MA - Gill morning and this week's notes

Hermit Thrushes - two individuals at two different locations, Gill, Franklin Co., MA. December 4th, 2015.

Very birdy in Gill this morning. A brief stop to watch a Northern Harrier quartering over a meadow turned into a one hour event that was full of birds. Three Horned Larks, a couple of Hermit Thrushes, over a dozen Eastern Bluebirds, 25 Cedar Waxwings and loads of Dark-eyed Juncos, American Goldfinches and American Tree Sparrows kept me busy for a while. At least three Pileated Woodpeckers were in the area and remained vocal throughout the morning as they have been all week. Earlier, an adult Peregrine headed south over North Cross road and had me wondering if it could be one of the Turner's Falls adults out on a foraging mission? Peregrines have always been quite scarce and inconsistent in Gill away from Barton Cove.

Horned Lark - Gill, Franklin Co., MA. December 4th, 2015.

 Northern Harrier - juv/first-winter, Gill, Franklin Co., MA. December 4th, 2015.

 Peregrine - adult, Turner's Falls, Franklin Co., MA. Nov 30th, 2015.

Merlin - Unity Park, Turner's Falls, Franklin Co., MA. Dec 1st, 2015.

Merlin - Unity Park, Turner's Falls, Franklin Co., MA. Dec 4th, 2015.

As in previous winters, pretty regular at this spot especially in late afternoon.

At Turner's Falls, waterfowl migration is definitely tapering as might be expected in early December but a female Greater Scaup at Barton Cove was new on Nov 30th, as was a female Ring-necked Duck at the power canal on Dec 3rd, and a male Bufflehead there on the 4th.  Otherwise Common Goldeneye numbers are building up with 95 at the power canal on Dec 1st, when 75 Common Mergansers were also present, and Hooded Mergansers continue to build up at Barton Cove with 60+ on Dec 4th. The first-year male Lesser Scaup, first detected on Oct 26th, remains in the area as well as locally scarce American Wigeon (3), Merlin and Lesser Black-backed Gull all of which continued throughout the week.

American Wigeons (3) - with Mallards, Turner's Falls, Franklin Co., MA. Dec 4th, 2015.

Lesser Black-backed Gull - adult, Turner's Falls, Franklin Co., MA. Dec 3rd, 2015.

Long staying bird present through out the week with Herring and Ring-billed Gulls.

With the lack of freezing conditions good numbers of Canada Geese remain in the 'greater' Turner's Falls area with about 1000 birds this week. Cackling Geese have been present daily, with five on Dec 1st including a new arrival that may have been seen by Hector Galbraith in Hinsdale, NH on Nov 30th.

Otherwise, Barred Owls, Northern Flickers, American Robins, Cedar Waxwings, American Tree Sparrows and a Snow Bunting have enlivened the roadside birding in Gill this week.

 Cackling Goose (lower left) - arriving with Canada Geese, Turner's Falls, Franklin Co., MA. December 1st, 2015. 

Same bird featured below (left).

Cackling Goose - Turner's Falls, Franklin Co., MA. December 3rd, 2015.