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18 Mar Tuesday...looking for the Eurasian Wigeon ["Serpico" ] 18 Mar Thursday, 3/18 [Philip Budlong ] 18 Mar Durfee Hill MA [] 17 Mar Great Horned Owl ["Walter" ] 16 Mar Wigeon hybrid and Kestrel ["Greg Sargeant" ] 16 Mar ASRI Kimball Refuge Tuesday group, 3/16 [Philip Budlong ] 15 Mar Eurasian x American Wigeon back at Apponaug [Greg Sargeant ] 15 Mar Re: Common Loon @ Sabin Point [Glenn Williams ] 14 Mar Common Loon @ Sabin Point [Donna Rustigian ] 14 Mar Birds and Beers [James Tarrant ] 13 Mar Saturday, 3/13 [Philip Budlong ] 13 Mar Block Island ["Thomas M" ] 12 Mar Eurasian Wigeon ["Gregory P. Sargeant MS Ed. BCBA" ] 11 Mar Great Swamp MA [] 11 Mar Name on post ["Serpico" ] 11 Mar Message for Ted. ["Serpico" ] 11 Mar Eurasian Wigeon-EP ["Serpico" ] 11 Mar Bald Eagle and Herons over Wampanoag Trail ["Serpico" ] 11 Mar Birds n' Beers part two! 3/15 ["eric88kp" ] 11 Mar Birds n' Beers part two! ["eric88kp" ] 10 Mar Bald Eagle [] 10 Mar Eastern Phoebe ["Roger J. Masse" ] 10 Mar TUFTED DUCK at Turner Reservoir ["Greg Sargeant" ] 9 Mar RBA: Rhode Island, March 9, 2010 [] 9 Mar Tufted Duck at Turner Reservoir-Yes ["Gregory P. Sargeant MS Ed. BCBA" ] 9 Mar Pileated Woodpecker [] 9 Mar Tufted Duck [CATLEY/PEDRO ] 09 Mar Tufted Duck, 3/9 ["eric88kp" ] 09 Mar Eurasian Wigeon ["Serpico" ] 9 Mar ASRI Kimball Refuge Tuesday group, 3/9 [Philip Budlong ] 09 Mar Tufted Duck--Turner Reservoir ["ofhlaith_obrien" ] 8 Mar Re: Trustom Pond, 3-8-10 [Don Morgan ] 09 Mar Trustom Pond, 3-8-10 ["mntncougar" ] 08 Mar Walker Farm, Barrington ["Serpico" ] 08 Mar Providence area birds 3/8 ["eric88kp" ] 08 Mar Unknown Warwick duck. Please HELP. ["Becki" ] 08 Mar Red Breasted Mergansers Passeonkquis Cove ["Becki" ] 08 Mar woodcock spots? ["jdavids13" ] 08 Mar Block Island ["Thomas M" ] 08 Mar Osprey -- late in posting ["acw02806" ] 07 Mar Eurasian Widgeon, East Providence ["eric88kp" ] 7 Mar Saturday, 3/6 [Philip Budlong ] 06 Mar Pelagic Images ["Michelle St.Sauveur" ] 06 Mar Woodcock ["Bryan and Sarah" ] 6 Mar Pelagic results [] 06 Mar Great Swamp Management Area ["pletoile2000" ] 06 Mar Conimicut Point ["legaleagle422" ] 06 Mar Block Island ["Thomas M" ] 5 Mar Friday. 3/5 [Philip Budlong ] 05 Mar RED SHOULDERED HAWK ["Bryan and Sarah" ] 4 Mar Cod Boat Pelagic [CATLEY/PEDRO ] 4 Mar Beavertail [] 4 Mar Pelagic [] 3 Mar Iceland Gull [] 02 Mar Sachuest Point NWR on Sunday, 2/28 [Bruce Larson ] 03 Mar 3-2-10 Trustom Pond ["mntncougar" ] 2 Mar ASRI Kimball Refuge Tuesday group, 3/2 [Philip Budlong ] 02 Mar Bird ID-Colt Park..Thanks everyone ["Serpico" ] 02 Mar Bird ID-Colt Park ["Serpico" ] 02 Mar Block Island ["Thomas M" ] 01 Mar wood ducks ["Bryan and Sarah" ] 01 Mar Block Island ["Thomas M" ] 1 Mar RE: Barrow's Goldeneye in Rhode Island [Shaibal Mitra ] 28 Feb Seapowet Marsh ["Greg Sargeant" ] 28 Feb Sapowet Marsh, Tiverton, Feb 28 [alice morgan ] 28 Feb Barrow's Goldeneye in Rhode Island [Tom Auer ] 28 Feb RBA: Rhode Island, February 28, 2010 [] 27 Feb Saturday, 2/27 [Philip Budlong ] 27 Feb Horned Larks at Colt State Park 2/27 ["kylerosenblad" ] 26 Feb Iceland Gulls at Apponaug ["Gregory P. Sargeant MS Ed. BCBA" ] 26 Feb COlt Park, Bristol Harbor ["Serpico" ] 26 Feb Virginia Rail, American Bittern ["Michelle St.Sauveur" ] 26 Feb Block Island ["Thomas M" ] 25 Feb Gull - again - false alarm ["eric88kp" ] 25 Feb Probable Mew Gull - Watchemoket ["eric88kp" ] 24 Feb Bristol Loon ["Serpico" ] Subject: Tuesday...looking for the Eurasian Wigeon From: "Serpico" <butchlombardi AT verizon.net> Date: Thu, 18 Mar 2010 19:41:29 -0000 I took a ride over the EP to see if I could locate the Eurasian Wigeon again. I did not find him in the pond. There were a few Wigeons but no Eurasian. There was a large raft of Lesser Scaup on the Salt Water side but I was looking into the sun and if he was in that group I couldn't see well enough to pick him out. There was, however, a Horned Grebe fishing on the salt water side of the pond. I waited until he dove and while he was under I got myself into a position on the rocks. Over time he worked his way toward me. I've attached one of the better pictures I got. http://eastbayimages.zenfolio.com/img/v4/p350346258-4.jpg Butch Lombardi Warren RISubject: Thursday, 3/18 From: Philip Budlong <blp8391 AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 18 Mar 2010 09:11:48 -0700 (PDT) This morning at TNC's Francis Carter Preserve, Carolina, there was 1 Northern
Flicker, 2 Eastern Bluebirds, ~35 American Robins and the calling of Wood
Frogs. Phil Budlong, Westerly
Subject: Durfee Hill MAFrom: DLSaint AT aol.com Date: Thu, 18 Mar 2010 11:27:42 EDT Nice walk around Durfee Hill MA in West Glocester: 2 EASTERN BLUEBIRD, (the male singing at the check station on Route 94) 2 RED-BREASTED NUTHATCHES, 1 BROWN CREEPER, 3 GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLETS and many trilling Juncos. Jan St.Jean Chepachet, RISubject: Great Horned Owl From: "Walter" <wfbosse AT cox.net> Date: Wed, 17 Mar 2010 20:23:37 -0400 The Great Horned Owl was on the Osprey nest today, and on the way out I passed 3-Mourning Cloaks a 1-Eastern Comma. Walyer BosseSubject: Wigeon hybrid and Kestrel From: "Greg Sargeant" <sargeguy AT earthlink.net> Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2010 20:50:24 -0400 The American Kestrel was present along Save the Bay Rd in Providence this morning The apparent Eurasian x American Wigeon was present in Apponaug at noon today. Greg Sargeant ProvidenceSubject: ASRI Kimball Refuge Tuesday group, 3/16 From: Philip Budlong <blp8391 AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2010 09:51:16 -0700 (PDT) On an ASRI Kimball Refuge Tuesday group walk this morning at Trustom Pond NWR,
Matunuck: Great Cormorants, American Wigeon, American Black Ducks, 2
Green-winged Teal, Greater Scaup, Lesser Scaup, Common Goldeneye, Hooded
Mergansers, Ruddy Ducks, 1 FOX SPARROW (at feeder) and calling Red-winged
Blackbirds. At Perry's Mill Pond, Matunuck there was 1 Great Blue Heron,
Gadwall, American Black Ducks, Ring-necked Ducks and Buffleheads. Phil Budlong,
Westerly
Subject: Eurasian x American Wigeon back at ApponaugFrom: Greg Sargeant <sargeguy AT earthlink.net> Date: Mon, 15 Mar 2010 18:39:52 -0400 (GMT-04:00) A presumed drake Eurasian x American Wigeon hybrid was present at the Midgley Ave. marsh in Apponaug this afternoon. The duck may be the same individual that was present in the same spot a couple of months ago. A photo can be viewed at: http://picasaweb.google.com/sargeguy.RI/BirdPhotos#5448956035069372770 Video may be viewed at: http://vimeo.com/10186618 Greg Sargeant Providence, RISubject: Re: Common Loon @ Sabin Point From: Glenn Williams <gswilliams9 AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 15 Mar 2010 05:40:37 -0700 (PDT) Donna, Â It sounds like you were seeing Brant, not Common Loons. Â Glenn Williams Mystic, CT --- On Sun, 3/14/10, Donna RustigianSubject: Common Loon @ Sabin Point From: Donna Rustigian <artdon2001 AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 14 Mar 2010 19:34:16 -0700 (PDT) I took a ride down to Sabin Point to see what was around. There were a handful
of ring-billed seagulls and a raft of Common Loon (maybe 30-40). They were on
land grazing on the grass. As I drove into the parking lot, I thought I was
seeing Canada Goose but realized the closer I got that they were Common Loon.
