B-Mail(sm): MASSBIRD for Wed, 30 Apr 2008

[ << | >> | ^^ ]

Subject: Male Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Westwood
From: "Walt Webb" <wwebb24(AT)verizon.net>
Date: 30 Apr 2008 8:28am

I had a first-time visit by a male rose-breasted grosbeak today (Apr. 29) at 
my feeder. This makes a total of 25 species visiting my feeders this 
2007-2008 season--a record number since I began using a feeding station in 
Westwood 36 years ago.

Walt Webb
Westwood, MA
wwebb24(AT)verizon.net

[ << | >> | ^^ ]

Subject: Broad-winged Hawk - Mashpee
From: Mary Keleher <maryeak(AT)yahoo.com>
Date: 30 Apr 2008 9:06am

While on my way to work this morning I spotted a
Broad-winged Hawk soaring over Route 130 here in
Mashpee. I also saw the American Kestrel again this
morning. 

Mary Keleher 
Mashpee, MA

  Cape Cod Bird Club
  www.massbird.org/ccbc

____________________________________________________________________________________
Be a better friend, newshound, and 
know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile.  Try it now.
http://mobile.yahoo.com/;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ

[ << | >> | ^^ ]

Subject: White Mo Do
From: Richard Marchant <rmarchant31(AT)verizon.net>
Date: 30 Apr 2008 9:12am

Massbirders,
   We've been seeing what appears to be a mostly white
MoDo at our feeders over the past few days. I assume
this is unusual. Any comments?

Donna & Dick

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."

[ << | >> | ^^ ]

Subject: Waterbird Survey Results 4/30/2008 - Concord
         Impoundments
From: Jason_StSauver(AT)fws.gov
Date: 30 Apr 2008 9:12am

The following species of waterfowl were counted during a recent waterbird
survey conducted at the Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge ā~@~S Concord
Impoundments on Wednesday, April 30, 2008:

   Species               Amount

   Canada Goose           41
   Wood Duck              25
   Mallard          14
   American Black Duck     3
   Blue-winged Teal        3
   Red-breasted Merganser  1
   Double-crested Cormorant 2
   Mute Swan               2
   Osprey            1
   Great Blue Heron        5

   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

[ << | >> | ^^ ]

Subject: Westminster 4/30
From: caronenv(AT)aol.com
Date: 30 Apr 2008 10:12am

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

Location:     BBA Fitchburg 6- Westminster
Observation date:     4/30/08
Number of species:     31

Canada Goose     2
Mallard     1
Common Loon     2
Double-crested Cormorant     2
Mourning Dove     1
Belted Kingfisher     2
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker     1
Eastern Phoebe     2
Blue-headed Vireo     2
Blue Jay     7
American Crow     5
Common Raven     1
Tree Swallow     2
Barn Swallow     3
Black-capped Chickadee     12
Tufted Titmouse     4
White-breasted Nuthatch     2
American Robin     7
European Starling     1
Yellow-rumped Warbler     6
Black-throated Green Warbler     2
Pine Warbler     1
Black-and-white Warbler     1
Chipping Sparrow     4
Song Sparrow     7
Swamp Sparrow     2
Red-winged Blackbird     8
Common Grackle     12
Brown-headed Cowbird     1
Purple Finch     3
American Goldfinch     10

Submitted by
Charles Caron
Westminster, MA

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

[ << | >> | ^^ ]

Subject: Re: White Mo Do
From: Godwit4(AT)aol.com
Date: 30 Apr 2008 12:14pm

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

Let us hope it is a harbinger of  Peace...

CJ Coppersmith
Concord, 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)

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

[ << | >> | ^^ ]

Subject: 4/30 - Assabet Osprey , 5/3 - Vistor Center
         Groundbreaking
From: Barbara Volkle and Steve Moore <barb620(AT)TheWorld.com>
Date: 30 Apr 2008 1:02pm

Join us for our speaker tonight and our Visitor Center Groundbreaking 
on Saturday.

Details below!

Barbara Volkle
Friends of Assabet RIver National Wildlife Refuge
Northborough, MA
barb620(AT)theworld.com

* * *

Wednesday, April 30th, 2008 7:00 PM
David Griffin, photographer - "Assabet Osprey"

Join the Friends of Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge for our 
monthly meeting and speaker.

In 2002, on the edge of a heron rookery, in a pond at the headwaters 
of the Assabet River, was something that was very unique to the area: 
a thriving Osprey nest. The nest had been there for a few years 
beforehand, but it was then Dave Griffin began a love affair with 
these magnificent birds. Osprey spend their summers with us, raising 
a family, and then migrating to South America for the winter. The 
program documents the past five years of how the Osprey have been 
making a home on the Assabet River - and what the future may hold for 
this unique raptor.

The program contains over 250 photos of Osprey, Great Blue Heron, and 
other species that make up the changing landscape where the Osprey 
struggles each year to raise a new generation.

