MA - Franklin County owls

 

Eastern Screech-Owl (red phase) - at daytime roost, Turner's Falls, Franklin Co., MA. January 23rd, 2021.

Much like the raptors mentioned in my last post, I've been stumbling across more owls than usual in the county during January. A territorial male Great Horned Owl has been especially vocal on calm, mild evenings at the Turner's Falls power canal. And, on January 26th, I had good daytime views of another Great Horned carrying a vole at a much less visited site in Whately. 

Barred Owl sightings have certainly increased in January with singles seen at Millers Falls, Gill and Whately over the last two weeks or so. Unfortunately, this has also meant the finding of more road casualties with at least two on Interstate 91 around Greenfield/Route 2 intersection and a further three at scattered sites along the Mohawk Trail. Of all the local owls, Barred seem most vulnerable to colliding with vehicles as they often hunt close to roadsides in deep winter. 

Eastern Screech-Owl (red phase) - at daytime roost, Turner's Falls, Franklin Co., MA. January 23rd, 2021.

On a more upbeat note, I did have fabulous close range views of a red-phase Eastern Screech-Owl roosting next to a busy footpath in Turner's Falls on the 23rd, a bird courteously pointed out to me by mobs of screaming Blue Jays! Turner's Falls is a good spot for screech-owls but I haven't tried particularly hard for them in the last few months so to have these superb, close-up views in daylight was especially sweet. 

Eastern Screech-Owl (red phase) - at daytime roost with mobbing Blue Jay (lower right) Turner's Falls, Franklin Co., MA. January 23rd, 2021.

But, the last word on owls must go to the Long-eared Owl that I saw well but distantly along apparently ideal habitat in Whately on January 22nd. This was a tough observation partly due to distance but also because the bird was accidentally flushed by a local farmer before I had the chance to try for photos. The farmer was the only person for miles around and I simply couldn't believe what I was seeing when he walked straight towards the Long-eared Owl that had just appeared in front of him! It was one of the more bizarre local birding experiences that I've had in recent years.   

Field edge where the Long-eared Owl appeared on Jan 22nd though I was some distance away watching with a scope when I first noticed the bird. 

This pic was taken four days later. Whately, Franklin Co., MA. January 26th, 2021. 

It's difficult to describe just how aloof this species really is in Franklin County, and especially frustrating because there appears to be, at least superficially, acres and acres of suitable habitat and yet I only know of five county records. Of those, only one was documented with photos. 

All have been single day reports as follows;

01/22/21 - Whately: single hunting at dusk.  J.P. Smith.

11/26/20 - Montague: single at daytime roost. B. Kane. 

03/25/18 - Montague: single at daytime roost (photos). B. Finney et al.

03/14/01 - New Salem: single at daytime roost (restricted area). B. Kane et al.

12/08/85 - New Salem: two during 'owling' at Gate 35, Quabbin. M. Lynch/BBC trip members.

There may be others undocumented of course but these are the only records that I'm aware of to date. A rare bird indeed in Franklin County. 

 

MA - Golden Eagle and other raptors in Buckland

Golden Eagle - juvenile, Buckland, Franklin Co., MA. January 27th, 2021.

At rest, quite a few things stood out on this bird, most strikingly the stark white tail with black tip, the uniform dark brown upperparts lacking any pale on the wing coverts or scapulars, and the light colored, golden-brown nape and crown. Perched fairly low with aesthetic proportions, and without other species close-by for comparison, it did not give the impression of being an especially large raptor at rest .  

As winter begins to tighten its grip on Western Massachusetts, fresh snow falls and this weekend's forecast for an Arctic blast have brought an abrupt end to the relatively calm, mild  days experienced in mid-January. While it may be pure coincidence, raptors and owls have become increasingly evident in Franklin County over the last week or so and yesterday afternoon, after dropping Matan for snowboarding at Berkshire East near Charlemont, I came across this stunning juvenile Golden Eagle! 

Golden Eagle - juvenile, Buckland, Franklin Co., MA. January 27th, 2021.

Bald Eagle (immature) and Golden Eagle  (juvenile) - Buckland, Franklin Co., MA. January 27th, 2021.

