Super Bowl VII 1/30/2010

The "Burger Kinglets" (Dan Berard, Chuck Caron, Rod Jenkins, Paul Meleski and myself) were at it again this year, in the Super Bowl of Birding VII. We left Westminster at 3:15 AM with the mercury at zero and the wind howling, no need to calculate the wind chill...we've got the idea!
This year's route would be similar to last year's, working from South to North (Nahant to the Newburyport area), with some tweaking based on scouting. We began owling on a back road in Essex, we managed Screech, Barred and Great-horned Owls after 70 minutes of owling. We were "riding high" not expecting to get 3 owls in these conditions. The next stop was Flax Pond, in Lynn, we got American Coot and headed for Nahant.

Early morning in Essex.

During the week I had found Gray Catbird, Winter Wren, Common Grackle and Fish Crow at the Nahant Stump Dump. Upon leaving the vehicle Dan spotted a small falcon, it turned out to be a Merlin a nice surprise. However, we "bomb" in the stump dump and get none of the previously mentioned high scoring birds.

Upon returning to the car Chuck "beams in" the I-phone and found another team has reported a Northern Shoveler, in Nahant at Forty Steps Cliff! No one knows where that is, BUT Chuck starts to google on the I-phone ....and I start thinking (it was bound to happen).... when I scouted on Wednesday I recall seeing a baby stroller...near a cliff (this can't be good)...with steps nearby leading to down the water! I guess its about....forty steps down to the water from where the stroller was. Chuck's google search "jives" with my thought and BINGO...in 4 minutes we are all looking at a female Northern Shoveler packed in with a 100 American Black Ducks. The sun is almost up, on Lynn Beach.

Dan, Chuck and Paul scan the water near Nahant.
Off to the Nahant Thicket (a small Mass Audubon Sanctuary), a previous scouting trip yielded a Ruby-crowned Kinglet and Winter Wren, We missed both. A Yellow-bellied Sapsucker and Hermit Thrush were nice replacements. While we missed several key birds (seen during scouting) totaling 19 points, the surprises (not seen on the scouting trip) add up to 20 points...of course the idea is to get ALL the points.

A poor "shot" of the "Nahant" Sapsucker .
The only issue with birding Nahant, during this event, is the long trip up to Cape Ann, a MUST location.

On Cape Ann we got the Peregrine Falcon in Gloucester, from Jodrey Fish Pier, but no Iceland nor Glaucous Gulls. Sea ducks are added at Niles Beach, Black Guillemot and Gadwall are seen from Eastern Point. We see a huge mass of gulls a mile offshore, but there is no way to ID them due to the distorted visibility from the cold temps. At Niles Pond there is not a gull to be found, while there were more in Brace Cove none are "white-winged". I can't recall birding this circuit in winter and EVER missing Iceland Gull, until.................

We find similar frustration along Atlantic Drive, missing the King Eider and a likely Common Murre that slipped away before we could confirm the ID. A mixed flock of Purple Sandpipers and Sanderlings dropped in right in front of us, near the Elk's Club, a poor consolation. We left Cape Ann with 52 species, 8 lower than last year! Next stop........................

Purple Sandpipers and Sanderlings from Atlantic Drive.

....Comono Point, Essex, we headed right to our previously scouted Brown Thrasher...a Sharp-shinned Hawk dove into the thicket nearby upon our arrival...are we too late. Paul had spotted the thrasher last week and found it again, a few Yellow-rumped Warblers are also nearby. Our luck has changed, futher up Comono Pt. we found a Bald Eagle, Dunlin and Red-throated Loon.

Eastern Bluebirds, Red-bellied Woodpecker and Common Flicker were along Gardner Road, but we have not seen any Turkey Vultures in the area (a key bird for us). In Rowley at the end of Stackyard Road added Rough-legged hawk to the list, but we missed Snowy Owl and Northern Shrike. As we continued toward Plum Island we desperately looked for Turkey Vultures but all we can find are more pesky Bald Eagles!

Rough-legged Hawk from Stack Yard Road in Rowley.
At Plum Island, we checked the ocean from the Lot 1 area, we'd had great birds on Thursday, but today the ocean is choked with ice from the Merrimac River, No Razorbills, Kittywakes, Bonepart's or Iceland Gulls. Further down the island at "the warden's" we finnally get a long distance view of a Snowy Owl but no Northern Harrier or Shrike. We leave the Parker River Refuge with 73 species and with an hour to go it is evident we'll not be close to last year's total of 83 species.

A Snowy Owl off Plum Island.

