{"id":7415,"date":"2016-04-12T11:59:44","date_gmt":"2016-04-12T15:59:44","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/?p=7415"},"modified":"2016-04-13T11:20:48","modified_gmt":"2016-04-13T15:20:48","slug":"the-8-most-difficult-birds-to-spot-during-bird-a-thon","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/the-8-most-difficult-birds-to-spot-during-bird-a-thon\/","title":{"rendered":"The 8 Most Difficult Birds to Spot During Bird-a-thon"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"On May 13 at 6 pm, teams across the state will begin a 24-hour effort to record the most bird species in Massachusetts as part of Bird-a-thon<\/a>, an annual fundraiser that raises money to support our sanctuaries and programs.<\/p>\n

Last year, Team Drumlin Farm squeaked out a win over Team Moose Hill by just one species.\u00a0Such close competition makes spotting a rare species all that much more enticing. Enter the Elusive 8, eight species, which due to rarity, nesting behavior, preferred location, and\/or being difficult to identify, are the most challenging to spot (or hear) during Bird-a-thon.<\/p>\n

Northern Goshawk<\/h3>\n
\"Northern

Northern Goshawk via USFWS<\/p><\/div>\n

Most likely to be found in Western Massachusetts, the northern goshawk<\/a> is very uncommon and nests in the interior forest. The largest and most seldom-seen accipiter in Massachusetts, it is swift, strong, tenacious, and often aggressive near a nest.<\/p>\n

King Rail<\/h3>\n
\"King

King Rail via USFWS<\/p><\/div>\n

Massachusetts is near the northern limit of the king rail<\/a>\u2019s breeding range. These rare and local freshwater marsh breeders are more often heard than seen.<\/p>\n

Arctic Tern<\/h3>\n
\"Arctic

Arctic tern via USFWS<\/p><\/div>\n

Massachusetts represents the southern edge of the breeding range for the Arctic tern<\/a>, and those few individuals that breed in the Bay State (typically less than 3 nesting pairs annually) are state listed as a Species of Special Concern. Non-breeding Arctic terns are sometimes found adjacent to common tern colonies but are frequently misidentified.<\/p>\n

Long-eared Owl<\/h3>\n
\"Long-eared<\/a>

Long-eared owl via Matt Knoth\/Flickr<\/p><\/div>\n

The long-eared owl<\/a> is a rare breeder in Massachusetts with very few known breeding locations. The species presents a particular challenge by being completely nocturnal and is often much quieter than other owl species. In recent years, the long-eared owl has been the least frequently recorded species during Bird-a-thon.<\/p>\n

Olive-sided Flycatcher<\/h3>\n
\"Olive-sided<\/a>

Olive-sided Flycatcher via Budgora\/Flickr<\/p><\/div>\n

There are only a few places in the Bay State today where the olive-sided flycatcher<\/a> may be reliably encountered. Plum Island is a good place to look for these late migrants in late May through early June.<\/p>\n

Bicknell\u2019s Thrush<\/h3>\n
\"Bicknell's<\/a>

Bicknell’s Thrush via Aaron Maizlish\/Flickr<\/p><\/div>\n

Due to its close resemblance to the gray-cheeked thrush, Bicknell\u2019s thrush is a difficult species to identify correctly in the field. It’s also a rare migrant to Massachusetts: In recent years, Bicknell\u2019s thrush has been one of the least recorded species during Bird-a-thon.<\/p>\n

Golden-winged Warbler<\/h3>\n
\"Golden-winged<\/a>

Golden-winged Warbler via Kent McFarland\/Flickr<\/p><\/div>\n

Most likely extirpated as a breeder in Massachusetts and a rare migrant, the Golden-winged Warbler is a hard box to check on the Bird-a-thon species checklist;\u00a0Try looking for it where Blue-winged Warblers nest. In recent years, the Golden-winged Warbler has been one of the least recorded species during Bird-a-thon.<\/p>\n

Cerulean Warbler<\/h3>\n
\"Cerulean

Cerulean Warbler via USFWS<\/p><\/div>\n

This bird\u2019s fondness for the canopy heights, as well as its rarity in the state, makes it one of the most difficult breeding warblers to find and observe. \u00a0A local breeder, the cerulean warbler<\/a> does have several well-known nesting sites and is usually a persistent songster.<\/p>\n

A Note on Birding Etiquette<\/h3>\n

Remember, always bird respectfully<\/a>, and take special care not to disturb these species! Bird-a-thoners should acquaint themselves with the Bird-a-thon rules<\/a>, including Bird-a-thon etiquette, prior to the event. Of course, if encountered during your team\u2019s normal birding activity, consider yourselves lucky and proudly check these species off your list!<\/p>\n

Join the Flock! Be a part of Bird-a-thon<\/h3>\n

There’s still time to be part of Bird-a-thon! \u00a0You can join a team, fundraise for a team, or donate to the event, team, or team member. Get the details ><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

