Forbush Bird Club Recent Trip Reports

The following are highlights of selected field trips of the Forbush Bird Club, listed in reverse chronological order:

The Forbush Bird Club, led by Ralph Richards, had a very satisfying trip around Cape Ann today (12/02/01). There were 14 observers who enjoyed a calm and comfortable day in the high 40's to low 50's. We had fantastic looks at Northern Gannet, the King Eider, all 3 species of Scoter, Harlequin Ducks, Ruddy Turnstones, Purple Sandpipers and the Eared Grebe as well as many other species. The following species were seen:

Red-throated Loon
Common Loon
Horned Grebe
Red-necked Grebe
EARED GREBE
Northern Gannet
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Cormorant
Gret Blue Heron
Canada Goose
American Black Duck
Mallard
Ring-necked Duck
Greater Scaup
KING EIDER
Common Eider
Harlequin Duck
Surf Scoter
White-winged Scoter
Black Scoter
Long-tailed Duck
Bufflehead
Common Goldeneye
Red-breasted Merganser
Ruddy Duck
Red-tailed Hawk
Greater Yellowlegs
RUDDY TURNSTONE
Purple Sandpiper
Bonaparte's Gull
Ring-billed Gull
Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Rock dove
Mourning Dove
SNOWY OWL
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Blue Jay
American Crow
Black-capped Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
Carolina Wren
American Robin
Northern Mockingbird
European Starling
BOHEMIAN WAXWING
Cedar Waxwing
Yellow-rumped Warbler
American Tree Sparrow
Song Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Northern Cardinal
House Finch
American Goldfinch
House Sparrow

(trip report from Joan Zumpfe).

11/18/01 -- Forbush Trip to Northboro, Westboro, and Southboro

On the Forbush Bird Club Trip, sixteen club members visited Northboro, Westboro, and Southboro. The day started cold but warmed up to the 50's with bright blue skys. We visited the following areas: Solomon Pond, Edmund Hill Woods, Michael Yellick Conservation Area, Bartlett Pond, Litttle Chauncey Pond, Lake Chauncey, the fields below Westboro State Hospital and the Southboro Reservoir. The following birds were observed:

Pied-billed Grebe 3
Double-crested Cormorant 4
Great Blue Heron 1
Canada Goose
Mute Swan  3
Wood Duck 7
American Wigeon 9
American Black Duck
Mallard
Northern Pintail 1
Green-winged Teal 1
Ring-necked Duck  600 +/-
Greater Scaup 1
Lesser Scaup 3
Bufflehead 2
Common Goldeneye  90+/-
Hooded Merganser 3
Common Merganser 30
Ruddy Duck 3
Cooper's Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 2
American Coot 10
Common Snipe 1
Ring-billed Gull
Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Rock Dove
Mourning Dove
Downy Woodpecker 2
Northern Flicker 1
Blue Jay
American Crow
Black-capped Chickadee 26
White-breasted Nuthatch 11
Golden-crowned Kinglet 4
American Robin 2
Norhtern Mockingbird 10
European Starling
Cedar Waxwing 3
Yellow-rumped Warbler 2
American Tree Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow 6
Fox Sparrow 1
Song Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Northern Cardinal 7
Red-winged Blackbird 14
House Finch
American Goldfinch
House Sparrow

(trip report from Ann Boover).

11/11/01 -- Salisbury Beach, Plum Island & Cherry Hill Reservoir

Today, Veteran's Day, 2001, the Forbush Bird Club was led by Francis X. McMenemy (substituting for Ralph Richards) on a trip to Salisbury Beach, Plum Island and Cherry Hill Reservoir. The day was sunny, in the low 40's and very windy (15 mph) with higher gusts causing a wind chill. Highlights were: White-winged Crossbills, Snow Bunting, Snow Goose, Lapland Longspur and Western Kingbird. One of these 55 species seen was an un-identified Tern. Complete species list:

Red-throated Loon
Common Loon
Northern Gannet
Double-crested Cormorant
SNOW GOOSE
Canada Goose
Brant
Mute Swan
Gadwall
American Black Duck
Mallard
Northern Pintail
Green-winged Teal
Ring-necked Duck
Lesser Scaup
Common Eider
White-winged Scoter
Bufflehead
Common Merganser
Ruddy Duck
Northern Harrier
Red-tailed Hawk
Merlin
American Coot
Black-bellied Plover
Greater Yellowlegs
Lesser Yellowlegs
Sanderling
White-rumped Sandpiper
Dunlin
Long-billed Dowitcher
Bonaparte's Gull
Ring-billed Gull
Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Tern species
Rock Dove
Mourning Dove
WESTERN KINGBIRD
Blue Jay
American Crow
Black-capped Chickadee
Red-breasted Nuthatch
White-breasted Nuthatch
Northern Mockingbird
European Starling
American Pipit
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Dark-eyed Junco
LAPLAND LONGSPUR
SNOW BUNTING
WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILL
American Goldfinch
House Sparrow

(trip report from Joan Zumpfe).

