Prescott Peninsula surveys

Wild Turkey poult, Prescott Peninsula, New Salem, MA, Jun 30, 2018

Wild Turkey poults with adult, Prescott Peninsula, New Salem, MA, Jun 30, 2018

Blackburnian Warbler, Prescott Peninsula, New Salem, MA, Jun 30, 2018

Pine Warbler, Prescott Peninsula, New Salem, MA, Jun 30, 2018

Pine Warbler, Prescott Peninsula, New Salem, MA, Jun 30, 2018

Yellow rumped Warbler 'myrtle', Prescott Peninsula, New Salem, MA, Jun 30, 2018

Purple Finch, Prescott Peninsula, New Salem, MA, Jun 30, 2018

Least Flycatcher, Prescott Peninsula, New Salem, MA, Jun 30, 2018

Ruby throated Hummingbird

Magnolia Warbler, Prescott Peninsula, New Salem, MA, Jun 30, 2018

Moose, Prescott Peninsula, New Salem, MA, Jun 30, 2018

Pond and marsh, Prescott Peninsula, New Salem, MA, Jun 30, 2018

I spent the last morning of the month conducting a few bird surveys on the permit only Prescott Peninsula.  Lots of breeding activity noted (and lots of deer flies and mosquitoes) throughout the morning with several highlights including fledgling Ruffed Grouse and Wild Turkeys, several cuckoos of both species, Barn and Bank Swallows (quite unusual on Prescott), Red breasted Nuthatches at multiple stops, a dozen warbler species and at least four Red Crossbills noted at two different locations.  I first had two flyovers calling and then heard at least two more a mile or so away.  I tried to get recordings to figure out the specific type but I didn't have any luck.  I also tried to track down the area the birds might have been headed to without any luck either.  I will try again later to see if I can relocate them and get some recordings.  No trip onto the peninsula is complete with a Moose sighting and I was able to watch one for several minutes as it fed at the edge of a pond.  The next several days look to feature continued 90+ degree weather, likely breaking records once again.