Plymouth Day, May 27, 2018

Many Highlights on a gray day

A 06:30 AM start on this rather cool and overcast day kept many birders at home, instead of joining Glenn on this traditional walk of Plymouth Beach. However 10 of us met at the appointed time and set off along the beach. The very first stop, overlooking the mudflats on the inside of the peninsula, yielded one of the most spectacular of the birds for this morning:

  two Black Skimmers -  digiscoped in very windy conditions by Steven Whitebread

and the same birds photographed by Moe Molander

and the well wrapped birders admiring the spectacular birds - photo by Moe Molander

Most of the group made it all the way to the tip of the beach, and turned back just in time so as not to be cut off by the tide! The second highlight of the morning was a Lesser Black-backed Gull

photo by Moe Molander

photo by Steven Whitebread

Admirably in this group were two birders who were also acting as beach cleaners - we are grateful to all that you do to keep our environment clean - thank you!

The cool weather made for brisk walking and the group was back in the parking lot before 10:30 am - this left just enough time to hunt down the reported Red-headed Woodpecker at Manomet before driving over to the airport for part two of the day.
 Incredibly Glenn managed to find this bird for us, even though it did not vocalize at the time!

Red-headed Woodpecker photo by Steven Whitebread

The Plymouth day part two has us meeting at the airport. Glenn has permission from the airport manager to lead a group inside the fence to hopefully get close-up views of those grassland specialists: Meadow- and Horned Lark, Upland Sandpiper, Vesper- and Grasshopper Sparrow. Unfortunately there are not many places left where we can see these species, so this trip always draws a large crowd. Even though it had started to spit/drizzle, this day was no exception. A group of 18  birders joined Glenn for a walk inside the airfield. We had barely passed the fence when we saw a Meadowlark in flight., it landed obligingly on a runway light, so we all got great scope looks. Not long after, Glenn heard the flight call of an Upland Sandpiper - and sure enough it was circling right above our heads - going incredibly high!

The Sparrows proved less cooperative, while most of us heard a faint Grasshopper call - we never really located the bird - a brief glimpse of movement from the direction of the sound was all.
Vesper Sparrow never showed, but a resident Kestrel almost compensated for this. By then we were all wet enough so called it quits.

on the way out of the airport field - photo by Moe Molander

E-bird lists of the beach walk and the airport are below.
Thanks to Glenn D'Entremont for once again leading this walk

Christine


Plymouth Beach, Plymouth, Massachusetts, US
May 27, 2018 6:30 AM - 10:30 AM
Protocol: Traveling
2.5 mile(s)
Comments:     BBC/SSBC/FMSSF/PasamasketBC trip 10 participants
36 species

Mallard (Northern)  12
Common Eider (Dresser's)  1
Double-crested Cormorant  75
Osprey (carolinensis)  2
Black-bellied Plover  40
Semipalmated Plover  30
Piping Plover  12
Ruddy Turnstone  7
Sanderling  15
Dunlin  2
White-rumped Sandpiper  2
Semipalmated Sandpiper  250
Willet (Eastern)  12
Bonaparte's Gull  25     no adults
Laughing Gull  250
Ring-billed Gull  175     all first and second year birds; one bird close to adult 3rd yr?
Herring Gull (American)  X
Lesser Black-backed Gull  1     ad or 4th year (brown area on bird seen in field, but image(s) do not show this
Great Black-backed Gull  X
Least Tern  150
Common Tern (hirundo)  10
Black Skimmer  2     adult, one larger than other - male?
Mourning Dove  3
American Crow  4
Horned Lark  2
Tree Swallow  3
Bank Swallow  8
Barn Swallow (American)  20
Northern Mockingbird  1
European Starling  X
Common Yellowthroat  1
Yellow Warbler (Northern)  1
Song Sparrow  11
Common Grackle  21
House Finch  7
House Sparrow  X

View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S46089903


Plymouth Airport, Plymouth, Massachusetts, US
May 27, 2018 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Protocol: Traveling
1.25 mile(s)
Comments:     BBC/SSBC/FMSSF/PaskamasketBC trip
20 species