10/28/01 -- Wachusett Area Forbush Bird Club Trip

A Forbush Bird Club trip led by Francis X. McMenemy was enjoyed by 16 members on an unexpectedly calm and comfortable sunny afternoon with tempeartures in the high 40's. The following were seen in these various Wachusett Reservoir area locations: River Road, West Boylston; Sterling Peat, East and West Lake Waushacum; Wauchusett Reservoir's Gates 6 and 22:

Common Loon 11
Horned Grebe 12
Double-crested Cormorant 34
Great Blue Heron 1
Canada Goose 104
Green-winged Teal 1
American Black Duck
Mallard
Greater Scaup 27
Lesser Scaup 2
TUFTED DUCK 1
Black Scoter 130
Surf Scoter 1
White-winged Scoter 6
Bufflehead 16
Hooded Merganser 4
Common Merganser 7
Ruddy Duck 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 5
Killdeer 9
Greater Yellowlegs 1
Ring-billed Gull
Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Rock Dove 20
Mourning Dove
Blue jay
American Crow
Black-capped Chickadee
Red-breasted Nuthatch 2
White-breasted Nuthatch
Golden-crowned Kinglet 5
American Robin
European Starling
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Pine Warbler 1
Northern Cardinal 1
American Tree Sparrow 2
White-throated Sparrow 1
Dark-eyed Junco
SNOW BUNTING 15
House Finch
American Goldfinch
House Sparrow

(trip report from Joan Zumpfe).

10/21/01 -- Brookfields Forbush Bird Club Trip

On October 21, 2001, Rodney Jenkins led 26 members and guests on a Forbush Bird Club trip through the Brookfields. The weather was perfect. It was calm and warmed up from the low 50's to the low 70's. An additional highlight at the end of the trip was an excellent lunch prepared for the members by Ann and Will Early who live on Lake Wickaboag. The following is a list tallied by Rodney:

Pied-billed Grebe 8
Doble-crested Cormorant 2
Great Blue Heron 5
Canada Goose 400
BRANT 1
Gadwall 1 (F)
American Black Duck 5
Mallard
Green-winged Teal 15
Ruddy Duck 12
Sharp-shinned Hawk 2
Red-tailed Hawk 2
Ring-necked Pheasant 1
American Coot 1
Killdeer 3
PECTORAL SANDPIPER 3
Ring-billed Gull 2
Herring Gull 1
Rock Dove
Mourning Dove
Belted Kingfisher 3
Downy Woodpecker 2
Northern Flicker 2
Eastern Phoebe 1
Blue-headed Vireo 1
Blue Jay
American Crow
Black-capped Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
Red-breasted Nuthatch 1
White-breasted Nuthatch
Carolina Wren 1
Golden-crowned Kinglet 4
Eastern Bluebird 3
American Robin
Gray Catbird 1
Northern Mockingbird
European Starling
American Pipit 7
Cedar Waxwing
Yellow-rumped Warbler 1
Palm Warbler 1
Chipping Sparrow 1
Savannah sparrow
FOX SPARROW
Song Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow 1
Dark-eyed Junco
Northern Cardinal
Red-winged Blackbird 30
Rusty Blackbird 6
Common Grackle
House Finch 2
American Goldfinch
House Sparrow

(trip report from Joan Zumpfe).

10/7/01 -- New Braintree and vicinity

There were 19 participants on a Forbush Bird Club trip to New Braintree and vicinity, led by Rodney Jenkins. Amoung the 54 species of birds found were: Northern Harrier, Merlin, Blue-headed Vireo, Pipet, Lincoln Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Wood Thrush and Rusty Blackbird. (report from Bob Ricci).

7/1/01 -- Wachusett Reservoir and Clinton Land Fill

On a very hot an humid morning, 14 Forbush Bird Club members made the 2.5 mile round trip hike from gate 35 to Tahanto Pt. The main object of the trip was to see the Common Loons that nest at the reservoir. In Sterling the pair that nests on Crescent Is. lost their nest an two eggs to the rising water level by the end of May. They renested an we saw one bird on the nest an the mate near by. They are presently due to hatch their second clutch of eggs about the middle of July. At Tahanto Pt. in Boylston we saw the Loon incubating on the artificial nesting raft. This pairs eggs are due to hatch this week. From Rt. 140 in Boylston, at the section of the reservoir called South Bay we were able to see the adult loons with the small chick that they had hatch on June 24. Birds observed:

Common Loon 6 ( 3 nests, 5 adults, and 1 chick)
Double-crested Cormorant 10
Great Blue Heron 1
Turkey Vulture 2
American Black Duck 4
Mallard 12
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Ring-billed Gull 6
Spotted Sandpiper 1
Mourning Dove 2
Red-bellied Woodpecker 3
Downy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 2
Eastern Wood-Pewee 5
Eastern Kingbird 2
Yellow-throated Vireo 1
Red-eyed Vireo 10
Blue Jay 3
American Crow 6
Tree Swallow 8
Black-capped Chickadee 4
White-breasted Nuthatch 6
Veery 4
Hermit Thrush 2
Wood Thrush 2
American Robin 8
Gray Catbird 6
Northern Mockingbird 2
European Starling 4
Cedar Waxwing 4
Yellow Warbler 2
Chestnut-sided Warbler 6
Yellow-rumped Warbler 1
Pine Warbler 8
Prairie Warbler 5
American Redstart 4
Ovenbird 8
Scarlet Tanager 3
Eastern Towhee 10
Chipping Sparrow 2
Savannah Sparrow 8
Song Sparrow 6
Northern Cardinal 3
Rose-breasted Grosbeak 3
Red-winged Blackbird 6
Common Grackle 2
Baltimore Oriole 4
American Goldfinch 11

(report from Fran McMenemy).

