MA - more from the Turner's Falls area

Greater Yellowlegs (juvenile) - Turner's Falls, Franklin County, MA. September 11th, 2018.

A cold front finally brought some welcome cooler air from September 8th. I was hoping for some dramatic changes locally, especially in terms of waterbirds, but surprisingly didn't find too much in the way of new birds. Things improved somewhat on September 10th with an American Wigeon (male) at the Turner's Falls power canal and a nice selection of species at the Turner's Falls Rod and Gun club with 4 Great Egrets, 2 Greater and 1 Lesser Yellowlegs together, a juvenile Northern Harrier, a Yellow Warbler and my first Herring Gull (juvenile) of the autumn. Rain throughout the afternoon of the 10th and into the 11th seemed to have little effect in grounding migrants but a juvenile Semi-palmated Sandpiper joined the small, regular flock of Least Sandpipers at Hell's Kitchen where an Olive-sided Flycatcher called for several minutes before moving on. A Greater Yellowlegs remained at the Rod and Gun club on the 11th, as did a Great Egret with the latter species continuing to impress with at least 8 frequenting the Connecticut River between the Rod and Gun club and the Turner's Falls power canal.

American Wigeon (male) - Turner's Falls, Franklin County, MA. September 10th, 2018.

Greater Yellowlegs (two lower birds) and Lesser Yellowlegs - Turner's Falls, Franklin County, MA. September 10th, 2018.

The widespread movement of Purple Finches in northern Franklin County continues and I'm still recording birds in almost all the locations I visit though not in large numbers with flock of 3 - 6 birds being the norm.

American Redstart (hatch-year) - Deerfield Meadows, Franklin County, MA. September 8th, 2018.

MA - migrants drop in today 05/09

Gill - There's nothing like a bit of rain and thunder to stir up (or bring down!) migrants after a protracted dry spell. Heavy showers late yesterday moving into the night brought some obvious changes to the migrant situation today but the first bird of note over the yard was a strange one - a female Common Merganser heading SW! All ducks are scarce around our yard and I think this was only our third record of Common Merganser since moving into our current home on Main Road in September 2010. In terms of grounded birds, fresh arrivals included Eastern Kingbird (2), Wood Thrush (1), Ovenbird (1), Northern Parula (2), American Redstart (1) and Gray Catbird (2).

Along Main Road, many songsters included more Wood Thrushes, American Redstarts, Yellow and Black-throated Green Warblers, Great Crested Flycatcher and a single Blackburnian Warbler. And, for the first time this year, singing Savannah Sparrows were heard on North Cross Road and Ben Hale Road but still no Bobolinks.....it looks like I'll miss their arrival as I head for Ohio on Saturday.





American Redstart - male singing, Gill yard, Franklin Co., MA. May 9th, 2013.

This bird and two Northern Parulas spent the whole day singing high up in the maples surrounding the house and proved almost impossible to photograph.

 

 

Eastern Kingbird - one of two present, singing and displaying in the yard.

Gill, Franklin Co., MA. May 9th, 2013.



MA - more migrants - 04/28

American Redstart - Gill yard, Franklin Co. MA. April 28th, 2011.

Warm, wet southerlies continue bringing many new birds to our yard and immediate surroundings. Most obvious today were Ovenbirds (9), Blackburnian Warblers (3), Wood Thrushes (3), American Redstart (male), and a Ruby-throated Hummingbird at the feeders - all of which were new for the year.

Notably, after a small incursion of about 30 birds in our yard yesterday, Dark-eyed Juncos seemed to have moved out altogether though most of the 20 or so White-throated Sparrows remain. Purple Finches appear to be everywhere at the moment with singing birds all over Gill and at Barton Cove. There was also a major movement of Yellow-rumped Warblers today, notably through our yard and also at Barton Cove this morning. A few Northern Parulas and Yellow Warblers have also been with these flocks.

JPS