Initially found resting on a low beam, thanks mainly due to a couple of mobbing Common Ravens, it somehow managed to slip away unnoticed and I actually lost touch with it for a little while. Twenty minutes later I was back in business as it soared majestically above the tree tops drifting over the Buckland side of the Deerfield River. At one point it sparred with an immature Bald Eagle, a bird that I'd seen perched by the river a little while earlier. The Golden Eagle appeared several more times over the course of the next 90 minutes and remained active quite late into the evening until I last saw it drifting south towards Ashfield at 16:45 hours. 

Bald Eagle - immature, Deerfield River,  Charlemont, Franklin Co., MA. January 27th, 2021.

Bald Eagle - Deerfield River,  Charlemont, Franklin Co., MA. January 27th, 2021.

The last raptor of the day and still in the air at 16:50 hours.

Golden Eagle is not a common bird in Franklin County. Looking back on my records, I've had very little luck with the species and I believe this is only the third that I've seen in the county since 2005! Fortunately, I've managed to photograph all three but yesterday's bird was especially sweet since it was a pristine juvenile, and in the air for some time. The same overlook by the Deerfield River seems to be becoming something of a sweet spot for raptors with Red-shouldered Hawk, Merlin, Cooper's and Sharp-shinned Hawks, as well the ubiquitous local Red-tailed Hawks and Bald Eagles, all being seen over the last two weeks including this close encounter with a Rough-legged Hawk on January 8th. 

Rural farmland - Buckland, Franklin Co., MA. January 26th, 2021.

Looking towards Buckland from the Deerfield River, Franklin Co., MA. January 26th, 2021.

Approximate location for the Deerfield River overlook along the Mohawk Trail (Rt 2).

It should be interesting to see if this young Golden Eagle sticks around or whether it was simply moving ahead of the extremely cold weather front forecast for the next  2 - 3 days. Still with the raptor theme I had good views of a Northern Harrier in Whately on the 26th, a species not especially easy to find in Franklin County in mid-winter . 

Northern Harrier - fem/imm, Whately, Franklin Co., MA. January 26th, 2021.

Harlequin Duck - Millers River, Erving, Franklin Co., MA. January 28th, 2021.

Though getting far less attention nowadays, the Harlequin continues to show well on the Millers River 

as does the Barrow's Goldeneye at the Turner's Falls power canal. 

 

MA - Sage Thrasher, Harlequin and more good birds in 'the valley'

 

Sage Thrasher - Cow Bridge Road, Hatfield, Hampshire Co., MA. January 20th, 2021.

This bird was first found on Dec 13th, 2020 by Theresa Gessing.

January 20th, 2021. Today was a good day. Another mild, calm and not especially wintery morning was temptation enough for me to try for the Hatfield Sage Thrasher, the same long staying individual that I last saw on December 14th and now well into its sixth week of winter residence. Originally found by Theresa Gessing on December 13th, 2020 this bird, much like the individual upriver at Hinsdale, New Hampshire seems to becoming increasingly bold perhaps accustomed to the daily birder attention? Either way, the thrasher gave remarkable views today sitting up and feeding on bittersweet berries in the relatively warm January sunshine. 'Chapeau' to the generous fellow who beckoned me over and walked me to the spot where he'd left the thrasher feeding just a few minutes earlier. Considering the degree of difficulty in viewing the bird during my last visit on December 14th, today's views were simply out of this world. I was the only birder at the scene and left it feeding, unmolested, in its favored hedgerow.

Sage Thrasher - Cow Bridge Road, Hatfield, Hampshire Co., MA. January 20th, 2021.

Approximate location for the Sage Thrasher along Cow Bridge Road, near great Pond, Hatfield. 

Later in the day I was fortunate (again) to connect with the Barrow's Goldeneye at the Turner's Falls power canal which continues to join the pre-roost flocks of Common Goldeneye flying in from the Connecticut River at dusk. Further up the Connecticut, the first-winter male Harlequin Duck continues to forage in the white water rapids along the Millers River above Cabot Camp. Even so, it can be aloof and seems to be spending more time roosting than in past visits making it difficult to find at times. 

