Bird Sightings for Essex County, MA & Southern NH - December 29, 2015

Common Eider by Phil Brown

Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, Plum Island: 
Canada Goose, Gadwall, American Wigeon, American Black Duck, Mallard, Northern Pintail, Common Eider, Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter, 
Black Scoter, Long-tailed Duck, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Hooded Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser, Red-throated Loon, Common Loon, Red-necked Grebe, Bald Eagle, Northern Harrier, Dunlin, Ring-billed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Razorbill, Rock Pigeon, 
Mourning Dove, Peregrine Falcon, Blue Jay, American Crow, Horned Lark, Northern Mockingbird, European Starling, Yellow-rumped Warbler, 
American Tree Sparrow, House Finch 

Town Farm Road, Ipswich: 
Greater White-fronted Goose, Red-headed Woodpecker 

Newburyport Harbor: 
Red-breasted Merganser, Common Loon, Herring Gull, Ring-billed Gull, Bonaparte's Gull 

Woodsom Farm, Amesbury: 
Dark-eyed Junco, American Tree Sparrow, House Sparrow, White-throated Sparrow, European Starling, Northern Cardinal, Northern Mockingbird,  Downy Woodpecker, Blue Jay, American Crow, Black-capped Chickadee, Red-tailed Hawk, Canada Goose, American Goldfinch, American Robin, Red-Tailed Hawk, American Tree Sparrow, Tufted Titmouse, White-breasted Nuthatch, House Finch 

Moulton Street, Newburyport: 
Carolina Wren, White-throated Sparrow, Cooper's Hawk, Hairy Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Dark-eyed Junco, Northern Cardinal, White-breasted Nuthatch 

Tuxbury Pond, Amesbury: 
Eastern Bluebird, Carolina Wren, Sharp-shinned Hawk 

Ferry Road, Salisbury: 
Cooper's Hawk 

Moseley Woods, Newburyport: 
Pileated Woodpecker 

Lake Cochichewick, North Andover: 
Tufted Duck, Greater Scaup, Lesser Scaup, Ruddy Duck, Ring-necked Duck, Hooded Merganser, Bufflehead 

Johnson Pond, Groveland: 
American Coot, Ruddy Duck, Ring-necked Duck, Lesser Scaup, Greater Scaup, Hooded Merganser 

Plum Island Turnpike, Newburyport: 
Red-tailed Hawk 

Crane Beach, Ipswich: 
Snowy Owl 

Route 110, Amesbury: 
Red-tailed Hawk 

Kelly Greens Golf Course, Nahant: 
Merlin 

New Hampshire Seacoast: 
Common Loon, Long-tailed Duck, Eastern Phoebe, Surf Scoter, Common Goldeneye, Snowy Owl 
Snow Bunting, Bonaparte's Gull, Ring-billed Gull 

Various Areas on Cape Ann: 
Harlequin Duck, Dickcissel, House Sparrow, Pine Siskin, Ash-throated Flycatcher, Purple Sandpiper, Black Guillemot 

Argilla Road, Ipswich: 
Greater White-fronted Goose, Snow Goose 

Onboard Eastman's Fleet out of Seabrook, NH: 
Northern Gannet, Northern Fulmar,  Great Shearwater, Black-legged Kittiwake, Razorbill, Common Murre 

Heartbreak Road, Ipswich: 
Common Yellowthroat 

Plum Island Point, Newburyport: 
Common Eider, White-winged Scoter, Long-tailed Duck, Common Goldeneye, Red-breasted Merganser 

Cogswell Street, Ipswich: 
Orange-crowned Warbler 

Baker Road, Salisbury: 
Red-tailed Hawk, Wild Turkey, American Crow 

86th Cape Ann Christmas Bird Count: 
Brant, Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Gadwall, American Black Duck, Mallard, American Black Duck X Mallard, Green-winged Teal, Ring-necked Duck, Greater Scaup, Common Eider, Harlequin Duck, Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter, Black Scoter, Long-tailed Duck, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Hooded Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser,  Wild Turkey, Red-throated Loon, Common Loon, Pied-billed Grebe, Horned Grebe, 
Red-necked Grebe, Northern Gannet, Double-crested Cormorant, Great Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Turkey Vulture, Northern Harrier, 
Sharp-shinned Hawk, Cooper's Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, American Coot, Black-bellied Plover, Purple Sandpiper, American Woodcock, 
Dovekie, Razorbill, Black Guillemot, lcid species, Black-legged Kittiwake, Bonaparte's Gull, Ring-billed Gull, Herring Gull, Iceland Gull, 
Lesser Black-backed Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Rock Pigeon, Mourning Dove, Eastern Screech Owl, Great Horned Owl, Snowy Owl, 
Barred Owl, Long-eared Owl, Belted Kingfisher, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, 
Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Merlin, Peregrine Falcon, Ash-throated Flycatcher, Blue Jay, American Crow, Common Raven, 
Horned Lark, Black-capped Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, Red-breasted Nuthatch, White-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, Winter Wren, 
Carolina Wren, House Sparrow, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Eastern Bluebird, Hermit Thrush, American Robin, 
Gray Catbird,  Northern Mockingbird,  European Starling, Cedar Waxwing, Snow Bunting, Orange-crowned Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, 
American Tree Sparrow, Fox Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Lincoln's Sparrow, Swamp Sparrow, White-throated Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, 
Northern Cardinal, Dickcissel, Red-winged Blackbird, House Finch, Purple Finch, Pine Siskin, American Goldfinch 

