Birdingonthe.Net Recent Postings from The Massachusetts Birding List > Home > Mail > Alerts Updated on Monday, February 8 at 10:28 PM ET The most recently received Mail is at the top.	Barred Owl,©John Schmitt

8 Feb Cedar Waxwings - N. Berkshire County [Hope Batcheller ] 08 Feb CT Report 02/08/2010 [Roy Harvey ] 08 Feb Great Horned Owl [] 8 Feb 2/8-Common Ravens At Millenium Park In West Roxbury [Paul Peterson ] 08 Feb Dracut/Lowell 2/8 correction [Tom Pirro ] 8 Feb Tufted duck 2/8: Yes [] 08 Feb Dracut/Lowell 2/8 [Tom Pirro ] 08 Feb Great Meadows walk, Sat., Feb 13, 9-11 am ["Marj. Rines" ] 8 Feb roadkill tally in Massachusetts ["David Larson" ] 08 Feb BarrowsxCommon Goldeneye ["Michael LaBossiere" ] 8 Feb Race Point Sunday 2/6 dawn ["Young, John (DPU)" ] 08 Feb Great Meadows walk, Sat., Feb 13, 9-11 am [Cherrie Corey ] 8 Feb Re: Translation please ["Jim Barton" ] 08 Feb 4-letter codes ["Marj. Rines" ] 8 Feb RE: translation please [Jim McCoy ] 8 Feb Re: translation please [] 8 Feb 2/7 Emerald Necklace - Buffleheads, Merganser, Coot [Ryan Schain ] 8 Feb Re: translation please ["Peter Trull" ] 07 Feb CT Report 02/07/2010 Harlequin Duck [Roy Harvey ] 7 Feb Deer carcass at Allens Pond - submerged [Paul Champlin ] 07 Feb Re: Bicknell's Thrush [] 8 Feb RE: translation please [Jim McCoy ] 7 Feb translation please ["Jim Barton" ] 7 Feb Allens Pond/Bald Eagle - NO 2/7 2:30 -3:30pm [Kathleen Bartels ] 07 Feb TUDU, RHWO, BAGO, AMCR [Steve Mirick ] 7 Feb FW: eBird Report - White Pond Neighborhood, Concord , 2/6/10 ["Swain, David" ] 08 Feb Paul Champlin-Allens Pond/Bald Eagle [] 7 Feb Boston Falconiformes ["Greg Dysart" ] 7 Feb Fw: [BostonBirds] Millennium Park ravens [Paul Peterson ] 7 Feb Red-headed Woodpecker (one more time) [] 7 Feb eBird Report - 83 Hartwell Avenue, Littleton, MA 01460 , 2/7/10 - Focus on Feeders Watch [Gregory Billingham ] 7 Feb eBird Report - Nantucket - East End , 2/7/10 - highlights Barrow's Goldeneye, Harlequins, Snow Buntings ["Ken Blackshaw" ] 07 Feb Cape Ann, 2/6/10 ["Jim Berry" ] 7 Feb 3 mergansers and coot on the Charles, Cambridge ["Sina M." ] 07 Feb Dover, Wayland, Newton - 2/6 [Erik Nielsen ] 7 Feb Correction-Lincoln [Paul Peterson ] 7 Feb Greenwinged Teal, Ellisville Harbor marsh, Plymouth [Kathryn Doyon ] 07 Feb Great Horn Owl PRNWR , 2/7/10 [] 7 Feb Southwick [Scott Ricker ] 7 Feb Fw: eBird Report - Lincoln-Codman Community Farm , 2/6/10 [Paul Peterson ] 7 Feb Fw: eBird Report - Lincoln-Linden Tree Farm , 2/7/10 [Paul Peterson ] 7 Feb Sudbury Tufted Duck [] 6 Feb Cape Ann Highlights [Strickland Wheelock ] 7 Feb Northern Shrikes at Moran and Notchview [Joshua Stuart Rose ] 06 Feb CT Report 02/06/2010 [Roy Harvey ] 6 Feb Red-tailed hawks and plastic bags [Kathleen Bartels ] 6 Feb raptors at Cumbies ["Soheil Zendeh" ] 06 Feb Bicknell's Thrush [] 6 Feb eBird Report - Ferdinand, Vermont, 2/6/10 - Northern Hawk Owl & Boreal Chickadees - YES [Gregory Billingham ] 6 Feb Tufted in Wayland ["Greg Dysart" ] 06 Feb Juvenile Bald Eagle Harvard Sq. Cambridge 2/6/10 [Andrew Joslin ] 6 Feb Wayland Tufted yes, 5 pm Saturday [Willy Hutcheson ] 06 Feb BBC trip Cape Ann, Saturday, 2/6/10 ["Ida Giriunas" ] 6 Feb feeder birds in Bradford, 2/6/2010 ["David Larson" ] 6 Feb Plymouth Redhead Continues [Evan Dalton ] 6 Feb Rough-legged hawk, Deerfield, MA [g watkevich ] 06 Feb Correction: Lynn Crow Roost [Linda Pivacek ] 06 Feb Lynn Crow Roost [Linda Pivacek ] 6 Feb Tufted Duck continues in Wayland, 6 February 2010 (fwd) [Barbara M Volkle ] 06 Feb Townsend's Solitaire, Yarmouthport, MA -- Saturday, Feb. 6, 2010 -- NO ["Peter R. Bono" ] 5 Feb Eagle on the Charles in Boston ["Greg Dysart" ] 5 Feb 2/5 Cambridge and Belmont: Wood Duck, Mergansers [Ryan Schain ] 05 Feb Townsend's Solitaire - NO, Northern Shrike - YES [Alexander Burdo ] 5 Feb Date: Fri, 5 Feb 2010 17:26:29 -0500 [g watkevich ] 5 Feb RE: Adult Bald Eagle on deer carcass at Allens Pond [Paul Champlin ] 5 Feb Osterville & Marstons Mills [Mary Keleher ] 5 Feb hooded mergansers [Barbara J Lawless ] 05 Feb Tufted Duck [] 5 Feb Adult Bald Eagle on deer carcass at Allens Pond [Paul Champlin ] 5 Feb Tufted duck [Paul Cozza ] 5 Feb Friday, February 5 - Catbirds in Scituate ["John Galluzzo" ] 5 Feb Barrow's correction [] 5 Feb Re: Barrow's, Tufted Continue [Ilija Dukovski ] 5 Feb Barrow's, Tufted Continue [] 5 Feb Tufted Duck relocated in Wayland, late afternoon, 4 February 2010 (fwd) [Barbara M Volkle ] 04 Feb Bolton Flats 2/4 [Tom Pirro ] Subject: Cedar Waxwings - N. Berkshire County From: Hope Batcheller <hope.batcheller AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 8 Feb 2010 22:55:26 -0500 Hi all, There was a large (110ish) flock of Cedar Waxwings (CEDW) on the Williams College campus in Williamstown, MA today. They were mixed with ~300 European Starlings and a few Am. Robins, all feeding on crabapples. A few miles east along Rt. 2 in North Adams, there was another flock of CEDW - probably about 100 - also feeding on crabapples. No Bohemians, though I looked.... The reason I mention this is: until now, I have only seen a few other (quite small) flocks of waxwings this winter. Suddenly, they seem to be everywhere. My mom also saw a flock today in our yard just across the NY border. Does anyone have an explanation for this? Thanks, and good birding! --Hope Batcheller Petersburgh, NY www.fledglingguide.org Subject: CT Report 02/08/2010 From: Roy Harvey <rmharvey AT snet.net> Date: Mon, 08 Feb 2010 22:27:41 -0500 From Greg Hanisek, Bill Banks, Randy Domina: 02/08/10 - Goshen, Whist Pond Road -- RUFFED GROUSE picking gravel around 7:45 a.m.; this road is off East St North and runs through Torrington Water Co. property. East Caanan -- 12 BLACK VULTURES. Cornwall, Mohawk Mt -- 1 Common Raven at summit; in thickets/ evergreens near base, 2 Brown Creepers, 2 Red-breasted Nuthaches. Canaan -- Common Ravens. Salisbury -- Common Ravens. From SH Johnston: 02/08/10 - Farmington, Mill Lane -- 1 HARLEQUIN DUCK (drake) continues in the mill pond below the Grist Mill Restaurant at 8:00pm. Yard -- 1 YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER (M) at suet feeder. From Christopher Lovell: 02/08/10 - Naugatuck / Beacon Falls, Rt 8, Naugatuck State Forest -- 2 Common Ravens. ********************************************************************** This CTDailyReport list is sponsored by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA). It is primarily meant to meet the informational needs of the active CT birder. Any other use requires written authorization from the board of directors of the COA. ********************************************************************** Visit the COA web site at http://www.ctbirding.org Reports should be sent to CTBirdReport AT ftml.net. Reports should include sender's name, date, location of sightings and species of note at each location. Reporting Guidelines are available at: http://www.ctbirding.org/ecommittee.htm#reporting To change your subscription options, or unsubscribe, please visit http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctdailyreport_lists.ctbirding.org Archives of these reports may be found at either of these locations: http://www.virtualbirder.com/bmail/ctbird/latest.html http://lists.ctbirding.org/pipermail/ctdailyreport_lists.ctbirding.org/ Subject: Great Horned Owl From: chuckjohnson10 AT aol.com Date: Mon, 08 Feb 2010 19:45:35 -0500 Traveling home on Rt. 2 west through Concord at about 5:45 tonight, I noticed a bird perched, like a Red-tail at the top of a tree on the Eastbound side. When it turned its head, I got the excellent silhouette of a Great Horned Owl. Nice twilight treat! Subject: 2/8-Common Ravens At Millenium Park In West Roxbury From: Paul Peterson <petersonpaul63 AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 8 Feb 2010 15:54:56 -0800 (PST) Hi, Common Ravens- a pair Red-tailed Hawk 4 I went to Millenium Park hoping for Common Ravens, because Milton T. had seen a pair there yesterday. Sure enough, as I was walking on the marsh side of the nature loop trail(the trail that borders the Charles River), the two Common Ravens came into Millenium Park from the direction of said marsh. It was amazing to witness these birds flying one almost directly over the other the entire time that I was watching them fly over. It was quite obvious that they were a pair. They seemed to me to be the pairs figure skaters of the birding world. I am learning a little more about these facinating birds every time I see them in the field.    Later, I saw the Common Teal in front of Newton City Hall. From there, I just wandered around  aimlessly(as I am wont to do), and came upon a stunning house in the distance. I thought I would go out of my way to get a closer look at it, and  was rewarded with a pair of tom turkeys in the back yard.(as seen from the road of course.) Good Birding everyone! Paul Peterson petersonpaul63 AT yahoo.com Boston Subject: Dracut/Lowell 2/8 correction From: Tom Pirro <alurap AT verizon.net> Date: Mon, 08 Feb 2010 13:56:19 -0600 (CST) Subject: Tufted duck 2/8: Yes From: maurice.gilmore AT comcast.net Date: Mon, 8 Feb 2010 19:08:29 +0000 (UTC) Folks, Cris Criscitiello and I went for the duck this AM. The tufted duck was close to the Route 20 bridge a 9:30 this AM (Mon., 2/8) in glorious morning light. Tuft waving occasionally in the breeze. He was north of the bridge, and drifting over towards the route 27, River Street area. Pete Gilmore Newton MA maurice.gilmore AT comcast.net Subject: Dracut/Lowell 2/8 From: Tom Pirro <alurap AT verizon.net> Date: Mon, 08 Feb 2010 12:48:15 -0600 (CST) Hilight along the Merrimac River late this morning, in Dracut: Bald Eagle 1 adult Red-tailed Hawk 2 adults Canada Goose ~40 Mallard ~100 Black Duck 5 MallardxBlack Duck Hydrid 3 Common Goldeneye ~50 Barrow's Goldeneye 2 (one drake and one female more of less together, seen from rte 100 just down river from Haverhill Street) Red-breasted merganser 1 drake Common Merganser ~15 in Lowell (Umass Boat house): Ring-billed Gull ~150 Herring Gull ~100 Great Black-backed Gull 33 Iceland Gull 1 ist year bird Glaucous Gull 1 adult Tom Pirro Westminster, Ma. http://tpirro.blogspot.com/ Subject: Great Meadows walk, Sat., Feb 13, 9-11 am From: "Marj. Rines" <marj AT mrines.com> Date: Mon, 08 Feb 2010 13:14:08 -0500 The following may be of interest ---------------------------------- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Winter Walk at Great Meadows - Saturday, February13, 9-11 am A continuing series of monthly walks exploring the landscape, plants, and seasonal wonders of Great