Date: 8/20/26 3:58 pm From: Brian Rusnica <14hawks8owls...> Subject: [Arlington Birds] Eastern Mass Hawk Watch Annual Meeting - 50th Anniversary: IN PERSON! Friday Sept 11th, 2026, 7pm at Middlesex Community College, Bedford Campus. Public Invited!
The 2026 Eastern Mass Hawk Watch annual meeting will be Friday, September
11th at 7pm. We will gather once again at Middlesex Community College in
Bedford, MA. The meeting will take place in the Cafe East section of the
Campus Center. Please find a detailed campus map and driving directions on
our website here: https://massbird.org/emhw/annual-meeting/
2026 marks 50 years of Eastern Mass Hawk Watch. We'd like to extend the
invitation to our meeting to the public and welcome all who are interested
in learning more about hawkwatching and our organization. The annual
meeting is the traditional kick-off to the Fall hawkwatching season in
Massachusetts - it won't be long before the first kettles of Broad-wings
gather over the skies of New England!
Our keynote speaker this year is Mark Wilson, Wildlife Photojournalist and
Teacher Naturalist, presenting his Ten Wild Photos, Ten Wild Stories talk.
Join noted wildlife photojournalist and teacher naturalist Mark Wilson in a
unique slide program that explores some of Markâs best wildlife photos
taken over 30 years in some surprising places. Mark will present ten select
images. Each image will be discussed in-depth as to how and why it was
made. Supporting photos will help explain. Topics of discussion will
include photo techniques, equipment, ethics and natural history, and
staying comfortable and healthy in harsh environments. Aspiring beginner
photographers and traveled veterans alike will find inspiration to assess
and improve their own work. Non-photographers get to peek under the lens
cap and see how a pro comes up with knock-out photos.
Mark Wilson was a staff photographer for the Boston Globe for 23 years.
During those years he also wrote regular columns on photography and birds
for the Globe. His wildlife photos have appeared in a wide variety of
publications including National Geographic (Oct. 1992 cover, bullfrog).
Mark and Marcia Wilson work as a team in the field, exploring remote areas
that few people get to visit. In 2001 they completed a 19-day canoe trip
down a North Slope River in Alaskaâs Arctic Refuge. That trip is the basis
for a chapter Mark wrote for the book Arctic Wings.
The meeting is free and open to the public (donations appreciated). A
social hour with beverages, appetizers and snacks starts at 6pm, followed
at 7pm by a brief business meeting and the keynote presentation. The
business meeting will review EMHW Watch Sites and how you can visit or
participate this upcoming migration season! Weâll also have the return of
our famous raffle, including many raptor-related and birding items and some
fantastic photography. Join us for a great evening!
If you are interested in contributing raffle items, refreshments, or
helping EMHW with the meeting, please let us know at
<e.masshawkwatch...> and we'll be in contact!
For complete information, including directions to the location in Bedford
(plenty of free parking), visit the Eastern Mass Hawk Watch web site at
massbird.org/EMHW.
Date: 8/19/26 8:33 am From: 'PAUL ROBERTS' via Arlington Birds <arlingtonbirds...> Subject: [Arlington Birds] Tyrants Thought To Leave Arlington (Mystic Lakes)
Since May, Eastern Kingbirds have been reasserting their aerial dominance of the Mystic Lakes, and their purported ownership of those bodies of water. Historically, Eastern Kingbirds have nested on either side of the dam, most frequently in the cottonwood known as THE TREE, or THE EAGLE TREE, where most of the year a pair of territorial Bald Eagles frequently perch to oversee the nesting and feeding territories they claim and maintain there. The tree offers great views of both lakes (including the Upper Forebay). It also provides a member of the territorial pair the opportunity to display its white head and tail to any other eagles in the vicinity attracted by apparently great sources of fish and eels and the possibility of nesting in what is in some respects a "gated community." Thus, during much of the year, one might see an adult eagle perched there, until early May when the real owners, a pair of Eastern Kingbirds, returns to nest in THE EAGLE TREE, which in their eyes should be THE EASTERN KINGBIRD TREE. They will harass most any raptor, but especially big, lumbering ones that foolishly decide to perch in it, especially on top of it. Kingbirds will mercilessly harass a sitting eagle, rocking back and forth in the air, literally hitting the head of the eagle, causing it to duck, squirm, and often scream in frustration. Kingbirds are well known to land on the backs and necks of flying raptors, especially aircraft carriers like the Bald Eagle, standing on the neck of the bird pulling out neck feathers one by one, painfully. Kingbirds scientific name is Tyrannus tyrannus, meaning "tyrant, despot or king." You remember playing "king of the hill." That is the essence of a kingbird's life. They are largely insectivores, so do not compete with the eagles or Osprey for food. They just want to show who's boss. (Remind you of anyone nationally?) This year the kingbirds nested in the eastern cove, near the "Osprey Tree," the large bare branches offering a nice