Birdingonthe.Net Recent Postings from The Massachusetts Birding List > Home > Mail > Alerts Updated on Thursday, July 2 at 09:16 PM ET The most recently received Mail is at the top.	Ruby-throated Hummingbird,©Julie Zickefoose

02 Jul CT Report 07/02/2009 [Roy Harvey ] 2 Jul 3 days of seabirds from Missionbell (1.5 mi east of Race Point) [Paul Champlin ] 02 Jul Henslow's Sparrow update [Barbara Volkle and Steve Moore ] 2 Jul Re: Parker River NWR Birdseye (and Satellite) Imagery [Fred ] 02 Jul Henslow's Sparrow recording and spectrogram [] 02 Jul Verizon and massbird - moderator message [Barbara Volkle and Steve Moore ] 02 Jul Re: Testing Verizon subscribers access to list ["Lesley Mattuchio" ] 2 Jul Parker River NWR Birdseye (and Satellite) Imagery [Fred ] 2 Jul FW: Testing Verizon subscribers access to list ["Scott Ricker" ] 02 Jul Re: Testing Verizon subscribers access to list ["Jim Berry" ] 2 Jul Testing Verizon subscribers access to list ["Scott Ricker" ] 2 Jul Oak Bluffs pumping station (head of the Lagoon) Mute Swan family ["Lanny McDowell" ] 02 Jul Re: Fw: Whitelist Request Regarding world.std.com ["Jim Berry" ] 2 Jul Cooper's Hawk nests on the Vineyard ["Lanny McDowell" ] 02 Jul Re: Fw: Whitelist Request Regarding world.std.com [Hank & Chris ] 02 Jul Fw: Whitelist Request Regarding world.std.com ["John Hoye & Audrey McCarthy" ] 01 Jul CT Report 07/01/2009 [Roy Harvey ] 1 Jul montague henslow's - a request [chris buelow ] 1 Jul Stellwagen numbers 7/1/09 [Ian Davies ] 1 Jul Winchendon 6/29: Grasshopper Sparrow still there! ["S Sutton" ] 1 Jul Henslow's Sparrow... 7/1... Photos [Byard Miller ] 1 Jul Stellwagen Bank 7/1/09 [Ian Davies ] 01 Jul Purple Martins of Plum Island ~ 7/1/09 [Sue McGrath ] 1 Jul Andrew's Point: fog 7/1/09 [Willy Hutcheson ] 01 Jul Results - Waterbird Survey, Great Meadows NWR - Concord 7/1/09 [Barbara Volkle and Steve Moore ] 1 Jul Henslow's Sparrow, 7/1 [Mark Taylor ] 1 Jul Peregrine falcon nest in New Bedford [Carolyn Longworth ] 1 Jul NESTING Merlin/Florence [] 01 Jul EXTREME PELAGIC TRIP JULY 18, 2009 : Still a few spots open ["Ida Giriunas" ] 30 Jun Common Terns ~ Bass Haven Yacht Club, Beverly [Sue McGrath ] 30 Jun Stellwagen numbers 6/30/09 [Ian Davies ] 30 Jun Stellwagen Bank 6/30/09 [Ian Davies ] 30 Jun Lost scope... ["Merry Cushing" ] 30 Jun Skinner State Park, Hadley; Tues., 30 June 2009. [Richard Heil ] 30 Jun Georgetown-Rowley State Forest, 6/30/09: nesting p-b grebes ["Jim Berry" ] 30 Jun North Andover house for sale [Barbara Drummond ] 30 Jun Henslow's Sparrow Wednesday p.m. [Daan Sandee ] 30 Jun On-line NOW at WICN (90.5FM): an interview w/JOHN KRICHER about the BALANCE OF NATURE: ECOLOGY'S ENDURING MYTH. ["Mark Lynch" ] 30 Jun On-line NOW at WICN (90.5FM): an interview w/JOHN KRICHER about the BALANCE OF NATURE: ECOLOGY'S ENDURING MYTH. ["Mark Lynch" ] 30 Jun Re: Hatch's Harbor sightings [Mary Keleher ] 30 Jun Re: North Andover Heronry, 26-June-2009 [Fred ] 30 Jun Henslow's Sparrow, Montague, MA 6/30/09 [Jeremiah Trimble ] 30 Jun Henslow''s Sparrow-Montague 6/30 [Bird Watchers Supply & Gift ] 30 Jun Henslow Sparrow - Montague [] 29 Jun Ash Street Swamp & Moseley Woods ~ 6/29/09 [Sue McGrath ] 30 Jun Re: Henslow's Sparrow photo ["rstymeist AT juno.com" ] 30 Jun 6/28 Duxbury Beach - washout including AMOY [Rick Bowes ] 29 Jun North Andover Heronry, 26-June-2009 [Bruce deGraaf ] 29 Jun CT Report 06/28/2009 [Roy Harvey ] 29 Jun Martins in Rehoboth [Raymond Marr Jr ] 29 Jun Willowdale S. F. (western section), Ipswich, 6/29/09 ["Jim Berry" ] 29 Jun Henslow's Sparrow Yes; but a warning [Bill Principe ] 29 Jun Violet-crowned Hummingbird in Virginia [Mary Keleher ] 29 Jun Henslow's Sparrow photo [Steve Mirick ] 29 Jun 6-28-09--Sawmill River, Montague. Turners Falls & Barton Cove, Gill. Bennett Meadow Wildlife Management Area, Northfield. Wendell State Forest, Wickett & Ruggles Ponds, Wendell. [] 29 Jun P'town Sunday afternoon ["naturalhistoryservices" ] 29 Jun 6-28-09--Sawmill River, Montague. Turners Falls & Barton Cove, Gill. Bennett Meadow Wildlife Management Area, Northfield. Wendell State Forest, Wickett & Ruggles Ponds, Wendell. [Christopher Ide Ellison ] 29 Jun Henslow's Sparrow photo? ["Mark Fairbrother" ] 29 Jun Atlas bonus [Barbara Spencer ] 29 Jun Hatch's Harbor sightings [Leslie Bostrom ] 29 Jun Henslow's Sparrow Continues 6/29 [Bird Watchers Supply & Gift ] 29 Jun testing verizon [] 29 Jun Jun 29, Plum Is, Parasitic Jaegers, Leach's Storm-Petrel [Thomas Wetmore ] 29 Jun Henslow's Sparrow [Paul Cozza ] 29 Jun Adams/Cheshire 6/28 ["Mark Lynch" ] 28 Jun Andrew's Point, Rockport Seawatch; Sun., 28 June 2009. [Richard Heil ] 28 Jun Jun 28, Plum Is, 200,057! and Sooty Shearwaters [Thomas Wetmore ] 28 Jun Mashpee Martins [Mary Keleher ] 28 Jun North Andover powerline, 6/28/09 ["Jim Berry" ] 28 Jun Henslow's Sparrow, Montague ["Jeffrey Offermann" ] 28 Jun Henslow's Sparrow in Montague - still [George Kingston ] 28 Jun Montague Henslow's Sparrow, early afternoon 06/28 ["James P. Smith" ] 28 Jun Re: open for comments [Blair Nikula ] 28 Jun Re: Henslow's Sparrow in Montague [Matt Garvey ] 28 Jun Re: Henslow's Sparrow in Montague [Matt Garvey ] 28 Jun Siskins return [alice morgan ] Subject: CT Report 07/02/2009 From: Roy Harvey <rmharvey AT snet.net> Date: Thu, 02 Jul 2009 21:49:04 -0400 From Greg Hanisek: 07/02/09 - Watertown, Gustafson's Orchard -- c 30 BOBOLINKS, 3 Eastern Meadowlarks. ********************************************************************** 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: 3 days of seabirds from Missionbell (1.5 mi east of Race Point) From: Paul Champlin <skua99 AT hotmail.com> Date: Thu, 2 Jul 2009 20:40:53 -0400 Hi Folkls, Quick not - no real species counts here, just 1 minute bouts of counting the masses as they went pouring by in the scope. Certainly the best seabird show I've seen in my 40 years at Missionbell. One minute counts of shearwaters, ranging from 50% to 80% sooty, then Greater, then Cory's, then Manx: 156 186 195 181 194 164 .. and the counts went on and on. I did these counts as there was an easing up in the fog/rain during Tues., Wed. and today. I'd break from working on the house repairs (from the noreaster last week) and count birds for a while. I saw things other than shearwaters but I'll leave those out for now (yes, things like jeagers, both storm petrels, fulmar etc.). The bulk of the birds were headed west during Tuesday and Wednesday while today they were all headed east. Most were beyond the potline but (as is typical) many of the Cory's were within the bar. Several large flocks settled between the bar and potline several times with many species involved. I did see whale watches out in the chop in front of the house today so I'd like to see the reports from them. I'll be posting a bit on Henslow's Sparrows soon. For my masters I put transmitters on about 100 and have banded about 150... all during winter and have a little insight regarding them in the region. Best Paul Champlin Westport, MA _________________________________________________________________ Insert movie times and more without leaving Hotmail®. http://windowslive.com/Tutorial/Hotmail/QuickAdd?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_HM_Tutorial_QuickAdd_062009 Subject: Henslow's Sparrow update From: Barbara Volkle and Steve Moore <barb620 AT TheWorld.com> Date: Thu, 02 Jul 2009 18:14:17 -0400 Thanks to John Barriger for the following Henslow's update. Barbara Volkle Northborough, MA barb620 AT theworld.com * * * Date: Thu, 2 Jul 2009 16:48:48 EDT I don't see any reports on the HENSLOW'S SPARROW today, so I thought I'd pass this along. I was in Montague at about 1:30 - 2:30 this afternoon (Thursday 07/02/09). After about a 10 minute wait, the bird began to sing, then teed up nicely for about 10 minutes. Then was quiet and out of sight for 5 - 10 minutes. In the time I was there, this pattern was repeated a number of times. Life Bird for me, as well as a woman that showed up just before I left - I hope she was able to get her husband down there to get a good look at this bird! Even the southbound traffic on I-91, on the way home, couldn't diminish my satisfaction at having had great looks at a HENSLOW'S SPARROW! Subject: Re: Parker River NWR Birdseye (and Satellite) Imagery From: Fred <fred AT cetussoft.com> Date: Thu, 2 Jul 2009 16:11:39 -0400 Hello again, MassBirders. > Because of the variety of operating systems and browsers in use by > MassBirders out there, and especially because I have ~no~ idea how the > images will look with screen resolutions wider than 1024 pixels, I > would appreciate feedback on how well (or not) this all works. > If anyone has any questions on using the Virtual Earth imagery, > please let me know. Thanks. I have received some feedback (and thanks are extended to all who have - or will have - written to provide important feedback). Since feedback issues often are relevant to more than just the persons good enough to write, I am going to share (paraphrased) three such (paraphrased) comments with the list, as follows: 1. "CUTTING AND PASTING IMAGES COULD BE A VIOLATION OF COPYRIGHT." Thank you for your note of concern. However, the use is entirely legal (and, in fact, encouraged by Microsoft). I am not actually "cutting and pasting content from another provider into [my] web pages". In fact, the actual images, and most of the code that provides for displaying it, reside on Microsoft servers, made available to the public for such use. As directed by Microsoft, I have merely created code that accesses an API (i.e., an "Application Programming Interface"), publicly provided by Microsoft for web developers to utilize, at no cost for non-commercial purposes. The terms of use for what I am doing is spelled out at: http://www.microsoft.com/maps/product/terms.html Again, though, I thank you for your note, which was intended, I am sure, as a friendly warning, just to keep me out of trouble - . 2. "I CAN'T SEE ANY IMAGES AT ALL IN MY MOZILLA FIREFOX BROWSER." I am sorry that you had difficulty seeing the images. I also thank you for mentioning your browser, since that is generally helpful when debugging a problem. The problem is, however, that I ~can~ see the images in ~my~ Firefox browser (and in Internet Explorer) - here is a screen print of what I can see in Firefox V.3.0 - http://www.fromabove.us/usa/ma/parkerriver/images/firefoxsample.jpg So, I don't know what to say. I do know from experience that web development is tricky (because of operating system differences and especially browser differences), and I also do know that it is impossible to get graphics programming especially to work on all browsers out there. So, I am sorry that you didn't have any luck, but I do want to thank you very much for your report. Perhaps I'll eventually figure out a way to get it to display in ~everyone's~ browsers - . 3. "THE LINK FOR PARKING LOT SEVEN AND BOARDWALK IS REALLY THE UPPER SANDY POINT PARKING LOT AND THE TRAIL TO THE BEACH." Thanks for pointing that out. I believe I now have fixed it (so that "Parking Lot 7 and Boardwalk" hopefully points to the right place) (and I also shifted the center of the "Sandy Neck Reservation" view just a bit, to include both of its two parking lots at the same time). [THANKS AGAIN TO PEOPLE WHO TOOK THE TIME TO PROVIDE FEEDBACK.] Fred (Frederick Wasti) Marshfield, Massachusetts Subject: Henslow's Sparrow recording and spectrogram From: hbreder AT comcast.net Date: Thu, 02 Jul 2009 14:02:39 -0400 I too joined the throng yesterday heading down to Montague to see the Henslow's Sparrow. Report with brief recording and spectrogram here: http://onejackdawbirding.blogspot.com Hilke Breder Brattleboro, VT Subject: Verizon and massbird - moderator message From: Barbara Volkle and Steve Moore <barb620 AT theworld.com> Date: Thu, 02 Jul 2009 12:23:39 -0400 The problem with MASSBIRD mail reaching Verizon participants has been resolved. The matter had been elevated to the highest level at Software Tool and Die. Thanks to all of you who worked to resolve this problem and your updates to me personally. Remember, if you should stop receiving MASSBIRD, check the archives (there are pointers from www.massbird.org) for updates and posts. This will also help you determine whether it is a problem with your service, or with MASSBIRD in general. Posts are also archived as a google group here: http://groups.google.com/group/massbird , courtesy of Brian Krisler. Thanks to Brian for this additional backup. We're all back on track! Now, if we could just do something about all this rain! Barbara Volkle, moderator MASSBIRD Northborough, MA barb620 AT theworld.com Subject: Re: Testing Verizon subscribers access to list From: "Lesley Mattuchio" <leslm AT verizon.net> Date: Thu, 02 Jul 2009 12:15:47 -0400 Good thing...our next step could have been for all of us to threaten to go to Comcast service! Lesley Mattuchio Melrose, MA. leslm AT verizon.net ____________________ > hey, it worked! i didn't even realize that John Hoye's message was on > massbird! > > Jim Berry > Ipswich, Mass. > jim.berry3 AT verizon.net > > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Scott Ricker" > To: > Sent: Thursday, July 02, 2009 10:39 AM > Subject: [MASSBIRD] Testing Verizon subscribers access to list > > >> MassBirders, >> >> Just testing the list to see if Verizon subscribers have been removed >> from >> the blacklist. > -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.5.375 / Virus Database: 270.13.2/2214 - Release Date: 07/02/09 05:54:00 Subject: Parker River NWR Birdseye (and Satellite) Imagery From: Fred <fred AT cetussoft.com> Date: Thu, 2 Jul 2009 11:46:57 -0400 Hello, MassBirders. I have just put online a number of pages which display several locations in the Parker River NWR in Microsoft Virtual Earth imagery (which MS is now - unfortunately, I believe - calling "Bing" - - imagery - ). Available are both straight-from-above satellite images (such as Google, Yahoo, MapQuest, etc., provide), but also (appropriately enough) oblique "BIRD'S EYE" images (which the other map services do not offer, at least yet). (I particularly like the birdseye images, which are more natural and 3-dimensional looking than the more common "flat" satellite images.) PLEASE NOTE that these are ~not~ mere static JPEG images - you can zoom in on and out of each image, you can pan around from place to place, and (in the birdseye images) you rotate