Waterfowl (Ducks and Geese)
Ducks are not very common on the sanctuary, because we do not have enough large bodies of open water. MALLARDS, the only regularly breeding duck, are often at the Auto Parts Pond and along the "Stretch". Sometimes in spring, other species of ducks like WOOD DUCK, GREEN-WINGED TEAL, AMERICAN WIGEON (rare) and AMERICAN BLACK DUCK are found in these areas. WOOD DUCK may breed near "Auto Parts" in the future. CANADA GEESE visit this pond too, and may have attempted to breed. In spring and fall watch for large migrating flocks of CANADA GEESE overhead, especially while along the power lines. Rarely, flocks of SNOW GEESE have been spotted overhead in early spring and fall. Not related to waterfowl, DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS are also often seen migrating overhead in lines in spring and especially in fall and are sometimes mistaken for geese.

Herons
Herons are not regularly noted because of the small areas of water. The GREAT BLUE HERON is sometimes found in summer feeding at Auto Parts Pond. Most often this species can be seen flying over the sanctuary. In late summer, the brook and pond are sometimes visited by GREEN HERONS. An AMERICAN BITTERN was found once.

Raptors (Hawks and Falcons)
The RED-TAILED HAWK is the only species that regularly breeds on or near the sanctuary, and is a permanent resident. However in spring (mid-March through April) and fall (mid-September through October) hawks are commonly seen migrating over the sanctuary. BROAD-WINGED HAWKS are sometimes seen in very good kettles in the fall (typically around September 15). Watch especially at the south end of the power lines or over the north meadows. Summer reports of Broad Wings may indicate that they breed nearby. AMERICAN KESTRELS are often seen along the power lines and the north meadows either migrating or hunting the open areas. SHARP-SHINNED HAWKS can be found anywhere in migration, often being pursued and pursuing mobbing flocks of jays and flickers. This is often a great show that can perk up any day in the field. "Sharpies" seem to hang around the sanctuary preying on the migrating landbirds. Sometimes they can be found in winter. OSPREYS are usually noted migrating in very modest numbers, but are to be expected in peak hawk migration periods. Much less common, but still of yearly occurrence are MERLIN and COOPER’S HAWK. "Coops" have been sighted in the winter on the sanctuary. Care must be taken when identifying both these species. Other species of hawks that have been rarely sighted include BALD EAGLE, RED-SHOULDERED HAWK, NORTHERN HARRIER (uncommon), and even PEREGRINE FALCON. Not a hawk, TURKEY VULTURES are a common sight over the sanctuary, especially in fall migration. One of the best ways to see hawks at Broad Meadow Brook is to arrive at the south end of the power lines by 8:30 AM and spend and hour or two looking up. Two good books on identifying hawks to bring with you are: A PHOTOGRAPHIC GUIDE TO NORTH AMERICAN RAPTORS by Wheeler and Clark and HAWKS IN FLIGHT by Dunne, Sibley and Sutton.

Galliformes (Game Birds)
When the sanctuary first opened, there were regular sightings of RING-NECKED PHEASANT. Today, they are very uncommon, and some sightings may be birds which were stocked elsewhere. RUFFED GROUSE maintain a tiny, isolated population but may disappear from the sanctuary property soon. They have bred here. WILD TURKEYS turned up several years ago and have now bred on the property. These dramatic and sizable fowl can be found throughout the sanctuary, but more often only their tracks are seen. Occasionally flocks are spotted walking across a path. They often seem to visit neighboring yards and feeders, besides feeding on the acorns of the sanctuary. How long this tiny sanctuary can maintain a population of these very big birds remains to be seen.

Shorebirds
Shorebirds are poorly represented at Broad Meadow Brook for obvious reasons: we just don’t have enough of the right type of habitat. KILLDEERS are seen and heard calling over the sanctuary in spring and summer. They probably breed on nearby building roofs or near A-Fields. AMERICAN WOODCOCK can be heard "peenting" occasionally on spring evenings and a pair or two may breed, though we have absolutely no proof. Woodcocks are also uncommonly kicked up along the stretch and in damp copses of trees along the north end of the sanctuary in October when they migrate. COMMON SNIPE is another uncommon migrant, that sometimes shows up along the "Stretch" even into December and January. Other shorebirds seen uncommonly on the sanctuary are SOLITARY and SPOTTED SANDPIPERS. Both species can be found elsewhere in Worcester County commonly migrating along small ponds (sometimes just puddles), lakes, reservoirs and along streams. The Spotted Sandpiper breeds in Worcester County. GREATER YELLOWLEGS has been recorded once.

Gulls
Gulls are commonly seen wafting overhead. Most of these are RING-BILLED GULLS, a species that does not breed in the state but has increased its presence here. This is the species you often see around "fast food" eateries. Sometimes flocks of migrant "Ringies" are spotted in the fall. Much less common are sightings of HERRING and GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL. For many birders, IDing these high flying gulls is impossible and many are noted on the reporting forms as just "gull species", which is fine.

