March 2004 Sightings

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March 2004 Sightings
Hampshire, Hampden & Franklin Counties of Massachusetts

March 1 Monday Partly Sunny, Very Warm
NORTHAMPTON (reported from Larry Therrien) Just stopped by the Burt's Pit Road pile...a Killdeer in the field opposite and after a quick look through the gulls....at least one Iceland and a Glaucous. Also took a walk to Fitzgerald lake from Cooke Ave. Had a Pileated Woodpecker among the many other expected birds. The lake is still frozen, but probably not for long. Also spent a few hours in the Arcadia meadows this afternoon. There I had 600+ Crows, a Fish Crow, a flock of Red winged Blackbirds (90+), Common Grackles (25+), 100 Robins, and some Starlings...very vocal group! Also had a large group of gulls in the fields, in the air and down on the ice in the Oxbow...at least 300 total..nothing unusual noted in the group...but many were quite distant. Also had well over down in the Arcadia meadows too

SHUTESBURY (report from Kevin Weir) The great horned owl is answering my call every night.He is still occasionally calling during the afternoon even with the sun. Other than that, we have chickadees, titmice, goldfinch, lots of juncos, doves, white nuthatch and two really neat red breasted nuthatch, cardinals, purple finches, the usual red tail hawk resident, a couple of ravens, red bellied woodpecker, downeys, hairys, and the bluejay gang. Haven't seen the yellow bellied sapsucker, cedar waxwings and redpolls for about a week. I've heard the pilated and found fresh evidence of the pilated but haven't spotted them yet. Biggest disappointment this year was the first English Sparrow that I've seen out here at a feeder, so that feeder is closed for the season. We now await the tree swallows, barn swallows, phoebes, pee wees, and the great host of warblers.

HADLEY (report from Chris Gentes) A Kestrel way up North Maple Street. Many Canada Geese in the open fields off Russelville Road. Red-winged Blackbirds and Grackles here and there.

AGAWAM (Western Voice of Audubon for Monday, March 1) There were four Buffleheads, 7 Hooded Mergansers, 25 Common Goldeneyes, and a Bald Eagle.

March 2 Tuesday In the High 50s!
GRANBY (reported on Massbird by Lori Rogers) I had some interesting birds at my feeders today: Grackle (the first one showed up on Sunday, but there were several today), Brown Headed Cowbird, Red-winged Blackbird, Fox Sparrow, Red-breasted Nuthatch (he's been a daily visitor all winter), Common Redpoll (1), Pine Siskin (1).

NORTH HADLEY (report from Chris Gentes) On the river there were 8 Common Mergansers, 1 Hooded Merganser, and 1 Common Goldeneye. The most beautiful rainbow I've ever seen as well. To the west was a beautiful sunset with a few gold clouds and blue sky. To the east was a wall of the darkest storm clouds I've ever seen - a deep dark ash color. The rainbow was against this dark sky and in the middle of the rainbow there were smaller white clouds moving quickly at a lower altitude. The colors of the rainbow contrasted with the jet dark clouds. It was truely amazing. Then a flock of robins flew in the middle of it all illuminated by the golden light of the setting sun.

NORTHAMPTON (report from Larry Therrien) I stopped by Fitzgerald Lake briefly coming in from the North Farms Rd side. Again I heard and saw a Pileated Woodpecker. The ice is slowly giving way to open water. I then took a stop by Arcadia and had the following highlights-American Crows-400+, Fish Crows-2, Red Winged Blackbirds-400+, Common Grackles-80+, Robins-110+ and five Turkey Vultures. Also at least 300 gulls on the ice in the oxbow.

March 3 Wednesday Sunny, Mild, Breezy
SOUTHWICK (reported on Massbird by Jesse Vanek) I came across a pair of American Wigeon on the South Pond at Lake Congamond in Southwick this evening. Other highlights included a pair of Ring-necked Ducks and 4 Hooded Mergansers (3 males).

HADLEY (report from Pete Yeskie) At Mitch's Way I had 12 Wood Ducks, 30 Black Ducks, 12 Hooded Mergs, plus the usual.

DEERFIELD (reported on Massbird by Rob Ranney) A Killdeer has arrived in Deerfield, just as open land is being exposed by melting snow. It is calling from the capped landfill on Lee Road. This is a sure sign of mud season.

NORTHAMPTON (report from Larry Therrien) I stopped by the oxbow and there were still at least 250 Gulls there...with at least one Glaucous among them. Could have been some other interesting stuff there, but with the wind the gulls were laying low and slow together. The highlight for the day would be taking a walk down in the meadows near the airport and seeing at least 2000 Canada Geese approx a mile south of the bridge in the river. Some took flight when two juvenile Bald Eagles made a low level appearance. The eagle stayed around for several minutes chasing each other around. Also a few Common Mergansers and Mallards in with the geese.

HADLEY (report from Chris Gentes) Early this morning off Mount Warner Road in the fields the 2 Bluebirds were still at their box. The Shrike was teed up and 10 Common Redpolls flew in. Also Red-wings calling, 30 Robins in the fields and 3 Red-tails perched.

NORTHAMPTON (report from Chris Gentes) This afternoon I walked along the Mill River from Paradise Pond to the High School "Marsh". Paradise Pond is still frozen but the river is open. The path was either muddy or very icy. It was also a complete mess from dogs. There was a stiff wind so not much seen other than 6 Common Mergansers, 20 Mallards (mating seen), 16 Black Ducks and 10 Robins.

NEW SALEM (reported on Massbird by Bill Lafley) A walk at Gate 35 to the base of Soapstone Hill. I had: Bald Eagle 6 (4ad, 2im), Golden Eagle 1 (soaring with two of the balds), Ravens 10 (in a group but distinctly paired), B. Creeper 2, GC Kinglet 2. The Ravens were soaring together (paired) in a group just south of Soapstone and then they gradually dispersed in pairs. The reservoir is still completely frozen in the North Quabbin area or at least the areas I saw.

March 4 Thursday Cloudy, Mild, Rain Overnight
NORTHAMPTON (report from Chris Gentes) Arcadia Meadows snow free for the most part, but the side ponds still frozen as is the oxbow. Hundreds of Gulls - picked out 1 Glaucous. A female Harrier migrating overhead.

SOUTH AMHERST (report from Heather McQueen) Hop Brook had the following: pair of Canada Geese, 6 Wood Ducks, 5 Black Ducks, 10 Mallards, 7 Hooded Mergansers, and a Killdeer nearby.

CONNECTICUT RIVER (reported on Massbird by Al Richards) A trip along the Conn. River from Sunderland to Turners Falls (Rod & Gun) turned up the following new arrivals: Hooded Mergansers (5), Bufflehead (2 f), Green-wing Teal (1 m), Ring-neck Duck (3 m). Other species seen but not new arrivals: Common Mergansers 50 or so, Common Goldeneye c. 20, Mallards c. 60, American Black Duck c. 250 (nice to see them outnumber Mallards)

ASHFIELD (reported on Massbird by Steve Sauter) 3 mile walk list --- Red-tailed Hawk 1, N. Goshawk 1, Ruffed Grouse 2, C. Redpolls 12, A. Goldfinch 15, BC Chickadee 30, WB Nuthatch 6, RB Nuthatch 4, Blue Jay 25, A. Crow 37, N. Raven 3, Brown Creeper 2, Evening Grosbeak 3, Tufted Titmouse 2, Hairy Woodpecker 3 males, Downy Woodpecker 1, Golden-crowned Kinglet 2, Tree Sparrow 3, House Sparrow 2, DE Junco, singing 1, Red-winged Blackbird 12, Snow Bunting 12, A. Robin 13, E. Bluebird 1. Raccoon in tree hollow, Bee tree with swarming workers

March 5 Friday Cloudy, Rainy, Damp
HADLEY (reported on Massbird by Steve Sauter) Just back from a shopping foray into the valley and was treated to 8 Snow Geese flying south and low over Bread and Circus.

SOUTHWICK (reported on Massbird by Seth Kellogg) This afternoon on Congamonds Lakes in Southwick there were seven male and two female Canvasbacks. They were swimming quietly in the small part of the South Pond that was not frozen, close to Congamond Road (Rte 168). Also there: 2 f. Ring-necked Ducks, 2 m, 1f. American Wigeon.

