Some Sad News

Last Sunday, I went to the park with Brian. Haynes had seen a house sparrow in the lower gardens and it was determined that it had kicked out the tree swallows, taken over the box and was hatching babies. When Brian checked the other boxes, he found the chickadee male was inside and dead with 3-4 babies that were still alive. The female was trying to take care of the babies herself. He was sure it was the house sparrow as he has seen this before and they can be very aggressive about other birds in the area. A few days later, he went to check again, and all the babies were killed and on the ground. He also found the female wren in the third box dead inside her nestbox. Very disturbing.

We also discovered that the phoebe nest that is pictured with a baby on a previous blog entry was completely gone from its corner on the little hut by the river. We even found the nest material on the ground. I thought someone must have removed the nest, but Brian said that it was a predator. The baby was so close to fledging too. However, the 2nd nest on the building also seems to have a bird in it. Not sure if it was a different mother and/or whether there is a baby in that one.

A gardener Donna called me last Sunday evening as well and she discovered a little nest on the ground just outside her garden plot. She was worried about the babies being so vulnerable and also wondering what kind of sparrows they were. We're all in agreement that it is a song sparrow, but they don't often nest on the ground like that. The sad thing is that for a few days there were at least three babies but now, there is only one. Clearly, predators are getting them. I've been checking on the nest every day - we were all really worried with the last rain storm. Today, the baby is looking a little more like a fledgling sitting properly in the nest and developing pin feathers. I only wonder if it will last long enough to be able to fly away. It probably has 5-7 days to go but don't know if the odds are with it in that location.

The grosbeak nest was empty this morning. I hope that isn't a disaster too. Hopefully, the parents were foraging for food.

Busy Birds!

Yes, the birds have been busy. Mother phoebe left the nest for a minute and here's is the only baby that I could see. Looks pretty cozy in there, doesn't it?

The oriole nest that we saw started last weekend down near the soccer field is now complete (see picture to left) and though I didn't see the mother, I imagine she's either laying or sitting on eggs. I'm just amazed at the speed with which this all takes place - huge journeys from the south or southern hemisphere, land here, build nest, have babies and fly back in the fall. I also saw what must be a young male because his head was a mottled orange and black instead of the rich, solid black of the fully adult male.

Didn't see anything wildly unusual today, although I did see some kind of sandpiper down near the river, but he was a little too far to tell what kind. I remember last year, I saw a spotted sandpiper and I'm kind of wondering if this is the same bird. I like to think that the same birds come back year after year.

Saw our wrens, goldfinches, a couple of yellow rumps which are hanging around in the same shrub as last week (making me wonder if they might build a nest there), cardinals, song sparrows, tree swallows and Mr. Bluebird. Also, finally heard the wood thrushes in a couple of locations, but haven't actually seen one. Somehow, I feel like I've missed out on some of the more unusual warblers this year but I guess that's the way it goes.

Nahanton Park Needs Your Help!!!!

There will be a public hearing about the farm proposal for Nahanton Park. Many of us are very concerned about this very large amount of open space that is being requested.

How will this impact the birds and animals that live there?

Nesting season has begun and these areas should be studied first to try and determine what effect this proposal could have on these sensitive areas. 

It is precisely the loss and fragmentation of these shrubby, small-tree areas that is one of many factors causing declines in bird populations. There are many species that benefit from these habitats.

This is a serious change in the use of the park and should be discussed thoroughly. We are concerned about the speed and lack of discourse of this process which is most unusual.

PUBLIC HEARING

Monday, May 17th at 7:00 p.m. Room 209

Newton City Hall

1000 Commonwealth Avenue

Newton Center, MA 02459

To speak:

call Robin McLaughlin at: 617-796-1500 or email: rmclaughlin@newtonma.gov

Letters:

email letter and ask Robin to distribute to the Parks & Recreation Commission:

rmclaughlin@newtonma.gov

Mother's Day Bird Walk

Today was the Newton Conservator's Annual Mother's Day Bird Walk. We had at least fifteen people of all different levels and experience. The walk was led by Alison Leary.

It was cool and windy, but even under these conditions there were some good sightings.

We started down the river path, but the wind was so loud, it was hard to hear, so we back-tracked and took Florrie's path to the soccer field. We saw an oriole that had started building a nest. Some saw yellow-rumps, robins, song sparrows and catbirds. There was a red-eyed vireo singing in the trees between the soccer field and the upper gardens. Earlier, it was in plain view and I have a picture here to the right, although it's not very detailed.

In the lower gardens, we were greeted by the nesting tree swallows and the bubbly house wren. We also saw several yellow warblers, cowbirds, Baltimore orioles, song sparrows, Cooper's or Sharp-Shinned Hawks flying overhead as well as geese that kept flying back and forth and a red-tailed hawk.

As we moved to the upper gardens, the bluebirds were hanging out in a tree by the path. Later we saw the female on the nest box with her husband nearby. Some of our group saw a prairie warbler and a mourning warbler which is very exciting! I think a redstart was seen up here as well. Somehow, I seemed to keep missing these great sightings! There were goldfinches and more orioles.