to view each location from four compass directions. Changing viewing modes and otherwise navigating around is accomplished mostly by manipulating the map control located at the upper left of the window. The URL to the index page - http://www.fromabove.us/usa/ma/parkerriver/ As each "location page" is first displayed, it will show a birdseye image at its "farther away" zoom level - you can click on the "+" button on the upper left map control to zoom in one more time to the "closer" zoom level (and clicking on the "-" button zooms back out). You can also rotate the birdseye view to four compass directions by clicking on the clockwise or counterclockwise arrow buttons, or by clicking on the "N", "E", "S", or "W" compass buttons. If you want to switch to the more "usual" satellite images you can click on the "Aerial" button (and in aerial mode you can zoom in and out over a large range of zoom levels). (However, note that only one compass direction - north at the top - is available in aerial mode.) (You click on the "Bird's eye" button to go back to birdseye mode.) In both birdseye mode and aerial mode you can click on the map with your left mouse button and drag it around to navigate. (In birdseye mode sometimes you also have to click in an empty "background" are to load another image "tile" - however, I think this sounds more complicated than it really is - .) You can also "pan" around by clicking on the four compass arrow buttons on the map control. In both birdseye mode and aerial mode you can toggle labels on and off with the "Labels" button on the map control. Because of the variety of operating systems and browsers in use by MassBirders out there, and especially because I have ~no~ idea how the images will look with screen resolutions wider than 1024 pixels, I would appreciate feedback on how well (or not) this all works. (If this is a reasonably successful venture, I would expand it to include other birding "hot spots", too.) If anyone has any questions on using the Virtual Earth imagery, please let me know. Thanks. Fred (Frederick Wasti) Marshfield, Massachusetts Subject: FW: Testing Verizon subscribers access to list From: "Scott Ricker" <ptbagger AT verizon.net> Date: Thu, 2 Jul 2009 11:38:21 -0400 Ida wrote; YES, HOW DID YOU DO IT!!! Ida My response was; Hi Ida, I called Verizon yesterday and discussed the issue with the Verizon Customer Support staff and I also submitted two whitelist complaints. I don't understand why the issue lasted so long but it appears they have now designated Massbird.org domain as safe. Scott Ricker Southwick, MA. ptbagger AT verizon.net Scott Ricker Volunteer Access Advocate 28 Lake Shore Dr Southwick, MA. 01077 Tel-(413) 569-2269 ptbagger AT verizon.net Subject: Re: Testing Verizon subscribers access to list From: "Jim Berry" <jim.berry3 AT verizon.net> Date: Thu, 02 Jul 2009 11:40:39 -0400 hey, it worked! i didn't even realize that John Hoye's message was on massbird! Jim Berry Ipswich, Mass. jim.berry3 AT verizon.net ----- Original Message ----- From: "Scott Ricker" To: Sent: Thursday, July 02, 2009 10:39 AM Subject: [MASSBIRD] Testing Verizon subscribers access to list > MassBirders, > > Just testing the list to see if Verizon subscribers have been removed from > the blacklist. Subject: Testing Verizon subscribers access to list From: "Scott Ricker" <ptbagger AT verizon.net> Date: Thu, 2 Jul 2009 10:39:20 -0400 MassBirders, Just testing the list to see if Verizon subscribers have been removed from the blacklist. Scott Ricker Southwick, MA. ptbagger AT verizon.net Subject: Oak Bluffs pumping station (head of the Lagoon) Mute Swan family From: "Lanny McDowell" <blkwtrbrk AT comcast.net> Date: Thu, 2 Jul 2009 10:45:51 -0400 Mute swan photos, cygnets mimicking adults: http://ottgallerymv.com/lannymcdowellavianart/index.php/2009/07/avian-art-go es-swan/ Lanny McDowell West Tisbury, MA blkwtrbrk(AT)comcast.net Blog, Photos & Artwork: www.LannyMcDowellAvianArt.com Subject: Re: Fw: Whitelist Request Regarding world.std.com From: "Jim Berry" <jim.berry3 AT verizon.net> Date: Thu, 02 Jul 2009 10:27:57 -0400 Notice how they are trying to shift the burden to us, after THEY cut off our service. I told them it is not up to us to contact the provider, but theirs, and to get with it. They give a new meaning to the word "sincerely." Jim Berry Ipswich, Mass. jim.berry3 AT verizon.net ----- Original Message ----- From: "John Hoye & Audrey McCarthy" To: "Massbird" Sent: Thursday, July 02, 2009 7:45 AM Subject: [MASSBIRD] Fw: Whitelist Request Regarding world.std.com > Response from Verizon > Lt. Jaeger AT verizon.net > John Hoye Wayland > ----- Original Message ----- > From: > To: > Sent: Thursday, July 02, 2009 5:24 AM > Subject: RE: Whitelist Request Regarding world.std.com > >> Thank you for contacting Verizon Online Security. >> >> In order to resolve your issue, Verizon Online Security has attempted to >> contact the company or domain for which you were having problems >> receiving email. >> >> Once Verizon Online Security has received contact from the 3rd party, we >> will work with them to resolve the issue in a timely manner. In order to >> assist us and to expedite the process, you may wish to contact the >> company or domain on your own behalf. Please direct the appropriate >> party to www.verizon.net/whitelist to submit their information for >> research and consideration. >> >> Sincerely, >> >> Verizon Online Security >> http://www2.verizon.net/policies >> abuse AT verizon.net Subject: Cooper's Hawk nests on the Vineyard From: "Lanny McDowell" <blkwtrbrk AT comcast.net> Date: Thu, 2 Jul 2009 09:09:09 -0400 I appreciate that a number of Vineyard people, not all birders, have turned me on to raptor nests this year; and most of them have been those of Cooper's Hawks. Blog and photos at: http://ottgallerymv.com/lannymcdowellavianart/index.php/2009/07/raptor-photo s-young-coopers-hawks-on-marthas-vineyard/ Lanny McDowell West Tisbury, MA blkwtrbrk(AT)comcast.net Blog, Photos & Artwork: www.LannyMcDowellAvianArt.com Subject: Re: Fw: Whitelist Request Regarding world.std.com From: Hank & Chris <hy.ce AT verizon.net> Date: Thu, 02 Jul 2009 08:10:01 -0500 (CDT) Subject: Fw: Whitelist Request Regarding world.std.com From: "John Hoye & Audrey McCarthy" <lt.jaeger AT verizon.net> Date: Thu, 02 Jul 2009 07:45:21 -0400 Response from Verizon Lt. Jaeger AT verizon.net John Hoye Wayland ----- Original Message ----- From: To: Sent: Thursday, July 02, 2009 5:24 AM Subject: RE: Whitelist Request Regarding world.std.com > > > > Thank you for contacting Verizon Online Security. > > > In order to resolve your issue, Verizon Online Security has attempted to > contact the company or domain for which you were having problems receiving > email. > > Once Verizon Online Security has received contact from the 3rd party, we > will work with them to resolve the issue in a timely manner. In order to > assist us and to expedite the process, you may wish to contact the company > or domain on your own behalf. Please direct the appropriate party to > www.verizon.net/whitelist to submit their information for research and > consideration. > > > > Sincerely, > > Verizon Online Security > http://www2.verizon.net/policies > abuse AT verizon.net > > Subject: CT Report 07/01/2009 From: Roy Harvey <rmharvey AT snet.net> Date: Wed, 01 Jul 2009 21:43:28 -0400 Note: Over on CTBirds Frank Gallo posted a reminder that the parking lot and grounds of the Connecticut Audubon Coastal Center at Milford Point will be CLOSED as usual for the 4th of July holiday weekend, from 4:30 p.m. Friday, July 3, until 9 a.m., Monday, July 6. From Paul Cianfaglione: 07/01/09 - South Windsor -- 1 SEDGE WREN (very vocal in an extensive wet meadow). Unfortunately, I can not reveal the location that this bird was found since it is on private farmland. From Tina Green: 07/01/09 - Westport, behind Longshore Inn between Kitts Island and Hendricks Point -- a pair of Brown Thrashers at the water's edge in the bushes. Across from E.R.Strait Marina (in Longshore Park) -- 1 Little Blue Heron, 1 Orchard Oriole. From Frank Mantlik: 06/30/09 - Stratford, thoroughly flooded Great Meadows Marsh (near the airport) -- 5 YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT-HERONS. From John Marshall: 06/30/09 - Bethlehem, Kasson Rd, Swendsen Farm Preserve -- NORTHERN GOSHAWK, 5 BOBOLINKs. ********************************************************************** 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: montague henslow's - a request From: chris buelow <dryoptera AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 1 Jul 2009 18:15:06 -0700 (PDT) A short visit to the Montague Henslow's Sparrow on Meadow Road produced great mid-day views and sound from this bird. And while its presence alone is pretty exciting, I'd like to put out a request that birders pay specific attention to any breeding activity from the Henslow's at the site. A historic breeder in Massachusetts, the Henslow's is listed as an Endangered Species in Massachusetts and there have been two records of breeding Henslow's in the state reported to the MA Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program since 1983. I don't think that any evidence of a mate has been observed at this site, but on the off chance that this is a mated bird, this observation will become even more important. I would imagine that food carrying will be the primary cue. And while the male's constant and emphatic singing gave the impression that he is still trying to attract a mate, the literature suggests that even successfully mated males will sing in this fashion. It may be a long-shot, but with all of the eyes watching this bird, evidence of a nesting attempt should be revealed if it has occurred. If you do find breeding evidence with this bird, or any state-listed species for that matter, please submit an observation form to the MA Natural Heritage Program: http://www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/nhesp/species_info/report_rare_species.htm Your official submission of data really does make a difference. Thanks, Chris Buelow - Hardwick, MA - NHESP Subject: Stellwagen numbers 7/1/09 From: Ian Davies <goshawk227 AT earthlink.net> Date: Wed, 1 Jul 2009 19:58:17 -0400 Here are the numbers for today. I'm wondering if it glitches when I post a photo link. Next trip I will try the post without any photo link. Plymouth Beach (1105-1125/1510-1525): Wilson's Storm-Petrel 2 Northern Gannet 1 Double-crested Cormorant 15 Great Cormorant 1 *Lingering. One immature on Bug Light, assumedly one of the two that were present yesterday. Osprey 1 Black-bellied Plover 1 Piping Plover 1 Willet (Eastern) 2 Laughing Gull 150 Herring Gull (American) 40 Great Black-backed Gull 80 gull sp. 50 Least Tern 8 Common Tern 2000 Resident breeders up in the air Sterna sp. 500 Resident breeders up in the air 15 species En route to Stellwagen: Plymouth Co. (1125-1215/1415-1510): Cory's Shearwater (borealis) 1 Sooty Shearwater 1 Wilson's Storm-Petrel 88 85 right off of the Gurnet. Parasitic Jaeger 1 lt 4 species Stellwagen Bank -- SW Corner (1215-1415): Northern Fulmar 1 Light morph Cory's Shearwater 15 Greater Shearwater 514 Most birds today were on flocks on the water today in the fog. Sooty Shearwater 233 Most birds today were on flocks on the water today in the fog. Lots of Sooties today, especially in relation to Greater. Wilson's Storm-Petrel 101 Northern Gannet 6 Herring Gull (American) 8 Great Black-backed Gull 15 Common Tern 1 Pomarine Jaeger 1 Light, harassing some shearwaters Parasitic Jaeger 1 Light individual jaeger sp. 5 4lt, 1dk. All Parasitic/Pomarine. 12 species This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org) Good birding, Ian Davies Manomet, MA goshawk227 AT earthlink.net www.pbase.com/daviesphoto http://picasaweb.google.com/goshawk227 IJD Subject: Winchendon 6/29: Grasshopper Sparrow still there! From: "S Sutton" <bookwarbler2 AT msn.com> Date: Wed, 1 Jul 2009 18:47:34 -0400 Here's the report from my atlasing Monday in Winchendon. At least most of the day was pretty clear, so it wasn't a washout. And the best news is that the Grasshopper Sparrow at Birch Hill Dam is still there! The high water a few weeks ago didn't push it out, so I'm hoping to get higher breeding evidence next time, if possible. Steven Sutton, Lancaster bookwarbler2 AT msn.com Location: Winchendon 9 - Breeding Bird Atlas Block Observation date: 6/29/09 Notes: 7:30AM - 3:45PM & 4:15-5:45PM, rain until 9:00AM, then mostly cloudy; 63-68 degrees F Number of species: 64 Canada Goose 10 four adults w/young,now gaining theit adult plumage, but still with some fuzz, and 2/3 the size of the adults Wood Duck 3 female with 2 half-grown young (Confirmed - PY) Mallard 1 Great Blue Heron 4 Broad-winged Hawk 2 Killdeer 8 Birch Hill Dam + 1 at Lake Dennison Spotted Sandpiper 3 BH Dam; incl. juveniles; I was sure they nested here, but hadn't seen the young so far (Confirmed - PY) Mourning Dove 8 singing (s) Yellow-billed Cuckoo 1 s, heard from New Boston Rd, but although I took a trail into the area it sang from, there was no sign of it. Still a great addition to the block list! Chimney Swift 2 Belted Kingfisher 2 incl. one at a 25-ft high gravel embankment, along a dirt road south of L.Dennison. It gave me a sound scolding when I stopped to scan for nest holes, so I didn't stay too long. I'll check again. (Probable - A,N) Downy Woodpecker 2 fledglings - finally! (Confirmed - FL) Hairy Woodpecker 2 Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 6 Alder Flycatcher 1 s, New Boston Rd (Probable - S) Least Flycatcher 2 s, Lake Dennison; one made repeated emphatic calls, but didn't appear otherwise disturbed; it just foraged in the trees. Eastern Phoebe 4 Great Crested Flycatcher 7 (Probable - P) Eastern Kingbird 5 one still on nest at New Boston Rd bridge Blue-headed Vireo 6 s Warbling Vireo 3 s Red-eyed Vireo 18 s Blue Jay 19 American Crow 7 Tree Swallow 19 incl. a few fledglings Northern Rough-winged Swallow 2 two together, morning & afternoon around Lake Dennison; suspected them before but this is the first concrete evidence (Probable - P) Black-capped Chickadee 45 s, fledglings Red-breasted Nuthatch 11 White-breasted Nuthatch 3 Mill Glen Rd Brown Creeper 5 s Winter Wren 1 s Veery 7 s (Probable - A) Hermit Thrush 15 s American Robin 24 s Gray Catbird 10 s Cedar Waxwing 22 (CN) Nashville Warbler 10 s, even more of these than before; still all singing males Yellow Warbler 10 s (Confirmed - CF) Chestnut-sided Warbler 9 s (Confirmed - CF) Black-throated Blue Warbler 3 s Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) 11 s Black-throated Green Warbler 12 s Pine Warbler 20 s Black-and-white Warbler 2 s Ovenbird 38 s (FY) Common Yellowthroat 41 s, one female with a long twig in its mouth (CN) Scarlet Tanager 3 s Eastern Towhee 17 s, female feeding a fledgling(Confirmed - FY) Chipping Sparrow 19 s Savannah Sparrow 1 s, BH Dam Grasshopper Sparrow 1 s, BH Dam; it's still here! The water levels are back to normal in the Millers River, and the GRSP sang a couple times while I was there, but I couldn't see it. I'll definitely be checking again. (Probable - S) Song Sparrow 13 s Swamp Sparrow 11 s White-throated Sparrow 21 s, couple fledglings getting fed (FY) Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored) 2 pair at dirt rd south of Lake Dennison; foraging together for a while. Are they failed breeders, or did they nest earlier and their young no longer need close watching & feeding? Expected species, but not found until today (I hadn't checked this spot before)(Probable - P) Northern Cardinal 3 s, Mill Glen Rd Rose-breasted Grosbeak 2 s Indigo Bunting 4 s Red-winged Blackbird 6 s Common Grackle 22 Brown-headed Cowbird 1 Baltimore Oriole 1 Purple Finch 7 s (Probable - C) American Goldfinch 18 s This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org) Subject: Henslow's Sparrow... 