eBird Report - Oxbow National Wildlife Refuge, 4/9/11 - First visit of the year at my paradise in Mass!

What a superbly gorgeous day to be outside, no doubt about that! Temps in the low 60s, light and variable winds, a crystal-clear azure sky, with wood frogs and spring peepers abounding in song! I was at my own little slice of heaven here in Massachusetts, Oxbow National Wildlife Refuge in Harvard, MA, just after having finished up my work week in Bedford, MA. I honestly didn't expect to see much, but most appreciatively, was surprised to see what I did!

First up was a lone Wild Turkey just strutting around along the dirt road that leads to the entrance and parking lot for Oxbow NWR. I know, most everyone sees a turkey here and there (had a sizable flock in my own backyard last week), but I found this one most amusing for it didn't seemed to be phased by my car's presence at all as I was driving into the refuge. After a few minutes, it considered I posed no threat and meandered off slowly.

Next up I came across 2 Fox Sparrows along the Riverside Trail, nearer to the junction of said trail and Turnpike Trail. These two Fox Sparrows were calling to each other, Peterson referring to such a call as a "strong, flat chup." One was about 5 feet up in the snags of a pine tree while the other was foraging on the ground with its characteristic "double-scratching" move, kicking up the forest floor detritus for deliciousness.

Onwards I came across a soaring Red-shouldered Hawk on the Turnpike Trail, going in relatively lazy circles, its flight of choppy wing-beats in evidence.....though what is more tell-tale and striking is its "translucent window" along its primaries near the outer-edges of its wings....the sun was blazing gloriously through them as I followed its flight....the first time, as with the Fox Sparrows, that I had ever seen such a bird at Oxbow. I had seen Red-shouldered Hawks before at SVT's Memorial Forest in Sudbury, but to see it in my little slice of heaven was a real treat!

However, the biggest treat of the day has to go to while I was on my way back to the parking lot along Tank Road (along the wetlands on your left as you are walking back). Such a treat was an American Woodcock being flushed out in broad daylight, but to my good fortune, the woodcock landed about 15 feet away, just along the edge of the pathway and the mucky leaf matter littering the area. Whats most amusing to me was that I had been practically on top of this bird initially, me being unaware of the bird's presence as I was looking at other birds in the area. The timberdoodle had me in its sights the entire time, but whilst this bird was walking along, 15 feet away, it was performing its "mating dance" where it teeter-totters and bobbles in a herky-jerky motion that is purely comical and a delight to behold! Such a bizarre bird, I instantly fell in love with this bird the moment I first saw it, over 2 years ago, in the same area at Oxbow that I saw this particular woodcock today! 4 times now during my many ventures at Oxbow NWR have I had the good fortunes of coming across an American Woodcock out in broad daylight. Simply wonderful!

Anyhoo, the full listing of my sightings today during my time at Oxbow (12:45 to 2:45 pm) are below.....happy birding everybody and enjoy this superb weather we are finally having!

Location:     Oxbow National Wildlife Refuge
Observation date:     4/9/11
Notes:     Ruffed Grouse heard only drumming near parking lot; Red-shouldered seen on Turnpike Trail along the boardwalk sections; American Woodcock seen bobbing whilst walking amongst muck and leaf matter alongside Tank Road; Fox Sparrows seen along Riverside Trail nearer to the junction with Turnpike.
Number of species:     26

Canada Goose - Branta canadensis     2
Wood Duck - Aix sponsa     2
Mallard - Anas platyrhynchos     5
Ruffed Grouse - Bonasa umbellus     1 (Heard only, drumming near parking/train tracks area)
Wild Turkey - Meleagris gallopavo     1
Turkey Vulture - Cathartes aura     2
Red-shouldered Hawk - Buteo lineatus     1
American Woodcock - Scolopax minor     1
Red-bellied Woodpecker - Melanerpes carolinus     1
Downy Woodpecker - Picoides pubescens     3
Blue Jay - Cyanocitta cristata     3
American Crow - Corvus brachyrhynchos     4
Tree Swallow - Tachycineta bicolor     3
Black-capped Chickadee - Poecile atricapillus     13
Tufted Titmouse - Baeolophus bicolor     4
White-breasted Nuthatch - Sitta carolinensis     2
Brown Creeper - Certhia americana     4
Eastern Bluebird - Sialia sialis     2
American Robin - Turdus migratorius     21
Fox Sparrow (Red) - Passerella iliaca iliaca/zaboria     2
Song Sparrow - Melospiza melodia     3
Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored) - Junco hyemalis hyemalis/carolinensis     3
Northern Cardinal - Cardinalis cardinalis     1
Red-winged Blackbird - Agelaius phoeniceus     5
Common Grackle - Quiscalus quiscula     32
American Goldfinch - Spinus tristis     6

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

eBird Report - Oxbow National Wildlife Refuge, 9/6/10 - A pleasant afternoon at my favorite place to find solitude!

