New England: Winter 2024–2025

Waterfowl

A holdover Black-bellied Whistling Duck persisted at South Hadley, Hampshire Co, MA, through at least 23 Dec (Lachlan Ziegler, m.ob., phs). Ross’s Geese were in Ellington, Tolland Co, CT, where a fall carry over was present to 7 Dec  (David Mathieu et al., phs) and on Nantucket on 23 Feb (Trish Pastuszak, phs). Greater White-fronted Goose, once a significant rarity, generated reports of single birds from at least a dozen locations. A first for Rhode Island and New England, a Tundra Bean Goose was present from 18 Jan to at least 23 Feb in the Portsmouth area, Newport Co (Joe Kroger, m.ob., phs). Pink-footed Goose, another historic rarity, was reported from at least eight locations in the southern tier states, including two on 24 Dec near Sharon that were a first for Norfolk Co, MA (Liam Waters et al., phs).

A Trumpeter Swan at Northbridge, Worcester Co, MA, was present on 4–13 Jan (Mary Ess-Why, m.ob.,  phs) and one was in the South Hadley/Holyoke area (Hampshire and Hamden Cos, MA, on 12–15 Jan (Ted Gilliland, m.ob., phs). The high count for Tundra Swan was five through 10 Dec on Miacomet Pond, Nantucket (Jacquelyn Papale et al., phs). The farthest north were three at Sandbar Causeway, Grand Isle Co, VT, on 9–12 Dec (Gretchen Nareff, Michelle McEnany, et al., phs). Eurasian Wigeon were numerous along the coast in the southern tier, getting no farther north than near Portsmouth, Rockingham Co, NH (Steve Mirick et al., phs). The usual smattering of Tufted Ducks included two in MA and one each in RI and VT. Two inland Harlequin Ducks were at Quabbin Reservoir in Hampshire Co, MA, on 1–8 Dec (Larry Therrien m.ob., phs) and on the Connecticut R. in Plainfield, Sullivan Co, NH, on 14–21 Dec (Brendan & Jen Armstrong m.ob., phs).

Hummingbirds to Grebes

A Black-chinned Hummingbird, a hatch-year female and a fourth for Cape Cod, visited a feeder in Provincetown, Barnstable Co, MA, from 2 Dec to at least 8 Jan and was banded (Z. Plater, Sue Finnegan et al., phs). A Rufous Hummingbird, believed to be an adult female, wintered to at least 20 Jan at a feeder in Guilford, New Haven Co, CT (Michael Russo et al., phs), and one present since 2 Oct in Westfield, Hampden Co, MA, was last seen on 17 Dec (Jen Grabowski et al., phs). The longest stayer, arriving on 26 Oct in Little Compton, Newport Co, RI, was still present in early April (Geoff Dennis, phs). This was the seventh Selasphorus in his yard since 1995. The only Sora was at Great Marsh, Barnstable Co, MA, on 22 Dec (Jeremiah Trimble  et al.). The only Common Gallinules were at Trustom Pond NWR, Washington Co, RI, on 13 Dec (Bill Thompson, phs) and on Nantucket on 14–18 Dec (Bill Shriber et al., phs). The only Purple Gallinule, a disoriented juvenile, was walking in the snow at Lincoln Gap, Addison Co, VT, on 2 Jan (Beau Tetreault, phs).

Sandhill Cranes were reported from all states but New Hampshire. Eared Grebes were at Stonington Harbor, New London Co, CT, a regular wintering spot, on 2–28 Feb (Barry Fasciano et al., phs). Others were at New Haven Harbor, New Haven Co, CT, on 8–11 Feb (Bill Rankin et al.); at Quonochontaug Beach, Washington Co, RI, on 22–24 Dec (Chris Elphick, Barbara Smith); at Nantucket on 30 Dec–5 Jan (Liam Waters et al., phs); at another regular location, Marblehead, Essex Co, MA, on 1 Jan–28 Feb (Bran & Renee White, m.ob., phs); and at Cape Ann, Essex Co, MA, on 1 Jan (Deborah McComiskey).

Shorebirds to Terns

It was a good season for Northern Lapwings. Reports of one from Scarborough State Beach, Washington Co, RI, were from 28–29 Dec (Alyssia Church et al.) and then from 2 Jan to 28 Feb at Jamestown, Newport Co, RI (Marge Bradley, m.ob., phs). Others were at Fort Rodman, Bristol Co, MA from 10 Jan to 10 Feb  (Joao Faustino, m.ob., phs) and on Nantucket, where a fall season holdover remained to at least 13 Dec (Trish Pastuszak et al., phs). A one-footed Hudsonian Godwit (“Stumpy”, to its admirers) lingered from the fall season to 2 Dec at Old Orchard Beach, York Co, ME (Marian Zimmerman et al., phs). Nantucket recorded two very late shorebird species, a Whimbrel on 21 Jan (Tom Griswold, phs) and two Semipalmated Sandpipers on 1 Jan (Chris Duffy, Trish Pastuszak).

