FROM THE FIELD

A Waning Pandemic and Emerging Spring

6/5/2021

Pandemic-weary nature-lovers, tired of restrictions on activities, winter in general, and
a cold and windy April, found spring to be especially welcome and inviting this year.
There were many great encounters and observations to be enjoyed and shared.

Common water strider (Aquarius sp.) is an early-emerging insect. This individual was in Hardwick 6 April. Photo by Alan Rawle.

By the end of April Red-bellied Woodpeckers were selecting nesting cavities. Doug Wipf found this bright male in Rutland on 27 April.

One of our earliest ephemeral spring wildflowers, Spring Beauty (Claytonia virginica) blooms briefly at Mt. Wachusett in Princeton. Elaiosomes, fleshy structures attached to the seeds, are present and allow for ant dispersal. Photos showing color variations are by Doug Wipf.

Black squirrel with Red-winged Blackbirds 21 April in Hardwick. Eastern gray squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) is one of the two most likely squirrel species (the other is Fox Squirrel) in which this melanistic sub-group occurs. Black morphs are the result of an abnormal pigment gene.

Marsh marigold ((Caltha palustris), a member of the buttercup family, peaked here the second week of May. Those "petals" you see are NOT petals. Instead, each cluster of flowers is made of five to nine sepals, which resemble petals, surrounding many stamens and pistils.

Bobolinks returned to the Rutland Prison Camp fields 7 May. Doug Wipf took this picture of this territorial male on 14 May.

A Baltimore Oriole was at Rutland's Prison Camp area on 7 May 2020, probably having arrived very recently. Photo by Doug Wipf.

The first half of May brought migrant warblers to central Massachusetts. Northern Parula (Parula americana) like the male above usually continues to move northward to its breeding territory, while Blue-winged Warbler (Vermivora cyanoptera) remains as a fairly common breeding species here. Photos by Alan Rawle.

At the end of May Pearl Crescents (Phyciodes tharos) began emerging. Photo by Doug Wipf 27 May 2021.

On 7 May 2021 this Hardwick Canada Goose was tending the nest as it was very close to hatching time. Muddy Brook Wildlife Management Area. Photo by Alan Rawle.

Apple trees blooming in spring are small-bird magnets. Resident species like this Black-capped Chickadee, as well as warblers, vireos, and more feed on parts of the flowers and the insects that are drawn to them. Photo by Anne Greene in Rutland.

Ventral view of Hobomok Skipper at East Quabbin Land Trust's Deer Park Preserve in Hardwick 28 May 2021.

False Hellebore (Veratrum viride) is common and very obvious as its bright green leaves brighten up the dark wooded streamsides and swamp edges in May. A native plant which eventually produces dramatic flowers at the top of its long stem, it is extremely toxic and thus avoided by wildlife. Farmers are aware of it as a potential livestock threat.

Easily overlooked, Trailing Arbutus or Mayflower (Epigaea repens) was in bloom in late April.

The flight period for Hobomok Skippers begins in May. This lone butterfly was in Hardwick on 28 May 2021. Photo by Wendy Howes.

On 24 April Ted Purcell observed and photographed this Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis) in Rutland. This widespread sparrow is easy to miss because it can superficially resemble other small brown birds with streaked underparts. A helpful field mark is the bright yellow coloration in front of the eye.

Palm Warbler (Dendroica palmarum) began migrating through central Massachusetts early in April. This warbler continues onward and breeds in boreal bogs in the far north. Photo taken in Hardwick by Alan Rawle.

Bill Platenik captured a Great Blue Heron posing at a heronry in Warren on 21 April.

Eastern Bluebirds and others took advantage of thawed birdbaths. Hardwick, 18 April 2021

On 14 April this Common Garter Snake (Thamnophis sirtalis) was sluggish after being disturbed from under a pile of leaves in Hardwick since it had not yet had time to warm up.

