MA - Cackling and White-fronted Geese again...plus a few new birds.

Yet another fantastic day to be out. Calm, foggy and autumnal in the morning then warming up rapidly in the afternoon with a nice SW breeze. Hopes of getting down to Barton Cove early were dashed with the appearance of Canada Geese in the fields near Upingil Farm. It didn't take long to find the continuing Cackling Goose along with (as many as) three different forms of Canada Goose (maxima, canadensis and interior). 

 Cackling Goose - continuing bird, Gill, Franklin Co., MA. October 13th, 2015.

Seen at various locations including Turner's Falls and Barton Cove since September 29th. 

 Cackling Goose (center) - continuing bird behind Canada Goose (possibly B.c. interior), Gill, Franklin Co., MA. October 13th, 2015. 

possible 'Giant' Canada Goose (B.c. maxima) center - Gill, Franklin Co., MA. October 13th, 2015. 

The bird to left could also be B.c. maxima, both of them among canadensis and interior.

possible 'Interior' Canada Goose (B.c. interior) lower left -  Gill, Franklin Co., MA. October 13th, 2015. 

With B.c. maxima towering over group of canadensis.

In the mean time, Josh Rose had detected the first American Coots (3) of the fall at Barton Cove and they were still present when I arrived in mid-morning, along with a Pied-billed Grebe. The power canal had been re-flooded over the weekend and was in full flow once more. Initially things were quiet with just 5 Common and 2 Hooded Mergansers of note, but around noon several hundred Canada Geese flew in, apparently carrying little of note with them. Passerines included several Gray Catbirds, Blue-headed Vireos, Blackpoll Warblers and a Common Yellowthroat among the more numerous Yellow-rumped Warblers.

 Gray Catbird - Turner's Falls, Franklin Co., MA. October 13th, 2015. 

Common Yellowthroat - Turner's Falls, Franklin Co., MA. October 13th, 2015. 

Later in the day, Barton Cove once again played host to the continuing Greater White-fronted Goose among several hundred Canada Geese rounding off yet another interesting day of incidental birding!

Greater White-fronted Goose - adult continuing, Barton Cove, Gill, Franklin Co., MA. October 13th, 2015. 

First noted by Eric Huston on October 5th.  Very distant (and grainy) this evening.