March 6 Saturday Cloudy and Damp - 50s
NORTH HADLEY (report from Chris Gentes) On the river were 13 Wood Ducks, 15 Mallards, 8 Black Ducks, 7 American Wigeon, 2 Ring-necked Ducks, 2 Hooded Mergansers and 12 Common Mergansers. North Hadley Pond is just opening up a little bit and a Hooded Merganser and Common Merganser were seen. Other birds of note include 8 Killdeer flying together overhead, 35 Turkeys off Mount Warner Road, a Bald Eagle just visible on the nest in Hockunum, and 8 Tree Sparrows.

AMHERST (report from Heather McQueen) On Hop Brook this morning there were 10 Hooded Mergansers.

SOUTH HADLEY (report from Chris Gentes) There were 4 Green-winged Teal on the river above the dam, 3 Turkey Vultures perched on powerline poles at the corner of Brainerd & Alvord, and a dark phase Snow Goose at Brunelle's Marina.

March 7 Sunday Sunny, Breezy, Mild
HOCKUNUM (report from Chris Gentes) On a stretch of the Conn River best described as 'East of Shepard's Island' there was an incredible gathering of waterfowl this afternoon. Perhaps all the frozen ponds congregated them together. At one point the entire group was put up by a boat; they circled above in small groups flying every which way before most landed again. The Wood Ducks were lining the shore in some spots. It was an incredible spectacle. Wood Duck (117), Mallard (160), Black Duck (146), Northern Pintail (28), American Wigeon (18), Green-winged Teal (27), Ring-necked Duck (3), Hooded Merganser (6), Common Merganser (11).

LOWER CONNECTICUT RIVER (reported on Massbird by Seth Kellogg) A tour of the lower Conn River Valley this morning by myself, Tom Collins, John Weeks and Janice Zepko produced the following highlights.
----Longmeadow (Pondside): 5 Pintail, 9 Green-winged Teal, 20 Hooded Merganser, 12 Ring-necked Duck, 5 Wood Duck.
----Chicopee - Chicopee River Oxbow: 1 Mute Swan, 2 American Wigeon, 25 Wood Duck, 45 Ring-necked Duck, 13 Common Goldeneye (Conn River), 18 Hooded Merganser, 22 Common Merganser (Conn River), Carolina Wren.
----Holyoke: Conn River 1 RED-NECKED GREBE (from Heritage Park in S Hadley), 12 Common Merganser, Carolina Wren.
----West Springfield: 5 Wood Duck, 15 Common Merganser, 3 Common Goldeneye, 1 Bald Eagle (on nest).
----Agawam: 3 Ring-necked Duck, 2 Common Goldeneye, 8 Common Merganser.

HADLEY (report from Chris Gentes) Saw the following in the Hadley Cove - Hundreds of Canada Geese, Wood Duck (pair), Mallard (10), Black Duck (12), Northern Pintail (2 m, 1 f), Ring-neckd Duck (3), Common Merganser (3), Hooded Merganser (1). In the Honeypot there was an Iceland Gull in with the regulars.

NORTH HADLEY (report from Chris Gentes) On the river were: 6 Wood Ducks, 11 Black Ducks, 1 Mallard, 4 C. Goldeneye, 4 Hooded Mergansers, 5 Common Mergansers.

ASHFIELD (reported on Masssbird by Steve Sauter) Beautiful day here in Ashfield! While sitting in the late winter sun on my deck stairs I had a Sharp-shinned in a tangled hot pursuit of a BC Chickadee. After failing to get his hooks into the intended, they both landed in a Sugar maple and stared at each other through the branches, paying no attention to me just 8 feet below. The Sharpie then took off. An hour later walking past the sugarhouse up the street, a female Goshawk came tearing through the woods in chase of something moving too fast for me to I.D. Each year I see Goshawks there. 15 minutes later farther up the street at the power lines was a Coopers, dipping and soaring. Excellent lesson on the accipiter family.

March 8 Monday Light Snow
NORTHAMPTON (report from Chris Gentes) I walked around Paradise Pond this afternoon and saw 11 male and 2 female Common Mergansers and a pair of wood ducks. It was very quiet along the Mill River in the falling snow and I was able to get very close to the mergansers. Nine males were swimming slowly around one female. Then I heard a "wug-wug-wug-wuga-wug" call that vaguely sounded like turkeys. I thought there might be some way up hospital hill; however, I soon realized that this odd sound wasn't coming from the distance, but from the mergansers just thirty feet away. It was the male mergansers very soft display call; one I had never heard before. Madge discribes it perfectly as an "uttered strange twanging 'uig-a". I also found it refreshing that while hundreds of wood ducks are streaming through the region, this pair seemed quite content setting up house in this small out-of-the-way still partly frozen stream.

TURNERS FALLS CANAL (reported on Massbird by Bill Lafley) This afternoon there was a flock of about 40 Common Goldeneyes and in the flock was a female with an all yellow bill and very steepish (is that a word?) forehead. Looked to be a Barrow's Goldeneye but if anyone is birding that area it might be worth a look. I had an appointment to get to and had very limited time. There was also 2 Buffleheads and a Ring-necked Duck in the canal.

March 9 Tuesday Occasional Light Snow
SUNDERLAND (reported on Massbird by Rob Ranney) A little after 11 AM, I stopped at the Riverside Cemetery. Seven squeaking male Wood Ducks were drifting downstream, surrounding a single female. Also, several hundreds of Canada Geese are on the field on Meadow St in Amherst, at the Hadley town line, and hundreds more on corn fields along Rt. 47 in Hadley and Sunderland. The Barton Cove Bald Eagles have their first egg in the nest, as of Monday afternoon: http://www.nu.com/eagles/default.asp

TURNERS FALLS TO NORTHAMPTON (report from Larry Therrien) Took a trip to Turners Falls this morning and back down along the river, mainly following Rt 47. I had the following highlights at the following various locations. At Bartons Cove I had Ring Necked Duck (12), Common Merganser (32), Hooded Merganser (11), Mute Swan (15) as well as Canada Geese and the three usual gulls. At the Power Canal I had Mute Swan (1), Mallard (22), Common Goldeneye (7) with alot of displaying by the males. Also heard a few robins and red winged blackbirds. At Mt Suagrloaf I had a Peregrine perched on the cliffside. It was great to see we may have another year of them up there. I then stopped at the cemetery on Rt 47 in Sunderland...I must have missed Rob Ranney but just a couple minutes. I had the same group of Wood Ducks slowing floating down the river. Along Rt 47 I had a large flock of birds containing Red-winged Blackbirds (125+), Starlings (100+), Brown headed Cowbird (15) and Common Grackle (25). Further on I had a group of Canada Geese (600+) in fields. Also had a stop at North Lane Conservation area along the river in Hadley and had a few Common Mergansers, Robins (30) and a Song Sparrow. Along Cemetery Rd in Hadley a nice Red-tailed Hawk perched among a vocal group of Robins (50+) and Redwinged Blackbirds. My final stop for the morning was in the meadows near the Northampton airport. American Crows (200+), Red-winged Blackbirds (600+), Common Grackle (50+) and Lots of Starlings. Also had Red Tailed Hawks (3) and a nice mixed flock of 25 birds split between Junco's and Tree Sparrows. The final birds of the day were Canada Geese that just kept coming in from the south in waves. In the 30 minutes I was there four seperate waves came in with at least 550 birds...they all seemed to be going down in the river well south of me or in the far end of the meadows...a bit ot muddy to chase them down. One final sighting was a group of approximately 25 Horned Larks flying by.

ASHFIELD (reported on Massbird by Steve Sauter) I just had a Northern Shrike at the corner of 116 and 112 on the Sanderson Academy property.

SOUTH AMHERST (report from Heather McQueen) Along the Hop Brook saw a pair of Hoodies from the bridge The Canada Goose pair were in the water right next to the path before the bridge. Sitting on logs next to them were another pair of Hoodies preening. I didn't want to bug them, since they were right next to the path, so I didn't go any further. I heard at least 3 Wood Ducks making that crazy wheezing-click sound that they make. And I saw a pair of Green wing Teals fly and heard their tooting call from the back of pond so there were more.

NORTHAMPTON (report from Chris Gentes) Today there were 13 male and four female Common Mergansers at Paradise Pond - still making their courtship calls. Also saw the following - 3 Brown Creepers, 1 Golden-crowned Kinglet, 10 White-throated Sparrows and 5 Tree Sparrows - all were calling or singing. Also saw a Great Blue Heron fly overhead.