A male Juvenal's Duskywing 7 May 20121 Rutland. One of our earliest-emerging butterflies, they overwinter as larvae. Photo by Alan Rawle.

Rose-breasted Grosbeak 20 May 2021. Photo by Doug Wipf.

On 7 May Tree Swallows were already inspecting nestboxes at Rutland's DCR Ware River Watershed Prison Camp area. Photo by Doug Wipf.

Painted turtle (Chrysemys picta) in Rutland 27 May 2021. Photo by Doug Wipf.

On 14 April Bill Platenik observed this close interaction between a Bald Eagle and an Osprey. Eagles will often chase Ospreys that have caught a fish, trying to get the Osprey, which has superior fishing skills, to drop its prey. It's unknown if this was the case on 24 April in Warren, when Bill got this shot.

Dutchman's Breeches (Dicentra cucullaria) is rare in our area but can be reliably seen at a Mt. Wachusett location. Doug Wipf sought out and photographed this stunning spring ephemeral in May.

A Great-horned Owl was found nesting in a former Great Blue Heron nest at High Ridge Wildlife Management Area in Westminster/Gardener. Jon Skinner took a photo of the two nestlings on 7 May 2021.

Anne Greene captured this colorful portrait of a Cape May Warbler (Setophaga tigrinar), a species that migrates through Massachusetts in May on its way to northern boreal forests, (and on its way back to Caribbean Islands in the fall).

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Members Art Gallery

1/28/2021

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Barry Van Dusen

Anne Greene

Wendy Howes

Bill Platenik

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Nature Provides Diversions for Fall, 2020

12/6/2020

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The COVID-19 pandemic continued. Predominantly mild temperatures, albeit punctuated from time to time with short-lived cold snaps and one late October snowstorm, were welcome as nature-watchers and outdoor-lovers made the most of the season. Birds and other animals, many of them on the move in this migratory period, provided a pleasant distraction.

A male Northern Parula (Setophaga americana), passing through Rutland on his way south, shows off his important field marks for photographer Anne Greene.

Difficult to find keeping still enough for a photo is Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Regulus calendula), a species that migrates through central Massachusetts in early spring and late fall. The red "crown" feathers on the males are not always apparent. This 18 October bird shows a bit of red, which will become more vivid in the breeding season. Photo by Doug Wipf.

Palm Warblers ( Setophaga palmarum) like this one found on 8 October by Doug Wipf, breed primarily in boreal forests across Canada. The tropical-sounding name came about because a (wintering) specimen was found on a Caribbean island, and the species was thus associated with a place with plentiful palm trees.

Red-tailed Hawk in a red maple, early October. Note the dark patagial mark at the leading edge of the underwing, which starts near the back of the head and ends at the "wrist." This dark mark is a great ID help, since no other eastern North American hawk shows this mark. Photo by Ted Purcell.

Typically moving through our region in early November, Fox Sparrows (Passerella iliaca) are often found vigorously scratching in leaf litter on the ground, especially near dense vegetation or brush piles, in search of seeds and insects. Photographed on 8 November in Hardwick by Alan Rawle.

Nodding ladies'-tresses (Spiranthes cernua) is a fairly-common fall-blooming orchid found in woods or pond edges with acid soils. Photo by Anne Greene.

Swamp Sparrows ( Melospiza georgiana) disperse from their nesting locations in cattail marshes and wet, brushy areas as they prepare to head to the southern U.S. or parts of Mexico for the winter. On 9 October Ted Purcell photographed this individual in Rutland, not too far from where it likely spent the summer.

As predicted, the region experienced an irruption of several boreal species
that were moving about in search of winter food sources.

Pine Siskins (Spinus pinus) in Hardwick 31 October. Photos by Alan Rawle.

Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis). Photo by Alan Rawle.

This Common Redpoll, a lone female or immature individual, was found in Hardwick on 6 December. Photo by Alan Rawle.

