B-Mail(sm): MASSBIRD for Sat, 8 Mar 2008

[ << | >> | ^^ ]

Subject: Re: What are these Loons eating??
From: guidettipa(AT)comcast.net
Date: 8 Mar 2008 8:24am

Those look like green crabs to me! The pink/orange may be eggs in one of the
pics???

Paul Guidetti
Andover, MA
 -------------- Original message ----------------------
From: cmsbirds(AT)comcast.net (Chris Sheridan)
> Hi Massbirders
> 
> It sounds like the weather will be horrid this weekend--but if you get the the
> Parker River Refuge, the walking is ice free, including the boardwalks!  The 
> road was still closed.  It was newly graded.
> On the drive down, there were many fewer Red Tailed Hawks along the highway
than
> last week--with the barer ground, the hunting is probably better.
> 
> Spotted a mature bald eagle off rt. 495 in Lowell, not too far before the 
> Tewksbury line.
> 
> Two immatures sparring and soaring off Deer Island.
> 
> What a difference from last week--at the island, red winged blackbirds are 
> singing in the marshes! (and being buzzed in the marshes and flushed from
trees
> in the North Field tree island by Northern Harriers...)  Ducks are taking 
> advantage of the water filled hollows in the marshes and fields.
> 
> A first for me this year were seven Song Sparrows at Hellcat, and Grackles on
> the north (human occupied) part of the island.  South of the Pines the
Northern
> Shrike was making soft peeping sounds--I hoped he would sing, but he spotted 
> something interesting in the field and made a purposeful dive across the
road.
> 
> As a newcomer to coastal birding this winter, I've been interested in what the
> birds I see are doing.  Watching some Common Loons hunting in at the north
point
> of the island, I noticed several birds close to shore that were fishing for  
> "something" that that seemed really hard to swallow.  Can anyone enlighten me
on
> what they were eating?  Some kind of mollusks?
> Do they swallow mollusks whole?
> 
> Their heads actually seemed to deform as they gulped down their prey
> Photos at www.pbase.com/cmsbirds/loons_feeding.
> 
> Thanks again
> Chris Sheridan
> Nashua, NH
> cmsbirds(AT)comcast.net
> 
>

[ << | >> | ^^ ]

Subject: Re: massbird-digest V8 #90
From: "Ellie Winslow" <birderellie(AT)verizon.net>
Date: 8 Mar 2008 8:36am

Cute  ivory  woospecker,  but the one that  caught my eye  was  the  "eared" 
grebe  AKA  long-tailed  duck...!!!!!!??????!!!!!
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "massbird-digest" <massbird-digest-approval(AT)world.std.com>
To: <massbird-digest(AT)TheWorld.com>
Sent: Saturday, March 08, 2008 6:42 AM
Subject: massbird-digest V8 #90

