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

December 1 - Thursday - Sunny and Cool

NORTHAMPTON (from Chris Gentes) This afternoon at Paradise Pond there were 17 Black Ducks and 1 Common Merganser.

GRANVILLE BLUEBERRY HILL Official Counter: John Weeks Observers: John Weeks, John Wojtanowski Visitors: Wes Shepard. Weather: Sunny in the morning; clouds increasing (to 85% cover) in the afternoon. Wind N, then NE, and tapering from 12 to 6 mph. Temperature 35-41 F. Raptor Observations: With this wind, Red-tail numbers were disappointingly low. Not migrating: one adult Bald Eagle. Non-raptor Observations: Cedar Waxwings (12), Evening Grosbeaks (6).

TURNERS FALLS (from ABC Bird News) From James Smith Amherst MA Just a few notes from Thursday evening. Most of these birds were seen with Geoff LeBaron who reported that he didn't see the Yellow-throated Warbler on a short visit to Greenfield. 12/01 Barton Cove/Turner’s Falls (pm); Canada Goose - c.900 Common Mergnaser - 25+ Common Goldeneye - 14 BARROW’S GOLDENEYE - 1 female. Bufflehead - 1 Northern Pintail - 1 male (regular here). Eastern Screech Owl - 1 No sign of the Redhead in Barton Cove.

December 2 - Friday - Sunny, Windy and Cool

GRANVILLE BLUEBERRY HILL Official Counter: John Weeks Observers: John Weeks Weather: Snow every hour except between 12:00 and 13:00 EST. Wind W 15-20 mph, gusting to 25. Temperature 31-34 F. Actual start-time was 9:20 EST. Today was Day 80 of the watch. Raptor Observations: No hawks or eagles seen. A Black Vulture laboriously passed through (taking more than half an hour to do it in the teeth of the wind) during the one snow-less hour. Non-raptor Observations:

December 3 - Saturday - Sunny and Very Cold, Windy

AMHERST (from Hamp Biurd Club RBA) At 1:15 today there was a single Snow Goose among 600-700 Canadas at the UMass Campus Pond in Amherst.

GRANVILLE BLUEBERYY HILL Official Counter: John Weeks Observers: John Weeks, John Wojtanowski Weather: Mostly cloudy; snow flurries all day. Wind W 15-25 mph. Temperature 24-26 F. Many beautiful effects were created by shafts of sunlight illuminating the damask falls of snow. Raptor Observations: We were stunned to see a male Kestrel dive to the ground among the Tree Sparrows nearby at 12:07 EST. The falcon reappeared three more times during the afternoon. It hovered over the hilltop fields as though today were a sunny October afternoon, only sans dragonflies. This beats our latest date for AK (11/7) by almost a month! Non-raptor Observations: Snow Geese (165, in flocks of 95 and 70, at 12:15 and 13:32 EST).

December 4 - Sunday - Snowy

NORTH HADLEY (from Chris Gentes) A Great Blue Heron seen flying over the pond in the snow around Noon.

NORTHFIELD (posted to Massbird by Mark Taylor) This afternoon at dusk, I found 180+ Brown-headed Cowbirds perched on several snags in the swamp at Bennett Meadow in Northfield. 3 juvenile Red-winged Blackbirds where with them along with several European Starlings. Cowbirds in Northfield, especially in December, are an uncommon sight and is noteworthy. This would be a good Christmas Count bird, especially in these numbers. Of course Brown-headed Cowbirds are a birds we love to hate as well.

FLORENCE (posted to Massbird by Peggy MacLeod) - 15 Turkeys

December 5 - Monday - Sunny and Cold

BRIMFIELD (posted to Massbird by Ian Lynch) I did some birding today in the sector I help to cover in the Sturbridge Christmas Bird Count. I turned up most of the usual suspects, but also had some nice extras. A Swamp Sparrow with a couple of Song Sparrows was active in a beaver swamp. I also had a nice late afternoon encounter with a Great Horned Owl, which answered my calls a few times before flying across the river. It took me longer to make the same trip since I had to walk back to my car and drive across a bridge, but when I got to the other side I heard two Great Horneds dueting. Then I tried hooting like a male Long-eared Owl and got a few responses from a female. There is an area nearby where Long-eareds were heard and seen last winter, so it appears that they are back.

GRANVILLE BLUEBERRY HILL Official Counter: John Weeks Observers: John Weeks, John Wojtanowski Weather: Mostly cloudy (80-95% cover). Wind W (tending to WNW, then NW late) 10-15 mph, but seemed to taper off during the afternoon as lulls lengthened between gusts. Temperature 26-30 F. Raptor Observations: Five migrants, all between 12:20 and 13:40 EST. Last hawk counted was a male Harrier low to the West at 13:36. Not migrating today: 2 Bald Eagles, 1 adult Red-shouldered Hawk. Non-raptor Observations: Canada Geese (160 in one flock), Horned Lark, Snow Bunting. Our petting zoo of Tree Sparrows (attracted by the millet seed we put down) has swelled to 24+ birds.

AMHERST+ (posted to Massbird by James Smith) 12/05 - Hadley Honey Pot; Bald Eagle - 1 imm. Red-tailed Hawk - 3 (perched and in view at the same time). Northern Harrier - 1 male, sub-adult. Horned Lark - 65 Amherst, UMass Campus Pond; Snow Goose - 1 adult. Present irregularly for the last two weeks. (Susannah B. Lerman). Amherst, Rail Trail; Hermit Thrush - 1 12/04 - Turner’s Falls Power Canal; Barrow’s Goldeneye - 1 female Common Goldeneye - 14 Bufflehead - 1 Eastern Screech Owl - 1 12/02 - Baker Street, Amherst. Wild Turkey - 12 in our yard, our first here.

WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS This is the Western Voice of Audubon for Monday, December 5

Found at Barton Cove and Turners Falls this week were 2 REDHEADS, a female BARROW'S GOLDENEYE, a RUDDY DUCK, 14 COMMON GOLDENEYES, a BUFFLEHEAD, a NORTHERN PINTAIL, 15 HOODED MERGANSERS and 25 COMMON MERGANSERS.

An EASTERN SCREECH-OWL has been noted in the woods adjacent to Barton Cove.

A PINE WARBLER has been coming to a feeder in Hardwick and a CAROLINA WREN, 16 CEDAR WAXWINGS, and 41 TREE SPARROWS were seen in Amherst

Located in a Northfield swamp was a flock of 180 BROWN-HEADED COWBIRDS and 3 RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS.

In Brimfield a LONG-EARED OWL was heard calling.

A FOX SPARROW is coming to a feeder in Granby and on Ludlow Reservoir there were many RUDDY DUCKS and COMMON MERGANSERS, some RING-NECKED DUCKS and a COMMON LOON.

