Project FeederWatch - Week 9

Gonna be short with this week's observance for Project FeederWatch. As expected, all the usual suspects, nothing terribly unusual or uncommon. Highlights being as follows: 8 Northern Cardinals (all couples), the high number showing up at dusk; a good group of 16 House Finches causing a ruckus; 2 Carolina Wrens going back and forth between the front and back yards; the European Starling that showed up last week was present again at the suet feeder; and 2 faves of mine, that being 1 gorgeous male Red-bellied Woodpecker and the lone, ever-present Red-breasted Nuthatch! Below is the full listing, happy birding everyone!!

Mourning Dove	4
Red-bellied Woodpecker	1
Downy Woodpecker	2
Hairy Woodpecker	1
Blue Jay	4
Black-capped Chickadee	6
Tufted Titmouse	5
Red-breasted Nuthatch	1
White-breasted Nuthatch	1
Carolina Wren	2
European Starling	1
White-throated Sparrow	1
Dark-eyed Junco	2
Northern Cardinal	8
House Finch	16
American Goldfinch	5

Project FeederWatch - Week 8 (01/09/2011)

Yesterday's observance for FeederWatch sure was a blustery one, and still that didn't keep the birds down all too much. A fairly active period of time, and as always, its the usual suspects that are more in abundance than others. Still, a couple new bird species not noted in prior observations showed up, including this winter's first American Tree Sparrow and more unusually, a lone European Starling decided to stop by and gain some deliciousness from both the sunflower seeds and the suet. Yes, I know, its just a starling, and its an introduced species, but never had I seen a starling in our yard before. And yes, I know, its not like there could not have been an instance where a starling had shown up in the past, for I obviously cannot watch the feeders 24/7 year-round! Still, rather unusual in my opinion for here at home! Anyhoo, a Hermit Thrush was still in attendance as well, and thankfully, the Red-breasted Nuthatch is still kicking around! My full results from yesterday are below....happy birding folks!!

Mourning Dove	6
Downy Woodpecker	1
Blue Jay	6
Black-capped Chickadee	10
Tufted Titmouse	7
Red-breasted Nuthatch	1
White-breasted Nuthatch	2
Carolina Wren	1
Hermit Thrush	1
European Starling	1
American Tree Sparrow	1
White-throated Sparrow	1
Dark-eyed Junco	5
Northern Cardinal	8
House Finch	9
American Goldfinch	3

Project FeederWatch - Week 7 (01/02/2011)

After a fantastic start to 2011 being down in RI, 2011 continued to offer up some goodness during yesterday's observance for Project FeederWatch. It was mostly the usual suspects as is expected at the feeders during this time of year (or any time of the year really), but what was most remarkable to me was the presence of a lone Hermit Thrush chilling around the lilacs and holly bushes that surround the main tube feeder full of sunflower seeds. Certainly a bird that I was not expecting to see this time of year, though as I understand it, it is not entirely unheard of for a few Hermits to winter over this far up north. I know they winter regularly in the South, but up here to me is a bit out of the ordinary. Certainly was nice to see such a lovely bird again!


And speaking of thrushes, a handful (5) of American Robins were present, gulping down the bright red berries that the holly bushes yield every year. A large group of 11 Mourning Doves were in attendance again, and thankfully, the lone Red-breasted Nuthatch that had been in attendance for several weeks and had been absent over the past week, returned for an encore! Here is hoping my all-time favorite bird decides to stick around just a bit longer! Below you will find my full list of sightings....happy birding to all!!

Mourning Dove	11
Downy Woodpecker	1
Hairy Woodpecker	2
Blue Jay	2
Black-capped Chickadee	6
Tufted Titmouse	7
Red-breasted Nuthatch	1
White-breasted Nuthatch	1
Carolina Wren	1
Hermit Thrush	1
American Robin	5
Dark-eyed Junco	5
Northern Cardinal	4
House Finch	4
American Goldfinch	2

Project FeederWatch - Week 2 (11/28/2010)

Nothing overly significant to report with this post....just want to keep a "journal" of sorts of my time participating in Project FeederWatch this year. Though I would imagine on a week-to-week basis that the numbers and variety of species of birds will not change very much. As it is for this weekend (Sunday rather), a very noisy and boisterous Carolina Wren and an always lovely little Red-breasted Nuthatch were the highlights of this week's observance! What was most pleasant was that the RBNH stuck around the black sunflower seed tube feeder during most of the time I watched the feeders, whereas the Carolina was here for a few minutes, flitting from lilac to tree to shrub, etcetera. And yes, the RBNH was making its cute, nasally little "anks"! Anyhoo, here is my full list of sightings around our feeders:

Mourning Dove	4
Downy Woodpecker	1
Hairy Woodpecker	1
Blue Jay	2
Black-capped Chickadee	6
Tufted Titmouse	5
Red-breasted Nuthatch	1
White-breasted Nuthatch	2
Carolina Wren	1
Dark-eyed Junco	3
Northern Cardinal	2

Project FeederWatch - Week 1

Just a fairly quick post here, something of which I will be attempting to do every weekend to give weekly updates on how my time participating in the Cornell Lab of Ornithology's Project FeederWatch is going. This is the 24th year running for this program instituted by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and Bird Studies Canada, and this year it will run from November 13th, 2010 up until April 8th, 2011. This is my very first time participating with this annual program (I have participated with Mass Audubon's Focus on Feeders program in the past, and I'll do the same this year when it comes time; this season it is the weekend of February 5th and 6th, 2011).


