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MASSBIRD for Sunday, May 25, 2008
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[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: Kentucky Warbler - Falmouth
From: Mary Keleher <maryeak(AT)yahoo.com>
Date: 25 May 2008 5:58am
I received a second hand report that Mark Kasprzyk had
a Kentucky Warbler yesterday morning (5/24) at the
Matt Souza Conservation Area in the Hatchville section
of Falmouth.
http://www.300committee.org/matthewsouza.htm
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: Wompatuck & Ferry Hill Thicket - 5/24
From: Strickland Wheelock <skwheelock(AT)yahoo.com>
Date: 25 May 2008 7:34am
Drumlin Farm ran a trip to both Wompatuck & Ferry Hill
Thicket on 5/24/08 with great results. We recorded 24
species of warblers between the 2 sites along with a
host of other interesting birds - Acadian & Willow
Flycatchers, Winter Wren, several Indigo Buntings,
Broad-w & Cooper's Hawks, several Scarlet Tanagers,
Purple finch, Pileated Woodpecker, etc.
Wompatuck had an excellant selection of warblers with
the highlights being Hooded, Cerulean, Tenn,
Blackburian, both waterthrushes, Nashville, Blk-thr
Green, maybe 7 or 8 Worm-eatings, Pine, N Parula,
Blackpolls, Blue-winged & Magnolia Warblers.
Ferry Hill Thicket was also alive with warblers
finding several of the same species but added 3
Bay-breasted, 3 Canada, 1 Blk-thr Blue.
The volume of sound at both sites was very impressive
making it a challenge to sort through all the catbird,
orioles, vireos, thrushes, Pewees & Gt Crested Fly and
others to ID the warblers. Surprisingly we didn't find
either cuckoo today & apparently the Kentuckey Warbler
hasn't been seen recently.
Strickland Wheelock
Uxbridge, Ma
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: Fuel ...
From: Richard Marchant <rmarchant31(AT)verizon.net>
Date: 25 May 2008 7:34am
Dear All;
I am wondering if this is the proper forum for a
discussion of fuel consumption during Bird-a-thon.
What is the point?
Is it which birders are leaving the smallest carbon
footprint or, is it the cost of fuel that's inspired
this competition?
Many of us have birded the B-a-T areas for years and
have rarely given this a second thought until the
recent price increases. (Also CBC)
Many of us have travelled to many parts of the world
in search of birds and haven't given fuel consumption
a second thought, althought jet fuel has long been
known to be highly consumptive.
Many of us have just cruised the roadways in search of
birds.
But also ...
Many of us have always owned vehicles that consume
less fuel to get more mpg... dating back to VW's in
the 1950's.
Many of us have carpooled to view species sometimes
cramming 6 people in a vehicle. (Not a VW...but a Ford
Escort!)
Many of us have collaborated on findings in an effort
to conserve time and resources.
This is nothing new to most of us as many of us have
been conservationists all our lives.
This discussion smacks of a trendy bit of foolishness.
Donna
Dick and Donna Marchant
Gloucester, MA
rmarchant31(AT)verizon.net
"If you think your dog can't count, put 3 treats in your pocket, and only give
him 2."
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: Nelson Beach, Plymouth, MA
From: "Gene Harriman" <vze2brn7(AT)verizon.net>
Date: 25 May 2008 8:30am
Hello fellow MassBirders,
I arrived at Nelson Beach before sunup...what a gorgeous sunrise! Here's the
report...
Location: Plymouth--Nelson Field
Observation date: 5/25/08
Notes: Clear, cool, 55f, wind NW 5-10. Tide hi receding. Gorgeous morning!
Number of species: 18
Brant 9
Mute Swan 2
Red-throated Loon 1
Black-bellied Plover 3
Semipalmated Plover 22
Ruddy Turnstone 3
Sanderling 7
Dunlin 15
Ring-billed Gull 83
Herring Gull 5
Least Tern 3
Mourning Dove 4
Belted Kingfisher 2
American Robin 1
Northern Mockingbird 1
Song Sparrow 2
Red-winged Blackbird 3
Common Grackle 12
This report was generated automatically by eBird
v2(http://ebird.org/content/iss)
See you on the birdy trail!
Gene Harriman
'The BigWingBoy'
Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA
vze2brn7atverizondotnet
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: Ravens!
From: "Stuart Walker" <stuarttwalker(AT)comcast.net>
Date: 25 May 2008 10:20am
Ed Stedman and I watched the Raven family at the nest site at the West
Roxbury quarry this morning, as the two fledglings tried out their wings and
joined their parents in short flights around the cliff edge. One of the
adults brought home a mouthful of meat; it was after that that the two young
ones appeared and joined the adults, after much raucous carrying on.
Watching them was absolutely wonderful.
At Millennium Park we found no rails or Willow fly, but did see what
appeared to be a Semipalmated Sandpiper on the mud by the railroad bridge,
and saw a Green Heron and a pair of Hairy Woodpeckers in the swampy woods
next to the cemetery.
Stuart Walker
Jamaica Plain
stuarttwalker(AT)comcast.net
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: Marlborough 7 atlasing
From: Timothy Spahr <tspahr(AT)cfa.harvard.edu>
Date: 25 May 2008 10:32am
Hi birders,
It isn't just Mark Lynch that is hooked on atlasing!
I spent 3 1/2 hours out this morning, most of it
on foot, in and around Marlborough. Local breeders
were out in good numbers, including some really good
birds. Complete list (from eBird) and notes (**) below:
Canada Goose 1
Mallard 2
Double-crested Cormorant 1
Green Heron 3
Turkey Vulture 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 **
Red-tailed Hawk 3
Killdeer 4
Spotted Sandpiper 3 **
Solitary Sandpiper 1
Rock Pigeon 4
Mourning Dove 5
Chimney Swift 1
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 1
Belted Kingfisher 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Downy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 2
Willow Flycatcher 5
Eastern Phoebe 4
Eastern Kingbird 4
Yellow-throated Vireo 1
Warbling Vireo 6
Red-eyed Vireo 2
Blue Jay 3
American Crow 2
Tree Swallow 2
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 2 **
Bank Swallow 4
Barn Swallow 8
Black-capped Chickadee 5
Tufted Titmouse 3
House Wren 4
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 2
Veery 3
Wood Thrush 2
American Robin 15
Gray Catbird 15
Northern Mockingbird 2
Brown Thrasher 1
European Starling 25
Cedar Waxwing 30
Blue-winged Warbler 1
Yellow Warbler 7
Magnolia Warbler 1
Black-throated Green Warbler 2
Pine Warbler 10
Prairie Warbler 1
Blackpoll Warbler 1
American Redstart 1
Ovenbird 7
Common Yellowthroat 5
Scarlet Tanager 1
Eastern Towhee 3
Chipping Sparrow 10
Savannah Sparrow 5
Song Sparrow 5
Swamp Sparrow 1
Northern Cardinal 4
Rose-breasted Grosbeak 4
Indigo Bunting 1
Bobolink 15
Red-winged Blackbird 50
Eastern Meadowlark 1 (!!)
Common Grackle 10
Brown-headed Cowbird 2
Orchard Oriole 1
Baltimore Oriole 12
House Finch 4
Pine Siskin 1 (flyover migrating north)
American Goldfinch 6
House Sparrow 40
(72 species)
Now the notes. I've seen this Sharpie 2
days in a row, but can't find the nest. I think I
need Jim Berry's help! Anyway, the bird is a tiny
adult male. This AM he picked a fight with a crow.
The Spotted Sandpipers were likely breeders, as 1 was
flying around making a good racket. The Rough-winged
Swallows were building a nest in an anandoned truck!
Lastly, I was just pumped to find an Eastern Meadowlark
off River Road. There are some nice fields here that
hold Savannah Sparrows, Bobolinks in big numbers, Willow
Flycatchers, and even Orchard Orioles along the edges.
But this is the first meadowlark I've had here, and
he was teed up singing constantly the whole time I was there.
I'll probably poke around another few hours in the afternoon,
looking for gulls and hawks.
good birding
Tim Spahr
Marlborough
tspahr(AT)cfa.harvard.edu
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: Bicknell's Thrush -Mt. Auburn 5/25
From: "Bird Watcher's Supply & Gift" <birdwsg(AT)verizon.net>
Date: 25 May 2008 10:28am
Chris Floyd called report a singing Bicknell's Thrush at Mt. Auburn Cemetery at
8:45am in the vicinity of the tower. The bird was singing in maples near Hazel
and Lavender Paths, working its way toward Magnolia Avenue. He heard the bird
singing a half dozen times!