>
> massbird-digest        Saturday, March 8 2008        Volume 08 : Number 
> 090
>
>
>
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Date: Fri, 7 Mar 2008 14:27:18 -0500
> From: Davis Chapman Hawkowl <davis(AT)samadhiglass.com>
> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Re: Hoary Redpoll in Sunderland
>
> Hi Geoff (and Massbird),
>
> I had the bird at 1:50pm at the same location.  It was quietly
> sitting with the other redpolls in the birch with branches right over
> the road (next to the feeders).  The redpolls were skiddish and only
> came down to the ground when I backed off.
>
> The owner came out to ask what was up.  She was really friendly and
> didn't know that those cute birds were redpolls.  I got her looks at
> the hoary through my scope.  She was thrilled.
>
> The hoary I found was very pale, faint red wash on the chest, faint,
> thin streaking on the flanks and no streaking at all under the tail
> or on the rump.  Classic strong red cap. It was actively preening
> while I had him in the scope so great looks at all angles from below.
>
> Davis Hawkowl
> Sunderland MA
>
>>Hi All,
>>
>>Al Richards just called, and about 1/2 hour ago he had a Hoary Redpoll in
>>Sunderland, with a flock of 8 to 10 Commons.
>>
>>Northbound on Rt. 47, make a right on Potyrala Cross Road.  Shortly this
>>road will make a sharp left.
>>
>>After the sharp left, just before the 2nd house on the left there is a 
>>barn,
>>also on the left.  Near that barn is a clothesline with three thistle
>>feeders, and the redpolls are coming to those feeders and are also in the
>>trees nearby.
>>
>>Good luck!
>>
>>Geoff LeBaron
>>Williamsburg MA
>>glebaron(AT)comcast.net
>
>
> - -- 
>
> ==========================
> Davis Chapman Hawkowl
> 42 Plumtree Road
> Sunderland, MA 01375
> (413) 549-0963
> ==========================
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Date: Fri, 7 Mar 2008 12:07:22 -0800 (PST)
> From: Mary Keleher <maryeak(AT)yahoo.com>
> Subject: Re: [MASSBIRD] Bluebird locations
>
> The Cape Cod Bird Club monitors four nest box trails
> in Dennis and Harwich. Here's a link to the locations
> and the results from 2006 and 2007.
>
> http://www.massbird.org/ccbc/bluebirds.htm
>
> Mary Keleher,
> Mashpee, MA
>
>
>
> - --- Allan Rube� <allan(AT)nhbungalow.com> wrote:
>
>> I would like to get better photos of bluebirds this
>> spring. If anyone could
>> email me spots or (better yet) gps coordinates where
>> they congregate, I
>> would appreciate it.
>>
>> Allan
>> Nashua, New Hampshire
>> www.nebirds.com
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
>
>
> 
>
____________________________________________________________________________________
> Be a better friend, newshound, and
> know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile.  Try it now. 
> http://mobile.yahoo.com/;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Date: Fri, 7 Mar 2008 12:19:43 -0800 (PST)
> From: Mary Keleher <maryeak(AT)yahoo.com>
> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Falmouth Shrike
>
> The adult Northern Shrike was still present at the
> Crane Wildlife Managment Area in Falmouth this
> morning.
>
> Other highlights:
>
> Northern Harrier - 1
> Eastern Bluebird - 8
> Eastern Meadowlark - 1
>
> Deer Tick - 1
>
> Photos of the shrike can be seen at:
> http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=41dnxv30.9l07pcsg&x=0&y=l6285j
>
>
>
> Mary Keleher
> Mashpee, MA
>
>  Cape Cod Bird Club
>  www.massbird.org/ccbc
>
>
>
>
>
>
> 
>
____________________________________________________________________________________
> Never miss a thing.  Make Yahoo your home page.
> http://www.yahoo.com/r/hs
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Date: Fri, 7 Mar 2008 16:05:42 EST
> From: ACKBIRD(AT)aol.com
> Subject: [MASSBIRD] American Oystercatcher seen on Nantucket 3/07/08
>
> - -------------------------------1204923942
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"
> Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
>
> Dear Massbirders,
>     At about PM today I was lucky enough to spot an  American 
> Oystercatcher
> on the west end of Nantucket Island in an area known as  Jackson Point. 
> The
> bird was unbanded.   Almost every year the  first returning Oystercatcher 
> is
> seen at this location.  Oystercatchers  seem to stage here as their 
> numbers
> usually continue to increase over the next  few days after the fist one is 
> seen.
> Sometimes more than 20 birds gather  here before heading out to other 
> locations
> on Island and elsewhere.
>     On the way back from this outing I was treated to  2 Northern Shrikes
> along the wires on Eel Point Road (also on the western part  of Nantucket)
>     Happy Spring!
>
>                            Edith Ray
>                            _ackbird(AT)aol.com_ (mailto:ackbird(AT)aol.com)
>                             Nantucket, Ma.
>
>
>
> **************It's Tax Time! Get tips, forms, and advice on AOL Money &
> Finance.      (http://money.aol.com/tax?NCID=aolprf00030000000001)
>
> - -------------------------------1204923942
> Content-Type: text/html; charset="US-ASCII"
> Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
>
> <!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN">
> <HTML><HEAD>
> <META http-equiv=3DContent-Type content=3D"text/html; charset=3DUS-ASCII">
> <META content=3D"MSHTML 6.00.6000.16608" name=3DGENERATOR></HEAD>
> <BODY id=3Drole_body style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: #000000; 
> FONT-FAMILY:=20=
> Arial"=20
> bottomMargin=3D7 leftMargin=3D7 topMargin=3D7 rightMargin=3D7><FONT 
> id=3Drol=
> e_document=20
> face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>
> <DIV>Dear Massbirders,</DIV>
> <DIV>     At about PM today I was lucky enough to spot 
> a=
> n=20
> American Oystercatcher on the west end of Nantucket Island in an area 
> known=20=
> as=20
> Jackson Point. The bird was unbanded.   Almost every year 
> the=
> =20
> first returning Oystercatcher is seen at this location.  
> Oystercatchers=
> =20
> seem to stage here as their numbers usually continue to increase over the 
> ne=
> xt=20
> few days after the fist one is seen.  Sometimes more than 20 birds 
> gath=
> er=20
> here before heading out to other locations on Island and elsewhere.</DIV>
> <DIV>     On the way back from this outing I was 
> treated=
> to=20
> 2 Northern Shrikes along the wires on Eel Point Road (also on the western 
> pa=
> rt=20
> of Nantucket)</DIV>
> <DIV>     Happy Spring!</DIV>
> <DIV> </DIV>
> <DIV>            =
> ;            &nb=
> sp; =20
> Edith Ray</DIV>
> <DIV>            =
> ;            &nb=
> sp; =20
> <A href=3D"mailto:ackbird(AT)aol.com">ackbird(AT)aol.com</A></DIV>
> <DIV>            =
> ;            &nb=
> sp;  =20
> Nantucket, Ma.</DIV></FONT><BR><BR><BR><DIV><FONT style=3D"color: black; 
> fon=
> t: normal 10pt ARIAL, SAN-SERIF;"><HR style=3D"MARGIN-TOP: 10px">It's Tax 
> Ti=
> me! <A title=3D"http://money.aol.com/tax?NCID=3Daolprf00030000000001" 
> href=
> =3D"http://money.aol.com/tax?NCID=3Daolprf00030000000001" 
> target=3D"_blank">=
> Get tips, forms and advice on AOL Money & 
> Finance.</A></FONT></DIV></BODY></=
> HTML>
>
> - -------------------------------1204923942--
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Date: Fri, 7 Mar 2008 16:24:21 -0500
> From: "Oakes Spalding" <ospalding(AT)comcast.net>
> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Fox Sparrow-Mt.Auburn Cemetery
>
> This is a multi-part message in MIME format.
>
> - ------=_NextPart_000_0036_01C8806F.B30A6FF0
> Content-Type: text/plain;
> charset="iso-8859-1"
> Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
>
> This afternoon, Herman D'Entremont and I saw a Fox Sparrow at the Mt. =
> Auburn Cemetery feeder.
>
>     Oakes Spalding
>     Cambridge
>     ospalding(AT)comcast.net
> - ------=_NextPart_000_0036_01C8806F.B30A6FF0
> Content-Type: text/html;
> charset="iso-8859-1"
> Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
>
> <!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN">
> <HTML><HEAD>
> <META http-equiv=3DContent-Type content=3D"text/html; =
> charset=3Diso-8859-1">
> <META content=3D"MSHTML 6.00.6000.16608" name=3DGENERATOR>
> <STYLE></STYLE>
> </HEAD>
> <BODY bgColor=3D#ffffff>
> <DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>This afternoon, Herman D'Entremont and =
> I saw a Fox=20
> Sparrow at the Mt. Auburn Cemetery feeder.</FONT></DIV>
> <DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
> <DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>     Oakes=20
> Spalding</FONT></DIV>
> <DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>     =
> Cambridge</FONT></DIV>
> <DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>    =20
> ospalding(AT)comcast.net</FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>
>
> - ------=_NextPart_000_0036_01C8806F.B30A6FF0--
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Date: Fri, 7 Mar 2008 16:46:09 -0500
> From: "Jean Mullen" <JMullen43(AT)comcast.net>
> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Common Grackles/Red-winged Blackbirds/Common Redpolls- 
> Burlington
>
> Hi! Yesterday the yard hosted over 150 Grackles and Red-winged Blackbirds.
> The flock was split about 50-50. There were two European Starlings dressed
> for spring and a single male Brown-headed Cowbird mixed in. Gone today but
> two Common Redpolls showed up at the feeder a few minutes ago. Second time
> the redpolls have put in an appearance this winter.
>
> Jean Mullen
> Burlington, MA
> jmullen43(AT)comcast.net
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Date: Fri, 07 Mar 2008 17:41:18 -0500
> From: "Marj. Rines" <marj(AT)mrines.com>
> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Pine Grosbeaks Lincoln
>
> On my way to work today I stopped by the Lincoln train station to look
> for the Pine Grosbeaks reported by Paul Petersen yesterday, but no luck.
> I tried again at lunchtime and four grosbeaks flew in to join the large
> flock of waxwings. Two each male and female, gorgeous plumage, great
> light. Couldn't ask for more. And within walking distance of the office.
>
> - --
> Marj. Rines
> Arlington, MA
> marj(at) mrines.com
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Date: Fri, 7 Mar 2008 15:28:16 -0500
> From: "Fred Bouchard" <frederickbouchard(AT)gmail.com>
> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Fwd: eBird Report - Alewife Reservation, Cambridge , 
> 3/7/08
>
> - ------=_Part_97_26812897.1204921696159
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
> Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
> Content-Disposition: inline
>
> Location:     Alewife Reservation, Cambridge
> Observation date:     3/7/08
> Notes:     Report is from Blair Pond, but Mergs and Ringnecks are inserted
> from Little Pond, Belmont
> Redwings all males, of course.
> Number of species:     18
>
> Canada Goose     6
> Mallard     27
> Ring-necked Duck     2
> Common Merganser     14
> Double-crested Cormorant     1
> Sharp-shinned Hawk     1
> Ring-billed Gull     11
> Herring Gull     1
> Rock Pigeon     4
> Blue Jay     3
> American Crow     3
> Black-capped Chickadee     2
> Tufted Titmouse     1
> Carolina Wren     1
> European Starling     4
> Song Sparrow     1
> Red-winged Blackbird     3
> House Sparrow     15
>
> This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)
>
>
>
> - -- 
> frederickbouchard(AT)gmail.com
> 78 farnham st
> belmont 02478 ma
> 617-484-6692
> www.fredbouchard.com
>
> - ------=_Part_97_26812897.1204921696159
> Content-Type: text/html; charset=ISO-8859-1
> Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
> Content-Disposition: inline
>
> <div class="gmail_quote">Location:     Alewife Reservation, 
