Parker River NWR, Essex, Massachusetts, US

Aug 26, 2019 5:30 PM – 7:45 PM

Comments:    Beautiful evening for a well attended BBC trip led by Dave Williams. Highlights were an American Avocet seen feeding and in flight, followed by a spectacular Tree Swallow sunset show at Hellcat, and the cherry on the sundae was having 3 Whip-poor-wills calling as we were walking to our cars at Hellcat.

31 species (+1 other taxa)

Blue-winged Teal  2

Gadwall  3

Mallard  25

American Black Duck  6

Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  5    Right before the entrance gate.

Mourning Dove  1

Eastern Whip-poor-will  3

American Avocet  1    Continuing at BFP.

Semipalmated Plover  70    20 at pannes and 50 at BFP.

White-rumped Sandpiper  5    At pannes.

Semipalmated Sandpiper  155    Most at pannes.

Short-billed Dowitcher  18

Short-billed/Long-billed Dowitcher  2

Spotted Sandpiper  1    Stage Island Pool.

Greater Yellowlegs  35    Hellcat and SIP.

Lesser Yellowlegs  4

Herring Gull  2

Double-crested Cormorant  20

Great Egret  7    There was a large group of Egrets, (about 40 birds), on the right side of the road out to the bluff by Stage Island.  Unfortunately we weren’t able to stop and differentiate species.

Snowy Egret  4

Black-crowned Night-Heron  5

Peregrine Falcon  1    Perched on the mud flats at Hellcat, we were all praying it wouldn’t go after the American Avocet.

Eastern Kingbird  2

Tree Swallow  100000    Incredible numbers, a breathtaking show in conjunction with a gorgeous sunset. Thousands were streaming in from the west from the river to join the roosting party seen looking north over the phrags from Hellcat dike.

Carolina Wren  1

European Starling  25

Gray Catbird  4

American Robin  1

House Sparrow  2    Heard by front gate.

American Goldfinch  2

Song Sparrow  3

Eastern Towhee  2    Heard calling only.

View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S59363555