MA - at last a few Canadas - 03/21

Canada Geese finally arriving in decent numbers. Not thousands yet, but certainly some hundreds arriving at Turner's Falls power canal this morning. Just as I was settling down to enjoy them an adult Bald Eagle came along and flushed the lot! In fact Bald Eagles were distinctly active this morning with no less than five at Barton Cove including an adult carrying nest material and three different immatures (two dark, one light). Waterfowl action was consistent with pervious visits this week and all the 'lesser rarities' continued - Canvasback (2), Redhead (1) and Long-tailed Duck (1). The drake Red-breasted Mergansers were also present, the first time I've seen them in several days.

Norther Pintail - pair, Riverview Drive, Barton Cove, Gill, Franklin Co., MA. March 21st, 2014.

This pair appeared very briefly before disappearing and I only saw them in flight. 

Red-breasted Mergansers - males, Barton Cove, Gill, Franklin Co., MA. March 21st, 2014.

Heavy crop of extremely distant birds.

A couple of local year firsts today with an American Woodcock displaying over Boyle Road, Gill and a Killdeer in a field just 200m NE of our home on Main Road, Gill. Both were heard pre-dawn (insominia does have some advantages!) but the day was hardly spring-like with raw winds from the northern quarter and squally snow showers.

 Canada Geese - Turner's Falls power canal, Franklin Co., MA. March 21st, 2014.

Newly arrived birds coming in from the south.

 Kumlien's (Iceland) Gull - first-cycle (center), Unity Park, Turner's Falls, Franklin Co., MA. 

March 21st, 2014.

 Glaucous Gull - first-cycle (left), Unity Park, Turner's Falls, Franklin Co., MA. March 21st, 2014.

A quick peruse from Unity Park in the evening found the two Canvasbacks and Redhead loafing with just five Greater Scaup and not with the main raft of Ring-necked Ducks which were still way out in Barton Cove. A smattering of large gulls off Unity Park included a first-cycle Kumlien's Iceland Gull and the continuing first-cycle Glaucous Gull.