3/26 Eleven Black Vultures at Brook Farm in West Roxbury, Etc.

[Paul Peterson]

While walking between the 2nd and 3rd bridhes at Brook Farm Reservation today at 4:30 p.m., I happened to look up. My initial thought was eagles, but that didn't make any sense. I put my binoculars up and clearly saw ELEVEN BLACK VULTURES. This was just after seeing and hearing eight Rusty Blackbirds in a tree at the 3rd bridge and a pair of very clumsy Snapping Turtles trying to mate. I don't recall ever having so much awesomeness before in so short a time.

Great Blue Heron 1 minimum
Wood Duck 5 high school wetland and B.F. combined
Green-winged Teal 3 B.F. at 2nd bridge
Hooded Merganser 5 high school wetland (along V.F.W. Pkwy)
Ring-necked Duck 5 high school wetland
Red-tailed Hawk 1
BLACK VULTURE 11 leisurely swirling above me and gradually moving on
Killdeer 2 high school wetland
Belted Kingfisher 1
Hairy Woodpecker 1 minimum
Fish Crow 10
Dark-eyed Junco 5
RUSTY BLACKBIRD 8 See above
Mating Snapping Turtles 2 See Above
Spring Peepers x

Paul Peterson
peterso...@yahoo.com
Boston