Titchwell Marsh RSPB Nature Reserve, Norfolk, GB, 27-Dec-2012

2:45 PM - 4:00 PM

Protocol: Traveling
1.5 mile(s)
Comments: Xmas holiday walk with Kim as we neared the end of our time in Norfolk. We walked to the beach & back.
Weather: overcast, breezy & cold.
32 species

Pink-footed Goose X
Greylag Goose X
Brent Goose X
Mute Swan X
Mallard X
Northern Shoveler X
Northern Pintail 1 male on freshwater marsh.
Eurasian Teal X
Little Grebe X
Little Egret X
Eurasian Marsh-Harrier X
Common Moorhen X
European Golden-Plover 100 + on freshwater marsh.
Eurasian Oystercatcher X
Common Redshank X
Eurasian Curlew X
Ruddy Turnstone X
Black-headed Gull X
Common Gull X
Great Black-backed Gull X
Common Wood-Pigeon X
Eurasian Collared-Dove X
Common Kestrel X
Great Tit X
European Robin X
Eurasian Blackbird X
European Starling X
Common Chaffinch X
Brambling 1 feeding on the feeders at the visitors' centre. It was a stand-out bird, very dapper in its distinct plumage. A really nice & unexpected one to see since my last one was nearly 20+ years ago in Scotland!
European Greenfinch X
Common Linnet 8 approx.
House Sparrow X

View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S13623690

Apponagansett Beach & Bay inc. Knowles Beach & Marsh, Bristol, MA, USA, 9-Dec-2012

11:00 AM - 12:30 PM

Protocol: Traveling
1.5 mile(s)
Comments: Usual walk with Kim around the area during a visit to the in-laws.
Weather: bright, sunny, cold.
15 species

American Black Duck X - at Knowles.
Mallard X
Bufflehead X
Red-breasted Merganser X
Great Blue Heron X
Red-shouldered Hawk 1 perched in a tree in the farm/garden on the corner of W Smith Neck, it flew off towards the bay. Barred tail & smaller size identified.
Ring-billed Gull X
Herring Gull X
Lesser Black-backed Gull 1 amongst the ring-billed & herring gulls in the parking area at Apponagansett. Yellow legs & slaty back, similar size to herring gull all helped with the id, plus a familiar bird from Europe.
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1 on the trees at Apponogansett.
Black-capped Chickadee X
Carolina Wren 1 in the same garden as white-throated sparrows on the way back.
American Robin X
Song Sparrow X
White-throated Sparrow X - in a garden on the way back.

View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S13623600

Boston Public Garden, Suffolk, MA, US, 30-Nov-2012

2:00 PM - 2:30 PM

Protocol: Traveling
0.5 mile(s)
Comments: Downtown after job interviews I met with Kim & tried to locate a new owl species in the gardens after reports on Massbird.
Weather: cold & cloudy.
3 species

Red-tailed Hawk 1 enthusiastically dismembering a pigeon it had just caught, on a low branch, much to onlookers interest & occasional revulsion. Plucked feathers fell from the tree like confetti.

Barred Owl 1 eventually tracked down, high in a willow tree on the eastern side of the pond, north of the foot-bridge. It sat on a branch, bundled against the weather and barely moved, but unmistakably one of the owls reported over the preceding days, part of an influx. Life-tick.

American Robin X - many particularly on a playing field as we made out way out.

View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S13920424

Stump Pass Beach SP, Charlotte, FL, USA, 24-Nov-2012

10:00 PM - 12:30 AM

Protocol: Stationary
Comments: Final day of the Thanksgiving vacation on a nearby beach with Kim. This time I went for a walk down the path through the mangroves & tree & then back up the beach.
Weather: warm & sunny.
12 species

Magnificent Frigatebird 1 heading in (SE) off the sea; probably immature or female.
Double-crested Cormorant X
Brown Pelican X
Great Egret 1 also on intercoastal.
Snowy Egret 1 on intercoastal.
Osprey X
Ruddy Turnstone X
Sanderling X
Laughing Gull X
Royal Tern X
Black Skimmer 50 + gathered together on a sandbank between being disturbed by wandering fishermen & tourists.
Blue-grey Gnatcatcher 1 flitting among mangrove shrubs next to intercoastal water; long tail, white 'spectacles', grey-blue, white-ish otherwise. Life-tick.

View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S13623309

Siesta Key, Sarasota, FL, USA, 23-Nov-2012

11:40 AM - 5:30 PM

Protocol: Stationary
Comments: Another day on another beach with Kim, father-in-law & briefly mother-in-law & cousins. An amazing powder beach, very busy but some good birds moving through as well.
Weather: war & sunny, breeze NE (offshore).
10 species

Red-breasted Merganser 1 female flying at sea; white panel on wings.
Brown Pelican X
Turkey Vulture 1 distant.
Osprey X
Ruddy Turnstone X
Sanderling X
Laughing Gull X
Ring-billed Gull X
Royal Tern X
Sandwich Tern X

View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S13623261

Stump Pass Beach SP, Charlotte, FL, USA, 22-Nov-2012

10:30 AM - 1:00 PM

Protocol: Stationary
Comments: Another day on the beach with Kim; bird species same as previous day plus the below, also a small group of dolphins passed close to the shore.
Weather: warm & sunny.
1 species

Black Scoter 20 approx. heading north at sea. Distinctive 'ribbon' in flight with yellow bills.

View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S13623220

Stump Pass Beach SP, Charlotte, FL, USA, 21-Nov-2012

2:45 PM - 3:00 PM

Protocol: Stationary
Comments: Following a drive from Manasota Beach we ended up here where Kim & I jumped out briefly to look at the beach. Weather: warm & sunny.
7 species

Double-crested Cormorant X
Brown Pelican X
Osprey X
Grey Plover 1 on the beach.
Ruddy Turnstone X
Laughing Gull X
Black Skimmer 30 approx. skimming up & down the sea. Very distinctive, striking bird, & one I had hoped to see on this trip. Life-tick.

View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S13478258

Manasota Beach, Sarasota, FL, USA, 21-Nov-2012

12:00 PM - 2:30 PM

Protocol: Stationary
Comments: Trip to the beach with Kim & parents-in-law. Weather: bright, sunny, warm; N breeze.
11 species

Northern Gannet 6 + at sea.
Double-crested Cormorant 1
Brown Pelican 6 approx. throughout the visit.
Willet 2 north over the sea.
Ruddy Turnstone X
Sanderling X
Laughing Gull 10 +
Forster's Tern 1 or 2 also along the beach.
Royal Tern 6 approx. along the beach & on the sand.
Sandwich Tern 1 or 2 along the beach.
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1 from the carpark on a telegraph pole.

View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S13478229

Shamrock Park, Sarasota, FL, USA, 20-Nov-2012

1:15 PM - 2:40 PM

Protocol: Traveling
1.0 mile(s)
Comments: The final destination hoping to see the Florida endemic I missed out on at Oscar Scherer.
Weather: bright, sunny, warm.
9 species (+1 other taxa)

Brown Pelican X - intercoastal & out to sea.
Black Vulture X
Turkey Vulture X
Osprey X
Spotted Sandpiper 1 bobbing on intercoastal mud; clean white underparts indicating non-breeding.

peep sp. 1 distantly viewed on intercoastal mud. Pale grey legs, shortish bill, greyish plumage with darker primary extension. Larger than nearby sandpiper.
Mourning Dove X
American Kestrel X

Florida Scrub-Jay 5 approx. seen as we pulled into the carpark! One perched on a fencepost around the small garden at the centre of the carpark. When the car was parked I jumped out to get a closer look with my camera but the main bird had flown off taking the others which I glimpsed at the top of a large tree, before they all disappeared. Unfortunately they did not reappear & despite walking aroung what seemed like the whole of the small reserve we could not relocate them. Nevertheless the quick view was enough to identify the main species I had hoped to see - life-tick.

Pine Warbler X

View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S13645580

Eden Drive, Englewood, Sarasota, FL, USA, 20-Nov-2012

4:15 PM - 5:15 PM

Protocol: Stationary
Comments: Down to the canal area, again mainly looking for Manatees of which I saw 6.
Weather: bright, sunny, cooling off.
6 species

Great Blue Heron 1 fishing in the same area as the little blue.
Little Blue Heron 1 fishing from the wall in the extreme corner adjacent to the airfield.
White Ibis X
Turkey Vulture 1 distant.
Bald Eagle 1
Killdeer 8 on the grass area adjacent to the swimming pool; they came in from the airfield.

View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S13601025

Route 72--Sugar Bowl Road--Clay Gully Road, Manatee, FL, USA, 20-Nov-2012

11:00 AM - 12:15 PM

Protocol: Traveling
35.0 mile(s)
Comments: Out for a drive with mother-in-law & father-in-law on the roads around Myakka State Park. I was mainly hoping to see crested caracara after reading that a couple were resident in the area, however I also read that one of those birds had been poisoned, either way I didn't see my target bird although it was an interesting area of ranchland to drive through.
Weather: bright, sunny, warm.
13 species

Wood Stork 14 all in small drainage ditch off Clay Gully Road, feeding in the water with the egrets. A good number of an impressively sized species, causing me to count carefully.
Anhinga X - one or two visible from the road through the state park.
Great Egret X
Cattle Egret X
Black Vulture X - including a few that were raiding the rubbish bins left out on the road!
Turkey Vulture X
Osprey X
Red-shouldered Hawk X
Sandhill Crane 2 feeding in the fields of the ranches.
Belted Kingfisher 1 along the same ditch as the storks.
American Kestrel X
American Crow X
Fish Crow X

View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S13634807

Eden Drive, Englewood, Sarasota, FL, USA, 19-Nov-2012

5:50 PM - 6:20 PM

Protocol: Stationary
Comments: A quick check of the nearby canal looking for Manatees of which I saw a half dozen. It started to get dark but I saw a surprise bird. <br />Submitted from BirdLog NA for iOS, version 1.5.2
2 species

American Bittern 1 overhead as dusk descended.
Mourning Dove 1 onto rocks next to water.

