MA - March migration and yet more crossbills!

 

Bonaparte's Gulls - three of eight present, Barton Cove, Gill, Franklin Co., MA. March 26th, 2021.

March 26th was one of those bigger migration days when warm conditions coupled with an occluded front brought rain, thunderstorms and a lot of avian action! Widespread arrivals of Eastern Phoebes and, to lesser degree, Tree Swallows occurred that day as well as 30 newly arrived Green-winged Teals at Barton Cove. Just upriver, Ted Gilliland was busy sorting through a smaller flock of 13 Green-winged Teal and ultimately found a nice example of the Eurasian sub-species, certainly the first that I've seen or even heard about in Franklin County! Later that day, eight Bonaparte's Gull graced Barton Cove, along with five (early) Double-crested Cormorants and a Common Loon in full breeding plumage. And....I would have loved to have seen the flock of five migrant Sandhill Cranes reported by Eric Huston migrating high over the cove a little earlier in the afternoon. Overall, that was a pretty decent haul of migrants for the 26th!

Bonaparte's Gulls - five of eight present, Barton Cove, Gill, Franklin Co., MA. March 26th, 2021.

Eurasian (Green-winged) Teal (left) - distant crop, taken from Barton Cove campground, Gill, Franklin Co., MA. March 26th, 2021.

Nice find by Ted Gilliland. First Franklin County record.

Barton Cove continued to host a fairly large flock of Ring-necked Ducks with over 100 present, often loafing around Barton Island and subsequently difficult to see at times. Up to two Lesser and seven Greater Scaup (on the 28th) were often present with or near the Ring-necked Ducks. 

White-winged Crossbills - Montague Plains WMA, Franklin Co., MA. March 29th & 30th, 2021.

Red Crossbills - Montague Plains WMA, Franklin Co., MA. March 29th & 30th, 2021.

Fox Sparrows - three of five in the Montague Plains WMA, Franklin Co., MA. March 19th, 2021.

Field Sparrow - Montague Plains WMA, Franklin Co., MA. March 29th, 2021.

Waterbirds aside, the incursion of winter finch species continued to be a major attraction for me and over the last month or so I've been very drawn to the Montague Plains which continues to host large numbers of Red Crossbills, the numbers of which appear to fluctuate on a day-to-day basis as the birds roam, presumably in search of the most productive feeding spots. Red Crossbills peaked at a whopping 360 birds on March 25th, a day which also saw 55 Pine Siskins and over 200 Dark-eyed Juncos and the first local Pine Grosbeak that I've seen for weeks. The day before saw 22 White-winged Crossbills in the plains with smaller numbers continuing through to the end of the month including 17 on the 31st. The Montague Plains have also proven to be a good spot for migrant Fox Sparrows with up to five present on the 19th, and the first territorial Field Sparrows started to appear for another breeding season from March 28th. 

Red-shouldered Hawk - one of two first-summer birds over the Montague Plains WMA, Franklin Co., MA. March 30th, 2021.

These birds flew off to the NW together and behaved like migrants.

Ring-necked Ducks and Double-crested Cormorants - Barton Cove, Gill, Franklin Co., MA. March 31st, 2021.

A fairly typical early spring spring scene. 

The last two days of the month saw increasingly warm temperatures with first Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers and Pine Warblers in the Montague Plains as well as some odd migrants such as two immature Red-shouldered Hawks and 5 Rusty Blackbirds on the 30th, and a Belted Kingfisher heading north on the 31st. The latter date also saw a late afternoon arrival of 17 Double-crested Cormorants at Barton Cove. 

MA - Boxing Day Grosbeaks

 

Pine Grosbeak - Federal Street, Greenfield, Franklin Co., MA. December 26th, 2020. 

After a balmy wet Christmas Day, the next day was pretty much business as usual with temperatures barely above freezing all day in combination with a raw North-westerly wind. But driving the streets of Greenfield and Turner's Falls did produce Pine Grosbeaks, lots of them! Sixteen were still present at a well reported site on Federal Street in Greenfield, actually right outside the local MacDonald's. Turner's Falls had three on L Street and a further nine on 3rd street, just west of the Avenue A intersection. And today (Dec 27th), a further five Pine Grosbeaks flew along the powerline cut through Highland Park in Greenfield. I must say it's an absolute treat to have these birds around, and even better to be able to find them so easily. We haven't seen numbers like this since the winter of 2007/08 and the consensus appears to be that the current influx is bigger and more widespread than the event of 12 years prior. One big difference between the two incursions seems to be adult males or rather the lack of them in the current incursion, and I still await my first!

Pine Grosbeak - Federal Street, Greenfield, Franklin Co., MA. December 26th, 2020. 

