More signs of Spring have become evident with the coming of the Eastern Phoebe! The phoebe I observed at Nashoba Brook Wildlife Sanctuary in Westford was not the first one nor would it be the last one for today! When I got up this morning, after having showered and had breakfast, I observed a singing Eastern Phoebe on the edges of our backyard while taking Mr. Gildor, our Corgi, outside for a bathroom break. And as the phoebe at Nashoba was not the last one, another was heard singing along Gray Farm Road in Littleton while taking Gildor for a walk late this afternoon, after having done my 4 miles worth of trekking at Nashoba.
It sure was a pleasant day to be outside, in spite of the brisk winds and slightly-below-normal temperatures. Today's little excursion started off with coming across 5 Golden-crowned Kinglets way up in the tops of the pines along the Woodland Loop Trail. Onwards, while on the trails situated on lands owned by the Westford Conservation Trust that connect the 2 parcels of property that make up Nashoba Brook, I came upon a Brown Creeper going from tree to tree, singing its lovely, ethereal song....a treat that was since the song of the creeper is one of my favorites! Lastly, the other most notable species of bird I came across was while on the trails near Nonset Brook that reside within property owned and maintained by the Westford Conservation Commission. These trails also connect to the MAS lands comprising Nashoba Brook. This particular species was a pair of calling Common Ravens observed flying just above the treetops heading northwards. I just love their guttural croak! The full listing of birds seen at MAS Nashoba Brook Wildlife Sanctuary are below:
Location: Nashoba Brook Wildlife Sanctuary
Observation date: 3/28/11
Number of species: 17
Mallard - Anas platyrhynchos 6
Great Blue Heron - Ardea herodias 1
Red-tailed Hawk - Buteo jamaicensis 1
Mourning Dove - Zenaida macroura 3
Downy Woodpecker - Picoides pubescens 5
Hairy Woodpecker - Picoides villosus 1
Eastern Phoebe - Sayornis phoebe 1
Blue Jay - Cyanocitta cristata 1
American Crow - Corvus brachyrhynchos 15
Common Raven - Corvus corax 2
Black-capped Chickadee - Poecile atricapillus 18
Tufted Titmouse - Baeolophus bicolor 6
White-breasted Nuthatch - Sitta carolinensis 14
Brown Creeper - Certhia americana 1
Golden-crowned Kinglet - Regulus satrapa 5
Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored) - Junco hyemalis hyemalis/carolinensis 2
Red-winged Blackbird - Agelaius phoeniceus 4
This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)
Before I depart here, I also wanted to mention a bird I have never had in our yards at home before until this past Saturday, that being a lone Fox Sparrow that came around late afternoon time (4:15 to 5:40), kicking up the ground very much in the fashion of an Eastern Towhee.....twas only the 3rd time I had ever seen a Fox Sparrow! Below is the full listing of birds in our yards observed at that time:
Location: 83 Hartwell Avenue, Littleton, MA 01460
Observation date: 3/26/11
Notes: First Fox Sparrow I have ever seen in our yard, only the 3rd Fox Sparrow I have seen in my life thus far (first in 2009 in Sanbornton, NH; 2nd in 2010 at Stony Brook Wildlife Sanctuary).
Number of species: 15
Mourning Dove - Zenaida macroura 4
Downy Woodpecker - Picoides pubescens 1
Hairy Woodpecker - Picoides villosus 1
Blue Jay - Cyanocitta cristata 2
Black-capped Chickadee - Poecile atricapillus 7
Tufted Titmouse - Baeolophus bicolor 5
Red-breasted Nuthatch - Sitta canadensis 2
White-breasted Nuthatch - Sitta carolinensis 2
Carolina Wren - Thryothorus ludovicianus 2
Fox Sparrow (Red) - Passerella iliaca iliaca/zaboria 1
Song Sparrow - Melospiza melodia 1
Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored) - Junco hyemalis hyemalis/carolinensis 5
Northern Cardinal - Cardinalis cardinalis 2
House Finch - Carpodacus mexicanus 6
American Goldfinch - Spinus tristis 4
This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)
It has been another good year of birding thus far! Get out there folks and enjoy it! Happy birding!!
Showing posts with label common raven. Show all posts
Showing posts with label common raven. Show all posts
Monday, March 28, 2011
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Winter finches galore on this day of my birth!
What a year of bird watching it has been thus far, and today has by far and away been the best day of birding yet, and there has already been several momentous occasions! On the day of my birth (30 today) that had promised milder temps, some sun and the allure of the hunt for seeing more winter finches, brought us all that and more (even a few intermittent snow flurries in Royalston)!
