September 4th, 2005. East Meadows, Northampton, MA.
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Dickcissel Spiza americana, (4+, adults and first-winters).
| This morning produced a bumper crop of Dickcissels down at the East Meadows. All of the birds were with a tight group of about 80 Bobolinks,
and seen within a relatively short period of time. Much like the
Bobolinks, the Dickcissels would perch up on weeds and crops for short
periods. Sometimes they'd allow time for a photo and sometimes not. The best
individual of the morning, a fine adult male, eluded the camera by a
split second. On the other hand, I wasn’t at all disappointed with the
results. The birds were quite difficult to see but patient waiting with
a scope produced some good results. I suspect that there could be more
than four Dickcissels in the meadows right now, and none of the birds
that I saw/photograhed today resembled the bird that I found on there
August 29th.
All of the birds were nervous, due mainly to the presence of raptors.
This morning I noted Peregrine (juvenile), Merlin, American
Kestrel, Cooper’s and Sharp-shinned Hawks, and a single Broad-winged
Hawk.
Otherwise, the most notable birds were Semi-palmated Plover (1), Least
Sandpiper (1), ‘western’ Palm Warbler (5), Willow Flycatcher (2),
Indigo Bunting (14), and Swamp Sparrow (2).
| | Images taken using Canon Powershot A-95 through Swarovski HD telescope. |
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