View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S13477778

Venice Village Shops, Sarasota, FL, USA, 19-Nov-2012

5:05 PM
Protocol: Incidental
Comments: After celery fields, parents-in-law & I stopped at local stores on the way home.
Weather: bright & sunny, cool.
2 species

Eurasian Collared-Dove X - one or two flying around cooing familiarly.
Boat-tailed Grackle X

View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S13600957

Sarasota--Route 75, Sarasota, FL, USA

Nov 19, 2012 10:15 AM
Protocol: Incidental
Comments: Driving to Celery Fields reserve bird-life seemingly abounding on the side of the highway.
12 species

Wood Stork 1 soaring over Exit 206; a large bird, obvious identification, life-tick.
Anhinga 1
Great Egret X
Snowy Egret X
Black Vulture X
Turkey Vulture X
Osprey 1 near Exit 210.
Northern Harrier 1 ringtail at Exit 210.
Bald Eagle 2 along the way, flying near to the highway, close enough to see the white head, giving the impression of being a fairly common bird in the area. Life-tick.
American Kestrel 2 separately hunting in fields along the road.

Loggerhead Shrike 1 perched on a fencepost on some road-side ranch-land. Distinct profile, colouring and distribution identified even from a fleeting look. I could only hope for a closer, longer look. Life-tick.
Fish Crow 1 obviously smaller than American crow, & the more numerous crow in Florida. Life-tick.

View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S13642742

Audubon Celery Fields, Sarasota, Sarasota, FL, USA, 19-Nov-2012

10:55 AM - 3:00 PM

Protocol: Traveling
2.0 mile(s)
Comments: Another day out with father-in-law for a long walk around this fantastic site which have me some wonderful life birds. Weather: bright, sunny, warm; breezy. <br />Submitted from BirdLog NA for iOS, version 1.5.2
32 species

Mottled Duck 2 over; darkish all over, a distinctive duck of the region. Life-tick.
Wood Stork 6 total; two or three seen flying around on the approach & from the carpark, then a few more in the smaller pools at the far end from the carpark.
Double-crested Cormorant X
Anhinga 2 , a couple on a bush next to a narrow, creek-like section of the largest pond adjacent to the mound.
American White Pelican 1 with the spoonbills, stork & ibises in the small pond near to Coburn Road. It also flew to an island to in the middle of the main pond when's mower disturbed the area.
Great Blue Heron 1
Snowy Egret X
Little Blue Heron 2
Tricolored Heron 3 total; first one seen towards back pond. Blue plumage with white underwing, distinct size allowing id. Life-tick.
Cattle Egret X
White Ibis X
Glossy Ibis X

Roseate Spoonbill 14 total; at first a few seen with some wood storks as we approached the Coburn Road side. I took photos of their beautiful plumage as they eventually moved away out of sight. As we continued on, more were seen on a larger pond with other species reaching good numbers. A mowing machine then caused them all to take flight & move to the middle of the big pond allowing an accurate count. Unmistakable bird: life-tick.

Turkey Vulture X
Osprey X
Northern Harrier 1 ringtail over the sides of the large pond away from the rest of the reserve.
Bald Eagle 3 overhead at various points.
Red-shouldered Hawk 2 total; the first one perched on a birdhouse in the middle of the main pond. Smaller than red-tail but distinctively a buteo. Later another appeared & their call along with mottled chest identified them. This couple then perched atop one of the high floodlights on the road next to the reserve where they stayed until we left.

Common Gallinule 2 in the ditch between the elevated path & the end of the reserve on the Coburn Road side. A brief look but unmistakable. Life-tick.
American Coot X

Limpkin 6 total; first one seen grazing by the side of the creek-like section of the first pond. It was 20ft away & carried on for 10-20 minutes occasionally vocalizing. It moved gradually away & eventually took wing. 4 more were seen later in flight from the carpark as we waited to get picked up. Easy to identify: life-tick
Laughing Gull 12 at Ackerman Lake visible from the elevated path at the back of celery fields.
Forster's Tern 1 or 2 roving over the ponds.
Belted Kingfisher 4 total; 2 near the large back pond, then 2 more towards the Coburn Road side.

Loggerhead Shrike 1 perched in small trees in the small meadow between the mound & main pond. It moved between the trees as if hunting but I saw no spiked prey. It then suddenly flew off. At one point I had it & the re-sighted meadowlark almost in the same binocular view!
Fish Crow 2 visible from the elevated path at the Coburn Road park.
European Starling 1 as we waited to get picked up.
Palm Warbler X
Savannah Sparrow X
Red-winged Blackbird X

Eastern Meadowlark 1 seen from the path coming down the mound in a small grassy area adjacent to creek-like section of first pond. Its head was just above the grass & as it moved its brilliant yellow couloir was also revealed. It staying still for a while before moving out of sight. On the way back I saw it again in more or less the same spot for closer & longer looks with photos. An amazing looking, beautiful bird. Life-tick.
Boat-tailed Grackle X - one & twos, & a group of approx. 20 at the end as we waited to picked up.

View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S13477728

Oscar Scherer State Park, Sarasota, FL, USA, 18-Nov-2012

10:50 AM - 2:10 PM

Protocol: Traveling
3.0 mile(s)
Comments: First full day on holiday & a visit to a nearby state park looking for scrub-jays with the father-in-law, Mr. Correia. Didn't see them but a good long walk during which 3 Bobcats (1 adult & 2 juveniles) walked across our path, which was amazing!
Weather: hot & sunny.
13 species

Little Blue Heron 1 on water from South Creek Trail.
Black Vulture X - several including two perched on a naked tree branch, like from Jungle Book!
Turkey Vulture X

Bald Eagle X - approx. 6 during the day. The first was an immature; light brown top, dark primaries, cream mottled under prominent head; distinct size & flight. Later adults on a nest were also seen as well as an adult perching on a tree near to black vultures & another 2 soaring in the distance with a buteo sp. Life-tick.

Red-shouldered Hawk 1 soaring alongside an eagle. Smaller than red-tailed, tawny on top but distant otherwise. Size, compact shape & distribution points to this species. Life-tick.

Laughing Gull 1 first winter bird over.
Belted Kingfisher 1 flew up creek after we stopped at visitors' centre.
Tree Swallow 2 over.
Grey Catbird 2 heard.
Palm Warbler X
Pine Warbler X
Yellow-rumped Warbler 3
Chipping Sparrow X - in trees near to visitors' centre.

View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S13475553

Englewood Isles Parkway, Sarasota, FL, USA, 18-Nov-2012

2:45 PM

Protocol: Incidental
Comments: Weather: bright, sunny & warm. <br />Submitted from BirdLog NA for iOS, version 1.5.2
1 species

Sandhill Crane 2 laying on roadside verge between road & houses! Life-tick.

Sarasota--Route 75, Sarasota, FL, USA, 17-Nov-2012

5:15 PM

Protocol: Incidental
Comments: Species seen on the road after leaving the airport, many in flocks apparently flying to roosts as dusk descended.
Weather: bright, sunny, warm.
8 species

Anhinga 1 female (non-breeding) on stump in a roadside swamp.
Great Egret 1 over the road.
Cattle Egret 1 non-breeding perched in carpark when nearing Eden Drive.
White Ibis X - many over the road in 3s & 4s, distinctive, life-tick.
Glossy Ibis X - large flocks over the road, distinctive, life-tick.
Black Vulture 3 total, first two flying/soaring with shallow dihedral then one atop a telegraph pole at the side of the highway. Life-tick.
Sandhill Crane 3 approx. glimpsed on a roadside lake from the highway. Unmistakable, life-tick.
Common Grackle X

View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S13642686

Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport, Sarasota, FL, USA, 17-Nov-2012

5:00 PM

Protocol: Incidental
Comments: Picked up from the airport the mother-in-law, Mrs Correia. The airport at a new location is usually always good for a few species.
Weather: bright, sunny, warm.
5 species

Anhinga 1 perched in a tree on the side of the small pond at the exit. Distinctive look & size with a pale breast & dark belly.
Osprey 1 atop a telegraph pole next to the small pond.
Monk Parakeet 10 in a swift-flying flock low over the cars in the carpark. I thought they might have been budgerigars but these were larger in the brief look I had. Life-tick?
Palm Warbler 1 flew into the tree above the car in the carpark as I put my bags in the boot/trunk; allowed a close-up view.
Boat-tailed Grackle 1 juvenile, strutting around on carpark's grass verge. Larger size and distinctive shape identified my first Florida life-tick.