Canada Goose  4
Wild Turkey  1
Great Blue Heron (Blue form)  3
Upland Sandpiper  1     displaying
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)  1
American Kestrel  1
Eastern Kingbird  1
Fish Crow  1
Horned Lark  3
American Robin  5
Ovenbird  1
Prairie Warbler  1
Grasshopper Sparrow  2
Chipping Sparrow  2
Savannah Sparrow (Savannah)  3
Eastern Towhee  3
Eastern Meadowlark (Eastern)  3
Brown-headed Cowbird  1
Common Grackle  7
American Goldfinch  1

View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S46089900

Wompatuck State Park, May 24, 2018

On our last Thursday walk of 2018 in Wompatuck S.P., 5 birders explored the area from the transfer station to the Aaron River Reservoir. The woods were filled with songs of thrushes and some warblers although the fully leafed canopy made locating many of the latter birds somewhat difficult. Highlights included the pileated woodpecker that was first heard drumming loudly across the water, and then seen by one participant as it flew toward us; a yellow-billed cuckoo called several times in the same area but was only seen as it flew overhead to a different location. A number of blackpoll warblers were heard during the morning, but only one was finally seen when two of us went to the Gate 9 area.

The group was agreeable to exploring a new area and we set off on a path along the shores of Heron Pond. Other than a pair of spotted sandpipers and a departing great blue heron, it wasn't terribly birdy, however the beauty of the area made up for the lack of birds. On our return, another surprise was a singing hermit thrush. A few scarlet tanagers were heard, but one considerate male posed alluringly for us right over the trail.

Until next year, we say farewell to the wonders that Wompatuck always presents to us on our weekly walks.

Sally Avery


Wompatuck SP--Visitor's Center, Plymouth, Massachusetts, US
May 24, 2018 6:21 AM - 6:44 AM
Protocol: Stationary
10 species

Common Loon 2
Eastern Phoebe 1
Red-eyed Vireo 1
American Crow 2
Tufted Titmouse 2
Veery 1
Ovenbird 1
Chipping Sparrow 1
Brown-headed Cowbird 1
American Goldfinch 1

View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S45976499

Wompatuck SP-transfer station to Aaron River Reservoir, Plymouth, Massachusetts, US
May 24, 2018 6:53 AM - 9:42 AM
Protocol: Traveling
3.022 mile(s)
38 species

Great Blue Heron 1
Spotted Sandpiper 3
Mourning Dove 2
Yellow-billed Cuckoo 2
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Downy Woodpecker 1
Hairy Woodpecker 1
Pileated Woodpecker 1
Eastern Phoebe 1
Great Crested Flycatcher 4
Eastern Kingbird 5
Warbling Vireo 2
Red-eyed Vireo 4
Blue Jay 3
Veery 4
Swainson's Thrush 2
Hermit Thrush 1 Singing in woods
American Robin 5
Gray Catbird 5
Ovenbird 9
Northern Waterthrush 1
Black-and-white Warbler 3
Common Yellowthroat 2
American Redstart 4
Magnolia Warbler 1
Yellow Warbler 4
Blackpoll Warbler 3
Black-throated Blue Warbler 1
Pine Warbler 2
Black-throated Green Warbler 3
Chipping Sparrow 5
Scarlet Tanager 4
Baltimore Oriole 6
Red-winged Blackbird 1
Brown-headed Cowbird 4
Common Grackle 6
House Finch 5
American Goldfinch 4

View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S45979768

Wompatuck SP-Gate 9, Plymouth, Massachusetts, US
May 24, 2018 10:08 AM - 11:38 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.171 mile(s)
26 species

Mallard 2
Mourning Dove 1
Pileated Woodpecker 1
Eastern Phoebe 1
Great Crested Flycatcher 1
Red-eyed Vireo 2
Black-capped Chickadee 2
Tufted Titmouse 2
Veery 2
Wood Thrush 2
Gray Catbird 4
Ovenbird 1
Blue-winged Warbler 3
Black-and-white Warbler 3
Common Yellowthroat 4
American Redstart 1
Northern Parula 2
Magnolia Warbler 1
Yellow Warbler 4
Chestnut-sided Warbler 1
Blackpoll Warbler 2
Eastern Towhee 3
Northern Cardinal 2
Rose-breasted Grosbeak 2
Brown-headed Cowbird 3
American Goldfinch 1

View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S45982506

The Harrington 100 May 5, 2018

The Harrington 100, renamed for its long time leader H. Warren Harrington, is held the first Saturday of May. Now in its 52^nd year, this trip covers the northeast part of the state, ranging from Lynnfield to Newburyport and many points in between. We attempt to see or hear 100 species for the day. This trip starts at 4:30 and runs until we physically run out of gas.

