MA - late January round-up

Wood Duck - male and two females continue at Turner's Falls, Franklin Co., MA through to Jan 29th.

We're having a relatively mild week with conditions recalling early spring rather than mid-winter. If anything, the birding has been a little on the quiet side and some of the locally scarce wintering species have been difficult to find over the last week. For example, despite regular checks, I haven't seen a Barrow's Goldeneye in the area since January 22nd. The only 'new' bird that I detected during this period was a calling Yellow-bellied Sapsucker in Gill on the 22nd, the only winter sapsucker that I've managed to find locally this year.

Here's a short pictorial summary of some species of interest from Franklin and Hampshire Counties over the previous week;

Lesser Scaup - female continues at Unity Park, Turner's Falls, Franklin Co., MA through to Jan 29th.

Barrow's Goldeneye - male at Turner's Falls power canal, Franklin Co., MA on Jan 22nd.

Common Loon - 2 non-breeding plumage, North Quabbin (Gate 35), Franklin Co., on Jan 23rd.

Northern Harrier - juveniles at North Hadley and the East Meadows, Northampton, Hampshire Co., MA on Jan 26th.

Rough-legged Hawk - juvenile continues at North Quabbin (Gate 35), Franklin Co.,  on Jan 23rd.

Lesser Black-backed Gull - continues at Turner's Falls, Franklin Co., MA through to Jan 28th.

Savannah Sparrow - 21 in the East Meadows, Northampton, Hampshire Co.,  on Jan 26th 
but no sign of the Ipswich Sparrow.

White-crowned Sparrow (gambelli) - first-winter continues with American Tree Sparrows at the Hadley Honey Pot, Hampshire Co., MA through to Jan 26th. 
Also seen, reported and photographed by Larry Therrien.

Brown-headed Cowbirds - up to 35 with up to five Red-winged Blackbirds and two Common Grackles. 
Bascom Road, Greenfield, Franklin Co., MA. Jan 28th, 2015.