B-Mail(sm): MASSBIRD for Sun, 6 Apr 2008

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Subject: Woodcock Courtship Displays ~ PRNWR ~ 4/5/08
From: newburyportbirders(AT)comcast.net
Date: 6 Apr 2008 7:04am

Birders,

"PEENT" 

Each spring American Woodcock engage in one of the most demonstrative  
and unusual courtships in the fields at Parker River National Wildlife Refuge. 
The males of this cryptic and secretive, woodland shorebird performed their 
impressive, aerial display flight at dusk tonight for our participants who
enjoyed the
7:23pm show.  Everyday the show seems to be a minute or two later...

Ten participants joined Paula McFarland and I as we walked south on the 
unpaved section of the road to the fields as we watched and listened to this 
remarkable display. 

Tonight's surrond sound of the American Woodcock's "PEENT" was one of 
the most magical, evening sounds and the sunset was spectacular.  Our 
participants with their sense of wonder were treated to excellent and multiple 
looks at these skydancers. 

We also checked on "Mama" Great Horned Owl.  Great Egrets were headed to their
evening roost to the south.  Red-breasted Mergansers were in flight from the
sound
to the ocean.  An American Robin sang incessantly from a roadside perch.   As we
walked back to our vehicles the chorus and aerial flights accompanied us.  
We conducted our program summary to a band of peenters right at Hellcat's
parking
lot.

Good birding,
Sue

Paula McFarland
Sue McGrath
Observe ~ Appreciate ~ Identify
Newburyport Birders
Newburyport, MA 01950
978-462-4785
newburyportbirders(AT)comcast.net
www.newburyportbirders.com

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Subject: Glossy Ibis-Manchester MA 4/5
From: <winterwren2(AT)verizon.net>
Date: 6 Apr 2008 7:16am

Location:     01944 Manchester MA Observation date:     4/5/08
 After an errand, birded Manchester back to Gloucester. Glossy Ibis 
flying over by Crow Island. pair of Phoebes by Crow Island end of beach-
possible pair for BBA
Number of species:     10

Canada Goose     X
Wood Duck     1
American Black Duck     X
Pied-billed Grebe     1
Glossy Ibis     3
Red-tailed Hawk     1
Killdeer     1
Belted Kingfisher     1
Eastern Phoebe     2
Carolina Wren     1

At Ravenswood Park:
Brown Creeper singing!

winterwren2(AT)verizon.net 
Susan Hedman, Gloucester
"I believe in God, only I spell it Nature."  Frank Lloyd Wright

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Subject: Rusties at Millennium park continue  About 80
         birds
From: "HARRY ROBINSON" <ridetheheights(AT)yahoo.com>
Date: 6 Apr 2008 9:10am

Went for a quick chase to catch the Rusty Black Bird show this morning.  Was 
prepared to walk from the locked gate that doesn't open till 7:00 a.m. which 
is 30 minutes too late for this show.

Arrived at the canoe launch of Millennium Park in West Roxbury at 6:10 a. m. 
The show started right on time at sunrise 6:18.

First the Grackles started to rise up out of the reeds.   They were quickly 
followed by about 60 Rusties in several groups of 15 or 20 birds.     Two 
groups of 8  and 6 Rusties rose out of the reeds into two different trees. 
They stayed between 1 to 3 minutes.  Then they flew to join their comrades. 
The whole show was finished by 6:25 a.m.

The clouds made it difficult to see more than silhouettes in the bins, but I 
was able to scope out 4 birds before they flew.   This was a nice life bird 
for me to start the week.

Harry Robinson
Quincy
Ride the Heights at  yahoo

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Subject: Birding in Pepperell 
From: "Erik Stromsted" <siskin(AT)charter.net>
Date: 6 Apr 2008 9:36am

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Participants:   Birders: Erik Stromsted,Pepperell, Alan Bostik,Groton, =
Hatzy Hornblower,Dunstable & Ken & Jeanne Nevard- =
photographers-Pepperell.All photos by Jeanne/Ken Nevard.=20

Mar 29: Gardner Farm-off River Rd/Pepperell ,mid/late -afternoon
Canada Goose-~100 -mostly along Nashua River but also adjacent cornfield =
& marshes
Mute Swan-2
Great Blue Heron-2 stalking in marsh. Mallard-~20 -a few in most wet =
areas
Hooded Merganser-~40 in Nashua River
Common Merganser-~50 in Nashua River
Wood Duck-max 36 inner lagoon and access road  Ring-necked Duck-15 Back =
channel by Gardner Farms
Blue -Winged Teal- pr-flying close formation & fast over farm-river =
lagoon,blue on wing noted
Turkey Vulture-2 gliding overhead with dihedral
Ring-billed Gull-3
Greater black backed Gull-1=20
Common snipe-1 corn field puddle =20
Killdeer-10 (min.) cornfield and marsh wetspots
Mourning Dove-10

Tree Swallow-6 flying low over river chasing flies
Phoebe-1 just off access road on tree branch wagging tail
and fly-catching. First seen this spring.
Savannah Sparrow-5  off entrance road by lagoon-sharp stripes ,detail =
and a forked tail-quick running motion, mostly hidden,shy
Song Sparrow-4 max in shrub edging-Corn field
Bluebird-4
Robin-15
Red-Winged Blackbird-~40
Grackle-26=20

note- Nashua River basically teeming with migratory ducks (at least for =
the last month) Visible evidence of river quality at much higher levels =
than the last century. I understand that in the twenties or earlier, =
Common Mergansers nested along the river but pollution and excessive =
hunting finally terminated local nesting except for Mallards and Hooded =
Mergansers in local ponds.

