Monday, 30 September 2013

September 2013

Birds seen this month included a few yellowlegs and plovers during a family outing to Hingham whilst having dinner in a car-park.

Sunday 1st, Hingham Bathing Beach, MA, USA.

And a Peregrine near Copley on my way from work.

Thursday 12th, Copley, Boston, MA, USA.

A mid-month Olmsted Park patch visit turned up a female BLUE-WINGED TEAL, first on Leverett then on Willow Pond, a life-tick.

Sunday 15th, Leverett Pond, Boston, MA, USA.

Tuesday, 27 August 2013

Gooseberry Neck, Bristol, US-MA, 25-Aug-2013

11:53 AM - 2:00 PM
Protocol: Traveling
1.5 mile(s)
Comments: Outing to a familiar migration hotspot on a lovely day.
Weather: bright, hot & sunny.
21 species

Common Eider X
Double-crested Cormorant X
Osprey X

Grey Plover 2 on nearby rocks off south-east tip; primary projection not beyond tail, pale top of head, noticeable bill.

Spotted Sandpiper 1 foraging on rock close to south-east shore. Easily identifiable shape and bobbing behaviour.

Whimbrel 4 flew in low, directly towards and over me as I stood on the southern tip! The settled on the nearby beach and started to forage, keeping a eye loosely on me.

Sanderling 50 along the shore, flying to avoid people, and then roosting at the end of the island as I sat about 40 yards away having my lunch. I was able to move off without disturbing them.

Semipalmated Sandpiper 5 + foraging at various points along the shore, or on rocks in the water.

Laughing Gull X
Ring-billed Gull X
Herring Gull X
Great Black-backed Gull X

Least Tern 3 between rocks to the east and south of the mainland. They and other terns initially moved between the near eastern rocks and the further away southern rocks, before mainly settling on the farther rocks.

Black Tern 3 on southern rocks; small, darker body including tail, but not possible to pick out too many more details because I only had my binoculars.

Common Tern 1

Forster's Tern 1 flew out to the southern rocks, distinctive face mask just about visible.
Mourning Dove 2 near the tower.
Tree Swallow 100 + flying throughout and many perching on reeds.
Barn Swallow 1 or 2 among the tree swallows.
Grey Catbird X
Song Sparrow 1

View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S15095339

Sunday, 28 July 2013

Olmsted Park--Ward's Pond, Suffolk, MA, USA, 27-Jul-2013

2:57 PM - 3:35 PM
Protocol: Traveling
0.25 mile(s)
Comments: Last part of patch visit, including a nice sit by the pond in the sunshine. I was also able to walk on the new boardwalk.
2 species

Great Black-backed Gull 1 over to Jamaica Pond.
Grey Catbird 1

View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S15087833

Olmsted Park--Leverett Pond, Suffolk, MA, USA, 27-Jul-2013

2:06 PM - 2:33 PM
Protocol: Traveling
0.5 mile(s)
Comments: Summer patch visit.
Weather: hot and sunny.
8 species

American Black Duck X
Mallard X
Double-crested Cormorant X
Blue Jay X
American Robin X
European Starling 1
Song Sparrow 1 heard.
House Sparrow X

View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S15087764

Olmsted Park--Willow Pond and Meadow, Suffolk, MA, USA, 27-Jul-2013

2:34 PM - 2:56 PM
Protocol: Traveling
0.25 mile(s)
Comments: Second part of patch visit.
And 1536-1546 on the way back.
10 species

Mallard 5 including 3 juveniles.
Downy Woodpecker X
Tufted Titmouse X
American Robin X
Grey Catbird 1
Cedar Waxwing 1
Red-winged Blackbird 2 males.
Common Grackle 6
American Goldfinch 2 males, seen separately.
House Sparrow X

View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S15087816

Sunday, 14 July 2013

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