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Updated on Wednesday, February 8 at 05:37 PM EST
The most recently received Mail is at the top.


Owl

8 Feb Woonsocket Vulture roost [Strickland Wheelock ]
8 Feb Rt 1 Common Ravens and Trustom birds [Wheelan Drew ]
08 Feb Red breasted merganser ["rodgriffith33" ]
7 Feb RBA: Rhode Island, February 7th, 2012 []
07 Feb West Kingston Common Raven ["Bryan" ]
7 Feb Bald Eagles and Hairy Woodpecker []
7 Feb Tuesday, 2/7 [Philip Budlong ]
6 Feb Swan Point today [Gabriel Cohen-Glinick ]
06 Feb Melville ["rodgriffith33" ]
5 Feb American Kestrel & Scaup [Greg Sargeant ]
5 Feb RI Big Day Results and thoughts on Possible CONI at Ninigret [Wheelan Drew ]
4 Feb [4 Attachments] [Greg Sargeant ]
04 Feb Pileated Woodpecker ["John Magill" ]
4 Feb Re: Catbird/white Red-tail, Lincoln Feb 1 [Peter Green ]
4 Feb Saturday, 2/4 [Philip Budlong ]
03 Feb Boat trip ["rodgriffith33" ]
02 Feb Catbird/white Red-tail, Lincoln Feb 1 ["eric88kp" ]
1 Feb Possible Common Nighthawk, Ninigret [Wheelan Drew ]
1 Feb Moonstone Short-eared Owl, etc [Wheelan Drew ]
31 Jan Redheads [Greg Sargeant ]
31 Jan Rumford Birds [Jack Sullivan ]
31 Jan ASRI Kimball Refuge Tuesday group, 1/31 [Philip Budlong ]
31 Jan Bald Eagle ["jbmikmaq" ]
29 Jan Saturday BI Ferry birds [Greg Sargeant ]
29 Jan Re: Save The Bay in Providence 1/28/12 [Peter Green ]
29 Jan Re: Short-eared Owl ["John Magill" ]
29 Jan Merlin, East Side PVD [James Tarrant ]
29 Jan Save The Bay in Providence 1/28/12 [Peter Green ]
28 Jan Short-eared Owl [Paul L'Etoile ]
28 Jan Saturday, 1/28 [Philip Budlong ]
28 Jan Loving the new neighbors ["Becki" ]
28 Jan Barrow's and Bittern []
26 Jan Black Guillemot - Point Judith - 1/26 [Tom Auer ]
26 Jan American Black ducks ["rodgriffith33" ]
25 Jan RBA: Rhode Island, January 25, 2012 []
25 Jan birders going on cod boat []
24 Jan Tiverton Birds [Jack Sullivan ]
24 Jan ASRI Kimball Refuge Tuesday group, 1/24 [Philip Budlong ]
22 Jan White-winged Gulls []
22 Jan birds today ["Linda" ]
22 Jan Sunday, 1/22 [Philip Budlong ]
22 Jan Glaucous Gull ["John Magill" ]
20 Jan Good looks at Tundra Swans ["Michelle St.Sauveur" ]
19 Jan Hooded Crane in Tennessee [Barbara Volkle and Steve Moore ]
20 Jan surf scooter's on the bay. ["rodgriffith33" ]
17 Jan Geese [lmgray1 ]
17 Jan ASRI Kimball Refuge Tuesday group, 1/17 [Philip Budlong ]
17 Jan Narragansett pier Black-legged Kittiwakes [Wheelan Drew ]
15 Jan Trustom Pond Birds ["PAMELA HUNT" ]
15 Jan Chat at Sachuest this morning ["PAMELA HUNT" ]
15 Jan The Glaucous Gull was seen at Sacuest NWR not Trustom [Jack Sullivan ]
14 Jan Glaucous Gull @ Sachuest Point NWR [Jack Sullivan ]
14 Jan RBA: Rhode Island, January 14, 2012 []
14 Jan Saturday, 1/14 [Philip Budlong ]
14 Jan Another Barrows [Greg Sargeant ]
14 Jan Iceland Gull ["John Magill" ]
12 Jan Point Judith Seawatch [Tom Auer ]
11 Jan Cackling Goose ["John Magill" ]
10 Jan Cackling Goose/Short-eared Owl []
10 Jan ASRI Kimball Refuge Tuesday group, 1/10 [Philip Budlong ]
09 Jan Barrow's Goldeneye ["John Magill" ]
9 Jan Re: Watchemoket Cove BHGU and Riverside Barrow's Goldeneye (yes) [Cocroft/Douglas ]
8 Jan Watchemoket Cove BHGU and Riverside Barrow's Goldeneye (yes) [Wheelan Drew ]
08 Jan Re: Another Barrow's Goldeneye [Paul L'Etoile ]
8 Jan Another Barrow's Goldeneye []
7 Jan Snowy Owl continues [Greg Sargeant ]
7 Jan Saturday, 1/7 [Philip Budlong ]
6 Jan Pacific Loon @ Charlestown Beach [Jack Sullivan ]
6 Jan Narragansett Herring Trawler Birds, Kittiwake, Dovekie [Wheelan Drew ]
06 Jan Immature Bald Eagle ["Pete" ]
5 Jan Dickcissel and more []
04 Jan RE: FW: Great Bird Sighting at Sachuest Point today! ["Bruce Larson" ]
04 Jan FW: Great Bird Sighting at Sachuest Point today! ["Bruce Larson" ]
3 Jan Barrow's Goldeneye in Barrington [Peter Capobianco ]
3 Jan Some of today's birds [Sandra Saunders ]
3 Jan Re: Barrows Goldeneye [Peter Green ]

Subject: Woonsocket Vulture roost
From: Strickland Wheelock <skwheelock AT yahoo.com>
Date: Wed, 8 Feb 2012 14:28:00 -0800 (PST)
At 4:20 pm on 2/8/12, I stopped at the Woonsocket vulture roost and counted 
around 120 vultures - large majority being Turkey Vultures but several Black 
Vultures mixed in. As we drove away, more vultures were flying in including 
more Black Vultures. 


Strickland Wheelock
Uxbridge, Ma
Subject: Rt 1 Common Ravens and Trustom birds
From: Wheelan Drew <amazilia55 AT yahoo.com>
Date: Wed, 8 Feb 2012 07:17:43 -0800 (PST)
This AM, 2/8, I had 2 Common Ravens on Rt 1 at the Old Post Rd. entrance to 
Burlingame 

     Last night at Trustom there were about 1000 Scaup.  The group closest to 
Osprey Point, although many heads were tucked appeared to have a decent 
percentage of Lesser Scaup in it, perhaps 5 percent of total birds.  There were 
4 Redheads in this group as well.  Other species seen were Canada Goose, 6 or 
so Canvasbacks, Black Duck, Bufflehead, Red-breasted Merganser, 8 Common 
Goldeneye, Ruddy Duck, American Coot, Northern Harrier, American Crow, Fish 
Crow, 2 Great-horned Owls calling near post "11" and displaying American 
Woodcocks. 

     Red-tailed Hawks on Matunuck Beach Rd. seem to be re-establishing pair 
bonds, and flying around together, and hanging near nests.  I have not seen the 
American Kestrel near Carpenter's Beach for some time 


Drew Wheelan
Peace Dale, RI
Subject: Red breasted merganser
From: "rodgriffith33" <rodgriffith33 AT yahoo.com>
Date: Wed, 08 Feb 2012 01:25:18 -0000
At work today (Still Water Basin) I saw 10 red breasted merganser's, 3 black 
ducks and a red tailed hawk flying over. 




------------------------------------


Subject: RBA: Rhode Island, February 7th, 2012
From: DLSaint AT aol.com
Date: Tue, 7 Feb 2012 18:03:24 -0500 (EST)
 
* RBA
* Rhode Island
* Statewide 
* February 7, 2012
*  RIRI1202.07
 

- Birds mentioned
SNOWY OWL
GOLDEN EAGLE 
Great  Egret
Black-crowned Night-Heron
TUNDRA SWAN
Redhead
BLACK  GUILLEMOT
LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL
PILEATED WOODPECKER
BARROW'S  GOLDENEYE 
Bonaparte's Gull
Horned Lark
Purple Sandpiper
American  Bittern
Greater Yellowlegs
Baltimore Oriole
Yellow-bellied  Sapsucker
Canvasback
DOVEKIE
Black-legged  Kittiwake
Razorbill
COMMON MURRE
PACIFIC LOON
Pine Siskin
Rusty  Blackbird
Red-necked Grebe
Harlequin Duck
Peregrine Falcon
ICELAND  GULL 
BLACK-HEADED GULL 
BLACK VULTURE
Bald Eagle
Short-eared  Owl
Common Nighthawk

date:February 7, 2012
(401) 949-5454 or  245-7500 ext 3052
compiler: Janice St.Jean
transcriber: Janice St.Jean (_DLSaint AT aol_ (mailto:DLSaint AT aol) )
_www.asri.org_ (http://www.asri.org) 
 

Welcome to the Audubon Society of Rhode Island's bird alert for February  
7th, 2012. This report covers the period from January 26th to February 6th 
and  will be updated in about one week.
 

A SNOWY OWL, first seen on January 5th at Sachuest Point NWR is still being 
 reported with regularity, usually from the area of Island Rocks, on the 
east  side of the point.
 

