Proctor & Blackwater River Wow!

[Alan McIntyre]

Garrett and I arrived at the Blackwater ski area and rail trail (which follows along the Blackwater River in Andover on Proctor Academy land) to a riot of flocking and movement. 

From 7 -8:45 am we were reeling from flyovers, chases, and canopy rustling of many busy species (cue opening track to Lion King please). 

Flocks of blue jays, cedar waxwings, flickers (in pairs), calling bluebirds and unidentifiable ducks flew over in pulses of traffic, as the sun rose higher.  

Most of our sightings were within 100 yards of the swinging bridge near the Blackwater Ski Area.

By 9 am the typical mid-September skulking had returned. 

34 species identified. 

FULL LIST is on ebird here

Notable sightings:

Pine Warbler

Rose-breasted Grosbeak

Bald eagle (adult) 

Osprey

Carolina Wren

House finch

Black and white Warbler

Black-throated Green Warbler

Common Yellowthroat

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Merlin alerted us to a Blue-headed Vireo and a Northern Waterthrush but we could not confirm that, so we did not count them.

Also, we had a  least or alder flycatchers (or both) but they were quiet and we struggled to ID them with certainty.

Overall a remarkable September birding day at the Proctor Birding Trail!

with wings,

Alan D. McIntyre P'23

Science Dept. Chair 

WebEx + cell: 603.735.6810

PGP: he/him/his 

“Those who have the privilege to know have the duty to act, and in that action are the seeds of new knowledge.”
Albert Einstein