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See & Share Sightings

Please share your reports of interesting happenings at Hall’s Pond Sanctuary and enjoy reading others’ posts. Click on any photo to enlarge it.

Some ideas of things to share: animals, birds, flowers, trees, a cool rock, a tree shape, a strange fungus; a change you noticed from one visit to the next or over a period of time; snippets of overheard conversation about the Sanctuary; kids’ reactions. Write up something you find curious or awesome. Ask questions about something you saw or heard, or anything that HPS make you wonder about.

Things that cannot be posted:  “Sightings” is meant to share our appreciation of Hall’s Pond Sanctuary nature: flora, fauna and landscape. We cannot post photos of people, even if their faces aren’t visible, and even if it’s a selfie. There are too many thorny issues arising from internet postings. Also, please no photos of political campaign items.

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279 Sightings

  • Thomas MIchel

    Hall’s Pond & Amory Woods, Norfolk, Massachusetts, US
    May 16, 2023 6:50 AM – 7:20 AM
    Protocol: Traveling
    0.3 mile(s)
    31 species

    Wood Duck 5
    Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 3
    Mourning Dove 2
    Chimney Swift 3
    Herring Gull 2
    Great Blue Heron 1
    Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
    Downy Woodpecker 2
    Northern Flicker 1
    Warbling Vireo 3
    Blue Jay 3
    Black-capped Chickadee 2
    European Starling 5
    Hermit Thrush 1
    Wood Thrush 1
    American Robin 11
    House Sparrow 9
    American Goldfinch 3
    White-throated Sparrow 1
    Song Sparrow 4
    Baltimore Oriole 3
    Common Grackle 7
    Ovenbird 1
    Common Yellowthroat 2
    American Redstart 2
    Magnolia Warbler 1
    Yellow Warbler 2
    Black-throated Blue Warbler 2
    Yellow-rumped Warbler 2
    Northern Cardinal 2
    Rose-breasted Grosbeak 1

    View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S137967707

  • Fred Bouchard

    Community Day, Spring 2023, Birdwatch Report
    Hall’s Pond & Amory Woods, Norfolk, Massachusetts, US
    May 7, 2023 9:10 AM – 12:10 PM
    Protocol: Traveling 1.9 mile(s)
    Comments: Sunny, 70-80F. 9-10am: Fred Bouchard, solo. 10-11: w/ J Perrin. 11-12: w/ Fran Perler, JP, & 13 FOHP Community Day Volunteers.
    32 species (+1 other taxa)

    Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) 2
    Wood Duck (Aix sponsa) 1 usual male — or two?
    Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) 2
    Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) 5
    Wild Turkey (Turcus Gobblensis) 2 heard in ivy street schoolyard
    Chimney Swift (Chaetura pelagica) 1
    Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis) 2
    Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) 1
    Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus) 2
    Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens) 1
    Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus) 2 separate callers at amory & beacon
    Warbling Vireo (Vireo gilvus) 2
    Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata) 7
    Tufted Titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor) 4
    White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis) 6 hyperactive in formal garden apple trees
    Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus) 1
    European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) 4
    Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis) 2
    Hermit Thrush (Catharus guttatus) 2 secretive in ‘uplands’ at amory st. and ivy back-yard
    American Robin (Turdus migratorius) 15
    House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus) 3
    Purple Finch (Haemorhous purpureus) 1 merlin IDed; sweeter finch song heard 1-2 times central platform
    American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis) 2
    Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina) 0 did not check amory street
    White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis) 6
    Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia) 3
    Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula) 2 males calling high in canopy
    Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) 6
    Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula) 18
    Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata) 4
    Black-throated Green Warbler (Setophaga virens) 1
    new world warbler sp. (Parulidae sp.) 2
    Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) 3
    Rose-breasted Grosbeak (Pheucticus ludovicianus) 1 shy male in apple by platform

    View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S136500078

  • Thomas Michel

    The resident male Wood Duck was once again spotted on its favorite branch, and then had a leisurely paddle around the pond. I have not seen a female Wood Duck at Hall’s Pond in several weeks, and wonder if it is on a nearby nest- or perhaps the resident male does not have a mate.