I just could not waste this amazingly gorgeous day with a slight breeze in the air, temps in the mid 70s, the sky boasting bright sunshine and a few wispy clouds. Though you may have thought I did waste a good portion of the day sleeping in until 11:20 am, but it was so worth it and necessary! After a great day of birding (and stuffing my face) yesterday, I had to continue this blessed Labor Day weekend being out and about enjoying Mother Nature! Of course, I made sure I completed what errands I had chosen to tackle today before ending my day the best way I could, by taking in all the sights and sounds, the atmosphere and environs of my favorite place to find solitude, that being Oxbow National Wildlife Refuge in Harvard, MA!


I arrived at Oxbow and started on my way at about 3:15 pm EST, not coming back to the parking lot until 3 hours later. I did my usual, routine route, going from the gate to Riverside Trail that parallels the Nashua River, then following Turnpike Trail that cuts across the vast wetlands until it joins up with Tank Road. Most times I would take a right at this junction following Tank Road all the way back to the parking lot, but on occasion, as I did today, I went left following Tank Road north that eventually comes upon Route 2. I didn't go as far as Route 2, for I typically will stop at the pond that is on the right-hand side, but is fairly close in proximity to Route 2 nonetheless.


I did not expect to see much in the way of birds, even though sometimes birds will become more active again in the late afternoon to evening hours. But once must consider that it is late in the summer and the summer months out here in the inland areas of MA tend to be rather quiet, that is of course until the Fall migration begins anew, which should be within the next week or 2 I believe. All the birds I saw there were of the usual variety, but a few favorites that one can typically find there were in attendance! The most notable birds observed were indeed a few favorites, such as a couple of Red-bellied Woodpeckers, one along Turnpike Trail (great looks!) and one at the parking lot when I had returned. A few Eastern Phoebes were seen, one on Turnpike Trail, one along Tank Road and one at the pond catching some flying insects. 2 noisy, yet striking Belted Kingfishers made their presence known with said explosive chatterings, one briefly seen along Riverside Trail near the junction of Turnpike Trail and one seen at the aforementioned pond that is on the right-hand side of Tank Road. The 2nd Kingfisher was especially cooperative and active. It seemed that he was diving into the water for some din dins, but no, it was diving in to the pond to help preen itself, for it would return to the same snag and start picking away at its water-soaked feathers.


However, the most noteworthy warm-blooded fauna observed were as follows: A Beaver down at that pond along Tank Road nearest to Route 2. This lovely beaver was just lounging, eating some vegetation, caring not for my presence. A Fisher was unexpectantly seen just sitting on the railroad tracks that run parallel to the eastern edge of the refuge, near the entrance to the dirt road that leads down to the parking lot. Initially I did not recognize this mammal to be a fisher until I got my binocs on it! Best looks I have ever had of a fisher, with its dark-grayish head, dark-brown body and very long, bushy tail....it stared at me for a few moments before deciding I was not a threat and headed onwards into Oxbow NWR. What a treat that was, for this was on the way heading out of Oxbow!


I must apologize for my narrative of today's exploits not being so boisterous and exuberant, for I am still feeling a bit exhausted after this long and fruitful weekend! At any rate, my bird observations are below! Happy birding to all!

Location:     Oxbow National Wildlife Refuge
Observation date:     9/6/10
Number of species:     17

Great Blue Heron - Ardea herodias     3
Mourning Dove - Zenaida macroura     2
Belted Kingfisher - Megaceryle alcyon     2
Red-bellied Woodpecker - Melanerpes carolinus     2
Downy Woodpecker - Picoides pubescens     3
Hairy Woodpecker - Picoides villosus     2
Eastern Phoebe - Sayornis phoebe     3
Blue Jay - Cyanocitta cristata     10
American Crow - Corvus brachyrhynchos     3
Black-capped Chickadee - Poecile atricapillus     31
Tufted Titmouse - Baeolophus bicolor     14
White-breasted Nuthatch - Sitta carolinensis     9
American Robin - Turdus migratorius     8
Gray Catbird - Dumetella carolinensis     4
Red-winged Blackbird - Agelaius phoeniceus     1
Common Grackle - Quiscalus quiscula     2
American Goldfinch - Spinus tristis     4

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

eBird Report - Oxbow National Wildlife Refuge, 6/8/10 - WHITE-EYED VIREO!!

