Northern Shrike - Montague, Franklin Co., MA. November 5th, 2018.
Distant dig-scoped shot - bird was quite mobile and difficult to get close to.
A cold, clammy morning with complete cloud cover and light winds from the northern quarter. As pretty as crisp, sunny autumnal days can be I usually find the birding is better when it's completely overcast. Early morning was busy with Snow Bunting (1), Pine Siskin (15), Evening Grosbeak (10) and Belted Kingfisher (1) all on North Cross Road, Gill - the latter being unusual in rural Gill at this time of year away from the Connecticut River.
Barton Cove, Gill looked pretty quiet from what I could tell but the Turner's Fall Rod and Gun club was more productive with Common and Hooded Mergansers, Common Goldeneye (1), Ring-necked Duck (1) and Lesser Scaup (1) all present though the highlight had to be a close encounter with an American Pipit on the grass by the parking area.
American Pipit - Turner's Falls, Franklin County, MA. November 5th, 2018.
American Pipit - Turner's Falls, Franklin County, MA. November 5th, 2018.
Northern Shrike - Montague, Franklin Co., MA. November 5th, 2018.
Snow Bunting - Montague, Franklin Co., MA. November 5th, 2018.
Snow Bunting - Montague, Franklin Co., MA. November 5th, 2018.
From Turner's Falls I headed south for what I thought would be a short visit to Wills Ferry and South Ferry Roads in Montague. Though initially quiet, this relatively peaceful spot captivated my interest for a good 75 minutes highlighted by a very showy and vocal Northern Shrike closely followed by a ridiculously tame Snow Bunting at my feet - quite literally! Moreover, a Red Crossbill flew over heading east toward Montague Plains and giving the classic, repeated 'gyp-gyp' flight calls. Small numbers of Purple Finches and Pine Siskins also flew over mostly heading west, with three Snow Buntings eventually lifting up from the fields and ultimately heading west rounding off a terrific morning.
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