Dave Griffin is a photographer and multimedia producer. His 
photographic work concentrates on conservation projects for both 
environmental and historical organizations utilizing digital imaging, 
video, and audio recording technologies. Dave's presentations blend 
the storytelling power of photojournalism with the visual impact of 
fine art photography and tosses in a bit of dry wit. Dave has been 
photographing since age 9 and has been working in the digital 
photography world since 1995.

Dave has been a board member for the Organization for the Assabet 
River since 2001, and currently serves as its President. He is also 
President of the Board of Trustees for the Maynard Historical 
Society, a Corporator for Emerson Hospital, and a Consulting Software 
Engineer for Novell, Inc. An avid kayaker, you'll often find Dave and 
his wife Betsy on a nearby river or lake - with camera in hand. For 
more information about Dave and his work, see his website 
www.dmg-photography.com .

A short business meeting at 7 PM will be followed by our guest 
speaker. The meeting will be held at the Great Meadows NWR 
Headquarters on Weir Hill Road in Sudbury.

*

Groundbreaking Ceremony at ARNWR
Saturday, May 3rd, 2008 2:00 - 4:00 PM

Join refuge staff and the Friends of the Assabet River NWR for a 
special afternoon as we celebrate the groundbreaking for the new 
Eastern Massachusetts National Wildlife Refuge Complex visitor 
center!  Our guest speaker will be Congresswoman Niki Tsongas who has 
been a supporter of refuge efforts and will share what having this 
visitor center in her district means to her.

Light refreshments will be provided by Lumus Construction, Inc. The 
presentation will be followed by a nature hike and history walk.

The event will be held rain or shine at Assabet River NWR. Enter the 
refuge from the Hudson Road entrance in Sudbury. Special access is 
permitted for this event to drive through entrance gate and follow 
Craven Lane on your right up to event location. VEHICLES PROHIBITED 
ON ANY OTHER ROADS AND TRAILS.

For more information, please contact Susan J. Russo at 978-443-4661 
x34 or Susan_J_Russo(AT)fws.gov

[ << | >> | ^^ ]

Subject: Mt. Auburn Cemetery today
From: Charles Nims <cwnims(AT)comcast.net>
Date: 30 Apr 2008 2:06pm

> This message is in MIME format. Since your mail reader does not understand
this format, some or all of this message may not be legible.

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

This chilly morning, Joe Scott and I spent 3 hours at Mt. Auburn Cemetery in
Cambridge.  There was not a large amount of activity but we did hear and
have good looks at a Nashville Warbler.  Some species were:

Warblers:
Nashville
Black-and-White 3
Yellow-rumped 6-8
Palm 3
Pine 1-2

Blue-headed Vireo  2
Brown Thrasher
Hermit Thrush
Northern Rough-winged Swallow  3

In Hingham, Joe had a Rose-breasted Grosbeak at his feeder upon returning
home.

Charlie Nims
Norwell, MA
cwnims(AT)comcast.net

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

[ << | >> | ^^ ]

Subject: Orchard Oriole and . . .
From: "Marj. Rines" <marj(AT)mrines.com>
Date: 30 Apr 2008 2:30pm

Woke up this morning to the song of an Orchard Oriole outside my bedroom
window, but by the time it registered in my brain and I went to the
window to open it, the bird had stopped. Not complaining.

Went to Brooks Estate in Medford with Renee LaFontaine, where we
couldn't pick up any interesting song so decided to try elsewhere, but
when we were leaving heard some robins fussing and found them mobbing a
Merlin, only about the same size as the robins.

We went on to Horn Pond in Woburn, where resident Warbling Vireos (3),
Blue-gray Gnatcatchers (3), and Yellow Warblers (5) were defending
territory. As we watched a small group of warblers a Baltimore Oriole
called - my first of the year. A nice mixed flock of 3 Blue-headed
Vireos, 2 Palm Warblers, 22 Yellow-rumped Warblers, and 1
Black-and-white Warbler rounded out our trip there.

We then went to Arlington Reservoir where we had a spectacular show of
swallows and Chimney Swifts, plus scores of Yellow-rumps and a handful
of Palm Warblers.

After lunch I went to one of my Breeding Bird Atlas blocks where I had
had breeding Great Horned Owls last year, and discovered the pair plus a
fledged young in the same spot as last year.

And to think, it's only going to get better.

--
Marj. Rines
Arlington, MA
marj(at) mrines.com

[ << | >> | ^^ ]

Subject: 4/30 Duxbury - Gannets, Oystercatcher, Thrasher,
         et al; Little Blue -No
From: Rick Bowes <rbowes(AT)bowesweb.com>
Date: 30 Apr 2008 2:56pm

I have checked daily and haven't seen the Little Blue Heron since 
Saturday - though admittedly I've not always been there always at its 
favorite time (2nd-4th hours of the incoming tide).