I am never sure what to expect when I visit Oxbow NWR, but I always know that there is usually a good variety of birds there besides the fact I just love the landscape. I was rewarded with a few good birds I had already seen, but by far the highlight was seeing the WHITE-EYED VIREO around 9 am (I was there from 8:15 to 10:30 am). Before I got on him, I had thought it was a really weird sounding, whacked-out Gray Catbird. I chose to stick around to verify whether or not it really was a catbird, and by-god it was not.  This vireo had all the field markings, the white eye, the yellow specs, the bold wing bars, the yellowish flanks, the olive-green back. When I came home, I quickly hopped onto Cornell's All About Birds, and sure enough after listening to the song (from Peterson: "...sharply enunciated CHICK-a-per-weeoo-CHICK. Variable; usually starts and ends with chick.", I was 100% positive that it was a White-eyed Vireo, which of course, was obviously a Lifer for me! I found the White-eyed Vireo while walking the Turnpike Trail heading east towards Tank Road. He was active within some shrubbery and thickets off to my left before you come to the beaver lodge that you essentially walk over whilst on Turnpike Trail (He did not fly off when I walked passed him to continue down the trail).

Whew, so yes, I was very excited to come across this bird, knowing he is fairly uncommon in our neck of the woods. I do wish I had a quality camera, or else I would've tried to take pictures. Sadly, I am a poor fool. So, if others want to confirm, please do, though I know I am 100% sure of what I saw and heard! Other notable birds was a Yellow-throated Vireo along Riverside Trail, several Great Crested Flycatchers (Tank Road and Riverside Trail), a few Veerys and a female Wood Duck with 6 ducklings in tow in the swamp off of Tank Road.

I do hope this bird sticks around and others can enjoy him!

Directions to Oxbow NWR from USFWS: 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.

Happy birding to all!!!

Location:     Oxbow National Wildlife Refuge
Observation date:     6/8/10
Notes:     White-eyed Vireo seen and heard on Turnpike Trail in between bridge closest to beaver lodge and the beaver lodge (walking eastbound towards Tank Road); viewed for at least 10 minutes, did not fly off when I walked passed it; song and ID verified via All About Birds website as well as pouring over my Sibley, Peterson and Smithsonian guides. I initially thought it was a whacked-out catbird before I got on him. Had distinctive white eye, yellow spectacles, yellowish flanks, wing-bars, the whole nine-yards. I wish I had a good, quality camera, otherwise I would've tried to take pictures.
Number of species:     34

Canada Goose - Branta canadensis     2
Wood Duck - Aix sponsa     1
Great Blue Heron - Ardea herodias     7
Red-bellied Woodpecker - Melanerpes carolinus     1
Downy Woodpecker - Picoides pubescens     2
Eastern Wood-Pewee - Contopus virens     5
Great Crested Flycatcher - Myiarchus crinitus     6
Eastern Kingbird - Tyrannus tyrannus     1
WHITE-EYED VIREO - Vireo griseus     1 (Turnpike Trail heading towards Tank Road near beaver lodge that one walks over along the trail)
Yellow-throated Vireo - Vireo flavifrons     1
Warbling Vireo - Vireo gilvus     4
Red-eyed Vireo - Vireo olivaceus     5
Black-capped Chickadee - Poecile atricapillus     10
Tufted Titmouse - Baeolophus bicolor     5
White-breasted Nuthatch - Sitta carolinensis     7
Brown Creeper - Certhia americana     2
Eastern Bluebird - Sialia sialis     2
Veery - Catharus fuscescens     3
American Robin - Turdus migratorius     17
Gray Catbird - Dumetella carolinensis     5
Cedar Waxwing - Bombycilla cedrorum     9
Yellow Warbler - Dendroica petechia     4
Black-throated Green Warbler - Dendroica virens     3
American Redstart - Setophaga ruticilla     2
Ovenbird - Seiurus aurocapilla     6
Common Yellowthroat - Geothlypis trichas     6
Chipping Sparrow - Spizella passerina     2
Song Sparrow - Melospiza melodia     4
Scarlet Tanager - Piranga olivacea     1
Northern Cardinal - Cardinalis cardinalis     6
Red-winged Blackbird - Agelaius phoeniceus     11
Common Grackle - Quiscalus quiscula     9
Baltimore Oriole - Icterus galbula     2
American Goldfinch - Spinus tristis     8

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

MAS 2010 Bird-a-thon: 4 new Life birds and a Red-headed Woodpecker at Oxbow NWR!

