Amherst to Turners Falls

Five members joined in to visit a few local hotspots. The group met at Atkins Farms and  two Turkey Vultures were spotted just a short distance away.  Doing a quick detour to the Honeypot of Hadley to pick up a member, we headed up to Turners Falls along Rte. 47, the back road.  Black Ducks were spotted in Montague Center.  The water was mostly frozen at the Rod and Gun Club, but coupled with the nearby feeder, we managed to spot Common Merganser, Mute Swan, Bald Eagle, Junco, White-throated Sparrow, House Finch, Song Sparrow and Downy Woodpecker.  Barton’s Cove was next, again partially iced-in, but we got looks at another Bald Eagle, Canada Geese, Mallards and Ring-billed Gulls.  Our last stop was at the power canal and, unfortunately, the gate was locked.  We did walk in getting more Canada Geese and Mallards, two Bufflehead, one Ring-necked Duck, two Hooded Mergansers and another Bald Eagle.