Sunday, October 25, 2015

Wampanoag Hawkwatch 10/24

A brief hawkwatch, at the Wampanoag MAS in Gardner, produced a modest flight of raptors during a 2 hour session late Saturday morning; the totals (for migrants):
Turkey Vulture  5
Bald Eagle 1 adult
Sharp-shinned Hawk 4
Red-shouldered Hawk 3
Red-tailed Hawk 6

Also notable were a Horned Lark, Winter Wren (calling from the adjacent woods),  and ~10 passing Purple Finches.
Several Yellow-rumped Warblers were in the area,  including one that landed on my head! Ten plus years back a Northern Shrike nearly landed on my head , it did in fact land on my scope (only 3 feet from me!) at same spot , while I was hawkwatching....once again confirming hawkwatching is not exactly an aerobic vocation.

The true highlight was the Eastern Coyote, that was digging at the edge of the field:
A  handsome dog!

as it discovers my presence

retreating to cover




Later a Porcupine showed in the field!
waddling across the field at full "steam"

taking a brief pause before entering the woods.

2 comments:

neogonzo said...

very interesting day Tom! - BR

Tom Pirro said...

I would've watched from Watatic, but I had helped setup a library book sale and wanted to help close the sales down in early afternoon. It worked out well all the way around!