Spring starts to arrive on a rainy morning

American Wigeons, Connecticut River, Hadley, MA, Mar 27, 2015

Northern Pintails, Connecticut River, Hadley, MA, Mar 27, 2015

Wood Ducks, Connecticut River, Hadley, MA, Mar 27, 2015

I went out in search of waterfowl (and anything else that migh be around) this morning in a steady rain with temperatures around 40.  I had some good stuff as the rain and warmer temperatures continue to open up more and more formerly iced in areas.  The ice in the Connecticut River is finally starting to break up and the waterfowl have certainly responded.  I found a total of 13 species of waterfowl with one (American Wigeon) being new for the year.  I actually found four new species for the year today which is a sure sign spring migration is getting underway.  I started the morning along the Connecticut River in Hadley and had 425 Canada Geese (heading off to the southeast), 29 Wood Ducks, a pair of American Wigeon, 23 Black Ducks, 470 Mallards, two pairs of Northern Pintails, a Green winged Teal and 8 Hooded Mergansers.

Great Blue Herons, Honey Pot, Hadley, MA, Mar 27, 2015

I then headed north along the river and had four Wood Ducks off North Lane in Hadley and 170 Canada Geese along Mill Valley Road but I was never able to find the field where all the geese heading out from the river set down.  I then made a swing through the Honey Pot (staying on the paved portion as the dirt roads are a muddy mess).  Highlights there included two Great Blue Herons flying east, half a dozen Killdeer, a Wilson's Snipe and a Fish Crow.

Ring necked Ducks, Holyoke Dam, South Hadley, MA, Mar 27, 2015

Ring necked Ducks, Holyoke Dam, South Hadley, MA, Mar 27, 2015

Common Goldeneyes, Holyoke Dam, South Hadley, MA, Mar 27, 2015

Bufflehead, Holyoke Dam, South Hadley, MA, Mar 27, 2015

I then headed south checking various locations on my way to the Holyoke Dam area.  The river is starting to open up north of the dam but still largely frozen.  The area of the dam (both above and below) were quite active with the following seen:  Half a dozen Canada Geese, 3 Mute Swans, four Wood Ducks, four Black Ducks, half a dozen Ring necked Ducks, a Bufflehead, 41 Common Goldeneyes, 13 Hooded Mergansers, 5 Common Mergansers and a dozen Tree Swallows.  Overall a wet but very productive morning along the river.

Tree Swallows, Winsor Dam, Quabbin Park, MA, Mar 27, 2015

Tree Swallows, Winsor Dam, Quabbin Park, MA, Mar 27, 2015

Winsor Dam, Quabbin Park, MA, Mar 27, 2015

I also hit a few spots closer to home including the Swift River, the state fish hatchery and Winsor Dam.  The Swift River area held 10 Hooded Mergansers, four Common Mergansers, four Bald Eagles and a single Tree Swallow.  The fish hatchery featured a single Great Blue Heron and four Killdeer.  Although the reservoir is still frozen solid it still produced some good birds including a single Killdeer and 18 Tree Swallows.

At home I also had some notable birds including my second yard record of Black Vulture plus half a dozen Pine Siskins.

More and more birds have started to sing (including Brown Creepers, Song Sparrow and White throated Sparrows) so it is starting to sound like spring....also more and more blackbirds, grackles and cowbirds continue to arrive.