7/1... Photos From: Byard Miller <byard AT virtualflybox.com> Date: Wed, 1 Jul 2009 18:37:54 -0400 I traveled south a bit and a friend traveled north. We met in Montague to see the Henslow's Sparrow, a life bird for both of us. The little guy was most cooperative for the time that we were there... 1-2 pm. When the showers came through he would hunker down but popped up again as soon as they were over. I managed a couple of decent shots... http://www.flickr.com/photos/ 9534802 AT N02/sets/72157607485744484/ Byard Miller Line's End Inc Virtual Flybox Photos Subject: Stellwagen Bank 7/1/09 From: Ian Davies <goshawk227 AT earthlink.net> Date: Wed, 1 Jul 2009 18:00:49 -0400 A trip to Stellwagen on the Capt John Boats today came up with some nice birds, despite visibility on the Bank still being less than 1/4 mile the entire time we were out there. Some interesting July birds included Great Cormorant and Northern Fulmar, and jaeger numbers were the highest of any of the 5 trips I've made out so far. We also got luckier in the fog today than yesterday, running into many more flocks of sitting shearwaters, instead of just having sporadic flybys. We even managed a last minute whale sighting, quite luckily. The Wilson's Storm-Petrel show continues practically in Plymouth Harbor, with two birds being less than 50 yards off of the tip of Plymouth Beach today! 85 of the 88 birds seen in Plymouth waters were seen within 1/2 mile of the Gurnet. Very cool. Also in Plymouth waters today were one each of Cory's Shearwater and Parasitic Jaeger, quite nice to see. Around in Plymouth today as well was a late Brant at Nelson Field, feeding on the grassy field. Full lists from today and numbers below, hopefully they'll go through! A picture of the Brant can be seen at: http://picasaweb.google.com/goshawk227/PlymouthArea#5353609942336335874 Subject: Purple Martins of Plum Island ~ 7/1/09 From: Sue McGrath <newburyportbirders AT comcast.net> Date: Wed, 01 Jul 2009 17:43:15 -0400 Birders, I watched the martins yesterday evening and ascertained that they are being weakened by this prolonged weather and their inability to find viable, prey items. I elected not to lower the nest cavities yesterday, allowing them to retain as much heat in the cavity as possible overnight. Early this morning, I checked the boxes and gourds during a dry period. Several eggs had hatched over the past, few days, and those nestlings had complimentary, maid service this morning as I replaced parasite-infested nests with fresh, dry nesting material. The nest fauna weaken the nestlings, and given the stress on the adults to find food for themselves and their young, providing a parasite-free, dry nest replacement was the least I could afford them. The nests in the plastic gourds are more weather-proof than those in the wooden boxes, and those young are fairing better. As I left Lot # 1, a dozen Purple Martins were perched on the boat ramp gate and the wires after the gatehouse. At the northern end of the island, many martins were on the boxes' roof tops. I hope the weather becomes more favorable tomorrow for the last stronghold of Purple Martins in Essex County. On Sunday evening, July 5th, you can join me, the volunteer Purple Martin Landlord, at the north end of Plum Island at the Old Headquarters' site for an evening, educational program on the Purple Martins of Plum Island. We'll watch the graceful flight and the social antics of the largest of our North American swallows. We'll listen to their gurgles and learn about their breeding cycle and migration. Donations are appreciated and will be used for improving the human-supplied housing for these dependent songbirds. For program details, please check the Newburyport Birders' website. Sincerely, Sue Sue McGrath Newburyport, MA 01950 USA 978-462-4785 REPLY TO: newburyportbirders AT comcast.net www.newburyportbirders.com Subject: Andrew's Point: fog 7/1/09 From: Willy Hutcheson <jeccawilly AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 1 Jul 2009 13:01:20 -0700 (PDT) While rockhopping and thing-finding with my sons this morning at Andrew's Point, Rockport, I kept an eye on the water in case the fog lifted. Between 8:30 and 11:00, the fog never did dissipate, but we managed to see: 10 Wilson's storm-petrel 1 Manx shearwater 12 northern gannet 1 Bonaparte's gull 12 common tern 5 sterna sp. 2 common eider Birds were heading south with few exceptions. Willy Hutcheson jeccawilly AT yahoo.com Concord, MA Subject: Results - Waterbird Survey, Great Meadows NWR - Concord 7/1/09 From: Barbara Volkle and Steve Moore <barb620 AT theworld.com> Date: Wed, 01 Jul 2009 16:02:21 -0400 Subject: Results - Waterbird Survey, Great Meadows NWR - Concord 7/1/09 From: Jason_StSauver AT fws.gov Date: Wed, 1 Jul 2009 13:34:38 -0400 Location: Great Meadows NWR - Concord Impoundments Observation date: 7/1/09 Notes: The following species of waterfowl and other birds were counted during a recent waterbird survey conducted at the Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge; Concord Impoundments on Wednesday, July 1, 2009. If you have any questions regarding this survey or management at the Concord Impoundments, please contact the Refuge biological staff at 978-443-4661 x37, 24 or 23. Also, 24 immature WODU, 2 immature CAGO, 3 immature MALL and 4 immature ABDU were seen. The two GRHE were flyovers. Number of species: 8 Canada Goose 45 Wood Duck 4 Mallard 4 Hooded Merganser 2 Great Blue Heron 5 Green Heron 2 Cooper's Hawk 1 Common Moorhen 1 This report was generated automatically by eBird Jason St. Sauver Biological Technician US Fish & Wildlife Service Eastern Massachusetts NWR Complex 978.443.4661 x23 Subject: Henslow's Sparrow, 7/1 From: Mark Taylor <birdnorth AT hughes.net> Date: Wed, 1 Jul 2009 14:48:23 -0400 Hello Massbirders, The Henslow's Sparrow was very cooperative this morning from 10:45 - 11:30 off of Meadow Rd in Montague. To reiterate, this is the meadow opposite North Taylor Hill Rd. The bird was constantly singing and would perch on the tallest weeds in line with the dead tree for the most part, but occasionally would fly in closer to the road giving excellent views of this rarity. Thanks Mark Fairbrother! Mark Taylor Northfield, MA birdnorth AT hughes.net Subject: Peregrine falcon nest in New Bedford From: Carolyn Longworth <bvm1290 AT comcast.net> Date: Wed, 1 Jul 2009 18:13:45 +0000 (UTC) Saw this story in the Standard Times http://www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2009907010382 Carolyn Longworth Acushnet, MA bvm1290atcomcast.net Bird Pages at: http://home.comcast.net/~birdpage/birdblog.htm http://www.librarything.com/catalog/bvm1290&tag=Birds Subject: NESTING Merlin/Florence From: Tombwhawk AT aol.com Date: Wed, 1 Jul 2009 12:00:34 EDT Hi Folks: Last evening I received three phone calls from friends asking me to help then out in identifying a nesting hawk here in Florence. (part of Northampton) First two calls were from Bruce Hart and the third call was from Betsy Higgins, both from Florence. So, reluctantly at 7:30 we jumped in the car and drove the mile and a half and as I step out of the car I was told the hawk was in the scope. I looked in the scope to be BLOWN AWAY to see a female MERLIN sitting at the top of a tall Spruce tree. I really was just expecting to see a Cooper's. Next the scope was moved to where we could see the nest in a very tall Eastern White Pine. About 80 to 100 feet up near the top was a good size nest and I could see at least 2 young birds sitting in the nest still covered in white down. There might have been more, but I did not want to hog the scope. The first nesting of a Merlin in Massachusetts was reported in the Volume 36, Number 6 December 2008 issue of BIRD OBSERVER from Chappaquiddick, Edgartown, Dukes County. So I believe this is only the SECOND nesting in Massachusetts but the first with actually YOUNG IN A NEST. These birds were first reported to Bruce Hart from a couple that live in the neighborhood , Lou Peugh and Edward Olmstead. I did not see the male but, Lou and Ed report that is spends a lot of time calling. I will have to return later today and try to see the male. Congratulations to all in getting word out about the "mystery hawk" so we could get it identified. On another note, this morning at 6:30 a FISHER visited the yard AGAIN sampling my suet. He has been in several times in that past few weeks. A medium size Black Bear ran through the yard Sunday afternoon at 4:45 and loped across the road, stopping traffic. Bird on Tom Gagnon, Florence (Bear Country) Massachusetts **************Dell Laptops: Huge Savings on Popular Laptops – Deals starting at $399(http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100126575x1222883570x1201497211/aol?redir=http:%2F%2Faltfarm.mediaplex.com%2Fad%2Fck%2F12309%2D81939%2D1629%2D0) Subject: EXTREME PELAGIC TRIP JULY 18, 2009 : Still a few spots open From: "Ida Giriunas" <Ida8 AT verizon.net> Date: Wed, 01 Jul 2009 11:44:36 -0400 HYDROGRAPHER, VEATCH'S, ATLANTIS CANYONS, MASSACHUSETTS July 18. 4:00AM-9:00PM Trip length: 17+ hours- Trip limited to 73 participants Departure point: Helen H Dock, 136 Pleasant St., Hyannis, MA Destination: Hydrographer, Veatch's and Atlantis Canyons 90 miles south east of Nantucket, MA. Cost: $120.00 for BBC Members, $140.00 for non-members. The Helen H is a chartered, comfortable and fast, 100-foot fishing boat with a full galley. Cost may be adjusted for extra fuel charges. Leaders: RICK HEIL, STEVE MIRICK, and JEREMIAH TRIMBLE. We also have a very enthusiastic and experienced captain & crew. BIRDS EXPECTED: Cory's, Greater, Sooty, Manx, and Audubon's Shearwaters. Wilson's and Leach's Storm-Petrel, Gannets and all three jaegers. Rare birds seen on past trips: Macronesian Shearwater (2007); White-faced Storm-Petrel (2006); Band-rumped Storm-Petrel (2004, 2008); both skuas (2004); Bridled Tern (2006 & 2007, 2008). Marine mammals & fishes: Fin, Humpback, Minke, Long-finned Pilot, Beaked and Sperm Whales. Grampus, Saddle-back, and Bottlenose Dolphins. Basking, Blue, Mako, and Hammerhead Sharks. Tuna. Loggerhead Turtle. Trip organizer: Ida Giriunas Massachusetts, Cell: 781-929-8772; email: ida8 AT verizon.net for the Brookline Bird Club (http://massbird.org/bbc) Yes, we still have a few spots open and this may be your only chance to get out to the warmer waters off the coast of MASSACHUSETTS this year to see and photograph some of the rare birds mentioned above which we are hoping to see. Thanks, Ida Giriunas Reading, MA Subject: Common Terns ~ Bass Haven Yacht Club, Beverly From: Sue McGrath <newburyportbirders AT comcast.net> Date: Tue, 30 Jun 2009 21:53:55 -0400 Birders, I returned to the Bass Haven Yacht Club on the Bass River in Beverly this morning and saw a pair of Common Terns with two chicks. The adults had nested on a twin dock, and yesterday one of the semi-precocial, downy chicks fell off the dock. I located it this morning between two dock segments by the handicapped assessable ramp. I watched the adults alternate prey delivery to the chick at the twin dock and to the chick at the handicapped ramp. The adults repeatedly drove off Herring and Great Black-backed Gulls. The adult terns would dive bomb and strike the gull. This action drew several club members' attention. I had these boaters as students of terns and gulls while watching the action. The chick by the handicapped ramp would scurry for protection when a gull approached. I studied this wayward chick's plumage, and it was downy with hair-like tips. The feathers near the eyes were buffy, and there was a buffy streak to its orange bill that was tipped in brownish black. Once several occasions, the chick under the ramp would tuck its bill and draw up one leg to conserve energy. Common Terns can swim at an early age [ 2 - 3 days] and often wander from the nest but return for brooding. One of the club members reported to me that he was fortunate to witness the chick swimming yesterday. The chicks are flightless until they are 26 - 28 days old. I learned from a boat owner that a pair of Common Terns has nested on that twin dock for three years in a row. The terns are welcomed by the boaters as they are always on patrol to disrupt the loafing gulls. Just prior to leaving, I was at the trunk of my car getting a handful of tide charts to give to the club members when an adult tern released white, fluid waste from its cloaca. That liquid anointed my binocular strap. A blessed, morning outing... Good birding, Sue Sue McGrath Newburyport Birders Observe ~ Appreciate ~ Identify Newburyport, MA 01950 USA 978-462-4785 REPLY TO: newburyportbirders AT comcast.net www.newburyportbirders.com Subject: Stellwagen numbers 6/30/09 From: Ian Davies <goshawk227 AT earthlink.net> Date: Tue, 30 Jun 2009 21:15:33 -0400 Seems almost every other post now from me gets cut off by Massbird. Numbers: Plymouth Beach (1405-1425/1735-1800): Double-crested Cormorant 35 Great Cormorant 2 *Lingering. Two immature birds, first time I've seen them this June, perched on the Bug Light with 35 Double- cresteds. Great Blue Heron 1 Black-bellied Plover 1 Piping Plover 2 Greater Yellowlegs 1 - Nelson's Beach Willet (Eastern) 2 Laughing Gull 120 Herring Gull (American) 60 Great Black-backed Gull 50 Least Tern 20 Roseate Tern 1 Common Tern 400 Sterna sp. 300 14 species En route to Stellwagen: Plymouth Co. (1425-1455/1655-1735): Wilson's Storm-Petrel 46 *High inshore count. 