Forbush Bird Club 2002 Trip Reports

The following are highlights of selected field trips of the Forbush Bird Club, listed in reverse chronological order:
10/20/02 -- Forbush Bird Club Trip in The Brookfields and Charlton
Rodney Jenkins led 24 members and guests of the Forbush Bird Club on October 20, 2002 in the Brookfields and Charlton. It was a partly sunny day with temperatures ranging from low 40's to the mid 50's and with NW winds of 5 to 10 mph. The birding highlight of the trip was a YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO which was spotted by Peg Knowlton and provided excellent views. The social highlight of the day was our visit to Anne and Will Early's home in West Brookfield on Lake Wickaboag, where we enjoyed a hot lunch generously prepared by them. The bird species observed were: 
Pied-billed Grebe 7
Double-crested Cormorant 1
Great Blue Heron 4
Turkey Vulture 6
Canada Goose
Mute Swan 1
American Wigeon 2
American Black Duck
Mallard
Green-winged Teal 6
Ruddy Duck 32
Northern Harrier 1 (having altercations with a Crow)
Sharp-shinned Hawk 6
Red-tailed Hawk 2
American Kestrel 3
Killdeer 13
Greater Yellowlegs 2
Ring-billed Gull
Great Black-backed Gull 1
Rock Dove
Mourning Dove
YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO 1
Downy Woodpecker 2
Hairy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 1
Eastern Phoebe 6
Blue Jay
American Crow
Black-capped Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse 1
White-breasted Nuthatch 2
Golden-crowned Kinglet 2
Eastern Bluebird
American Robin
Northern Mockingbird 1
European Starling
Cedar Waxwing 4
Yellow-rumped Warbler 3
Common Yellowthroat 1
Savannah Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Lincoln's Sparrow 3
Swamp Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow 2
Nothern Cardinal 1
Red-winged Blackbird
rusty Bkackbird 12
House Finch
American Goldfinch
House Sparrow
(trip report from Joan Zumpfe).

10/6/02 -- Forbush Bird Club Trip, New Braintree
Rodney Jenkins was the leader of the Forbush Bird Club trip in New Braintree on Sunday, October 6, 2002. It began at the Winimusset Meadows Wildlife Management Area and ended at a vegetable farm on Wine Road. There were 15 members who enjoyed a sunny and calm day with temperatures in the 50's and slight northerly winds. Highlights were 175 Savannah Sparrows, 2 Grasshopper Sparrows and a Dickcissel. The following is a list of all the species observed: 
Double-crested Cormorant 1
Great Blue Heron 2
Turkey Vulture 3
Canada Goose
Wood Duck 4
Northern Harrier 2
Sharp-shinned Hawk 2
Cooper's Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 2
Killdeer 12
Belted Kingfisher 1
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 18
Eastern Phoebe 15
Blue-headed Vireo 1
Blue Jay
American Crow
Black-capped Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
White-breasted Nuthatch
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 2
Eastern Bluebird 1
American Robin
Gray Catbird 1
Northern Mockingbird 1
European Starling
American Pipit 3
Cedar Waxwing 6
Yellow-rumped Warbler 20
Palm Warbler 3
Common Yellowthroat 3
Eastern Towhee 1
Chipping Sparrow 6
Savannah Sparrow 175
Grasshopper Sparrow 2
Song Sparrow 62
Lincoln's Sparrow 2
Swamp Sparrow 57
White-throated Sparrow 43
White-crowned Sparrow 2
Dark-eyed Junco 4
Northern Cardinal 1
Indigo Bunting 1
Dickcissel 1
Red-winged Blackbird
Rusty Blackbird 6
Common Grackle 1
House Finch
American Goldfinch
House Sparrow
(trip report from Joan Zumpfe).

9/8/02 -- Bolton Flats/Oxbow NWR
The Forbush Bird Club trip held on September 8, 2002 was led by Eric Salmela on a cloudless and calm day with temperatures starting in the mid 60's and ending in the mid 80's. There were 11 members participating. The following bird species were observed: 
Great Blue Heron
Northern Harrier 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1
Cooper's Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk
Mourning Dove
Chimney Swift
Ruby-throted Hummingbird 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Downy woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker
Eastern Phoebe
EASTERN KINGBIRD 2 (a late date)
Blue Jay
American Crow
Black-capped Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse 1
White-breasted Nuthatch
American Robin
Gray Catbird
Cedar Waxwing
Yellow-throated Vireo 2
Red-eyed Vireo
Yellow Warbler 1
Magnolia Warbler 3
Black-and-white Warbler
American Redstart
Ovenbird
Common Yellowthroat
Canada Warbler 1
Northern Cardinal
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Song Sparrow
Bobolink 2
Red-winged Blackbird
American Goldfinch
(trip report from Zoan Zumpfe).

