Moosehill Wildlife Sanctuary, Sharon - 4/24/2012

A quick spin around the Billings Farm Loop led by Glenn d'Entremont turned out to be quite slow bird wise. On the heels of the first significant rainfall in some time, the skies were fair with blustery conditions (47F, Moderate SSW wind). It was great to see the red maple swamp full of water! All 5 participants commented about the lack of "action",  meaning newly arriving spring migrants. Most of the standard resident birds were seen and we had 2 flocks of Double-crested Cormorants migrating overhead.

Complete list:

Wild Turkey  6
Double-crested Cormorant  47    2 flocks migrating
Mourning Dove  1
Downy Woodpecker  1
Eastern Phoebe  3
Blue Jay  2
American Crow  1
Tree Swallow  3
Black-capped Chickadee  5
Tufted Titmouse  5
American Robin  2
Pine Warbler  3
Eastern Towhee  2
Chipping Sparrow  6
Northern Cardinal  2
Red-winged Blackbird  1
Common Grackle  2
Brown-headed Cowbird  5
American Goldfinch  2

This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)

Vin Zollo

Trip to TTOR's World's End, Hingham

The South Shore Bird Club trip to World's End had 7 participants to begin with some leaving early due to other commitments.  Helen Cross was the leader and a good time was had by all.  We encountered most of the "normal" migrants for this time of year in small numbers.  A surprise were 2 gannets inside the harbor sitting on the water. Non-bird highlights was a good look at a Juvenal's Duskywing.

Canada Goose 6
Brant 32
Black Duck 6
Mallard 3
Common Eider 5
Surf Scoter 20
Bufflehead 50
Red-breasted Merganser 8
Red-throated Loon 5
Horned Grebe 8 in breeding plumage!
Northern Gannet 2
Double-crested Cormorant 25
Great Egret 22
Snowy Egret 2
Black-crowned Night Heron 5
Turkey Vulture 1
Osprey 1
Red-tailed Hawk 3
American Kestel 1
Greater Yellowlegs 2
Ring-billed Gull ***
Herring Gull ***
Great Black-backed Gull ***
Rock Pigeon ***
Mourning Dove 2
Red-bellied Woodpecker 3
Downy Woodpecker 9 including four birds playing tag team.  Male on male and female on female.  Seemed like a territorial dispute, but never male on female or female on male.
Northern Flicker 8
Eastern Phoebe 1
Blue Jay 2
American Crow 14
Tree Swallow 30
Black-capped Chickadee 5
Tufted Titmouse 9
White-breasted Nuthatch 8
Carolina Wren 4
Golden-crowned Kinglet 3
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 3
Eastern Bluebird 5
Hermit Thrush 2
American Robin 12
Northern Mockingbird 1
Starling ***
Yellow-rumped Warbler 1
Pine Warbler 3 migrants here, a couple in deciduous trees
Palm Warbler 21
Chipping Sparrow 1
Song Sparrow 17
White-throated Sparrow 6
Dark-eyed Junco 1
Northern Cardinal 6
Red-winged Blackbird 8
Common Grackle 35
Brown-headed Cowbird 4
House Finch 1
American Goldfinch 5
House Sparrow ***

57 species

Glenn d'Entremont:  gdentremont1@comcast.net  Stoughton, MA

March 17, 2012: Interior South Shore Localities led by Wayne Petersen

A most congenial group of 12 bird club members enjoyed a full day seeking early spring migrants and enjoying other signs of spring at several popular interior South Shore localities.  Despite overcast and cool starting temperatures in the mid-40s, by noon skies cleared and the thermometer soared to 65 degrees.  By day’s end the weather was once again very cool.  Despite the varying temperatures, birding conditions were generally good.

Our day began with a lengthy walk starting at the northern Elm Street entrance of the Burrage Pond Wildlife Management Area in Hanson.  With the exception of 150 Ring-necked Ducks, waterfowl numbers at Burrage were quite modest, no doubt due to last week’s warm and dry weather, however the group was pleased to see a high-flying American Kestrel, encounter the first Eastern Phoebes and Tree Swallows of the year for many of us, and hear a singing Brown Creeper.  In addition to nearly getting duped by a crow hunter’s decoy broadcast vocalizations, we enjoyed looking at a variety of colorful lichens, several of which were thoughtfully identified by trip participant Deb Cato.

