B-Mail(sm): MASSBIRD for Wed, 23 Apr 2008

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Subject: Redpoll, Pepperell, 4/22
From: MResch8702(AT)aol.com
Date: 23 Apr 2008 5:54am

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Had one flyover Redpoll during the evening of 4/22 in my Pepperell  
neighborhood.  Getting pretty late for them.  It's been 3 weeks since  I had my
last
ones at the feeder.

And speaking of redpolls - has anyone else seen how expensive thistle/niger  
seed has become?  I paid $29 for a 10-pound bag early in April.  I  went 
through over 100 pounds this winter with the goldfinch and redpoll flocks I  had
much of the winter, with typical prices being about $1.50 per pound.   At those
recent prices I feel like figuring out a way to keep those chickadees  and 
purple finches from eating thistle and have them only eat the comparatively
less
expensive sunflower seed.

Perhaps some farmers that used to plant thistle now plant corn  instead...

Mike  Resch
Pepperell, MA

**************Need a new ride? Check out the largest site for U.S. used car 
listings at AOL Autos.      
(http://autos.aol.com/used?NCID=aolcmp00300000002851)

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Subject: Northern Waterthrush
From: "Michael LaBossiere" <sparrowhawk51(AT)verizon.net>
Date: 23 Apr 2008 7:18am

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The resident Northern Waterthrush have returned to Haskell Swamp this =
a.m.
 Mike LaBossiere
sparrowhawk51(AT)verizon.net
Mattapoisett, Ma.
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Subject: house wren in Marion
From: treeswallow5(AT)aol.com
Date: 23 Apr 2008 7:36am

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new bird song added to my morning walk serenade this a.m....house wren...

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: Worcester Airport 4/23
From: "Mark Lynch" <moa.lynch(AT)verizon.net>
Date: 23 Apr 2008 7:44am

We did some very brief pre-work birding in WORCESTER NORTH6. This morning
this included Mulberry Street behind the airport and the Rt.56 overlook of
the airport. We had the following:
Great Blue Heron (2: likely from the Asnebumpskit rookery)
Mallard (1)
A Kestrel (2)
Wild Turkey (23)
Ruffed Grouse (2)
Killdeer (1)
UPLAND SANDPIPER (2: far out on the runway, observed by standing on the
small grassy hill on Mulberry opposite the end of the runway. At least one
of these birds has been here for several days, reported by Peter Morlock,
Bart Kamp and Alan Marble. From 1956 till 1963, from 2-6 Uplands were
reported from here in the breeding season according to The Chickadee, and
some years very likely bred, though details from The Chickadee are sketchy.
Since that time, Uplands have been irregularly reported from here, but there
is still hope they may breed again.)
Hairy Woodpecker (1)
Tree Swallow (1)
C Raven (1)
Brown Thrasher (1)
Pine Warbler (2)
Eastern Towhee (2)
Savannah Sparrow (15+)
Eastern Meadowlark (12 minimum: many in display)
Purple Finch (1)
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: 269.23.3/1390 - Release Date: 4/21/2008
4:23 PM

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Subject: new arrivals
From: kay langevin <lensantiques(AT)comcast.net>
Date: 23 Apr 2008 8:08am

The chipping sparrows arrived last Thursday (17th), and the juncos left 
the night of the 19th.  On Sunday, I had a swamp sparrow singing by the 
pond in the woods and a lone black and white warbler was up in the 
maples.  That's at least a week earlier than last year for both.  
Yesterday a beautiful male towhee showed in the side yard, another in 
the woods.

Kay Langevin, Acushnet
lensantiques(AT)comcast.net

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Subject: Re: Belated birds: Rusty Blackbirds, Northern
         Gannets
From: cmsbirds(AT)comcast.net (Chris Sheridan)
Date: 23 Apr 2008 8:22am

Sorry, forget to sign--that's...

Chris Sheridan
Nashua NH 
cmsbirds(AT)comcast.net
 -------------- Original message ----------------------
From: cmsbirds(AT)comcast.net (Chris Sheridan)
> On my way from Salisbury to Newburyport last Thursday night, (April 17)
> a crowd of Rusty Blackbirds, Redwinged Blackbirds, and Grackles
> flew in to roost in a red maple swamp adjacent to a garden center on
> Route 1.  The majority of the birds were Rusty Blackbirds;  there were at
least
> fifty settled in the trees, more flying across the road, and more further back
> in
> the swamp.  Overhead swirled literally hundreds of Tree Swallows.  
> 
> I stopped so long to watch the spectacle, I got to PRWR too late! The gate was
> closed!
> 
> The first whale watches went out from Gloucester on Saturday--out on the edge
> of Stellwagen Bank, along with a few skinny, hungry whales, were dozens of 
> Northern 
> Gannets.  It was fun trying to catch their seaward plummets with the camera!
> 
> Along for the cruise were a number of naturalists from whale boats all over
the
> area, who
> couldn't wait to see their whales, and the video crew for the Japanese version
> of Good Morning 
> America.
> 
> Photos are here, for the moment: www.pbase.com/cmsbirds/inbox

