Next Bear Creek, Saugus, walk on Sunday January 11, 9 am; report for January 1 walk
sohz...@gmail.com
Folks,
Happy new year!
The next walk at Bear Creek Sanctuary in Saugus is on Sunday, January 11 at 9 am. Details at the end of this email.
The walk on New Years Day was held under exceptionally adverse weather conditions -- no one anticipated horizontal snow. Nevertheless, some cool winter birds were seen, the highlight being a gorgeous and omnipresent dark-phase Rough-legged Hawk which kept us company throughout the morning.
Matt Clark, our indefatigable cinematographer, has posted one of his inimitable YouTube videos. The magical Snow Bunting footage should not be missed:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FSIcSCEErGs
Thanks to Brendan Burke for fulfilling list-keeping duties. If you were there, the following link will allow you to share the list:
https://ebird.org/checklist/S291716285#share-checklist-form
Bear Creek Sanctuary (restricted access), Essex, Massachusetts, US Jan 1, 2026 9:16 AM - 11:55 AM
Protocol: Traveling
2.158 mile(s)
32 bird species
Canada Goose 40
Mallard 16
American Black Duck 6
Surf Scoter 7
White-winged Scoter 3
Bufflehead 10
Common Goldeneye 3
Red-breasted Merganser 5
Mourning Dove 3
American Herring Gull 150
Common Loon 1
Bald Eagle 2
Red-tailed Hawk 2
Rough-legged Hawk 1
Downy Woodpecker 3
Northern Flicker 1
Blue Jay 2
American Crow 4
Horned Lark 120 Regular flock
European Starling 300
Northern Mockingbird 1
American Robin 1
House Sparrow 4
American Goldfinch 2
Lapland Longspur 1
Snow Bunting 80
American Tree Sparrow 2
White-throated Sparrow 5
Song Sparrow 2
Eastern Meadowlark 3 Continuing
Red-winged Blackbird 20
Northern Cardinal 10
View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S291716285
Here are details for attending the walk at this property on January 11:
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