Steve Grinley
Bird Watcher's Supply & Gift and Nature Shop at Joppa Flats
Newburyport, MA
BirdWSG(AT)Verizon.net
978-462-0775
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: Manomet on foot 5/25/08
From: Ian Davies <goshawk227(AT)earthlink.net>
Date: 25 May 2008 11:24am
I got up this morning just planning to walk around my neighborhood, but the
birding turned out to be so good I ended up walking around for over four and a
half hours, and for 4.5 miles as well!
Highlights among 17 species of warbler were 2 Canada, a Tennessee, and 31
Blackpoll!
The best bird of the day in my opinion by far was the Acadian Flycatcher I had
singing in perfect breeding habitat. Hope he sticks around! I had a pair in the
same breeding block last year, but in a different location.
Also nice were two adult Black Terns streaking north, and breeding Cliff
Swallows! See below for notes.
And for all those of you who are worried about carbon footprints, all I left
were regular ones today.
Full list below.
Manomet (0535-1010):
(Bartlett Pond area, Emerson Little League Field woods, White Horse Beach,
Manomet Heights, MBO)
Canada Goose 9
Mute Swan 5
Wood Duck 1f
Mallard 2
Common Eider (Atlantic) 5
Surf Scoter 7
Red-breasted Merganser 20
Red-throated Loon 1 - MBO, same bird has been hanging out in the same area
close to shore for 9 days, probably injured but still alive
Common Loon 6 - Migrants
Double-crested Cormorant 66
Great Cormorant 3 juvs - MBO
Turkey Vulture 2 - Roosting in an oak tree at 0545ish
Black-bellied Plover 1ad
Semipalmated Plover 1
Spotted Sandpiper 2
Laughing Gull 14
Bonaparte's Gull 14 - Still here
Ring-billed Gull 19
Herring Gull (American) 27
Great Black-backed Gull 31
Least Tern 27
Black Tern 2 - Flying N low off of White Horse Beach
Common Tern 65
Sterna sp. 140 - Likely all Common
Rock Pigeon 4
Mourning Dove 32
Yellow-billed Cuckoo 1 - Vinebrook Rd
Chimney Swift 28
Belted Kingfisher 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Downy Woodpecker 4
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 2
Eastern Wood-Pewee 4
Acadian Flycatcher 1 singing - Behind Emerson Little League Field, which is
directly across from Arboretum Rd, right by a little marshy pond in the middle
of a forest.
Eastern Phoebe 3
Great Crested Flycatcher 4
Eastern Kingbird 2
Warbling Vireo 3
Red-eyed Vireo 5
Blue Jay 85
American Crow 4
Fish Crow 8
Tree Swallow 9
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 5 - MBO bluff
Bank Swallow 111 - Part of the 70+ pairs breeding along the bluffs edge at
MBO
Cliff Swallow 2 - Breeding! Also in the large swallow colony at MBO. My
first Plymouth County Cliff Swallows were yesterday, now they're breeding here!
Two birds observed entering different holes, so at least 2 pairs present.
Barn Swallow 7
Black-capped Chickadee 7
Tufted Titmouse 11
White-breasted Nuthatch 3
Carolina Wren 12
House Wren 17
Wood Thrush 1
American Robin 55
Gray Catbird 42
Northern Mockingbird 2
Brown Thrasher 1
European Starling 25
Cedar Waxwing 73
Tennessee Warbler 1 - Arboretum Rd
Nashville Warbler 1 - Stage Point Rd
Northern Parula 4
Yellow Warbler 39
Chestnut-sided Warbler 2
Magnolia Warbler 6
Black-throated Blue Warbler 1
Black-throated Green Warbler 1
Pine Warbler 4
Blackpoll Warbler 31 - Singing everywhere. Very cool to constantly hear
these in seemingly every tree!
Black-and-white Warbler 3
American Redstart 12
Ovenbird 4
Northern Waterthrush 2 - One at the Acadian Pond
Common Yellowthroat 19
Wilson's Warbler 5
Canada Warbler 2 - Arboretum Rd
Eastern Towhee 4
Chipping Sparrow 21
Song Sparrow 13
White-throated Sparrow 1 - Singing at Emerson
Northern Cardinal 26
Indigo Bunting 2
Red-winged Blackbird 30
Common Grackle 95
Brown-headed Cowbird 16
Orchard Oriole 3
Baltimore Oriole 14
House Finch 23
American Goldfinch 12
House Sparrow 25
90 species
This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)
Good birding,
Ian Davies
Manomet, MA
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: Birdathon and carbon
From: Leslie Bostrom <Leslie_Bostrom(AT)brown.edu>
Date: 25 May 2008 11:40am
Dear All,
I think Mark Lynch has raised a legitimate concern about gallons of gas
burned during the bird-a-thon and other birding activities.
To me, though, this could become another exciting aspect of the contest. The
point is not miles driven but gallons of gas burned. If we all did our
birding on motorcycles, we would expel a lot less carbon dioxide. We could
be the first birding motorcycle gang!
Seriously, I would support some sort of addition to the bird-a-thon that
encourages hydrocarbon conservation. Perhaps the final tally could be
determined by a formula that includes gallons of gas consumed as well as
number of species. Or there could be another trophy for the sanctuary that
logs over a certain amount of species while burning the least amount of gas.
Or those of us who love birding in the bird-a-thon could "pre pay" for the
amount of carbon we use either though our own efforts of conservation or
through one of the on-line carbon trading companies. Anyway, if we think
creatively about this we could end up enjoying our solutions!
I am also a birder who has traveled many less miles than usual this year. I
have had fun discovering and exploring areas closer to home.
I'm new on the MASSBIRD list and I enjoy reading all of your posts very
much.
Leslie Bostrom
Providence, RI
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: Fowl Meadow willow flycatcher, pileated,
blue-wing
From: Milton Trimitsis <milton.trimitsis(AT)comcast.net>
Date: 25 May 2008 11:28am
My dog Musti and I walked through Fowl Meadow and environs in the Blue
Hills Reservation this morning. We encountered birders Fred and Jerry
(no last names) as well as a Russian jogger who was very determined to
get an explanation for why birds sing. Not sure I completely satisfied
her. Avian highlights were the blue-wing warblers who have
conspicuously returned to their breeding territory, a willow flycatcher
playing ventriloquist games with an eastern kingbird, and a drumming
pileated woodpecker. I see ravens so regularly in this area that they
don't seem to rate highlight status anymore; I guess an addict has to
keep upping his fix.... The full list follows.
Milton Trimitsis
Roslindale, MA
Location: Fowl Meadow/Blue Hills Reservation
Observation date: 5/25/08
Notes: Calm, sunny morning with temperature rising from mid 60's to mid 70's
F.
Number of species: 40
Mallard 5 The adult female looked like a mallard x black duck hybrid,
with dark olive bill ans white wing bar visible. 4 ducklings in tow.
Red-tailed Hawk 2 Two hawks flying together in the upland area being
harassed by a single red-winged blackbird.
American Woodcock 2
Chimney Swift 2
Downy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 1
Pileated Woodpecker 1
Eastern Wood-Pewee 3
Willow Flycatcher 1
Great Crested Flycatcher 4
Eastern Kingbird 1
Warbling Vireo 3
Red-eyed Vireo 1
Blue Jay 6
American Crow X
Common Raven 1 Heard in the putative nesting area east of Burma Road.
Tree Swallow 1
Black-capped Chickadee X
Tufted Titmouse X
White-breasted Nuthatch 1
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 5
Veery 1
Wood Thrush 4
American Robin X
Gray Catbird X
Cedar Waxwing 5
Blue-winged Warbler 4
Yellow Warbler X
American Redstart 3
Ovenbird 1
Common Yellowthroat X
Eastern Towhee 2
Song Sparrow X
Northern Cardinal 3
Rose-breasted Grosbeak 4
Red-winged Blackbird X
Common Grackle X
Brown-headed Cowbird X
Baltimore Oriole X
American Goldfinch X
This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: Bicknell's Thrush-YES
From: "Jeffrey Offermann" <offermann(AT)comcast.net>
Date: 25 May 2008 11:40am
I was at Mount Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge when I got a call alerting me
that a SINGING Bicknell's Thrush had been located. I went to the scene, but
its discoverer, Chris Floyd had lost it at that point. A search ensued.
