November 2014

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.

Parker River NWR--North Pool Overlook, Essex, MA, USA, 13-Jul-2013

7:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Protocol: Stationary
Comments: Final stop on the day-trip. A dusky look over the pond.
Weather: sunny, warm, dusk.
13 species

Mallard X
Wild Turkey X - including an adult and two chicks that crossed the road just before we pulled off into the overlook parking area.
Snowy Egret X
Semipalmated Plover 1
Least Sandpiper X
Willow Flycatcher 1 chasing other birds off low to the south of the parking area.
Eastern Kingbird X
Tree Swallow X
Barn Swallow 1 flew in from the direction of the barn to the north, and out over the field next to the pond.
European Starling X
Song Sparrow X
Red-winged Blackbird X
Common Grackle X

View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S14695645

Sandy Point Carpark and Beach, Essex, MA, USA, 13-Jul-2013

6:00 PM
Protocol: Incidental
Comments: After reaching the end of the road on the island we took a brief walk out from the carpark to the beach, & back again.
Weather: bright, sunny, cooling breeze.
11 species

Osprey 2 over the sea.
Ring-billed Gull X
Herring Gull X
Great Black-backed Gull X
Least Tern X
Tree Swallow X
Grey Catbird X
Cedar Waxwing 1 alighted in the small trees around the carpark.

Common Yellowthroat 1 male, briefly showed at the top of a tall shrub as I sat in the car. Striking bandit's mask stood out in the sunlight.
American Redstart 2 total; the first was a female on the ground in the carpark at the front of our car. An unusual please to see one, on the ground, but great to get such a close look! The second I saw when I took a brief walk up a small path just off the carpark.
Yellow Warbler X - a few adults in low shrubs around the area with vociferous young in tow.

View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S14695616

Parker River NWR--Salt Pans, Essex, MA, USA, 13-Jul-2013

4:00 PM - 4:15 PM
Protocol: Stationary
Comments: Family roadtrip to a place I have been reading about for ages. We drove the length of the island & back again, hardly venturing out due to the swarms of biting green-headed flies. On the way back dusk has set so mosquitoes cam out instead, but a wonderful place nonetheless & I hope to return many times as there were lots of birds.
Weather: bright, sunny & very hot.
12 species

Snowy Egret 1
Willet 1
Lesser Yellowlegs 1
Least Sandpiper X
Least Tern X
Eastern Kingbird X
Tree Swallow 2
Grey Catbird X
European Starling X
Song Sparrow X
Red-winged Blackbird X
Common Grackle X

View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S14695560

Plum Island--North End, Essex, MA, USA, 13-Jul-2013

3:50 PM
Protocol: Incidental
Comments: With Kim. Weather: bright, warm some clouds.
3 species

Purple Martin X - at lighthouse gourds. An easy life-tick.
Northern Cardinal 1
Common Grackle X

View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S14634999