Evening Grosbeak 2 November, Hardwick. Photo by Alan Rawle.

Pine Siskin, 17 October, Rutland. Photo by Doug Wipf.

A small, photogenic flock of Pine Grosbeaks feasted on crabapples at Mass Audubon's Wachusett Meadow Sanctuary in Princeton for several weeks and were admired by many. Doug Wipf photographed an adult male and one female or immature male on 20 November. Immature males usually are indistinguishable from females until their second year.

Purple Finch (Haemorhous purpureus), Hardwick.

Immature Red Crossbill (Loxia curvirostra) in Hardwick, September. This species was moving into the area as early as August, seeking out the seeds of various coniferous cones. Photo by Alan Rawle.

Two female or immature Evening Grosbeaks (Coccothraustes vespertinus) 26 November in Hardwick. These and several others fed on staghorn sumac berries as well as sunflower seeds at the feeder. Photo by Alan Rawle.

Male Red Crossbill foraging for grit on a Hardwick road, 4 September. Photo by Alan Rawle.

Night-time visitors via backyard trail cam. Captured by Doug Wipf in Rutland.

This Black Bear is pretty certain there used to be a birdfeeder around here someplace. . .

This Gray Fox, a regular visitor, is finding something it likes in this location, and evidently getting accustomed to the camera.

Waxing moon, approaching 30 November full moon. Photos taken on 28 November by Alan Rawle.

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Splish Splash

11/13/2020

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Brown-headed Cowbirds in Brimfield. Photo by Bill Platenik.

Female American Redstart in Rutland. Photo by Anne Greene.

Pickerel Frog (Rana palustris) visiting the water tub. Photo by Bill Platenik.

Baltimore Orioles. Photo by Bill Platenik.

White-tailed Deer, May 2020. Photo by Ted Purcell.

Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina) in Rutland, presumably heading back to water. Photos by Doug Wipf.

Migrant Blackpoll Warbler (Dendroica striata) investigating the drip in Brimfield. Photo by Bill Platenik.

Eastern Bluebirds in Hardwick. Photo by Alan Rawle.

A Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis) takes a drink from the tub while Pickerel Frogs look on. Photo by Bill Platenik in Brimfield.

Northern Cardinal in Brimfield. Photo by Bill Platenik.

A Wood Duck ( Aix sponsa) swims by a well-established beaver lodge in Hardwick. Photo by Alan Rawle.

Song Sparrow in bathing pool with solar-powered water pump. Photo by Bill Platenik.

Green Frog (Rana clamitans) in Hardwick.

Painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta), Petersham. Photo by Alan Rawle.

Song Sparrow, Hardwick. Photo by Alan Rawle.

Immature Baltimore Oriole just after a bath in Bill Platenik's outdoor tub with drip.

Hooded Merganser in Hardwick.

A Cape May Warbler passing through Princeton on its way south in September found a water source in Barry Van Dusen's yard. Photo by Alan Rawle.

Bullfrogs (Rana catesbeiana) in Petersham. Notice how the lateral fold curls around the tympanum (eardrum disc next to the eye) and does not extend down the length of the back as in Green Frogs. Photo by Alan Rawle.

Female Eastern Towhee (Pipilo erythrophthalmus) in Brimfield. Photo by Bill Platenik.

What we're all pretty sure is a Tennessee Warbler (Oreothlypis peregrina) on migration in early October--a bit late--made a stop at the bird tub with its splashing, recirculating water (solar pump) in Bill Platenik's yard, Brimfield.

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Summer 2020 Potpourri

10/16/2020

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An adult Osprey brings a partially eaten fish to a nest in Warren. Three hungry young birds are waiting! Eastern Kingbirds nested nearby, and this male followed and harassed the Osprey for more than 100 yards as the Osprey approached its nest. Photo by Bill Platenik.

A porcupine dining in Petersham, 25 August 2020. Photo by Alan Rawle.