As each year passes, we see changes in habit, with nature succession, Lynnfield marsh; animal influence succession, Crooked Pond; and of course man-made change, all over. Each affects the overall number and type of species. In addition, when you factor in the weather and when on the calendar the first Saturday falls, it makes each year different and challenging. This year, the weather was favorable and we were towards the end of when the event could occur. Combined, it made for a record setting year for the total number of species, plus a new species for the event!

Seven hearty birders meet at 4:30 am at Crooked Pond in Boxford. We continued from there, going nonstop and not looking back. We birded until 7 pm, when the lack of light, new species and energy along with the onset of mosquitoes made the decision to quit, easy.

Off to a quick start, we reached our goal, 100 species by about 11:00 am. We were still in Nahant, sort of the midway point of the day, in terms of time and area. Along the way, I jokingly made the comment that we would hit 140 species this year. I knew full well, we always seem to hit a mid afternoon lull and our yearly average was 111 species. To get nearly 30 more species than the average seem out of reach.

I was wrong on both accounts, or pretty much so! There was no real lull and we ended up one shy, at 139 species! Given it was still early of the prime migration period and the area involved, I think it was an impressive number. New for the trip was King Eider! This immature male individual had been hanging out at Emerson Rocks on Plum Island for a week or two.

Close up of the day went to this Virginia Rail in the Lynnfield marsh area.

Virginia Rail

Here is the list of species we had, in the order of when seen or heard. When the time is not listed, it is somewhere between the previous and next time in the list.

