Forbush Bird Club 2003 Trip Reports


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

11/16/03 -- Northboro and Westboro
Ann Boover led 10 Forbush Bird Club members on a trip in Northboro and Westboro. The calm atmosphere was a relief after several days of extreme winds. It was sunny and in the mid 20's at the start but warmed to the low 40's by the trip's end. There was some cloudiness mid-morning but it gave way to partly sunny skies. The following 58 species were observed:
> Great Blue Heron 1
> Turkey Vulture 1
> Canada Goose 125
> Mute Swan 4
> Wood Duck 9
> Gadwall 1 D
> American Wigeon 6
> American Black Duck 6
> Mallard ~70
> Green-winged Teal 1 D
> Lesser Scaup 2 (pair)
> Greater Scaup 1 F
> Bufflehead 2 F
> Hooded Merganser 4 (2 pair)
> Northern Harrier 1 F
> Sharp-shinned Hawk 1
> Red-tailed Hawk 2
> American Coot 1
> Killdeer 3
> Ring-billed Gull
> Herring Gull
> Mourning Dove
> Great Horned Owl 1
> Belted Kingfisher 2
> Red-bellied Woodpecker 2 males
> Downy Woodpecker 3
> Hairy Woodpecker 1
> Northern Flicker 1
> Blue Jay
> Rock Pigeon 9
> American Crow
> Black-capped Chickadee
> Tufted Titmouse
> Red-breasted Nuthatch 4
> White-breasted Nuthatch 5
> Brown Creeper 2
> Carolina Wren 3
> Easter Bluebird 3
> American Robin
> Gray Catbird 1
> Northern Mockingbird 3
> European Starling
> Cedar Waxwing 31
> Yellow-rumped Warbler 2
> Pine Warbler 1
> American Tree Sparrow 51
> Chipping Sparrow 1
> Fox Sparrow 1
> Song Sparrow 12
> Swamp Sparrow 2
> White-throated Sparrow 5
> Dark-eyed Junco 43
> Northern Cardinal 3
> Red-winged Blackbird
> House Finch
> American Goldfinch
> House Sparrow
(trip report from Joan Zumpfe).

11/9/03 -- Gate 35, Quabbin Reservoir
On the morning after a Lunar Eclipse, which was well seen due to clear skies, Chris Buelow led 13 members of the Forbush Bird Club on 11/09/03 through Gate 35 at the Quabbin Reservoir. The calm day began in the low 20's and warmed to the high 30's. The following species were observed:
> Common Loon, 10
> Horned Grebe, 2
> Common Merganser, 6
> Bald Eagle, 3
> Ring-billed Gull, 9
> Ruffed Grouse, 1
> Black-bellied Plover, 2
> Pileated Woodpecker, 1
> Downy Woodpecker, 1
> Black-capped Chickadee, 7
> Tufted Titmouse, 1
> Red-breasted Nuthatch, 5
> White-breasted Nuthatch, 3
> Northern Raven, 2
> American Crow, 3
> Blue Jay, 7
> Golden-crowned Kinglet, 5
> American Tree Sparrow, 1
> Dark-eyed Junco, 30
> Snow Bunting, 1
> Red-winged Blackbird, 12
(trip report from Joan Zumpfe).