Exeter Wastewater Treatment Plant, Exeter, NH: 
Northern Shoveler, Greater Scaup, Herring Gull, Ring-billed Gull

Amazing Peace: A Christmas Poem

Amazing Peace: A Christmas Poem By Dr. Maya Angelou Thunder rumbles in the mountain passes And lightning rattles the eaves of our houses. Flood waters await us in our avenues. Snow falls upon snow, falls upon snow to avalanche Over unprotected villages. The sky slips low and grey and threatening. We question ourselves. What have we done to so affront nature? We worry God. Are you there? Are you there really? Does the covenant you made with us still hold? Into this climate of fear and apprehension, Christmas enters, Streaming lights of joy, ringing bells of hope And singing carols of forgiveness high up in the bright air. The world is encouraged to come away from rancor, Come the way of friendship. It is the Glad Season. Thunder ebbs to silence and lightning sleeps quietly in the corner. Flood waters recede into memory. Snow becomes a yielding cushion to aid us As we make our way to higher ground. Hope is born again in the faces of children It rides on the shoulders of our aged as they walk into their sunsets. Hope spreads around the earth. Brightening all things, Even hate which crouches breeding in dark corridors. In our joy, we think we hear a whisper. At first it is too soft. Then only half heard. We listen carefully as it gathers strength. We hear a sweetness. The word is Peace. It is loud now. It is louder. Louder than the explosion of bombs. We tremble at the sound. We are thrilled by its presence. It is what we have hungered for. Not just the absence of war. But, true Peace. A harmony of spirit, a comfort of courtesies. Security for our beloveds and their beloveds. We clap hands and welcome the Peace of Christmas. We beckon this good season to wait a while with us. We, Baptist and Buddhist, Methodist and Muslim, say come. Peace. Come and fill us and our world with your majesty. We, the Jew and the Jainist, the Catholic and the Confucian, Implore you, to stay a while with us. So we may learn by your shimmering light How to look beyond complexion and see community. It is Christmas time, a halting of hate time. On this platform of peace, we can create a language To translate ourselves to ourselves and to each other. At this Holy Instant, we celebrate the Birth of Jesus Christ Into the great religions of the world. We jubilate the precious advent of trust. We shout with glorious tongues at the coming of hope. All the earth's tribes loosen their voices To celebrate the promise of Peace. We, Angels and Mortal's, Believers and Non-Believers, Look heavenward and speak the word aloud. Peace. We look at our world and speak the word aloud. Peace. We look at each other, then into ourselves And we say without shyness or apology or hesitation. Peace, My Brother. Peace, My Sister. Peace, My Soul. Merry Christmas friends & family!

CANCELLED - Birding Cape Ann, December 20, 2015 - CANCELLED

Due to a loss in the family, the Birding Cape Ann program for Sunday, December 20 has been cancelled.

Bird Sightings for Essex County & Southern New Hampshire - December 17, 2015

Snow Bunting by Nathan Dubrow

Linebrook Road, Ipswich:
Pine Siskin

Mill Pond, West Newbury:
Hooded Merganser, Eastern Phoebe, Carolina Wren, Blue Jay,
American Crow, Dark-eyed Junco, Song Sparrow, Great Horned Owl

Salisbury Beach State Reservation, Salisbury:
Common Goldeneye, Bufflehead, Snowy Owl, Common Loon, Red-throated Loon, Common Eider, Red-necked Grebe, Red-breasted Merganser, Northern Mockingbird, American Tree Sparrow, American Goldfinch, Northern Harrier, Great Black-backed Gull, Ring-billed Gull, Herring Gull, Bonaparte's Gull, Cave Swallow

Battis Farm, Amesbury:
Red-tailed Hawk

Crane Estate & Beach, Ipswich:
Canada Goose, American Black Duck, Mallard, Common Eider, Common Loon, Horned Grebe, Northern Gannet, Red-tailed Hawk, Razorbill, Great Blue Heron, Common Goldeneye, Ring-billed Gull, Herring Gull, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Great Black-backed Gull, Northern Flicker, Hairy Woodpecker, Blue Jay, American Crow, Winter Wren, Common Raven, Horned Lark, Black-capped Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, White-breasted Nuthatch, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, American Robin, Brown Thrasher, Northern Mockingbird, European Starling, Snow Bunting, Yellow-rumped Warbler, American Tree Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, White-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, House Finch, Purple Finch, Common Redpoll, Pine Siskin, American Goldfinch

High Road, Newbury:
Black-throated Blue Warbler

Locust Grove Cemetery, Gloucester/Rockport:
Lesser Black-backed Gull

Greenwood Farm, Ipswich:
Eastern Bluebird

Merrimac Street, Newburyport:
Red-tailed Hawk, Fish Crow

New Hampshire Seacoast:
Whooper Swan,  Mute Swan, Razorbill, Common Loon, Snowy Owl, Long-tailed Duck