Below you will find a complete list of the birds I observed off and on from Noon-time today until dusk. Highlights were a female Red-bellied Woodpecker and a Red-breasted Nuthatch both visiting our suet feeder out in the front yard. Sadly, of the 3 American Goldfinches that visited the nyjer and black sunflower seed feeders today, one of them had contracted House Finch eye disease, otherwise known as conjuctivitis. Will definitely have to clean the feeders to be sure there is a lessened chance of spreading the disease, and if there happen to be several birds infected, I will have to take our feeders down for at least a full week. Anyhow, here are my sightings for the day (normally, during Project FeederWatch, an observer would try to watch the feeders for 2 consecutive days for any period of time, though if only one day can be done, then that day must have a longer protracted time of observance):

Mourning Dove	4
Red-bellied Woodpecker	1
Downy Woodpecker	2
Hairy Woodpecker	1
Blue Jay	3
American Crow	2
Black-capped Chickadee	8
Tufted Titmouse	5
Red-breasted Nuthatch	1
White-breasted Nuthatch	2
Dark-eyed Junco	3
Northern Cardinal	2
American Goldfinch	3    (1 with eye disease)

eBird Report - Memorial Forest, Sudbury, MA, 4/30/10

Sudbury Valley Trustees' largest reservation, the General Federation of Women's Clubs of Massachusetts Memorial Forest (in short, Memorial Forest) is by far, so far, my favorite property to visit that is owned and maintained by SVT. I had spent about 4.5 hours hiking around the majority of the trails on the property, from 10:45 AM to 3:15 PM.

I certainly wasn't entirely sure what I would see today, but seeing 7 EASTERN TOWHEES was definitely a pleasant surprise! Most of them (4 of the 7) were found along Pipeline Trail, while the rest were found along Desert Trail. They were singing and calling ("drink-your-tea" and "chewink"), music to my ears! Other highlights were the RED-SHOULDERED HAWK found by its vocalizations at first ("kee-yer")....simply gorgeous, especially with the sunlight showing its translucent crescents in its wings! PINE WARBLERS were heard everywhere, but I could only get on a few of them, and fantastic looks too! The PILEATED WOODPECKER I struck upon was heard first, off of Pipeline Trail near Cranberry Brook, caught a brief glimpse whilst it made its irregular, Flicker-like call numerous times. RED-BREASTED NUTHATCHES throughout, but particular along Desert Trail and Loop as well as Ocean Bypass. I have never seen a BROWN CREEPER sing before, and its song has always been a fave of mine!

A fine day indeed (and the weather couldn't have been better!) Happy birding to all!

Location:     Memorial Forest, Sudbury, MA
Observation date:     4/30/10
Number of species:     27

Canada Goose - Branta canadensis     2
Mallard - Anas platyrhynchos     2
Great Blue Heron - Ardea herodias     1 (near boardwalk spanning Cranberry Brook on Heron Spur Trail)
Turkey Vulture - Cathartes aura     1 (seen soaring over area near jct of Desert Trail and Pipeline Trail)
Red-shouldered Hawk - Buteo lineatus     1 (flying over Cranberry Brook near Heron Spur Trail)
Red-tailed Hawk - Buteo jamaicensis     2
Mourning Dove - Zenaida macroura     6
Downy Woodpecker - Picoides pubescens     2
Pileated Woodpecker - Dryocopus pileatus     1 (off of Pipeline Trail near Cranberry Brook)
Blue Jay - Cyanocitta cristata     4
American Crow - Corvus brachyrhynchos     5
Tree Swallow - Tachycineta bicolor     7
Black-capped Chickadee - Poecile atricapillus     X
Tufted Titmouse - Baeolophus bicolor     X
Red-breasted Nuthatch - Sitta canadensis     6 (observed birds seen off of Desert Trail and Desert Loop)
White-breasted Nuthatch - Sitta carolinensis     5
Brown Creeper - Certhia americana     1 (off of Heron Spur Trail)
American Robin - Turdus migratorius     8
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) - Dendroica coronata coronata     1
Pine Warbler - Dendroica pinus     3
Eastern Towhee - Pipilo erythrophthalmus     7 (along Pipeline Trail & Desert Trail)
White-throated Sparrow - Zonotrichia albicollis     2
Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored) - Junco hyemalis hyemalis/carolinensis     4
Northern Cardinal - Cardinalis cardinalis     2
Red-winged Blackbird - Agelaius phoeniceus     15
Common Grackle - Quiscalus quiscula     26
American Goldfinch - Carduelis tristis     7

