eBird Report - Hartwell Family Memorial Preserve, Littleton, 8/29/10 - Some midday hometown birding!

I had desires to get up this morning and to make a day of it hiking/birding out in the Marlborough area at Sudbury Valley Trustee's Sawink Farm and Cedar Hill Reservations, but I thought better of it, desiring more to get a good night's rest and to sleep in! Plus, I didn't fall asleep until say 1:30 am after watching several episodes of LOST and reading a bit afterwards of Patrick Rothfuss' debut novel, "The Name of the Wind". And so, sleep in I did, not getting up until around 10:20 am!


And so I thought since I didn't get out and about 'til much later than usual that I would not see much in the way of birdage, and also considering the fact that it was/is a bit breezy and temps in the low-90s! Nonetheless, there is a reason why I love it here in my "hometown" of Littleton, MA, for the wildlife here is always evident and in good variety! To make a point, just a couple nights ago (Friday evening/night), 6 Common Nighthawks were catching flying insects overhead of our backyard, thusly signifying to me that their migration is in full swing. But that was not all for that night, for while out enjoying a fire in our firepit that resides in our backyard, a Barred Owl startled the wits out of my Dad and myself, giving a very loud and piercing "ooo-aawww" with a bit of their characteristic warble at the end of the vocalization. Besides giving us the heebie-geebies, it woke up Mourning Doves and Northern Cardinals from their slumber! Now, not an hour later, from across the street of our home, an Eastern Screech-Owl gave its clear, tremulous whinny! This was the first time I have ever heard a Screech-Owl's call here at home, let alone anywhere! What a treat that night was!


But I have gone off on a tangent again and must come back to today's exploits! Since I had started the day so late (but the sleeping-in part was nice nonetheless), I chose to get my bird on locally, traversing Hartwell Family Memorial Preserve that is owned and generally maintained by the Littleton Conservation Trust. I took my time in the preserve, being in its midst from 11:30 am to 2 pm, despite the heat. I was just enjoying myself and surprised at the birds I did observe at that time of day! A full list of results, as always, will be below my lovely little narrative. Highlights are as follows:


The most exciting bird I got to see is my favorite little falcon, the American Kestrel! Such a beautiful little raptor, gliding and swooping over the wetlands that border Beaver Brook and then flying off over the tree-tops towards the "summit" of Proctor Hill. I was also fortunate to observe a number of warblers, such species being a pair of Black-throated Green Warblers, a Black-and-white Warbler, a handful of American Redstarts, a pair of Yellow-rumped (Myrtle) Warblers and a few Northern Parulas! Simply lovely! What birder doesn't love seeing warblers, no matter what time of year! The thing to remember is to always check the little flocks of Black-capped Chickadees that always seem to be chattering away (as I learned from Kirk) that come through, for it seems various other woodland species like to join in on the fun. That is how I saw ALL of the warblers I observed today, for very few were vocal (only the Black-and-white and Myrtles were a bit vocal). I also had the pleasure of seeing a Northern Flicker perusing the grassy areas along the trail and 2 juvie Red-bellied Woodpeckers making quite the racket as they went from tree to tree!


Again, it goes to show, even if you don't get yourself up early in the morn to try and see birds when they tend to be most active, that you never know how many birds and types of species you'll see at any given time of the day! Even had I not seen what birds I did perchance on today, I would have enjoyed my time of solitude out in the woods and wetlands of the Hartwell Preserve! Happy birding everyone, and get out there!