8/31/02 -- Wachusett Meadows Sanctuary, Princeton
A Forbush Bird Club trip was held on August 31, 2002 at Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary in Princeton, MA. A total of 14 club members were led by trip leader Joan Zumpfe on a cool morning with temperatures in the mid 50's to low 60's. It was rather breezy with winds between 10 and 20 mph. The day started out cloudy and drizzly but the sun was shining at 11 a.m.. The following bird species were observed: 
Great Blue Heron 7
Turkey Vulture 1
Wood Duck 5
Hooded Merganser 5
Osprey 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk 2
Cooper's Hawk 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Broad-winged Hawk 3
Red-tailed Hawk 4
Wild Turkey 2
Mourning Dove 2
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 2
Belted Kingfisher 2
Downy Woodpecker 2
Northern Flicker 7
Eastern Wood-Pewee 1
Eastern Phoebe 14
Eastern Kingbird 1
Blue-headed Vireo 1
Red-eyed Vireo 1
Blue Jay 6
American Crow 9
Tree Swallow 3
Black-capped Chickadee 28
Tufted Titmouse 1
White-breasted Nuthatch 2
American Robin 1
Gray Catbird 6
Northern Mockingbird 1
European Starling 30
Cedar Waxwing 7
Black-and-white Warbler 1
Common Yellowthroat 1
Chipping Sparrow 10
Song Sparrow 1
Northern Cardinal 1
Rose-breasted Grosbeak 1
Red-winged Blackbird 18
Common Grackle 3
American Goldfinch 1
House Sparrow 1
(trip report from Joan Zumpfe).

8/10/02 -- Forbush Bird Club Trip Worcester Airport Vicinity
On the sunny, warm (high 80's) and calm morning of August 10, 2002, 10 members of the Forbush Bird Club attended a "Birds and Butterflies" walk, led by Lyn Lovell and Dolores Price, behind Worcester Airport on Mulberry Street and in Leicester on Rte. 56 and Manville Street. Thirteen species of butterflies were observed as well as the following bird species: 
Red-tailed-Hawk 1
Broad-winged Hawk 3
American Kestrel 1
Wild Turkey 7 (1 adult, 6 young)
Mourning Dove 1
Blue Jay 4
American Crow 65
Barn Swallow 10
American Robin 1
Gray Catbird 1
European Starling 100
Savannah Sparrow 3
Song Sparrow 2
Red-winged Blackbird 1
Eastern Meadowlark 1
American Goldfinch 6
(trip report from Joan Zumpfe).

7/31/02 -- Salisbury Pond NIght Heron Walk
Robert (Bob) Aiello led 15 Forbush Bird Club members and friends on an early evening bird walk along Institute Pond in Worcester on July 31, 2002. The weather was warm and humid (mid 80's), the sky was clear and it was calm. The following species were observed: Great Blue Heron; Black-crowned Night Heron 2 (adults); Canada Goose; Mallard; Rock Dove; Mourning Dove; Chimney Swift; American Crow; American Robin; Northern Mockingbird; European Starling; Yellow Warbler; Chipping Sparrow; Song Sparrow; Red-winged Blackbird; Common Grackle; House Finch; American Goldfinch. (trip report from Joan Zumpfe).

6/30/02 -- Forbush Bird Club Trip at Wachusett Reservoir
The Forbush Bird Club held a birding trip at Wachusett Reservoir on June 30, 2002. Trip leader was Francis X. McMenemy who led 8 members on a very pleasant, sunny and calm morning with temperatures ranging from the mid 60's to the mid 70's. The main objective was to observe the nesting results of breeding Common Loons at Crescent Island in Sterling and at South Bay in Boylston. The following were seen: 
Common Loon 6 (1 adult on nest at Crescent Island)
              (1 lone breeding-plumaged adult by Gull
               Island seen from Gate 38/39)
              (2 adults with their 2 young chicks at
               South Bay/ seen being fed and riding
               one of the parent's back)
Double-crested Cormorant 1
Mallard 7
Cooper's Hawk 5 (1 adult feeding 4 large young who
                 able to make short flights)
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Spotted Sandpiper 4
Rock Dove 30
Mourning Dove 5
Chimney Swift 1
Belted Kingfisher 2
Downy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 1
Eastern Wood Pewee 4
Eastern Phoebe 1
Eastern Kingbird 1
Tree Swallow ~ 6
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 1
Blue Jay 4
American Crow 11
Black-capped Chickadee 7
Tuted Titmouse 6
White-breasted Nuthatch 4
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 3
Veery 3
Hermit Thrush 1
Wood Thrush 4
American Robin 10
Gray Catbird 2
Cedar Waxwing 6
European Starling 3
Red-eyed Vireo 8
Yellow Warbler 2
Chestnut-sided Warbler 3
Pine Warbler 7
Prairie Warbler 1
American Redstart 1
Ovenbird 5
Common Yellowthroat 4
Scarlet Tanager 4
Indigo Bunting 1
Eastern Towhee 1
Chipping Sparrow 2
Song Sparrow 5
Red-winged Blackbird 5
Common Grackle 2
Brown-headed Cowbird 2
American Goldfinch 8
(trip report from Joan Zumpfe).

