Here in central Massachusetts, a mild fall was inevitably sidelined by the "real" winter that came in with the first significant snowfall on December 9th. Weeks of very slow-paced activity at birdfeeding stations gave way to a steady stream of visitors. Dark-eyed Junco numbers increased throughout December, and we were seeing them on roadsides, woods edges, and on the ground under birdfeeders. Christmas Bird Counts turned up many half-hardy species that either got caught off-guard or decided to stick it out. Temperatures plunged and fruit-eating birds descended on winterberry (IIlex verticillata), sumac, and poison ivy berries. Both Red and Gray Squirrels, in spite of winter food stashes, sought out feeders, too, joining the expected permanent resident birds and a few surprise species. Massachusetts made the national news when the very harsh "bomb cyclone" snowstorm followed by a frigid Arctic blast brought a deep freeze. Birds concentrated even more at feeders 4 January through 10 January. Heavy rains and unseasonably high temperatures up to the low 60s F. on 11-12 January created small ponds in fields and triggered some confusion in amphibians before giving way to returning "normal" winter conditions.
 Female Pileated Wodpecker feeding on poison ivy berries, Hardwick, 30 December 2017 (Quabbin Christmas Bird Count) Photo by Alan Rawle  Ted Purcell was fortunate to encounter some Cedar Waxwings (Bombycilla cedrorum) in Rutland in early January. They have been uncommon in our region since their breeding season ended in August.  One of a flock of eight Eastern Bluebirds (Sialia sialis) feeding on Staghorn Sumac (Rhus typhina) berries in Hardwick on 13 January. Photo by Alan Rawle |  American Red Squirrels are primarily granivores, but incorporate other food items into their diets opportunistically. Seeds at birdfeeding stations fit nicely into their natural diets. Photo by Ted Purcell  Winterberry or Black Alder (Ilex verticillata) produced abundant fruit in 2017. An important role played by winterberry is as a fall and winter food source for songbirds: the fleshy, bright red berries are said to be toxic to humans, but fruit-eating birds such as robins, mockingbirds, Eastern Bluebirds, and Cedar Waxwings evidently find them palatable. It is possible that, as with American Holly, the levels of toxic or unpalatable chemicals in winterberry berries decline as the fruit matures and hangs on the shrubs. In our area at least, winterberry seems to be eaten by the birds after the winter solstice.  A Tufted Titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor) in Rutland, Photo by Ted Purcell |  American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis) in winter/non-breeding plumage. Photo by Ted Purcell.  In Rutland, this immature Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius) visited Doug Wipf's birdfeeding station from fall through 29 December 2017. Whether the bird moved on prior to the oncoming storm (birds react to barometric pressure changes and can adjust their behaviors) or simply didn't survive is unknown. |
Watchful Eye
Hiker and wildlife photographer Jim Morelly sent this trail camera image of a Bobcat captured on 21 December. Jim writes: "I have been watching and exploring several central Massachusetts swamps since last winter. They certainly have shown promise [for capturing images of wildlife] . . .the variety of tracks and scat have been consistent throughout the year. The first snow on December 9th showed continued activity with predators skirting the swamp's edge."
 Eastern cottontail rabbit (Sylvilagus floridanus) tracks in fresh snow in Rutland, before the thaw. Anecdotal information suggests that 2017 was a "good" year for cottontail reproduction. Photo by Ted Purcell  Northern Pintails (Anas acuta) 13 January 2018 in a flooded cornfield in New Braintree. Photo by Alan Rawle. |  YOU are the rare bird if you live in central MA and haven't encountered a Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis) this winter! Photo by Alan Rawle  This 2 1/2 inch salamander responded to the heavy rains and high temperatures of 11-12 January by emerging from its winter shelter beneath the rocks. When the temperatures dropped into single digits on the 13th, it presumably resumed hibernation, withstanding the freeze by a chemical change in the body that bathes its organs in a glucose-filled fluid "antifreeze."  Blue Jay by Ted Purcell. Who's watching whom? |