MA - Franklin County owls

 

Eastern Screech-Owl (red phase) - at daytime roost, Turner's Falls, Franklin Co., MA. January 23rd, 2021.

Much like the raptors mentioned in my last post, I've been stumbling across more owls than usual in the county during January. A territorial male Great Horned Owl has been especially vocal on calm, mild evenings at the Turner's Falls power canal. And, on January 26th, I had good daytime views of another Great Horned carrying a vole at a much less visited site in Whately. 

Barred Owl sightings have certainly increased in January with singles seen at Millers Falls, Gill and Whately over the last two weeks or so. Unfortunately, this has also meant the finding of more road casualties with at least two on Interstate 91 around Greenfield/Route 2 intersection and a further three at scattered sites along the Mohawk Trail. Of all the local owls, Barred seem most vulnerable to colliding with vehicles as they often hunt close to roadsides in deep winter. 

Eastern Screech-Owl (red phase) - at daytime roost, Turner's Falls, Franklin Co., MA. January 23rd, 2021.

On a more upbeat note, I did have fabulous close range views of a red-phase Eastern Screech-Owl roosting next to a busy footpath in Turner's Falls on the 23rd, a bird courteously pointed out to me by mobs of screaming Blue Jays! Turner's Falls is a good spot for screech-owls but I haven't tried particularly hard for them in the last few months so to have these superb, close-up views in daylight was especially sweet. 

Eastern Screech-Owl (red phase) - at daytime roost with mobbing Blue Jay (lower right) Turner's Falls, Franklin Co., MA. January 23rd, 2021.

But, the last word on owls must go to the Long-eared Owl that I saw well but distantly along apparently ideal habitat in Whately on January 22nd. This was a tough observation partly due to distance but also because the bird was accidentally flushed by a local farmer before I had the chance to try for photos. The farmer was the only person for miles around and I simply couldn't believe what I was seeing when he walked straight towards the Long-eared Owl that had just appeared in front of him! It was one of the more bizarre local birding experiences that I've had in recent years.   

Field edge where the Long-eared Owl appeared on Jan 22nd though I was some distance away watching with a scope when I first noticed the bird. 

This pic was taken four days later. Whately, Franklin Co., MA. January 26th, 2021. 

It's difficult to describe just how aloof this species really is in Franklin County, and especially frustrating because there appears to be, at least superficially, acres and acres of suitable habitat and yet I only know of five county records. Of those, only one was documented with photos. 

All have been single day reports as follows;

01/22/21 - Whately: single hunting at dusk.  J.P. Smith.

11/26/20 - Montague: single at daytime roost. B. Kane. 

03/25/18 - Montague: single at daytime roost (photos). B. Finney et al.

03/14/01 - New Salem: single at daytime roost (restricted area). B. Kane et al.

12/08/85 - New Salem: two during 'owling' at Gate 35, Quabbin. M. Lynch/BBC trip members.

There may be others undocumented of course but these are the only records that I'm aware of to date. A rare bird indeed in Franklin County. 

 

MA - November third week

Lesser Black-backed Gull (juvenile, third from right) - Turner's Falls power canal, Franklin Co., MA. November 16th, 2017. 

The last week has seen a mixed bag of falling temperatures, light snowfalls and occasionally blustery conditions. The high turnover birds experienced through the greater Turner's Falls area seems to have slowed right down with relatively few new birds arriving this week. However, the numbers and presence of large gulls has improved with up 65 Herring, 25 Great Black-backed, 2 - 3 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and a single Iceland (adult) Gull showing up from the 15th, and up to 120 Ring-billed Gulls from the 19th.

Lesser Black-backed Gull (juvenile preening, third from right) - Turner's Falls power canal, Franklin Co., MA. November 16th, 2017. 

Ring-billed Gulls - Turner's Falls, Franklin Co., MA. November 19th, 2017. 