On the 28th, at Quonochontaug Breachway in Charlestown, 1 GOLDEN EAGLE was  
spotted.
 

In Westerly on the 28th, 1 GREAT EGRET and 1 BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON were 
 found in Weekapaug.
 

At Tiogue Lake in Coventry, 5 TUNDRA SWANS and 2 REDHEADS were observed  
this past week.

On the 26th, 1 BLACK GUILLEMOT and 1 LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL were seen at  
Point Judith, in Narraganset. 
 

On the 4th, 1 PILEATED WOODPECKER was at Arcadia M.A. in West Greenwich  
just below the old campsite off of Escoheag Hill Rd.
 

A BARROW'S GOLDENEYE was reported from Colt State Park in Bristol on the  
28th along with 1 BONAPARTE'S GULL, 8 HORNED LARKS and several PURPLE  
SANDPIPERS.
 

In Succotash Marsh in Jerusalem, 1 AMERICAN BITTERN was seen on the 28th,  
and a GREATER YELLOWLEGS was found on the 4th.
 

In Wakefield, at at Birdwatcher's NatureView a BALTIMORE ORIOLE visited the 
 feeder on the 4th, and a YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER has been observed 
frequently  there. 
 

On the 1st, at Trustom Pond NWR, a pair of BARROW'S GOLDENEYE were  
recorded. On the 28th there were 26 CANVASBACKS there.
 

Birds seen from the Block Island ferry included: DOVEKIE, BLACK-LEGGED  
KITTIWAKES, RAZORBILLS and COMMON MURRE. On the island, 2 PACIFIC LOONS have  
been seen, one in Great Salt Pond seen from Andy's Way, and a second seen 
from Cooneymus Road. A single BLACK GUILLEMOT was seen from the Cooneymus Road 

access  point on the 4th, and on the 29th two were seen from the ferry near 
the north  end of the island. On the 2nd, a PINE SISKIN was seen at a 
feeder, and a RUSTY  BLACKBIRD was seen in a wet area along Old Town Road. A 
RED-NECKED GREBE, 3  HARLEQUIN DUCKS and a PEREGRINE FALCON were also noted. 
 

An adult ICELAND GULL was seen in Galilee on the 4th, and on the 28th, a  
BLACK-HEADED GULL was seen in Westerly at Misquamicut State Beach. 
 

In the Ashaway village in Westerly, 12 BLACK VULTURES were noted at the  
roost site on the 4th.
 

Two BALD EAGLES were seen in Coventry, and 3 were seen in Foster this past  
week, and a BALD EAGLE has been viewed sitting on the nest in Scituate, 
along  Route 116.
 

A SHORT-EARED OWL has been reported several times hunting in the fields  
behind Moonstone Beach in South Kingstown.
 

Finally, two birders heard an apparent COMMON NIGHTHAWK while looking for  
owls at Ninigret NWR on the 1st.
 

That's all for this week, thank you for calling and good birding!

- End transcript




Subject: West Kingston Common Raven
From: "Bryan" <nipata AT yahoo.com>
Date: Tue, 07 Feb 2012 21:01:55 -0000
I had 1 COMMON RAVEN on the cell phone tower on Liberty Lane in West Kingston 
today. 


Bryan Glemboski
Potowomut RI



------------------------------------


Subject: Bald Eagles and Hairy Woodpecker
From: DLSaint AT aol.com
Date: Tue, 7 Feb 2012 14:42:08 -0500 (EST)
Three sub adult BALD EAGLES on the ice at Barden Reservoir along Ponaganset 
 Road in Foster, Also 1 HAIRY WOODPECKER, 1 RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER, 2 
EASTERN  BLUEBIRDS, 1 HOODED MERGANSER and 4 COMMON MERGANSERS.
 
Jan St.Jean
Chepachet, RI
Subject: Tuesday, 2/7
From: Philip Budlong <blp8391 AT yahoo.com>
Date: Tue, 7 Feb 2012 11:20:34 -0800 (PST)
  At Arcadia MA, West Greenwich, this morning with Bob Jones, Sandy  Saunders 
and Chris Sidler, there were Red-bellied Woodpeckers and 3 COMMON RAVENS.  No 
sight or sound of Pileated Woodepeckers. 


Phil Budlong, Westerly
Subject: Swan Point today
From: Gabriel Cohen-Glinick <gabe101296 AT gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 6 Feb 2012 16:42:30 -0500
Hi Everyone,

Today at Swan Point Cemetery, down by the water, I saw : 2 Common
Goldeneye, 1 adult Bald Eagle, 1 American Wigeon, many Buffleheads, a large
flock of crows that sounded like it contained many Fish Crows (along with
American Crows), and 2 Red-tailed Hawks, along with the normal species.
Along the wood-chip path, near where the greenhouse used to be, I saw a
Golden-crowned Kinglet and a Coyote.

Gabe Cohen-Glinick
Subject: Melville
From: "rodgriffith33" <rodgriffith33 AT yahoo.com>
Date: Mon, 06 Feb 2012 01:51:58 -0000
Went for a walk this morning around Melville campground and saw a two Northern 
Flickers, two Downy Woodpeckers and some song sparrows 




------------------------------------


Subject: American Kestrel & Scaup
From: Greg Sargeant <sargeguy.ri AT gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 5 Feb 2012 17:11:09 -0500
The American Kestrel was present at the field adjacent to Save the Bay in
Providence,later I saw one on a pole near the Blue Bug on 95S.

Small flocks of Greater Scaup was present in Pawtuxet Cove in Warwick
behind Aspray Boathouse offering close up views, and a larger group was in
Stillhouse Cove in Edgewood.

Greg Sargeant
Providence
Subject: RI Big Day Results and thoughts on Possible CONI at Ninigret
From: Wheelan Drew <amazilia55 AT yahoo.com>
Date: Sun, 5 Feb 2012 13:52:23 -0800 (PST)
Anna Hallstrom and I had a great day of birding on Thursday.  We had planned on 
birding more of the state as part of our birdathon efforts for the Alamos 
Wildlands Alliance, but someone(Drew) mis-interpreted the ferry schedule.  So, 
instead of following a planned route we walked about 5 km from New Shoreham 
center around the island to New Harbor and back again to take the ferry back at 
14:30.  We then zoomed along the southcoast, ending at Trustom to tick some 
waterfowl species.  Highlights of the day were 4 Common Murres, 20 Kittiwakes, 
Singing Rusty Blackbird, 3 displaying American Woodcock and two Red-shouldered 
Hawks.  Notable misses were Red-tailed Hawk, Tufted Titmouse and Mute Swan.  We 
ended up with 65 species, most while walking on B.I. or on the ferry. 

       That evening we returned to Ninigret where we heard  a bird on Weds that 
I believe  sounded most like a Common Nighthawk to me.  After having heard 
three displaying American Woodcocks at Trustom I have to maintain that what we 
heard at Ninigret was NOT an American Woodcock.  Having said that, on Thurs., 
we heard nothing like what we heard the previous night.  It has been suggested 
that Common Goldeneye and Bonaparte's Gull have a similar vocalization, but I 
maintain that we were playing the Common Nighthawk tape simultaneous to the 
bird calling and the bird seemed to approach closer and sounded exactly like 
what was being played.  I'll probably continue to check the area, although it 
seems less and less likely to get results, but I feel I can't rule out any 
possibilities at this point. 


Thank you to those that donated in support of our team,
Full Species List


1.    Canada Goose  6, 36, 68  = 110
2.    Gadwall  8
3.    American Wigeon  3
4.    American Black Duck  4, 25, 32 = 61
5.    Mallard  26, 16 = 42
6.    Common Eider  55, 36, 30 =121
7.    Surf Scoter  2, 6 =8
8.    White-winged Scoter  10
9.    Black Scoter  20, 22 scoter sp.  20,8 = 28
10.Long-tailed Duck  4
11.Ring-necked Duck  8
12.Greater Scaup  900  Greater/Lesser Scaup  75
13.Bufflehead  14, 16 = 30
14.Common Goldeneye  10, 2, 37, 6 = 55
15.Red-breasted Merganser  12, 12, 28, 6 = 58
16.Ring-necked Pheasant  3
17.Wild Turkey 9
18.Red-throated Loon  1
19.Common Loon  25, 7, 9 = 41
20.Horned Grebe  1
21.Northern Gannet  55, 45, 175 = 275
22.Double-crested Cormorant  2, 3 = 5
23.Great Cormorant  8, 22, 18 = 40
24.Ruddy Duck  75
25.Great Blue Heron  2, 2 = 4
26.Cooper's Hawk  1    seen on Moonstone Beach Rd
27.Red-shouldered Hawk  1    Seen by airport, adult,
1 Camp Fuller Rd.
28.Northern Harrier 3
29.American Coot  30
30.Purple Sandpiper  4, 7 = 11
31.American Woodcock 3 Displaying at Trustom Pond
32.Black-legged Kittiwake  8, 13 = 21
33.Ring-billed Gull  20, 6, 18 = 44
34.Herring Gull  45, 65, 55, 15 = 180
35.Great Black-backed Gull  20, 35, 32, 6 = 93    gull sp.  150
36.Common Murre  4    one on the water, 3 inflight,
Identified by their plumage coloration
37.Razorbill  1, 3 = 4     large alcid sp.  6, 5
38.Great-horned Owl 1
39.Short-eared Owl 1 at Trustom Wildlife Refuge
40.Rock Pigeon  5
41.Mourning Dove  4
42.Belted Kingfisher  2, 1 = 3
43.Red-bellied Woodpecker  2
44.Downy Woodpecker  3, 1 = 4
45.Northern Flicker  2
46.Blue Jay  3
47.American Crow  24
48.Fish Crow  18
49.Black-capped Chickadee  7, 6 = 13
50.White-breasted Nuthatch  1
51.Carolina Wren  12, 2 = 14
52.American Robin  6
53.Northern Mockingbird  2
54.European Starling  35
55.Yellow-rumped Warbler  3       warbler sp.  1
56.Song Sparrow  11, 2 = 13
57.White-throated Sparrow  4
58.Dark-eyed Junco  7
59.Northern Cardinal  12, 3 = 15
60.Red-winged Blackbird  2
61.Rusty Blackbird  1
62.Common Grackle  1
63.House Finch  8, 2 = 10  
64.American Goldfinch  2
65.House Sparrow  45
 