My good buddy and fellow birder Kirk and myself ventured back out to West Concord at the Thoreau School again to get more of a Redpoll fix! It was my 3rd time visiting this location, and today's hope was not only to see the myriad numbers of Common Redpolls, but also to see if we could chance upon at least one of the Hoary Redpolls that the venerable David Sibley had observed earlier in the week. This time around, we didn't have to wait for the Redpolls to show up, for we got there at about 8:30 am and two-thirds of the flock was present and accounted for, mowing down upon the feeders full of millet. One of the Redpolls that alighted on the feeders was without a doubt a Hoary Redpoll. It was marginally larger, had that frostier, paler appearance and the more refined and less noticeable brown streaking along its flanks. It also appeared to have an even stubbier yellow bill than that of its Common brethren. We were there in West Concord for about 20 minutes before deciding to head out west to continue to feast our eyes upon more winter finches! There was another Redpoll that seemed to be a candidate for a Hoary, but we weren't definitively sure of it. Nonetheless, that one Hoary we saw was fantastic, never mind the fact of just having all those Redpolls there at once down here in the Bay State!
Location: Thoreau School, West Concord, MA
Observation date: 3/13/11
Notes: The sizable flock of Redpolls continues at this location, though only about half to two-thirds of the flock was present and accounted for. The Hoary (1 of a few that had been reported earlier in the week by David Sibley) has all the features we were looking for: the slightly larger size, the even shorter, stubbier yellow bill, the more refined brown streaking along the flanks than that of the Commons, and just the overall "frostier" appearance, looking like it has just spent a night in the freezer!
Number of species: 8
Mourning Dove - Zenaida macroura 4
American Crow - Corvus brachyrhynchos 3
Black-capped Chickadee - Poecile atricapillus 5
White-breasted Nuthatch - Sitta carolinensis 2
American Robin - Turdus migratorius 1
Common Redpoll - Acanthis flammea 40
Hoary Redpoll - Acanthis hornemanni 1
American Goldfinch - Spinus tristis 3
This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)
Here are a couple pics of the myriad of Redpolls seen in West Concord by my good buddy and birding mentor, Kirk Marshall:
About an hour and a half later, at around a little after 10:30 am, we started our venture within the town of Royalston, MA in hopes of coming across other notable winter finches that had been reported earlier in the week by Paul Peterson, Pete Gilmore and Paul Sullivan along North Fitzwilliam Road, Northeast Fitzwilliam Road and Proctor Hill Road. Around Northeast Fitzwilliam Road, we didn't come across any of the winter finches we were hoping for, but things started off fairly well when we arrived there, with 3 American Crows harassing the living daylights out of a calling Common Raven! We had parked in the parking lot near the church in the center of town (we weren't sure which building was the Phinehas S. Newton Library). After seeing the Raven, we walked northwards along NE Fitzwilliam Road and came upon a sizable flock of about 40 Red-winged Blackbirds and at least 8 Common Grackles. Even more notable here was a Mink that Kirk had spotted crossing NE Fitzwilliam Road right near the juncture with Frye Hill Road....I hadn't seen a Mink since being at Wompatuck on the South Shore last summer! After having no luck with finding winter finches along NE Fitzwilliam Road, we decided to head up North Fitzwilliam Road. Driving for about a half-mile to 3/4 of a mile up, we came upon a house with a large flock of Common Redpolls just covering the ground and the feeders that were out in front of this white house with 3 deciduous trees in the front, right along the side of North Fitzwilliam. But not only were Redpolls there (we couldn't discern any Hoary's, especially since most of the Redpolls went to the feeders in behind the house), but there were at least 2, probably more, Pine Siskins there as well.....great looks at them, along with the "ZZZZZzzzzzzrrrreeeeeee" vocalizations in effect! What also astonished us was the presence of a Brown Creeper looking for deliciousness on the ground near the base of the middle tree. Never before had Kirk or myself seen a Creeper on the ground! Just fantastic!
