To contribute sightings, please email info@quabbinareabirdclub.com. All sightings, bird, plant, or otherwise, will be compiled and used to
document local population trends and to determine important areas for conservation priority. All sightings are of interest,
but trip lists of birds can be especially useful. A simple list of species and number of individuals observed is
all that's necessary, but please don't forget to include at least date and location of all observations.
And of special interest is observations of species considered to be
rare and endangered by the Massachusetts Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program. More detailed information
about this can be found on this site's 'Conservation' page, but at a minimum, make as detailed notes as possible. In
the East Quabbin Area, rare species encounters will usually be with Wood Turltes, Spotted Tutrles, Box Turtles and American
Bitterns, but a complete list of state listed species can be found at http://www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/nhesp/nhrare.htm.
Finally, beginning in 2004 a database of all bird observations in the East Quabbin
area has been compiled and is now available for public review and use by clicking on the link below. This data is updated
on this site on a montly basis. All data submitted to the East Quabbin Bird Club will be added to this database, so
please contribute your sightings to info@eastquabbinbirdclub.com.
An afternoon walk into Gate
8 to the landing turned up red tailed hawk (1), bald eagle (4 riding thermals
above Prescott peninsula), brown creeper (1) and 1 or 2 golden-crowned
kinglets.(Report from Ann and
Chuck Kidd)
01-09-2008 –
Hardwick Common
A single Turkey Vulture was
seen soaring low, carried by the south winds this morning.Interestingly, 12 Turkey Vultures were
observed in Worcester on this day.(report from Chris Buelow)
01-03-2008 –
Petersham Road, Hardwick
Fifteen Snow Buntings were
seen in a roadside field.(Report
from Bill Cole)
12-13-2007 –
Eagle Hill School, Hardwick
Approximately 40 Pine
Grosbeaks, including at least one adult male, were observed feeding in the
ornamental apples on the Eagle Hill campus.
(Report from Jenna Garvey)
12-13-2007 –
Quabbin Park
- Hooded Merganser: 3
- Common Loon: 1
- Horned Grebe: 9
- Pine Grosbeak:
3
- Common Redpoll: 4
(Report from Larry
Therrien)
12-11-2007 –
Quabbin Park
- Common Loon: 2
- Common Goldeneye: 2
- Hooded Merganser: 4
- Pine Grosbeak: 6
- Common Redpoll: 8
(Report from Larry
Therrien)
12-09-2007 –
Quabbin Park
- White -winged Scoter (1m) H.Q.
- LONG-TAILED DUCK (1) Flew
in from the North and landed in front of H.Q.
- Bufflehead (5) Gate
52-all females.
- Hooded Merganser (5) H.Q.
- Red-breasted Merganser
(1f) Gate 52
- Pine Grosbeak (7) Apple
trees near H.Q. Building.
- Common Redpoll (1)
(Report from Scott Surner)
12-09-2007 –
Winimusset WMA, New Braintree
Greatly encouraged by
the many recent successful forays conducted by central Massachusetts birders
searching for winter finches visiting Worcester County, I devoted a morning to
canvassing every stand of mixed mature forest within my local haunts.Dawn along North Road in Hardwick
yielded strong vocalizations from Great-horned and Barred Owls, but nothing
more.Early morning at the
intersection of Hardwick and Ravine Roads immediately adjacent to the Winimusset
Wildlife Management Area in New Braintree produced inconsistent yet gratifying
results.A Cooper’s Hawk patrolled
the distant snags filling the island at the center of the marsh easily scoped
from the parking lot, driving substantial numbers of agitated passerines into
view.Pockets of American Goldfinches,
Dark-eyed Juncos, American Crows, and Tufted Titmice flitted steadily out of
the thick underbrush and into the shrubbery and branches on the north side of
Hardwick Road.