    Hall’s Pond & Amory Woods, Norfolk, Massachusetts, US
    May 4, 2023 6:15 PM – 6:30 PM
    Protocol: Traveling
    0.2 mile(s)
    18 species

    Canada Goose 2
    Wood Duck 1
    Mallard 2
    Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 2
    Mourning Dove 2
    Herring Gull 2
    Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
    Downy Woodpecker 2
    Blue Jay 4
    Black-capped Chickadee 1
    White-breasted Nuthatch 1
    European Starling 5
    Gray Catbird 1
    American Robin 9
    House Sparrow 3
    Red-winged Blackbird 3
    Common Grackle 3
    Northern Cardinal 1

    View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S136117059

  • Thomas Michel

    We had a wonderful Friends of Hall’s Pond bird walk this morning. The Pond’s resident male Wood Duck spent the entire time posing for us, standing on one leg and preening on a large branch in the water.

    Hall’s Pond & Amory Woods, Norfolk, Massachusetts, US
    May 2, 2023 6:45 AM – 8:00 AM
    Protocol: Traveling
    0.4 mile(s)
    Checklist Comments: Friends of Hall’s Pond Bird Walk
    28 species

    Canada Goose 1
    Wood Duck 1
    Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 2
    Mourning Dove 2
    Ring-billed Gull 2
    Herring Gull 2
    Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
    Downy Woodpecker 3
    Northern Flicker 2
    Warbling Vireo 1
    Blue Jay 5
    Black-capped Chickadee 2
    Tufted Titmouse 4
    White-breasted Nuthatch 1
    European Starling 5
    Gray Catbird 2
    Northern Mockingbird 1
    American Robin 7
    House Sparrow 6
    American Goldfinch 3
    Chipping Sparrow 1
    White-throated Sparrow 1
    Song Sparrow 5
    Red-winged Blackbird 4
    Common Grackle 5
    Yellow Warbler 2
    Pine Warbler 1
    Northern Cardinal 5

    View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S135787935

  • Fred B

    Birdwalk Report, April 25, 2023, late submission by F Bouchard
    Hall’s Pond & Amory Woods
    Apr 25, 2023 6:47 AM – 8:17 AM
    Traveling: 1 mile
    Checklist Comments: p/c, 50F, breeze NE. Neil Gore in full lecture mode leads walk:
    Some attendees: N Calabro, M Joy, J Schreffler, A Frechette, F Bouchard, J & E Perrin, Ed, Andrea…
    Species tallied: 25

    Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) 1 (presumably wife on eggs)
    Wood Duck (Aix sponsa) 2 males!
    Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) 5 flyovers; none on pond
    Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) 2 one heard, one Ewe St (Knyvet Sq)
    Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) 4
    Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) 3
    Double-crested Cormorant (Nannopterum auritum) 1 early flyover
    Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus) 2
    Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens) 3
    Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus) 2
    Blue-headed Vireo (Vireo solitarius) 1 Ed spots it in boardwalk maple
    Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata) 4
    American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) 2 mason square
    Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Corthylio calendula) 4
    White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis) 3
    Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus) 1
    European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) 3
    American Robin (Turdus migratorius) 14
    House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) 5
    House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus) 1
    American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis) 3
    Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia) 2
    Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) 7 duelling mailes
    Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula) 17
    new world warbler sp. (Parulidae sp.) 0
    Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) 3

    View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S134962399

  • Thomas Michel

    Hall’s Pond & Amory Woods, Norfolk, Massachusetts, US
    Apr 12, 2023 4:30 PM – 4:45 PM
    Protocol: Traveling
    0.3 mile(s)
    25 species

    Canada Goose 2
    Wood Duck 1
    Mallard 2
    Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 3
    Mourning Dove 2
    Ring-billed Gull 2
    Herring Gull 3
    Downy Woodpecker 2
    Northern Flicker 2
    Eastern Phoebe 3
    Blue Jay 3
    American Crow 1
    Black-capped Chickadee 3
    Tufted Titmouse 1
    Ruby-crowned Kinglet 2
    Golden-crowned Kinglet 2
    Carolina Wren 1
    European Starling 3
    American Robin 19
    House Sparrow 5
    House Finch 2
    American Goldfinch 1
    Song Sparrow 2
    Red-winged Blackbird 2
    Northern Cardinal 2

