eBird Report - Frances A. Crane WMA, 7/11/10 - 2 More Lifers -- Grasshopper Sparrow and Orchard Oriole!!!

Today was a perfect day to finally do some birding with my good buddy Kirk Marshall, for the weather was not as hot, the air was not quite as sticky, and today would be the last time in about 2 to 3 weeks from now before I am able to do any birding again with Kirk (though I will be doing some birding/hiking while on vacation up at Tall Timber Lodge off of Back Lake in Pittsburg, NH....from the 18th through 25th of July!) For a few weeks now Kirk and I had known about the sightings of several Grasshopper Sparrows and a few Blue Grosbeaks down at Crane WMA in Falmouth, MA, so we hoped with some good fortune that both target species would still be kicking around. Thankfully, to our delight, at least one of them was still with us, the Grasshopper Sparrow! And what a wonderful cooperative little sparrow it was! It was just sitting on a tall single-stalk plant, looking around furtively whilst holding what looked to be a grasshopper in its bill! Ironic huh, considering the species is commonly known as a Grasshopper Sparrow! And according to Cornell's All About Birds, this sparrow is aptly named, for its primary source of sustenance is indeed grasshoppers. Anyhoo, sadly, we did not chance upon any of the Blue Grosbeaks in the area, but 1 target species is good enough! As a bonus, I was able to see both male and female Orchard Orioles as well as what appeared to be fledgling Orchards.....yes, its about time I finally saw an Orchard Oriole, since they are somewhat common, though not as much so as the much more brightly colored Baltimore Oriole! Both the "Quail" and "Pheasant" sections of Crane WMA abounded with Eastern Towhees and Indigo Buntings, as many more numbers of both species were heard than seen (tallies below are birds actually seen). Oh yes, how could I forget....Kirk and I heard 2 Northern Bobwhites calling in the "Pheasant" section of Crane, but alas, could not flush them out to get a look....plus, these bobwhites may not have been wild ones, for they could've been stocked game birds. Still, very sweet nonetheless! Get out there folks and happy birding to all!!!

Location:     Crane WMA
Observation date:     7/11/10
Notes:     Visited both the "Quail" section off of Sandwich Road and the "Pheasant" section off of Route 151 of Frances A. Crane WMA in Falmouth, MA.
Number of species:     31

Double-crested Cormorant - Phalacrocorax auritus     3
Turkey Vulture - Cathartes aura     4
Red-tailed Hawk - Buteo jamaicensis     1
Mourning Dove - Zenaida macroura     6
Downy Woodpecker - Picoides pubescens     1
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) - Colaptes auratus [auratus Group]     3
Eastern Phoebe - Sayornis phoebe     1
Eastern Kingbird - Tyrannus tyrannus     6
American Crow - Corvus brachyrhynchos     2
Tree Swallow - Tachycineta bicolor     11
Bank Swallow - Riparia riparia     3
Barn Swallow - Hirundo rustica     4
Black-capped Chickadee - Poecile atricapillus     3
Tufted Titmouse - Baeolophus bicolor     2
White-breasted Nuthatch - Sitta carolinensis     1
Carolina Wren - Thryothorus ludovicianus     1
Eastern Bluebird - Sialia sialis     5
American Robin - Turdus migratorius     4
Gray Catbird - Dumetella carolinensis     3
Northern Mockingbird - Mimus polyglottos     1
Prairie Warbler - Dendroica discolor     1
Common Yellowthroat - Geothlypis trichas     4
Eastern Towhee - Pipilo erythrophthalmus     8
Chipping Sparrow - Spizella passerina     3
Field Sparrow - Spizella pusilla     1
Savannah Sparrow - Passerculus sandwichensis     1
Grasshopper Sparrow - Ammodramus savannarum     1
Song Sparrow - Melospiza melodia     2
Indigo Bunting - Passerina cyanea     5
Orchard Oriole - Icterus spurius     3
American Goldfinch - Spinus tristis     11

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


General directions to Frances A. Crane WMA are as follows, per the route Kirk and I took: Route 128/I-95 South until I-95 South splits off and heads toward Rhode Island. At junction of I-95 and I-495, take I-495 South to the Cape. 495 will end and become Route 25. Follow 25 to Bourne. At rotary that is just over the Bourne Bridge, follow Route 28 South into North Falmouth. Keep following 28 South (you will come across a second rotary, stay on 28 South). At the exit for Route 151 off of 28, take 151 East. Parking for the "Pheasant" section of Crane WMA will be on your left for the Allieta Softball Field after a couple of miles on 151. If you want to continue to the "Quail" section of Crane WMA, keep going on 151 until it junctures with Sandwich Road. Take a right onto Sandwich Road and after about a mile or so, take a left onto Ashumet Road.

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/massaudubon/)

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.

eBird Report - Gray Farm Road, Littleton, MA, 6/22/10 - I really need to invest in a small, compact pair of binocs!!!

This isn't the first time I wished I had a small, compact pair of binoculars on me, you know, something you could possibly stuff in a pant pocket or what not, something like 8x32 to 10x32. Today was one of those instances where I wish I had such binocs on my person. Birding was not my main objective today, as I was out walking my beloved little fox-like dog, Gildor (whom is a tri-colored Pembroke Welsh Corgi). NOTE: Picture was taken last July while on vacation in Pittsburg, NH; this particular shot taken while visiting Scott's Bog specifically).

