Date: 4/16/26 5:26 pm From: Paul Ippolito <paulippolito295...> Subject: [Arlington Birds] MBC Trip Sunday and Throughout Next Week
Fellow MBC members,
We have a trip this Sunday at Arlington Reservoir as well as trips on
Tuesday at Mary Cummings Park in Burlington and Thursday next week at Long
Pond in Winchester and Mount Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge/Watertown,
Our next meeting is Tuesday, April 21 as we will have Alyssa Giaquinto the
founder and director of Giaquinto Wildlife Center, a family-run nonprofit
wildlife rehabilitation and education organization based in Massachusetts
presenting - on wildlife rehabilitation and how we can coexist with native
wildlife here in Massachusetts.
To help you plan, we have included trips through April.
Do, however, continue to look at the weekly e-mails as we will be
continually adding trips based upon what is being seen, weather and
availability of our leaders.
Spring migration is happening now with some interesting observations being
posted throughout Massachusetts so keep exploring your local patches, *report
what you are seeing* and enjoy all that our area has to offer.
*Sunday, April 19*
*Arlington Reservoir *
*John Edmondson 7:00 AM – 9:00 AM *We'll circle the reservoir looking for
early spring migrants including waterfowl and shorebirds. This is a fairly
short walk in distance on easy paths. If you arrive late, you can find us
by heading around until you catch up (we should be obvious). Easy to leave
early too if you like. Cosponsored with the Brookline Bird Club. Meet in
the parking lot off Lowell St, Arlington directly across the street from
Westmoreland Avenue.. 7:00 AM - 9:00 AM. John Edmondson
<johnhedmondson...>
*Tuesday, April 21*
*Mary Cummings Park, Burlington*
*Diana Fruguglietti 8:00 AM – 9:30 AM*
Join us as we explore Mary Cummings Park for early spring migrants and
local breeding birds. Meet at the soccer field parking lot on Blanchard
Road, Burlington, across from 10 Blanchard Road. 8:00 AM - 9:30 AM Diana
Fruguglietti <diana.fru...>
*Tuesday, April 21*
*6:30 PM Social Time, 7:00 Meeting Start *
*Wildlife Rehabilitation & How We Can Coexist with Native Wildlife here in
Massachusetts Alyssa Giaquinto – Jenks Center, Winchester*
Please join the Menotomy Bird Club on Tuesday, April 21st @ 7:00 PM at the
Jenks Center, 109 Skillings Road in Winchester as we will have Alyssa
Giaquinto the founder and director of Giaquinto Wildlife Center, a
family-run nonprofit wildlife rehabilitation and education organization
based in Massachusetts presenting - on wildlife rehabilitation and how we
can coexist with native wildlife here in Massachusetts.
We’ll talk about what wildlife rehabilitation really looks like behind the
scenes, common reasons animals need help, and practical, everyday ways
people can peacefully share space with wildlife in their communities. The
presentation is educational, engaging, and designed to inspire compassion
and conservation while giving attendees real take-home knowledge. Alyssa is
a licensed wildlife rehabilitator through MassWildlife and the U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service, as well as a state- and federally permitted wildlife
educator. She is passionate about conservation, community education, and
inspiring the next generation to protect native species. Alyssa is joined
during programs by her non-releasable educational ambassador barn owl,
Bella, who helps audiences of all ages connect with wildlife in a
meaningful and memorable way.
Doors open at 6:30 for set up and social time and the meeting starts
promptly at 7:00 PM.
*Thursday, April 23*
*Middlesex Fells, Long Pond, Winchester*
*Lisa Craig & Diana Fruguglietti 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM*
Join us for a walk on this 2-mile loop around Long Pond in the Middlesex
Fells. We’ll be looking for thrushes, pine warblers, towhees as well as
year-round residents such as brown creepers, pileated woodpeckers and
barred owls. Terrain is fairly easy underfoot, though it can be damp if we
have had rain. Meet in the Long Pond parking lot on South Border Road in
Winchester.8:00 – 10:00 AM Lisa Craig <lisa.t.craig...> & Diana
Fruguglietti <diana.fru...>
*Thursday, April 23*
*Spring Migration at Mount Auburn Cemetery*
*John Edmondson 6:30 AM – 8:30 AM*
Mount Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge and Watertown is one of the best local
spots to experience spring migration & this is the time of year to begin to
experience that migration. Cosponsored with the Brookline Bird Club. Meet
in front of the Story Chapel on Central Ave, across from the Asa Gray
Garden (Lawn Ave circle). 6:30 AM - 8:30 AM John Edmondson
<johnhedmondson...>
If you are interested in leading a trip, please reach out to Diana
Fruguglietti <Diana.fru...> or myself, the club would be so lucky to
have you lead.
Please continue to post your observations.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out.
Date: 4/16/26 11:00 am From: 'sue' via Arlington Birds <arlingtonbirds...> Subject: Re: [Arlington Birds] Arlington Eagles; KZ in Love : The White Bullet (Brief)
Love it!
Sent from the all new AOL app for iOS
On Thursday, April 16, 2026, 11:54 AM, 'PAUL ROBERTS' via Arlington Birds <arlingtonbirds...> wrote:
A brief update to my post of last night. * KZ revealed a passionate relationship with Stripe 1 this morning. He and Stripe were perched in THE tree and were very vocal. She led the way and flew to the southwest spruce. He followed and both were very vocal there. * Stripe 1 returned to near the dam, and went fishing. Stripe 2 was spotted lurking in the cover of a pine tree and harassed Stripe 1. Stripe 1 landed on the Osprey tree. Stripe 2 was on her tail and landed screaming above Stripe 1. KZ saw this from the 10 o'clock branch of the nest and exploded towards the Osprey tree. Feet first, the white bullet knocked Stripe 2 off the tree. The action was so quick, intense, and close that no one was able to capture it photographically. KZ was amazing. *Stripe 1 later took off flying towards Horn Pond. KZ followed a few seconds behind her. Stripe 2 joined the eagles from on high. KZ firmly escorted Stripe 2 away from the Stripe 1. * When Stripe 1 returned, she led the way and anded in the top of THE tree, where juvenile 78/C had been perched most of the morning. KZ was right behind Stripe 1 and knocked 78/C off her perch and started trumpeting, joined by Stripe 1. * Later KZ returned to the 10 o'clock branch, and Stripe 1 returned to the nest. She went out on the branch and KZ jumped her bones but fell off almost immediately. About a half hour later they copulated successfully. There is hope the nest is once again important and the possibility of laying eggs looks the best it has in six weeks. The odds, however, are not good, but it looks like Stripe 1 and KZ have really bonded. Overall, this was far more vocalization and emotion than we've seen from KZ since FAE passed. Everything seemed important once again. Defending his mate. The Tree. The Nest. It is a new day. It is the old KZ. Comparison of notes indicated that Stripe 1 and KZ were seen perched together on Monday the 13th. Salt had been seen perched alone in THE tree that morning and has not been seen since. She apparently left of her own accord. Observers are cautioned that at any distance Stripe 1 and Stripe 2 might look like adults, especially on a sunny day when the bright light blows out the fine striping and when flying. Stripe 1's eye stripe is lighter and narrower than Stripe 2's. Stripe 2 also has more "salt on her undersides, and a much darker tail overall. She also appears to have streaking forming where she had a bib, and her belly is turning darker. (It is possible she is a year younger than Stripe 1.) Both birds will lose their stripes and their "salt" over the next year or two. NOTE: Stripe 2 is banded with an orange Massachusetts band that we cannot yet read. Stripe 1 is unbanded. Salt may still be in the greater area; observers thought they were looking at Salt with KZ on Monday but it was definitely Stripe 1, so it is easy to be confused when you see immature but white headed (and usually tailed) Bald Eagles. There is joy in Mudville today, especially for KZ. It might be too late to nest successfully this year, but it looks like he is revived and REALLY wants to bond with Stripe 1. It's necessary for ultimate breeding success. May it be so. Best, Paul Paul M. Roberts
Medford, MA
<phawk254...>
Date: 4/16/26 8:54 am From: 'PAUL ROBERTS' via Arlington Birds <arlingtonbirds...> Subject: [Arlington Birds] Arlington Eagles; KZ in Love : The White Bullet (Brief)
A brief update to my post of last night. * KZ revealed a passionate relationship with Stripe 1 this morning. He and Stripe were perched in THE tree and were very vocal. She led the way and flew to the southwest spruce. He followed and both were very vocal there. * Stripe 1 returned to near the dam, and went fishing. Stripe 2 was spotted lurking in the cover of a pine tree and harassed Stripe 1. Stripe 1 landed on the Osprey tree. Stripe 2 was on her tail and landed screaming above Stripe 1. KZ saw this from the 10 o'clock branch of the nest and exploded towards the Osprey tree. Feet first, the white bullet knocked Stripe 2 off the tree. The action was so quick, intense, and close that no one was able to capture it photographically. KZ was amazing. *Stripe 1 later took off flying towards Horn Pond. KZ followed a few seconds behind her. Stripe 2 joined the eagles from on high. KZ firmly escorted Stripe 2 away from the Stripe 1. * When Stripe 1 returned, she led the way and anded in the top of THE tree, where juvenile 78/C had been perched most of the morning. KZ was right behind Stripe 1 and knocked 78/C off her perch and started trumpeting, joined by Stripe 1. * Later KZ returned to the 10 o'clock branch, and Stripe 1 returned to the nest. She went out on the branch and KZ jumped her bones but fell off almost immediately. About a half hour later they copulated successfully. There is hope the nest is once again important and the possibility of laying eggs looks the best it has in six weeks. The odds, however, are not good, but it looks like Stripe 1 and KZ have really bonded. Overall, this was far more vocalization and emotion than we've seen from KZ since FAE passed. Everything seemed important once again. Defending his mate. The Tree. The Nest. It is a new day. It is the old KZ. Comparison of notes indicated that Stripe 1 and KZ were seen perched together on Monday the 13th. Salt had been seen perched alone in THE tree that morning and has not been seen since. She apparently left of her own accord. Observers are cautioned that at any distance Stripe 1 and Stripe 2 might look like adults, especially on a sunny day when the bright light blows out the fine striping and when flying. Stripe 1's eye stripe is lighter and narrower than Stripe 2's. Stripe 2 also has more "salt on her undersides, and a much darker tail overall. She also appears to have streaking forming where she had a bib, and her belly is turning darker. (It is possible she is a year younger than Stripe 1.) Both birds will lose their stripes and their "salt" over the next year or two. NOTE: Stripe 2 is banded with an orange Massachusetts band that we cannot yet read. Stripe 1 is unbanded. Salt may still be in the greater area; observers thought they were looking at Salt with KZ on Monday but it was definitely Stripe 1, so it is easy to be confused when you see immature but white headed (and usually tailed) Bald Eagles. There is joy in Mudville today, especially for KZ. It might be too late to nest successfully this year, but it looks like he is revived and REALLY wants to bond with Stripe 1. It's necessary for ultimate breeding success. May it be so. Best, Paul Paul M. Roberts Medford, MA <phawk254...>
