Trending "Rare" birds on eBird and Listserv's

I've taken advantage of all of the "Rare Bird Sightings", you can set up for yourself if you have an eBird account and have created it at both the state and county level for all of New England as well as parts of Canada where birds have the potential to migrate south and doing so by passing through Massachusetts.  I've also been looking at the listserv's and am seeing a few birds of interest including the Greater White-fronted Goose in the eBird map above.  As you can see sightings via eBird for Massachusetts do not appear yet.

But there are some reports of them coming in through MassBird (W Newbury in particular who's been there a couple of days)

And our own data with the two unique sightings of this goose happening Oct 23-2001 and Oct 17-2011 in the Dudley-Charlton vicinity so keep your eyes open because you never know!

Next is Golden Eagle where I've seen quite a few recent unconfirmed reports of them coming in through both NH and VT in particular.  As you can see Pack Monadnock had one recently and Donna, Bart and Dave had one at Barre Falls this past weekend which was their first of the season!

Data above that shows trends for this eagle in October and as you can see its right on schedule.

Last is Bohemian Waxwing.  No I'm not suggesting you keep your eyes out for the bird yet as it's far too early, but it is trending.  The data above is for October of this year only and as you can see we're starting to see some red!

Let's compare that to the entire month of October for last year and you can see the map with the red certainly looks promising!

Take care all.

Forbush Bird Club Field Trip: Wachusett Reservoir-Oct 2012

I attended the Forbush Bird Club field trip this past Sunday which was led by Kevin and we'd already have a good list of birds before leaving the parking lot including the flock of Canada Geese above.

Our first stop would be Sterling Peat where we'd get quite a few birds including a couple nice looks at some Palm Warblers' but no ducks so off we went to our next spot.

Which would we West Lake Washacum (I believe).

Soon enough a raft of birds would be spotted so birders set up scopes to get better looks and they'd turn out to be Greater Scaup with a couple of Ring-necked Ducks which was welcome as the Ring-neck's were FOY's for me.

We'd get to the bridge and the side of the pond that usually has the most birds (note Mount Wachusett in the far distance) and see a couple of Double-crested Cormorants among others.  We'd also see two shorebirds across the pond withone being an immediate confirmed Killdeer. The other was a sandpiper but the bird was so far out- with winds so strong the scopes were shaking making it hard to get a good view -but it looked very interesting (including looking a little Baird's-esque at times so after spending close to 20 minutes trying to ID it under impossible conditions we'd do what any respectable birder would do for the sake of citizen science!

And that is bush whack a little closer to the area it was spotted to get a better estimate on size and hopeful field marks that couldn't be seen at the bridge considering the bird was across the pond!

As you can see Kevin takes his job as trip leader very seriously as he bravely led the small group of fellow trip members who were crazy enough to join him (other stayed behind), to the spot where we'd finally get a look at the bird to confirm it was a Pectoral Sandpiper which was a real treat to see this late in the year.

We'd head to the other side of the rail trail in hopes for Blackbirds with Rusty being most preferred but all that would be seen were the Red-winged Blackbirds and one lone Common Grackle.  The winds would keep most of them low but three brave females were kind enough to pose for a photo.

Puddle ducks would be at their usual spots including Mallards' Wood Ducks and one lone Green-winged Teal.

Next would be East Lake Washacum which would be wonderful with no wind and full sunshine so we'd linger here a bit and be glad that we did as I'd pick up my FOY Common Mergansers which was nice.

We'd also get the weirdest looking Mallard I think I've ever seen which is the one to the right with that white chest and lack of white at the wing tips.  Sorry for the lousy photo but it was the best I could get!

We'd also get our share of raptors with one of the highlights being the juvenile Northern Harrier above.

And an Osprey who'd be actively searching for a late lunch.

Diving!

Succeeding!

Trip members would be thrilled to see the raptor carry the prey to a nearby snag for consumption which allowed nice views and discussion.

We'd then head to Gate 36 to start the Wachusett Reservoir portion of the trip.