Picking my way
cautiously along the icy curves of Mackay Road after exchanging sighting
information with local EQLT Restoration Biologist Chris Buelow produced stellar
views of seven Evening Grosbeaks, the first I’ve EVER seen on this road!A routine examination of a flock of
Rock Pigeons bolting across the drab, featureless skyline proved an
introduction to a riveting spectacle.As the pigeons dropped towards the roofs of the outbuildings below,
their plump shapes were quickly replaced by a rough-and-tumble collection of
comparatively tiny, undulating shapes.The birds danced erratically towards me over the bleak tree line, at
first appearing uniformly dark.As
viewing conditions improved, I discerned upper wing surfaces of an electrifying
white mated to unmistakable ebony wingtips.Crisp black stripes neatly partitioned hordes of notched,
bobbing tails.The flock grew
steadily in size, soon filling an appreciable expanse of horizon.This huge concentration of Snow
Buntings remained aloft for some ten minutes despite the gusty conditions as
their brightly colored shapes pulsed and flickered like some exquisitely
fashioned collection of Christmas tree lights.Relenting at last, the birds disappeared in a graceful
spiral beyond the distant trees visible from behind the Massachusetts Division
of Fisheries and Wildlife barn at the bottom of the steep hill marking the
beginning of Mackay Road.
As my boots crackled
through the frozen weeds lining the perimeter of the fallow field across from
the Ruffed Grouse Society property, I stirred up a large animated flock of
Common Redpolls, a mere handful of Pine Siskins, and a pocket of Pine Grosbeaks
peering timidly from the confines of a magnificent White Pine.
Returning to the car,
I was rewarded with a glimpse of a male Northern Harrier investigating the
jagged border of the vegetation pressing against the broad alfalfa field
stretching west along Hardwick Road.The enchanting raptor dipped briefly into the depths of the sere weeds,
swooped aloft with bare talons, and disappeared over the fields along
Winimusset’s western boundary.
- American Crow15
- American Goldfinch15
- American Robin31
- American Tree
Sparrow11
- Barred Owl1
- Black-capped
Chickadee18
- Blue Jay14
- Brown Creeper1
- Canada Goose11
- Cedar Waxwing28
- Common Redpoll38
- Cooper's Hawk1
- Dark-eyed Junco48
- Downy Woodpecker2
- Evening Grosbeak7
- Golden-crowned
Kinglet7
- Great Horned Owl1
- Hairy Woodpecker1
- Northern Cardinal4
- Northern Flicker2
- Northern Harrier1
- Pine Grosbeak16
- Pine Siskin7
- Red-bellied
Woodpecker1
- Red-breasted
Nuthatch3
- Red-tailed Hawk2
- Ring-billed Gull9
- Rock Pigeon49
- Snow Bunting170 (AMAZING!!)
- Swamp Sparrow1
- Tufted Titmouse19
- White-breasted
Nuthatch4
- White-throated
Sparrow4
(Report from Chris
Ellison)
12-07-2007 –
Quabbin Park
- Common Loon: 1
- Horned Grebe: 10
- American Black Duck: 8
- Hooded Merganser: 5
- Common Merganser: 7
- Northern Flicker: 1
- Pileated Woodpecker: 1
- Pine Grosbeak: 19
(Report from Larry Therrien)
12-05-2007 –
Quabbin Park
A total of 7 Pine Grosbeaks
were observed at the Park this evening: 5, including one adult male in the
apple tree in front of NDC headquarters, and 2 in the crabapple trees at the
Goodnough rotary.
(Report from Chris Buelow)
11-30-2007 –
Quabbin Park
9 Horned Grebes and 37 Common
Redpolls were observed.(Report
From Larry Therrien)
11-28-2007 –
Quabbin Park
- Red-throated
Loon: 1
- Common Loon: 7
- Horned Grebe: 10
- Common
Goldeneye: 1 male
- Hooded Merganser:
4 two pairs
(Report from Larry Therrien)
11-25-2007 –
Quabbin Park
- Common Loon: 9
- Horned Grebe: 13
- Red-necked Grebe: 1
- Hooded Merganser: 8
- Common Merganser: 29
- Red-breasted Merganser: 1
- Wild Turkey: 6
- Barred Owl: 1
- American Robin:
330+ moving south at dawn
- Snow Bunting: 2
- Common Redpoll: 18
(Report from Larry Therrien)
09-02-2007 –
Winimusset WMA, New Braintree
An afternoon visit to the
Hardwick Road fields section of Winimusset turned up2 Double-crested Cormorants, 12 Mallards. 8 Wood Ducks,1 Merlin, 13 Common Nighthawks migrating
NW, 2 belted Kingfishers and about 50 Bobolinks.Chris Ellison reported a Peregrine Falcon and American
Widgeon earlier in the day from Winimusset.(report from Chris Buelow).
