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Avifauna of Estabrook Woods:

Data Provided by Kenneth J. Harte, Ronald B. Lockwood, and Richard K. Walton

Compiled by Ronald B. Lockwood and Kenneth J. Harte

5 February 2002

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Introduction

This list was generated by combining data from Kenneth J. Harte, Ronald B. Lockwood, and Richard K. Walton. Ken Harte has birded Estabrook Woods for 36 years and has compiled a database of high counts in a single day. Dick Walton performed a field census during the summer of 1994 of the breeding birds on the grounds of Middlesex School on the northwest side of Estabrook Woods. Ron Lockwood provided quantitative data for species abundance based upon data from 1995 through the present. The numerical values in the table for a particular species indicate the range of individuals that were encountered on various days of birding during the season in which the species could be expected to be in Estabrook. They are not in any way exact but are indicative of abundance. The final column indicates breeding status, the months of the year that a particular species was encountered, data provided by a particular observer, dates for particular sightings, and other notes. Breeding status is either confirmed by direct evidence of reproduction or inferred from presence and abundance. Confirmed breeders (CB) have been observed either on the nest or with fledglings. Probable breeders (PB) are species that have not been confirmed but are typically present in the breeding season in sufficient numbers to indicate that they are most likely breeding, or have been observed either carrying nesting material or food. Possible breeders (PoB) are present during the appropriate time but only sporadically or in small numbers.

 