 Pepperell Airport
Killdeer 8 in wet ditches off runway by entrance rd
Horned Lark-1 same area=20
Robin 9

Home -Mt Lebanon St.  (E Stromsted)
Wild Turkey -4 crossing rt 113.
Great Horned Owl-1 heard at 3:30 am hooting
Downy/Hairy/Red-Bellied woodpeckers- a few at suet feeders
Bluebird- pecking at suet.
Robin ~100 nearby eating worms at water retention basin (drained)=20
Mockingbird-2=20
Blue-Jay -15
W-breasted Nuthatch-4
Tufted Titmouse-4
Chickadee-12
Tree Sparrow-3
Chipping Sparrow-1
Junco-20
Purple Finch-1 unusually on ground below feeders with juncos-large bill =
,red on head ,nape, back, breast and rump, no mate.
Goldfinch-~15  at feeders also on Apr 4
Crow-5
Cowbird-2 eating seeds at feeder

Pond at Rt 119 and abandoned rail bed (Pepperell Conservation area)  =
Erik Stromsted
Wood Duck-9 Surface feeding before sunset.
Mallard-pair
note Two small beavers crossing over abandoned rail bed and plunging =
into lagoon area for safety.

Erik Stromsted
Pepperell, Ma
Siskin(AT)charter.net
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Subject: Mashpee River Woodlands
From: Mary Keleher <maryeak(AT)yahoo.com>
Date: 6 Apr 2008 10:46am

This morning in unexpected dreary conditions I birded
the Mashpee River Woodlands and found the following.

Location:     Mashpee River Woodlands
Observation date:     4/6/08
Number of species:     47

Mute Swan     4
Wood Duck     13
American Black Duck     105
Mallard     65
Northern Pintail     1
Green-winged Teal     12
Ring-necked Duck     2
Bufflehead     42
Hooded Merganser     3
Common Merganser     2
Great Blue Heron     6
Turkey Vulture     1
Osprey     4
Red-tailed Hawk     1
Herring Gull     X
Mourning Dove     6
Belted Kingfisher     5
Red-bellied Woodpecker     2
Downy Woodpecker     8
Hairy Woodpecker     1
Northern Flicker     4
Eastern Phoebe     4
Blue Jay     35
American Crow     15
Fish Crow     2
Tree Swallow     3
Black-capped Chickadee     43
Tufted Titmouse     22
Red-breasted Nuthatch     9
White-breasted Nuthatch     4
Brown Creeper     4
MARSH WREN     1
Golden-crowned Kinglet     3
Hermit Thrush     1
American Robin     4
Yellow-rumped Warbler     4
Pine Warbler     8
Eastern Towhee     3
Song Sparrow     22
Swamp Sparrow     9
Dark-eyed Junco     2
Northern Cardinal     13
Red-winged Blackbird     42
Common Grackle     5
Brown-headed Cowbird     1
House Finch     2
American Goldfinch     18

River Otter - 1

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

Mary Keleher 
Mashpee, MA

  Cape Cod Bird Club
  www.massbird.org/ccbc

____________________________________________________________________________________
You rock. That's why Blockbuster's offering you one month of Blockbuster Total
Access, No Cost.
http://tc.deals.yahoo.com/tc/blockbuster/text5.com

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Subject: Grouse attack
From: Bob and Lura Bieda <blbieda(AT)charter.net>
Date: 6 Apr 2008 11:20am

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Yesterday Lura and I were walking in a wooded area off a quiet back  
road when we spotted a Ruffed Grouse about ten yards from us. We froze  
and watched as it walked in a semi-circle keeping about the same ten  
yard distance. It did this back and forth a couple of times and then  
approached closer, still in semi-circles. We though it was unaware of  
our presence but as it got within a few feet of us it was obvious that  
it knew we were there.

It continued to about two feet from our feet. It would walk back and  
forth, tossing leaves, making soft guttural sounds. and occasionally  
looking up at us with the feathers on the top of its head crested and  
its ruff partially "ruffed". I thought as soon as I moved it would  
flush so I took one step back. But instead, it approached right up to  
my boot. Figuring we bothered it enough we started walking away. It  
followed. I turned toward the grouse and it jumped at my leg, grabbed  
my jeans with its beak, put both feet on my leg and beat its wings a  
couple of times. (WOW) When it dropped off we continued to walk to the  
road and it continued to follow occasionally pecking at my jeans. When  
we got to about ten yards from the road it held back and walked back  
and forth as we continued to the road.

Arthur Cleveland Bent, in his volume on gallinaceous birds, describes  
similar behavior. "They follow their human friends about like pet  
dogs, can be coaxed to eat out of human hands, will often peck at them  
in a possibly playful manner, and will eventually allow themselves to  
be handled."

I have no idea what was going on in the mind of this bird but I doubt  
it was looking at me as a "human friend". It was a heck of an  
experience.