View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S13600851

Apponagansett Beach & Bay inc. Knowles Beach & Marsh, Bristol, MA, USA, 11-Nov-2012

11:15 AM - 12:30 PM

Protocol: Traveling
0.5 mile(s)
Comments: Second part of a walk with Kim.
Weather: bright, sunny, mild, cooler wind.
11 species

American Black Duck 6 on the small saltwater inlet adjacent to Knowles Marsh.
Long-tailed Duck 9 in total; 2 females, 7 males on the water in Apponagansett Bay.
Bufflehead 20 +
Red-throated Diver 1 on the water in Apponagansett Bay.
Turkey Vulture 1 soaring over the far-side of the water from Apponagansett.
Ring-billed Gull X
Herring Gull X
Northern Flicker 1 flew out over the water at Apponagansett from Knowles Marsh.
Carolina Wren 1 heard from a garden on the way back.
American Robin X
Northern Mockingbird 1

View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S13389773

Smith Neck Road & Area, Bristol, MA, USA, 11-Nov-2012

10:45 AM - 11:15 AM

Protocol: Traveling
0.5 mile(s)
Comments: First part of a walk with Kim around the local area.
Weather: bright, sunny; warm.
7 species

Mourning Dove 2 with the savannah sparrows.
Blue Jay X
Tufted Titmouse X
Palm Warbler 1 at the corner of Smith Neck & W Smith Neck.
Savannah Sparrow 4 on edge of fallow Birchfield Farm field. They flew from a tree onto the field where they disappeared into the muddy background.
Dark-eyed Junco X
Orchard Oriole 1 female, probable. I saw it in one of the gardens from about 30ft away. It was large & bright yellow with dark wings that had faint wingbars. Either this oriole or a female scarlet tanager. Its brightness & size struck me, but unfortunately it soon went down out of view & didn't reappear despite my best pishing efforts.

View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S13389757

Olmsted Park--Ward's Pond, Suffolk, MA, USA, 21-Oct-2012

12:05 AM - 12:24 AM

Protocol: Traveling
0.5 mile(s)
Comments: Weather: cooling off from earlier sunshine.
6 species

Downy Woodpecker X - heard.
Blue Jay X
Hermit Thrush 2 together.
American Robin X
Song Sparrow X - heard.
Northern Cardinal 1 male.

View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S13389713

Olmsted Park--Willow Pond, Suffolk, MA, USA, 21-Oct-2012

11:48 AM - 12:05 PM

Protocol: Traveling
0.5 mile(s)
Comments: Weather: cooling from earlier sunshine.
4 species

Mallard X - on Willow Pond.
Blue Jay X
White-breasted Nuthatch X
American Robin 30

View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S13389708

Olmsted Park--Leverett Pond, Suffolk, MA, USA, 21-Oct-2012

11:20 AM - 11:48 AM

Protocol: Traveling
0.5 mile(s)
Comments: Autumn visit to the local patch.
Weather: bright, sunny, mild. Cooled & got cloudier.
11 species

Canada Goose X

Wood Duck 5 in total; 3 females, 2 males. I had walked round the pond from the Jamaicaway side, & as I looked across at the heron, I saw some ducks lurking in the shade under the trees on one of the pond's small islands. Easy to identify, they acted quite nervously & slowly drifted away, still in the shade. Life-tick.

American Black Duck 8 in the open water.
Mallard X
Great Blue Heron X
Ring-billed Gull X
Blue Jay X
American Robin X
European Starling X
Common Grackle 100 + in a large flock working through the area around the softball pitches, on the path, under the trees & on the edge of the pitch. Making a lot of noise they were all around me, greedily filling up to continue migration.
House Sparrow X

View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S13389698

Fenway--Victory Gardens, Suffolk, MA, USA, 14-Oct-2012

10:23 AM - 12:12 PM

Protocol: Traveling
1.0 mile(s)
Comments: To another location that had been discussed on Massbird as having some species.
Weather: bright & sunny; cold.
25 species (+1 other taxa)

Red-tailed Hawk 1 over.
Mourning Dove X
Red-bellied Woodpecker X
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 2 in total; one seen scaling a tree followed by another later in the day.
Downy Woodpecker X - heard.
Eastern Phoebe X - one or two flying/hunting between the trees off of Path P before the reedbeds.
Blue Jay X
Black-capped Chickadee X
Hermit Thrush X
American Robin X
Grey Catbird X
Northern Mockingbird X

Blackpoll Warbler 2 seen after the clay-colored sparrow when I made my way back to the entrance/exit, off the Emerald Necklace path looking towards Park Drive. Not identified at first but on reflection the streaked greenish plumage & prominent wingbars pointed to this species which I was able to verify via photos taken. Hope for a clearer view next time - life-tick.

Clay-colored Sparrow 1 just after the phoebe, a bird that had been reported as being present on Massbird, & the bird that made me want to come. I first saw it flying from a low reedbed to the ground, but it soon flew from there to Path P where it intersected with Path II, & frequented the corner of the paths where the ground had been burned & left fallow. It perched on the fence & generally gave good views before disappearing & not returning. Smaller size, white eye-stripe & grey nape helped with the id. Life-tick.

Field Sparrow 1 out in the open along Path P, it hopped along the path keeping just ahead of me, but within good viewing range. A rangy sparrow with a brown eyestripe & pinkish bill. Life-tick.

Savannah Sparrow 1 just after the first white-crowned, it also perched in the open before moving away. Yellow lores & impression of a cleaner breast identified it.
Song Sparrow X
Swamp Sparrow 1 hopped about on one of the paths, almost oblivious to me. Nice to see one again so soon after positively identifying one at Allens Pond the week before.
White-throated Sparrow X - several under the trees on the Emerald Necklace path after Row Z.
White-crowned Sparrow 2 in total; the first was an adult in one of the allotments off Row Z, with clean blueish/white/grey streaked head. It perched briefly on a the top of a shrub before flying off, but distinctive. The second was on the Emerald Necklace path between Path O & P; a juvenile, it hopped around on the ground only a few metres from me (as I was watching a mystery warbler species).
Dark-eyed Junco X
Northern Cardinal X
Red-winged Blackbird X - over.
Common Grackle X
House Finch X - a small flock in a couple trees near the entrance.
House Sparrow X

View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S13389680

Central Park--Belvedere Castle, New York, NY, USA, 8-Oct-2012

1:25 PM - 1:30 PM

Protocol: Traveling
0.1 mile(s)
Comments: Last part of the walk, up to the top of the tower, then Kim & I left.
3 species

Mallard X on Turtle Pond.
Red-tailed Hawk 2 flying around and landing on the castle. Not shy of the people taking photos at all.
European Starling X

View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S13920894

Central Park--Tupelo Meadow, New York, NY, USA, 8-Oct-2012

1:20 PM - 1:25 PM

Protocol: Traveling
0.25 mile(s)
Comments: Picking up speed Kim & I walked through the meadow on the way to the tower.
1 species (+1 other taxa)

Flycatcher sp. 1 flew between low branches at the fringes of the meadow. Not seen for long enough to determine if a least flycatcher.

Winter Wren 1 flew away low into undergrowth. Very much like European wren and consequently easy for me to identify.

View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S13920857

Central Park--The Ramble, New York, US-NY, 8-Oct-2012

12:50 PM - 1:20 PM

Protocol: Traveling
0.5 mile(s)
Comments: After Cherry Hill, Kim & I walked into The Ramble, apparently one of the best spots in Central Park.
13 species (+1 other taxa)

Canada Goose X
Mallard X
Mourning Dove X
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 1
Blue Jay X
Brown Creeper 1 soon after the warblers. Creeping up a trunk, good, close views, distinctive species. Life-tick.
Golden-crowned Kinglet 1 male.
American Robin X
Magnolia Warbler 1 juvenile. Also in the low branches of shrubs next to the path.
Black-throated Blue Warbler 2 just after the magnolia, in a production little area where two paths joined. Still with nice colours and actively feeding.
Yellow-rumped Warbler 1 juvenile, also near the other warblers in the active area.
warbler sp. 1 onto the branches along the path we walked. Eye-stripe, very subtle, grennish yellow. It soon moved away & I looked at a nearby magnolia warbler. It may have been a blackpoll warbler.
Common Grackle X

View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S13920793

Central Park--Cherry Hill, New York, US-NY, 8-Oct-2012

12:30 PM - 12:50 PM

Protocol: Traveling
0.5 mile(s)
Comments: Back to Central Park during a weekend visit; after a parula the day before Kim & I came back, this time I had my binoculars & my birding head on.
Weather: bright, but cloudy; cool.
10 species

Chimney Swift 30 or so, overhead obviously.
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1 on crawling up the trunk of another tree, just after the kinglet. Red crown and throat, distinctive look. Life-tick.
Tufted Titmouse X
White-breasted Nuthatch X
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1 high in a large tree, moving about quickly, warbler-like but with slightly different look. A pale eye-ring, prominent eye, and different 'jizz' enabled my id without seeing the ruby-crown. Life-tick.
Hermit Thrush 4 approx.
Eastern Towhee X - a few foraging in the leaf litter with the white-throated sparrows.
Song Sparrow X
White-throated Sparrow 20 + in the long grass and leaf litter.
House Sparrow X

View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S13920641

Central Park--Cedar Hill, New York, US-NY, 7-Oct-2012

3:00 PM

Protocol: Incidental
Comments: Wandering through Central Park during a weekend visit.
Weather: grey, chilly.
1 species

Northern Parula 1 in a small tree next to the path. Identified after getting quite close, without binoculars.

View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S13920528

Allen's Pond--Quansett Trail, Bristol, MA, USA, 29-Sep-2012

12:35 PM - 1:55 PM

Protocol: Traveling
1.0 mile(s)
Comments: After Gooseberry I made a quick visit to Allens Pond & walked part of the trail to the first viewpoint on the Quansett Trail.
Weather: cold, overcast, drizzle on & off.
19 species

American Black Duck 8 in total; 2 initially then a group of 6 later.
Mallard 3
Pied-billed Grebe 1
Double-crested Cormorant X

AMERICAN BITTERN 2 in total, but one seen at first as it flew up above the reeds. Then two rose up from the same area the first went down & flapped around for a several seconds before disappearing again in the reeds; they then did it again. Very distinctive flight & appearance, very similar to bitterns in the UK I had seen, & it really couldn't have been anything else. Life-tick.