Duxbury Beach:
Wed. 4/30/08  8:00-11:45am; HiTide 7:16; Sunny; Temp start 44; lite 
breeze WNW turned SW, ocean and bay: quiet

Beautiful outing producing 40 species on the beach survey route 
including two first of year highlights:

Loons (both sp.) migrating offshore mostly.  One flock of 5 
Red-throateds were all in my scope at once - with all that ocean 
you'd think they'd not be so tightly packed!  They weren't 
diving/feeding on a school that would bring them together;  they were 
just jostling each other and milling about.  Casual count of 21 
Common and 28 Red-throated.

Northern Gannet   -   700+.   Steady thin flow of birds much of the 
morning.  I counted for about 5 minutes which seemed to be 
representative for at least a couple of hours.  25 in five minutes 
extrapolates to about 540 birds for 3 hours so a safe guess would be 
that at least 700 birds passed the beach heading north during the 
nearly 4 hours I was out there this morning. (It easily could have 
been more as I counted 46 in five minutes near the end of the outing 
but that was a particularly heavy instance)

Great Cormorant   -   28   various places - mostly High Pines peninsula
Surf Scoters   -   23   17 in one flock off Gurnet
White-winged Scoters   -   4  two pairs
Scoter sp   -   6   flying offshore dark wings
Bufflehead   -   15   atypically for Buffleheads here, 13 were in one flock

Harrier   -  1 female over Gurnet marsh
Merlin   -   2   migrants separated by about 90 minutes flying fast 
and very low,

American Oystercatcher   -   1   Found this gorgeous transient at the 
tip of one of the peat peninsulas at the edge of the marsh south of 
High Pines.  Scoped him for about 10 minutes; knowing he'd be moving 
on and that I don't often get this good a view; I really hated to 
continue on down the beach.  As I feared when I returned to the spot 
on the return leg up the beach, it was gone.  (FOY)

Brown Thrasher   -  1   While scoping the Plum Hills marsh it 
registered with me that what I was hearing behind me in the trees 
didn't sound quite right for a Mockingbird (usually there is at least 
one there). The bird was singing non-stop with a wide variety of 
sounds but repeating itself much less frequently than the Mockers I 
am used to.  I did a 180 with the scope and zeroed in on a beautiful 
Brown Thrasher  -on the highest available perch.  I haven't had a 
long look at one for quite awhile - they always seem to be darting in 
and out of the bushes so this FOY bird got some special attention. It 
sang continuously for at least 20 minutes and was singing when I left 
it.   Hope it finds a mate and settles in for the summer!
Rick Bowes
Duxbury, MA
rbowes(at)bowesweb.com

[ << | >> | ^^ ]

Subject: Melrose Prothonotary Warbler NO 4/30
From: "Jean Mullen" <JMullen43(AT)comcast.net>
Date: 30 Apr 2008 3:04pm

Greetings! Despite a thorough search by several birders over three hours the 
warbler was not seen or heard at Ell Pond this morning.

Birds seen:

Merlin 1  (eating prey but no yellow feathers seen)
Palm Warbler 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler 3
American Goldfinch
Tree Swallow (someone else had a Northern Roughwinged Swallow)
Mockingbird
Blue Jay
Robin
Common Grackle
Red-winged Blackbird
Northern Flicker
Downy Woodpecker
Song Sparrow 2
Chipping Sparrow
Canada Goose
Mallard

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

[ << | >> | ^^ ]

Subject: Duxbury Gannets - correction
From: Rick Bowes <rbowes(AT)bowesweb.com>
Date: 30 Apr 2008 3:06pm

In my earlier post, the Northern Gannet estimate should have been 
1100+ not 700+
(25 x 12 x 3.75).  I did the arithmetic without a calculator.. Bad 
birder, bad!!!!
My apologies!
Rick Bowes
Duxbury, MA
rbowes(at)bowesweb.com

[ << | >> | ^^ ]

Subject: Broad-winged Hawk over Forest Hills Station
From: "tim factor" <tfactor.usenet(AT)gmail.com>
Date: 30 Apr 2008 3:20pm

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

..followed seconds later by a Sharp-shinned Hawk. Both looked like they
were just passing through.

-- 
Tim Factor
Boston
tfactor.usenet(AT)gmail.com

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

[ << | >> | ^^ ]

Subject: Plum Island - 04-30-08
From: "David K Weaver" <cygnus-dkw(AT)verizon.net>
Date: 30 Apr 2008 3:26pm

Bill Gette and I co-led Wednesday Morning Birding out of Joppa Flats
Education Center onto Plum Island on a beautiful but cool and breezy
morning.  The skies were partly cloudy and the temps ranged from 45 up to
the low 50s with a northwesterly breeze ~ 10-15 mph.  Action was light, but
we did manage some "good" birds with stops at lot #1 beach, the North Pool
Overlook, and Emerson Rocks/Bar Head at the south end of the island.