Meadows in Concord. The interplay of snow, ice, wind, sunlight, and wild ramblers continually reshape the winter landscape. We'll explore the ephemeral beauty of frozen forms and changing light along the trail. Bundle up and wear appropriate footgear for prevailing conditions. No pre-registration required. A $5/person voluntary donation will be gratefully accepted. Led by Cherrie Corey, local naturalist, botanist, and photographer Co-sponsored by Musketaquid and Friends of the Assabet River NWR. Meet at Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge in Concord, MA. Take Monsen Road, off Rte. 62 to the driveway on left where the road curves right. Visit http://sense-of-place-concord.blogspot.com/ online for updated information on walks and events, seasonal photos, and reference links. For more information email cherrie.corey AT verizon.net or call 978-760-1933. -- Cherrie A. Corey Naturalist and photographer Concord, MA 978-760-1933 http://sense-of-place-concord.blogspot.com/ -- Marj. Rines Arlington, MA marj(at) mrines.com Subject: roadkill tally in Massachusetts From: "David Larson" <dlarson AT massaudubon.org> Date: Mon, 8 Feb 2010 12:42:09 -0500 I am forwarding this message from Marlene Schroeder: A program identifying roadkill hotspots for turtles and non-game animals is being set up by the Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program and the Mass Dept. of Transportation. See http://linkinglandscapes.info and http://linkinglandscapes.info/roads/volunteer_to_monitor.html . When the weather warms, the Parker River Clean Water Association will be involved and seeks input from early morning birders to report roadkill sighting before crows etc. take them. Contact PRCWA 978-462-2551 or NHESP Mike Jones 508-389-6386. David M. Larson, PhD Mass Audubon Joppa Flats Education Center Newburyport, MA 978-462-9998 Subject: BarrowsxCommon Goldeneye From: "Michael LaBossiere" <sparrowhawk51 AT verizon.net> Date: Mon, 08 Feb 2010 11:17:48 -0500 Today at Neds Point in Mattapoisett there is a Goldeneye that has both Common and Barrows characteristics. The facial white patch like Barrows and side markings similar to Barrows, while head shape, bill and size are more in keeping with a Common. If anyone else see's this individual, please e-mail me your comments as I would like some other observers input. Mike LaBossiere sparrowhawk51 AT verizon.net Mattapoisett, Ma Subject: Race Point Sunday 2/6 dawn From: "Young, John (DPU)" <John.Young AT state.ma.us> Date: Mon, 8 Feb 2010 10:54:09 -0500 Massbirders, I got to Race Point, Provincetown, by daybreak on Sunday morning after a day and night of northeast winds on the edge of the storm that pummeled the mid-Atlantic coast. Alcids, loons, and modest numbers of gannets and kittiwakes were streaming out in the first hour of light. South to north. From my own limited number of times getting out to the end by dawn, this is a normal situation. I found a sheltered spot where the waves had scalloped out a bit of dune. As the sun rose, the alcid chains slowed and the loons started fishing in the race and also heading back. You don't need to get up so early if you want to see Iceland gulls, and they're well distributed along the beach, rather than congregating so much at the end. Big whales, too, close in, at the end!! Race Point to Race Point Beach, 6:30 to 9:30, about 20 degrees, blowing maybe 20 from the north: Red-throated loon, 40 Gannet, 2 Common eider, 20 White-winged scoter, 5 Black scoter, 5 Oldsquaw, 1 Red-breasted merganser, 50 Great black-backed gull, 500 Iceland gull, 12 Herring gull, 200 Ring-billed gull, 5 Kittiwake, 30 Razorbill, 220 Common murre, 1 large alcid sp, 40 Crow, 1 Yellow-rumped warbler, 3 One first-year gull there is evenly patterned but quite dark, darker than Icelands I normally see and for all I know a candidate for Thayerization. Happy birding! John Young Jamaica Plain Subject: Great Meadows walk, Sat., Feb 13, 9-11 am From: Cherrie Corey <cherrie.corey AT verizon.net> Date: Mon, 08 Feb 2010 10:02:53 -0500 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Winter Walk at Great Meadows - Saturday, February13, 9-11 am A continuing series of monthly walks exploring the landscape, plants, and seasonal wonders of Great Meadows in Concord. The interplay of snow, ice, wind, sunlight, and wild ramblers continually reshape the winter landscape. We'll explore the ephemeral beauty of frozen forms and changing light along the trail. Bundle up and wear appropriate footgear for prevailing conditions. No pre-registration required. A $5/person voluntary donation will be gratefully accepted. Led by Cherrie Corey, local naturalist, botanist, and photographer Co-sponsored by Musketaquid and Friends of the Assabet River NWR. Meet at Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge in Concord, MA. Take Monsen Road, off Rte. 62 to the driveway on left where the road curves right. Visit http://sense-of-place-concord.blogspot.com/ online for updated information on walks and events, seasonal photos, and reference links. For more information email cherrie.corey AT verizon.net or call 978-760-1933. -- Cherrie A. Corey Naturalist and photographer Concord, MA 978-760-1933 http://sense-of-place-concord.blogspot.com/ Subject: Re: Translation please From: "Jim Barton" <redwingatfp1986 AT comcast.net> Date: Mon, 8 Feb 2010 10:01:22 -0500 Hello. Readers should not have to work through the substance of a post to find out what the subject line means. "BAGO" can as easily stand for "Barnacle Goose" as for "Barrow's Goldeneye". Thank you. Jim Barton Cambridge Subject: 4-letter codes From: "Marj. Rines" <marj AT mrines.com> Date: Mon, 08 Feb 2010 07:55:48 -0500 Hi folks, I am moderating the Massbird list while Barbara Volkle is unavailable, and I would ask that we drop this subject. -- Marj. Rines Arlington, MA marj(at) mrines.com Subject: RE: translation please From: Jim McCoy <jfmccoy AT hotmail.com> Date: Mon, 8 Feb 2010 12:35:29 +0000 Mr. Trull, my previous post was intended to defend, not to condescend. My tone in this one is left as an exercise for the reader. I thought I'd made my point in that last one, but if you or anyone else would care to debate the topic further, please reply to me offline (without Massbird in the address line), so as not to include those 1000 people in a discussion they don't want to have. Jim McCoy Melrose, MA jfmccoy AT hotmail.com From: petrull AT comcast.net To: jfmccoy AT hotmail.com CC: Massbird AT world.std.com Subject: Re: [MASSBIRD] translation please Date: Mon, 8 Feb 2010 00:10:04 -0500 Mr, McCoy, your reply to Mr. Barton smacks of condescension. Yes, yes, it's cool to use banding abbreviations, but with 1000 or so people reading massbird, most do not readily translate the codes, so I see Mr. Barton's point. Peter Trull Brewster, MA petrull AT comcast.net ----- Original Message ----- From: Jim McCoy To: redwingatfp1986 AT comcast.net ; massbird AT world.std.com Sent: Sunday, February 07, 2010 10:06 PM Subject: RE: [MASSBIRD] translation please Steve spelled out all four species in the email. It would have been tough to get them all into one subject line, and he put far more information into that subject line than if he said something like "Sunday birding", to which noone would have objected. Jim McCoy Melrose, MA jfmccoy AT hotmail.com > From: redwingatfp1986 AT comcast.net > To: massbird AT world.std.com > Subject: [MASSBIRD] translation please > Date: Sun, 7 Feb 2010 21:12:19 -0500 > > Hello. I don't hesitate to use four-letter codes to refer to birds, but > good practice is to give the full or an easily comprehensible abbreviated > common name first, followed by the four letter code, to indicate what the > code means in the rest of the post, most especially in the subject line. > Four letter codes are often ambiguous and confusing. I don't want to spend > my time figuring out that RHWO means Red-headed Woodpecker. Please say, RH > Woodpecker (RHWO), or RH Wood (RHWO). Codes are used by banders to simplify > record keeping. The banders know what the codes mean. I am not a bander. > > Thanks. > > Jim Barton > Cambridge . > Subject: Re: translation please From: Godwit4 AT aol.com Date: Mon, 8 Feb 2010 04:29:32 EST These conversations usually end with someone posting a link to the abbreviations, so here goes, see species tables at the bottom of the page: _http://www.stanford.edu/~kendric/birds/BBLCode.html_ (http://www.stanford.edu/~kendric/birds/BBLCode.html) CJ Coppersmith Concord, MA Subject: 2/7 Emerald Necklace - Buffleheads, Merganser, Coot From: Ryan Schain <ryanschain AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 8 Feb 2010 01:07:45 -0500 Massbirders I birded the Emerald Necklace on foot today from Jamaica Pond to the Fenway Victory Gardens from 8:00 am till 1:00 pm. Of the 31 species, some highlights were 2 BUFFLEHEADS on the Muddy River along the Riverway (just north of Leverett Pond), 2 COMMON MERGANSERS and 1 AMERICAN COOT on Leverett Pond, and a GREAT BLUE HERON on the River near Longwood. The Ruddy Duck that has been on Leverett Pond recently, was not there today. Photos of the Buffleheads, Mergansers ect can be seen here - http://www.flickr.com/photos/ryser915/sets/72157623376283962/detail/ Ryan Schain Boston ryanschain AT gmail.com Location: Emerald Necklace Observation date: 2/7/10 Number of species: 31 Canada Goose 50 Mute Swan 4 - - Leverett Pond (2) - - Riverway (2) American Black Duck 30 American Black Duck x Mallard (hybrid) 3 Mallard 120 Bufflehead 2 - - Riverway Common Merganser 2 - - Leverett Pond Great Blue Heron 1 - - Longwood Red-tailed Hawk 3 - - Fenway (Victory Gardens) American Coot 1 - - Leverett Pond Ring-billed Gull 13 Herring Gull 17 Great Black-backed Gull 2 Rock Pigeon 60 Mourning Dove 14 Red-bellied Woodpecker 1 - - Longwood Downy Woodpecker 3 Blue Jay 7 American Crow 3 Black-capped Chickadee 20 Tufted Titmouse 3 White-breasted Nuthatch 2 Carolina Wren 1 - - Fenway (Victory Gardens) American Robin 23 Northern Mockingbird 2 European Starling 150 Song Sparrow 2 White-throated Sparrow 18 Dark-eyed Junco 6 Northern Cardinal 4 House Finch 4 American Goldfinch 9 House Sparrow 50 This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org) Subject: Re: translation please From: "Peter Trull" <petrull AT comcast.net> Date: Mon, 8 Feb 2010 00:10:04 -0500 Mr, McCoy, your reply to Mr. Barton smacks of condescension. Yes, yes, it's cool to use banding abbreviations, but with 1000 or so people reading massbird, most do not readily translate the codes, so I see Mr. Barton's point. Peter