Geese through Hummingbirds

A sparse showing for Ross’s Geese comprised singles 24 Oct–24 Nov at Dead Creek WMA, Addison Co, VT (Bruce MacPherson et al., phs) and 17 Sep–2 Oct at Limestone, Aroostook Co, ME (Wayne Selfridge, Bill Sheehan et al., phs). A flock of three Pink-footed Geese wandered around the Northampton area, Hampshire Co, MA, to Deerfield, Franklin Co, MA, from 3 Oct to 21 Nov (Matt McKenna, m. ob., phs). One was at Broad Brook Mill Pond, East Windsor, Hartford Co, CT, 2–3 Nov (Jeff Fengler et al., phs). A single Barnacle Goose accounted for reports from 20 Oct to 9 Nov ranging from Longmeadow, Hampden Co, MA, to Ellington, Tolland Co, CT (Abigail Wolcott et al. phs).

Away from the coast, single Eurasian Wigeon were reported from Auburn, Androsoggin Co, ME, on 30 Sep (Trish Berube, phs) and from Milton, Chittenden Co, VT, on 23 Oct (Brian Cole). Single Eared Grebes spanned the season at North Pond, Smithfield, Somerset Co, ME, on 10 Aug (D.K. Lessard et al., phs), and at Hummock Pond, Nantucket, 25–27 Nov (Louis Dentiste et al., phs). The only White-winged Dove was on Nantucket from 10–13 Nov (Trish Pastuszak et al., phs). A Chimney Swift roost at an elementary school in Woodbury, Litchfield Co, CT, held 900+ birds on 7 Sep (Russ Naylor). There were only three Rufous Hummingbirds for the season, two in CT and one in MA. Two were short-term visitors, but one that arrived 9 Nov at feeders in Cos Cob, Fairfield Co, CT, remained through the season and deep into winter (Greg Kramer, m. ob., phs).

Rallids through Shorebirds

Common Gallinules were widely reported but managed to elude observers in CT. Tame juvenile Purple Gallinules, part of an unusual seasonal invasion, were at Orleans, Barnstable Co, MA, on 23 Oct (Keegan Burke, phs) and at Eel Point, Nantucket 24–27 Oct (Louis Dentiste, et al., phs). Other immatures consisted of one 14–17 Oct at Greenville, Piscataquis Co, ME, (Aletha Boyle et al. phs); 20–27 Oct at Rogers Park Pond, Kennebunk, York Co, ME, (Kristen Holmberg et al., phs); and 31 Oct–2 Nov at Capt. Sargent Conservation Land, West Acton, Middlesex Co, MA (Matt Altieri et al, phs). A disoriented Yellow Rail found on 16 Sep on Gold Star Highway in Groton, New London Co, CT, was rehabilitated and released in a local salt marsh (Nicole Niegel, phs). Another was found along a road in Niantic, New London Co, on 13 Oct and also was rehabbed and released (Nicole Niegel, phs).

A first for Massachusetts, a Siberian Sand-Plover was found on 14 Aug at South Cape Beach SP, Mashpee, Barnstable Co (Mary Kelleher, m. ob. phs). It was present to at least 22 Aug. One on 5 Aug at Napatree Point, Washington Co, RI, was very likely the same bird (P. Carl, phs). These sightings follow a record from the St. Lawrence R., Quebec. A storm system on 23 Sep brought a flyby flock of 20 Hudsonian Godwits, unusually large for Connecticut, to Penfield Beach, Fairfield Co (Julie Wilson, Aidan Kiley, Chase McCabe, phs). The 12 reports of Wilson’s Phalaropes were widely scattered, with every state having at least one. They were mostly in Aug, with the latest, by a wide margin, on 26 Sep at Napatree Point, Washington Co, RI (Sue Palmer, phs). Scattered inland Red Phalaropes comprised two each in VT and NH and one each in CT and MA. The best inland count of Red-necked Phalaropes was three on 15 Aug at Rocky Hill Meadows in Hartford Co, CT (Sara Zagorski et al.). A late Stilt Sandpiper lingered to 10 Nov at Hammonasset (Chris Unsworth, Alan Malina, phs).

Jaegers through Sulids

A sub-adult Long-tailed Jaeger was an exciting find well away from pelagic waters at Hammonasset on 26 Aug (Monica Nichols, phs). A Sabine’s Gull was at Race Point, Provincetown, Barnstable Co, MA, on 7–17 Sep (Keegan Burke et al., phs); there was another Cape Cod sighting on 16 Sep at First Encounter Beach (Valerie Burdette et al., phs). The only inland Little Gulls were on Lake Champlain, with up to two at Grand Isle Co, VT, 14–15 Oct (David Hoag, Graham Rice) and singles on 28 Oct at Chimney Point, Addison Co, VT (David Guertin) and 10 Nov at Whiskey Bay, Chittenden Co, VT (John Peckham). Single Franklin’s Gulls were found on 5 Aug at Allen’s Pond Wildlife Sanctuary, Bristol Co, MA (Matthew Eckerson, phs); on 4 Sep in Freedom, Carroll Co, NH, (Andrea & George Robbins, phs); and on 18 Nov at Prebbles Point, York Co, ME (Robert Dixon, phs).

