MA - leucistic Canada Goose, Snow Goose and more at Turner's Falls

leucistic Canada Goose - Turner's Falls power canal, Franklin Co., MA. December 16th, 2020.

Yesterday evening (Dec 15th) saw a leucistic Canada Goose at the Turner's Falls power canal. It looked and behaved like a new arrival and an indication that at least a few new parties of Canada Geese are still passing through. It was still present today and especially distinctive, looking creamy white and light brown overall with a reddish-pink bill. I checked carefully for signs of hybridization (with Graylag or Greater White-fronted Goose for example) but came away feeling pretty confident that the bird was a pure Canada Goose but with aberrant pigmentation. In fact, most of the features appeared to simply 'ghost' the natural plumage features of a typical Canada Goose. A nice looking bird for sure and one that I enjoyed watching. On the last two evenings it's departed NE with the first groups of Canada Geese to leave the canal for evening feeding. 

leucistic Canada Goose - Turner's Falls power canal, Franklin Co., MA. December 15th, 2020.

Snow Goose - Turner's Falls power canal, Franklin Co., MA. December 16th, 2020.

The long staying Barnacle Goose and Cackling Goose continue to show incredibly consistently, but this evening the brief appearance of Snow Goose was more of a surprise. It didn't appear to like the look of the power canal and, unusually for any scarce goose at Turner's Falls, departed SE entirely alone. The 60 or so gulls present included a single (first-winter) Iceland Gull. 

Barnacle Goose - Turner's Falls power canal, Franklin Co., MA. December 15th, 2020.

Cackling Goose (center) - Turner's Falls power canal, Franklin Co., MA. December 15th, 2020.

Earlier in the day, I spent some time searching for the reported Sage Thrasher in Hatfield, Hampshire County and came up empty though did enjoy some close Common Redpolls and three flyover Red Crossbills. The previous day also saw Red Crossbills at the traditional spot in the Montague Plains where I recorded 25 (Type 10) and a single Type 2 or Ponderosa Pine Red Crossbill. 

Common Redpolls - Hatfield, Hampshire Co., MA. December 16th, 2020.

Red Crossbills - Montague Sand Plains, Franklin Co., MA. December 15th, 2020.

MA - Sage Thrasher in Hampshire County!

 

Sage Thrasher -  Hatfield, Hampshire Co., MA. December 14th, 2020. Something of a 'mega' for interior Massachusetts, about the 5th state record. 

Originally found on December 13th. 

Yesterday as I walked the alder/birch scrub patches by the Turner's Falls power canal I couldn't help but think about lingering rarities. Considering the time of year, it was a remarkably balmy afternoon fueling random thoughts of finding a MacGillivray's Warbler or something similar from the west. Naturally, such fantasies only rarely become real but I was more than happy to find a late Common Yellowthroat, a record that compared favorably with a steady series of Common Yellowthroat reports from Northfield Meadows in Dec/Jan 2018/19. Moreover, this yellowthroat was a sharp male and watching it was a staunch reminder that fall migration '2020' wasn't quite over. 

Common Yellowthroat - Turner's Falls, Franklin Co., MA. December 13th, 2020.

Late on Sunday evening, a good birding friend sent me a couple of really nice images of an obvious Sage Thrasher, a species I know well from many trips to the Western US but I nearly fell off my chair when I read and processed the content of her message. The thrasher had been photographed by her friend that afternoon (Dec 13th) no more than 30 minutes down the road in Hampshire County! Not only an exceptionally rare bird in Massachusetts, but also the first ever to be found deep in the interior - all four other records had been coastal. 

Sage Thrasher - Hampshire Co., MA. December 14th, 2020. About the 5th state record. 

