A record breaking December and the Quabbin CBC on New Year's Eve

Hooded Mergansers, Winsor Dam, Quabbin Park, MA, Dec 31, 2022

Looking north from Hank's Meadow, Quabbin Park, MA, Dec 31, 2022

Winsor Dam, Quabbin Park, MA, Dec 31, 2022

To end 2022 I took part in the Quabbin Christmas Bird Count this morning.  I helped cover some areas of Quabbin Park including Winsor Dam.  The weather was very unusual for the Quabbin count with temps that started off above freezing and rose to near 50!  Usually this count is brutal cold with snow and ice so it was a nice change for sure.  I got out listening for owls early and turned up several Great Horned Owls.  The rest of my time was spent mainly trying to track down waterfowl and although it was overall fairly slow compared to previous days I still managed eight species of waterfowl with the highlights being all three merganser species including a single Red breasted Merganser in a flock of Common Mergansers, a couple Horned Grebes and a Red necked Grebe.  In the bit under two and a half hours I was out helping on the count I found 27 species.

Red necked Grebe, Quabbin Gate 5, Belchertown, MA, Dec 28, 2022

Winsor Dam, Quabbin Park, MA, Dec 30, 2022

I also did some scouting for count week (three days to either side of the count day) and turned up some waterfowl and other stuff too.

Sunrise, East Meadows, Northampton, MA, Dec 29, 2022

Yellow rumped Warbler 'myrtle', East Meadows, Northampton, MA, Dec 29, 2022

Horned Larks, East Meadows, Northampton, MA, Dec 29, 2022

Northern Harrier, East Meadows, Northampton, MA, Dec 29, 2022

Greater Scaup, Hadley Falls Canal Park, South Hadley, MA, Dec 29, 2022

Black Vultures, Hadley, MA, Dec 30, 2022

Pale Canada Goose, UMASS, Amherst, MA, Dec 30, 2022

Barred Owl, Home, Belchertown, MA, Dec 30, 2022

Although I did not set out to break my December record for the county this year I did indeed do so with a large number of rarities for the month, lingering species and some irruptives.  My previous best December was back in 2018.  I broke the record on the 29th when I spent some time in the East Meadows and then down to South Hadley to an area above the Holyoke Dam where I had species #101 (a female Greater Scaup) that broke my old record.  Other rarities around for that morning included a Short eared Owl, Lapland Longspur, Eastern Meadowlark and a Yellow rumped Warbler plus high counts of a number of species.  I headed out again on the 30th and hit a variety of areas and found species #102 for the month with an American Kestrel.  Other notables for the next to last day of the year included four Black Vultures continuing in Hadley, a returning pale Canada Goose at UMASS (this appears to be the third year for this unique individual as I fist had it in January 2021), the continued Smith's Longspur plus a cooperative Barred Owl at the house.  Today brought me to #103 with the above mentioned Red breasted Merganser at Quabbin.

BOREAL CHICKADEE in Belchertown

 

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

Christmas day rarities including Pine Warbler and Redhead

Pine Warbler, Northampton, MA, Dec 25, 2022

Pine Warbler, Northampton, MA, Dec 25, 2022

Eastern Bluebirds, Northampton, MA, Dec 25, 2022

Black capped Chickadee with leg bands, Northampton, MA, Dec 25, 2022

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).

Redhead, Connecticut River, South Hadley, MA, Dec 25, 2022

Redhead, Connecticut River, South Hadley, MA, Dec 25, 2022

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.

A dark American Goldfinch at a feeder and a look at the Northampton Christmas Bird Count

Dark American Goldfinch, Northampton, MA, Dec 20, 2022

Dark American Goldfinch, Northampton, MA, Dec 20, 2022

Dark American Goldfinch, Northampton, MA, Dec 20, 2022

Black capped Chickadee with leg bands, Northampton, MA, Dec 20, 2022

I spent a few days at a private residence trying to catch up with a Pine Warbler that has shown up very sporadically after being seen for the first time by the homeowner during a snowstorm on Friday the 16th and then seen one more day (about an hour after I left and was almost home) on the 17th.  I spent about 45 minutes at the location on Saturday and nearly an hour on the 20th.  Despite missing on the hoped for Pine Warbler I had some other good birds as I watched the feeders.  I had at least one flyover Red Crossbill on Saturday and a Pine Siskin on Tuesday.  A banded Black capped Chickadee showed up both days (the homeowner is taking part in the same study being conducted by a PhD candidate that I take part in at home).  The big highlight was an unusually plumaged American Goldfinch that showed up on Tuesday.  It was the darkest American Goldfinch I have ever seen and I assume it is some type of melanistic individual (like a melanistic Black and White Warbler I found back in 2020 in Amherst).  I have reached out to a couple finch experts to see if they have ever seen anything like and so far the consensus is it is new to them too.

