MA - closer Long-tailed Duck

Much to my surprise, another overnight winter storm yielded little in the way of fresh waterfowl at Barton Cove and it was pretty much business as usual - 65 Ring-necked Ducks, a dozen each of Common Goldeneye and Common Merganser, two drake Canvasbacks, Redhead and the female Long-tailed Duck. Of these, only the Long-tailed Duck was close, in fact as close to Riverview Drive as I've seen it during its stay.

 Long-tailed Duck - female, Barton Cove, Gill, Franklin Co., MA. March 20th, 2014.

Continuing bird from March 15th.

 Canvasbacks (rear) - males, Barton Cove, Gill, Franklin Co., MA. March 20th, 2014.

Continuing drakes a lot more distant in the last few days. 

 Common Goldeneye - first-winter male, Barton Cove, Gill, Franklin Co., MA. March 20th, 2014.

Spent a bit of time on this bird as the thin white markings at the base of the bill superficially hinted at Barrow's but the head
 and bill shape were much more in keeping with Common Goldeneye. 

Cooper's Hawk - female, West Gill Road, Gill, Franklin Co., MA. March 20th, 2014.

Huge bird, fanning its tail and drying out in roadside trees after a night of 'wet snow'. 

Canada Geese - evening arrival at Barton Cove, Gill, Franklin Co., MA. March 19th, 2014.

These birds, and two flocks of northbound migrants totalling 300 birds, hinted at the start of goose 

migration which seems incredibly late this year., at least in our part of Franklin County.