First, I've not yet received word on the test results for FAE, who passed away roughly 5 weeks ago. I'll post that information when I receive it. Second, it appears that Salt, who apparently had succeeded FAE as KZ's mate within a day of FAE's passing, is no longer in the picture. This is a brief overview of what appears to have occurred. It should be understood that no one is watching the birds 24 hours a day, so you are getting only part of the story. Second, I've been taking record numbers (for me) of photos. Unlike most photographers, who seek dramatic, often action, cover shots, and may quickly toss those that are a bit soft, repetitive, or lifeless, I look at each and every one carefully to see if there is new information there, even if it is a lousy photo. That takes time and I have only now downloaded 2500 photos that I've taken in the past three days. I may well find important new information in several of those photos which will affect my conclusions. With that caveat......, KZ and Salt had copulated soon and fairly frequently since she appeared in the picture. (I am not sure exactly when that was but about the time FAE died at least 3-4 birds in Salt's age set appeared on the scene. I thought Salt was likely 3 years old, turning 4 this month. Ditto for several other birds that looked incredibly similar. There was one bird with a white head and tail that looked as though her torso had been hit by a sawed-off shotgun shell of rock salt. Salt had most of her 'salt" on her underwings, with light sprinkles on her torso. There was a bright, white-headed bird that had a dark, heavily streaked nape. (Salt had light streaking on her crown.) Salt had a significant 5 o'clock shadow on her "sideburns," but especially obvious on her chin. She looked like she needed to shave before dinner. That "shadow" was not obvious when viewed through a camera or scope at 1/3 of mile. She did appear to have ruffled small feathers behind her eyes, with a faint eye stripe that was distinctly different from FAE's appearance. She had only slight smudging on the outside or terminal tips of some of her tail feathers, often discernible only at special angles or light. When I first saw her alone in THE tree, without KZ, I didn't recognize her at first. I might have called her 'Bogey," as her heavy beard reminded me of Bogey, especially in African Queen. Another bird had a bright white head but a tail that looks largely black from above. All three birds were likely 3 YO's (year olds) turning 4, but one or more could have been 4 turning 5. It is virtually impossible to accurately age a bird approaching or in full adult basic plumage that isn't banded. I'm thinking that Netflix and HBO Max should be bidding on this story. KZ and Salt spent time together, but rarely in THE tree. Short periods in the nest, on the 10 o'clock branch or standing in the nest, but they looked like they were in a hotel room, not a home. They did very little work on the nest. I thought it was a frank recognition that they were not going to be laying eggs and hatching eaglets this year. They were dating, but rarely did anything that suggested strong bonding. This may have been KZ's fault more than hers. She spent more time alone at the nest or on the 10 o'clock branch, while he was off somewhere usually to the northeast, and not on the lakes. Salt had lots of visitors to the nest. Almost every juvenile or 1 year-old-eagle in the neighborhood went into the nest and perched on perches familiar for KZ and FAE. The "intruders" were "associates" of Salt in her very recent past. She was part of a floating population that hung together, looking for food and playing tail tag much of the day. She was a a kid. In human terms, she might be something akin to a 16-year old female, physiologically old enough to reproduce, but young enough socially that it might take her a year or two before she could actually lay, incubate, and hatch chicks successfully. KZ might be something like a 40-year-old male. Mature (ahem), experienced, at the peak of his "earning power," who owned premier property in an exclusive gated neighborhood. He had a lot to offer this young, inexperienced female. But what did they have in common? What did they talk about during the long perches? What bothered me was that Salt did not maintain any discipline, any protectiveness of the nest. She let teenagers rummage through the nest. Some perched impudently on a main branch for long periods of time. The only time I saw her defend the nest was when a white-bellied (1 YO), started pulling at large branches in the nest, one connected to a very large branch hanging off the side of the nest. It looked as though the kid might actually bring part of the nest down, when Salt darted at the kid and drove it out of the tree. The kid circled the tree and landed on the 10 o'clock branch just a few feet from Salt. KZ was nowhere to be seen. I've been convinced from the beginning that it was highly unlikely any eggs would be laid this year, much less hatched. The nest wasn't "Home" to Salt. It had no special meaning bonding the pair together. It was an address. I was surprised in that I had seen only one clearly full adult in the neighborhood after FAE's passing, and KZ had efficiently escorted that bird south to the river and followed it off the premises. That was likely a male; very similar in size to KZ or a little smaller. I was surprised that apparently there weren't any full adult females in the Boston "floaters pool." I was also amazed that there apparently weren't any adult males in that pool either. I kept waiting to see if an adult male would appear and challenge KZ for the lakes. Six years ago about this time a number of adult males appeared and challenged KZ, who was asserting his ownership of the lakes for the first time. HIs first chick had just hatched and was killed by an intruder. I thought KZ was now quite vulnerable to an aggressive young male intruder. But none appeared, even though KZ spent much less time on the lakes and almost no time in THE tree maintaining his claim to the lakes. He may have been living off his reputation, but more likely he was just lucky. Sunday evening April 12, as dusk approached a vicious fight broke out in the nest. Lots of screaming, and full-size eagles crashing through tree branches. It was getting dark quickly, so we had a tough time seeing into the nest. The only half-way decent photo (not mine), massaged as much as possible, showed three adult-looking birds in the nest. It looked like Salt was perched on the one o'clock branch, and KZ was in the air leaving the nest to charge aggressively towards an adult rounding the tree to the north side of the nest. The head of the intruder looks a bit off-refrigerator white, possibly a bird turning 4. We have no idea of what happened after that. The next morning at dawn there was no sign of a battle, and no resumption of one. Salt was sitting alone in THE tree by the dam. It was a surprisingly quiet morning. When I visited in the afternoon, there was no sign of Salt, but at 2:54 p.m. there was a large adult-looking eagle with a distinct post-ocular eye stripe on its left cheek standing in the nest while KZ was perched on the one o'clock branch. She also had fine streaking on her rear crown, almost like a skull cap. Tuesday was quiet too. KZ was alone on the 10 o'clock branch at the nest just before sunrise. At 6:30 a.m. he was perched on the southwest spruce (The big spruce on the point near Mill Brook Cove). Perched above him, on the top of the spruce, was a larger, bright white-headed bird with a distinct post-ocular Osprey-like eye stripe. Stripe. About 7:11, she flew over me, revealing whitish patches on her underwings. Much less than on Salt, and very few on her wing linings. There were small dark smudges dorsally on the tips of her tail feathers, which appeared clean white ventrally. There was a "rough" trailing edge to her wings which I've come to recognize as typical of birds in their first adult-like plumage. (Not the serrated trailing edge of juveniles, or the distinctly uneven edge of 1-year-olds, but also not the smooth sculpted edge of trailing edge feathers of a full adult like KZ. The feathers look as though they were hand-inserted by a disinterested person.) Stripe landed in the tall cottonwood on the eastern point, next to a one-year old. Dark post-ocular eye stripe on the left side of her face. Stripe. She then flew to the nest and landed on the 10 o'clock branch. No bands visible. She then moved up to the 1 o'clock branch where it looked as though her tail tips were dusky ventrally. Her upper tail coverts were spotted white; big white polka dots. In the afternoon she perched on the 1 o'clock and 10 o'clock branches, again showing dark tips to some of her tail feathers ventrally. I emphasize the subtle distinctions because Stripe appears to have "an evil twin." That is a joke harking back to typical soap opera plots, but there is a very similar-looking large eagle with a bright white head but a larger, thicker, darker, post-ocular eye stripe. Stripe "squared." This bird has a mottled tail with bright white mixed with sharp black smudges, and a semblance of a dark subterminal tail band dorsally. The really heavy eye-stripe and the tail are the only features I've discerned that distinguish these two very similar-looking birds. (And I've not seen Stripe squared with KZ.) In summary, everything is very different this year. The nest is no longer sacred because eggs will not be laid there. The eagles standing in that nest haven't really bonded and might never. KZ had a 5-week fling with Salt, and apparently copulated with another bird shortly after FAE's death. The routines aren't the same. The schedules aren't the same. For photographers, the territorial pair rarely perches on THE Tree near the dam anymore, and there aren't nest exchanges. Did Salt leave of her own volition or was she "kicked out" by KZ? Will KZ bond with Stripe? Will a yet unseen young adult male eagle challenge KZ for ownership of the Mystic Lakes? (I think he is very vulnerable right now.) With all the memories of FAE, and a new prospective mate, will KZ continue to use the old nest or will he seek to build a new nest with his prospective mate somewhere else? Maybe off-lake? What can really establish a bond between him and a 4 year old? Will 4 year-olds continue hanging around waiting for an opportunity to move up? A lot of questions and few answers. What we know for sure is that things just aren't going to be the same.... I miss FAE. I think KZ does too. But the objective of an eagle's life is to continue the species.... This weekend I will post several definitive photos of the new players on my Flickr site. I'll post that link when I get those photos up. Best, Paul Paul M. Roberts Medford, MA <phawk254...>
Date: 4/13/26 4:56 pm From: Paul Ippolito <paulippolito295...> Subject: [Arlington Birds] MBC Trips Wednesday and Sunday
Fellow MBC members,
We have a trip this Wednesday at Brooks Estate in Medford as well as a trip
on Sunday at Arlington Reservoir.
Our next meeting is Tuesday, April 21 as we will have Alyssa Giaquinto the
founder and director of Giaquinto Wildlife Center, a family-run nonprofit
wildlife rehabilitation and education organization based in Massachusetts
presenting - on wildlife rehabilitation and how we can coexist with native
wildlife here in Massachusetts.
To help you plan, we have included trips through April.
Do, however, continue to look at the weekly e-mails as we will be
continually adding trips based upon what is being seen, weather and
availability of our leaders.
Spring migration is happening now with some interesting observations being
posted throughout Massachusetts so keep exploring your local patches, *report
what you are seeing* and enjoy all that our area has to offer.
*Wednesday, April 15*
*Brooks Estate, Medford*
*Diana Fruguglietti 8:30 AM – 10:30 AM*
Join us as we search for early spring migrants - particularly Pine, Palm,
and Yellow-rumped Warblers, but there may also be phoebes, several
sparrows, kinglets and thrushes. Or, let's find a surprise. Meet at the
entrance at 266 Grove St. entrance (255-277 Grove Street) 8:30 – 10:30 AM
Diana Fruguglietti <diana.fru...>
*Sunday, April 19*
*Arlington Reservoir *
*John Edmondson 7:00 AM – 9:00 AM *We'll circle the reservoir looking for
early spring migrants including waterfowl and shorebirds. This is a fairly
short walk in distance on easy paths. If you arrive late, you can find us
by heading around until you catch up (we should be obvious). Easy to leave
early too if you like. Cosponsored with the Brookline Bird Club. Meet in
the parking lot off Lowell St, Arlington directly across the street from
Westmoreland Avenue.. 7:00 AM - 9:00 AM. John Edmondson
<johnhedmondson...>
*Tuesday, April 21*
*Mary Cummings Park, Burlington*
*Diana Fruguglietti 8:00 AM – 9:30 AM*
Join us as we explore Mary Cummings Park for early spring migrants and
local breeding birds. Meet at the soccer field parking lot on Blanchard
Road, Burlington, across from 10 Blanchard Road. 8:00 AM - 9:30 AM Diana
Fruguglietti <diana.fru...>
*Tuesday, April 21*
*6:30 PM Social Time, 7:00 Meeting Start *
*Wildlife Rehabilitation & How We Can Coexist with Native Wildlife here in
Massachusetts Alyssa Giaquinto – Jenks Center, Winchester*
Please join the Menotomy Bird Club on Tuesday, April 21st @ 7:00 PM at the
Jenks Center, 109 Skillings Road in Winchester as we will have Alyssa
Giaquinto the founder and director of Giaquinto Wildlife Center, a
family-run nonprofit wildlife rehabilitation and education organization
based in Massachusetts presenting - on wildlife rehabilitation and how we
can coexist with native wildlife here in Massachusetts.