Eventually, I circled back to its original location, and had a clear look at
a Grey-cheeked type thrush. I called folks over to the spot, but by then the
bird moved high into a maple. But then it sang! Several times--a classic
Bicknell's song with a rising inflection at the end. Chris also heard it
call (the Phew! note) before I got there.
Thanks to Chris for finding this bird, which until now I'd never counted in
Massachusetts before, and to Fay Vale for calling to tell me about it in the
first place!
Best,
Jeffrey Offermann
Cambridge
offermannATcomcastDOTnet
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: Purgatory Chasm - Sutton - 5/25/08
From: "John Liller" <John.Liller(AT)worcesteracademy.org>
Date: 25 May 2008 12:08pm
This is a multi-part message in MIME format.
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My wife and I atlased this morning (5/25/08) at Purgatory Chasm State Prk
in Sutton, part of MILFORD 3.
Canada Goose (2 on route to the State Park)
Mourning Dove (4 - including a pair in courtship)
Red-bellied Woodpecker (1)
Downy Woodpecker (1)
Hairy Woodpecker (1)
Eastern Wood-Pewee (3)
Eastern Phoebe (3 - including one building nest)
Great Crested Flycatcher (1)
Blue-headed Vireo (6 - there are quite a few located here)
Red-eyed Vireo (5 - including one collecting nesting material)
American Crow (1)
Black-capped Chickadee (2)
Tufted Titmouse (1)
Red-breasted Nuthatch (1 heard)
White-breasted Nuthatch (2)
Veery (2 - singing on adjacent territories)
Swainson's Thrush (1)
Hermit Thrush (3 - including a definite pair)
American Robin (8)
Black-throated Green Warbler (4 - all heard)
Pine Warbler (5)
American Redstart (2)
Ovenbird (10 - including two collecting material)
Scarlet Tanager (1 - female collecting material and bringing it to nest
that she was building)
Chipping Sparrow (many - including one collecting material)
Brown-headed Cowbird (numerous)
American Goldfinch (ditto)
==================
John Liller
Grafton, MA
==================
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[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: Wompatuck SP 5/24
From: "the moffetts" <songbird74(AT)comcast.net>
Date: 25 May 2008 12:28pm
Along with other birds posted yesterday, we were able to hear and see the
Yellow Billed Cuckoo. It was on the trail between Boundary Pond and Picture
Pond. It was in a tree above the trail providing great looks for us, and
three other birders who happened by.
Dotty & Joe Moffett
Mendon, MA
songbird74ATcomcast.net
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: Re: Birdathon question
From: Richard Heil <rsheil(AT)comcast.net>
Date: 25 May 2008 1:00pm
Those of you who think that birders driving fewer miles has any
measurable effect on the environment or the atmosphere are seriously
deluding yourself. It may make you feel good but it has none, nil,
zero, nada, effect. Just stand beside Route 128 or Rt. 95 for five
minutes, or ponder China and India, and tell me again what meaning it
has that YOU have forgone visiting your favorite, or more
interesting, or most beautiful, or most diverse birding spot? What
meaning it has is simply that you have sacrificed a level of
enjoyment or knowledge while solving, accomplishing, achieving ...
nothing. Don't come back with the "setting an example" argument, the
simple truth is that it's not going to be followed, nor necessarily
should it. The CO2 problem, if there is one, will only be solved by
new, cleaner technologies across the board, such as all-electric
automobiles(they are coming). The high consumer energy costs
associated with the increasingly high price of a barrel of oil will
drive the development of new technologies, but it will take some
time. In the meantime, one can visit the best and most diverse
birding sites near or far (as you choose) to observe, to study, or
photograph our favorite subjects, or you can just bird on foot from
your home. If you choose the latter, fine and dandy. I birded on
foot from my house extensively (3000+ hours of field work) for almost
twenty years, until a golf course replaced my birdiest area. On foot
or close to home bird study can be very instructional, rewarding and
great fun, if you have nearby habitat. It's good exercise and will
save you money too. Just don't assume a holier than thou attitude
whilst imaging you're making some kind of a difference.
Richard S. Heil
S. Peabody, MA
rsheil(AT)comcast.net
At 07:48 PM 5/23/2008, Mark Lynch wrote:
>A quick question for Taber and Mass Audubon:
>
>How much fossil fuels were burned (ie miles driven) just by the Lincoln team
>for a fundraising effort for a conservation organization?
>
>Just curious. Or don't you keep track of that?
>
>Mark Lynch
>moa.lynch(AT)verizon.net
>No virus found in this outgoing message.
>Checked by AVG Free Edition.
>Version: 7.5.516 / Virus Database: 269.24.0/1462 - Release Date: 5/23/2008
>7:20 AM
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: energy/driving
From: "Peter Trull" <petrull(AT)comcast.net>
Date: 25 May 2008 1:59pm
This is a multi-part message in MIME format.
----INCLUDING text/plain MIME SECTION----
Rick, that was a great argument old pal, but the point that your =
diatribe caves in is the "if there is one".......... Clearly, those =
that are not working to alter in some small way, the negative aspects =
of global climate change, will continue to argue all of your =
cliches.......and the point earlier from Marchant smacks only of an =
unleavened conciousness. Think what you want Rick and Donna about how =
peoples efforts to cut emissions does nothing to help change our world, =
it's your disbelief in climate change that spurs your opinion. Only =
time will tell, but I weigh in on the conservation side. I can't =
believe that -
A. The organizers and rule makers of the Bird-a-thon =20
aren't aware of this forum and the concerns of the=20
very folks who work so hard to raise $$
B. That $$ cannot be such a strong influence to not at=20
least consider some future rule changes in the name=20
of fewer emissions and conservation.
Peter Trull
Brewster, MA
petrull(AT)comcast.net
----DELETED text/html MIME SECTION----
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: Skinner State Park
From: "Scott Ricker" <ptbagger(AT)verizon.net>
Date: 25 May 2008 3:18pm
This is a multi-part message in MIME format.
----INCLUDING text/plain MIME SECTION----
MassBirders,
=20
Chery & I went to Skinner State Park in Hadley this morning. We parked =
at
the bottom and immediatley I heard a Worm-eating Warbler up the steep
hillside. I started to go up and try to see the bird as it occasionally
called, but I had to turn back because of the steep sloped turain and I
didn=92t want to be to aggressive and stress the bird. We also had 3 =
Cerulean
Warblers off of the parking lot just below the summit.
=20
Other birds of note;
=20
1-Common Nighthawk-Migrating over Stebbin Refuge in Longmeadow @ about
12:30-1pm
1-Pileated Woodpecker-Skinner Summit
1-Great Crested Flycatcher-Skinner Summit
1-Common Raven-Base of Skinner
1-Black & White Warbler-Skinner Summit
1-Indigo Bunting-Skinner Summit-there may have been 2
=20
And all the usual others.
=20
=20
Scott Ricker
Southwick, MA.
Ptbagger(at)Verizon(dot)net
No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG.=20
Version: 7.5.524 / Virus Database: 269.24.1/1464 - Release Date: =
5/24/2008
8:56 AM
=20
----DELETED text/html MIME SECTION----
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: Birds of Reading
From: "David Williams" <dave.williams6(AT)gmail.com>
Date: 25 May 2008 3:31pm
Another stunning morning to be out birding! In this the 5th in a
series of Spring Bird Walks in Reading, we decided to stay in one area
and let the birds come to us. While we didn't see a large number of
species, we were treated to some superb looks at breeding and singing
birds. We watched a pair of Red-bellied woodpeckers and Flickers come
and go from their nesting holes, watched and listened to a pair of
cavorting Great-crested flycatchers, had the best looks at singing
Winter wren, and awesome, up-close views of a singing Northern
waterthrush. While taking this all in, also stopping by was a Green
heron, a Belted kingfisher, a Great blue heron, breeding Red-winged
blackbirds, and a nest building Baltimore oriole. Birds seen
included:
Great blue heron - 1
Green heron - 1
Canada goose - 1 with several young
Wood duck - 2
Mallard - 2
Mourning dove - 4
Chimney swift - 1
Belted kingfisher - 1
Red-bellied woodpecker - 2
Downy woodpecker - 1
Hairy woodpecker - 1
Flicker - 2
Eastern wood-Pewee - 2
Phoebe - 1
Great crested flycatcher - 2
Eastern kingbird - 1
Blue jay - 2
Crow - 3
Fish crow - 1
Tree swallow - 2
Chickadee - 2
Tufted titmouse - 2
White-breasted nuthatch - 3
Winter wren - 1
Robin - 5
Pine warbler - 1
Ovenbird - 2
Northern waterthrush - 1
Common yellowthroat - 2
Cardinal - 1
Red-winged blackbird - 7
Grackle - 3
Baltimore oriole - 2
Goldfinch - 1
Dave Williams
Reading, MA
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: Ferry Hill Thicket
From: Barbara Volkle and Steve Moore <barb620(AT)theworld.com>
Date: 25 May 2008 4:08pm
For those of us not familiar with the south shore, can someone
provide some directions for Ferry Hill Thicket? Parking? Any
other need to know information before heading there?
