MA - back in the valley

It's good to be back in the Pioneer Valley after a terrific tour of New Mexico and Texas. Even before the discovery of this afternoon's Pink-footed Goose, the day got off to a great start in Gill with Barred Owl, Northern Flicker, Purple Finch and Snow Bunting all observed on North Cross Road before sunrise.

At Barton Cove, Hooded Mergansers can be found gathering and displaying and yesterday I counted 52 together off the campground road along with a Ring-necked Duck. Along with masses of Canada Geese building up at the power canal, 3 American Wigeon, a dozen Black Ducks, 2 Gadwall and 2 Lesser Scaup have been present for the last two days......and yesterday, a returning adult Lesser Black-backed Gull.

 Hooded Mergansers - Barton Cove, Gill, Franklin Co., MA. November 24th, 2015.

Some of the 52 birds present.

Lesser Scaup - first-winter male, Turner's Falls, Franklin Co., MA. November 24th, 2015.

Probably continuing bird, first seen October 26th, 2015.

 Lesser Black-backed Gull - adult winter, Turner's Falls, Franklin Co., MA. November 24th, 2015.

 Merlin - Unity Park, Turner's Falls, Franklin Co., MA. November 24th, 2015.