Another raw day with temperatures below freezing for most of it coupled by bitingly cold winds from the northern quarter. Despite the fairly tough conditions it felt totally appropriate to find yet more northern finches in Franklin County with new flocks of Pine Grosbeaks on North Cross Road, Gill (4 birds) and Meadow Road in Montague (6 birds) . Both locations also held flocks of Common Redpolls with 18 - 20 birds at each site but they were skittish and wouldn't allow a close approach to check for Hoary Redpolls, especially frustrating because the Gill flock looked to have several very pale individuals among their number. Red Crossbills, while dwindling in number, remain at North Cross Road (5) and Montague Sand Plains (2).
In late afternoon, Barton Cove was especially productive with a/the Barnacle Goose hanging out with just six Canada Geese. They departed SW together at 16:05 hours which would have taken them towards Deerfield versus the usual NW departure that typically takes them towards feeding spots in Greenfield. I'm assuming it has to be the same Barnacle Goose first detected by Sue and Edward Lewis on Nov 23rd at the Tuner's Falls power canal and where it's been routinely reported ever since. This evening was certainly the first time that I've seen it at Barton Cove. As if that wasn't enough, there was also a Cackling Goose with a smallish flock of 85 Canada Geese followed by a totally different, high flying Cackling Goose coming in from the NE with Canada Geese that headed towards the power canal at dusk.
There was also a nice gull roost at Barton Cove with at least two Iceland Gulls (first-winters) and about 16 Great Black-backed Gulls among the 60 or so Herring Gulls. Also of interest, what may have been a northern-type Herring Gull (first-winter), a very crisp, fresh looking individual with slight Glaucous-like feel about it.
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