Waterfowl

Three Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks that appeared in July were easy to find together 1–7 Aug at a small residential pond in West Haven, New Haven Co, CT (Mark Aronson et al., phs). Another persisted from 28 Sep to 30 Nov at McCray’s Farm, South Hadley, Hampshire Co, MA (Orion Lewinski, m.ob., phs). A Ross’s Goose was in the Great Pond area of Simsbury, Hartford Co, CT from 12 Oct–11 Nov (Brian and Debbie Lombardo, m.ob., phs). Then one was reported from Shenipsit Lake, Tolland Co, CT, 19–25 Nov (Dave Mathieu et al., phs). A day after likely the same one was seen nearby in Hampden Co, MA (April Downey, phs). The only Greater White-fronted Goose was at Hartford Reservoir No. 6 on 16–17 Nov (Jay Kaplan et al., phs). This bird was found by birders looking for the Pink-footed Goose reported at that location on 15 Nov (Riley Sheldon et al., phs). It was first found on 14 Nov at Fisher Meadows in Avon, Hartford Co, CT (Anthony Albrecht, John Graham, phs). One was at Trustom Pond, Washington Co, RI, on 25 Nov (Bill Thompson, phs).

Trumpeter Swans were at Westboro, Worcester Co, MA, on 18–20 Nov (Paul Vanderhoof et al., phs) and at Petersham, Worcester Co, MA, on 1–5 Nov (Evan Lipton et al., phs). Tundra Swan remains a surprisingly scarce visitor to the region. There were reports of singles from two locations: on 10–29 Nov at Sebasticook L. in Newport, Penobscot Co, ME (Kyle Lima, m.ob., phs); and on 11–24 Nov at Sand Bar State Park on L. Champlain, Chittenden Co, VT (Jeffrey Sole, m.ob., phs). However, five were a complete outlier on 30 Nov at Miacomet Pond, Nantucket (Jacquelyn Papale et al., phs). There were at least 12 reports of Eurasian Wigeon, all in the three Southern Tier states. The only Tufted Duck was on Nantucket on 29 Oct (Trish Pastuszak).

Doves to Terns

White-winged Doves were reported on 6 Aug at Squantum Marshes, Norfolk Co, MA (Paul Peterson et al., phs); on 17 Aug at Gilford, Belknap Co, NH (NH Bird Records Data, phs); and on 11 Sep at Steuben, Washington Co, ME (Zachary Holderby, Evan Strusinski, phs). A candidate for bird of the season, a Mexican Violetear videotaped by home owners on 12 Sep near Montpelier, Washington Co, VT, was accepted as a second state record by the Vermont Bird Records Committee (K. Larrow, B. Larrow, video). Connecticut’s third Black-chinned Hummingbird, a juvenile female, visited a feeder in Fairfield, Fairfield Co, CT, on 13 Nov (Carrie Shelton, Stefan Martin phs). There were three reports of Rufous Hummingbirds, one each in CT, MA and ME, the earliest on 15 Oct. Two King Rails were at Burrage Pond WMA, Plymouth Co, MA, on 26 Aug (Judd Carlisle, phs). The region’s most elusive regular migrant, Yellow Rail, produced just two reports, a not unusual outcome. They were on 3 Nov at Barn Island NWR, Stonington, New London Co, CT (Dan Errichetti et al.) and two on 20 Nov at Daniel Webster Wildlife Sanctuary in Marshfield, Plymouth Co, MA (Jason Lambert). The only Purple Gallinule was reported on 4 Nov at Franklin, Merrimack Co, NH (NH Bird Records Data, phs).

