Friday, June 16, 2023

The week saw the appearance of a number of Acadian Flycatchers in various localities, 2 Least Terns that made a very unusual inland appearance at Great Meadows Refuge in Concord and calling Chuck-will’s-widows in several localities.

Cape Cod luminaries this week featured single Mississippi Kites at First Encounter Beach in Eastham and Buckskin Path in Centerville, a Swallow-tailed Kite in Sandwich, a White-winged Dove on Weeks Pond Drive in the Forestdale section of Sandwich, a continuing calling Chuck-will’s-widow on Elaine Avenue in North Falmouth, a Blue Grosbeak at the Crane WMA in Falmouth, singing Worm-eating Warblers in the Maple Swamp Conservation Area in East Sandwich and the Falmouth Town Forest, and Acadian Flycatchers at Wing Island in Brewster, Nickerson State Park in Brewster, and Doane Rock in Eastham.

Plymouth County highlights were a Yellow-crowned Night-Heron on Button Island in Hingham Harbor, 2 American Bitterns at Burrage Pond WMA in Hanson, 4 Black Vultures in the Nemasket Trail area of Plympton, and several interesting migrants at the Manomet Bird Observatory including an Acadian Flycatcher, a Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, a Mourning Warbler, and a late White-throated Sparrow.

Norfolk County hosted singing Acadian Flycatchers at Moose Hill Sanctuary in Sharon and Holly Hill Farm in Cohasset, a Clapper Rail at Mosswetusset Hummock in Squantum, 11 Piping Plovers at Wollaston Beach, and a Black Vulture in Medway.

Suffolk County birds of interest were 3 White-rumped Sandpipers at Winthrop Beach, an Alder Flycatcher at the Arnold Arboretum, and a Mourning Warbler at the Winthrop Greenway in Winthrop.

Essex County birders found 2 Yellow-crowned Night-Herons at Plum Island, single Acadian Flycatchers and Yellow-bellied Flycatchers at Marblehead Neck Sanctuary, another Acadian Flycatcher at Willowdale State Forest in Ipswich, and 2 more at Plum Island.

Middlesex County was visited by a very unusual inland appearance of 2 Least Terns at Great Meadows Refuge in Concord, as well as a continuing single Prothonotary Warbler at Brewster’s Woods in Concord, a Hooded Warbler at Long Lake Park in Littleton, and single Grasshopper Sparrows in Shirley and Holliston.

Berkshire County hosted single Least Bitterns at the Richmond marsh in Richmond and in Cheshire, 2 Worm-eating Warbler on Mt. Washington Road in Great Barrington, a Hooded Warbler at the Hopkins Memorial Forest in Williamstown, and 10 Red Crossbills at the October Mountain State Forest in Washington.

Franklin County highlights this week were the continued presence of 3 Sandhill Cranes on Plainfield Road in Ashfield and a Mourning Warbler at High Ledges Wildlife Sanctuary in Shelburne Falls.

Hampshire County was visited by a Blue Grosbeak at the Alexandra Dawson Conservation Area in Hadley and a Mourning Warbler at Mary Brown’s Dingle in Northampton.

Hampton County luminaries were a Blue Grosbeak at the Southwick WMA in Southwick and 2 Hooded Warblers at the Grace Robson State Wildlife Sanctuary in Westfield.

Worcester County birders tallied 4 lingering Sandhill Cranes in Hardwick, a Brewster’s Warbler at the Fruitlands Museum in Harvard, a Hooded Warbler on the cut of the Elm Street powerline in Leominster, and a Black Vulture in Sturbridge.

Martha’s Vineyard hosted a Mississippi Kite in West Tisbury, and a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher and a Common Raven in Edgartown.

Nantucket highlights were a Clapper Rail at the UMass Field Station marsh, 2 Northern Shovelers at Great Point, 3 Black Skimmers at Eel Point, and 2 calling Chuck-will’s-widows along the Polpis Road near Sesachacha Pond.