Water levels on the Connecticut River have remained extremely high since the Christmas Day thaw but the Barrow's Goldeneye seen in Turner's Falls that day appears to have moved on. Several checks of the power canal roost have not produced the goldeneye numbers seen that morning, especially the seemingly high numbers of first-winters males. Having been optimistic that the Barrow's might show up again, I'm now getting the distinct impression that it was perhaps just a one day wonder. On the other hand, checking for the Barrow's did produce an unseasonable Green-winged Teal at the power canal on the 27th and a female American Wigeon at Barton Cove, Gill the previous day.

Green-winged Teal (right) - first-winter male, Turner's Falls power canal, Franklin Co., MA. December 27th, 2020. 

MA - November, the first two weeks

The first two weeks of the month saw a steady transistion from late fall into early winter and by mid-month it had become especially raw and chilly. The passerine show in northern Franklin County continued to highlight while the water birding in the greater Turner's Falls area, and it has to be said, was incredibly slow for what is usually an exciting month. Some of the highlights are summarized below;

Cackling Goose - Up to three at Turner's Falls power canal until Nov 4th. None confirmed after that until one flew downriver with Canada Geese at Montague on the 14th (Brian Kane).

Green-winged Teals - Montague, Franklin Co., MA. November 13th, 2018.

Green-winged Teal - an impressive flock of 22 on Meadow Road, Montague on the 10th. (Brian Kane), with 14 still present on the 13th.

Ring-necked Ducks - Turner's Falls power canal, Franklin Co., MA. November 9th, 2018. 

Ring-necked Duck - singles and pairs in the Turner's Falls area regularly including 8 together at Barton Cove, Gill on the 12th, and 10 there on the 13th.


Lesser Scaup - one (male) at Turner's Falls Rod and Gun club on the 5th.

Black Scoter (right) - female with female Surf Scoter, Barton Cove, Gill, Franklin Co., MA. November 6th, 2018.

Black Scoter - one (female) at Barton Cove, Gill on the 6th and 7th.

Surf Scoter (right) - female with Ring-necked Duck, Barton Cove, Gill, Franklin Co., MA. November 12th, 2018.

Surf Scoter - one (female) at Barton Cove from the 6th - 14th.

Common Goldeneyes (with Buffleheads) - Turner's Falls power canal, Franklin Co., MA. November 3rd, 2018. 

Common Goldeneye - a notable arrival on the 3rd with 19 at Turner's Falls power canal alone, then daily after that with approxiamtely 30 in the area between the Rod and Gun club, Barton Cove, and the power canal.

Ruddy Duck - male in the mist/drizzle, Barton Cove, Gill Franklin Co., MA. November 2nd, 2018.

Ruddy Duck - one (male) at Barton Cove, Gill on the 2nd.

Red-breasted Merganser - one (female/imm) at Barton Cove, Gill on the 13th.

Turkey Vultures (9) - SW over Turner's Falls Airfield, Franklin Co., MA. November 10th, 2018. 

Turkey Vulture - a few singles in Northfield early in the month but a general departure from the area from the 5th, but a single flock of 9 migrated SW over Turner's Falls Airfield on the 10th. A single bird over West Gill Road on the 14th.

Black Vulture - 3 seen from Turner's Falls Airfield on the 10th but distant and over the Gill side of the CT River. Almost certainly the same 3 seen two hours later low over Main Road Gill at Upinngil Farm.

Red-shouldered Hawk - 1 (adult) migrating SW over Turner's Falls Airfield on the 11th.

Peregrine - 2 (adults) at Turner's Falls Airfield on the 11th and 12th.

Common Gallinule - 1 (immature) continued at Tri-town Beach, Whately through to the 9th, usually in company with a single American Coot.

Greater Yellowlegs - Meadow Road, Montague, Franklin Co., MA. November 10th, 2018.

Image appears courtesy of Brian Kane.

Greater Yellowlegs - 1 at Meadow Road, Montague on the 10th and 14th but aloof at other times (Brian Kane).

Gray Catbird - Northfield Meadows, Franklin Co., MA. November 9th, 2018. 

Gray Catbird - one at Northfield Meadows on the 9th.

Northern Shrike - South Ferry Road, Montague, Franklin Co., MA. November 5th, 2018.

Northern Shrike - 1 at South Ferry Road, Montague on the 5th.

Tree Swallow - adult male, Turner's Falls power canal, Franklin Co., MA. November 11th, 2018. 

Tree Swallow - 1 (male) moving south over Turner's Falls power canal in late afternoon on the 11th. My personal latest by over a month and quite possibly the first November record for Franklin County. 

Winter Wren - singles (up to 3) along North Cross Road, Gill on several dates but not consistent. Also one in Northfield Meadows on the 9th. 

Snow Bunting - South Ferry Road, Montague, Franklin Co., MA. November 5th, 2018.

Snow Bunting - mostly scattered singles and pairs at sites such at Turner's Falls Airfield and Northfield Meadows but 3 together on South Ferry Road, Montague on the 5th and 16 migrating south over Northfield Meadows on the 9th.

Horned Lark - numbers increasing after a slow start to the fall with 65 south over Northfield Meadows on the 9th, and 12 west over Turner's Falls Airfield on the 10th. 