I got out of the car and walked along the path. After a short time, they flew
away squawking.
Subject: Birds and BeersFrom: James Tarrant <jimtarrant5 AT gmail.com> Date: Sun, 14 Mar 2010 16:47:53 -0800 Hey all, Just a reminder, tomorrow night Eric Lopresti and I plus many others will be at Doherty's Pub in Pawtucket for a Birds and Beers get together. Monday is wing night at Doherty's so we can consume birds while we talk about them. Email if you need directions, hope to see you tomorrow! Jimmy Tarrant Providence, RISubject: Saturday, 3/13 From: Philip Budlong <blp8391 AT yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 13 Mar 2010 11:51:08 -0800 (PST) Birding this morning with Kathy Patric, Carlos Pedro and Scott Tsagarakis at
Perry's Mill Pond, Matunuck, there were Ring-necked Ducks, Hooded Mergansers
and an EASTERN TOWHEE. At Squantum Point, East Providence, there were American
Wigeon, a large raft of Greater Scaup, Red-breasted Mergansers and a vocal
Red-bellied Woodpecker. The Eurasian Wigeon was not located. At Turner
Reservoir there were Great Cormorants, Ring-necked Ducks, Scaup sp., Common
Merganser and Ruddy Ducks. The Tufted Duck was not located. At Route 3 turf
fields, Richmond, there were ~40 Horned Larks. In Westerly at Watch Hill
Lighthouse there were 14 Brant, and at Ocean Breeze Farm, Weekapaug, there were
2 Wild Turkeys and numbers of Red-winged Blackbirds and Common Grackles in a
mixed flock of Blackbirds. Early afternoon the was a FOX SPARROW with a
distinctive prominent white streak on either side of its neck at the feeders at
Trustom Pond NWR, Matunuck. Phil Budlong, Westerly
Subject: Block IslandFrom: "Thomas M" <sunsetseeker78 AT yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 13 Mar 2010 16:43:07 -0000 10MAR2010 Along the west side of the island in the morning. Common loons, and both grebes are starting to congregate. common loon - 129 horned grebe - 100 red-necked grebe - 7 great cormorant - 13 red-throated loon - 3 11MAR2010 SE LIGHT 0735-0935 kumlien's gull - 1 (adult) white-winged scoter - 10 black scoter - 84 surf scoter - 34 great cormorant - 10 common loon - 14 red-breasted merganser common eider red-necked grebe - 2 black guillemot - 1 (adult basic) long-tailed duck - 8 killdeer - 1 horned grebe - 2 red-throated loon - 1 Great Salt Pond had 22 common loons. 12MAR2010 Spring Street kumlien's gull - 1 (adult) ring-billed gull - 5 common goldeneye SE Light razorbill - 7 northern harrier - 1 2nd Bluffs great cormorant - 8 common loon - 8 pacific loon - (adult basic) northern gannet - 11 black scoter - 13 white-winged scoter - 5 surf scoter - 2 On the 11th and 12th I observed many gulls, all species observed and even common eiders, feeding on very small food items that they were picking off from the surface, or just slightly under the surface of the water. Any ideas as to what they would be feeding upon? My guess is that something is spawning right now and they are feeding upon the eggs. Whether it be fish, or shellfish I would not know. It would be interesting to hear what others think. Cheers! -Tom M.Subject: Eurasian Wigeon From: "Gregory P. Sargeant MS Ed. BCBA" <sargeguy AT earthlink.net> Date: Fri, 12 Mar 2010 18:41:50 -0500 The EURASIAN WIGEON was present off the East Providence bike path in the pond next to the Squantum Association. A picture of the duck can be seen here: http://picasaweb.google.com/sargeguy.RI/DropBox?authkey=Gv1sRgCIDNjqqav_3-qwE&pli=1&gsessionid=uS0ZzakLenvi7LlbT_aGtg#5447872893216355074 Video can be seen here: http://vimeo.com/10124362 Greg Sargeant Providence, RISubject: Great Swamp MA From: DLSaint AT aol.com Date: Thu, 11 Mar 2010 19:24:12 EST A good place to see the GREAT HORNED OWL on the Osprey nest at Great Swamp is from the hillside above the impoundment. With a scope, you feel like it is at eye level. Other birds today: 5 RUSTY BLACKBIRDS (2nd swamp past the parking lot) 2 AMERICAN TREE SPARROWS, 2 HAIRY WOODPECKERS, 1 GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET, 2 EASTERN TOWHEES, 1 EASTERN BLUEBIRD, 1 MERLIN, 63 RING-NECKED DUCKS and 8 GREEN-WINGED TEAL. Jan St.Jean Chepachet, RISubject: Name on post From: "Serpico" <butchlombardi AT verizon.net> Date: Thu, 11 Mar 2010 19:07:51 -0000 I keep forgetting to add my name on my posts. The Eurasian Wigeon and Great Blue Heron posts above were mine. Butch Lombardi Warren RISubject: Message for Ted. From: "Serpico" <butchlombardi AT verizon.net> Date: Thu, 11 Mar 2010 19:05:47 -0000 I just got a message from Ted on my website. I'm unable to answer because there was no return email address. So Ted, when you get this contact me through the group and I'll fill you in on what little I know. Butch Lombardi Warren RISubject: Eurasian Wigeon-EP From: "Serpico" <butchlombardi AT verizon.net> Date: Thu, 11 Mar 2010 17:03:41 -0000 I went back yesterday and found the EW still in the pond at Squantum Woods. I managed to get a few pictures that were better than the ones I posted earlier. I noticed several people observing the duck from the bike path while I was there. I also met another photographer there. I'm attaching a slide show from yesterday. At the end is a Golden Crowned kinglet that I got a quick shot of. There were 2 in the woods on the trail down to the pond. It's a bad picture but it's worth documenting it. http://eastbayimages.zenfolio.com/p962115606/slideshowSubject: Bald Eagle and Herons over Wampanoag Trail From: "Serpico" <butchlombardi AT verizon.net> Date: Thu, 11 Mar 2010 16:37:09 -0000 When I saw Tom's post it reminded me of something I've been wanting to post here. I think I know where the herons were coming from. Last spring I was out with my camera and ran into a lady who was walking the trail I was on. She asked me what I was shooting. I told her birds. She said I should go to the back of Home Depot in Seekonk because there were a bunch of birds and nests in the woods behind the Garden Shop. A few days later I took a ride and when I drove behind the Garden Shop the trees were full of Great Blue Herons and about a dozen nests...it was a Rookery. There were no leaves on the trees yet so the view was pretty good. You can park right along the fence and it's close enough to observe with the naked eye. I investigated access from along Catamore Blvd in EP and it appears you can get in there although it may be wet and overgrown. The nests are along the Runnins River and are on the RI-MA border. This is one shot I got that day of one of the herons gathering nesting material. http://eastbayimages.zenfolio.com/p558052781/e15b1bf33Subject: Birds n' Beers part two! 3/15 From: "eric88kp" <eric_lopresti AT brown.edu> Date: Thu, 11 Mar 2010 03:03:45 -0000 As I had forgotten to include a date: Monday, 3/15, i.e. next monday!Subject: Birds n' Beers part two! From: "eric88kp" <eric_lopresti AT brown.edu> Date: Thu, 11 Mar 2010 02:38:47 -0000 Since the last one was so much fun, we decided it would be fun to have another. This one will be at Doherty's East Avenue Pub in Pawtucket (on Mike Tucker's recommendation). http://www.dohertyseastave.com/ Apparently, it will be wing night, which seems fitting. It is also only blocks from where that Iceland Gull has been seen. I think we will shoot for 7 pm, but feel free to come early/late/whatever. Last time we stayed from 7 until after 11, so plenty of time. Eric LoPresti Providence, RISubject: Bald Eagle From: tom AT smileyman.info Date: Wed, 10 Mar 2010 20:43:53 -0500 Today at 2 PM, I observed one soaring adult BALD EAGLE from the Wampanoag Trail (Route 114) in East Providence in the vicinity of Forbes (baseball) Field near Forbes Street. On Friday, March 5th, I observed 10 WILD TURKEYS on the side of the road from the same location, and on Thursday, March 4th, I observed 8 Great Blue Herons flying west over the trail in approximately the same area. Not bad for the regular commute. Good birding, Tom Seiter Riverside, RISubject: Eastern Phoebe From: "Roger J. Masse" <rjmasse AT mail.uri.edu> Date: Wed, 10 Mar 2010 19:27:11 -0500 Seen and heard singing this afternoon at the Great Swamp WMA headquarters. Can't wait to see what other birds begin arriving with the nice weather we are having. Take care, Roger Roger J. Masse Department of Natural Resources Science University of Rhode Island 105 Coastal Institute in Kingston Kingston, RI 02881Subject: TUFTED DUCK at Turner Reservoir From: "Greg Sargeant" <sargeguy AT earthlink.net> Date: Wed, 10 Mar 2010 06:43:14 -0500 At 5:15PM, the TUFTED DUCK was viewable from the corner of Arcade Ave. and Route 152 in Seekonk. The duck straddled the RI/MA line. Greg Sargeant Providence, RISubject: RBA: Rhode Island, March 9, 2010 From: DLSaint AT aol.com Date: Tue, 9 Mar 2010 21:03:27 EST
