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November 2005 Sightings
Hampshire, Hampden & Franklin Counties of Massachusetts
First of the Year in RED

November 1 - Tuesday - Sunny and Pleasant

NORTHAMPTON (from Chris Gentes) This morning near the Marina there were 15 Killdeer and in the West Meadows I observed a Greater Yellowlegs and a Tree Sparrow.

GRANVILLE BLUEBERRY HILL Official Counter: John Weeks Observers: John Weeks Weather: Sunny and warm, with extensive cirrus clouds; thicker clouds began to build in from southwest around 11 AM. Wind SW and getting steadily stronger through the watch. When it hit 26 MPH, I called it quits. Temperature 58-64 F. Raptor Observations: Few raptors were moving, and those that did had to buck the strong headwind. Not counted as migrants: 2 Turkey Vultures, Cooper's Hawk. Non-raptor Observations: American Crows (40), Yellow-rumped Warbler.

NORTHFIELD (posted to Massbird by Mark Taylor) Checking the field edges of Northfield's Great Meadow, I found my first American Tree Sparrows of the season; four to be exact. Not much else to report other than a fly over Merlin. Nice to hear and see these winter sparrows once again.

SOUTH AMHERST - Deedee saw a Coot along the Bike Path.

QUABBIN PARK+ (posted to Massbird by James P Smith) am - Horned Grebe - 5 (1 off Winsor Dam, 4 from Blueberry patch). Common Loon - 1 Goodnough dike. DUNLIN - 1 flew south calling at 10:00hrs over Winsor Dam. Horned lark - 13 Snow Bunting - 8 Winsor Dam Evening Grosbeak - 1 Winsor Dam. TURNERS FALLS (pm) - Canada Goose - 1000+ Northern Pintail - 3 (2 new females, 1 long staying male). American Wigeon - 5 American Black Duck - 2 Bufflehead - 2 Hooded Merganser - 3 males. Common Merganser - 1 female. American Herring Gull - 3 KUMLIEN’S ICELAND GULL - 1 juvenile/first winter on

November 2 - Wednesday - Sunny, Breezy and Cool

GRANVILLE BLUEBERRY HILL Official Counter: John Weeks Observers: John Weeks, Seth Kellogg Weather: Diminishing clouds (70% down to 5%); temperature 43-51 F. Wind NW/WNW, strong all day (gusting to 26 mph). Exact start-time: 8:05 EST. Raptor Observations: First Rough-legged Hawk of the season (at 1:58 EST), a dark morph spotted by Seth about five minutes after he arrived (!). Not a great look -- it was at scope distance to the west, then high overhead near the sun. One male Harrier came through low, scattering the Mourning Doves. Non-raptor Observations: Canada Geese (65), Brant (70 in one flock), American Crows (50), Eastern Bluebird, American Pipits (5), Yellow-rumped Warblers (2), Palm Warbler, Tree Sparrow.

NORTHAMPTON (from Chris Gentes) This morning near the Oxbow: 15 Killdeer, 1 Greater Yellowlegs and 2 Wood Ducks.

TURNERS FALLS (from ABC Bird NEws) From James P. Smiith Canal with Barton Cove (pm) - Canada Goose - 1200+ Northern Pintail - 1, long staying male. American Wigeon - 5 Bufflehead - 3 (1 male at Barton Cove, 2 females canal). Hooded Merganser - 3 males. Common Merganser - 5 female/juvs. RED-BREASTED MERGANSER - 1 female/juvenile. Found fairly late, after 16:30hrs. KUMLIEN’S ICELAND GULL - 1 juvenile/first winter on the canal with Ring-billed Gulls.

November 3 - Thursday - Sunny, Breezy and Mild

QUABBIN (from Larry Therrien) QUABBIN: Windsor Dam, Goodnough Dike and the blueberry patch this morning. Most waterfowl off Windsor Dam: Black Scoter (3) females, White Winged Scoter (1) came in with a group of Mallards...stayed for only a minute, Red Throated Loon (1), Common Loon (6) w/ four together at Windsor Dam and two Goodnough, Northern Pintail (4) flyby, Ring Necked Duck (8) flyby, Black Duck (2), Mallard (15), Northern Harrier (1), Bald Eagle (2) adults, Hermit Thrush (1), Pine Siskin (1), American Pipit (12), Golden Crowned Kinglet (9), Eastern Bluebird (8), Dark Eyed Junco (37), White Throated Sparrow (7), Song Sparrow (4), Red Breasted Nuthatch (2), Ring Billed Gull (19), Herring Gull (1)...all but two Ring billed together off Windsor Dam.

HOLYOKE (posted to Massbird by Bob Bieda) Al and Lois Richardson discovered a juvenile Purple Gallinule at Ashley Reservoir late this afternoon. The bird is somewhat tame and approachable but appears healthy and is actively feeding. The bird is on the east side of the long causeway in the main reservoir on what appears to be an island on the midpoint of that causeway. (page 188 Western Mass. Guide.) Park either at the Elks or the area indicated on p. 188 of the guide. If you walk in from the Elks the causeway will be on your left and the bird will be on the left side about 200 yards down the causeway.

TURNERS FALLS (posted to Massbird by Jaap van Heerden) At the Turners Falls Rod and Gun Club: 12 Mute Swans 4 Mallards 1 CATTLE EGRET on the small island in front of the parking area. At Barton Cove: 2 Mute Swans A large number of Canada Geese and the usual (possibly domestic) Graylag Goose. At the Canal, near the Silvio O. Conte Adronomous Fish center: 1 Northern Pintail (male) 3 Hooded Merganser (male) 3 Bufflehead (female) 4 Mute Swans 1 ICELAND GULL (juvenile), earlier reported by James P. Smith. Also, a varying number of Ring-billed Gulls, and a large number of Canada Geese.

NORTHAMPTON (posted to Massbird by James P. Smith) Arcadia Meadows, birded part time with Sol Satin and Harvey Allen; Northern Harrier - 1 juv. Bald Eagle - 2 (1 adult, 1 sub-adult). Wilson's Snipe - 3 Eastern Bluebird - 6 Horned Lark - 4 American Pipit - 30 Tree Swallow - 1 Swamp Sparrow - 6 American Tree Sparrow - 5 VESPER SPARROW - 1 at Ibis Pool. Song Sparrow - 25+. American Goldfinch - 50+. Red-winged Black bird - 500+. RUSTY BLACKBIRD - 4 (1,3).

November 4 - Friday - Sunny and Mild

QUABBIN PARK+ (from L Therrien) Windsor dam area and various other stops within Quabbin Park: Most productive areas were the windsor dam area and the blueberry patch: Boreal Chickadee (1) moving from the spillway area through the pine grove below Windsor Dam, Pine Warbler (1) landed on windsor dam, Gray Catbird (1), Eastern Phoebe (1), Snow Bunting (1), American Pipit (4), American Coot (3), White Winged Scoter (3), Black Scoter (1), Horned Grebe (6)..one very close..great looks, Ring Necked Duck (8), Common Loon (6), Common Merganser (1), Mallard (12), Canada Geese (4) flyby, Northern Harrier (2), Sharpshinned Hawk (1), Red Tailed Hawk (5), Turkey Vulture (1), Common Raven (1), Eastern Bluebird (7), Golden Crowned Kinglet (13), Pileated Woodpecker (1), Brown Creeper (1), Song Sparrow (6), Red Breasted Nuthatch (5), Dark Eyed Junco (106), American Crow (480+), Black Capped Chickadee (38), Ring Billed Gull (24), Herring Gull (1). WARE: Rt 9 marsh: Hooded Merganser (5) w/ 4 males. BELCHERTOWN: Wood Duck (5) continue to forage through the woods near the house.

HOLYOKE (posted to Massbird by Bob Bieda) From dawn to 10:00 a.m. this morning there was no sign of the Purple Gallinule along the causeway at Ashley Reservoir in Holyoke. There were a couple of swallows seen over the water in the distance but no ID was made on these.

HOLYOKE (posted to Massbird by Trudy Tynan) Still no sign of the purple gallinule at Ashley Reservoir as of 3:30 pm. There was a rather cool melanistic hairy woodpecker in the trees on the near shore. But try as I might, I couldn't make it into a gallinulle.

HOLYOKE (from Kevin Weir) Ahsley Res: far end near railroad tracks: a few mallards, a bufflehead and a killdeer

HOLYOKE (psoted to Massbird by J LaPointe) Highlights of a walk around Ashley Resevoir, Holyoke, Friday. 1 Black & White Warbler 2 Red-breasted Nuthatch 1 Golden-crowned Kinglet Possible Pine Warbler (poor look) No Purple Gallinule

HOLYOKE (posted to Massbird by James P. Smith) Ashley Lake Osprey -1 juv.