Three ICELAND GULLS were on the Connecticut River below the Holyoke dam and a COMMON TERN was present for one day on the Oxbow in Northampton.

There were 5 HOODED MERGANSERS in Southwick and coming to a feeder there were a COOPER’S HAWK, a CAROLINA WREN, and a FOX SPARROW.

The hawkwatch in Granville is still finding migrants,. This week there were 2 RED-SHOULDERED HAWKS, a COOPER’S HAWK, a NORTHERN HARRIER, a BLACK VULTURE, 24 RED-TAILED HAWKS and a late AMERICAN KESTREL. Also seen were 165 SNOW GEESE, a NORTHERN SHRIKE, 24 TREE SPARROWS, a SNOW BUNTING, and 6 EVENING GROSBEAKS.

Seen on Richmond Pond were a GREEN-WINGED TEAL and 2 COMMON GOLDENEYES, and on Stockbridge Bowl there were 5 BUFFLEHEADS and a SURF SCOTER.

December 6 - Tuesday - Sunny and Cold

ASHFIELD (from Steve Sauter) A pair of siskin showed up today.

WHATELY (posted to Massbird by Bill Benner) I have about twenty species attending my feeders these days--endlessly entertaining. These include two Fox Sparrows, a pair of Red-breasted Nuthatches, and a Brown Creeper who comes to the suet I scraped along one of the pine trunks (thanks for the suggestion, Tom!). Only one Song Sparrow and two White-throats (I'd have expected more of the latter), and I haven't seen a Pine Siskin for about a week. The Timber Tiger was still out on 12/2 in the sun--very surprised to see him out this late. Best birds of the day, though, was the flock of 200+ Snow Geese winging high overhead. Their musical calling is even more haunting than the Canadas.

HOLYOKE (posted to Massbird by Daniel Schell) At 1:30 this afternoon (12/6) I watched a very jumpy Brown Thrasher in a stand of Sumac behind the Elks Club on Lower Westfield Road. The bird is best viewed from the east side of the parking lot (between the dumpster and the gate) while parked paralell to the boulders lining the edge of the lot. The thrasher spent most of his time in a stand of low White pine in the central part of the drainage swale coming out occasionally to feed on sumac berries on the north end of the swale (towards the soccer field). When not feeding he was skulking, singing, calling and berating a small brown and white cat. Given his jumpiness I doubt a close approach would be possible.

AMHERST (posted to Massbird by Henry Lappen) This morning I found the following on a short walk around the ponds at Cherry Hill Golf Course in Amherst: 1 Purple Finch 1 Pine Siskin 1 Carolina Wren 2 Ring Necked Pheasants 1 Coopers Hawk 3 Bluebirds

GRANVILLE BLUEBERRY HILL Official Counter: John Weeks Observers: John Weeks, John Wojtanowski Weather: Variable cloudiness; snow during the last hour and a half. Wind WNW in the morning, NW then W in the afternoon, 8-17 mph. Temperature 26-30 F. Raptor Observations: Today Blueberry Hill Hawk Watch reached the 500-hour plateau for the fourth straight season. Non-migrants: two or three immature Bald Eagles, one Red-tail. Non-raptor Observations: Common Mergansers (12), Common Ravens (13), American Robins (7).

December 7 - Wednesday - Sunny, Windy and Very Cold

GRANVILLE BLUEBERRY HILL Official Counter: John Weeks Observers: John Weeks, Pam Witaszek Weather: Mostly cloudy, with snow flurries on and off. Wind was briefly NW, then W for the rest of the day, 15-25 mph. Gusts measured up to 29.2 mph. Temperature 21-24 F. Raptor Observations: Immature and sub-adult IV Bald Eagles counted at approx. 1240 EST. Non-raptor Observations: Canada Geese (168; one flock contained a much smaller, duck-sized bird, possibly a Cackling Goose), Common Mergansers (10), Snow Bunting.

December 8 - Thursday - Sunny and Cold

NORTHAMPTON (from Chuck Horn) Arcadia area, not much: pond and swamp - mallards and Canada geese, old orchards 12 robins, trails - what look to be bobcat tracks - esp. Sasafras Trail boardwalk, Oxbow - 106 American mergansers.

NORTHAMPTON (From Chris Gentes) Found a red-phase Screech-owl sunning.

GRANVILLE BLUEBERRY HILL Official Counter: John Weeks Observers: John Weeks, John Wojtanowski Weather: Virtually cloudless skies, with a touch of haze. Wind variable, NW to W, 6-10 mph. Temperature 18-26 F. Raptor Observations: Immature Bald Eagle at 13:25 EST. Not migrating today: one each of all three accipiter species (Sharp-shin, immature Cooper's Hawk, adult Northern Goshawk). Non-raptor Observations: Canada Geese (61), Snow Bunting.

AMHERST (from ABC Bird News) From James Smith Great Blue Heron - 1 (Fort River, Mill Lane Amherst).

December 9 - Friday - Snow -10 inches or so.

AMHERST (from ABC Bird News) From Scott Surner 14 Wild Turkey at feeder in Amherst

SOUTHWICK (from ABC Bird News) From Scott Ricker Congamond 15 Coot 1 Common Merganser 1 Snow Goose 1 Kingfisher Feeder 1 Fox Sparrow 18 Cowbirds 1 Red-winged Blackbird

December 10 - Saturday - Sunny and 30s.

TURNERS FALLS+ (from Taj Schottland) Today at the Power Canal in Turners Falls, I bumped into a large wave of sparrows along the road near the clearing for the power lines. Among the many Tree Sparrows and Juncos there were several Song Sparrows, but the highlight was a FIELD SPARROW. There was also a Golden-crowned Kinglet in one of the pine trees. At the Northampton Airport I had 35+ Horned Larks. From the airport i also saw a SNOW GOOSE fly in as if to land in the Connecticut river ( i never actually saw it land, trees were blocking my view).

NORTH HADLEY (from Chris Gentes) A pair of Bluebirds were in the neighborhood today.

BELCHERTOWN - (from Larry Therrien) 25 Chickadees in the yard.

GRANVILLE BLUEBERRY HILL Official Counter: John Weeks Observers: John Weeks, John Wojtanowski, Pam Witaszek Weather: Sunny for the first three hours; the sky then clouded over almost completely by the end of the watch. Wind SW 5-10 mph. Temperature 27-33 F. Raptor Observations: Three migrating Red-tails brought the season total to 772, a new site record. Modest by the standards of many sites west of us, this figure represents many hours of hard work (with single birds, or none, per hour counted frequently). John Wojtanowski went far beyond the call of duty today, when he spent two hours shoveling a path through yesterday's foot of snow -- all the way to the top of the hill. He and the other members of the crew deserve to take a bow. Not migrating: adult Bald Eagle, one Red-tail. Non-raptor Observations: Several dozen ducks (probably Common Mergansers), Cedar Waxwings (19, including one with orange-tipped tail).

