Boreal Chickadee, Belchertown, MA, Dec 27, 2022
Boreal Chickadee, Belchertown, MA, Dec 27, 2022
Boreal Chickadee, Belchertown, MA, Dec 27, 2022
Boreal Chickadee, Belchertown, MA, Dec 27, 2022
Boreal Chickadee, Belchertown, MA, Dec 27, 2022
Boreal Chickadee, Belchertown, MA, Dec 27, 2022
Boreal Chickadee, Belchertown, MA, Dec 27, 2022
Boreal Chickadee, Belchertown, MA, Dec 27, 2022
I was extremely lucky this morning to be able to spend a few minutes with a rare for the area Boreal Chickadee that has been coming to feeders at a private residence in Belchertown. The original observer reported the bird just before Christmas and the bird had already been present for several days at that point. I corresponded with the homeowner on multiple occasions to get more details on the bird and see if the location would be open to additional birders. She said it would be fine if I came by but she did not want any groups of birders for a variety of reasons (privacy, lack of parking, a dog at the house, etc). I gave her a bunch of possible dates I could come by and she said today would be the best and I arrived there around 10am after yet another long shift at work. We discussed the bird and the possibility of others coming to see it. She said the bird had recently been into the feeders and she let me stay close to the house to observe the feeders. She mentioned it seemed to favor the unique suet feeder so that is where I concentrated my effort to see the bird. The feeders were quite busy with a variety of species coming and going but no sign of the Boreal Chickadee for the first half hour plus and then it finally showed up. What a great looking little bird! It fed on the suet feeder a couple times and also seemed to be feeding in the nearby evergreens. It was an impressive little bird and hopefully it will stay for the remainder of the winter at the location. I want to take the time to thank the homeowner again for graciously offering me the chance to come by and see this very special bird (only my second time ever seeing this species in Hampshire County with the last time being back in November 2005 with a large influx of Black capped Chickadees at Quabbin Park). She will keep me informed on how long the bird stays at the feeders. Although other people will not be able to see this one there are certainly others out there among flocks of chickadees just waiting to be found. Perhaps one will turn up on the upcoming Quabbin Christmas Bird Count that will take place on New Years Eve...one can hope!
Barred Owl, Belchertown, MA, Dec 27, 2022
Barred Owl, Belchertown, MA, Dec 27, 2022
In addition to the Boreal Chickadee there were a number of other species around including a Barred Owl that showed quite well as I was talking to the homeowner and getting ready to leave plus at least two flyover Red Crossbills.
Link to Flickr album with more photos: Boreal Chickadee
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