Lake Wallace, Belchertown

It was another cool and cloudy day with a few sprinkles of rain, but this impromptu trip attracted 21 viewers.  We started by scanning the lake where there were Hooded Mergansers as well as Canada Geese with goslings and Wood Ducks with ducklings.  We also got to scope a Kingfisher and Great Blue Herons, one of whom was sitting on a nest.  It is the first time they have nested here in a couple of years.  The lake had a large number of mostly Tree Swallows, with a few Rough-winged Swallows and a single Barn Swallow.  As we got to the bridge heading into the woods on the west side of the lake, we spotted a Solitary Sandpiper out in the open on a log and a Pileated Woodpecker.  We then worked our way through the woods in search of our target birds the Sora and the Virginia Rail.  We heard both of them calling at various times from the middle of the reeds, but failed to see either one.  On the way back to the parking area, we got good views of Rose-breasted Grosbeak and a number of bright Savannah Sparrows.  On this trip our total was 37 species.