SOUTHWICK (from ABC Bird News) From Seth Kellogg Congamond 1 Snow Goose 4 Ring-necked Duck Southwick 16 Cedar Waxwings 1 Cooper's Hawk (feeder)

AMHERST (from ABC Bird News) From James Smith Norowttuck Rail Trail Wilson's Snipe - 1 American Pipit - 2 Hermit Thrush - 1 Pileated Wood - 1 Eastern Bluebird - 10 SAVANNAH SPARROW - 1 Baker Street Yard Sharp-shinned Hawk - 1 Wild Turkey - 14 Carolina Wren - 2

December 11 - Sunday - Sunny and Cold

NORTH HADLEY (from Chris Gentes) A Pine Siskin with the others at the feeder.

GRANVILLE BLUEBERRY HILL Official Counter: John Weeks Observers: John Weeks, Pam Witaszek Weather: Mostly cloudy until noon, then blue skies; hazy throughout. Wind variable SW/WSW/W 4-10 mph. Temperature 29-35 F. Raptor Observations: Juvenile Golden Eagle at 1148 EST (in view for 25 minutes) -- first December record for this species at Blueberry Hill. Kettle of 5 Bald Eagles (3 ad, 1 sub-adult IV, 1 immature) rose quickly to W and streamed off at 1246; 6th Bald Eagle (ad) followed similar path at 1255. We extended the Blueberry Hill watch into mid-December starting in 2002; the present season marks the first December sightings of Black Vulture, Golden Eagle and Kestrel. We have also logged 4 Red-shouldered Hawks this month; the only previous sighting in December was on 12/3/2003. While perhaps only slightly more systematic than "anecdotal evidence," these current sightings argue a certain retardation in the Fall 2005 migration. Non-migrants: adult and 3rd-year Bald Eagles. Non-raptor Observations: Common Ravens (10), Horned Larks (9).

SOUTHWICK (from ABC Bird News) From Seth Kellogg - Congamond Ponds 1 Snow Goose 1000 Canada Geese 130 Black Ducks 5 Ring-necked Ducks 1 Ruddy Duck 12 Hooded Merganser Southwick Cooper's Hawk 60 Horned Larks

December 12 - Monday - Sunny, Quite Cold and Breezy

AMHERST (from Heather McQueen) A pair of loons flew over Amherst College around 8:30am.

LONGMEADOW (posted to Massbird by Janis LaPointe) Highlights of a few hours at the Fannie Stebbins Memorial Wildlife Refuge Monday afternoon: Savannah Sparrows Cooper's Hawk Sharp-shinned Hawk No. Harrier Very birdy spots at the feeder in the Burt Field and in the agricultural fields. Water frozen on the ponds with a few ducks at the Beaver Pond and Longmeadow Brook. Red-phase E. Screech Owl (Longmeadow outside the Refuge) back at its tree after a few days absence or invisibility.

GRANVILLE BLUEBERRY HILL Official Counter: John Weeks Observers: John Weeks Weather: Mostly cloudy. Wind NW shifting to W after 12:30 EST, 8-12 mph with gusts to 13.9 mph. Temperature 29-31 F. Raptor Observations: Three non-migrating Bald Eagles (2 ad, 1 imm). Non-raptor Observations: A Lapland Longspur (first-winter female: very buffy on breast) quietly ate millet seeds on the ground 50 feet from the lookout the whole time I was there.

ASHFIELD (from Steve Sauter) My two siskin have not been back even though the feeder is very active- dozens of chickadees, both nuthatches, junco, tree sparrow, jays, downy and hairy woodpeckers, brown creeper on the nearby tree looking for cached seed. Had two barred owls in the yard two nights ago. One sharp-shinned looking the feeder over, a raven over head.

FLORENCE+ (from Larry Therrien) Cooper's Hawk (1) over downtown Florence QUABBIN: Short stop mid morning at Winsor Dam: Bald Eagle (2) adults, Red Tailed Hawk (1) and unknown type gulls (6).

HADLEY (from ABC Bird News) From James Smith Norwottuck Rail Trail Hadley; Sharp-shinned Hawk - 1 Hermit Thrush - 1 Baker Street Yard, Amherst; Wild Turkey - 14

WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS This is the Western Voice of Audubon for Monday, December 12

Seen in Amherst were 14 WILD TURKEYS coming to a feeder, a NORTHERN PINTAIL at the University of Massachusetts campus pond, a GREAT BLUE HERON, a WILSON’S SNIPE, a SHARP-SHINNED HAWK, a COOPER’S HAWK, 3 CAROLINA WRENS, 10 EASTERN BLUEBIRDS, a HERMIT THRUSH, 2 AMERICAN PIPITS, a SAVANNAH SPARROW, a PURPLE FINCH and a PINE SISKIN.

Two PINE SISKINS and 2 EVENING GROSBEAKS were noted in Athol, 2 SNOW BUNTINGS, 7 HORNED LARKS, and a SAVANNAH SPARROW were in Montague, a PINE SISKIN is coming to a feeder in Hampden, and a BROWN THRASHER was seen in Holyoke.

Observed in Longmeadow were a NORTHERN HARRIER, a COOPER’S HAWK, a SHARP-SHINNED HAWK, and an EASTERN SCREECH-OWL.

An EASTERN SCREECH-OWL was also found in Northampton along with 100 COMMON MERGANSERS, a SNOW GOOSE, 35 HORNED LARKS, and 12 AMERICAN ROBINS.

In Southwick there were more than 1,000 CANADA GEESE, a SNOW GOOSE, a MUTE SWAN, 130 AMERICAN BLACK DUCKS, 5 RING-NECKED DUCKS, a RUDDY DUCK, 12 HOODED MERGANSERS, a COOPER’S HAWK, a BELTED KINGFISHER, 60 HORNED LARKS, a CAROLINA WREN, and an EASTERN BLUEBIRD.

The hawkwatch is still open in Granville and seen there this week were 40 COMMON MERGANSERS, 8 BALD EAGLES, a RED-SHOULDERED HAWK, 19 RED-TAILED HAWKS, a GOLDEN EAGLE, 10 COMMON RAVENS, 9 HORNED LARKS, 19 CEDAR WAXWINGS, 7 AMERICAN ROBINS, a SNOW BUNTING, and a LAPLAND LONGSPUR.

