Prescott field surveys

Moose, Prescott Peninsula, New Salem, MA, June 11, 2016

Moose, Prescott Peninsula, New Salem, MA, June 11, 2016

Moose, Prescott Peninsula, New Salem, MA, June 11, 2016

Purple Finch, Prescott Peninsula, New Salem, MA, June 11, 2016

Baltimore Oriole, Prescott Peninsula, New Salem, MA, June 11, 2016

Yellow rumped Warbler, Prescott Peninsula, New Salem, MA, June 11, 2016

Red breasted Nuthatch, Prescott Peninsula, New Salem, MA, June 11, 2016

Common Merganser, Prescott Peninsula, New Salem, MA, June 11, 2016

Ruby throated Hummingbird, Prescott Peninsula, New Salem, MA, June 11, 2016

Yesterday I conducted my first bird survey of fields on the Prescott Peninsula. The surveys are part of an ongoing look at what species use the several small field areas on the otherwise forested peninsula and what cutting schedules work best for the birds to maintain diversity. The largest field complex once again contained Prairie Warbler and Field Sparrow as well as the only Alder Flycatchers on the peninsula plus it featured a very close look at a bull Moose that seemed content to eat grass as I watched it from less than fifty feet away. I also looked for other unusual breeders I have found here in the past (Cerulean Warbler, Red Crossbill and/or Evening Grosbeak) between field stops but didn't turn up any of them this time.

Great Blue Heron at nest with young, Lake Wallace, Belchertown, MA, June 12, 2016

Raccoon's in a tree, Lake Wallace, Belchertown, MA, June 12, 2016

Lesser Scaup, Winsor Dam, Quabbin Park, MA, June 12, 2016

Winsor Dam, Quabbin Park, MA, June 12, 2016

With the forecast of strong winds today I decided to not conduct my breeding bird survey route but it turned out to be relatively calm until mid morning so the route could have been run...oh well. Instead I stayed close to home with stops at Winsor Dam and Lake Wallace. The dam produced the continuing Lesser Scaup as well as a half dozen cormorants flying northeast. Lake Wallace had several Great Blue Herons including at least two nests with young being actively fed plus a couple Virginia Rails.