Location:     Hartwell Family Memorial Preserve, Littleton
Observation date:     8/29/10
Notes:     Red-bellied Woodpeckers seen were both juveniles; American Kestrel seen swooping and gliding above the tree-tops and edge of the wetlands that run along Beaver Brook (looking towards the summit of Proctor Hill).
Number of species:     24

Red-tailed Hawk - Buteo jamaicensis     1
American Kestrel - Falco sparverius     1
Mourning Dove - Zenaida macroura     3
Red-bellied Woodpecker - Melanerpes carolinus     2
Downy Woodpecker - Picoides pubescens     5
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) - Colaptes auratus [auratus Group]     1
Eastern Wood-Pewee - Contopus virens     1
Eastern Phoebe - Sayornis phoebe     1
Blue Jay - Cyanocitta cristata     12
Black-capped Chickadee - Poecile atricapillus     25
Tufted Titmouse - Baeolophus bicolor     7
White-breasted Nuthatch - Sitta carolinensis     8
Hermit Thrush - Catharus guttatus     1
American Robin - Turdus migratorius     23
Gray Catbird - Dumetella carolinensis     2
Northern Parula - Parula americana     3
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) - Dendroica coronata coronata     2
Black-throated Green Warbler - Dendroica virens     2
Black-and-white Warbler - Mniotilta varia     1
American Redstart - Setophaga ruticilla     5
Northern Cardinal - Cardinalis cardinalis     5
Common Grackle - Quiscalus quiscula     6
Baltimore Oriole - Icterus galbula     1
American Goldfinch - Spinus tristis     9

This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)

eBird Report - Pondicherry NWR, Jefferson, NH, 6/19/10 - Bears, otters and warblers, oh my!!

Despite this weekends fairly high temperatures, even for up in northern New England, my good buddy Kirk and I just had to make our first stop of the year to Pondicherry NWR in Jefferson, NH. I had been itching for weeks to get up there, for I consider this wonderful haven of mine to be my "paradise" in all of New England so far!! And so, I met up with Mr. Marshall in Burlington, MA by 6:30 am, and it was at 9:30 am that we arrived at Pondicherry!!! We certainly figured the flies would be horrendous, and they did not disappoint. They were still bearable, but they seemed to love Kirk far more than me, which is certainly a good spate of fortune on my part.

Kirk and I just love being up there, for it truly is "god's country" as the saying goes.....breathtaking panoramic views, crisp air with a hint of fresh pine aloft! We never know what to expect when we visit Pondicherry, but it never disappoints! The birds were hard to get on because it was so sunny and of course, so much foliage. Still, we had a few good birds. An Alder Flycatcher and American Kestrel were our first treats, though the Alder was heard only, for we all know how well Empids tend to blend in with their surroundings. We were hoping, when we got down to "Big" Cherry Pond that we would chance upon Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers and Chestnut-sided Warblers again, but alas, none such species were seen this go around. We then walked down to Moorhen Marsh, and sadly, no Marsh Wrens either, though a female Common Yellowthroat was chipping away at us and and displaying to protect her nest, a very peculiar and interesting show!

On our way back to Cherry Pond, a Common Loon was sighted, much to our pleasure, before us heading off to Little Cherry Pond to see if the pair of Black-backed Woodpeckers were still around. Sadly, this was not the case. However, on our way over to Little Cherry, we came across a bunch of Hermit Thrushes and a warbler of some question. There may have been 2 warblers in the same vicinity, for the bird that my binocs were sighted upon looked by all accounts to be a Canada Warbler. My good buddy, according to all that he saw, was a Hooded Warbler. I am not sure if we were looking at the same bird, and my observation skills were in error if so, but he was adamant it was a Hooded. But, I just have to go with my gut here based on what I saw, though at the time I did not protest this to Kirk. Thusly, I firmly believe what I saw was a Canada. For all intents and purposes, I hope it was another bird he was on and it was indeed a Hooded, for that would be a Lifer for him (would've been for me as well). As it is, the Canada is in fact a Lifer for me. If he reads this post, of which Kirk might indeed, he may be upset with me, but I just have to go with me gut on this. I saw a yellow throat and breast, grayish back and the black necklace that Kirk fondly calls dribbled chocolate sauce that is on the chest of the Canada. He firmly believes that bird he saw had the yellow face with black mask, which definitely indicated a Hooded. Here is hoping we were both on different birds!