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Subject: Waterbird Survey Results - Great Meadows -
         Concord Impundments 4/23/2008
From: Jason_StSauver(AT)fws.gov
Date: 23 Apr 2008 8:54am

The following species of waterfowl were counted during a recent waterbird
survey conducted at the Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge �~@~S Concord
Impoundments on Wednesday, April 23, 2008:

   Species                    Amount

   Canada Goose                    49
   Wood Duck                       42
   Mallard                  7
   Blue-winged Teal               2
   Double-crested Cormorant       3
   Wilson�~@~Ys Snipe           1
   Mute Swan                      1
   Osprey                   1

   If you have any questions regarding management at the Concord
   Impoundments, please contact the Refuge biological staff at
   978-443-4661at ext 37 or 24.

-------------------------------------------------
Jason St. Sauver, Bio Intern
for
Eileen McGourty
Fish and Wildlife Biologist
Eastern MA NWR Complex
73 Weir Hill Road
Sudbury, MA 01776
978-443-4661 ext. 37
978-265-7467 cell
978-443-2898 fax

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Subject: House Wren just arrived in Littleton April 23
From: rmschs(AT)comcast.net
Date: 23 Apr 2008 9:24am

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Our house wren just arrived and started restaking his territorial claim near the
 house that has been occupied by a wren for the last several years.

Bob Stevens
Littleton, MA
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Subject: green heron, white crowned sparrow
From: "Henry Lappen" <wow(AT)henrylappen.com>
Date: 23 Apr 2008 9:56am

On the Cherry Hill Golf Course in Amherst this morning, a green heron and
a white crowned sparrow.

Henry Lappen, Amherst
heron(at)henrylappen.com

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Subject: Broad-wings
From: "Walz,Christopher" <CWalz(AT)nec.edu>
Date: 23 Apr 2008 10:06am

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Good Morning,
Yard Birds in West Barnstable
=20
Had a pair of Broad-winged hawks come in low at about 100 feet, then =
proceeded to gain altitude circling over the house then disappeared, =
sometime around 9:00am. =20
=20
The Bluebirds are finally starting to build their nest.  Tree Swallows =
have claimed boxes.  Chickadees another box.  Witnessed a pair of =
Cooper's Hawks in courtship displays. The Osprey are days away from egg =
laying. =20
=20
=20
Chris Walz=20
West Barnstable, MA
Property Manager
Mid-Cape Sanctuaries
CWalz(AT)massaudubon.org
CWalz(AT)nec.edu

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Subject: Mt. Auburn 4/23/08
From: "Peter and Fay" <peterfay(AT)comcast.net>
Date: 23 Apr 2008 11:18am

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Hi,

This morning 50 (yes, 50, and it's not even May yet!!) participants =
joined us at Mt. Auburn for a joint BBC/Menotomy walk.

Highlights included:

Great Blue Heron 1
Green Heron 1 - called in to us by Linda Ferraresso after most of the =
participants had left - we managed to gather enough of them to count.=20
Mallard 4
Double-crested cormorant 7 flyovers
Red-tailed hawk 1
Eastern Screech Owl 1
Northern Flicker 5
Eastern Phoebe 4
Carolina Wren 2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 2
Blue-headed vireo 1
Yellow-rumped Wabler 12+
Pine Warbler 4
Palm Warbler 8
Black-and-white warbler 1 leader only
Chipping Sparrow 15+
Song Sparrow 5
White-throated Sparrow 8
Dark-eyed junco 3
Eastern Towhee 1
Baltimore Oriole 2 males
House Finch 2

Peter and Fay Vale
Wakefield, MA
peterfay(AT)comcast.net
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Subject: Yellow Warbler: Longmeadow
From: NEaton <nancyeaton(AT)sbcglobal.net>
Date: 23 Apr 2008 12:22pm

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4/23/08  A Yellow Warbler has arrived in Longmeadow and was singing late this
morning on the Burt Field path near Withgott Meadow.
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Subject: Joppa Flats Bird Banding Station, report for
         weeks 1-3 of Spring 2008
From: "David Larson" <dlarson(AT)massaudubon.org>
Date: 23 Apr 2008 1:32pm

Belated hello from the banding station, 

Here are the numbers for the first three weeks at the banding station.
I promise to be more on top of things and get out weekly updates from
now on!  

