Trip Highlights

The evening was cool and windy, but 18 members gathered in search of owls. We persevered until late in the evening, though success was limited.

Our first stop was New Southwick Cemetery, where our leader gave an impressive imitation of an Eastern Screech Owl call, hoping to prompt a response. None came. Next, we visited a boardwalk crossing a large marsh along the Metacomet-Monadnock Trail. As we approached the parking area, one member heard an owl from his car, but the group had not yet gathered, and the owl did not call again. We walked the trail down to the boardwalk and tried in vain to call in a Barred Owl, where two had been seen flying over the marsh during last year’s owl prowl.

Our final stop was the Southwick WMA, where we hoped to hear a Great Horned Owl. In the parking area, the leader and another member heard an Eastern Screech Owl, but it did not call again for the rest of the group to hear. We walked into the field stopping at the edge of the woods, where our leader imitated the calls of Northern Saw-whet Owl and Great Horned Owl, but by then the wind had picked up considerably, and our efforts were unsuccessful.

Although the owls kept their distance this year, members thoroughly enjoyed the evening’s quest.

Our scheduled morning adventure to bird Ashley Ponds and the surrounding area was preempted by a fund-raising event (Magic for Maddie) being held at the Elks Club.  We were greeted by friendly volunteers placing signs for event parking only at our meeting spot.  Fortunately, our leader knows the area well and brought us to the Bear Hole Watershed nearby.  After birding here and finding a few very good woodland species, he volunteered to lead us around Stebbins Refuge, where there were reports of a variety of fall migrants. We ended the morning with smiles and a total of 37 species.  Click below to view a complete species list.

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The weather was overcast and temps were in the mid-40s as five members gathered for a leisurely bird walk. By the end of the trip the temperature had climbed into the mid-60s with sunshine peeking through the clouds.  We walked about 3 miles on the level path near the reservoir and spotted and/or heard a total of 21 species.  

Click below to view complete species list.

Field trip canceled due to heavy rain.

Fall was definitely in the air.  The morning began with temperatures in the mid-40's and a breeze moving the leaves about in the trees.  Hundreds of Redwings were flying out of the swamps as the birders were waiting for the walk to start.  We drove on to the new parking area and walked the field edge, then dropped down onto some new trails nearer the river, hoping for migrants.  They were obviously elsewhere, as the wooded area was mainly quiet - only the usual chickadees, titmice, and catbirds sounding off.  We did have Semipalmated Plovers along the river.  Back along the field edge, Common Yellowthroats and a single Magnolia Warbler popped out.  We did take the time to enjoy the abundant fall wildflowers and spotted a Praying Mantis (unfortunately deceased) and several butterflies.  Our final stop was the sandbar - two adult Bald Eagles claimed the area.  Once they flew off, we found Great Egrets, and a Great Blue Heron, but alas no other shorebirds.  There were 5 participants and 33 species identified.

Click below to view complete trip list.