> Cambridge<br>
> Observation date:     3/7/08<br>
> Notes:     Report is from Blair Pond, but Mergs and Ringnecks 
> are inserted from Little Pond, Belmont</div><div 
> class="gmail_quote">Redwings all males, of course.<br>
> Number of species:     18<br>
> <br>
> Canada Goose     6<br>
> Mallard     27<br>
> Ring-necked Duck     2<br>
> Common Merganser     14<br>
> Double-crested Cormorant     1<br>
> Sharp-shinned Hawk     1<br>
> Ring-billed Gull     11<br>
> Herring Gull     1<br>
> Rock Pigeon     4<br>
> Blue Jay     3<br>
> American Crow     3<br>
> Black-capped Chickadee     2<br>
> Tufted Titmouse     1<br>
> Carolina Wren     1<br>
> European Starling     4<br>
> Song Sparrow     1<br>
> Red-winged Blackbird     3<br>
> House Sparrow     15<br>
> <br>
> This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(<a 
> href="http://ebird.org" target="_blank">http://ebird.org</a>)<br>
> </div><br><br clear="all"><br>-- <br><a 
>
href="mailto:frederickbouchard(AT)gmail.com">frederickbouchard(AT)gmail.com</a><br>78
> farnham st<br>belmont 02478 ma<br>617-484-6692<br><a 
> href="http://www.fredbouchard.com">www.fredbouchard.com</a>
>
> - ------=_Part_97_26812897.1204921696159--
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Date: Fri, 7 Mar 2008 20:18:51 -0500
> From: "Peter Flood" <pomarine(AT)comcast.net>
> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Grackles +
>
> Well, I can't say I have ever been terribly excited about grackles.
> However, on my way to work this morning traveling Route 6A from Dennis to
> Sandwich I managed to note limited numbers of Grackles in Dennis, 
> Yarmouth,
> Barnstable and Sandwich during my commute.  Certainly a welcome sign of
> spring!
>
> Nearly all winter there has been at least one (sometimes two) light morph
> Rough-legged Hawks along the Sandwich/Barnstable town line patrolling the
> marshes behind Sandy Neck.
>
> Also had two Killdeer and several Turkey Vultures over the Bourne Landfill
> yesterday 3/6/08.
>
> Peter Flood
> Dennis, MA
> pomarine(AT)comcast.net
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Date: Fri, 07 Mar 2008 20:45:54 -0500
> From: Eddie <emgiles(AT)verizon.net>
> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Red-shouldered Hawks, East Bridgewater
>
> *Looked out my slider this morning to see a Red-shouldered Hawk perched
> in an oak tree in my backyard.  Not unusual, as I have a pair that are
> year-round residents in my neighborhood.  As I was observing it, I
> happened to notice a second bird perched deeper in the woods.  The first
> bird then flew out to the second, at which point they both flew to a
> fork in a large white pine tree - a nest site!   Over the course of the
> next 10-15 minutes, I watched the first bird collect sticks and bring
> them to the second bird, which worked on the nest's construction.  The
> nest is less than 100 yards from my back door, and easily visible from
> the house.  Nice.
>
> Eddie
> *
> ****************************
> Eddie, Maura, & Jason Giles
> East Bridgewater, MA
> emgiles(AT)verizon.net*
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Date: Fri, 07 Mar 2008 21:33:49 -0500
> From: Trudy Tynan <ttynan(AT)sprynet.com>
> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Piping Plover's plight topic for Hampshire Bird Club
>
> Scott Hecker, director of coastal bird conservation for the National
> Audubon Society, will speak on how the Piping Plover has come to play a
> lead role in the conservation of barrier beaches and other beach-nesting
> birds at the Hampshire Bird Club's monthly meeting on Monday, March 10.
> The meeting will begin at 7:30 pm in the Immanuel Lutheren Church at 867
> North Pleasant Street in Amherst.
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Date: Sat, 08 Mar 2008 03:09:16 +0000
> From: cmsbirds(AT)comcast.net (Chris Sheridan)
> Subject: [MASSBIRD] What are these Loons eating??
>
> Hi Massbirders
>
> It sounds like the weather will be horrid this weekend--but if you get the 
> the
> Parker River Refuge, the walking is ice free, including the boardwalks! 
> The
> road was still closed.  It was newly graded.
> On the drive down, there were many fewer Red Tailed Hawks along the 
> highway than
> last week--with the barer ground, the hunting is probably better.
>
> Spotted a mature bald eagle off rt. 495 in Lowell, not too far before the
> Tewksbury line.
>
> Two immatures sparring and soaring off Deer Island.
>
> What a difference from last week--at the island, red winged blackbirds are
> singing in the marshes! (and being buzzed in the marshes and flushed from 
> trees
> in the North Field tree island by Northern Harriers...)  Ducks are taking
> advantage of the water filled hollows in the marshes and fields.
>
> A first for me this year were seven Song Sparrows at Hellcat, and Grackles 
> on
> the north (human occupied) part of the island.  South of the Pines the 
> Northern
> Shrike was making soft peeping sounds--I hoped he would sing, but he 
> spotted something interesting in the field and made a purposeful dive 
> across the road.
>
> As a newcomer to coastal birding this winter, I've been interested in what 
> the
> birds I see are doing.  Watching some Common Loons hunting in at the north 
> point
> of the island, I noticed several birds close to shore that were fishing 
> for
> "something" that that seemed really hard to swallow.  Can anyone enlighten 
> me on
> what they were eating?  Some kind of mollusks?
> Do they swallow mollusks whole?
>
> Their heads actually seemed to deform as they gulped down their prey
> Photos at www.pbase.com/cmsbirds/loons_feeding.
>
> Thanks again
> Chris Sheridan
> Nashua, NH
> cmsbirds(AT)comcast.net
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Date: Fri, 07 Mar 2008 22:07:41 -0500
> From: Roy Harvey <rmharvey(AT)snet.net>
> Subject: [MASSBIRD] CT Report 03/07/2008
>
> From Ron Rozsa:
> 3/07 - Ashford -- Golden Eagle.
>
> From Ray Belding with Jerry Marcellino:
> 3/07 - Kent, Lake Waramaug -- 1 male REDHEAD in with 29 Ring-necked
> Ducks
>
> From  Chris Loscalzo:
> 3/07 - Woodbridge, Community Gardens - first-year NORTHERN SHRIKE.
>
> From Paul Cianfaglione
> 3/07 - Canton, feeder -- 61 COMMON REDPOLL sitting just above my
> feeders as they patiently waited for me to fill them.
> 3/07 - Farmington, Batterson Pond -- 2 LESSER SCAUP (male/female), 1
> first winter ICELAND GULL.
>
> From Joe Wojtanowski:
> 3/07 - East Granby, East Granby Farms -- 4 AMERICAN WOODCOCK.
>
> From Jennifer Rycenga:
> 3/07 - Madison, Hammonasset State Park -- one female LAPLAND LONGSPUR
> in the fields near the Nature Center, associating with Horned Larks.
>
> From Carolyn Cimino with Maggie Peretto:
> 3/07 - Old Lym, DEP headquarters -- dark morph ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK
> hovering over the marshes near North Cove in Old Saybrook.
>
> From Chris Elphick:
> 3/07 - Eagleville, Storrs -- Common Raven (pair)
>
> From Carl Ekroth:
> 3/07 - South Windsor, Station 43 -- 2 drake NORTHERN PINTAIL.
>
> From Robert Dixon:
> 3/06 - Pawcatuck -- BLACK VULTURE (5) soaring over Greenhaven Rd.
>
> From John Ogren:
> 3/06 - Old Saybrook, North Cove -- 5-6 LESSER SCAUP,
> South Cove -- 2 BONAPARTE'S GULLS.
>
>
> **********************************************************************
> 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)msbx.net.  Reports should
> include sender's name, date, location of sightings and species of note
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>
> ------------------------------
>
> Date: Fri, 07 Mar 2008 22:40:10 -0600
> From: Al Curtis <killdeer89(AT)comcast.net>
> Subject: [MASSBIRD] CCBC March Program
>
> The Cape Cod Bird Club will present Sean Murphy with a program
> entitled "Oystercatchers of Cape Cod and the Islands" on Monday,
> March 10 at 7:30pm at Cape Cod Museum of Natural History, Rt. 6A
> Brewster. CCBC meetings are FREE and open to the public.
>
> After graduating from the Pennsylvania State University with a
> Bachelor's of Science in Ecology, Sean contributed to a number of
> wildlife population analyses with the Pennsylvania Game
> Commission.  He is currently working toward a Ph.D. in Biology under
> the advisement of Dr. Richard Veit at the City University of New York.
>
> His talk will detail the historic changes that occurred to the
> distribution of the American Oystercatcher along the Atlantic Coast
> and introduce a mark-resight project on the islands of Massachusetts
> that seeks to better understand the biology of this conspicuous
> shorebird.  This includes the presentation of trapping and color
> banding techniques, preliminary viability analysis of the population,
> and records of where marked birds are 'resighted'. The work being
> presented is part of Sean's doctoral research.
>
>
> Al Curtis
> Harwich, MA
> killdeer89 "at" comcast.net
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Date: Fri, 07 Mar 2008 22:50:27 -0500
> From: Steve Mirick <smirick(AT)comcast.net>
> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Rare bird photographs from NH
>
> I spent some time uploading some of my images from some of the rare
> birds seen in NH over the last 10 years or so.  Since Comcast doesn't
> seem to want to give me more storage space, I decided to upload them to
> Picassa.  Just for fun......some are more rare than others and some
> photos better than others.  One photo per rare bird.  All with dates,
> location and comments.
>
> Some may bring back a few memories!
>
> http://picasaweb.google.com/stevemirick/RareBirdsOfNewHampshire
>
> What will be next?
>
> Steve Mirick
> Bradford, MA
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Date: Sat, 08 Mar 2008 03:29:29 +0000
> From: cmsbirds(AT)comcast.net (Chris Sheridan)
> Subject: [MASSBIRD] What are these Loons eating???
>
> Hi Massbirders
>
> It sounds like the weather will be horrid this weekend--but if you get the 
> the
> Parker River Refuge, the walking is ice free, including the boardwalks! 
> The
> road was still closed.  It was newly graded.
> On the drive down, there were many fewer Red Tailed Hawks along the 
> highway than
> last week--with the barer ground, the hunting is probably better.
>
> Spotted a mature bald eagle off rt. 495 in Lowell, not too far before the
> Tewksbury line.
>
> Two immatures sparring and soaring off Deer Island.
>
> What a difference from last week--at the island, red winged blackbirds are
> singing in the marshes! (and being buzzed in the marshes and flushed from 
> trees
> in the North Field tree island by Northern Harriers...)  Ducks are taking
> advantage of the water filled hollows in the marshes and fields.
>
> A first for me this year were seven Song Sparrows at Hellcat, and Grackles 
> on
> the north (human occupied) part of the island.  South of the Pines the 
> Northern
> Shrike was making soft peeping sounds--I hoped he would sing, but he 
> spotted something interesting in the field
> and made a purposeful dive across the road.
>
> As a newcomer to coastal birding this winter, I've been interested in what 
> the
> birds I see are doing.  Watching some Common Loons hunting at the north 
> point
> of the island, I noticed several birds close to shore that were fishing 
> for
> "something" that that seemed really hard to swallow.  Can anyone enlighten 
> me on
> what they were eating?  Some kind of mollusks?
> Do they swallow mollusks whole?
>
> Their heads actually seemed to deform as they gulped down their prey
> Photos at www.pbase.com/cmsbirds/loons_feeding.
>
> Thanks again
> Chris Sheridan
> Nashua, NH
> cmsbirds(AT)comcast.net
>
> ------------------------------
>
> End of massbird-digest V8 #90
> *****************************
>
>

