MA - freeze brings nice waterfowl mix

The last three days have seen a significant drop in temperature with the nights dropping down to as low as 4 deg F. As a result, Barton Cove was about 85% frozen this morning (01/06) with significant ice accumulation at Turner's Falls power canal as well. The small Mallard flock at the power canal has swollen significantly over the last couple of days bringing with them good numbers of American Black Ducks and a surprisingly good selection of other dabblers as well as some diving ducks closely associating with them; American Wigeon (2 females), Wood Duck (2 male and female), Green-winged Teal (male), Hooded Merganser (5), Common Goldeneye (3 males), Greater Scaup (female) and Lesser Scaup (first-winter male) have all been with the Mallard flock over the last two days. The evening roost has been nothing short of spectacular with up to 600 Mallard, 35 American Black Duck, 65 Common Merganser, 95 Common Goldeneye and again, a fine drake Barrow's Goldeneye all coming into the power canal roost on January 5th.

Elsewhere, a male Snow Bunting brightened up the morning on River Road, Gill on Jan 4th and a lot of  Pileated Woodpecker activity continues in that area. A chance visit to the Hadley Honey Pot on January 5th produced a nice selection of sparrows including 150 American Tree Sparrows, 2 White-throated Sparrows and a strong candidate for a gambelli White-crowned Sparrow. The latter was aloof and skittish but I think the shots included here look pretty convincing.

 Wood Ducks - Turner's Falls power canal, Franklin Co., MA. January 5th & 6th, 2016.

Fairly common local breeder but very scarce in mid-winter.

 American Black Duck - male, Turner's Falls power canal, Franklin Co., MA. January 6th, 2016.

 American Wigeon - one of two females, Turner's Falls power canal, Franklin Co., MA. January 6th, 2016.

 Green-winged Teal (left) - male, Turner's Falls power canal, Franklin Co., MA. January 6th, 2016.

Greater Scaup - female, Turner's Falls power canal, Franklin Co., MA. January 5th, 2016.

Continuing from Dec 31st 2015.

Pileated Woodpecker - Gill, Franklin Co., MA. January 4th, 2016.

 White-crowned Sparrow - immature showing characteristics of the gambelli subspecies, Hadley Honey Pot, Hampshire Co., MA. January 5th, 2016. 
The plain lore and bright yellow-orange bill are good indicators for that form.

 White-throated Sparrow -  Hadley Honey Pot, Hampshire Co., MA. January 5th, 2016.

 American Tree Sparrow -  Hadley Honey Pot, Hampshire Co., MA. January 5th, 2016.

Good numbers of these smart little sparrows present in the weedy fields.