Trip Highlights

We were 7 members that gathered to search the fields of the East Meadows in Northampton for the much-anticipated Snowy Owl(s).  There have been two Snowy Owls reported since the beginning of the year, so we were quite hopeful that birders were already on the bird – and they were!  We had very nice scope views of the male Snowy sitting in the field.  While there, we spotted a Northern Harrier hunting the fields; it was a “gray ghost.”  Flocks of Canada Geese were counted as they flew high above, with the “seven sisters” of Skinner State Park as a backdrop.

We decided to move on to the Honey Pot in Hadley to look for Lapland Longspurs.  Though we did not find a Longspur, we thoroughly enjoyed scanning the large flocks of Horned Larks, with Snow Buntings mixed in.  While some were feeding in the road, many were close by in the fields.  They would take to the air when a car drove past, and then settle back down into the field very close to where we were set up for excellent views.  Just before we left this location, we spotted a Merlin perched high in the farthest tree, where the dike separating the fields meets the dike along the river.  Our scopes were as zoomed in as possible and we could barely make out the field marks; not a very satisfying view, but enough to clinch the identification.  

Next spot was Fitzgerald Lake in Northampton, where we searched and searched in vain for the reported Varied Thrush.  We did pick up a variety of songbirds, a woodpecker, and a Red-shouldered Hawk, but no robins and no sign of the rarer thrush.  It had been spotted that very morning, but this conservation area has lots of terrain to cover.

Some of the group continued birding to look for a reported Barrow’s Goldeneye on the river farther south, but it was not to be found.  It seems the Snowy Owl was the star of the day!

Click below to view the list of species identified.

The traditional first stop on the first club fieldtrip of the new year is Sider’s Pond in Falmouth and so it was this year, too.  We gathered, 7 in total.  The weather was sunny, but cold at 20-30 degrees, with 5-10 mph winds from the west.  At Sider’s Pond we had our first looks at Bufflehead, Red-breasted Merganser and Common Loon far out on the ice-free portion of the pond.  We picked up songbirds here, too, including 10 Yellow-rumped Warblers showing beautiful color in the morning light.

Next stops were Salt Pond, the oceanfront across the street, and Surf Drive Beach.  The pond was mostly frozen over, but the second viewing area did have some open water, revealing a half dozen Common Goldeneye, 4 Hooded Mergansers and 2 Bufflehead. The ocean side stops gave us another dozen Common Goldeneye and Red-breasted Mergansers.

The south end of Ashumet Pond was next. Here we spotted more of the same species and Hooded Mergansers, 2 Bald Eagles and a Red-tailed Hawk.  The north end of Ashumet had open water and added a Gadwall, 20 Lesser Scaup and 10 Greater Scaup, 15 Common Goldeneye, 8 American Wigeon, 8 Coot and a Bluebird to our list.

There was a King Eider reported at North Chatham Landing, but we decided not to go that far out, reasoning more birding, less driving.  Instead, we opted to try for the reported Northern Shrike at Francis A. Crane WMA.  The bird was not to be found, but we did spot Eastern Meadowlarks and a couple of beautiful little Fox Sparrows. Feeding in the same area off the entrance road by the playing field were Savannah, Field and Tree Sparrows, and the ubiquitous Dark-eyed Junco.

At Loop Beach in Cotuit, we spotted the reported two Barrow’s Goldeneyes, one male and one female.  Long-tailed ducks, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Common Eider, Mallards, and Black Ducks were all present, as well as 10 Brant and another Common Loon.

From here we headed due north to Shawme Pond in Sandwich.  The pond was mostly frozen over, but one area in the center was open and loaded with over a hundred American Wigeon. Though we scanned and scanned we did not find the Eurasian Wigeon we hoped for.  There were a couple of Ring-necked Ducks, two Mute Swans, 20 Hooded Mergansers, and a Bufflehead in the opening, a Great Blue Heron standing on the ice at the edge of the open water, and a Wild Turkey perched high above in a tree.  A Raven and several Crows called while we were scanning and we picked up a few songbirds and several woodpeckers, including Red-bellied and Hairy and a Yel-low-bellied Sapsucker.