AMHERST (Western Voice of Audubon for Tuesday, March 9 ) A Northern Shrike was reported on Hobart Lane.

March 10 Wednesday Sunny, Cool
NORTHAMPTON (reported on Massbird by Jan Ortiz) Bob Bieda just called (11:00 am) to report an immature Tundra Swan in the East Meadows in Northampton. Directions: Take the road to the Northampton Airport off of Route 9 (just west of I-91). After going under I-91, turn right and follow the road to the last building, a red barn. Park here. Walk about a half mile south on the road. Wear wet gear. Bob reported that he was standing ankle deep in mud. NOTE: Not seen 1-2 pm.

NORTHAMPTON (report from Larry Therrien) At the Arcadia meadows- Canada Geese (2500+) in open river, Hooded Mergansers (6), Common Mergansers (9), Ring Necked Ducks (8), Mallards (44), Black Duck (6), Turkey Vultures (3), Red Tailed Hawk (6 or more), Red shouldered Hawk (2), Sharp shinned Hawk (1), Bald Eagle (1) juvenile, Coopers Hawk (1), Eastern Bluebird (3), plus two mixed flock of blackbirds numbering a total of at least 10,000...very loud! In the East Meadows...highlights of Horned Lark (10), Red Tailed Hawks (7), Turkey Vulture (4), mixed flock of blackbirds (200+), Amer Robins (55+), Wood Duck (2), Bald Eagle (1) adult.

NORTHFIELD (reported on Massbird by Mark Taylor) We took a late afternoon walk around the fields at Bennett Meadow WMA in Northfield. Numbers of waterfowl starting to build. Canada Goose (600), Wood Duck (200), Mallard (120), Black Duck (40), Ring-necked Duck (45), Great Blue Heron (1), Red-tailed Hawk (2), Killdeer (4).

NORTH HADLEY (report from Chris Gentes) The pond is just beginning to open up on the Stockbridge Road side. This morning there were 20 Ring-necked Ducks, 6 Wood Ducks, 5 Common Mergansers, and several hundred Canada Geese.

March 11 Thursday Sunny, Cool
NORTHAMPTON (reported on Massbird by Bob Bieda) I relocated the imm. Tundra Swan this morning in the east meadows. It had moved about a quarter mile west of yesterday morning's location. Coming in on Hockanum Rd., which is off of Rt. 5 south of Northampton center, go over the dike and under I-91. You will soon see an old, metal quonset hut on the right. The road from here is quite muddy. Ahead of you is a "new" red barn. The swan was in a puddle just beyond the barn. If you have high clearance, 4w drive you can manage the roads of the meadows. Otherwise rubber boots and two foot drive is the transportation of choice. Al Richards, Andrew Magee and I spent an hour yesterday convincing ourselves that this was not a Trumpeter Swan. It has no trace of yellow in front of the eye, even at 60 power and fairly close. The angle of the gape and the top of the bill lead to Tundra. <<I went back just before sunset. The swan had returned to its original location.

March 12 Friday Return of Winter - Cold, Wind, Flurries
NORTHAMPTON (reported from Larry Therrien) I went out this AM before the snow hit. Had some good stuff. I went down Hockanum Rd and found the Tundra Swan quickly. It was easily seen off to the right of the newer red barn. With this weather it will probably stay around for the day at least. As the snow was moving in fairly quickly, I decided to try the meadows beyond the airport near the little go-cart track. Highlights included a great look at a Peregrine Falcon moving through and then perching in a dead snag. It was a unique looking bird as it was missing a few primaries on the right side. I had a male Bufflehead and a few Common Mergansers in the river. I also had a stream of Red winged Blackbirds, Common Grackles and some other blackbirds moving north along the river right before the snow hit. The steam continued for 15 minutes and there were at least 15,000 blackbirds...amazing to see. I then got a look at a large gathering of ducks in a flooded portion down near the river. In amongst the corn stubble was the following: Canada Geese (800), Mallard (200+), Black Duck (70+), American Wigeon (12), Northen Pintail (26), Green winged Teal (45), Wood Duck (50+)...I tried to find something out of the ordinary in the tight group, but the snow moved in quick, so had to give up looking. While there I also had a Kingfisher stop by along the river and had a flyover of four very vocal Killdeer. Also swear I heard a Woodcock call a few times, but it was fairly distant...but not sure what else it could have been.

NORTHFIELD (reported on Massbird by Mark Taylor) This is another update on new arrivals in the Bennett Meadow in Northfield. Canada Geese numbers are increasing with 1500-2000 birds flying from the fields to the Connecticut River, and back. Snow Goose (1), Northern Pintail (24), Green-winged Teal (7), Eastern Meadowlark (1).

HADLEY (report from Janice Jorgensen) Had 2 Fox Sparrows at the feeder today.

March 13 Saturday Sunny, Windy and Cold
NORTHAMPTON, (reported on Massbird by Daniel Schell) In among 1000 or so Canada Geese at the pond behind Arcadia Sanctuary, (Hurlbert's pond) were: Ring-necked Duck 6, Common Merganzer 4, Long-tailed Duck 4, Mallards, Black Ducks, Greater White-fronted Goose 1, Snow Goose 1, Snow Goose, blue phase 1 - just begining to show some white on head and neck. I would suggest walking in from the blocked-off bridge on Old Springfield Rd./Fort Hill Rd. over the mill river rather than from Arcadia Sanctuary as you will be less likely to spook the birds. The snow goose was foraging in the brush in the north-west corner of the pond, the blue-phase and the GW-F goose were foraging on the west side of the brushy island in the middle of the pond.

NORTHAMPTON (report from Dave Mako) This morning I followed Larry Therrien's report to find the Tundra Swan. I ignored a large flock of grackles and blackbirds just south of the I-91 underpass on Hockanum Rd and went straight to the last reported location of the swan near the red barn. I'm glad I did as the swan departed from the puddle that had frozen around it shortly after my arrival at ~8:30 am. I enjoyed a very nice look as it flew almost directly overhead toward the CT river. The swan looked like it might have landed on the river somewhere in the stretch between Mitches Marina and Shepards Island, or it may have kept flying north along the river (its descent was obscured by trees in the distance). After that, I went back to take a closer look at the flock of grackles and blackbirds but it was long gone. I made a brief visit to the meadows around the airport near the go-cart track and found only a moving flock of ~100 crows, a couple small, high-flying flocks of Canada Geese, 2 Song Sparrows, a few Mallards and a Common Merganser. Nothing like the large numbers reported in this area the previous day. Timing is everything!

NORTHAMPTON-HADLEY (report from Chris Gentes) Heather, Janice Jorgensen and I went looking for the Tundra Swan and overlooked it in the frozen puddle. Dave saw it just after we left (see above report). Then we headed over to the Hadley side where we located the Tundra Swan in the Conn. River east of Shepards Island . It eventually flew up to the north end of the island where it sat on a sandbar. Also seen there were Wood Ducks (50+), Black Ducks, Mallards, Green-winged Teal (20), American Wigeon (10), Northern Pintail (1), Bufflehead (1), Common Mergansers (10), Hooded Mergansers (6). A coyote was on the island walking along the shore. The ducks were just a few feet away in the water and not too alarmed. However, when the coyote walked back into the brush the ducks began to fly away from the edge of the island. Elsewhere the Bald Eagle was still in the nest at Hockanum, and off Mount Warner Road was a Kestrel (we got nice looks at the spots behind the head and the rusty color on the top of the head), 3 Red-tailed Hawks, and a Turkey Vulture. There was another Kestrel near the horse farm. Later in the afternoon in North Hadley there were 145 Wood Ducks in a 100 yard length of a small channel that flows into the Conn. River.

