I started off a very cold Christmas morning after a long shift at work at a private residence in Northampton that has been hosting a Pine Warbler. The bird first showed up on the 16th during our first real snow of the season. I tried for it on the 17th and again on the 21st but had no luck during those previous visits. I did turn up a very unique looking dark American Goldfinch on the 21st that continued this morning (but was never in view long enough to get a photo). I was at the location for almost an hour and was on the verge of throwing in the towel for the morning as I was really starting to get cold but thankfully I stayed long enough to finally see the bird. As I was scanning the various feeders in the yard I had a group of Eastern Bluebirds show up and start feeding from a meal worm feeder and almost immediately I noticed the Pine Warbler had arrived too. He was on the ground initially and then hopped to a couple other perches as it waited for the bluebirds to move on from the feeder. I didn't stay long after getting some photos as I didn't want to bother the bird plus I wanted to warm up. Besides the warbler I had at least four Red Crossbills fly over but they passed by before I could fish out my phone to get a recording plus I had another banded Black capped Chickadee (different from the one I had on my previous two visits).
After my time with the Pine Warbler I headed toward home but decided to make a couple quick stops in hopes of finding the Greater White fronted Goose that has been in the area for a few weeks and lately has been seen in a few spots in South Hadley. I first stopped by a series of farm fields where it has been seen within the last couple days but all I could find were a handful of Canada Geese hunkered down. I then stopped by a nearby marina and saw the bird as soon as I pulled up to the near flood stage Connecticut River. I got out of the car to snap a few photos and then noticed a male Redhead even closer. Redhead is a rare species around here but this year seems to be a great year for them in western Mass. After getting photos of the Redhead I could not relocate the Greater White fronted Goose so I assume it floated further downriver with some other waterfowl. Two more rare species for the day was a nice end to birding on a cold Christmas morning and three new species for the month, bringing me to a total of 95 with about a week left...I may yet get to 100.
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