This year's MAS Bird-a-thon was my first time ever participating in this event, and it was one of the most memorable and exhausting birding experiences I have had to date!!

I was part of Team Drumlin Farm, going out into the field with Pamela Sowizral, Mary Brogan and Bruce Black and we definitely made the most of this year's event! 78 TOTAL BIRDS we observed/heard over the course of these 2 days, and saw several excellent birds!

The 4 Life birds for me was seeing the MANX SHEARWATER, MONK PARAKEET, BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER & CLAY-COLORED SPARROW!! (Don't worry, in the list I'll tell ya'll where these awesome birds were/are!)

DAY ONE:

Friday evening we started off visiting Revere Beach to look for our target bird, the MANX SHEARWATERS. We weren't there long before they graced us with their presence (6 in total), roughly 50 to 100 yards offshore. What fantastic pelagic birds they are! We then headed over to Bremen Street Park in East Boston to gaze upon the nesting MONK PARAKEETS. We had to wait awhile, roughly 15-20 minutes before a pair of the Quaker Parrots (as they are commonly referred to and sold under in stores). So very nice to see such exotic birds in the wild, though seemingly very far from their supposed natural element! We then tried to go for the Clay-colored Sparrow at Millennium Park in West Roxbury, but it was just far too late in the evening to see much of anything.

DAY TWO:

So, guess what our first stop was today, this Saturday the 15th??! Yup, you guessed it, Millennium Park in West Roxbury to try for the CLAY-COLORED SPARROW again, and this time, we got all that we could've hoped for. I must say, I truly wish I had an iPhone with the iBird app installed on it, because it was indispensable this whole trip in verifying bird calls and songs. It was using this program coupled with a Sibley Guide that confirmed the presence of the Clay-colored! This lovely little sparrow was located, if looking from the front entrance to the park (gate), off to the left side of the hill in the reeds (phragmites); side of the hill in between the road that goes to the river and the road that goes toward the top of that hill. The next stop was the Boston Public Gardens. Our hope was to try and get upon the female Summer Tanager that had been reported there, but no luck. Nonetheless, we were delighted to come upon several warbler species, including the aforementioned BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER as well as other goodies like the BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER, the BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER, and MAGNOLIA WARBLER! CHIMNEY SWIFTS were indeed everywhere there at Boston Public Gardens. I also ran across my great friend and buddy Kirk Marshall there, for after seeing the Massbird report from there, he too had to get in on the action!! From there we made a quick stop to Hanscom Field and lucked upon a couple of BOBOLINKS. We proceeded to Great Meadows NWR, Concord Unit, and sadly, there was not much to see. Several MARSH WRENS were putting on quite the show for us though along the Dike Trail. Next up was Bolton Flats WMA, and we came across several YELLOW WARBLERS, a LESSER YELLOWLEGS and a BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER as the highlights from there. Our final stop was Oxbow NWR where the day before a RED-HEADED WOODPECKER had been reported, and again, we were not disappointed! Had fantastic looks at this lovely and striking pecker for at least 15 minutes. He can or should be found off of Tank Road to your left in the swampy area that set in a bit. Put it this way, when on Tank Road and you come upon the culvert that leads into a more open-watered swamp on your right, look and listen off to your left into the swamp there. I hope this Red-headed decides to stick around so others can see him! That of course was the main highlight, but VEERYS were heard and seen, and a number of YELLOW-THROATED VIREOS were heard (seen by other birders there), but we could not get on them. OVENBIRDS were fairly plentiful as well. Oh, how could I forget, when we were over by the photo-blind off of Turnpike Trail, a COMMON NIGHTHAWK came soaring over.....yet another awesome bird!