Trull Brewster, MA petrull AT comcast.net ----- Original Message ----- From: Jim McCoy To: redwingatfp1986 AT comcast.net ; massbird AT world.std.com Sent: Sunday, February 07, 2010 10:06 PM Subject: RE: [MASSBIRD] translation please Steve spelled out all four species in the email. It would have been tough to get them all into one subject line, and he put far more information into that subject line than if he said something like "Sunday birding", to which noone would have objected. Jim McCoy Melrose, MA jfmccoy AT hotmail.com > From: redwingatfp1986 AT comcast.net > To: massbird AT world.std.com > Subject: [MASSBIRD] translation please > Date: Sun, 7 Feb 2010 21:12:19 -0500 > > Hello. I don't hesitate to use four-letter codes to refer to birds, but > good practice is to give the full or an easily comprehensible abbreviated > common name first, followed by the four letter code, to indicate what the > code means in the rest of the post, most especially in the subject line. > Four letter codes are often ambiguous and confusing. I don't want to spend > my time figuring out that RHWO means Red-headed Woodpecker. Please say, RH > Woodpecker (RHWO), or RH Wood (RHWO). Codes are used by banders to simplify > record keeping. The banders know what the codes mean. I am not a bander. > > Thanks. > > Jim Barton > Cambridge . > Subject: CT Report 02/07/2010 Harlequin Duck From: Roy Harvey <rmharvey AT snet.net> Date: Sun, 07 Feb 2010 23:41:01 -0500 From SH Johnston: 02/07/10 - Farmington, Mill Lane, Farmington - 1 HARLEQUIN DUCK (drake) continues in the mill pond below the Grist Mill Restaurant at 1:00pm. Duck sitting pretty on a fallen tree across the pond. Farmington yard -- 1 YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER (M) at suet feeder. From Dick & Joan Mihm: 02/07/10 - East Haddam -- Great cormorant floating the Connecticut River on ice floe. From Brian Webster: 02/07/10 - Stratford, Raven Pond -- 6 Northern Pintail. From John Oshlick: 02/07/10 - West Haven, Boat Ramp (near Sandy Point) -- 1 juv Iceland Gull and 1 Peregrine Falcon. ********************************************************************** This CTDailyReport list is sponsored by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA). It is primarily meant to meet the informational needs of the active CT birder. Any other use requires written authorization from the board of directors of the COA. ********************************************************************** Visit the COA web site at http://www.ctbirding.org Reports should be sent to CTBirdReport AT ftml.net. Reports should include sender's name, date, location of sightings and species of note at each location. Reporting Guidelines are available at: http://www.ctbirding.org/ecommittee.htm#reporting To change your subscription options, or unsubscribe, please visit http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctdailyreport_lists.ctbirding.org Archives of these reports may be found at either of these locations: http://www.virtualbirder.com/bmail/ctbird/latest.html http://lists.ctbirding.org/pipermail/ctdailyreport_lists.ctbirding.org/ Subject: Deer carcass at Allens Pond - submerged From: Paul Champlin <skua99 AT hotmail.com> Date: Sun, 7 Feb 2010 22:30:20 -0500 Hi Folks, Unfortunately, today the air temps were higher than the "real feel" led me to believe. The deer carcass at MAS - Allens Pond must have absorbed the thermal energy from the abundant sunlight and melted the ice it was on. It was gone mid day today. I sure thought it was going to hang on for longer. Paul Westport, MA _________________________________________________________________ Hotmail: Trusted email with Microsoft’s powerful SPAM protection. http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/201469226/direct/01/ Subject: Re: Bicknell's Thrush From: billb55 AT aol.com Date: Sun, 07 Feb 2010 22:18:35 -0500 Hello again to all, I received about 25 replies to my email, for which I am very grateful. I'll publically say thanks, since I don't have time right now to reply individually to each of you, but I really appreciate the response. I haven't had a chance to digest everything yet, but it looks like there are multiple sites I can try in VT, and others in NH. Thank you one and all; Massbird folks are great! Bill Benner Whately, Franklin Co., MA billb55 AT aol.com Subject: RE: translation please From: Jim McCoy <jfmccoy AT hotmail.com> Date: Mon, 8 Feb 2010 03:06:03 +0000 Steve spelled out all four species in the email. It would have been tough to get them all into one subject line, and he put far more information into that subject line than if he said something like "Sunday birding", to which noone would have objected. Jim McCoy Melrose, MA jfmccoy AT hotmail.com > From: redwingatfp1986 AT comcast.net > To: massbird AT world.std.com > Subject: [MASSBIRD] translation please > Date: Sun, 7 Feb 2010 21:12:19 -0500 > > Hello. I don't hesitate to use four-letter codes to refer to birds, but > good practice is to give the full or an easily comprehensible abbreviated > common name first, followed by the four letter code, to indicate what the > code means in the rest of the post, most especially in the subject line. > Four letter codes are often ambiguous and confusing. I don't want to spend > my time figuring out that RHWO means Red-headed Woodpecker. Please say, RH > Woodpecker (RHWO), or RH Wood (RHWO). Codes are used by banders to simplify > record keeping. The banders know what the codes mean. I am not a bander. > > Thanks. > > Jim Barton > Cambridge . > Subject: translation please From: "Jim Barton" <redwingatfp1986 AT comcast.net> Date: Sun, 7 Feb 2010 21:12:19 -0500 Hello. I don't hesitate to use four-letter codes to refer to birds, but good practice is to give the full or an easily comprehensible abbreviated common name first, followed by the four letter code, to indicate what the code means in the rest of the post, most especially in the subject line. Four letter codes are often ambiguous and confusing. I don't want to spend my time figuring out that RHWO means Red-headed Woodpecker. Please say, RH Woodpecker (RHWO), or RH Wood (RHWO). Codes are used by banders to simplify record keeping. The banders know what the codes mean. I am not a bander. Thanks. Jim Barton Cambridge . Subject: Allens Pond/Bald Eagle - NO 2/7 2:30 -3:30pm From: Kathleen Bartels <kab2769 AT ymail.com> Date: Sun, 7 Feb 2010 17:33:22 -0800 (PST) Very windy and cold today despite bright sunshine. The Allens Pond marsh was quiet except for about 6 mute swans. No sign of a bald eagle or the deer carcass. No passerines seen. Plenty of seaducks offshore East Beach and leeward side of Gooseberry causeway, including Common Eider, Common Goldeneye, Bufflehead. Cooper's Hawk on the other side of the road. Huddled against the rocks near Gooseberry causeway were 12 sanderlings and 18 dunlin. I did not cross the causeway as the spray was coming over and I did not want to douse my camera gear. Very few gulls either, I think they're all over at First Beach in Newport. Kathleen Bartels Rehoboth, MA Subject: TUDU, RHWO, BAGO, AMCR From: Steve Mirick <smirick AT comcast.net> Date: Sun, 07 Feb 2010 20:17:02 -0500 Jane and I spent the afternoon targeting a few birds in MA. I was hoping for a few photos. Didn't get much for photos, but we got the birds!! We started the afternoon with a surprise mammal as a NORTHERN SHORT-TAILED SHREW was mysteriously running around in circles in the middle of the street where we live. I guess I would have figured them to hibernate, but perhaps not completely. We then headed south for the male TUFTED DUCK. With encouragement from Laura's post this morning we took off. We got it right off, in the Sudbury River in Wayland, looking south from the bend on River Road, but a bit far, and bad lighting made for tough dig-scoping. I tried though! Only my 2nd Tufted Duck......now why can't we get one for New Hampshire!? http://home.comcast.net/~smirick//photos/tuftedduck1.jpg We then headed north to Tyngsboro/Dracut, where we rather quickly got an adult RED-HEADED WOODPECKER at the expected location in the swamp at the end of Trotting Park Road and I guess in Dracut. This was our first attempt and a state bird for both Jane and I. Fortunately, a domestic goose started honking which got the Red-headed WP to call. Otherwise, I'm not sure we would have found it. For the half hour we watched it in fading light, it neither called or moved and it wasn't in a prominent location. I suspect it was getting ready to move to a roost hole for the night. Once again.....lighting was not on the side of the photographer! http://home.comcast.net/~smirick//photos/redheadedwoodpecker4.jpg As light faded, we worked our way toward Lawrence along the Merrimack River. As we passed through Dracut, we pulled in behind the Riverside Diner (197 Merrimack Avenue) when we saw a group of ducks from the road. Luckily, there was a nice male and female BARROW'S GOLDENEYE with about 40 Common Goldeneyes. In the low early evening light, the male and female gave spectacular views. No chance for a photo, though as they very busily feeding. We finished the daylight with the Lawrence Crow roost. We've made it an annual mid-winter trip to wander around the streets of Lawrence at dusk in search of the biggest swarms of crows. A truly spectacular sight as the thousands of birds gather. It is always a wonder and marvel how and why they choose this location. Through the cacophony of caws, many Fish Crow were also heard. http://home.comcast.net/~smirick//photos/americancrows.jpg And then....for dinner.....Italian at Sal's Restaurant in the Mill Building! Steve & Jane Mirick Bradford, MA Subject: FW: eBird Report - White Pond Neighborhood, Concord , 2/6/10 From: "Swain, David" <D.Swain AT snhu.edu> Date: Sun, 7 Feb 2010 19:08:15 -0500 Location: Bolton St., Concord, MA Observation date: 2/6/10 Notes: Our high counts for the Audubon Focus on Feeders Weekend, Feb. 6-7. Number of species: 16 Mourning Dove 2 Red-bellied Woodpecker 1 Downy Woodpecker 2 Hairy Woodpecker 1 Blue Jay 4 Black-capped Chickadee 3 Tufted Titmouse 1 White-breasted Nuthatch 1 European Starling 1 American Tree Sparrow 4 White-throated Sparrow 4 Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored) 3 Northern Cardinal 2 House Finch 1 American Goldfinch 2 House Sparrow 7 Two female house sparrows were seen carrying feathers. Our local Carolina Wren didn't cooperate. Two days ago we had 3 pairs of cardinals at one moment. good birding, David Swain d.swain at snhu.edu Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail. Subject: