Rail Trail and Quabbin Park

Got out a bit today and had some nice birds around. I spent over an hour on the rail trail in Amherst and had a few first of the season birds for me. I had a calling Field Sparrow and Eastern Phoebe as well as a couple Tree Swallows. Other birds of interest included a calling Great Horned Owl at dawn, a displaying American Woodcock and a nice flyby group of Green Winged Teal.

I then took an hour long trip through Quabbin Park. The big highlight here were the large number of Common Mergansers. I had at least 263 individuals and this is conservative. I can only imagine the total number on the whole reservoir this morning. Other waterfowl included Hooded Merganser, Ring Necked Duck, Wood Duck and a pair of Bufflehead.