A Sandwich Tern was a great find on 2 Aug at Monomoy NWR, Barnstable Co, MA (Peter Flood et al., phs). Black Skimmers, limited to the coastal southern tier, appeared almost exclusively in single digits, except on Martha’s Vineyard, where counts of up to 76 were logged in early Aug at Edgartown, Dukes Co, MA (Scott Dresser et al., phs). A late one lingered there until 14 Oct, (Nancy Nordin). During an overnight pelagic trip to waters off Nantucket 28–29 Aug species recorded included at least two White-faced Storm-Petrels and at least three Band-rumped Storm-Petrels (Brookline Bird Club et al., phs). Three Brown Booby sightings, all in MA, were at Race Point, Barnstable Co, on 6 Aug (Ted Bradford, Jack Yanko, phs); near Gloucester, Essex Co, on 8 Aug (Andy Sanford, phs); and at First Encounter Beach, Barnstable Co, on 26 Sep (Liam Waters, phs).

Loons through Woodpeckers

In keeping with recent trends, single Pacific Loons were at Lubec, Washington Co, ME on 11 Sep (Elaine Marie, phs); at Star I., Rye, Rockingham Co, NH, 29–30 Sep (Eric Masterson et al., phs); at Race Point, Provincetown, Barnstable Co, MA, on 3 Nov (Ted Bradford, phs); and at Trustom Pond NWR, Washington Co, RI, on 26 Nov (Dan Berard, phs). The high count of Western Cattle Egrets was three, 2–3 Nov on Nantucket (Sky Kardell et al., phs). The farthest north was at Adams Corner, York Co, ME, from 24–28 Oct (Turk Duddy, m. ob.). A Yellow-crowned Night-Heron was far north on 23 Sep at Smyrna Mills, Aroostook Co, ME (Ryan and Ashlee Duff, phs). An immature Roseate Spoonbill, Connecticut’s fourth and the only one for the season in New England, was found on 24 Aug at Milford Point, New Haven Co, and was seen there and in nearby Stratford, Fairfield Co, through Oct 8 (Roger Mann, Frank Mantlik, m. ob., phs.).

Single Swallow-tailed Kites were present 9–19 Aug near Mashpee, Barnstable Co, MA (Cape Cod Rarities, phs). and on 27 Aug at White River Junction, Windsor, VT (Michael Foster, phs). A new Mississippi Kite nest at an undisclosed site in NH, where nesting has been known for several years, produced sightings of a pair with one young in the nest on 24 Aug and the fledged young in the air to at least 7 Sep (Steve Mirick, phs). Single Swainson’s Hawks were in Lexington, Middlesex Co, MA of 24 Sept (Jason Forbes, phs); at Archer Brook, Hancock Co, ME from 25 Sep to 15 Oct (Turk Duddy et al.); on 16 Oct at Halifax, Plymouth Co, MA (Elizabeth Vacchino phs); from Putney Mountain Hawk Watch, Windham Co, VT, on 31 Oct; at Provincetown, Barnstable Co, MA, on 4 Nov (Matthew Lambert, phs); and from Lighthouse Point Hawk Watch, New Haven Co, CT, on 12 Nov (Abby Sesselberg phs). Superlatives are the order of the day when American Three-toed Woodpecker makes an appearance, as two did on 18 Aug near Baxter State Park in Piscataquis Co, ME (“Like finding Big Foot,” according to Gabriel Willow, phs).

Flycatchers through Wheatear

Among flycatcher highlights was a Western Wood-Pewee on 26 Oct, at Kennebunkport, York Co, ME (Luke Seitz et al., phs). Connecticut produced two late Empidonax flycatchers—an Alder Flycatcher on Nov 2 at Silver Sands State Park in Milford, New Haven Co (John Oshlick, phs) and a Least Flycatcher on Nov 8 in Niantic, New London Co, (Jo Fasciolo, phs). A first for Rhode Island, a Western Flycatcher was at Burlingame SP, Charlestown, Washington Co, 20–30 Nov and beyond (Carlos Pedro m. ob., phs). Continuing the Empid excitement, a state first Hammonds Flycatcher was at Monhegan I., Lincoln Co, ME, Oct 12–18 (Luke Seitz et al., phs) and another was at Crane Swamp Recreation Area, Worcester Co, MA, on 15 Nov (Timothy Spahr et al., phs). Say’s Phoebes were at Plum Island on 23 Oct (Dan Prima, phs) and at Snake Den State Park, Providence Co, RI, on 13 Oct (Alan Schenck et al., phs). A total of nine Ash-throated Flycatchers was exceptional: six in MA, two in NH and one in ME. Maine had two unusually early Western Kingbirds: one on 1 Sep at Biddeford Pool, York Co (Luke Seitz et al., phs) and one 20–21 Sep in Whiting, Washington Co (David Nelson et al., phs). In the more expected late Oct to Nov time frame, ME had one more, MA had three, CT had two and RI had one. A Scissor-tailed Flycatcher was on Nantucket 23–29 Nov (Trish Pastuszek et al, phs).