We’ll talk about what wildlife rehabilitation really looks like behind the
scenes, common reasons animals need help, and practical, everyday ways
people can peacefully share space with wildlife in their communities. The
presentation is educational, engaging, and designed to inspire compassion
and conservation while giving attendees real take-home knowledge. Alyssa is
a licensed wildlife rehabilitator through MassWildlife and the U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service, as well as a state- and federally permitted wildlife
educator. She is passionate about conservation, community education, and
inspiring the next generation to protect native species. Alyssa is joined
during programs by her non-releasable educational ambassador barn owl,
Bella, who helps audiences of all ages connect with wildlife in a
meaningful and memorable way.
Doors open at 6:30 for set up and social time and the meeting starts
promptly at 7:00 PM.
*Thursday, April 23*
*Spring Migration at Mount Auburn Cemetery*
*John Edmondson 6:30 AM – 8:30 AM*
Mount Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge and Watertown is one of the best local
spots to experience spring migration & this is the time of year to begin to
experience that migration. Cosponsored with the Brookline Bird Club. Meet
in front of the Story Chapel on Central Ave, across from the Asa Gray
Garden (Lawn Ave circle). 6:30 AM - 8:30 AM John Edmondson
<johnhedmondson...>
If you are interested in leading a trip, please reach out to Diana
Fruguglietti <Diana.fru...> or myself, the club would be so lucky to
have you lead.
Please continue to post your observations.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out.
Date: 4/13/26 9:33 am From: Andrew Whitacre <akwhitacre...> Subject: Re: [Arlington Birds] Possible Nelson's Sparrow?
Hi Betty! Sounds like a song sparrow. I can hear where the PUC is getting
tripped up, by the trill at 2.3 secs. As much as I've enjoyed my PUC, I
wish I could tell it my habitat, ha. I'll get Nelson's sparrows
occasionally too, and nightly common loons that are actually firetrucks.
On Mon, Apr 13, 2026 at 12:12 PM Betty Widerski <bwiderski.resist...>
wrote:
> I just got a Birdweather PUC (station # PUC-25338 if anyone else has one)
> and have been testing it in my E. Arlington yard. Aside from the hundreds
> of House Sparrow IDs (!) this morning it claims to have ID'd a Nelson's
> Sparrow with 95% confidence. I'm taking its IDs with a large grain of salt,
> but I downloaded this one, looked at the spectrogram, and compared it to
> East Coastal Nelson's Sparrows in Macauley. It's not *quite* but very
> close. Looking for other opinions, as eBird has it as only a really
> infrequent Fall visitor.
>
> PUC spectrogram:
> [image: image.png]
>
> Macauley ML163476:
> [image: image.png]
>
> Macauley audio: https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/163476 >
> My audio:
>
> --
> Group home page:
> https://menotomybirdclub.com/ > ---
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
> "Arlington Birds" group.
> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an
> email to arlingtonbirds+<unsubscribe...>
> To view this discussion visit
> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/arlingtonbirds/<CAGargwTPTDEDtTqLpdY99pnBmbpC7e0BXszV0qkX8FqaLj7w6Q...> > <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/arlingtonbirds/<CAGargwTPTDEDtTqLpdY99pnBmbpC7e0BXszV0qkX8FqaLj7w6Q...>?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> > .
>
Date: 4/13/26 9:12 am From: Betty Widerski <bwiderski.resist...> Subject: [Arlington Birds] Possible Nelson's Sparrow?
I just got a Birdweather PUC (station # PUC-25338 if anyone else has one) and have been testing it in my E. Arlington yard. Aside from the hundreds of House Sparrow IDs (!) this morning it claims to have ID'd a Nelson's Sparrow with 95% confidence. I'm taking its IDs with a large grain of salt, but I downloaded this one, looked at the spectrogram, and compared it to East Coastal Nelson's Sparrows in Macauley. It's not *quite* but very close. Looking for other opinions, as eBird has it as only a really infrequent Fall visitor.
Date: 4/12/26 2:45 am From: Paul Ippolito <paulippolito295...> Subject: [Arlington Birds] MBC Horn Pond Trip from Saturday April 11
22 birders joined me at Horn Pond in Woburn on Saturday morning. It was warm, sunny but windy day. The Lesser Scaup continues on the main pond. Palm Warblers, Yellow Rumped Warblers and Ruby crowned Kinglets kept us entertained. A lingering Golden crowned Kinglet and a last minute Black crowned Night Heron were enjoyed by the group
Paul Ippolito - Woburn
> 65 Canada Goose
> 5 Mute Swan
> 27 Mallard
> 1 Lesser Scaup
> 8 Mourning Dove
> 1 Killdeer
> 9 American Herring Gull
> 1 Double-crested Cormorant
> 1 Black-crowned Night Heron
> 3 Great Blue Heron
> 1 Turkey Vulture
> 1 Cooper's Hawk
> 1 Red-tailed Hawk
> 1 Belted Kingfisher
> 1 Red-bellied Woodpecker
> 5 Downy Woodpecker
> 1 Hairy Woodpecker
> 2 Northern Flicker
> 1 Eastern Phoebe
> 12 Blue Jay
> 4 American Crow
> 12 Black-capped Chickadee
> 3 Tufted Titmouse
> 8 Tree Swallow
> 4 Ruby-crowned Kinglet
> 1 Golden-crowned Kinglet
> 1 White-breasted Nuthatch
> 2 Carolina Wren
> 2 Northern Mockingbird
> 28 American Robin
> 56 House Sparrow
> 12 American Goldfinch
> 7 White-throated Sparrow
> 6 Song Sparrow
> 1 Swamp Sparrow
> 24 Red-winged Blackbird
> 67 Common Grackle
> 16 Palm Warbler
> 8 Yellow-rumped Warbler
> 5 Northern Cardinal
>
> Number of Taxa: 40
>
> - Paul
>
> A brief message sent from my iPhone. Please excuse any spelling errors.
Hi all,I heard a pine warbler close by at Walden Pond today.Spring yes!!Deborah
On Saturday, April 11, 2026 at 03:15:05 PM EDT, 'Andrea Golden' via Arlington Birds <arlingtonbirds...> wrote:
Hi Birders,
FoY (for me) Palm Warblers at Whipple Hill near Wright-Locke Farm, mixed
with a few Ruby-crowned Kinglets
Date: 4/11/26 10:20 am From: Mark Hibberd <markghibberd...> Subject: Re: [Arlington Birds] URGENT: Contact your legislators today!
Do we have a draft letter to use with specifics of our ask and email or
other addresses, plus the full formal
Name and title of the person(s) we should contact
Many thanks
Mark
On Sat, Apr 11, 2026 at 10:15 AM Diana F. <diana.fru...> wrote:
Date: 4/9/26 5:37 am From: Paul Ippolito <paulippolito295...> Subject: [Arlington Birds] MBC Trips this weekend and beyond
Fellow MBC members,
This weekend we have walks at Horn Pond in Woburn on Friday and Saturday
(please note the differing meeting locations) as well as another in our
series of walks at Bear Creek Sanctuary in Saugus.
Our next meeting is Tuesday, April 21 as we will have Alyssa Giaquinto the
founder and director of Giaquinto Wildlife Center, a family-run nonprofit
wildlife rehabilitation and education organization based in Massachusetts
presenting - on wildlife rehabilitation and how we can coexist with native
wildlife here in Massachusetts.
To help you plan, we have included trips through April.
Do, however, continue to look at the weekly e-mails as we will be
continually adding trips based upon what is being seen, weather and
availability of our leaders.
Spring migration is happening now with some interesting observations being
posted throughout Massachusetts so keep exploring your local patches, *report
what you are seeing* and enjoy all that our area has to offer.
*Friday, April 10*
*Horn Pond Mountain, Woburn*
*Diana Fruguglietti 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM*
Let's look for early spring migrants such as Eastern Phoebe, Ruby-crowned
Kinglet, Field Sparrow and early warblers such as Palm, Pine and
Yellow-rumped. Meet at the Lake Avenue parking lot 8:00 AM - 10:00 AM Diana
Fruguglietti <diana.fru...>
*Saturday, April 11*
*Horn Pond, Woburn*
*Paul Ippolito 7:30 AM – 10:00AM*
Join us as we explore the varied habitat of the Horn Pond Conservation
area. We will be searching for early spring migrants such as Tree Swallow,
Eastern Phoebes, as well as Pine, Palm and Yellow-rumped warblers, and
lingering ducks such as Northern Shoveler and Green-winged teal. Meet at
the Sturgis Street entrance 7:30 AM - 10:00 AM Paul Ippolito
<paulippolito295...>
*Sunday, April 12*
*Bear Creek Sanctuary, Saugus *
*Soheil Zendeh 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM*
Here are details for attending the walk at this property:
Bear Creek is an upland sanctuary built on the WINWaste (formerly
Wheelabrator) landfill at the northeast corner 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.
WINWaste 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 Geoff Wilson <s2ary...> know
you're coming so we can have a head count.
Bear Creek Sanctuary access is via the WINWaste 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.
*Wednesday, April 15*
*Brooks Estate, Medford*
*Diana Fruguglietti 8:30 AM – 10:30 AM*
Join us as we search for early spring migrants - particularly Pine, Palm,
and Yellow-rumped Warblers, but there may also be phoebes, several
sparrows, kinglets and thrushes. Or, let's find a surprise. Meet at the
entrance at 266 Grove St. entrance (255-277 Grove Street) 8:30 – 10:30 AM
Diana Fruguglietti <diana.fru...>
*Sunday, April 19*
*Arlington Reservoir *
*John Edmondson 7:00 AM – 9:00 AM *We'll circle the reservoir looking for
early spring migrants including waterfowl and shorebirds. This is a fairly
short walk in distance on easy paths. If you arrive late, you can find us
by heading around until you catch up (we should be obvious). Easy to leave
early too if you like. Cosponsored with the Brookline Bird Club. Meet in
the parking lot off Lowell St, Arlington directly across the street from
Westmoreland Avenue.. 7:00 AM - 9:00 AM. John Edmondson
<johnhedmondson...>
*Tuesday, April 21*
*Mary Cummings Park, Burlington*
*Diana Fruguglietti 8:00 AM – 9:30 AM*
Join us as we explore Mary Cummings Park for early spring migrants and
local breeding birds. Meet at the soccer field parking lot on Blanchard
Road, Burlington, across from 10 Blanchard Road. 8:00 AM - 9:30 AM Diana
Fruguglietti <diana.fru...>
*Tuesday, April 21*
*6:30 PM Social Time, 7:00 Meeting Start *
*Wildlife Rehabilitation & How We Can Coexist with Native Wildlife here in
Massachusetts Alyssa Giaquinto – Jenks Center, Winchester*
Please join the Menotomy Bird Club on Tuesday, April 21st @ 7:00 PM at the
Jenks Center, 109 Skillings Road in Winchester as we will have Alyssa
Giaquinto the founder and director of Giaquinto Wildlife Center, a
family-run nonprofit wildlife rehabilitation and education organization
based in Massachusetts presenting - on wildlife rehabilitation and how we
can coexist with native wildlife here in Massachusetts.