Anyhow, enough from me, here is the full list (78 total):

MANX SHEARWATER - (Revere Beach; look for pink apartment buildings)

NORTHERN GANNET - (Revere Beach; seen off a ways, fairly good looks with scope)

Double-crested Cormorant - (first observed while driving along Route 145)

Great Blue Heron - (first observed for me while driving past Littleton Heron Rookery heading east on Route 2)

Turkey Vulture - (Bolton Flats WMA)

Canada Goose - (first observed at Millennium Park on the 14th)

BRANT - (Revere Beach, at least half-dozen observed)

Mute Swan - (Boston Public Gardens)

Wood Duck - (Oxbow NWR)

American Black Duck - (Boston Public Gardens)

Mallard - (first observed at Millennium Park on the 14th)

WHITE-WINGED SCOTER - (Revere Beach)

RED-SHOULDERED HAWK - (seen being mobbed by Common Grackles and Red-winged Blackbirds near Assabet River while stopped at traffic light for jct. of 62 & 117 in Maynard)

Red-tailed Hawk - (first observed at Millennium Park on the 15th)

RUFFED GROUSE - (heard drumming several times from parking lot at Oxbow NWR)

Wild Turkey - (Drumlin Farm education dept. parking lot)

SEMIPALMATED PLOVER - (Bolton Flats WMA)

Killdeer - (first observed at Millennium Park on the 14th)

LESSER YELLOWLEGS - (Bolton Flats WMA)

AMERICAN WOODCOCK - (heard peenting while watching the Red-headed Woodpecker; was seen by other birders there along Turnpike Trail)

Ring-billed Gull - (Revere Beach)

Herring Gull - (Revere Beach)

Great Black-backed Gull - (Revere Beach)

Rock Pigeon - (first observed when on Route 1A in Revere)

Mourning Dove - (first seen flying across hood of car while on Hartwell Ave in Littleton)

MONK PARAKEET - (Bremen Street Park, East Boston)

COMMON NIGHTHAWK - (Oxbow NWR)

Chimney Swift - (Boston Public Gardens)

RED-HEADED WOODPECKER - (Oxbow NWR)

Red-bellied Woodpecker - (heard at Drumlin; seen at Oxbow NWR)

Downy Woodpecker - (first observed at Boston Public Gardens)

Eastern Phoebe - (bathrooms at Great Meadows NWR, Concord Unit)

Eastern Kingbird - (first observed at Boston Public Gardens)

YELLOW-THROATED VIREO - (heard at Oxbow NWR; seen by other birders)

Warbling Vireo - (first observed at Boston Public Gardens)

Blue Jay - (Home)

American Crow - (first observed while driving past Littleton Heron Rookery)

Tree Swallow - (first observed at Millennium Park on the 15th)

Black-capped Chickadee - (Home)

Tufted Titmouse - (Home)

Red-breasted Nuthatch - (heard at Drumlin Farm)

White-breasted Nuthatch - (Oxbow NWR)

Brown Creeper - (Oxbow NWR)

House Wren - (Home)

MARSH WREN - (Great Meadows NWR, Concord)

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher - (Bolton Flats WMA)

Eastern Bluebird - (Millennium Park)

Veery - (Oxbow NWR)

American Robin - (first observed at Millennium Park on the 14th)

Gray Catbird - (first observed at Drumlin Farm)

Northern Mockingbird - (heard at Drumlin; first seen at Hanscom Field)

European Starling - (first seen along Route 1A in Revere)

CEDAR WAXWING - (Boston Public Gardens)

Northern Parula - (Boston Public Gardens)

Yellow Warbler - (first observed at Great Meadows NWR, Concord)

MAGNOLIA WARBLER - (Boston Public Gardens)

BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER - (Boston Public Gardens)

Yellow-rumped (Myrtle) Warbler - (Boston Public Gardens)

BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER - (Boston Public Gardens)

BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER - (Boston Public Gardens)

Black-and-white Warbler - (first observed at Boston Public Gardens)

American Redstart - (first observed at Boston Public Gardens)

Ovenbird - (Oxbow NWR)

Common Yellowthroat - (Bolton Flats WMA)

WILSON'S WARBLER - (first observed by me at Oxbow NWR; also seen by Pam at Boston Public Gardens)

Scarlet Tanager - (Oxbow NWR)

Savannah Sparrow - (Millennium Park)

Song Sparrow - (heard at Millennium; first seen by me at Bolton Flats WMA)

CLAY-COLORED SPARROW - (Millennium Park; in reeds to the left side of the hill when approaching from main entrance)

Northern Cardinal - (Home)

Rose-breasted Grosbeak - (Oxbow NWR)

BOBOLINK - (Hanscom Field)

Red-winged Blackbird - (seen everywhere)

Common Grackle - (seen everywhere)

Brown-headed Cowbird - (Millennium Park)

Baltimore Oriole - (first seen at Home)

American Goldfinch - (ditto)

House Sparrow - (Revere & Boston Public Gardens)

I want to sincerely thank Bruce Black and Mary Brogan for carting the whole group around and I want to truly thank Pam for inviting me to join them and participate in this year's Bird-a-thon....an amazing experience that shall stick with me forever!!

