Thursday, November 4, 2010

MA - Fox Sparrow - 11/04

Fox Sparrow - some fuzzy shots taken through the basement window. Gill, Franklin Co., MA. November 4th, 2010. No optical aids used, just a Canon Powershot A1100.

The day got off to a great start. During my morning (pre-dawn) run in Gill I stopped to do some stretching and began mimicing the territorial call of Northern Saw-whet Owl. After just two minutes, maybe less, a bird responded from dense hemlocks close to the road giving a 'whine' call. It, or another, called from further back in the woodland a few minutes later. Needless to say, I was delighted especially as the conditions were apparently 'wrong' for owling with increasing wind and rain setting in for the day. The time would have been about 06:15hrs.

And the rain, mixed with sleet, really did set in for the whole day with no respite. The feeders in the yard remained very active all day highlighted by a Fox Sparrow, likely the same bird seen in scrub yesterday. Today, it seemed a bit more at home and fed in the open with Dark-eyed Juncos all morning. American Goldfinches with up to 15 birds, have been present daily all week feeding exclusively on Nyjer seed.

JPS

Song Sparrow - Another fuzzy shot from the basement window. Gill, Franklin Co. MA. November 4th, 2010.

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