MA - late Phoebe 11/22

Had a quick drive down to the power canal with Matan in late afternoon. Still very cold with showers of ice pellets. Upwards of a thousand Canada Geese present with some flocks departing for evening feeding, but again, I couldn't find anything interesting among them.

Less usual species present included a Gadwall, 2 American Wigeon and an increase in American Black Ducks with about a dozen present. These in turn were being spooked and pursued by a fine adult Peregrine. Towards dusk, a phoebe-like "chip" call caught my attention revealing an 'actual' Eastern Phoebe foraging in the woodland along the side of the road. I've seen a few November phoebes in Amherst, especially around the UMass campus but I don't recall anything quite as late as this, especially given the frigid week that just passed.

Eastern Phoebe - Turner's Falls power canal, Franklin Co., MA. November 22nd, 2014. 

Record shot taken in woodland at dusk.