Week #1
We began banding on April 1st and were able to open nets for three days
of the first week.  Highlights include a new Common Redpoll.  We banded
the first ever at the station on the last day of the last fall season.
During that time we banded a whopping 13 birds of 6 species and
recaptured 3 birds of 1 species with the following totals.  

New Bands:
American Robin		        2
American Tree Sparrow	        2
Common Redpoll		        1
Fox Sparrow			1
Slate-colored Junco		1
Song Sparrow			6

Recaptures:
Black-capped Chickadee	        3

Week #2:
We were able to open six out of seven days this week and process 53 new
birds of 13 species and 4 recaptured birds of 3 species.  Our highlight
of the week was an Eastern Tufted Titmouse that we captured on April
7th.  We don't get many of these birds at the station, so it was a
welcome addition to the season's species total.  

New bands:
American Robin			3
American Tree Sparrow		2
Black-capped Chickadee		2
Brown Creeper			3
Eastern Phoebe 			2
Eastern Tufted Titmouse		1
Fox Sparrow			1
Golden-crowned Kinglet		18
Hermit Thrush			2
Purple Finch			2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet		1
Slate-colored Junco		7
Song Sparrow			9

Recaptures:
Black-capped Chickadee		2
Golden-crowned Kinglet		1
Song Sparrow			1

Week #3:
Kinglets, Hermit Thrushes, Brown Creepers and Song Sparrows dominated
this week.  We saw our first White-throated and Swamp sparrows of the
season as well with a nice.  We are STILL waiting our first warblers to
hit the nets.  Palms, Myrtle and Pines have all been seen at the
station, but none have graced out nets as yet.  Our fun bird was a
recaptured Brown-headed Cowbird that was banded by Janet last spring.
For the week, we banded a total of 113 birds of 16 species and
recaptured 13 birds of 6 species with the following totals:

American Goldfinch		        2
American Robin				3
American Tree Sparrow			1
Black-capped Chickadee			3
Brown Creeper				11
Eastern Phoebe				2
Fox Sparrow				1
Golden-crowned Kinglet			27
Hermit Thrush				22
Ruby-crowned Kinglet			19
Red-winged Blackbird			1
Slate-colored Junco			3
Song Sparrow				11
Swamp Sparrow				3
White-throated Sparrow			3
Yellow-shafted Flicker			2

Recaptures:
Black-capped Chickadee		2
Brown Headed Cowbird		1
Brown Creeper			2
Golden-crowned Kinglet		5
Hermit Thrush			2
Song Sparrow			1

Many THANKS for all the help from the volunteers who helped get the
station up and running and who have helped at the station!

Ben Flemer, Station Manager

--
David M. Larson, Ph.D.
Education Coordinator
Joppa Flats Education Center
Mass Audubon
Newburyport, MA
978-462-9998

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Subject: Prothonotary Warbler @ Marblehead Neck 4/23
From: "Karen S. Haley" <fledgling3(AT)juno.com>
Date: 23 Apr 2008 1:28pm

David Ely called early this morning to say there was a Prothonotary 
Warbler at the main pond at the Marblehead Neck Sanctuary.  It 
was very cooperative when I was there around 9:30 and has been 
seen by others after that.   It is working the edges & flying back & 
across the small pond.    : )

Karen Haley
Marblehead
fledgling3(AT)juno.com

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Subject: Protonetary Warbler, Marblehead
From: "Bird Watcher's Supply & Gift" <birdwsg(AT)verizon.net>
Date: 23 Apr 2008 1:30pm

Linda Pivacek called the store at 1:15 to report a Prothonetary Warbler
currently being seen at the Marblehead Neck Sanctuary at the main pond.

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

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Subject: Plum Island, 4-23-08
From: "Jeffrey Offermann" <offermann(AT)comcast.net>
Date: 23 Apr 2008 1:52pm

Greetings Massbirders,

Seen (and in one case, heard) on Plum today (all on the refuge, no ocean 
views) from 8:00-1:00:

