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