Dorrie Holmes found that a large flock of Canada geese at a water treatment plant outside Springfield in late October included a Barnacle Goose. Over the days that followed, at least two Cackling Geese, a Brant, and even a Pink-footed Goose appeared in the same flock! The Barnacle Goose was found at various locations around Westfield through at least January 2; sightings from Longmeadow may have been a different individual. Aidan Griffiths took the photo above.
John Young found a Bell’s Vireo at Demarest Lloyd State Park on November 4. The bird was not found again at that location, but just a few miles down the coast, Jim Sweeney found one at Sconticut Neck which remained in that area for over two weeks. Carolyn Longworth took the photo above.
Though apparently a one day wonder, the Tundra Swan that Jason Forbes found on Farrar Pond in Lincoln was enjoyed and photographed by dozens of birders during its brief stay. Jason took the photo above.
Just one day after finding a Tundra Swan in Lincoln, Jason Forbes found the fifth state record of Hammond’s Flycatcher at Hanscom Field! That bird stayed for just a day, but then Nick Dorian found it or another on the Tufts University campus November 29, where it remained through at least December 3. (A Hammond’s was also present in Central Park, New York around this time.) Griffin Richards took the photo above.
Pam Sowizral’s find of an Ash-throated Flycatcher at Mass Audubon’s Drumlin Farm on November 26 kicked off a little flurry of the species in our state, with one at Pilgrim Heights near Provincetown the very next day, plus one-day wonders photographed near Hingham by Sally Avery, and near Wareham by Nate Marchessault. The first two birds disappeared almost as synchronously as they arrived, with the Drumlin Farm bird last seen on December 2, and the one near Provincetown on December 3. Nate took the photo above.
Richard Ouren found the first Ross’s Goose of the fall on Nantucket on December 8; presumably the same bird was found in different locations around the island through New Year’s Day. Another one turned up in Columbus Park, Boston on December 24 and continued through press time. A third briefly visited Good Harbor Beach in Gloucester on December 25. The Martha’s Vineyard CBC December 28 led to the discovery of a fourth. Matt Garvey took the photo above.