Haskell Swamp WMA, 2nd July 2017

On July 2nd, seven adventurous birders met to explore what birds and nature Haskell Swamp WMA had to offer. We started our trip from the main entrance at the end of Dexter Ln., walking the main trail and poking into several side trails. The main trail is fairly well manicured and relatively wide, but many of the offshoots die off as trees and other vegetation fall onto the trail. As we walked we enjoyed bird song from several Hermit Thrush, Veery, Scarlet Tanager, Ovenbird, and Pine Warbler. Turning around at a brook which runs over the main trail, We had wonderful looks at a male Scarlet Tanager.

Scarlet Tanager, Haskell Swamp WMA

Working our way back I hooted several times with no success, but toward the end of our walk we heard several hawk calls which proved to be a pair of Sharp-shinned. Everyone in the group was able to hear the birds and see them dashing through the trees, and a few were able to get decent looks at the birds.

Eastern Phoebe, Haskell Swamp WMA

Haskell Swamp WMA, Plymouth, Massachusetts, US
Jul 2, 2017 6:25 AM - 9:55 AM
Protocol: Traveling
2.0 mile(s)
Comments:     SSBC Trip
34 species

Sharp-shinned Hawk  2     Pair seen and calling together, flight calls and calls labeled by Sibley app as alarm calls given near nest. At least one probably continuing from yesterday, based on sightings they may be breeding in here.
Mourning Dove  1
Downy Woodpecker  3
Hairy Woodpecker  2
Eastern Wood-Pewee  3
Eastern Phoebe  1
Great Crested Flycatcher  3
Red-eyed Vireo  1
Blue Jay  5
Black-capped Chickadee  10
Tufted Titmouse  6
Red-breasted Nuthatch  3
White-breasted Nuthatch  2
Brown Creeper  1
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  1
Veery  24
Hermit Thrush  8
American Robin  1
Gray Catbird  3
Ovenbird  17
Common Yellowthroat  2
Yellow Warbler  1
Pine Warbler  10
Chipping Sparrow  6
Eastern Towhee  8
Scarlet Tanager  3
Northern Cardinal  1
Red-winged Blackbird  1
Common Grackle  3
Brown-headed Cowbird  7
Baltimore Oriole  1
House Finch  1
American Goldfinch  1
House Sparrow  1

After a long walk through the WMA, we decided against going in the second entrance to Haskell Swamp and instead went to the Rochester Land Trust property Church's Field across the street. This is a small flowery meadow along the roadside which has a trail that goes through the woods, has some benches along the Mattapoisett River, and loops back to the parking lot. We took a small break at the picnic table before walking the trail, taking another quick break to appreciate the river, and headed back to the entrance. Along the way we were rewarded with nice looks at a few American Redstarts and a Blue-Winged Warbler.

Chipping Sparrow, Church's Field

Church's Field, Plymouth, Massachusetts, US
Jul 2, 2017 10:31 AM - 11:31 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.0 mile(s)
Comments:     SSBC Trip
25 species

Black-billed Cuckoo  1
Chimney Swift  2
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  1
Downy Woodpecker  1
Eastern Wood-Pewee  1
Eastern Phoebe  1
Red-eyed Vireo  1
Tree Swallow  3
Black-capped Chickadee  2
Tufted Titmouse  2
White-breasted Nuthatch  1
Brown Creeper  1
Carolina Wren  1
Veery  6
Blue-winged Warbler  1
Common Yellowthroat  2
American Redstart  5
Yellow Warbler  2
Pine Warbler  3
Chipping Sparrow  3
Eastern Towhee  1
Red-winged Blackbird  1
Brown-headed Cowbird  1
American Goldfinch  6
House Sparrow  2

-Nate Marchessault