Great Egret 6 minimum on the pond.
Snowy Egret 2 on the pond amongst the great egrets.
Osprey 1 over, from carpark.
Northern Harrier 1 ringtail, perched then flew off, on the far-side of the pond, near to the sea.
Lesser Yellowlegs 1
Herring Gull X
Northern Flicker 2 flew off towards the house that adjoins the path; the first one had a white rump.

Merlin 1 flew across rapidly across the side of the pond on which I was standing. Small size & falcon-like flight identified it even though, as usual, I only saw it for a few seconds.

Carolina Wren 1 seen briefly near the swamp sparrows.
American Robin X - several into the tree behind where I was observing the swamp sparrows.
Grey Catbird 4 + including a noisy few that scolded me as I stood on the boardwalk.
Northern Mockingbird X
Song Sparrow X

SWAMP SPARROW 3 to 6; dark brown, double crown, grey back neck/mantle, pale bib, light-streaked chest, scatty tail, dark eye stripe, two malar stripes/mustache. All these field marks allowed me to identify this species of sparrow from song sparrow. They moved around low to the ground & at one point one came very close allowing excellent view of its markings. Also plumper & greyer in general than song sparrow. A life-tick.

View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S13380635

Gooseberry Neck, Bristol, MA, USA, 29-Sep-2012

8:53 AM - 11:53 AM

Protocol: Traveling
1.5 mile(s)
Comments: Looking for migrants at a well-reported site which I had been keeping tabs on via Massbird.
Weather: bright but cloudy, windy (W), chilly.
21 species (+1 other taxa)

Common Eider 20 + on rocks off the end of the neck.
Great Northern Diver 2 over.
Double-crested Cormorant X
Osprey 1 over.
Northern Harrier 1 ringtail quartering the bottom of the neck.
Ring-billed Gull X
Herring Gull X
Great Black-backed Gull X
Mourning Dove X

Eastern Wood-Pewee 1 seen from a distance in poor light on the small marsh at the bottom of the neck. It was large-ish with elevated forehead, 2 wingbars, the lateral one heavier.

Tree Swallow 100 at least. A few trickled through then 3 big flocks of 50-100+ came through, apparently heading north-east along the coastline.

HOUSE WREN 1 or 2 scolded me as I returned from the small marsh at the bottom of the neck. A brief view of one revealed it to be buff all over, no eyestripe, & larger than winter wren with a churring alarm call. Life-tick.

Carolina Wren 1 heard in the same area as the house wrens & then seen.
Grey Catbird X

BLUE-WINGED WARBLER 1 male seen just after the house finches. It popped up just behind the finches on a similar shrub & flitted about briefly. It lingered long enough for photos allowing a fairly straightforward id, with long stout bill, dark eye-line, yellow chest, greyish wings with two pale wing-bars. An excellent & unexpected life-tick.

Common Yellowthroat X - several around in the low shrub by the path. It took a while for any to show though with a 'seep' call at first causing me to stop on the path for several minutes before one finally showed. They were very elusive but from the number of calls there were several if not dozens around.

Palm Warbler 1 halfway along the path.
Eastern Towhee 2 males.
Song Sparrow X

WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW 2 total; the first bird was the second bird of the day in the carpark. Two stripes down its head, yellowish & a light stripe down the middle. Pale pinkish bill, long & slimmer than song sparrow. Easy to identify from field marks & photos. I saw at least another one when I was heading back, so there were at least two around. Life-tick.

sparrow sp. 1 with flecked chest, song flatter than usual song sparrow's; but could have been a variant song rather than something other than song sparrow. Lincoln's?

House Finch 10 on buses in two noisy & active flocks. They flew in from the west, settled briefly then headed off east.

View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S13371718

Great Meadows NWR--Concord Unit, Middlesex, MA, USA, 16-Sep-2012

3:00 PM - 3:30 PM

Protocol: Traveling
1.0 mile(s)
Comments: Quick visit after Dunback Meadows to a location I had read lots about. It was hot & I was tired & hungry so I didn't stay long.
Weather: warm, bright & sunny.
5 species (+1 other taxa)

Canada Goose X
Mallard 3
Great Blue Heron 3
Great Egret 3
peep sp. X - small flying flock up & down from the water foliage.
Grey Catbird 1 at the restrooms.

View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S13333998

Dunback Meadows, Middlesex, MA, USA, 16-Sep-2012

10:40 AM - 2:00 PM

Protocol: Traveling
3.0 mile(s)
Comments: Out to a nearby migration hotspot that I had been reading about on Massbird.
Weather: bright, sunny & cool.
17 species (+2 other taxa)

Red-tailed Hawk 2 birds soaring together; a juvenile & a worn adult above the houses that abut the far meadow.
Mourning Dove X

Yellow-billed Cuckoo 1 seen from the intersection of paths after returning from the far meadow. When I got back a couple other birders were lingering looking for warblers, so I joined them. After a while nothing showed so I moved off down the path to the east when a medium-sized bird rapidly flew straight into the top of a tree. I got my binoculars on it & could tell straight-away what it was from it long shape, white-spotted tail and yellow bill. It stayed put long enough for me to get a couple of photos before edging into the foliage & flying off. No-one else saw it but I was able to show them the photos. Life-tick.

Downy Woodpecker X - heard first then one seen on the back to the intersection.
Empidonax sp. 1 in the low shrubs alongside the path leading out to the houses on the far meadow. Didn't get long enough looks or good enough photos for a positive id.
Eastern Kingbird 2 seen in the trees alongside the Bowman Elementary school field. Distinctive & easy to identify.
Blue Jay X
American Crow X
Black-capped Chickadee X - heard.
White-breasted Nuthatch X - heard.
Veery 1 light spotted on high chest, white all under, brown-grey, 'narrow' head, longish tail. It was high in a tall tree but flitted around quite a lot; took me a while to narrow it down to a thrush species, & the lack of any strong spots on its chest took me to veery.
American Robin X
Grey Catbird X
Pine Warbler 1 from path intersection on the way back. White vent, bright yellow.

warbler sp. 1 in the shrubs along the side of the east path. It had yellow underparts & chest, with a faint eye-ring (not a clear eye-ring), a cocked tail & a 'good' size. I thought it may have been the reported Connecticut warbler or a yellowthroat, but because it was so active I was unable to get a good long view or photos, before it flew off into deeper foliage & didn't return.

Song Sparrow 2 in low bushes near from the east intersection path.
Northern Cardinal 4 in total, the first was with the goldfinches.
House Finch 1 female or juvenile flew onto the top of a bush along the east path.
American Goldfinch 6 in the same shrubs as the flycatcher sp.

View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S13333863

Stellwagen Bank--SW Corner, Barnstable, MA, USA, 9-Sep-2012

9:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Protocol: Traveling
30.0 mile(s)
Comments: Kim & I joined the NEWCA boat trip out of Plymouth for an all-day jaunt around Stelwagen Bank off Provincetown. As well as the birds we saw humpback whales, white-sided dolphins and 4 sun fish, a first for me.
Weather: light rain, but got out bright & sunny.
19 species

Great Northern Diver X
Cory's Shearwater 4 initially, then more throughout the day. Another called out over the tannoy & also easy to identify - large & paler than other shearwaters. Life-tick.
Great Shearwater X
Manx Shearwater 2 total, including one that came close-by the boat. Called out over the tannoy but easy for me to pick out by its smaller & darker shape. Life-tick.
Northern Gannet X
Double-crested Cormorant X - Plymouth harbour.
Osprey 1
Grey Plover 3 approx. on Long beach out of Plymouth.
Semipalmated Plover 10 approx. on Long beach out of Plymouth.
Sanderling X - several on Long beach out of Plymouth.
Red-necked Phalarope 8 total; 1 or 2 initially, then a flock of 6 later.
Laughing Gull X - Plymouth harbour.
Ring-billed Gull X - Plymouth harbour.
Herring Gull X - Plymouth harbour.
Great Black-backed Gull 6 approx. on Long beach out of Plymouth.
Common Tern X - Plymouth harbour.
Forster's Tern 1 flying along Long beach out of Plymouth. Distinctive bandit's mask called out by the group leader. I had a nice view as it went up the beach. Life-tick.
Mourning Dove 1 over on returning to the harbour.
Peregrine Falcon 1 over boat off Race Point.

View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S13333471

New England Biolabs, Essex, MA, USA, 17-Aug-2012

6:00 PM - 6:35 PM

Protocol: Traveling
0.5 mile(s)
Comments: After a visit to nearby Crane Beach, Kim & I stopped off here to look for a reported red-headed woodpecker. A lovely site but no woodpecker unfortunately.
Weather: hot & humid.
9 species

Double-crested Cormorant X
Downy Woodpecker 6 total.
Great Crested Flycatcher 1 flew up to a tree along the path next to the pond.
Eastern Kingbird 2 , a couple, around the back of the pond & over the main swamp.
Tree Swallow 1000 approx., fluttering around the dead trees in the main swamp.
Eastern Bluebird X - flitting under trees next to carpark.
Red-winged Blackbird X
Common Grackle 20 flew in to displace some of the tree swallows.
House Finch X - flitting under trees next to carpark.