Dawn, Silvio Conte NWR-Fort River, Hadley, MA, Dec 18, 2022

Yellow rumped Warbler 'myrtle', Hadley, MA, Dec 15, 2022

Gray Catbird, Hadley, MA, Dec 15, 2022

Smith's Longspur, Honey Pot, Hadley, MA, Dec 15, 2022

Common Grackles, Arcadia, Northampton, MA, Dec 19, 2022

Savannah Sparrow, East Meadows, Northampton, MA, Dec 20, 2022

Common Grackles, East Meadows, Northampton, MA, Dec 21, 2022

The Northampton Christmas Bird Count (CBC) occurred on Sunday December 18th and yet again I missed the day due to work with my only contribution for the count day being a brief stop before work at Silvio Conte NWR-Fort River where I turned up a few owls and then a couple Fish Crows during the day at work.  The preliminary total for the count day stands at 88 species, which is a great count and just a few species off a record high count for species for the count.   I was able to be out some on the days to either side of the count day which make up count week (three days to either side of the count day).  I added some unusual species in the days leading up to the count (including Yellow rumped Warbler, Gray Catbird and the continued Smith's Longspur).  In the three days after the count I added another species with a group of 13 Green winged Teal in the Connecticut River at dawn.  I have run across big flocks of Red winged Blackbirds and Common Grackles during my travels before and after the count and both species shattered records for the count with thousands of each around.  Here is a link to all the information you ever wanted to know about the Northampton CBC found on the Hampshire Bird Club site: Northampton CBC. The count next year is scheduled for Sunday Dec 17th and I will actually have the day off which almost guarantees there will be a blizzard that day!

Second week of December

Smith's Longspur, Honey Pot, Hadley, MA, Dec 12, 2022

Smith's Longspur, Honey Pot, Hadley, MA, Dec 12, 2022

White throated Sparrow, Hadley Mall thicket, Hadley, MA, Dec 13, 2022

Eastern Phoebe, Hadley, MA, Dec 13, 2022

Hooded Mergansers, Beaver Lake, Ware, MA, Dec 14, 2022

The second week of December has now come to a close and far and away the highlight of the week was a Smith's Longspur that showed up on the 12th and continued through today.  The species has only occurred a handful of times in the state and there has never been an accepted record anywhere away from the eastern end of the state.  It was not only a new species for me in Hampshire County (#305) but also a life bird (#1714)!  Will the bird continue to be counted for the upcoming Northampton Christmas Bird Count?  If it is seen tomorrow then it at least makes it in as a count week species.  If one goes looking for it make sure to give the bird space and don't block the road as you admire the bird.  Besides the above mentioned longspur, the second week of the month has produced a few other notable species as we have felt the first onslaught of true winter with some snow and cold temperatures.  The highlights included an Eastern Phoebe that appears to be trying to overwinter for a fourth consecutive year.  The recent cold temps have frozen smaller bodies of water and this has concentrated some waterfowl resulting in some high counts of a few species.  I tried to relocate a few rarities I had the first week of the month but mostly failed in doing so.  Although not a record setting pace for the month I have still found a very respectful 84 species so far for the month in Hampshire County.

SMITH'S LONGSPUR in Hadley!

 

Smith's Longspur, Honey Pot, Hadley, MA, Dec 12, 2022

Smith's Longspur, Honey Pot, Hadley, MA, Dec 12, 2022

Smith's Longspur, Honey Pot, Hadley, MA, Dec 12, 2022

Smith's Longspur, Honey Pot, Hadley, MA, Dec 12, 2022

Smith's Longspur, Honey Pot, Hadley, MA, Dec 12, 2022

Smith's Longspur, Honey Pot, Hadley, MA, Dec 12, 2022

Smith's Longspur, Honey Pot, Hadley, MA, Dec 12, 2022

Smith's Longspur, Honey Pot, Hadley, MA, Dec 12, 2022

I certainly did not expect to see a life bird in Hadley today but that is indeed what happened.  After cleaning up after our first snowstorm of the season that dropped around 4-5 inches of snow I got a call from Scott in the early afternoon.  I missed the call but when I listened to the message and heard he had a probable Smith's Longspur in Hadley I was out the door heading that way.  I made a call to him on the way and the bird sounded like it was indeed a Smith's Longspur.  I arrived to find several other birders present along a somewhat busy stretch of road in the Honey Pot section of Hadley.  The bird showed back up right after I arrived and returned to its favored spot right along the edge of the road where it fed in small areas where the snow had melted.  It would occasionally be flushed up by passing cars but usually it stayed put, even with traffic passing by within a foot of the bird.  When it did flush it would fly off giving a rattle call and occasionally join up briefly with the large flocks of Horned Larks present.  It would always return to the same small area along the road within a few minutes (or at least it did while I was there viewing it).  At one point a Red tailed Hawk swooped in and almost nailed the bird (odd as the Red tailed Hawks seldom seem to try for the numerous Horned Larks, Snow Buntings and occasional Lapland Longspurs that overwinter in the area).  How long will the bird stay?  Who knows but prior state records of the species have been seen over multiple days so hopefully it continues.  However with its behavior hanging on the edge of a busy road and lots of raptors in the area I have my doubts on its long term survival at the location.  I took lots of photos and more can be found at the following link: Smith's Longspur.  Thanks to Scott for finding the bird and alerting everyone to its presence.

The species nests in the high Arctic and then migrates down the center of the US and Canada and overwinters in northeast Texas, eastern Oklahoma, most of Arkansas and small parts of Nebraska and Missouri and was not a species on my radar for showing up here as a vagrant.  There are just a handful of records for the species in Massachusetts with no prior records from western Massachusetts.  The bird becomes species #305 for me in Hampshire County and life bird #1704.  It is my third new Hampshire County species this year, following a Common Eider in November and Arctic Terns in May.