35 off of the Gurnet, within sight of land on a fogless day. Leach's Storm-Petrel 1 *Rare, lingerer blown inshore from the recent nor'easter presumedly. Off of the Gurnet, within sight of land on a fogless day. 2 species Stellwagen Bank -- SW Corner (1455-1655): Northern Fulmar 7 - 5 lt, 2 intermediate Cory's Shearwater 13 - Numbers rising. Greater Shearwater 14 Sooty Shearwater 34 Wilson's Storm-Petrel 220 Northern Gannet 3 imm Laughing Gull 5 Herring Gull (American) 6 Great Black-backed Gull 11 Common Tern 4 10 species This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org) Good birding, Ian Davies Manomet, MA goshawk227 AT earthlink.net www.pbase.com/daviesphoto http://picasaweb.google.com/goshawk227 Subject: Stellwagen Bank 6/30/09 From: Ian Davies <goshawk227 AT earthlink.net> Date: Tue, 30 Jun 2009 20:38:27 -0400 A Captain John Boat trip out to Stellwagen today yielded some interesting birds, but not many numbers. Of course, that was entirely due to the fact that visibility during the entire day never exceeded 1/2 mile, and most of the time was less than 1/4 mile! However, a few nice birds still shone through the mist, namely surprising numbers of Northern Fulmars, increasing numbers of Cory's Shearwaters, and a couple Great Cormorants on the way out, hanging out on the Bug Light in Plymouth Harbor. A picture of a fulmar can be seen at: http://picasaweb.google.com/goshawk227/CaptJohnBoatTrips2009#5353283889285396002 Subject: Lost scope... From: "Merry Cushing" <cushing AT oit.umass.edu> Date: Tue, 30 Jun 2009 20:39:12 -0400 I was in Montague today to see the Henslow Sparrow which many of us did see and hear. When we were leaving, we noticed one of the birders had left a scope there in the road. We asked the last birder to leave to take the scope with him, but hoped the owner realized he was missing his scope and would turn around and came back for it before the last birder left the meadow. If you are the person who left your scope, contact me and I will get you in touch with the man who took it. We hope this message gets to the scope's owner. Merry Cushing Subject: Skinner State Park, Hadley; Tues., 30 June 2009. From: Richard Heil <rsheil AT comcast.net> Date: Tue, 30 Jun 2009 20:34:22 -0400 TUESDAY, 30 JUNE 2009: After enjoying excellent extended views of the singing HENSLOW'S SPARROW along Meadow Road in Montague between 0620-0720, we proceeded on to Skinner State Park in Hadley to look for Cerulean Warblers and we were not disappointed. SKINNER STATE PARK, HADLEY (0815-1120 hrs.) Mountain Road to summit of Mt. Holyoke (940 feet). Weather: Mostly cloudy, patchy fog, light variable winds, 63 F. Richard S. Heil & Bob Heil Turkey Vulture (1) Downy Woodpecker (4) Hairy Woodpecker (4) 'Yellow-shafted' Flicker (1) Eastern Wood-Pewee (8) Eastern Phoebe (4) Yellow-throated Vireo (2) Blue-headed Vireo (2) Red-eyed Vireo (26) Blue Jay (8) Black-capped Chickadee (6) Tufted Titmouse (4) White-breasted Nuthatch (3) Winter Wren (1) Veery (3) Hermit Thrush (3) Wood Thrush (16) American Robin (18) Gray Catbird (2) Cedar Waxwing (1) Black-throated Green Warbler (3) Pine Warbler (3) CERULEAN WARBLER (4 singing males) Black-and-white Warbler (5): 4m, 1f. American Redstart (2m.) WORM-EATING WARBLER (2) Ovenbird (15) Scarlet Tanager (12): 10m., 2f. Eastern Towhee (1m.) Chipping Sparrow (2) 'Slate-colored' Junco (5): 3 ads., 2 streaked juvs. Northern Cardinal (1) Rose-breasted Grosbeak (1m.) Indigo Bunting (3): 2m., 1f. Common Grackle (2) Richard S. Heil S. Peabody, MA rsheil AT comcast.net This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org) Subject: Georgetown-Rowley State Forest, 6/30/09: nesting p-b grebes From: "Jim Berry" <jim.berry3 AT verizon.net> Date: Tue, 30 Jun 2009 18:06:45 -0400 > Location: Georgetown-Rowley State Forest (atlas block Ipswich 2) > Observation date: 6/30/09, 0730-1230 > Notes: I hadn't been in this state forest for several years, and the > change in water levels from beaver activity is impressive. I wanted to > verify the GBHE colony I knew was there from seeing herons carrying sticks > earlier, and was gratified to hear both rails and see a nest of the > state-endangered pied-billed grebe. The size of the beaver marsh is > staggering, perhaps 200+ acres essentially constituting the headwaters of > the Mill River; it takes up most of the southeastern portion of the state > forest just east of I-95 in Rowley. The absence of starlings, yellow > warblers, and common yellowthroats was surprising, though the latter two > could have been there and simply not singing. Woodpeckers were also > scarce, perhaps because the young have all fledged and scattered. > Number of species: 45 > > Wood Duck 7 hen with 5 half-grown young plus an eclipse male > Mallard 2 > Green-winged Teal 1 drake landed in middle of cattail marsh for > another inland nesting-season record > Pied-billed Grebe 2 New nesting location for this state-endangered > species. I saw the female turn her eggs and settle back on them while the > male called nearby. Nest in a huge beaver marsh complex in area of open > shrub-swamp away from cattails. > Double-crested Cormorant 2 > Great Blue Heron ~125 First time I've seen this colony of 36-38 > active nests, most with 2-4 large young about to fledge. This is the > 2nd-largest GBHE colony in the county and is in the middle of the biggest > beaver marsh I have ever seen. Total number of birds a rough estimate. > Great Egret 1 > Green Heron 2 > Virginia Rail 1 heard either two or one twice > Sora 1 > Mourning Dove 3 > Chimney Swift 2 > Belted Kingfisher 3 at least 3, maybe 4, and clearly a family with > adult male carrying a fish and being followed by a juvenile > Red-bellied Woodpecker 1 > Downy Woodpecker 1 > Northern Flicker 2 > Eastern Wood-Pewee 6 one possible family group > Eastern Phoebe 3 one or two juveniles > Great Crested Flycatcher 4 > Eastern Kingbird 3 > Yellow-throated Vireo 2 saw one male carry food, then either him > again or his mate carry food (dragonflies); got to hear this male voice > some mimicry and chattering notes as well as typical songs > Warbling Vireo 5 one possible family group, including harsh > scolding notes when a blue jay was raiding in their territory > Red-eyed Vireo 2 m > Blue Jay 5 > American Crow 4 > Tree Swallow 20 estimated number, including at least two juveniles > Barn Swallow 2 > Black-capped Chickadee 5 > Tufted Titmouse 9 (fledglings seen) > White-breasted Nuthatch 5 > Marsh Wren 5 m singing males in vast cattail marsh; two nests > seen, but I can't say whether they were active or dummy nests > Eastern Bluebird 1 m I suspect I missed a few in this paradise for > cavity nesters > Veery 5 > American Robin 10 one bird completing a new nest > Gray Catbird 1 > European Starling 0 > Yellow Warbler 0 > Pine Warbler 3 m > Ovenbird 4 m > Common Yellowthroat 0 > Scarlet Tanager 1 m > Song Sparrow 2 m > Swamp Sparrow 2 m > Northern Cardinal 4 > Red-winged Blackbird 50 rough estimate; fledglings seen > Common Grackle 20 rough estimate; fledglings seen > Brown-headed Cowbird 1 > American Goldfinch 5 > > This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org) Jim Berry Ipswich, Mass. jim.berry3 AT verizon.net Subject: North Andover house for sale From: Barbara Drummond <bdraraavis AT comcast.net> Date: Tue, 30 Jun 2009 17:53:38 -0400 Dear Massbirders: For the second time in three years the house next door to us is on the market. We are bird central for our part of North Andover, with a 12- year yard list of 149 species. We average 100 or more a year. There is a sizable amount of wetland behind our street, plus a power line (not high tension) right-of-way (old railroad bed) which we use as a nature trail. Jim Berry was over here on June 27 surveying for his atlas block; see his post to massbird for that day. Plum Island is 1/2 hour drive away, Crooked Pond 15 minutes. Naturally, we are eager to have birders and environmentally conscious people as neighbors rather than a noisy family with a barking dog. Please take a look at the realtor's url below. We would be glad to answer any questions; please post directly to me at this address. We are friends with the owner (who moved out) and we feel comfortable communicating with him about anything. Thanks to Barbara for allowing us to post this message. http://www.coldwellbanker.com/servlet/PropertyListing?action=detail&ComColdwellbankerDataProperty_id=57869527&page=property&brand=CB Barbara Drummond North Andover, MA bdraraavis AT comcast.net Subject: Henslow's Sparrow Wednesday p.m. From: Daan Sandee <sandee AT theworld.com> Date: Tue, 30 Jun 2009 17:38:50 -0400 (EDT) The bird was there Wednesday 1 p.m. alternating between perched and singing, and hidden and feeding. With your back to the side road, it is (usually) somewhere off to the left halfway to the distant trees, where there is a bit of a hollow. There are a number of tall green stalks emerging from the grass, and it likes to perch halfway up a stalk, well in view. At that distance it was barely distinguishable with binoculars, but it offered a good view with a scope. From the photos I have seen, it may be closer by at other times. It is easiest found by voice, but you need good ears and a quiet day. It does a brief tskprrtsk, like a stuttering Least Flycatcher. Once it is perched and singing, it keeps at it for some time. Daan Sandee Gloucester, MA sandee AT theworld.com Subject: On-line NOW at WICN (90.5FM): an interview w/JOHN KRICHER about the BALANCE OF NATURE: ECOLOGY'S ENDURING MYTH. From: "Mark Lynch" <moa.lynch AT verizon.net> Date: Tue, 30 Jun 2009 14:12:44 -0400 The concept of “the balance of Nature” is at least as old as the Ancient Greeks and is used in many sources today when talking about the environment and ecology. But it is an utterly wrong-headed idea. Nothing could be further from the truth because in fact “constant change” is the reality of life on earth and in the universe around us. Nothing ever stays the same. So if there is no balance of nature, why should we care if Global Warming is changing the ecosystems of the planet? And what has biodiversity ever done for us anyway? Tonight on Inquiry, we welcome JOHN KRICHER, the A. Howard Meneely Professor of Biology at Wheaton College, and author of THE BALANCE OF NATURE: ECOLOGY’S ENDURING MYTH, one of the best books on scientific ecology written for a general audience. Tune in tonight and listen as Professor Kricher explains why biodiversity is important, why humanity needs to develop a strong “environmental ethic” and why we all need to move beyond such erroneous ideas as nature in balance. To listen to this interview now on your PC, or dowload it to your i-Pod, go to: http://www.wicn.org/audio/inquiry-john-kricher Mark Lynch WICN moa.lynch AT verizon.net Subject: On-line NOW at WICN (90.5FM): an interview w/JOHN KRICHER about the BALANCE OF NATURE: ECOLOGY'S ENDURING MYTH. From: "Mark Lynch" <moa.lynch AT verizon.net> Date: Tue, 30 Jun 2009 14:12:44 -0400 The concept of “the balance of Nature” is at least as old as the Ancient Greeks and is used in many sources today when talking about the environment and ecology. But it is an utterly wrong-headed idea. Nothing could be further from the truth because in fact “constant change” is the reality of life on earth and in the universe around us. Nothing ever stays the same. So if there is no balance of nature, why should we care if Global Warming is changing the ecosystems of the planet? And what has biodiversity ever done for us anyway? Tonight on Inquiry, we welcome JOHN KRICHER, the A. Howard Meneely Professor of Biology at Wheaton College, and author of THE BALANCE OF NATURE: ECOLOGY’S ENDURING MYTH, one of the best books on scientific ecology written for a general audience. Tune in tonight and listen as Professor Kricher explains why biodiversity is important, why humanity needs to develop a strong “environmental ethic” and why we all need to move beyond such erroneous ideas as nature in balance. To listen to this interview now on your PC, or dowload it to your i-Pod, go to: http://www.wicn.org/audio/inquiry-john-kricher Mark Lynch WICN moa.lynch AT verizon.net Subject: Re: Hatch's Harbor sightings From: Mary Keleher <maryeak AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 30 Jun 2009 09:30:54 -0700 (PDT) Any updates on the Franklin's Gull? Mary Keleher, Mashpee, MA > From: Leslie Bostrom > Subject: [MASSBIRD] Hatch's Harbor sightings > To: massbird AT world.std.com > Date: Monday, June 29, 2009, 2:37 PM > I have spent hours of early > morning  time in Provincetown in the past two > weeks experiencing the astonishing bird show at Race Point > and Herring Cove. > I enjoy hiking along the beach to Hatch's Harbor where I > can not only look > out to sea (if the fog lifts enough for me to see anything) > but also sift > through the gulls and terns that feed just off the beach > and roost on the > sand bars. When the weather allows I have seen all three > jaegers.  