Drew Wheelan
Peace Dale, RI
Subject: [4 Attachments]
From: Greg Sargeant <sargeguy.ri AT gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 4 Feb 2012 18:55:59 -0500
Took part in a pelagic south of Block Island today on a Frances Fleet Cod
Boat. Highlights were Dovekie, Common Mure, Razorbill, and numerous
"distant large alcid species", Black-Legged Kittiwakes, Iceland Gulls, all
three Scoter Species and Long-Tailed Ducks.

On the way home I stopped at Succotash Marsh and found a Greater Yellowlegs
and Northern Harrier.

Greg Sargeant
Providence
Subject: Pileated Woodpecker
From: "John Magill" <johnmagill AT cox.net>
Date: Sat, 04 Feb 2012 16:21:32 -0500
A male Pileated Woodpecker was at Arcadia M.A. in West Greenwich just below the 
old campsite off of Escoheag Hill Rd at 12:45 today. 


John Magill
North Kingstown
Subject: Re: Catbird/white Red-tail, Lincoln Feb 1
From: Peter Green <peter AT providenceraptors.com>
Date: Sat, 4 Feb 2012 15:34:37 -0500

Great pic of the white hawk, Eric.
I went looking for it today at Butterfly Farm on Great Rd but had no luck.

I only saw this Magpie Duck that must have escaped from a nearby farm
http://www.flickr.com/photos/doubleagent/6818579561/in/photostream



-------------------------------------------------------------
http://providenceraptors.com
Subject: Saturday, 2/4
From: Philip Budlong <blp8391 AT yahoo.com>
Date: Sat, 4 Feb 2012 12:05:40 -0800 (PST)
  In Matunuck this morning there were vocalizing House Finches on Moonstone 
Beach Road, and at Perry Mill Pond there were Gadwall, American Wigeon and 
Ring-necked Ducks. 

  At Succotash Marsh MA, East Matunuck, there was 1 each Great Blue Heron and 
Red-winged Blackbird. 

  At Point Judith:   good numbers of Common Eider, a raft of ~500 Scoter 
species (mostly Black but with a few Surf and White-winged), Common Goldeneyes 
and Red-breasted Mergansers.  The feeders on Fifth Street had an American Tree 
Sparrow and House Finches. 

  Participating today were Kathy Patric and Sandy Saunders.

Phil Budlong, Westerly
Subject: Boat trip
From: "rodgriffith33" <rodgriffith33 AT yahoo.com>
Date: Fri, 03 Feb 2012 01:55:21 -0000
Out on the water again today.

Went out south of the NB bouy and saw several Northern Gannets. Over by Whale 
rock we seen a few Common Loons, By Dutch Island Common Eigret's, Black ducks 
and all the scoter's. We cruised along the west side of Jamestown just south of 
Beavertail light and saw 20 to 30 Brant's or Brent geese. 




------------------------------------


Subject: Catbird/white Red-tail, Lincoln Feb 1
From: "eric88kp" <lopresti.eric AT gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 02 Feb 2012 18:45:34 -0000
I am briefly back and had a couple hours to kill yesterday in Lincoln. The 
white Red-tail showed well at Great Farm, some others told me it is usually 
perched in a tree near the top of the hill. Now if it would only start picking 
off some of the little yappy dogs that make birding that site so difficult. 


Lonsdale marsh was quiet, but had huge amounts of beaver dam near the river in 
the drive-in area - 50+ small trees were down, all seemingly fresh. A stonefly 
hatch, a painted turtle and 2 Great Blue Herons were all out of season, but not 
unexpected in 60 degree weather. 


CCRI had a catbird in the corner of the parking lot as well as 4 muskrats out 
and about in the pond! 


Pic of the red-tail and a Pine Warbler in Wrentham today here: 
http://naturalmusing.blogspot.com/2012/02/february-birds-rima.html 


Best,
Eric LoPresti
Wrentham, MA



------------------------------------


Subject: Possible Common Nighthawk, Ninigret
From: Wheelan Drew <amazilia55 AT yahoo.com>
Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 20:31:58 -0800 (PST)
I know that this is the craziest bird sighting that I've ever reported, but I 
assure you that I am not making it lightly.  This evening while playing owl 
tapes in Ninigret Park, what sounded exactly like a Common Nighthawk was flying 
overhead and calling.  I waited for three calls to pass before alerting Anna 
Hallstrom to the sound, which she had been hearing as well.  The sound was 
definitely coming from overhead and moving around, and upon playing a Common 
Nighthawk call it approached closer for one go around and gave call.  We DID 
NOT get a visual, of even a silhouette of the bird.  The incidence perhaps 
lasted about one to one and a half minutes.  I would say that we heard eight to 
ten calls in total, the last ones fainter as it seemed to be moving to the 
North East.  We were at the senior center in Ninigret Park.  I am aware of the 
unlikelihood of this occurrence and am pretty sure there are few, if any 
records of over wintering Common 

 Nighthawks in the Eastern US.  We have compared the vocalization to other 
nightjars, American Woodcock and agitated owl calls and none sounds at all like 
what we heard.  Also it was quite clear to us that the bird was flying around 
overhead at perhaps 75-125 feet, based on volume and audio trajectory.   

         We are doing a big day tomorrow, but I guess I will try and be there 
again at dusk, in case this really did happen, and the bird is around again I 
just don't know what else it would be, and to be honest I am one hundred 
percent certain that it is what we heard, and also one hundred percent certain 
that few, if anyone will believe it!  A side note, I saw three moths while 
driving tonight. 


Drew Wheelan
Peace Dale, RI
Subject: Moonstone Short-eared Owl, etc
From: Wheelan Drew <amazilia55 AT yahoo.com>
Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 15:42:38 -0800 (PST)
This evening Anna Hallstrom and I kicked off our birdathon big day with luck as 
we were able to see the Short-eared Owl hunting over the fields toward the farm 
houses from Moonstone Beach.  Ryan Kleinert and Jen Scranton were also there. 
 I also had a lone Yellow-rumped Warbler there, as well as more regular 
species.  Ebird sent out an alert that a Great Egret was seen there yesterday. 
  

      The birdathon that we are taking part in for the next 24 hours is to help 
raise awareness and money for the endangered Pitahaya Cactus habitat in 
northern Sonora, Mexico.  It is very important habitat for western migratory 
birds and is under serious pressure from growing agriculture in the area. 
 Learn more about the cool field station and research they do here, 

http://www.alamoswildlands.org/birdathon.php

Thanks,
Drew Wheelan
Peace Dale, RI
Subject: Redheads
From: Greg Sargeant <sargeguy.ri AT gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 31 Jan 2012 18:03:14 -0500
The REDHEADs were present behind the Flare Restaurant in Coventry with
several Gadwall, Ring-Necked Ducks, Blck Ducks, American Coot and 3
Pied-Billed Grebes.  The TUNDRA SWANS were still on Lake Tiogue

Greg Sargeant
Providence
Subject: Rumford Birds
From: Jack Sullivan <Jackjsully AT aol.com>
Date: Tue, 31 Jan 2012 17:47:41 -0500 (EST)
This afternoon,at the Turner Reservoir, there was an adult Red-shouldered 
Hawk,a pair of Pintail Ducks and a female Belted Kingfisher at the north end. I 
have been there quite a few 

times this Winter,but have been unable to find a Tufted Duck. It appears 
possible,that the Tufted Duck that has been seen at the Manchester Pond 
Reservoir in Attleboro this winter, may have been one of the birds that has 
spent time at the Turner Reservoir in years past. The distance from the 
Manchester Reservoir to the Turner Reservoir is only about 5 miles, 

"as the crow flies".  


Good Birding,
Jack Sullivan
Rumford, RI        
Subject: ASRI Kimball Refuge Tuesday group, 1/31
From: Philip Budlong <blp8391 AT yahoo.com>
Date: Tue, 31 Jan 2012 12:11:12 -0800 (PST)
  On Conanicut Island this morning on an ASRI Kimball Refuge Tuesday group 
walk, overlooking the West Passage from the west end of Frigate Street:   
Brant, Surf Scoters, Common Goldeneyes and a tight single species raft of ~70 
Red-breasted Mergansers. 

