Forbush Bird Club-Millbury-May 30th

The Forbush Bird Club had another trip today and this time it was in Millbury and started off at the local bike trail. Alan took us to an area where there was a lot of bird activity including Yellow Warblers, American Redstarts and the always popular Willow Flycatcher where club members spent some time watching the bird perched up on branch tips in its normal fashion. Next it was onto the Blackstone River where some were able to catch glimpses of Wood Ducks who have seem hidden these past few weeks.

Next Alan took us to Sutton in search of the Eastern Meadowlark. The open grasslands makes this a favorite spot for the Meadowlarks as well as a variety of other birds including the Grasshopper Sparrow shown in the photos above and below. LIFER!!! The Grasshopper Sparrow is a special bird as its numbers have been declining due to habitat loss so this made it all the more special. You know you have a good bird when birders with years of birding behind them are left with the same feeling of awe as you have when you see it teed up on a branch for everyone to see. A highlight for many on this sunny Saturday morning.

The Eastern Meadowlark decided to grace us with his presence on our way back to our cars. We were also treated to seeing a Brown Thrasher which is fantastic this time of the year as they are hard to spot due to their lack of singing during late May. These three birds plus the Indigo Buntings made the hour stop in Sutton well worth it!!

Next is was back to Millbury in an area behind Brierly Pond. We were able to get a good look at a Chestnut-sided Warbler as well as a bird I have been trying to get a decent photo of which is the Veery. Not a lifer per say but I have not counted it until now so it's another check on my list which gets me to 138 birds for the year. By the end of the day we had a total of 56 species and some very cool birds to check off our lists.

With it being May and all, Alan and I decided to seize what's left of this fabulous birding month so we went over to Grafton in search of the Savannah Sparrow I had seen there a couple of months back. One of the first birds we saw was this Yellow Warbler shown above.

There were also quite a few Eastern Kingbirds as shown in the photos above and below. The photo above was digiscoped and I like how it come out because his feathers were blowing in the wind.

Check out one of the classic field marks for the Eastern Kingbird which is the white around the end of its tail.

It was late in the afternoon so bird activity had quieted down some so I was able to get my very first fish photo. These fish are called Bluegills.

And last but not least is another exciting photo of a Hawk Stalk. Some of you may remember my strong liking to these types of photos in the dead of winter when bird activity was scarce and I would spend countless hours of my days watching crows stalking hawks. This time there is more color in the mix as you will see if you click on the photo and look at the bird who is above the Red-tailed Hawk. I don't know what it is, but am thinking it may be a Baltimore Oriole. Very cool but not so much so for the poor hawk.

Will be headed up North bright and early tomorrow toward Bolton Flats in search for shore birds and the Orchard Oriole I missed during the last Bolton trip. Have a great weekend everyone.