A FIELD SPARROW and a GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET were in Turners Falls,.

A FOX SPARROW was coming to a feeder in Pittsfield. A NORTHERN HARRIER, 75 HORNED LARKS, a HERMIT THRUSH, 2 EASTERN BLUEBIRDS, an AMERICAN PIPIT, and a SAVANNAH SPARROW were in Hadley, and in Whately there were 200 SNOW GEESE, 2 RED-BREASTED NUTHATCHES, a BROWN CREEPER, and 2 FOX SPARROWS.

December 13 - Tuesday - Sunny and Very Cold and Breezy

GRANVILLE BLUEBERRY HILL Official Counter: John Weeks Observers: John Weeks, John Wojtanowski Weather: Sunny and cold. Wind N/NW 5-12 mph. Temperature 10-18 F. Raptor Observations: Not migrating: 2 Bald Eagles (adult, immature). Non-raptor Observations: Canada Geese (46), Horned Larks (6), Lapland Longspur, Snow Buntings (5).

ORANGE (posted to Massbird by Dave Small) I just came from Orange Mass where a lovely Boreal Chickadee has been frequenting a feeder at 19 Sandra Drive. The bird was discovered on December 9th but was only confirmed this afternoon. The house is the 3rd house on the left coming in from the northerly entrance to Sandra Drive. This is a blue/gray house with a green dumpster in the driveway. The owner is friendly to birders but please respect the neighborhood tranquility.

TURNERS FALLS+ from (ABC Bird News) From James Smith - There was a very nice first-winter Glaucous Gull resting on the ice with less than ten other large gulls and just a few Ring-billeds at Barton Cove this afternoon. The bird was closest to the Gill side of the river, but could quite easily be seen from various points around the cove. Also, in the Power Canal area at Turner's Falls; Canada Goose - c.1000 Common Merganser - 61 Hooded Merganser - 1 fem/juv. Barrow's Goldeneye - 1 female still remains, and still arrving quite late, after 4pm. Common Goldeneye - 16 Eastern Screech Owl - 1

December 14 - Wednesday - Very Cold

ORANGE (posted to Massbird by Oakes Saplding) Herman D'Entremont and I, and a number of other birders, saw the Boreal Chickadee at 19 Sandra Drive, Orange, at about 9:40 this morning. According to the nice woman who lives in the house, the bird most often visits the suet feeders near the house, rather than the large hanging feeder- this was the case today.

GRANVILLE BLUEBERRY HILL Official Counter: John Weeks Observers: John Weeks Weather: Sunny and cold; cirrus clouds overspread the sky after noon without affecting visibility. Wind N/NW 6-12 mph. Temperature 13-19 F. Raptor Observations: Bald Eagles at 10:19 (near-adult; mature plumage except for two central rectrices with dusky tips), 12:09 (adult, two immature) and 12:59 EST (adult). Non-raptor Observations: Common Redpoll with the Tree Sparrows at 10:00. Other birds: American Crows (18 -- looked like migrants), Horned Larks (12), Lapland Longspur, Snow Buntings (4).

BELCHERTOWN (from Larry Therrien) Near the brook at the house had American Robins (27) eating berries during a very cold day. Not much else to report beyond the usual feeder birds.

December 15 - Thursday - Cold

SPRINGFIELD (posted to Massbird by Rick Baumhauer) Well, it must be the day for Urban Red-shoulders in MA - to my great surprise, I heard one calling when I got out of my car at work today in downtown Springfield. I found it perched at the top of a high wall, and it took wing shortly after, flew across the parking lot to the strip of land by the railroad tracks, and harrassed another raptor (likely a young Red Tail) who was stooping over a meal. I saw the Red-shouldered again later in the afternoon, perched on the same high wall - I'm hoping it will still be around early next week, as I likely won't be going in to my office again this week. If anybody wants to look for it, the bird was hanging around the block that sits between Main Street and I-91 and Hamden and Gridiron streets - it was sitting on the high wall that separates the parking lot between 1666 Main St (the old Bank Boston building) and the parking lot behind the Hippodrome (the old Paramount Theater).

ORANGE (posted to Massbird Mark Taylor) I went to check out the Boreal Chickadee at 19 Sandra Drive in Orange this afternoon around 14:00. This is the house with feeders in the back with a green dumpster at the end of the driveway. As soon as I stepped out of the vehicle I could hear the bird vocalizing in the evergreens bordering the driveway. This may be the easiest and least time consuming way to locate this bird instead of waiting for it to show up at the hanging feeders, which, by the way, it didn't while I was there. As in the northern forests, these birds tend to stay hidden in the dense Spruces and can be harder to see than Black-capped. This is indeed a beautiful little bird and definitely easy to see.

GRANVILLE BLUEBERRY HILL Official Counter: John Weeks Observers: Brian Faggioni, Joe Wojtanowski, John Weeks, Seth Kellogg Visitors: On this almost-balmy-feeling day, Seth regaled us with cheese, crackers, coffee and sherry. We four -- we happy four, we band of counters -- raised a toast to the season and to the Fellowship of the Wing. Weather: Initially clear skies; cloud-cover then increased from 5% to 98% and changed from cirrus to stratus by watch's end. Light winds, variable at first, becoming south and shifting gradually to east. Temperature 21-27 F. Today was the 91st day of the watch. Raptor Observations: Four immature Bald Eagles counted as migrants, at 10:35, 11:47 and 12:25 (2) EST. Two other immature BE appeared to linger in the area. Non-raptor Observations: Common Mergansers (3), Lapland Longspur (fourth day in a row), Snow Buntings (9), Common Redpolls (flock of 24).

SOUTH HADLEY (posted to Massbird by Bill Benner) On my way to work today I passed a flock of beautiful Snow Buntings, probably 30 to 40 (or more?), circling and landing and fluttering around the ground. They were along Rt. 47, across from the ball fields that are just north of the center of town. There is a small parking area in the field on the east side of the road there across from the town ball fields, and they seemed to be feeding on manure, or dumped grain, or something in that spot. Hopefully they'll hang around for the Count on Sunday.

December 16 - Friday - Ice Storm early

BELCHERTOWN (from Larry Therrien) Just a few birds at the feeder including the following: American Tree Sparrow (1), Dark Eyed Junco (10), American Robin (21).

NORTHFIELD (posted to Massbird by Mark Taylor) Two Common Redpolls are now at our thistle feeder looking rather soaked. We also have had a flock of 18-20 Evening Grosbeaks frequenting our feeders for the past week. CBC'ers take note. Good luck this weekend!

NEW SALEM (posted to Massbird by Bill Lafley) This morning I had 6 Common Redpolls at my feeder. Also had 2 bluebirds in the yard trying to find something to eat through the icy crust.