6/13/02 -- Forbush Bird Club Whip-poor-will Walk
Barton Kamp led 12 members of the Forbush Bird Club on a trip into Rutland State Forest on June 13, 2002. The evening was humid, mostly cloudy and calm with temperatures in the high 50's. The focus of this trip is to find Whip-poor-wills, but possibly due to the low temperatures, none were seen or heard. At the end of the trip, Fireflies were noted, the first ones seen this year for many. This is an occurrence I have noticed for many years on this trip. > The following bird species were observed: 
> Great Blue Heron
> Brown Creeper
> Hermit Thrush
> Wood Thrush
> American Robin
> Gray Catbird
> Pine Warbler
> Ovenbird
> Scarlet Tanager
> Eastern Towhee
> Chipping Sparrow
> Field Sparrow
> Red-winged Blackbird
> Baltimore Oriole
(trip report from Joan Zumpfe).

6/1/02 -- Forbush Bird Club Trip at Quabbin Reservoir's Gate 37
The Forbush Bird Club held a bird trip at Quabbin Reservoir from Gate 37. Rodney Jenkins was the Trip Leader. There were 9 members participating on a sunny day with temperatures ranging from the mid 50's to the mid 70's. There was a light SW wind. The following species were seen and/or heard: 
Great Blue Heron
Green Heron 1
Turkey Vulture 2
Wild Turkey 1
Killdeer 2
Great Black-backed Gull
Rock Dove
Chimney Swift
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER 2 (1 was singing)
Eastern Wood Pewee 2
Least Flycatcher 8
Eastern Phoebe 1
Great Crested Flycatcher 2
Eastern Kingbird 5
Blue-headed Vireo 6
Yellow-throated Vireo 1
Warbling Vireo 1
Red-eyed Vireo 40
Blue Jay
American Crow
Tree Swallow
Tufted Titmouse
Brown Creeper 2
House Wren
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1
Veery 8
Hermit Thrush 4
Wood Thrush 1
American Robin
Gray Catbird
Northern Mockingbird 1
European Starling
Cedar Waxwing
Yellow Warbler
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler 4
Black-throated Green Warbler 6
Blackburnian Warbler 7
Pine Warbler 4
Pairie Warbler 3
Black-and-white Warbler 6
American Redstart 9
WORM-EATING WARBLER 1
Ovenbird 18
Common Yellowthroat 6
Scarlet Tanager 10
Eastern Towhee
Chipping Sparrow 2
Song Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow 1
Northern Cardinal
Rose-breasted Grosbeak 2
Indigo Bunting 2
Bobolink
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
Brown-headed Cowbird
Baltimore Oriole 6
Purple Finch 3
House Finch
American Goldfinch
House Sparrow
(trip report from Joan Zumpfe).

5/26/02 -- Forbush Bird Club Trip at Quabbin Reservoir
The Forbush Bird Club held a birding trip at the southern part of Quabbin Reservoir on May 26, 2002. Trip leader was Ralph Richards. There were 9 members attending on a calm, cloudy day in the low 60's. The following 69 species were seen: 
Common Loon
Pied-billed Grebe
Green Heron
Turkey Vulture
Canada Goose
Wood Duck
Mallard
Common Merganser
Osprey
Bald Eagle
Red-tailed Hawk
Wild Turkey
Spotted Sandpiper
Mourning Dove
Chimney Swift
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Eastern Wood Pewee
Least Flycatcher
Eastern Phoebe
Great Crested Flycatcher
Eastern Kingbird
Yellow-throated Vireo
Blue-headed Vireo
Warbling Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Blue Jay
American Crow
Common Raven
Tree Swallow
Northern Rough-winged Swallow
Barn Swallow
Black-capped Chickadee
House Wren
Eastern Bluebird
Veery
Wood Thrush
American Robin
Gray Catbird
Northern Mockingbird
European Starling
Yellow Warbler
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
Blackburnian Warbler
Pine Warbler
Prairie Warbler
Black-and-white Warbler
American Redstart
Ovenbird
Common Yellowthroat
Scarlet Tanager
Eastern Towhee
Chipping Sparrow
Field Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Northern Cardinal
Indigo Bunting
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
Brown-headed Cowbird
Baltimore Oriole
American Goldfinch
(trip report from Joan Zumpfe).

