Quabbin Reservoir

Eight participants turned out for the trip through Quabbin Park, where we tallied 16 species on a clear, cool but blustery day.  The only woodpecker was a Flicker and the only sparrows were a few flocks of Juncos.  Whatever was there seemed to stay in the shelter of the bushes.  We had a few Crows but no Ravens, the reverse of what we usually get at Quabbin.  Goodnough Dike was the best spot for waterbirds - two Common Loons, four Surf Scoters and two close Horned Grebes around the corner at Gate 32.  The water here didn't have the whitecaps that were on the rest of the reservoir and the wind didn't blow us over.  We had three Bald Eagles, one adult right over us at Windsor Park and two just floating above us at Goodnough (an adult and a 4th year bird).  These two seemed to kettle with five gulls, enjoying the wind.  We had a nice look at an adult Red-tailed Hawk which landed about 100 feet away, and a Golden-crowned Kinglet also gave us a close view.  The few birds we found were very nice and the scenery was great, bright multicolored trees and a blue sky with fast moving cotton ball clouds.  The company was great too!