THE 1992 STATISTICAL REPORT
by Robert H. Stymeist
A total of 273 species were listed by the Brookline Bird Club on 139 reported field trips during 1992. A total of 156 trips were scheduled: 63 all day, 72 morning, 16 afternoon or evening and 5 weekend trips. Seven trips were cancelled due to bad weather, and nine trips went unreported. The annual July 4th weekend in Machias, Maine, added Spruce Grouse, Black-backed Woodpecker, and Boreal Chickadee to the overall Club list. A field trip to Forest Hills Cemetery coupled with a behind the scene tour of the aviary at Franklin Park Zoo with staffer and birder Tom Aversa added 86 write-ins.
Not counting the Franklin Park “zooies”, the following write-ins to the Massachusetts Audubon Society (MAS) Checklist were reported by the Club in 1992:
Arctic/Pacific Loon Provincetown April 12
Common Murre Provincetown April 12
Cerulean Warbler Quabbin May 17
Cerulean Warbler Mount Auburn May 18
“Brewster’s” Warbler Newbury July 7
Bar-tailed Godwit Monomoy August 8
“Ipswich” Sparrow Newburyport October 24
Atlantic Puffin Stellwagen November 1
The Club also recorded Ruddy Shelduck in Norton and Muscovy Duck at Mount Auburn.
Missing from the Club list in 1992 were all the pelagic species with the exception of Leach’s Storm-Petrel. This certainly is a first-time event in the Club’s long history of organizing and leading pelagic trips. Not one shearwater or jaeger was seen. Other missing birds include Northern Fulmar, Wilson’s Storm-Petrel, Yellow-crowned Night-Heron, Eurasian Wigeon, Northern Bobwhite, (pheasant was recorded on only three trips), Clapper Rail, King Rail, the uncommon Common Moorhen, Marbled Godwit, Buff-breasted Sandpiper, Ruff, Red-necked Phalarope, Red Phalarope, Caspian Tern, Royal Tern, Black Skimmer, Dovekie, Thick-billed Murre, Chuck-will’s-widow, Whip-poor-will, Red-headed Woodpecker, Loggerhead Shrike,
Golden-winged Warbler, Orange-crowned Warbler, Hooded Warbler, Seaside Sparrow, Pine Grosbeak, and White-winged Crossbill.
The Newburyport area was the most visited birding spot with 46 reported trips. Mount Auburn was second with 30 trips, all in late April and May. Ipswich was visited seven times, followed by Quabbin six times, and five trips to Great Meadows.
Sixty-two leaders guided our members around the state. Bill Drummond was the recorded leader for ten trips, followed by John and Josh Nove, who led nine trips, and David and Dennis Oliver, Dot Davis, and Bob Stymeist each led seven trips. Bill Drummond again wins the honors for recording the most species on a single day trip. On May 16, he and 32 members listed 126 species.
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Upcoming Field Trips
Mount Auburn Cemetery
Mount Auburn Cemetery 536 Mt Auburn St, Cambridge, MA, United StatesChestnut Hill Reservoir
Chestnut Hill Reservoir 2420 Beacon Street, Boston, MA, United StatesWe will walk one mile on good, mostly level trails.
Weston Station Pond Rookery
Discover a Weston hot-spot featuring a Great Blue Heron rookery accessible by public transportation. The walk offers excellent chances for spring migrants, raptors, nesting Eastern Bluebirds and various waterfowl. Beginners welcome. Leader will pre-walk the route to scout for arriving species each session.
Birding by Ear: Evening Chorus (note time change)
South Hamilton - John J. Donovan Reservation & Sagamore Hill Conservation Area 473 Sagamore St, South Hamilton, MA, United StatesA leisurely two-mile mile loop with a focus on listening to the evening songbird chorus. Recommended for those looking to learn more about birding by ear and migration. Open to beginners. Long pants and shirts recommended for mosquito protection. Bug spray too.
Moose Hill Wildlife Sanctuary, Sharon
Sharon - Moose Hill 293 Moose Hill Pkwy, Sharon, MA, United StatesWe’ll be looking and listening for migrants along the Billings Loop. Let’s find what Glenn can hear! Co-sponsored with the South Shore Bird Club.