08-30-2007 –
Mt. Dougal, Ware
13 Common Nighthawks and a
Pileated Woodpecker were reported from Old Gilbertville Road.(report from Melissa Martin)
Sightings
-------------------------- --- --- ---
04-08-2007 –
Winimusset WMA, New Braintree
A quick evening visit turned
up a male Northern Harrier, SIX Osprey and a male American Kestrel.(report from Chris Buelow)
04-08-2007 –
Winimusset WMA, New Braintree
An evening visit from the
parkinglot on Hardwick Road turned up three Northern Harriers (2m, if), Osprey
(2) and American Kestrel (1).(report from Chris Buelow)
Sightings
09-27-2006 –
Muddy Brook WMA, Hardwick
Interesting
migrants continue at Muddy Brook with highlights of Blue-headed Vireo (1),
Winter Wren (1), Golden-crowned Kinglet (2), Ruby-crowned Kinglet (12), Hermit
Thrush (1), Nashville Warbler (3), Northern Parula (3), Chestnut-sided Warbler
(1), Magnolia Warbler (1), Black-throated Blue Warbler (1), Yellow-rumped
Warbler (7), Black-throated Green Warbler (2), Blackburnian Warbler (1),
Blackpoll Warbler (20), Black-and-white Warbler (1), CONNECTICUT WARBLER (1, in
different area than yesterday’s) and Common Yellowthroat (2).(Report from Chris Buelow)
09-26-2006 -- Muddy Brook WMA, Hardwick
Time
spent at Muddy Brook WMA turned up 13 species of Warblers and a nice influx of
Sparrows.Highlights include
Turkey Vulture (32 over the nearby landfill), Northern Flicker (1), Eastern
Phoebe (3), Blue-headed Vireo (6), Golden-crowned Kinglet (4), Ruby-crowned
Kinglet (8), Gray Catbird (4), Nashville Warbler (2), Northern Parula (2),
Chestnut-sided Warbler (1), Magnolia Warbler (1), Yellow-rumped Warbler (6),
Black-throated Green Warbler (3), Pine Warbler (1), Palm Warbler (1), Blackpoll
Warbler (10), American Redstart (1), Ovenbird (1), CONNECTICUT WARBLER (1),
Common Yellowthroat (1), Song Sparrow (10), LINCOLN’S Sparrow (1), and
White-throated Sparrow (12).(Report from Chris Buelow)
9/25/06 -- Pine
Island, Hardwick
A
Great Egret was observed flying over Barre Road, Hardwick as it was moving up
Danforth Brook near the center of town. (Report from Chris Buelow)
09-24-2006 – Moose Brook Valley, Hardwick
A
single mid-morning flock in the Wheeler’s Pastures section of the Valley had
Black-capped Chickadee (25), Ruby-crowned Kinglet (3), Nashville Warbler (2),
Northern Parula (4), Magnolia Warbler (2), Black-throated Blue Warbler (1),
Yellow-rumped Warbler (6), Black-throated Green Warbler (7) and Blackpoll
Warbler (12).Peripherally
observed in the pastures were Osprey (1, migrating low overhead), Northern
Flicker (2), Eastern Phoebe (1), House Wren (2), Gray Catbird (7), Eastern
Towhee (10) and Indigo Bunting (1).(Report from Chris Buelow)
09-20-2006 – Muddy Brook WMA, Hardwick
A
large, diverse flock of migrants was quietly working their way through the
Scrub Oak thicket of Muddy Brook in the mid-to-late day.Highlights include Eastern Phoebe (1),
Blue-headed Vireo (4), Red-eyed Vireo (2), Black-capped Chickadee (35), Tufted
Titmouse (15), Red-breasted Nuthatch (1), Ruby-crowned Kinglet (2),
Golden-crowned Kinglet (2), Gray Catbird (4), Northern Parula (8), Magnolia
Warbler (3), Yellow-rumped Warbler (4), Black-throated Green Warbler (6),
Blackburnian Warbler (1), Pine Warbler (3), Blackpoll Warbler (14), American
Redstart (2), Common Yellowthroat (1), Scarlet Tanager (1), Eastern Towhee (3).
