Wednesday 11/6: Hanscom was quiet (other than meadowhawks) as were a bunch of ponds.
Thursday 11/7: Couple Red-shoulders at the West Meadow, waxwings and an RC Kinglet at Falzone.
Friday 11/8: Weasel (presumably Long-tailed), Snow Bunting, Peregrine, few other things at Great Meadows. Gadwall at the res in the afternoon and very little in an evening check of the parkway marsh at BBN.
Saturday 11/9: With NW winds, decided to try for Golden Eagles at Watatic. Started hiking at about 8:30 and made the watch by 9:15. Unfortunately, the winds seemed a bit too strong. In the hour before I gave up, I had one Red-tail, one Bald Eagle, a couple ravens, a few finches, and 50 geese. More geese and a couple Red-shoulders on the way down. Reports indicated it was a scoter day, so I did a few ponds on the way back. Hoodies on Ashby Res, nothing on Fitchburg, nothing on Nagog, geese on Flint’s. Cambridge Res however was very birdy. Big flock of wigeon with a few Gadwall at the south end along with some mergansers. Found the scoter flock in the middle but they disappeared before I got photos. Ton of swans and Ring-necks further down, then some Bufflehead at the Trapelo end.
Sunday 11/10: Was thinking about a Cave Swallow search at Heard but realized Water Row would probably be better. Got to the overlook just after 7:30 and gave it an hour. No swallows and very few larger birds moving (a few geese and Mallard, a hunting harrier, a flock of teal) but there were good numbers of robins and blackbirds and a creeper that landed right in front of me was nice. Eventually decided walking was a better idea. Put the scope in the car and immediately heard a siskin going over. A few feet down and 70 Canada Geese fly by. Got down to the FWS buildings and heard an odd call that eventually I realized was crane bugling. Searched a bit and 4 flew over. Unfortunately I was basically too slow on the audio and had no chance at any photos. Continued down to the end where there was a Fox Sparrow mixed in with some juncos and a pile more siskins. Started back and heard a Marsh Wren across from the pond, then had a phoebe and Winter Wren at the pond. A Red-shoulder was sitting behind one of the houses, but there wasn’t too much else from there.
Back at the car, I drove to Cow Common just in case the cranes had landed there, then doubled back to the Old 27 Bridge. Forty-five minutes of scanning there had a Yellow-rump andanother Fox Sparrow or two, but not much flying around. To Heard from here where there were swans and an eagle. Nothing exciting at the swamp, so home.
Went back out to check the res, which had about the same as yesterday. Then, just at halftime, got a text from Lily that the Snow Goose was back at BBN. Perfect timing to run over, patch bird!
Monday 11/11: Started at Horn Pond. Egret was one of the first birds, then 3 Gadwall. Nothing much exciting after that, most of the usual stuff, no Great Cormorant. Sandy Beach after was pretty quiet. Decided on Earhart next and had very little.
Tuesday 11/12: Usual ducks at Arlington Res highlighted by 5 Lesser Scaup. Bluebird at the farm was a new bird for me here. Quick buzz of the res and Hardy didn’t have anything of note, although I didn’t scan most of the dabblers.