NORTHAMPTON (reported on Massbird by Jeffrey Offerman) The Tundra Swan found earlier in Northampton was seen again today in the same spot (wet spot in cornfield off Hockanum Rd. in an area known as East Medows, previous directions). However, I arrived at 9:30 am and the bird was not there, nor was it at an earlier reported location, or at other logical spots to check. I birded Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary (Eastern Phoebe, Rusty Blackbirds, Northern Pintail and Wood Ducks were seen here; I didn't see Snow or GWF Goose). Then I went back to check the Swan spot, and at 3:45, just as I arrived, the Swan flew in. So: it's still around, but patience may be required. It obviously has a few spots it likes to hang out. I got some good photos. http://groups.msn.com/JeffsWildlifePhotography/shoebox.msnw

March 14 Sunday Sunny, Slightly Cold
NORTHAMPTON (reported on Massbird by Mark Lynch) We went out to the EAST MEADOWS of Northampton off the Hockanum Rd entrance in the hopes of turning up the Tundra Swan. We dipped (we weren't quite at the right pool which was straight ahead past the old buildings on the left) but did get an adult Bald Eagle, Horned Larks, many hundreds of blackbirds including (7) Rustys and (unfortunately) 340+ Cowbirds. Later, after we left, Scott Surner and Val Miller had the bird fly over at this same spot and appear to head to the river. On a great tip from Tom Gagnon, we went to an overlook of the Connecticut River off Rt. 5. This was south, almost to Easthampton, and just after the bridge work (almost across from East Street), we pulled over, crossed the railroad tracks south of the railroad bridge, and standing under some electrical lines scoping the other side of the river, found the swan. This is a first winter bird. It may go here when not on the pools at East Meadows (which were frozen this morning). BE FOREWARNED: the dirt roads at this end of the Meadows get VERY muddy at this time of the year and Tom mentioned that three cars got stuck yesteday. Don your boots and hike. In the pool west of the oxbow, there were many hundreds of Canada Geese already there. Then, while scoping these, many hundreds more flew in. Sheila spotted the Greater White-fronted which I then also spotted, and we had great views, but with the huge numbers of geese swirling around, we were never sure if the group with the White-fronted put down in the pool of the Mill River or moved on. We scoped this huge dense group of geese off and on for some time (as did other folks) and did not refind the goose in question, but no views were 100% complete: so either the goose was there and we did not see it (possible), or in the confusion of the huge number of geese, it choose not to land. All I know is that we got great looks at it as it passed low overhead. At Arcadia we had: Great Blue Heron (4), Greater White-fronted Goose (1), Snow Goose (1), Canada Goose (minimally 1780: we tried to count 'em, but that's probably a low number), Wood Duck (15+), Green-winged Teal (1), Mallard (60+), A. Black Duck (25+), N. Pintail (10+), Ring-necked Duck (29), Fish Crow (1).

QUABBIN PARK (reported on Massbird by Mark Lynch) On the way home, we quickly visited Quabbin Park. Quabbin from this vantage is still 99.99% ice covered. We looked for the Varied Thrush (dipped, but lots of folks about all over including with dogs) and at the Enfield Lookout had only (2) Red-tailed Hawks and (3) Turkey Vultures. Lots of owls were calling this morning around the towns north of Quabbin and in 1.5 pre-dawn hours we had (3) Great Horneds, (8) Barreds and (11) Saw-whets. At dawn at the Pelham Overlook we had three different Pileated Woodpeckers drumming, seemingly in response to each other. Any (almost) spring day spent birding the Valley is a day well spent.

HADLEY (report from Chris Gentes) The Crew teams were out practicing today from Mitch's Way all the way into North Hadley. Not much on the river. In the Honeypot a Peregrine Falcon was perched on a telephone pole at 8:30am and remained for some time. Last Sunday morning we saw one in the area flying over the river. From Mitch's Marina saw 20 Wood Ducks and 10 Green-winged Teal on logs on the Northampton side. Further up river were a few hoodys, common mergs, common goldeneye and a bufflehead.

March 15 Monday Sunny and Breezy
HADLEY (report from Heather McQueen) While looking at some Canada Geese in a field near the Black Angus cows behind the mall I flushed a lone Wilson's Snipe. Later there was a female Harrier in South Amherst.

NORTHAMPTON (report from Larry Therrien) Stopped by Arcadia to check the river. Nothing out of the ordinary. Did have Canada Geese (2000+), Ring Necked Ducks (22), Green Winged Teal (5), Wood Duck (14), Mallard (60+), Black Duck (30), Common Merganser (2) in the river. Also a Fish Crow in the meadows along with a huge flock of blackbirds...well over 15,000...it was a massive group. Tried to find a rusty or two, but could not get close enough to see for certain. Also stopped by Fitzgerald Lake at dusk. The lake is starting to open up a little...there was a pair of Mallards there. Also heard a couple Great Horned Owls from the boardwalk.

NORTHAMPTON (reported on Massbird by Henry Lappen) I finally saw the Tundra Swan in the East Meadows. Only 4 tries. Also had at N. Hadley Pond: a pair of Wood Ducks, 12 Common Mergs, and 24 Ring Necked Ducks.

March 16 Tuesday Big Snow Storm Begins Mid-afternoon
NORTHAMPTON (reported on Massbird by Bob Packard) The Swan was flying over the E. Meadows about 8:00 A.M. this morning. Not good enough looks to distinguish species, but it did look to have an all black bill and canvasback-like profile. My limited experience is that these two are quite difficult to tell apart, and the facial characteristics are often misleading. Also by the airport were two Eastern Meadowlarks. Flying around were 4 Wood Ducks and 3 Hooded Mergansers. At Arcadia at about 9:00 AM the GWFGoose was in among the Canadas, along w/ at least 8 RNDucks, 4 Wood Ducks, and a Muskrat. Bob Bieda spotted at least one NPintail. 19 Common Mergansers in the Oxbow.

PARADISE POND (report from Chris Gentes) There were 24 Common Mergansers on the small pond today. I watched them for forty minutes before the storm. There was some courtship displays, loafing, and fishing. One male caught what appeared to be a perch - had stripes on the side - and was pursued by a few others before he swallowed the good sized fish whole. After that he was very subdued.

NORTHFIELD (reported on Massbird by Mark Taylor) We still have a regular group of 60+ Common Redpolls at the feeders, even as the Goldfinch are coming into their summer attire. Speaking of plumage, our resident Red-shouldered Hawk pair was noisily cavorting yesterday, dressed in their finest colors. Pictures don't do justice to these beautiful birds when seen up close. Flight displays of the male neat to see as well.

AMHERST (reported on Massbird by David Norton) My wife and I have awoken the last two morning to the first song of robin I have heard since last year (she somewhat less enthusiastic than I...at 5:45am)-- he (I guess) really sounds like he is sort of working on perfecting the song....the "cheerio's" are not quite...right, but seem to get better the more he sings... Does this mean he is a first year robin, or do they just start out practicing in the early am in the early (snow notwithstanding) spring with sort of practice singing?

March 17 Wednesday 4-10 Inches of Snow from Storm. Flurries.
HADLEY (report from Chris Gentes) Heather and I checked out North Hadley Pond late this afternoon and saw hundreds of Canada Geese, 6 Wood Ducks, 2 Green-winged Teal, 4 American Wigeon and 5 Ring-necked Ducks. This morning there were 22 Horned Larks on Stockbridge Road.

AMHERST (report from Heather McQueen) Flushed a Woodcock near Amherst College this morning.

March 18 Thursday Mostly Cloudy, 30s
SOUTH HADLEY (report from Heather McQueen) At Canal Park there were two Horned Grebes (one was getting a little bit of color on neck), 2 Common Mergansers and 1 Hooded Merganser.

HADLEY (Photo of a Fox Sparrow yardbird from Pete Yeskie)

SHUTESBURY (reported on Massbird by Jan Ortiz) Deedee Minear just called to report about 40 Bohemian Waxwings in "downtown" Shutesbury. They were behind the town library -- you won't have trouble finding it. Directions: From Rte 202 take Shutesbury Road to Shutesbury/Lake Wyola (sign). From Amherst take E. Pleasant to Pine St. to Cushman Rd. to Shutesbury Road follow directions to Shutesbury center.

BARTONS COVE (report from Larry Therrien) Took a trip to Turners Falls today...not much at the canal...very quiet. However at Bartons Cove it was somewhat busy. Common Mergansers (95) quite vocal, Hooded Merganser (78), Common Goldeneye (3) with lots of displaying, Mute Swan (11), Ring Necked Duck (67), Canada Geese (10), Mallard (12), and a Domestic Greylag Goose (1) Made a very short trip past Arcadia to see what was in the Mill River. Lots of Canada Geese and Mallards plus Black Duck, Ring Necked Duck, Wood Duck, Northern Pintail...didn't see the GWFG there...but didn't look long at all.