A Common Ringed Plover, an eighth record for Massachusetts, was a great find on 14–17 Sep at Crane Beach, Essex Co (Davey Walters et al., phs). Of similar stature was a Northern Lapwing on 29–30 Nov on Nantucket (Louis Dentiste et al., phs). In addition to numerous reports offshore and near the coast, three inland Red Phalaropes were noteworthy: on 9–11 Sep on the Connecticut R. at Longmeadow, Hampden Co, MA (Steve Motyl et al., phs); and far to the north on 2 Aug at Umbagog NWR, Oxford Co, ME (Grace Drewry, phs) and 12–14 Sep at Stewartstown, Coos Co, NH (Aubrie Giroux et al., phs). Away from the coast, there were reports of a Long-tailed Jaeger on 25 Aug and 25 Sep at Grand Isle Co, VT (Dave Hoag). The same observer found single Little Gulls on 31 Aug and along with the jaeger on 25 Sep at Grand Isle (Dave Hoag). The L. Champlain flyway also produced an immature Black-legged Kittiwake on 2 Nov at Thompson’s Point, Chittenden Co, VT (Jim Mead et al.). An inland Sabine’s Gull was at Quabbin Reservoir, Hampshire Co, MA, on 7 Sep (Ted Gilliland, phs), and four other reports were off the Cape Cod coast. Black-headed Gulls consisted of two in MA, two in RI and one in ME. Maine had the only two Franklin’s Gulls, on 14 Sep at Bar Harbor, Hancock Co (Richard Garrigus, phs) and 15 Sep at Wells Reserve, York Co (Will Sweet, phs). A European Common Gull was at Rockland, Knox Co, ME, on 31 Oct–13 Nov (Evan Obercian et al., phs). A single Sooty Tern was associated with strong south winds on 10 Aug at Sakonnet Point, Newport Co, RI (Sam Miller, phs). New Hampshire’s first Bridled Tern, found on 9 Jul, was reported through 3 Aug at Isles of Shoals, Rye, Rockingham Co, NH (Patrick Gritton, Joe Brosseau et al., phs). Another was in pelagic waters off Nantucket on 13 Aug (Liam Waters, phs).

Flamingo to Ibis

The widespread July invasion of American Flamingos delivered one to Little Compton, Newport Co,  RI, through 12 Aug (m.ob., phs). A Western Grebe was at Winthrop Beach, Suffolk Co, MA, on 27–31 Oct (Ron and Kathie Hanson et al., phs). The now expected trove of Pacific Loons included four in RI, one in NH and at least eight locations in MA, including up to three at the undisputed hotspot of Race Point, Provincetown, Barnstable Co (Sergey Pavlov et al., phs). White-faced Storm-Petrel, Band-rumped Storm-Petrel and Black-capped Petrel were found on pelagic trips in Nantucket waters, most notably the BBC overnight pelagics in late Aug (Brookline Bird Club). A Fea’s Petrel was seen within sight of shore at Stellwagen Bank, Barnstable Co, MA, on 26 Aug (Hans Holbrook, phs). Efforts to identify the recently spit Scopoli’s Shearwater produced a few reports from MA and RI. A  good regional total of three Wood Storks consisted of two in MA, on 22 Aug at Hancock Marsh, Berkshire Co (Ralph HBC) and on 25 Aug at Wellfleet, Barnstable Co (John Young et al., phs), and one in CT on 22 Aug at Niantic in East Lyme, New London Co (Phil Rusch). It wasn’t long ago that a single Brown Booby would have been a show-stopper. This season produced five: on 10 Aug at Niantic in East Lyme, New London Co, CT (Phil Rusch et al.); on 13–16 Aug at Seal I., NWR, Knox Co, ME (Coco Faber, Olivia Ridley et al., phs); on 17–21 Aug at Matinicus Rock, Knox Co, ME (Keenan Yakola et al., phs); on 28 Aug at Race Point, Provincetown, Barnstable Co, MA (Blair Nikula); and on 20 Sep at Andrews Point, Rockport, Essex Co, MA (Davey Walters et al., phs). An Anhinga was photographed at a senior center in Canton, Norfolk Co, MA, on 1 Aug (anonymous, phs).

A Tricolored Heron was well out of bounds near the Quebec border at Dead Creek Outlet, Franklin Co, VT on 7 Oct (Allan Strong, phs). A strong movement of White Ibis up the Atlantic Coast hit its northeastern limit with three at Narragansett, Washington Co, RI, on 22 Aug (John Mitchell et al., phs); the high count was seven on 20 Aug at Quonochontaug Breachway, also Washington Co, RI (Al Schenck et al., phs). Connecticut had up to four from 18–25 Aug at HBSP (Robert Rimkoski, m.ob., phs), and singles were in Norwalk, Fairfield Co, on 11 Aug (David Woolery, Emily Keating) and Barn Island WMA in Stonington, New London Co, on 22 Aug (Daniel Errichetti). The only report of White-faced Ibis came from Succotash Marsh, Washington Co, RI, on 7–8 Sep (Barbara Seith, Scott Macalister). Although numbers had been in decline in recent years, 15 reports of Western Cattle Egret suggested a turn around.