Here's our list for the morning:
Canada Goose - yes.
Brant (12) - Bar Head (BH), walking on beach -- all "Pale Bellies."
Mute Swan (6) - all in pond immediately to south of The Wardens (refuge
control no evident)
Gadwall (~ 12) - various.
American Black Duck (4)
Mallard - yes.
Blue-winged Teal (2) - pair, North Pool Overlook (NPO).
Green-winged Teal (~ 6) - NPO.
Common Eider (~ 10) - Emerson Rocks (ER).
White-winged Scoter (~ 60) - in 2 rafts off lot #1 (w/ some Black Scoters
mixed in).
Black Scoter - some mixed in with White-winged Scoters off lot #1.
Long-tailed Duck (~ 2,000) - a long strung-out feeding raft off lot #1 that
would periodically lift off, fly north, settle down, and drift back to
south.
Red-breasted Merganser (2) - BH.
Red-throated Loon (1) - off lot #1, getting on toward alternate plumage.
Common Loon (1) - off  lot #1.
Double-crested Cormorants - many flying north in formations.
Great Blue Heron (1) - fly-by to east of NPO.
Great Egret (2)
Snowy Egret (4)
Osprey (2) - Pines nesting platform and vicinity.
Northern Harrier (2)
American Kestrel (6) - migrating w/ some hunting.
Piping Plover (2) - pair on beach at ER. (Plover warden at lot #1 reports 12
pairs on beach, one nest w/ one egg.)
Killdeer (2) - lot #1 beach.
Greater Yellowlegs (6) - 4, South Field; 2, pan.
Purple Sandpiper - small flock, ER.
Ring-billed Gull - yes.
Herring Gull  - yes.
Great Black-backed Gull - yes.
Rock Pigeon - yes.
Mourning Dove - yes.
Great Horned Owl (1) - on nest.
American Crow (4)
Tree Swallow - several.
Barn Swallow - several.
American Robin - yes.
European Starling - yes.
Eastern Towhee (~ 4)
Song Sparrow (2)
Northern Cardinal (1)
Red-winged Blackbird - yes.
Eastern Meadowlark (1) - North Field.
Common Grackle - yes.
Brown-headed Cowbird - yes.
Purple Finch (1) - 1st-yr male.
American Goldfinch (2)

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.

Remember, Wednesday Evening Birding begins tonight, 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

[ << | >> | ^^ ]

Subject: Orchard Oriole in Newbury
From: sharonstichter1(AT)comcast.net
Date: 30 Apr 2008 3:17pm

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

My first-of-the-season Orchard Oriole, male, showed up today -- at the
hummingbird feeder!  No hummer yet :)  -- although there have been a good many
sightings, which are listed on the NEHummers website.

Sharon Stichter
Newbury, MA
New England Hummers
www.nehummers.com 
----DELETED text/html MIME SECTION----

[ << | >> | ^^ ]

Subject: Oxbow NWR 4/30
From: Paul Cozza <pcozza(AT)alum.mit.edu>
Date: 30 Apr 2008 4:44pm

I spent a few hours this morning at Oxbow NWR. It was surprisingly  
nippy, and there was quite a bit of water from yesterday's rain. Tank  
road was covered, but passable, in a few spots. Turnpike Trail was  
also covered, requiring boots (or wet feet) to pass. The birding was  
fairly slow, as the storm apparently pushed out all the Palm and  
Yellow-rumped Warblers that were there a few days ago. However, upon  
entering the parking lot, a Barred Owl flew in and roosted nearby. It  
was still present when I left 3 hours later. Besides the more common  
birds there, I also saw:

American Kestrel
Barred Owl
Belted Kingfisher
Blue-headed Vireo
Eastern Bluebird (2)
Eastern Phoebe
Ovenbird
Pine Warbler
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Wild Turkey (small family with 4+ immatures)

Paul Cozza
Concord, MA

pcozza(AT)alum.mit.edu

[ << | >> | ^^ ]

Subject: Medford Wilson's Warbler, Brooks Estate
From: "Peter and Fay" <peterfay(AT)comcast.net>
Date: 30 Apr 2008 5:07pm

This is a multi-part message in MIME format.

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

Mt. Auburn Cemetery todayAfter leading a Mt. Auburn trip (nothing =
significant to add to Charlie's post below except a house wren and a =
merlin), Peter, Chris McKay and I saw a male Wilson's Warbler at Brooks =
Estate in Medford late morning on the trail to the right of the stump =
dump.