It's good for all of us to remember to post directions and an
overview to these good birding spots every once and a while
for those of us who wish to explore new areas.
Barbara Volkle
Northboro, MA
barb620(AT)theworld.com
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: doing something personal and positive to lessen
your impact
From: "Mark Lynch" <moa.lynch(AT)verizon.net>
Date: 25 May 2008 4:14pm
Granted, fuel cell technology would solve a lot, but it's decades or more
away, and even then the technology may not be perfected. I know because my
station hosted a 12 part forum about alt energy cars with experts in the
field. And despite Rick's "ah, what ever" attitude, individuals can make a
difference. I refer MassBirders to Lynne Cherry's new book for middle school
aged children (so we can ALL understand it) written with GARY BRAASCH,
titled "How We Know What We Know About Our Changing Climate". Lynne, who I
have known for some time, spends TIME in the field with actual SCIENTISTS
and LISTENS to what they have to say about climate change and then posts
some recommendations about small things we can all do that can make a
difference and lists the results. She even lists citizen science projects
for school kids to undersatnd the problem. Go to the end of the book. OR:
read the list in JEFF WELLS' BIRDER'S CONSERVATION HANDBOOK. Jeff is: Senior
Scientist for the Boreal Song Bird Initiative, Visiting Fellow at the
Cornell Lab of Ornithology and former Director of Bird Conservation for the
National Audubon Society. Hmmmm, I think he may know what he is talking
about. Just last week, I interviewed TED FLOYD, Editor of Birding (new field
guide out) and he called the issue of birders and thier impact on the
environment "the elephant in the living room" issue that birders can no
longer ignore. He's returning to my show to do an entire interview on the
subject. I could go on. The point is: READ some actual experts working in
the field on the subject and decide for yourself.
Look, no one is being holier than thou in the least. People are concerned,
which is great. People are thinking about changing in small ways what they
do. Cool. It's a process and won't happen all at once. But first you have to
think change is possible. And if a person can waste less fuel, I say
EXCELLENT. Why not brag about how little fuel you used on Birdathon? As to
recent concern about this issue, Sheila and I have been lobbying MAS to
change Birdathon to make it less fuel wasteful for over 5 years.
Mark Lynch, not even holier than a dung beetle
moa.lynch(AT)verizon.net
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Subject: Green Birding - Event Idea
From: "Andrew Birch" <andrewlbirch(AT)gmail.com>
Date: 25 May 2008 4:36pm
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Hello All,
I started promoting Green Birding this year on the Boston Birds website - (
http://bostonbirds.org) and listserv for three reasons -
1) Conservation of Urban Green Spaces - obviously crucial migratory habitat
that is very at risk, and the more people enjoy the local green spaces the
more likely they will be conserved. If you bird locally - given where most
people live - you will be in an urban green space.
2) Health - While living in Northern Minnesota last year I would drive all
day - stop - listen / look for a bird on the side of a dirt road then get
back in and drive - I would bird all day with little to no exercise, but a
lot of excess CO2. This year I have taken some seriously long walks in my
local birding efforts, and I have even fixed up the old bike to increase my
BIGBY (Big Green Birding Year) list. I am hoping my cholesterol takes as
many ticks down as my additions to my BIGBY List : )
3) Promote Public Transportation - There are some amazing places to see by
just riding the T, and the more people use the T the better it will become.
As evidenced by every major road building project in history - the more
roads you build the more people will drive - so lets slow down on the road
building and invest in public transportation. Right now I will admit it is
hard to bird via T on the weekend because the schedules are so slow, but if
more people used the T they would offer more service!
The sentiment that - not driving to your favorite birding spot once won't
make a substantial difference - may have some truth to it, but when an
entire community joins together to make a difference that is when we can
accomplish something extraordinary and more importantly we can affect the
way other people look at the problems we face. As for Bird-A-Thon I feel
like 25 years of tradition should be carried on more or less the way it has,
besides to the best of my knowledge there are no teams out there that are
forcing participants to drive against their will - so if you don't want to
drive - DON'T but please avoid lecturing those that do (offer alternatives
instead : ) -
As such - I would love to find some folks interested in organizing a green
birding event. This has been bouncing around my head for a few years now,
and this seems like as good a time to "float the idea" as any! It would be
a competitive green birding event run during the peak of fall migration
(September ?date?). Teams (consisting of two birders) would start at 7AM in
the Boston Common and finish at 6PM (Location TBD). The rules would be
simple - see as many birds as possible without getting into a car, bus, van,
or even a duck tour! I think it would be great fun, and would give the
"Green Birding" movement a chance to shine during what is always a great
fall migration period. If you are interested let me know OFF LIST - as I am
sure many are tiring of this subject.
Good Birding-
--
Andrew Birch
http://bostonbirds.org
andrewlbirch(AT)bostonbirds.com
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Subject: Plum Island, Sunday morning; slow but some things
From: WCDrummond(AT)aol.com
Date: 25 May 2008 5:32pm
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Dear Friends,
At the refuge this morning the Old Pines had some good birds. At 7 AM a
Mourning Warbler was singing but we never saw it. A few lucky people had
good looks later in the morning there. Most people got good looks at
Bay-breasted Warbler and Blackburnian Warbler there too. Barbara and I had the
Swainson's Thrush and the Veery but missed the Gray-cheeked. Only a few people
had
all three. The highlight at Hellcat was a Philadelphia Vireo seen by quite a
few people on the way to the old blind.
Good birding, everyone!
Bill Drummond
North Andover, MA
WCDrummond(AT)aol.com
http://web.mac.com/crossbillsbirding
**************
Get trade secrets for
amazing burgers. Watch "Cooking with Tyler Florence" on AOL Food.
(http://food.aol.com/tyler-florence?video=4&?NCID=aolfod00030000000002)
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Subject: RE: doing something personal and positive to
lessen your impact
From: Jim McCoy <jfmccoy(AT)hotmail.com>
Date: 25 May 2008 6:38pm
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Mark et al,
=20
I will flatly assert that not a single person on this list is doing everyth=
ing they can to minimize his or her carbon footprint. I won't bother detai=
ling numerous ways in which we all might be falling short, but don't kid yo=
urselves -- we are. My point is that we all draw the line somewhere (or no=
where), based on economics, convenience, personal philosophy, and taste.
=20
That being the case, please don't presume to tell others where they should =
be drawing the line, and please don't ask MAS to tell people where to draw =
the line. If you want to change your own practices, great, but it will not=
obviate the very real need for political and societal change (and no, emai=
ling a few hundred people who are already relatively eco-friendly does not =
constitute societal change).
=20
By using this forum to lobby MAS, you are implicitly asking the rest of Mas=
sbird to buy in, which not everyone is willing to do. And for the record, =
bragging and asking others to brag about eco-friendliness is pretty much th=
e definition of being holier-than-thou, whether or not you like the charact=
erization. Please let's stick to the birds.
=20
Jim McCoy
Melrose, MA
jfmccoy(AT)hotmail.com
=20
> Mark Lynch, not even holier than a dung beetle> moa.lynch(AT)verizon.net> No=
virus found in this outgoing message.> Checked by AVG Free Edition.> Versi=
on: 7.5.516 / Virus Database: 269.24.0/1462 - Release Date: 5/23/2008> 7:20=
AM> =
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Subject: eBird Report - Wells, Maine + Rachel Carson NWR ,
5/24/08
From: "Fred Bouchard" <frederickbouchard(AT)gmail.com>
Date: 25 May 2008 6:46pm
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Location: Wells Beach and Rachel Carson NWR, MAINE
Observation date: 5/24/08
Notes: This casual birding, done largely on bicycle with NO telescope,
included Laudholm Estuarine Preserve, stretches of Wells Beach, Ogunquit
Beach, and low tide at Oxcart Road. Some listings are from 5/23. Warblers
were scarce, but hey, I'm a bit deaf.
