MA - Pied-billed Grebe hanging on - 12/19

 

 

 Pied-billed Grebe - Turner's Falls power canal, Franklin Co., MA. December 19th, 2012. Checking back on my records I found that I first logged this particular bird on October 25th. All images taken using a Panasonic Lumix FZ7.

 

 Although I couldn't find the long staying Pied-billed Grebe at the Turner's Falls power canal a couple of days ago, it was back this morning. Like the Double-crested Cormorant (present at the power canal yesterday), this is another species that I wouldn't expect  to see lingering towards to the Christmas period in our local area. Similarly, huge numbers of Canada Geese remain in the area with c.1100 on the power canal today and a further c.350 at Barton Cove. As usual with the larger flocks, I had trouble finding anything out of sorts amongst them.



 



Yesterday, a nice drake Northern Pintail (above) also showed up at the power canal, whilst the Red-necked Grebe had moved up to Barton Cove. At the latter site, the scaup flock (6 Lesser, 1 Greater) continues, along with up to 50 Hooded Mergansers (below) which were joined by two Ring-necked Ducks yesterday.

Marauding Bald Eagles were present and active at both locations.