Plum Island, Essex, Massachusetts, US
May 7, 2016 7:00 AM – 11:15 AM
Protocol: Traveling
2.5 mile(s)
Comments:     BBC – Plum Island – Leader: Jonathan Center – Areas covered were parking lot 1, main salt pan, s-curves section, Hellcat area, and Pines Trail. Weather overcast, misting, temp. 45-48 F degrees, wind 5-15 mph NE.
41 species

Canada Goose  16
Gadwall  8
American Black Duck  4
Mallard  4
Wild Turkey  5
Double-crested Cormorant  4
Great Egret  1
Osprey  1
Northern Harrier  2
American Golden-Plover  1     Rare spring migrant on the east coast. Molting adult transitioning to summer plumage. ID based on dark brown crown/cap, white supercillium, dark spot behind eye, blackish band on throat, dark brown back with golden-yellow spots, whitish belly w/ several small black splotches, long primary projection appeared to extend pass tail. Observed on the edge of a salt pan c. 100 ft. from road for c. 20 minutes. In flight under wings were solid brown-gray. Wings appeared to be long and slender.
Killdeer  4
Greater Yellowlegs  6
Willet  6
Lesser Yellowlegs  1
Herring Gull  2
Mourning Dove  3
Downy Woodpecker  2
Blue-headed Vireo  1
Blue Jay  2
American Crow  2
Purple Martin  4
Tree Swallow  25
Barn Swallow  3
Black-capped Chickadee  6
Marsh Wren  1
American Robin  6
Northern Mockingbird  1
Cedar Waxwing  6
Yellow Warbler  1
Pine Warbler  1
Yellow-rumped Warbler  1
Prairie Warbler  1
Song Sparrow  2
Swamp Sparrow  1
Eastern Towhee  8
Red-winged Blackbird  X
Common Grackle  10
Brown-headed Cowbird  4
Purple Finch  3
American Goldfinch  1
House Sparrow  2

View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S29518418

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Upcoming Field Trips

Dunback Meadow, Lexington – SEE TRAIL CONDITIONS NOTE

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Our target birds will be late migrants including Mourning Warbler and flycatchers. Be prepared to walk three to five miles. Cosponsored with Menotomy Bird Club. As of midday on Friday 5/22 some trails were flooded and many were quite muddy.  The trip will go ahead with an abbreviated route.  Boots strongly recommended.  

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Sorry, this walk is canceled due to scheduling conflicts.

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Erwin S. Wilder WMA

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With permission from the airport manager, we will be allowed to go inside the second fence line onto the airport, closed to the general public, in search of the grassland birds which nest at the airport. Note: This trip can be cancelled at any time, without notice, for homeland security reasons! Target endangered breeding species: [...]

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