Sparrow 2fer

I'll start off my saying I finally got a Lincoln's Sparrow. The best looks I've ever had at one. I got a text from Tim Spahr that he had found a Clay-colored Sparrow in Westborough WMA. This was a county bird for me. Took about 30 min but the bird finally appeared with some Swamp Sparrows! He was fairly cooperative in the time I was there and Bob and Diane Abbot were able to get on  the bird as well so that was more awesome than just getting it for the county! Tim has been killing it this year! The Clay-colored wasn't a bird I was expecting on this years list! Just need to get some pipits! I will say that I am tired of stepping in dog shit at Westborough WMA. So if you are reading this and its your dog...dont be an asshole.



Clay-colored Sparrow- Westborough #189

Lincoln's Sparrow- Westborough #190

"Upgrades"

Red-shouldered Hawk!

I have been out daily trying to photograph a Lincoln's Sparrow. Everytime I go out I do find them yet unable to get them to stay up quick enough to switch from binoculars to camera. I cannot miss this bird. After this it will be American Pipit search followed by scoter season. Sterling Peat has been a great place to get pipits on the ground but it's not muddy like it usually is. Hope I don't misss them!!! While trying for the Lincoln's Sparrow at Heirloom Harvest CSA I heard a Red-shouldered Hawk calling. Got on the bird high up with a Cooper's Hawk. I was able to get a horrible shot of the bird but clearly can see the "windows on the wings" feature. I'll take it. Hopefully another opportunity will arise.


Red-shouldered Hawk- Westborough #188

Upgrades--


Blackpoll Warbler

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

3 Bird Search....

I got up early today in search of 3 birds. Philadelphia Vireo, Lincoln's Sparrow, and Connecticut Warbler. I have LISP and CONW on my year but no pictures. I came across a flock of Vireos. 2 Red-eyed, 3 Warbling, and a Philadelphia. It was nice to get it outta the way. I thought I was going to miss one this year however Tim Sparh had confidence in me and he was right! I tried like hell for a Lincoln's Sparrow at Westborough WMA. This is usually my go-to spot for them. I dipped there on them and on CONW. I did have a singing Blue-winged Warbler which i spent over an hour trying to find. It was in the woods and seemed rather high. the woodline bordered a squash field.

I then went over to Heirloom Harvest CSA to look for Lincoln's Sparrow as I've had them there while seeing the Dickcissels. I did see a LISP but I couldn't get any sort of record shot!!!!!!!! Dickcissels were a no-show.

Philadelphia Vireo- Westborough #187

Upgrades---

Common Yellowthroat

Dickcissel

Northern Parula

Bobolink

Dickcissel!!!

A couple days ago Nick Paulson found a couple DICKs at Heirloom Harvest CSA in Westborough. I went after striking out on a Yellow-breasted Chat and I then struck out on a Dickcissel. Today I was determined to try again and Nick joined me. We headed out to the fields. It was very quiet and I was losing hope. Then some Boblinks popped up and it became exciting. Then I spotted a Dickcissel but only had 2 second views and no pics. Spent about an hour there and came to the conclusion that there were at least 2. I believe there are 3. Got a backlit picture. Ill be headed there again tomorrow. I did also have Lincoln's Sparrow and Connecticut Warbler but I was unable to get a picture! Tomorrow Ill be at it again!!So close to 200...yet so far!


Dickcissel- Westborough #186

Shorebirds Galore

It's been a decent shorebird season. Started off pretty bad. Sterling Peat is essentially dried up. Luckily there was some good muddy shorelines at the Quinapoxet Reservoir in Holden and Quabog Pond in Brookfield. Awesome birds were found this week. Including Stilt Sandpiper, American Golden-Plover, Black-bellied Plover, and Semipalmated Plover. I got the absolute worst shots of some of these birds as the Quinapoxet Res flats were very far out. either way, it was awesome! Only a few uncommon shorebirds would be possible but I am not counting on them. Seems like its back to focusing on fall warblers and vireos! I still need Bay-breasted, Cape May, Tennessee, Conn, and Mourning Warblers and a Philly Vireo.

New Birds...dont judge these pics!

American Golden-Plover- Holden #180

 Semipalmated Sandpiper-Holden #181

                                                          Stilt Sandpiper- Holden #182

Black-bellied Plover- Holden #183

Pectoral Sandpiper-Holden #184 

 Semipalmated Plover - Brookfield #185

Photo upgrades


Kildeer

 Rock Pigeon

Least Sandpiper

Greater Yellowlegs

 Green Heron

 Eastern Phoebe

 Ring-billed Gull

 Lesser Yellowlegs

 Northern Shovcler

 Blue-winged Teal