Following a coffee stop on Rt. 27 in Hanson we headed for Pembroke to check several nearby ponds for waterfowl.  On the way, we spotted a Great Egret on a flooded cranberry bog on Rt. 14, quickly followed by a Great Cormorant in breeding plumage on Oldham Pond, an impressive spring total of 110 Ruddy Ducks on Furnace Pond (probably overwintering birds), and nearly 50 handsome Common Mergansers on Great Sandy Bottom Pond.  The leader can remember when a Great Cormorant on a freshwater pond might have been the bird of the day!

From the Pembroke ponds we made our way to the West Meadows Wildlife Management Area in West Bridgewater.  West Meadows was full of waterfowl, including over 300 Ring-necked Ducks along with an assortment of odds and ends such as Gadwall, American Wigeon, and Green-winged Teal.  While we were birding at West Meadows a noisy group of nearly 500 migrating Canada Geese arrived in small flocks from the south and settled on the most distant part of the West Meadows pond.  They may be common, but seeing Canada Geese like this is very different than watching them on a soccer field. 

As we were leaving West Meadows, our attention was drawn to two low-circling Turkey Vultures near the large water tower on Spring Street.  Before we knew it, the vultures actually landed on the top of the tower and immediately began to copulate!  Pictures were taken, but just a little too late to catch the ardent lovers in the act; however, this was a sure sign that breeding is anticipated nearby.  Subsequent observations by club member Kevin Ryan suggest a possible nesting locality with a half mile of the Spring Street tower.  To be continued….

After a sandwich stop in Bridgewater for lunch we made our way to Lakeville.  After some diligent looking Lynn Abbey picked off an incubating Bald Eagle on a new nest this year on the shore of Lake Assawompsett.  Though distant, all were pleased with the sight.  This is one of two known nests this year on this lake, the largest natural freshwater body in Massachusetts.  Besides the eagle nest we had saw a number of Buffleheads, Common Goldeneyes, and Common Mergansers on the lakes.

Certainly one of the most unexpected birds of the day was a drake White-winged Scoter on the pond in front of the Ocean Spray Cranberry headquarters on the Middleborough/Lakeville town line.  Always an interesting species on freshwater in Massachusetts, the seasonality and the nature of this pond made the observation all the more startling.

Our day ended late in the afternoon at Cumberland Farms in Middleborough where we watched no fewer than 500+ Mallards and American Black Ducks nervously circling, landing, and then circling some more at the southern end of the cornfields below Rt. 105.  Mixed in were small numbers of Green-winged Teal, 4 Wilson’s Snipes, and several large mixed flocks of blackbirds.  We also worked the field edges near the old manure pit area and successfully pushed out a Vesper Sparrow along with a dozen Savannah Sparrows.

The several hardcore diehards in the group that remained until deep dusk were able to hear and watch 3 American Woodcocks and 2 Great Horned Owls as the sun set over the fields.  All and all, a most enjoyable day spent with friends in the field.

The complete list for the day included:

Canada Goose – 500+ 

Mute Swan – 30 

Gadwall – 1

American Wigeon – 3

American Black Duck/Mallard – 500+

Green-winged Teal – 16 

Ring-necked Duck – 450

Lesser Scaup – 8 

White-winged Scoter – 1

Bufflehead – 40+

Common Goldeneye – 50+

Hooded Merganser – 3

Common Merganser – 70

Ruddy Duck – 110

Common Loon – 2

Great Cormorant – 1

Great Blue Heron – 12

Great Egret – 1

Turkey Vulture – 2

Bald Eagle – 1

Northern Harrier – 2

Red-shouldered Hawk – 1

Red-tailed Hawk – 5

American Kestrel – 1

American Coot – 12

Killdeer – 10

Wilson’s Snipe – 4

American Woodcock – 3

Ring-billed Gull – 40

Herring Gull – 12+

Great Black-backed Gull – 12

Rock Pigeon – X

Mourning Dove – 25 

Great Horned Owl – 2

Belted Kingfisher – 1

Red-bellied Woodpecker – 2

Downy Woodpecker – 2

Hairy Woodpecker – 1

Northern Flicker – 3

Eastern Phoebe – 3

Blue Jay – 1

American Crow – X

Fish Crow – 10

Horned Lark – 100+

Tree Swallow – 30

Black-capped Chickadee – X

Tufted Titmouse – X

White-breasted Nuthatch – 3

Brown Creeper – 1

Carolina Wren – 2

Eastern Bluebird – 3

American Robin – X

Northern Mockingbird – 1 

European Starling – X

Vesper Sparrow – 1

Savannah Sparrow – 12+

Song Sparrow – 12

White-throated Sparrow – 3

Dark-eyed Junco – 3

Northern Cardinal – X

Red-winged Blackbird – X+

Common Grackle – X+

Brown-headed Cowbird – X

House Finch – 3

American Goldfinch – X

House Sparrow – X 

Total = 69 species

 