After getting our Redpoll meter up to maximum for the day, we continued on northwards on North Fitzwilliam Road and turned left onto Proctor Hill Road. Paul Peterson and his posse reported that a local resident had a flock of at least 17 Evening Grosbeaks at her feeders at her home that was the 2nd home on the right on this road. We checked out this home and had no luck (though there are numerous feeders there), so we went up the road for about another 1/4 mile and decided to turn around just in front of a large white farmhouse with barn animals and a friendly yellow dog present. Just as I was finished making my 3-point turn, we had noticed a flock of birds in the treetops in behind this farmhouse we were turning around at. Then Kirk exclaimed with glee: "There they are!!!" And sure enough, there they were indeed, a flock of 17 Evening Grosbeaks! We just gawked at these amazing Life birds for the both of us, admiring the startling beauty of both male and females, but especially that of the male EVGR, with its bright patterns of golden-yellow, black, rich brown and grays with black wings marked with bold, white wingbars! These Evenings were very noisy and very social amongst themselves.....but 17 just wasn't enough! About 7 or so minutes later, another group of EVGRs joined the flock already there, bringing the total tally of birds to at least 35, possibly more!! Below is a location map of where we were in Royalston today:
The lat/long marker at the top left is the spot where the Evening Grosbeaks were seen on Proctor Hill Road. The middle lat/long marker along North Fitzwilliam Road is where the Redpolls, Pine Siskins and the Brown Creeper was observed. The location along NE Fitzwilliam Road is where the blackbirds and grackles were seen.
Location: Proctor Hill/N. Fitzwilliam/NE Fitzwilliam Rds., Royalston, MA
Observation date: 3/13/11
Notes: Brown Creeper, Pine Siskins and Common Redpolls seen at home along North Fitzwilliam Road, about a half-mile to 3/4 mile from junction with NE Fitzwilliam Road at white house along left-side of road with feeders and 3 deciduous trees in front yard. Also feeders along side-yard and in backyard; flock of at least 35 Evening Grosbeaks seen about 3/4 mile up Proctor Hill Road on left-hand side of road in trees behind white farmhouse with barn animals and a lovely yellow dog present. Grosbeaks were very social and communicative....simply startling and gorgeous! What a Lifer! The EVGR appeared to be engorging themselves on feeders in behind the farmhouse, though we could not tell for sure the existence of feeders or not without fear of trespassing.
Number of species: 19
Mourning Dove - Zenaida macroura 5
Downy Woodpecker - Picoides pubescens 2
Hairy Woodpecker - Picoides villosus 1
Blue Jay - Cyanocitta cristata 6
American Crow - Corvus brachyrhynchos 3
Common Raven - Corvus corax 1
Black-capped Chickadee - Poecile atricapillus 12
Tufted Titmouse - Baeolophus bicolor 16
Red-breasted Nuthatch - Sitta canadensis 1
White-breasted Nuthatch - Sitta carolinensis 3
Brown Creeper - Certhia americana 1
American Tree Sparrow - Spizella arborea 12
Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored) - Junco hyemalis hyemalis/carolinensis 3
Red-winged Blackbird - Agelaius phoeniceus 43
Common Grackle - Quiscalus quiscula 8
Common Redpoll - Acanthis flammea 70
Pine Siskin - Spinus pinus 2
American Goldfinch - Spinus tristis 15
Evening Grosbeak - Coccothraustes vespertinus 35
This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)
My gods.....what a phenomenal birthday, and moreover, a fabulous day of birding! Now all I need is both Crossbills and a Pine Grosbeak to round out the winter finches (neverminding the Rosy Finches out in Colorado)! I could not have asked for a better day.....thanks be to Ryan Schain, David Sibley, Paul Peterson, Pete Gilmore and Paul Sullivan....and of course Kirk Marshall, for contributing in some manner to make such a day come to fruition!! Happy birding to everyone out there!!
My good buddy and fellow birder Kirk and myself ventured back out to West Concord at the Thoreau School again to get more of a Redpoll fix! It was my 3rd time visiting this location, and today's hope was not only to see the myriad numbers of Common Redpolls, but also to see if we could chance upon at least one of the Hoary Redpolls that the venerable David Sibley had observed earlier in the week. This time around, we didn't have to wait for the Redpolls to show up, for we got there at about 8:30 am and two-thirds of the flock was present and accounted for, mowing down upon the feeders full of millet. One of the Redpolls that alighted on the feeders was without a doubt a Hoary Redpoll. It was marginally larger, had that frostier, paler appearance and the more refined and less noticeable brown streaking along its flanks. It also appeared to have an even stubbier yellow bill than that of its Common brethren. We were there in West Concord for about 20 minutes before deciding to head out west to continue to feast our eyes upon more winter finches! There was another Redpoll that seemed to be a candidate for a Hoary, but we weren't definitively sure of it. Nonetheless, that one Hoary we saw was fantastic, never mind the fact of just having all those Redpolls there at once down here in the Bay State!
