| One thing we can say about winter in central Massachusetts is that there are always surprises--amount of snowfall; freeze-and-thaw cycles; bird visitors from the north; breeding birds that didn't migrate south; resident bird populations seeming to be "up" or "down"; mammal movements. Temperature-wise it was a real roller-coaster ride affecting semi-hibernation patterns of raccoons, opossums, and other animals. Snow fleas, or springtails, (Hypogastrura nivicola) put in an appearance in Petersham on 3 February, between bouts of single-digit night-time temperatures. There was constant refrain of "No birds are coming to my feeders!" especially during the first half of the season. Was this due to the lack of snow cover and the dispersal of our usual feeder visitors? On the other hand, some uncommon species were noted, and high numbers of Cooper's and Sharp-shinned hawks and Barred Owls seemed to be popping up everywhere. This was probably partially linked to the heavy mast year (acorns and other seeds) that provided so much food for rodents in fall 2017. Raptors and owls raising young in 2018 should have had abundant food and thus more successful broods. Voila! More owls and hawks in the landscape. According to some biologists, some of these hawks and owls likely were from regions north of Massachusetts. Small local irruptions of a few other northern breeding birds, including Evening Grosbeaks and Pine Grosbeaks, occurred throughout the area. And, although feeder activity was low in some places, feeder-watchers who persisted and occasionally fed high-quality items such as mealworms eventually attracted a variety of visitors. |  One of four Barred Owls seen in Hubbardston 5 January 2019. Photo by Alan Rawle. |
 A female Yellow-bellied Sapsucker returning to a feeder in Rutland in early January was believed to be the same individual (with more mature plumage) as the immature sapsucker observed at the same location early in the season. Photo by Doug Wipf. |  Female Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 7 January 2019. Photo by Doug Wipf. |  Immature Red-shouldered Hawk 16 February 2019 in Hardwick, near dusk. Was this a bird that over-wintered or an early arrival? |
 Eastern Bluebirds visit a mealworm buffet in Ruitland. Photo by Anne Greene.  Raccoon in south-facing tree cavity, catching some late-afternoon rays 5 February 2019 in the south Quabbin region.  When it comes to preference by birds, not all crabapple trees are created equal. The fruit of some cultivars remain untouched in even the coldest weather. Obviously the trees at MWCC are the "right" species of crabapple. We would welcome information from botanist(s) about which crabapple species to plant if we want to attract fruit-eating birds to our properties. Photo 26 January 2019 by Doug Wipf. |  A coyote appears to be contemplating its next move in Rutland in mid-February. Photo by Anne Greene.  A few Pine Grosbeaks for many days in late January stayed at the Mt. Wachusett Community College campus in Gardner, feeding on the fruit of a favorite crabapple tree. Photo by Doug Wipf.  Porcupine safely perched in a tall hardwood tree in New Braintree 17 February 2019. Photo by Alan Rawle. |
 Sharp-shinned Hawk 31 December 2018, Rutland. Photo by Ted Purcell. |   A Carolina Wren takes advantage of mealworms at a feeding station in Rutland. Photo by Anne Greene. |  A male Pileated Woodpecker excavates a characteristically large opening in a pine tree in Rutland. Photo by Anne Greene. |
 As you might expect of a typically nomadic species, a small flock of Evening Grosbeaks were one-day wonders in Anne Greene's yard in Rutland around mid-January. |  White-throated Sparrows were fairly common in the area all winter. Photo by Ted Purcell 31 December 2018, Rutland.  An Evening Grosbeak in Rutland shows off its strong, seed-cracking beak. Photo by Anne Greene. |
The early bird: a Red-bellied Woodpecker catches a mealworm at sunrise in Rutland. Photo by Anne Greene.