Sandhill Cranes and other stuff

Sandhill Crane, Worthington, MA, May 10, 2013

Sandhill Crane, Worthington, MA, May 10, 2013

Sandhill Crane, Worthington, MA, May 10, 2013

Following some rain last evening the morning started out foggy but somewhat warm. Today marked the annual bird tour of the local area with my mother as a mother day gift. We have had good luck in the past finding some unusual birds including Black Vulture one year, a Golden winged Warbler once and Red Phalarope another. We started out at Covey WMA where we a few calling Virginia Rails as well as an influx of migrants including lots of Baltimore Orioles (they seemed to be everywhere today) After about an hour there we headed over to Quabbin which was still fogged in. At this point I got a message that the Sandhill Cranes seen in Worthington the previous day were found yet again there. After a brief discussion we decided to take a chance and make the run up there for the morning. With no other chance to try for these birds until at least Sunday morning I didn't want to miss out on another potential new county bird this week. This would limit our birding time overall but potentially get us an unusual bird (or three). The fog didn't lift until we got into Williamsburg and once we got to the hill towns it was sunny with hardly a cloud in the sky. We quickly found the field where the three cranes were this morning but they were gone. Lots of other interesting birds around including Savannah and Vesper Sparrows, Bobolinks and others, but no cranes. After changing our location we ran into a few others birders including Steve and Tom. We spent a little more time here before splitting up to check other areas. Throughout the time looking around several locals stopped to talk about the comings and goings of the cranes. Once we got to a promising looking area we got a call from Tom that we thought he had a single crane in another field so we headed over but could not relocate it. After another fruitless search I decided to go back to check the promising looking field again and after scoping through the field I found two of them a fair distance away actively feeding. I managed a few shots through the scope before they moved away out of view. Everyone got a decent look at the birds before they disappeared out of sight. Lots of other good birds around but the highlight was certainly the cranes. The Sandhill Cranes became species #188 for Hampshire county this year and #275 in the county for me ever. Another successful morning out with mom for Mothers Day.

Prairie Warbler, Quabbin Gate 12, Pelham, MA, May 10, 2013

Prairie Warbler, Quabbin Gate 12, Pelham, MA, May 10, 2013

Prairie Warbler, Quabbin Gate 12, Pelham, MA, May 10, 2013

After lunch I took a few additional walks including along the land trust trail and Gate 12 at Quabbin. More and more species were in evidence but nothing too unusual.  Among the several species of warbler at Gate 12 was a very cooperative Prairie Warbler.

Ring necked Duck, Winsor Dam, May 10, 2013

Ring necked Duck, Winsor Dam, May 10, 2013

Just before dinner I headed over to Winsor Dam to see if I could find any Common Nighthawks migrating past but had no luck with them.  I did find a late female Ring necked Duck close into shore that allowed some photos. 

Tomorrow could be interesting depending on timing of the different elements of the weather.  Overnight the south winds should continue and rain is forecast to come in overnight and persist as showers throughout the day.  Could be a good day to find an odd gull or tern on Quabbin or who knows what else.  I will be there leading a trip with Tom for the Hampshire Bird Club.  Time will tell how productive the day ends up being.