(report From Chris Buelow)
09-12-2006 – Eagle Hill Boardwalk (EQBC trip)
An
interesting evening on the boardwalk had several large flocks of blackbirds, as
well as many smaller flocks, streaming overhead on their way to evening roost
somewhere due north of the observation site.In all, about 700 blackbirds passed, with around 90% being
Red-winged and the remainder being Grackles.Then, as dark set in, a secondary event of interest took
place as small groups of Wood Ducks began dropping into the far end of the
marsh: though still quite close.About 40 Wood Ducks in all, persistently calling and splashing.Other birds observed were American
Woodcock (2), Mourning Dove (7), Black-capped Chickadee (6), White-breasted
Nuthatch (2), Carolina Wren (1), Wood Thrush (2), Gray Catbird (3), Common
Yellowthroat (1), Swamp Sparrow (3), and American Goldfinch (3).(submitted by Chris Buelow)
09-12-2006 – Muddy Brook WMA, Hardwick
Observed
around Muddy Brook were Turkey Vulture (1), Broad-winged Hawk (1), Mourning
Dove (1 feeding a recent fledgling), Eastern Phoebe (3), Red-eyed vireo (2),
Black-capped Chickadee (6), House Wren (1), Pine Warbler (1), Palm Warbler (2),
Common Yellowthroat (3), Song Sparrow (1), and American Goldfinch (10).(submitted by Chris Buelow)
Curved
evergreen boughs emerge through the mist.As erratic rain droplets spatter against my optics, a warm yellow dot
drops into view, its crisp outlines slowly blurring and streaking.The drizzle intensifies, and the perky
figure dissolves completely in a gauzy smear.The only sign of life in the fog-cloaked landscape, it
utters a wiry call note and disappears with a flicker of olive-hued wings.I negotiate the slope at the southern
tip of the bridge traversing the streambed that has held my interest, pursuing
the tiny silhouette into its new hiding place within the crevices of a Hemlock
branch overhanging the foaming waters.A glimmer of crimson appears, smoldering against the inky blackness
filling the underside of the bridge.The Golden-crowned Kinglet examines the contours of an eddy on the
opposite side of the stream, utterly absorbed by the tiny insects darting
fifteen feet away from the tip of its bill.After some moments of intensive study, it dashes into their
midst, scattering the small swarm, alighting on the far bank with one of their
number clenched between its mandibles, glowing red crest plainly visible.
Clear
whistles play upon the breeze, bright clusters of triplets floating down from
the gray gloom.Four squat bodies
undulate over the coniferous canopy, surveying the vast array of available
perches in a leisurely fashion.At
last singling out the upper reaches of a declining Sugar Maple, they land in an
orderly cluster, preening smart black wing feathers to gleaming perfection in
the intermittent bursts of sunshine struggling through the unsettled
atmosphere.Cold water clutches at
my extremities, my unconscious movement of legs and feet having shifted me into
deeper water.Shuffling awkwardly
towards the crest of the streambed, I clamber through the slick weedy tangle at
the edge of the roadway and amble south, waterlogged boots and socks squishing
merrily against the unforgiving asphalt.I return to the car, taking advantage of its secluded location to change
into dry trousers and footwear.Emerging into daylight from the dark parking lot, I hike north once
again, probing the interiors of the huge Hemlocks with binoculars.As brash Blue Jays sprint out of the
depths of the forest, a human shape appears on the north side of the road.
A
familiar face comes into view, grinning with anticipation.Having found no other birders at our
predetermined rendezvous point, we resign ourselves to being the only
participants in the morning’s scheduled birding trip.We pause briefly to establish an itinerary and are soon
underway.We work our way through
a clearing surrounded by thick White Pine, the insistent calling of
Red-breasted Nuthatches meeting our ears as the landscape’s details present themselves
in full daylight.Dew glistening
on our boot tops, we dislodge a wriggling tan and black shape from the drenched
grass.A Pickerel Frog bounds away
from us as we stoop to gain a better view.The conversational cadence of the burry notes falling from
the deciduous canopy overhead reveals a Blue-headed Vireo.Ungainly juvenile American Robins peer
from the shrubbery, studying us with bottomless black eyes as we make our way
towards a massive bridge abutting a vast swamp brimming with Tussock Sedge and
ablaze with Orange Jewelweed.The
distinctive call notes of a Common Yellowthroat absorb us, and we are quickly
rewarded with superb views of two specimens.As they disappear into the vegetation, we witness the
arrival of Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers.Both species call vigorously for several minutes, and two zebra-striped
shapes of vastly differing size swoop into view, alighting upon separate snags
some thirty feet apart directly in front of us.Welcoming the opportunity to compare and contrast the two