Also these nature notes from trip participant Sharon Hoey:

Black duck (female) with three ducklings

At Tahanto Point we observed:
Red-eyed vireo feeding her young fledgling in a tree
Wildflowers: Whorled loosestrife, Indian pipes
Amphibians: Wood frog, American Toad (baby)

We then went to South Meadow Road (near Gate 39) where we observed:
Butterflies:  Calico pennant, Red Admiral

Then off to the Old Clinton landfill (over the RR tracks) near Gate 38 where we found:
Savannah Sparrow (12+)
Red-tailed hawk (immature)
Turkey vultures (3) 1 & a pair that swooped to a dead tree, landed, preened a while 
then soared away
Butterflies: Widow Skimmer, Tiger Swallowtail
Wildflowers: Hop Clover, Common Milkweed, Black-eyed Susan, Daisy Fleabane, 
Cow vetch, Sweet Fern, Common St. Johnswort, Red Clover, Crown vetch

I would have identified additional wildflowers, but after having lost the 
group once when I stayed to identify one variety, I decided to stay with everyone else!

A few of us traveled on to Wachusett Reservoir off of Rt. 140 between gates 
16 & 17 where we observed:

A mother mallard duck and her 12 young.

A wonderful morning!

6/10/01 -- Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary, Princeton

The Thirty-eighth annual, Forbush Bird Club's Breeding Season Census of Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary was held under clear skies, with light and variable winds. Temp. 60-85 deg. F. There were nineteen observers in ten parties. Total species 85, total individuals 1,508. Compiler: Fran McMenemy.

Common Loon 1 (**)
Great Blue Heron 132 (*)
Black-crowned Night-Heron 1
Turkey Vulture 5
Canada Goose 27
Wood Duck 9
Mallard 4
Hooded Merganser 11 (*)
Northern Goshawk 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Broad-winged Hawk 6
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Ruffed Grouse 14 (*)
Killdeer 1 (**)
Mourning Dove 23
Great Horned Owl 3
Barred Owl 1
Chimney Swift 6
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 4
Belted Kingfisher 1
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 8
Downy Woodpecker 10
Hairy Woodpecker 3
Northern Flicker 5
Pileated Woodpecker 1
Eastern Wood-Pewee 33
Alder Flycatcher 1
Least Flycatcher 17
Eastern Phoebe    8
Great Crested Flycatcher 11
Eastern Kingbird 11
Blue-headed Vireo 9
Warbling Vireo 6
Red-eyed Vireo 85
Blue Jay 43
American Crow 14
Common Raven 1
Tree Swallow 104
Barn Swallow 50
Black-capped Chickadee 72
Tufted Titmouse 27
White-breasted Nuthatch 8
Brown Creeper 17
House Wren 7
Winter Wren 2
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 4
Eastern Bluebird 7
Veery 15
Hermit Thrush 26
Wood Thrush 18
American Robin 34
Gray Catbird 18
European Starling 4
Cedar Waxwing 16
Blue-winged Warbler 5
Yellow Warbler 12
Chestnut-sided Warbler 13
Magnolia Warbler 1
Black-throated Blue Warbler 7
Yellow=-rumped Warbler 17
Black-throated Green Warbler 15
Blackburnian Warbler 6
Black-and-white Warbler 18
American Redstart 14
Ovenbird 116
Northern Waterthrush 2
Louisiana Waterthrush 1
Common Yellowthroat 33
Canada Warbler 4
Scarlet Tanager 24
Eastern Towhee 23
Chipping Sparrow 10
Song Sparrow 18
Dark-eyed Junco 1
Northern Cardinal 4
Rose-breasted Grosbeak 12
Bobolink 11
Red-winged Blackbird 62
Common Grackle 64
Brown-headed Cowbird 8
Baltimore Oriole 12
Purple Finch 7
House Finch 5
American Goldfinch 30
House Sparrow 6

(*) Includes adults and young
(**) Heard flying over head
34 Active Heron nests in Beaver Swamp Rookery

(report from Fran McMenemy).