[ << | >> | ^^ ]

Subject: RE: Rare bird photographs from NH
From: "Scott Ricker" <ptbagger(AT)verizon.net>
Date: 8 Mar 2008 8:44am

Steve,

I don�t think it is appropriate to upload an image of a fake/decoy of an
IBWP and post it on a public sight! The photo even has a date of 2003 which
adds to the lack of credibility!

Scott Ricker
Southwick, MA.
Ptbagger(at)Verizon(dot)net

-----Original Message-----
From: massbird-approval(AT)world.std.com
[mailto:massbird-approval(AT)world.std.com] On Behalf Of Steve Mirick
Sent: Friday, March 07, 2008 10:50 PM
To: Massbird; NHBirds
Subject: [MASSBIRD] Rare bird photographs from NH

I spent some time uploading some of my images from some of the rare 
birds seen in NH over the last 10 years or so.  Since Comcast doesn't 
seem to want to give me more storage space, I decided to upload them to 
Picassa.  Just for fun......some are more rare than others and some 
photos better than others.  One photo per rare bird.  All with dates, 
location and comments.

Some may bring back a few memories!

http://picasaweb.google.com/stevemirick/RareBirdsOfNewHampshire

What will be next?

Steve Mirick
Bradford, MA

No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG. 
Version: 7.5.518 / Virus Database: 269.21.6/1318 - Release Date: 3/7/2008
2:01 PM

No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG. 
Version: 7.5.518 / Virus Database: 269.21.6/1318 - Release Date: 3/7/2008
2:01 PM

[ << | >> | ^^ ]

Subject: Robins, Grackles, etc.
From: pattyoneill(AT)juno.com
Date: 8 Mar 2008 9:02am

Spring is here.   A week of dog-sitting took me to Milton Cemetery
yesterday (3/7) afternoon.   Robins were everywhere and seemed to be
flying in from the East.   Off the ocean? or at least away from the
coast.   There was lots of song.   Many, perhaps, a third, were of the
paler headed race than the "Newfoundland" robins of winter, although
there were still plenty of those.   It was impossible to count as there
was so much movement, but easily more than 100 robins.

The robins were moving were mixed blackbird flocks, heavily weighted
toward starlings, but plent of male red-winged blackbirds, and a few
groups of common grackles.

Patty O'Neill
pattyoneill(AT)juno.com
Milton, MA

[ << | >> | ^^ ]

Subject: Falmouth Birds- Friday 3/7
From: Matt Malin <hossfeldt(AT)yahoo.com>
Date: 8 Mar 2008 9:56am

Birders - 

My sightings from around Falmouth, from the salt ponds, fresh ponds, and
cranberry bogs on Friday 3/7.

Canada Goose - 62
Mute Swan - 8
Wood Duck - 3
Gadwall  - 4
Eurasian Wigeon - 1
American Wigeon - 37
American Black Duck - 23
Mallard - 31
Canvasback - 5
Redhead - 4
Ring-necked Duck - 15
Greater Scaup - 164
Bufflehead -28
Hooded Merganser - 7
Common Merganser - 1
Red-breasted Merganser - 1
Ruddy Duck - 17
Pied-billed Grebe - 2
Turkey Vulture - 6
Sharp-shinned Hawk - 1
Red-shouldered Hawk - 2
Red-tailed Hawk - 3
American Coot - 4
Ring-billed Gull - 3
Herring Gull - 18
Mourning Dove - 1
Belted Kingfisher - 2
Northern Flicker - 1
Blue Jay - 8
American Crow - 40
Black-capped Chickadee - 4
Tufted Titmouse - 4
American Robin - 1
Northern Mockingbird - 1
European Starling - 20
Song Sparrow - 5
Dark-eyed Junco - 4
Northern Cardinal - 4
Red-winged Blackbird - 11
Common Grackle -14
American Goldfinch - 2
House Sparrow - 4

Matt Malin
Mashpee, MA
hossfeldt (AT) yahoo (dot) com

____________________________________________________________________________________
Never miss a thing.  Make Yahoo your home page. 
http://www.yahoo.com/r/hs

[ << | >> | ^^ ]

Subject: Re: What are these Loons eating??
From: cmsbirds(AT)comcast.net (Chris Sheridan)
Date: 8 Mar 2008 9:54am

Thanks to Paul Guidetti...Crabs make sense--suddenly I could make out the dark
images
 of the prey.  Found a picture of a crab  online with a red egg mass attached to
 her underside.

