[MASSBIRD] NexT Bear Creek, Saugus, walk on Sunday January 22 at 9 am; report for January 15 walk
Soheil Zendeh
Folks,
The next walk at Bear Creek Sanctuary in Saugus is scheduled for Sunday, January 22 at 9 am. Details for attending this walk are at the end of this email.
Despite weather conditions (30s, cloudy, windy), 23 people joined us on the January 15 walk. Most of the raptors seen on the previous week's walk were still around but not as visible -- see the list below. The Loggerhead Shrike was particularly uncooperative at first, but teen birder Willim Buswell persisted after everyone else gave up and eventually refound that bird for everyone to enjoy. Thank you William.
Grassland birds were particularly difficult to track down, probably due to the strong wind. Only a few people got brief glimpses of the meadowlarks, and even the Horned Larks were jumpy, possibly because a Merlin was on the hunt.
Brendan Burke was the ebird list keeper for the day. The bird list is attached below. It has already been shared it with a number of attendees; if you didn't get it, remind me by email and I'll be happy to share it.
Bear Creek Sanctuary (restricted access), Essex, Massachusetts, US
Jan 15, 2023 9:12 AM - 12:23 PM
Protocol: Traveling
2.6 mile(s)
43 bird species
Canada Goose 50
Mallard 20
American Black Duck 60
Surf Scoter 1
White-winged Scoter 10
Bufflehead 30
Common Goldeneye 10
Red-breasted Merganser 15
Wild Turkey 4
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 30
Mourning Dove 3
Bonaparte's Gull 1
Ring-billed Gull 15
Herring Gull 400
Great Black-backed Gull 30
Great Blue Heron 1
Northern Harrier 1
Cooper's Hawk 1
Bald Eagle 1
Red-tailed Hawk 3
Rough-legged Hawk 1
Downy Woodpecker 1
American Kestrel 2
Merlin 1
Loggerhead Shrike 1 Continuing
American Crow 3
Common Raven 1
Black-capped Chickadee 4
Horned Lark 60 Regular flock
Carolina Wren 1
European Starling 100
American Robin 2
House Sparrow 20
American Goldfinch 1
American Tree Sparrow 6
Fox Sparrow 1
White-crowned Sparrow 1 Continuing at the feeders
White-throated Sparrow 4
Savannah Sparrow 1
Song Sparrow 20
Red-winged Blackbird 24
Brown-headed Cowbird 1
Northern Cardinal 3
View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S126258714
Here are details for attending the walk at this property on January 22:
Bear Creek is an upland sanctuary built on the Wheelabrator (formerly RESCO) landfill at the northern end of Rumney Marsh in Saugus and Revere. Access information is below. Wear good 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.
Wheelabrator 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 me know you're coming so we can have a head count.
Bear Creek Sanctuary access is via the Wheelabrator 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
Lexington, MA 02421