5/19/02 -- Westminster/Princeton Forbush Bird Club Trip
On Sunday, May 19, 2002, the Forbush Bird Club held a Bird Walk in Westminster and Princeton. the trip had 13 participants who were led by Francis X. McMenemy with Chuck Caron assisting in keeping the count of each species. The temperatures ranged from 33 at 7:00 a.m. to the low 50's at 1:00 p.m., with 10 to 15 mph NW winds and a bright blue sky. This was quite a contrast from the several inches of snow in this area the day before. The 75 bird species seen and/or heard were: 
Pied-billed Grebe 2
Great Blue Heron 3
American Bittern 1
Turkey Vulture 1
Canada Goose 17 (12 Goslings seen with 2 adults)
American Black Duck 3
Mallard 6
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1
Cooper's Hawk 1
RED-SHOULDERED HAWK 1
Broad-winged Hawk 2
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Killdeer 1
Rock Dove
Mourning Dove 3
RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD 3
Downy Woodpecker 1
Hairy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 4
Least Flycatcher 2
Eastern Kingbird 2
Blue-headed Vireo 2
Red-eyed Vireo 4
Blue Jay 7
American Crow 3
Tree Swallow 8
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 2
BANK SWALLOW 3
Barn Swallow 1
Black-capped Chickadee 9
Tufted Titmouse 5
Red-breasted Nuthatch 1
White-breasted Nuthatch 2
Brown Creeper 2
Winter Wren 1
Golden-crowned Kinglet 2
Eastern Bluebird 1
Veery 4
Hermit Thrush 2
Wood Thrush 1
American Robin 4
Gray Catbird 4
European Starling 3
Tennessee Warbler 1
Nashville Warbler 1
Northern Parula Warbler 1
Yellow Warbler 10
Chestnut-sided Warbler 2
Magnolia Warbler 1
Bkack-throated Green Warbler 1
Black-throated Blue Warbler 6
Yellow-rumped Warbler 4
Pine Warbler 1
Prairie Warbler 2
Black-and-white Warbler 2
Ovenbird 10
Northern Waterthrush 1
American Redstart 1
Common Yellowthroat 7
Eastern Towhee 5
Chipping Sparrow 8
Song Sparrow 6
Swamp Sparrow 4
Dark-eyed Junco 1
Northern Cardinal 1
Rose-breasted Grosbeak 4
INDIGO BUNTING 1 
Red-winged Blackbird 8
Common Grackle 6
Brown-headed Cowbird 2
Baltimore Oriole 7
Purple Finch 1
House Finch 2
American Goldfinch 8
House Sparrow 4
(trip report from Joan Zumpfe).

5/18/02 -- Milford Forbush Bird Club Trip
The Forbush Bird Club had a Bird Walk scheduled in Milford on Saturday, May 18, 2002. Trip leader, Richard H. Hildreth has reported that noone participated due to the poor weather conditions of cold temperatures and heavy rain. He stopped at Louisa Lake and observed from his vehicle these species: 1 Ring-billed Gull; 22 Canada Geese (including 15 goslings in 3 broods); 3 Common Grackle; 1 American Crow; 1 Spotted Sandpiper. (trip report from Joan Zumpfe).

5/11/02 -- Buck Hill Forbush Bird Club Trip
On Saturday, May 11, 2002, Susan Sachs led 12 members of the Forbush Bird Club on a bird walk through Buck Hill in Spencer, MA. The weather was excellent, a little cool at first in the mid 40's, but with no wind and no clouds, it reached the 60's. An unexpected highlight happened when our group came upon several groups of young adults who were playing a game called "Legends", and were seen in various period costumes along the route as they were role playing. It was quite amusing to observe them. The following 51 species were seen and/or heard: 
Canada Goose 3
Turkey Vulture 1
Red-tailed Hawk 3
Mourning Dove 2
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Downy Woodpecker 2
Northern Flicker 1
Least Flycatcher 12
Eastern Phoebe 4
Tree Swallow 20
Barn Swallow 2
Blue Jay 4
Ameriacan Crow 8
Black-capped Chickadee 14
Tufted Titmouse 4
White-breasted Nuthatch 2
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 4
Veery 1
Hermit Thrush 1
Wood Thrush 1
American Robin 8
Gray Catbird 5
Blue-headed Vireo 4
Yellow-throated Vireo 4
Warbling Vireo 4
Blue-winged Warbler 2
Northern Parula 4
Yellow Warbler 8
Chestnut-sided Warbler 3
Black-throated Blue Warbler 5
Yellow-rumped Warbler 4
Black-throated Green Warbler 6
Blackburnian Warbler 2
Black-and-white Warbler 4
American Redstart 1
Ovenbird 12
Northern Waterthrush 1
Louisiana Waterthrush 1
Common Yellowthroat 2
Canada Warbler 2
Scarlet Tanager 6
Rose-breasted Grosbeak 4
Chipping Sparrow 4
Song Sparrow 2
Swamp Sparrow 1
Red-winged Blackbird 6
Common Grackle 10
Brown-headed Cowbird 8
Baltimore Oriole 6
Purple Finch 2
American Goldfinch 8
(trip report from Joan Zumpfe).

