MA - Northampton CBC - 12/21

Photo-highlights from today's (12/21/13) Northampton Christmas Bird Count. As usual I joined Scott Surner for his sector of the CBC featuring the Hadley Honey Pot, Hadley Cove and North Hadley taking in various views along the Connecticut River. It was another hugely enjoyable day with Scott, beginning and ending in the Honey Pot with temperatures approaching a balmy 50 deg F by the end of the day - and the rain held off until the end of the count!

In addition to the photo-highlights below, we also found a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Winter Wren and Yellow-rumped Warbler finishing off the day in superb fashion with two Short-eared Owls hunting over the Honey Pot at dusk - not too shabby.

Clay-colored Sparrow - Aqua Vitae Road, Hadley, Hampshire Co, MA. December 21st, 2013.

Nice pick-up by Scott, ultimately approachable to within a few feet. Only my second on this count.  

 Horned Larks - Aqua Vitae Road, Hadley, Hampshire Co, MA. December 21st, 2013.

 Lapland Longspurs - Hadley Honey Pot, Hampshire Co., MA. December 21st, 2013.

A fine showing of these including five in the same field in the Honey Pot and at least one other 

on the Aqua Vitae Road. On a personal level, the most I've had on this particular count. 

 Ring-necked Duck - female/imm, North Hadley, Hampshire Co., MA December 21st, 2013.

Another one found by Scott and I think my first on this count.

Savannah Sparrow - Aqua Vitae Road, Hadley, Hampshire Co, MA. December 21st, 2013.