Hodges Village Dam
What a fantastic morning to wander around Hodges Village Dam while birding! The weather was cooperative (maybe a little chilly, but no rain), and the group of eight made the morning even more enjoyable. Most of us saw the 44 species of birds observed throughout the morning. A few bonus sightings were stunning wood ducks, green-winged teal and some rather perky red-breasted nuthatches. Brown creepers stayed hidden most of the morning, but two finally surfaced near the end of the trip. Unfortunately, not all had a chance to see, but most of us did enjoy the search! We also had a few very good looks at palm and pine warblers, and it was a real treat to hear and see an eastern towhee.
The bonus for the day was the viewing of great horned owlets quietly sitting in their nest!
Here is the eBird list from the day - https://ebird.org/checklist/S320327420
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Mass Audubon Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary
A group of eight birders met early on a Saturday morning to walk the productive areas around Wachusett Meadows. The day started strong, observing two American Kestrels, perched on a bird box. As we looked on, the male Kestrel swooped down to another nearby box and managed to catch a House Sparrow. Before leaving this area, a bluebird pair put on a fun show while the male fed the female.
We then travelled down towards the beaver pond which was quiet, but we watched a Hooded Merganser cross paths with a swimming beaver. As we left this area, we looked back to where we had seen the Kestrels and it looked like four of them were perched in a tree. This was exciting but analyzing pictures later it was determined this was actually two Kestrels and two Northern Flickers.
The wetlands we visited next we observed a couple of Great Blue Herons, and we heard but could not get a visual on an American Bittern. That sound is always fun to hear though as it gulps through the water and reeds. We had heard Swamp Sparrow and as we were leaving the wetlands did get it in our binoculars. Overall, a very nice morning with 40 species. A link to the full ebird list is below.
https://ebird.org/checklist/S327129347
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Woodcock Walk at the Wayne MacCallum WMA
Eleven Forbush Club members and others attended the annual Forbush Club Woodcock Walk at the Wayne MacCallum Wildlife Management Area on an overcast warm and windy Spring evening listening for the American Woodcock’s “peent ” call and watching for its notorious sky dance.
We saw and heard this in abundance! Laura Lane led the group to two ponds where Red Winged Blackbirds and Wood Ducks were observed. A pair of beavers also kept us entertained until it was time for the Woodcock. Some other highlights included a Bald Eagle and a Barred Owl singing.
As we walked back to the fields, a Woodcock flew across the path right in front of the group. We were then rewarded with about 20 minutes of four individual birds flying high in the sky, hovering, then diving quickly, peenting relentlessly in the fields. Here is a nice article written by mass.gov that goes into this rather remarkable display- https://www.mass.gov/news/dance-of-the-american-woodcock
The full ebird list from the evening may be found here: https://ebird.org/tripreport/500979
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Rauscher Farm
We had a bright, sunny fall day, with calm winds and moderate temperatures - in other words, perfect conditions for birding.
Fourteen of us gathered at 7:30 AM, including three who had never birded with the Forbush Bird Club before. The birds tended to be clustered in certain areas, with large areas that were eerily free of bird activity. As per the list (see “Read More”), we did find a number of uncommon birds, some just starting to migrate through, others lingering longer than expected.
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Birds and Butterflies in Leicester
Five participants from the Forbush Bird Club and the Massachusetts Butterfly Club walked a section of the roadside of Route 56 North overlooking the edges of the fields on the back side of the Worcester Airport. It was cloudy and the temperature was in the mid 60's until late morning when sunny skies appeared and the temperature rose to 80 degrees. We also drove over to Mulberry Street where we checked the edges of the field and walked the wooded path to the Quaker Cemetery.
Among the 20 species of butterflies observed, highlights were: Spicebush Swallowtail, Great Spangled Fritillary, Silver-Bordered Fritillary, Monarch, Appalachian Brown, Mulberry Wing Skipper, and Delaware Skipper.
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Barre Falls Dam WMA
Despite an ominous forecast, eight birders showed up for the trip. The recent wet weather had allowed the mosquitoes to multiply in terrifying numbers. If we had taken a poll, the group might have said that the estimate of 10,000 mosquitoes was low. The predicted storm never materialized.
The highlights included a quick look at a Barred Owl, a perched Broad-winged Hawk and a close look at a group of four Northern Rough-winged Swallows flying by just as we arrived back at the parking lot. The poults crossed the road after everyone else had already left, so my wife and I were the only ones treated to that view.
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Hodges Village Dam
Walked loop. Light rain after heavy rain yesterday/last night. Thinking of our friend Paul Meleski who ran many a trip here and introduced us to this place.
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Delaney WMA
Ten enthusiastic birders met on this bright and warm although overcast Saturday morning. In addition to regular members of the Forbush Bird Club, we were joined by a friend from the Boxborough Bird Club, a professor of biology and a birder from Ecuador who is getting to know the New England birds. We traveled 2 1/2 miles over about 3 1/2 hours and we identified 51 species of birds. Highlights included a large flock of Ring-necked Ducks, seven Double-crested Cormorants, a raucous chorus of Rusty Blackbirds, two less common swallows and a very spotted Spotted Sandpiper.
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Woodcock Walk
Laura Lane led a walk in the Wayne MacCallum Wildlife Management Area,
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Delaney Wildlife Mgmt Area
Six Forbush Club members and a seventh soon to become member walked the Delaney Wildlife Management Area for about three hours on a beautiful fall day. One of the highlights of the trip was the bright red, orange and yellow foliage, especially as it was reflected in the water of Delaney Pond. The birds were not especially active, but by the end of our roughly 2 ½ mile walk we managed to identify 29 species of birds.
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