We’ll talk about what wildlife rehabilitation really looks like behind the
scenes, common reasons animals need help, and practical, everyday ways
people can peacefully share space with wildlife in their communities. The
presentation is educational, engaging, and designed to inspire compassion
and conservation while giving attendees real take-home knowledge. Alyssa is
a licensed wildlife rehabilitator through MassWildlife and the U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service, as well as a state- and federally permitted wildlife
educator. She is passionate about conservation, community education, and
inspiring the next generation to protect native species. Alyssa is joined
during programs by her non-releasable educational ambassador barn owl,
Bella, who helps audiences of all ages connect with wildlife in a
meaningful and memorable way.
Doors open at 6:30 for set up and social time and the meeting starts
promptly at 7:00 PM.
*Thursday, April 23*
*Spring Migration at Mount Auburn Cemetery*
*John Edmondson 6:30 AM – 8:30 AM*
Mount Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge and Watertown is one of the best local
spots to experience spring migration & this is the time of year to begin to
experience that migration. Cosponsored with the Brookline Bird Club. Meet
in front of the Story Chapel on Central Ave, across from the Asa Gray
Garden (Lawn Ave circle). 6:30 AM - 8:30 AM John Edmondson
<johnhedmondson...>
If you are interested in leading a trip, please reach out to Diana
Fruguglietti <Diana.fru...> or myself, the club would be so lucky to
have you lead.
Please continue to post your observations.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out.
Date: 4/7/26 5:46 am From: Diana F. <diana.fru...> Subject: [Arlington Birds] Eagle Hill Institute— Bird Seminar(s) for 2026—Suggested Announcement
Fyi
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Eagle Hill Office <office...>
Date: Mon, Apr 6, 2026, 3:02 PM
Subject: Eagle Hill Institute— Bird Seminar(s) for 2026—Suggested
Announcement
To:
Hello,
We hope you might be amenable to posting/sharing an announcement of Eagle
Hill Institute's upcoming bird seminars with your organization, and others
that may be interested. We would welcome a brief confirmation if you are
amenable to doing so. Thank you for considering this!
Best,
Chase
*Eagle Hill Institute’s 2026 Bird Seminars*
Eagle Hill is right on the coast of Eastern Maine, between Acadia National
Park and Petit Manan National Wildlife Refuge.
If you have any questions about the content of the seminar, please reach
out to the seminar instructor(s), whose contact info can be found on the
seminar flyer. If a seminar you are interested in is full, and you would
like to be put on the waitlist, please fill out the application form.
If you have any questions about registering for the seminar, please contact
us at *<office...> <office...>*.
https://eaglehill.us/ *Our phone line is currently down, we can currently only be reached by
email.
Chase: 207-546-2821 #206 (pound sign needs to be entered)
Sam: 207-546-2821 #208 (pound sign needs to be entered)
Date: 4/7/26 5:45 am From: Diana F. <diana.fru...> Subject: [Arlington Birds] announcing a Pollinator Pathway initiative in Cambridge, with some talks - one on April 7
Fyi
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: 'Amy Meltzer' via mass-pollinator-network <
<mass-pollinator-network...>
Date: Mon, Apr 6, 2026, 1:25 PM
Subject: announcing a Pollinator Pathway initiative in Cambridge, with some
talks - one on April 7
To: Pollinator Network Mass <mass-pollinator-network...>
Hi all,
Just wanted to share this news. Cambridge is committed to being a
Pollinator Pathway city with some public pollinator gardens in the works, a
website coming, and with three talks scheduled - two this spring and one in
the fall. The talks are in person at the Main Library and on Zoom. I hope
to see some of you!
Date: 4/3/26 4:14 am From: Paul Ippolito <paulippolito295...> Subject: [Arlington Birds] MBC Trip Saturday, Next Week, & Beyond
Fellow MBC members,
This weekend we have walk at Greenough Land in Carlisle on Saturday as well
as walks during the week next week on Wednesday and Friday at Horn Pond in
Woburn.
Our next meeting is Tuesday, April 21 as we will have Alyssa Giaquinto the
founder and director of Giaquinto Wildlife Center, a family-run nonprofit
wildlife rehabilitation and education organization based in Massachusetts
presenting - on wildlife rehabilitation and how we can coexist with native
wildlife here in Massachusetts.
To help you plan, we have included trips through April.
Do, however, continue to look at the weekly e-mails as we will be
continually adding trips based upon what is being seen, weather and
availability of our leaders.
Spring migration is happening now with some interesting observations being
posted throughout Massachusetts so keep exploring your local patches, *report
what you are seeing* and enjoy all that our area has to offer.
*Saturday, April 4*
*Greenough Land, Carlisle*
*Alan Ankers 7:30 AM – 10:00 AM*
Visit one of Carlisle’s lesser-known Conservation Lands to look for
lingering winter visitors and
earlier migrants. Co-sponsored by the Carlisle Conservation Foundation.
Meet at the parking lot opposite 811 Maple Street. 7:30-10:00 AM Alan
Ankers <alankers...>
*Wednesday, April 8*
*Horn Pond, Woburn*
*Diana Fruguglietti 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM*
Let's look for early spring migrants such as Eastern Phoebe, Ruby-crowned
Kinglet, Field Sparrow and early warblers such as Palm, Pine and
Yellow-rumped. Meet at the Sturgis Street Entrance 8:00 AM - 10:00 AM Diana
Fruguglietti <diana.fru...>
*Friday, April 10*
*Horn Pond Mountain, Woburn*
*Diana Fruguglietti 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM*
Let's look for early spring migrants such as Eastern Phoebe, Ruby-crowned
Kinglet, Field Sparrow and early warblers such as Palm, Pine and
Yellow-rumped. Meet at the Lake Avenue parking lot 8:00 AM - 10:00 AM Diana
Fruguglietti <diana.fru...>
*Saturday, April 11*
*Horn Pond, Woburn*
Join us as we explore the varied habitat of the Horn Pond Conservation
area. We will be searching for early spring migrants such as Tree Swallow,
Eastern Phoebes, as well as Pine, Palm and Yellow-rumped warblers, and
lingering ducks such as Northern Shoveler and Green-winged teal. Meet at
the Sturgis Street entrance 7:30 AM - 10:00 AM Paul Ippolito
<paulippolito295...>
*Sunday, April 12*
*Bear Creek Sanctuary, Saugus *
*Soheil Zendeh 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM*
Here are details for attending the walk at this property:
Bear Creek is an upland sanctuary built on the WINWaste (formerly
Wheelabrator) landfill at the northeast corner 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.
WINWaste 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 Geoff Wilson <s2ary...> know
you're coming so we can have a head count.
Bear Creek Sanctuary access is via the WINWaste 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.
*Wednesday, April 15*
*Brooks Estate, Medford*
*Diana Fruguglietti 8:30 AM – 10:30 AM*
Join us as we search for early spring migrants - particularly Pine, Palm,
and Yellow-rumped Warblers, but there may also be phoebes, several
sparrows, kinglets and thrushes. Or, let's find a surprise. Meet at the
entrance at 266 Grove St. entrance (255-277 Grove Street) 8:30 – 10:30 AM
Diana Fruguglietti <diana.fru...>
*Sunday, April 19*
*Arlington Reservoir *
*John Edmondson 7:00 AM – 9:00 AM *We'll circle the reservoir looking for
early spring migrants including waterfowl and shorebirds. This is a fairly
short walk in distance on easy paths. If you arrive late, you can find us
by heading around until you catch up (we should be obvious). Easy to leave
early too if you like. Cosponsored with the Brookline Bird Club. Meet in
the parking lot off Lowell St, Arlington directly across the street from
Westmoreland Avenue.. 7:00 AM - 9:00 AM. John Edmondson
<johnhedmondson...>
*Tuesday, April 21*
*Mary Cummings Park, Burlington*
*Diana Fruguglietti 8:00 AM – 9:30 AM*
Join us as we explore Mary Cummings Park for early spring migrants and
local breeding birds. Meet at the soccer field parking lot on Blanchard
Road, Burlington, across from 10 Blanchard Road. 8:00 AM - 9:30 AM Diana
Fruguglietti <diana.fru...>
*Tuesday, April 21*
*6:30 PM Social Time, 7:00 Meeting Start *
*Wildlife Rehabilitation & How We Can Coexist with Native Wildlife here in
Massachusetts Alyssa Giaquinto **– Jenks Center, Winchester*
Please join the Menotomy Bird Club on Tuesday, April 21st @ 7:00 PM at the
Jenks Center, 109 Skillings Road in Winchester as we will have Alyssa
Giaquinto the founder and director of Giaquinto Wildlife Center, a
family-run nonprofit wildlife rehabilitation and education organization
based in Massachusetts presenting - on wildlife rehabilitation and how we
can coexist with native wildlife here in Massachusetts.
We’ll talk about what wildlife rehabilitation really looks like behind the
scenes, common reasons animals need help, and practical, everyday ways
people can peacefully share space with wildlife in their communities. The
presentation is educational, engaging, and designed to inspire compassion
and conservation while giving attendees real take-home knowledge. Alyssa is
a licensed wildlife rehabilitator through MassWildlife and the U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service, as well as a state- and federally permitted wildlife
educator. She is passionate about conservation, community education, and
inspiring the next generation to protect native species. Alyssa is joined
during programs by her non-releasable educational ambassador barn owl,
Bella, who helps audiences of all ages connect with wildlife in a
meaningful and memorable way.
Doors open at 6:30 for set up and social time and the meeting starts
promptly at 7:00 PM.
If you are interested in leading a trip, please reach out to Diana
Fruguglietti <Diana.fru...> or myself, the club would be so lucky to
have you lead.
Please continue to post your observations.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out.
Date: 4/2/26 1:43 pm From: Toshia McCabe <toshia.fcolors...> Subject: [Arlington Birds] Gov. Healey seeks to lift Sunday hunting ban
Posting this from Save Arlington Wildlife. Here’s how to take action if you
oppose lifting the Sunday hunting ban in MA.
———————-
TAKE ACTION to help prevent the repeal of the Sunday hunting ban!
Remember how Gov Healey came through on Nibi the beaver?
There was a reason for that: she received an overwhelming amount of phone
calls and emails to her office. So, we need a similar response, but this
time on this issue.
Healey's constituent phone line is: (617) 725-4005 or the toll-free line at
(888) 870-7770. Please CALL first and leave a voicemail, as those always
leave stronger impressions. Then follow up with an email to
<constituent.services...>
Also, please call your state Reps/Senators as well to tell them your issue
with this move and your wish for them to not support it.
Some places where hunting would be on Sundays if this passes includes
federal wildlife refuges (for those in Boston metro--that means Great
Meadows in Concord, Assabet River Wildlife Refuge, and Parker River near
Plum Island). Some DCR parks like Wompatuck State Park, Myles Standish
State Forest, and Savoy Mountain State Forest.
Toshia McCabe
Arlington, MA
Date: 3/31/26 7:30 am From: Barbara J. Goodchild <bjgoodchild...> Subject: [Arlington Birds] Fwd: Fw: The latest on Mass Audubon's grassroots advocacy
Below is an email that I received from Heather Packard of MassAudubon with
the latest information on the rodenticide bill.