perch east of the dam, often frequented by Ospreys and occasionally eagles, herons, and other birds. When Kingbirds see an eagle perched there, it seems genetically required for them to drive the bastards out. They are so effective in driving off the Bald Eagles that after a week or two of hell, the eagles virtually give up trying to perch in some of their most favored spots. However, the past several days KZ has perched in the holy of holies and not been harassed. There are at least two kingbirds still present, but I have the distinct impression, nothing more, that the adults have already dispersed and will soon be migrating to South America and Amazonia for the winter, but have left two kids in charge of their property for several weeks. They perch on the Osprey tree, and often fly watch across the dam. Often they head out over the water maybe 50 yards or so, hovering frantically. They are likely insecting, but also showing the flag. Several weeks ago KZ landed on the Medford Boat Club Dock and was soon harassed by a kingbird. He took off with the kingbird on his back beneath our viewing level, proudly displaying the bright red crown spot that they display only when really agitated. The flycatcher was photographed pulling out feathers beneath us, riding the bucking eagle over the dam, past the boat house. I haven't seen KZ on the dock since or on any of his favorite perches until this week. Several weeks ago Stripe perched on her favorite spot in THE TREE, but within minutes thought she had died and gone to hell. She fled and has not returned to that perch for weeks. What I think are the juvenile kingbirds, fly sentry over the dam, between the Osprey and Eagle tree. Last year, when there were kids with Fae, they "strongly discouraged" juvenile eagles from perching on what the kids knew to be some of Mom and Dad's favorite perches. I saw kingbirds harass a juvenile for almost a third of a mile back to the nest, just to show the kids their place. Speaking of Stripe, she and KZ are still a pair, but rarely together. It currently appears a marriage of "state," at least in his eyes. He has shown minimal interest in her, spends very limited time with her, and l know of only one incident where he left fish (remains) for her. She has been more proactive in the relationship than I've seen him, but this is the down season. The gonads are so small you couldn't find them with a map. When cold fronts start dominating the weather and you're hearing large aircraft taking off over Medford and Arlington, we'll see if the relationship returns to a low boil. Or heating up to a "hard ball stage," for those familiar with making confections. I've seen modest number of nesting eagle pairs over the past twenty years, but I've never seen a male so enthusiastic about his mate as KZ was when he first found Stripe. Was it merely an infatuation, or the basis for young to come? We shall see. Whatever, I expect the juvenile kingbirds will depart within a week or two and the rhythm on the lakes will become more familiar. One note. Since April I have been working through my photos and notes, and observations and photos of several others, seeking to understand what exactly happened with Fae's illness and death, and KZ "selecting" a successor. It has taken much more effort and time than I ever considered. Going through roughly 20-30,000 photos individually, taking new notes from those photos and building up a binder of notes completely separate from thousands of my audio field notes. I was getting close to a conclusion when I lost use of critical applications until I was able to buy and receive a new computer. That was over 6 weeks ago. ("Your computer is scheduled to ship from China in about 45 days.....") I have to go through all my notes again before I start writing. What I can say is that I have been learning more than I ever imagined about eagles and their behavior. About individual eagles and eagles in general. What I observed with MK, KZ and Z74 six years ago was truly unusual. After six years and much more reading and research, I've found no indication that the behavior I observed and reported on then was common or normal, especially at that stage of the breeding season. I have the feeling that what I've seen and hope to report on from this past March and April, is the opposite. Something that is much more common and informative than many "casual" (and I use that term lightly) eagle observers might believe. Whatever, I am certainly learning a lot, and can hopefully help those who are interested learn more. Best, Paul Paul M. Roberts Medford, MA <phawk254...>
Date: 8/19/26 2:32 am From: Paul Devaney <pbdevaney37...> Subject: [Arlington Birds] RE Great Horned Owls
It is now nearly 2 hours of continuous hooting. I finally got out of bed and knelt down at my open front window cupped my hands behind my ears to hear the distant of the two owls. Both are old pros at hooting full phrases. Now the good part. As I looked out across the street I saw one at a time large dark winged figures fly over my house.
Date: 8/19/26 2:16 am From: Paul Devaney <pbdevaney37...> Subject: [Arlington Birds] RE Great Horned Owls
It is now 5:06 AM and two owls have been calling again while also moving
around. Eric Smith posed a question over a week ago regarding a post about
the hooting. He wonder if the owls could be hatch year learning to hoot.
