A frigid and snowing end of January

Snow Bunting, Honey Pot, Hadley, MA, Jan 31, 2022

Horned Larks and a few Snow Buntings, Honey Pot, Hadley, MA, Jan 31, 2022

Eastern Coyote, Honey Pot, Hadley, MA, Jan 31, 2022

Yellow rumped Warbler 'myrtle', Arcadia, Easthampton, MA, Jan 31, 2022

A nearly totally frozen reservoir at Winsor Dam, Quabbin Park, MA, Jan 31, 2022

Hermit Thrush, Piper Farm Conservation Area, Belchertown, MA, Jan 31, 2022

Purple Finch, Piper Farm Conservation Area, Belchertown, MA, Jan 31, 2022

Wilson enjoying the snow, Piper Farm Conservation Area, Belchertown, MA, Jan 31, 2022

Hermit Thrush, Piper Farm Conservation Area, Belchertown, MA, Jan 28, 2022

I recently returned from a long trip down to Costa Rica (lots of info and photos on that in a post later) and found myself in the heart of winter here.  The days since I have returned have been bitter cold with multiple nights below zero and high temps in the teens to 20's with a snow storm on Saturday which brought us about 8" of new snow.  I have gotten out birding a few days but not too much.  I have added a few species for the year but have not even bothered looking for a few other rarities around.  I had a Greater Scaup with some Ring necked Ducks at Winsor Dam before the entire area froze up.  A Hermit Thrush has been overwintering in Belchertown and I had both Gray Catbird and Yellow rumped Warblers at Arcadia this morning.  The flocks of both Horned Larks and Snow Buntings have been impressive in the fields along the river.  Hopefully we will get a reprieve from the frigid weather soon.