Well, enough of that, after the warblers we chanced upon, we were treated to 3 river otters swimming across Little Cherry Pond, though sadly, no Black-backed Woodpeckers. That is alright though, we were able to come upon them last year while on the trail leading to Little Cherry!

The icing on the cake for us though was just before we came back to the parking lot. I saw a large black mammal about 75 feet in front of us dart across the path after giving us a quick glance. At first I thought it was someone's dog (Pondicherry was kinda busy that day, at least the most active in terms of visitors that we have ever experienced). But I quickly decided it was a black bear! And to prove it, another black bear darted across the path after the first one!!! The first live black bears I have ever seen without being killed by me (accidently killed off of Route 5 in the NEK of VT, hitting it with my old Chevy Celebrity wagon that I had back in 2001). The bears were the first ones Kirk had ever seen either!! What a way to end the day, that is for sure! I highly recommend everybody goes up to Pondicherry at least once a year! Happy birding to all!!

Location:     Pondicherry NWR, Jefferson, NH
Observation date:     6/19/10
Notes:     The Black-billed Cuckoo, Least and Alder Flycatchers were heard only.
Number of species:     37

Wood Duck - Aix sponsa     1
Common Loon - Gavia immer     1
Great Blue Heron - Ardea herodias     3
Northern Harrier - Circus cyaneus     1
American Kestrel - Falco sparverius     1
Mourning Dove - Zenaida macroura     2
Black-billed Cuckoo - Coccyzus erythropthalmus     1 (heard only)
Hairy Woodpecker - Picoides villosus     1
Alder Flycatcher - Empidonax alnorum     1 (heard only)
Least Flycatcher - Empidonax minimus     1 (heard only)
Great Crested Flycatcher - Myiarchus crinitus     2
Eastern Kingbird - Tyrannus tyrannus     2
Red-eyed Vireo - Vireo olivaceus     2
Blue Jay - Cyanocitta cristata     4
American Crow - Corvus brachyrhynchos     3
Tree Swallow - Tachycineta bicolor     3
Black-capped Chickadee - Poecile atricapillus     6
Tufted Titmouse - Baeolophus bicolor     4
Red-breasted Nuthatch - Sitta canadensis     2
Veery - Catharus fuscescens     3
Hermit Thrush - Catharus guttatus     5
American Robin - Turdus migratorius     4
Gray Catbird - Dumetella carolinensus     1
Northern Mockingbird - Mimus polyglottos     1
Cedar Waxwing - Bombycilla cydrorum     14
Yellow Warbler - Dendroica petechia     2
Black-throated Blue Warbler - Dendroica caerulescens     1
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) - Dendroica coronata coronata     1
Black-and-white Warbler - Mniotilta varia     3
Ovenbird - Seiurus aurocapilla     1
Common Yellowthroat - Geothlypis trichas     4
Canada Warbler - Wilsonia canadensis     1
Chipping Sparrow - Spizella passerina     2
Song Sparrow - Melospiza melodia     3
Swamp Sparrow - Melospiza georgiana     2
Red-winged Blackbird - Agelaius phoeniceus     4
Purple Finch - Carpodacus purpureus     1

This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org/massaudubon/)

A fine day it was yesterday (04/24/2010) with Wildlife Care at Drumlin Farm!

Hopefully volunteering over at Wildlife Care on MAS Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary will open some new pathways, some new doors down the road, but even if it doesn't, the memories I have garnered will last a lifetime!

After having complete morning chores (cleaning indoor and outdoor enclosures, laying food out, etc), A'ndrea Cutler, the interim Wildlife Care Supervisor (sadly she'll be leaving this upcoming Sat, the 1st of May) gave Andrea Coughlan (Wildlife Care Assistant) and myself a brief intro into handling a couple of the birds that at times go on program. Both Andrea and I got to have a red-morph Eastern Screech Owl and an American Kestrel perch itself on our outstretched hands (gloved of course). It was truly amazing to be so very close to these beautiful creatures, to see them in all their glory (even if they are captive and imprinted).