With the exception of Common Mergansers (up to 65 on the power canal) and Hooded Mergansers (up to 65 on Barton Cove) waterfowl numbers have remained consistently low with 14 Ring-necked Ducks on the 19th being the only stand-out moment. Otherwise a Common Loon, 3 Lesser Scaup, 2 Common Goldeneye remained at Barton Cove to the 21st, and a Pied-billed Grebe was present there on the 20th.

Ring-necked Ducks - over Barton Cove from Unity Park, Turner's Falls, Franklin Co., MA . November 19th, 2017.

Bald Eagles have been present throughout and relatively active with five seen together at the Turner's Falls Rod and Gun club on the 19th, and a pair actively chasing the large gulls at Barton Cove also on the 19th. Similarly, Peregrines have been present in Gill, Northfield and Turner's Falls with two together sparring over the power canal on the 21st, and a juvenile hunting Hooded Mergansers also on the 21st. Eastern Screech-Owls surprised me twice with a nice red phase appearing at dusk at Turner's Falls on the 19th, and another calling from a new site (for me) at dawn on North Cross Road, Gill on the 20th. Also on the 20th, whilst on the way to the airport, I made a slight detour to look for a Snowy Owl being reported in Hadley and met with success though the bird looked totally out of place sat atop a heavily manicured evergreen hedgerow.

Eastern Screech-Owl - Turner's Falls, Franklin Co., MA. November 19th, 2017. 

Snowy Owl - Hadley, Hampshire Co., MA. November 20th, 2017.

Bald Eagle - Unity Park, Turner's Falls, Franklin Co., MA . November 19th, 2017.

Merlin - Gill Riverside, Franklin Co., MA. November 17th, 2017.

The most interesting passerines of the week concern a smattering of flyover Snow Buntings and Purple Finches at several locations in Gill and Northfield, and gradually increasing numbers of American Tree Sparrows with eight on North Cross Road, Gill on the 21st, just by way of an example. We also had two Fox Sparrows in our yard in Northfield on the 18th and Winter Wrens have been frequent and easy to hear calling at dawn along North Cross Road, Gill with three or four individuals present.

Dark-eyed Junco - Turner's Falls, Franklin Co., MA. November 21st, 2017. 

American Tree Sparrow - Turner's Falls, Franklin Co., MA. November 21st, 2017. 

MA - Eastern Screech-Owl in Gill

 Eastern Screech-Owl - Gill, Franklin Co, MA. November 7th, 2017. 

A chilly, raw evening produced this fine Eastern Screech-Owl at one of my traditional spots in Gill. It was cool and windy with wintery showers so my expectations were low but the bird put on a nice vocal and visual show, eventually showing superbly well in a relatively soft spotlight. It was the highlight of a day that didn't quite live up to expectation as cold, clear air from the north allowed almost all of yesterday's species to depart overnight including the Redheads. However, new waterbird arrivals in the greater Turner's Falls area included 15 Buffleheads, a Lesser Scaup and a Pied-billed Grebe while a Ring-necked Duck and 2 American Wigeons remained, and Common Goldeneyes built up to at least 16 birds at the power canal. 

Ruby-crowned Kinglet - Northfield, Franklin Co., MA. November 7th, 2017.

MA - Gill screech-owls

Eastern Screech-owl (rufous-morph) - Gill, Franklin Co., MA. November 25th, 2016. 

Yesterday evening (11/25) was dull, foggy and even a little balmy - it might even have been compared to an evening in early spring. With this in mind, I decided to try a couple of spots in Gill for screech-owls as I made my way home from Turner's Falls. Eastern Screech-owls are reasonably common in Turner's Falls but I have found them to be inexplicably difficult north of Turner's Falls despite repeated attempts in many suitable areas. Yesterday evening I was very fortunate to find a pair of screech-owls in a spot that I felt looked good for years but had never produced them. Moreover, the birds appeared early while there was still plenty of ambient light, at around 16:30,hrs. The male of the pair was an obvious rufous-morph and showed well at close range for several minutes giving the classic "whinny" calls and sometimes the monotone trill. A second spot about three quarters of a mile away also supported a calling bird and again, the "whinny" call could be heard clearly through the fog. In the distance, a Barred Owl gave the classic "who-cooks-for-you" call but just the once. All in all, a very nice little owl session and, remarkably, the first actual views of a screech-owl that I've had in Gill.