Number of species: 67
Canada Goose 20
American Black Duck 3
Mallard 10
Common Eider 15
White-winged Scoter 2
Red-breasted Merganser 1
Double-crested Cormorant 25
Great Blue Heron 1
Great Egret 1
Black-bellied Plover 59
American Golden-Plover 1
Spotted Sandpiper 1
Greater Yellowlegs 1
Willet (Eastern) 9
Ruddy Turnstone 2
Sanderling 3
Dunlin 74
Short-billed Dowitcher 2
Ring-billed Gull X
Herring Gull X
Great Black-backed Gull X
Least Tern 45
Common Tern 10
Rock Pigeon 20
Mourning Dove 8
Black-billed Cuckoo 1
Chimney Swift 2
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 4
Downy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 1
Great Crested Flycatcher 1
Red-eyed Vireo 3
Blue Jay 9
American Crow 19
Tree Swallow 10
Barn Swallow 7
Black-capped Chickadee 2
Tufted Titmouse 4
White-breasted Nuthatch 1
Hermit Thrush 1
American Robin 14
Gray Catbird 20
Northern Mockingbird 3
Brown Thrasher 1
European Starling 30
Cedar Waxwing 1
Northern Parula 1
Yellow Warbler 2
Pine Warbler 2
Chestnut Sided Warbler 2
American Redstart 1
Common Yellowthroat 3
Saltmarsh Sharp-tailed Sparrow 1
Song Sparrow 22
White-throated Sparrow 1
Northern Cardinal 11
Rose-breasted Grosbeak 4
Indigo Bunting 1
Bobolink 12
Red-winged Blackbird 6
Common Grackle 11
Brown-headed Cowbird 2
Baltimore Oriole 2
Purple Finch 2
House Finch 8
American Goldfinch 28
House Sparrow 17
This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)
--
frederickbouchard(AT)gmail.com
78 farnham st
belmont 02478 ma
617-484-6692
www.fredbouchard.com
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Subject: Tyringham 5/25
From: "Mark Lynch" <moa.lynch(AT)verizon.net>
Date: 25 May 2008 7:39pm
We spent the day doing some serious atlasing in two adjacent blocks
(east-west) that are in Tyringham and Lee, MA. Today we spent most of our
atlasing time in Tyringham Valley. This small valley is nestled between two
sets of formidable and heavily forested hills/mountains: Sky Hill and
Beartown SF to the west and Baldy Mountain to the east. The steep hillside
forested habitat is mixed with areas of hemlocks and lots of streams. The
valley is marshland and pasture and farmland with houses along the edges.
Birding here, especially at this time of the year, is excellent.
Atlasing today was a series of lessons in humility and patience. At one
point, I was standing on a steep dirt road on the east side of the valley,
amid dense tall mixed forest. Around me were singing Blackburnian,
Black-throated Green, Magnolia and Yellow-rumped Warblers. I was
“attempting” to actually watch these birds to see some behavior so I could
add them to the body of atlas data for the block. The birds sang and sang. I
stood there, looking up, looking around, shifting position just to see if
that would make a difference. I searched for more than 15 minutes and yet
never even got a glimpse at a bird of any species, let alone see some
behavior. Thank you conifers. Later, we watched a perched and singing
Savannah Sparrow to see if it would go down to a nest, catch some food,
mate, SOMETHING that would constitute breeding behavior. It was like some
really low-grade version of the stakeout scene in The French Connection,
minus the suspense. The bird sang and sang, occasionally eyeing us, but just
sat there as the minutes slowly ticked by and I drank more cold coffee than
I really should have. FINALLY after another 15 minutes or so, it flew down
to a mate at a nest. Such is atlasing.
List is combined total for both blocks. Another middlin’-poor migration day,
though today I actually saw about 4 birds I knew were migrants: a
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher; and Bay-breasted, Blackpoll and Mourning Warblers
(singles of each). The rest could have been breeders: singing in habitat
where I have seen that species breed in years before. Raptors were almost a
no-show.
American Bittern (1 : several breed in the area)
Great Blue Heron (rookery w/29 active nests)
Green Heron (2)
Turkey Vulture (1: very low for area)
Canada Goose (23ad+17yg)
Wood Duck (1f w/11yg)
Mallard (7)
Red-tailed Hawk (1)
Ruffed Grouse (2)
Wild Turkey (6: single birds, no poults yet)
Killdeer (2)
Spotted Sandpiper (2)
Wilson’s Snipe (2 calling, perched up, in mid-morning)
Rock Dove (4)
Mourning Dove (9)
Black-billed Cuckoo (1 pair+1)
Chimney Swift (12)
Ruby-throated Hummingbird (2)
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (6: feeding young in nest observed)
Downy Woodpecker (1)
Hairy Woodpecker (1+1f at nest w/at least 3 young in it)
N Flicker (5)
Pileated Woodpecker (1)
Eastern Wood Peewee (6)
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher (1 along the river. Great views at about 7 feet
and eye-level)
Alder Flycatcher (15)
Willow Flycatcher (4)
Least Flycatcher (14)
Eastern Phoebe (11)
Great Crested Flycatcher (8)
Eastern Kingbird (15)
Yellow-throated Vireo (1)
Blue-headed Vireo (6)
Warbling Vireo (25)
Red-eyed Vireo (62)
Blue Jay (11)
A Crow (24)
Tree Swallow (41)
N Rough-winged Swallow (4)
Bank Swallow (6)
CLIFF SWALLOW (5)
Barn Swallow (79)
Black-capped Chickadee (21)
Tufted Titmouse (3)
Red-breasted Nuthatch (4: tough as nails to turn up in areas that look great
for this species to breed in)
White-breasted Nuthatch (2)
Brown Creeper (4)
House Wren (4)
Marsh Wren (2)
Eastern Bluebird (pair)
Veery (10)
Hermit Thrush (2: very low)
Wood Thrush (10)
A Robin (50+)
Gray Catbird (29: we watched an interesting behavior. There was a very
recently road-killed catbird in the middle of a road. Another catbird kept
landing next to it, displaying in an agitated fashion, calling and even
poking it, moving the dead bird around. I eventually moved the corpse off to
the side of the road so there wouldn’t be two dead catbirds.)
E Starling (25+)
Cedar Waxwings (6)
WARBLERS:
Blue-winged (6)
Yellow (34)
Chestnut-sided (44)
Magnolia (9)
Black-throated Blue (5)
Yellow-rumped (7)
Black-throated Green (7)
Blackburnian (11)
Pine (4)
Bay-breasted (1)
Blackpoll (1)
Black and White (17)
A Redstart (53)
Ovenbird (43)
Northern Waterthrush (1)
Louisiana Waterthrush (1)
Mourning (1)
C Yellowthroat (64)
Canada (3)
Scarlet Tanager (8)
Chipping Sparrow (34)
Savannah Sparrow (15)
Song Sparrow (56)
Swamp Sparrow (22)
N Cardinal (15)
Rose-breasted Grosbeak (5)
Indigo Bunting (5)
Bobolink (77: females present)
Red-winged Blackbird (200+)
Common Grackle (57)
Brown-headed Cowbird (7)
Baltimore Oriole (26)
Purple Finch (2)
House Finch (13)
A Goldfinch (22)
House Sparrow (30+)
Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll
Moa.lynch(AT)verizon.net
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7:20 AM
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: Atlassing and birding in Framingham 1,
Marlborough and Sudbury,
From: Sam Miller <sam.miller(AT)us.ibm.com>
Date: 25 May 2008 8:02pm
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Today Carla Dengler and I birded and did breeding bird survey atlassing=
in
Framingham 1, which is in eastern Marlborough and western Sudbury, alon=
g
Route 20.
Good birds include Barred Owl, Olive-sided Flycatcher, Common Raven, an=
d
Ruffed Grouse, and Pileated Woodpecker.
Complete list follows. Many numbers approximate, or not noted.
