FROM THE FIELD

Season Finale: Farewell to the Warm-Weather Months of 2022

11/13/2022

Summer 2022 brought many days of very hot temperatures and drought conditions leading to water woes. Fortunately severe drought was avoided as rain events became more frequent from September onward. Our contributing photographers managed to get out in the field and/or explore their backyards, and they encountered
opportunities for some great shots.
These highlights from summer and early fall represent the great diversity of wildlife and habitats
in central Massachusetts.

Left: Immature male Ruby-throated Hummingbird in Rutland. Photo by Anne Greene.

Painted Turtle on the Ware River in New Braintree on August 30th. Photo by Alan Rawle.

An immature male Scarlet Tanager feeds on a wild grape on August 21 in Hardwick. Photo by Alan Rawle.

Red-spotted Newt Doug Rutland 10 18 22

Juvenile Eastern Bluebird Photo by Anne Greene

White-crowned Sparrow in New Braintree, October 8. Photo by Alan Rawle.

White-tailed Deer in Hardwick. Photo by Alan Rawle.

A Pine Warbler strikes a pose in Rutland. Photo by Anne Greene.

An aptly-named Ruby Meadowhawk (Sympetrum rubicundulum), a species of dragonfly whose flight period is from late summer to late fall, was photographed by Alan Rawle on September 3rd.

Late-season Scarlet Tanagers taking a dip in Rutland. Photo by Anne Greene.

A Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Baltimore Oriole, and Gray Catbird were just a few of the species attracted to Bill Platenik's specially-constructed birdbath in Brimfield.

Eastern Cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus) has been abundant here in recent years. Cottontails typically live only 12 to 15 months, but they have a high reproductive rate and can raise as many as six litters, averaging five young per litter, in a year. Photo by Alan Rawle.

A Great Black Wasp (Sphex pensylvanicusis), a species of digger wasp, a solitary species. The adults drink from nectaring flowers while hunting for insect prey items for their young. Photo by Doug Wipf.

Eastern Bluebird photographed in Rutland by Anne Greene.

Clouded Sulphur (Colias philodice ), one of the last of the season, on November 5. Photo by Doug Wipf.

Bill Platenik's trail cam in Brimfield.

Alan Rawle's backyard trail cam in in Hardwick captured this Gray Fox ((Urocyon cinereoargenteus).

Doug Wipf's backyard trail cam in Rutland.

Snowberry clearwing moth (Hemaris diffinis) nectaring on Verbena bonariensis. Photo by Anne Greene.

Laetiporus sulphureus, commonly known as Chicken-of-the-Woods,
is perhaps one of the most distinctive fungi around.
Photos by Anne Greene.

A Wilson's Warbler stopped in Hardwick on its way south on September 28th. Photo by Alan Rawle.

Golden Garden Spider (Argiope aurantia). Argiope spiders are not aggressive. They might bite if grabbed, but other than for defense they do not attack large animals. Photo by Anne Greene.

Migrant Palm Warbler in Rutland. Photo by Anne Greene.

Alan Rawle's backyard trail cam in Hardwick.

Dark-eyed Junco on November 5 in Rutland. Photo by Doug Wipf.

Doug Wipf was fortunate to get good looks at this Northern Water Snake (Nerodia sipedon) in Rutland on August 22nd. This species of snake is social with others of its species during fall and spring. They have been observed coiled together, basking in the sun. In the warmer months, they are solitary creatures found on overhanging branches, walkways, and cattail stems.

Spotted Sandpiper at Quabbin Reservoir in Hardwick on August 28th. Photo by Alan Rawle.

This beautifully-marked American Toad was at Harvard Pond in Peterhsamon August 27th. Photo by Doug Wipf.

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Now You See Them. . . The Ephemeral Lives of Wildflowers and Insects

8/1/2022

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The perfect early-spring blend of adequate moisture and moderate temperatures in central Massachusetts resulted in a spectacular show of our favorite native wildflowers. Red columbine and pink lady's slipper were particularly abundant. Ever-fascinating insects emerged and lived out
their short life spans, sometimes with an audience.
At the time of this post, the beauties here are long gone.
Watch for their reappearance next spring!

Foxglove beardtongue (Penstemon digitalis) in Rutland. Photo by Doug Wipf.

Gaywings or fringed milkwort (Polygaloides paucifolia). Photo by Christy Barnes

Northeastern sculpted pine borer (Chalcophora liberta) in Petersham 27 May 2022. Photo by Alan Rawle.