Some pictures I didn't post (taken previous to the ones of the loon swallowing
the crab) showed the loon thrashing its head around above and under the water
and as it struggled with the crab. (That didn't make sense for a mollusk, but I
couldn't really see what was going on.)

Chris Sheridan
Nashua NH
cmsbirds(AT)comcast.net

[ << | >> | ^^ ]

Subject: Loon eating a Tunicate?
From: James MacDougall <jm3(AT)mac.com>
Date: 8 Mar 2008 9:58am

Hi,

I checked out Chris Sheridan's nice photographs of loons eating odd  
things on the north point of Plum Island.

I am going to hazard a guess and say the loons are eating Stalked  
Tunicates or Sea Potatoes - Boltenia ovifera.

If there are any marine biologists listening in on this listserv, has  
there ever been a reference to a bird eating a urochordate?

Although I would prefer the victim to be a green crab as suggested in  
a previous post, I offer the potato theory for discussion.

Jim MacDougall
Campmeeting Road
Topsfield, Mass.
978-857-6826

http://web.mac.com/jm3/

[ << | >> | ^^ ]

Subject: Pintail in Concord
From: Godwit4(AT)aol.com
Date: 8 Mar 2008 9:48am

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We sit adjacent conservation land that is a flood plain for the  Assabett 
River, which is today, well, flooded.  As a result there is a  small herd of 
ducks cruising to and fro, and among them, a pintail drake!   It's sort of like
having Great Meadows in my own back yard.

CJ Coppersmith
Concord, MA

(yes, I know the collective noun is "flock", I just find herds of birds to  
be a lot more fun...)

**************It's Tax Time! Get tips, forms, and advice on AOL Money & 
Finance.      (http://money.aol.com/tax?NCID=aolprf00030000000001)

----DELETED text/html MIME SECTION----

[ << | >> | ^^ ]

Subject: Beck's Petrel
From: Tom Jacobson <tomjpaz(AT)yahoo.com>
Date: 8 Mar 2008 10:38am

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Just seen at Jamaica Pond:  Beck's Petrel !

http://www6.comcast.net/news/articles/science/2008/03/07/Britain.Lost.Bird/

Tom Jacobson
Jamaica Plain, MA

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[ << | >> | ^^ ]

Subject: "Extinct" fulmar found alive...
From: cmsbirds(AT)comcast.net (Chris Sheridan)
Date: 8 Mar 2008 10:56am

www6.comcast.net/news/articles/science/2008/03/07/Britain.Lost.Bird/

[ << | >> | ^^ ]

Subject: Rusty Blackbirds in Newton
From: "Ian Reid" <ianreid(AT)mail.com>
Date: 8 Mar 2008 10:50am

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I saw a flock of several dozen rusty blackbirds in Nahanton Park, Newton
this morning in the flooded woods next to the golf course, plus 75+ robins
on the soccer field. Hours after the local ponds began thawing at the edges,
we have Common & Hooded Merganser individuals on Crystal Lake, Newton as
well as Mallards and Black Ducks. Spring at last, for a while, anyway.

Ian Reid

Newton, MA

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[ << | >> | ^^ ]

Subject: RE: Beck's Petrel
From: "Marshall J. Iliff" <miliff(AT)aol.com>
Date: 8 Mar 2008 11:04am

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With the coverage at Fresh Pond, Beck's Petrel seems more likely to occur
there!

Exciting news about this rediscovery!

Best,

Marshall

-- 
-------------------------------------------------
Marshall J. Iliff
West Roxbury, MA
miliff AT aol.com
-------------------------------------------------

From: massbird-approval(AT)world.std.com
[mailto:massbird-approval(AT)world.std.com] On Behalf Of Tom Jacobson
Sent: Saturday, March 08, 2008 10:38 AM
To: massbird(AT)TheWorld.com
Subject: [MASSBIRD] Beck's Petrel

Just seen at Jamaica Pond:  Beck's Petrel !

http://www6.comcast.net/news/articles/science/2008/03/07/Britain.Lost.Bird/

Tom Jacobson
Jamaica Plain, MA

----DELETED text/html MIME SECTION----

[ << | >> | ^^ ]

Subject: Oops, meant petrel--my correction didn't post
         here..
From: cmsbirds(AT)comcast.net (Chris Sheridan)
Date: 8 Mar 2008 11:22am

[ << | >> | ^^ ]

Subject: RE: Rare bird photographs from NH
From: Paul Cozza <PCOZZA(AT)ALUM.MIT.EDU>
Date: 8 Mar 2008 11:52am

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I think Steve's concoction is pretty humorous myself. Great (tongue-in- 
cheek, of course) Photoshopping Steve!

Paul Cozza
Concord, MA

pcozza(AT)alum.mit.edu

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[ << | >> | ^^ ]

Subject: Re: Beck's Petrel
From: treeswallow5(AT)aol.com
Date: 8 Mar 2008 12:24pm

----INCLUDING text/plain MIME SECTION----

From the article written about the rediscovered Beck's petrel (named I'm sure
for the brewer of Beck's beer)

.."Hadoram Shirihai, who lead an expedition to find the seabird returned with
photographs of more than 30 of the birds and a freshly dead specimen found at
sea--evidence that has so far convinced several experts."....

Now how convenient is that? A "freshly dead" specimen found at sea" after all of
 these years. And?since there was?30 others,?I?wonder if the specimen died of an
 extreme case of lead poisoning!

Mike

Mike Maurer
Marion, MA

"The time to save a species is while it is still common" Rosalie Edge, Founder
of Hawk Mountain Sanctuary

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[ << | >> | ^^ ]

Subject: 2 Common Redpolls become 50-Burlington
From: "Jean Mullen" <JMullen43(AT)comcast.net>
Date: 8 Mar 2008 12:58pm

Yesterdays Common Redpolls became 50+ birds this morning. It is the highest 
yard number ever!

Jean Mullen
Burlington, MA
jmullen43(AT)comcast.net

[ << | >> | ^^ ]

Subject: Salisbury & Nbpt 3/8
From: "Bird Watcher's Supply & Gift" <birdwsg(AT)verizon.net>
Date: 8 Mar 2008 1:20pm

Margo & I birded Salisbury and Newburyport his morning before the rains came and
 we saw the following highlights:

Salisbury:
northern shrike
3 imm. bald eagles
ring-necked pheasant

Plum Island Causeway:
2 imm. bald eagles
red-tailed hawk
great blue heron

Plum Island:
6 A. wigeon
2 gr-winged teal
8 pintail
10 hooded mergansers
2 n. harrier
2 white-thr sparrows

Newburyport Indusrial Park:
A. kestrel (m.)
2 red-tailed hawks

Steve Grinley
Bird Watcher's Supply & Gift and Nature Shop at JoppaFlats
Newburyport, MA 
BirdWSG(AT)Verizon.net
978-462-0775

[ << | >> | ^^ ]

Subject: [Fwd: [Arlington Birds] Caucusing at McClennen]
From: Carol Thrope <clt51(AT)peshe.org>
Date: 8 Mar 2008 1:40pm

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----INCLUDING text/plain MIME SECTION----

Took 25 minutes to walk 3/4 of the puddled loop at McClennen Park, 
Arlington at 11 am, and gloved-mittens were much appreciated. Though 
damp and cloudy, Spring IS beckoning!  The Blackbirds  were sounding off 
as an imagined Democratic caucus "Who do we choose, Obama or Clinton???" 

