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MASSBIRD for Sunday, June 29, 2008
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Subject: Evening Grosbeak in Ipswich
From: "John Nelson" <jrnelson(AT)sprintmail.com>
Date: 29 Jun 2008 10:42am
Hi Massbirders,
This dreary day was quickly brightened up this morning by a brief visit from
a new yard bird. An EVENING GROSBEAK stopped by our platform seed feeder on
and off for about 15 minutes. It seems like an odd time of year for that
bird here, isn't it? We got a few pics but unfortunately they didn't come
out very good so I won't bother posting them.
Good Birding!
John Nelson
Ipswich, MA
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: Bobolinks in Essex!
From: Jim Behnke <behnkej(AT)yahoo.com>
Date: 29 Jun 2008 10:42am
Spotted at noon today at Bothway Farms on Southern Avenue.
Jim Behnke
978-768-3256
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: Sirens Trigger Calling Screech Owl ? (Westwood)
From: "Walt Webb" <wwebb24(AT)verizon.net>
Date: 29 Jun 2008 10:42am
This is a multi-part message in MIME format.
----INCLUDING text/plain MIME SECTION----
As I prepared to retire last night, I heard the whinny of an eastern =
screech-owl coming from my nearby woods. Soon the calls stopped. Later, =
at 2 AM, fire engine sirens pierced the night air here in Westwood. =
After the sirens were gone, I heard what I suspect must have been the =
same owl start its tremolo call, as if in response to the sirens. The =
calling was short-lived, and there were no further owl vocalizations the =
rest of the night.
Walt Webb
Westwood, MA
wwebb24(AT)verizon.net
----DELETED text/html MIME SECTION----
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: Re: Informational Posting about Concord
Impoundments for Massbird/Public
From: Jason_StSauver(AT)fws.gov
Date: 29 Jun 2008 10:42am
GREAT MEADOWS NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE
Management of Concord Impoundments
Those of you who frequent the Concord Impoundments Unit of Great Meadows
National Wildlife Refuge are probably aware of the active water level
management that takes place. In past years we have typically drained one
impoundment during the spring, and drained the other impoundment in the
summer. Draining and flooding the impoundments affects plant and
invertebrate communities, and as a result, creates a variety of habitats
for spring and fall migrating shorebirds, waterfowl and wading birds.
Beginning in 2005, the two impoundments were officially part of a study
occurring on 23 National Wildlife Refuges in the northeastern and
midwestern United States. The primary objective was to resolve biological
uncertainty regarding the timing of water manipulations intended to provide
optimum habitat for southward or northward migrating shorebirds, and the
use of managed wetlands by wading birds and waterfowl. Results from the
study are currently being analyzed.
The typical annual hydrological cycle for some natural wetlands exhibits a
dynamic water regime that may benefit shorebirds, wading birds, and
waterfowl. During the drawdown phase of the cycle, which typically occurs
early in the growing season, mudflats are established to provide shorebird
habitat, while at the same time concentrating food resources for wading
birds and allowing moist soil vegetation to germinate. Weekly waterbird
surveys determine the response of shorebirds, waterfowl, and wading birds
to the changing conditions. Drawdown of the pools can also benefit
invasive species control, whether helping to dry out certain species like
Water Chestnut (Trapa natans) or helping gain easier access to treating
other noxious plants.
This year, we conducted a spring drawdown of the lower pool. The pool was
completely drained by late May, except for a small amount of water that
still remains in the ditch that runs through the center of the impoundment.
During the spring shorebird migration this pool provided shallow water and
mudflat areas for a variety of shorebirds including yellowlegs, sandpipers
and plovers, to feed at. The lower water levels and increased water
temperature stimulate the production of invertebrates which shorebirds feed
upon. Draining the pool early in the growing season also allows seeds to
germinate, specifically, the seeds of plants that provide food for
waterfowl. These plants grow throughout the summer when the pool is dry.
In the early fall, when the lower pool will be flooded, the water knocks
the seed heads off, creating a plethora of food for the migrating
waterfowl. The most common duck foods found in the lower impoundment will
likely include: Echinochloa walteri, Bidens spp., Cyperus spp., and
Polygunum spp. (smartweeds). Without draining, a full pool would attract
only a few ducks and geese. Since the draining instigates the growth of so
much food, waterfowl will be attracted to the pool in the fall.