March 19 Friday Mostly Cloudy
QUABBIN (reported on Massbird by Dave Small) Dale Monette of the Quabbin Visitor Center reports a couple of birders came in this morning having just seen the Varied Thrush at the usual place at Quabbin Tower. The last reports he had received were a couple of weeks ago.

TUNRNERS FALLS (reported on Massbird by Mark Fairbrother) This afternoon there was one (and so far as I could tell only one) Bohemian Waxwing in with a flock of approx. 35 Cedar Waxwings, 80 - 90 Robins, and too many Starlings in the fruit trees along First Street just above the dam and fish ladder parking area in downtown Turners Falls.

NORTHAMPTON (report from Larry Therrien) Stopped by Arcadia this morning around 8am and the Canada Geese were moving out in groups every few minutes...most were going to the fields across the Mill River...some going further away. At least 2000 when I first got there. Numbers of other waterfowl were Mallards (80), Black Duck (30), Ring Necked Duck (6), Green-winged Teal (14), Northen Pintail (7), Wood Duck (12) plus I had two Great Blue Heron standing along the shore. Also there were Common Mergansers (4) in the melted area of the Oxbow. I then drove over to the meadows and had a group of approximately 1600 Canada Geese in the fields there. Also had a group of 95 Horned Larks there in the corn stubble field. Drove over to the meadows near Hockanum Rd...no swan seen but did have a group of 1500+ Canada Geese in the fields. They all took flight at once while I was there, a very impressive sight...they split off into many groups...some going to the river and others toward downtown Northampton. Also had a group of Horned Larks (55). Stopped by Fitzgerald Lake via North Farms Rd...a VERY small patch of open water now, much smaller than the other day.

AMHERST (report from Heather McQueen) Two Killdeer in with the robins all day on some open grass.

March 20 Saturday Mostly Cloudy, Low 40s, Rain Later
NORTHAMPTON (reported on Massbird by David Norton) Original Message From Jim Marcum: "I was at Arcadia this morning looking for Greater White-fronted Goose but as I was going in (probably about 9:45) I met Scott Surner coming out and he told me that the bird had left about 10 minutes previously. I went on in to the blind and scoped out the remaining birds (there were about a dozen male Northern Pintail), left, checked out Hadley Cove, ran some errands and then stopped by the UMass campus pond where I had seen 1000-1200 Canada Goose last week. There were still about that many geese there and I quickly noticed a Snow Goose and thought it was probably the same one that had been at Arcadia."

AMHERST (reported via Massbird by David Norton) Thanks for the heads-up on the geese, Jim-- both the snow goose and the greater white-fronted were at the campus pond AMHERST at 3:30 pm-- with hundreds of Canada geese-- and two frisky hooded mergansers looking rather lost amidst the sea of geese.. I assume the goose is quite a different one from the Arcadia one, as someone just posted that they had seen one there, unless they meant quite early- is that far for a goose to roam in the course of a day? We have had siskins mixed in with the gold-finches at our thistle feeders almost every day this week-- thistle seed is going like hotcakes around here.

NORTHAMPTON (report from Chris Gentes) At 11:15 am the goose pictured below was at Arcadia. it flew off with some Canada Geese but returned a half hour later. It was there until at least Noon. Is this the same goose seen by Scott at 9:45 am at Arcadia?
Canada Goose x GWF Goose hybrid??
On our club trip at Aracadia we saw thousands of Canada Geese, with lesser numbers of Wood Ducks (20), Mallards, Black Ducks, Green-winged Teal (15), Northern Pintails (20), and Ring-necked Ducks (12). There was a Greater White-fronted GoosexCanada Goose Hybrid?) as well, but it flew off with some of the geese. After about a half hour the geese started flying in and soon the white-fronted returned with them at 11:45 am. Other birds seen/heard at Arcadia included: Great Blue Heron, Red-tailed Hawk, Killdeer, Ring-billed, Herring and Great Black-back Gull, Kingfisher, Downy Woodpecker, Red-bellied Woodpecker, American Robin, Carolina Wren, Blue Jay, American Crow, Black-capped Chickadee, White-breasted Nuthatch, Tufted Titmouse, Brown Creeper, Red-winged Blackbird, Junco, American Goldfinch. At noon the trip continued to several spots along the river in Hadley and South Hadley. The best spot was the Hadley Cove where there were Green-winged Teal (24), Pintails (12) and American Wigeon (10). A Common Merganser was picked up at Mitch's Marina, the Bald Eagle was seen in the nest at Hockanum. Brunelle's Marina was empty of birds. Canal Park was choppy, but a Bald Eagle and several Turkey Vultures were seen flying about. Below the dam there was a group of Common Goldeneyes (25) and Hooded Mergansers (6). Other birds added during the extension included Mockingbird, Rock Dove, Starling, Mourning Dove, Cardinal, Common Grackle, Song Sparrow, and House Sparrow. We ran into the Hampshire Bird Club at Arcadia and John Cushing told us they had seen 2 Greater Scaup at Turners Falls Rod & Gun Club and 8 Gadwall, 25 Green-winged Teal, 6 Northern Pintails, 8 Gadwalls, and 55 Wood Ducks at Great Pond in Hatfield.

NORTHAMPTON (report from Larry Therrien) Only sightings of significance today was a Peregrine Falcon over downtown Northampton, a fly by Great Blue Heron and a Killdeer near the old state hospital.

QUABBIN (reported on Massbird by David S. Deifik) On the way back from the Swan we stopped at the Observation Tower Area at Quabbin Park and saw the Varied Thrush. The time was about 2:30 PM

March 21 Sunday Mostly Cloudy, Breezy
LONGMEADOW (report from Chris Patterson and Chris Surprenant) Today we went to Stebbins. Hooray, spring is here.... We saw our first Tree Swallows for the year. There were 10 + along Pondside Drive. Also saw an Eagle hovering over.Also present were ring-necked ducks, am. wigeons, hoodies, a green-wing teal, and the nesting swans. And MANY muskrats and beavers.

LONGMEADOW (reported on Massbird by Janice Lapointe) A Greater Yellowlegs was in the large puddle in the West Road mud fields at Fannie Stebbins Wildlife Refuge. Along Pondside Road, were Hooded Mergansers, American Wigeon, and Ring-necked Ducks along with Mallards and Wood Ducks.

NORTH HADLEY (report from Chris Gentes) On the river there was a pair of Lesser Scaup, a pair of Common Goldeneye, and 10 Common Mergansers. On the Pond were 10 Wood Ducks, 4 American Wigeon, 6 Green-winged Teal, 40 Ring-necked Ducks, and 3 Hooded Mergansers. Elsewhere there were 5 Rusty Blacbirds.

TURNERS FALLS (reported on Massbird by Gina Martel and Jaap Van Heerden) Turners Falls Rod & Gun Club at 2:30pm: 40+ Common Mergansers, 4 Bufflehead, 4 Common Goldeneye (1 male, 3 females), 1 Possible BARROW'S Goldeneye female (seen on the opposite shore with a scope). This bird had a bright yellow/orangish bill. Waxwing flock seen on L St. between First and 2nd St. at 3pm: 70+ BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS, 20+ Cedar Waxwings, Barton Cove at 3:20pm: 70+ Ring-necked ducks, 30+ Hooded Mergansers, 20+ Common Mergansers, 2 Common Goldeneye.

QUABBIN PARK (reported on Massbird by Mark Lynch) We gave it [looking for Varied Thrush] an hour in the late afternoon with no luck (there were several other cars of birders there too). Quabbin is still 98% ice covered. We did have: Turkey Vulture (4), Red-tailed Hawk (1), Red-bellied Woodpecker (1), Common Raven (pair at nest), Hermit Thrush (1), A. Robin (43).

SHUTESBURY (report from Kevin Weir) Went to Shutesbury center a couple of times on Friday and Sunday but no sign of the Bohemians. Did see a Ring-necked Pheasant on Northeast Street Amherst looking like he had just escaped a farm somewhere. On our way to Shutesbury center we saw a large flock of Turkeys on Pratt Corner Road on the Leverett section and a second flock between the center and Route 202. The male in the second flock was very large with a beautiful irridescent blue head.

NORTHAMPTON (reported on Massbird by Mike Resch) Other birds present [while looking at swan] were flyovers of horned larks and at least 1 Snow Bunting. On the way back, took a quick trip over to Quabbin and watched for raptors from the dam. Had the following - - 1 adult Bald Eagle, 4 Ravens, 9 Turkey Vultures, 4 Red-tailed hawks, 200 robins on the lawn and feeding on berries just below the administration building.

MONROE (reported on Massbird by Mark Lynch) Mallard (2: OK, not a big bird almost everywhere else, but I can have a hard time turning one up in Monroe typically), Turkey Vulture (6), Red-tailed Hawk (3), C. Raven: 1+ 1 on a nest+ pair constructing a nest, A. Robin (52), C. Redpoll (8), Red Crossbill (2), Evening Grosbeak (flock of 13 feeding in trees).

March 22 Monday Cold and Windy Again
SHUTESBURY (report from Kevin Weir) Pulled into the driveway this evening and spotted a Sharp-shinned Hawk flying over the fields.

LONGMEADOW (reportr from Chris Patterson & Chris Surprenant) On a trip thru Stebbins today, We spotted a Pied-billed Grebe trying to swallow a small fish. He was in with the group of Ring-necked Ducks and American Wigeons.

HADLEY (report from Chris Gentes) Saw a Kestrel on East Hadley Road while checking for snipe (none seen).

AMHERST (report from Heather McQueen) Saw 120 Juncos total - 3 groups of 40 - along the bike path.

NORTHFIELD (reported on Massbird by Mark Taylor) Last evening a flock of 150-200 Bohemian Waxwings descended on our crabtree in the front yard. This morning they were massing in our back yard, but few off to another area in the neighborhood. They do seem to fly in tighter formations compared to Cedar Waxwings.

March 23 Tuesday Mostly Sunny, Windy and Cold
HADLEY (report from Heather McQueen) This morning on the river I saw 4 Hooded Mergansers and over it a Tree Swallow.

NORTHAMPTON (report from Larry Therrien) I made a morning trip down to Arcadia with all of usuals present plus a gathering of Great Blue Herons (14) along the shore where all the waterfowl has been gathering.

March 24 Wednesday Sunny, Mild and Breezy
SPRINGFIELD (report from Rob Wojtczak) The ice has finally thawed out on Long Pond. This morning I saw a raft of about 20 Hooded Mergansers, 6 Mallards and 4 Canada Geese.

AMHERST (reported on Massbird by Gina Martel) On the Campus Pond at UMass at 5pm: 1 Adult Greater White-fronted Goose Hundreds of Canada Geese (these geese usually arrive at the Pond in the morning and begin departing around 5pm heading north), 2 Female Pintails (overwintering birds), 1 Peregrine Falcon -- in the nest box on the the NE corner of the W.E.B Du Bois Library roof. This is not a reliable event (yet?). The box is infrequently occupied, but you may see one of the pair on the edges of the library roof, the Campus Center, or Thompson Tower.

BLUEBERRY HILL - GRANVILLE (Reported by Joe Wojtanowski on Hawkwatch) "I was told by the best, "Joe, call them the way you see them." Never thinking that I will be calling 2 Broad-winged Hawks this early in the season. The first BW was seen at 1420, the second BW was seen at 1505, seen in the same field of view with a migrating Red-tail."

DEERFIELD (reported on Massbird by Bob Packard) A female Northern Harrier was floating over the fields on Plain Road this afternoon.

WHATELY (reported on Massbird by Bob Packard) An American Kestrel was on North Street.

DEERFIELD (reported on Massbird by Rob Ranney) This morning in Deerfield, we had our first few female cowbirds and first female Redwing Blackbirds with the many males. A flock of over 35 Robins feasted on crabapples on the ground. One of these Robins sang the Cheerio song from nearby woods. Meanwhile, a pair of Cedar Waxwings in the crabapple tree above them passed a crabapple back and forth. As it took the apple from the other, each would turn away, and make one hope away. Then it would look back, hop back, and offer the apple. This dance continued back and forth over twenty times in less than a minute until the apple was dropped. Although I've never noted or read of sexual dimorphism in waxwings, one in this pair was larger and had yellowier flanks. Maybe it's just individual variation. The six American Tree Sparrows that have been here all winter are still here, now teaching me their song. A Pine Siskin visited the feeders briefly this morning. Saturday and Sunday, three Common Redpolls visited. They aggressively chased Goldfinches off the feeder. In face-to-face encounters, they raised their head feathers into a sort of crest just behind the red spot. I hadn't noticed this cresting in their daily visits in January or later occasional visits, so it may be a springtime hormone-driven behavior.

AGAWAM (reported on Massbird by Karen Daniels) On Saturday, I had 2 Fox Sparrows, the first of the year for me. On Monday and Tuesday just before dusk, I had 8 Fox Sparrows feeding with the resident Cardinal pair on mixed seed beneath my feeders. For three winters now I have had a Carolina Wren spend the nights in my evergreen Christmas ball (kissing ball?) which hangs from my porch roof, so the bird is out of the weather. He goes in between the branches head first, and all you can see are a few back and tail feathers....very pretty. Although he is only a few feet from my back door, he does not move when we go in and out. I've left the porch light off all winter and instructed visitors to come in quietly. Winter must be over because the Wren has vacated the dried-up Christmas decoration and has found a better place somewhere nearby.

HADLEY (report from Janice Joregensen) The 2 Fox Sparrow that have been in the yard since Mar 12 continue.

HADLEY (report from Chris Gentes) On the pond there were 20 Ring-necked Ducks and a few Common Mergansers.

NORTHAMPTON (reported on Massbird by Seth Kellogg) Sightings by Andrew Magee: East Meadows - 140 Wood Ducks, 3 American Wigeon, 10 Green-winged Teal. Arcadia - 30 Ring-necked Ducks, 6 Green-winged Teal, 1 Merlin, Turner's Falls (Barton and Rod & Gun) - 1 Pintail, 6 Bufflehead, 18 Common Goldeneye, 4 scaup species, 1 male Red-breasted Merganser, 120 Common Mergansers, 120 Hooded Mergansers, Turner's Falls - 14 Bohemian Waxwings

March 25 Thursday Damp, Cloudy, Chilly
SHUTESBURY (report from Kevin Weir) New pair of bluebirds at another nesting box. Fox Sparrow has returned to feeder, a song sparrow has made a first appearance, and the tree sparrows continue to occupy the brush along the fields. We have a lot of Hairy Woodpecker action every day with male and female activity. Goldfinches, titmice, juncos, and chickadees coming around frequently. The blue jay flock is very aggressive and is frequently gathering to repel the hawks. Two female purple finches continue to come to the feeders. Red and white breasted nuthatches numbers are growing. Two Ravens come to back yard each day. Red tail hawk has started to soar over the Poverty Mountain hills. Fewer mourning doves, but hearing their calls more frequently. The horned owl has moved on I think. The male cardinal is in full song each morning. and then...we had a starling today. just one. but like the cockroach... Anyway new critters--a red fox is back hunting in the fields, the deer herd has gotten larger than ever with 8 members, abundant red and gray squirrels and for the first time...a black squirrel is in the sugar maples. The evening walk is eerily quiet. I am used to having woodcock by now, but none have called out.

NORTHAMPTON (report from Larry Therrien) I made a trip to Arcadia this morning with the following highlights. When I arrived just after 9am there were only half a dozen Canada Geese but within a few minutes they started arriving in small groups. By the time I left the total in the area at the end of the Mill River was 325+. One of the Canada Geese had an orange ID tag on its neck. A Greater White-fronted Goose arrived with the other geese. Among the other waterfowl in the same area of Arcadia were Wood Duck (3), Ring Necked Duck (2), Mallard (60+), Black Duck (22), N. Pintail (3), Common Merganser (14), Hooded Merganser (2). There were also Killdeer (1) and Kingfisher (2) in the area. There were also Great Blue Herons at the pond and several on nests for a total of at least eight. A adult Bald Eagle was perched in some trees near the entrance to the Oxbow marina. There was an Eastern Phoebe near the bridge on Old Springfield Rd. Other highlight from the area would be a huge mixed flock of blackbirds (10,000) flying around the area. In addition the usual birds in what seems like increasing numbers...spring is finally here! I then scoped out the area of the Oxbow nearer the Rt 91 bridge and had another group of ducks and geese with total of Ring Necked Ducks (51), Mallard (32), Black Duck (12), Wood Duck (18), Common Merganser (1), and Canada Geese (450+). Overhead during this period were Red-tailed Hawks (3), Coopers Hawk (1), Sharp-shinned Hawk (1) and Turkey Vultures (3).