Mute Swan -1
Canada Goose -8
Gadwall -6
Mallard -4
American Black Duck -4
Double-crested Cormorant -1
Great Blue Heron -1
Great Egret -1
Snowy Egret -1
Osprey -1 on nest platform, Old Pines
SORA -1 heard calling from marsh, where the old blind used to be. No views 
obtained.
Killdeer -3
Greater Yellowlegs -4
American Herring Gull -6
Mourning Dove -12
Great Horned Owl -1 on nest, new pines.
Downy Woodpecker -1
Northern Flicker -2
Tree Swallow -50
Golden-crowned Kinglet -1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet -15
Marsh Wren -1 (from tower at Emerson Rocks)
Hermit Thrush -6 Old Pines, Hellcat
American Robin -25
Black-capped Chickadee -8
Brown Creeper -1 Hellcat
Blue Jay -3
American Crow -7
European Starling -2
House Sparrow -1
Blue-headed Vireo -1 (old pines trail) (Thanks Doug and Lois!)
Purple Finch -2
American Goldfinch -15
Yellow-rumped Warbler -14
Pine Warbler -1(old pines trail)
Palm Warbler -8
Eastern Towhee -11
Field Sparrow -1 singing at entrance to Hellcat parking lot
Song Sparrow -20
Swamp Sparrow -1 Hellcat
White-throated Sparrow -6 All Hellcat
Northern Cardinal -4
Red-winged Blackbird -20
Common Grackle -18
Brown-headed Cowbird -8

Jeffrey Offermann
Cambridge
offermann(AT)comcast.net

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Subject: PI This Morning
From: Paul Cozza <pcozza(AT)alum.mit.edu>
Date: 23 Apr 2008 2:38pm

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This morning at PI I saw a Winter Wren by the boardwalk on the way to  
the old blind. There were also numerous Palm and Yellow-rumped  
Warblers, Ruby-crowned Kinglets, White-throated Sparrows, and Eastern  
Towhees about.

Paul Cozza
Concord, MA

pcozza(AT)alum.mit.edu

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Subject: Windpower and Bird Resources
From: "FERGUS, Rob" <rfergus(AT)audubon.org>
Date: 23 Apr 2008 3:16pm

For folks interested in the impacts of windpower development on birds and other
wildlife, the National Wind Coordinating Collaborative (NWCC) has a lot of
online resources that might be of interest.

NWCC is a U.S. consensus-based collaborative of agency, nonprofit, and business
interests formed in 1994 to identify issues affecting the use of wind power,
establish dialogue among key stakeholders, and catalyze appropriate activities
to support the development of environmentally, economically, and politically
sustainable commercial markets for wind power.  Over the past 14 years, the NWCC
 has developed a wealth of resources addressing the impacts of windpower on
birds and other wildlife, most of which are available on the NWCC website
(www.nationalwind.org).

Links to most of the NWCC wind and wildlife resources are here:
http://www.nationalwind.org/workgroups/wildlife/

These include the following recent publications:

*  Assessing Impacts of Wind-Energy Development on Nocturnally Active Birds and
Bats: A Guidance Document (the Journal of Wildlife Studies Paper November 2007)
*  Critical Literature Review: Impact of Wind Energy and Related Human
Activities on Grassland and Shrub-Steppe Birds (October 2007)
*  Songbird Protocol (Updated June 2007)
*  NWCC Mitigation Toolbox  (May 2007 - 962KB PDF)
The toolbox describes various mitigation measures or tools that can be used in
the decision-making process. To help guide future decision making, this toolbox
provides information about existing mitigation policies and guidelines, as well
as on whether strategies are based on sound scientific research. It indicates
the effectiveness of various methods of avoiding, minimizing, or compensating
for direct and indirect impacts on wildlife caused by wind power facilities. The
 toolbox is a living document and is updating twice annually.

There are also minutes and reports from meetings, and powerpoint presentations
on a lot of issues, including a recent presentation on Lesser Prairie-Chicken
impacts in Texas
(http://www.nationalwind.org/workgroups/wildlife/LPCsandHabitatinTX-NWCCwebcast.pdf).

There's an embarrassment of riches here, one could easily spend a week just
reading all the great material here.

So bookmark the NWCC wind and wildlife resources page and make it a point to
check there as a starting point when looking for good information on wind and
wildlife issues.

NWCC puts out a brief bi-monthly email update, so if you want to keep up with
the latest NWCC happenings including events and resources under development, you
 can subscribe by sending an email to Taylor Kennedy (tkennedy AT resolv.org).

Rob Fergus
Senior Scientist | Urban Bird Conservation
National Audubon Society
Warminster, PA

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Subject: Plum Island - 04-23-08
From: "David K Weaver" <cygnus-dkw(AT)verizon.net>
Date: 23 Apr 2008 4:04pm

David Larson and I co-led Wednesday Morning Birding for many fair-weather
birders.  It felt like summer out there on Plum Island -- and the traffic
was like mid summer with this being school vacation week and lots of folks
headed for the beach.  The temp ranged from the low 70s to the low 80s by
morning's end with light and variable winds and partly cloudy skies.  We
headed for Sandy Point early (~ 10:00) and managed to find enough parking.
When we returned from our beach visit, at least six vehicles were lined up
waiting for parking spots!  Sandy Point highlights included four Piping
Plovers actively engaged in territorial disputes and 35 Brant, all of which
appeared to be pale-bellied.  Other highlights included an influx of Palm
and Yellow-rumped Warblers, as well as many Eastern Towhees singing and
calling along the refuge road.