To all those who participated, I hope you had a great weekend of birding, saw many great birds and just had a fantastic time enjoying yourself, the birds and the company you kept! Happy birding to everyone!!

A weekend full of birding is looming near!!! WOO-HOO!!

Man oh man, what an exciting weekend this is going to be! First up is this years 2010 MAS Bird-a-thon! I am on Team Drumlin Farm, though a part of a small group that makes up the larger whole. I will be accompanying Pamela Sowizral (Volunteer Coordinator at Drumlin Farm), Mary Brogran, and Bruce Black.

We will be starting out by meeting up at the Ed. Center of Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary by 4:45 pm. From my understanding, Bruce is driving both Friday evening and on Saturday, at least that is where it stands right now. Our first stop will be Revere Beach to see if we can get on the Manx Shearwaters in the area, and if we are lucky, the Forster's Tern will still be in the area. Then we are going to head into East Boston to catch a glance at the nesting colony of Monk Parakeets, and whatever else is in the vicinity. Then, on our way back, we figure to stop by Great Meadows NWR, Concord Unit to chance upon Common Nighthawks and listen for rails (most likely Virginia Rails, if any around). Hopefully the Pied-billed Grebe and Common Moorhen will still be around before it is too dark. We should still have some daylight left to us until about 8:30 pm.

Saturday will be quite the whirlwind! It has not been decided what time we'll all be meeting up, but I wager wicked early in the morn, say 6 am or earlier! We should be meeting up at Pam's residence in Bolton, MA. From there, we'll be making stops at Bolton Flats WMA, Oxbow NWR, the grassy fields in North Devens, the Lowell-Dracut-Tyngsborough State Forest for the Red-headed Woodpeckers and lastly, Assabet River NWR (hopefully the Northern Goshawk will still be kicking around). What a day it shall be! No matter how many birds we all get upon, it is going to be exciting and fun, and I am hoping we all can obtain a few more Life birds while we are at it!

On Sunday, it sounds like I will be meeting up with my good buddy and friend Kirk Marshall to check out Wompatuck State Park in Hingham, MA to see if we can chance upon the Cerulean Warbler that has been in the area recently as well as Red-eyed Vireos! Man, I wager I am going to be exhausted once all is said and done, but it will be so worth it!!

Doing some good and worthwhile work at Oxbow NWR!!

There are many days where I really wish I had a job (I wish I had a job period right now) working for an esteemed organization like that of the US Fish & Wildlife Service, Sudbury Valley Trustees, Mass Audubon or the Trustees of Reservations. Today I joined Alan Bragg, Ziggy and Frank of USFWS at Oxbow NWR around 8 am. We worked together as a team clearing fallen trees, brush, weed-whacking the boating ramp parking lot and main parking lot, you know, general trail and property maintenance. I was there with them until 12:30 pm. It was solid, worthwhile and enjoyable work with a trio of fine gentlemen. I've met Alan before at Great Meadows NWR (Concord Unit) when doing some birding there. It was just such a pleasure being outside, helping maintain my "little piece of paradise" in this region while also doing some spot birding. Highlight for me was seeing an American Woodcock out in broad daylight (Ziggy saw another one earlier in the day), both along Tank Road. I love those bizarre Snipe-ish birds! I am including a partial list of what we all casually observed today while working. Alan may send me an updated list later on today with anything else I might have missed/he observed.

Location:     Oxbow National Wildlife Refuge
Observation date:     5/6/10
Notes:     Casually noticed these birds as we were going along performing trail and property maintenance at Oxbow NWR with Alan Bragg, Ziggy and Frank from USFWS. Many other birds were heard, but not seen, like American Redstarts, Yellow Warblers, Common Yellowthroats, etc. I am sharing this list with Alan Bragg since he may have more to add to this report. It was fantastic seeing the timber doodles out in broad daylight (well, sort of, off and on rain/thunder showers).
Number of species:     15

Mallard - Anas platyrhynchos     2
Great Blue Heron - Ardea herodias     1
American Woodcock - Scolopax minor     2
Belted Kingfisher - Megaceryle alcyon     1
Red-bellied Woodpecker - Melanerpes carolinus     1
Eastern Phoebe - Sayornis phoebe     1
Warbling Vireo - Vireo gilvus     2
Tree Swallow - Tachycineta bicolor     2
American Robin - Turdus migratorius     3
Gray Catbird - Dumetella carolinensis     1
Black-and-white Warbler - Mniotilta varia     1
Rose-breasted Grosbeak - Pheucticus ludovicianus     1
Red-winged Blackbird - Agelaius phoeniceus     4
Common Grackle - Quiscalus quiscula     3
Baltimore Oriole - Icterus galbula     1

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

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/massaudubon/)


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.

