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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

  • Photo Fran

    Barred Owl, right off the boardwalk

  • Photo Fran

    Barred Owl, August 16, 2018. Right off the boardwalk at eye level!

  • Photo Fran

    Male and female Common Whitetail Dragonfly seen near the large platform.

  • Photo Fran

    Female Blue Dasher Dragonfly

  • Photo Fran

    Male and female Eastern Forktail Damselfly from main viewing platform

  • Photo Fran

    Twelve-spotted Skimmer Dragonfly seen near the large platform.

  • Photo Fran

    Eastern Amberwing Dragonfly seen near the large platform.

  • Photo Fran

    Male Common Pondhawk Dragonfly seen on shore near the duck nesting box at the Beacon St entrance

  • Photo Fran

    Female Common Pondhawk Dragonfly seen on shore near the duck nesting box at the Beacon St entrance

  • Photo Fran

    Male Blue Dasher Dragonfly

  • Jasper

    Great blue heron caught a large catfish and went to shore to try and swallow it. However, it got too close to the red-winged blackbird nest and the male attacked the heron. The red-winged blackbird landed on the heron’s back and pecked it.

    See full bird checklist: https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S46565782

    • Deborah

      What a fabulous drama and amazing that you caught the Red Wing on the heron’s back. Thanks.

  • Deborah

    LOST AND FOUND:
    I found a hood for a telephoto lens by the edge of the pond.
    If you lost one, send a reply to this post with the make.

  • Deborah Stone

    Red Maple in the formal garden in all its glory.
    photo by my brother David M. Stone (c)2018

  • Fred Bouchard

    Hall’s Pond & Amory Woods, Norfolk, Massachusetts, US
    May 25, 2018 6:30 AM – 9:10 AM
    Protocol: Traveling 1.8 mile(s)
    Comments: Sunny, cool, 55-68F, near calm. Contributors: M. Badger, M. Howard, J. Weinberg, D. Torrey.
    35 species

    Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) 2
    Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) 10 teensy ducklings with mom; other 3 adults preening on logs in water.
    Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) 1 left early
    Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) 3 early flyovers
    Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) 5
    Barred Owl (Strix varia) 0 grackle-hassle triangulation failed
    Chimney Swift (Chaetura pelagica) 5
    Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus) 2
    Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius) 1 probable late migrant, tussling briefly with RBWO; prominent white scapular
    Downy Woodpecker (Picoides pubescens) 2
    Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus) 1 called early
    Warbling Vireo (Vireo gilvus) 3
    Red-eyed Vireo (Vireo olivaceus) 2
    Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) 2
    Tufted Titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor) 1
    White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis) 2
    Veery (Catharus fuscescens) 1
    Swainson’s Thrush (Catharus ustulatus) 1
    American Robin (Turdus migratorius) 25 16 on field when dogs dispersed
    Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis) 5
    European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) 4
    Northern Waterthrush (Parkesia noveboracensis) 0 reported all week but no sign today
    Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas) 2
    American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla) 2
    Magnolia Warbler (Setophaga magnolia) 3
    Blackburnian Warbler (Setophaga fusca) 2
    Blackpoll Warbler (Setophaga striata) 1
    Black-throated Blue Warbler (Setophaga caerulescens) 1
    Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata) 1
    Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia) 3
    Lincoln’s Sparrow (Melospiza lincolnii) 1 along iron fence behind 190 ivy
    Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) 4
    Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula) 5
    Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) 4
    Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula) 18
    American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis) 6
    House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) 20

    View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S46009242

  • Fred Bouchard

    hello, you hall’s pond birders!
    today louis sokolow saw the northern waterthrushes by the pond’s edge, or was it in the amory wetspot?
    here’s his e-list: https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S45986776
    i will try tomorrow morning early, because i’ve missed the waterthrush(es) every time i’ve been there.
    all are welcome to join me. there are still a few other warblers passing thru…
    fred b

  • Jasper

    Barred owl being mobbed by crows, 5/9/18

  • Fred Bouchard

    Hall’s Pond & Amory Woods, Norfolk, Massachusetts, US
    May 17, 2018 6:20 AM – 9:20 AM
    Protocol: Traveling 3.0 kilometers
    Comments: Gray, cool 55F, brief raindrops. Early drizzle of warblers dries up. Sun never peeks out. Good turnout: Pat, Neil, Andrew, Justine, Judy and Tim. An anonymous birder confirmed some sightings.
    45 species

    Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) 6 Crowded: 2 on nest, 2 on lawn, 2 over fields.
    Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) 3 in and out and over
    Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) 2
    Double-crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus) 1
    Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) 2 1 fishing successfully, 1 in trees and all around
    Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) 1
    Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) (Columba livia (Feral Pigeon)) 2
    Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) 4
    Barred Owl (Strix varia) 1 detected finally by ‘grackle sonar’ in same ivy st. pine
    Chimney Swift (Chaetura pelagica) 0
    Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus) 2
    Downy Woodpecker (Picoides pubescens) 4
    Blue-headed Vireo (Vireo solitarius) 1
    Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata) 4
    Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) 4
    Tufted Titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor) 3
    White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis) 1
    Veery (Catharus fuscescens) 1
    American Robin (Turdus migratorius) 18
    Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis) 4
    European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) 5
    Ovenbird (Seiurus aurocapilla) 1
    Northern Waterthrush (Parkesia noveboracensis) 1 fide Neil Gore
    Black-and-white Warbler (Mniotilta varia) 1
    Nashville Warbler (Oreothlypis ruficapilla) 1
    Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas) 2
    American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla) 2
    Cape May Warbler (Setophaga tigrina) 1 in willow by phragmites porch
    Northern Parula (Setophaga americana) 3
    Magnolia Warbler (Setophaga magnolia) 2
    Blackburnian Warbler (Setophaga fusca) 1
    Yellow Warbler (Setophaga petechia) 2
    Chestnut-sided Warbler (Setophaga pensylvanica) 1
    Black-throated Blue Warbler (Setophaga caerulescens) 1
    Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata) 6
    Black-throated Green Warbler (Setophaga virens) 1
    Wilson’s Warbler (Cardellina pusilla) 1
    Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia) 3 phragmites residents — plus one?
    Scarlet Tanager (Piranga olivacea) 1
    Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) 3
    Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula) 7
    Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) 6
    Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula) 22
    House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus) 2
    American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis) 3
    House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) 8

    View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S45767339

  • Fred Bouchard

    This just in from Chao Wu of BU. Looking good for Thursday!
    I sincerely hope to see some of you Friends and Board Members on the walk at Hall’s Pond tomorrow.
    Anytime between 6:15 and 8:30…

    Hello Fred,
    Unfortunately, I can’t make it to the walk tomorrow. However, I birded the place this morning [Wed] and it was FANTASTIC!!! Keep an eye out for the Wilson’s and Canada in Amory. I also had two Blackburnians near the South entrance foraging next to a Cape May!!! The Barred Owl also is still around and the thrush activity was pretty decent. I had an Orange-crowned there a few days ago but I couldn’t relocate it today.
    Here’s the checklist: https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S45734162
    Best of luck tomorrow and happy birding!

  • Fred Bouchard

    This report taken from Mass-Bird was posted by Paul Peterson, a veteran Boston birder:

    I birded this wonderful place from 12:00-1:50.
    Do also check out the very nearby woods on Amory St. opposite Knyvet Park.
    One end of Hall’s Pond area abuts Amory St., where you’ll find the drive-in entrance.

    BAY-BREASTED WARBLER 1 singing near garden area just inside the entrance gate, off on your right.
    Magnolia Warbler 3
    Ovenbird 1
    Common Yellowthroat 1
    Black-throated Blue 1
    Black-throated Green 1 woods opposite very nearby Knyvet Park on Amory St.
    Blackburnian Warbler 1 ditto
    Black and White Warbler 2
    Chestnut-sided Warbler 2
    Northern Waterthrush 3
    Northern Parula 4
    warbler sp. 1

    Paul Peterson
    petersonpaul63@yahoo.com

  • Fred Bouchard

    Hall’s Pond & Amory Woods, Norfolk, Massachusetts, US
    May 10, 2018 6:15 AM – 9:15 AM
    Protocol: Traveling 3.0 kilometers (loops)
    Comments: Grey, chilly (53-60F). With Bob Martell (Brookline), Chao Wu (Kansas), and Catherine (Quebec). Holding pattern on migrants.
    36 species

    Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) 2 on ball field
    Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) 2 flyovers and back
    Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) 1
    Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis) 1
    Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) 1
    Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) 2
    Barred Owl (Strix varia) 1 quiet in Ivy St. pine (viewable behind large dead oak by pond); we were alerted by harassing crows
    Chimney Swift (Chaetura pelagica) 2
    Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus) 2
    Downy Woodpecker (Picoides pubescens) 3
    Warbling Vireo (Vireo gilvus) 2
    Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata) 4
    American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) 2
    Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) 4 includes two singing in Mason Square
    Tufted Titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor) 2
    White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis) 2
    Swainson’s Thrush (Catharus ustulatus) 1
    Hermit Thrush (Catharus guttatus) 1 seen by Bob Martell
    American Robin (Turdus migratorius) 18
    Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis) 4
    European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) 3
    Ovenbird (Seiurus aurocapilla) 2
    American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla) 1
    Northern Parula (Setophaga americana) 5
    Magnolia Warbler (Setophaga magnolia) 2
    Yellow Warbler (Setophaga petechia) 1
    Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata) 4
    Black-throated Green Warbler (Setophaga virens) 1
    White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis) 2
    Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia) 3
    Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) 2
    Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula) 3
    Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) 4
    Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula) 16
    House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus) 1
    House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) 9

    View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S45519940