Fruitlands Museum, Harvard, 100-132 Prospect Hill Road, Worcester, Massachusetts, US
Oct 23, 2021 7:20 AM – 10:30 AM
Protocol: Traveling
2.5 mile(s)
Checklist Comments:    Sunny, crisp and calm at 45F.  Sandy and Rita led this walk for BBC and Boxborough Birders across Fruitlands campus focused on Old Meadow, New Meadow and the open areas near the parking area, behind the Shaker Gallery and Fruitland’s Farmhouse.
35 species (+3 other taxa)
Canada Goose  2    At least.  Heard calling from fly-over beyond canopy.
Turkey Vulture  2    Fly-overs seen from main campus / parking area.
Northern Harrier  2    Both soaring high seen from main campus/parking area.  Excellent view.
Sharp-shinned Hawk  1    Aggressively harassing a red-tailed hawk.
Red-tailed Hawk  2    Two distinct birds based on plumage.
Buteo sp.  1    Heard and intermittantly saw group of agitated crows in canopy on yellow trail between Willard Site and lower campus.  Brief sighting of buteo/raptor but could not definitely identify.  One participant, Mimi, thought it was smaller than a red-tailed.
Red-bellied Woodpecker  4
Downy Woodpecker  4
Hairy Woodpecker  2
Pileated Woodpecker  1    Heard very clearly at New Meadow.
woodpecker sp.  1    Seen flying away from new meadow towards woods but could not definitely identify based on flight pattern.  Not everyone saw it.
Blue Jay  15    Perhaps more.  Plentiful.
American Crow  12
Common Raven  1    Seen flying away from main campus from the parking area.
Black-capped Chickadee  9
Tufted Titmouse  2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet  1    Seen in lower meadow behind Shaker Gallery as exiting the woods on board walk.
Golden-crowned Kinglet  1    Heard very clearly in the woods.  Confirmed by Merlin audio app.
White-breasted Nuthatch  4
Carolina Wren  2
European Starling  5
Northern Mockingbird  1
Eastern Bluebird  9
Hermit Thrush  1
American Robin  12    Probably more.
House Finch  1
American Goldfinch  3
Chipping Sparrow  1
White-throated Sparrow  4    Based on “chipping” at New Meadow and activity, probably many more.
Savannah Sparrow  2    Based on two good viewings.  Probably more.
Song Sparrow  12    Based on sightings.  Probably many more.
Swamp Sparrow  1
Red-winged Blackbird  12
Brown-headed Cowbird  2    Seen on snag at far end beyond New Meadow where larger flock had landed.
Common Grackle  225    Approximate count in two sightings.  One a murmuration of about 150.  Another flock flying over later in walk of about 75.
blackbird sp.  19    Seen flying in group over and beyond New Meadow.  Landed on snags briefly but when setting up scope flew leaving 2 brown headed cowbirds as noted above.  Highly likely based on size all could’ve been brown-headed cowbirds.
Yellow-rumped Warbler  3
Northern Cardinal  3
View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S96670970

ANNUAL REPORT 2023

The Brookline Bird Club (BBC) recorded 275 species for 2023, based upon 200 trips reported from Massachusetts, and those from out of state.  We recorded 267 species in Massachusetts, three more than 2022, with 8 [...]

ANNUAL REPORT 2022

The Brookline Bird Club (BBC) recorded 276 species for 2022, based upon 204 reported trips. Of those, 264 species were recorded in Massachusetts, with 12 additional species reported from the out-of-state trips to New Hampshire [...]

ANNUAL REPORT 2021

Brookline Bird Club 2021 Statistical and Year-End Report By David Scott, Club Statistician The Brookline Bird Club recorded 270 species for 2021, based upon 206 reported trips. Two-hundred and sixty-five species were recorded in Massachusetts, [...]

ANNUAL REPORT 2023

The Brookline Bird Club (BBC) recorded 275 species for 2023, based upon 200 trips reported from Massachusetts, and those from out of state.  We recorded 267 species in Massachusetts, three more than 2022, with 8 [...]

ANNUAL REPORT 2022

The Brookline Bird Club (BBC) recorded 276 species for 2022, based upon 204 reported trips. Of those, 264 species were recorded in Massachusetts, with 12 additional species reported from the out-of-state trips to New Hampshire [...]

ANNUAL REPORT 2021

Brookline Bird Club 2021 Statistical and Year-End Report By David Scott, Club Statistician The Brookline Bird Club recorded 270 species for 2021, based upon 206 reported trips. Two-hundred and sixty-five species were recorded in Massachusetts, [...]

ANNUAL REPORT 2023

The Brookline Bird Club (BBC) recorded 275 species for 2023, based upon 200 trips reported from Massachusetts, and those from out of state.  We recorded 267 species in Massachusetts, three more than 2022, with 8 [...]

ANNUAL REPORT 2022

The Brookline Bird Club (BBC) recorded 276 species for 2022, based upon 204 reported trips. Of those, 264 species were recorded in Massachusetts, with 12 additional species reported from the out-of-state trips to New Hampshire [...]

ANNUAL REPORT 2021

Brookline Bird Club 2021 Statistical and Year-End Report By David Scott, Club Statistician The Brookline Bird Club recorded 270 species for 2021, based upon 206 reported trips. Two-hundred and sixty-five species were recorded in Massachusetts, [...]

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.

  • 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.

  • 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 [...]

Go to Top