April 14 Westborough Wildlife Management Area Journal 5

On April 14, 2020 from 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM I drove and hiked at Westborough Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in Massachusetts. The weather was warm at a temperature of 60º F, partially cloudy, and no strong winds. Westborough WMA is a matrix made up of agricultural fields, eastern white pine forests, wetlands and ponds, and human developed areas (lawns and buildings). Besides being a WMA this area is also a recreational area filled with hikers and boaters. Usually, this area has abundant waterfowl and wading birds, yet with three boats on the lake they most likely scared off Mute Swan, Canada Goose, Mallard, Wood Ducks, Buffleheads, and Great Blue Heron populations. The most notable finds today were the Vesper Sparrow and the abundance of herps. Driving beside a thicket on the property I saw a Vesper Sparrow marked by a white eye-ring, checkered chest, and beige beak (also has been seen recently). In addition, there was an abundance of Garter and Northern Water Snakes (photographed in journal) basking and ready to prey upon avian offspring later on this season. In total I found 31 species and 140 individuals’ birds at Westborough WMA.

1. Mute Swan – 1
2. Mallard- 3
3. Bufflehead- 2
4. Mourning Dove- 3
5. Killdeer- 2
6. Double-crested Cormorant- 1
7. Coopers Hawk- 1
8. Red-tailed Hawk- 2
9. Red-bellied Woodpecker- 1
10. Turkey Vulture- 1
11. Downy Woodpecker- 3
12. Hairy Woodpecker- 1
13. Northern Flicker- 1
14. Eastern Phoebe- 3
15. Blue Jay- 3
16. American Crow- 1
17. Black-capped Chickadee- 12
18. Tufted Titmouse- 1
19. Tree Swallow- 4
20. Winter Wren-1
21. Carolina Wren- 1
22. Eastern Bluebird-1
23. American Robin- 12
24. House Sparrow- 4
25. White-throated Sparrow- 3
26. Vesper Sparrow- 1
27. Song Sparrow- 12
28. Red-winged Blackbird- 26
29. Brown-headed Cowbird- 2
30. Common Grackle- 32
31. Northern Cardinal- 2

Posted on April 15, 2020 01:15 AM by cliazos