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Bright sunshine and crisp fall air greeting the 24 members of the Athol Bird and Nature Club as they gathered for the annual fall Quabbin Tour. The trip was lead by Club president Dave Small and is one of five Natural History field trips which are given vehicular access to the Quabbin each year. At the Millers River Environmental Center a Canada Goose Blue Jays, American Robin, House Sparrows, Crows, and Rock Dove were noted.
A flock of Wild Turkeys greeted the group as they entered gate 35 at the end of Old Dana Road in New Salem. Following the old Rabbit Run the group soon stopped at the shore of the Quabbin Reservoir. Through the lifting haze Common Loons, Mallard Ducks and Horned Grebes were observed through telescopes. The first of 4 adult Bald Eagles observed through the day flew up the reservoir heralded by the warning calls of many Common Loons. Several stops along the shoreline produced Yellow-rumped Warbler, Herring Gull, Flicker, 2 Northern Harriers, Greater Yellowlegs, Slate-colored Junco, Hermit Thrush, and a calling Pileated Woodpecker.
Stopping near the West Branch of Fever Brook (near gate 37) a walk to the shore brought a Clouded Sulfur Butterfly, hundreds of Meadowhawk Dragonflies, 2 Red-tailed Hawks, White-throated Sparrows, Song Sparrows, Goldfinch, and an accommodating Beaver. A quiet walk to the beaver pond below Soapstone Hill was rewarded with a large flock of Ring-necked Ducks, Wood Ducks, Black Ducks, Green-winged Teal, Downy Woodpecker, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Red-breasted Nuthatch, and Brown Creeper.
Continuing our journey south, Graves landing near Dana was chosen for a lunch break. Sharp-shinned Hawk, Common Mergansers, White-crowned Sparrow, Ringed-billed Gull, Mourning Cloak and Milbert's Tortoiseshell butterflies were added to the growing list.
Ending the day at the gate 43 Boat launch area, now closed for the season, an Immature Bald eagle, Killdeer, and Monarch Butterflies were observed and a Spring Peeper was heard calling from the wood line. For updated trip information please check the ABNC homepage at www.massbird.org/athol
Dave
e-mail
Dave
www.gis.net/~dhsmall
www.massbird.org/athol
We are looking for more people to host fundraising Butterfly and Birding Buffets. Large or small, breakfast, lunch or supper; even a picnic at one of your favorite spots. Sign up now! Call or write Dave Small at 978-249-2094 or e-mail Dave
We are also hoping to have more fundraising garden tours next year. If anyone is willing to share their yard with the public, let us know. Call or write Dave Small at 978-249-2094 or e-mail Dave
See Upcoming ABNC Events for details
The next scheduled Field Trips are November 11 to PLum
Island and November 26 to Rockport.
No more Fundraisers or Club Meetings have yet been scheduled.
See also Community Events.
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