Bolton Flats WMA–Bolton, Worcester, Massachusetts, US
May 23, 2021 7:00 AM – 10:30 AM
Protocol: Traveling
2.5 mile(s)
Checklist Comments:    Brookline Bird Club Trip. Bolton Flats Canoe/Kayak. Leader Nickilas Paulson. 1 participant. Hot and muggy to start, but a nice breeze grew later to abate some of the heat.
60 species (+1 other taxa)
Canada Goose  15
Mute Swan  1
Wood Duck  4
Mallard  3
Northern Bobwhite  1    Continuing presumed release calling
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  25
Mourning Dove  6
Yellow-billed Cuckoo  1
Virginia Rail  4    1 Seen, 3 heard.
Common Gallinule  1    Rare local breeder. Harder to get recently. Heard one  along Still River. Had another possible in the flooded old farm field.
Sandhill Crane  1    Flushed from near old road into Still River. Kept head straight in flight, dark bill with red in face.
Killdeer  1
Spotted Sandpiper  1
Double-crested Cormorant  1
Least Bittern  1    One called once from Still River cattails.
Great Blue Heron  6
Little Blue Heron  1    Adult flew from farm pond to main pond area. Then perched in dead tree multiple times. Ursula sent a photo, that I will add.
Green Heron  1
Turkey Vulture  4
Accipiter sp.  1
Red-tailed Hawk (borealis)  1
Belted Kingfisher  1
Red-bellied Woodpecker  1
Downy Woodpecker  2
Pileated Woodpecker  1
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)  2
Eastern Wood-Pewee  1
Alder Flycatcher  2
Willow Flycatcher  10    Singing all over the marsh areas.
Eastern Phoebe  2
Great Crested Flycatcher  2
Eastern Kingbird  8
Yellow-throated Vireo  1
Warbling Vireo (Eastern)  4
Blue Jay  2
Black-capped Chickadee  1
Tree Swallow  20
Bank Swallow  1
Barn Swallow (American)  18
House Wren  2
Winter Wren  1
Marsh Wren  20    Very low estimate. Locally abundant breeder only in this location. Often could see/hear up to 8 at a time.
Carolina Wren  1
European Starling  6
Gray Catbird  8
Eastern Bluebird  2
American Robin  8
Cedar Waxwing  4
Song Sparrow (melodia/atlantica)  6
Swamp Sparrow  1
Bobolink  1
Baltimore Oriole  14
Red-winged Blackbird (Red-winged)  40
Brown-headed Cowbird  6
Common Grackle (Bronzed)  30
Common Yellowthroat  5
American Redstart  1
Yellow Warbler (Northern)  8
Scarlet Tanager  1
Northern Cardinal  4
Rose-breasted Grosbeak  2
View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S88929734

ANNUAL REPORT 2025

Brookline Bird Club 2025 Statistical and Year-End Report By David Scott, Club Statistician The Brookline Bird Club (BBC) recorded 284 species for 2025, with 275 species in Massachusetts (one more than last year) and nine [...]

ANNUAL REPORT 2025

Brookline Bird Club 2025 Statistical and Year-End Report By David Scott, Club Statistician The Brookline Bird Club (BBC) recorded 284 species for 2025, with 275 species in Massachusetts (one more than last year) and nine [...]

ANNUAL REPORT 2025

Brookline Bird Club 2025 Statistical and Year-End Report By David Scott, Club Statistician The Brookline Bird Club (BBC) recorded 284 species for 2025, with 275 species in Massachusetts (one more than last year) and nine [...]

News Categories

Upcoming Field Trips

  • Plum Island

    Parker River NWR - Lot #1 Refuge Rd., Newbury, MA, MA, United States

    We will be walking the North Pool dike as well as visiting other spots. Note that an entrance fee or pass is required. Restrooms available.

  • Barretts Mill Farmland

    Concord - Barretts Mill Farmland Barrett's Mill Road, Concord, MA, United States

    This is often a great place for fall sparrows including Savannah, Field, and White-crowned, as well as Pipit and occasional Dickcissel. Loaner binoculars available; please email trip leader to reserve a pair! If the weather doens't look good, contact the leader to check status.

  • Hellcat at Parker River NWR

    Parker River NWR - Lot #4 Newbury, MA, United States

    During the past few years the refuge has opened the dike to hiking during National Wildlife Refuge Week. We will plan to do that hike if the dike is again open this year. Otherwise we hike the boardwalk and normal dike area.

  • Arlington Reservoir

    Lexington - Arlington Reservoir 210 Lowell Street, Arlington, MA, United States

    In the fall water levels are lowered creating good conditions for ducks and shorebirds. We will also visit the adjacent Lexington community farm. Birds are found feasting on the remains of the crops planted there. We will walk about a mile on wide paths and some uneven ground (possibly muddy). Note that the reservoir area [...]

  • Fruitlands Museum, Harvard

    Harvard - Fruitlands Museum 102 Prospect Hill Rd., Harvard, MA, United States

    Cosponsored with Boxborough Birders. We will look for fall migrants and resident birds. Expect to walk about 2 miles on trails through meadow and woods, with some steep sections. Heavy rain cancels the trip.

Go to Top