Just one patch visit to Leverett Pond but still some summer species present although the winter ducks were also arriving. There were 57 Wood Duck, a high count for me at this location!
Sunday 16th, Leverett Pond, MA, USA.
Later in that month, I bizarrely saw a Common Raven outside Trader Joe’s in Brookline! It’s one of those sightings that I don’t believe after the bird has gone, but it was definitely there.
Sunday 23rd, BoA/TJ's Parking Lot, Coolidge Corner, MA, USA.
A couple days later I was afforded a full day out on Plum Island/Parker River NWR. To start the day, I had crippling views of a couple Snowy Owls, including one that sat on the Lot 2 Dunes for ages, after jousted with another right in front of me! While I watched a flock of Shore Lark also moved around the dunes.
At the salt pannes, a male American Wigeon and 15 Northern Pintail, followed by Northern Harrier at North Pool.
At Bill Forward Pool more ducks but most numerous again were 49 Northern Pintail.
From Lot 6 Dunes a good selection of seabirds including a Red-Necked Grebe.
Stage Island Pool had a half dozen Bufflehead, a Red-Throated Loon/Diver.
Finally as the light faded, Emerson Rocks hosted Greater Scaup and Long-Tailed Duck among others.
Tuesday 25th, Parker River NWT, MA, USA:
Lot 2 Dunes,
Salt Pannes,
North Pool Overlook,
Bill Forward Pool,
Lot 6 Dunes,
Stage Island Pool,
Emerson Rocks.
Thursday, 27 November 2014
Monday, 27 October 2014
October 2014
Things picked up a little from previous months with a first visit to Cumberland Farms. The BBC walk didn’t show up so I went around with someone else who had expected to join it. Most notable were 20 Bobolink, but we dipped on a lincoln’s sparrow.
Sunday 12th, Cumberland Farms, MA, USA.
Sunday 12th, Cumberland Farms, MA, USA.
A couple of Olmsted Park patch visits revealed some fall migrants. On the 12th, Golden-Crowned Kinglet and a flyover site-tick Turkey Vulture. On the 26th, a site-tick Nashville Warbler as well as 2 Hairy Woodpecker and 53 Wood Duck!
Sunday 12th, Leverett Pond, MA, USA.
Sunday 12th, Willow Pond, MA, USA.
Sunday 12th, Leverett Pond, MA, USA.
Sunday 12th, Willow Pond, MA, USA.
Friday, 26 September 2014
September 2014
I had a trip to the UK where I visited Hunstanton Cliffs and saw the resident Northern Fulmar and some passage Northen Gannet.
Wednesday 3rd, Hunstanton Cliffs, Norfolk, UK.
I also visited RSPB Titchwell where I walked the new East Trail for the first time. Among the 53 species I saw the most notable where 1 flyover Eurasian Spoonbill, 4 Curlew Sandpiper, 1 Spotted Redshank and 3 Little Stint. The stint were a site-tick and maybe even a life-tick.
Friday 6th, RSPB Titchwell, Norfolk, UK.
On returning to the US I didn’t make any patch visits but did hear another Eastern Screech Owl at home on the 21st.
Wednesday 3rd, Hunstanton Cliffs, Norfolk, UK.
I also visited RSPB Titchwell where I walked the new East Trail for the first time. Among the 53 species I saw the most notable where 1 flyover Eurasian Spoonbill, 4 Curlew Sandpiper, 1 Spotted Redshank and 3 Little Stint. The stint were a site-tick and maybe even a life-tick.
Friday 6th, RSPB Titchwell, Norfolk, UK.
On returning to the US I didn’t make any patch visits but did hear another Eastern Screech Owl at home on the 21st.
Tuesday, 26 August 2014
August 2014
Another slower one but at home in Brookline I again recorded Common Nighthawk activity throughout the month, as well as hearing an Eastern Screech-Owl (10th) and Carolina Wren (23rd).
I managed 2 Olmsted Park patch visits, 2nd and 24th, the latter providing Cooper’s Hawk and Willow Flycatcher, both Leverett Pond site-ticks.
Saturday 2nd, Leverett Pond, MA, USA.
Sunday 24th, Leverett Pond, MA, USA.
Sunday 24th, Willow Pond, MA, USA.
Sunday 24th, Ward's Pond, MA, USA.
I managed 2 Olmsted Park patch visits, 2nd and 24th, the latter providing Cooper’s Hawk and Willow Flycatcher, both Leverett Pond site-ticks.