Several > times Parasitic Jaegers came flying over the beach- right > over my head- to > harass the roosting terns, which would rise in a huge > screaming cloud to > mill about in the sky. I have also gotten good looks at the > three large > shearwaters and also  Manx Shearwaters, although my > best looks at Cory's > were at Race Point. > > There have been a number of unusual gulls and terns among > the more common > ones. In addition to the several  first year Arctics, > there are two breeding > plumaged Arctics hanging out among the Commons  and > Roseates. I have also > seen one Forster's Tern in basic plumage (with the eye > patches), as well as > the two Black Terns, one in breeding plumage, one in winter > plumage. > > Yesterday morning (Sunday, 7am) there was a breeding > plumaged Franklin's > Gull among a group of roosting Laughing Gulls. Continuing > are a few Lesser > Black-backed Gulls (2 2nd cy, 1 1st cy), 2 Black-legged > Kittiwakes, and > numerous Bonaparte's Gulls. > > > Leslie Bostrom > Providence RI and Wellfleet MA > > Subject: Re: North Andover Heronry, 26-June-2009 From: Fred <fred AT cetussoft.com> Date: Tue, 30 Jun 2009 11:43:06 -0400 > Last Friday, Richard Johnson, Dale Martin and I visited the Heronry > near Carter Field Road in North Andover, Massachusetts. None of us > had been there before but it was fairly easy to find as it clearly > shows up in the satellite view using either the Google or Yahoo > Maps. I created a Google Map for those interested in visiting the > site. Here's the link: > http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=109617099567611195294.00046d35b09a4dfea7c52&ll=42.722709,-71.092615&spn=0.014077,0.033023&t=h&z=16 Thanks for all your info about that heronry, Bruce. I have just put online a couple of pages which show this heronry in Microsoft Virtual Earth imagery (which - - MS is now unfortunately calling "Bing" imagery - ). Available are both straight-from-above satellite images (such as Google, Yahoo, MapQuest, etc., provide) and also (appropriately enough) oblique "BIRD'S EYE" images (which the other map services don't offer yet). Changing viewing modes and otherwise navigating around is accomplished mostly by manipulating the map control at the upper left of the window. The URL's - http://www.fromabove.us/us/ma/boxford/carterfields.asp http://www.fromabove.us/us/ma/northandover/carterfields.asp [These two URL's are for two pages that do show exactly the same thing - the problem is that the Carter Fields Reservation is in both Boxford and North Andover - you likely would park your car at the athletic fields parking lot in North Andover, but the heron are actually nesting in Boxford.] As either page is first displayed, it will show a birds eye image at its "farther away" zoom level - you can click on the "+" button on the upper left map control to zoom in one more time to the "closer" zoom level (and clicking on the "-" button zooms back out). You can also rotate the birds eye view to four compass directions by clicking on the clockwise or counterclockwise arrow buttons, or by clicking on the "N", "E", "S", or "W" compass buttons. You can also click on the "Aerial" button to switch to the more "usual" satellite images (and in aerial mode you can zoom in and out over a large range of zoom levels). (Note that only one compass direction is available in aerial mode.) (You click on the "Bird's eye" button to go back to birds eye mode.) In both birds eye mode and aerial mode you can click on the map with your left mouse button and drag it around to navigate. (In birds eye mode sometimes you also have to click in an empty "background" are to load another image "tile" - this sounds more complicated than I think it really is - ). You can also "pan" around by clicking on the four compass arrow buttons on the map control. In both birds eye mode and aerial mode you can toggle labels on and off with the "Labels" button on the map control. If anyone has any questions on using the Virtual Earth imagery, please let me know. Thanks. And, once again, thanks to Bruce for providing the heronry info. Fred (Frederick Wasti) Marshfield, Massachusetts Subject: Henslow's Sparrow, Montague, MA 6/30/09 From: Jeremiah Trimble <jtrimble AT oeb.harvard.edu> Date: Tue, 30 Jun 2009 11:47:43 -0400 Massbird, Marshall Iliff and I, later joined by Rick and Bob Heil, enjoyed the Henslow's Sparrow in Montague this morning for over 90 minutes. As others have noted we heard the bird singing from the car when we pulled up at 625am. A few other birders including Rick and Bob arrived a bit later. The bird was singing when we left. The location is very birdy in general and we tallied 46 species during our brief stay here including 2 Yellow-throated Vireos and a Pine Siskin. I have posted some videos and imags of the Henslow's Sparrow to my flickr site. A direct link to the set of photos and videos is: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jrtrimble/sets/72157620771604344/ Good birding, Jeremiah Trimble Cambridge, MA Location: Meadow Rd. hayfields, Montague, MA Observation date: 6/30/09 Notes: We beelined for the Henslow's field and heard the bird before getting out of the car. The variety of species seen and heard while we enjoyed the sparrow was surely impressive. Number of species: 46 Rock Pigeon 1 Mourning Dove 2 Chimney Swift 2 Red-bellied Woodpecker 1 Downy Woodpecker 1 Hairy Woodpecker 1 Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 1 Pileated Woodpecker 2 calling and drumming Eastern Wood-Pewee 1 singing Willow Flycatcher 1 singing Least Flycatcher 1 singing Yellow-throated Vireo 2 one heard singing and chattering, one (presumed female) seen at point blank range as it foraged low in hedgerow Warbling Vireo 2 Red-eyed Vireo 3 Blue Jay 2 American Crow 3 Common Raven 3 heard calling--sounded like fledglings Tree Swallow 10 Bank Swallow 1 Barn Swallow 6 swallow sp. 25 Black-capped Chickadee 3 White-breasted Nuthatch 1 House Wren 1 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 2 Eastern Bluebird 1 Veery 1 American Robin 10 Gray Catbird 4 Northern Mockingbird 1 European Starling 8 Cedar Waxwing 8 Yellow Warbler 3 Chestnut-sided Warbler 1 heard singing American Redstart 2 Common Yellowthroat 1 Chipping Sparrow 4 Henslow's Sparrow 1 ***mega; first found and reported 27 Jun; photos, video, and audio records by Jeremiah. Great scope looks at the persistently singing bird. Song a high, unvariable 'tsi-LICK!'. A small sparrow with white breast and well defined, even width breast band of sharp, well-defined streaks. Head greenish-olive, boldest on nape patch, supercilium (yellowish cast towards lores). Crown stripe paler yellowish, especially towards base of biill. Head stripes dark and well defined. Short malar stripe blackish but broken and not as strong as the upper stripe (above malar) whcih was dark and well-defined. Small blackish ear spot was traingular and set off face pattern along with strong, dark supercilium. Back color was chestnut-brown with strong lackish centers and strong black in the central back. Tail short with flimsy, but not particularly poitned, rectrices. Song Sparrow 2 Northern Cardinal 3 Indigo Bunting 2 Bobolink 17 10 males sitting together and at least 7 attendant females. I did not see any carrying food, but the males were giving flight songs and appeared to be 'lekking' Red-winged Blackbird 4 Common Grackle 4 Baltimore Oriole 1 Pine Siskin 1 *rare; calling flyover This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org) -- Jeremiah Trimble Curatorial Associate - Ornithology Museum of Comparative Zoology Harvard University 26 Oxford Street Cambridge, MA 02138 phone: 617-495-2471 fax: 617-495-5667 email: jtrimble AT oeb.harvard.edu Subject: Henslow''s Sparrow-Montague 6/30 From: Bird Watchers Supply & Gift <birdwsg AT comcast.net> Date: Tue, 30 Jun 2009 14:11:54 +0000 (UTC) Jonathan Center called at 9:20am to report that the Henslow's sparrow was being observed and heard from about 8:30am to at least 9:20am by about 8 birders. Steve Grinley Bird Watcher's Supply & Gift and Nature Shop at Joppa Flats Newburyport, MA USA REPLY TO: BirdWSG AT verizon.net 978-462-0775 www.birdwatcherssupplyandgift.com Subject: Henslow Sparrow - Montague From: lafleywg AT crocker.com Date: Tue, 30 Jun 2009 09:10:53 -0400 Hello, The bird was singing and teed up this morning (Tuesday) between 7 - 7:30AM. Bill Lafley New Salem lafleywg AT crocker.com Subject: Ash Street Swamp & Moseley Woods ~ 6/29/09 From: Sue McGrath <newburyportbirders AT comcast.net> Date: Mon, 29 Jun 2009 22:33:27 -0400 Birders, I birded Ash Street Swamp in West Newbury early this morning with the following: Virginia Rail, Wood Duck, Black-capped Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, House Wren, White-breasted Nuthatch Chimney Swift, Great Blue Heron, Green Heron, Great Crested Flycatcher, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Eastern Wood-Pewee, Eastern Kingbird, Red-eyed Vireo, Eastern Kingbird I walked Moseley Woods in Newburyport this afternoon to follow up on a report of a Cooper's Hawk feeding begging young and had the following: Veery, American Robin, Belted Kingfisher, Gray Catbird, Pine Warbler, Chipping Sparrow, Scarlet Tanager, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, Brown-headed Cowbird, Cooper's Hawk [male], Spotted Sandpiper foraging at the river's edge Best wishes, Sue Sue McGrath Newburyport Birders Observe ~ Appreciate ~ Identify Newburyport, MA 01950 USA 978-462-4785 REPLY TO: newburyportbirders AT comcast.net www.newburyportbirders.com Subject: Re: Henslow's Sparrow photo From: "rstymeist AT juno.com" <rstymeist@juno.com> Date: Tue, 30 Jun 2009 10:09:29 GMT Does anyone know the name of the plant the Henslow's Sparrow favors as a perch ?? Here is Steve Mirick's note and link to photo, lets get farmers to plant more! Hardly an award winner, but I hadn't seen too many photos of this little guy. I took Jane and Joyce Regan out there today for a life bird for both of them and my first in over 25 years!http://home.comcast.net/~smirick//photos/henslowssparrow3.jpgBob Stymeist Arlington ____________________________________________________________ Workers Compensation Legal Advice. Click here http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2141/fc/BLSrjpTOcqFhPaNvumvANfVoJo7UEQkSZnBGnQdrODMou4H4Xcif4uR6iWk/ Subject: 6/28 Duxbury Beach - washout including AMOY From: Rick Bowes <rbowes AT bowesweb.com> Date: Tue, 30 Jun 2009 01:10:06 -0400 Sun. 6/28/09 2:30e-4:50pm; HiTide 4:18pm (11.2 ft); Temp: 61F; fog and mist; Wind: NNE 5-8 mph; waters quiet on bay, 1-2 ft waves on ocean. I've been unable to visit the beach since the 21st, and what a difference the week made. Very high tides plus the unending nor'easter beat up the beach pretty badly. The nice sandy beach is largely somewhere else and the for now the recreational beach is now rocky and covered with wrack. Sunday was no beach day weatherwise and there were few people out there. It felt like January after a typical big nor'easter - only much, much warmer and with more vegetation in the wrack. The combination of astronomically high tides (reaching 12.5ft) coupled with storm surge took its toll on nesting Piping Plovers and unfortunately washed out the AMOY nest. The Mass Audubon people reported that most (but not all) of the Piping Plover nests were washed out, and the hope now is that it is not too late for re-nesting. Most if not all the adults in the area are present and still active. The nest in the exclosure near the road south of High Pines is still being incubated. When the tide gets up over 11 feet most of the marshes get inundated, and 12.5 feet pretty much covers everything including parts of the beach road. (Today it was 11.2 feet with no storm impact) Birding Sunday was largely unremarkable. I'd hoped for some pelagics along the ocean side but the heavy fog prevented seeing much of the water and so I was shut out. Despite the high tide flushing birds out of the marshes, I found no Oystercatchers - even in the area of the former nest. I did not go down the Saquish road however (dicey with very high tides). The number of Black-bellied Plovers surprised me (essentially two flocks of 11 and 4) and finding a flock of 4 Least Sandpipers. These are almost certainly early returnees as I have not seen Leasts for a few weeks and I've been checking the areas where they flush up when they are here. The Dowitchers continue. The Willets were flying and much noisier than on the 21st. No doubt when the tide gives me back the marsh to walk, I will once again come under noisy strafing from these aggressive characters. Excerpts from eBird posting: Red-breasted Merganser 3 Great Blue Heron 2 Great Egret 6 Black-bellied Plover 15 (11 in Pine Hills panne, 4 High Pines. All non-breeders though one was in mid-molt - very mottled belly) Piping Plover 4 (all south of High Pines, 1 on nest in exclosure) Killdeer 2 (upper Gurnet marsh) Willet 32 (flying all about). Least Sandpiper 4 (One flock in Pine Hills panne). Short-billed/Long-billed Dowitcher 4 (1 north side of High Pines, 3 in Pine Hills panne area) Rick Bowes Duxbury, MA rbowes(at)bowesweb.com Subject: North Andover Heronry, 26-June-2009 From: Bruce deGraaf <brucedegraaf AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 29 Jun 2009 20:54:46 -0700 (PDT) Last Friday, Richard Johnson, Dale Martin and I visited the Heronry near Carter Field Road in North Andover, Massachusetts. None of us had been there before but it was fairly easy to find as it clearly shows up in the satellite view using either the Google or Yahoo Maps. I created a Google Map for those interested in visiting the site. Here's the link: http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=109617099567611195294.00046d35b09a4dfea7c52&ll=42.722709,-71.092615&spn=0.014077,0.033023&t=h&z=16 Upon arriving at the platform, we first wondered if there were actually 85 nests as reported in an earlier post. A quick count revealed at least 80 nests but then we noticed we had forgotten two trees with 9 additional nests to the left of the platform. A lot of scoping and several counts later and we arrived at a total of 95 nests, of which only 3 didn't seem to have young in them. Of course one of these may have been used for the Great Horned Owl reported earlier this year. The other two could well have had young that couldn't be easily seen as was the case when we first looked at several others nests. Photography at the site was challenging due to an east facing access resulting in severe back-lighting under clouded skies. Plus the closest nests were well over 500 feet away. A scope is definitely required due to the distance to the nests. There were a few nests in close proximity to each other that were fun to watch as parents arrived and the young had to drive away unwelcome party crashers. I managed to get shots of some of the action, most digiscoped, that I posted on my website at the link provided below. I hope to get back there in the near future in the late afternoon or early evening when the light should be better. http://brucedegraaf.zenfolio.com/p919086133 On the way home we stopped back at the Eagle nest in Northern Worcester County. The two young (one male and one female) were banded on June 2nd and are doing well. They are nearly ready to fledge but are expect to hang-out around the nest through August and possibly September. We were at the nest