Ashley Ponds, Holyoke

The air was crisp and cold, with temps in the 30s, but the sun was shining as ten of us strolled for 3 miles around Ashley Ponds.  We welcomed new members Kristen and her daughter Arlo, who were keen to learn, and Lily, a student at UMass, who was very helpful in hearing and spotting birds for the group. Highlights included Bald Eagle and Cooper’s Hawk flyovers, excellent scope views of Ring-necked Duck and Wood Duck, and for many of us, first of year Catbird and Gnatcatcher. We also spotted Yellow, Palm, Pine, and Yellow-rumped Warblers.  The morning ended with a flyover of two Great Blue Herons and a list of 38 species.  Click below to view complete species list.