Doves
The MOURNING DOVE is a common permanent resident, most often seen flying overhead and out of the sanctuary in the morning. Interestingly, for an urban sanctuary, the ROCK DOVE is not always seen. Most often it is noted flying high over the sanctuary. Tight flocks of Rock Doves seen flying over probably are from pigeon racing enthusiasts.

Cuckoos
The BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO probably breeds in the young willows of the wet meadow besides the Stretch and has been seen carrying food during Breeding Bird Surveys. Migrants can be seen in a variety of locations. The YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO is much less common and is only seen during migration.

Owls
Owls are birds of mystery on the sanctuary. They are most often heard during the several "owl prowls" that the sanctuary offers. The EASTERN SCREECH OWL is the only regularly occurring owl. It has been found throughout the year practically anywhere on the sanctuary. Usually only single birds are noted. Although the frequency of sightings (actually "hearings" would be more accurate) indicates that Screech Owls probably breed, we have yet to turn up a nesting cavity. Much less common, but sighted or heard every year are GREAT HORNED OWLS. They probably breed nearby. There was a dramatic sighting of a Great Horned killing a Cooper’s Hawk in the day along the southern end of the "Stretch". Another nocturnal bird, not an owl, that is spotted on the sanctuary is the COMMON NIGHTHAWK. Single birds are sometimes seen heading south over the power lines at the end of August and the beginning of September. At dusk, numbers have been seen migrating from the headquarters building. Perched birds have also been found and are probably regular, but their cryptic coloration makes them very difficult to spot as they rest during the day on tree branches.

Swifts and Hummingbirds
The CHIMNEY SWIFT is commonly seen over the sanctuary from mid-May till early September. It probably does not breed on the sanctuary per se. The RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD is a regularly, if quickly observed migrant particularly in fall. If the headquarters’ hummer feeders are up, check there or around the butterfly garden and along the Stretch and along the power lines. Mid-summer records indicate that this species may breed close by.

Woodpeckers
The woodlots of Broad Meadow Brook are attractive to several species of woodpeckers. DOWNY WOODPECKERS are the most common and are permanent residents. Rare is the bird trip that you don’t record several Downys. HAIRY WOODPECKERS are also common breeders, but are seen in less numbers than Downys. NORTHERN FLICKERS are migrant woodpeckers that also breed on the sanctuary. They are the only woodpecker often seen on the ground searching for ants. Their noisy calls can be heard on spring and summer mornings. In fall (end of September into October), numbers of migrating flickers can be seen perched on dead snags throughout and even flushed from the ground along the power lines. RED-BELLIED WOODPECKERS now breed on the sanctuary most recently in the 1A area. These are southern woodpeckers that have in the last decades colonized several parts of Massachusetts. They are still considered uncommon in Worcester County, and seeing one on the sanctuary is always a treat. Sometimes Red-Bellieds are seen visiting the sanctuary’s feeders. The toughest woodpecker to spot at Broad Meadow Brook is undoubtedly the YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER. This migrant woodpecker does not breed here, but occurs every year. The careful and alert birder may spot one of these unobtrusive birds as they quietly work on trees in early spring and mid-fall. Fall immatures are very cryptically patterned.

Flycatchers
Flycatchers are well represented on the sanctuary . All flycatchers are NEOTROPICAL MIGRANTS , birds which migrate to the Caribbean, Central or South America for our winter months. The first flycatcher to return to Broad Meadow Brook and the rest of New England is the EASTERN PHOEBE. Depending on the mildness of the season, they may appear by the end of March. Phoebes are also the last flycatcher to leave, and it is not uncommon to spot a phoebe well into October and even the beginning of November. Phoebes breed on the sanctuary, though they have been recorded as hosts for BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD eggs. Most of the other flycatchers do not arrive to breed or migrate through till well into May, though the EASTERN KINGBIRD, another breeder on the sanctuary, may arrive at the end of April. Look for kingbirds in open areas like the Auto-Parts Pond (where they have bred) or around the ‘Stretch". Other breeding flycatchers found on the sanctuary are forest birds. These are the EASTERN WOOD PEEWEE and the GREAT CRESTED FLYCATCHER. Listen for these species distinctive calls along the Holdridge and Sprague Lane trails. Our last breeding flycatcher is one of the "Empidonax" group, a collection of small, drab birds that are notoriously difficult to visually tell apart. The best clue for distinguishing "empids" are their call. While hiking along the "Stretch", listen for the "Fitz-bew" call of the one or two breeding pairs of WILLOW FLYCATCHER. Other species of flycatchers that appear yearly are: LEAST FLYCATCHER (regular spring, common early fall migrant); OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER (very uncommon in late May and mid August) and YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER (uncommon to rare in late August). ALDER FLYCATCHER has shown up along the Stretch too.

