April 2018https://www.birdobserver.org/Issues/2018/April-2018Bygone Birds: Historical Highlights for November-Decemberhttps://www.birdobserver.org/Issues/2018/April-2018/bygone-birds-historical-highlights-for-november-decemberBygone BirdsSun, 01 Apr 2018 00:00:00 GMTBygone Birds: Historical Highlights for November-December<h3>20 YEARS AGO</h3> <table class="table"> <tbody> <tr> <td><img alt="" src="/Portals/0/Assets/bo46-2/BW1998-2.png" title="" /></td> <td> <h6>November–December 1997</h6> <p>A <strong>Bar-tailed Godwit</strong> at Plymouth on December 29–31 remains the only state record for that month. A Roseate Tern at Indian Lake, Worcester, on November 2–3 was the first inland record and the latest for the state, until one (the same bird?) appeared two weeks later on the Vineyard. A <strong>Sedge Wren</strong> appeared at Eastern Point, Gloucester, on November 28 and stayed long enough to participate in the CBC. Six "Oregon" Juncos were seen throughout the period.<br /> <br /> Best sighting: <strong>Hermit Warbler</strong>, Edgartown, Martha's Vineyard, December 21. This is the third confirmed record for Massachusetts. The bird stayed until the following March and was seen by many.</p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <h3>40 YEARS AGO</h3> <table class="table"> <tbody> <tr> <td><img alt="" src="/Portals/0/Assets/bo46-2/BW1978-2_copy.png" title="" /></td> <td> <h6>November–December 1977</h6> <p>Waterfowl put up some impressive numbers this winter: six <strong>"Whistling" (Tundra) Swans</strong> on Martha's Vineyard on December 17; 1,200 Canvasback at Assonet on December 11; 184 Redheads on Nantucket on November 26, and a raft of 8,000 Red-breasted Mergansers at Truro. Ten <strong>Fulvous Whistling-Ducks</strong> arrived at Plum Island on November 6, with one bird staying until November 25. Ten unidentified (but presumably Great) <strong>Skuas</strong> were present at Georges Bank throughout November. Up to ten <strong>Boreal Chickadees</strong> were visiting three locations in November. During the same month, there was a mild invasion of <strong>Varied Thrushes</strong> with five birds scattered throughout the state. A <strong>Black-throated Gray Warbler</strong> continued in Salem until November 23, and a <strong>Harris's Sparrow</strong>, found in Belmont on December 12, stayed two weeks.<br /> <br /> Best sighting: <strong>MacGillivray's Warbler</strong>, Dunback Meadow, November 13–30. This represents the first state record.</p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>