for only about a half hour or so but luckily had some breaks in the rain and clouds allowing me to take some photos that I posted on my website. http://brucedegraaf.zenfolio.com/p610939787 Bruce deGraaf Shrewsbury, MA Subject: CT Report 06/28/2009 From: Roy Harvey <rmharvey AT snet.net> Date: Mon, 29 Jun 2009 23:01:55 -0400 From Twan Leenders via Frank Gallo: 06/29/09 - Stratford, Stratford Point -- Caspian Tern today feeding with the Common Terns (about 25+) off Stratford Point this morning and again around 4:45 PM, last seen heading west towards Long Beach, but it would still be in our area. From Don Morgan: 06/29/09 - Coventry, Truman's Meadow -- the field is full of Bobolinks; for a few minutes I had 12 males and 1 female teed up in front of me in the grass. From Mark Aronson 06/28/09 - New Haven, Cottage Street between Livingston and Whitney -- COMMON NIGHTHAWK heard calling right this minute as I type 9:20 PM. From Mark Aronson: 06/28/09 - New Haven, Cottage Street -- Peregrine Falcon; Black Billed Cuckoo sitting on a hand rail to the building. From Dave and Janet Provencher with John Philip: 06/28/09 - Madison, Hammonasset State Park -- King Eider continues at end of moraine trail. High tide, Eider was present entire time of visit from 4pm till 6pm. If you go at the high tide be cautioned that getting to the moraine trail may require wading through about 10 to 12 inches of water. Also Roseate Tern (1), Little Blue Heron (1). From Paul Cianfaglione, Chris Loscalzo and 14 birders: 06/27/09 - Granby, McLean Game Refuge (Hartford Audubon/New Haven Bird Club Field Trip) -- 1 NORTHERN GOSHAWK, 3 BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER. From Bob Jones: 06/27/09 - Voluntown, Patchaug State Forest -- Yellow-throated Warbler; Bird was singing regularly at 11:30. Heard from the Pachaug Trail, near where seen from the road previously. Could not be heard from the road, either before or after. Estimate bird was about 600 ft from road, between the trail and road. From Dave and Janet Provencher: 06/27/09 - Waterford, Harkness Memorial Park - 3 Roseate Terns. Low tide 7:30pm. From Elaine Taylor: recently - Bristol, field areas off Matthews Street coming from Clark Avenue -- second hand report of a possible Yellow-headed Blackbird. ********************************************************************** 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: Martins in Rehoboth From: Raymond Marr Jr <rmarr2 AT cox.net> Date: Mon, 29 Jun 2009 20:50:00 -0400 Hi Mass Birders The recent storm a wk ago had no effect on the colony at the Crestwood Country club In Rehoboth the site has doubled from last year from 7 pair to 15 pair this spring. Crestwood is only one of three sites in the state now that is 100% starling resistant units for the martins and has active breeders. Crestwood is a members only Private club. Raymond Marr Jr Pawtucket RI rmarr2 AT cox.net Subject: Willowdale S. F. (western section), Ipswich, 6/29/09 From: "Jim Berry" <jim.berry3 AT verizon.net> Date: Mon, 29 Jun 2009 21:55:17 -0400 > Location: Willowdale S. F. (west), Ipswich/Rowley/Boxford > Observation date: 6/29/09, 0700-0930 > Notes: Atlas visit to block Ipswich 2, cut short by steady rain at > 0930. Confirmation of brown creepers was the highlight (FY), and of > cowbirds the lowlight. The black-throated blue warbler that sang in a > certain spot the past two summers was not singing there today and (if > still alive) may have tried somewhere else this year after two years of > apparently never finding a mate. (There are no known confirmed nesting > records in the county's history.) > Number of species: 31 > > Great Blue Heron 2 flyovers, probably to nearby colony within the > block > Mourning Dove 2 m > Barred Owl 1 flushed in hemlock grove. Before I knew which > species it was, I imitated both horned and barred owls to try to get it to > call. It didn't, but the jays gave me a good clue by not responding to my > horned owl calls but going nuts when they heard the barred owl calls. > That told me they had been hearing a barred owl(s) in the area, and that > proved to be the case. Sometimes jays are less than obnoxious. > Chimney Swift 2 foraging low in continued rainy weather > Red-bellied Woodpecker 1 > Downy Woodpecker 4 > Northern Flicker 2 > Eastern Wood-Pewee 3 m > Eastern Phoebe 2 one fed a cowbird > Great Crested Flycatcher 1 > Eastern Kingbird 1-2 > Red-eyed Vireo 1 m > Blue Jay 3 > American Crow 1 > Common Raven 1 heard nearby; they nest in an adjacent block if not > this one > Black-capped Chickadee 12 FL > Tufted Titmouse 6 FL > White-breasted Nuthatch 3 > Brown Creeper 3 one fed a fledgling in a beaver swamp; a long > overdue confirmation in this block, which has all or parts of 3 state > forests! > House Wren 1 m > Veery 9 > American Robin 6 > Gray Catbird 2 > Black-throated Green Warbler 2 m two sang in hemlock grove, but > only once each; nesting evidence is hard to find for this declining > species in Essex County > Ovenbird 9 singing males > Scarlet Tanager 2 two adult males foraged near each other in > beaver swamp; neither seemed to be feeding young, nor did I see them fly > off with food > Northern Cardinal 5 > Red-winged Blackbird 3 > Common Grackle 4 > Brown-headed Cowbird 1 fledgling fed by eastern phoebe, a frequent > host species in these parts > Baltimore Oriole 1 > This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org) Jim Berry Ipswich, Mass. jim.berry3 AT verizon.net Subject: Henslow's Sparrow Yes; but a warning From: Bill Principe <birding AT charter.net> Date: Mon, 29 Jun 2009 20:36:19 -0400 The Henslow's Sparrow was singing and visible today (Monday) until we left, around 6 pm. HOWEVER, an earlier report said that the owner of the field had intentionally delayed mowing so that the birds could fledge. That's not what we heard when we were there. The woman who owns the field apparently leases it to a farmer, and she said that the only reason it had not been mowed was that the grass was wet from all the rain. So, if you plan to go to see the bird, I would go as soon as possible. Good luck Bill & Kathleen Principe Ayer MA Subject: Violet-crowned Hummingbird in Virginia From: Mary Keleher <maryeak AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 29 Jun 2009 16:07:14 -0700 (PDT) A friend of mine emailed me this info. Not a Massachusetts bird but thought it might be of interest. A Violet-crowned Hummingbird has been frequenting feeders at The Huffman House at Creekside Farm, Newport, Craig County, VA. http://www.birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/PENN.html#1246239484 http://www.flickr.com/photos/jeffamy/ http://www.thehuffmanhousebandb.com/ Mary Keleher, Mashpee, MA Subject: Henslow's Sparrow photo From: Steve Mirick <smirick AT comcast.net> Date: Mon, 29 Jun 2009 18:05:55 -0400 Hardly an award winner, but I hadn't seen too many photos of this little guy. I took Jane and Joyce Regan out there today for a life bird for both of them and my first in over 25 years! http://home.comcast.net/~smirick//photos/henslowssparrow3.jpg (Mark.....feel free to give to the newspaper to publish if they wish) Steve Mirick Bradford, MA Subject: 6-28-09--Sawmill River, Montague. Turners Falls & Barton Cove, Gill. Bennett Meadow Wildlife Management Area, Northfield. Wendell State Forest, Wickett & Ruggles Ponds, Wendell. From: grosbeak21117 AT yahoo.com Date: Mon, 29 Jun 2009 14:24:52 -0700 (PDT) I am extremely pleased to report that the Henslow’s Sparrow discovered by Mark Fairbrother on June 27th at the intersection of North Taylor Hill Road and Meadow Road in Montague was still present in the area today.  Arriving at 11:49 A.M., I situated myself directly beneath the street sign designating nearby South Ferry Road and detected the bird after some fifteen minutes of concerted listening.  I quickly succumbed to my desire to view this retiring little sparrow through a spotting scope, and I shifted position at approximately 12:30 P.M., joining a merry troupe of pleasantly cosmopolitan birders milling about beneath the North Taylor Hill street sign.  The bird darted to the top of the taller vegetation with maddening irregularity, but when it revealed itself, it proved quite obliging.  Its alabaster-white throat pulsed and winked brightly at the assembled onlookers as it reared back its head and tossed out an endless stream of insect-like hiccupping notes.  Detection proved most challenging when the bird dipped to a lower perch in the depths of the hayfield, melting effortlessly into the landscape as it continued to sing with its back turned to the crowd.  When this secretive bird chose to disappear for intervals ranging from fifteen to thirty-five minutes, the surrounding mature deciduous woodland and sprawling horizon provided fine birding opportunities.  Judicious use of spotting scopes revealed many resident flycatchers, woodpeckers, and raptors.  Alder Flycatcher    7 American Crow    11 American Goldfinch    15 American Kestrel    2 American Redstart    5 American Robin    12 Baltimore Oriole    3 Barn Swallow    8 Belted Kingfisher    2 Black Duck    4 Black-and-white Warbler    5 Blackburnian Warbler    6 Black-capped Chickadee    7 Blackpoll Warbler    1 Black-throated Blue Warbler    2 Black-throated Green Warbler    6 Blue Jay    5 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher    1 Blue-headed Vireo    4 Bobolink    11 Broad-winged Hawk    2 Brown Creeper    3 Brown Thrasher    1 Brown-headed Cowbird    14 Canada Goose    9 Carolina Wren    1 Cedar Waxwing    14 Chestnut-sided Warbler    5 Chimney Swift    17 Chipping Sparrow    6 Common Grackle    5 Common Raven    1 Common Yellowthroat    3 Downy Woodpecker    5 Eastern Bluebird    5 Eastern Kingbird    5 Eastern Phoebe    6 Eastern Towhee    2 Eastern Wood Pewee    2 European Starling    18 Gray Catbird    6 Great Blue Heron    4 Great Crested Flycatcher    1 Hairy Woodpecker    2 Henslow's Sparrow    1 Hermit Thrush    5 House Wren    4 Indigo Bunting    2 Killdeer    3 Least Flycatcher    1 Mallard    5 Mourning Dove    8 Mute Swan    1 Northern Cardinal    4 Northern Flicker    4 Northern Mockingbird    2 Ovenbird    5 Pileated Woodpecker    2 Pine Warbler    6 Purple Finch    1 Red-bellied Woodpecker    3 Red-breasted Nuthatch    1 Red-eyed Vireo    7 Red-shouldered Hawk    1 Red-tailed Hawk    2 Red-winged Blackbird    11 Rose-breasted Grosbeak    2 Rough-winged Swallow    4 Ruby-throated Hummingbird    1 Scarlet Tanager    1 Sharp-shinned Hawk    2 Song Sparrow    5 Spotted Sandpiper    1 Swamp Sparrow    3 Tree Swallow    48 Turkey Vulture    17 Veery    8 Warbling Vireo    4 White-breasted Nuthatch    1 White-throated Sparrow    2 Wood Duck    5 Yellow Warbler    5 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker    1 Yellow-rumped Warbler    7 BOTANICA: Butter-and-Eggs Common Mullein Fireweed Golden Ragwort Great Lobelia Pointed Blue-eyed Grass Yarrow Yellow Pond-Lily Chris Ellison Hardwick, MA grosbeak21117 AT yahoo.com Subject: P'town Sunday afternoon From: "naturalhistoryservices" <naturalhistoryservices AT comcast.net> Date: Mon, 29 Jun 2009 15:03:14 -0400 I whale-watched on the 2:00-5:15 outing Sunday the 28th from Provincetown. There were many shearwaters along the outer curl of the Provincelands. Many fewer further out to sea where the whales were. The highlight was the 120-200 Cory's Shearwtaers which were flying and rafting all along the route. I had just over 100 on the return leg and about 80 on the way out - how many is that? Though there were flurries of terns and gulls I had no jaegers. There was on Black Tern in with some of the Commons at one poiunt. There are still (at least) thirty active Double-crested Cormorant nests on the breakwater. Thge gulls were all youngish birds (non-breeders) and were in good numbers between Herring Cove Beach and the Race Point. The Storm-Petrels began right at ther breakwater. We had 30+ whales, all humpbacks; some splashing, others breaching, and all very cooperative. Greater Shearwater -1300 Cory's Shearwtaer - 140 Manx Shearwater - 1 Sooty Shearwater - 35 Wilson's Storm-Petrel - 750 Leach's Storm-Petrel - 1 Northern Gannets - 26 (finally a real number) Common Tern - 200+ Black Tern - 1 David E. Clapp Natural History Services Post Office Box 664 Brewster, MA 02631 www.naturalhistoryservices.com Subject: 6-28-09--Sawmill River, Montague. Turners Falls & Barton Cove, Gill. Bennett Meadow Wildlife Management Area, Northfield. Wendell State Forest, Wickett & Ruggles Ponds, Wendell. From: Christopher Ide Ellison <grosbeak21117 AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 29 Jun 2009 14:19:33 -0700 (PDT) I am extremely pleased to report that the Henslow’s Sparrow discovered by Mark Fairbrother on June 27th at the intersection of North Taylor Hill Road and Meadow Road in Montague was still present in the area today. Arriving at 11:49 A.M., I situated myself directly beneath the street sign designating nearby South Ferry Road and detected the bird after some fifteen minutes of concerted listening. I quickly succumbed to my desire to view this retiring little sparrow through a spotting scope, and I shifted position at approximately 12:30 P.M., joining a merry troupe of pleasantly cosmopolitan birders milling about beneath the North Taylor Hill street sign. The bird darted to the top of the taller vegetation with maddening irregularity, but when it revealed itself, it proved quite obliging. Its alabaster-white throat pulsed and winked brightly at the assembled onlookers as it reared back its head and tossed out an endless stream of insect-like hiccupping notes. Detection proved most challenging when the bird dipped to a lower perch in the depths of the hayfield, melting effortlessly into the landscape as it continued to sing with its back turned to the crowd. When this secretive bird chose to disappear for intervals ranging from fifteen to thirty-five minutes, the surrounding mature deciduous woodland and sprawling horizon provided fine birding opportunities. Judicious use of spotting scopes revealed many resident flycatchers, woodpeckers, and raptors. Alder Flycatcher 7 American Crow 11 American Goldfinch 15 American Kestrel 2 American Redstart 5 American Robin 12 Baltimore Oriole 3 Barn Swallow 8 Belted Kingfisher 2 Black Duck 4 Black-and-white Warbler 5 Blackburnian Warbler 6 Black-capped Chickadee 7 Blackpoll Warbler 1 Black-throated Blue Warbler 2 