Wayne Petersen

Scusset Beach area, Bourne - 4/6/2012

Scusset Beach

Five hardy birders joined me for some morning birding at Scusset Beach, including my 9 year old daughter Ashley. She had the day off from school, which I didn't realize when I scheduled the trip several months ago! She became my co-leader for the trip. We checked off birds at the meeting spot in the Sagamore Park & Ride with the highlight being decent scope looks at the male Peregrine Falcon perched in one of his favorite spots on top one of the arches of the Sagamore Bridge. From there we headed down Sagamore Beach Road to the first large parking area to walk the wooded trail across the road. Within a few minutes my co-leader called out a beautiful Fox Sparrow that we all got on. Other highlights were a calling Winter Wren, a Gray Catbird and two Eastern Towhees. We then made our way to the beach where we had nice views of three Horned Larks in the large field adjacent to the parking area. We walked to the beach to scan the water and saw a lone Piping Plover walking along the wrack line. There were a few different species of sea ducks, both Double-crested and Great Cormorants and several Common Loons in various stages of plumage, from dull winter plumage to full breeding plumage. A single Red-throated Loon was in close and we all watched a flyby Laughing Gull, a FOY for everyone in attendance. Three Northern Gannets were seen well, including one sitting on the water near a small group of Surf Scoters. Across the canal we could see a flock of Brant and we spotted a Common Raven perched near the Power Plant. We briefly checked the camp ground before we headed back to the meeting spot. On our way back down Scusset Beach Road one of the participants noticed some Wild Turkeys off to the side of the road, 5 females and 2 big Toms, one in full display. We pulled over for a look. As we were watching them my co-leader said, "Did I just hear a Red-shouldered Hawk?" Sure enough she did. We all got out of our vehicles and saw a Red-shouldered Hawk circling above us. As we watched it a second one appeared and called back. They both flew off towards the wooded area and disappeared. A nice way to end the trip!

April 6, 2012
Scusset Beach Area - Sandwich, MA
8:00am - 11:00am
Species - 52
Staring temperature 38 degrees climbing to 46 degrees later in the morning. Bright sunshine to begin fading to partly cloudy skies with little to no wind at times.

Brant - 34
Canada Goose  8
Common Eider  75
Surf Scoter  18
White-winged Scoter  3
Long-tailed Duck  2
Red-breasted Merganser  42
Wild Turkey  7
Red-throated Loon  1
Common Loon  32
Northern Gannet  3
Double-crested Cormorant  13
Great Cormorant  4
Turkey Vulture  1
Osprey  2
Cooper's Hawk  1
Red-shouldered Hawk  2
Peregrine Falcon  1
Piping Plover  1
Killdeer  1
Laughing Gull  1
Ring-billed Gull  8
Herring Gull  26
Great Black-backed Gull  16
Rock Pigeon  9
Hairy Woodpecker  1
Northern Flicker  1
Eastern Phoebe  1
Blue Jay  1
Common Raven
American Crow  8
Horned Lark  3
Black-capped Chickadee  17
Tufted Titmouse  4
Carolina Wren  7
Winter Wren  1
Golden-crowned Kinglet  1
American Robin  44
Gray Catbird  1
Northern Mockingbird  4
Pine Warbler  1
Eastern Towhee  2
Fox Sparrow  1
Song Sparrow  22
White-throated Sparrow  14
Northern Cardinal  18
Red-winged Blackbird  6
Common Grackle  14
Brown-headed Cowbird  5
House Finch  8
American Goldfinch  14
House Sparrow  2

Mary Keleher

Wayland for early migrants

March 25th:


Three people, including the leader, were on this trip.  Just a few days ago the temps were in the 80s, today they barely got to 50F.  We went to the Paine Estate/Green Way property which abuts the Sudbury River and Heard's Pond is on the other side.  Water levels are low so duck counts are lower than past years.  30 Wood Ducks are a highlight of the day.  A couple of Belted Kingfishers were noisy and kept flying back and forth behind the Wayland Town Hall.  Over 400 Tree Swallows were a sight.  We were able to locate bluebirds and a Pine Warbler.

S-Sudbury, rest in Wayland unless noted.

