Trip Highlights

Seven members joined together on a snowy morning to visit the Honey Pot in Hadley. There were hopes to find the Western Meadowlark that had been reported, but it was not to be.  However, the trip had several consolation prizes that would bring a smile to any birder’s face. Click below to view trip list.

The day was cold and windy, with temps hardly breaking 30 degrees and the wind bringing the “feels like” temp to 20.  Our small group left Ludlow and headed straight for Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge on Morris Island in Chatham. The trip was scheduled for Falmouth and Sandwich birding, but that plan was rerouted when we read about various sightings of a western hawk in the Chatham area.  It was a Ferruginous Hawk, very rare in this locale, and would be a state bird for most birders gathered there that morning.  The parking lot was full and there was even a reporter from the Cape Cod Times present to capture a few photos and get the birding excitement in the news.  While hunting for the hawk, we managed to spot a Hermit Thrush, several Northern Gannets, Common Loons, Long-tailed Ducks, White-winged Scoters and a Cooper’s Hawk that flew in, just a few feet in front of us, and perched very close in a leafless shrub.  He did not seem daunted by the small crowd of birders gathered there.  Alas, the Ferruginous Hawk was not to be found by anyone that day.  Many birders had been there before daylight in heated search, so by 11:30 AM we gave up hope and turned our combing to less rare species at other locations.

Since we were so far out on the Cape, we decided to hit some beaches that had never been explored on this annual January trip.  At West Dennis Beach the reported Lesser Black-backed Gull was observed in good light, along with 15 Sanderlings, and Common Goldeneye, Bufflehead and Common Eider were surfing the waters.  

Onward to the next stop, Eugenia Fortes Beach in Hyannis, home of the Kennedy Compound.  We searched in vain for the reported Black-headed Gull, but this bird was also not to be spotted by any-one that day.  While walking the beach, we passed in front of the Kennedy mansion.  Interesting, but we agreed that finding the gull would have been our preference.  

The next stop on our route brought us to the Mill Pond at Marston’s Mill.  Here we racked up a few dabbling ducks, including Green-winged Teal and Northern Pintail, as well as a couple of Mute Swans.  Next, we headed back to the shore to Loop Beach in Cotuit and were rewarded with a male and female Barrow’s Goldeneye among the many Common Goldeneye.

We next journeyed inland to Old Meeting House Road in Falmouth, where we hoped to find an Ash-throated Flycatcher that was most recently spotted just two hours previous to our arrival.  This flycatcher is a western bird, whose winter range is Mexico and Central America.  Unfortunately for us, a Sharp-shinned Hawk swept low in the area as we approached and a Red-tailed Hawk was perched in the tree right above.  This could very well be the reason we did not get eyes on the flycatcher.

Shawme Pond in Sandwich was next, and while driving in we noticed a throng of ducks at the north end of the pond.  Searching through 130 American Wigeon and a few Hooded Mergansers, we found the lone male Eurasian Wigeon.  It is a stunning bird and the light was great for us to take it all in.  Also at Shawme were a Ring-necked Duck, 45 Gadwall, 2 Bufflehead, Mallards and Canada Geese.  The trees and bushes along the shore often give us a variety of land birds and this day was no different.  We picked up a flock of 50 Robins, a Hairy and a Red-bellied Woodpecker, a Tufted Titmouse, 2 White-throated and 3 Song Sparrows, 3 White-breasted Nuthatches, a Catbird and another Cooper’s Hawk perched low nearby.

It was getting late, and skipping Town Neck Rd, we sped over to Scusset Beach only to find that the gates to the beach close at 4:00 PM.  The guard was nice enough to allow us entrance at 3:45 for a quick look around.  Not having time to walk out to the beach overlook, we settled for scanning the canal to find a Great Cormorant, 4 Red-breasted Mergansers, 3 Common Loons, 22 White-winged Scoters, Black Ducks, Mallards and a raft of 500+ Common Eider, but no Razorbills.

Our last stop with dimming light was at the south end of Great Herring Pond.  Here we added 60 Lesser Scaup, 15 Common Goldeneye, a Hooded Merganser, 3 Common Loons and another Great Cormorant.  By dark we had identified a total of 48 species.  It turned out to be a great birding day after all, despite the cold weather!

