Sunday 19 May 2013

Olmsted Park--Leverett Pond, Suffolk, MA, USA, 18-May-2013

7:27 PM - 7:42 PM
Protocol: Traveling
0.25 mile(s)
Comments: On the way back from my extended walk to Jamaica Pond.
3 species

Spotted Sandpiper 1 with the solitary sandpiper.

Solitary Sandpiper 1 on mud bank just off small island at north-west point of pond. At first I thought it was a lesser yellowlegs but the legs were not that yellow & it was smaller overall. Verifying from photos and videos on the internet. Life-tick.

Eastern Kingbird 1

View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S14165144

Jamaica Pond--Pinebank Promontory, Suffolk, MA, USA, 18-May-2013

6:00 PM - 6:47 PM
Protocol: Traveling
0.25 mile(s)
Comments: Fourth part of patch walk, I included an extension to Jamaica Pond and found a nice little part of wood and open meadow.
13 species

Canada Goose X
Mallard X
Mourning Dove 1 heard.
Eastern Kingbird 2 total; first one high in a pine tree, later joined by another which it either flirted or fought with.
Warbling Vireo X
Tree Swallow 1
American Robin X
European Starling X
Chipping Sparrow 1 on the grass in the meadow area, up and down in a nearby tree.
Red-winged Blackbird X
Common Grackle X
Baltimore Oriole 1 immature bird in low shrubs by the path as I was leaving; flew about & squawked, maybe trying to find a roost?
American Goldfinch X - a few over as I sat on a bench, later I saw one or two in the trees.

View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S14176437

Olmsted Park--Ward's Pond, Suffolk, MA, USA, 18-May-2013

5:33 PM - 6:00 PM
Protocol: Traveling
0.25 mile(s)
Comments: Third part of the patch walk.
6 species

Chimney Swift X
Tree Swallow 2 around the nest box.

Veery 1 along the path on the west-side of the pond. Brown-buff colour, light spots and angular features. Site-tick.

American Robin X
Grey Catbird 1 singing.
Common Grackle 2

View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S14176353

Olmsted Park--Willow Pond and Meadow, Suffolk, MA, USA, 18-May-2013


5:14 PM - 5:33 PM
Protocol: Traveling
0.5 mile(s)
Comments: Second part of patch walk.
6:59pm on the way back.
14 species

Mallard 2 , a pair.
Chimney Swift X
Downy Woodpecker 1
Blue Jay X
Black-capped Chickadee X
Swainson's Thrush 1 just off the path on the way back.
American Robin X
Grey Catbird 1 heard.
European Starling X
Yellow-rumped Warbler 1 or 2 with chickadees on the way back.
Red-winged Blackbird X
Common Grackle X
Baltimore Oriole X
House Sparrow X

View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S14176258

Olmsted Park--Leverett Pond, Suffolk, MA, USA, 18-May-2013

4:35 PM - 5:13 PM
Protocol: Traveling
0.5 mile(s)
Comments: First part of another patch visit.
Weather: bright, cloudy, warm.
21 species

Canada Goose X
Double-crested Cormorant 1
Great Blue Heron 1
Spotted Sandpiper 1 on small island at north-end of pond.
Mourning Dove 2
Downy Woodpecker X
Northern Flicker 1
Eastern Kingbird 1
Warbling Vireo X
Blue Jay X
Tufted Titmouse X
Hermit Thrush 1 heard singing from east-side woods - clear single starting note followed by musical warbles.
American Robin X
Grey Catbird X - heard.
European Starling X

Northern Waterthrush 1 at 7:15pm on the way back, creeping along a dried out channel between the pond's side & an island. It scolded me before quickly walking away into the undergrowth.
Yellow-rumped Warbler X

Red-winged Blackbird X
Common Grackle X
Baltimore Oriole 1
House Sparrow X

View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S14563973

Saturday 18 May 2013

Boston Public Garden, Suffolk, MA, USA, 17-May-2013


8:30 AM - 9:00 AM
Protocol: Traveling
0.5 mile(s)
Comments: Visit before work. Mostly the warblers I was looking for were in a few trees near the south-west entrance, next to the water. The trees around the maintenance hut were quiet.
Weather: Bright and sunny, cool with a breeze.
14 species

Mallard X
American Robin X
European Starling X

American Redstart 1 female singing.
Magnolia Warbler 1
Yellow Warbler 1
Chestnut-sided Warbler 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler 2
Black-throated Green Warbler 1 heard.