11/2/03 -- Forbush Bird Club Trip at Wachusett Reservoir
On Sunday, November 2, 2003, Francis X. McMenemy led 19 members and friends of the Forbush Bird Club on a trip around Wachusett Reservoir in the towns of Sterling (the Quag, East and West Lake Waushacum), Clinton and Boylston. Much to our dismay, it started to rain at the onset of our trip, at noon, at River Road in West Boylston, but fortunately it stopped within a 1/2 an hour. The rain made it difficult to look for sparrows at Sterling Peat, but the windless conditions made for almost perfect viewing on the reservoir. Temperatures were in the high 50's and the wind picked up only slighly by the end of the trip while at Gate 22. Highlights included 3 Otters at the Quag, 22 Common Loons near Gate 36, Bufflehead at several stops, 3 Grebe species, 3 Red-breasted Mergansers and all 3 scoter species. The club welcomed new member Linda Loyd of Hardwick and her 2 teenaged sons, Sky and Zachary, who were enthusiastic participants. The following 42 species were observed:
Common Loon 29
Pied-billed Grebe 1
Horned Grebe 10
Red-necked Grebe 1
Double-crested Cormorant 4
Great Blue Heron 1
Canada Goose
American Black Duck 206
Mallard
Green-winged Teal 3
Ring-necked Duck 93
Greater Scaup 42
Surf Scoter 2
White-winged Scoter 1
Black Scoter 2
Bufflehead 29
Hooded Merganser 11
Common Merganser 10
Red-breasted Merganser 3
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Ring-billed Gull
Herring Gull
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Belted Kingfisher 1
Downy Woodpecker 1
Hairy Woodpecker 1
Blue Jay
American Crow
Black-capped Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse 1
White-breasted Nuthatch 2
American Robin 2
European Starling
American Tree Sparrow 3
Chipping Sparrow 1
Field Sparrow 1
Swamp Sparrow 1
White-throated Sparrow 2
Dark-eyed Junco 12
American Goldfinch 1
(trip report from Joan Zumpfe).

10/26/03 -- Forbush Bird Club Trip, Brookfields and Charlton
Rodney Jenkins led 20 members of the Forbush Bird Club on a trip Sunday, October 26, 2003. The weather was drizzly initially but the rain soon stopped. The winds were from the south and the temperatures were in the mid 50's to the low 60's. It rained again at 11:30 a.m. causing an early end to the trip. Among the following 44 species that were enjoyed were 26 Ruddy Ducks and 19 Snow Geese at Orlando's Farm in Charlton, 6 American Coot at Lake Quaboag, a drake Gadwall and 2 Northern Pintail at Slab City:
Great Blue Heron 2
Snow Geese 19 (9 A, 10 Young)
Canada Goose 35
Gadwall 1 D
American Wigeon 4
American Black Duck 25
Mallard 325
Northern Pintail 2
Green-winged Teal 2
Bufflehead 3 F
Ruddy Duck 26
Bald Eagle 2
Northern Harrier 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1
Cooper's Hawk 1
American Coot 6
Killdeer 2
Ring-billed Gull 125
Herring Gull 2
Great Black-backed Gull 1
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Downy Woodpecker 2
Eastern Phoebe 1
Blue Jay 1
American Crow
Black-capped Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
White-breasted Nuthatch
American Robin 100 +
Gray Catbird 1
European Starling
American Pipit 10
Cedar Waxwing 50
Savannah Sparrow 6
Song Sparrow 10
Swamp Sparrow 3
White-throated Sparrow 15
White-crowned Sparrow 3
Northern Cardinal 6
Red-winged Blackbird 30
Common Grackle 300
Purple Finch 2
House Sparrow 10
(trip report from Joan Zumpfe).

10/5/03 -- FBC Trip Winnimusset Meadows/New Braintree
Rodney Jenkins led 6 members of the Forbush Bird Club on a trip to New Braintree on 10/05/03. The day started out foggy then started to clear with high and thin clouds to clear and sunny and enede with heavy dark clouds often blocking the sun and cold northerly breezes. The temperatures ranged from the mid 30's to the high 40's. The following were observed:
Pied-billed Grebe 2
Great Blue Heron 3
Turkey Vulture 10
Canada Goose
Wood Duck 3
Mallard
Northern Harrier 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1
Cooper's Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 2
Peregrine Falcon 1
SORA 1
Killdeer 4
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Belted Kingfisher 2
Downy woodpecker 2
Northern Flicker 30
Eastern Phoebe 6
Blue-headed Vireo 1
Blue Jay
American Crow
Black-capped Chickadee
White-breasted Nuthatch
American Robin
Gray Catbird 6
European Starling
Cedar Waxwing
Nashville Warbler 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler 6
Black-throated Green Warbler 1
Blackpoll Warbler 1
Common Yellowthroat 3
Scarlet Tanager 1
Chipping Sparrow 92
Field Sparrow 1
Savannah Sparrow 125
Song Sparrow 25
Lincoln's Sparrow 6
Swamp Sparrow 60
White-throated Sparrow 12
White-crowned Sparrow 3
Dark-eyed Junco 1
Northern Cardinal 1
Indigo Bunting 1
Bobolink 1
Purple Finch 2
House Sparrow
(trip report from Joan Zumpfe).