Fay

Peter and Fay Vale
Wakefield, MA
peterfay(AT)comcast.net
----- Original Message -----=20
From: Charles Nims=20
To: massbird=20
Cc: Charlie Nims ; Joe & Diane Scott=20
Sent: Wednesday, April 30, 2008 2:05 PM
Subject: [MASSBIRD] Mt. Auburn Cemetery today

This chilly morning, Joe Scott and I spent 3 hours at Mt. Auburn =
Cemetery in Cambridge.  There was not a large amount of activity but we =
did hear and have good looks at a Nashville Warbler.  Some species were:

Warblers:
Nashville
Black-and-White 3
Yellow-rumped 6-8
Palm 3
Pine 1-2

Blue-headed Vireo  2
Brown Thrasher
Hermit Thrush
Northern Rough-winged Swallow  3

In Hingham, Joe had a Rose-breasted Grosbeak at his feeder upon =
returning home.

Charlie Nims
Norwell, MA
cwnims(AT)comcast.net

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

[ << | >> | ^^ ]

Subject: Mashpee - South Cape Beach State Park , 4/30/08 -
          Tricolored Heron, Short-billed Dowithcher
From: Matt Malin <hossfeldt(AT)yahoo.com>
Date: 30 Apr 2008 6:45pm

Birded out at South Cape Beach this afternoon, 1230-1700.  The Mashpee town
parking lot is still under construction with the salt marsh restoration project
blocking the road.  Alternative parking is at the State Park parking lot.
Walked out to the mouth of Sedge Lot Pond to the west where the Tricolored Heron
 was, on the north side of the outlet, west of the second Osprey nest pole and
to the berm at New Seabury to the east.  Willets were first of the year at SCB,
all on the grass flats of the pond, SB Dowitcher was with Willets.  Gannets
could be seen to the east in Nantucket Sound way out.  Sightings below.

Location:    South Cape Beach State Park
Observation date:    4/30/08
Notes:    TRHE and SBDO photographed.  OSPR and MUSW on nests.  Willets may have
 arrived yesterday after storm and strong south winds.

Number of species:    40

Canada Goose    10
Mute Swan    6
American Black Duck    3
Mallard    11
Greater Scaup    7  - staying late
Red-breasted Merganser    1
Ruffed Grouse    1 - flushed on the woods trail
Common Loon    1
Northern Gannet    8
Double-crested Cormorant    74
Great Blue Heron    1
TRICOLORED HERON    1 observed from 1320-1345, feeding in marsh.
Turkey Vulture    1
Osprey    6
Northern Harrier    1
Red-tailed Hawk    1
American Kestrel    1
Piping Plover    5 - pairs "fighting" amongst each other, begining to defend
territory.
American Oystercatcher    2
Greater Yellowlegs    2
Willet    6 - first of year, on the grass flats of Sedge Lot Pond
Sanderling    30
SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER    1 - unusual at SCB.
Laughing Gull    1
Ring-billed Gull    8
Herring Gull    28
Great Black-backed Gull    13
Blue Jay    1
American Crow    13
Fish Crow    1
Horned Lark    1
Tree Swallow    2
Barn Swallow    6
Black-capped Chickadee    4
American Robin    3
Pine Warbler    1
Eastern Towhee    3
Song Sparrow    5
Red-winged Blackbird    4
American Goldfinch    2

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

Matt Malin
Mashpee, MA
hossfeldt "at" yahoo "dot" com

____________________________________________________________________________________
Be a better friend, newshound, and 
know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile.  Try it now.
http://mobile.yahoo.com/;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ

[ << | >> | ^^ ]

Subject: Just today's list
From: "Walz,Christopher" <CWalz(AT)nec.edu>
Date: 30 Apr 2008 7:42pm

This is a multi-part message in MIME format.

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

Hey All,
=20
This morning around 630 I walked out to the field to check the bluebird =
nest, but decided not to as I watched 1 tree swallow divebomb my dog, =
and 8 others harass the bluebird's entering their nestbox and swooping =
them.  Cheers to the male bluebird that pinned one tree swallow to the =
ground for multiple seconds after it came out of his nest! =20
=20
I had a meeting at Moose Hill Sanctuary in Sharon MA, but stopped first =
in Woods Hole to pick-up someone, while waiting at the ferry- had about =
80 Double-crested Cormorants flying N/NW and an immature Cooper's Hawk =
circling around the parking lot. =20
=20
1 dead Turkey on 495N
=20
Moose Hill Sanctuary Sharon MA
1 Killdeer
30+ Canada Geese
1 Great Blue Heron flying overhead NE direction
1 Chipping Sparrow visiting the feeder
1 Downy Woodpecker
=20
=20
Chris Walz=20
West Barnstable, MA
Property Manager
Mid-Cape Sanctuaries
CWalz(AT)massaudubon.org
CWalz(AT)nec.edu

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

[ << | >> | ^^ ]

Subject: Notes on a cold spring morning
From: "Douglas Chickering" <dovekie(AT)comcast.net>
Date: 30 Apr 2008 8:38pm

