Saturday, May 4, 2013

MA - First Orioles amd more 05/04

Gill - Another day of immaculate weather though once again dawning chilly as we've experienced all through this week. A bigger, better day for migrants with obvious signs of new arrivals in and around the yard most notably a couple of singing Baltimore Orioles, a calling Gray Catbird, and Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Bank Swallow, Chimney Swift and Amercian Redstart all moving through quickly without stopping. In the yard, a Warbling Vireo sang vigorously all day and seems to be on territory while a yellow (Eastern) Palm Warbler and a Northern Parula were certainly migrants. Our Louisiana Waterthrush remains present on the brook though is extremely aloof when it comes to views, usually only detectable by song and call. Elsewhere in Gill, Yellow, Pine, Black-throated and Yellow-rumped Warblers seem to be widespread already along with other summer breeders such as Ovenbird and Blue-headed Vireo. Susannah also reported the first Wood Thrush of the year singing in a woodlot off North Cross Road, Gill.

All images taken from our yard in Gill, Franklin Co., MA on May 4th, 2013 using a Canon Powershot G10 compact digital camera.

Eastern Bluebird

Bank Swallow - the second of two sightings from our yard today.
This bird was hanging out with the local Barn Swallows in late afternoon.
It landed on the ground several times and may have been collecting nesting material?
 
Northern Flicker - busy excavating a nest hole.
Female pictured below.


(Eastern) Palm Warbler - feeding high in the tree tops today and difficult to photograph.

Eastern Phoebe

House Finch nestlings

Purple Finch - female. Often compared to and some confused with House Finch,
but the striking head pattern and chunky proportions remind me more of a 'mini' grosbeak.


No comments: