Berkshire Lakes

This annual trip is scheduled to coincide with waterfowl migration from the north and typically gives us a few highlights, or at least some “oohs” and “aahs”.  Not so much this year, and the ducks were almost as scarce as the participants.  There were only four of us and we saw nine species of waterfowl.  Our best bird was probably a female Rusty Blackbird astutely spotted on the mud at Onota causeway.

Also brought to our attention was that Hoffmann Club’s Waterfowl Census (its 81st annual) held the following day also produced low numbers.  That group did see a Gallinule at Richmond, which we missed, so kudos to them.  We assumed the low numbers were due to the mild temperatures this fall which kept migrants up north later than usual.  Of course, this means we should keep an eye on our local lakes into November to see what might show up later.  

Here is the list of 28 species seen and heard:

Great Blue 1

Turkey Vulture 1

Canada Goose X

Wood Duck 2 female at Onota causeway

Black Duck 8

Mallard X

Green-winged Teal 1

Ring-necked Duck 1

Common Goldeneye 4 on Pontoosuc

Hooded Merganser 30

Common Merganser 11

Bald Eagle 1

Ring-billed Gull 15

Rock Dove X

Red-bellied 1 Heard

Downy Woodpecker 1

Blue Jay several Heard

Crow X

Chickadee 4

White-breasted Nut. 3

Bluebird 5 at Farnum

Starling X

Song Sparrow 2

Junco 1

Cardinal 1

Blackbird several Heard

Rusty Blackbird 1 female, scope-view at Onota causeway

Goldfinch several Heard