{"id":4889,"date":"2015-03-04T08:07:11","date_gmt":"2015-03-04T13:07:11","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/?p=4889"},"modified":"2015-06-10T10:09:50","modified_gmt":"2015-06-10T14:09:50","slug":"last-month-in-birding-february-2015","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/last-month-in-birding-february-2015\/","title":{"rendered":"Last Month in Birding: February 2015"},"content":{"rendered":"

We\u2019re excited to announce a new blog feature that highlights some of the previous\u00a0month\u2019s most interesting bird sightings as suggested by our experts. Here are five discoveries from February.<\/p>\n

Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula<\/em>) x Hooded Merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus<\/em>) Hybrid<\/h2>\n

A hybrid of these two species appeared\u00a0in the Annisquam River in Gloucester. Bearing a mix of characteristics, it is an intriguing and very unusual duck; not only do its parents belong to different species, but they also belong to two different scientific genera. Previously suspected hybrids of these birds have occasionally appeared in other parts of the country, including New York and Minnesota.<\/p>\n

\"Common<\/a>

Common goldeneye x hooded merganser hybrid \u00a9 Richard S. Heil<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Male<\/a>

Male common goldeneye (left) and male hooded merganser (right). Credits NPS and R Mosco<\/p><\/div>\n

Iceland Gull (Larus glaucoides<\/em>)<\/h2>\n

This pale gull with white wingtips breeds in the high Arctic and typically winters in small numbers along the Atlantic Coast of the United States as far south as the mid-Atlantic states. Birdwatchers noted a major influx of these birds following the severe cold spell in February. Frostier temperatures further north\u00a0may have pushed somewhat greater numbers than usual into southern New England. For example, over 130 were tallied in one day in East Gloucester alone.<\/p>\n

\"Iceland<\/a>

Iceland gull in Winthrop \u00a9 Ryan Schain<\/p><\/div>\n

Red-necked Grebe (Podiceps grisegena<\/em>)<\/h2>\n

This medium-sized waterbird has a sharp, slender, yellowish beak and a white chin. It is seldom spotted inland during this season; recently, however, one was seen at Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge in Concord. Cold temperatures are likely to blame for its presence here: the hapless bird\u00a0was likely frozen out of a large inland water body such as one of the Great Lakes or Lake Champlain.<\/p>\n

\"Red-necked<\/a>

Red-necked grebe (photo taken in\u00a0Maine)\u00a0CC BY 2.0<\/a> by Fyn Kynd<\/p><\/div>\n

Pacific Loon (Gavia pacifica<\/em>)<\/h2>\n

This bird is smaller than our more familiar common loon, and in winter often displays a dark chinstrap, a more rounded head, and a sharper contrast between the dark sides of its neck and the white of its throat. This species breeds\u00a0in the Arctic, and, true\u00a0to its name, it is mostly seen on the Pacific Ocean. It is\u00a0an unusual but not unheard-of visitor to the Massachusetts coast. This winter, one\u00a0was spotted and photographed at Cathedral Ledge in Rockport.<\/p>\n

\"Pacific<\/a>

Pacific loon in Rockport \u00a9 Flickr user Got Birds?<\/p><\/div>\n

Bohemian Waxwing (Bombycilla garrulous<\/em>)<\/h2>\n

Two waxwing species can be seen in the northeast: the smaller and more common cedar waxwing, which breeds in Massachusetts, and the larger Bohemian waxwing, which breeds in Canada and the northwestern US. The Bohemian waxwing is an erratic winter visitor that only rarely appears in the Commonwealth. A small influx of Bohemian waxwings began taking place early in the month. Keep an eye out for a larger and grayer waxwing with rusty feathers under the tail amid flocks of the more common cedar waxwings.<\/p>\n

\"Bohemian<\/a>

Bohemian waxwing in Quincy \u00a9 Steven Whitebread<\/p><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