Though narrowly outside Franklin County, the site was still well within my 'self-imposed' drive time limit and I made a plan to arrive at the site just after first light. The morning was not the best. It was dull and gloomy with periodic bouts of heavy snow. The half-a-dozen or so birders present had to work very, very hard to eek out just a few glimpses but after three hours of effort I left the site feeling satisfied with the views that I'd had. On the other hand, I couldn't help feeling a few twinges of angst since I felt sure that simple birder presence was enough to interfere with the bird's ability to feed undisturbed. Apparently I wasn't alone in these thoughts and I believe, at least for the time being, a decision has been made not to release the exact location in the best interests of the bird. 

In recent years late autumn/early winter has proven to be an exceptionally productive time for Western vagrants in the Connecticut River Valley . The Sage Thrasher falls neatly within a pattern that has so far produced Mountain Bluebird in Turner's Falls, MacGillivray's Warbler and Pacific-slope Flycatcher in Hadley, Say's Phoebe in Westminster, VT, and Varied Thrush in Westport Village, NH to mention just a few, and all of them since fall 2016.  

As always, the final word and gracious thanks go to the finders and friends who passed on the information, and to the birders at the scene who worked together to relocate the bird on the morning that I visited  - thank you all!

NB. As if that wasn't enough for one day, the Barnacle Goose and the Cackling Goose once again graced the Turner's Falls power canal in the evening!

Barnacle Goose (adult) - Turner's Falls power canal, Franklin Co., MA. December 14th, 2020.

Long staying individual present in the Greenfield/Turner's Falls area since November 23rd. 

MA - Bobcat, and more winter finches and geese

Bobcat - Montague, Franklin Co., MA. December 9th, 2020.

A Bobcat hunting voles in rough pasture would have to be the highlight of the latter part of this week. Generally, I have about 15 - 20 encounters with Bobcats each year in Franklin County, most of them too brief for photos so to have prolonged views of a big male actively foraging in the middle of the day was a real treat. He looked over in my direction a couple of times but seemed quite unconcerned by my presence and nonchalantly caught three voles as I watched, swallowing them whole and licking his lips afterwards.

Bobcat - Montague, Franklin Co., MA. December 9th, 2020.

Bird-wise, irruptive finches continued to attract attention and just when I thought Evening Grosbeaks were starting to taper there seems to be more than a hint of an ongoing second 'wave' with five in Gill and four over Turner's Falls Dec 11th, another 10 over Main Road, Gill on the 12th and 29 at East Hill Road in Bernardston on the 10th. The latter was the largest single flock that I've seen in Franklin County. 

Five Red Crossbills were at the same location in Bernardston on Dec 10th, with a further five over Barton Cove boat ramp on the 9th. Impressive though these were, the boreal finch that really caught my imagination this week was the Pine Grosbeak. Six birds continued at Meadow Road, Montague on the 9th and on the 10th I stumbled across a flock of 14 near Upinngil Farm, Gill that continued through to the 12th at least. The well watched flock at Wendell State Forest also continued where Scott Surner recorded an impressive18 on the 10th, and Susannah and I tallied a 'whopping' 22 on Dec 12th. All the flocks appeared to be composed of females and russet female/imm males thus far. 

Pine Grosbeaks - Gill, Franklin Co., MA. December 10th, 2020.

Pine Grosbeak - Wendell State Forest, Franklin Co., MA. December 12th, 2020. One of a flock of 22.

Common Redpolls, while certainly present in numbers, remained quite difficult to observe at close range though I did have a little more success of late with 20 on North Cross Road, Gill on the 10th and 65 at the Turner's Falls power canal on Dec 11th. 

Common Redpoll - Turner's Falls power canal, Franklin Co., MA. December 11th, 2020. 

Barnacle Goose (center) - Greenfield, Franklin Co., MA. December 12th, 2020. 

The long staying Barnacle Goose and at least one Cackling Goose continued within the greater Canada Goose 'spectacle' at the Turner's Falls power canal with both birds present through to Dec 12th allowing many birders and photographers to catch up with both species at leisure. 

Barnacle Goose - Turner's Falls power canal, Franklin Co., MA. December 11th, 2020. 

Dropping into the power canal after spending the morning feeding in Greenfield. 

Barnacle Goose - Turner's Falls power canal, Franklin Co., MA. December 10th, 2020. 

