New England: Fall 2025

Waterfowl through Limpkin

A Black-bellied Whistling-Duck was present from 26 Aug to 17 Sep in Longmeadow, Hampden Co, MA (Ted Gilliland, m.ob., phs). Goose-a-palooza drew scores of observers to Broad Brook Mill Pond and nearby fields in East Windsor, Tolland Co, CT, over Thanksgiving weekend, 27–30 Nov, when careful scrutiny of big flocks of Canada Geese offered a very good chance of seeing Greater White-fronted Goose (Greenland), Pink-footed Goose, Barnacle Goose and Cackling Goose. Less reliable, but seen by some, was a Ross’s Goose in nearby Somers (Dave Mathieu, et mult. al., phs). The Ross’s was also seen across the state boundary in Hampden Co, MA. Other reports of singles were elsewhere in MA and in ME; remarkable was a report of three on 24 Oct at Dead Creek WMA in Addison Co, VT (Jim Mead et al., phs). The only other Pink-footed Geese were singles at Adamant Pond, Washington Co, VT, on 5–11 Oct (John Jose et al., phs) and in the vicinity of Presque Isle, Aroostook, Co, ME, on 1–21 Oct (Ted Hawksley et al.). In addition to single Trumpeter Swans in MA, ME and NH, there were four on 5 Oct in Maquam WMA, Franklin Co, VT (Jim Mead, phs) and three on 15 Nov at Charcoal Creek, Missisquoi NWR, Franklin Co, VT (Nick Knudsen et al., phs). The only Tundra Swan, a surprisingly scarce species in the region, was at Kenoza L., Haverhill, Essex Co, MA, on 19–25 Nov (Dean Baumeister et al. phs). The only Tufted Duck was on Nantucket on 30 Oct (Jared Smith). A King Eider was far inland on 16 Nov at Larrabees Point Ferry Dock on Lake Champlain (Garry Chapin, Stacy Robinson et al., phs).

Single White-winged Doves were found on 27 Aug at Fairhaven, Bristol Co, MA (Carolyn Longworth, phs) and on 29 Sep at Star I., Isles of Shoals, Rye, Rockingham Co, NH (Stuart Varney, phs). A vigorously calling Chuck-will’s-widow provided a remarkable late record on 4 Oct at Middlesex School, Middlesex Co, MA (Willy Hutcheson). The season’s only Rufous Hummingbird visited a feeder in Providence, Providence Co, RI, from 13 Oct to 11 Nov (Deb Eccleston, phs). An immature Purple Gallinule was present on 15–18 Oct at Longmeadow, Hampden Co, MA (Lee Pollock et al., phs) and a lethargic one taken into care on 15 Nov in Lebanon, Grafton Co, NH (VT Institute of Natural Sciences, phs). A rare and secretive Yellow Rail was documented on 18–21 Oct at Broad Meadows Marsh, Norfolk Co, MA (Charlie Darmstadt et al., phs). A Limpkin, a much anticipated first Massachusetts and New England record, was found on 30 Nov in a residential neighborhood in Scituate, Plymouth Co (Jess Maguire, Liam Norton, m.ob., phs).

Shorebirds through Anhinga

Reports of single American Avocets, involving an unknown number of individuals, ranged from Plum Island to Portland, ME, and from 1 Aug to 25 Oct (m.ob., phs). A Eurasian Whimbrel was an exciting find on 13 Sep at Horsefoot Marsh, Dennis, Barnstable Co, MA, during a Hudsonian Whimbrel survey (Alan Kneidel et al., phs). The bird was seen in that general area to at least 26 Sep (Peter Trimble et al.). Six Hudsonian Godwits were a significant inland find on 5–7 Oct at Maquam WMA, Franklin Co, VT (Michelle McEnnany, phs). The only Ruff was a basic-plumaged bird seen on 9–17 Nov at Barn Island WMA in Stonington, New London Co, CT (Shori Velles, m.ob., phs). A grounded juvenile Atlantic Puffin was picked up inland in South Lewiston, Androscoggin Co, ME, on 16 Oct and was returned to offshore waters (Avian Haven, Stan DeOrsey). A long-staying Tufted Puffin was at Petit Manan I., Washington Co, ME, on 1 Aug (Pearl James, phs).