9/7/03 -- FBC Trip Bolton Flats
Eric Salmela led 9 members of the Fobush Bird Club on a trip to Bolton Flats on 09/07/03. The Following were observed:
Great Blue Heron
American Bittern
Mallard
Wood Duck
Turkey Vulture
Broad-winged Hawk
Northern Harrier
Osprey
American Kestrel
Killdeer
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Northern Flicker
Downy woodpecker
Great Crested Flycatcher
Barn Swallow
Blue Jay
American Crow
Black-capped Chickadee
White-breasted Nuthatch
Gray Catbird
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
American Robin
Cedar Waxwing
Red-eyed Vireo
Black-throated Green Warbler
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Blackpoll Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
American Redstart
Bobolink
Red-winged Blackbird
Baltimore Oriole
Northern Cardinal
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Indigo Bunting
Swamp Sparrow
Song Sparrow
American Goldfinch
(trip report from Joan Zumpfe).

8/30/03 -- Forbush Bird Club Trip 08/30/03 at Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary
The Forbush Bird Club held a trip at Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary on Saturday August 30, 2003. It was led by Joan Zumpfe with Francis McMenemy and Peg Knowlton assisting the 15 members and guests attending.The weather was humid and overcast with temperatures in the low 70's. Highlights were the Monarch and Common Wood Nymph Butterflies, the many Ruby-throated Hummingbirds feeding and flying in several locations and the cookies and drinks provided by Peg Knowlton outside her home. The following bird species were observed:
Great Blue Heron at least 18
Green Heron 2
Wood Duck 21
Mourning Dove 5
Chimney Swift 1
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 8
Belted Kingfisher 3
Downy Woodpecker 3
Northern Flicker 1
Eastern Phoebe 15
Eastern Kingbird 2
Red-eyed Vireo 2
Blue Jay
American Crow 5
Tree Swallow 10
Barn Swallow 12
Black-capped Chickadee 2
White-breasted Nuthatch 2
Gray Catbird 3
European Starling
Cedar Waxwing 5
American Redstart 1 F
Common Yellowthroat 3
Scarlet Tanager 1 F
Chipping Sparrow 24
Song Sparrow 4
Rose-breasted Grosbeak 3 F
Red-winged Blackbird 1
Common Grackle 1
House Finch 1
American Goldfinch
House Sparrow
(trip report from Joan Zumpfe).

8/9/03 -- Forbush Bird Club Trip "Birds and Butterflies"
Delores Price led 7 members of the Forbush Bird Club and Massachusetts Butterfly Club on a "Birds and Butterflies" walk in Leicester behind the Worcester Airport and at the former Leicester landfill. In spite of hot, humid and hazy weather with overcast skies, butterflies were abundant. The following 28 Bird and 22 Butterfly species were observed:
Great Blue Heron 1
Canada Goose 5
Turkey Vulture 1
Broad-winged Hawk 1
Wild Turkey 12
Mourning Dove
Chimney Swift 3
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 1 perched female
Eastern Phoebe 1
Eastern Kingbird 3
Tree Swallow 1
Barn Swallow 13
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 3
Blue Jay 2
American Crow 8
American Robin
Gray Catbird 4
Cedar Waxwing 2
European Starling ~ 350
Northern Cardinal 1
Rose-breasted Grosbeak 1 F
Eastern Towhee 4
Savannah Sparrow 1
Song Sparrow 2
Red-winged Blackbird
Eastern Meadowlark 6
Baltimore Oriole 1
American Goldfinch