The next spot was not far away, the popular Tree House Brewing Company on Town Neck Rd.  The parking lot was almost full, but finding a space here and there, we managed to stay and bird a bit on Cape Cod Bay.  We did not find alcids, but we did spot 500 Common Eider, 4 White-winged Scoters, 2 Common Loons, Long-tailed Ducks and a Great Cormorant.

Our final stop, and it was almost dark by then, was at the Great Herring Pond boat launch in Bourne.  The pond was frozen over, but we eyed a cluster of at least 10 Wild Turkeys in the trees that skirt the water’s edge.

We ended the day all smiles, with 54 species and 3 new species to add to our 250-Challenge!

Click below to view complete species.

This was our 35th year of participation in Audubon’s Christmas Count as Cobble Mtn Circle, with our first count taking place in 1991.  Here’s a rundown of how we did this year compared to past years.  We brought in a total of 65 species, up 4 species from last year, and 2 species above average over all the years.  Observer effort was up by two birders and hours in the field was the same as last year; both were above average for the count.

Conditions for the count were fairly comfortable, though a 4” snowfall on the previous day made walking on unplowed surfaces more difficult.  Waters were mostly frozen on ponds, with very few areas of open water.  Moving water was partly frozen with open areas. The temperature ranged from 19-38 degrees F; sunshine prevailed most of the day, with cloud cover creeping in by late afternoon.  Winds were 0-7 mph, from the northwest in the morning and from the southwest in the afternoon.

Three species were counted at an all-time high this year, Red-shouldered Hawk at 17 (avg 3), Red-tailed Hawk at 65 (avg 30), and Yellow-bellied Sapsucker at 9 (avg 3).

Found in lower numbers than usual was Black Duck at 11 (avg 53), Ring-billed Gull at just 6 (avg 124), and Golden-crowned Kinglet at 5 (avg 29).  The Ring-billed Gull was only counted in lower numbers in 2017, and the Golden-crowned Kinglet was only counted in lower numbers three other times overall.

Unfortunate misses this year were Belted Kingfisher (only missed on 1 other year since 2011) and Red-winged Blackbird (feast or famine for this species).

We were fortunate to find some rarer species.  Though Congamond usually gives us a rare species or two, this year the ponds were just about completely frozen over on the surface. The hilltowns won the prize this year.  Kathy and Myles found 4 Pine Siskins, identified in only 5 other counts in the last 15 years.  Dorrie and Paul spotted 2 Red Crossbills, only recorded on two other counts, and 11 Evening Grosbeaks, not seen since 2007.  Vince and Tim found 3 Savannah Sparrows and 2 Chipping Sparrows.  Chipping Sparrows have only been counted on two other counts.  At lower elevations, Bambi and April spotted a Lincoln’s Sparrow, adding it to the count list as a new species, first time found!  They also spotted 2 Ring-necked Ducks in a small opening of South Pond.  Janice and Gail heard a Fish Crow and eyed a perched Merlin, which they were able to scope for excellent views.  Tim and Joseph spotted the only Purple Finch.  This species was recorded in about half of the counts, but less often in recent years.  Tom found a lone Northern Pintail, found only sporadically.  Bruce, Ilene and Doug found 5 Brown-headed Cowbirds and 3 of the 9 Red-shouldered Hawks.  Joanne and Al saw 9 Cedar Waxwings, and Dave and Kim counted 5 in their territory.  Dave and Kim also picked up the only Sharp-shinned Hawk and a Yellow-rumped Warbler, only seen in three other counts.  Andrea and Jim went owling and found a Great Horned Owl, and together with Qin found a Barred Owl by day and 2 Field Sparrows.  Also putting in some owling time, John got 2 Barred Owls, and Janice heard two Barred, one Great Horned, and one Screech.  John also found 2 Winter Wrens and the only Hermit Thrush.  

