MA - adult Kumlien's Gull, Barrow's Goldeneye

A few nice birds around today. Despite the frigid start (0 deg F), two Hermit Thrushes and a Northern Flicker were along North Cross Road in Gill. In the afternoon, what should have been a quick check of the power canal became a more extended visit as a small group of birders gathered and watched flights of gulls and ducks arrive to roost. A beautiful adult Kumlien's Iceland Gull, as well as the contiuning adult Lesser Black-backed Gull, came into join the gulls which numbered over 300 by the end of the evening. 

The Goldeneye roost is getting really impressive and over 200 birds came in to roost this evening. Sadly for the assembled birders, the male Barrow's came in quite late and was quite difficult to pick out in the fading light. But it was great to see it (or another?) back on the power canal, and I think this bird has been recorded daily since Josh Rose pinned it down on January 12th.

 Kumlien's Iceland Gull - adult, Turner's Falls power canal, Franklin Co., MA. January 15th, 2015.

Barrow's Goldeneye (center) - adult male, Turner's Falls power canal, Franklin Co., MA. January 15th, 2015.

The image doesn't really reflect on how dark it was when this bird came in. A desperate record shot but the essential field marks can still be seen.