Afterwards, I assisted A'ndrea with the installation of new perches and ladders for our 2 non-flighted Broad-winged Hawks that have an outdoor enclosure on "Bird Hill". Then I assisted A'ndrea with the Broad-wingeds' health check-ups and then not too long afterwards, proceeded to release these beautiful raptors into their newly renovated "home"!

I then assisted in afternoon chores, including feeding the mammals and birds some afternoon snacks, and then when it was time to close up, help usher in the Pekin Ducks, Canada Goose, Mallards and female Turkey Vulture back into their indoor enclosures. I know not every day will be like yesterday, but I most certainly and thoroughly enjoyed myself!

Here are the pics of me with the red-morph Eastern Screech Owl and the American Kestrel:

eBird Report - Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary, 4/21/10 - A Kestrel, 4 Sapsuckers, a dozen Hermit Thrushes & a Porcupine!!

I guess there is one good thing about being unemployed (and thankfully still collecting UI) and that is I am able to get out more often.....yeah, I know, I shouldn't be out birding at all, I should be hitting the pavement day in, day out looking for employment. I wish I were that motivated (I should be nonetheless). Anyhow, I digress, for today was an amazing day to be outside enjoying all that Mother Nature has to offer (including annoying insects and a bit of a sunburn).

I chose to visit Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary in Princeton, MA, only my 2nd time visiting this Mass Audubon property. I had fallen in love with it the first time I visited (back in autumn of last year), but this visit was even more inspiring! I didn't quite hike as much as I did on my 1st visit, but still, I would say 7.5 miles worth of trails is plenty enough! I was at Wachusett from 9 am until about 2:20 pm.

I started off visiting the trails that go along near Beaver Wetland (South Meadow Trail and Beaver Bend Trail). It is here I saw the majority of the Common Grackles, Red-winged Blackbirds, Tree Swallows and all of the Brown-headed Cowbirds (though they stayed mainly near the meadows next to the barns). The lone White-crowned Sparrow I lucked upon was found while walking along South Meadow Trail. It is also here that I saw 2 of the 3 Red-tailed Hawks and the highlight of this area, the AMERICAN KESTREL! Great looks for several minutes before being chased off by Common Grackles. 2 of the 4 Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers were found along this stretch as well.

I then went onto Pasture Trail and Heron Rookery Trail. Goldfinches were everywhere throughout the sanctuary, but most were found along Pasture Trail. Sadly, no Great Blue Herons yet at the rookery, but of course more Tree Swallows and a few Eastern Bluebirds. It was when I got onto Fern Forest Trail that I started seeing the Hermit Thrushes (and numerous Dark-eyed Juncos). More Hermit Thrushes were seen along Hemlock Seep Trail as well as the 3rd Sapsucker of the day.

Most of Chapman Trail, West Border Trail, Brown Hill Loop and Summit Trail was quiet. I did find the rest of the Hermit Thrushes I observed on the trails criss-crossing the Brown Hill area, a few of them singing, which was a very welcome sound to my ears! The biggest highlight of this area was coming across a lumbering, slow-moving PORCUPINE, near the northern junction of West Border Trail and Chapman Trail. He either didn't know I was there or just didn't care that I was, for this porcupine was only about 30 feet in front of me....what a sight it was, the first porcupine I have seen in the wild alive! Anyhow, I also trekked along Otter Pond Trail (more Tree Swallows and Bluebirds) and Birch Trail (where I saw my 4th Sapsucker). I made a stop at the Farm Pond found on along the lower half of the North Meadow Trail area and was greeted with Eastern Phoebes, numerous American Goldfinches and Red-winged Blackbirds, a few Eastern Bluebirds and alas, a number of House Sparrows. The other House Sparrows were found, of course, near the barns and other man-made structures.

