Birder's Guide to Carlisle
The Birds
Ducks and Geese
Warblers
Rails and Gallinules
Herons, Egrets, & Ibises
Woodpeckers
Raptors
Canada Goose: Common in ponds and marshes across Carlisle. Often seen in groups, or in "V" shaped flying squadrons during migration.
Mallard: Common in ponds and marshes in Carlisle, a year round resident.
Ring-Necked Duck: Common during migration in March and April. Found in open ponds, especially at the Greenough Land.
Hooded Merganser: Common from February to April, especially in rivers and at the Greenough Land.
Sandpipers
Hummingbirds
Swallows and Swifts
Blue-Winged Teal: Uncommon summer resident in marshes. Easily indentified by white crescent on the head.
Flycatchers
Swamp Sparrow: Common sparrow of marshes and swamps. Heard in spring on trail between Foss Farm and O'Rourke.
Eastern Towhee: Uncommon in brushy areas, such as the O'Rourke land. Often heard singing: "Drink your Teaaaaaaa"
Song Sparrow: Common in most habitats, told by the central breast spot and streaking.
Savannah Sparrow: Common in open fields and farms, especially at Foss Farm. Told by it's yellow lores.
Sparrows
Nightjars and Kingfishers
Great Blue Heron: Common in marshes and swamps, especially at Greenough, Benfield, and the Cranberry Bog. Told by long neck and blue body.
Great Egret: Large and pure white. Occasional at Greenough, Benfield, and the Cranberry Bog.
Green Heron: Small, reclusive heron, found with most regularity at Benfield, occasionally at O'Rourke or Greenough.
Black-Crowned Night Heron: Uncommon in Carlisle, found in swamps such as the Benfield Land.
Snowy Owl: Rare Owl, seen solely during winter. Occasionally seen during invasion years like 2013-2014. Most recent record was Dec. 2013, at Hutchins Farm.
Red-Shouldered Hawk: Common hawk, told by reddish breast. Seen in backyards, and also at Greenough, O'Rourke, and Benfield.
Red-Tailed Hawk: Common raptor, often seen flying over turnpikes. Told by belly band and red tail. Most likely to be seen at O'Rourke.
Barred Owl: Common, but difficult to see. It's call is very recognizable in the night: WHO COOKS FOR YOU WHO COOKS FOR YOUUUUALLLLLLL.
Virginia Rail: Secretive bird, found almost exclusively at Benfield. "Kiddik" or "kik" calls show where the bird is.
Sora: Rare rail, found at Benfield during April. Call is a high pitched whinny, like a horse.
Solitary Sandpiper: Seen in fall at the Cranberry Bog and Greenough, often on rocks or on a muddy shoreline.
Least Sandpiper: In late fall (September) at Greenough at the Cranberry Bog. A small sandpiper with yellowish legs.
Killdeer: Nests at Cranberry Bog, and is a common early migrant at Foss Farm. Told by the three thick black rings around its neck.
Spotted Sandpiper: Common at the Cranberry Bog, where it nests. Spotted breast and white eyebrow make for easy in field identification.
Common Nighthawk: Common migrant at dusk. White patches on the outer wings are a good ID tool, as are shape and size. Often seen flycatching.
Tree Swallow: Abundant during April, May, August, and September, and common in the summer. Most often seen at Towle, but can be anywhere. Iridescent green back is a good ID tool.
Barn Swallow: Common at Towle, but not as abundant as the Tree Swallow. Light brownish-red breast, with a brick red throat and an iridescent blue back.
Belted Kingfisher: Uncommon at rivers and ponds. Rattle call is a good locator. Most often seen at Greenough and O'Rourke.
Northern Flicker: Common in backyards and at all of the hotspots, especially Cranberry Bog. Large, white rump often seen, and Flick-a-Flick-a call often heard.
Pileated Woodpecker: Uncommon, large woodpecker of deep woods. Told by large red crest and pure size. Loud, single "WHACK" when it drills a tree.
Downy Woodpecker: Small, common woodpecker of forests. Call is a high pitched "PEEK", and drumming is rapid, going for 1-2 seconds.
Willow Flycatcher: Common, but difficult to identify. Indistinguishable from Alder without hearing the Willow's fitz-bew song. Most often seen at the Benfield Land.
Eastern Kingbird: Common in marshes and grasslands. Often seen flycatcing, they are most prevalent at Greenough, Cranberry Bog, and Benfield.
Blackburnian Warbler: Uncommon, in wooded areas. Easily identified by the male's flaming red throat and the females red-yellow throat.
Black-Throated Blue Warbler: Uncommon warbler at Great Brook and Benfield. Song is a rising zwee-zwee-zwee-zwee. In all seasons, white wing patch is diagnostic.
Wilson's Warbler: Very uncommon. Song is a series of unmusical notes. Easily identified by it's black "beret."
Northern Parula: Common, easily told by the orange and yellow breast and white partial eyering. Song a rising buzzy trill.
Magnolia Warbler: Common at Great Brook. Song is a weeteo-weeteo-weeteo. Identified by it's black necklace and bands down its breast, as well as facial pattern.
Ovenbird: Secretive bird of deep forests, but very common. Loud TEACHER TEACHER song is heard often, but locating the singer can be difficult.
Black-and-White Warbler: Common migrant and nester at Great Brook, song is a high-pitched weesy-weesy-weesy. Only other warbler with only black and white plumage is the Blackpoll.
Ruby-Throated Hummingbird: The only regular hummingbird east of the Mississippi is common at backyard feeders, and very difficult to find elsewhere because of its size and speed.