Working our way up the Merrimac River toward the Chain Bridge, in Amesbury, we spotted a Northern Harrier high over the Salisbury side of the river. More Bald Eagles were seen from Cashman Park and we added Common Merganser to our list here. We spend 30 minutes near the Chain Bridge, our final stop, looking for a Great Blue Heron, that often is in the area. Similar to last year we looked up, down and across the river, even under the bridges, but no heron. The last bird of the day was a Peregrine Falcon that cruised low over the river and then under the Rte 95 bridge, where is frightened a group of roosting pigeons, not a bad end to a good effort.

We tallied a total 148 points and 75 species.

Species....points
Red-throated Loon ....2
Common Loon....1
Horned Grebe....1
Red-necked Grebe....2
Great Cormorant....1
Canada Goose....1
Brant ....3
Mute Swan ....1
Gadwall ....2
American Black Duck....1
Mallard....1
Northern Shoveler....5
Greater Scaup....2
Common Eider ....1
Harlequin Duck ....2
Surf Scoter....1
White-winged ....1
Black Scoter....2
Oldsquaw ....1
Bufflehead ....1
Common Goldeneye ....1
Hooded Merganser ....2
Red-breasted Merganser ....1
Common Merganser ....1
Bald Eagle ....2
Northern Harrier ....1
Sharp-shinned Hawk ....3
Cooper's Hawk ....3
Red-tailed Hawk ....1
Rough-legged Hawk ....3
American Kestrel ....3
Merlin Falco....4
Peregrine Falcon....3
American Coot ....4
Sanderling ....3
Purple Sandpiper ....2
Dunlin Calidris ....3
Ring-billed Gull ....1
Herring Gull ....1
Great Black-backed Gull ....1
Black-legged Kittiwake ....3
Black Guillemot ....2
Rock Dove (I) ....1
Mourning Dove ....1
Eastern Screech-Owl ....2
Great Horned Owl ....3
Snowy Owl....3
Barred Owl ....3
Red-bellied Woodpecker ....3
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker ....8
Downy Woodpecker....1
Hairy Woodpecker....2
Northern Flicker....3
Blue Jay....1
American Crow....1
Black-capped Chickadee ....1
Tufted Titmouse....1
White-breasted Nuthatch....1
Carolina Wren ....2
Eastern Bluebird ....3
Hermit Thrush ....3
American Robin ....1
Northern Mockingbird ....1
Brown Thrasher ....8
European Starling ....1
Yellow-rumped Warbler ....3
American Tree Sparrow .... 1
Song Sparrow ....1
White-throated Sparrow ....1
Dark-eyed Junco....1
Northern Cardinal ....1
Red-winged Blackbird ....3
House Finch ....1
American Goldfinch ....1
House Sparrow....1

Mount Watatic 1/18/2010

Last Monday, Karin and I snowshoed up Mt. Watatic, in Ashburnham, Ma., after the recent snow storm dropped about 8-10" on fresh snow on the area. Upon arrival, at the trailhead, there was only one set of snowshoe tracks on the path. This was not a birding "expedition", good thing too.... because only 3 species were encountered. The first was a Snow Bunting, I heard calling as it flew overhead, while I strapped on the "shoes". Otherwise there were only a few Black-capped Chickadees and Juncos, however the scenery more than made up for the lack of bird diversity.

Crossing a stream on the way up, my pace was sluggish but steady. It took us just over an hour to make the summit.

The first open area, a small clearing about 2/3 the way to the summit.

Upon reaching the main summit these handsome birches were looking rather nice in the fresh snow.

We had been the first to reach the east summit, where the hawkwatch takes place in the fall.

The wind blown snow "patterns" were spectacular and it was nice no foot prints had yet been laid.

The trees were nicely frosted.

The north west view, toward the Wapack Ridge.

A nearby farm house.

...and the view from the south vista, where we enjoyed a snack before the return trip over Nutting Hill.

Lowell to Lawrence along the Merrimac River 1/9

Saturday, 1/9/2010, I checked out the recently reported Red-headed Woodpeckers, in Tyngsboro, Ma., just outside of Lowell. The juvenile bird was rather cooperative, though at a distance, while the adult did not show until I was about to leave. The juvenile bird's head is begining to develope some red at the base of it's nape, see the digi-scope shot below.

Red-headed Woodpecker showing a bit of red on its nape.

After "taking in" the woodpeckers I decided to bird along the Merrimac River from Lowell to Lawrence. There were plenty of Gulls and Mallards at the UMASS boat house, I soon found out why, as a man showed up toting a rubbish bag of bread. He was soon decended upon by about 200 Rock Pigeons, 50 gulls and a few Mallards.
This bird, a 2nd yr. Herring Gull was "chummed in " by "bread man", here is the DRC info on this bird:

***************************************
Here is some specific information on K50:
Captured 03/05/09 at Wallace Plaza, John Fitch Hwy, Fitchburg, MA
Capture location (GPS): 42.579148, - 71.775548
Captured using a rocket net baited with suet, French fries and crackers
Juvenile Herring Gull
Green wing-tags: K50
Red leg band: 26
Federal leg band: 1136-00347
Released on site

Sightings:
04/08/09: UMass Lowell Boat House, Merrimack River, Lowell, MA (42.652473,-71.323296)

Looks like he was seen there last spring, in the same spot. He knows where the food is.
******************************************

Incidently, the capture site of this bird is where I do my grocery shopping.

