SSBC Wompatuck State Park Breeding Bird Survey, July 3-4th 2021

     The Wompatuck State Park breeding bird survey was our third and final survey for the year, being held on July 3rd, with one participant completing their route on the 4th. This survey had a total of 7 participants that each split up to cover their own sections, and spent a collective total of 35 hours 9 minutes, covering 44.02 miles. The park had almost complete coverage, car troubles cursed one group and as a result it was not covered.

Areas covered for Wompatuck BBS

    The weather was unfortunately not as cooperative as it had been for the previous two, with chilly temperatures in the high 50's, drizzle, and moderate winds throughout. Between the cold and the precipitation bird song was much reduced, but we were still able to count a total of 64 species. Pileated Woodpeckers had a nice showing, with a total of 4 individuals counted, which is nice to see in one of the only reliable locations for them in Plymouth County. Most surprising for me were the large numbers of Veeries, with 133 counted... nearly keeping pace with Ovenbirds (160)!

    Along with those a few of the more known, but notable, breeders at Wompatuck were observed, with 1 each of Winter Wren and Worm-eating Warblers. I expect there are several more to be found, but the weather kept many of these skulkers quiet. A somewhat high number of Black-throated Green Warblers were counted, with 11 total.

Wildcat pond, Wompatuck SP

Though it may seem like just a morning of birding, the importance of these surveys cannot be understated. If carried on over time, they can show trends of increases or reductions in populations of species. Additionally, unless data is collected, it disappears. For example, (with the exception of an impromptu BBS I conducted at Haskell Swamp WMA) the Hockomock Swamp and Wompatuck State Park were the only places where Winter Wren and Black-throated Green Warblers were documented in southeastern Massachusetts during the breeding season, despite them being known elsewhere such as the Freetown State Forest. And, there's also the possibility of finding something even more notable, such as Canada Warblers and Alder Flycatchers, both very unusual breeders in southeastern Mass. Regardless, what could be better than not just going birding, but going birding for the purpose of collecting valuable breeding bird data?

Best,

Nate

Species	Totals
Canada Goose	2
Wood Duck	4
Mourning Dove	14
Yellow-billed Cuckoo	1
Ruby-throated Hummingbird	1
Herring Gull	5
Great Black-backed Gull	6
Double-crested Cormorant	1
Great Blue Heron	1
Turkey Vulture	1
Osprey	1
Barred Owl	2
Red-bellied Woodpecker	14
Downy Woodpecker	6
Hairy Woodpecker	2
Pileated Woodpecker	4
Northern Flicker	7
Eastern Wood-Pewee	26
Eastern Phoebe	7
Great Crested Flycatcher	26
Eastern Kingbird	10
Warbling Vireo	1
Red-eyed Vireo	46
Blue Jay	52
American Crow	4
Fish Crow	1
crow sp.	2
Common Raven	2
Black-capped Chickadee	90
Tufted Titmouse	91
White-breasted Nuthatch	29
Brown Creeper	8
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher	5
House Wren	3
Winter Wren	1
Carolina Wren	8
Gray Catbird	73
Veery	133
Hermit Thrush	23
Wood Thrush	7
American Robin	34
Cedar Waxwing	19
House Finch	2
American Goldfinch	36
Chipping Sparrow	73
Song Sparrow	10
Eastern Towhee	25
Baltimore Oriole	2
Red-winged Blackbird	21
Brown-headed Cowbird	15
Common Grackle	14
Ovenbird	160
Worm-eating Warbler	1
Northern Waterthrush	1
Blue-winged Warbler	1
Black-and-white Warbler	10
Common Yellowthroat	20
American Redstart	3
Yellow Warbler	10
Pine Warbler	58
Black-throated Green Warbler	11
Scarlet Tanager	21
Northern Cardinal	34
Rose-breasted Grosbeak	2
Indigo Bunting	4
Total # of Individuals	1307

SSBC + Manomet Myles Standish State Forest Breeding Bird Survey, June 26-27th 2021

     For our second survey we teamed up with Manomet, as they were particularly interested in species that breed within pitch pine/scrub oak habitats, such as Prairie Warblers and Eastern Towhees. The parcels assigned to each party were a bit smaller for this survey to obtain finer-scale data that can be used to evaluate trends based on habitat changes, etc., over time. As a result, the survey was conducted over two days to allow for greater coverage. 

Areas covered for MSSF BBS. Black polygons indicate habitats dominated by pitch pine/scrub oak, parcels with other habitats (such as white pine forest) in blue.

    In total, the survey had 10 participants which covered 13 of the pre-assigned areas within the forest. These groups collectively birded for a total of 41 hours 54 minutes, and a total distance of 62.51 miles. The weather was similar both days, overcast and 70-80 degrees with moderate winds, which generally weren't an issue due to the lack of tall deciduous trees to make noise pollution.

Eastern Towhee, photo by Kim Wylie

    And count the Prairie Warblers and Eastern Towhees we did, along with every other species we saw, taking some time to appreciate the plants as well such as clasping milkweed. In total, 247 Prairie Warblers and 549 Eastern towhees were documented during the survey, and our species total was 59 species with 2954 individuals counted. Other notables for the survey include an American Kestrel, 22 (!) Purple Finches, and 9 Brown Thrashers. Northern Bobwhites were bird of questionable breeding status in this survey with 2 individuals observed posing the question; are they breeders, stragglers, or early releases?

Northern Bobwhite, photo by Brian Vigorito

Species	Totals
Mallard	9
duck sp.	1
Northern Bobwhite	2
Wild Turkey	7
Mourning Dove	64
Black-billed Cuckoo	8
Chimney Swift	9
Ruby-throated Hummingbird	3
Herring Gull	1
Great Blue Heron	5
Great Egret	2
Cooper's Hawk	1
Broad-winged Hawk	4
Downy Woodpecker	7
Hairy Woodpecker	7
Northern Flicker	11
American Kestrel	1
Eastern Wood-Pewee	25
Eastern Phoebe	4
Great Crested Flycatcher	4
Eastern Kingbird	23
Blue Jay	41
American Crow	19
Fish Crow	8
Black-capped Chickadee	96
Tufted Titmouse	12
Purple Martin	1
Tree Swallow	21
Barn Swallow	5
Red-breasted Nuthatch	28
White-breasted Nuthatch	8
Brown Creeper	7
House Wren	37
Gray Catbird	67
Brown Thrasher	9
Northern Mockingbird	1
Eastern Bluebird	23
Hermit Thrush	67
American Robin	102
Cedar Waxwing	56
House Finch	4
Purple Finch	22
American Goldfinch	53
Chipping Sparrow	308
Field Sparrow	47
Song Sparrow	12
Eastern Towhee	549
Baltimore Oriole	5
Red-winged Blackbird	7
Brown-headed Cowbird	51
Common Grackle	22
Ovenbird	254
Black-and-white Warbler	10
Common Yellowthroat	201
Yellow Warbler	9
Pine Warbler	342
Prairie Warbler	247
Scarlet Tanager	1
Northern Cardinal	9
Indigo Bunting	5
Total # of Individuals	2964