* RBA
* Rhode Island
* Statewide
* March 9, 2010
* RIRI1003.09
- Birds mentioned:
TUFTED DUCK
EURASIAN WIGEON
BLACK-HEADED GULL
ICELAND GULL
PACIFIC LOON
BLACK GUILLEMOT
Black-legged Kittiwake
Razorbill
LESSER BLACK-BACED GULL
KING EIDER
Long-tailed Duck
Harlequin Duck
Snow Bunting
Great Horned Owl
Redhead
PILEATED WOODPECKER
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Osprey
American Woodcock
Northern Gannet
COMMON MURRE
DOVEKIE
GLAUCOUS GULL
date: March 9, 2010
(401) 949-5454 or 245-7500 ext 3052
to report: email to: _DLSaint AT aol.com_ (mailto:DLSaint AT aol.com)
coverage: statewide
compiler: Janice St.Jean
transcriber: Janice St.Jean (_DLSaint AT aol_ (mailto:DLSaint AT aol) )
_www.asri.org_ (http://www.asri.org/)
Welcome to the Audubon Society of Rhode Island's bird alert for March 9,
2010. This report covers the period from March 1st to March 9th.. The
next update will be in about one week.
A male TUFTED DUCK was found at the East Providence Reservoir on the 9th.
It was seen with about 40 scaup from Newman Ave, on the south side of the
causeway.
Along the East Bay Bike Path, 1 EURASIAN WIGEON was observed south of the
Squantum Club. A good place to access this body of water is to park at the
Boyden Heights Conservation area, along Boyden Blvd, off Route 103 in East
Providence. There is a small parking lot, and a trail down to the bike
path.
Another EURASIAN WIGEON was recorded at Sachuest Point In Middletown on the
2nd.
At Watchemoket Cove in East Providence, a BLACK-HEADED GULL was reported on
the 9th.
An ICELAND GULL was seen on the 8th along the Seekonk River from Swan Point
Cemetery, and on the 3rd, an ICELAND GULL, possibly the same bird was seen
from the boat launch in Pawtucket.
On the 6th, an adult PACIFIC LOON was reported from Block Island, seen from
the Southeast Light. Other sightings included: 1 female EURASIAN WIGEON, 2
BLACK GUILLEMOTS, 2 BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKES, 70 RAZORBILLS, 1 ICELAND GULL
and an adult LESSER BLACK-BACED GULL.
In Jamestown, at Beavertail Point on the 2nd, an adult KING EIDER was seen,
along with 1 LONG-TAILED DUCK and 25 HARLEQUIN DUCKS.
Two SNOW BUNTINGS were seen at Succotash Marsh in Jerusalem on the 5th.
At the Great Swamp Management Area in South Kingstown, a GREAT HORNED OWL
is nesting in the large Osprey nest in the center of the impoundment.
Three REDHEADS were at Trustom Pond in South Kingstown on the 2nd.
A PILEATED WOODPECKER was seen on the 9th, at Arcadia Management Area in
Exeter, near the old picnic shelter, along the Ben Utter trail, up the hill
from the river. Also 1 YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER was present that day.
An OSPREY was reported near Four Town Farm in Barrington on the 1st.
There are many reports of displaying AMERICAN WOODCOCKS this week.
Finally, birders on a cod boat fishing trip out of Galilee on the 6th
counted the following: 33 NORTHERN GANNET, 20 RAZORBILLS, 5 COMMON MURRES, 8
DOVEKIE, 25 large alcid species, 5 BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKES, 1 1st winter
GLAUCOUS GULL and 2 ICELAND GULLS, one adult and one 1st winter.
The total species count through February is 154.
That's all for this week, thank you for calling and good birding!
- End transcript
Subject: Tufted Duck at Turner Reservoir-YesFrom: "Gregory P. Sargeant MS Ed. BCBA" <sargeguy AT earthlink.net> Date: Tue, 9 Mar 2010 18:48:49 -0500 5:15PM the TUFTED DUCK was viewable from the corner of Arcade Ave and 152 in Seekonk. The duck straddled the RI/MA line. Greg Sargeant ProvidenceSubject: Pileated Woodpecker From: DLSaint AT aol.com Date: Tue, 9 Mar 2010 17:53:17 EST Today at about noon, a male PILEATED WOODPECKER at Arcadia MA near the old picnic shelter, along the Ben Utter trail, up the hill from the river. Also 1 YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER. The Pileated was silent. Jan St.Jean Chepachet, RISubject: Tufted Duck From: CATLEY/PEDRO <dcpedro AT cox.net> Date: Tue, 9 Mar 2010 15:23:34 -0500 At 2PM, the TUFTED DUCK continues to be present on the South side of Newman's Reservoir in line with the entering Massachusetts sign. It is in with a group of of Lesser Scaup. Carlos Pedro Warwick, RISubject: Tufted Duck, 3/9 From: "eric88kp" <eric_lopresti AT brown.edu> Date: Tue, 09 Mar 2010 19:49:22 -0000 I had to go to the MA RMV to get my license renewed today, so on my way back from Attleboro to Providence, I drove by the Turner Res. Therefore I stopped and quickly scanned the ducks. On the north side there were two drake Ring-Necked Ducks, FOS for me. On the south side (East of the island), there were 42 scaup (mostly lesser, at least 1 male greater which caught my eye. As I was scanning the scaup, a beautiful male Tufted Duck came into view. As I had the scope and he was less than 50 yards away, it was an amazing view. He stayed in view the entire time I was there, but after a while put his head in. The tuft was still visible and it was easy to locate him due to the black back. Earlier this morning (9:50 - low tide) there was a Black-Headed Gull at Watchemoket. Eric LoPresti Providence, RISubject: Eurasian Wigeon From: "Serpico" <butchlombardi AT verizon.net> Date: Tue, 09 Mar 2010 18:48:45 -0000 I went to EP today to see if I could find the Eurasian Wigeon. I had been to this pond in the fall and passed it many times on the bike path. It took a little searching but I managed to locate him in with a large group of American Wigeons. They kept to the far side of the pond for the most part although some ventured over to my side but not the Eurasian. I've attached a few pictures. Butch Lombardi Warren RI http://eastbayimages.zenfolio.com/img/v4/p854845226-4.jpg http://eastbayimages.zenfolio.com/img/v7/p641035842-4.jpgSubject: ASRI Kimball Refuge Tuesday group, 3/9 From: Philip Budlong <blp8391 AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 9 Mar 2010 10:09:47 -0800 (PST) On an ASRI Kimball Refuge Tuesday group walk at Arcadia MA, West Greenwich,
this morning there was 1 Turkey Vulture, 2 Red-bellied Woodpeckers, 1 Hairy
Woodpecker, Golden-crowned Kinglets, Dark-eyed Juncos and other more common
forest species. Phil Budlong, Westerly