5/9/02 -- Forbush Bird Club Mount Auburn Cemetery Trip
The Forbush Bird Club held a birding trip at Mount Auburn Cemetery on May 9, 2002. The Trip Leader was Ralph Richards. There were 11 members attending on an overcast, calm but cool day in the low 50's. The following 73 species (20 of them warblers) were seen: 
Great Blue Heron
Canada Goose
Mallard
Red-tailed Hawk
Spotted Sandpiper
Herring Gull
Rock Dove
Mourning Dove
Great Horned Owl
Chimney Swift
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Least Flycatcher
Eastern Phoebe
Great Crested Flycatcher
Eastern Kingbird
Blue-headed Vireo
Warbling Vireo
Blue Jay
American Crow
Fish Crow
Tree Swallow
Northern Rough-winged Swallow
Barn Swallow
Black-capped Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
Whit-breasted Nuthatch
Carolina Wren
House Wren
Veery
Hermit Thrush
Wood Thrush
American Robin
Gray Catbird
Northern Mockingbird
Brown Thrasher
European Starling
Blue-winged Warbler
Nashville Warbler
Northern Parula
Yellow Warbler
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Magnolia
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
Blackburnian Warbler
Palm Warbler
Bay-breasted Warbler
Blackpoll Warbler
Black-and-white Warbler
American Redstart
Ovenbird
Northern Waterthrush
Common Yellowthroat
Wilson's Warbler
Canada Warbler
Chipping Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Northern Cardinal
Indigo Bunting
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
Brown-headed Cowbird
Orchard Oriole
Baltimore Oriole
House Finch
American Goldfinch
House Sparrow
(trip report from Joan Zumpfe).

5/5/02 -- Hodges Village Dam Forbush Bird Club Trip
The Forbush Bird Club enjoyed a birding trip at Hodges Village Dam which was led by Paul Meleski. There were 16 members attending. We began at Greenbriar off route 12 and ended at the Dam. The weather was calm and sunny with temperatures ranging from the low 40's to the high 60's. The major highlight was the sighting of a PURPLE MARTIN, which is a rare sight in Worcester County. The following 71 species were also seen and/or heard: 
 Great Blue Heron
 Turkey Vulture
 Canada Goose 6 (and 2 chicks)
 Wood Duck 12
 Mallard
 Hooded Merganser 1 (F)
 Northern Harrier 1
 Cooper's Hawk 1
 Broad-winged Hawk 2 (including 1 perched in a tree   for great closeups)
 Sora 1(calling from opposite side of River)
 Solitary Sandpiper 2
 Killdeer 1
 Ring-billed Gull 2
 Rock Dove 2
 Mourning Dove
 Chimney Swift 2
 Belted Kingfisher 1
 Downy Woodpecker
 Hairy Woodpecker 1
 Northern Flicker
 Eastern Phoebe
 Great-crested Flycatcher 2
 Eastern Kingbird 2
 Yellow-throated Vireo 1
 Blue-headed Vireo 3
 Warbling Vireo 5
 Blue Jay
 American Crow
 PURPLE MARTIN 1
 Tree Swallow 20
 Northern Rough-winged Swallow 12
 Barn Swallow 1
 Black-capped Chickadee
 Tufted Titmouse
 White-breasted Nuthatch
 Brown Creeper 4
 Carolina Wren 1
 House Wren 5
 Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher 3
 Eastern Bluebird 2 (pair on nest box- beautiful
 light)
 Veery 1
 American Robin
 Gray Catbird 4
 Northern Mockingbird
 Brown Thrasher 3
 European Starling
 Cedar Waxwing 2
 Yellow Warbler 8
 Yellow-rumped Warbler 4
 Black-throated Green Warbler 2
 Pine Warbler 5
 Black-and-white Warbler 1
 Ovenbird 5
 Northern Waterthrush 4
 Louisiana Watherthrush 1 (the Louisiana and of the Northerns were side by side,
providing a comparison study)
 Common Yellowthroat 3
 Eastern Towhee 2
 Chipping Sparrow
 Song Sparrow
 Swamp Sparrow
 White-throated Sparrow 1
 Northern Cardinal
 Rose-breasted Grosbeak 1
 Red-winged Blackbird
 Common Grackle
 Brown-headed Cowbird
 Baltimore Oriole 1
 Purple Finch 1 female
 House Finch
 American Goldfinch
 House Sparrow
Muskrats, Otters, Red Squirrel, Gray Squirrel were also observed. Butterflies seen included Spring Azure, Clouded Sulphur, Cabbage White and Juvenal Duskywing. Several early spring Damselflies were noticed. (trip report from Joan Zumpfe).