Crooked Pond      Eastern Screech-Owl             04:15 AM  
Crooked Pond      Winter Wren                     04:30 AM  
Crooked Pond      American Robin                   
Crooked Pond      Song Sparrow                      
Crooked Pond      Red-winged Blackbird            
Crooked Pond      Mallard                           
Crooked Pond      Black-capped Chickadee            
Crooked Pond      Tree Swallow                     
Crooked Pond      Brown Creeper                     
Crooked Pond      Mourning Dove                     
Crooked Pond      Wood Duck                         
Crooked Pond      Swamp Sparrow                     
Crooked Pond      Chipping Sparrow                  
Crooked Pond      Ovenbird                         
Crooked Pond      Common Yellowthroat               
Crooked Pond      Pine Warbler                      
Crooked Pond      Brown-headed Cowbird             
Crooked Pond      Baltimore Oriole                  
Crooked Pond      Northern Waterthrush             
Crooked Pond      Red-bellied Woodpecker            
Crooked Pond      Great Crested Flycatcher          
Crooked Pond      Pileated Woodpecker               
Crooked Pond      Gray Catbird                      
Crooked Pond      Downy Woodpecker                  
Crooked Pond      Blue-headed Vireo                 
Crooked Pond      Canada Goose                      
Crooked Pond      Common Grackle                  
Crooked Pond      Northern Parula                   
Crooked Pond      Yellow-rumped Warbler            
Crooked Pond      Palm Warbler                     
Crooked Pond      Eastern Kingbird                  
Crooked Pond      Great Blue Heron                
Crooked Pond      Double-crested Cormorant          
Crooked Pond      White-breasted Nuthatch          
Crooked Pond      Blue-gray Gnatcatcher            
Crooked Pond      Tufted Titmouse                    
Crooked Pond      Black-and-white Warbler           
Crooked Pond      American Goldfinch              
Crooked Pond      Louisiana Waterthrush             
Crooked Pond      Eastern Phoebe                    
Crooked Pond      Northern Cardinal                 
Crooked Pond      Northern Flicker                  
Crooked Pond      Ruby-throated Hummingbird         
Crooked Pond      Swainson's Thrush                  
Crooked Pond      American Crow                     
Crooked Pond      Black-throated Green Warbler      
Crooked Pond      Prairie Warbler                   
Crooked Pond      Blue Jay                        06:40 AM  
Route 95          Rock Pigeon                     06:44 AM  
Route 95          European Starling               06:45 AM  
Route 95          Herring Gull                    06:47 AM  
Route 95          Red-tailed Hawk                 06:50 AM  
Lynnfield Marsh   Bufflehead                      07:22 AM  
Lynnfield Marsh   Mute Swan                         
Lynnfield Marsh   Great Black-backed Gull           
Lynnfield Marsh   Warbling Vireo                   
Lynnfield Marsh   House Sparrow                    
Lynnfield Marsh   Green Heron                     
Lynnfield Marsh   Savannah Sparrow                
Lynnfield Marsh   Northern Rough-winged Swallow    
Lynnfield Marsh   Virginia Rail                   
Lynnfield Marsh   Belted Kingfisher               07:47 AM  
Lynnfield Marsh   Yellow Warbler                  08:04 AM    
Lynnfield Marsh   Sora                            08:04 AM  
Lynnfield         House Finch                     08:13 AM  
Lynnfield         House Wren                      08:20 AM  
Lynnfield         Wild Turkey                     08:21 AM  
Lynnfield         Chimney Swift                   08:29 AM  
Lynnfield         Bald Eagle                      08:30 AM  
Lynnfield         Killdeer                        08:38 AM  
Lynnfield         Ruby-crowned Kinglet            08:38 AM    
Peabody           Golden-crowned Kinglet          09:05 AM 
Peabody           Hairy Woodpecker                 
Peabody           Black-throated Blue Warbler      
Peabody           Great Horned Owl                 
Peabody           Fish Crow                         
Peabody           Eastern Towhee                    
Peabody           White-throated Sparrow           
Peabody           Ring-billed Gull                  
Peabody           Northern Mockingbird               
Peabody           Barn Swallow                      
Peabody           Cooper's Hawk                   09:22 AM  
Lynn              Brant                           10:15 AM    
Lynn              Bonaparte's Gull                  
Lynn              White-winged Scoter               
Lynn              Black Scoter                      
Lynn              Surf Scoter                       
Lynn              Common Eider                      
Lynn              Greater Scaup                     
Lynn              Red-throated Loon                 
Lynn              Common Loon                      
Lynn              Osprey                            
Lynn              American Black Duck               
Lynn              Red-breasted Merganser          10:30 AM  
Lynn              Common Tern                       
Nahant            Orange-crowned Warbler          10:45 AM  
Nahant            Blue-winged Warbler              
Nahant            Least Flycatcher                 
Nahant            Veery                             
Nahant            Hermit Thrush                     
Nahant            Magnolia Warbler                11:30 AM  
Nahant            Broad-winged Hawk               11:40 AM  
Nahant            Chestnut-sided Warbler          11:45 AM 
Nahant            Nashville Warbler               12:00 PM 
Nahant            Sharp-shinned Hawk              12:35 PM  
Topsfield         Greater Yellowlegs              01:24 PM  
Topsfield         Lesser Yellowlegs                
Topsfield         Least Sandpiper                   
Rowley            Snowy Egret                     01:45 PM  
Rowley            Glossy Ibis                    
Newburyport       Willet                          02:05 PM  
Newburyport       Turkey Vulture                   
Plum Island       Great Egret                     02:12 PM  
Plum Island       American Kestrel                02:14 PM  
Plum Island       Purple Martin                   02:16 PM  
Plum Island       Northern Gannet                 02:35 PM  
Plum Island       Field Sparrow                   02:46 PM  
Plum Island       Green-winged Teal               02:49 PM  
Plum Island       Lincoln's Sparrow               03:30 PM  
Plum Island       Purple Finch                    03:40 PM  
Plum Island       Gadwall                         04:14 PM  
Plum Island       American Redstart                
Plum Island       Dark-eyed Junco                   
Plum Island       Long-tailed Duck                04:30 PM  
Plum Island       Sanderling                       
Plum Island       Orchard Oriole                   
Plum Island       Marsh Wren                      04:45 PM  
Plum Island       Piping Plover                   05:00 PM
Plum Island       Least Tern                          
Plum Island       Dunlin                           
Plum Island       King Eider                       
Plum Island       Brown Thrasher                  05:34 PM  
Plum Island       White-crowned Sparrow           05:35 PM  
Newburyport       Spotted Sandpiper               06:05 PM  
Newburyport       Northern Harrier                06:10 PM  
Cherry Hill Res.  Pectoral Sandpiper              06:30 PM  
Cherry Hill Res.  Ruddy Duck                      06:45 PM  
West Newbury      Wood Thrush                     07:00 PM   
Scotland Road     Common Raven                    07:00 PM  

The gang, minus one, at the end of the day. You would never guess we had been birding 14 1/2 hours and awake longer than that!

End of a successful day of birding the Harrington 100

Mike Emmons