Species

Permanent Resident and Breeder

Summer Visitor and Breeder

Migrant

Winter Visitor

Notes
Great Blue Heron  

1 - 5

     PB, Mar-Oct
Green Heron  

1

     2 May 1979 (KJH)
Black-crowned Night-Heron  

1 - 3

     May-Jun
Turkey Vulture  

1

1 — 3

   Apr-Jun
Canada Goose

2 - 40

       CB, uncommon Dec-Feb
Wood Duck  

1 - 30

     CB, Apr-Sep
American Black Duck

1 - 4

       PB
Mallard

2 - 10

       PB, Mar-Nov
Ring-necked Duck    

2 — 28

   Apr (RBL)
Common Goldeneye    

2

   10 Mar 2000 (S. F. Ells)
Hooded Merganser    

1

   April 1996 (RBL)
Common Merganser    

5

   May 1996 (RBL)
Osprey    

1

   Apr, Sept
Sharp-shinned Hawk    

1 — 3

1

 Sep-May
Cooper’s Hawk  

1

1

1

 PoB
Northern Goshawk

1 - 3

       CB
Red-shouldered Hawk

1 — 2

       CB 2001 (KJH)
Broad-winged Hawk  

1 - 4

     CB
Red-tailed Hawk

1 — 3

       CB
Rough-legged Hawk      

1

 2 Jan 1977 (KJH)
American Kestrel  

1 - 4

1

   PB, Apr-Sep
Ring-necked Pheasant  

1

     15 July 1995, 24 June 1997 (RBL)
Ruffed Grouse

1 — 11

       CB
Wild Turkey

1 — 2

       PB (RBL)
Northern Bobwhite  

1

     30 May 72, 19 Oct 97 & 27 June 98
Killdeer  

1 - 2

1

   PB, Apr-Oct
Spotted Sandpiper  

1

     PB (RBL)
American Woodcock  

1 - 5

1

   PB, Apr-Nov
Ring-billed Gull    

1 - 2

   Apr, Oct
Herring Gull

1 - 15

       transient
Great Black-backed Gull      

3

 27 Dec 1981 (KJH)
Rock Dove

1 - 3

       PB
Mourning Dove

1 - 7

       CB
Black-billed Cuckoo  

1

     PB
Yellow-billed Cuckoo  

1 - 3

     CB Jul 1991 (RKW,KJH)
Eastern Screech-Owl

1 - 3

       CB
Great Horned Owl

1 - 3

       PB
Barred Owl

1 - 2

       CB
Northern Saw-whet Owl    

1

   Mar (RBL)
Common Nighthawk    

2 - 20

   May, Aug-Sep
Whip-poor-will  

1

     28 May 1966 & 13 Jun 1979 (KJH)
Chimney Swift  

1 - 10

     PB, May-Aug
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  

2 - 3

     PB
Belted Kingfisher  

1 - 2

     PoB, Apr-Sep
Red-headed Woodpecker    

1

   22 Nov 1970 (KJH)
Red-bellied Woodpecker

1 - 10

       CB
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker    

2

   9 Oct 1992 (KJH)
Downy Woodpecker

1 - 11

       CB
Hairy Woodpecker

1 - 5

       CB
Northern Flicker  

1 - 10

1 - 10

1

 CB, occasional throughout year
Pileated Woodpecker

1 - 4

       PB
Olive-sided Flycatcher    

1

   19 May 1967 (KJH)
Eastern Wood-Pewee  

1 - 12

     CB, May-Sep
Acadian Flycatcher  

1

     2-9 Jul 1999 (H. C. Floyd, KJH)
Least Flycatcher    

1

   May
Eastern Phoebe  

1 - 3

1 - 8

   CB, Apr-Oct
Great Crested Flycatcher  

1 - 5

     CB, May-Aug
Eastern Kingbird  

1 - 7

     PB, May-Aug
White-eyed Vireo  

1

   May 1982 (J. W. Brain)
Blue-headed Vireo  

1 - 2

1 - 3

   PB Summer 1995 (RBL)
Yellow-throated Vireo  

1

     21 Jun 81; 21 May 87; 30 Jun 92(KJH)
Warbling Vireo  

1 - 2

1 - 2

   PB, May-Sep (RBL)
Philadelphia Vireo    

1

   rare in Sep
Red-eyed Vireo  

1 - 10

1 - 4

   PB, May-Sep
Blue Jay

2 - 22

       CB
American Crow

1 - 16

       CB
Tree Swallow  

1 - 8

1 - 6

   PB, Apr-Sep
Barn Swallow  

1 - 20

     CB, May-Aug
Black-capped Chickadee

6 - 54

       CB
Boreal Chickadee      

1

 7 Nov 1966 & 11 Jan 1970 (KJH)
Tufted Titmouse

2 - 34

       CB
Red-breasted Nuthatch

1 - 5

       CB 1995 (RBL), rare in summer
White-breasted Nuthatch

1 - 30

       CB
Brown Creeper

1 - 6

       PB
Carolina Wren

1 - 7

       CB 1994 (KJH)
House Wren  

1 - 8

     CB, Jun-Aug
Winter Wren  

1 - 7

     PB, Apr-Jul
Golden-crowned Kinglet    

3 - 21

1 - 10

 Sep-Apr
Ruby-crowned Kinglet    