Black-throated Green Warbler 6 Blue Jay 5 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1 Blue-headed Vireo 4 Bobolink 11 Broad-winged Hawk 2 Brown Creeper 3 Brown Thrasher 1 Brown-headed Cowbird 14 Canada Goose 9 Carolina Wren 1 Cedar Waxwing 14 Chestnut-sided Warbler 5 Chimney Swift 17 Chipping Sparrow 6 Common Grackle 5 Common Raven 1 Common Yellowthroat 3 Downy Woodpecker 5 Eastern Bluebird 5 Eastern Kingbird 5 Eastern Phoebe 6 Eastern Towhee 2 Eastern Wood Pewee 2 European Starling 18 Gray Catbird 6 Great Blue Heron 4 Great Crested Flycatcher 1 Hairy Woodpecker 2 Henslow's Sparrow 1 Hermit Thrush 5 House Wren 4 Indigo Bunting 2 Killdeer 3 Least Flycatcher 1 Mallard 5 Mourning Dove 8 Mute Swan 1 Northern Cardinal 4 Northern Flicker 4 Northern Mockingbird 2 Ovenbird 5 Pileated Woodpecker 2 Pine Warbler 6 Purple Finch 1 Red-bellied Woodpecker 3 Red-breasted Nuthatch 1 Red-eyed Vireo 7 Red-shouldered Hawk 1 Red-tailed Hawk 2 Red-winged Blackbird 11 Rose-breasted Grosbeak 2 Rough-winged Swallow 4 Ruby-throated Hummingbird 1 Scarlet Tanager 1 Sharp-shinned Hawk 2 Song Sparrow 5 Spotted Sandpiper 1 Swamp Sparrow 3 Tree Swallow 48 Turkey Vulture 17 Veery 8 Warbling Vireo 4 White-breasted Nuthatch 1 White-throated Sparrow 2 Wood Duck 5 Yellow Warbler 5 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1 Yellow-rumped Warbler 7 BOTANICA: Butter-and-Eggs Common Mullein Fireweed Golden Ragwort Great Lobelia Pointed Blue-eyed Grass Yarrow Yellow Pond-Lily Best, Chris Ellison Subject: Henslow's Sparrow photo? From: "Mark Fairbrother" <bogelfin AT crocker.com> Date: Mon, 29 Jun 2009 16:34:02 -0400 Massbirders, The local newspaper just called and wants to do a little article on the sparrow and would like to run a photo with it. Does anyone have a photo of the bird the paper could use, with proper credit given? Thanks. Mark Fairbrother Montague, MA 01351 Subject: Atlas bonus From: Barbara Spencer <spencerbarbaraj AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 29 Jun 2009 16:12:25 -0400 When Amy Pulley and I walked through the trees to the beaver pond in our Atlas block in Peru the first thing we saw was a huge moose across the pond. It's a big pond, about 500 feet across and longer up and down stream. Rather than just getting a drink, the moose kept walking into the water, and then started swimming across the pond on a slight angle to the shore. As it swam and swam it became apparent that it had antlers growing covered in velvet. The antlers were not much longer than its ears and had knobs on the ends. From a distance it first looked like it had four ears. I don't know whether the antlers will continue to grow and reach full size or whether this was a young bull. I think the antlers grow until August. This was one huge moose. I was surprised at the depth of the pond too. The moose had to swim most of the way across. We saw a moose across the pond the last time we were there too. It looked us over and wandered off. Forgive my diversion, but this was a lifetime experience for both of us. Barbara Spencer Cummington, MA spencerbarbaraj AT gmail.com Subject: Hatch's Harbor sightings From: Leslie Bostrom <Leslie_Bostrom AT brown.edu> Date: Mon, 29 Jun 2009 14:37:16 -0400 I have spent hours of early morning time in Provincetown in the past two weeks experiencing the astonishing bird show at Race Point and Herring Cove. I enjoy hiking along the beach to Hatch's Harbor where I can not only look out to sea (if the fog lifts enough for me to see anything) but also sift through the gulls and terns that feed just off the beach and roost on the sand bars. When the weather allows I have seen all three jaegers. Several times Parasitic Jaegers came flying over the beach- right over my head- to harass the roosting terns, which would rise in a huge screaming cloud to mill about in the sky. I have also gotten good looks at the three large shearwaters and also Manx Shearwaters, although my best looks at Cory's were at Race Point. There have been a number of unusual gulls and terns among the more common ones. In addition to the several first year Arctics, there are two breeding plumaged Arctics hanging out among the Commons and Roseates. I have also seen one Forster's Tern in basic plumage (with the eye patches), as well as the two Black Terns, one in breeding plumage, one in winter plumage. Yesterday morning (Sunday, 7am) there was a breeding plumaged Franklin's Gull among a group of roosting Laughing Gulls. Continuing are a few Lesser Black-backed Gulls (2 2nd cy, 1 1st cy), 2 Black-legged Kittiwakes, and numerous Bonaparte's Gulls. Leslie Bostrom Providence RI and Wellfleet MA Subject: Henslow's Sparrow Continues 6/29 From: Bird Watchers Supply & Gift <birdwsg AT comcast.net> Date: Mon, 29 Jun 2009 17:42:35 +0000 (UTC) Jean Mullen called at 1:35pm to report that the Henslow's sparrow was still singing away in Montague this afternoon. Steve Grinley Bird Watcher's Supply & Gift and Nature Shop at Joppa Flats Newburyport, MA USA REPLY TO: BirdWSG AT verizon.net 978-462-0775 www.birdwatcherssupplyandgift.com Subject: testing verizon From: njlandry AT verizon.net Date: Mon, 29 Jun 2009 12:37:56 -0500 (CDT) Subject: Jun 29, Plum Is, Parasitic Jaegers, Leach's Storm-Petrel From: Thomas Wetmore <ttw4 AT verizon.net> Date: Mon, 29 Jun 2009 10:28:20 -0400 PI Birders, I sat in the light to medium rain at the lot one platform on Plum Island today, getting my bottom quite wet, from 8:30 to about 10:00 this morning. Birds included ... Shearwaters -- zero. Wilson's Storm-Petrel -- at least 12, probably more, feeding, some at binocular range, some at scope range. Roseate Tern -- at least one mixed in with Commons and Leasts. PARASITIC JAEGER -- two birds flew by south together at quite close range, one all dark below the other light. I was joined on the platform by Bob Zejda who reported that he had been at the platform at 5:30 this morning and that he had had a LEACH'S STORM-PETREL flying fast north close to the beach. Good birding, Tom Wetmore Newburyport, MA http://bartonstreet.com/tom/birds/ Think globally, bird locally. Subject: Henslow's Sparrow From: Paul Cozza <pcozza AT alum.mit.edu> Date: Mon, 29 Jun 2009 08:39:57 -0400 The previously reported Henslow's Sparrow is still present on Meadow Rd. In Montague as of 8:30 this morning. Paul Cozza Subject: Adams/Cheshire 6/28 From: "Mark Lynch" <moa.lynch AT verizon.net> Date: Mon, 29 Jun 2009 06:32:51 -0400 We spent most of Sunday atlasing one our blocks in the Berkshires that is in the towns of Adams and Cheshire. The habitat in this one block is quite varied: some higher, hilly forest, lots of open dairy farmland, a small section of the town of Adams, and some burbs too. Weather was overcast with showers initially, but later cleared. We stopped for great views of the Henslow’s en route. Bird list as follows: Great Blue Heron (2: there is very little standing water in this block, just some small farm ponds) BLACK VULTURE (2) Turkey Vulture (28) NB: Behind one large dairy farm, we have been watching a nice Turkey Vulture roost for a few years. There is a pit, possibly an offal pit, and on the rocks and posts around and near the pit, vultures can be found in numbers in the morning. Sunday, birds were resting on rocks, literally lying down on them or the grass, in the misting weather. Suddenly, the clouds broke and the birds, almost in unison, stood up and opened their wings to catch the rays and dry off. It was a pretty wild sight. It was then that we noticed 2 BLACK VULTURES coming out of the pit. They opened their wings, then rested also, by laying down on the rocks like a cat lays on a rug: tucking their feet under them. We watched these 2 Black Vultures for c.30 minutes. Then about half of the TVs took to the air slowly wheeling upwards and circled to the south, but not high. About 15 minutes later, the rest of the vultures circled up, including the Black Vultures. But the two Black Vultures stayed close together and went their own way, circling first close to the hill, then higher. At one point they were joined (sort of) by a TV, but kept close to themselves and seemed to head in the direction of Adams and Greylock. They acted like a pair, but who knows? Nice birds to get on your atlas block! Bald Eagle (1ad+1 1st yr wafted by heading NE) Northern Goshawk (1 newly fledged bird) Red-tailed Hawk (3) AMERICAN KESTREL (1+ pair feeding young at nest box. Actually, though the male was perched in a tree right next to the box, we only witnessed the female bringing food back to the box) Ruffed Grouse (1) Wild Turkey (26) Killdeer (3) Rock Dove (51) Mourning Dove (16) YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO (1) Chimney Swift (34) Ruby-throated Hummingbird (1m) Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (4) Downy Woodpecker (6) E Wood Pewee (3) Least Flycatcher (9: a bit local in this part of the Berks) E Phoebe (16) E Kingbird (14) Blue-headed Vireo (4) Warbling Vireo (4: also a local species) Red-eyed Vireo (49) Blue Jay (7) A Crow (54) C Raven (1) Tree Swallow (44+: yng birds are for the most part, fledged) Cliff Swallow (the great colony at Ayr Hill Farm continues: 150+++, we also found another colony in our atlas block to the south of 4 nests) Barn Swallow (129: young fledged and sitting on phone lines begging food from adults) Black-capped Chickadee (53) Tufted Titmouse (5) White-breasted Nuthatch (7) House Wren (3) Winter Wren (3) Golden-crowned Kinglet (3) Veery (22) Hermit Thrush (2) Wood Thrush (9) American Robin (158) Gray Catbird (26) E Starling (102: many fledged yg) Cedar Waxwing (26) WARBLERS: Yellow (10) Chestnut-sided (13) Magnolia (4) Black-throated Blue (2) Yellow-rumped (5) Black-throated Green (11) Blackburnian (1) Black and White (10) A Redstart (1) Ovenbird (22) Louisiana Waterthrush (1) C Yellowthroat (40) Scarlet Tanager (5) E Towhee (10) Chipping Sparrow (32) Savannah Sparrow (25) Song Sparrow (61) White-throated Sparrow (5: fledged yg) N Cardinal (19) Rose-breasted Grosbeak (1) Indigo Bunting (13) Bobolink (35: a number of fldged yg) Red-winged Blackbird (46) C Grackle (23) Brown-headed Cowbird (6) Baltimore Oriole (4) Purple Finch (3) House Finch (20) A Goldfinch (11) House Sparrow (64) Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll Moa.lynch AT verizon.net Subject: Andrew's Point, Rockport Seawatch; Sun., 28 June 2009. From: Richard Heil <rsheil AT comcast.net> Date: Sun, 28 Jun 2009 19:58:49 -0400 SUNDAY, 28 JUNE 2009: ANDREW'S POINT, ROCKPORT Seawatch (0600-1100 hrs.) Weather: Overcast, NE winds 10-20 mph, occ. light drizzle, 57 F. Visibility: 1/2 mile to 2 miles in sporadic fog, becoming dense after 1030 hrs. Seas: 3-5 feet. Richard S. Heil Common Eider (2m.) RED-THROATED LOON (1) : Appeared to be in breeding plumage; Second June record. Common Loon (1) Northern Fulmar (1)-light morph CORY'S SHEARWATER (21) : Second highest count here (cf., 36 on 21 Aug. 1977). Past incursions into the Gulf of Maine have been, I think erroneously, linked to warmer water, which is clearly not the case this cold rainy June. I believe that either the presence or absence of prey sources have more to do with their distribution in the Gulf of Maine than water temperature. Greater Shearwater (131): Many showing heavy wing molt, missing coverts resulting in white wing stripes. Sooty Shearwater (162) : New all time high count; Eviscerates the previous high count of 38 (27 June 1998). shearwater sp. (10+) : distant. Wilson's Storm-Petrel (46) : Mostly molting adults, plus 1-2 fresh looking 1st year birds. Northern Gannet (28): no adults. Double-crested Cormorant (17) Laughing Gull (1 ad.) Herring Gull (30+) Great Black-backed Gull (13+) Common Tern (4 ads.) Common/Arctic Tern (6 ads.) ROYAL TERN (1 adult) In or near breeding plumage; First Andrew's Point Seawatch record! RAZORBILL (1) : Breeding plumage. Richard S. Heil S. Peabody, MA rsheil AT comcast.net This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org) Subject: Jun 28, Plum Is, 200,057! and Sooty Shearwaters From: Thomas Wetmore <ttw4 AT verizon.net> Date: Sun, 28 Jun 2009 18:48:39 -0400 PI Birders, Plum Island web pages are up to date. Three new reports are included today, Jeffery Offermann's report from yesterday, Nancy Landry's from today, and my own from this afternoon. As predicted we passed the 200,000 report mark for the Plum Island database today. We are now at 200,057. What was the 200,000th bird? Very appropriately it was Nancy Landry's report of Saltmarsh Sharp- tailed Sparrows, a wonderful bird for this milestone. I birded for about 45 minutes at the lot one overlook starting at 16.30 this afternoon. As soon as I put my eye to my scope there were three SOOTY SHEARWATERS in view passing to the north and quite a ways out, so I thought I was going to have a very exciting time. However, over the next 45 minutes I saw only one more Sooty Shearwater, four other shearwaters so far out I could not identify them, and one Wilson's Storm-Petrel. Sooty Shearwater is new for the year from the refuge. Check the sightings page for the details of all the recent sightings. Good birding, Tom Wetmore Newburyport, MA http://bartonstreet.com/tom/birds/ Think globally, bird locally. Subject: Mashpee Martins From: Mary Keleher <maryeak AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 28 Jun 2009 15:27:07 -0700 (PDT) Late this morning, Ashley Keleher, and I made a round of nest checks of the Purple Martin colony at the Willowbend Country Club in Mashpee. All looks good after the rough weather early last week. We counted 17 adults, 26 young (nestlings), and 18 eggs. Since the weather wasn't so great today, I decided to bring some more crickets with me. Though the martins were doing ok on their own, I wanted to catch the supplemental feeding on video as I think it gives a better perspective then the photos I took last week. To see the two videos we took today go to: http://www.flickr.com/photos/26056276 AT N07/sets/72157620551208813/ click on slideshow for full screen. I finally had a chance to get out to the New Seabury Country Club where a second colony established itself this year. Unfortunately I only saw 1 pair of Purple Martins, down from the 6 birds I recorded on June 15th. There were two nests in two separate gourds. The good news is, one nest has 4 eggs in it! The total count of Purple Martins in Mashpee today was 45! Another high point of the day for me was a golfer that approached me while we