MA - Eurasian Wigeon - 02/04

The need for a leg stretch and a bike ride took Matan and I down to the Turner's Falls power canal in late afternoon. Susannah had arranged to meet us there along with our friends from Keene, Pat Clark and Kerry Doyle. The timing seemed especially sweet since a local birder informed us of a Eurasian Wigeon which had flown into the canal early in the afternoon. This was almost certainly the same Eurasian Wigeon found by Taj Schottland in mid-January, a bird which didn't stick around long enough for me to see after returning from California. 

This particular bird didn't take long to locate and was especially vocal, its high-pitched whistled "wheeooo " call ringing out across the canal with Kerry Doyle very capably picking out the bird with binoculars while I wrestled with my scope. Though much anticipated, this was the first time I'd seen a Eurasian Wigeon (ABA Code 2) on my adopted local patch and it remained, calling, until dusk. Also present, three Northern Pintail, a Green-winged Teal and a Kumlien's (Iceland) Gull. Despite the presence of a giant raft of Canada Geese (c.1500), I couldn't find anything unusual amongst them......again.

 

Eurasian Wigeon - male with Mallard (right), and three Northern Pintails (male left with two females). Turner's Falls power canal, Franklin Co., MA. February 4th, 2012. 

Eurasian Wigeon - male with three Northern Pintails (male left and two females right). Turner's Falls power canal, Franklin Co., MA. February 4th, 2012.

 

Eurasian Wigeon - male with Mallards, Turner's Falls power canal, Franklin Co., MA. February 4th, 2012. 

 

Kumlien's (Iceland) Gull - first-cycle with adult Great Black-backed Gulls, Turner's Falls power canal, Franklin Co., MA. February 4th, 2012. These birds later moved onto roost at Barton Cove where I saw a total of four Kumlien's Gull during a very brief visit.