Woodsom Farm, Amesbury:
European Starling, American Crow, Northern Mockingbird, Dark-eyed Junco, Downy Woodpecker, Blue Jay, American Tree Sparrow, House Sparrow, Song Sparrow, American Goldfinch, Canada Goose, Black-capped Chickadee, White-breasted Nuthatch, Tufted Titmouse, American Robin

Exeter Wastewater Treatment Plant, Exeter, NH:
Green-winged Teal, American Pipit, Greater Scaup, Pine Siskin

Artichoke Reservoir, West Newbury:
Ring-billed Gull, Canada Goose, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Blue Jay, American Crow, Common Raven, Black-capped Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, White-breasted Nuthatch, Eastern Bluebird, European Starling, Dark-eyed Junco, White-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Mute Swan, Mallard, Ring-necked Duck, Hooded Merganser, House Sparrow, American Goldfinch

Lane's Farm Way, Rockport:
Ash-throated Flycatcher

Railroad Avenue, Winter & Front Streets, Exeter, NH:
Bald Eagle

Johnson's Pond, Groveland:
Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Greater Scaup, Lesser Scaup, Hooded Merganser, Ruddy Duck, American Coot, Blue Jay, Black-capped Chickadee, White-breasted Nuthatch

Jodrey Fish Pier, Gloucester:
Razorbill, Thick-billed Murre

Kenoza Lake, Haverhill: 
Redhead, Ring-necked Duck, Lesser Scaup, Greater Scaup

Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, Plum Island:
American Tree Sparrow, Snow Bunting, Northern Shoveler, Northern Harrier, Common Eider, Northern Pintail, Short-eared Owl, Peregrine Falcon, Razorbill, Eurasian Wigeon, Gadwall, Greater Yellowlegs, American Wigeon, American Black Duck

Cherry Hill [Indian Hill] Reservoir, West Newbury:
American Goldfinch, House Sparrow, Canada Goose, Mallard, Bufflehead, Common Merganser, Downy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Blue Jay, American Crow, Black-capped Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, White-breasted Nuthatch, Carolina Wren, American Robin, Northern Mockingbird, American Tree Sparrow, White-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Swamp Sparrow, Northern Cardinal

BUFFLEHEADS

Buffleheads by Davey Walters

Buffleheads have a woodpecker and boreal forest connection. Buffleheads nest almost exclusively in cavities excavated by Northern Flickers and Pileated Woodpeckers. The breeding range of the Bufflehead is restricted to the woodlands of North America. The vast majority of Buffleheads breed in boreal forests with substrates studded with aspen.

The Bufflehead is shy and mostly monogamous, often remaining with the same mate for several years – an admirable trait in today’s world of short-term commitments. The hen lays eggs at a slower interval than most other ducks, commonly with intervals of two or three days between eggs.

It’s Butterballs’ diving that forces me to stop and linger, to observe for understanding.  I watch the thrusts, leaps, propulsion and buoyancy. Their plumage is pulled tight into their body; then, with a thrust of power and a slight, forward, nearly upward leap, they plunge. Their pink legs and feet force this propulsion. Upon surfacing, they bob cork-like on the surface like a tiny toy used to lure a reluctant toddler to its evening bath.

Buffleheads are one of the fastest waterfowl and are easily recognized by their small size, large head and flight cadence.  They're the smallest of the diving ducks native to North America. They are sexually dimorphic both in plumage and in size. Drakes just exceed a pound in weight, and the hen, even smaller, weighs in at three-quarters of a pound. They’re agile swimmers and divers.  On land, they’re awkward with legs set well back on their bodies.

I’ll never tire of these buoyant, petite ducks ~ the ones that fly low over water and then higher over land.  These black and white ducks are fast in flight with rapid wing beats without even a whistle.  They are one of the fastest waterfowl and are easily recognized by their small size, large head and flight cadence.

While a flock is diving for food, there’s almost always at least one sentinel on the surface alert to danger.  I see them divide their time between shallow dives and rest periods on the surface.  I’ve timed their dives ~ they stay under 10 – 14 seconds.  After the dive, they surface, and their bills are prey-less since they consume their prey while underwater. On freshwater, they eat mostly insects, and in waters of salinity, they feed predominantly on crustaceans and mollusks. Aquatic plants and fish eggs are often on the menu too.  Once during the shorter, harsher days of winter, I saw some foraging even after dark.

On the water, when lighting permits, Buffleheads create stunning reflections of symmetrical beauty.  They have dark-chocolate, brown eyes. Drakes are white with a black back, and their black head has a greenish to purple iridescence and a large, white patch from behind the eye to the top and back of the head. The dark hen sports a single, almond-shaped, white patch behind the eye.