This was our 34th year of participation in Audubon’s Christmas Count as Cobble Mtn Circle, with our first count taking place in 1991.  Here’s a rundown of how we did this year compared to past years.  We brought in a total of 61 species, down five species from last year, eight species from 2022, but just two below average over all the years.  Observer effort was up by one birder and hours in the field was up by four, both were above average for the count.  

Conditions for the count were fairly comfortable.  Waters were mostly unfrozen and open, with some ice along the edges and covering shallow areas. The temperature ranged from 23-30 degrees, clouds prevailed throughout the day, with some light snow in the morning.  Winds were from the northwest at 5-30 mph, mostly light in the morning and increasing in the afternoon with stronger gusts.

There were several species found in higher numbers than usual.  Of these, four species were at an all-time high, Red-bellied Woodpeckers at 68 (avg 29), Winter Wren at 4 (avg 2), Dark-eyed Juncos at 1384 (avg 636) and Common Grackles at 2,000 (avg 320).  The grackles were found in one flock by Al and Lois.  Other high counts were Tufted Titmouse at 228 (avg 143, max 230 in 2004), Carolina Wren at 35 (max 46 in 2023), and American Tree Sparrow at 114 (numbers have been well below 100 from 2007-2023).  

There was just one species found in notably lower numbers than usual.  The Northern Mockingbird count of a just 5 individuals this year was the lowest ever in count history (avg 32, max 59).  

We were fortunate to find some rarer species.  It seems Congamond always comes through for us, and this year the lakes gave us a Common Loon (last seen in 2011).  Two teams found Fish Crow, though as Dave suggested, it might be the same individual as the territories were adjacent.  Red-headed Woodpecker was found by Josh in the Southwick WMA, with the only other count sightings occurring in 1997 and 1998.  Finally, White-crowned Sparrow spotted by Dave and Kim was only recorded on one other count since 2006.

Unfortunate misses this year were Horned Lark and Purple Finch (both hit or miss species on the count), Red-breasted Nuthatch (only missed on 3 other counts over the years), and Cedar Waxwing (first year missed in count history).

One count week species was added by Dorrie Holmes, and a very special species at that, a Northern Saw-whet Owl.

Special thanks to Joanne Fortin, who hosted the compilation and is always so gracious about sharing her home with the group.

Click below to view or download complete count results.

2024 Cobble Mtn CBC Results

Click below to view or download complete count results.

2024 SPFLD CBC Results

Seven participants braved an early morning cold and windy start to a wonderful day of bird watching. As is typical the day started at the Jodrey State Fish Pier which provided a viewing of the typical candidates such as the Common Eiders, Surf Scoters, Long-tailed ducks and Double-crested Cormorants along with others. As the trip proceeded to Rocky Neck beach and Niles Beach more ducks were added such as the Red-breasted Merganser, Bufflehead, White-winged Scoter along with an adult Bald Eagle. At Eastern point we were graced with a great viewing of a Green-winged Teal.

Moving back up the shoreline we were on the lee side of the cape providing much awaited warmth. Stopping at Niles Pond we were not disappointed as restricted open water due to ice that developed during the previous cold weather conditions contained its occupants. Many ducks were on display with great late morning lighting. Among the ducks seen were Ruddy, Greater Scaup, Ring-necked, Mallard, Wood Duck and 25 Hooded Mergansers. On to the Elks parking lot along Atlantic Ave, where we got a view of more Scoters, Red-necked Grebes, a Black Guillemot and 3 Northern Gannets. After taking a lunch break, we continued on our journey with a stop at Pebble Beach, which had a limited viewing due to the angle of the sun. Around the corner lay Loblolly cove which gave us a viewing of the Harlequin Ducks, another Black Guillemot and a couple of Northern Harriers. Our last stop was Old Granite Pier which provided more of the previously seen ducks and gulls. As there was a rare bird sighting in our path home, we made a side trip to Mass Audubon’s Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary for a Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, which a couple of lucky participants had the opportunity to see. Also at the location we had a viewing of a Merlin flyover and landing in a distant tree.

All in all, everyone had a great day of birdwatching with a total of 50 species.