Great Spangled Fritillary (Speyeria cybele) in Petersham on 8 August. Nurture the violets in your yard and garden. Various species of native violets have been reported to serve as a larval host plant for this species. Photo by Alan Rawle.

Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea) 8 August 2020. One of the most persistent singers in the breeding season, often singing into late August, buntings learn their songs as youngsters from nearby males, but not from their fathers. Learn more at allaboutbirds.org. Photo by Alan Rawle.

This photo was taken about 4 weeks before the young--shown here with one of the adults--left the nest.

American parasol mushroom (Leucocoprinus americana) cluster found in late August. Considered edible, but only with great caution: young specimens of this species look enough like the highly toxic green gill mushroom (Chlorophyllum molybdites) that there is great danger of fatal error. Photo by Alan Rawle.

A Great-crested Flycatcher (Myiarchus crinitus) on the alert for insect prey in Rutland. Unlike other flycatchers in our area, this species nests in cavities of all kinds. Photo by Anne Greene.

Female Halloween Pennant (Celithemis eponina) photographed by Anne Greene. Seen near waterways, this species is a strong flier, even in rain and wind.

Immature male Ruby-throated Hummingbird in Hardwick, 25 August. Photo by Alan Rawle.

Bright male Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius) in Rutland. Photo by Anne Greene.

Clouded Sulphur (Colias philodice) in North Brookfield, August. Photo by Alan Rawle.

The American Copper butterfly (Lycaena phlaeas) has at least three overlapping broods in central Massachusetts, and can be found from May through October. This individual was found on 20 August 2020 by Alan Rawle.

A late summer Spring Pepper (Pseudacris crucifer) peeping through a window in Hardwick. Photo by Wendy Howes.

A Great-horned Owl (Bubo virginianus) was a surprise afternoon visitor in Rutland on August 14th. Photo by Anne Greene.

Baltimore Orioles (Icterus galbula) are becoming adept at exploiting various sugar water sources. Photo by Anne Greene.

A juvenile Barred Owl (Strix varia) chose to keep an eye on the area around Bill Platenik's compost pile for a couple of days in July, probably hoping for the appearance of a rodent meal.

Despite a moderate drought throughout the summer, the fungi show from late August through October was impressive. Shaggy scalecap mushrooms (Pholiota squarrosa) grow in clumps on hardwood trees, like this cluster found in Petersham on 23 August. Photo by Alan Rawle.

Small Milkweed Bug (Lygaeus kalmii) on Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) seed pod. This insect's primary sources of nutrients are flower nectar and milkweed seeds. Photo by Alan Rawle, August 2020.

A Yellowjacket (Vespula sp.) shares air space with a Ruby-throated Hummingbird. Luckily, both animals are eminently capable of maneuvering to avoid a collision. Photo by Anne Greene.

A begging Tree Swallow chick and arriving adult were photographed by Bill Platenik at Moore State Park in Paxton.

An immature male Ruby-throated Hummingbird checks out the nectar potential of a passion flower in Rutland. Immature hummingbirds can be observed probing and exploring a variety of both nectar-producing and non-nectar-producing plants as they learn and grow. Photo by Anne Greene.

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A Look Back at the Busy Season: Courtship, Breeding, Nesting, and Raising Young

8/27/2020

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House Wren in Hardwick, July. Starting a second brood.

Fledgling House Wrens, Hardwick, 29 June 2020. Photo by Alan Rawle.

June 28 Petersham Many dung beetles are classified as "rollers" because of their dung-gathering methods. They roll dung into round balls that they maneuver to the desired location to be used as a food source or breeding chambers.

Five Eastern Phoebe nestlings huddle in their nest on 6 June 2020, a few days before fledging. All fledged successfully, and the parent birds then reared a second brood in the same location.

Tree Swallow, 7 June 2020. Tree Swallows raise only one brood in a season.

