MA - a little more HARLEQUIN!!

 

Harlequin Duck (first-winter male) - Millers River, near Millers Falls, Franklin Co., MA. January 5th, 2021.

A stunning find for Anne Jemas on Jan 1st and still present through to Jan 6th. 

Okay. I can admit it. I'm completely smitten with this little Harlequin. I was more than delighted to see this denizen of the rapids return to the fast flowing, white waters of the Millers River after spending January 4th downriver at Barton Cove. We've had our fair share of rarities along the valley this fall and winter but I think, for pure aesthetics, watching this bird charge and dive through the swift currents, eddies and white water of the Millers River has been the most gratifying. It's exactly the sort of birding I like. A truly rare bird discovered in an extremely local, yet unexpectedly beautiful spot. Of course, only time will tell how long the Harlequin will stick around but for now at least, it appears to be pretty content. Other nice birds along the Millers River this morning included the continued wintering Eastern Phoebe, 6 Red Crossbills and a Pine Grosbeak. Numbers of Pine Grosbeaks do seem to have dwindled somewhat from the large flocks than we saw around Christmas and New year with just single birds showing up in Gill, Turner's Falls and Montague over the last few days.  

Millers River (with Harlequin Duck) looking towards the Montague side of the river. January 5th, 2021. 

MA - closing out 2020

 

Black Vulture - one of two over Greenfield Community College, Franklin Co., MA. December 31st, 2020. 

The final days of the year closed out seasonably mild and relatively quiet. I say "relatively quiet" because the last day saw continued Red Crossbills and Common Redpolls in Gill, and a Pine Grosbeak at Barton Cove boat ramp, all reminders that the last two months of 2020 have been pretty exceptional! Single Golden-crowned Kinglet and Winter Wren were both on North Cross Road, Gill, on December 31st as well. 

The final surprise of the year came in the form of two Black Vultures soaring over Greenfield Community College furnishing my first December record of a species that's became somewhat regular in Franklin County over the last five years but proved to be exceptionally rare before that. January now becomes the only month of the year in which I haven't seen a Black Vulture locally. 

Ring-necked Duck (center) - with Common Goldeneyes, Barton Cove, Gill, Franklin Co., MA. December 28th, 2020. 

Lingering female present through to Dec 31st. 

Bufflehead (female) -  Turner's Falls power canal, Franklin Co., MA. December 28th, 2020. 

Lingering female present for some weeks at the power canal and occasionally joined by a second bird that often joins the goldeneye roost.

A female Ring-necked Duck at Barton Cove proved to be the only slightly unusual duck in the Turner's Falls area despite repeated efforts to relocate the Christmas Day Barrow's Goldeneye. 

MA - Boxing Day Grosbeaks

 

Pine Grosbeak - Federal Street, Greenfield, Franklin Co., MA. December 26th, 2020. 

After a balmy wet Christmas Day, the next day was pretty much business as usual with temperatures barely above freezing all day in combination with a raw North-westerly wind. But driving the streets of Greenfield and Turner's Falls did produce Pine Grosbeaks, lots of them! Sixteen were still present at a well reported site on Federal Street in Greenfield, actually right outside the local MacDonald's. Turner's Falls had three on L Street and a further nine on 3rd street, just west of the Avenue A intersection. And today (Dec 27th), a further five Pine Grosbeaks flew along the powerline cut through Highland Park in Greenfield. I must say it's an absolute treat to have these birds around, and even better to be able to find them so easily. We haven't seen numbers like this since the winter of 2007/08 and the consensus appears to be that the current influx is bigger and more widespread than the event of 12 years prior. One big difference between the two incursions seems to be adult males or rather the lack of them in the current incursion, and I still await my first!

Pine Grosbeak - Federal Street, Greenfield, Franklin Co., MA. December 26th, 2020. 

