Quabbin Park again

Wood Ducks, Quabbin Park, Oct 7, 2013

 

Mallards, Quabbin Park, Oct 7, 2013

Common Loons, Quabbin Park, Oct 7, 2013

White winged Scoters, Quabbin Park, Oct 7, 2013

Ring billed Gull, Quabbin Park, Oct 7, 2013

Horned Grebe, Quabbin Park, Oct 7, 2013

Gate 52, Quabbin Park, Oct 7, 2013

White tailed Deer, Quabbin Park, Oct 7, 2013

Peregrine Falcon, Quabbin Park, Oct 7, 2013

Peregrine Falcon, Quabbin Park, Oct 7, 2013

Spent another morning at Quabbin Park trying to catch up with some early waterfowl. Luckily the predicted thick fog didn't materialize so viewing was decent but not great. The day eventually became windy with a southerly wind in front of a cold front and the temperatures responded nicely topping off in the mid 70's. I covered the same general areas as yesterday morning but today was a little more active. I found the following waterfowl: 33 Canada Geese, 26 Wood Ducks (rt 9 marsh), 31 Black Ducks (Hanks Meadow, goodnough dike and rt 9 marsh), 51 Mallards (Hanks Meadow and rt 9 marsh), 10 White winged Scoters (Hanks Meadow), six Common Mergansers (Winsor Dam), 9 Common Loons (mainly Hanks Meadow but also Goodnough Dike and Winsor Dam) and a Horned Grebe (Gate 52). Other notable birds included a Peregrine Falcon I watched cruise in from the north just off the surface of the water and disappeared into a hidden cove at Winsor Dam and scared up a previously unseen Greater Yellowlegs...always impressive to see a peregrine on the hunt. A Spotted Sandpiper continued at Gate 52. Lots of Ruby crowned and Golden crowned Kinglets as well as a few thrushes including Swainson's and Hermit. Managed a total of five species of warbler including a Magnolia Warbler and also found a singing Blue Headed Vireo.

Took Wilson for a walk a bit later in the morning along the land trust trail and although I was unable to find the Green Heron that has been hanging around I did find at least two Winter Wrens as well as a group of three Hermit Thrush together.

White winged Scoters (plus a Black Scoter and Mallard), Winsor Dam, Oct 7, 2013

White winged Scoters (plus a Black Scoter and Mallard), Winsor Dam, Oct 7, 2013

Just as the heavy storms with wind and heavy rain moved through just after 6pm I headed over to Winsor Dam again to see if anything unusual got forced down.  Despite the continued rain, wind and fading light I found a group of 14 White winged Scoters plus a Black Scoter and a Mallard.  Now I just need to find a Surf Scoter.