Fruitlands Museum, Harvard, 100-132 Prospect Hill Road, Worcester, Massachusetts, US
Apr 21, 2018 6:57 AM – 10:00 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.8 mile(s)
Comments:     BBC – Fruitlands Museum, Harvard – Leader: Rita Gibes Grossman – A crisp start at 36 F, sunny and brisk breeze at parking lot. Temps quickly rose to upper 40’s by walk’s end. From the parking lot, did the upper part of loop trail past the Pergolas and Garden House sites to the meadow then returned to do the orange loop through the woods (past Willard Farm Site) and returned to the parking area on the lower loop. See individual species comments for more. A good representation from both the BBC and the Boxborough Birders (and Forbush – 4).
38 species (+4 other taxa)

duck sp.  2     Fly-over the woods.
Wild Turkey  4     Heard in the woods by the entire group; seen by a few members of the group on their arrival to the parking lot.
Great Blue Heron  1     Stunning in the morning sun; a fly-over the New Meadow.
Turkey Vulture  4     At least 4 distinct birds seen.
Red-tailed Hawk  2
Buteo sp.  1     Several of us had a clear, but, brief sighting of this buteo soaring somewhat low over the canopy in the woods. There was great debate about which species. Most likely an immature broad-winged hawk or immature red-shouldered as the breast was pale with some rufous baring but not a clear belly band; fine banding of the tail with a white bar across the tip.
Mourning Dove  4     probably more.
Red-bellied Woodpecker  2
Downy Woodpecker  1
Northern Flicker  10     Unusual large gathering seen at the western edge of the New Meadow moving about the mid canopy of the trees at the border. This is also where the female kestrel was seen.
woodpecker sp.  2     Heard two distinct episodes of drumming from the woods when walking the Old Meadow and then again in the woods. Not sure of i.d.
American Kestrel  1     Spotted on western edge of the New Meadow sitting in the morning sun. Did not see the male.
Eastern Phoebe  4
Blue Jay  3
American Crow  4
Tree Swallow  2     Flying over New Meadow
Black-capped Chickadee  7
Tufted Titmouse  6
Winter Wren  1     Heard, seen on orange trail.
Carolina Wren  1     Consistently heard near beginning of orange trail near the clearing entering and in woods.
Golden-crowned Kinglet  1     Rita got a clear sighting of crown stripes; was with ruby-crowned in the strip of trees/shrubs in the Old Meadow.
Ruby-crowned Kinglet  6
Eastern Bluebird  4
Hermit Thrush  4     Good sightings. All four provided an escort along the orange trail.
American Robin  30     Conservative count.
Northern Mockingbird  1     On museum campus.
European Starling  7
Palm Warbler  3
Pine Warbler  5     One gave an excellent show in the woods on the orange trail just before the Willard Farm site.
Chipping Sparrow  3
Dark-eyed Junco  1
White-throated Sparrow  1     Two of us heard near museum campus at the beginning of the walk.
Savannah Sparrow  4     Clear viewing on the museum campus at the base of the tent area behind the gift shop/restaurant building.
Song Sparrow  4
Eastern Towhee  2
Northern Cardinal  4
Red-winged Blackbird  2
Brown-headed Cowbird  4
Common Grackle  2
blackbird sp.  X     A few fly-overs seen from parking area and during walk. Probably more of species already noted.
House Finch  1     On museum campus.
House Sparrow  4     On museum campus.

View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S45374609

News Categories

Upcoming Field Trips

3rd 2025 – Parker River NWR Marsh Cruise, Yankee Clipper

Newburyport - Yankee Clipper Tours Waterfront Promenade Park, 36 Merrimac Street, Newburyport, MA, United States

Our third and final Marsh Cruise for this year. Explore Parker River National Wildlife Refuge from a new perspective on a cruise through the Parker River marshes!  Join us on the Yankee Clipper docked in Newburyport Harbor for a leisurely cruise through the Refuge.  Enjoy close views of shorebirds, gulls, terns, raptors, and sparrows on [...]

The Quiet Beauty of Birding at Winthrop Beach

Winthrop - DCR Winthrop Beach Reservation - Sturgis St 59 Winthrop Shore Drive, Winthrop, MA, United States

Join DCR park staff for a leisurely walk across sandy stretches and areas of loose rocks at this Massachusetts State Reservation, a well-known hot spot for birdwatching. We'll be on the lookout for shorebirds, waterbirds, and gulls. Binoculars are recommended. Suitable for adults and children ages 8 and up (with an accompanying adult). Sponsored by [...]

Shorebirds, Herons, Swallows, & More at Parker River NWR

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

Shorebirds, Herons, & Swallows. Bring a chair, bug spray, and water. Trip runs until dark. Note that an entrance fee or pass is required. Restroom available.

Plum Island PRNWR

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

Enjoy the late afternoon colors and birds at PRNWR at a slow and easy pace as we search refuge hotspots for shorebirds and waders, as well as tree swallows and other regular species. Short walks on flat trails. Insect repellents highly recommended. Entrance fee or pass is required. Restrooms available.

Great Meadows NWR, Concord

Concord - Great Meadows Concord Unit, Entrance Rd, Concord, MA, United States

We will walk slowly along the dike looking for rails, shorebirds, and wading birds. The we will continue to an adjacent site where we have permission to enter private property, to look for Night-Herons. On our return, we will look for migrating Common Nighthawks! Note that entrance fee or pass is required. Loaner binoculars available; [...]

Go to Top