I was seriously not holding out much hope of getting many birds considering the luck Alan and I had the day prior but would soon be proven wrong when Alan would spot a Scoter out in the far distance- back lit by the sun which made for some challenging ID.  Members would get looks at it and chime in and the first thing I thought was Surf because the silhouette view once again worked for me and I'd pick up on was the fact that it had that "doorstop shaped bill" that appeared rather swollen, Peter Dunne refers to in his Field Guide Companion.  After a while the bird would move into better sun which allowed Kevin, Rick, Scott and others better views to confirm it as indeed a Surf Scoter making me very happy because it means progress for me with my scoters (ducks are one of the major bird types that continue to intimidate me) so that would make for a very sweet FOY.  FOY number two would be a Horned Grebe who'd be bobbing along like a toy duck in the choppy waves making long views close to impossible with the white caps and constant diving!

Our next stop was Gate 39 (I believe) where the waves would once again be choppy but it wouldn't stop Kevin and others from finding birds including a Red-necked Grebe and Long-tailed Duck and those too would be FOYs for me.  I should add that despite the distance I got my best scope view of the Red-necked ever and was able to see and appreciate its heavy yellow bill which made a good imprint in my mind.  It would also be here we'd get more questions from regular folks wondering just what the hell we all found so absorbing in the water.  It's something I don't think about much as I  know what a spotting scope is and just about every bird I see excites me to some degree but I can see why the "average Joe" would be curious to see the site above.  A bunch of people with scopes getting all excited as they ramble on about a Yellow bill or projected primaries and they look out the water and see nothing but well......water.  I find it's a hobby that perplexes many people who just don't get what the appeal is, but they'll still stick around to ask questions and talk about birds they've seen or heard so at least we generate interest and awareness when out there.

We'd head back to the cars to our next destination and Alan and I along with Donna and Dave would wind up  at Mile Hill Road while the rest of the trip members were at Coachlace so after calling Kevin and telling him he didn't lose half his trip we all agreed to meet up again at South Bay.  Alan and I would be on our way there when Kevin would call  as the others spotted a very large, white looking gull of interest who would turn out to be a 2nd winter Glaucous Gull!

Rick already on the gull as Alan "sets up shop"

Lousy shot but note the proportion of the bird as well as the fleshy looking legs compared to the yellow legs and size of the Ring-billed Gulls to the left and right of the bird.  Despite the low quality of the photo, it still shows the  proportion of the bird where you'll see its "overall robust and awkwardly front heavy-too big and heavy in front,too cropped in the rear"-as Peter Dunne perfectly describes in on page 270 of his Field Guide Companion

Also note:  -page 247-Photo34.17 of Petersons' Gulls of the Americas also shows this nicely as well as the short wing projection you will see above as well).

Another lousy record shot but wanted to get it out there for size comparison of the DC cormorant to the right.  Members who got there before us got better looks at the bird face on before it started preening and turn the other way and they'd see the pink bill with black base which is the best way (besides body composition) to differentiate it from a leusistic Great Black-backed Gull.

Our final stop would be Gate 25 just as the sun was starting to set and the birds settling down.

All would be quiet except for one Common Loon nearby peering into the water and flapping its wings as we watched from the shore.  We'd have lost half the trip members at this point as we were on hour number 6  but it was well worth it.  This would be day number two for me of just about all day birding and I'd forget how much I enjoy it and wish I'd get into it more than during migration as it clears my mind and gives me peace.  Soon enough many of these birds will be gone as winter nears and then boredom will set in as the long, gray winter drags.

Take care all.

Broad Meadow Brook-Wachusett Reservoir

I decided to head out bright and early this morning and do some exploring and birding with my first stop being Broad Meadow Brook in Worcester for my familiar loop I like to do at least once a season and today seemed the perfect day with the weather as nice as it was as well as continued optimism for an Orange-crowned Warbler.

Birds would be everywhere with White-throated Sparrows being the most numerous followed by Yellow-rumped Warblers of course!  I'd take my sweet old time and finally make it to the powerline trail which is my favorite trail of all at Broad Meadow Brook and it wouldn't take me long to hear a wren scolding to pished it out and would be surprised to find it was a House Wren.  Knowing they're getting harder to come by this late in the season I attempted a record shot but didn't hold out much hope with the gray skies and fog.

And this would be the best picture of them all.   I should note I was pishing to get this bird out of cover and I'd be shocked to see how many other birds would fly into view to see what all the racket was with me pishing and the wren scolding.  I'd get the regular Black-capped Chickadees, Butter Butts, Palm Warblers, a nice look at a Blue-headed Vireo and would get both the Ruby-crowned and Golden-crowned Kinglets together in the same binocular view!  Not only would I see them but I'd also see that gorgeous golden crown of the kinglet which is something I don't see much so it was a treat.  I'd continue along my way along the trail making sure to look at every pocket of birds but sadly I'd never get my Orange-crowned so went to the Brookside Trail where blackbirds are known to be and was hoping for a Rusty.