1 - 10

   Apr-May, Sep-Nov
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher    

1 - 3

   Apr-May, Aug
Eastern Bluebird

1 - 9

       CB
Veery  

1 - 6

     CB, May-Jul
Gray-cheeked Thrush    

1

   Sep 2001 (RBL)
Swainson’s Thrush    

8

   12 Oct 1966 (KJH)
Hermit Thrush  

1 - 12

1 - 4

   CB, Apr-Nov
Wood Thrush  

1 - 14

     CB, Apr-Aug
American Robin

2 - 65

       CB, occasional in Winter
Gray Catbird  

1 - 10

1 - 6

   CB, May-Oct
Northern Mockingbird

1 - 3

       CB
Brown Thrasher  

1

     PoB, May-Oct (RBL)
European Starling

X

       not counted
Cedar Waxwing  

1 - 11

1 - 26

   PB, Jun-Oct
Northern Shrike      

1

 5 Dec 1976 (KJH)
Blue-winged Warbler  

1 - 5

     PB, May-Sep
Golden-winged Warbler    

1

   3 Jun 1984 (KJH)
Tennessee Warbler    

1 - 6

   May (KJH)
Orange-crowned Warbler    

1

   occasional Oct-Nov (KJH)
Nashville Warbler    

1 - 3

   May, Sep
Northern Parula  

1

1 - 4

   May, Sep, 1 June record (RBL)
Yellow Warbler  

1 - 7

     PB, May-Jul
Chestnut-sided Warbler  

1 - 4

     PB, May-Aug
Magnolia Warbler    

1 - 2

   May-Jun, Aug-Sep
Cape May Warbler    

1 - 4

   May, Sep (KJH)
Black-throated Blue Warbler    

1 - 12

   May-Jun, Sep-Oct
Yellow-rumped Warbler    

3 - 47

   Apr-May, Sep-Oct
Black-throated Green Warbler  

1 - 8

1 - 3

   PB, Apr—Sep
Blackburnian Warbler    

1 - 4

   May; 4 Oct 1970 (KJH)
Pine Warbler  

1 - 9

     CB, Apr-Sep
Prairie Warbler    

1

   Oct 1991 (J. W. Brain)
Palm Warbler    

1 - 7

   Apr-May, Oct
Bay-breasted Warbler    

1 - 3

   May (KJH)
Blackpoll Warbler    

1 - 48

   May, Sep—Oct
Cerulean Warbler    

1

   18 May 1997 (KJH)
Black-and-white Warbler  

1 - 2

1 - 6

   PB, May-Sep
American Redstart  

1 - 3

1 - 5

   PB, May-Sep
Worm-eating Warbler    

1

   27 May 91, 2 Jul 95, 11 Jun 00 (KJH)
Ovenbird  

1 - 22

1 - 13

   CB, May-Sep
Northern Waterthrush  

1 - 5

     PB, Apr-Jul
Louisiana Waterthrush  

1

     PoB, 11 records Apr-Jul (KJH)
Kentucky Warbler  

1

     6 records May-Jul 1982-1992 (KJH)
Connecticut Warbler    

1

   5 records Jun, Aug-Sep (RBL, KJH)
Mourning Warbler    

1

   5 records May-Jun (KJH)
Common Yellowthroat  

2 - 9

1 - 6

   PB, May-Sep
Hooded Warbler    

1

   18-28 May 1982 (KJH)
Wilson’s Warbler    

1

   14 Sep 1968 (KJH)
Canada Warbler  

1

1 - 15

   Jul-Aug (RBL), May (KJH, RKW)
Scarlet Tanager  

1 - 11

1 - 8

   PB, May—Sep
Eastern Towhee  

1 - 11

1 - 5

   CB, Apr-Sep
American Tree Sparrow      

1 - 12

 Nov-Mar
Chipping Sparrow  

1 - 8

1 - 16

   CB, Apr-Oct
Field Sparrow  

1 - 2

     PB, Apr-July (RBL)
Savannah Sparrow    

1

   Oct, 1 record (RBL)
Fox Sparrow    

1 — 7

   Mar-Apr, Oct-Nov
Song Sparrow  

1 - 7

     PB, Apr-Oct
Lincoln’s Sparrow    

1 — 3

   Sep-Oct
Swamp Sparrow  

1

1

2

 Apr & Jul (RBL); Dec 1974 (KJH)
White-throated Sparrow  

1

1 - 18

1 - 3

 July; Apr-May, Sep-Nov, occ. Dec-Mar
White-crowned Sparrow    

1

   11 May 1986 (KJH)
Dark-eyed Junco      

1 - 40

 Oct-Apr
Northern Cardinal

1 - 9

       CB
Rose-breasted Grosbeak  

1 - 4

     CB
Indigo Bunting  

1 - 5

     PB, Jun-Jul
Bobolink  

1 - 7

     PB, May-Jul (RBL)
Red-winged Blackbird  

1 - 12

1 - 15

   PB, Mar-Oct
Eastern Meadowlark  

1 - 6

     PB, Apr-Jul
Rusty Blackbird    

2 - 8

   Apr, Sep
Common Grackle  

1 - 250

1 - 800

   CB, Apr-Sep
Brown-headed Cowbird  

1 - 45

     PB, Apr-Sep
Orchard Oriole    

1

   9 May 1995 (KJH)
Baltimore Oriole  

1 - 11

     CB, May-Aug
Pine Grosbeak      

2 - 15

 rare Dec-Jan (KJH)
Purple Finch

1 - 4

  