Black Swallowtail 4
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail 4
Spicebush Swallowtail 3
Cabbage White 16
Clouded Sulphur 6
Eastern Tailed Blue 12
Great Spangled Fritillary 1 on Thistle
Pearl Crescent 82
Question Mark 1
American Lady 1
Red-spotted Purple 1
Viceroy 3
Common Ringlet 7
Common Wood Nymph 66
Monarch 1
Silver-spotted Skipper 15
Wild Indigo Duskywing 2
Least Skipper 23
Northern Broken dash 1
Little Glassywing Skipper 1
Delaware Skipper 1
Dun Skipper 7
(trip report from Joan Zumpfe).

7/31/03 -- Forbush Bird Club Trip to Salisbury Pond at Institute Park
Bob Aiello led 7 members of the Forbush Bird Club on a walk to look for herons. The weather was perfect with clear skies, calm air and temperatures in the high 70's. The following 24 bird species were enjoyed as well as a bat that flew low over us several times:
Great Blue Heron 1

Green Heron 3 (much interaction/calling among them, probably a family)

Black-crowned Night Heron 3 ( 1 A ) ( the other 2 flew over us as we were leaving in the
dark, 1 of which was calling, age wasn't discerned, but most likekly a hatching year bird)

Canada Goose 5
American Black Duck 7
Mallard ~ 175
Killdeer 1
Ring-billed Gull 1
Rock Dove
Mourning Dove
Chimney Swift 1
Eastern Kingbird 6
Barn Swallow 3
American Robin
Gray Catbird 2
Northern Mockingbird 1
European Starling
Yellow Warbler 3
Chipping Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
Brown-headed Cowbird
American Goldfinch
(trip report from Joan Zumpfe).

6/29/03 -- Wachusett Reservoir
Francis X. McMenemy led 11 members of the Forbush Bird Club on a trip to Wachusett Reservoir on June 29, 2003. Temperatures ranged from 62 to 82, with a quick shower midway. The initial high humidity and the early cloudiness decreased by the end of the trip. A walk through Gate 22 provided excellent viewing of the adult Common Loon on the South Bay (route 140) nesting raft. July 7th is the approximate hatching date. A walk through gate 35 left us concerned about the pair that had been nesting at Crescent Island. No loon was seen near the island but a pair was seen near gate 36 along route 110, hopefully not the nesting pair. Recent rains and the addition of water into the reservoir from the Quinopoxet Reservoir may have washed out the nest. The following 58 bird species were observed:
Common Loon 3
Double-crested Cormorant 3
Great Blue Heron 1
Mallard 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Spotted Sandpiper 2
Ring-billed Gull 5
Herring Gull 1
Rock Dove
Mourning Dove 5
Chimney Swift 1
Belted Kingfisher 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 1
Eastern Wood Pewee 10
Eastern Phoebe 1
Great Crested Flycatcher 2
Eastern Kingbird 3
Warbling Vireo 1
Red-eyed Vireo 3
Blue Jay 5
American Crow 7
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 2
Black-capped Chickadee 17
Tufted Titmouse 5
White-breasted Nuthatch 2
Brown Creeper 1
House Wren 1
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 4
Hermit Thrush 1
Wood Thrush 2
American Robin 9
Gray Catbird 2
European Starling
Cedar Waxwing 3
Blue-winged Warbler 2
Yellow Warbler 3
Chestnut-sided Warbler 3
Black-throated Green Warbler 1
Pine Warbler 7
Prairie Warbler 2
Black-and-white Warbler 1
American Redstart 3
Ovenbird 4
Common Yellowthroat 6
Scarlet Tanager 3
Eastern Towhee 4
Chipping Sparrow 8
Song Sparrow 9
Northern Cardinal 1
Rose-breasted Grosbeak 2
Red-winged Blackbird 4
Common Grackle 3
Brown-headed Cowbird 2
Baltimore Oriole 3
House Finch 6
American Goldfinch 11
House Sparrow 3
(trip report from Joan Zumpfe).