Tree Swallows
Tre swallows are easy to spot along the "Stretch" and at Auto Parts Pond as they hawk for flying insects. Watch for breeding activity around the erected nesting boxes. Certain of these same boxes are used by bluebirds. A pair of swallows sometimes attempts to breed right in the main parking area, but the nest is often usurped by HOUSE SPARROWS. Tree Swallows are an early migrant, arriving at times, by late March. Other species of swallows that have been spotted are BARN SWALLOW and NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW. The latter has been reported on breeding bird surveys, and may breed nearby. Swallows have generally migrated out from the interior part of the state by mid August.

Permanent Resident Species
Permanent resident species are birds that are seen through out the year at Broad Meadow Brook. These would include the AMERICAN CROW. In late afternoons in the winter and early spring watch for lines of crows returning to their evening communal roosts. These roosts can have over 1000 birds. In the breeding season, crows become more much less social and more territorial. FISH CROW has been reported in spring. This bird is considered very uncommon in Worcester County, but is colonizing the lower Connecticut River Valley. Reports of Fish crow later in the season are treated with caution because the calls of young American Crows sound similar to the call of a Fish Crow. BLUE JAYS are always on hand, but their numbers may vary from year to the next depending on food availability. In fall there are sometimes noticeable movements of these birds, especially seen along the power lines. In a good acorn year, the fall is a good time to watch jays build up their winter store of food as they fly back and forth carrying acorns to hide. BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEES and TUFTED TITMICE are found throughout the sanctuary. In winter, they may form mixed species flocks that search for food in forest and edge habitats. Sometimes these flocks are joined by WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCHES, another common permanent resident species. The RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH is only occasionally found on the sanctuary because we lack the conifers that are their favorite habitat. When Red-Breasts do appear, usually in early fall, it heralds an "invasion year" when good numbers of this species are seen throughout the state. BROWN CREEPERS are unobtrusive birds, except when singing their tinkling song in spring. They show up mostly as migrants on the sanctuary.

Wrens
. The CAROLINA WREN is really a southern species at the northern edge of its range in New England. It is considered "non migratory". This species is much more common in the Cape Cod area and south eastern Massachusetts than in Worcester County. In severe winters their population may crash and it may take several years for their numbers to increase, if they ever do. Listen for this wrens loud "tea-kettle" call along the "Stretch" and sometimes near the headquarters building. The HOUSE WREN is a common migrant breeder which is fiercely territorial. They may sometimes enter a bluebird or swallow nesting box, pierce the eggs, and take over the box. Watch and listen for them in edge habitat. The WINTER WREN is a tiny, skulking migrant that shows up early in spring (March and April) and may be found very late in the fall season. Look for these ground loving, mouse like birds around brush piles, wood piles ,stone walls and along streams. Use care in separating Winter from House Wren! The MARSH WREN is considered uncommon in Worcester County, but Broad Meadow Brook has a handful of fall records all from the phragmites areas along the Stretch.

Kinglets and Gnatcatchers
Kinglets and gnatcatchers are mostly known as migrants. The RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET is a very common spring and late fall migrant Watch for them wherever you find flocks of warblers, such as near the Auto Parts Pond. The conifer loving GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET is understandably much less common on the sanctuary, but is still reported yearly, sometimes on the Christmas Count. The diminutive BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER is most often noted as a spring migrant, seen along the Stretch, the power lines or near Auto Parts Pond. A pair attempted to breed on the edge of the Sedge Marsh.

The Thrush Family
The EASTERN BLUEBIRD is one of the most adored of breeding species of Broad Meadow Brook. They use, and compete for, the same nesting boxes that Tree Swallows use. If a box is not available, then they will search for a natural tree cavity which are in short supply. Unfortunately the sanctuary is plagued by unconscionable vandalism of these boxes which obviously impacts their nesting success. Any destruction of nesting boxes should be reported to the headquarters building at once. Look for bluebirds along the wet meadow, perched on phone lines and in forest edge all along the power lines. They occasionally over winter if there is a good fruit crop and there are several records on our Christmas Counts. The migrant woodland thrushes that are found on the sanctuary include breeding species like WOOD THRUSH and VEERY. Listen for them in summer in areas of damp woods. The HERMIT THRUSH is a regular and fairly common early spring and late fall migrant found throughout Broad Meadow Brook. Recent records have shown that single birds may attempt to overwinter. Uncommon, but of yearly occurrence is the SWAINSON’S THRUSH. They migrate through in mid May and mid September. They are best searched for very early in the morning along any of the forested trails. There are a few reports of GRAY-CHEEKED THRUSH usually in spring. This species was recently split into the Bicknell’s Thrush and the Gray-Cheeked Thrush, but field separation of these two species is very, very difficult. If you think you have seen one of the "Gray-Cheeked species" it should be fully documented. The AMERICAN ROBIN is a common breeder. In fall sometimes large flocks are spotted gorging on fruit. In some early winters, small numbers of Robins can be seen flying over the sanctuary especially at dawn.