A Common (Kamchatka) Gull that has been visiting Nantucket since at least 2013 was present on 29–31 Dec (Jeremiah Trimble et al., phs). Another with a multiple-year history was in Stamford, Fairfield Co, CT, on 27 Dec to 25 Feb (Patrick Dugan, m.ob., phs). This Asian subspecies was also reported from Gloucester and Lynn, Essex Co, MA, on 26–29 Jan (Suzanne Sullivan et al., phs).  A Common (European) Gull was in South Portland, Cumberland Co, ME, on 18 Jan (Glenn Hodgkins et al., phs). This banded individual has been reported in the region since 2018. Two Black Skimmers were very late on 5 Jan at Plymouth Beach, Plymouth Co, MA (Liana DiNunzio, Cyndi Jackson, phs). A lingering Common Tern stayed to the significantly late date  of 22 Dec at Great Marsh, Barnstable Co, MA (Jeremiah Trimble et al., phs). Another was reported from Nantucket on 16 Dec (Bob Shriber, phs).

Loons to Flycatchers

Away from the now-expected ones on Cape Cod, Pacific Loons were on Lake Champlain at West Addison, Addison Co, VT, on 14 Dec (C.J. Frankiewicz, Sue Wetmore) and at Trustom Pond NWR,  Washington Co, RI, on 11 Jan (Billy Weber, Bill Thompson phs). Out of season Least Bitterns consisted of up to three at Trustom Pond NWR, Washington Co, RI on 26–31 Dec (Barbara Sherman, m.ob., phs), and at Quinebaug Valley Fish Hatchery, Plainfield, Windham Co, CT on 17 Jan (Shawn Wallace). New Hampshire’s first December Western Cattle Egret was at Hurd Farm, Hampton, Rockingham Co on 1–2 Dec (Stuart Varney, Steve Mirick et al., phs). At the region’s only regular wintering spot, up to three Yellow-crowned Night-Herons were present on 1 Dec–5 Jan (Aidan Kiley,  Frank Mantlik et al.). An American White Pelican, a fall holdover, was last reported on 1 Dec in Little Compton, Newport Co, RI (Sue Palmer et al., phs).

The northeasternmost Black Vulture was at Wilsons Corner, Hancock Co, ME, on 9 Dec (Lucinda Meyer). Farther west up to six were present at several places in the Burlington area, Chittenden Co, VT, into late January (Grace Nelson et al., phs). The highlight of the season was an adult dark morph Ferruginous Hawk, a Massachusetts first, present from 29 Dec to 1 Feb at Monomoy NWR, Chatham, Barnstable Co, MA (Krzysztof Kurylowicz, m.ob., phs). The northernmost Red-headed Woodpecker was in Wells, York Co, ME, on 26 Jan–4 Feb (Richard Garrigus et al., phs). A Say’s Phoebe was at Allen’s Pond Wildlife Sanctuary, Bristol Co, MA, on 29 Dec–4 Jan (Spencer Lott et al., phs). Ash-throated Flycatchers were at Squibnocket Pond, Martha’s Vineyard, Dukes Co, MA (Bob Shriber, Charles Morano, phs), and at East Falmouth, Barnstable Co, MA, on 18 Jan (Andrew Marden, phs). A Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, a fall carryover, was at Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary, Essex Co, MA, through at least 7 Dec (Noah Gibb, m.ob., phs).

Vireos to Orioles

The only Blue-headed Vireos were at a waste water treatment plant in Branford, New Haven Co, CT on 3 Dec (Dave Mathieu phs) and on 12 Dec at Newton, Middlesex Co, MA (Andy Liu et al., phs). A late Barn Swallow was at Fenwick, Middlesex Co, CT, on 3 Dec (James Sherwonit). Three reports of Sedge Wrens were at Eastham, Barnstable Co, MA, on 15–16 Dec (Vincent Zollo et al., phs); at Trustom Pond NWR, Washington Co, RI on 21 Dec (Dan Berard, Andrew Wheelan); and on Nantucket on 29 Dec (Liam Waters). A long-staying Varied Thrush on private property in Petersham, Worcester Co, MA, was available for public viewing on 15–28 Feb, but arrived on 25 Jan (m.ob., phs). The only other report was in Bourne, Barnstable Co, MA, one day only on 6 Jan (Cape Cod Rarities, phs).

The only Grasshopper Sparrows were far apart, but both on 15 Dec—at Greenwich Point Park in Fairfield Co, CT (Lisa Monachelli, Brian O’Toole et al., phs) and at Bear Creek Sanctuary, Essex Co, MA (John Wysocki et al., phs). The ever-increasing Clay-colored Sparrow produced 14 records—eight in MA, three in CT, two in ME and one in RI. Five Lark Sparrows, also on the increase, consisted of two in MA and one each in RI, NH and ME. Harris’s Sparrows were at Bellamy River WMA, Dover, Strafford Co, NH, on 13 Jan–26 Feb ( Magill Weber, Britney Fox , m.ob., phs) and at Clinton, Kennebec Co, ME, on 22 Dec (Tova Mellen, phs). Far north of the handful of Saltmarsh Sparrow records (all in MA) was one on 27 Feb in Machias, Washington Co, ME (Margaret Pinsky, phs).

