Thursday, October 15, 2015

MA - migrating Bonaparte's

Another superb fall day, crisp, clear and a joy to be out admiring the New England foliage. Birding today was limited to a very quick 'sojourn' through Turner Falls around noon. Good numbers of Canada Geese were present at both the power canal and Unity Park but alas, I couldn't pick out anything unusual among them. But, staring at the Canada Geese at Unity Park gave me my first Bonaparte's Gull of the fall as all the geese suddenly started looking skyward, eyes locked on the high-flying gull. The Bonaparte's circled several times, apparently showing some interest in landing but then continued south leaving me to wonder how many really good birds must pass over the cove without being detected at all. Had it not been for the Canada Geese, I might not have bothered to look skyward in that moment.





 Bonaparte's Gull - first-cycle, Unity Park, Turner's Falls, Franklin Co., MA. October 15th, 2015.
Quite scarce spring and autumn migrant through the Pioneer Valley. 


American Coots - Riverview Drive, Gill, Franklin Co., MA. October 15th, 2015.
Only two remaining with three seen as recently as yesterday (10/14).

Other than that, the American Coots were still on the Gill side of the cove but now numbered only two with the other presumably having been predated.

The local foliage display has been glorious this week with lots more to come!


Main Road, Gill, Franklin Co., MA. October 15th, 2015.

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