Paul Champlin-Allens Pond/Bald Eagle From: cmunoz AT equilibriofilms.com Date: Mon, 08 Feb 2010 00:11:13 +0000 Any news on the Bald Eagle at Allens Ponds? Christian Muñoz-Donoso Cinematographer Equilibrio Films, LLC 102 Russell Street 2nd Fl. Hadley, Massachusetts 01035-0377 Studio: 413 585 0095 Office: 413 367 0093 Fax: 1-413-367 0093 www.EquilibrioFilms.com www.WildViewSeries.org Subject: Boston Falconiformes From: "Greg Dysart" <dysart AT volume3.com> Date: Sun, 7 Feb 2010 18:37:36 -0500 Sunday Feb. 7, '10 On this very cold and windy afternoon, I had to go to Boston so I decided to do a short side trip to check out the Sheraton Boston / Christian Science Center area for falcon. No sooner than I gotten out of my car, I had a falcon. I was in front of the main Christian Science Bldg on the grass area fronting Mass Ave. and saw a Peregrine heading east. I then noticed a flock of pigeons to the south with a larger bird cutting thru the flock, another Peregrine! This bird did not catch prey after three attempts and landed on a tall apartment bldg on Huntington Ave. Both birds looked like adults with dark hoods, but the first was a good distance away. I then went over towards the Sheraton to see if I could relocate one of the falcons and found what appeared to be an immature Peregrine on a small ledge of the top floor of the hotel tower, just below the vents. This bird had lighter markings, but clearly a Peregrine. He flew from this spot and returned several times. There are at least 2 Peregrines in the area if not 3. It was really windy and biting cold, but the falcons were flying frequently, including flying quite close to the Prudential Bldg. There must be good falcon views from the Pru. While driving in on the Mass Pike at about 4, my wife and I had clear views of an adult Bald Eagle soaring just north of the pike over the Charles River near the public boathouse on Nonantom Road, Alston. We also saw a Red-tailed Hawk closer to Boston University. Good urban birding, Greg Dysart dysartvolume3.com natick ma http://dysart.zenfolio.com/ Subject: Fw: [BostonBirds] Millennium Park ravens From: Paul Peterson <petersonpaul63 AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 7 Feb 2010 14:22:38 -0800 (PST) ----- Forwarded Message ---- From: Milton Trimitsis To: Boston Birds Sent: Sun, February 7, 2010 2:10:28 PM Subject: [BostonBirds] Millennium Park ravens This morning around 10am I saw two ravens which were eventually "mobbed" by two red-tailed hawks.  I first saw one large black bird, assumed it was a crow as there were other American crows in the area, but as it approached it gave a couple of unmistakable croaks.  I watched the first raven for about 5 minutes before the second one arrived.  Th first raven had what looked like a meadow vole, first in its feet, then transferring to its bill, and occasionally throwing or dropping the vole and diving to re-catch it.  As the raven was "playing" with the vole, it performed a few barrel rolls, and sometimes flew upside down.  It continued to vocalize, give croaks, bonks, and bell-like sounds.  I saw the  second raven join just before the first red-tail approached and started harassing the ravens. Ravens were similar in size or slightly larger than the hawks.  At one point a crow joined in the fray, and it was clearly much smaller than either the hawks or the ravens.  I observed the whole drama from the lower path that borders Saw Mill Brook.  The ravens  were near the top of the grassy hillside, and the hawks emerged from the woods on the other side of the brook.  The encounter lasted about 20 minutes before I lost sight of the ravens over the hilltop. Milton Trimitsis Roslindale -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Boston Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to bostonbirds AT googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to bostonbirds+unsubscribe AT googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/bostonbirds?hl=en. Subject: Red-headed Woodpecker (one more time) From: d.skillman AT comcast.net Date: Sun, 7 Feb 2010 21:55:40 +0000 (UTC) We visited the State Forest in Tyngsborough today to look for the Red-headed Woodpecker. We could hear the rattle call of two birds, and even heard one give the querk call, but could not locate either bird. We went back to the car and warmed up before venturing out one more time. As soon as we got out on the ice, I spotted a black bump on dead oak tree - and sure enough it was a mature Red-headed. It was a life bird for Debby! The bird barely moved for 10 minutes - I suspect it was soaking up some rays as it had its black back to the sun, and was sheltered from the wind to a degree by the tree it was on. This bird was also molting coverts like the immature I saw here early last week. Debby and Dennis Skillman For photos from today, go to the link below and press next all the shots: http://www.pbase.com/dennissk/image/121761135 Subject: eBird Report - 83 Hartwell Avenue, Littleton, MA 01460 , 2/7/10 - Focus on Feeders Watch From: Gregory Billingham <gbil4243 AT gmail.com> Date: Sun, 7 Feb 2010 16:27:55 -0500 ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Date: Sun, Feb 7, 2010 at 4:23 PM Subject: eBird Report - 83 Hartwell Avenue, Littleton, MA 01460 , 2/7/10 To: gbil4243 AT gmail.com Location: 83 Hartwell Avenue, Littleton, MA 01460 Observation date: 2/7/10 Notes: This eBird Report is of my list of observed birds for Mass Audubon's "Focus on Feeders" program. The Eastern Towhee has been a regular visitor for approximately 3 weeks during the last 2 weeks of December and the first week of January. It hadn't been seen since until yesterday in the late morning (stayed underneath the Holly near our back porch, then would pop out over to underneath the main feeder to scrounge around for fallen sunflower seeds. This is about 15 feet from our main feeder (Black Sunflower seeds). It would stick around until about Noon time, then fly off. Number of species: 15 Mourning Dove - Zenaida macroura 1 Red-bellied Woodpecker - Melanerpes carolinus 1 Downy Woodpecker - Picoides pubescens 3 Hairy Woodpecker - Picoides villosus 1 Pileated Woodpecker - Dryocopus pileatus 1 Blue Jay - Cyanocitta cristata 3 Black-capped Chickadee - Poecile atricapillus 6 Tufted Titmouse - Baeolophus bicolor 5 White-breasted Nuthatch - Sitta carolinensis 1 * Eastern Towhee* - Pipilo erythrophthalmus 1 Song Sparrow - Melospiza melodia 1 White-throated Sparrow - Zonotrichia albicollis 2 Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored) - Junco hyemalis hyemalis/carolinensis 3 Northern Cardinal - Cardinalis cardinalis 2 American Goldfinch - Carduelis tristis 3 This report was generated automatically by eBird v2( http://ebird.org/massaudubon/) -- Gregory S. Billingham 83 Hartwell Avenue Littleton, MA 01460-1261 1-(508)-517-4131 Subject: eBird Report - Nantucket - East End , 2/7/10 - highlights Barrow's Goldeneye, Harlequins, Snow Buntings From: "Ken Blackshaw" <kenandcindy1 AT comcast.net> Date: Sun, 7 Feb 2010 15:28:59 -0500 Location: Nantucket - East End Observation date: 2/7/10 Notes: Nantucket Bird Club Sunday morning Walk. Four cars and 15 people. Becoming sunny. Temp rising through 20s. Wind mainly north 15-25. Our Polpis Road, Folger's Marsh, Hoick's Hollow, Sankaty Bluff, Codfish Park, Low Beach, and finally Tom Nevers. X indicates seen but not tallied. Number of species: 37 Canada Goose 145 Elementary school playing field American Black Duck 4 Mallard 6 Common Eider 50 Harlequin Duck 10 Off Sankaty Bluff Black Scoter 25 Off the bluff Long-tailed Duck 75 Several places Bufflehead 60 Mainly off Tom Nevers Common Goldeneye 10 Barrow's Goldeneye 1 Off Sankaty Bluff Hooded Merganser 10 Near Life Saving Museum Red-breasted Merganser 6 Off the bluff Red-throated Loon 3 Scattered off ocean beaches Horned Grebe 1 Off Sankaty Bluff Cooper's Hawk 1 On post between feeders at Brauman's Accipiter sp. 1 Large bird seen flying to the north along Baxter Road Red-tailed Hawk 2 A pair, on flying, near Sankaty Light Black-headed Gull 1 Hooper Farm Ring-billed Gull 1 NHS Playing Field Herring Gull X Iceland Gull 3 Hoick's Hollow and Tom Nevers Lesser Black-backed Gull 1 Hooper Farm Great Black-backed Gull X Rock Pigeon X Mourning Dove 12 Downy Woodpecker 1 Brauman's Blue Jay X American Crow X Black-capped Chickadee 6 Carolina Wren 2 American Robin 100 Large flocks along Polpis Road Northern Mockingbird 1 Near Life Saving Museum European Starling 40 Yellow-rumped Warbler 4 Song Sparrow 4 Dark-eyed Junco 1 Near Brauman's - Tom Nevers Snow Bunting 29 On ground, Tom Nevers. Also High in the air. Northern Cardinal 8 This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org) Ken Blackshaw - Nantucket Island - 30 miles at sea Subject: Cape Ann, 2/6/10 From: "Jim Berry" <jim.berry3 AT verizon.net> Date: Sun, 07 Feb 2010 15:27:40 -0500 > Location: Cape Ann, Mass. > Observation date: 2/6/10 > Notes: My personal totals from two field trips on the 2nd annual Cape > Ann Winter Birding Weekend. Sue McGrath and I led one of the morning > busses; Chris Leahy and Wayne Petersen led the afternoon bus, a shorter > trip. These numbers are my cumulative totals for the day and were from > several locations around Gloucester and Rockport. They do not include > species seen by other groups and do not begin to represent actual numbers > of birds present. The weather was windy out of the northeast (the northern > edge of a huge storm to the south), the water was choppy, and birds were > not easy to find or observe except in calmer parts of Gloucester Harbor. > Number of species: 27 > > Gadwall 13 mostly in pairs, East Gloucester and downtown fish pier > American Black Duck 35 > Mallard 16 > Greater Scaup 15 harbor by fishermen's statue > Common Eider 110 > Harlequin Duck 59 Halibut Point, Rockport > Surf Scoter 7 > White-winged Scoter 45 > Long-tailed Duck 1 hard to find today > Bufflehead 85 > Common Goldeneye 35 > Red-breasted Merganser 100 most in the inner harbor near fish pier > Wild Turkey 3 yard near Eastern Point > Red-throated Loon 1 photographed in flight by one of our group > Common Loon 6 > Horned Grebe 5 > Great Cormorant 6 > Peregrine Falcon 1 City Hall tower > Ruddy Turnstone 1 Bass Rocks at low tide; no PUSAs seen > Ring-billed Gull 50 > Herring Gull 1500 many hundreds in inner harbor > Iceland Gull (Kumlien's) 4 inner harbor > Great Black-backed Gull 1000 many hundreds in inner harbor > Rock Pigeon X > American Crow 10 > American Robin 15 > House Sparrow X > > This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org) I did not take the boat trip this morning and hope someone who did will post a list of what was seen. Jim Berry Ipswich, Mass. jim.berry3 AT verizon.net Subject: 3 mergansers and coot on the Charles, Cambridge From: "Sina M." <sinabirding AT gmail.com> Date: Sun, 7 Feb 2010 14:55:28 -0500 I spent about an hour earlier this afternoon looking at the Charles river from just west of the Longfellow bridge to the Museum of Science on the Cambridge side. The highlights were all three merganser species (2 hooded, 2 red-breasted, and at least 7 common) and one American coot. Here are a few photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/iamsina/4338540592/ Sina Mohammadi Cambridge, MA Subject: Dover, Wayland, Newton - 2/6 From: Erik Nielsen <erikbogh AT comcast.net> Date: Sun, 07 Feb 2010 14:28:16 -0500 There were three Goldeneyes (male and female Barrow's and female Common) in the Charles River near Mill Street in Dover yesterday morning. Unfortunately they were a bit tough to get looks at as they mostly hung out a bit further downstream around the bend. In Wayland the male Tufted Duck was visible from River Road for a good part of the day. I didn't get any shots of it, however; but while waiting (in vain) for it to come a little closer, I was surprised to see a Raven cruise by. I finished the day with some great looks of the Common Teal at the Newton City Hall. A few pictures: http://boghnielsen.com/2010/0206/index.html and some from late January I finally had a chance to look at: http://boghnielsen.com/2010/01Misc/index.html Erik Nielsen Westwood, MA Subject: Correction-Lincoln From: Paul Peterson <petersonpaul63 AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 7 Feb 2010 10:41:44 -0800 (PST) Sorry for that, it should read 2/6. Paul Peterson petersonpaul63 AT yahoo.com Boston Subject: Greenwinged Teal, Ellisville Harbor marsh, Plymouth From: Kathryn Doyon <gizzybird AT verizon.net> Date: Sun, 7 Feb 2010 09:32:56 -0800 (PST) A brief stop at the marsh yielded 24 Green-winged Teal (no Eurasian that I could see), 39 Dunlin, 2 Black-bellied Plover, 4 Hooded Mergansers, and 2 Mallards.                                                                                                Kathy Kathryn Doyon Manomet, MA Gizzybird AT verizon.net Subject: Great Horn Owl PRNWR , 2/7/10 From: njlandry AT verizon.net Date: Sun, 07 Feb 2010 11:04:03 -0600 (CST) Subject: Southwick From: Scott Ricker <ptbagger AT verizon.net> Date: Sun, 7 Feb 2010 08:47:04 -0800 (PST) Massbirders,   I had 4 Eastern Bluebirds, 1 Grey Catbird and 1 Northern Mocking Bird foraging for food in the bushes this morning. Scott Ricker Southwick, Ma. ptbagger AT verizon.net Subject: Fw: eBird Report - Lincoln-Codman Community Farm , 2/6/10 From: Paul Peterson <petersonpaul63 AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 7 Feb 2010 08:18:25 -0800 (PST) ----- Forwarded Message ---- From: "do-not-reply AT ebird.org" To: petersonpaul63 AT yahoo.com Sent: Sun, February 7, 2010 11:05:35 AM Subject: eBird Report - Lincoln-Codman Community Farm , 2/6/10 Location:    Lincoln-Codman Community Farm Observation date:    2/6/10 Notes:    The Common Ravens were soaring high over the garden plots, and ONE WAS DOING AN AERIAL DISPLAY CONSISTING OF ALTERNATING ROLLS AND DIVES! This was during the brief ten minute window when there was sunshine-at 2:00p.m. The female Brown-headed Cowbird was foraging on the ground with the starlings. Number of species:    5 Accipiter sp.    1 Red-tailed Hawk    2 Common Raven    2 European Starling    100 Brown-headed Cowbird    1 House Sparrow    30 This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org) Subject: Fw: eBird Report - Lincoln-Linden Tree Farm , 2/7/10 From: Paul Peterson <petersonpaul63 AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 7 Feb 2010 08:19:05 -0800 (PST) ----- Forwarded Message ---- From: "do-not-reply AT ebird.org" To: petersonpaul63 AT yahoo.com Sent: Sun, February 7, 2010 10:49:17 AM Subject: eBird Report - Lincoln-Linden Tree Farm , 2/7/10 Location:    Lincoln-Linden Tree Farm Observation date:    2/7/10 Notes:    The Bluebirds certainly were a sight for sore eyes-beautiful! Number of species:    5 Downy Woodpecker    1 Hairy Woodpecker    1 Eastern Bluebird    3 Cedar Waxwing    25 Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored)    1 This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org) Subject: Sudbury Tufted Duck From: anhinga AT verizon.net Date: Sun, 7 Feb 2010 15:51:54 +0000 Hi MassBirders - We just saw the Tufted Duck off of River Road in Sudbury. As you look to the right (south) from the pull off, it was seen with Scaup at the bend in the river. Dress warmly. Laura Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry Subject: Cape Ann Highlights From: Strickland Wheelock <skwheelock AT yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 6 Feb 2010 19:01:44 -0800 (PST) A super hardy group of birders from Drumlin Farm ventured on Cape Ann on Sat. Feb 6th. We took a detour to River Road in Wayland where we had the Tufted Duck close up along with scaup, C Goldeneyes, Ring-necked Ducks, Common & Hooded Mergansers. Our day started at the State Pier in Gloucester with lots of Common Eider, Red-breasted Mergansers, Gadwalls, Bufflehead, C. Goldeneye and a young Iceland Gull - also quickly figured out that it's really cold out there besides light snow flurries. The highlight of the day was out at Rocky Neck where after viewing from the beach[very little] - went further out to scan to the right of Ten Pound Island & the outer entrance to Gloucester Harbor[also out of the wind]. We had a male King Eider, female Barrow's Goldeneye, 1 Razorbill, a Glaucous Gull, Long-tailed Ducks, Surf Scoters, Horned Grebes, C. Goldeneyes, Gadwalls, seals, etc. After thawing out, we went to the start of Atlantic Ave where the Great Cormorant's hang out on the large rock & found a Black Guillemot and a Red-necked Grebe close together plus White-winged Scoters & normal sea ducks. A nice flock of Horned Larks were at Good Harbor Beach parking lot - in Rockport, several flocks of Harlequin Ducks in Pigeon Cove and Andrew's Point is always a thrill. A quick stop at Halibut Point yielded a young Cooper's Hawk and Towhee - we definitely avoided staring out in the ocean from the Point given the wind chill factor. Given the conditions, the combination of Tufted Duck, King Eider, Barrow's Goldeneye, Iceland & Glaucous Gulls, Guillemot & Razorbill, Horned Larks - it was a good day. As Bill Gette says "No pain, no Gain" - today we had pain & gain! Subject: Northern Shrikes at Moran and Notchview From: Joshua Stuart Rose <opihi AT mindspring.com> Date: Sun, 7 Feb 2010 00:53:44 -0500 (GMT-05:00) Hi MassBirders, I griped last weekend about barely cracking double digits in species. Today I identified only three species, but am much happier. It only takes one... I headed west to Windsor, then cruised the local roads but was unable to find any trace of the Pine Grosbeak flock reported recently by Tom Collins. In fact, was not able to detect any bird species at all. Upon arriving at Eugene Moran WMA, I ran into Virginia Rettig, one of my teammates from the Athol CBC. Two other birders (Chuck and Kerry, I think?) were just leaving as we set out, having seen nothing in 45 minutes' birding. Our luck was decidedly better; after we crossed the footbridge and climbed the next hill, Virginia spotted a Northern Shrike atop a tall leafless tree at the edge of the field. Clearly an adult, with sharp gray-and-black upperparts and gleaming white underparts. After enjoying that for a while, we continued past there into the spruce plantation but added only Black-capped Chickadee and Common Raven. We headed back. Just before we reached the parking area, Virginia spotted the shrike again, this time perched much closer to the ground in a hedgerow. Then we heard some strange noises, and realized that it was singing! I had seen this species several times before, but this was the first time I had ever heard one. Virginia headed for home after that. I, never knowing when I will have time to bird next, decided to burn what daylight I had left, and visited the nearby Notchview Reservation. I walked along the paved road from the parking area, and encountered *another* Northern Shrike! Perched atop a leafless tree just past the residence up the road. This one appeared younger: browner, and barred underneath. Just before departing after a spectacular sunset, I dropped in at the reservation HQ. I learned here an important detail: apparently hikers are *not* welcome on the trails here in regular footwear. They manage the site explicitly for skiers, grudgingly allow snowshoers and dogs, but standard boot-wearing walkers are not welcome. This information is not included in the birders' guide to western Massachusetts, or even on the reserve's own website. Good thing the shrike was close to the pavement... Good birding! Joshua Stuart Rose opihi AT mindspring.com Amherst MA http://www.facebook.com/opihi http://bugguide.net/user/view/2399 Subject: CT Report 02/06/2010 From: Roy Harvey <rmharvey AT snet.net> Date: Sat, 06 Feb 2010 22:55:44 -0500 Note: Luke Tiller compiled the list of CT Big January participation again this year. You can read about the results here: http://underclearskies.com/connecticut-big-january-2010/ From Fran and Tom Holloway: 02/06/10 - Madison yard -- Male and female YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKERS around noon. From SH Johnston: 02/05/10 - Farmington, Mill Lane -- 1 HARLEQUIN DUCK (drake) continues in the mill pond below the Grist Mill Restaurant at 8:00am. (Also on Feb 3.) From Jan Collins: 02/05/10 - Somers/Enfield line, Scantic River Greenway Trail off Bailey Rd -- noontime, 1 BROWN CREEPER, 1 WINTER WREN. From Paul Cianfaglione: 02/04/10 - Manchester, Manchester Landfill -- 1 ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK viewed from powerline cut (behind Ocean State Job Lot) along Spencer Street. From Hank Golet 02/04/10 - Westbrook, Menunketesuck Flats -- 3 PURPLE SANDPIPERS. From Frank Mantlik: 02/04/10 - Stratford, Rt. 110, Raven Park Pond -- female MANDARIN DUCK along with the continuing 2 female Northern Pintail. Stratford, Birdesye St. boat ramp -- Wilson's Snipe continues. From Brian Webster: 02/04/10 - Stratford, Housatonic River Access (Rt-110) -- 1 Great Cormorant, 1 Peregrine Falcon, 1 Snow Goose (blue morph). From Greg Hanisek: 02/03/10 - New Haven, Edgewood Park -- 70 RUSTY BLACKBIRDS. Waterbury, Platts