Subject: Tufted Duck--Turner ReservoirFrom: "ofhlaith_obrien" <cluelessmorgann AT gmail.com> Date: Tue, 09 Mar 2010 17:58:34 -0000 Eric Lopresti just called me to report 1 male tufted duck at the Turner Reservoir. Orla O'Brien Providence, RISubject: Re: Trustom Pond, 3-8-10 From: Don Morgan <mntncougar AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 8 Mar 2010 22:13:23 -0500 Left out the dozen or so Red-breasted and Common Mergansers. On Mon, Mar 8, 2010 at 10:05 PM, mntncougarSubject: Trustom Pond, 3-8-10 From: "mntncougar" <mntncougar AT gmail.com> Date: Tue, 09 Mar 2010 03:05:18 -0000 Still lots of birds in the pond this morning, and I was lucky to see a couple of new ones for the year. Just after I arrived (via the washout on the beach) I spotted a good sized flock of small ducks circling to land. They splashed down fairly close to me and turned out to be GREEN-WINGED TEAL. Best count I got was 19. They landed in a bunch of C Geese, and once on the water almost disappeared. I also spotted a group of birds by themselves cruising the pond, and had a good look at 4 NORTHERN PINTAILS (2 pairs).they took off and landed several times while I was there, including 2 fly-bys low and close to me. Better look than I usually get of pintails in the air. Before I left, the Teal and Pintails took off together, and both groups headed east. No idea if they will be back. There were still 400 plus Greater Scaup present, and in the middle of them I finally picked out 1 REDHEAD. No sign of the other 2 that had been there, and I think they may have left. Its possible they were somewhere else on the pond, though. I couldn't pick out any Gadwall today. Not a raptor in sight either, wonder if the N. Harriers have headed north. More and more Grackles in the area now - 2 Red-winged Blackbirds. 4 Northern Pintails 9 Green-winged Teal 1 Redhead 400+ Greater Scaup c 25 American Wigeon C 15 Buffleheads 4 Black Ducks c 12 Common Goldeneye 7 Mute swans C 300 Canada Geese (constantly flying in and out) 29 Great Cormorants (no sign of DC Cormorants today) Common Grackles Red-winged Blackbirds Song Sparrows in fine voice. Don Morgan Coventry, CtSubject: Walker Farm, Barrington From: "Serpico" <butchlombardi AT verizon.net> Date: Mon, 08 Mar 2010 23:28:25 -0000 I took a walk through Walker Farm off the Wampanoag Trail this morning. Buffle Heads in 100 Acre Cove, several small groups. Flushed a couple of Red Tails. Best find was this guy. I saw him from across the field. I was about 100 yards away. There was a cedar close to him so I walked back until I had the cedar between us an walked directly at the cedar. From behind the tree I could see he was still there. I move behind another cedar closer to the bird and he stayed put. I ran out of cover so I stepped into a position where I could shoot. He was perfectly content to share the space. He finally left and I found him again later perched near the water. I took quite a few pictures and left and he was still there. I was thinking it might be a Merlin but Coopers and Sharp-shinned are also a possibility. I'll leave it to the experts. He was on the smallish size and he was more accepting of my being in his space which led me to think it might be a Merlin. Butch Lombardi Warren RI http://eastbayimages.zenfolio.com/p471313211/e28cb3ccdSubject: Providence area birds 3/8 From: "eric88kp" <eric_lopresti AT brown.edu> Date: Mon, 08 Mar 2010 22:31:09 -0000 Great day of birding today alone and with Michelle Goh and Orla O'Brien. Did East Providence first, getting the Eurasian Widgeon in the same pool as Orla found it yesterday. There was also a drake Red-Breasted Merganser with a broken wing on the shore. At Watchemoket - over a hundred gulls but no Black-Headed, hopefully they are still around, I was hoping they would stay until breeding plumage. At Swan Point: juvenile Iceland Gull out in the river off the NE corner and an adult Bald Eagle perched in a tree on the river. At India Point: Brant in the water, hundreds of gulls but nothing of note (some interesting molting ring-billed). Anyway, even if we had just seen pigeons, it would have been worth it just to get out and walk around. Eric LoPresti Providence, RISubject: Unknown Warwick duck. Please HELP. From: "Becki" <legaleagle422 AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 08 Mar 2010 21:01:09 -0000 Last Friday 3/5 at noon I stopped at Apponaug Cove. The usual populus was well represented ie: Am. Wigeons, Gulls both Ring Billed and Great Black Backed, American Black Ducks and my newfound friend, the unknown brown duck. It was quite "friendly." It followed me around, even when I was in my car leaving! It is a medium sized duck and has a head and bill configuration similair to a mallard. He is brown overall. I do not remember white wing feathers as the photo suggests. The bill was deep yellow with black marks and it's feet were orange. There is a white stripe about the neck. It is assymetrical and doesn't go completely around the neck, rather it is somewhat patchy. Another Warwick watcher has a picture (of what COULD be the same duck) captioned Hybrid domestic Muscovy x American Black Duck. I have viewed several muscovy ducks and I am skeptical this is one. Can anyone please share light on this? I uploaded the photo named mystery duck. I appreciate any educable help! Becki Oakland Beach, RISubject: Red Breasted Mergansers Passeonkquis Cove From: "Becki" <legaleagle422 AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 08 Mar 2010 19:10:45 -0000 40+ RB Mergansers in the cove and north to the open channel side of the rocks located at the end of the breakwall of the Salter Grove at Yesterday Mar. 7th around 3pm .Subject: woodcock spots? From: "jdavids13" <jdavids13 AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 08 Mar 2010 16:06:40 -0000 Hi there - I have somehow never managed to see the woodcock's spring display. Can anyone give me advice about the best places to try to see them? JulieSubject: Block Island From: "Thomas M" <sunsetseeker78 AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 08 Mar 2010 14:47:08 -0000 On Saturday the 6th the female eurasian widgeon was still being seen in town. Horned grebes,long-tailed ducks, all three scoters, common eider, common goldeneye, red-breasted mergansers, red-throated, and common loons are all being seen in good numbers. There were only an handful of razorbills, and a couple of black guillemots seen. An adult pacific loon in basic plumage was seen late in the day from SE Light. It was a distant look, but made you really go through the GISS of the bird. Dan Finizia, Sue Talbot, and Graeme Fincke all got a look at it. This morning the 8th, at SE Light there were two black guillemots, an adult lesser black-backed gull, an adult kumlien's gull, seven great cormorants, and three unknown large alcids. Cheers! -Tom M.Subject: Osprey -- late in posting From: "acw02806" <acw02806 AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 08 Mar 2010 14:05:40 -0000 My wife and son, both saw an osprey perched on the nest near Four Town Farm in Barrington/Rehobeth/Swansea/Seekonk on March 1. It is a nest on top of a large pole that has been used by osprey pairs for the past several years. Haven't seen anything on the light poles at Barrington H.S. field yet, but we could have missed it. Drew Winner Barrington RISubject: Eurasian Widgeon, East Providence From: "eric88kp" <eric_lopresti AT brown.edu> Date: Sun, 07 Mar 2010 18:56:41 -0000 Orla O'Brien just called me to report a drake Eurasian Widgeon at the pond just south of the Squantum club on the bike path. Eric LoPresti Providence, RISubject: Saturday, 3/6 From: Philip Budlong <blp8391 AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 7 Mar 2010 08:18:08 -0800 (PST) Birding this morning with Bob Jones, Mary Jo Murray, Sandy Saunders and Chris
Sidler at Matunuck: 1 Great Blue Heron, Gadwall, American Black Duck, 2
NORTHERN SHOVELERS, Ring-necked Ducks, Hooded Mergansers, Sharp-shinned Hawk,
Northern Mockingbird and Red-winged Blackbird. At Perryville there were 4
Red-winged Hawks circling above the fields and a Northern Mockingbird. At Asa
Pond, Kingston, 1 Great Blue Heron, Gadwall, American Black Ducks, Ring-necked
Ducks, Hooded Mergansers and a Red-tailed Hawk.
