Squantum Marshes, Norfolk, Massachusetts, US
13-Aug-2023 06:27 – 10:01
Protocol: Traveling
0.85 mile(s)
Checklist Comments:    BBC & SSBC Squantum walk. It was raining when we started, but after 20 minutes it cleared up, and eventually it became sunny and warm. We primarily birded the pannes but also checked the Marina Bay side, where the spit was covered.
After many weeks with the water level in the pannes being too high for too many peeps to land, we finally had enough exposed mud for the peeps to visit, and most of them were actively foraging.
High tide: 10:15am  Dan O’Brien and Glenn d’Entremont leaders, 9 participants
40 species (+1 other taxa)
Canada Goose  17
Mallard  2
American Black Duck  23
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  30
Mourning Dove  4
Chimney Swift  3
American Oystercatcher  3
Semipalmated Plover  3
Killdeer  3
Least Sandpiper  10
Pectoral Sandpiper  1    Good looks at one that flew in to the pannes, preened a bit, and left
Semipalmated Sandpiper  1300    Count by 25s of birds in the pannes
Semipalmated/Western Sandpiper  1    WESA/SESA – bill looked a little long and looked bulkier (while preening however), and after some commotion we couldn’t refind it
peep sp.  0    WESA/SESA – bill looked a little long and looked bulkier (while preening however), and after some commotion we couldn’t refind it
Short-billed Dowitcher (griseus)  1
Spotted Sandpiper  4    Possibly all juveniles
Greater Yellowlegs  10
Willet (Western)  1    Interesting bird, probably a juvenile, and it looked quite pale, especially in the head and neck  Gd’E:  after research it appears this would be a Western Willet with the pale brown/gray head with no streaking.  Images taken in NJ during this same time period are IDd as Western’s.  Unfortunately no images were able to be taken as it was hidden behind vegetation once it landed
Lesser Yellowlegs  15
Laughing Gull  1
Herring Gull  10
Common Tern  2
Double-crested Cormorant  4
Great Blue Heron (Great Blue)  1
Great Egret  6
Snowy Egret  8
Osprey  6
Peregrine Falcon  1    Buzzed the pannes right before the official walk start.
As we were getting ready to leave, we witnessed a Peregrine fly into the pannes, and it “punched” a Semipalmated Sandpiper with a clenched foot, incapacitating it. It circled once to pick it up from the water, and then flew west, somewhat harassed by Barn Swallows.
American Crow  2
Tree Swallow  3
Barn Swallow (American)  15
Carolina Wren  1
European Starling  100
Northern Mockingbird  1
Cedar Waxwing  9
House Sparrow  5
American Goldfinch  2
Saltmarsh Sparrow  2
Song Sparrow  4
Red-winged Blackbird  15
Common Grackle  2
Northern Cardinal  2
View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S147742686
Wollaston Beach, Norfolk, Massachusetts, US
13-Aug-2023 10:08 – 10:56
Protocol: Traveling
0.35 mile(s)
Checklist Comments:    BBC/SSBC walk at Wollaston Shorebird roost  Dan O’Brien and Glenn d’Entremont leaders, 9 participants
11 species (+1 other taxa)
Black-bellied Plover  10
Semipalmated Plover  56
Killdeer  4
Semipalmated Sandpiper  240
shorebird sp.  40    Peeled off as we were walking up
Laughing Gull  1
Ring-billed Gull  4
Herring Gull  20
Double-crested Cormorant  5
Great Egret  2
Tree Swallow  3
Northern Mockingbird  1
View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S147742670

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  • The Quiet Beauty of birding – Winthrop Shore Reservation

    Winthrop - DCR Winthrop Beach Reservation - Sturgis St 59 Winthrop Shore Drive, Winthrop, MA, United States

    Offered by DCR. Come join us for an up-close look at sea ducks and gulls in action! Observe, share your insights, ask questions, and connect with fellow bird enthusiasts. For adults & children 8+. Children must be with an adult. ADA/Reasonable Accommodation  617-645-0358 | Moneesha.dasgupta2@mass.gov

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    Lynn - Red Rock Park 188 Lynn Shore Drive, Lynn, MA, United States

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  • Member Webinar with Matthew Young: The Evening Grosbeak Road to Recovery Project and the Stokes Guide to Finches of the United States and Canada

    Please join the BBC on the evening of February 19 from 7PM to 8:30PM for a member only webinar with Matthew Young from the Finch Research Network (FiRN). Matthew will talk about both The Evening Grosbeak Road to Recovery Project and The Stokes Guide to Finches of the United States and Canada. (NOTE CORRECTED DATE.)

  • CC Canal and Sandwich hotspots (rescheduled from 2/8)

    Sagamore - Scusset Beach Pier Parking Lot MA, United States

    Offered by the Cape Cod Bird Club! and co-sponsored by Brookline Bird Club. We’ll begin at the canal (Scusset Beach State Reservation is on the canal) and follow up with visits to the ponds, marshes, bays and backwaters of the Upper Cape. These will include Scusset Beach, Town Neck Road Beach, Shawme Lake and Greenbriar

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    East Boston - Belle Isle Parking Lot 1399 Bennington Street, Boston, MA, United States

    Led by DCR staff. We will search on foot up to one mile, on flat, easy terrain for snowy owls and other raptors, native sparrows, finches, waterfowl, and other birds. This is a traveling program by car or bike. Prepare for ticks. Ages: Adults and kids 8 years+ with adult chaperone. Binoculars recommended. ADA/Reasonable Accommodations

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