at the Lake Avenue entrance.. 8:00-10:00 AM Diana Fruguglietti <mailto:<diana.fru...>
Folks: Will this work?? Not having a camera, and neither of us good at the iPhone camera, asked a photographer who also recorded sound, to send us her photographs! I gave her my card! We were present at a small Limpkin gathering, half fighting half courting (I guess), great vocalizations! This was at Myakka State Park, Sarasota County. Earlier, viewing Roseate Spoonbills, large alligators and Black Vultures, we asked a photographer to send us hers! The Roseate Spoonbills were all sleeping, so you could not see their ugly bills. But then some of the awoke!
Date: 3/31/19 4:20 pm From: Paul Ippolito <paulippolito295...> [arlingtonbirds] <arlingtonbirds-noreply...> Subject: [Arlington Birds] MBC Horn Pond walk Sunday March 31st
4 MBC members joined me on a walk of the Horn Pond Conservation Area in Woburn on a sunny but breezy Sunday morning. A few migrants were found with highlights of the trip including Fox Sparrow, Brown Creeper, a cooperative Osprey, Gadwall, and Wood Duck.
Paul Ippolito - Woburn
A complete list of the 33 species includes:
Canada Goose Mute Swan Wood Duck Gadwall Mallard Hooded Merganser Double-crested Cormorant Osprey Cooper's Hawk Red-tailed Hawk Killdeer Mourning Dove Red-bellied Woodpecker Downy Woodpecker Northern Flicker Blue Jay American Crow Tree Swallow Black-capped Chickadee Tufted Titmouse White-breasted Nuthatch Brown Creeper American Robin Fox Sparrow Song Sparrow White-throated Sparrow Dark-eyed Junco Northern Cardinal Red-winged Blackbird Common Grackle Brown-headed Cowbird American Goldfinch House Sparrow
------------------------------------ Posted by: Paul Ippolito <paulippolito295...> ------------------------------------
Date: 3/28/19 4:32 pm From: Linda Willson <linda.lindawillson...> [arlingtonbirds] <arlingtonbirds-noreply...> Subject: [Arlington Birds] Sad news - Bill of the Birds
Many of you may already know this but in case you had not heard that Bill Thompson III (Bill of the Birds) has died. I have attached a message from his wife Julie Zickefoose also a well known artist and naturalist and blogger.
Lilian Stokes has been writing about him as well if you interested in more information.
>
> "He is traveling through time and space and great beauty, he is sending signals so fast and thick I can only stand agog at it all as all Nature reels out before me. When I raised the blinds to see the sunrise, I watched two coyotes chasing three deer right past the place in our meadow where he will rest, where Buffy then stood motionless in the morning sun, watchful, listening. All my blue jay friends raised a great clamor when I came out, gathering in a treetop to sing their rough joy. Do not mourn him! Celebrate all he is and continues to be. They told him he'd never travel again. They were wrong!! He is on the greatest adventure of his life. I know this as well as I know the birds."
Date: 3/28/19 5:05 am From: <phawk254...> [arlingtonbirds] <arlingtonbirds-noreply...> Subject: [Arlington Birds] Mystic Lakes March 27-8, 2019
A sunrise visit this morning revealed relatively few birds. The lakes were dominated by a chorus of roughly 25 Great Black-backed Gulls, adults and immatures calling loudly. Very vocal, accompanied by only a handful of Ring-billed and Herring Gulls. They were swarming and calling and then left within minutes of my arrival. No raptors were seen. Three Red-breasted Mergansers and two Red-throated Loons were the only notable birds seen from the dam.
What was notable was that with today's southerly winds, dozens of dead sunfish were floating off the north shore of the lower lake. More apparent winter kills. Intriguingly, they were all rather small and were not attracting any of the gulls????
Wednesday in late afternoon we had 1 immature Bald Eagle (distant), a large female Sharp-shinned Hawk, and about six Redtails. The highlight was great views of the first Osprey of the season in Mass for me at the lakes, flying low right past us.
The flocks of hundreds of Common Mergansers and small flocks of Hooded Mergansers have clearly departed north for "ice-outs" on lakes of a different latitude.