Phil Budlong, Westerly
Subject: Pelagic ImagesFrom: "Michelle St.Sauveur" <bittern AT verizon.net> Date: Sat, 06 Mar 2010 23:58:28 -0000 Here's a link to a few photos taken today on the Pelagic Trip including a breeding plumage Common Murre, adult Iceland Gull, and juvenile Glaucous Gull. Use the Full Screen or Slideshow feature to see actual size images. http://picasaweb.google.com/michellelynnsts/March6thPelagic# More to come! Michelle St.Sauveur Coventry, RISubject: Woodcock From: "Bryan and Sarah" <nipata AT yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 06 Mar 2010 23:56:16 -0000 This evening in the great swamp at dusk: 4-6 woodcock calling and displaying Just before sun down: 9 wood duck flyovers 1 field sparrow Bryan & Sarah Glemboski NarragansettSubject: Pelagic results From: DLSaint AT aol.com Date: Sat, 6 Mar 2010 17:12:58 EST Ten birders went on the Frances Fleet cod boat today out of Galilee. Fishing was good, and there were many other party fishing boats in the vicinity. Unfortunately, this meant that the boat was stationary for most of the time, just southwest of Block Island. 33 NORTHERN GANNET, 20 RAZORBILLS, 5 COMMON MURRES, 8 DOVEKIE, 25 large alcid species, 5 BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKES, 1 1st winter GLAUCOUS GULL and 2 ICELAND GULLS, one adult and one 1st winter. Michele will post some photos tomorrow. Jan St.Jean Chepachet, RISubject: Great Swamp Management Area From: "pletoile2000" <pletoile2 AT verizon.net> Date: Sat, 06 Mar 2010 21:43:08 -0000 A Great Horned Owl is nesting in the large Osprey nest in the center of the impoundment. Paul L'Etoile South KingstownSubject: Conimicut Point From: "legaleagle422" <legaleagle422 AT yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 06 Mar 2010 20:30:45 -0000 10:30 am 40+ Brant VERY close to the shore.Subject: Block Island From: "Thomas M" <sunsetseeker78 AT yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 06 Mar 2010 02:35:07 -0000 The past two morning seawatching has been good. 4MAR2010 from 0830-0930 at SE Light. razorbill - 47 thick-billed murre - 1 great cormorant - 10 white-winged scoter - 9 black scoter - 21 surf scoter - 6 long-tailed duck - 3 common loon - 7 northern gannet - 25 There was a distant feeding flock further to the west that the gannets were associated with, so I went to Second Bluffs and tried to get a better look. This flock was spread over ~one mile of water in a relatively thin band. There were numerous large alcids, most razorbills, or at least what I could identify. They were also hard to count as they would fly from one feeding frenzy to another, with birds leaving and others coming. The following is an under count, except for the gannets. northern gannet - 30 razorbill - 70 black-legged kittiwake - 2 red-throated loon - 3 common loon great cormorant - 5 herring gull great black-backed gull Today 5MAR2010 from 0830-0930 at Second Bluffs razorbill - 46 northern gannet - 3 common loon - 2 red-throated loon - 2 red-throated grebe - 1 horned grebe - 1 unknown large alcid - 1 (most likely a thick-billed murre) -Cheers! -Tom M.Subject: Friday. 3/5 From: Philip Budlong <blp8391 AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 5 Mar 2010 16:07:13 -0800 (PST) This evening at Westerly Land Trust's Avondale Farm Preserve several American
Woodcock were calling. Phil Budlong, Westerly
Subject: RED SHOULDERED HAWKFrom: "Bryan and Sarah" <nipata AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 05 Mar 2010 19:29:39 -0000 Today in Great Swamp in west kingston at 12:30pm: 1 Red Shouldered Hawk Bryan Glemboski Narragansett RISubject: Cod Boat Pelagic From: CATLEY/PEDRO <dcpedro AT cox.net> Date: Thu, 4 Mar 2010 19:10:20 -0500 This Saturday a few of us will be going on the Frances Fleet Cod fishing boat out of Galilee to look for pelagic birds. The 'Gail Frances' will be leaving the dock at 5 AM and returning at 3 PM. March has proven to be a good month for wintering Alcids. An opportunity to see them in both Basic and Breeding plumage. Last year at this time we observed many Common Murres, Dovekies,Razorbills, Kittiwakes and we had one Atlantic Puffin. The fare as a birding observer will be half of the Cod Fishing rate of $85 or $42.50. The weather looks good so if anyone is interested please join us. Directions can be obtained at the Frances Fleet Website. Carlos Pedro Warwick, RISubject: Beavertail From: DLSaint AT aol.com Date: Thu, 4 Mar 2010 18:33:15 EST At Beavertail today: 1 RAZORBILL, 1 LONG-TAILED DUCK, 17 HARLEQUIN DUCKS, 1 HORNED GREBE and 1 WHITE-WINGED SCOTER. Landbirds were non-existent! Jan St.JeanSubject: Pelagic From: DLSaint AT aol.com Date: Thu, 4 Mar 2010 18:26:49 EST Birders, Several birders are planning on going on the cod fishing trip this Saturday, on the Frances Fleet. _http://www.francesfleet.com/inshore.html_ (http://www.francesfleet.com/inshore.html) It leaves at 5 AM, return is at 3 PM. Dovekie is a good possibility, along with Common Murre, Razorbills, and Kittiwakes. We had an Atlantic Puffin last year on March 28th, on a cod trip! No reservation, just show up and identify yourself as a birder, and pay half the fishing fare. See you at the dock! Jan St.Jean Chepachet, RISubject: Iceland Gull From: DLSaint AT aol.com Date: Wed, 3 Mar 2010 19:57:21 EST I work in Pawtucket about once a week, and I usually grab a coffee and sit at the boat launch along School Street to unwind for a bit. There are mostly Ring-billed Gulls there, but today there was a beautiful juvenile ICELAND GULL. Yesterday I walked at Lonsdale Marsh and found 2 WOOD DUCKS. Jan St.Jean Chepachet, RISubject: Sachuest Point NWR on Sunday, 2/28 From: Bruce Larson <bruce.r.larson AT verizon.net> Date: Tue, 02 Mar 2010 20:28:59 -0500 Sorry for the late post but tonight was the first chance that I had to finish processing my survey data. Note that preliminary migration activity seems to be taking place: the numbers of common loon and horned grebe are up, and large rafts of seaducks are starting to collect out beyond Sakonnet Bay in the middle of the river. Also, there were 63 Harlequins, which is the highest count that I've had all season. Sachuest Salt Marsh -- 8:40 - 9:00AM Notes: temp 35F, wind ENE 5-6mph, 80% cloud, no precipitation Brant 2 Canada Goose 79 American Black Duck 51 Mallard 22 Bufflehead 7 Ring-billed Gull 2 Herring Gull 9 American Crow 7 Song Sparrow 2 Sachuest Point NWR main refuge -- 9:00AM - 1:00PM Notes: temp 35>>38F, wind ENE 5-8mph, 60% cloud, no precipitation Brant 47 Canada Goose 6 American Black Duck 37 Greater Scaup 18 Common Eider 186 Harlequin Duck 63 Surf Scoter 71 White-winged Scoter 22 Black Scoter 8 Bufflehead 61 Common Goldeneye 43 Red-breasted Merganser 24 Red-throated Loon 1 (Sakonnet Bay) Common Loon 30 Horned Grebe 35 Great Cormorant 27 Red-tailed Hawk 1 Ruddy Turnstone 2 (Sakonnet Bay) Sanderling 54 (Third Beach Purple Sandpiper 55 (Island Rocks) Ring-billed Gull X Herring Gull X Great Black-backed Gull X American Crow 6 Black-capped Chickadee 1 Carolina Wren 2 American Robin 3 Northern Mockingbird 1 European Starling 60 Yellow-rumped Warbler 6 Song Sparrow 3 House Finch 2 This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org) Happy Birding Bruce Larson Milton, MA bruce.r.larson AT verizon.netSubject: 3-2-10 Trustom Pond From: "mntncougar" <mntncougar AT gmail.com> Date: Wed, 03 Mar 2010 00:19:05 -0000 3-2-10 Trustom Pond: Ice is essentially gone c 12 Common Loons 1 Red-throated Loon c 12 American Wigeon c 16 Common Goldeneye c 16 Bufflehead 400 + Greater Scaup 3 Ring-necked Ducks 3 Redheads 6 Black Ducks c 8 Gadwall 150 + Red-breasted Mergansers 2 drake Common Mergansers c 30 Hooded Mergansers c 60 Canada Geese 8 Mute Swans 20 + Great Cormorants 3 Double-crested Cormorants 2 Great Blue Herons 2 Northern Harriers c 8 Greater Black-backed Gulls Herring Gulls Don Morgan Coventry, CTSubject: ASRI Kimball Refuge Tuesday group, 3/2 From: Philip Budlong <blp8391 AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 2 Mar 2010 14:43:20 -0800 (PST) At Perry/Firehouse Pond this morning there were 5 Ring-necked Ducks. On an ASRI
Kimball Refuge Tuesday group trip to Warwick today we started at Apponaug Cove
where we had Horned Grebes, Brant, American Black Ducks, Scaup sp.,
Buffleheads, Common Goldeneye, Hooded Mergansers, Red-breasted Mergansers,
American Coots and singing Song Sparrows. We covered Occupessatuxet Cove from
the south, north and northeast: Horned Grebes, Brant, American Wigeon, American
Black Duck, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Red-breasted Mergansers, American
Coots, 2 MONK PARAKEETS, Northern Flickers calling, 1 Northern Mockingbird,
