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

This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)