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

And here are the directions to SVT's Memorial Forest: From Sudbury Center (the intersection of Concord Road and Route 27), take Hudson Road west (staying left on Hudson rather than following Route 27 north) for 2.0 mi to Dutton Road on the left. Take Dutton Road 1.8 mi, staying on Dutton Road by bearing right at intersection with Garrison, to an unpaved access on the right into a parking area under pine trees. There is an SVT sign at the entrance to the parking area.

eBird Report - Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge--IBA, 4/7/10 - Phoebes, Chipping Sparrows and a Palm Warblah!!

A most fantastic day hiking/birding at the Assabet River NWR today. Was out there from 11 am to about 3:20 pm. I personally have never seen so many Eastern Phoebes, most of them right out around the parking lot and trailheads near the entrance off of Hudson Road. Also found 3 of the 4 Chipping Sparrows I came across there, 2 of which poking around the information kiosk. The lone FOY Palm Warbler I observed was along the section of Harry's Way Trail that is between White Pond Road and Towhee Trail. One Red-breasted Nuthatch was observed amongst the pines on White Pond Road before you come across the fields there. All in all a great day!

Here are general directions to Assabet River NWR: There are currently two parking areas on the Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge. The main parking lot is on Hudson Road in Sudbury, MA, three miles west of the Sudbury Town Center. The north gate parking area is off White Pond Road, reachable from Rt. 117 in Stow, MA. 

I hope everybody has been able to get out at some point and enjoy this gorgeous day! Good luck and happy birding to all!

Location:     Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge--IBA
Observation date:     4/7/10
Number of species:     26

Canada Goose - Branta canadensis     12
Mute Swan - Cygnus olor     1
American Black Duck - Anas rubripes     4 (Puffer Pond)
Mallard - Anas platyrhynchos     5
Great Blue Heron - Ardea herodias     1 (among the reeds along northeastern shore of Puffer Pond)
Red-tailed Hawk - Buteo jamaicensis     1
Mourning Dove - Zenaida macroura     4
Belted Kingfisher - Megaceryle alcyon     1 (near jct. of Otter Alley Trail and Taylor Way Trail)
Red-bellied Woodpecker - Melanerpes carolinus     1
Downy Woodpecker - Picoides pubescens     4
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) - Colaptes auratus [auratus Group]     1 (also in same area is Palm Warbler)
Eastern Phoebe - Sayornis phoebe     9
Blue Jay - Cyanocitta cristata     3
Tree Swallow - Tachycineta bicolor     7 (skimming Puffer Pond near northeastern edge)
Black-capped Chickadee - Poecile atricapillus     X
Tufted Titmouse - Baeolophus bicolor     X
Red-breasted Nuthatch - Sitta canadensis     1
White-breasted Nuthatch - Sitta carolinensis     6
American Robin - Turdus migratorius     15
Palm Warbler (Yellow) - Dendroica palmarum hypochrysea     1
Chipping Sparrow - Spizella passerina     4
Song Sparrow - Melospiza melodia     1
Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored) - Junco hyemalis hyemalis/carolinensis     X
Northern Cardinal - Cardinalis cardinalis     2
Red-winged Blackbird - Agelaius phoeniceus     3
American Goldfinch - Carduelis tristis     6

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

Red-shouldered Hawk at Memorial Forest in Sudbury! (03/18/10)

Just a quick little note here folks! While assisting Sudbury Valley Trustees with installing a bench that sits atop the boardwalk that spans Cranberry Brook, Dan and myself were graced with the presence of a beautiful Red-shouldered Hawk! This lovely buteo was soaring overhead, just above the treeline over the marsh area around us. It was flying in tight cirlces, giving its characteristic "kee-yer" call quite often. Sibley and Peterson weren't kidding when they stated that the Red-shouldered is very vocal! A lifer for me, and had great looks at it for about 7 minutes or so. Also, at least 3 Red-breasted Nuthatches were heard calling back and forth to each other. Sadly, I could not get on them amongst all those tall pines there. Happy birding everyone!

eBird Report - Memorial Forest, Sudbury, MA , 3/5/10

Here are some directions copied from the Sudbury Valley Trustees website:

From Sudbury Center (the intersection of Concord Road and Route 27), take Hudson Road west (staying left on Hudson rather than following Route 27 north) for 2.0 mi to Dutton Road on the left. Take Dutton Road 1.8 mi, staying on Dutton Road by bearing right at intersection with Garrison, to an unpaved access on the right into a parking area under pine trees. There is an SVT sign at the entrance to the parking area.

