Trip Highlights

This was our 34th 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 61 species, down five species from last year, eight species from 2022, but just two below average over all the years.  Observer effort was up by one birder and hours in the field was up by four, both were above average for the count.  

Conditions for the count were fairly comfortable.  Waters were mostly unfrozen and open, with some ice along the edges and covering shallow areas. The temperature ranged from 23-30 degrees, clouds prevailed throughout the day, with some light snow in the morning.  Winds were from the northwest at 5-30 mph, mostly light in the morning and increasing in the afternoon with stronger gusts.

There were several species found in higher numbers than usual.  Of these, four species were at an all-time high, Red-bellied Woodpeckers at 68 (avg 29), Winter Wren at 4 (avg 2), Dark-eyed Juncos at 1384 (avg 636) and Common Grackles at 2,000 (avg 320).  The grackles were found in one flock by Al and Lois.  Other high counts were Tufted Titmouse at 228 (avg 143, max 230 in 2004), Carolina Wren at 35 (max 46 in 2023), and American Tree Sparrow at 114 (numbers have been well below 100 from 2007-2023).  

There was just one species found in notably lower numbers than usual.  The Northern Mockingbird count of a just 5 individuals this year was the lowest ever in count history (avg 32, max 59).  

We were fortunate to find some rarer species.  It seems Congamond always comes through for us, and this year the lakes gave us a Common Loon (last seen in 2011).  Two teams found Fish Crow, though as Dave suggested, it might be the same individual as the territories were adjacent.  Red-headed Woodpecker was found by Josh in the Southwick WMA, with the only other count sightings occurring in 1997 and 1998.  Finally, White-crowned Sparrow spotted by Dave and Kim was only recorded on one other count since 2006.

Unfortunate misses this year were Horned Lark and Purple Finch (both hit or miss species on the count), Red-breasted Nuthatch (only missed on 3 other counts over the years), and Cedar Waxwing (first year missed in count history).

One count week species was added by Dorrie Holmes, and a very special species at that, a Northern Saw-whet Owl.

Special thanks to Joanne Fortin, who hosted the compilation and is always so gracious about sharing her home with the group.

Click below to view or download complete count results.

2024 Cobble Mtn CBC Results

Click below to view or download complete count results.

2024 SPFLD CBC Results

Seven participants braved an early morning cold and windy start to a wonderful day of bird watching. As is typical the day started at the Jodrey State Fish Pier which provided a viewing of the typical candidates such as the Common Eiders, Surf Scoters, Long-tailed ducks and Double-crested Cormorants along with others. As the trip proceeded to Rocky Neck beach and Niles Beach more ducks were added such as the Red-breasted Merganser, Bufflehead, White-winged Scoter along with an adult Bald Eagle. At Eastern point we were graced with a great viewing of a Green-winged Teal.

Moving back up the shoreline we were on the lee side of the cape providing much awaited warmth. Stopping at Niles Pond we were not disappointed as restricted open water due to ice that developed during the previous cold weather conditions contained its occupants. Many ducks were on display with great late morning lighting. Among the ducks seen were Ruddy, Greater Scaup, Ring-necked, Mallard, Wood Duck and 25 Hooded Mergansers. On to the Elks parking lot along Atlantic Ave, where we got a view of more Scoters, Red-necked Grebes, a Black Guillemot and 3 Northern Gannets. After taking a lunch break, we continued on our journey with a stop at Pebble Beach, which had a limited viewing due to the angle of the sun. Around the corner lay Loblolly cove which gave us a viewing of the Harlequin Ducks, another Black Guillemot and a couple of Northern Harriers. Our last stop was Old Granite Pier which provided more of the previously seen ducks and gulls. As there was a rare bird sighting in our path home, we made a side trip to Mass Audubon’s Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary for a Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, which a couple of lucky participants had the opportunity to see. Also at the location we had a viewing of a Merlin flyover and landing in a distant tree.

All in all, everyone had a great day of birdwatching with a total of 50 species.

A big thank you to our leader and newer member, Will Fitzgerald, who provided a wonderful tour of Plymouth birding for seven lucky members.  We began our day by visiting Tidmarsh Wildlife Sanctuary, exploring trails, walking over 3 miles and gathering a few puddle ducks (incl. Black Duck, Am. Widgeon) and many land birds (incl. Downy, Flicker, Ruby and Golden-crowned Kinglet, Tree and Swamp Sparrows, a Palm and 6 Yellow-rumped Warblers).

From there we headed to White Horse Beach, Manomet, parking along side of the road.  Scanning the ocean, we picked up 5 Surf and 20 Black Scoters, 2 Long-tailed Ducks, 20 RB Merganser, 7 Red-throated and 2 Common Loons.  We were almost certain we were looking at 2 Dovekie, but they turned out to be Razorbills.  Just down the road at Manomet Point, we added 1 White-winged Scoter, more Long-tailed Ducks and RB Mergs, another Razorbill, a Bonaparte’s Gull, 3 Horned Grebe, a Northern Gannet and a surprise Bald Eagle flying across and well over the ocean waters.  

A rest stop at Leyden Coffee House was welcome by all, great coffee!  From there we headed to the Plymouth Beach parking area along 3A, where we added beautiful views of Red-necked Grebe.

Nelson Field was our next destination, and we checked off our usual sighting there, 20 Brant. We saw several already mentioned sea ducks but were delighted to add 12 more Bonaparte’s Gulls to our list.

Cumberland Farms, entered by River St., was our last and very rewarding stop. We walked and counted a total of 7 Northern Harriers and 24 Red-winged Blackbirds, but backtracked to the solar panel area, where we stood atop a structure in the field to get good looks at 2 or 3 Short-eared Owls making their way back and forth in the area of the solar panels.  It was an excellent way to end our day at the coast with a total species count of 51.

On November 2 six members met and scoped out the lakes in Berkshire County.  We tallied 38 species, including 15 species of waterfowl.  We had 4 Pied-billed Grebes, 3 together at No Name Road; a nice male Pintail at the "Teal Hole" plus one more; many Hooded Mergansers throughout; 10 Black Scoters at our first stop on Pontoosuc; and 7 Ruddy Ducks on Richmond (and possibly 3 more at Stockbridge Bowl).  One Common Loon was seen from Burbank Park as well.  We also saw one Bald Eagle, one Harrier, and heard a Raven.  At No Name we saw about 100 Grackles flying swiftly and had a few Red-winged Blackbirds as well. At the Teal Hole we had 3 Carolina Wrens together and saw a Kingfisher.  A Berkshire Lakes trip would not be complete without a stop at Bartlett's Orchard, and all enjoyed that.