6/3/01 -- Auburn Sportsmen's Club

Helen and Mark Blazis filled in for Eddie Banks as Co-Leaders for the Bird Banding Forbush Bird Club event held at the Auburn Sportsmen's Club on 6/03/01. It was cool in the low 50's with fog, overcast skies and showers. There were 10 participants as well as many additional observers from the Sportsmen's club. The following species were seen and/or heard (the numbers in parentheses represent the netted birds):

Canada Goose 4
Mallard 2
Mourning Dove 3
Northern Flicker 2
Great crested Flycatcher 1
Tree Swallow 7
Barn Swallow 2
Blue Jay 2
Black-capped Chickadee 2
Tufted Titmouse 1
White-breasted Nuthatch 1
House Wren 3
Gray Catbird 5 (3)
American Robin 7 (2)
Veery 3(2)
Eastern Bluebird (2 eggs in a Bluebird House nest)
Cedar Waxwing 5
Warbling Vireo 3
Blue-winged Warbler 2
Yellow Warbler 10 (5)
Prairie Warbler 1
Ovenbird 1
Common Yellowthroat 10 (4)
Red-winged Blackbird 3
Common Grackle 2
Northern Cardinal 2
Eastern Towhee 4
Chipping Sparrow 5
Song Sparrow 1
American Goldfinch 10
House Sparrow 4

(trip report from Joan Zumpfe).

5/31/01 -- Whip-poor-will Walk

Barton Kamp led 8 members of the Forbush Bird Club on a 2 hour evening bird walk in Rutland. The trip began at 7:30 p.m. at the parking lot at the State Park Boat Ramp. Temperatures were in the mid 50's. We proceeded to Rutland State Park with the intention of finding Whip-poor-wills. The initial 10 mph winds calmed down at dusk. There were high, thin clouds which allowed the moon to be seen and our shadows. Moose tracks were observed as well as Pink Lady Slippers, Starflowers and Fringed Polygala. The temperature dropped to 50 degress by 9:30 p.m. The coldness may have been the reason that this trip, entitled "Whip-poor-will Walk", resulted in none being seen or heard. The following were seen and/or heard:

Wood Duck 2
Red-tailed Hawk 1
American Woodcock 2
Mourning Dove 3
Eastern Kingbird 1
Tree Swallow 2
Veery 3
Hermit Thrush 3
American Robin 2
Gray Catbird 2
European Starling 3
Cedar Waxwing 5
Yellow Warbler 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler 3
Pine Warbler 1
Black-and-white Warbler 1
Ovenbird 6
Common Yellowthroat 3
Scarlet Tanager 1
Eastern Towhee 3
Chipping Sparrow 4
Field Sparrow 1
White-throated Sparrow 2
Common Grackle 1
Baltimore Oriole 1

(trip report from Joan Zumpfe).

5/20/01 -- Westminster, Gardner, Princeton

The Forbush Bird Club was led by Francis X. McMenemy on a 7 hour birding trip. We began at the Wachusett Mountain Ski Area parking lot, proceeded to the sand lot down the road, on to Redemption Rock, the visitor's area at the mountain, High ridge from Smith Street and High Ridge from the entrance through the prison grounds in Gardner. Special thanks belong to Paul Pinnault for providing drive-in access into High Ridge. The weather was briefly cool and cloudy initially at 7 a.m., but became sunny and clear by 8 a.m. There were 17 attending the trip. A couple from New Jersey with life lists of over 5,000 species joined us before heading for a Big Day in New Hampshire.

   The following bird species were reported:

Common Loon 2 (pair seen at Wachusett Lake and also heard from the meeting
spot)
American Bittern 1 (seen and heard displaying and flying)
Great Blue Heron 2
Green Heron 1
Turkey Vulture 6
Canada Goose 9
Wood Duck 2 (drakes)
Mallard 6
Hooded Merganser 2 (females)
Northern Goshawk 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Broad-winged Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 2
Wild Turkey 9
Killdeer 1
Solitary Sandpiper 1
Spotted Sandpiper 2
Rock Dove
Mourning Dove 4
Chimney Swift 4
Belted Kingfisher 1
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1 (male)
Downy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 2
Pileated Woodpecker 1 (male, gave a flying show)
ALDER FLYCATCHER 1
Least Flycatcher 4
Eastern Phoebe 4
Great Crested Flycatcher 3
Eastern Kingbird 4
Blue-headed Vireo 2
Warbling Vireo 4
Red-eyed Vireo 3
Blue Jay 1
American Crow 3
Tree Swallow 20
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 6
Bank Swallow 12
Barn Swallow 8
Black-capped Chickadee 7
Tufted Titmouse 3
Red-breasted Nuthatch 2
House Wren 2
Winter Wren 1
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1
Eastern Bluebird 3
Veery 5
Hermit Thrush 1
Wood Thrush 2
American Robin 8
Gray Catbird 2
European Starling 2
Cedar Waxwing 3
Yellow Warbler 3
Chestnut-sided Warbler 2
Black-throated Blue Warbler 4
Black-throated Green warbler 3
Pine Warbler 2
Prairie Warbler 2
Black-and-white Warbler 2
American Redstart 2
Ovenbird 13
Northern Waterthrush 3
Common Yellowthroat 5
Canada Warbler 3
Scarlet Tanager 4
Eastern Towhee 8
Chipping Sparrow 3
Field Sparrow 2
Song Sparrow 7
Swamp Sparrow 2
Dark-eyed Junco 1
Northern Cardinal 3
Rose-breasted Grosbeak 2
Indigo Bunting 1
Bobolink 12
Red-winged Blackbird 15
Common Grackle 8
Brown-headed Cowbird 5
Baltimore Oriole 5
Purple Finch 1
American Goldfinch 10
House Sparrow 2

. (trip report from Joan Zumpfe).

