[MASSBIRD] Next Bear Creek, Saugus, walk on Sunday, January 29 at 9 am; report for January 22 walk

[Soheil Zendeh]

Folks

The next walk at Bear Sanctuary in Saugus is scheduled for Sunday, January 29 at 9 am. Details for attending this walk are at the end of this email.

After a leisurely walk across the entire sanctuary, 33 people wound up at the side of the property where the Loggerhead Shrike was found way back on December 11 and was seen consistently every week since then. Unfortunately it did not show this time despite a long and patient wait and search by a number of people in the group. It hides well, but...

The consolation prize was a Short-eared Owl, the first of the season here, flushing across the sanctuary, harassed by ravens and crows. circling and flying high overhead. Four Eastern Meadowlarks, 2 American Kestrels, 2 Northern Harriers, a Rough-legged hawk, 3 Red-legged Hawk, Peregrine Falcons and a Bald Eagle added to the festivities. Snow Buntings and a surprise Hairy Woodppecker were seen by a few as well.

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 share it.

Bear Creek Sanctuary (restricted access), Essex, Massachusetts, US Jan 22, 2023 9:11 AM - 12:52 PM
Protocol: Traveling
3.4 mile(s)
39 species

Canada Goose 60
American Black Duck 20
Surf Scoter 3
White-winged Scoter 10
Bufflehead 6
Common Goldeneye 12
Red-breasted Merganser 12
Wild Turkey 4
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 60
Mourning Dove 4
Herring Gull 80
Great Black-backed Gull 8
Northern Harrier 2
Bald Eagle 1
Red-tailed Hawk 3
Rough-legged Hawk 1
Short-eared Owl 1
Downy Woodpecker 5
Hairy Woodpecker 1
American Kestrel 2
Peregrine Falcon 3
Blue Jay 3
American Crow 2
Common Raven 2
Black-capped Chickadee 8
Horned Lark 70 Regular flock
European Starling 40
Northern Mockingbird 1
American Robin 3
House Sparrow 30
American Goldfinch 12
Snow Bunting 3
American Tree Sparrow 30
White-throated Sparrow 3
Savannah Sparrow 3
Song Sparrow 20
Eastern Meadowlark 4 Continuing
Red-winged Blackbird 40
Northern Cardinal 4
View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S126797488

Here are details for attending the walk at this property on January 29:

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 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.

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:
http://tinyurl.com/326v87d.

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