NEW SALEM (from ABC Bird News) From Harvey Allen - A Varied Thrush is coming to a feeder in New Salem, but its location must remain private. Others have been reported in the state, so be on the lookout. The Boreal Chickadee is still coming to a feeder on 29 Sandra Drive in Orange. The bird has been seen at the feeder and in the spruces in the yard.

NEW SALEM (posted to Massbird by James Smith) VARIED THRUSH - Has been visiting a yard in New Salem since Sunday Dec11th. I spoke with home owner yesterday who has requested PRIVACY and does not want to receive large numbers of visiting birders. In addition, reaching the proporty may be somewhat hazardous in the winter conditions. The Boreal Chickadee at Sandrah Drive, Orange as described in Mark Taylor’s post yesterday, showed well in mid-morning. It was not only on the suet feeders near the back of the house, but also in the spruce and fir trees alongside the street where it was easily seen and heard.

SOUTHWICK (from ABC Bird NEws) . From Seth Kellogg Southwick MA Congamond 8 Coot 2 Common Goldeneye

December 17 - Saturday - Sunny and Mild Cold

SPRINGFIELD CHRISTMAS COUNT (posted to Massbird by Geroge Kingston) Preliminary results of the Springfield Area Christmas Count held on Dec 17, 2005. Numbers are not final and there are two areas that have not yet reported. Notable is the lack of winter finches. 70 species total. Write-in birds Red Breasted Merganser 3 Peregrin 4 Fish Crow 3 Lesser Black Back Gull 1 Y-B Sapsucker 1 Red Shoulder Hawk 1 N Harrier 1 Gray Catbird 3 Iceland Gull 1 Eastern Phoebe 1 Gr Blue Heron 7 Mute Swan 8 Canada Goose 628 Wood Duck 4 Black Duck 85 Mallard 740 Common Goldeneye 8 Hooded Merganser 29 Common Merganser 119 Bald Eagle-Adult 6 Sharpshin 6 Coopers 10 Redtail 52 Kestrel 1 Grouse 1 Coot 1 Ringbill Gull 709 Herring Gull 210 Great Black-back Gull 140 Rock Dove 1162 Mourning Dove 472 Screech Owl 13 Gr Horned Owl 6 Sawwhet Owl 1 - Near Holyoke Community College Kingfisher 13 Red-bellied Wood 31 Downy 80 Hairy 31 Flicker 10 Pileated 3 Horned Lark 60 Blue Jay 313 Crow 1373 Raven 1 - At Springfield Resevoir, Ludlow Chickadee 467 Titmouse 165 Red-br Nuthatch 12 White-Br Nuthatch 127 Creeper 15 Carolina Wren 29 Winter Wren 5 Golden-cr Kinglet 15 Bluebird 15 HermitThrush 4 Robin 198 Mockingbird 55 Cedar Waxwing 67 Starling 6262 Cardinal 106 Tree Sparrow 141 Field Sparrow 1 Song Sparrow 289 Swamp Sparrow 4 White-Thr Sparrow 150 Junco 500 Red-winged Blackbird 22 Cowbird 3 House Finch 127 Goldfinch 468 House Sparrow 471 HOLYOKE (posted yo Massbird by Tom Gagnon) Spent the day, mostly hiking around the Ashley Ponds area in Holyoke. Hi-lite's were: Sharp-shinned Hawk 2 Cooper's Hawk 2 Red-tailed Hawk 4 Ruffed Grouse 1 (used to get about 8-10) Pileated Woodpecker 1 LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL 1 Winter Wren 1 Golden-crowned Kinglet ONE (Way down) Hermit Thrush 3 (in over 40+ years of CBCs I have never had 3 in one count) SAW-WHET OWL 1 CATBIRD 2 Eastern Chipmuck 1

GRANVILLE BLUEBERRY HILL Official Counter: John Weeks Observers: John Weeks Weather: Sunny with cirrus clouds. Wind W to NW 10-15 mph. Temperature 29-32 F. Raptor Observations: One self-canceling Bald Eagle (near-adult; seen flying both north and south). Non-raptor Observations: Witnessed a mortal drama in the air at 12:44. Spotting a medium-sized passerine chasing a tiny one about 150 yards to the west, I turned the 'scope onto the pair. It was a Northern Shrike in close pursuit of a chickadee-sized bird. The victim's many twists and turns availed it nothing: the Shrike relentlessly kept its station two feet or less behind. Together they traced a semi-circle, west to south to east, and dropped into the trees. The likely end of the drama happened offstage.

December 18 - Sunday - Sunny and Mild Cold

NORTHAMPTON COUNT - AREA 30 (from Bob Packard) CanGoose-6 BlackDuck-7 Saw-whet-1 Barred Owl-1 Screech-1 Great-horned-1 Redtail-2 RGrouse-1 MoDo-201 RPigeon-9 BKingfisher-2 DWood-22 HWood-10 RBWood-3 ACrow-35 BlueJay-60 ARobin-40 HThrush-1 EBluebird-9 Mocker-2 Carolina Wren-1 BCChickadee-114 TTit-32 BCreeper-13 WBNut-28 RBNut-20 EStarling-73 CWaxwing-14 NCArdinal-20 Fox Sparrow-1 Tree Sparrow-35 Whitethroat-10 Swamp Spar-4 Song Spar-6 Junco-76 AGoldfinch-56 CRedpoll-1 House Sparrow-16 Gray SQuirrel-5 Black Squirrel-1 Red Squirrel-2 Bobcat-1 For the whole count we had the most HAWO, BCCH, RBNU-20 out of 49, BRCR-13 out of 36, SWSP-5 of 11, and the only Fox Sparrow. We tied for the highest with a few uncommon sp. like BEKI, BAOW, RUGR, and SAOW. Other areas had Merlin, Ring-necked Duck, Pintail, Catbird, Chipping Sparrow, Yellow-rumped, Snow Goose, Pipit, Sapsuckerr, Iceland Gull, and LLongspur. The only really rare bird was assumed to be and exotic, a Red-breasted Goose. Some glaring misses were Grackle, Goshawk, Shrike, and Kestrel. Only one of each of BHCO and RWBL.