Saturday 2nd, Leverett Pond, MA, USA.
Sunday 24th, Leverett Pond, MA, USA.
Sunday 24th, Willow Pond, MA, USA.
Sunday 24th, Ward's Pond, MA, USA.
Saturday, 26 July 2014
July 2014
A slow month during which I visited Rachel Carson NWR, Maine one evening, more to take in the scenery than find many birds.
Saturday 12th, Rachel Carson NWR, ME, USA.
At home in Brookline I noted a lot of Common Nighthawk activity, indicative of a breeding population I think.
Saturday 12th, Rachel Carson NWR, ME, USA.
At home in Brookline I noted a lot of Common Nighthawk activity, indicative of a breeding population I think.
Monday, 30 June 2014
June 2014
I kept the spring momentum going with a visit to Great Meadows NWR on a lovely summer day. The target species was MARSH WREN of which I saw many and heard more, for a life-tick. I also saw 13 Common Nighthawk flying in some sort of migration or display high above the river. It was quite a sight!
Sunday 1st, Great Meadows--NWR, Concord Unit, MA, USA.
An Olmsted Park patch visit the week after where I noted resident breeding species, although at Willow Pond I spotted a Hairy Woodpecker which does not appear to be a resident breeder.
Saturday 7th, Leverett Pond, MA, USA.
Saturday 7th, Willow Pond, MA, USA.
The next day I was down on the south coast with the family and on a walk to Apponagansett Beach, Dartmouth I was surprised to hear and then see a couple of male Prairie Warblers singing enthusiastically.
Sunday 8th, Apponagansett Beach, MA, USA.
A few days after that I was in Chicago on a mini-break and ended up at Lincoln Park Zoo where I enjoyed a nice walk around the south pond, where the most notable species was Green Heron.
Thursday 12th, Lincoln Park, IL, USA.
On returning to Boston, I was able to confirm breeding activity for several species on my local patch.
Sunday 15th, Leverett Pond, MA, USA.
Next I visited Moose Hill and on my way there I spotted my first Massachusetts Fish Crow. Once at Moose Hill I had to wait around for quite a while before my target species eventually appeared, a life-tick DICKCISSEL. Well worth the wait! Other notable species at a lovely site were singing Scarlet Tanager and Bobolink.
Sunday 22nd, Route 9, MA, USA.
Sunday 22nd, Moose Hill, MA, USA.
My final Olmsted Park patch visit for more breeding birds or early movers:
Sunday 29th, Leverett Pond, MA, USA.
Sunday 29th, Willow Pond, MA, USA.
Sunday 1st, Great Meadows--NWR, Concord Unit, MA, USA.
An Olmsted Park patch visit the week after where I noted resident breeding species, although at Willow Pond I spotted a Hairy Woodpecker which does not appear to be a resident breeder.
Saturday 7th, Leverett Pond, MA, USA.
Saturday 7th, Willow Pond, MA, USA.
The next day I was down on the south coast with the family and on a walk to Apponagansett Beach, Dartmouth I was surprised to hear and then see a couple of male Prairie Warblers singing enthusiastically.
Sunday 8th, Apponagansett Beach, MA, USA.
A few days after that I was in Chicago on a mini-break and ended up at Lincoln Park Zoo where I enjoyed a nice walk around the south pond, where the most notable species was Green Heron.
Thursday 12th, Lincoln Park, IL, USA.
On returning to Boston, I was able to confirm breeding activity for several species on my local patch.
Sunday 15th, Leverett Pond, MA, USA.
Next I visited Moose Hill and on my way there I spotted my first Massachusetts Fish Crow. Once at Moose Hill I had to wait around for quite a while before my target species eventually appeared, a life-tick DICKCISSEL. Well worth the wait! Other notable species at a lovely site were singing Scarlet Tanager and Bobolink.
Sunday 22nd, Route 9, MA, USA.
Sunday 22nd, Moose Hill, MA, USA.
My final Olmsted Park patch visit for more breeding birds or early movers:
Sunday 29th, Leverett Pond, MA, USA.
Sunday 29th, Willow Pond, MA, USA.
Sunday, 1 June 2014
May 2014
Spring migration, Magic May! 74 species from 24 checklists.
First of year Chimney Swifts arrived in Brookline, Saturday, 3rd May.
I was also able to make almost daily visits to Boston Public Garden which turned up a wonderful number and variety of species. Most notably on Wednesday 7th I joined a BBC walk, and along with a good selection of warblers, I was fortunate enough to tally two life-ticks in LEAST FLYCATCHER and AMERICAN WOODCOCK which flopped onto the ground right at the end of the walk!