In mid-June an "orphan" Brown-headed Cowbird fledgling started showing up at a grape-jelly feeder in Rutland. We know that the bird was raised by a different species, but the cowbird wasn't seen being fed by any adult bird. Which species raised this fledgling will remain a mystery. Photo by Ted Purcell.

Courtship feeding in Cedar Waxwings and other species is often observed. It is generally thought that courtship feeding serves more than a ceremonial or pair-bonding function -- that it provides the female with considerable nutritional benefit. [Copyright ® 1988 by Paul R. Ehrlich, David S. Dobkin, and Darryl Wheye.]

This female damselfly, probably Eastern Forktail (Ischnura verticalis) was observed ovipositing alone--most species oviposit in tandem with males--on floating vegetation on 7 June.

Eastern Kingbird with characteristically flimsy-looking nest 31 May 2020

A Painted Turtle laying eggs several hundred feet from her home pond, in June. From start to finish, a female's nest-building and egg-laying work may take up to four hours.

By June 27th Downy Woodpeckers had fledged their young in Hardwick. This adult male is feeding one of his male fledglings suet from the feeder. In no time the young are independently finding their way around the various seed and suet feeders (which are supervised and put out only in daytime at this location to reduce the chances of human-bear encounters).

White-tailed Deer doe and fawn 29 June. Photo taken from a distance by Alan Rawle.

Sandhill Cranes were documented as nesters for the first time in Worcester County in Hardwick in May. Unfortunately, the two chicks seen here didn't survive, likely the victims of one of the myriad predators in the area. Photo 19 May by Alan Rawle.

A paper wasp, probably Polistes fulcatus, methodically scrapes wood fibers from a cedar fence railing for nest-building.

Volunteers recovering damaged and fallen-over old nestboxes at Moore State Park in Paxton discovered very small, sturdy, fibrous nests attached to the inner walls of two of the boxes. Keeping in mind the disrepair of the boxes--bottoms and/or sides broken off--a few birders entered into somewhat of an investigation into the mystery nests. Crucial to the solution were the dimensions as measured by Bill Platenik as well as the attachment to the wooden sides. Conclusion: Brown Creepers, which can sometimes build nests in unusual places, as long as there is a sheltered aspect.

At the end of May, Doug Wipf captured this image of a hungry Red-bellied Woodpecker nestling with the male parent, in Rutland.

American Woodcock chicks 5 May 2020. From the day they hatch, chicks learn to “freeze” when threatened or in response to hearing the hen’s alarm call. In this case, the observer was walking in the woods and didn't notice the well-camouflaged female until she flushed right in the pathway. The chicks remained motionless until the observer moved on and the hen returned to usher them away.

A female Wood Duck with one of what is often two broods during the season.

Great Blue Herons are well into their nesting season by 26 April, when this nest and others were noted at a colony in Hardwick. Photo by Alan Rawle.

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C is for. . .

4/22/2020

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. . . COVID-19, concerned, cautious, cooped-up, the coming of spring, and:

Creeper, Brown (Alan Rawle) Cowbird, Brown-headed (Ted Purcell) Comma, Eastern (AR)

Caught! (Doug Wipf) Crow, American (Bill Platenik)

Climbing porcupine (AR) Curious garter snake (Anne Greene)

Cat (bobcat) scat Chipmunk, Eastern (BP)

Cloak, Mourning (AG) Canada Goose family 18 April 2020 (AR)

Crow, American (BP) Chewink aka Rufous-sided Towhee (AR) Cardinal, Northern (DW)

Chipmunk, Eastern (AG) Cropping up--Marsh Marigold (AR)

Chickadee, Black-capped (BP) Chipping Sparrow (TP)

Chickadee, Black-capped makes an exit. (DW)

Coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara) Watercolor painting by Barry Van Dusen. Unusual color variant with orange petals.

