Loon nesting count and scrubland research continued

Yesterday I spent the better part of a beautiful day assisting DCR biologists with Common Loon nesting counts at Quabbin Reservoir and scrubland research. We began the day around 6 doing point counts we started last week. A similar cast of characters were seen and heard today. The main addition was at the end of our first counts we passed by a large marshy area which contained both Hooded Merganser and Wood Duck fledglings. The Hooded Merg's were almost as big as the adult female but the Wood Ducks were tiny, very recently fledged. One additional trip this season will have to be made to this plot to wrap up the research for the season. We then went to a new survey plot area which is in a proposed site for a clear cut. Following the completion of this survey we returned to the DCR HQ building to pick up our boat to begin the loon count.

We launched out of the boat area in New Salem and went as far south as Boat Launch area 3. We were on the water for approximately four hours. We found a total of 10 different loons with two definite nests found. Another couple areas were highly suspicious of nesting but nothing could be found. According to the biologist the loons have not had much luck nesting this season with several nest failures noted. We also had two Bald Eagle nests each containing two large nestlings that looked about ready to leave the nest. There were also several Common Mergansers with a least three young. A very productive and enjoyable day at Quabbin on one of the nicest days in weeks.

Scrubland research study-Quabbin

Today I joined a biologist from the state and from the US forest service in setting up test plots on a five year old clearcut and nearby forest that will be clearcut later this year. The main aim of this study is to determine the species content and number in both habitats and how they change with the additional clearcut. The hope is that the addition of more scrubland type habitat will increase the numbers of some declining species such as Prairie Warbler, Chestnut Sided Warbler, Eastern Towhee, Field Sparrow and Indigo Bunting. We laid out the plot points today and did our first point counts. Highlights included nests of Prairie and Chestnut Sided Warblers, Common Yellowthoat and Gray Catbird. We also had a pair of Broad winged Hawks and a Red Shouldered Hawk. We will do two more visits this season.