New Birds

This morning I went back to Westborough WMA to try and find the Glaucous Gull that Tim Spahr found yesterday while I was stuck at work. No Glaucous Gull was there this morning. Boooooo.  I was able to upgrade my Fox Sparrow photo and a couple others. There were at least 7 Fox Sparrows today! Also I was able to photograph new for the year a Swamp Sparrow, Golden-crowned Kinglet, and Ruby-crowned Kinglet.

After being out in the peaceful woods I had to sit in the Worcester RMV for hours. Miserable.

Golden-crowned Kinglet- Westborough #91

 Ruby-crowned Kinglet-Westborough #92

Swamp Sparrow- Westborough #93

Upgrades

Fox Sparrow

Black-capped Chickadee

American Robin

Brown-headed Cowbird

Mute Swan

Super Day!

This day started off with grocery shopping. Didn't plan on doing much else. Went a road over and refound the Fox Sparrow. While I was listening to the Fox Sparrow singing I seen a Worcester Needs Alert email from ebird pop up. Quite a few birds that I needed. One that mainly stuck out was a Northern Shovelor found by Tim Spahr. I started texting him for more details and flew over to Westborough WMA. As soon as I showed up I spotted the bird. Pretty easy. I continued hiking further in to the pond. When I was near Little Chauncey I could hear a couple Fox Sparrows but couldn't snap a pic. On the pond were a couple Greater Scaup. Had them in January but a mile away so today I was able to get a photo. Walking back towards my car I noticed an American Bittern walking across the path to another section of marsh. I hear them every year but I've only seen one at Plum island a couple years back. This was a bird I did not expect to photograph. I was also able to knock down Tree Swallow and Palm Warbler. I did see a Ruby-crowned Kinglet with the Palm Warblers but I couldn't get a photo of him either.  I did photograph another Fox Sparrow hanging with the Palms but nothing special. Bring on shorebirds!!

Northern Shoveler- Westborough #86

Tree Swallow- Westborough #87

Greater Scaup- Westborough #88

American Bittern- Westborough  #89

Palm Warbler- Westborough #90

Upgrade of Photos Day

I headed out today in search of Black-crowned Night Herons at Institute Park. Still unable to find one. It's possible the bird has moved on. Next stop was to check for shorebirds and newly arrived ducks at Bolton Flats and Sterling Peat. Both places were virtually dead. I was however able to upgrade my Osprey, American Crow, Pied-billed Grebe, and Glossy Ibis photo. The Glossy Ibis wee continuing on the Monty Tech High School fields. I love those birds. I did get a new first of the year bird today while working. Chipping Sparrow. 

List of Birds that I'd like to be notified about as they are a little "tougher". If you happen to come across them please drop me a line! Justindlawson@gmail.com

Canvasback 

Cattle Egret 

Sandhill Crane 

Little Blue Heron 

Brant 

Blue-winged Teal 

Red-breasted Merganser 

Barrow's Goldeneye 

Northern Goshawk 

Long-eared Owl 

Rough-legged Hawk 

Olive-sided Flycatcher 

Evening Grosbreak

Photo Upgrades

Pied-billed Grebe

Osprey

American Crow

Glossy Ibis

Unexpected

So I thought for sure that I had lost out on a Greater White-fronted Goose for the year (or till maybe next winter) but, I was wrong. I had to work the morning shift. I got out at 145pm. Saw a missed call from Bob Abbott with a voice-mail saying he was looking at the goose at Dexter Drumlin in Lancaster! I didnt have my camera or a scope. I asked him if he could stay on the bird till I got there and he obliged! I arrived fairly quickly and the bird stuck. It was tough to get a decent picture as he stayed tucked for most of the time at a very long distance. But, still was able to get a pic.

When my son got out of school we went for a walk in Sutton at Purgatory Chasm to find a Pine Warbler. We did find some however the photo opportunity didn't present itself. We did get 3 Pine Siskins as well. It was nice to see them NOT at a feeder and in pines!

Greater White-fronted Goose Lancaster #85

Happy Easter...and BIRDS!