During the summer months when nesting activity has begun to wane, waterfowl
activity also seems to lessen, but the following species are usually still
in attendance: Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias), Green Heron (Butorides
virescens), Great Egret (Ardea alba), Wood Duck (Aix sponsa), Mallard (Anas
platyrhynchos) and Canada Goose (Branta canadensis). And itâ~@~Ys a great time
to watch the growth of the young birds that hatched around the pools
earlier in the spring.
The upper pool will be drained, beginning in July. Newly exposed mudflats
provided throughout the fall shorebird migration period (July â~@~S September)
provide excellent foraging habitat. Many species of shorebirds will likely
use the upper pool including: various sandpiper species, plover species,
and yellowlegs. Also, because the mudflats will be interspersed with small
pools of water, this management regime will attract foraging herons and
egrets that feed on the concentrated fish in the shrinking pools of water.
The pool will then be flooded in the fall to provide additional habitat for
migratory waterfowl.
As always, if you have any questions about management at the Concord
Impoundments, please feel free to contact the biological staff at Great
Meadows NWR at 978-443-4661, x24, 37 or 23.
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: Gardner/ templeton BBA (Athol 11) 6/29/08
From: Tom Pirro <alurap(AT)verizon.net>
Date: 29 Jun 2008 7:12pm
Location: BBA (Athol 11)
Observation date: 6/29/08
Birds seen and/or hear this morning from 0615 to1115 while working the
Athol 11 block in parts Gardner and Templeton. Covering some "city"
neighborhoods, the Gardner WWTP area, Airport area...basically the
easter half of the block.
Wood Duck 1
American Bittern 1
Great Blue Heron 9
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 ... I had the good fortune of finding,
stumbling upon was more like it, an active Sharp-shinned Hawk nest in
Gardner near Templeton border. At least 1 adult came to the nest 3 times
in the 45 minutes I watched, and fed mosquitos, from a distance, each
time calling as it approached. The nest being about 40 up in a white
pine. Last week I had found a Cooper Hawk nest in a similar setting a
few miles away in the Athol 10 block, that bird appeared to be in the
nest building stage.
Killdeer 4
Mourning Dove 31
Black-billed Cuckoo 1
Chimney Swift 4
Downy Woodpecker 5
Hairy Woodpecker 2
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 3
Eastern Wood-Pewee 2
Eastern Phoebe 5
Eastern Kingbird 7
Blue-headed Vireo 2
Warbling Vireo 3
Red-eyed Vireo 13
Blue Jay 21
American Crow 15
Tree Swallow 12
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 4
Bank Swallow 15
Barn Swallow 1
Black-capped Chickadee 11
Tufted Titmouse 13
White-breasted Nuthatch 7
Carolina Wren 1
House Wren 4
Veery 1
Hermit Thrush 2
Wood Thrush 2
American Robin 51
Gray Catbird 8
Brown Thrasher 1
Horned Lark 1
European Starling 50
Cedar Waxwing 11
Nashville Warbler 1
Yellow Warbler 4
Black-throated Blue Warbler 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) 3
Black-throated Green Warbler 2
Pine Warbler 3
Prairie Warbler 6
Ovenbird 15
Common Yellowthroat 9
Canada Warbler 1
Scarlet Tanager 3
Eastern Towhee 7
Chipping Sparrow 18
Field Sparrow 6
Song Sparrow 12
Swamp Sparrow 5
Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored) 2
Northern Cardinal 8
Indigo Bunting 1
Red-winged Blackbird 22
Common Grackle 20
Brown-headed Cowbird 4
Baltimore Oriole 6
House Finch 3
American Goldfinch 10
House Sparrow 60
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: BBC Extreme Pelagic: Hyannis, MA to Atlantis
Canyon; 28 June 2008.
From: Richard Heil <rsheil(AT)comcast.net>
Date: 29 Jun 2008 7:51pm
SATURDAY, 28 JUNE 2008:
BBC EXTREME PELAGIC from HYANNIS, MA to the CONTINENTAL SHELF at
ATLANTIS CANYON (0400-2215 hrs.)
