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

And another one....

Tonight I wanted to again check the Worcester cemeteries for night herons. I also knew that Common Nighthawks are starting to come through and that was also a good location that I have had them in the past. No BCNH tonight but did have 2 CONI's fly over Owen and I for about 3 seconds in horrible light. I was however able to get a photograph for bird number 179 on my quest. I did have a chance at a Red-shouldered Hawk today. I heard a noise outside today that seemed different so I ran out and looked up and saw a hawk high up. Ran in the house to grab binoculars and saw it was a RSHA. Ran inside to get camera and the bird was gone. I have seen a few this year and I have failed EVERYTIME to get a photo!

Common Nighthawk- Worcester- #179

Finally!

It had been slow times recently for birding in the county. Tim Spahr texted me the other day and had my nemesis bird at Westboro WMA, an Olive-sided Flycatcher. and like the 10 plus times I have tried for one it disappeared. He also had Black-crowned Night Herons there. I also didn't find those after search for over an hour and half. Last night I decided to check Notre Dame Cemetery in Worcester for night herons. The foliage is very thick and through one crack I noticed white in a dark backround of leaves....I backed up the car and got on it.. Black-crowned Night Heron it was! I was getting worried about finding one this year as I missed them in the spring.

Black-crowned Night Heron- Worcester- #178

photo upgrades

Ring-necked Pheasant 

Cooper's Hawk

Today I went to Milford to find Marsh Wrens. Nick had 2 there the other day and I failed to find any the other day at Bolton Flats. I've really sucked at marsh birds this year. Looking like 2 years in a row that I am going to miss Marsh Wren. I finally did stumble across a photographable Cooper's Hawk being mobbed by an Eastern Kingbird. I really need to step it up this spring!

Cooper's Hawk- Milford #177

Upgrades

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Common Yellowthroat

Common Grackle

Song Sparrow