MA - Pacific-slope Flycatcher still in Hadley after a frigid week!

Pacific-slope Flycatcher - off Huntington Road, Hadley, Hampshire Co., MA. November 15th, 2019.

This week seemingly brought an abrupt end to fall with frigid temperatures overnight and most days barely reaching above freezing. Today, Friday the 15th, was the first day since Monday with some genuine warmth in the sunshine. Coupled with relatively light winds, the conditions seemed ideal to check on the Pacific-slope Flycatcher in Hadley. The bird was already in view when I arrived at about 10:30 am and was kindly pointed out to me by Mary Ess-Why and Nancy Demers, and together we enjoyed super views at close range in bright autumnal sunshine. Quite how this tiny 'western' flycatcher is surviving the freezing temperatures in Hadley I'm not quite sure but at least today it was warm enough for the bird to be actively foraging as well as perched up absorbing the sun's warmth for sustained periods. 

Pacific-slope Flycatcher - off Huntington Road, Hadley, Hampshire Co., MA. November 15th, 2019.

And it was even foraging from the ground along the main track in front of us!

The Pacific-slope Flycatcher has definitely been the 'banner' species this week but I did manage to connect with the Clay-colored Sparrow on the 12th found by Josh Layfield in Deerfield's North Meadows. On the same day there was also a Red-throated Loon at Turner's Falls Rod and Gun club. It's actually been a good week for sparrows with increased numbers of White-throated Sparrows and Dark-eyed Juncos, as well as American Tree Sparrows.  Scarcer species have included White-crowned Sparrow (3) and Field Sparrow (1) at Deerfield North Meadows. Less usual, and the first that I've noted this fall, was a Red Crossbill moving south over Pine Meadow Road in Northfield on the 15th.

Clay-colored Sparrow - Deerfield Meadows, Franklin Co., MA. November 12th, 2019.

Originally found by Josh Layfield on November 11th. 

Red-throated Loon - non-breeding plumage, Turner's Falls, Franklin Co., MA. November 12th, 2019.

White-crowned Sparrow - first-winter, Deerfield Meadows, Franklin Co., MA. November 14th, 2019.

American Tree Sparrow - Deerfield Meadows, Franklin Co., MA. November 14th, 2019.