Lots of good stuff today including Northern Shrike and 'Oregon' Junco



Northern Shrike, North Hadley, MA, Feb 16, 2013

Common Loon, Winsor Dam, Quabbin Park, Feb 16, 2013

Snow Buntings in flight, Winsor Dam, Quabbin Park, Feb 16, 2013

I spent a good portion of the day birding various areas starting out at Quabbin near dawn. We got a few inches of snow overnight and it continued to snow for the first few hours after dawn. The snow kept Quabbin Park closed initially but it opened up later in the morning once it was plowed. The Winsor Dam area was still accessible and a few different including a Common Loon, a Common Goldeneye, two Ring necked Ducks, several Common Mergansers and 27 Snow Buntings.

Swift River with Hooded Mergansers in distance, Covey WMA, Feb 16, 2013

I then headed for Covey WMA and walked through the freshly fallen snow.   Along the way I found a Winter Wren, a Common Redpoll, 21 Hooded Mergansers and a Barred Owl.  I then made another stop back at Winsor Dam and most of the same birds seen earlier were still present. After almost an hour at the dam I headed home to get Wilson to take for a walk and we returned to Covey WMA. No new birds here this time but a handful of waterfowl were still hanging out in the Swift River. Once I dropped off Wilson I returned back over to Quabbin and headed into the now open Quabbin Park. Although most of the Goodnough Dike area was frozen and about 50% of the water at Hanks Meadow was frozen too a few birds were still to be found including a half dozen Common Mergansers, a Black Duck, two juvenile Bald Eagles, a couple Common Redpolls.

 

'Oregon' Junco, North Hadley, MA, Feb 16, 2013

'Oregon' Junco, North Hadley, MA, Feb 16, 2013

House Finch killed by Northern Shrike, North Hadley, MA, Feb 16, 2013

 

Northern Shrike, North Hadley, MA, Feb 16, 2013

Just after midday I met up with Ian Davies and Keenan Yakola to head over to a private residence in Hadley to try to catch up with an 'Oregon' Junco (sub species of Dark eyed Junco normally found in the western US). The homeowner was gracious enough to allow us to attempt to view the bird but did not want the location made public. After almost an hour of waiting the male finally appeared and provided some great looks. This is the first 'Oregon' Junco I have ever seen on the east coast (seen many out west where they are common).  The homeowner had a great set up for feeding and was surprised the birds were so quiet and low in number compared to usual. Only after we were about to leave and were heading back to our cars did we figure out why the birds were skittish. A Northern Shrike was in the front yard and had recently killed a House Finch that was now stuck in a bush outside. The shrike flushed up to a tall tree and sat there allowing some fantastic looks.  The Northern Shrike made species #89 for Hampshire county so far this year.  A big 'thank you' to the homeowner for allowing us to check out the birds there.

I was very happy to take advantage of the nicer weather today as the next two days are forecast to be cold and windy with the chance of a little more snow.