1 — 15

   CB
House Finch

1 - 4

       CB
Common Redpoll

1 - 80

 Dec-Mar (KJH)
Hoary Redpoll      

1

 9 Feb 1969 (KJH)
Pine Siskin      

1 - 30

 Dec-Mar (KJH)
American Goldfinch

2 - 58

       CB
Evening Grosbeak      

1 - 40

 Nov-Apr (KJH)
House Sparrow

X

       not counted

 

Species total: 159

Confirmed Breeders (CB): 45

Probable Breeders (PB): 40 (including European Starling and House Sparrow)

Possible Breeders (PoB): 4

 

 

Additional historically-occurring species on the Middlesex School grounds (from the Bulletin of the Middlesex School Natural History Society, No. 3-6, 1904-05). Data probably verified by Reginald Heber Howe, Jr. [The complete 1904 Middlesex School list of 104 species is attached to this document as an appendix.]

American Bittern - summer resident

Surf Scoter - 1 shot in October 1904

Ruddy Duck - uncommon migrant

Bald Eagle - 1 in November, 1902

Northern Harrier - summer resident

Greater Yellowlegs - 1 on May 3, 1903

Lesser Yellowlegs - 1 in the spring of 1904

Upland Sandpiper - 1 on May 4, 1904

Least Sandpiper - uncommon migrant

Common Snipe - common migrant

Short-eared Owl - 1 on October 18, 1904

Horned Lark - common winter visitor

Purple Martin - breeder

Bank Swallow - common summer resident

Cliff Swallow - breeder

American Pipit - common migrant

Vesper Sparrow - common breeder

Snow Bunting - winter resident

 

Further remarks:

A pair of Red-shouldered Hawks fledged 3 young in June 2001at the north edge of the woods in Carlisle.

Brown Thrashers were formerly present near the Estabrook Road, Concord entrance during the 1990s but absent after the removal of the shrubbery along the road.

Blue-headed Vireos were observed nest building and carrying food in the summer of 1995.

Northern Waterthrushes are present at four separate locations, all of which are low lying areas that are densely vegetated. Louisiana Waterthrushes have been found at two wooded swamps.

Several Bobolinks are usually present early in the summer in the grassy fields near Punkatasset Hill but always disappear by mid summer, perhaps due to grazing disturbance. Eastern Meadowlarks fare similarly in that area.

_______________________________________

APPENDIX–MIDDLESEX SCHOOL 1904 BIRD LIST:

APPENDIX–MIDDLESEX SCHOOL 1904 BIRD LIST:

Below is a list of 104 species seen on the grounds of Middlesex School ca. 1904 by students and masters. The science master at the time was Reginald Heber Howe, Jr., naturalist and recent author (with Glover Allen) of The Birds of Massachusetts (1901, 154 pp.). He supervised the natural history publications of the school for many years and without doubt would have overseen the publication of this list. (Source: The Bulletin of the Middlesex School Natural History Society, No. 3 [Nov. 1904]; No. 4 [Jan. 1905]; No. 5 [March 1905]; and No. 6 [May 1905].) [Latin names are omitted in the printed version.]

"Bulletin of the Middlesex School Natural History Society (Supplement to The Anvil).

"A LIST OF BIRDS

"The present list does not pretend to include all the birds that should be observed in Concord, but simply deals with those species which have been seen on school grounds by boys and masters. It is hoped that this list may lead to further study. [Ed.: Latin names are omitted except where useful due to change in a species' English name.]

1. Ruffed Grouse. Common resident. Numbers are seen in the woods near the school, and several nests have been located.

2. American Quail [Bobwhite]. Uncommon resident. These birds may sometimes be heard whistling on spring mornings near the school. The winter of 1903-04 greatly reduced their number.

3. Herring Gull . Several were seen flying over the [Bateman's] pond in the autumn of 1903, and from time to time they are observed on the river.