AMHERST (reported on Massbird by David Norton) A singing Carolina Wren and potential mate were popping in and out of a birdhouse outside our kitchen window this morning-- hope they stick around!

HADLEY (report from Heather McQueen) There was a Phoebe under a bridge on the bike path. Must have been inspecting the nesting site from last year.

HATFIELD (report from Chris Gentes) On the river before dusk were Wood Duck (100+), Mallard (60), Black Duck (40), American Wigeon (4), Ring-neckd Duck (6), Greater Scaup (2 pair), Hooded Merganser (12), Common Merganser (2), Common Goldeneye (20), Barrow's Goldeneye (1 male). At one point 20 Wood Ducks landed in the corn stubble near a puddle just as it got really dark. Then I heard Killdeer (5) flying overhead.

NORTHAMPTON (reported on Massbird by Jeremiah Trimble) Bob Stymeist and I went out in the morning to take a look for ourselves at the swan. After unsuccessfully checking the sites where it had previously been seen we were lucky enough to have an adult Bald Eagle fly over and scare up a large group of ducks from a hidden pool directly between the two sites. The eagle successfully caught a small duck, probably a Wood Duck, and carried it off. We mucked our way over to the area where the ducks spooked from and found the swan tucked in on the edge of a fairly large, elongate pool of water. This was around 900am. We were also lucky enough to hear the swan make a single call note which Bob recorded with his video camera. Although it was only a single note from an immature bird, it seems to be more similar to typical Trumpeter call notes rather than Tundra. Also seen in the fields were: Wood Duck - 75+, American Wigeon - 3, Northern Pintail - 6, Green-winged Teal - 5, Common Merganser - 10, Peregrine Falcon - 1, subadult Killdeer - 10, Horned Lark - 12.

March 26 Friday High 60s, Breezy
SHUTESBURY (report from Kevin Weir) Great Blue Heron passed overhead this am. The red bellied woodpecker, downy and hairys were all active. More Song Sparrows in the fields today. Robins in large flocks every morning.

BLUEBERRY HILL - GRANVILLE (report from Joe Wojtanowski) At 11:14 a BLACK VULTURE was seen by J & J Wojtanowski heading Northeast, toward Mount Tom.

NORTH HADLEY (report from Heather McQueen) A few interesting sighting in North Hadley include a Phoebe, 12 Common Redpolls and 5 Golden-crowned Kinglets. Also heard SPRING PEEPERS!

CONNECTICUT RIVER (report from Larry Therrien) First stop this AM was along the river in N. Hadley and had Killdeer (2), Common Goldeneye (7), Eastern Phoebe (2), Wood Duck (3), Hooded Merganser (2), Kingfisher (1) and a Pileated Woodpecker. Stopped at a few other spots along the river without any highlights. Next stop was at the Sunderland bridge on 116. Just north of the bridge was a group of Common Goldeneyes along with a male Barrow's Goldeneye. Nice looks at the bird. Also had one Peregrine Falcon perched on the cliff face and a flyby Common Raven. Tried for the Bohemians in Turners Falls without success. At Bartons Cove had Canada Geese (290+), Hooded Merganser (26), Ring Necked Duck (76), Lesser Scaup (2), Common Merganser (38), Common Goldeneye (1), Mute Swan (11) and a pair of Coopers Hawk as well as a Bald eagle on the nest. Next went to Bennett Meadows in Northfield with large flocks of blackbirds (1000+), several hundred Canada Geese in the river and flybys of Wood Duck (4) and Common Goldeneye (7) and Killdeer (2). Also had a Tree Swallow overhead. Made it down to Arcadia in early afternoon with highlights of Great Blue Herons (11) including nine birds in one tree, several on nests. In the oxbow near the Mill River and in the Mill River in Arcadia had Canada Geese (107), Common Merganser (25), Hooded Merganser (6), Wood Duck (7), Black Duck (22), Mallard (165), Ring necked Duck (67), all in the Mill River, Northern Pintail (2), Lesser Scaup (2), Green Winged Teal (5). Nearby also had Kingfisher (1), Killdeer (2), adult Bald eagle, Eastern Phoebe (1) and Tree Swallow (3). Finally made a dusk walk near the state hospital in N'hamp and had a very nice look at a perched juvenile Red Tailed Hawk along one of the trails. .

NORTHAMPTON (report from Chris Gentes) Saw a couple of Flickers chasing each other around a tree trunk

EAST LONGMEADOW (reported on Massbird by George Kingston) I had my first Phoebe of this spring in East Longmeadow this morning.

March 27 Saturday Sunny and Pleasant - Song Sparrow Movement
SHUTESBURY (report from Kevin Weir) I had 2 Phoebes today, one in the back area and one down in a field. Two brown-headed cowbirds at the feeder with some grackles. An English sparrow female unfortunately checking out some bird boxes. My wife said she heard the Woodcock this morning around 5 am. I saw the red tail hawk up close this morning around 8. He had killed a grey squirrel and was taking off from the ground.

NORTHAMPTON-HATFIELD (report from Larry Therrien) Some highlights from today. Made morning trip to Arcadia focusing mainly on the Mill River and the Oxbow. Had Eastern Phoebe (6) from the parking lot to the bridge...may have been even more. Also had Tree Swallows (5) including some staking out nest boxes. Waterfowl included Wood Duck (3), Black Duck (32), Mallard (90), Northern Pintail (3), Common Merganser (52), Ring necked Duck (3), Lesser Scaup (2), Canada Geese (200+). Also had a couple Killdeer and couple Kingfishers. In additon lots of Song Sparrows here as well as every other spot I seemed to stop today. One additional sighting from here would be a Red-tailed Hawk who acquired a fish from gulls and then sat in a tree and consumed the fish. Great views. Also went up along the Conn River in Hatfield without any unusual sightings. Did have Eastern Phobe's at a few locations. Stopped at Great Pond in Hatfield also with Tree Swallows (3), Eastern Phoebe (1), Ring-necked Ducks (11), Black Ducks (12), Mallard (10) and a few Canada Geese. Pond still about 80% frozen. Also had a pair of Red-tailed Hawks perched together and quite vocal.

HATFIELD (report from Chris Gentes) Heather and I explored a huge field along the Mill River today and had some good sightings.There was a group of 45+ Song Sparrows in one location. They were in a tight group foraging in some brush. In the middle of the field, far from any road, there was a flooded puddle, and in it, along with a few Canada Geese, Mallards and Black Ducks were the following: Green-winged Teal (83), N.Pintail (12), American Wigeon (2), Gadwall (3). Elsewhere there was an Iceland Gull with a few ring-billed gulls in another puddle. Also seen were a Turkey Vulture, a Hairy Woodpecker, Flicker, and a Phoebe. Along the river were 16 Tree Swallows.

EAST DEERFIELD (report from Chris Gentes) Heather and I wandered about East Deerfield today and found a drumming Ruffed Grouse, 9 Common Goldeneyes, 3 Phoebes, 2 Bluebirds, and 2 Rusty Blackbirds. Also seen were 2 Mourning Cloaks and what we believe was an Eastern Comma (see photo). In Hadley there were 2 Kestrels and in Sunderland were 8 Green-winged Teal.

GRANVILLE - BLUEBERRY HILL (reported on Massbird by Joe Wojtanowski) It was a slow raptor day on the hill, the migrants were:: 1 Sharp-shinned Hawk, 2 Red-tailed Hawks, 1 Red-shouldered Hawk, 1 American Kestrel, 2 Northern Harriers, 1 Turkey Vulture. Non-Migrant Turkey Vultures, Red-tails, Red-shoulders.Bald Eagle (ad). OTHERS: 1 Bluebird, 1 Phoebe, 1 Pileated Woodpecker, 1 Raven, 2 Tree Sparrows, 2 Great Blue Herons, 2 Killdeers, 5 Juncos, 6 Robins, 12 Rusty Blackbirds, 15 Snow Geese, 26 Crows.