NORTHAMPTON COUNT HIGHLIGHTS (from ABC Bird News) From Jan Ortiz, Compiler Northampton Area Christmas Count Sunday 12/18 86 species Highlights 2 Snow Goose 6 Wood Duck 1 Pintail 1 Ring-necked Duck 3 Great Blue Heron 3 Harrier 1 Merlin 1 Kestrel 3 Peregrine 1 Iceland Gull 2 Saw-whet Owl 3 Fish Crow 4 Winter Wren 8 Hermit Thrush 2500 Robin (going to roost) 5 Catbird 4 Pipit 1 Yellow-rumped Warbler 1 Fox Sparrow 2 White-crowned Sparrow 1 Red-winged Blackbird 1 Rusty Blackbird 8 Purple Finch 18 Redpoll 14 Evening Grosbeak

GRANVILLE BLUEBERRY HILL Official Counter: John Weeks Observers: John Weeks, Pam Witaszek Weather: Sunny with cirrus clouds and haze. Wind W (briefly NW/N) 4-10 mph. Temperature 25-30 F. A rare treat was the circumzenithal arc high in the sky just after 11:00 EST. Often called an "upside down rainbow," it is actually caused by ice crystals in the cirrus layer. A fitting sight for our 93rd and final day of the season. Raptor Observations: No migrants counted; one Bald Eagle flew north, and one or two Red-tails dawdled in the area. Around 12:15, Pam had a brief but tantalizing view of a possible large falcon ... with a lot of white on it ... Non-raptor Observations: Horned Lark, Common Redpolls (9+ ; a small flock flew overhead, but were nearly invisible in the blue sky, and hard to count). We spent much of the watch keeping tabs on two workers up in the microwave tower on nearby Sweetman ridge. They removed both of the large discs and lowered them to the ground. How will the NSA eavesdrop on our hawkwatching conversations now?

ORANGE+ (posted to Massbird by Alan Strauss) I saw the Boreal Chickadee today between 10 and 1 at Sandra Drive in Orange. Once the other birders left it provided great views as it fed and flew back and forth to the nearby trees. This bird has extensive rusty-brown color on the flanks and a dusky brown cap with limited white cheek patch. This is a great opportunity to see a boreal up close because usually they tend to stay up high in the spruce trees. Great job Alisha!! Next stop Quabbin where I saw a Pileated Woodpecker near area/gate 52. Three tame deer were feeding on bird seed near the rotary that goes to the summit. Many chickadees. Quick scan produced no eagles or redpolls. I forgot to mention that I had about 25 wild turkeys. They were located on the right side of Route 202 just after you leave Route 2 E and get on 202 going toward Quabbin. The birds were in a snow covered field next to a wooded area.

SHUTESBURY (from Kevin Weir) A Kingfisher flying along Adams Brook.

December 19 - Monday - Sunny and Breezy, Cold

ORANGE (posted to Massbird by Tom and Ryan Sayers) The boreal chickadee was still coming to the suet feeders closest to the house in Orange as of Sunday noon. The homeowner is OK with birders getting up close to the house for a better look even if she is not home.

ASHFIELD (from Steve Sauter) 18 redpolls in Ashfield.

WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS This is the Western Voice of Audubon for Monday, December 19

Results are available for four Christmas Counts conducted over the weekend in western Massachusetts.

The Springfield Area Count recorded 70 species. Here are the highlights: In Longmeadow there were 2 GREAT BLUE HERONS, a NORTHERN HARRIER, an AMERICAN COOT, 2 NORTHERN FLICKERS, 60 HORNED LARKS, and a SWAMP SPARROW. Seen in Springfield were 2 WOOD DUCKS, a BALD EAGLE, a PEREGRINE FALCON, 7 EASTERN SCREECH OWLS, a YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER, 3 WINTER WRENS, and a FISH CROW. Noted in Holyoke were a LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL, an ICELAND GULL, a PEREGRINE FALCON, a NORTHERN SAW WHET OWL, a WINTER WREN, 3 HERMIT THRUSH, and a GRAY CATBIRD. A WOOD DUCK and a PURPLE FINCH were in East Longmeadow, a GREAT BLUE HERON, a RED-SHOULDERED HAWK, and 8 EASTERN BLUEBIRDS in Wilbraham, 2 FISH CROWS and 7 CAROLINA WRENS in West Springfield, an AMERICAN KESTREL and 22 RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS in Chicopee, and a WOOD DUCK and a COMMON RAVEN in Ludlow. In Agawam there were 3 RED-BREASTED MERGANSERS, a GREAT BLUE HERON, 3 BALD EAGLES, 6 EASTERN SCREECH OWLS, an EASTERN PHOEBE, and 3 SWAMP SPARROWS.

There were 86 species found during the Northampton-Amherst area count. Highlights were 2 SNOW GEESE, a NORTHERN PINTAIL, a RING-NECKED DUCK, 3 NORTHERN HARRIERS, a MERLIN, an ICELAND GULL, 2 NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWLS, 3 FISH CROWS, 4 WINTER WRENS, 8 HERMIT THRUSH, 2,500 AMERICAN ROBINS, 5 GRAY CATBIRDS, 4 AMERICAN PIPITS, a YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER, a FOX SPARROW, 2 WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS, a RUSTY BLACKBIRD, 18 COMMON REDPOLLS and 14 EVENING GROSBEAKS.

Sixty species were recorded during the Athol count, including 2 COMMON LOONS, 3 HORNED GREBES, an ICELAND GULL, a NORTHERN SHRIKE, a HERMIT THRUSH, 2 FOX SPARROWS, an EASTERN MEADOWLARK, 65 COMMON REDPOLLS, 7 PINE SISKINS, and 56 EVENING GROSBEAKS.

In Pittsfield 50 species were found, including 3 GREEN-WINGED TEAL, a NORTHERN PINTAIL, a RED-SHOULDERED HAWK, 9 COMMON RAVENS, 62 EASTERN BLUEBIRDS, 6 PURPLE FINCHES, 45 COMMON REDPOLLS, and 28 EVENING GROSBEAKS.

December 20 - Tuesday - Sunny and Cold

TURNERS FALLS (from Taj Schottland) This morning i had the 1st winter Iceland Gull at Bartons cove. It was roosting on the ice with other gulls on the side near unity park.

NORTHAMPTON (posted to Massbird by James Smith) This afternoon I dropped down to the East Meadows to view the Connecticut River south of the Rte 9 bridge. I was hopeful of seeing the skittish Red-breasted Goose that we discovered during Sunday’s CBC. There were no geese at all when I first arrived at 15:20hrs but about thirty minutes later the first Canadas flew in, eventually building up to about 900 birds and bringing with them the same Snow Goose that we recorded on the CBC. Alas, no Red-breasted Goose came in with them. There was a nice build of waterfowl on the river which continued well after sunset; Snow Goose - 1 adult Canada Goose - c.900 Wood Duck - 5 (all female). Mallard - c. 250 Black Duck - 12 *Northern Pintail - 1 male. Common Merganser - 11 Also in the area, Northern Flicker, Belted Kingfisher, and about 200 Mourning Doves.