View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S13325317

Olmsted Park--Ward's Pond, Suffolk, MA, USA, 4-Jul-2012

11:30 AM - 12:15 PM

Protocol: Traveling
0.5 mile(s)
Comments: Quick visit with Kim, brief highlights only.
Weather: bright, hot & sunny.
4 species

Northern Flicker 1 near the intersecting road past the softball pitches; site-tick.
Warbling Vireo X
American Robin X
Common Grackle X

View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S13203313

Blue Hills Reservation, Norfolk, MA, USA, 16-Jun-2012

10:30 AM - 2:00 PM

Protocol: Traveling
3.0 mile(s)
Comments: Out for what turned out to be a long walk around Blue Hills reservation, culminating in an ascent of Chickatawbut Hill, before returning back to my car which was parked just off the Chickatawbut Ro. - Rte 28 intersection.
Weather: sunny, cool; then cloudy.
25 species

Chimney Swift X - a few overhead, visible through the foliage.
Downy Woodpecker 1 female.
Eastern Wood-Pewee 3 in total; first two flew up from the Cedar Swamp, then another heard calling later.
Eastern Phoebe 1 attending to a nest within the car-park. It alighted on nearby rocks & branches between regular nest visits.
Great Crested Flycatcher 1 atop a tree next to the compound's fence on the top of the hill.
Red-eyed Vireo X - heard.
Tree Swallow X - several using nest boxes placed inside the fence of the (weather station?) compound that is on top of Chickatawbut Hill. I observed them through the fence.
Black-capped Chickadee X
Tufted Titmouse 4 approx., including juvenile feeding party.
White-breasted Nuthatch X - 3 feeding groups including juveniles.
Eastern Bluebird 3 seen just after the warblers on the hill.
Wood Thrush 3 heard in total. First one heard from the Curve Path then two more on the way back to the car.
American Robin X
Ovenbird X - heard up to 10 in total.
Worm-eating Warbler 2 heard emitting their distinctive song. I heard the first at the first path intersection I came to from the side that has a steep rise from a boggy area. I waited a long time for it to show but it did not, however during that time I heard a second singing from further away but it didn't show either. Life-tick (sort of).
Pine Warbler X - several seen high in tree tops; indistinct yellowish undersides, notched tail.
Prairie Warbler X - heard on Skyline Path to Chickatawbut Hill from the small trees in that area. I heard the distinctive ascending song from what sounded like it was very close by, but I couldn't pick it/them out unfortunately. Life-tick (-ish).
Black-throated Green Warbler X - also heard on the Skyline to Chickatawbut Hill path, just after the prairie warbler, but again I wasn't able to pick it out from the foliage.
Eastern Towhee 4 in total; the first two were a make and female which scolded me as I walked, before I heard a couple more later.
Chipping Sparrow X - several across the area I walked including juvenile feeding parties.

Scarlet Tanager 2 in total; the first was a male flitting about the tree-tops from the Curve Path. It was unmistakable and a species I had hoped to see on the walk, so I was very pleased to see such a beautifully coloured species for the first time. As I finished the walk I saw another close to the carpark as I returned to my car, & after being drawn to it by its song.

Northern Cardinal X - as I neared the carpark.
Common Grackle X - just before reaching Chickatawbut Hill.
House Finch X
American Goldfinch 1 heard.

View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S13320852

Blue Hills Reservoir, Norfolk, MA, USA, 15-Jun -2012

8:35 PM - 9:15 PM

Protocol: Traveling
0.5 mile(s)
Comments: Dusky visit to a nearby reservoir after reading on Massbird about the presence of a crepuscular summer specialty. I parked and walked anti-clockwise around the reservoir.
Weather: sunny, cool, dusk then dark.
5 species

Spotted Sandpiper 5 on reservoir-side on the north-side. Allowed close views although the light was fading.

Eastern Whip-poor-will X - first heard at 8:50pm, one at each end of the reservoir. On the northeast-side the call became more distant so I headed back to the car-park along the road, but just before I got there one flew up over the road & landed on the reservoir-side where it called for 2-3 minutes. A 'plane then flew over causing it to fly into the woods next to the reservoir. I was very lucky to see one rather than just hear them, a life-tick!

Tree Swallow X - over water & around nest boxes.
American Robin X
Song Sparrow 2 in reservoir-side reeds.

View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S13203282

Allen's Pond--Quansett Trail, Bristol, MA, USA, 10-Jun-2012

1:30 PM - 4:15 PM

Protocol: Traveling
3.0 mile(s)
Comments: Second part of a thorough walkabout at Allens Pond, first part was the beach loop followed by the Quansett Trail all the way out to Reuben's Point, taking in Zylee Brook and the Western Overlook Trail.
Weather: hot & sunny; spectacular!
26 species

Mute Swan 2 adults plus chicks on Zylee Brook.
Gadwall 2 males, with white wing blocks on Zylee Brook.
Mallard 3 males on Allens Pond.
Green-winged Teal 2 , a pair on fresh Pond.
Willet 2 mating!
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 1 female.
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1 heard.
Willow Flycatcher 1 in the small meadow just before Reuben's Point. It had two neat white wingbars & a V on its chest. Gave a 2-tone call note not far off but not quite 'peewee'. I checked the call & was able to identify - a life-tick.
Great Crested Flycatcher 1 in & out to a nest box on Zylee Brook.
Red-eyed Vireo X - heard first but a brief glimpse later on. Later still, I couldn't miss a vireo sp. on a low branch along the trail with clean underparts, buff uppers, darker crown, ear coverts, eye stripe not beyond its eye, notched tail, dark eye with 'wheedh' call note. Field marks all identifying a juvenile red-eyed which was being fed by its parent.
Blue Jay 1 juvenile on the way back down the trail. It was being mobbed by a red-eyed vireo & a yellow warbler.
Barn Swallow 2
Black-capped Chickadee X - at Fresh Pond.
Tufted Titmouse X - heard.
White-breasted Nuthatch X
Veery 1 heard first, coming towards where I was standing on the path, then it flew through the clearing. My first (very brief) view of one.
Wood Thrush 2 just after the ovenbird, one showed itself then another. Small, raised crown.
European Starling X
Cedar Waxwing 4 atop the tall shrubs as I came to the end of the trail near the carpark, i.e., the last species seen.
Ovenbird X - a few heard at first, then at one point along the trail, thick in the woods, one popped up onto a fairly high branch, looked at me & flew off. It confused me at first because it wasn't on the ground but I soon clicked & realised what it was. A first sighting although I had already heard them many times before.
Common Yellowthroat 1 heard giving its distinctive repeating call.
American Redstart 1 male quickly moved through the canopy.
Yellow Warbler X - including one male that came very close as I stood taking photos of it.
Saltmarsh Sparrow 2 seen on separate occasions, one on way out, the other on the way back. Both low in the short marsh-grass on Allens Pond. I had the best look at the first one: good size, longish bill, small tail, yellowish lores(?). The second one looked smaller & greyer but I think it was more to do with the light & distance. Photos helped to identify them later on - life-tick.
Northern Cardinal 1 heard.
American Goldfinch 1 male.

View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S13231033

Allen's Pond--Beach Loop, Bristol, MA, USA, 10-Jun-2012

10:30 AM - 1:30 PM
Protocol: Traveling
2.0 mile(s)
Comments: Out almost all day roving around the Allen's pond reserve, mainly hoping to see seaside sparrows. I walked the beach loop then the Quansett trail out to Zylee Brook - to be covered in a separate submission.
A long walk with camera, no 'scope.
Weather: hot & sunny; spectacular!
25 species

Canada Goose 5 including a chick.
American Black Duck 1 female.
Common Eider X - at sea, all females.
Double-crested Cormorant X - on sea rocks.
Green Heron 1 in small reedbed next to carpark. Rusty head, steely body/wings, bright orange feet.
Turkey Vulture X - outside reserve boundaries.
Osprey 1 over marshes outside reserve boundaries.
Piping Plover X - a chick seen on the beach first, later, adults as well.
Killdeer X - the first of a few seen was doing its broken wing distraction display.
Willet X - first seen over the pond with distinctive white wing patches; later very noisy disputes were heard & I had better views as I walked along the path next to the pond. An easy life-tick.
Herring Gull X - over.
Least Tern X - several overhead making their way along the shore to a nesting colony, easy to identify due to their size. Life-tick.
Common Tern X - over.
Mourning Dove X
Tree Swallow X
American Robin X
Grey Catbird X - first seen next to thrasher.
Northern Mockingbird X - heard distantly first then a later flyby in the carpark.
Brown Thrasher 1 singing in bushes alongside the pond-side path. Very distinctive bird, it sang from atop a bush before heading into the undergrowth where it continued to sing. A mockingbird also started to sing followed by a catbird, all in a row, allowing a nice comparison of all their similar but different song styles!
Yellow Warbler 4 seen in total; first one was on bushes next to the beach, later I saw 3 flitting about the grass in the meadow next to the carpark. Easily identified, through distinctive, jewel-like all-yellow colour; a life-tick.
Song Sparrow X
Bobolink 1 male, flying from a wall along the meadow. Very distinctive plumage and song. I listened to its great voice for a wall, trying to get photos as it sallied back & forth over the meadow. Life-tick.
Red-winged Blackbird X
Common Grackle X
House Sparrow X

View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S13221583

Smith Neck Road Creek & Backwoods, Bristol, MA, USA, 9-Jun-2012

4:00 PM
Protocol: Incidental
Comments: First at 4pm then more at 8pm. Standing on the path & near the shed, getting nibbled by mozzies.
Weather: bright & sunny, warm.
11 species

Carolina Wren X
Veery 1 heard (the same as wood thrush) singing its distinctive song from deep in the woods - wonderful song! Life-tick.
Wood Thrush 1 heard singing its distinctive song from the woods.
American Robin X
Cedar Waxwing 2 atop trees in the front garden.
Common Yellowthroat X - heard singing in the woods. Not seen.
Yellow Warbler X - heard singing in the woods. Not seen.
Song Sparrow X
Northern Cardinal 1 male.
Common Grackle X
American Goldfinch 1 male.