Barrow's Goldeneye (left) - first-winter male with Common Goldeneyes, Turner's Falls power canal, Franklin Co., MA. January 20th, 2021.

This bird was first noted on Dec 25th, 2020. 

Harlequin Duck  (first-winter male) - Millers River, Erving, Franklin Co., MA. January 20th, 2021.

First found on Jan 1st, 2021 by Anne Jemas. 

Of the passerines, well Red Crossbills continue to roam and show up in a wide scatter locations but have generally been incredibly consistent at several spots in northern Franklin County with 25 - 35 regularly in the Montague Plains, 5 - 11 in Gill and up to 13 in Erving. While the large numbers of Pine Grosbeaks that we saw around Christmas and New year appear to have moved out, smaller numbers (1 - 5 birds) continue to be found in Gill, Northfield, Millers Falls and Greenfield. The relatively mild days have also favored Winter Wrens which continue to crop up regularly at spots like the Millers River at Cabot Camp, Turner's Falls power canal and North Cross Road, Gill. 

The Williamstown Boreal Chickadee also continues at the suburban location just off North Housac Road though I would have to admit that my recent visits have not been anywhere near as successful as the first on January 14th. In fact, I've only been able to note the bird as a 'heard-only' and managed to get just the one additional audio clip since January 14th. That's a tough bird to see!

Costa Rica 2020 - Part III

 

Sunbittern (at the nest) - Rio Tuis, Turrialba, Costa Rica. January 9th, 2020.

Extraordinary. I was busy watching this bird on the Rio Tuis with half of my group when it suddenly rose up into the 

branches overhanging the river, walked along a branch and settled straight on to this nest - Wow!. 

Jan 8th - 10th; Cartargo/Ujarras/Turrialba/Rancho Naturalista. It wasn't easy to say goodbye to the Savegre Valley along with all the creature comforts of the lodge and spa which had been home for two nights. It was the sort of place that seemed to have few ornithological limits with each and every outing likely to produce something new. Even so, our itinerary demanded that we be elsewhere and the day of our departure just happened to coincide with passage of a major cold front that brought a huge drop in temperature and plenty of rain. On the other hand, January 8th would end up being the only day of the tour where the weather slightly disrupted our plans though the rain did eventually impact on our search for Cabanis's Ground-sparrow in the agricultural fields around Ujarras. The ground-sparrow was one of just a handful of endemics that had the potential to be seen on our particular tour loop and missing it wasn't particular easy to accept - but that's birding! From there we pressed on through the rain to Turrialba to spend two nights at the fabulous, well established Rancho Naturalista. Even better, I had the chance to catch up with Harry Bernard whom I hadn't seen for ten years and is now a full time guide at the lodge. All from the Naturalist Journeys Costa Rica Birding & Nature Tour 2020.

White-necked Jacobin (male) Rancho Naturalista, Turrialba, Costa Rica, January 9th, 2020. 

Mountain Elaenia - Le Esperanza, Costa Rica. Janury 8th, 2020.

Montezuma Oropendola - Rancho Naturalista, Turrialba, Costa Rica, January 9th, 2020. 

Tayra - Rancho Naturalista, Turrialba, Costa Rica, January 9th, 2020. 

A giant, omnivorous member of the weasel family.

Sunbittern - Rio Tuis, Turrialba, Costa Rica. January 9th, 2020.

Cabanis's Wren - Restaurante El Cas, Ujarrass, Costa Rica, January 8th, 2020. 

Bright-rumped Attila - Ujarrass, Costa Rica, January 8th, 2020. 

Agriculture in Ujarrass - haunt of the endemic Cabanis's Ground-Sparrow, though we missed out on our afternoon visit. January 8th, 2020.

Lunch is served. Restaurante El Cas, Ujarras, Costa Rica. January 8th, 2020. 

Common Tody-flycatcher - Restaurante El Cas, Ujarras, Costa Rica. January 8th, 2020. 

View from the balcony at Rancho Naturalista, Turrialba, Costa Rica, January 9th, 2020. 