The next time I heard them I listened with that question in mind and
decided they were both old pros. Today I’m not sure. One is definitely an
old pro giving a full hoot. However, the second owl seems to only hoot the
last phrase. An hour and forty five minutes of continuous hooting has just
elapsed.
Date: 8/19/26 1:37 am From: Paul Devaney <pbdevaney37...> Subject: [Arlington Birds] RE Great Horned Owls
It is now 4:30 AM and the Red Bull has definitely worn off. I am down to
hearing only one owl hooting about every thirty seconds, compared to 2 owls
nearly continuously hooting for about one half hour. I don’t know how long
before 3:30 that they started. Still going at 4:36.
I have seen so many photos lately of pet birds that have "escaped" or set
free. So sad. There's a Budgie Parakeet flying around my neighborhood in
Woburn. No one has claimed it being theirs.
Diana Fruguglietti
Woburn
On Sat, Aug 8, 2026, 11:03 AM Janine Hart-Hueber <harthueber...>
wrote:
> Hi All,
>
> I know the picture isn't great but does anyone have an idea of what this
> bird is?
> My husband and I saw it this morning on Milton Street about 7:30ish, and
> he saw it again a little later at a nearby house on Milton St,
> It is quite small (we both initially thought it was a fledgling), has an
> orange beak, a red line through the eye-similar to wrens,
> and it was wren-like, and tawny colored in general. I couldn't find
> anything to fit it on Merlin.
>
> I was wondering if it's maybe a lost pet (finch-like beak- and it was
> eating grass seeds)
> or something that got blown off track from another part of the country?
> Any guesses??
>
> Janine
> East Arlington
> ---------- Forwarded message ---------
> From: Janine Hart-Hueber <jharthueber.arlgs...>
> Date: Sat, Aug 8, 2026 at 10:54 AM
> Subject: Unknown bird
> To: harthueber <harthueber...>
>
>
> Unknown bird
>
> --
> Group home page:
> https://menotomybirdclub.com/ > ---
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
> "Arlington Birds" group.
> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an
> email to arlingtonbirds+<unsubscribe...>
> To view this discussion visit
> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/arlingtonbirds/CAOjQbWSah3jtDqORCVXVt3mNmi7DS-0YuN%<3Di5pZ6hzUpd3qFZg...> > <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/arlingtonbirds/CAOjQbWSah3jtDqORCVXVt3mNmi7DS-0YuN%<3Di5pZ6hzUpd3qFZg...>?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> > .
>
YES! I believe it is a Common Waxbill.
Since it's from Africa, I assume it escaped from a cage somewhere?
Janine
On Sat, Aug 8, 2026 at 12:37 PM Janine Hart-Hueber <harthueber...>
wrote:
> I looked up Zebra Finch but it doesn't have the black and white stripes on
> the tail.
>
> On Sat, Aug 8, 2026 at 11:08 AM Andrew Whitacre <akwhitacre...>
> wrote:
>
>> We'll see if others agree, but it appears to be a zeebra finch, in which
>> case, yes, an escaped pet.
>>
>> Andrew
>>
>> On Sat, Aug 8, 2026 at 11:03 AM Janine Hart-Hueber <harthueber...>
>> wrote:
>>
>>> Hi All,
>>>
>>> I know the picture isn't great but does anyone have an idea of what
>>> this bird is?
>>> My husband and I saw it this morning on Milton Street about 7:30ish, and
>>> he saw it again a little later at a nearby house on Milton St,
>>> It is quite small (we both initially thought it was a fledgling), has an
>>> orange beak, a red line through the eye-similar to wrens,
>>> and it was wren-like, and tawny colored in general. I couldn't find
>>> anything to fit it on Merlin.
>>>
>>> I was wondering if it's maybe a lost pet (finch-like beak- and it was
>>> eating grass seeds)
>>> or something that got blown off track from another part of the country?
>>> Any guesses??
>>>
>>> Janine
>>> East Arlington
>>> ---------- Forwarded message ---------
>>> From: Janine Hart-Hueber <jharthueber.arlgs...>
>>> Date: Sat, Aug 8, 2026 at 10:54 AM
>>> Subject: Unknown bird
>>> To: harthueber <harthueber...>
>>>
>>>
>>> Unknown bird
>>>
>>> --
>>> Group home page:
>>> https://menotomybirdclub.com/ >>> ---
>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google
>>> Groups "Arlington Birds" group.