  At Sheffield/Mackerel Coves:   Brant, Common Eider, Buffleheads, Common 
Goldeneyes and Red-breasted Mergansers. 

  At Fort Getty:   Common Loon, 1 Great Blue Heron, Brant, Common Eider, 
Buffleheads and 3 Northern Mockingbirds. 

  At Beavertail SP:   Common Loon, Brant, Common Eider, 4 Harlequin Ducks, 
Black Scoters - very quiet. 

  At Fort Wetherill:   Common Eider and 3 RAZORBILLS.

Phil Budlong, Westerly
Subject: Bald Eagle
From: "jbmikmaq" <Bonecellar AT aol.com>
Date: Tue, 31 Jan 2012 00:07:59 -0000
I saw one adult Bald Eagle soaring above the Cumberland Reservoir on Sunday 
around 1:15. 


Jeannine Brien



------------------------------------


Subject: Saturday BI Ferry birds
From: Greg Sargeant <sargeguy.ri AT gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 29 Jan 2012 22:49:47 -0500
  This Saturday I took the 11am Block Island ferry and and returned on the
2pm. Once on the island  I walked to Payne's dock to scope the Pond.   It
was an excellent day for alcids: 2 BLACK GUILLEMOTS (just north of the
island) 10 RAZORBILLs (2 on Great Salt Pond), 1 COMMON MURRE in alternate
plumage, and a DOVKIE (right outside Galilee harbor), all three Scoters,
LONG TAILED DUCK, and a half dozen or so BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE. And lots
of Gannets.
Greg Sargeant
Providence
Subject: Re: Save The Bay in Providence 1/28/12
From: Peter Green <peter AT providenceraptors.com>
Date: Sun, 29 Jan 2012 18:40:11 -0500

I photographed some more migratory ducks today at Conimicut State Park in 
Warwick RI 


pictures online here
http://www.providenceraptors.com/2012/01/29/migratory-ducks/




On Jan 29, 2012, at 11:12 AM, Peter Green wrote:

> 
> 
> Save The Bay in Providence 1/28/12
> 
> 1 Northern Harrier
> 1 Great Blue Heron
> 1 Common Loon
> 30 Ruddy Ducks
> and
> 10 Hooded Mergansers: 
> http://www.flickr.com/photos/doubleagent/6778637921/in/photostream
> 
> :)
> Peter
> 
> -------------------------------------------------------------
> http://providenceraptors.com
> 
> 
> 

-------------------------------------------------------------
http://providenceraptors.com
Subject: Re: Short-eared Owl
From: "John Magill" <johnmagill AT cox.net>
Date: Sun, 29 Jan 2012 18:14:37 -0500
The Short-eared Owl was seen today hunting the fields behind Moonstone Beach in 
South Kingstown but it didn't show up until 5:20PM. 


John Magill
North Kingstown

----- Reply message -----
From: "Paul L'Etoile" 
Date: Sat, Jan 28, 2012 5:59 pm
Subject: [RIBIRDS] Short-eared Owl
To: 

This evening a Short-eared Owl was hunting in the fields behind 
Moonstone Beach in South Kingstown.

Paul L'Etoile
South Kingstown
Subject: Merlin, East Side PVD
From: James Tarrant <jimtarrant5 AT gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 29 Jan 2012 17:22:41 -0500
There was an adult female Merlin hanging out in a tree next to the
Starbucks on Angell St. in Providence this evening at around 4:30 PM.

At Blackstone Park there were no Goldeneye of any sort, just a few
Bufflehead and Red-Breasted Mergs among the gulls.
Subject: Save The Bay in Providence 1/28/12
From: Peter Green <peter AT providenceraptors.com>
Date: Sun, 29 Jan 2012 11:12:09 -0500
Save The Bay in Providence 1/28/12

1 Northern Harrier
1 Great Blue Heron
1 Common Loon
30 Ruddy Ducks
and
10 Hooded Mergansers: 
http://www.flickr.com/photos/doubleagent/6778637921/in/photostream

:)
Peter

-------------------------------------------------------------
http://providenceraptors.com
Subject: Short-eared Owl
From: Paul L'Etoile <pletoile2 AT verizon.net>
Date: Sat, 28 Jan 2012 17:59:54 -0500
This evening a Short-eared Owl was hunting in the fields behind 
Moonstone Beach in South Kingstown.

Paul L'Etoile
South Kingstown


------------------------------------


Subject: Saturday, 1/28
From: Philip Budlong <blp8391 AT yahoo.com>
Date: Sat, 28 Jan 2012 14:56:57 -0800 (PST)
  This morning the first mixed flock of blackbirds in the Matunuck area seen 
off Matunuck Beach Road:   1 Cooper's Hawk, 1 Red-tailed Hawk, 3 Red-winged 
Blackbirds, ~100 Brown-headed Blackbirds and 3 Common Grackles. 

  In Narragansett at Point Judith:   Horned Grebes, Common Eider and Scoter 
sps., and at Camp Cronin:   3 Long-tailed Ducks and 5 Razorbills.  At Sunset 
Farm there was 1 Field Sparrow. 

  At Succotash Marsh MA, East Matunuck, there was 1 AMERICAN BITTERN  and 2 
Great Blue Herons. 

  This afternoon at the head of Weekapaug Breachway to Winnapaug Pond there was 
1 immature BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON (thanks to Dan and Sue). 

  At Misquamicut SB there was 1 BLACK-HEADED GULL.
  In Quonochontaug a Gray Catbird flew across West Beach Road.
  On Ninigret Pond tidal flats a flock of ~100 Dunlin lifted off the bar where 
the breachway meets the salt pond. 

  On Charlestown Beach Road there was a flock of ~50 Cedar Waxwings feeding on 
holly berries. 

  Participating today were Kathy Patric, Carlos Pedro, Jan St. Jean, Barbara 
Sherman, Chris Sidler and Dave Wallis. 


Phil Budlong, Westerly
Subject: Loving the new neighbors
From: "Becki" <legaleagle422 AT yahoo.com>
Date: Sat, 28 Jan 2012 21:54:17 -0000
I decided to take advantage of the early sun this morning and clear the yard of 
broken branches. 

It was well worth it as there was a Peregrine Falcon taking advantage of the 
warmth as well. It stayed for nearly an hour. Three crows attempted to noisily 
mob the Falcon, who let out a quick series of squeals (my layman's descriptor) 
and didn't move. The crows moved position a few times, eventually giving up and 
flying on. 

I think I'm going to enjoy The new locale!

Also out on Apponaug side of the point had Buffleheads, American Wigeon (I 
still think THEY sound like puppies) and what looked like a couple of Red 
Heads. Poor bins, so no accurate counts. Sorry. 

Merry birding,
Becki Fisher-Einhorn 
Cedar Tree Point, Warwick 



------------------------------------


Subject: Barrow's and Bittern
From: DLSaint AT aol.com
Date: Sat, 28 Jan 2012 15:10:13 -0500 (EST)
The AMERICAN BITTERN was at Succotash Marsh in Jerusalem.  It was in  the 
small marsh, went side of road, just after the former Birdsong  Gallery.  It 
flew a bit farther South, then across the road.
 
Louis Mendes would like to report a BARROW'S GOLDENEYE at Colt State Park  
in Bristol this morning.  Also a BONAPARTE'S GULL, 8 HORNED LARKS and  
several PURPLE SANDPIPERS.
 
We were scared into not going on the cod boat today by the forecast for  
rough seas.  We will try again for next Saturday.
 
Jan St.Jean
Chepachet, RI
Subject: Black Guillemot - Point Judith - 1/26
From: Tom Auer <mta138 AT gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 26 Jan 2012 09:44:36 -0500
Birders,

This morning around 8:20 am, I had a single BLACK GUILLEMOT from the
parking lot at the Point Judith Lighthouse. It was a considerable distance
out, requiring a scope. I watched it for a couple of minutes and then was
unable to relocate it after it dove.

There was also a single adult LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL on one of the rocks
just off the point.

Good Birding!
Tom Auer
Peace Dale, RI
Subject: American Black ducks
From: "rodgriffith33" <rodgriffith33 AT yahoo.com>
Date: Thu, 26 Jan 2012 01:29:01 -0000
Out on the water by marker 18 saw several American Black ducks hanging out with 
some Goldeneyes. Added a couple pics 




------------------------------------


Subject: RBA: Rhode Island, January 25, 2012
From: DLSaint AT aol.com
Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 19:53:47 -0500 (EST)
 
* RBA
* Rhode Island
* Statewide 
* January 25, 2012
*  RIRI1201.25
 

- Birds mentioned
SNOWY OWL
American Pipit
GLAUCOUS GULL  
YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD
ICLEAND GULL
EURASION WIGEON 
VESPER  SPARROW 
DOVEKIE
Razorbill
Red-necked Grebe
Black-legged  Kittiwake
PACIFIC LOON 
BLACK-HEADED GULL
Yellow-breasted  Chat
Baltimore Oriole
BARROW'S GOLDENEYE 
LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL  
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
TUNDRA SWAN
Redhead
Great Egret
Bald  Eagle
Peregrine Falcon
Pileated Woodpecker
American Woodcock

date:January 25, 2012
(401) 949-5454 or 245-7500 ext  3052
compiler: Janice St.Jean
transcriber: Janice St.Jean (_DLSaint AT aol_ (mailto:DLSaint AT aol) )
_www.asri.org_ (http://www.asri.org) 
 

Welcome to the Audubon Society of Rhode Island's bird alert for January 25, 
 2012. This report covers the period from January 14th to January 24th and 
will  be updated in about one week.
 