Bob Bieda

Bob and Lura Bieda
Easthampton, MA
blbieda(AT)charter.net

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Subject: Glossy Ibis, Rowley
From: "Bird Watcher's Supply & Gift" <birdwsg(AT)verizon.net>
Date: 6 Apr 2008 12:00pm

Paula McFarland called the store at 11:40 to report a Glossy Ibis at Patmos
Road, Rowley. It was seen from near the end of the road, in the open field.

Barrett Bacall for SG

Steve Grinley
Bird Watcher's Supply & Gift and Nature Shop at Joppa Flats
Newburyport, MA 
BirdWSG(AT)Verizon.net
978-462-0775
15% Off All In Stock Optics - Now 'til April 15!

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Subject: Canton yardbirds: Purple finches
From: "Michael Ross" <michaeleross(AT)comcast.net>
Date: 6 Apr 2008 11:54am

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In addition to the usual house finches coming to the feeders, we have =
had purple finches today (1 male, 3 females).
Also a pair of fox sparrows made a brief appearance.

Good birding to all.

Michael Ross
Canton
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Subject: Ravens in Concord
From: Godwit4(AT)aol.com
Date: 6 Apr 2008 12:00pm

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This morning at 9:30 am three ravens were careening over the Town Forest in  
Concord, off Walden Street across from the high school, while a blue jay  
expressed moderate concern.

CJ Coppersmith
Concord, MA

**************Planning your summer road trip? Check out AOL Travel Guides.    
  (http://travel.aol.com/travel-guide/united-states?ncid=aoltrv00030000000016)

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Subject: Bohemian Waxwings continue, Marlborough
From: Timothy Spahr <tspahr(AT)cfa.harvard.edu>
Date: 6 Apr 2008 1:04pm

Hi Birders,

A very quick stop at around 10:40 at the
Immaculate Conception Cemetery at the
corner of Beach and Clover Hill streets
in Marlborough produced a nice flock of
about 15 Bohemian Waxwings.  The birds spooked
very quickly and flew off to the southeast.

I'll make another pass by there in a few hours.

good birding

Tim Spahr
Marlborough
tspahr(AT)cfa.harvard.edu

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Subject: Rusty blackbirds in Reading
From: "David Williams" <dave.williams6(AT)gmail.com>
Date: 6 Apr 2008 1:26pm

I checked out a swamp along the Reading/Wakefield line this morning
and had 4 Rusty blackbirds.  In addition, there were numerous
Red-winged blackbirds, Common grackles, and several Tree sparrows.
Dave Williams

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Subject: Boh Waxwings, Nbpt Industrial Park
From: "Bird Watcher's Supply & Gift" <birdwsg(AT)verizon.net>
Date: 6 Apr 2008 1:32pm

I received a call at 1:00 reporting a flock of ~100 Bohemian Waxwings in the
Newburyport Industrial Park in the area of Repackaging Specialties. I failed to
get the name of the caller, sorry.

Barrett Bacall for SG

Steve Grinley
Bird Watcher's Supply & Gift and Nature Shop at Joppa Flats
Newburyport, MA 
BirdWSG(AT)Verizon.net
978-462-0775
15% Off All In Stock Optics - Now 'til April 15!

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Subject: Fitchburg/Westminster-4/6 (Bohemians)
From: caronenv(AT)aol.com
Date: 6 Apr 2008 2:22pm

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Location:     BBA Fitchburg 8- Fitchburg and Westminster
Observation date:     4/6/08
Number of species:     30

Canada Goose     44
Common Merganser     17
Double-crested Cormorant     2
Great Blue Heron     1
Turkey Vulture     1
Red-tailed Hawk     2
Killdeer     3
Ring-billed Gull     1
Herring Gull     2
Great Black-backed Gull     10
Rock Pigeon     13
Mourning Dove     10
Downy Woodpecker     1
Hairy Woodpecker     1
Eastern Phoebe     3
Blue Jay     8
American Crow     21
Black-capped Chickadee     5
Tufted Titmouse     2
American Robin     245
European Starling     73
Bohemian Waxwing     122  (By the Boutwell-Owens building on Westminster Street,
 Fitchburg)
Fox Sparrow     1
Song Sparrow     5
Dark-eyed Junco     5
Northern Cardinal     5
Red-winged Blackbird     92
Common Grackle     102
American Goldfinch     1
House Sparrow     36

Submitted by
Charles Caron
Westminster, MA

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Subject: Glossy ibis, Bolton
From: Akm48(AT)aol.com
Date: 6 Apr 2008 3:18pm

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Nine glossy ibis were seen by members of the Forbush Bird Club this morning  
at Bolton Flats in Bolton. The birds were seen in the large flooded cornfield  
north of the parking lot on Route 117. Other highlights included 2 rusty  
blackbirds, greater and lesser yellowlegs, solitary sandpiper and numerous  
Wilson's snipe. Knee boots are needed.

Alan Marble
Millbury, MA
_akm48(AT)aol.com_ (mailto:akm48(AT)aol.com) 

**************Planning your summer road trip? Check out AOL Travel Guides.    
  (http://travel.aol.com/travel-guide/united-states?ncid=aoltrv00030000000016)

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

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Subject: Bohemian Waxwings continue in Bradford
From: Steve Mirick <smirick(AT)comcast.net>
Date: 6 Apr 2008 3:30pm

Jane and I had about 55 Bohemian Waxwings and 1 Cedar Waxwing at 3 PM in 
the parking lot of the Dunkin Donuts south of the Basiliere Bridge in 
Bradford (Haverhill).