A Black-legged Kittiwake was near Isle la Motte on Lake Champlain on 27 Sep (Flyaway Birding, phs).

Five reports of Sabine’s Gull included one unusually deep into Long Island Sound on 6 Sep at Penfield Reef, Fairfield, Fairfield Co, CT (James Purcell, phs). The only Franklin’s Gull was a first-summer bird on 7 Aug at Holly Pond in Stamford, Fairfield Co, CT (Patrick Dugan et al., phs). Bridled Terns were reported from Isles of Shoals, Rye, Rockingham Co, NH, on 1 Aug (Sara Morris) and from Gooseberry Neck, Bristol Co, MA, on 25 Aug (Erik Neilsen, phs). The only Gull-billed Tern was on Nantucket on 26–27 Aug (Trish Pastuszak et al., phs). Two Sandwich Terns were at Ninigret Pond, Charlestown, Washington Co, RI, on 30 Aug (Sue Palmer et al., phs).

 

The only Eared Grebe was at South Sanford, York Co, ME, on 9–27 Oct (Robert Dixon, m.ob., phs). In addition to the expected handful of Pacific Loons on the coast, one was at Chimney Point, Lake Champlain, on 13 Nov (Jim Mead, Nick Knudsen). Pelagic trips off Nantucket produced two White-faced Storm-Petrels on 9 Sep; a Barolo Shearwater on 30 Sep; and two Sargasso Shearwaters on 29 Sep (Brookline Bird Club et al., phs). A Wood Stork was an unexpected visitor to Napatree Point, Watch Hill, Washington Co, RI, on 27 Sep (Jayson Tolbert et al.). A Magnificent Frigatebird was in the Chatham area, Barnstable Co, MA, on 6–7 Sep (Mary Keleher et al., phs). A Brown Booby in the vicinity of Dennis, Barnstable Co, MA, was present 31 Oct to 16 Nov (Peter Trull, m.ob., phs). The only Anhinga was present on 6–7 Aug at L. Whitney, Hamden, New Haven Co, CT (Octavian Henegariu, Bill Rankin, phs). This is no doubt the bird found in the same spot on 16 Jun but unreported since 21 Jun.

Ibis through Owls

As noted in the summer report, the significant northward surge of White Ibis produced record numbers in New England as far northeast as York Co, Maine. The major change this season was the discovery of some at Lake Champlain, where up to two were at South Slang in Little Otter Creek WMA near Ferrisburgh, Addison Co, VT, on 24–30 Aug (Bruce MacPherson et al., phs), and one was at Stone Bridge Dam at Dead Creek WMA, Panton, Addison Co, VT, on 26 Aug (David Guertin, phs). One was at Gorham Bridge, Pittsford, Rutland Co, VT, on 5 Sep (C.J. Frankiewicz, phs). High counts were five each on 15 Aug at Westport R. marsh, Westport (Joel Eckerson et al., phs) and on 16 Aug at Gooseberry Neck, both in Bristol Co, MA (Marshall Iliff et al., phs). The latest dates were 18–19 Oct at Belle Isle Marsh Reservation, Suffolk Co, MA (Anne Piccolo, m.ob.). The only White-faced Ibis persisting into fall was one on 28 Aug at Stewart B. McKinney NWR, Stratford, Fairfield Co, CT (Linda Ankerstjerne Olsen, phs).

