MA - Red-necked Grebes and Bonaparte's Gull - CRV

After returning from Texas about 10 days ago I'm finally getting back into the rhythm of life at home and the emergence of the spring here in Massachusetts. Indeed many of our common migrants have arrived already, perhaps about a week ahead of normal schedule.

But.......today's low pressure system bringing muggy South-westerlies and some locally heavy rain showers brought some good birds to a couple of spots along the Connecticut River Valley. A first-summer Bonaparte's Gull rested on a small sandy island with Ring-billed Gulls at Northampton's Oxbow Marina, and later in the afternoon I came across no less than six Red-necked Grebes together at Barton Cove, Gill. With the grebes came two summer-plumaged Long-tailed Ducks! Much to my surprise, over 100 large gulls were present at Barton Cove as well, almost all of them first and second cycle, and over 85% Great Black-backed Gulls.

Bonaparte's Gull - first-summer, Oxbow Marina, Hampshire Co., MA. May 1st, 2009.

Red-necked Grebes - Barton Cove, Gill, Franklin Co., MA. May 1st, 2009.

Long-tailed Ducks - Barton Cove, Gill, Franklin Co., MA. May 1st, 2009.

Six Red-necked Grebes and 2 Long-tailed Ducks Barton Cove, Gill, Franklin Co., MA. May 1st, 2009.

Great Black-backed and American Herring Gulls - Barton Cove, Gill, Franklin Co., MA. May 1st, 2009.