Took a few tries (midday heat and checking 20 yards over) but finally found the Yellow-throated Vireo this morning.

Parking lot is in Waltham, so standing there until he sang got me #185.

Finally, a 2010 tick.

Olive-sided Flycatcher, Metropolitan Parkway South, #184 in Waltham (thanks Paul)

I took yesterday and today off to scout for the CBC. Yesterday was too cold and windy to go out (and I had other things to do that I’ll talk about eventually) but today was somewhat better. However, as I was getting ready to go I got a phone call saying check my email about an eagle on the Charles. It was in a spot that’s outside the count circle but I headed over (luckily while I was reading the email my father called to say he was heading home, so I was able to wait for him).

Tuesday 10/27: Hardy Pond: Pied-billed Grebe in close was about it

Wednesday 10/28: Beaver Brook Ponds: nothing of note

Thursday 10/29: Paine: 1 Palm Warbler

Friday 10/30: Purgatory Cove: about 50 Ring-necked Ducks, 10 Wood Ducks, first Red-bellied Woodpecker along the Charles, Sharpie. Hardy Pond in the late afternoon: 4 Ruddy, 1 Pied-billed Grebe, 4 American Wigeon.

Saturday 10/31: Out to New Salem for the day where it was dark and nasty. Two creepers were about it for highlights.

I had a sandwich for lunch today, so decided to do something I haven’t done for a few months and check the back end of Prospect Hill (it’s a bit too far if I can’t eat as I walk). The walk in was pretty dull with just a couple titmice and a junco or two. I took the steep stairs up and headed to Little Prospect. It was equally quiet there and a bit hazy so scanning the sky didn’t reveal anything.

I spent most of yesterday morning exploring the Beaver Brook North reservation (former Met State property). Things got off to a good start with several Ruby-crowned Kinglets at the car and several more with a few Palm Warblers not too far away.

Reaching the path to the new boardwalk, I spent a couple minutes making sure the calling Hairy Woodpecker was actually a Hairy. Moving down the path, a Yellowthroat popped up and several Swamp Sparrows were calling. Walking across the boardwalk, sparrows flushed constantly (about 6 Swamp for 2 Song for 1 Savannah) and a few Red-winged Blackbirds popped up and down. At the far end, a big flock of Yellow-rumps were bouncing around.