Our morning's list:
Canada Goose - yes.
Mute Swan (2) - Bill Forward Pool (BFP).
Gadwall (5) - 3, BFP.
American Black Duck - yes (one seen apparently paired with drake Mallard).
Mallard - yes.
Blue-winged Teal (2) - pr. in flooded portion of North Field.
Green-winged Teal (~ 6) - pr. in flooded portion of North Field w/
Blue-wings.
Bufflehead (2) - Stage Island Pool (SIP).
Common Goldeneye (1) - PI River.
Red-breasted Merganser (~ 15) - PI Sound.
Double-crested Cormorant (3)
Great Egret (2) - one riding thermals high above Sandy Point.
Turkey Vulture (1) - over PI Airport.
Osprey (1) - Hellcat dikes.
American Kestrel (1)
Merlin (1) - flying north over SIP.
Piping Plover (4) - Sandy Point.
Killdeer (1) - small pan near lot #2.
Greater Yellowlegs (4) - small pans.
Ring-billed Gull - yes.
Herring Gull - yes.
Great Black-backed Gull - yes.
Rock Pigeon - yes.
Mourning Dove (4)
Great Horned Owl (1) - on nest.
Blue Jay (1)
American Crow - yes.
Tree Swallow - yes.
Black-capped Chickadee (2)
American Robin - yes.
Northern Mockingbird (~ 4)
Brown Thrasher (2) - singing.
European Starling - yes.
Yellow-rumped Warbler - a number across from main pan.
Palm Warbler - several mixed in w/ Yellow-rumps.
Eastern Towhee - quite a few singing and calling along refuge road.
Field Sparrow (1) - heard just north of new blind.
Savannah Sparrow (2) - Hellcat dikes.
Song Sparrow (~ 10) - singing and most seen.
Northern Cardinal (1) - singing.
Red-winged Blackbird - yes.
Common Grackle - yes.
Brown-headed Cowbird (3)
American Goldfinch (1)
House Sparrow - yes.

We will meet again next week back at Joppa Flats at 9:30 for Wednesday
Morning Birding. For more information about Joppa Flats programs, call Bill
Gette or Dave Larson at 978-462-9998.

Also, Wednesday Evening Birding begins a week from today, April 30,
5:30-7:30 pm.  Meet at Joppa Flats Education Center.  Preregistration is not
necessary.

Dave Weaver
Manchester, MA 01944
cygnus-dkw(AT)verizon.net

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Subject: Hooded Warbler at Marblehead Neck WS
From: "Jeffrey Offermann" <offermann(AT)comcast.net>
Date: 23 Apr 2008 5:38pm

Massbirders,

After Plum Island today, I read the posts about the Prothonotary Warbler at 
Marblehead Neck. I went to see it, and it is a very cooperative bird. On my 
way out, I found a Hooded Warbler, just to the right of the entrance (as 
seen from inside the Sanctuary looking out). It was working the low brush, 
moving right (parallel with the main path, but deeper in). A great day!

Jeffrey Offermann
Cambridge
offermann(AT)comcast.net

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Subject: manchester 4/23
From: John Robinson <johndrobinson(AT)verizon.net>
Date: 23 Apr 2008 5:55pm

heron pond:
blue-gray gnatcatcher  1

john robinson, rockport
johndrobinson at verizon dot net

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Subject: South Dartmouth
From: Marygrace Barber <peterandgracebarber(AT)comcast.net>
Date: 23 Apr 2008 7:26pm

On a beautiful day in South Dartmouth near Round Hill, Two  
Oystercatchers, 1 common Eider and a male Surf Scoter.

Marygrace Barber
South Brookline

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Subject: RE: Sunbathing Robin??
From: "Cynthia Ladd Fiorini" <claddfiorini(AT)comcast.net>
Date: 23 Apr 2008 7:10pm

Ok, I have another Robin behavior I'd like an answer to.  I have a robin
that sits on the windowsill outside of one of my downstairs windows pecking
at the glass like she is trying to get in.  This had been going on for weeks
now.  It is every early morning but can happen throughout the day as well.
The windowsill is covered with bird poop and the window is getting scratches
on it!  Any ideas?