GRANVILLE BLUEBERRY HILL Official Counter: John Weeks Observers: John Weeks Visitors: Wes Shepard, who helped with spotting. Weather: Sunny with high, thin clouds and considerable haze. Wind southerly (from ESE to SSW) 5-15 mph. Temperature 60-66 F. Raptor Observations: Not migrating: Turkey Vulture, 3 Bald Eagles. Non-raptor Observations: NORTHERN SHRIKE (adult), appeared only briefly at 12:09. Also: Canada Geese (12), Eastern Bluebirds (6), American Robins (15), Cedar Waxwings (12), Yellow-rumped Warblers (3), Pine Siskin.

November 5 - Saturday - Sunny and Warm

LUDLOW (from Chris Gentes) Heather and I walked around the reservoir and saw the following highlights: Canada Goose-130, Common Merganser-4, Hooded Merganser-5, Ruddy Duck-37, Common Loon-4, Pied-billed Grebe-2, Ruby-crowned Kinglet-2, Golden-crowned Kinglet-8, Yellow-rumped Warbler-3, Field Sparrow-1. At QUABBIN HQ all we saw was a Common Loon and at the WARE Ret. 9 marsh there were 11 Hooded Mergansers. At NORTH HADLEY pond there were 3 Hooded Mergansers and a Swamp Sparrow this morning and later in the day a Flicker, Kingfisher, Bluebird and 30 Waxwings.

QUABBIN+ (from Larry Therrien) Arrived early AM to take a look around before the crowds arrived. Hooded Merganser (5), Common Loon (7) with one calling at Goodnough Dike, Horned Grebe (3), Ring Necked Duck (4), Mallard (4), Gray Catbird (1) in same area as the other day, does not appear to be able to fly long distances, Hermit Thrush (2), Eastern Bluebird (17) all at the blueberry patch, Golden Crowned Kinglet (13), Pileated Woodpecker (1), White Throated Sparrow (10), Song Sparrow (1), Dark Eyed Junco (84), Red Breasted Nuthatch (2). WARE: Rt 9 marsh: Hooded Merganser (6) males. AMHERST: Holyoke Range S.P. at midday: Cedar Waxwing (20), Golden Crowned Kinglet (4), Dark Eyed Junco (10). BELCHERTOWN: In and over the yard today: Eastern Bluebird (2) flyby, Wood Duck (4) continue to forage around the yard.

SOUTHWICK (from ABC Bird News) from Seth Kellogg 4 Double-cr. Cormorants 5 Hooded Mergansers 1 Great Horned Owl 6 Eastern Bluebirds 1 Brown Creeper 1 Golden-cr. Kinglet 2 Fox Sparrow 1 White-crowned Sparrow. AGAWAM 3 American Wigeon. LONGMEADOW 1 Wood Duck 1 Great Blue Heron 1 Ring-necked Pheasant

QUABBIN HQ (from James P Smith) Blackpoll Warbler.

GRANVILLE BLUEBERRY HILL Official Counter: John Weeks Observers: Doug James, John Weeks Weather: Sunny, warm, very hazy. Wind slightly variable, W-WSW-SW, up to 13 mph but with frequent lulls. Temperature 64-72 F. Raptor Observations: Non-migrant: juvenile Bald Eagle. Non-raptor Observations: Belted Kingfisher, American Pipit. A Smooth Green Snake basked in the unusual warmth. One Mourning Cloak on a mission.

TURNERS FALLS - Jan Ortiz found a Coot at the canal.

QUABBIN PARK (posted to Massbird by James P. Smith) 06:55 - 09:55hrs; Common Loon - 3 Horned Grebe - 2 LONG-TAILED DUCK - 1 male Hooded Merganser - 5 American Black Duck - 1 Northern Harrier - 1 juv. Winter Wren - 2 TREE SWALLOW - 2 moving south over the reservoir. BLACKPOLL WARBLER - 1 feeding in brushy area near the spillway. A personal late date for me in New England. Elusive at first but eventually gave good views.

November 6 - Sunday - Foggy and Rainy

HADLEY (posted to Massbird by Scott Surner) I birded the foggy fields around the Honey Pot in Hadley this morning, with the following results.... Killdeer 1 Horned Lark 95 Carolina Wren 1 No.Mockingbird 1 Am.Pipits 25 No.Cardinal 6 Am.Tree Sparrow 7 Field Sparrow 1 Savannah Sparrow 1 Fox Sparrow 1 Song sparrow 25 White-thr. sparrow 20 White-cr.Sparrow 2 imm D.E.Junco 60 Lapland Longspur 1 Snow Bunting 9 House Finch 50

NORTH HADLEY+ (from Chris Gentes) A Pied-billed Grebe on the pond.

November 7 - Monday - Sunny, Cool and Breezy

GRANVILLE BLUEBERRY HILL Official Counter: John Weeks Observers: John Weeks Visitors: Wes Shepard. Weather: Sky cleared rapidly after 9 AM. Wind W 16-30 mph. Temperature 49-54 F. Watch began at 9:10 EST. Raptor Observations: Two immature Bald Eagles were non-migrants. Non-raptor Observations: Common Loon.

LONGMEADOW (posted to massbird by Janis LaPointe) Fannie Stebbins this morning. Highlights: American Coot-2 Rusty Blackbirds-6

TURNERS FALLS (from Deedee) Today monday group saw a coot (found by Elissa Rubenstein) in TF canal about 9am. It was with the canada geese. also a widgeon in Rod and Gun cove (found by Sally Hills) with mallards.

TURNERS FALLS (posted to Massbird by James P. Smith) (pm) - Canada Goose - 800+ Bufflehead - 3 (1 male). Hooded Merganser - 3 (2 males). Common Merganser - 10. Red-breasted Merganser - 1 Common Goldeneye - 1 male. AMERICAN COOT - 1 KUMLIEN’S ICELAND GULL - 1 first-winter remains. American Herring Gull - 5 Ring-billed Gull - 120+

NORTH HADLEY (from Heather McQueen) Fifteen Bluebirds on Mount Warner Rd. near the cemetary.

SOUTHWICK (posted to Massbird by Scott Ricker) I came across approximatly 1500 blackbirds on Mort Vining Rd. The mix was about 700 Redwings, 500 Grackles and the rest were Starlings and BH Cowbirds.

WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS This is the Western Voice of Audubon for Monday, November 7

A juvenile PURPLE GALLINULE was found in Holyoke on Thursday, but it apparently moved on overnight, since it was not relocated the next day or since.

At South Quabbin there were 6 HORNED GREBES, 6 COMMON LOONS, a RED-THROATED LOON, 4 NORTHERN PINTAIL, 8 RING-NECKED DUCKS, 3 BLACK SCOTERS, 3 WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS, 3 AMERICAN COOT, a DUNLIN, an EASTERN PHOEBE, a BOREAL CHICKADEE _ in the pines below the spillway_ 13 GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLETS, a BROWN CREEPER, 5 RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH, a HERMIT THRUSH, a GRAY CATBIRD, 12 AMERICAN PIPITS, 8 SNOW BUNTINGS, and a PINE SISKIN.

Two AMERICAN COOT were noted in Amherst. A GREATER YELLOWLEGS was seen in Northampton, 3 AMERICAN WIGEON in Agawam, an EVENING GROSBEAK in Springfield, and a BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER in Holyoke.

Seen at Turners Falls were 3 NORTHERN PINTAIL, 5 AMERICAN WIGEON, 3 BUFFLEHEAD, a RED-BREASTED MERGANSER, a CATTLE EGRET and an ICELAND GULL.

Observed at Ludlow Reservoir were 38 RUDDY DUCKS, 4 COMMON LOONS, 2 PIED-BILLED GREBES, a WOOD DUCK, a GREAT BLUE HERON, 8 GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLETS, 2 RUBY-CROWNED KINGLETS, and 3 YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS.

Seen in Longmeadow were a WOOD DUCK, a PIED-BILLED GREBE, a GREAT BLUE HERON, 2 AMERICAN COOT, and 6 RUSTY BLACKBIRDS.

Noted in Southwick were 5 HOODED MERGANSERS, 4 DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS, a GREAT HORNED OWL, a BROWN CREEPER, and 2 FOX SPARROWS.

Seen in Hadley were a KILLDEER, 95 HORNED LARKS, 25 AMERICAN PIPITS, a SAVANNAH SPARROW, a FOX SPARROW, 2 WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS, a LAPLAND LONGSPUR and 9 SNOW BUNTINGS.

A BRANT was on Mill Pond in Egremont, WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS were seen in Lee and Stockbridge, a NORTHERN SHRIKE in Windsor, and a FOX SPARROW and 3 EVENING GROSBEAKS in Pittsfield. Seen on Cheshire Reservoir were 8 AMERICAN COOT, 3 GREEN-WINGED TEAL, a WOOD DUCK, a NORTHERN PINTAIL, and 2 COMMON GOLDENEYES. Pontoosuc Reservoir held an AMERICAN BITTERN, 60 HOODED MERGANSERS, a SURF SCOTER, 3 COMMON GOLDENEYES, and 19 AMERICAN COOT.