5/4/02 -- Quabbin Forbush Bird Club Trip
The 34th Annual Forbush Bird Club trip through the Quabbin Reservoir was held on May 4, 2002. Francis X. McMenemy led 28 members from Gate 43 to Gate 40, 39, 38, 37 and 35. The trip began with temperatures in the low 40's and ended in the mid 60's. We enjoyed clear blue skies and calmness most of the day. It was a spectacular day for the members who squeezed into 5 vehicles. Due to 9/11, the usual gates covered were not accessible. Fran spent many recent days mapping out new routes in the un-restricted areas. The new routes provided many views of the shores of the reservoir and of Beaver Swamps. Highlights were the Baltimore Oriole, the Adult Bald Eagle, the Blackburnian, Black-and-white, Pine and Yellow Warblers, the 4 Killdeer eggs, and the 5 Goslings. The species seen and/or heard were: 
Common Loon 5
Double-crested Cormorant 2
Turkey Vulture 19
Canada Goose 7 (2 A, 5 Goslings)
Wood Duck 1 drake
American Black Duck 1
Mallard 4
Hooded Merganser 1 female
Osprey 3
Bald Eagle 5 (3 A, 2 Imm.)
Sharp-shinned Hawk 6
Red-tailed Hawk 5
Killdeer 2 ( and a nest with 4 eggs)
Greater Yellowlegs 2
Solitary Sandpiper 2
Ring-billed Gull 6
Mourning Dove 6
Belted Kingfisher 1
Downy Woodpecker 4
Northern Flicker 1
Least Flycatcher 10
Eastern Phoebe 6
Eastern Kingbird 1
Blue-headed Vireo 8
Blue Jay 1
American Crow 11
Tree Swallow (approx 100)
Barn Swallow 4
Black-capped Chickadee 9
Red-breasted Nuthatch 4
White-breasted Nuthatch 2
Brown Creeper 1
Golden-crowned Kinglet 2
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 5
Hermit Thrush 4
American Robin 8
Gray Catbird 1
Yellow Warbler 2
Yellow-rumped Warbler 17
Black-throated Green Warbler 10
Blackburnian Warbler 2
Pine Warbler 10
Black-and-white Warbler 8
Ovenbird 6
Louisiana Waterthrush 1 (heard at 6:30 near Gate 43)
Eastern Towhee 8
Chipping Sparrow 28
Song Sparrow 1
Swamp Sparrow 5
White-throated Sparrow 3
Northern Cardinal 2
Red-winged Balckbird 2
Common Grackle 1
Brown-headed Cowbird 2
Baltimore Oriole 1 male
Purple Finch 4
American Goldfinch 3
Also seen were: a Porcupine, Garter Snake, Beaver, Newts, Common Green Darner Dragonfly, Orange Sulfur Butterfly, Cabbage White, Pine Elfin and Spring Azure Butterflies. (trip report from Joan Zumpfe).

4/27/02 -- Tom Swamp, Petersham Forbush Bird Club Trip
Rodney Jenkins led 14 members of the Forbush Bird Club on a birding trip this morning, April 27, 2002. We began in Petersham Center where we saw a Broad-winged Hawk, Purple Finches and Evening Grosbeaks and proceeded to Tom Swamp where we had an abundance of Yellow-rumped and Palm Warblers and more Purple Finches. The weather was clear, calm, sunny. The trip began with temperatures in the high 20's and ended in the low 50's. 
Species observed:

Great Blue Heron 3
Canada Goose
Wood Duck 4
Mallard
Common Merganser 6
Osprey 1
Bald Eagle 1 Immature/very mottled
Broad-winged Hawk
Killdeer 2
Rock dove
Mourning Dove
Belted Kingfisher
Blue-headed Vireo 7
Blue Jay
American Crow
Tree Swallow
Barn Swallow 4
Black-capped Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
White-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Hermit Thrush 2
American Robin
European Starling
Yellow-rumped Warbler 170
Black-throated Green warbler 2
Pine Warbler 15
Palm Warbler 28
Black-and-white Warbler 2
Chipping Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow 2
White-throated Sparrow 1
Northern Cardinal
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
Brown-headed Cowbird
Purple Finch 12
House Finch
American Goldfinch
Evening Grosbeak 18
House Sparrow
(trip report from Joan Zumpfe).

4/20/02 -- Westboro area Forbush Bird Club Trip
The Forbush Bird Trip led by Ann Boover on Saturday morning, 4/20/02, centered mostly in and around the Westboro Wildlife Management Area and Lake Chauncey. There was a side trip to the Westboro Public Library for club members to see a collection of birds taxidermied by Edward Howe Forbush when he was eighteen years old. Club members then visited Pine Grove Cemetery in Westboro where Edward Howe Forbush is buried. 15 members participated. The weather was delightful with sunny skies, no winds and temperatures in the high 60's to 70 degrees. These forty-two species of birds were observed: 
 Great Blue Heron 2
 Mute Swan 1
 Canada Goose 3
 Mallard 2
 Ring-necked Duck 2
 Bufflehead 2
 Red-tailed Hawk 4
 Kildeer 1
 Ring-billed Gull 6
 Herring Gull 2
 Great Black-backed Gull 1
 Rock Dove 13
 Mourning Dove 5
 Downy Woodpecker 2
 Northern Flicker 7
 Eastern Phoebe 2
 Tree Swallow 17 +/-
 Blue Jay 9
 American Crow 6
 Black-capped Chickadee 12
 Tufted Titmouse 4
 White-breasted Nuthatch 2
 House Wren 1
 Eastern Bluebird 5
 American Robin
 Northern Mockingbird 11
 BROWN THRASHER 1
 Cedar Waxwing 14 +/-
 European Starling
 Yellow-rumped Warbler 7
 Pine Warbler 1
 Palm Warbler 3
 Northern Cardinal 5
 Chipping Sparrow 3
 FIELD SPARROW 1
 Song Sparrow 14
 White-throated Sparrow 3
 Red-winged Blackbird 65 +/-
 Common Grackle 12
 Brown-headed Cowbird 22
 American Goldfinch 11
 House Sparrow (too many)
(trip report from Joan Zumpfe).

