Raptors from Essex County 1/22/2015

Nothing too fancy from a recent mid week trip to Boston's north shore", the Snowy Owls and Rough-legged Hawks encountered during the day were all very distant. However a few species showed nicely.

This young Red-tailed Hawk was near the gatehouse at Parker River NWR, patiently waiting
for a prey item to show....

For both the bird's and birder's sake...its always good to Keep a safe distance.

A Merlin is always a prize during the winter months! Though close we remained in the vehicle and
never spooked this bird.

The juv, Red-shouldered Hawk was using a guy wire to survey a field just outside Salisbury.

Shortly after snapping this picture the Cooper's Hawk dove into a nearby thicket, sparrows shot out like shrapnel, but
the hawk left empty handed.

Crystal Lake Cemetery (Gardner) and Feeders

A "gray morph" Eastern Screech Owl, whom I might add was a "no show" on last month's Christmas Count, was visible early Saturday afternoon (1/17) at Crystal Lake Cemetery in Gardner. Also present were several robins and Cedar Waxwings feeding on some nearby bittersweet.

This "screechie" was enjoying the sunshine on a cold January afternoon, at Gardner's Crystal Lake Cemetery

One of many Cedar Waxwings at Crystal Lake Cemetery, no Bohemians...but maybe soon?

  Recently our feeding stations have been attracting dozens of goldfinches along with Pine Siskins. With recent reports of redpolls in the area it made sense that sooner later one would show up at home. Sure enough...during Sunday afternoons rains one showed nicely on the back deck!

My first Common Redpoll of the winter

A siskin redpoll sandwich!

Westminster Early 2015

On January first, there was a large group of gulls on Round Meadow Pond, one Iceland "Kumlien's" Gull was present, but no other uncommon species were present. Since the cold snap has hit the open water has frozen and fewer gulls are present at the pond. However the cold snap a has increased our visiting feeder birds. Approximately 50 American Goldfinches and 12 Pine Siskins were at our feeders this morning.

Herring Gulls high over Round Meadow Pond on the first.

This first winter Iceland Gull was present with ~250 Herring, a dozen Great Black-backed and
a few Ring-billed Gulls on Jan 1.

A Goldfinch with Siskin on 1/11.