The 10-15 different primarily juvenile and immature Bald Eagles we were seeing daily in early March have also departed with the frozen H2O. One or three immatures might be seen occasionally, usually as "flybys" at any time of day, doing what non-breeding eagles do; look for other immature eagles that have food. (If you find an adult with food now, it might be nesting nearby and those guys can be pretty irritable.) In early March we frequently observed immature eagles, including MK, take large fish generally from the lower lake, and then saw them mobbed by other young eagles looking to share in the bounty. The question then was were these large fish dead floaters plucked off the surface of the water, winter kill released as the ice melted, or were they denizens of the deep rising to the surface to feed on/near the open surface for the first time in months? Karsten, any thoughts? Based on the minimal fishing success we see now, I'd be inclined to guess that most of the fish we saw being taken in the feeding frenzies were winter kill.
Date: 3/27/19 10:13 am From: Michael Alexander <mna.ma...> [arlingtonbirds] <arlingtonbirds-noreply...> Subject: [Arlington Birds] Another Barred Owl [1 Attachment]
.... in our back yard (Lexington), ca. 9:45-10:30
— Judy & Mike Alexander
Date: 3/27/19 9:35 am From: 'Seelman, Elizabeth' <eseelman...> [arlingtonbirds] <arlingtonbirds-noreply...> Subject: [Arlington Birds] FW: Spring is (finally) here, so sharpen those field skills!
From: Bird Academy, The Cornell Lab <birdacademy...><mailto:<birdacademy...>> Sent: Wednesday, March 27, 2019 11:12 AM
To: Seelman, Elizabeth <eseelman...><mailto:<eseelman...>> Subject: Spring is (finally) here, so sharpen those field skills!
Today through Sunday, you can take our Spring Field Ornithology online course for 30% off!
Today through Sunday, you can take our Spring Field Ornithology online course for 30% off!
[BA eblast header-1]
[Cornell Lab Bird Academy logo]
Hi Elizabeth,
Learn bird identification and sharpen your field skills with help from an exciting group of world-renowned birders. You’ll build your confidence in identifying the birds around you and deepen your understanding of bird biology with video instruction and custom bird ID quizzes.
"I have absolutely loved the courses. As a newer birder but an avid fan of birds, I have learned so much. Your classes are really well put together—excellent instructional design." —Margaret, Bird Academy Student
Date: 3/27/19 8:09 am From: Paul Ippolito <paulippolito295...> [arlingtonbirds] <arlingtonbirds-noreply...> Subject: [Arlington Birds] Time Change for Sunday MBC Horn Pond Walk
Unfortunately or fortunately depending on your preference, I need to change the time for the Horn Pond bird walk on this coming Sunday, March 31st to start at 8:00AM.
Sunday, March 31st Horn Pond, Woburn
Join us as search the Horn Pond Conservation Area in Woburn. We hope to find a few early Spring migrants and some of the birds that have wintered over. Meet at the Sturgis Street entrance. 8:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Sorry for the confusion
Paul Ippolito
------------------------------------ Posted by: Paul Ippolito <paulippolito295...> ------------------------------------
Date: 3/27/19 7:12 am From: Judy Alexander <JudyAlexanderLexMa...> [arlingtonbirds] <arlingtonbirds-noreply...> Subject: [Arlington Birds] In our hemlocks [1 Attachment]
A majestic barred owl!
Judy and Mike Alexander
Judy Alexander, GRI/CRS
Realtor
Barrett Sotheby's International Realty
1688 Massachusetts Avenue
Lexington, MA 02420
Cell: 781.572.1099
<JudyAlexanderLexMA...>
Sotheby’s International Realty® Brand Essence Video
Red Sox Fan
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Andrea: Gee, I would take the feeder down. 20 robins out in Robbins Farm park. What are they finding?? No worms! We are just back from Florida (Sanibel — Ding Darling Preserve, Venice Heron Rookery, Celery Fields Audubon) where the birds are tame. Great Blues will hang out near fishermen to get scraps. Sanderlings and Turnstones and Willets do not even fly away when people walk the beach. Just got back today. Yesterday two cool raptor sightings. One the Barred Owl, very large, first hearing Who Cooks For You, along with its fledgling young one! A too invasive photographer (can you believe he played its alarm call) got attacked recently. Our informers declared he deserved it (agreed!). We also saw a Loggerhead Shrike (Golden Guide— Northern Shrike grayer) harass a Red-shouldered Hawk. It was a little wary, but got right into it. The stoic hawk did not move.