Weather: Variably sunny and cloudy, periods of haze and fog (mostly
over cooler shallow waters), S-SSW winds 5-12 mph, 64-72 F.
Water Temperature: 60-72 F (warmest over portions of Atlantis Canyon).
Seas: 3-6 feet.
Visibility: Down to zero in dense fog over cooler shallow water
(including Nantucket Shoals) but mostly unlimited (although hazy) in
warmer shelf and canyon waters.
Roughly 75 participants plus organizer Ida Giriunas and leaders Rick
Heil, Steve Mirick, Blair Nikula, and Peter Trimble joined Capt. Joe
Huckemeyer and the crew of the 100' 'Helen H' for an 18+ hour
Brookline Bird Club 'Extreme Pelagic' to Atlantis Canyon and the
Continental Shelf about 100-110 miles south of Muskeget Island. We
departed Hyannis at 0400 and via Muskeget Channel proceeded on route
to Atlantis Canyon where we had learned in advance we would find the
warmest water reachable. I ran a Menhaden Oil drip for the entire
cruise. We sailed to the deepest portion at the mouth of the canyon
where we entered some 7000 foot deep water and chummed at several
stops. The return route was across Nantucket Shoals to the east of
Nantucket (but alas dense fog shrouded the shoals waters). The
largest concentrations of birds on the way out were near and well
north of the entrance to Atlantis. On the return we encountered an
extraordinary and amazing feeding frenzy of dolphins, whales and
seabirds in the shipping lane south of Nantucket Shoals. We found no
rarities on THIS trip, but witnessed the acrobatics of tremendously
large, curious, and friendly pods of Common (Saddleback) Dolphins,
and enjoyed very high counts of shearwaters (most notably Cory's) and
storm-petrels (most notably Leach's).
Cory's Shearwater (225): All individuals seen well were Atlantic
C.d.borealis except for one possible C.d.diomedea or 'Scopoli's'
Shearwater of the Mediterranean, seen early. Off New England Cory's
are most common in the warmer waters south of Cape Cod and the
islands, although numbers seem to fluctuate greatly from year to year.
Greater Shearwater (1170): Some showing wing molt, missing both
primaries and coverts.
Sooty Shearwater (28)
Manx Shearwater (15): Including several in deep water near and along
the shelf edge, well seen and carefully identified.
Wilson's Storm-Petrel (4500): Overwhelming majority (95%+) adults in
very heavy wing molt, remainder fresh crisp first-year birds.
Leach's Storm-Petrel (30): Good numbers; all in deeper waters.
Northern Gannet (1-2nd yr.)
Herring Gull (1 ad.)
Great Black-backed Gull (5 ads.)
Pomarine Jaeger (1-1st-summer): Well photographed.
jaeger sp. (1): briefly in the fog.
-------------------------------------------------------
Fin Whale (2-3)
Minke Whale (3+)
Humpback Whale (2-3)
Balaenoptera sp. (3+)
Long-finned Pilot Whale (12)
Grampus (Risso's Dolphin) (5)
'beaked' whale, Mesoplodon sp. (2): Two individuals very likely of
this genus surface briefly in deep water over Atlantis Canyon.
Common (Saddleback) Dolphin (1100+): Staggering number! Including
two disparate pods of 400+ that turned and charged the boat to come
see us and ride the bow waves and wake. Many young dolphins were in
the group. The second of the two largest groups was engaged in a
feeding frenzy (along with hundreds of shearwaters) somewhat south of
Nantucket Shoals.
dolphin sp. (3): Three shy small appearing dolphins in deep canyon
water eluded identification.
---------------------------------------------------------
Leatherback Sea Turtle (1): Seen briefly and somewhat distantly at the surface.
Blue Shark (6)
flying fish, Cheilopogon sp. (6+): Seen in flight.
Dolphin, Mahi mahi (2)-jumped.
tuna sp. (1)-jumped.
Ocean Sunfish, Mola mola (9)
---------------------------------------------------------
Blue Dasher, Pachydiplax longipennis (1)
Black Saddlebags, Tramea lacerata (1) : Both dragonflies at Atlantis Canyon.
---------------------------------------------------------
Thanks to Ida Giriunas without whose organizing efforts, these trips
would not exist. We still have some space left on our July 19th trip
to the canyons and shelf edge, when waters should warm further. We
also have plenty more to learn, and exciting discoveries to
find. Contact Ida at 781-944-5135 or
<mailto:ida8(AT)verizon.net>ida8(AT)verizon.net to join us.