Double-crested Cormorant, 1
Great Blue Heron, 10+, including many atttending nests at rookery at
Carding Mill Pond, behind Wayside Inn. Confirmed.
Green Heron, 2
Canada Goose, 70+, including 30+ goslings. Confirmed.
Mute Swan, 15+, including 10 cygnets. Confirmed.
Black Duck, 1, together with a female Mallard. No other Blacks or Malla=
rds
evident on the pond.
Mallard, 10+
Broad-winged Hawk, 1
Red-tailed Hawk, 5+. Three adults visible together in sky at once, two
strafing each other. Two separate young birds, both unafraid, one clums=
y in
attempts to perch in tree. Thought it was injured at first. Recently
fledged?
RUFFED GROUSE, 1
Spotted Sandpiper, 2
Ring-billed Gull, 3
Greater Black-backed Gull, 3
Mourning Dove, 5+, 1 on nest. Confirmed.
BARRED OWLl, 1
Chimney Swift, 5+
Red-bellied Woodpecker, 3+, including one carrying food to nest. Confir=
med.
Downy Woodpecker, 2, a pair.
Hairy Woodpecker, 3, including a pair.
Northern Flicker, 6+, including an apparent pair.
PILEATED WOODPECKER, 2, a pair, both entering and leaving nest hole.
Confirmed.
OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER
Eastern Wood Pewee, 2
Eastern Phoebe, 6+
Great Crested Flycatcher, 4
Eastern Kingbird, 15+
Warbling Vireo, 20+
Red-eyed Vireo, 3
Blue Jay, 12+
American Crow, 10+
COMMON RAVEN, 1, probably 2. Heard them first, thought they were callin=
g
back and forth. By the time we got to pond edge, out of woods, we could=
see
only 1, still calling. It disappeared over the heron rookery, then one
shortly reappeared, carrying food, we presume, what looked like a nestl=
ing.
Mobbed by Grackles and Kingbirds, eventually by a Crow. Stayed over the=
pond circling for a minute plus. We hoped it would head somewhere there=
might be a nest, and which we could see. But it continued circling,
presently out of sight behind us over woods. It sure looked like it was=
carrying food for young; perhaps waiting for mate?
Tree Swallow, 10+, including two taking turns entering and leaving (the=
y
had to back out) of nest cavity in security camera support at Raytheon.=
Confirmed.
No. Rough-winged Swallow, 4+
BC Chickadee, 20+
Tufted Titmouse, 6+
White-breasted Nuthatch, 2, including one carrying food. Confirmed.
Eastern Bluebird, 2, a pair, both feeding young in a natural tree cavit=
y.
Confirmed.
Veery, 2, together, looked like a pair.
Wood Thrush, 2
Robin, 30+
Gray Catbird, 20+, including one carrying nesting material, a pair in
courtship ritual. Confirmed.
Starling, 10+, including one carrying food. Confirmed.
Cedar Waxwing. 8+
Northern Parula, 1
Yellow Warbler, 15+
Magnolia, 1
Black-throated Blue, 1
Yellow-rumped, 1, female, getting late
Pine Warbler, 10+
American Redstart, 1
Ovenbird, 6+
NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH, 1, singing regularly over a fairly large area
Common Yellowthroat, 10+
Scarlet Tanager, 2
Eastern Towhee, 12+
Chipping Sparrow, 10+
Song Sparrow, 2
Cardinal, 6+
Rose-breasted Grosbeak, 1
Red-winged Blackbird, 30+
Common Grackle, 40+
Brown-headed Cowbird, 8+, including pair showing courtship behavior
Baltimore Oriole, 30+, including two females building nests, one just
starting, one looking ready for laying. Confirmed.
American Goldfinch, 8+
House Sparrow, 20+, including 1 carrying nesting material, and one carr=
ying
food. Confirmed.
65 species
13 confirmed breeeding.
Sam Miller and Carla Dengler
Arlington, MA
=
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Subject: Re: Ferry Hill Thicket
From: gdentremont(AT)juno.com
Date: 25 May 2008 8:54pm
Folks,
Ferry Hill Thicket in Marshfield has been a favorite spot for South Shore
Birders for over 40 years and probably longer. I believe Warren
Harrington, formally of Marshfield, had a direct part in preserving this
jewel of migrant trap and wintering bird haven in his tenure on the
Conservation Commission. It is not very large, perhaps a the same size
as the Nahant Thicket (MAS property) if one is more familiar with that
property. It is strategically located bordered by what might be an esker
on the east which itself borders a salt marsh which borders Hummarock
which borders the Atlantic. The actual mileage from the sea is less than
1/2 mile. The west is bordered by another slope, not as sharp as the
east side, but to a greater height. I have been in the Thicket on a 10
degree day with a 30-40 mph NW wind and be completely out of that frigid
condition watching 12 cardinals (9 males) feeding on a green lawn! There
is a seepage from the south which feeds a waterway heading north through
the thicket which continues northward under Ferry Hill Road and onto, or
next to, the YWCA property before emptying into the marsh at the extreme
north side of the system. It's north/south orientation and coastal
flyway location no doubt contributes directly to the yearly reports.
Reports over the years included all the warblers and vireos normally
encountered in MA including the southern specialties. Birds as diverse
as Yellow-crowned Night-Heron, Northern Bobwhite, Ruffed Grouse, Fish
Crow, Bohemian Waxwing, Western Tanager, and Dickcissel have all been
reported from the confines of the Thicket. It has one of the highest
densities of Carolina Wren anywhere. Wintering birds include towhee,
chat, catbird, Yellow-rumped Warbler, and the very occasional Dickcissel.
This spot is at it's dullest in the dog days of summer.
By now you are now wondering how to get there.
From Rt 3A north cross over the North River, entering Marshfield. Take
the first left onto Summer Street. With twists and turns, it is still
Summer Street all the way to Church Street. Summer Street goes around a
pond on the left, then turns right at Damon's Point Road. After a pond
on the right, the road comes to an end with a choice. Take the left
"fork" and stop at the stop sign. Turn left onto Church Street. Within
a quarter mile, the main road turns sharply right and Ferry Hill Road
continues straight.
From the south, turn right onto Rt 3A north from Rt 139. Follow to
Furnace Street (first lights) and turn right onto Furnace. At an
intersection, turn left onto Ferry Street. Continue until Church Street
on the left and turn left onto Church Street. Within 1/2 mile, Summer
Street comes in on the left. Continue straight and within a quarter
mile, the main road turns sharply right and Ferry Hill Road continues
straight.
The thicket is at the bottom of the hill. If only 1 or 2 cars, then park
on the north side. If a group, then one can turn into the YWCA parking
area and park vehicles there for the short term. I have never had nor
have never heard of any issues parking here. Bird the thicket adjacent
to where you park and then locate the path through the thicket at the
east side of the thicket. Walk all the way through and explore all
parts.
Good birding,
Glenn
On Sun, 25 May 2008 16:07:17 -0400 Barbara Volkle and Steve Moore
<barb620(AT)theworld.com> writes:
> For those of us not familiar with the south shore, can someone
> provide some directions for Ferry Hill Thicket? Parking? Any
> other need to know information before heading there?
>
> It's good for all of us to remember to post directions and an
> overview to these good birding spots every once and a while
> for those of us who wish to explore new areas.
>
> Barbara Volkle
> Northboro, MA
> barb620(AT)theworld.com
>
>
>
Glenn d'Entremont, gdentremont(AT)juno.com, Stoughton, MA
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: moderator - birdathon and carbon footprint
reduction
From: Barbara Volkle and Steve Moore <barb620(AT)theworld.com>
Date: 25 May 2008 9:54pm
If any of you have feedback for Massachusetts Audubon regarding the
Birdathon, positive or negative, please contact MAS directly. I'm
sure MAS is willing to listen to feedback and any innovative
suggestions the birding community can provide.
I think we all recognize the need to deal with reducing our energy
consumption in this time of global climate change.
However, how each of us decides to make these changes is up to each
one of us. Certainly each of us can do more. Let's make conscious
and informed choices in this area. Each of us can and must do
more. Have an energy audit of your home? Have your heating system
tuned? Turn your thermostat down in the winter and up in the
summer? Buy a fuel efficient vehicle? Go for the actions that will
yield the greatest results!