Massbirders:
    When Lois and I watched that high pressure air mass force it's way down 
from Canada on the weather maps last night we realized that it was probably 
not going to be a lively birding day today (April 30). We still went out. 
It's spring and at the doorstep of May what else is there but birding?  Of 
course we saw more than enough to please the soul and make the trip 
worthwhile. There were three sightings that stand out in this slow but nice 
day.
    In the morning, as we sat down for breakfast the feeders were visited by 
a striking male Towhee.  This is the fourth straight day that he has come 
down to join us -- so to speak -- for a meal. Out in the open the male 
Towhee in spring finery is a rather spectacular creature.  The plumage is 
fresh, right out of the box, and the colors pure and deep.  The black is so 
black that occasionally the deep red eyes seem to vanish in the void.   I 
also noticed the undertail coverts are a mixture of the red and white. 
Something that I never really noticed before. The Towhee fed with a quick 
nervous pace with quick little hops and tail held erect.  Often the motion 
of foraging caused him to flick his tail, flashing the white edges like 
strobe lights.  The effect was mesmerizing.  I have seen many Towhees.  I 
have seen them display the white edges of their tail as they jumped into a 
flight, and I have seen them feed; usually rustling in the leaf litter; but 
this is the first time I can remember seeing this hypnotic quick flashing; 
pure white against the blackness.
    At Cross Farm Hill, on Plum Island, Lois and I watched a pair of 
Kestrels; male and female, kiting in the strong wings. Both hovering over 
the new grass; their attention riveted on the patch below them; effortlessly 
holding their position in the buffeting winds.  It brought back a memory, 
many years old, of watching another pair of Kestrels hunting a nearly frozen 
plowed field at Little's Lane in Newbury.  There used to be a lot of 
Kestrels around, and watching these two I allowed myself to hope that they 
were a breeding pair; the vanguard of a new age of Kestrels.  Probably not. 
They're probably just two migrants heading out of town, only pausing for a 
meal.  But seeing and wishing were nice all the same.
    At the Old Pines Lois and I had great looks at our first Black-throated 
Green Warbler of the year.  One of the early arrivals, and this well marked 
male positively glowed in the sun.  I cannot help but conclude that the 
first Warblers of the spring are the brightest.  Maybe it's because they are 
the healthiest and boldest males; at the height of the powers and beauty. 
Perhaps they just look  brighter to us, so soon after the long cold gray 
winter.
    It may have been cold and breezy; but it was also bright and sunny and, 
as usual, there is always something special to find and enjoy.

Doug Chickering
Groveland
dovekie(AT)comcast.net

[ << | >> | ^^ ]

Subject: Black Throated Green Warbler in Lowell
From: <rkramden1994(AT)verizon.net>
Date: 30 Apr 2008 8:40pm

While doing some quick atlasing this morning around Lowell Cemetery (and
confirming Robins carrying nesting material), I was treated to my first singing
Black Throated Green Warbler of the spring.  Certainly made it hard to go back
to the car and head into work.

Good birding,
Mike Baird
rkramden1994(at)verizon.net

[ << | >> | ^^ ]

Subject: CT Report 04/30/2008 Ruff
From: Roy Harvey <rmharvey(AT)snet.net>
Date: 30 Apr 2008 9:06pm

 From Frank Mantlik
4/30 - Westport, Imperial Ave., Grace Salmon Park -- RUFF continues
7am, even though high tide.  It was on the narrow peninsula (with
birdhouse) just to the north.

 From Patrick Comins with Chris Field:
4/30 - Portland, Portland Fairgrounds -- 2 Common Snipe, 1 Purple
Martin.

 From Meredith Sampson:
4/30 - Old Greenwich, Greenwich Point -- SNOW GOOSE swimming in cove.
No Harlequin Duck sighted.

 From Don Morgan:
4/30 - Madison, Hammonasset State Park -- 2 Boat-tailed Grackles where
the trails split on Willard's Island.

 From Donald Lukaszek:
4/29 - New Britain, yard -- Brown Thrasher.

 From Carl Ekroth:
4/29 - Southington?, I-84 at exit 31 -- 1 BLACK VULTURE.

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

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

Reports should be sent to CTBirdReport(AT)ftml.net.  Reports should 
include sender's name, date, location of sightings and species of note
at each location. Reporting Guidelines are available at:
http://www.ctbirding.org/ecommittee.htm#reporting

To change your subscription options, or unsubscribe, please visit
http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctdailyreport_lists.ctbirding.org

Archives of these reports may be found at either of these locations:
http://www.virtualbirder.com/bmail/ctbird/latest.html
http://lists.ctbirding.org/pipermail/ctdailyreport_lists.ctbirding.org/

[ << | >> | ^^ ]

Subject: Bolton Birds
From: "Pam Kaminski" <pam.kaminski(AT)comcast.net>
Date: 30 Apr 2008 10:06pm

This is a multi-part message in MIME format.

