Friday, March 8, 2024

Species of special note this week were single Eared Grebes in East Gloucester and Marblehead, a Western Grebe in Winthrop, Bohemian Waxwings in Yarmouth Port, Sunderland, Dalton, and Williamstown, a Townsend’s Solitaire in Truro, a continuing Say’s Phoebe in Belchertown, and a continuing Townsend’s Warbler in Cambridge.

In addition to these unusual species, increasing numbers of Common Grackles and Red-winged Blackbirds are beginning to be seen in many areas as they are now returning north for the summer.

Cape Cod highlights included single Bohemian Waxwings on Wharf Lane and Water Street in Yarmouth Port, a Townsend’s Solitaire at High Head in Truro, a Clay-colored Sparrow at the Hamilton Cemetery in Provincetown, a Northern Shrike at the Crane WMA in Falmouth, a Dickcissel at 41 Minnetuxet Way in Yarmouth Port, 2 Black-headed Gulls at Craigville Beach in Barnstable and another one at Dowses Beach in Osterville, an American Bittern at Fort Hill in Eastham, a Great Egret in Barnstable, and a Willet at Forest Beach in Chatham.

Bristol County hosted 3 Clapper Rails at the Egypt Lane Ponds in Fairhaven, 2 Sandhill Cranes on Rt. 44 in Taunton, a Great Egret at Mechanics Pond in Attleboro, an American Oystercatcher at Demarest Lloyd State Park in Dartmouth, an Orange-crowned Warbler at Interchange Park in Fall River, 2 Palm Warblers at Mill Brook WMA in Freetown, a Snow Goose on County Street in Seekonk, and an American Bittern at Allens Pond in South Dartmouth.

Plymouth County was graced by the continued presence of 2 Sandhill Cranes at Burrage Pond WMA in Hanson.

Norfolk County luminaries were an Iceland Gull at Sandy Beach in Cohasset, a Short-eared Owl and a Virginia Rail at Squantum Point Park in Squantum, and 4 Eastern Meadowlarks at Shea Naval Air Station in Weymouth.

Suffolk County birders recorded a continuing Western Grebe at Winthrop Beach, 2 Pileated Woodpeckers in the Allandale Woods in West Roxbury, a Pied-billed Grebe, a Red-shouldered Hawk, 4 Virginia Rails and a Winter Wren at Millennium Park in West Roxbury, and a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker in the Arnold Arboretum.

Middlesex County highlights were the continued presence of a Townsend’s Warbler on the Alewife Linear Park Bike Path in Cambridge, 2 Barrow’s Goldeneyes at the Delaney WMA in Stow, 6 Red-throated Loons at the Mystics Lakes in Medford, 3 Northern Shovelers, 5 Tree Swallows, and 9 American Pipits at Great Meadows Refuge in Concord, 2 Black Vultures in Ayer, a Red-necked Grebe in the Middlesex Fells at the South Reservoir, and an Orange-crowned Warbler at Mt. Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge.

Essex County hosted and Eared Grebe at Niles Beach in East Gloucester and another continuing individual at the Little Private Beach in Marblehead, a Eurasian Green-winged Teal and an American Bittern at Plum Island, 8 Eastern Meadowlarks at Argilla Farm in Ipswich, an Orange-crowned Warbler at Ipswich River Sanctuary in Topsfield, 2 Clapper Rails in the Plumbush marsh area in Newbury, and a Yellow-breasted Chat at 53 Leonard Avenue in Bradford.

Berkshire County hosted 18 Bohemian Waxwings on the Pine Cobble School Trail in Williamstown and 13 more waxwings at 37 Frederick Drive in Dalton, 8 American Wigeons at Onota Lake in Pittsfield, and a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker in Monterey.

Franklin County visited by 24 Bohemian Waxwings at Chard Pond in Sunderland, a Black Scoter at gate 35 at Quabbin Reservoir in New Salem, a Clay-colored Sparrow at the North Meadows in Deerfield, and 6 Red Crossbills at the Montague Sand Plains WMA in Montague.

Hampshire County luminaries were 8 Sandhill Cranes on Moody Bridge Road in Hadley, a continuing Say’s Phoebe 5 Red Crossbills at the Quabbin Reservoir Visitor’s Center in Belchertown, and a Cackling Goose at the Arcadia Sanctuary Meadows Conservation Area in Northampton.

Hampden County was visited by a flock of 20 Tree Swallows at the Longmeadow Flats in Longmeadow.

Worcester County highlights featured 2 Barrow’s Goldeneyes at the Delaney Flood Control Site in Harvard, 3 Sandhill Cranes at the Dexter Drumlin in Lancaster, 2 Horned Grebes at the Coes Reservoir in Worcester, 2 Black Vultures in Athol, 12 Red Crossbills at gate 43 at Quabbin Reservoir in Hardwick, a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker in Southborough, and 3 Evening Grosbeaks in Royalston.

Martha’s Vineyard was graced by the presence of a Eurasian Wigeon, a Redhead, and 2 Northern Shovelers at Crystal Lake in Oak Bluffs, an American Oystercatcher at Eel Pond in Edgartown, and a Bald Eagle at Herring Creek in Aquinnah.

Nantucket birders tallied 8 Northern Shovelers at Long Pond and a continuing Dickcissel at a feeder in Madaket.