Date: 10/13/26 12:18 pm From: 'Paul Peterson' via Boston Birds <bostonbirds...> Subject: [BostonBirds] 10/13 Black-billed Cuckoo in Fenway Victory Gardens at 1:30 p.m.
Hi,
I had already been birding in the gardens for three hours when I decided to go down the very short ROW F. I had only gone fifteen steps or so, when a bird landed on a fence quite close to me. I immediately put up my binoculars. I was so stunned by there being a cuckoo right in front of me that it didn't immediately register with me that the cuckoo with the all black bill was a Black-billed Cuckoo. Almost immediately a Blue Jay, and then a Northern Flicker flew down next to the bird, which caused it to fly off to presumably somewhere else within the gardens.
Great Blue Heron 1 without the gardens, but along the Muddy River
Green-winged Teal 1 monuments area
Wood Duck 5
BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO 1
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1 in their favorite tree, i.e. the willow near the end of Row O
Eastern Phoebe 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 4
Blackpoll Warbler 3
CLAY-COLORED SPARROW 1 continuing for four days now; end of Row C; also near very small silver maple grove
White-throated Sparrow 13
Song Sparrow 10
Swamp Sparrow 4
Dark-eyed Junco 3
Date: 10/9/26 6:30 pm From: Soheil Zendeh <sohzendeh...> Subject: [BostonBirds] Next Bear Creek, Saugus, walk on Sunday October 25 at 9 am; report for October 4 walk
Folks,
The next walk at Bear Creek Sanctuary in Saugus is scheduled for Sunday, October 25 at 9 am. Details at the end of this email.
The Bear Creek walk on October 4 was attended by a hearty crew of 6 who enjoyed gorgeous views of the upland meadows in their early fall glory. Passerine migrants were somewhat scarce, but a passel of incredibly tame American Golden-Plovers and a varied collection of raptors made up for it. The ebird list for the walk is below:
Bear Creek Sanctuary (restricted access), Essex, Massachusetts, US
Oct 4, 2026, 9:10 AM - 12:36 PM
Protocol: Traveling
1.774 mile(s)
29 species
Canada Goose 6
American Black Duck 10
Mourning Dove 2
American Golden-Plover 5 All dark short billed plovers in flight
American Herring Gull 85
Great Black-backed Gull 7
Double-crested Cormorant 14
Great Egret 8
Great Blue Heron 1
Osprey 1
Cooper's Hawk 2
Bald Eagle 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 1 Pale wing crescents, long-tailed buteo with upper breast dark spots, no patagial marks.
Belted Kingfisher 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
American Kestrel 1
Blue Jay 5
American Crow 1
Common Raven 2
European Starling 40
Northern Mockingbird 1
American Robin 4
House Sparrow 5
American Pipit 40 Large flock. Undercount
American Goldfinch 2
Savannah Sparrow 8
Song Sparrow 3
Yellow-rumped Warbler 1
Northern Cardinal 3
Bear Creek is an upland sanctuary built on the WINWaste (formerly Wheelabrator) landfill at the northeast corner of Rumney Marsh in Saugus and Revere. Access information is below. Wear waterproof walking shoes and be prepared to hike 3 – 4 miles. The property is mostly very open, so be prepared for sun, wind and weather.
This walk is free and open to the public, but also note that this property is accessible by invitation only and visitors need to be chaperoned at all times. Please allow roughly 4 hours for this field trip. The actual length of the trip depends on conditions and the birds present. It's usually difficult to break up the party if you need to be somewhere in the early afternoon. Come prepared to stay with the group.
WINWaste company has graciously stocked up on some extra pairs of binoculars, so if you or someone you know wants to learn about birds and birding, come on down. Please let Geoff Wilson <s2ary...><mailto:<s2ary...> know you're coming so we can have a head count.
Bear Creek Sanctuary access is via the WINWaste plant, 100 Salem Turnpike (Rte 107), Saugus<https://www.google.com/maps/search/100+Salem+Turnpike+(Rte+107),+Saugus?entry=gmail&source=g>. The rotary at the intersection of Rtes 60 and 107 is about 1½ miles southwest of the plant and about 1 mile east of Rte 1 exit on Rte 60. When traveling northeast on 107, if you go over the Ballard Street bridge (just after a set of lights) you’ve gone too far — turn back. Here is a link to google maps:
When you arrive, drive through the plant gates, park in the parking lot immediately and wait for the group. Please do not drive farther into the property without an escort.
Date: 10/7/26 2:40 pm From: Soheil Zendeh <sohzendeh...> Subject: [BostonBirds] Next Bear Creek, Saugus, walk on Sunday, October 25 at 9 am; report for October 4 walk
Folks,
The next walk at Bear Creek Sanctuary in Saugus is scheduled for Sunday, October 25 at 9 am. Details at the end of this email.