>>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send
>>> an email to arlingtonbirds+<unsubscribe...>
>>> To view this discussion visit
>>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/arlingtonbirds/CAOjQbWSah3jtDqORCVXVt3mNmi7DS-0YuN%<3Di5pZ6hzUpd3qFZg...> >>> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/arlingtonbirds/CAOjQbWSah3jtDqORCVXVt3mNmi7DS-0YuN%<3Di5pZ6hzUpd3qFZg...>?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >>> .
>>>
>>
I looked up Zebra Finch but it doesn't have the black and white stripes on
the tail.
On Sat, Aug 8, 2026 at 11:08 AM Andrew Whitacre <akwhitacre...>
wrote:
> We'll see if others agree, but it appears to be a zeebra finch, in which
> case, yes, an escaped pet.
>
> Andrew
>
> On Sat, Aug 8, 2026 at 11:03 AM Janine Hart-Hueber <harthueber...>
> wrote:
>
>> Hi All,
>>
>> I know the picture isn't great but does anyone have an idea of what this
>> bird is?
>> My husband and I saw it this morning on Milton Street about 7:30ish, and
>> he saw it again a little later at a nearby house on Milton St,
>> It is quite small (we both initially thought it was a fledgling), has an
>> orange beak, a red line through the eye-similar to wrens,
>> and it was wren-like, and tawny colored in general. I couldn't find
>> anything to fit it on Merlin.
>>
>> I was wondering if it's maybe a lost pet (finch-like beak- and it was
>> eating grass seeds)
>> or something that got blown off track from another part of the country?
>> Any guesses??
>>
>> Janine
>> East Arlington
>> ---------- Forwarded message ---------
>> From: Janine Hart-Hueber <jharthueber.arlgs...>
>> Date: Sat, Aug 8, 2026 at 10:54 AM
>> Subject: Unknown bird
>> To: harthueber <harthueber...>
>>
>>
>> Unknown bird
>>
>> --
>> Group home page:
>> https://menotomybirdclub.com/ >> ---
>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
>> "Arlington Birds" group.
>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an
>> email to arlingtonbirds+<unsubscribe...>
>> To view this discussion visit
>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/arlingtonbirds/CAOjQbWSah3jtDqORCVXVt3mNmi7DS-0YuN%<3Di5pZ6hzUpd3qFZg...> >> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/arlingtonbirds/CAOjQbWSah3jtDqORCVXVt3mNmi7DS-0YuN%<3Di5pZ6hzUpd3qFZg...>?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >> .
>>
>
Date: 8/8/26 8:08 am From: Andrew Whitacre <akwhitacre...> Subject: Re: [Arlington Birds] Fwd: Unknown bird
We'll see if others agree, but it appears to be a zeebra finch, in which
case, yes, an escaped pet.
Andrew
On Sat, Aug 8, 2026 at 11:03 AM Janine Hart-Hueber <harthueber...>
wrote:
> Hi All,
>
> I know the picture isn't great but does anyone have an idea of what this
> bird is?
> My husband and I saw it this morning on Milton Street about 7:30ish, and
> he saw it again a little later at a nearby house on Milton St,
> It is quite small (we both initially thought it was a fledgling), has an
> orange beak, a red line through the eye-similar to wrens,
> and it was wren-like, and tawny colored in general. I couldn't find
> anything to fit it on Merlin.
>
> I was wondering if it's maybe a lost pet (finch-like beak- and it was
> eating grass seeds)
> or something that got blown off track from another part of the country?
> Any guesses??
>
> Janine
> East Arlington
> ---------- Forwarded message ---------
> From: Janine Hart-Hueber <jharthueber.arlgs...>
> Date: Sat, Aug 8, 2026 at 10:54 AM
> Subject: Unknown bird
> To: harthueber <harthueber...>
>
>
> Unknown bird
>
> --
> Group home page:
> https://menotomybirdclub.com/ > ---
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
> "Arlington Birds" group.
> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an
> email to arlingtonbirds+<unsubscribe...>
> To view this discussion visit
> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/arlingtonbirds/CAOjQbWSah3jtDqORCVXVt3mNmi7DS-0YuN%<3Di5pZ6hzUpd3qFZg...> > <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/arlingtonbirds/CAOjQbWSah3jtDqORCVXVt3mNmi7DS-0YuN%<3Di5pZ6hzUpd3qFZg...>?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> > .
>
I know the picture isn't great but does anyone have an idea of what this
bird is?
My husband and I saw it this morning on Milton Street about 7:30ish, and he
saw it again a little later at a nearby house on Milton St,
It is quite small (we both initially thought it was a fledgling), has an
orange beak, a red line through the eye-similar to wrens,
and it was wren-like, and tawny colored in general. I couldn't find
anything to fit it on Merlin.