Some thoughts about birding....

I have only been seriously bird watching for a few years now, many many thanks to my good friend Kirk Marshall for turning me into a monster (or bird nerd). I have absolutely loved every moment of it, but I guess what irks me a little bit, at least from my own perceptions, is that some people just do it to get a target bird and thats it.

Believe me, I want to see every bird in the world if I had the means and time to do so (sadly I do not), but for me, when I am out birding, I'm not only out there to see the target bird that Kirk and/or I have identified pursuing via Massbird or through some other avenue of communication. I am out there to become enveloped by Nature's grandeur, taking in all the sights and sounds, the whole atmosphere, soaking up the entire experience. (Hence my love for such places as Pondicherry Wildlife Refuge in Jefferson, NH and Oxbow National Wildlife Refuge in Harvard, MA)

Yeah, I do get disappointed if I miss a target bird (and I admittedly sometimes do not let myself be calmed by my environs)....failed on getting to see the Tufted Duck in Wayland on the Sudbury River and also the Eurasian Green-winged Teal at Nine-Acre Corner that were both seen in late winter of this year, but most of the time, I am just happy to be outside. Even if I see one or many common birds, I soak it up, try to watch their antics, their behaviours (the soaring flight of a Red-tailed Hawk, the acrobatics of a Black-capped Chickadee) and I am always amazed by some of my favorite common birds (the bright gold and cute chatterings of an American Goldfinch, the laughing call and mannerisms of a White-breasted Nuthatch).

I know many people share and feel and love the same way that I do about birds, wildlife and nature in general, but I wish everybody could. Take stock in what a wonderful planet we live on, with all the landscapes and gorgeous wildlife that call it home. That is why it is so important that we take the time to enjoy every moment of it and do what we can to help preserve, maintain and help thrive what hasn't been developed by the destructive tendencies of mankind. For I know we have been falling down a deep trench for a while now and its going to be a while before most everyone truly appreciates what we have and what needs to be done to ensure the health of our planet.

So, when next you find yourself in the mesmerizing gaze of Nature's sweet beauty, please, take a moment, inhale deeply, sense acutely and just take it all in, because it is these moments in time when life is at its sweetest, its very best!!!

Great Meadows NWR (Concord), Oxbow NWR, Nine-Acres Corner - 04/18/2010

The weather may not have been ideal (annoyingly light, intermittent rain showers for most of the day) for heading outside, but it wasn't too awful either, so here are the highlights of todays expedition with my good friend Kirk Marshall!

It started off, before meeting up with Kirk at Great Meadows by 8 am, by seeing a pair of COMMON LOONS on Nagog Pond near the Littleton/Acton border while driving east on 119/2A. This pair, at the time this morning, was drifting along with about a half-dozen RING-NECKED DUCKS. And yes, I had good looks because I had been stuck at the traffic light there to go into Nagog Park.

While at Great Meadows, Kirk and myself got upon 2 AMERICAN COOTS, both on the Lower Pool side of the dike, milling amongst the dead reeds nearest the dike. We also saw a handful of GREAT BLUE HERONS, a pair of MUTE SWANS, and about a half-dozen WOOD DUCKS, a few of which were perched on top of the wood ducks boxes. A few DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS also had the same idea. Strewn throughout the entire area was a myriad of COMMON GRACKLES, TREE SWALLOWS AND RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS, many of the male Red-wings displaying! We also lucked upon a MERLIN flying overhead the Lower Pool as well! And yes, there was a large contingent of CANADA GEESE....oh well! But I find the most amusing thing there was this one Great Blue. We'd get within 5-10 feet of it on the dike trail, then it would fly off, but only to just a little ways down the dike trail in front of us. So, we'd come upon him again, and he would fly off again farther down the dike. After the 3rd time, he decided to stand his ground as we walked past him. I guess he liked that dike much too much!

Next stop was Oxbow, and it was fairly quiet today, compared to earlier last week. Saw a few WOOD DUCKS and MALLARDS and TREE SWALLOWS, as well as other commonly found birds this time of year, but the highlight from what we saw was the lone PALM WARBLER we observed along the Turnpike Trail. A BELTED KINGFISHER also graced us with its crazed chatterings while walking back along Tank Road.

