MA - Northampton CBC - 12/20

Clay-colored Sparrow. North Hadley, Hampshire Co., MA. December 20th, 2009. My first in mid-winter in MA, and Scott's third in about thirty years of doing this particular count! This bird was feeding with a large flock of Song and American Tree Sparrows by the Connecticut River in North Hadley and was quite difficult to observe. We saw it about six times in late afternoon but rarely had it perched in view for more than a few seconds at a time.

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Despite getting an unavoidable late start, I joined Scott Surner for the Northampton CBC once again. Our sector covered the Hadley Floodplain east of the Connecticut River, roughly from Hadley Cove to North Hadley. It was hard going this year with a fresh dusting of snow, very cold temperatures and a brisk Northerly wind that persisted throughout most of the day.

However, as always with this count, there were surprises in store highlighted by a Clay-colored Sparrow in North Hadley. We also found a Snow Goose on the river at Hadley off the Aqua Vitae Road, a Northern Pintail with Mallards at North Hadley, 6 Eastern Bluebirds, 40 Horned Larks, a Lapland Longspur and a Snow Bunting in the Hadley Honey Pot, and some nice concentrations of American Tree Sparrows with over one hundred tallied for the day.

More photo highlights from the day;

Snow Goose - Hadley/Northampton, Hampshire Co., MA. December 20th, 2009.

Northern Pintail - female (lower right) with Mallard. North Hadley, Hampshire Co., MA. December 20th, 2009.



Lapland Longspur. Hadley Honey Pot, Hampshire Co., MA. December 20th, 2009.

Snow Bunting. Hadley Honey Pot, Hampshire Co., MA. December 20th, 2009.

As usual, a most enjoyable day with good birding and good company.


JPS.