Honeypot produces more birds including a couple Dickcissels

Dickcissel, Honeypot, Hadley, MA, Oct 9, 2013

Dickcissel, Honeypot, Hadley, MA, Oct 9, 2013

Dickcissel, Honeypot, Hadley, MA, Oct 9, 2013

Dickcissel, Honeypot, Hadley, MA, Oct 9, 2013

Dawn in the Honeypot, Hadley, MA, Oct 9, 2013

Savannah Sparrow, Honeypot, Hadley, MA, Oct 9, 2013

Despite the predictions for light winds this morning when I arrived at Winsor Dam before dawn the winds were strong out of the north with a sustained 15-20 MPH wind.  Needless to say my attempt to find any waterfowl out on the water was destined for failure given the conditions.  I scanned through a few times but the waves were just too much to see anything hiding out on the water. 

I then headed over to the Honeypot to meet Ian and Andrew for a little birding before work.  Although it started off quite cool and quiet the birds started to come alive once the sun came up.  Lots of sparrows around with a total of nine species including Lincoln’s, White crowned, Field and loads of Savannah Sparrows.  Highlights included two Dickcissels including one that stayed teed up in view for a few minutes before disappearing.  Still at least one Bobolink and one Indigo Bunting around too.  Lots of American Pipits working their way through the fields and flying over as well as a flyby group of three Rusty Blackbirds that called as they came by.  Raptors around included an accipter, Northern Harrier and a high flying Osprey.  Still some warblers to be seen with Yellow rumped and Palm Warblers (with a least one western type) the most common by far.

An evening stop at Winsor Dam produced a couple White winged Scoters, a couple Mallards, a half dozen flyby geese and three small ducks that defied identification.