Our last stop was to check out Nine-Acres Corner for the GLOSSY IBISES, and we were not disappointed. They are in the same southwest quadrant of the area, all 10 of them, along with a few KILLDEER and GREAT BLUE HERONS. Had some seriously great looks at the ibises due to the sun finally shining, making their glossy, purple-hued/iridescent feathers glitter! Also was able to see them in flight as they moved from one flooded area to the next!

All in all, a very nice day to be out and about for the both of us! Happy birding to all!!

eBird Report - Oxbow National Wildlife Refuge, 4/13/10 - A multitude of woodpeckers!

Another fine day to be out and about! I decided to hit Oxbow NWR for the first time this year, Oxbow being my favorite local area to find solitude in and to go a-birding! I had wanted to check out Oxbow prior to, but with the recent flooding, that was not possible. You can tell how bad the flooding was due the faint silty waterline about 4 feet up on some of the tree trunks. Just amazing!

At any rate, a fine day of birding it was, taking a jaunt through all the trails from 10:30 am to 2 pm. The place was loaded with chickadees, goldfinches, grackles, red-wings, robins, tree swallows, titmice and singing juncos. I was also amazed at the numbers of woodpeckers there, especially finding 6 Red-bellied Woodpeckers, the most I have ever seen anywhere at one time! It was also very nice seeing a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker again, FOY! Also finally notched my FOY Pine Warblers, some excellent looks along Tank Road. I also had the pleasure of seeing 2 Ruffed Grouse along Tank Road, the first grouse I have seen in years! Normally, from what I understand, they tend to be solitary, but there were 2 of them, one following the other. I will say they were a bit far back into the pines, but had good looks at them before losing them into the thick of the woods. Definitely sweet! Enough babbling from me!

Here are some directions to Oxbow NWR for those who would like to check it out (do where some good hikers, its very mucky, especially along the Riverside Trail): From MA 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.

Happy birding everyone!

Location:     Oxbow National Wildlife Refuge
Observation date:     4/13/10
Number of species:     33

Canada Goose - Branta canadensis     5
Wood Duck - Aix sponsa     7 (all along Turnpike Trail near jct with Riverside Trail)
Mallard - Anas platyrhynchos     5
Ruffed Grouse - Bonasa umbellus     2 (in pine forest area long Tank Road nearer to Route 2)
Wild Turkey - Meleagris gallopavo     2 (Tank Road)
Great Blue Heron - Ardea herodias     2
Mourning Dove - Zenaida macroura     6
Barred Owl - Strix varia     2 (heard "who cooks for you, who cooks for you-all" fairly close, but could not get on them; was on Tank Road nearest jct of Turnpike Trail when calls were heard; were seemingly calling back and forth between each other)
Belted Kingfisher - Megaceryle alcyon     2
Red-bellied Woodpecker - Melanerpes carolinus     6 (Most along Riverside Trail)
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker - Sphyrapicus varius     1 (near jct. of Riverside & Turnpike)
Downy Woodpecker - Picoides pubescens     5
Hairy Woodpecker - Picoides villosus     2
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) - Colaptes auratus [auratus Group]     3
Blue Jay - Cyanocitta cristata     11
American Crow - Corvus brachyrhynchos     3
Tree Swallow - Tachycineta bicolor     X (throughout, but most along Turnpike Trail)
Black-capped Chickadee - Poecile atricapillus     X
Tufted Titmouse - Baeolophus bicolor     X
White-breasted Nuthatch - Sitta carolinensis     6
Eastern Bluebird - Sialia sialis     2 (along backside of marsh area that runs along Tank Road)
Hermit Thrush - Catharus guttatus     1 (pine forest area along Tank Road)
American Robin - Turdus migratorius     X
Pine Warbler - Dendroica pinus     3 (Tank Road)
Palm Warbler (Yellow) - Dendroica palmarum hypochrysea     2 (Turnpike Trail)
Song Sparrow - Melospiza melodia     1
Swamp Sparrow - Melospiza georgiana     1
White-throated Sparrow - Zonotrichia albicollis     5
Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored) - Junco hyemalis hyemalis/carolinensis     X
Red-winged Blackbird - Agelaius phoeniceus     X
Common Grackle - Quiscalus quiscula     X
Brown-headed Cowbird - Molothrus ater     2 (near parking lot)
American Goldfinch - Carduelis tristis     X

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