5/16/01 -- Brookfield Rail Walk

On a dry but cloudy evening after a showery day, Rodney Jenkins led 6 members of the Forbush Bird Club on a bird walk along the Quaboag River and marshes. The following bird species were recorded:

American Bittern 1 (heard and seen well)
Great Blue Heron 1
Canada Goose
Wood Duck
Mallard
Virginia Rail 2
Killdeer
Rock Dove
Mourning Dove
Warbling Vireo
Tree Swallow
Northern Rough-winged Swallow
Barn Swallow
Black-capped Chickadee
White-breasted Nuthatch
House Wren
Marsh Wren 5
Veery
American Robin
Gray Catbird
European Starling
Yellow Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
Song Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
Brown-headed Cowbird
Baltimore Oriole
American Goldfinch

(trip report from Joan Zumpfe).

5/12/01 -- Buck Hill, Spencer

The Forbush Bird Club held a bird walk led by Susan Sachs through Buck Hill in Spencer on May 12, 2001 on a warm and sunny day. There were 12 participants. The following bird species were reported:

Common Loon 2 (flying over)
Great Blue Heron 1
Canada Goose 2
Mallard 2
Broad-winged Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Mourning Dove 4
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Downy Woodpecker 1
Hairy Woodpecker 1
Least Flycatcher 8
Eastern Phoebe 4
Great Crested Flycatcher 2
Eastern Kingbird 2
Tree Swallow 18
Blue Jay 6
American Crow 6
Black-capped Chickadee 10
Tufted Titmouse 4
Red-breasted Nuthatch 3
White-breasted Nuthatch 2
Brown Creeper 2
Veery 3
Hermit Thrush 2
Wood Thrush 3
American Robin 5
Gray Catbird 4
Blue-headed Vireo 6
Yellow-throated Vireo 1
Warbling Vireo 2
Yellow Warbler 4
Chestnut-sided Warbler 2
Black-throated Blue Warbler 3
Yellow-rumped Warbler 6
Black-throated Green Warbler 4
Blackpoll 1
Black-and-white Warbler 4
American Redstart 1
Ovenbird 12
Northern Waterthrush 1
Louisiana Waterthrush 1
Common Yellowthroat 2
Canada Warbler 3
Scarlet Tanager 5
Northern Cardinal 2
Rose-breasted Grosbeak 4
eastern Towhee 4
Chipping Sparrow 4
Song Sparrow 2
Red-winged Blackbird 8
Common Grackle 6
Brown-headed Cowbird 8
Baltimore Oriole 8
Purple Finch 1
American Goldfinch 4

(trip report from Joan Zumpfe).

5/5/01 -- Quabbin Forbush Bird Club Trip

On Saturday, 5/5/01, 14 Forbush Bird Club members, led by Francis X. McMenemy, enjoyed a day within various gates at Quabbin Reservoir. The club receives a key from the MDC that allows cars to travel between gates 43, 43A, 45 and 40. We observed 69 species on a cool day with high/thin clouds and temperatures in the mid 50's to the high 60's. The wind was calm initially but increased to about 10 mph with the day ending with 30 mph gusts. The following were seen:

Common Loon 3
Great Blue Heron 2
Turkey Vulture 12
Canada Goose 4
Wood Duck 3
American Black Duck 2
Mallard 6
Hooded Merganser 3
Common Merganser 2 (pair)
Osprey 1
Broad-winged Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 4
Wild Turkey 1
Solitary Sandpiper 2
Ring-billed Gull 1
Mourning Dove 6
Great Horned Owl 2 (1 downy white immture, 1 adult on nest)
Downy Woodpecker 8
Hairy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 2
Least Flycatcher 16
Eastern Phoebe 2
Great Crested Flycatcher 4
Blue-heade Vireo 7
Red-eyed Vireo 5
Blue Jay 7
American Crow 2
Tree Swallow 20
Barn Swallow 1
Black-capped Chickadee 13
Tufted Titmouse 4
Red-breasted Nuthatch 3
White-breasted Nuthatch 2
Winter Wren 1
Golden-crowned Kinglet 5
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 8
Eastern Bluebird 1
Veery 2
Hermit Thrush 2
Wood Thrush 2
American robin 18
Gray Catbird 2
European Starling 1
Blue-winged Warbler 1
Yellow Warbler 6
Chestnut-sided Warbler 3
Yellow-rumped Warbler 8
Black-throated Green Warbler 13
Blackburnian Warbler 1
Pine Warbler 5
Song Sparrow 1
Swamp Sparrow 2
White-throated Sparrow 14
Rose-breasted Grosbeak 2
Red-winged Balckbird 20
Common Grackle 2
Brown-headed Cowbird 13
Baltimore Oriole 7
Purple Finch 1
American Goldfinch 13

As well as seeing Beaver, the most exciting sighting of the day for most if not all of us was Fran's sighting of a MOOSE that allowed extended good looks for everyone before it sauntered away. (report from Joan Zumpfe).