Good birding,
Sue

Bird Sightings for Essex County, MA & Southern NH - December 10, 2015

Ring-necked Pheasant by Margo
Goetschkes

Nahant Causeway, Nahant:
American Kestrel 

Eastern Point Yacht Club, Gloucester:
Eastern Bluebird

Artichoke Reservoir, West Newbury:
Bufflehead, Hooded Merganser, Red-tailed Hawk, Great Blue Heron, Mute Swan, Eastern Bluebird

Hay Street, Newbury:
Ring-necked Pheasant

Johnson's Pond, Groveland:
Tufted Duck, Ring-necked Duck, Ruddy Duck, Pied-billed Grebe, American Coot, Scaup species

Loblolly Cove, Rockport:
American Black Duck, Common Eider, White-winged Scoter, Bufflehead, Red-breasted Merganser, Common Loon, Northern Gannet, Common Murre, Ring-billed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Mourning Dove, American Robin, American Goldfinch, House Sparrow

Woodsom Farm, Amesbury:
European Starling, Dark-eyed Junco,  Blue Jay, American Crow, American Robin, Northern Mockingbird, Northern Cardinal, Cedar Waxwing, Black-capped Chickadee, White-throated Sparrow, American Tree Sparrow,  Downy Woodpecker, American Goldfinch,  White-breasted Nuthatch, Tufted Titmouse

Hines Bridge, Newburyport/Amesbury:
Peregrine Falcon

Cherry Hill [Indian Hill]  Reservoir, West Newbury:
Great Blue Heron, Ring-necked Duck, Ruddy Duck, Belted Kingfisher, Common Merganser, Bufflehead

Kieran Sanctuary, Rockport:
Hermit Thrush

Salisbury Beach State Reservation, Salisbury:
White-rumped Sandpiper 

Curzon Mill Road, Newburyport:
Eastern Bluebird

Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, Plum Island:
Blue-winged Teal, Green-winged Teal, Sanderling, Dunlin, Purple Sandpiper, Greater Yellowlegs, Black-legged Kittiwake, Great Blue Heron, Northern Gannet, Great Horned Owl, Snowy Owl, Northern Shoveler, Short-eared Owl, Common Merganser, Red-necked Grebe, Razorbill, Rough-legged Hawk, Peregrine Falcon, Gray Catbird, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Pine Siskin, Common Loon, Red-throated Loon, Red-necked Grebe, Double-crested Cormorant, Bonaparte’s Gull, Ring-billed Gull,
Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull

Lynn Beach, Lynn:
Cave Swallow, Swallow species

Jodrey Fish Pier, Gloucester:
Snowy Owl

Plum Island Turnpike, Newburyport:
Red-tailed Hawk, Snow Bunting, Dunlin

Halibut Point State Park, Rockport:
Harlequin Duck, White-winged Scoter, Black Scoter, Common Eider, Common Murre, King Eider, Northern Gannet,
Black Guillemot

Tuxbury Pond, Amesbury:
Brown-headed Cowbird, Hooded Merganser

New Hampshire Seacoast:
Snowy Owl, Canada Goose, Ring-necked Duck, Scaup species, Double-crested Cormorant, Northern Gannet, Greater Yellowlegs,  
Glaucous Gull, Razorbill, Black Guillemot, Pileated Woodpecker, American Pipit, Eastern Phoebe, Pine Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler,
Long-tailed Duck, Common Loon, Red-throated Loon, Great Cormorant

Emery Lane, West Newbury:
Eastern Phoebe, Pileated Woodpecker

Lane's Farm Way, Rockport:
Ash-throated Flycatcher, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Mourning Dove, Downy Woodpecker, Merlin, Blue Jay, White-breasted Nuthatch, American Crow, Black-capped Chickadee, Carolina Wren, European Starling, Northern Mockingbird, House Finch, House Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Northern Cardinal     

Bass Rocks, Gloucester:
King Eider, Canada Goose, Common Eider, Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter, Bufflehead, Red-breasted Merganser, Common Loon, Red-throated Loon, Red-necked Grebe, Great Cormorant, Northern Gannet, Red-tailed Hawk, Purple Sandpiper, Razorbill, Black Guillmot, American Goldfinch

Mill Pond, West Newbury:
American Coot, Pied-billed Grebe, Hooded Merganser

Bird Sightings for Essex County, MA & Southern NH - December 3, 2015

Cooper's Hawk by Margo Goetschkes

Salisbury Beach State Reservation, Salisbury:
Dunlin, Bufflehead

Water Street, Newburyport:
Red-tailed Hawk

Elks Club at Bass Rocks, Gloucester:
King Eider

Elm Street, Amesbury:
Peregrine Falcon

Beckman's Landing, Seabrook, NH:
Bald Eagle 

Artichoke Reservoir, West Newbury:
Ring-necked Duck, Mallard, Hooded Merganser, Northern Cardinal, Dark-eyed Junco, American Tree Sparrow

Town Farm Road, Ipswich:
Red-headed Woodpecker, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Carolina Wren, American Robin, American Tree Sparrow, White-throated Sparrow 

Woodsom Farm, Amesbury:
European Starling, American Crow, Blue Jay, Black-capped Chickadee, Northern Mockingbird, American Goldfinch, Downy Woodpecker, American Tree Sparrow, House Sparrow, Red-tailed Hawk, Yellow Warbler, House Finch, White-breasted Nuthatch

