Cassin's Sparrow Trip 5/18

Subject: Impromptu BBC Cassin's Sparrow Trip
Folks:

The Cassin’s Sparrow was seen this morning as late as 8:55AM.  So, Let’s go for it. Let’s car-pool.   We will make this an impromptu Brookline Bird Club Trip. Those from the North Shore can meet at 5:30 AM at Kohl’s Parking Lot (exit 36 off Rte 128, Washington St) in Woburn. Go to the traffic lights at the end of the turn-off, turn right, then go straight at the next  traffic lights into Kohl’s   After entering the parking lot, pull as far over to the left as possible.  Those from further south can meet at the Park & Lock parking lot at exit 14 (Road to Wompatuck), (Rte 228) in Hingham at 6-6:15AM. 
Please let me know I you will be joining us.  My Cell is 781—929-8772.

Thanks.

Ida Giriunas

Reading, MA
<ida8@verizon.net>


***
From:  Matt Malin <hossfeldt@yahoo.com>
Subject:  Cassin's Sparrow - midday/afternoon - NO
Birders -

I headed out late this morning to Truro for the Cassin's Sparrow.  A small group 
of birders were there, including Patty O'Neil.  The last good sighting was at 
about 10 AM, according to Patty just as she was getting out of the car as it 
dropped from a locust tree into the grass on the curve (Pamet Harbor side).  We 
had an appearance of a "flash" of a pale, grayish-backed sparrow being chased by 
a Song Sparrow around noon.  I'm not comfortable with what little I saw, so I 
didn't "see" the Cassin's Sparrow today, considering that I did see a pair of 
House Sparrows on the corner too.  I left at 3:45 PM and David and Fran Clapp 
were keeping the watch and Patty had returned from successfully seeing the 
Evening Grosbeak at Wellfleet Bay. 

Weather was overcast and cloudy when I arrived at 11:20, and was clearing slowly 
and partly sunny sometime after 2:00.  Go figure.  Weather pattern still 
predicted to be east winds and rain/showers, so I am in agreement with comments 
before that the sparrow is still probably around.  Seem like early is best.

Also, be aware that there are short dump trucks hauling sand to Corn Hill beach 
for beach replentishment, and routinely come around the hairpin turn before the 
beach.  It is best to park in the beach lot and walk the short 100  or so yards 
to the curve where the bird has been seen - between the lone, scraggly pine tree 
between the house on the curve and the parking lot and the beech plum and locust 
trees on the hillside as noted before.

Best of luck everyone!

Matt Malin
Mashpee, MA
hossfeldt(at)yahoo.com

Boston Harbor Islands By Boat

Date: Sunday, June 5, 2011
Time: 10:15 AM from Quincy Shipyard, 11:00 AM from Long Wharf, Boston. Returning to Boston at 3:15 PM and Quincy at 4:00 PM. Please be at the dock 30 minutes prior to departure from your location.
Cost: $18 general, $15 BBC member with blue book or club pin
Calling the birds will be our own Tim Factor!
We'll be taking one of the larger boats, either the Island Discovery or
Island Expedition, capacity 150-200.
Please reply to Sylvia Martin by June 1 to reserve a spot. Bring your BBC blue book or other evidence of membership to get $3 off at the dock. Bring extra layers and be prepared for strong breezes. The boat has restrooms and I believe a snack bar. Nonetheless, you might want to bring
a thermos and a bag lunch/snack.
SPECIAL NOTE: This is a harbor trip and not a pelagic, but to bone up on your seabirds, attend the seabird ID workshop by Marshall Iliff at Assabet River NWR a few days earlier, on June 1, sponsored by the BBC.