4. Greater Yellowlegs. Migrant. One seen on May 3rd, 1903, by Samuel Hoar.

5. Lesser Yellowlegs. One seen in the marshes in the spring of 1904.

6. Spotted Sandpiper. Common summer resident, often seen about the shores of the pond. May 3 to ---.

7. Batramian [Upland] Sandpiper (Batramia longicauda). Rare migrant. One seen on May 4th, 1904, by Mr. Howe.

8. Least Sandpiper. Uncommon migrant. March 20 to ----.

9. Wilson's Snipe (Gallinago delicata) [Common Snipe]. Common migrant. Numbers are seen in marshes by Concord River, and in Spencer Brook meadows occasionally. March 25 to November 11.

10. American Woodcock. Tolerably common migrant, rare summer resident. Sometimes seen in the birches back of the pond.

11. American Bittern. Summer resident. Seen occasionally about the pond.

12. Great Blue Heron. Uncommon migrant to the Spencer Brook meadows. May 19 to ---.

13. Canada Goose. Common migrant. March 15 to ---.

14. Black Duck. Uncommon summer resident.

15. Surf Scoter. An immature bird was shot in the pond, where it had been for a week, by Samuel Hoar.

16. Ruddy Duck. Uncommon migrant. A male was shot on the pond in October, 1902, by Samuel Hoar.

17. Marsh Hawk (Circus hudsonius) [Harrier]. Summer resident. March 24 to ---.

18. Sharp-shinned Hawk. Common permanent resident.

19. Cooper's Hawk. Uncommon summer resident. A nest was found with five eggs on May 12, 1902.

20 Red-shouldered Hawk. Permanent resident. Nest found in chestnut tree with four eggs on May 8, 1902.

21. Broad-winged Hawk. Rare summer resident. May 16 to November 2.

22. Bald eagle. One seen in November, 1902.

23. Sparrow Hawk (Falco sparverius) [Kestrel]. Summer resident. May 8 to ---.

24. Fish Hawk (Pandion haliaetus carolinensis) [Osprey]. Migrant. April 11 to May 28.

25. Short-eared Owl. One seen flying over the meadows at sundown on October 18, 1904.

26. Screech Owl. Common resident.

27. Kingfisher. Occasionally seen about the pond.

28. Night Hawk. Common migrant. May 8 to ---.

29 Whip-poor-will. Common summer resident. May 8 to ---.

30. Chimney Swift. Common permanent resident. April 28 to ---.

31. Black-billed Cuckoo. Common summer resident. May 22 to ---.

32. Yellow-billed Cuckoo. Common summer resident, though rarer than above species. May 23 to ---.

33. Flicher [Flicker]. Permanent resident, common in summer, rather rare in winter. March 21 to November 18.

34. Hairy Woodpecker. One male found wintering on December 23, 1904, in the orchard by the school.

35. Northern Downy Woodpecker. Common permanent resident.

36. Least Flycatcher. Common summer resident. April 30 to ---.

37. Wood Pewee. Common summer resident. April 30 to ---.

38. Phoebe. Common summer resident. March 24 to September 29.

39. Crested Flycatcher. Uncommon summer resident. June 2 to ---

40. Kingbird. Common summer resident. April 10 to ---.

41. Shore Lark (Otocorys alpestris) [Horned Lark, var. "Northern Horned Lark," Otocorys alpestris alpestris]. Common winter visitant. November 14 to March 24.

42. Prairie Horned Lark (Otocorys alpestris praticola) [Horned Lark, var. "Prairie Horned Lark.") Two were seen on November 18, 1904, on the athletic field.

43. Bank Swallow. Common summer resident. April 29 to ---.

44. White-bellied Swallow (Iridoprocne Bicolor) [Tree Swallow]. Uncommon summer resident and common migrant. March 23 to ---.

45. Eave Swallow (Petrochelidon lunifrons) [Cliff Swallow]. Summer resident. Breeds on one of the school barns. May to ---.