Richard S. Heil
S. Peabody, MA
rsheil(AT)comcast.net
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: CT Report 06/29/2008
From: Roy Harvey <rmharvey(AT)snet.net>
Date: 29 Jun 2008 9:12pm
From Bruce Finnan with Kevin Finnan, Walt Duncan, Bruce and Jean
Webber:
6/29 - Milford, Milford Point -- 3 ROSEATE TERNS, 2 BLACK SKIMMERS.
**********************************************************************
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Reports should be sent to CTBirdReport(AT)ftml.net. Reports should
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[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: BBC Extreme Pelagic - Map of trip
From: Steve Mirick <smirick(AT)comcast.net>
Date: 29 Jun 2008 9:18pm
Here's a map of the course we took on the BBC pelagic trip to the
Continental Shelf. Further west then previous trips, we explored areas
of "west" and "east" Atlantis Canyon. Unfortunately we went off the
nautical chart that I have, and into water well over 1,000 fathoms deep!
http://home.comcast.net/~smirick/photos/BBCPelagic062808.jpg
Or for those who like to play with Google Earth:
http://home.comcast.net/~smirick/photos/BBCPelagic.kmz
Steve Mirick
Bradford, MA
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: Sterling 8 - Breeding Bird Atlas Block , 6/28/08
- GW Teal!
From: "S Sutton" <bookwarbler2(AT)msn.com>
Date: 29 Jun 2008 9:58pm
Yesterday I spent 12 hours atlasing my Sterling 8 block, with good success.
The biggest surprise was Green-Winged Teal (see below).
Steven Sutton, Lancaster
bookwarbler2(AT)msn.com
>
>Location: Sterling 8 - Breeding Bird Atlas Block
>Observation date: 6/28/08
>Notes: Sterling 8 BBA block, 4:50AM-4:50PM<br>Foggy & misty for most of
>the morning, then just cloudy PM; 65-70 degrees F<br>I spent 75% of the
>time in the Princeton section of the block, and 25% in Holden. Even with
>the misty conditions, it was very productive. I confirmed 11 species for
>the Atlas, and added no less than 6 species to my overall list for the
>block. It's funny how some species can elude detection for so long. Also,
>noticing a DCR gate on Coalkiln Rd that I hadn't checked before, I decided
>to make a quick stop, since it seemed to lead toward a chunk of swamp I
>hadn't checked. I was so glad I stopped! It turned out to be a key spot,
>with Wood Duck, GW Teal, Swamp Sparrow, Least Flyc., YB Saps., and
>confirmed Gnatcatchers.
>Number of species: 76
>
>Wood Duck 6 female +5 babies (nearly half-grown) (Confirmed - PY)
>Mallard 1 flyover
>Green-winged Teal (American) 2 pair at a swamp off Coalkiln Rd. I
>was shocked at first to see these (they were not even on my radar as
>potential breeders in my blocks), the habitat seems quite good for them.
>It's a spot I overlooked before today, but tried when I noticed the gated
>path that appeared to lead to the swamp. The swamp is very large (one of
>several such here), partially wooded & brushy, with much tall grass and a
>good network of open water. I first noticed the pair standing together on a
>half-submerged branch, and watched for several minutes ~1:00PM. They were
>~50ft away. The female stood alert watching; the male was preening. Then
>the female swam away, and the male followed. Both were silent. (Probable -
>P)
>Wild Turkey 1 female
>Great Blue Heron 1
>Green Heron 1 flying around & calling at Bullard Rd.
>Osprey 1 flyover at Coalkiln Rd; perhaps breeding around Lake
>Quinapoxet? (Observed - O)
>Mourning Dove 11
>Black-billed Cuckoo 1 finally! The BBCU called almost nonstop for
>~5min around noon; Coalkiln Rd (Possible - X)
>Barred Owl 1 Crossed the upper end of Houghton Rd, harassed by a
>Jay (Possible - X)
>Chimney Swift 2
>Ruby-throated Hummingbird 1 male
>Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
>Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 3 still drumming, two in the swamp along
>Coalkiln Rd. No nests found.
