South Hadley Falls around the Dam

Six members gathered to enjoy the birds at a few spots near the dam.  Above the dam, at the Canal Park platform, we spotted 4 Mute Swans, a Wood Duck, and two Bald Eagle babies in the nest.  

Below the dam were 5 Common Mergansers, 5 Bald Eagles flying about, mostly immature but one was an adult, 15 Double-crested Cormorants, a half dozen or so Rough-winged Swallows, two Great Blue Herons, a Mallard and about a dozen Canada Geese.  There were no gulls, but they will come to feed on Shad eggs in the beginning of June.  We also eyed a Spotted Sandpiper on the riverbank.

One member, who has been checking Peregrine Falcon nests, had permission to pass through a private yard, down to an area where we could see under the Muller Bridge.  There, in a metal box sitting atop the bridge abutment, we spotted the Peregrine Falcon sitting on the nest.  Hard to beat that for a trip highlight!