Plum Island Turnpike, Newburyport/Newbury:
Red-tailed Hawk

Mill Pond, West Newbury:
Pied-billed Grebe, Hooded Merganser

Main Street, Amesbury:
Great Blue Heron  

Kenoza Lake, Haverhill:
Sandhill Crane

Water Street, Newburyport
Bonaparte's Gull, Ring-billed Gull 

Jodrey Fish Pier, Gloucester:
Razorbill 

Hines Bridge, Newburyport/Amesbury:
Peregrine Falcon

Cherry Hill [Indian Hill]  Reservoir, West Newbury:
Great Blue Heron, Ring-necked Duck, Ruddy Duck, Belted Kingfisher, Common Merganser, Bufflehead

Moulton Street, Newburyport:
Carolina Wren, Cooper's Hawk, Downy Woodpecker, American Crow, Northern Cardinal, Tufted Titmouse, Black-capped Chickadee, Canada Goose, White-throated Sparrow, American Tree Sparrow

Eastern Marsh Trail, Salisbury:
Belted Kingfisher, Greater Yellowlegs

New Hampshire Seacoast:
Wilson's Warbler, White-crowned Sparrow, Eastern Phoebe, Gray Catbird, Thick-billed Murre, Northern Gannet, Red-throated Loon, Horned Grebe, Red-necked Grebe, Blue-headed Vireo, Razorbill, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Dunlin, Purple Sandpiper

Hale Street, Newburyport:
Red-tailed Hawk, Dark-eyed Junco

Spencer-Peirce-Little Farm, Newbury:
Cooper's Hawk, Snow Bunting, Northern Saw-whet Owl, Blue Jay, American Crow, Horned Lark, American Crow, Red-tailed Hawk, Downy Woodpecker, American Goldfinch, American Robin, Great Blue Heron, Carolina Wren, Mallard, European Starling

Battis Farm, Amesbury:
Eastern Bluebird

Newburyport Industrial Park, Newburyport:
Red-tailed Hawk, Cooper's Hawk, Northern Mockingbird, Dark-eyed Junco

Pirates Lane, East Gloucester:
Razorbill

Plum Island Point, Newburyport:
Razorbill, Common Goldeneye, Bonaparte's Gull, Red-throated Loon, Dunlin, Northern Mockingbird, Common Eider  

Johnson's Pond, Groveland:
Tufted Duck, Ruddy Duck, Pied-billed Grebe, American Coot, Scaup species

Andrew's Point, Rockport:
Common Eider, Harlequin Duck, Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter, Black Scoter, Long-tailed Duck, Red-breasted Merganser, Red-throated Loon, Common Loon, Red-necked Grebe, Great Shearwater, Northern  Gannet, Double-crested Cormorant, Great Cormorant, Pomarine Jaeger, Parasitic Jaeger, Jaeger species, Common Murre, Razorbill, Black Guillemot, Black-legged Kittiwake, Bonaparte's Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull 

Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, Plum Island:
Bald Eagle, Red-tailed Hawk, Rough-legged Hawk, Merlin, Purple Sandpiper, Sanderling, Dunlin, Razorbill, American Tree Sparrow, Northern Mockingbird, Northern Harrier, Gray Catbird, Yellow-rumped Warbler, American Crow, Blue Jay, Canada Goose, Gadwall, American Wigeon, American Black Duck, Mallard, Northern Pintail, Green-winged Teal, Blue-winged Teal, Greater Scaup, Northern Shoveler, Common Eider, White-winged Scoter, Black Scoter, Long-tailed Duck, Bufflehead, Hooded Merganser, Common Merganser, Red-throated Loon, Common Loon, Pied-billed Grebe, Northern Gannet, Double-crested Cormorant, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Rock Pigeon, Downy Woodpecker, European Starling, Snow Bunting, Northern Cardinal, House Sparrow

Newburyport Birders December Birding Programs

DECEMBER BIRDING PROGRAMS

 Winter Birding at Salisbury Beach State Reservation
Date: Saturday, December 12 , 2015
Time:  9:00 am to noon
Meeting Location: Boat Ramp Parking Lot
Fee: $15. 

Join Sue for a birding program focused on the importance of the coastal habitats for birds. Salisbury Beach State Reservation is a fine birding destination. 

 
Winter Birding at Parker River National Wildlife Refuge 
Date: Sunday, December 13, 2015
Time:  1:00 pm to dusk
Meeting Location: Hellcat Parking Lot on Parker River National Wildlife Refuge 
Fee: $15.

Join Sue for a birding program focused on the importance of the Refuge during winter. We'll explore, looking for winter finches, sea ducks, wintering loons and grebes, and with some luck, we'll see an owl.

 
 
Birding on Cape Ann
Date: December 20, 2015
Time: 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Fee:$20.
Meeting Location: We'll meet promptly at Friendly's just off the Route 128 traffic circle after you cross the Annisquam River bridge in Gloucester. 

Take some quiet time before the holiday frenzy begins and join Sue for a birding program on Cape Ann. Cape Ann offers fine birds in winter. We'll look for sea ducks, wintering loons and grebes and gulls.