On May 13 at 6 pm, teams across the state will begin a 24-hour effort to record the most bird species in Massachusetts as part of Bird-a-thon, an annual fundraiser that raises money to support our sanctuaries and programs. Last year, Team Drumlin Farm squeaked out a win over Team Moose Hill by just one […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[11],"tags":[117,120],"class_list":["post-7415","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-nature-notes","tag-bird-a-thon","tag-birdathon"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p3t87A-1VB","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":7875,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/the-most-notable-2016-bird-a-thon-sightings\/","url_meta":{"origin":7415,"position":0},"title":"The Most Notable 2016 Bird-a-thon Sightings","author":"Mass Audubon","date":"July 11, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"More than 700 birders on 24 teams participated in Bird-a-thon 2016 this May, recording a total of 270 species of birds. That\u2019s only 1 species away from the Bird-a-thon all-time best total of 271 species in 2009! Highlighted below are some notable sightings as determined by Wayne Petersen, Director, Important\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Get Involved"","block_context":{"text":"Get Involved","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/get-involved\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2016\/06\/White-faced-Ibis-Harry-Liggett-1024x678.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2016\/06\/White-faced-Ibis-Harry-Liggett-1024x678.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2016\/06\/White-faced-Ibis-Harry-Liggett-1024x678.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2016\/06\/White-faced-Ibis-Harry-Liggett-1024x678.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":9034,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/a-bird-a-thon-first\/","url_meta":{"origin":7415,"position":1},"title":"A Bird-a-thon First","author":"Hillary T.","date":"April 26, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Back in 2013, Owen Cunningham considered himself pretty knowledgeable about nature. But when he decided to tag along with Moose Hill team during Bird-a-thon he realized how much there was to learn. \u201cIf you would have asked me then how many species of bird I thought were native to our\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Get Involved"","block_context":{"text":"Get Involved","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/get-involved\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2017\/04\/Kathleen-Guilday-and-Owen-Cunningham-.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2017\/04\/Kathleen-Guilday-and-Owen-Cunningham-.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2017\/04\/Kathleen-Guilday-and-Owen-Cunningham-.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":11079,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/a-sweet-bird-a-thon-victory\/","url_meta":{"origin":7415,"position":2},"title":"A Sweet Bird-a-thon Victory","author":"Hillary T.","date":"May 25, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"The rain may have dampened their scopes, but definitely not their spirits. Congratulations to these winning teams! With an impressive 237 species, the winner of the Brewster Cup (most species recorded statewide) is: Team Moose Hill Wildlife Sanctuary This year's Forbush Award winner (2nd place in species recorded statewide) is\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Get Involved"","block_context":{"text":"Get Involved","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/get-involved\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Cedar Waxwing \u00a9 Stephen Kent","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2018\/05\/3611Stephen_Kent13746-600.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2018\/05\/3611Stephen_Kent13746-600.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2018\/05\/3611Stephen_Kent13746-600.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":7215,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/let-the-bird-a-thon-ing-begin\/","url_meta":{"origin":7415,"position":3},"title":"Let the Bird-a-thon-ing Begin!","author":"Hillary T.","date":"March 10, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"What are our Bird-a-thon Team Captains looking at? 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On May 13 and 14, 25 teams of birders will spend 24 hours attempting to spot the most species in Massachusetts all the while raising essential funds for our wildlife sanctuaries and\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Get Involved"","block_context":{"text":"Get Involved","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/get-involved\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2016\/03\/IMG_0726-e1457615858912.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2016\/03\/IMG_0726-e1457615858912.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2016\/03\/IMG_0726-e1457615858912.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":15857,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/bird-a-thon-2021-highlights\/","url_meta":{"origin":7415,"position":4},"title":"Bird-a-thon 2021 Highlights","author":"Mass Audubon","date":"June 9, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"Bird-a-thon, which took place May 14-15, was a great time to get outside to bird and enjoy nature. About 1,000 participants trekked out across their state, or stayed close home, to spot bird species, search for items on our 125th anniversary scavenger hunt, and\/or complete nature activities like drawing a\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "General"","block_context":{"text":"General","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/general\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2021\/06\/51FB8C1B-4193-40DD-91ED-B2256AEF547B.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2021\/06\/51FB8C1B-4193-40DD-91ED-B2256AEF547B.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2021\/06\/51FB8C1B-4193-40DD-91ED-B2256AEF547B.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2021\/06\/51FB8C1B-4193-40DD-91ED-B2256AEF547B.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":9387,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/bird-a-thon-2017-in-review\/","url_meta":{"origin":7415,"position":5},"title":"Bird-a-thon 2017 in Review","author":"Mass Audubon","date":"June 26, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Bird-a-thon, Mass Audubon's annual birding competition and fundraiser, took place on May 12-13. Here, Mass Audubon's Director of Important Bird Areas Wayne Petersen, gives a run-down of the birding portion of the event. Now that the dust following Bird-a-thon 2017 has settled and spring migration has finally come to a\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Get Involved"","block_context":{"text":"Get Involved","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/get-involved\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2017\/06\/We-won-edited.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2017\/06\/We-won-edited.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2017\/06\/We-won-edited.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7415","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7415"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7415\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7445,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7415\/revisions\/7445"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7415"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7415"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7415"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}