4/29/01 -- Shrewsbury FBC Trip

A Forbush Bird Club trip was led by Mike Bellows in the town of Shrewsbury on 4/29/01. There were 10 members attending. The weather was clear and bright, winds were calm to 5 mph. Temperatures started in low 40's but reached high 50's by mid day. The following were seen:

Double-crested Cormorant 16 (13 were in a migrating straight line formation
after re-organizing themselves from a scattered pattern)
Great Blue Heron 10 (all on nests at SUASCO)
Canada Goose 18
Mute Swan 4 (none on nests)
Mallard 6
Osprey 2 (1 on nest, at SUASCO)
Cooper's Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 4
Ring-billed Gull 2
Herring Gull 5
Rock Dove 15
Mourning Dove 9
Belted Kingfisher 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Downy Woodpecker 4
Northern Flicker 7 ( 1 male was hilarious at Dean Park as he "flicked" wood
chips out of a nesting hole, it looked as if he were spitting them out)
Eastern Phoebe 4
Eastern Kingbird 1 (Rotary Park)
Warbling Vireo (Rotary park)
Blue Jay 10
American Crow 12
Tree Swallow 17
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 2
Barn Swallow 1
Black-capped Chickadee 15
Tufted Titmouse 16
White-breasted Nuthatch 2
Carolina Wren 1
House Wren 2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 3
Eastern Bluebird 1
American Robin 34
Northern Mockingbird 7
Brown Thrasher 3
European Starling 20
Yellow warbler 5
Yellow-rumped warbler 7
Black-throated Green Warbler 1
Eastern Towhee 1
Chipping Sparrow 5
Field Sparrow 2
Savannah Sparrow 1
Song Sparrow 7
Swamp Sparrow 2
Northern Cardinal 7
Red-winged Blackbird 40
Common Grackle 19
Brown-headed Cowbird 4
House Finch 8
American Goldfinch 15
House Sparrow 18

As we were returning from the walk behind the Post Office grounds a RED FOX
was heading toward us, it took a while till it noticed us and looked very
surprised, but casually took a turn off the path.

Wildflowers: Bluets and Marsh Marigolds.

Mike's wife Nancy treated us to a delicious Continental Breakfast of home-made Scones and Mini Muffins, coffee, tea and juice mid-way through the trip. This has been a welcome rest stop for the club for all the years that Mike has led this trip. The members appreciate their hospitality. (trip report from Joan Zumpfe).

4/28/01 -- Westboro and vicinity

A Forbush Bird Club trip led by Ann Boover was held primarily in the town of Westboro at Bartlett Pond, Big and Little Chauncy, Mass Wildlife and Westboro State Hospital properties and Cedar Hill. There were 11 attending. The weather at 7:30 was in the mid 40's and rose to the mid 50's by the end of the trip at 1:30. The 10 to 20 mph winds were chilly at times, but the bright sun felt comfortably warm in sheltered areas. The following were seen:

Double-crested Cormorant 4 (the crests were very prominent on 1 adult at
Little Chaucy)
Great Blue Heron 2
Turkey Vulture 1
Canada Goose 10
Mute Swan 1
Wood Duck 5
Mallard 8
Ring-necked Duck 6 (Little Chauncy)
Bufflehead 7 (Little Chauncy)
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1
Cooper's Hawk 1
Broad-winged Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 4
American Kestrel 1
Ring-necked Pheasant 1
Killdeer 2
Ring-billed Gull 4
Herring Gull 1
Great Black-backed Gull 2
Rock Dove 1
Mourning Dove 6
Belted Kingfisher 1
Downy Woodpecker 7
Northern Flicker 10
Eastern Phoebe 5
Eastern Kingbird 1
Blue-headed Vireo 2
Warbling Vireo 1
Blue jay 6
American Crow 20
Tree Swallow 50
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 1
Barn swallow 8
Black-capped Chickadee 11
Tufted Titmouse 9
House Wren 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 7
Eastern Bluebird 3
American Robin 18
Gray Catbird 1
Northern Mockingbird 3
Brown Thrasher 3
European Starling 16
Cedar Waxwing 8
Blue-winged Warbler 3
Northern Parula 1
Yellow warbler 8
Yellow-rumped Warbler 5
Pine Warbler 1
Eastern Towhee 15
Chipping Sparrow 1
Savannah Sparrow 3
Song Sparrow 11
Swamp Sparrow 1
White-throated Sparrow 2
Northern Cardinal 3
Red-winged Blackbird 22
Common Grackle 17
Brown-headed Cowbird 5
House Finch 1
American Goldfinch 38
House Sparrow 14

Wildflowers: Wood Anemone. Fiddlehead Ferns

(trip report from Joan Zumpfe).

