Photo by Sue Cloutier
On October 29th, eighteen members of the Athol Bird and Nature Club spent a glorious fall day navigating the Quabbin roads from Gate 29 to 40. This special event is one of two annual ABNC natural history trips allowed by the Quabbin Public Access plan. Club president Dave Small led the group organizing folks into the 5 car maximum per our access permit.
Entering Gate 29, a pair of Barred Owls lifted for the pine trees provide our second and third owls of the trip. The cold early morning temps provided lovely views of fog lifting off the warmer water as Loons and Common Mergansers were observed in the fog.
Traveling east through fishing area Belted Kingfishers, Loons, Common Mergansers were noted. The end of the gate 33/35 roads gave more looks at Loons, adult Bald Eagles and several Bufflehead ducks in the open water of Quabbin.
Winding our way along the forest roads many mixed flocks of Slate-colored Dark-eyed Juncos, White-throated Sparrows and Song Sparrows were noted.
Checking a few beaver impoundments along the way American Black Ducks, Mallards, Wood Ducks, and several Green-wing Teal were observed.
Leaving the reservation at Gate 39 and reentering at Gate 40 (entrance to Dana Common) a stop to observe a large group of flowering Witch Hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) with the yellow blossoms glistening in the light were a treat for all.
Flocks of Bluebirds and Robins and a soaring Adult Bald Eagle were observed around the Historic Dana Common. Members were able to spend time observing the historic markers and exploring the foundations around the common.
A final stop at “Graves Landing” on the Quabbin Shore. A stone marker recognizes the first Game Warden to patrol the Quabbin, Franklin Graves.
Several more eagles, Ring-billed Gulls, Common Mergansers and wonderful views looking north to see hikers on top of Soapstone Hills and parachutists over Orange Airport in the distance.
Thanks to Pan Wilson, Sue Cloutier, Bonnie Benjamin, Linda Mahoney for providing images of the day. And a heartfelt thanks to all in the group for a memorable fall excursion.
A draft trip list is posted below
Number of Checklists: 4
Number of Taxa: 32
Checklists included in this summary:
(1): Quabbin Reservoir–Gate 29
Date: Oct 29, 2022 at 8:03 AM
(2): Quabbin Reservoir–Gate 35
Date: Oct 29, 2022 at 9:32 AM
(3): Quabbin Reservoir, Petersham US-MA 42.48404, -72.27782
Date: Oct 29, 2022 at 10:15 AM
(4): Quabbin Reservoir–Gate 40
Date: Oct 29, 2022 at 12:01 PM
10 Canada Goose — (1)
4 Wood Duck — (3)
4 Mallard — (3)
9 American Black Duck — (2),(3)
3 Green-winged Teal — (3)
1 Ring-necked Duck — (3)
5 Bufflehead — (2)
2 Hooded Merganser — (1)
36 Common Merganser — (1),(2),(4)
1 Ruffed Grouse — (1)
2 Mourning Dove — (4)
7 Ring-billed Gull — (4)
8 Common Loon — (1),(2),(4)
1 Double-crested Cormorant — (3)
6 Bald Eagle — (2),(4)
1 Red-tailed Hawk — (1)
3 Barred Owl — (1)
2 Belted Kingfisher — (1)
1 Northern Flicker — (2)
3 Blue Jay — (1)
12 American Crow — (1),(4)
2 Common Raven — (1)
10 Black-capped Chickadee — (1),(2)
1 Red-breasted Nuthatch — (1)
2 White-breasted Nuthatch — (1)
10 Eastern Bluebird — (4)
3 American Robin — (4)
43 Dark-eyed Junco — (1),(3)
20 White-throated Sparrow — (1),(3)
2 Song Sparrow — (1)
2 Northern Cardinal — (4)