Location: Thoreau School, West Concord, MA
Observation date: 3/13/11
Notes: The sizable flock of Redpolls continues at this location, though only about half to two-thirds of the flock was present and accounted for. The Hoary (1 of a few that had been reported earlier in the week by David Sibley) has all the features we were looking for: the slightly larger size, the even shorter, stubbier yellow bill, the more refined brown streaking along the flanks than that of the Commons, and just the overall "frostier" appearance, looking like it has just spent a night in the freezer!
Number of species: 8
Mourning Dove - Zenaida macroura 4
American Crow - Corvus brachyrhynchos 3
Black-capped Chickadee - Poecile atricapillus 5
White-breasted Nuthatch - Sitta carolinensis 2
American Robin - Turdus migratorius 1
Common Redpoll - Acanthis flammea 40
Hoary Redpoll - Acanthis hornemanni 1
American Goldfinch - Spinus tristis 3
This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)
Here are a couple pics of the myriad of Redpolls seen in West Concord by my good buddy and birding mentor, Kirk Marshall:
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| Common Redpoll goodness in West Concord, MA near the Thoreau School |
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| Part of flock of Common Redpolls visiting millet feeders in West Concord, MA |
About an hour and a half later, at around a little after 10:30 am, we started our venture within the town of Royalston, MA in hopes of coming across other notable winter finches that had been reported earlier in the week by Paul Peterson, Pete Gilmore and Paul Sullivan along North Fitzwilliam Road, Northeast Fitzwilliam Road and Proctor Hill Road. Around Northeast Fitzwilliam Road, we didn't come across any of the winter finches we were hoping for, but things started off fairly well when we arrived there, with 3 American Crows harassing the living daylights out of a calling Common Raven! We had parked in the parking lot near the church in the center of town (we weren't sure which building was the Phinehas S. Newton Library). After seeing the Raven, we walked northwards along NE Fitzwilliam Road and came upon a sizable flock of about 40 Red-winged Blackbirds and at least 8 Common Grackles. Even more notable here was a Mink that Kirk had spotted crossing NE Fitzwilliam Road right near the juncture with Frye Hill Road....I hadn't seen a Mink since being at Wompatuck on the South Shore last summer! After having no luck with finding winter finches along NE Fitzwilliam Road, we decided to head up North Fitzwilliam Road. Driving for about a half-mile to 3/4 of a mile up, we came upon a house with a large flock of Common Redpolls just covering the ground and the feeders that were out in front of this white house with 3 deciduous trees in the front, right along the side of North Fitzwilliam. But not only were Redpolls there (we couldn't discern any Hoary's, especially since most of the Redpolls went to the feeders in behind the house), but there were at least 2, probably more, Pine Siskins there as well.....great looks at them, along with the "ZZZZZzzzzzzrrrreeeeeee" vocalizations in effect! What also astonished us was the presence of a Brown Creeper looking for deliciousness on the ground near the base of the middle tree. Never before had Kirk or myself seen a Creeper on the ground! Just fantastic!
After getting our Redpoll meter up to maximum for the day, we continued on northwards on North Fitzwilliam Road and turned left onto Proctor Hill Road. Paul Peterson and his posse reported that a local resident had a flock of at least 17 Evening Grosbeaks at her feeders at her home that was the 2nd home on the right on this road. We checked out this home and had no luck (though there are numerous feeders there), so we went up the road for about another 1/4 mile and decided to turn around just in front of a large white farmhouse with barn animals and a friendly yellow dog present. Just as I was finished making my 3-point turn, we had noticed a flock of birds in the treetops in behind this farmhouse we were turning around at. Then Kirk exclaimed with glee: "There they are!!!" And sure enough, there they were indeed, a flock of 17 Evening Grosbeaks! We just gawked at these amazing Life birds for the both of us, admiring the startling beauty of both male and females, but especially that of the male EVGR, with its bright patterns of golden-yellow, black, rich brown and grays with black wings marked with bold, white wingbars! These Evenings were very noisy and very social amongst themselves.....but 17 just wasn't enough! About 7 or so minutes later, another group of EVGRs joined the flock already there, bringing the total tally of birds to at least 35, possibly more!! Below is a location map of where we were in Royalston today:
The lat/long marker at the top left is the spot where the Evening Grosbeaks were seen on Proctor Hill Road. The middle lat/long marker along North Fitzwilliam Road is where the Redpolls, Pine Siskins and the Brown Creeper was observed. The location along NE Fitzwilliam Road is where the blackbirds and grackles were seen.
