Trip Highlights

Ten members joined in to enjoy the evening sky dance of the American Woodcock. This event was originally scheduled for March 28, but poor weather forced a delay. This day the temps were in the 40s and the wind was light at 5-7 mph from the north. In addition to getting 5 Woodcock, we also counted 3 Canada Geese, 6 Mute Swan, 4 Wood Duck, 2 Mallard, 2 Black Duck, 1 Virginia Rail, 2 Robin, and 2 Song Sparrows.

Ten members met up to bird at Pynchon Point, but we also hit the Big E Fairgrounds and Lagoon, and Longmeadow Flats and Pondside.  The weather was overcast and cool, with the wind picking up as the morning went on, making it feel colder than low 40s. Click below to view the complete trip list.

This hotline trip headed to Plum Island and Salisbury Beach State Reservation, with eleven members braving the weather to enjoy some coastal birding. The weather forecast was for sunny skies, high temps in the upper 30s and NW winds blowing all day.  What we encountered was just some sun and brisk NW winds, which grew stronger by the end of the day.  We were able to identify around 50 species with some excellent views of a few target birds as our reward!

Highlights:

Lot 1 - 4 Harriers, a Northern Gannet and a dozen Long-tailed Ducks  

Salt Pannes - 80+ Pintail Ducks, 4 Green-winged Teal and 2 Bald Eagles

Warden’s - a flock of over 30 Snow Buntings and 4 Tree Sparrows

Hellcat Dike - an American Bittern giving great views, a Northern Shoveler and a Peregrine Falcon

Pines – 5 Yellow-rumped Warblers, 2 Ravens, 15 Green-winged Teal, a Hooded Merg and Hermit Thrush

Salisbury – a Long-eared Owl and 2 Harriers

See complete list below.

Five members joined in to visit a few local hotspots. The group met at Atkins Farms and  two Turkey Vultures were spotted just a short distance away.  Doing a quick detour to the Honeypot of Hadley to pick up a member, we headed up to Turners Falls along Rte. 47, the back road.  Black Ducks were spotted in Montague Center.  The water was mostly frozen at the Rod and Gun Club, but coupled with the nearby feeder, we managed to spot Common Merganser, Mute Swan, Bald Eagle, Junco, White-throated Sparrow, House Finch, Song Sparrow and Downy Woodpecker.  Barton’s Cove was next, again partially iced-in, but we got looks at another Bald Eagle, Canada Geese, Mallards and Ring-billed Gulls.  Our last stop was at the power canal and, unfortunately, the gate was locked.  We did walk in getting more Canada Geese and Mallards, two Bufflehead, one Ring-necked Duck, two Hooded Mergansers and another Bald Eagle.

After more than a week of overcast skies, it was "sunny with a chance of bird sightings" for the Saturday, February 3 field trip to Canal Park in South Hadley. Twelve participants joined leader Harvey Allen in the parking lot behind South Hadley Public Library. Temperatures were in the 30s with a chilly breeze, and birders enjoyed three hours of birding in five different, nearby locations. The locations were South Hadley Public Library, the Ted Belsky Overlook at Canal Park, River Road, Brunelle's Marina, and Bachelor Brook Conservation Area.

Special circumstances for this trip included the fact that the gate allowing access to an excellent river viewing platform behind the South Hadley Public Library is locked October through April. Also, the Connecticut River was rapid and high due to more than 6 inches of rain and 5 inches of snow in January, following the second rainiest summer in recent history.

Still, there were birds to be seen.

A highlight of the morning was when birders spotted two adult and one juvenile bald eagle soaring over the river, perching in trees, and one flying into an established eagle's nest visible across from the Belsky Overlook. Another notable moment occurred when, upon returning to their cars after walking in Bachelor Brook CA, birders saw three Red-tailed Hawks standing in the parking lot, offering a memorable end to a pleasant day.

Birds seen included: Common Merganser, hooded Merganser, Common Goldeneye, American Bald Eagle, Mallards, Great Blue Heron, Black Ducks, Belted Kingfisher, Red-tailed Hawk, Raven, Crows, Herring Gulls, Cardinal, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Robin, Blue Jay, Herring Gull, Rock Doves, Starlings, House Sparrow, and Canada Geese.

A couple of members extended this trip, heading to the Quabbin Reservoir Visitors Center. There, they were rewarded with excellent views of a Say’s Phoebe feasting on stink bugs. Unusual for our area, the Say’s Phoebe has been reported there intermittently since November.