eBird Report - Grassy Pond Conservation Land, Acton, MA, 4/20/10

After having done a little bit more yard work at home, I accompanied my brother and his good friend Ciaran O'Dwyer for a little nature walk to Grassy Pond Conservation Land in Acton, the main parking area located right off Nagog Hill Road. The parking lot will be on your left if you are coming from Acton via Route 27. It was my 3rd time being there and my first time in the spring. Fairly quiet until coming upon Grassy Pond itself. The highlight of this little excursion of course was seeing 2 NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOWS chasing each other just above the surface of the pond for several minutes. At first I thought perhaps Bank Swallows, but no breast band or contrasting. They were dark brown above and pale brown below, especially around the chest to throat. I had also thought juvenile Tree Swallow, but again, no stark contrasting. So, I had myself a pair of Northern Rough-wings, a lifer for me! I had honestly did not expect to see much on this little trek, for it was nice just being out and about and seeing what lovely avian friends were around the vicinity! I hope others had a chance to get out and enjoy this fine day! Happy birding to all!!!


Location:     Grassy Pond Conservation Land, Acton, MA
Observation date:     4/20/10
Number of species:     15

Canada Goose - Branta canadensis     4
Red-shouldered Hawk - Buteo lineatus     1 (Soaring fairly high up over pond)
Mourning Dove - Zenaida macroura     1
Belted Kingfisher - Megaceryle alcyon     1 (Off to the left amongst dead trees in marshy area of pond)
Red-bellied Woodpecker - Melanerpes carolinus     2 (Excellent views of male checking out dead trees on left from platform over pond)
Downy Woodpecker - Picoides pubescens     2
Blue Jay - Cyanocitta cristata     2
American Crow - Corvus brachyrhynchos     1
Northern Rough-winged Swallow - Stelgidopteryx serripennis     2 (Skimming surface of Grassy Pond chasing each other)
Black-capped Chickadee - Poecile atricapillus     4
Tufted Titmouse - Baeolophus bicolor     2
American Robin - Turdus migratorius     5
Red-winged Blackbird - Agelaius phoeniceus     7
Common Grackle - Quiscalus quiscula     5
American Goldfinch - Carduelis tristis     5

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


Here is some general info from the Acton Conservation Commission for Grassy Pond Conservation Land