Also.....while scouting/atlasing a bit in our sectors this morning:

Common Raven - 2 flying together off Crystal Road in Haverhill.

Steve & Jane Mirick
Bradford, MA

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Subject: Bohemian Waxwings & more Essex County 4/6
From: <winterwren2(AT)verizon.net>
Date: 6 Apr 2008 3:56pm

---------Location: Boxford Crooked Pond  Observation date:4/6/08
Notes: FOS-Singing Winter Wren
Red-bellied Woodpecker     1
Eastern Phoebe     3
Blue Jay     X
Black-capped Chickadee     X
Tufted Titmouse     X
White-breasted Nuthatch     X
Winter Wren     1
Golden-crowned Kinglet     1
Red-winged Blackbird     X
American Goldfinch     X
-------Location: Ipswich, Essex County, MA, Observation date: 4/6/08 
Notes: Ipswich River by Topsfield fair ground-killdeer and GW Teal, Brown 
Creeper, tree swallows, pied billed grebe, Ring-necked Ducks and GBHE at East 
St. beaver marsh by Willowdale, GLIB at Buttonwood Farm on Rt. 1A-alert from 
Phil Brown
Canada Goose     10
Wood Duck     2
Green-winged Teal (American)     10
Ring-necked Duck     25
Bufflehead     10
Pied-billed Grebe     1
Great Blue Heron     1
Glossy Ibis     7
Red-tailed Hawk     2
Killdeer     3
Red-bellied Woodpecker     1
Blue Jay     X
Tree Swallow     8
Black-capped Chickadee     X
Tufted Titmouse     X
White-breasted Nuthatch     X
Brown Creeper     1
American Robin     X
Dark-eyed Junco     X
Red-winged Blackbird     X

-------Location:Newburyport  Observation date:4/6/08
Notes:Drove up to Plum Bush area by the airport- Davis Noble had Golden 
Plover in scope and also found a meadowlark. Went to Scotland Rd. to look for 
BW teal and pectoral. Phil Brown stopped by and alerted us to a flock of 
Bohemian  Waxwings in the industrial park. We found this amazing group of 
birds eating fruit on small crab apples on Opportunity Way near the junction 
w/ Malcomn Hoyt Rd.  Some birds were eye level or on the ground eating the 
fruit. Phenomenal good looks , by far the best I've ever had WOW! Thanks Phil 
A small accipiter put up the flock
Green-winged Teal     12
Great Egret     1
American Golden-Plover     1
Northern Flicker     1
Bohemian Waxwing     100+/-
Eastern Meadowlark     1

winterwren2(AT)verizon.net 
Susan Hedman, Gloucester
"I believe in God, only I spell it Nature."  Frank Lloyd Wright

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Subject: Tree Swallows Wayland
From: "John Hoye & Audrey McCarthy" <lt.jaeger(AT)verizon.net>
Date: 6 Apr 2008 4:42pm

   Around noon today there were 20 Tree Swallows and 1 Northern Rough Wing 
Swallow hawking insects over Sudbury River Pelham Island Road Wayland.
    The Male Pileated Woodpecker discovered by Bev Chaisson at Elm Banks off 
Rte 16 in Wellesley near the second parking lot continues working on a nest 
hole
      John and Audrey
      John Hoye, Wayland Ma
      Lt.Jaeger(AT)verizon.net

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Subject: Bohemian Waxwing, Brookline/Boston Border
From: "Matt Garvey" <mattpgarvey(AT)gmail.com>
Date: 6 Apr 2008 4:30pm

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Chris Dalton just reported a Bohemian among 80 Cedar Waxwings and Harry
Downes Park, just across the street from Olmstead Park in the Emerald
Necklace, on the Brookline side.
Matt Garvey
Brookline, MA
mattpgarvey(AT)gmail.com

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Subject: Tyringham 4/6
From: "Mark Lynch" <moa.lynch(AT)verizon.net>
Date: 6 Apr 2008 5:40pm