View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S13031280

Titchwell Marsh RSPB Nature Reserve, Norfolk, GB, 28-May-2012

11:30 AM - 2:30 PM

Protocol: Traveling
2.0 mile(s)
Comments: With Kim & mum; walked straight out to the beach, dozed on the dunes then back via the hides.
Weather: bright, warm & sunny.
48 species

Greylag Goose X
Canada Goose X
Mute Swan X
Common Shelduck X
Gadwall X
Mallard X
Northern Shoveler X
Common Pochard X - from Parrinder Hide.
Tufted Duck X
Common Eider 2 males.
Common Pheasant X
Northern Fulmar 1 at sea, low over the water. Not a common sighting here, very nice.
Northern Gannet 2 out at sea, distant.
Great Cormorant 3 at sea.
Little Egret X
Eurasian Spoonbill 1 preening, from Parrinder Hide.
Eurasian Marsh-Harrier 2 scraggy-looking individuals.
Common Moorhen X
Eurasian Coot X
Northern Lapwing X
Eurasian Oystercatcher X
Pied Avocet X
Common Redshank X
Dunlin 2 on the beach.
Ruff X - from Parrinder Hide.
Black-headed Gull X
Common Gull 1 from Parrinder Hide.
Herring Gull X
Sandwich Tern 1 at sea.
Common Wood-Pigeon X
Common Cuckoo X - heard from direction of Titchwell Vilage.
Common Swift X
Carrion Crow 1 chasing one of the harriers.
Bearded Tit X - heard first then seen briefly. Later, 3 female/immature seen better on freshmarsh reeds.
Skylark X
Barn Swallow X
Eurasian Wren X
Cetti's Warbler X - heard only.
Willow Warbler X
Common Chiffchaff X
Sedge Warbler X - singing.
Eurasian Reed-Warbler X
European Robin X
Meadow Pipit X
Reed Bunting 1 male.
Common Chaffinch X
European Greenfinch X
Common Linnet 3 including a bright male.

View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S13030873

Mount Auburn Cemetery, Middlesex, MA, USA, 20-May-2012

6:30 AM - 9:30 AM

Protocol: Traveling
2.0 mile(s)
Comments: Another early morning BBC walk with a decent-sized group, although the cemetery was quieter than the last visit. After the end of the official walk I had not had enough so I doubled-back & spent more time in the Dell & finally left along Indian Ridge.
Weather: bright, sunny, cool.
32 species

Mallard 1 male on Auburn Lake.
Wild Turkey 1 after the Dell from Walnut Avenue amongst headstones about 100m away.
Great Northern Diver 1 over, seen by the group from the top of Tower hill.
Great Blue Heron 1 on Auburn Lake.
Red-tailed Hawk X - the first one was seen on Indian Ridge with a squirrel it had just killed in its claws. Later two juveniles were flying around back & forth amongst the trees, often coming quite close.
Mourning Dove X
Chimney Swift X
Downy Woodpecker X
Northern Flicker 3 in total, one after the Dell, then 2 from Indian Ridge as I walked out. The two appeared to be coming back & forth to a specific tree, perhaps to a nest.
Eastern Phoebe X - again also at Auburn Pond.
Great Crested Flycatcher 1 heard as I made my way out along Indian Ridge. I wasn't sure what it was at first but then I saw it & was able to fairly easily identify this distinctive bird. It foraged amongst a few tree close to the path allowing some good views in the now strong sunlight showing its crest & pale yellow breast. A satisfying life-tick to end the morning.
Warbling Vireo X - again at Auburn Pond still rearing the nest seen last time.
Red-eyed Vireo 2 heard, one from Indian Ridge, one in the Dell. Life-tick.
Blue Jay X
Black-capped Chickadee X - Dell.
White-breasted Nuthatch X
Wood Thrush 2 seen in total. The first was heard singing faintly, but after I went back to the Dell after the end of the main walk, I saw one hopping along the path before seeing another singing from a bough of a tree in the Dell. It then also flew to a path & made its way along it before walkers caused to fly off into the pathside foliage. I also observed one at the end of the Dell's pond, foraging in the mud. Life-tick.
American Robin X - including a nest with nestlings in it which I spotted at the end of the walk near to the carpark.
Grey Catbird 1 in a low pine from the Tower hill.
European Starling X
Cedar Waxwing 2 at the top of a tree next to Auburn Lake.
American Redstart 1 male also seen from the Tower hill.
Black-throated Blue Warbler X - also one or two from the Tower hill.
Black-throated Green Warbler X - one or two heard & seen, first as we approached the Tower, then from the top.
Chipping Sparrow X
Northern Cardinal X
Red-winged Blackbird X
Common Grackle X
Orchard Oriole X - one or two about.
House Finch 1 male singing near to entrance.
American Goldfinch X
House Sparrow X

View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S11876819

Olmsted Park--Leverett Pond, Suffolk, MA, USA, 20-May-2012

1:07 PM - 4:04 PM

Protocol: Traveling
1.0 mile(s)
Comments: A sunny walk around the local patch hoping for some May magic.
Weather: hot, bright & sunny; 26C.
22 species

Canada Goose X
Mute Swan 2
Double-crested Cormorant 2
Chimney Swift X
Downy Woodpecker X
Eastern Kingbird 2 at the northern end of Leverett's, they were flying around as a pair vocalising & looking like they were prospecting. Identified from distinctive plumage & shape. Life-tick.
Blue Jay X
Tree Swallow X
White-breasted Nuthatch X
American Robin X - including fledglings.
Grey Catbird 11 in total around Leverett's & Ward's Ponds.
European Starling X
American Redstart 1 female also seen near the baseball pitch. It moved rapidly through the trees towards the road, but I saw it for long enough to identify a long tail, notched & yellow; dark upper-parts; yellowish on the face & head, & white throat & underside.

Chestnut-sided Warbler 2 on the south-side of the pond. First I heard a call I had not heard before which stopped & caused me to linger. After waiting several minutes I eventually picked out one from the dense foliage at the small bridge at the southern tip of the pond. A very handsome bird with distinct plumage it foraged amongst the leaves & was joined by another before they both melted away in the sunlight. Life-tick.

Black-throated Green Warbler 1 female in the trees near to the baseball pitch. It had a yellow face, black throat & streaky back, & generally more muted than the male.
Song Sparrow X - heard.
Red-winged Blackbird X

Orchard Oriole 1 seen on the west side of the pond on the way back after walking around Ward's. Another song I hadn't heard stopped me in my tracks, but I had a difficult job finding the culprit in the tree from which it was singing. I eventually got my binoculars on a bird which was noticeably larger than a warbler but with the familiar yellow colours. It had a dark tail, light yellow body, dark throat & some darkness on the head. After reference to books after I got home & listening to the call I had recorded I identified this species & a 2nd summer bird. Apparently fairly regular as at that stage birds roam widely looking for new territory. Life-tick.

Baltimore Oriole X
House Finch X
American Goldfinch X - heard.
House Sparrow X

View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S11877075

Olmsted Park--Ward's Pond, Suffolk, MA, USA, 20-May-2012

3:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Protocol: Traveling
0.5 mile(s)
Comments: Continuing on from Leverett's.
Weather: hot, bright & sunny; 26C.
6 species

Mallard X
Warbling Vireo 1 bathing & grooming in the creek flowing into the pond.
Red-eyed Vireo 1 heard on the way back although only seen as a shadow flitting high in the trees.
Tree Swallow 1
Black-capped Chickadee X
Northern Cardinal X

View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S11877089

Darby Drive, Bristol, MA, USA, 19-May-2012

4:00 PM
Protocol: Incidental
Comments: Another family visit.
1 species

Broad-winged Hawk 1 seen high overhead. Barred tail, pale underside, with a dark edge to its wings.

View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S11876760

Harvard Avenue, Brookline, Norfolk, MA, USA, 19-May-2012

9:00 PM

Protocol: Incidental
1 species

Common Nighthawk X - heard a few calling as they flew over, as I sat on my sofa. I was unsure of what it was at first, but soon suspected this species & soon confirmed it. I wish I could get more birds like that - life-tick!