Bird Sightings for Essex County, MA & Southern NH - November 24, 2015

Pileated Woodpeckers by Phil Brown

Hanover Street, Newbury:
Northern Mockingbird, Brown-headed Cowbird, Dark-eyed Junco, Northern Cardinal, Blue Jay, American Robin, Mourning Dove, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, American Goldfinch, House Finch, House Sparrow, Chipping Sparrow,
Tufted Titmouse, White-breasted Nuthatch, Black-capped Chickadee, American Crow

Hoyts Lane, Newburyport:
Red-tailed Hawk, Pileated Woodpecker

Johnson’s Pond, Groveland:
Ring-necked Duck, Tufted Duck, Canada Goose, Mute Swan, American Black Duck, Mallard, Green-winged Teal,  Greater Scaup, Lesser Scaup, Bufflehead, Ruddy Duck, Pied-billed Grebe, Great Blue Heron, Bald Eagle, American Coot, Red-bellied Woodpecker, 
Downy Woodpecker, Pileated Woodpecker, Blue Jay, American Crow, Common Raven, Black-capped Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, White-breasted Nuthatch, Dark-eyed Junco, White-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, House Finch, American Goldfinch 

Cashman Park, Newburyport:
Great Blue Heron, Bufflehead

Various Areas in South Peabody:
Yellow Warbler, Gadwall, Winter Wren, Swamp Sparrow

Exeter Wastewater Treatment Facility, Exeter, NH:
Ruddy Duck, Northern Shoveler, Bufflehead, Green-winged Teal

Salisbury Beach State Reservation, Salisbury:
Bufflehead, Snowy Owl, Cooper's Hawk, Merlin, Snow Bunting

Tuxbury Pond, Amesbury:
Hooded Merganser

Atlantic Avenue at Bass Rocks, Gloucester:
King Eider

Moulton Street, Newburyport:
Carolina Wren, American Tree Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, White-breasted Nuthatch, Black-capped Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, White-throated Sparrow

Rogers Street, West Newbury:
Osprey, Great Blue Heron, American Coot, Ring-necked Duck, Scaup species, Northern Flicker, Dark-eyed Junco 

Woodsom Farm, Amesbury: 
European Starling, Blue Jay, American Goldfinch, House Sparrow, American Tree Sparrow, White-throated Sparrow, American Crow, Northern Mockingbird, Mourning Dove, Rock Pigeon, Black-capped Chickadee, American Robin, White-breasted Nuthatch, Northern Cardinal, Downy Woodpecker, Red-bellied Woodpecker

Halibut Point State Park, Rockport:
Townsend's Solitaire

Mill Pond, West Newbury:
Canada Goose, Wild Turkey, Turkey Vulture, Mourning Dove, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Blue Jay, American Crow, Black-capped Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, White-breasted Nuthatch, American Robin, American Tree Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, White-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, House Finch, American Goldfinch, House Sparrow

New Hampshire Seacoast:
Ring-necked Duck, Greater Scaup, Lesser Scaup, Common Eider, Harlequin Duck, Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter, Black Scoter, Long-tailed Duck, Common Goldeneye, Red-breasted Merganser, Canada Goose, American Black Duck, Mallard, Northern Pintail,  Red-throated Loon, Common Loon, Red-necked Grebe, Northern Gannet, Great Cormorant, Thick-billed Murre, Razorbill, Black Guillemot, Ring-billed Gull, Herring Gull, Glaucous Gull, Hermit Thrush, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Orange-crowned Warbler, Redhead, Eurasian Wigeon, White-crowned Sparrow, Fox Sparrow

Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, Plum Island:
Common Murre, American Oystercatcher, Bufflehead, Long-billed Dowitcher, Greater Yellowlegs, Snowy Owl, American Wigeon

Newburyport Birders Programs - 11/26 Thanksgiving Morning & 11/28 Look at Every Bird at Cherry Hill [Indian Hill] Reservoir

Birders,

Thanksgiving Morning Walk at Spencer-Pierce-Little Farm in Newbury
Date: Thursday, November 26
Time: 9:00 am - 11:00 am
Fee: 2 for $20   
Meeting Location: At the end of Little's Lane in Newbury - look for the Newburyport Birders' A-Frame sign

We'll walk the agricultural fields in search of American Pipits, sparrows, hawks, Snow Buntings and Horned Larks. 
Directions: In Newbury Center, head south on Route 1A and continue through the only set of lights.  Then take your
first left onto Little's Lane. 

Look at Every Bird at Cherry Hill [Indian Hill] Reservoir 
Date: Saturday, November 28
Time: 9:00 am - 11:30 am 
Fee: $15 
Meeting Location: First parking area you encounter on Moulton Street in West Newbury - look for the Newburyport Birders' A-Frame sign 

The Cherry Hill [Indian Hill] Reservoir is a perfect setting for waterfowl viewing. This public water source hosts Ruddy Duck & Ring-necked Duck, 
and both spend the fall here in the hundreds. Other species that can be seen here are Pied-billed Grebe, American Coot, Scaup, Bufflehead, the 
occasional Canvasback, Redhead and mergansers. 


