Valley the place to be for birdwatchers

Blackstone Heritage Corridor, Inc. walks culminate with ‘flock party’

Armed with binoculars and guidebooks, more than 80 avid birders took part in a series of nine bird walks sponsored by the Blackstone Heritage Corridor, Inc. between April and June, during which 66 different varieties of birds were identified between Uxbridge and Pawtucket.

The weekend bird walks took participants on adventures through lush bird habitats, including the Blackstone River & Canal Heritage State Park in Uxbridge, West Hill Park in Northbridge, the Blackstone River Greenway in Blackstone, the Blackstone River State Park in Lincoln, and the Ten Mile River Greenway in Pawtucket.

To celebrate and recognize this new volunteer activity in a special way, the BHC hosted a festive “Flock Party” at the end of June, inviting participants to hear presentations from the volunteer guides recapping the season’s findings.

The bird walks were led by BHC’s Volunteers-in-Parks members Rosanne Sherry of North Smithfield, and Beth and Paul Milke of Uxbridge. The three met during a bird walk program last fall and continue to collaborate on birding activities throughout the year. Word

“On these walks you are with over 20 pairs of eyes and you see and hear things you’d miss if you were by yourself. These volunteer guides are experts at recognizing bird calls.” —Ryan Whetsone, birdwatching participant

flew out about their adventures, and they were invited to appear on Upton cable television’s “Be My Guest” show in April.

“Paul and I remember how exciting it was to learn about birds

– how many different kinds there are, what their songs are like, where to find them – from a terrific birder, Strickland Wheelock of Uxbridge,” said Beth Milke. “His enthusiasm rubbed off on us, and we've had so much fun sharing the experience with those who joined us for the bird walks.”

More than 80 birders took part in the spring bird walks, which will be held again in September.

“I always thought it was about bird watching, but it’s really about bird listening” said participant Ryan Whetsone. “I could go for a walk by myself and maybe see a bird, or not. But on these walks you are with over 20 pairs of eyes and you see and hear things you’d miss if you were by yourself. These volunteer guides are experts at recognizing the bird calls.”

There were more than 60 species of birds identified on the walks, including Canada Goose, Mallard, Great Blue Heron, Mute Swan, Osprey, Cooper’s Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Killdeer, American Woodcock, Turkey Vulture, Black Vulture, Mourning Dove, Yellowbilled Cuckoo, Chimney Swift, Downy Woodpecker, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Great-crested Flycatcher, Eastern Kingbird, Eastern Wood Pewee, Eastern Phoebe, Rough-winged Swallow, Tree Swallow, Blue Jay, American Crow, Common Raven, Tufted Titmouse, Black capped Chickadee, White breasted Nuthatch, Carolina Wren, Gray Catbird, Wood Thrush, American Robin, Eastern Bluebird, Blue Gray Gnatcatcher, Cedar Waxwing, European Starling, Warbling Vireo, Yellow throated Vireo, White-eyed Vireo, Red-eyed Vireo, and the Blue winged Warbler.

Also spotted were Yellow Warbler, Chestnut-sided Warbler, Pine Warbler, Prairie Warbler, American Redstart, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Black and White Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Red-winged Blackbird, Brown headed Cowbird, Baltimore Oriole, Orchard Oriole, Common Grackle, Scarlet Tanager, Rose breasted Grosbeak, Northern Cardinal, Indigo Bunting, American Goldfinch, Eastern Towhee, House Finch, Song Sparrow, Field Sparrow, Chipping Sparrow, and House Sparrow.

“A special sighting for me was watching an Eastern Wood Pewee, a type of Flycatcher, which was liter- ally going to the four corners of its territory and calling,” Sherry said.

“Its territory may only have been about 200 feet by 100 feet, but the Pewee was vigorously declaring it.”

More bird walks are planned for BHC’s GO! program this September. Beth and Paul Milke will lead walks at the Blackstone River State Park in Lincoln, on Sept. 2; the Blackstone River & Canal Heritage State Park in Uxbridge on Sept. 16; and at West Hill Park in Northbridge on Sept. 30. They will be watching for birds preparing to migrate south, where they find food during winter.

All walks will be on Saturdays from 8 to 10 a.m. with rain dates the following day. Participants can preregister at BlackstoneBirdsMA@gmail.com.

Submitted photo From left, Blackstone Heritage Corridor Volunteers-in-Parks members Paul Milke, Beth Milke and Rosanne Sherry led 80 avid birders in a series of nine bird walks sponsored by the BHC.