We spent this morning doing some preliminary atlasing in EAST LEE 3, which
is mostly in the small hamlet of TYRINGHAM in the southern Berkshires. This
block contains much of the tiny Tyringham Valley, but not the Trustees
property of Tyringham Cobble. The north end of Tyringham Valley is dominated
by wet fields and marsh bordered by small farms, houses and then large
tracts of forest. The Bear Town State Forest runs along a part of the
western edge of this block, but this does not include any of the main dirt
roads into the forest. Access in this Atlas block is somewhat limited to a
small number of roads, several dirt and quite muddy at this time of the
year. Views of the extensive marsh are also quite difficult. There are a
number of trails in the WMA, all of which were very flooded. The weather was
very cool/cold and quite breezy. However, by the time we got back to
Worcester, the weather seemed even colder and windier, so I think we made a
smart choice birding here this morning. The complete list below:
Turkey Vulture (8)
Canada Goose (62)
Wood Duck (1)
A Black Duck (11)
Mallard (41)
Green-winged Teal (87)
Hooded Merganser (pair)
COMMON MERGANSER (pair: we watched as this pair, always led by the female,
flew up into a tract of forest, and continued to fly all about the trees,
sometimes landing momentarily in a tree and often on the ground at the base
of the trees. I have seen behavior like this several times with Wood Duck
pairs, another cavity nesting species. The pair is searching for a suitable
nest hole. According to the BIRDS OF NORTH AMERICA ON-LINE, Common
Mergansers like natural cavities in dead snags of Pileated Woodpecker holes.
Several pairs of Pileateds breed in this block, one pair in the exact area
of forest where we watched them flying. )
Sharp-shinned Hawk (1)
Cooper�s Hawk (1 caught Mourning Dove and flew off with it)
Red-tailed Hawk (3)
American Kestrel (1f)
Merlin (1 migrating through)
Ring-necked Pheasant (1m)
Wild Turkey (9)
Killdeer (16: lots of flight displaying et)
Wilson�s Snipe (81)
Rock Dove (2: we may not be able to get this species breeding in this block)
Mourning Dove (11)
Red-bellied Woodpecker (1)
Downy Woodpecker (3)
Hairy Woodpecker (1)
N Flicker (2)
Eastern Phoebe (9, 1 nest building)
Blue Jay (11)
A Crow (24)
Tree Swallow (17)
Black-capped Chickadee (34, 1 seen excavating a nest hole)
Tufted Titmouse (3)
White-breasted Nuthatch (pair at hole)
Brown Creeper (8 singing, 1 seen nest building)
Winter Wren (2 singing)
Golden-crowned Kinglet (4)
American Robin (280+)
E Starling (253)
Fox Sparrow (1)
Song Sparrow (34)
Dark-eyed Junco (30)
N Cardinal (9)
Red-winged Blackbird (258: flocks still migrating through)
Rusty Blackbird (12)
Common Grackle (189)
Brown-headed Cowbird (47: several pairs seen copulating)
Purple Finch (1 singing)
House Finch (pair)
A Goldfinch (12)
Best mammal sighting was a rare Tom Tyning in a fast food emporium.

Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll
Moa.lynch(AT)verizon.net
No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition.
Version: 7.5.516 / Virus Database: 269.22.7/1361 - Release Date: 4/5/2008
7:53 AM

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Subject: 4/6 Duxbury Beach ISS - Bayside Gannets, Plover
         trifecta,
From: Rick Bowes <rbowes(AT)bowesweb.com>
Date: 6 Apr 2008 5:28pm

Sun 4/6 11:15-3:15; HiTide 12:19; Temp: 41; Cloudy;Wind NNE 10-20; 
bay quiet;ocean rough.

Coming across the bridge I was surprised to see a big white bird 
about 200 yards to the right.  And then another!  I've not seen 
Gannets in the bay that I can recall, and seeing one in the bay is a 
bit disorienting not only because of its size but also because of the 
speed of its flight.  I had the odd experience of seeing two 
fast-flying R-b Mergansers being left in the dust by a swooping, 
still-winged Gannet.  The mergs were working hard, furiously flapping 
their wings and moving fast - but then the Gannet, without even 
flapping its wings, just cruised by them.  It almost seemed 
unfair!  As a side note later in the day I found a 1st year Gannet 
carcass in the wrack - also on the bay side.  The carcass had been 
there awhile, so apparently they do come into the bay from time to time.

This was my first ISS run of the season, and it started with my 
seeing no shorebirds whatsoever on the southbound run (picked up 2 
Killdeer at High Pines calling), but on the return, the tide had 
receded a bit and exposed some shoreline on the bayside and with that 
a few birds appeared including two flocks consisting of a single 
Black-bellied Plover (one with a molting belly and the other clear 
white) and 40+ Dunlin.  This is the third year I've seen these kinds 
of flocks - one B-b and a bunch of Dunlin - with the B-b almost 
always at the edges looking like a sentry or alternatively like a 
homeroom teacher.  I've not seen B-b's on the beach this winter so I 
assume that maybe the Dunlin are new birds as well.

Overall 29 species....Highlights (non-shorebird):
Northern Gannet    -  2    (adults in Bay near the yacht club)
Black Scoter     -  2   (pair by 1st xover)
Osprey     -  2      (on the nesting pole north of the bridge)
Horned Lark     -  4   (3 locations)
Savannah Sparrow     -  2   (one at 2nd xover, one HP peninsula)

Shorebirds:
Black-bellied Plover     -  6   (3 singles with Dunlins and one loose 
group of 3) (FOY)
Piping Plover     -  4   (2 singles, 2 together)
Killdeer     -  4   (calling at 3 distinct locations)
Dunlin     -  120   (six groups incl two of 46 & 49)

Rick Bowes
Duxbury, MA
rbowes(at)bowesweb.com

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Subject: Great Horned Owl addition, Plymouth
From: Kathryn Doyon <gizzybird(AT)verizon.net>
Date: 6 Apr 2008 6:18pm

Sorry about a second post, but before I found the bird
on the nest, I had its mate flush before I noticed it.
 So there were two Great Horned Owls present.

                              Kathy

Kathryn Doyon
Plymouth, MA
Gizzybird(AT)verizon.net

[ << | >> | ^^ ]

Subject: bluebirds
From: Leah Bird <leah(AT)leahbird.com>
Date: 6 Apr 2008 6:10pm

Hi Birders,

Yesterday a friend and I watched 2 Eastern bluebirds scoping out the  
nesting boxes in the upper gardens of Nahanton Park in Newton.  I've  
heard that incoming swallows will throw the bluebirds out of the  
boxes, and that putting 2 boxes back to back on the same pole can  
alleviate this.  Do any of you know that this tactic might work?