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

Yard birds seen today included my first Baltimore oriole of the spring and
13 white throated sparrows.

Pam Sowizral

Bolton

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

[ << | >> | ^^ ]

Subject: Hummingbirds in Littleton
From: "Bailey, Helen \(Lowell,MA-US\)" <HBailey(AT)trcsolutions.com>
Date: 30 Apr 2008 10:06pm

This is a multi-part message in MIME format.

----DELETED multipart/alternative MIME SECTION----

----DELETED image/gif MIME SECTION----

----DELETED image/jpeg MIME SECTION----

[ << | >> | ^^ ]

Subject: Common Raven and other Jamaica Plain highlights
         April 30
From: Jake Miller <fiatlux.interport(AT)rcn.com>
Date: 30 Apr 2008 10:08pm

Birders--

This morning I spent about 15 minutes following a small flock of Blue- 
headed Vireos as they sand and foraged high in the trees behind the  
Khalil Gibran statue at  Forest Hills Cemetery. (It took about 10  
minutes before I got my first look at one.)

I spent another five minutes trying to turn a pale grey dendroica  
warbler into something exciting before giving up and deciding to let  
it be a first spring Pine Warbler.

I wish I'd had a little bit longer with the Common Raven I saw at  
Forest Hills this afternoon. It perched briefly in a tree about 40  
feet away from me, then flew off silently, showing a long, heavy bill  
and wedge-shaped tail. It would probably not have occurred me to look  
closely at silent corvids if Bob Stymeist hadn't recently posted  
about ravens nesting at the West Roxbury Quarry.

My understanding is that the current resurgence of ravens in the  
northeast is related to the return of numbers of coyotes to the  
region. That makes the Jamaica Plain/Matapan section of the greater  
Emerald Necklace, with a thriving population of coyotes (including  
Franklin Park, Forest Hills, the Boston Nature Center and the  
Arboterum) a great place to watch for them.

Running through the Arboretum this morning, five Yellow Warblers were  
chasing each other around the Rose Garden, where yesterday I could  
find none.

Good birding!

--Jake

Jake Miller
Jamaica Plain

fiatlux AT interport DOT net

[ << | >> | ^^ ]

Subject: Nock Middle School, Newburyport ~ 4/30/08
From: newburyportbirders(AT)comcast.net
Date: 30 Apr 2008 10:04pm

Birders,

On this beautiful but cool,breezy morning, I led a group of 6th graders on a 
complimentary, introductory bird walk on the grounds of the Nock Middle School 
in Newburyport.  The skies were partly cloudy, and the temps ranged from 39 - 45
degrees with a northwesterly breeze ~ 12-18 mph. 

After an introductions, binocular instruction and birding etiquette, we were 
treated to 
several, great teaching birds. In the Courtyard we saw Mourning Doves and House
Sparrows.  Right out the door, we had an American Kestrel migrating, and 
Killdeer 
were in courtship flight.  The students clearly saw the wing shape.  As we 
walked 
along the school grounds, we saw a Red-tailed Hawk perched in the morning sun.
We studied its field marks ~ the belly band, the hood and the back of the 
bird which resembled hot chocolate with melting marshmallows.  Later we were 
treated to two Red-tailed Hawks in flight, then to just one in flight being 
badgered by two 
American Crows.  American Robins procured mud for a nest from the fresh puddles
of yesterday's rain.  We listened to their "cheery cheery-up".   We saw a House
Finch and studied the male's plumage compared to a female in the field guide. 

We came across a House Sparrow building a nest in the bell casing attached to 
the rear of the building.  We discussed nest construction and the ability to 
build a structure using only a bill and feet.  We focused in on an American 
Robin's nest and scoped it to study the nest material.  The three, typical gulls
were in flight.

We continued and found a snag with a fresh excavation ~ Yellow-shafted
Flickers'
construction zone.  Catching a flash of yellow, we saw that two Yellow-shafted 
Flickers 
were active in a nearby tree.  One bird flew to the construction site, and we 
watched 
it chiseling away at a three inch hole.  We studied this for a good amount of 
time; 
we then read about the flicker and talked about the boreal forest, trees and 
recycling of 
paper and home paper products.   We practiced the flickers' call ~ 
"wick-er-wick-er" 
~~ as we walked away from the area.  I saw a Downy Woodpecker undulating behind
us.

We continued along and heard the trill of a Chipping Sparrow.  It was perched in
the open 
on a branch, and we watched it vocalize at 40 X power.  The children could see 
the effort of 
that trill.  We looked at the Pine Warbler plate in the field guide and read the
description of its 
trill for comparison.

