Friday, June 14, 2024

Now that spring migration is virtually over, many species are now breeding so reports of migrants are fewer than in May.  Observers looking for shorebirds will not have to wait too long however, since the vanguard of shorebird fall migration begins very early with the arrival of the first Short-billed Dowitchers, Lesser Yellowlegs, and Least Sandpipers.

Cape Cod highlights were a Swallow-tailed Kite soaring over Sandwich, a continuing Blue Grosbeak at the Crane WMA in Falmouth, a Tricolored Heron at Bell’s Neck in Harwich, a Yellow-crowned Night-Heron at the Pagoreic Sanctuary in West Barnstable, 5 Caspian Terns at Hatches Harbor in Provincetown, a Common Murre at Race Point in Provincetown, a Black Skimmer at Wellfleet Bay Sanctuary in South Wellfleet, a White-eyed Vireo at Long Pasture Sanctuary in Cummaquid, an Acadian Flycatcher and a Cliff Swallow at the Barnstable Great Marsh Sanctuary in Barnstable, an Iceland Gull at North Beach in Orleans, and a Blue-winged Teal at Forest Beach in Chatham.

Bristol County hosted 2 Gull-billed Terns at Allens Pond in South Dartmouth, a lingering King Eider at Gooseberry Neck in Westport, and a Northern Parula on the Electric Utility Trail in Fall River.

Plymouth County was graced by the presence of a Black Tern at Ram Island in Mattapoisett, 6 American Bittterns and 2 Sandhill Cranes at Burrage Pond in Hanson, a Hooded Warbler at the Rocky Gutter WMA in Middleboro, a Mourning Warbler and a Yellow-bellied Flycatcher at Manomet Bird Observatory in Manomet, a Lawrence’s Warbler on Wood Street in Halifax, and 7 Red Crossbills at the Myles Standish SF in Plymouth.

Norfolk County luminaries included a Clapper Rail in the Squantum Marshes off East Squantum Street in Squantum, 5 Piping Plovers at Wollaston Beach, an Acadian Flycatcher at Houghton’s Pond in Milton, a Mourning Warbler at Hall’s Pond in Brookline, a Sora at Pequit Brook in Canton, and 2 Grasshopper Sparrows at the Shea Naval Air Station in Weymouth.

Suffolk County notables were 7 Purple Martins at Pico Beach in Winthrop, an Indigo Bunting and an Alder Flycatcher at Millennium Park in West Roxbury, a Pileated Woodpecker at Allendale Woods in West Roxbury, and a Lesser Black-backed Gull at Revere Beach.

Middlesex County highlights were 2 Acadian Flycatchers at the Middlesex Fells in Stoneham, and single Acadian Flycatchers at Hemlock Pond in the Middlesex Fells in Medford, and another at Meriam’s Corner in the Minute Man National Heritage Park in Concord.  A Brewster’s Warbler was also seen at Meriam’s Corner at the National Heritage Park, and 3 Purple Martins were tallied at Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary in South Natick.  In Sudbury, 3 Glossy Ibises were counted at the Raymond Reservoir.

Essex County notable sightings were a continuing Yellow-crowned Night-Heron at Marblehead Neck Sanctuary in Marblehead, a Prothonotary Warbler at Daniel Boone Park and Highland Cemetery in Ipswich, a Red-necked Grebe at David Lynch Memorial Park in Beverly, and Acadian Flycatcher at Willowdale State Forest in Ipswich, and a Tricolored Heron and a Mourning Warbler at Plum Island.

Berkshire County hosted 25 Red Crossbills on the Saddleball Ridge Trail in New Ashford, an Acadian Flycatcher at the Jug End Reservation in Egremont, single Worm-eating Warblers in Lee and on Mt. Washington Road in Great Barrington, a Northern Parula on West Road in Clarkburg, and 29 Red Crossbills on the Saddleball Trail at Mt. Greylock.

Franklin County luminaries were a Hooded Warbler in the Wendell State Forest, 4 Sandhill Cranes on Plainfield Road in Ashfield, and 2 lingering Ring-necked Ducks at the Turners Falls Power Canal in Montague.

Hampshire County was highlighted by a nest prospecting group of 3 Purple Martins on Moddy Bridge Road in Hadley.

Hampden County notables were 2 Upland Sandpipers on the Perimeter Road at the edge of the Westover Conservation Area in Ludlow.

Worcester County birders were pleased with 4 Sandhill Cranes on Hall Road in Hardwick, a Least Bittern at the Quaboag River Bridge in Brookfield, an Acadian Flycatcher at the Uxbridge Rice City Pond in Uxbridge, 3 Purple Martins at the Winimusset Meadows WMA in New Braintree, 2 Merlins and a Black Tern in Northborough at Little Chanucy Pond, and 6 Evening Grosbeaks in Royalston.

Martha’s Vineyard was visited by 2 Glossy Ibises, and 2 Common Ravens at Aquinnah, and a possible Barred Owl was heard calling on the Chappaquiddick shoreline from Edgartown.

Nantucket notable reports included a well-documented Western Wood-Pewee on Tuckernuck Island, 2 Yellow-crowned Night-Herons at the UMass Field Station marsh, 7 Northern Shovelers at the Coskata-Coatue Wildlife Refuge, a remarkable tally of 7 nocturnal calling Chuck-will’s-widow’s at the Sesachacha Heathlands Sanctuary, a Merlin at Great Point, 2 Ruddy Ducks at Madaket, and an American Coot at The Creeks reserve at Nantucket Harbor.