Happy Spring birding!
Leah Bird
Newton

[ << | >> | ^^ ]

Subject: Westfield, Southwick
From: "Scott Ricker" <ptbagger(AT)verizon.net>
Date: 6 Apr 2008 6:36pm

This is a multi-part message in MIME format.

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

MassBirders,

=20

I went to Crane Pond in Westfield and had the following;

=20

2-Canada Goose-                               1 bird had a neck band =
with
28MA in large characters

1-Common Golden Eye

8-Hooded Merganser 1m + 7f

8-Common Merganser 4m + 4f

=20

I then went to Goose Pond in Southwick and had;

=20

2-Canada Goose

1-Greater Scaup-I watched this bird for about 10 minutes as it dove
consistently, I left and then went back and watched it for another 15
minutes. Every thing I saw indicated Greater, very white flanks/sides, I
could see the black tip of the bill good, there was a clear and =
definitive
line from the sides to the back. The shape of the head was round and =
larger
than what I would expect from a lesser. A lesser was seen in the area I
believe yesterday, that=92s why I went back to study this bird better.

=20

Many Black birds, mostly Red-wings setting up in the trees, around the =
pond
& fields

=20

I then went to the Tobacco fields off of Babbs Rd and the Great Blue =
Heron
rookery that is actually in CT but accessible from Babbs Rd;

=20

16-Ring-necked Duck            -at the Heron rookery

1-Common Loon                    -this was the only bird on South Pond =
other
than about 50 Tree Swallow

6-Great Blue Heron                -all on nest

1-Turkey Vulture

2-Osprey                                 -One on nest and the other
attemptedto set land on the nest but was forced off by wind and made a
circle around to land the second time.

2-American Kestral-1m + 1f-Working the area behind the tobacco barns =
that
are furthest north in this area/MA

2-Northern Flicker

2-Eastern Bluebird

=20

Scott Ricker

Southwick, MA.

Ptbagger(at)verizon(dot)net

=20

=20

=20

=20

=20

=20

=20

=20

No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG.=20
Version: 7.5.519 / Virus Database: 269.22.7/1361 - Release Date: =
4/5/2008
7:53 AM
=20

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[ << | >> | ^^ ]

Subject: Possible Swan Goose???
From: "Will Sweet" <wsweet321(AT)gmail.com>
Date: 6 Apr 2008 6:40pm

I took these pictures of a Goose that i do not know, is it a Swan Goose...
http://flickr.com/photos/22560927@N04/2394212254/

http://flickr.com/photos/22560927@N04/2393380477/in/photostream/
http://flickr.com/photos/22560927@N04/2393378233/in/photostream/
http://flickr.com/photos/22560927@N04/2393378233/in/photostream/
http://flickr.com/photos/22560927@N04/2394207962/in/photostream/
http://flickr.com/photos/22560927@N04/2393375951/in/photostream/

Will Sweet
Sharon MA
wsweet321(AT)gmail.com

[ << | >> | ^^ ]

Subject: Sunday
From: Pamela Knight <pammyk48(AT)hotmail.com>
Date: 6 Apr 2008 7:06pm

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Hingham, MA
intersection of Hull St. and Meadow Lane
4/05/2008   11:15 AM
=20
Out in the Weir River wetlands roved:
       3 Great Egrets
       1 Great Blue Heron
       1 Little Blue Heron
=20
At the end of Meadow Lane is a better view of the Osprey nest on the Weir R=
iver.
       1 Osprey
     =20
Pamela Knight
_________________________________________________________________
Use video conversation to talk face-to-face with Windows Live Messenger.
http://www.windowslive.com/messenger/connect_your_way.html?ocid=3DTXT_TAGLM=
_WL_Refresh_messenger_video_042008=

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

[ << | >> | ^^ ]

Subject: Bohemian Waxwings, NBPT ~ 4/6/08
From: newburyportbirders(AT)comcast.net
Date: 6 Apr 2008 7:46pm

Birders,

After reading the posts [thank you] about these waxwings in the Industrial Park
in
Newburyport I broke away from the task at hand to see if that small accipter
moved on
and allowed the Bohemian Waxwing flock to feed.

On Opportunity Way, at Packaging Specialties I found the flock ~ 38 birds.  I 
watched these birds as they plucked fruit from both while perched 
and hovering. They were very confiding.  They were focused on their high-carb 
buffet.

I had the opportunity to see these special, pointed packages in flight.   
Their wings seem set smack in the middle of their body.  The crisp 
white comma on the upper surface of the wing was bright on this overcast day.  
Today, I was taken by the rufous undertails the most impressive field mark ~ it
seems to be on the entire back half of the bird.

I studied these birds carefully and tried to discern the sexes; the literature 
states that  female has a more compact, black, chin patch along with shorter 
and fewer waxy tips on feathers.  Maybe it is something that is seen by banders
when the bird in in the hand...

Glossy Ibis in the morning, Bohemian Waxwings in the evening ~ April is indeed
an
interesting month!