were at Willowbend. He expressed interest in putting up housing in his yard, which is along Mystic Lake in Martsons Mills. Mary Keleher Mashpee, MA   Subject: North Andover powerline, 6/28/09 From: "Jim Berry" <jim.berry3 AT verizon.net> Date: Sun, 28 Jun 2009 18:38:57 -0400 Note: I have not received any mail from Massbird in four days, but at least I can still send it. I wrote to Verizon, thanks to Jason Forbes' reminder with the link for that purpose, and demanded that they stop blocking my mail from theworld.com. I hope everybody on verizon does this and they remedy this intolerable situation. What are they thinking? (Maybe they're not thinking.) Jim Berry Ipswich, Mass. jim.berry3 AT verizon.net > Location: North Andover > Observation date: 6/28/09, 0745-1145 > Notes: Another visit to the best spot in atlas block Lawrence 11, a > north-south powerline running through a beaver swamp to the south of > Winter St. in North Andover. The swamp itself is a disjunct section of > Harold Parker S.F. The powerline then runs up Bruin Hill, elev. 87 meters > (~290'). Both sides of the powerline are completely wooded with no houses > anywhere. (I make no claims of accessibility to the surrounding forest, > though to the west are the Greenbelt's Farnsworth Res. and the N. Andover > Town Forest.) The continued presence of a pair of green-winged teal, who > get agitated every time I walk the trail through the swamp, is a > significant inland, if still probable, breeding record for Essex County. > The notes on the gnatcatchers demonstrate the capacity for double-brooding > in this species, as stated in Baicich and Harrison's nest guide (1997). > Number of species: 48 > > Canada Goose 4 ad > Wood Duck 1 > Mallard 15 at least 2 hens with broods > Green-winged Teal (American) 2 same agitated pair I saw 6/11, but > still no ducklings or proof of nesting > Wild Turkey 8 hen with at least 6 grapefruit-size young; I > interrupted them dustbathing in bare spot on powerline; a male was > separate from them > Great Blue Heron 3 > Great Egret 1 > Green Heron 2 used nest in red maple in beaver swamp almost > certainly of this species; the herons have been here consistently, > although I have not yet seen any young > Mourning Dove 4 > Chimney Swift 6 > Red-bellied Woodpecker 1 > Downy Woodpecker 2 > Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 6 one male fed a full-grown male > fledgling > Eastern Wood-Pewee 1 m > Great Crested Flycatcher 2 > Eastern Kingbird 2 > Yellow-throated Vireo 1 m > Blue Jay 11 > American Crow 1 > Tree Swallow 2 (continued low numbers) > Barn Swallow 3 two adults trying in endless lousy weather to feed > a single fledgling perched in dead shrub in beaver swamp; this is not a > year for swallows! > Black-capped Chickadee 6 > Tufted Titmouse 2 > White-breasted Nuthatch 7 feeding young (FY) > Winter Wren 2 singing males; despite 2 earlier trips to this site > this spring, these are the first winter wrens I've heard here > Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 5 As I watched 2 adults lining a > complete-looking nest in a red maple, I noticed 3 fledglings preening > together in aquatic shrubs near where their presumed parents were > gathering material for their presumed 2nd nest. Good evidence that these > birds are double-brooded. > Eastern Bluebird 1 f > Veery 2 m > American Robin 10 > Gray Catbird 16 > Cedar Waxwing 8 pairs; one bird on nest along powerline > Yellow Warbler 2 adult male fed a fledgling warbler (i.e., not a > cowbird) > Chestnut-sided Warbler 1 m > Pine Warbler 1 m > Ovenbird 2 m > Common Yellowthroat 9 all singing males; one carried food (CF) > Scarlet Tanager 1 m > Eastern Towhee 7 > Chipping Sparrow 5 > Field Sparrow 1 m > Song Sparrow 6 agitated pairs > Northern Cardinal 5 > Rose-breasted Grosbeak 4 m > Indigo Bunting 4 one pair agitated; waiting rewarded by sight of > female CF > Red-winged Blackbird X young all over the place > Common Grackle X > Baltimore Oriole 4 > American Goldfinch 7 one female carried nest material (CN) > > This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org) > Subject: Henslow's Sparrow, Montague From: "Jeffrey Offermann" <offermann AT comcast.net> Date: Sun, 28 Jun 2009 17:42:52 -0400 Massbirders, I arrived on the scene at 0645 this morning (6-28). Matt Garvey, Mark Lynch and Sheila were already there, bird in scopes. It sang for the nearly two hours I was there with only short (10 min or so) interruptions, usually after being displaced from its perch by a Bobolink. Seems to be some competition for singing perches among these two grassland species. We also observed a couple of loop-d-loop display flights! Pretty cool. It was alternately in the back of the observable field, or nearly 2/3 closer, often affording excellent views: olive head, whitish spots on the brown scalloped back, pointy retrices, very white throat, etc all very well seen. And of course, the song. When it would change perch, it would soon begin singing again, making re-finding it not too difficult. A good bonus bird was a Yellow-throated Vireo which sang from one of the roadside trees off and on. Though I was concentrating on observing the Sparrow, I'll pass along my whole list (hope I didn't leave anyone out!) from this basically stationary observation: Location: Montague, Franklin County GPS: 42.54067 N, -72.55024 W Observation date: 6/28/09 0645-0845 Observation conditions: cloudy, cool (60F) Number of species: 22 Canada Goose - Branta canadensis 1 Mourning Dove - Zenaida macroura 2 Chimney Swift - Chaetura pelagica 2 Red-bellied Woodpecker - Melanerpes carolinus 1 Willow Flycatcher - Empidonax traillii 1 Least Flycatcher - Empidonax minimus 1 Yellow-throated Vireo - Vireo flavifrons 1 Warbling Vireo - Vireo gilvus 2 Blue Jay - Cyanocitta cristata 2 American Crow - Corvus brachyrhynchos 2 Common Raven - Corvus corax 1 Barn Swallow - Hirundo rustica 7 Black-capped Chickadee - Poecile atricapillus 1 Tufted Titmouse - Baeolophus bicolor 2 White-breasted Nuthatch - Sitta carolinensis 1 Carolina Wren - Thryothorus ludovicianus 1 American Robin - Turdus migratorius 4 Cedar Waxwing - Bombycilla cedrorum 4 ***Henslow's Sparrow - Ammodramus henslowii 1 Discovered by Mark Fairbrother on 6-27-09. Teed up and singing constantly when I arrived at 0645; remained so nearly the entire 2 hours I was there. Photo'ed by me and others. Northern Cardinal - Cardinalis cardinalis 1 Bobolink - Dolichonyx oryzivorus 11 Red-winged Blackbird - Agelaius phoeniceus 4 Jeffrey Offermann Somerville offermannATcomcastDOTnet This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org) Subject: Henslow's Sparrow in Montague - still From: George Kingston <gcking AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 28 Jun 2009 14:04:25 -0700 (PDT) The Henslow's Sparrow was still in Montague in the field at the corner of Meadow Road and North Taylor Hll Road at 4 PM on Sunday, June 28.  He likes to sit on the tall green grass fronds.  A scope is necessary.   Also seen at the field Eastern Bluebird Tree Swallow Bobolink Bald Eagle (fly over)   Also, about 1 mine south on Meadow Road   Brown Thrasher - in the road and on the wires (there is a row of low trees and a field on the west, tall trees and a slope on the east)   George Kingston & Jean Delaney George C. Kingston gcking AT yahoo.com Subject: Montague Henslow's Sparrow, early afternoon 06/28 From: "James P. Smith" <keenbirder AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 28 Jun 2009 13:38:13 -0700 (PDT) Greetings birders, Haven't seen any updated posts lately, but the Henslow's Sparrow was certainly still present and singing frequently into early afternoon. Plenty of birders were present and doubtless more updates will follow. Good birding, James P. Smith Amherst, MA http://pioneerbirding.blogspot.com/ Subject: Re: open for comments From: Blair Nikula <odenews AT odenews.org> Date: Sun, 28 Jun 2009 15:42:37 -0400 Well, I'll take Peter's bait, go out on a limb (more like a twig), and offer my opinion on the identity of the two jaegers in his photo. But not without emphasizing a couple of caveats. First, jaegers are one of my favorite groups of birds and I go to considerable lengths to see them whenever I can (including a distressing number of early morning - and ultimately futile - trips to P'town in the fog!). I see hundreds, and in some years thousands, annually. Indeed, I suspect that few birders in North America, if any, see more jaegers in the course of a year than do I. Unfortunately, my ever increasing experience with these aerial magicians has not been matched by a commensurate increase in my confidence level in identifying them! In fact, there may be an inverse relationship. They certainly offer one of the most difficult and humbling identification challenges in birding, in no small part because most views are distant and/or brief. Secondly, identifying any difficult species from a single photo is risky business and with jaegers can border on foolhardy. So, throwing caution to the wind, I'll opine with considerable confidence that the dark jaeger in Peter's photo is not a Long-tailed, and, with somewhat less confidence, that it is not a Parasitic either. I believe it is a Pomarine. First, the bird's generally "ratty" appearance and lack of central tail streamers at this time of the year indicate that it is a young bird, probably a one-year-old (though ageing immature jaegers is also fraught with uncertainty, and even more difficult with dark birds such as this one). It is molting, with the outermost primaries very worn and pale, contrasting with the fresh and dark inner primaries. Likewise, the innermost tail feathers are fresh and contrast with the pale and worn outer feathers. Reasons I think it is not a Long-tailed are that it has several (6-7?) white primary shafts (LTJA should have only 2-3), it looks pretty big and bulky to me (but always tough to judge from a single photo), and it is very dark overall (I think rarely would a LTJA be this extensively dark, though I guess it's not out of the question for a young bird). The new central tail feathers are broad and rounded, which argues for Pomarine rather than Parasitic. The number of white primary shafts also is more typical of Pomarine. The second bird (upper right) I agree is a Parasitic, probably a third-summer. However, it appears to have only two white primary shafts, though the angle makes it tough to be sure of that. Although more typical of Long-tailed, some Parasitics apparently can have just the outer two shafts white. And everything else about that bird looks like a Parasitic to me. I would love to see additional photos of these birds, if they exist. And I will not be surprised if others have contrary opinions about my identifications. Indeed, additional photos might lead me to contrary opinions! Blair Nikula At 08:57 AM 6/28/2009, Peter Trull wrote: >massbirders, >According to Blair N., Long-tailed Jaegers have only recently begun >to appear in any numbers from Race Point Beach and at the Wood End, >Race Point jaeger trap (from a vessel). While jaeger sp. becomes >more of an identification issue, I would call both of these birds >(below) Parasitic Jaegers, but with LTJ seemingly more prevelent in >the environment, I question the dark bird in front........... >Could we initiate a workshop from you guys on the massbird boards >who are confident with the two smaller species of jaegers, >to explain why these two jaegers are who they are? >I think it would be helpful since I am seeing good jaeger numbers >from the dolphin fleet vessels and cannot alway get a camera on them >when I have a research camera, microphone or curious whale watcher >infront of my face. >This IS a year for jaegers. Example, on the way in yesterday a >british couple asked if I could show them a "skua" and I said well, >I've mentioned several jaegers, they said they were not listening so >I said , let's see, and these 4 flew right by.......... >So, I just thought I'd ask............. > >http://www.flickr.com/photos/26676688 AT N03/ > >Peter Trull >Brewster, MA >petrull AT comcast.net 2 Gilbert Lane Harwich Port, MA 02646 USA mailto:odenews AT odenews.org web site: http://www.odenews.org/ Subject: Re: Henslow's Sparrow in Montague From: Matt Garvey <mattpgarvey AT gmail.com> Date: Sun, 28 Jun 2009 11:24:27 -0400 This time, I'll include the link to the video: http://gallery.me.com/mattpgarvey#100943 On Sun, Jun 28, 2009 at 11:13 AM, Matt Garvey wrote: > While the quality is poor, here's a short video montage capturing the call > (key for finding the bird) and a couple short flight shots. Thanks Mark for > a great find! > Matt Garvey > Brookline, MA > mattpgarvey AT gmail.com > > > On Sat, Jun 27, 2009 at 11:28 AM, Mark Fairbrother wrote: > >> There is a Henslow’s Sparrow singing in an as yet uncut hayfield in >> Montague. The field is on the north side of Meadow Road where it >> intersects with North Taylor Hill Road. There are numerous Bobolinks >> present as well. The bird was heard singing at length from near the road >> and farther back in the field. The property owner delays mowing >> specifically to allow grassland nesting species to fledge. Please stay >> on the road. >> >> >> >> Mark Fairbrother >> >> Montague, MA 01351 >> >> >> > > Subject: Re: Henslow's Sparrow in Montague From: Matt Garvey <mattpgarvey AT gmail.com> Date: Sun, 28 Jun 2009 11:13:03 -0400 While the quality is poor, here's a short video montage capturing the call (key for finding the bird) and a couple short flight shots. Thanks Mark for a great find! Matt Garvey Brookline, MA mattpgarvey AT gmail.com On Sat, Jun 27, 2009 at 11:28 AM, Mark Fairbrother wrote: > There is a Henslow’s Sparrow singing in an as yet uncut hayfield in > Montague. The field is on the north side of Meadow Road where it > intersects with North Taylor Hill Road. There are numerous Bobolinks > present as well. The bird was heard singing at length from near the road > and farther back in the field. The property owner delays mowing > specifically to allow grassland nesting species to fledge. Please stay on > the road. > > > > Mark Fairbrother > > Montague, MA 01351 > > > Subject: Siskins return From: alice morgan <morgan.alice AT gmail.com> Date: Sun, 28 Jun 2009 09:38:05 -0400 This week in Dartmouth we have had 2-3 Pine Siskins at the feeders nearly every day, back after an absence of a couple of months. -- Alice & Dane Morgan Brookline & S. Dartmouth, MA