4/6/02 -- Bolton Flats trip
Sixteen members of the F.B.C. participated in the Bolton Flats-Oxbow trip today. The temp. at the start was 22 deg. and because of the ice on most of the water areas duck numbers were very low. Two days ago there were over 500 ducks in the area (180 Green winged Teal). Some of the species seen were, Pied-billed Grebe (calling), N. Pintail 1 pr., H. Merganser 1 pr., N. Harrier 1, Virginia Rail 1, Sora 1, Pectoral Sandpiper 2, Com. Snipe 10, Brown Creeper 1, Golden-cr. Kinglet 4, Blue Bird 2, Savannah Sparrow 2, Swamp Sparrow 2. (report from trip leader Fran McMenemy)

3/30/02 -- Brookfields Forbush Bird Club Trip
Rodney Jenkins led 16 members and guests on a Forbush Bird Club trip that began at Lake Quaboag in Brookfield. There was a stong SW wind at the lake and it was cloudy but at all other stops, it was very calm and pleasant with the sun coming out. We ended the trip at the home of Will and Ann Early in West Brookfield. We were hosted to a delicious lunch of homemade soup and stew. The species seen were: 
Pied-billed Grebe 1
Great Blue Heron 4
Turkey Vulture 4
Canada Goose
Mute Swan 3
Wood Duck 3
American Black Duck 24
Mallard 82
BLUE-WINGED TEAL 1 (adult drake)
Green-winged Teal 4
Ring-necked Duck 43
Bufflehead 4
Hooded Merganser 8
Common Merganser 11
Bald Eagle 1
Red-tailed Hawk 2
American Kestrel 2
Killdeer 3
Common Snipe 4
Ring-billed Gull
Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Rock Dove
Mourning Dove
Downy Woodpecker 2
Hairy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 1
Eastern Phoebe 13
Blue Jay
American Crow
Common Raven 1
Tree Swallow 40
Black-capped Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
White-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper 2
Carolina Wren 1
Golden-crowned Kinglet 2
Eastern Bluebird 2
American Robin
Northern Mockingbird
Cedar Waxwing 1
American Tree Sparrow
Song Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow 1
Dark-eyed Junco
Northern Cardinal 1
Red-winged Blackbird
Eastern Meadowlark 1
Common Grackle
House Finch
American Goldfinch
House Sparrow
(trip report from Joan Zumpfe).

3/24/02 -- Plum Is. / Salisbury/Cherry Hill Forbush Bird Club Trip
On Sunday, March 24, 2002, Ralph richards led 16 Forbush Bird Club members on a bird trip to Salisbury Beach, Plum Island and Cherry Hill Reservoir. It was sunny, but very windy with temperatures in the high 20's to low 40's. These are the species we observed: 
Red-throated Loon
Common Loon
Horned Grebe
Red-necked Grebe
WESTERN GREBE (a life bird for many)
Northern Gannet
Great Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Turkey Vulture
Canada Goose
Brant
Wood Duck
Gadwall
American Wigeon
American Black Duck
Mallard
Northern Pintail
Green-winged Teal
 (EURASIAN TEAL - sub species)
Ring-necked Duck
Common Eider
White-winged Scoter
Black Scoter
Bufflehead
Common Goldeneye
Common Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser
Ruddy Duck
Bald Eagle
Northern Harrier
Red-tailed Hawk
Ring-necked Pheasant
Killdeer
Common Snipe
Ring-billed Gull
Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Rock dove
Mourning Dove
Snowy Owl
Belted Kingfisher
Blue Jay
American Crow
Horned Lark
Black-capped Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
Red-breasted Nuthatch
American Robin
European Starling
American Tree Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Northern Cardinal
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
House Finch
House Sparrow
(trip report from Joan Zumpfe).

