[MASSBIRD] May 16, 2021 Pine Hill Grasslands, Lancaster MA. Grasshopper, Field and Vesper Sparrows. Crossbills(!), Prairie Warblers

[Matt S.]

Hi All,

I decided to take a trip to Pine Hill today; I've only been a couple times, but I really enjoy it.  The habitat feels like you should be on the cape, as if the ocean is just over the hills that surround the area.  It's a reliable spot for Vesper, Field, Grasshopper and Chipping Sparrows.  Prairie warblers  and Towhee breed there en masse, and all the aforementioned birds were present today.  At the back of the sandier area is a hill that leads up into a mixed forest...there is a clearing down on the right; local police departments use it as a shooting range.  Today when I went to that spot I found pine warblers, chippings, and what I thought were nuthatches at first...but when I looked at the photos I noticed the bills on the 'nuthatches' were crossed.  A flock of crossbills!  All female (I've still never seen a male), and traveling along the treetops for a few minutes before sinking back into the forest.  That reminds me of one of the things I love about birding; the momentariness of it all.  Someone can go through a spot and find it quiet, and 15 minutes later someone walks into a flock of migrating warblers.  I could go to Pine Hill 20 more times and never see crossbills again, even if they're around every time, simply because of the size of the area, and the randomness of it all.

That's all for now

Matt S.

Accip...@gmail.com

newton, MA

[Ilija Dukovski]

That's a great collection of birds. Where is Pine Hill exactly? Is it at the end of Pine Hill Road?

Thanks,

Ilija

--

Ilija Dukovski, Ph.D.
Research Scientist
Bioinformatics Program
Boston University
44 Cummington St.
Boston, MA 02215

[Matt S.]

I'll copy the directions I got from Cliff C. last year:   To get to the Pine Hill area you drive down Pine Hill Street in Lancaster, which is on the north side of Rt 117 west of Bolton Flats.  Go down the street to the end where it is gated off at private property.  To the left is a spur with another gate and this is the entrance to Pine Hill.

You can park off to the side on that spur with the gate & entrance, there's usually a couple people parked there.  The walking is pretty easy; it's flat and unpaved.  When you first enter, for the first 100 yards there's a bit of a deciduous/conifer mix and the couple times I've gone it's been swamped with a dozen species of song birds; always a great way to start a trip.  Past that you enter the sandy/flats area.  There are prairie warblers everywhere as you walk along, I see/hear more there than the rest of the year combined and doubled probably.  The further down you go, until you reach about the middle, the more likely you are to find grasshopper sparrows. I've had better luck looking to the right of the road.  There's a field on private property out on that side, and there's fence posts.  If you observe those posts for a while you're bound to see a couple grasshopper sparrows.  They seem to gravitate to the posts with the 'Posted - No Trespassing' signs on them.  The sparrows have no moral compunction and trespass as they see fit.  The vespers are a bit more random, but will come up and sing from the tiny spruce trees on occassion.  Most of the time though they seem to skulk and sing from more surreptitious spots.  I had really good luck down the far end of the reservation this recent trip, a couple were singing.  Field sparrows are found throughout the whole area as well, again I've had more luck at the far end of the reservation finding them.    If you enjoy towhees you'll also be in luck, you'll be force-fed tea for the whole trip.  Indigo buntings are around, although this last time I think they were paired off, I saw two VERY briefly at the start, and never heard the male sing.  

There's also woodlands up behind that have a lot of trails, if you follow them down far enough you'll hit a river.  It's pretty reliable for pine warblers, several thrush species, waxwings, and a couple other warbler types.  The crossbills were more happenstance; 3 minutes earlier or later and I would've missed them....still, they're around apparently.  

Hope this helps

Matt S

Accip...@gmail.com

Newton, MA

[Ilija Dukovski]

Great, thank you so much. I'll check this place out. Sounds like a wonderful birding spot.

Thanks,

Ilija

[Jon Skinner]

I cosign this information and Matt's enthusiasm for this spot. I feel so lucky that I live only 15 minutes away. I stayed past sunset a few weekends ago and had Grasshopper Sparrows, Vesper Sparrows, and Eastern Whippoorwills all singing in the dark.

All that said, PLEASE stay only on the road and do not wander into any of the fields. I'm not the only person who has recently reported seeing birders walking through the fields trying to intentionally flush the sparrows.

[Eric Mueller]

All,

As another nearby resident, I'll echo what both Matt and Jon have stated.   The site is unique - a large former sand/gravel excavation site with a base that is pool-table flat and mostly covered with some areas of grasses and other areas of scrubby 4 ft pines, all of which is surrounded by 20-30 foot high banks of sand topped by pines. 

I'd like to offer a couple of refinements to the directions if I may - assuming that you're taking Rte 117 west, several miles after you've passed through the center of Bolton, watch for the intersection of Rte 110 (there's a traffic light).  Just beyond that, you'll pass through the Bolton Flats WMA (large marshes on either side).  Right after you pass the Town of Lancaster sign, note the small dirt road going to the right.  That's the main parking lot for Bolton Flats which is another excellent birding site, and worth a stop as long as you're in the area.

About a mile west of the Lancaster town line on Rte 117, you'll pass the Bolton Fairgrounds on your right and a set of railroad tracks.  After you cross the railroad tracks, take the next right (north) onto Harvard Road.  Follow Harvard Road to the end, where Pine Hill Road begins and goes off to the right (the only direction that you can go.)   Once you park, take a moment to look at the large pond and the small marsh next to the parking area.   You can often see interesting birds in each. 

Hope you have a great time birding!

Eric Mueller

ericmue...@gmail.com

Clinton, MA