Boston Nature Center Wildlife Sanctuary (Mass Audubon), Suffolk, Massachusetts, US
Mar 22, 2026 8:00 AM – 10:53 AM
Protocol: Traveling
2.36 kilometer(s)
Checklist Comments: Joint Brookline Bird Club/ Boston Nature Center
Co-Leaders : Mike McCarthy, Neil Calabro, Correne George & Samuel Harris
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Overcast clouds
Temperature: 38 – 41°F
39 species
Canada Goose 1 Heard honking from Harvard St
Mallard 2 Pair hiding
Wild Turkey 10 9m & 1f
Mourning Dove 6
Killdeer 2
Ring-billed Gull 3 Adults
American Herring Gull 12 10 Adults & 2 First Cycles
Cooper’s Hawk 1 Male
Bald Eagle 1 First Cycle headed NW
Red-shouldered Hawk (lineatus Group) 1 *Early. First Year soared over Mass Biologics heading SE. Distinctive Acciptrine-like flight, brown streaked chest, black-tipped primaries (a few were badly worn out) & brown banded tail. Attempted, but failed to get a photo.
Red-tailed Hawk (borealis) 1 Female working on nest
Barred Owl 1 Heard distinctive, yet mumbled “Hoo-ya-hoo-hoo” from behind BNC headquarters parking lot
Belted Kingfisher 1 Male flying NE
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Downy Woodpecker (Eastern) 2
Pileated Woodpecker 1 *Heard loud chiseling into Cottonwoods along Margaret’s Meadow. Likely left the area headed SE, but unknown. Mike & Neil heard the boisterous monkey-like call from the trees.
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 1
Blue Jay 8
American Crow 7
Fish Crow 1
Black-capped Chickadee 5
Tufted Titmouse 6
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1 *Seen briefly atop Sugar Maples and heard its distinctive “chit-chit” before it took off. Couldn’t relocate for a photo sadly.
White-breasted Nuthatch (Eastern) 1
Carolina Wren 2
European Starling 15 Mumurations flying SE
Northern Mockingbird 1
American Robin 12
House Sparrow 1 Lone call heard by houses
House Finch 2
American Goldfinch 1 Faint calls heard around marsh
Fox Sparrow (Red) 2 In thickets along Fox Trail
Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored) 1 Male flew from gardens to feeders
White-throated Sparrow 4
Song Sparrow (melodia/atlantica) 6
Red-winged Blackbird (Red-winged) 22 Males preparing
Brown-headed Cowbird 2 Males called briefly
Common Grackle (Bronzed) 12
Northern Cardinal 5 Males only
View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S314245419
News Categories
Upcoming Field Trips
Field Trips / Events
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Cold Spring Park, Newton
Newton - Cold Spring Park 1200 Beacon St, Newton, MA, United StatesThis large multi-use city park offers an easy 1.4-mile loop through mixed forest, open green areas, and red maple swamplands, attracting a surprising array of resident and migratory birds. Porta Potties available.
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Birding Sketch Crawl – Fall Series
Leader's ChoiceCome and bird/sketch favorite patches around Essex and Middlesex Counties.
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Plum Island
Parker River NWR - Lot #1 Refuge Rd., Newbury, MA, MA, United StatesWe will be walking the North Pool dike as well as visiting other spots. Note that an entrance fee or pass is required. Restrooms available.
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Barretts Mill Farmland
Concord - Barretts Mill Farmland Barrett's Mill Road, Concord, MA, United StatesThis 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.
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Hellcat at Parker River NWR
Parker River NWR - Lot #4 Newbury, MA, United StatesDuring 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.