Seen in Granville were 70 BRANT, a NORTHERN SHRIKE, 5 AMERICAN PIPITS, 6 EASTERN BLUEBIRDS, 10 PALM WARBLERS, 3 YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS, 4 RUSTY BLACKBIRDS, and a PINE SISKIN. Hawks migrating over Granville were 2 TURKEY VULTURES, 6 NORTHERN HARRIERS, 13 SHARP-SHINNED HAWKS, 3 COOPER’S HAWKS, 3 RED-SHOULDERED HAWKS, 53 RED-TAILED HAWKS, and a ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK.

November 8 - Tuesday - Mostly Sunny and Cool

NORTH HADLEY+ (from Chris Gntes) This morning near the pond a Catbird and a 2 Bluebirds. In NORTHAMPTON I saw a Fox Sparrow. Nothing else of note at Marina, Danks Pond, West Meadows - just a few blackbirds, mallards, ring-billed gulls, crows. At 5:15 pm on Rocky Hill Road going from Amherst to HADLEY where it goes up a hill over Rte. 116 Heather and I saw perched in a tree the outline of an owl against the still light sky to the west. It was crow-sized with a rounded head and body. As we drove past it stretched out its long wings and flew down toward the horse farm and out of sight into the darkness. We're thinking it most likely was a short-eared.

GRANVILLE BLUEBERRY HILL Official Counter: John Weeks Observers: Janice Zepko, John Weeks, John Wojtanowski, Seth Kellogg Weather: Mostly cloudy; hazy. Wind 10-16 mph, W until 2:00 EST, when it finally shifted to NW. Raptor Observations: Two-thirds of the migrants were observed between 1:00 and 2:45 EST. Four Bald Eagles were counted: 10:38 (ad), 12:45 (imm.), and 2:35 (two imm.). Non-raptor Observations: Common Loons (4), Canada Geese (62), Eastern Bluebirds (heard overhead; 2+ ), American Robins (5), American Pipit.

TURNERS FALLS (posted to Massbird by James P Smith) Canada Goose - 600+ SNOW GOOSE - 1 juvenile. Departed at 16:30hrs with Canadas. Hooded Merganser - 2 (1 male). Common Merganser - 17. Red-breasted Merganser - 1 female/juv. Common Goldeneye - 1 male. American Coot - 1 KUMLIEN’S ICELAND GULL - 1 juvenile/first winter. American Herring Gull - 5 LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL - 1 juvenile dropped in and began bathing. FRANKLIN’S GULL - 1, first-winter, dropped in at 16:38hrs. Preened and bathed for a short period and departed towards Barton Cove at 16:40hrs. Clearly smaller than Ring-billed Gulls with more compact shape recalling Little Gull. Dark gray mantle, much darker than Ring-billed with brownish coverts and tertials, and black terminal band to tail. Very obvious dark half-hooded effect with white eye crescents. Remarkably, Steve Mirick also discovered a first-winter Franklin’s Gull this afternoon at Rochester WWTP in New Hampshire. Ring-billed Gull - 200+

November 9 - Wednesday - Mostly Cloudy - Rain in afternoon

WESTHAMPTON (from Chuck Horn) At John Lynes feeder in Westhampton: 2 red-breasted nuthatches, 2 fox sparrows, and one hermit thrush (on berries behind it). The seven purple finches have not been there for a week.

HADLEY (from Chris Gentes) Near the transfer station there were 30 Juncos and 10 Tree Sparrows. Over in NORTHAMPTON West Meadows there was a Northern Harrier and not much else.

HADLEY (from Larry Therrien) Bay Rd in Hadley...an American Kestrel and a much larger falcon strafing starlings at a farm....certainly a Peregrine and a big one at that, actually very big...wish I could have stopped to check it out a bit closer

ASHFIELD (from Steve Sauter) Evening Grosbeak at feeder (present last week too) Other regulars include BC chickadee, A. goldfinch, Song sparrow, WB nuthatch, RB nuthatch, Blue jay, DE junco, Purple finch, tufted titmouse, cardinal, downy woodpecker, hairy woodpecker.

GRANVILLE BLUEBERRY HILL Official Counter: John Weeks Observers: John Weeks, Pam Witaszek Weather: Overcast; drizzle during noon hour. Rain began, sudden and steady, at 1:40 EST and ended the watch. Wind E/ESE/SE, light to moderate (0 - 8.5 mph). Temperature 37-40 F. Raptor Observations: We had our first certain sighting of a Golden Eagle (an adult) this season: Pam watched it pass directly overhead between 10:15 and 10:20 EST. I arrived ten minutes later. Expletive deleted. Male Harrier at 10:57. Non-raptor Observations: Common Loons (2), Duck species (6), American Robins (29).

NEW SALEM+ (posted to Massbird by Bill Lafley) Had a lone Pine Siskin at our feeder. Late in the day there was a Ruddy Duck in BARTON COVE.

TURNERS FALLS (posted to Massbird by Ian Lynch) I spent over an hour looking fro Franklin's Gull. I checked Turner's Falls, Barton Cove and the canal, all to no avail. There were a number of gulls around, almost all Ring-billed. The one nice exception was the continuing presence of an Iceland Gull. This bird was along the canal north of the bridge with a number of Ring-billeds. The consolation prize of the day was an immature Snow Goose in with the many, many Canada Geese in the canal.

November 10 - Thursday - Mostly Cloudy, Windy and Cold

QUABBIN (from Larry Therrien) Winsor Dam mid morning: Northern Shrike (1) landed briefly on dam scaring up some Eastern Bluebirds, Horned Grebe (1), Northern Harrier (1) buzzed the dam, Bald Eagle (1) adult, Red Tailed Hawk (2), Eastern Bluebird (4), Dark Eyed Junco (1)...only 1, American Crow (52).

NORTHAMPTON (from Chris Gentes) At Roberts Meadow Reservoir there were 30 Common Mergansers.

NORTHAMPTON (from Chuck Horn) Spent half the AM walking around Arcadia and the west meadows. Highlights all in w. meadows section: (1) yellow rumped warbler, (1) wht. crowned sparrow, (20+) tree sparrows, (1) pileated woodpecker eating wild grapes, (1) bald eagle in its usual Oxbow tree.

NEW SALEM (posted to Massbird by Bill Lafley) This AM had two flyover Evening Grosbeaks.

GRANVILLE BLUEBERRY HILL (from ABC News) 8:45 a.m. to 3 p.m. EST Observers: John Weeks, John Wojtanowski, Pam Witaszek Turkey Vulture 3 Bald Eagle 2 Northern Harrier 1 Sharp-shinned Hawk 2 Red-shouldered Hawk 1 Red-tailed Hawk 75 Golden Eagle 1 Total: 86 Mostly cloudy and very windy. One brief spell of sleet, and another of snow flurries. Wind WNW/W 19-25 mph, with gusts up to 30 mph. Temperature 41-44 F. One beautiful sight was a curtain of snow, to the north, that did not quite reach the ground. Our second Golden Eagle, a juvenile, appeared almost exactly 24 hours after the first (at 10:17 EST). (I saw it, too -- through the 'scope and very well. The pestilent simian has now been officially ejected from my dorsum.) Other Observations: Canada Geese (42), Snow Bunting.

RUSSELL (from ABC Bird News) From Tom Swochak Shatterack Mt, Russell Hawkwatch 11/10 9:15 a.m. to 3 p.m. EST Observer Tom Swochak Turkey Vulture 3 Bald Eagle 2 Northern Harrier 1 Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 Cooper's Hawk 2 Red-tailed Hawk 51 Total: 61 Other Observations: Two flocks of canada geese (7 & 40). Heard an unusual call note in the bushes near the look-out. Turned out to be a lapland longspur. Moved away after only a brief look.

HADLEY (from ABC Bird News) from James P. Smith Amherst, MA. http://keenbirding.com/ Around the Hadley Pot this morning; Ring-necked Pheasant - 1 male Yellow-shafted Flicker - 5 Red-bellied Woodpecker - 4 Horned Lark - 36 American Pipit - 15 Fox Sparrow - 1 American Tree Sparrow - 6 Lapland Longspur - 3 Rusty Blackbird - 1 At South Hadley Falls; Double-crested Cormorant - 2 Bald Eagle - 1 adult. Common Raven - 2

November 11 - Friday - Partly Cloudy, Coold and Breezy

LONGMEADOW (posted to Massbird by Janis LaPointe) Highlights of a walk at Stebbins Refuge, Longmeadow, Thursday: 11 American Coot 1 Ring-necked Duck 1 Pied-billed Grebe 1 Tree Sparrow Kinglet sp. probably Ruby-crowned with Eileen Rutman, Al and Lois Richardson

QUABBIN (from Larry Therrien) QUABBIN: Red Throated Loon (1), Common Loon (1), Red Breasted Merganser (1) female, Long Tailed Duck (3)...one male, two female, Black Scoter (1) female, American Pipit (2), American Tree Sparrow (1), White Throated Sparrow (1), Song Sparrow (2), Pileated Woodpecker (1), Golden Crowned Kinglet (4), Dark Eyed Junco (15).