Monday 5th, Tuesday 6th, Wednesday 7th & Thursday 8th, Boston Public Gardens, MA, USA.
I then visited the Olmsted Park patch and again got lucky at Willow Pond in the meadow area where a White-Eyed Vireo was lurking along with some Swamp Sparrows, both site-ticks.
Friday 9th, Leverett Pond, MA, USA.
Friday 9th, Willow Pond, MA, USA.
My sort of annual pilgrimage to Mount Auburn Cemetery was a soggy affair. It poured down so when I caught up to the BBC walk the group hadn't moved very far or seen too much. It was a good morning but with lower numbers seen that usual because of the rain.
Saturday 10th, Mt. Auburn Cemetery, MA, USA.
Followed by a few good yard birds, 11th and 12th: Magnolia, Yellow and Black-Throated Green Warbler.
Daily visits to Boston Public Gardens as migration entered its peak. Monday morning was particularly stunning with many warblers and other migrants in full voice, including life-tick BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER high in one of the trees, and one of my target species for this migration season. I also was excited to see another one of my target species in the gardens, a life-tick, ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK, which allowed excellent views.
Monday 12th, Tuesday 13th, Wednesday 14th & Thursday 15th, Boston Public Gardens, MA, USA.
First of year Common Nighthawks registered on my yard-list, Saturday 17th May.
Weekend Olmsted Park patch yielded a site-tick Prairie Warbler among the knotweed jungle.
Sunday 18th, Leverett Pond, MA, USA.
Sunday 18th, Willow Pond, MA, USA.
Sunday 18th, Ward's Pond, MA, USA.
A couple days later I went on a nearby twitch for a special warbler and was delighted to see life-tick PROTHONOTARY WARBLER, very active along the river at Nahanton Park. I also saw my second Rose-Breasted Grosbeak there after only recently seeing my first.
Tuesday 20th, Nahanton Park, MA, USA.
Next day I visited another new location that I been reading was registering some good birds. I hoped to pick up a mourning warbler but was unsuccessful. However I did see a wide range of spring migrants, notably singing Veery and a few Scarlet Tanager.
Wednesday 21st, McLaughlin Woods, MA, USA.
Black-Throated Blue Warbler was another good yard bird, Friday 23rd.
My final May outing was to Leverett Pond, where breeding now seemed to be in full swing, with many Starling fledglings already, and a site-tick female Brown-Headed Cowbird also maybe in the area looking for hosts.
Saturday 31st, Leverett Pond, MA, USA.
First of year Chimney Swifts arrived in Brookline, Saturday, 3rd May.
I was also able to make almost daily visits to Boston Public Garden which turned up a wonderful number and variety of species. Most notably on Wednesday 7th I joined a BBC walk, and along with a good selection of warblers, I was fortunate enough to tally two life-ticks in LEAST FLYCATCHER and AMERICAN WOODCOCK which flopped onto the ground right at the end of the walk!
Monday 5th, Tuesday 6th, Wednesday 7th & Thursday 8th, Boston Public Gardens, MA, USA.
I then visited the Olmsted Park patch and again got lucky at Willow Pond in the meadow area where a White-Eyed Vireo was lurking along with some Swamp Sparrows, both site-ticks.
Friday 9th, Leverett Pond, MA, USA.
Friday 9th, Willow Pond, MA, USA.
My sort of annual pilgrimage to Mount Auburn Cemetery was a soggy affair. It poured down so when I caught up to the BBC walk the group hadn't moved very far or seen too much. It was a good morning but with lower numbers seen that usual because of the rain.
Saturday 10th, Mt. Auburn Cemetery, MA, USA.
Followed by a few good yard birds, 11th and 12th: Magnolia, Yellow and Black-Throated Green Warbler.
Daily visits to Boston Public Gardens as migration entered its peak. Monday morning was particularly stunning with many warblers and other migrants in full voice, including life-tick BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER high in one of the trees, and one of my target species for this migration season. I also was excited to see another one of my target species in the gardens, a life-tick, ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK, which allowed excellent views.
Monday 12th, Tuesday 13th, Wednesday 14th & Thursday 15th, Boston Public Gardens, MA, USA.
First of year Common Nighthawks registered on my yard-list, Saturday 17th May.
Weekend Olmsted Park patch yielded a site-tick Prairie Warbler among the knotweed jungle.