Cindy Ladd Fiorini
Duxbury, MA

-----Original Message-----
From: massbird-approval(AT)world.std.com
[mailto:massbird-approval(AT)world.std.com] On Behalf Of jamoos(AT)earthlink.net
Sent: Monday, April 21, 2008 4:02 PM
To: Massbird
Subject: [MASSBIRD] Sunbathing Robin??

"My" female robin was lying on the ground on her side, in the sun, breast
up and one wing spread.  Her head was tucked down.  I assumed she was
injured, maybe by a hawk, and approached her.  She calmly got up and walked
away!  Anyone seen this kind of behavior from a robin - or any bird?

Also, chipping sparrows at the feeders for the first time Apr. 19th, and
the Juncos must have left over the week-end while I was away.

jamoos(AT)earthlink.net
Jane Moosbruker, Ph.D.
Bolton MA 01740

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Subject: Hummingbird in Brewster
From: "naturalhistoryservices" <naturalhistoryservices(AT)comcast.net>
Date: 23 Apr 2008 7:48pm

The first ruby-throated hummingbird (male) was at the feeder about 6pm this 
evening.

David E. Clapp
Natural History Services
Post Office Box 664
Brewster, MA 02631
www.naturalhistoryservices.com

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Subject: Re: [BostonBirds] Manx Shearwater - Revere Beach
         (BIGBY)
From: "Soheil Zendeh" <sohzendeh(AT)gmail.com>
Date: 23 Apr 2008 7:48pm

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Andrew, very funny. I saw my life Manxies (3 of 'em!) at Revere Beach around
1978. Can't remember the date but can look it up. They flew northeast
parallel to the beach for a while and to the naked eye looked like Greater
Yellowlegs. They are about the right size and my brain would not allow me to
see what they were because of the location. But in binoculars I immediately
realized they were MASH. Of course size and speed of flight had something to
do with it. I did dee the contrasting black and white plumage and the
shearwater flight, but nothing about where the black and white were
separated. Of course they could have been Little Shearwaters (or whatever
that thing is called nowadays), but come on! What else could it be?

Soheil

On Tue, Apr 22, 2008 at 9:54 PM, Andrew Birch <andrewlbirch(AT)gmail.com>
wrote:

>
> Hello All,
>
> Tonight at 6:15 in front of the "Pink Apartments" I watched a
> Shearwater that I believe to be a Manx for about 5 minutes.  It came
> to within 100 feet of me as it rode the breakers on the beach.
>
> In the time I was able to see the bird - I made the following mental
> image (no notes).  I will be the first to admit that I am not a
> Pelagic Bird expert, but based on what I saw, a review of the Sibley
> guide and a web search - I feel Manx is the best fit.
>
> -Very black on top
> -Extensive white underneath
> -Crisp "line" between dark and light
>
> Did not look for crescent or white undertail coverts, but my mental
> image is of a bird with no white on the face and very little dark
> coloration on the ventral side.  Feedback is welcome!
>
> Best,
>
> ____________________
> -----------------------------------
> Andrew Birch
> Boston Birds Moderator
> Medford, MA
> andrewlbirch(AT)gmail.com
>
> BIGBY - http://sparroworks.ca/bigby.html
>
> --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~
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> To post to this group, send email to BostonBirds(AT)googlegroups.com
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>
>

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Subject: Barred Owl mobbed at Great Meadows Concord
From: Dlsouthall(AT)aol.com
Date: 23 Apr 2008 7:48pm

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While walking the pine trails East of the Great Meadows impoundments we  
heard a prolonged raucous  of angry crows.. Hoping that crows had found a
nesting
raptor we followed the uproar through the forest of very tall white  pines. 
It became obvious that the tormented was moving and with difficulty my  son 
Greg followed the din through mud muck and tangles. After 10-15  minutes Greg
got
underneath the uproar but still couldn't see the  victim but could see and 
hear angry crows, blue jays, chickadees,titmice, red  bellied woodpeckers etc.
Only when the victim tried to leave town was a Barred Owl visible. In  
addition to the mob of crows, one  tormentor  was  twice the size  of a crow and
whose deep voice was BRONK !   
In addition to a Raven and Barred, other good birds were Pine, Palm and  
Yellow- rumped Warblers, BG Gnatcatchers, RC Kinglets,Savannah Sparrows  etc.