March 28 Sunday Partly Cloudy, Breezy and Chilly - River on the Rise
NORTH HADLEY (report from Chris Gentes) Larry Therrien, Heather and I checked out a few areas in North Hadley today and had the the following hilights: Wood Duck (35), Green-winged Teal (7), Ring-necked Duck (20), Lesser Scaup (pair), Red-tail on nest, American Kestrel (4), Flicker (4), Tree Swallow (6), Rusty Blackbird (7), Eastern Meadowlark (2), and a coyote.Two Kestrels were observed mating while a third was perched nearby. The Route 47 side of the pond is finally thawing out and later in the day Heather and I saw - Wood Duck (2), American Wigeon (2), Ring-necked Duck (25), Hooded Merganser (2), Common Merganser (20), a fly-over Great Blue Heron, and heard a calling Great Horned Owl. Elsewhere in Hadley Heather and I discovered a Great Horned Owl on the nest.

SHUTESBURY (report from Kevin Weir) There are three male woodcocks calling from three different fields here. There is a small hill in one field where you can see the dance against the sky really well.

TURNERS FALLS (report from Dave Mako) I found one Bohemian Waxwing among a small flock of Cedar Waxwings feeding in the crabapple trees in downtown Turners Falls this morning. At Barton Cove, I noticed a Snow Goose among the large flock of Canada Geese and a lot of other seasonal regulars.

March 29 Monday Sunny and Mild - Phoebes Everywhere
NORTHAMPTON (report from Larry Therrien) I went for a hike to Mt Tom and had a few Eastern Phoebe's calling in the area. Stopped at Goats Peak to see if any hawks were moving. Had a couple Turkey Vultures and a couple Red-tails that appeared to be migrating plus another nine Turkey Vultures and a couple Red Tails that hung around the mountain. Also had a stream of Crows heading along the ridge over the course of 30+ minutes. Also walked out to Fitzgerald Lake via Cooke Ave mid-day with a few more Phoebe's and a Tree Swallow at the dam. The ice is starting to thaw out at this end...it has moved out from shore about 20 feet all around near the dam and nearby areas. I then walked in the North Farms Rd side of Fitzgerald lake around 5 and stayed for over an hour. The lake is a bit more open down that end. Had three Fox Sparrows, a couple Canada Geese, a few Mallards, Hooded Mergansers (7), Wood Duck (12) and a couple Common Merganser. The Common Mergansers made a grand entrance when they landed with a splash within 15 feet of me while I was checking out the other ducks from shore. Also had a bit of chasing activity going on over several minutes between a male Wood Duck and a male Hooded Merganser. Quite a few Red-inged Blackbirds setting up shop in the area around the lake...very vocal. Finally highlight from there would be a Great Horned Owl that started hooting aroud 5:30 and kept it up at least until I left.

NORTHAMPTON (report from Bob Stevens) I was in Arcadia meadows yesterday around 5pm and saw the Bald Eagle fly over the oxbow.

SHUTESBURY (report from Kevin Weir) We had a male house finch at one of our feeders today.

HADLEY (reported on Massbird by Janice Jorgensen) Since March 11 I have had 2 fox sparrows at my house. In the past, the fox sparrows were here for 1 or 2 days and moved on. I don't know what is up with these 2 and I think they are the same ones. Is anyone else experiencing this difference?
MIDDLEBORO (report on Massbird by Kathleen S. Anderson) I have had up to seven [fox sparrow] at my feeders since Feb. 19th, not daily but regularly, until the past 2 or 3 days. They may be gone now.
TRURO (reported on Massbird by Cathy Skowron) Here in N. Truro I have had 2-5 fox sparrows since mid-November. Its a first for me in the 26 years I've lived here.

WARE (reported on Massbird by David Norton) As I type there are two Eastern Phoebe's flitting around in the trees outside my office window -- first I have seen this year. I did stop at the Rt. 9 marsh this am...which became water again over the weekend-- lots of tree swallows, 9 hooded mergansers, and half dozen Canada geese, also a belted kingfisher zipping around.

AMHERST (report from Heather McQueen) A Phoebe showed up at work. Under the deck I found two old nests.

ASHFIELD (reported on Massbird by Steve Sauter) The E. Phoebe that shares my home arrived just now. Average arrival for the last 18 years has been April 6. A welcome sight.

GRANVILLE - BLUEBERRY HILL (reported on Massbird by Joe Wojtanowski) 1st GOLDEN EAGLE (ad) at 1310, 1st Merlin, 1 male Harrier. 1 Barred Owl, 1 Phoebe, 1 Pileated Woodpecker, 1 Song Sparrow, 2 Ravens, 2 Tree Sparrows, 2 Bluebirds, 3 Chickadees, 3 Killdeer, 9 Robins, 15 Crows.

NORTHAMPTON (report from Bob Stevens) I was in Arcadia meadows yesterday around 5pm and saw the Bald Eagle fly over the oxbow.

SHUTESBURY (report from Kevin Weir) We had a male house finch at one of our feeders today.

AMHERST (report from Heather McQueen) A Phoebe showed up at work. Under the deck I found two old nests.

ASHFIELD (reported on Massbird by Steve Sauter) The E. Phoebe that shares my home arrived just now. Average arrival for the last 18 years has been April 6. A welcome sight.

March 30 Tuesday Sunny and Pleasant - Snipe Have Arrived
PELHAM (repotred on Massbird by Dave Small) Having only seen the deceased Red Crossbill from Oakham found last week I was thrilled to find a live, lone, male Red Crossbill this afternoon. The bird was feeding in the middle of the Gate 8 Road which is the access for Fishing area #1. The site is about 1 mile in from the gate at the intersection where the powerlines cross.

HADLEY-AMHERST (report from Heather McQueen) Along the Bike Path I saw Fox Sparrows 2, Tree Sparrow 12, White-throated Sparrow 7,. Song Sparrow 15. Also saw The Northampton Swan, I'd know it anywhere even though I don't know what it is, in a pool with some geese behind the mall--look for JoAnne Fabrics sign on back of mall and the pool is a little further along. 39 Juncos on sides of path.Two Snipe edge of pool in the power line cut after Amherst College. At the main beaver pond were 8 Ring Necked Ducks. A Woodcock flushed from edge of path just past the ducks, and 25 more Song Sparrows after the woodcock.
HADLEY (report from Chris Gentes) I went looking for the swan around 5pm and didn't see it. A lot of geese were flying in from UMass area. In the muddy corn fields behind the mall there were at least 6 Snipe. Also saw a Kestrel, 4 Killdeer, and a Hairy Woodpecker.

NORTHAMPTON (report from Larry Therrien) Stopped by Arcadia this morning. In the Mill River and the Oxbow had Ring necked Ducks (38), Mallard (80+), Canada Geese (65), Black Duck (35), Wood Duck (33), Lesser Scaup (1) in mill river, Northern Pintail (2), Green winged Teal (10). These numbers may be low as many ducks got put up by a boat before I could do a full count. Also had continued numbers of Song Sparrows and Eastern Phoebe's...had eight Phoebe between the parking lot and the wood duck pond on the mill river. Also had a pair of Eastern Bluebirds in the woods along the river. Several Great Blue Herons on nests in the rookery. Also a pair of Fish Crows flying by. Trip to Fitzgerald Lake turned up a few more Eastern Phoebe's. The pond is still 3/4 frozen but still had some variety in waterfowl including Common Mergansers (3), Common Goldeneye (1), Hooded Merganser (13), Green Winged Teal (3), Wood Duck (4), Black Duck (5) and Mallard (6).

NORTHAMPTON (report from Chris Gentes) Walked in from South Park along the old trolley line to the fields and saw: Great Blue Heron (1), Wood Duck (6), Ring-necked Duck (2), Downy (1), Red-bellied (1), Phoebe (2), Titmouse (2), Song Sparrow (6), Rusty Blackbird (5), Red-winged Blackbird (2), Grackle (6), Goldfinch (3). Also 2 Painted Turtles sunning.

LONGMEADOW (from Joe Wojtanowski) At Stebbins:1 Tree Swallow, 1 Bluebird,1Mute Swan, many Robins, Red-winged Blackbirds and Song Sparrows, 5 Woodcock, 8 Wood Duck, 10 Mallard, 15 Canada Geese, 70 Ring-necked Ducks. Mammals 1 Beaver, 2 White-tailed Deer, 3 Muskrats. Joe.

March 31 Wednesday A Chilly Rain
EASTHAMPTON (report from Chris Gentes) In Dank's Pond were ten Green-winged Teal, a Pintail and several Wood Ducks, Mallards and Black Ducks. The pond is starting to flow out into the fields and it is forming a low wet area which might be a good place for shovelers if they show up. This is not too far from where there were some last year at this time. The pontoon brdige was open.