While conducting our summary in the classroom, the students warmed up with hot 
chocolate with marshmallows and whipped cream, and we reviewed the Red-tailed 
Hawk's 
field marks. I know viewing that hawk and sipping hot chocolate will solidify 
that species for 
these children.   When I asked the students how many had visited the birding 
destination, 
Parker River National Wildlife Refuge on Plum Island, I was amazed that only a 
few even 
knew about it.  I told them that it was "my favorite, outdoor classroom", and 
I'd like them to 
join me there sometime for one of my free, family-friendly walks.  After 
completing the summary, in closing, I asked the students to give me a wing-flap
and
encouraged them to be aware of the birds that share their school property.  

It brought me great joy to share the avian world with these young naturalists 
this morning!  

Best wishes,
Sue

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

[ << | >> | ^^ ]

Subject: Whales, Gannets and more (Provincetown)
From: Cherrie Corey <cherrie.corey(AT)verizon.net>
Date: 30 Apr 2008 11:04pm

Quite a spectacle off Race Point and Herring Cove Beach in yesterday's squall 
with clouds of hovering gannets randoming piercing the surf with their aerial 
dives.  Below them Minke, Finback, Humpback, and Right Whales all around the 
point spouting, lob-tailing, and occasionally astounding us with an awesome 
breach and splash.  A very dramatic afternoon.  

This morning the whales were feeding and frolicking among large rafts of gulls 
near the mouth of the bay all the way out to the horizon, with the occasional 
Minke and curious seal swimming along the shoreline. Through binoculars we 
could see the gulls lifting parasites off the whales' backs as they surfaced -
- quite a performance.  Several hundred Red-breasted Mergansers feeding on 
both sides of the point. Later in the day, several very large flocks of 
cormorants (250+)were moving about the bay.  A few whales were still visibly 
active and one ended our day's adventure fully leaving the water in horizontal 
motion followed by a full and perfect breach.  Definitely still a lively time 
in Cape Cod Bay and all still visible from shore.

Cherrie Corey
Concord, MA

[ << | >> | ^^ ]

Subject: Green  Heron - Groton
From: Bob Hill <bobhill8(AT)yahoo.com>
Date: 30 Apr 2008 11:21pm

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

Had my first Green Heron of the year in the wetlands behind my house along the
Nashua River in Groton yesterday and today.  This afternoon it perched in a tree
 for 5 minutes after being spooked, giving great looks.
  Bob Hill

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

[ << | >> | ^^ ]

Subject: White-eyed Vireo at Nahant, Cliff Swallow at
         Millennium, and belated P'town report
From: "Marshall J. Iliff" <miliff(AT)aol.com>
Date: 30 Apr 2008 11:34pm

All,

Jeremiah Trimble and I tried for migrants this morning (30 April) along the
North Shore and had a total of exactly one warbler--Yellow-rumped. Even
migrant sparrow numbers seemed down from last Friday and we only had one
bird that might have been a recent arrival--a singing WHITE-EYED VIREO at
the Nahant Thicket.

Later this afternoon I checked Millennium Park for a hawk flight but saw no
migrants. However, Cow Island Pond (see Google Maps image of Millennium Park
area), has been loaded with swallows since the weekend. Over 100 swallows
including 70+ Tree and 10-20 N. Rough-winged, and 10 Barns. Today I had a
single CLIFF SWALLOW among them, only my second locally and my first of the
spring.

Finally, I did some birding over the weekend (Sat-Sun) in the Provincetown
area. Birding was generally lackluster, except that large numbers of gulls
can be seen roosting at Hatch's Harbor. I had about 25 Iceland Gulls, 4
Glaucous Gulls, and 4 Lesser Black-backed Gulls in the area (17 was my
highest count of Icelands at one time). One of the Icelands was a full adult
(Kumlien's, obviously) which I thought was late for that age class. In
addition to the WHITE-EYED VIREO at the Beech Forest, present since at least
19 April, there was a single GAMBEL'S WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW around nthe
parking lot at the Beech Forest. Apparently several people noted a
White-crowned Sparrow here the previous day (Friday), but did not comment on
the subspecies. Gambel's White-crowned is the widespread western Taiga
breeder that winters throughout the west but is at best a rare to casual
fall migrant in the East; in spring it is even rarer and there may only be
one or a few prior spring records. The pale lores and orangeish bill
separated this bird from the eastern Z. l. leucophrys. I got a number of
photos as did Peter Trimble. You can see Peter's shots of it here:
www.flickr.com/photos/jrtrimble/

Best,

Marshall
-- 

-------------------------------------------------
Marshall J. Iliff
West Roxbury, MA
miliff AT aol.com
-------------------------------------------------
eBird/AKN Project Leader
Cornell Lab of Ornithology
159 Sapsucker Woods Rd.
Ithaca, NY 14850
http://www.ebird.org
http://www.avianknowledge.net
-------------------------------------------------

The Virtual Birder

MASSBIRD for Wednesday, April 30, 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, May 1, 2008 9:55pm MT

The Virtual Birder

MASSBIRD for Wednesday, April 30, 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, May 1, 2008 9:55pm 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, May 1, 2008 9:55pm MT