If you are interested in additional exploratory or birding walks at Rumney Marsh (the marsh that surrounds Bear Creek), join the Rumney Marsh Conservancy walk with Nature Man Mike at Rumney Marsh DCR Park, 111 Ballard Street, Saugus MA:
The Bear Creek walk on October 4 was attended by a hearty crew of 6 who enjoyed gorgeous views of the upland meadows in their early fall glory. Passerine migrants were somewhat scarce, but a passel of incredibly tame American Golden-Plovers and a varied collection of raptors made up for it. The ebird list for the walk is below:
Bear Creek Sanctuary (restricted access), Essex, Massachusetts, US
Oct 4, 2026, 9:10 AM - 12:36 PM
Protocol: Traveling
1.774 mile(s)
29 species
Canada Goose 6
American Black Duck 10
Mourning Dove 2
American Golden-Plover 5 All dark short billed plovers in flight
American Herring Gull 85
Great Black-backed Gull 7
Double-crested Cormorant 14
Great Egret 8
Great Blue Heron 1
Osprey 1
Cooper's Hawk 2
Bald Eagle 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 1 Pale wing crescents, long-tailed buteo with upper breast dark spots, no patagial marks.
Belted Kingfisher 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
American Kestrel 1
Blue Jay 5
American Crow 1
Common Raven 2
European Starling 40
Northern Mockingbird 1
American Robin 4
House Sparrow 5
American Pipit 40 Large flock. Undercount
American Goldfinch 2
Savannah Sparrow 8
Song Sparrow 3
Yellow-rumped Warbler 1
Northern Cardinal 3
Bear Creek is an upland sanctuary built on the WINWaste (formerly Wheelabrator) landfill at the northeast corner of Rumney Marsh in Saugus and Revere. Access information is below. Wear waterproof walking shoes and be prepared to hike 3 – 4 miles. The property is mostly very open, so be prepared for sun, wind and weather.
This walk is free and open to the public, but also note that this property is accessible by invitation only and visitors need to be chaperoned at all times. Please allow roughly 4 hours for this field trip. The actual length of the trip depends on conditions and the birds present. It's usually difficult to break up the party if you need to be somewhere in the early afternoon. Come prepared to stay with the group.
WINWaste company has graciously stocked up on some extra pairs of binoculars, so if you or someone you know wants to learn about birds and birding, come on down. Please let Geoff Wilson <s2ary...> know you're coming so we can have a head count.
Bear Creek Sanctuary access is via the WINWaste plant, 100 Salem Turnpike (Rte 107), Saugus. The rotary at the intersection of Rtes 60 and 107 is about 1½ miles southwest of the plant and about 1 mile east of Rte 1 exit on Rte 60. When traveling northeast on 107, if you go over the Ballard Street bridge (just after a set of lights) you’ve gone too far — turn back. Here is a link to google maps:
When you arrive, drive through the plant gates, park in the parking lot immediately and wait for the group. Please do not drive farther into the property without an escort.
Date: 10/1/26 4:06 pm From: 'Paul Peterson' via Boston Birds <bostonbirds...> Subject: [BostonBirds] 9/30 Six Warbler Species in West Roxbury, etc.
I went birding at Hancock Woods. i then birded at Brook Farm Reservation, which is one-hundred and seventy-nine acres in size. It is also quite beautiful, and the birds seem to think so too
Wood Duck 12 Red-shouldered Hawk 1+ HW accipiter sp. 2 B.F. raptor sp. 2 one was perhaps an owl that got flushed Hairy Woodpecker 2 Pileated Woodpecker 1 BF; heard but wouldn't allow me to see it (third bridge) Red-eyed Vireo 1 HW Common Raven 1 House Wren 1 BF Blackpoll Warbler 14 seven each place Northern Parula 1 BF Northern Waterthrush 1 BF Common Yellowthroat 1 BF Black-throated Green Warbler 1 HW Black and White Warbler 1 same area as above bird Scarlet Tanager 1 female BF Spring Peeper 13 combined
Date: 9/26/26 12:06 pm From: 'JOHN MCELLIGOTT' via Boston Birds <bostonbirds...> Subject: Re: [BostonBirds] Postponed: Bear Creek walk for Sunday, September 27; new date: Sunday, October 4, 9 am
Got it.
Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone
On Saturday, September 26, 2026, 11:54 AM, Soheil Zendeh <sohzendeh...> wrote:
#yiv7675645614 P {margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;}Folks,
The Bear Creek, Saugus, Sunday for September 27 has been postponed. New date is Sunday, October 4 at 9 am. Details for attending this walk are below.
Bear Creek is an upland sanctuary built on the WINWaste (formerly Wheelabrator) landfill at the northeast corner of Rumney Marsh in Saugus and Revere. Access information is below. Wear waterproof walking shoes and be prepared to hike 3 – 4 miles. The property is mostly very open, so be prepared for sun, wind and weather.