A SNOWY OWL, first seen on the 5th at Sachuest Point NWR was last reported  
on the 18th. No positive or negative reports since that day. Two AMERICAN 
PIPITS  were seen moving back and forth between the trail and the shore by 
Beach Access  Sign #7. A GLAUCOUS GULL was seen at Sachuest, near the north 
rocks on the  14th.
 

In Warwick, 2 YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRDS were observed with BROWN-HEADED  
COWBIRDS on the 23rd. They were seen at Warwick City Park, near the bike path 
at  the north end of Brush Neck Cove. At Gorton's Pond, a GLAUCOUS GULL and 
an  ICLEAND GULL were found on the 22nd, and 2 ICELAND GULLS were seen at 
Apponaug Cove, along Arnold's Neck Road that day. On the 16th, an ICELAND GULL 

and a  EURASION WIGEON were reported.
 

A VESPER SPARROW was noted near the boat ramp at Fort Getty in Jamestown on 
 the 22nd. On the 23rd, an AMERICAN PIPIT was seen there. At Beavertail 
Point, 2  DOVEKIES, 7 RAZORBILLS, and 2 RED-NECKED GREBES along with a 
BLACK-LEGGED  KITTIWAKE were found on the 22nd.
 

In Narraganset, at Black Point, a PACIFIC LOON was described, viewed on the 
 18th. At Scarborough Beach, 3 BLACK-HEADED GULLS were found, and at Camp 
Cronin,  1 YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT was seen on the 16th.
 

On the 22nd, a BALTIMORE ORIOLE was seen at a feeder in Wakefield. 
 

At Colt State Park in Bristol, 1 BARROW'S GOLDENEYE was seen on the 18th.  
Another BARROW'S GOLDENEYE had been reported several times from Providence,  
along the Seekonk River in just north of the Red Bridge. 
 

The LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL continues to be present at Grassy Point in  
Niniget NWR, and the YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER is still being seen at Fort  
Ninigret, in Charlestown.
 

On the 19th, 5 TUNDRA SWANS were observed along the shore of Flat River  
Reservoir, at Old Flat River Road in Coventry. A REDHEAD was observed at 
Tiogue  Lake in Coventry on the 20th.
 

On the 24th, 1 GREAT EGRET was reported at Rueker Wildlife Refuge and 28  
RED-NECKED GREBES were seen off Jack's Island in Tiverton.
 

Three BALD EAGLES were seen at Indian Lake in South Kingston this week, and 
 another BALD EAGLE was observed in North Smithfield this past week.
 

A PEREGRINE FALCON was perched on a light pole on Memorial Boulevard, by  
the Easton's Beach bathhouse in Newport on the 19th.
 

In Exeter, a PILEATED WOODPECKER was seen at Arcadia Management Area. 
 

On the 14th, 2 AMERICAN WOODCOCKS were reported in Carolina near the  
Management Area.
 

That's all for this week, thank you for calling and good birding!

- End transcript




Subject: birders going on cod boat
From: DLSaint AT aol.com
Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 18:21:50 -0500 (EST)
Several birders are going on the cod boat this Saturday, Februarty  28th.  
The Francis Fleet fishing vessel, the Lady Francis, sails at 5 AM  with a 3 
PM return.  Fishing is $95, birders go half fare.  
_http://www.francesfleet.com/_ (http://www.francesfleet.com/) We don't make 
reservations, there 

has always been enough room.  Reading the  web site, the fishing has been 
great.  Let's hope the birding is great  also!
 
Jan St.Jean
Chepachet, RI
Subject: Tiverton Birds
From: Jack Sullivan <Jackjsully AT aol.com>
Date: Tue, 24 Jan 2012 19:09:19 -0500 (EST)
There was a GREAT EGRET at Rueker Wildlife Refuge and 28 Red-necked Grebes off 
Jack's Island in Tiverton today. 


Jack Sullivan
Rumford, RI   
Subject: ASRI Kimball Refuge Tuesday group, 1/24
From: Philip Budlong <blp8391 AT yahoo.com>
Date: Tue, 24 Jan 2012 10:55:00 -0800 (PST)
  On an ASRI Kimball Refuge Tuesday group walk in Warwick this morning on a 
high tide at Apponaug Cove:   1 Great Blue Heron, Gadwall, American Wigeon, 
American Black Ducks, Ring-necked Duck, Greater Scaup, Buffleheads, Hooded 
Mergansers, Red-breasted Mergansers, 1 BALD EAGLE, American Coot and 1 Belted 
Kingfisher.  Chickadees were perfecting their "phoebe" call. 

  At Gorton's Pond:  1 Great Blue Heron, American Black Ducks, 1 CANVASBACK, 
Ring-necked Duck, Hooded Mergansers and 1 Red-tailed Hawk.  No white-winged 
gulls were seen at either location. 

  Off West Shore Road north of Conimicut there were 5 Monk Parakeets.

Phil Budlong, Westerly
Subject: White-winged Gulls
From: DLSaint AT aol.com
Date: Sun, 22 Jan 2012 17:25:24 -0500 (EST)
In Warwick, at Gorton's Pond, seen from behind the Warwick police station,  
1 GLAUCOUS GULL and 1 ICELAND GULL.  Both gulls were in the opening in the  
ice, then both stood on the ice, the Glaucous in full view preening, the 
Iceland  went into the middle of a gathering of gulls.  Two ICELAND GULLS at  
Apponaug Cove, one along the river just as you turn onto Arnold's Neck Road, 
and  another at the end of the road, at the marina.
 
Jan St.Jean
Chepachet, RI
Subject: birds today
From: "Linda" <jff30 AT cox.net>
Date: Sun, 22 Jan 2012 16:54:35 -0500
This morning at Ninigret Park, the continuing lesser black backed gull and
yellow rumped warblers feeding on low weeds.  Many adult white crowned
sparrows on Camp Fuller Rd, Wakefield.  This afternoon at Beavertail in
Jamestown, 2 dovekie, 7 razorbills, and 2 red necked grebes.  As a trawler
moved closer to shore many gannets and gulls and at least one black legged
kittiwake that I could observe.

 

Linda Gardrel
Subject: Sunday, 1/22
From: Philip Budlong <blp8391 AT yahoo.com>
Date: Sun, 22 Jan 2012 13:18:12 -0800 (PST)
  In Jamestown this morning with Chris Sidler at Fort Getty TP:   Common Loon, 
Brant, Common Eider, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye and a VESPER SPARROW. 

  At Beavertail SP:   Common Eider, Harlequin Ducks, and not much else.
  This afternoon at Fifth Street, Point Judith, feeders:   1 American Tree 
Sparrow, 1 Chipping Sparrow and House Finches amongst the mass of House 
Sparrows. 

  At Point Judith there were Common Loons,  a large raft (~375) of Common Eider 
and all 3 Scoter Species, and at Camp Cronin there were 2 Red-throated Loons 
and more distant smaller raft of Common Eider and Scoter species. 

  In Galilee Harbor there were Common Eider and Red-breasted Mergansers.

Phil Budlong, Westerly
Subject: Glaucous Gull
From: "John Magill" <johnmagill AT cox.net>
Date: Sun, 22 Jan 2012 15:20:14 -0500
A Glaucous Gull is present at Gorton's Pond in Warwick as of 3:15PM. Thanks to 
Jan St. Jean. 


John Magill
North Kingstown
Subject: Good looks at Tundra Swans
From: "Michelle St.Sauveur" <bittern AT verizon.net>
Date: Fri, 20 Jan 2012 10:25:32 -0000
 5 Tundra Swans were right along the shore at Old Flat River Rd. in Coventry on 
Thursday. The only open water here was near the inlet, forcing these swans 
close to shore. 


 Here are some recent images ...

  https://picasaweb.google.com/107009244705282362537/RecentPhotos1


   Michelle St.Sauveur
   Coventry, RI



------------------------------------


Subject: Hooded Crane in Tennessee
From: Barbara Volkle and Steve Moore <barb620 AT theworld.com>
Date: Thu, 19 Jan 2012 19:21:52 -0500
I was at Hiwassee Wildlife Refuge in Birchwood, Tennessee earlier 
this week to see the Hooded Crane that has been there since 
mid-December.

Charles Murray has been maintaining a visitors sign-in book at the 
Refuge and now has about 3,000 visitors from 43 states, but none from 
Rhode Island.
If you have been there but did not get to sign in, please send 
Charles an email at dro_1945 AT yahoo.com with your details (name, town 
and state, date of visit(s)
and whether you saw the Hooded Crane). If you have not been there, it 
is a great scene with over 10,000 Sandhill Cranes and 1 Hooded Crane.

Steve Moore
Northborough, Ma



------------------------------------


Subject: surf scooter's on the bay.
From: "rodgriffith33" <rodgriffith33 AT yahoo.com>
Date: Fri, 20 Jan 2012 00:12:10 -0000
Hi all, I work on the water and saw several surf scooters (20) swimming on the 
bay today around halfway rock. Then as we got up to the southern tip of 
Prudence Island their was another small group. 