Well, enough blabbering from me! It was a most fantastic venture and I encourage all others to make a trip out to Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary! Here are the directions from Mass Audubon's website:

From Rt 2: Take exit 28 (Rt 31, Fitchburg/Princeton). Follow Rt 31 south for 3.9 miles to a blinking red light. Turn left at the light and follow Rt 31 and Rt 140 south for 1.8 miles to a blinking yellow light. Turn right and follow Rt 31 south for 2.8 miles to a steep hill and a blinking yellow light (center of Princeton). At the light, follow signs for Rt 62 west by crossing the intersection and bearing right (follow the road as it curves right on the far side of the common after the light). Follow Rt 62 west for 0.6 miles, and you will see the sanctuary sign on the right at Goodnow Road. Turn right on Goodnow Road, and the parking lot is 1 mile ahead on the left.

From Rt I-190: Take exit 5 (Rt 140, Sterling/W. Boylston). Follow Rt 140 north for 2.4 miles to the intersection of Rt 62 (blinking yellow light). Take a left onto Rt 62 west and follow it for 4.2 miles to a stop sign. Turn left on Rt 31 and go up the hill to a flashing yellow light (center of Princeton). Follow directions above from the "center of Princeton."

Here is the link to the information page on Mass Audubon's website for Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary

I hope other folks were able to get out today to enjoy this fine weather and do a little bit of birding/hiking! Happy birding to all!

Location:     Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary
Observation date:     4/21/10
Notes:     Also came across a porcupine, my first seen in the wild, alive!
Number of species:     32

Canada Goose - Branta canadensis     4
Wood Duck - Aix sponsa     2 (Beaver Wetlands near jct of South Meadow Trail and Beaver Bend Trail)
Mallard - Anas platyrhynchos     5
Turkey Vulture - Cathartes aura     1 (soaring over Brown Hill)
BROAD-WINGED HAWK - Buteo platypterus     1 (slowly circling over Beaver Wetland and neighboring woods)
Red-tailed Hawk - Buteo jamaicensis     3
AMERICAN KESTREL - Falco sparverius     1 (overlooking Beaver Wetland from trees along South Meadow Trail, near jct with Beaver Bend Trail)
Killdeer - Charadrius vociferus     1
Mourning Dove - Zenaida macroura     1
YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER - Sphyrapicus varius     4 (Wildlife Pond area of South Meadow Trail, Beaver Bend Trail, Hemlock Seep Trail, Birch Trail)
Downy Woodpecker - Picoides pubescens     1
Hairy Woodpecker - Picoides villosus     1
Eastern Phoebe - Sayornis phoebe     4 (near barns and also near Farm Pond)
Blue Jay - Cyanocitta cristata     6
Tree Swallow - Tachycineta bicolor     X (throughout, especially over Beaver Wetland and adjacent meadows)
Black-capped Chickadee - Poecile atricapillus     X
Tufted Titmouse - Baeolophus bicolor     X
Red-breasted Nuthatch - Sitta canadensis     1 (along Fern Forest Trail)
White-breasted Nuthatch - Sitta carolinensis     4
Eastern Bluebird - Sialia sialis     6 (check all bluebird boxes, especially both North and South Meadow Trails)
HERMIT THRUSH - Catharus guttatus     12 (Fern Forest Trail, Hemlock Seep Trail, Chapman Trail, Brown Hill Loop)
American Robin - Turdus migratorius     8
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) - Dendroica coronata coronata     1 (Beaver Bend Trail)
Chipping Sparrow - Spizella passerina     1 (near feeders adjacent to parking lot)
Song Sparrow - Melospiza melodia     3
WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW (EASTERN) - Zonotrichia leucophrys leucophrys     1 (South Meadow Trail)
Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored) - Junco hyemalis hyemalis/carolinensis     X (throughout, but mainly along Fern Forest Trail)
Red-winged Blackbird - Agelaius phoeniceus     X
Common Grackle - Quiscalus quiscula     X
Brown-headed Cowbird - Molothrus ater     8
American Goldfinch - Carduelis tristis     X
House Sparrow - Passer domesticus     10

This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org/massaudubon/)