Near by, I saw the Great Black-backed Gull pictured below, with a swollen foot, I had also seen a Herring Gull with a similar ailment. Disease, Frostbite.....?

Thats gotta hurt.

I made a few stops, along the river, on my way to Lawrence, at one I found 75 Mallards, a few Black Ducks, 3 Wood Ducks and 125 Common Goldeneyes. I was able to pick out one female goldeneye with a yellow bill and was thinking I'd found aBarrow's, but head and bill shape was more fitting for a Common Goldeneye. From a little research, Common Goldeneye females can have a yellowish looking bill, though rare. Non-the-less an intersting bird, but Barrow's didn't make the check list.

Once in Lawrence, I saw 2 adult Peregrine Falcons near the clock tower, one was "mixing it up" with a Red-tailed Hawk, that might have infrindged upon the falcon's territory.

One of 4 Red-tailed Hawks seen near the dam in Lawernce.

I ended the day at the boat ramp in Lawrence, just above the dam, there were many gulls and crows on the ice. I was greeted by a group of domestic ducks as I opened the car door.

What...insurance salesmen?

A few of the better birds were a Great Cormorant and an adult Iceland Gull, pictured below. It was late in the day, and large numbers of crows were coming to roost in the general area. I was fortunate to hear at least a few Fish Crows.

A digi scope shot of an adult Iceland (Kumlien's) Gull.
The Iceland Gull soon disappeared, then an older guy showed up with rubbish bag and began "slinging" bagels. In with the dozens of Ring-billed and few Herring Gulls was a 2nd year Glaucous Gull, which easily out muscled the others.
2nd cycle Glaucous Gull.

Waiting...........

Some one's about to get WUPPED and I know who my money is with.

Just a small portion of the crows passing to roost.

The river was lined with crows as far as I could see up river and more were moving along the horizon as I scanned down river. My crude estimate ( and probably on the "light" side, but you get the idea) was about 5,000 , though I recall the late Joe Hogan mentioning numbers from 10,000 to 15,000. Joe had always birded the Lawrence area, keeping an eye on the local Peregrines, the crow roost, passing Nighthawks and of course finding the huge blackbird roost in Methuen...sure wish Joe was still with us.

Westminster CBC (Gardner) 12/26

The serious weather held off for this year's Westminster CBC, it was snowing lightly when I left at 6AM, the winds were light and temperture about 30 degree F. I had no "reponses" while owling near Lake Wompanoag, then began day-time birding near Mount Wachusett Community College. A few calling robins and crows were the first birds just before dawn. While checking the fruiting trees near the buildings I heard a the call notes of a Snow Bunting, I eventually saw the loner high overhead.

This handsome Coyote was walking across Crystal Lake.
Near Crystal Lake, which was completely frozen (as expected), were a few Song Sparrows and single Herring Gull among the more common species. Gull numbers, in this section of the count circle, have decreased since the closure of the city landfill, a few years back. Small numbers of Ring-billed Gulls, that frequent fast food joints and shopping plazas, are now the most common.


Juncos were plentiful, here is 6 of about 30 that reacted nicely to spishing while I visited a residential area.

While visiting the old landfill site and found a flock of Wild Turkeys, but little else. When the landfill was operational large numbers of gulls, crows and starlings where found here. I did scan the grassy areas, of the capped dump, for ground species such as Snow Bunting or Horned Lark, I saw neither.

This flock of Wild Turkeys was at the old Gardner Landfill.

At Parker's Pond, which was frozen, where a few Canada Geese and Mallards which were also a bit of a surprise this section of the count. Near the Junction of RTE 140 and rte 101 was a nice flock of Cedar Waxwings, about 150 to add to a previous flock of 58. The larger, Bohemian Waxwings, are always hoped for but, both flocks I saw were 100% Cedars, beautiful none the less.

My girlfriend Karin joined me for the afternoon, we added numbers to the common species totals, while covering a new areas of the territory. We did manage another good look at a Cedar Waxing flock, likely some the same birds from the morning and added ravens to the tally sheet. While driving through an industrial park we were surprised to find a flock of Ring-necked Pheasants, 4 males and 3 females.

5 of 7 Ring-necked Pheasants.

A closer view of a male.

