MA - Black Vultures in Gill herald the spring

Black Vulture - Barton Cove, Gill, Franklin Co., MA. February 28th, 2016.

The last week of February has seen widespread arrivals of Turkey Vultures, Red-winged Blackbirds and Common Grackles to the greater area of Gill/Turner's Falls/Greenfield, all of them clear indicators that spring is on the way. Subtler indications included a 'gentle push' of northbound Lesser black-backed and Kumlien's Iceland Gulls and ever increasing waterfowl diversity that included a party of eight American Wigeon on the 25th, and a flock of Ring-necked Ducks increasing from three on the 24th to nine on March 1st. Perhaps most impressive was a drake Barrow's Goldeneye initially located by Scott Surner on the 27th and still present at the Rod n' Gun club on March 1st. But in many ways, all of these birds would be more or less expected in our area in late February.

Turkey Vulture - Gill center, Franklin Co., MA. March 1st, 2016.

The presence of Black Vultures in Gill was much less expected however, beginning with a distant bird seen with Brian Kane from Riverview Drive soaring out over Barton Cove campground on the 27th. The following day, two Black Vultures circled over the same area and, somewhat surprisingly, they began displaying (!!) albeit briefly, before departing WNW right over my head! My overall sense is that the status of Black Vulture is in changing in Franklin County and I think we can look forward to more sightings and possible breeding in future. Here's my personal tally of Black Vulture sightings in Franklin County since I began regular observations in the area back in 2005;

1) 2005 - 2014 = 0

2) 2015 = 3 (3 together in late May, 1 in early Nov and 3 together in late Nov).

3) 2016 to date = 2 (1 on 2/27, 2 displaying on 02/28).

Black Vultures - Barton Cove, Gill, Franklin Co., MA. February 28th, 2016.

Ring-necked Ducks - Barton Cove, Gill, Franklin Co., MA. March 1st, 2016.
Eight in shot, nine present, all males. 

White-throated Sparrow - Barton Cove, Gill, Franklin Co., MA. March 1st, 2016.

 Bald Eagle - Barton Cove, Gill, Franklin Co., MA.  February 29th, 2016.
A lot Bald Eagle activity lately with up to seven present in the air at the same time, including five immatures.

 Barrow's Goldeneye - male (right), Turners Falls, Franklin Co., MA. February 27th, 2016.

Lesser Black-backed Gull - adult, Turners Falls, Franklin Co., MA. February 21st, 2016.

Lesser Black-backed Gull - adult, Turners Falls, Franklin Co., MA. February 25th, 2016.

Lesser Black-backed Gull - third-cycle, Turners Falls, Franklin Co., MA. February 22nd, 2016.

Lesser Black-backed Gull - second-cycle, Turners Falls, Franklin Co., MA. February 22nd, 2016.

 Kumlien's Iceland Gull - first-cycle, Turners Falls, Franklin Co., MA. February 27th, 2016.