In collaboration with South Shore Sanctuaries the SSBC hosted an early morning walk and a day filled with birdy activities at Daniel Webster Wildlife Sanctuary.
The rather cool morningheld no promise for warbler activity at DWWS, so we moved over for some birding at Ferry hill Thicket and just like the previous 2 days we were not disappointed with the activity there:
Ferry Hill Thicket, Plymouth, Massachusetts, US
May 20, 2017 6:20 AM - 7:50 AM
Protocol: Traveling, )
Comments: SSBC Trip, moved from DWWS to Ferry Hill in hopes of more warblers and prev. reported Gray-cheeked Thrush
29 species
Double-crested Cormorant 2
Broad-winged Hawk 1
Mourning Dove 1
Chimney Swift 4
Northern Flicker 1
Great Crested Flycatcher 2
Blue Jay 2
American Crow 3
Black-capped Chickadee 1
Carolina Wren 1
Gray-cheeked Thrush 1 continuing, overall darker and no buffy throat compared to nearby SWTH, VEER size but no warm/rusty back.
Swainson's Thrush 1
Gray Catbird 4
Ovenbird 1
Northern Waterthrush 1
Common Yellowthroat 6
American Redstart 1
Northern Parula 4
Magnolia Warbler 6
Bay-breasted Warbler 1
Blackburnian Warbler 1
Yellow Warbler 3
Chestnut-sided Warbler 1
Blackpoll Warbler 5
Black-throated Blue Warbler 4
Black-throated Green Warbler 1
Canada Warbler 2
Northern Cardinal 2
Baltimore Oriole 1
View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S37131407
The rest of the day the 13 SSBC members and their families who helped (THANK YOU AGAIN) were kept moderately busy by the 110 visitors to the sanctuary on the walk for wildlife day.
We staffed a station named WINGS, where we talked about migration - Bobolinks, Tree- and Barn Swallows. We had scopes set up on Fox Hill and looked at the Osprey nest and the boxes with Starlings and Kestrels. Lastly we talked about feathers and colors at a table with watercolors, crayons and lots of drawing paper. We all enjoyed this beautiful day and the interactions with a good number of visitor. The entrance held a lot of our materials - we hope to grow through activities such as these.
The date in peak migration time was great, we were able to "bird" a bit all through the day. Here is the SSBC combined checklist, highlights were looks at copulating BBCU and a Lincoln's Sparrow found after cleanup.
Daniel Webster Wildlife Sanctuary, Plymouth, Massachusetts, US
May 20, 2017 11:14 AM - 5:14 PM
Protocol: Traveling, 3.2 mile(s)
Comments: Walk for wildlife - birds seen while interacting with trail walkers.
57 species
Canada Goose 40
Mute Swan 2
Mallard 2
Wild Turkey 4
Great Blue Heron 1
Green Heron 1
Turkey Vulture 1
Osprey 2
Northern Harrier 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Killdeer 1
Least Sandpiper 1
Spotted Sandpiper 4
Greater Yellowlegs 2
Mourning Dove 2
Black-billed Cuckoo 5 seen copulating 2x, by seperate observers. 2 pairs and a single bird
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 1
Northern Flicker 1
American Kestrel 2
Willow Flycatcher 1
Least Flycatcher 1
Great Crested Flycatcher 1
Eastern Kingbird 1
Warbling Vireo 1
Blue Jay 1
American Crow 2
Purple Martin 10
Tree Swallow 103
Barn Swallow 6
Black-capped Chickadee 2
Tufted Titmouse 1
White-breasted Nuthatch 1
Eastern Bluebird 1
American Robin 1
Gray Catbird 6
Northern Mockingbird 1
European Starling 6
Common Yellowthroat 5
American Redstart 4
Northern Parula 1
Magnolia Warbler 3
Blackburnian Warbler 1
Yellow Warbler 8
Blackpoll Warbler 2
Black-throated Green Warbler 1
Song Sparrow 6
Lincoln's Sparrow 1 Seen well at 3.30pm next to boardwalk through red maple swamp between back meadow and loop trail
Eastern Towhee 1
Northern Cardinal 4
Rose-breasted Grosbeak 1
Bobolink 100 A modest count for all the birds breeding on property. number is 99 percent male.
Red-winged Blackbird 30
Common Grackle 4
Baltimore Oriole 10
House Finch 1
American Goldfinch 4
House Sparrow 10
View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S37072414
This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)
Christine Whitebread
The South Shore Bird Club (SSBC) was founded in 1946 and the first members set out to explore the birds and birding habitats of the South Shore of Massachusetts. We concentrate on field trips for both members and non members. Most trips involve car-pooling with occasional canoe trips or beach hikes. Non-members are always welcome.