2/24/02 -- Salisbury and Vicinity Forbush Bird Club Trip
On Sunday, February 24, 2002, Ralph Richards led 12 members on a bird trip to Salisbury Beach, Newburyport and Plum Island. It was mostly sunny in the low 30's to low 40's with a NW to N wind. These are the species we observed: 
Red-throated Loon
Common Loon
Horned Grebe
Great Cormorant
American Bittern (very close looks)
Great Blue Heron
Canada Goose
Brant
Eurasian Wigeon
American Wigeon
American Black Duck
Mallard
Northern Pintail
Greater Scaup
Common Eider
White-winged Scoter
Long-tailed Duck (Oldsqaw)
Bufflehead
Common Goldeneye
Barrow's Goldeneye
Hooded Merganser
Common Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser
Northern Harrier
Red-tailed Hawk
American Kestrel
Lesser Yellowlegs (3)
Ring-billed Gull
Herring Gull
Iceland Gull 1 was a Kumlen's)
Great Black-backed Gull
Rock Dove
Mourning Dove
Snowy owl
Short-eared Owl
American Crow
Horned Lark
Black-capped Chickadee
Red-breasted Nuthatch
White-breasted Nuthatch
Northern Mockingbird
European Starling
American Tree Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow (Ipswich)
Song Sparrow
Lapland Longspur (3)
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
House Finch
American Goldfinch
House Sparrow
(trip report from Joan Zumpfe).

1/6/02 -- Cape Ann Forbush Bird Club Trip
The Forbush Bird Club members who met trip leader Ralph Richards were treated to a very calm day on Cape Ann which afforded excellent sights of 53 species of birds. The specialty gulls were seen around 4 p.m., just before it started to sleet. The following were seen: 
Common Loon
Horned Grebe
Red-necked Grebe
EARED GREBE
Northern Gannet
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Canada Goose
Mute Swan
Gadwall
American Black Duck
Mallard
Ring-necked Duck (Niles Pond)
Lesser Scaup
KING EIDER 1 D(Locust Cem., Halibut Pt., Andrew's Pt)
Common Eider
Harlequin Duck
Surf Scoter
White-winged Scoter
Black Scoter
Long-tailed Duck 1 fly-by 1st stop , Rowley Shore Rd
Bufflehead
Common Goldeneye
BARROW'S GOLDENEYE
Red-breasted Merganser
Ruddy Duck
Purple Sandpiper (Halibut Pt.)
Dunlin (Rowley Shore Rd.)
Bonaparte's Gull
Ring-billed Gull
Herring Gull
ICELAND GULL (Niles Pond, end-of-day)
LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL "
GLAUCOUS GULL            "
Great Black-backed Gull
RAZORBILL
BLACK GUILLEMOT
Rock Dove
Mourning Dove
SNOWY OWL ( marsh across Eastern Pt.)
Downy Woodpecker
Blue Jay
American Crow
Black-capped Chickadee
Carolina Wren
Golden-crowned Kinglet
American Robin
Northern Mockingbird
European Starling (hundreds Ea. Gloucester @ dusk)
Dark-eyed Junco
Northern Cardinal
American Goldfinch
House Sparrow
(trip report from Joan Zumpfe).

1/1/02 -- New Year's Day Forbush Bird Club Trip
A sunny but cold and windy 2002 New Year's Day didn't deter 10 members from participating in a Forbush Bird Club trip led by Joan Zumpfe with additional leadership support from Fran McMenemy. We met at noon and traveled to Notre Dame Cemetery, downtown Worcester and Lake Quinsigamond in the city. We also checked the lake from Maronis Park in Shrewsbury and ended the day at various sites at and around Wachusett Reservoir. The temperatures ranged from 31 at noon to 26 at 4:30 p.m. with brisk NW winds that made it feel colder at times. The highlight of the trip was a sighting of the Peregrine Falcon at One Chestnut Place eating what looked like a pigeon or an American Crow. The falcon tugged and pulled at the bird, showed its front and back sides while feathers were flying around it. It was quite a show observed from High Street! The following species were also found: 
Pied-billed Grebe 1 (seen from Maronis Park,
             Thanks to Mark Lynch and Sheila Carroll)
Double-crested Cormorant 1 West Boylston
Great Blue Heron 2 (Notre Dame Cemetery)
Mute Swan 15 (Lake Quinsigamond)
Canada Goose
American Black Duck
Mallard
Northern Shoveler 2 (sub-adult, South Meadow Pond,
                     Clinton)
Tufted Duck 1 Drake with Scaup
Greater Scaup (Gate 25, Wach. Rsvr.)
Common Goldeneye
Hooded Merganser
Common Merganser
Cooper's Hawk 1 (Worcester's Union Station area)
Red-tailed Hawk 2
Peregrine Falcon 1
American Coot
Ring-billed Gull
Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Rock Dove
Mourning Dove
Belted Kingfisher 1
Blue Jay
American Crow
Black-capped Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
White-breasted Nuthatch
Northern Mockingbird 2
European Starling
American Tree Sparrow 3
Dark-eyed Junco
American Goldfinch
House Sparrow
(trip report from Joan Zumpfe).

For previous sightings, see Trip Reports 2001