Starlings, 150+
Grackles,  30+
Red-winged Blackbirds, 10
Blue Jays, 4
Song Sparrows, 8
American Tree Sparrows, 3
White-throated Sparrows, a pair foraging together
House Sparrows, 8
N. Flicker, male 
Juncoes, 5
Chickadees, 4
Robins, 8 (1 bathing)
N. Mockingbird, 2
Downy Woodpeckers, m & f
Mourning Doves, 4
Gulls
at the pond:
Mallard pair
C. Geese flew in, 2

18 species

Some people might like to have the timetable in following link showing 
approximate arrival dates of birds in our state.  First week in March is 
right on target, with a few seen a week earlier.    
http://www.nebirdsplus.org/BirdsOfMassArrival.htm  

Carol Thrope, Arlington
clt51(AT)peshe.org

__

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[ << | >> | ^^ ]

Subject: Brookline Bird Club Dedicated  Pelagic trips,
         2008
From: "Ida Giriunas" <Ida8(AT)verizon.net>
Date: 8 Mar 2008 2:36pm

Folks:

It is time to sign up for our SATURDAY, JUNE 28, 2008 Dedicated Pelagic
Birding trip on the Helen H. out of Hyannis, to Hydrographer Canyon.

Join the BBC for this all day trip (4AM to 9PM) to the deeper warmer waters
south of Nantucket Shoals in search of White-faced Storm-Petrel and other
target birds including Band-rumped storm-petrel, several species of
Shearwaters including Audubon's (last year we saw a Macronesia Shearwater),
Jaegers, several Gulls, possible South Polar and Great Skua, Bridled Tern,
etc. Rick Heil says, "June would be a better time for a number of rare
pelagic species, including Pterodroma Petrels.  Near the shelf edge and
beyond is where the action is!"

Rick Heil, Steve Mirick, Marshall Iliff and Jeremiah Trimble will be
spotting and calling out the birds. The boat is a very comfortable 100 foot
fishing boat which is fast and our captain is a very enthusiastic sea
birder. The trip is limited to 72 people and costs $120.00 for BBC members
and $140.00 for non-members. (There may be a surcharge if fuel prices
escalate.)  Food is available on board. There is limited free parking.   The
trip will be cancelled if the quota is not met. To reserve a space, send a
check for the full amount made out to the 'BROOKLINE BIRD CLUB AGENT' along
with a signed waiver to:  Ida Giriunas, 83 Summer Ave., Reading, MA, 01867
and include either your email or your postal address for confirmation,
boarding instructions and further information.

Boarding will be according to the order in which you sign up and agree to
the necessary waiver. See the BBC website for the listing of 
all the 2008 Pelagic trips.
http://www.massbird.org/bbc/BBCPelagicTrips2008.htm

For additional information and the waiver to be signed, 
contact Ida at 781-944-5135 or ida8(AT)verizon.net

Ida Giriunas
Reading, MA
<ida8(AT)verizon.net>

[ << | >> | ^^ ]

Subject: season transition: Redpolls, Redwings together
From: Lynette Leka <lynetteleka(AT)yahoo.com>
Date: 8 Mar 2008 3:14pm

this morning the flock of a dozen Redpolls who have lay claim to my
feeders were fussing over the above positions, and a flock of
half-dozen Red-wing Blackbirds have moved in to the below positions -
nice juxtaposition!

Lynette Leka
Newbury, MA 01951
email: lynette.leka(AT)yahoo.com

"factories throughout the world are burning eighteen million barrels of oil and
consuming forty-one billion gallons of fresh water every day, solely to make
bottled water that most people in the U.S. don't need." - The New Yorker,
February 25, 2008, p.47

____________________________________________________________________________________
Looking for last minute shopping deals?  
Find them fast with Yahoo! Search.
http://tools.search.yahoo.com/newsearch/category.php?category=shopping

[ << | >> | ^^ ]

Subject: Fwd: eBird Report - Waverly Oaks Park, Waltham ,
         3/8/08
From: "Fred Bouchard" <frederickbouchard(AT)gmail.com>
Date: 8 Mar 2008 4:44pm

----INCLUDING text/plain MIME SECTION----

Subject: eBird Report - Waverly Oaks Park, Waltham , 3/8/08
Observation date:     3/8/08, 9-11am
Notes: Before rains hit, we went looking/listening for Rusty Blackbirds, but
no luck.
Number of species:     25

Canada Goose     12
Wood Duck     4
Mallard     9
Green-winged Teal     2
Cooper's Hawk     1
Herring Gull     3
Rock Pigeon     2
Mourning Dove     13
Downy Woodpecker     2
Hairy Woodpecker     2
Northern Flicker     1
Blue Jay     6
American Crow     2
Black-capped Chickadee     10
Tufted Titmouse     2
White-breasted Nuthatch     1
American Robin     5
Northern Mockingbird     4
European Starling     8
Song Sparrow     11
White-throated Sparrow     1
Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored)     2
Northern Cardinal     4
Red-winged Blackbird     10
Common Grackle     15

This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)
-- 
frederickbouchard(AT)gmail.com
78 farnham st
belmont 02478 ma
617-484-6692
www.fredbouchard.com

----DELETED text/html MIME SECTION----

[ << | >> | ^^ ]

Subject: Andrew's Point, Rockport Seawatch; 8 March 2008.
From: Richard Heil <rsheil(AT)comcast.net>
Date: 8 Mar 2008 7:06pm

SATURDAY, 8 MARCH 2008:
ANDREW'S POINT, ROCKPORT Seawatch (0735-1025 hrs.)
Weather: Overcast, NNE winds 10-15 mph, 47 F.
Seas: 3-5 feet; Visibility: very good.
Richard S. Heil

'Pale-bellied' Brant (3)
Common Eider (10)
Harlequin Duck (7)
Surf Scoter (11)
White-winged Scoter (9)
Black Scoter (3)
Oldsquaw (12)
Bufflehead (1)
Common Goldeneye (2)
Red-breasted Merganser (2)
Common Loon (1)
Great Cormorant (7)
Sharp-shinned Hawk (1)
Merlin (1)
Purple Sandpiper (32)
Ring-billed Gull (1)
Herring Gull (44)
Great Black-backed Gull (9)
Common Murre (3): Basic plumage.
Razorbill (45): 4-5 in or near breeding plumage.
large alcid sp. (20)

Richard S. Heil
S. Peabody, MA
rsheil(AT)comcast.net

This report was generated with the aid of eBird v2(http://ebird.org)

[ << | >> | ^^ ]

Subject: Bolton Flats, 3/8/08 - Snow Goose, ducks
From: "S Sutton" <bookwarbler2(AT)msn.com>
Date: 8 Mar 2008 7:28pm

This afternoon I checked out a few spots at the Bolton Flats, and found some 
spots impssable, others workable. It's worth a visit, if you can stand a 
little freezing water in your boots. No complaints, though - plenty of water 
means plenty of birds!
I also checked Delaney WMA (Stow/Harvard) briefly, but found only a little 
open water (with 2 Goldeneyes and 11 Hooded Mergansers), and no herons on 
the nests.
Notes & lists for Bolton Flats & Dexter Drumlin are below.