Thursday, May 25, 2017
Thursday, May 18, 2017
Wompatuck State Park, May 18, 2017
About 15 folks gathered on a warm May morning in the hopes of seeing lots of the warblers that have dropped in during the recent warm spell. Because the gate was opened for paving the road, we were able to drive to Gate 9 immediately. Our first bird at that location was a Yellow-billed Cuckoo. When we first heard it, we assumed it was too far away to be found, but shortly thereafter, we spotted it in the canopy several trees back from the road. We heard another YBCU later in the morning, but it was not seen.
A Swainson's Thrush appeared on the road near the bridge, and another was heard singing in the woods. A Scarlet Tanager sang for a long period, but afforded us only one brief view before disappearing into the canopy. The warbler show was somewhat disappointing, knowing that they were abundant in lots of other locations.
After a rest stop, we headed to Gate 14 with the intention of walking the lollipop road. A well-placed call from Tim O'Neil came in with the news that Ferry Hill thicket was alive with warblers and thrushes. There was no hesitation on the part of the 9 of us left to skip the walk in 90 degree heat and head to the Thicket. The second part of my report resumes after the Wompatuck checklist.
Wompatuck SP, Plymouth, Massachusetts, US
May 18, 2017 6:28 AM - 9:18 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.3 mile(s)
37 species
Mallard 1
Great Egret 1
Cooper's Hawk 1
Herring Gull 2
Yellow-billed Cuckoo 2
Downy Woodpecker 2
Eastern Phoebe 3
Great Crested Flycatcher 2
Red-eyed Vireo 5
Blue Jay 2
Black-capped Chickadee 3
Tufted Titmouse 2
Red-breasted Nuthatch 1
White-breasted Nuthatch 1
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 4
Veery 2
Swainson's Thrush 2
Wood Thrush 3
Gray Catbird 7
Ovenbird 7
Worm-eating Warbler 2
Blue-winged Warbler 4
Black-and-white Warbler 2
Common Yellowthroat 1
American Redstart 4
Northern Parula 1
Yellow Warbler 2
Chestnut-sided Warbler 1
Pine Warbler 2
Chipping Sparrow 2
Swamp Sparrow 1
Eastern Towhee 5
Scarlet Tanager 3
Northern Cardinal 5
Brown-headed Cowbird 1
Baltimore Oriole 4
American Goldfinch 2
View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S36955402
Arriving at Ferry Hill Thicket around 9:40, we were immediately drawn to the oak at the corner of the street and parking area, where numerous warblers were buzzing away. Magnolia's, a Bay-breasted, Blackpolls, Parulas, among several others were all singing in that tree. Eventually we headed down the path seeking some thrushes; the first candidate turned out to be an Ovenbird, and we never saw any thrushes during the time we were there.
We did have a couple more Bay-breasted, lots of Maggies and Blackpolls, a Northern Waterthrush, and a Blackburnian amongst all the others. On our return trip on the path, we found a Rose-breasted Grosbeak taking a drink from the swamp close to the waterthrush. Meanwhile back at the original oak, a Tennessee Warbler had taken up singing, but none of us could find it among the leafy masses. Fourteen warblers seemed like a good count to us after the quiet of Wompatuck.
Sally Avery
Ferry Hill Thicket, Plymouth, Massachusetts, US
May 18, 2017 9:48 AM - 11:39 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.5 mile(s)
35 species
Double-crested Cormorant 5
Great Egret 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Mourning Dove 1
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 1
Northern Flicker 1
Red-eyed Vireo 2
Blue Jay 3
American Crow 1
Tufted Titmouse 2
Carolina Wren 3
Gray Catbird 4
Cedar Waxwing 8
Ovenbird 1
Northern Waterthrush 1
Black-and-white Warbler 1
Tennessee Warbler 1
Common Yellowthroat 7
American Redstart 8
Northern Parula 4
Magnolia Warbler 5
Bay-breasted Warbler 3 Three males seen well by the group in widely dispersed locations
Blackburnian Warbler 1
Yellow Warbler 3
Blackpoll Warbler 6
Black-throated Blue Warbler 1
Black-throated Green Warbler 4
Song Sparrow 1
Northern Cardinal 4
Rose-breasted Grosbeak 1
Red-winged Blackbird 1
Common Grackle 1
Brown-headed Cowbird 1
Baltimore Oriole 3
House Sparrow 2
View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S36958524
A Swainson's Thrush appeared on the road near the bridge, and another was heard singing in the woods. A Scarlet Tanager sang for a long period, but afforded us only one brief view before disappearing into the canopy. The warbler show was somewhat disappointing, knowing that they were abundant in lots of other locations.
After a rest stop, we headed to Gate 14 with the intention of walking the lollipop road. A well-placed call from Tim O'Neil came in with the news that Ferry Hill thicket was alive with warblers and thrushes. There was no hesitation on the part of the 9 of us left to skip the walk in 90 degree heat and head to the Thicket. The second part of my report resumes after the Wompatuck checklist.