Oakes Plimpton
Date: 3/26/19 8:14 am From: 'Soheil Zendeh' <sohzendeh...> [arlingtonbirds] <arlingtonbirds-noreply...> Subject: [Arlington Birds] Next Bear Creek, Saugus, walk on Sunday, March 31; report for March 24 walk
Folks,
The next walk at Bear Creek Sanctuary, Saugus, is scheduled for 9 am on Sunday, March 31. Details for attending Bear Creek walks are at the end of this email.
Breezy and relatively mild, the March 24 walk with approximately a dozen participants was replete with raptor sightings, the highlight being two immature (quite young, may be first or second year) Bald Eagles. They appeared singly, one was harassed by one of the local Redtails, and then they converged and did a brief sky dance together before heading northward. Many Redtails, a harrier and a kestrel, but no Ospreys yet.
We welcomed back at least one Eastern Meadowlark. The Horned Lark flock is still active and Red-winged Blackbirds are increasing. Spring is coming in dribs and drabs.
Thanks to Mark Resendes for photos he attached to the ebird list (link below)
Bear Creek Sanctuary (Restricted Access), Essex, Massachusetts, US Mar 24, 2019 9:14 AM - 1:03 PM
Protocol: Traveling
3.153 mile(s)
41 bird species
Snow Goose 1
Canada Goose 80
Mallard 4
American Black Duck 60
Lesser Scaup 1
Common Eider 2
Surf Scoter 6
White-winged Scoter 1
Bufflehead 4
Common Goldeneye 3
Common Merganser 3
Red-breasted Merganser 9
Wild Turkey 4
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 7
Mourning Dove 4
Killdeer 2
Ring-billed Gull 2
Herring Gull 120
Great Black-backed Gull 4
Common Loon 5
Northern Harrier 1
Bald Eagle 2
Red-tailed Hawk 4
American Kestrel 1
Blue Jay 1
American Crow 5
Horned Lark 70
Black-capped Chickadee 2
American Robin 6
Northern Mockingbird 1
American Goldfinch 8
American Tree Sparrow 3
Fox Sparrow 1
White-throated Sparrow 5
Song Sparrow 10
Eastern Meadowlark 1
Red-winged Blackbird 50
Brown-headed Cowbird 5
Common Grackle 3
Northern Cardinal 4
House Sparrow 1
Bear Creek is an upland grassland sanctuary built on the Wheelabrator (formerly RESCO) landfill at the northern end of Rumney Marsh in Saugus and Revere. Access information is below. Wear good walking shoes and be prepared to hike 3 – 4 miles. The property is mostly very open, so be prepared for sun, wind and weather.
This walk is free and open to the public, but also note that this property is accessible by invitation only and visitors need to be chaperoned at all times. Please allow roughly 4 hours for this field trip. The actual length of the trip depends on conditions and the birds present. It's usually difficult to break up the party if you need to be somewhere in the early afternoon. Come prepared to stay with the group.
Wheelabrator company has graciously stocked up on some extra pairs of binoculars, so if you or someone you know wants to learn about birds and birding, come on down. Please let me know you’re coming so we can have a head count.
Bear Creek sanctuary access is via the Wheelabrator plant, 100 Salem Turnpike (Rte 107), Saugus. The rotary at the intersection of Rtes 60 and 107 is about 1½ miles southwest of the plant and about 1 mile east of Rte 1 exit on Rte 60. When traveling northeast on 107, if you go over the Ballard Street bridge (just after a set of lights) you’ve gone too far — turn back. Here is a link to google maps:
http://tinyurl.com/326v87d
When you arrive, drive through the plant gates, park in the parking lot immediately and wait for the group. Please do not drive farther into the property without an escort.
Another good food for feeding the birds is the dried, crushed egg shells. there is nutrition in these shells
that i think helps with their egg production( I think i read that somewhere?)
Date: 3/25/19 7:51 am From: '<dacooper...>' <dacooper...> [arlingtonbirds] <arlingtonbirds-noreply...> Subject: [Arlington Birds] Menotomy Trips - one more
One additional trip this coming weekend:
Saturday, May 25
Dunback Meadow, Lexington
Join us as we explore Dunback Meadows in search of local breeding birds and some late migrant species. Meet at the Clark Middle School parking lot. 6:00-8:00 AM. Cliff Cook <ccook13...> <mailto:<ccook13...>