>Downy Woodpecker 11
>Hairy Woodpecker 8
>Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 4
>Eastern Wood-Pewee 8 incl. one chasing a Phoebe away
>Least Flycatcher 1 Coalkiln Rd swamp
>Eastern Phoebe 14
>Great Crested Flycatcher 3
>Eastern Kingbird 4
>Yellow-throated Vireo 2 I was able to follow one visually for a
>while, but it only sang and moved from tree to tree.
>Blue-headed Vireo 2
>Warbling Vireo 2
>Red-eyed Vireo 29
>Blue Jay 30
>American Crow 10
>Common Raven 1 flyover (Observed - O)
>Tree Swallow 23 Incl at least 14 fledglings being fed by adults at
>the swamp near the Prince School, Rte 62
>Barn Swallow 3 Houghton Rd (Probable - N)
>Black-capped Chickadee 34
>Tufted Titmouse 23
>White-breasted Nuthatch 13 Incl. an adult carrying a large insect,
>which it ran all over a tree trunk with, closely pursued by two full-grown
>begging young. It seemed to be a food-hunting lesson, but they didn't quite
>get it yet.
>Brown Creeper 5 Incl. a family of 4, Coalkiln Rd swamp. (FL)
>House Wren 11
>Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 4 Incl. family of 4 at Coalkiln Rd swamp
>(Confirmed - FY)
>Veery 31 Incl. several scolding me, but surprisingly I still
>couldn't confirm them.
>Hermit Thrush 8 Seeing a thrush in a bush along a powerline cut, I
>lifted my binoculars hoping to confirm Veery. Instead it was a Hermit
>carrying food. Just as good! (Confirmed - CF)
>Wood Thrush 5 all near Houghton/Bullard Rd intersection
>American Robin 35
>Gray Catbird 29
>Northern Mockingbird 1
>European Starling 6
>Cedar Waxwing 24
>Blue-winged Warbler 2 adult feeding a fledgling along Houghton Rd
>(Confirmed - FY)
>Yellow Warbler 2
>Chestnut-sided Warbler 16 (CF)
>Black-throated Blue Warbler 17 Incl. a female feeding a fledgling
>(still a bit stubby, but I think it was a male because it's white
>wing-patch was brighter than the female's). Also, this is a low count,
>since I didn't visit two spots where I had a number of BTBW last week
>(Confirmed - FY)
>Yellow-rumped Warbler 2
>Black-throated Green Warbler 5
>Pine Warbler 16
>Prairie Warbler 5 all along the powerline cut between Coalkiln &
>Esty Rds (Confirmed - FS)
>Black-and-white Warbler 13 (CF)
>American Redstart 3
>Ovenbird 36
>Northern Waterthrush 2
>Common Yellowthroat 26
>Canada Warbler 2 along the path from the powerline cut to the far
>end of Esty Rd(Confirmed - CF)
>Scarlet Tanager 16 (Confirmed - CF)
>Eastern Towhee 36 (FL)
>Chipping Sparrow 56 (many FL)
>Field Sparrow 1
>Song Sparrow 8 finally confirmed! (Confirmed - CF)
>Swamp Sparrow 4 incl. a pair at the Coalkiln Rd swamp that was very
>agitated, but I couldn't see any more direct evidence of breeding (Probable
>- A)
>Northern Cardinal 11 (Confirmed - FY)
>Rose-breasted Grosbeak 5
>Indigo Bunting 2
>Red-winged Blackbird 19
>Common Grackle 14
>Brown-headed Cowbird 7
>Baltimore Oriole 5
>Purple Finch 2
>House Finch 4
>American Goldfinch 19
>House Sparrow 9
>
>This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: Royal Tern on Martha's Vineyard
From: "David Deifik" <David.Deifik(AT)Verizon.Net>
Date: 29 Jun 2008 11:08pm
My son Patrick and I were on the Island today for a little biking (we did 58
miles including the 5 back and forth to the parking lot!)
While riding on the Beach Rd. from Oak Bluffs to Edgartown we stopped to
look at the terns on Sarson Island in Sengekontacket Pond. I saw a Royal
Tern amoung the flock of Commons.
David S. Deifik
Nashua, NH
David.Deifik(AT)Verizon.net
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