Hellcat Trail located near the center of the island contains extensive coastal dune, scrub forest providing food and shelter to migrating songbirds. This forest is transected by a series of raised boardwalks allowing access to the area without disturbing the fragile dune soils. Dozens of Yellow-rumped Warblers were observed with Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Gray Catbird, Eastern Towhee, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Winter Wren, and Black-throated Blue Warblers. Throughout the day the Athol group was in radio contact with other birders on the island via family radio. Members of the Brookline Bird Club (BBC) radioed us of an uncommon Cape May Warbler on the Hellcat boardwalk. BBC members kept track of the bird's position until our group was able to observe the bird feeding in the thick foliage.
Adjacent to the forest and thickets of hellcat are the large earthen dikes creating the Bill Forward Memorial pool. Hundreds of water and shorebirds rest and feed in the man made shallow pools. Northern Pintail, Green-winged Teal, Hooded Merganser, Dunlin, Long-billed Dowitcher. At nearby Stage Island overlook Semipalmated Plover, Sanderling, and American Pipit were added to the day’s growing list. Strong Northeasterly winds had buffeted the group all day and our final stop at the remnants of a glacial drumlin known as Emerson Rocks would allow us to look over out over the raging Atlantic Ocean. Looking beyond the numerous gulls and Sanderlings, Northern Gannets and Black Scoters could be seen coursing over the waves. Jacob noticed a small robin sized bird flitting behind the surf line. Red Phalarope! As our group trained our scopes on the Phalarope a radio call was made on the bird channel and the word was quickly passed to our BBC friends up Island. Soon the viewing platform was full of birders watching this rare ocean going visitor to our shore.
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