Monday, December 27, 2010

MA - Kumlien's Iceland Gulls again - 12/27



Kumlien's Iceland Gull - first-cycle, fairly dark-winged bird present in the area since at least November 30th. Turner's Falls, Franklin Co., MA. December 27th, 2010. This evening the bird was on the ice just off Unity Park in Turner's Falls offering better views and photo opportunities.





Kumlien's Iceland Gull - second-cycle, grayish-winged bird present in the area for about a week now. Turner's Falls, Franklin Co., MA. December 27th, 2010.


American Wigeon (3) - with Mallards -Turner's Falls power canal, Franklin Co., MA. December 27th, 2010.

Made a quick run down to Turner's Falls in late afternoon to check for storm-driven birds. Apparently, the storm gripping much of the East Coast produced little in the way of new birds. I found only regulars amongst the gulls (1 Lesser Black-backed and 2 Kumlien's Iceland Gulls) and a couple of the regular Cackling Geese. The only obvious 'new' birds were three American Wigeon on the power canal.

At home on the feeders it was busy all day with over 100 Pine Siskin plus two Brown-headed Cowbirds, only the second time we've had the latter at the feeders.

JPS

3 comments:

Martin said...

hi James

Nice Kumlien's shots! Some of the darkest primaries I have seen on a Kumline's - but that's what it has to be called as too much paleness everywhere else- one of those 'interesting ones'! did you get any shots in flight/wings open/ tail pattern etc?

Happy New Year!

Martin

Gerry Biron and JoAnne Russo said...

Hi james
Taj, Don Clark and I were at the power canal late yesterday, no cacklers but we did see 2 snow geese and an immature or female pintail. And the 2 Kumlien's.........

Andy said...

Nice shots! What differentiates the first Kumlien's (the Dec 27th bird) from a Thayer's? Those certainly seem like quite dark wingtips, but I don't have much experience with either.