If you are like me, you love birding. It renews me and calms me,
refreshes me, informs me every day of my life about what I value and
find sacred. We need to share our love of birds and the natural
world in order to foster those values in others, especially
children. We must speak up to insure these places and wild things
remain with us on earth for many more generations.
It is a very slippery slope when we start to demand that others who
examine these issues reach the exactly same conclusions and decisions
for action that we embrace for ourselves.
There's plenty to think about here.
Additional concrete suggestions for saving energy while birding are
welcome.
However, at this point I must insist we limit our discussion to
birding.
Barbara Volkle, moderator MASSBIRD
Northborough, MA
barb620(AT)theworld.com
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: Pepperell - Common Nighthawk
From: "Lee Wiggs" <lwiggs1(AT)verizon.net>
Date: 25 May 2008 10:16pm
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While along the Nashua River behind the horse track off River Road in
Pepperell at 1:00 this afternoon, I saw a single Nighthawk flying north.
Also seen were: a Double-crested Cormorant, a Belted Kingfisher, and a
family of Mute Swans.
Lee Wiggs
West Groton
lwiggs1(AT)verizon.net
----DELETED text/html MIME SECTION----
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: Re: Birdathon question
From: "Stuart Walker" <stuarttwalker(AT)comcast.net>
Date: 25 May 2008 10:22pm
Here's the point, Rick: some of us are trying not to be part of the
problem, at least as much. Naturalists used to sight specimens along the
barrel of a shotgun. A hundred years ago a bunch of "crazy bird ladies"
halted the slaughter of egrets and led to the creation of MAS. Do-gooders
lobbied Congress and their efforts led to the establishment of national
parks. Nearly forty years ago people sat in canoes on the Sudbury River
and hauled tires and other garbage out of the water on the first Earth Day.
Crazy hippies and their wacko food ideas about woo-oo "organic foods" led to
a entire revolution in food/health awareness and the creation of a
large-scale food industry and public health awareness. All of these short
steps, little incremental changes in behavior taken at the individual level,
led to revolutions in awareness, creation of economic models, and changes in
cultural behavior.
Sure, India and China are overwhelming. Well, roll over and die. Oh golly,
you can't effect world change, so why bother to do anything? I walk down
the street to the subway and could weep at the amount of recyclable
materials that are being thrown away, week after week after week. I know
these people's trash totally negates my meagre efforts to minimize my
personal impact on the world's garbage, but I keep on keeping on. Cleaner
technologies only come as a result of individuals taking a stand, banding
together, and demanding change. (Boston has a curbside recycling program
because people demanded it.) Is the world the same as it was in 1968? No?
1906? Do they still put lead in your milk to make it whiter? Hello?
Yes, I'm a hypocrite. I will drive to Gloucester to see some seagull that's
stupid enough to fly down the wrong side of the planet. But I'm starting to
make some changes, and I'm trying to figure out how to lessen my impact in
different ways. I'm simply trying not to be as much a part of the problem;
if you wish to deride such efforts that is your privilege. The increased
fuel efficiency of the car you sit in at Andrews Point is a direct legacy of
the deluded people who tried to have a measurable effect on the environment
thirty years ago.
Stuart Walker
Jamaica Plain, MA
stuarttwalker(AT)comcast.net
----- Original Message -----
From: "Richard Heil" <rsheil(AT)comcast.net>
To: "Mark Lynch" <moa.lynch(AT)verizon.net>; "Massbird"
<massbird(AT)world.std.com>
Sent: Sunday, May 25, 2008 12:58 PM
Subject: Re: [MASSBIRD] Birdathon question
> Those of you who think that birders driving fewer miles has any measurable
> effect on the environment or the atmosphere are seriously deluding
> yourself. It may make you feel good but it has none, nil, zero, nada,
> effect. Just stand beside Route 128 or Rt. 95 for five minutes, or ponder
> China and India, and tell me again what meaning it has that YOU have
> forgone visiting your favorite, or more interesting, or most beautiful, or
> most diverse birding spot? What meaning it has is simply that you have
> sacrificed a level of enjoyment or knowledge while solving, accomplishing,
> achieving ... nothing. Don't come back with the "setting an example"
> argument, the simple truth is that it's not going to be followed, nor
> necessarily should it. The CO2 problem, if there is one, will only be
> solved by new, cleaner technologies across the board, such as all-electric
> automobiles(they are coming). The high consumer energy costs associated
> with the increasingly high price of a barrel of oil will drive the
> development of new technologies, but it will take some time. In the
> meantime, one can visit the best and most diverse birding sites near or
> far (as you choose) to observe, to study, or photograph our favorite
> subjects, or you can just bird on foot from your home. If you choose the
> latter, fine and dandy. I birded on foot from my house extensively (3000+
> hours of field work) for almost twenty years, until a golf course replaced
> my birdiest area. On foot or close to home bird study can be very
> instructional, rewarding and great fun, if you have nearby habitat. It's
> good exercise and will save you money too. Just don't assume a holier
> than thou attitude whilst imaging you're making some kind of a difference.
>
> Richard S. Heil
> S. Peabody, MA
> rsheil(AT)comcast.net
>
>
>
>
> At 07:48 PM 5/23/2008, Mark Lynch wrote:
>>A quick question for Taber and Mass Audubon:
>>
>>How much fossil fuels were burned (ie miles driven) just by the Lincoln
>>team
>>for a fundraising effort for a conservation organization?
>>
>>Just curious. Or don't you keep track of that?
>>
>>Mark Lynch
>>moa.lynch(AT)verizon.net
>>No virus found in this outgoing message.
>>Checked by AVG Free Edition.
>>Version: 7.5.516 / Virus Database: 269.24.0/1462 - Release Date: 5/23/2008
>>7:20 AM
>
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: Plymouth Beach & afterwards
From: gdentremont(AT)juno.com
Date: 25 May 2008 9:54pm
The annual Plymouth Beach trip yielded the following with the second part
of the trip to Plymouth Airport being a bit disappointing with 20+mph
winds limiting sound and heat haze limiting visibility. A small group
continued to Crane WMA in Falmouth.
A-Plymouth Airport, F-Crane WMA
Brant 30
BLACK DUCK 2
Mallard 2
Surf Scoter 3
Common Loon 4
Double-crested Cormorant 15
Great Blue Heron 2 (1-A)
Turkey Vulture 3-A
Osprey 5 (3-A)
Red-tailed Hawk 1-A
American Kestrel 1-A
Black-bellied Plover 50
Semipalmated Plover 1
Piping Plover 8
Killdeer 3
Willet 1
Ruddy Turnstone 25
Sanderling 35
Semipalmated Sandpiper 25
Least Sandpiper 4
Dunlin 9
Short-billed Dowitcher 3
Laughing Gull 75
Ring-billed Gull 25
Herring Gull 10
Great Black-backed Gull 25
Roseate Tern 1 (we were informed by Plymouth staff there have been no
nesting Roseates over the last several years)
Common Tern 750
Arctic Tern 1 +
Least Tern 60
Rock Pigeon ***
Mourning Dove 5
Chimney Swift 2
Belted Kingfisher 1
Northern Flicker 2
Willow Flycatcher 1
Great Crested Flycatcher 1-F
Eastern Kingbird 5 (4-F)
Blue Jay 2-F
American Crow 7
Horned Lark 7 (5-A)
Tree Swallow 8
Bank Swallow 3
Barn Swallow 8
Black-capped Chickadee 2-F
Tufted Titmouse 2-F
Carolina Wren 1
House Wren 3-F
Eastern Bluebird 2-F
American Robin 10-F
Gray Catbird 1
Northern Mockingbird 11 (4-F)
Starling ***
Cedar Waxwing 15
Yellow Warbler 1
Pine Warbler 2 (1-A, 1-F)
Prairie Warbler 5-F
American Redstart 1-F
Common Yellowthroat 3 (2-F)
Eastern Towhee 5-F
Chipping Sparrow 10-F
Field Sparrow 2-F
VESPER SPARROW 2+ -A
Savannah Sparrow 11 (6-A, 5-F)
GRASSHOPPER SPARROW 2 (1-A, 1-F)
Song Sparrow 26
Northern Cardinal 1-F
Red-winged Blackbird 3
Common Grackle 30
Brown-headed Cowbird 1-F
Orchard Oriole 2 (1-F)
Baltimore Oriole 11 (10-F)
House Finch 1
American Goldfinch 2
House Sparrow ***
Glenn
Glenn d'Entremont, gdentremont(AT)juno.com, Stoughton, MA
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: Re: doing something personal and positive to
lessen your impact
From: Richard Heil <rsheil(AT)comcast.net>
Date: 25 May 2008 10:36pm
Mark,
Characterizing my attitude as "ah, what ever" is false and
misleading. My point is that birders staying closer to home rather
than driving extra miles to reach a favored birding site is
absolutely MEANINGLESS [since we are apparently using caps for
emphasis] in regard to the issue of global climate change and only
serves to sacrifice oneself for NOTHING. Birders driving fewer miles
will do nothing. There are 800 takeoffs and landings at Logan EVERY
DAY. By the year 2010 China, which currently has 1.3 billion people,
is expected to have NINETY times more cars than in 1990, and further
projections show that China could surpass the total number of cars in
the U.S. by 2030. Then of course there's India, Indonesia, Malaysia
.. You think birders driving fewer miles means ANYTHING? It's
literally a single drop, or maybe a half a drop, in all the worlds
oceans. It's laughable. Only universal global advances in
technology will solve energy/environment issues. Ask your scientists
how many degrees global temperatures will drop if Massachusetts
birders drive fewer miles? Perhaps they already have a
outcome-certain model for that. Birders staying closer to home to
save the planet is about as intelligent and efficacious as dieting to
end world hunger. But I can't argue with a religion.