5/31/03 -- Forbush Bird Club Trip, Quabbin Reservoir Gate 37
Rodney Jenkins led 14 members of the Forbush Bird Club on a trip at Quabbin Reservoir that started from gate 37 after meeting in Petersham Center. The major highlight was the sighting of a Bull Moose. Additional highlights were Porcupine, Osprey and Bald Eagles. The weather was sunny, cool and calm in the mid 60's. The following 65 bird species were observed:
Common Loon 4
Great Blue Heron 6
Canada Goose were seen with young
Wood Duck 2
Osprey 1
Bald Eagle 3
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Wild Turkey 1 hen (West Street)
Spotted Sandpiper 1
Mourning Dove
Downy Woodpecker 1
Pileated Woodpecker 1
Eastern Wood-Pewee 6
Alder Flycatcher 1
Least Flycatcher 6
Eastern Phoebe 1
Great Crested Flycatcher 4
Eastern Kingbird
Blue-headed Vireo 1
Yellow-throated Vireo 1
Red-eyed Vireo 30
Blue Jay
American Crow
Tree Swallow
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 1
Barn Swallow 1
Black-capped Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse1
White-breasted Nuthatch 1
Brown Creeper 3
House Wren 1
Golden-crowned Kinglet 1
Veery 20
Hermit Thrush 1
Wood Thrush 1
American Robin
Gray Catbird
Northern Mockingbird
Cedar Waxwing
Yellow Warbler
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler 6
Yellow-rumped Warbler 3
Balck-throated Green Warbler 6
Blackburnian Warbler 4
Pine Warbler 4
Prairie Warbler 1
Black-and-white Warbler
Ameriacn Redstart
Ovenbird 30
Common Yellowthroat Warbler
Scarlet Tanager 6
Eastern Towhee 10
Chipping Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow 1
Northern Cardinal
Rose-breasted Grosbeak 3
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
Brown-headed Cowbird
Purple Finch 2
House Finch
American Golfinch
House Sparrow
(trip report from Joan Zumpfe).

5/18/03 -- Forbush Bird Club Trip Westminster, Princeton & Gardner
On May 18, 2003, 14 members of the Forbush Bird Club were led by Francis X. McMenemy on a perfect weather day that started at 36 degrees but felt much warmer due to clear blue skies and no wind. The temperature reached 70 degrees by the trip's end. Birding spots visited included the towns of Gardner (High Ridge), Princeton and Westminster (Redemption Rock and Wachusett Mountain). Highlights included Pied-billed Grebes calling and seen, American Bittern and many Warbler species. The following 64 species were observed:
Pied-billed Grebe 2
American Bittern 1
Great Blue Heron 1
Turkey Vulture 9
Canada Goose 2
Mallard 3
Bald Eagle 1
Broad-winged Hawk
Killdeer 3
Mourning Dove 2
Yellow-bellied Sapsuker 1
Downy Woodpecker 1
Hairy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 1
Pileated Woodpecker 1
Least Flycatcher 1
Eastern Phoebe 2 (nesting at Redemption Rock site)
Great Crested Flycatcher 3
Blue-headed Vireo 3
Warbling Vireo 1
Red-eyed Vireo 7
Blue Jay 3
American Crow 3
Tree Swallow 3
Bank Swallow 2
Barn Swallow 6
Black-capped Chickadee 9
Tufted Titmouse 5
Red-breasted Nuthatch 1
White-breasted Nuthatch 3
Brown Creeper 1
Winter Wren 2
Eastern Bluebird 1
Veery 1
Wood Thrush 2
American Robin 8
Gray Catbird 6
Nashville Warbler 1
Northern Parula Warbler 2
Yellow Warbler 3
Chestnut-sided Warbler 3
Black-throated Blue Warbler 4
Yellow-rumped Warbler 10
Black-throated Green Warbler 8
Blackburnian Warbler 1
Pine Warbler
Black-and-white Warbler 7
American Redstart 7
Ovenbird 13
Northern Waterthrush 1
Common Yellowthroat 6
Scarlet Tanager 7
Eastern Towhee 4
Chipping Sparrow 10
Song Sparrow 2
Dark-eyed Junco 2
Rose-breasted Grosbeak 4
Indigo Bunting 1
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle 1
Brown-headed Cowbird 1
Baltimore Oriole 3
American Goldfinch 9
House Sparrow 3
(trip report from Joan Zumpfe).