Towards the end of the walk we moved down to the lower gardens again. Alison saw an Indigo bunting, but most of us missed it - however many in the group did get to see a Ruby Throated hummingbird which looked quite unusual in the lighting - nothing like the Ruby Throated, but I guess their iridescence can play major tricks on you. Another member of the group, I think it was Cris, saw a couple of American Redstarts down here as well.

This walk is always great fun!

Beautiful Friday at the Park

I went to the park around 6:00 a.m. this morning. It was about 53 degrees but not feeling cold. I feel like the next two weeks will be the most productive for seeing migrants and wasn't sure what the weekend weather will be like so decided to take advantage of good weather.

I've also been reading B. Cassey's entries in the bird register. On May 3rd he saw 45 species including 11 types of warblers. The next day he saw 51 species. This is when I get frustrated with myself that I only see so much because of my skill level!

Today, the lower gardens was so active. Birds were chasing each other, singing, flying and deciding territories etc. It was really fun to watch the action. Yellow warblers, tree swallows, goldfinches, catbirds, robins and song sparrows were all very busy. The house wren still has his eye on that tree swallow box in someone's garden. He's really sticking to that area!

Checked out the swamp, which is getting quite buggy, and heard things that I just didn't know what they were but they sounded good! Saw 3 orioles chasing each other, a titmouse making a beautiful whistling sound and thought I heard the yellow throat, but wasn't sure. No owl though.

In the upper gardens, it was reassuring to see Mrs. Bluebird's little head in the hole of the nest box. The 3 cowbirds have been hanging out up here recently. Lower garden characters up here too, including the catbird singing at top of page as well as this house wren that was singing on top of a scarecrow head with hat! They are so comical!


The soccer fields yielded 2 orioles hanging around the tree they like to nest in down there, a yellow-rump, a red-breasted grosbeak, yellow warblers, a flicker and two males sharing the pond - a wood duck and a mallard. I did not hear or see the wood thrush although Brian has reported 3.

Down by the river, I saw two swans flying overhead which actually is quite a sight. They almost seem too big to fly! Saw a warbling vireo and the phoebe is still sitting on her nest.

Another Exciting Day!

Immediately upon arrival, I heard and saw one of our house wrens in the lower gardens. Actually, I think it was a couple. He is very desirous of a house that I'm pretty sure is and has been in the past occupied by tree swallows. He's even putting sticks in there - so I'll be curious to see what develops with two pretty aggressive birds over this box.

Now, there are many catbirds in addition to the one we saw last week gurgling away. Got to see the yellow warblers myself with their "sweet, sweet, very sweet". It's great to have them back. They love the scrubby areas surrounding the lower gardens as well as the gardens themselves.

In the upper gardens I saw several Savannah sparrows. Saw a pair of cowbirds. The female looked like she wanted to be fed by the male with her wings shuddering and flapping. I don't think it could be a baby cowbird so soon. Does anyone know if this is a special ritual? Also, saw at least three baltimore orioles. Very refreshing to see their bright orange coloring. Did not see the orchard oriole that Haynes saw.

Down by the soccer field and river were more orioles, an angry kinglet, a warbling vireo and a fisherman!

Came back up to check out the gardens again and ran into Ian, met Judy & Chris for the first time and then Haynes as well. Ian spotted an Eastern Towhee in the scrub to the right of the lower gardens. We really don't see that many towhees here so that was quite interesting. Saw more yellow-rumped warblers, Mr. & Mrs. Bluebird and with Ian's sharp eyes the barn swallows that Haynes saw yesterday. Also saw "Lucy" our special song sparrow with the white on her wings!

Orioles and warblers

May 1, 7:00- 10:00 (with an hour out in the middle along the Charles River Walk across Kendrick St).

40 species, spring is definitely here. The highlight was a male Orchard Oriole, pausing briefly in a tree in the lower garden.
The Hermit Thrush was along Florie's Walk. Many Savannah Sparrows along the golf course side of the lower garden, and further along the 'meadow.' Lots of Ruby-crowned Kinglets in song. The Black-and-White Warbler and Northern Parula were up near the JCC.

At least 16 of these species were observed in Angino Farms's proposed "Area 1."

Canada Goose 2
Mallard 2
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Mourning Dove 6
Red-bellied Woodpecker 4
Downy Woodpecker 3
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 2
Eastern Phoebe 1
Red-eyed Vireo 1
Warbling Vireo 4
Blue Jay 2
American Crow 2
Tree Swallow 12
Barn Swallow 2
Black-capped Chickadee 4
Tufted Titmouse 12
White-breasted Nuthatch 4
House Wren 5
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 5
Eastern Bluebird 1
Hermit Thrush 1
American Robin 20
Gray Catbird 3
Northern Parula 1
Yellow Warbler 3
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) 11
Black-throated Green Warbler 1
Palm Warbler (Yellow) 1
Black-and-white Warbler 1
Chipping Sparrow 2
Savannah Sparrow 9
Song Sparrow 8
White-throated Sparrow 2
Northern Cardinal 3
Red-winged Blackbird 6
Common Grackle 8
Brown-headed Cowbird 4
Orchard Oriole 1
Baltimore Oriole 2
American Goldfinch 4