Birding from the balcony at Rancho Naturalista. January 9th, 2020. Top Costa Rican guide, Johan Fernandez, sits extreme left. 

Birding along the approach road to Rancho Naturalista. January 9th, 2020.

Gartered Trogon (female) - Rancho Naturalista, Turrialba, Costa Rica, January 9th, 2020. 

Along the approach road to Rancho Naturalista. January 9th, 2020.

Location of Rancho Naturalista and Turrialba relative to San Jose. 

Roadside Hawk and Black Vulture - Rancho Naturalista, Turrialba, Costa Rica, January 9th, 2020. 

White-collared Swifts - Tayutic, Costa Rica. January 9th, 2020.

Wooded Valley at Tayutic, Costa Rica. January 9th, 2020. The sky above the trees was full of White-collared Swifts. 

Golden-winged Warbler (male) - Rancho Naturalista, Turrialba, Costa Rica, January 9th, 2020. 

Not the best photo but I was quite surprised to find this species on three straight days on the tour, all of them males.

Gray-capped Flycatcher - Rancho Naturalista, Turrialba, Costa Rica, January 9th, 2020. 

Quite easy to overlook amid the much more common Social Flycatchers. 

Paltry Tyrannulet - Rancho Naturalista, Turrialba, Costa Rica, January 9th, 2020. 

The forest around Rancho Naturalista boasts an extensive network of trails. 

White-breasted Wood-Wren - Rancho Naturalista, Turrialba, Costa Rica, January 10th, 2020. 

MA - excellent local birding continues through mid-January

Harlequin Duck (first-winter male) - Millers River, Erving, Franklin Co., MA. January 12th, 2021.

Remaining faithful to the Millers River and first found by Anne Jemas on January 1st, 2021.

The general excellence of birding has continued unabated along the Connecticut River Valley. While it might be true to say that new arrivals have been relatively few, the ongoing presence of species such as Harlequin Duck, Barrow's Goldeneye, Sage Thrasher, Red Crossbill and Pine Grosbeak have been enough to keep spirits high and the motivation strong. In addition, the weather has been calm, relatively mild and almost spring-like inducing an increase in bird song, and especially woodpecker activity. Here's a relatively small selection of pictorial highlights from recent days. 

Winter Wren - Pauchaug Brook WMA, Northfield, Franklin Co., MA. January 13th, 2021.

One of two birds present in what seems to be a good winter for them with others at the Turner's Falls power canal, and North Cross Road, Gill. 

Sage Thrasher - Hinsdale Setbacks, Cheshire Co., NH. January 13th, 2021.

Seemingly getting bolder by the day. First found by Cory Ross on Dec 19th, 2020.

Black Vultures - three of the four in flight over Montague Sandplains, Franklin Co., MA. January 9th, 2021.

Actually my first January record of the species in Franklin County.

Red Crossbills - Montague Sandplains, Franklin Co., MA. January 9th, 2021.

Still very much in evidence in northern Franklin County with singles and small numbers in Gill,

and up to 25 together in the Montague Sandplains. 

Barrow's Goldeneye (center) - first-winter male, Turner's Falls power canal, Franklin Co., MA. January 13th, 2021.

A regular late evening visitor to the power canal and present in the area since Christmas Day 2020. 

Harlequin Duck (first-winter male) - Millers River, Erving, Franklin Co., MA. January 12th, 2021.

On the Millers River, first found by Anne Jemas on January 1st, 2021.

Barred Owl - Gill, Franklin Co., MA. January 13th, 2021.

This species has been a little more visible of late. 

I took this shot directly through the car windscreen as it perched right above North Cross Road, in Gill. 

Boreal Chickadee - North Hoosac Road, Wlliamstown, Berkshire Co., MA. January 14th, 2020.

Working the spruces in a residential neighborhood. Found and first reported by Lori Van Handel on Jan 11th, 2020.

(Kumlien's) Iceland Gull (center) - Barton Cove, Gill, Franklin Co., MA. January 14th, 2021.

Nice dark winged bird, and the first adult of the winter season.