SOUTHWICK (from ABC Bird News) Early Friday Congamond Ponds had 1 Lesser Scaup -male 1 Greater Scaup - female 1 Ruddy Duck - female 7 Bufflehead 1 Double-cr. Cormorant 1 Common Merganser 1 Kingfisher

HADLEY+ (from ABC Bird News) From James P. Smith afternoon - highlights HADLEY - South Maple Street Eastern Bluebird - 2 Horned Lark - 10+ Fox Sparrow - 1 Hadley - Moody Bridge Road (12:50 - 13:15hrs); CATTLE EGRET - 1 moving south low over farmland at 13:00hrs. Red-tailed Hawk - 10 flew SW including 3 together. Cooper’s Hawk - 1 Sharp-shinned Hawk - 1 Northern Flicker - 1 Lapland Longspur - 15 flew south (3, 12). TURNERS FALLS - Barton Cove Ruddy Duck - 1 American Coot - 3 Kumlien’s Iceland Gull - 1 (1st-w). Turner’s Falls Power Canal Canada Goose - 900+ (Greater) SNOW GOOSE - 1 juvenile remains. Departed at 16:30hrs with Canadas. Bufflehead - 3 Lesser Scaup - 1 (dull) male. Hooded Merganser - 10. Common Merganser - 20 ( 5 males). Common Goldeneye - 3 . Bald Eagle - 1 juvenile. American Coot - 1 Kumlien’s Iceland Gull - 1 juvenile/first winter. Probably the same from Barton Cove. *FRANKLIN’S GULL - 1, first-winter, passed over the canal at 16:37 - 16:40hrs. The same bird as Nov 8th, passing me at EXACTLY the same time as it did on Nov 8th. This time the bird didn't land to preen or bath.

GRANVILLE (BLUEBERYY HILL - 9 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. EST Observers: John Weeks, John Wojtanowski, Seth Kellogg Bald Eagle 1 Northern Harrier 1 Red-shouldered Hawk 5 Red-tailed Hawk 69 Unknown 4 Total: 80 Sunny, windy, cold. Prevailing wind WNW (sometimes W, rarely NW) 15-25 mph. Today Blueberry Hill Hawk Watch surpassed 400 hours of coverage for the season. Other Observations: Snow Geese (est. 40 -- far to the west) Horned Larks (20, landed on the hill).

November 12 - Saturday - Mostly Sunny and Mild

NORTHAMPTON (from Chris Gentes) On the Northampton waterfowl survey with Heather McQueen and Chris Ellison (6:30 am - 3:30pm): Mute Swan-4, Canada Goose-1038, Wood Duck-2, Black Duck-19, Mallard-273, Hooded Merganser-5, Common Merganser-54, DC Cormorant-2, Bald Eagle-1, Red-tailed Hawk-6, Peregrine Falcon-1, Cooper's Hawk-1, Sharp-shinned Hawk-1, Ring-billed Gull-37, Rock Pigeon-25, Mourning Dove-10, Kingfisher-7, Downy Woodpecker-8, Hairy Woodpecker-1, Red-bellied Woodpecker-1, American Crow-25, Black-capped Chickadee-30, White-breasted Nuthatch-4, Red-breasted Nuthatch-5, Tufted Titmouse-6, Brown Creeper-2, Golden-crowned Kinglet-5, Eastern Bluebird-2, American Robin-31, Starling-110, Cardinal-8, Dark-eyed Junco-41, American Tree Sparrow-5, Song Sparrow-1, Fox Sparrow-1, Swamp Sparrow-1, White-throated Sparrow-4, Red-winged Blackbird-10, Common Grackle-4, Goldfinch-28, House Sparrow-10.

NORTHFIELD (posted to Massbird by Mark Taylor) After spending the early morning hours (06:20-07:30) looking for the Franklin's Gull in the Turner's Falls area, I returned home to find 6 Pine Siskins at our feeders. The evening roost at Barton Cove may be the best approach to re-finding the Franklin's Gull, although it was seen again briefly by James Smith yesterday (11/11) evening at the canal area just before dark. Both times it has come though the canal area heading toward Barton Cove and to possibly roost there late. Any congregation of gulls during the day, within a 10-15 mile radius of Turners Falls, should be checked carefully for this rarity.

TURNERS FALLS (from Taj Schottland) Iceland gull, Ruddy Duck, and Coot.

TURNERS FALLS (psoted to Massbird by Al Richards) The Franklin's Gull previously reported by James Smith was seen today at the Turners Falls dam. The bird appeared at 3:50pm apparently coming in with a flight of gulls from the area of the power canal. After being denied a spot on one of the buoys he swam toward the dam and spent some time preening before flying back to the buoys in two legs. He the spent the next 40 minutes on one of the buoys next to a Ring-billed Gull. At aproximately 4;30 it flew to join the large raft of gulls in the cove itself. At that point I left so I don't know its further actions.

GRANVILLE BLUEBERRY HILL Official Counter: John Weeks Observers: John Weeks, John Wojtanowski Weather: Sunny and hazy. Prevailing wind WNW, light to moderate, dying away to nothing after 2:00 EST. Temperature 38-52 F. Raptor Observations: Immature Bald Eagle at 10:56 EST. Two Northern Goshawks together at 12:33 EST. A pair of Black Vultures at 13:25. Some of the Red-tails passed very high overhead (height 5 -- limit of binocular range). Non-migrant: juvenile Bald Eagle, Cooper's Hawk flying north. Non-raptor Observations: Duck species (10; Common Mergansers?), Horned Larks (3), Snow Bunting.

PLAINFIELD (from ABC Bird News) From Judy Williams - Northern Shrike

November 13 - Sunday - Mostly Sunny and Mild

NORTHAMPTON (from Chris Gentes) On Day 2 of the Northampton waterfowl survey with Heather McQueen and Chris Ellison (7am - 12:30pm): Mute Swan-2, Canada Goose-16, Wood Duck-8, Black Duck-8, Mallard-50, Hooded Merganser-2, Common Merganser-30, DC Cormorant-1, Great Blue Heron-1, Turkey Vulture-1, Bald Eagle-1, Red-tailed Hawk-3, Ring-billed Gull-20, Herring Gull-1, Rock Pigeon-10, Mourning Dove-5, Kingfisher-1, Northern Flicker-1, Downy Woodpecker-2, Hairy Woodpecker-1, Red-bellied Woodpecker-4, American Crow-120, Blue Jay-4, Black-capped Chickadee-16, White-breasted Nuthatch-5, Red-breasted Nuthatch-3, Tufted Titmouse-3, Brown Creeper-4, Golden-crowned Kinglet-5, Carolina Wren-2, Eastern Bluebird-1, American Robin-10, Starling-15, Yellow-rumped Warbler-2, Cardinal-6, Dark-eyed Junco-10, American Tree Sparrow-6, Song Sparrow-1, White-throated Sparrow-2, Red-winged Blackbird-3, Common Grackle-5, Goldfinch-11, House Sparrow-5.

QUABBIN+ (from Larry Therrien) Bufflehead (3) one male, Common Goldeneye (8) 2 males, Horned Grebe (4), Common Loon (5) with two seperate pairs calling to each other at Windsor Dam and Goodnough Dike, Black Duck (1), Mallard (4), Canada Geese (2), Bald Eagle (1) adult low over the water at Windsor Dam, Eastern Bluebird (1), Snow Bunting (1), White Throated Sparrow (1), Dark Eyed Junco (5). BELCHERTOWN: Rail Trail at midday: Red Tailed Hawk (2) calling, Golden Crowned Kinglet (6) and other usuals. TURNERS FALLS: Barton Cove: Tried for the Franklins Gull without luck. Several other birders on site also. Did see the following: Pied Billed Grebe (1), Ruddy Duck (1), American Coot (2), Hooded Merganser (4), Iceland Gull (1), Mallard (45+), Canada Geese (155+), and a large assortment of the typical gulls.