Mill -- female NORTHERN PINTAIL on Naugatuck River, found by Ron Pelletier. From Jim & Carol Zipp: 02/03/10 - Hamden yard -- 4 RUSTY BLACKBIRDS seen in our yard briefly. From Paul Carrier, Judy Case: 02/03/10 - Norfolk -- 1 RUSTY BLACKBIRD. ********************************************************************** This CTDailyReport list is sponsored by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA). It is primarily meant to meet the informational needs of the active CT birder. Any other use requires written authorization from the board of directors of the COA. ********************************************************************** Visit the COA web site at http://www.ctbirding.org Reports should be sent to CTBirdReport AT ftml.net. Reports should include sender's name, date, location of sightings and species of note at each location. Reporting Guidelines are available at: http://www.ctbirding.org/ecommittee.htm#reporting To change your subscription options, or unsubscribe, please visit http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctdailyreport_lists.ctbirding.org Archives of these reports may be found at either of these locations: http://www.virtualbirder.com/bmail/ctbird/latest.html http://lists.ctbirding.org/pipermail/ctdailyreport_lists.ctbirding.org/ Subject: Red-tailed hawks and plastic bags From: Kathleen Bartels <kab2769 AT ymail.com> Date: Sat, 6 Feb 2010 19:33:37 -0800 (PST) In my travels north along 495 from North Attleboro to Bolton, I counted 5 magnificently perched Red-Tailed Hawks and 37 plastic bags snagged in trees. Although they may appear similar in size and shape, the two are not closely related. Kathleen Bartels Rehoboth, MA Subject: raptors at Cumbies From: "Soheil Zendeh" <szendeh AT rcn.com> Date: Sat, 6 Feb 2010 22:08:19 -0500 My wife Chris and I headed to Middleboro today (Saturday, Feb 6) to check out the raptor scene. The snow storm that belted DC and NYC skirted most of New England, but the southern parts of our area were pretty snowy. We wondered if would be able to see anything through the horizontally blowing snow. On our first circuit of the Cumbie fields (Rte 105 - River St - Fuller St - Rte 105) we picked up 4 Redtails, a kestrel and a harrier. On our second circuit of the fields, right along 105, the Roughleg show got interesting very suddenly. First, Chris found one bird flying in the middle of the fields along the tree line-hedgerow and we quickly determined it was a Roughleg. It landed in the trees, but then I saw another one, and possibly yet another even further away in the air. Then we saw a 3rd or 4th one, also fairly close in the tree line along the middle of the fields. It was freezing in the snow and wind, so we did nearly all our observations from inside the vehicle. Naturally, the discussion turned to how these birds were tolerating flying around under conditions that seemed so outrageous to us. They are arctic birds, I know. Still, how do they do it? How come their eyeballs don't freeze? All in all, a very good raptor day. Soheil Zendeh 42 Baker Ave Lexington, MA 02421 home phone 781-863-2392 cell phone 617-763-5637 office phone 617-528-4013 Subject: Bicknell's Thrush From: billb55 AT aol.com Date: Sat, 06 Feb 2010 21:12:30 -0500 Hi All, Just doing a bit of Saturday evening daydreaming about summer here. I still haven't ever seen Bicknell's Thrush, one of my few possible area life birds. Can anyone tell me where the closest accessible spots are from western MA? It is easy for me to hop on I 91 and head north to Vermont or New Hampshire, so if anyone has any advice, I would appreciate it. Something to look forward to on a nice June morning this coming summer... Best, Bill Benner Whately, Franklin Co., MA billb55 AT aol.com Subject: eBird Report - Ferdinand, Vermont, 2/6/10 - Northern Hawk Owl & Boreal Chickadees - YES From: Gregory Billingham <gbil4243 AT gmail.com> Date: Sat, 6 Feb 2010 20:35:28 -0500 Good day fellow Mass Birders! I understand that posts usually should be about birds seen within the borders of our beloved State of Massachusetts, but I thought it would be prudent to pass along this report and information along, because how often does one get to observe a Northern Hawk Owl?! My friend Kirk Marshall and I decided to make a day of it visiting the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont to see if we could spy our little eyes on the main prize, the Northern Hawk Owl that was last reported on VT Birds on January 30th by Mark Barriger of Cheshire, CT. There were many snowmobilers in the area considering the pull off spot and location of the NHO is right near one of the trails in the VAST system, but none of this, nor the presence of myself and 4 fellow birders (including Bob Stymeist and his wife) seemed to bother this amazing owl who obviously was very cooperative! After observing the NHO for a good 20 minutes or so, Kirk and I headed roughly 2 miles or so east on Route 105 to South America Pond Road which takes you into Wenlock WMA. We ourselves pulled off the side of the 105 and walked down South America Pond Rd to see what we could see. We had not realized this, but for those going to check out this particular area, there is also a small parking lot of sorts about 500 feet or so on SA Pond Rd (please note that this road has not been cleared very much, so if you do go in, I hope you have good winter tires on). Kirk and I walked down this road for about a half to .75 miles or so, then walked on back. Along our travels there we came across numerous Black-capped Chickadees, but interspersed with them were a few Boreal Chickadees, some we could not get on, and a few we definitely could! One Boreal Chickadee kept flying within 5 feet of Kirk and myself back and forth across the road, seemingly checking us out. It was amazing (though still not as amazing as the NHO in my opinion!) Several White-winged Crossbills were heard by us, but we could never get on them. Also, a couple of Grey Jays and a few Red-breasted Nuthatches (we could hear many others) also graced us with their beautiful presence! All in all what a very beautiful and glorious day! For further information, here is some copied text from Barriger's post back on the 30th of January: Ferdinand Hawk Owl - The location is 2.5 miles east of the John Boyland State Airport at a snowmobile crossing of Route 105. The Northern Hawk Owl was approximately 500 feet south of Route 105 in an open area along the Nulhegan River. The GPS coordinates for our viewing location were N 44.78001 W 71.78243. This location is about 6 miles east of Island Pond (Brighton), VT. ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Date: Sat, Feb 6, 2010 at 8:09 PM Subject: eBird Report - Ferdinand, Vermont , 2/6/10 To: gbil4243 AT gmail.com Location: Ferdinand, Vermont Observation date: 2/6/10 Notes: Please note that the Northern Hawk Owl was seen at the location the marker shows on the map provided. After observing the NHO, my friend Kirk Marshall and I went a bit farther east (about a couple of miles or so) on Route 105 to South America Pond Road in the Wenlock WMA. It is there that we saw the 3 Boreal Chickadees, the numerous BC Chickadees and heard several White-winged Crossbills, but could never get on them. The Red-breasted Nuthatches were seen amongst both species of chickadee. A couple of seemingly tame Grey Jays (as is their nature) came by to check things out! Number of species: 5 Northern Hawk Owl - Surnia ulula 1 Gray Jay - Perisoreus canadensis 2 Black-capped Chickadee - Poecile atricapillus X Boreal Chickadee - Poecile hudsonica 3 Red-breasted Nuthatch - Sitta canadensis 2 This report was generated automatically by eBird v2( http://ebird.org/massaudubon/) -- Gregory S. Billingham 83 Hartwell Avenue Littleton, MA 01460-1261 1-(508)-517-4131 Subject: Tufted in Wayland From: "Greg Dysart" <dysart AT volume3.com> Date: Sat, 6 Feb 2010 18:30:03 -0500 Wayland Feb 6, 10 3:30 pm Seasonably Cold The Tufted Duck and two Lesser Scaup were on the Sudbury late this afternoon, seen from the bend on River Road in Wayland looking up river. I got grainy distant photos and posted them to one of my Birds pages at http://dysart.zenfolio.com/tudu Also seen were 10 Common Goldeneyes, 6 Hooded Mergansers, a Common Merganser, 8 Mute Swans and a well feed Beaver on the Sudbury. Thanks to John Hines for reporting the Tufted Duck. This year's Tufted was a much closer view for me than last year's, allowing me to easily see the tuft thru a scope. Greg Dysart dysartvolume3.com natick ma http://dysart.zenfolio.com/ Subject: Juvenile Bald Eagle Harvard Sq. Cambridge 2/6/10 From: Andrew Joslin <andrew AT natureclimber.com> Date: Sat, 06 Feb 2010 17:20:08 -0500 A juvenile bald eagle flew from the direction of the Charles River low over Harvard Sq./Harvard Yard heading east/northeast, That was at about 11:30 am 2/6. Andrew Joslin Jamaica Plain, MA Subject: Wayland Tufted yes, 5 pm Saturday From: Willy Hutcheson <jeccawilly AT yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 6 Feb 2010 14:05:41 -0800 (PST) Otis and I are currently viewing the bird from the bend in River Rd., Wayland, looking south. Willy Hutcheson Concord, MA jeccawilly AT yahoo.com Subject: BBC trip Cape Ann, Saturday, 2/6/10 From: "Ida Giriunas" <Ida8 AT verizon.net> Date: Sat, 06 Feb 2010 16:59:55 -0500 A bitterly cold day on Cape Anne with 10-20 MPH N-NE winds with only one alcid but a few highlights. Drake King Eider - 1 - off Good Harbor Beach Breeding Plumage Guillemot - 1 - off Granite Pier Peregrine Falcon - 1 - perched on city hall dome Iceland Gulls - 2 - Fish Pier Lots of Harlequin ducks, Surf Scoters, a few White-wing Scoters, a few Horned Grebes and the usual winter Sea ducks and Gulls. Ida Giriunas Reading, MA Subject: feeder birds in Bradford, 2/6/2010 From: "David Larson" <redpoll AT comcast.net> Date: Sat, 6 Feb 2010 16:51:51 -0500 Don't know why (barometric pressure?), but some of our Project FeederWatch counts today have been off the charts for this winter. Maximum number at any one time: 1 Mourning Dove 2 Downy Woodpeckers 1 Hairy Woodpecker 10 Blue Jays 4 Black-capped Chickadees 1 Tufted Titmouse 1 White-breasted Nuthatch 1 American Robin 2 European Starlings 10 American Tree Sparrows 3 Song Sparrows 11 White-throated Sparrows 3 Dark-eyed Juncos 24 Northern Cardinals (max of 17 males!) 