Parker River NWR–Hellcat Dike, Essex, Massachusetts, US
Oct 10, 2021 7:10 AM – 6:10 PM
Protocol: Stationary
Checklist Comments:    Brookline Bird Club: Big Sit at Plum Island Hellcat Tower, Parker River NWR. Leader Nickilas Paulson. Mostly cloudy, fair temperate, cooling later, A few minor sprinkles, moderately windy atop the tower. Some others joining throughout the day, mostly I was pointing out the Snow Goose and Hudsonian Godwits.
86 species (+4 other taxa)
Snow Goose  3    One white juvenile at Bill Forward Pool most of the day. Another heading south in a flock of cormorants. One dark juvenile heading north.
Canada Goose  120
Mute Swan  5
Blue-winged Teal  2
Northern Shoveler  1
Gadwall  60
American Wigeon  8
Mallard  30
American Black Duck  240
Mallard x American Black Duck (hybrid)  2
Northern Pintail  25
Green-winged Teal (American)  80
Greater Scaup  5
Hooded Merganser  14
Red-breasted Merganser  6
Ruddy Duck  2
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  2
Yellow-billed Cuckoo  1
Virginia Rail (Virginia)  1
Black-bellied Plover  13
American Golden-Plover  2
Semipalmated Plover  1
Hudsonian Godwit  4
Marbled Godwit  1    Larger godwit, long bicolored upturned bill. Buffy overall, more speckled back than Hudsonian. In mud flats during low tide early, disappeared after one of the Peregrines came through.
Red Knot  1
Sanderling  14
Dunlin  500
Least Sandpiper  2
White-rumped Sandpiper  5
Pectoral Sandpiper  1
Semipalmated Sandpiper  40
Western Sandpiper  1    A little larger and longer than Semipalmated with dropping bill. Possibly a second bird.
Short-billed Dowitcher  1
Long-billed Dowitcher  2
American Woodcock  1
Spotted Sandpiper  1
Greater Yellowlegs  64
Lesser Yellowlegs  7
Bonaparte’s Gull  8
Laughing Gull  2
Ring-billed Gull  20
Herring Gull (American)  60
Great Black-backed Gull  6
Common Tern  4
Common Loon  14
Northern Gannet  8
Great Cormorant  2
Double-crested Cormorant  160
Least Bittern  1    Singing before 7:30am. Cul cul cul.
Great Blue Heron (Great Blue)  13
Great Egret  68
Snowy Egret  1
Black-crowned Night-Heron  5
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron  1    Juvenile in flight. Dark gray flight feathers.
Northern Harrier  3
Red-tailed Hawk  1
Downy Woodpecker (Eastern)  3
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)  2
American Kestrel  1
Merlin  2
Peregrine Falcon  1
Peregrine Falcon (North American)  2
Peregrine Falcon (Tundra)  1
Eastern Phoebe  2
Blue Jay  7
American Crow  1
Black-capped Chickadee  4
Horned Lark  1
Tree Swallow  14
Marsh Wren (palustris Group)  7
European Starling  1
Gray Catbird  3
Northern Mockingbird  1
Hermit Thrush (faxoni/crymophilus)  1
American Robin  10
Cedar Waxwing  30
American Pipit  2
House Finch  3
American Goldfinch  1
White-throated Sparrow  3
Savannah Sparrow (Savannah)  11
Song Sparrow (melodia/atlantica)  8
Eastern Towhee  2
Red-winged Blackbird (Red-winged)  4
Rusty Blackbird  1
Common Grackle (Bronzed)  1
Black-throated Blue Warbler  1
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)  50
Black-throated Green Warbler  1
warbler sp. (Parulidae sp.)  40
View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S96091420

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

News Categories

Upcoming Field Trips

  • Cape Ann

    Gloucester - Fisherman's Monument Gloucester Fisherman's Memorial, 60 Western Ave, Gloucester, MA, United States

    We will search for alcids and other wintering seabirds. Be prepared for cold and windy weather. If inclement weather is predicted, contact the leader by 6:00 pm the previous evening.

  • Early Birders @ Milton Landing & Neponset River Greenway

    Boston - Milton Landing & Neponset River Greenway 88 Wharf Street, Milton, MA, United States

    Join fellow birders in their 20s-30s for a leisurely bird walk along the Neponset River Greenway bike path! Starting at the Milton boat launch to check for nearby birds, we will walk approximately a mile or so towards Dorchester and back along the bike path in search for songbirds, waterfowl, raptors, and gulls. Whether you’re

  • Halibut Point State Park, Rockport

    Rockport - Halibut Point State Park Halibut Point State Park, Rockport, MA, United States

    A two-hour walk, about 1.5 miles, over easy to moderate gravel roads and trails in search of seasonal specialties. Boots advisable. Restrooms are available. In case of inclement weather check with the leader night before trip.

  • Castle Island & Pleasure Bay

    South Boston - Castle Island Parking Lot, 2080 Day Blvd. 2080 Day Blvd., Boston, MA, United States

    Join us to observe resident birds and winter migrants in a unique urban habitat that is a favorite for many bird species, including uncommon and rare birds. Dress warmly and be prepared for snow/ice, cold, and wind. Expect to walk approximately 2 miles on paved/level paths. Boots & Yak Traks or similar antiskid footwear recommended

  • Deer Island & Boston Harbor, Winthrop

    Winthrop - Deer Island Parking Lot 180 Tafts Ave., Winthrop, MA, United States

    We will search for wintering seabirds, alcids, and Iceland Gulls. Be prepared for cold and wind and dress very warmly. Depending on conditions, we will walk up to 2.6 miles on paved paths. Port-a-potties available midway. Beginners welcome and encouraged. Bad weather or poor walking conditions may cancel - email trip leaders if you are

Go to Top