Pelicans to Woodpeckers

Along the south coast, single American White Pelicans were reported on 30 Aug at two locations near Harkness Memorial State Park in Waterford, New London Co, CT (Bob MacDonnell, Daniel Errichetti,  phs) and 23–30 Nov at Little Compton, Newport Co, RI (Skylar Kardell phs). To the northeast, multiple sightings occurred from Portland to Brunswick, Cumberland Co, ME, from 24–28 Aug (Brandon Baldwin, m.ob., phs), and another cluster of reports ranged from 29 Aug at Hampton, Rockingham Co, NH (Cameron Johnson) to 11 Nov at Newbury, Essex Co, MA (Rick Heil). Multiple reports came from Plum I. between those dates (m.ob, phs). Brown Pelicans were widely reported on the Cape and Islands.

Three reports of up to two Swallow-tailed Kites on 4–19 Aug around Mashpee, Barnstable Co, MA, were exciting but not startling for Cape Cod (Scott Dresser et al., phs). Startled may understate the reaction to one on 24 Aug at East Burke, Caledonia Co in far northeastern VT (Richie Woodworth, phs). Two Swainson’s Hawks for the season, both light morphs, were at a hawk watch at Ecology Park in Guilford, New Haven Co, CT, on 16 Nov (Nick Bonomo et al, phs) and at Plum I. on 25 Nov. (Erik Schiff, Oliver Wilder, phs). Away from the Cape & Islands and Block Island, the only American Barn Owls were at Madison, New Haven Co, CT, on 2 Oct (Chuck Imbergamo) and at Newport State Airport, Newport Co, RI, on 24 Oct (Andy Eckerson). Red-headed Woodpeckers were widespread in the southern three states, but there were only three reports from the Northern Tier—two in NH and one in ME.

Flycatchers to Orioles

Unique for the season was Vermont’s first Hammond’s Flycatcher at Putney, Windham Co, on 19 Nov (Chad Witko, phs). A Vermilion Flycatcher was at South Cape Beach SP, Barnstable Co, MA, on 8 Oct for a sixth state record (Mary Keleher et al., phs). Five Ash-throated Flycatchers for the season was a good total: an early and long-staying one on 30 Sep–28 Oct on Monhegan (Ken and Sue Feustel, m.ob., phs); on 24 Oct at Seapoint Beach, York Co, ME, (Magill Weber, phs); on 3 Nov in a yard near Wilson Corner, Hancock Co, ME, (Don and Kelly Lima, phs); on 30 Oct–6 Nov at Marblehead Neck Wildlife Sanctuary, Essex Co, MA ( Renee White, m.ob., phs); and on 11–12 Nov at Savin Lake Park, Lebanon, New London Co, CT (Jack Swatt, m.ob., phs). Tropical Kingbirds included a continuing bird to 1 Aug at Skelton Dam, York Co, ME (Jack Yanko, m.ob., phs) and on 18–21 Oct at Albro Woods Preserve, Newport Co, RI (Louise Ruggeri et al., phs). The usual seasonal scattering of Western Kingbirds included three in MA, one in ME and up to two at one location on 31 Oct–1 Nov at HBSP, (Chris Unsworth, m.ob, phs). Connecticut’s third Gray Kingbird was a stellar find on 10 Nov at Milford Point Coastal Center in Milford, New Haven Co, CT, (Justin Hamlin, phs). A fifth record for MA was present 18–19 Oct at Eastham, Barnstable Co (Tom Marvel et al., phs). A Scissor-tailed Flycatcher was at Plum I. on 20 Oct (Jules S. et al., phs) and one stayed put from 2–30 Nov at Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary, Essex Co, MA (Shane O’Neil, m.ob., phs). The only Fork-tailed Flycatcher was photographed by a non-birding dog walker on 16 Oct at Eastward Point, Barnstable Co, MA, (Cape Cod Rarities, phs).

