MA - Gill raptors - 05/02

What a difference a day makes! The storms cleared allowing most of yesterday's grounded birds to move on. At Barton Cove this morning, just one non-breeding plumaged Common Loon, 3 female Buffleheads and 12 Ring-necked Ducks but new arrivals included a pair of Eastern Kingbirds at the boat ramp.

Eastern Kingbird - one of a pair back on territory, Barton Cove boat ramp, Gill, Franklin Co., MA. 

May 2nd, 2014. 

But it was the raptors that really caught my attention this morning - the air seemed to be full of them with an interesting mix of local and migrant birds. Chief among these were Broad-winged Hawks with over 40 moving north over Barton Cove between 09:20 and 10:20hrs. I'm usually out-of-state when Broad-wings move through so it was especially pleasant to catch up with small kettling groups of up to seven birds. Single numbers of Sharp-shinned Hawk and Ospreys featured in the movement too, whilst locals included at least four Bald Eagles, Red-tailed Hawks, Turkey Vultures and several calling, displaying Broad-winged Hawks. Most of yesterday's swallows had moved on as well, but I did note several Bank Swallows and there were plenty of Chimney Swifts around this morning.

 Bald Eagle - 2nd/3rd year, Barton Cove, Gill, Franklin Co., MA. May 2nd, 2014. 

Osprey - Barton Cove, Gill, Franklin Co., MA. May 2nd, 2014.