East Watertown & the Fresh Pond Swamps
1902
August 27
  Clear and warm with light E. wind.
  Gilbert and I spent the forenoon photographing in
the region just beyond Mt. Auburn. It was swarming
with English Sparrows and apparently almost wholly
cleared of all other bird life. We heard two Red-eyes singing
and several Song Sparrows chirping. There was a solitary
Swamp Sparrow in the salt marsh at the mouth
of Arsenal Brook. No warblers were about. Purple Finches
were heard a few times.
  A Green Heron was seen in the little pond just behind
Mt Auburn and another heard in the artificial pond
near the mouth of Arsenal Brook. Two Kingfishers
were flying about the latter pond, sounding their rattles.
  The woods immediately behind the Catholic Cemetery remain as
they have been these ten years. French's Hill is two-thirds gone but
a few of the largest oaks remain. The cedar belt beyond has been
cut into in places and many of the trees are dark or dying.
  The little pond behind Mt. Auburn is prettier than ever for some
picturesque clusters of willows have grown up about it.
  In the afternoon we went by cars to Hill's Crossing
walking through to Smith's Pond. It has changed amazingly
within then past fifteen or twenty years. Large willows standing
singly and in clusters have grown up about it and everywhere
around its shores cattail flags of the rankest kind have
taken the place of meadow grass. The abandoned railroad
track leading to the ice houses is covered with a dense growth
of Joe Pye Weed and Impatiens about which Humming birds were hovering.
  Walked home through the swamps which are brilliant with masses
of flowers chiefly Pye Weed, Jewell Weed and. Saw at
least a dozen King birds flying over the open marsh. The only
large bird seen was a green Heron.
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