4/22/01 -- Forbush Bird Club Trip / Oxford & Dudley

The Forbush Bird Club trip led by Paul Meleski was attended by 11 members on a beautiful, sunny and warm day (4/22/01)at Hodges Village in Oxford and on Marsh Road and Pierpont Mass Audubon Sanctuary in Dudley. The following were seen:

Double-crested Cormorant 140 ( 2 migrating groups)
Great Blue Heron 1
Turkey Vulture 3
Canada Goose 3
Wood Duck 4
Mallard 8
Ring-necked Duck 2 (1 pr)
Common Merganser 4 (2 pr)
Broad-winged Hawk 2
Red-tailed Hawk 2
American Kestrel 1
Wild Turkey 4 ( all Toms, seen closely, irridescent feathering shone in the 
sun, deep head colors of purple and red)
Killdeer 1
Herring Gull 1
Rock Dove 41
Mourning Dove 20
Belted Kingfisher 2
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Downy Woodpecker 3
Hairy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 10
Eastern Phoebe 8
Blue Jay 12
Common Raven 1
Tree Swallow 15
No. Rough-winged Swallow 6
Barn Swallow 2
Black-capped Chickadee 12
Tufted Titmouse 9
Red-breasted Nuthatch 1
White-breasted Nuthatch 5
Brown Creeper 6
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 3
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1
Eastern Bluebird 4
American Robin 22
Brown Thrasher 2
European Starling 7
Yellow-rumped Warbler 4
Pine Warbler 7
Black-and-white Warbler 1
Louisiana Waterthrush 1
Eastern Towhee 4
Chipping Sparrow 6
Song Sparrow 12
Swamp Sparrow 8
White-throated Sparrow 3
Northern Cardinal 6
Red-winged Blackbird 20
Common Grackle 30
Brown-headed Cowbird 21
Purple Finch 1
House Finch 5
American Goldfinch 36
House Sparrow 12
 
 
A Mourning Cloak butterfly was seen. A Meadow Vole entertained the group 
when it was in the same walking path and tried to find a place to hide. It 
found a pile of leaves and hid its face like an Ostrich but forgot to pull 
in its back end.
 
The group especially enjoyed hearing the Louisiana Waterthrush and the Brown 
Thrashers, seeing the migrating Cormorants, the cooperative Barn Swallows 
and the Wild Turkeys in the sunlight.

(trip report from Zoan Zumpfe).

4/21/01 -- Petersham/Tom Swamp Trip

The Forbush Bird Club met in Petersham Center at 8 a.m. The weather was calm and in the mid 40's at first and ended in the high 50's with an occasional 15 mph wind. Some snow was on the trails and bird song was minimal. Most of the trip took place walking around Tom Swamp. A bright Spring Azure was a first for the year for the Butterfly Watchers and enjoyed by all of us. Trip leader was Fran McMenemy, substituting for Rodney Jenkins.

The following were seen:
 
Great Blue Heron 2
Canada Goose 10
Mallard 8
Black Duck 3
Wood Duck 10 (one pair was observed perched in a tree)
Hooded Merganser 4
Common Merganser 5
Turkey Vulture 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Broad-winged Hawk 1
Osprey 1
(new Wild Turkey tracks in mud which was flooded yesterday)
Killdeer 2
Mourning Dove 4
Belted Kingfisher 1
Common Flicker 1
Downy Woodpecker 2
Eastern Phoebe 2
Tree Swallow 20
Blue Jay 4
Common Raven 1
Common Crow 2
Black-capped Chickadee 18
White-breasted Nuthatch 1
American Robin 7
European Starling 9
Yellow-rumped Warbler 12
Pine Warbler 15
Palm Warbler 2
House Sparrow 14
Red-winged Blackbird 6
Common Grackle 12
House Finch 5
American Goldfinch 23
Dark-eyed Junco 4
Chipping Sparrow 1
White-throated Sparrow 1
Swamp sparrow 2
Song Sparrow 12

(trip report from Zoan Zumpfe).

4/1/01 -- Bolton Flats, Bolton/Lancaster

The Forbush Bird Club Trip to Bolton Flats and Vicinity was held from 7 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Bolton Flats was too snow and ice-covered to attempt walking into. We checked the area across the street from the parking lot. There we had: Canada Goose, Mallard, Black Duck, Wood Duck, Red-tailed Hawk, Red-winged Blackbird, American Robin, Song Sparrow, European Starling, Common Grackle, Dark-eyed Junco, American Crow and Mourning Dove.
We proceeded to Neck Road in Lancaster where we head more interesting sightings of: Northern Pintail, Ring-necked Duck, Green-winged Teal, BLUE-WINGED TEAL, Hooded Merganser, Ring-billed Gull, Rock Dove, Eastern Phoebe, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Northern Mockingbird, Northern Cardinal, Black-capped Chickadee, Tree Sparrow, House Finch and American Goldfinch.
We headed over to Coachlace Pond in Clinton and found: Ring-necked Duck. Then, at South Meadow Pond, we added to our list: Blue Jay and Tufted Titmouse.
Next stop was at Route 140 in West Boylston near the bridge across from the stone church. We saw: Bufflehead, Great Black-backedGull, Herring Gull and House Sparrow. The trip ended at River Road where no waterfowl could be found, but we had: Northern Flicker and Red-breasted Nuthatch. The temperature stayed at 32 under a calm but overcast sky. (trip report submitted by Joan Zumpfe).

