Osprey at Crystal Lake

Thanks to Carol Stapleton of Newton Parks & Recreation for reporting an Osprey at Crystal Lake today. This large bird of prey was observed hunting for fish in the lake. Osprey's have staged a dramatic recovery in Massachusetts and elsewhere in North America since the banning of DDT. Osprey in Eastern Massachusetts frequently nest on nest poles and other man-made structures. This species is apparently an uncommon visitor to Newton. I have not observed this species here, although I have observed it just across the Needham line in Cutler Park. Carol has a wonderful series of Newton Wildlife photographs available for viewing on the city's website. Other raptors uncommonly seen in Newton include the Bald Eagle and Rough-legged Hawk. More frequent visitors and year round residents include the Red-tailed hawk and Cooper's Hawk. Screech Owls and Great-horned Owls are also resident.

Turtle Hatchling

9/16/07 - This Painted Turtle Hatchling was rescued by passersby on the road adjacent to Bullough's Pond. It is about the size of a Quarter. During August & September, Painted & Snapping Turtle eggs hatch, and the hatchlings make their way to wetlands to overwinter. Many are killed by predators or cars. Last year I found a squashed Snapping Turtle hatchling in the road near Bullough's Pond. As I wrote in June, adult turtle road mortality is a significant conservation issue in Massachusetts.

92 Birds

On April 28, I reported siting my 50th bird species in Newton during 2007. With the observation of a Black-crowned Night Heron on August 2, I am up to 92 bird species for the year. Some highlights include a Common Loon at Crystal Lake and an Orchard Oriole at Bullough's pond. Fall is a great time to observe migrant songbirds, sparrows, and waterfowl in Newton, at sites such as Crystal Lake, Charles River, Nahanton Park, Hammond Woods.

Newton Species List 2007

Species
american crow
american goldfinch
american redstart
american robin
american woodcock
barn swallow
belted kingfisher
black and white warbler
black duck
blackburnian warbler
black-capped chickadee
black-crowned night heron
blackpoll warbler
black-throated blue warbler
black-throated green warbler
blue jay
blue-gray gnatcatcher
brown creeper
brown-headed cowbird
bufflehead
canada goose
canada warbler
carolina wren
cedar waxwing
chimney swift
chipping sparrow
common flicker
common grackle
common loon
common merganser
common nighthawk
common yellowthroat
cooper's hawk
double-crested cormorant
downy woodpecker
eastern bluebird
eastern kingbird
eastern pewee
eastern pheobe
european starling
golden-crowned kinglet
gray catbird
great blue heron
great-crested flycatcher
green heron
herring gull
hooded merganser
house finch
house sparrow
house wren
killdeer
least flycatcher
magnolia warbler
mallard
mourning dove
mute swan
northern cardinal
northern flicker
northern junco
northern mockingbird
northern oriole
northern parula
northern rough-winged swallow
orchard oriole
ovenbird
palm warbler
pine warbler
red-bellied woodpecker
red-eyed vireo
red-tailed hawk
red-winged blackbird
ring-billed gull
ring-necked duck
rock dove
rose-breasted grosbeak
rough-winged swallow
ruddy duck
rufous-sided towhee
savannah sparrow
scarlet tanager
song sparrow
tree swallow
tufted titmouse
turkey vulture
warbling vireo
white-breasted nuthatch
white-throated sparrow
wild turkey
wood duck
wood thrush
yellow warbler
yellow-rumped warbler

Nighthawks Migrating

Each August, Common Nighthawks overhead reliably signal the end of summer. They were flying over Newton Center this evening and last night as well. I always enjoy watching these exotic looking birds fly overhead. I once had the pleasure of capturing one in a mist net in Oklahoma. Although the Common Nighthawk naturally nests on the ground, in Massachusetts they now nest more frequently on flat roofs in urban areas (see Birds of Massachusetts). Listen to their distinctive call by clicking here.

Sweet Pepperbush - Shrubs #1

Sweet Pepperbush is now blooming in wetlands at sites such as Hammond Woods and the Charles River Path - Wells Avenue. This common plant of the Atlantic Coastal Plain produces spikes of intensely fragrant white flowers. It's attractive enough that it is now commercially available for landscaping. This plant is indicative of wetland conditions. This is a lovely native shrub. Recently, I was reading a proposal for soil remediation that required excavating a wetland dominated by Sweet Pepperbush. Given my fondness for this plant, I was quite distressed to see the applicant's consultant mistakenly describe Sweet Pepperbush as a non-native and invasive shrub. Please go out and enjoy this fragrant and attractive shrub while it is still blooming.

Flying Squirrel!

A common theme of this blog is a fascination with urban wilds - small remnant natural areas, and the plants and animals these areas still support. Many species that are common in less developed portions of our state are uncommon or absent in Newton, and it is always exciting to identify a new species that does still occur here. For example, previous postings have discussed the status of wood frogs, spotted salamanders, and red squirrels in Newton. Yesterday, I was thrilled to find a road-killed Southern Flying Squirrel on Winchester Street (photograph above). Note the skin flaps for gliding on the flanks, the flattened tail, and the large eyes for night vision. It was exciting to find that this species still makes it's home in parts of our city. I would love to hear your observations of this species or other unusual flora and fauna that you have encountered in Newton.

Goldenrods

The goldenrods are beginning to bloom - a sure sign that summer is well underway. These are the yellow-flowered plants of roadsides, old fields, woods, and wetlands that bloom in the late summer. These are sometimes hard to tell apart, but I think that I have at least 5 native goldenrod species in my front yard on Garland Road; The two species that I am sure about are Gray Goldenrod and Showy Goldenrod (not yet blooming). I also think I have Sharp-leaved Goldenrod? I am still working on identifying the rest...