QUABBIN+ (posted to Massbird by Scott Surner) Val Miller and I made a trip around Quabbin H.Q. and Hadley this morning. A few highlights on a fantastic November day. Quabbin H.Q. 3 Common Loon 3 Bufflehead 1 Bald Eagle-Imm. 1 Red-tailed Hawk 2 Raven 6 Am.Pipits 3 E.Bluebird 1 White-winged Crossbill. Flew out of the pines near Administration building. Hadley 275 Ring-billed Gulls 18 Herring Gulls 85 Horned Larks. Amherst- Baker Street Y.B. Sapsucker Yellow-rumped Warbler

TURNERS FALLS (psoted to Massbird by Mike Resch) Waterfowl in the canal included 250 Canada Geese, 1 Snow Goose, 1 Pintail, and 2 Common Mergs. Barton's Cove waterfowl included a flock of 5 Hooded Mergs and 1 Ruddy Duck.

TURNERS FALLS (posted to Massbird by Mark Lynch) On the way home we stopped by BARTON'S COVE to try for the Franklin's Gull. Other folks were there too on the same mission, including someone who had seen the Franklin's that AM in NH. We stayed till dark (at one point we were looking at gulls in shimmering moonlight) and NO Franklin's came in. There was an ICELAND GULL among the hundreds of Ringies and handful of Herring as well as: Pied-billed Grebe (1); Canada Goose (156); Mallard (39); Hooded Merganser (8); Common Merganser (1), Ruddy Duck (2).

GRANVILLE BLUEBERRY HILL Official Counter: John Weeks Observers: Chris Chinni, John Weeks, John Wojtanowski Weather: Sunny with variable cirrus cover, hazy and warm for the time of year. Wind SW/SSW 8-15 mph, with slightly higher gusts and many lulls. The wind was not as strong as was forecast, but it didn't help -- the birds still didn't fly. Actual start-time: 9:10 EST. Raptor Observations: Two female Harriers passed through, at 10:41 and 15:26 EST. Many Red-tails -- perhaps a dozen -- lingered in the area and showed little inclination to move farther south. Ditto one Turkey Vulture and an adult Bald Eagle. Non-raptor Observations: Canada Geese (29), Horned Larks (12).

November 14 - Monday - Sunny and Mild

QUABBIN (from Larry Therrien) Waterfowl numbers down quite a bit. Common Loon (2), Snow Bunting (1), Ring Necked Pheasant (1) male, Bald Eagle (1) sub adult, American Turkey (1), Golden Crowned Kinglet (4), Cedar Waxwing (14)...no Bohemians yet, American Tree Sparrow (10), Song Sparrow (2), Dark Eyed Junco (15), Common Raven (1), Red Tailed Hawk (1), Ring Billed Gull (9), American Goldfinch (44) w/ a group of 35 in a couple of small birch trees

NORTH HADLEY+ (from Chris Gentes) In a flooded field there were 6 Wood Ducks and 4 Green-winged Teal. At the honeypot a large flock of horned larks and a Purple Finch. In EASTHAMPTON - 7 Bluebirds. In NORTHAMPTON a Harrier over the Ibis Pool.

WHATELY (posted to Massbird by Bill Benner) 17 species at the feeders in the yard this weekend. Mostly the usual suspects, but some nice birds included: White-crowned Sparrow, 1 juv. Fox Sparrow, 2 individuals Red-breasted Nuthatch, at least 3 different individuals. These guys have been hanging around the area for at least the past couple of months. Also, one Black Bear, and one Timber Tiger (= chipmunk to you flatlanders). Surprised to still be seeing the latter; last year, they all seemed to be asleep by the end of October.

GRANVILLE BLUEBERRY HILL Official Counter: John Weeks Observers: Doug James, John Weeks, John Wojtanowski Visitors: Wes Shepard, who helped with spotting and with securing the telescope tripod against the wind. Weather: Sunny with scattered cirrus; hazy until the last hour. Wind 5-20 mph; wind direction was inconstant, continually oscillating from W to WNW to NW and back. Temperature 50-55 F. Raptor Observations: Not counted as migrants: Turkey Vulture, two adult Bald Eagles, one Red-shouldered Hawk (went north!). Non-raptor Observations: Gull species (16; probably Ring-billed), American Robins (5), Song Sparrow.

WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS This is the Western Voice of Audubon for Monday, November 14

A FRANKLIN'S GULL was discovered Tuesday afternoon among the hundreds of gulls roosting at Barton Cove in Gill on the Connecticut River. It was seen again in Turners Falls on Thursday and Friday afternoon, but not over the weekend or today.

Other sightings in Turners Falls were a SNOW GOOSE, a NORTHERN PINTAIL, a LESSER SCAUP, 3 COMMON GOLDENEYE, 3 BUFFLEHEADS, 10 HOODED MERGANSERS, 20 COMMON MERGANSERS, a RUDDY DUCK, a PIED-BILLED GREBE, 3 AMERICAN COOT, an ICELAND GULL and a LESSER-BLACK-BACKED GULL.

At South Quabbin this week there were 3 BUFFLEHEADS, 7 COMMON GOLDENEYES, 3 LONG-TAILED DUCKS, a BLACK SCOTER, a RED-BREASTED MERGANSER, a RED-THROATED LOON, 6 COMMON LOONS, 4 HORNED GREBES, a NORTHERN SHRIKE, 6 AMERICAN PIPITS, a SNOW BUNTING, and a WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILL.

The WESTERN KINGBIRD was seen again in South Amherst on the Brookfield Trail going toward Lawrence Swamp. A RING-NECKED DUCK, a PIED-BILLED GREBE, and 11 AMERICAN COOT were in Longmeadow, a YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER and YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER in Amherst, and 2 SNOW BUNTINGS in Agawam.

Seen at Gate 31 in North Quabbin were a GREAT CORMORANT, 4 WOOD DUCKS, a COMMON LOON, 3 RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH, and 6 GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLETS.

In Northampton there were 8 WOOD DUCKS, 5 HOODED MERGANSERS, 54 COMMON MERGANSERS, 2 DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS, a PEREGRINE FALCON, 5 RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH, 4 BROWN CREEPERS, 5 GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLETS, 2 YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS, and a FOX SPARROW.

A CATTLE EGRET was noted in Hadley. Also seen were a NORTHERN GOSHAWK, 85 HORNED LARKS, 15 AMERICAN PIPITS, a FOX SPARROW, 15 LAPLAND LONGSPURS, and a RUSTY BLACKBIRD.

Found in Southwick were a LESSER SCAUP, a GREATER SCAUP, a RUDDY DUCK, 7 BUFFLEHEADS, a PIED-BILLED GREBE, 2 DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS, and 12 AMERICAN COOT.

Two EVENING GROSBEAKS and a PINE SISKIN were in New Salem, 4 PINE SISKINS in Pittsfield and 12 PINE SISKINS in Washington.

Counted migrating over Granville this week were 2 BLACK VULTURES, 3 TURKEY VULTURES, 9 BALD EAGLES, 6 NORTHERN HARRIERS, 7 SHARP-SHINNED HAWKS, 11 RED-SHOULDERED HAWKS, 198 RED-TAILED HAWKS, 2 GOLDEN EAGLES, 20 HORNED LARKS, and a SNOW BUNTING.

November 15 - Tuesday - Rainy

SHUTESBURY (from Kevin Weir) . There is an interesting transition at the west side feeder. Juncos are increasing, a fox sparrow and a tree sparrow come everyday, chipping sparrows and song sparrows leaving, white throat population is down to 2. Purple finch and evening grosbeak becoming familiar. Chickadees, titmouse, bluejays and goldfinch are forming regular feeding flocks. Two white and one red breasted nuthatch are dominating feeders. One downey, one hairy and one red bellied woodpeckers are coming regularly to trees around the feeder. No wrens.

SOUTHWICK (from ABC Bird News) From Seth Kellogg 11/15 Congamond Ponds 1 Ruddy Duck 1 Double-crested Cormorant 3 Common Mergansers

HADLEY (from ABC Bird News) From James Smith 11/15 Hadley (South Maple Street/Moody Bridge road); Peregrine - 1 adult 'tundrius'. Cooper's Hawk - 2 Northern Flicker - 4 Eastern Bluebird - 14 Ruby-crowned Kinglet - 1 Golden-crowned Kinglet - 1 Winter Wren - 1 (Moody Bridge road). Fox Sparrow - 1 Horned Lark - 145 Snow Bunting - 4 Lapland Longspur - 1

November 16 - Wednesday - Warm, Windy, Unsettled

PITTSFIELD (From Mike Therrien): Pontoosuc Lake: Hooded Merganser (60+), Common Merganser (20+). Onota Lake: Osprey (1), Canada Geese (120+), Mallard (3)

QUABBIN (from Larry Therrien) : Short scan from Windsor Dam late AM in rain: Common Loon (1)

LUDLOW (posted to Massbird by H Lappen) A Hampshire Bird Club trip to Ludlow Reservoir found the following: 2 Common Loons 2 Pied-Billed Grebes Lots of Canada Geese 2 Mallards 5 Black Ducks 150 Ruddy Ducks 1 Surf Scoter 9 Hooded Mergansers 2 Red Breasted Mergs 1 American Coot 1 Belted Kingfisher 2 Blue Jays 10 Chickadees At Forge Pond nearby: 2 Double Crested Cormorants and 1 lonely White Breated Nuthatch.