But when I do venture out and take the "puppa" for a "W" (walk), I am always listening to my surroundings, trying to look for movement and what not because ya never know what is out there even if birding is not your primary focus. Every bird I saw today I could make out well enough, and coupled with these birds observed singing, was 100% positive on all identifications despite having no binocs on hand. Still, how very frustrating, because I could've gotten excellent views of such birds as Indigo Buntings, Prairie Warblers, a Carolina Wren, a House Wren, an Eastern Phoebe and an Eastern Bluebird. Oh well, such is life. Its just nice to see such birds in an area that will soon be fully developed for residential use, a locale that was probably once fields, pastures and secondary growth woodlands. Nonetheless, it is just such a pleasure to be more aware of your surroundings, to listen to everything that calls the area around you home, and of course, since birding is such an avid and passionate hobby of mine, always being frosty for the presence of our fine-feathered avian friends! Happy birding everybody!!

Location:     Gray Farm Road, Littleton, MA
Observation date:     6/22/10
Notes:     This area also encompasses what I assume will be later called Darrell Road (according to Google Maps) once this particular area of housing development is complete. Was out walking my dog, hence why I listed this is an "incidental" observation. Was trying to observe the birds around me while with my dog. Much birdier than it has been in the past in this partially developed residential area.
Number of species:     29

Killdeer - Charadrius vociferus     1
Mourning Dove - Zenaida macroura     4
Downy Woodpecker - Picoides pubescens     1
Eastern Phoebe - Sayornis phoebe     1
Red-eyed Vireo - Vireo olivaceus     1
Blue Jay - Cyanocitta cristata     2
American Crow - Corvus brachyrhynchos     3
Bank Swallow - Riparia riparia     2
Black-capped Chickadee - Poecile atricapillus     3
Tufted Titmouse - Baeolophus bicolor     2
White-breasted Nuthatch - Sitta carolinensis     1
Carolina Wren - Thryothorus ludovicianus     1
House Wren - Troglodytes aedon     1
Eastern Bluebird - Sialia sialis     1
American Robin - Turdus migratorius     6
Gray Catbird - Dumetella carolinensis     1
Northern Mockingbird - Mimus polyglottos     3
Prairie Warbler - Dendroica discolor     2
Common Yellowthroat - Geothlypis trichas     1
Chipping Sparrow - Spizella passerina     1
Song Sparrow - Melospiza melodia     2
Northern Cardinal - Cardinalis cardinalis     2
Indigo Bunting - Passerina cyanea     2
Red-winged Blackbird - Agelaius phoeniceus     5
Common Grackle - Quiscalus quiscula     2
Brown-headed Cowbird - Molothrus ater     1
House Finch - Carpodacus mexicanus     2
American Goldfinch - Spinus tristis     4
House Sparrow - Passer domesticus     5

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

eBird Report - Martin Burns WMA, 5/23/10 - Olive-sided Flycatcher - NO, Luna Moth - YES

After spending about 6 hours at Plum, Kirk and myself ventured over to Martin Burns WMA in Byfield for 2.5 hours to see if we could chance upon the Olive-sided Flycatchers that had been seen there recently. Sadly, chance upon we did not. Nonetheless, Martin Burns WMA is another wonderful property managed by the State of MA Div. of Fisheries & Wildlife....in fact, I daresay I like it more than Bolton Flats WMA! Just wonderful habitat allowing for all sorts of birds and insects there. Highlights were FOY INDIGO BUNTINGS, Chestnut-sided Warblers and Prairie Warblers! After such a great day, I nonetheless felt incredibly drained thanks to not protecting myself from the effects of the sun and cursing the meteorologists, for I thought they had forecasted mostly cloudy conditions with a slight chance of showers in the afternoon. Kirk and I joined up with Brian Cassidy (?) with his assumed better-half and John (Nelson?), and while together, we came across a LUNA MOTH, though it was in pretty rough shape, but it was the first Luna Moth I have ever seen! Good luck to those who try to find the Olive-sided Flycatchers, I hope you have better luck than we did!


Location:     Martin Burns WMA
Observation date:     5/23/10
Number of species:     24

Great Blue Heron - Ardea herodias     1
Turkey Vulture - Cathartes aura     3
Mourning Dove - Zenaida macroura     1
Eastern Wood-Pewee - Contopus virens     1
Eastern Kingbird - Tyrannus tyrannus     1
Blue Jay - Cyanocitta cristata     2
American Crow - Corvus brachyrhynchos     1
Tree Swallow - Tachycineta bicolor     1
White-breasted Nuthatch - Sitta carolinensis     1
American Robin - Turdus migratorius     3
Gray Catbird - Dumetella carolinensis     2
Cedar Waxwing - Bombycilla cedrorum     5
Yellow Warbler - Dendroica petechia     1
Chestnut-sided Warbler - Dendroica pensylvanica     3
Prairie Warbler - Dendroica discolor     2
Common Yellowthroat - Geothlypis trichas     2
Scarlet Tanager - Piranga olivacea     1
Eastern Towhee - Pipilo erythrophthalmus     2
Song Sparrow - Melospiza melodia     1
Indigo Bunting - Passerina cyanea     3
Red-winged Blackbird - Agelaius phoeniceus     2
Common Grackle - Quiscalus quiscula     1
Baltimore Oriole - Icterus galbula     2
American Goldfinch - Carduelis tristis     3

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