5/17/03 -- Sterling Peat , Sterling
On May 17, 2003, 7 members of the Forbush Bird Club were led on a trip to Sterling Peat by former club president Bob Ricci. The weather was damp and in the low 40's at the start but warmed up to the mid 50's with sunshine. These 70 species were found:
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Green Heron
Canada Goose
Mallard
Turkey Vulture
Red-tailed Hawk
Killdeer
Solitary Sandpiper
Least Sandpiper
Ring-billed Gull
Rock Dove
Mourning Dove
Chimney Swift
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Belted Kingfisher
Hairy Woodpecker
northern Flicker
Pileated Woodpecker
Eastern Phoebe
Great Crested Flycatcher
Eastern Kingbird
Tree Swallow
Bank Swallow
Barn Swallow
Blue Jay
American Crow
Black-capped Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
Red-breasted Nuthatch
White-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
House Wren
Eastern Bluebird
Veery
Wood Thrush
American Robin
Gray Catbird
Northern Mockingbird
Cedar Waxwing
European Starling
Warbling Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Nashville Warbler
Northern Parula Warbler
Yellow Warbler
Magnolia Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
Pine Warbler
Prairie Warbler
Black-and-white Warbler
American Redstart
Ovenbird
Louisiana Waterthrush
Common Yellowthroat
Northern Cardinal
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Eastern Towhee
Chipping Sparrow
Field Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Bobolink
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
Brown-headed Cowbird
Northern Oriole
House Finch
American Goldfinch
House Sparrow
(trip report from Joan Zumpfe).

5/10/03 -- Forbush Bird Club Trip Buck Hill, Spencer
On May 10, 2003, 14 members of the Forbush Bird Club were led by Susan Sachs on a birding trip through Buck Hill Wildlife Management Area in Spencer. Temperatures started out cool but warmed up gradually by the clear blue skies and slight breezes. Highlights were Yellow-throated Vireo; Nashville and Northern Parula Warblers; Northern and Louisiana Waterthrushes; Baltimore Orioles. These wildflower species were also enjoyed: Marsh Marigold, Dwarf Gentian, Purple Trillium, Wild Oats, Partridge Berry, Checkerberry, Wood Anemone, and Gold Thread. The following 50 bird species were observed:
Canada Goose 2
Turkey Vulture 4
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Spotted Sandpiper 1
Ruffed Grouse 1
Mourning Dove 4
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Downy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 2
Least Flycatcher 6
Eastern Phoebe 1
Eastern Kingbird 1
Tree Swallow 12
Blue Jay 4
American Crow 1
Black-capped Chickadee 10
Tufted Titmouse 8
White-breasted Nuthatch 3
Brown Creeper 3
Veery 1
American Robin 8
Gray Catbird 2
Blue-headed Vireo 3
Yellow-throated Vireo 1
Warbling Vireo 7
Nashville Warbler 1
Northern Parula Warbler 1
Yellow Warbler 4
Chestnut-sided Warbler 2
Yellow-rumped Warbler 10
Black-throated Green Warbler 8
Pine Warbler 3
Black-and-white Warbler 8
Ovenbird 23
Northern Waterthrush 1
Louisiana Waterthrush 2
Common Yellowthroat 1
Northern Cardinal 1
Rose-breasted Grosbeak 2
Eastern Towhee 1
Chipping Sparrow 3
Savannah Sparrow 1
Song Sparrow 2
White-throated Sparrow 2
Red-winged Blackbird 5
Common Gracle 3
Brown-headed Cowbird 4
Baltimore Oriole 4
Purple Finch 1
American Goldfinch 7
(trip report from Joan Zumpfe).