Don & Greg Southall
Acton
dlsouthall AT aol.com

**************Need a new ride? Check out the largest site for U.S. used car 
listings at AOL Autos.      
(http://autos.aol.com/used?NCID=aolcmp00300000002851)

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Subject: Worcester Airport: early evening 4/23
From: "Mark Lynch" <moa.lynch(AT)verizon.net>
Date: 23 Apr 2008 8:04pm

We went back to WORCESTER AIRPORT and vicinity early this evening to see if
we could get better looks at the Upland Sandpiper, and succeeded. We birded
from Mulberry Street to Rt. 56:
Mallard (3)
Common Merganser (2f: Kettlebrook#2)
American Kestrel (3)
Merlin (1)
Wild Turkey (19)
UPLAND SANDPIPER (1: when we first arrived on Mulberry Street, we could not
find this bird. When we got to the Rt. 56 overlook, with scopes, we saw an
Upland walking along the runway. Zipping back to Mulberry we found Fran
McMenemy and we all got decent views in the scope of this bird by standing
on the small knoll across from the runway. This bird can be very tough to
find as it moves in and out of the grass, and there are many acres of fields
to search.)
Pine Warbler (3)
VESPER SPARROW (1: while watching the Upland, a Vesper Sparrow and a Savvie
began feeding about 15 feet away in the dirt around our cars. Sheila got
some terrific shots)
Savannah Sparrow (6)
Eastern Meadowlark (8)
Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll
No virus found in this outgoing message.
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4:23 PM

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Subject: marine report P'town
From: "a strauss" <ansch100(AT)cox.net>
Date: 23 Apr 2008 8:28pm

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You should have been here yesterday! That's what lots of folks said.

Report: Wednesday april 23 Herring Cove: 6:50 AM  Fog, SW winds light.  =
Sea fairly calm.

Race Point 7:00 AM.  Two Northern Right Whales. skim feeding. mid way =
out.  Heading to "the Race."  One had sleek almost smooth curved head =
with limited calosites, the other more straight and flattened head.

Several Humpback Whales.  One lob tailing very forcefully, several times =
repeated.  I watched another Humpback breach 18 times in about 20 =
minutes!  I actually counted 18 breaches in a row.  A few more breaches =
a bit later.  Then flipper slapping for about 20 minutes!  A couple of =
Fin Whales seen.  Today seems like much fewer Fin Whales--almost not =
noticable.  Mostly Humpbacks.  The Right Whales were feeding off of Race =
Point proper.

Got a ride out to Race Point--at least two Humpbacks and two definite =
Right Whales seen with v-spouts and tails when diving.  Gray seal pup on =
beach.  A couple of piping plovers on the beach.  Several white-winged =
gulls, at least one Glacous Gull imm.

In the afternoon I went to Macmilliam Wharf and saw a Humpback in the =
harbor headed out.  It was spouting near the jetty at the furthest end =
of the pier by the Portugese "monument."=20

 Returned to Herring Cove.  Humpbacks scattered all around spouting.  =
Saw at least one Right Whale at Herring Cove skim feeding.

Returned to Race Point.  Saw a few dolphins.  Still scattered Humpbacks. =
 Saw one Hump flipper slapping. =20

Went back to Herring Cove about 3:00 PM.  Whale feeding frenzy at the =
Race Point "point"  Several Humpbacks feeding in the rough water near =
shore.   Lots of spouts, lots of tails, lots of aggressive behavior.  =
Almost seemed like they were feeding in a pack.  Gulls and seabirds =
circling over the whale activity.  Feeding frenzy continued for atleast =
45 minutes.   Humpbacks were porpoising out of the water.  May have been =
Right whales in with the group--too far away to confirm. Feeding slowed  =
down.  I left about 5 PM.

Thanks to al lthose who helped out, especially for the ride to Race =
Point.

Alan Strauss, Providence
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Subject: South Dartmouth Addendum
From: Marygrace Barber <peterandgracebarber(AT)comcast.net>
Date: 23 Apr 2008 8:21pm

In addition to Oystercatchers, Common Eider, and Surf Scoter, Greater  
Yellow Legs, Great Egret, and Snowy Egret. Many chipping sparrows, and  
a Carolina wren.

Marygrace Barber
South Brookline

[ << | >> | ^^ ]

Subject: CT Report 04/23/2008 RUFF
From: Roy Harvey <rmharvey(AT)snet.net>
Date: 23 Apr 2008 9:24pm

 From John Schwarz:
4/22 - Westport, Grace Salmon Park -- 10 AM-12 noon, RUFF showed well
on mudflats with numerous both greater and lesser yellowlegs.

 From Frank Mantlik:
4/23 - Westport, Grace Salmon Park -- 7:10 AM, the RUFF continues.

 From Richard L. Becker:
4/23 - Westport, Grace Salmon Park -- 12:15-1245, RUFF continues.