Wompatuck SP, Plymouth, Massachusetts, US
May 18, 2017 6:28 AM - 9:18 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.3 mile(s)
37 species
Mallard 1
Great Egret 1
Cooper's Hawk 1
Herring Gull 2
Yellow-billed Cuckoo 2
Downy Woodpecker 2
Eastern Phoebe 3
Great Crested Flycatcher 2
Red-eyed Vireo 5
Blue Jay 2
Black-capped Chickadee 3
Tufted Titmouse 2
Red-breasted Nuthatch 1
White-breasted Nuthatch 1
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 4
Veery 2
Swainson's Thrush 2
Wood Thrush 3
Gray Catbird 7
Ovenbird 7
Worm-eating Warbler 2
Blue-winged Warbler 4
Black-and-white Warbler 2
Common Yellowthroat 1
American Redstart 4
Northern Parula 1
Yellow Warbler 2
Chestnut-sided Warbler 1
Pine Warbler 2
Chipping Sparrow 2
Swamp Sparrow 1
Eastern Towhee 5
Scarlet Tanager 3
Northern Cardinal 5
Brown-headed Cowbird 1
Baltimore Oriole 4
American Goldfinch 2
View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S36955402
Arriving at Ferry Hill Thicket around 9:40, we were immediately drawn to the oak at the corner of the street and parking area, where numerous warblers were buzzing away. Magnolia's, a Bay-breasted, Blackpolls, Parulas, among several others were all singing in that tree. Eventually we headed down the path seeking some thrushes; the first candidate turned out to be an Ovenbird, and we never saw any thrushes during the time we were there.
We did have a couple more Bay-breasted, lots of Maggies and Blackpolls, a Northern Waterthrush, and a Blackburnian amongst all the others. On our return trip on the path, we found a Rose-breasted Grosbeak taking a drink from the swamp close to the waterthrush. Meanwhile back at the original oak, a Tennessee Warbler had taken up singing, but none of us could find it among the leafy masses. Fourteen warblers seemed like a good count to us after the quiet of Wompatuck.
Sally Avery
Ferry Hill Thicket, Plymouth, Massachusetts, US
May 18, 2017 9:48 AM - 11:39 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.5 mile(s)
35 species
Double-crested Cormorant 5
Great Egret 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Mourning Dove 1
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 1
Northern Flicker 1
Red-eyed Vireo 2
Blue Jay 3
American Crow 1
Tufted Titmouse 2
Carolina Wren 3
Gray Catbird 4
Cedar Waxwing 8
Ovenbird 1
Northern Waterthrush 1
Black-and-white Warbler 1
Tennessee Warbler 1
Common Yellowthroat 7
American Redstart 8
Northern Parula 4
Magnolia Warbler 5
Bay-breasted Warbler 3 Three males seen well by the group in widely dispersed locations
Blackburnian Warbler 1
Yellow Warbler 3
Blackpoll Warbler 6
Black-throated Blue Warbler 1
Black-throated Green Warbler 4
Song Sparrow 1
Northern Cardinal 4
Rose-breasted Grosbeak 1
Red-winged Blackbird 1
Common Grackle 1
Brown-headed Cowbird 1
Baltimore Oriole 3
House Sparrow 2
View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S36958524
Sunday, May 14, 2017
Harrington 100 (North Shore Century Run) May 6, 2017
This year's edition of the Harrington 100 brought together four adventurous birders in an attempt to see or hear 100 or more species for the day. The traditional route runs from Crooked Pond in Boxford, through Lynnfield/Peabody to Lynn/Nahant on the coast, then up to the Newburyport/Plum Island areas.
Despite the wet start, both from the sky and underfoot, we reached our goal by noon. However the afternoon was not so kind, adding only 22 more species, and adding one more with three of the four birders still present ending the day with 123 species.
We did have one species seen for the first time on this trip (Worm-eating Warbler) and three species seen for only the second time, including Stilt Sandpiper (seen last year), Hooded Warbler (1994), and Lincoln's Sparrow (??)