Barbara
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Barbara Goodchild <bjgoodchild...>
Date: Tue, Mar 31, 2026 at 10:27 AM
Subject: Fw: The latest on Mass Audubon's grassroots advocacy
To: Barbara Goodchild <bjgoodchild...>
----- Forwarded Message -----
*From:* Heather Packard <hpackard...>
*To:* Barbara Goodchild <bjgoodchild...>
*Sent:* Wednesday, March 25, 2026 at 02:31:28 PM EDT
*Subject:* The latest on Mass Audubon's grassroots advocacy
Date: 3/31/26 7:14 am From: Barbara J. Goodchild <bjgoodchild...> Subject: Re: [Arlington Birds] Mass. House and Senate Bill Restricting the Use of Rodenticides
Yes. I just emailed Mark that Heather Packard is the expert. The City of
Cambridge bill was just supporting the state bill. I have been to two
meetings at the State House during the last year about that bill.
On Tue, Mar 31, 2026 at 10:10 AM Cliff Cook <ccook13...> wrote:
> The person with the best overview of this might be Heather Packard, who is
> Mass Audubon's community organizer working on this issue across the state.
> You could try reaching out to her for more info.
>
> Cliff Cook
> Watertown
>
>
> On Tue, Mar 31, 2026 at 10:06 AM Mark Hibberd <markghibberd...>
> wrote:
>
>> Hi Barbara
>>
>> That's great news! If you email the Councillor, could you ask if they
>> know of a state-level mechanism to push this harder?
>>
>> Thanks
>> Mark
>>
>> On Tue, Mar 31, 2026 at 10:05 AM Barbara J. Goodchild <
>> <bjgoodchild...> wrote:
>>
>>> Hello, Mark,
>>>
>>> Not sure. Will research. I could email a Cambridge City Councillor.
>>>
>>> I just wanted to share the good news that the policy order passed. See
>>> below:
>>>
>>> "Hello All:
>>>
>>> Excited to share that at last night's Cambridge City Council meeting a
>>> policy order to support S.2721/H.5217, An Act restricting the use of
>>> rodenticides in the environment, passed unanimously! Thank you to council
>>> members McGovern and Nolan for their ongoing support for this issue.
>>>
>>> About half of the 16 public commenters voiced support for the policy
>>> order, including Barbara, who was great."
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> On Tue, Mar 31, 2026 at 9:54 AM Mark Hibberd <markghibberd...>
>>> wrote:
>>>
>>>> Well done! Is there a mechanism to be more general about this issue
>>>> rather than "town by town", to your point about wildlife ignoring town
>>>> borders etc?
>>>> Thanks
>>>> Mark
>>>>
>>>> On Tue, Mar 31, 2026 at 9:47 AM Barbara J. Goodchild <
>>>> <bjgoodchild...> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> Hello, everyone,
>>>>>
>>>>> I just wanted to mention that this bill has been supported by two
>>>>> Cambridge City Council members (Patty Nolan and Marc McGovern) and
>>>>> discussed in last night's meeting of the City Council. And I signed up to
>>>>> say a few words in support of the bill. (I know this is Cambridge news,
>>>>> but, as the ranger at Fresh Pond said, "hawks and owls don't know borders.")
>>>>>
>>>>> If passed, it would be sent to all state legislators that represent
>>>>> Cambridge.
>>>>>
>>>>> Barbara
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> --
>>>>> Group home page:
>>>>> https://menotomybirdclub.com/ >>>>> ---
>>>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google
>>>>> Groups "Arlington Birds" group.
>>>>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send
>>>>> an email to arlingtonbirds+<unsubscribe...>
>>>>> To view this discussion visit
>>>>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/arlingtonbirds/CAMV8q-QHr_kV3cgfAj5efzniGMBgbjCWBBp3OzDUt2LSEMG%<2BBA...> >>>>> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/arlingtonbirds/CAMV8q-QHr_kV3cgfAj5efzniGMBgbjCWBBp3OzDUt2LSEMG%<2BBA...>?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >>>>> .
>>>>>
>>>> --
>> Group home page:
>> https://menotomybirdclub.com/ >> ---
>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
>> "Arlington Birds" group.
>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an
>> email to arlingtonbirds+<unsubscribe...>
>> To view this discussion visit
>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/arlingtonbirds/<CAENYZSN_WWWPpAkZgOVYGWKSQW0WbJJt79QiZDHerO-i8yBeZQ...> >> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/arlingtonbirds/<CAENYZSN_WWWPpAkZgOVYGWKSQW0WbJJt79QiZDHerO-i8yBeZQ...>?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >> .
>>
>
>
> --
> Cliff >> <ccook13...>
>
Date: 3/31/26 7:10 am From: Cliff Cook <ccook13...> Subject: Re: [Arlington Birds] Mass. House and Senate Bill Restricting the Use of Rodenticides
The person with the best overview of this might be Heather Packard, who is
Mass Audubon's community organizer working on this issue across the state.
You could try reaching out to her for more info.
Cliff Cook
Watertown
On Tue, Mar 31, 2026 at 10:06 AM Mark Hibberd <markghibberd...>
wrote:
> Hi Barbara
>
> That's great news! If you email the Councillor, could you ask if they know
> of a state-level mechanism to push this harder?
>
> Thanks
> Mark
>
> On Tue, Mar 31, 2026 at 10:05 AM Barbara J. Goodchild <
> <bjgoodchild...> wrote:
>
>> Hello, Mark,
>>
>> Not sure. Will research. I could email a Cambridge City Councillor.
>>
>> I just wanted to share the good news that the policy order passed. See
>> below:
>>
>> "Hello All:
>>
>> Excited to share that at last night's Cambridge City Council meeting a
>> policy order to support S.2721/H.5217, An Act restricting the use of
>> rodenticides in the environment, passed unanimously! Thank you to council
>> members McGovern and Nolan for their ongoing support for this issue.
>>
>> About half of the 16 public commenters voiced support for the policy
>> order, including Barbara, who was great."
>>
>>
>>
>> On Tue, Mar 31, 2026 at 9:54 AM Mark Hibberd <markghibberd...>
>> wrote:
>>
>>> Well done! Is there a mechanism to be more general about this issue
>>> rather than "town by town", to your point about wildlife ignoring town
>>> borders etc?
>>> Thanks
>>> Mark
>>>
>>> On Tue, Mar 31, 2026 at 9:47 AM Barbara J. Goodchild <
>>> <bjgoodchild...> wrote:
>>>
>>>> Hello, everyone,
>>>>
>>>> I just wanted to mention that this bill has been supported by two
>>>> Cambridge City Council members (Patty Nolan and Marc McGovern) and
>>>> discussed in last night's meeting of the City Council. And I signed up to
>>>> say a few words in support of the bill. (I know this is Cambridge news,
>>>> but, as the ranger at Fresh Pond said, "hawks and owls don't know borders.")
>>>>
>>>> If passed, it would be sent to all state legislators that represent
>>>> Cambridge.
>>>>
>>>> Barbara
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> --
>>>> Group home page:
>>>> https://menotomybirdclub.com/ >>>> ---
>>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google
>>>> Groups "Arlington Birds" group.
>>>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send
>>>> an email to arlingtonbirds+<unsubscribe...>
>>>> To view this discussion visit
>>>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/arlingtonbirds/CAMV8q-QHr_kV3cgfAj5efzniGMBgbjCWBBp3OzDUt2LSEMG%<2BBA...> >>>> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/arlingtonbirds/CAMV8q-QHr_kV3cgfAj5efzniGMBgbjCWBBp3OzDUt2LSEMG%<2BBA...>?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >>>> .
>>>>
>>> --
> Group home page:
> https://menotomybirdclub.com/ > ---
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
> "Arlington Birds" group.
> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an
> email to arlingtonbirds+<unsubscribe...>
> To view this discussion visit
> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/arlingtonbirds/<CAENYZSN_WWWPpAkZgOVYGWKSQW0WbJJt79QiZDHerO-i8yBeZQ...> > <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/arlingtonbirds/<CAENYZSN_WWWPpAkZgOVYGWKSQW0WbJJt79QiZDHerO-i8yBeZQ...>?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> > .
>
Date: 3/31/26 7:06 am From: Mark Hibberd <markghibberd...> Subject: Re: [Arlington Birds] Mass. House and Senate Bill Restricting the Use of Rodenticides
Hi Barbara
That's great news! If you email the Councillor, could you ask if they know
of a state-level mechanism to push this harder?
Thanks
Mark
On Tue, Mar 31, 2026 at 10:05 AM Barbara J. Goodchild <bjgoodchild...>
wrote:
> Hello, Mark,
>
> Not sure. Will research. I could email a Cambridge City Councillor.
>
> I just wanted to share the good news that the policy order passed. See
> below:
>
> "Hello All:
>
> Excited to share that at last night's Cambridge City Council meeting a
> policy order to support S.2721/H.5217, An Act restricting the use of
> rodenticides in the environment, passed unanimously! Thank you to council
> members McGovern and Nolan for their ongoing support for this issue.
>
> About half of the 16 public commenters voiced support for the policy
> order, including Barbara, who was great."
>
>
>
> On Tue, Mar 31, 2026 at 9:54 AM Mark Hibberd <markghibberd...>
> wrote:
>
>> Well done! Is there a mechanism to be more general about this issue
>> rather than "town by town", to your point about wildlife ignoring town
>> borders etc?
>> Thanks
>> Mark
>>
>> On Tue, Mar 31, 2026 at 9:47 AM Barbara J. Goodchild <
>> <bjgoodchild...> wrote:
>>
>>> Hello, everyone,
>>>
>>> I just wanted to mention that this bill has been supported by two
>>> Cambridge City Council members (Patty Nolan and Marc McGovern) and
>>> discussed in last night's meeting of the City Council. And I signed up to
>>> say a few words in support of the bill. (I know this is Cambridge news,
>>> but, as the ranger at Fresh Pond said, "hawks and owls don't know borders.")
>>>
>>> If passed, it would be sent to all state legislators that represent
>>> Cambridge.
>>>
>>> Barbara
>>>
>>>
>>> --
>>> Group home page:
>>> https://menotomybirdclub.com/ >>> ---
>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google
>>> Groups "Arlington Birds" group.
>>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send
>>> an email to arlingtonbirds+<unsubscribe...>
>>> To view this discussion visit
>>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/arlingtonbirds/CAMV8q-QHr_kV3cgfAj5efzniGMBgbjCWBBp3OzDUt2LSEMG%<2BBA...> >>> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/arlingtonbirds/CAMV8q-QHr_kV3cgfAj5efzniGMBgbjCWBBp3OzDUt2LSEMG%<2BBA...>?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >>> .
>>>
>>
Date: 3/31/26 7:05 am From: Barbara J. Goodchild <bjgoodchild...> Subject: Re: [Arlington Birds] Mass. House and Senate Bill Restricting the Use of Rodenticides
Hello, Mark,
Not sure. Will research. I could email a Cambridge City Councillor.
I just wanted to share the good news that the policy order passed. See
below:
"Hello All:
Excited to share that at last night's Cambridge City Council meeting a
policy order to support S.2721/H.5217, An Act restricting the use of
rodenticides in the environment, passed unanimously! Thank you to council
members McGovern and Nolan for their ongoing support for this issue.
About half of the 16 public commenters voiced support for the policy order,
including Barbara, who was great."
On Tue, Mar 31, 2026 at 9:54 AM Mark Hibberd <markghibberd...> wrote:
> Well done! Is there a mechanism to be more general about this issue rather
> than "town by town", to your point about wildlife ignoring town borders etc?