Connecticut’s second Spotted Towhee was at Bluff Point SP, Groton, New London Co, from 28 Dec to 7 Feb (Dave Mathieu, m.ob., phs). A holdover from fall remained through 28 Feb at Provincetown Municipal Airport, Barnstable Co, MA (Jeremiah Trimble, m.ob., phs). Others were at a home in Salem, Essex Co, MA on 27 Dec  (Stephen Turner phs) and at Seapoint Beach, York Co, ME, on 2 Dec and 16 Dec (Tova Mellen, Magill Weber, Brittany Fox, phs). Yellow-headed Blackbirds were in Northampton, Hampshire Co, MA, on 7–26 Dec (Joe Oliverio phs) and at Sherwood Island SP. Westport, Fairfield Co, CT, on Feb 25 (Tina Green). A Western Meadowlark was at Hadley, Hampshire Co, MA, from 24 Dec to 26 Feb (Nicole Holmes, m.ob., phs). Feeders attracted adult male Bullock’s Orioles to Brattleboro, Windham Co, VT, for a third state record, from Thanksgiving (28 Nov) to 23 Feb (Chad Witko, m.ob., phs), and at Hookset, Merrimack Co, NH, on 2–24 Dec (Amy Richard, m.ob., phs).

Nashville Warblers at five locations, all in December, consisted of three in CT and one each in MA and NH. There were two reports of MacGillivray’s Warblers: 15–21 Dec at Mashapaug Pond Park, Providence Co, RI (Noah Henkenius, m.ob., phs) and 12–26 Jan at Bellamy River WMA, Dover, Strafford Co, NH (Cameron Johnson, m.ob., phs). The latest of four Cape May Warblers, both on 1 Jan, were in Norwalk, Fairfield Co, CT (Aidan Kiley et al., phs) and at South Hadley, Hampshire Co, MA (Larry Therrien, phs). Other late warblers included a Northern Parula on 14 Dec at Chester, Middlesex Co, CT (Corey Leamy, phs) and on 22–29 Dec in Narragansett, Washington Co, RI (Ryan Moore, phs). A Bay-breasted Warbler was near Orono, Penobscot Co, ME on 3 Dec (Kyle Lima, phs). The only Yellow-throated Warblers were on 6 Dec at Walpole, Lincoln Co, ME (Greyson & MacKenzie McKnight phs) and a fall holdover to at least 19 Jan at a feeder in Ipswich, Essex Co, MA, (Brad Smith, Renee White et al., phs).

Warblers to Dickcissel

Connecticut had a remarkable three Black-throated Gray Warblers: one at a private residence in Branford, New Haven Co, from 12 Dec for more than a month (Steven Marsi et al., phs); one at the Trumbull waste water treatment plant in New London, New London Co, on 27 Dec to 5 Jan (Nick Bonomo, m.ob., phs); and one on 13 Jan at Sherwood Island State Park in Westport, Fairfield Co (Tina Green). The only other one was a fall holdover at Horn Pond Recreation Area, Woburn, Middlesex Co, MA, until 14 Dec (Mike Baird, m.ob., phs). Remarkably, another holdover at Horn Pond was a Townsend’s Warbler present to 21 Dec (Glenn d’Entremont, m.ob., phs). Other Townsend’s were at Hanover, Plymouth Co, MA, on 2 Dec (George Lynch) and at Little Compton, Newport Co, RI, on 14 Dec (Tim Metcalf et al., phs).

The only Summer Tanager was at a feeder in Derry, Rockingham Co, NH, from 6 Dec to 6 Jan (Fran Keenan, m.ob., phs). Seven reports of Western Tanager included five in MA and two in ME. Rose-breasted Grosbeaks lingered at Roslindale, Suffolk Co, MA, from 6–18 Jan (Patrick McKenzie, Ryan Doherty et al., phs) and at Portsmouth, Rockingham Co, NH, on 9–16 Feb (Shirley Reed, phs). A Lazuli Bunting, a fourth for Massachusetts, was remarkably present with a very late Indigo Bunting, on 1 Dec at Spencer Pierce Little Farm, Essex Co, MA (Rick Heil, m.ob., phs). The Lazuli was last seen 13 Dec and the Indigo on 5 Jan. A few Painted Buntings are somewhat expected at feeders in early winter: an adult male at a feeder at Jones River Landing, Plymouth, Co, MA, on 19 Dec–14 Jan (LeeMarie Kennedy, Matt Penella, phs); a female-type at Avondale, Westerly, Washington Co, RI, on 22 Dec to 2 Jan (Glenn Williams, Andrew Dasinger et al., phs) and an adult male at a feeder at Mashpee, Barnstable Co, MA on 28 Jan–3 Feb (Mary Keleher, phs). There were five Dickcissels in MA and one in CT.

Report edited by Andrew Keaveney, 23 Jul 2025.