Mike
Crooked Pond Song Sparrow 4:45 AM Crooked Pond Great Blue Heron 4:45 Crooked Pond American Robin 4:45 Crooked Pond Eastern Phoebe 4:47 Crooked Pond Wood Thrush 4:48 Crooked Pond Northern Cardinal 4:48 Crooked Pond Mallard 4:50 Crooked Pond Winter Wren 4:52 Crooked Pond Ovenbird 4:54 Crooked Pond Red-winged Blackbird ---- Crooked Pond Swamp Sparrow ---- Crooked Pond Wood Duck ---- Crooked Pond Common Yellowthroat ---- Crooked Pond Brown-headed Cowbird ---- Crooked Pond Black-capped Chickadee ---- Crooked Pond Tufted Titmouse ---- Crooked Pond Barred Owl ---- Crooked Pond Brown Creeper ---- Crooked Pond Scarlet Tanager ---- Crooked Pond Mourning Dove ---- Crooked Pond Blue Jay ---- Crooked Pond Pileated Woodpecker ---- Crooked Pond Great-crested Flycatcher ---- Crooked Pond Veery ---- Crooked Pond Pine Warbler ---- Crooked Pond Chipping Sparrow ---- Crooked Pond Common Grackle ---- Crooked Pond Canada Goose ---- Crooked Pond White-breasted Nuthatch ---- Crooked Pond Blue-headed Vireo ---- Crooked Pond Black-throated Blue Warbler ---- Crooked Pond Broad-winged Hawk ---- Crooked Pond Downy Woodpecker 6:25 Crooked Pond Black-throated Green Warbler 6:25 Crooked Pond Black-and-white Warbler 6:34 Crooked Pond Red-bellied Woodpecker 6:35 Crooked Pond American Goldfinch 6:35 Route 95 American Crow 6:41 Route 95 Rock Pigeon 6:42 Route 95 European Starling 6:43 Route 95 Killdeer 6:49 Route 95 Black Duck 6:51 Route 95 Herring Gull 6:51 Lynnfield Marsh Area Mute Swan 6:52 Lynnfield Marsh Area Virginia Rail 6:56 Lynnfield Marsh Area Yellow Warbler 7:00 Lynnfield Marsh Area Northern Flicker 7:00 Lynnfield Marsh Area House Sparrow 7:04 Lynnfield Marsh Area House Finch 7:20 Lynnfield Marsh Area Northern Waterthrush 7:21 Lynnfield Marsh Area Northern Rough-winged Swallow7:24 Lynnfield Marsh Area Warbling Vireo 7:25 Lynnfield Marsh Area Baltimore Oriole 7:30 Lynnfield Marsh Area Savannah Sparrow 7:34 Lynnfield Marsh Area Tree Swallow 7:35 Lynnfield Marsh Area Spotted Sandpiper 7:37 Lynnfield Marsh Area Barn Swallow 7:38 Lynnfield Marsh Area Red-tailed Hawk 7:39 Lynnfield Marsh Area Greater Yellowlegs 7:41 Lynnfield Marsh Area Song Sparrow 7:45 Lynnfield Marsh Area Bluegray Gnatcatcher 8:01 Lynnfield Marsh Area Yellow-rumped Warbler 8:04 Lynnfield Marsh Area White=throated Sparrow 8:05 Lynnfield Marsh Area Lincoln's Sparrow 8:08 Lynnfield Marsh Area Peregrine Falcon 8:09 Lynnfield/Peabody Cedar Waxwing 8:25 Lynnfield/Peabody Northern Mockingbird 8:25 Lynnfield/Peabody House Wren 8:25 Lynnfield/Peabody American Redstart 8:34 Lynnfield/Peabody Osprey 8:34 Lynnfield/Peabody Double-crested Comorant 8:38 Lynnfield/Peabody Wild Turkey 8:43 Lynnfield/Peabody Eastern Kingbird 8:48 Lynnfield/Peabody Chimney Swift 8:52 Puritan Lawn Cemetery Palm Warbler 9:00 Puritan Lawn Cemetery Hairy Woodpecker 9:00 Puritan Lawn Cemetery Belted Kingfisher 9:05 Puritan Lawn Cemetery Orchard Oriole 9:15 Puritan Lawn Cemetery Brown Thrasher 9:15 Puritan Lawn Cemetery Northern Parula 9:15 Lynn Great Black-backed Gull 9:45 Lynn Surf Scoter 10:00 Lynn White-winged Scoter 10:01 Lynn Black Scoter 10:02 Lynn Ring-billed Gull 10:02 Lynn Red-breasted Merganser 10:04 Lynn Bufflehead 10:04 Lynn Northern Gannet 10:10 Lynn Greater Scaup 10:14 Lynn Red-throated Loon 10:15 Lynn Common Loon 10:20 Lynn Brant 10:23 Lynn Common Eider 10:27 Nahant Eastern Towhee 10:28 Nahant Ruby-crowned Kinglet 10:35 Nahant Worm-eating Warbler 10:40 Nahant Hooded Warbler 10:45 Nahant Great Comorant 11:46 Nahant Purple Sandpiper 11:54 Nahant Red-necked Grebe 11:54 Lynn Turkey Vulture 12:27 PM Topsfierld Least Sandpiper 12:48 Topsfierld Green-winged Teal 12:48 Rowley Lesser Yellowlegs 13:16 Rowley Stilt Sandpiper 13:16 Rowley Pectoral Sandpiper 13:16 Newburyport Long-tailed Duck 13:51 Newburyport Great Egret 13:51 Newburyport Willet 14:03 Newburyport Merlin 14:06 Plum Island Purple Martin 14:27 Plum Island Gadwall 14:36 Plum Island Purple Finch 14:50 Plum Island Marsh Wren 14:55 Plum Island Glossy Ibis 15:32 Plum Island Pipping Plover 16:17 Plum Island Sanderling 16:17 Plum Island Snowy Egret 16:42 Newburyport Eastern Meadowlark 16:43 Newbury Northern Harrier 17:15 West Newbury Ruddy Duck 17:22 West Newbury Blue-winged Warbler 17:57 Wilmington Carolina Wren 19:07
Thursday, May 11, 2017
Wompatuck State Park, May 11, 2017
Seventeen birders set out for a walk around Triphammer Pond on an overcast day which became rawer as the day went on. Wood Thrushes and Veerys were singing as we started out, but neither species was every located at their woodland perches. At a clearing near the path toward the pond, our best sightings of the day were to be had, starting with Tim hearing a Blackburnian Warbler that was subsequently located and seen by all. Baltimore Orioles were singing everywhere in the Park and at that particular clearing, we watched three pairs chasing each other around. Several Great Crested Flycatchers were heard, and at least one was seen well by most of the group. An Eastern Kingbird was also located on an island in the pond.
