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

2024 Year in Review!

Photo credit: Manomet Photo credit Jennifer Thornton Thanks to our inspired volunteer Board, committee members, and field trip leaders, the Brookline Bird Club enjoyed impressive successes during 2024.  Our volunteer trip leaders and enthusiastic participants

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,

Renew membership now!

Calling all BBC members - annual memberships expire December 31st 2024. Renew today for the 2025 calendar year to continue uninterrupted access to member benefits including our blue book mailings, member webinars, and more! Membership

2024 Year in Review!

Photo credit: Manomet Photo credit Jennifer Thornton Thanks to our inspired volunteer Board, committee members, and field trip leaders, the Brookline Bird Club enjoyed impressive successes during 2024.  Our volunteer trip leaders and enthusiastic participants

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,

Renew membership now!

Calling all BBC members - annual memberships expire December 31st 2024. Renew today for the 2025 calendar year to continue uninterrupted access to member benefits including our blue book mailings, member webinars, and more! Membership

2024 Year in Review!

Photo credit: Manomet Photo credit Jennifer Thornton Thanks to our inspired volunteer Board, committee members, and field trip leaders, the Brookline Bird Club enjoyed impressive successes during 2024.  Our volunteer trip leaders and enthusiastic participants

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,

Renew membership now!

Calling all BBC members - annual memberships expire December 31st 2024. Renew today for the 2025 calendar year to continue uninterrupted access to member benefits including our blue book mailings, member webinars, and more! Membership

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