>
>
>Location:     Bolton Flats WMA
>Observation date:     3/8/08
>Notes:     Bolton Flats WMA, 2:30 to 4:00 PM. Rain, heavy at times; 37 
>degrees F. High water made passage difficult even with high rubber boots, 
>but I was able to scan the main field North of Rte 117 (Entrance 3), and 
>much of the field South of 117 (Entrance 4) from across the street. Good 
>number & variety of waterfowl. Snow Goose was on the South side, but scoped 
>from the main entrance (Entrance 3).
>Number of species:     15
>
>SNOW GOOSE     1     Mostly white with minor dark markings on the 
>back/wings (in addition to the black wingtips). With Canadas. My third 
>record of Snow Goose here.
>Canada Goose     220
>Wood Duck     2     pair
>American Black Duck     6
>Mallard     28
>Northern Pintail     2     Pair
>Green-winged Teal     6
>Ring-necked Duck     24     Incl. 20m+4f. All together most of the time, in 
>the main field at Entrance 3.
>Great Blue Heron     3     Incl. pair standing on last year's nest (quick 
>check at Entrance 1), with throat plumes fully fluffed out. One heron then 
>flew in a wide circle over the marsh, with neck extended like a crane's, 
>then landed back on the nest. It looks like they've built the nest up to be 
>more solid this year (last year it looked pretty flimsy, though it held up 
>for the 3-4 babies they had.
>Ring-billed Gull     59     all in the main field at Entrance 3; all adults
>Herring Gull     2     (1ad+1imm) the 1st Winter(?probably) gull had a very 
>finely patterned upperside, was rather light, especially on the head and 
>had a 2/3 pink bill, with the outer 1/3 dark, extending inward at the 
>center of the bill. I took a long look and tried hard to make it into 
>something else, but I believe it was simply a Herring.
>American Crow     4
>Song Sparrow     2     one singing!
>Red-winged Blackbird     200     some song
>Common Grackle     330

Location:     Dexter Drumlin TTOR- South Lancaster
Observation date:     3/8/08
Notes:     4:05 - 4:30 PM; 37 degrees F; raining. About 400 gulls were in 
the
fields behind the drumlin, and I did a rough count of Herrings to arrive at 
the
proper breakdown of species. Roughly 98% of these gulls were adults. A quick
scan turned up nothing really strange, but I didn't sift through them 
carefully
because it was raining to hard for good views.
Number of species:     7

Ring-billed Gull     300
Herring Gull     100
Great Black-backed Gull     6     (5ad+1imm)
Blue Jay     1
American Crow     1
American Robin     30
Red-winged Blackbird     2     singing

>This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)

Steven Sutton, Lancaster
bookwarbler2(AT)msn.com

[ << | >> | ^^ ]

Subject: Duxbury environs Feb to date:  Kildeer,
         Peregrine, R-t Loon, Pintail (Plymouth)
From: Rick Bowes <rbowes(AT)bowesweb.com>
Date: 8 Mar 2008 7:20pm

3/8      I've not been able to get on the beach for any serious 
birding for over a month and it's been driving me nuts (travel in 
early Feb. then house-bound recuperating from surgery since).   Today 
was my first time being allowed to drive a car, and of course the 
weather has been anything but accommodating.

In a brief sortie today I found:

Killdeer (1) .....at its regular early arrival spot - on the athletic 
field behind the Alden School (FOY)
Pintail (male) ..... at Nelson Beach, Plymouth (FOY) right by parking 
lot at water's edge
Bufflehead (34 mixed) and Hooded Merganser (1f) ..... on Island Creek Pond

My patient, sympathetic wife (you can imagine how stir crazy I've 
been seeing the Beach from the house every day and not being able to 
get over there!) took me for a short spin up and down the Beach road 
(3/2) in the late afternoon and unhappily there was almost nothing to 
be seen from the car.  I was able to manage a brief look off the 
Gurnet point and at  the third crossover but found nothing noteworthy 
except that male R-b Mergansers have started congregating - there 
were two handsome flocks of 30+.  The trip was redeemed at the end, 
however, as a Peregrine flew by us at high speed about 100 feet up 
over the marsh south of High Pines.  I was looking low for a 
Short-ear, while my sharp-eyed wife checked the sky. She picked it up 
and we watched it come at us, by us, and be long gone in a very short 
time.  I don't think it flapped more than 3 or 4 times over the 
entire span as it streaked by.  We were looking into the late 
afternoon sun and saw it only as a silhouette - especially impressive 
against the pink sky - and it reminded me of the fighter plane 
flyovers at sporting events.  Peregrines sure are amazing creatures.

General comments:  My confinement was actually not so bad because I 
could take time to appreciate my own yard denizens.  It's been a long 
time since I've watched for several minutes a dazzling male Cardinal 
singing his heart out against a bright blue sky - with a scope and 
the bird at only 100 feet away - absolutely breathtaking!   Today was 
a surprise because a Red-throated Loon was no more than 200 feet 
offshore (they are uncommon on the west side of the Bay).  It was a 
"house list" bird, and because we've lived in the house since 1979, 
"list birds" don't come very often!

Our house has an excellent view of Duxbury Bay, not many neighbors, 
and has a grassy (weeds actually) 1/2 acre that the birds love to 
pick at. Highlights from my window included a flock of Bluebirds (9 
peak), Cooper's Hawk a few times (once on my deck railing not more 
than 30 feet), a regular pair of Red-tails, Red-bellied Woodpecker, 
pair of Flickers since 2/10, Carolina Wren, and occasional flocks of 
25+ Robins.  Mixed blackbird flocks have been growing (peak 200+/-) 
and featured a flock of 70+ Cowbirds on 3/3.

Scoping the Bay from the house yielded much of what I see when 
working the beach, and I was surprised to pick up W-w and Surf 
Scoters, Horned Grebe and Oldsquaw (also today's Loon) in this 
sheltered part of the Bay which is typically populated with Black 
Ducks, Brant, Canada Geese, Eiders, R-b Mergansers and of course 
Bufflehead and the occasional Am. Goldeneye.  There seem to be many 
more Brant on the Bay now than in January.  We were visited briefly 
by two Mute Swans (uncommon at this location) - very impressive big 
birds in flight.

I hope to be able to resume normal activity and reporting soon.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Rick Bowes
rbowes(AT)bowesweb.com
PO Box 1637, Duxbury, MA   02331

[ << | >> | ^^ ]

Subject: Common Raven ~ Ipswich
From: newburyportbirders(AT)comcast.net
Date: 8 Mar 2008 8:00pm

Birders,

This afternoon while introducing two friends from Bedford, MA to "The Great 
Marsh", we saw a Common Raven on Great Neck just after Clark Pond.  The bird 
very cooperatively gave its classic croak, "raah, raaah, raak", prior to taking
flight. 

I saw several Eastern Bluebirds feasting on Staghorn Sumac.  On the pond were 
over 18 Mute Swans...  I'm glad one of the breakout sessions at next Saturday's
Birders Meeting is "How Many Is Too Many [Geese, Swans, Turkeys]?".

We watched a hen Wild Turkey foraging on Mulholland Drive and discussed its 
field marks, feather colors, leg and toes.  

Best wishes,
Sue

Sue McGrath
Newburyport, Ma 01950

[ << | >> | ^^ ]

Subject: Re: Pine Warbler
From: gdentremont(AT)juno.com
Date: 8 Mar 2008 9:04pm

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Folks, small numbers of Pine Warbler winter every year in MA, almost
exclusively along the coastal counties.  For example, along with the
Yellow-throated Warbler there were up to 3 Pine Warbler in Orleans. 
Actual northward migrants probably do not show up here until early April
(I've had them arrive here March 30 or 31 a couple of years).

        Glenn

On Fri, 7 Mar 2008 00:02:49 -0800 (PST) Richard Marchant
<rmarchant31(AT)verizon.net> writes:
Dear John,
   We were wondering when the Pine Warblers would begin to show-up in MA
earlier than usual.
   While we lived in the Lower Keys, Pine Warblers were very common
winter residents there, as well as in the Flamingo area of Everglades NP
before it, and all of its foliage (and Eco Pond) was totally destroyed by
Hurricane Wilma. (Leaving a 100% defoliated, white limestone/marl base
exposed.)
   Over the few years that we were there, we noticed these birds
beginning to depart earlier and earlier. Based on our experience between
here and there, we could, theoretically calculate that the Warblers
wintering over in the Lower Keys, including those at Fort Jefferson,
would take about 2 months to get to the areas in MA with which we were
familiar. 
   Perhaps that time period is closing a bit!

Thanks for you post

John Nelson <jnelson(AT)NORTHSHORE.EDU> wrote:
This morning, after an absence of a few weeks, an overwintering Pine
Warbler returned to our suet feeder.