    View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S133549051

  • Thomas Michel

    Another magical moment at Hall’s Pond on my morning commute…
    Hall’s Pond & Amory Woods, Norfolk, Massachusetts, US
    Mar 30, 2023 7:00 AM – 7:15 AM
    Protocol: Traveling
    0.3 mile(s)
    18 species

    Canada Goose 2
    Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 5
    Mourning Dove 2
    Herring Gull 2
    Double-crested Cormorant 1
    Great Blue Heron 1
    Downy Woodpecker 1
    Hairy Woodpecker 1
    Northern Flicker 1
    Blue Jay 5
    American Crow 2
    Black-capped Chickadee 3
    Tufted Titmouse 1
    American Robin 19
    House Sparrow 3
    Red-winged Blackbird 3
    Common Grackle 7
    Northern Cardinal 4

    View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S132203481

  • Thomas Michel

    eBird list:
    Hall’s Pond & Amory Woods, Norfolk, Massachusetts, US
    Mar 24, 2023 7:00 AM – 7:20 AM
    Protocol: Traveling
    0.3 mile(s)
    21 species

    Canada Goose 2
    Mallard 2
    Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 3
    Mourning Dove 2
    Herring Gull 2
    Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
    Downy Woodpecker 4
    Blue Jay 4
    American Crow 2
    Black-capped Chickadee 5
    Tufted Titmouse 3
    White-breasted Nuthatch 1
    American Robin 7
    House Sparrow 4
    House Finch 2
    American Goldfinch 2
    White-throated Sparrow 3
    Song Sparrow 3
    Red-winged Blackbird 3
    Common Grackle 7
    Northern Cardinal 4

    View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S131676197

  • Thomas Michel

    If Mallard Ducks were not so common, birders would travel hundreds of miles to see them with their iridescent green heads (males) and shimmering blue secondary feathers (females and males). See a photo of a male mallard at Hall’s Pond below.
    eBird report: Hall’s Pond & Amory Woods, Norfolk, Massachusetts, US
    Feb 22, 2023 7:00 AM – 7:15 AM
    Protocol: Traveling
    0.2 mile(s)
    15 species

    Canada Goose 2
    Wood Duck 2
    Mallard 2
    Mourning Dove 2
    Herring Gull 3
    Downy Woodpecker 2
    Blue Jay 5
    American Crow 2
    Black-capped Chickadee 2
    Tufted Titmouse 2
    American Robin 4
    House Sparrow 3
    House Finch 2
    Red-winged Blackbird 2
    Common Grackle 5

    View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S129349046

  • Thomas Michel

    eBird Report by Thomas Michel
    Hall’s Pond & Amory Woods, Norfolk, Massachusetts, US
    Feb 20, 2023 7:00 AM – 7:30 AM
    Protocol: Traveling
    0.3 mile(s)
    21 species

    Canada Goose 3
    Wood Duck 2
    Mallard 4
    Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 2
    Mourning Dove 2
    Ring-billed Gull 2
    Great Blue Heron 1
    Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
    Downy Woodpecker 2
    Blue Jay 8
    American Crow 2
    Black-capped Chickadee 3
    Tufted Titmouse 4
    White-breasted Nuthatch 2
    European Starling 7
    Northern Mockingbird 1
    American Robin 4
    House Sparrow 5
    House Finch 3
    Song Sparrow 4
    Northern Cardinal 2

    View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S129098805

  • Fred Bouchard

    Hall’s Pond & Amory Woods, Norfolk, Massachusetts, US
    Feb 16, 2023 11:10 AM – 11:45 AM
    Protocol: Traveling 1.2 kilometer(s)
    Comments: Semi-grayish, warm, 58F. 15 species.
    Robins and Juncos aplenty at Knyvet Park: no dogs! (John Harris sighting)
    Some gal reported a Sapsucker an hour after I was there,
    and another regular (JW) spotted a Brown Creeper.

    Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) 6 three pair
    Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) 1 quick gobble
    Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) (Columba livia (Feral Pigeon)) 2 1100 beacon
    Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) 1
    Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) 1 finishing squirrel lunch above gazebo
    Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens) 2
    Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata) 7
    American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) 1
    Tufted Titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor) 4
    European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) 1
    American Robin (Turdus migratorius) 1
    House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) 20 churchill and beacon
    House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus) 1
    American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis) 2
    Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia) 2 setting up housekeeping in cattails

  • Fred Bouchard

    Veteran birder Eric Neilsen spotted FIVE species of woodpecker at Hall’s Pond on the last day of January.
    A clean sweep of MA species would only add Pileated, only found in far more extensive woods and forests.

    https://ebird.org/checklist/S127330157

    Fred Bouchard

  • Fred Bouchard

    Walkers at Halls Pond should keep on the lookout for wintering bird species reported this last week, including Merlin, Barred Owl, and four different woodpeckers: Downy, Hairy, Red-bellied, and an unusual over-wintering (or very late migrant) Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. Happy Holidays!

  • Ellen

    Blue heron

  • Fred Bouchard

    Hall’s Pond & Amory Woods, Norfolk, Massachusetts, US
    Oct 11, 2022 1:15 PM – 2:30 PM
    Protocol: Traveling 0.9 mile(s)
    Checklist Comments: Sunny, still. Leps = 0. Herps: Red-eared Slider 2, E.P. Turtle 4. 19 species

    Wood Duck (Aix sponsa) 2
    Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) 4
    Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) 1
    Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius) 1 descending sharp peek in amory
    Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens) 1
    Red-eyed Vireo (Vireo olivaceus) 1
    Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata) 6
    Tufted Titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor) 2
    White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis) 3
    European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) 5
    Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis) 2
    Veery (Catharus fuscescens) 1 small, brick-red cartharus on path between cattails and ivy st. iron fence
    Hermit Thrush (Catharus guttatus) 1
    American Robin (Turdus migratorius) 8 foraging with grackles on leafy floor of uplands
    House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) 5 amory st
    White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis) 2 near formal garden
    Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula) 7
    Nashville Warbler (Leiothlypis ruficapilla) 1 pond willows
    Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata) 3 pond willows

    View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S120513088

  • Fred Bouchard

    Hall’s Pond & Amory Woods, Norfolk, Massachusetts, US
    Sep 27, 2022 1:10 PM – 2:15 PM
    Checklist Comments: 75F, clear, still. Leps: MONARCH, MOURNING CLOAK, CABBAGE WHITE.
    Large clumps of bright yellow Jack O’Lantern [Omphalotus Illudens] mushrooms in Amory Woods. Danger!
    Many darling and durable dog-walkers.
    13 species (+1 other taxa)

    Wood Duck (Aix sponsa) 3, spooked from shore foliage
    Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) 1 gobbles near ivy street
    Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) 1
    Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens) 1
    Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe) 2
    Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata) 3
    Tufted Titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor) 2
    Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis) 1
    Catharus sp. (Catharus sp.) 1 uplands
    American Robin (Turdus migratorius) 1
    House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) 5
    Northern Waterthrush (Parkesia noveboracensis) 1 silhouetted on shoreline
    Black-and-white Warbler (Mniotilta varia) 1
    Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas) 1

    View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S119536665

  • Fred B

    Rare bird at the pond! David Lowe spotted a Pied-billed Grebe this morning. Watch for it! https://ebird.org/checklist/S117488539

  • julia herskowitz

    It looks like some kind of gas is bubbling up in the pond, quite near to the outlook nearest Freeman St.

  • May 20,2022 3:35 PM

    • Fred B

      hey sam! that is a solitary sandpiper you photographed. most unusual sighting at Hall’s Pond! (in fact, probably a first, or second, ever.) thanks for sharing. hope it sticks around. fred bouchard

  • Peter Lowy

    This very rare sighting of an American Bittern was recorded just past 7 am on May 17, 2022. According to Neil Gore, it was first sighted at Hall’s Pond on Oct. 6, 2003.