A Roseate Spoonbill, a second for Massachusetts, was present on 15–17 Oct in Marshfield and Duxbury, Plymouth Co (Brian Vigorito, m.ob., phs). More than 20 reports of Western Cattle-Egret qualified as an invasion. The farthest from the coast was one on 8–10 Nov in Salisbury, Litchfield Co, CT (George Wallace, Scott Whalen et al.). They were noted from late Oct through Nov, and the high count was three on 25 Oct at Hammonasset (Micky Komara et al., phs). A single American White Pelican probably accounted for reports on 23 Oct at Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary, Barnstable Co, MA (Bill Hickey, phs) and on 25 Oct at both Acoaxet, Bristol Co, MA (Andy, Joel and Matthew Eckerson) and Lighthouse Point hawk watch, New Haven, New Haven Co, CT (Ed Haesche, Lisa Wahle, phs). After a good summer for Swallow-tailed Kites, fall produced three reports, two in NH and one in MA. The only Mississippi Kite away from breeding areas was at New Grafton, Worcester Co, MA, on 8 Sep (Mark Pagliarini). Swainson’s Hawks were reported from Provincetown, Barnstable Co, MA, on 14 Sep (Curtis Mahon, phs) and from Putney Mountain hawk watch, Windham Co, VT, on 1 Nov (JoAnne Russo et al.). As usual the only American Barn Owls were found on the Cape and Islands of MA and Block I., RI.

Flycatchers through Swallows

Single Say’s Phoebes were at Cumberland Farms, Plymouth Co, MA, on 26 Oct to 29 Nov (Bill Z., m.ob., phs) and on 28 Nov in Rockingham, Windham Co, VT (Coleen Lawler, phs). The only Ash-throated Flycatcher was at Barnstable Harbor, Barnstable Co, MA, on 26 Nov (Anca Vlasopolos, phs). A Cassin’s Kingbird, a first record for Connecticut, was present for one day only on 24 Nov at Flanders Nature Center in Woodbury, Litchfield Co (Chris S. Wood, phs). Maine had two reports of Tropical Kingbird, one on 9–11 Oct at Deer Isle, Hancock Co (John Thompson et al., phs) and another on 11 Oct on Monhegan, a first island record (Luke Seitz et al., phs). Five reports of Western Kingbirds ranged from 9 Sep to 8 Nov. They consisted of two in MA and one each in CT, NH and ME. A Gray Kingbird was a great find on 4 Nov at Eastham, Barnstable Co, MA (Tom Aversa, Steve Aversa, phs). There were reports of a single Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, all possibly involving a single bird, at Plum Island on 25–27 Oct (Eric Lobato et al., phs) and on 26–30 Nov (Rick Heil et al., phs). The only Fork-tailed Flycatcher was present 7–8 Aug at Maltby Lakes, West Haven, New Haven Co, CT (Chris Loscalzo, Marianne Vahey et al., phs).

It was an outstanding season for Bell’s Vireo. The five reports were from Monhegan on 27–28 Sep (Jessica Bishop et al., phs); from Monomoy NWR, Barnstable Co, MA, on 28 Sep (Valerie Bourdeau, phs); from Barneys Joy, Bristol Co, MA, on 11 Oct (Joel & Matthew Eckerson, phs); from Martha’s Vineyard, Dukes Co, MA, on 24 Oct (Christine Kaczmarczk, phs); and from Odiorne Point, Rye, Rockingham Co, NH on 3–8 Nov (Brett Hillman et al., phs). The lone Loggerhead Shrike report came from Exeter, Rockingham Co, NH, on 30 Aug to 1 Sep (Magill Weber, m.ob., phs). A major flight of Cave Swallows blanketed coastal areas in early to mid–Nov. High counts included 22 at Lighthouse Point Park in New Haven, New Haven Co, CT, on 4 Nov (Russ Smiley et al., phs); 21 at Napatree Point, Washington Co, RI, on 9 Nov (Sam Miller et al. phs); 20 at Hammonasset on 9 Nov (Jeff Fengler et al., phs); and 16 at Ecology Park in Branford, New Haven Co, CT, on 6 Nov (Julian Hough, phs). A late one spent several days at a waste water treatment plant in Branford to at least 29 Nov (John Oshlick et al., phs).