Part of the group continued on to South Pleasant Street and completed a loop over to Gate 8, then Gate 9 and through the woods and picnic area back to our cars. Nothing of great consequence was seen, although we finally located our first Black-and-white Warbler of the day. Again orioles were vocalizing all around us. We had a nice look at a Blue-winged Warbler at Gate 9; otherwise it was fairly quiet. With splattering rain drops beginning, the group elected to end the walk around 10:15.
Sally Avery
Wompatuck SP, Plymouth, Massachusetts, US
May 11, 2017 6:25 AM - 10:19 AM
Protocol: Traveling
3.6 mile(s)
Comments: Low 50's and quite raw with occasional sprinkles. A SSBCTrip.
43 species
Mute Swan 2
Broad-winged Hawk 1
Herring Gull 2
Mourning Dove 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Hairy Woodpecker 1
Great Crested Flycatcher 4
Eastern Kingbird 1
Blue-headed Vireo 2
Red-eyed Vireo 3
Blue Jay 7
Tree Swallow 1
Black-capped Chickadee 4
Tufted Titmouse 8
White-breasted Nuthatch 4
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 2
Veery 2 Audio only
Wood Thrush 4
American Robin 5
Gray Catbird 5
Ovenbird 8
Blue-winged Warbler 2
Black-and-white Warbler 8
Common Yellowthroat 2
American Redstart 3
Northern Parula 1
Blackburnian Warbler 1
Yellow Warbler 5
Black-throated Blue Warbler 1
Palm Warbler 2
Pine Warbler 4
Yellow-rumped Warbler 1
Chipping Sparrow 2
Song Sparrow 1
Swamp Sparrow 1
Eastern Towhee 7
Scarlet Tanager 1
Northern Cardinal 4
Red-winged Blackbird 5
Common Grackle 4
Brown-headed Cowbird 5
Baltimore Oriole 21 Around Triphammer Pond we saw and heard a minimum of 16 BAOR. At one clearing we watched 3 pairs chasing around. We picked up at least 5 more oriole's in the S Pleasant St area. Oriole song was the predominant backdrop in the woods.
American Goldfinch 3
View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S36731486
Part of the group continued on to South Pleasant Street and completed a loop over to Gate 8, then Gate 9 and through the woods and picnic area back to our cars. Nothing of great consequence was seen, although we finally located our first Black-and-white Warbler of the day. Again orioles were vocalizing all around us. We had a nice look at a Blue-winged Warbler at Gate 9; otherwise it was fairly quiet. With splattering rain drops beginning, the group elected to end the walk around 10:15.
Sally Avery
Wompatuck SP, Plymouth, Massachusetts, US
May 11, 2017 6:25 AM - 10:19 AM
Protocol: Traveling
3.6 mile(s)
Comments: Low 50's and quite raw with occasional sprinkles. A SSBCTrip.
43 species
Mute Swan 2
Broad-winged Hawk 1
Herring Gull 2
Mourning Dove 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Hairy Woodpecker 1
Great Crested Flycatcher 4
Eastern Kingbird 1
Blue-headed Vireo 2
Red-eyed Vireo 3
Blue Jay 7
Tree Swallow 1
Black-capped Chickadee 4
Tufted Titmouse 8
White-breasted Nuthatch 4
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 2
Veery 2 Audio only
Wood Thrush 4
American Robin 5
Gray Catbird 5
Ovenbird 8
Blue-winged Warbler 2
Black-and-white Warbler 8
Common Yellowthroat 2
American Redstart 3
Northern Parula 1
Blackburnian Warbler 1
Yellow Warbler 5
Black-throated Blue Warbler 1
Palm Warbler 2
Pine Warbler 4
Yellow-rumped Warbler 1
Chipping Sparrow 2
Song Sparrow 1
Swamp Sparrow 1
Eastern Towhee 7
Scarlet Tanager 1
Northern Cardinal 4
Red-winged Blackbird 5
Common Grackle 4
Brown-headed Cowbird 5
Baltimore Oriole 21 Around Triphammer Pond we saw and heard a minimum of 16 BAOR. At one clearing we watched 3 pairs chasing around. We picked up at least 5 more oriole's in the S Pleasant St area. Oriole song was the predominant backdrop in the woods.
