MA - Bay-breasted Warbler and Gray Jay 11/09

This afternoon we had a family visit to Gate 41 in the Quabbin. It was a perfect afternoon, very mild and virtually windless. The Gray Jay was still very much in mind and we soon established that the bird had been seen in the morning but not since 10am or so. Quite a few disappointed birders were leaving the site as we arrived.

In contrast, our mood was distinctly upbeat as we walked down the track and had scarcely gone 100 meters when we walked straight into a beautiful Bay-breasted Warbler first reported the previous day.

Bay-breasted Warbler - Gate 41, East Quabbin, Petersham, Worcester Co., MA. November 9th, 2014.

November records in Massachusetts are exceedingly rare.

Not long afterwards, Susannah and Matan relocated the Gray Jay, having a close encounter (and obtaining photos) at the sand quarry while it took me the best part of another hour to snatch a few glimpses. Some of the assembled birders left without seeing it all and it does seem to be becoming more aloof during its stay.

Gray Jay - Gate 41, East Quabbin, Petersham, Worcester Co., MA. November 9th, 2014. Photo: S.B.Lerman.

The larger pond to the north of the sand quarry had some interesting waterfowl with 48 Ring-necked Ducks, a drake Bufflehead, two Pied-billed Grebes, and two American Black Ducks as well a Beaver swimming across the pond.

Birders waiting at the Beaver Pond - Gate 41, East Quabbin, Petersham, Worcester Co., MA. November 9th, 2014.