Yesterday my wife Mary and I saw 10 Hooded Mergansers in a pond beside
Wingaersheek Road in West Gloucester.

John Nelson
Gloucester

Dick and Donna Marchant
Gloucester, MA
rmarchant31(AT)verizon.net

"If you think your dog can't count, put 3 treats in your pocket, and only
give him 2."

Glenn d'Entremont, gdentremont(AT)juno.com, Stoughton, MA
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[ << | >> | ^^ ]

Subject: CT Report 03/08/2008
From: Roy Harvey <rmharvey(AT)snet.net>
Date: 8 Mar 2008 9:30pm

Note: This daily report does not give a clear picture of the state of
the migration, such as the first report of American Oystercatcher
today.  That information is available on the CTBirds open discussion
list.

 From Jamie Meyers:
3/08 - Simsbury, Simsbury Farms rec. area, Old Farms Road -- 3 PINE
GROSBEAKS feeding in a smallish tree about 20 yards north of the
access drive road.  They were about 100 yards up from Old Farms Road.
I have yet to see them up by the ice rink where others have recently
reported them.
3/07 - Canton yard (Meyers Wildlife Sanctuary) -- FOX SPARROW (first
appeared on Tuesday)

 From Aaron Barriger:
3/08 - Durham, Durham Meadows -- 3 RUSTY BLACKBIRDS
Durham,  ice skate pond on RT 68 -- pair of NORTHERN PINTAIL

 From Donna Lorello:
3/08 - Branford yard -- White-winged Dove #1 has just appeared in the
front yard.  It's the same bird with the damaged toes and bill as
first appeared February 2007.

 From Glenn Williams:and Phil Rusch:
3/08 - Groton, Eastern Point Beach -- 8+ PURPLE SANDPIPER

 From Jan Collins with Roger Preston, Jon Ward and HAS group:
3/08 - South Windsor, Station 43 -- 6-8 NORTHERN PINTAIL

**********************************************************************
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)msbx.net.  Reports should 
include sender's name, date, location of sightings and species of note
at each location. Reporting Guidelines are available at:
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[ << | >> | ^^ ]

Subject: Jamaica Plain Birds:  Northern Goshawk, Killdeer,
          Cowbirds, Fox Sparrow, etc
From: Jake Miller <fiatlux.interport(AT)rcn.com>
Date: 8 Mar 2008 10:00pm

Birders--

Wednesday (3/5) on my way to pick up my son at daycare I noticed the  
Forest Hill T pigeons were in an agitated state. The sources of the  
agitation was a nice immature Northen Goshawk that was initially  
invisible in the midst of the swirling pigeons.

Once it broke off pursuit I had a great look at this buteo sized,  
broad, burly hawk with an exceptionally long tail, including the  
rather obvious pale stripe on its greater coverts.

The Goshawk flew off from the T station and headed south in a  
meandering path over the Arboretum, providing good looks for nearly a  
minute before it went out of sight.

I had brief looks at what was presumably the same bird as it flew  
over Forest Hills Cemetery on 2/10 and I had an adult Northern  
Goshawk fly over the Boston Nature Center on 2/24. (Goshawk(s)  have  
also been reported recently from Franklin Park, though I'm not sure  
whether it was an adult or an immature.)

When I got back from my run this afternoon (3/8), I saw a hawk  
perched in a tree around the corner from my house which turned out to  
be the imm. Goshawk.

It's been a good year for raptors in the neighborhood.  I had a nice  
Coopers Hawk near the corner of Walk Hill and Hyde Park (just up the  
hill from the Dunkin Donuts)  and a Sharp-Shinned Hawk in my backyard  
on 2/25. My feeder birds were not as excited to see it as I was.

On a run in Franklin Park this afternoon (3/8) I had a Peregrine  
Falcon and three Red-Tailed Hawks all lurking around Scarborough Pond  
(with 8 oddly unconcerned Mallards) and a nice flock of sparrows  
which included at least one Swamp and one Fox (I stopped running to  
look at the sparrows).

Other JP highlights from the first week of March included my first of  
the season Killdeer (heard around the back of the Forest Hills  
Cemetery on Scarborough St), and my first of the season Common  
Grackle and Brown Headed Cowbirds (both at the Boston Nature Center),  
all on 3/6.

Good birding!

Jake Miller
Jamaica Plain
fiatlux at interport dot net

[ << | >> | ^^ ]

Subject: South Boston 3/7 Snowy Owl, Barrow's Goldeneye,
         Yellow-rumped Warbler etc
From: Jake Miller <fiatlux.interport(AT)rcn.com>
Date: 8 Mar 2008 10:32pm

Birders--

On Friday I took the T to South Boston for a morning of "carless"  
birding.

Starting at Umass/JFK at 9:30 , I walked the harbor view trail all  
the way to Castle Island (approximately 5 mies on foot), arriving at  
12:30.

It was a great day to be out, with enough of a chill in the breeze to  
feel like winter but enough of a hint of spring to remind me that  
spring is just a warm breeze away.

A few of the many highlights included:

Snowy Owl on Thompson Island seen from JFK/Umass
Red-throated Loon at Carson Beach
Barrows Goldeneye 1m at Carson Beach, with Commons
Lesser Scaup 1m seen with m Greater for excellent size/shape comparison
Brant (17)
Yellow-rumped Warbler It flew in from the water, landed in a tree in  
front of the South Boston Yacht Club just as I was walking by, then  
flew inland after a few seconds' rest
Bald Eagle 1 imm bird soaring over Spectacle Island
Bufflehead numbers and (courtship?) flight were very impressive
Black Scoter 1
Long-tailed duck 1

Complete list:

Red-throated Loon	1
Common Loon	2
Horned Grebe	2
Brant	17
Canada Goose	7
Mallard	2
American Black Duck	62
Greater Scaup	76
Lesser Scaup	1
Common Eider	247
Long-tailed Duck	1
Black Scoter	1
Surf Scoter	3
White-winged Scoter	16
Common Goldeneye	58
Barrow's Goldeneye	1
Bufflehead	209
Red-breasted Merganser	46
Bald Eagle	1
Red-tailed Hawk	2
Ring-billed Gull	137
Great Black-backed Gull	13
American Herring Gull	43
Rock Pigeon	37
Mourning Dove	2
Snowy Owl	1
Northern Mockingbird	1
Black-capped Chickadee	1
Blue Jay	3
American Crow	27
European Starling	220
House Sparrow	51
Yellow-rumped Warbler	1
Song Sparrow	4
Northern Cardinal	1
Red-winged Blackbird	6
Common Grackle		3

Good birding!

Jake Miller
Jamaica Plain

fiatlux at interport dot net

37 species

[ << | >> | ^^ ]

Subject: Plum Island
From: "Tom Martin" <hthomasm(AT)comcast.net>
Date: 8 Mar 2008 11:36pm

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This morning I took a quick trip down Plum Island. The highlights were a =
Short-eared Owl and a Peregrine. I also saw the 2 immature Eagles =
perched in a small tree along the Plum Island Causeway.

Tom Martin
Boxford
hthomasm(AT)comcast.net
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The Virtual Birder

MASSBIRD for Saturday, March 8, 2008

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The Virtual Birder

MASSBIRD for Saturday, March 8, 2008

Send feedback on these pages to: BMail@greatblue.com B-Mail Message Content Disclaimer Layout Copyright © 1999-2001 Great Blue Media Works Last Updated: Friday, April 4, 2008 7:55am MT

Send feedback on these pages to: BMail@greatblue.com
B-Mail Message Content Disclaimer
Layout Copyright © 1999-2001 Great Blue Media Works
Last Updated: Friday, April 4, 2008 7:55am MT