MA - February notes on Redpolls 2 : the Whately flock

 

Common Redpolls - Whately, Franklin Co., MA. February 12th, 2021. Some of the 75 birds present.

Disconcerting numbers of pale/whitish rumped birds within the Whately flocks, most of them with variable amounts of streaking on the rump. 

The fallow fields of Whately became the favored feeding haunt for fluctuating numbers of redpolls this week. While I'd noted redpolls in these fields on previous during the winter, February 6th produced only nine pretty skittish Common Redpolls so to find numbers had suddenly increased to c.300 birds on February 8th came as a genuine surprise. At that point I decided to check the flock more thoroughly and regularly with a view to keeping an eye on numbers throughout the week. February 9th was the biggest day with a minimum of 475 redpolls swirling about the fields during a winter weather event that deposited 2 - 4 inches of drizzly, wet snow over Franklin County. While the 9th was a tough day for actual observations, the fields had clearly 'sucked' in numerous redpoll flocks from the surrounding countryside that converged to form one impressive heaving mass. Numbers then dropped steadily during the remainder of the week (250 on the 10th, 120 on the 11th and 75 on the 12th). My morning session  on the 12th ended abruptly at 10:45 am when a Merlin swept through the fields dispersing the entire remaining flock of 75 birds. They headed off SW without returning. 

Common Redpolls - Whately, Franklin Co., MA. February 11th, 2021. Some of the 120 birds present that day.

Common Redpolls and Snow Buntings - Whately, Franklin Co., MA. February 10th, 2021. Some of the 250 redpolls present on that specific day.

Out of focus but certainly worthy of a second glance, notice the huge, hulking dark brown redpoll to the right and rear of the middle Snow Bunting.

Surely a candidate for A.f. rostrata? 

Common Redpolls and Snow Buntings - Whately, Franklin Co., MA. February 9th, 2021.

The biggest day of the week for numbers with some 475 redpolls present during a winter storm. 

Snow Buntings - Whately, Franklin Co., MA. February 9th, 2021. Some 120 birds arrived during the winter weather event. 

Common Redpolls - Whately, Franklin Co., MA. February 8th, 2021. A tiny portion of the 300 or so birds present.

The large numbers of passerines within the Whately fields became a major draw for raptors too with the regular presence of 2 - 3 Northern Harriers, 2 - 3 Red-tailed Hawks and a Cooper's Hawk as well as the previously mentioned Merlin. Aside from the redpoll flock the fields were positively flush with other passerines and, while numbers varied from day to day, it was possible to see up to 120 Snow Buntings, 35 Horned Larks, 140 American Tree Sparrows, 65 Dark-eyed Juncos, 12 Savannah Sparrows, 12 Song Sparrows and about 9 White-throated Sparrows though the latter tended to stick close the surrounding hedgerows rather than the open fields. 

Northern Harrier (male) - Whately, Franklin Co., MA. February 9th, 2021. Hunting passerines during the winter storm. 

Merlin (female) - Whately, Franklin Co., MA. February 8th, 2021. 

One of several raptors with a keen interest in the large numbers of passerines foraging in the fields. 

Hoar-frosted morning - Whately, Franklin Co., MA. February 10th, 2021. 

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.

MA - more goodies as a brilliant October draws to a close.

Yellow-billed Cuckoo - Mill Village Road, Deerfield, Franklin Co., MA. October 26th, 2018. 
Found by Harvey Allen and Dawn Winkler. One of the latest documented records for Franklin County. 
Image appears courtesy of Dawn Winkler

The daily dose of birding excellence continued through to the month's end in Franklin County. Again, I tried to limit my drive time to within a 20 minute radius of our house in Northfield. Here's a summary of some of the latest highlights;


Bufflehead - small fall-out on October 30th with at least 31 from three sites in Turner's Falls and 8 on the Connecticut River at Montague.

Cackling Geese (2) just left of center - Upinngil Farm, Gill, October 29th, 2018. 

Cackling Goose - continued excellent showing through to the end of the month. For example, 3 at Turner's Falls on the 25th, 1 at Tri-town Beach from the 28th - 31st, and 2 at Upinngil Farm, Gill on the 29th.

 Northern Harrier - juvenile, Northfield Meadows, Franklin Co., MA. October 26th, 2018.

 Northern Harrier - adult male, Turner's Falls, Franklin Co., MA. October 30th, 2018.

Northern Harrier - singles at Northfield Meadows and Turner's Falls Airfield, the latter site included a male on the 30th.