4/27/03 -- Forbush Bird Club Trip : Shrewsbury and Grafton
On April 27, 2003, 6 members of the Forbush Bird Club were led by Mike Bellows on a birding trip in Shrewsbury and Grafton. It was in the low 40's with a fine mist and 10 mph NW winds at the start. It gradually warmed to the mid 50's with clearing skies and calmer breezes.
Highlights were: (1) a singing Brown Thrasher at Rotary Park; (2) fantastic looks at a female Red-bellied Woodpecker (showing a yellow throat) at Mike's home, where his wife Nancy treated us to home-made pastries: (3) walking along the power lines at Pleasant Street in Grafton to view 2 Great Horned Owl owlets sitting in their nest on a tower less than a mile from the road (overlooking Fisherville Pond). One parent was also seen in the nest when we looked from near the road. The owlets appear to be close to fledging.
The following is the trip list (sightings were in Shrewsbury unless otherwise noted):
Great Blue Heron 1
Turkey Vulture 3
Canada Goose 4 ( 2 on nests)
Mallard
Red-tailed Hawk 4 (2 A, 2 Y seen on nest in Grafton)
Ring-billed Gull 2
Rock Dove
Mourning Dove
GREAT HORNED OWL 3 (1 A, 2 Young on nest in Grafton)
Belted Kingfisher 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1 (F)
Downy Woodpecker 4 ( digging holes in trees)
Northern Flicker 8
Eastern Phoebe 2
Blue Jay
American Crow
Tree Swallow ~ 20
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 2
Barn Swallow 1
Black-capped Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse (calling everywhere)
White-breasted Nuthatch 3
Carolina Wren 1
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1
Eastern Bluebird 2 (pair)
American Robin ~ 40 in Dean Park
Northern Mockingbird 2
Brown Thrasher 1
European Starling
Pine Warbler 2
Chipping Sparrow 20
Field Sparrow 8 (Grafton Power Lines)
Song Sparrow
Northern Cardinal 6
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
Brown-headed Cowbird 2
House Finch
American Goldfinch
House Sparrow

Total species is 40
(trip report from Joan Zumpfe).

4/6/03 -- Forbush Bird Club Trip Bolton Flats/Delaney
The Forbush Bird Club held a trip to Bolton Flats, Oxbow and Delaney Wildlife Management Areas. The weather was sunny but cold, from the mid 20's to the low 30's and rather windy (10-15 mph). Fran McMenemy was trip leader for the 8 members attending. The following species were observed:
Great Blue Heron 15 (12 on nests at Delaney)
Turkey Vulture 2
Canada Goose approximately 300 at Bolton Flats
Wood Duck 13
American Wigeon at least 5 (viewing through trees)
American Black Duck
Mallard
NORTHERN SHOVELER 2 drakes in breeding plumage on
                    south side of rte. 117
Green-winged Teal 24 + approximately 100 seen flying
Ring-necked Duck 73
Common Goldeneye 4
Hooded Merganser 8
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 4
American Kestrel 1
Killdeer 10
Ring-billed Gull
GREAT HORNED OWL 1 in a nest in a White Pine above the
                   main cluster of Heron Nests
Rock dove
Mourning Dove
Downy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 2
Eastern Phoebe 1
Blue Jay
American Crow
Tree Swallow 6
Black-capped Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
White-breasted Nuthatch 2
Eastern Bluebird 3
American Robin
European starling
American Tree Sparrow 2
Song Sparrow 6
Dark-eyed Junco 3
Northern cardinal 1
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
Brown-headed Cowbird 8
American Goldfinch
House Sparrow
(trip report from Joan Zumpfe).