December 21 - Wednesday - Sunny and Cold

December 22 - Thursday - Sunny and Cold

QUABBIN (from Larry Therrien) Winsor Dam area: Eastern Meadowlark (1) feeding along the exposed grass of the dam. American Turkey (9). Nothing else out of the ordinary.

ORANGE+ (posted to Massbird by Tom Pirro) The Boreal Chickadee was still present late yesterday at the suet feeders at 19 Sandrah Drive. CONWAY American Goldfinch ~200 .... a blizzard of finches coming to a feeder on Conway Road near the Buckland town line. BARTONS COVE Mute Swan a dozen Bald Eagle 2 adult "sitting should to should" in a tree a few hundred yards from the nest. TURNERS FALLS (Annadromous Fish area) : Canada Goose ~300 most came in at dusk Mute Swan 2 imm. Mallard ~500 many came in after dusk Black Duck only a few Common Goldeneye ~25 Barrow's Goldeneye 1 POSSIBLE one female stood out by silluette only, steep forehead and stubbier bill...thats the best i could do with it under the conditions. Common Merganser ~75 Hooded Merganser ~10 Red-tailed Hawk 1 Sreech Owl 1 briefy visible at its "typical" roost hole. Ring-billed Gull ~100+ Herring Gull ~100 Kumlian's Iceland Gull 2 first year types Great Black-backed Gull ~15 American Crow 3000+ (one individual had about 80% white wings) Many of the waterfowl came in at dark, most Goldeneyes, Mergs and Mallards arrived after dark.

December 23 - Friday - Sunny and not too Cold

ASHFIELD (from Steve Sauter) On my walk up the street I saw a flock of Evening Grosbeaks- 25 across from the sugar house. Later I heard them in my woods.

AMHERST (from Chris Gentes) A brief walk today with the following highlights: Barred Owl-1, Ruffed Grouse-3, Turkey-2, Bluebird-5, Bobcat-1

SPRINGFIELD (psoted to Massbird by Eileen Rutman) Some nice yard birds this morning: FOX SPARROW 1 Tree Sparrows 2 White-throated Sparrows 13+ Juncos 5 Hairy W. 4 Downy W. 3 Red-Bellied W. 1 W-B Nuthatched 2 Misc. House Finches and Sparrows

ORANGE+ (posted to Massbird by Mark Lynch) After viewing the BOREAL CHICKADEE at the feeder in Orange (very co-operative mid-morning and viewed for 15+ minutes spending time at almost all the feeders: quite aggressive too, we watched it repeatedly chase off Black-cappeds) we headed south to Quabbin Park (South Quabbin). Though the "big water" was still open at this end, there were very few birds in evidence. But we did see: Common Loon (1) Horned Grebe (1) Bald Eagle (2ad+1 1stW: one adult put on a nice show at the Administration Building by flying very close right across our field of view and perching in the trees on the left) Ring-billed Gull (2) Common Raven (2) Eastern Bluebird (1) A mere handful of winter regulars made up the rest of the list: Blue Jay, Black-capped Chickadee, both nuthatches, Tree Sparrow. It could be a tough count December 31 for those of us IN the Quabbin Reservation.

QUABBIN (posted to Massbird by James Smith) Winsor Dam area of the Quabbin this afternoon with the following notes; Common Loon - 1 juvenile. This bird had a severly deformed lower mandible about twice the length of the upper, and curving upwards! The lower mandible also looked quite pale at distance giving the bird a pretty bizzarre field appearance. Red-necked Grebe - 1 Wild Turkey - 6 on the dam wall. Eastern Meadowlark - 1 feeding on snow free patches along the dam. Would often retire to high pines when disturbed. First reported by Larry Therrien. Eastern Bluebird - 3 (2 males and a female). American Goldfinch - 1 Common Raven - 2 Also of note today, a Pine Siskin over Baker Street, Amherst.

December 24 - Saturday - Sunny

NORTHFIELD (posted to Massbird by Mark Taylor) In line with the larger numbers of Gray Catbirds seen on the coast, we had one in our yard in Northfield this afternoon. Very rare for this northwestern section of Massachusetts, in fact this would have been a nice CBC find for this area. Also we had a Brown-headed Cowbird at the feeders this morning.

ORANGE (from Chris Gentes) Heather and I finally saw the Boreal Chickadee today.

December 25 - Sunday - Cloudy then Rain

GILL+ (from Peter Atwood) Christmas Day in Gill: The usual assortment of Titmouse, Black capped Chickadees, a Nuthatch, 1 female downy woodpecker and a distant hawk perched on a high tree top that looked like a Cooper's Hawk. UNITY PARK - TURNERS FALLS Between 12 and 20 Mallards, dozens of Herring Gulls, 3 Black Backed Gulls, 6 Mute Swans.

FLORENCE (posted to Massbird by Bruce Hart) Eastern Screech Owl has been roosting, as in the past, on Meadow St. in Florence. Location is below Lilly Library, red house before bridge. Right side of driveway at white fence near the tree. Scope between the garage and birch at a hole 20' up in tall tree. A snag on the left points to hole. House is vacant so I was quite comfortable using a scope to observe closely.

December 26 - Monday - A Rainy, Mild Day

SHUTESBURY (from Kevin Weir) We have 1 fox sparrow, 23 goldfinch, 49 mourning doves, 4 red bellied wp, 5 downey wp, 1 hairy wp, 4 robins, 16 chickadees, 10 juncos, 7 bluejays, 3 crows, 5 white breasted nuthatch, 2 red breasted nuthatch, 8 titmouse, 4 tree sparrows, 1 redtail hawk, 1 red squirrel, and 1 grey squirrel. (Last year at this time we had 8 red squirrels and 12 greys. The great acorn drought of 05 took its toll.Also one kingfisher along the Adams Brook

GREENFIELD CBC (posted to Massbird by Mark Fairbrother) Under some of the more miserable conditions I can remember: rain most of the day, heavy at times, with a dense fog hiding most of the CT river all day. The river cuts the count circle in half and is closely watched on count day, but not this year. With most precincts reporting, we stand at 56 species and 7,400 individuals. The count was not without some highlights: 1f Barrow's Goldeneye 230 Wild Turkey 1 Iceland Gull 1 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1 Gray Catbird 150 Song Sparrow (new count high) 1 White-crowned Sparrow 1 Lapland Longspur 50 Common Redpoll 3 Evening Grosbeak (first in 5 years)