Right off Burma road next to Still Water Basin 100's of Canadian Geese were 
taking refuge in the Bay along with a few Cackling Geese. 

As I was driving home I saw a Red Tailed Hawk on Green Lane Rd.





------------------------------------


Subject: Geese
From: lmgray1 <lmgray1 AT cox.net>
Date: Tue, 17 Jan 2012 16:49:00 -0500
> About noon today there were about 300 Canadian geese in a field just north of
> Seapowet Ave in Tiverton with two white geese amongst them.  They were still
> there an hour later and about 2 hours later flew by my house (I¹m out on
> Fogland Point).  Bunch of Brant Geese at Fogland beach as usual.
> Linda
Subject: ASRI Kimball Refuge Tuesday group, 1/17
From: Philip Budlong <blp8391 AT yahoo.com>
Date: Tue, 17 Jan 2012 13:09:17 -0800 (PST)
  On an ASRI Kimball Refuge Tuesday group walk this morning in East 
Matunuck-Jerusalem:   Common Loon, Common Eider. Red-breasted Mergansers and a 
Belted Kingfisher. 

  In Galilee:   Red-throated Loon, Common Loon, Common  Eider and Red-breasted 
Mergansers. 

  At Camp Cronin/Point Judith:   Red-throated Loons, 1 Northern Gannet, Common 
Eider, Black Scoters and Red-breasted Mergansers.  Wild sky and an angry sea 
with wicked westerly winds. 


Phil Budlong, Westerly
Subject: Narragansett pier Black-legged Kittiwakes
From: Wheelan Drew <amazilia55 AT yahoo.com>
Date: Tue, 17 Jan 2012 09:05:47 -0800 (PST)

At about 1130 this morning, two Herring Boats were in quite close to 
Narragansett Pier and I got very good looks at two adult Black-legged 
Kittiwakes.  They were not quite in the main Gannet (1000's) hubbub behind the 
boats, but further behind, and making wider forays.  At first noticed by 
flight, at 30-40 power in the scope, the black wing tips without white was 
easily visible, as well as the winter nape/ helmet spot.  Also at least 35 
Bonaparte's Gulls and several Razorbills, one in quite close to Monahan's Dock. 


Drew Wheelan,
Peace Dale, RI
Subject: Trustom Pond Birds
From: "PAMELA HUNT" <biodiva AT myfairpoint.net>
Date: Sun, 15 Jan 2012 18:54:16 -0500
Greetings again,

From around 1-3 I birded the Moonstone Beach/Trustom Pond area, and in 
addition to all the regular waterfowl, had the following species:

Pied-billed Grebe - 4
Iceland Gull - 2nd cycle bird flying over to pond from beach
Lesser Black-backed Gull - apparent adult in middle of pond
Gray Catbird - 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler - 1 near culvert at beach
Rusty Blackbird - 6 at the Farm Pond

Thanks for a great day of birding RI!
(it may have been cold and windy, but back home - well - I don't want to 
think about it),

Pam Hunt
visiting from Concord, NH 



------------------------------------


Subject: Chat at Sachuest this morning
From: "PAMELA HUNT" <biodiva AT myfairpoint.net>
Date: Sun, 15 Jan 2012 18:47:28 -0500
Greetings all,

While birding Sachuest Point this morning (~0800), one of the first birds I saw 
was a YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT along the trail between the parking lot and Island 
Rocks. It was just beyond the paved trail heading north, and was sitting in the 
morning sun - giving me a brief glimpse before diving into the thicker never to 
be seen again. Missed the Snowy though, so had to come back around 4, when it 
was sitting on the low rocks at the north end. 


Other birds in the Sachuest area included an Ipswich (Savannah Sparrow) at the 
Third Beach parking lot, and Eastern Towhee near Hanging Rocks, and back there 
this evening a calling Great Horned Owl. 


And FYI, the Barrow's Goldeneye was still off Frigate St. in Jamestown.

Gotta love that wind though....
Pam Hunt
visiting from Concord, NH
Subject: The Glaucous Gull was seen at Sacuest NWR not Trustom
From: Jack Sullivan <Jackjsully AT aol.com>
Date: Sun, 15 Jan 2012 12:57:24 -0500 (EST)
Correction- The previously reported Glaucous Gull was seen at Sachuest NWR not 
Trustom NWR. 


  Jack Sullivan  
Subject: Glaucous Gull @ Sachuest Point NWR
From: Jack Sullivan <Jackjsully AT aol.com>
Date: Sat, 14 Jan 2012 20:14:13 -0500 (EST)
This afternoon, Ed Slattery and I, saw a 1st winter GLAUCOUS GULL near North 
Rocks at Trustom NWR thanks to Alex Patterson, who first noticed a "white 
winged" gull. 

The Snowy Owl,previously reported, was still to be seen on the North Rocks. 
Further south we had a Razorbill very close in. Earlier we were able to find 
the male Barrow's 

Goldeneye at Frigate Street in Jamestown. A photo of the Glaucous Gull taken by 
Ed Slattery may be attached. 



Good Birding,
Jack Sullivan
Rumford, RI 
Subject: RBA: Rhode Island, January 14, 2012
From: DLSaint AT aol.com
Date: Sat, 14 Jan 2012 17:31:58 -0500 (EST)
 
* RBA
* Rhode Island
* Statewide 
* January 14, 2012
*  RIRI1201.14
 

- Birds mentioned
SNOWY OWL
Red-necked  Grebe
Razorbill
Harlequin Duck
Purple Sandpiper
Tree  Swallow
CLAY-COLORED SPARROW
BARROW'S GOLDENEYE 
EURASIAN  WIGEON
American Wigeon
GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE
Snow  Goose
PACIFIC LOON 
ICELAND GULL
DICKCISSEL 
BLACK-HEADED  GULL
Northern Gannet
GLAUCOUS GULL
Black-legged  Kittiwake
DOVEKIE
TUNDRA SWAN
Common Eider
Long-tailed  Duck
CACKLING GOOSE
Bald Eagle
Horned Lark
Baltimore  Oriole
Canvasback
Redhead
Great Egret
Northern Fulmar
COMMON  MURRE
BLACK GUILLEMOT

date:January 14, 2012
(401) 949-5454 or  245-7500 ext 3052
compiler: Janice St.Jean
transcriber: Janice St.Jean (_DLSaint AT aol_ (mailto:DLSaint AT aol) )
_www.asri.org_ (http://www.asri.org) 
 

Welcome to the Audubon Society of Rhode Island's bird alert for January 14, 
 2012. This report covers the period from January 2nd to January 13th and 
will be  updated in about one week.
 

A SNOWY OWL has been seen sitting on Island Rocks most days since at least  
the 5th. The bird has also been seen near the lower edge of the landfill 
along  the rocks. Also seen at Sachuest: 3 RED-NECKED GREBES. 5 RAZORBILLS, 12 
 HARLEQUIN DUCKS, 45 PURPLE SANDPIPERS and 1 TREE SWALLOW.
 

In Portsmouth, a CLAY-COLORED SPARROW was found on the 9th, in a thicket  
just north of the radio tower on Sullivan Drive.
 

Four male BARROW'S GOLDENEYE were found, the first on the 3rd, in East  
Providence, seen from the end of Beach St. Another was found in Jamestown on 
the  4th, along with a female, at the end of Frigate St., on the west side of 
the  island, north of the bridge. On the 8th, one was seen at Colt Sate Park 
in  Bristol, and lastly, there is one at Trustom Pond in South Kingston.
 

The EURASIAN WIGEON continues at Apponaug Cove in Warwick, seen with  
AMERICAN WIGEON from near the playground.
 

A GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE along with a SNOW GOOSE has been found at  
Hundred Acre Pond in South Kingston.
 

At the Charlestown Breachway, a PACIFIC LOON was described on the  6th.
 

On the 7th, an ICELAND GULL was seen in Providence, along the Seekonk River 
 at Swan Point Cemetery.
 

In Narraganset, a DICKCISSEL was reported at Sunset Farm on the 5th. A  
BLACK-HEADED GULL has been seen several times at Scarborough Beach, on the lawn 

 or near the sewage 

treatment plant. 
 

Hundreds of NORTHERN GANNETS and gulls have been following trawlers off of  
Narraganset between Point Judith and Narraganset Town Beach. On the 2nd, a  
GLAUCOUS GULL and an 

ICELAND GULL were found roosting on the rocks between Hazard Ave and Newton 
 Ave. Also, several BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKES were observed, and on the 6th, 
a  DOVKEIE and 7 RAZORBILLS 

were also seen
 

In Coventry, 5 TUNDRA SWANS are being reported on the far side of Flat  
River Reservoir as seen from Old Flat River Road.
 

A seawatch from Point Judith during strong easterly winds on the 12th  
produced the following: 130 COMON EIDER, 22 LONG-TAILED DUCKS, 2 BLACK-LEGGED  
KITTIWAKES, 1 ICELAND GULL 

and 1 DOVEKIE.
 

On the 10th, in South Kingston, at Carpenter's beach field along Card's  
Pond Road, 1 CACKLING GOOSE, 1 BALD EAGLE and a small flock of HORNED  LARKS.
 

A CACKLING GOOSE was also reported from Portsmouth, along Wapping Road, and 
 on the 7th, a CACKLING GOOSE was seen at Gardiner's Pond in Middletown. 
 

