Barrow's

Though not completely uncommon, I was excited to find a Barrow's Goldeneye amongst a few Common Goldeneyes on the day the of the crossbills and MGWA.

Barrow's left, Common right.

Type 3 RECR

WWCR

After re-finding the MGWA yesterday I did some birding along the seawall at the UMass Boston campus.  Along with a few Red Crossbills, I found a flock of 6 White-winged Crossbills that gave me my best looks yet.  Lighting was quite minimal at this point in the day, so pictures were tough, but I was excited to get any at all.

MGWA

After a couple of days of nasty (bad nasty) weather I got out today to find...BIRDS.  There had been a Macgillivray's Warbler skulking around the Fenway Victory Gardens last week and though I didn't have great hope of finding it, I WENT FOR IT.  And I found it...

Ross's Goose

The continuing Ross's Goose being seen in Sharon, MA, a new bird for me.

Deer Island

Today I went out to Deer Island, in Winthrop, MA to see what waterbirds were around.  The first big group I found was a huge raft of scoters (~2000) off of Revere Beach, most of which were White-winged, but a few Surf as well.  My walk around Deer Island resulted in hundreds of Common Eider, and a number of Red-breasted Mergansers, Buffleheads, Brant, Common Goldeneyes and Common Loons.

The highlight, however, was clearly the Northern Shrike I found perching along the path.  This was a bird I was not expecting to see, and while these photos are just the iPhone through the scope, they're the best of have of this bird not in-hand.

Fresh Pond 2

Along with the Canvasbacks I saw these fellows:

Ring-necked Duck


Brown Creeper


Ruddy Duck

Fresh Pond

One of a group of ten Canvasbacks at Fresh Pond in Cambridge, MA today. iPhone through scope.

COLO

Common Loon at Plum Island.

PIGR in the AA

More of that Robin from the Arnold Arboretum.  These may be the very same crab apples that Pine Grosbeaks have been munching on all week.

NC

Winter Birds

Pine Grosbeak in Wisco

American Tree Sparrow at Plum Island

Thousands of Snow Geese in Vermont. Guesses on how many?

Downing Berries

RLHA on Plum Island

On our way back to Boston from Vermont yesterday Patrick and I stopped by Plum Island for a peek at some birds.  Though we had great success finding a Northern Shrike, Bohemian Waxwings and Pine Grosbeaks in VT, Rough-legged Hawks were not to be seen.  Lucky for us, this one was hunting in a field just off the road on Plum Island!

Notice the long leg feathers this bird is sporting.

Rochester, VT

Sandhill Cranes at Crex Meadow