I was wondering if it's maybe a lost pet (finch-like beak- and it was
eating grass seeds)
or something that got blown off track from another part of the country?
Any guesses??
Janine
East Arlington
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Janine Hart-Hueber <jharthueber.arlgs...>
Date: Sat, Aug 8, 2026 at 10:54 AM
Subject: Unknown bird
To: harthueber <harthueber...>
On Thursday 8/13 the Brookline Bird Club will sponsor a pelagic birding webinar - How do you protect the invisible? The presenter is Sea McKeon from the American Bird Conservancy. This webinar is open to all.
Date: 8/4/26 8:38 am From: <sohzendeh...> Subject: [Arlington Birds] Webinar intro to New England Shorebird Guide
Folks,
As some of you know, for the past 2-1/2 years I worked on a free web app that is designed for smart phones; it helps with shorebird identification. Last week I gave a webinar on shorebirds and the use of the app to the Brookline Bird Club (BBC). It was recorded and generously shared by the BBC, so here is the link:
There are other interesting webinar links on that page as well.
I also remind y'all that BBC is sponsoring a shorebird walk at Winthrop Beach on Tuesday, August 11, at 9 am. Meet at the corner of Winthrop Shore Drive and Sturgis Street.
Date: 8/1/26 10:28 am From: <sohzendeh...> Subject: [Arlington Birds] Shorebird trip to Winthrop Beach Tuesday Aug 11 at 9 am
Folks,
I lead a shorebirds trip to Winthrop Beach on August 11 at 9 am. Meet at the intersection of Winthrop Shore Drive and Sturgis Street. There are a few additional details in the Brookline Bird Club announcement :
Date: 7/29/26 4:32 am From: Paul Ippolito <paulippolito295...> Subject: [Arlington Birds] MBC meeting tonight, Wednesday, Jul 29
Fellow MBC members,
As a reminder, we have a scheduled MBC Meeting tonight, Wednesday July 29th
at the Woburn Public Library.
*Wednesday, July 29*
*6:30 PM Social Time, 7:00 Meeting Start*
*New England Shorebird Guide*
*Soheil Zendeh – Woburn Public Library - 45 Pleasant Street*
Please join the Menotomy Bird Club on Wednesday, July 29th @ 7:00 PM at the
Woburn Public Library in the Program Room, as we will have Soheil talk us
through how to use this guide for all of your birding adventures.
Shorebirds are a group of sandpipers, plovers and other associated species
with rapidly declining populations. This is particularly true of shorebirds
that nest in Arctic or far northern areas and migrate through our region to
Central or South America. These long-distance migratory birds are among the
least known of our wildlife.
To familiarize folks with these birds and encourage conservation efforts,
the New England Shorebird Guide has been created, a digital-only field
guide accessible freely on the Bird Observer site. This web app can be
downloaded to your smart phone, tablet or computer.
In the talk, Soheil will explain to you some of the challenges faced by
shorebirds in their epic migrations and also explain the workings of the
shorebird app.
Date: 7/27/26 5:20 am From: Paul Ippolito <paulippolito295...> Subject: [Arlington Birds] MBC meeting Wednesday, Jul 29
Fellow MBC members,
As a reminder, we have a scheduled MBC Meeting on Wednesday this week.
*Wednesday, July 29*
*6:30 PM Social Time, 7:00 Meeting Start *
*New England Shorebird Guide*
*Soheil Zendeh – Woburn Public Library - 45 Pleasant Street*
Please join the Menotomy Bird Club on Wednesday, July 29th @ 7:00 PM at the
Woburn Public Library in the Program Room, as we will have Soheil talk us
through how to use this guide for all of your birding adventures.
Shorebirds are a group of sandpipers, plovers and other associated species
with rapidly declining populations. This is particularly true of shorebirds
that nest in Arctic or far northern areas and migrate through our region to
Central or South America. These long-distance migratory birds are among the
least known of our wildlife.
To familiarize folks with these birds and encourage conservation efforts,
the New England Shorebird Guide has been created, a digital-only field
guide accessible freely on the Bird Observer site. This web app can be
downloaded to your smart phone, tablet or computer.
In the talk, Soheil will explain to you some of the challenges faced by
shorebirds in their epic migrations and also explain the workings of the
shorebird app.
Date: 7/25/26 9:46 am From: David B <dkbeanlaw...> Subject: [Arlington Birds] Hummer
I’ve had a hummingbird feeder on my porch for years and I get, I think,
just one hummingbird (a female). It’s probably the same bird year after
year. Are there so few hummers around that she would have no mate? Would
her mate not frequent the feeder too? I don’t get why I see only one.