Wrens through Orioles

Four reports of Sedge Wrens consisted of two in ME, on 25 Sep at Salt Bay Farm, Damariscotta, Lincoln Co (Jeff Cherry et al., phs) and on 17 Oct on Monhegan (Luke Seitz, Maili Waters). The others were at Squantum Point Park, Norfolk Co, MA, on 22–24 Oct (Emily Ross et al., phs) and at Adamsville, Newport Co, RI, on 24–25 Oct (Sam Miller at al.). A two-day window produced three reports of Townsend’s Solitaires: on 16 Nov at Wellfleet, Barnstable Co, MA (Warren Mumford, phs); on 18 Nov at Pack Monadnock, Hillsborough Co, NH (Nora E. Hanke, phs); and on 18 Nov at Mount Desert, Hancock, Co, ME (Michael J. Good, phs). An earlier one was found on 11 Oct at Blueberry Hill hawk watch, Granville, Hampden Co, MA (John Weeks). Maine had the only Northern Wheatears, one in the traditionally expected migratory window of 15–17 Sep at Scarborough Marsh, Cumberland Co (Gail Raymond et al., phs) and a late one at Union, Knox Co, on 18–21 Nov (Stacey Keefer et al., phs).

Who remembers when Clay-colored Sparrow was rare? Now it’s noteworthy because the fall season produced almost 100 records. Lark Sparrow has expanded its seasonal profile in a more modest way, generating about 25 reports. Only Vermont lacked any. The only Harris’s Sparrow was at Daniel Webster WS near Marsfield, Plymouth Co, MA, on 6 Oct (Liam Norton, phs). Single LeConte’s Sparrows, both found on 12 Oct, were at Northampton, Hampshire Co, MA (Ted Gilliland, Aaron Hulsey, phs) and at Laudholm, York Co, ME, (Will Sweet, phs). Another was at Rye, Rockingham, NH, on 4–7 Oct (Steve Mirick, m.ob.). Single Yellow-headed Blackbirds were at Fort Getty Park, Newport Co, RI, on 19 Sep (Sam Miller, phs) and at Hadley, Hampshire Co, MA, on 21 Sep (Scott Surner). Bullock’s Orioles were at Putney, Windham Co, VT, on 12 Nov (Dan Ell) and at Blue Hill, Hancock Co, ME, on 26 Nov (MacKenzie McKnight, phs).

Warblers through Buntings

It was a good season for the now-rare Golden-winged Warbler, which produced nine reports spread among all states except New Hampshire. Eight reports of Prothonotary Warbler, a high number for fall, were all coastal and all in Sep except for one on 4 Oct at Monhegan (Luke Seitz, Jeremiah Trimble et al., phs). A Virginia’s Warbler, found on 24 Nov at Peaks I., Cumberland Co, ME (Derek Lovitch et al, phs), remained until 29 Nov. The only MacGillivray’s Warbler was near Yarmouth, Cumberland Co, ME, on 2–29 Nov (Stacey Huth, m.ob., phs). Single Townsend’s Warblers were at Wellfleet Bay WS, Barnstable Co, MA, where one was banded on 16 Oct (Anne Talbott et al., phs) and on private property in Brookline, Norfollk Co, MA, on 26 Oct to 27 Nov (Matthew Garvey et al., phs). Black-throated Gray Warblers were on Monhegan on 28–29 Sep (Derek Lovitch, m.ob., phs) and at Block I. NWR, Washington Co, RI, on 31 Aug (Sam Miller, phs).

Nine Summer Tanager reports consisted of four in MA, two in ME and one each in CT, NH and VT. Five of six Western Tanagers were present in Nov—two in ME and singles in CT and VT. MA also had one in Nov as well as one in Oct. Blue Grosbeak generated nearly 30 reports from all states but VT. One lingered to 24 Nov on Nantucket (Trish Pastuszak, phs). Painted Buntings were at Cuttyhunk I., Dukes Co, MA, on 3 Nov (Mike Sylvia, phs); at Mashpee, Barnstable Co, MA, on 21 Nov (Mary Keleher et al., phs).; and at York Cliffs, York Co, ME, on 29–30 Nov (Diane Losier et al., phs).

Report edited by Andrew Keaveney, 07 Mar 2026.