Palm Warbler - singles regularly in Gill, Northfield and Montague through to the 9th. 

Yellow-rumped Warbler - up to 15 regularly at Northfield Meadows through to the 9th and a single a Turner's Falls Rod and Gun club on the 13th. 

American Tree Sparrow - Northfield Meadows, Franklin Co., MA. November 4th, 2018. 

American Tree Sparrow - mostly singles in the early part of the month but small flocks becoming more widespread from the 13th, for example 10 on North Cross Road, Gill on the 14th. 

Field Sparrow - up to 2 regularly at Northfield Meadows through to the 10th.

Vesper Sparrow - Northfield Meadows, Franklin Co., MA. November 2nd, 2018.

Vesper Sparrow - at least 1 in Northfield Meadows on the 2nd. 

Fox Sparrow - daily in Northfield Meadows through to the 12th with relatively high numbers including 12+ over the 8th and 9th. 

White-crowned Sparrow - daily in Northfield Meadows through to the 12th with up to 6 there early in the month. 

Rusty Blackbird - 3 on North Cross Road, Gill on the 8th and 1 in Nortfield Meadows on the 9th. 

Common Grackles - Northfield Meadows, Franklin Co., MA. November 2nd, 2018.

Common Grackle - an impressive flock of aroun 6,000 in Northfield Meadows on the 2nd.

Red Crossbill - two singles in Montague; 1 east over South Ferry Road on the 5th, and another calling in Montague Plains on the 15th. Both sounded most like Type 1. 

Pine Grosbeak - 2 calling at first light on North Cross Road, Gill  on the 14th departed to the NW

Evening Grosbeak - scattered singles flying over sites such as Nortfield Meadows, North Cross Road, Gill and Turner's Falls Airfield but 10 west over North Cross Road on the 5th. 

Purple Finch - continued presence at many sites, daily in Northfield and Gill.

Pine Siskin - daily with small flocks flying over many sites including 35 SW in one hour at Turner's Falls Airfield on the 7th. 

MA - local Black-crowned Night Heron

 Black-crowned Night -Heron (immature) - Deerfield Meadows, Franklin Co., MA. August 28th, 2018.

Typically, I wouldn't be too interested in chasing a Black-crowned Night Heron but when Scott Surner found an immature in Deerfield Meadows on August 25th I became distinctly edgy. This particular species has, in my experience, been incredibly difficult to find in Franklin County with my only other observation coming from Unity Park, Turner's Falls on November 1st 2005. Fortunately, the Night-Heron was courteous enough to stick around until we returned from a family holiday on Cape Cod and was last seen on August 29th. 

Great Egrets continued to be seen throughout August peaking at around eight birds early in the month. They were most obvious at the Turner's Falls power canal but also regular at Barton Cove, the Turner's Falls Rod and Gun club, and downstream towards Montague and Deerfield. 

Great Egret - Turner's Falls power canal, Franklin Co., MA. August 28th, 2018.

Waterfowl diversity picked up slightly towards the end of August with two to three Blue-winged Teal at Barton Cove, Gill on the 29th and a Green-winged Teal with the Mallards at Turner's Falls power canal on the 31st. Aaron Hulsey also recorded a Semi-palmated Plover at Unity Park, Turner's Falls on the 29th but overall, the shorebird migration was fairly slow in August. 

Green-winged Teal - Turner's Falls power canal, Franklin Co., MA. August 31st, 2018.

MA - a few new arrivals

On Monday I topped up the nyjer seed feeders having neglected them for a bit whilst I was in Florida. The chickadees and juncos found the seed straight away but the Pine Siskins and American Goldfinches only discovered the new seed two days later. Really good numbers of Pine Siskins (35-100) have been feeding around North Cross Road, Gill about one mile to the south of us so hopefully the feeders will start pulling some of those birds into our yard. No sign of any redpolls thus far.

The warmer air has finally arrived bringing plenty of rain this afternoon. A quick drive around Turner's Falls was pretty quiet but did show a continuing build of Ring-necked Ducks (3 on the 22nd, 7 on the 24th and now 14 on the 26th). A fine drake Green-winged Teal appeared to be a new arrival hanging out with the Mallards at Unity Park where the very pale second-cycle Kumlien's Iceland Gull continued.

Pine Siskin - Northfield yard, Franklin Co., MA. March 25th, 2015.

Green-winged Teal - male, Unity Park, Turner's Falls, Franklin Co., MA. March 24th, 2015.

 Kumlien's Iceland Gull - second-cycle, Unity Park Turner's Falls, Franklin Co., MA. March 26th, 2015.

 Ring-necked Duck - male, Unity Park, Turner's Falls, Franklin Co., MA. March 24th, 2015.

Ring-necked Ducks -  Turner's Falls power canal, Franklin Co., MA. March 24th, 2015.

 Ring-necked Ducks -  part of a group of 14, Turner's Falls power canal, Franklin Co., MA. March 26th, 2015.