Good birding,
Sue

Sue McGrath
Newburyport Birders
Observe ~ Appreciate ~ Identify
Newburyport, MA

Bird Sightings for Essex County, MA & Southern NH - November 18, 2015

Snowy Owl by Phil Brown

Halibut Point State Park, Rockport:
Townsend’s Solitaire, Common Eider, Harlequin Duck, Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter, Black Scoter, Long-tailed Duck, Red-breasted Merganser, Red-throated Loon, Common Loon, Red-necked Grebe, Northern Gannet, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Cooper's Hawk, Razorbill, Black Guillemot, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Yellow-rumped Warbler

Main Street, Amesbury:
Bald Eagle

Salisbury Beach State Reservation, Salisbury:
American Avocet, Mallard, Snowy Owl, Common Eider, Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter, Common Loon, Red-throated Loon, Red-necked Grebe, Great Cormorant, Purple Sandpiper, Dunlin, Rock Pigeon, Mourning Dove, American Crow, Northern Mockingbird, Red-winged Blackbird, House Finch, American Goldfinch, Turkey Vulture, Cooper's Hawk, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Northern Harrier, Peregrine Falcon, Red-tailed Hawk, Snow Bunting

Lynn/Nahant Beach, Lynn/Nahant:
Franklin's Gull, Cave Swallow

Onboard "Gulf Challenger" out of New Castle, NH:  
Canada Goose, Common Eider, Harlequin Duck, White-winged Scoter, Black Scoter, Long-tailed Duck, Red-throated Loon, Common Loon, Red-necked Grebe, Northern Fulmar, Great Shearwater, Northern Gannet, Double-crested Cormorant, Shorebird species, Pomarine Jaeger, Jaeger species, Dovekie, Razorbill, Black-legged Kittiwake, Ring-billed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Snow Bunting   

Exeter Wastewater Treatment Plant, Exeter, NH:
Green-winged Teal, American Coot, Bufflehead

Broad Street, Merrimac:
Fox Sparrow

Route 97, Topsfield:
Pileated Woodpecker, Turkey Vulture

Johnson's Pond, Groveland:
Tufted Duck, Scaup species

Nahant Causeway, Nahant:
Snowy Owl  

Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, Plum Island:
White Pelican, Snowy Owl, Rough-legged Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Ross's Goose, American Tree Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Canada Goose, Eurasian Wigeon, American Wigeon, Green-winged Teal, American Black Duck, Mallard, Northern Pintail, Hooded Merganser, Black Guillemot, Bufflehead, Red-throated Loon, Common Loon, Northern Harrier, Ring-billed Gull, Herring Gull, American Robin, American Tree Sparrow, Savannah Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Bald Eagle, Merlin, Red-winged Blackbird, Pied-billed Grebe, Red-necked Grebe, Black-bellied Plover, Blue Jay, Snow Bunting

Nile's Pond, Gloucester:
Prairie Warbler, Franklin's Gull, Redhead, American Coot, Pied-billed Grebe, Ring-billed Duck, Green-winged Teal, Gadwall

Stackyard Road, Rowley:
Red-tailed Hawk 

Plum Island Turnpike, Newbury/Newburyport:
Dunlin, Black-bellied Plover, Northern Harrier, Red-tailed Hawk, American Crow, Horned Lark, European Starling 

Parker Ridge, Newburyport:
Black-capped Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, Downy Woodpecker, Northern Cardinal, Blue Jay, Mourning Dove, American Goldfinch, Purple Finch, Dark-eyed Junco, White-breasted Nuthatch, Sparrow species, Common Grackle, American Robin, Gray Catbird,
House Finch, Carolina Wren, Northern Flicker

Woodsom Farm, Amesbury:
Black-capped Chickadee, Song Sparrow, Common Grackle, Dark-eyed Junco, Blue Jay,  American Tree Sparrow, Northern Mockingbird, American Crow, European Starling, American Robin, Great Black-backed Gull, White-throated Sparrow, Cedar Waxwing, House Finch, Cooper's Hawk, American Goldfinch, Mourning Dove, Downy Woodpecker

New Hampshire Seacoast:
Cave Swallow, Meadowlark species, Brant, Purple Sandpiper, Dunlin, Black-bellied Plover, Red-breasted Merganser, Bonaparte's Gull, Ring-billed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Northern Harrier, American Goldfinch, Yellow-rumped Warbler, American Tree Sparrow, Canada Goose, American Black Duck, Mallard, Northern Pintail, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Herring Gull, Horned Lark, American Pipit, Rusty Blackbird 

Spencer-Peirce-Little Farm, Newbury:
Turkey Vulture, Merlin, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Cooper's Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Blue Jay, American Tree Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Horned Lark, Snow Bunting, American Goldfinch, Great Blue Heron, American Robin, Dark-eyed Junco

Water Street, Newburyport:
American Black Duck, Mallard, Long-tailed Duck, Great Cormorant, Red-tailed Hawk, Ring-billed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, American Crow, European Starling, Blackpoll Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Song Sparrow, American Goldfinch, House Sparrow

Jeffreys, Great & Little Necks, Ipswich: 
Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Gadwall, American Black Duck, Common Eider, White-winged Scoter, Bufflehead, Hooded Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser, Common Loon, Double-crested Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Black-bellied Plover, Greater Yellowlegs, Dunlin, Bonaparte's Gull, Northern Flicker, Marsh Wren, Gray Catbird, Northern Mockingbird 