On the 5th in Wakefield, 4 BALTIMORE ORIOLES were seen at Birdwatchers  
General Store, 484 Main St.
 

At Trustom Pond NWR, 3 CANVASBACKS and 2 REDHEAD have been recorded on the  
pond, and a SHORT-EARED OWL has been observed at sunset over the fields, 
viewed  from Moonstone Beach.
 

A GREAT EGRET was at Marsh Meadows in Jamestown on the 7th.
 

Birds seen on a cod trip on the Lady Frances on the 9th included: 75-80  
large alcids, with most being COMMON MURRES, lesser amounts of RAZORBILLS, 11  
DOVEKIE, 28 BLACK-LEGGED 

KITTIWAKES, 3 NORTHERN FULMAR and 2 ICELAND GULLS.
 

Finally, highlights from a trip to Block Island on the 8th and 9th, 1  
COMMON MURRE, 3 RAZORBILLS, 3 BLACK GUILLEMOTS, and from the end of Cooneymus  
road on the west side of the island, 1 PACIFIC LOON.
 

The final count of all species seen in 2011 was 333.
 

That's all for this week, thank you for calling and good birding!

- End transcript




Subject: Saturday, 1/14
From: Philip Budlong <blp8391 AT yahoo.com>
Date: Sat, 14 Jan 2012 14:07:45 -0800 (PST)
  With Kathy Patric this morning in Charlestown at Ninigret NWR the LESSER 
BLACK-BACKED GULL continues.  In Westerly at Misquamicut SB there were 7 HORNED 
LARKS (thanks to Barbara and Wayne).  At Watch Hill Lighthouse there was 1 
Red-throated Loon, Common Loons 1 Horned Grebe and a few Common Eider.  At Fort 
Ninigret, Cross Mills, the YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER continues. 

  This afternoon at Hundred Acre Pond, West Kingston, there was 1 blue morph 
SNOW GOOSE amongst ~1000 Canada Geese.  The Greater White-fronted Goose was not 
located. 


Phil Budlong, Westerly
Subject: Another Barrows
From: Greg Sargeant <sargeguy.ri AT gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 14 Jan 2012 16:19:25 -0500
At 4pm there was a male BARROW'S GOLDENEYE a hundred yards north of the
Waterman St./Red Bridge on the Seekonk River
Greg Sargeant
Providence
Subject: Iceland Gull
From: "John Magill" <johnmagill AT cox.net>
Date: Sat, 14 Jan 2012 16:07:39 -0500
There was a first winter Iceland Gull at Apponaug Cove in Warwick this 
afternoon. 


John Magill
North Kingstown
Subject: Point Judith Seawatch
From: Tom Auer <mta138 AT gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 12 Jan 2012 11:49:28 -0500
Birders,

I did a seawatch from Point Judith this morning, taking advantage of the
strong east winds. Overall, there were less alcids than I expected (or
hoped for). Movement was pretty good early on, but eventually the winds got
to be too much and there were less birds. Highlights included a 1st year
ICELAND GULL, 1 close range fly-by DOVEKIE, and 2 BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKES.

  *Species* *Count*  Common Eider 130  Harlequin Duck 3  Surf Scoter
19  White-winged
Scoter 32  Black Scoter 27  Surf/Black Scoter 90  Long-tailed Duck 22  Common
Goldeneye 6  Red-breasted Merganser 30  duck sp. 53  Red-throated Loon
24  Common
Loon 43  Horned Grebe 1  Northern Gannet 25  Great Cormorant 4  Purple
Sandpiper 2  shorebird sp. 40  Black-legged Kittiwake 2  Bonaparte's
Gull 2  Herring
Gull 35  Iceland Gull 1  Great Black-backed Gull 15  gull sp. 10
Dovekie 1  Common/Thick-billed
Murre 1  Razorbill 3  large alcid sp. 1  alcid sp. 3
Checklist: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S9568956

Good Birding!
Tom Auer
Peace Dale, RI
Subject: Cackling Goose
From: "John Magill" <johnmagill AT cox.net>
Date: Wed, 11 Jan 2012 11:53:29 -0500
The Cackling Goose continues at 11:45 on Wapping Rd in Portsmouth along with 2 
Snow Geese among the hundreds of Canada Geese. They are all in a field on the 
east side of the road owned by the Aqidneck Land Trust. 


John Magill
North Kingstown
Subject: Cackling Goose/Short-eared Owl
From: DLSaint AT aol.com
Date: Tue, 10 Jan 2012 19:32:27 -0500 (EST)
With Barbara Gearhart:  the SHORT-EARED OWL was putting on a nice show  
over Trustom, seen from Moonstone Beach, along with 2 SNOW GEESE flying over  
with Canadas.  Also, at Carpenter's beach  field along Card's  Pond Road, 1 
CACKLING GOOSE, 1 BALD EAGLE and a small flock of HORNED  LARKS.
 
Seen from the east side of Jerusalem, 1 BLACK-HEADED GULL.  
 
Jan St.Jean
Chepachet, RI
Subject: ASRI Kimball Refuge Tuesday group, 1/10
From: Philip Budlong <blp8391 AT yahoo.com>
Date: Tue, 10 Jan 2012 10:40:10 -0800 (PST)
  On an ASRI Kimball Refuge Tuesday group walk this morning in Matunuck at 
Trustom Pond as seen from Moonstone Beach:   Red-throated Loons (1 in pond), 
Common Loons, 1 Northern Gannet, 10 Great Cormorants, 2 Great Blue Herons, 3 
CANVASBACKS, 2 REDHEADS, Greater Scaup, Buffleheads, Common Goldeneyes, 1 
BARROW'S GOLDENEYE, Red-breasted Mergansers, 3 Northern Harriers and a raft of 
American Coots being harassed by Great Black-backed Gulls. 

  At Perry Mill Pond:   1 Double-crested cormorant, Gadwall, ~75 American 
Wigeon, American Black Ducks, 1 Northern Pintail, Hooded Mergansers, 1 immature 
BALD EAGLE and 1 Belted Kingfisher. 


Phil Budlong, Westerly
Subject: Barrow's Goldeneye
From: "John Magill" <johnmagill AT cox.net>
Date: Mon, 09 Jan 2012 08:17:12 -0500
The male Barrow's Goldeneye continues at the west end of Frigate St in 
Jamestown as of 8:15. 


John Magill
North Kingstown
Subject: Re: Watchemoket Cove BHGU and Riverside Barrow's Goldeneye (yes)
From: Cocroft/Douglas <2baddogs3 AT cox.net>
Date: Mon, 9 Jan 2012 06:53:24 -0500
I am a beginner birder and need some assistance on identifying a goose I saw in 
Newport yesterday. 

It was small in size, a little bigger than a mallard, gray on back and head, 
white neck and chest. Legs were yellow, and what looked like dark red "eye 
liner" around its eyes (eye ring?) and across the base of its bill, creating 
almost a mask effect. That same red was also across the tip of its bill. 

It seemed tame, maybe it is some variety of a domestic goose. It was hanging 
out across from the resevoir on Ellery Rd (off Eustis Ave) with ducks and 
seagulls. 

Thoughts anyone?

Joyce Douglas
Newport

 
On Jan 8, 2012, at 9:26 PM, Wheelan Drew wrote:

> 
> Today, 1/8/12
> In watchemoket cove, amongst 245 Ring-billed Gulls and a few Herring Gulls 
the adult winter Black-headed Gull was walking in the mud at 1415. 

> The male Barrow's Goldeneye was seen with 7 female Common Goldeneyes at about 
1445. They were not with the 4000 Scaup, amongst other species there were also 
3 Horned Grebes, 

> 
> Good birding,
> Drew Wheelan
> Peace Dale, RI
> 
> 
Subject: Watchemoket Cove BHGU and Riverside Barrow's Goldeneye (yes)
From: Wheelan Drew <amazilia55 AT yahoo.com>
Date: Sun, 8 Jan 2012 18:26:44 -0800 (PST)
Today, 1/8/12
   In watchemoket cove, amongst 245 Ring-billed Gulls and a few Herring Gulls 
the adult winter Black-headed Gull was walking in the mud at 1415. 

   The male Barrow's Goldeneye was seen with 7 female Common Goldeneyes at 
about 1445.  They were not with the 4000 Scaup, amongst other species there 
were also 3 Horned Grebes, 


Good birding,
Drew Wheelan
Peace Dale, RI
Subject: Re: Another Barrow's Goldeneye
From: Paul L'Etoile <pletoile2 AT verizon.net>
Date: Sun, 08 Jan 2012 20:15:37 -0500
There was also a drake Barrow's Goldeneye on Trustom Pond this 
afternoon.  After sunset, a Short-eared Owl was flying over the fields 
near Moonstone Beach with four Northern Harriers.

Paul L'Etoile
South Kingstown


------------------------------------


Subject: Another Barrow's Goldeneye
From: DLSaint AT aol.com
Date: Sun, 8 Jan 2012 19:28:00 -0500 (EST)
Luis Mendes reports a male BARROW'S GOLDENEYE today at Colt State Park  in 
Bristol.  He has seen the bird 3 times, and today it was between the  pier 
and the bridge.  Also, 2 RUDDY TURNSTONES, 6 PURPLE SANDPIPERS and 2  HORNED 
LARKS.
 