NORTHFIELD (posted to Massbird by Mark Taylor) These were the feeder station birds of the day. Blue Jay (12) Common Grackle (very unusual for here in Nov.) Evening Grosbeak (2) Purple Finch (fm.) Pine Siskin (20) American Goldfinch (44) * For the first time this Fall, Juncos were conspicuously absent.

November 17 - Thursday - Mostly Sunny and Colder

SPRINGFIELD+ (posted to Massbird by Chris Carpist) Walked around Forest Park from 9-11am and saw the following birds ( numbers are real rough ) house finch 30 goldfinch 10 pileated woodpecker 3 red tailed hawk 4 tit mouse 3 downy 5 Also the normal stuff like mallard, black and wood duck. Pigeon , crow, blue jay. Stopped by Stebbins and the road was flooded in a few spots . The swan was still there but the ring neck duck was no where to be seen on the Bark Haul road area. The did a short walk at LUDLOW res at 1pm Ruddy duck 40 loons 4 hooded merganser 5

LONGMEADOW+ (posted to Massbird by Janis LaPointe) At Stebbins in Longmeadow there are 5 Mute Swans. One is alone at the beaver pond. The other four (family members) are at the other end of Pondside Road. There was also still one Am. Coot present in the pond adjacent to the Beaver Pond. To add to the list from Forest Park on Thursday. There were two female Common Merganzers in Fountain Lake.

GRANVILLE BLUEBERRY HILL Official Counter: John Weeks Observers: John Weeks Weather: Variable cloudiness (10% to start, increasing to 80%). Prevailing wind WNW, with frequent shifts to W or NW, 9-18 mph. Temperature 35-39 F. Raptor Observations: Juvenile Golden Eagle at 14:34 EST. A stunning sight, in bright sunlight against dark gray clouds. White patches visible on upperwings as well as underwings. The bird rose from eye-level just west of the lookout to a point high overhead, and then glided off to the SW -- the last bird of the day, and well worth the wait. Non-raptor Observations: Common Mergansers (2 males), Cedar Waxwings (13). Two of the Waxwings sported orange tail-tips, from being fed as juveniles with berries of the invasive plant, Tartarian honeysuckle (from Russia with rhodoxanthin).

SPRINGFIELD (posted to Massbird by Bill Lafley) Thursday at sunset while traveling west on Route 291 in downtown Springfield there were hundreds of crows flying from north to south. When I got onto Route 91 heading north there were hundreds more "staging" in the trees along the west side of the highway. [reply from Chris Carpist - The crows are sleeping right next to the Mercy Hospital cancer center. Darla and I parked in the lot one evening around 4:30 and watched THOUSANDS of crows pouring in from all directions right into the dark. It was an amazing sight.]

November 18 - Friday - Mostly Sunny, Breeezy and Cold

NORTHAMPTON (from Chris Gentes) The river is on the rise again - the Pontoon Bridge covered with water and Dank's Pond flooded into the nearby field. In the field this afternoon were several hundreds Mallards along with at least 8 Pintails - 5m, 3f.

SOUTH AMHERST -- We've seen a Western kingbird multiple times in the fields around the Brookfield trail off South East St. in South Amherst. ~ Lila Gierasch and John Pylant

GRANVILLE BLUEBERRY HILL Official Counter: John Weeks Observers: John Weeks, John Wojtanowski, Pam Witaszek Visitors: Wes Shepard. Weather: Sunny and cold. Wind NW/WNW 10-22 mph (strongest in the morning, then tapering). Temperature 26-31 F. Raptor Observations: A disappointing total, given the wind direction. Non-raptor Observations: Double-crested Cormorant, Canada Geese (24), Goose Species (70 to 80 est.).

November 19 - Saturday - Mostly Sunny and Cold

NORTH HADLEY (from Chris Gentes) A single DC Cormorant was on the Pond this afternoon.

GRANVILLE BLUEBERRY HILL Official Counter: John Weeks Observers: John Weeks, Pam Witaszek Visitors: Elizabeth Pisarski, Eric Buchholz, Larry Konefal. Weather: Sunny, hazy, cold. Wind SW, then WSW, 7-12 mph. Temperature 28-40 F. Raptor Observations: Non-migrants: 3 Bald Eagles, 2 Red-tails. Non-raptor Observations: Common Mergansers (26), Cedar Waxwings (30+), Snow Bunting. The Bunting fed peacefully for hours on the ground about 50 feet from the lookout.

SOUTH AMHERST (from ABC Bird News) From James Smith Late this afternoon I found the Western Kingbird previously reported to the ‘Voice of Western Mass Audubon’. As described, the bird was near the Brookfield Trail in South Amherst. The trailhead is 1.2 miles south of South Amherst common on South-east Street. I thought I was going to miss seeing this bird, having spent a good hour working the fields from the trail itself. On my way back to the car I noticed the kingbird suddenly appear on top of the tallest trees lining South-east street. It appeared just after 4pm and the sun was already beginning to go down. However, I did grab a few images before all the light went; http://keenbirding.com/LateFall05/WestKing191105.html I got the impression that the bird may have gone to roost behind the blue house (#1555), just north up the road from the trailhead.

November 20 - Sunday - Sunny and Mild

NORTH HADLEY + (from Chris Gentes) This morning near the pond there was a Winter Wren and a Kingfisher. At Roberts Meadow Reservoir in Northampton there were 14 Common Mergansers and a Kingfisher. In TURNERS FALLS we saw the following: Rod & Gun Club - DC Cormorant and Wood Duck. Barton Cove - Ruddy Duck. Canal: Coot-1, Pintail-1, Hooded Merganser-1, Common Goldeneye-1. Later in SOUTH AMHERST Heather saw a Ruffed Grouse and a Woodcock.

QUABBIN (from Larry Therrien) Northern Shrike (1) being mobbed by goldfinches near the blueberry patch, Common Loon (2) with one calling off of Winsor Dam, Horned Grebe (2), Common Merganser (5), Bald Eagle (1), American Turkey (7), Cedar Waxwing (9), Dark Eyed Junco (10), Ring Billed Gull (16).

SOUTH AMHERST (posted to Massbird by Bill Lafley) At 11:00 AM this morning (Sun) the Western Kingbird was feeding in the field next to the Brookfield Trail off South East St in Amherst. I first picked it up in the treeline to the south of the field and it then flew into the field and perched on the weeds as it hawked insects.

GRANVILLE BLUEBERRY HILL Official Counter: John Weeks Observers: Chris Chinni, John Weeks, Pam Witaszek Visitors: Debbie Morse, her mother Fran, and Greg Douglas. Weather: Sunny and hazy. Wind WSW/SW 9-15 mph, gusting above 20 mph. Temperature 41-53 F. Raptor Observations: One surprise: an Osprey at 12:20 EST. Prior to this, our latest Osprey sighting was on November 1st (2003). Three Harriers: 09:04 (adult female), 12:20 (indet.) and 13:13 EST (adult male). Not migrating today: 2 or 3 immature Bald Eagles, 1 Turkey Vulture. Non-raptor Observations: Canada Geese (12), Common Mergansers (8), Gull species (57, in several flocks), Horned Larks (4), Cedar Waxwings (15), Snow Buntings (5).

November 21 - Monday - Mostly Cloudy and Mild

SOUTH AMHERST (psoted to Massbird by E Rutman) The Western Kingbird was present today near the Brookfield Trail in South Amherst between 2PM till at least 3:15PM when I left . The bird was observed by Harvey Allen and me, and was teed up nicely in a large tree on the right side of the trail ( near Southeast Street). The bird was found 3/4 of the way down the main trail before the major curve (in the trail).

GRANVILLE BLUEBERRY HILL Official Counter: John Weeks Observers: John Weeks Visitors: Wes Shepard. Weather: Sunny with cirrus clouds to start; clouds increased and changed to a thick blanket of stratus by noon. Wind S to SW, 5-10 mph. Temperature 46-53 F. Raptor Observations: Not migrating today: immature Bald Eagle, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Red-tail. Non-raptor Observations: American Black Duck (8), local Pileated Woodpecker, Eastern Bluebirds (6).

TURNERS FALLS (posted to Massbird by James P Smith) Late this afternoon (at 16:12hrs) a female Barrow’s Goldeneye flew into Turner’s Falls Canal to join two male Common Goldeneyes. A little later a female/first-winter Common Goldeneye flew in to join the group. I managed to show the Barrow's to Pat Carlisle who was also birding in the area. Otherwise the area was rather quiet, with a Bald Eagle and a Winter Wren at Barton Cove the only birds of note there.

WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS This is the Western Voice of Audubon for Monday, November 21

The highlight of the week was a WESTERN KINGBIRD in fields near the Brookfield walking trail on South East Street in Amherst. The bird perches on the tops of trees, bushes, and weeds in the fields along the trail and about 4 p.m. goes to roost in pine trees behind a blue house opposite the trail entrance.

Ludlow Reservoir continues to have a variety of ducks. Seen this week were 2 COMMON LOONS, 2 PIED-BILLED GREBES, 150 RUDDY DUCKS, a SURF SCOTER, 2 RED-BREASTED MERGANSERS and an AMERICAN COOT.

Found in Hadley early in the week were a PEREGRINE FALCON, 14 EASTERN BLUEBIRDS, a WINTER WREN, a FOX SPARROW, 145 HORNED LARKS, 4 SNOW BUNTINGS, and a LAPLAND LONGSPUR.

Two EVENING GROSBEAKS and 20 PINE SISKINS were in Northfield, a NORTHERN GOSHAWK and a SNOW BUNTING on Mt. Greylock, and a NORTHERN SHRIKE and LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL in Barre.

A COMMON LOON and a HORNED GREBE were the only water birds reported from the Quabbin Reservoir, but at Turners Falls a female BARROWS GOLDENEYE was seen in the power canal late this afternoon. Also seen at Turners Falls were a WOOD DUCK, a RUDDY DUCK, a NORTHERN PINTAIL, and an AMERICAN COOT.

Seen in Southwick were a RUDDY DUCK, a COMMON LOON, a DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT, an OSPREY, 2 HERMIT THRUSH, and a FIELD SPARROW.

Pontoosuc Reservoir had 2 GADWALLS, 3 AMERICAN WIGEON, 2 BUFFLEHEAD, 140 HOODED and 130 COMMON MERGANSERS. Four NORTHERN SHOVELERS were at the north end of Lake Onota. Seen on Cheshire Reservoir were 5 NORTHERN PINTAIL, 12 RING-NECKED DUCKS, 4 COMMON GOLDENEYE, and 2 RUDDY DUCKS. A BLACK VULTURE was seen soaring over Williamstown, a YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER was in Great Barrington, and 26 GREEN-WINGED TEAL were on Mill Pond in Egremont. Also seen in Egremont was another BLACK VULTURE. A SHORT EARED OWL was heard calling in Pittsfield and a feeder there hosted 10 EVENING GROSBEAKS, and 6 FOX SPARROWS. Seen at the Moran Wildlife Area in Windsor were a NORTHERN SHRIKE, 40 RED-BREASTED NUTHATCHES, 16 SNOW BUNTINGS, and 20 EVENING GROSBEAKS. A visit to the town of Stockbridge produced two VIRGINIA RAILS, an EASTERN SCREECH OWL, a WINTER WREN, a MARSH WREN, a GRAY CATBIRD, and 3 RUSTY BLACKBIRDS.

Noted in the northern town of Royalston were 11 RED-BREASTED NUTHATCHES, 2 BROWN CREEPERS, 8 GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLETS, 2 PINE SISKINS, and 27 EVENING GROSBEAKS. In nearby Petersham there were 64 HOODED MERGANSERS, 80 WILD TURKEYS, a WINTER WREN, and 15 SNOW BUNTINGS.

Migrating hawks have been scarce on Blueberry Hill in Granville. The week’s total was a TURKEY VULTURE, an OSPREY, 2 BALD EAGLES, 2 SHARP-SHINNED HAWKS, a COOPER’S HAWK, 8 RED-SHOULDERED HAWKS, and 33 RED-TAILED HAWKS. Also at the watch site were six EASTERN BLUEBIRDS and 5 SNOW BUNTINGS.

November 22 - Tuesday - Rained Night and Day

November 23 - Wednesday - Sunny and Cold

NORTHAMPTON+ (from Chris Gentes) In the Old Bed there were 32 Common Mergansers and a Ring-necked Duck. In the Honeypot there was a Kestrel.

TURNERS FALLS+ (from Taj Schottland) Today at Bartons Cove: 1 Ruddy Duck (fairly close to shore), 5 Buffleheads. Power Canal: 1 Coot, 1 first winter Icleand Gull. From 1:10 to 1:50 I tried for the Western Kingbird, and did not see it. I walked along the trail as far as, i believe what is called, Lawrence Swamp before turning around and walking back. I did see 15+ Bluebirds along with 1 Flicker.

GRANVILLE BLUEBERRY HILL Official Counter: John Weeks Observers: John Weeks Weather: Cloudy with frequent snow showers in the morning; sunny in the afternoon. Wind generally W (occasionally WNW or even NW) and gusty, 12-22 mph. Temperature 20-23 F. Raptor Observations: Not migrating today: 4 Bald Eagles (2 ad, 2 imm). Non-raptor Observations: Great Blue Heron (viewed through blowing snow), Common Ravens (10 in a kettle flying below two of the eagles), Snow Bunting.

LEVERETT (from Jaap van Heerden) This afternoon I observed TWO adult Bald Eagles circling over Amherst Road, Leverett, near the intersection with Depot Road.

November 24 - Thursday - First Snow of the year

AMHERST/BELCHERTOWN (from ABC Bird News) From Scott Surner 1 Sapsucker in Amherst 4 Evening Grosbeaks at Belchertown feeder

November 25 - Friday - Sunny and Very Cold

GRANVILLE BLUEBERRY HILL Official Counter: John Weeks Observers: John Weeks, Pam Witaszek Weather: Sunny and cold. Wind W 8-15 mph. Temperature 19-27 F. Raptor Observations: Pam glimpsed what was almost certainly a Rough-legged Hawk at about 14:35 EST -- it hovered low like a Kestrel -- but it dropped behind trees before we could confirm it. Non-migrants: 2 Bald Eagles (adult, immature). Non-raptor Observations: Canada Geese (25), Common Mergansers (4).

TURNERS FALLS (posted to Massbird by Mark Taylor) After pouring through several hundred Ring-billed Gulls in the canal region of Turners Falls, I came upon 6 Snow Buntings in the access road to the Fish Labs. After trying to pass them and get a better angle in the sun, they flew to the other side of the canal and foraged along the new bike path. Not much else new to report from here today.

TURNERS FALLS (from Chris Gentes) At Bartons Cove there were 13 Hooded Mergansrs and 1 Ruddy Duck. At the canal there was a Coot, 1 Bufflehead and 2 Common Goldeneyes.

SOUTHWICK (from ABC Bird News) From Seth Kellogg Congamond Ponds in Southwick 11/25 in p.m. 1 Bufflehead 7 Hooded Merganser 100+ Common Merganser 1 Common Loon 12 Coot

November 26 - Saturday - Hazy and Cold, Flurries

NORTH HADLEY (from Chris Gentes) In the fields off Stockbridge Road there were 113 Horned Larks

BELCHERTOWN (from Larry Therrien) At the feeders today: Pine Siskin (1), Dark Eyed Junco (12), plus quite a few of the usuals.

GRANVILLE BLUERRY HILL Official Counter: John Weeks Observers: John Weeks Weather: Overcast. It snowed midwatch for two hours straight. Wind variable (S to W) and generally light, 4-10 mph. Temperature 23-25 F. Raptor Observations: Sharp-shin flying north. Non-raptor Observations: Canada Geese (212), Common Mergansers (one skein of 34), Hairy Woodpeckers (2, female & male), Red-winged Blackbirds (5).

November 27 - Sunday - Cold and Cloudy

NORTH HADLEY (from Chris Gentes) A few birds seen around North Hadley this morning include: Northern Harrier-1, Sharp-shinned Hawk-1, Great Horned Owl-1, Cedar Waxwing-80.

SPRINGFIELD (posted to Massbird by Russ Titus) A lone Red Crossbill made it onto my yard list in East Forest Park, Springfield this morning, seen flying over and calling. Snow Bunting, American Pipit and lingering grackles were other flyovers this weekend.

LONGMEADOW (posted to Massbird by Janis LaPointe) Rufous-phase Eastern Screech Owl in Longmeadow today.

