Friday, January 19, 2024
Continuing unusual species in Massachusetts this week included single Western Grebes in Winthrop and Mashpee, single Western Tanagers in Sandwich and North Truro, a Tufted Duck in Harwich, and single Greater White-fronted Geese in Halifax and Great Barrington.
Cape Cod highlights included a continuing Western Grebe on Mashpee Pond in Mashpee and best observed from Attaquin Park, single Western Tanagers seen in the vicinity of Highland Light in North Truro and near the Sandwich Marina in Sandwich, a Bohemian Waxwing spotted on Pilgrim Heights Road in Provincetown, and a continuing Pacific Loon at Race Point in Provincetown. Other sightings of note were a Tufted Duck at Long Pond in Harwich, a Rufous Hummingbird at the head of Town Cove in Orleans, a continuing Western Kingbird and a Lark Sparrow in the vicinity of the Cape Cod Seashore Visitor’s Center in Eastham, a Short-eared Owl at Wes Dennis Beach, and a Black-headed Gull that’s been variously seen between Keyes Memorial Beach and Eugenia Frost Beach in Hyannis.
Bristol County hosted a Cackling Goose and 6 Northern Shovelers at Buttonwood Park in New Bedford, 8 Northern Shovelers at Interchange Park in Fall River, a Great Egret at Winsegansett Ave. marsh in Fairhaven, and a lingering MacGillivray’s Warbler on the powerline behind the Town Tire store on Rt. 44 in Raynham.
Plymouth County sightings were highlighted by 3 Black Vultures soaring over I-195 in Mattapoisett and a Greater White-fronted Goose at the Monponsett Ponds in Halifax.
Norfolk County was graced by the presence of 5 Eastern Meadowlarks at the Shea Naval Air Station in Weymouth and a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker at the Blue Hills Trailside Museum in Milton.
Suffolk County highlights were a continuing Western Grebe at Winthrop Beach, a Lesser Black-backed Gull at the Boston Fish Pier, a Barrow’s Goldeneye at Castle Island in Boston Harbor, a Northern Shoveler at Chandler’s Pond in Boston, and a Clay-colored Sparrow at Millennium Park in West Roxbury.
Essex County was visited by 8 Redheads at Cherry Hill Reservoir in West Newbury, 2 Thick-billed Murres in the vicinity of the Jodrey Fish Pier and Harbor Cove in Rockport, and a Clay-colored Sparrow Old Garden Beach in Rockport.
Berkshire County enjoyed sightings of a Greater White-fronted Goose at Rob’s Landing in Great Barrington, a Rough-legged Hawk on Breakneck Road in Tyringham, a Lapland Longspur and 2 Rusty Blackbirds at Howden Farm in Sheffield, another Lapland Longspur at the Great Barrington Airport, and 5 American Wigeon and 2 Ring-necked Ducks at Richmond Pond in Richmond.
Franklin County birders enjoyed a Long-tailed Duck and an Iceland Gull at the Turner’s Falls Power Canal in Montague.
Hampshire County luminaries included a Lapland Longspur and a Northern Shoveler at the Honey Pot in Hadley, 5 Rusty Blackbirds at Great Pond in Hatfield, and a Gadwall near the Liberty Street Bridge in Easthampton.
Hampden County hosted a Cackling Goose at the Longmeadow Flats in Longmeadow.
Worcester County enjoyed visits from a Long-tailed Duck at the Wachusett Reservoir at gate 40 in Clinton, a Lapland Longspur at the Fitchburg Airport, and 10 Rusty Blackbirds at the Pynchon Gristmill in West Brookfield.
Martha’s Vineyard offered looks at 2 Redheads off Squibnocket Road in Chilmark, as well as a Snow Goose at Sheriff’s Meadow in Edgartown, a Eurasian Wigeon at Crystal Lake in Oak Bluffs, 12 Tree Swallows at Aquinnah, and an Orange-crowned Warbler at Brush Pond in Oak Bluffs.
Nantucket birders found a Common Gull of the Kamchatka race at Codfish Park, 2 unseasonal Red Phalaropes at Low Beach, a continuing Dickcissel at a 215 Madaket Road feeder, and 2 Snow Geese at Moors End Farm.