Trip Highlights

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2019 Spfld Christmas Count Results

Twelve members joined up to enjoy 43 species on the North Shore.  We began the day at Jodrey’s Fish Pier with a Peregrine Falcon, a Horned Grebe, 2 C. Loons, 8 C. Eider, White-winged Scoters far out, a DC Cormorant and a Red-tailed Hawk. The next location was Rocky Neck, where we added 17 Red-breasted Merganser, 2 C. Goldeneye, 2 Bufflehead, and a Red-necked Grebe.  On to Niles Beach, where we added Black and Surf Scoters and a Canada Goose.  Next up was Eastern Point, where a few lucky members got good looks at Black Guillemot in winter plumage at the point beyond the dog bar.  We also added 5 Gannets to the list there, as well as several landbirds.

Niles Pond added 25 Ring-necked Ducks, 2 Ruddy Ducks and a N. Harrier.  We searched Ramparts field (across from the tennis courts on Fort Hill Rd) in vain for a reported Western Flycatcher, and only came up with a few song birds for our reward.  Stop and Shop was adequate for a rest stop and a short lunch before moving on to the Elks Club, which did not give us any new species for the day, but did offer good looks at 200 Black Scoters, 12 White-winged Scoters, 3 C. Loons and 2 Gannets. Granite Pier was the next destination, where we spotted 2 Harlequins, 21 Surf Scoters, 30 Eider, 2 Bufflehead and a DC Cormorant.  Our last stop was Andrews Point, delivering to us the usual large flocks of Eider, 20 Harlequins, 3 Gannets, one C. Loon and the only new species, 6 Purple Sandpipers. It was breezy, but good day of birding!

We had a nice group today, 14 people and 35 species. Not a huge number of ducks, except at MudPond, of course. No surprises, but a nice day to be out. And everyone was happy!

Eleven participants saw 25 species.  First, let it be known that our 3-hour walk started at 8 a.m. and end-ed at 1:45 p.m.  Only Tim, Terrie and I were left at the end; ticks popped up at our last wooded stop and the birders fled.   Nice day, nice company and treats provided by Beth Spirito and Lisa kept us fed and happy.  

Scott Surner had 4 Scoters at the Visitor's Center and got the black dots in our scopes; I did not include them in my list.  Common Loon was close, as was a Red-necked Grebe, Hooded Merganser, and Wood Ducks.   Beth found us 4 Rusty Blackbirds which were within 50 feet, providing an excellent study in plumages.  Hermit Thrush, Ruby-crowned Kinglet and Killdeer were other highlights.  No warblers and no Chickadees in the old orchard to hand feed.  My mistake in making such a promise.  Sparrows were sparse and I was surprised at the large number of Ring-billed gulls on the water.  For sanitation reasons, DCR will try to control this problem.  All in all, I'll come again to Quabbin for this walk, but won't promise anything.

We started out on a sunny fall morning with 10 people and luck was with us as our 1st bird of the day was a Rusty Blackbird sitting on a dead tree in the first marsh area.  We were able to get great scope views, because he stayed in one spot the whole time.  As we headed in we had some Yellow-rumps and Wood Ducks.  We approached the Ponds and had our next surprise as a low flying Osprey flew by scanning the water for breakfast.  Along the next path we got a pair of White-throated Sparrows, more Yellow-rumps and some Palm Warblers, a pair of Pileated Woodpeckers, a Blue-headed Vireo and a Swainson's Thrush along with a number of other birds.  We then headed towards the back ponds, but first saw a pair of Savannah Sparrows and flushed a Killdeer that was feeding pondside.

The raptor show was next as we saw 5 Redtails, a Cooper's Hawk and a pair of Turkey Vultures along with who we assume was the same Osprey making numerous flights up and down the ponds.  When we got into the wooded area, we asked the warblers to come down a little lower and they obliged, giving us some great looks at Palms and Yellow-rumps along with scoping a number of Wood Ducks.  As we headed back, we got splendid looks at another Swainson's Thrush that was along the side of the road.  We then headed back to the parking lot thinking we were done, but instead saw a number of raptors climbing the thermals.  There were some Redtails, but also a Bald Eagle that was circling with a Raven.  A good day with good birds.  Our total species count was 41.