Darby Drive, Bristol, MA, USA, 13-May-2012

1:30 PM - 4:30 PM
Protocol: Stationary
Comments: At brother & sister-in-laws enjoying some sunshine grilling in the back garden.
Weather: warm & sunny.
7 species

Broad-winged Hawk 1 seen after first hearing its distinct long loud whistle. It then fly-through pretty close-by along the edge of the garden. Identified from tawny chest, smaller size & diagnostic call. Life-tick.
Downy Woodpecker X - usual, smaller & with distinctive descending call.
Hairy Woodpecker 1 possible. Black & white & immediately looked larger than the usual downy woodpeckers I've seen. It gave a 'check' call but it flew off quickly before any further fieldmarks could be nailed down.
Black-capped Chickadee X
American Robin X
Chipping Sparrow X - a few singing & then a couple were seen mating in a tree on the garden's edge.
American Goldfinch X

View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S11876742

Mount Auburn Cemetery, Middlesex, MA, USA 12-May-2012

6:00 AM - 9:40 AM
Protocol: Traveling
2.0 mile(s)
Comments: Up bright & early for a walk with Brookline Bird Club for spring migrants including many of my first New World warblers.
Weather: bright, clear, cold; warmed up later on.
37 species

Wild Turkey X - heard first then seen at the top of the Dell.
Double-crested Cormorant X
Great Blue Heron 1 perched on the top a small tree, bathed in sunlight.
Red-tailed Hawk X - a couple flying around near the entrance where there was also a nest.
Mourning Dove X
Chimney Swift X
Downy Woodpecker X
Northern Flicker 1 over, heard calling later.
Eastern Phoebe 1 flying very close-by under the bridge over Auburn Lake, nesting low-down in some lakeside shrubs.
Warbling Vireo 2 seen from the bridge over Auburn Lake. Paul Peterson pointed out a nest in the branches of a tree over the pond where two birds came back & forth attending it.
Northern Rough-winged Swallow X - one over at first. Later, 2 seen much closer at Willow Pond, where 3 or 4 flew back & forth. Life-tick.
Black-capped Chickadee X - heard.
White-breasted Nuthatch X
American Robin X
Grey Catbird X - heard then seen.
European Starling X - over.
Ovenbird X - heard. The group left Indian Ridge in attempt to find it but we were unsuccessful.
Black-and-white Warbler X - one or two amongst the tree-tops along Indian Ridge.
Nashville Warbler 1 male. It was pointed out by one of the many birders in the cemetery immediately after others had pointed out two indigo buntings. It sang from about mid-way up a tree in the sunlight, allowing nice prolonged views. Another life-tick.
Common Yellowthroat X - first seen near the Nashville warbler, then another on the way out which flew quickly across the path next to Auburn Pond.
American Redstart 1 male seen, near the Cape May & Magnolia warblers. It was singing fairly high up a tree & moving around quickly. Despite its bright colours it was difficult to pick out but eventually I did. Life-tick.
Cape May Warbler 1 male seen. Identified by a member of the group who found it on another tree to the one most people were looking at. It flew around a few trees, high up, but offered nice views for the whole group in the sunshine as it foraged. Life-tick.
Northern Parula X - a few in the treetops along Indian Ridge. Identified at first by their distinctive call, I then noticed their yellow bill & active behaviour. I saw a few more of these charismatic birds later & they were the stars of the day for me, a great life-tick.
Magnolia Warbler 1 male seen. Near to the Cape May warbler. A bright & distinctive species it was active & vocal. Life-tick.
Black-throated Blue Warbler 1 male. It was heard first in the Dell then spotted singing from a bough at about eye-level from the path up the side. Another brightly coloured warbler & another life-tick.
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) X - a few in the treetops along Indian Ridge. Later, also I probably seen near the Nashville, but not clearly seen. It was black-streaked, with a yellow rump, white otherwise although apparently with off-yellow/reddish sides. I decided that the orange could have been an effect of the sunlight as the other fieldmarks pointed to this species.
Black-throated Green Warbler X - one or two through the morning, first briefly seen near the Nashville & later seen in the Dell at the top of some very tall trees.
Wilson's Warbler 1 male seen on the way out after the BBC walk had petered out. It was pointed out by a member of another group of birders. Bright yellow, it sang out in the sunshine briefly before disappearing into the foliage. Bright yellow but I didn't see the black crest amongst the background of shadows. Life-tick.
Chipping Sparrow X - several heard before one seen close-up from the top of a pine tree in the sunlight.
Northern Cardinal X
Indigo Bunting 3 seen in total. One seen at the top of a tall tree next to Auburn Lake, at first not easily identifiable until two more were seen later, which identified the first as a female. One of the later two was a spectacular male. Life-tick.
Red-winged Blackbird X
Common Grackle X
Brown-headed Cowbird 1 over amongst the grackles.
Baltimore Oriole X
House Finch 1 male on the grass next to Wilow Pond just after the swallows, pointed out by Paul Peterson.
House Sparrow X - many in amongst the foliage, like warblers!

View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S10967371

Olmsted Park--Ward's Pond, Suffolk, MA, USA, 6-May-2012

5:20 PM - 6:45 PM
Protocol: Traveling
1.0 mile(s)

Comments: Second part of patch outing with Kim.
Weather: warm, sunny, bright; cooler as it got later.

8 species

Mallard 2 males.
Chimney Swift X - over.
White-breasted Nuthatch 1 on trees at top of tree before Ward's.
Grey Catbird 3
Song Sparrow X
White-throated Sparrow X - heard at the bottom of the hill before Ward's.
Northern Cardinal 1 male.
Baltimore Oriole 1 male seen, several more heard. At first it was hard to find but once picked out it was unmistakeable & it even proceeded to come very close to us in trees just above the path. Life-tick.

Olmsted Park--Leverett Pond, Suffolk, MA, USA, 6-May-2012

5:20 PM - 6:45 PM
Protocol: Traveling
2.0 mile(s)

Comments: Out to show the patch to Kim.
Weather: warm, sunny, bright; cooler as it got later.

10 species

Canada Goose X
Great Blue Heron X
Spotted Sandpiper 1 flew away to the east-side of the reservoir. I had a brief view of low flickering flight & immediately thought of common sandpiper, but that doesn't occur in the US which identifies this as spotted - a life-tick.
Mourning Dove X
Warbling Vireo 1 singing initially but soon found it for a look at a common summer visitor, but nonetheless another life-tick.
American Robin X
European Starling X
Red-winged Blackbird X
Common Grackle X
House Sparrow X

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Olmsted Park, Suffolk, MA, USA, 21-Apr-2012

4:40 PM - 6:00 PM
Protocol: Traveling
2.0 mile(s)

Comments: Escaped the house with another walk on the local patch.
Weather: warm & sunny; t-shirt weather.

13 species

Canada Goose X
Red-tailed Hawk 1 without a red-tail, a juvenile.
Blue Jay 3
Black-capped Chickadee 4
Tufted Titmouse X
White-breasted Nuthatch X
American Robin X
European Starling X
Song Sparrow X
Red-winged Blackbird X
Common Grackle X
American Goldfinch X
House Sparrow X

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Olmsted Park, Suffolk, MA, USA, 15-Apr-2012

1:30 PM - 3:00 PM
Protocol: Traveling
2.0 mile(s)

Comments: First visit to a nearby part of Boston's Emerald Necklace, a potential new local patch. Predictably lots of people, & people with dogs about, but a couple decent birds as well.


Weather: warm, hazy sunshine, slight breeze (E).

23 species

Canada Goose X
Mallard 2 , a pair.
Ruddy Duck 6 all apparently females on Jamaica Pond..
Double-crested Cormorant 3 in the water around the small island in the middle of Jamaica Pond, they then came out of the water & sunned themselves.
American Coot X - up to 30 on Jamaica Pond.
Herring Gull 12 in middle of Jamaica Pond.
Mourning Dove 1 heard.
Downy Woodpecker 1 female on big tree on top of hill near Wards.
Blue Jay X
Tufted Titmouse 1
White-breasted Nuthatch X - heard between the ponds, then seen by Leveritt.
Winter Wren 1 between the ponds, flew low across the wooded path. It crept about but I got a good view of a familiar bird from home, though a distinct N American species & therefore a life-tick.
Hermit Thrush 1 near Wards Pond on the way back. Flew across the path then stayed at the bottom of a bush until furtively moving away.
American Robin X
European Starling X
Pine Warbler 2 together moving through the low shrubs between Wards & Leveritt. They were flitting in & out to grab insects or were gleaning them from the leaves. During flight they showed white outer tail feathers & when perched occasionally flicked their tail, which confused me with palm warbler. However, they lacked a chestnut head & I later read that this species does occasionally flick its tail, therefore definitely pine warbler. Life-tick.
Song Sparrow X
White-throated Sparrow 2
Northern Cardinal X - heard.
Red-winged Blackbird X - several males singing & also 1 or 2 females with yellow-tinged throats, one was chased by a grackle.
Common Grackle X - lots around, most squawking.
American Goldfinch X
House Sparrow X

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Gooseberry Neck, Bristol, MA, USA, 7-Apr-2012

5:15 PM - 5:30 PM
Protocol: Stationary

Comments: A quick stop at the car-park. I contemplated a walk but it was getting late, dark & cold.
Weather: overcast, grey, cold wind.

8 species

Common Eider 8
White-winged Scoter 2 males.
Common Goldeneye 5 females.
Slavonian Grebe 6 at sea looking handsome in dark breeding plumage.
Herring Gull X
Great Black-backed Gull X
Mourning Dove 2 flew in & hung about next to a low bush - maybe where they roost?
Brown-headed Cowbird 1 perched atop a car-park fence-post, very close to the cars.