2 House Finches 20 House Sparrows (mercifully low) - Dave and Susan David Larson Bradford, MA mailto:redpoll AT comcast.net http://www.larsonweb.org "The classification of living birds, or, for that matter, any other large group of animals, is full of hopeless difficulties and insoluble problems." Ludlow Griscom Subject: Plymouth Redhead Continues From: Evan Dalton <evanndalton AT gmail.com> Date: Sat, 6 Feb 2010 16:27:14 -0500 As of Saturday afternoon the male Redhead was still present in the restricted open water of the pond in Cordage Park, Plymouth. If you happen to be looking for the bird and don't see it in the pond with the 'island' and gazebo, try across the street. The two ponds are roughly connected and the Redhead could be on either side of 3A. Even with the overcast skies, this bird is a stunner close up. Cheers, Evan Dalton Kingston, MA evanndalton AT gmail.com Subject: Rough-legged hawk, Deerfield, MA From: g watkevich <gwatkevich AT msn.com> Date: Sat, 6 Feb 2010 16:09:39 -0500 We birded the Deerfield/Turnersfalls/Bernardston/Northfield, Conn River area this morning and recorded 32 species. The highlights were a Rough legged Hawk we sighted behind Deerfield Academy, while driving through the expansive cornfields. We were able to follow it by driving through the cornfields and it cooperated nicely by hovering directly above us. Turnersfalls Rod and Gun Club on the Conn River yielded 5 bluebirds. Northfield, Mt Hermon area, by the river we had a mature Bald Eagle. 4 Golden Crowned Kinglets - Wendel Bridge over the Millers River 8 White throated sparrows - Wendel Bridge over the Millers River 50 Robins - Northfield 14 Mute Swans - Turnersfall Dam 7 Black Ducks 4 Common Mergansers 2m/2f 2 Hood Megansers 2f 2 Ravens Northfield 1 Redtail Northfield Another 20 more common species were sighted. (report from Greg and Kate Watkevich) 2/6/10 _________________________________________________________________ Hotmail: Trusted email with Microsoft’s powerful SPAM protection. http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/201469226/direct/01/ Subject: Correction: Lynn Crow Roost From: Linda Pivacek <lpivacek AT comcast.net> Date: Sat, 06 Feb 2010 14:59:18 -0500 -------- Original Message -------- Subject: Lynn Crow Roost Date: Sat, 06 Feb 2010 14:49:51 -0500 From: Linda Pivacek To: Massbird , Linda Pivacek The correct link is below. sorry, earlier post had incorrect link. February 2, 2010. At dusk I followed crows streaming from 3 different directions and finally honed in on this crow roost in downtown Lynn. Difficult to count them but maybe two thousand plus crows enjoy this roost. It is surrounded by city but there is no access as it is enclosed by a 20ft chain link fence and sandwiched between warehouses and railroad tracks. Not all of the roost is visible. I finally got to see a portion from a small parking lot on State Street beside the Salem Five Bank drive through. You can also see part of the roost from behind the Eastern Bank Corporate Headquarters on Market Street just off the Lynnway. I have often seen crows streaming from the harbor and from Swampscott but they were just sucked into the city and I could not locate the roost until now. Fun! Linda photos taken from 5:03pm to 5:08pm can be found on Phil Brown's excellent website: http://www.nebirdsplus.com/CrowRoost.htm Linda Pivacek, Nahant lpivacek AT comcast.net Subject: Lynn Crow Roost From: Linda Pivacek <lpivacek AT comcast.net> Date: Sat, 06 Feb 2010 14:49:51 -0500 February 2, 2010. At dusk I followed crows streaming from 3 different directions and finally honed in on this crow roost in downtown Lynn. Difficult to count them but maybe two thousand plus crows enjoy this roost. It is surrounded by city but there is no access as it is enclosed by a 20ft chain link fence and sandwiched between warehouses and railroad tracks. Not all of the roost is visible. I finally got to see a portion from a small parking lot on State Street beside the Salem Five Bank drive through. You can also see part of the roost from behind the Eastern Bank Corporate Headquarters on Market Street just off the Lynnway. I have often seen crows streaming from the harbor and from Swampscott but they were just sucked into the city and I could not locate the roost until now. Fun! Linda photos taken from 5:03pm to 5:08pm can be found on Phil Brown's excellent website: Linda Pivacek, Nahant lpivacek AT comcast.net Subject: Tufted Duck continues in Wayland, 6 February 2010 (fwd) From: Barbara M Volkle <barb620 AT TheWorld.com> Date: Sat, 6 Feb 2010 14:29:51 -0500 Thanks to John Hines for the following ---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Sat, 6 Feb 2010 14:21:11 -0500 From: John Hines To: barb620 AT theworld.com, dendroica AT hotmail.com Subject: Tufted Duck continues in Wayland, 6 February 2010 Hi Barbara, I haven't seen any Tufted Duck postings on MASSBIRD yet today, 6 February 2010, so I thought MASSBIRDers who haven't seen the bird would like to know that it was readily visible from River Road, Wayland with two Lesser Scaup at 1:35 PM. So far the duck hasn't shown any inclination to move beyond the section of the Sudbury River between Route 20 and Route 27. The Route 20 bridge and River Road (between Route 27 and Water Row), where the road bends sharply, continue to be the two best spots to check. John Hines Framingham, MA Subject: Townsend's Solitaire, Yarmouthport, MA -- Saturday, Feb. 6, 2010 -- NO From: "Peter R. Bono" <pbono AT prba.com> Date: Sat, 06 Feb 2010 11:34:34 -0500 FYI. I looked twice today (Saturday, Feb. 6)--at 0730 and 1000-1030. Not seen. Last seen at about 0900 on Thursday, Feb. 4. Peter R. Bono Yarmouthport, MA 02675 phone (h): +1-508-375-9421 Subject: Eagle on the Charles in Boston From: "Greg Dysart" <dysart AT volume3.com> Date: Fri, 5 Feb 2010 20:14:08 -0500 Friday, Feb 5' 10 9:15 am There was an immature Bald Eagle soaring over the Charles River this morning seen from Soldiers Field Road in Allston (Boston) just before the Arsenal Street bridge. I pulled into Martignetti Liquors' parking area to watch the bird soar in the sky to the east. The eagle then dived down towards the river, talons first. I lost him in the tree line. This section of the Charles is almost opposite from Mt Auburn Cemetery, so keep an eye out on both sides of the river. First Eagle I've seen in the Boston Cambridge area. Greg Dysart dysart AT volume3.com http://dysart.zenfolio.com/ Subject: 2/5 Cambridge and Belmont: Wood Duck, Mergansers From: Ryan Schain <ryanschain AT gmail.com> Date: Fri, 5 Feb 2010 18:44:12 -0500 Massbirders, I birded Cambridge and a bit in Belmont from 8 am to 1 pm today. Alewife Reservation was quiet, as was Little Pond and Blair Pond. On the way to Fresh Pond I stopped at Clay Pit Pond in Belmont, and had 1 nice male WOOD DUCK in with the Mallards on the west end of the pond, near the small waterfall. On my way back to Boston, I got off the train at MGH near Longfellow Bridge, after seeing an area of unfrozen water on the Cambridge side of the Charles River (just north of the bridge). I walked back across the bridge and had 6 COMMON MERGANSERS (1 female/5 males), 1 RED-BREASTED MERGANSER (male), and 2 HOODED MERGANSERS (1 female/ 1 male). The Common and Red-breasted mergansers were on the open water, while the hooded mergansers were in a small inlet under a pedestrian bridge. Photographs of the Wood Duck and most of the above mentioned species from today can be seen here - http://www.flickr.com/photos/ryser915/sets/72157623235623177/detail/ Ryan Schain Boston - Fenway ryanschain AT gmail.com (combined species lists from the different ebird checklists) Location: Cambridge and Belmont - Middlesex County Observation date: 2/5/10 Number of species: 26 Canada Goose 30 WOOD DUCK 1 - Clay Pit Pond, Belmont American Black Duck 6 Mallard 8 Hooded Merganser 2 - Charles River, Cambridge Common Merganser 6 - Charles River, Cambridge Red-breasted Merganser 1 - Charles River, Cambridge Red-tailed Hawk 1 Ring-billed Gull 2 Herring Gull 6 Rock Pigeon 40 Mourning Dove 3 Downy Woodpecker 3 Blue Jay 3 Black-capped Chickadee 10 Tufted Titmouse 1 White-breasted Nuthatch 3 American Robin 150 Northern Mockingbird 1 European Starling 500 American Tree Sparrow 1 Song Sparrow 2 White-throated Sparrow 8 Northern Cardinal 3 House Finch 15 American Goldfinch 7 Subject: Townsend's Solitaire - NO, Northern Shrike - YES From: Alexander Burdo <alexanderburdo AT mac.com> Date: Fri, 05 Feb 2010 17:49:57 -0500 From Alex and Gerry Burdo and James Randall: We searched extensively with the help of Peter Bono and were unable to turn up the Townsend's Solitaire. Then we went on to Marstons Mills Airport and after 15 minutes of scanning found the beautiful adult Northern Shrike in a deciduous tree about 25 feet tall at the edge of the runway across from a pull off along 149 (Prospect St).When you park look NW. As it got dark the bird flew off probably to roost. Alex Burdo Fairfield, CT Yarmouthport, MA Subject: Date: Fri, 5 Feb 2010 17:26:29 -0500 From: g watkevich <gwatkevich AT msn.com> Date: Fri, 5 Feb 2010 17:28:01 -0500 I had a nice sighting of Northern Goshawk on Rt2 west, just after exit 22 west, 3:30 pm. I pulled over for a good view and the bird was perched very upright, high in a deciduous tree. It was an adult male with full gray plumage, light gray underside, dark head with visible white supercillium, upper white tailcoverts were also visible. Also had 2 red tails perched along the drive. Greg Watkevich _________________________________________________________________ Hotmail: Trusted email with powerful SPAM protection. http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/201469227/direct/01/ Subject: RE: Adult Bald Eagle on deer carcass at Allens Pond From: Paul Champlin <skua99 AT hotmail.com> Date: Fri, 5 Feb 2010 17:02:06 -0500 Hi all, The eagle had left by the time I got there but there is quite a bit of activity at the deer site. You can make a quick assessment of the situation from the spot on the dirt road where you split toward the beach loop trail or the quansett trail. Looking out on the marsh, there is a close Osprey nest pole and a close (old) hunter's blind on the south (right) shore of the pond. The blind is pretty small and is at the tip of a peninsula. Look between these two landmarks and look all the way across, against Ruben's Point (which is on the map). Using binoculars, you should be able to see whether anything is at the deer since the deer is on the west side of the point, close to the base of the point. If there is something feeding I suggest walking the quansett trail to the Fresh Pond area. Whatever is there should be easily visible from the marsh juuuust before the rocks where Fresh Pond empties into Allens Pond. The deer has been there