MA - Field Sparrows - 10/10

Another fog-bound morning and this, combined with feeling slightly 'off-color', led to a later start than of late. Once again however, another October morning yielded more fresh birds and again I checked the powerline at Mountain Road, Gill, immediately being greeted by a singing (quiet sub-song) House Wren. Further interest came in the discovery of not one, but nine Field Sparrows in one flock - without doubt the largest single flock I've come across in the Pioneer Valley. Moreover, it was the first time I'd noted Field Sparrows in this particular spot outside of the breeding season. Continuing the Field Sparrow theme, I later found myself back down at Depot Street in Turner's Falls/Montague City and found eight Field Sparrows where only two were present the previous day. So perhaps an incursion of Field Sparrows from points north?

House Wren - Mountain Road, Gill, Franklin Co., MA.

October 10th, 2013. Canon Powershot G10.

 

Field Sparrows - Mountain Road, Gill, Franklin Co., MA. Considerable variation

within the same flock, some being dull and buffy, whilst others (below) being quite

pale and grayish.October 10th, 2013. Canon Powershot G10.





Other birds of interest this morning included 5 Ring-necked Ducks, 3 American Wigeon and a Pied-billed Grebe at Barton Cove, and White-crowned Sparrows at Barton Cove (2) and Depot Street (1).

White-crowned Sparrow - adult of the expected eastern form 'leucophyrs'.

River View Drive, Barton Cove, Franklin Co., MA. October 10th, 2013.

White-crowned Sparrow - first-winter of the expected eastern form 'leucophyrs'.

River View Drive, Barton Cove, Franklin Co., MA. October 10th, 2013.

 

White-crowned Sparrow - dull first-winter, form undetermined. Likely the same

dull immature seen at the same site the previous day. This bird had a very dull supercilium

and plain lores. Depot Street, Turner's Falls, Franklin Co., MA. October 10th, 2013.