Song Sparrow 1
White-throated Sparrow 2
Common Grackle X
Baltimore Oriole 2
House Sparrow X

View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S14151886

Friday 17 May 2013

Boston Public Garden, Suffolk, MA, USA, 16-May-2013


5:35 PM
Protocol: Incidental
Comments: Quick visit after work.
8 species

Mallard X
Chimney Swift X
Warbling Vireo X - heard.
American Robin X
European Starling X
Common Yellowthroat 1 male near south-west entrance.
Baltimore Oriole 1 on west side of water.
House Sparrow X

View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S14140677

Monday 13 May 2013

Olmsted Park--Ward's Pond, Suffolk, MA, USA, 12-May-2013


5:28 PM - 5:50 PM
Protocol: Traveling
0.25 mile(s)
Comments: Continuing on from Willow Pond. The boardwalk was still closed off, so I did the west-side of the pond then headed back.
10 species

Mallard X
Great Blue Heron 1 flew over.
Warbling Vireo X
Blue Jay X
American Robin X
European Starling X
Yellow-rumped Warbler X
Red-winged Blackbird X
Baltimore Oriole X - including good views next to the path.
House Sparrow X

View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S14091998

Olmsted Park--Willow Pond and Meadow, Suffolk, MA, USA, 12-May-2013

2:33 PM - 3:28 PM
Protocol: Traveling
0.5 mile(s)
Comments: Continuing on from Leverett Pond. One the way back I lingered in the area again between 1528 and 1550.
21 species

Rock Dove X - over.
Warbling Vireo X - heard.
Blue Jay X
Tufted Titmouse 2 both apparently wet after a wash!
Swainson's Thrush 2 in bushes next to the pond as I waited for the waterthrush to reappear. One appeared at first then another. They were furtive but then briefly fought each other and flew out of view.
American Robin X
Grey Catbird X
European Starling X

Northern Waterthrush 1 on the bank of Willow Pond. It caught my eye as I approached the rocks next to the path as it flitted up then down onto the mud. I quickly got my binoculars on it to reveal a prominent eye stripe, streaked chest, brown tones and bobbing tail. It was smaller than I expected but a straightforward id to make for a life-tick. It walked off round the pond & out of sight unfortunately.

Black-and-white Warbler X - several in the area.
American Redstart 1 male, high up in one of the tall trees just before the hill - a nice spot.
Northern Parula X
Chestnut-sided Warbler 1 male, on the way back, briefly sang and I was able to somehow get my binoculars right on it as it paused. Beautiful looking bird, unfortunately it didn't linger, and even though I thought I had a good handle on where it went to, it didn't reappear.
Black-throated Blue Warbler 1 heard.
Yellow-rumped Warbler X
Black-throated Green Warbler 1 male, heard then seen high in a tree at the top of the hill.

Song Sparrow 1 heard.
White-throated Sparrow 2 along the path at the bottom of the hill.
Red-winged Blackbird X
Baltimore Oriole X
House Sparrow X

View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S14091910

Olmsted Park--Leverett Pond, Suffolk, MA, USA, 12-May-2013

12:50 PM - 2:33 PM
Protocol: Traveling
1.0 mile(s)
Comments: Patch visit hoping to see more spring migrants after reports from other areas of the city that there had been some arrivals.
Weather: bright & sunny, warm; after morning rain.
23 species

Canada Goose X - including chicks.
Mallard X
Double-crested Cormorant X
Mourning Dove X
Chimney Swift X
Downy Woodpecker 2 heard then seen on the east-side.
Warbling Vireo X - several singing and I saw one collecting nesting material.
White-breasted Nuthatch X

Swainson's Thrush 1 seen in the small glade adjacent to the softball pitch as I lingered looking for warblers. It flew up and perched at eye-level allowing some photos to be taken. I assumed at the time it was hermit, but at home looking at the pictures it had a less dumpy shape, with breast spots that appeared different and it had a distinct eye-ring and buff around the bill, which all pointed to Swainson's. Life-tick.