Location: Proctor Hill/N. Fitzwilliam/NE Fitzwilliam Rds., Royalston, MA
Observation date: 3/13/11
Notes: Brown Creeper, Pine Siskins and Common Redpolls seen at home along North Fitzwilliam Road, about a half-mile to 3/4 mile from junction with NE Fitzwilliam Road at white house along left-side of road with feeders and 3 deciduous trees in front yard. Also feeders along side-yard and in backyard; flock of at least 35 Evening Grosbeaks seen about 3/4 mile up Proctor Hill Road on left-hand side of road in trees behind white farmhouse with barn animals and a lovely yellow dog present. Grosbeaks were very social and communicative....simply startling and gorgeous! What a Lifer! The EVGR appeared to be engorging themselves on feeders in behind the farmhouse, though we could not tell for sure the existence of feeders or not without fear of trespassing.
Number of species: 19
Mourning Dove - Zenaida macroura 5
Downy Woodpecker - Picoides pubescens 2
Hairy Woodpecker - Picoides villosus 1
Blue Jay - Cyanocitta cristata 6
American Crow - Corvus brachyrhynchos 3
Common Raven - Corvus corax 1
Black-capped Chickadee - Poecile atricapillus 12
Tufted Titmouse - Baeolophus bicolor 16
Red-breasted Nuthatch - Sitta canadensis 1
White-breasted Nuthatch - Sitta carolinensis 3
Brown Creeper - Certhia americana 1
American Tree Sparrow - Spizella arborea 12
Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored) - Junco hyemalis hyemalis/carolinensis 3
Red-winged Blackbird - Agelaius phoeniceus 43
Common Grackle - Quiscalus quiscula 8
Common Redpoll - Acanthis flammea 70
Pine Siskin - Spinus pinus 2
American Goldfinch - Spinus tristis 15
Evening Grosbeak - Coccothraustes vespertinus 35
This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)
My gods.....what a phenomenal birthday, and moreover, a fabulous day of birding! Now all I need is both Crossbills and a Pine Grosbeak to round out the winter finches (neverminding the Rosy Finches out in Colorado)! I could not have asked for a better day.....thanks be to Ryan Schain, David Sibley, Paul Peterson, Pete Gilmore and Paul Sullivan....and of course Kirk Marshall, for contributing in some manner to make such a day come to fruition!! Happy birding to everyone out there!!
Sunday, July 4, 2010
eBird Report - Rock House Reservation, 7/4/10 - Quite the variety near da Quabbin!!
It is often best for anyone to visit new places and experience new sights as often as one can, for there is just so much to thoroughly take in and enjoy here in Massachusetts! Today, on the birthday of our nation, was one of those days. I seldomly venture out to western Mass, but since my father had invited me to join him on this day while he fly-fished the Swift River near the southern end of the Quabbin, how could I refuse?! For my part, I had to come up with a local place to visit while my Dad spent hours on end fishing in the crisp and refreshing waters of the Swift River that flows out the back end of the Quabbin Reservoir. So, I perused through my Trustees of Reservations guidebook and came up with the closest piece of land they had, that being Rock House Reservation in West Brookfield.
I knew it was going to be a hot day, as all the meteorologists had forecasted for not only this weekend, but the whole next week as well. Still, since it was higher in elevation and humidity levels were still in the comfortable range, hiking Rock House was quite pleasant, despite the incessant and bothersome flies. The most striking features of Rock House are the numerous and massive glacial erratics dispersed throughout the property, as well as Carter Pond (that was man-made, but picturesque nonetheless; I was kinda hoping a Solitary Sandpiper might be around, since the environs seemed like it would be ideal for one to show up....but alas, no luck there). Highlights for birds observed were certainly a few pleasant surprises, such as a Common Raven calling and flying overhead near the back edge of Carter Pond, a male Blackburnian Warbler flitting the treetops and singing, and an absolutely striking male Indigo Bunting singing from the powerlines that bi-sect the reservation. All told, I spent 2 and a half hours traversing the approximately 3.3 miles of trails that criss-cross Rock House Reservation. Yet another fine property that is in the hands of The Trustees of Reservations. Hehehe, the only gripe I had was the fact that there were no trail brochures left for the property at the information kiosk near the main parking lot off of Route 9. Oh well, thats what exploring is for isn't it?! Happy birding to everyone and I hope ya'll had a killer Independence Day weekend!