> Thanks
> Mark
>
> On Tue, Mar 31, 2026 at 9:47 AM Barbara J. Goodchild <
> <bjgoodchild...> wrote:
>
>> Hello, everyone,
>>
>> I just wanted to mention that this bill has been supported by two
>> Cambridge City Council members (Patty Nolan and Marc McGovern) and
>> discussed in last night's meeting of the City Council. And I signed up to
>> say a few words in support of the bill. (I know this is Cambridge news,
>> but, as the ranger at Fresh Pond said, "hawks and owls don't know borders.")
>>
>> If passed, it would be sent to all state legislators that represent
>> Cambridge.
>>
>> Barbara
>>
>>
>> --
>> Group home page:
>> https://menotomybirdclub.com/ >> ---
>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
>> "Arlington Birds" group.
>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an
>> email to arlingtonbirds+<unsubscribe...>
>> To view this discussion visit
>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/arlingtonbirds/CAMV8q-QHr_kV3cgfAj5efzniGMBgbjCWBBp3OzDUt2LSEMG%<2BBA...> >> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/arlingtonbirds/CAMV8q-QHr_kV3cgfAj5efzniGMBgbjCWBBp3OzDUt2LSEMG%<2BBA...>?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >> .
>>
>
Date: 3/31/26 6:54 am From: Mark Hibberd <markghibberd...> Subject: Re: [Arlington Birds] Mass. House and Senate Bill Restricting the Use of Rodenticides
Well done! Is there a mechanism to be more general about this issue rather
than "town by town", to your point about wildlife ignoring town borders etc?
Thanks
Mark
On Tue, Mar 31, 2026 at 9:47 AM Barbara J. Goodchild <bjgoodchild...>
wrote:
Date: 3/31/26 6:47 am From: Barbara J. Goodchild <bjgoodchild...> Subject: [Arlington Birds] Mass. House and Senate Bill Restricting the Use of Rodenticides
Hello, everyone,
I just wanted to mention that this bill has been supported by two Cambridge City Council members (Patty Nolan and Marc McGovern) and discussed in last night's meeting of the City Council. And I signed up to say a few words in support of the bill. (I know this is Cambridge news, but, as the ranger at Fresh Pond said, "hawks and owls don't know borders.")
If passed, it would be sent to all state legislators that represent Cambridge.
Date: 3/30/26 7:47 pm From: 'PAUL ROBERTS' via Arlington Birds <arlingtonbirds...> Subject: [Arlington Birds] Tales of Eagle Life on the Mystic & in Washington, D.C.
I've not heard anything regarding the test/necrospy results for FAE, the adult female Bald Eagle who died on the Mystic Lakes several weeks ago. I will share any news when it is received. Meanwhile, KZ is still paired with Salt, an unbanded eagle apparently about to turn four years old. Salt is so-named because when I first saw her I thought it was FAE standing up in the nest, perhaps making her first nest exchange of the new breeding year. When I saw smudges on the eagle's forehead and behind her eyes, I knew something had happened to FAE. When the new female leaped into the air, I saw her torso but especially her underwings were rife with "salt" marks, white patches obvious when the bird is molting into its "Definitive Basic Plumage." This bird unmistakably was not FAE. Without top optical equipment or cameras the streaking on the crown and the smudges behind here eye and on the edges of her tail might not be visible at a distance, so she can look like a full adult. However, when you see her underside, abundant "salt specks" can be obvious in flight in good light. (She will probably lose those salt marks in a year or two.) A wonderful article on a Bald Eagle nest in Washington D.C. offers insights into how complex eagles can be, and how each bird can have a distinctive personality, more obvious with growing familiarity. The article should available free from the Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2026/03/30/bald-eagle-mr-president-national-arboretum/ If you cannot access it, it is available on my Facebook Page, open to all. Meanwhile, KZ's life is in a state of dynamic flux. Almost everything has changed suddenly. His behavior is quite different. I don't like to anthropomorphize "too much" or to think of him as a pet or a human being. He is an amazingly beautiful and complex Bald Eagle, and I would like to better understand his uniqueness as an eagle. I think he really is in mourning. With the exception of the nest, he now rarely perches where he and FAE usually perched. Instead of declaring his ownership of the lakes from THE Eagle tree, he now frequently perches on a tree almost half a mile away, and much farther from public view. Other perches he frequented with FAE he now appears to avoid. He lost his mate and the eggs he thought were imminent, so he doesn't seem to patrol and defend his territory as he did just three weeks ago. Several times juveniles and one-year-olds have physically invaded his nest and he wasn't there to drive them out. In the last day or two, that might be changing, but we shall see. Before FAE passed, one of KZ & FAE's offspring from last year's clutch returned to the Mystic Lakes. 76/C, a juvenile about to turn one, has returned to the lakes and remained in the vicinity. She arrived while the lakes were iced up and soared over the boat club "bubbler pool" that kept ice from forming near the dock on the upper lake. At least twice KZ aggressively drove 76/C from the limited open water on the lake. 76/C began perching on THE tree where he saw Mom and Dad perch so often. Several weeks ago, 76/C flew directly to the nest and perched on the 10 o'clock branch, like her mother. KZ saw this and shot down the lake like a bullet. 76/C saw (and probably heard) KZ coming and fled out of the area. Message received. However, 76/C is still fishing and perching in the area, a mid-sized dark juvenile with a dark bib and a dark tawny lower breast and belly, which are about to fade considerably over the next year. Salt has proven to be successful at catching large fish. She and KZ have copulated multiple times and in the last day or two have appeared to pay some attention to the condition of the nest. I think the odds of Salt laying viable eggs are not good, and the odds of any eggs hatching worse. Many eagles, including pairs formed over months instead of two weeks, are not successful in their first year or two of nesting. However, they gain invaluable experience, knowledge, and insight that makes them better parents in future years. And then there are the personalities of individual eagles. (Look at the experiences of First Lady and Lotus.) Will KZ and Salt remain on the Mystic Lakes? Will Salt really bond with KZ? We can only wait and see. Remember that MK & KZ had a traumatic event in their first nest. They abandoned that nest and built an entirely new nest about a half mile away the next winter, stealing that site from a pair of Red-tailed Hawks that had nested there for several years. The first pair of Bald Eagles to "own" the lakes about a decade ago started to build a nest there, but decided to move into a prebuilt home in an old Great Blue Heron nest on Spot Pond. That nest failed the first year, and earlier the second year. The pair apparently "divorced" the third year. (It is not clear if they might have attempted to nest but failed again and separated for good, or if one of the mates didn't return for some reason.) Best,Paul Paul M. Roberts Medford, MA <phawk254...>
Date: 3/29/26 9:23 am From: Nina Shepardson <nmallozzi...> Subject: [Arlington Birds] Six eagles at the Mystic Lakes!
I was at the Mystic Lakes dam this morning and was lucky enough to see *six* eagles! Two were adults, with fully white heads and tails. Three had more mottled coloring, and the last one was hard to tell.
Two of the juvenile eagles were chasing each other for a bit, which was really fun to watch.
Date: 3/28/26 1:47 pm From: Soheil Zendeh <sohzendeh...> Subject: [Arlington Birds] Next Bear Creek, Saugus walk on Sunday April 12 at 9 am
Folks,
The next walk at Bear Creek Sanctuary in Saugus is on Sunday, April 12 at 9
am. Details below.
Bear Creek is an upland sanctuary built on the WINWaste (formerly
Wheelabrator) landfill at the northeast corner of Rumney Marsh in Saugus
and Revere. 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.
WINWaste 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 Geoff Wilson <s2ary...> know
you're coming so we can have a head count.
Bear Creek Sanctuary access is via the WINWaste 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.
Date: 3/21/26 1:19 pm From: John Edmondson <johnhedmondson...> Subject: Re: [Arlington Birds] Federated Women's Club State Forest
yes probably I will have a top secret visit beforehand :🙂. Maybe a week
earlier in hopes of not missing the Swainson's Thrushes. Top secret you
understand. 🙂
On Sat, Mar 21, 2026 at 4:15 PM Mark Hibberd <markghibberd...> wrote:
> 👍👍👍
> Will you plan a visit earlier to check it out before the guided walk?
> M
>
> On Sat, Mar 21, 2026 at 4:09 PM John Edmondson <johnhedmondson...>
> wrote:
>
>> It's a nice spring location. I'm leading a walk there on May 19 (BBC,
>> open to all, cosponsored with Menotomy, but email me before to coordinate
>> if interested). I drive slowly down the road (from 122) with windows open
>> and listen for birds. It can be good to stay in the car and use it as a
>> blind. There are a few pull outs (not many) and a place to park near the
>> end of the paved road (near west st which is not drivable and is probably
>> gated off too. But there is generally so little traffic that you can park
>> temporarily anywhere along the road and then get out and walk. around. I'd
>> keep the car in sight though. There are not many trails (as far as I know)
>> off of State Forest Rd (the paved road). I bird from the road which is
>> shaded well once the trees leaf out.
>>
>> About half a mile down there is a larger pull out on the right, almost a
>> parking area, not quite.There is a clear cut area in there that I assume is
>> for habitat creation. That's a good place to look for some warblers that
>> like edge and clearing. Chestnut-sided is a good bet. Other birds too. Park
>> there, off the road, and walk in for a while.
>>
>> Keep driving slowly and with windows open. Maybe pull over in a few
>> places and walk around a bit.
>>
>> On the road in the right time frame (hopefully when I go but I may be too
>> late), Swainson's thrushes, Hermit & Wood Thrushes and Veery calling and
>> singing are likely throughout May. Warblers from the road by ear and by eye
>> include Northern Waterthrush, Blackburnian, BTgreen, BTBlue, Redstarts, and
>> quite a few more. Some of these are further down near the wet areas.
>>
>> I have heard Broad-winged Hawks from the road. Hearing is more likely
>> than seeing.
>>
>> I would park at the pull out on the left near the swamp and walk the road
>> in both directions and walk out to the swamp edge. There is a pretty wide
>> brook on the left after the swamp and that's where we saw Blackburnian but
>> they could be in other places too.
>>
>> Then drive to the parking at the end, park there and walk out to the
>> right on unpaved West st to the power line cut out. There you can hear and
>> see field sparrows and prairie warblers. On the way you pass through more
>> wetland and good birding. This is not far from the parking.
>>
>> Then from the cutout, you can hike up soapstone hill. Pass through an
>> area with campers (I'm sure with reservations), maybe a dozen camping
>> spots, or fewer. On the other end there are trails. Using most trail map
>> apps you will see the trail up soapstone hill (it's in OSM so most
>> trail apps have it). It's kind of straight ahead then sharp left from the
>> camping area.. As you go up the hill, the birding is good. It's decent
>> passing through the camping areas too if there aren't too many people
>> around. Chestnut-sided probably breed in the area. The woods are not as
>> dense and there are some cleared areas off trail. If you like, continue
>> past the top of soapstone hill to a lookout area over the quabbin. That's a
>> bit further than I plan to go on my walk, but I do plan to go up soapstone
>> hill. That's a great place to eat a lunch you pack in.
>>
>> Also we saw a black bear there last spring. A ways off the road across
>> the big brook on the left. It moved on. Use common sense.
>>
>> If you like walking more, go to the various parking spots I've mentioned
>> and walk more. That is, you can do less of the slow driving and listening I
>> mentioned. But no matter what, drive slowly with windows open and listen
>> carefully. When parking and planning to leave it a while, don't block gates
>> and pull off the road.