American Coot - Tri-town Beach, Whately, Franklin Co., MA. October 30th, 2018. 

American Coot - one at Tri-town Beach, Whately through to the 31st.

Common Gallinule - first-winter at Tri-town Beach through to Oct 30th, continuing from the 19th when it was initially found by Josh Rose.

Pectoral Sandpipers - Hell's Kitchen, Northfield, Franklin Co., MA. October 28th, 2018.

Pectoral Sandpiper - 5 together at Hell's Kitchen on the 28th with 3 still present on the 29th.

Semi-palmated Plover - Hell's Kitchen, Northfield, Franklin Co., MA. October 28th, 2018.

Semi-palmated Plover - 1 at Hell's Kitchen on the 28th was still present on the 29th.

Yellow-billed Cuckoo - 1 on Mill Village Road, Deerfield, Franklin Co., October 26th, 2018. Seen by Harvey Allen and Dawn Winkler.

Eastern Screech-Owl - 1 (giving whinny calls) on North Cross Road, Gill at dawn on the 30th. Unusual here.

Horned Lark - 29 south over Northfield Meadows on the 28th. A poor autumn for this species so far.

Snow Bunting -  1 - 2 at Northfield Meadows and Turner's Falls Airfield from the 28th - 31st. 

Evening Grosbeak - male, Northfield Meadows, Franklin Co., MA. October 26th, 2018.

Evening Grosbeak -  a male in Northfield Meadows on Oct 26th, another westbound over North Cross Road, Gill on the 27th.

Pine Siskins - Northfield Meadows, Franklin Co., MA. October 31st, 2018.

Pine Siskin - daily flyovers, most birds heading west but 40 feeding along a field edge on Meadow Road, Montague on the 28th (Brian Kane), and 35 in similar habitat in Northfield Meadows on the 31st.

Black-throated Green Warbler - 1 on North Cross Road, Gill on the 28th.

Yellow-rumped Warbler - small numbers at multiple locations but an impressive 25 in Northfield Meadows on the 31st.

Palm Warbler - Northfield Meadows, Franklin Co., MA. October 31st, 2018.

Palm Warbler - 1- 5 in Northfield Meadows through to the 31st. All appeared to be of the 'yellow' eastern form.

Common Yellowthroat - 1 in Northfield Meadows on the 29th.

Ruby-crowned Kinglet - small numbers at multiple locations throughout but 14 at the Turner's Falls Rod and Gun club on the 29th was unusual and included one flock of 11.

Winter Wren - 1 on North Cross Road, Gill at dawn on the 30th.

White-throated Sparrow - up to 300 in Northfield Meadows through to the end of the month.

White-crowned Sparrow (adult) - Northfield Meadows, Franklin Co., MA. October 31st, 2018.

White-crowned Sparrow - continued incursion with relatively good numbers (up to 20) through to the end of the month in Northfield Meadows, and smaller numbers (2 - 6) on Pine Meadow Road, Northfield, Turner's Falls and Monatgue.

Fox Sparrow - Northfield Meadows, Franklin Co., MA. October 26th, 2018.

Fox Sparrow - continued presence at Northfield Meadows (up to 8) to the month's end plus 16 in Montague on the 28th (Brian Kane).

American Tree Sparrow - Northfield Meadows, Franklin Co., MA. October 29th, 2018.

American Tree Sparrow - 1 on Meadow Road, Montague on the 28th (Brian Kane) and 1 in Northfield Meadows on the 29th.

Swamp and Savannah Sparrows - about 25 + of each species in Northfield Meadows through to the end of the month.

MA - November third week

Lesser Black-backed Gull (juvenile, third from right) - Turner's Falls power canal, Franklin Co., MA. November 16th, 2017. 

The last week has seen a mixed bag of falling temperatures, light snowfalls and occasionally blustery conditions. The high turnover birds experienced through the greater Turner's Falls area seems to have slowed right down with relatively few new birds arriving this week. However, the numbers and presence of large gulls has improved with up 65 Herring, 25 Great Black-backed, 2 - 3 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and a single Iceland (adult) Gull showing up from the 15th, and up to 120 Ring-billed Gulls from the 19th.

Lesser Black-backed Gull (juvenile preening, third from right) - Turner's Falls power canal, Franklin Co., MA. November 16th, 2017. 

Ring-billed Gulls - Turner's Falls, Franklin Co., MA. November 19th, 2017. 

