Fruitlands Museum, Harvard, 100-132 Prospect Hill Road, Worcester, Massachusetts, US
Sep 22, 2018 7:00 AM – 10:00 AM
Protocol: Traveling
2.6 mile(s)
Comments: About ~ 64F and very windy at the start (~ 25 mph+) with mix of sun and clouds. Seven of us started on the lower campus near the farm house and through the woods to the New Meadow. Two had to leave at 9 and five of us were treated to a “micro drop” of warblers at the edge of the woods and Old Meadow. Did not see any turkeys or Chipping Sparrows near office buildings, however, a major event was being set up on the main front lawn. Overall, a very enjoyable morning despite the challenges of fall birding in heavy foliage and breezy conditions. After 8 AM, winds subsided somewhat to ~ 12 – 15 mph with occasional gusts. Did not see many of the usual species this morning. Walk through woods very quiet.
22 species (+5 other taxa)
Canada Goose 30 Fly-over
duck sp. 1 Fly-over seen at a distance.
Turkey Vulture 3
Cooper’s Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 2
Downy Woodpecker 2
Northern Flicker 7 6 seen at New Meadow in snags on western edge of meadow.
woodpecker sp. 1 Brief glimpse, but, could not i.d.
Eastern Phoebe 1
Blue Jay 16
American Crow 9
Black-capped Chickadee 2 Probably more
Tufted Titmouse 5 Probably more
White-breasted Nuthatch 2
American Robin 19 Probably more
Gray Catbird 8
Cedar Waxwing 4
Eastern Towhee 1 Heard very clearly and distinctly from wet-wooded area abutting New Meadow. Definitely 1 and probably 2.
sparrow sp. 7 Brief glimpses of at least 7 and heard chips most likely SOSP, but, no distinct sightings which was unusual.
blackbird sp. 28 Fly over; probably Starlings based on flight behavior (murmuration like) and color as were not jet black.
Black-and-white Warbler 1
Common Yellowthroat 1 New Meadow along trail edge in thicket.
American Redstart 1
Palm Warbler 1
Pine Warbler 2
Scarlet Tanager 1
passerine sp. 13 At least this number of species that we could not identify as only quick movement in foliage was noted; a flock of about 6-7 birds slightly smaller than Robins were seen momentarily by 2 of us near western edge of New Meadow. Flew in a coordinated cluster up and over the canopy and out of sight.
View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S48715990
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