Location: Rock House Reservation
Observation date: 7/4/10
Number of species: 36
Mourning Dove - Zenaida macroura 1
Downy Woodpecker - Picoides pubescens 1
Hairy Woodpecker - Picoides villosus 1
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) - Colaptes auratus [auratus Group] 1
Eastern Wood-Pewee - Contopus virens 2
Eastern Phoebe - Sayornis phoebe 1
Eastern Kingbird - Tyrannus tyrannus 1
Red-eyed Vireo - Vireo olivaceus 4
Blue Jay - Cyanocitta cristata 2
American Crow - Corvus brachyrhynchos 3
Common Raven - Corvus corax 1
Black-capped Chickadee - Poecile atricapillus 5
Tufted Titmouse - Baeolophus bicolor 7
Red-breasted Nuthatch - Sitta canadensis 2
White-breasted Nuthatch - Sitta carolinensis 3
House Wren - Troglodytes aedon 1
Hermit Thrush - Catharus guttatus 1
Gray Catbird - Dumetella carolinensis 3
Cedar Waxwing - Bombycilla cedrorum 4
Yellow Warbler - Dendroica petechia 3
Black-throated Blue Warbler - Dendroica caerulescens 2
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) - Dendroica coronata coronata 1
Black-throated Green Warbler - Dendroica virens 1
Blackburnian Warbler - Dendroica fusca 1
Prairie Warbler - Dendroica discolor 1
Ovenbird - Seiurus aurocapilla 2
Common Yellowthroat - Geothlypis trichas 1
Eastern Towhee - Pipilo erythrophthalmus 5
Chipping Sparrow - Spizella passerina 3
Song Sparrow - Melospiza melodia 1
Scarlet Tanager - Piranga olivacea 2
Northern Cardinal - Cardinalis cardinalis 2
Rose-breasted Grosbeak - Pheucticus ludovicianus 1
Indigo Bunting - Passerina cyanea 1
Purple Finch - Carpodacus purpureus 1
American Goldfinch - Spinus tristis 6
This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org/
Observation date: 7/4/10
Number of species: 36
Mourning Dove - Zenaida macroura 1
Downy Woodpecker - Picoides pubescens 1
Hairy Woodpecker - Picoides villosus 1
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) - Colaptes auratus [auratus Group] 1
Eastern Wood-Pewee - Contopus virens 2
Eastern Phoebe - Sayornis phoebe 1
Eastern Kingbird - Tyrannus tyrannus 1
Red-eyed Vireo - Vireo olivaceus 4
Blue Jay - Cyanocitta cristata 2
American Crow - Corvus brachyrhynchos 3
Common Raven - Corvus corax 1
Black-capped Chickadee - Poecile atricapillus 5
Tufted Titmouse - Baeolophus bicolor 7
Red-breasted Nuthatch - Sitta canadensis 2
White-breasted Nuthatch - Sitta carolinensis 3
House Wren - Troglodytes aedon 1
Hermit Thrush - Catharus guttatus 1
Gray Catbird - Dumetella carolinensis 3
Cedar Waxwing - Bombycilla cedrorum 4
Yellow Warbler - Dendroica petechia 3
Black-throated Blue Warbler - Dendroica caerulescens 2
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) - Dendroica coronata coronata 1
Black-throated Green Warbler - Dendroica virens 1
Blackburnian Warbler - Dendroica fusca 1
Prairie Warbler - Dendroica discolor 1
Ovenbird - Seiurus aurocapilla 2
Common Yellowthroat - Geothlypis trichas 1
Eastern Towhee - Pipilo erythrophthalmus 5
Chipping Sparrow - Spizella passerina 3
Song Sparrow - Melospiza melodia 1
Scarlet Tanager - Piranga olivacea 2
Northern Cardinal - Cardinalis cardinalis 2
Rose-breasted Grosbeak - Pheucticus ludovicianus 1
Indigo Bunting - Passerina cyanea 1
Purple Finch - Carpodacus purpureus 1
American Goldfinch - Spinus tristis 6
This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org/
Here are some general directions copied and pasted directly from the Trustees website for getting to Rock House: From the Mass Turnpike (Exit 8), take Rt. 32 North toward Ware where it joins Rt. 9. Stay on combined Rt. 32/9. When the routes separate, follow Rt. 9 East for 1.1 mi. to entrance and parking (12 cars) on left.
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
eBird Report - Oxbow National Wildlife Refuge, 5/5/10
I probably should've gotten up earlier (I was there from 9 to 11 am), or else there is a lull in-between waves of migrants, but a decent day of birding nonetheless at Oxbow! FOY ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK along Tank Road, as well as 4 WARBLING VIREOS. Another Life bird as well, that being the YELLOW-THROATED VIREO seen along Turnpike Trail (boardwalks section). Also FOY VEERY and OVENBIRD (many calling). GRAY CATBIRDS were everywhere and just before getting back to the parking lot, a COMMON RAVEN came crahnking along, a pleasant sight at Oxbow! In my neck of the woods, Oxbow NWR is my little piece of paradise! Happy birding everyone!