since about Wed. and has been well picked at by coyotes etc. There's still plenty there and it's being well preserved by the cold. Best Paul Westport, MA From: skua99 AT hotmail.com To: massbird AT theworld.com Subject: Adult Bald Eagle on deer carcass at Allens Pond Date: Fri, 5 Feb 2010 13:31:19 -0500 Hi Folks, I just got a report from Mike Beresky that there's an adult Bald Eagle foraging on a deer carcass on the ice at Allens Pond in South Dartmouth. I'm told that the best viewing can be done from near the fresh pond on the fresh pond trail. Maps can be found at this site: http://www.massaudubon.org/Nature_Connection/Sanctuaries/Allens_Pond/maps.php Best Paul Westport, MA Hotmail: Free, trusted and rich email service. Get it now. _________________________________________________________________ Hotmail: Powerful Free email with security by Microsoft. http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/201469230/direct/01/ Subject: Osterville & Marstons Mills From: Mary Keleher <maryeak AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 5 Feb 2010 11:31:02 -0800 (PST) This morning I birded in Osterville to follow up on a report of an Atlantic Puffin in the channel at Dowses Beach. No luck with the puffin. Ran into George Martin while there. He reported seeing a Northern Shrike at the Marstons Mills Airport. I had much better luck with the shrike. Brant - 27 Canada Goose - 26 Mute Swan - 6 Gadwall - 13 American Black Duck - 31 Mallard - 34 Green-winged Teal - 6 Ring-necked Duck - 2 Greater Scaup - 52 Greater/Lesser Scaup - 12 Common Eider - 235 Surf Scoter - 5 Bufflehead - 260 Common Goldeneye - 28 Hooded Merganser - 10 Red-breasted Merganser - 27 Common Loon - 6 Pied-billed Grebe - 1 Horned Grebe - 1 Accipiter sp. - 1 Black-headed Gull - 3 Ring-billed Gull - 17 Herring Gull - 61 Great Black-backed Gull - 27 Downy Woodpecker - 2 Northern Shrike - 1 Blue Jay - 5 American Crow - 21 Black-capped Chickadee - 65 Tufted Titmouse - 20 Red-breasted Nuthatch - 1 White-breasted Nuthatch - 2 Carolina Wren - 3 Golden-crowned Kinglet - 2 American Robin - 32 Yellow-rumped Warbler - 5 Song Sparrow - 8 White-throated Sparrow - 6 Dark-eyed Junco - 6 Northern Cardinal - 11 Red-winged Blackbird - 1 House Finch - 10 American Goldfinch - 27 House Sparrow - 13 Mary Keleher, Mashpee, MA Subject: hooded mergansers From: Barbara J Lawless <w-blawless AT comcast.net> Date: Fri, 5 Feb 2010 14:15:58 -0500 Female Hooded Mergansers have been seen on the Stop River at the Norfolk/Walpole line several times in the past week; 3-5 females. That's at the end of West St., Walpole. (There's another Stop River crossing nearby) Barbara Lawless Walpole, MA Subject: Tufted Duck From: marj AT mrines.com Date: Fri, 05 Feb 2010 18:55:39 +0000 I just got a call from Simon Perkins who is looking at the bird now about 200-300 yards south of the Route 27 bridge. Subject: Adult Bald Eagle on deer carcass at Allens Pond From: Paul Champlin <skua99 AT hotmail.com> Date: Fri, 5 Feb 2010 13:31:19 -0500 Hi Folks, I just got a report from Mike Beresky that there's an adult Bald Eagle foraging on a deer carcass on the ice at Allens Pond in South Dartmouth. I'm told that the best viewing can be done from near the fresh pond on the fresh pond trail. Maps can be found at this site: http://www.massaudubon.org/Nature_Connection/Sanctuaries/Allens_Pond/maps.php Best Paul Westport, MA _________________________________________________________________ Hotmail: Free, trusted and rich email service. http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/201469228/direct/01/ Subject: Tufted duck From: Paul Cozza <pcozza AT alum.mit.edu> Date: Fri, 5 Feb 2010 12:47:43 -0500 The Tufted Duck is still present on the Sudbury River as of 12:45 today. It is currently with a pair of Scaup and some Hooded Mergansers. I am observing it from River Rd. looking south down the river. Paul Cozza Subject: Friday, February 5 - Catbirds in Scituate From: "John Galluzzo" <jgalluzzo AT massaudubon.org> Date: Fri, 5 Feb 2010 12:34:51 -0500 Mass Audubon's South Shore Sanctuaries' Friday Morning Birders went northward along the coast this week to Scituate, finding 46 species, including two GRAY CATBIRDS in the thickets near the Scituate Country Club. Here are the highlights: Brant Mute swan Common eider Harlequin ducks Surf scoters White-winged scoters Buffleheads Common goldeneyes Red-breasted mergansers Common loon Horned grebe Red-necked grebe Great cormorant (with breeding patches) Great blue herons Red-tailed hawk Dunlin Hairy woodpecker Red-breasted nuthatch Carolina wren Gray catbirds Northern mockingbird Cedar waxwings Yellow-rumped warblers White-throated sparrow Dark-eyed juncos John Galluzzo Adult Education Coordinator Citizen Science Coordinator Mass Audubon South Shore Sanctuaries 2000 Main Street Marshfield MA 02050 jgalluzzo AT massaudubon.org www.massaudubon.org/southshorejournal Find us on Facebook! 781-837-9400 Subject: Barrow's correction From: <peebsfam AT msn.com> Date: Fri, 5 Feb 2010 12:11:00 -0500 That's Mill Street, Dover (not Dedham) for the Barrow's Goldeneye- corrected below. Doug From: peebsfam AT msn.com To: massbird-digest AT theworld.com Subject: Barrow's, Tufted Continue Date: Fri, 5 Feb 2010 10:38:07 -0500 -Charles River, Mill Street, Dover Saw one beautiful male and a female Barrow's Goldeneye diving together very close to the road at 9 AM, then paddling down stream by 09:10. I think they were reported Monday and Tuesday at this location at the same time of day, but were missed by me and others later in the day on Wednesday. I'd try early morning near the waterfall. -Sudbury River, Route 20, Wayland Joined a group of birders at about 10 AM who had the Tufted Duck, 2 Lesser Scaup, 2 Common Goldeneyes, 2 or 3 Common Mergansers and a couple of Swans about 200 yards north of the bridge. Thanks to Ida for letting me peek in her scope. Doug Peebles Wayland peebsfam AT msn.com Subject: Re: Barrow's, Tufted Continue From: Ilija Dukovski <ilija.dukovski AT gmail.com> Date: Fri, 5 Feb 2010 11:05:22 -0500 Doug, thanks for the report about the Barrow's. I'll try to get there over the weekend. google maps shows a Mill street in Dover NEAR Dedham. Is that correct, is Mill St. in Dover where the ducks are? Thanks, Subject: Barrow's, Tufted Continue From: <peebsfam AT msn.com> Date: Fri, 5 Feb 2010 10:38:07 -0500 -Charles River, Mill Street, Dedham Saw one beautiful male and a female Barrow's Goldeneye diving together very close to the road at 9 AM, then paddling down stream by 09:10. I think they were reported Monday and Tuesday at this location at the same time of day, but were missed by me and others later in the day on Wednesday. I'd try early morning near the waterfall. -Sudbury River, Route 20, Wayland Joined a group of birders at about 10 AM who had the Tufted Duck, 2 Lesser Scaup, 2 Common Goldeneyes, 2 or 3 Common Mergansers and a couple of Swans about 200 yards north of the bridge. Thanks to Ida for letting me peek in her scope. Doug Peebles Wayland peebsfam AT msn.com Subject: Tufted Duck relocated in Wayland, late afternoon, 4 February 2010 (fwd) From: Barbara M Volkle <barb620 AT TheWorld.com> Date: Fri, 5 Feb 2010 07:35:46 -0500 Thanks to John Hines for the following ---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Thu, 4 Feb 2010 17:47:32 -0500 From: John Hines To: barb620 AT theworld.com, dendroica AT hotmail.com Subject: Tufted Duck relocated in Wayland, late afternoon, 4 February 2010 Hi Barbara, I haven't seen any reports of the Wayland Tufted Duck, positive or negative, on MASSBIRD today, 4 February 2010, so I don't know if birders looking for it have had any luck finding it. In any case, I checked the Route 20 bridge shortly after noon -- there were no waterfowl in the first stretch of river that runs due north from the bridge. I could see several Mute Swans as well as Hooded and Common Mergansers far off to the northwest downstream, but no Aythya or goldeneye. Checks of the other nearby Sudbury River crossings (Pelham Island Road and River Road/Route 27) produced additional Mute Swans, Hooded Mergansers, Common Mergansers as well as Common Goldeneye (River Road only) but again no Aythya. I did run into a couple of birders at the Pelham Island Road bridge but they hadn't had any luck locating the Tufted Duck. Of course, there is a lot of river to cover and much of it is not visible from any road crossings. In particular, the Sudbury River meanders significantly between Route 20 and Route 27, providing lots of places for ducks to hide. Another factor to keep in mind in the presence of at least one Bald Eagle, which will certainly move the ducks around. Although I struck out while searching for the Tufted Duck at noontime, I decided to stop one more time at the Route 20 bridge while running an errand late this afternoon (4:08 PM). Bingo! The drake Tufted Duck and its two scaup companions were back, several hundred feet downriver in the vicinity of the more distant orange and white buoy marker (a USFWS speed limit sign - 10 MPH). The ducks were still present when I left a few minutes later (4:12 PM). Persistence pays off! For anyone searching for this bird, I would recommend checking the aforementioned river crossings: Route 20, Pelham Island Road, and River Road/Route 27 as well as the old railroad bridge just south of Route 20 and west of Russell's Garden Center. If the Tufted Duck moves farther downstream north of Route 27, it will be very difficult to find because of the remoteness of the river channel, which is narrowly open is some sections. On the other hand, if the Tufted Duck moves upriver beyond Pelham Island Road, it might be worthwhile walking the perimeter of the Heard Farm Conservation Area, where there are a couple of spots overlooking the river at the southeast and southwest corners of the property. The main entrance to the conservation area is at the end of Heard Road off Pelham Island Road. Use the following link to view a trail map: http://www.wayland.ma.us/conservation/heardfarm.pdf Good luck! John Hines Framingham, MA Subject: Bolton Flats 2/4 From: Tom Pirro <alurap AT verizon.net> Date: Thu, 04 Feb 2010 23:10:10 -0600 (CST) I walked the north section of Bolton flats late afternoon/early evening, hilights only: Great Horned Owl 1 Northern Shrike 1 Common Grackle 2200 Red-winged Blackbird 1900 The blackbirds were headed north, to roost, in two seperate flocks, the first was ~80% Grackles, including one with a white tail, the 2nd flock was ~80% Red-wings. Tom Pirro Westminster, Ma. http://tpirro.blogspot.com/