Meeting at the Millers River Environmental Center American Robin, House
Sparrow, Rock Dove and House finch were noted. The first stop of the trip
was near the Railroad Trestle off South Athol Road. This combination of
wetlands and riverbank meadow and forest is a popular birding spot year
round. Several Rose Breasted Grosbeaks were observed calling and perched
for great views. They were joined by:
Baltimore Orioles,
Common Yellowthroat,
Warbling Vireo,
Yellow Warbler,
Mourning Dove,
Northern Cardinal,
Red-winged Blackbird,
Eastern Kingbird,
Song Sparrow,
Black-capped Chickadee,
Purple Finch,
Tree Swallow,
Brown-headed Cowbird,
Cedar Waxwing,
Blue Jay,
Chipping Sparrow,
and Mallard Duck.
A short stop in South Athol Center revealed
Northern Flicker,
Common Grackle,
Barn Swallow,
Ovenbird, Phoebe and
Chestnut-sided Warbler.
On Turnpike Road a spectacular male Scarlet Tanager whose brilliant
red body contrasted to the jet-black wings posed on top of a birch for
great views.
Also noted were
Red-breasted Nuthatch,
Black-throated GreenWarbler,
Black and White Warbler
Canada Warbler
Great-crested and Least Flycatchers,
Red-eyed Vireo,
Winter Wren
and Broad-winged hawk.
The final stop in Petersham's Harvard Forest produced
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher,
Red-shouldered Hawk,
Green Heron,
Swamp Sparrow,
Wood Duck,
Common Merganser,
Canada Goose,
Killdeer,
Solitary and Least Sandpiper.
Notable wildlife included a Muskrat, Red and Gray Squirrel, Canada Tiger Swallowtail, Spring Azure, Eastern Pine Elfin, Cabbage White, Spring Peeper, Bull Frog and Painted Turtle.
If you wish to volunteer to lead a trip please contact
ABNC
Biodays Coordinator Sue Cloutier at cloutier@tiac.net 978-544-7500
Dave Small
Athol, Massachusetts
dhsmall@gis.net
www.gis.net~dhsmall