Cackling Goose - Turner's Falls power canal, Franklin Co., MA. December 10th, 2020. 

MA - new flocks of Pine Grosbeaks plus Barnacle and Cackling Geese in Gill

Pine Grosbeak (possible first-winter male) - Montague, Franklin Co., MA. December 8th, 2020.

Another raw day with temperatures below freezing for most of it coupled by bitingly cold winds from the northern quarter. Despite the fairly tough conditions it felt totally appropriate to find yet more northern finches in Franklin County with new flocks of Pine Grosbeaks on North Cross Road, Gill (4 birds) and Meadow Road in Montague (6 birds) . Both locations also held flocks of Common Redpolls with 18 - 20 birds at each site but they were skittish and wouldn't allow a close approach to check for Hoary Redpolls, especially frustrating because the Gill flock looked to have several very pale individuals among their number. Red Crossbills, while dwindling in number, remain at North Cross Road (5) and Montague Sand Plains (2). 

Pine Grosbeak (possible first-winter male) - Montague, Franklin Co., MA. December 8th, 2020.

Pine Grosbeak (female type) - Montague, Franklin Co., MA. December 8th, 2020.

In late afternoon, Barton Cove was especially productive with a/the Barnacle Goose hanging out with just six Canada Geese. They departed SW together at 16:05 hours which would have taken them towards Deerfield versus the usual NW departure that typically takes them towards feeding spots in Greenfield. I'm assuming it has to be the same Barnacle Goose first detected by Sue and Edward Lewis on Nov 23rd at the Tuner's Falls power canal and where it's been routinely reported ever since. This evening was certainly the first time that I've seen it at Barton Cove. As if that wasn't enough, there was also a Cackling Goose with a smallish flock of 85 Canada Geese followed by a totally different, high flying Cackling Goose coming in from the NE with Canada Geese that headed towards the power canal at dusk. 

Barnacle Goose (adult) - second from right, Barton Cove, Gill, Franklin Co., MA. December 8th, 2020.

Cackling Goose - third from upper right, Barton Cove, Gill, Franklin Co., MA. December 8th, 2020.

There was also a nice gull roost at Barton Cove with at least two Iceland Gulls (first-winters) and about 16 Great Black-backed Gulls among the 60 or so Herring Gulls. Also of interest, what may have been a northern-type Herring Gull (first-winter), a very crisp, fresh looking individual with slight Glaucous-like feel about it. 

MA - Barred Owl and continuing Barnacle Goose

 

Barred Owl - Montague, Franklin Co., MA. December 7th, 2020. 

Cold, clear and sunny all day. Pleasant enough conditions but with temperatures barely reaching above freezing there was more than a hint that autumn was essentially over and winter had properly arrived. Finches were few this morning with just a single Pine Siskin over North Cross Road, Gill and a single Red Crossbill over the Montague Sandplains though later I was encouraged to find 35 Common Redpolls at the Turner's Falls power canal.  

Conditions were so cold in the morning that I thought I'd take my chances and look for roosting owls soaking up the winter sun and actually found one! Not quite the species that I had in mind, but I'll take it, quite happily in fact. I see and hear Barred Owl more frequently in Franklin County than any other owls species but to see one roosting openly in sunlight was a real treat and I watched it at a respectful distance through the scope without disturbing it. 

Barnacle Goose (adult) - Turner's Falls power canal at dusk, Franklin Co., MA. December 7th, 2020.

Barnacle Goose (right) - Turner's Falls power canal at dusk, Franklin Co., MA. December 7th, 2020.

Leading out the Canada Geese at dusk for evening feeding. This flock headed out towards Greenfield. 

In the evening the Turner's Falls power canal was again graced by the Barnacle Goose now entering its third consecutive week in the area and looking comfortable amid c. 1500 Canada Geese, two lingering Iceland Gulls (first-winters) continued with the Herring and Ring-billed Gulls.  

Bald Eagle (adult) - Montague, Franklin Co., MA. December 7th, 2020. 