 From Rollin S. Tebbetts:
4/23 - Windsor Locks, Bradley International Airport -- 2 UPLAND
SANDPIPER.  One day earlier than last year.

 From Paul Cianfaglione:
4/23 - Wethersfield, Cedar Hill Cemetery (road between Cedar Hill and
Emanuel Cemeteries) -- 1 male ORCHARD ORIOLE, 4 RUSTY BLACKBIRD.

 From Jim Link and Pat McNichol:
4/23 - Madison, Hammonasett Beach SP -- 9:15 a.m., one pair of Purple
Martins sitting on nest boxes next to Nature Center

 From Meredith Sampson:
4/23 - Old Greenwich, Greenwich Point -- BROWN THRASHER.

**********************************************************************
This CTDailyReport list is sponsored by the Connecticut Ornithological
Association (COA).  It is primarily meant to meet the informational 
needs of the active CT birder.  Any other use requires written 
authorization from the board of directors of the COA.
**********************************************************************

Visit the COA web site at http://www.ctbirding.org

Reports should be sent to CTBirdReport(AT)ftml.net.  Reports should 
include sender's name, date, location of sightings and species of note
at each location. Reporting Guidelines are available at:
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[ << | >> | ^^ ]

Subject: West Bridgewater 4/23/08
From: gdentremont(AT)juno.com
Date: 23 Apr 2008 9:46pm

A Brookline and South Shore Bird Club trip this evening to the West
Bridgewater fields off of Scotland Street produced a couple of surprises.
 Not as many shorebirds as there could be.

AMERICAN BITTERN 1
GLOSSY IBIS 1
Green-winged Teal 100
Northern Harrier 1
Killdeer 12
Greater Yellowlegs 5 (these may have arrived while we were there as the
usually vocal  birds came from the south and were heard during the latter
half of the trip)
Wilson's Snipe 35
Tree Swallow 5
Savannah Sparrow 2

        Glenn

Glenn d'Entremont, gdentremont(AT)juno.com, Stoughton, MA

[ << | >> | ^^ ]

Subject: King Rail, PI 4/23
From: "Bird Watcher's Supply & Gift" <birdwsg(AT)verizon.net>
Date: 23 Apr 2008 10:14pm

I birded Plum Island this morning, and this evening after work, with the
following results:

Location:     Plum Island
Observation date:     4/23/08
Number of species:     69

Brant     22
Canada Goose     X
Mute Swan     7
Gadwall     14
American Black Duck     X
Mallard     X
Green-winged Teal     13
Ring-necked Duck     1
Surf Scoter     2
White-winged Scoter     18
scoter sp.     55
Long-tailed Duck     125
Bufflehead     2
Red-breasted Merganser     16
Red-throated Loon     4
Common Loon     15
Double-crested Cormorant     17
American Bittern     1, from NPO
Great Egret     4
Black-crowned Night-Heron     3, roosting in fragmytes, Old Blind am
Osprey     4
Northern Harrier     2
Peregrine Falcon     1
KING RAIL 1 (h) Old Blind, evening
Virginia Rail     3, (h) Old Blind
Sora     1, poss 2, (h) Old Blind
Killdeer     3
Greater Yellowlegs     6
Ring-billed Gull     X
Herring Gull     X
Great Black-backed Gull     X
Rock Pigeon     X
Mourning Dove     13
Great Horned Owl     1
Downy Woodpecker     1
Northern Flicker     9
Blue-headed Vireo     2, Hellcat
Blue Jay     12
American Crow     16
Tree Swallow     30
Barn Swallow     1
Black-capped Chickadee     11
Red-breasted Nuthatch     1
Marsh Wren     1, SIP
Ruby-crowned Kinglet     11
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher     1, Hellcat
Hermit Thrush     4
Northern Mockingbird     5
Brown Thrasher     3
European Starling     X
Yellow-rumped Warbler     12
Palm Warbler     3
Eastern Towhee     8
Field Sparrow     2
Savannah Sparrow     9
Seaside Sparrow     1, southeast of Lot 2
Song Sparrow     X
Swamp Sparrow     1
White-throated Sparrow     7
Dark-eyed Junco     2
Northern Cardinal     10
Red-winged Blackbird     X
Eastern Meadowlark     4
Common Grackle     X
Brown-headed Cowbird     X
Purple Finch     8
House Finch     1
American Goldfinch     24
House Sparrow     X

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

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

The Virtual Birder

MASSBIRD for Wednesday, April 23, 2008

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Last Updated: Thursday, April 24, 2008 9:25pm MT

The Virtual Birder

MASSBIRD for Wednesday, April 23, 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 9:25pm 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 9:25pm MT