Location: Oxbow National Wildlife Refuge
Observation date: 5/5/10
Number of species: 28
Canada Goose - Branta canadensis 2
Wood Duck - Aix sponsa 2 (Turnpike Trail)
Great Blue Heron - Ardea herodias 1
Barred Owl - Strix varia 1 (near parking lot/boat ramp across Nashua River)
Belted Kingfisher - Megaceryle alcyon 1 (Nashua River)
Red-bellied Woodpecker - Melanerpes carolinus 3
Hairy Woodpecker - Picoides villosus 2
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) - Colaptes auratus [auratus Group] 1
Eastern Phoebe - Sayornis phoebe 2 (Tank Road and bathroom at parking lot)
Yellow-throated Vireo - Vireo flavifrons 2 (Turnpike Trail boardwalks)
Warbling Vireo - Vireo gilvus 4 (Tank Road)
Blue Jay - Cyanocitta cristata 4
Common Raven - Corvus corax 1 (near parking lot/Tank Road)
Tree Swallow - Tachycineta bicolor 5
Black-capped Chickadee - Poecile atricapillus 9
Tufted Titmouse - Baeolophus bicolor 4
White-breasted Nuthatch - Sitta carolinensis 4
Veery - Catharus fuscescens 1 (Riverside Trail)
American Robin - Turdus migratorius 9
Gray Catbird - Dumetella carolinensis 7
Pine Warbler - Dendroica pinus 1
American Redstart - Setophaga ruticilla 1 (along Riverside Trail)
Ovenbird - Seiurus aurocapilla 1 (Riverside Trail)
White-throated Sparrow - Zonotrichia albicollis 3
Rose-breasted Grosbeak - Pheucticus ludovicianus 1 (Tank Road)
Red-winged Blackbird - Agelaius phoeniceus 6
Common Grackle - Quiscalus quiscula 10
American Goldfinch - Carduelis tristis 8
This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org/
Directions to Oxbow NWR: From Massachusetts Route 2, take Exit 38 (Route 110/111) south toward Harvard; bear right to stay on Route 110 at Harvard Center; and, turn right onto Still River Depot Road at the Still River Post Office. The refuge parking area is at the end of Still River Depot Road, past the railroad tracks.
Location: Oxbow National Wildlife Refuge
Observation date: 5/5/10
Number of species: 28
Canada Goose - Branta canadensis 2
Wood Duck - Aix sponsa 2 (Turnpike Trail)
Great Blue Heron - Ardea herodias 1
Barred Owl - Strix varia 1 (near parking lot/boat ramp across Nashua River)
Belted Kingfisher - Megaceryle alcyon 1 (Nashua River)
Red-bellied Woodpecker - Melanerpes carolinus 3
Hairy Woodpecker - Picoides villosus 2
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) - Colaptes auratus [auratus Group] 1
Eastern Phoebe - Sayornis phoebe 2 (Tank Road and bathroom at parking lot)
Yellow-throated Vireo - Vireo flavifrons 2 (Turnpike Trail boardwalks)
Warbling Vireo - Vireo gilvus 4 (Tank Road)
Blue Jay - Cyanocitta cristata 4
Common Raven - Corvus corax 1 (near parking lot/Tank Road)
Tree Swallow - Tachycineta bicolor 5
Black-capped Chickadee - Poecile atricapillus 9
Tufted Titmouse - Baeolophus bicolor 4
White-breasted Nuthatch - Sitta carolinensis 4
Veery - Catharus fuscescens 1 (Riverside Trail)
American Robin - Turdus migratorius 9
Gray Catbird - Dumetella carolinensis 7
Pine Warbler - Dendroica pinus 1
American Redstart - Setophaga ruticilla 1 (along Riverside Trail)
Ovenbird - Seiurus aurocapilla 1 (Riverside Trail)
White-throated Sparrow - Zonotrichia albicollis 3
Rose-breasted Grosbeak - Pheucticus ludovicianus 1 (Tank Road)
Red-winged Blackbird - Agelaius phoeniceus 6
Common Grackle - Quiscalus quiscula 10
American Goldfinch - Carduelis tristis 8
This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org/
Directions to Oxbow NWR: From Massachusetts Route 2, take Exit 38 (Route 110/111) south toward Harvard; bear right to stay on Route 110 at Harvard Center; and, turn right onto Still River Depot Road at the Still River Post Office. The refuge parking area is at the end of Still River Depot Road, past the railroad tracks.