This walk is free and open to the public, but also note that this property is accessible by invitation only and visitors need to be chaperoned at all times. Please allow roughly 4 hours for this field trip. The actual length of the trip depends on conditions and the birds present. It's usually difficult to break up the party if you need to be somewhere in the early afternoon. Come prepared to stay with the group.
WINWaste company has graciously stocked up on some extra pairs of binoculars, so if you or someone you know wants to learn about birds and birding, come on down. Please let Geoff Wilson <s2ary...> know you're coming so we can have a head count.
Bear Creek Sanctuary access is via the WINWaste plant, 100 Salem Turnpike (Rte 107), Saugus. The rotary at the intersection of Rtes 60 and 107 is about 1½ miles southwest of the plant and about 1 mile east of Rte 1 exit on Rte 60. When traveling northeast on 107, if you go over the Ballard Street bridge (just after a set of lights) you’ve gone too far — turn back. Here is a link to google maps:
When you arrive, drive through the plant gates, park in the parking lot immediately and wait for the group. Please do not drive farther into the property without an escort.
Date: 9/23/26 3:05 pm From: 'Paul Peterson' via Boston Birds <bostonbirds...> Subject: [BostonBirds] 9/22 Fenway Highlights
Great Blue Heron 1 Wood Duck 5 Green-winged Teal 1 Osprey 1 Red-tailed Hawk 1 Mourning Dove 12 Black and White Warbler 2 Common Yellowthroat 3 Blackpoll Warbler 3
LEPIDS:
American Lady 3 Monarch 10 Clouded Sulphur 1 Cabbage White 20
Date: 9/20/26 12:12 pm From: 'Paul Peterson' via Boston Birds <bostonbirds...> Subject: [BostonBirds] 22 Caspian Terns in Squantum Today
Seen from 11:45-12:35, when they flew off the sand spit that is along East Squantum St.opposite Heath St,. Quite a sight to behold all roosting rather tightly. They may linger in the area a few days or more.
Great Egret 8 Snowy Egret 5 Great Blue Heron 4 Green-winged Teal 21 American Black Duck 10 Osprey 1+ Semipalmated Plover 7 Semipalmated Sandpiper 300 roughly Lesser Yellowlegs 1 salt pan American Oystercatcher 1 sand spit Laughling Gull 10 CASPIAN TERN 22 exact count Common Yellowthroat 1+ House Finch 50 approximately
Date: 9/15/26 5:35 pm From: 'Paul Peterson' via Boston Birds <bostonbirds...> Subject: [BostonBirds] 9/15 Pectoral Sandpipers at Millennium Park, etc.
Great Blue Heron 3 Wood Duck 9 HOODED MERGANSER 1 female Northern Harrier 1 Merlin 1 possibly Red-shouldered Hawk 1 Killdeer 4 Semipalmated Plover 7 Semipalmated Sandpiper 2 Least Sandpiper 3+ Lesser Yellowlegs 2 Spotted Sandpiper/Solitary 3 PECTORAL SANDPIPER 4 together opposite side of canoe launch; closer to bridge than launch; Belted Kingfisher 1 Savannah Sparrow 1
Paul Peterson <petersonpaul63...> Boston
Savannah Sparrow 1
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Date: 9/13/26 12:33 pm From: 'Paul Peterson' via Boston Birds <bostonbirds...> Subject: [BostonBirds] 9/11 Whimbrel at Belle Isle Marsh, etc.
On Friday, I birded from 12:00=4:40. I started at Fishermen's Bend Park in Winthrop. From thence, I went to a very dead Winthrop Beach (high tide). I then concluded at Belle Isle Marsh. The WHIMBREL was certainly a very nice surpirse. Also, I had a surpisingly high number of butterfly species. Unless noticed, all birds were from Belle Isle.
Great Blue Heron 1
Great Egret 13
Snowy Egret 18
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Cooper's Hawk 1
Peregrine Falcon 1
Semipalmated Plover 1 (where are they all?)
Killdeer 1+ Winthrop Beach
Black-bellied Plover 10 Fishermen's Bend Park
WIMBREL 1 Furthest panne down; on back side near water's edge; repeatedly popped up its head while feeding
Least Sandpiper 10
peep sp. 6
Lesser Yellowlegs 7
Greater Yellowlegs 3 two at Fishermen's Bend Park
dowitcher sp. 1 Fishermen's Bend Park
Solitary Sandpiper 1
American Oystercatcher 40 F.B. P. also two at Winthrop Beach
LEPIDS:
Monarch 7
Spring Azure 4 including one at Winthrop Beach
Red Admiral 1
Mourning Cloak 1
Cabbage White 20
Orange Sulphur 10
Clouded Sulphur 3
Horace's Duskywing ? 1
Pearl Crescent 1
