Next Bear Creek, Saugus, walk on Sunday, May 3 at 9 am; report for April 26 walk
sohz...@gmail.com
Folks,
The next walk at Bear Creek Sanctuary in Saugus is on Sunday, May 3 at 9 am. Details for attending this walk are at the end of this email.
The walk on April 26 was attended by approximately 9 people; conditions were ideal with very nice light, moderate temperatures and minimum wind. Passerine migrants were few and far between -- the main attraction was a surprising continuing concentration of American Kestrels. There were 9 on the property, hunting vigorously. These seem to be left over from the 11 tallied on April 12.
Tim Brown was the list keeper. If you want the ebird list shared, click on this link:
https://ebird.org/mychecklists?subID=cYkDViBubMZRZA1AGUKHsA==&s=t
Bear Creek Sanctuary (restricted access), Essex, Massachusetts, US
Apr 26, 2026 9:13 AM - 12:45 PM
Protocol: Traveling
1.691 mile(s)
31 bird species
Brant 5
Canada Goose 14
Mallard 4
Red-breasted Merganser 12
Mourning Dove 22
Killdeer 4
Wilson's Snipe 1
American Herring Gull 160
Great Black-backed Gull 1
Double-crested Cormorant 8
Great Egret 2
Osprey 8
Downy Woodpecker 1
American Kestrel 9
Blue Jay 1
Common Raven 3
Black-capped Chickadee 2
Tufted Titmouse 1
Tree Swallow 3
Barn Swallow 1
Carolina Wren 1
European Starling 56
Northern Mockingbird 1
American Robin 11
American Goldfinch 7
White-throated Sparrow 1
Savannah Sparrow 2
Song Sparrow 6
Red-winged Blackbird 44
Common Grackle 15
Northern Cardinal 3
View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S328669185
Here are details for attending the walk at this property on May 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 s2...@comcast.net 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.
Soheil Zendeh
Littleton, MA