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A Warm & Dry Winter 2019-2020

3/20/2020

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The scientific data are not at our fingertips, but we can all recall an early December snowfall of 24 inches followed by very little snow for the rest of the winter. Overcast and gloomy gray days with warmer temperatures didn't always result in as much precipitation as we might have liked. Streams, ponds, and waterfalls seemed to be at highest levels in February, and mud season so far hasn't been as dramatic as in some years when oozing ground made hiking low areas impossible. Despite the often "open" season with passable trails and "balmy" temperatures in the thirties, most of this period's FROM THE FIELD contributors enjoyed nature in their backyards and at birdfeeders.

Female Northern Cardinal on a snowy February day in Brimfield. Photo by Bill Platenick.

A Female Northern Cardinal manuevers for access to fruit. Photo by Bill Platenick.

Golden-crowned Kinglet 8 February 2020 by Alan Rawle.

White-breasted Nuthatch and Dark-eyed Junco bickering over feeder offerings in Rutland. Photo by Anne Greene.

The occasional Common Grackle will overwinter in central Massachusetts, but usually they begin arriving from regions further south in February. Photo by Anne Greene.

Two European Starlings vie for the best position at Anne Green's birdfeeder in Rutland.

A curious American Mink (Neovison vison) at Swift River Preserve in Petersham on 11 January 2020.

A shiny meltwater droplet resembles a jeweled earring against a blue velvet jacket. Captured at just the right moment by Anne Greene.

Trail camera photo capture of Eastern Coyote in Rutland, by Doug Wipf, 2 January 2020.

Winter Wren, Quaboag Wildlife Managment Area, Brookfield, 20 November 2020. Photo by Alan Rawle.

Edson Pond in Rutland hosted Ring-necked Ducks and Buffleheads in mid-March. Photo by Ted Purcell, 13 March 2020.

The February full moon is called the Snow Moon, named after the snow on the ground. Some Native American tribes named this the Hunger Moon due to the scarce food sources and hard hunting conditions during mid-winter. Photo by Alan Rawle, 8 February 2020.

This Barred Owl found Doug Wipf's Rutland yard to its liking for several days in mid-February.

Another visitor caught on Doug Wipf's trail camera was this robust-looking Red Fox.

These Eastern Bluebirds are waiting for dried mealworms in Rutland. Photo by Anne Greene.

Black-capped Chickadee, 15 March 2020, by Alan Rawle.

Blue Jays, February 2020, by Ted Purcell.

Tufted Titmouse in Paxton, February 2020, by Ted Purcell.

Mourning Dove by Bill Platenick.

Cedar Waxwing in Brimfield by Bill Platenick.

A Red-bellied Woodpecker and Blue Jay make eye contact. Photo by Anne Greene.

Brown Creeper in Brookfield, 22 February 2020, by Alan Rawle.

A vigilant Dark-eyed Junco looks skyward. Photo by Anne Greene.

A House Finch in Brimfield after a snowfall. Photo by Bill Platenick.

It can be difficult to spot more than one of these quick and nimble Carolina Wrens at the same time. Photographed in Rutland by Ted Purcell, February 2020.

This Eastern Phoebe over-wintered on a Hardwick beaver pond--seen here on 15 February 2020-- and made it through the season by feeding at swampy edges that never froze. Photo by Alan Rawle.

American Robins that stayed through the winter found Staghorn Sumac to be a reliable food source. Photo by Alan Rawle, 17 February 2020.

A male Red-bellied Woodpecker's vibrant red cap stands out against the snow and gray sky. Photo by Anne Greene.

American Tree Sparrow in Rutland 19 January 2020. Photo by Ted Purcell.

A female Pileated Woodpecker in Brimfield, photographed by Bill Platenick.

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A Look Back at Fall, 2019

2/29/2020

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Savannah Sparrow at Wachusett Reservoir, Gate 36, 11 November 2019, by Doug Wipf. Some of these usual migrants are lingering longer here than in past years, some staying through winter.