Location:     Memorial Forest, Sudbury, MA
Observation date:     3/5/10
Notes:     A vast and glorious pine forest at Memorial with some wetlands and several brooks running through the property. Numerous Black-capped Chickadees (seemed to be BC Chickadee central!) and Tufted Titmice. The highlights of course was the lone Eastern Bluebird and the Red-breasted Nuthatch. My inclination is that there were probably more RB Nuthatches around, but I find they tend to be more seclusive than their White-breasted brethren. If anybody decides to check out Memorial Forest, you'll need waterproof boots with good grip (still packed ice and snow along trails) and the loop south of Trout Brook is partially flooded (you'll have to do some trekking around it).
Number of species:     9

Ring-billed Gull - Larus delawarensis     3
Mourning Dove - Zenaida macroura     4
Downy Woodpecker - Picoides pubescens     1
American Crow - Corvus brachyrhynchos     3
Black-capped Chickadee - Poecile atricapillus     X
Tufted Titmouse - Baeolophus bicolor     X
Red-breasted Nuthatch - Sitta canadensis     1
White-breasted Nuthatch - Sitta carolinensis     4
Eastern Bluebird - Sialia sialis     1

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

eBird Report - Ferdinand, Vermont, 2/6/10 - Northern Hawk Owl & Boreal Chickadees - YES

Good day fellow Mass Birders!

I understand that posts usually should be about birds seen within the borders of our beloved State of Massachusetts, but I thought it would be prudent to pass along this report and information along, because how often does one get to observe a Northern Hawk Owl?!

My friend Kirk Marshall and I decided to make a day of it visiting the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont to see if we could spy our little eyes on the main prize, the Northern Hawk Owl that was last reported on VT Birds on January 30th by Mark Barriger of Cheshire, CT. There were many snowmobilers in the area considering the pull off spot and location of the NHO is right near one of the trails in the VAST system, but none of this, nor the presence of myself and 4 fellow birders (including Bob Stymeist and his wife) seemed to bother this amazing owl who obviously was very cooperative! After observing the NHO for a good 20 minutes or so, Kirk and I headed roughly 2 miles or so east on Route 105 to South America Pond Road which takes you into Wenlock WMA.

We ourselves pulled off the side of the 105 and walked down South America Pond Rd to see what we could see. We had not realized this, but for those going to check out this particular area, there is also a small parking lot of sorts about 500 feet or so on SA Pond Rd (please note that this road has not been cleared very much, so if you do go in, I hope you have good winter tires on). Kirk and I walked down this road for about a half to .75 miles or so, then walked on back. Along our travels there we came across numerous Black-capped Chickadees, but interspersed with them were a few Boreal Chickadees, some we could not get on, and a few we definitely could! One Boreal Chickadee kept flying within 5 feet of Kirk and myself back and forth across the road, seemingly checking us out. It was amazing (though still not as amazing as the NHO in my opinion!) Several White-winged Crossbills were heard by us, but we could never get on them. Also, a couple of Grey Jays and a few Red-breasted Nuthatches (we could hear many others) also graced us with their beautiful presence!

All in all what a very beautiful and glorious day!

For further information, here is some copied text from Barriger's post back on the 30th of January: Ferdinand Hawk Owl - The location is 2.5 miles east of the John Boyland State Airport at a snowmobile crossing of Route 105. The Northern Hawk Owl was approximately 500 feet south of Route 105 in an open area along the Nulhegan River. The GPS coordinates for our viewing location were        N 44.78001 W 71.78243. This location is about 6 miles east of Island Pond (Brighton), VT.

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: <do-not-reply@ebird.org>
Date: Sat, Feb 6, 2010 at 8:09 PM
Subject: eBird Report - Ferdinand, Vermont , 2/6/10
To: gbil4243@gmail.com




Location:     Ferdinand, Vermont
Observation date:     2/6/10
Notes:     Please note that the Northern Hawk Owl was seen at the location the marker shows on the map provided. After observing the NHO, my friend Kirk Marshall and I went a bit farther east (about a couple of miles or so) on Route 105 to South America Pond Road in the Wenlock WMA. It is there that we saw the 3 Boreal Chickadees, the numerous BC Chickadees and heard several White-winged Crossbills, but could never get on them. The Red-breasted Nuthatches were seen amongst both species of chickadee. A couple of seemingly tame Grey Jays (as is their nature) came by to check things out!
Number of species:     5

Northern Hawk Owl - Surnia ulula     1
Gray Jay - Perisoreus canadensis     2
Black-capped Chickadee - Poecile atricapillus     X
Boreal Chickadee - Poecile hudsonica     3
Red-breasted Nuthatch - Sitta canadensis     2

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