High on every birder’s wish list, a Loggerhead Shrike was engagingly cooperative on 11–12 Sep at Chatham, Barnstable Co, MA (Jeff Henrickx, m.ob., phs). Cave Swallows staged a widespread coastal movement beginning primarily on 9 Nov and continuing for about two weeks. The only record away from the immediate coast was of two at a residential property in Newport, Penobscot Co, ME, on 9 Nov (Richard Lyon, phs). A Mountain Bluebird (found during a search for Scissor-tailed Flycatcher) was at Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary, Essex Co, MA, on 4–5 Nov (Lily Morello, m.ob., phs). Connecticut’s fourth Chestnut-collared Longspur, a drab juvenile, was found on 27 Oct at Lighthouse Point Park in New Haven Co, CT (Steve Mayo, phs). With nearly 100 reports for the season, Clay-colored Sparrow no longer merits individual mention. At least 18 reports of Lark Sparrow suggest a trajectory following the ascendant path of Clay-colored. The only LeConte’s Sparrow was on Block I., Washington Co, RI on 10 Oct (Joel Eckerson et al., phs). Lark Buntings were at Norton, Bristol Co, MA, on 21 Aug (Val Cabral, m.ob., phs) and at Plum I. on 27 Sep (Eric Labato, m.ob., phs). Spotted Towhees were at Provincetown Airport, Barnstable Co, MA, on 16–30 Nov (Valerie Burdette, m.ob., phs) and at Seapoint Beach, York Co, ME, on 16–29 Nov (Magill Weber, m.ob., phs). Four Yellow-headed Blackbirds consisted of two in MA and two in ME. A Bullock’s Oriole was at Hooksett, Merrimack Co, NH, on 15–16 Nov (CK Borg et al., phs).

Warblers to Buntings

Away from the L. Champlain valley, there were only nine reports of migrant Golden-winged Warblers—three each in MA and RI, two in CT and one in ME (south coast). They ranged from 21 Aug to 18 Oct. Prothonotary Warblers, very scarce in fall, produced a surprising four records, all in MA. The parulid highlight was a MacGillivray’s Warbler on 27 Oct  at MacCallum WMA in Westborough, Worcester Co, MA (Tim Spahr et al.).  Yellow-rumped (Audubon’s) Warblers were at Milford Point, New Haven Co, CT on 27 Sep (Chris Wisker et al., phs) and at Block Island NWR, Washington Co, RI, on 10 Nov (Aaron Graham). The usual smattering of Yellow-throated Warblers consisted of two in MA and one each in CT, NH and ME. Five reports of Black-throated Gray Warblers consisted of an early one on 2 Sep at Block I. NWR, Washington Co, RI (Sam Miller, Aaron Graham, phs); one on 4–7 Oct at Walker Farm, Bristol Co, RI, (Joe Koger et al., phs); a Vermont first on 13 Oct at Herrick’s Cove IBA, Windham Co (Ben Whittington et al., phs); on 3–6 Nov at Mount Auburn Cemetery, Middlesex Co, MA (Jill Gatlin, m.ob., phs); and on 29–30 Nov at Horn Pond Recreation Area, Middlesex Co, MA, (Hsing Min et al., phs). Horn Pond also produced the only Townsend’s Warbler on 29–30 Nov (Julien Amsellem, m.ob., phs).

The four Summer Tanagers consisted of two in MA, one in RI and one in ME. Western Tanagers were at Martha’s Vineyard, Dukes Co, MA, on 14 Oct (Bob Shriber et al., phs); at Barnstable, Barnstable Co, MA, on 29 Oct (Peter Crosson, phs); at Provincetown, Barnstable Co, MA, on 3 Nov (Ross Sormani et al., phs) and 21 Nov (Marshall Iliff, phs); and at Scarborough, Cumberland Co, ME, on 1 Nov (Peter Griffin, phs). There were at least 26 reports of Blue Grosbeak, but only three from the northern tier states—the northernmost at Monhegan on 24–26 Sep (Louanne Nielsen, Gail Yanowitch et al., phs). There were two Painted Bunting reports, 23 Sep at Fresh Meadows Preserve in Cheshire, New Haven Co, CT (Chris Unsworth et al., phs) and 28 Nov at Cummaquid, Barnstable Co, MA (Nancy Villone, phs).

Report processed by Andrew Keaveney, 14 Mar 2025.