With the exception of Common Mergansers (up to 65 on the power canal) and Hooded Mergansers (up to 65 on Barton Cove) waterfowl numbers have remained consistently low with 14 Ring-necked Ducks on the 19th being the only stand-out moment. Otherwise a Common Loon, 3 Lesser Scaup, 2 Common Goldeneye remained at Barton Cove to the 21st, and a Pied-billed Grebe was present there on the 20th.

Ring-necked Ducks - over Barton Cove from Unity Park, Turner's Falls, Franklin Co., MA . November 19th, 2017.

Bald Eagles have been present throughout and relatively active with five seen together at the Turner's Falls Rod and Gun club on the 19th, and a pair actively chasing the large gulls at Barton Cove also on the 19th. Similarly, Peregrines have been present in Gill, Northfield and Turner's Falls with two together sparring over the power canal on the 21st, and a juvenile hunting Hooded Mergansers also on the 21st. Eastern Screech-Owls surprised me twice with a nice red phase appearing at dusk at Turner's Falls on the 19th, and another calling from a new site (for me) at dawn on North Cross Road, Gill on the 20th. Also on the 20th, whilst on the way to the airport, I made a slight detour to look for a Snowy Owl being reported in Hadley and met with success though the bird looked totally out of place sat atop a heavily manicured evergreen hedgerow.

Eastern Screech-Owl - Turner's Falls, Franklin Co., MA. November 19th, 2017. 

Snowy Owl - Hadley, Hampshire Co., MA. November 20th, 2017.

Bald Eagle - Unity Park, Turner's Falls, Franklin Co., MA . November 19th, 2017.

Merlin - Gill Riverside, Franklin Co., MA. November 17th, 2017.

The most interesting passerines of the week concern a smattering of flyover Snow Buntings and Purple Finches at several locations in Gill and Northfield, and gradually increasing numbers of American Tree Sparrows with eight on North Cross Road, Gill on the 21st, just by way of an example. We also had two Fox Sparrows in our yard in Northfield on the 18th and Winter Wrens have been frequent and easy to hear calling at dawn along North Cross Road, Gill with three or four individuals present.

Dark-eyed Junco - Turner's Falls, Franklin Co., MA. November 21st, 2017. 

American Tree Sparrow - Turner's Falls, Franklin Co., MA. November 21st, 2017. 

MA - first Tree Sparrow as well! - 10/30

As if the first Fox Sparrow of the fall wasn't enough for one day, this afternoon I was astonished to see our 'first-of-season' American Tree Sparrow at the feeders. I doubt if I missed this one during my frequent checks through the day, so it's late afternoon appearance was a genuine surprise. The Fox Sparrow re-appeared too, and with Dark-eyed Juncos, White-throated and Song Sparrows thrown into the mix it was pretty compelling viewing.

White-throated Sparrow and Dark-eyed Juncos - Gill yard, Franklin Co, MA.

October 30th, 2013. Canon Powershot G10.

 

 

American Tree Sparrow (front) - Gill yard, Franklin Co, MA.

October 30th, 2013. Canon Powershot G10.

American Tree Sparrow - from the living room window, Gill yard, Franklin Co, MA.

October 30th, 2013. Canon Powershot G10.

 

Song Sparrow (front) - Gill yard, Franklin Co, MA. We've had plenty

of these in the yard for most of October but only a few coming into the feeders.

October 30th, 2013. Canon Powershot G10.

 

House Finch (male) - Gill yard, Franklin Co, MA.

October 30th, 2013. Canon Powershot G10.

 

Fox Sparrow - Gill yard, Franklin Co, MA. Appeared again

in late afternoon. October 30th, 2013. Canon Powershot G10.

 

Eastern Chipmunk - Gill yard, Franklin Co, MA. Getting fat and happy

on recently purchased wild bird food. October 30th, 2013. Canon Powershot G10.



MA - two seasonal firsts - 11/01

American Tree Sparrow - Gill yard, Franklin Co., MA. November 1st, 2011.

A Rusty Blackbird calling in the yard at dawn provided a nice opener to the month. Unfortunately, it spent most of its time high in the maples and didn't come down to the feeders. However, the feeders did produce our first American Tree Sparrow of the fall/winter feeding with about 20 Dark-eyed Juncos and 15 White-throated Sparrows. Despite morning temperatures being around freezing, up to 5 Yellow-rumped Warblers and 2 Golden-crowned Kinglets remain in the yard and surroudings.

 The same American Tree Sparrow with a White-throated Sparrow (left). Gill yard, Franklin Co., MA. November 1st, 2011.

JPS.