Sunday, April 18, 2010
eBird Report - Gorham Middle High School, Gorham, NH , 2/13/10 - Bohemian & Cedar Waxwings
Location: Gorham Middle High School, Gorham, NH
Observation date: 2/13/10
Notes: Kirk Marshall and myself made yet another weekend of northern New England birding, this time our focus being the Bohemian Waxwings located just out in front of the Gorham Middle High School. They were creating quite a sweet racket with their burry call quality! About a half-dozen Cedar Waxwings decided to mingle with the Bohemians, all of the Waxwings at one time or another flying back and forth between the trees in front of the school and the crabapple trees closer to the roadside (Route 16). The House Sparrows were also nearby there. The numerous Goldies were observed in Milan across from the junction of Chickwolnepy Road and East River Road. Our goal on Chickwolnepy Road was to try and see Evening Grosbeaks, but alas, to no avail. On our way back to 93, we stopped off in the White Mountain Nat'l. Forest along Trudeau Road and that is where we observed the 5 Ravens and the multitude of BC Chickadees. A good day of birding with of course the focus and highlight being the Bohemians!! Oh, and thanks to Naomi Levesque of Berlin, NH for the posts on NH Birds!
Number of species: 6
Common Raven - Corvus corax 5 (Trudeau Rd, WMNF, Twin Mountain, NH)
Black-capped Chickadee - Poecile atricapillus X (Trudeau Rd)
Bohemian Waxwing - Bombycilla garrulus 30
Cedar Waxwing - Bombycilla cedrorum 6
American Goldfinch - Carduelis tristis X (Chickwolnepy Rd, Milan, NH)
House Sparrow - Passer domesticus 4
This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org/
Observation date: 2/13/10
Notes: Kirk Marshall and myself made yet another weekend of northern New England birding, this time our focus being the Bohemian Waxwings located just out in front of the Gorham Middle High School. They were creating quite a sweet racket with their burry call quality! About a half-dozen Cedar Waxwings decided to mingle with the Bohemians, all of the Waxwings at one time or another flying back and forth between the trees in front of the school and the crabapple trees closer to the roadside (Route 16). The House Sparrows were also nearby there. The numerous Goldies were observed in Milan across from the junction of Chickwolnepy Road and East River Road. Our goal on Chickwolnepy Road was to try and see Evening Grosbeaks, but alas, to no avail. On our way back to 93, we stopped off in the White Mountain Nat'l. Forest along Trudeau Road and that is where we observed the 5 Ravens and the multitude of BC Chickadees. A good day of birding with of course the focus and highlight being the Bohemians!! Oh, and thanks to Naomi Levesque of Berlin, NH for the posts on NH Birds!
Number of species: 6
Common Raven - Corvus corax 5 (Trudeau Rd, WMNF, Twin Mountain, NH)
Black-capped Chickadee - Poecile atricapillus X (Trudeau Rd)
Bohemian Waxwing - Bombycilla garrulus 30
Cedar Waxwing - Bombycilla cedrorum 6
American Goldfinch - Carduelis tristis X (Chickwolnepy Rd, Milan, NH)
House Sparrow - Passer domesticus 4
This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org/
eBird Report - Memorial Forest, Sudbury, MA , 1/27/10
Location: Memorial Forest, Sudbury, MA
Observation date: 1/27/10
Notes: Saw and heard the 2 Ravens while walking back to the parking lot when walking over the boardwalk that crosses Hop Brook (near the confluence of Hop Brook and Trout Brook in Memorial Forest.
Number of species: 6
Downy Woodpecker - Picoides pubescens 2
Common Raven - Corvus corax 2
Black-capped Chickadee - Poecile atricapillus 3
Tufted Titmouse - Baeolophus bicolor 4
White-breasted Nuthatch - Sitta carolinensis 1
Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored) - Junco hyemalis hyemalis/carolinensis 3
This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org/
Observation date: 1/27/10
Notes: Saw and heard the 2 Ravens while walking back to the parking lot when walking over the boardwalk that crosses Hop Brook (near the confluence of Hop Brook and Trout Brook in Memorial Forest.
Number of species: 6
Downy Woodpecker - Picoides pubescens 2
Common Raven - Corvus corax 2
Black-capped Chickadee - Poecile atricapillus 3
Tufted Titmouse - Baeolophus bicolor 4
White-breasted Nuthatch - Sitta carolinensis 1
Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored) - Junco hyemalis hyemalis/carolinensis 3
This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org/
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