MA - Barnacle Goose continues and more winter finches

 

Barnacle Goose (adult) - Turner's Falls power canal, Franklin Co., MA. December 4th, 2020. 

Dec 6th; raw, cold and blustery with two to three inches of fresh snow deposited on the higher ground (Wendell for example) while the valley floor around the Connecticut River was thankfully spared. The day began well with several Red Crossbills moving around Gill including four together in roadside maples on North Cross Road, and single Pine Grosbeak and Common Redpoll at Gill Elementary School. A Cackling Goose roosted with fairly small numbers of Canada Geese at the Turner's Falls power canal but I had to wait until near darkness to see the Barnacle Goose which flew in with a mass arrival of geese at around 16:50 hours. Still, Barnacle Goose is a distinctive species and it wasn't too difficult to pick out from the Canadas even so late in the day. 

Barnacle Goose (adult) - Turner's Falls power canal, Franklin Co., MA. December 4th, 2020. 

Cackling Goose (left) - Turner's Falls power canal, Franklin Co., MA. December 6th, 2020. 

Dec 5th; heavy rain and wintery showers all day. It was quite tough birding under those conditions but the Turner's Falls power canal came into its own in the evening with the Barnacle Goose and Cackling Goose arriving together at about 16:00 hours along with about 2,000 Canada Geese dropping in en masse in spectacular style. Two first-winter (Kumlien's) Iceland Gulls continued with the ever-growing gull flock though Lesser Black-backed Gulls remain puzzlingly scarce/absent to date. Other notables included over 100 Common Mergansers and about 65 Common Goldeneyes. 

Barnacle Goose (adult) - Turner's Falls power canal, Franklin Co., MA. December 5th, 2020. 

After a mass arrival of Canada Geese at dusk.

(Kumlien's) Iceland Gulls  -  first-winters, Turner's Falls power canal, Franklin Co., MA. December 5th, 2020. 

MA - more fun with Pine Grosbeaks and rare geese

Pine Grosbeak (female/first-winter) -Wendell State Forest, Franklin Co., MA. December 3rd, 2020.

One of six birds present today. 

Today (Dec 3rd) got off to a great start with 9 Red Crossbills, 3 Evening Grosbeaks and several Common Redpolls all passing over North Cross Road, Gill, and all before 08:30 hours. Irruptive finches set the theme for the day (again) and were neatly enhanced by three Pine Grosbeaks feeding in Oriental Bittersweet by the Connecticut River at Bennet Meadow, Northfield. With active muck-spreading taking place in the meadows I elected not to 'get in the way' and didn't try for photos of that particular group in favor of spending more time with the Wendell flock later in the morning. That decision proved thoroughly worthwhile with close-up views of foraging Pine Grosbeaks in beautiful winter sunlight. 

Later in the day I carved out a narrow window of time to check the Turner's Falls power canal and arrived just in time to see the Barnacle Goose and Cackling Goose departing for evening feeding. Two first-winter Iceland Gulls were also present along with a possible Lesser Black-backed x Herring Gull hybrid. 

Barnacle Goose (2nd from left) and Cackling Goose (third from right) - Turner's Falls , Franklin Co., MA. December 3rd, 2020.

Departing for evening feeding from the power canal. 

The previous day I came across a Hermit Thrush on North Cross Road, Gill and at least 17 roaming Red Crossbills (Sitka Spruce/Type 10) in the Montague Plains. The real treat though, was watching Barnacle and Cackling Geese feeding, especially the Cackling Goose. Once out of the water, it's possible to get a genuine appreciation of just how small a Cackling Goose really is! 

While new arrivals have been few in Franklin County since the beginning of the month, I really don't mind repeatedly celebrating the quality birds that we have with us right now. After all, in a few weeks time they will have almost certainly moved on. 

Cackling Goose - Greenfield, Franklin Co., MA. December 2nd, 2020.

Barnacle Goose - Greenfield, Franklin Co., MA. December 2nd, 2020.