American Goldfinch 3
View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S36731486
Thursday, May 4, 2017
Wompatuck State Park, May 4, 2017
Fourteen eager birders showed up for our early morning Wompatuck romp. An early sighting was a most cooperative Broad-winged Hawk that perched on two different poles to afford us front and back views. We started toward Triphammer Pond when a group of bicyclists whizzed by saying there was a large owl about 20 yards beyond the closed entry gate. As a group, we about-faced and proceeded to search for the supposedly obvious bird. One of the group thought she saw a large-winged bird disappear into the woods, but there was no further sighting at that point. Another member had to leave the group before the walk ended and later sent me three photos of said owl at the entrance gate. At least
one person went home pleased to have seen a Barred Owl!
Since we had proceeded in the opposite direction from Triphammer, the group continued on toward Gate 9. We stopped at N9 to listen and look for the Pronthonotary Warbler spotted there a few days ago but had no luck finding it. At Gate 8, we did have some reasonable looks at a Worm-eating Warbler which was vocalizing at the same time. A Baltimore Oriole put on a show at the top of a red maple and a Ruby-crowned Kinglet serenaded us from the opposite of the path. The walk from Gate 9 looping around to the visitor's center was somewhat quiet, although we picked up lots of Black-and-white Warblers and Blue-gray Gnatcatchers. It was an 11 warbler day, but most of them required a bit of searching to locate. The hoped for Veery did not materialize and the Winter Wren sang so far in the distance that we had no chance of finding it.
After returning to our cars, we drove to the far end of the park, stopping at Boundary Pond long enough to note that the water was exceedingly high and that no shorebirds were hopping on non-existent mud flats. As we walked toward Picture Pond, a Purple Finch was singing and we chased the sound for a while but came up with a Ruby-throated Hummingbird sitting atop a tree instead. Lots of Yellow rumps flitted along the path, but some other warblers were heard but not seen. A nice pair of Yellow Warblers entertained us at the pond.
We were surprised at the absence of Blue-headed Vireos. One sang for a brief moment, but otherwise none were detected. The park is a beautiful spot and offers so many areas to explore. We anticipate many surprises in the next three weeks.
Sally Avery
Wompatuck SP, Plymouth, Massachusetts, US
May 4, 2017 6:29 AM - 10:45 AM
Protocol: Traveling
3.8 mile(s)
Comments: SSBC trip. Low 40's to start rising. To mid-50's and sunny with light wind.
42 species
Mallard 1
Common Loon 3 Flyovers
Great Blue Heron 3
Turkey Vulture 2
Broad-winged Hawk 1
Herring Gull 2
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Downy Woodpecker 3
Hairy Woodpecker 3
Eastern Phoebe 3 Audio only
Great Crested Flycatcher 5 Audio only but heard in several different locations
Blue-headed Vireo 1 Audio only
Blue Jay 2
Black-capped Chickadee 8
Tufted Titmouse 4
White-breasted Nuthatch 4
Winter Wren 1 Audio only at a distance
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 10
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1 Heard and seen
American Robin 6
Gray Catbird 6
Ovenbird 12 Heard throughout park. Two seen well.
Worm-eating Warbler 1 Flirting and trilling around Gate 8
Blue-winged Warbler 3 One seen well. One singing alternate song
Black-and-white Warbler 15
Northern Parula 1 Heard but not seen
Yellow Warbler 4
Black-throated Blue Warbler 3
Palm Warbler 1
Pine Warbler 2
Yellow-rumped Warbler 7
Black-throated Green Warbler 2
Chipping Sparrow 9
White-throated Sparrow 8
Song Sparrow 3
Eastern Towhee 7
Northern Cardinal 2
Brown-headed Cowbird 3
Baltimore Oriole 6 Several good looks
Purple Finch 1 Heard only by 8 sets of ears. On a search we found a RTHU instead!
American Goldfinch 5
View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S36536074
one person went home pleased to have seen a Barred Owl!
Since we had proceeded in the opposite direction from Triphammer, the group continued on toward Gate 9. We stopped at N9 to listen and look for the Pronthonotary Warbler spotted there a few days ago but had no luck finding it. At Gate 8, we did have some reasonable looks at a Worm-eating Warbler which was vocalizing at the same time. A Baltimore Oriole put on a show at the top of a red maple and a Ruby-crowned Kinglet serenaded us from the opposite of the path. The walk from Gate 9 looping around to the visitor's center was somewhat quiet, although we picked up lots of Black-and-white Warblers and Blue-gray Gnatcatchers. It was an 11 warbler day, but most of them required a bit of searching to locate. The hoped for Veery did not materialize and the Winter Wren sang so far in the distance that we had no chance of finding it.