Good birding,
Sue

Sue McGrath
Observe ~ Appreciate ~ Identify
Newburyport Birders
Newburyport, MA 01950
978-462-4785
newburyportbirders(AT)comcast.net
www.newburyportbirders.com

[ << | >> | ^^ ]

Subject: Ashby, MA.
From: "Paul Maher Jr." <paul_maherjr(AT)yahoo.com>
Date: 6 Apr 2008 7:46pm

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Location: Ashby, MA. - on Rt. 31, small wooded pond just at state line . . .
Observation date: 4/6/08
Number of species: 7

Common Grackles: 30
Hooded Mergansers: 22 pairs
Great Blue Heron: 1
Canadian Goose: 2
Mallard: 2 pair
Common Goldeneye: 11 pair

And one Fisher Cat making a run for it under a rotten log . . . .

 Submitted by: Paul Maher Jr.
paul__maherjr(AT)yahoo.com

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[ << | >> | ^^ ]

Subject: Glossy Ibis,Fall River
From: Raymond Marr Jr <rmarr2(AT)cox.net>
Date: 6 Apr 2008 7:46pm

     Spring is on the way
   Six Glossy Ibis moving north seen while going over the Braga  
Bridge Fall River.
  Raymond Marr jr
  Pawtucket RI

[ << | >> | ^^ ]

Subject: Stackyard, Patmos & Nelson Island, Rowley ~
         4/6/08
From: newburyportbirders(AT)comcast.net
Date: 6 Apr 2008 7:46pm

Birders,

Paula McFarland and I led a group of keen Sunday morning birders in Rowley.  
We walked Stackyard Road, Patmos Road and out to Nelson Island, that
under-birded
section of the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge.

Our participants ranged from age eight to seniors hailing from New Hampshire,
New
York and various communities in Essex County. Our youngest birder, Ryan, spotted
 the
Glosssy Ibis when his Dad, Mike made a "U-Turn" just prior to joining the group.
  Four
Glossy Ibis were foraging along the edge of a puddle to the left of the manure
pile with a
pair of American Black Ducks and Green-winged Teal.  Mike got some nice photos
of the ibis
for Ryan's school project.  Presently the duo have documented 120 species
together.

Red-tailed were in courtship flight and White-breasted Nuthatches were singing,
calling and bowing in trees.  Eastern Bluebirds were partaking in home
inspections
at the boxes on the marsh.  A Sharpie was on the hunt, it flew and perched for 
all to obtain excellent views.  

A female American Kestrel was seen the horse farm and was identified by the
raising
and lowering of the tail.   An Eastern Phoebe sallied for prey.  American Wigeon
 were
in the pannes, Osprey at the nest platform and a Great Egret was seen in the
marsh
at Nelson Island.  A flock of Cedar Waxwings were seen and heard roadside.  We 
watched a Northern Harrier transecting the marsh.  We found a Raccoon asleep in
a tree cavity. 

Our full list is below:

Hairy Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Mourning Dove
Eastern Bluebird 
Eastern Phoebe
Song Sparrow
American Tree Sparrow 
Tufted Titmouse
White-breasted Nuthatch
American Kestrel
Glossy Ibis
Green-winged Teal 
American Robin
E. Starling
Red-winged Blackbird
Osprey
Red-tailed Hawk
Blue Jay
Black Duck
Mallard
American Wigeon
BC Chickadee
Canada Goose 
Cedar Waxwing
Northern Harrier
Northern Cardinal
Red-breasted Merganser
Great Egret
Common Grackle
American Crow

Good birding,
Sue

Paula McFarland
Sue McGrath
Observe ~ Appreciate ~ Identify
Newburyport Birders
Newburyport, MA 01950
978-462-4785
newburyportbirders(AT)comcast.net
www.newburyportbirders.com

[ << | >> | ^^ ]

Subject: Re: Possible Swan Goose???
From: "Andrew Birch" <andrewlbirch(AT)gmail.com>
Date: 6 Apr 2008 8:22pm

Will,

I just found this link with some Hybrid Goose images you might want to
check out.  It shows some Canada X Greylag (Domestic) Goose hybrids.
Including some that look just like the one you have here.  We have one
Canada X Greylag that arrives in Boston every early spring, and it
regularly gets reported to me as a possible Greater White-fronted
Goose.  They sure can be tricky!

Thanks for the great photos - I personally have never seen these
plumage characteristics in a Canada X Greylag so it was educational
for me!

____________________
-----------------------------------
Andrew Birch
Boston Birds Moderator
Medford, MA
andrewlbirch(AT)gmail.com

[ << | >> | ^^ ]

Subject: Great Horned Owl photos, Plymouth
From: gizzybird(AT)verizon.net
Date: 6 Apr 2008 8:40pm

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I've tried a couple times to send these photos but my computer skills are
lacking.  I'm trying again!  I found this owl this morning.  The first Great
Horned Owls I've ever found on my own!

                                                              Kathy

Kathryn Doyon
Plymouth, MA
Gizzybird(AT)verizon.net

You're invited to view these photos online at KODAK Gallery!
Just click on View Photos to get started.
http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=9pocqn7.3r1bc8fj&x=0&h=1&y=-e5m4gx&localeid=en_US
If you'd like to save this album, just sign in, or
if you're new to the Gallery, create a free account. Once you've 
signed in, you'll be able to view this album whenever you want 
and order Kodak prints of your favorite photos.

Enjoy!
Instructions: Click view photos to begin. If you're
an existing member you'll be asked to sign in. If not, you can 
join the Gallery for free.
http://www.kodakgallery.com/Register.jsp

Questions? Visit http://help.kodakgallery.com.

