Species K-O

Killdeer: Despite their shorebird appearance, killdeer are more typically found in open fields, of which we have no great abundance in Somerville. Seasonally common; Nesting: Yes
Least flycatcher: Empidonax flycatchers are troublesome as to identification, but least flycatcher is as good a guess here as any. There's a short window around the beginning of June when I typically see three or four kinds of flycatchers in my neighbor's yard, which is well supplied with both perches and bugs. Less common; Nesting: Possibly
Least sandpiper: Sandpipers are a phenomenon of late summer and early fall in Somerville.  The least sandpiper, simply because it flocks, is the most numerous of the tribe. Less common; Nesting: No
Lesser yellowlegs: The water chestnuts that are so much the bane of boaters are actually pretty good for waders like the lesser yellowlegs. They provide a platform for hunting, and I suppose for the prey as well. Rare; Nesting: No
Magnolia warbler: There are the warblers I see once in a blue moon, and then there are the ones I see reliably every year, in some numbers. The magnolias belong in the latter category. Why they should be so much more abundant in my neighborhood than other warblers is a bit of a mystery. Less common; Nesting: No
Mallard: Make way! Common; Nesting: Yes
Mourning dove:   Winter and summer, this is one of the most common native birds we see here in Somerville. I once saw one nesting in the canopy covering the walkway at the Assembly Square Mall. Common; Nesting: Yes
Mute swan:   In a city of immigrants, it's no surprise that some of our more prominent bird species are immigrants as well.  These swans native to Europe are now seen on the Mystic in some numbers. Common; Nesting: Yes
Nashville warbler:   These warblers we don't see in great numbers, and they tend to be high in the trees, and hard to photograph.  Hence the blurry picture. Rare; Nesting:  No
Northern cardinal:   Another one of our common natives. There's been a pair in my yard since I moved here. Abundant; Nesting: Yes
Northern flicker:   Flickers aren't incredibly rare in Somerville, but not so common, either.  I'll see them either around my yard or by the Mystic, in both spring and fall. Less common; Nesting: Probably
Northern mockingbird:   One of our most familiar natives, mockingbirds live everywhere in Somerville. Abundant; Nesting: Yes
Northern parula:   Parulas, while considered a threatened species in Massachusetts, pass through every spring on the way north.  I see them on Prospect Hill in small numbers. Less common; Nesting: No
Northern rough-winged swallow:   On the Mystic in summer, you can enjoy being buzzed by these swallows. Seasonally common; Nesting: Probably
Northern saw-whet owl:   The only owl I've ever personally seen in Somerville. Rare; Nesting: Possibly
Osprey:   Occasionally in summer you'll see ospreys hunting over the Mystic.  If you're lucky, you'll see them catch something. Less common; Nesting: No
Ovenbird:   I see them every spring on Prospect Hill, throughout the month of May. But I can't get a decent picture of one to save my life. Less common; Nesting: No