Song Sparrows singing and Red-winged Blackbirds calling. The Eurasian Wigeon
reported last week was not relocated. At Gaspee Point there were Horned Grebes,
numerous Brant, numerous Scaup sp., Bufflehead and numerous Common Goldeneye,
Phil Budlong, Westerly
Subject: Bird ID-Colt Park..Thanks everyoneFrom: "Serpico" <butchlombardi AT verizon.net> Date: Tue, 02 Mar 2010 22:32:04 -0000 I neglected to put my name and town on that last post. Shai...I guess they think their butt is their best side. I hung around for about 45 mins. trying to get another view. They kept in the thickets and were either out of sight completely or in and out of view with a lot of vegetation in the way. The shot I posted was one of the first, after that all I got was branches. I had to switch to Manual Focus because there was so much stuff the camera couldn't decide. I was thinking of trying again tomorrow but the weather doesn't look good. Butch Lombardi Warren RISubject: Bird ID-Colt Park From: "Serpico" <butchlombardi AT verizon.net> Date: Tue, 02 Mar 2010 21:12:19 -0000 I was in Colt Park today and decided to walk the trails. I reasoned with the warmth after all the bad weather something might show up. I found these guys (3-4) feeding in the thickets near an small pond and stream. They managed to stay out of clear viewing and the only good shot I got was this one ( which is not that good). In trying to ID the bird the closest I can come is a Golden Crowned Kinglet. It has the distinctive yellow stripe on the head bordered by black on either side. Wings and back resemble a Kinglet also....I'll leave final judgement to the experts. http://eastbayimages.zenfolio.com/img/v11/p764056801-5.jpgSubject: Block Island From: "Thomas M" <sunsetseeker78 AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 02 Mar 2010 17:48:45 -0000 Another stellar morning of seawatching was had a SE Light this am. 2MAR2010 from 0745-0900 common eider - 49 black scoter - 43 surf scoter - 22 white-scoter - 11 long-tailed duck - 2 horned grebe - 2 red-necked grebe - 2 great cormorant - 8 northern gannet - 1 common loon - 50 red-throated loon - 7 unknown small alcid - 1 (most likely a dovekie) black guillemont - 2 razorbill - 226 Earlier in the morning on Corn Neck Rd. there was a merlin. In search of pacific loons on the west side of the island was a bust, but here are the highlights: killdeer - 9 horned grebe - 64 long-tailed duck - 1 great cormorant - 26 common loon - 66 red-necked grebe - 1 Most razorbills were heading east, but some flocks were dropping in to forage. There were a couple of flocks numbering 50 and 40! Cheers! -TomSubject: wood ducks From: "Bryan and Sarah" <nipata AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 01 Mar 2010 18:37:34 -0000 Today in Asa pond in Peacedale at 1pm: WOOD DUCK: 2 (1m, 1f) Ring necked duck: 16 Bryan Glemboski Narragansett RISubject: Block Island From: "Thomas M" <sunsetseeker78 AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 01 Mar 2010 19:05:39 -0000 The seawatching has been good over the weekend! I have spent a little each morning at SE Light and it has paid off. Yesterday the 28th, I did a good search of the surrounding waters in search of pacific loons, which I did get to see. Here are the highlights: 27FEB2010 SE Light from 0920-1040 razorbill - 14 black guillemont - 2 common loon - 25 great cormorant - 5 long-tailed duck - 2 Black-legged kittiwake - 1 (ad) northern gannet - 3 red-necked grebe - 3 red-throated loon - 2 horned grebe - 2 black scoter - 4 whitw-winged scoter - 5 surf scoter - 2 common eider red-breasted merganser killdeer - 1 kumlien's gull - 1(ad) different bird than on the 21st, as his one had more dark in the tip of the wing. 28FEB2010 SE Light from 0800-0830 black guillemont - 2 razorbill - 3 white-winged scoter- 1 black scoter - 5 red-breasted merganser great cormorant - 1 red-necked grebe - 1 common loon - 2 long-tailed duck - 2 common eider - 25 Else where around the island common merganser - 3 razorbill - 23 (most of these were very close to shore) great cormorant - 44 red-throated loon - 3 common loon - 73 black scoter - 470 (good numbers displaying and giving their whistling mating call) white-winged scoter - 69 surf scoter - 21 common goldeneye - 94 horned grebe - 30 common eider red-breasted merganser northern gannet - 10 long-tailed duck - 12 red-necked grebe - 1 PACIFIC LOON - 2 (ad and imm in great salt pond) black-bellied plover - 16 sanderling - 7 dunlin - 5 purple sandpiper - 1 black guillemont - 2 1MAR2010 SE Light from 0825-1025 THICK-BILLED MURRE - 1 razorbill - 95 black guillemont - 2 known large alcid - 4 (most likely razorbills) black-legged kittiwake - 5 (4 ad and 1 imm) PACIFIC LOON - 1 (ad in basic plumage) common loon - 40 red-throated loon - 5 long-tailed duck - 4 common eider - 20 red-breatsed merganser - 45 black scoter - 26 surf scoter - 16 white-winged scoter - 2 horned grebe - 3 red-necked grebe - 2 northern gannet - 15 bonaparte's gull - 1 (1st winter) ring-billed gull - 4 great cormorant - 5 Most of these birds were close, (ie. easily identified with a scope), most birds were on the water moving with the tide, which was going west around the point. Shortly after I arrived something started working bait fish from below and their was a feeding frenzy. All the gulls and loons in the area congregated, as did a couple of gannets. The razorbills sarted coming in from the east, there were about 20 present when I got there. his lasted for about a half hour and then the birds disbursed to the west and/or spread out in he area to the west of the lighthouse. The murre flew east to west and I never saw it set down as the razorbills did. The kittiwakes also went to the west, but milled about as they went. The pacific loon was striaght out with a group of common loons. Cheers! and good birding! -Tom M.Subject: RE: Barrow's Goldeneye in Rhode Island From: Shaibal Mitra <Shaibal.Mitra AT csi.cuny.edu> Date: Mon, 1 Mar 2010 08:19:25 -0500 Hi Tom and all,
These are interesting questions. First off, there no doubt that Barrow's
Goldeneyes are reported more frequently in RI nowadays than in the past, and
little doubt that some of this change represents an actual increase in
occurrence, beyond improved detection.
Also relevant is the fact that individuals of this species often return to the
same wintering site year after year, a habit that tends to inflate the species'
status for the list-conscious--I would bet that serious year-listers have
seldom missed the species over the past decade or so.
Although my own birding time in RI has been pretty limited over the last
fifteen years, I've connected with Barrow's Goldeneye quite a few times during
this period, at sites spread all along the coast: Sachuest Pt., Beavertail,
Davisville, Pt. Judith, Trustom Pond, and Watch Hill. The species in not on the
state review list.
Even so, it's difficult to get a feel for how things change over time. I think
that Barrow's Goldeneye used to be much scarcer in RI thirty years ago, but
this is difficult to prove. One hint comes from the old RIOC winter field sheet
that we used to use on the CBCs back in the 80's. This document, which was
designed for single-sheet efficiency as well as accuracy, does not include
Barrow's Goldeneye, which would have been a write-in. It does, however, include
"Arctic Loon" (this was before the split), which gives us an indication as to
the perceived scarcity of the duck in those days. On the other hand, Bob
Conway's "Field Checklist of Rhode Island Birds" (1979) showed seasonal
bar-graphs for regularly occurring species, and Barrow's Goldeneye was included
among these. As a historical curiosity, Conway's BGOL graph is shown as quite
similar to that of Harlequin Duck--rare but regular. Obviously, the latter has
increased even more over the last several decades.
I really don't know which breeding population our birds derive from, but the
safe bet would be the eastern Canadian population. Note, however, that RI is
the winter home of many birds breeding in Iceland (e.g., Black-headed and
Lesser Black-backed Gulls), so that source shouldn't be discounted
uncritically.
Shai Mitra
Bay Shore, NY
________________________________________
From: RIBIRDS AT yahoogroups.com [RIBIRDS AT yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Tom Auer
[mthomasauer AT gmail.com]
Sent: Sunday, February 28, 2010 3:43 PM
To: RIBIRDS AT yahoogroups.com
Subject: [RIBIRDS] Barrow's Goldeneye in Rhode Island
Hello,
I was hoping that someone more knowledgeable than myself about bird
distribution in Rhode Island might be able to enlighten me on the occurrence
and status of Barrow's Goldeneye in the state.
