Wednesday, April 8, 2015

MA - first Pied-billed Grebe - 04/08

Pied-billed Grebe - Old Vernon Road, Northfield, Franklin Co., MA. April 8th, 2015. First of the season.

Yet another interesting day. Checked Barton Cove in the morning to find numbers of dabbling ducks greatly reduced with some species absent altogether. It's difficult to say whether they migrated out or perhaps just moved to another feeding spot further up river. However, I could only muster a handful of Mallards and a single Black Duck! The diving duck spectacle goes on with 350 Ring-necked Ducks, 15+ Buffleheads and 4 Lesser Scaup continuing among other species. A Merlin swept through as I was leaving, my second sighting here this month and likely the same bird.

Eastern Phoebes seem to be well established, despite the continued cold temperatures and today's sleet showers. This morning I counted over 20 during a ten mile bike ride from Turner's Falls to East Deerfield and back.


Common Loon - adult, Barton Cove, Gill, Franklin Co., MA. April 8th, 2015. Continuing from April 5th. 


Merlin - Barton Cove, Gill, Franklin Co., MA. April 8th, 2015.


Kumlien's Iceland Gull -  continuing first-cycle, Barton Cove, Gill, Franklin Co., MA. April 8th, 2015.



 Ring-necked Ducks - Old Vernon Road, Northfield, Franklin Co., MA. April 8th, 2015. First of season.

Later in the day I checked a few small ponds near my home in Northfield finding Ring-necked Ducks, Hooded Mergansers and Wood Ducks, and a little surprisingly, my first local Pied-billed Grebe of the year. 

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