>>
>>
>>
>> On Sat, Mar 21, 2026 at 1:04 PM Toshia McCabe <toshia.fcolors...>
>> wrote:
>>
>>> Hi,
>>>
>>> I'm wondering if anyone out there has had experience birding in the
>>> Federated Women's Club State Forest in Petersham, MA? Id' like to go out
>>> there, but my impression is that the area is huge. I don't know where to
>>> park or what the best birding spots are in the forest. If anyone has this
>>> information, I'd really appreciate it. :)
>>>
>>> This is what google maps shows:
>>> https://maps.app.goo.gl/psemMXcGZTHUxHTj9 >>>
>>> Thanks!
>>>
>>> --
>>> Group home page:
>>> https://menotomybirdclub.com/ >>> ---
>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google
>>> Groups "Arlington Birds" group.
>>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send
>>> an email to arlingtonbirds+<unsubscribe...>
>>> To view this discussion visit
>>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/arlingtonbirds/<ef5eed89-de7b-413f-89f6-0839c9227551n...> >>> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/arlingtonbirds/<ef5eed89-de7b-413f-89f6-0839c9227551n...>?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >>> .
>>>
>> --
>> Group home page:
>> https://menotomybirdclub.com/ >> ---
>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
>> "Arlington Birds" group.
>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an
>> email to arlingtonbirds+<unsubscribe...>
>> To view this discussion visit
>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/arlingtonbirds/CAPS2ov4MmveHcmUywTPz5cx9YwFzOJNURbCr%<3DxMopVHhBKLaYg...> >> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/arlingtonbirds/CAPS2ov4MmveHcmUywTPz5cx9YwFzOJNURbCr%<3DxMopVHhBKLaYg...>?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >> .
>>
>
Date: 3/21/26 1:17 pm From: John Edmondson <johnhedmondson...> Subject: Re: [Arlington Birds] Federated Women's Club State Forest
Well, there must be other access points, but from state forest road off
122, you can drive a paved road for at least a mile to a fine pretty big
parking area.
On Sat, Mar 21, 2026 at 4:16 PM John Edmondson <johnhedmondson...>
wrote:
Date: 3/21/26 1:15 pm From: Mark Hibberd <markghibberd...> Subject: Re: [Arlington Birds] Federated Women's Club State Forest
👍👍👍
Will you plan a visit earlier to check it out before the guided walk?
M
On Sat, Mar 21, 2026 at 4:09 PM John Edmondson <johnhedmondson...>
wrote:
> It's a nice spring location. I'm leading a walk there on May 19 (BBC, open
> to all, cosponsored with Menotomy, but email me before to coordinate if
> interested). I drive slowly down the road (from 122) with windows open and
> listen for birds. It can be good to stay in the car and use it as a blind.
> There are a few pull outs (not many) and a place to park near the end of
> the paved road (near west st which is not drivable and is probably gated
> off too. But there is generally so little traffic that you can park
> temporarily anywhere along the road and then get out and walk. around. I'd
> keep the car in sight though. There are not many trails (as far as I know)
> off of State Forest Rd (the paved road). I bird from the road which is
> shaded well once the trees leaf out.
>
> About half a mile down there is a larger pull out on the right, almost a
> parking area, not quite.There is a clear cut area in there that I assume is
> for habitat creation. That's a good place to look for some warblers that
> like edge and clearing. Chestnut-sided is a good bet. Other birds too. Park
> there, off the road, and walk in for a while.
>
> Keep driving slowly and with windows open. Maybe pull over in a few places
> and walk around a bit.
>
> On the road in the right time frame (hopefully when I go but I may be too
> late), Swainson's thrushes, Hermit & Wood Thrushes and Veery calling and
> singing are likely throughout May. Warblers from the road by ear and by eye
> include Northern Waterthrush, Blackburnian, BTgreen, BTBlue, Redstarts, and
> quite a few more. Some of these are further down near the wet areas.
>
> I have heard Broad-winged Hawks from the road. Hearing is more likely than
> seeing.
>
> I would park at the pull out on the left near the swamp and walk the road
> in both directions and walk out to the swamp edge. There is a pretty wide
> brook on the left after the swamp and that's where we saw Blackburnian but
> they could be in other places too.
>
> Then drive to the parking at the end, park there and walk out to the right
> on unpaved West st to the power line cut out. There you can hear and see
> field sparrows and prairie warblers. On the way you pass through more
> wetland and good birding. This is not far from the parking.
>
> Then from the cutout, you can hike up soapstone hill. Pass through an area
> with campers (I'm sure with reservations), maybe a dozen camping spots, or
> fewer. On the other end there are trails. Using most trail map apps you
> will see the trail up soapstone hill (it's in OSM so most trail apps have
> it). It's kind of straight ahead then sharp left from the camping area.. As
> you go up the hill, the birding is good. It's decent passing through the
> camping areas too if there aren't too many people around. Chestnut-sided
> probably breed in the area. The woods are not as dense and there are some
> cleared areas off trail. If you like, continue past the top of soapstone
> hill to a lookout area over the quabbin. That's a bit further than I plan
> to go on my walk, but I do plan to go up soapstone hill. That's a great
> place to eat a lunch you pack in.
>
> Also we saw a black bear there last spring. A ways off the road across the
> big brook on the left. It moved on. Use common sense.
>
> If you like walking more, go to the various parking spots I've mentioned
> and walk more. That is, you can do less of the slow driving and listening I
> mentioned. But no matter what, drive slowly with windows open and listen
> carefully. When parking and planning to leave it a while, don't block gates
> and pull off the road.
>
>
>
> On Sat, Mar 21, 2026 at 1:04 PM Toshia McCabe <toshia.fcolors...>
> wrote:
>
>> Hi,
>>
>> I'm wondering if anyone out there has had experience birding in the
>> Federated Women's Club State Forest in Petersham, MA? Id' like to go out
>> there, but my impression is that the area is huge. I don't know where to
>> park or what the best birding spots are in the forest. If anyone has this
>> information, I'd really appreciate it. :)
>>
>> This is what google maps shows:
>> https://maps.app.goo.gl/psemMXcGZTHUxHTj9 >>
>> Thanks!
>>
>> --
>> Group home page:
>> https://menotomybirdclub.com/ >> ---
>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
>> "Arlington Birds" group.
>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an
>> email to arlingtonbirds+<unsubscribe...>
>> To view this discussion visit
>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/arlingtonbirds/<ef5eed89-de7b-413f-89f6-0839c9227551n...> >> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/arlingtonbirds/<ef5eed89-de7b-413f-89f6-0839c9227551n...>?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >> .
>>
> --
> Group home page:
> https://menotomybirdclub.com/ > ---
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
> "Arlington Birds" group.
> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an
> email to arlingtonbirds+<unsubscribe...>
> To view this discussion visit
> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/arlingtonbirds/CAPS2ov4MmveHcmUywTPz5cx9YwFzOJNURbCr%<3DxMopVHhBKLaYg...> > <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/arlingtonbirds/CAPS2ov4MmveHcmUywTPz5cx9YwFzOJNURbCr%<3DxMopVHhBKLaYg...>?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> > .
>
Date: 3/21/26 1:09 pm From: John Edmondson <johnhedmondson...> Subject: Re: [Arlington Birds] Federated Women's Club State Forest
It's a nice spring location. I'm leading a walk there on May 19 (BBC, open
to all, cosponsored with Menotomy, but email me before to coordinate if
interested). I drive slowly down the road (from 122) with windows open and
listen for birds. It can be good to stay in the car and use it as a blind.
There are a few pull outs (not many) and a place to park near the end of
the paved road (near west st which is not drivable and is probably gated
off too. But there is generally so little traffic that you can park
temporarily anywhere along the road and then get out and walk. around. I'd
keep the car in sight though. There are not many trails (as far as I know)
off of State Forest Rd (the paved road). I bird from the road which is
shaded well once the trees leaf out.
About half a mile down there is a larger pull out on the right, almost a
parking area, not quite.There is a clear cut area in there that I assume is
for habitat creation. That's a good place to look for some warblers that
like edge and clearing. Chestnut-sided is a good bet. Other birds too. Park
there, off the road, and walk in for a while.
Keep driving slowly and with windows open. Maybe pull over in a few places
and walk around a bit.
On the road in the right time frame (hopefully when I go but I may be too
late), Swainson's thrushes, Hermit & Wood Thrushes and Veery calling and
singing are likely throughout May. Warblers from the road by ear and by eye
include Northern Waterthrush, Blackburnian, BTgreen, BTBlue, Redstarts, and
quite a few more. Some of these are further down near the wet areas.
I have heard Broad-winged Hawks from the road. Hearing is more likely than
seeing.
I would park at the pull out on the left near the swamp and walk the road
in both directions and walk out to the swamp edge. There is a pretty wide
brook on the left after the swamp and that's where we saw Blackburnian but
they could be in other places too.
Then drive to the parking at the end, park there and walk out to the right
on unpaved West st to the power line cut out. There you can hear and see
field sparrows and prairie warblers. On the way you pass through more
wetland and good birding. This is not far from the parking.
Then from the cutout, you can hike up soapstone hill. Pass through an area
with campers (I'm sure with reservations), maybe a dozen camping spots, or
fewer. On the other end there are trails. Using most trail map apps you
will see the trail up soapstone hill (it's in OSM so most trail apps have
it). It's kind of straight ahead then sharp left from the camping area.. As
you go up the hill, the birding is good. It's decent passing through the
camping areas too if there aren't too many people around. Chestnut-sided
probably breed in the area. The woods are not as dense and there are some
cleared areas off trail. If you like, continue past the top of soapstone
hill to a lookout area over the quabbin. That's a bit further than I plan
to go on my walk, but I do plan to go up soapstone hill. That's a great
place to eat a lunch you pack in.
Also we saw a black bear there last spring. A ways off the road across the
big brook on the left. It moved on. Use common sense.
If you like walking more, go to the various parking spots I've mentioned
and walk more. That is, you can do less of the slow driving and listening I
mentioned. But no matter what, drive slowly with windows open and listen
carefully. When parking and planning to leave it a while, don't block gates
and pull off the road.
On Sat, Mar 21, 2026 at 1:04 PM Toshia McCabe <toshia.fcolors...>
wrote:
Date: 3/21/26 12:41 pm From: Toshia McCabe <toshia.fcolors...> Subject: Re: [Arlington Birds] Federated Women's Club State Forest
Thanks for the mass.gov link Neil, but this doesn't have any info about
where to park and what trails are good for birding. I appreciate your
intent though! :)
-Toshia
On Saturday, March 21, 2026 at 2:28:08 PM UTC-4 Neil Foley wrote:
Date: 3/21/26 10:04 am From: Toshia McCabe <toshia.fcolors...> Subject: [Arlington Birds] Federated Women's Club State Forest
Hi,
I'm wondering if anyone out there has had experience birding in the Federated Women's Club State Forest in Petersham, MA? Id' like to go out there, but my impression is that the area is huge. I don't know where to park or what the best birding spots are in the forest. If anyone has this information, I'd really appreciate it. :)
Date: 3/20/26 5:03 am From: Paul Ippolito <paulippolito295...> Subject: [Arlington Birds] MBC Trips this weekend
Fellow MBC members,
This weekend we have walks on Sunday at Arlington Reservoir and another in
a series of walks at Bear Creek Sanctuary in Saugus.
Early spring is providing some interesting observations being posted
throughout Massachusetts so keep exploring your local patches, *report what
you’re seeing* and enjoy all that our area has to offer.
