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| Brant, Winsor Dam, Quabbin Park, MA, Oct 26, 2016 |
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| Brant, Winsor Dam, Quabbin Park, MA, Oct 26, 2016 |
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| Brant, Winsor Dam, Quabbin Park, MA, Oct 26, 2016 |
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| Black Scoters, Winsor Dam, Quabbin Park, MA, Oct 26, 2016 |
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| Horned Grebe, Quabbin Park, MA, Oct 26, 2016 |
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| Winsor Dam, Quabbin Park, MA, Oct 26, 2016 |
Another day of northwest winds and cooler than normal temperatures brought in
some more good stuff including more Brant. I once again had limited time to
get out during the day and made a brief run through Quabbin Park at first light
and then made a couple quick stops at Winsor Dam later in the day. My early
visit to Quabbin Park produced nine species of waterfowl but overall numbers
were lower than yesterday but I didn't make it there until a little later than
yesterday. I had a brief look at a small grebe that may have been something
unusual but it disappeared around a corner near Gate 52 before I could get a
good look....wish I had a better look but not today. My stops later in the day
at Winsor Dam were more productive as the northerly winds really cranked up
again. I once again thought the conditions looked good to produce a Golden
Eagle but I didn't have any luck (and not enough time). I did however have some
good stuff right away when I had a flock of eighteen Brant flying around the
reservoir. The birds never came in very close and would occasionally settle on
the water way out in among the waves. Thankfully the Brant made an appearance
for Devin when he arrived. My stop late in the day turned up one Brant still
sitting on the water way out plus two Black Scoters. The northerly winds also
had a number of raptors moving as well as several large groups of migrating
crows. Tonight looks to feature record low temperatures which will bottom out in the low 20's and then we could see a little snow/rain mix midday tomorrow with accumulating snow possible in the hills.
I was at Quabbin Sun 0ct 30, 2016, and am wondering if I saw a golden eagle flying through from north to south. Was along water a mile south of Gate 35. Mature bald eagle was roosting nearby on island tree. Then over flew an all-dark seeming eagle, riding the NW wind. At first assumed it was a sub-adult bald. Could not get good close look underneath as it was heading south fast away from me. But watching its flight, wingspan, etc, clearly an eagle. It would flap a little, then soar. Not a totally flat soar, like bald, but always with wings upward in slight angle. (Definitely not a TV, no rocking and tilting.) Looking it up, I see the goldens soar that way. How often do they come through? Anyone else see one that afternoon (around 2 p.m.)
ReplyDeleteCertainly possible. They are a very uncommon migrant through the area but I have had a few at quabbin and they have occasionally overwintered at quabbin. The overall build of a golden eagle would be a bit different than a bald eagle...I have a few photos on the blog of golden eagles...just do a search on the blog and they will come up and you can compare those to the bird you saw.
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