Birding Winimussett:
Winimusset is comprised of
several distinct units that are either seperated by impassable wetlands or are not contiguous. Fortunately, there
are adequate parking areas to provide access to each of these parcels, and with this in mind, the following overview
will be broken down to suggested itineries for each of these specific parcels. And though the marshy nature of this WMA can make birding a bit difficult at times, much of the property
consists of fields or open wetalnds, and can be scanned fairly thoroughly with binoculars or a spotting scope.
- Hardwick Road Entrance -
Heading east on Hardwick Road, pull into the dirt turn-off
near the small cinderblock building and park. In front of you are several acres of hayfields backed by the
extensive marshes of Winimusset Brook. This area is often productive year-round. In spring, the short, wet grass
of the hayfields can occassionally support thousands of birds feeding in the newly-thawed soil. There have been times
when nearly 100 Killdeer have fed alongside Pectoral and Least Sandpipers while surrounded by hundreds of Robins and
Blackbirds, with the occassional small flock of Eastern Meadowlarks mixed in. American Kestrel is a typical spring through
autumn raptor perching on the telephone lines here, and if there has been a good amount of spring rain, migrating waterfowl,
such as Green-winged Teal and even the occassional flock of Snow Geese can be seen in the puddles out in the field.
Walking to the back of these fields at dusk will often put you close enough to to the marsh to hear to calls of spring migrants
such as Sora and American Bittern, not to mention the displaying American Woodcock. Just keep in mind that these fields
can be extremely wet and muddy year-round, so boots may be a necessity.
In summer, these fields support a decent population of breeding Bobolinks,
and they are often easily obsereved right from the parking area. There are also hints that Northern Harrier may occassionally
breed in the marshes behind these fields, so always be alert for this state-threatened species. In fact, just the presence
of a Harrier during the summer months is extrememly noteworthy and should be reported.
Autumn can be a hectic time here as this a very popular Pheasant hunting location
(it's heavily stocked), but if you can get here on a Sunday you'll often be rewarded. Sparrows are the main draw, and
an October morning's list can be impressive for both numbers of individuals and of species. The weedy margins
of the fields and marshes are often alive with, at times, 100's of the more common Song, Swamp and Savannah Sparrows, with
lesser, but regular numbers of Lincoln's and White-crowned Sparrows. And occassionally a real treat can be present,
such as Vesper Sparrow, Grasshopper Sparrow or Dickcissel. This is also a good spot to observe migrant raptors,
especially Accipiters and the occassional Northern Harrier. In the now-mown fields, American Pipit, Horned Lark and
Snow Bunting can often be found.
While winter can often be a quiet time in the region, Winimusset always seems
to be at least somewhat active. Horned Larks and Snow Buntings often stay through the season in the hay fields, while
a Northern Shrike can typically be spotted by scanning the hedgerows or the marsh. If the winter has been particularly
cold and the marsh is frozen, a full day can be spent exploring the marshy basin. Of course, always exercise extreme
caution when navigating across the ice and expect that there will be thin spots, even in the coldest of months. If the
ice is stable, a nice list of birds can be put together, often made up of species that are otherwise difficult to find in
this region during the winter. Species such as Belted Kingfisher, Northern Flicker, Winter Wren and Swamp Sparrow will
often over-winter here, along with flocks of Eastern Bluebirds, American Robins and Cedar Waxwings. And always be on
the lookout for surprises, such as the American Kestrel and Virginia Rail that spent the winter of 2000-2001 in this frozen
marsh.
- McKay Road Entrance -
From the Hardwick Road entrance, continue east for about 100 yards on Hardwick
Road and turn right. This 90 degree right turn will keep you on Hardwick Road, despite the feeling that you have turned
onto a different road. Shortly after this turn there will be a hillside of hay fields on the left that hold breeding
Bobolinks in the summer months. These fields are part of the WMA and can be birded. Continuing past these fields,
follow Hardwick Road for about 1/2 mile and bear right at the intersection with McKay Road. Follow McKay Road a
short distance, past an old barn on the right and over a small brook, until you see the first cornfields on the right.
Park roadside here.
This is the McKay Road entrance, and a walk down into the cornfileds will give
you the potential to seasonally encounter most of the same species as seen at the Hardwick Road entrance.
However, one major difference is the unique perspective of Winimusset marsh offered at the bottom of the cornfield.
This cornfiled abuts directly up to the marsh with no hegderow, in a sense putting you into the marsh without actually
having to be in the marsh.
In spring, this view will often show the area's first Tree Swallows,
and a scan of the standing deadwood across the marsh will reveal the three active Great Blue Heron nests atop the snags.
This is also a great spot to listen for migratory marsh birds such as the Sora and American Bittern. Summertime offers
a near overwhelming presence of Willow Flycatchers, some at very close range, along with high numbers of breeding Yellow Warblers
and Swamp Sparrows. Autumn brings the migratory sparrows here as well, along with Wilson's Snipe at the
margins. This is also a very reliable spot for Rusty Blackbird, and sometimes very large flocks of American Pipits on
the cornfield. In winter, use this view to scan the marsh for Northern Shrike (three individulas wintered here
in the winter of 2000-2001). If the marsh is iced-over, this entrence allows a good access to wander the ice in search
of the otherwise tough-to-find winter species. But again, always keep in mind that the ice never freezes consistantly
in marshes and a breakthrough into waist-deep water may be par for the course.
On the east side of the McKay Road entrance you will see a sign erected by
the Ruffed Grouse Society announcing their joint effort with the Massachusetts Division of Fish and
Wildlife with the Uplands Habitat Management Program (http://www.state.ma.us/dfwele/dfw/bdi/UplandIntro.htm). This hillside is a tangle of early successional habitat that features breeding Prairie Warblers and Field Sparrows,
along with a nice assortment of Butterfiles.
- Thompson Road Entrance -
From the McKay Road entrance, return to Hardwick Road and turn right, up the
hill. In about 1/2 mile Hardwick road will bear 90 degrees to the right, while Thompson Road will begin if you continue
on straight. Continue straight on Thompson Road. A few hundred yards after this intersection will be a large,
hanging Winimusset WMA sign on the left, announcing the parking area for the Thompson Road entrance.
The habitat in this tract is much different than that of the previous two sections
described, and consists of upland pastures, small hay fields, areas of early regeneration and upland forest. But like
the other sections, this tract can be rewarding in all four seasons.
Spring is perhaps the most exciting time here, as this is one of the premier
Woodcock display grounds in the area. Showing up at dusk and quietly taking a seat near a hedgerow can often put you
in the midst of 20 to 30 birds as they perform their elaborate flight displays and offer their nasally 'peent' calls.
In summer, the thickets and tangles come alive with House Wrens, Gray Catbirds,
Brown Thrashers, Blue-winged, Chestnut-sided and Yellow Warblers, Common Yellowthroats and Eastern Towhees. This
is also an excellent area for a diverse array of butterflies in the weedy fields.
Autumn brings migrating passerines, including warblers in the thickets and
sparrows in the sqaush fields just west of the parking area, and winter will often have flocks of Eastern Bluebirds,
Cedar Waxwings and even the occassional Northern Shrike or flock of Common Redpolls. This tract is a great representation
of the state's Upland Habitat Management Program at work.
