Birds Birds Birds

Observations from June 1 to August 31, 2026

Graphic by Ben Shiek

Bird-related Media Consumed:

• Craig Benkman’s 40-Year Fascination with Crossbills and Conifers [2025] by Benjamin Hack
• Endless enjoyment browsing r/whatsthisbird and r/birding, like this albino Ruby-throated Hummingbird.
• From Truth to Fake: The Threat of AI to Media Archives [2026] by the eBird and Macaulay Library Teams
• Jackie, arguably the world’s most famous bald eagle, dies after mysterious illness [2026] by Lila Seidman
• JT_Birder on YouTube
• New England: Winter 2025–2026 Regional Report – American Birding Association [2026]
• Ospreys in the Chesapeake Bay Are Starving to Death at Disastrous Rates. What Will It Take to Save Them? [2026] by David Gessner
• Oystercatchers, known for sharp bills and beady eyes, are making a comeback thanks to conservation [2026] by Michael Casey
• The Science of Birds podcast
• The White-throated Sparrow Song That’s Taking Over North America [2020] by Kathi Borgmann and Marc Devokaitis
• Weekly Bird Report podcast
• Where Have All the Ospreys Gone? [2026] by Frank Izaguirre

These Exist:

Incredulous for their name, image, and likeness

Andean Lapwing (Vanellus resplendens)

Photo by Oscar Wainwright/Macaulay Library – Peru, February 1, 2022

Boat-billed Heron (Cochlearius cochlearius)

Photo by Luke Seitz/Macaulay Library – Costa Rica, March 17, 2022

Laughing Falcon (Herpetotheres cachinnans)

Photo by Alex Luna/Macaulay Library – Ecuador, September 11, 2021

Catalogus specierum

Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)

First Bald Eagle (BAEA16) of the year in the Nonquitt Marsh in Dartmouth, Massachusetts on July 11, 2026.

Bank Swallow (Riparia riparia)

Lifer at Allen’s Pond, Westport, Massachusetts, on June 2, 2026.

Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica)

Great shot (BARS01) by Stephen Petto at Allen’s Pond on July 2, 2026.

Barred Owl (Strix varia)

Lifer at the Watuppa Reservation, Fall River, Massachusetts, on July 15, 2026. Then saw perhaps the same owl on July 20, this time able to get a phone photo (BAOW01).

Black-and-white Warbler (Mniotilta varia)

Lifer at the Watuppa Reservation, Fall River, Massachusetts, on June 10, 2026.

Black-necked Stilt (Himantopus mexicanus)

Lifer at Allen’s Pond, Westport, Massachusetts, on June 6, 2026. Then got lucky on July 2 with two that let us get quite close. BNST01.

BNST02.

Black-throated Green Warbler (Setophaga virens)

Lifer at the Watuppa Reservation, Fall River, Massachusetts, on June 16, 2026.

Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum)

Some great shots by Steve at Allen’s Pond on June 2, 2026. CEDW02.

CEDW03.

Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus)

A flock has taken up at the northern most point of the Watuppa. This dude was posing real nice on August 25, 2026. EAKI01.

And was hollering to the homies. EAKI02.

Eastern Wood-Pewee (Contopus virens)

Lifer at the Watuppa Reservation, Fall River, Massachusetts, on August 22, 2026.

Great Blue Heron (Ardea Herodias)

The stance in Dartmouth on June 30, 2026. GBHE06.

Green Heron (Butorides virescens)

Snuck up on a green queen at the north end of the Watuppa on August 25, 2026. GRHE03.

GRHE04. Nice neck.

“What you lookin’ at?” – this heron. GRHE05.

Northern Waterthrush (Parkesia noveboracensis)

Lifer at the Watuppa Reservation, Fall River, Massachusetts, on June 5, 2026.

Saltmarsh Sparrow (Ammospiza caudacuta)

Lifer at Allen’s Pond, Westport, Massachusetts, on June 6, 2026.

Solitary Sandpiper (Tringa solitaria)

Lifer at the Watuppa Reservation, Fall River, Massachusetts, on August 26, 2026.

Tricolored Heron (Egretta tricolor)

Lifer at Nonquitt Marsh, Dartmouth, Massachusetts, on June 7, 2026. TRHE01.

Willow Flycatcher (Empidonax traillii)

Lifer at Allen’s Pond, Westport, Massachusetts, on June 2, 2026. Steve got some great photos. WIFL01.

WIFL02.

Wood Thrush (Hylocichla mustelina)

Lifer at the Watuppa Reservation, Fall River, Massachusetts, on June 15, 2026.

Yellow Warbler (Setophaga petechia)

Photos by Steve at Allen’s Pond in Westport, Massachusetts, on June 2, 2026. YEWA01.

YEWA02.

Bird-related Art

Cool carved piece by Duirmoon Studio. BART09.

Great collection of Warblers by Jada Fitch. BART10.

Animalia superflua

Box Turtle (Terrapene carolina)

Cool looking turtle in the Watuppa Reservation on June 21, 2026. BOTO01.

Coyote (Canis latrans)

A coyote traipsing past at Nonquitt Marsh, Dartmouth, Massachusetts, on July 7, 2026. COYO03.