COLRAIN+ (posted to Massbird by Mark Lynch) VERY few birds of any species around anywhere in Colrain today, with most activity around the few feeders we could find (typical species like jays and Black-capped Chickadees) and farms (English Sparrows, starlings Rock Pigeons). Highlights, or what highlights there were, included 41 Wild Turkeys feeding in various scenic snowing fields and a Pileated Woodpecker that flew right in front of us while were deep in the very quiet and snowy Cook SF. We then headed SE to QUABBIN Park/South Quabbin: Common Loon (2) Mallard (1) A Black Duck (7) Common Merganser (4) Herring Gull (1) Downy Woodpecker (3) Hairy Woodpecker (2) Blue Jay (6) A Crow (9: weirdly, we also dipped on Raven in both Colrain and Quabbin Park) Black-capped Chickadee (41) Red-breasted Nuthatch (8) White-breasted Nuthatch (5) Northern Shrike (1imm: this bird was at the Enfield Lookout and perched and made attempts to catch prey very close to us giving us spectacular views) Yellow-rumped Warbler (1 overhead, heading west) Tree Sparrow (30) Field Sparrow (1) Song Sparrow (1) Dark-eyed Junco (1) Snow Bunting (flock of 8 heading west while I was on the dam) Purple Finch (1 flying west overhead) A Goldfinch (2)

GRANVILLE BLUEBERYY HILL Official Counter: John Weeks Observers: John Weeks, John Wojtanowski, Pam Witaszek Weather: Overcast. Light, variable winds (E prevailing), 0-6 mph. Temperature 32-35 F. Raptor Observations: Starters Witaszek and Weeks, ably assisted by reliever Wojtanowski, continued yesterday's streak by holding Hawks scoreless through another five innings. Hawks put an adult Red-shouldered Hawk on base, moved it to second, but watched in dismay as the bird was thrown out sliding into third. (The RS, moving from tree to tree, hunted the hill for half an hour, then disappeared skimming the ground without making any progress to the south. Splendid looks through the telescope.) Non-raptor Observations: Great Blue Heron, Canada Geese (249), American Black Ducks (31), Common Mergansers (9), Ring-billed Gull, Gull species (7, probably RBGU), Hairy Woodpecker (female), Pileated Woodpecker (male; put on ostentatious show), American Robin, Snow Buntings (2). Predictions: Only northbound migration could be worse.

November 28 - Monday - Rainy and Cool

GREENFIELD (posted to Massbird by Marj Rines) I'm at Mass Audubon today at work and got a call from a man in Greenfield who had a Yellow-throated Warbler show up at his feeder yesterday. He hasn't seen it today, but hasn't been spending a lot of time watching his feeder. The feeder is visible from the road, and he says that as long as people are courteous about parking, they are welcome to come and look for it. He lives at 48 Overlook Road in Greenfield. If you Yahoo Maps the location you'll see there is a Pond on the left side of the road, and he says his house is a beige ranch on the right side of the road just beyond the pond. (when I asked him if he meant yellowthroat or Yellow-throated he said, "Yellow-throated, you know, dendroica dominica" so I figure he knows what he's talking about).

QUABBIN: (from Larry Therrien) Area around Windsor Dam: Despite the constant gunfirearound the area, had some good birds. Common Loon (1) calling, Long Tailed Duck (1) male, Yellow Rumped Warbler (2), Snow Bunting (1), American Turkey (6) feeding along dam, Bald Eagle (1) adult, Common Raven (1), Cedar Waxwing (23), Canada Geese (11), Northern Flicker (1).

WEST STOCKBRIDGE (report from Mike Therrien) Along West Center Rd this morning, Snow Bunting (17).

NORTHAMPTON (from Chris Gentes) Very foggy - but at the Marina I saw 38 Common Mergansers and 3 Hooded Mergansers.

WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS This is the Western Voice of Audubon for Monday, November 28

Over the weekend a YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER was coming to a suet feeder in the front yard of 28 Overland Drive in Greenfield. Overland is a right off Routes 5 and 10 just north of the Route 2 intersection. Visitors are welcome to park carefully in front of the house if they wish to try to see this bird.

In Turners Falls there were 2 COMMON GOLDENEYES, 5 BUFFLEHEADS, a RUDDY DUCK, 13 HOODED MERGANSERS, an ICELAND GULL, an AMERICAN COOT, and 6 SNOW BUNTINGS.

Seen this week at the South Quabbin area of the Quabbin Reservoir were a LONG-TAILED DUCK, 2 COMMON LOONS, a NORTHERN FLICKER, a NORTHERN SHRIKE, 8 RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH, 23 CEDAR WAXWINGS, 2 YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS, and a FIELD F.

A NORTHERN HARRIER, 113 HORNED LARKS, and 80 CEDAR WAXWINGS were in Hadley, a RING-NECKED DUCK, FOX SPARROW, and 32 CEDAR WAXWINGS were in Northampton, a YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER was in Pelham, and a NORTHERN FLICKER and 15 EASTERN BLUEBIRDS were in Amherst.

The WESTERN KINGBIRD that was seen in Amherst has not been reported since Nov. 20.

Seen on Congamond Ponds in Southwick were a BUFFLEHEAD, a COMMON GOLDENEYE, 7 HOODED MERGANSERS, more than 100 COMMON MERGANSERS, a COMMON LOON, and 20 AMERICAN COOT.

A PINE SISKIN was at a feeder in Belchertown, an EASTERN SCREECH-OWL was found in Longmeadow, and a RED CROSSBILL, a SNOW BUNTING, and an AMERICAN PIPIT were seen flying over a yard in Springfield.

Two feeders in Williamstown hosted a FOX SPARROW, a RUSTY BLACKBIRD, a COMMON REDPOLL, and 50 EVENING GROSBEAKS. A BROWN THRASHER was coming to a feeder in Hancock, and 3 FOX SPARROWS and a RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD were at another feeder in Pittsfield.

The hawkwatch on Blueberry Hill in Granville recorded 4 RED-SHOULDERED HAWKS and 26 RED-TAILED HAWKS during the week, along with two GREAT BLUE HERONS, 34 COMMON MERGANSERS, 10 COMMON RAVENS, and 2 SNOW BUNTINGS.

November 29 - Tuesday - Cloudy and Unseasonably Mild

NORTHAMPTON - Bob Bieda found a Common Tern on one of the small islands in the Oxbow this morning

NORTHAMPTON (from James P. Smith) I also had three Bald eagles at the Oxbow (2 adults and a juv), and the dropped down to South Hadly Falls and found no less than 3 first-winter Iceland Gulls on the rocks in river below the dam. 15 American Tree, 1 White-throated and 1 Song Sparrow were in the parking lot there as well.

GILL (from ABC Bird News) From Shawn Smolen-Morton Barton Cove in Gill 11/29 Two drake Redhead ducks were visible from the Gill side by the small pumping station looking out into the cove. They were present at dusk today.

QUABBIN+ (from Larry Therrien) Common Goldeneye (6).one male, Common Loon (2), Mallard (1) with the Goldeneye's, Snow Bunting (2), Eastern Bluebird (6), American Tree Sparrow (18), Common Raven (2), Golden Crowned Kinglet (1), Ruffed Grouse (1), Bald Eagle (1) adult, American Turkey (6), Cedar Waxwing (11), Dark Eyed Junco (6). AMHERST: Rail trail at station rd mid afternoon: American Tree Sparrow (41), Carolina Wren (1), Song Sparrow (1), Cedar Waxwing (16).

November 30 - Wednesday - Mostly Cloudy and Mild

NORTHAMPTON (from Chris Gentes) No sign of the Common Tern, but there was a flock of 15 Snow Buntings near the Marina.

GRANVILLE BLUEBERRY HILL Official Counter: John Weeks Observers: John Weeks, Pam Witaszek Visitors: Someone, in our absence, visited the site and carved a variant of the universal half-witticism on our picnic table: "---- BIRDS." I don't know whether I feel anger or sadness more. Weather: Overcast, foggy and unseasonably warm at first; partial clearing after 14:00 EST, with drop in temperature and increasing wind. Wind W/WNW 6.8 - 15.6 mph. Temperature 51-47 F. Raptor Observations: Four migrants (all probably Red-tails) passed far to the east and were unidentifiable. Non-migrants: one adult and two immature Bald Eagles. Non-raptor Observations: JUVENILE NORTHERN SHRIKE at 14:35 EST. Canada Geese (31).

GRANBY (posted to Massbird by Lori Rogers) 11/19 - Carolina Wren Fox Sparrow Cedar Waxwings (8) Ruby Crowned Kinglet - hung around for several hours feeding in my herb garden Tree Sparrow 11/23 - Fox Sparrow Pine Siskins (4) 11/25 - Fox Sparrow 11/26 - Fox Sparrow Carolina Wren 11/27 - Fox Sparrow Carolina Wren (2) - first time I've ever seen two in my yard at the same time Pine Siskin (1) 11/30 - Fox Sparrow Pileated Woodpecker

TURNERS FALLS+ (posted to Massbird by James P Smith) One Redhead at Barton Cove. Also 15 Hooded Mergansers and a Ruddy Duck. And at the Power Canal at Turner’s Falls, a female Barrow’s Goldeneye with 13 Common Goldeneyes and 25 Common Mergansers. In and around UMass playing fields, Amherst in early afternoon were c.1200 Ring-billed Gulls, and in Hadley a Hermit Thrush on the Norwottuck Rail Trail near Rte 9.