Black-crowned Night Herons in Deerfield

Black-crowned Night Herons, Old Deerfield, MA, July 26, 2012

Black-crowned Night Herons, Old Deerfield, MA, July 26, 2012

Black-crowned Night Herons, Old Deerfield, MA, July 26, 2012

Black-crowned Night Heron (3rd bird), Old Deerfield, MA, July 26, 2012

Great Egret, Old Deerfield, MA, July 26, 2012

I had an appointment in Deerfield today so I decided to make a brief swing by the small ponds near Old Deerfield where Black-crowned Night Herons have been reported.  This is the most reliable spot for this species, in season, in western Massachusetts that I’m aware of.  There is usually at least one found here every season going back several years.  The question becomes: are these local breeders or dispersals from the coast?  The answer to that question is unknown at this point.  When I did stop by there this morning I immediately saw two individuals in the south pond right next to the road.  On the north side pond there was another individual on the far end of the pond near a Great Egret.  There have been up to four seen at this location over the last couple weeks.  The total of three I had this morning was the most I have ever had in one group in western Mass. 

Wood Duck eating berries (Gray Catbird in background), Old Deerfield, MA, July 26, 2012

Wood Duck eating berries, Old Deerfield, MA, July 26, 2012

Other birds of note included a Northern Waterthrush working the shoreline and a Wood Duck that would come out of the water and pluck berries from scrubs along the shore.  All photos taken with my iPhone through my scope.  Not the best quality but better than nothing.