Gaywings or fringed milkwort (Polygaloides paucifolia), in the less-common white form. Photo taken in Rutland by Christy Barnes

Pink lady's slippers (Cypripedium acaule) 6 June 2022 in Hardwick. Photo by Alan Rawle.

Snowberry clearwing ( Hemaris diffinis) on bluets (Houstonia caerulea) in Petersham, 27 May 2022. Photo by Alan Rawle.

Rue anemone (Thalictrum thalictroides) 6 May 2022, in Hardwick. Photo by Alan Rawle.

Red baneberry (Actea rubra) on a wooded roadside in Hardwick, 16 May 2022. Photo by Alan Rawle.

Lady's slipper (Cypripedium acaule) in Rutland 2 June 2022. Photo by Chris Purington.

Cuckoo bee ( Nomada ruficornis sp) on Robin's plantain fleabane (Erigeron pulchellus) Photo by Alan Rawle.

Early azalea (Rhododendron prinophyllum) in Hardwick, 24 May 2022. Photo by Alan Rawle

Downlooker snipefly (Rhagio mystaceus) in Petersham, 27 May 2022. Photo by Alan Rawle.

Blue flag iris (Iris versicolor) at Riis Hill in Barre, 5 June 2022. Photo by Mike Perkins.

Red columbine (Aquilegia canadensis) growing in masses along a Hardwick stone wall on 24 May 2022. Photo by Alan Rawle.

Millipede (Narceus americanus-annularis complex) at Quabbin Gate 40, near Dana Common, Petersham on 27 May 2022. Photo by Alan Rawle.

Red columbine (Aquilegia canadensis) close-up, in Petersham on 27 May 2022. Photo by Alan Rawle.

Wild honeysuckle (Lonicera dioica) at Muddy Brook WMA, Hardwick, 18 May 2022. Photo by Alan Rawle.

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Birds of Prey Gallery: Not for the Faint-hearted

4/4/2022

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Sharp-shinned Hawk preys on female Cardinal, March 2022. Photos by Anne Greene.

Red-tailed Hawk captures a Gray Squirrel
Photos by Doug Wipf

Above: Immature Bald Eagle scavenging a deer carcass
Below: Osprey making a meal of a fish
Photos by Bill Platenik, March 2022

Red-shouldered Hawk scavenging a deer carcass left out by hunters
Photo by Alan Rawle, December 2019

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Photogenic Fungi

11/3/2021

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Black trumpet or horn of plenty (Craterellus cornucopioide) August, 2021. Doug Wipf

Fly agaric (Amanita muscaria) September 19, 2021 Photo by Alan Rawle.

Sulphur shelf (Laetiporous sulphureus) October, 2021. Photo by Alan Rawle.

Fringed or sessile earthstar (Geastrum fimbriatum) Photo by Doug Wipf.

September, 2021. Photo by Pam Landry

We think this is yellow fairy cups (Bisporella citrina). Barre Falls Dam October 17, 2021. Photo by Anne Greene.

Eastern stinkhorn (Phallus ravenelli) September 2021. Harvard Pond, Petersham Photo by Pam Landry

Violet-toothed polypore (Trichaptum biforme) September, 2021. Photo by Pam Landry

Scrambled egg slime mold (Fuligo septica) Rutland, August 2021. Photo by Doug Wipf.

Dryad saddle (Polyporus squamosus) September, 2021. Photo by Pam Landry

Clitocybe sp? Dingy bowl cap (Clitocybe tarda)? September, 2021. Photo by Pam Landry

Purple coral fungus ( Clavaria lavandula) Warwick, late summer 2021. Photo by Jack Cadwell.

Inky cap (Coprinus sp.) cluster. September, 2021, Quabbin Reservation. Photo by Pam Landry.

Blue-green cup fungus (Chlorociboria aeruginascens) found at Barre Falls Dam, October 17, 2021, is a very common fungus, although it's more common to see the green- stained wood than to actually see the fruiting bodies. Photo by Anne Greene.

A chipmunk at Moore State Park in Paxton nibbles a mushroom of unknown species. Photo August 14, 2021 by Alan Rawle.

Barre Falls Dam, October 17, 2021. Photo by Anne Greene.

Parasol mushroom (Leucoprinus sp.), September 13, 2021. Photo by Alan Rawle.

