MA - good stuff in northern Franklin County

Rusty Blackbird (first-winter) - Turner's Falls, Franklin Co., MA. October 24th, 2018. 

Since returning from Cape May on October 19th I've been struck with a barrage of scarce and noteworthy bird species virtually every day, and all within about 15 minutes drive of home in Northfield. In particular, Northfield Meadows has been outstanding, each day producing something new including concentrations of White-crowned Sparrows the likes of which I've never seen in the eastern US, least of all in Franklin County!

Some of my personal highlights from October 20th - 25th are as follows:

Cackling Geese (2) - Turner's Falls, Franklin Co., MA. October 22nd, 2018. Distant digi-scoped shots. 

Cackling Geese (2) - Turner's Falls, Franklin Co., MA. October 25th, 2018.

Cackling Geese - Turner's Falls, Franklin Co., MA. October 25th, 2018. 

Present at the same time as the above pair but choosing not to associate with them. 

Cackling Goose; 1 - 3 daily at Turner's Falls including 3 close together in a relatively small flock of Canada Geese on the 25th. Also, 1 - 2 regularly at Tri-town beach during the same period. This is already shaping up into one of the best late fall periods that we've had for this species locally.


Bufflehead - regularly in the Barton Cove/Turner's Falls power canal area including 4 males on the 21st, and 6 (3 male, 3 female) together on the 25th.

Common Goldeneye (male) - Turner's Falls, Franklin Co., MA. October 23rd, 2018. Distant digi-scope. 

Common Goldeneye - male at Barton Cove/Turner's Falls on 23rd-25th. Typical arrival date.


Northern Saw-whet Owl - one heard calling pre-dawn on North Cross Road, Gill on the 22nd.


Golden-crowned Kinglet - 10+ along North Cross Road, Gill on the 21st.

Ruby-crowned Kinglet - Turner's Falls, Franklin Co., MA. October 24th, 2018.

Ruby-crowned Kinglet - widespread arrival at many locations over 21st/22nd with 2 -3 together at most of these spots. Fewer by the 25th.


American Robin - noteworthy arrival in Northfield Meadows on the 25th with at least 250 present.


Nashville/Orange-crowned Warbler - 1 seen briefly in Northfield Meadows on the 24th, all too brief to determine the species.


Yellow-rumped Warbler - 100+ along North Cross Road, Gill on the 21st and 45+ in Northfield Meadows on the 23rd. Major overnight departure on the 24th with only one present in Northfield Meadows on the 25th.

Palm Warbler (eastern) - Northfield Meadows, Franklin Co., MA. October 23rd, 2018.

Palm Warbler - 1 - 3 at many scattered locations but still 20+ in Northfield Meadows on the 23rd.

Black-throated Green Warbler - Erving, Franklin Co., MA. October 25th, 2018.

Black-throated Green Warbler - 1 at Zelinski Field, Erving on the 20th.



Field Sparrow - 1 in Northfield Meadows on the 22nd.



Vesper Sparrow - 1 in Northfield Meadows on the 22nd.

White-throated Sparrow - Northfield Meadows, Franklin Co., MA. October 22nd, 2018.

White-throated Sparrow - good numbers daily at many locations but 200+  in Northfield Meadows on the 24th was impressive.

White-crowned Sparrows - Northfield Meadows, Franklin Co., MA. October 22nd, 2018.

White-crowned Sparrows - Northfield Meadows, Franklin Co., MA. October 22nd, 2018.

WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW - unprecedented influx of migrants concentrated at Northfield Meadows with 45+ on the 22nd, 90+ on the 23rd, 55+ on the 24th but a near complete exodus overnight with only 1 (an adult) on the 25th. Tallies of 3 - 6 would be much more in keeping with October dates but these numbers are off the charts in my experience. Never seen anything quite it in Franklin County.

(Red) Fox Sparrow - Northfield Meadows, Franklin Co., MA. October 24th, 2018.

Fox Sparrow - 2 briefly on North Cross Road, Gill on the 21st, then 1 in Northfield Meadows on the 24th and 2 there on the 25th.

Swamp Sparrow - Northfield Meadows, Franklin Co., MA. October 25th, 2018.

Swamp Sparrow - 6 - 10 regularly in Northfield Meadows.


Lapland Longspur -  1 south over Northfield Meadows on the 23rd.


Brown-headed Cowbird - 75+ by Upinngil Farm on the 23rd.

Rusty Blackbird - Northfield Meadows, Franklin Co., MA. October 22nd, 2018.

Rusty Blackbird - 1 at Northfield Meadows on the 23rd, 1 showing very well at Unity Park, Turner's Falls on the 24th.


Evening Grosbeak - 1 on South Main Street, Sunderland on the 23rd (Brian Kane).


Purple Finch - continued high numbers with 12 - 20 regularly in Northfield Meadows.


Pine Siskin - daily flyovers at many locations in Northfield, Gill and Turner's Falls.