Urban Wilds Profile: Birdwatching in the Wilds
by Benjamin Crouch

When people think of birdwatching in Eastern Massachusetts, they often think of the seashore or Mt. Auburn cemetery. However, some of the best habitat for migratory, resident and breeding birds in Eastern Massachusetts can be found in Boston’s urban wilds. In May 2003, with help from Mass Audubon, EarthWorks investigated the presence of migratory birds in Dump Shoreline in West Roxbury; Gladeside in Mattapan, Sherrin St and West St in Hyde Park; Parker Hilltop, McLaughlin Woodland, and Back of the Hill Urban Wilds in Mission Hill; and Nira Rock in Jamaica Plain. The survey shed light on which migrating birds that the wilds are supporting, and there were a few surprises along the way.

Highlights

We identified 26 species during a two-hour walk in the 9-acre Gladeside site including the uncommon Cape May warbler, 4 singing male scarlet tanagers, and a late Hermit Thrush (most migrate through earlier in spring, it is possible that this one was part of a breeding pair).

There were dozens of Baltimore orioles spotted, seen at every location. Currently, at least a half-dozen immature orioles and their parents reside at Nira Rock Urban Wild, dining on the abundant fruit (raspberries, mulberries, cherries, and more on the way) and the insects that the site’s orchard attracts.

There were many different interesting finds at other sites. At Dump Shoreline, a wooded buffer strip squeezed between Millenium Park and the Charles River, we discovered a nesting Red-bellied Woodpecker making his last appearance before dusk, then entering a cavity in a snag (a standing dead tree) that we presumed to be its home. An orchard oriole, the only other oriole native to the Northeast, was spotted in the McLaughlin orchard at the top of Mission Hill. In addition, we identified thirteen different species of warblers; the hyper-kinetic, colorful birds abundant in Boston only in spring. They are more often seen than heard. A streak of yellow is the only look that a cursory observer will get.

Urban wilds restoration and migratory birds

EarthWorks Urban Wilds Program is helping to enhance and preserve the native wildlife diversity in the urban wilds. This is especially important to birds that migrate following the Atlantic flyway, one of the major migratory routes in North America, that over a billion birds follow through and past Eastern Massachusetts each year. Hundreds of thousands make landfall right in Boston, and require plenty of habitat to find food to refill their bellies and refuel for the rest of their trip. Most of the native habitat that supported the birds’ ancestors is severely degraded or gone. A tired bird may not be able to make it past the city limits, arriving after a thousand-mile (or more) flight. This is one of the reasons why it is so important to restore and maintain the diversity and productivity of remaining habitats within the urban corridor, such as the wilds.

Many thanks to those who helped organize and lead the event including Julie Brandlen and the Boston Nature Center and local birding experts Glenn D’Entremont and Andrew Joslin, and to those who participated. If you are interested in seeing the results of the survey (Microsoft Excel format), please email us.