After returning to our cars, we drove to the far end of the park, stopping at Boundary Pond long enough to note that the water was exceedingly high and that no shorebirds were hopping on non-existent mud flats. As we walked toward Picture Pond, a Purple Finch was singing and we chased the sound for a while but came up with a Ruby-throated Hummingbird sitting atop a tree instead. Lots of Yellow rumps flitted along the path, but some other warblers were heard but not seen. A nice pair of Yellow Warblers entertained us at the pond.
We were surprised at the absence of Blue-headed Vireos. One sang for a brief moment, but otherwise none were detected. The park is a beautiful spot and offers so many areas to explore. We anticipate many surprises in the next three weeks.
Sally Avery
Wompatuck SP, Plymouth, Massachusetts, US
May 4, 2017 6:29 AM - 10:45 AM
Protocol: Traveling
3.8 mile(s)
Comments: SSBC trip. Low 40's to start rising. To mid-50's and sunny with light wind.
42 species
Mallard 1
Common Loon 3 Flyovers
Great Blue Heron 3
Turkey Vulture 2
Broad-winged Hawk 1
Herring Gull 2
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Downy Woodpecker 3
Hairy Woodpecker 3
Eastern Phoebe 3 Audio only
Great Crested Flycatcher 5 Audio only but heard in several different locations
Blue-headed Vireo 1 Audio only
Blue Jay 2
Black-capped Chickadee 8
Tufted Titmouse 4
White-breasted Nuthatch 4
Winter Wren 1 Audio only at a distance
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 10
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1 Heard and seen
American Robin 6
Gray Catbird 6
Ovenbird 12 Heard throughout park. Two seen well.
Worm-eating Warbler 1 Flirting and trilling around Gate 8
Blue-winged Warbler 3 One seen well. One singing alternate song
Black-and-white Warbler 15
Northern Parula 1 Heard but not seen
Yellow Warbler 4
Black-throated Blue Warbler 3
Palm Warbler 1
Pine Warbler 2
Yellow-rumped Warbler 7
Black-throated Green Warbler 2
Chipping Sparrow 9
White-throated Sparrow 8
Song Sparrow 3
Eastern Towhee 7
Northern Cardinal 2
Brown-headed Cowbird 3
Baltimore Oriole 6 Several good looks
Purple Finch 1 Heard only by 8 sets of ears. On a search we found a RTHU instead!
American Goldfinch 5
View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S36536074
Thursday, April 27, 2017
Wompatuck State Park, April 27, 2017
Eight birders enjoyed an early morning walk through Wompatuck State Park, starting under very foggy skies. Even after the fog lifted, the skies remained gray making bird ID's difficult in the absence of singing. Fortunately many birds were vocalizing making finding them somewhat easier. The Barred Owl called at least six times, but during our walk along the trestle toward Wildcat Pond, we never seemed to get any closer to him for a visual.
Other highlights included the audios of the Northern Waterthrush in two places (see notes) and the visual of the Louisiana Waterthrush(es)singing in the canopy and walking along the stream side on the path toward Holly Pond.
Lots of breeding activity was observed from copulating to carrying nesting material, but those notes did not copy into the report below.
Sally Avery
Wompatuck SP, Plymouth, Massachusetts, US
Apr 27, 2017 6:25 AM - 11:00 AM
Protocol: Traveling
4.5 mile(s)
Comments: Extremely foggy to start with poor visibility throughout the morning. Temp in low 50's
28 species
Mallard 2
Mourning Dove 1
Barred Owl 1 Audio only, but heard a half dozen times in first hour.
Red-bellied Woodpecker 5
Downy Woodpecker 3
Eastern Phoebe 1
Blue Jay 6
American Crow 1
Fish Crow 1
Black-capped Chickadee 11
Tufted Titmouse 12
White-breasted Nuthatch 8
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 9
American Robin 5
Louisiana Waterthrush 2 One followed us toward Holly Pond singing from the canopy the whole way. A second bird, or perhaps the same one, walking along the stream near the main road.
Northern Waterthrush 2 One bird heard singing continuously along the trestle toward Wildcat Pond (N13 to C7). Second bird singing from the far side of Holly Pond. Neither bird seen.
Black-and-white Warbler 4
Palm Warbler 6
Pine Warbler 13
Yellow-rumped Warbler 1 Audio only
Chipping Sparrow 11
Song Sparrow 4
Eastern Towhee 14
Northern Cardinal 7
Red-winged Blackbird 2
Common Grackle 1
Brown-headed Cowbird 13
American Goldfinch 6
View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S36307306
Other highlights included the audios of the Northern Waterthrush in two places (see notes) and the visual of the Louisiana Waterthrush(es)singing in the canopy and walking along the stream side on the path toward Holly Pond.
Lots of breeding activity was observed from copulating to carrying nesting material, but those notes did not copy into the report below.