It seems appropriate to use Leap Day of the 2020 Leap Year to note some interesting nature sightings that preceded the early December 24-inch snowfall that took place before winter had actually arrived--an atypical calendar date to reflect the atypical course of our weather patterns. Heading into late autumn with a very wet October and some fine colors in the landscape, weather patterns overall continued to indicate that central Massachusetts is experiencing the same climate disruption as every other place on earth. In our neck of the woods that translated to overall warmer temperatures extending further into the autumn months. The impact on wildlife will become known over time. Meanwhile, here are sightings to add to the body of information.

Doug Wipf's trail camera took a great picture of a Gray Fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus) that exhibits two good identification features--the black streak along the top and to the end of the tail, and the stocky body shape.

Sharp-shinned Hawk in October, Brimfield, by Bill Platenick.

Horned Lark in New Braintree, 16 November 2019. Photo by Alan Rawle.

A White-throated Sparrow in Princeton on 15 October 2019. Photo by Doug Wipf.

Bonaparte's Gull at Quabbin Gate 43, Hardwick, on 2 November 2019. Photo by Alan Rawle.

Yellow-rumped Warbler with poison ivy and Oriental bittersweet berries, 26 October 2019, Hardwick. Photo by Alan Rawle.

Emerging Monarchs were still present at the end of October. This female joined other pollinating insects on a late-blooming variety of hardy chrysanthemums in Hardwick on 26 October 2019.

A young buck White-tailed Deer visited Doug Wipf's Rutland yard in mid-November.

A Lapland Longspur was found amongst a small flock of Horned Larks on 16 November 2019 at Winimusset WMA in New Braintree.

Not encountered as often as in the eastern portion of the state, this Mute Swan was on the Quaboag River in West Brookfield on 20 November 2019. Photo by Alan Rawle,

Wachusett Reservoir's Gate 40 hosted this hungry Eastern Bluebird on 4 November 2019. Photo by Doug Wipf.

Northern Mockingbird in West Brookfield on 20 October 2019. Photo by Alan Rawle.

A Cedar Waxwing enjoys a Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana) berry on 9 November 2019 near Quabbin Reservoir.

One of several tricky-to-identify LBJs (little brown jobs) was this Swamp Sparrow found on 13 October 2019. Photo by Alan Rawle.

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Owls in the Hand: A Night at a Saw-whet Owl Banding Station

11/10/2019

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RESULTS from Princeton banding station
late October-November 10, 2019

Total owls: 41 (40 not previously banded and
one foreign recovery from an unknown location)
Hatch-year: 6
Second-year: 26
After-second-year: 9

Our smallest owl, the Northern Saw-whet Owl, is a striking bird with its brown and white plumage and yellow irises. This species nests in low densities in western Massachusetts but migrate through Massachusetts in relatively high numbers during late fall. Despite being one of the most common species of owls in our northern forests, they are seldom seen.
Federally -licensed bird bander and state ornithologist Andrew Vitz (MassWildlife) hosted Club members at a banding station in Princeton on November 2nd, and he managed to capture and band several owls that were passing through the area. Once captured, the birds were banded, and data was collected on their age, sex, and condition before they were released. The data gathered will be submitted to the U.S. geological Survey Bird Banding Laboratory, an integrated scientific program supporting research and conservation of North American birds. Information gathered during banding helps researchers to learn about the owls’ movements and survival rates.
Drew writes: "Although it was the best year that I have had [banding owls in central MA], it was a poor year for most owl banders in the northeast. I am not really sure why we had such good luck, but, similar to other stations, we had very few hatch year (HY) owls [young of this year]. This pattern is indicative of poor nesting success for the owls this year. I expect with a good acorn crop this year that the small mammals will be abundant in 2020, and the owls will respond accordingly. "

Drew Vitz and friend.

THANK YOU to Ted Purcell and Drew Vitz for the photographs.

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