Forbush Bird Club-Wachusett Reservoir

Another day of birding and this time with the Forbush Bird club around Watchusett Reservoir. Before heading over there my birding friend Alan and I decided to see if the Red-tailed Hawk was over on the flag pole over at the Millbury cemetery and sure enough it was.

If you click on the photo above, you can make out a tiny little figure on top of the pole which is the hawk. It would have been nice if it decided to make a visit there yesterday as it would have been most appropriate for my July 4th blog post.

We birded around Wachusett Reservoir and despite recent bird inactivity Forbush Bird Club members did see many birds including this adorable little American Goldfinch perched on some barb wire at the Clinton Landfill. My favorite picture of the day.

When we first started the trip, we didn't hear much bird song except for the Indigo Bunting that Fran tells me will sing throughout most of July so I can get to learn its call more as it still confuses me. Besides that much was quiet until we got to a section within the woods that started opening up to sunshine. It was there that we saw this male Scarlett Tanager who has the most odd hints of orange to him. All of the birders picked up on it but for some reason my camera didn't do it as well.

We also saw and/or heard quite a few warblers including this Chestnut-sided which was a most welcome site as I have not seen this bird in over a week now.

One of the main objectives of this trip was to look for Common Loons (particularly their young). Unfortunately, due to all of the rain we have had recently, it didn't appear as if any of the loons we saw on the reservoir were successful as all we saw were adults. :o(. We were able to get a good look at the loon above without even a scope though.

Had to share this photo too. Right the minute I clicked my camera button to take another picture of the loon, this camera hog aka a Tree Swallow decided to get in my field of view so it too could be included in the picture! HA, this was a first for me so had to include it.

I went out birding on my own in the afternoon and saw this Eastern Bluebird teed up on a branch and surveying the day.

I believe this is a family unit of American Crows. Can't tell though as I can't differentiate the young from the adults but they appeared to be cozy and they were very loud. Their calls could be heard throughout the wetlands.

Two Green Herons were active this afternoon as well including the one above.

And lastly, some Red-tailed Hawk photos. I believe this is one of the two adults whose two young have recently fledged. They soared around the Cross Street powerlines in Millbury for about 20 minutes and I sat on the grass and watched them. I could watch hawks soar all day and will often forget about a bird I am targeting if I hear someone yell hawk as it is one of my favorite things to see. So graceful and free.

Have a great week everyone. I may try and get out there and bird this week, but am not sure due to how inactive it has been recently. It's almost like February birding but much warmer!

ETA: For all of you on Facebook who have sent me various emails and invitations, please bear with me as I am just catching up after a two month hiatus. July is a good time to catch up I think! ;o)