Water levels on the Connecticut River have remained extremely high since the Christmas Day thaw but the Barrow's Goldeneye seen in Turner's Falls that day appears to have moved on. Several checks of the power canal roost have not produced the goldeneye numbers seen that morning, especially the seemingly high numbers of first-winters males. Having been optimistic that the Barrow's might show up again, I'm now getting the distinct impression that it was perhaps just a one day wonder. On the other hand, checking for the Barrow's did produce an unseasonable Green-winged Teal at the power canal on the 27th and a female American Wigeon at Barton Cove, Gill the previous day.

Green-winged Teal (right) - first-winter male, Turner's Falls power canal, Franklin Co., MA. December 27th, 2020. 

MA - Christmas Day Barrow's Goldeneye and other goodies during Christmas week

 

Barrow's Goldeneye ( first-winter male) - extreme right with Common Goldeneyes, Turner's Falls power canal, Franklin Co., MA. December 25th, 2020.

Christmas Day brought freakish weather conditions to much of Western Massachusetts with balmy sixty degree temperatures at dawn combined with squally, heavy rain showers that persisted throughout the day. The packed snow that had looked so permanent on Christmas Eve disappeared overnight and, combined with the heavy rainfall, resulted in very high water levels on the Connecticut River. 

Barrow's Goldeneye ( first-winter male) -  with male Common Goldeneyes, Turner's Falls power canal, Franklin Co., MA. December 25th, 2020.

Barrow's Goldeneye ( first-winter male) - Turner's Falls power canal, Franklin Co., MA. December 25th, 2020.

Barrow's Goldeneye ( first-winter male) - extreme right with female Common Goldeneye, Turner's Falls power canal, Franklin Co., MA. December 25th, 2020.

Greater Scaup  (female) upper left with female Common Goldeneye. 

Greater Scaup ( female) -  at left with Common Goldeneyes, Turner's Falls power canal, Franklin Co., MA. December 25th, 2020.

As I approached the Turner's Falls power canal I noticed a flock of foraging Common Goldeneyes with another flock flying in just as I parked up. Things looked promising and it wasn't too long before I focused on the small bill, steep forehead and bulky 'mane' of a Barrow's Goldeneye. It was stunning first-winter male and my first of that particular age-class after many winters of seeing only females and a handful of adult males in the greater area of Turner's Falls. The whole flock put on a fine show close to the guard rail, much appreciated as the heavy rain would have made it difficult to bird away from the vehicle. The Barrow's Goldeneye was certainly a new arrival and a species that I've been watching for since late fall. Additionally, another new arrival was a female Greater Scaup neatly mixed in with the 55 or so Common Goldeneyes present, plus a couple of continuing female Buffleheads. 

Sage Thrasher - Hinsdale Setbacks, Cheshire Co., NH. December 24th, 2020.

Continuing from Dec 19th when it was first found by Cory Ross. 

Around noon, we had a family Christmas Day walk in the rain along the snowmobile trail at the Hinsdale Setbacks and found the continuing Sage Thrasher hopping across the trail in front of us. I'm still having trouble wrapping my head around the fact that a Sage Thrasher is attempting to spend the winter just 15 minutes up the road from our home in Northfield!

Pine Grosbeaks - Unity Park, Turner's Falls, Franklin Co., MA. December 18th, 2020. 

Up to three continuing in the park from Dec 15th. 

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker - Montague Plains, Franklin Co., MA. December 18th, 2020. 

Aside from the Barrow's Goldeneye and Sage Thrashers (another continues in Hatfield, MA) the general excellence of local birding continues seemingly unabated. Pine Grosbeaks have been moving into urban and suburban areas and almost any fruiting tree seems to be fair game for them with sizeable flocks showing up in Greenfield, Turner's Falls and Montague and smaller numbers in Gill. Common Redpolls have been widespread with the biggest flocks (close to 100 birds) at the Turner's Falls power canal and the Hinsdale Setbacks. Red Crossbills continue to feature at the Montague Sand Plains with 1 - 35 birds on all of my recent visits and smaller flocks in Gill and Huckle Hill in Bernardston. Evening Grosbeaks (1) and White-winged Crossbills (2) were last seen over Gill Elementary School on Dec 19th and unfortunately I still haven't managed to connect with either species for photos!

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 - 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.