------------------------------------------------------------
The KODAK Gallery Customer Service Team
Phone: 800-360-9098 / 512-651-9770 Outside of the US and Canada

------------------------------------------------------------

If you cannot see the links above, copy and paste the
following URL directly into your browser:
http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=9pocqn7.3r1bc8fj&x=0&h=1&y=-e5m4gx&localeid=en_US

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[ << | >> | ^^ ]

Subject: Re: Possible Swan Goose???
From: "Andrew Birch" <andrewlbirch(AT)gmail.com>
Date: 6 Apr 2008 8:44pm

http://www.birds.cornell.edu/crows/domgeese.htm

OOPS!

Sorry I missed the link in my last post!

-- 

____________________
-----------------------------------
Andrew Birch
Boston Birds Moderator
Medford, MA
andrewlbirch(AT)gmail.com

[ << | >> | ^^ ]

Subject: Common Loon, Sandwich, MA
From: "Gene Harriman" <vze2brn7(AT)verizon.net>
Date: 6 Apr 2008 8:48pm

Hi Fellow Birders,

This breeding plumage Common Loon graced me with it's presence at the east end
of the Cape Cod Canal
near the Sandwich Marina.  Enjoy!

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i298/genebearpix/P4060014c.jpg

Good Birding!

Gene Harriman
'BigWingBoy'
Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA
vze2brn7atverizondotnet

[ << | >> | ^^ ]

Subject: CT Report 04/06/2008
From: Roy Harvey <rmharvey(AT)snet.net>
Date: 6 Apr 2008 9:48pm

 From Roy Harvey:
4/06 - Stratford -- Yellow-crowned Night-Heron in the marsh along
Lordship Blvd, northwest of the entrance to the airport.
4/06 - Milford, Silver Sands State Park -- two Wilson's Snipe.

 From Angela Dimmitt:
4/06 - Sherman/Wimisink marsh -- pair of NORTHERN PINTAILS.

 From Meredith Sampson w/ Brian O'Toole & "First Sundays" birding
group:
4/06 - Old Greenwich, Greenwich Point --  at least 12, possibly more
than 20 NORTHERN GANNETS, 7 BONAPARTE'S GULLS.

 From Meredith Sampson:
4/06 - Old Greenwich, Greenwich Point -- 6 NORTHERN GANNETS (5-6 p.m.)

 From Bill Asteriades:
4/06 - Glastonbury, Glastonbury Meadows -- 16 NORTHERN PINTAILS, 4
WHITE CROWNED SPARROWS (3 Juv.'s) 

 From Steve Spector:
4/06 - Milford, Charles Island -- adult Northern Gannet.

 From Mike and Wanda Moccio
4/06 - Stamford, Shippan Point -- 5 NORTHERN GANNETS

 From Greg Hanisek:  
4/06 - Middlebury, Larkin Pond on South Street -- male LONG-TAILED
DUCK (uncommon inland especially on a small body of water)
Watertown, Sand Bank Road -- c 15 WILSON'S SNIPE 

 From Karen Fiske:
4/06 - Durham- Tuttle Road -- 3 BLACK VULTURES roosting in a tree
Madison, Hammonasett State Park, Meig's Point Nature Center field -- 1
AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER.

 From Frank Mantlik:
4/05 - Stratford, Long Beach Blvd, RR trail marsh restoration -- 5PM,
1 TUNDRA SWAN.  Presumably the same bird discovered in the area weeks
ago.
Long Beach (Oak Bluff Ave.) -- at least 10 BOAT-TAILED GRACKLES (Only
1 female).

 From Mark Szantyr:
4/05 - Mansfield/Windham, Pleasant Valley Road, Stearn's Farm pond at
the bend -- drake Blue-winged Teal in the evening.

 From Ted Gilman:
4/05 - Greenwich, Audubon Center -- YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER in woods
next to orchard.

**********************************************************************
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**********************************************************************

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Reports should be sent to CTBirdReport(AT)ftml.net.  Reports should 
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[ << | >> | ^^ ]

Subject: Bohemian Waxwings in Northfield
From: <mhosford2(AT)charter.net>
Date: 6 Apr 2008 10:04pm

The Bohemian Waxwings were still in the little orchard near mailbox 260. There
at least 200 Bohemians today, with a smattering of Cedar Waxwings mixed in.
Great viewing, but they wouldn't come close enough to get a good picture. Life
bird for my husband, my daughter and myself.

Marianne Hosford
East Brookfield MA
mhosford2(AT)charter.net

[ << | >> | ^^ ]

Subject: Bohemians in Northfield
From: NEaton <nancyeaton(AT)sbcglobal.net>
Date: 6 Apr 2008 10:04pm

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4/6/08 (Mid-morning):  A large flock (minimally 150) Bohemian Waxwings were
present in the trees and orchard across from #260 on Rte. 63, Northfield as
previously reported.  Only a few Cedars were among them. A Common Raven flew
though the area as well.

  Nancy Eaton
  Enfield, CT

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The Virtual Birder

MASSBIRD for Sunday, April 6, 2008

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The Virtual Birder

MASSBIRD for Sunday, April 6, 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: Thursday, April 24, 2008 8:15am 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: Thursday, April 24, 2008 8:15am MT