I had a male and a female together this morning at Trustom Pond. For someone
who's mostly birded the midwest, Barrow's Goldeneye sightings are notable, but
they don't seem to get a ton of attention here.
Looking at a number of range maps, I would guess that these are wintering birds
from the northern Labrador population and not vagrants from the western U.S. Is
that the case? And if so, are they regular enough in the winter to not warrant
extra attention.
Interestingly, looking at the eBird maps of the species, a fairly clear divide
between the wintering grounds of the two groups exists in Michigan.
http://ebird.org/ebird/GuideMe?src=changeDate&speciesCodes=bargol&getLocations=northAmerica&reportType=species&monthRadio=on&bMonth=12&eMonth=02&bYear=2000&eYear=2010&continue.x=81&continue.y=15&continue=Continue
Thanks,
Tom Auer
Narragansett, Ri
Think green before you print this email.
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Subject: Seapowet MarshFrom: "Greg Sargeant" <sargeguy AT earthlink.net> Date: Sun, 28 Feb 2010 21:32:55 -0500 At Seapowet this afternoon: I stopped at the Beach and scoped the River, finding nothing too unusual. Entering the field across the street I flushed a large flock of ducks consisting of mostly Mallards and Black Ducks with a few Pintail and Green Winged Teal. As I was driving away a small flock of passerines flew in. I then walked the fields and found 10 EASTERN MEADOWLARKs in the pumpkin patch. A NORTHERN HARRIER kept flushing them, making them easy to locate but hard to sneak up on. I have posted mediocre pictures of a Meadowlark here. http://picasaweb.google.com/sargeguy.RI/BirdPhotos#5443487145191977602 3 Great Cormorant 3 Brant 800 Canada Geese 80 Mallard 20 American Black Duck 5 Northern Pintail 5 Green-Winged Teal 6 Bufflehead 2 Common Goldeneye 3 Hooded Merganser 6 Red-Breasted Merganser 2 Black Scoter 1 Common Loon 1 Horned Grebe 1 Northern Harrier 1 Red-Tailed Hawk 1 Black Vulture 1 Song Sparrow 10 Eastern Meadowlarks Greg Sargeant Providence, RISubject: Sapowet Marsh, Tiverton, Feb 28 From: alice morgan <morgan.alice AT gmail.com> Date: Sun, 28 Feb 2010 17:54:09 -0500 Very pleasant visit to this great location. Kestrel was the highlight. Location: Sapowet Marsh Observation date: 2/28/10 Number of species: 14 Brant (Atlantic) - Branta bernicla hrota 25 Canada Goose - Branta canadensis 50 Mallard - Anas platyrhynchos 15 Northern Pintail - Anas acuta 12 Common Goldeneye - Bucephala clangula 20 Common Loon - Gavia immer 3 Horned Grebe - Podiceps auritus 1 Northern Harrier - Circus cyaneus 1 Red-tailed Hawk - Buteo jamaicensis 1 American Kestrel - Falco sparverius 1 Herring Gull (American) - Larus argentatus smithsonianus X Great Black-backed Gull - Larus marinus X Song Sparrow - Melospiza melodia 1 Eastern Meadowlark - Sturnella magna 1 This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org) -- Alice & Dane Morgan Brookline & S. Dartmouth, MASubject: Barrow's Goldeneye in Rhode Island From: Tom Auer <mthomasauer AT gmail.com> Date: Sun, 28 Feb 2010 15:43:28 -0500 Hello, I was hoping that someone more knowledgeable than myself about bird distribution in Rhode Island might be able to enlighten me on the occurrence and status of Barrow's Goldeneye in the state. I had a male and a female together this morning at Trustom Pond. For someone who's mostly birded the midwest, Barrow's Goldeneye sightings are notable, but they don't seem to get a ton of attention here. Looking at a number of range maps, I would guess that these are wintering birds from the northern Labrador population and not vagrants from the western U.S. Is that the case? And if so, are they regular enough in the winter to not warrant extra attention. Interestingly, looking at the eBird maps of the species, a fairly clear divide between the wintering grounds of the two groups exists in Michigan. http://ebird.org/ebird/GuideMe?src=changeDate&speciesCodes=bargol&getLocations=northAmerica&reportType=species&monthRadio=on&bMonth=12&eMonth=02&bYear=2000&eYear=2010&continue.x=81&continue.y=15&continue=Continue Thanks, Tom Auer Narragansett, RiSubject: RBA: Rhode Island, February 28, 2010 From: DLSaint AT aol.com Date: Sun, 28 Feb 2010 15:05:45 EST * RBA
* Rhode Island
* Statewide
*February 28, 2010
* RIRI1002.28
- Birds mentioned:
YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD
BLACK GUILLEMOT
Black-legged Kittiwake
Razorbill
Long-tailed Duck
Red-necked grebe
Northern Gannet
PACIFIC LOON
DOVEKIE
KING EIDER
EURASIAN WIGEON
American Wigeon
ICELAND GULL
American Bittern
Harlequin Duck
Peregrine Falcon
BLACK-HEADED GULL
American Pipit
BARROW'S GOLDENEYE
Redhead
Green-winged Teal
Canvasback
Wood Duck
Brown Creeper
Rusty Blackbird
Black-crowned Night-Heron
COMMON RAVEN
TUNDRA SWAN
LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL
date: February 28, 2010
(401) 949-5454 or 245-7500 ext 3052
to report: email to: _DLSaint AT aol.com_ (mailto:DLSaint AT aol.com)
coverage: statewide
compiler: Janice St.Jean
transcriber: Janice St.Jean (_DLSaint AT aol_ (mailto:DLSaint AT aol) )
_www.asri.org_ (http://www.asri.org/)
Welcome to the Audubon Society of Rhode Island's bird alert for February
28th, 2010. This report covers the period from February 20th to February
27th. The next update will be in about one week.
A YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD was identified and photographed in a yard in
Warren on the 18th. The bird was only seen that one day, and was reported to
Audubon on the 24th.
Sightings from Block Island included: 4 BLACK GUILLEMOTS, 3 BLACK-LEGGED
KITTIWAKES, 5 RAZORBILLS, 1 LONG-TAIELD DUCK, 1 RED-NECKED GREBE and 1
NORTHERN GANNET on the 26th. On the 21st, 1 PACIFIC LOON was seen in Salt Pond
and off the Southeast end of the island there were 12 RAZORBILLS, 2 BLACK
GUILLEMOTS and 1 DOVEKIE.
On the 20th, a drake KING EIDER was reported from Brenton Point in Newport.
In Warwick on the 20th and the 21st, a male EURASIAN WIGEON was seen with
about 100 AMERICAN WIGEON at Occupessatuxet Cove at Gaspee Point. Also in
Warwick, at Oakland Beach, 1
first winter ICELAND GULL on the 20th, and on the 26th, 2 ICELAND GULLS at
Apponaug Cove, across from the Crow's Nest Restaurant.
An AMERICAN BITTERN was observed at the Charlestown Breachway on the 26th,
and on the 20th, 3 LONG-TAILED DUCKS and a HARLEQUIN DUCK were recorded
there.
In Jerusalem, at Succotash Marsh, a PEREGRINE FALCON was found on the 27th.
At Scarborough State Beach there was 1 BLACK-HEADED GULL and 1 AMERICAN
PIPIT on the 27th.
At Trustom Pond NWR, 1 male BARROW'S GOLDENEYE, 3 REDHEADS, 3 GREEN-WINGED
TEAL, 8 CANVASBACKS and 1 WOOD DUCK. Near the contact station, a BROWN
CREEPER and 11 RUSTY BLACKBIRDS were reported.
In Westerly, at Weekapaug, 1 BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON was noted on the
20th.
Four BLACK-HEADED GULLS were seen at Watchemoket Cove in Providence this
week.
On the 22nd, at Tillinghast Pond Management Area in West Greenwich, 1
COMMON RAVEN was reported, and another COMMON RAVEN was found in Jamestown,
along North Road.
Two TUNDRA SWANS were present in Coventry, at the reservoir along Old Flat
River Road.
Finally, the adult LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL continues to be found at Grassy
Point, at Ninigret NWR in Charlestown.
That's all for this week, thank you for calling and good birding!