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Allen's Pond--Beach Loop, Bristol, MA, USA, 7-Apr-2012

2:40 PM - 5:00 PM
Protocol: Traveling
3.0 mile(s)
Comments: Out hoping for early migrants.
Weather: bright, cold, windy (S).
22 species

Canada Goose X
American Black Duck 2 , a pair mating on the Pond, just after the northern harrier had attempted to snatch one!
Common Eider 5 at sea.
Surf Scoter 3 initially at sea, then more flying further out.
Bufflehead 7
Red-breasted Merganser X
Northern Gannet 4 at sea, near a boat. I followed one through the scope as it got more distant.
Double-crested Cormorant 8 approx.
Great Cormorant 1 with the double-crested cormorants, White cheek patch but no white thigh patch.
Great Egret 4 total. 1 seen initially as I walked the beach & looked over at the pond. 3 more added to the total when I walked along the pond; all foraging in the reedbeds & often quite close together.
Osprey 4 on distant nesting (Lloyd Centre) platforms. FOY for me, later I saw one fly up from Allens pond with a large fish in its claws.
Northern Harrier 1 ringtail, distant over marshes off the reserve on private property.
Peregrine Falcon 1 possible; on distant rocks near the osprey platforms. Seemed to have the size, colour & profile but it sat without moving & the heat-haze didn't allow a good view, & I didn't see it take flight which would have helped. It was semi-mobbed by the killdeer but didn't seem disturbed in the slightest.
Piping Plover 4 total. As I walked the beach I could heard faint 'peeping' but couldn't see anything. After looking at the cormorants I looked down & finally saw what was making the noise - a couple of piping plovers. I watched them walk away from me up the shore where they were met by another two plovers. They all then proceeded to strut around & face off against each other, walking low & fanning out their tails, all the time making their piping calls. Eventually the two pairs split & went about their business like nothing had happened. A great bit of behaviour to observe & I even managed to video-scope a few clips of it.
Killdeer 2 just off the beach as I headed to the pond-side trail.
Herring Gull X
Great Black-backed Gull X
American Robin X
European Starling X - in a large-ish mixed flock of RW blackbirds on private fields adjacent to the reserve.
Savannah Sparrow 1 singing from beach-side bush with yellow lores.
Red-winged Blackbird X - a few around the car-park, more later in a large-ish mixed flock of starlings on private fields adjacent to the reserve.
House Sparrow X

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Harvard Law School, Middlesex, MA, USA, 19 Mar 2012

4:45 PM
Protocol: Incidental
Comments: Heading home from work.
Weather: clear & sunny, though a setting sun.
2 species

Purple Finch 2 , a pair, one carrying a twig presumably for nesting material. Identified from flutey call & distinct rosy male colour. A life-tick.
(Changed from house finch after listened to calls & seeing it close-up a few days later).

House Sparrow X - noisy squabbling groups.

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Duxbury Beach, Plymouth, MA, USA, 18-Mar-2012

11:50 AM - 2:00 PM
Protocol: Traveling
4.0 mile(s)
Comments: A visit to a wonderful location hoping for Kim's first snowy owl. I had my doubts with the amount of traffic on the road but reports were still being posted that they were around. We walked about half mile along the path/road before a motorist asked us what we were looking for, he also said we could drive the road, so he gave us a lift back to the car-park to pick-up our car. As we tried to go on the road a police officer informed us we needed an oversand permit so we had to re-park & walk out again!
Weather: a beautiful day, bright & sunny but cold.
17 species

Brent Goose X - a flock flying at sea.
Common Eider 4
Surf Scoter X
Red-throated Diver X - a few at sea.
Slavonian Grebe 1 on the water of Duxbury Bay near to a red-necked grebe.
Red-necked Grebe 1 on the water of Duxbury Bay near to a horned/Slavonian grebe, showing reddening neck.
Peregrine Falcon 1 whizzed by, brownish so probably a female. It looked slightly small for a peregrine but too big to be anything else.
Piping Plover 1 on the beach amongst the people, dogs & SUVs. I spotted it as we walked & immediately picked out a new species for me. A handsome pale bird with distinctive markings & a scarce species too. An unexpected life-tick.
Sanderling 20 approx. on the beach running from the waves.
Ring-billed Gull X
Herring Gull X
Great Black-backed Gull X
Mourning Dove X
Snowy Owl 1 sitting on the dunes facing Duxbury Bay near to crossover 2. It sat for a good 45 minutes as we took pictures from about 75 yards away & remained there after we moved on to the beach.
American Crow X
Tree Swallow X - about half dozen flitting along the dunes, at one point two were preening on the rope fence along the road - a sign of Spring.
Song Sparrow X - many along the path singing enthusiastically.

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Granite Pier, Rockport, Essex, MA, USA, 18-Mar-2012

3:30 PM - 4:00 PM
Protocol: Stationary
Comments: Stopped off after a drive around Cape Anne with mum & Kim.
Weather: overcast, cold wind.
4 species

Harlequin Duck 2
Red-breasted Merganser X
Great Cormorant X
Herring Gull X

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Allen's Pond--Quansett Trail, Bristol, MA, USA, 10-Mar-2012

2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Protocol: Traveling
3.0 mile(s)
Comments: Out with my father-in-law around Allens Pond. We walked the Quansett trail hoping to make the beach loop later, but it was a longer walk than expected so we contented ourselves with our walk around the pond & through the woods.
Weather: bright, sunny, cold, breezy (E).
15 species

American Black Duck X
Green-winged Teal 2 , a pair on Allens Pond & then side-marshes of Fresh Pond.
Bufflehead 1 male.
Hooded Merganser 3 females on Allens pond.
Common Merganser 9 approx.
Great Blue Heron X
Northern Harrier 1 ringtail between Allens Pond & the beach.
Killdeer 3 with the teal.
Herring Gull X
Great Black-backed Gull 3 individuals over from the sea/beach.
Carolina Wren X - one distant then one close-by on way back to the car.
Golden-crowned Kinglet 1 flew close amongst the low bushes at one of the the viewpoints.
American Robin X
Northern Cardinal 1 male.
Red-winged Blackbird X - heard first on distant side of Allens Pond, then 3 around the car-park including close-by on fenceposts.

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Millennium Park, Suffolk, MA, USA, 4-Mar-2012

2:30 AM - 4:30 AM
Protocol: Traveling
3.0 mile(s)
Comments: Out for a walk along the nature trail, marked by blue triangle markers with egret silhouette down to the river then back.
Weather: cold, grey, slight breeze; sunny later on.
18 species

Canada Goose 30 + grazing on an athletic field off the parking lot.
Mallard 2 pairs then more later.
Common Merganser 1 female.
Cooper's Hawk 1 juvenile, perched in a tree out in the open. Streaked breast with brownish uppers & maybe some white-ish in the coverts, it had a long barred tail with the last bar not terminating at the end, to call it as a Cooper's not sharp-shinned. It flew off before I could get a picture unfortunately.
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2 seen & calling also.
Downy Woodpecker 4 approx., throughout the woods.
Black-capped Chickadee X - heard a couple of times.
White-breasted Nuthatch 6 or so in the tree along the path, often very vocal - "quank".
Eastern Bluebird 6 approx., just after turning off the tarmac path in a small dell, flitting about quietly.
American Robin 2
European Starling 50 on the same athletic field with the Canada geese.
American Tree Sparrow 40 approx., just after the red-tailed hawk, in a small marshy area I noticed several tree sparrows, which quickly turned into several more then dozens. There were so many that the sound they were making was like the chirruping of crickets. They eventually moved off amongst the reeds & I later heard them again from the path.
Song Sparrow 6 approx., along the tarmac path, flitting about with a few singing.
Northern Cardinal 2 heard singing.
Red-winged Blackbird 30 + along the path, several singing. On the way back a flock of 30+ were high in the trees with one cowbird amongst them.
Brown-headed Cowbird 1 in amongst the flock of blackbirds seen off the tarmac path.
American Goldfinch 1 in the same area as the bluebirds.

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Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area--IBA, Suffolk, MA, USA, 16-Jan-2012

11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Protocol: Traveling
10.0 mile(s)
Comments: Out on a boat with Kim for a Boston Harbor Winter Wildlife Cruise with up to 200 other people who braved the chilly conditions. A good selection of seabirds but unfortunately no snowy owls. Some in group did spot a king eider however by the time I reached that side of the boat it had disappeared.
19 species

Mute Swan 4
American Black Duck X
Mallard X - Long Wharf.
Common Eider X
Surf Scoter X - the commonest bird of the day.
White-winged Scoter X - most seen off Hull.
Long-tailed Duck X - most off Hull.
Bufflehead X - off Hull.
Red-breasted Merganser X - a female initially, then lots more throughout the cruise.
Red-throated Diver X
Great Northern Diver X - off Hull.
Red-necked Grebe 2 with 1 near Long Island allowing good views when it took flight, & another later in the trip.
Great Cormorant X
Ring-billed Gull X
Herring Gull X
Lesser Black-backed Gull 1 in the water of Long Wharf, observed before the boat set off.
Great Black-backed Gull X
Razorbill 2 seen, 1 near to the wharf, then 1 coming back by the airport.
Black Guillemot 1 by Long Island.

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Bass Rocks, Essex, MA, USA, 2-Jan-2012

1:30 PM - 1:50 PM
Protocol: Stationary
Comments: At the Elk's Club on Atlantic Avenue with Kim looking for the new sea duck. We couldn't find it at first but then another birder arrived & pinned it down.
Weather: bright, cold, breezy
8 species

King Eider 1 on the sea quite far out. Luckily another birder had managed to pick it out with his scope allowing Kim & I to get on it. An amazing bird to see even though far away. A life-tick.
Common Eider 3
White-winged Scoter 12 +
Bufflehead 20
Red-throated Diver 2
Herring Gull X
Great Black-backed Gull 3
American Crow X

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Cherry Hill Reservoir, Essex, MA, USA, 2-Jan-2012

10:10 AM - 12:10 PM
Protocol: Stationary
Comments: With Kim looking for a couple of reported rarities in the same location.
Weather: bright, sunny spells but with some cloud & minor light snow flurries - the cold & breezy.
8 species

Canada Goose 12
Canvasback 1 lone male on the reservoir. Had been in residence a few weeks, an easy to spot when we pulled up. A life-tick.
Ring-necked Duck 1 with the canvasback. Another life-tick.
Common Merganser 20 at the far end of the reservoir, quite a good size flock.
Ruddy Duck 30 approx.
Cassin's Kingbird 1 in residence on a reservoir-side property, well reported over a few weeks. It took a while to show but when it did it stayed around for a while. Distinctive-looking & feeding actively offering some good photo opportunities, & attracting a steady stream of admirers. A life-tick.
Eastern Bluebird 1
European Starling 12

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