May 2015

Magic May again and 25 checklists submitted to eBird!

The first outing of the month was to Leverett Pond where I had a few expected migrants: 3 warblers and a Blue-Grey Gnatcatcher.

Saturday 2nd, Leverett Pond, MA, USA.

My FOY Chimney Swift arrived to back in Brookline, Saturday, 2nd.

Things then picked up. Returning from a family trip to Dartmouth I took a detour to twitch a Prothonotary Warbler at Willow Pond. Obviously a site-tick and excellent views of a stunning bird.

Sunday 3rd, Willow Pond, MA, USA.

My main focus this year was to leverage regular access to the Boston public gardens to pick-up as many migrating species as I could. Since it was on my way to work and many species have been seen here I wanted to find out what I could see if I concentrated my time here.
This effort began on the 4th with 5 warblers, Blue-Grey Gnatcatcher and a Rose-Breasted Grosbeak. On the 5th, overnight and early morning rain had caused a bit of a “fall” and it was probably the best morning I’ve ever had at the gardens. There were 9 species of warbler including another Prothonotary Warbler (not the same one from Willow Pond though), Ovenbird and Northern Parula; also site-tick Wood Thrush, Eastern Towee and Scarlet Tanager.
The next day (6th) could not match that day but the Prothonotary Warbler was still present. My last visit of the week saw things “back-to-normal” and relatively quiet especially for May.

Monday 4th, Tuesday 5th, Wednesday 6th & Thursday 7th, Boston Public Gardens, MA, USA.

A busy week was concluded with an outing to Mount Auburn Cemetery where I tallied 40 species, including 11 warblers in particular Blackburnian Warbler, Chestnut-Sided Warbler and life-tick TENNESSEE WARBLER singing loudly from a path-side tree but resolutely staying out of view! Other notables were Great Horned Owl, Blue-Headed Vireo, Scarlet Tanager and Orchard Oriole.

Friday 8th, Mount Auburn Cemetery, MA, USA.

Another weekend visit to Leverett Pond for American Redstart and Blackpoll Warbler among others on Sunday 9th.

Back to the public gardens for the week with usual warbler numbers moving through on Monday. The situation improved on Tuesday with a site-tick Northern Waterthrush among 8 warblers species. Wednesday produced a site-tick Nashville Warbler and a couple more Eastern Towee. Thursday went back to being quiet again.

Monday 11th, Tuesday 12th, Wednesday 13th & Thursday 14th, Boston Public Gardens, MA, USA.

FOY Common Nighthawk arrived ‘home’ to Brookline, Friday, 25th.

Switching to Olmsted Park at the weekend, a singing Wood Thrush and another Nashville Warbler were present at Leverett.

Sunday 17th, Leverett Pond, MA, USA.
Sunday 17th, Willow Pond, MA, USA.

I managed three more public garden visits in the remaining weeks of the month, the first of which (21st) produced a fantastic and much wanted life-tick BAY-BREASTED WARBLER. I also saw Nashville Warbler and Wilson’s Warbler, both in the big willow tree next to the water. That morning I also bumped into the chief eBirder of Scotland who was visiting on holiday for the birds. I was able to show him and his wife around and I believe the Wilson's was a life-tick for him, which was great!

The next week’s visit (26th) was much quieter with only American Redstart and Common Yellowthroat representing the warblers. The final visit (28th) saw Black-and-White Warbler replace Yellowthroat alongside the American Redstart.

Thursday 21st, Tuesday 26th & Thursday 28th, Boston Public Gardens, MA, USA.

Also on the 26th, I chased but dipped a reported mourning warbler at Leverett Pond, but I did see Northern Rough-Winged Swallow and an Orchard Oriole in its apparent 'usual' spot.

The next day I was back in the morning but again dipped the mourning warbler, although the oriole was still there. On reaching Willow Pond I almost immediately saw a flycatcher which was active just off the road under the canopy. I took some pictures and fortunately recorded its song because I wasn’t sure what it was, but assumed "Traill's". After uploading the song to xeno-canto.org I was assured that it was a life-tick ACADIAN FLYCATCHER! A species I did not expect to see here as it’s not commonly reported in Suffolk county. A brilliant way to end another ‘Magic May’.

Tuesday 26th, Leverett Pond, MA, USA.
Wednesday 27th, Leverett Pond, MA, USA.
Wednesday 27th, Willow Pond, MA, USA.



I did manage one more visit to Leverett Pond where everything seemed to be settling down for another breeding season on Saturday 30th.

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.

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

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

Mt. Auburn Cemetery, Middlesex, Massachusetts, USA, 13-Nov-2011

11:20 AM - 2:00 PM
Protocol: Traveling
2.0 mile(s)

Comments: First post-emigration outing to an established location. Thought I'd check this place out before Spring when it's at its peak, & was shown around by a friendly lady who noticed I was birding.
Weather: Bright, sunny, cool.
14 species

Red-tailed Hawk, 2 soaring overhead.
Herring Gull, 1 over.
Mourning Dove  X - on Auburn Pond feeders.

GREAT HORNED OWL, 2 in trees in the Dell to which I was taken by my newly-acquainted guide. One of the young birds was soon picked up in a tall oak. Its sibling was more difficult to find in another tree but I managed to find it after I was left alone to wander round the area. Life-tick.



Downy Woodpecker, 1 in tree next to Auburn Pond feeders.
Blue Jay  X
Black-capped Chickadee  X
Tufted Titmouse  X - on Auburn Pond feeders.
American Robin  X - several around Halcyon Lake.
Dark-eyed Junco  X

White-throated Sparrow, 10 seen in total; an initial couple were spotted as I headed along Indian Path on the way down to the Dell, but several more seen on the way back.

Northern Cardinal  X
American Goldfinch  6, amongst the pines in the Dell.
House Sparrow  X - on Auburn Pond feeders.

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