We\u2019re excited to announce a new blog feature that highlights some of the previous\u00a0month\u2019s most interesting bird sightings as suggested by our experts. Here are five discoveries from February. Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula) x Hooded Merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus) Hybrid A hybrid of these two species appeared\u00a0in the Annisquam River in Gloucester. Bearing a mix of […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":40,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[11],"tags":[160,27,28],"class_list":["post-4889","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-nature-notes","tag-bird-sightings","tag-birding","tag-birds"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p3t87A-1gR","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":7875,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/the-most-notable-2016-bird-a-thon-sightings\/","url_meta":{"origin":4889,"position":0},"title":"The Most Notable 2016 Bird-a-thon Sightings","author":"Mass Audubon","date":"July 11, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"More than 700 birders on 24 teams participated in Bird-a-thon 2016 this May, recording a total of 270 species of birds. That\u2019s only 1 species away from the Bird-a-thon all-time best total of 271 species in 2009! Highlighted below are some notable sightings as determined by Wayne Petersen, Director, Important\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Get Involved"","block_context":{"text":"Get Involved","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/get-involved\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2016\/06\/White-faced-Ibis-Harry-Liggett-1024x678.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2016\/06\/White-faced-Ibis-Harry-Liggett-1024x678.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2016\/06\/White-faced-Ibis-Harry-Liggett-1024x678.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2016\/06\/White-faced-Ibis-Harry-Liggett-1024x678.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":7184,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/last-month-in-birding-february-2016\/","url_meta":{"origin":4889,"position":1},"title":"Last Month in Birding: February 2016","author":"Rosemary","date":"March 8, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"Here are five\u00a0incredible bird sightings from last month as suggested by Mass Audubon's experts. Yellow-billed Loon\u00a0(Gavia\u00a0adamsii) The largest loon species\u00a0in the world, this bird\u00a0breeds on the high Arctic tundra, farther north than our familiar common loon. Scientists still have much to learn about its\u00a0habits. Outside of certain Arctic and west\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Nature Notes"","block_context":{"text":"Nature Notes","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/nature-notes\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2016\/03\/mystery-gull.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2016\/03\/mystery-gull.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2016\/03\/mystery-gull.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":5135,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/last-month-in-birding-march-2015\/","url_meta":{"origin":4889,"position":2},"title":"Last Month in Birding: March 2015","author":"Rosemary","date":"April 2, 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"We take a\u00a0look back at five\u00a0of March's\u00a0most interesting bird sightings as suggested by our experts. Gyrfalcon (Falco rusticolus) This fast and powerful bird is the largest falcon in the world. It breeds\u00a0in the arctic and irregularly winters farther south, but is rarely seen as far south as Massachusetts. The gyrfalcon\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Nature Notes"","block_context":{"text":"Nature Notes","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/nature-notes\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2015\/04\/GWFG_640x424.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2015\/04\/GWFG_640x424.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2015\/04\/GWFG_640x424.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":5552,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/last-month-in-birding-may-2015\/","url_meta":{"origin":4889,"position":3},"title":"Last Month in Birding: May 2015","author":"Rosemary","date":"June 10, 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"Each month we take a look at a few of the previous month\u2019s bird sightings as suggested by our experts. Here are five of May's\u00a0most exciting observations. Little gull (Hydrocoloeus minutes) True to its name, this bird is the world\u2019s smallest gull. It is common across much of Europe and\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Nature Notes"","block_context":{"text":"Nature Notes","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/nature-notes\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2015\/06\/booby.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2015\/06\/booby.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2015\/06\/booby.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":7035,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/last-month-in-birding-january-2016\/","url_meta":{"origin":4889,"position":4},"title":"Last Month in Birding: January 2016","author":"Rosemary","date":"February 11, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"Every month we share five amazing bird sightings as suggested by our experts. Here are a few interesting observations from January. Smith\u2019s Longspur\u00a0(Calcarius pictus) Like other longspurs, Smith\u2019s longspur has a long claw (\u201cspur\u201d) on its hind toe. This bird breeds across parts of the western subarctic tundra. Its romantic\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Nature Notes"","block_context":{"text":"Nature Notes","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/nature-notes\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2016\/02\/Pink-Footed-Goose.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2016\/02\/Pink-Footed-Goose.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2016\/02\/Pink-Footed-Goose.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":5980,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/last-month-in-birding-july-2015\/","url_meta":{"origin":4889,"position":5},"title":"Last Month in Birding: July 2015","author":"Rosemary","date":"August 18, 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"In July, Massachusetts birders enjoyed another month of unusual sightings. Here are five of the most exciting of these observations as suggested by our experts. Bridled tern (Onychoprion anaethetus) A bird of tropical and subtropical oceans, the bridled tern is similar in size to our common tern, but is stouter\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Nature Notes"","block_context":{"text":"Nature Notes","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/nature-notes\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2015\/08\/bridled1.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2015\/08\/bridled1.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2015\/08\/bridled1.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4889","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/40"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4889"}],"version-history":[{"count":35,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4889\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4947,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4889\/revisions\/4947"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4889"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4889"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4889"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}