The "Mimic" Thrushes
The "Mimic" Thrushes of New England all breed on the sanctuary. The NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD is a permanent resident species that may retreat to better feeding areas in the winter. They are most often found around the periphery of the sanctuary. A mockingbird that nested in the parking lot was heard to imitate at least 12 other species of birds! The GRAY CATBIRD is a common migrant breeder of low shrubbery, especially along the northern parts of Broad Meadow Brook. Numbers swell in mid September when passing migrants are seen in good numbers along the Stretch. The BROWN THRASHER is a much less common breeder. Look and listen for it particularly along the power lines.

Vireos and Tanagers
Vireos and tanagers are all neotropical migrants. Breeding vireos include RED-EYED VIREO a few of which breed in the sanctuary’s forested areas. This species is even more common as a migrant. The WARBLING VIREO has nested near the Auto Parts Pond and perhaps along the Stretch. It is also a regular migrant. The BLUE-HEADED (formerly "Solitary") VIREO is a common migrant, often seen in warbler waves. It is the first vireo seen in the spring (late April) and the last spotted in the fall (end of September, beginning of October). The very uncommonly spotted YELLOW-THROATED VIREO nested once near Auto Parts. Every fall, there are one or two sightings of the northern breeding PHILADELPHIA VIREO, but care must be taken in telling this species from the similar fall (and more common) Warbling Vireo. The male SCARLET TANAGER is always a visual treat, especially when seen against the dark green foliage of its upperstory habitat. Unfortunately, it is more often heard, than seen. It is a breeder on the sanctuary in small numbers and a common migrant. Look for it along edges of forested areas.

Warblers
Migrating warblers are a big focus for birding at Broad Meadow Brook. The sanctuary is like a green island that attracts many migrants both spring and fall. There are many species that have appeared here , and I must be brief in describing them:

Sparrows and Kin
NORTHERN CARDINALS are fairly common permanent residents of the sanctuary. They are most often found on the periphery, near houses and feeders. The INDIGO BUNTING and ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK are both neotropical migrant breeders. The Rose-Breasted Grosbeak is a bird of edges of forest and is also a fairly common migrant in the fall. The Indigo Bunting is an uncommon breeder, but is most often noted as a fall migrant in the phragmites along the Stretch. There is one record of BLUE GROSBEAK for the sanctuary, a male seen in summer along the Stretch.

Blackbirds and Orioles
The RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD is a regular breeder in select wet areas of the sanctuary. The COMMON GRACKLE, noted throughout spring and summer, also breeds a in areas around the sanctuary. The BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD, a brood parasite, uses the nests of Song Sparrows, Field Sparrows and others to raise their young. In October huge migrating flocks of Grackles and Red Wings roost in the phragmites along the Stretch. If you can get to the area before dawn you will hear a chorus of raucous squealing coming from the reeds, but see no birds. Then everything will fall silent and in a rush of wings thousands of birds will suddenly burst forth and leave. It’s quite a spectacle. Late in the year, if the phragmites are still standing, EUROPEAN STARLINGS (not related to the other species) also use the area for an evening roost. During Christmas Counts, grackles, Red-Wings and cowbirds have been seen roosting among the thousands of starlings. Also in fall, the very sharp-eyed observer may pick out some RUSTY BLACKBIRDS among the much more common grackles. In fall immature BOBOLINKS are sometimes seen feeding among the weeds along the Stretch. Listen for their flight call, a "plink" as they migrate overhead in spring and fall. EASTERN MEADOWLARK is a decidedly rare visitor. The BALTIMORE ORIOLE is a regular breeder and a common migrant spring and fall. ORCHARD ORIOLE has been recorded a few times in spring, once during the Breeding Bird Survey, but it must be considered a rare migrant to the sanctuary.

Finches
HOUSE FINCHES are regularly seen and heard around the periphery of the sanctuary throughout the year. AMERICAN GOLDFINCHES breed on the sanctuary and become very common as a fall migrant. They are also a regular winter visitor. PURPLE FINCHES are occasionally noted migrating through. COMMON REDPOLLS are the only "winter finch" that has been found at Broad meadow Brook in any numbers. In flight years look for them feeding in the small trees along the Stretch and at Auto Parts Pond. EVENING GROSBEAKS have been seen at Broad Meadow Brook, but are of very rare occurrence. There has been one sighting of PINE SISKINS in pines adjacent to the sanctuary.

Exotics and Escapees