The leader and six intrepid participants set off to cover areas not oft covered in the Medfield / Millis area, with the threat of thunderstorms looming on the horizon. While doing a quick stop at Causeway Street in Medfield 20 minutes before the meetup, the leader had an unexpected Cliff Swallow, making that the obvious first stop. While the bird never materialized for the group, we did tick off four species of swallow, including at least four Bank Swallows, one carrying nesting material. The birds were headed over a hill towards an industrial sand and gravel yard off 109, leading us to posit that this could be a likely breeding sight. We quickly checked off Yellow-billed and Black-billed cuckoos, and enjoyed Willow Flycatchers setting up territory and sallying around. The non-birding highlight was a female snapping turtle laying eggs on the berm between the road and water, attracting quite a bit of attention from passerby motorists.
We then hopped across 109 to Causeway Street in Millis, enjoying the sights and sounds of the marsh denizens there, including the whispy singing of a Brown Creeper, and a pair of osprey that appeared to be considering a heron rookery as a nesting sight.
Eastern-eyed Click Beetle Alaus oculatus, landed on the leader's trousers!
We also admired a beautiful Leopard Frog
We then made our way to the Medfield State Hospital, scoring a singing Yellow-throated Vireo at the old cemetery grounds, and a surprise Pileated Woodpecker briefly showing itself as it worked its way through the woods. We concluded with a trek around the hospital grounds and across the street at McCarthy Park, ending with a solid mix of breeders for a muggy June day.
The now derelict buildings of Medfield State Hospital
Overall, we netted 68 species (plus an additional 2, prior to the trip by the leader) - not bad at all given the conditions and looming rain! Below is the ebird list for the day
Josh Bock
| https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S46238792 https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S46238785 https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S46238776 |
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