46. Barn Swallow. Breeds in the school barns. May 11 to ---.

47. Purple Martin. Migrant. Breeds at Hildreth's Corner or did previous to 1904. April 6 to ---.

48. Cedar Waxwing. Common summer resident. April 25 to ---.

49. Solitary Vireo. Migrant. April 25 to ---.

50. Warbling Vireo. Common summer resident. May 10 to ---.

51. Red-eyed Vireo. Common summer resident. May 14 to ---.

52. Northern Shrike. Uncommon winter resident. December 10 to March 10.

53. American Crow. Common permanent resident.

54. American Blue Jay. Common permanent resident.

55. Chickadee. Abundant resident.

56. Red-breasted nuthatch. Common migrant. September 29 to November 21,

57. White-breasted Nuthatch. Common migrant and resident.

58. Brown Creeper. Common migrant and winter resident.

59. Winter Wren. Migrant. March 7 to ---.

60. Brown Thrasher. Common summer resident. May 8 to ---.

61. Catbird. Common summer resident. May 4 to ---.

62. Bluebird. Common summer resident. February 8 to September 29.

63. Robin. Abundant summer resident. March 11 to November 17.

64. Olive-backed Thrush (Hylocicbla ustusata swainsonia) [Swainson's Thrush]. Migrant. -- to November 1, --to-- [sic].

65. Wilson's Thrush (Hylocicbla fuscescens) [Veery]. Common summer resident. May 12 to ---.

66. Wood Thrush (Hylocicbla mustelina). Common summer resident. May 19 to ---.

67. Golden-crowned Kinglet. Winter resident. December 6 to February 11.

68. American Pipet. Common migrant. --- to November 16. March 26 to ----.

69. Redstart. Common summer resident. May 10 to ---.

70. Maryland Yellow-throat. Common summer resident. May 10 to ---.

71. Ovenbird. Common summer resident. May 6 to ---.

72. Yellow Palm Warbler. Migrant. April 28 to ---.

73. Pine Warbler. Common summer resident. April 7 to ---.

74. Black-throated Green Warbler. Common summer resident. April 30 to ---.

75. Blackburnian Warbler. Uncommon migrant. May 15 to ---.

76. Black-poll Warbler. Common migrant. May 20 to ---.

77. Myrtle Warbler. April 19 to October 3.

78. Yellow Warbler. Common summer resident. May 2 to ---.

79. Nashville Warbler. Migrant. April 25 to ---.

80. Golden-winged Warbler. Migrant and summer resident. May 10 to ---.

81. Black and White Creeper [Warbler]. Common summer resident. April 29 to ---.

82. Scarlet Tanager. Common summer resident. May 8 to ---.

83. Rusty Grackle. Migrant. March 16 to 28, October 1 to ---.

84. Baltimore Oriole. Common summer resident. May 8 to ---.

85. Meadow Lark. Common summer resident. March 2 to November 1.

86. Red-winged Blackbird. Common summer resident. March 7 to ---.

87. Cowbird. Summer resident. March 26 to ---.

88. Bobolink. Common summer resident. May 4 to ---.

89. Rose-breasted Grosbeak. Common summer resident. May 10 to ---.

90. Chewink [Towhee]. Common summer resident. April 27 to ---.

91. Fox Sparrow. Migrant. March 21 to April 8, November 9 to ---.

92. Swamp Sparrow. Uncommon summer resident. May 13 to ---.

93. Song Sparrow. Common summer resident, rare in winter. [Nests found .]

94. Snow Bird (Junco hiemalis) [Junco]. Winter resident. December 6 to April 30.

95. Field Sparrow. Common summer resident. [Nest found.] April 3 to ---.

96. Chipping Sparrow. Abundant summer resident. March 27 to ---.

97. Tree Sparrow. Winter resident. December 17 to April 19.

98. White-throated Sparrow. Common migrant. April 15 to May 8.

99. Savanna Sparrow. Summer resident. March 19 to September 29.

100. Vesper Sparrow. Common summer resident. [Nest found.] March 29 to ---.

101. Snow Bunting. Winter resident. November 1 to February 5.

103. Goldfinch. Resident.

104. Purple Finch. Summer resident. March 18 to ---."