A younger and more colorful fly agaric (Amanita muscaria), poisonous no matter what color or age. September, 2021.

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Chicks, Colts, Fledglings, & Ducklings 2021

9/30/2021

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The first successful breeding of Sandhill Cranes in Worcester County was documented in Hardwick this summer. Family group seen here on 27 June shows colts at about 6-7 weeks of age.

Throughout June and most of July, each colt was "supervised" by one of the parent birds and kept apart from its sibling, probably a parental strategy to reduce aggression between the two young birds, which can be intense in some cases. Photo 18 July.

On August 10 all four birds flew several hundred yards together, moving from a favored uphill foraging spot to the location where they usually started their afternoon downhill walk to a large grass expanse at the edge of a beaver pond marsh. Before the colts could fly well, the family spent the night at the pond edge, mostly hidden in the marsh vegetation.

The Sandhill Crane family established a daily routine of walking and foraging as a group through three adjacent Hardwick properties. This photo 4 July. All crane photos by Alan Rawle.

As the colts matured the family foursome comingled more frequently. On a hot 28 July the parent birds stood sentry as the young birds bathed in a shallow farm pond.

During August all cranes seemed to spend more time exercising their wings. Photo 20 August.

Hardwick Sandhill Crane family 27 August, shortly before they took wing and began expanding their home range to other locations in Hardwick and New Braintree. They are expected to stay in the area until November before moving to a milder region for the winter.

Female Wood Duck with one of her ducklings in Rutland 25 June. Photo by Doug Wipf.

A Downy Woodpecker fledgling and male parent were observed by Anne Greene in Rutland.

By August 1st Eastern Bluebirds in Hardwick were raising their second brood. Photo by Alan Rawle.

Two fledgling Gray Catbirds use a convenient perch while waiting to be fed by their parents on July 4 in Hardwick.

This juvenile Song Sparrow found on September 4th represented a second brood, a common event in this species. Photo by Alan Rawle.

Ted Purcell monitored the successful nesting of a pair of American Kestrels in Rutland. These juveniles were present on July 29.

Anne Greene observed this Tufted Titmouse parent and fledgling at close range in Rutland.

A pair of Turkey Vultures in Hardwick chose an abandoned treehouse on a quiet property abutting forest land as a nesting site. The fledglings remained out of sight for many weeks, but started venturing out to the balcony to wait for their feedings around the end of July. On 7 August this chick was still covered in fluffy down feathers.

By August 13 both young vultures were beginning to grow black feathers on their wings. All vulture photos by Alan Rawle.

At the end of August the juveniles were venturing away from the treehouse and spending time exploring on the ground, retreating when disturbed by heading to a tree near the treehouse and climbing the trunk and low branches. Photo 27 August.

Eastern Kingbird fledgling on July 4. Photo by Alan Rawle.

A Downy Woodpecker fledgling photographed as it begs for food (which arrived soon after this photo by Anne Greene was taken).

Birds that frequent backyard feeders often bring their offspring to the feeder area to be fed. Doug Wipf spotted this Rose-breasted Grosbeak feeding a juvenile male on July 14.

A male White-breasted Nuthatch found a stable feeding platform for feeding one of his fledglings. Photo by Anne Greene.

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Welcome to Tropical Central Massachusetts!

9/3/2021

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WATER, WATER EVERYWHERE
From late May to the end of August 2021 the weather in central Worcester County was truly something to talk about. An abnormally cold and rainy Memorial Day weekend was the beginning of a roller-coaster pattern. Summer started off dry, and then very hot temperatures alternating with occasional cool spells managed to keep us guessing about what to expect from week to week. A constant theme was rain and more rain. Massachusetts may break the record for the wettest summer, according to various sources. As of August 25th,Worcester had the fourth wettest summer with 20.64 inches of rain.
We can speculate about the effect of the see-saw precipitation, temperature, humidity, etc. on our plants, insects, birds, and other wild creatures.

Mallard hen in flight. Mallards are abundant in central Massachusetts, in both high-water and low-water years. Photo by Alan Rawle, Hardwick.

Song Sparrows thrive in wet areas, as long as they manage to situate their nests far enough above the high water line. Nests are placed on the ground or in shrubs as high up as 15 feet. Photo by Alan Rawle, Hardwick, 20 June.

Water was present in places where it's dry or slightly damp most years. Sections of rails like this one at Moore State Park in mid-July were inundated. Photo by Bill Platenik.