MA - local screech-owl

Eastern Screech-Owl - gray morph, Franklin Co., MA. January 26th, 2016.

Yesterday evening (01/26) was so mild and balmy you'd be forgiven for thinking that it was late March rather than late January! It was also fairly breezy, not really the sort of conditions that one might expect to hear an owl calling. Yet as dusk crept towards nightfall I felt sure I could hear the tail-end of the monotone trill of an Eastern Screech-Owl. A little patient stalking in the woods and I was soon watching this perky little owl calling and flying around moving from song post to song post - so visible in fact that it even allowed me to chance a few images.

 Eastern Screech-Owl - gray morph, Franklin Co., MA. January 26th, 2016. 

Active well before nightfall with plenty of ambient light in the background.

Eastern Screech-Owl - gray morph, Franklin Co., MA. January 26th, 2016.

Probably not uncommon along the Connecticut River Valley, though much more frequently heard than seen. 

MA - a little more owling

We are currently locked in a crazy, warm spell with calm sometimes foggy days and near wind-less nights. It's so warm that you'd be forgiven for thinking that it's early spring. Eastern Chipmunks are still active in our yard and this evening I heard a Spring Peeper at Turner's Falls power canal - just crazy for mid-December!

Yesterday evening I was out with Matan and decided to try a couple of spots in Gill for Eastern Screech-owl. Just about all of my Franklin County screech-owls have come from the hotspot of Turner's Falls where, with a little effort, it's not too difficult to hear or sometimes see one. Gill on the other hand is a different story altogether. With a bit of effort it's possible to find Barred, Great Horned and Northern Saw-whet Owls in Gill with some regularity but despite living in the area since 2010, screech-owls have eluded me altogether, and that's not for a lack of trying.

But yesterday evening was different. Just after 5pm I tried a couple of spots on River Road close to the Connecticut River. At the first, one owl gave the classic descending whinny calls, distant but unambiguous all the same. At the second, I had two birds calling back and forth for a few seconds, both giving a peculiar screech or bark that sounded (to me) quite reminiscent of the 'kew' calls of Northern Saw-whet Owl. So, at last, screech-owls do exist in Gill.......it's just taken me five years to find them!

Eastern Screech Owl - June 2nd

Eastern Screech Owl - Beautiful red-phase at a locality in Hampshire County, MA.

Eastern Screech Owl and Pine Grosbeaks - 01/04

Kumlien's Iceland Gull (center).

Winter Sunset at the Power Canal, Turner's Falls. January '08.

After two very cold days (and nights), today's afternoon high rose to a balmy 25 degrees or so, warm enough for a short but productive spin up to Turner's Falls. Barton Cove was surprisingly devoid of gulls, but again 4 Pine Grosbeaks fed unconcerned on Crab Apples at close range in Unity Park. Down the road, good portions of the open areas on the power canal were frozen and this is where most of the gulls could be found resting. Less that two hundred birds were present but included two Glaucous and one Kumlien's Iceland Gull. All were first-cycle birds.

A female Red-breasted Merganser was bigger surprise, feeding alone the whole time and not willing to join the assembled Common Mergansers. This pictured Screech Owl made an appearance well before the sunset but soon retreated when a flock of mobbing chickadees forced it back into its cavity in a dead White Pine.

Other notable birds today included more Pine Grosbeaks around Amherst with 4 on North Whitney Street and 3 on Strong Street near Wildwood cemetery, along with singles of Carolina Wren and Pine Siskin. This Sharp-shinned Hawk (my first of the New Year) was digiscoped from the apartment today as well.

Sharp-shinned Hawk - juv/first winter.

GB,


JPS.