Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary, Topsfield, Essex, Massachusetts, US
29-Apr-2023 06:00 – 08:30
Protocol: Traveling
1.5 mile(s)
Checklist Comments:    BBC – Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary, Topsfield – Leader: Bruce Bolnick substituting for Peter Vale – Unexpectedly fine weather this morning, partly cloudy, light breeze, temperature in the 50s. With BirdCast showing very low migration rates the past three nights, it was not a surprise to find a dearth of spring warblers. Nonetheless, the woods and marshes were replete with bird song, and we did have some excellent sightings. Note that bird counts for common species are approximation
42 species
Canada Goose  25
Wood Duck  2
Mallard  5
Mourning Dove  8
Virginia Rail  2    Heard clearly in wetlands along South Esker trail, and again very nearby from Innermost boardwalk.
Killdeer  1
Double-crested Cormorant  2
Great Blue Heron  3
Bald Eagle  1    Immature, perched in a tree in the distance across the wetlands east of South Esker trail. Identification confirmed from blurry zoomed photos taken by two group members.
Red-tailed Hawk  1
Red-bellied Woodpecker  2
Downy Woodpecker  3
Northern Flicker  2
Merlin  1    Small, brown-backed raptor with longish tail zooming across our path in woodlands above Bunker Meadow viewing platform. Identification based on very rapid flight, color, and shape/jizz. Definitely not a buteo, accipiter, or owl.
Eastern Phoebe  1
Blue Jay  12
Fish Crow  4
Common Raven  1
Black-capped Chickadee  18
Tufted Titmouse  16
Tree Swallow  50
White-breasted Nuthatch  14
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  3
House Wren  2
Marsh Wren  3
Carolina Wren  6
European Starling  4
Eastern Bluebird  6
American Robin  15
House Sparrow  10
Purple Finch  1
American Goldfinch  2
Chipping Sparrow  12
White-throated Sparrow  5
Song Sparrow  8
Swamp Sparrow  12
Red-winged Blackbird  70
Brown-headed Cowbird  2
Common Grackle  18
Yellow Warbler  1
Pine Warbler  4
Northern Cardinal  8
View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S135528979

News Categories

Upcoming Field Trips

  • Hydrographer Canyon Overnight Pelagic (Trip #1)

    Hyannis - Pelagic - Helen H 137 Pleasant St, Hyannis, MA, United States

    Join the BBC on the Helen H out of Hyannis, MA to search for pelagic birds on an overnight trip to the Hydrographer Canyon area. For more information, fee, and registration info see: https://www.brooklinebirdclub.org/bbc-news/hydrographer-canyon-overnight-pelagics-registration/

  • Charles River Esplanade (Early Birders Series)

    Boston – Charles River Esplanade (Edwin Upton Curtis Memorial meeting spot) Boston, MA, United States

    Join fellow birders in their 20s-30s as we visit the Charles River Esplanade for an evening bird walk! Located in the heart of Boston, the Esplanade is a 64-acre park along the south side of the Charles River. While serving as one of Boston’s staple common areas, it is also a good spot to observe

  • Hydrographer Canyon Overnight Pelagic (Trip #2)

    Hyannis - Pelagic - Helen H 137 Pleasant St, Hyannis, MA, United States

    Join the BBC on the Helen H out of Hyannis, MA to search for pelagic birds on an overnight trip to the Hydrographer Canyon area. For more information, fee, and registration info see: https://www.brooklinebirdclub.org/bbc-news/hydrographer-canyon-overnight-pelagics-registration/

  • Parker River Marsh Cruise

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

    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, and Saltmarsh Sparrows on this tour. Group discount tickets are available by registering

  • Half-Day Seabirding and Whale Watching

    Plymouth - Captain John's Whale Watching Tour Company 10 Town Wharf, Plymouth, MA, United States

    The BBC has reserved a limited block of discounted group tickets on these public tours. These tours are open to all. Register online at https://www.brooklinebirdclub.org/civicrm/event/info/?reset=1&id=330  Registration opens June 19. Co-sponsored with the South Shore Bird club. The parking for multiple hours that you need is not near the town wharf. Allow extra time to find

Go to Top