A flock of blackbirds leaving the area just as I was arriving!  Figures....They looked to all be Red-winged Blackbirds to me when I had them in the bins but who knows for sure.

Probably my last really good look at a Common Yellowthroat until next April.

Hermit Thrush spotted just as I got to the brook.  Always nice but ever more so in October.  I'd be very surprised I didn't get any Pine Siskins anywhere yet but it wouldn't take me long to hear their chatter which made me very happy considering my new found affection for them.

WARNING:  Pine Siskin picture saturation below....But how could I not..Just look at this bird.  Swoon.

Here they are in trees which is a very familiar way to see these birds as they travel in flocks.

Preening but missed the crumb on its forehead!  ;-)

Swoon.

The crumbs you see on the birds above come from these pine cone looking things the siskins seemed to enjoy and they'd allow me nice long looks of them eating which was very entertaining.

And the several American Goldfinches found mixed in with the siskins or vice versa.  I can't help but wonder what the goldfinches think of their relatives the siskins considering how polite the goldfinch is.  Seriously....Have you ever seen a goldfinch be anything but pleasant.  Compare that with the siskin who are extremely active, vocal and take over thistle feeders, something a goldfinch would never dream of doing!

It would also be here I'd get a Cooper's Hawk and I'd question my ID based on its behavior as it did a lot of heavy flapping and circling like a buteo so of course GOS would come to mind but it was far too small to be one, even a male I believe and it never gave the me GOS vibe.

Another lousy shot but check out the hands and how they're slightly raised which is something I see often with Red-tailed Hawks, but never a coops or sharpie.

Using those wings to ascend higher in the sky in a circle like fashion (similar to a buteo).  I'm still calling it a coops based on what I saw and my gut but if you feel otherwise feel free to comment or send me an email.

After 3 hours of birding and 8 miles of walking I'd be mighty hungry so went home and grabbed a quick bite and then headed out to Wachusett Reservoir with Alan to see if anything of interest had turned up despite weather conditions unfavorable for success but we'd head to Gate 36 anyway.

And see many birds perched upon the rocks but they wouldn't be American Pipit's or Snow Buntings but rather Savannah Sparrows!

Being here made them much better to see and photograph and believe this may be the best shot I've ever gotten of this beautiful bird.  We'd get nothing out of the ordinary here so headed to Mile Hill Road next hoping for better luck.

Where I'd do my obligatory look toward Mount Wachusett and notice the wind turbines (for the 1st time), the Common Raven's and Indigo Buntings like to hang out!  We'd strike out again of course but get a distant look at a Bald Eagle which is always nice so we'd head back to the car and then I'd see the Eagle coming across the water and headed our way.  I'd be so excited I almost tripped out of Alan's truck and manged to get my camera cord tangled in with my binocular cord but somehow I pulled through as I wanted to get some decent pictures.  It would be then we'd realize there were two of them and one with its talons down so were hoping they'd interlock  talons and do some acrobatics for us.

Lousy shot obviously but check out those talons!

Another lousy shot but love how the one below has those plank like wings compared to the one above.

Getting closer!

And my favorite types of pictures to get of birds and that is with their bills open as that means they're either singing or calling which I love and this eagle would be doing it's call which is very toy like to the ears which I find comical considering their size and brazenness.

Swoon.

It would be here that the eagle would be so close I'd get it out of focus and out of range but loved it none the less (especially the look on it's face).  I was actually feeling a tad dizzy at this point as I wasn't breathing which happens to me when I bird sometimes as they literally take my breath away and these birds would do it for me.  Sigh....Absolute highlight of the day.

We'd make one last stop at Scar Hill which would be fabulous with the sun and WARM breeze (usually the opposite here).  We'd spend a lot of time looking at the three Common Loon's with one in particular who appeared to be resting with its head tucked in its wing as the gentle waves carried it away from us.

The only waterfowl we'd see were four American Black Ducks which is always nice, especially when they look pure like these four did.

All in all a great way to spend the day and looking forward to doing it again tomorrow!

Take care all.