- End transcript
Subject: Saturday, 2/27From: Philip Budlong <blp8391 AT yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 27 Feb 2010 15:16:06 -0800 (PST) Birding today with Linda Gardrel, Bob Jones, Paul L'Etoile, Kathy Patric,
Carlos Pedro, Chris Sidler and Scott Tsagarakis at Matunuck there were American
Black Ducks, Hooded Mergansers, 1 GRAY CATBIRD, Song Sparrows, White-throated
Sparrows and calling Northern Cardinals. In Narragansett at Point Judith/Camp
Cronin there were 14 flyover Brant, Common Eider, 1 Northern Harrier, 1
Northern Mockingbird and flyover House Finches. At Scarborough SB there were
Common Eider, 1 BLACK-HEADED GULL and 1 AMERICAN PIPIT. At Hundred Acre Pond,
West Kingston, there were 4 Common Mergansers. In Richmond, on Beaver River
Road, there was 1 Turkey Vulture, 1 Red-bellied Woodpecker, 3 EASTERN
BLUEBIRDS, American Robins and Dark-eyed Juncos. On Shannock Hill Road, a mixed
flock of Black-capped Chickadees, Tufted Titmice, Yellow-rumped Warblers,
White-throated Sparrows and Dark-eyed Juncos. At White Brook there were 2
American Black Ducks and ~65 Gadwall. On Switch Road
in a temporary pond in a turf field there were 42 Northern Pintails. In
Charlestown at Burdickville there was 1 Ring-necked Duck, 2 Golden-crowned
Kinglets and White-throated Sparrows. Ay Perry/Firehouse Pond there was 1 Great
Blue Heron and 3 Common Mergansers. At Charlestown Breachway there 2 Common
Loons, 1 Horned Grebe, Common Eider, Red-breasted Mergansers, 1 Northern
Harrier and 10 Sanderlings. At Trustom Pond NWR, Matunuck: Great Cormorants, 1
Great Blue Heron, Gadwall, American Wigeon, 3 REDHEADS, ~750 Greater Scaup,
Lesser Scaup, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Hooded Mergansers, Red-breasted
Mergansers, Ruddy Ducks, 1 BROWN CREEPER (at feeder), 2 Golden-crowned
Kinglets, American Tree Sparrows and White-throated Sparrows. Phil Budlong,
Westerly
Subject: Horned Larks at Colt State Park 2/27From: "kylerosenblad" <kyle.c.rosenblad AT gmail.com> Date: Sat, 27 Feb 2010 20:50:39 -0000 Ken Rosenblad and I saw eight Horned Larks at Colt State Park around 1:30 PM today. They were foraging on the side of the road, near the first green benches past the boat launch. As we were leaving they relocated to the rocks down by the water. Also present were at least 50 Brant, plus the usual ducks and gulls. Kyle Rosenblad ProvidenceSubject: Iceland Gulls at Apponaug From: "Gregory P. Sargeant MS Ed. BCBA" <sargeguy AT earthlink.net> Date: Fri, 26 Feb 2010 19:23:29 -0500 This afternoon there were 2 ICELAND GULLS present on the dock across from the Crow's Nest Restaurant in Apponaug. A picture of one of the gulls may be viewed here http://picasaweb.google.com/sargeguy.RI/GullsAndTerns#5442708467220663522 Greg Sargeant Providence, RISubject: COlt Park, Bristol Harbor From: "Serpico" <butchlombardi AT verizon.net> Date: Fri, 26 Feb 2010 21:37:05 -0000 A quick tour through Colt Park and Bristol Harbor produced the same birds I've been seeing on my previous trips. At Colt Park 1 group of Common Goldeneye (20) off the town beach, another group Diving in the outlet just off the bridge (10). Only a few Brant in the field (10 at the most). In Bristol Harbor a small flock (about 10-12, hard to get a count because they were all diving) of Common Goldeneye diving in the Harbor where the Bike Path ends. Also a small group of Brant (about 20) near the wall at the head of Bristol Harbor. No sign of the loons of the past 2 days. Butch Lombardi Warren RISubject: Virginia Rail, American Bittern From: "Michelle St.Sauveur" <bittern AT verizon.net> Date: Fri, 26 Feb 2010 20:37:10 -0000 Today at Quonochontaug (near the tennis courts) - 1 Virginia Rail. A Charlestown Breachway - 1 American Bittern flying across the channel toward the flats. Also in this area - 5 American Tree Sparrows. At Ninigret - 1 Red-shouldered Hawk collecting nesting materials. At Card's Pond Rd. - 1 White-crowned Sparrow and 2 Savannah Sparrows. Michelle St.Sauveur Coventry, RISubject: Block Island From: "Thomas M" <sunsetseeker78 AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 26 Feb 2010 19:27:53 -0000 Late in the afternoon on the 21st wile birding with Bob Fogg, we saw two black guillemonts and an adult kumlien's gull from SE Light. On the 22nd the highlights were horned grebe, common loon, red-throated loon, common goldeneye, white-winged and black scoter, 1 female redhead, 2 lesser scaup, 1 pied-billed grebe, 1 northern mockingbird, common eider, 8 brant, 7 great cormorants, 3 green-winged teal, 2 eastern meadowlarks, and 7 black guillemonts. I birded in the morning with Will Young, and head wanted to see an alcid, but all the guillemonts were seen in the afternoon. On the 23rd there were 34 white-winged scoter, 32 blck scoter, 4 northern gannets, 1 red-necked grebe, 1 horned grebe, 12 common loons, 5 american wigeon, common eider, and 28 razorbills. The razorbills were seen from SE Light in an hours time seawatching. Today the 25th has been slow, as visibility is not very good. But there are both female wigeon (eurasian and american) being seen in town. It's good to be back! -Tom M.Subject: Gull - again - false alarm From: "eric88kp" <eric_lopresti AT brown.edu> Date: Thu, 25 Feb 2010 18:04:26 -0000 We went back to try to get pictures of the gull and luckily Pete Capobianco showed up right as we got back on the bird. He noted that our bird had a small eye - common gulls should have large ones, and that our bird did not altogether not fit Ring-Billed, albeit much browner than any of the other immatures around. Perhaps a delayed molt or just a far darker bird for some reason. Still interesting - it really does look different than the others around - but I would certainly postpone a special trip to see it. It is easy to pick out, as it is far darker and browner than any other. As we left, we heard a gunshot, which spooked all the birds, and as we drove away, someone was heading back up to the golf course headquarters in a golf cart - maybe shooting to scare the geese off the lawns? Eric LoPresti Providence, RISubject: Probable Mew Gull - Watchemoket From: "eric88kp" <eric_lopresti AT brown.edu> Date: Thu, 25 Feb 2010 16:49:11 -0000 Scanning the 160ish Ring-Billed Gulls today resulted in 3 Black-Headed Gulls (1 first winter - a new bird for the year) and a really odd gull, which I am not comfortable identifying for certain. It was on the mudflats with Ring-Billed gulls and was smaller than the two it was with initially however, when it later went to roost with the large group at the far end of the cove, it appeared to be equal in size to some of them, and smaller than others. What drew me to the bird was the brown wing plumage, obviously an immature bird (and certainly not a Ring-Billed Gull for that reason). the wings were almost uniformly brown, with a little bit of gray on the scapulars, and dark brown wing tips with a little bit of white in the greater coverts. The breast and underbody were white with very small amounts of brown kind of scalloped in. The bill was small (not as small as I picture a Mew Gull having - I have never seen one) with a pink base and a good amount of black on the tip. Leg color was kind of flesh colored or dirty pink. It then flew to the NW corner of the cove, so we walked over to get a closer look (and found a BH gull 15 feet from us) but when we went over it flushed across the cove, allowing some flight observations. It had a dark tail band, which was cleanly seperated from a white upper tail and rump. It had brown wings, with what looked like almost purely dark brown primaries. On the bottom of the wings, the trailing edge had alot of white, contrasting with light brown elsewhere. We then watched it from afar where we made the second size observations, then rushed back to the car to write up field notes (it was raining, so I did not take the notebook out - or even bring the camera: terrible idea). I am very curious to see what others think. It really did not look like the first-winter common gull in sibley (too little gray on our bird), but did look alot like this picture: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ukwildlife/4263819816/in/set-72157623374369528/ Another possibility would be an extreme runt Herring Gull, but the body was too white (just a little evidence of brown) for any but the palest herring gull, and the body proportions did not look like one (but who knows what a runt of that size would look like). Eric LoPresti Providence, RISubject: Bristol Loon From: "Serpico" <butchlombardi AT verizon.net> Date: Wed, 24 Feb 2010 22:27:42 -0000 This is a shot of the loon that I took earlier today behind the Lobster Pot Restaurant. http://eastbayimages.zenfolio.com/img/v1/p733686657-3.jpg |