Three Bell’s Vireos for the season were at Cove Island Wildlife Sanctuary in Stamford, Fairfield Co, CT, 21–25 Oct (PDu et al., phs); at Fisherman’s Memorial State Park in Galilee, Washington Co, RI, 11–16 Nov (Sam Miller, Liam Corcoran et al., phs); and at Black Point, Martha’s Vineyard, Dukes Co, MA, on 6 Nov (Charles Morano et al., phs). A Cave Swallow was very early on 9 Sep at Bluff Point SP in Groton, New London Co, CT (Russ Smiley, phs), but none were reported in the typical late fall window. Six Sedge Wrens for the season comprised three in MA and one each in CT, RI and ME. Townsend’s Solitaires were at the hawk watch at Pack Monadnock, Hillsborough Co, NH, on 6 Nov (Phil Brown et al., phs); at Jamestown, Newport Co, RI, on 11 Nov (Dan Berard et al., phs); and banded at Manomet on 16 Nov (Dana Carr et al., phs). The only Northern Wheatear was at Plymouth Beach, Plymouth Co, MA, 27–30 Sep (Shilo McDonald et al., phs).

Sparrows through Dickcissel

It’s hard to believe Clay-colored Sparrow was once a regional rarity—this season it was reported from nearly 100 locations encompassing all six states. Lark Sparrow is quickly following Clay-colored as a former rarity. Its fall numbers exploded with this five-state breakdown: c. 20 in MA; 12 in ME; five in CT; three in RI; two in NH. Lark Buntings were banded in Brewster, Barnstable Co, MA, on 13 Nov (Sue Finnegan et al., phs) and seen at Wasque Point, Martha’s Vineyard, Dukes Co, MA, on 31 Aug (Shea Fee, Francesca Zeta, phs). The sparrow highlight was a Golden-crowned Sparrow on 13 Nov at Elm Brook Recreation Area, Hopkinton, Merrimack Co, NH (Donna Ellis, phs). It was an exceptional season for LeConte’s Sparrows with seven reported (four in MA and one each in CT, ME and VT). The dates ranged from 5 Sep to 2 Nov with the majority in Oct (m. obs.). Maine’s first documented Spotted Towhee was at Fort Foster Park, Kittery, York Co, 19–30 Nov (Derek Lovitch et al., phs).

A modest showing by Yellow-headed Blackbirds consisted of four in MA, three in CT and one in RI. Most unusual was an early one on 15 Aug at Great Meadows NWR, Middlesex Co, MA (Simon Perkins). The only Bullock’s Oriole was at Newington, Rockingham Co, NH, on 18 Oct (Stuart Varney, phs). Golden-winged Warbler, now a significant migratory rarity, went unreported in ME and NH. There were fewer than a dozen reports in the southern tier. A Massachusetts first, Virginia’s Warbler was a stellar find, 6–8 Oct at Putnam Farm Conservation Area in Orleans, Barnstable Co (Amy O’Neill et al., phs). Connecticut’s third MacGillivray’s Warbler was present 17–19 Nov at Pine Creek Open Space, Fairfield, Fairfield Co, CT (James Purcell et al., phs). A Kirtland’s Warbler, a second state record, was at Matinicus Rock, Knox Co, ME, on 10 Sep (Keenan Yakola et al., phs). Seven Yellow-throated Warblers consisted of two each in MA and NH and singles in VT, ME and RI. Townsend’s Warblers were at Gay Head, Martha’s Vineyard, Dukes Co, MA on 5 Nov (Nancy Bloomquist et al., phs); at Swan Point Cemetery, Providence Co, RI, 25–28 Nov (Alan Kneidel et al., phs); and at Pine Banks Park, Middlesex Co, MA, on 12 Nov (Elmer & Michael Hochstetler phs).

The only Summer Tanagers were at Marblehead Neck, Essex Co, MA, on 5 Sep (Andy Sanford, phs) and at Eastern Point, Gloucester, Essex Co, MA, 4–5 Nov (Suzanne Sullivan et al, phs). Six Western Tanagers consisted of four in MA and one each in ME and RI. Of about 30 reports of Blue Grosbeaks, the only ones from the northern states were two from ME and one from VT. Green Painted Buntings were at Brattleboro, Windham Co, VT, 29–30 Nov (Martha Adams et al., phs) and at South Chatham, Barnstable Co, MA (Cape Cod Rarities, phs). The earliest Dickcissel was found on 8 Aug at Hadley, Hampshire Co, MA (Joe Oliverio et al.).

Report processed by Andrew Keaveney, 12 Sep 2024.