Sally Avery
Wompatuck SP, Plymouth, Massachusetts, US
Apr 27, 2017 6:25 AM - 11:00 AM
Protocol: Traveling
4.5 mile(s)
Comments: Extremely foggy to start with poor visibility throughout the morning. Temp in low 50's
28 species
Mallard 2
Mourning Dove 1
Barred Owl 1 Audio only, but heard a half dozen times in first hour.
Red-bellied Woodpecker 5
Downy Woodpecker 3
Eastern Phoebe 1
Blue Jay 6
American Crow 1
Fish Crow 1
Black-capped Chickadee 11
Tufted Titmouse 12
White-breasted Nuthatch 8
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 9
American Robin 5
Louisiana Waterthrush 2 One followed us toward Holly Pond singing from the canopy the whole way. A second bird, or perhaps the same one, walking along the stream near the main road.
Northern Waterthrush 2 One bird heard singing continuously along the trestle toward Wildcat Pond (N13 to C7). Second bird singing from the far side of Holly Pond. Neither bird seen.
Black-and-white Warbler 4
Palm Warbler 6
Pine Warbler 13
Yellow-rumped Warbler 1 Audio only
Chipping Sparrow 11
Song Sparrow 4
Eastern Towhee 14
Northern Cardinal 7
Red-winged Blackbird 2
Common Grackle 1
Brown-headed Cowbird 13
American Goldfinch 6
View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S36307306
Saturday, April 22, 2017
Turkey Hill/Weir River Farm,Hingham; April 22, 2017
On a thoroughly miserable morning, five of us set out to see what Turkey Hill and Weir River Farm had in store for us. Soon after we started, a Hermit Thrush alit in a tree giving us brief, but satisfactory, looks at what was a year bird for most of us. An Osprey flew over our heads at the top of the hill carrying what appeared to be a very small fish in his talons. After landing on the cell tower for a few moments, he took off to parts unknown. And that, my friends, was the biggest excitement of the day. Oh except for seeing Vin Zollo and Jim Sweeney driving up to the top of the hill later in the morning....
After a few cooler, rainy days, there was little in the way of new migrants to brighten our outlook. Instead of getting warmer as the morning wore on, it just got colder and rawer; we were glad we had skipped the Whitney-Thayer trail portion of the walk because it started to rain as we got to our cars. Nevertheless, it was fun company, a respectable number of species, and a nice walk through a variety of terrains. No photos were taken to my knowledge.
Sally Avery
Turkey Hill/Weir River Farm/WhitneyThayer Woods, Norfolk, Massachusetts, US
Apr 22, 2017 7:53 AM - 11:23 AM
Protocol: Traveling
3.5 mile(s)
Comments: Low 40's, raw and overcast. A SSBC trip but not much bird activity.
30 species
Canada Goose 16
Wild Turkey 8
Great Egret 1
Osprey 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Herring Gull 8
Mourning Dove 4
Downy Woodpecker 2
Northern Flicker 6
Blue Jay 9
American Crow 8
Fish Crow 2
Black-capped Chickadee 3
Tufted Titmouse 4
White-breasted Nuthatch 3
Carolina Wren 2
Hermit Thrush 1
American Robin 16
European Starling 5
Pine Warbler 2
Chipping Sparrow 6
White-throated Sparrow 2
Song Sparrow 7
Eastern Towhee 4
Northern Cardinal 10
Red-winged Blackbird 2
Brown-headed Cowbird 11
House Finch 2
American Goldfinch 2
House Sparrow 60
View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S36168030
After a few cooler, rainy days, there was little in the way of new migrants to brighten our outlook. Instead of getting warmer as the morning wore on, it just got colder and rawer; we were glad we had skipped the Whitney-Thayer trail portion of the walk because it started to rain as we got to our cars. Nevertheless, it was fun company, a respectable number of species, and a nice walk through a variety of terrains. No photos were taken to my knowledge.
Sally Avery
Turkey Hill/Weir River Farm/WhitneyThayer Woods, Norfolk, Massachusetts, US
Apr 22, 2017 7:53 AM - 11:23 AM
Protocol: Traveling
3.5 mile(s)
Comments: Low 40's, raw and overcast. A SSBC trip but not much bird activity.
30 species
Canada Goose 16
Wild Turkey 8
Great Egret 1
Osprey 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Herring Gull 8
Mourning Dove 4
Downy Woodpecker 2
Northern Flicker 6
Blue Jay 9
American Crow 8
Fish Crow 2
Black-capped Chickadee 3
Tufted Titmouse 4
White-breasted Nuthatch 3
Carolina Wren 2
Hermit Thrush 1
American Robin 16
European Starling 5
Pine Warbler 2
Chipping Sparrow 6
White-throated Sparrow 2
Song Sparrow 7
Eastern Towhee 4
Northern Cardinal 10
Red-winged Blackbird 2
Brown-headed Cowbird 11
House Finch 2
American Goldfinch 2
House Sparrow 60
View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S36168030
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