Mary Jo helped by counting birds at her feeder in Blandford.  Dorrie found 3 count week species, a Snow Goose, a Red-necked Grebe and 4 Common Goldeneye, and Qin spotted a Ring-necked Pheasant.

Special thanks to Joanne Fortin, who hosted the compilation yet again this year.  Her generosity allowed us to end our count day with delicious food, lots of laughter, and a camaraderie that cannot be beat!

Click below to view or download complete count results.

2025 Cobble Mtn CBC Results

Four members gathered in Ludlow and headed to Cape Ann to enjoy a day of coastal birding. The winds were very light, and it was sunny all morning.  Though skies turned overcast in the afternoon, the temperature stayed between 35-40 degrees all day.  The birding was comfortable, and the seas were calm.

Our initial stop was the Jodrey State Fish Pier (1) located in the inner harbor of Gloucester, where we picked up our first sightings of Common Eider, Surf Scoter, Red-breasted Merganser, Common Loon, Great Cormorant, and Rock Pigeon.  We also spotted a Peregrine Falcon, and all got good scope views of it, perched at the base of a steeple in town.  A Common Raven called while we were there, and it turned out to be the only one all day long.

By 9:00 a.m. we were already birding at our second stop, Rocky Neck (2). Here we added Long-tailed Duck, Common Goldeneye, and Bufflehead to the list along with several songbirds.  Next spot was Niles Beach (3), where we picked up Black Scoter in addition to those ducks already mentioned.  The numbers of Surf Scoters here were in excess of 200.

We spent an hour at Eastern Point (4), first checking the waters near the parking lot and then marching out to the dog bar and the furthest point on the rocks to get sweeping ocean views to the south.  Stepping out of the car, we immediately got views of Gadwall and Black Duck, two new species and a third, Horned Larks flying over and calling.  At the point, we spotted two Purple Sandpipers resting on the dog bar and 2 Black Guillemots.

Feeling good about our day, we headed to Niles Pond (5).  It was mostly frozen over, but we scanned the gulls on the ice, looking in vain for a smaller one, or a whiter one.  The water that was open gave us Hooded Merganser, Gadwall, Mallard and Black Duck.

Now on to the Elks Club (6), where we spotted two Red-necked Grebes, 20 White-winged Scoters and a Northern Gannet to add to the growing species list.  We stopped at the grocery store in town and added a Great Blue Heron while eating lunch in the parking lot, overlooking the marsh.  Granite Pier (7) was next and added Harlequin Duck to our list, along with a singing Carolina Wren.

On to Andrew’s Point (8), where parking in the “new” small lot often gives us songbirds as we make our way through the neighborhood to get to the oceanfront. Indeed, we picked up Northern Mockingbird, Black-capped Chickadee and White-breasted Nuthatch.  At the two overlooks on the point, we spotted a group of a dozen Sanderlings and one Dunlin on the rocks and then flying from one location to another.  More Gannets were here and over a hundred Black Scoters floated so close to shore, you could hear their murmuring calls of communication.  Also present were a hundred Harlequin Ducks, 200 Common Eider, 30 Long-tailed Ducks, a smattering of White-winged Scoters and 4 Common Loons.  It was a good spot, and excitement was high in our little group of observers.

Having read a report of a rarer goose at Mill Pond (9) in Gloucester, we headed there next and did spot the Greater White-fronted Goose almost immediately, grazing in the grassy field with many Canada Geese.  

From there we headed north to Spencer-Peirce-Little Farm (10) in Newbury to try for another rare bird, the Scissor-tailed Flycatcher.  It was not found near the pig pen, where it had been reported, but undaunted, we walked the muddy path flanked by open field on one side and untidy, natural hedge row on the other until it was spotted.  Of course it was on the other side of the hedge row, but we all managed several good looks through holes in the vegetation. What a striking bird!  He had the salmon-pink flanks and underbelly contrasting with the black wings and tail.  We saw the long, deeply forked tail that gave this bird its name, too.  What a thrill!  On our walk out, we met another birder who described the location of a gray-phase Eastern Screech Owl along the entrance road, and sure enough we found it in its hole high up one trunk of the tree.  