Sunday 18th, Leverett Pond, MA, USA.
Sunday 18th, Willow Pond, MA, USA.
Sunday 18th, Ward's Pond, MA, USA.
A couple days later I went on a nearby twitch for a special warbler and was delighted to see life-tick PROTHONOTARY WARBLER, very active along the river at Nahanton Park. I also saw my second Rose-Breasted Grosbeak there after only recently seeing my first.
Tuesday 20th, Nahanton Park, MA, USA.
Next day I visited another new location that I been reading was registering some good birds. I hoped to pick up a mourning warbler but was unsuccessful. However I did see a wide range of spring migrants, notably singing Veery and a few Scarlet Tanager.
Wednesday 21st, McLaughlin Woods, MA, USA.
Black-Throated Blue Warbler was another good yard bird, Friday 23rd.
My final May outing was to Leverett Pond, where breeding now seemed to be in full swing, with many Starling fledglings already, and a site-tick female Brown-Headed Cowbird also maybe in the area looking for hosts.
Saturday 31st, Leverett Pond, MA, USA.
Thursday, 1 May 2014
April 2014
A slow start to the month with regulars at Olmsted Park.
Sunday 6th, Leverett Pond, MA, USA
Sunday 6th, Willow Pond, MA, USA
Saturday 12th, Leverett Pond, MA, USA
Saturday 12th, Willow Pond, MA, USA
However migration season gave notice with a wonderful HOODED WARBLER in Boston Public Gardens, albeit I had to view it from under an umbrella during an icy downpour!
Wednesday 23rd, Boston Public Garden, MA, USA
At the end of the month I dipped yellow-throated warbler at Nahanton Park but I did see first of year Palm Warbler and Tree Swallow there.
Sunday 27th, Nahanton Park, MA, USA
Sunday 6th, Leverett Pond, MA, USA
Sunday 6th, Willow Pond, MA, USA
Saturday 12th, Leverett Pond, MA, USA
Saturday 12th, Willow Pond, MA, USA
However migration season gave notice with a wonderful HOODED WARBLER in Boston Public Gardens, albeit I had to view it from under an umbrella during an icy downpour!
Wednesday 23rd, Boston Public Garden, MA, USA
At the end of the month I dipped yellow-throated warbler at Nahanton Park but I did see first of year Palm Warbler and Tree Swallow there.
Sunday 27th, Nahanton Park, MA, USA
Monday, 31 March 2014
March 2014
A couple of Olmsted Park patch visits turned up the regulars who were now beginning to get more vocal, most obvious were a couple of House Finches in Willow Pond Meadow.
Sunday 1st, Leverett Pond, MA, USA
Sunday 1st, Willow Pond, MA, USA
Sunday 1st, Ward's Pond, MA, USA
Mid-month was vacation time in Montego Bay, Jamaica! There were scant few birds around the small Iberostar resort so I hired a taxi to take me to the wonderful garden and forest at Rocklands Bird Sanctuary. I totalled 39 species, 22 life ticks, including 10 endemics! I also saw a few more familiar species on the sewage farm outside Montego Bay on the way back from Rocklands.
Endemics (all life-ticks):
Chestnut-Bellied Cuckoo (Coccyzus pluvialis)
Jamaican Lizard Cuckoo (Coccyzus vetula)
Jamaican Mango (Anthracothorax mango)
Red-Billed Streamertail (Trochilus polytmus)
Jamaican Tody (Todus todus)
Jamaican Woodpecker (Melanerpes radiolatus)
Sad Flycatcher (Myiarchus barbirostris)
White-Chinned Thrush (Turdus aurantius)
White-Eyed Thrush (Turdus jamaicensis)
Orangequit (Euneornis campestris)
If I go again I'll try to go to more birdy part of the island and follow some of the tips in these two posts: part 1, part 2.
Monday 10th, Iberostar Rose Hall Beach, Jamaica
Wednesday 12th, Rocklands Bird Sanctuary, Jamaica
Wednesday 12th, Montego Bay Sewage Ponds, Jamaica
After returning from the Caribbean, the still frozen north felt particularly parsimonious, for birds and warmth. However first of year Common Grackles and Red-Winged Blackbirds at Brookline Village T-stop and Olmsted Park respectively, offered hope that I wasn't living in Narnia or Arendelle.
