Trip Highlights

Our Family and Beginner Bird Walk in Forest Park today was a joy-filled romp packed with discoveries. We had 17 people in all and saw 35 species. Our junior birders renamed the Wood Duck "Rainbow Head" and the Canada Goose "Mr. Bossy Pants." Every bit of this fun was thanks to members and friends of the Allen Bird Club. Feeling grateful for our wonderful, growing community of birders.

We changed the meet up location to Esselon Café in Hadley for breakfast.  That option worked out well, allowing us to take a quick drive through the Honeypot before heading upriver.  The weather was mostly cloudy in the mid-40s, with winds increasing to 14 mph and some light rain.  

The Honeypot gave us a Harrier, a Great Blue Heron, 6 TVs, 2 Bald Eagles, a Redtail and some land birds.  

At Barton’s Cove (various locations) we got looks at C. Merganser, DC Cormorant, Fish Crow, 5 Bald Eagles at one time, Tree Swallows, and other common birds.  

The Turners Falls Rod and Gun Club had a dozen C. Mergansers, 2 Mute Swans, a Kingfisher and 2 Phoebes. Nearby, the feeders at the top of the hill added a Pine Siskin, several other songbirds, and a flyby Sharp-shinned Hawk.  The Turners Falls Airport proved to be worth a stop, as we found a pair of Bluebirds, 2 Killdeer, 2 Kestrels, and a Chipping Sparrow.  Unity Park added 2 more Fish Crows and 13 Cedar Waxwings, but no Bohemian. The gate was open at the power canal and we got nice looks at a Pine Warbler, with another calling nearby.  Also there were 2 Ring-necked Ducks, an Eagle, a Raven, and a few other songbirds, but no Screech Owl in the old cavity.  

While at the campground of Barton’s Cove earlier in the day, we bumped into a birder named Zeke.  He gave us directions to a Barred Owl spot, so when we finished at the Power Canal, we headed to Highland Park in Greenfield.  We did not get the Barred Owl but did get large flocks of singing Goldfinch and Pine Siskins, visible Brown Creepers, 2 Palm and 3 Pine Warblers and a half dozen Rough-winged Swallows, so all was not lost.

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.