There was a bit of light left in the day, and we were close to Salisbury State Park (11), so we voted to try for the Long-eared Owl.  The cones were in place in Parking Lot 3 and another birder told us that the owl had been seen this year, but infrequently.  We studied the patch of trees where we saw it in February, but luck was not with us this time around.

All in all, it was a great day to be out birding.  We ended the day with 49 species and 12 new species to add to the club’s 250-challenge for the year.  Click below to view species list.

The day was sunny, but blustery with steady winds of 10-15 mph, making the 35-40 degrees temperatures feel much colder.  The six members who gathered to bird the coast of Plymouth were not discouraged or disappointed.  Two members added seven species to their life lists – who can complain about that!

Stop one was White Horse Beach.  There we got our first looks at Common Loon, all three scoter species, with Black and Surf Scoters outnumbering the hand full of White-winged Scoters.  Long-tailed Ducks were numerous too, and we counted a half-dozen Horned Grebes.  The Northern Gannets were readily visible with binoculars, but spotting scopes brought them in for flawless views.

Next stop was Bartlett Pond, where we added Gadwall, Bufflehead, Black Duck, Mallard and Mute Swan. Several songbirds were spotted here, including Carolina Wren, Tree and Song Sparrows, House Finch, Northern Cardinal, Black-capped Chickadee, Blue Jay and Yellow-rumped Warbler (our only warbler species of the day).

From there, we headed to Manomet Point, the famous seawatch spot, and were lucky to get good looks at a single floating Razorbill.  Gannets were also there and not too far out.  We added Common Eider, Harlequin Duck in good numbers, and Great Cormorant to the list, as well as a lone Bald Eagle, very high in the sky, spotted by Tim.

Now we were cold enough to take a good break at Leyden Street Coffee. Great beverages and a clean rest room, both were especially welcome.

Plymouth Beach was next, giving us good views of Long-tailed Duck, Horned Grebe and White-winged and Surf Scoters, but no new birds to add to the list. Then Stephen’s Field, which added our first views of Bonaparte’s Gull.

From there we headed to the Plymouth Jetty, where we were greeted by hundreds of Rock Pigeons enjoying the pavement of the large parking lot behind the East Bay Grille.  From here, we searched in vain for a different gull among hundreds gracing the rocky beach.  Then turning to look in the opposite direction, Bonaparte’s Gulls were spotted again, making their way around the boats close by in the harbor. Their buoyant flight pattern, small size and white on the leading edge of their wings made keeping them in view easy once they were identified.

Jenny’s Pond had a near full parking lot and is a full-blown construction site, but we managed to find Mallard, Black Duck, Gadwall, Mute Swan and added Great Blue Heron and Green-winged Teal.

Our last stop was Cumberland Farms in Halifax, River St. entrance.  We arrived early, hoping to find the Say’s Phoebe that had been reported off and on, and as recent as that very morning.  We did not see it, but we did spot Tree Sparrow on the dirt road in, a Ring-necked Pheasant running along the road ahead of us, and Rough-legged Hawk being pestered by a Harrier.  There were Northern Harriers in abundance.  We estimated a minimum of eight, including one “gray ghost.”  While waiting for dusk to approach and hoping for looks at Short-eared Owl, we spotted an Eastern Meadowlark fly by with the setting sun lighting up the bright yellow underbody.  There were also a dozen Mourning Doves perching on a nearby fence and we heard a Raven call out several times.  At last, we spotted the Short-eared Owl and most of us got scope views of one flying low, back and forth over the fields. Three others were counted to round out a great birding day.

We ended up a bit cold, but with smiles on our faces, heading home with a total species count of 52 for the day.  We were proud to add 21 new species to our club’s 250-challenge for species spotted on field trips during the club year.  Our challenge is a way of celebrating the United States Semiquincentennial, the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 2026.  

Click below to view complete species list.