Tuesday, December 25, 2012

Island Pond, VT

Headed north the other day to Island Pond, Vermont to do a little scouting for a trip later in 2013.
Priscilla Moor and I left around 5:30am and headed up 91 North towards Vermont. Considering the time of year, the weather and roadways were pretty good. We made a quick stop at Exit 17 for breakfast at the P&H Truck Stop. After breakfast we continue north until we got to Newport, Vermont, from there we headed east on rte 105 to Island Pond and onto our main target.... Moose Bog. This region plays host to such boreal specialties like Spruce Grouse, Gray Jay, Boreal Chickadee and Black-backed Woodpecker.

Although we arrived late, we were able to locate a couple of Boreal Chickadees amongest  a flock of Black-capped Chickadees. The area also had a recent light snow fall, which made it a winter wonderland. No big surprise, we didn't break 20 species for the day...besides the Boreal Chickadees, the other highlights were several large flocks of Wild Turkeys and a 1st winter Iceland Gull in Newport.

Below are a few photos of Island Pond region and recent Redpolls in the Honey Pot area in Hadley.


Main Road to Moose Bog

Bulletin board at Moose Bog 


Winter Wonderland...we only had to drive 220 miles to experience it. 

Priscilla on Moose Bog Trail.....

Iceland Gull-Newport, VT (Sleeping in center)

Red-breasted Nuthatch- Moose Bog

Black-capped Chickadee

Common Redpolls- A large flock has been hanging out in the Honey Pot for the last couple of weeks. There also have been 1-3 Hoary Redpolls mixed in with the flock.

Common Redpoll

Common Redpoll

Common Redpoll

Bobcat! Sunning at Hampshire Fittness in Amherst.
Scott

Sunday, December 2, 2012

Pine Grosbeaks-increasing.




Headed into Amherst the other day to pick up a couple of Holiday items when I came across four Pine Grosbeaks in the center of town. The Grosbeaks were feeding on a Crabapple Tree across from the Police Station on Main Street. The center of Amherst has several pockets of Crabapple Trees in the downtown area. Pine Grosbeaks are still being found around the Umass Campus, Quabbin HQ in Belchertown and the flock in Turners Falls is has increased to over forty birds. Again, most if not all the birds being reported are Imm/Females.




Pine Grosbeak- Amherst

Angry Pine Grosbeak?