The EURASIAN WIGEON continues at Apponaug Cove in Warwick.
 
Jan St.Jean
Chepachet, RI
Subject: Snowy Owl continues
From: Greg Sargeant <sargeguy.ri AT gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 7 Jan 2012 19:30:23 -0500
At Watchemocket Cove East Providence:  Two Black Headed Gulls.  At Crescent
Park there were a couple large rafts of Greater Scaup with some Lesser
Scaup.  The Barrow's Goldeneye was not seen.  At Sachuest Point the Snowy
Owl continues.  Other highlights included Purple Sandpipers and 3
Razorbills.  Pictures of a Purple Sandpiper and Snowy Owl can be found at
the following link:


https://picasaweb.google.com/108706231537350520250/BirdPhotos#5695048975025152642 


Greg Sargeant
Providence
Subject: Saturday, 1/7
From: Philip Budlong <blp8391 AT yahoo.com>
Date: Sat, 7 Jan 2012 14:39:10 -0800 (PST)
  Before sunup a Sharp-shinned Hawk cruised my home feeders in Westerly.
  In Middletown at Sachuest Point NWR:   Common Loon, Common Eider, 3 
White-winged Scoters, Red-breasted Mergansers, 2 Purple Sandpipers, the 
continuing SNOWY OWL and House Finches. 

  At Third Beach:   Common Loons, Horned Grebe, 4 Red-necked Grebes, Common 
Eider, Surf Scoters, Black Scoters, Buffleheads, 11 Common Goldeneyes, 1 
Northern Harrier and ~12 Sanderlings. 

  In Jamestown at foot of Frigate Street:   Common Eider, Common Goldeneyes, 
Red-breasted Mergansers, 2 Northern Mockingbirds and 2 Song Sparrows.  The 
Barrow's Goldeneye was not located and the two groups of Goldeneyes were well 
out in the West Passage. 

  At Beavertail SP:   Red-throated Loon, numerous Northern Gannets, Common 
Eider, 2 Harlequin Ducks, Surf Scoters, Black Scoters, Red-breasted Mergansers 
and large numbers of gulls following the herring trawlers. 

  Fort Getty TP was slow with Red-breasted Mergansers and 3 Northern 
Mockingbirds.  The Cattle Egret was not located at Beaverhead Farm or Weeden 
Lane. 

  At Marsh Meadows there was 1 Great Blue Heron, 1 GREAT EGRET and American 
Black Ducks. 

  At Perry Mill Pond, Matunuck:   Gadwall, 75+ American Wigeon, American Black 
Ducks and Hooded Mergansers. 

  Participating today were, Palmira Brummett, Fred Griffith, Marion Irizarry, 
Kathy Patric, Sandy Saunders and Chris Sidler. 


Phil Budlong, Westerly
Subject: Pacific Loon @ Charlestown Beach
From: Jack Sullivan <Jackjsully AT aol.com>
Date: Fri, 6 Jan 2012 17:31:11 -0500 (EST)
This afternoon,Ed Slattery and I found a dark loon that was smaller that the 
Common Loons nearby.The bird had an expansive dark nape that was sharply 
demarcated with a straight 

line from the white forefront area. The bird's bill was slim and straight and 
held level. The loon's head shape was smoothly rounded and there appeared to be 
a hint of a "necklace" 

looking at the bird's profile. The dark cap extended only to the eye with no 
white around the eye or in the lore area. I feel that this loon looks good for 
an Adult nonbreeding PACIFIC LOON. 

Additionally we saw a Fox sparrow at Avondale in Westerly, 2 Killdeer at Fort 
Getty in Jamestown along with a pair of PURPLE FINCH at Beavertail. The Lessor 
Black-back Gull was at Grassy Point in Ninigret NWR. 


 Jack Sullivan
 Rumford, RI         
Subject: Narragansett Herring Trawler Birds, Kittiwake, Dovekie
From: Wheelan Drew <amazilia55 AT yahoo.com>
Date: Fri, 6 Jan 2012 07:31:54 -0800 (PST)
If people have not been to Narragansett to check out the incredible numbers of 
birds following fishing boats yet, it is well worth it!!  Right now, large 
vessels are working between Beavertail and Point Judith on schools of Herring. 
 This will likely not last much longer.  This morning from Monahan's Dock I 
observed at least 2000 Northern Gannets, and over 1000 Herring Gulls.  I was 
pressed for time, but was able to pick out 3 adult Black-legged Kittiwakes. 
 Also 7 flyby Razor bills and one Dovekie.  The Dovekie was seen in flight, but 
put down and was not visible at this distance sitting on the water.  It was 
identified by flight, coloration and size relative to a group of Razorbills 
also in flight.  These birds were about 600 meters east and a bit north of 
Monahan's Dock in Narragansett. 


Good Briding,
Drew Wheelan
Peace Dale, RI
Subject: Immature Bald Eagle
From: "Pete" <ppemantell AT cox.net>
Date: Fri, 06 Jan 2012 01:04:02 -0000
Got several shots of an Immature Bald Eagle today on Watchaug Pond. He was 
almost to the middle of the pond and I was on my binoculars and spotted him. I 
had a 500mm on my camera but he lifted and went in the wrong direction so the 
shots aren't as good as I would like them to be. I will post a couple of shots 
in my photos on here. 




------------------------------------


Subject: Dickcissel and more
From: DLSaint AT aol.com
Date: Thu, 5 Jan 2012 18:16:29 -0500 (EST)
With Barbara Gearhart:
 
At Sunset Farm in Narraganset, 1 DICKCISSEL, 1 SWAMP SPARROW and a  
SAVANNAH SPARROW
 
At Sachuest Point, 1 SNOWY OWL, 5 RAZORBILLS, 45 PURPLE SANDPIPERS
 
At Third Beach, 2 RUDDY TURNSTONES
 
At Watchemocket Cove, East Providence, 1 BLACK-HEADED GULL and the  male 
BARROW'S GOLDENEYE from the end of Beach St.
 
At Trustom Pond NWR, 3 CANASBACKS, 2 REDHEAD both GREATER and LESSER SCAUP, 
 and at Perry Mill Pond, 2 NORTHERN PINTAIL
 
Over Route 1 in South Kingstown, 2 COMMON RAVENS.
 
Jan St.Jean
Chepachet, RI
Subject: RE: FW: Great Bird Sighting at Sachuest Point today!
From: "Bruce Larson" <bruce.r.larson AT verizon.net>
Date: Wed, 04 Jan 2012 13:54:24 -0500
 

I forwarded Sarah Lang's email about the Snowy Owl at Sachuest with her
permission.

 

Sarah just told me that the Snowy is a juvenile and it may be the same one
seen here recently because it is sitting in the same nook at Island Rocks
where the previous bird was photographed.

 

Bruce Larson

Milton, MA

Bruce.r.larson AT verizon.net


Subject: FW: Great Bird Sighting at Sachuest Point today!
From: "Bruce Larson" <bruce.r.larson AT verizon.net>
Date: Wed, 04 Jan 2012 13:21:32 -0500
 

 

From: postmaster AT volunteer2mail.com [mailto:postmaster AT volunteer2mail.com]
On Behalf Of Sarah Lang
Sent: Wednesday, January 04, 2012 1:05 PM
To: Bruce Larson
Subject: Great Bird Sighting at Sachuest Point today!

 

I have heard a bunch of people express an interest so I figured I would
e-mail everyone - there were some visitors that stopped in that said they
saw a Snowy Owl out on the Island Rocks at Sachuest Point today.  I just
went out to confirm and yes, the Snowy Owl is there!

Hope everyone is staying warm!

Sarah

 
Subject: Barrow's Goldeneye in Barrington
From: Peter Capobianco <Peter.Capobianco AT gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 3 Jan 2012 21:27:54 -0500
I checked for the Barrow's Goldeneye reported earlier today by Dan Finizia
and Sue Talbot.  I did not relocate it at the end of Beach Road in
Riverside, so I headed over to Barrington.  I was able to find the male in
a large flock of goldeneye from Latham Park.  It would be worth checking
here if the bird is not at the end of Beach Road.

Good Birding,

Peter Capobianco
Riverside, RI
Subject: Some of today's birds
From: Sandra Saunders <ssaunders AT mail.uri.edu>
Date: Tue, 3 Jan 2012 17:09:23 -0500
In Coventry, the 5 TUNDRA SWANS continue on the far side of Flat River 
Reservoir as seen from Old Flat River Road. Also a pair of Northern Pintails 
was foraging close to the road. 


Sandra Saunders
East Greenwich




------------------------------------


Subject: Re: Barrows Goldeneye
From: Peter Green <peter AT providenceraptors.com>
Date: Tue, 3 Jan 2012 14:57:23 -0500


I saw a Barrow's Goldeneye last week at Sachuest Point - thanks for the ID.
Didn't see any Snowy Owls, very disappointing.

I finally got pictures of Eastern Screech Owls in Providence:
http://www.providenceraptors.com/2012/01/01/eastern-screech-owls/

happy new year,
Peter



On Jan 3, 2012, at 10:29 AM, Janice wrote:

> From Sue T and Dan F
> In East Providence, from end of Beach St
> Male Barrow's Gdeneye
> 
> Jan S
> 
> Sent from my iPhone
> 

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