American Robin X
Grey Catbird X - one or two heard singing initially, a few seen later on. FOY.
European Starling X

Black-and-white Warbler X - heard singing at first on the east-side, then one or two picked up. After that a few more seen further towards the south of the pond.
Common Yellowthroat 1 male singing from low brush; impressively yellow with a black bandit mask. Site-tick.
American Redstart 1 male, up in the canopy of the oak trees in the small glade adjacent to the softball pitch. This was a good spot to be, with lots of yellow-rumps, a yellowthroat, black-throated blue and Swainson's thrush all in the same area!
Northern Parula 6 minimum, several singing through-out area.
Black-throated Blue Warbler 1 male, heard then seen near the eastern bridge, flitting about in the large oaks trees. Gave several good views. Site-tick.
Yellow-rumped Warbler 20 minimum, throughout the area.

Northern Cardinal X - heard.
Red-winged Blackbird X
Common Grackle X
Baltimore Oriole X - heard singing a few times as I walked around, including from across the pond on the west-side, then I saw one or two flying around or perching feeding in the foliage.
House Sparrow X

View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S14091633

Saturday 11 May 2013

Boston Public Garden, Suffolk, MA, USA, 10-May-2013

2:20 PM - 3:10 PM
Protocol: Traveling
0.5 mile(s)
Comments: Quick lunch-time visit for any migrants.
Weather: bright and sunny; warm.
14 species

Mute Swan 2 , a pair on a nest, popular with visitors and their cameras.
Mallard X
Herring Gull X
Rock Dove X
Chimney Swift X
Eastern Kingbird 1 perched high on tree at the north-side of the park. It flew off further north out of the park.
Warbling Vireo X
European Starling X

Black-and-white Warbler X - several, male and female.
Northern Parula X
Yellow Warbler 1 high in a willow tree near the maintenance shed.
Yellow-rumped Warbler X

Common Grackle X
House Sparrow X

View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S14064157

Monday 6 May 2013

Olmsted Park--Ward's Pond, Suffolk, MA, USA, 5-May-2013


11:13 AM - 11:23 AM
Protocol: Traveling
0.25 mile(s)
Comments: Continuing on from Willow Pond, however the dilapidated boardwalk at the south of pond was under construction so I could not complete my usual lap.
5 species

Mourning Dove 1
Chimney Swift 3
Song Sparrow X
Red-winged Blackbird X
Common Grackle X

View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S14092854

Olmsted Park--Willow Pond and Meadow, Suffolk, MA, USA, 5-May-2013


10:46 AM - 11:13 AM
Protocol: Traveling
0.25 mile(s)
Comments: Continuing on from Leverett Pond.
11 species

Mallard 4 total - 2 males together then a pair.

Blue-headed Vireo 1 slowly singing in one of the high trees at the hill. I got a better look than the week before, and clearly saw its white spectacles.

Blue Jay X
Black-capped Chickadee X
Tufted Titmouse X
White-breasted Nuthatch 1 at the hill.
American Robin X
Northern Parula 1 also at the hill, just after the blue-headed vireo.
Red-winged Blackbird X
Common Grackle X
House Sparrow X

View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S14092826

Olmsted Park--Leverett Pond, Suffolk, MA, USA, 5-May-2013

9:53 AM - 10:46 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.0 mile(s)
Comments: Another patch visit, with high hopes of more warblers.
Weather: bright, sunny, warm.
22 species

Canada Goose X - including a pair with 4 chicks.
Double-crested Cormorant 2
Great Blue Heron 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1 over water to the west.
Mourning Dove 2
Downy Woodpecker 2 together on the east-side.
Warbling Vireo X

Northern Rough-winged Swallow 1 at the northern tip of the pond. It flew off as I approached the wall but flew around before settling on a branch overhanging the water. Warm brown back head and chest, fusing to white. It twittered for a bit then flew off again, just as I got my camera out, & unfortunately did not return, nor did I see it on my way back about an hour later. Site-tick.

Tree Swallow 4 flying over the water during my whole walk. At one point one perched on a tree at the water's edge close to where I was standing.
Black-capped Chickadee X - heard.
Tufted Titmouse X
White-breasted Nuthatch 1
American Robin X
European Starling X

Yellow Warbler 1 singing in the small trees at the east stone bridge.
Palm Warbler 2
Yellow-rumped Warbler X

Song Sparrow 2 in japanese knotweed clumps near east stone bridge.
Red-winged Blackbird X
Common Grackle X

Baltimore Oriole 2 chasing each other as they swiftly flew along the water on the east-side of the pond. One perched atop a tree allowing identification - FOY.
House Sparrow X

View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S14092767