Canada Goose 5 (1-S)
Mute Swan 2
Wood Duck 30 (5-S)
American Black Duck 9 (6-S)
Mallard 21 (11-S)
Green-winged Teal 6
Ring-necked Duck 9 (4-S)
Great Blue Heron 3 (1-S)
Red-tailed Hawk 3 (1-S)
Wilson's Snipe 1
Herring Gull 3
Rock Pigeon ***
Mourning Dove 5
Belted Kingfisher 3
Red-bellied Woodpecker 3 (2-S)
Downy Woodpecker 16 (4-S)
Hairy Woodpecker 3
Northern Flicker 2 (1-S)
Eastern Phoebe 6 (4-S)
Blue Jay 5 (1-S)
American Crow 14 (2-S)
Fish Crow 1
Tree Swallow 410
Black-capped Chickadee 13 (1-S)
Tufted Titmouse 10 (2-S)
White-breasted Nuthatch 11 (1-S)
Brown Creeper 1 singing-S
Carolina Wren 4
Golden-crowned Kinglet 2
Eastern Bluebird 5
American Robin 36
Starling ***
Pine Warbler 1
Song Sparrow 32 (4-S)
White-throated Sparrow 22
Dark-eyed Junco 5
Northern Cardinal 22 (2-S)
Red-winged Blackbird 85 (10-S)
Common Grackle 140 (10-S)
House Finch 3
American Goldfinch 8
House Sparrow ***

42 species

Glenn d'Entremont

Timberdoodles

March 23,2012:


4 people joined me, two from the South Shore Bird Club.  Not a great woodcock show this year, but had four individuals.  Only once did a full display get observed.  A singing Hermit Thrush was a nice sound in the twilight.  Two early Pine Warblers were singing, too.  Water levels were the lowest I have seen for March and there were no Wood Frogs which are usually very numerous.

Glenn d'Entremont

Owl Prowl Trip

March 3, 2012  Owl Prowl

  Nine participants enjoyed a late winter evening of owling with excellent conditions and comfortable temperatures.  Our group started the trip at the Elm St. end of the Burrage Pond W.M.A. in Halifax/Hanson.  Our mission was to observe Short-eared Owls at this location since they have been regular here over the years and the nearby Cumberland Farms fields - another reliable location for this species - has not produced any recent reports.  



  While waiting for dusk at Burrage Pond W.M.A., our group was treated to the "peenting" of several American Woodcocks emanating from the tangles at the edge of a nearby clearing.  Eventually, six birds were engaging in courtship display all around us.  One participant was able to spot a peenting American Woodcock at the edge of the sandy trail and the entire group was treated to binocular views of this reclusive species.  With all of the American Woodcocks vocalizing and displaying, it was difficult to remain focused on our quarry: Short-eared Owls.  As the evening light faded, one participant observed two birds at the north end of the bogs that were possible candidates for this species.  However, the birds were distant and the light was minimal, so we had to let these birds remain unconfirmed.

  When we arrived back at the parking lot, we were lucky to have a vocalizing Eastern Screech-Owl.  Though the bird was close and quite vocal, it did not venture beyond the thick cover of several young White Pines.  Before leaving for our next stop, our group paused to observe the night sky and enjoyed incredible views of constellations and planets through our scopes and binoculars.

  Next we decided to try for owls along West St. in Plympton since there had been a recent report of Barred Owls from this location.  We tried for all of the regularly occurring owls in this type of habitat (mostly Red Oak/White Pine forest and some patches of Red Maple Swamp), but came up empty.  Things picked up quickly, however, when we we made a stop at the bridge over the Winnetuxet River and had three calling Eastern Screech-Owls and unobstructed views of a red morph bird.

Eastern Screech Owl

  With this flurry of activity, our group was energized and encouraged to pursue more owls.  We decided that our next stop should be at Crooked Lane in Lakeville.  We tried for owls at several stops along Crooked Lane and were rewarded with a vocalizing Eastern Screech-Owl near the bridge over the cattail marsh.

  Lastly, our group checked an area in the vicinity of Pocksha Pond in Lakeville and one last stop at the Nemasket River in Middleboro.  By this time the wind had picked up and the owling became a bit more challenging.  Despite the lack of species diversity this evening, it was an enjoyable experience for all participants and an opportunity to study Eastern Screech-Owl vocalizations in areas with little noise and light pollution and few cars. 

  Stay tuned for the next club owl prowl to be scheduled sometime in early winter later this year.

1.                                 Jim Sweeney