12/27/2009 Westminster

Karin and I took a stroll around the neighborhood Sunday (12/27) afternoon to stretch our legs once the rain had stopped. We heard a Tufted Titmouse scolding from a small patch of hemlocks, the bird sounded extreemly angry. After a few minutes of searching the prize was located, a beautifuul little Northern Saw-Whet Owl. I had not brought a camera but, the tame little owl sat tight until we returned later to snap several photos.

How can one not smile upon finding one of these little gems!

While this owl species was missed on count day (I think), it should go on the books, for the Westminster CBC, as a count week bird.

A digi-bin shot through the bins.

Athol CBC (Baldwinville 12/19) and the Game

Recently, I read an article about predicting bird lists before venutring into the field,compairing it to the actual list and tallying a score. For each matching species, between predicted and actual list, you get 2 points. For each species you miss, you subtract a point and for each unpredicted species, you also subtract a point. So, finding that European rarity or lingering warbler does no good in this game....the Christmas Count compiler might feel differently.
Here is a quick example:
Predicted List .......................Actual List ..............................Points
Black-capped Chickadee.........Black-capped Chickadee ...........2
Brown Creeper...................... Blue Jay.................................... -1
American Crow.................... American Crow.......................... 2
............................................Common Yellowthroat.............-1
Totals........................ 2 points out of 6 for (33.3%).

This was the 16th time I've done this section of the Athol CBC, so that expirence should be helpful, though just a few misses will bring the score down dramatically. More on this "contest" later.
I got under way at 5:30AM with the temperature being 12 f, but fortunately there was no wind. Good conditions to owl, a mile and half walk through decent habitat for Great-horned and Northern Saw Whet yielded nothing. I listened for waterfowl, which often roost on the Otter River, but the recent snow cover and fridged weather had "pushed" these species away from this portion of the count circle.
Day break.
After the failed owling attempt, I met up with Tom and Jonathan and we began our diurnal birding along the Otter River. While some of the more common species such chickadees, nuthatches, jays, crows and so forth were found an "expected" large flock of Tree Sparrows could not been found. Some years there had been 100+ present, we only found a 1/2 dozen. A few Song Sparrows, fairly uncommon up this way in winter, was nice and a calling Purple Finch was heard as it flew overhead. While Purple Finch is a nice surprise, I had not predicted for today's list...so thats a "black mark"!

Plenty of ice, even on the faster moving stretches of the river.

Once back toward the village some of the "townies , such as Rock Pigeon, House Finch and House Sparrows, were picked up. This years total of House Finches (31) was the highest in many years, perhaps this population has recovered from the conjunctivitist disease? It might be of interest to check other CBC numbers once those are compiled and posted. We looked hard for the resident mockingbird, this miss didn't help the "test score".

Other than a single Sharp-shinned hawk, this was our only other "raptor" of the day.

Once Baldwinville was canvased, we headed up to Lake Dennison. It had been very cold the past 10 days, but previously it had been a mild late fall. Warning signs of unsafe ice were posted all along the lake, so we were surprised to see 2 guys pull ice skates from their car. The birding had been dull for the previous few hours, so we stuck around hoping for some non-avian excitement... No dice. What little sense these guys had, kept them close to shore and out of the "drink". Being half dissappointed we moved on and found our first Golden-crowned Kinglets for the count.

Some one has to be the first skaters of the season or last swimmers.

The roads to the north of Lake Dennsion were gated off for the winter, we did a one mile walk and then returned to Baldwinville in the hopes of adding a few new species or two. Eariler in the morning we'd seen a Ringed-necked Pheasant, ripped to pieces on the river ice. Upon our return, to our original starting point, we found 2 live pheasants, while we counted them (and a male found later) is beyond me why this species is countable as the state releases 40,000+ each year across the state. None the less it costs me a point on the test!

An over-exposed digi-bin shot of one of 3 pheasants in our area.

Our last "new" species of the day was Sharp-shinned Hawk, another "unpredicted" species and another minus one for the test.

Typically the Athol CBC is a good one for winter finches, but its been a very lean season for these northern "irruptives". The birder, below, had waited a long time for a grosbeak or redpoll or crossbill...and not even a siskin.

Waiting for irruptive finches? Its gonna be a lean winter for northern finches and "they stole my Bins"!

The below spreadsheet has results from all years I have done this section of the CBC, the species names HILIGHTED were my predictions (actually I had predicted 30 and missed hilighting Canada Goose, Mallard, Pileated Woodpecker and Ruffed Grouse on my speadsheet), the actual number seen is in the 2009 column. I had predicted 30 species, our team got 26, but 7 species were missed and 3 unprediected species were. So the score was 36 of a total of 60 pts for a precentage of 60%.

Predicted species.......23 X 2= 46

Missed Species.............7 X -1= -7

Unpredicted Species ...3 X -1= -3

Total Points.............................36

Percentage.......................36/60= 60%