Guide

Go seeBirds

Fall waterfowl on the Berkshire lakes counted since 1946

November

Birders have counted waterfowl on six central Berkshire lakes every early November since 1946, and at least 32 kinds of swans, geese and ducks have turned up, plus three kinds of loons. Cheshire Reservoir is one of the six (Mass Audubon lists it as Hoosic Lake, also called Cheshire Reservoir), and the paved Ashuwillticook Rail Trail runs along it.

Why this time of year

Mass Audubon says the lakes host birds during migration, especially fall, and that the annual waterfowl census has been held in early November since 1946. At least 32 kinds of swans, geese, and ducks have been found on the six lakes, plus loons, grebes, and coots. What is on the water on any one day varies.

How to notice it

  1. Walk the stretch of the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail that runs along Cheshire Reservoir and stop where the trail opens onto the water.
  2. Scan the far water slowly with binoculars. Mass Audubon says geese, dabbling ducks, diving ducks, loons and grebes are all counted on these lakes each year.
  3. Count how many different shapes you can see, then compare with a second stop farther along the trail.
  4. Bring a bird guide or an app and try to name just one new duck.

Try this with kids: Pick one bird that dives. Count out loud how many seconds it stays underwater before it pops back up.

Word to know: A “stopover” is a place migrating birds rest and feed before flying on.

Sources

  • web.archive.orgDCR Ashuwillticook Rail Trail page (Wayback 2026-07-15 copy; live mass.gov 403), read 2026-11-10: "an old railroad track converted into a 10-foot wide paved trail. The trail runs 12.7 miles through the towns of Cheshire, Lanesborough and Adams." "Cheshire Reservoir, and the Hoosic River offer outstanding views of the scenery and wildlife." Accessibility: "Paved, level surface"; header "Wheelchair Accessible". Activities include "Wildlife and bird watching" and "Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing". Hours dawn to dusk.
  • massaudubon.orgMass Audubon Important Bird Areas, Central Berkshire Lakes, read 2026-11-10: "The six (from north to south) are Hoosic Lake (500 acres) in Cheshire"; the lakes host birds "during migration, especially fall"; "The lakes represent an important stopover point for waterfowl migrating along the Housatonic River valley." "Censuses have taken place annually in the proposed IBA in early November since 1946." "A combined total of at least 32 species of swans, geese, and ducks have been found on these lakes"; also 3 loon species, 3 grebe species, Double-crested Cormorant, American Coot.
  • massaudubon.orgMass Audubon 'Waterfowl in Winter' (dated 2019-01-01), read 2026-11-10: "look for large bodies of open water such as ponds, lakes, and rivers anywhere from Boston to the Berkshires"; by late fall most species are back in bright plumage.
  • massaudubon.orgMass Audubon IBA page, re-read 2026-11-10: 'Hoosic Lake (500 acres) in Cheshire (aka Cheshire Reservoir)'; annual waterfowl census since 1946; 'Significant numbers of geese, dabbling ducks, diving ducks, loons, and grebes are counted annually.'

Checked against these sources on November 10, 2026.

In the guide for November

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