SSBC Social Distancing Virtual "Walks" – Mother's Day Edition

Note: To those who are unfamiliar, these social distancing “walks” are not in-person walks but rather a group chat where members share their experiences for the morning and stay connected. South Shore Bird Club is strict about (and very impressed by its members) adhering to social distancing guidelines, which includes avoiding populated areas, large groups, and close social interaction. We fully support members enjoying the healing and mindfulness that nature can provide and want to foster a social environment for those who may feel isolated- these walks are intended to achieve both of these goals with safety at the forefront of our mission.

Our seventh social distancing event was held on Mother's Day, Sunday, May 10^th. Although today was a little slow compared to last week (and a lot colder early in the morning!), there’s no such thing as a bad day of birding in May.

With migration in full swing, a number of new species were added to our list this week. Pete had a Yellow-throated Vireo at the Hockomock Swamp. Sally had a Worm-eating Warbler in Wompatuck State Park. Kim and Mike had a Black-billed Cuckoo at East Over Reservation and Keelin found 3 Red Knots in Chatham.

Blue-headed Vireo by Beth Vacchino

At mid-morning, Vin pointed out to the group that the weather conditions were good for observing swallows flying low over ponds. Vin, Glenn, and Nate all managed to find Cliff Swallows today.

Black Vulture by Kim Wylie

My best sighting of the day was an American Woodcock out in broad daylight in Pembroke. As I was driving to Great Sandy Bottom Pond, I spotted one crossing the road in front of me, doing its strange back-and-forth bobbing walk. I was only able to get one quick photo before another car came by and spooked it. For those who have never seen a Woodcock out walking around, here’s a video from the Macaulay Library.

https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/476611

American Woodcock by Brian Vigorito

We had a total of 50 checklists submitted today with 128 species. The full species list is below.

Species Name	Species Count
Brant	56
Canada Goose	94
Mute Swan	1
Wood Duck	39
Mallard	36
American Black Duck	3
Common Eider	25
Bufflehead	3
Ring-necked Pheasant	1
Ruffed Grouse	2
Wild Turkey	4
Rock Pigeon	1
Mourning Dove	31
Black-billed Cuckoo	1
Chimney Swift	101
Ruby-throated Hummingbird	4
Virginia Rail	5
Sora	1
Sandhill Crane	2
American Oystercatcher	3
Black-bellied Plover	78
Killdeer	2
Ruddy Turnstone	2
Red Knot	3
Dunlin	162
American Woodcock	1
Spotted Sandpiper	4
Solitary Sandpiper	2
Greater Yellowlegs	9
Willet	35
Laughing Gull	3
Herring Gull	131
Great Black-backed Gull	27
gull sp.	209
Least Tern	4
Common Loon	1
Northern Gannet	1
Double-crested Cormorant	255
cormorant sp.	1
Great Blue Heron	27
Great Egret	25
Snowy Egret	8
Black-crowned Night-Heron	5
Black Vulture	2
Turkey Vulture	10
Osprey	19
Red-shouldered Hawk	4
Broad-winged Hawk	2
Red-tailed Hawk	9
Buteo sp.	1
hawk sp.	1
Barred Owl	3
Belted Kingfisher	3
Red-bellied Woodpecker	33
Downy Woodpecker	44
Hairy Woodpecker	12
Northern Flicker	15
American Kestrel	3
Least Flycatcher	1
Eastern Phoebe	13
Great Crested Flycatcher	17
Eastern Kingbird	9
Yellow-throated Vireo	2
Blue-headed Vireo	4
Warbling Vireo	5
Blue Jay	119
American Crow	33
Fish Crow	11
Common Raven	1
Black-capped Chickadee	127
Tufted Titmouse	86
Northern Rough-winged Swallow	21
Purple Martin	1
Tree Swallow	142
Bank Swallow	5
Barn Swallow	125
Cliff Swallow	4
Red-breasted Nuthatch	2
White-breasted Nuthatch	36
Brown Creeper	4
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher	36
House Wren	15
Winter Wren	5
Carolina Wren	26
European Starling	23
Gray Catbird	129
Brown Thrasher	1
Northern Mockingbird	2
Veery	3
Hermit Thrush	3
Wood Thrush	3
American Robin	137
Cedar Waxwing	6
House Sparrow	28
House Finch	11
American Goldfinch	63
Chipping Sparrow	44
Field Sparrow	1
White-throated Sparrow	16
Savannah Sparrow	24
Song Sparrow	78
Swamp Sparrow	35
Eastern Towhee	80
Eastern Meadowlark	1
Orchard Oriole	3
Baltimore Oriole	41
Red-winged Blackbird	312
Brown-headed Cowbird	33
Rusty Blackbird	1
Common Grackle	159
Ovenbird	140
Worm-eating Warbler	1
Northern Waterthrush	7
Blue-winged Warbler	18
Black-and-white Warbler	53
Common Yellowthroat	71
American Redstart	4
Northern Parula	14
Yellow Warbler	152
Black-throated Blue Warbler	1
Palm Warbler	7
Pine Warbler	50
Yellow-rumped Warbler	78
Prairie Warbler	1
Black-throated Green Warbler	7
Scarlet Tanager	1
Northern Cardinal	78
Rose-breasted Grosbeak	8