COBBLE MOUNTAIN CHRISTMAS COUNT (posted to ABC Bird News) Here are the full final results of the Cobble Mt (Westfield Area) Count conducted 12/26, 2005. 25 participants, 12 parties 60 species Most total individuals near average 695 Canada Goose 2 Wood Duck 28 Black Duck 295 Mallard 1 Pintail (second time on count) 11 Hooded Merganser 8 Common Merganser 3 Pheasant 1 Grouse 34 Turkey 1 Great Blue Heron 3 Sharp-shinned Hawk 2 Cooper's Hawk 25 Red-tailed Hawk 2 Coot 92 Ring-billed Gull (low) 39 Herring Gull (low) 14 Great Black-backed Gull (low) 362 Rock Pigeon 573 Mourning Dove (highest total) 10 Screech Owl 11 Great Horned Owl 3 Barred Owl 7 Kingfisher 48 Red-bellied Woodpecker (highest total) 79 Downy Woodpecker 32 Hairy Woodpecker 10 Flicker 6 Pileated 370 Blue Jay 349 Crow (lowest total) 5 Raven 30 Horned Lark 588 Chickadee 163 Titmouse 9 Red-breasted Nuthatch 92 White-breasted Nuthatch 5 Creeper 19 Carolina Wren 16 Golden-crowned Kinglet (low) 84 Bluebird (2nd highest total) 2 Hermit Thrush 210 Robin (2nd highest total) 1 Catbird 39 Mockingbird 231 Cedar Waxwing 1136 Starling 135 Tree Sparrow (low) 7 Field Sparrow 1 Fox Sparrow 87 Song Sparrow 73 White-throated Sparrow 418 Dark-eyed Junco (low) 153 Cardinal (2nd highest total) 1 Cowbird 3 Purple Finch 82 House Finch (lowest total) 2 Pine Siskin 203 Goldfinch 365 House Sparrow

WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS This is the Western Voice of Audubon for Monday, December 26

The BOREAL CHICKADEE, which has been coming to a feeder at 19 Sandra Drive in Orange, was still present this week.

Seen in the east meadows of Northampton were a SNOW GOOSE, 5 WOOD DUCKS, a NORTHERN PINTAIL, 11 COMMON MERGANSERS, a NORTHERN FLICKER, and a BELTED KINGFISHER. An EASTERN SCREECH-OWL was noted in the Florence section of Northampton.

The Christmas Count in the Westfield area was held today in the rain and fog With two teams yet to report 59 species were found.. Highlights so far were 11 HOODED MERGANSERS, a NORTHERN PINTAIL, a GREAT BLUE HERON, 3 SHARP-SHINNED HAWKS, 3 COOPER’S HAWKS, 2 AMERICAN COOTS, 3 EASTERN SCREECH-OWLS, 10 GREAT HORNED OWLS, 3 BARRED OWLS, 5 BELTED KINGFISHERS, 3 PILEATED WOODPECKERS, 3 NORTHERN FLICKERS, 5 COMMON RAVENS, 30 HORNED LARKS, 8 RED-BREASTED NUTHATCHES, 4 BROWN CREEPERS, 2 HERMIT THRUSH, 81 EASTERN BLUEBIRDS, a GRAY CATBIRD, a FIELD SPARROW, a FOX SPARROW, 3 PURPLE FINCH and 2 PINE SISKINS.

Seen at the South Quabbin Reservoir were 9 WILD TURKEYS, a COMMON LOON, a HORNED GREBE, a RED-NECKED GREBE, 2 COMMON RAVENS, 3 EASTERN BLUEBIRDS, and a EASTERN MEADOWLARK.

A GRAY CATBIRD was seen in Northfield and a FOX SPARROW was at a feeder in Springfield.

Seen last week on the Williamstown area Christmas Count were a GREAT BLUE HERON, 2 NORTHERN GOSHAWKS, 134 WILD TURKEYS, 2 BARRED OWLS, 2 BELTED KINGFISHERS, 5 PILEATED WOODPECKERS, 2 COMMON RAVENS, 84 HORNED LARKS, 9 RED-BREASTED NUTHATCHES, 7 BROWN CREEPERS, 5 GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLETS, 29 EASTERN BLUEBIRDS, a BROWN THRASHER, an EASTERN TOWHEE, a COMMON GRACKLE, 6 PINE SISKINS, and a COMMON REDPOLL.

Ten COMMON REDPOLLS and a FOX SPARROW were at a feeder in Pittsfield, 6 COMMON REDPOLLS and 2 RUSTY BLACKBIRDS at a feeder in Lenox, and a NORTHERN SHRIKE and 3 HORNED LARKS were in Lee.

December 27 - Tuesday - Sunny, Cold and Breezy

TURNERS FALLS+ (from Chris Gentes) At the canal we tried to find the Barrow's Goldeneye without luck, however a Merlin flew by in the distance. No Screech-owl seen. Elsewhere in Montague we saw 12 Bluebirds and 3 Common Mergansers.

SPRINGFIELD (from ABC Bird News) From Russ Titus - Merlin

December 28 - Wednesday - Sunny

BELCHERTOWN (from Larry Therrien) Quabbin Gate 5: Ruffed Grouse (2) feeding on berries up in some low brush, Pileated Woodpecker (1), American Robin (2), Red Breasted Nuthatch (2), plus usual others...quite a few Chickadees too. Also had another Pileated Woodpecker and a Northern Mockingbird along Old Enfield Road.

NEW SALEM (posted to Massbird by Bill Lafley) This morning at a little before 6 AM I went out to fill the bird feeder and there was a Saw-whet Owl calling from the hemlocks along the edge of our field/yard.

December 29 - Thursday - Rainy and Cool

NORTHFIELD (posted to Massbird by Mark Taylor) Before the rains came this morning, I had two Brown-headed Cowbirds at the feeders and three Common Redpolls in a large Oak tree in our yard. The chattering of the Redpolls made a gloomy, foggy morning a little brighter

December 30 - Friday - Sunny and Breezy

NORTHFIELD (posted to Massbird by Mark Taylor) Common Redpoll numbers at our thistle feeder are increasing with as many as 20 today. No "frosties"(Hoary's) yet.

SOUTHWICK (posted to Massbird by Scott Ricker) My son and I went to the North lake boat ramp of the Congamond lakes in Southwick, and had an adult Bald Eagle fly from the area that has a little open water. The Eagle flew North, up the lake and continued towards Westfield. There are two dead CGeese that have been in the only open water, for about a week, The 2 A.Coot were the only water fowl still in this small bit of open water, I guess the Eagle was the cause of that!

NORTHAMPTON (from John Van de Graaff) At 3 pm there was a Sharp-shinned Hawk across from Backyard Birds.

December 31 - Saturday - Cloudy and Cold, Snow after dark

AMHERST (from Chris Gentes) Heather and I went on a hike and also saw 1 Pileated Woodpecker, 50 Cedar Waxwings, and 7 Bluebirds.