Broad Meadow Brook MAS: Worcester, MA (10/7)

I got up early on Saturday and headed over to Broad Meadow Brook. I parked by the Dunkirk St. entrance and started my hike. It was a cool morning but the stretch was filled with bird activity. Just over the bridge, in the wet meadow area I found a medium sized flock of White-throated Sparrows. It was great to see these guys even though their return is a sure sign that winter is just around the corner.

I retraced my steps and returned to Trioano Brookside Trail where I ran into the Saturday morning birding class lead by Howard Shainheit. They were intently watching a Sharp-shinned Hawk as the raptor was being mobbed by a group of Blue Jays. Whenever he perched, the Jays would dive bomb him, screaming loudly as they "attacked". Finally, the Sharpie would get tired of this harassment and would take off after the Jays.

They repeated this several times and the Sharpie was forced to switch from perch to perch to avoid the Jays. I thought that I could take advantage of this situation so I moved under one of the Sharpie's favorite perches and hid in the fragmites hoping that he would return. I kept my camera at the ready for several minutes but finally gave up.

Further up the stretch I found a Downy Woodpecker who was inspecting the dead trees at the edge of the brook for breakfast. Further down the path, an Eastern Cottontail scampered into the bushes as I approached. As I continued up the road, I noticed a turtle nest that had been excavated by scavengers. I counted four nests in the sand along the road that had been raided. I couldn't tell what species of turtle eggs they were but I know that the brook supports Snapping Turtles and Eastern Painted Turtles.

After hiking the entire stretch, I headed up towards the powerlines. As I walked thru the woods, I was struck by how much was still growing this late in the year. I found a few that I hadn't seen before: Bluestem Goldenrod and White Snakeroot.

Once I got to the powerlines I was surprised to find that it was filled with flowers. There were tons of asters in bloom, especially New England Aster. In some areas I found three or four species of asters in the same area. It was amazing. Another incredible sight was a group of Ruby-crowned Kinglets who were foraging in the sunny trees that border the meadow under the powerlines. These guys extended their red crests and chased each other but mostly spend there time looking for food. They are absolutely fascinating to watch. And science says that they shouldn't be able to survive the winter here in New England. The only way they do so is by foraging during every waking moment and huddling together at night for warmth.

Midway down the powerlines I took a side trail and headed towards Granite St. On the ridge I got a great look at a Palm Warbler as it jumped about in the leaf litter. I continued up past Granite St. hoping to find a Brown Snake basking on the hill but lucked out.

Then I started back to my car. Along the Cardinal Trail, I happened upon what I think were three Hermit Thrushes in the bare trees. They flew about a bit, but I still got fantastic looks at them.

After getting back to my car, I drove over to the sanctuary headquarters. I asked if there was anything that I could volunteer to do and Selina gave me some trail maps to place at the kiosks around the property. So, I went out and did the entire loop all over again. Other than filling the trail maps, I also piked up some trash along the stretch. And, it was worth the effort since I stumbled upon two Garter Snakes in the bushes.

Birds: Blue Jay, American Robin, White-throated Sparrow, Black-capped Chickadee, Downy Woodpecker, Tufted Titmouse, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Northern Cardinal, American Goldfinch, Belted Kingfisher, White-breasted Nuthatch, Eastern Towhee, Eastern Phoebe, Ruby Crowned Kinglet, Palm Warbler, Yellow-rump Warbler, Mallard, Hermit Thrush (?), Chipping Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbird

Mammals: Eastern Cottontail, Chipmunk, Gray squirrel

Herps: Green Fog, Eastern Garter Snake

Butterflies: Pearl Crescent, Cabbage White