Wednesday, January 7, 2015

MA - shrike, shoveler and some very cold air

So the frigid air has arrived. It was a balmy 7 deg F (- 14 deg C) at dawn in Gill this morning. This didn't seem to be any hardship for the Northern Shrike on Boyle Road which was teed up high as I drove Matan into school. It was the first time I'd seen the shrike since Christmas despite frequent checks.

Northern Shrike - Boyle Road, Gill, Franklin Co., MA. January 7th, 2015.
Hideous record shot, heavily cropped and possibility not even identifiable.....but it's still a shrike.



Northern Shrike - Boyle Road, Gill, Franklin Co., MA. January 8th, 2015.
Same bird as above but a bit closer to the road in late afternoon sunshine.

Yesterday afternoon the freeze was really starting to kick in. Again I saw the Northern Shoveler at the power canal in Turner's Falls, this time with Mallards. There was also a fabulous roost of diving ducks with over 150 Common Goldeneye, 9 Hooded and 65 Common Mergansers.

Barton Cove - from Unity Park, Turner's Falls, Franklin Co., MA. January 6th, 2015.
Well on the way to being completely frozen.


Northern Shoveler - female, Turner's Falls power canal, Franklin Co., MA. January 6th, 2015.


Common Goldeneyes and Common Mergansers -  Turner's Falls power canal, Franklin Co., MA. January 6th, 2015.
A small part of the impressive roost but no sign of the Barrow's Goldeneye, alas.

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