I woke up at 6am with the intention to hit up Dexter Drumlin for the Snow and Greater White-fronted Goose. I figured if I got there at sunrise I would have the best chance before flocks of geese depart. Well that didn't happen. I didn't have enough time to do that before the kids would wake up and then I would miss the Easter Basket and Egg Hunt! So I thought I'd just stick around Millbury and find a Fox Sparrow. I headed to Cross St Powerlines. An eBird hotspot.  I was quickly approached by a National Grid Security Guard who said I couldn't be where I was. Long story short I said I'll do whatever I want on this public property. I told him to call the police and wait for them while I continued on birding. Short time later the Police showed up. I said I am birding...on public land and I am sorry these security guards wasted your time. He said I had a right to be there and wished me Happy Easter as I left. What's even better is I was able to get a Fox Sparrow. This is a new town bird for me! While photographing the Fox a Field started singing and I was able to get that out of the way as well.

I went home for some early morning Easter activities till it was time to pick up Bagels. I made a detour to Dexter Drumlin. I was able to finally get a Snow Goose. The Greater White-fronted Goose must have moved on.

In Charlton, at my parents house I wandered into the backyard down to the swamp. I haven't birded to much at the house and on the property (except if you remember my 1st Common Redpoll of the year and a photographed Pileated Woodpecker). The Pileated was calling quite a bit. I was unable to find the nest cavity but I know its there. While enjoying some peace and quite in the woods away from the house full of about 30-40 people I heard a Fox Sparrow start singing! There ended up being 2. What a great day for them! Later in the day Bart Kamp called me and left a message stating that he had found 4 Glossy Ibis at Bolton Flats. It was tough sitting on this all day. Realized as we were driving home I could make it before sunset. 40 min later....Boom 4 Glossy Ibis...and the Snow Goose again. My feet and legs are still in pain. I had to walk in almost knee deep called river water that flooded the area to get to the Ibis. But, as a birder....its worth it....So many birds to be had this week. Then its my birthday weekend!

Fox Sparrow- Millbury #81

Field Sparrow- Millbury  #82

Snow Goose- Lancaster #83

Glossy Ibis- Bolton #84

Decent Day..A Tough Miss. and a "new"county bird

I started my day with one thing on my mind...finding a rare goose. this day last year a Greater White-fronted Goose was found. i also wanted to try and find a fox sparrow, tree swallow and a rare damn goose. I checked some local spots first   still no Field Sparrow down the road. i then headed to Westborough WMA. Last year I had a handful of Fox Sparrows at this location. This year is not last year! They blocked off little Chauncey and I had the baby so I couldn't bring him in. I was able to photo two Common Ravens abd a crow up the same picture for size comparison. I did add Tree Swallow to the year list. No photo yet. 

Alan Marble then called be and told me about a Greater White-fronted Goose in Lancaster. Called it!! However the bird was gone. Off to Bolton Flats... I was able to get a Eurasian Green-winged Teal. A first for this county. 3 Wilson's Snipe were also hanging around. 

Common Ravens w/crow comparison- Westborough #79

Wilson's Snipe- Bolton #80

Green-winged Teal (Eurasian)- Bolton doesn't count as a new species however!

Photo Upgrades

Mallard

 Canada Goose

Few Additions

Yesterday I went back to the Osprey nest site and had two Ospreys hanging around.  Still later than I usually get them. No Eastern Phoebes at that same location. Again I usually have those as well. Not like these are rare or anything. In a month they will be daily birds everywhere. I just like to beat my previous old records. This year on most birds they are late.

At work one of the Peregrine Falcons was hanging in downtown Worcester on the Bank building. Always cheers me up at work. I had a break from my shift for a bit so my mom picked me up and we headed to Wachusett Reservoir to listen for Barred Owls. We have been going every week for the past month and they just weren't calling. We had put in about an hour at multiple locations with nothing. I suggested we go back to the original location and sure enough one started calling. We then heard the begging of an owlet. The moon was bright so we could see the Barred Owl sitting in a tree and I was able to get an awful shot! I won't complain because any owl shot is just awesome. 

Today I went back to the local Osprey spot and was joined by Alan Marble. One Osprey came through and this time an Eastern Phoebe made a loud appearance. Check.

Osprey-Grafton #76

Barred Owl- West Boylston #77

Eastern Phoebe- Grafton #78

Upgrades