Morning in Hadley

Northern Pintail, Hadley Cove, Hadley, MA, Nov 17, 2013

Northern Pintail, Hadley Cove, Hadley, MA, Nov 17, 2013

Mallards and Black Ducks, Hadley Cove, Hadley, MA, Nov 17, 2013

I got together with Ian for what will likely be one of our last morning birding outings before he end his time at UMASS. We had hopes of finding something super unusual but it was not to be today! Luckily for our early morning plans the forecasted rains showed up several hours early...nothing like being outside on a cool, rainy day in November! We spent most of our time at the Honeypot and turned up some decent birds including at least three White crowned Sparrows (at least two singing), 11(!) Fox Sparrows (also singing), a couple Savannah Sparrows as well as numbers of American Tree, Song and White throated Sparrows plus juncos. We also had at least one Northern Harrier, a flock of 30 Horned Larks, flyover Snow Bunting(s), and 11 Green winged Teal floating down the middle of the Connecticut River. With the rain getting worse we headed out and made a brief stop at Hadley Cove which produced a Northern Pintail, 120 Mallards and 9 Black Ducks and a few Canada Geese. A final stop at the UMASS campus pond produced the usual Mallards and a few Black Ducks plus a couple Swamp Sparrows.

Wilson after his day at the hospital

Wilson after his day at the hospital

A little issue with Wilson curtailed any other birding activity today as we had to bring him to the emergency vet hospital after he vomited up blood and was a bit pale and not acting his normal self.  After several tests and a good portion of the day there he was doing well enough to come home.  We still don't know exactly what the issue is but several major issues have been ruled out and he are thinking it is some gastrointestinal issue or gallbladder problem.  Hopefully it all turns out well for my little buddy.