Richard S. Heil
S. Peabody, MA
rsheil(AT)comcast.net
At 04:11 PM 5/25/2008, Mark Lynch wrote:
>Granted, fuel cell technology would solve a lot, but it's decades or more
>away, and even then the technology may not be perfected. I know because my
>station hosted a 12 part forum about alt energy cars with experts in the
>field. And despite Rick's "ah, what ever" attitude, individuals can make a
>difference. I refer MassBirders to Lynne Cherry's new book for middle school
>aged children (so we can ALL understand it) written with GARY BRAASCH,
>titled "How We Know What We Know About Our Changing Climate". Lynne, who I
>have known for some time, spends TIME in the field with actual SCIENTISTS
>and LISTENS to what they have to say about climate change and then posts
>some recommendations about small things we can all do that can make a
>difference and lists the results. She even lists citizen science projects
>for school kids to undersatnd the problem. Go to the end of the book. OR:
>read the list in JEFF WELLS' BIRDER'S CONSERVATION HANDBOOK. Jeff is: Senior
>Scientist for the Boreal Song Bird Initiative, Visiting Fellow at the
>Cornell Lab of Ornithology and former Director of Bird Conservation for the
>National Audubon Society. Hmmmm, I think he may know what he is talking
>about. Just last week, I interviewed TED FLOYD, Editor of Birding (new field
>guide out) and he called the issue of birders and thier impact on the
>environment "the elephant in the living room" issue that birders can no
>longer ignore. He's returning to my show to do an entire interview on the
>subject. I could go on. The point is: READ some actual experts working in
>the field on the subject and decide for yourself.
>Look, no one is being holier than thou in the least. People are concerned,
>which is great. People are thinking about changing in small ways what they
>do. Cool. It's a process and won't happen all at once. But first you have to
>think change is possible. And if a person can waste less fuel, I say
>EXCELLENT. Why not brag about how little fuel you used on Birdathon? As to
>recent concern about this issue, Sheila and I have been lobbying MAS to
>change Birdathon to make it less fuel wasteful for over 5 years.
>Mark Lynch, not even holier than a dung beetle
>moa.lynch(AT)verizon.net
>No virus found in this outgoing message.
>Checked by AVG Free Edition.
>Version: 7.5.516 / Virus Database: 269.24.0/1462 - Release Date: 5/23/2008
>7:20 AM
Those of you who think that birders driving fewer miles has any
measurable effect on the environment or the atmosphere are seriously
deluding yourself. It may make you feel good but it has none, nil,
zero, nada, effect. Just stand beside Route 128 or Rt. 95 for five
minutes, or ponder China and India, and tell me again what meaning it
has that YOU have forgone visiting your favorite, or more
interesting, or most beautiful, or most diverse birding spot? What
meaning it has is simply that you have sacrificed a level of
enjoyment or knowledge while solving, accomplishing, achieving ...
nothing. Don't come back with the "setting an example" argument, the
simple truth is that it's not going to be followed, nor necessarily
should it. The CO2 problem, if there is one, will only be solved by
new, cleaner technologies across the board, such as all-electric
automobiles(they are coming). The high consumer energy costs
associated with the increasingly high price of a barrel of oil will
drive the development of new technologies, but it will take some
time. In the meantime, one can visit the best and most diverse
birding sites near or far (as you choose) to observe, to study, or
photograph our favorite subjects, or you can just bird on foot from
your home. If you choose the latter, fine and dandy. I birded on
foot from my house extensively (3000+ hours of field work) for almost
twenty years, until a golf course replaced my birdiest area. On foot
or close to home bird study can be very instructional, rewarding and
great fun, if you have nearby habitat. It's good exercise and will
save you money too. Just don't assume a holier than thou attitude
whilst imaging you're making some kind of a difference.
Richard S. Heil
S. Peabody, MA
rsheil(AT)comcast.net
At 07:48 PM 5/23/2008, Mark Lynch wrote:
>A quick question for Taber and Mass Audubon:
>
>How much fossil fuels were burned (ie miles driven) just by the Lincoln team
>for a fundraising effort for a conservation organization?
>
>Just curious. Or don't you keep track of that?
>
>Mark Lynch
>moa.lynch(AT)verizon.net
>No virus found in this outgoing message.
>Checked by AVG Free Edition.
>Version: 7.5.516 / Virus Database: 269.24.0/1462 - Release Date: 5/23/2008
>7:20 AM
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: Mt Auburn This Morning
From: "Cliff Cook" <ccook13(AT)gmail.com>
Date: 25 May 2008 10:32pm
Migrants were not plentiful at Mt. Auburn this morning, as seems to
have been the case at South Shore locations. There have already been
postings about the Bicknells Thrush spotted this morning by Chris
Floyd. Two other noteworthy birds seen today around 10 AM were Yellow
Bellied Flycatcher and Orange Crowned Warbler. Both were seen around
the location known as Oak Knoll, bordered, I think, by Cherry and
Birch Aves. I believe I might have been the only person to get a good
look at the Orange Crowned Warbler. It was perhaps the dullest
colored example of the species I have ever encountered.
There were a smattering of migrants elsewhere in the cemetery.
Redstarts were the most common warbler in my experience today. I
heard reports of Blackburnian and Bay Breasted but did not encounter
them myself.
Cliff Cook
Watertown
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: Re: moderator - birdathon and carbon footprint
reduction
From: Julie Waters <julie(AT)riverartsproject.com>
Date: 25 May 2008 10:56pm
>However, at this point I must insist we limit our discussion to birding.
I will note, however, that this is -exactly- the sort of discussion
which is welcome at Birding New England:
http://birdingnewengland.soapblox.net/
I set it up so that we could have discussions (even arguments if
we're so inclined) about ecology, birding, how we interact with
birds, what impact our behavior has on birds and bird habitat, etc.
Anyone who's signed up on the site (only takes a few seconds) can
post their own piece about this and the rest of us can talk about it
in the comments. If anyone has questions about how to use the site,
etc., feel free to e-mail me.
--julie
--
----------------------------------------------------------------------
julie(AT)riverartsproject.com http://juliewaters.com/
We've heard that a million monkeys at a million
keyboards could produce the Complete Works of
Shakespeare; now, thanks to the Internet, we know
this is not true.
--Robert Wilensky
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: Re: Tyringham 5/25
From: Richard Heil <rsheil(AT)comcast.net>
Date: 25 May 2008 11:20pm
Tyringham is quite a ways from Worcester, roughly 160 miles round
trip I think, plus maybe 50 miles around the two atlasing blocks,
that's perhaps 210 miles for the day, at let's say a generous average
given many stops and starts, of 25 mpg, that's 8.4 gallons of
gasoline burned. Mark, Is this the kind of "change" you are so
strongly advocating?
Richard S. Heil
S. Peabody, MA
rsheil(AT)comcast.net
At 07:38 PM 5/25/2008, Mark Lynch wrote:
>We spent the day doing some serious atlasing in two adjacent blocks
>(east-west) that are in Tyringham and Lee, MA.
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