species, we study each at length until the two birds bolt away into clearing
skies.Glancing downwards as we
traipse into darkened woodlands, a luxuriant carpet of Partridge Berry
stretches up the hill before us, its scarlet drupes lighting our way.We clamber determinedly up the steep
gradient, and my companion comes to a halt, keen eyes having discerned furtive
movement amidst the chaotic tumble of ferns and boulders.A sprightly ball of feathers dashes to
the top of a rocky outcropping.A
short, tentative jumble of notes twinkles gaily, filling the vast slope and
echoing around us.We eagerly seek
out its source, eyes locking onto the bright flesh-colored base of the bill of
a juvenile Winter Wren.Delighted
to have such fine views of a notoriously elusive species, we follow its
haphazard movements until it melts into the tangle surrounding a gargantuan
glacial erratic.Marveling at its
size, our eyes wander into the leafy forest canopy surrounding its upper
edge.We glass the contours of a shattered
deciduous tree trunk, a white belly and black throat dropping noiselessly into
bright sunlight, black bill locked around a struggling moth.Blessed with a more accommodating view,
we study the bird’s coloration at length, determining it to be a juvenile
Black-throated Green Warbler.Continuing our climb, Black-capped Chickadees and Tufted Titmice call
steadily, enticing us further towards the top of the hill.Stopping suddenly, my fellow birder
jabs a finger downwards towards the trail in front of me.An orange “S” shaped outline flecked
with searing red dots bordered with black glows against the dark soil.I pause to examine a Red Eft thoroughly
before stepping gingerly around it.
Arriving
at a spacious three-way intersection, we are drawn to the steady pulse of
nearby rushing water.A whistled
call rises and falls, and we hike along the overgrown borders of a streambed
dotted with hummocks of dry gravel.The thin call repeats, and we add Eastern Wood Pewee to the morning’s
total.I call my companion’s
attention to the location where an Olive-sided Flycatcher was seen in late May,
and we wade through a riot of Orange Jewelweed to the water’s edge.Elegant beige shapes drop out of the
heavens, peppering the branches of an enormous dead pine.Eyed through binoculars, they prove to
be a compact flock of Cedar Waxwings.As activity stirs in a pine to the right of the waxwings, the call of a
Common Flicker slices through the clouds.A smudge of yellow and green morphs into a Pine Warbler, and our views
of the bird improve as it slowly advances to the end of a bare branch.A nondescript patch of brown at the tip
of a large snag proves to be an unobtrusive Eastern Phoebe calmly studying the
landscape.We return to the trail,
stopping to admire a lush stand of Royal Fern.Clomping our way back to level ground, we arrive at a second
bridge situated high above the serpentine dimensions of an oxbow in the river
below.After a picturesque and
restorative respite, we embark upon the trip’s return leg.After an uneventful interval, feathers
stir in the recesses of a nearby pine grove.Sustained observation reveals Cedar Waxwings and Pine
Warblers feeding in a substantial mixed flock.Standing stock still, we study their darting shapes,
relishing first-rate views until the group gradually disbands, thinning until
the glen is completely silent.
We
move on, halting within a dozen paces as a stray snatch of song catches my
companion’s ear.A blotch of brown
and white proves to be a Brown Creeper that promptly disappears from view.Our patience is rewarded after some
minutes.The bird swivels into
sight against a tree trunk, feeding determinedly before taking flight, quickly
engulfed by the leaves on the opposite side of the trail.Plush pine needles muffle our footfalls
as we plod uphill once more.I
come to a complete stop, suddenly aware of only one pair of boots stirring the
forest litter stretching behind us.I turn to see my friend peering over a steep slope covered with fallen
branches.Tip-toeing to his
vantage point, I ask what is holding his attention.Shadows stir.Streaming sunbeams illuminate a heap of dead branches directly before
him, and he points at a Hermit Thrush hopping through the detritus into the
open.Its tawny shape scurries
towards the protective folds of the felled timber.I savor a momentary glimpse of the bird, one only marginally
better than that enjoyed by my companion.Satisfied that it has moved on, we continue our trek. Serenaded by
Red-breasted Nuthatches, we stroll through the open glade we passed through at
the beginning of our hike.Black-capped Chickadees call periodically from the Hemlock stands as we
approach the parking lot.Concluding a conversation focusing upon the enduring quality and
diversity of the habitat we have explored, we exchange goodbyes, rummaging
through our cluttered car interiors as our minds and bodies are drawn slowly
back to a weekend morning’s more quotidian activities.