*Sunday, March 22*
*Arlington Reservoir *
*John Edmondson 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM *We'll circle the reservoir looking for
late winter lingerers and early migrants, then enter the adjoining
Lexington Community Farm for a while (hoping for some added variety). This
is a fairly short walk on easy paths. If you arrive late, you can find us
by heading around until you catch up (we should be obvious). Easy to leave
early too if you like. Cosponsored with the Brookline Bird Club. Meet in
the parking lot adjacent to the reservoir off Lowell Street in Arlington.
8:00 AM - 10:00 AM. John Edmondson <johnhedmondson...>
*Sunday, March 22*
*Bear Creek Sanctuary, Saugus *
*Soheil Zendeh 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM*
Here are details for attending the walk at this property:
Bear Creek is an upland sanctuary built on the WINWaste (formerly
Wheelabrator) landfill at the northeast corner 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.
WINWaste 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 Geoff Wilson <s2ary...> know
you're coming so we can have a head count.
Bear Creek Sanctuary access is via the WINWaste 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.
If you are interested in leading a trip, please reach out to Diana
Fruguglietti <Diana.fru...> or myself, the club would be so lucky to
have you lead.
Please continue to post your observations.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out.
Date: 3/19/26 5:38 am From: Soheil Zendeh <sohzendeh...> Subject: [Arlington Birds] Fwd: New England Shorebird Guide free app for smart phone updated
Folks,
*New England Shorebird Guide*, a photographic guide freely available
on the *Bird
Observer* site, now covers 37 species of shorebirds that occur in New
England, northeastern United States and eastern Canada -- and Athol too!
The guide is designed primarily as a visual aid on your smart phone that
can be used in the field; it can also be installed on your tablet or
computer. Access the guide using this link:
https://www.birdobserver.org/Better-Birding/New-England-Shorebird-Guide.
Due to severe declines in the populations of most shorebird species over
the past several decades, it is important that bird and nature lovers
become as familiar as possible with these birds and advocate for their
conservation. Shorebirds are reputed to be difficult to identify. This may
be true for some species, but it is also partly due to the fact that most
shorebird species are highly migratory and travel long distances during the
course of a year. Most are in our region for only a few weeks every year,
so they are easy to miss and hard to learn to identify.
By learning their habits and habitats, as well as their behavior, shapes,
and plumages, most observers can identify 20-plus species—perhaps up to 30
species of shorebirds—in New England and adjoining states and provinces
each year. To increase the fan base of appreciation for these birds, I
created this visual guide to shorebirds of New England and the northeast,
and *Bird Observer* is generously providing free access on its website.
I hope you find this guide useful for finding and identifying shorebirds in
our region. Please do not hesitate to share this guide with others.
It is also important that you communicate to me the shortcomings, errors,
and inconsistencies of the guide so that I can improve future versions. You
can reach me at <sohzendeh...>
User help as well as instructions for installing the guide icon on your
iPhone or Android phone can be accessed from within the app. Thanks to Jay
Dia, Eric Mueller and Paul Bain for providing help instructions for Android
phones. The photos in the guide were contributed by many generous
photographers.
New England Shorebird Guide content was created by Soheil Zendeh. Marsha
Salett of *Bird Observer* was the editor. Eric Swanzey, web manager for *Bird
Observer* and other Massachusetts birding sites, created the website/app.
Many shorebirds will be arriving in our region in April, May and June.
Enjoy them right now!
*Soheil ZendehLittleton, MA 01460*
[image: NESG card.v5.white.v2.jpg]
Date: 3/18/26 1:36 pm From: Paul Ippolito <paulippolito295...> Subject: [Arlington Birds] Woodcocks at Mary Cummings Park last night and weekend MBC trips
Fellow MBC members,
Last night the Woodcocks did NOT disappoint at Mary Cummings Park in
Burlington. It was certainly chilly - what a difference a week makes - but
28 birders joined us for the display. We were lucky enough to have at
least 2 different individuals visible on the ground and I estimate 15 – 20
woodcocks, calling and / or flying overhead. Activity started around 7:10
PM, the peents and flyovers continued as we made our way out of the fields
around 7:45 PM.
This weekend we have walks on Sunday at both Arlington Reservoir and
another in a series of walks at Bear Creek Sanctuary in Saugus.
*Sunday, March 22*
*Arlington Reservoir *
*John Edmondson 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM *We'll circle the reservoir looking for
late winter lingerers and early migrants, then enter the adjoining
Lexington Community Farm for a while (hoping for some added variety). This
is a fairly short walk on easy paths. If you arrive late, you can find us
by heading around until you catch up (we should be obvious). Easy to leave
early too if you like. Cosponsored with the Brookline Bird Club. Meet in
the parking lot adjacent to the reservoir off Lowell Street in Arlington.
8:00 AM - 10:00 AM. John Edmondson <johnhedmondson...>
*Sunday, March 22*
*Bear Creek Sanctuary, Saugus *
*Soheil Zendeh 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM*
Here are details for attending the walk at this property:
Bear Creek is an upland sanctuary built on the WINWaste (formerly
Wheelabrator) landfill at the northeast corner 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.
WINWaste 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 Geoff Wilson <s2ary...> know
you're coming so we can have a head count.
Bear Creek Sanctuary access is via the WINWaste 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.
If you are interested in leading a trip, please reach out to Diana
Fruguglietti <Diana.fru...> or myself, the club would be so lucky to
have you lead.
Please continue to post your observations.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out.
Date: 3/18/26 8:18 am From: 'PAUL ROBERTS' via Arlington Birds <arlingtonbirds...> Subject: [Arlington Birds] Bald Eagles in Eastern Massachusetts
This week, and perhaps for a few more days, if you've been keeping your eyes open near local bodies of water that are experiencing "ice out," as several posters have indicated, you have your best opportunities to see Bald Eagles. Back in the late 20th century, your best chance to see the rare Bald Eagle was in March "ice out," when small numbers of adult birds were migrating back north for the breeding season, moving with the isotherms during "ice out." When ice melts, it opens bodies of water to ducks and precipitates more fish activity. Secondly, anything that died during the ice up, or during the winter (starvation?) should be released from the ice, attracting gulls and eagles moving back north at this time. Just follow the thaw to find free food. Julie and I would go to Great Meadows in Concord during ice out. Because of the ravages of DDT, we no longer had locally breeding birds, and most adult eagles were not successful breeding, so you saw largely adults, as the population crashed. People literally forgot how different juvenile and immature eagles looked, especially when they saw eagles with "Osprey-like eye-stripes." Through the combined efforts of thousands of individuals and the federal, Canadian and state governments, eagles began to come back as a breeding bird. During 2024, there were at least 88 territorial pairs in Massachusetts and perhaps thrice that number in Maine. However, it took eagles a while to come back, as they do not generally breed until they are 4 years old or older, and they frequently do not succeed in their first year or two of breeding. Then they average about 2 eggs per pair. Juvenile mortality is around 50% (The mortality rate decreases as you get older.) It takes 2 pairs roughly 6 years each before they produce a breeding pair. So the eagles will not have "grandchildren" for roughly 10-12 years. The population increased slowly. Historically, we saw few immatures in Massachusetts, and most of those were birds believed to be from Northern New England and maritime Canada who moved south as ponds, lakes, and rivers iced up, peaking in late December or early January. We had annual wintering censuses of Bald Eagles throughout the continent in early February. With expanding populations, we are seeing many more immatures in our area than we did 20 or 30 years ago. With global warming, data suggest that a smaller percentage of "our northern Bald eagles" migrate south for the winter. Maine juveniles or immatures tend to remain in Maine, but largely move toward open waters near the coast. Massachusetts eagles apparently are behaving similarly, moving largely towards large or moving bodies of water that provide access to fish and waterfowl during most of the winter, and moving towards the coast as freeze-ups get harsher. Territorial adults in Massachusetts and Maine apparently tend to not migrate south during the winter because they hate to give up "rights" to their territories. They remain on or close to territory for as much of the year as they can. Juveniles ( identifiable up to a year old) and immatures (birds one year old until they reach full adult plumage, which takes 3 to 5.5 yrs) are not territorial, so they wander around looking for other young birds to socialize with and who hopefully know where to find food. And it's fun (and very educational) to play with other youngsters. Tail chasing (cops and robbers) is fun, and develops skills they can apply as adults. Courtship and nest building behaviors can be seen. Kids watch other eagles looking for food, watch gulls looking for food, and watch fish looking for food, so kids learn how to hunt if they want to survive. Adult Bald Eagles not on territory can be very sociable during winter. During breeding season they want to have a gated community with no other eagles (esp. other adults) around as threats. Juveniles and immature remain pretty social year round, but the larger groups of winter disperse. As ice out progresses, young birds can move farther inland and farther up north, so the population spreads out over much a wider geographic area. Right now (or at least yesterday) is the best chance you have to see eagles in Arlington, Woburn, Cambridge, or most anywhere in our region. They're especially attracted to areas that are just thawing out, as lots of dead (but fresh frozen) fish and ducks become available. Eagles of all ages love cold, windy, sunny days in March. The hormones are surging and the winds provide free lift and opportunities to develop their flying skills. They can roam wider, faster, looking for food. This ice-out concentration is ephemeral but annual, varying considerably from year to year. Keep your eyes open... Best, Paul Paul M. Roberts Medford, MA <phawk254...>
Date: 3/17/26 8:04 pm From: 'E. B. Benson' via Arlington Birds <arlingtonbirds...> Subject: Re: [Arlington Birds] Winter/early spring eagles
Last Tuesday, a bald eagle was in a tree on the east shore of Spy Pond. See photos. The Pond was still iced over. No ice today.
Gene
Yahoo Mail: Search, Organize, Conquer
On Tue, Mar 17, 2026 at 10:58 PM, Nina Shepardson<nmallozzi...> wrote: Hi all,
Earlier today, I was riding past Spy Pond in a bus when I saw what I think were two young bald eagles perched in the trees along the shore. I didn't get a great look because the bus was moving (of all the times to *not* have a traffic jam!), but it looked like one had an all/mostly brown head, and the other had some "splotches" of white around the head and upper chest.
Last month, I went on a wildlife-oriented Boston Harbor cruise. One of the highlights was a juvenile bald eagle (no white on the head that I could see) near Logan Airport.
And also last month, a friend of mine saw a young eagle (some mottled white on the head) on the iced-over Charles River in Cambridge.
Adult bald eagles are some of the most majestic birds in the country, but it's also great to see so many youngsters in the area. Hopefully that speaks to a healthy regional population.
Happy birding,Nina Shepardson, Arlington
Earlier today, I was riding past Spy Pond in a bus when I saw what I think were two young bald eagles perched in the trees along the shore. I didn't get a great look because the bus was moving (of all the times to *not* have a traffic jam!), but it looked like one had an all/mostly brown head, and the other had some "splotches" of white around the head and upper chest.
Last month, I went on a wildlife-oriented Boston Harbor cruise. One of the highlights was a juvenile bald eagle (no white on the head that I could see) near Logan Airport.
And also last month, a friend of mine saw a young eagle (some mottled white on the head) on the iced-over Charles River in Cambridge.
Adult bald eagles are some of the most majestic birds in the country, but it's also great to see so many youngsters in the area. Hopefully that speaks to a healthy regional population.
We’ve had the pleasure of a visiting swamp sparrow for the past few days. Our backyard consists of mature suburban landscape with not a swamp in sight. The bird has been coming to feed on seeds that are falling onto our deck from our feeder which is just a few feet away, for a close-up view. It has also been visiting the ground under the thistle feeder in the backyard.
Debora