3/29/03 -- Forbush Bird Club Trip Lake Quaboag and Brookfields
A Forbush Bird Club Trip was held on 03/29/03 in the Brookfields on a cloudy day in the mid 50's with occasional drizzle and fog over the ice on Lake Quaboag. Rodney Jenkins was the trip leader for 17 members who were rewarded with some spectacular views of a pair of Bald Eagles. The eagles were first seen sitting near the nest they've been working on for 2 years. Then they flew to the edge of the ice and worked on a fairly large fish that a gull had been pecking at. Two crows showed up and sat close to the eagles affording good size comparisons. The eagles again provided magnificent views as they flew across the lake. The second main highlight of the trip was being hosted to a hot lunch of chowder and soup by Will and Ann Early, club members from West Brookfield who live on Lake Wickaboag. The following species were observed:
 
Great Blue Heron 3
Turkey Vulture 5
Canada Goose
Mute Swan 1
Wood Duck 17
American Black Duck 12
Mallard
Green-winged Teal 3
Ring-necked Duck 126
Bufflehead 6
Common Goldeneye 1 f
Hooded Merganser 14
Common Merganser 26
Bald Eagle 2 adults
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 2
American Kestrel 1
Wilson's Snipe 1
Ring-billed Gull
Herring Gull 2
Great Black-backed Gull 1
Rock Dove
Mourning Dove
Belted Kingfisher 2
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Downy Woodpecker 3
Northern Flicker 3
Eastern Phoebe 6
Blue Jay
American Crow
Tree Swallow 10
Black-capped Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
White-breasted Nuthatch
Eastern Bluebird 1
American Robin 
Northern Mockingbird
European Starling
American Tree Sparrow 3
Song Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Northern Cardinal
Red-winged Blackbird
Rusty Blackbird 2
Common Grackle
Brown-headed Cowbird
House Finch
American Goldfinch
House Sparrow
(trip report from Joan Zumpfe).

1/1/03 -- Forbush Bird Club New Year's Day 2003 Trip
At noon, on New Year's Day, 15 members and guests of the Forbush Bird Club participated in a 3 hour trip led by Joan Zumpfe. Initially, the weather was calm, overcast and in the low 40's. Our stops included Notre Dame Cemetery; downtown Worcester; Lake Quinsigamond viewed from behind Maronis Park and Vinny Testa's Restaurant; Wachusett Reservoir's South Bay;and lastly, gate 26 near the Stone Church in West Boylston. The trip was shortened due to increasingly heavy rains that started before 2 p.m.
 
The following bird species were observed:
 
Canada Goose
Wood Duck 1 drake (Lake Quinsig.)
American Black Duck
Mallard (large numbers at Notre Dame & Lake Quinsig.)
Tufted Duck 1 drake
Greater Scaup 47
Common Goldeneye 
Hooded Merganser
Red-tailed Hawk 4
MERLIN 1 (in Shrewsbury)
American Coot 4 (Lake Quinsig.)
Ring-billed Gull
Herring Gull
ICELAND GULL 1 (South Bay)
Great Black-backed Gull
Rock Dove
Downy Woodpecker
Blue Jay
American Crow
Black-capped Chickadee
White-breasted Nuthatch
Northern Mockingbird
European Starling
Northern Cardinal
American Tree Sparrow
Song Sparrow
SWAMP SPARROW 1 (Notre Dame)
Dark-eyed Junco
American Goldfinch
House Sparrow 
(trip report from Joan Zumpfe).

For previous sightings, see Trip Reports 2002