Another morning at Quabbin Park

Bald Eagle, Gate 52 at Quabbin Park, Nov 12, 2012

Horned Grebe, Hank's Meadow at Quabbin Park, Nov 12, 2012

Horned Grebe, Hank's Meadow at Quabbin Park, Nov 12, 2012

Horned Grebe, Hank's Meadow at Quabbin Park, Nov 12, 2012

Bufflehead, Hank's Meadow at Quabbin Park, Nov 12, 2012

I spent the early morning at Quabbin Park with a return trip there later in the morning to see if anything new had shown up. It was a great day to be outside in November with the morning temperature starting off near 50 and the high getting well into the 60's. The day started off a little foggy but the waters of the reservoir were relatively clear and could be viewed fairly well. My early morning trip through the park turned up a total of nine flyover White winged Crossbills as well as Fox Sparrows, a flyby Yellow rumped Warbler, a Greater Yellowlegs at Hanks Meadow and a couple Hermit Thrushes.  I added a very active Winter Wren on my later morning trip.  Waterfowl from both trips included a male Gadwall, a female Black Scoter, 10 Bufflehead, 14 Horned Grebe, 7 Common Loons, two Long tailed Ducks, 7 Hooded Mergansers, 21 Mallard and 23 Canada Geese.  The sun finally came out around midday and the winds picked up a bit more from the south.  Although I had hoped the southerly winds of the last few days would bring some unusual birds up our way I didn't find any today.  The conditions were certainly prime for Cave Swallows as well as other species from the south.  A cold front will come through tonight turning our winds back north and cooling high temperatures back into the 40's again.

In addition to my trip to Quabbin I also took Wilson for a walk along the Belchertown Land Trust trail which had a few highlights including a somewhat late Ruby crowned Kinglet and a flyover Red Crossbill.