3/24/01 -- Lake Quaboag and vicinity, Brookfields

There were 16 observers. The sightings:

Great Blue Heron
Canada Goose
Wood Duck
Green-winged Teal
American Black Duck
Mallard
Ring-necked Duck
Hooded Merganser
Common Merganser
Turkey Vulture
Ring-billed Gull
Herring Gull
Rock Dove
Morning Dove
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Eastern Phoebe
Tree Swallow
Blue Jay
American Crow
Black-capped Chickadee
Tufted Titmous
White-breasted Nuthatch
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Eastern Bluebird
American Robin
Northern Mockingbird
European Starling
Northern Cardinal
Song Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
Brown-headed Cowbird
American Goldfinch
House Sparrow

(trip report submitted by Joan Zumpfe).

3/8/01 -- Salisbury and Plum Is. and Vicinity

The Forbush Bird Club had a trip on March 8, 2001 led by former club president Ralph Richards. It was quite cold (17 at the start and 29 degrees at 3:00 p.m.) and windy (10 to 20 NE) in several stops. We had these 41 species:

Common Loon
Red-throated Loon
Horned Grebe
Great Cormorant
Canada goose
Brant
Snow Goose
Mallard
Black duck
Common Goldeneye
Bufflehead
Long-tailed Duck
Common Eider
Red-breasted Merganser
Red-tailed Hawk
Rough-legged Hawk
Bald Eagle 2 Immature (flew very low, right over our heads, at Cashman Park)
Killdeer 1 (at the Sewerage Treatment Plant)
Great Black-backed Gull
Herring Gull
Ring-billed Gull
Rock Dove
Mourning Dove
Short-eared Owl 1 (provided great flying displays in broad daylight at 3
p.m., Fran and I also got to see it perched for awhile and observed its
facial disk quite well as it was facing us from a fir tree)
Downy Woodpecker
Horned Lark (several flocks at Salisbury and another at Plum)
Blue Jay
Common Crow
Northern Mockingbird
American Robin
European Starling
Yellow-rumped Warbler (at Hellcat parking lot)
Red-winged Blackbird
House Finch
Savannah Sparrow
Tree Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Snow Bunting
American Goldfinch
House Sparrow

(trip report from Joan Zumpfe).

2/18/01 -- FBC trip to Cape Cod , Plymouth and DWWS

Ed Banks led the Cape Cod trip on Sunday. We started off with a bang at the shopping mall parking lot, in Dennis, where we met. We had excellent views of a perched Sharp-shinned Hawk. This was followed by a Northern Harrier that flew by before we left the lot. We proceded to Wellfleet where we had close views of a Thick-billed Murre, Common Goldeneye and Bufflehead which were followed by distant views of Dunlin and Sanderling. At Marconi Station, we had droves (possibly several thousand) of Razorbills and a few Dovekie sprinkled in between them. Also seen there were Red-troated Loons, Red-necked and Horned Grebes, Bonaparte's Gull and Northern Gannet. We checked out Nauset Beach hoping for closer looks at Razorbills, but only one cooperated. Other species there were Common Eider and Black Scoter, White-winged Scoter, Harlequin Ducks, and Black-legged Kittiwake. At Pleasant Bay we saw Red-breasted Mergansers, Common Goldeneye and more Bufflehead. We observed American Wigeon down Cranberry Lane.
We headed for Jenny's Pond in Plymouth and saw Mute Swan, American Coot, female Wood Duck, Gadwall, Hooded Merganser, and a Belted Kingfisher.
We then proceeded to DWWS (Daniel Webster Wildlife Sanctuary) where we immediately heard and saw Red-winged Blackbirds, a nice springtime air. We trekked the approximate mile from the headquarters to the platform and arrived just in time to watch several male and female Northern Harriers on the hunt. This was followed by a most exciting display of at least 3 different Short-eared Owls who were actively hunting at dusk.
We had clear and sunny skies all day with winds that varied from intolerable at the Weefleet Marina to calm at DWWS. There were 10 of us at the start. At least 54 species were seen. (report from Joan Zumpfe).

1/1/01 -- Worcester New Year's Day Highlights

The Forbush Bird Club held it's annual New Year's Day city of Worcester trip which began at noon. Highlights were: Double-crested Cormorant, Mute Swan and Iceland Gull (North Lake Quinsigamond near Lincoln Street Bridge
Gadwall, Canvasback, Ring-necked Duck, Hooded and Common Merganser and American Coot near Rte. 9 bridge on Lake Quinsigamond
Greater Scaup, Common Merganser and Common Goldeneye at southern end of Lake Quinsigamond, looking from Bridle Path off Lake Ave
Great Blue Heron, Hooded Merganser and Belted Kingfisher at Institute Park
Peregrine Falcon on Mechanic's Building in downtown Worcester
Six Red-tailed Hawks were seen in various parts of the city, one was seen being chased by the Peregrine.
Turkey tracks were seen in the snow at Worcester Airport, but no actual turkeys. On Friday, 12/29/00, David Bigwood had seen 28 Turkeys.
The 3 common species of gulls were seen as well as Canada Geese, but very few land birds were seen or heard.
Another unusual sighting was a man taking a dip into Lake Quinsigamond. He didn't stay in very long. (report from Joan Zumpfe).

For previous sightings, see Trip Reports 1999-2000