Old Merrill Street, Salisbury:
Scaup species, Red-bellied Woodpecker

Bird Sightings for Essex County, MA & Southern NH - November 12, 2015

Northern Gannet by Margo Goetschkes

Cherry Hill [Indian Hill] Reservoir, West Newbury:
Ring-necked Duck, Bufflehead, Common Merganser, Ruddy Duck, Cooper's Hawk, Song Sparrow, Mallard

Bartlett Street, Salisbury:
Wild Turkey

Sandy Point State Reservation, Plum Island:
Lesser Black-backed Gull

Moulton Street, Newburyport:
Eastern Screech-Owl, Cooper's Hawk, American Crow, Carolina Wren, Dark-eyed Junco, White-throated Sparrow, American Tree Sparrow, White-breasted Nuthatch, Northern Cardinal, American Crow

Woodsom Farm, Amesbury:
American Tree Sparrow, American Goldfinch, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, American Crow, European Starling, House Sparrow, Blue Jay, Northern Mockingbird, Black-capped Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, Northern Cardinal, Canada Goose, American Robin, White-breasted Nuthatch, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Common Grackle

Clark Pond, Ipswich:
Greater Yellowlegs, Belted Kingfisher, Hooded Merganser

Stackyard  Road, Rowley:
Western Sandpiper

Rabbit Road, Salisbury:
Red-tailed Hawk  

Upper Artichoke Reservoir, West Newbury:
Osprey, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Pileated Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Tufted Titmouse, White-breasted Nuthatch, Mute Swan

Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, Plum Island:
Snowy Owl, Purple Sandpiper, Razorbill, Fox Sparrow, American Tree Sparrow, Snow Bunting, Eastern Towhee, Gadwall, Eurasian Wigeon, American Wigeon, American Black Duck, Northern Pintail, Green-winged Teal, Hooded Merganser, Common Eider, Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter, Black Scoter, Long-tailed Duck, Bufflehead, Red-throated Loon, Common Loon, Pied-billed Grebe, Horned Grebe, Northern Gannet, Northern Harrier, Greater Yellowlegs, Sanderling, Bonaparte's Gull, Snow Bunting, Peregrine Falcon

Essex Bay, West Gloucester:

Red-throated Loon, Great Egret, Dunlin, Sanderling, Savannah Sparrow

Tuxbury Pond, Amesbury:
Common Grackle, Carolina Wren  

Plum Island Turnpike, Newbury:
Great Egret, Red-tailed Hawk

Kenoza Lake, Haverhill:
Redhead, Ring-necked Duck, Greater Scaup, Bufflehead, Pied-billed Grebe, Double-crested Cormorant, Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Mallard, Great Blue Heron, American Coot, Ring-billed Gull

Halibut Point, Rockport:

Harlequin Duck, Surf Scoter, Long-tailed Duck

Various Areas on Great Neck, Ipswich:

Gadwall, American Black Duck, Mallard, Green-winged Teal, Common Eider, Surf Scoter, Bufflehead, Red-breasted Merganser, Red-throated Loon, Common Loon, Northern Gannet, Double-crested Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Bald Eagle, Red-shouldered Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Virginia Rail, Black-bellied Plover, Dunlin, Bonaparte's Gull, Ring-billed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Mourning Dove, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Blue Jay, American Crow, Black-capped Chickadee, White-breasted Nuthatch, Carolina Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, American Robin, Gray Catbird, Northern Mockingbird, European Starling, Cedar Waxwing, Yellow-rumped Warbler, American Tree Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, White-crowned Sparrow, White-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Swamp Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, House Finch, American Goldfinch,

House Sparrow

Essex Bay, Essex:
Brant, American Black Duck, Bufflehead, Red-throated Loon, Double-crested Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Black-bellied Plover, Greater Yellowlegs, Sanderling, Dunlin, American Crow  

New Hampshire Seacoast:
Brant, Canada Goose, Green-winged Teal, Ring-necked Duck, Common Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser, Red-throated Loon, Long-tailed Duck, Great Shearwater, Northern Gannet, Double-crested Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Merlin, Peregrine Falcon, Semipalmated Plover, Greater Yellowlegs, Sanderling, Pectoral Sandpiper, Dunlin, Ring-billed Gull, Hermit Thrush, Yellow-rumped Warbler, White-throated Sparrow, Rusty Blackbird, Wood Duck, Mallard, Common Loon, Northern Harrier, Bald Eagle, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Cooper's Hawk, Red-shouldered Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Razorbill, Horned Lark, Barn Swallow, American Robin, American Pipit, Snow Bunting, Red-winged Blackbird, 
Brown-headed Cowbird, American Goldfinch  

Crane Beach, Ipswich: 
Long-tailed Duck, Red-breasted Merganser, Red-throated Loon, Common Loon, Northern Gannet, Great Cormorant, Turkey Vulture, Semipalmated Plover, Bonaparte's Gull, Ring-billed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Peregrine Falcon, Blue Jay, Snow Bunting, American Tree Sparrow 

Various Areas on Cape Ann:

Pied-billed Grebe, Ring-necked Duck, Harlequin Duck, Black Scoter, Black Guillemot, Cooper's Hawk, Horned Lark

Seabrook Beach, Seabrook, NH:
Red-throated Loon, Northern Fulmar, Great Shearwater, Northern Gannet, Razorbill