A great year for ducks! Many Wood Duck pairs raised two broods. Doug Wipf found this hen with ducklings in Rutland on 8 July.

Juvenile Hooded Mergansers in Rutland 25 June. Photo by Doug Wipf.

A successful Song Sparrow nesting was confirmed in Hardwick on 26 June when a begging fledgling (left) was seen being fed by one of its parents right). Photo by Alan Rawle. This species generally raises 2-3 broods per season in our region.

Given the conditions, frogs weren't hard to find during summer 2021. But Bill Platenik of Brimfield was astonished to find this Green Frog in a drainage area in his Brimfield yard, about 1/8 mile from any wild wet areas.

Wetlands-lovers Common Yellowthroats had plenty of habitat to choose from this season. Photo by Doug Wipf, 21 July.

Majestic Interrupted Fern (Claytosmunda claytoniana), the only species in this genus, was photographed in June by Doug Wipf.

Wild Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis). Some Native American tribes used various parts of this plant in herbal remedies for certain ailments, and Native American men also rubbed crushed seeds on their hands as a love charm. Photo by Doug Wipf.

Sensitive Fern (Onoclea sensibilis), so named by early American settlers due to its sensitivity to frost. Photo by Doug Wipf.

One species of moth that flies early in the season is Crocus Geometer (Xanthotype sospeta). Photo by Alan Rawle.

Brown rot fungus on dead wood with New York Fern (Parathelypteris noveboracensis). This fern often forms spreading colonies. Photo by Doug Wipf.

Round-leaved Pyrola or American Wintergreen ( Pyrola americana) blooming in Petersham on 27 June. The heat and humidity of the season spurred plant growth in general.

On 9 June Pam Moen found this Painted Turtle laying eggs in her yard in the Templeton area. Myriad factors determine egg survival and hatching time.

Painted Turtle basking in Hardwick on 20 June. Photo by Alan Rawle.

Great Blue Herons and wetlands go hand-in-hand. This season's conditions replenished shallow ponds and reservoirs brought low by the droughts in 2016, 2018, and 2020. Photo by Doug Wipf, Rutland, 25 June.

A female Blackburnian Warbler eyes the photographer, Alan Rawle, on 2 June.

Some Painted Turtle eggs will hatch in the fall, others in spring. This hatchling was one of two found in Hardwick on 8 May.

This hatchling--same as above-- was found wandering on a driveway close to its "home pond" and was carried to a spot close to the pond. Photo by Alan Rawle.

Great Crested Flycatcher in Rutland on 25 June. Photo by Doug Wipf.

Red-spotted Admiral, Red-spotted Purple form (Limenitis arthemis) found by Ted Purcell in August.

Hummingbird clearwing moths (Hemaris thysbe) collect nectar from a wide variety of flowers using a long proboscis while hovering above the bloom. They show a preference for pink and purple flowers. Several including this one were in Hardwick in July.

White-lined Sphinx Moth (Hyles lineata) in Ashburnham 15 August.

Calico Pennant (Celithemis elisa) in Petersham 27 June. Although odonate numbers in general seemed to be down this summer, certain local populations, like this species on the east shore of Quabbin Reservoir, appeared to be robust.

Cass Meadow Conservation Area in Athol hosted numerous pollinators like this Brown-winged Striped-Sweat Bee (Agapostemon splendens) in vast fields of Joe-Pye-Weed, but butterflies and odonates were scarce in early August. Photo by Alan Rawle on 7 August.

Common Green Darner (Anax junius) by Ted Purcell, 5 July. As this web-page is being published, large swarms of this species are migrating south after spending the summer here.

Yellow-legged Meadowhawk (Sympetrum vicinumin) Hardwick on 1 August.

A male Northern Walkingstick (Diapheromera femorata) was found by Doug Wipf on 15 August in Rutland.

Monarch butterflies appeared to be having a good year. Sightings of caterpillars and adults throughout August were frequent. Photo by Doug Wipf.

This Bobcat visited Doug Wipf's Rutland yard on 27 June.

American Coppers (Lycaena phlaeas) and other insects, including a scarab beetle, in Sterling, 5 July. Photo by Alan Rawle.

Bill Platenik's Brimfield trail cam video captured this daytime image of a Bobcat on 4 July.

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A Waning Pandemic and Emerging Spring

6/5/2021

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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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