Wednesday 19th, Brookline Village T-stop, MA, USA
Sunday 23rd, Leverett Pond, MA, USA
Sunday 23rd, Ward's Pond, MA, USA
Sunday 1st, Leverett Pond, MA, USA
Sunday 1st, Willow Pond, MA, USA
Sunday 1st, Ward's Pond, MA, USA
Mid-month was vacation time in Montego Bay, Jamaica! There were scant few birds around the small Iberostar resort so I hired a taxi to take me to the wonderful garden and forest at Rocklands Bird Sanctuary. I totalled 39 species, 22 life ticks, including 10 endemics! I also saw a few more familiar species on the sewage farm outside Montego Bay on the way back from Rocklands.
Endemics (all life-ticks):
Chestnut-Bellied Cuckoo (Coccyzus pluvialis)
Jamaican Lizard Cuckoo (Coccyzus vetula)
Jamaican Mango (Anthracothorax mango)
Red-Billed Streamertail (Trochilus polytmus)
Jamaican Tody (Todus todus)
Jamaican Woodpecker (Melanerpes radiolatus)
Sad Flycatcher (Myiarchus barbirostris)
White-Chinned Thrush (Turdus aurantius)
White-Eyed Thrush (Turdus jamaicensis)
Orangequit (Euneornis campestris)
If I go again I'll try to go to more birdy part of the island and follow some of the tips in these two posts: part 1, part 2.
Monday 10th, Iberostar Rose Hall Beach, Jamaica
Wednesday 12th, Rocklands Bird Sanctuary, Jamaica
Wednesday 12th, Montego Bay Sewage Ponds, Jamaica
After returning from the Caribbean, the still frozen north felt particularly parsimonious, for birds and warmth. However first of year Common Grackles and Red-Winged Blackbirds at Brookline Village T-stop and Olmsted Park respectively, offered hope that I wasn't living in Narnia or Arendelle.
Wednesday 19th, Brookline Village T-stop, MA, USA
Sunday 23rd, Leverett Pond, MA, USA
Sunday 23rd, Ward's Pond, MA, USA
Friday, 28 February 2014
February 2014
Three patch visits to Olmsted Park produced some very nice site-ticks: Hooded Merganser and Golden-Crowned Kinglet at Leverett Pond; Rusty Blackbird at Willow Pond, and plentiful numbers of wintering regulars, particularly Northern Cardinals on the east side islands.
Saturday 1st, Leverett Pond, MA, USA
Saturday 1st, Willow Pond, MA, USA
Saturday 1st, Ward's Pond, MA, USA
Sunday 9th, Leverett Pond, MA, USA
Sunday 9th, Willow Pond, MA, USA
Sunday 16th, Leverett Pond, MA, USA
Sunday 16th, Willow Pond, MA, USA
Sunday 16th, Ward's Pond, MA, USA
Saturday 1st, Leverett Pond, MA, USA
Saturday 1st, Willow Pond, MA, USA
Saturday 1st, Ward's Pond, MA, USA
Sunday 9th, Leverett Pond, MA, USA
Sunday 9th, Willow Pond, MA, USA
Sunday 16th, Leverett Pond, MA, USA
Sunday 16th, Willow Pond, MA, USA
Sunday 16th, Ward's Pond, MA, USA
Saturday, 1 February 2014
January 2014
Sea ducks and gulls were the primary species for new year's day, with some good winter sea ducks from Wollaston Beach, including Greater Scaup.
Wednesday 1st, Wollaston Beach, MA, USA
At Leverett Pond, more winter ducks including Common Merganser, a site-tick.
Sunday 19th, Leverett Pond, MA, USA
Castle Island provided good looks across to Logan airport for a couple of Snowy Owls and a possible Roughleg, though the distance and brevity of the looks meant I couldn't tell for certain.
Monday 20th, Castle Island, MA, USA
I ended the month braving the extreme cold at Revere beach while dipping a Glaucous gull, for the third time, which means I now consider it a nemesis bird!
Sunday 26th, Revere Beach, MA, USA
Wednesday 1st, Wollaston Beach, MA, USA
At Leverett Pond, more winter ducks including Common Merganser, a site-tick.
Sunday 19th, Leverett Pond, MA, USA
Castle Island provided good looks across to Logan airport for a couple of Snowy Owls and a possible Roughleg, though the distance and brevity of the looks meant I couldn't tell for certain.
Monday 20th, Castle Island, MA, USA
I ended the month braving the extreme cold at Revere beach while dipping a Glaucous gull, for the third time, which means I now consider it a nemesis bird!
Sunday 26th, Revere Beach, MA, USA
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